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Bonnie’s big adventure

Bonnie, the chihuahua,  accompanied her family to Utah on her first road trip. Here are some excerpts from her journal, translated, of course. Day 1:...

August is Drowning Impact Awareness Month

Drowning is a top cause of injury-related death for children in Arizona between the ages of one and five. This year in Maricopa County alone, 13 of the 70 children involved in water-related incidents have died.

Get the facts on liver disease

The liver processes what we eat and drink, and then filters out the harmful substances we don't need. But when it doesn't work properly, the result is often very serious, life-threatening illness.

Water Parks (’cause it’s too hot to do anything else!)

For my eighth-grade graduation field trip we went to Big Surf. At the time (not going to mention the date) it was the only...

Choosing a cover photo

We had three terrific pictures. Each had a different look, a different combination of family members, a completely different message. We had to pick one....

Take me out to the ballpark (for the food!)

I'm not the biggest fan of baseball. Someone pointed out to me recently it's probably because I am a Native Arizonan and I didn't...

Walking and texting at the same time?

About two weeks ago, I sat through my fourth and final college orientation for parents of incoming freshman. This time it was for my...

Everything I learned

Congratulations, we’d like you to join our faculty. Yay! There’s just one more thing that we need you to do, take a test. Gulp~ I hadn’t taken a...

Back to school supplies: Pens, paper, and packed lunches

Every family tackles the lunch box issue differently. Some pack lunch the night before. Some scramble to find anything, anything, in the fridge to...

Who is your parenting guru? (part 2)

Following up on yesterday's post, the remaining five parenting experts recommended by Raising Arizona Kids e-newsletter subscribers: KEVIN LEHMAN Kevin Lehman, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned psychologist and New...

Discovering more than NAU

The old cliché "they grow up so fast" crossed my mind more than once this weekend as we drove up north for a Discover...

An older, wiser mom

My son Andy's birthday is today. He's 26 years old. The number makes me gasp. My thoughts are pulled back to the weeks surrounding his...

Kites, sandcastles and memories, oh my!

While I was lying in bed the other night, listening the air conditioner running non-stop in the 90-plus degree night air, I was thinking...

Everybody dance now!

It was staff multimedia journalist Vicki Balint's idea, not mine. But I promised to be a good sport. We were at The Salvation Army day...

For kids, too: You are the center of your health care team

The messages in this new video attempts to explain that kids should not hesitate to ask questions about their health care if they have trouble understanding something.

Appreciating freedom

This past Saturday evening Solvay, Evan and I headed on over to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess* resort for an evening of American food and...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

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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