Now that school is back in session, I thought you'd be interested in this MSNBC piece on the issue of whether parents who have their children vaccinated let them play with unvaccinated peers -- and vice versa. It's particularly timely in light of the unsettling news that measles cases have reached a 12-year high, causing a renewed push from the Centers for Disease Control for parents to have their children vaccinated.

The MSNBC story reports that there are worries on both sides about children with different vaccination histories playing together. Is this a question you ask of your fellow parents? If so, how do you go about it?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Health
        

Remember the Monday Consult on bike helmets? We were still left a bit in the dark about whether Kayris' toddler needed to ride a helmet while on a push toy.

Stephanie Yanovitz, statewide bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for the Maryland State Highway Administration, got back to me with this answer:

"Toddlers that are on rear hitches, tag-a-longs, or in the bike seats on bicycles are required to wear helmets. Other - play vehicles or toy - are not defined as 'vehicles'."

I asked her whether that meant that kids on play vehicles weren't required to wear helmets. She answered that that was technically so, but "you won't hear me say don't wear a helmet. It is still advised."

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Health
        

If you're taking advantage of the slight decline in gas prices and taking a family road trip this Labor Day weekend, here are some tips for surviving your time in the car:

--Momsminivan.com has lots of games and some interesting tips on how to relieve car-sickness. (And a good one in case you aren't able to relieve the sickness in time to prevent a mess; stow empty butter tubs and their lids in the car, so you can at least contain the mess until your next stop.)

--This site has more tips, including one we have used: leave in the pre-dawn, before-breakfast hours. If you get kids to sleep in their traveling clothes, you can "swoop" them into the car at the last minute, and with luck they'll sleep for a few more hours. Then you can stop for pancakes.

--This story from the Los Angeles Times suggests giving kids projects or games they can do as a team to cut down on back-seat bickering. For example, they can compose a song for Grandma together, or work together to count green cars, the story says.

--If you can plan ahead, have a grandparent record him or herself telling or reading long stories. Play the tapes or CDs on the long ride.

--And a couple of don'ts: You might be tempted to prop a portable DVD player between your kids' seats if you don't already have a system with two screens in your car, but beware: looking even a little to the side to watch the movie can cause vertigo (and car sickness) in some kids. It happened to us once on a trip to the Outer Banks. Reading can cause car-sickness even faster, so save the books for your destination.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays, Travel
        

Ah, Labor Day weekend. Will you stay or go? If you stay, there are a few more days of the Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds to enjoy, along with the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville. Or check out these family ideas:

--Our new You & Your Weekend section has a great story on how to take advantage of the last days of summer. Slurp a snow ball, run through the sprinkler with the kids, catch an outdoor movie in Little Italy.

--It's the last weekend to catch Body Worlds, which closes Monday, at the Maryland Science Center.

On Saturday (Aug. 30), you can learn to preserve some of that great summer fruit:

(Photo by Sun photographer Algerina Perna)

--Kids 12 and up (and adults) can learn how to can peaches from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marshy Point Nature Center, 7130 Marshy Point Road, Middle River, on Saturday. Free. Preregistration required; call 410-887-2817.

Got events to publicize for the weekends to come? E-mail details to me, and please send photos if you've got them.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Things to Do
        

I had oodles of marmalade left over from the tasting we did for an upcoming You & Taste section. When I've got extra marmalade, I always look to gin up a quick pork or chicken dish with it.

This time we tried another recipe from Robin Miller's Robin to the Rescue -- the source of the Veggie Potstickers featured in the print edition today. (If you're just joining us on the blog, here are details on how my kids liked that recipe.)

This one was much more of a hit with the troops...

(Photo by me)

My daughter said the pork was a little on the spicy side, but she found it acceptable. My son ate heartily, as did his parents.  

Orange-Glazed Pork

Serves 4

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

One 1 ¼-pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of silverskin and cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick rounds

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 ¼ cups orange marmalade or apricot preserves

¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the pork with salt and pepper. Add the pork to the hot pan and sear for 2 minutes per side. Add the marmalade, soy sauce and ginger to the pan, bring to a simmer, and let simmer until the pork is just cooked through (still slightly pink in the center) and the sauce has reduced, about 5 minutes.

--Adapted from “Robin to the Rescue,” by Robin Miller

Per serving: 464 calories, 32 grams protein, 9 grams fat, 3 grams saturated fat, 68 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 94 grams cholesterol, 511 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitan Jodie Shield.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris is back with an observation about how men talk about their families.

