Costco!

Well, today we helped to kick off the Costco Balloon Campaign in TWO locations in New Jersey today!

Our first stop was in Brick, NJ, where many of my friends go often. We met Lorraine, from CMN, there, and helped set up.

The staff was incredible, they had already put up hundreds and hundreds of balloons to form a beautiful mural and tribute to CMN. They gave all of us free smoothies, which were DELISH, and Mackenzie & Michael were given honorary employee badges that had their names and "2010 Champion" on it! We brought Mackenzie's good friend, Jessie, and they made her one, too! It said "2010 Champion Friend"--I thought that was so sweet!

The kids got right to work, too! Michael sat at the table for a while, encouraging people to buy balloons with his sweet face and kind demeanor. He shouted "Would you like to buy a balloon today?" in his adorable voice, it was nearly impossible for people to say no to him! ;)

The girls were busy selling balloons to customers that were coming off the check out lines, sitting and eating or coming into the store. They also brought kids over to our table to enter in the coloring contest. It was a great time!

From there, we headed to the Manahawkin Costco, where they had two HUGE cakes ready to be cut up and distributed to patrons in exchange for a donation to CMN. One of the employees there, Rose, just went above and beyond! She and her two daughters had knit stress balls, scarves and hats to give for donations. They also had popcorn, single roses for Mother's Day, mousepads and keychains. The girls were right in front of the store, and they were wonderful to us!

After we were filled with pizza and cake, we packed it up and headed home. The kids relaxed and we watched a movie together as a family. This whole experience just gets more and more wonderful the longer we continue. Now, we look forward to the Walk In the Parks Kick Off on the 13th in New Brunswick!!! EXCITING!!!