BERRY & FRUIT PICKING GUIDE Shopping and eating local seems to be a way of life in the Charlottesville area. Do both at the same time (and have lots of family fun along the way) by visiting one of the many orchards and berry farms in the area. There is a plethora of berries and […]
KID-FRIENDLY PASTA PRIMAVERA RECIPE FROM VA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S MYPLATE Pasta is a favorite food among many, but it can sometimes get a bad rep in today’s health climate. The Virginia Department of Health‘s easy-to-make Pasta Primavera Recipe that is loaded with vegetables and perfect for the whole family. With simple and nutritious ingredients, the […]
8 CREATIVE DAY TRIPS FOR ARTSY KIDS Some of my favorite Christmas gifts as a child were those arts and crafts kits where you created something out of pieces. I loved the feeling of holding a finished product that I created with my own two hands, and, even more, I loved being able to share […]
TIPS FOR TEACHING KIDS MANNERS & POLITENESS “Please; thank you; how do you do?” In our fast-paced, increasingly casual society, little marks of courtesy make a big impression. Every mother wants to raise a child to grow up into a kind, considerate, happy person comfortable in the society around them. Here are some tips for […]
CREATING AN EGG-CELLENT TREAT FOR THE FAMILY It’s always a dilemma in my house as to what to do with the dyed Easter eggs after the holiday is over. We hate to break the coverings that we so lovingly designed, and while they decorate the inside of our refrigerator nicely, I wondered for years whether […]
12 FAMILY-FRIENDLY DAYTRIP IDEAS IN THE CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA THIS SPRING Take advantage of the warmer weather and get out and about in the area this spring! Before the heat of summer comes in hot (no pun intended) plan a few fun family outings. Enjoy this list of a dozen ideas that offer a variety of […]
ONE DAD’S BEDTIME STORIES FOR HIS DAUGHTERS “Can’t we have separate stories?” My 8-year-old daughter, Marie, lay on one side of me in the darkness. Her little sister Sally, age 5, lay on the other side. “Sorry,” I said, “tomorrow’s a school day, and it’s late already.” But I understood her problem. My stories are […]
NEWBORN CRIES & FLEETING MOMENTS IN TIME A stranger’s passing comment kept pulling me back to the person I used to be. It would materialize in my mind, usually at significant events like birthdays. But sometimes, it would emerge at the mere sight of a baby, especially if I heard the crying. The sound of […]
PACKING LISTS FOR BABY, TODDLER & MOM, ALL-IN-ONE The digital age has unburdened us from the physical heft of books, stereos and cameras. But for new moms, there is no clever device or app that can replace the diaper bag. Until someone figures that out, consider your diaper bag to be your parenting comrade-in-arms. Think Gary […]