Ever want to slip on the trench coat of an international spy and enter into the mysterious world of cloaks and daggers? Admit it, adults and kids share this particular fantasy. Witness the long-lasting popularity of James Bond movies and the success of the Fox television show 24.

But just how close to the real thing is the fictional world of spies? Washington, D.C. is home to a fascinating museum that answers this question and provides enough fun and information to keep you and your little spies-in-training turning down every corner. The International Spy Museum is constructed to appeal to those who want to learn what really goes on inside the world of international intrigue, as well as keep children from being bored by providing a healthy dose of hands-on, interactive fun.

You begin the tour by choosing a secret spy identity from those posted around the welcome room. These secret identities range in age from the very young to the very old and give you names and birthplaces from around the world. In addition, you are also instructed to memorize several facts such as why you are in America, what kind of job you have (including student) and your spy's family background. You have about two minutes to memorize this information and will be quizzed at the end of the tour.

Visitors to the International Spy Museum are then unleashed on a history of espionage, where you will see exhibits that reveal all the amazing tricks of the trade. Beside the exhibits there are interactive entertainment stations in which you and the kids can attempt such things as identifying a spy in disguise on a video screen or experiencing what it is really like to crawl inside an air duct and spy on other unwitting visitors. The exhibits are a great history lesson, but also toss in some kid-friendly things like the radio signal beacon disguised as a piece of dog poop.

And if the kids still aren't satisfied, wait till you get to the International Spy Museum gift shop, which sells nearly every kind of spy gadget you have just seen.

Making room for the new addition to the family can be a fun and exciting experience, and you can get started by creating an inviting space for your little one. Toys, snuggle-worthy blankets and play centers are just a few essentials when designing a fun but comfortable baby room.

Whether you're counting down the days to your new addition or baby's already arrived, get started on decorating the baby room with some of these too-cute essentials:

Show 'em Some Love
If you're not around to hold and comfort your little one at a moment's notice, let one of the Tender Begginings Giraffes help you out. These plush giraffes are huggable, loveable, super-soft toys that will accompany your baby on any troublesome day. These toys are also equipped with a machine washable blanket so you can create the ultimate snuggle space.

Create a Comfort Zone
Picking the right baby blanket is a top priority for any new parent, especially since baby blankets tend to stick around well beyond the baby years. Pick up a stylish blanket from Hatley Kids; these designer blankets are made with cute prints on one side and a solid jersey and animal appliqué on the other. Their 100-percent cotton material means they're also easy to wash and maintain, so your baby's blanket can last for years to come.

For the Future Movie Buff
Prepare a media center for your toddler-to-be with a set of classic children's movies and animated films. From Alvin & the Chipmunks to the Harry Potter movies, you can spark their imagination and give them a chance to enjoy a chuckle or two. Playing animated movies throughout the day provides some extra stimulation for that growing mind and may even ward off a temper tantrum when stress levels run high.

Make Room for Playtime
Give your baby a chance to play after a busy day of sleeping, eating and crying. The Gund Spunky Playmat features special toys and attachments to let their imagination soar. It's also easy to clean and maintain in case of a "baby emergency," and will give you a chance to take a break from keeping baby busy on any given day.

When I was 14, my parents got permission to take me (and my siblings) out of school for a week so that we could go to Orlando, Florida on a family vacation in October. Because hardly anyone goes to Disney World in October (or Orlando on vacation for that matter), everything was relatively inexpensive: airfare, lodging (in a condo), entrance passes and car rental. Not to mention that we didn't have to wait in line for any of the rides. This experience has stayed with me for a looooong time. After all, my parents saved more than a thousand dollars on a family vacation for seven, just by choosing an odd time of year to travel.

Off-peak family vacations
The main trouble with off-peak family vacations, of course, is the fact that they often take place during the school year. It is usually possible to get a week or so off for the kids, but you will have to get the expected homework, and every day there should be time to study. We had to do homework each morning before we could head out for fun. That way, we didn't fall behind.

