Delivering Backpacks Becomes a Bigger Lesson

Last month I had the chance to participate in a backpack drive to benefit needy kids in the DC area.

This was part of a campaign that GM Northeast organized and it started with a giveaway on a local blog.  My participation was small. I received a beautiful GM car, a Cadillac XTS that was already pre-filled with backpacks and school supplies. I did scour my house to find additional items I could donate. But really, all I had to do was deliver the goods on a pre-determined day. That said, the experience turned into so much more...

Here's the car. I have to say, as I continue to shop for cars, I LOVE the new features like the review camera.

Cadillac XTS with rearview camera

I can imagine that has saved more than one life!

I had the Twofer come with me for several reasons. One, it was summer and they were not in camp that week and I had used up all of my play date favors. Two, we had a 40 minute drive into DC and I wanted their feedback on the features found in the backseat of this beautiful car (the pull up window shades were a HIT!) Three, it was the perfect time to discuss exactly WHY we were delivering a trunk load of backpacks and school supplies. They need to understand many kids start school with little else than the clothes they are wearing. Many kids don't even bring a lunchbox to school.

The girls had a moment to think about that.

Operation Backpack at Central Union Mission in DC

We pulled into the Central Union Mission and unloaded our goods. It was a pleasure to meet some of the staff and also fellow DC area blogger, Vicky from The Mummy Chronicles.

After the delivery and the photo session it was time to go.

I wasn't quite done.

It felt strange to hop into my Cadillac (even if it was only a loaner) and drive back to my suburban life without somehow showing my girls what "homeless" and "needy" really means.

I wanted those words to be more than just words...in quotes. I asked the director for a short tour of the shelter.

Central Union Mission is a shelter and half-way home for homeless men in the DC area. The do, however has lots of services for families including a food bank where they give out groceries, as well as the backpack program for kids who need school supplies, and a little extra love. There is a religious element to the place but it's not overwhelming and my take is a little God never actually hurt anyone.

We saw the rooms where the men stay in their various stages of progress: the bunk room for those right off the street to the small rooms (with doors that close for privacy) for those who have stuck around and are working toward a goal (high school diploma, drug rehab).

The girls were wide eyed and asked me a few whispered questions.

What really struck me, was the kitchen.

Central Union Mission kitchen via Instagram

This little kitchen serves three meals a day. It serves over 150,000 meals in a year.

That is a lot of hunger.

We got back into our fancy loaner car.

The girls as a LOT of questions.

We had a frank, open, honest discussion about just how lucky we are to have what we have. We discussed the two little girls waiting for their mom to pick up groceries at the shelter. We discussed how easy it is for people to go from ok, to needy.

I want to say a special Thank You to GM Northeast for donating to Operation Backpack, for giving me the opportunity to participate, and for the loaner car.

Have you ever taken your children to a shelter, soup kitchen, or something similar? I would love to hear what your kids thought.

Janine

Great Resource for Home Tutoring Just in Time for Back to School

 

Where to go for help when you kids need help in school?

So far my girls are doing fine in school, but as they get older and their school work is more challenging, I will definitely consider hiring a tutor to help them stay on track. But where do you start when looking for someone who you trust, who has a knack for teaching, and who your child will be able to relate to? Where can you find a tutor that you know is qualified, and that you are comfortable having around your child? Varsity Tutors is one reliable resource that can help you find a local tutor that can help your child with specific academic work and test preparation.

Hand-picked Tutors

Not everyone can be a tutor. Someone may have tested well themselves and received perfect grades, but they struggle with communicating complex topics in a simplified way. Varsity Tutors has a rigorous screening program that includes phone and in-person interviews, review of transcripts and test scores, prior teaching or mentoring experience, and a background check.

Here's how Varsity Tutors works:

Visit VarsityTutors.com and enter your location and contact information.

Varsity Tutors will select the pre-screened tutor that best fits your needs and email you the information and pricing.

The tutor will call you to arrange the sessions at a mutually agreed upon location (your home, at a library, or anywhere else that is convenient).

For any tutoring provided at a client's home where the client is under age 18, they require a parent or legal guardian to be at home during tutoring.

Want more information?

Visit VarsityTutors.com to learn more and fill out the short form to receive information on a tutor that fits your needs. You can also browse through tutors and read testimonials.

Have you hired a tutor for your child? I'd love to hear how you found them!

