Bell Ringing...

A few weekends ago we participated in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing. Every year I make it a point to give Elsie money to drop into every red kettle we see while out shopping...so this year Elsie was super excited to be able to be a bell ringer! Ted and Ceara were the ones who were doing the ringing...but the little aunties, Colter and Elsie all wanted in on the fun too...and Ceara and Ted were more than willing to have all the helpers!

 Elsie, James, Jon and I only stayed to help bell ring for about half an hour...just until we got good and cold...all the others stayed for the full 3 hour shift.

 Emma is a firm believer that if anyone offers her a sip of coffee she should really take advantage of that! Emma loves to do anything possible to be just like one of the "big kids"...

 Grandma B. gave Elsie some money to put in the red kettle. I always tell Elsie the money in the red kettles is given to people who don't have any money...she asks lots of questions and we talk about having no money, being really poor and our job as Christians to do our best to be giving and show compassion. She has a very big heart so this concept is not difficult at all for her to process.  

 When my sister and I were the Education Directors at our church we would bring groups of kids bell ringing as a service project. I find it interesting that Ceara's future husband, Ted, was one of the kids we always brought bell ringing...so it is neat to see Ted, now part of our family and still bell ringing with us!

 I am hoping to make this an annual tradition in our family...

 We had a little reindeer man bell ringing with us too...{with a sticky face and a hat found in the "too small" bag!}

 But he didn't want to stand outside in the cold...so he stayed in the entry area. He got lots of smiles because of his cute little reindeer ears...and a couple candy canes even...makes me want to go out and about with reindeer ears!