Before I had kids of my own, I thought it was extravagant for parents to spend money to celebrate their kids’ birthday anywhere other than in their own homes.  I used to wonder what happened to good old fashioned fun in the family room? Why not enjoy a few games of Duck-Duck-Goose or Pin the Tail on the Donkey with a piñata and cake at home? Now I know. Nobody really wants a dozen 6-year-olds wired on fruit punch running around the house smearing cheese doodle stains on the walls and furniture. The fun of a piñata also carries the risk of resulting in bodily injury or a hole in your sheet …

A couple years ago my son, then 5, wanted to play basketball in the worst way. Unfortunately, he wasn’t old enough yet for many of the programs run by places like the YMCA or other private gyms. Fortunately, here in Parsippany we have another place to play. I was able to sign my son up for the basketball clinics at the Police Athletic League of Parsippany Troy-Hills on Baldwin Road.  He loved the experience. The program, which includes the involvement of the Parsippany Police Department, is supervised by high school coaches and staff. And the kids get a lot, if my son is indicative. The …

Our family’s experience with soccer began a couple years ago.  We signed up our daughter who was then just 4. We bought her little pink cleats, socks and a ball. However, when we arrived at the first practice, she took one look and refused to go on the field.  She said she was scared, so of course, we didn’t push her much. We did go to every game though. As frustrating as it was at the time, we laugh about it now and she is still proud of the trophy she has from that season.  She was the MVB: Most Valuable Bystander. This past Saturday I’m proud to say, our daughter hit the field again as a …

Bus pass – check.  School supplies – check.  Backpack and lunchbox - bought. Now, we have to get ready for that first-day photo. Part of the process is preparing everything ahead of time, because who knows how I’m going to get the kids up early enough to make the bus. We foraged for first-day outfits and got lucky. With a forecast for cooler weather and possible rain, it looks like there are appropriate outfits in the house. I have kid-stamped approval and everything’s clean and ready to go. Their hair had to be fixed. Buzz cuts for the boys. Much to their dismay. Yes, long hair is in, but …

During a visit to my parents’ house this summer, I found three small dusty jars full of treasures from long ago. The jars didn't contain gold, jewels, old coins or anything else of monetary value, just found objects from my childhood. One held curious rocks and pebbles, a couple marbles and some Girl Scout pins. Another contained beach glass and shells and a third held an assortment of odds and ends; a teeny tiny elephant, a pretty pendant, an enamel charm. My daughter and I dumped the jars on the ground and picked through their contents. I remembered finding the large piece of purple beach …

I grew up in a large family, and rather than hit the malls every fall for back-to-school clothes, my mom wisely toured local thrift and consignment shops instead. Following her lead, I do the same thing. It just doesn’t make sense to buy brand-new clothes and shoes for the kids when they are going to outgrow everything in the blink of an eye anyway. Plus, my son comes home with holes in his pants every single day—no joke! It doesn’t bother me as much if those pants only cost a few dollars in the first place. My daughter says she only wants to wear clothes that have animal prints or fur on …

For whatever reason, my older son did not fall in love with the game of soccer.  He enjoyed being with kids his own age and loved running around, but he complained about going to the games. Last year, knowing he truly needed an outlet for his little boy energy, I asked about other things to do. A neighbor had a direct suggestion: "Sign him up for football!” My son Mario started football last August. He had to attend three practices each week. Which he did. Then he played the entire season. Not once did he complain about going. The first time he carried the ball, we were playing Boonton …

We’ve taken a few short trips this summer, spent a week here or there. Now that we’re more than halfway through the season and six weeks away from the first day of school, we’re staying closer to home. I’m focused on taking advantage of all the great things going on locally to turn the rest of our summer into a fabulous “staycation.” We’ve done our research and identified our top picks for things to do before summer is through. Hit the Lanes And we’re not talking about swimming lanes. This summer, kids all across the country are enjoying the sport of bowling as part of a program called “Kids …

I try to indulge the kids' craving for boardwalk arcades, rides, funnel cake and crazy water slides at least a couple times during the summer. With three children, it’s an expensive venture, but their thrills and accompanying screams and squeals are worth the price of admission. I consulted with fellow moms and have come up with three destinations that you can easily do in a day without putting a huge dent in your wallet. Asbury Park My friend Stasia Amenta of Glenmont Commons told me she likes to take her boys, ages 5 and 3, to the Asbury Splash Park. "It's a great boardwalk for kids." …

This is the first summer I’ve felt brave and energetic enough to take the kids to the beach for the day. Before, I always had at least one child in diapers and too much equipment to manage.  Furthermore, my family and I have always been lake and mountain people. Even though I’ve lived my whole life in New Jersey, I had no idea where to go to a beach. Last week I took my first daytrip to the beach and found out exactly how easy it can be to find a quiet place to play for the day. I also asked around and got a few other recommendations. Following are three quiet, quick and relatively easy …

