Sooo…I am so behind. The monthly challenge was supposed to end yesterday. But we did do it! Emma and I created a card (well, Emma created it) covered in fun stickers. It was actually a very rewarding and fun activity. I showed Em the picture of the little girl we “adopted” for the month and told her she was sick and Em said “Awww, I hope she doesn’t have to get any shots!” I didn’t want to open the whole can of worms about how sick the little girl really was, so I just told her that I hoped so, too.

I asked her what little gift she might like to send to the little girl and she really thought about it…and then said, “How about some of my princess coloring books? She might like to color if she has to be at the doctor for a long time?”

I told her I thought that was a fabulous idea and that it was very sweet of her to offer to give her books, but that maybe we could get her a nice, clean, new coloring book. And so we did. We got the Princess Color Wonder book and some markers. I thought that was a very thoughtful and sweet idea. I’m just a little (ok, a lot!) proud of her for that. I am really so happy to have these little “challenges” to do with her each month. This is one I think we may continue in for a while, too. Yeah, Beth!! Fantastic idea.

I haven’t heard from many of my friends and family about accepting the challenge. I did, however, talk with my sister, Michelle, and she found a children’s hospital dear to all of our hearts, Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. And she has signed on to be an advocate for them – helping to write emails to legislators on behalf of the hospital, etc. Such a fantastic idea! I wish I had thought of that. Yet another small effort that will make a huge difference. Yeah, Michelle, too!!!

So on to this month’s challenge. And as Beth explained – we are making this one a 6-weeker to get us on a first of the month date. (Nice!) This month she is proposing:

…to make a sacrifice, just a small one, and donate the money you save to a children’s charity of your choice. Maybe the cereal for dinner idea works for you (it would be very popular with Mia), or maybe you could do pancakes instead. If not, do something else. Skip your Starbucks for a day and donate that three or four bucks to charity, or skip it once a week and donate fifteen bucks. Do frozen pizza instead of delivery, there’s at least ten dollars. Don’t buy those totally cute shoes that you really don’t need and give that money to needy kids instead.

The idea isn’t the amount of the donation, it’s the action behind it. It is a way to be grateful for all that we have, for all our good fortune (which most of us are so blessed with, even if we are not blessed with actual fortune). It’s walking the talk – giving up some small thing that we want but do not need to give something to kids who are in need. I think it is also a great way to set an example for our own kids, and to get the older ones involved. If they are old enough, talk to your kids about it and see if they are willing to give up dessert one night a week or some other small treat and instead donate that money to help other kids.

Another great idea. I’m definitely going to do giving up a Starbucks at least once a week – that is an easy $25 in the next 6 weeks. I’m going to have to do a little research and come up with a good children’s charity that I can get in with. If anyone has any ideas, please leave them in the comments below. We may do a weeknight (or two!) of cereal/pancakes, as well. Although that isn’t so much of a sacrifice since we all love those kind of dinners anyhow!

I also am going to ask Em something she might want to give up. She is (and I am, too) rather fond of “lunching” out a few times a week. That would be a good one for us I think. I’ll keep you updated.

Let me know if you are “in” on this month’s challenge, too. I’d love to get a group of “small changers” here and brag about you on the blog!