December 2015

Happy (almost) New Year!

The holidays have quickly come and gone. And, I hope you are left with memories to cherish.  But, how is 2015 already over? I find myself asking this same question year after year.  A friend told me when my daughter was born, “the days are long, but the years are fast.” Nothing has seemed so true until now. 

The club was busy throughout the year hosting events with wild success.  Here are the highlights: Chinese New Year, the Easter Egg Hunt, Mom's Day Plein Air painting, Parents Night at Mozambique, the club’s 10th Birthday celebration at Bluebird, Mom’s night at Tortilla Republic, the Great Halloween Walk, the Sawdust holiday craft, the first Baby Sign class, Mom’s night at the Montage, plus many book club nights and playgroups in between.

I hope 2015 has been good to you.  May your days, even when long, be filled with happiness in the new year!

Ali Del Rosso

Upcoming Events

Clothes for the Cause FUNraiser

When: Saturday, January 23, 2016

Where: Alta Laguna Park

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

We need your help! The 2016 calendar is chock-full of new events and we want to make them a reality. Help us by filling a bag or two (10 if you feel so inclined) with used household items. Read more>

2016 is a fresh start.  Time to clean out the old closet and tackle that garage. 

Saturday morning (Jan. 23) the Clothes for the Cause truck will meet us to collect our bags while we tailgate kid-friendly style.  Let’s have fun while we raise funds! Read more>

2016 Board Meeting Extravaganza

When: Thurs. January 28, 2016

Where: Spice Merchants

Time: 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Big things are planned for 2016 and we are going to spice things up for our first Board Meeting in January.  Yes, it’s going to be extravagant!  And, yes, it’s still our monthly meeting! Read more>

Happenings in December

4th Annual Montage Night

Mom’s Night at the Montage

On December 2, the ladies of the LBPC descended upon the Montage in annual fashion. There was another great turnout for the 4th Mom’s Night at the Montage. By 8 o’clock, we had taken over most of the lobby bar, rearranging tables and making ourselves feel right at home. The champagne, of course, was free flowing as was the lively conversation. It was the perfect start to the holiday season!

Thanks again to those of you who made this evening memorable.  And, a special thank you to Lauren Nicholson for the thoughtful gifts she brought for each of the ladies who attended.  

LBPC Holiday Toy Drive

Thank you to all of those who participated in the SMALL TOY DRIVE for the children of the Laguna Food Pantry.  Our drive was a huge success, delivering over 110 gifts throughout the month of December to children of low income families.  I was overwhelmed with the generosity of our club members and the support of Nextgen, who also pitched in to make our goal of 100 toys a reality.

We received a thank you note from Board Member Bill Baaden, “I just want you to know that your group brought many smiles to those who received all the gifts, and warmed the hearts of those giving them out, that's what Christmas is all about.

Kristin Miracle Lewis

Boho Wreath Workshop

Post-windstorm

The recent windstorm definitely took its toll on my boho wreath.  Sadly, it looks more like a bird strike with feathers blown every which way as opposed to the chic look it was supposed to achieve. Sigh. If you want a little laugh, check out the post-windstorm picture.  

Though I will say, making the wreath was so much fun. Laughter echoed through the little shop as we hot glued fingers and feathers alike. We sipped wine, nibbled hors d’oeuvres, and shoved feathers into any place they would fit.  Alas, the wreaths turned out fantastic and reflected the personalities of the ladies who made them. Even mine looked good at one point.

A big thank you to Melissa Kanarek, owner of the Brass Tack, for hosting us in her shop.  For cool style and unusual gifts, check out this little gem at 384 Forest.

Feathery fun at Brass Tack

Oh, and don’t forget about…

Meals for New Parents

We offer a free meal to the parents of any LBPC family bringing home a new baby. Parents can choose from several restaurant and menu options. The Club takes care of ordering the food and delivering it to your doorstep.  Contact Nancy Fischer at nshehadey@yahoo.com for details.

Birth Announcements

Have a new baby and want to share your excitement with the club?  Email alexandria_sue@hotmail.com to have the announcement appear in our next newsletter.

November 2015

Holiday Season in Full Swing

A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.  A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Big or small, an open heart can overflow with gratitude. Even our littlest ones show appreciation in their own special ways. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you are well fed, enjoyed good company, and gave many thanks over the long weekend.

