Each one of my 3 kids adopt an angle from the tree at school and their school holds a food drive, so we donate to that.  The thing I love the most, is my husbands work has a charity drive for toys and then they donate them to underprivledged families.  A party is provided for these kids and families, and we as a family go to the party where Santa comes and gives the kids their presents.

My kids really enjoy this.  They never have asked why they are not getting a present, they like seeing the other kids getting them and eyes beaming because Santa brought it just for them.  It is amazing!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

That is great!  It is amazing how we learn from our kids.

It is hard being a good parent in this day and age, you wonder if you are doing the right thing. From the sounds of it, you and your husband are doing a FANTASTIC job!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

We have 3 dachshunds, 1 guinea pig, and one spotted gekko (spelling on some- sorry).  The dogs are just like the kids - spoiled and lovable.  The guinea pig is sweet  & cuddly, and the lizard poor thing just sits in its tank.  We buy presents for all of our animals - they are members of our family.

Tip for any parent who's little one want a pet from Santa.  One year my daughter wanted a kitten, me being alergic, and her not understanding - the Santa very nicely told her "Santa can not bring live animals, it gets to cold on my sleigh."  She got off his lap, looked at me and said that she did not want a kitten because she did not want it to get cold.  So instead of getting an animal for a little one, there is an out.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I saw this in the AZ Republic.  We do need to talk to our kids - even younger ones to teach them.  It is ssoooo strange how the world has changed.  It use to be if you needed help when we were young, go to an adult - now it is not that way at all.  We have to teach our children to be cautious and ontheir toes.

This family seems to have major problems, not just the one on the news.  I know "guilty until proven innocent" however in cases like these - the police work long and countless hours to make sure they have the right person.  I commend the Phx PD for all the hard work, missed time with families and dedication to protect us here in the valley.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

How's come the big winners, so to speak, are always anonymous phone bidders?  Why do people bother going if the big prize gets away by someone who stayed home?

Gorgeous dress, great movie . . .

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I have not seen anyone comment on the mother that took her dog into Neiman-Marcus while she left her 2 year old sleeping in the auto and told the valet he was there.

What kind of mother would do this, take the dog, leave the child???

I hear she is a teacher at a Monesori School here in the valley, maybe rumor.

This mother feels she did nothing wrong.  Ok, so it was not hot out and he could not bake in the sun, but with all the sickos in the world, how could she in her right mind leave her son?

Then after the police come and arrest her, she asks them to go into Neiman-Marcus to retrieve the wrapped present she still had not gotten because she ran into a friend and shopped for make up, COME ON!!!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Hey! I am Denise.

Mother of 3 - 2 girls and a boy.  Love the site - Hope you will too!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

It happened Tuesday.

I first thought that something had to be wrong also, but her picutre she looks very well put together. 

The poor valet called his mom and asked her what to do, and she advised him to security and the police.

It is a very sad story . Here is what is posted in AZ Republic. . . .

Shopper mom sparks online outrage, shock

A mom, a lap dog, a sleeping toddler and a BMW sparked a media storm Wednesday, as hundreds of Valley residents took to their keyboards to weigh in on Gardenia Zakrzewski-Johansson.

Few had heard the name Tuesday. But 24 hours later, online chat forums and national newscasts had helped feed the buzz surrounding the shopper in Scottsdale who was accused of leaving her 2-year-old son asleep in her Beemer to go shopping with her purse-size pooch.

"Does this woman think that just because she drives a BMW and lives in Scottsdale that the rules don't apply to her?" said a posting by one azcentral reader identified as Brandy9108. "The nerve of her to expect the valet to watch her child because she needs to SHOP."

Hundreds of readers posted their opinions on azcentral.com, ranging from shock to outrage, throughout the day Wednesday on azcentral.com.

"It's pretty sad that a woman would make sure her dog is taken care of before her child," said a posting by Brook(1366). "What does a 2-year-old REALLY need from Neiman Marcus that has to be gift wrapped?"

Scottsdale City Court officials didn't say when Zakrzewski-Johansson would appear in court on child-endangerment accusations.

The former Anthem Montessori School teacher told a valet, "I'll be quick, don't tell anybody," then dashed to pick up a Christmas gift, police said.

One valet called his mother for advice, then mall security, before Scottsdale officers arrived, police said.

Zakrzewski-Johansson, 39, said she took longer than expected because the gift was not wrapped, she ran into a friend and she picked up eye-makeup remover, police said.

She also asked arresting officers to retrieve the present, police said.

There is more in on azcentral.com tonight, but it must be overloaded, as I can not get it pulled up.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Cutest - Brad Pitt

Sexiest - Matthew McConahey

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Congrats!

I am thinking of going back now that all my kiddos are full dayers.

You will be GREAT!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau