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Top 10 stories for 3rd graders and up! As we approach the upcoming holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, one of the best investments you can give to a child is a new book. A real book, one with a...

With so much talent in town, it's an awesome time to show your love by shopping locally this holiday season.  Here is SMB's local edition for the best holiday gifts. All of our picks are made by locals right here in...

 The holidays are a perfect time to find that thoughtful gift for your favorite gal pals. Extravagance is optional, but most friends will appreciate a gift that reflects their personality and interests. Here are some of the best holiday gift...

Looking for some new ideas for holiday gifts this season? Here are 6 of our best holiday gifts--food edition! Some of these items are from local companies (score!) and they are all fabulous. I would be THRILLED to receive any of these as...

Technology is something that’s on everyone’s Christmas wish list these days. AT&T is your one-stop-shop in the Valley for all your technology gift ideas this holiday season. Hottest smartphones and tablets Everyone wants the latest smartphones and tablets, and AT&T has...

Ah, how I love Luke Skywalker and Yoda, and most importantly, The Jedi Code: There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no death,...

We made it. Our family survived our first, full Phoenix summer. And, all I can say is -- WOW.  That desert heat is no joke! "It was so mild," you tell me......  "We got off easy," they say. All I...

It seems that I have unofficially broken up with Facebook and I’m having a full-fledged affair with Instagram.  I love Instagram. Really, I do. (Pictured from top left corner, counter clockwise, to top right corner: Kristen Forgione, Alex Evjen, Heather...

Nothing shows the true thoughts of a person better than a good word association game. You know, like when I say a word, and you say the first thing that comes to mind. For example, what do you think of...

Truth: If you serve more than two meals a day in a vehicle, you are a road warrior. If you have, at any given time, ice packs in coolers filled with snacks & dinner, you are a road warrior....

With the weather as gorgeous as it is, it's time to get you and the kids outdoors. Here is a post from our archives about the best playgrounds in Scottsdale and North Phoenix - click HERE for an...

I served in the United States Air Force for four years. I had just graduated high school and I was young, naïve, ill-prepared for a life on my own…BUT, I was courageous enough to take a leap because I...

We don't have time or space for a highly organized, high pressure sale, so we make our garage sales as easy and fun as possible. Here are our seven garage sale tips to keep things effective yet easy! Decide on...

This month, November 2014, my eldest son is turning 19 years old. Despite being a mother for the past 19 years, I find it hard to believe that I have been his mother for this long. Where did the...

Ladies, I bring to you the story of Logan Carson, a local Phoenix boy whose story will capture your hearts. At the age of seven, Logan was a healthy boy going to school and playing sports when he unexpectedly became...

We have a new, fun feature on Scottsdale Moms. We are calling it Sunday Meal Planning Series. We are going to use these Sunday posts to share with you what the SMB contributors are cooking, or what recipes they...

I don't know where I saw it, but I remembered the image of the sleeping child with a superimposed "fairy" fluttering around on the video screen. Coooooool, I thought, when my kids lose their teeth I will totally have...

Definition of an Alpha Mom: Develops when an 'A' type personality has toddlers. Intimidating in Mommy circles; makes other moms feel inferior because of their regular attempts to out-do one another. Incredibly competitive and judgmental, Alpha Mom has to...

My brother and his wife are expecting twins any day now. As my family impatiently waits for the second set of twins to be born in my family, I started thinking about those must have baby items that no...

As the weather cools off in Arizona, the oven starts warming up. This is the time of year to crack open your favorite recipe books and begin the fall festivities with a little baking! Below, I am posting three of...

Remember those Friday and Saturday nights when you hung out with your girlfriends? After motherhood, those nights are often consumed with finishing work deadlines, making dinner, tending to fussy kids and managing a household. Before you know it, months pass...

So as a soccer and dance mom, you might find it a bit random and unexpected for me to have this quirky Halloween tradition - but I'm going to share it with you anyway. I normally start the night in...

The calendar tells me that fall is in full swing, and yet, as a Phoenix newbie, it's rather hard to believe. There are no changing leaves, no riding boots, no apple orchards. A Pumpkin Spice Latte, in these temps?? Pleh. Sure, things...

I loved the smooth feel of the fluid kinetic sand that is supposed to more soothing and mess-free than regular sand, but looking at the prices online they run at about $15 for only 12 ounces of the stuff!...

In our corner of the country, sweaters and jeans, crisp air, and the crunch of fallen leaves do not abound. But, there are still ways to Ring In Fall with your kids to get in that cozy, homey mood....

Paradise Bakery & Cafe is joining the fight against breast cancer this year by baking Pink Ribbon Bagels® throughout the month of October. On October 10th, 100% of net sales of the bagel at participating Phoenix bakery-cafes will be donated...

Doesn't being out in 110+ degree heat with a fabulous frock on, a face full of make up, high heels and husbands/kids just sound like a walk in the park?! HA! Forget that! I can't help but notice that...

I was recently talking to one of my divorced mom friends about her first year of being seperated and what really helped her get through it. She had some interesting thoughts to share on how we can help our mommy...

October is a Time to Refresh the Page! September has passed.  Kids are back in school and nestled into their routines. Just like a computer, you may need to “refresh” the page of your day-in and day-out schedules.  Refresh with...

Many thanks to our fabulous guest blogger Mika Perry for sharing her helpful tips for closet organization with the moms of Scottsdale! Read more about Mika at the bottom of her post. You’ve met the teacher. The new sneakers are...