Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. May 2010 bring you (and your families) much joy, peace, happiness and fun!

And p.s. If you’re looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? Check out the feature column for a very cool idea!

Ring in the new year family-style in St. Louis! Here’s lots of info on a cool place to be!

Alex Rider is a teenaged spy, a James Bond-type for the younger set. What boy could resist a character who keeps his cool in the stickiest of story lines?

A rundown of what some blogging parents (who live in the ‘lou) have been up to.

Christmas day. The nuclear faux family sits by the exquisitely-decorated tree, expressing delight and happiness over what gifts have been unwrapped. The well behaved children play quietly with their toys. The dad gazes into the mother’s eyes with love and adoration. Everyone’s clothing is coordinated. There are no wrinkles, muffin tops, beer guts, or rogue nose hairs. It is a beautiful moment. (Like in this photo.)

I LOVE Norah Jones. Big fan! I love her soulful, cool sound. She’s a woman who’s voice has so much texture, she just seems wise beyond her years. Plus? LOVED her appearance on Sesame Street from years ago. So when offered a chance to review her newest release, I was very excited.

Oh the weather outside is frightful. So you might as well stay in and enjoy the world’s most popular “indoor sport!” This year, K-Y® Brand invites you to try a few stocking-stuffers that are perfect for heating up even the coldest winter nights: the recently launched K-Y® INTENSE female arousal gel and K-Y® YOURS+MINE couple’s lubricant.

Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) needs your help to place 1.5 million pets into loving homes by January 4, 2010! Last year, the program’s goal of helping 1 million pets get adopted within three months was outdone when more than 1.2 million pets were placed in homes.

For many, the holiday season is full of cheer, gifts, and bright lights. But, for those less fortunate, it can be an anxious time as they struggle to put food on their families’ tables. See how you can help!

We have one child, a rarity of sorts in these here parts.

When many a mom hears this, especially if she’s got more than two, a comment is often made along the lines of “I guess it’s really quiet at your house.” My answer? “Sometimes.”

I work from home. Many a day after school, as well as Saturday or Sunday, Seth often finds our house a bit too peaceful for his tastes. He’s a man of action. And noise.