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The Amazing Spider-Man movie review: Bitten

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After seeing numerous other Spider-Man films and reading about the troubled Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, I thought the arachnid-spawned superhero was all played out... I was wrong.

The Amazing Spider-Man in red suitBritish actor Andrew Garfield plays Peter Parker as a vulnerable, emo teen, struggling with his identity due to the abandonment by his parents when he was only a boy. Luckily, he lives with his loving aunt and uncle played to perfection by Sally Field and Martin Sheen.

At school, he searches for the courage to stand up to the school bully while looking for any opportunity to make eye contact with pretty Gwen Stacy . But when Peter finds a briefcase in his basement that once belonged to his mysterious father, he unlocks a curious mathematical equation and also finds a newspaper clipping with a photo of his father’s partner, Dr. Curt Connors .

Ever curious about his parents’ disappearance, Peter goes to Dr. Connors lab to investigate. Once at Oscorp, he finds Gwen Stacy in a lab coat leading a tour group. Turns out she interns for Dr. Connors after school and provides for the perfect if not overly-convenient connection to set up her and Peter’s romance.

The Amazing Spider-Man at homePeter befriends Dr. Connors and shares his father’s equation with him, unknowingly unleashing a terrible cross-species genetic experiment with dire consequences. Meanwhile, in a scene that is definitely an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider whose DNA infiltrates his own, giving him silk-producing spinnerets and superhuman strength. Nice!

What’s most interesting about this version of Spider-Man is that Peter’s character steps away from the simpleton portrayed by Tobey Maguire and comes closer to a real high school kid with issues and problems made interesting by his big curiosity and even bigger heart. Andrew Garfield’s performance really grew on me through the film, as he layered the role with the loneliness of an outcast and the hormones of red-blooded teenage boy. Emma Stone is lovely with blonde hair and brings a sweet strength to brave, young Gwen.

The Amazing Spider-Man Emma StoneWith superb special effects, this is the first film this year where the 3-D really adds an element of entertainment to the experience. I found myself ducking to avoid flying objects a couple of times and sitting on the edge of my seat when a child is stranded in a car that dangles by a mere strand of spider silk from the Brooklyn Bridge. Great work!

Bottom line: Though nearly 2 hours and 20 minutes, The Amazing Spiderman in 3-D manages to provide the ultimate superhero experience with a surprising amount of heart. Here is a summer movie both you and your man will love. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Sony Pictures

4th of July dessert recipes

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Cute, festive and fun, these sweet little treats pack a big bang. These bite-sized desserts can be made ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy your 4th of July celebration.
Mini layer cake bites

Cute desserts to celebrate the 4th

Cute, festive and fun, these sweet little treats pack a big bang. These bite-sized desserts can be made ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy your 4th of July celebration.

July 4th is a holiday for all ages, old and young, to enjoy. With all of the barbecues, pool parties and fireworks, it hardly leaves time to make desserts. These little bite-sized desserts pack big-time flavor and taste as if they took all day to prepare. Quick, easy and festive, these are the ideal sweet treats to celebrate with.

Bite-sized red white and blue layer cakes recipe

Mini layer cake bites

Yields 1 dozen mini layer cake bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 bottle red food coloring
  • 1 bottle blue coloring
  • 2 containers white frosting
  • 10 to 12 small jars with lids, washed and dried
  • Red, white and blue sprinkles
  • Mini cupcake pan
  • Mini cupcake liners

Directions:

  1. Prepare the cake batter as directed on the box. Once the batter is mixed, separate the batter into two separate bowls trying to get equal amounts of the batter into each bowl.
  2. In one bowl add the red food coloring and in the second bowl add the blue. Each brand of food coloring seems to vary as far as coloring so use the amount of food coloring you feel necessary to achieve the desired shades of red and blue.
  3. Once both batters are colored, line the mini cupcake pan with the mini cupcake liners and fill with the two cake batters and bake as directed on the package.
  4. Once the cupcakes are done baking set on the counter and allow to cool completely.
  5. Once cool remove the cupcakes from the pan and remove the cup cake liner. Slice each cupcake in half . Do this for the all of the remaining cupcake
  6. On a large serving plate place the bottom of one of the red cupcakes. Add frosting then adding the top of the cupcake. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.
  7. Garnish with extra frosting and red white and blue sprinkles and serve.

Patriotic dipped strawberries recipe

Yields 12-15 strawberries, depending on the amount of berries per pint

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint of organic strawberries, washed and dried
  • 1 package of white chocolate chips or white chocolate candy coating
  • Blue sanding sugar or blue sprinkles
  • 1 large cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Directions:

  1. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate as directed on the package.
  2. In a bowl add the blue sanding sugar or blue sprinkles.
  3. Hold the strawberry by the stem and gently dip it into the melted white chocolate. then dip the strawberry into the sanding sugar or blue sprinkles.
  4. Place the strawberry on the wax paper to allow to dry. Repeat with remaining strawberries. Keep the strawberries in the refrigerator until ready to be served.

Red, white and blueberry mini triffle recipe

Yields 10-12 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 store-bought angelfood cake
  • 1 pint blueberries, washed and dried
  • 1 pint strawberries, washed and dried
  • Whipped cream
  • 10-12 small clear plastic cups

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl crumble the angelfood cake.
  2. In one of the plastic cups add some of the crumbled angelfood cake, then add blueberries, more cake and then strawberries. Repeat with the rest of the rest of the cake and berries.
  3. Top each triffle off with whipped cream and garnish with extra berries.

More 4th of july desserts

Fourth of July firecracker cakelette
Summer layered drink
Firecracker cupcakes in a jar

How to fight right

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We know it’s inevitable that arguments are going to come up between a married couple. It can be about the family pet, a bill that wasn't paid, a dentist’s appointment for your child that was missed — it’s always the small things, right? But even the small things can add up to a big argument. 

We know it’s inevitable that arguments are going to come up between a married couple.

Avoid arguing in front of your kids

It can be about the family pet, a bill that wasn't paid, a dentist’s appointment for your child that was missed — it’s always the small things, right? But even the small things can add up to a big argument.

Obviously, it’s not good to argue in front of your children. However, in the heat of the moment it’s sometimes hard to control ourselves. This is where communication with your spouse is needed before the argument begins. Make a plan about what should happen when a tense moment arises between the two of you in front of your kids. Even if you argue and then make up with each other when the children are present, they may think it can happen again. They might even think you’ll get a divorce, so be aware of that prior to any disagreement. Below are six ways to avoid arguing in front of your children.

Battle ground

Save your kids from the arguing and choose a spot beforehand for where you and your spouse can have it out privately. My spot was the car in the driveway. You can voice your opinion loudly in there.

Make up right

Make sure that when you do make up with your spouse that you show your children that everything is OK. The silent treatment can still be sensed by a child and make him even more uneasy and confused.

Opinions matter

A discussion and an all-out argument are two different things. Even though adults disagree, it doesn’t mean that you don’t love your spouse. Remind the kids that it’s healthy to voice your opinion. But you and your spouse need to establish that line in the sand between a discussion and an argument.

Noise travels

It's important that when you do disagree you make sure that the children are not listening to the whole play-by-play. Even though you may think they’re in another room far away and wearing iPods, you still need to make sure to be discreet and that they are not outside the door listening to every word.

Don't feed the fire

If one of you can’t help yourself and you begin arguing in front of the children, the other should not yell back and add fuel to the fire. While one person is doing the talking the other can do the ignoring until you both are alone. This takes self control and it isn’t easy, but remember that it’s for the sake of the kids.

On the same page

If your husband keeps arguing after you have discussed not to do it in front of the children, assure him that if he doesn’t follow what you both discussed and agreed on then there will be no make-up sex. That should help him get on the same page quickly!

More about communication

5 Ways to ease post-baby conflicts with your partner
What to say when: You've just had a fight
Fighting in front of the kids

See controversial Kate Middleton ad while you can!

