From time to time, Suburban Mom and NJ Kids like to introduce you to one of our friends – and hopefully together we can learn about some of the great programs offered throughout our state.  Today:  Mary Ann Riel and The Summer Theatre Camp of Montclair.  So many of our youngsters are smitten by the theater, so we thought it’d be a great for you to get to know one of the great women who are working with our kids and helping them lea.... read more

Dear Friends,   Mother's Day has come and gone, and, for most of us, it's back to the real world.   Certainly, we all relished the homemade cards and gifts and enjoyed the breakfast in bed (tackling the kitchen where the breakfast was prepared is another story) but now the 24-hour respite is over and there are school lunches to prepare, laundry to sort, wash, fold and put away, after school chauffeur duties and dinner to cook. &.... read more

SYNOPSIS: Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby" tells the story of a Midwestern war veteran who finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor in 1920s Long Island. Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language.     Released in Theaters: May 10, 2013 (2D, 3D) Genre: Drama, Romance.... read more

I treasure the special bond my children share with their grandparents – although, of course, I always wonder how these people (aka our parents) can be the same ones who engaged such strict rules and held such high expectations and yet now believe that an entire box of Mallomars is an acceptable snack and barely raise an eyebrow when they discover a chocolaty smudge on the wall. Oh well. So they’ve got the kids fooled.  Still, the time they .... read more

It’s been over six months since Hurricane Sandy came crashing into the tri-state area, devastating a large swath of the Jersey Shore.  Many of the beachside towns are still trying to recover – but the summer won’t be a complete washout! Many boardwalks have been repaired and many beaches are targeting to open Memorial Day weekend.  Check out our list of towns open for business – plus some nearby summer fun sites and don’t miss act.... read more

Dear Friends,   I've starting spending an hour or two every month visiting the web pages of my favorite sites around NJ and jotting down a list of upcoming special events. A visit to a museum, arboretum or historical landmark is always a fun outing - but a special event can make it even more exciting. Here are just a few upcoming events in the next month or so I thought you'd like to know about:   Hit the Mine Run dump and dig for .... read more

Every morning, countless of working moms head off to the office – and regardless of where you stand on the stay-at-home versus working mother debate, there is no doubt it’s never easy leaving the kids behind in someone else’s care.  "And I Thought About You" written by Rosanne Kurstedt and illustrated by Lisa Carletta-Vieites captures perfectly this emotional roller coaster in a beautifully crafted story about a working mom who, even in the .... read more

SYNOPSIS: Tony Stark is a responsible guy now, with a nice girlfriend (Pepper Potts), a cool pad, and all the cash you'd ever need. But he's still reeling from the events of "The Avengers," and when his world is torn apart by the terrorist Mandarin, he begins an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.  Reel Rating: 5 out of 5 Reels MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggest.... read more

If you ask me, the perfect trip combines city sightseeing with outdoor exploration.  We found this with our summer trip to Seattle, Victoria, BC and the Olympic National Park.  Even if you can’t spare the full 10 days, portions of this trip can be split up and done as a stand-alone vacation.  The Pacific Northwest is definitely a great family destination. Day One - After a morning flight from Newark, we arrived in Seattle just a.... read more

From time to time, Suburban Mom and NJ Kids like to introduce you to one of our friends – and hopefully together we can learn about some of the great businesses in our state.  Today: Michael Bachman and PM Pediatrics.  Read on to see how Dr. Bachman is working to create positive and accessible urgent care for children – and helping to foster a relationship with families that is based in comfort, ease and convenience.  Importantly, .... read more