It seems that once Halloween is here, the holidays roll over us like one big snowball of craziness. I try my hardest every year to stop and enjoy each specific holiday and its personal meaning to our family before turning the page to usher in the next eat-a-thon. Sometimes the ... [click to continue]

I love to have control over what's going on around me. In fact, personality tests have historically labeled me as a Type A control freak. But there was a day, a short decade ago that I was forced to set aside my deeply entrenched behavior to make way for ... [click to continue]

I am coaching a girls softball team this season for the first time- although secretly I've wanted to do it for years- always the loudest parent in the stands. I knew going in to it that it would be a huge learning curve for me (despite playing lots of softball ... [click to continue]

I think I may have killed the tooth fairy this morning. Last week our son (age 10) lost a tooth. It was a big one with a jagged edge, and when I asked him if he wanted to write a note to the Tooth Fairy (our usual practice) he said ... [click to continue]

We chose 2 kittens from A.S.A.P animal shelter last December. They were officially two, black, domestic, long hair siblings. They are also officially a welcomed and wonderful addition to our family. They turn 1 year old next week and we threw them a little feline birthday party over the weekend, ... [click to continue]

I just read a great, sexy book: "Foreign Tongue" by Vanina Marsot. It's about a woman who breaks up with her boyfriend and escapes to Paris, where she gets a job translating a romantic (and erotic) novel. It sounds trashy and fun-which is what our book club was looking for, ... [click to continue]

My son just celebrated his 10th birthday with a bigger-than-usual party. It was double-digits, after all. Anyway, today I helped him write thank you notes and was blown away at how expensive some of the presents he received were. A lot of them were $25 gift cards (some even more), ... [click to continue]

My kids participated in a wonderful event last May called Kidz for the Cure along with a few other families. They brought their used toys and books and sold them to raise money for cancer research. While we were there, we met the founder of Cupcakes ... [click to continue]

Our 9 year old daughter has officially entered the girls sleepover phase of her youth. In fact, she has been to 2 sleepovers in 5 days. They sort of blur together since the day after a sleepover she is often tired, crabby and "sensitive." Last night, as I lay awake ... [click to continue]

In our latest column, I wonder why Santa Barbara's general opposition to big box stores has seemingly melted away; while my husband fears for our lives. Here's the link. http://www.noozhawk.com/leslie_zak/article/072009_she_said_z_said Let us know what you think about bringing a Target to town. Thanks. [click to continue]

Todd (my husband) and I try not to shield our kids too much from the arts (esp. books, movies and music) but when Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen came out as PG-13 we thought we ought to watch it first to see if it was "ok" for our 9,8 and ... [click to continue]

As far as I'm concerned, Anna Quindlen is a genius. I love her fiction and her essays are even better. Here's here latest one for Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/194576/page/1 It's soooo true. Is there anyone out there that actually thinks it's easy to be a mom or dad? I'm guessing they don't have ... [click to continue]

Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE the 4th of July. I love the tradition of it and all it stands for. Every year, my family humors me and dresses from head to toe in red, white and blue(often times from Old Navy). ... [click to continue]

On the heels of our recent Bake Sale Fundraiser I wanted to share what worked, what didn't (and why). First of all, it goes against the selflessness of giving to others but I think planning a fundraiser with kids needs to revolve around the kids. I suspect as they grow ... [click to continue]

There's nothing like dancing in the moonlight with a bunch of silvery, slimy fish. I'll be greeting the grunion again this week if anyone wants to join us. http://www.lesliedinaberg.com/Columns.php?choice=Greeting+the+Grunion [click to continue]

m trying to get my 4th of July mojo back. It used to be my favorite holiday but last year we were at the beach and there was a stabbing very close by, and I can't help but think about it now. Anyway, here's how I USED to feel about ... [click to continue]

This is my first year ever being home with the kids during the summer! I am one of those moms who typically has all the camps lined up by mid-March with summer vacation plans down to the finest detail. It's not that I haven't wanted to be home with the ... [click to continue]

The one-two punch deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson were so sad. It felt like all of the kids of 70's were finally peeling away the old posters that were Scotch taped to their walls for decades. It also got me thinking, why don't kids have posters anymore? I ... [click to continue]

I love summer! I don't miss those Friday folders, homework folders and remembering if it is Crazy Hair day or if I need to send in a teacher appreciation dessert. It is fun that my kids can stay up later and get out the door a little later ... [click to continue]

My niece and my nephew are graduating from San Marcos High School today. It just blows me away that they are old enough to graduate from high school, or more precisely, it just blows me away that I am old enough to have a niece and a nephew that are ... [click to continue]

