What I Made Wednesday {Shares on Display VI}

Welcome to another installment of Shares on Display: making your school super cool! The story goes I took over a display case in the school and dedicated it to students showing their stuff related to the monthly theme I created. Here's the themes we have had to date, starting last October:

Best Halloween Costume

Trophies, Medals, and Ribbons

Favorite Childhood Books

Interesting Hobbies and Collections

Favorite Video Game or App

This month's theme is Best Vacation Ever. These kids have traveled all over! Very impressive, indeed. They shared photographs, souvenirs, and artifacts from their most favorite vacation spots.

The display case had to convey a fun and festive feel so I equipped the background with very colorful papers as a backdrop. Thanks to the ol' dollar store, I found gigantic sunglasses (so cute) and summer-themed gel window clings. I placed these on the inside of the sliding glass so students wouldn't be tempted to pick at it (very tempting, I know).

Luckily, the dollar store also provided ocean-themed papers including a sting ray, star fish, sea turtle, and fish. I just love it when a dollar store trip turns out to have exactly what I need, when I need it!

I lined the bottom of the display case with blue paper and on top of that, I scattered shiny blue gift stuffing streamers (thanks, again, dollar store).

The giant palm tree in the middle of the case is a gift. My intention was to make the palm tree from paper but then I was passing an outside window in front of the school and happened to notice the bark of the palm tree that was pushed up against a window, apparently in some storage closet. I immediately asked someone to help me into that storage closet and I dug through to get this gem of a palm tree. It saved me so much work and it was absolutely perfect for the display. I could not have made it better!

Gel window clings on the inside of the glass.

Some of the places the kids call their fave vacay spot: NYC, Dominican Republic, Spain, Mexico, London, Paris, and Jamaica. Incredible, right? That's why this month's display read "5th Graders Are...Explorers!"

Just one more display case to go!!!     

   

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of: Part Three

Need to catch-up before reading Part Three? Click here for Part One, click here for Part Two!

Now was the time for the big reveal. Super Hubby came up with a plan, but it went about as good as best-laid plans go. Without Kiddo noticing, we set the new camera underneath the couch, we placed the Amazon gift certificate and NED card behind the pillow between myself and Super Hubby. We told Kiddo we wanted to do a video of the whole excitement of winning first prize and wanted to send it to Grammie in New Hampshire, since she was unaware of all the news.

Card signed by NED donors sending kind words and well-wishes.

Kiddo gets his old camera, sets it up on a tri-pod, and Super Hubby wrote a script so we could read off of it while filming the details. A script, Super Hubby? We are not actors, we are not news anchors. Now, we know why. Our results are so failing it would be too much of an embarrassment to show the actual video. We really did try to capture the whole moment on video, but did not succeed.

Kiddo yells action and Super Hubby and I start our lines...

Super Hubby: Hi, I'm Kiddo's dad.
Me: Hi, I'm Kiddo's mom.

Kiddo: stops filming and asks, "Why are you introducing yourselves to Grammie? She already knows you."

Busted!

Super Hubby: Just hit record and listen...

About half way through my lines I start crying. This is overwhelmingly emotional, folks. Seriously! Kiddo just thinks I've gone off the deep end and is utterly confused.

We had Kiddo join us in the shot on the couch and we presented him with the Amazon gift certificate and NED card, signed by all the contributors to the fundraiser. Kiddo's reaction was somewhat obscure, as he wasn't quite grasping what was happening to him.

Then, Super Hubby asked Kiddo to reach under the couch and see what else the NED people had for him. When Kiddo held that camera in his hands, his initial reaction was complete shock. He was confused because he didn't understand why complete strangers would do this for him. I wish I could show that part of the video but it would be too embarrassing for Super Hubby and I, as our performances were B-Movie, at best.

It was only afterwards that THE moment dawned on Kiddo. We went into the kitchen, Kiddo still a bit in shock, and I had him sit down as I read every single e-mail between the NED representative and me over the last month. Then, and only then, did IT happen. As I read the numerous communications, Kiddo's eyes started to well-up with tears. It finally hit him. He finally got it. He sat there in silence, tears gliding down his cheeks, and he slowly began to speak to us about his disbelief that strangers could believe in his dreams so much that they would provide him the tools to fling him into the 21st century, helping him to do more, be more, grow more.

