There are some things that are new every year, and we relish the changes. We find better ways to heat our home. We carve better paths of snow to sled down the driveway. We learn something new every year from our annual winter trip to Florida and make the next year the "best yet." I guess it keeps getting better!

Halloween is right around the corner! What are your little ghosts and goblins going to be this year?

Not long ago, I was chatting with my friend after school one day. We were talking about our kids and how tired they are after school... we started talking about the hours of homework that our kids had (my fifth grader & her fourth grader). Then she said that her son, the fourth grader, would come home grumpy every day. He was rude and just not himself, but it was only after school. She asked me if this had ever happened with our kids... and I said YES.

Teaching responsibility falls on the parents and the caregivers. We've thought this through and my husband and I have come up with 8 easy tips to help teach your middle schooler more responsibility.

As a mom to three, I just love it when my kids enjoy something just as much as I did when I was their age. For me, Ellio's Pizza is the most nostalgic food in the grocery store. You see, my mom would always buy it for us kids, and we'd enjoy it on the weekend. It was a brand I loved 20 years ago, and appreciate even more now than ever!

With four kids, Mickey and I find ourselves throwing quite a few parties each year... and our birthdays all fall in the spring & summer. I don't throw elaborate parties. And we definitely don't spend hundreds of dollars on decorations.

Every back-to-school season is filled with changes in the air, no matter what stage you are in life. Not only is this year no exception, but it's a bit of a doozy! Ok, it's a major doozy.

Up until a few weeks ago, I had been making two dinners a night. I'd make one for the kids and simultaneously, one for my wife and me. We'd give the kids a bath, read stories and get them in bed. After they were zonked, she and I would sit down and revel in the opportunity to actually taste our food and carry on a conversation without the wildlings heaving food at us or instigating contests to see who could scream the loudest and longest.

Some kids visualize hitting a 9th inning home run with the count full to win the World Series in walk off fashion. I longed to tend lovingly to the needs of my guests during a busy fall foliage season. That's right, as a young boy growing up in the 80s, my life's dream was to run a charming B&B.

I know each generation feels like theirs was the best, but I needed to drop some knowledge on these girls. I wanted to show them that growing up in the 1980's wasn't the same as the 1780's and it was one of the BEST decades for a kid to ever experience.

My coolness factor may be in question, but one thing I am 100% certain of is that the '80s were an amazing decade and the ultimate in coolness can be summed up in a perfectly cooked rectangle. I'm talking about Ellio's Pizza!

Becky and I were both born in the early 80's so when it comes to throwing a party, guess which theme we like to follow... yep... an #80sPizzaParty. We try to find things that remind us of our childhood and today I'm partnering with Ellio's to bring you some cool ideas for your own Rad Pizzastalgic 80's party!

I know many people get sad as their kids get older. Every milestone pushes you further and further away from their babyhood and ever closer to adulthood. The thing is, watching them grow up doesn't make me sad. In fact, I have enjoyed each stage of Abbie's life as it came, but my favorite so far is the age she is now.

As most of you can relate, when the days are cold, we spend more time indoors. But luckily, we have some creative ways to make it fun! Four people who love to be active and entertained can come up with creative ways to enjoy the winter, even on days we are snowed in. There is no cabin fever happening here!

Whether I like it or not, I am officially the mother of teenager. That means that my daughter is now able to leave school unescorted rather than partake in the after school program. This doesn't sound like a big deal but it is. Since kindergarten, I never had to worry about providing a snack for her because she has always been enrolled in an after school program that feeds her. That has all changed now that she arrives at home at 3:30. She can hardly wait it out until I come home from work to eat. She is a growing teenager which means she wants to eat all the time and she wants a snack when she gets home.

One thing I've noticed since welcoming baby Morgan home is how much more grown up Madison has become. It's as if she's aged dramatically overnight. She's still so very innocent and playful, yet she's become quite nurturing and attentive when it comes to her little sister. She is also becoming even more independent and likes time to herself now as well.

Dinnertime is my absolute favorite time of the day - especially during the school year. I love having family meals sitting around our kitchen table. Between work, school, after school activities, homework, and the hustle and bustle of life in general, it's usually the only time during the day that we can really sit and focus on each other.

My kids' baseball schedule keeps us pretty busy. Between practices, gym time and games, we are always on the go. This crazy schedule always impedes on regular eating times. I don't know what it is with the people who make the schedules for all of these baseball events, but it's like they don't eat at normal times.

Dinner has to be easy to put together, keep well in the cooler, not be messy, and something everyone will eat. Not a short order. I have a hard time coming up with ideas for what to pack. In the past, we have had cold noodle salads, chicken Caesar salad wraps, and cheese and fruit trays.

When I was growing up, I used to look forward to summer more than any other season because it was all about having fun! I remember playing outside for hours on the swing set, running around the yard barefoot, and creating imaginary games with my friends. It was the season for playing hopscotch on the sidewalk and eating popsicles on the porch without a care.

Ellio's Pizza will forever make me think of the last day of school and the start of summer. With Des' last day of school happening this week, and Scarlet's last day of school happening next week, I am remembering my childhood more than ever. When you're one of five kids, pizza night is interesting at best.

Ellio's had been a staple in our house growing up. It was super easy to toss into the toaster oven for a few minutes - dad would always cut it differently, whether it was triangles, strips or bites - it was 100% REAL cheese with no artificial flavors. This past weekend, I got to share another one of those memories with my kids.

Every weekend, we have a movie night with my picky five-year-old, and we watch a movie of his choice (please choose Star Wars, please choose Star Wars!) and eat some pie. Already, pizza is being connected to some of his favorite nights, and that's a good thing.

