Donald Deane

What's worse than a news anchor blabbing on live TV that Santa isn't real? How about a Texas kindergarten teacher revealing the terrible truth about Saint Nick to her entire class of five-year-olds? Yep, that actually happened.

Although it became a widely used form of communication only recently, texting is actually a decades-old technology. In fact, it celebrated its 20th birthday on Monday, which makes it older than most of the kids who use it. OMG!

To date, 49 toys have made it into the Hall of Fame, including such classics as Slinky and Play-Doh. Two of the 12 nominees will be inducted this year.

On flights, it used to be that carry-on luggage was as free as a complimentary bag of peanuts, but that's all starting to change. In fact, a third small airline just added a fee for passengers who wish to bring a carry-on bag.

Of course, their decision to play the 'Star Wars' theme makes the whole thing border on geeky, but we're okay with that.

When we think of fall, several things come immediately to mind -- cooling temperatures, turning leaves, costumes, candy and turkey dinner. But nothing evokes the season more than pumpkin pie, especially with a generous dollop of waist-expanding whipped cream.

Although raising children is a full-time job, parents still need to blow off a little steam every now and then. But what happens when a parent indulges in several questionable adult activities while a baby is strapped to his chest? Hilarity, that's what.