May the Fourth is a day for fans of all ages to celebrate Star Wars Day together. While this day is not officially recognized by Lucasfilm, fans celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th because of the iconic phrase, “May the force be with you.” 9 Ways to Celebrate Star Wars Day Whether you have young Padawans who aren’t old enough for Star Wars quite yet or have passed on a love of the films you grew up with to your own kids, there are many ways you can celebrate Star Wars Day as a family. You can go all out with a full day of Star Wars, plan for a family movie night, or find some middle ground. An ..read more

Some links in my favorite gifts for fabulous women are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Mother’s Day is a day to honor the special women in our lives, whether they’re of blood relation of not. While we may demonstrate love and appreciation throughout the year, this month is a chance to show aunts, sisters, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, godmothers, grandmothers, and even dear female friends how much they truly mean to you with a gift they wouldn’t necessarily get themselves. This year I’ve put ..read more

When my son was in elementary school, he brought a copy of Space Case home. The book is a about a 12-year-old who is one of the first humans to live on the moon and finds himself having to solve a murder mystery during his space adventure. The book inspired a lot of conversations about what living in space would be like and this very idea is the mission for the International Space Art and Poetry Contest. About the International Space Art and Poetry Contest For the second year, Astronaut John Shoffner invites students and educators to submit a drawing, painting or written poetry showcasin ..read more

Tomorrow Year of the Dragon begins and if you’re looking for ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with kids, I have 10 easy ideas that are perfect for all ages! Below you’ll find things you can do in preparation to celebrate Lunar New Year with kids and ways to commemorate the start of Year of the Dragon. Multi generations Asian family celebrate Chinese new year at home. If you’re wondering more about how my family grew up celebrating, check out my Celebrating Chinese New Year post that features my family’s traditions. By the way, Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are the same holiday. These ..read more

Earlier this week as I was thinking about a special meal to prepare to celebrate the start of Chinese New Year and Year of the Dragon this Saturday, my mind wandered back to my childhood and the traditions I grew up with. With the start of each new year, I used to wonder if I had done a good job of passing on the important traditions to my own children who are American born Chinese just like me.  Now that my kids are older, I know even the smallest things my parents taught me that I’ve done as a mom have mattered. My 17 year old son understands why I’m constantly armed with our handheld ..read more

Some of the links in this Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas guide are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Some items below were provided for review purposes. Candy and flowers are nice but the true way to let someone know that you care is to give a great gift that they’ll enjoy using all year long that isn’t a Stanley Cup. This year I’ve put together a gift list of 17 Valentine’s Day gift ideas for all ages. My list includes items that are classics, encourage creativity, ensure health and wellbeing, are just plain fun, and make a diff ..read more

With today being a snow day for so many throughout the DC area, it’s the perfect day to hop on the Metro and head to the Washington, DC Auto Show which opens today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 2024 DC Auto Show features more cars on display than in the past, including a couple manufacturers who haven’t previously showed their vehicles in DC. You’ll see the latest electric vehicles, cool concept cars, droolworthy exotic cars, and sick customs (according to my 17 year old). There are also rescue dogs from local shelters hoping you’ll give them a forever home, opportunities ..read more

When I was young, my parents had season theater tickets. For years, I looked forward to going to a Sunday matinee performance of a musical followed by dinner out. We saw a lot of memorable shows, including Annie. Next week Annie the Musical opens in Washington, DC at the National Theatre and whether you’ve never seen it or seen it too many times to count, this loveable story that celebrates family and reminds us of the power of a positive outlook even when life throws hard knocks at us is not one to miss. About Annie: The Musical Based on Harold Gray’s popular comic strip, Little Orphan ..read more

Years ago when I was in college, a friend and I drove from our New England schools to California. Along the way we stopped in Memphis- home of amazing barbecue, a rich musical heritage, Graceland, the Peabody Ducks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Lorraine Motel. The Lorraine Motel may not have been mentioned in history books but the balcony outside room 306 is the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was slain and around it grew The National Civil Rights Museum. With MLK Day upon us, there are many fabulous educational resources that can be used to teach kids of all age ..read more

The links in this Best Gifts for Dog Lovers post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. Some items below were provided for review purposes. What do you get the person who seems to have everything? Something for their dog, of course! Fur babies are family and if you’re a dog lover like I am, any of these gifts would be welcome additions to parents who consider their four-legged canine part of the family. These favorite products are tried and tested by us, Goldie (4 year old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix), Murphy (21 month old ..read more