In addition to making sure that the kids keep up to date with their schoolwork, it is also important to realize that off-peak means different things to different destinations. You can usually get a cheap Christmas cruise to the Caribbean (although this is becoming less common as the practice becomes more popular), but try to get a cheap ski vacation at Christmas, and you are out of luck. Different hotels, airlines and destinations have differing definitions of "off-peak." This means that you need to localize your efforts and plan accordingly.

It is also important to dress for the weather. In the mountain west, it was snowing when we left in late October to head to Orlando. So we had to bring coats to the airport. But in Orlando, we wore shorts and T-shirts.

Family vacations are great opportunities to have quality time together and to build shared memories. And you can save money with off-peak family vacations.

One of the fun parts of pregnancy is picking out baby names, but it can also be stressful, especially if you and your partner don't agree or too many outsiders offer too much input. Add normal aggravation to pregnancy hormones, and you're left with a situation like I had with my first daughter, where I spent months picking out the PERFECT name for my baby (Miranda Alison), only to go into complete hysterics when my sister-in-law named her daughter Allyson. (I eventually got over it and they're best friends today.) Here are a few tips to make the process easier:

1.If there's a conflict, the person who goes through labor gets the final say. Non-negotiable.

2. If you have bossy or opinionated friends and family, the best way to get them off your back is to pick out really horrendous decoy names. Your future daughter is going to be named Whiski, and if it's a boy, he'll be Gaylord—isn't that cute? When you produce the real name upon birth, they'll be so relieved you won't hear a word of disrespect.

3. Even if you have a very accurate ultrasound picture and find out the gender beforehand, pick out an opposite sex name just in case. Nancy Drew and country music aside, it's cruel to name your daughter George or your son Sue.

4. By all means, use this as an opportunity for personal expression, but do it within the bounds of taste. Try not to pick a name that's too popular. Your kid doesn't want to go through grade school saddled with a nickname like "Fat Jake," because there are fifteen other Jakes in his class. Standard spellings are almost always preferable to "creative" ones. Avoid names that can be seen as a joke—there really ARE people out there whose names are Justin Case - that's just cruel. And if you're doing something unusual, provide the kid with an opt-out. One of my best friends was known as Kari all her life, but the name on her birth certificate was Karen because her parents were worried people wouldn't get it. As it turned out, she loved it, but if she hadn't, she had an alternative.

Let's face it. In a few days, you'll be faced with pounds of leftover turkey. While you could serve it with the traditional Thanksgiving sides, over and over again, you know that's not healthy. Thankfully, there are hundreds of healthy ways to serve leftover turkey. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.

Hot Open-Faced Turkey Sandwiches
Serves 4
This makes a great, quick lunch after hitting all those Black Friday sales. If you don't have time to prepare dressing, use some of the leftovers.

• 1 pound of leftover turkey breast, skinned and shredded
• 1 jar of turkey gravy
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 8 pieces of whole wheat bread, toasted
• 2 cups of prepared, low-fat dressing mix

1. Place the turkey and gravy in a saucepan, season with pepper and heat over medium-high heat until bubbly.
2. Top each slice of toasted bread with ¼ cup of the dressing.
3. Top with the turkey and gravy and serve.

The Leftover Turkey Salad
Serves 4
This recipe takes advantage of cooked leftovers and some of the extra ingredients you may have leftover, such as celery and pecans.

• One 4 x 4-inch square of leftover dressing
• 8 cups of romaine lettuce
• 4 stalks of celery, cleaned and sliced
• 1 cup of pecans, toasted
• 1 pound of turkey breast, skinned and chopped into bite sized pieces
• Salad dressing of your choice

1. Cut the dressing into bite sized cubes and toast in the oven until golden brown and crispy.
2. In the meantime, combine the lettuce and celery in a large bowl.
3. Top with pecans, turkey, dressing croutons and salad dressing.
4. Serve with leftover rolls.

