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Mass shooting at theater casts pall on Dark Knight Rises debut

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A mass shooting in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, is casting a pall over one of the most anticipated movies in recent memory -- The Dark Knight Rises. CNN reported Friday that the Paris premiere of the blockbuster flick has already been canceled, with many speculating more cancellations to come.

Dark Knight Rises shooting

We knew The Dark Knight Rises was going to make headlines for ticket sales Friday morning, but not for this tragic reason: A gas mask-wearing gunman burst into the Century 16 Theaters in a Denver suburb, killing at least a dozen moviegoers as young as age 6.

Reports vary widely, but around 40 people -- including a 3-month-old -- were also injured while watching an action scene during the much-awaited midnight showing of Christopher Nolan's third film in the Batman series.

Like those flocking to that mall theater in Aurora, Colorado, Batman fans across the country camped out Friday afternoon in anticipation of the midnight debut.

Real-life terror mimics onscreen violence

Particularly chilling, many witnesses reported that the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, threw a smoke bomb and started shooting round upon round just as shots were being fired on the big screen.

"It was a shootout scene," Alex Milano told NBC affiliate KUSA-TV, describing a part of the movie where Catwoman is engaged in a gunfight.

"There were guns firing. Then, loud bangs came from the right of the theater. Smoke took over the entire theater and everything, and it was really thick. No one could really see anything," Milano said.

Milano and others said they thought the real-life shooting was actually part of the movie, or fireworks that a cantankerous moviegoer was shooting off.

"Me and my sister and my friends were wondering what was going on," Milano said. "Then, at that point, I saw something come through the wall. Multiple objects flew through the wall. I saw holes in the wall."

That's when people started to get up and check themselves to see if they'd been shot.

"A couple of people were walking away, holding areas," Milano said. "I heard moaning like they were in pain. That's when I started to get worried."

The show goes on...

Warner Bros. has already issued a statement, and indicated that the red carpet Paris premiere and press interviews, scheduled for Friday night, were not appropriate, given the tragic circumstances.

"Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident," the movie studio said, extending its sympathies to families and loved ones of the victims.

The flick is still expected to shatter box office records for a 2D release.

The Dark Knight Rises has already grossed more than $25 million in advance ticket sales, and is expected to pull upward of $185 million this weekend -- outperforming the second film in Nolan's Batman trilogy -- The Dark Knight.

Image courtesy of Good Morning America

Is your defiant child driving you crazy?

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Children often go against what their parents say and ask of them, but when it starts to concern you — or affect your mood and family dynamics — how do you identify your child’s negative behaviors and what are the next steps?

Identify your child’s extreme behaviors

Children often go against what their parents say and ask of them, but when it starts to concern you — or affect your mood and family dynamics — how do you identify your child’s negative behaviors and what are the next steps?

When defiant behaviors are more than just a phase

Defiance and difficult behaviors are a natural part of adolescence, but there are signs and specific behaviors parents should pay attention to. Behavioral and disruptive disorders, like oppositional defiant disorder, are patterns of persistent negative behaviors with hostility and fall outside the normal range of adolescent development, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org.

Could the foods your child eats cause bad behaviors? >>

Behavioral and disruptive disorders

Characteristics of oppositional defiant disorder include consistent pattern of disobedience and disrespect towards parents and authoritative figures along with more than four of the following, and for a minimum of six months:

  • Consistent pattern of defiance, disobedience, belligerence and irritability
  • Easily loses temper
  • Frequently gets into arguments and fights
  • Annoys others intentionally
  • Blames others for mistakes or misconduct
  • Always seems angry or resentful
  • Often behaves vindictively or spitefully towards others

Oppositional defiant disorder can sometimes lead to more disruptive behavior, or conduct disorder, and without treatment it can present children with a less than ideal future. Signs of conduct disorder typically play out with verbal and physical aggression towards people and animals.

“The diagnosis is established when a child has committed three or more acts connected with this disorder within the past year, and one in the past six months.” — HealthyChidren.org.

The ADHD and defiant connection

If your child appears to be defiant through depression or irritability, he may have a coexisting dysthymic disorder if two or more of the following symptoms are present:

  • Poor appetite or overeating
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor conduct or difficulty making decisions
  • Feelings of hopelessness

“When ADHD is accompanied by oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and mood and anxiety disorders, these coexisting conditions can compound the behavioral challenges presented by children and adolescents with ADHD and can contribute to aggressive behaviors, poor tolerance for frustration, inflexibility, poor problem solving skills, heightened difficulty in complying with parents’ instructions and significant family conflict.” — HealthyChildren.org

Defiance can also show through in the form of a mood disorder with or without ADHD present. “The mood disorders most likely to be experienced by children with ADHD include dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. While every child will occasionally experience discouragement and irritability, children with ADHD may exhibit these behaviors more than most."

The difference between bad behavior and ADHD >>

How to get help and the diagnosis process started

If you have a question about your child’s defiant or disruptive behavior, contact your family doctor to talk further about your child and to get the proper referrals for further evaluations, if needed. Appointments for a formal or full developmental evaluation can take months before your child may be seen. If you are overwhelmed by your child's behaviors while waiting for the evaluation process, talk to your child’s doctor or contact your local resource center for tips and ideas on how to effectively manage and deal with your child’s defiant behaviors and difficulties in the home.

Tip

Remember to take some time for yourself. Raising children can be a challenge as it is, but with a defiant child, you will need the breaks and time to regroup.

Source: HealthyChildren.org

More on children and behaviors

Learn to recognize Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms
Is your preschooler on the autistic spectrum?
What you need to know about your child's behavior

4 Best places to travel for adventure

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Does the thought of sitting on a beach all week make you anxious? Would you rather jump out of an airplane than ride in one? Would you much rather hunt for your dinner than sit down at a five-star restaurant? If you answered yes to any of these, a typical beach vacation or cruise just won't cut it for your adventurous soul. Instead, check out these destinations that have plenty of jaw-dropping thrills to satisfy your need for adventure.

Climbing Dunns River Falls, Jamaica

From canyon jumping in the Alps to swimming with sharks in Australia to heli-skiing in Alaska and climbing waterfalls in Jamaica, these trips aren't for the faint of heart. However, if you're a adventure nut with a serious knack for excitement, these trips are sure to satisfy even the wildest of souls!

Climbing Dunn's River Falls, Jamaica

Why just climb a mountain when you can climb a waterfall? Dunn's River Falls, located in Ocho Rios, is one of the most popular destinations in the whole country. The falls is a magnificent flowing waterfall that extends about 600 feet. The waterfall is one of the few freshwater sources that flows directly into the Caribbean. To climb the falls, you need water shoes with a strong grip, and you are asked to travel with one of the park's very knowledgeable  tour guides to avoid falling or slipping on the rocks. It takes about 45 minutes to climb from the bottom to the top of the falls. The cost to climb is $20 US.

