Two Thousand Ten - It's YOUR Year!

Happy New Year!

Well, here we are, trying to survive a brand new week, in a brand new year. Historically, it has always been difficult to go back to work after a holiday break, and today was no different. Between having to set our alarms (ugh!), wake before dark, not know any of the vital items are (like keys, lunches, kid shoes, etc.) and battling commutes on icy roads, today was a definitely a rough welcome back. Funny enough though, a little routine is just what we need to help us to feel "normal" again.

Christmas was great this year - perhaps the best yet. As usual we had several actual Christmases with our families and plenty of opportunities to share in the company of each other. E had a great time at all of them and really enjoyed opening her gifts (and some of the others when she wasn't watched!)

One of her favorite gifts this year was the combination whiteboard/chalkboard by Melissa & Doug. She plays with it every day and has really taken to drawing large circles with the chalk. Here are some pictures of her using it:

She LOVES playing with letters and numbers. She has a little foam alphabet that she plays with in the tub. She is always saying "more" "more" "more" when we count with her or sing the alphabet song and she is really learning a lot of them. It is truly a pleasure to watch her grow, bit mentally and physically. Speaking of physically, man is E in a growth spurt lately. We think she has grown a few inches in just the last month!

Now that the Christmas lights are are all boxed away for the year, it is really time to focus on the new year and get down to business. Those of you who I've spent time with over the past few weeks have probably picked up on my newest saying. I honestly mean it when I say "2010 is going to be YOUR year!". It is going to be yours and it is going to be mine. I don't know how to describe it really, but I guess what I am trying to say is we are going to own this year!

Have you ever felt this way? Do you feel this way now? If so, what is your plan for 2010? I mean, seriously, stand up and get going!

Let's get out there and be our best!