Don't let the day after Thanksgiving be the beginning of a free for all that lasts until New Year's. Instead, turn those leftovers into healthy meals that are quick and easy. After all, who wants to spend the day slaving away when they could be shopping or hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree?

If your kids are fascinated by UFOs, aliens, ghosts or any of the other myriad mysteries of the world, then you would be doing them a disservice by not running them by the Hornet Ghost Light if you ever get the chance. The Hornet Ghost Light is located around the town of Neosho, Missouri and the mystery that surrounds the ghostly illumination dates back to at least the 1860s.

The Hornet Ghost Light can be located along an eerie little back road known as the Devil's Promenade. The most common description of the strange light hanging in the sky is that it looks like a floating lantern. Of course, since the Hornet Ghost Light dates back to pioneer days, what other object would it look like? Your kids may describe it as a flying Bulbasaur. Some younger kids may be a little frightened, but the Hornet Ghost Light is probably a quite natural phenomenon, probably mine gas. Of course, don't try telling the people of Neosho that.

Some visitors to the Hornet Ghost Light have reported trying to follow the glowing orb down the Devil's Promenade only to find out that the closer they seem to get, the farther away the light became. There have been a few devoted party poopers who want you think that the light has attacked them, but so far no authenticity is attached to these reports, so don't let that make you too terrified to take your kids.

America today is dominated like never before by the idea of the unexplained, and entire generations are being raised watching "Ghost Hunters" and other shows on the Travel Channel and Discovery Channel about strange and supernatural events. The Hornet Ghost Light presents the opportunity to test the mettle of your kids. Oh sure, every kid enjoys seeing the unexplained on TV, especially if Leonard Nimoy is the narrator, but how will they react to actually seeing a strange glowing light in the sky? The Hornet Ghost Light is your answer.

One of the things you might want to start thinking about as you enter your third trimester is a birth plan. Although things can change depending on the circumstances of the birth itself—one of my friends actually gave birth to her third child in a borrowed SUV on the way to the hospital—or how you're feeling in that moment, having a map to start out with can only be a good thing and help you stay on course and not feel lost. There are many checklists available online that will provide preprinted birth plans, but it can be as simple as opening a document and writing down a few lines about your preferences. Here are some things to think about as you create your birth plan:

Who do you want in the birth room with you? Your partner or a labor partner is pretty much a given—things have changed since the days when I was born, and they forgot to notify my dad until three hours later. However, friends and family may be eager to participate. If you've given written instructions to the hospital staff beforehand about who to let in and who to politely turn away, it will make things less awkward in the moment.

Pain relief is the second major component of a birth plan. Your options range from hypnosis and acupressure to an epidural or other major anesthesia, and you can request that you not be offered pain relief unless you ask for it. The same goes for Pitocin, which speeds up your labor. Hospitals nowadays seem to try to make this appear a natural part of the birthing process, but they can't force it on you.

There are issues to be dealt with after the birth itself as well, most importantly, how the baby will be fed and where he or she will be kept. Even in the best hospitals, the nursery can be something of an assembly line, as I found out when they gave my daughter, who was supposed to be breastfed, exclusively sugar-water to pacify her. If these issues are crucial to you, consider hiring a doula to act as your advocate.

After the excitement of bringing the newborn home subsides, and you're preparing for a life with your new addition, getting organized can help you get back into your daily routine. Your days are now filled with lugging diapers, stocking up on baby formula and building a new wardrobe for your little one, so you'll need some tools and supplies to keep everything in order. From diaper bags to organizer totes, there are plenty of ways to keep track of all the essentials as you embrace and enjoy this new change in your life.

First, tap into your fashionable ways with a trendy child carrier. The MetroMamma child carriers are a stylish way to tote your little one along on that next errand run, giving you a chance to carry your newborn with flair. Take your pick of camo, dragon or crown designs with rhinestone embellishments or glitter for an extra touch of glam. These versatile child carriers are a must for any mod mommy who wants to show off her little one in style!