Canyon jumping, Switzerland

If you get a thrill from sky diving and cliff jumping, you'll love the thrill you get from canyon jumping in Switzerland. Unlike other canyon jumping adventures, this one gives you 360-degree views of the beautiful glacial canyons in the Swiss Alps. The trip through Outdoor Interlaken, one of Switzerland's most popular companies, costs about 130 Swiss francs and is the thrill of a lifetime. You are harnessed on your chest and waist to an 85-meter rope. Then, you jump off dangerously high cliffs and mountains and free fall through the glacial canyons. Plus, the company has a professional photographer who accompanies you on your fall, so past jumpers recommend doing a crazy jump or making a funny face for your keepsake photograph!

Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

If you find yourself in the land Down Under, you have to check out the world's largest ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches about 1,800 miles along the eastern coast of Australia. The reef system is home to many incredible species, including giant clams, sea turtles, sponges, sting rays, dolphins, and hundreds of different kinds of coral. However, that's not all you can expect down there. There are a few different species of sharks you can swim alongside when scuba diving, including the Black-tip and White-tip reef sharks. These sharks range in size from one to almost two meters. Luckily, these sharks aren't hazardous to divers . Prices differ, depending on the company you dive with. For a full list of diving and other adventure trips in Australia, check out Dive the Reef.

Heli-skiing, Alaska

If regular skiing is too tame for you, why not try heli-skiing, where you are nicely pushed out of a helicopter onto a slope? For a truly unique heli-skiing adventure, check out the Haines heli-skiing venture, which drops you off in the Chillkat Valley in Haines, Alaska, which stretches across many miles of mountainous terrain. Heli-skiable terrain begins at saltwater and ends at the Canadian border 40 miles up the valley. The change of terrain creates five unique microclimates in the region that provide many different heli-skiing options, especially if there is rough weather or avalanche conditions. For reservations and more information, check out the Expedition Broker.

More adventure vacation options

5 Adventure travel destinations in the U.S.
12 Educational adventures for kids
Top 10 fun road adventures

Mommy tweets: Giuliana Rancic’s cord blood tweet, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham

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What were some of our favorite celebrity moms tweeting about this week? Giuliana Rancic tweeted about banking cord blood, while Gwen Stefani is focused on the new No Doubt album. Victoria Beckham shares laundry tips , while Jessica Simpson tweets about that first step in losing baby weight. Check out all of our favorite celebrity mom musings — in 140 characters or less.

Gwen Stefani and KingstonGwen Stefani

We love Gwen Stefani because she is such a hands-on mom to her two boys, Kingston and Zuma. This rockin’ mom is back to juggling motherhood with her career as No Doubt has dropped their first album in 10 years and just released the new single, “Settle Down.” Gwen often keeps her Twitter feed focused on her music, instead of her family life, tweeting:

“I keep hearing ‪#settledown‬ on the radio this is insane gx” she wrote.

From the looks of it, she has many A-list fans ready to jam out with her!

She retweeted several celebs who were singing her praises, including Rachel Zoe:  “Who else is rocking out to the new @nodoubt song, ‪#SettleDown‬? Obsessed!”

Check out how to copy Gwen's cool mom style here >>

Rachel Zoe

Speaking of Rachel Zoe, she always makes motherhood sound so fashionable and fun!

“Had the best date with Sky today…lunch, playground and toystore—AND he met a girl at the trains…such a flirt! xoRZ” Zoe tweeted about her son Skylar.

Giuliana Rancic

E! News host Giuliana Rancic and her husband, Bill Rancic, are expecting their first child via gestational surrogate this September — and she recently tweeted that she plans on banking her baby's cord blood.

“So thankful 4 all the fab baby shower gifts! Looking forward to banking w/ @CordBloodRgstry like my sister did!” Rancic tweeted, with a photo of her and Bill holding up the cord blood packet.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson tweeted the most adorable photo of 2-month-old Maxwell propped up on a gorgeous daybed surrounded by fluffy pillows and flowers with the caption, "LIfe." It sounds like a nice life, to me!

Simpson, who is reportedly working on shedding over 50 pounds with Weight Watchers, has started getting in shape.

“Just bought all the girls in my @weightwatchers group pedometers to track their steps. 10,000 steps a day = 5 miles! Let's step it up!" she wrote on Twitter.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham

“Fun day strawberry picking in the rain with the boys and Harper. Love being in London!” tweeted Victoria Beckham.

And who knew Posh Spice did laundry?

“Mummy tip.....Baby Dreft and Vanish stain remover, use together to remove HUGE strawberry stains!!!!” she wrote.

Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy announced via Twitter that she is making a big move!

“After 20 yrs I'm moving back to chgo. Thanks LA. Ill be back to work here but my heart is in chgo. ‪#happychicagogirl,” she wrote.

She also tweeted about the death of her son Asher’s grandpa:  “Evans grandpa died yesterday. William Asher. Best known 4 director of I Love Lucy and Bewitched. He was sweetest man ever and will b missed.”

McCarthy wrote a bestselling pregnancy book called Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth — and it sounds like she has at least one celeb fan!

“If it wasn't for your book, I wouldn't have rocked being pregnant! i love your amazing self,” Snooki tweeted to Jenny McCarthy.

Nicole Richie

Don’t be jealous, but Nicole Richie got to hang with The Wiggles.

“PHOTO: Jumping on a tour bus & hittin' the road with The Wiggles! Hot Potato Hot Potato!,” Richie tweeted, with a link to a photo of her with the famous children’s group.

Mariah Carey

As the mother of twins , Mariah Carey has learned the fine art of multi-tasking. "Writing lyrics in the car on the way to see Dem Babies waking up," she tweeted.

Check out more fun, wacky and weird celebrity tweets here >>

Photos: WENN

The anti-aging workout

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Let's face it: Until scientists discover a way to reverse the effects of gravity, we're all destined to age. You can control the process considerably, however. Smoking, drinking to excess and too much sun take their toll on your face and your body. Stay active, eat healthy foods and laugh a lot and you'll look younger than your sedentary counterparts. It's well worth the effort.
woman in her 50s stretching

Stay active, stay young

Let's face it: Until scientists discover a way to reverse the effects of gravity, we're all destined to age. You can control the process considerably, however. Smoking, drinking to excess and too much sun take their toll on your face and your body.

Stay active, eat healthy foods and laugh a lot and you'll look younger than your sedentary counterparts. It's well worth the effort.

Plus, some exercises that stave off aging can also add an element of fun to your workout. Take balance, for example. Don't wait until you're shopping for a walker before deciding to add some one-legged action to your workout routine -- it's a no-brainer. The same goes for agility, which is defined as the ability to change direction and keep moving. Think of walking along a sidewalk and suddenly realizing you're about to step into a hole. Your ability to quickly step to the side and keep moving forward without losing your balance defines agility. Who doesn't need that?

Try a twist on traditional circuit training with this anti-aging circuit, which includes exercises that focus on motor skills such as balance, agility and coordination, traits we lose as we age.

Start with five to six "stations" such as those below and one set of each exercise if you're a beginner. Work up to two or three sets over several weeks. Begin with 30 seconds per movement and add 10 seconds each week until you reach 60 seconds or longer per exercise.

