Moms & Dads | Sun Sentinel Blogs

Car keys: In need of cheap copies

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:20:43 GMT

In my haste to get the family back in the house after a long evening, I misplaced my keys.

I was sure they would reappear shortly, but it's been a month now. Fortunately we had an extra set.

I have been stunned at how expensive it is to replace these keys. $180 at Delray Honda! I bought a key online for $4 that promised to match my car, but when I brought it to Honda, I was told it wouldn't work.

So I am hunting for a way to copy complicated car keys at a moderate price. Let me know if you have found a way to avoid these high fees.

Photo: AP photo/Ford Motor Co.

New Fantasyland celebrates grand opening

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:08:47 GMT

From left, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), pop star Jordin Sparks and Mickey Mouse cut the ribbon to officially open New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney World celebrated its grand opening of the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland on Dec. 6 with flair, fireworks, fun and, of course, a huge dose of Disney magic. Guests can finally enjoy all the new attractions and dining they’ve been anxiously waiting for as part of the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom’s history.

Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” Jordin Sparks, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs and Mickey Mouse officially cut the ribbon in front of Gaston’s Tavern, which serves up a roasted pork shank, sides of veggies, cinnamon rolls and LeFou’s Brew, a signature frozen apple juice beverage with toasted marshmallow and topped with a passion fruit/mango foam.

“Walt Disney once promised that Disneyland, and by extension all of our parks, would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world,” Staggs said. “New Fantasyland is a spectacular addition to the Magic Kingdom that delivers on Walt’s promise. We’re thrilled to take guests beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle to discover new worlds featuring iconic Disney characters and stories in ways that are more imaginative, more interactive and more immersive than ever before.”

Fantasyland is now double the size and consists of the Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus.

Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” was present to experience the film come to life in the Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid ride. Guests go “under the sea” in clamshells and watch the story play out amid colorful characters, scenery from the movie and favorite songs. While riders wait, they can check out Prince Eric’s Castle. After the ride, guests can meet Ariel in Ariel’s Grotto.

The classic “Beauty and the Beast” film also comes to life in New Fantasyland at the Enchanted Tales With Belle attraction. Guests are able to take part in a live storytelling experience with Lumiere and Belle that includes costumes, props and interactions.

A trip to New Fantasyland wouldn’t be complete without stopping for a meal in the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Sit under gorgeous chandeliers and see a magical “snowfall” in the ballroom, or venture into the Rose Gallery and West Wing of the Beast’s Castle. French-inspired cuisine is served, as is beer and wine, a first for the Magic Kingdom. Two items you must try are the Grey Stuff (it’s delicious) and the Lasseter wine, created by the director of Disney-Pixar’s “Cars,” John Lasseter, at his family’s winery in California. Be Our Guest Restaurant offers quick-serve meals during the day and full-service table dining at night. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

Other attractions that opened earlier this year include Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, now with two Dumbos and circus-themed queue activities, and the Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini, a family-style roller coaster.

Up next is Princess Fairytale Hall set to open in 2013. This will be the new home for the Disney princesses, who will be available for meet-and-greets and photos with guests in the Castle Courtyard at the center of Fantasyland. We got a sneak peak at the upcoming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, set to open in 2014. This will be a family-style coaster utilizing new technology in which the train cars will swing back and forth as well as take you through a storytelling ride experience.

Splitsville set to open at Downtown Disney Dec. 19

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:54:08 GMT

The wait is almost over for the opening of Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort. Set to open Dec. 19, Splitsville offers plenty of food, fun and games for both families and adults.

The upscale, two-story retro-style bowling venue is the largest of the brand’s locations. The 50,000-foot Splitsville boasts 30 lanes, billiards, live entertainment, a balcony bar and fine dining. Lanes and tables are nontraditionally divided up around the facility, which makes for a more social experience. There is plenty of room for large groups, as well as opportunities for a couple’s night out.

“Splitsville is a perfect fit for Downtown Disney,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “From a new twist on a beloved sport to an impressive menu you’ve never expect to find in a bowling facility, Splitsville offers a great experience that complements our other unique offerings at Downtown Disney. I’m sure it will quickly become a guest favorite.”

For families and kids, Splitsville’s menu offers favorites such as pizza and burgers, and for those with more evolved tastes, there also is a variety of sushi, fish dishes, salads and steaks.

When it comes to bowling, there are accommodations for everyone. There are guides and gutter blockers for kids, plus shoes in all sizes. There are also lane concierges available each night to help maximize the bowling experience for guests. Splitsville will also offer adult-only evenings upstairs, which has several bars and stunning views of Downtown Disney.
The venue will also be available for birthday parties and corporate events.

For more information, visit www.splitsvillelanes.com.

'Odd Life of Timothy Green' star Odeya Rush: Being different is beautiful

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:34:53 GMT

Like her character, Joni Jerome, in Disney’s “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” out on DVD and Blu-ray Dec. 4, Odeya Rush is wise, unique and insightful. She was born in Israel and moved to the United States when she was 9 years old. The talented, 15-year-old, up-and-coming star has always known she’s wanted to act. Her early days of performing include putting on plays to keep her two sets of younger twin brothers entertained.