Next, pick out your favorite color and style of diaper bag. You can spread the word of peace with the DanteBeatrix Diaper Stroller Tote, a trendy messenger-style bag with plenty of compartment space, or just share your love for metallic with this eye-catching silver bag from Diaper Dude. These diaper bags are made with comfort and versatility in mind to help you carry around all those baby essentials with ease.

When it's time to hit the road for a weekend of traveling, don't forget to pack your own must-haves and accessories in a chic tote. Mom needs her own travel tote to carry books, magazines, snacks and perhaps a fresh set of clothing on those overnight stays. Pick up the spacious Hurley Ace of Spades to show off your trendy side or go for a laid back and casual look with a sherpani tote in bold colors.

Staying organized in the midst of chaos is one of the best ways to overcome the challenges of change and get into your regular routine. Pick up any of these essential accessories when baby comes home so you can adjust to your new lifestyle with ease!

If you are expecting multiples right now, you probably have a lot of concerns and thoughts on your mind. While you may be thinking about how you will be able to handle feeding, bathing and diapering multiple babies at the same time, it is a good idea to stop for a moment and catch your breath. To make dealing with the prospects of becoming the parents of multiples more manageable and less stressful, take things one step at a time. To start with, think about the basic items you will need to handle the first month of your multiples' lives.

Furniture
Many parents of multiples find that putting twins in the same crib works well. They keep each other company, and this can actually help to reduce the babies' initial anxiety about sleeping outside the womb. When selecting a crib or cribs, you will want to look for a crib that is sturdy, that has a locking rail system and that has slats that are not too widely spaced. If you are looking to save money in the long run, also look for a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed.

Baby Supplies
One of the biggest surprises of being the parents of multiples is the sheer volume of stuff that you need. You will need a healthy supply of bottles, pacifiers, bottle cleaners, washrags, towels, baby shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, diaper pales, diaper rash ointment or cream, toys and grooming equipment. As you can see, the more babies you are expecting, the more of these items you will need to stock up on before the little ones arrive.

Baby Clothes
The first month of your multiples' lives is going to be difficult. Many multiples are born premature so they may spend several weeks in the hospital before you are allowed to take them home. However, when you do get to bring them home, they most likely will still be very small. To get through the first few weeks at home you will need extra-small baby clothes and diapers, such as preemie onesies, socks, baby shoes and jumpers.

Is there anything more satisfying than a casserole on a cool evening? Not only are casseroles the perfect comfort food, but they're also extremely easy to make. In only a few minutes, you can prepare a casserole and help the kids with their homework. Thirty minutes to an hour later, you'll have a delicious meal that your entire family will enjoy. Here are a couple recipes to help get you started.

Lean Beef and Vegetable Pasta Bake
Serves 4

• 1 pound of 93-percent lean ground beef
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
• Sea salt, to taste
• Olive oil
• 2 green peppers, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons, minced garlic
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce
• 4 ounces of 2-percent mozzarella cheese

1. Cook ground beef and season to taste.
2. In the meantime, cook the vegetables and garlic in olive oil until slightly tender.
3. Boil pasta according to package directions.
4. Combine the meat, vegetables, sauce and pasta. Pour into an 8-inch dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
5. Top with cheese and bake at 400 degrees until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
6. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread and a side salad.

Chicken Mushroom Casserole
Serves 4

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Olive oil
• 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup of frozen pearl onions, thawed
• 1 jar of chicken gravy
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 refrigerated pie crust

1. Cook chicken in a skillet until cooked through and cut into bite-size pieces.
2. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil.
3. Combine the chicken, mushrooms, onions, gravy and seasonings.
4. Pour a quarter of the mixture into four large, oven-safe coffee mugs.
5. Roll out the prepared crust and use a large cookie cutter or paring knife to cut four circles of crust.
6. Top the mugs with the crust and bake at 350 degrees until the crust is golden brown.

