I’ve been looking into the possibility of having a limo pick my kids and some of their friends up after school the weekend of their 16th birthday.
Is that a cool thing now or a not so cool, bury your head in the sand sort of thing?
If I were to have the limo pick them up – what should I have them do afterwards. I mean the 10 minute drive from school to home isn’t going to be that amazing. They could drive around town and wave at everyone they see – but I want this to be an amazing, memorable …read more

Houston Chronicle offers up some nifty ideas for teens who are looking for a fun and entertaining way to ring in the new year – even if they are alone.
Anything has to be better than being stuck with a babysitter while mom and dad go out celebrating until the wee hours, right?
One of the projects they mention sounds fun and entertaining for anyone – not just teens.
60 pictures for 60 minutes
Make a photo chronicle of the last hour of 2008 with your digital camera or camera phone. Instead of watching the clock, snap photos of things you really cared for …read more

As Christmas drew closer, I went against all the convictions I’ve made over the last several months of not allowing any negative feelings enter into my home, my thoughts or my life.
Memories of the last couple of Christmases began to creep in and that planted the seed of fear – that another Christmas might become stressed or even ruined by negative influence.
Much to my relief, this Christmas has been defined as “the perfect Christmas” by all the kids – not just once, but several times.
Being in the new house where secure boundaries are being created really has paved the way …read more

Thanks to a holiday partnership between Google and the U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command, you and your kiddos can track Santa online right from your computer or cell phone.
Starting at 6:00 a.m. EST on Christmas Eve, you can follow Santa and his reindeers all the way from the North Pole to your doorstep in real-time. This year the following options have been made available:

Go to noradsanta.org to see a map of Santa’s current location, along with high-resolution video and geolocated photos of his sleigh zipping around the globe
Download the NORAD Tracks Santa add-on for Google …read more

My boys are teens and everything they do seems to be pricey – that includes a trip to McDonalds where they will typically order a double quarter pounder meal with an extra sandwich and super size it.
When it comes to holiday wish lists, I sometimes feel their wishes are as big as their appetite.
I’ve always felt $100 – $150 each plus another $30 for stocking stuffers was sufficient, but with the advancements in technology and the “really awesome games” that keep coming out, I’m finding it more difficult to keep their wishes reigned in to a lesser dollar amount.
How much …read more

The Salvation Army in Hagerstown Maryland has been asked to mute its famous bells. Instead, they’ve replaced the brass clappers with large metal paper clips to appease merchants who complained the bell ringers were too loud. Instead of chiming brightly, these bells emit meek little clinks.
“The mall suggested we put a paper clip or something lighter in there so it’s not the constant clanging,” said Maj. Robert Lyle, the local commander who ordered the switch.
I don’t know about you, but those bells ringing are a part of the holiday season I enjoy so much. Those cranky asses …read more

Laughter truly is the best medicine and it just doesn’t get any better than the nice little package presented by Jeff Dunham. Jeff is by far the funniest comedian going.
Here’s the scoop:
Let laughter light up the tree this year! Jeff Dunham and his puppet pals take the stage for an unforgettable evening of holiday-themed ventriloquist comedy.  The world premiere of “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” airs on Comedy Central Sunday, November 16 at 9:00 p.m.
The encore presentations air Sunday, November 16 at 10:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 18 at 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., November 23 at …read more

This Labor Day weekend, my family and I will be taking a much needed mini-vacation away from home – away from computers – away from phones and going camping.
Granted, I’m not much for camping in the sense of popping a tent and sleeping on the ground, but I am anxious to try out our new camper we purchased over the summer.  It’s got a nice sized bathroom with shower – there’s a TV with DVD player, a microwave, stove, sink, refrigerator and sleeps 8.
We went earlier today to pick out our camping spot and found one that has a …read more

What happens when your child comes home from school, holding a Father’s Day gift that he made in class, without a father to give it to? Do you simply tell him that he needs to throw it away, because he doesn’t have a father? Do you get angry at the teacher for being so insensitive to the kids who do not have fathers? Do you suggest giving the gift to another man who your child looks up to?
I’m wondering these things because it is a reality that many American families have to deal with, every June. With divorce rates and …read more

Have you ever been mid grocery shopping, cart stuffed with produce and dairy products, when your child decided to throw the mother of all tantrums? How about those of you who attend church? Has a child ever hauled off and pitched an uncontrollable fit, in the middle of a sermon? Most of us have encountered at least one occasion when our children turn rotten and force us to compromise our pride, our patience, or even the whole errand. This was the case with our family vacation.
I have to start by saying, the car ride to our destination was very pleasant. The survival tips …read more