Is it true that they'll gush about their daughters rather than their wives?

Here's his post...

"A few years ago, when I was a sportwriter for the Boston Globe, I covered an NFL coach's press conference just prior to Thanksgiving, when the coach was asked what was he thankful for. He replied that he was thankful for his health (he had just overcome some heart-related illnesses). He spoke of the joys of coaching the game he loved for a living. And then he beamed as he spoke about being grateful for his three daughters.

When I got home, I told my wife Mpho about the married coach's remarks. "What struck me," I said, "was that he didn't say anything about his wife."

"Well," my wife responded, "I guess what my mother says is true: Once a man has a daughter, he no longer mentions his wife."

Whoa.

That was just before the birth of our first daughter, so I wondered if my wife was in fact, rendering an indirect "forget me not."

But in the years that followed, as we went on to have two daughters, and most of my male friends and associates have families with at least one daughter, I've often monitored our conversations, wondering if our words contribute to our daughters being labeled with the woeful moniker, "daddy's little girl."

Here's what I've noticed: With my closest male friends, we talk about the happenings in our families with little or no preference toward one member or another. A wife's job promotion seems to carry the same weight in conversation as a daughter's honor roll award. With other male friends, male colleagues and associates, however, we clearly talk about our daughters (and sons) more often. But I would like to believe that it's easier to talk about the joys and sorrows of parenting than marriage. The latter seems, for whatever reason, more personal.

Still, ask me what I'm grateful for, and Mpho (pronounced mmm-PAW) comes up just as much as our two daughters. I firmly believe that my mother in-law's assertion is totally inaccurate.

Just don't tell her that I said so."

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

...for the Monday Consult. Since it's Father's Day Tuesday, I'm partial to questions for or about dads. The earlier the ask, the greater the chance that your parenting question will be the one answered in this space next Monday.

Now that the Consult is in the paper (in our new You & Your Health section) as well as on the blog, your questions and answers should get more exposure. Ask away.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

Today was the first day of school for most public-school students around the area. My husband and I were up late last night and early this morning helping the kids get ready. For us personally, it was a big day -- the baby's off to kindergarten.

Fortunately, my kids were so excited that they were actually ready early, which gave us plenty of time to indulge in my favorite first-day ritual -- a picture with their new backpacks in our front yard. Though the oldest is only in second grade, it's amazing to see how she's changed since her kindergarten picture.

What are your first-day rituals? By the way, you can share your first-day pictures on our web site here. If you'd rather share them on this blog, email them to me.

(Photo by Sun photographer Jed Kirschbaum)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

A while ago Jon asked:

 “At what age can we REALLY start using the jogging stroller for jogging? The folks who work at the running store are, well, kinda macho about it (‘We started when she was 2 months old!’) and the books/literature online sometimes say as late as 8 months.”

I put the question to frequent expert Dr. Daniel Levy, an Owings Mills pediatrician who is a national spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Levy wrote back in an e-mail that around 4 months, most children would be able to lift their heads when placed on their stomachs, and therefore would have enough head control to ride in a jogging stroller.

“At that point, the head will not bounce around, and there will be minimal danger of the kinds of acceleration/deceleration that might cause injury,” he wrote.

If you’re wondering whether your child has sufficient head control for the jogging stroller, it couldn’t hurt to check with your own pediatrician to get his or her opinion.

By the way, today is the debut of the Monday Consult in the newspaper -- in our new You & Your Health section. Except here, you can add your own comments on the expert's opinion.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Health, The Monday Consult
        

My week home with the kids (perhaps I should stop calling it 'vacation') is drawing to a close. It gave me the healthy reminder I get every so often of the organizational skills, strategic thinking and just plain tiring physical labor it takes to care full-time for two young kids.

Of course, I made it more difficult for myself (as I always do) by having too many 'goals' (work, home, and personal -- ha!) for my 'time off.' And this part of August is a weird twilight time that carries some conflicting emotions for both parents and kids -- you want to take advantage of the last free week before school, yet you want to get ready for school. Kind of a buzz kill if you're not careful.

Amid all that, I did hit on one winning strategy I'd love to share. It's called the "cooperation flower."

It's a variation on the oft-heard idea of giving points or stickers for good behavior. I've tried those before, but this seemed to work better. Each child started with a blank piece of paper. Every time I noticed a child exhibiting especially grown-up or cooperative behavior -- cleaning up a spill without being asked, giving up a chair for an older relative, not getting upset over a change in plans -- I would draw a flower on the paper. Something about having the flower drawn sparked their imaginations (and, perhaps, competitive spirits). They got to choose what color it would be, and each flower was a little different from the last.

