Today is the Jewish holiday of Purim and like all Jewish holidays, it involves food. Specifically, hamantaschen--a triangular-shaped cookie, typically filled with apricots, prunes, raspberry, or poppyseeds. Why triangular? The villian of the Purim story was named Haman...and legend has it that he wore a triangular hat. But wait! What's a good cookie without a chocolate filling? Try a mixture of chocolate chips and chopped pecans...or for something totally different, plop a spoonful of Nutella in the center!

Be sure you have an empty stomach before looking at these traveler photos that a friend sent us from Trip Advisor. There's a reason the Hotel Carter in NYC won last year's "Dirtiest Hotel in the World" title...before you head off for spring break, make sure your hotel isn't on this list.

Momcierge reader Jane sent us a link to a great website, Healthy Child, Healthy World--focused on keeping your family healthy, safe, and green. There are all kinds of healthy suggestions and easy things you can do to eliminate harsh and possibly dangerous toxins in your environment. We like it because it's not overly preachy and doesn't make you feel guilty about what you're not doing in your life...rather, it makes you feel good about ittle things you can do to make your family's life healthier.

Yesterday, Alyssa had her son Elliot's 7th birthday party at the HA! Comedy Club in Times Square. This was like his dream come true...a comedy show AND a chance to get up and use a microphone in front of a crowd. Improv4Kids does a fabulous interactive show that's hilarious for kids and even pretty funny for adults. But the highlight of the afternoon came when all the kids started getting up to tell jokes...there was a line ten deep to get up and tell some of the corniest, silliest, and goofy jokes you've ever heard. After a good 20 minutes of knock-knock jokes, Alyssa had to get the club manager to give the kids the hook, otherwise it could have turned into an all nighter.

We just loved this article about the weird and wacky stuff people have tried to smuggle through customs at New York airports. Guns, jewelry, drugs, gold...we're not doing it but we can kind of understand. But two live pigeons? Someone please explain.