Recently in Mom Recommendations Category

Proving that this adorable book on manners highlighted in today's Courant is effective, the little girl I passed the book along to has already sent me a thank-you note. (My boys did humor me by reading the book after I wrote about it, but its pink and purple book jacket looked out of place amid the dirty socks and Legos strewn about my house.)

If you've got a birthday party coming up and can't fathom buying yet another gift card (for a store that may or may not go out of business soon), "Merrilee Mannerly and Her Magnificent Manners" is a fine gift choice.

Oh, and you're welcome, Eliza. 

Know any kids turning 10 on 10/10/10? How about anyone turning 100?

CoCo Key Water Resort in Waterbury is offering free admission to guests celebrating their 10^th or 100^th birthday that day.

Although Waterbury might seem like a far away, strange land to many living in Greater Hartford, it's really not that far (or strange.) Our oldest son celebrated a birthday at the water park when it first opened a few years ago. From the perspective of a mom who would rather clean toilets than go to Chuck E. Cheese's, this place is actually pretty cool.

Free birthday admission on 10/10/10 is one of three "Perfect 10" deals CoCo Key will honor that day.  In addition, admission to the water park on Oct. 10 is just $10, and the park also will offer $10 arcade cards for only $5 the month of October.

Families unable to visit CoCo Key on Sunday, Oct. 10, can still enjoy a "Perfect 10" deal. All day passes purchased online on Oct. 10 are only $10 and can be redeemed on any selected date through Dec. 30, 2010.

The CoCo Key Water Resort is located at the Holiday Inn Waterbury, near the junction of Route 8 and I-84.  To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.cocokeywaterresort.com or call 877/875-5015.

Even Justin needs a trim every now and then.

Families are invited to Hair Cuttery locations across New England on Sunday, September 26 from 5-8 p.m. to receive $10 haircuts with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit Children's Hospital Boston.

All Connecticut Hair Cuttery locations will be participating in the event - including salons in Glastonbury, New Britain and Windsor. Click here for salon locations.

And click here for instructions on how to acheive the Bieber 'do.

The Hair Cuttery is working together with HAIRraising - an organization founded by stylist John Frieda that benefits children's hospitals worldwide - and offering the special rate in all 36 New England salon locations.

And for Pete's sake, get that hair out of your eyes.