Soon they started helping each other and drawing flowers on each others' charts. By the end of the week, they each had a whole garden.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Work-life balance
        

Instead of an events listing this week, my on-vacation solution is to pose the question and hope that you will respond with creative activities that nobody else has thought of. The stakes are high, with some schools starting Monday and summer all but over.

If you run a venue and would like to advertise an event for this weekend, please post dates, times and prices below.

Sadly, I must also report that the tireless Jennifer Choi, who compiled our family-friendly events list each week, is no longer with The Sun. If you have an event to list for the weeks to come, please send it to me. Photos are great, too.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Things to Do
        

This interesting piece posted a few days ago at TheRoot.com will speak to anyone who has a child who's "different," and to any parent of a biracial child.

It was written by a mom whose twins, with both African and European ancestry, have different skin tones.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

I love Mark Bittman's "Minimalist" recipes in the New York Times. So I was proud that I was able to make one of his dishes even more "minimal" and get a Dinner Together hit to boot.

I adapted this dish from Bittman's recent book of quick and easy recipes. It was originally called "Deviled Chicken Thighs" because it called for a bit of cayenne pepper to spice up the mustard sauce.

Chicken alone was going to be a tough sell for my would-be-vegetarian daughter. I didn't want too much heat to turn off the young taste buds, so I made this chicken "devilish."

It was a good strategy...

(Photo by me)

I couldn't believe it when my daughter said it "looks good." She ended up eating a pretty decent portion. My son had a couple of pieces, and even ate up the super-quick minimalist summer salad on the side (sliced farmer's market apricots and tomatoes with arugula, splashed with balsamic vinegar.) Yes, I was even too lazy for a full vinaigrette.

Devilish Chicken Thighs

Makes 4 servings

8 chicken thighs or a mixture of thighs and drumsticks, about 2 pounds

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup honey-Dijon mustard

1/3 cup minced shallot

Preheat the broiler to its maximum and set the rack about 4 inches from the heat. Season the chicken on both sides and place it in a pan, skin side up. Broil, watching carefully, until skin is golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the mustard and shallot. When the chicken has browned, remove it from the oven and turn it. Spread just a teaspoon or so of the mustard mixture on the underside of the chicken and broil for about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and spread the remaining mixture on the skin side. Broil until the mustard begins to brown, about 5 minutes.

At this point the chicken may be done, but if it is not, turn off the broiler off and turn your oven to 350 degrees. Bake until chicken reaches about 170 degrees and juices run clear.

--Adapted from "Mark Bittman's Quick and Easy Recipes from The New York Times," by Mark Bittman

Per serving: 353 calories, 31 grams protein, 20 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 12 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 113 milligrams cholesterol, 271 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

I'm on vacation, so I gave myself permission not to browbeat entice a Guest Dad into putting together a post for today.

Instead, it's open mike day for any father to speak his mind (or for moms to speak their minds) about fatherhood issues. Ask a question of your fellow readers, relate an anecdote, compose a haiku.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

Annie, for her helpful comment responding to today's Monday Consult about bike helmets. Congratulations, Annie, and thanks to all who brought us to this milestone of 1,000 comments. I've really enjoyed watching our community grow.

Meanwhile, Annie, I'll be in touch by e-mail to arrange for marketing guru Anne Burger to get your prize to you. Here's hoping you don't spend it all on school supplies...

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: How to Use and Comment on This Blog
        

A while ago, Kayris asked:

I know MD has a bike helmet law. But how strict is it, and does it apply to my 17 month old riding a push toy on my sidewalk?

With the help of transportation guru Michael Dresser, I found some information on the Maryland State Highway Administration web site.

The basic answer is that anyone under the age of 16 in Maryland has to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle on public property, including roadways, trails and sidewalks. In a few places, the requirement extends further: in Howard County you must wear a helmet until you're 17; until 18 in Montgomery County, and in Sykesville, the web site says, everyone must have a helmet, even adults.

The web site also has good tips for making sure a helmet fits properly:  

--Put the helmet on your head so it sits evenly between the ears and rests low on your forehead. It should only be about 1-2 finger widths above your eyebrow, the web site says.

 --Put foam pads inside the helmet so it feels comfortable but really snug. Usually, the helmet includes more than one size of foam pads that can be velcroed inside the helmet for a better fit.

