"Make new friends....but keep the old...one is silver and the other GOLD!"

Kaci joined Troop 2549 when she was in the first grade....she has continued with the troop and is going into her 4th year as a Girl Scout. I am so proud of her. She has really learned a lot being a Girl Scout and I was proud to step up as her Troop Leader, last year, when Mrs. Ann choose to step down. Our troop once had 8 girls, but has slowly dwindled down to just 4.

Well.....four is enough to keep going and four is enough to have a good time. Tonight we had the girls official "Bridging Ceremony" This is where they bridge over from Brownies to Juniors! Look how cute they all look in their green sashes and vest!

I am so proud of the wonderful young lady that Kaci is growing up to be! She is smart and kind and has great compassion for others.

Bailey loves Redbox!!

Here is Bailey hugging the Redbox at Walgreens. Click on the following link to help him win one of many great prizes being offered by Redbox for anyone who submits a photo of themselves hugging a Redbox!

http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/Contests/VoteConfirmation.aspx?dataid=8045557&datatype=1&phtid=818f6732-d8ff-4ace-ba7a-97c356b73d46

Empty Bowl Project!

Have you heard of the "Empty Bowl Project"? If not, you should check it out at :
http://www.clayways.com/e_emptybowl.html

Here is an excerpt from their webpage:

"The Empty Bowl Project is a nationwide effort by potters to end hunger. ClayWays is proud to host the annual event to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. We're asking student and professional potters to donate as many bowls as possible. The empty bowl project has been an incredible success every year, with each year being better than the last. Our goal this year is 1800 bowls! We're asking for average-size bowls (8 oz. - 14 oz.), wheel-thrown or handbuilt, made with food-safe glazes. And potters may include a card or pamphlet with each bowl donated. All bowl donations are tax-deductible.

Total Amount Raised for the last 5 years
2003 - $27,126
2004 - $34,235
2005 - $39,749
2006 - $37,855
2007 - $35,725 which enables the Food Bank to provide 187,130 meals.

Our records go back to the year 2000. . .
But estimates by the Food Bank would put the total cash raised in the past nine years providing well above 1,000,000 meals for hungry Texans!!
If you are, or know of anyone who is famous, that would make and sign, or just sign a premade bowl for our silent auction, please call ClayWays at 459-6445. Our final total increases dramatically with extra silent auction bowls. At the 2001 EB we raised over $13,000 with our silent auction. Please help!
Let us know if you'd like to donate bowls and/or time to this wonderful project by calling ClayWays at 459-6445. Thanks so much!"
This year, the Girl Scout council is having a contest where the girls are able to submit an entry for the "Empty Bowl Project" patch design! Kaci could not wait to get started! I just love the "bowl full of love" that she designed! We will let you know in a few weeks if she is the lucky winner!!! Until then, check out this website http://www.austinfoodbank.org/aebp/event-info.html to learn more about how you can be a part of this great project that helps so many!

Diorama and the Stomach bug

Kaci stayed home today with a touch of the stomach bug that has been going around school this week. She made a few trips to the bathroom- but mostly she made lots of trips to her meter. Whatever she has has really been working her bloodsugar levels! We have had lots of lows....which was the main reason I kept her home today.

However, it was also the perfect opportunity for her to work on her diaroma for her Independent Study class at school. It is an extension of her TAG class- that no matter what they tell me....is basically EXTRA work for the TAG kids.....I don't have her in TAG to have MORE work, I put her in TAG so that she would have more challenging work.

Well- after many phone calls and email discussions- I have been told that in order to stay in TAG, she must also participate in this Independent Study class...so here we are ...making the best of it. (Sorry- guess I needed to vent a little there!)

Either way- I love her diaroma! It is the relaxation portion of her backyard project. As you can see, she has a swimming pool, library and art section! I think those may just be her 3 favorite things; swimming, reading and painting! Good work, Kaci! I am proud of you!

"When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world."Harold Kushner

So, many of you already know that we recently ordered Kaci's Team Walk shirts for the, Say Boo to Diabetes Walk, from a company called CustomInk. They should be arriving any day now- and we can't wait!!

Imagine my surprise today when I received the following email from CustomInk....

Hi Andrea,

I noticed that you designed t-shirts for an upcoming charitable effort. We think it's terrific that you are participating in such a worthy cause! CustomInk would love to help you reach your fundraising goal by making a donation to your team.

Please reply to this email with either a:
• link/URL to your individual or team sponsorship page
• mailing address where I can send a check and to whom I should make the check payable

I look forward to hearing from you soon. And thanks for choosing us to make your special t-shirts!

Warm regards,
Laney Caspio
Charity Outreach CoordinatorCustomInk.com

That is AMAZING! I didn't waste anytime and have already sent them:

A) the link to Kaci's fundraising page and

B)our home address with the directions to make their check payable to JDRF!

I will keep you posted on when and what we receive from this wonderful company! No matter how BIG or how small- I am overjoyed that a company who knows us from no one- would take the time and the effort to donate to a cause that is so important to our family!!

If you need any Custom shirts made - I highly recommend that you use Custom Ink.

Please view their webpage at www.customink.com

Bailey by Harry Bliss

Bailey was so excited to get his book order today and get his new book, Bailey!

In this story you will meet a cute dog names,Bailey -who surprises and charms his fellow human classmates with his irrepressible antics.

Follow Bailey the dog as he gets ready and goes to school. Should he wear the red or blue collar? Both are so fashionable! Will he be late? That squirrel is a distraction! And what about Bailey's homework? Would you believe he ate it? That is what dogs do, after all.

In this funny new book from the best selling children's illustrator Harry Bliss, school proves to be an unexpected place for Bailey to do all sorts of things he loves: reading, fetching, painting, digging, singing - and making friends!

Getting ready for a "Happy Halloween 2011!"