A recent New York Times article claimed that pictures books have declined in popularity in recent years. That’s a shame, because vibrant, fun and sophisticated picture books with modern stories to tell are being released in a steady stream and are worthy of attention. A recent example is Moon Rabbit by Natalie Russell. The simple, […]

Jessica Soler and her three kids love animals. And it shows. At their Tudor-style home in Decatur, there are dogs Bear and Bijou, a mouse named Jerry, two frogs and fish in the koi pond. The family loves Decatur because of its friendly neighbors, as well as being able to walk anywhere they want to […]

I refused to believe there was anyone who didn’t know about Ria’s, and so I wasn’t even going to mention it. Lo and behold, I found someone who hadn’t tasted the incredible shallot vinaigrette over a totally kid-friendly brunch at Ria’s. There are no gimmicks here: no kids’ menu, not even sure if there are […]

One of my favorite DIY projects is cooking with my daughter. Although Whole Foods and others offer tasty (and usually pricey), healthier treats for kids, I have found a number of recipes and tips that have enabled me to offer my daughter sweets she enjoys and that I feel good about giving her. The following […]

Dan Triandiflou is the kind of dad who makes it up as he goes. Previously the director of improvisation at Dad’s Garage Theatre and currently a member of its artistic ensemble, he’s a pro at going with the flow. Since his son, Henry, made his big entrance a year-and-a-half ago, Dan has learned a lot […]

If you should, as I did recently, open the pantry door to find your 3-year-old spraying window cleaner into a cup while her pal swills it down, I hope you remember, as I did, prior to calling poison control, that it’s just vinegar and water. There are plenty of good reasons to use white vinegar […]