The 80's were packed with great, innovative films. Back then, as it is today, I appreciated all sorts of films. One of those films I appreciated was My Dinner With Andre. This is a film that consists entirely of a conversation between Vizzini and some other guy and may not be the top choice for a 15-year-old movie fan, but I was a devotee nonetheless. You can't thoroughly enjoy a movie without a great snack, and back then, Ellio's frozen pizza was a go-to snack or meal for lots of kids my age.

Everybody's got a "Happy Place." You know, that island in your mind you go to when you just need to get away and relax from the stress of life? Yeah, mine isn't so much a place as it is a decade.

Parents these days are much more inclined to introduce their own kids to influences from their childhood than ever before. Maybe it's because the 80's were the best years ever to grow up in. Best music, best movies, best foods, best childhoods. Why wouldn't we want to share that with our kids? Showing them what we grew up with and why it was so great gives them a glimpse into our own lives.

There are so many creations you can do with pizza. As some of you know, we have partnered with Ellio's Pizza to bring you pizza snack, meal and other entertaining ideas over the last few months. We are wrapping up this series this month and what more appropriate than pizza appetizer ideas!

I decided to shake things up a bit this month by adding some of my family's favorite, fun toppings to their pizza. Yes, chicken, hot dogs and green peppers are some of the favorites around here.

I love to come up with a spooky spin on everyday food. These Spider Pizzas are one of the easiest treats to make. I used Ellio's Pizza as the base of the pizza. It cooks in just minutes in your toaster oven.

It's a spooky time of year, when many mini-ghouls are trick-or-treating and many adults are having their at-home costume parties late into the night. Scary fun happens after dusk just once a year, and we love to celebrate with our friends.

Halloween night will be here before we know it. It's a busy night full of excitement for our little ones. The last thing they are thinking about is eating dinner! All they have is visions of candy eating in their plans.

Well it is National Pizza Month! Let me give you our 5 favorite pizza hacks! However you eat it... Just enjoy it! Happy National Pizza Month!

With all of the practices, games and meets, we are always in need of quick snacks to have before they head out the door. Here are a few of our favorite quick and easy snacks to make.

We all have those days, especially when school starts, that having a quick stand-by meal is necessary. Personally, I love Ellios pizza and enjoy eating it just as much as my son does.

The days are shorter and the air is crisper, making it perfect weather for a night in with friends and some nice, hot sizzling Ellio's Pizza.

Because most kids love to help in the kitchen, and they sure do love pizza, an Add Your Own Toppings Pizza Party is a good idea for a family party with children.

Woohoo! It's football season! And, that means, it's time to tailgate! I am no stranger to tailgating. After many (many) years of practice, I have learned a few tips and tricks to making tailgating a breeze.

Some of the best memories from my childhood where family game nights. We always played board games after big family dinners. Today, I still love having game nights. Here are some tips to help you have a great game night.

Our kids are back to school and they are excited about it! Let me tell you something funny- they are MOST excited about lunch. I seriously can't remember enjoying the cafeteria like they do.

Our nights are filled with activities. Mostly football. Today I am going to give you my 5 favorite foods to make and eat quickly before heading off to your next sport.

Most of my favorite memories involve doing some of the simplest, un-extravagant things, like fishing in the river down the street from our house, making homemade ice cream at my Grandparents house, having our Friday pizza and game night.

Have you ever thought to grill your pizza? I honestly had never made grilled pizza before until last year when we started camping.

Our son turned five last week... Five. Where did the time go? We now have 8-, 7-, 5- and 2-year-olds! So... we decided on a pizza party, because if you knew Ethan, you would know that he LOVES pizza! We had "rectangle pizza," as he calls it (It is really Ellio's Pizza.). Haha!

There is this thing we do every single Friday night. We have done it for years and years and years. We eat pizza and play cards!

School is officially done! Let the summer fun begin! I am looking forward to more relaxed schedules, more time outside, more time with friends and more summer gatherings!

Part of our summer enjoyment consists of BBQ's and social gatherings outdoors. Many of our meals are spent on our patio near the pool.

Summer time lunches are best enjoyed outdoors here in New York, because the weather is so beautiful and warm. I love summer days.

Summer vacation is here, and so are family vacations. We recently traveled down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a fun family trip, and had a great time.

Kids get bored with the same old thing everyday for lunch. With Ellios, they can customize their toppings and even help me in the kitchen, getting things ready.

One of my best memories from my childhood is the time I spent cooking with my own step-stool and apron and my grandmother standing along-side me.

I love to hang out with their friend's moms... so it is a win-win! I wanted to share a few ideas for some lunches that you could EASILY prepare for a play date.

Looking to throw a quick pizza party? I am here today to share how you can do just that.

Every few weeks, we have a pizza party with our friends. It's a great way for the kids to have some playtime while the adults are able to catch up.

What did you do as a child that you want to share with your kids?

Our beloved college kids are arriving home for the Summer. Adjustments will be made, house rules will need to be redefined and loads of food will need to be bought.

Growing up, I loved Family Game Night. I have a collection of board games now for my own family, because some of my most fun memories ever are of staying up late into the night...

Does anyone else have kids who always seem hungry during the day and after school? Can we see a show of hands please?

For as long as I can remember, Friday night has been pizza night. It's something my parents started doing when I was a kid, and I have carried the tradition on with my family.

Do you guys have family movie night? We try to on a regular basis, but sometimes it doesn't work out for all of us to join in. My dad, grandfather and son are the kings of movie night.

This week, the kids wanted pizza for lunch (surprise, surprise!) So we decided to change things up a bit! I love fun and quick ideas for on-the-go foods, but this one was their favorite of all! It is fast, and the kids LOVED it.

My older son is five, going on six, and he's at a great age for learning a lot of new things. He's so bright, and we have a lot of fun together (and honestly, I feel like I learn so much right along with him).