Whoops, dropped something

Toss a pencil or other small object on the floor and practice bending forward on one leg while allowing the other leg to lift out behind you in a "golfer's lift." Keep abs and glutes tight. Or lunge forward and reach for the object, pushing back to starting position after picking it up.

Laundry day challenge

Place clothes in a laundry basket or place objects in a box; hold the basket or box close to your body and carry it from one end of the room to the other. For a greater challenge, increase the weight of the load and/or add something that rolls around in the basket, which requires core strength.

sockSock it to me

Stand as you pull on one sock and then the other without sitting or using any other support; then put on shoes and lace them while standing on one leg. You can do this one while getting ready for the gym.

Watch your step

Line up several boxes or small objects of varying heights and practice stepping up and over them. For a greater challenge, step over them sideways and forward.

Beginner's juggling

Toss a small to medium-size ball from one hand to the other while standing on one leg and/or increasing the weight of the ball and bringing your hands further apart. Bounce it against a wall as a makeshift handball exchange .

Get Jennifer Aniston's body

Jennifer Aniston's friend and trainer, Mandy Ingber, shows you how to get Jen's rockin' bod.

More anti-aging tips

Anti-aging: Eat and drink your way to feeling youthful
Anti-aging: 4 reasons we age and how to slow down the clock
8 Surprising secrets to live longer and look better

Gold-medal diet tips for women

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What woman isn't motivated by shiny objects? When the shine you seek is from a gold medal, however, it's more work than most are willing to do. Then there's the diet. And by diet I mean eating huge amounts of food to fuel that goal. The thought of worrying you're not eating enough is a concern most of us wish we had.
Athlete eating fruit salad

Eat
like an Olympian

What woman isn't motivated by shiny objects? When the shine you seek is from a gold medal, however, it's more work than most are willing to do. Then there's the diet. And by diet I mean eating huge amounts of food to fuel that goal. The thought of worrying you're not eating enough is a concern most of us wish we had.

Swimmer Michael Phelps reportedly eats between 8,000 and 10,000 calories a day.

Olympic athletes eat a ton of calories

Swimmer Michael Phelps reportedly eats between 8,000 and 10,000 calories a day. Basketball players on Team USA can consume 7,000 calories a day. That's more than three day's worth for the average woman, who typically requires between 1,800 to 2,200 calories a day, according to Rachel Berman, RD, a registered dietitian and director of Nutrition for CalorieCount.com, a health and wellness website that provides nutrition and diet information to its more than 4 million members.

Calorie requirements for the average woman

"While athletes require many more calories than the average women, we can pick up tips from what the athletes are doing to stay strong, energized and healthy," Berman says.

An average woman who is moderately active requires about 1,800 to 2,200 calories per day for weight maintenance, says Berman. "Within that, you want to aim for a breakdown of about 50 percent carbs, 20 percent protein, 30 percent fat." Recent research published in the Journal of American Medical Association found that if you are trying to lose weight, a low glycemic diet of 40 percent carbs, 20 percent protein and 40 percent fat, came out on top in terms of helping you maintain that loss for the long term, she adds.

Specific caloric needs depend on many factors, however, including the woman's height, weight, workout intensity, etc., says Berman. "On average, a woman who weight-trains two to three days a week and does 30 minutes of cardio a week might need to consume 500 calories more per day than a woman who does not exercise."

"A woman who weight-trains two to three days a week and does 30 minutes of cardio a week might need to consume 500 calories more per day than a woman who does not exercise."

Refueling: The best post-workout eats

Research shows that post-workout, within 45 minutes or so of lifting weights, you want to consume a snack that contains carbohydrate and protein in a 4:1 ratio . "This is best to refuel your muscles, provide amino acids to repair tissue, to build and maintain lean muscle mass," says Berman.

Hydration is crucial to performance and recovery

Good carbohydrate sources include whole grains, fruits and dairy; the dairy will also provide a serving of protein and calcium for peak performance. Other great lean sources of protein include skinless poultry, fish, lean beef, beans, eggs and grains like quinoa. And remember to drink up! When exercising, your body loses water through sweat, which you need to replenish to ensure your muscles are working the best they can, Berman adds. Water is the most important factor affecting performance, according to the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As little as a one percent loss of weight due to water loss elevates core temperature. Drink a minimum of two cups of fluid two hours prior to activity for best hydration.

Watch: 3-Day Supermodel Diet

Today on the Daily Dish, Kelly Bensimon, author of I Can Make You Hot, talks about her 3-Day Supermodel Diet that can make you look and feel beautiful.

More gold-medal fitness

Winning diet tips from gold-medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin
Summer Games: Eat like a gold-medal athlete
Healthy eating tips from soccer star Abby Wambach

Customers may groan over AT&T and Mobile Share

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AT&T announces Mobile Share -- a new way for customers to bundle data usage across devices -- if they are willing to trade fees for convenience.

AT&T may have missed the mark with Mobile Share.

AT&T made headlines this week with their announcement of shared data plans. Marketed as "Mobile Share" plans, the telecom giant will allow customers to access a "bucket of data" for both a monthly fee and a fee per device in August 2012. AT&T's shared data plans are intended to mimic Verizon's recent move in the same direction.

While some customers may hope to breathe a sigh of relief at the thought of quelling seemingly out-of-control data charges, it's important to realize bundling data usage gets expensive — fast. The value for individuals and families will largely depend on the consistent amount of data used each month and the convenience of sharing data across multiple devices.

One of the first things we noticed about AT&T's Mobile Share plans is the cost. Customers are required to have one smartphone tied to the shared plan — which of course has its monthly data fee — and each additional device — phones, laptops and tablets — comes with its own monthly fee. And you have yet to pay for the shared data.

The least expensive plan is a smartphone and a tablet device sharing 1GB of data. That will run you $95/month: $45 fee for the initial smartphone access, a $10 fee to attach the tablet to the shared plan and $40 for actual 1GB of data. Sharing data across laptops will run you a $20/month access fee and the most common — sharing data across other phones — is a whopping $30/month access fee — again this is just for adding devices to your "bucket of data."

As customers purchase larger shared data plans, the fee for the initial smartphone drops significantly. However it will still cost you a minimum of $30/month to attach your smartphone to the largest data plan. AT&T has a nice chart that shows the costs of the data and device breakdown.

Analysts over at Wired found that AT&T's shared plans are actually a poor cost-saving solution for many customers. Looking strictly at device per usage, they write it is often more expensive to bundle data on one contract. The value is in the appeal of simplifying data usage charges for customers with the need or desire to include additional devices on one account.

In a press release on Tuesday, AT&T commented on the convenience factor as a major selling point. "Mobile Share plans give customers more control over how, where and on what device they use data — which has become more important as people use more data services. You can choose to use more of your data bucket on your tablet, for example, or tap into your data bucket only when needed for devices you use occasionally. And by consolidating data plans, you can take advantage of any data you currently have unused each month by efficiently sharing it across devices."

