We decided to go ahead and have it anyway. The kids look forward to it, and that's the main reason we started it.

The crowd might be larger this year. There may not be much else around here to do.

We stopped because of the mess and the kids started throwing eggs at each other.

Take your kids hiking, biking or skating.

Push your kids on a swing, walk the dog, play a game of catch, volunteer for the neighborhood watch, carry groceries for your neighbor, take your toddler for a stroll, play catch, or help out in a community garden.

The kids know we're pretty serious.