Let this be a great back-to-school year by planning fun educational activities with the kids!  Visit an orchard then grab a book about apples to share while you drink cider. 

Now that the kids are back in school, the invitations to parties will start flooding in.  Our go-to gift: a book!  On the way to the store, chat with your child about the things their friend or classmate likes to do.  Do they play pirates at recess?  Does she like to braid hair?  That way, when you get to the store you can narrow down your search...and/or guide the bookseller in asking for ideas.

I was fascinated to learn recently that one way to improve your memory is to change the fonts on your computer to one that is hard to read.  Sounds backward, doesn't it?  Well, here's the logic: when something is hard to read, we concentrate more.  When we concentrate more, it sticks in our brain better.  Fascinating stuff!