Baking vegetables brings out the natural sweetness in them and with summer right around the corner these would be perfect to put a vegetable pan right on the grill and you have a simple side dish.  The secret, however, is in the sauce! Start by trimming the ends off fresh Brussel Sprouts and tossing with Olive Oil and Sea Salt. Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 30 minutes or until brown and tender

While sprouts are roasting, mix 1/4 cup. Pure Maple Syrup, pinch of Sea Salt, 2 TBSP. Olive Oil, and 2 squirts of Dijon Mustard – I know I’m so accurate but what’s the fun in that? Eyeball and adjust to your taste!

Pour the mixture over the warm sprouts and toss. Serve immediately and enjoy : )

The post Roasted Maple Dijon Brussel Sprouts appeared first on YorkMama.com.

THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY of course the title pretty much says it all. The reason this tops my perennial favorite is because right after Christmas, when everyone is buying up the wrapping paper on the cheap for next year, you can also hunt the clearance racks for some amazingly ugly sweaters. So you think the sweaters everyone wore to this year’s party was bad, just wait till you see what they found for next year! Make certain to have lots of disposable cameras around! Goodness, just google ugly sweaters and you can start  your shopping pronto!

WINTER WHITE OUT is another one that improves with age. My favorite invitation for this one is to write the party details on a white sheet of paper in invisible ink and to send a decoder pen with it. You can ask guests to wear all white and/ or make it a potluck and ask them to bring a ‘white’ food item…as everyone arrives they become inspired by the other guests offerings and next year you will be amazed at what everyone creates! Don’t get too fussy on the details however…really white food is kind of hard to come by, never scorn your guests or allow others to simply because their garbanzo bean salad isn’t as white as the pure driven snow. When you tire of white why not try a BLUE CHRISTMAS?

 A CAROLLING PARTY need I say more? Everyone (pretty much) knows the words to the songs already and really, there are few things that sound more festive than a bunch of people singing. Take it to the streets or in your living room in front of a fire while everyone helps decorate a tree, it’s a good, good time.

COOKIE EXCHANGE is the one most celebrated in my home. I love everything about it. So often our lives get too busy and this is my one chance a year to gather all the people I may not have seen for the entire year and welcome them into my home. It started with a dozen or so friends 15 years ago and is now up to over 50 friends! I supply bakery boxes and everyone brings X amount of one kind of cookie. I extend my dining room table to it’s full 12’ length and at the end of the evening we all circle the table oo’ing and ahh’ing over everyone’s creations, comparing recipes and tips and collecting some of each to take home to share with our own family and friends over the holiday season.

The great thing about traditions is that it really is never too late to start one. I’d love to hear what your holiday traditions are and how they began!

Yours In Planning-A.H.

The post Holiday Party Ideas appeared first on YorkMama.com.

When a conversation was started the other evening between my husband and his daughter (my bonus daughter as I refer to her) as to when she was having our new grandson baptized, I knew of course this is one of those milestones for which I live and breathe. The problem was she had no intention of getting this kewpie doll I call my grandson baptized. She did not want to be hypocritical and make a promise to God that she would raise him in a church. She was raised Catholic and is simply not a fan of organized religion. Needing an alternative, the discussion began as it would with any of my clients, what she pictured and what she didn’t and the words ‘like a baby blessing’ poured out of me and felt so right to us both.

So the research began and lo and behold there are such things as baby blessings!! We found a wonderful Reverend to work with and all the planning begins. What we know now is that it shall be on a (hopefully) beautiful summer day, in a pavilion on top of an 885’ ridge overlooking the river, our baby Lucas will have the blessings of many and his mother’s promise to God will be a sincere one. I will work with the Rev to make certain the water ritual and the fellowship will be fulfilling to all in attendance.

One should not go through life dismissing milestones; these are so often the things we hold in our memories the longest and with great fondness.
Enjoy yourself; it’s later than you think.
Yours in planning, Amy

The post One Baby’s Blessing appeared first on YorkMama.com.

Frankly, I don’t know what Erica, my editor, was thinking.  But perhaps she was taken in by my crazy varied experience:  had my own babysitting business at 15, went on to be a group leader at a Christian day care.  Then I was a private nanny for a while once I got married (but she was crazy) so I left there in favor of a ghetto child care in rural North Carolina, where we were living at the time.  After that I worked in the Teaching Materials Center in the college library where I went to school.  Then we moved back to MD to be near my family and I continued to pursue my education degree.

