Thursday, October 27, 2011

So Proud!

I belong to a mom's club here, and for the service project this month, we put our kids in their costumes and head over to a nursing home. There were actually 2 nursing homes across the street from each other, so we went to the first one and walked around saying "Happy Halloween!" Before we got there, I tried to explain how we were going to see old people who don't get out a lot, and how seeing the boys in their costumes would make them happy. I said we were going to be very nice and smile and talk to everyone.

When we got there, there was only one other mother there, and she only had a baby in her arms. So as we walked the halls, my boys got a lot of attention because they could interact with them. Andrew was himself, talkative and happy, and everyone loved him as they always do. But I couldn't have been prouder of Dallin. He smiled and said "Howdy partner!" to everyone (he was a cowboy); he just smiled and didn't try and correct anyone when they called him Alan; he was very attentive for as long as they wanted to talk to him. I even had to drag him away a few times! He let anyone touch him. One lady, I think she may have been senile and I know she didn't speak English, was grinning ear to ear as she touched him all over and mumbled in Spanish. Dallin, while I could tell he was a little unsure of it, just smiled at her and let her be happy. After we left, I hugged him and told him how proud I was of him for making all those people so happy!

We went to the second nursing home and they had a whole Halloween Party set up for us! At least 1/2 of the elderly were dressed! The boys weren't sure what to think about the man with the werewolf mask and gloves. :) Everyone was at tables, so they had us go "trick or treating" around each table! They had candy and Halloween tatoos, pencils, erasers, other misc, and even coloring books for the kids! Everyone oohed and ahed over the little devil, and loved Dallin and asked about his gun. One lady told us how her oldest son was once a cowboy for Halloween and she had a picture of it up in her room. :) Then one of the men read a story for the kids while they had cookies and punch. It was so much fun, and I'm so glad Dallin got to see his service make so many people happy.

3 comments:

Allison said...

That is always such a good service project to do. Both sides really benefit.

Buffy said...

That is awesome! You are such a good mom! And way to go Alan! HaHa!

Linda said...

I love that! Come back in a couple of years when I'm there.