One of the things my son loves to do is go pick a pumpkin to carve into a jack o’ lantern. We did it one year with my dad, and the boy has been an enthusiastic pumpkin picker ever since. Picking and carving pumpkins really can make a great fall family activity.

There are many places that still offer pumpkin patches in which you can go and choose your own pumpkins. In much the way agri-tourism has brought back picking your own apples (another great fall family activity) and picking your own strawberries, going to a patch somewhere to choose your own jack o’ lantern pumpkins is becoming popular again. The whole family can look through the patch and choose the pumpkins that they like best. My son prefers the perfectly round ones that weigh about ten pounds, while my husband likes pumpkins that are taller than they are wide. No matter the preference, though, it is possible to find just the right pumpkin.

Make sure that you go prepared, however. It is starting to get chilly in most parts of the country. Wear sturdy shoes that you do not mind getting dirty (I never saw a mud-free pumpkin patch), and a jacket to keep you warm. It can also help to have gloves, especially if the day is brisk and a little windy. We like to go to a nearby farm that also offers pony rides for the kids and sometimes a wagon ride. With the crisp autumn air, the brightly colored leaves and the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patch day is usually a dream.

When you get the pumpkin home, if you plan to carve within a couple of days, you can leave the pumpkins on your doorstep. Otherwise, keep them in a cool, dark place. We keep ours in the cellar for a couple of weeks before carving. After you carve them, you can put a little petroleum jelly on the inside and along the edges that you carved out. This helps preserve the jack o’ lanterns for a couple extra days.

Who said it was only a mother’s job to keep a clean home? Or a father’s job to cut the lawn and take out the trash. Times have changed now that both parents are in the workforce. Let’s face it…..9-5 is not just a cute movie from the 80’s…it’s reality for most. It’s time to get some help around the house….and kids….it’s you!

Kids today have so much that they don’t realize how fortunate they are. For most Mom’s and Dad’s, they want their kids to have everything they didn’t have when they were kids. So it is not uncommon to see a 7 year old carrying around an Ipod and cellular phone. Call me crazy….but I recall carrying a couple of dimes to make a pay phone call back in the day. Times are a changing and our children now need to start helping more around the house. All those luxurious things cost money and Mom’s are right there along with Dad’s working long hard hours outside of the home.

Give your children a sense of responsibility. Trash, dishes, sweeping and dusting are not just a chore for Mom and Dad. For your 5 year old, it could be just praising him for picking up his toys when he is done playing with them….or putting his plate on the counter after dinner. Junior high aged children can start to help more by giving Mom a break and loading the dishwasher after meals. Take out the trash for Dad and pick up after the pets. Although you may get a few moans and groans, they will ultimately grow as individuals and know that they are expected to partake in these chores. These simple chores will only prepare your children for life on their own as adults. The more they understand that they have to work to have nice things, the better off they will be when they are on their own. As parents, we must teach our children to appreciate what they have and/or are given and sometimes it takes hard work to get those things. Let’s not teach them to believe they come free. Responsibility with something as simple as a chore will do wonders for your children, and help you out as well.

Now go out and divide up the chores around the house as a family and give them praise for it! Hey, with the extra help, you just might have more time to spend together as a family….and that is more than anything in the world!

By Dee Calderon

See Rock City.

There is nobody from the immediate north, south, east or west of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee who has not passed a veritable multitude of barns with the words “See Rock City” painted on them. Rock City is just one of the many fantastic sites to see in the Lookout Mountain area near Chattanooga. And Rock City is definitely a hot vacation spot for travelers with kids.

Kids in particular will go crazy at Rock City. Why? Because, well, it truly is a rock city. Rock City is a long, winding path of rock formations, which the guys in charge have doctored and dolled up to present a kind of story. In fact, if you pay close attention while you meander along these truly extraordinary rock formations, you can kind of create a little plot line for you and the children. Kids really love to turn a vacation into an adventure, and in too many cases that means pretending to be spies while chasing each other through the corridors of the hotel. Instead, the kids can squeeze through the narrow passage of Rock City known as Fat Man’s Squeeze and pretend they are trying to escape from pirates. Or they can pretend they are helping some gnomes escape through the tunnel at Goblin’s Underpass. And do not forget the myriad thrills as they cling to life on the magnificently frightening Swing-A-Long bridge. Of course, if you or the kids have a phobia about heights or swinging rope bridges, you bypass this particular thrill, fold up your umbrella and seek comfort beneath Shelter Rock. The more adventuresome members of your party can create a back story to the crossing of the bridge.