I have student taught, group taught and observed a gazillion classrooms, all different teachers and situations and demographics, from Baltimore city schools to suburban schools to a Catholic school.  I’ve volunteered as a Sunday school teacher.   I have worked with ADD, ADHD, developmentally delayed and ESL kids.  I have a dual degree in elementary education and liberal studies. (I didn’t choose a dual degree, the college made me).  Then I worked at an educational resource store for 4 years before becoming pregnant with my first child, who is now 6.  Now I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old as well.  My husband was deployed for a year and now works for a company that has him traveling 30-50% of the time.  I’ve been home alone with my children a lot.  I’ve used my pediatrician’s office like a crisis hot line and taken my eldest to a play therapist in desperation.  I have read the equivalent of a small library of parenting books.  I know that of which I speak.  What I don’t know, I research like crazy and everything else I make up.

That being said, let me just share with you my top ten pet peeves (you’ll find I like making lists…I’m kind of anal that way):

1.  Mamby Pamby parents. Don’t be a mamby pamby.  Be the adult, be the parent.   Use the word “no.”  A lot, firmly, in public, at home, anytime.  Ignore ensuing screams, your child is not in fact dying nor is using “no” mentally damaging.  They are just in denial.  Pretty much everything about parenting falls under this heading.

2.  Don’t ignore their bad behavior in public and then explode on them.  We, as the observing public, don’t enjoy it and I’m pretty sure your child doesn’t either.  If you have your kids, do not pretend you are shopping alone.  Give them some attention because that’s what they’re looking for when they start acting up in public.  Better yet, don’t take them shopping with you.

3.  Your child is no angel, honey. I have worked in several group situations and had to interact with parents on a regular basis.  The worst kids were the ones whose parents thought they were total angels.  I’m here to disabuse you of that notion.  What’s that saying?  “Angels at home, devils in public; devils at home, angels in public”?  Very true!  Trust me.  I’m always the first one to offer up my child as the culprit when we’re out and about and someone else’s child starts screaming.  Kids act out.  Trials and tribulations of life affect kids in all different ways.  Be surprised by nothing.

4. Your child should be sleeping through the night from the time they are about 3 months old until they die.  Getting up once in a while because of a nightmare (or even a string of nights) or because they’re sick is one thing but I am completely baffled by parents who almost proudly proclaim that their child has never slept through the night…..and they’re four!  That’s a head scratcher people.  Have a bedtime routine from birth and you should be ok.  It’s nothing to feel badly about, it’s a problem to solve!

5.  Breastfeeding is not the be all and end all. Do I personally believe it’s the best way?  Absolutely.  It  saved us a ton of money and I felt like I really bonded with my children as a result.  Am I going to shove it down your throat?  No. No one likes a boob nazi.

6.  Use drugs on your children.  If they are teething, give them Tylenol for crying out loud.  I’ve met a number of moms who say they feel like Tylenol is not safe for their children.  It’s a drug that has been in use for over 80 years.  If there were long-term effects, we’d know it by now (per my pediatrician).  Read the directions, follow the little Tylenol/Motrin chart that they give you and you won’t overdose them.  Truly.  I wouldn’t lie to you.  Put both you and your child out of your misery.  Your first job as a parent is to see your child comfortable and healthy, yes?  This falls under that heading.

7.  Don’t look at me funny when I tell you I didn’t send my eldest to preschool.  He was a highly emotional kid who was having separation anxiety issues because his dad was deployed.  I tried two.  They failed miserably.  (email me if you want to know which crappy preschools I used).  I wish I had known about St. Joseph’s of Dallastown—they are awesome!   If it makes you feel better, I can say that I homeschooled him (even though preschool is not a legal obligation and is really us just paying for our kids to play with other kids for socializing purposes….but don’t get me started!)

8.  With the obesity problems in this country, you’re really gonna give your child soda with every meal?  Allow them to have sugary desserts even though they didn’t eat all their dinner?  Really?  You don’t want to re-think that?

9. Don’t lie at the movies to get cheaper tickets.  Don’t lie in front of your kids…ok, how about don’t lie period?  Not only can that lead to embarrassing situations (“DAD! I’m not 10!  I’m 12!”) but it teaches them by example.  Remember:  kids do what you do, not what you say.  That means you need to put down the soda too and eat some more veggies already!!