If you have a family or want to attach multiple devices to one wireless bill, AT&T's Mobile Share may be the right move for you. You can upgrade to Mobile Share without extending your contract — perhaps the silver lining. However, we recommend carefully scrutinizing past bills to get a good grasp on how much data you really need. Chances are Mobile Share might end up costing you more than it's worth.

Balancing motherhood and the Olympics

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The London 2012 Olympic Games are set to begin on Friday, July 27, 2012. Many of the women who are participating in the Summer Games are more than athletes, they are also moms. Let's learn a little more about three such women — members of Team USA, Christie Rampone, Kerri Walsh and LaShinda Demus.

Christie RamponeChristie Rampone

Team USA Soccer

The 2012 London Games will be the fourth Olympics for Christie Rampone. Rampone has three Olympic medals — silver in 2000 and gold in both 2004 and 2008. Like every mom, Rampone aims to balance her career and her family the best she can.

Christie Rampone and her kids

"I try not [to] control everything and focus more on the important things," says Rampone. "I do my best to be there for my daughters, always trying to stay ahead of what needs to be done. And I work with our fitness coach, Dawn Scott, to make sure I am going in the right direction with my training and diet. At the end of the day, I cannot force things with my kids or my training for the Olympics. I do the best I can with both and try to prioritize so the things that truly matter are covered. Whether I am training or being a mom, my focus is always 100 percent. I stay in the moment, always. Having an equal balance with both motherhood and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Football Team helps me as a mother and being a captain."

Even as a world class athlete, Rampone has some of the same concerns of many other moms.

"My [hang-up] has always been my butt and my thighs. But I’m more proud of my body since having kids. This is what I look like and I’m comfortable with it. I’m not a perfect shape, but I’m fit and healthy, so I should be proud of it."

Read about how to throw a 2012 Olympic party for kids >>

Next up: Meet Olympian and mom, Kerri Walsh >>

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Kerri WalshKerri Walsh

Team USA Volleyball

Kerri Walsh and her daughters

Kerri Walsh is one of the most famous volleyball players in the world. The 2012 Summer Games are the fourth Olympics for Walsh, who has two gold medals. Walsh isn't just an Olympian — she's also a mother of two.

"I have realized that I need a lot more help — it takes a village. Our boys are really reasonable and they travel the world like champs. My husband is also an amazing husband and father. This helps immensely to keep our family close. I want to teach my kids to chase their dreams and they can learn so much by being vulnerable and challenging themselves. Being a mother was my ultimate dream and being able to go after my third gold medal with them behind me is the best feeling in the world. Pampers [Walsh is sponsored by the company] is such a beautiful brand and they make babies and families lives more special and wonderful. My partnership is a family partnership which is so special to me; it’s not just me anymore, I am a working mom. The spirit of play of my children is just beautiful."

Check out these free Olympics printables for kids >>

Next up: Meet Olympian and mom, LaShinda Demus >>

{pageBreak}

LaShinda DemusLaShinda Demus

Team USA Track and Field

LaShinda Demus and her sons

LaShinda Demus is the three-time USA Outdoor 400m hurdles champion — and she's also a mother of twins.

"This is by far one of the most exciting and proudest moments in my life," says Demus. "They are now 5 years old and very protective of their mother!"

Demus was an Olympian in 2004, gave birth to her boys in June 2007 and is now back at the Olympics this summer.

"I'm still trying to figure out what's the best solution for balancing motherhood and training, and I always come up with the same answer," says Demus. "You have to start by having a husband that's on the same page and willing to split the load."

Read about what your kids can learn from the Olympics >>

For photos, videos, and all-things-Olympics, visit www.teamusa.org or www.NBCOlympics.com.

Images: Mitchell Haaseth, NBC Olympics

Watch this video to see members of Team USA talk about their kids and about taking part in the London 2012 Olympics.


Newlywed Brooke Burke talks lingerie and love

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With her first wedding anniversary approaching, newlywed Brooke Burke launches a lingerie line and shares her relationship tips with SheKnows.
Brooke Burke's new lingerie line

With her first wedding anniversary approaching, newlywed Brooke Burke launches a lingerie line and shares her relationship tips with SheKnows.

Check out Brooke’s
new line

Brooke Burke and husband David

Though they’ve known each other for almost 20 years and have two children together, Brooke Burke and hubby David Charvet are just now celebrating their one year anniversary.

"That husband label, it’s more complete and it’s special," Brooke told SheKnows at the launch of her new lingerie line, intiMINT.

The longtime couple tied the knot last August on a yacht in St. Barts with their four kids in attendance.

So how is the happy couple celebrating one year of wedded bliss? With her sexy lingerie, we assume!

"We’re going to be home. We’re going to do a staycation," said Brooke. We’re thinking for David’s benefit, Brooke will make the staycation special by breaking out some of her new pieces.

"He’s French, so of course he likes very sexy lingerie," said Brooke.

"He’s French, so of course he likes very sexy lingerie."

She, on the other hand, values comfort. Luckily, it seems Charvet isn’t too picky.

Brooke Burke's new lingerie line

"Even if I have a beautiful pair of panties on, and I’m in his T-shirt, I feel like a woman," Brooke told us. "It’s sexy and he loves it all."

"Even if I have a beautiful pair of panties on, and I’m in his T-shirt, I feel like a woman."

Brooke’s new line has plenty of pieces that fit into both categories, from lacy thongs to loungewear.

"It doesn’t have to be all sexy," Brooke told us. "It’s all about feeling beautiful. I like sensible fabrics that are light to the touch. It’s about flattering silhouettes, fashion colors and pieces that are meant to be seen."

Brooke told us that her collection is meant to be displayed under layered looks.

"You have that one tank top where you can’t hide your bra, so we say show it with a more beautiful color or a lace that’s intentionally meant to be shown," said Brooke.

Check out Brooke's intiMINT Apparel

More celebrity fashion lines

Love Giuliana Rancic's style? Fashion Police host to launch line
Sofia Vergara debuts Kmart clothing line
QVC launches celeb-worthy lines

Photo credits: Michael Kovac/Wire Image , FayesVision/WENN.com

Hollywood reacts to Dark Knight Rises shooting tragedy

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As the shooting spree during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises overshadows talk of its box office potential, those who know the industry best jump on the social network to express their sympathies and shock.

Hollywood reacts to Colorado theater shooting

Before Warner Bros. issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened" and extended its "sincere sympathies" to victims' loved ones, many celebs were already tweeting publicly about the deadly shooting now overshadowing the content of the studio's blockbuster, The Dark Knight Rises.

"What devastating news to wake up to," John Stamos tweeted. "my heart is with everyone involved in the Aurora #theatershooting. what the world needs now is…"

Lost star Dominic Monaghan wrote: "Denver you are in our thoughts."

"My prayers go out to the victims and families of the Colorado theater shooting #justicewillbeserved," tweeted Nicole Polizzi .

Compulsive Twitter user Billy Ray Cyrus had this to say: "Oh no ! Just woke up and turned on the news "14 dead 50 hurt in Batman movie shooting". Praying for victims. So sorry and sad."

And, perhaps for the first time ever,  filmmaker and avid gun control proponent, Michael Moore, tweeted: "Too sad at the moment to comment."