The unforgettable moment had happened for Kiddo. It didn't need pomp and circumstance. It didn't need a script, and it certainly didn't need to be captured on tape. That moment will rest in the mind of Kiddo forever. And, along his journey, where ever it may lead, when he needs it, he will be reminded of the support and encouragement he received from the good people at NED to follow his dreams. It will help Kiddo to Never give up. It will remind Kiddo to Encourage others, like he was encouraged by Team NED. And, it will make the idea to Do your best a real way in which to live life. Just look what can happen from one little video contest! Kiddo, without even knowing it, when you uttered those words of yours, your "platinum" was just around the corner.

The moment hits him.

The day Kiddo received his gifts from NED, Kiddo went into his room, closed the door, and privately filmed some words of appreciation to Team NED. If you'd like to see it, click here.

There are not enough words of appreciation that I can bestow on the All For Kidz/The NED Show crew. You've given my son the gift of a moment that he will truly never forget. I know he'll take it and pass along your good will and intentions as he journeys on his path. Thank you for everything.

The best way I know how to show my appreciation is to introduce The NED Show to you, dear reader. I know many of you are teachers and school administrators. You've written to me asking to know more about The NED Show and I hope these past blog posts help you to recognize the purity of their mission and the way their message resonates in their own daily lives. They are not paying me to say this, but please, if you are looking for a character-building school assembly program that is entertaining and effective, consider having The NED Show at your school. Thank you.

Kiddo even LOVED the Amazon Gift Card Box Tin!

Gratitude Journal Monday

I am so grateful you are here today. Browse around and say hello! Follow if you'd like. There are so many ways to get LOVD: Facebook, GFC, LinkyTools. Have a LOVD day!

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 93.

Goodbye car battery giving me some unwelcomed trouble and anxiety.
Goodbye preparing and celebrating for communion before welcoming Easter (Eastern Orthodox Easter is this Sunday).
Goodbye Kiddo attending his last Glee Club practice in the Lower School - a new chapter awaits.
Goodbye ongoing party-prep for Kiddo's "elevensies" birthday - can you guess the theme?
Goodbye lingering sore throat that hasn't had me as myself lately.

Hello Good Friday and going to church tonight, not on Easter Sunday.
Hello attending the Indians baseball game on Sunday instead as Kiddo and the shcool's Glee Club will be belting out the National Anthem, again.
Hello dyeing Easter eggs in just one color this year to make things simple.
Hello starting another season of summer baseball with the first practice.
Hello realizing I'll have an opportunity to rest when I'm dead; I think I'm happy with the busyness.

The lesson I learned this week stems from Good Friday occupying the forefront of my mind. Our Easter came late this year so my reflections may appear a bit tardy to most, but not unless you are Eastern Orthodox. I'm thinking about today and wondering how "Good" it was for Jesus? How good was today when He was unjustly sentenced to death by crucifixion, the most painfully slow way to die? I'm not sure many people would have called today "Good Friday" if they witnessed all of this happening. But, they didn't know. They hadn't any idea in their mind that Sunday was coming. In their limited knowledge of knowing only today, not tomorrow, they could not fathom that Sunday was coming and the best of days was about to begin. But, without the events of Friday, we would not have the blessed miracle of Sunday. 

This is how our own hard days begin. While we are in the midst of trouble and hardship and pain, it doesn't seem all that good. But, our own Sunday is coming. And, the glory of our own Sunday couldn't have been possible without our own Friday. Sometimes the path we must take to get to where we are heading is not something we want to endure, but we must go through it to get to the blessings that are waiting for us. Celebrate the hardships that lead to glory. Yes, indeed, it is a Good Friday.

Happy Easter to all who happen to be celebrating this weekend.
Hristos Voskrese.
Voistinu Voskrese.  
         

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of: Part Two

Now, the rest of the story...

Source

If you've joined us a wee bit late, click here to read Part One, and get caught up, first.

It's enough of a good story that Kiddo enters an International video contest and wins First Runner-Up. It's enough of a good story that Kiddo gets awarded a $100 Amazon gift card to help him towards a purchase of a new camera to replace one that's older than Kiddo himself. And, it's enough of a good story that Kiddo decides to pass on his good fortune by donating the gift card to the school in the spirit of Fair Play. It's a good story. But, great stories have another elemental layer that just knocks your socks off. For a great story, keep reading...