--Tighten the chin strap as snugly as possible. Adjust the junction of front and back straps, just under the ears, and secure back strap without putting pressure on the front strap.

The web site says all bicycle riders are encouraged to wear helmets whenever they ride, because helmets reduce the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent.

That doesn't really answer Kayris' question about her toddler on a push toy, which isn't technically a bicycle. I'm trying to get clarification on that; if I can get a firm answer, I'll post it.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Next week, dear readers, I will be on vacation. Not to visit some exotic locale, but to spend some time with my still out-of-school kids -- and, frankly, to cover for the dearth of camp options this time of year.

Ever since I've lived here -- 14 years now -- it's seemed that all of Baltimore is either on vacation at the end of August, or assumed to be. This year, I suspect fewer than usual of us will actually be away because of the high price of gas and air fare. And camp choices, especially for kids over the age of 5, seem particularly scarce.

Working parents must figure out how to keep kids safely entertained while getting them ready for the start of school. At-home parents must do the same, at a time when they've probably used up a lot of their ideas.

So it's time for a GM poll. You have until 9 a.m. Monday to tell us how you're spending the end of August. (And if you've scored a great end-of-August camp, do tell us what it is.)

P.S. The poll doesn't include: The kids are home alone. I ran out of room to add that one in the box, so if that's the case with you, tell us in the comments and I'll add it to the final numbers when I report them.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Guilty-Mom polls
        

Before summer ends, here are a few favorite ice cream shops for kids. So far submissions have been a little thin, so keep them coming; remember, our comment contest, featuring a $50 Target gift card as the prize, is still going on:

Broom's Bloom Dairy, Bel Air. This Harford County farm, run by nine generations of the Dallam family, serves hand-dipped, homemade ice cream that's worth a trip, says Shani. (I love their phone number: 410-399-COWS.)

Uncle Wiggly's, 6911 York Rd., Stoneleigh, 410-377-3373. Our family likes the range of Edy's ice cream flavors at this place (kids' current favorite: Crazy Vanilla), and the pleasant patio.

North Pole Ice Cream, Highlandtown. Robert is a fan of this place. Love the name.

Hoffman's Home Made Ice Cream & Deli, Westminster. In a recent Takeout column, Rob Kasper picked their peach ice cream as his Best Bargain.

Lee's Ice Cream on York Road just north of Gittings. Upsides: You can get ice cream AND Fractured Prune donuts under one roof. And Kasper picked its peach ice cream as Best Bite. Downside: Last time we visited, I thought it was a bit pricey.

(2004 photo of Kate Dallam by Sun photographer Kenneth K. Lam)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Kids can learn all about jellyfish at 2 p.m. today at the Maryland Science Center. Free with admission, which is $14.50 for general admission, $13.50 for seniors ages 60 and older, $10 for ages 3-12 and free for children younger than 3.

And there's more:

Thursday, Aug. 14:

Preschool Storytime: Children ages 2-5 can listen to stories and particpate in activities beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Catonsville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1100 Frederick Road, Catonsville. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Call 410-887-0951 or go to bcpl.info. Free.

Friday, Aug. 15:

Small kids might enjoy the Car Cruise in Glen Burnie on Friday nights through Halloween...

(Photo by AFP/Getty Images)

Car Cruise: The Centre at Glen Burnie, at the corner of Ritchie Highway and 8th Ave. in Glen Burnie, hosts weekly Street Survivors of Maryland Classic and Custom Car Cruise shows Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Oct. 31. Call 410-573-3800 or go to streetsurvivorsofmaryland.com. Free for spectators.

Towson's Feet on the Street Friday Night Block Party: The event takes place 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Allegheny Avenue in Towson, between York Road and Washington Avenue. There will be live outdoor music by local bands, food, prizes and children's activities. Call 410-825-1144 or go to towsonchamber.com. Free.  

Ultimate 4-on-4 Baseball Bash: The event, open to girls and boys of all ages, runs from 1 p.m. until a champion is determined at Ripken Baseball Academy, 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen. Call 1-410-823-0808 or go to ripkenbaseball.com. $10 for individuals. $20 per team.

Saturday, Aug. 16:

Car Show: University of Maryland, Baltimore County hosts the 2nd Annual St. Agnes Goes Classic with Cars show in parking lot # 22, at Wilkins Ave. and Hilltop Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features music, food, vendors, a children's area, a raffle and more. Registration runs 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Call 410-368-3121 or go to www.stagnes.org. Free.

