I love the month of February because I am surrounded by hearts and I think about kindness and love (and ways to show it) constantly.
The 100 Acts of Kindness challenge has really changed how our home feels and has created an even happier environment. We've been trying to incorporate some of the things we've learned about kindness and love from our guest bloggers over the last few weeks and put them into action.
We made painted paper using paint rollers and plastic forks...
and then we cut it into hearts and "heart attacked" all three of our neighbor's bedroom doors.
We snuck inside when the kids were gone at school and my son loved leaving Hershey's kisses all over their floors and painted hearts stuck to their doors with notes.
Thanks to Liz from Made on Maple for this great "heart attack" challenge!
Allie at No Time for Flashcards shared simple ways that she encourages kindness in her home everyday. I loved the idea of having my son read stories to his little sister as a "kind act." My daughter isn't a fan of reading with him for long, but occasionally he gets her to stay and read with him and it is precious to watch.
We've also been building opportunities into everyday where my son can teach his little sister new things. This week he taught her to use the stomp rocket. He was so excited when she figured it out. I was so excited to see him being such a kind little teacher.
My friend Jamie also helped me participate in a kind at this week. Jamie at Hands On: As We Grow shared a beautiful collaborative memory project earlier this week that she worked on with her son as a gift for a family member. She also helped organze 70+ bloggers in a collaborative endeavor called The Heart Project to raise money for the American Heart Association during February's "Heart" month. I was lucky to get to contribute one project to the book.
I got my hard copy of the book today and it is beautiful... but what is even more beautiful to me is all of the Toddler Approved readers who are donating $5 or $20 or more to receive this free heart ebook gift and helping AHA in their mission to build healthier lives and help children and adults with heart problems- like little Ellie Jo.
I love this kindness challenge because it makes me so much more aware of the kind acts that I do (or don't do... and then feel bad about)... and it also makes me so aware of the amazing people that surround me that are also doing kind things for others.
What is a kind act that you observed this week?
I observed...
- a church leader cook and serve 100 crepes for the youth at a breakfast
- five teenage girls sacrifice their Saturday morning to help me create decorations for an upcoming Valentine's Day dance I'm in charge of
- my husband bake me brownies and do all of the dishes while I stood and just chatted with him
- my neighbor give me a giant bag of lightly worn clothes for my daughter to have
- my son clean up our playroom without being asked
- a neighbor organize a potluck luncheon to welcome a new neighbor into our cul-de-sac
- a group of friends take dinner over to a new mom who just had a baby
- a friend drop off brownies on our doorstep just to be nice (because she knows I always love treats)
I could go on and on. I would love to hear what acts of kindness you have observed this week. It is amazing how you can find so many once you start looking.
If you've missed any of our kindness challenge posts so far, you can catch up by clicking the links below:
100 Acts of Kindness Project 2012 Intro post
Kindness Challenge #1: Saying Thank You
Whoopie Pie Love {via Red Ted Art}
Jar of Hearts {via The Outlaw Mom}
Rainbow Painting Surprise {via Glittering Muffins}
Winter Warm Up {via Kitchen Counter Chronicles}
Kindness Challenge #2: Show Love to Relatives {via Living Montessori Now)
Five Easy Ways to Show Love for a Working Parent {via Dinosaurs and Octopuses}
Our Kindness Jar {via Teach Preschool}
Everyday Kindness in Everyday Life {via No Time for Flashcards}
Kindness Challenge #3: "Heart Attack" a friend {via Made on Maple}
Collaborative Memory Project {via Hands On:As We Grow}
Stylish Kindness for the Birds {via AngeliqueFelix}
Act of Kindness for Delaney Rose {via PlayDrMom}
Also, have you donated to The Heart Project yet? As our ultimate kind act we are trying to raise over $2,000 for the American Heart Association by February 14th. I actually think that we can raise more than that... since we raised a $1,000 in just one day. We'd love to give you our free ebook filled with 100 + heart projects for kids when you donate. Go check it out!
In honor of The Heart Project we have a great Books We {Heart} giveaway happening right now... so don't miss out. Click here for more details.
Stay tuned for our Kindness challenge #4 on Monday! We will also be participating in TinkerLab's Creative Challenge with Paper Bags on Monday... so the post should be a fun one!
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