Party planners and parents around the country have seen a pullback, though they agreed some will always take kid birthdays over the top.

Our values are the things we most highly prize and greatly desire. What we value most determines the direction of our lives and the quality of our relationships. Values such as caring, respect and responsibility are called ethical values. People who make ethical values their top priority tend to have good relationships with others and to get more out of life in general.

How many kids are labeled early in life and end up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy? Labels can become a convenient excuse not to try harder, to do better or to change bad behavior. Most people merely do what is expected of them.

Our then 2 year old found a ceramic coffee mug that was just at his grabbing height. Being 2 years old, in about five seconds something else grabbed his attention, and the mug dropped to the ground, breaking the handle. We bought the mug, and I brought it home and used a heavy adhesive to secure the handle. I pulled it down this morning to fill up with my coffee. It has become one of my favorite cups because it reminds me of our trip. Do you have a favorite souvenir or memory from a trip?

Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year. Without the busy weekday morning rush to get everybody off to school and work, we can take a little extra time to sit down together for a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Try these heavenly heart-shaped pancakes.

Kids like to have fun with their food, so one way to get them to eat something is to offer it with a dip. Pear kabobs with strawberry dipping sauce and pear party salsa are two fun recipes that let children dip their food.

Dear Mr. Dad: My 18-month-old son is suddenly obsessed with TV. He watches at least 3-4 hours per day. My wife doesn’t see the problem since it allows her to get stuff done around the house, but I’m worried. How much TV is too much?

Jon Akers, Director of the Kentucky Center for School Safety, has written an online essay calling on school systems to prohibit students from having cell phones in their possession during school hours (go to www.kysafeschools.org). He presents an iron-clad argument to the effect that student cell phones are not just unnecessary but also contribute to bullying, underachievement, sexual harassment, numerous disciplinary issues, including cheating, and even criminal activity. It goes without saying that they are one more distraction to a generation that is already suffering from distraction overload.

Parents bottom line on “Dear John”: An old-fashioned romance with an emphasis on the inoffensive, very much in the Nicholas Sparks style.

Parents bottom line on “From Paris With Love”: Entirely too raw and rough for 14-and-unders.

Movies have long been the easy answer to every parent’s favorite question — “What do we do with the kids this weekend?” Hollywood knows that, which is why we’ve got lots of all-ages-friendly titles looking at us in 2010 — animation, an epic, cute talking critters and wimpy kids.

Columbia Children’s Theatre will present the musical fairytale classic Cinderella Feb. 12-21 at the theatre above the food court at Midtown at Forest Acres.

EdVenture Children’s Museum
211 Gervais St., Columbia
(803) 779-3100, edventure.org
SPECIAL EVENTS:
February is “Take Heart & Smile” month
Throughout February, EdVenture will offer programs that teach kids the importance of having a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Events include Meet Flo and Mo (EdVenture’s automated health educators) and a dental health fair featuring the Tooth Fairy (Feb. 20). [...]