Defenders Return to the Fort: From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, the Fort McHenry Guard will re-enact the life of the War of 1812 soldiers, with barracks activities and artillery and musket-firing demonstrations. The program also includes activities for the public and children. Call 410-962-4290 or go to nps.gov/fomc. Free with admission, which is $7 for general admission and free for ages 15 and younger.

Festival of Tees: The Baltimore area's only national qualifier miniature-golf tournament, which benefits the Kennedy Krieger Institute, begins at 9 a.m. at ParTee Golf, 4123 E. Joppa Road. Players compete for two slots in the National Harris Cup Miniature Golf finals, which take place in September. Call 410-254-7888 or go to partee-golf.com. Registration is $25. Free for spectators.

Hot August Blues & Roots Festival: The show features a variety of acts, including blues band John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties, funk group JJ Grey & Mofro and brass funk rock ensemble Bonerama. The event takes place 11:45 a.m.-10 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville. Call 877-321-3378 or go to hotaugustblues.com. $30 in advance until Aug. 15. $40 at the gate.

Saint Gabriel Festival: Little Italy hosts the event, which features food, music and activities, from noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, at Stiles and Exeter streets. Go to littleitalymd.com. $1.

Stone Soul Picnic: The event at Druid Hill Park, 2600 Madison Ave., features music artists from around the country, including Grammy-winner Regina Belle and Grammy-nominee Eric Benet, from noon-8 p.m. Call 410-396-7900 or go to magic959baltimore.com. Free.

The Tortoise and the Hare Day: Kids can bring their stuffed animal bunnies or turtles, listen to Pam the Kindersinger and watch Bubbles The Clown perform at Port Discovery Children's Museum, 35 Market Place. Activities begin at 11 a.m. Call 410-727-8120 or go to portdiscovery.org. Free with admission, which is $11.75 for general admission and free for children younger than 2.

Sunday Aug. 17:

Free Family Sundays: Parents and children can participate in an interactive workshop and take a gallery tour for this week's program, Places and Spaces: Landscapes at the BMA. Activities begin at 2 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. Call 443-573-1700 or go to artbma.org. Free.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Summer's fading fast, and with it those trips to the ice-cream shop that children live for. That makes this Thursday the perfect day for a tip sheet on your favorite local ice-cream spots for families.

Post your favorite parlors and the kid-friendly features that you like. I'll get a list together for tomorrow.

The place in the photo isn't local, but in Williamsport, Pa. I couldn't resist it, though. Wouldn't your kids go crazy over those humongous cones?

Then again, they'd probably end up wearing most of the ice cream...

(Photo of Sunset Ice Cream Parlor in Williamsport, Pa., by Diane Stoneback/Allentown Morning Call)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I had a simple plan for this week's Dinner Together: I would pick some basil from our little backyard herb pots and throw together a quick pesto for penne.

But when I got home, there was a driving rain, which made harvesting the basil -- you typically need a lot for pesto -- a bit of a challenge. And there just weren't enough leaves on the plants in any case.

So I punted experimented. In the freezer was some trusty edamame, already shelled....

(Photo by me)

Hey, it's green, right?

Cooked in the microwave and combined with other classic ingredients, it made a decent pesto that turned out slightly chunkier and a lighter green than the usual kind. The edamame added a nice dose of protein and fiber. And the kids, being fairly new to pesto anyway, didn't know anything was different.

I was very pleased that after serious initial reluctance, Leah tried this dish and ate almost everything on her plate. Sam ate about half of his, and we adults liked it a lot.

Penne with Basil-Edamame Pesto

Serves 4 to 6

1 pound penne pasta

1 cup shelled frozen edamame 

1 cup basil leaves

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish if desired

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook penne according to package directions; drain and set aside.

While pasta is cooking, steam edamame in the microwave oven according to package directions, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Combine edamame, basil, pine nuts, 1/3 cup cheese, oil, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor or blender and puree, scraping down sides frequently until ingredients form a paste. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Toss pesto with pasta and garnish with more cheese if you like.

Note: The pesto part of this recipe makes about 1 cup, which you could also use as a dip for vegetables.

 --Recipe from me

Per serving: 620 calories, 16 grams protein, 35 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 60 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams fiber, 4 milligrams cholesterol, 71 milligrams sodium. Analysis provided by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

My colleague Susan Reimer has a fun column today on the astronomical sums magazines are paying for photos of A-list celebrity babies. After writing about her kids in the newspaper for years, she'd like a piece of that action.

