My husband Mark and I have been married 18 years and 1 day today. Our anniversary was yesterday.   We had plans to go out on Saturday, even had a sitter arranged. But…lo and behold, the night before our night out, our daughter spiked a fever.  For a moment, I thought we could still pull it off and sneak out, but deep down I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I was disappointed because I was looking forward to a night out. As all parents know, these things happen. It’s not just about us. We’re married with children. (Yes, I’m playing with words and remembering one of my favorite TV sitcoms from …

Now that the "back to school" chaos has calmed down a bit, I’m looking forward to relaxing on my sofa and enjoying the new fall television season. Running around with the kids and planning meals and activities tires me out. I need some R & R and sometimes, a night in front of the TV gives me exactly what I need. There are many experts and people who say that watching television is an unhealthy waste of time but I am not one of those people. I think there are some benefits to our unofficial international pastime.  I have fond childhood memories of watching television with my family. I remember…

Butterflies are free to fly and many have begun the journey of their lifetime at the Hoban's house in Cinnaminson. Samantha Hoban, a fifth-grader from Eleanor Rush School has found a unique hobby in raising butterflies. After joining the Butterfly Club at Rush School in third grade, Hoban took an interest in raising monarch butterflies and brought home milkweed plants and as her mom says, “it took off from there.”   Samantha sprinkled milkweed seeds around her mom’s garden and many plants sprouted up. Around 50 caterpillars clung to the milkweed in her yard. Monarchs are often called the “…

School is back in session and it’s a busy time for most families, mine included. Gathering everyone for dinner is a challenge, and figuring out what to feed them is sometimes even a bigger challenge. I am always looking for quick and healthy recipe ideas. I thought I’d ask some friends how they get dinner on the table in the midst of the back to school frenzy and I got some great feedback. Here are some ideas from local moms like you and me. Jill, a Cinnaminson mom with a baby at home and twins in elementary school, shared her Shrimp Rotini Bake recipe with me. Ingredients include medium …

Emily Elliott, a Cinnaminson girl with big dreams and a big personality, traveled to New York City this summer for "the experience of a lifetime," as they call it, at the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) competitions in New York City and Los Angeles. Since 1987, IMTA has been considered one of the most successful modeling and talent training centers in the world. The IMTA competitions provide future actors and actresses the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of casting agents, managers and directors. This organization has helped many young people realize their …

Back to school means back to packing lunches. Yikes! I have such a hard time coming up with new ideas.  Peanut butter and jelly gets boring. Nutella has been a great backup especially paired with some strawberries, but that gets old too. Regardless, both options will be in my pantry for busy mornings but I need some more interesting solutions. Do you have any good lunch box ideas? I asked around and some other moms shared their tips with me. Elise S., a Cinnaminson mom of two, told me how she brightens up peanut butter and jelly or tuna sandwiches with a little trick. “I sometimes cut them …

A grant from USA Field Hockey in 2008 gave Cinnaminson mom Grace Porrini, and her oldest daughter, the opportunity to begin building a field hockey program here in town for young girls. “My daughter Heather and I came up with the idea her freshman year (at CHS) when the high school field hockey team didn't have enough girls for a freshman team and too many for the JV team making it difficult for everyone to get enough playing time to improve their skills,” she said. Most CHS field hockey players never touched a field hockey stick until seventh grade at the middle school. Towns like Medford …

Two little girls collect a lot of plush toys over the course of 10 or 11 years so my house is overstuffed with fluff. I think my family has helped to keep Build A Bear and Webkinz in business for the last decade. Our fluffy friends have taken up so much space in our home, it’s time to unclutter the stuff but do I toss, store, or re-purpose the cuddly critters? Maureen Piotrowski, a Cinnaminson mom of three, found herself in a similar situation but she came up with a unique way to corral and display her kid’s stuffed toys with the help of a glue gun. She made a Memory Chair by hot gluing the …

Every day I ask my children the following questions. “Did you finish your summer math packet? How many pages are left to read in your book? Did you start your writing project yet?” I am always met with growling, groans and complaints as I bark out my orders to get those projects done. I understand their lack of motivation. They are provided with a list of books and several writing projects to choose from as well as a packet of math dittos. It's not much fun, it's just something they have to get done. I must say I do believe there is a life lesson to be learned in that: life is not always fun…

Come for the music, get caught up in the nostalgia and stay for the fun as Cinnaminson High School's first Alumni Band performs in the park for friends and neighbors. Deb Knisely, the concert, marching and jazz band teacher at Cinnaminson High School, will be conducting many of her former students again. “I have had a number of former students ask about doing an event like this, so I decided this summer would be a good time to give it a go,” Knisley said. More than 32 CHS graduates will be participating, including students who graduated as far back as 2004 and even those who moved on just a …

