My 9 year old had his first crush – a little blonde girl named Melody. One day in the car, he excitedly told me that he knew what he wanted to be in his life – a farmer! And that it would work out perfectly, because Melody wanted to be a Pharmacist!

When the holidays approach, children will often start to think about themselves. “I want this and that and that….” With commercialism so widespread, it is no wonder their minds are filled with visions of toy stores and presents.

This year, start a tradition that will go down in neighborhood history. We began this several years ago, and have still been able to stay anonymous – the best part of the whole process.

A day or two before Christmas, make several pies or plates of cookies. We always choose a “no-bake” pie that can be easily made in one batch, such as lemonade pie or no bake cheesecake. With things being so busy, we even use pre-made pie shells, which still taste delicious. Wrap with pretty plastic wrap and tie a bow around it. Now comes the fun part. When it gets dark on Christmas Eve, send each child out in “stealth mode” to a neighbor’s house. Tell them to sneak up to the porch and lay the pie down where the neighbor will see it in the morning.

I have one child that is absolutely hysterical to watch. He always picks the hardest house – the one directly across from us. They have several families in and out of the front door all night long, and do not have an easy path to hide on. It took my son 30 minutes to slowly sneak around the side of the porch, up over the porch and over toward the door. My other children and I were in tears, laughing as we watched Michael in his best of stealth modes deliver the pie.

In the morning, your neighbors will find a wonderful surprise on their doorstep. They won’t know who it is from, and believe me, it will make some of them crazy! So use our tactic - the next time you see them after Christmas, blurt out, “Did you get a pie too!!? Who do you think did it!?” My elderly neighbor can hardly stand it – not knowing who sneaks the pies every year. I just play along and walk away smiling. These pies teach my children something very important.. giving is best, and giving anonymously is even better.

We just heard about an amazing children's Halloween costume that can easily be made at home - and it is quite inexpensive as well! It may sound a little odd - but picture this. A clear bubble umbrella with long cut strips of bubble wrap hanging off the edges... then dress the child in white and place some bubble wrap strips on the outfit as well. Taa daaa! You have a jellyfish! This costume would be a sure prize winner at any event.

Are you wondering if you should let your child cross the street alone or play in the backyard with less supervision? Here is an interesting test to help you make your decision. Use something like cheerios or M&M’s to make two rows of equal amounts. Make the lines the same length. Ask your child if the rows have the same amount of pieces or different. The answer will probably be that they are the same.

Now ask your child to close his or her eyes. Move the pieces of one row further apart from each other, so the row is longer than the other. Now ask your child which row has more pieces. If he or she says the longer row has more pieces, your child does not have the reasoning skills needed for a bit more independence. Your child should be able to reason more like an adult before being given a little more space. Of course each child is different, and only you will know when your child is ready.

As a parent, it is sometimes difficult to throw away special tests or artwork that your child has completed in school. But you just can’t save it all!

We have a wonderful idea that will enable you to keep the very best of your child’s school year while saving space – and making memories!

Before each school year, purchase a three-ring hard covered binder. Then buy a nice stack of three-ring sheet protectors that open on the top. Fill the binder with the sheet protectors and keep the book handy all year round.

As your child brings home those very special papers, pictures and paintings, simply slip them in to the binder. You can even add birthday invitations (including your child’s), letters and notes your child receives from family and friends. Add school and sports pictures, report cards and even tickets to events you attend that year.

By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful book of memories created in chronological order. Store your school year binders where family members can flip through them over the years. Expect laughs, remembrances and smiles as they go back in time with this wonderful space-saving binder.