It makes me think about the controversy that rears up every now and then about how much mom bloggers should expose about their kids. For a taste of the debate, check out this archived thread from local blogger Sweetney.

For those of you who have blogs, what's your thinking on this?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Guest Dad Peter Sabonis, who last wrote about storytelling, is back with a parenting epiphany from his trip to the Pacific Northwest. (Having once lived there myself, I can tell you it's a place ripe for epiphanies.)

Here's his post...

"Our family recently spent a week hiking the temperate rain forest region of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. To my wife and me, all trails have their own beauty. My son Jacob, however, seems only to appreciate those that have some adventure: rock climbing, stream crossing, jumping small crevices, or anything with the risk of some injury.

"Fortunately for him, the Pacific coast area near La Push offered some trails that required climbing ladders and holding ropes, and most every hike gave him the opportunity to climb, scramble, and jump on and over the felled Douglas Firs and western red cedars that dominate the region.

"The trees of the rainforest reminded me of parents. Some were strong, proud, and upright—providing shelter in their massive trunks from the elements or predators. Others seemed to be making the most of a tough situation—assigned by fate to fragile soil or a precarious location—yet spreading their roots enough to stay upright and weather the recurring storms.

"The ones that Jacob enjoyed most, and the ones that were most striking, however, were those on the ground—the fallen. While prone, they bore no humiliation. In fact, their decay often formed the bed for new seedlings, which were rising with an alacrity and determination that transformed the ruins into thriving nurseries.

"It was a reminder that my vision of parenthood is far too narrow. Growth and nourishment can occur even when we’ve fallen down."

Comforting thought. Do you agree? 

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's a way you can get another back-to-school task accomplished while doing good for someone else: Through Friday, Hair Cuttery will donate a free haircut to a child who can't afford to have his hair cut for the start of school for every child (18 years or younger) who receives a paid-for cut at its stores.

According to a press release, Hair Cuttery has donated 380,000 haircuts over the years through this program, called Share A Haircut.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Several of you wrote in to ask for suggestions for getting your kids back on a school sleep schedule. I hear you -- at my house, we've been letting bedtimes slide a bit, especially for summer celebrations, and wake-up times have also crept later and later.

In a few short weeks, though, we'll have to pull it all together for a school day that starts at 8 a.m. Yikes.

With that in mind, I've pulled together expert tips from a number of sources. I'd love to hear what's worked for you, too:

--This piece from medicinenet.com has tips from National Sleep Foundation experts, who say you should start to transition kids to their school sleep and wake-up times about ten days to two weeks before the start of school. (In other words, if school starts Aug. 25, today would be a good day to start.)

--This site has a video with interviews with several sleep experts, including Jodi Mindell, author of who has written several books on children's sleep. Most important, they say, is having a bedtime routine (which hopefully you've kept up for the summer, albeit at a later hour) that helps kids relax and get ready for sleep. Reading a story right before sleep helps with that, and may help soothe children who are anxious about the start o of a new school year.

--When you set your schedule, make sure kids are getting enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says school-aged children should get 10 to 11 hours a night on school nights, and adolescents should get 9.

--This site from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, says it's important to set limits with your kids about how many stories you'll read and what time the lights must be turned off. The site also advises against television, video games, and other screen-centered activities close to bedtime.

--Kim West, the "Sleep Lady" from Annapolis, e-mailed me some of the same tips, along with an important extra: If a child is just starting school, "plan on a snack when they get home and early bedtimes for the first 6 weeks of school. It’s a big adjustment!"

I've found that in the last few days before school, it helps to add a morning "trial run" to the schedule so that the kids not only wake up at the right time, but practice getting their things together and breakfast eaten by the time you'll have to leave. That way, you can figure out where the kinks in the system are, and adjust wake-up time if necessary.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Exciting news, dear readers....we are approaching comment 1,000 on Charm City Moms. This milestone coincides nicely with the six-month anniversary of the blog, which is coming up in a couple of weeks.

To mark the occasion, Anne Burger, our crack marketing professional, is offering a $50 Target gift card to the lucky 1,000th commenter.

If you want to play, a few rules to remember:

--Include your e-mail address where the posting form asks for it so I can get in touch with you later to get the gift card to you. Otherwise, your comment won't be eligible for the prize. E-mail addresses won't be published.

--Only comments pertinent to one of the posts will be considered for the prize. So post a great bake sale recipe, talk about the Jonas Brothers, or offer your best back-to-school deals. But if you're spamming or just writing "here's my comment," that won't do it.

--Normal commenting rules apply. No obscenities or personal attacks.

