A Day for Making Smiles

I have been trying to find ways to include some community service or volunteering activities into our lives to teach the girls about the importance helping others and caring for people in your community.  I have considered several options, but not really settled on any, partly because they are too young for many of the activities.  

We did get a chance to do a couple of things today in this area, however.  We belong to the University of Missouri Fortnightly Preschool Playgroup.  The major focus of the Fortnightly Club in general is service.   The playgroup has adopted a Christmas family through the Voluntary Action Center this year.   The girls and I took a trip to the store today to pick out Christmas gifts for the 4 children in the family.  It was a great experience for them to go to buy toys for someone other than themselves, and I think at least Madeline understood that we were doing this because there are kids whose families do not have the money to buy presents for them.  At least it was a start!

Then, this afternoon, also as part of the MU Fortnightly Preschool Playgroup, we made some holiday cards and then took them to Tiger Place to deliver them to residents there and sing a few holiday songs.  Both Madeline and Isabella were very interested in the people there.  Isabella especially showed concern for the people who were living there.  I think she would have stayed for quite a while and visited with the residents.  She was very concerned that not everyone there may have gotten a card!  I think this might be one avenue that we may investigate further on our own for some volunteer activities. 

All in all, a good day!