Last summer, my son Evan and I started our own mother-son book club. I was in search of something contemporary for us to read, and a friend recommended Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Richmond author, Meg Medina. Evan and I became instantly attached to the protagonist, a sixth-grade scholarship student…

When most people think of caves, images are conjured of dark, dank places where bats, bugs, and other unpleasant creatures reside – places not many families would want to freely roam. Turns out, cave and cavern exploration, when done safely and properly, can be fun, adventurous, and educational for families.…

If it’s Thursday, you can bet that Jessica Noll is sporting a leopard print on an article of clothing, as an accessory, or somewhere on the set. Viewers of Virginia This Morning on WTVR-TV know about Jessica’s passion for the animal print and some of them play along, sending in…

I remember when we got it, of course, back in that long-ago December when I decided that it was time for my boy to have a basketball hoop of his own standing tall in the driveway. He had already begun shooting baskets around the neighborhood with his friends. And maybe…

This summer read is a true page turner. Too Good to Be True, the follow-up to Carola Lovering’s debut novel, Tell Me Lies, is a perfect summer beach read and will keep you turning the pages to see where the story will go next.  Told from three different perspectives, one…

When our firstborn was just shy of eleven months, my husband was hit with a sudden and scary viral infection that landed him in intensive care. In an instant, everything about our little family’s life changed and for about a week, my husband – with whom I had been planning…

Over the years, our family has visited every single Virginia State Park (that’s forty parks!) and stayed in a wide variety of cabins, ranging from one-room log cabins built in the 1930s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) to six-bedroom lodges. This past year, we stayed in the Belle Isle…

The resort area of Virginia Beach became an incorporated town in 1906, but travelers had gravitated to the beach since electrification and rail service arrived in the late 1880s. In 1887, developers built the Princess Anne Hotel, an oceanfront property meant to capitalize on the growing number of vacationers. In…

Becoming pregnant with twins is a double blessing for sure, but carrying and giving birth to two babies at the same time comes with added challenges. Here are answers to some frequently asked twin questions and tips for moms and moms-to-be of twins. 1. How likely is it that I…

Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad 4 cups shredded/chopped kale 1 avocado, chopped into chunks and divided 2 tablespoons lime juice 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced or chopped into bite-size pieces 1/3 cup crushed tortilla chips Cotija cheese, for topping Sriracha (optional) Corn salad 4 ears of…

Let’s face it: In many ways, the pandemic has caused us all to take a step back and reassess our basic hygiene habits. From washing hands to social distancing, we are more aware than ever about taking general precautions to stay healthy. This should also be applied to our dental…

As the pandemic continued, Alissa found herself uncertain about meeting her family’s basic needs. With three kids – two of them under two –  anxiety mounted as the young mom tried to keep her babies fed, healthy, and properly diapered. Her mother shared a few tricks about stretching a diaper…

I have a friend whose parents are very involved in her family’s life. They are helpful and attentive grandparents, and I tell her how lucky she is all the time. Not only are my parents not very active in my kids’ lives now, but I’m having a hard time remembering…

Design and create your own lightning bug made from a bottle that really lights up in the dark! This is a perfect camping or backyard activity for kids of all ages. What you need: • Plastic bottle with lid • Strips of colored tissue paper • 2 foam sheets (paper…

Have you noticed nandina growing in your yard or your neighborhood? How about English ivy or Japanese honeysuckle? While beautiful to some and commonly used in residential landscaping, invasive plants like these are actually a silent danger to our local ecosystems. They can easily get out of control and escape…

For many families, the pandemic has been an ideal time to research and purchase a new pet. It has also created fertile ground for fraudsters, and people shopping for pets online are prime targets. Learn the red flags of this scam, and you can save your family heartache and financial…