The Lila's Second First Day of School Give-Away

It's that time of year again. Lila goes back to school, and you know what that means? Another give-away of fantastic Brooklyn confectionery Whimsy and Spice cookies.

Last year, I went all proud mama when Lila went to her first day of school. It was a pretty big deal, and she was understandably nervous. Not only was it a first day of school, but a first day in a new country in a language she didn't yet know. Still, off she went in her little white knee socks and did her thing.

That was last year, though.

This year, she was excited to see her friends again, happy to finally have a place she calls home where her friends can visit and totally digging being a big girl in first grade.

This photo is Lila just before she left home her first morning of classes. She's standing in front of our new place. Lila and I planted herbs -- lavender, mint and rosemary -- in the pots behind her. That hammock used to swing on our dock in Bocas del Toro. We stuffed it into our suitcase the last time we came back from the US. Talk about not traveling light.

This year, it's time for more wonderful cookies. And this year, there are TWO ways to win. 

THE FIRST: Leave a comment for shortbread!!

I'm giving away boxes of shortbread cookies to three lucky people who leave a comment, any comment, below.

Choose from Chocolate Orange Cardamom, Brown Sugar Gingerspice and Honey Lavender.

Bonus points for anyone who tells me their own back-to-school story. One of you story tellers will also get one of the Whimsy and Spice Sampler boxes.

Please note: Remember to leave your e-mail address when you leave the comment so I can let you know if you win.

THE SECOND: Join my mailing list for marshmallows!!!

In addition to a chance for three more people to win a dozen box your choice of Chocolate, Caramel, Cardamom, Maple and Rose Vanilla Handmade Marshmallows, you'll receive notices of my new blog posts as well as any new contests and give-aways. (Note: I have something planned for my birthday this month as well as for Lila's birthday in April).

Enter the give-away by subscribing with your e-mail address in the box below. You must verify your subscription, though, in order to enter because unless you verify, I have no way of knowing you've joined the mailing list.

Enter your email address:

Soon after subscribing, you will receive an e-mail asking you to verify that you truly want to be on my mailing list. All you need to do is click on the link in that e-mail.

If you're already receiving updates, you're already entered to win the marshmallows.

Last day to enter: Last day of March, 2010. One more caveat: Whimsy and Spice only delivers within the US, so for anyone else, I'll send you a box of Calchaquitos Alfajores (Best I've ever had).

Any questions or comments? Feel free to e-mail me! I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Comments

[JoAnna]

You are too cute, Leigh.

I have a favorite back to school memory, but it's mainly my dad's for me to retell. Apparently when I started kindergarten, he took the morning off of work. He took pictures of me getting on the school bus, followed the bus to school and then took pictures of me getting off of the school bus.

Funny to think this is the same guy who encouraged me to go far away for college so that I could experience a new place. :)

[Jennifer]

My favorite back to school memory is my neighbor used to take pictures of us dressed up in our back-to-school finery in front of his house every year. When my sister got married, he made this montage of all of her pictures and gave it to her as a gift.

Found you via YBM, by the way ;)

[Patti Woods]

One of my most memorable first days of school was actually my senior year of high school. They had closed our high school at the end of my junior year, so I had to go to a new school for my senior year. I woke up that morning, got in my car and realized I had no idea where the new school was! Fortunately I saw someone I knew driving there so I just followed her!

[neha]

:)

Back to school stories, cookies, and the little cutie - love this post.

[Leigh Shulman]

Jennifer, that is such a great story. What a cool neighbor.

Ten years in NY, you tend not to have many neighbors of that sort.

Thanks for sharing this! And nice to meet you. I can only hope we don't end up flaming each other anonymously one day. :) (Nah, won't happen.)

[Alice]

I remember my first day of kindergarden. Hopped on the bus and barely looked at my mom as it pulled away. I was a very independent child..still am very independent.

[Claiborne]

Oh, my goodness-first grade?!? Really can't believe how long it has been since we've seen her. These little girls are such people now...

[miss fae]

Cookies? THere are cookies? That makes going back to school perfect

[Leigh Shulman]

I can totally see that. It's like you want to capture every second of those moments that show how your kids are growing up and gaining independence.

[Leigh Shulman]

Seems impossible to believe, doesn't it. Of course, it's a bit earlier than in the US, bc the school year here is different, but still.

It has been a long time since we've all seen each other. I think two years? There's a chance we'll be in NYC this July. Maybe we can figure out something for then.

[monica from hola!design]

on my first fay of kindergarten i was very shy but then I made a new friend ( his name was pepe) and minutes later we kissed!!! haha not so shy after all.
the Chocolate Orange Cardamom sound delicious!
monica_ah@msn.com

[Candice]

Oh my god she is the cutest. And is that seriously the front area of your house? Because I'm moving in.

[Leigh Shulman]

That is too cute. Kids are so funny when it comes to stuff like that. There's a boy named Nicholas in her class that she calls her boyfriend. But apparently ALL the girls say the same thing.

What really gets me, though, is that everyone involved is totally fine with this arrangement.

[Leigh Shulman]

First, you always have an open invitation.

Second, if you moved in, we would never get anything done.

[Elsielan]

Honey lavender would be lovely!

[aptlife]

Would love to try the chocolate orange cardamom!

[Candice]

You're probably right, but I make an excellent babysitter!

[Leigh Shulman]

Don't toy with me, Candice. Really. It's not right.