Happy New Year!

I'm so happy that 2008 is finally over! Another year under my belt... time to reminisce! I am so lucky to have a wonderful family and awesome friends. This year was huge for us. Shayna started school and Mark received a huge promotion at work. I got in shape this year, although I lost most of it because I've been sick since November! I'll get it back, though, because I've got a 5K to run with my buddy, Jenna! I've got no excuse, as she has 4 kids (all under 4) and a job! Hopefully, this time next year I'll have the County job that I interviewed for!

We got back last Saturday after a wonderful XMAS holiday at Mark's parent's house. Art and Lynn are the best in-laws! I'm a lucky girl! Like I've said before, I've always wondered what XMAS was like, considering I grew up in a Jewish household. Every year it just keeps getting better and better! You can't beat spending time with family... oh and the wonderful food that Lynn works so hard to prepare! I actually gained 5 pounds in a week! Ouch!
Here's a cute picture of Shayna and her cousin, Cooper!












Here's Lynn reading, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, to Cooper, Kaitlyn, Grace, and Shayna.

















We almost had a "White Christmas!" It really tried to snow, but only hail and slush came down at our elevation!

Check out these photos from our holiday!

Just look how beautiful the tree is!

Here's Mark and Shayna, ready for some sledding!

Mark's cousin, Dan, who just took a header!


The kids... Kaitlyn, Cooper, and Shayna!

Holiday Spirit

Last week, I spent a few days with my wonderful friend, Lisa, baking cookies at her newly remodeled house. She has a brand-spankin' new gorgeous kitchen, and I was so happy to spend time with her, and her brand-spankin' new cookie sheets! I stopped by Kohl's on the way to her house to buy the cookie sheets... of course I bought myself one, too! They are the best! The sheet is air insulated, preventing the cookies from browning on the bottom... GENIUS! Here's a picture of some of our hard work. We had a blast, and to be honest, the cookies were just a bonus.




After Mark and Shayna polished off 1/4 of the cookies, we decided to treat our awesome neighbor's, Sal & Joan, to some tasty cookies. Shayna was very happy to take cookies to our neighbors!











On Wednesday, Shayna sang in her very first class performance. They sang, "Oh Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah..." I just can't believe that those kids memorized the entire song in less than 2 weeks! Shayna told me that every time they sang with the class, they rec'd a sticker for their good work. Who knew?






Here's Shayna's favorite music teacher, Hamo'Robyn. Hamo'Robyn is a rock star with these kids!
















Here's Shayna's class during "Circle Time." Those teachers have got it under control!

Winter (Autumn) Fun!

It sure feels like winter time down here in So Cal! The temps getting down into the 50's and 40's at night and 60's during the day... brrrrrrrr..... get the winter coats out! Tonight we met some friends in Long Beach and took a carriage ride. It wouldn't be complete without Santa, of course! Shayna told the bearded fellow everything on her list: Puppy, kitten, train set (yay, Grammie and Granddad!), and lots of toys. There was even a "please" and "thank you" thrown in there for good measure. It was so cute that Shayna had no second thoughts about sitting on Santa's lap. What can I say, it's a XMAS miracle!



















Here's a shot of the whole gang!

Box Tops for Education Marketplace!

Last month, I was contacted by a company to review a site called Box Tops for Education Marketplace. I have to tell you... I love to shop online, so this was a no brainer for me. It was simple to use and Shayna's future elementary school will receive a cash donation for every purchase I make through the site this holiday season and throughout the entire year!.

Shopping at BT Marketplace is easy –
1) register via this link https://www.boxtops4education.com/Registration/Default.aspx
2) shop online at over 70 online vendors
3) there is NO additional cost to you!
4) your school then gets a check.

The Box Tops Marketplace allows you to earn cash for your school when you shop online. At the Marketplace site, click on the link to one of your favorite online stores. Participating retailers including Barnes & Noble (where I just purchased Shayna's Hanukkah present through the Box Tops Marketplace!), Gap, Shutterfly, Wal-Mart, BestBuy, Target, Lands' End and Oriental Trading Company, the Marketplace can serve as the source for all of your holiday and year-round shopping needs and raise money for your school at the same time. There is NO additional cost to you! Up to 8 percent of every qualifying purchase is donated back to your school of choice at no additional cost to you.

When you arrive at the website and sign in all you have to do is click on one of the aforementioned stores and you’ll be automatically sent to that store’s web site. Shop as you normally would and a portion of your qualifying purchase is donated to your school. YES, it's that easy!!!
So please sign up, as I did, and let's get some much needed cash for our schools!

Lots of Fun

Last weekend we hit the L.A. County Museum of Natural History... and I have finally gained the strength to add this story to the Blog, because, of course I am sick yet again... that's for a different post! We had a wonderful time, just the 3 of us. It worked out great and I'm sure Shayna was really happy to hang out with mom & dad!
































On Friday, I decided to bring my camera to Shayna's school. Here are some pictures of her in the classroom with her "buddies," as she likes to call them. On Fridays, the kids wear their blue school t-shirt for school spirit rally. I like to join the class when the all head into the auditorium for some music and fun!.