Stitches and Sweets….was the theme of this year’s fundraising event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness.  For the first time in several years, we found a date where all five of us were home.  In year’s past, Justin and Emerson have had a softball tournament so the preparation was Avery, Harper, and myself.  While much of the advance preparation this year was still just the three of us, Justin was able to help with the set-up and outside much of the time this year, which was nice.  Emerson joined too for most the event after the first hour.

For the “stitches”, Harper was a sewing machine (no pun intended) for about a month prior to the event, making stuffed animals, pouches, scrunchies, key chains, an apron, and much more.  We thought it be a good way to advertise her products!

For the “sweets”, we made chocolate chip cookies, caramel chip cookies, brownies, and chocolate covered popcorn.  It was all so delicious and looked beautiful!

Business was slow and steady. Each year, our number of visitors get smaller and smaller.  I truly think everyone is just busy…kids activities are often in full force this time of year!

Yet, while the number of visitors has been reduced, Avery still raised over $1000, $1,295 to be exact. 

The day was perfect for a fundraising event….cooler temps than normal for this time of year and a little overcast…perfect for sitting outside for four hours without the chocolate chips melting and ourselves burning. 

This year the Brophys and Nidays came.  I was so excited to see them that I completely forgot to take a picture. 

We had plenty of leftover stitches and sweets.  Harper is going to try to start selling some of her items on eBay.  And I kept enough sweets for treats for the week, while freezing some for future. 

The actual vision walk was Saturday, May 16 at The Navy Yard.  Weather was beautiful and for the first time in YEARS, we didn’t have injuries in the family that prevented us from doing the actual walk.  Not only did Avery, Justin, Harper, and I do the walk, but we were one of the first to finish the 2-mile walk. 

The trip to get downtown and the parking could not have been easier.  We parked in a lot right next to the waterfront, not reserving a spot in advance, and only paying $10 for parking.  

Avery got recognized for raising over $1,000, though it took a little reminder from Mom to have her name called as they forgot for a second year in a row.  As Avery said, she raises money for the cause, not for the recognition.

It was on the forefront of my mind this morning how different preparing for the actual event was for today compared to when the girls were little.  When the girls were little, getting out of the house by 9:00 on a weekend looked so different….I wasn’t just getting myself ready, but I was getting three little girls up, fed, dressed, etc. This morning I was up early, worked out for myself, and then had a leisurely hour of drinking coffee and making my own breakfast and talking to the girls in the kitchen as they each made their own breakfast.  And the walk itself took way longer with little feet and legs.  With that being said, I am pretty sure the walk used to be three miles versus two miles, but even so walking with little kids is a lot different than walking with teens who are used to going on walks.

This year’s walk raised more money than it has in years past.  Go FFB and Team Maddy!