Saturday, September 27, 2008

Packing Party is a Success

We just finished the packing party for the Orphanage. We packed 140 Christmas gift packs. We had a fun time. Each child will receive a tote bag, a toy, a toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, bar soap, pencil, sharpener, pens, 2 small toys, a stuffed animal, snack and candy. This is a picture of the work in progress.




Christopher was helping too. But he is unpacking the giftbags.





This is the packing crew. My sister is there too - but behind the camera. We also had many people donate that were not able to come.
If you are feeling sad because you did not get to help - It is OK because we are still looking for donations to pay for the shipping.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

September night

Our friends little boy turned 1 in July - Tony went to buy a gift for him and returned with 2 of these Trikes. One for Leo (birthday boy) and one for Christopher. He loves to ride it. He doesn't like the pedals - since they only get in the way. I like this model too since I have the steering controls. We go for walks around the block - when we get about 1/2 way around he decides that he wants me to carry him - so we make short laps - so I do not have to carry him so far. When we use the stroller - we go for long walks. He loves to go for walks. I will dread the winter since these walks are the only time that he and I do anything outdoors, not to mention the only exercise that I get.


He is naked in this pic - so I had to crop it. Being naked is also a favorite time for him.

I can't believe how big Christopher has gotten. He is 36" tall and weighs 30 lbs. He is 19 months old. People always guess he is 3 years old. I feel bad for him because people expect him to be able to do things that he can not - I keep telling people that he is still a baby. He is starting to talk more. He says Mamma all the time now, all the time. He was only saying Dadda. He says a lot of words and tries to repeat everything we say. He understands so much more that he says.
He is amazing and it is amazing to watch him learn. We played with a Tupperware Shape Toy tonight and the first time he expected all the shapes to go into all the holes. Then he figured it out that you had to turn the ball around and look for the right hole for each shape. Amazing - adults take forever to catch onto simple tasks. If it were a problem that adults had to solve - we would have a meeting, create a team, write a charter, write a list of which parts are non conforming and don't fit, write a list of why the parts don't need to fit in the holes, who fault it is that they don't fit in the holes, and that it is unfair that not all parts fit in all holes and we should oversize all the holes in order for all parts to have a chance to fit in any of the holes. When all you have to do is - turn the ball! OK - I may have a little frustration with my job right now.
I am still volunteering with Life2Orphans - I am collecting items to send Christmas packs to each of the 140 kids in the orphanage that I am the coordinator. So if you have any items to donate to the Christmas packs - deodorant, wash clothes, puzzles, crayons, coloring books, nail polish, match box cars, dry snacks, hard candy, tooth brush and paste..... I am also still collecting new twin blankets and twin flat sheets - I have put this on hold since the Christmas items have to be shipped by Oct - then I will return focus to the bedding drive.
I better sign off - since 4am comes very early.

Progress on the House.

Our House is coming along nicely. The roof is replaced and looks great. My Dad and Tony have been working on the windows. Tomorrow all the windows will be replaced and wrapped. They look great. Next is to remove the giant dumpster from the yard and start on the inside. Tony has been working there about every night and every weekend. Christopher and I try to help but we don't get much accomplished. These pictures are already outdated.

New french door on kitchen and new windows on bottom floor (the photo doesn't show the wrapping yet).


New roof - this pic still has old windows.


I am still wanting to move in before Christmas. I may be pushing the bar a little.