Adios, Au Revior, Ciao, Auf Wiedersehen, Ja mata ne, Zai Jian, Do svidan'ya, Annyeonghi Kyeseyo, Rub Rakha, Le'hitraot, Tchau... There are so many ways to say "Good Bye" and it's with fond memories and much cheer that we say Good Bye and See You Next Year as we close the door on 2009!

It has truly been a pleasure working with all of you this year to make CVParent.com the resource that you need and want it to be for your family. I look forward to an exciting and rewarding 2010 and hope that you will continue with us in this journey. Please spread the word, tell your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about this local, homegrown community resource.

Before we say "see you next year", I just want to remind you that most local sports leagues are wrapping up their Spring Season registrations in the next 2 weeks. Below you will find a brief list of a few that have been posted. Feel free to post your league's registration information - it's easy to do and it's FREE. Remember, the Annual Events Calendar is here to share upcoming events big and small in your area. <<Click here>> to post your event and share the news with other parents!

Have a Safe & Happy New Year!

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our ANNUAL EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

FREE Classifieds | Parent Perks Coupons | Submit Event

What better time for a FREE visit of arts & culture!

Take advantage of the Bank of America Museums on Us program for FREE general admission for each cardholder to more than 100 museums nationwide. Cardholders get in FREE on the 1st full weekend of every month. Upcoming eligible weekends:

January 2nd & 3rd

February 6th & 7th

March 6th & 7th

Local participating museums: Discover Science Center (Orange County), Riverside Art Museum, MUZEO (Anaheim), Museum of Latin American Art (Long Beach), LACMA & Autry National Center of the American West (Los Angeles), The Living Desert (Palm Desert), Palm Springs Art Museum (Palm Springs), Birch Aquarium at Scripps & The New Children's Museum (San Diego). Please contact Bank of America for details. Offer valid for Bank of American Customers only.

LIFE I AM THE NEW YEAR

Life I am the new year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve
is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have --
these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "behold, I make all things new."
I am the New Year.
-- Author Unknown

There is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year's resolution. Here are a few expert tips to see that your resolution actually makes a difference:

1. Create a Plan - Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve, (as the word "resolution" implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you A) What to do next and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal.
2. Create Your Plan IMMEDIATELY - If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely. It is imperative that you begin creating your plan immediately.
3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan - Commit your resolution and plan to writing someplace, such as a notebook or journal.
4. Think "Year Round," Not Just New Year's - Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.  And finally...
5. Remain Flexible - Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal. Sometimes the goal itself will even change. Most of all, recognize partial successes at every step along the way. Just as a resolution isn't accomplished the day it's stated, neither is it accomplished the day you reach your goal. Rather, it's accomplished in many small increments along the way. Acknowledge these incremental successes as they come.

Source: myGoals.com - helps you stick to your plan by providing email reminders that arrive when it's time to work on a given task.

Facts about New Year's Resolutions:


• 63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months
• 67% of people make three or more resolutions

Top four resolutions:

1. Increase exercise
2. Be more conscientious about work or school
3. Develop better eating habits
4. Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)

• People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one.

Happy New Year and good luck with your resolutions! Visit the Parent Tips page for more family resolutions.