Friday, August 17, 2012
Best Birthday Idea Ev-ah!
Olivia's birthday was yesterday. She is now officially 11! Wow!
We usually do something as a family around each of the kids' birthdays (the boys' days are only a week apart so theirs are usually together) and this year I had seen an amazing idea on another blog. I showed it to Olivia knowing it was right up her alley, and sure enough, so we modified it and got right to work. A portion of our day was rained out and we will be doing it this weekend if the weather is better, but here's a gimpse of the rest of the day, which Olivia has proclaimed her best birthday ever and wants to do again next year!
Olivia chose to have a "giving" day today, doing random acts of kindness for others throughout the day. We had some appointments which ended up being scheduled for this day as well, so those were interspersed with our giving ideas.
Our first activity was rained out! :( We were going to take pennies to our local fountain and scatter them on the ground with a sidewalk chalk note telling others to "Make a Wish". We'll do that soon. Instead we headed to our first appointment for Braeden and then to lunch. Olivia chose our awesome Chinese buffet!
Afterwards I surprised them by taking them to see The Odd Life of Timothy Green which they were just asking about and had no idea it was out yet. SUCH A GREAT MOVIE! Especially for those with adoption in their family! Bring the tissues!
Another family we've been getting to know who has a daughter Olivia's age met us at the movie and gave Olivia a bag of coins for her birthday since they knew about the day we had planned. :)
On our way in we dropped off some quarters on Random Acts of Kindness printables (link below) for others to use the machines.
After the movie we drove through McD's for a drink to share. On our way through we also left a $20 bill and three Random coupons to pay for the three cars behind us. The best part was the kids were able to watch out the back to see the person's reaction behind us and they were SO TICKLED. It was so cute! The woman had had her credit card out and ready to pay and instead was handed her receipt and a coupon. They said she laughed and said "Yes!" and then told her kids what had been done for them. I absolutely LOVED watching their reactions and have to say that was the best part of the day!
Next we went to a local laundromat and hung up rows of four quarters on Random coupons for patrons to use.
After the laundromat we went to a store to kill a little time before picking up our sitter to watch the boys while I took Olivia to an appointment. While there we hung more Random coupons and quarters.
Unfortunately, on our way to pick up our sitter, something went VERY WRONG with our van. I have no idea what exactly happened yet but let's just say it sounded like we were dragging chains and it wouldn't go in reverse. Um, I'm thinking, Not. Good. So we limped to our car dealership/service area to leave it with them and waited for a rental car place to pick us up. (Olivia's pout is fake :) and yes, the boys are trying the free coffee. It had been a day. Don't judge.) :)
We had to reschedule Olivia's appointment but we made it home in time to make her chosen birthday dinner. This year Olivia picked summer sausage (one of her FAVES), asparagus, sweet potato casserole, root beer, and brownies for dessert. :)
And a large box from mom (clothes and a few locker items for middle school) along with this Survival Manual for Middle School! LOL :) She was so excited!
To top off the night, her older bio brother called her unexpectedly and she was over the moon thrilled!
As she was going through her "take", Braeden made Olivia an awesome picture!
The other activity we had planned but was rained out was to take popsicles to a local park and pass them out to kids at play. We'll try to do that soon as well!
It was such a great day, even with the mishaps in the middle, and I'm so glad she had such a wonderful time! I love her heart and love HER so very much!
Random Acts of Kindness printable HERE.
We usually do something as a family around each of the kids' birthdays (the boys' days are only a week apart so theirs are usually together) and this year I had seen an amazing idea on another blog. I showed it to Olivia knowing it was right up her alley, and sure enough, so we modified it and got right to work. A portion of our day was rained out and we will be doing it this weekend if the weather is better, but here's a gimpse of the rest of the day, which Olivia has proclaimed her best birthday ever and wants to do again next year!
Olivia chose to have a "giving" day today, doing random acts of kindness for others throughout the day. We had some appointments which ended up being scheduled for this day as well, so those were interspersed with our giving ideas.
Ready to start the day in her new outfit from Grandma!
Our first activity was rained out! :( We were going to take pennies to our local fountain and scatter them on the ground with a sidewalk chalk note telling others to "Make a Wish". We'll do that soon. Instead we headed to our first appointment for Braeden and then to lunch. Olivia chose our awesome Chinese buffet!
Afterwards I surprised them by taking them to see The Odd Life of Timothy Green which they were just asking about and had no idea it was out yet. SUCH A GREAT MOVIE! Especially for those with adoption in their family! Bring the tissues!
Another family we've been getting to know who has a daughter Olivia's age met us at the movie and gave Olivia a bag of coins for her birthday since they knew about the day we had planned. :)
On our way in we dropped off some quarters on Random Acts of Kindness printables (link below) for others to use the machines.
After the movie we drove through McD's for a drink to share. On our way through we also left a $20 bill and three Random coupons to pay for the three cars behind us. The best part was the kids were able to watch out the back to see the person's reaction behind us and they were SO TICKLED. It was so cute! The woman had had her credit card out and ready to pay and instead was handed her receipt and a coupon. They said she laughed and said "Yes!" and then told her kids what had been done for them. I absolutely LOVED watching their reactions and have to say that was the best part of the day!
Next we went to a local laundromat and hung up rows of four quarters on Random coupons for patrons to use.
Stop for a pose!
Ok, Ninja style!
After the laundromat we went to a store to kill a little time before picking up our sitter to watch the boys while I took Olivia to an appointment. While there we hung more Random coupons and quarters.
Unfortunately, on our way to pick up our sitter, something went VERY WRONG with our van. I have no idea what exactly happened yet but let's just say it sounded like we were dragging chains and it wouldn't go in reverse. Um, I'm thinking, Not. Good. So we limped to our car dealership/service area to leave it with them and waited for a rental car place to pick us up. (Olivia's pout is fake :) and yes, the boys are trying the free coffee. It had been a day. Don't judge.) :)
We had to reschedule Olivia's appointment but we made it home in time to make her chosen birthday dinner. This year Olivia picked summer sausage (one of her FAVES), asparagus, sweet potato casserole, root beer, and brownies for dessert. :)
She then opened a gift from the boys (a new necklace).
And a large box from mom (clothes and a few locker items for middle school) along with this Survival Manual for Middle School! LOL :) She was so excited!
To top off the night, her older bio brother called her unexpectedly and she was over the moon thrilled!
As she was going through her "take", Braeden made Olivia an awesome picture!
The other activity we had planned but was rained out was to take popsicles to a local park and pass them out to kids at play. We'll try to do that soon as well!
It was such a great day, even with the mishaps in the middle, and I'm so glad she had such a wonderful time! I love her heart and love HER so very much!
Random Acts of Kindness printable HERE.
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Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
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4 years ago
1 comments:
What a fun idea and such a great way to teach kids to think of others. I am so impressed! I will definitely have to "steal" this idea sometime!
As far as the van, you know you are doing a good thing when satan has to step in and try to stop you! But you kept your great attitudes and kept going! Take that satan!! We are praying that your van can be fixed quickly and for minimum cash!