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A chance to be girly

I grew up with two brothers. I raised two sons. So I never spent a lot of time doing girly stuff. If my brothers (or sons)...

When your eyes see something that's not there

We generate two covers for our magazine each month: one that has a preprinted mailing label (for our subscribers) and one that is absent...

Ethiopia – Yet another coincidence

Many times in the two years since I first met Brian and Keri deGuzman, I've been astonished by the connections and coincidences that have...

AMOCOCO

I asked my children at dinner the other night, "Do you want to go see AMOCOCO with Daddy and me on Friday night?" The...

Ethiopia: The other side of the waiting

Two days after welcoming two beautiful babies into their family, Brian and Keri deGuzman returned to the foster home in Addis Ababa where their...

Dads and depression: more likely to spank, less likely to read aloud

The good news is that 77 percent of depressed fathers reported talking to their child’s pediatrician in the previous year.

Ethiopia: Is the window for adoptions closing?

I have Google alerts set up on the phrases "Ethiopian adoption" and "international adoption." I did that as soon as I learned I would...

A journey past distractions

A little girl named Hannah was dancing around my table, her long, curly  hair bouncing as she dipped and swirled. When an older gentleman...

A straight line from Point A to Point B

It seems like such a simple thing, really. Start a task. Stick with that task until it's done. Move on to the next task. So...

The agony of uncertainty

I get it now. I understand what I'm doing to people when I dawdle and drag my feet and wring my hands and don't...

A movie about Mama Rose

It's a safe bet that a few of the people in the audience at this weekend's Community Cinema event will be from the staff...

BGHS Winter Guard

When my daughter Mylan first signed up for winter guard I must admit I had my doubts. Sure, she had one season of color...

Another Ethiopian adoption story

As if I needed more reminders of Ethiopia... Illinois couple Carolyn and Kiel Twietmeyer talked to The Today Show's Jenna Bush Hager about adopting six...

Who is more likely to shake a baby?

Researchers examined 48 cases of abusive head trauma and found that of the cases with an identified perpetrator, half were male, half female. But children injured by males had more severe injuries and worse clinical outcomes, and all six fatalities in the study were committed by male perpetrators

Weekly photo challenge: shadow

Sometimes a shadow is an echo. A memory. A moment that thrilled, touched, moved. Sadness that it has ended and the flicker of hopeful...

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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