Skip the long drawn out meals and let your casserole do the work.

Strap the clown shoes on the kids and head to circus central in Sarasota, Florida. A long time ago, the Greatest Show on Earth headed out by rails around the country to show off Jumbo the Elephant, Emmett Kelly the clown and trapeze artists galore. But the circus train always managed to find its way back to the sleepy, little, Florida town that is home to everything circus-related.

The Ringling Museum of the Circus in Sarasota opened 60 years ago and has been thrilling visitors ever since. What began as a simple collection of circus memorabilia has expanded to include such must-see attractions as the "World's Largest Miniature Circus," (not to be confused with the world's smallest big-screen TV), and a real highlight: the world's largest collection of circus posters. A trip to the Ringling Museum of the Circus is a trip to a museum that kids will actually love. The circus really was the Greatest Show on Earth before the arrival of radio, the movies, television and the Internet. Those circus posters are about as low-tech in terms of advertising as it gets, but compared to the incessant pop-up Internet ads and TV commercials, those circus posters are the equivalent of the fine art.

Unless you suffer from coulrophobia, the Ringling Museum of the Circus is an absolute delight. What is coulrophobia? The bane of the Ringling Museum of the Circus and circuses around the world: fear of clowns. But don't despair; the museum is devoted to all things having to do with the circus, and clowns are but one part of this amazing destination site. Traveling to Sarasota is like walking back into time when every kid looked forward to the day the circus came to town. It reminds parents of a certain sense of innocence and nostalgia.

Trust this two time mom when I say that once your kids are here, especially the second one or afterwards, you're not going to have a lot of time to work on scrapbooks, baby books or baby albums. I decided to do a handwritten journal for my two, figuring it would be easier. Neither of them has been written in since 2003, although I keep them on my nightstand, every night thinking, "I'll update them tomorrow."

Why not start a pregnancy scrapbook? If you're totally swamped once he or she is here, at least your baby will have mementos from this special time in your life. It doesn't have to be one of those huge projects that make you feel guilty. You can find a simple predesigned scrapbook at a craft store that only requires you to put down pictures and stickers, or you can do it the old-fashioned way and use a plain photo album, making your own tags in your word processor. Substance, in this case, is preferable to style.

Items to include in the pregnancy scrapbook include sonogram photos, cards from your baby shower, e-mails announcing you're pregnant to faraway family and friends, printouts of baby names and photos of your baby bump from month to month. Be creative! Anything that has meaning to you goes, although the actual EPT pregnancy test probably won't fit in the pages of your book.

Try to keep things roughly chronological, which you can do by putting an item in the day you decide to use it. That keeps the whole thing from getting out of hand. Buy the book and do the first page the day you get home from the sonogram appointment, adding each item as you acquire them.

Finally, finish up with a page full of predictions for your baby from your friends and family. These are delightful to read later as your child grows up. Everyone predicted my first daughter would someday be an ace left-handed pitcher for the Yankees, and I still think she might achieve that goal, except for the left-handed part!

Holiday season is finally underway, and getting the kids dressed up for their first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and other special events is even more fun when they're decked out in a designer ensemble. Shoe styles that are sure to spread some holiday cheer might include sweet Mary Jane booties, patent leather 'pumps' for the girls, and for the boys, a pair of dapper leather sneakers.

Pick up the Armani Junior sneakers for your little boy so he can get a head start in life in the fashion lane. These sneakers are emblazoned with the signature 'Armani' logo and made with a rich black and white leather design; a fresh import from Italy, these are ready to turn your baby or toddler into a prince for the night.

Or you can give your boy a chance to show off his sporty side with some colorful kicks from Moschino; these red, white and blue sneakers are made with flexible leather and extra padding for extra comfort. They're covered in sports-inspired insignia and will let him play up his casual-cool personality.