In the film, Joni is a complex, somewhat estranged girl, who slowly begins to open up after meeting the strange but loveable Timothy Green, played by CJ Adams, and the two form a special bond. The movie embodies a lot of firsts — first loves, first losses, first-time parenting challenges, first mistakes. Everyone will be able to relate to something in the film that’s available just in time for the holidays.

First of all, your name is so beautiful. What were your parents’ inspirations when they were choosing your name?
It’s an interesting story, actually… I’m Jewish [and] … it’s from the [Old Testament].... They thought of many other names, but they couldn’t exactly agree. My dad just opened the book and the first sentence he saw, it was in Hebrew… My name, Odeya, means “Thank God.” So that’s where they found it.

How long have you known you wanted to be an actress?
Ever since I was very young. Ever since I could remember. I’ve always performed. I’ve done plays at home. I have four younger brothers; they’re actually two sets of twins. They’re one year apart. So we had four babies at home at one time. My mom just wanted me to do something with them …. go keep them occupied. So I would sit them on the steps — one set on one step and the other set on the step above — and I would put shows on, you know, do things that I saw from TV shows or whatever my teacher did at school or things that I’ve come up with myself, so I’ve always been a performer since a really young age.

Do you go to school?
I go to regular public school. And when I’m on set, I do school on set.

What’s your favorite subject?
Math or history.

How did you prepare for your role as Joni? Were there any particular personal experiences you drew from?
I think for the majority of the film, Joni feels estranged from her environment. And when Timothy comes in, he kind of … makes [her life] better because she doesn’t like … being different and strange. And there are things about me that kind of set me apart from the rest of the people I hang out with and people I know. So I drew that and installed it into my character, Joni. And just things that have happened in my life or things that I’ve seen happen to other people — I put that all into my interpretation of who Joni is.

How was having Timothy around comforting for Joni?
Joni [has a] birthmark; [it] is something she was born with, and it’s not something you can change about yourself. It’s … the way you enter the universe. She wants to hide it. She doesn’t like it. She thinks it makes her different and ugly, but Timothy encourages her to expose it and tells her that the thing that sets her apart actually makes her more beautiful. And you have to learn to accept those things about yourself because you cannot change them. And if you don’t learn to accept those things, then other people won’t accept you for them.

How has meeting Timothy changed Joni?
Throughout the film, Timothy opens Joni up and kind of makes her … sweeter and accepting and welcoming and warm, and I think now she’s going down much easier times becoming friends with … people. She’s going to be more approachable and nicer … and let people in more. I think that’s what Timothy did; he opened her up to the world and showed her that, you know, you don’t have to be so cold and mean and guarded.

Why does Timothy’s mother, Cindy (Jennifer Garner), think Joni is a bad influence on Timothy?
I think it’s a combination of things. Timothy is just entering Cindy’s life, and she doesn’t want suddenly for her child to be torn away and spending so much time with this other female. I think it’s a mixture of jealousy and also … really a lot of protection. … You have to think of it as Timothy is almost her newborn baby because this is the first time she’s ever had a child or been a parent, and she’s so protective and always thinking, ‘I wonder if this could hurt my child. I don’t want that to happen. I’d rather him be unhappy for this moment than for him to get hurt later on.’ So I think it’s a mixture of protection and jealousy. ... Joni was a little strange at first, but Cindy gets to know her… and then appreciates that her son is actually spending time with someone who’s so … special.

What was your most memorable moment from filming the movie?
Definitely filming the underwater scene; I thought that was really cool. I learned how to scuba dive. All the hand signals from under water and filming under water is just really insanely cool. And I want to do it again because, you know, it’s not something you get to do every day.

How does scuba diving help you film the underwater scene?
When you’re filming under water, between takes, I have the oxygen that I breathe from, and they say ‘action,’ and I give it to the guy who’s holding the tank, and then I do my scene really quickly, and then they say ‘cut,’ and I come back and get more air.

Do you remember how many takes that scene took?
I think from every angle we did about three or four. We took two days to do that scene because we had one day for the outdoor and the diving in and the birthday party, and then we did the whole other day just for under water.

Did you make any lasting friendships on set? Is there anyone you still keep in touch with or maybe hope to work with again?
Yes, many people. I think definitely Peter Hedges, the director; he’s very close to not just me but my entire family. His family, we hang out a lot now, so I developed a friendship with Peter and Jennifer [Garner] and Joel [Edgerton] and CJ [Adams] and also a lot of the crew. I have a lot of makeup artist and props and everyone, and we still stay in touch. … I’m very thankful for doing this movie because of the friendships that I formed.