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The TV spot featuring a look-alike Queen, Prince William and Kate goes up, but it doesn't stay that way, as media outlets 'round the globe are reporting the Chinese commercial, portraying the Duchess as a "gold digger," is being pulled from sites like YouTube as quickly as it goes up.

Duchess Kate Ad

The video that's ruffling so many feathers was produced by officials from the tourism arm of Chengdu -- a city of 14 million people in southwest China.

The ad features three stunning look-alikes as William, Kate and the Queen.

They're shown standing outside of the royal palace in, naturally, the rain .

Suspend your disbelief: They're waiting for a taxi to haul them the "slumming" way to the Jubilee celebrations.

And it was the Queen's idea!

She indicates it's the "recession" after all.

You'll do a double-take when you see the actress portraying Kate whine: "I just don't understand why we cannot take the royal limo. I didn't marry into royalty to schlep around in a taxi."

You'll also do a double-take when you hear Will's eerie doppelgänger respond: "The commoners want to see us tightening our belts and all that."

Fake Kate's response? "'Rubbish, people want to see that they can be like us if they just work hard."

It's at this point that the Queen quickly cuts down the daughter-in-law : "Like you did?"

The Daily Mail reminds us that Kate got a lot of grief for not having a full-time job while dating the prince.

You can see the spot in its entirety here. But who knows for long? Several media outlets are reporting vids of the spot, which the world didn't even know about until Monday, have already been pulled on YouTube and elsewhere.

That could have something to do with the fact that many Brits aren't laughing.

Plus, with it being a Chengdu city creation, no doubt officials are scrambling to do damage control on what's become known as the "gold-digger" ad online.

While it's questionable just how the Chinese tourism industry ties to the royal family, the commercial is supposed to promote a fleet of black "panda" taxis adorned with paintings of the bears. Hence, the long wait for a taxi in the rain.

Perhaps some of the cab commercial controversy comes from its timing.

The spot falls right on the heels of Prince William turning 30, at which time he inherited around $15 million -- as his late mother Princess Di intended.

What did you think of the ad -- Funny? Tacky? Or both?

Image courtesy of WENN.com

Why is Pitbull being exiled -- to Alaska?

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Hate him , Miami-born music artist Pitbull may be shipped off to a remote Alaskan island. And you can help send him there.

Exile Pitbull

Rapper Pitbull may be living his own Exile Island, thanks to a writer with The Boston Phoenix newspaper.

The 31-year-old, who often talks and sings about his upbringing in Miami, may be headed for a destination that's worlds apart from the hot, hot heat and action of South Florida.

The writer with aforementioned paper thought it would be hilarious to send Pitbull to Kodiak, Alaska.

Don't know Kodiak, aside from maybe the famous bears that, well, bear that name?

Kodiak's actually an island off the coast of Alaska.

The island's so remote all commercial goods from the "outside world" must be shipped in either via ferry or plane.

A perfect place to send an artist that you hate!

But Pitbull wouldn't be going just anywhere on Kodiak. He'd be headed for the Walmart there -- in fact, what's considered the "most remote" Walmart store.

The writer's suggestion has turned into a full-blown campaign and contest between Walmart stores to ship the artist off.

As of Tuesday morning, the Kodiak Walmart page had nearly 43,000 likes.

One of Pitbull's hometown stores had a lot of catching up to do -- with fewer than 600 likes as of early Tuesday.

#ExilePitbull was also trending, and is worthy of read for gems like this: “Nothing made me happier today than finding out people are trying to send Pitbull to Alaska. God that guy sucks. Count me in!” 

Even people who like Pitbull want to see him here, and none more so than fans in remote Kodiak.

One girl tweeted the city's zip, 99615, and did a little begging:  "Please send pitbull here.”

From the looks of it, she just may get her wish!

But Pitbull better bring his jacket. Though it's summer, Kodiak's temp didn't even reach 50 degrees Tuesday morning. Miami, on the other hand, was about 40 degrees warmer.

Image courtesy of WENN.com

Chatting with Stephen Brown of Craft Wars

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The brand new hit series Craft Wars debuted last week on TLC. We were lucky enough to sit down with one of the judges who is also the founder of Glitterville, a decorator, baker and storyteller extraordinaire, Stephen Brown. Here are his fabulous tales of Hollywood, Glitterville and silky chickens.
Stephen Brown
Craft Wars

The baker,
the crafter &
the judge

The brand new hit series Craft Wars debuted last week on TLC. We were lucky enough to sit down with one of the judges who is also the founder of Glitterville, a decorator, baker and storyteller extraordinaire, Stephen Brown. Here are his fabulous tales of Hollywood, Glitterville and silky chickens.

Television tell all

SheKnows: How did you become involved in Craft Wars, and what made you decide to do the show?

Brown: I have always been a crafter, and my love of crafting has been carried through my entire career. I was a costume designer for television and film and was also making things on my own; it was then I realized I didn't want to just craft and started dabbling in television also.

When I heard they were doing a new craft show I was thrilled to see that TLC was picking up on crafting. They contacted me to be a judge and I was beyond interested — it was a dream project, really. Not only is the show all about crafts, but about how all crafters think differently and what they are able to create. I jumped on the offer and was thrilled with the opportunity.

SheKnows: How would you describe your judging personality?

"I approach judging from three phases: structure, sparkle and style."

Brown: I approach judging from three phases: structure, sparkle and style. I want contestants to start thinking about structure… How do I start? What's on the inside of what I'm making? When I judge I start with, Did they plan? Did they start there? I look at it in layers. It helps me preach my case more because if you don't have good center, you are working with you will fail in the end, even though there is a time limit they have to put that much thought into it to be successful.

SheKnows: What do you think about the show and the contestants so far?

Brown: The whole show is an interesting concept to explain — crafts. The way I think of it is a physical materialization of someone's creativity so it could be almost anything. They all come with a certain skill in a certain department, and it may not serve them on that task, but their skill as a crafter helps them think on their feet and get it done. If you don't come in with a significant amount of crafting ability you will fail. So far I think they all have brought it. They have all come to the table with interesting projects.

SheKnows: Have there been moments that have surprised you? Anything jaw-dropping yet?

Brown: In good ways and in bad ways: I am often surprised that someone did something interesting and creative that I would have never thought of then others do something and I wonder, What were they thinking? A good example is Cheryl from episode one. She used spray adhesive to apply stripes on a bag and then attempted to sew them. I think she realized the fatalness of her flaw later.

Craft Wars judgesSheKnows: Can you tell me honestly if Tori Spelling is as fabulous and together in real life as she is on television?

Brown: I would actually say more so. When you first meet a celebrity you never know what the dynamics are going to be. When the judges and Tori all came together it was like we had been together for years. She never separated herself from us, she came in and we all got along. Tori is much warmer and friendlier than I ever perceived her to be on television.

SheKnows: Speaking of television, since you are now entering the reality show scene, do you have a favorite reality show to watch ?

Brown: I have to admit I am a reality show junkie, so I can watch anything for at least one sitting. I like to watch anything on TLC because there are topics you may think you would not be interested in, but they are so well produced and well put together that you can't stop watching.

Where it all began

SheKnows: You have amazing talent in crafting and baking, how did you get involved in both?

Brown: Crafting I've always done. I literally can't remember a time in life that I wasn't crafting something. In first grade they handed out construction paper Christmas trees and popcorn kernels, but the fire alarm rang before I could finish. Instead of filing out for the alarm with my class, I hid in coat closet with my craft until it was finished. When I was done, I came out of my hiding place, thinking everyone would love my piece but there were teachers and police there instead. They thought I was missing and everyone was worried sick.

"Crafting I've always done. I literally can't remember a time in life that I wasn't crafting something."