Let your little girl play princess for the night's revelries in a pair of patent leather bow shoes from Dolce & Gabbana. These adorable shoes are made with soft leather lining and super-glossy patent leather construction for an elegant touch to her ensemble. She'll be ready to strut her stuff in no time, because these shoes even have an oh-so-ladylike 3/8-inch heel!

For the girl who really wants to get into the holiday spirit, a pair of bright red, suede Mary Janes is the ticket to fun at that upcoming event. The D&G Junior Mary Janes are designed with festive, red suede upper and finished with a D&G metal plate. She'll be ready to turn a few heads and keep those toes toasty and warm on the cold winter days ahead.

When it's time to kick off holiday celebrations and get your baby or toddler dressed up for the occasion, make sure to finish off their ensemble with a pair of designer shoes. From Armani to Dolce & Gabbana, your little one is sure to be the star of the show with any of these designer picks!

In many parts of the country, the weather has remained relatively warm. This means that outdoor fall family activities are still very doable. One of my favorites is Frisbee golf. This is because it is appropriate for all ages – from toddlers to grandparents. It also allows time to talk with each other and enjoy the nice weather, since Frisbee golf does put a minimal amount of strain on you physically.

Playing Frisbee Golf
Frisbee golf is very easy to play. It is very similar to regular golf (only not as expensive). Buy a few Frisbees at the dollar store, so that you have one for each person or at least enough that only two or three people are sharing. Next, figure out a starting point. Look around and find some sort of a landmark, such as a fire hydrant, a tree or a mailbox. Decide how many throws it should take to hit the object (this is your par). However, this is not completely necessary. It is okay to simply count how many tries it takes to reach the object.

Take turns throwing your Frisbees. If the goal is a par 3, you should be able to reach the goal in three throws. Remember to throw the Frisbee lightly (there is no reason to be terribly violent about it), and do not use homes as any of your "holes." Keep track of how many tries it takes each person to reach the goal. When you decide to quit, add up the scores. As in golf, the person with the lowest score wins.

Make sure that everyone is dressed appropriately for the weather and wearing comfortable sneakers or walking shoes. Depending on the ages and health of the people in your family, you can make your course longer or shorter. Frisbee golf is great in a park, especially if you bring a picnic lunch and make a true outing of it.

How do you get your children to eat more fiber? Whole grain bread is often a challenge. Instead, children want to munch on sandwiches made with fluffy white bread. But what if there were easy ways to get fiber into your children? What if you could turn some of their favorite meals into high-fiber meals? Best of all, what if your children never knew they were eating a healthy meal? Well, guess what? You can prepare a high-fiber meal that your children will love. Best of all, it takes less than an hour to prepare.

They'll Never Know Chili
Serves 8 to 10

• olive oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 large green peppers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• ½ tablespoon chili powder
• fresh, ground pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups hot water
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 15-ounce can of chopped tomatoes
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of tomato sauce
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of black beans
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of kidney beans
• hot pepper sauce, to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onions, peppers, garlic, ½ tablespoon of chili powder and ground pepper. Sautee until the onions become translucent.
2. In the meantime, mix 2 tablespoons of chili powder and cumin with the hot water.
3. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasoned water.
4. Drain the beans, rinse them thoroughly and add them to the pot.
5. Season with hot sauce and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the flavors have combined.

Hidden Fiber Sundaes
Serves 4

• 8 apricots, cut in half lengthwise and pitted
• 2 cups of fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
• 1 cup of healthy granola

1. Grill the apricots until slightly brown.
2. Top with frozen yogurt and granola.

Meals can be high-fiber without your children knowing it. The key is to change recipes so that they contain high-fiber ingredients. Just imagine it, a healthy meal that doesn't have your children packing their bags and running off to grandma's house.

Don't have the dough to travel to England anymore since ... well, you know. Well, America is England's rebellious little kid so it should come as no surprise that anything they can do, we can do better. If not better, at least more commercially. What's that you say? You never knew America had her own Stonehenge? If you travel up to Salem, New Hampshire, you will visit a place that may be more popularly known as Mystery Hill, which is nearly guaranteed to thrill and amaze your children.