What is your next upcoming acting role?
I’m doing movie called “Mary, Mother of Christ,” where I will be playing the title role, Mary. It’s with Ben Kingsley and Peter O’Toole, and I’m so psyched about that, and I cannot wait. Then I have another film called “The Locals” … and I’m playing the lead there, too, so those are some big things that are coming up.

Photo/Phil Bray ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Holding Leo's Hand: Watching Little Brother

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:30:00 GMT

"How many autistic children do you have?"

The question stunned me. We had brought Leo, 3, and his brother Angelo, 1, to an event at Nova Southeastern University, where other autistic children and their parents had an opportunity to relax, play and mingle. Leo was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, which is on the Autism Spectrum, earlier this year. We enrolled him at the Baudhuin Preschool, where he's getting the kind of intensive educational treatment he needs to adapt to his condition and thrive. We're pleased at the progress he's been making so far. We know we have a long way to go.

"How many autistic children do you have?"

Why had it not occurred to me, before I was asked this question, to even wonder whether Leo's little brother might be facing the same challenge?

Angelo is now 18 months old. He's definitely talking more than Leo did at his age. In fact, there are times when it seems Angelo's brain moves faster than his mouth -- he wants to say things, to communicate things, but doesn't yet know the words or how to articulate them. He strikes us all as, dare we say it, "normal."

According to a recent study, the younger sibling of a child with autism has a little less than a 20 percent chance of developing the disorder. That's a higher number than I want to confront. I see my younger son laughing on a swing, running to hug me or his Mommy, saying "cheers!" whenever Mickey picks a mouse-ka-tool. I see him stacking blocks, seven, eight, nine high (Leo could barely do seven, even when he was older than that). I don't see Angelo lining up his toys, something Leo used to do with regularity.

Is Angelo going to develop PDD or some other form of autism? We do not know. We are not worried. We'll look for the signs. We'll talk to our pediatrician. We won't be afraid.

"How many autistic children do you have?"

As many as we can love.

Chris Pine: ‘Rise of the Guardians’ is like ‘The Avengers’ for kids

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:59:01 GMT

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Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman — we all know who they are, but what we didn’t know is that they’re part of an elite superhero-like force, the Guardians, who silently watch over and protect us during their off seasons.
At least that’s the premise for DreamWords Animation’s newest film, “Rise of the Guardians,” in theaters Nov. 21. Children’s imaginations, dreams and beliefs are at stake in this film, as evil spirit Pitch seeks to take over the world.
South Florida Parenting recently caught up with Chris Pine, who told us about his character in the movie, Jack Frost, whom the Guardians enlist to help defeat the enemy, Pitch. But it’s not all fun and games for Jack, who’s also seeking to figure out his place and purpose in life.

Can you tell us a little bit about your character?
Well, I play a character named Jack Frost, who is the spirit of mischief and fun, and he’s the guy that brings snow days and snowball fights. And he’s been asked by the rest of the Guardians of childhood comprised of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny [and] Sandman, the bringer of dreams. He’s been asked to join them in order to fight off this enemy called Pitch, voiced by Jude Law, who is the bringer of nightmares and fear and anxiety. And really the story is about belief and the power of the imagination. And the power of the imagination … conquers all.

Jack Frost is commonly portrayed as sinister and a villain. How is he different in this movie, and what is it about him that the Guardians need to fight the enemy?
It’s a hard question because it’s kind of central to the story. I mean, Jack in our story is not the villain… He’s kind of the spirit of fun… It’s like he has a wink in his eye all the time. Jack is asked to come onboard as one of the Guardians, and Jack’s been a loner all of his existence, and he’s never really felt like he’s been part of a group. And he’s never really felt like he’s belonged, and he doesn’t remember where exactly he’s from. So Jack’s journey in this movie is wrapped up into all those questions of who am I, and what am I about, and what is my purpose? And it’s kind of really a central human question. So I think what people attach to, whether you are an adult or a kid, are these real pivotal questions that we all deal with…

People of all ages often are drawn to animated films, but what do you think children in particular will take away from this movie?
Well, I think what’s fun about it is that it’s all these characters and names we’ve grown up believing in. … I remember growing up myself that I believed ... Santa Claus, obviously, and the Tooth Fairy and Sandman... And, you know, even Jack Frost I remember from the Christmas carols. So I think what’s interesting is to have all these [discrete] characters from … childhood linked up and united as kind of one force and seeing them together. So I think the story is unique, and I think also visually it’s a lot different than what kids have seen. There is … a superhero element to this film… This is … “The Avengers” for young kids.

What got you excited about being part of this film and playing your character?
I guess really what excited me about the film was the opportunity to work with all these wonderful actors and film makers. I’m a huge fan of Alec [Baldwin] (North) and Hugh [Jackman] (E. Aster Bunnymund). And I know with [Co-Executive Producer] Guillermo’s [del Toro] involvement it sounded like it was going to be a different kind of film. And I loved the idea of all of these characters … we all knew as children and kind of grew up believing in — this idea that they all knew one another. … I thought it was a unique take on a universally shared series of stories. And the idea of linking them together I thought was very interesting.