Janine

Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for introducing my readers to Varsity Tutors.

Inspiring Afternoon Meeting the USA Olympic Dive Team

Just before the Olympic Diving team left the States for London, we had the opportunity to meet all of them at an event held at a local swim center.

First there was an autograph session where the girls got a photo with now Silver Medalist, Abby Johnston

Afterward we watched an incredible dive show that had Olympic Divers and members of the Montgomery Dive Club.

Here's a video I made of the event.

The girls became glued to the TV during the Olympics any time diving was on. Having met the team in person, watching them do those incredible dives right in front of them, and then watching some of them medal was truly inspiring.

Congratulations to the entire team!

Do you prepare meals for your family before you leave for a weekend away?

As I prepare to head to New York City for a 4-day conference I have a lot of preparing to do.

I need business cards
I need to choose appropriate outfits
I need to work out camp carpool.

Then there is always the issue of FOOD.

The Mister is very good about fending for himself and the girls, I try to at least have some foods that make the fending easier. I also let go of the fact that he might not be feeding them the way I would, but they are fed nonetheless... And alive... And usually happy when I return.

I recently polled my friends on Facebook to see who prepares meals for their family when they embark one 'girls's weekend' and who just lets them figure it out.

There were basically 3 types of responses
1. "I don't need to prepare anything because they end up going out or ordering in all weekend"

2. "I let them fend but I make sure to stock the fridge"

3. "Are you serious? My husband cooks more than I do!"

Notice not one actually admitted to cooking and freezing an entire meal.

Times have changed.

I find this fascinating because this week I received the ingredients and the recipe for an easy to make meal, plus the Glad storage containers to keep it fresh from the folks behind Glad Mom Made. 

 I pictured myself calling my family mid-trip to see how much they enjoyed my enchiladas. I believe I briefly pictured myself in a 50s style dress and apron in an I Love Lucy episode. You know, me being a redhead like Lucy and all.

When the packages arrived I realized,
"Who am I kidding? I don't have any time to make this! But how awesome that my husband has No Excuse NOT to make it! "

And better yet, I expect leftovers stored for me in the Gladware when I get home.

Times have changed Ricky.

So let me ask you dear readers, do YOU prepare food for your family when you go away with friends for the weekend?

It's important to note that Glad Mom Made has tons of cool things from easy recipes (to make yourself or leave for Dad) to crafts and more.  Check it out on Facebook!

Janine

Disclosure: I received the items in the photo for the purpose of this review. It also qualifies me for an entry to win a gift card from BSM Media. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. I just loved the idea of having a meal prepared!

Be Proud of Who You Are with Be You Be True

I'm headed to Blogher '12 this week and I will be celebrating BeYouBeTrue.com while I'm there.

Positive Messages for Girls, Moms and Bloggers

Having twin girls I have always been hyper-aware of the face that they will always be compared:

"The smart one"

"The prettier one"

"The taller one"

"The funnier one"

"The fast one"

It's inevitable that they will start to hear these comparisons from their friends, classmates, teachers, even coaches, as they get older. Knowing this, I have always tried to teach them to embrace their differences. Love yourself, recognize YOUR strengths, celebrate them, and celebrate the strengths of others. But, ultimately, keep the focus on you. Be the best you, you can be.

The same could be said for some of my fellow bloggers. Not all. SOME.

Celebrate who YOU are!

The blogging arena can be somewhat competitive. There is a lot of discussion and comparison about who gets invited to go on press trips, who has a book deal, and who is speaking on a panel at a conference.. including Blogher.

This is why now is the perfect time to share with my fellow bloggers my love for the Be You Be True line of products. They offer positive messages for girls of all ages to celebrate who they are, right now. Be who you are, embrace it, celebrate it.

The more we focuse on ourselves, on being the best we can be, the happier we are.

Interested in working with Be You Be True?

The folks at Be You Be True are putting together an Ambassador program for bloggers who are interested in reviewing the products, being available for testing new products, and possibly participating in focus groups, among other things.

If you are interested in learning more, go ahead and complete this short survey so they can learn a little more about you!

And, be sure to find me, check out the Be You Be True t-shirts, and follow my tweets while I'm at Blogher! (@janinenickel)

Janine

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I am being compensated by Be You Be True, however all opinions are my own as are my neuroses with raising twin girls to love themselves as much as they love each other. This post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.