Letter from the Editor
By Gretchen Cook
I hope you like fall as much as I do. As soon as the temperature drops, it seems that folks in my neighborhood head outdoors in droves. We start up new outdoor fitness regimens, we remember our yards are a place to have fun and we dust off our bikes. It just seems that the great outdoors become great again once the weather cools. (more)


The Book Corner
Fantasy Books for the Post Potter Era
By Heather Day
Many kids got hooked on reading when they picked up their first Harry Potter book. Here are some ideas to keep them reading. (more)


Family Matters
Children are People Too
By Denise Pamudji
“Don’t you want to eat your chicken?”
“No.”
“Well, you’re going to – you have to eat something.” Have you had this exchange with your child? I have, many times. (more)


It Figures
Facts and figures about October, Halloween, and food. (more)


Featured Events
Fall festivals, pumpkin picking, and Halloween happenings. (more)


Parent Points
Sweetwater Jade performs at MS State Fair, Halloween safety tips, and more. (more)


What's Cooking
Fall is the Perfect Time for a Picnic
By Julie Paul
If you are among the hardy group of Mississippians who picnic during the summer months – my hat is off to you. Don’t get me wrong – I love the idea of an idyllic outdoor meal as much as the next person. Unfortunately, when the thermometer hovers above 90 ° my enthusiasm for cooking, and even eating, takes a nose dive. So, don’t pack away that picnic basket just yet. Fall family picnics are a perfect way to gather the family for a special outdoor adventure. (more)


Pilates
No Pain, All Gain
By Amanda Wells
In the early 1900s, a man named Joseph Pilates created a method of exercise that has become all the rage here in the 21st century. Growing up a frail, sickly child suffering from asthma and rheumatic fever, Pilates was determined to keep up with other children. He began to study many exercise and meditation practices including yoga and was unwavering in his dedication to perfect his body and health. (more)


Ways to Workout
Making Fitness Work for the Whole Family
By Amanda Wells
At this point, we know fitness is vital. We also know how important the quality time we spend with our kids is to their, as well as our, well-being. Any type of physical activity can quickly become a family affair. (more)


Kids Live What they Learn
Parents Can Combat Childhood Obesity
“If you don't want fat kids, don't live a fat family life,” says fitness expert and author Tom Gilliam. Here, he offers some simple yet powerful ideas for getting kids (and maybe you, too) excited about getting fit. (more)


The Beginner's Guide to Fitness
By Amanda Wells
Clint Barr, President of Raising the Barr Fitness, a private one-on-one personal training studio in Jackson, offers tips for those embarking on a new fitness journey. (more)


Among the Animals: Mississippi
Gives Children a Close-up View of the State's Natural World
In his first children’s book, renowned wildlife photographer Stephen Kirkpatrick invites young explorers to go on a grand adventure through the forests, fields, swamps, and waterways of Mississippi and discover the sometimes hidden world of the animals that live all around us. (more)


P&K Q&A
With Nature Photographer Stephen Kirkpatrick
P&K: Why should parents get outside with their kids? Kirkpatrick: Why not? Seriously, the outdoors is the "great equalizer." What I mean by that is, in this fast-paced world we live in, nature never changes speeds. (more)


P&K Tested
Wingscapes BirdCam lets anyone be a nature photographer
Whether your family enjoys feeding birds or watching them through a window, the Wingscapes BirdCam makes this fun activity easier and more enjoyable. Wingscapes BirdCam is a weatherproof, motion-activated digital camera that captures high-resolution photos and videos of birds while you’re away. (more)


Birding With Children
If we've piqued your family's interest in the outdoors, another locally produced book, Birding for Children, written by Art Minton and illustrated by Patrick Grogan may also interest your children. (more)


To Blog or Not To Blog
An Electronic Alternative to Scrapbooking
By Carrie Bevell Partridge
A few weeks ago, I finally acted on my husband's long-time prompting to start my own blog. He knows how much I love to write and share stories about our family and the lessons I'm learning through our daily lives. He also knows how addicted I can be to the computer (Anybody else love Facebook?!). So it was perfect. (more)


Baby On Board!
Keeping the Romance of Travel Alive With Your Infant or Toddler
By Dana Thomas
Before my husband and I had our son, we dined at all the great restaurants, frequented the theatres and traveled to our hearts’ content. Traveling is something my husband and I both enjoy. So we kept it up after the birth of our son. When we would mention to other parents that we took our baby on a cruise we would always get the same remark “Why?” (more)


Fun Things to do for Fall
Plan a fun activity for every day in October! (more)


New Orleans Now
Accessible, Exotic & Family Friendly
By Gretchen Cook
When you think of New Orleans, you may automatically pull up those Mardi Gras images from Bourbon Street. And yes, that is a part of NOLA. But there is another side that makes New Orleans a great place for a family weekend. (more)


Wickedly Wonderful Treats
Bewitching tricks for treats that make celebrating easy!
Ready for some wacky Halloween fun? Get those cauldrons a-bubbling and whip up spook-a-licious treats for your ghostly guests. The witches and wizards will surely do some wand-waving to get to the head of the table, but have no fear--one bite of these magical morsels, and they’ll be forever enchanted. (more)


Parents & Kids Magazine Calendar
October 2008
Calendar of family events for October 2008. (more)