I think I missed a lot of life along the way because of my focus on making things. I didn't care about extracurricular activities because I always wanted to make the next thing. This segued into theater though, where I could make props and costumes and served me well because I've never had a job not making things, except for once when I was accidentally hired as Mel Torme's bodyguard. I was hired to "dress him for the show" and next thing I know they were calling for his security and I realized they were waiting for me. My first question was, Do I have to use a gun?

As for baking, I've had an obsession with cake decorations and things that could be sculpted with sugar for as long as I can remember. When my mom was invited to a baby shower, I would dream of the cake and what decorations would be on it weeks in advance. I would beg her to let me come and promise to be good and would snag the piece of cake that had the decoration I wanted on it. My love for the smell of sugar and trinkets got furthered by Easter. With everything that I got in my basket, I never ate a thing, I just saved it all to admire. When I was young I started making cupcakes just for the decorating. It was all about what it looked like in the end, not about the flavors. But of course that has changed over the years.

SheKnows: You share on Glitterville your love for the holidays and your equal love for making and baking. Is there a certain holiday that inspires your crafting side most?

Brown: When I was little I was such a crafter, but I only knew to craft for holidays. And then when the holiday was over I would be sad. I would find myself crying on Christmas because the holiday and crafting were over.

Halloween and Christmas were my favorites because they were close together so I could string crafts one after the other and not have to wait. My mother tried to help me get started on Valentine's Day soon after Christmas, but it just wasn't the same. Finally my nana said, "Why don't you just make every day a holiday?" We lived in the Bible Belt where many had a dislike for Halloween. For me it was all about fun, the costumes, the cupcakes and the candy. What can you find wrong with that? I saw it as a challenge to make Halloween about fun for everyone and not about anything scary.

SheKnows: What about your baking side?

Brown: I bake all year, holidays or no holidays. Anything I bake I try to make it fun and pretty. It has to be both. My new 4th of July cake is the perfect example; it is fun. It has filling between every layer and plenty of sparkle.

SheKnows: Your book, Handmade Halloween, comes out Aug. 21 and is full of Halloween crafts and decor. Why start with Halloween?

Brown: Halloween was where I started when I started Glitterville and I think the difference with starting with Halloween was, everyone starts with Christmas. There are so many Halloween fanatics that I wanted to cater to and it worked out that it was a great place to start. It's crafting, making costumes and candy management. Halloween is the culmination of all that is good; it all happens on Halloween.

Silky chickenChickens and inspiration

SheKnows: So you have an interesting pet named Dolly, a silky chicken. Is she easy to maintain? Would you recommend a silky chicken to others as a pet?

"Cats and dogs have gotten all the press; my silky chicken is the sweetest pet I've ever had."

Brown: The first silky chicken I had ever seen was Coco, Tori's chicken. There was an episode we filmed when Tori brought Coco to the set and I decided I really wanted one, but had no idea how to go about getting one. Tori helped me pursue finding Dolly. Cats and dogs have gotten all the press; my silky chicken is the sweetest pet I've ever had. Believe it or not, a chicken can express itself and love you like any other animal. Dolly sits in my lap and chicken-snores. I plop her into my craft bag when I go to studio, I've taken her to restaurants and the grocery store and no one knows she's there.

One downfall is crafting diapers for the chicken. Dolly has a collection of failed chicken diapers. Putting one on her is like putting panty hose on a mosquito.

SheKnows: What tips would you give the everyday person on getting started in crafting and actually making things that look good?

Brown: It is important to identify who you are as a crafter. What is your interest? Don't just go buy it because it's in a kit. You have to define what you like and craft toward that. That's what makes you love it for the long haul.

Identify who you are as a crafter and hone those skills. Everything I make starts with a sketch; it has to to make it enjoyable, I don't just dive in. There is always a plan and I go from there. I believe that everyone has crafting in them, just open yourself up to what crafting is for you. There is some level of craftiness in everything we do.

More on crafting

Mom story: My crafting saved us
How to create a family crafting stash
DIY stamps

Photo credits: TLC

Summer citrus bars with fresh whipped cream recipe

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Sweet and tangy fresh lemon and lime juices are what create the base flavor of this summer treat. Top these bars with fresh homemade whipped cream for a treat you will want to make year-round.

Summer citrus bars with fresh whipped cream recipe

What does summer taste like? One bite of these summer citrus bars, and you'll agree they earned their name well. Fresh lemon and lime juices along with their zests are what create the citrus flavors in these scrumptious bars. Creamy, sweet and tart, serve them up as is or top them off with the optional homemade whipped cream.

Summer citrus bars with fresh whipped cream recipe

Yields 16-20

Ingredients:

  •  2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  •  2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  •  2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
  •  2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
  •  6 eggs
  •  2-1/4 cups granulated sugar
  •  1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  •  3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  •  1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  •  2 tablespoons sifted powdered sugar
  • Homemade whipped cream

Directions:

  1. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with heavy foil or parchment paper and set aside.
  2. For crust, in large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and beat until combined. Beat in two cups of the flour until crumbly. Stir in one teaspoon of the lemon zest and one teaspoon of the lime zest. Evenly press on the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes.
  3. For the filling, in medium bowl, combine eggs, granulated sugar, remaining one-half cup flour, lemon juice, baking powder and nutmeg. Beat on medium for two minutes. Stir in remaining lemon and lime zest.
  4. Pour the mixture over the hot crust and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown and center is set.
  5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for one hour on a cooling rack . Move the pan to the refrigerator and allow to cool for an additional two to three hours.
  6. To serve, lift from the pan using the foil. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar and cut into bars. Top with fresh whipped cream, if desired.

Homemade whipped cream

Yields 16 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, add the heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks are forming.
  2. Add in the vanilla and sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

More dessert ideas

Cool summer desserts
12 Guiltless summer desserts
Simple summer desserts

Parenting Guru: The difference between boys’ and girls’ brains

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For every time you hear, “It’s a boy thing,” or “She’s all girl,” and you think, “Yeah, but why?” — we’re here to tell you it’s a brain thing. Scientists can literally see the differences between boys’ and girls’ brains. “It’s important to understand the distinctions but different doesn’t mean good or bad, better or worse; it just means different,” says David Walsh, Ph.D., psychologist and parenting expert who has been studying children and brain science for decades. “You can’t generalize to describe every boy or girl — there are millions of exceptions.” Dr. Walsh, author of Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids: The One Brain Book You Need to Help Your Child Grow Brighter, Healthier, and Happier, talks brain science with SheKnows below.


Discover how your kid’s brain really works

For every time you hear, “It’s a boy thing,” or “She’s all girl,” and you think, “Yeah, but why?” — we’re here to tell you it’s a brain thing. Scientists can literally see the differences between boys’ and girls’ brains. “It’s important to understand the distinctions but different doesn’t mean good or bad, better or worse; it just means different,” says David Walsh, Ph.D., psychologist and parenting expert who has been studying children and brain science for decades. “You can’t generalize to describe every boy or girl — there are millions of exceptions.” Dr. Walsh, author of Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids: The One Brain Book You Need to Help Your Child Grow Brighter, Healthier, and Happier, talks brain science with SheKnows below.

In your book, Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids, you cover the differences between boys' and girls' brains; what differences do you think parents need to be especially aware of?

Dr. David Walsh: Language is one of the clearest brain differences between the sexes. Girls arrive with a brain built for language. During infancy the left hemisphere — the brain’s language center for most people — develops before the right for little girls whereas the order is reversed for boys. Even more convincing, females have at least twenty percent more neurons than males in the brain’s Broca area where we produce language, and they have as much as eighteen percent more volume in the Wernicke’s area where we interpret language. That’s why besides talking earlier than boys, girls have larger preschool vocabularies and use more complex sentence structures. Once in school, girls are one to one-and-a-half years ahead of boys in reading and writing. Boys are twice as likely to have a language or reading problem. Girls do better on tests of verbal memory, spelling, and verbal fluency.