Part of our follow up to Flat Stanley was touring SB this weekend. We visited the SB Museum of Natural History's Butterflies Alive! exhibit. It has been two years since the butterflies have been at the museum and we have missed them. They are here until September ... [click to continue]

I have always wanted Flat Stanley to visit so I was thrilled when he arrived in the mail from my niece in the Bay Area. The assignment was to show Stanley our home and mail him back so my niece could share about his trip to her second grade ... [click to continue]

I love Mother's Day even though it is never quite what I picture in my head. The lounging around doing nothing never seems to happen but I do love the enthusiasm from my family when they all wake me up excited to present the special breakfast they made. I love ... [click to continue]

Here's a fun little viral video to share with your favorite mom. http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=3CVhLos_7.bgxcTQEwkO7jI1NTYwNzg-&referred_by=16001747-DeuEkLx&p=moveon I'm so impressed by this new technology that lets you customize videos so easily. Happy Mother's Day to all of you! Enjoy yourselves whatever you do. I'll be taking my mom for a spa morning, then spending the rest ... [click to continue]

This is kind of fun. I was a LOL (laugh out loud kind of mom) which is definitely accurate! http://www.redbookmag.com/kids-family/advice/mom-personality-quiz?src=nl&mag=rbk&list=rnl [click to continue]

May is a fun month for my family. In my little family of four, everyone gets celebrated! Of course, my day is Mother's Day! I look forward to seeing what cute creations my kids come up with in school. I always am curious if my husband ... [click to continue]

I grew up spending Mother's days with my mom and my grandmothers. For as long as I can remember, we would always gather for brunch and celebrate. Now that I have my own family and that we live 5 hours from the annual Mother's Day brunch, ... [click to continue]

Here is an email forward I received that I had not seen before: The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. ... [click to continue]

Every year, I brace myself for the end of the year madness. I am sure many of you are feeling it... it seems to start right after Spring Break - perhaps earlier - and the time seems to just slip right by and suddenly you blink and it is ... [click to continue]

There was an article in today's New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/arts/television/14boys.html?_r=1&th&emc=th) about this so-called "Kid Whisperer," a market researcher who specializes in studying the minds and likes and dislikes of young boys. As the mother of a 9 year old boy who sometimes baffles me, I'm both attracted to and repulsed ... [click to continue]

Our family has been having weekly meetings for the past year or so. Sometimes, we get out of the routine for awhile but we have all really enjoyed this time together. The first thing we did was establish a family mission statement which took a couple of meetings ... [click to continue]

A friend sent me this link: http://www.sun7news.com/index.php?code=881zF847Mv2Cz35n1gmV&CMP=OTC-WWYCOVS1001 It inserts the name you choose into a video about the Magic Kingdom. It's very cute and my nine-year-old son got a kick out it. It's free and the graphics are pretty good. Check it out. [click to continue]

I received this list by email from a friend recently and thought it was worth passing on: TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE -- 2009 1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. ... [click to continue]

I saw the trailer for Where the Wild Things Are today and I am thrilled. It looks great! This is a book I love and I am hopeful that I will love the movie as well.   Cut and paste this to see it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--N9klJXbjQ [click to continue]

I got the opportunity to see a preview of the new play about Sarah House, "One Day: Sarah House" the other night and it was so wonderful. I would really encourage anyone who has the opportunity to catch it this weekend or next at the Center Stage Theater in Paseo ... [click to continue]

I just finished the second book in the Friday Night Knitting Club series ("Knit Two") by Kate Jacobs and I really liked it. I'm not a knitter and really resisted picking up these books even though a bunch of people whose opinions I trust told me they liked them. Guess ... [click to continue]

My daughter wrote this poem for a school assignment and I had to share it... A WORLD OF PEACE Is there such a thing as a world of peach? no guns or weapons Is there such a thing as a world of peace? no war or fights ... [click to continue]

I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of sleepovers. Yes, it is free babysitting, but at what price? At our house, we typically "pay" for two days. More tears, more whining, stomping and attitude... My 10 year old actually turned ... [click to continue]

Usually, I am the mom that watches kids. I almost always have between two to four "extra" kids in my house after school. Kids, kids, kids. I love my boys, usually like everyone else's kids, and I know I am really going to miss my kids when ... [click to continue]

Barbie turned 50 this week. And if Barbie, with her perfect, plastic persona, is anything like the red-blooded, hormone-drenched women I know who've turned 50, I would never dare say a word against her. Except that every time I look at Barbie she pisses me off. Read more in my column in ... [click to continue]

My rabbit went on a bunny date today. He is looking for another bunny to join him for naps in the yard. His perfect match would be an extremely mellow bunny that would take turns grooming him and being groomed by him. My bunny, Stephano, had ... [click to continue]

