Happy New Year!

It is the official start of a whole new year, and with that, the sense of renewal and hope.  The stressors of real life may be impossible to ignore, but turning the page on a new calendar offers the refreshing reminder for all of us that time keeps marching on...and we may as well enjoy the time we have, and make the most out of the moments we have, together. :)

Here are a few fun ways to reflect on the past year and to ring in the new one!

* Discuss the purpose of making New Years Resolutions.  Create a family resolution, write it on a piece of paper, then stash it inside a Christmas stocking not to be looked at again until the end of 2013. The next time the Christmas stockings gets hung again it will be fun to see how well the resolution was maintained!

* Cut a large circle out of paper or cardboard and draw lines across the center to divide it into a 12-segment "2013 clock," one segment for each month of the new year.  Each member of the family then writes a fun activity or personal goal they hope to accomplish in that month.  It is a fun way to generate inspiration for the new year, and to support each others goals.  Keep it stored in a handy location!

* Learn about the history and significance of New Years Day, and find fun ways to pay homage to your families own unique cultural heritage.  

*Eat a good luck dinner!  Our German roots dictate that we eat pork and sour kraut on New Years Day.  The pork is because pigs tend to "root forward" with their snouts, symbolizing progress, and the sour kraut because the green cabbage symbolizes wealth in the new year.

Have fun, make it a great New Years day, and enjoy 2013..together!