ARK 12 + 13- Leave a diaper and some wipes at the changing table + Leave Change in the Toy Machine

Last night Mister Husband and I took a friend out to dinner at Ci-Ci's pizza. When Evelynn and I were in the potty I left left a diaper and some wipes on the changing table with a note.  I hope that it was able to bless someone.

After we were done stuffing our faces the little one wanted to play with the toys.  I took a quarter and left it in one of the small toy machines.

ARK 11- Wave to Firefighters

On the way home from church yesterday morning Bunks and I went to Kroger to get some Gatorade, Kool-aid and some donuts!  Mister Husband isn't feeling well so we needed to get him hydrated.  As I was trying to figure out how to get home we passed by a fire station where two firefighters were walking in the parking lot.  I took that opportunity to show my appreciation for the work they do by smiling and waving at them while we passed by (EMS week is May 20-26 here in Clarksville so that was convenient).  They were having a conversation but one of them smiled and waved back at me.  It made me happy.

I was driving so I wasn't able to take a picture of them walking in their red shirts so here is a picture of a patch I found via google!  :P

ARK 10- Buy a Dollar Scratcher Ticket for Someone

Monday when we went grocery shopping at Kroger we picked up a scratcher ticket on the way out of the store.  I put a note on it and last night when we went went out to get a few things I gave it to Mister Husband to give to someone because Bunkins and I decided to stay in the car (I wore the wrong shoes, cute but not practical).

He was originally going to give it to another Joe at work but then he gave it to the check out girl at Best Buy who was shamelessly flirting with him despite the wedding band!  (Part of working in customer service my hiney.)  What a butt.  :P

Cute sticky note, right?

I wonder if it was a winner!  :P

ARK 8 + 9 Send a Small Gift Anonymously + Leave Someone a Kind Note

Today I managed to get two ARKs checked off my list.

The first one was to send a small gift anonymously.  Somehow I put my name on it (I guess I forgot the "anonymous" part) and so the nice woman came up to me after church and thanked me for it.  She also invited me to a weekly prayer group that they have.

I'm not sure how she knew who I was, other than my name, because I waited until the break and slipped it onto her chair.  Maybe I am not as sly as I think I am and she saw me do it or maybe someone else did.  She may have just asked the person sitting next to her who I was and she could have pointed over to me!

It wasn't a big gift and I realize now that I didn't take a picture of the inside but it was a small bottle of body spray, lotion and I think body wash with a red dress pin from the American Heart Association.

The next ARK was to leave a kind note for someone.  I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what the right words would be to leave for someone that I don't actually know.  I decided to go with some scripture.

If you can't read my handwriting the outside says "Worry less- Pray more Luke 12:24-29

Which says: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or bard; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable are you than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you can not do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider how the lilies grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

I wasn't sure who to give it to so I just scanned the room at church and asked God to show me who needed it.  I saw a woman that was weeping and decided that she could use an uplifting word.  I hope that it brightened her spirits.

ARK 7- Pay the Tab for the Person Behind You

Since we are trying to no longer go to fast food joints (expensive and fatness) I have decided to count Mister Husband's ARK as my own.  When we got married we became one so I think it should count!  :P

I am certain that the person behind him was very happy for a free meal!  :D

Her first time "sewing"

Bunkins got a hold of some shoes while she was playing in her room.  She came out with a shoe lace in her hands and a shoe on her foot and was saying "Uh-oh".  I looked down at her lace-less shoe and did what any good parent does and fell off the couch laughing at her.  Once I was over the initial cuteness of her act I helped her re-lace her shoe.

That gave me the idea to have make one of those lace-through cards.  I know that they make them and next time I will make a pretty design but I wanted to get it done right away.

Supplies:

Yarn, tape, cardboard (or card stock), hole punch, scissors

I didn't want to use paper because it would have been too flimsy.  I would have used card stock but I don't think that we have any at this house.  :(  The next best thing was to use cardboard which was just so happened to have.  Granted I took it out of the trash can (we finished it off this morning) but it worked.



I tied a few knots at the end and then covered it with some tape so it wouldn't come out of the hole.

It was a little tricky for her to figure out.

