One of my fondest memories as a child was going to the pumpkin patch, much to my parent’s surprise. Here they had spent multiple dollars on tickets for the circus and other entertaining shows that catered to children when what really made me happy was the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch has fall written all over it. The cool, crisp smell of the leaves, the steaming cups of hot chocolate, the sweet cider and donuts. These were just some of the things going on at the pumpkin patch that I was taken to as a child. I didn’t care for … Continue reading →

Do you remember Kevin’s master “Battle Plan” in the movie “Home Alone”? The colorful floor plan, drawn by the young boy, who was mistakenly left behind in the hit Christmas comedy film, details exactly how Kevin plans to protect the McCallister house from an invasion by bumbling burglars. My 7-year-old made a replica of it. Only hers features our entire neighborhood and it has nothing to do outwitting bandits. Rather, her crayon masterpiece highlights her plan of attack for trick-or-treating. The goal: Hit up all the homes that give out full-size candy bars before they run out. We may be … Continue reading →

For many families, celebrating Halloween as a unit typically consists of kids gathering free treats from around the neighborhood and parents raiding the sweet loot once the kiddos hit the sack. Not exactly traditional holiday bonding. If you are looking to really show the world how working together as a clan on Halloween can strengthen family ties, then why not go all out by dressing up in themed costumes? Group costumes promote camaraderie and creativity. What’s more, it’s fun to trick-or-treat as a family in complementary costumes. Just ask your neighbors who are sure to get a kick out of … Continue reading →

(The real apple of my eye.) And then there were two… If you’ve been following me on the FUN blog, then you know that my daughter has been sucked into an apple vortex of sorts. Our neighbor recently visited a u-pick apple orchard and came home with a bushel (42 pounds) of crunchy, red orbs. Her plan was to use the bulk of them to bake pies for her church’s Fall Festival and the rest she’d feature in other recipes and crafts. As it turned out, she barely used half of the bushel for the pies and was left with … Continue reading →

For millions of families living along the East Coast of the United States, Hurricane Irene is certainly putting a damper on end-of-the-summer plans. Rather than frolicking on the beaches of the Jersey Shore or strolling along the picturesque trails that make up Martha’s Vineyard, parents are desperately trying to preserve their sanity while being holed up with their kids in everything from houses on higher ground to emergency shelters near Ground Zero. If your family has been affected by the major summer storm, then consider it an opportunity to strengthen the parent-child bond. Laugh, sing, tell stories, dance… and when … Continue reading →

I’m done doing battle with back-to-school breakfasts. I’ve finally decided to stop whining about the inevitable and face my fear head-on. My daughter heads back to school next week, so the end of leisurely breakfasts is in sight. No more four-course meals that start with fresh fruit smoothies and end with a little chocolate something-something. We’re going back to the basics with these make-ahead recipes that I culled from Food Network and my own mother: GRANDMA’S GORP Ingredients: Your child’s favorite cereal (we use Cheerios, Kix, Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops, Corn Pops or a mix of two or three) Your … Continue reading →

For some kids summer meant taking a vacation somewhere, camping or being involved in summer camp. For some kids they mostly stayed home and hung out doing things kids like to do, such as neighborhood games with the other kids, playing on the playground, going swimming and going on picnics. Whatever summer the kids have they are likely filled with good memories that they will treasure. A great way to keep them busy over the end of their summer vacation is by making a “My Summer Vacation” collage. They will have it forever to remember their summer vacation and it … Continue reading →

It’s been quite a summer for my soon-to-be second grader. In less than two weeks her days spent biking until sunset, rolling out of bed at eight (hey, don’t knock it; sleeping until 8 a.m. is a major accomplishment around here), and eating chocolate for breakfast are over. And by over I mean O-VAH! Let me clarify by saying that my kid has not spent the summer scarfing down brownies and Baby Ruth bars in lieu of oatmeal, oranges and other healthy breakfast foods. Rather, she has been getting away with noshing on chocolate chip pancakes, double chocolate muffins and … Continue reading →

Yell at your kids lately? If you’ve been forced indoors by the extreme heat that has suffocated much of the nation over the past 10 days, then you might appreciate the following sanity-saving activities. After spending six days straight at the pool trying to beat triple digit temps, last week I issued a moratorium on ultra-violet rays and chlorine water. Instead of contributing to what I thought was another episode of my daughter’s continuing saga with swimmer’s ear, I decided that we would spend the day enjoying the air conditioned comfort of home while whipping up these simple and cool … Continue reading →

The heat is on in our neck of the woods. The oppressive heat and humidity that has been baking the center of the country for the last few days is now bearing down on the Midwest. Tomorrow’s high is expected to top 92 degrees and with heat indexes pushing 110. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings, and tonight our local TV meteorologist suggested that we remain in air conditioned buildings for the next five days. Clearly, the guy is not a parent. No kid, especially my little fish, is going to want to be … Continue reading →