Thursday February 19, 2009
Special needs baseball teams at the YMCA in Onalaska, WI will be joining the Miracle League and getting a customized field. Plans were announced at a press conference where the orignal 9 league players were joined by major league baseball players: Minnesota Twins hall of famer Harmon Killebrew and Milwalkee Brewer & Arizona Diamond Backs local great Damian Miller.
The new league has almost half the money needed to complete the project. The Harmon Killebrew Foundation, the Miracle League and many community organizations are helping to fund the new field and give more children the opportunity to play baseball.
Wednesday February 4, 2009
Do you ever wonder why you're doing it? Why you're spending so much time, energy and money on activities for your kids? Yes, your kids benefit, but sometimes it's easy to wonder if it really matters.
My gymnast daughter is a very stoic competitor. She is extremely focused. About the only emotion we see during a meet is anger or frustration when she's having a hard time, otherwise she shows sheer determination, or nothing. Meet after meet I wonder if it really means anything to her.
Then there are those moments . . . I had one this past weekend.
She's been struggling with a particular skill. In her last meet, she stuck it. Yes, she fought for it, but she held it and for a brief moment when she moved into her arms-up ta-da pose I saw a smile cross her lips. I actually grabbed the mom sitting next to me and exclaimed, "My kid smiled!"
I have replayed that over and over in my mind. I want to remember it because it may be a long time before I see her smile about her accomplishments again. But I know. I know her sport means something to her. I know she recognizes her accomplishments. And I know every dime, every minute, every mile is worth it.
Tuesday January 27, 2009
Girl Scouts of the USA introduced the first of their Leadership Journeys this fall (2008) as part of their transformation and updated program, the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience. I've spent a lot of time with the materials and although I am a bit unsure about the Leadership Journeys, have opted to go ahead and work through it with my Junior Girl Scouts.
Last night I introduced the Journey to my Juniors and we jumped in to begin our trip. It was a little awkward trying to get the girls to think about themselves and open up, but overall I think it was a positive experience.
Check back over the next few weeks to follow our experience with Agent of Change, a Junior Journey in the It's Your World, Change It! series.
Tuesday January 20, 2009
With the Salmonella outbreak in peanut butter, both Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Smart Cookies are assuring consumers that their peanut butter Girl Scout cookies are not contaminated and are safe to eat.
Little Brownie Bakers makes Do-Si-Dos, a peanut butter sandwich cookie, and Tagalongs, a chocolate covered cookie with peanut butter center. Both are popular cookies in my council, supplies by Little Brownie Bakers.
ABC makes Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies and Peanut Butter Patties (similar to the Tagalongs).
Both cookie companies and GSUSA have published news releases stating that they do not use peanut butter is not from the Peanut Corporation of America, the company being investigated. They assure the public that their products have been thoroughly tested and exceed industry industry standards.
So, enjoy your cookies without worry. I know I will.