"One does not notice the platinum at his feet when he holds gold in his hands."  - Kiddo

Life pretty much went back to normal in our household. One day, I get an e-mail from an individual at All For Kidz, the people that produce The NED Show. It reads:

"Our whole staff loved seeing 'Kiddo's' film, and hearing the story that went along with it. There is even a bit of a movement here to fundraise for one of those cameras for him. Isn't that something! Honestly, this is an amazing opportunity for us to be a part of something extra special, and I hope you decide to give us this opportunity."

Wait, WHAT?! They can't be serious. But, they were. The people at NED live what they preach. NED isn't just an acronym to spout, it's a way of life for them. The sheer suggestion of fundraising for a camera was "encouragement" with a capital "E"!

The campaign began.

An interoffice memo went out to the entire NED staff, performers, administrators, just about everyone. And, then, I get this e-mail updating me on how things are coming along.

"I sent the below email to all my staff, and wonderful and generous gifts have been flowing in. People here are overwhelmingly excited to be supporting such a dedicated young man to further pursue his craft!"

Then, I get this e-mail days later...

"After many emails, this is one that I'm especially excited to send.

As a filmmaker, 'Kiddo's' commitment to his dreams touched my heart. And because the whole staff here believes in the NED values, people were very moved by both the NED video as well as 'Kiddo's' altruism with the Amazon certificate.

Building on that excitement, I sent out a flyer (attached) on Wednesday to all the NED Performers, phone support staff, admin, and fellow creatives here at All for KIDZ/The NED Show. The response was incredible. All in all, 37 individuals in our company jumped at the opportunity to contribute to 'Kiddo's' future filmmaking endeavors."

Guys, can I tell you, they were hoping to raise $150. Not to be too tacky, but by the end of the campaign and after the above e-mail, they raised way more than double their projections from 40 individuals!

Is this for real? Can people really be that generous and caring? They sure are at All For Kidz. The entire time Super Hubby and I are in shock, and, all the while, Kiddo doesn't have an inkling as to what is happening. We kept it from him because we just didn't believe this was actually going to come to fruition. But it did.

The supporters from All For Kidz purchased an awesome "boss" video camera for Kiddo and put the remaining balance (yes, there was enough raised for a balance!) on an Amazon gift card so Kiddo can purchase a boom mic kit. The best part, each individual signed a card with a heartfelt message that encourages Kiddo to follow his dreams.

Now, it's time to reveal to Kiddo all that's been conjured behind his back for the last month! When we present him with the generosity shown by strangers, we want it to be a defining moment for him; a moment where he will look back and remember how people he didn't even know offered him support to follow his dreams. It's moments like these that can define who we are, guide our own future actions, and remind us that selfless love and hope still exists. Thank you to all the people at All For Kidz/The NED Show for walking the walk and talking the talk. You guys are unbelievably incredible people whose genuine support and encouragement shines through in all that you do.

See how we spring it on Kiddo and see his reaction on next Tuesday's post!

What I Made Wednesday {Homemade Tortilla Chips}

It's Cinco de Mayo this weekend. Don't be caught with salsa and guacamole sans chips! It's exactly the situation I found myself in the other day. We were all in the mood for Mexican Fiesta Night and I specifically went to the store for the cheese, green onion, avocado, ground meat, tortillas, and salsa. When I arrived home I noticed I forgot the all-important tortilla chips. OH NO!

One thing was for sure, I wasn't going back out for tortilla chips. What did I do? I heated up some corn oil, chopped up my tortillas into little triangles, and I started frying away! These homemade chips were absolutely delicious!!! I hope my mistake is your gain and you try the scrumptiousness of these beauties for Cinco de Mayo.

What You'll Need
White Corn Tortillas (my preference)
Corn Oil, preferably
Dutch Oven, to fry in
Sea Salt, optional

What You'll Do

Cut tortillas into triangles by slicing across like you would a pizza.

Heat the oil to a medium-high heat.

You'll know the oil is ready when you place a tortilla in and bubbles form around it.

Place more tortillas into the oil but try not to overcrowd it. Fry until lightly browned.

What You'll Need to Know to Finish
Don't wait until the tortilla is browned, then you will have overcooked it because it continues to fry, even out of the oil. Scoop the tortillas out of the oil using a slotted spoon and onto a plate or pan lined with paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Sprinkle with sea salt if so desired and enjoy!

To go along with these chips of beauty, be sure to check out my guacamole recipe.