I've been an Atlanta resident for a little over a year and I've struggled with putting most things New York behind me. It has been particularly hard accepting Atlanta's cultural events and attractions. I have to admit, I've been a snob. Stone Mountain is such a place that I've been told is the place to be --- to visit, to chill, to run, to bike to walk to hike and to picnic. My response each time I've visited has been a mix of missing home and wanting just a little more. After abandoning my disintegrating plans to haul the family to Disney World this Spring Break I was forced by finances to stay put. But staying put doesn't mean staying still.

On Tuesday, a friend and his daughter and my daughter and I drove up to Stone Mountain for a day of unexpected, wonderful family experiences. Their Spring FUN Break 2012, ending on April 7, is a home run!

Welcome to Mondays with Michelle! With Christmas right around the corner, I thought today would be the perfect day to share my favorite holiday cookie recipe.

I grew up making these cookies every year with my Mom and Grandma and I still make them today. It is a traditional German Christmas cookie called, Butterplätzchen or Butter cookies. The dough is very simple to make and the actual creating and decorating of the cookies is very kid friendly, so get your kids involved too... I'm sure they will love to be your helpers!

(photo from www.gofeminin.de)

Hello and T.G.I.F! Chef Michelle here and I've got another restaurant review for you. If you love burgers and live in Atlanta or plan to visit, then this one is for you...

I finally made my way over to Grindhouse to experience their "Killer Burgers." I’ve driven past their Piedmont location on numerous occasions, especially since it’s across the street from Fat Matt’s (one of my big time favs).

BURGER TIME!!!

Has the Labor Day Weekend snuck up on you and the kids and now you're stuck trying to figure out what to do? Please no worries. I've got a great listing of events compiled by Atlanta With Kid.

For families that decide to stay in town for the Labor Day weekend, there are plenty of fun events around town to keep you busy.

Check out our round up of fun, family-friendly events on Labor Day Weekend in or around Atlanta

1. Dragon*Con Parade @ Atlanta

You don’t have to be a geek to enjoy the Dragon Con parade. This annual convention is one of the biggest fantasy and sci-fi convention in the country. If your kids love Star Wars like my kids, they will probably enjoy this parade. Head downtown to watch the parade in the early Saturday morning and have a chance to interaction with almost-real costume. Beware that some costume might be more realistic than a little one can handle. Use your parental guidance and judgement call on this one.
Also check out our ultimate guide to Dragon*Con Parade for Families with Kids
Make sure to head out early to secure a front row spot. Limited parking so it’s best to use Marta to get to downtown.
Place: Downtown Atlanta
Date: September 3, 2011
Time: 10AM
Cost: FREE

2. Arts on the Creek @ Johns Creek

This Music & Arts festival is hosted by Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. The festival is a fun family friendly filled with performances, art exhibits and children activities.
Place: Perimeter Church 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Date: September 3-4, 2011
Time: Sat 10am – 5pm , Sun 1pm-6pm,
Cost: FREE

3. Sixth Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival @ Decatur

Calling all bookworms young or old, it’s time to check out the 2011 AJC Decatur Book Festival this Labor Day weekend. Meet your favorite authors, check out various children activities, listen to the Live music performed by nationally touring musicians, watch Cooking demonstrations by noted cookbook authors and enjoy food and beer from local vendors. This is a Bookzilla size festival that will entertain the whole family.
Place: Downtown Decatur, GA
Date: September 2-4, 2011
Time: See event schedule here
Cost: FREE

To view the rest of this list, please visit: Labor Day Weekend 2011 Events In Atlanta With Kids.

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Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with "Winnie the Pooh," the first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney's feature animation studios in more than 35 years. With the timeless charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical "bear of very little brain" and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo-and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail.(Source: Disney.com)

I was concerned before I went to go see this film. Concerned that despite my love for cartoons it would be too infantile for me or my daughter. But once the movie began I realized there was pure beauty in the simplicity of this tale of a child's imagination run wild. This, of course, was balanced by Eeyore's extreme realism, which provided the bulk of the adult humor in the film. This reincarnation of Winnie The Pooh took me back to my own childhood where I romped around through the playthings of my daydreams. My daughter's face was aglow with happiness as she sat captivated by the mix of animation, words and imagination. It helped me understand her sudden attachment to her new friend, a bunny she named Beyonce (don't get me started).

Winnie the Pooh opens nationwide in theaters this week on July 15. It will definitely be time well spent with the kids.

• Check Movie Times In Your Area
• Listen To The Soundtrack

Disclosure: I saw the advanced screening of Winnie the Pooh courtesy of Klout Perks.

E.Payne is the author of DAD: As Easy As A, B, C!: 26 Dos & Don'ts For Fathers and 2 other books. For the past 3 years he has posted 700+ articles about fatherhood, marriage and everything in between here at Makes Me Wanna Holler.com. To learn more, click here.

Literally. Seriously. I'm not joking. Go fly a kite or do whatever it is that you and your kid(s) can enjoy together. It doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to take long. But the payoff will be a first-time or extremely valued experience that will be remembered forever.

This, my friends, is priceless!

E.Payne is the author of the soon to be released DAD: As Easy As A, B, C! and I Didn't Invented Sex. For the past 3 years he has posted 600+ articles about fatherhood, marriage and everything in between here at Makes Me Wanna Holler.com. To learn more, click here.