Good luck!

(Photo by Mel Evans/Associated Press)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: How to Use and Comment on This Blog
        

With school and all its fundraising needs looming, I'm playing around with a story idea for the Taste section on new tricks and sure-fire hits for bake sales. And, of course, I'm looking for your help.

What are the best sellers at your school bake sales, and why? Will you share your best recipes in the comments below?

I'll test the ones I find most intriguing, and if they turn out well, I'll print them in the paper and/or on our web site.

(Photo by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Food and Recipes
        

It's interesting to read our coverage of last night's Jonas Brothers show in Baltimore. Our critic Rashod Ollison didn't think much of their performance musically, but the screaming, young, female fans seemed to differ.

And why? In the words of one fan: "They're so hot."

Were you and/or your daughters (or sons) there? What did you think of the show?

(Photo of Jonas Brothers performing at 1st Mariner Arena by Sun photographer Ken Lam)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Teens
        

Here are a few ideas I picked up online today about school-supply sales. If you've found other deals, please share:

 --J.C. Penney is listing a great price on kids' backpacks -- $11.99, less than half their normal price -- on ShopLocal for Friday and Saturday.

--If you like Lands' End backpacks and lunch boxes, they're $5 off through Aug. 27 at this link.

--Also at ShopLocal, Walgreens has a coupon for a 10-pack of #2 pencils for 9 cents, good through Saturday (limit: 4 packs). You can't really beat that with a stick...

--KQ Mom mentioned a good deal on composition pads at Staples; it's running through Saturday. A 6-pack of yellow highlighters is $1, and two-pocket folders appear to be free with instant rebate (limit 10). All of this is while supplies last. Leave some for me, won't you, folks?

--For general tips on back-to-school savings, check out the guide today on our Consuming Interests blog.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

FestAfrica brings local African bands, African food and activities to Patterson Park Saturday and Sunday.

Here are some other ideas for your weekend. Got any to add? You know where to post 'em:

Thursday (Aug. 7):

Free For All at the BMI: Visitors get free admission to the Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The evening also includes tours of the museum’s Cannery, Print Shop, and Garment Galleries, activities for children and archival activities. Call 410-727-4808 or go to www.thebmi.org. Free.

The Rainbow Show: This variety show, featuring puppets and funny stories, takes place at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. at the Cockeysville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 9833 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville. For ages 2-5 with an adult. Call 410-887-7750 or go to bcpl.info. Free.

On Friday and over the weekend, there are several things brewing at the Maryland Science Center...

Friday (Aug. 8):

Preschool Storytime: Preschoolers can enjoy stories, science activities, music and other interactive activities at the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St., starting at 2 p.m. Call 410-685-5225 or go to marylandsciencecenter.org. Free with admission, which is $14.50 for the general public, $13.50 for seniors 60 years and older, $10 for children ages 3-12 and free for children younger than 3.

Rakugo: Families can watch a performance of traditional Japanese comedy at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, at 7 p.m. In Rakugo, one performer remains seated and uses only a paper fan, different voices and facial expressions. Call 410-280-5640 or go to marylandhall.org. Free.

Shadow Bugs: The Pikesville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, hosts shadow puppet stories for ages 2-5 with an adult. The show begins at 10:30 a.m. Call 410-887-1234 or go to bcpl.info. Free.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Things to Do
        

I'm in need of questions for next Monday's consult. If you're new to the blog, this is a weekly feature in which you get a chance to have your most pressing parenting question answered by an expert.

What are you wondering about?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

You may be wondering: Is that, um, cereal on top of this week's Dinner Together Nachos Casserole?

And you would be right. That is cereal. Special K to be exact.

Before you think I've lost my mind, you should know that Special K is one of my daughter's favorite foods in the whole world. And it's not a bad food. So when I spotted this recipe in a Kellogg's cookbook we had here in the office, I thought the cereal might get her to try this easy family dish.

She loved the idea...

(Photo by me)

but I knew we were in trouble when she said: "I wish it was only Special OK." (That's been her name for the cereal for quite some time.) We got a few bites of it into her.

My son wasn't really concentrating on dinner this night, so he didn't eat much, but he did seem to like the casserole. My husband lapped it up and deemed it surprisingly good. I was impressed that the cereal, on both the bottom and the top of the casserole, retained most of its crunch.

Nachos Casserole

Serves 6

One 4-ounce can chopped green chilies

1 cup chunky taco sauce

1 pound lean ground turkey

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1 cup refried beans

1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (divided use)

1/4 cup water

4 cups Kellogg's Special K or corn flakes (divided use)

Combine the chilies and taco sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.

