Adoption and Foster Care

Play explores parenting a grandchild

Directing a new play called "Woman and Girl" has special meaning for Xanthia Angel Walker, who describes her own grandmother as highly practical, completely...

Celebrating adoption and foster families

After dreaming for years of performing a musical about adoption called "They Chose Me," Valley Youth Theatre artistic director Bobb Cooper knew just who...

Kinship families struggle to make ends meet

Mary Jansen is a grandmother who lives in Mesa. Theresa and Greg Banks are an aunt and uncle who live in Phoenix. Shelly Wilson...

Foster care and adoption services

A Place To Call Home 1830 S Alma School Rd #122, Mesa 480-456-0549 1200 N El Dorado Pl, Bldg C, #300, Tucson 520-318-9906 • tocallhome.com A foster care and...

Happy times and high stakes

Warm flannel pajamas and cozy slippers on a brisk December afternoon. Pizza and pretzels, cookies and lemonade. Face painters, costumed characters, crafts. The giddy...

Ethiopian Adoption: Adventures with the Older deGuzman Kids

I knew I'd finally won him over when we were singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" in the car. We were taking turns filling...

An update on the deGuzman kids, as their mom prepares to return to Ethiopia

Keri deGuzman will board a plane tomorrow morning bound for Washington, D.C. On Thursday, she will check in at the Ethiopian Airlines counter at...

Father’s Day and Finding My Way

My husband was suffering from allergies (or a cold, we weren't sure which) yesterday, so his Father's Day was spent quietly. We opted out...

An Ethiopian Adoption Story: A Chance to Hear It Told

I've heard her tell it dozens of times but I never tire of the story. When Keri deGuzman tells people about the remarkable journey...

Reading Tea Leaves

Like many fans of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time, I was glued...

Ethiopia: The Adoptions Are Final

As The Honorable Bernard C. Owens took the bench in his courtroom at Maricopa County Juvenile Court in Mesa, Brian and Keri deGuzman were...

An Ethiopian adoption story

Brian and Keri deGuzman clasped hands as they walked down the narrow, dark hallway of a small but carefully kept foster home in Addis...

Ethiopia: An Update on the Babies

It's been a little over a month since Brian and Keri deGuzman brought their babies home from Ethiopia. From the moment they first held Solomon...

Ethiopia – the day of departure

We are off! And in the deGuzman's home, two cribs await.

Ethiopia – the talismans of travel

Today I am packing and repacking, thinking and rethinking the decisions about what I should take to Ethiopia. I am grateful for the short list...

Ethiopia – I gotcha!

I was running errands yesterday afternoon when Keri deGuzman called to invite me to her daughter Jesmina's "I gotcha!" party. "Every year, on the anniversary...

PARTY ARTICLES

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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