There’s no difference in intelligence between boys and girls. There are some gender differences that show up in several cognitive domains. Just as there’s evidence that girls’ brains give them a verbal advantage, likewise there’s data showing that boys’ brains favor spatial skills that make it easier for them to visualize three-dimensional objects from different angles.

The differences between girls’ and boys’ brain chemistry — hormones and neurotransmitters — help us understand the differences in their emotional brains. Girls’ brains make them more socially aware while boys’ brains make them more action-oriented.

Fast girls

What stages are the differences most significant between boys' and girls' brains?

Dr. Walsh: The differences become more significant when children enter school and again at puberty. Girls mature faster than boys. They talk earlier, potty train a half year sooner and reach puberty two years ahead of their brothers. The same pattern holds true for their brains. Girls leave boys in the dust in the race to brain developmental milestones. This puts a lot of boys at a disadvantage in school. I think it’s important to recalibrate some of our expectations and rethink some of our teaching methods based on brain differences between boys and girls.

"Puberty brings major changes for both genders... "

Puberty brings major changes for both genders, but there are male-female differences driven by their respective growth hormones. Testosterone laden boys become surly while their sisters have to deal with the dramatic mood swings triggered by the ebb and flow of estrogen and progesterone.

Don’t limit your kids

Should brain differences affect how we parent?

Dr. Walsh: It’s good for parents to be aware of the differences so they can support their children’s natural strengths while helping them avoid some gender specific weaknesses. For example, while parents should foster all children’s language skills, it makes sense to pay special attention to their sons. It will also be helpful to encourage their sons to name emotions and help them interpret social cues. Similarly parents should encourage their daughters to find solutions when they are sad.

Parents should be aware of the differences without letting brain-based expectations limit how they see each child. It’s important, for example, not to communicate brain-based biases with statements like, “Girls just aren’t that good at science.” Parents should encourage their sons and daughters to get involved in a wide range of activities.

Hey, Moms

Do you parent differently based on gender? Share your thoughts and stories in Comments below.

Read more on kids’ brains

Your teenage son's brain... explained!
Helping kids exercise their memory muscle

How to sharpen your kids’ minds before school


4th of July decorations for a patriotic party

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Check out this roundup of all things red, white and blue for your 4th of July party decor needs. These star-spangled finds will brighten up any party.
4th of July decor

Check out this roundup of all things red, white and blue for your 4th of July party decor needs. These star-spangled finds will brighten up any party.

Star-spangled decor

It's time to celebrate how lucky we are to live in this amazing country and adding fun and festive decorations to your 4th of July party will make everyone feel patriotic.

Check out this Etsy roundup for more 4th of July decor >>

Patriotic Welcome Americana Garden Flag

Welcome flag

Let your guests know they've come to the right house with this Patriotic Welcome Americana Garden Flag. Not only is it perfect for the day of your party, but it also makes a great addition to the garden all summer long.

Antique Look American Flag Bunting

Flag bunting

No 4th of July party is complete without flag bunting. Go for a softer and more subtle approach with this tea-stained Antique Look American Flag Bunting. Adorn your doorways, awnings or porch with this classic piece of decor.

Stars and Stripes Patriotic Chairs

Stars and stripes chair

There never seems to be enough seating at parties, but these inexpensive Stars and Stripes Patriotic Chairs solve that problem. These chairs give your guests plenty of places to relax and also provide instant festivity on your lawn or patio.

Patriotic Stars and Stripes Chip and Dip Set

Patriotic chip and dip set

Snacks are a staple at any party. This Patriotic Stars and Stripes Chip and Dip Set is just what your table needs to add some red, white and blue to the spread. For a creative twist, make homemade star-shaped tortilla chips by cutting shapes out of corn tortillas and frying them yourself.

Battery Operated Star Light Set

Star lights

Get instant sparkle with this Battery-Operated Star Light Set. Liven up your tablescape, add them to planters, or string them inside your patio umbrella. With no power outlet necessary, you can easily add light anywhere.

Patriotic Paddleball party favors

Patriotic paddleball

Don't forget the kids! Give them something to do with Patriotic Paddleball party favors. Not only will they entertain themselves, but you'll have fun watching them try to master the paddleball. You might even decide to give it a whirl.

Make DIY red, white and blue decor for the home >>

More on 4th of July

Less touristy vacation spots for the Fourth
Best patriotic crafts
Fourth of July flag lasagna recipe

How to tan safely this 4th of July

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While there’s no doctor-approved “safe” way to tan, there are lots of ways to sport a gorgeous glow for the 4th of July. If you’re ready to go from pale to perfectly bronzed, we’ve got you covered! Check out our get-glowing guide for a natural looking 4th of July tan.
Patriotic tan woman

While there’s no doctor-approved “safe” way to tan, there are lots of ways to sport a gorgeous glow for the 4th of July.

Go for the glow

If you’re ready to go from pale to perfectly bronzed, we’ve got you covered! Check out our get-glowing guide for a natural looking 4th of July tan.

4th of July glow: For the face

A sun-kissed glow is a great way to get a beauty boost and ensure your complexion looks flawless without having to wear much makeup. But before you hit the tanning bed or bake on the beach for hours, know there are much safer ways to get your 4th of July glow on.

Application: First things first; not just any self-tanner will do, especially for your face. Follow our simple steps for getting your face looking fabulously tan just in time for the 4th.

  • Choose a shade right for your skin tone. Fair? Don’t go too dark. Medium? You can go a little deeper.
  • Wash and gently exfoliate your face. Let dry completely before applying any tanner.
  • Using latex gloves or a makeup sponge, apply your sunless tanner of choice. Less is more when it comes to tanning, so start with a small amount on your T-zone, where the sun would naturally hit your face.
  • Next, use what's left on your hands or sponge for your cheeks and remember to massage into your skin, past your jaw line and blend, blend, blend.
  • Enhance your glow with a light dusting of bronzer.

Product picks: Check out some of our favorite self-tanners for the face.

Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion

Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion is tinted making application much easier. It goes on smooth and the color is natural.

Origins Faux Glow

Origins Faux Glow is also tinted and contains skin-soothing ingredients like orange and rosemary.

Philosophy here comes the sun

Philosophy here comes the sun develops gradually for a natural looking sun-kissed glow.

4th of July glow: For the body

Being tan head-to-toe is the quintessential summer look and we love sporting a full-body glow, but faux is the only way to go. Just in time for all those 4th of July pool parties, backyard BBQs and outdoor extravaganzas, we have some top tips and product picks for getting the ultimate tan.

Application: Streaks? No thanks. To avoid ending up an orange, streaky mess, we put together some of our best tanning tips for a natural looking full-body glow.

  • Exfoliate all over with your favorite body scrub so your skin is smooth for application. Pay close attention to particularly dry areas like knees, elbows and ankles.
  • Dry off completely before you start.
  • Think about what you want -- instant results, gradual glow or bronze babe.
  • If you're ultra-pale, a gradual glow is a great choice. These formulas still create a tan, but the process is slower so you never end up too dark. A bronzing oil will give you an instant sun-kissed glow, but it'll wash off in the shower. A traditional sunless tanner will provide an all-over bronze glow. We suggest a mousse or lighter-textured product for easier application.
  • Using a glove , use broad strokes to apply your sunless tanner. Dilute your tanner with a small amount of moisturizer for knees and elbows .
  • Let your color dry and wait for the tan to develop.

Product picks: Check out our top picks for self-tanners for the body.

Josie Maran Bronzing Argan oil

For instant results, try Josie Maran Bronzing Argan oil .

Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream

For all-over bronze, try Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream .

Quick tip

Since you are likely to spend a good portion of the long weekend outdoors, remember to load up on sunscreen. Wear an SPF of at least 30 and choose a broad spectrum product. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.

Watch: How to wear your hair at the pool or beach

Love going to the beach or pool but don't know what to do with your hair? Here are a few quick hairstyle ideas for beach days and pool parties.