10.  Do not walk out of the house looking like a homeless woman while your kids look like J.Crew models.  It looks weird.  It looks like you don’t take care of yourself and that you’re one of those obsessive moms that puts her kids first 24/7 but never brushes her own teeth.  Ew.  It’s not healthy.  And again, there’s modeling:  they aren’t going to keep up dressing (cooperatively) if they see you are not doing the same.  Kids are logical like that.   They will do what you do, mark my words!

These are but a few of my nuggets of wisdom gleaned over the years.  Take them with a bolder of salt and a dash of  humor.

The post Parenting 101 appeared first on YorkMama.com.

Kid-themed exercise dvds are a great, inexpensive alternative to heading outside but allows kids to blow off some steam.  There is a multitude of choices at sites like amazon.com that also offer reviews so you can make sure it’s worth your time.  The show HI-5 can be found on Discovery Kids channel in the morning and although it is a television show, it really encourages movement like dancing and exercise.  My daycare children love it and they will be up and moving through the whole show.

Another idea is to designate a place in your home that is an active zone – away from breakables, sharp corners or anything that would inhibit their (or your) fun.  Buy a mat or use a thick comforter and let them do some tumbling and gymnastics.

If you want out of the house, there’s plenty to do too!  Tumble Town in York Galleria is a great choice to let kids run around as much as they want.  Chuck E Cheese is a good option as well but can get a little more crowded.  Both of those are free play type environments but if you’re looking for something a little more organized, Hands on House in Lancaster is a good option and not too far of a drive and Nixon Park in Jacobus has some great programs for kids and is more local.

Organized classes like Gymboree, Martial Arts, Dance or Gymnastics can also be a great option to have a regular outlet for energy for children.  All of those options have the benefit of having time out of the house for moms and dads as well!

If all else fails, bundle the kids up and just brave the weather.  Use your judgment and make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing like mittens and hats.  Winter is a good chance to see animals, birds and other nature in a new way and being outside is good for everyone.

Enjoying the cold!

The post Staying Active in Cold Weather appeared first on YorkMama.com.

Every meal is a challenge when you live with food allergies.

And no time of year exacerbates these troubles more than the holidays.

Eggnog? Not if eggs or milk trigger a reaction.

Stuffing? Only if it’s gluten- and wheat-free.

Cranberries? Sounds OK, but was that serving spoon just swimming in buttery mashed potatoes?

With a little thought and advanced planning, the holidays don’t have to be a daunting time for the millions of adults and children who suffer from food and environmental allergies.

Here are some tips to get you and your family through while keeping your spirits high.

THANKSGIVING
Plan ahead: Find out who is responsible for making what dish and have a conversation about ingredients and preparation before Turkey Day arrives. Suggest a few easy substitutions that could make the item agreeable for all.

The reality: If you aren’t absolutely certain what you are eating or how it was prepared, then come ready with your own food.

Even the slightest morsel from a baking sheet or serving utensil can trigger a severe allergic reaction. Some allergens, particularly peanuts, get more allergenic when they are baked.

Don’t feed the kids: If your child has allergies, make sure everyone knows it. T-shirts and wristbands can advertise an allergy. Teach older kids to refuse food unless you’ve approved it first. Ask everyone to wash their hands after eating.

Safety first: Always come prepared with necessary medications (epinephrine and a liquid antihistamine).

“It’s important to let people know how serious your allergies are,” Dr. Paul E. Dahlberg of Allergy and Asthma Consultants in York Township said. “Even a small amount can elicit a response. If the person is incapacitated, they need someone who can help them administer (medicine).”

HANUKKAH
Break tradition: Many of the foods typically served during the Jewish holiday can be made with safe ingredients.

Latkes can be made without egg and served with dairy-free sour cream.

Gluten- and allergen-free sufganyot (jelly doughnut) recipes can be easily found on the Internet.

Look for pareve: Pareve or parve food is made without meat or dairy and isn’t processed with heat on dairy or meat equipment.

Look for the labels from the Orthodox Union, the world’s largest kosher certification agency. OU means the products are pareve, and OU-D means they contain dairy.

If you have a milk allergy, steer clear of DE, which means the food was processed on shared dairy equipment lines.