I used to think there was nothing cuter than a baby bunny. Short, stubby ears, a fuzzy body, and a wiggly nose. I have a friend that insists that I am mistaken; baby guinea pigs are the cutest. But I held fast and was not swayed by her opinion. Now ... [click to continue]

My kids both celebrated Read Across America Day in their classrooms. They were so excited to dress for school in pajamas and bring pillows, blankets, books and related gear for the big day. I decided I was going to celebrate too by wearing my pj bottoms for ... [click to continue]

This poem was recently emailed to me and I loved it however it was credited to the wrong author when in fact it was written by Pamela Redmond Satran   A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never ... [click to continue]

WOW, I have never been more inspired! I had the most amazing opportunity presented to me when I was invited by Orfalea to join about 12 other women and attend "The Women's Conferece" in Long Beach in October. This conference sells out in 1 day to 14,000 women. It is ... [click to continue]

As parents of school aged parents, we all recognize that this is an extra busy time of year. Each year, I think I will be able to handle it a little better than the last but it still seems to creep up on me. What is it exactly? ... [click to continue]

I have had several Ah-ha moments recently. Parenting is such a process that I seem to fly through the phases without stopping to see how far we have come. I had a moment to pause while on our Spring Break ski trip. My husband and I spent ... [click to continue]

One of my favorite holiday traditions is a cookie exchange that I do with family, neighbors and friends. It is so fun to come together and simplify the holiday baking by swapping cookies. This year, I also had the pleasure of creating a fancy gingerbread house with my girls at ... [click to continue]

Last night, we visited 3709 Capri Dr. (near Hope/San Remo) after learning about it from a story in the Daily Sound. This is the third year they have carved pumpkins with neighbors and friends. We brought our kids in PJs and saw the 160+ carved pumpkins all lit up. ... [click to continue]

I have been surrounded by books lately....my own books, library books, our first Book Swap last weekend, my girls' books....early readers on one end and chapter books on the other. I love seeing my nine year old engrossed in a book. Last night, I went to my adult book club ... [click to continue]

It is amazing the things that you never imagine you will be doing until you become a parent. During the newborn years it was the exploding diapers all over your clothes while your baby sits in your lap or spit up all over your shoulder as you ... [click to continue]

I was fortunate enough to work on Catalina Island for three summers back in college. Catalina Sea Camp is an amazing camp for kids ages 8-17 and college students can find a "one of a kind" summer job. This organization also offers great school programs on Catalina Island and ... [click to continue]

I can't believe the summer is gone... My kids were so excited to see all of their friends and get to know their new teachers. Much time and energy was put into "what to wear" for the big day. We arrived nice and early and you could ... [click to continue]

I had been hearing all about American Girl Place in LA from other moms since they opened last year. My mom and I decided that we would go this summer to celebrate my daughters' birthdays. Our trip had to be re-scheduled from the beginning of the summer but ... [click to continue]

I spent this weekend in San Luis Obispo for my 20 year high school reunion. We started the weekend with Farmer's Market in Avila Beach on Friday night. This family friendly event runs from 4pm-8pm each week and is close to a great shipwreck playground for kids. ... [click to continue]

We just returned from a fabulous family vacation. We went to this year's "Parent Choice Winner" for the best place to travel with kids: Hawaii. Our tropical destination was Maui(Napili) where we spent a week at a condo with family and friends. It was the most relaxing ... [click to continue]

Ladies, it is so inspiring as a business owner when you get to be in a room full of other women who also own businesses or are preparing to start their own. Yesterday I spent the Day at the Women's Economic Venture's (WEV) Think Big Conference and it was focused ... [click to continue]

I just came out of la-la land. Last year I bought a 90 minute massage at a silent auction and I was so excited because I thought it would encourage me to do something nice for myself. How sad that it has taken me 10 months to actually pick up ... [click to continue]

The Moms Fitness Challenge has been so exciting to watch. That is exactly what I was doing the first week some of them started: watching from afar. All of this talk about getting fit reminded me that I will be in my swimsuit for an entire week later ... [click to continue]

It has been almost 4 years since my oldest daughters entered kindergarten. Of course after all this time I forgot that you need to call about 3 months before your child's 5th birthday if you want to get them an appointment. Thank goodness my husband thought to ask me ... [click to continue]

Our SanDiegoParent.com site had a great tip for kids wanting to raise money for charities...  Sunkist is calling all kids, 7 to 12 years of age, across America to "Take a Stand" for their favorite charity. It's a rewarding way to squeeze some fun into summer and give back to ... [click to continue]

Ok so I would have loved to have been aware of the Click it or Ticket campaign going on this month. I found out on Friday when I was pulled over because as per my normal routine I was putting my seat belt on after I pulled out of the ... [click to continue]