Place the turkey and onions in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently to break up the meat, for about 12 minutes, or until the meat has browned and the onions are cooked. Stir in the beans, yogurt and cumin. When well-blended, add 1/2 the cheese and 1/2 the reserved taco sauce mixture along with the water. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes, or until flavors have blended.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 2-quart casserold with nonstick cooking spray. Place 2 cups of the cereal in the bottom of the casserole. Spoon the meat mixture over the cereal. Top with the remaining taco sauce mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups of cereal.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until very hot and bubbling. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve, garnished with tomatoes, scallions, sliced olives and/or sour cream, if desired.

--From "The Kellogg's Cookbook: 200 Classic Recipes for Today's Kitchen," edited by Judith Choate

Per serving: 316 calories, 25 grams protein, 11 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 31 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, 71 milligrams cholesterol, 760 milligrams sodium. Analysis provided by registered dietitian Mary Mullen.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together, Food and Recipes
        

I'm hereby floating the idea of a tip sheet this week about where you're finding the best deals (locally and online) on school supplies -- everything from school clothes and uniforms to pencils and composition books.

This would be a really useful tip sheet if a) we all pitch in with tips, and b) we get specific as we can about prices and whereabouts. If you're talking about a web site, please provide a link to the item.

So let's start submitting tips now. That way I'll be able to tell whether we'll have enough for Thursday.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Frequent Guest Dad Joe Burris is back with an observation on trying to keep up with his kids' catch phrases. As he learned, perhaps not something you want to try at home.

Here's his post...

"We parents like to believe that as we keep up with our children's shoe sizes, taste preferences and favorite music that we're also staying hip to their latest jargon. Few things, in fact, make a parent seem more dated than conjuring up a term we thought was still in vogue, only to discover that it went out of style with last year's cell phone.

"Often I wonder whether kids frequently change their stylistic verbiage just to keep us parents guessing. Or so it seemed last week when my 11-year-old daughter Nyaniso and I were listening to a radio commercial that said kids use the word "wicked" instead of "very" or "extremely."

I had heard the word used for a while by kids my daughter's age, but never fully understood its meaning. But the commercial apparently changed that. I envisioned using the word in conversations with Nyaniso and sounding, well, wicked cool.

"You did wicked great on that vocabulary exam."

"Want to go to Cold Stone for some ice cream? Their cookie dough flavor is wicked tasty."

"Clean up your room, Sweetie; it's wicked dirty."

Just then, my daughter scoffed at the ad. "Who uses wicked anymore?" she exclaimed.

Oh well. I guess it was a wicked old commercial.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

It may be just the beginning of August, but moms are already thinking about getting kids ready for school. We're checking the supply lists, scoping out the sales, and getting the kids to settle on that all-important backpack choice.

With that in mind, I thought we'd make today's Consult about backpacks. ConsumerReports.org recently published an informative tip sheet, and the results of an interesting test they performed on backpack weight.

The Web site recommends that backpacks and their contents not go much over 10 percent of a child's weight...

(Old Navy backpack photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

But when ConsumerReports.org weighed some students and their backpacks, the testers found that the packs for sixth-graders weighed more like 17.2 percent of the child's weight. (The second- and fourth-graders seemed to be carrying safer loads, well under 10 percent of their weight.)

The site recommends that backpacks be worn about 2 inches above the waist and with both shoulder straps on, close to the body, to avoid injury. Here are more ConsumerReports.org tips:

Have you found any great backpacks to recommend?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

An interesting new study in the Journal of Marriage and Family uses a term I hadn't heard before: the social father. This is a man who is married to or cohabiting with a child's mother, but isn't the child's biological father.

According to this recap at physorg.com, the study, led by a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, examined the parenting patterns of four groups of fathers according to whether or not they were related to the children they lived with. The recap says that the study found married "social" fathers "exhibited equivalent or higher quality parenting behavior than married and cohabiting biological fathers."

That's good news for lots of children who aren't living with their biological dads. What do you think of these findings?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

In addition to our short list of fun things to do from yesterday, this is also the Maryland Zoo's first annual Primate Awareness Weekend. Today through Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors to the Chimpanzee Forest can participate in special kids' activities and meet with keepers and volunteers who work with the primates.

According to a press release, some of the raffle prizes will be paintings done by the primates themselves. Sounds interesting.

Most activities are free with admission to the zoo.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do