This is your first time doing an animated movie. How does it compare to doing live action? Do you have a preference?
I don’t prefer one to the other. They are definitely different beasts, for sure. The big challenge that I had in animation … is that the only tool you have — the only instrument you have — is your voice. You have to really use and modulate your voice to paint the picture of the character because the rest is … up to the animators. So I learned a great deal watching and listening to Alec [Baldwin], who, as you can tell even from the trailer, has an incredible ability to control and shift and shape his own voice...

When you work on an animated movie, do you mostly do solitary work in the booth?
You know, it’s a really odd way to make a film. Film making is such a collaborative experience; usually, when you get on set, … you have all different kinds of film makers, and you have the … prop people and the camera men, the camera operators, the loaders, the costumers, the writers, the directors, the producers… The animated film is a lot more piecemeal. You rarely get a chance to meet everybody until … way far down the line. So most of the work was done in a booth by myself. You’re with the director, the producer and the creative team, and I only got one opportunity to work with another actor, which was Alec [Baldwin], which was great.

What is it about your family that made you who you are today? And what was the best advice you learned from your parents?
… I was lucky to have a strong family; [my parents have] been together for over 40 years, and so I was very lucky in that respect. … There is not one particular best piece of advice, but I think a lot of times actions speak louder than words, obviously, and I felt at least growing up a constant belief in me from my parents. So I always felt like no matter what I chose to do or who I ended up becoming, I would be loved regardless. And that implicit support is probably more important than anything.

You seem to have a natural knack for comedy. What’s your favorite kind of character to play? Do you like to play funny, romantic, tough, animated?
I think you’ve kind of hit them all. I think in acting you get a chance to do everything. … I love action, and … I used to pretend that I was a spy when I was a kid. … I love comedy; I like characters that don’t take themselves all that seriously and can be made fun of.

Photo/DreamWorks Animation

Jam with Radio Disney this weekend at Zoo Miami

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:55:30 GMT

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Take the whole family to Zoo Miami on Saturday for an event celebrating the release of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” on Blu-ray and DVD, out today.

Jam out with Radio Disney from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and participate in games, activities and dancing.

Get there early because the first 100 kids will receive a free gift!

Zoo Miami is at 12400 SW 152nd St. Miami. General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child ages 3 to 12 plus tax. Children 2 and younger, Zoological Society of Florida members and parking are free. For more information, visit zoomiami.org or call 305-251-0400.

Publix deli line: Why I order ahead

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:08:10 GMT

It's not good for my kids to see me stress out as we approach the Publix deli line.

The line is often 10 people deep, and no one looks happy. Everyone is confused over whether to take a number or not. Inevitably, the person in front of me has a seemingly endless order of turkey, chicken, meats and cheeses, and must get a taste of each one before proceeding.

I try to get there early in the morning to avoid the line. But when I can't, I've figured out a new way to approach the line: by ordering ahead.

I call the day before to place my order and it's ready when I get there. What a relief to avoid that wait! The only problem is I have to go up to the counter to get my little package. Those in line have not looked too happy.

Photo: Amy Beth Bennett/Sun-Sentinel

Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’ is electric

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 22:53:11 GMT

Victor Frankenstein and Sparky in "Frankenweenie" directed by Tim Burton and presented by Walt Disney Pictures. Photo/Disney

It’s a film of opposites. Black and white. Good and evil. Fun and fright. But only one word comes to mind when summing it up: Magical.

Tim Burton’s creative genius has come back to life in his latest stop-motion Disney animated flick, “Frankenweenie.” This film about a boy and his dog will appeal to a wide range of ages and personalities. Dog lover or not, the story will pull at your heartstrings. Tender moments of love and affection create a sense of relateability to the quirky animated characters.

In the black-and-white film, a boy named Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) uses his love for science to bring his dog, Sparky, back to life. Even though you already know Sparky’s fate based on the premise of the movie, the scene of him being hit by a car is capable of drawing tears — until Victor, a boy of few companions who takes solace in science experiments, brings Sparky back to life in his attic using lighting and electricity. The “Frankenstein”-esque scene is one of Burton’s references to horror classics; other nods include characters’ names, such as Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar “E” Gore and Mr. Burgemeister.

When classmate Edgar learns of Victor’s “experiment,” he blackmails Victor into teaching him his method. They re-create the experiment on a dead goldfish, but the result was a more sinister, invisible monster fish. Victor seeks advice from his forward-thinking science teacher Mr. Rzykruski (Martin Landau), who tells him that science can be used for good or evil, so he must be careful. He asks Victor if he loved the second experiment the way he loved the first. Since Victor says no, Mr. Rzykruski says the lack of love was a change in the variables, resulting in the disastrous second outcome. The lesson learned is that we are all capable of both good and evil, and it’s up to us to decide which path we take.