However, it’s still important to read ingredient labels, especially if your allergy is severe.

Mint your own money: Make homemade gelt by melting down chocolate that is safe for your child. Enjoy Life chocolate chips are dairy-, soy- and gluten-free and made in a dedicated nut- and gluten-free bakery. Put it in coin moldings and wrap them with aluminum.

KWANZAA
Feast away: A karamu or African feast is held on the last day of Kwanzaa (Dec. 31).

Dishes such as jollof rice (most common ingredients are rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onion, salt and red pepper), koki (an appetizer made from black-eyed peas) and yams can be enjoyed without worry or with easy substitution.

Don’t pass the peanuts: Peanut soup is popular but, for obvious reasons, should be avoided by people with peanut allergies. If you are planning on serving this dish, make your guests aware. Peanut allergies are one of the most dangerous, and some people can react to trace amounts or airborne allergens.

CHRISTMAS
Real or fake? According to the National Christmas Tree Association, a real tree typically doesn’t produce pollen in December.

But it can gather dust and mold and other things from being outside all year long — just the same as a boxed tree in your attic.

The NCTA recommends a good hose down, shake and air dry before it comes inside. Plus, you can find bleach recipes that will help stop mold spores from forming.

Smells of the season:
Candles and strongly fragranced items can cause reactions when they release their chemicals.

One solution is to make homemade items with vanilla, cinnamon or peppermint flavoring. Soy candles and beeswax candles are safer and less likely to trigger allergies.

Party favor:
If you are hosting a holiday party, do your guests a favor and identify all foods.

Amy Herwig of Party Belles in York suggests making a placecard to set with the dish naming the food and a list of ingredients on the back.

Another option Herwig recommends is to make a “cheat sheet” available at the front of a buffet for those with allergies to pick up and carry with them through the food line. It can be organized and color coded by allergy.

Hand-washing:
The easy solution
The easiest and most effective way to get rid of food allergens is to wash your hands with soap. Be sure to double check that the soap is free of wheat or milk — two common proteins used in beauty products. Research has shown that water and antibacterial hand sanitizer are not effective at removing allergens.

The Big 8
Eight foods account for 90 percent of all food allergies: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Resources:

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network:
foodallergy.org

National Institute of Environmental Health Science: www.niehs.nih.gov

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: www.aaaai.org

National Christmas Tree Association: christmastree.org

Food Allergy Initiative: www.faiusa.org

U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: www.niaid.nih.gov

The post Allergies at the holidays: Don’t let them get in the way of holiday festivities appeared first on YorkMama.com.

Today when I dropped Noah off at preschool, he cried.

Sobbed. Threw himself at me. Begged me to hold him. Wailed. “Don’t leave, Mommy, don’t leave! Stay and play with me!” (which sounds like “stay n pway wis me!”)

Bonnie, his teacher, said he threw temper tantrums a couple mornings last week, running from door to door in the room and crying for me. He settled down, obviously, but it took a while.

Guilt sucks.

I remember this happening with Sammy when she was about this age. And it happened occasionally at our sitter’s, too.

But man, is it hard to walk out the door.

How do you other mommies who work outside the home handle this? What do you do when the guilt gets you down? And do you ever feel like you’re ruining your kids for life?

The post Ugh — I knew this would happen appeared first on YorkMama.com.

“Remember to say, ‘Yes, sir,’” Benny, my 4-year-old, told me. “And bow, like this.” He bobbed, almost falling on his head.

“Got it,” I told him as I tightened my belt.

“Kung Fu Mama,” he giggled.

We walked into Dover Dragons, the Tae Kwon Do studio where my 7-year-old daughter, Emma, has been taking classes for about two years.

Now, it’s a family affair. My husband, Jon, signed up for adult classes a month ago, and just before that, Benny became a Lil’ Dragon.

I saw Emma’s confidence soar with each new belt she earned. My little princess could break wood with a single kick. She knew how to defend herself, and understood when it was appropriate to do so.

I saw joy personified as Benny sprinted across the mat. Of course, he fell over a moment later, but I have hope future classes might help with coordination.

I saw that Jon’s classes brought the word “workout” to a whole new level. Kicks, punches, yoga-like stretching, push-ups, sit-ups, sprinting and more. It’s intense.

And I was no longer content to sit on the bench.