No one who sees Rock City forgets its undeniably magical appeal. If you take your kids to see this natural and even mystical wonder, you can bet that in another twenty years or so they will be eager to re-experience the pleasure through their own children’s eyes.

Cooler weather makes it hard to stick to a healthy lifestyle. All you can think of is digging into a bowl of chicken and dumplings or maybe even a hot piece of apple pie with ice cream. How are you and your family going to make it through fall without giving into these temptations? More importantly, how can you prepare a quick meal that’s healthy, yet satisfying? It’s easy. Here’s a great recipe to get you started:

Chicken Meatball Stew
Serves 8

1 pound of 98% lean ground chicken
½ tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 cup of bread crumbs
½ of a small onion, pureed
½ of a small green pepper, pureed
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
Fresh ground pepper to taste
8 ounces small dry pasta, your favorite type
4 cups of frozen, mixed vegetables

1. Combine the ground chicken, poultry seasoning, bread crumbs, onion and green pepper. Form into meatballs. Be careful not to overwork the meat or your meatballs will be tough.
2. Melt the butter in a large pot and combine with flour to create a roux. Stir in the chicken stock and season with pepper.
3. Add meatballs, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for one hour or until the meatballs are cooked through.
4. Add pasta and cook according to the package directions.
5. Stir in frozen vegetables and heat through.
6. Serve with crusty French bread.

What about dessert? Obviously, you want something warm and decadent. Thankfully, there are several healthy desserts to be found at your grocery store. For example, why not prepare a reduced-sugar brownie mix? Or you could even prepare, cook and serve sugar-free pudding. Warm, decadent recipes don’t have to be loaded with sugar. Throw caution to the wind and indulge.

It’s important to find substitutes for those high-calorie fall dishes. Remember, it’s not a free for all from fall through New Year’s. You must prepare recipes that are healthy or you can say bye-bye to that little black dress.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising. In fact, exercising can actually make you feel more comfortable during pregnancy and help you bounce back more easily after the baby is born. Here are some ways exercise can make pregnancy easier and some recommendations on the right kind of exercise to do during pregnancy:

• Exercise releases endorphins that can help improve your mood when other hormones are making things difficult.
• Exercise can keep you flexible, preventing injuries caused by clumsiness as your body changes.
• Exercise can improve posture and relieve backaches by strengthening muscles, making them more capable of supporting your increased mass.
• A fit body makes labor and delivery easier.

• Exercise helps you sleep better at night.

Exercise during pregnancy is generally forbidden for women who have vaginal bleeding, early contractions, high blood pressure or other complications. Otherwise, most pregnant women will feel comfortable doing any exercise that is not high-impact. Examples of exercises that are comfortable and safe during pregnancy include swimming, walking, biking and yoga. Women that are already very fit, such as runners, may be able to continue their regular exercise programs with certain modifications, as long as they don’t overdo it.

Before you start a new exercise program, check with your OBG-GYN. Once he or she has given you the go ahead, try to schedule exercise regularly. Exercising half an hour, four days a week is a good start if you’ve been relatively inactive beforehand. Wear loose-fitting, cool clothes – overheating is dangerous to the baby – and a supportive bra. Comfortable sneakers with good support are essential. Your feet may swell during pregnancy, so consider ordering or buying a half size larger.

Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise to keep your body cool and hydrated. If the exercise ever causes pain or discomfort that’s out of the ordinary, stop working out and immediately call your doctor. But in most cases, you should be fine. By the time the baby comes he or she will have a mom that can set a good example with healthy habits!

Ah, the baby blanket, a cozy piece of cloth wrapping your newborn tight into a cocoon and protecting them from the world at large. The blanket many kids keep close by their side through the toddler years and beyond. A safe and snuggly accessory, which unconditionally offers warmth, comfort and protection.

