For years we heard “reading is fundamental.” The truth is that it really is that important. Even the most discriminating kids can enjoy reading IF the books interest them. To help your kids (grades 1-6) get into the summer reading groove, you may want to sign up for the Barnes & Noble summer reading program. When your kids read 8 books and turn in the passport, they get a free book (see details.)
The part that I like about this program, besides the freebie, is that the activities also help your …

Last month I posted a wonderful application on my Facebook called “She Colors My Day” which benefits the Susan G. Komen for a Cure ® and The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. Now, the creator of that movement – author Cristina Carlino – is continuing to give back to women everywhere with the publication of her first interactive journal, “the changing room (A Mother’s Journal of Gratitude to Her Little Girl, By Cristina Carlino).” This interactive journal by Cristina Carlino (and you of course) captures all those astonishing …

Grandma or Granny? Papa or Granddaddy? This generation of grandparents is unlike any other. They do not want their role as grandparent to be the old, homey, onlooker that traditional names imply. Instead, Boomers want unique names that won’t age them, that put some personality into the role and that embody their hands-on, youthful approach.
You Can Call Me Hoppa! The Grandparents’ Guide to Choosing a Name that Fits by Lauren Charpio is an exploration of hundreds of names and stories from grandparents everywhere. “This book is meant to serve …

Preschool aged kids are just “starting out” when it comes to reading. Here are some awesome books that every little one should have on their book shelf!

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
The Giving …

I’ve been getting better at doing a little bit of housework each day now – but this week I have scheduled a room (or two) for each day. Not sure if I will get done everything that I want to, but at least I have a plan down on paper that I can follow. Today I have the dreaded Kitchen … It’s gross! It’s less gross than it was a few days ago since I cleaned half of it and Alan and I tag teamed the dishes.
So, here is what …

I love to read to my son; and I especially love different takes on stories that I heard growing up. One such story I had the opportunity to share with my son is an African take on the Good Samaritan story from the Bible. This new remix is called “Sikulu and Harambe by the Zambezi River” written by Kunle Oguneye and starring Sikulu the Spider and Harambe the Hippo. I don’t want to go over the entire plot with you here because honestly, you can check the book out online …

My mom taught me at an early age about the importance of recycling. Now more than EVER we need to teach our kids about “going green” and how easy it is to reuse, reduce or recycle items. My son (he’s 3 almost 4) already knows which bin in our kitchen is the recycle bin and even for the most part what goes in it. So, I was thrilled to hear about a neat little book on “going green” called “William the Garbage Truck & Crew: William is Going Green” – …