The name America's Stonehenge appears to have stuck despite the fact that the rock structures around the thirty acres of Mystery Hill look nothing like the instantly recognizable Stonehenge in England. The creation of America's Stonehenge remains something of a mystery, which is only deepened if the conventional wisdom, that it was built by a 19th century farmer, is true. Any person who constructed this Stonehenge would be almost as amazing as those who built England's version. Another legend says Mystery Hill was the work of an ancient North American civilization.

If you had to pick just one time of the year that will bring about assertions from your kids of the serious awesomeness of America's Stonehenge, it would be late June. June 21st, in fact, because it's the summer solstice. If you arrive at Mystery Hill that day and prop your kids up on the viewing platform, they will watch as the sun sets perfectly behind an extraordinarily sharp, pointed rock. The centerpiece monument at America's Stonehenge is a slab that has been determined to have been a sacrificial altar. Beneath this table lies a kind of tube that is connected to a cavernous oracle chamber. The amazing thing is that the tube was actually used for speaking through as a pre-electricity public address system.

Whether you call it Mystery Hill or America's Stonehenge, this incredible New Hampshire wonder is a place neither you nor the kids will forget.

Setting up a nursery is one of the more fun tasks facing first time parents, but if you've never hung out with babies before, the variety of baby-themed products on the market can be overwhelming. Here's a short guide to what you really need and what you can do without, even if your nursery is just a corner of your one-bedroom apartment.

1. A Crib
Though we all have heard stories of older relatives who were surprise babies and slept in a drawer (or maybe it's just my weird family), a crib is an absolute essential. Whether you're buying a crib new, borrowing from a friend or purchasing from a consignment store -- safety features are essential.

When purchasing bedding for the crib, make sure to order extra-deep sheets. The safety factor makes the extra cost worthwhile. Non-deep sheets can slide off the bed and become a strangulation hazard.

2. A Changing Table
This can be a fancy model from a catalog, or it can be as simple as a changing pad placed on the floor with a basket next to it for changing essentials, like diapers, wipes and ointment. Wipe warmers are NOT essential, but a trash bin to put soiled diapers in is essential. In my experience Diaper Genies and the like are more trouble than they're worth and just end up smelling horrible. You're better off with a regular trash can with a tight fitting lid, but most times you're going to want to take the bag with the dirty diaper out immediately.

3. A Comfortable Chair
Gliders are excellent for this purpose, but any soft chair where you can snuggle with the baby will do. Whether you're nursing or bottle-feeding, you'll get up several times in the middle of the night in the beginning, and you need a place where it won't hurt if you fall asleep!

4. A Baby Monitor
When my second daughter was born, she had the lungs of an opera singer, and my house was compact and vertical so you could hear a voice from any room in it. Even still, the baby monitor came in handy for when I was outside getting groceries out of the car or down in the basement doing laundry. This is something you can borrow from a friend as long as it's in working order.

When your little one will be spending most of their days snoozing and napping through winter season, they'll need some comfortable sleepwear and cozy accessories to make the most of their hibernation. 'Tis the season to wrap your kids up in snuggle-worthy clothing and onesies made with fleece, keeping them warm and toasty when temperatures drop and enjoy their daily snooze sessions in peace. Onesies and PJs designed especially for newborns are the versatile necessity for the season. Here are a few sleepwear must-haves for those chilly days ahead:

Your little lady is sure to enjoy life in la-la land in the Hurley Kids Footsie; this zip-down onesie comes in a hot pink design and is covered with an all-over screen print. It's made of 100-percent cotton and will easily trap in any extra heat both day and night. It's a 'Footsie,' because it's an all-in-one suit that keeps those toes well-protected against the elements; you can add a pair of booties or socks on top of the suit for extra protection on any brisker days ahead.