I love that Home Depot commercial that tells us to, "Get more done!" You see people planting flowers, painting walls, hanging pictures and they’re all enjoying it. It motivates me and induces guilt at the same time. There’s always so much to do at our house and I can tell you it's rare when we enjoy it. So, our "Honey Do" list keeps getting bigger and bigger.   Very often, the list of projects gets put on the back burner because of vacations, kid’s activities, work and quite frankly, we don’t enjoy it or feel like doing it.   Then, we plan a party. Panic sets in and the work gets done. It’s a…

Tubing is something I had never done—until last week, that is. I bought a Living Social tubing package thinking my family and I could have a relaxing day floating lazily down the river. It was a four-hour trip that included a barbecue lunch. It all sounded so perfect. It was scorching hot the day of our outing. The tubing rental shop was mobbed when we got there and we had to wait about 20 minutes before getting our tubes and catching the bus to the dropoff. There were all kinds of people waiting with us—little kids, families, groups, couples, and teenagers. After a ridiculously hot and …

Twelve years and going strong, Cinnaminson School District’s Summer Camp provides a unique camp experience for youngsters in town. There are no tents or campfires to speak of but this town's summer camp offers a varied assortment of athletic, educational and cultural activities. This completely self-funded program is open to all children in kindergarten through eighth grade who live or go to school in town. It was a successful camp according to Joy Korn, the Rush School librarian and camp coordinator. “This year, we offered 21 different classes," Korn said. "We have offered many activities …

At what age do you think kids should have cell phones? It's a tough call. I don't get why a 6-year-old needs a phone or even a 10-year-old but I think it really depends on the child, how responsible they are and what the purpose of the phone is. We’re on the brink of equipping our twin tweens with cell phones. I’m cautious but relieved that they will be able to reach me if they need to. As they get older and head toward their teenage years, there will be more events and activities they attend without me so having a cell for emergencies makes sense. My husband and I have thought and fought …

Sometimes, I find all of the bad stuff I hear overwhelming. It’s so easy to get swept up in negativity. It is contagious. People love to complain about other people, their jobs, the country, the government, etc. The list goes on and on. It is draining and makes life and the people who complain difficult to deal with. So, why not focus on the good things? Accentuate the positive. It’s the positive things that often get overlooked. Here’s a list of some good things happening in our little corner of the world. Philanthropy is well and alive in our town. Our community is a giving one. The Jane B…

Go ahead; it’s OK to play with your food. Here are some unique summer treats sure to add some fun and smiles to your next backyard barbecue. My friend Mary gave me this recipe for easy to make Hamburger Cookies. My daughters and I made them this weekend for a family pool party. Not only did we enjoy assembling the cookies, they were a huge hit at the summer shindig. They are a snap to make and perfect for kids to participate in. You will need Nilla Wafers, Grasshopper Cookies and vanilla or white icing. Use a few drops of food coloring to transform the icing into mustard, cheese, ketchup or …

Less than a year ago, Ancient Order of Hibernians Mike Doyle Division 4 came together on a hot August night right here in Cinnaminson. Since then, the division has grown in numbers and the group has participated in many local events and charities. Mike Driscoll, dear friend of Mike Doyle and representative of Philadelphia’s Irish Society, as well as owner of Finnigan’s Wake in Philadelphia, spoke at last summer’s meeting and suggested an L.A.O.H. be established in Cinnaminson, in Mike Doyle’s honor. This summer, Driscoll’s wish for a new ladies division may become a reality. Palmyra resident …

A rite of passage for fifth-graders, before they move onto the middle school in the Cinnaminson School District, is 5th Grade Overnight Camp. Each year Cinnaminson’s fifth-grade classes travel to Camp Ockanickon in Medford and rough it for three days. Students engage in various outdoor educational activities and learn what it's like to be at summer camp. How cool is that? They canoe, swim, run through obstacle courses, learn about nature and I think they gain some camping skills—my girls did mention something about compass study. They bunk in cabins without electricity or running water. They …

My husband was a little offended when I told him to stay in bed on Sunday morning so I could have a quiet cup of coffee by myself. We have a crazy week ahead which means I’ll be running in 50 million directions. If I can get one peaceful moment to sit and reflect over a good cup of coffee, I will take advantage of it. It's good for my soul. My husband doesn’t drink coffee, so he doesn’t get my attachment to it. He thinks it’s unhealthy. Would I be healthier if I didn’t drink it? Maybe...maybe not. I have learned that there are numerous benefits to the ritual that so many of us look forward to…

Summer has unofficially kicked off and it’s time to plan for some family fun. The Jersey Shore is and always has been a popular choice for family outings. Have you read Patch’s Summer Beach Guide for 2012? There’s some great information there to help plan your days by the sea. I love the beach, but did you know there are so many other attractions in and around the Jersey shore? So, don’t just head down the Parkway with sand and surf on your mind. You might miss taking a different path for some uncharted family fun. Here are some spots you might not know about that might make for a memorable …