What is it about this time of year that makes me crave sweets so much? I’ve just come off the Halloween sugar high, and now the Pumpkin Pie has found its place on the kitchen counter. Thank goodness for my daughter’s new love of cupcakes! These sweet morsels of goodness pack a punch of sweet and savory flavors. It’s not like eating a piece of fruit for a snack, but it keeps me from sticking my fork into another piece of pie.

The word on the street is that the best cupcakes in town are found at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Scottsdale. They’re a bit expensive, but they work as a great reward for finishing reading time. While you’re at it, make one of those books Pinkalicious, in which the main character eats so many cupcakes that her skin starts to turn colors!

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I still remember with vivid detail the first time my mom took me to cast my vote in a presidential race. It set a precedent for the rest of my life and taught me the importance of being informed on issues and exercising my right to vote. Taking your children to a Kids Voting precinct will spur political conversation in your home and let you impress upon your kids the need to be involved in the political process. To initiate a conversation on the election that doesn’t bore the little ones to death, grab a copy of President Pennybaker.

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One of the keys to having a blast on any holiday is to build up an event in the mind of your child. Get beyond the stress of stocking the candy bowls and putting the finishing touches on your Halloween costumes by psyching your kids up for the big night! More than once we’ve made the mistake of expecting our children to be excited for something we’re planning, while failing to spend time on building the hype. So, take a moment to get the kids thinking about their pending Trick-or-Treating escapades with the whimsical Vunce Upon a Time.

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Ahhh . . . a new year. Time for some fresh goals and resolutions. And time for reflection on the events of the last 365 days. Why should children be immune to this annual ritual? Kids can certainly benefit from considering some new habits to enrich their lives, and we have a great recommendation that we think your kids will enjoy. Help them start a journal! (Or instill in them a renewed enthusiasm for continuing a previously abandoned journal.) This simple activity, if continued through the years, will enable your kids to reflect on their growth, recognize their achievements, and learn to express their emotions.

To help them catch the journal-writing bug, grab a copy of Diary of a Worm. Follow a worm as he chronicles the ups and downs of being a worm through words and pictures. Your younger kids will love the visuals, while your older kids will crack up at the buggy humor.

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