As my children grow, I find myself spending less and less quality time with them.  I work, clean, organize and do all the other things required to keep our lives in forward motion while they spend most of their day in school, camp or other activities.  When it’s time for a vacation I relish the opportunity to disconnect from our daily routines and technology tethers and revitalize our family connections. I've visited the Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks since childhood. Unlike typical single-building YMCAs, this one is made up of more than 50 buildings on a 700-acre campus. It's located on …

Just last week we took I-78 west for a little more than 100 miles to arrive in Hershey, Pa., and the terrific Hershey Park. It’s a pretty painless road trip and the rewards are many. Hershey Park is a one-of-a-kind family amusement park.  Not only does it smell delicious, but the architecture and touches of local flavor give the place a wonderful feel. You easily can spend several days there depending on your children's ages and your willingness to ride thrilling roller coasters or get drenched in the water park. Our kids are seven and under, and therefore still vertically challenged. All …

Angie and Cavan Londergan were both born and raised in Parsippany. They graduated from Parsippany High School in 1995 and went to their senior prom together. Angie is a financial consultant and co-owner of Morris Financial Services  here in Parsippany and Cavan teaches fourth grade at Troy Hills Elementary School. For the past four years these happily married high school sweethearts have coordinated an annual Five-on-Five flag football tournament. “We started the tournament because Cavan wanted to help teach his students altruism and giving back," said Angie Londergan. "This idea really …

Yesterday was the last full day of school and after today’s half day there’s just one more half day left. It was such a long winter, and summer sure came fast this year! The kids are writing out cards and I’m running out for last minute gifts for teachers and bus drivers. In one of our classes, the room mom coordinated a class gift, which I think is great because then the teachers will get a nicely sized gift card and I don't have to rack my brain for the perfect gift. Let's face it.  It can be a challenge to find something appropriate to get for the people that spent all year educating your …

I always found it challenging as a child to figure out what to get my dad for Father's Day. My father didn’t have many hobbies. Being a self-reliant kind of guy, whatever he wanted—which wasn’t much—he just bought for himself.   That left me in a quandary over what to buy for him. I think my four siblings were just as clueless.  So, Pops ended up with a lot of unwanted ties, paperweights and gadgets Moms would sell the following spring at the annual garage sale.  We also gave our father a lot of homemade gifts. I’m sure he appreciated them, but if you have five kids, eventually you have to …

Nicole Trella, an eight-year resident of Parsippany, has been involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network of Northern New Jersey since 2007 and now leads the volunteer programs. What led her to this altruistic pursuit is both heartbreaking and empowering. In June 2005, Nicole’s mother-in-law, Carol Trella, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The only symptom she experienced was intense, unexplained itching.  Carol Trella received her diagnosis early enough to be eligible for surgery and the doctors were pleased with the results of her operation. The cancer had spread to her lymph …

This summer your kids can join the more than 1,500 other children who’ve attended Parsippany's Safety Town. The Rotary Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is running the 23rd annual Safety Town this summer from June 27 through July 8 at the Parsippany Police Athletic League building. Safety Town is a two-week program developed in 1964 by Dorothy Chlad.  Programs accredited by the National Safety Town Center  in Cleveland are offered throughout the country.  Bill Cosby once was Safety Town's honorary chairman and spokesman. His image still adorns its website and literature. Here in Parsippany, the …

My favorite way to escape, quiet my mind and relax is by reading my way into another world. It doesn’t matter how tired I am or how late the hour is, I can’t seem to go to sleep without reading. If a book is really good, I’ll stay up way past a reasonable hour. However, I read the way I think some people might watch TV.  Mindlessly.  I will finish a book and promptly forget its title and author.  A week later, if you ask me who the main characters were I will be hard pressed to come up with their names. To combat this, I joined a book club. If you love to read and want to expand your horizons…

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, it’s time to decide where to stay cool this summer.  This week's rainy weather makes it a good time to fantasize about the warm sunny days around the corner and where to spend them. The first decision facing local residents is pool or lake. We are so fortunate in Parsippany. There are a myriad of options in either category. When the kids were first born, we joined a pool and I found it really stressful.  They couldn’t really swim, but thought they could and were constantly scraping their feet on the concrete or having near misses with their teeth on the …

My son became obsessed with Four square last year and a card game called “Snap.” He learned both games while attending the half-day playground program run by Parsippany Troy Hills Recreation Department. The summer playground programs provide a great way for the kids to stay in touch with their schoolmates during the summer and remain active in an outdoor setting. Best of all, it’s wicked affordable. The fee is just $100 for eight weeks of camp that runs daily from 8:30 to 12:30 p.m.  The half-day camp is available at Lake Parsippany, Volunteers, Manor, Mount Tabor and Knoll playgrounds. …