With so many kids-cooking sites online, when I’m looking for originality and spunk, I always head to Yummyfun Kooking, my default “have fun cooking with kids” website! Yummyfun’s part Pee Wee Herman, part Martha Stewart and 100% awesome!

My friend Clare Crespo is the Chief Cupcake in Charge and for as long as I’ve known her, she’s been obsessed with inspiring folks to get creative in the kitchen. From the first dusting of flour to becoming a media powerhouse, she has written two best selling cookbooks: “The Secret Life of Food” and “Hey There Cupcake!”, teaches cooking classes and writes recipes and party ideas for other media outlets. You may have even spotted her on TV whipping up something fun.

For the enthusiastic kid-chef in your life, look no further for an original present. For $28.00, you can subscribe to a  Yummyfun Kooking Club which includes a silk-screened recipe box, recipe dividers, a wooden mixing spoon, a membership card and welcoming letter, recipe cards, and then every month, you will receive three very fun recipes and a letter from Clare. With a Kooking Club subscription, it’s a gift that gives all year (but lasts a lifetime). And while you’re at it, check out the wildest cooking show ever, Clare’s Yummyfun Kooking Series.

With Yummyfun, the right tools and in insatiable imagination, I know you’re going to have fun experimenting in the kitchen with your kids. Create memories for a lifetime — and if that didn’t sound too Hallmark-y, let me reiterate, cooking with your kids will leave a permanent impression on them. I fondly remember the first pineapple-upside-cake I made when I was 12 years old. And hanging out in the kitchen with my family. Cooking was fun — it is fun!

I’d love to hear what you might’ve created in your kitchen with your families and friends recently. And please share your favorite cooking sites and recipes with us — I’m always on the hunt for the next smash dinner dish!

This summer, Lulu is obsessed with stopping to pet every dog whose owner will allow it. If she sees one coming towards us (and this happens plenty in our neighborhood), she will excitedly say, “Be nice. Be nice, doggy,” hundreds of feet before her future four-legged friend is within arm’s reach. When the owner and dog near, I ask if the dog is friendly and if they wouldn’t mind if we pet him or her.

Dog owners in our neighborhood are very patient and friendly. About 95% of the time, the owner is gracious enough to stop, tighten the leash on their pup, and stoop while Lulu squats with her hands out. Depending on the dog, she squeals with joy or  runs behind me to protect her. She has fun petting each animal and I enjoy meeting my neighbors (who like parents, love to hear how cute or good their pet is). The only time Lulu doesn’t get to pet a puppy is when the dog is really young or really old (kids are too skittish for them).

Following are a few dog videos that make me smile. Enjoy!

I’m a big fan of lemonade stands as they teach children the basic rules of commerce (making and saving money) and entrepreneurship and are a fun and easy way to practice math. My 11 year old cousin, Ari pays for his summer purchases by operating his lemonade stand every couple of weeks and enjoys the outdoor activity tremendously.

Hearing kids yell, “Ice cold lemonade! 50 cents a cup!” is totally endearing. Lemonade stands always make me smile. A bit of whimsy and a lot of nostalgia, I can hardly drive or walk past kids in action without stopping to support their efforts. If you’re interested in helping your child organize a drink booth, One Charming Party has step-by-step instructions for creating the loveliest lemonade stand, I’ve ever seen. And if the stand wasn’t adorable enough, check out the treats and toys to accompany the summer refreshers. I think you’ll agree, it’s so sweet!

Martha Stewart, drink your heart out!