I sort of wish it wasn't a cereal box because as soon as she saw the picture of cereal she insisted that I get her a bowl.

Waiting for her cereal.

She had trouble having it lie flat but still getting the yarn though.

She gave up on playing with it and is consentrating on eating her Special K and watching Ry-Ry (Juno).  She loves those movies.

http://www.junobaby.com/

Questions to Ask a Prospective Babysitter

We are getting ready to interview a few girls from the church to see if they will be Bunkin's babysitter.  I spent a few hours on the internet collecting questions that every parent should ask a potential babysitter.

I plan on having my laptop open when we talk to them and just fill out a new document for each girl with their individual answers.  That way we can compare their answers.  One website said to tell them how much you want to pay them and THEN ask them how much they are looking to make.  That way you can meet in the middle if your numbers don't add up!

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/05/12/questions-parent-ask-babysitter/

I was actually a bit surprised at the rate that was recommended for our area but it is all about location, location, location.

http://www.care.com/babysitter-calculator-p1087-q12296511.html?mkwid=sROsWpeyC&mkw=babysitting%20rates&pcrid=11717164230&pmt=e&gclid=CJus3a3g8a8CFQSynQod9GoyVA&_qs=1

I also found this to be a bit helpful and informative:




http://www.babysitting-rates.com/

The secretary at our church recommended a few girls to talk to so I looked up their facebook pages.  I fell no shame.  haha  I was able to find 2 of the 3 and was very pleased with what I saw.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Babysitter 

1.   Do you have a criminal record?

2.   Have you babysat previously?  If so, please describe your experience.

3.   Do you have younger siblings or your own children?

4.   How many families have you regularly babysat for in the past?

5.   What are the ages of the children you’ve babysat for in the past?

6.   Can you provide me with the names and addresses of three previous employers?

7.   Have you received any specialized training for child care (such as first aid/CPR, attended a babysitter course, or taken related school courses)?  What experience do you have handling emergencies?

8.   Do you have a cell phone?

9.   Under what type of situation would you call me?

10.      What babysitter qualities do you have that should make me want to hire you?

11.      What's the first thing you would do if there were a fire?

12.      What would you do if the electricity went out?

13.      Do you know how to prepare a simple meal?

14.      Do you know how to feed a toddler? Do you know what to do if a child chokes?

15.      Do you regularly work/volunteer with kids? If so, please describe (such as helping out with young dance classes, serving as a sports assistant, etc.).

16.      Are your immunizations current?

17.      Do you have any health restrictions that could affect your ability to babysit?

18.      Do you have a driver’s license?  Do you have a car?  Do you have any tickets?

19.      How will you handle separation anxiety?

20.      Do you have any questions about our family rules?

21.      How will you enforce these rules?  Do you believe in spanking?

22.      How will you respond when my child does follow/won’t follow the rules?

23.      What will you do if my child won’t mind you or exhibits bad behavior such as biting or spitting?

24.      What activities will you plan with my child when I am gone? (Games, crafts or child-friendly)

25.      What age children do you most enjoy? Least enjoy? Why? Which age group are you most comfortable/experienced with?

26.      What is your overall child care philosophy? (Yes, you can and should even ask this of a teenage babysitter.)

27.      Are you comfortable helping my child go to the potty?

28.      Are you comfortable being in my home at night or for an extended period?

29.      What is your hourly rate of pay?  How do you prefer to be paid?

30.      What hours and days of the week are you available to work? (Ask if there are any particular times/dates a potential sitter cannot work.)

                                                   

31.      What can I do as a parent to help make your babysitting experience with my kids a success?

If you can think of any other please feel free to leave a comment for me!

ARK 6-Bring Something (Healthy) for the Doctor’s Office

Today I went to BACH to get an ultrasound to find out what is going on with my body.

I took a bag of No-Bake Energy Bites and gave it to the girls at the front desk.  They seems very happy about it.  The one woman was excited because Dr. Oz was talking about Flax seed last week!  So funny.

Here are a few pictures of this ARK:


It has the date I made it, the same little ARK note as the bread and my name.

 I decided to tape the recipe to the back of the bag so that they would know what was in it in case anyone had allergies.

I am glad that I could spread some cheer to them today.  :)