More summer beauty

Sunscreen for all skin types
Best summer skin savers to stock up on
How to use gel nail polish

Mark Wahlberg in Ted: When action stars flex their comic chops

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We're used to our beefy action hero actors breaking bones... not tickling funny bones. Out-of-character forays into comedy and family friendly fun often flop at the box office, but -- as Mark Wahlberg proves in Ted -- they can also be surprising smashes. Here's a nod to our favorite action guys gone funny who are laughing all the way to the bank.

Mark Wahlberg at MTV Movie Awards

Mark Wahlberg

In Mark Wahlberg's new sleeper hit, Ted -- the brainchild of Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane -- Wahlberg's childhood character wishes his teddy bear, Ted, could come to life. Well, he does... and then never leaves. Rather, he becomes Wahlberg's boozy, bad-mouthed buddy bear. The role is definitely a departure for Wahlberg who, before Ted was breaking box office records, was breaking faces in movies like Contraband, The Fighter, Shooter and Max Payne. As a matter of fact, since his disturbing turn as Reese Witherspoon's cute yet totally psychotic boyfriend in Fear , Wahlberg has been one of the go-to guys in Hollywood for brooding machismo.

Dwayne

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? Who knew when Dwayne Johnson posed this question as a larger than life wrestling persona that the answer was actually a white-hot career? Even with such a silly tagline, "The Rock" managed to move from the wrestling ring into the arena of high-action blockbusters such as Doom and The Scorpion King. He threw us all for a loop, though, when he took a break from filming fight scenes to focus instead on family fare. OMG, remember The Tooth Fairy?? We were starting to think he sold his brawny soul to Disney. Thankfully -- that lapse in judgment aside -- he hasn't lost his gritty intensity. He's up next in The Fast and the Furious 6 and G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Vin Diesel on NBC's Today Show

Vin Diesel

Known for his signature bald dome and husky voice, Vin Diesel has lent his bada** appeal to many manly movies, including xXx, A Man Apart and Babylon AD. Most notably, he amped up the testosterone in both The Fast and the Furious and the Riddick franchises. So, what compelled him to take on The Pacifier? His most impressive feat in that flick was diaper dexterity -- not exactly the hard-core shenanigans we've come to expect from the hard-bodied star. He's been low profile the past few years, so here's hoping that sharing screentime with The Rock in The Fast and the Furious 6 harkens a return to Diesel's rough-and-tumble roots.

Arnold Schwarzenegger with Bodyguards

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Who could ever forget Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic role as a cyborg assassin in the Terminator films? Or his raw manliness as Conan? California's ex-govvie also played up his pumped-up physique in high-octane hits such as Collateral Damage and True Lies. It seemed strange, then, when he occasionally threw in the funny family film -- think Kindergarten Cop, Jingle All the Way and Junior. Following a lengthy stint in politics, it appeared Schwarzenegger might have hung up his action star hat and abandoned all manner of movies for good. But when he said he'd be back, he wasn't joking. The "Governator" returns to the big screen in all his action-packed glory for The Expendables 2 , along with four more action flicks slated for release in 2013.

An American Girl mom: Nia Vardalos in her first mom role

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We recently had the opportunity to chat with Nia Vardalos about her latest film, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™, a heartwarming story of a young girl whose dream to compete as a world-class gymnast is threatened when she begins to struggle in school.
An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Nia Vardalos about her latest film, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™.

Nia Vardalos on acting, balance and being mom

Vardalos stars in An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™, a heartwarming story of a young girl whose dream to compete as a world-class gymnast is threatened when she begins to struggle in school.

Nia's thoughtful answers to my questions are testament to her sincerity, wit and charm:

Can you tell me a bit about filming An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™?

This is my first mom role and it was really just a beautiful experience for me because I really liked the girl Jade Pettyjohn, who plays McKenna — we had such a really easy time with each other. She’s not an uptight kid in any way and it was just a nice experience. I don’t think I really looked at kids before I became a mom. But after looking at Jade and having such a good time with her, I looked immediately at her mom who was on set all the time and just thought you did a good job because this is a cool kid.

How motherhood influences work

Has having a child influenced the roles and projects you’ve taking on?

Well, the first thing is I’m saying no to things that are not life-changing parts… that’s a given. When we first adopted our daughter, we went into the American Girl® store and asked her to choose a doll that looked like her. We were trying to do things that would help her form her identity in any way. One of the first things we decided was that we would not let her see us act and we would just form this reality... It’s all so confusing that we thought no. But then that really carried over for us and it’s been working for us so we just don’t let her see us act.

An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™

Will you let your daughter watch this film?

Yes… we’re getting the DVD and we’re going to make it a special occasion. I have the necklace that McKenna wears in the movie. The prop master gave me the alternate. So we’re going to make it an event. We’re going to go to Walmart. We’re going to get the DVD and then I actually have a McKenna doll for her and I’m going to give her the doll and the necklace and we’re going to watch the movie.

Being a working mom

Do you have any personal experience with the theme in the movie about the importance of keeping a healthy balance?

It’s a fine line with a mom. You have to find a way to be selfless and selfish. Because we have to give everything to them. The most important thing is giving our time to our children. But what I loved about this script is this mom has a job and I absolutely love that. It was extremely real.

I admire the way you and your husband have shielded your daughter from the public eye. Can you speak to your decision to do so. Is that challenging?

We always felt that way. We are very particular about feeling that movies and theater are magic and special, so we don’t want to show her behind the curtain. We just want her to enjoy movies... just to keep it magic, because wasn’t that a great way to grow up? My husband Ian [Gomez] and I didn’t grow up in LA, so we just want to give her a childhood, a real childhood.

Filming close to home

You filmed the movie in Winnipeg. What did it mean to you to share your childhood home with her?

One of the greatest things about growing up in Winnipeg is that the sun stays up until about 10 or 11 p.m. in the summer. We’re really strict with bedtime because she needs the discipline in her life, but we slowly pushed the hours forward so that by the time we got to Winnipeg, she was staying up later. We were on a kids’ movie, so we were done by seven every night, so I could go over to my parents’ house for dinner. My daughter running through the backyard was just an idyllic sound of the summers that I had of just running around chasing fireflies, completely safe in a Winnepeg backyard.

See an exclusive clip from An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars™

Get it

An American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars™, arrives on Blu-ray™ and DVD on July 3 at American Girl® retail stores, Walmart and americangirl.com.

More on celebrity parents

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New mom Charlize Theron has Jackson fever
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Never step on another stray LEGO again

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Nothing, and we mean nothing, hurts more than stepping barefoot on a tiny little LEGO. Same goes for Barbie shoes, trains and Hot Wheels, puzzle pieces and all of the other miniature toys that your kids love, but never seem to want to pick up. Thankfully, some very smart, innovative parents and companies are trying to make our lives easier and these products prove it. They'll save your life... or at least your feet!

Swoop Bags

Invented by a mom of LEGO-loving boys, Swoop Bags are the answer to your feet's prayers. The heavy-duty canvas bags serve as both a playmat and a toy organizer — your kids can happily spread out their tiny toys on their Swoop Bag and when they're done playing, just cinch up the sides with the drawstrings and all of those little pieces get swooped up inside! We love Swoop Bags because they are made so well and with design features that are tried and true — at 44-inches in diameter, they're the perfect size for play , the edges of the Swoop Bags curl up a bit to keep the toys contained and best of all, they come in fun colors and look great, so you won't mind having it out in your living room. Other great uses for your Swoop Bag? Take it outside for LEGO sessions in the sunshine this summer, pack it up for trips to the grandparents' house or use it as an emergency changing mat or picnic blanket when the grass is wet at the park!