Wrapping up your little one is a top priority no matter the season, and there are plenty of ways to mix the practical side of things with a little creativity. Baby blankets made with double layers, velour trim and luxury furs are just a few variations on the old-fashioned knit and cashmere blends. Investing in a quality blanket from the start means your little one can cuddle up in comfort for months to come.

One of the first things to look for is a hypo-allergenic filling; today’s baby blankets may be made of synthetic materials such as rayon and polyester but don’t have to be the source of health problems for your youngster. The Shootsie Puppy Ear is a good example of a simple, hypo-allergenic blanket that is plenty snuggle-worthy. The blanket is made with blue satin, a rayon-polyester blend, and is free of dyes and formaldehyde.

Choosing a double-layered blanket can also provide that extra-plush feel. A double layer of cotton and polyester traps in the heat and keeps your baby safe, warm and cozy for hours on end. It’s an ideal blend for overnight bedding, and blankets such as the le top Plush/Velour Double Layer Blanket are accented with cutesy designs, satin borders and embroidery for an extra touch.

And if you’re looking for ways to pamper your tot in ultimate luxury during their early years, a baby blanket made with exotic fur may be a better choice. The Dolce & Gabbana Junior Rabbit Fur Wrap Blanket is a hooded blanket which means creating that cocoon is a cinch; this one’s made with 100-percent rabbit fur and a cotton-elastane blend. The best part? There’s a detachable pompom right on the blanket so baby has something to play with after nap time.

I love to swim. And my love of swimming came at an early age, when my family went swimming together. Of course, it was mostly on family vacations when we made sure to go to the hotel pool, but it instilled in me a love for swimming. And it is a love I pass on to my own son. We try to go once a week, even in cold weather, since the wonder of modern convenience means indoor swimming is a possibility.

Start Swimming at a Young Age

It is best to start your children swimming at a young age. In fact, babies often feel an affinity to the water, since it resembles conditions in the womb. Get a swimsuit that fits, and bring your children to the pool often. My sister’s kids have been visiting the pool since they were 6 months old. This allows children to grow up accustomed to the water. When they take swim lessons later, they will feel more comfortable and be more open to the experience.

Creating Happy Memories

Swim as a family. Children love doing things with mom and dad. When you both come to the pool — and get in the water — it makes the whole process more pleasurable. Additionally, it can be an inexpensive way to enjoy some family recreation. Check with your local pool. Most pools have a “family night” that comes with a discount for the whole family.

During the summer months, it can be fun to take your family swimming recreation to the ocean, a nearby lake or an outdoor water park. I’ve found that at the lake, no boat is necessary. Just take the kids swimming, set up towels on the beach and spend some time in the water. They will love it. For the outdoor water park, pack a picnic lunch and plan to make a day of it.

Swimming, whether indoors or in the open air, can be a great family recreation activity.

All parents need to worry about safety. However, when you are the parents of multiples your safety concerns are double, tripled or quadrupled. Because of this, you need to take extra steps to keep your home safe, and you need to implement different safety strategies to keep all of your multiples safe from harm.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 1: Electricity Safety

One of the biggest hazards in your home is electricity. Electrical devices and outlets are found throughout your home, and they are necessary parts of modern life. Some of the steps you can take to safety proof the electrical devices in your home are inserting outlet plugs in outlets not in use, taping down electrical cords and keeping all outlets barricaded with furniture.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 2: Daily Safety Proofing

Because things in your home are moved around on a daily basis, you need to search for safety hazards on a daily basis. The best way to do this is to get down to your children’s eye level and scan your home for safety hazards. You will be surprised how many hazards you can find like open drawers, uncovered outlets, small toys and sharp corners. Make it a point to conduct a safety check each morning before your multiples wake up or each evening after your multiples have gone to bed.

Safety Tips for Parents of Multiples No. 3: Safety Is a Team Sport

One of the challenges of being a parent of multiples is keeping the multiples from dividing your attention when you are trying to keep them out of trouble. It is inevitable when you are dealing with the crisis of one multiple, the other sneaks away to get into a similar predicament. You can keep all your multiples safe by making it a point, at least when they are young, to treat crises as a team sport. If one multiple is injured or gets dirty, then have the other multiples act as your helpers. They can hand you supplies, bring you a change of clothing and throw items away for you. This will not only keep them in your line of sight, but it will teach them about how to treat minor injuries and how to clean up after a minor accident.