Edgar spills the beans to more children who then try to one-up him by conducting the experiment themselves but unintentionally create monsters that menace the town (which looks like it was plucked right out of “Edward Scissorhands”).

The movie also stars Burton veterans Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands”), Catherine O’Hara (“Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), Martin Short (“Mars Attacks!”) and Martin Landau (“Ed Wood,” Sleepy Hollow”).

Charged with just the right amount of positive and negative, “Frankenweenie” is the perfect movie for this time of year and one that Disney can add to its Halloween bag of tricks — and treats.

“Frankenweenie,” in theaters Oct. 5, is rated PG; some material may be too intense for the littlest of moviegoers, so parents should use their judgment. Go to disney.com/frankenweenie.

Brandeis Books: When your kid needs a book fast and you don't want to pay full price

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:59:31 GMT

If your kid is like mine, she tells you the night before that she needs a book for school the next day, and she expects you to magically produce it.

I always chide her for not giving me enough notice. Then I check the library to see if I can pick it up, since I don't want to pay full price at a bookstore.

But she usually needs the book for more than a month, and wants to take notes in it. Fortunately, I have found a terrific used book store, Brandeis Books, in West Boca, which raises money for Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. (my alma mater).

I call first and the volunteers check to see if they have it. They always do. Yesterday I picked up "Animal Farm," by George Orwell. I paid $3.18.

One day I will walk through there and explore. The shelves are teeming with classics and bestsellers. I have many at home that I am eager to donate too. Brandeis Books is at 9050 Kimberly Blvd., 561-852-2650.

Photo: Reuters

Walt Disney World debuts its first Jack and Sally meet-and-greets this weekend at Downtown Disney

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:50:39 GMT

As if Downtown Disney isn’t cool enough with all the Disney fun available without the price of a park ticket, now it’s even cooler with Walt Disney World’s first-ever Jack and Sally (from the “Nightmare Before Christmas”) character meet-and-greets during “Frankenweenie Weekend.”

To celebrate Disney’s new animated movie, “Frankenweenie,” directed by Tim Burton and opening in 3-D Oct. 5, Downtown Disney is hosting events and experiences inspired by the film, as well as “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Alice in Wonderland.” The fun will all go down at Downtown Disney’s West Side from Sept. 28 to 30.

See special 3-D screenings of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Alice in Wonderland,” featuring a 3-D extended preview of “Frankenweenie,” at AMC Downtown Disney 24. Tickets cost $6. Show times are 4:15 and 8 p.m. for “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. for “Alice in Wonderland.”

After the movie, stop by the New Holland Pet Cemetery picture spot (between AMC Downtown Disney 24 and Something Silver boutique from 6 to 11 p.m.) and get a photo with “Frankenweenie” backgrounds.

Jack and Sally will be out also from 6 to 11 p.m. between AMC Downtown Disney 24 and Harley Davidson.

And, of course, there will be special “Frankenweenie” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” merchandise available, plus spooky treats, such as Franken Fusion Lemonade and “Frankenweenie” hot dogs.

For more information, go to disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney.

If you need a place to stay, the seven Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels are currently offering a 15 percent discount for Florida residents from now through Dec. 23. Make a reservation at DowntownDisneyHotels.com/deals/promotions.

Photo/Disney

Candy from the '70s: Remember Pixy Stix and Fruit Stripe gum?

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:29:16 GMT

My husband got a great birthday gift that brought back a lot of memories for us both: Candy from the 1970s.
I had not thought of this stuff for several decades and really got a kick out of these sugary snacks that we don't see anymore, especially Red Hots, Caramel Creams, Bit-o-Honey bars, Tootsie Pop Drops, Whatchamacallits and Razzles.

The bubble gum cigars and Round Up candy cigarettes really made me laugh. Can you imagine candy cigarettes being sold today? I had to taste one and it tasted like chalk. Did these things ever taste good?

In many ways, I am still stuck in the '70s. I listen to the '70s channel on XM radio because I think it's the best music ever. And I have to say the candy back then was super creative and funny, but also super sweet and cavity-creating. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, go to OldTimeCandy.com.

Photo: Lois Solomon

With Groupon, why join a health club?

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:53:53 GMT

I don't want traditional health clubs to go out of business. But why pay full-price when Groupon and LivingSocial offer cut rates that last me throughout the year?

I currently have three of these coupons for exercise classes, including zumba, yoga and boot camps. One of them cost $20 for 20 classes; how can any traditional club beat that rate?

I had become bored with the classes at the club I belonged to and decided I was ready for a change. Now I can vary my routine every day and start fresh again at a new club when the current coupons expire, since they come into my email box almost daily.

Still, I feel guilty that many clubs that can't afford to offer these deals could go out of business if people like me continue not to renew.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

Pest control: Should I give in and spray?

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Despite my best efforts to keep it clean, my kitchen is being taken over by palmetto bugs.

They manage to find the tiniest crumb I didn't sweep up. My 13-year-old is afraid to turn on the kitchen light at night, because a big bug is likely to scurry across the floor.

