Happy New Year!

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? One of mine is to learn how to put my calendar into my smart phone so I won’t need two paper calendars anymore (work and personal). And of course the usual commitment to eat healthier and drink more water! Our monthly article “Cooking Fresh with Sigona’s” will continue to be a reliable source for adding those fruits and vegetables to our tables.

Steve Shapiro, POP’s “Father Knows Best?”columnist, has a great idea for a New Year’s resolution that will give him and his wife some adult time if all goes well. Check it out.

As I write this editorial, it is the shortest day of the year. Everywhere else across the U.S. people are experiencing the throes of winter. Not so today here, or for that matter the past week. We are blessed with absolutely gorgeous dry weather with the warm sun shining down on thePeninsula keeping us happy and dry during the day. As for the nights....no one is looking forward to the next PG&E bill.

When we planned editorial for January and the January cover, there was snow in the Sierra and rain upon us. Hopefully by the time this, our first issue of the new year hits the streets, we will be wet and the snow will once more cover California mountain ranges. As much as we all love this wonderful weather we also love knowing water will not be in short supply in 2012!

With the coming of each new year, POP traditionally delivers birthday party ideas. You will find some sane, low key ideas this year and some warnings about what not to do when planning your child’s birthday party by Kimberly Gonsalves. Donne Davis, our “Go-to Grandma,” shares her inspiring idea for the first birthday celebration.

I am always amazed at the money and grandeur that is spent on birthday parties for young children. Who thought it was a good idea to invite the whole class? It reminds me of my wedding with 275 people in attendance and I can’t remember talking to anyone—then or now. Tons of gifts and some are still in boxes! The best birthday parties for my girls were when the numbers were kept to a minimum and the kids could really enjoy each other. I think one of the best parties was when we had the guests dress up as Cindy Lauper and we went to the skating rink.Caroline was turning 8 and we had 8 guests. Besides, who needs 25 presents? Seems obscene to me! Next month we will have an article by Monica Ho Ehlers on that very dilemma. Sorry we couldn’t get it in this month.

Which leads to another great article this month, “How Much is Enough?” Middle School Mom tells it like it is—indulgence and abundance can be dangerous when raising children. Hard to say but it is true that the Peninsula suffers from affluence and Cynthia Klein warns us thatrestraint with our children can be a plus as you prepare them for the reality of life beyond the family unit.

If we do get those rainy days soon, Barbara Fischer recommends some novel ways to keep your kids active and dry. Check out her round up of many indoor centers on the Peninsula. She all but guarantees you can stay sane without the children bouncing off your own walls!

Have a happy and healthy 2012. If you get a chance, please “like us” on Facebook. It seems that is the latest way to keep our publication in business. We know our readers are pleased with POP’s excellent editorial so please let others know by a “like us” as you start the New Year.

I am inviting all of you to a special event presented by Parenting on the Peninsula called “Preschool to Prep School,” an educational faire at Hillsdale Shopping Center on January 14th. Over 30 schools will have representatives to meet and greet you. This is a great way to getinformation on schools that might fit your child’s needs. Meet face-to-face with directors of schools from all over the Peninsula. The event runs from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Hope you can make it!

Til next month...

Joanne Bracco