It's never too early for them to learn! Teach your preschooler to pick up >>

Toydozer

We're pretty sure that if you tell your kids that they need to use something called a Toydozer to pick up their toys, it's going to put a smile on their face and get them moving! Much more than a glorified dustpan, the Toydozer has been very carefully designed to make picking up small pieces as easy as possible. Naturally, the Toydozer was designed by another smart mom who was looking for a way to make toy pickup easy for herself and engaging for her child — the design started as a cardboard box that she cut the end off of and developed into the innovative product that it is today. You'll love the Toydozer because the design is simple and thoughtful — there is a hole on the back for a handle that lets you scoop up pieces with ease and the dozer part of the set — the side you use to corral the toys in, is sturdy for cleaning up heavier toys like blocks and toy cars.

DIY ideas

You can even look around your house to find a way to make tiny toy pick-up easier for your kids. Use a dustpan for a big mess of little pieces and even give them a little dust brush to make it go quicker. Or the next time they have friends over to play, lay a fitted sheet down on the floor underneath the toys — king-sized, if you have it — to contain the mess. If these are successful at your home, considering picking up a dedicated dustpan or fitted sheet for your kiddos to keep their toys in so that every pick-up session is an easy one! This cute, kid-sized version dustpan from Melissa and Doug is a good option.

More on toy organization

How to keep toys and playrooms organized
10 Quick tips for organizing the playroom
Real Moms Guide: Organizing kids toys

A step-by-step guide to styling a nursery

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Perhaps you've envisioned how your child's nursery will look long before getting pregnant. In fact, you may already have a Pinterest board packed with photo inspiration.
Gender neutral nursery

Perhaps you've envisioned how your child's nursery will look long before getting pregnant. In fact, you may already have a Pinterest board packed with photo inspiration.

when to create a stunning nursery

Is there ever a "right" time to make these ideas a reality? According to Carrie Carroll, founder of TheTwinSource.com, "Collecting ideas, thinking about nursery space and style, and even a bit of window shopping can happen early, but it is probably best not to make any major purchases until you have safely moved into your second trimester."

As part of the style planning process, Carroll suggests establishing your nursery's theme prior to making any major purchases. "Have an idea of color palette and style. Then you can research your purchases and find items that you love and go perfectly within your theme that also fit best within your budget," she explains.

Here are some additional tips about the major elements you'll need to consider and select while building a beautiful nursery.

Colors

paint samples

Ultimately, the color palette you select should reflect your style preferences. However, here is some advice that can be particularly helpful if you're debating between traditional boy and girl colors or gender-neutral colors. Barbara Green of Sensibly Chic Designs for Life explains that she is a proponent of gender-neutral nurseries, because it doesn't matter whether a child is born a boy or girl, you won't know whether they fall on the feminine or masculine end of the spectrum, or somewhere in between. "For instance, my child was assigned female at birth, and her nursery was pink with ribbons and flowers, but she was never comfortable there. She does not identify as a female, but I forced her into that box before she was able to display her own gender preference," she further explains.

Furniture

Once you have a general idea of the nursery's color palette and theme, you can begin to shop for furniture. As you select pieces, keep in mind that safety is just as important as style. Green says, "It is very important to select furniture that is manufactured with sustainable practices and also has no-VOC finishes."

Bedding

Green offers some additional safety guidelines regarding nursery bedding. She says, "Bumper pads, while they look so comfortable and inviting, are no longer recommended for use in cribs. They have been shown to be a suffocation risk and should be avoided. Look for bedding made with natural dyes and natural fibers. If they are organic, all the better!"

Lighting

As you're in the midst of coordinating colors, furniture and bedding, you may overlook how lighting will impact the overall look of the nursery. Green suggests opting for fixed lighting, rather than floor or table lamps. "When babies begin to crawl, they can pull on the cord and topple the lamp. Very dangerous. Ceiling fixtures and wired-in sconces are a better option," she explains.

Accessories

With time the nursery is likely to fill with accessories such as toys and stuffed animals. These items should be washable, according to Green. She explains that germs and bacteria build up on toys and accessories, and so these items should withstand routine cleanings in a washing machine or with a disinfecting solution. "Again, minimize the amount of toys put in a crib, as they can be choking and suffocation hazards," she adds.

In addition to these tips, you can find a wealth of other nursery decor ideas at SheKnows.com.

Nursery decor ideas

Decorating a gender-neutral nursery
5 Nursery trends for hip moms
DIY Nursery signs

In a pickle: What to do if a dish is too spicy

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Maybe you accidentally added too much cayenne or hot sauce, perhaps you were heavy-handed without realizing it, those peppers were hotter than you realized, or it could be that you love spice but it turns out your guests don't. Whatever the case, there are a few ways to tame the heat and get you out of this kitchen pickle.
Man eating spicy sauce

Maybe you accidentally added too much cayenne or hot sauce. Perhaps you were heavy-handed without realizing it, those peppers were hotter than you realized or it could be that you love spice but it turns out your guests don't.

Tame the heat

Whatever the case, there are a few ways to tame the heat and get you out of this kitchen pickle.

If that pot of chili or arrabiata sauce is hotter than you can handle, don't dump it out and start over. You can save it from the fiery depths of the garbage with a few easy tips. Some of these will even work if you're eating out and realize that you've been served something too spicy to handle.

Read up on different types of peppers >>

Sweet

Sugar can help counteract the spice in a dish. Try adding a teaspoon of granulated sugar, a spoonful of honey or even a squirt of ketchup to tone down the heat. Be careful to add only a bit at a time so you don't end up with dessert.

Acid

Although not an obvious firefighter, acid can work wonders to reduce heat. Depending on the dish, try adding some citrus juice , vinegar, chopped pineapples or tomato juice or sauce.

Dairy

There's a reason that sour cream is so common in Mexican food and that Indian cuisine abounds with yogurt sauces  — dairy tempers spice. Stir in a tablespoon at a time of yogurt, sour cream, milk, coconut milk and/or a mild cheese like Parmesan to counteract overly hot flavors.

Veggies

Some people swear by adding shredded carrots or cubed or shredded potatoes to temper heat. The sugar in them helps to fight the heat while their porous texture may help to absorb some of the spice.

Learn about the health benefits of spices >>

Nuts

It may sound nuts but adding peanut or almond butter or tahini can go a long way toward toning down that piquant dish. Of course, this will work much better in a spicy coconut curry than it would in a spicy salsa.

Broth

If the hot dish in question is a chili, sauce, or anything that can take being thinned down then add a ladleful of broth or other mild liquid. This will spread out the heat more per serving, thus diffusing it.

Make more

If you have extra ingredients on hand and don't mind a double batch, you could add more of every ingredient except the spicy one to diffuse the heat. The same amount of spice in a bigger dish will be less piquant.

In another pickle? Find more solutions to common kitchen problems >>

How to prevent it

To prevent making an overly spicy dish in the future, be sure to add just a little bit at a time and taste as you go. Don't measure out spices over the dish to prevent them from spilling. If using hot peppers, taste a little bit first to get a sense for how hot it is.

More cooking tips

Herbs and spices: Their health benefits
5 Tools for a more efficient kitchen
Tips for growing and cooking with your own herbs


TV legend Andy Griffith dies

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In recent years, Andy Griffith's big and small screen appearances had been sporadic, with Keri Russell's Waitress movie in 2007 being one of his last projects. While more out of sight than in prior decades, the man America loved from Mayberry was hardly out of mind.

Andy Griffith Dies

Famous names from former castmate and director Ron Howard to singer Amy Grant are tweeting their condolences and memories of Andy Griffith.

The veteran actor appeared in around 70 Hollywood projects over the course of his more than five decades in the biz.

Griffith died at his home in North Carolina on the morning of Tuesday, July 3.

He was 86.

Director Ron Howard, who starred alongside the TV legend in The Andy Griffith Show tweeted: "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life I'm forever grateful."

Paul Begala tweeted a similarly suitable sentiment, given Griffith's beloved role as heaven-on-earth Mayberry's sheriff: "With the passing of Andy Griffith, heaven just became a little more neighborly."