Russell Simmons, Andy Garcia, Paula Deen and Shannon Elizabeth were also among the recognizable names sending their thoughts to victims' families, as well as the Denver-area community left reeling from the Friday morning shooting spree.

A local celeb's connection

A Denver celebrity, radio host Peter Burns, revealed a stunningly awful connection to the shootings: His colleague, Jessica Redfield, was killed during the incident early Friday morning.

"Devastated," Burns tweeted. "Lost a very close friend in the shooting last night. @JessicaRedfield came to Denver to pursue sports career. I'm shaking."

At one point, Burns indicated he was so shaken that another colleague stepped in during his morning radio program.

Redfield herself had actually tweeted a play-by-play of the enthusiasm leading up to the midnight showing of the movie.

Her last message read: "MOVIE DOESN'T START FOR 20 MINUTES."

Shockingly, Redfield had already survived another shooting -- at a Toronto mall.

During an interview with CNN Friday morning, Burns also noted that Redfield was 24 years old -- the same age as suspected shooter James Holmes.

A filmmaker escapes

Denver-based filmmaker Zach Eastman, managed to escape the theater and live-tweeted his experiences along the way:

"Have just evacuated our theater in Aurora. There was a shooting in our auditorium. I am safe."

"I know I saw one man with blood running down his hands being carried into a cop car."

"A bit shaken up at the moment. not gonna lie, that was extremely terrifying."

Photo credit: The Associated Press

Go to your happy place

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Lunches packed? Check. Bills paid? Check. Underwear fished out of the toilet? Check. If you're a busy mom in need of a little TLC in the stress department, you've come to the right place. Learn simple ways to reduce your stress and get in touch with your happy place.


Simple ways to reduce your stress naturally

Lunches packed? Check. Bills paid? Check. Underwear fished out of the toilet? Check. If you're a busy mom in need of a little TLC in the stress department, you've come to the right place. Learn simple ways to reduce your stress and get in touch with your happy place.

Nobody ever said motherhood was an easy job, but some days can be tougher than others. If you find yourself feeling stretched too thin, try some of our sanity-saving tips to rejuvenate and de-stress. Remember, no one’s happy when Mama’s not happy!

Get your namaste on

Since ancient times, people have harnessed the power of yoga to promote positive thinking, reduce stress and foster tranquility. Regular yoga practice has been proven to lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormone levels naturally. Don’t have time to join a gym? Try a mommy-and-me yoga DVD and work out on your own schedule with your baby.

Yoga for moms: The perfect stress relief >>

Make some mom friends

"When women get stressed, our instinct is often to find a friend and talk things through."

When you barely have time to get a shower or brush your teeth without tiny people screaming in the background, finding time for friends can feel like too much to ask. But women thrive on relationships and the validation of close friends. “When women get stressed, our instinct is often to find a friend and talk things through,” says Joan Borysenko, author of Inner Peace for Busy Women. “Both touch and talk release the hormone oxytocin, which has a profoundly calming effect on your mind and body.” Finding mom friends with kids the same age as your own can be the perfect way to add some adult time into your daily schedule. Kids play, moms chat and everyone comes home happy!

Why all moms need good mom friends >>

Discover five-minute miracles

Favorite five-minute pick-me-ups
  • Take a brisk walk around the block
  • Give yourself an avocado facial
  • Spend five minutes chatting on the phone with a friend
  • Write in your journal
  • Brew yourself a fresh, hot cup of coffee and drink it sitting down
  • Send a bouquet of flowers to yourself
  • Put on your favorite music and dance around the house with your kids

When you are a parent to small children, the years go by fast but the days can be oh-so-long. Feeling overwhelmed? Ditch the dishes and give yourself a quick five-minute pick-me-up.

Sometimes all it really takes is a five-minute miracle to help you kick back, take a deep breath and relax.

Take a mother’s day out

No matter how savvy you are about fitting mommy-and-me exercise, momversation, five-minute miracles and other stress-reducers into your daily life, there is simply no substitute for an occasional mom's day out. It is easy to get so wrapped up in taking care of others that we often forget to care for ourselves. Whether you choose to hire a babysitter, a mother's helper or enroll the kiddos in a regular mother’s day out program a couple times a week, remember that nurturing your own needs is a gift you can give the whole family.

Childcare solutions: What is a mother's helper? >>

More stress relief for moms

How to de-stress your stressed mom life
Mommy meltdowns: Make it up to the kids
How to sneak in a little me-time

Jodie Sweetin of Full House sues over year-old car accident

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Jodie Sweetin may look like she's getting along just fine -- at least physically -- with her kids. But apparently $$$ problems still loom. The ex-Stephanie Tanner is suing for, among other things, "future loss of earnings and future medical expenses" tied to a March 2011 car accident in Los Angeles.

Jodie Sweetin lawsuit

Chalk this up as the latest drama for actress Jodie Sweetin, best known as middle-child Stephanie Tanner on the long-running series Full House.

A year and a half after it was reported the 30-year-old owed $30,000 in back taxes, Sweetin is seeking nearly that much money in a lawsuit filed Thursday.

The lawsuit to the tune of around $25,000 stems from a March 2011 car accident involving Clark Taylor Savros.

Sweetin claims, by way of TMZ, that she's already racked up that much in medical bills, vehicle damage and lost wages.

E! also reports Sweetin is seeking monies for "future loss of earning and future medical expenses."

That must have been one heck of an accident.

The proof is in the tweets?

And, indeed, Sweetin did tweet about it — all the way back at the time of the wreck.

Shortly after the smash-up, the famous mom put it like this: "Sorry guys! Had a car accident, im ok. A wrist fracture and neck and body are really sore. Car totaled. Not fun :, Sweetin claims she was driving home from a movie premiere when the aforementioned Savros turned left in front her as she went through a busy intersection.

"Hit them, totaled my car :, gone public about her struggles with meth addiction and there's the whole back-taxes issue from 2009.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

Smart strategies for teaching kids about managing money

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Economic woes in the past few years have prompted many parents to become more interested in teaching their children about money management. In fact, a CouponCabin.com survey found that 47 percent of parents said it's important to teach their children about being financially savvy because, after the most recent recession, they want their children to be properly prepared for the future.

Mother and daughter with piggy bank

The following tips outline a variety of strategies for teaching children how to manage money.

Lead by example

"A parent's relationship with money will teach kids a lot more about money than any one 'philosophy,' " says financial blogger Dawn Anderson. She encourages parents to lead by example. "Get your financial house in order. Teach your kids to be fiscally responsible by controlling your spending, eliminating debt, having an emergency fund and not wasting money or resources," she explains.

Encourage kids to allocate their money

One philosophy Anderson says she does believe in is making children put away one-third of their money for college, one-third for future items and to keep one-third for everyday expenses. "When they are old enough to understand charity then I suggest introducing the fourth category of saving to help others. It doesn't have to be a formal charity per se. It could be buying toys for a children's hospital or groceries for a food bank," she adds.