I have resisted hiring a pest control company to eliminate my bugs as I try to limit our exposure to chemicals and toxins. I put out Terro for the ants and last night sprinkled some boric acid for the big guys.

But I am about to give up. We can't live in a house where you never know what will creep up your leg as you are opening the fridge.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

An autism-related apology to my readers

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMT

I'm an idiot.

Not really, but I have needlessly offended some readers, and I want to apologize. In my most recent post (which was published in the Sun Sentinel print edition on Aug. 26), I included a line that rubbed some readers the wrong way. I was writing about how my son, Leo, was playing appropriately with a toy helicopter and a toy truck (the helicopter was held in the air, the truck stayed on the floor). Parents of autistic children no doubt recognize that this is a good thing. What's unremarkable for most children is, for an autistic child, an encouraging sign. My wife was less impressed by this display than I was, likely because she has a better sense of what our son can do. So here's how I phrased it:

She looked at me as if I'd just figured out how to tell the hot water tap from the cold. Our son is on the autism spectrum, not the idiocy spectrum. Different, not less. He knows how to play with toys. What's the big deal?

If you read that to mean that I believe a child who cannot distinguish between a helicopter and a truck is an idiot, then I owe you an apology. It is not what I meant to convey. I am sorry that I chose words that caused you even an ounce of hurt.

What I intended to convey was that it should not have surprised me to see my son doing something he was capable of doing. That's where my wife and I differed. I doubted his capability. My wife did not. I compared it to me not knowing the hot water tap from the cold. You would expect me to know the difference, I should have expected Leo to know a helicopter from a truck.

There are children who are on the autism spectrum who would have trouble playing appropriately with toys. Leo is not in their company. But they are not idiots, and I never meant to imply that they were.

I appreciate your understanding.
Earlier: Holding Leo's Hand
Holding Leo's Hand: Reason to hope
Holding Leo's Hand: Little Big Things

Holding Leo's Hand: Little Big Things

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Well, I thought it was a big deal. And maybe it was. Probably not, but to me...

We know that Leo, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June, has a good prognosis and that he's likely to progress in ways that will make us wonder whether the diagnosis was a mistake (it's not). We also know that he doesn't quite connect with others the way most 3-year-olds do -- he's hesitant to make eye contact and struggles with the concepts of sharing and taking turns. But he's doing very well. We're encouraged.
This weekend, I saw something that thrilled me. My wife was less impressed than I was, likely because she is less fearful about this whole journey than I have been. Anyway, here's what it was: We were told that autistic children tend to play with toys differently than other children. They line up their toys (Leo does that) and they use objects in ways other than intended. I remember being asked if he pretends toy planes can fly. I don't recall the answer. I thought so, but I couldn't be sure.

Well, this weekend, I was sure. Leo was playing with a toy helicopter in one hand and a truck in the other. And while he kept the truck on the floor, he held the copter in the air.

"Did you see that?" I asked my wife. She looked at me as if I'd just figured out how to tell the hot water tap from the cold. Our son is on the autism spectrum, not the idiot spectrum. Different, not less. He knows how to play with toys. What's the big deal?

I want that confidence. I want to put every achievement in a proper, "normal" perspective. I want to smile at the little things and save the "oohs and aahs," the "marvel," for the big things, like an A on a calculus test or something. There's no need to feel giddy about the fact that Leo recognizes the difference between a helicopter and a truck and adjusts his play accordingly. No reason at all.

But I'm giddy. Sue me.

If you're curious about whether your toddler might be autistic, please discuss it with your child's pediatrician.

Other articles in this series:
Holding Leo's Hand
Holding Leo's Hand: Reason to hope

Holding Leo's Hand: Reason to hope

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:00:00 GMT

“Mommy, I want eggs, please.”
“Go tell Daddy.”
July 28, 2012

At some point, we will wonder whether the experts who placed my son Leo on the autism spectrum were simply mistaken. He will speak to us in a clear voice. He will master making eye contact. He will learn to share his toys. He will express his frustration in words instead of seemingly hostile actions. He’s going to be OK.

This was the prognosis we received last week when we brought Leo to a neurologist at the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center in Weston. My wife and I had no idea what to expect when we walked in with Leo, 3. Would they need to do an MRI? Would they have to knock Leo out so that he could lie still in some scary looking machine while some unpronounceable rays scanned his brain? Would they have to knock me out to spare me the fear of watching what they had to do to my son?

None of that. And I was comforted in the knowledge that as much as I have dreaded the journey we are taking with Leo, we are lucky compared to the parents of other children living with autism.
We will wonder whether this was a misdiagnosis, we were told. But it’s not.

After I revealed Leo’s challenge last month, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from family, friends and other parents whose children are on this journey. And I’m embarrassed at our fortune. So many children will never experience the success predicted for Leo. Their parents will never wonder. They know.

