Mardi Gras beads are in the air and spring is around the corner!   It must be February.  For such a short month it is jam-packed with fun activities.  As I was gathering all the information for this month’s issue I was so exciting about all the events going on…chili cook-offs, charity walks, parades and much more! Our family always has out-of-town guests in February due to all the great things going on.  One day a friend who lives out of town asked, “If you have all this, where do people here go on vacation?”  I proudly said, “We don’t. We live on vacation.”

While part of that may be true, everyone needs a getaway now and then. And I must say, I do love to stay in a hotel.  There is just something about a different environment that is fun.  Not to mention someone else makes the bed, changes the linens and cleans the bathrooms.  Plus, my kids can’t get enough of a continental breakfast.  Even though we have the same instant grits, bagels and OJ at our house, slap it on a breakfast bar and suddenly they think it’s a feast. 

February is a great time to start planning a spring or summer vacation, and to help with that, we have featured a couple of getaways.  Check out the article on visiting New Orleans…a city rich in history, architecture and great food that also has a lot to offer families.  Also, the High Hampton Inn in Cashiers, North Carolina is a family camp reminiscent of the old days.  If you recall the camp in the movie Dirty Dancing you’re thinking along the right lines of what you’ll find at the High Hampton Inn. 

Valentine’s Day is also something we can look forward to this month.  February 14th is a great day to take a moment and let our loved ones know how much we care.  It does not have to be an elaborate gift, just a little gesture to show you are thinking about them.  For instance, my dad has never really liked cards.  He thinks that they are a waste of money.  “Why pay $3 to send a message to someone that you didn’t even write?”  So, every Valentine’s Day he writes my mom a little note on a piece of paper and folds it up nicely and leaves it on the counter with some candy or some other little gift.  My mom loves those little slips of paper.  Recently she read one out loud and it literally made me cry.  I guess these are the things that make up an almost 49 year marriage. 

There really are so many ways to show a person you care for them.  As parents, we want to make certain our children feel loved.  Whether it is a special hug for no reason or kissing a bump on the head, letting our children know that we are there for them is so important.  This may sound silly, but on cold mornings, I put my girls’ clothes in the dryer for a few minutes to warm them up.  They love that snuggly feeling and pop right out of bed so the clothes don’t cool off before they get them on.  For more ideas we have a really sweet article this month called “Four Ways to Show Love to Your Child.”

One more thing, March 5th and 6th is a wonderful “Cancer Cure” weekend that includes “Gracie’s Walk for Kids” in honor of local resident Frances Grace Hirs. The proceeds benefit The Cancer Clinic at Children’s Hospital.  More information is available on page 44.  I hope you all have a wonderful February!