My mother gave me a bite size tester of “Lunchbox Love” from sayplease.com. My elder daughter doesn’t take a lunch bag but she has to take her clarinet to school each day. I put a few in there for her. It amused me; I always wanted to be the kind of father who left little notes [...]

Here’s something fun to do this weekend; take binoculars, cameras and $10 per car (cash only), head up to Sauvie’s Island, and go to the Audobon Society’s Raptor Road Trip. It’s from 9AM to 2PM, but they say to plan 3 hours to do all four locations (11 to 2 would work for you later [...]

Interested in a smaller preschool that shows dedication to the 2-5 year olds? Chrysalis Home School, a small, home-based preschool is having an informational meeting for parents who may be interested in enrolling their child for fall 2010. More Details

Well, here’s a fine how-do-you-do. Check out the Toys R Us catalog offering here… You can purchase a special pink microscope or telescope for your frill loving daughter. What’s that you say? A pink microscope’s not too bad? Notice that each pink item is lower powered than the more sedate black and gr

Calling all Teen Authors! Bored this winter break? Grades 6-12 Multnomah County Library is holding a Teen Writing Contest. Up to 1500 words, prose only. The contest will run until January 10, or until 200 entries are received. More Information! You could win a Powell’s Gift Card!!

With children, the holidays are magical. They remind us adults of what it means to believe in something extraordinary, and they help us to find the beauty in simple tasks. Decorating the tree, lighting a candle, and baking cookies become sacred events, because the presence and wonder of a child transforms an otherwise munda

Sometimes I have to wonder, what twelve year olds do authors know. Some authors really nail the personality of the pre-teen, while others seem to think there’s not a big difference between nine and twelve. On one hand, we have Derek Landy. Skullduggery Pleasant is a fun story, a little more mystery-action than fantas

Here’s a picture of the Santa my daughter went to see at Clackamas Town Center. He was great. No “Bad Santa” here. The other malls all have their own “Helper Santas” but we happened to be in the right place at the right time to catch this one. Santa at Pioneer Place today was [...]

Wednesday is Veteran’s Day, and is also a free admissions day to the Japanese Gardens. Even when it rains, the Japanese Gardens are a beautiful place to meander. Stroll through the dripping greens and enjoy the serene surroundings! And “ever so much more so …” at the Pavilion, in the gardens is curre

Congratulations to the people who won- Denise and Kristi! Thanks so much for the entries. If you didn’t win, I sympathize. The final two pictures were indeed, from Powell’s Books and from the Ron Tonkin mural. Congrats!

Our Second Chance hasn’t garnered any other entries. Please, please place some guesses on these photos. Here’s our last Pixie Dust photo for the family four-pack of tickets to the Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy show of your choice! Here’s the third and final picture. Email Me with your guess! I&

Regardless of the size of your assets, if you have a child at home who depends on you, you really should consider having an attorney help you prepare a Will and Trust for your minor children. This plan begins with naming legal guardians to raise your children if anything happens to you both you and your [...]

Congratulations to … oh wait, maybe he doesn’t want his name mentioned, maybe it’s a surprise? This is our second installment — we get to help with the Portland Pixie Dust Hunt ! So here’s the deal. They’ve provided me with three photos. I post one and collect guesses as to where this p

Fall is here and it’ll be turning chilly soon. We’re getting together the pyjamas for the kids- but what about for you? Check these adult footed pjs out! They have Jersey knit and flannel too.

Check out these 20 free iphone apps- from “sit or squat” (a potty finder and rating system) to a timeout timer, they’ve got some great ideas: mashable And Hey! If you know where this is from, you can be entered to win a family four pack of tickets to Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. We [...]

I’ve been sitting on this exciting treat all week, and finally I can’t wait to blab about it! We get to help give away four packs of tickets to Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy — we get to help with the Portland Pixie Dust Hunt ! So here’s the deal. They’ve provided me [...]

Just in time for fall showers – this non-profit, co-op indoor play park is opening for the fall season next week, Oct. 1! They have a free open house- you should check it out. The Indoor Park is open Mondays and Thursdays, September – May, and provides opportunities for children to socialize in a group [...]

Amy at The Mother Load has a great bath craft experiment this week. She purchased a bunch of foam sheets from the dollar store (You can get them at the dollar store or at Michael’s Crafts) and used a stencil to create simple shapes. Then these stuck onto the walls of the bathroom! Pretty awesome, huh? [...]

It’s summer again, and so Regal Cinemas is doing their Free Showings. Here’s a link to their schedule

Carl* wrote in: Where can i get info on parenting, specifically how to parent a 14 year old girl? My daughter just came to live with me and I’m in my 50s and have no idea what to do with and how to parent a 14 year old. Carl — that’s a frightening question. [...]

In another lifetime, I mean, during this lifetime but a long time ago, before we had kids and a mortgage, I was a storyteller. I told stories for audiences, around campfires, and at dinners. And I was pretty good; not the best, but getting some practice and finding some comfort in it. One question, [...]

Wanna go see a movie? Away we go is playing tomorrow night at the Fox Tower (846 SW Park Ave) at 7:00 PM. The Fox Tower is across the street from Pioneer Courthouse Square. I have a double handful of passes; ten passes each for “you and your guest.” A couple who is expecting their first [...]

Looking for something new and exciting to spice up your photo collection? If so take notice there is a new girl in town about to blow the lid off the local photography scene. Amanda Lindahl of A Lindahl creations is infusing a much needed breath of fresh air into the local art [...]

Surely a lot of moms and pops are feeling the crunch in the economy right now, so Bridgeport Brewpub has started some deals to help out Portland families for when they want to dine out. Sundays and Tuesday are kid-centered. Sundays (after 5pm): Sunday Recession Supper. $15 Soup of the Day/Simple Salad Special Entree [.

Maryhill Museum of Art - A Family-Friendly Destination for Learning About Art, History and Local Culture An art museum may not be the first thing that springs to mind when looking for an outing that satisfies the curiosity of active kids, but Maryhill Museum of Art proves that museums top the list of family and budget-frien

I was listening to my daughter and her friend discuss the loss of teachers from their middle school and what it meant to her and her future. So support your middle schools (and all the schools) to help us with a better future for our kids! Robert Gray Middle School presents our spring musical: “Bye Bye [...]

The 100th Monkey studio is seeking artwork by young artists (age 18 and younger only) for our May gallery show. Art may be any medium. This will be a Juried Show with awards for Creative Content, Use of Media and Best in Show. submission fee: $5 per artist Awards: One week of Art Camp (valued at $220) One punch card [...]

So your kids are growing out of their car seats and helmets, and you’re tired of cluttering up the garage with them, wondering what to do with them? Wonder no more! Please bring your used, damaged, expired, and unwanted Car Seats and Bicycle Helmets to the Healthy Kids Fair to be recycled! Saturday, April 11, 2009 [.

Presented by Dr. Steven Hughes Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 7:00-8:30pm Crowne Plaza, Belmont Ballroom 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland Tickets are $10 per person We all want our children to be happy, successful, and to possess good self-esteem. What are the best ways to achieve these goals? The rules have changed over the past gene

The 4th Annual All Born “In” inclusion conference put on by the Northwest Down Syndrome Association, PSU and other area partners. The conference is held on April 18th from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm at the Ambridge Event Center, 1333 NE MLK Blvd, Portland, OR 97232. This unique one-day conference offers tools, networking