“If you’ve met one autistic child, you’ve met one autistic child,” a fellow reporter told me. He spoke from experience. His pre-teen daughter is autistic. He was one of the first people I told, and one of the first to offer me the comfort that the diagnosis is nothing to fear. Even as he described his daughter to me, I realized that his family’s struggle was more intense than mine. I felt lucky. Glad I wasn’t in his shoes. Then guilty. I fear a future he would probably embrace for his own child.

The other day, in a fairly clear voice, Leo asked his mom for eggs. He asked in a way that was almost eerie, because it was something I said would be a sign that this is all some kind of bad dream.

My son is not like other boys. He’s different – not less. He has to learn things other kids take for granted. We have every reason to believe he’ll make significant progress.

But no, we will never wonder. We are the parents of an autistic child. We will never lose sight of that. We will hold his hand as long as we can. Others will hold our hands, in love and support. In time, Leo, my wife and I will be the ones offering a helping hand and letting others know they are not alone.

Afterthought: This article uses two lines that are well known to those who are familiar with the struggles of autistic children and adults. The first is the quote my reporter-friend relayed to me about meeting an autistic child. The second is the term "different, not less." I decided the day after I originally posted this article to include these movie clips which are, for ME, the source of that line. They are from the HBO movie Temple Grandin, about the noted autistic doctor (you read that right). Different, Not Less is also the title of a book she wrote about successful people with autism, Asperger's and ADHD. Good luck keeping a dry eye while watching this.

Some still squeamish about public breast-feeding

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 19:30:15 GMT

Even with all the information out there nowadays promoting breast-feeding and nursing mothers’ rights, there are still breast-feeding-phobes among us. And what’s even more disturbing is that some of these phobes are parents themselves.

The recent incident at Pirates Cove Water Park in Colorado is a perfect example.
After complaints from other parents, a park employee asked a woman to either stop breast-feeding her 10-month-old son in the pool or to cover up or go somewhere private, such as a bathroom, out of respect for others. How is asking a woman to feed her baby in a disgusting bathroom respectful? The woman was nursing in the pool to keep an eye on her other children.

People who complained said their children were seeing too much. Apparently some still think a woman breast-feeding her baby is more obscene than women walking around in skimpy bikinis. The nursing mother’s response: “If you’re not prepared to have tough conversations with your children, then you should rethink parenting.” Ouch.

A group of women enraged about the incident staged a nurse-in a few days later. It’s disheartening that women feel they have to go to these extremes to fight for their rights and their children’s right to have a meal in public like everyone else.

According to an editorial by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Horsey, “From business offices to high school classrooms, modest displays of cleavage are commonplace. Bolder up-front fashions are standard at dance clubs, proms, beaches and bowling alleys. Breasts are so out in the open in America these days that it has become ho-hum. Yet, when a new mom exposes far less skin while trying to satisfy a hungry baby, some people still get upset. Yes, some of them are crudely sexualizing this maternal function, but many others with a more traditional way of looking at the world are simply made uncomfortable when they observe a breastfeeding woman. For them, nursing is a purely private act and it should stay that way.”

Eating has never been a private act. If someone at your table was eating with his mouth open, would you ask him to go finish his meal in the bathroom because you’re seeing too much?

If you’re one of those folks who get uncomfortable around a nursing mother, please give her a break and get over it. She’s not doing it to upset you; she’s giving her hungry baby a meal.

Cartoon by David Horsey, LA Times

Holding Leo's hand

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:00:00 GMT

I don't want to write this one. I figure if I don't, it will all go away and it'll turn out that we've overreacted, misunderstood, misdiagnosed... I figure if I don't acknowledge it publicly, it will go away privately, and I'll wake up tomorrow morning with Leo telling me, in a clear voice, that he's hungry and would like some breakfast, please.

Leo is now 3-and-a-half years old. We noticed a while ago that his speech skills were not developing the same as other children his age.
We figured at the time that every toddler develops at a different pace, so while we took notice of the delay, we weren't worried. Time passed. After he turned two, we had him screened. In many ways, he was on target with other kids his age. We were reassured.

But another year passed, and we watched as other kids his age were speaking more clearly and moving on to potty training and other typical milestones that didn't interest Leo in the slightest. He certainly says more than he used to. It's not as if there's been no progress at all. Still, you just know. Something's not right.

We talked to our pediatrician. She was familiar with the signs we described to her. She gave us one of those official-sounding diagnoses that's really designed to authorize more intense testing and screening. And that's what happened. After Leo turned 3, we confirmed what we needed to hear. Leo has what they call "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified."

In plain English, Leo is sort of autistic. I don't want to overstate his symptoms and make it sound as if he's headed for Rain Man territory. As autism goes, Leo's one of the lucky ones. We've heard of children much older than he who have yet to speak their first words. The more we become immersed in this, the more I'll be able to distinguish between Leo's challenge and those of other children on the autism spectrum.