Country and Christian music hit-maker Amy Grant retweeted this statement: "Go Rest High on that Mountain, Andy Griffith."

Fox's Greta Van Susteren encouraged followers to share their memories of the acting legend. Within minutes of posting, nearly 20 people had weighed in. Most alluded to the theme song and memories from the show that shared the TV vet's name.

Though Griffith shot to fame for his role in the 1960s series, he would become known to younger generations in later years.

He played a lawyer in Matlock for nearly a decade during the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2007, the same year Waitress came out, Griffith fell. The accident required hip surgery. Seven years prior, the actor underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery.

In the 1980s, several newspapers reported Griffith suffered from Guillain-Barre syndrome, an infection of the nerves.

A hospital spokeswoman at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., reported at the time that the disease attacked "some persons who were immunized for the swine flu several years ago."

It also was reported that the viral infection caused so much damage that Griffith was paralyzed from the knees down. He couldn't walk for seven months.

Griffith was married to third wife, Cindi Knight, for nearly 30 years.

Photo credit: WENN.com

SheKnows book review: Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau

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Glee has put show choirs in the national consciousness, but have you ever wished that it contained a little more humor and the occasional murder? Enter Murder for Choir, written by mystery author and performer Joelle Charbonneau.

Murder for Choir

Paige Marshall has been fairly well-reviewed as an opera singer, but her reluctance to leverage connections to get new jobs has seriously hurt her career. She should be heading to New York or touring Europe with her skills, but instead she is stuck back in the suburbs of Chicago, living with her eccentric aunt, Millie. She even has a new job, coaching the top show choir at Prospect Glen High School. This is decidedly not what Paige wants from life — she has no real interest in teaching, and the kind of music sung by show choirs isn’t really her thing. Plus, the whole dancing thing is not a strength of hers — there’s a reason she’s in opera, not on Broadway.

The beginning of choir camp, with four area high schools, is fairly painful — most of Paige's new students seem to have little or no faith in her, and she's not really sure how to assert her authority. It is the second morning of choir camp, though, when things get really bad. Paige walks into Prospect Glen's auditorium looking for her boss when she finds Greg Lucas, the much-reviled choir director of North Shore High, dead at the piano, strangled to death with a microphone cord. Not only is Paige questioned in his death, thanks to her run-in with him the day before his murder, but one of the students in her choir is now the prime suspect. Paige is certain of her student's innocence and is determined to solve the mystery of Greg's death and clear his name.

Paige's investigation brings her in contact with two handsome men, both of whom seem to be flirting with her — even if one of them is allegedly gay. Just when she thinks things couldn't possibly be more complicated, she begins getting too close to the murderer and finds herself in danger as well.

Murder for Choir is the first book in Joelle Charbonneau's new Glee Club cozy mystery series. Charbonneau is already well-regarded as the author of light and funny mysteries with her Rebecca Robbins series, Skating Around the Law and Skating Over the Line, and Murder for Choir is just as much fun. Paige Marshall is a very engaging main character, she is a realistic woman, simultaneously strong and unsure of what she wants to do with her life. Charbonneau's supporting characters are just as vivid, particularly the extremely eccentric Aunt Millie, who adds some much-appreciated comic relief.

If you're looking for a fun new cozy mystery series, Murder for Choir would make a wonderful addition to your summer reading list.

More book reviews

SheKnows book review: Game of Secrets by Dawn Tripp
SheKnows book review: Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
SheKnows book review: Gilded Age by Claire McMillan

Planning a Jamaica family vacation in Ocho Rios

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When you think of Jamaica, one of the first words that comes to mind is probably "honeymoon." This bustling, beautiful Caribbean island is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. However, there's more to this culture-rich island than romance, like thrilling attractions, brand new luxurious resorts and delicious restaurants and scenic attractions that cater to families! Forget Disney, grab your family and head to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for your next family getaway.

Ocho Rios

From hiking up Dunn's River Falls to swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin's Cove to scuba diving in the ocean to having a picnic at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, there's plenty to do that will satisfy the adventure lover, thrill seeker and lazy beach bum in any family. Plus, there are new hotels, both all-inclusive and not, that are luxurious and extremely family friendly. If you're thinking of a Caribbean vacation for your family, check out these recommended places to eat, play and stay in one of Jamaica's most popular towns, Ocho Rios. You'll have trouble staying away from this culture-rich and indisputably beautiful country because, like they say, "Once you go, you know."

Ocho Rios

This extremely popular beach town, which is located about an hour-and-a-half from the Montego Bay Airport, is the perfect stop for an adventure-seeking family, since it has more attractions than any other Jamaican city. If you love to explore new sites and try new things and eat new foods , Ocho Rios is the place for you!

ocho rios

Where to stay

When you're choosing a hotel that's perfect for your family, you have to be a little pickier on where you go. Luckily in Ocho Rios, there's a great selection of places from which to choose. However, to make your choosing a little easier, we've asked the Jamaica Tourist Board about which family hotels rank the best in price, comfort, food and activity in Ocho Rios, and they've narrowed it down to three: Riu Ocho Rios, Sunset Jamaica Grande and Beaches Boscobel.

Jamaica beach

Riu Ocho Rios

Riu Ocho Rios is Jamaica's newest all-inclusive hotel that has more than 856 rooms, two swimming pools and world-class dining. Because this hotel is all-inclusive, you don't have to worry about when or where you can eat, since all meals, snacks and drinks are covered. What makes this hotel so great for families is the fact that in addition to pools, jacuzzis and a sparkling beach, Riu Ocho Rios has a children's mini-club and playground and children’s pool with a lifeguard. The rooms go from $101 a night in the off season to $250 US+ in prime season .

More Jamaican all-inclusive hotels >>

Sunset Jamaica Grande

Sunset Jamaica Grande is another great all-inclusive option that is located right along the beautiful beaches of Ocho Rios. This 730-room hotel has five beautiful pools, featuring waterfalls, jacuzzis, swim-up bars and a swing rope! To further entertain your kids, Sunset Jamaica Grande has a new Lighthouse Waterslide, which has two full-body waterslides that are each more than 330 feet in length. In addition to a great outdoor scene, the hotel has six restaurants to choose, eight bars, multiple kids clubs throughout the property and all-inclusive water activities, like scuba diving. Rooms here are a little pricier, especially in prime season, and start at more than $250 US during off season and more than $1,000 US during prime season!

Beaches Boscobel

Beaches Boscobel is one of the most popular all-inclusive family hotels in Jamaica and was voted as one of the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts by Parents magazine. This property has more than 22 acres of lush, tropical gardens, private white sand beaches, five luxurious and gourmet restaurants , three swimming pools, a scuba practice pool if you'd like to gain certification while vacationing, and included nonmotorized water sports. In addition to these features, this Beaches has a 27,000 square foot private waterpark, Pirates Island, that overlooks the ocean! In addition, golf is included so dad can escape for a quiet game. Plus, if you book soon, they offer a free catamaran cruise. Prices begin at $600 US a night in the off season and about $682 US in prime season.