“Remember,” Emma told me, “just do your best. Everyone will help you. Don’t be scared.”

“Got it,” I told her, smiling at how similar this was to my pep talk to her when she started. I remembered her flushed face and jumbled nerves. Now, my stomach was clenching.

Doubt flooded me. What was I doing here? I’ve never been athletic. Never been one to join in a sport. I almost turned around.

But then I saw Benny smiling at me from the bench. Jon already was on the mat. And Emma was beside me.

“Ready, Mama?” Emma asked. This was a Saturday family lesson, so we would take this class together. She grinned again, and I knew she loved being the one who knew what to do. I could see that she was proud of me, too.

So I swallowed my nerves, bowed with my daughter, stepped onto the mat, and practiced what I preached.

Beth Vrabel lives in West Manchester Township with her daughter, Emma, 7, and son, Benny, 4.

From our Facebook fan page

What we posted: Think back: What was the best gift you got as a child, the one that kept you up all night with your fingers crossed that Santa (or Mom and Dad) got the message?

What you posted:

Erica Hamilton: Rub-a-Dub Dolly! I was so bummed when Santa didn’t bring it. Then my grandma came over later in the day and brought it! There’s a picture of me with my mouth wide open in happy surprise!

Alexandra Knaub: There were these dolls that, when you made their cheek wet, showed a kiss. When you opened the box there was the possibility that a note would be in there telling you that your doll had a twin. I wanted the doll AND a twin so bad and thought I would die when I found her under the wrapping paper and then saw the twin card!!

Kathleen Cunningham Smith: April Showers! She was a doll that came with her own tub/shower and you could use real water. Then, of course, she would go to the bathroom and you had to change her diaper. Oh, and a play kitchen!

Megan Erickson: Easy Bake Oven! LOVED that thing!! It seriously made awesome chocolate cake.

Michelle Beck: My Cabbage Patch babies. They were always my favorite, but I also looked forward to all of my Rainbow Brite stuff, too.

Become a fan of SmartMamaPA.com on Facebook and follow us @smartmamapa on Twitter, too!

The post Smart Mama: Kung Fu Mama appeared first on YorkMama.com.

By KATY CARPENTER for Smart

Thanks to some new rules and regulations, your credit card bill has a lot more to say these days.

Are you listening?

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 — aka the Credit CARD Act — took effect in stages this year, with the final changes becoming law in August.

Kristen Garrett, spokeswoman for the nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Harrisburg and York, says the act offers more protections and disclosures for the consumer.

However, she said, “it is still up to the consumers to educate themselves.”

But, Garrett warned, “All of these changes don’t mean that people don’t have to pay their bills on time.”

With Garrett’s advice as well as information from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, we’ve prepared this sample revamped bill to help you understand what’s changed.

More notice
Your bill must be mailed or delivered at least 21 days (up from 14 days) before your payment is due.

In due time
Your due date will be the same date each month. “If your credit card payment is due on the 17th of the month, it will always be due on the 17th of the month,” Garrett said.

Your company must accept payments made by 5 p.m. (up from noon) on the due date. If your payment due date is on a weekend or holiday, you’ll have until 5 p.m. the following business day to pay.

Fair warning
Bills must disclose the amount of a potential late fee and the date it would be charged. Plus, it must include a notice that one or more late payments can trigger an increase in your interest rate, and it must show the penalty rate.

Reality check
Your bill now must tell you how long it will take to pay off your balance by making only minimum payments. Plus, it must show what your monthly payment would be in order to pay off your balance in three years. “This is going to be a real wake-up call for a lot of consumers,” Garrett said.

Rate rights
If your company ups your APR, it must give you 45 days’ notice (up from 15 days) in writing (with few exceptions). Plus, it must re-evaluate that rate increase every six months, and if appropriate, it must reduce your rate within 45 days of the evaluation.

You must also get 45 days’ notice if the company is changing certain fees (i.e. annual, cash advance and late fees) or other major terms.

In all of these cases, the company must give you the option to cancel the card before the changes take effect.

The key here, Garrett said, is to make sure that you open and read all of your mail from your credit card companies.

“If you don’t read it, it’s not going to help you,” she said.

Add it up
Your bill must include how much you’ve paid in interest and fees so far this year. If these totals startle you, Garrett hopes it can motivate you to pay off your balance as quickly as possible: “Look at this and think, ‘What else could I have done with that money?’ ”

GOOD TO KNOW
Some highlights from the Credit CARD Act:

For newbies
Your interest rate on a new account can’t increase for the first 12 months (with a few exceptions). If your company does hike your rate after year one, the new rate will apply only to new charges.

Under 21? You’ll need to show you can handle making payments or you’ll need a cosigner to open an account. If you have a card with a cosigner and want to increase your limit, your cosigner must agree in writing.

The goal here, Garrett said, is for fewer young adults to face the double whammy of student loan AND credit card debt.

Know your limits
Your company can’t charge fees for making a purchase that would put your account over its credit limit unless you “opt in” (agree) for the company to process over-the-limit transactions and charge a fee.

If you do opt in — Garrett strongly advises against this, by the way — an over-the-limit fee can be imposed only once during the billing cycle when you exceeded the limit, not for each transaction that exceeds the credit limit. And if you remain over your limit but don’t make any more transactions, another fee can be charged only once during each of the next two billing cycles.

Fee control
Your company can’t charge you inactivity fees (i.e. for not using your card).

Your credit card company can’t charge a late-payment fee that is greater than your minimum payment. So, if your minimum payment is $20, your late payment fee can’t be more than $20.

Similarly, if you exceed your credit limit by $5, you can’t be charged an over-the-limit fee of more than $5.

Payments
If you make more than the minimum payment on your bill, your company must apply the extra to the balance with the highest interest rate.

If you’re late making your payment, your company can’t charge you a fee of more than $25 unless:
1. One of your last six payments was late, in which case your fee may be up to $35.

2. Your credit card company can show that the costs it incurs as a result of late payments justify a higher fee.

SMART TIP
Having trouble making payments? On the back of your monthly statement, you will now find the number for a reputable, nonprofit debt-relief agency.

The post Paying with plastic? Understand your credit card statement appeared first on YorkMama.com.

Check out the coy smile from Amelia Burkey, born July 24. It's her mama's reward for all her hard work.

By LAURA BURKEY Smart Mama

I’m a first-time mom.

My daughter, Amelia — Mia for short — was born during a record-breaking heat wave July 24.

I returned to work when she was 10 weeks old. Now, I’m a sleep-deprived full-time editor stumbling through meetings and production deadlines on a weekly basis.

But Amelia is still my real boss. She determines when I sleep, eat and bathe.

I’ve even forgotten to shower for three days in a row.

I don’t wear much makeup to work, although it would help to hide the ever-growing bags under my eyes.

And I admit that I’m still wearing my maternity pants, complete with the full stomach panel.

Sour-smelling spit-up adorns my shoulders most days, reminding me of my new profession.

At home, dismantled baby bottles now fill the drying rack, where wine glasses once sat.

And those pleading eyes on our beagle, Lucy, look even more forlorn as laps to snuggle on are few and far between.

My husband, Brent, and I thought we had the 411 on our newest addition. We took the classes — infant CPR, baby massage, breastfeeding, labor — and we fixed up the nursery, complete with a hanging monkey decal.

And now that she’s here, all of the advice has flown out the window with my mascara. It’s now Amelia’s world, and I’m just along for the ride.

My goal in life? To keep her happy.

I spend hours rocking, feeding, shushing, playing, diapering. I run through the gamut of what-could-it-be when tears spill from her hazel eyes.

And I finally receive my paycheck when a coy little smile spreads across her face.

Because we both know who is really in charge.

Entertainment editor Laura Burkey is mom to 4-month-old Amelia and 5-year-old beagle Lucy.

From our Facebook fan page

What we posted: What’s your favorite holiday movie? For me, it’s “Love Actually.” For my children, “Home Alone.” — Beth

What you posted:

Carol Shafer: “Christmas Vacation”

Ellen Brenneman Feldman : Hubby and daughter: “Elf,” myself: I love “Miracle on 34th Street” and “The Polar Express”
Towanda Lorenz: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Sherri Barley: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Christmas Vacation,” Miracle on 34th Street”! Love them all!

Deslynn Ropp: I would have to go with “Polar Express” and “Christmas Vacation”!

Become a fan of SmartMamaPA.com on Facebook and follow us @smartmamapa on Twitter, too!

The post Smart Mama: Who’s the (real) boss? appeared first on YorkMama.com.