Your little prince will be pampered like royalty in an uber-comfortable velour onesie - an outfit that might also get him some extra attention during his snooze fest. The Petit Bateau Velour Footie is a super-soft pajama made with an 80/20 cotton and polyester blend. This one features a curious bunny and kangaroo pocket on the front and is a snap to put on and take off with the simple closure design.

If it's the classic PJs you're after, make sure you pick up a set of Sara's Print Kids Pajamas, a loose fitting cotton pajama with a rib trim for extra comfort. You can pick from fun designs including red fire trucks, royal dinos and space travel or even tap into his sporty side with a pair of PJs with basketball hoops or a hockey theme. These extra-soft pajama sets can be accessorized with a pair of fleece booties and a fun beanie to trap in even more heat on any chilly evening.

When you're looking for winter weather basics for your little girl or boy, you'll need to stock up on a few sets of flannel, cotton and polyester pajamas for those casual days at home. Machine-washable sets are the most versatile choice for your hectic schedule, and buying a flame-resistant set will keep your little one safe and warm for nap time.

Giving your kids an edge in school is one of the priceless gifts that you can give them. One way to give your multiples an edge in school is to develop their desire to read. Literacy is a skill that can be developed early, and really it needs to be developed as early as possible. While being able to read on their own is a skill that will most likely not develop until after they enter kindergarten, you can develop literacy skill basics by reading to them and playing letter and word games.

Literacy Development Activity No. 1: Reading Time
The first way that you can encourage your children to develop a love of reading is to read to them. Even if your multiples have not yet been born, you can still stimulate their minds by reading to them. Reading can become a bedtime routine, or it can be used as a reward. The key is to make reading seem like a fun thing to do.

Literacy Development Activity No. 2: The Alphabet Song
Another way that you can stimulate literacy is by teaching your multiples the alphabet song. The alphabet song makes learning the alphabet much easier for children to do. It can also be a fun activity for you to share with your kids. After they have mastered the song, you can pair the singing of the alphabet song with an illustration of the letters. As you sing each letter, you will point to the corresponding letter on the graphic. This will help your multiples to learn what the letters look like. You can then advance the activity by asking for your multiples to show you where the letter "M" is or the letter "O".

Literacy Development Activity No. 3: Word Games
As your multiples develop their literacy skills, you can play word games. You will need flash cards for these activities. Memory is a game that works well for a word game. On one card you will have a picture, and on its' pair will be the written word for the item on the card. For example you can have a picture of a dress on one card and the word "dress" on its match.

When you think of Italian food, what comes to mind? You may think of cheesy, meaty lasagna or a large plate of spaghetti. Both sound delicious and are a big hit with kids, but they can be a bit high in carbs and calories. This doesn't mean that every Italian dish has to be loaded with calories. There are ways to create delicious Italian inspired meals that are actually quite healthy. Best of all, your kids won't turn their noses up in disgust.

Veggie Spaghetti
Serves 4

• 1 spaghetti squash
• Olive oil
• 16 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 large bell pepper, sliced
• Sea salt, to taste
• 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
2. Bake skin side up for 30 to 40 minutes or until fork tender.
3. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil and season with salt after they've taken on color.
4. In another skillet, season the onions and bell pepper with salt and sauté in olive oil.
5. Combine the vegetables with the sauce and heat through.
6. When the squash is done, scrape the flesh to create strands that resemble spaghetti.
7. Top the squash with veggie sauce and parmesan cheese.
8. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread.

Whole Wheat Garlic Bread
Serves 4

• ½ loaf of whole wheat Italian or French bread
• Olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut the bread in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil.
2. Broil until the bread is golden brown.
3. Cut the garlic cloves in half and pierce with a fork.
4. Rub the garlic on the toasted bread, season with pepper and sprinkle with cheese.

There's no need to grab your running shoes after eating this meal. This is an Italian inspired feast you can actually feel good about feeding your family.