Where to play

If the beautiful hotels were not enough reason to escape to Ocho Rios, the attractions will definitely help lure you in! Check out these Jamaica Tourist Board-recommended attractions for families in Ocho Rios. Note, these are just a few! For more great attractions, check out this list by Riu Hotels.

dunns river

Dunn's River Falls is an astounding waterfall and park located right in Ocho Rios. The main attraction is the 600-foot-long waterfall, which many tourists climb from the beach entrance of the park. The smooth rocks, which are constantly regenerating from deposits of travertine rock, are a result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river as it pours over the falls. In order to climb up the falls, you need to rent or bring water shoes . This activity is great for kids over the age of 11. If you have younger kids, there are tons of lagoons and small pools to wade in as you wait. The cost to get into the park and climb the waterfall is $20 US for adults and $12 US for kids.

dolphin cove

The world-famous Dolphin Cove is one of the most popular destinations in Jamaica. This property, which is made up of 20 acres, gives tourists the chance to swim with the dolphins in their natural habitat and interact with them as well! The cove in Ocho Rios is surrounded by five acres of tropical rainforest so you can explore outside of the water as well. In addition to swimming, you can also feed, hold and pet the dolphins and Caribbean sharks. There are different activities, from the touch encounter to the sea keeper of the day, the most inclusive program. For reservations, visit here.

hibiscus

For a more relaxing adventure, visit the Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, which is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean and Ocho Rios. The gardens are full of lush tropical plants, flowers indigenous to Jamaica and a beautiful waterfall that cascades down the rocky mountain landscape. There are hundreds of flower and plant species to see, including the heliconia, croton and hibiscus. When you're done touring the property, you can sit down and enjoy a picnic by the natural spring pool. The entrance fee is only $10 US!

Check out this recipe for Jamaica hibiscus punch>>

Where to eat

The national favorite food of Jamaica is jerk chicken, and there are a slew of places you can go for an authentic bite. However, there are two places in Ocho Rios that serve up the best jerk in town, in addition to other native Jamaican fare, like red snapper, bread fruit, passion fruit and plantains. Don't worry, these places also have mild and kid-friendly options so everyone will be satisfied.

jerk chicken

Miss T's

This local hot spot is a hidden gem right inside the bustling town of Ocho Rios. This quite little cafe serves up the traditional Jamaican favorites, like jerk chicken, pork, fried plantains and peas and rice. However, they also serve up a delicious, mouthwatering oxtail dish, bammy , curried goat and chicken and escoveitch fish. For kids, they have fried chicken and specialty burgers, like salmon and veggie. You don't need a reservation to dine here, just show up with a hungry belly! Miss T's is located on 65 Main St., in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

miss t's

Scotchies

This Jamaican institution has some of the best jerk chicken, pork and fish in the entire country, according to many locals. Scotchies serves up their jerk chicken on huge wooden grills, cooking the chicken an hour and a half to pure, moist perfection and the pork more than four hours. Although the pork is good, the chicken and fish are the top favorites. Plus, you can't beat $10 US for a filling serving of meat, popular side dishes like bammy, bread fruit, pumpkin rice, roast yam and conch soup. The Ocho Rios location is nestled in a little garden with beautiful flowers and lush landscape. You can find this Scotchies on Drax Hall in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

scotchies

There's plenty to see, do and eat in Ocho Rios, so what's stopping you and your family from visiting?

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Learning a second language: Great summer activity for kids

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Summertime is here, and sometimes learning takes a backseat to other activities. While it’s nice to have a break from school, there is also a window of time for learning a new skill. Speaking a second language is a valuable asset in the world of today, and what better time for your child to start learning one? Keep reading for a few options in second language learning tools.

Learning a second language as a child opens a door to another culture and a bigger world beyond the one they see each day. According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, proficiency in languages other than English is critical in our global society. Want to start your younger child on a second language program, or help your middle or high school student get a better grasp of the second language they study in school? Check out these language learning programs we found that will give your child an edge.

Muzzy

Have younger children and want to start them on a second language? With animated stories, vocabulary and musical DVDs Muzzy immerses your child in the language in a natural immersion method — modeled after the way we all learned our first language.

They offer nine languages and your Muzzy purchase includes three months of free online access to supplement the teaching materials.

Rosetta Stone

With an astounding selection of 25 languages, Rosetta Stone offers language instruction for almost everyone. More than 20,000 K-12 schools and districts around the world have incorporated Rosetta Stone into their curriculum to meet the growing demand for second language skills. You can learn at your own pace, and start learning a new language the very first time you use it. It comes with a good quality headset and microphone, and uses a voice recognition feature which is great for testing out your new words and phrases. Rosetta Stone would be good for ages 5 and up, but is especially good for middle and high school students to get a jump on language acquisition during the summer months. The visual aids enhance the language learning and retention.

Pimsleur Approach

The Pimsleur program uses an all-audio format with no video content at all. They claim that they have scientifically sequenced their information for easier retention. Pimsleur offers 16 languages and is available in MP3 format for people who are always on the go. Each lesson is only 30 minutes, not a large time commitment for teens or young adults. Dr. Paul Pimsleur, the founder of this program, was a language educator for over 20 years and noticed that children have an amazing ability to learn a new language. He devoted his life to developing a program for adults and older teens to learn a new language as easily as a child would. This program focuses on 2,500 distinct words in the new language that comprise the majority of your communication needs.

Little Pim

Little Pim is an award-winning foreign language learning series for the youngest children, from birth to age 6. They use animation and real kids to teach everyday phrases and simple words in 10 different languages. By using videos, apps, music, books and flash cards this program attempts to immerse small children in the new language, and makes it fun and easy at the same time. The concept behind this system is that teaching a child a second language under the age of 5 gives them an edge in their writing, analytical and vocabulary skills. Little Pim was created by Julia Pimsleur Levine — award-winning filmmaker and mom. Pimsleur Levine worked with a team of filmmakers, animators, childhood development experts, linguists and an advising neuroscientist to create this language learning system for the very young.

Summer is a perfect time to start your child on learning a second language. With these great choices, there is bound to be a program for every family.

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Star Jones: Anderson Cooper came out for the ratings!

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On the Today Show this morning, Star Jones says: Forget about all that high and mighty stuff Anderson Cooper wrote about in his coming out email. You know, all the stuff about speaking out and standing up as a public figure for all those kids out there who are bullied for being gay, etc. etc.?

Jones Star Anderson Cooper

Instead, the former View chatterbox and Today Show regular claims Anderson Cooper came out for the ratings!

The morning after the veteran CNN journalist's coming out email went viral, Star Jones said live, on air, for the world to hear:  “When the ratings slip in daytime, the hosts tend to tell you lots of things about them.” 

"I'm a bit of a cynic," she continues, citing Oprah as an example. " said she smoked crack, Oprah said that she was pregnant at 14 and considered suicide."

"There are times that you generate information for ratings," Jones concluded.

Oh, that's it after all.

I get it now. After decades of silence, Anderson was motivated to come out to save the sinking ship that is Anderson Cooper 360.

This contentious statement was helped along by fellow "Today's Professionals" panelist Donny Deutsch.

The former host of CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch said, even though Cooper may not have intended a ratings surge by way of emerging from the closet,  “the reality is, more people will tune into his show today.”

Who knows? Maybe the only reason Star is even saying this is to make herself more relevant. Perhaps that whole Celebrity Apprentice stint wasn't enough for her.

Star's "celebrity ploy" is working!

Regardless of Star's motivations, Twitter's going buzzy with her comments. Star is probably bursting at the seams over the volume of tweets with her name on them.

It's possible that she ascribes to the Kris Jenner school of celebrity: Publicity is publicity.

In that vein, tweets ranged from the sarcastic: "Is Star Jones giving Anderson Cooper a lecture on doing things disingenuously for publicity?#PotAndKettle."

Amen to that. Star, we haven't forgotten that whole never-ending saga of weight gain and weight loss and "Did she or did she not get gastric bypass?" drama!

Other tweets were more obviously biting: "Please, someone, fetch me some garlic and a wood stake."

But the most common tweet was along the lines of: "Did Star just say… ?!"

Oh, yes. She did.

But Cooper's motivations, documented in that now-viral email, were a lot more noble and, ahem, made a lot more sense than Star's conspiracy theory.

"I did not address my sexual orientation in the memoir I wrote several years ago because it was a book focused on war, disasters, loss and survival," Cooper writes. "I didn't set out to write about other aspects of my life.

"Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle," he added. "It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something --- something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true."

Just how "full of it" is Star? Do her comments have any merit?

Image courtesy of Izzy/WENN.com

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