My Favorite Things

As the year ends, many of us look back before we look forward to the new year. This year, I left behind a couple of jobs, and then, left the state of New Jersey... again. I also gained a new baby and a new home.

A few of my favorite things I wrote were:

• Wilczewski brothers prepare for another attack on ninja warrior course - My boys love the show 'American Ninja Warrior,' and cheered for Chris from Mt. Laurel back when he was captain of the White Tigers in the boot camp season of the show. This is one of my favorites because Chris and Brian are two of my sons' favorite athletes. 
• Special Olympics: 'Fab Five' represent Team NJ in gymnastics - I loved the enthusiasm, determination and confidence of the gymnasts. I also loved seeing how happy everyone- from athletes to volunteers- were at the event. I moved a week after this interview, and felt honored this was my last assignment. 
• Special Olympians hang with WWE Superstars at Lawrenceville event - This could have been a miserable day, watching soccer in chilly, rainy weather. But, it wasn't. Even the WWE Superstars (and Divas) weren't complaining- in fact, you could say they were the ambassadors of fun and enjoying every moment of it.
• Peppermint candy canes inspire holiday treats - I loved this one, because I love all the treats I wrote about in this post.

To determine readers' favorites, I look at page views. On Hubpages, my top posts written this year were:

1. Is the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movie kid-friendly?
2. Families, groups can call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy with DIY costumes
3. Superhero costume DIY ideas save parents from sewing, dress kids past Halloween
4. Olympic theme party wins over kids
5. Lego bricks are not limiting girls

I look forward to more creative ideas, adventure and thoughts in 2015, and I hope you do, too.

Halloween Ideas

Halloween is a week away, and if you're still stuck for ideas, I've got some for you. I probably love Halloween as much as Martha Stewart, only on a much smaller budget.

If you are throwing a party, you could borrow some ideas from my backyard Halloween parties or even go for a Harry Potter theme. If you're not throwing a full-blown party, there are food ideas and activities that could be used for classrooms or for contributing to a community event.

If you are looking for costumes, you could go for one that always makes to the National Retail Federation's top costumes list- a superhero. In fact, this year, superheroes take five of the 10 spots for top kids' costumes, and two for adults. This year, my family is dressing up as the Guardians of the Galaxy, the heroes from this summer's biggest movie. My costumes ideas are easy to make and don't require a sewing machine.

For the how-tos, read:

• Bewitch children with a simple backyard Halloween party
• Harry Potter theme party puts a spell on kids
• Kids gain turtle power with a homemade costume turtle shell
• Superhero costume DIY ideas save parents from sewing, dress kids past Halloween
• Families, groups can call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy with DIY costumes

Going the distance

Last week, Kacy Catanzaro won the hearts of America by being the first woman to complete American Ninja Warrior's regional finals course. This week, Jersey brothers Chris and Brian Wilczewski completed the regional finals course. Chris got the social media frenzy not only for being the first to complete the course that night, but for being an awesome parkour teacher for a child with autism.

Both brothers are great with kids- my two older boys trained at the Movement Lab, and even when the little one was simply being Chris or Brian's shadow, it was never an annoyance. They understand how kids work, and they know how to motivate, educate and congratulate. But, most importantly, being patient is easy to them.

When this season of Ninja Warrior began, I got to write about the Wilczewski brothers' latest attempt to win the competition. If you missed that article in the Trentonian, you can read Wilczewski brothers prepare for another attack on ninja warrior course online.

Speaking of amazing athletes, I also got to do a little Special Olympics coverage for the Trentonian before I moved out of New Jersey (more on that moving thing later). The national event was held in the Garden State this year, and it featured WWE Superstars, a torch run and inspiring athletes:

• Special Olympians hang with WWE Superstars at Lawrenceville event
• Special Olympic torch crosses Burlington County, comes to Mercer on Friday
• SPECIAL OLYMPICS: ‘Fab Five' represent Team NJ in gymnastics

February Fun

February is known for its snow, and, this year, we've already had plenty of snow for the season. But, this February has both Valentine's Day and the Winter Olympics, providing many opportunities for fun for those of us who may be "snowbored."

Here are some ideas, both past and present, to help make the month more fun-filled:


Valentine's Day

Top Valentine’s Day Dates For Parents In Philadelphia (2014)

Valentine's Day meals families can easily make (2013)
Kids can create quick and simple gifts for Valentine's Day (2013)
Valentines kids can make for their class (2013)
Strawberry Hazelnut Smoothie recipe (2012)
Easy Valentine's Day crafts kids can make this weekend (2012)

Olympics
Olympic theme party wins over kids (2014)
Backyard events make kids active Olympic spectators (2012)

Other
Lego bricks are not limiting girls (2014)
Best activities for freezing weather in South Jersey (2014)
Penguin theme party makes little feet happy (2013)
New eBook helps parents get their kids outdoors (2012)