Articles by Kori Ellis

Family adventures: Traveling to Galveston to meet the penguins

Traveling with kids isn't easy, but we try to expose our children to as much outside of our own city as possible. Recently, we had an opportunity to take a trip to Galveston Island, which is about a four-hour drive from our home.

Can your marriage survive adoption?

The stress of adoption can put tremendous pressure on a marriage. If you are exploring adoption, you need to find ways to effectively manage the challenges of adopting while also strengthening your marriage.

Disney Magic: Overcoming fears and making new friends

My 4-year-old son is the oldest of my four kids. With the other three children clustered together in age (only six months apart in total), sometimes he seems much older than the rest — even though it's just a year. And though, he's very much the big brother, he's still a little boy and not without fears. One of the biggest is a fear of mascots.

Imagination rocks! Moms share the funniest things their kids have said

Out of the mouths of babes comes so much wisdom and humor. We talked to several real moms about the most imaginative, funniest things their kids have said.

Encouraging toddlers to get active

Helping your child develop healthy habits from a young age will lay down the foundation for a healthy future. Encourage your toddler to eat right and get active. Maintaining an active lifestyle is important for all of us -- no matter how old we are.

Helping siblings play nice

It's very important that your kids learn to play nice from an early age -- not just to keep the peace in your household but also to aid development and learning. Younger children model older siblings' behavior, learning a great deal from them. And older siblings can learn from a younger child's innocence and imagination as well.

10 Ways to raise an imaginative kid

You can provide your child with a wealth of information and knowledge, but they also need the imagination to put it to use. Every parent should work to stimulate their child's curiosity, interest and imagination. An active imagination develops creative thinking, encourages an adventurous mindset and enhances problem solving skills.

Ways to incorporate learning into play

Play is so essential to children that it's been recognized by the United Nations Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. Unfortunately, sometimes in today's society kids spend more time with passive entertainment (such as watching TV or playing video games) rather than active play.

Jillian Michaels talks motherhood and adoption

As a mother of three adopted children, the topic of adoption is very near and dear to me. When I had the opportunity to ask fitness guru Jillian Michaels some questions about her adoption experience, I was absolutely thrilled.

Family-friendly resorts

Let's be honest -- traveling with kids isn't easy. You want to relax, but watching your children in a new environment is always a challenge. And the activities that might be fun to you and your hubby may be a bore to your little ones. You don't need to drag your mother-in-law (or your babysitter) with you to watch your kids on your next trip. Instead, pick a family resort where there is plenty to do for the whole family.

Apps that help you beat the heat

Stay cool and beat the heat this summer with these apps for your iPhone.

10 Unique things to grill this summer

This summer, skip the burgers, hot dogs and other common grilling foods. Take your backyard barbecue from ordinary to extraordinary with these unique things to grill.

10 Ways to decorate your outdoor space

Summer entertaining season is here. Decorate your outdoor space with vibrant colors and extraordinary decor. Make your patio or yard the perfect place to hang out with your family, friends and neighbors.

Best custom cards and invitations

Customized cards have become very popular in recent years for everything from baby announcements to party invitations to holiday photo cards. You are probably familiar with Shutterfly, Tiny Prints and the other top websites for customizing invitations and cards, but which service is actually the best? Read on to find out.

What to wear to a summer party

Whether you are headed to a casual backyard barbecue, a sunny poolside party or a romantic outdoor wedding, we have the perfect summer outfit for you. With these fashion tips and shopping suggestions, you'll look fabulous no matter what type of summer party you are attending.

5 Must-have summer pieces

You don't need to spend a small fortune updating your wardrobe for summertime. These must-have summer pieces aren't just fashionable, they are also very affordable.

Two-piece swimsuits for girls: How old is old enough?

While you'll find a variety of adorable bikinis for girls of all ages, at what age is it actually appropriate for a girl to wear one? The answer varies greatly, depending on who you ask.

Skip that, buy this: Top Father's Day gift ideas

When shopping for Dad for Father's Day, think outside the box. Skip the more traditional gifts and instead buy items that fit both his personality and his lifestyle. Check out these top Father's Day gift ideas.

June is National Safety Month: How safe is your family?

June is National Safety Month. Throughout the month, the National Safety Council and various other organizations encourage businesses, individuals and families to take steps to make their environment safer for themselves, and everyone around them. Many accidents and injuries are avoidable if you are aware of common safety and health risks -- and by putting safety precautions in place.

Digitizing your finances benefits you and the environment

In today's digital age, we can do almost anything online. If you haven't yet digitized your finances, it's time to take the plunge. You have many online tools, iPhone apps and other electronic options that you really never have to set foot in a bank again.