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As soon as you become a parent, you learn that there exists an ever-growing, long, long list of verbal (and non-verbal) utterances that can strike terror into any parent's heart. You learn this early on, the very first time your baby wakes you in the night with an unusual-sounding cry, or later, when your toddler is on the rampage and a long, long silence is punctuated by a high-pitched, sing-songy "uh-oh". [more]

Part of our summer program includes hiring a “handyman.” The handyman’s role is to be a liaison between the staff and our program participants. Preferably, the handyman is a former — and reformed — gang member.

Yesterday we interviewed a young man.

He finished my sentences.

I asked, “Why do you want this—”

“Job?” he said.

“What qualifies you to work­­—”

“With gang members?” he said.

“I’m certified. I’ve been a gunman since my youth.” He paused. “On the streets, my reputation speaks for itself.” [more]

Some evenings, after the kids have been tucked into bed and Scott and I are settling in for some quality grown-up time in front of the TV, I'll find myself suddenly craving something...something sweet, something to top off a day well spent (or not well spent--sometimes dessert is the best remedy for a frazzling day); something sweet to savor, maybe with a glass of wine on a weekend evening. Usually what I crave and what I have waiting in the pantry are not one in the same. We don't keep a lot of sweets on hand. We don't tend to buy boxed cookies or keep candy in the house. [more]

Just when I think I've heard it all...

A Swedish couple has decided to keep their child's gender a secret to avoid him, I mean her, I mean "Pop" from being forced into a "specific gender mold from the outset". [more]

Play dough is a great holiday activity, you can make custom colors depending on the holiday and use different tools as well. I got this play-dough recipe from a cook off I had a few months back, it was one of the very best and keeps forever in the fridge in a sealed bag. [more]