Challenge children to put their own money toward major purchases

As much as you might want to, you probably can't afford to buy your child everything he or she wants. Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving expert, recommends splitting some purchases 50/50 with your child. "Tell your kids if they want something expensive, like a new bike or designer pair of jeans, that you are willing to split the cost as long as they can save enough money to cover 50 percent of the purchase. This will teach your kids and teenagers the value of their money and help them appreciate the purchase," she explains.

Reward your children for successful saving

Over time, children may lose interest in saving their money or become frustrated when they want something they can't yet afford. To keep children motivated and enthusiastic about saving their money, establish a system that will reward their efforts.

Mikey Rox, a staff writer for the personal finance website WiseBread.com, says, "A nice way to reward the child for reaching a savings milestone is to establish an amount they can spend once they've hit a certain point. In the beginning, maybe you'd like to set the bar at $50. If they reach that goal, tell them that they can spend $5 of the saved money. Each time, raise the bar a bit higher. By continually giving your kids savings goals and also providing them with rewards, they're more likely to stay interested in saving and feel good about doing it."

Give your kids a crash course in couponing

Woroch encourages parents to teach their kids about the benefits of using coupons. "Have your kids find coupons in the Sunday circular or online via sites like CouponSherpa.com. You can make a game of it by seeing who can find more coupons or those with the biggest discounts," she explains.

Remember that your children aren't born knowing how to save money and spend responsibly. If you want your child to develop money management skills, you'll need to set a good example for them and make extra efforts to demonstrate the benefits of being financially savvy.

More money management advice

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Coupon tips

5 Young adult books you’ll want to borrow from your teen

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Looking for a hobby to share with your teen? Try reading the same books. Start your own family book club with these five young adult books that will capture your imagination as well as your teen’s.

Young adult literature is flying off the shelves lately, and it’s not due to a sudden surge in the teen population. Adults who aren’t exactly young are indulging in books written for teen readers. Series like The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter books brought widespread attention to YA books and gave parents the opportunity to enjoy what teens were reading. Whether you have a teen or not, here are five YA books to check out this summer.

Code Name Verity

Author: Elizabeth E. Wein

Age: 14 and up

Price: $11

Since its publication in May, Code Name Verity has received glowing reviews. If you’re looking for an alternative to paranormal romance, this riveting historical drama is for you. Featuring strong female leads and friendship, it’s also a great book to share with your teen daughter. Code Name Verity follows the story of a young spy captured in Nazi-occupied France. She tells her own story to avoid horrific execution.

Code Name Verity

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Age: 14 and up

Price: $10

Veronica Roth’s dystopian series begins with Divergent. The follow up, Insurgent, was released this summer and has already blown up with rave reviews. Taking place in a broken, futuristic Chicago, this series follows a young girl through the aftermath of a difficult choice she must make when she turns sixteen. Popular with teens and adults, Divergent is a thriller with an element of romance.

Divergent

The Demon’s Lexicon

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Age: 14 and up

Price: $10

If your teen isn’t interested in reading about female protagonists, it may be harder to find popular YA books. The Demon’s Lexicon is the first of a series of books that follow two brothers through a paranormal world of demons and magic. This urban fantasy series has a wide appeal and a buddy-adventure theme reminiscent of the popular television series, Supernatural.

Join the SheKnows Book Club >>

The Demon's Lexicon

Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Age: 14 and up

Price: $10

Published a few years ago, Graceling is the introduction to Kristin Cashore’s fascinating world where certain individuals are given a special talent called a Grace. Graced with the ability to fight, Katsa is forced to live as a killer. If you’re looking for a series to get swept away by, Graceling is the way to go. Follow-ups Fire and Bitterblue take you deeper into the unique world crafted by Cashore. Each features a strong female heroine.

Graceling

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin

Author: Robin LaFevers

Age: 14 and up

Price: $11

Following the popular theme of girls who can kick some major butt, Grave Mercy is the first book in a series. Ismae escapes an arranged marriage and becomes an assassin. This romantic adventure mixes careful history with fanciful elements, for a great alternative to fantasy worlds and contemporary romances. Perfect for ages 14 and up, this is one you might need two copies of unless you can put up with sharing with your teen.

Find books for a girls' getaway >>

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin

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You don't have to go to Walt Disney World

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Fighting the crowds at Disneyland isn't the only way to experience princesses, parades and fireworks on your family vacation. When traveling with kids, go beyond the mouse with these creative summer vacation ideas that'll make you realize you don't have to go to Walt Disney World to have some family-friendly fun.

1

Book a family-friendly vacation in San Diego

This Southern California metropolis is known for family-friendly fun, especially when you're looking for a Disneyland resort-style experience without blowing your summer vacation budget. Both the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal Park, promise a full day of fun at each location. Then, hit up Sea World San Diego for sea-faring creatures and a summer-long fireworks show nightly. And, be sure to head over to nearby Legoland for a more amusement park-style experience — princesses included.

2

Take a baseball park road trip

Summer fireworks and baseball games go hand in hand, so take your family's love of both on the road with a vacation idea that is sure to be a blast. However, you'll first want to check with your favorite baseball parks, like Great American Ball Park, to ensure that they have summer fireworks in effect, as not all of your favorite fields may boast a sky-lighting show. While you're there, catch a behind-the-scenes tour of each baseball field before taking in the ball game to give your kiddos a new understanding of America's favorite pastime.

Before you hit the road, pack up these tips for road trips with kids >>

3

Find fun in Florida

Walt Disney World isn't the only family-friendly vacation destination in the sunny state of Florida — when traveling with kids other can't-miss theme parks offer a vacation full of fun. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines exotic animals and roller thrills into one theme park. Then, cool off at Adventure Island water park, where slides, a rambling river, waterfalls and more offer fun for the entire family. Or, snuggle up at the Universal Orlando Resort with close access to Universal Studios — with a daily movie character parade — and Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks for movie-sized adventures.

4

Sail away on a family cruise

Cruise ships aren't reserved for your golden years; tons of big-named cruise lines offer families traveling with kids a vacation experience you can't find on shore. Norwegian Cruise Line boasts a Nickelodeon at Sea encounter, complete with slime and SpongeBob SquarePants. Or, come aboard Royal Caribbean for the DreamWorks experience and cruise alongside the characters from Madagascar and Shrek. However, those hankering for a little time with the famous mouse himself can still hop aboard the Disney Cruise Line, complete with character experiences, live shows and tons of Disney-themed fun without ever stepping foot in Disneyland.

Baby on board! Taking baby or toddler on a cruise? Check out tips for smooth sailing >>

5

Keep your family vacation all-inclusive

The Caribbean is well-known for its all-inclusive resorts, ranging in activities and amenities for everyone in your family when you know where to look. One comprehensive resort to consider when traveling with kids is the Harborside Resort at Atlantis which lays claim to kids' clubs, aquariums, water parks, a pirate museum and more. Or, check out the family-friendly Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort boasting a DJ academy, aquatic playground and tons of activities featuring Sesame Street characters.

While you don't have to go to Walt Disney World to have a family-friendly vacation, call ahead to your destination to let them know you're traveling with kids; the concierge may have invaluable tips or money-saving discounts that you won't find online. With a little creativity when planning the perfect family vacation, ideas that go beyond Disneyland will help you create your own happiest place on earth without having to drag your kids down Main Street!

Check out more family vacation tips

Sneak in family exercise on vacation
Must-have gadgets for family vacations
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Tonight's Dinner: Grilled lamb sandwiches recipe

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Marinating steak or seafood and cooking it on the grill makes for the perfect summer dinner. But grilling a marinated leg of lamb makes a delicious alternative during these warm months.

When the weather turns warm and the sun stays out longer, nothing seems more appropriate for dinner than the outdoor grill. Sure, making some hamburgers and hot dogs is easy enough, but steak and seafood is just as wonderful an alternative. The one meat you don't seem to see that often on the barbecue though, is lamb. And lamb can be just as delicious as any of these other standards, especially when marinated. But rather than just grilling up a leg of lamb and serving it with a salad, why not follow Guy Fieri's suggestion and serve up the savory marinated meat on a toasted baguette with pickled cucumbers? It makes for a nice alternative to the more common burger and the ice cold cucumbers provide a nice crunch that's guaranteed to turn any ordinary backyard barbecue into a party.

Grilled lamb sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons capers, minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • One 3 to 4-pound leg of lamb, butterflied
  • 1 sourdough baguette, sliced lenghtwise
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 Japanese cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

  1. Whisk together the capers, oregano, garlic, yogurt, olive oil and lemon zest in a bowl until well mixed.
  2. Place the lamb in a large resealable bag. Pour the yogurt mixture over the lamb, seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least two hours and up to overnight, turning occasionally.
  3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  4. Remove lamb from marinade and wipe off any excess. Sprinkle both sides of lamb with salt and pepper. Brush grill with olive oil and place lamb on grill. Cook for 15 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, another 15 minutes for medium. Transfer lamb to a plate and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing across the grain.
  5. While the lamb rests, whisk together the mayonnaise, paprika and cumin in a small bowl.
  6. Mix white vinegar, sugar and salt in a small pan over low heat. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Transfer vinegar mixture to a medium bowl. Place cucumbers in vinegar mixture and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  7. Place sliced baguette on the grill for one to two minutes until toasted. Spread baguette slices with mayonnaise mixture. Stack slices of lamb and pickled cucumbers on one piece of the baguette. Top with the other side of the baguette. Slice into large pieces and serve.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>

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Bachelorette plans on hold? Cheryl Burke finds beau on own

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Like Carrie Underwood and Hilary Duff before her, Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke is canoodling with a "man of the rink." The news comes little more than a month after Burke tweeted she was such a loser at love, that she'd be up for a stint on The Bachelorette.

Cheryl Burke new guy

Dancing with the Stars coach Cheryl Burke doesn't need ABC matchmaking show The Bachelorette now that she's dating Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul.

People reports the pair met at the 2012 NHL Awards in Las Vegas, which Burke hosted.

Ironically, People said the 28-year-old spoke with them about her love life during the June 20 event.

"My dating record hasn't been great the past couple of years so if I have a chance to go on I will," Burke told the publication. "I'm getting old, you know, so it's something of interest to me."

Cheryl Burke beau

When the story about her possible foray into the dating show hit the stands, Burke tweeted to her fans: "What do u guys think?"

At least one recognizable name, Kirstie Alley, encouraged her to go for it.

"DO IT!! You would be the FIRST non idiot ...don't kiss ALL of them! ugh," the / actress tweeted.

At the time, Burke said she thought "it would be fun to have a pool of guys around you and getting to know someone."

"I think if I had people setting me up with different guys I think it would be easier for me to meet someone to date," she told People.

Story has since changed — and changed quickly.

Burke also has some good precedent on her side — many other celebs have been lucky in love with hockey standouts.

Shall we add Burke to the list of future hockey players' wives, which include ex-Full House star Candace Cameron Bure, Disney alumnus Hilary Duff and country music starlet Carrie Underwood?

Images courtesy of Judy Eddy/WENN.com

What’s new in New Haven, Connecticut

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With the prestigious Yale University as its centerpiece and main cultural attraction, New Haven is a city rich in American history, arts and culture and good food. Here are six fun things to do and see during your next trip to this under-the-radar New England town.

Yale University

Take a guided tour of the Yale campus Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on weekends at 1:30 p.m. Students conduct the informative tours, which depart from the Yale Visitor Center at 139 Elm Street, and give a glimpse of the 300-year-old university's history and culture. Visitors get to see Yale's libraries — the Gothic Sterling Memorial Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, constructed with more than 100 panels of translucent marble and home to one of the world's preeminent collections of rare materials, including the Gutenberg Bible. Self-guided tours are also an option.

Get a taste of New Haven's foodie favorites on the three-hour Downtown New Haven Culinary Tours. This walking tour hosted by local food blogger Stephen Fries visits nine different restaurants and eateries throughout downtown New Haven and departs from the Omni New Haven at Yale on select dates from April to December. Tickets are $59 - $69 per person and must be reserved in advance.

Every August the city hosts the New Haven Jazz Festival, featuring live jazz performances by emerging talent from the area as well as nationally and internationally recognized musicians. This event is free and open to the public at the New Haven Green, one of the oldest public spaces in New England and the setting for three churches built on the east side of the Green between 1812 and 1816. The New Haven Green is also home to the Amistad Memorial in recognition of the African captives who were incarcerated from 1839 to 1840 in the New Haven Jail.

Who knew that New Haven is home to the first slice of American pizza? So take a break from counting calories and grab a slice or a whole pie at one of New Haven's famous brick-oven pizzerias: Sally's Apizza, Frank Pepe or Modern Apizza.

On 9 makes the Historic 9th Square of New Haven a unique destination for visitors and residents. These collaborative open-house evenings, held on first Fridays throughout the year, showcase a neighborhood known for innovative art, music and cultural experiences and are designed to give visitors a greater understanding and appreciation of culture and the development of the 9th Square.

The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop is an experimental learning workshop for students, teachers and families. For children between the ages of 5 and 12, the museum offers summer workshops, birthday parties, school programs, and weekend walk-in projects where kids can build a toy train.

More places to visit

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Two steps forward, let’s make it three: Marissa Mayer, take a real maternity leave

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Undoubtedly you have heard all the chatter online about new Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer. A long-time executive for Google, she's the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company... and she's pregnant.
Moms at work

A message to the new Yahoo! CEO

Undoubtedly you have heard all the chatter online about new Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer. A long-time executive for Google, she's the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company... and she's pregnant.

While working moms navigate compromises every single day after giving birth, the time when a woman first becomes a mom is uniquely special. I have personally taken two maternity leaves, one while co-heading the Mergers & Acquisitions group for IAC and one while running Urbanspoon, Citysearch and Insider Pages, a collection of consumer internet businesses that serve 50 million unique users a month and employ about 100 people.

