Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Indianapolis, IN

Not too long ago my church did a service project where we stuffed plastic baggies with hygiene essentials donated by the congregation. Not everyone read the specifics and so many items were donated that were not able to be used in the hygiene kits, for example, toothbrushes needed to be individually wrapped, if someone donated a three pack, they wouldn't fit into the specific hygiene kits.
Long story short, there was a lot of usable items donated that couldn't go directly to the cause they were donated for.
Since our church had also been on a mission to collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house, we decided to drop off the extra hygiene items along with the pop tabs. Items included soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toothbrushes, hand towels and wipes. We had no idea the reception we'd get from the Ronald McDonald house, they were so utterly grateful for the items that could go to help so many families who rushed to their child's bedside, leaving many of the basic necessities at home. We were overwhelmed by their gratitude, and while they were the ones receiving the physical goods, we were the ones who received the emotional blessings.
I've always known I want to instill in my daughter a love of service to others. To learn and appreciate how good it feels to give, even though it may be difficult at times.
The amazing people at Learning Curve gave us a priceless opportunity to do just that.
A while ago I was contacted by people from Learning Curve about their new Dollhouse, the Mrs. Goodbee Caring Corners Talking Dollhouse.

We were given the opportunity to review one ourselves and were also sent another to share with someone less fortunate. The dollhouse was an instant hit. As soon as it arrived I invited two other little girls over to give it a true welcome into our home. With 12 huge rooms spread out on both sides of the expandable dollhouse, no one was ever in anyone's way. There were plenty of little details, such as flushing toilets and season changing windows, that enchanted all three little girls for a long time. When my daughter is alone she loves to just stare at the smiling face on the front door and have conversations with it.
The Mrs. Goodbee dollhouse does so much more than any other dollhouse I've seen. She uses good manners (all with a very Super Nanny type accent) and explains why we too should use good manners and how special it can make someone feel when we share wth them. My two favorite features include songs and encouragement about caring for the pets in your home and the other feature is when the baby cries, Mrs. Goodbee encourages the child to find a bottle of milk for the baby. If the child opens the fridge, as per Mrs. Goodbee's suggestion, she praises the child for being so thoughtful of the baby.
The best part of the experience was after she was able to play with it for a couple of weeks I asked her if she would want to give one of the dollhouses to someone who didn't have a dollhouse to play with. She was totally stoked about the idea. Since the Ronald McDonald house had been so receptive to the donation of hygenic goods, I called the director and asked if there were any little girls or families to whom a dollhouse could go to. Word spread quickly, so when we arrived at the Ronald McDonald house the volunteers were already lined up, ready to see the magnificent dollhouse and to thank my daughter for giving it to them. She made sure it went somewhere safe, and that the director had his clear instructions to "give it to a little girl to play with."
I watched her walk out a little prouder. Sharing the dollhouse came so easy to her.
Later that week she was playing with the little girl dolls in the house and had one ask the other:
"Did you get the dollhouse I gave you like mine?"
"Oh yes, I love it, thank you so very much. My best friends and I play with it all the time."
"Oh, you're welcome!"
Enough to melt a mom's heart.
Thank you Learning Curve for the chance not only to play with this adorable dollhouse, but also the chance to share one, and make some other little girl just as happy.