You answer the door, pay the guy, slide the box across the table, and presto! Dinner is served. You know what I'm talking about: Pizza, that glorious complete meal in a slice. Whether eaten at home or at your favorite pizzeria, pizza offers a satisfying, stress-free dinner-in-a-pinch option we all need from time to time. And just try throwing a birthday party without ordering a few! So the next time you have no dinner menu planned (and, heck, even if you do) go ahead, give yourself a break and grab a pizza - but make it a good one. Here's our list of favorites on the Westside.

My oldest starts Kindergarten in a week, and I'm still researching lunch boxes.   Sooooo wrapping my head around what to whip up for AFTER school snacks positively hurts my been-out-of-school-for-more-than-a-decade brain.  But being at the back of the class on this one isn't an option, unless we want grumpy/whiny/nasty children ransacking the lazy susan while we're trying to make dinner.  Here are some healthy snacks your scholar can scarf down ... and the businesses across Fairfield County that can help you cut a corner or two in creating them.

I am a terrible, terrible shopper.  By which I mean I can’t pass a mall without breaking into a cold sweat.  Department stores give me the shakes (do they REALLY have to be that big?), and malls at Christmastime?  My worst nightmare.

But sadly, after trying to squeeze my 8 year old into 5T jeans (for the 3rd year in a row), I realize that I can no longer avoid back to school shopping this year.  Nope…it’s got to be done, and as right now is tax-free week, it has to be done now.  Right now.  I can do this!!!!  (This is me giving myself a pep talk). 

As a horrible shopper, I can’t be unleashed without both a very specific list of items and stores.  And as a horrible spender, I also like to have a list of current sales.  Here’s my list for local back to school shopping in Fairfield County:

When my family first heard I planned on homeschooling my two children they were baffled; why would I want to take on such a task, when I could “get rid” of them for six hours a day. Luckily my “crazy plan” isn't sounding too crazy, as more and more parents are ditching the school system and teaching their kids at home. New Jersey is an amazing state to homeschool in – no regulations, dozens of homeschool co-ops and groups and plenty to do. During the hours of 9-3 September through June my kids participate in nature studies, sports classes, and learning opportunities designed for homeschoolers that are either free, or extremely affordable. It's been such an amazing journey for us, and I'm excited to share some of my favorite homeschoolin' haunts.

It has been a while since our most recent post in the Poppins Parents series, but when we heard about musician Alastair Moock's latest project, we were inspired to share his family's extraordinary story. 

Last summer, one of Alastair's twin daughters, Clio, was diagnosed with leukemia. ​While summoning the strength to get through their own daily battles with cancer, Alastair and his family found a way to help other families who are facing similar challenges. He and his daughter Clio wrote a collection of songs that became the album Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids, which they have shared with hundreds of other patient families.

Read our interview with Alastair Moock to find out more about his project and how it started, along with what's at the top of his and his daughters’ lists of things to do in Boston. Then head to Medford on Tuesday for a free Alastair Moock Family Band Show, where Alastair will lead kids in a sing-and-move-along. Even if you can’t make the show, be sure to check out the album, Singing Our Way Through. It's a delightful collection of songs that kids with and without cancer will connect with – songs that have the power to help us all through the difficult times in our lives.

Getting away before the hectic routines of the school year start is an excellent way to end summer.  If a Labor Day or late summer vacation is in your plans, there are deals to be had.  Orlando and its theme parks are relatively quiet this time of year and visitors benefit with lower prices.  Consider a trip that will immerse your family with small town charm in Cooperstown or Vermont.  If you prefer the action of a big city, there are discount hotel deals in New York City and Washington, D.C.  If you are craving a beach getaway, consider Hilton Head, Turks and Caicos and Fort Lauderdale.

I've written posts about many special needs organizations that have provided wonderful assistance to my tween with special needs and our family, like Advocates for Children of New York, AHRC New York City and YAI NYC. But the Child Mind Institute has a special place in my heart because it has helped me with all four of my children.

Founded by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber Neidich, the Child Mind Institute is a national organization headquartered in NYC dedicated to connecting children and families with mental health care information and quality care. Even though I only have one “official” special needs child, my other kids have occasionally struggled with issues like anxiety and tantrums. So the Child Mind Institute has been an invaluable resource for all of my children. Best of all, often I can get the information I need just by visiting the nonprofit's free website—no need to pile on the subway!