When I saw my Facebook newsfeed alight with lively celebration of Marissa Mayer, I was similarly ecstatic both because she is a young, talented woman and because she announced her pregnancy on the same day as the Yahoo CEO news. As the post below notes, she is giving Yahoo a whole new meaning for women looking for relatable, or at least inspiring, role models.

Marissa Mayer pregnant

Out of these public and private media Marissa celebrations, it seems a new zeitgeist is developing around the importance of women with topics as diverse as the obvious — Influential Women in Silicon Valley — to the should-be obvious — Why Women Matter Online.

She joins the ranks of the all-too-limited women running Fortune 500 companies. According to Catalyst, a NYC nonprofit that researches women's issues, Marissa becomes the record 20th female CEO of Fortune 500 companies.

Whether Marissa likes it or not, the pregnancy news was truly the icing on an already great success story.

Women are still digesting how to have an impact after the recent Anne-Marie Slaughter article. Many were depressed by the inertia of the industries in which they work or hope to work. I for one was inspired, because as a thirty-something woman in an executive position, I felt I could start making a difference. I was left asking questions such as, ”What if every woman moved by this article came up with structural improvements for the world they influence?” and, ”Are there small changes to norms and scheduling that could go a long way in each of my talented friends’ professions?”

"The way she treats maternity leave will serve as an example or an anti-example for all women looking for a path."

Whether Marissa realizes it or not, the way she treats maternity leave will serve as an example or an anti-example for all women looking for a path, for those women who do not want "to gap" their ambition, but also want to enjoy being a parent.

To be sure, Marissa is not a typical woman and her dilemma is not an easy one. But, I am a big believer that macro change is most likely to have an impact by starting at the top, with the most visible examples, however unusual the circumstances. The good news is that gender diversity is tied to economic results.

McKinsey put out a 2010 study called Women Matter that suggests companies that have women most strongly represented on the board or senior positions perform the best. McKinsey looked at European companies across six countries, comparing the performance of companies that fell into the top-quartile in terms of share of women in executive committee roles to companies with all-male executive committees. Companies with the highest share of women outperform companies with no women when looking at both return on equity and operating margin.

Figuring out how to strike a balance was a struggle for each. While I was out, there were mistakes made, but it also gave my direct reports a chance to execute against a plan we put in place prior. Maternity leave creates opportunity for senior leaders to manage their business through time-lapse photography. After a limited time of light management it is much easier to tell who moved through walls to execute and who did not. As I was struggling to determine the best course for me, my family and my businesses, I received unsolicited advice from many women who appreciated or regretted the way they took their leave. Much of the regret advice came with warnings such as "She was a hard worker" never graces anyone's gravestone.

With the benefit of time and distance, my unsolicited advice to Marissa: Take a real maternity leave of some variety! Or at the very least, do not downplay its importance. Celebrate your role as the first ever pregnant CEO of a Fortune 500 company. While Yahoo may end up as the greatest internet turnaround of all time or it may limp along, 90 days will not ultimately determine its outcome. It will change you and may even make you better with the rare opportunity to gain perspective from the side of a crib.

Tips:

  • put together 12 week plans with clear defined metrics for each of your teams while you are on leave
  • create rules by which your team should reach out to you and you will respond to emails

Specifically, put together 12 week plans with clear defined metrics for each of your teams while you are on leave. Create rules by which your team should reach out to you and you will respond to emails. For example, “timely” goes for topics such as a decision around a critical partnership that may lock you up in exclusivity for a year. Generally speaking, any major decision that cannot be changed when you return should be run by you. Focus your time and attention on the big needle movers — key hires and key strategy decisions. If your brain has to work well early in the morning, meet your friend, the coffee pot, or ask your husband to take the nighttime feedings.

Marissa, you have an opportunity to create an even greater legacy to women and men everywhere by building a culture that finds the balance between business achievement and emotional satisfaction. Yahoo is your company. You are a rock star. Do not be afraid to be different and change the world. I look forward to reading your story to my grandkids someday.

Kara Nortman is the senior vice president, consumer businesses for CityGrid Media, an IAC owned online media company that connects web and mobile publishers with local advertising organizations by linking them through CityGrid®, its local content and advertising network.

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Real moms share: What does the tooth fairy bring at your house?

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Don't let your kids catch you reading this article! Real moms tell us about the Tooth Fairy traditions at their home — how much does she bring, does she bring more for certain teeth, does she bring money or a prize and what to do if she accidentally falls asleep watching Downton Abbey and forgets to put the money under the pillow .

Don't let your kids catch you reading this article! Real moms tell us about the Tooth Fairy traditions at their home.

Tooth Fairy traditions from real families

How much does she bring, does she bring more for certain teeth, does she bring money or a prize and what to do if she accidentally falls asleep watching Downton Abbey and forgets to put the money under the pillow .

World traveling tooth fairies

Melody Goeken says, “We have one son who is now 16. The tooth fairy always brought some sort of toy, such as a Batman action figure, and coins/money from other countries. The poor fairy travels all over the world and can't always get her currency right! The morning after we look at the money and see where it is from and go to the internet to see what they are worth and find some details about the country.”

She continues, “Luckily we have many friends who travel all over the world and they would bring us currency to stockpile for the next tooth. Our most unique is an Iraqi dinar!”

Barb Davis-Pyles, mom of two, calls her tooth fairy a “geography geek,” saying, “she always leaves coins from around the world for each lost tooth. That way, the next day we get to explore the location she has obviously flown in from — as in, ‘Oh wow! A kid from the Dominican Republic must have lost a tooth right before you did!’”

Find out: Should money be a reward? >>

Prices go up for pain, suffering and late tooth fairies

“The tooth fairy brings $5 for first tooth and $2 for each tooth afterwards. My oldest child fell out of a bunk bed on vacation one time and knocked out his two front teeth at age 5 — because it was so traumatic, the tooth fairy brought him a $20 bill for those two teeth,” says Nancy Whalen Eichler, mom of three kids ages 9, 8 and 5.

The great allowance debate: Should you pay allowance for chores? >>

She adds, “Please note: the tooth fairy is juggling so much these days that she seems to forget to come sometimes, so she can sometimes surprise us all by coming during the late morning.”

7 Kid-friendly dental care products your tooth fairy should bring your child >>

Trinkets and toys

Life coach, author of The Peacemaker Parent, Solving Problems for Today, Teaching Independence for a Lifetime and mom of two teenage boys, Lorraine Esposito says, “Fiddle things are the perfect currency for buying a kid's tooth. The tooth fairy always surprised my boys with small action figures or Lego sets that could be played with while still in bed. You can find great things on sale all over so shop anticipating the unexpected tooth to fall out.”

She adds, “Just be sure you have a good hiding place... Oh, and be sure to remember where that great hiding place is. ”

If you stock up too much, Lorraine suggests giving the trinkets as prizes for “a job well done or to stuff a holiday stocking.”

Grandparent rates trump going rates

Eileen Zyko Wolter says her son lucked out when he lost his second tooth at his grandparent's house. “For my older son we decided the first tooth got $10 and the next ones $5 each. Of course he lost his second tooth while staying at his grandparent's who gave him $10!”

More on the tooth fairy and baby teeth

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