What better time to express gratitude than the holidays.  And, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to be writing to you. The month of November came and went with a blur. The LBPC hosted several great events, like the first Baby Sign class and our annual holiday craft (more about that below).

Today is the first of December and the holidays are officially in full swing. I hope many of you will join us tomorrow evening as we sip champagne and toast to friendships made at the 4th annual Moms Night Out at the Montage.

While I may not have the chance to write again before Christmas, I wish you and your family joy in abundance and peace to carry you into the New Year!

Happiest Holidays,

Ali Del Rosso

PS.  I’d like to give credit to Jen Leonti for authoring the LBPC newsletter for the past 2 years.  She’s worked hard to provide wit and entertainment in her monthly musings. Thank you, Jen, for allowing me to carry the torch!

Upcoming Events

4th Annual Mom's Night at the Montage

When: Weds. December 2, 2015 7:00-9:00pm

Where: Montage Lobby Bar, 30801 South Coast Highway

Contact: Kristin Miracle Lewis, kristin@wolosonco.com
Read more

Holiday Toy Drive for the Laguna Beach Food Pantry

When: Fri. December 18, 2015 

Where: The Lewis Residence, 3191 Bern Drive

Contact: Kristin Miracle Lewis, kristin@wolosonco.com
Read more

Show your holiday spirit by donating a small toy to the LBPC Toy Drive. Together we can make a difference this holiday season.  The last day to drop your gift is Friday, December 18.

Click the Upcoming Events tab for details and additional LBPC events.

Happenings in November

Baby Sign

In partnership with the Laguna Beach Library, the Parents Club has launched a new community program called Baby Sign.  Baby Sign is an American Sign Language (ASL) workshop that teaches basic ASL to babies and their caretakers.  

Jen Leonti put much time and energy into getting the program off the ground (and with great success)! The Saturday morning class had around 10 families in attendance with babies and children of various ages.

Bethany Sloan teaching ASL

Bethany Sloan, a teacher at Granola Babies in Costa Mesa, engaged the little ones and their families for an hour, sending them home with loads of information.  Through song and story, they learned many beginner signs such as those associated with food like banana and apple.  She also recommended “Baby Signing Time” DVD and book duo to continue education and signing at home.

Three more classes are in the works. Look to February for second class in the series. And, thank you to the Laguna Beach Library for providing us with the space and a portion of the funding to make this program possible.  Baby Sign is open to the general public so help us spread the word!

Holiday Craft and Sawdust Tree

Thanks go out to the many families who showed up to the annual Holiday Craft at Bluebird Park.  Together, we made over 50 ornaments that are currently on display at the Sawdust Winter Festival. 

Kids and parents alike had fun decorating wood slices by dropping paint in salad spinners and giving it a whirl. All you have to do is look the faces below and you will see the magic of the spinner. We rocked cool kid tunes (thanks, Kristin Miracle Lewis!) and nibbled small snacks.  

We also had a surprise guest appearance from Moe Howson, the newly crowned LBHS Homecoming Queen. Check out her inspiring story in the Coastline Pilot about overcoming adversity and what it means to be raising our children in Laguna. Read more 

A big thank you to Christine Russell, Jen Leonti, Corinna Thavirat and Kristin Miracle Lewis for taking time from their busy schedules to help me decorate the tree.  It’s a real beauty!  I am proud to say that the LBPC was awarded 3rd Place among local non-profits (yay!) during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.  We even have a plaque and box of chocolates to show for it.  Congratulations, LBPC!   

If you have yet to visit the Sawdust Festival and would like to see our tree, I have 18 tickets available (first come, first serve).  Message Ali Del Rosso at 949.636.0441 if interested.  And, be sure to look for our tree just behind Santa’s workshop!

PS. Ornaments will be available for pickup after the festival ends on December 21.  Stop by The Lewis Residence at 3191 Bern Drive to grab yours!

Photos courtesy of South Orange County (SOC) Photography

Oh, and don’t forget about…

Meals for New Parents

We offer a free meal to the parents of any LBPC family bringing home a new baby. Parents can choose from several restaurant and menu options. The Club takes care of ordering the food and delivering it to your doorstep.

Contact Nancy Fischer at nshehadey@yahoo.com

Birth Announcements

Have a new baby and want to share your excitement with the club?  Email alexandria_sue@hotmail.com to have the announcement appear in our next newsletter.