After a fun and food filled holiday, it was time to say goodbye. There are always tears, mine of course, saying goodbye to everyone. Then it was time to tackle the inside earthquake that had taken place. My children would say I exaggerate a bit. Furniture moved back into place, beds stripped, dirty laundry in the washer, I sat to reflect on the craziness that was and the quiet that is. My body and mind were aching as I sat limp in the leather recliner. Thoughts passed through my brain of time to myself and life getting back to normal. All was good. Then the phone rang. It was oldest daughter, so excited as she told me she was now engaged!!! I guess the craziness that is my life is the new normal. Now, I’ll say goodbye to the quiet and relaxation as I begin to plan wedding number three.

Congratulations with love,
Mama Bell

Christmas Munchkins

What better way to gear up for the Holidays than by putting up your Christmas tree! My husband and I took the girls to a nearby garden center and picked out their first Christmas tree. Of course they were oblivious to what was going on but are extremely curious as to what that lit green thing is in the corner of our family room. Cannot wait to see their expressions on Christmas morning as they attempt to open their very first Christmas gifts! Happy holidays, love Amelia & Ava!

-Courtney has been a part of LLD since nearly the beginning, she has babysat for over 5 years with our troupe & is a new mom. Courtney is the sister of the President of LLD & lives in New Jersey with her husband.

For Halloween last week, we attended a mommy & me yoga class costume party; I made Parker and her little friend matching hair bows for the day, we “marched” in a neighborhood costume parade and the three of us dressed up together to trick or treat at my sister’s. I don’t remember when I had a better Halloween!

Bert, Ernie, and their Rubber Ducky

I’m already working on her Thanksgiving morning family 5k turkey trot outfit! Then comes my personal favorite, Christmas!? Fuggetaboutit!!!

Yes, I have made my husband crazy all year long making sure we properly commemorate each first holiday with pictures and cards and and outfits and gifts, but firsts only happen once and and I want them all to be special for our daughter. I want her to look in her baby book decades from now and see how we celebrated the first year of her life. I want her to feel as loved as I did when I looked last year, seven months pregnant, through the baby book my mom made me.  So I will continue to search for her perfect gift, dress her in the cutest outfit and take her to fun events!

Yup, firsts only happen once and she is mine….I want to enjoy every precious moment.

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. She just had her first child, Parker, with husband Rob last January. She and her family recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C. 

Merry Christmas from the Bells!

They’d come in with big smiles carrying presents and piles of plastic containers filled with Christmas goodies. Straight to the laundry room counter they would go. There was extra room there. My brothers and I would take turns sneaking into the room to get cookies. She made the best nutroll. She taught me how to make them and I have continued the tradition with the help of my kids. I’d love to share the recipe but it’s a pretty long recipe, so try this simple but yummy butter cookies recipe instead which you can make with your lil’ darlings.

• Christmas Butter Cookies

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in as much flour as the beaters can handle. Roll out dough and have fun with your cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

-Merry Christmas from all the Bells! And to All a Good Night!

Having a blast at a Kid Zone at a Toys for Tots Toy Drive in Dallas

• LLd ran a Kid Zone in Dallas at the 4th Annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive Party at the NorthPark Center in Dallas on December 9th. Our city coordinator Angela called the event a huge success: ”We had so much fun helping support the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at NorthPark Center in Dallas. What a wonderful event and a great way to give to others during the holiday season!”

LLD sitters with members of the Marine Corps

• Some of our sitters have volunteered at Toys for Tots events around NYC helping raise donations alongside members of the Marine Corps. Shannon, one of our sitters who volunteered at an event this week, said that “the Marines were so grateful to have extra pairs of hands,eager to help and the turnout of donations was great!”

Some sitters with the Toys for Tots donation box at LLD headquarters!

• And we are still collecting donations at our headquarters in NYC. Drop off some unopened, unwrapped toys at our office. Don’t have time to go shop for toys? We can do the shopping for you! Email us at info@luckylildarlings.com for information about where to drop off donations!