Officially

...on Winter Break now. I feel so relaxed already! I stayed up until 10:30 (whoa!) and slept in this morning. What a life! Especially excited because with no school, I didn't have to do bus duty!! That hour every morning just wears me out. Anyway, I figured it was time to update.

A million thanks to CARI, my February DTC Secret Pal. She has been a fabulous pal and friend over the past 10 months. The Secret Pal gifts and messages she has sent are truly appreciated.

This months package arrived Wednesday. Look at all the treats!

The "I Never Forget a Face Game" has a best toy award and I hope to give it a whirl with K this week. The jade love charm made me smile, as I previously noted I had lost my love charm off my bracelet! I'll let ya'll know if the jade does "attract" some love! =0 The China adoption magnetic words are so fun, the sweet little photo book I can't wait to fill up! So many goodies! And if you look carefully, Cari's family is pictured on their Christmas card! Cari, we are all pulling for another picture on your family card for next year!

Thank you so much for all your thoughtfulness and generosity, Cari!

I've had the chance to babysit my 2 month old nephew a few times over the past weeks. Here is a pictorial update on his cuteness!

Yesterday I went with the 4th graders to visit our local Channel 13. The kids (and adults!) had pictures taken at the anchor desk and played around with the green weather screen. The kids enjoyed using an extra green cloth to make it look like they were bobbing heads, but I got to "do the weather"...I think I missed my calling! We all marveled at the man earning $500 dollars/15 minutes by fixing a camera 500 feet up on the broadcast tower! All of our eyes lit up on that figure! I really think he earns every penny! The station also treated us to lunch across from the broadcast room, during the broadcast. And we chatted with meteorologist Craig Moeller. You just know the kids called him by his competition's name a few times! The kids left with stockings stuffed-with-goodies. Really royal! I'm trying to work this scanner again to show my picture at the anchor desk. Scanner operation...new years resolution.

I noticed that I began this blog on 20 December 2005, right before I went to get fingerprinted (with Flat Stanley). I really didn't think I would be blogging about anything and everything *but* Elena for a whole year and more. Thank to all my family, friends, and lurkers(!) who are still hanging in there and checking in with me!

Off to get ready for my day at the movies or aquarium with Kaitlin now!