A Big Heart on a Little Playground + Danimals Rally for Recess Contest

This should come as no surprise to anyone - my favorite part of recess was socializing!! *gasp* I know, I know, the secret is no surprise at all. I wasn't always as confident and outgoing, though! Once upon a time, I was actually a pretty shy kid, though having a close knit group of a friends at a private school helped me establish stable friendships that soon brought me out of my shell. Those friends from the early days still torment me about how "bossy" and "chatty" I was ... am.

For as long as I can remember, I've always had a heart for people, whether I had the confidence to embrace it or not. I've carried this passion through the years and am learning to utilize it in the different stages of life.

Recess was, of course, one of the best places for my budding social life to grow and expand. I loved playing hop-scotch or skipping rope and chatting with friends the whole time. I wanted to be in the conversation, no matter what the topic was, so I would cater to the task at hand and bask in the social interaction!

I had no interest in being the center of attention, but rather to know my classmates, playmates, and friends on a more intimate level. I wanted to hear their secrets, gain their confidence, and find a worthy comrade in return. Much in this same way that I played during recess, is how I run my blog! I just want genuine friends :).

I see this love of socializing and the people involved budding in my oldest daughter now too. It warms me to know the emotions that are stirring deep inside of her which present themselves in the way they do. She loves people. She has a heart for them. She has immense compassion and an earnest desire to know her fellow man. I can tell already, recess will be her social outlet in the same way it was mine!

In the past twenty years, children have lost an average of 8 hours of recess a week. Danimals Rally for Recess is a national initiative designed to create healthy competition, pitting school against school. Go to Danimals Rally for Recess for a chance to win $20,000 for your Elementary school playground. Plus each day Danimals is giving recess-related prizes to keep kids healthy and active. Share your Recess memories below and go to Rally for Recess for more information on how your school can win!


I have partnered with Dannon/Danimals to help promote the “Rally for Recess” campaign. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about the promotion and product, and hosting a giveaway where the prize has been provided by Dannon/Danimals. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.Contest Rules.