Days 14,15 16 and 17

[Lisa]

It has been a busy week as we prepared for my daughters birthday party. It has also been a week that sometimes tested my resolve of an attitude of abundance and gratitiude. Tuesday I made a small donation to my sons scout group by only taking some of the payment for the food shopping I had done last week for his camp. On  Wednesday I made thank you tags and attached  them to little chocolates for my daughter to take to school to thank her teachers for their help this semester (we start school holidays today). My daughter thinks the teachers were really responsive to these. So it was a double gift as she also got to experience the joy of giving thankfulness. On Thursday I made a donation to my daughters dance school for a fellow dancer who is currently in need of medical treatment for one of those dreadful childhood diseases we don't like to talk about. The dance school held a disco to raise funds and although we couldn't attend we hope our donation helps this family in this challenging time. Friday was the day of the big party and the sun rose the most gorgeous pink- it was so pink in fact the whole house was showered in  a pink glow. The party was a great success (I think!!) and it is always reassuring to meet your children's friends and know that things are going all right. The bake off was fun and the girls produced some very creative cakes. The best part however was being proud of the way all of them treated each other- in particular they have one friend who is a little different and obviously strugggles with the conventions of being a teenager but the girls were very inclusive and accepting. It was probably the first party for the children that I haven't spent the entire time counting down the hours until it ended!!!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Successful gifts given all around! :o)