Flashback Friday to the Trentonian

WWE Summer Slam being in New York this weekend made me think about the time I got to interview Paul Heyman for WrestleMania in New Jersey a couple of years ago. When I searched to look back at the article, I found articles I had forgotten that I had written for Trentonian, but also noticed older articles I remembered were not showing up in search results, even though the articles were still on the site (I found links in old social media shares).

So, before these articles are lost in the web, I thought it would be a good idea to create my own web listing of the 24 articles I wrote for the paper over those few years I freelanced for it. (I'm also in the process of making sure I have a printed copy of each of my favorites.)

2011:

Twin trouble in Trenton as WWE's Bella sisters come to town

WWE's Evan Bourne bringing high-flying style to Trenton

Moorestown lifts century-long ban on liquor licenses

2012:

Lorax exhibit educates Philly zoo visitors about endangered species

Million Dollar Dad: DiBiases stay close through busy wrestling careers

Mt. Laurel man going for American Ninja Warrior title

WWE’s Dolph Ziggler set to make a mark on 1,000th Raw

Jersey native A.J. Lee living the dream as WWE Raw GM

2013:

Costco employee saves co-worker’s life

New York native Heyman brings his ‘guys’ to WrestleMania

From Belmar to LBI, the Shore is back

Axel is ‘perfect’ addition to WWE youth movement

New Jersey ninjas show off athletic skills on TV

BurlCo’s Wilczewski reaches finals of ‘Ninja Warrior’

Two area ‘Ninjas’ move on in Vegas

One BurlCo gym Ninja reaches Stage 3 on NBC show

Philly native falls short on ‘Ninja’ finale

Wild ride through TV chat with the Giudices

2014:

Special Olympians hang with WWE superstars at Lawrenceville event

Wilczewski brothers prepare for another attack on ‘Ninja Warrior’ course

Special Olympic torch crosses Burlington County, comes to Mercer on Friday

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Fab Five’ represent Team NJ in gymnastics

Something Red and Pointy...

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away, and it's on a Saturday. That means your kids have only one weekend to work on cards for school and you can plan a whole day of things to do.

Here are some of my ideas for Valentine's Day DIY gifts, cards and food:

• Kids can make simple craft gifts for Valentine's Day
• Kids can make Valentines for their class
• Valentine's Day meals families can easily make
• Strawberry Hazelnut Smoothie

Getting back in shape

Many people use the changing of the year to create resolutions to lose weight or get in shape. I started a new workout last week, not because of a resolution, but because of a goal I set for myself in May.

I had a baby in March, and wanted to get back in shape by the baby's first birthday. I knew I could reach that goal, since I had twice before, but not that quickly. I had 25 lbs to lose, just like the previous times.

The day before Thanksgiving, I weighed in at 10 lbs. less than my May starting weight. After Christmas, only one pound was gained back. But, for Christmas, I got my new workout- WWE Fit Series with Stephanie McMahon.

Just like me, Stephanie is a mom of three. Unlike me, she is a a former WWE Women's Champion, who has had to be in top physical shape for her job. While she has only competed once since having kids, she is still in amazing physical shape. I wanted to know what she was doing when I saw her in person in May, and am so happy she decided to share, even if it's just a small sample of her routine.

Since starting the workout last week, I have lost 2 lbs. Not every workout is a perfect fit for everyone, so I wrote a review to help others decide if this is the right workout for them. Check it out:

• Review: WWE Fit Series

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)