At the same time, I don't want to minimize the challenge he's been handed (the challenge we've been handed right along with him). We're on this journey now because something's wrong, something we need to address. My wife, a Broward County school teacher, has been a rock throughout this process, making sure we are aware of every available resource for children on the autism spectrum. I've been a mess. But I know we're not alone. We have each other, and we know there's support for Leo and for those of us committed to his growth and development. We're not alone.

Next month, Leo will be a student at the Baudhuin Preschool in Davie. We hear great things about the place. In a lot of ways, Leo's journey begins there. And yes, his mom and I will be with him throughout this journey, holding Leo's hand every step of the way.

If it were up to parents, every child would be diagnosed with every possible illness and/or disorder. Although we had our suspicions, the key thing we did was talk to Leo's pediatrician. If you think your child is facing a similar challenge, or a different one, please talk to your pediatrician. There are organizations in Broward and Palm Beach that engage in autism research and treatment; we'll be writing about them as we get to know them along Leo's journey.

One Direction: Learning to stalk at a young age

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:25:00 GMT

My 13-year-old's dream came true this week: She not only went to the One Direction concerts in Fort Lauderdale AND Orlando, she got to to see the British boy toys up close and in person, by making a concerted effort to hunt them down.

At their Orlando recording studio. At their hotel. Next to their black tour bus as they entered the arena. And in the best part of the story, my daughter and her friends were driving back from Orlando to South Florida and were next to the Brits' bus on Florida's Turnpike. They even stopped at the same rest stop, where the boys bought hamburgers.

As a teen, I had crushes on David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman, but never would have thought to seek them out outside the concert venue. How did our kids become such gutsy thrill-seekers?

Photo: Scope/Abaca Press/MCT

Glee Project: Tyler was my daughter's transgender camp counselor

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:20:00 GMT

Last summer, my daughter, who was 12 at the time, told me about her first day at camp.

The counselors held a meeting with the kids to talk about their counselor Tyler, who they may have remembered as "Brittany," a girl counselor, the previous summer. Tyler was in the process of becoming a man.

As the summer went on, I asked a few questions, such as which bathrooms he was using and which counselors he shared rooms with on trips (male in both cases). But it was clearly not a big deal to my daughter, or to any of her campmates as far as I could tell.

Now Tyler is on "The Glee Project," the competition to be on "Glee" that started last night. I did not know he had musical talent or sought to be a star and regret not getting to know him better last summer. He is certainly open about telling his story, as I learned on TV last night.

Photo: Tyler Golden/Oxygen Media

Middle schools take away lockers too soon

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:55:00 GMT

I know it's the end of the school year and adolescents are prone to pranks. But why order kids to give up their lockers two weeks before school is over?

I see the rationale behind not saving it for the last day. Troublemakers would use the lockers to store shaving cream or other gags they can't get detention for because school is over.

Maybe the pranks start earlier than I imagined. But all I see when I drop off in the morning is kids walking almost lopsided, carrying enormous stacks of books and notebooks, as well as their lunches and other bags, all to prevent the mischief of a few.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

South Florida Fairgrounds: A great place for graduation

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:21:00 GMT

I was skeptical when I learned my daughter's high school graduation was going to be at the South Florida Fairgrounds. I pictured the South Florida Fair and its rides, crowds and live animals.

But I saw how wrong I was after attending her graduation yesterday at the fairgrounds' Expo Center. The center was clean, well air conditioned, had a good sound system and a good parking plan. It easily sat the few thousand people in attendance and there was no panic over who was going to get the best seats.

The Palm Beach County School District moved graduations to the fairgrounds this year from the Palm Beach County Convention Center to save $100,000. I have to congratulate the district for doing something right.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

Should teens taste parents' wine?

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:20:00 GMT

My husband is becoming an amateur wine conoisseur, and has been offering tastes to my kids. One of my teens has become quite interested in whatever we are sampling.

This makes me uncomfortable. Should she be enjoying alcohol, even it's just a taste, at this age? Does wine become a gateway to harder drinks?

It's been an interesting change of attitude for my teenager. She was appalled a few years ago when we started sampling wines, having absorbed the message, beaten into her head in school, that alcohol was a horrible product associated with drunk driving. Now that she's getting older, I hope she learns that wine is acceptable in a glass with dinner, but not in excess at the high school parties I'm sure she will experience.

Photo: Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune

Happy 420 Day, kids! Don't eat those brownies

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:01:00 GMT

I had never heard of 420 Day, also known as "National Smoke Weed Day," until our high school principal robocalled us last night.

He warned us that kids were going to be skipping classes and bringing unacceptable foods (pot brownies?) onto the campus that could be confiscated.

I had to ask my kids what he was talking about, and they knew exactly. April 20 is a designated date (and time, 4:20) to smoke pot, apparently begun in California in the 1970s.

Not sure why anyone who smokes pot would wait for a designated date and time. But the principal's call did open up a conversation with my kids about drugs, so thanks, Mr. Latson, for the heads-up!

Photo: Rick Wilking/Reuters