We've been researching, crowd-sourcing and reminiscing like mad, and we're thrilled to be able to present our Guide To Great Small Towns in Northern NJ! The first of our Guides to small towns in the Garden State (Central NJ, you're next), our growing database of "sweet", "charming", and just plain old "great" little towns touches on our writers' favorites, from Chester to Nutley to my personal fave, Hoboken; and so many more. Check out our picks and feel free to tell us some of your beloved small towns in the comments!

Summer is right around the corner (hooray!), which means it’s time to think about camp for the kids. Why not check out Camps R Us? Founded by Long Island natives Joanne and Gary Turnier, Camps R Us aims to give families the highest quality summer camp programs at the most affordable price.

Regardless of whether your kids attend public, private or parochial, chances are their school is always looking for ways to raise much-needed funds to pay for enriching extras. Parents are often called upon to give money. But there are also lots of fun and easy ways for families to get involved in the fundraising process that involve donating your time and creativity, not your cold hard cash.

A few years back, I wrote a post featuring 7 successful large-scale fundraising projects I helped oversee at my son's school when I was PTA president. Today I'm sharing 9 simple fundraising ideas that can be implemented relatively quickly. In fact, inspired PTAs could get a couple of these off the ground before spring break arrives! You may have heard of some of these before (hello, bake sale) but I've included tips for ways to maximize profits and enjoyment.

Westfield, NJ is a Union County town that brings together small-town charm and metropolitan appeal. The downtown area is home to well-known retailers, trendy boutiques and an abundance of restaurants, from fine dining to casual eateries. Westfield is a family oriented community, and there’s no shortage of family restaurants to choose from. With popular chains as well as neighborhood establishments, there’s always something to satisfy hungry little ones. Here’s a taste of the many kid friendly dining options in Westfield.

White, the latest family-friendly production at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, is sweet, funny, and an excellent introduction to the theater for young ones. Simple but smart, the award-winning White captivates young audiences without speaking down to them.