Articles written by Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

A gift exchange or "Secret Santa" is a fun reason to get teen friends together for a holiday party.

Oct 31, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Great parties start with great conversation. As party host, use conversation starters and party icebreakers to get the words flowing and the party started.

Oct 30, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Have a crowd for Thanksgiving Day? There's more to Turkey Day than the big meal. Here are a few ideas for fun activities for your houseful.

Oct 3, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

No time to put together a fall or Thanksgiving centerpiece? The perfect autumn table décor might be right outside your own back door.

Sep 21, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Find an article to fit your entertaining needs -- including party themes, decorating, food and beverage, party design and setup, invitations and activities.

Sep 9, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Fondue party food is a fun way to bring back the '70s and get your guests involved in preparing fondue appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Sep 1, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Create the perfect mix of music for entertaining at home, by planning a song list of background party music.

Aug 31, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Sangria, a fruity wine spritzer with Spanish origins, is the perfect light, refreshing cocktail for all seasons.

Aug 12, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Old-fashioned punch is still a perfect party drink. Mix up a batch of punch and get creative with fruity ice cubes, candy straws and other garnish.

Jul 30, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Get the party started early, with food and pre-game fun at a tailgate party.

Jul 25, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Keeping food warm on a buffet is a party host's challenge. Chafing dishes, warming trays, electric food warmers, and some do-it-yourself solutions can help.

Jul 24, 2011 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Looking for things to do off the beaten path in Florida? The Stuart Heritage Museum is a hands-on museum of the history of the Treasure Coast.

Oct 19, 2010 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

If you will be planning or attending a Halloween party this year, a new book has arrived that wlll help you with decorating, food, drinks, costumes and beyond!

Jun 6, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Keeping a neat, organized closet can make a morning routine smoother, faster and more efficient.

Feb 5, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Shredding sensitive documents is the safest way to dispose of papers. But can shredded paper be recycled?

Feb 4, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Teaching the sacrament of matrimony can enlighten children on this sacred bond blessed by God.

Jan 25, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Children are not required to uphold Lenten fasting and abstinence practices, but encouraging small sacrifices may build a foundation for a faith-filled adulthood.

Jan 16, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Catholics don't pray to statues, don't believe in creationism, and don't interpret the Bible literally. What do Catholics believe?

Jan 7, 2009 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Republished from the popular 1973 classic, "Free to Be . . . You and Me" includes original songs, stories and poems for today's kids.

Dec 29, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

I Before E (Except After C) by Judy Parkinson shows how to remember everything from the Apostles to the Zodiac signs.

Dec 9, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

The story of the nativity and Jesus' birth is a religious lesson for all ages.

Dec 1, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Religious education class is more fun when kids get to make their own advent wreath or Christmas ornament. Here are some easy Christmas crafts for tweens.

Nov 23, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Children in elementary grades will have fun making advent wreaths, Christmas tree ornaments and other holiday projects.

Nov 14, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Christmas crafts are a fun way for CCD children to celebrate the holidays in religious education class.

Nov 14, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Christmas crafts should be on the list of things to do at the next youth group meeting, high school CCD class or teen gathering.

Nov 13, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Holiday projects are everybody's favorite in CCD class. Here are six ideas for easy Christmas crafts for preschoolers.

Nov 12, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

The first Thanksgiving offers modern day lessons in Christian tenets of compassion, cooperation and helpfulness.

Oct 30, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

What Thanksgiving lessons can we take from the Mayflower? Sacrifice, religious freedom, and being thankful for what God gives us, despite hardships.

Oct 30, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Religious plays, skits and role playing can make a dramatic difference in a Catholic religious education class.

Oct 21, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Despite fruity flavors and new forms, it's sometimes hard to get a child to take his medicine. Here are some tricks and tips that are easy to swallow.

Oct 1, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Easy lessons with a few simple materials are all that's needed for the substitute teacher in a CCD class.

Oct 1, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Seeing is believing with young children in religious education classes. Visual aids, props and hands-on demonstrations can help bring a CCD lesson home.

Oct 1, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Can't draw more than a stick figure? All thumbs when it comes to cutting and pasting? Here are some easy crafts even an un-crafty parent can do with kids.

Sep 24, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

The New Mom's Survival Guide answers a mother's questions, from the trivial to the most critical.

Sep 18, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

A Halloween graveyard can be spooky, scary and full of pranks and mischief, but it can also be used to teach lessons on the lives of the saints in a religious classroom.

Sep 17, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Mom blogs have replaced baby books and journals for many parents. A parenting blog provides quick information, networking, and an easy way to share your family story.

Sep 13, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Working from home is a perfect scenario for a stay-at-home parent. But among the legitimate work-at-home jobs available in the Internet Age are some work-at-home scams.

Sep 5, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Being a host family to a visiting foreign exchange student brings cultural diversity and exposure to any family willing to open its doors to a young person.

Sep 3, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

The unexpected day off school because of weather is every school-age child's dream come true. A stay-at-home parent can turn a snow day into a day of constructive fun.

Aug 25, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Separating kids from your home office takes planning, organization and vigilance from the work-at-home parent.

Aug 22, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Trick-or-treat tailgating brings Halloween fun to a parking lot, where kids go from car to car gathering up treats.

Aug 12, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Experts say a child's connection with nature is essential for their development. But how can a parent get her kids involved in more outdoor play?

Aug 11, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Returning to work after a stint as a stay-at-home parent doesn't necessarily mean a weak résumé. There's nothing wrong with including "full-time parent" on a job profile.

Aug 8, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Stop worrying, start coping and get busy! Your child's first day of school can be a new adventure for kindergarten parents, too.

Jul 31, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Send your child back to school prepared and ready to start a new adventure. A back-to-school checklist will ensure your child is ready for the first day of a new year.

Jul 25, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Finding the toy storage solution that fits your needs can result in a clutter-free home for you and an easy playtime for children.

Jul 18, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Former child chess champion Josh Waitzkin turns his attention to learning and potential in The Art of Learning.

Jul 12, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Will early exposure to music make your child a genius? Not necessarily, but the benefits of a musical experience at a young age and music education are many.

Jul 4, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Your ocean vacation should be full of fun and adventure and free from accidents. Be prepared for dangers from the water, sand and sun, and practice beach safety.

Jun 23, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick

Need a little help with the kids and the house but not quite ready to hire a pro? A mother's helper might be your knight in shining armor.

Jun 18, 2008 - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick