WELCOME!
Hello! I'm Christine Koh, a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative who founded Boston Mamas in 2006. Learn more...

SPONSORS
CREDITS
Powered by
Movable Type 4.38

© Copyright Boston Mamas 2006-2013; a division of Christine Koh, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms & Privacy

Main

May 17, 2013

Weekend Roundup

bcm-bees-critter-day.pngHappy Friday everyone; I hope you've been enjoying a great week. It's been a stressful week on my end, so I'm looking forward to taking things down a notch this weekend (starting with a new quilt project Laurel and I are working on together!). Meanwhile, a couple of fun things: First, I weigh in today at the Boston Globe on managing princess obsessions re: the Princess Merida controversy -- come share your thoughts! Second, you definitely should enter to win these organic house cleaning service and Canon DSLR + Epiphanie bag giveaways -- amazing! And now, on to the weekend; here are 23 event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

May 15, 2013

Exec to the Rescue (+ An Awesome Giveaway)

exec-soap.jpgI am, obviously, a big fan of the internet. And while my adventures around the web largely swirl in the domains of writing and online shopping, I'm always super impressed when service-based companies step it up and take advantage of technology to make getting stuff done easier. Such was my experience with Exec Cleaning, an organic house cleaning service that makes it absurdly easy to, well, get your house clean.

Continue reading "Exec to the Rescue (+ An Awesome Giveaway)" »

May 13, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

blossom.jpgHappy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. It never fails to amaze me how the simplest things (sleeping in! breakfast in bed! handmade cards! a quick run!) are so rejuvenating; I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day. Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who came out for Pivot 3.0 on Friday, don't forget to enter to win this amazing DSLR + bag giveaway, and here's to a fantastic week. Following are some fun event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint " »

May 10, 2013

Weekend Roundup

skye-art-loveyoumom.jpgHappy Friday everyone...I hope you're gearing up for a wonderful weekend. I'll be sending virtual hugs and kisses to you all on Mother's Day! But before we get there, I need to say how excited I am about the Pivot 3.0 style event I'm co-hosting tonight and I hope to see you there. Meanwhile, if you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, here are 23 weekend picks, lovingly curated for your consideration.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

May 6, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

bunny.jpgHappy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! I was in California Thursday through Sunday for Mom 2.0 Summit and it was an amazing experience for many reasons (I'll be sharing some deep thoughts soon!). Meanwhile, as I sit here sipping coffee and acclimating to East Coast time, I wanted to queue you up for a fantastic week. Here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

May 3, 2013

Weekend Roundup

mayfair.jpgGreetings from Laguna Niguel, California! I miss Jon and the girls but also am having a wonderful time here at Mom 2.0 Summit. It's been amazing to take in such a spectacular seascape, connect with old and new friends, and, today, dive into conference programming. But before I get into that, I wanted to share 30 weekend event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget the sunscreen!

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

April 30, 2013

Best of April 2013

DIY-bracelets.jpgHappy last day of April! Following my January, February, and March best-of posts, today I'm rounding up the most helpful, insightful, favored-by-the-community posts from April. I hope you enjoy this month's roundup, handy for browsing during lunch, on the pick up line, or wherever! Also, here are a few of my favorite recent pins: a cool way to display Instagram photos, an 8-week half marathon plan, a pretty, ladylike dress I just ordered, DIY bracelets, and book club fodder.

Continue reading "Best of April 2013" »

April 29, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

tulips.jpgHappy Monday everyone, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It was a bit of a crazy one for me, given that I had to zip down to New York for a live interview with Fox & Friends, but the experience was so wonderful (here's the interview clip if you want to take a look!) and I was thrilled to make it home with plenty of time to enjoy open studios with Laurel and snuggle Violet. Meanwhile, enjoy this beautiful week; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint (note: following a reader request, I'm including town listings as I do for the weekend roundups; hope this is helpful to you!):

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 26, 2013

Weekend Roundup

mfa-art-in-bloom.jpgHappy Friday everyone; I hope this week offered some normalcy and routine for you and your family. It's going to be a beautiful weekend and there's lots to do in and around the city -- here are 30 event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration. Also, yesterday I finally was able to spend some time at the Boston Marathon memorial at Copley. What a moving experience; so full of love and heartache. I encourage you to visit and pay your respects; there's so much good in our city.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

April 22, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

nantucket-daffodils.jpgFriends, I hope you're all recovering after what proved to be a very surreal week. There are so many unanswered questions and there's so much physical and emotional healing to be done, but I am so, so proud of this city. I shared two posts last week (on coping in the aftermath and the dissonance of Friday's events) that may be helpful to you (the first particularly if you're working on talking to your kids about the tragedy). Meanwhile, I wanted to provide some rhythm and normalcy to this Monday and share some events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. Hugs to you all.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 14, 2013

April Vacation Mega-Roundup

april-vacation-pem.jpgHello everyone, I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful long weekend! I'm not sure if it's me being minimalist or somewhat disorganized but I am, at the 11th hour, finding myself in need of April vacation planning; putting together this roundup proved helpful! I hope it's also helpful to you this week. Meanwhile, those of you have Patriot's Day off tomorrow, enjoy the day. And cheer on those amazing Boston Marathon runners! I'll be light on posting this week, but will probably update a bit on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you want to keep in touch!

Continue reading "April Vacation Mega-Roundup" »

April 12, 2013

Weekend Roundup

swan-boats.gifHappy Friday everyone, I hope you've had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend; enjoy today's roundup of 22 events, lovingly curated for your consideration! Meanwhile, I wanted to share the final post in Asha and my series for The Huffington Post's Stress-Less Parenting Club. I would love to hear your thoughts about my post about why self-care is not selfish (and 5 ways to move beyond typical self-care roadblocks), and you can also engage in the companion workshop piece. Also check out our posts on thinking differently about time, school year activities, and kids' birthday parties.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

April 8, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

aha-new-bedford.jpgHappy Monday everyone and welcome, spring temperatures! Yesterday I was so excited to run without a jacket for the first time this year, and did a repeat this morning when I took Violet to school. Yay! I hope you have a wonderful week; among other things, I need to figure out April vacation plans (which I completely forgot about until last week...doh). Meanwhile, if you're looking for something to do, here are some event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 5, 2013

Weekend Roundup

pem-sensational-india.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I don't know about you, but I am super excited for the weekend; if you're looking for something to do, enjoy this roundup of 25 events, lovingly curated for your consideration! Meanwhile, I've been meaning to mention that Asha and I are so honored to be contributing to The Huffington Post's Stress-Less Parenting Club! Check out our articles on thinking differently about time, school year activities, and kids' birthday parties, as well as book excerpts + challenges on time management, de-stressing school mornings, and taking the stress out of birthday parties. I hope you enjoy the series -- yay for less stress!

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

April 1, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

lamb.jpgHappy Monday! I hope those who celebrated enjoyed a festive Easter yesterday or are enjoying a lovely Passover. We welcomed dear friends from London for brunch yesterday, and on Saturday I had such fun filling in as co-host on the Manic Mommies podcast. Kristin and I talked about Minimalist Parenting and many other topics, and Kristin's daughter Sophie and my Laurel became fast new friends. I hope you'll hop over and listen to the episode! Meanwhile, here are some events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. And watch out for trickery today!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 29, 2013

Weekend Roundup

isis-painting-party.jpgHello and happy Friday everyone! I am simply brimming with gratitude this morning after the Minimalist Parenting book launch party last night. It was amazing to see so many familiar faces and meet new friends, and so wonderful to feel the collective passion for simplifying life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who joined, and a huge thank you to Isis Parenting for their generosity in hosting the event! Meanwhile, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy Passover and Happy Easter to those who celebrate, and here are 19 events lovingly curated for your consideration.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

March 25, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

eggs.jpgHappy Monday everyone, I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I'm a little bleary eyed this morning after a fantastic (and fantastically tiring) trip to BlissDom followed by a 3am visit with Violet, who clearly missed mommy and wanted some snuggle time. Zzzz. But I'm also excited to dive in this morning and get caught up. I hope you all have a wonderful week planned; here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint (I hope I'll see you on March 28!):

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 22, 2013

Weekend Roundup

trustees-salamander.jpgHello everyone, I apologize for (unexpectedly) falling off the grid the last couple of days! This week has been a little crazy, what with the book launch, client work, and now I'm writing this post from Dallas, where I'm at the wonderful BlissDom conference both for client work and to do my first book signing (yay!). Anyway, I hope you've had a great week and have a lovely weekend on tap. If you're looking for something to do, here are 22 events, lovingly curated for your consideration.

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

March 18, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

daffodil.jpgHappy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! I can't believe it but today is Violet's second birthday. It sounds trite but her mega-labor seems like a million years ago yet so very vivid in my memory. In true minimalist parenting fashion (man, it doesn't take much to make a toddler happy; Vi was so excited to receive Dora stickers and a couple of balloons this morning!), we'll be enjoying a low key celebration this evening. Meanwhile, here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 15, 2013

Weekend Roundup

pem-sheep.jpgGreetings all and happy Friday -- I hope you had a great week! I'm still recovering from the surreal nature of yesterday. Before doing the tech walk through for the Boston launch party (get your tickets!) I stopped in at Barnes & Noble, and saw Minimalist Parenting front facing and on one of the top shelves in the parenting section and a two-page spread of Asha and me in Natural Child World. I'm so grateful for all of the amazing things that are happening! Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to a low key weekend; if you're looking for something to do, here are 24 events, lovingly curated for your consideration!

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

March 11, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

floral-snowman.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! There was a lot of girl time around my house, what with Laurel's snow day on Friday (isn't this floral mouthed snowman great?) and then girls weekend while Jon was out of town. I'm looking forward to a productive (and warm!) week and hope you are as well. If you're looking for things to do, here are some ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 8, 2013

Weekend Roundup

neaq-octopus.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- are you snowed in? I am so over this weather and ready for spring (and also wondering if Laurel will be in school until July given another snow day today). Anyway, I finishing curating this event roundup yesterday, while the snow was innocuously coming down but not sticking so please be sure to click over and check the websites for scheduling changes. Have a great weekend everyone and remember to lift with your legs!

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

March 7, 2013

Maple Syrup 101

MapleSugaringMassAudubon-sm.jpgToday, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares a primer on the beloved New England staple:

It's a staple in many households. There's not much better than homemade pancakes or waffles covered in ooey-gooey sweet and sticky maple syrup. But have you ever given much thought as to how maple syrup actually gets made? If there's ever a time to think about the process, it's now as maple sugaring season in New England is in full swing.

Continue reading "Maple Syrup 101" »

March 4, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

harvard-art-museum-persia.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you enjoyed the lovely spring-like weekend! We've been keeping our schedule as open as possible these days and subsequently were able to enjoy a wonderful, last minute visit with loved ones + plenty of time for family hanging out, household things, exercise, etc. Just an all around perfect weekend! It's also been fantastic to see how people are making change in their lives via MinCamp -- so awesome! Anyway, back to business! Here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 1, 2013

Weekend Roundup

harvard-square-snake.jpgHello, everyone -- happy Friday and first day of March! Is it just me or is 2013 flying by? It's been a busy week, what with jumping back into things after February vacation + Asha and I have been hard at work taking care of the finishing touches for MinCamp. Over 1,000 people are joining us on this journey of awesomeness and we are so excited to start helping people open up degrees of freedom in their lives! And speaking of degrees of freedom, I hope you have a wonderful weekend; here are 20 event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration:

Continue reading "Weekend Roundup" »

February 26, 2013

Giveaway Goodness: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford.jpgWhether your child adores dogs (or woofies, as Violet affectionately calls them) or needs a little help overcoming canine fears, a big friendly dog is on his way to show Boston some love. Clifford the Big Red Dog will show at the Wilbur Theatre twice (11:30am, 3pm) on March 9. This musical adventure will feature Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and other beloved Clifford pals, while imparting lessons about sharing, kindness, and more. And how fantastic is this? The kind folks at the Wilbur Theatre are offering a 4-pack of Clifford the Big Dog tickets to one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Clifford the Big Red Dog" »

February 25, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

trustees-of-reservations.jpegHappy Monday; I hope you had a great February vacation! Our break included a mix of things; high points being visiting my in-laws (they are truly delightful, and also amazing with Laurel and Violet) and taking Laurel to the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum (such a magical experience!). I'm happy to be back to a regular schedule though; and below is a roundup of events to consider via this week's Weekly Blueprint. Also, re: two other timely things: I would love for you to join us for MinCamp (it starts March 1 and about 750 campers have signed up!) and the Boston book launch party on March 28!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

February 17, 2013

February Vacation Mega-Roundup

peabody-mexican-flag.jpgIf you haven't figured out what you're doing with the kids this week, fear not, I have curated a mega-roundup of places that are offering special February vacation week programming! Meanwhile, if you're at home with the kids I recommend this peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe (it's easy enough for kids to make while you check in on your work e-mails...) and these six ideas for outdoor fun for next to nothing. Also, if you're taking a trip to the library or bookstore, bring this list of books for strong and smart girls. Happy vacation week!

Continue reading "February Vacation Mega-Roundup" »

February 15, 2013

Exciting Announcement: Boston Launch Party!

balloons.jpgFriends, I'm so excited to share some fun Minimalist Parenting news today. Thanks to the generosity of Isis Parenting, there is going to be a totally awesome (and fabulously do-gooding) Minimalist Parenting launch party here in Boston! Please join us on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30pm at Prudential Center to enjoy an evening out, meet other awesome parents, celebrate the launch of the book (I'll give a short presentation and will be available for high fives, questions, and to sign books), and support an amazing charity all at the same time!

Continue reading "Exciting Announcement: Boston Launch Party!" »

Weekend Event Picks

hedgehog-joanorr.jpgHappy Friday everyone! Can you believe we're on the brink of February vacation? After three snow days, Laurel was clamoring to get back to school, and then after one day in school she was clamoring for February vacation! I hope you all have a wonderful break, whether that means traveling somewhere, enjoying down time at home, or something in between. But before we get there, here are 18 weekend events for your consideration. And I hope you enjoyed a heart-filled Thursday, however you chose to celebrate (Laurel and Violet made the sweetest cards and I cried over Laurel's poem for me).

Continue reading "Weekend Event Picks" »

February 8, 2013

20 Fun Weekend Picks

pem-lunar-new-year.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you're all bundled up and cozy! We managed to get out for a family walk to the market this morning and now are hunkered in. Regarding this weekend, as of yesterday these listings were in go mode, but please click through closer in to check on cancellations or revised hours. Meanwhile, here are 20 things to do indoors when it's time to take a break from sledding and igloo building. Have a great weekend everyone!

Continue reading "20 Fun Weekend Picks" »

February 4, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

shen-yun.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I will admit to being somewhat oblivious to the groundhog and Superbowl oriented elements of the weekend. Instead, there was a lot of toddler chasing and care (Vi's milk-related rash is finally dissipating...hooray!), household puttering and decluttering, and I also did something I've been wanting to do for a long time: hosted a delightful get together for the Boston Mamas contributing writers. I'm excited to get back to work today and hope you all have a fantastic week. Here are some fun event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

February 1, 2013

21 Fun Weekend Picks

plush-groundhog.jpgHappy Friday and first day of February everyone! I'm somewhat zombie-ish after a week of very little sleep related to Violet's recent allergy issues (if any of you have kids struggling with dairy allergies, there's a helpful thread going on at the Boston Mamas Facebook page), but she finally seems to be turning a corner and I'm hoping that her rash will dissipate and we'll approach sleep normalcy this weekend! Meanwhile, I hope you have a fantastic weekend and a very happy groundhog day. Here are 21 event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration:

Continue reading "21 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 29, 2013

Six Reasons Why You Should Try Bangs

bowl-cut.jpgLast Thursday I visited my friend Honey Jo for a long overdue haircut. I adore Honey Jo for many reasons, but on the professional side, I love how confident I feel in her talent. When she asks what I want to do with my hair, I always say, "I'm open -- what do you think would be fun?" And that the results are always fabulous. She's done brilliant color work, chopped my hair short, and last week gave me bangs for the first time since, well, a long time ago. I was thrilled with my hair, but it wasn't until the Instagram picture I posted on Facebook blew up that I thought more about bangs editorially. Here are six reasons why I think you should consider trying them:

Continue reading "Six Reasons Why You Should Try Bangs" »

January 28, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

puzzle.JPGHappy Monday -- I hope you all had a great weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to the Milk + Bookies event on Saturday! It was so fun to read to the kids and help support the book drive, and man, the Peter Rabbit collection at babyGap is insanely cute (I had fun browsing while I was waiting for things to kick off)! Anyhow, I hope you have a great week planned. I'm excited to be back to work today and related to that, Asha and I will soon reveal something fun for Minimalist Parenting so stay tuned (or better yet, sign up for our e-mail list!). Meanwhile, here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 25, 2013

21 Fun Weekend Picks

winter-birch.jpgHappy Friday -- wow, what an insanely cold week it's been! I braved the elements for a run and during my walking warm-up I truly thought my fingers were going to freeze and fall off inside my gloves. It's times like these where I feel especially grateful to have a roof over my head; I hope you're all staying warm and safe. The cold weather will continue this weekend but there are lots of events to consider if you're suffering cabin fever. Here are 21 picks, and of course I would love to meet you at the Milk + Bookies event I'll be guest reading at tomorrow from 11am-noon at the North Shore Mall babyGap. If you come, please say hello! Have a great weekend!

Continue reading "21 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 23, 2013

9 Sensory Processing Disorder Resources

out-of-sync-child.jpgToday, Miriam (also of Other Pieces of Me) shares nine sensory processing disorder resources:

This past fall, our three-year-old son started at a local Montessori school. About a month ago, my husband and I nervously sat in a small chair in his classroom waiting for our very first parent-teacher meeting. It went very well, but his guide did have some concerns about his developmental progress and some of his behavior. It was a tough pill to swallow though not too surprising -- as you might recall, we were just down this road a little less than a year ago.

Continue reading "9 Sensory Processing Disorder Resources" »

January 21, 2013

Join Me for Milk + Bookies!

peter-rabbit.pngI love when literacy, fun, and philanthropy intersect, and if you and your kids enjoy the same, come join me on Saturday the 26th (11am) at the North Shore Mall in Peabody for a special event at babyGap. I'm honored to be the guest reader of The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit (I just received my copy to practice for the reading and it is a gorgeous book!) as part of Milk + Bookies' in-store book drives to benefit local Boys & Girls Clubs around the country. Milk + Bookies is a non-profit that encourages kids to feel the joy of giving back through a passion for books; please bring a gently used book (or 5!) with you for donation and come say hello! The event runs from 11am - noon and I would love to meet you!

Continue reading "Join Me for Milk + Bookies!" »

January 20, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

mlk-melindajonesart.jpgHello folks, I hope you're enjoying a wonderful, windy weekend. I'm struggling to shake the dreaded sore throat, but otherwise it's been a lovely weekend here! Given that tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and many of you will be off with your kids, I wanted to share the Weekly Blueprint a day early in case it's helpful for your planning. There are lots of activities going on in and around town tomorrow, whether you want to explore cultural offerings, listen to music, do community crafts, or engage in service. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 18, 2013

18 Fun Weekend Picks

green-briar-nature-center.JPGHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you've been enjoying a wonderful week and are looking forward to a great weekend! In Minimalist Parenting fashion, I've been working on leaving as much open space as possible in our schedules to allow for fun and spontaneity. And in advance of the openness of last weekend, Jon, Laurel, and I each tossed out a couple of things we thought would be fun to have happen over the weekend (e.g., runs, cooking, play dates) and committed to making sure each person was able to do at least one of their desired things. The approach has worked out beautifully -- I highly recommend you try it! Meanwhile, if you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, here are 18 event picks for your consideration:

Continue reading "18 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 16, 2013

Dear Boston Mamas: 8 Ways to Declutter for Good

womens-lunch-place.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas query comes from new reader Amy via e-mail:

Hi Christine, I recently discovered your site and love it! It's super helpful for a working mother of a 6-year-old and 3-year-old. I find it refreshing, very well-written and with a great dose of humor. One question: I was inspired to clean out the junk. In doing so I've been able to give a lot to consignment (I love Growing Up and Revolve in Belmont) however, I have a lot of gently used toys, women's clothing and household items that I would like to go to charities who give these items away to the needy for free. Can you suggest and organizations? Perhaps Cradles to Crayons for the children's items? Any ideas for the adult items?

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: 8 Ways to Declutter for Good" »

January 14, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

bca-spooky-stories.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was blissfully commitment free, which allowed for so much fun and spontaneity...breakfast in bed (a generous gift from Laurel), runs for Jon and me, family naps (Violet cuddled in and fell asleep on me twice...this never happens and was so sweet), quiet reading time, yummy meals, last minute play dates for Laurel, puttering around the house, and a really phenomenal massage treatment for me. Utter perfection. Anyhow, I'm also looking forward to getting back to work and am kicking off the day with a roundup of fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 11, 2013

15 Fun Weekend Picks

goldfish.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you've been enjoying a wonderful week! I cannot thank you enough for the immense support and love around my (digitally weepy) announcement of the Minimalist Parenting book trailer and opening of pre-orders. Despite how busy things can get, Asha and I never lose sight of or take for granted how blessed we are to be part of such supportive and amazing communities! Thank you so, so much. Meanwhile, I hope you have a fantastic weekend planned; here are 15 event picks for your consideration:

Continue reading "15 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 10, 2013

Dear Boston Mamas: South Shore Birthday Parties

playdipity.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas query comes from a mom on the South Shore via comment. Coincidentally, Boston Mamas contributing writer Priya (who recently relocated to the South Shore) already was working on a post about South Shore indoor activities and shares a roundup of leads in response to the question:

Anyone have any ideas for party places/venues for the South Shore or even the Cape? I swear the South Shore is LAME and all the cool places are North and West :(

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: South Shore Birthday Parties" »

January 7, 2013

Weekly Blueprint

mos-survivor.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed a lovely one, and on the local front I wanted to give props to the Resolution Run to Kick Cancer (a fantastically organized race replete with community spirit...I'm going to run it next year and Laurel wants to join me!), Pink Dolly (a chic resale boutique where I scored two bargain snow suits for Violet...procrastination worked out fine!), and Vicki Lee's (a delightful cafe I tried for the first time with my girlfriend Heidi...OMG the cheese danish!). Meanwhile, have a wonderful week -- here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint " »

January 4, 2013

10 Fun Weekend Picks

robin.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- wasn't it fun (and also slightly confusing) to start the week on a Wednesday? I hope you're all gearing up for a relaxing first weekend of the new year. Among other things, I'll be running a winter 5K (brrr!) as part of the Eat. Blog. Run. Winter Dash (come share your race if you're running one this winter!), will work on some house decluttering and tidying with the girls (goodbye Christmas decorations, hello Valentine's decorations that Laurel has already started working on!), and also mull further my eight intentions. (I'm putting #3 into action starting next week...Laurel is so excited!) Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 17, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

candles.jpgHello everyone, what a surreal few days it has been. My heart is heavy for the Newtown, CT community, and the ripple effect clearly has been wide. I have mixed emotions about the responses I've seen to this tragedy and I'm not sure I can articulate them all. So for now, I will simply say that I'm sending healing mojo into the universe for everyone and hope we can all find meaning in this that will help us move forward and also honor the spirit of the victims. And now I will return to business and share some event ideas to consider via this week's Weekly Blueprint. Im wishing you all a week of peace and healing.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint " »

December 14, 2012

21 Fun Weekend Picks

nodak-mama-book-wreath.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- yay for the upcoming weekend! Before I launch into the event roundup, I wanted to encourage you all to check out the posts Asha and I have been writing for Minimalist Holidays -- there are so many great ideas for shifting your perspective and practice to make the holidays simpler and thereby more fun and manageable! For example, Asha has shared wonderful and useful ideas on how to shorten your gift list and to-do list, and focus on easy holiday rituals. And this weekend, Laurel and I will be working on easy kid crafted and DIY food gifts, and I will most certainly be rocking the crockpot. Happy reading, and enjoy this roundup of 21 events for the weekend:

Continue reading "21 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 10, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

aha-new-bedford.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! This was an unusually busy weekend for us, which Jon and I kicked off by attending the Room to Grow fundraising gala (this organization does amazing work for babies 0-3 years of age and their families -- if you don't know about them already, check them out!), and then we also celebrated birthdays for family members and baby friends. It's back to work now, though, and for today's Weekly Blueprint I wanted to share event ideas for the week and also some great holiday gift guides (since I never seem to get around to creating one here at Boston Mamas). Have a great week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

December 7, 2012

30 Fun Weekend Picks

muppets-coolidge-corner.jpgHappy Friday everyone! The Massachusetts Conference for Women was so wonderful yesterday -- large (from estimates I heard, 8,000 attendees!) and wonderful! I fielded questions from many women at the local leaders meet up and social media roundtables -- it was very inspiring to hear about the change and awesomeness people want to make happen! Meanwhile, I hope you are gearing up for a great weekend; here's a big roundup of fun events for your consideration:

Continue reading "30 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 4, 2012

Dear Boston Mamas: North Shore Resources

diaper-lab.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas query comes from Sarah via the Boston Mamas Facebook page (congrats on your impending arrival Sarah!). Boston Mamas contributing writer Jennifer (a North Shore mom of twins) kindly is fielding Sarah's question:

Hi Boston Mamas. We live north of Boston, but I was wondering if you have any resources on finding twin classes, of any kind, and/or cloth diaper information/classes. We have a 21-month-old now and twins on the way in April. Thanks in advance!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: North Shore Resources" »

December 3, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

boston-ballet-Gene-Schiavone.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Laurel, Violet, and I had a lovely girls day on Saturday (for the record, the easiness and affordability of Trader Joe's gingerbread house kits was perfect...you should have seen Vi's face when she discovered that the icing was not just glue!) and yesterday Laurel and I enjoyed a wonderful outing to see The Nutcracker, courtesy of the Boston Ballet. The new production is utterly gorgeous and the whole experience magical -- I hope you consider attending this year (definitely check out half price ticket availability)! Now, here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 30, 2012

34 Fun Weekend Picks

massart-Criscione_Perc.jpgHappy Friday everyone! December is tomorrow, can you believe it? I can't quite gear myself up to decorate immediately after Thanksgiving, but December 1 officially feels festive to me. Laurel, Violet, and I are having a girls day tomorrow and I'm getting excited (Laurel is out of her mind excited...) to hang stockings, decorate a little, build gingerbread houses, and perhaps do a little shopping to support local businesses. Yay! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. There's lots to do in and around town; here are 34 picks (my biggest roundup ever, I think!) for your consideration:

Continue reading "34 Fun Weekend Picks" »

November 29, 2012

Mass Conference for Women

ma-conf.jpgFriends, are you interested in engaging in some personal and professional development next week (Thursday, December 6)? I'm super honored to be speaking at the Massachusetts Conference for Women. This year's theme is find your purpose, make a difference, and the speaker roster is crazy amazing. Here's the agenda; I'll field questions at the local leaders meet up at 12:30-1pm and also will share about how to navigate your online presence at the social media roundtables starting at 3pm. Register here, and please come say hello! I would love to meet you!

November 27, 2012

Giveaway Goodness: Mayor's Holiday Special

BlueManGroup.jpgGiven my ever present desire to declutter (particularly around this time of year), I'm a huge fan of experiential gifts. And I've found that experiential gifts are particularly awesome for kids; they negate said clutter, offer an opportunity for togetherness, create lasting memories (Laurel's most vivid gift memories are shows she has attended), and can inspire new or fuel existing interests. Not surprisingly then, I'm super excited that the Mayor's Holiday Special is back for another season, and thanks to their generosity, I've got a great giveaway for you today!

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Mayor's Holiday Special" »

November 26, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

christmas-tree.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend! We enjoyed lots of time with Jon and my families, and my sister-in-law Marjorie gave what very well may be the most generous and lovely gift ever while we were all relaxing post Thanksgiving meal: mini Reiki sessions. Wowzers! Anyway, I hope you're gearing up for a great week -- I'm looking forward to a regular work week after the sickness and many events of the last seven days. Here are some fun event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 23, 2012

16 Fun Weekend Picks

frog-pond.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving day full of reflection and connection. Violet's been sick and periodically cranky the last few days, but we enjoyed a relaxed morning as a family, and a delicious multicultural Thanksgiving potluck (turkey! duck! sushi! chap chae!) with my family. Enjoy the long weekend, and if you're in town, here's a roundup of 16 event picks for your consideration; it's starting to feel very holiday-like in and around town!

Continue reading "16 Fun Weekend Picks" »

November 19, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

gourds.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend and are feeling good about the upcoming holiday week. I'll be posting soon about some simple holiday food ideas and also encourage you to check out the beginnings of Asha and my Minimalist Holidays blog series (you'll be psyched to learn how to let go of fancy table trappings and embrace mealtime delegation!). Meanwhile, safe travels if you're heading out of town and if you're here this week, here are some fun event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 16, 2012

18 Fun Weekend Picks

bca.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you're having a wonderful week. Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? It's my favorite holiday of the year and I'm looking forward to low key festivities and lots of quality time with Jon and the girls (also, pie making with Laurel...yay!). And if you didn't see my announcement yesterday, Asha and I have launched a Minimalist Holidays series that will run through the end of the year. Tune in for lots of great ideas (the first two posts are great!) for doing less so you can enjoy the holidays more! Meanwhile, there's lots of fun stuff going on in and around town this weekend. Here are 18 picks for your consideration. Have a great weekend!

Continue reading "18 Fun Weekend Picks" »

November 12, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

pumpkins.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you had a lovely weekend. We're off with Laurel and Violet for the Veteran's Day holiday today so I'll keep this brief and just say that I'm incredibly grateful to those who have served (and currently serve) to protect our country's freedom, and for the many rights we all enjoy. (Several conversations about human rights have come up with Laurel lately...it's been amazing to engage in this line of conversation with her.) And meanwhile, here are some events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 9, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

pem-micala_sidore_trees.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- well yesterday was kind of weird, no? Was anyone else caught unprepared in the winter gear department? I know there wasn't much snow on the ground (at least in my neighborhood) but Laurel was definitely a little troubled about not having boots that fit. Anyway, we're heading into warmer temps today and over the weekend so there's still time to gear up. I hope you all have a spectacular weekend; here are 17 picks for your consideration:

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

November 5, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

vote.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I know there is so much going on in everyone's world right now (fyi, in the roundup below, there's a link for how to help out with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts), but I wanted to encourage everyone to get out and vote tomorrow. (If you don't know where your polling station is, you can look it up here.) Particularly having traveled to Ethiopia last month, I'm ever more aware of how fortunate we all are to have the things and rights we do. It's incredibly important to head to the polls Tuesday so go, go, go! And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming with this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 2, 2012

16 Fun Weekend Picks

leaves.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- what a strange week it's been. In my neighborhood, we were largely unaffected by Sandy, so I've been even more tuned into the struggles that others are facing. Wherever you are on that spectrum, I hope you're recovering well. Also, I wanted to remind you all to vote next week! I'm planning on a massive baking spree to support our Election Day school bake sale and am looking forward to taking Laurel and Violet to the polls! Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend; here are some fun events to consider:

Continue reading "16 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 26, 2012

18 Fun Weekend Picks

pumpkin-pottery.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- are you ready for a spooky weekend? If you're looking to get some extra mileage out of this year's costume before the 31st, I've rounded up a bunch of Halloween (and other!) events going on this weekend. (Laurel is super excited to test drive her vampire costume this afternoon at our town center trick or treat!) I'd love to see your kids' costumes this year -- feel free to upload your photos to the Boston Mamas Facebook page to share the cuteness! And have a fantastic weekend!

Continue reading "18 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 22, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

scarecrow.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! And are you getting into the Halloween spirit? In working on this week's blueprint, I realized that this coming weekend a lot of people will be partying it up for Halloween. I suspect we won't do anything until the 31st, at which point Laurel, Violet, and I will be a trio of vampires (and Jon will be on candy man duty). Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful week lined up; here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

October 19, 2012

19 Fun Weekend Picks

ecotarium-pumpkinfest.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you've had a wonderful week. Shockingly, I've found myself jet-lag free (both directions!) from the trip to Ethiopia, though I've definitely needed more sleep this week, both to catch up on the physical/emotional fatigue of traveling to the other side of the planet and probably because I'm now 39 years old. Anyway, this will be the first weekend in a month where Jon and I are both home with the girls and relatively plan-free -- yay! Here are 19 fun events to consider. Have a fantastic weekend!

Continue reading "19 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 15, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

tractors.jpgHi everyone, I'm home from Ethiopia! It was a long journey home -- around 24 hours all told -- but so worth it. I have some more thoughts to share in the coming weeks on this mission trip, but I really hope you will learn more about Ethiopia, whether you are most interested in children and maternal health, business, education, girl's empowerment, and/or nutrition. Thanks so much to everyone who shared these links with friends and family -- we will all benefit from a stronger and healthier world! Meanwhile, here are some fun event ideas to consider and posts to peruse in this week's Weekly Blueprint. Have a wonderful week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

October 12, 2012

19 Fun Weekend Picks

city-sprouts.jpgHappy Friday everyone! Today is a bit of a weird day for me. It's my birthday, I'm in Ethiopia, I miss Jon and the kids tremendously, and I'm sitting out on this morning's ONE Moms site visit because I've been flattened by GI issues (I fear that the food offered to me by an enlightened monk yesterday was the cause). I'm convalescing quietly in my room right now, hoping I can rally for this afternoon's activities. Meanwhile, I hope you have all had a wonderful week and enjoy these 19 fun weekend picks for me!

Continue reading "19 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 8, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

petit-elefant-polenta.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you all are enjoying the long holiday weekend! As you probably know, I'm in Ethiopia right now on a mission trip with ONE Moms -- please sign up to add your voice (it only takes a second!) and join me on the journey! We have a full itinerary planned for the week and I posted my first report yesterday. Meanwhile, here are some fun event ideas to consider and posts to peruse in this week's Weekly Blueprint. Have a wonderful week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

October 5, 2012

23 Fun Weekend Picks

fuller-craft-violin.jpgHappy Friday everyone! If you've been here recently, you know that I will not be here this weekend. Very early tomorrow I set off for Ethiopia as part of the ONE Moms mission trip (you can read about the what, why, and how of this trip here). I just received the final itinerary yesterday and am so eager to learn and share from the ground. Assuming that the Internet gods are smiling down on me, you can follow along here at Boston Mamas, and also on Instagram (bostonmamas) and Twitter. Meanwhile, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy this roundup of events!

Continue reading "23 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 1, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

turtles.jpgHappy Monday and first day of October everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! I did a quick trip to Las Vegas to help host a More Birthdays event at the wonderful Blogalicious conference. It was a terrific event and I'm also glad to be home! This week I'm planning on spending lots of time with Jon and the girls before I depart for Ethiopia on Saturday. Meanwhile, here are some fun events and good reading to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. Have a great week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

September 28, 2012

26 Fun Weekend Picks

ica-boston.jpgHappy Friday everyone and yowza, can you believe that September is almost over? School re-entry has gone so smoothly for Laurel but I've been thinking of all of you -- hoping that anyone dealing with challenging transitions is doing okay. Drop me a line if you need moral support; I've been there! Meanwhile, this is a great weekend for fun all across the fine state of Massachusetts -- fingers crossed that the weather clears up. Enjoy this rather colossal roundup and have a wonderful weekend!

Continue reading "26 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 24, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

apples.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a beautiful weekend. What a spectacular first official weekend of fall! I was on my own with the girls, and while we missed having Jon here, we enjoyed a lovely couple of days replete with lots of down time, puttering around the house (Laurel taught Violet how to dust -- YES!), and a trip to the zoo. I'm now getting my head back into work things and hope you're gearing up for a great week. Here are some events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

September 21, 2012

24 Fun Weekend Picks

revels-riversing.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- the autumnal equinox is upon us and it really does feel like fall now, doesn't it? I hope you're gearing up for a wonderful weekend. Among other adventures and things to do, I clearly need to turn over Laurel and Violet's clothing (goodbye sundresses!) and see what we've got for cold weather clothing. I hope you have a fantastic, relaxing weekend planned; there's no shortage of stuff to do in and around town -- here are 24 picks to consider for the weekend.

Continue reading "24 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 17, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

greenway-carousel.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you enjoyed a delightful weekend! We celebrated a dear friend's wedding on Saturday (yes, another wedding!) and Laurel's birthday (belatedly) yesterday. In true Minimalist Parenting fashion I kept things super simple and it was super awesome all around. Meanwhile, here are some events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint. And for those of you celebrating Rosh Hashanah, I hope you're enjoying time to reflect and reconnect.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

September 14, 2012

19 Fun Weekend Picks

spellman-hispanic-stamp.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you and your kids are settling in well to the new school year and that you're gearing up for a fun weekend! I'm looking forward to being home and engaging in some celebration of family and friends this weekend, following what proved to be a very powerful trip to California last weekend. Also, belated apologies that I missed posting up a Weekly Blueprint on Monday; internet access was very spotty in the redwood forests! Anyhow, enjoy this roundup of weekend picks and have a spectacular weekend!

Continue reading "19 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 11, 2012

Happier at Home

happier-at-home.pngWhen I was in New York for BlogHer, I was thrilled to celebrate my friend Gretchen Rubin at her book launch party (if you're interested, here are some very happy photos!). I loved reading The Happiness Project and am now immersed in Gretchen's new book, Happier at Home (given how crazy things have been with work and general household minutia these days, I've been particularly tuned to the marriage chapter). Gretchen is awesome -- so warm and down to earth and smart. She's going to be reading at Brookline Booksmith this Thursday at 6pm; I hope you'll be able to attend. We all deserve to be happier at home!

Continue reading "Happier at Home" »

September 7, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

stone-zoo-paddy.jpgHappy Friday -- I hope everyone is surviving back to school season! This week has been a bit of a whirlwind for us, what with school starting on Wednesday, Laurel's birthday yesterday (which proved challenging for me in some respects), and today I am headed out to engage in some personal and professional development. Meanwhile, there's a lot of great stuff going on this weekend; here are 17 picks that caught my eye. Have a wonderful weekend!

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 4, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

bean-salad-petit-elefant.jpgHappy September everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful long weekend! I made good on my low key intentions and Laurel and Violet were just over the moon to have so much family hang out time. We spent a lot of time in our little backyard relaxing, snacking, and tidying up our yard and prepping for and planting a new tree. Yay, for new growth! I hope you're all gearing up for a wonderful school year. Here are some fun events and interesting reading to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

August 31, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

king-richards-faire.jpgWow, this summer has encompassed a lot of awesome, but has also been a lot more crazy than I wanted it to be. I'm subsequently hoping to keep things super low key this weekend and hope you enjoy some quiet time as well! Meanwhile, if you're in town this weekend and are looking for something to do with the family, here are 12 picks that caught my eye. Enjoy the long weekend and I hope school transitions have been going smoothly for everyone who has already started!

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 27, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

boston-landmarks-orchestra.jpgHello everyone -- my brain is still partially in Maine but my body is back. I hope you had a great week while I was away! It was wonderful to spend quality time with family and our dear friends, and to see Laurel and Violet's joyful exploration of the ocean. Laurel just learned to swim for real this summer and it was amazing to see her gliding through the water and jumping off the dock. Violet loved squealing and running in and out of the water along with the tide. The vacation was sorely needed and it's hard to believe the summer is almost over! But before I get mopey, here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

August 20, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

arnold-arboretum.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you had a great weekend! Things have simply felt too busy around here the last several weeks so this weekend we kicked back and enjoyed a lot of family time and puttering around (note to self: try to avoid 6+ week lapses between weeding efforts...). Anyway, related, I wanted to let you know that I'm taking a blogging break this week so I can focus on some much needed time with Jon and the girls. But before I do that, here's a Weekly Blueprint filled with event ideas for the week and some excellent reading. Have a wonderful week!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

August 17, 2012

18 Fun Weekend Picks

boston-contemporary-dance.jpgHappy Friday everyone! Wow, what a busy week it's been here, and I wasn't even one of my bajillion loved ones (including Jon) who went to see Bruce Springsteen at Fenway. Laurel finishes camp today (she did a four weeks on and off through the summer) and then we have two and a half weeks off before school starts. I can't believe how fast the summer has flown by! Anyway, I hope you have a lovely weekend planned; here are 18 weekend picks that caught my eye. Enjoy!

Continue reading "18 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 13, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

ecogirl-boston-greenfest.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! I think Violet is cutting molars so Jon and I are a bit foggy and sleep deprived, but otherwise, we enjoyed a lovely visit from family, piles of yummy seafood, some very successful recipe experimentation (more on that forthcoming!), and a fun outing to a local beach/pond. Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a great week. Here are some fun event ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

August 10, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

shell.jpgHello lovely friends...are you ready for the weekend? There's a lot of wonderful stuff going on in and around town, especially for music lovers! I'd also be remiss if I didn't share that it's tax free weekend. If you've been considering any major purchases, this weekend's a good time to go for it (we finally upgraded our ratty old couch last go around); otherwise, I'm thinking I'll take care of Laurel's school supplies list (insert: how is it possibly almost mid-August lament). Enjoy the weekend. You deserve it!

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 6, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

aha-newbedford.jpgHappy Monday everyone! I apologize for the unexpected radio silence the last several days, particularly in not getting to my weekend roundup. I was in New York for BlogHer, and while I planned on keeping up with posting from the road, internet/laptop woes coupled with the general and amazing chaos of converging with 5,000 other bloggers, preparing to walk in a runway show (!) + helping my client American Cancer Society derailed my posting plans very, very quickly. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and I'm glad to be back today! Here are some fun events to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

July 30, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

puppet-showplace-arabian.jpgHappy Monday everyone! I'm getting a bit of a slow start here after disappearing for the weekend to celebrate my sister's wedding, spend some time with friends on the Cape, and then (somewhat amazingly) take Laurel to meet up with her pen pal from Texas (who she met while in St. Thomas). On the pen pal meetup, note to all of you: the Greenway fountain is irresistible for kids to play in, and bring. dry. clothes. (I ended up buying Laurel a change of clothes off the sale rack at the Gap at Quincy Market...a clothing vendor near the fountain could make a killing!) Meanwhile, I hope you have a wonderful week on tap; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

July 27, 2012

13 Fun Weekend Picks

olympics-cupcakes.jpgWell, so, I'm super excited it is Friday. It's been an incredibly hectic week here, punctuated by the fact that my computer seems to be dying and my e-mail is totally wonky. Clearly, the universe is telling me to take the weekend off, which is in good time because my baby sister Sharon is getting married tomorrow -- so joyful! Meanwhile, here are 13 weekend picks to enjoy. And if you end up heading to Summer Arts Weekend do not drive (there's a lot of construction going on right now, which has killed many parking spots) and do visit the new Georgetown Cupcake on Newbury Street. Laurel and I stopped in yesterday -- major thumbs up for the chocolate ganache and coconut cupcakes!

Continue reading "13 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 23, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

decordova-blue.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- can you believe that this is the last full week of July? Has the summer been flying by for you too? Between camp and the cruise, the last three weeks have zipped by and as awesome as all of this month's adventures have been, Laurel is supremely excited that she is completely off the next two weeks (save some fun long weekend plans). I hope you're gearing up for a wonderful week; there's tons to do in and around town. I've rounded up a slew of ideas in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

July 20, 2012

14 Fun Weekend Picks

blueberries.JPGGreetings, friends -- isn't it utterly perfect outside? Yesterday I tweeted about the power of short runs (I'm all about something is better than nothing when it comes to self-care). All I seem to have time for these days are 12-15 minute runs 3-4 times a week (usually running Violet to or from day care) and even those short little runs feel fantastic. Today is the perfect day to get out there for a walk or run! And after you enjoy a little fresh air, you can start planning your weekend. Here are 13 picks that caught my eye:

Continue reading "14 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 16, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

hammock.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed a relaxed weekend with lots of family time, and then (thanks to my awesome sister and sister-in-law!) Jon and I were able to head out on our own to celebrate the wedding of my dear blogger friend Jane. I met Jane (and her sister Audrey and mother Sharon) not long after starting Boston Mamas six years ago and the whole family is utterly delightful. It was such a beautiful event and I was so honored to bear witness to it! Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a great week -- there's lots to do around town. Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

July 13, 2012

20 Fun Weekend Picks

ice-cream.jpgWell, hello there! I'm still dusting the cobwebs off my brain (and phone) after pretty much being unplugged for five days while I was on a Carnival cruise with the family (AT&T's exorbitant international data rates + very slow internet service at sea helped inspire my unplugged state...a good thing!). I have more thoughts forthcoming on the media trip, but I just wanted to quickly say that it was lovely to get away -- particularly following all of the intense work it took to finish Minimalist Parenting -- and I also missed you all and it's great to be back. I hope you had a wonderful week and enjoy this roundup of picks for the weekend!

Continue reading "20 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 6, 2012

7 Fun Weekend Picks

decordova-eye-wonder.jpgHappy Friday everyone, and man, what a week! The mid-week holiday left me a bit confused about what day it was, in addition to getting into the rhythm of Laurel's day camp + working amidst a landslide of deadlines. But the awesome news is this: Minimalist Parenting will head to our editor/publisher today (yay!) and I'm going to take a bit of a blog break to recover. Well, technically I'll be working via a travel writing opportunity, but I hope it will feel very vacation-y! I'll probably be tweeting and posting on Instagram (christine_koh) if you want to follow along. Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend, I'll see you here later next week, and enjoy these picks for the weekend.

Continue reading "7 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 3, 2012

Swept Away by Six Flags

six-flags.jpgThis past weekend, I arranged to have three of my lovely Boston Mamas contributors attend the Six Flags media weekend with their families. I didn't really expect to hear from them following the event given that: a) I told them there was no obligation to write about it; and b) I figured it was highly possible that some or all might cancel out given the heat. Instead, I received gushing follow up emails across the board. Everyone (parents + kids ranging from 5 years old to teenagers) had a fantastic time and Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) was so enthusiastic she immediately penned a review. Read on for Lindsey's thoughts as well as to learn how to win a four-pack of tickets to Six Flags (sweet!):

Continue reading "Swept Away by Six Flags" »

July 2, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

boston-harborfest.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you all had a great weekend! I have a bit of a hectic week on tap, but right now my heart is simply bursting with joy for Laurel. After the camp disasters of 2010 -- through which many of you were so supportive when I wrote about transitions and behavioral issues -- I'm so happy to share that Laurel's first camp drop off since that time went swimmingly. She was happy, excited, and immediately found a girl to befriend in her group. If your kids are doing camps, I hope the transitions are going well, and if you are struggling, please feel feel free to e-mail me if you need a little solidarity! Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this fun array of events in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

June 29, 2012

16 Fun Weekend Picks

parkland-games.jpgHappy Friday, and who else is a little blown away by the fact that it's almost July? I'm pretty sure I write this with each passing month, but it's really true. Time seems to be flying in all respects. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned! We have a family celebration (another Koh wedding!) and time with friends on the books, plus I need to spend time in the cave working on the final edits before Asha and I submit Minimalist Parenting to our publisher. Insanely exciting! Meanwhile, here are 16 weekend picks for your consideration -- enjoy!

Continue reading "16 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 25, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

pudding-pops-koh.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you enjoyed a wonderful first official weekend of summer! We took a quick trip to celebrate my father-in-law's retirement from ministry. It was major from a quantitative perspective (a 41 year career including 2,000 or so sermons!) and it was also quite moving to be present for his final sermon and to witness the love of the community. What a gift, and I hope all of us experience such connection and meaning in our lives. We're now back and sorting out our summer routine for the week (every week is apparently going to be different around here); here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

June 22, 2012

16 Fun Weekend Picks

cape-ann-artisans.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope you're all staying cool and figuring out your summer rhythm. I stumbled around a lot on this front yesterday with Laurel but today is already panning out way better thanks to sprinkler play (right now!), playdates with friends, and a big stack of Nancy Drew books from the library. Have a wonderful first weekend of summer, don't forget the sunscreen, and I hope you enjoy this round up of 16 picks for the weekend:

Continue reading "16 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 20, 2012

Giveaway Goodness: Cirque du Soleil

cirque-du-soleil-totem.jpgI am a huge fan of experiential gifts -- they don't result in clutter and often create the most lasting memories (indeed, some of Laurel's most memorable gifts have been tickets to live performances). And if you're looking for a wonderful experience to gift yourself and/or your family, consider Cirque du Soleil's Totem, running now through July 22 in Boston. Laurel and I were blown away by Cirque's last Boston run, and Totem is sure to delight with mesmerizing visual fodder via sets, costumes, and acrobatics set within the context of evolution of the human species. And how fantastic is this? The kind folks at Cirque du Soleil have offered a 4-pack of Cirque du Soleil Totem tickets to one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Cirque du Soleil" »

June 19, 2012

Fun with Fireflies

fireflies.jpgToday, Hillary of Mass Audubon shares firefly scouting tips and resources:

"As the sun set, a little firefly was born. It stretched its wings and flew off into the darkening sky. It was a lonely firefly, and flashed its light searching for other fireflies." I have to admit something. Reading Eric Carle's The Very Lonely Firefly for the last few years has been the extent of my family's firefly interactions. But this year, things are going to be different. We're going to do what families have done for centuries: enjoy these little, fascinating bugs as they light up the summer night sky. At least, that's our hope.

Continue reading "Fun with Fireflies" »

June 18, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

boston-harbor-islands.jpgLast week of school (if you're not out already)! Summer solstice! (And for me, Vi's 15-month checkup -- how is she already 15 months old?) I can barely wrap my head around this week. I hope you had a wonderful weekend (we celebrated Jon's birthday, Father's Day, plus Laurel had a bajillion or so social engagements...) and are having a wonderful time transitioning into summer; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

June 15, 2012

26 Fun Weekend Picks

franklin-park-zoo-butterflies.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I've got a sick Vivy home with me today, so I'll get right to it -- enjoy these weekend picks (and don't say I didn't hook you up in the strawberry department)!

1. Feast of the East. (Arlington)

2. Strawberries! (Attleboro)

3. Enjoy arts and more. (Beverly)

4. The butterflies are back! (Boston)

Continue reading "26 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 11, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

fairy-door.jpgHappy Monday friends -- I hope you had a delightful weekend! I spent the weekend with one goal in mind: to relax and restore since I've been fighting a cold while burning the midnight oil to finish the first draft of Minimalist Parenting (which Asha and I did on Friday -- yay!). Though I had to bail on one commitment, it was a lovely weekend, and now the reality that school finishes next week is starting to sink in (how it possible that Laurel will be entering third grade in the fall?). Anyway, while I dwell in my nostalgia, I hope you're gearing up for a great week! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

June 8, 2012

22 Fun Weekend Picks

radius-ensemble.jpgHappy Friday! Fingers crossed for good weather this weekend -- here are 22 fun options spanning food, music, bugs, fitness, philanthropy, and much more:

1. Your dog will love this. (Andover)

2. Celebrate diversity. (Boston)

3. Here come the food trucks! (Boston)

Continue reading "22 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 6, 2012

Cobblestones

cobblestones.jpgToday, Miriam (also of Other Pieces of Me) shares a wonderful local developmental resource:

What do you do when your child doesn't qualify for early intervention (EI) but still needs help? It's a question that many parents don't think about until the moment they're told by their daycare provider that their child may have developmental challenges that should be evaluated. That's exactly the situation my husband and I were in this past winter, a mere 6 weeks after our second child was born. While we were confident that our firstborn was expressing behaviors within the range of "normal" for a 2.5 year old with a new sibling, we wanted to have him observed in his classroom.

Continue reading "Cobblestones" »

June 4, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

frog-pond.jpgHappy rainy Monday -- I hope you all had a great weekend! Among other things, this weekend Jon and I celebrated our 12th anniversary -- both via an evening out (huge thanks to my sister and her partner for babysitting!) and thanks to the insanely yummy chocolate cake Laurel made us (we ate it for breakfast yesterday morning). So sweet! Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a lovely week and that the kids are hanging in there as the school year winds down to a close. Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

June 1, 2012

25 Fun Weekend Picks

neaq-world-oceans-day.jpgHappy Friday and happy June! Let's all do a sun dance so the weekend forecast turns favorable since there are lots of fun outdoor events scheduled. Here are 25 indoor/outdoor options to consider (alphabetically by town):

1. Everyone say opa! (Arlington)

2. A 20th anniversary celebration. (Arlington)

3. Because the ocean deserves to be celebrated. (Boston)

Continue reading "25 Fun Weekend Picks" »

May 29, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

zoorassic-park.jpgHello everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful long weekend! I ended up unplugging for most of it (save working on Minimalist Parenting during naps and such...we're one month out from deadline!) and we enjoyed a couple of impromptu get togethers with friends. So wonderful! I'm now diving into work mode and hope you're gearing up for a lovely short week -- here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's (day late) Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

May 25, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

apple-street-farm-eggplant.jpgHappy almost Memorial Day weekend! Is anyone else having a little trouble wrapping their brains around the reality that June is next week? For us, it will be a fun and momentous month for many reasons, including Laurel finishing second grade, Jon's birthday, Jon and my 12th (!) wedding anniversary, the official manuscript hand in for Minimalist Parenting, plus two other big announcements that I hope to make in the next week or so. So much goodness! Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend planned -- if you're going to be around town, here are 12 fun picks to consider:

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

May 24, 2012

Boston Area Summer Camps

babson-camp.jpgI know that many parents book camps well in advance (as in, not long after the New Year), but this year I decided to take a different approach to summer because: 1) We had some summer vacation plans percolating that took a while to finalize; 2) I wanted to wait to get a sense of where Laurel was at and what she wanted to do as the school year came to a close; and 3) Related to #2, in the past when I have been super organized and tried to sign her up for programs well in advance and based exclusively on my time agenda, it has completely backfired (like, really, really badly backfired).

Continue reading "Boston Area Summer Camps" »

May 22, 2012

Summer Camp Query

shells.jpgWell, it's definitely not feeling summery today (though I'm very happy that the plants are getting a good soak), but the school year is, in fact, winding down. I truly cannot believe June is next week! Anyway, I have a couple of fantastic posts to be published soon about summer activities at home and simplifying summer, and I also want to share a post on favorite summer programs/camps. I have already collected some leads and would love to hear about programs your kids have adored -- please share by dropping me an e-mail with "summer camp" in the subject. Thanks!

Continue reading "Summer Camp Query" »

May 21, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

sweetney-macarons.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you enjoyed lots of time outside during the glorious weekend (a stark contrast to today...)! I'm in Washington, DC right now for a short client-related trip and will head home later today, and I'm feeling quite nostalgic being here. I first spent time in the DC area back during college when I served as a White House intern, and then lived just outside the District when Jon was in graduate school. I wish I was here for longer to walk around and soak everything in but I'm thinking it would be fun to visit as a family sometime soon. Meanwhile, I hope you're all getting ready for a great week. Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

May 18, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

gore-place-plants-sheep.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope your week has been excellent. Things were a little trying on this end the last few days, given that our house got hit with the dreaded stomach bug (thankfully I was spared, though I still had to take care of the afflicted). However, everyone is back to work and school though, and I have already gone for a run, 3-touched my e-mail, and am enjoying a delicious latte while I publish this post. Yay! Meanwhile, the weekend forecast is looking lovely -- perfect for the range of outdoor events listed below, and there are some great indoor picks as well. Have a fantastic weekend my friends!

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

May 14, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

caterpillar.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a lovely weekend! As I mentioned last week, my brother-in-law is in town from California. His visits are always so fun and also inspire me to make lots of yummy food -- the weekend was replete with Korean barbeque and from-scratch sticky buns (I think I probably should post this recipe for you all...oh my goodness). Added bonus: I managed to get out and pick up new running shoes yesterday, which I'm quite excited about! Anyway, I hope you have a fantastic week ahead of you -- here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

May 12, 2012

Yoga Camp for Kids

tara-rachel-jones-yoga.jpgToday, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) recommends an upcoming yoga camp for kids:

Last summer my 8-year-old daughter Grace attended Tara Rachel Jones's week-long yoga camp at the Arlington Center and absolutely loved it. She was, and continues to be, at an age where doing a camp or activity without a friend takes some cajoling. After the first day of yoga camp, though, she bounced home happily and eagerly back every other day. She absolutely loved yoga camp with Tara.

Continue reading "Yoga Camp for Kids" »

May 11, 2012

15 Fun Weekend Picks

felt-ducklings-etsy.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend planned. We don't tend to do anything major for Mother's Day but I do hope to get out and replace my tired old running shoes with some new kicks and would love to shoot some family photos. Also, my wonderful brother-in-law is in town from California, which always feels celebratory! Anyway, whether or not you choose to celebrate Mother's Day formally, I hope you have a great weekend; here are 15 picks for your consideration:

Continue reading "15 Fun Weekend Picks" »

May 10, 2012

Maud Morgan Arts

maud-morgan.jpgToday, Kate shares an art center I'm itching to try with Laurel:

My daughter has always loved art. From her early daycare days of finger-painting and messing around with sand, through coloring and cutting, and now up to learning how to sew and knit and make complex collages, she is drawn to create using color and materials and shapes. And while she always makes a beeline for the art table at school and we have collected boxes full of art supplies at home, there are still limits on what we're able to do ourselves. For this reason, I was thrilled to discover Maud Morgan Arts, a wonderful art center and school discreetly hidden on Sacramento Street in Cambridge.

Continue reading "Maud Morgan Arts" »

May 8, 2012

The Good Kind of Drool

drool-cupcake.jpgMy friends Sheri and Eli Gurock of Magic Beans appear to not sleep. Which, while probably a little inconvenient for them, results in impressive things like the Drool Baby Expo happening next week (May 15) at the Cyclorama in Boston. Geared towards anyone who wishes to check out stylish, functional baby gear up close and personal, attendees will also have the chance to win cool prizes, enjoy refreshments, and walk away with a killer gift bag. And how cool is this? My peeps at Magic Beans are offering up a pair of VIP tickets to one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "The Good Kind of Drool" »

May 7, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

charlesbridge-books.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend and are gearing up for a fantastic week! The major (and somewhat terrifying) excitement at home is that Violet has discovered how fun it is to scamper up the stairs. And among my professional commitments this week, I'm super excited about Pivot tomorrow. It's going to be an amazing event, during which my incredible colleague Whitney Johnson will help attendees hone in on their dreams and figure out how to execute them. We're currently sold out (!) but I recommend hopping on the waitlist if you want to attend since we'll probably get some last minute cancellations. I hope to see you there! Meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

May 4, 2012

25 Fun Weekend Picks

sowa.jpgGiven the persistent server migration issues nagging the site last week, I was a little bummed to later learn that many people weren't able to access the colossal weekend roundup I assembled last Friday. Water under the bridge, though! This weekend there's plenty to enjoy in and around town, spanning arts, culture, fitness, food, craft, critters, performances, celebrations, and nature inspired activities. Browse the options, minimize the weekend household minutia, and have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Continue reading "25 Fun Weekend Picks" »

April 30, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

may-day-basket.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I also hope you are able to see this post, or, if you can't see it, that you will be able to see it soon. Last week I finished the server migration process and things have since remained a bit wonky for some folks (e.g., not being able to see the most recent posts, permalinks not working). However, thanks to the fantastic customer service of my site host, I think we have the last kinks ironed out -- thanks so much for your patience and to those who wrote in letting me know of tech trouble! Meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 27, 2012

27 Fun Weekend Picks

ape-awareness-day.jpgSo, uh, wow. This is not the weekend to say there's nothing to do in and around town! I triaged my e-mail this week (this e-mail system saves my sanity) and there were so many events that caught my eye, spanning things to do with your kids (e.g., learn about apes, enjoy a new children's cultural festival), for your kids (e.g., hit up the used clothing circuit, work on building family relationships), or without the kids if you can secure a babysitter this weekend (e.g., wine, jazz, Fela!). I hope you enjoy this colossal roundup of 27 picks. Have a glorious weekend my friends.

Continue reading "27 Fun Weekend Picks" »

April 25, 2012

Mahler Triumphant!

boston-philharmonic.jpgI first discovered Mahler in high school (thanks to one of my fantastic music teachers, who lived and breathed the composer). I was blown away by both the music and the sheer joy my teacher evidenced in sharing this composer with his students. And whether you wish to immerse yourself in and/or share Mahler's brilliance with your family, Benjamin Zander and the Boston Philharmonic will close their season with three performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 7 (April 26-29). The work is described as "a modern piece that has become known as one of Mahler's supreme achievements and a favorite among his works." And how cool is this? The kind folks at the Boston Philharmonic have provided me with a 4-pack of premium seating Mahler tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Mahler Triumphant!" »

April 23, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

nantucket-daffodil-festival.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a relaxing weekend and April vacation (if your kids were off last week)! We had a lovely week but I'm also happily ready to get back into the swing of things with work this week. I'm even happy about all of this rain since it will help along the flower bulbs Laurel and I planted during the break. Anyway, there's lots of great stuff going on around town this week. Here's a roundup of fun events + some handy/interesting/pay it forward ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 20, 2012

17 Fun Weekend Picks

muppet-decorations.jpgGreetings all -- I hope you've had a wonderful week, whether on April vacation or not. Our vacation week has been replete with baby games, crafts and projects with Laurel, puttering around the house (bonus = Laurel likes weeding!), and book writing (yesterday Asha and I submitted the introduction + first three chapters to our publisher for review...so amazing!). So, so nice. We'll gradually ease back into the real world this weekend, and I hope you enjoy these 17 picks that caught my eye -- so much great stuff to experience + good ways to give back to the community too.

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

April 18, 2012

PYOP Studio

pyop-studio.jpgToday, Debbie (also of Two Adopt Two) shares her adventures putting PYOP Studio in Northborough to the test with her kids:

My kids and I have painted plenty of objects at plaster-painting shops. With relatively few choices in paint colors and no wait to have the object kiln-fired, these outings were great when my kids were younger. However, now that they're 8 and 9, we have been seeking more adventure (and my kids now can handle delayed gratification!).

Continue reading "PYOP Studio" »

April 15, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

beach-april.JPGHappy April vacation week! I'm going to go light on posting this week so I can enjoy time with Jon and the girls and also spend some more time working on the book. Meanwhile, I wanted to share this week's Weekly Blueprint a bit early in case you're looking to map out some fun things to do during the vacation week. Enjoy the these 15 picks that caught my eye (a mix of one-off events and formal vacation week programming) + some great reading to enjoy with a cup of tea.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 13, 2012

10 Fun Weekend Picks

bulbs.jpgHappy Friday -- I can't believe April vacation is almost upon us! in addition to carving out some time to write Minimalist Parenting (which is basically all I want to do these days...the process has been so amazing!), I'm looking forward to happy simple pleasures such as planting bulbs with Laurel and making Violet laugh so I can spy on her teeth (she's finally sprouting some!). Also, after all of the web chatter following my Life Alive post, I'm also hoping to visit that café! Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy these 10 picks for the weekend. I'll cover April vacation fun in a separate post.

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

April 11, 2012

Life Alive

life-alive-adventurer.jpgI've been meaning to share about Life Alive ever since my sister Kyoung and her partner Marjorie introduced me and Laurel to it following a fun downtown outing in February. We visited the Central Square location (they also have a home in Lowell, and will open another in Salem) on a Saturday -- the two-floor café has a casual yet warm vibe and was bustling with adults and kids, all happily munching on and sipping organic, vegetarian, unprocessed fare. (Kyoung and Marjorie kindly suggested we visit this café since Laurel is a vegetarian.)

Continue reading "Life Alive" »

April 9, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

mother-daughter-rabbits.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Laurel and I had an amazing Friday off (I hope to post pictures from our adventures soon at Pop Discourse...Laurel created some beautiful paper egg collages and piped cakes!) and otherwise we enjoyed a low key weekend, mojo marred only slightly by the pesky taxes that need to get done. Anyway, I hope you're gearing up for a wonderful week -- can you believe we're almost to April vacation? I hope to do an April vacation event roundup if you want to submit awesome ideas. Meanwhile, here are some fun events and interesting reading to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

April 7, 2012

Sesame Street Live: Elmo & Friends

sesame-street-live.jpgI'm not sure whether it was due to the bright red body, big eyes, or easy-to-articulate name, but Elmo was Laurel's "lovey" as a toddler. So much so that we had two of them (Elmo #2 served well when Elmo #1 got dragged through the mud, thrown up or sneezed on, or temporarily lost). And fellow Sesame Street fans will rejoice: Elmo & Friends shows at the Agganis Arena in Boston for seven performances between April 20-22. Also, during the hour before the show, families can enjoy a play zone that will no doubt offer plenty of cute photo opps (think child in Big Bird's nest, Oscar's trash can, etc.). The kind folks at Agganis Arena have provided me with a 4-pack of tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Sesame Street Live: Elmo & Friends" »

April 6, 2012

15 Weekend Picks & Projects

decoupage-eggs-design-mom.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead -- if you observe Easter and/or Passover, I hope your reflections and celebrations are wonderful. I am off with Laurel today and she loves all things holiday projects so we have a fun lineup of activities (she's actually prepping the paper for #4 right now). Meanwhile, here is a roundup of 15 weekend picks and projects to consider. Enjoy!

Continue reading "15 Weekend Picks & Projects" »

April 2, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

finger-stuck-felts-lamb.jpgGreetings friends, and happy first week of April! I hope you had a fantastic weekend and that any trickery was gentle (unless you love extreme trickery, of course!). We enjoyed a lovely balance of social engagements + puttering around the house, and spring really feels like it's here now that soccer starts up for Laurel this week. (Which is kind of making me want to play soccer...) Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful week on tap. Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 31, 2012

Seven Indie Favorites

lester-harrys.jpgToday, Miriam (also of Other Pieces of Me) shares seven favorite local indie shops (that have saved her on more than one Saturday):

It's not entirely uncommon for me to wake up on a Saturday morning and realize that my son is scheduled to attend a birthday party later that day. I imagine I'm not the only one who has encountered this scenario, right? Thankfully, there's no shortage of independent stores in almost every corner of the city of Boston that are replete with great last-minute selections. Here are seven of my favorites...and bonus points if you pick up something for the next birthday party that's coming your way!

Continue reading "Seven Indie Favorites" »

March 30, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

tulips.jpgHappy Friday everyone! If you delight in tricks, I hope you enjoy having the leisure of the weekend to prepare for April Fool's Day (I will be casting a water-cup-wary eye upwards every time I open a door...). Otherwise, I hope you have a wonderful time kicking back and enjoying the weekend. Among other plans, the tulips that are already flowering in front of my house are reminding me that our little yard is in dire need of sprucing, and I'm getting very excited to try the recently opened Painted Burro with Jon and friends. Meanwhile, here are 12 weekend picks that caught my eye. Enjoy!

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

March 28, 2012

Pivot 2.0

pivot-2012.jpgLast year, Pivot was such a magical event -- 120 women gathered to explore making life change and forge new connections. So I'm thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for Pivot 2.0 on May 8! We'll be celebrating the launch of Whitney Johnson's amazing book Dare, Dream, Do in the context of providing attendees with the tools to disrupt their thinking, dream big, and learn how to execute those dreams. I highly recommend you buy your ticket NOW -- the event sold out last year and ran a wait list! Hope to see you there and if you have any questions about Pivot, or are interested in becoming a sponsor, drop me a line!

March 26, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

pb-round-gilt-mirrors.jpgHappy Monday everyone -- I hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed a lot of family time (including, for me, the rare and lovely opportunity to see all four of my sisters), and I'm also super excited to share the new website for Minimalist Parenting. My wrists are a wee bit tired, but I'm so pleased with how it looks! Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a great week. Here are some handy/fun ideas + reading inspiration to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 23, 2012

11 Fun Weekend Picks

baby-birds-bossys-feltworks.jpgHappy Friday -- I hope you've been enjoying the amazing weather! We've all been so excited to be outside, and this week Jon taught Laurel his favorite childhood game of playing catch via tossing a football on the roof and letting it roll down. Which is awesome. Except for the fact that the short roof Laurel aims for is right under my office window and sometimes I am attempting to work in my office while this game is happening. Oh well! Anyway, I hope you're gearing up for a great (albeit chillier) weekend; here are 11 picks if you're looking for something to do:

Continue reading "11 Fun Weekend Picks" »

March 20, 2012

Family Friendly Flatbread

flatbread.jpgToday, Kate shares a fantastic spot to eat (and play) with the kids:

My daughter is now six, which means that she is generally old enough to contentedly make it through a restaurant meal without complaint, provided that the food is not too complicated and the atmosphere not too fussy (crayons can help, too). Gone, happily, are the days when we would ask for the check not long after sitting down and have our meals packed to go before taking more than a bite or two.

Continue reading "Family Friendly Flatbread" »

March 19, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

spring-globes.jpgHappy Monday and hooray for this glorious spring weather! Yesterday was just such a beautiful day to celebrate Violet's first birthday (I'll be sharing some thoughts on simple yet festive birthdays this week), and it was fun to see Laurel and her cousin Alyssa + some of my sisters hula hooping outside. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 16, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

st-patricks-cheesecake.jpgHappy Friday -- I hope you've all been having a wonderful week! My mind has been happily busy with many things. On the work front, I'm thrilled to share the newly public (as of yesterday!) logo for Minimalist Parenting. Asha and I are beyond excited that our publisher was open to my designing it and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. Do you like it? And on the home front, we'll be celebrating Violet's first birthday this weekend. We're keeping it simple but festive, and I truly cannot believe this is where I was at this time last year. Anyhow, pardon the nostalgia! I hope you have a fantastic weekend; here are12 picks for your consideration:

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

March 12, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

petit-elefant-lip-scrub.jpgGood morning friends -- I hope you had a great weekend! For the first time in what seems to be a long time, we found the perfect blend of relaxed family time, focused grownup conversation time, new adventures (roller skating!), reconnecting with old friends, taking care of household chores, and even some work time for me. It sounds like a lot but weirdly, it all came together in a very easy way and didn't ever feel as if we were pushing too hard. I need to bottle up whatever it was we did to make that happen! Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a great week -- here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 9, 2012

9 Fun Weekend Picks

celebrate-china.jpgHappy Friday everyone -- I hope you have some relaxing and restorative plans on tap! Among other things, I will be recovering from the bizarre-ness that was falling down a flight of stairs yesterday. I'm still not sure how it happened (I wasn't rushing or anything) and I can't believe I actually broke the first stair of impact, but better that than my tailbone. Anyway, hooray for Friday and here are 9 weekend picks for your consideration! Also, if you haven't been on the site this week, definitely do some back reading. So much great content going on: I'm actually plotting mirror decor and camera phone lenses acquisition as I type this!

Continue reading "9 Fun Weekend Picks" »

March 5, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

rage-against-the-minivan-smoothies.jpgHappy Monday -- I hope you had a lovely weekend and are gearing up for an excellent week. Of note in my sphere is that I will be introducing the new Boston Mamas contributors very soon, diving into book writing mode (Asha and I just started a Minimalist Parenting Facebook page if you'd like to join in there; plus we'll be developing a book site soon), building a couple of websites, and last but definitely not least is that Violet is turning one soon. It's so cliche but I truly don't know where the time has gone! So, all of this is to say that my mind is percolating with all sorts of very happy things right now. But anyway, back to you! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

March 2, 2012

11 Fun Weekend Picks

last-bostonian-skating.jpgHappy almost first weekend of March! It's been a crazy week here, as it always seems to be following school vacation and travel (my inbox was a particularly scary place on Monday since my phone was cranky and I couldn't triage messages from the road), and I'm really looking forward to the weekend, despite the fact that one thing I need to do involves prepping for taxes! I hope you have a great weekend; here are 11 fun weekend picks for your consideration -- enjoy!

Continue reading "11 Fun Weekend Picks" »

February 28, 2012

12 Winter Birthday Party Ideas

treat-cupcake-bar.jpgToday, Jennifer (also of Hey Girl Momma Go) shares 12 ideas for winter birthday parties (that go beyond the bouncy castle):

I actually don't mind indoor jumpy houses and long inflatable slides. I have even grown to appreciate the "fun" in large singing mice, cheesy pan pizza, and gobs of tickets that propel out of game machines like a crazy paper adrenaline rush. But as a parent who frequents the kid's birthday party circuit, it is refreshing to switch it up. Here are 12 ideas for kid's birthday parties that are great for the winter season (many are great the rest of the year too!).

Continue reading "12 Winter Birthday Party Ideas" »

February 27, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

thank-you.jpgHello, hello! For those who were off last week I hope you had a great February vacation! I enjoyed a lot of relaxed and happy time with the girls on the front end of the week and then had an amazing time at BlissDom. It was fun to share around More Birthdays (client work), speak about doing less as a life strategy (the response was overwhelming...I can't wait to write more about this topic), and celebrate Asha and my new book deal. Meanwhile, it's a new week and l am looking forward to tackling it! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

February 17, 2012

14 Fun February Vacation Picks

family-day-decordova.jpgOh my word, is February vacation upon us already? Laurel is beyond excited to take it down a notch and spend the next nine days in her jammies. I kind of wish I could too! Also, I'm really hoping that this vacation period brings with it the release of our family from the plague -- after eight very long days, Violet finally perked up last night and started giggling and causing trouble again (I never thought I'd be so happy to see her make giant messes everywhere!). Anyway, today I wanted to round up a few picks for the weekend + several for next week so you can plan accordingly if you are, like us, enjoying a February staycation. Enjoy!

Continue reading "14 Fun February Vacation Picks" »

February 13, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

make-and-takes.jpgWow, what a weekend. Poor Vi has been suffering since Wednesday and we're still not out of the woods. It's been a challenging several days, but also included a major revelation. I'm wishing all of you and your little ones excellent health! Meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

February 13: Pack Valentine's for school. If Valentine's prep has fallen off your radar, don't fret! Check out these free, fast, and adorable robot printables. And if you're volunteering in your kid's class for Valentine's, arm yourself with a few of these cute classroom party ideas.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

February 12, 2012

A Welcome Addition

gardner-museum.jpgToday, Lindsey (also of A Design So Vast) recommends a welcome addition and workshop series:

The famed Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum recently opened a new addition to the existing, ornate, historical space. The modern, Renzo Piano-designed addition -- a 70,000 square foot temple of light and glass -- holds space to showcase art by current and former members of the museum's artist-in-residence program, an impressive performance hall, and a gleaming new studio. It is in this latter space that the museum is holding weekly Education Studio workshops. Visitors of all ages are welcome to participate in workshops, which are drop-in and held on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4:30pm, and included in the price of museum admission.

Continue reading "A Welcome Addition" »

February 10, 2012

15 Fun Weekend Picks

dragon.jpgFriends, how are you all doing? Staying healthy? Perhaps it's simply a function of having one more family member in the mix, but it feels as if this has been the season of plague, with one, more, or all of us sick at some point or another. I'm actually a little relieved that our plans to have company this weekend have fallen through so we can take it easy and get everyone healthy. I hope you all have a wonderful, plague-free weekend; here are 15 picks for your consideration!

Continue reading "15 Fun Weekend Picks" »

February 6, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

strawberry-hearts.jpgHappy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend (despite the, er, sporting events of yesterday) and are gearing up for an excellent week. I'm going to kick things off by getting back on the self care wagon via a 10 minute run after I hit publish on this post! Meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

February 3, 2012

10 Fun Weekend Picks

pem-lunar-new-year.jpgHappy first weekend of February! Here's a roundup of 10 picks that caught my eye. I suspect we'll also engage in some of these Valentine's Day crafts and treats (#7 has my name all over it!). And if you're looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out Asha's archives).

1. What will no doubt be an artful celebration of the Lunar New Year. (Salem)

2. A celebration of diverse talents and minds. (Boston)

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

February 2, 2012

Giveaway Goodness: Killington

killington.jpgI have many friends who are passionate about Vermont and/or skiing, and after recently reading Left Neglected, I found myself contemplating both. It may not feel like winter here in Boston, but there is snow elsewhere. And one of those places is Killington Resort, where you can enjoy pristine trails, a range of winter activities, and even dinner in a yurt (awesome, right?). The kind folks at Killington extended a press visit to me, but I thought it would be fun to instead share some lift tickets with the experienced skiers out there (go rock that bunny slope for me!). I'm giving away a family 4-pack of one-day lift tickets (valued at ~$350!) to one of you awesome readers. This would be super fun for the upcoming February break, no? Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Killington" »

January 31, 2012

Boston Musica Viva

boston-musica-viva.jpgAs a former musician and music psychologist, it's not surprising that I'm all for tapping into what I believe is kids' innate appreciation for music (baby Violet rocking out to music is such a cheerful sight!). And on February 12 at the Tsai Performance Center in Boston, you can introduce your family to something different via Boston Musica Viva's family concert -- a contemporary classical rendering of The Tortoise and the Hare and The Pied Piper featuring narration and the Marimba Magic Ensemble. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Boston Musica Viva are offering a 4-pack of tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Boston Musica Viva" »

January 30, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

groundhog.jpgGreetings, friends! I hope you had a great weekend -- we enjoyed a lovely one here, filled with nostalgic moments (I was honored to deliver a keynote and do some filming at my undergraduate alma mater. Also, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that the current students were born in the 90's...), friends, family visits, great food, and some very, very gooey brownies. I'm excited to tackle the week and hope you are as well; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 28, 2012

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream

disney-on-ice-dare-to-dream.jpgI sort of can't believe that I've been thinking about and planning for February vacation (I mean, really, it's almost February?), and one of the things I'm looking forward to is heading to Disney on Ice's February vacation show Dare to Dream with Laurel. (I've been contemplating bringing baby Violet, but I suspect she will be way too squirmy.) Running February 17-26, Dare to Dream will appeal to young princess fans (Cinderella, Tiana) as well as older kids -- like Laurel (and, er, me) -- who adore Rapunzel and Flynn of Tangled. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Feld Entertainment are offering a 4-pack of Disney on Ice tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream" »

January 27, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

burdick-mice.jpgWhat a crazy week it's been -- I have some exciting news to share very, very soon! Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to a fun weekend and hope you are too. Here are 12 picks for your consideration:

1. This chocolate festival has my name all over it. (Cambridge)

2. What can I say -- I love a Chinese New Year parade. (Boston)

3. This artful snowshoe tour would probably still be beautiful, sans snow. (Lincoln)

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 25, 2012

Dan Zanes in Somerville

dan-zanes.jpgDan Zanes is one of our favorite also-awesome-for-adults kid's musicians. Nueva York! definitely gets the most play in my house, but across his spectrum of albums, Zanes and his collaborators are consistent with their energetic, multidimensional style across a range of cultural inspirations. I'm thrilled that Dan Zanes is coming to the Somerville Theatre February 5th (11am/3pm shows) and it's also fantastic that the kind folks at World Music/CRASHarts have offered me a pair of tickets to give away to one of you awesome readers. The show is sure to be a rockin' party; here's how to enter to win tickets:

Continue reading "Dan Zanes in Somerville" »

January 24, 2012

Shall We Dance?

disco-ball.jpgToday, Jennifer (also of Hey Girl Momma Go) shares some local spots to get your groove on:

This week's warmer temperatures aside, we've had some really cold days. The winter blues are lurking in the corners of our house for sure, but thanks to my 6 1/2 year old daughter's new microphone and my husband's old amp, we are doing a lot of rockin' out these days. We dance, we sing, we whip our hair around, we even have a disco ball. So it got me thinking about cool options for dance classes. Things have certainly evolved from the traditional ballet, tap, and jazz of my youth. Here are a few local options to help kids and adults stave off the winter doldrums.

Continue reading "Shall We Dance?" »

January 23, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

wheelock-wizard-of-oz.jpgI hope you all enjoyed this lovely weekend! In my opinion it was the perfect amount of snow -- plenty to be pretty and fun to play in (Laurel frolicked outside for two hours with her cousins yesterday!) but not too arduous to shovel. Oh, and also, congrats to the Patriots! Now, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

January 23: Come glean the best ideas for getting organized.

January 23-29: Bread and Puppet Theater brings a carrot circus to Boston.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 20, 2012

12 Fun Weekend Picks

monkey-king.jpgHappy Friday everyone! I hope you're gearing up for a wonderful weekend. Here are 12 picks that caught my eye:

1. Hail to The Monkey King! (Cambridge)

2. Hooray -- there's actually snow on the ground for this family snowshoe walk. (Mattapan)

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 13, 2012

12 Fun Long Weekend Picks

franklin-park-zoo.jpgHappy Friday! I hope you're looking forward to a lovely long weekend. Here are 12 picks that caught my eye. And stay tuned -- this weekend I'll post some ideas for fun, creative, and educational ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at home.

1. Dance, arts, crafts, and critters to celebrate Chinese New Year. (Dorchester)

2. A family friendly show at Club Passim. (Cambridge)

Continue reading "12 Fun Long Weekend Picks" »

January 9, 2012

Weekly Blueprint

neaq-sea-squirts.jpgI hope you all enjoyed the gorgeous weather this weekend. It's hard to imagine that this time last year we were buried under piles of snow! I hope you have a fantastic week lined up -- here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Starting January 10 (multiple sessions): Consider signing up for this program about giant ocean critters. Yay for giant ocean critters!

January 11: Learn how to make a windowsill garden.

January 12: Enjoy fire and ice in New Bedford.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

January 6, 2012

9 Fun Weekend Picks

galette.jpgI hope you've all had a fantastic first week of the New Year! It's been a tad crazy here, attempting to get caught up on things, but I feel grateful for all of the good stuff going on -- not the least of which is the incredible outpouring of applications in response to my call for writers. Please be patient while I sift through the responses over the coming weeks and thank you so much for your interest and kind words. Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a fun and relaxing weekend -- below are 9 picks that caught my eye. Enjoy!

Continue reading "9 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 19, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

edaville.jpgHello folks! I'm currently digging out after a few days away on a press trip (more to come on that front in the next week or two) and hope you had a spectacular weekend! Meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Now through January 1: Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville.

December 20: Hanukkah party at Inside Playground.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

December 15, 2011

13 Fun Weekend Picks

urban-nutcracker.jpgHello everyone! I'm soon to depart for a press trip to explore a (potentially) family friendly travel destination (hopefully I'll have excellent things to share with you in the next week or so!) so I wanted to leave you with this roundup of 13 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. Urban Nutcracker at the Wheelock Family Theatre. (Boston)

2. The opening of the Charles Hotel skating rink. (Cambridge)

Continue reading "13 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 13, 2011

The Velveteen Rabbit

velveteen-rabbit.jpgToday, Lindsey recommends heading to The Velveteen Rabbit this upcoming weekend:

My 9-year-old daughter re-read the Velveteen Rabbit aloud to me and to her 6-year-old brother as we drove into Boston to attend the Boston Children's Theater (BCT) performance of the story. It was wonderful to revisit it, though it wasn't entirely necessary, because Burgess Clark's adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit is faithful to the story, beautifully paced, and clear to understand for audiences of all ages. The Velveteen Rabbit kicks off the BCT's 60th season, which features four other shows. Two of those are world premieres, and taken together, the five shows represent a wide range of subject matter and style and appeal to children from pre-K through high school.

Continue reading "The Velveteen Rabbit" »

December 12, 2011

Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove

DOI-treasure-trove.jpgLaurel and I have made a happy tradition of attending Disney on Ice together the last couple of winters, so I haven't yet had the heart to tell her that this month's DOI show, Treasure Trove (10 performances, December 26-29), includes characters from one of her favorite movies -- Tangled. However, while we will miss this run, you need not miss out! I'm a huge fan of experiential gifts (no organizing or clean up needed!) and DOI always proves fun and entertaining for all (especially the figure skating obsessed like myself!). And how cool is this? The kind folks at Feld Entertainment are offering a 4-pack of Disney on Ice tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove" »

December 8, 2011

Take the Cake

gamewright-take-the-cake.jpgToday, Evadne shares a great game from a Newton-based company (also, check out below for details on a sale today and tomorrow!):

I recently played Gamewright's Take the Cake with my kids and was reminded what good wholesome fun board games are. Take the Cake's tag line describes the game perfectly: a sweet game of shakes, shapes & cupcakes. The idea behind the game is to decorate cupcake cards with colorful wooden shapes that sprinkle out of a shaker. If you complete the toppings on your turn, you collect the cupcake card -- that is, you take the cake. The player with the most cards wins the game.

Continue reading "Take the Cake" »

December 5, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

etsy-cotton-candy-necklace.jpgHappy Monday everyone! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

December 6: Bring a new, unwrapped toy (to be donated to the Home for Little Wanderers) to Frog Pond between 3-4pm and receive a free ticket voucher to Disney On Ice's Treasure Trove at TD Garden, December 26-29. *UPDATE: This event has been relocated to DCR Steriti Memorial Rink, 561 Commercial Street, Boston.

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

December 4, 2011

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

rockettes.jpgIf the number of hours I used to spend polishing musical theatre dance numbers and color guard routines is an indication, I clearly have a thing for organized spectacle. And it arguably doesn't get more organized or spectacular than a blinged out kick line. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes recently debuted their new show in Boston and runs through December 28. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Citi Performing Arts Center offered me a 4-pack of Christmas Spectacular tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" »

December 2, 2011

12 Fun Weekend Picks

bazaar-bizarre.jpgI hope you all have a fantastic first weekend of December! Here are 12 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. Oh the craftasticness that awaits at the Bazaar Bizarre! (Boston)

2. Warm up those lungs...help break the world record for the most carolers in one place. (Boston)

3. If you're looking for fine art this holiday season, head to the Gorse Mill Studios Holiday Open Studios. (Needham)

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

December 1, 2011

Cruising with Santa

santa-cruise.jpgI can hardly believe I'm writing this, but Happy December everyone! There's so much great stuff on tap home and work-wise this month; I hope you're finding the same! Meanwhile, if you're looking for a Santa adventure that extends beyond the local mall, the kind folks at Spirit of Boston offered me a 4-pack of Santa Lunch Cruise tickets to share with one of you lucky readers. Setting sail Saturday, December 10, enjoy lunch, entertainment, goodie bags, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa against the lovely backdrop of the Boston Harbor. Fun, no? Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Cruising with Santa" »

November 28, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

borromeo-string-quartet.jpgI hope you all had a wonderful holiday long weekend! As I mentioned last week, we're in the midst of a lot of transition in my house right now so I decided to take time off and focus on the family. It was really lovely and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this week! I hope your re-entry back into the real world is smooth; meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 22, 2011

Five Ways to Shop Local

etsy-soap.jpgThough I do enjoy shopping, I've admittedly been turning a blind eye to the onslaught of big box Black Friday pitches I've been receiving -- partially because this marketing approach seems awfully tiresome, and partially because I'm a big fan of supporting local indie businesses. As in past years, we plan on adhering to a pretty minimal approach to holiday shopping, but when I do get around to it, I'll start by turning to what's immediately around us. I wanted to share some great ways to shop local -- there's so much talent that warrants your attention!

Continue reading "Five Ways to Shop Local" »

November 21, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

appleton-farms.jpgIt's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. I'm both looking forward to the connection and reflection that happens around this time of year, and admittedly am also a little overwhelmed by the details of life right this second, given that there's a lot of transition going on in our household (plus, poor Violet is suffering from a bizarre full body rash right now). Anyway, I hope you all enjoy lots of relaxing time this week; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 20, 2011

Two Little Monkeys

two-little-monkeys.jpgToday, Kate shares a great find for relocating your outgrown kid's clothing and gear:

If you're like me, you occasionally find yourself looking for good ways to pass along the clothes, toys, and gear that your kids have outgrown. Due to generous grandmothers, my daughter's dresser is often overflowing, and I search out ways to share the bounty. Two Little Monkeys, a new children's resale shop in the Union Square neighborhood of Somerville, is a great resource for anyone looking to either unload or pick up clothing, books, toys, and gear (including high-end strollers at terrific prices) for babies and children.

Continue reading "Two Little Monkeys" »

November 18, 2011

10 Fun Weekend Picks

disco-ball.jpgAh, weekend, I'm so excited for you! Here are 10 fun picks for your consideration:

1. Grown up event alert: dust off your dancing shoes for this dance off. (Boston)

2. Explore how people used to measure the world pre-technology. (Cambridge)

3. Yay for more than 135 crafty exhibitors to peruse. (Wellesley)

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

November 17, 2011

Barefoot Reflexology

foot-massage.jpgToday, Lindsey shares a local self-care gem (that is making my feet twitch in happy anticipation):

I am a runner with ache-y Achilles tendons and a (probably related) on-and-off case of plantar fasciitis. I have wanted to try reflexology for a long time: partially I am drawn to the concept of spots on the feet correlating with imbalances in the body, but mostly I love having my feet rubbed.

Continue reading "Barefoot Reflexology" »

November 14, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

etsy-ice-skate.jpgHello everyone -- apologies for the radio silence! I considered posting from the road but decided to be present and immerse myself in Camp Mighty. It was a wonderful trip, not only for personal/professional reflection and connection, but also to witness and be a part of awesome change. Thanks to the fundraising efforts by Camp Mighty attendees, plus a donation from the Ace Hotel (amazing, btw, if you find yourself in Palm Springs), we raised $25,000 for charity: water, which translates to clean water for 1,250 people. AMAZING. I'm now in recovery mode with work and home matters, but meanwhile, here are some fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 7, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

unicorn-pops.jpgGreetings all! I hope you're all adjusting to the time change. Did anyone else's kids fight bedtime yesterday, despite the "You know, it's actually an hour later than now" argument? And did anyone else not get their extra hour of sleep (my kids still woke up super early)? Anyway, how about a fresh start? Here are some fun ideas for your consideration in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 4, 2011

9 Fun Weekend Picks

harvard-peabody.jpgHappy first weekend of November! I hope you've all been rocking this new month. Here are some fun picks for the weekend:

1. Day of the Dead, family style -- including sugar skulls! (Cambridge)

2. A morning chat about color and design? Yes, please. (Bedford)

3. I love that proceeds from this gingerbread house competition will benefit homeless families. (Boston)

Continue reading "9 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 31, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

landsend-boys.jpgPer my previous post, welcome to this new series, in which I'll share everything from events to bargain alerts to other ideas and tips that spring to mind as useful and/or fun for the week. After considerable mulling, I decided to call the series Weekly Blueprint, because I think the name conveys a creative presentation of ideas and plans that are, ultimately, posed for your consideration (vs. including the term "to do," which suggests that I think you must do whatever it is I'm suggesting!). Enjoy, and please do drop me a line if you have suggestions for a future Weekly Blueprint!

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

October 28, 2011

16 Spooky Weekend Picks

halloween-cake-pop.jpgHow is everyone doing getting ready for Halloween? Are you getting dressed up alongside your kids? Laurel is going to be a witch and Violet her black cat companion (Laurel has several years of coordinating costumes planned). I hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoy this roundup of 16 Halloween inspired weekend picks:

1. The last SoWa of the season will be zombietastic.

2. Critters will abound at Zoo Howl.

Continue reading "16 Spooky Weekend Picks" »

October 26, 2011

Hello + Some Fun for the Week

yarn.JPGHello everyone -- I hope you've been having a fantastic week! I went off the grid longer than expected due to an amazing trip to California, the residuals of which left me a little loopy (we came in very early off a red eye flight yesterday morning) and also wanting to take a slower, more mindful pace as we re-entered life here at home. I need to take today to square up on various things; meanwhile, if you're interested you can read up on the trip (and see some lovely photos) here, and also, here are a few picks to enjoy this week.

Continue reading "Hello + Some Fun for the Week" »

October 20, 2011

12 Fun Weekend Picks

ecotarium-pumpkins.jpgHello friends! I hope you're having a super week. I'm going off the grid for a few days so I thought I'd leave you with this weekend roundup a bit early. Enjoy! Also, a couple of fun media things. I've been meaning to share that a cute little picture of me, Laurel, and Violet is included in the October issue of Parents Magazine, along with a quote in an article on 10 healthy cities for families (Boston ranked #2!). And yesterday I was honored to learn that I was named to the Top 50 Twitter Moms of 2011 list at Babble (and #1 for most likeable...how sweet is that?). Thanks Babble, and definitely check out the rest of the women on the list -- I know many of them and they are truly awesome!

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

October 17, 2011

This Week's Picks

fall-leaves.jpgI hope you enjoyed the gorgeous weekend! Ours was full of fun stuff like soccer, play dates, baking (to celebrate our oven finally being fixed we made pumpkin bread and spinach pie...yum), and a stellar dinner at Oleana to celebrate my birthday. So. lovely. Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a fantastic week; here some fun event ideas, spanning Halloween festivities, theatrical spectacle, nature exploration, relaxation for the whole family, water sport, and a pick for parents of girls. Enjoy!

Image credit: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October 14, 2011

Apples, Pumpkins, & Corn

apple.jpgToday, Stacey Sao of Boston Central kindly tags in with a guest post sharing some of her favorite spots for fall fun (thankfully, the forecast looks good for the weekend so you can take advantage!):

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year in New England; I love taking in the sights of fall foliage against a brilliant October sky, the smells of hot cider, and the crispness of the air. It's the perfect opportunity to create some time-honored autumn traditions with your family so I wanted to share some of my favorite spots to savor the season.

Continue reading "Apples, Pumpkins, & Corn" »

October 13, 2011

Giveaway Goodness: Duran Duran

duran-duran.jpgWhen Laurel started using a locker at school, I was immediately transported back to the days where I'd gaze lovingly at magazine cutouts in my locker between periods. Included were the likes of Michael J. Fox, Rob Lowe, and Duran Duran (and yes, I had coordinated pieces of flair for all of these artists on my denim jacket). Subsequently, I was feeling rather nostalgic when I heard that Duran Duran is playing at the Wang Theatre in Boston on October 28. Reps for the show kindly offered me tickets but I wanted to pass them along to one of you awesome readers, so read on to learn how to enter to win! Meanwhile, now I can't get Hungry Like the Wolf out of my head.

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Duran Duran" »

October 10, 2011

This Week's Picks

veronica-robles.jpgWe're hosting friends today so I'm just popping in quickly to share some fun event ideas for this week, spanning Hispanic culture, green living, babywearing, fossils, a shopping extravaganza, opera for kids, and a lovely event for bookworms young and old. Have a great Monday and to my friends northward, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Image credit: JFK Library & Museum

October 7, 2011

Fall Weekend Fun

pumpkins.jpgToday, Stacey Sao of Boston Central kindly shares a guest post including a fantastic roundup of activities for the holiday weekend:

Happy October! This massive event roundup should help everyone get into the autumn groove. There is much to cover so I'll just get to it! On the fall festival scene, there'll be lots to see and do at the Annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration in Wareham. If pumpkins are more your thing, you can pick out this year's pumpkin at Pumpkin Day at Bourne Farm in Falmouth. In Providence, families are invited to see thousands of nifty jack-o-lanterns at the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Zoo. It's also the final week to visit the Topsfield Fair.

Continue reading "Fall Weekend Fun" »

October 3, 2011

This Week's Picks

salamander.jpgI hope you all had a fantastic weekend! After knocking off a huge deadline on Friday (that was hanging over me all of September), it was so wonderful to decompress and enjoy the weekend with Laurel and Violet. Even though I miss Jon when he's away, I find it really fun to fly solo with the girls -- we had the best time! Anyhow, I wish you all a lovely week, and if you're looking for stuff to do, here are some fun event ideas for this week, spanning haunted happenings, salamanders, autism education, reading initiatives, stargazing, trains, and eco-living. Enjoy!

Image credit: How Stuff Works

September 30, 2011

11 Fun Weekend Picks

small-cyclist.jpgHooray for October starting tomorrow! Kick off the new month with any or all of these 11 event picks that caught my eye:

1. A cool event for small and large cyclists.

2. Of course you want to see a revolutionary street spectacle of never-before-seen proportions.

3. Just say yes to healthy local food for all.

Continue reading "11 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 29, 2011

Family Swap Day

family-swap-day.jpgWhen it comes to baby and kids stuff, I'm all for recycling. Subsequently, I'm thrilled to serve as a guest curator for Swap.com's Family Swap Day next Saturday, October 8, in Somerville. Whether you want to outfit your kid for Halloween or score books, toys, clothing, and other family-friendly items, simply bring a bag of items to swap, enjoy the family activity room while we get the goods sorted, then come load your bag full of new finds! I'll be roaming the event, and also wielding my face painting skills, so please come say hi! Now, for two cool deals:

Continue reading "Family Swap Day" »

September 26, 2011

This Week's Picks

puppet-showplace-theatre.jpgI hope you all had a fantastic weekend! After waking up feeling sick after a strange night of sleep, I'm hoping to turn the Monday blahs around ASAP and wish you all a fantastic week. If you're looking for stuff to do, here are some fun event ideas for this week, spanning hands-on science experiences, exploration of things that go, the state of birthing (this one's for the grownups), puppetry, outdoor fun, and music. So much fun to be had!

Image credit: Puppet Showplace Theatre

September 23, 2011

11 Fun Weekend Picks

harvard-museum-of-natural-history.jpgI hope you're all having a fantastic week and are gearing up for a fun weekend. If you're looking to head out for an adventure or two, here are 11 fun weekend picks that caught my eye. Enjoy!

1. Over 60 cultural attractions offering free admission this weekend? Sweet!

2. A must-attend for jazz lovers.

3. Party on in Allston.

Continue reading "11 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 20, 2011

Life is Good

life-is-good.jpgI love when creativity meshes with doing good, and this weekend the Life is good Festival will feature an impressive lineup of musical talent in Canton as a fundraiser to help kids in need. In addition to a steady stream of musical performances (which includes a dedicated kids stage), families can enjoy games, activities, crafts, and food. Meanwhile, how cool is this? The kind folks at Life is good are offering one of you awesome readers a Life is good Festival package*! Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Life is Good" »

September 19, 2011

This Week's Picks

yarn.jpgI hope you're all enjoying the fall weather and finding your rhythm with back to school routines and such. Among other things, this weekend was notable in that Violet had her first nibble of solid food -- it was both lovely that Laurel fed Violet her first non-mama snack and I also couldn't help but feel a little weepy about it all! Anyway, I'm wishing you all a wonderful Monday; here are some fun event ideas for this week, engaging for those who love music, textiles, star gazing, nature, food, museums, and local celebrations.

Image credit: vitasamb2001 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

September 16, 2011

17 Fun Weekend Picks

south-boston-street-festival.jpgI know I shouldn't be so typically New England and obsess about weather, but 60s for this weekend -- welcome, fall! It'll be the perfect weather to enjoy any (or all, if you're feeling crazy ambitious) of these 17 fun weekend picks:

1. Rock it, South Boston.

2. It's been a looooong time since I've seen a movie in a theatre. This film festival could rectify that situation.

Continue reading "17 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 14, 2011

South Pacific in Boston

south-pacific.jpgMusical theatre always brings high school drama club memories flooding back, so I was feeling happily nostalgic when I learned that the Boston Opera House is showing South Pacific (my senior year musical production!) from September 27 - October 2. If your kids dig musical theatre or you're looking for a fun outing with a loved one, hop on over for tickets. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Broadway Across America are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to South Pacific*! Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "South Pacific in Boston" »

September 9, 2011

15 Fun Weekend Picks

pem-art-buffet.jpgI know I'm not the only one who is super excited about a respite from the rain. The forecast looks beautiful -- perfect for enjoying any or all of these 15 (!) weekend picks that caught my eye:

1. Art buffet = awesome.

2. I hope they have weaving demos again at the Boston Arts Festival -- it was Laurel's favorite activity last year.

3. How can you not love a grand costume parade?

Continue reading "15 Fun Weekend Picks" »

September 8, 2011

Pottery Painting at Barefoot Books

barefoot-books.JPGToday, Jennifer recommends a visit to Barefoot Books for more than books:

Given the variable nature of New England weather (cue today's monsoon...), it's always good to have some indoor activity ideas in your back pocket. My kids and I recently enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the Barefoot Books pottery studio in Concord. Our mission was to try out their newish paint-your-own pottery studio (it was added to the store's offerings this past spring), and oh, did we have a grand ol' time.

Continue reading "Pottery Painting at Barefoot Books" »

September 6, 2011

This Week's Picks

boston-arts-festival.jpgI hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend! We've been busy with family travel and social engagements over the past several weeks, hence my spottiness here the last few weekends, but I'm hoping to get back on track now that the school year is upon us. I'm wishing all of you with school aged kiddos a super smooth transition back to school! Meanwhile, enjoy my top event picks this week, which include fun ideas for those who adore acrobatic spectacle, origami, fashion, craft, and cultural celebrations.

Image credit: Boston Arts Festival

September 2, 2011

7 Fun Weekend Picks

diablo-glassblowing.jpgI truly still cannot wrap my head around the fact that it's September and Labor Day weekend is upon us. Yesterday I posted some happy summer images over at my personal blog and will continue to gaze at them through the fall (and, gulp, winter). Meanwhile, here are 7 fun picks for you -- have a fantastic holiday weekend!

1. Laurel has become obsessed with glass treasures. I think she'd love this family-friendly glassblowing event.

2. Labor Day festivities commence tomorrow in Newburyport.

Continue reading "7 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 31, 2011

Cake, Cookies, & Compassion

morra-cake.jpgDespite the hurricane on Sunday (which didn't amount to more than heavy rain in our neighborhood), we headed out to a surprise birthday party for my friend Morra. And two things about that event turned me into a fan of Lakota Bakery. First were the goodies; the cakes -- one golden with raspberry buttercream, the other almond meringue with dark chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream -- were spectacularly moist and delicious (yes, I had three pieces). The cookie platter was equally impressive and I realized after looking at Lakota's website that the reason the cookies looked so familiar was because I have eaten them before from Darwin's (most recently, while in the hospital following Violet's birth).

Continue reading "Cake, Cookies, & Compassion" »

August 30, 2011

Rock the Pivot

pivot.jpgIt quickly became clear to me after leaving academia to start Boston Mamas (and my other writing, editing, design, and consulting endeavors) that the Boston area is replete with career changers, aspiring career changers, and awesomely creative women. I receive a lot of inquiries about how I got from point A to B in my career 180 so I'm thrilled to announce that I'm co-hosting an event -- Pivot -- with three amazing ladies to address just that topic. Join us October 4 to hear speakers (including yours truly) talk about how they rocked the career pivot, explore change and growing your career in the social media age, and network with fellow attendees. Admission is $10 (plus an Eventbrite administrative fee) and will be donated in entirety to the YWCA Boston. I hope to see you there!

August 29, 2011

This Week's Picks

beach-chairs.jpgI hope you all made it through the hurricane with minimal negative impact. We were sad to leave our vacation earlier than planned, but were grateful to have a few days away in the first place, make it home safely, and come out the other side of the storm perfectly fine. Meanwhile, this week is supposed to be perfection weather-wise. Enjoy my top event picks this week, which include some great end-of-summer deals (bowling, carousel rides, zoo visits, yoga, kite making!) and live entertainment picks. And here's a bonus back-to-school safety event for incoming kindergarten and first grade students.

Image credit: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

August 24, 2011

Hooray for Heather!

isis-massage.jpgDuring the pushing phase of my 58 hours of labor with Violet (over five months ago...where does the time go?), I strained something in my left hip/glute area. When I received clearance 6 weeks postpartum and started working out again, I attempted to address this problem area via yoga. I also resumed running, and that, my friends, has been pretty torturous. I'm not a natural runner to begin with, and whatever was going on in my left hip/glute made for not so nimble runs followed by immense discomfort, including a searing pain that seemed buried deep in the bone on my left back side. So I slowed down on running and continued yoga, but felt pretty discouraged to feel no improvement over the course of a couple of months. I know these things take time, but still.

Continue reading "Hooray for Heather!" »

August 22, 2011

This Week's Picks

salsa-in-the-park.jpgRaise your hand if you also can't believe we're two weeks out from Labor Day weekend. (My disbelief stems from both the freakishly fast evaporation of summer and the fact that Laurel is soon to turn seven years old...sniff!) And then go on and relish what we've got left of summer by enjoying my top event picks this week, which include entertaining ways to celebrate dance (both shaking it and watching others do so), the great outdoors, music, and other family fun. Enjoy!

Image credit: Salsa in the Park

August 17, 2011

10 Fun Weekend Picks

memby-frog.jpgHello everyone! I'm going off the grid for a few days so I leave you with an early weekend roundup (also see this column for a couple of picks for tomorrow and Friday).

1. The humble frog deserves props. Celebrate and learn about frogs at Frog Appreciation Day (which I keep calling Frogapalooza in my head) at Frog Pond.

2. Get your green on tomorrow through Saturday at Boston GreenFest at City Hall Plaza.

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 15, 2011

This Week's Picks

rosalitas-puppets.jpgRain, rain, go away -- there's too much good stuff to enjoy outdoors this week (though I am grateful that the rain is watering the plants...)! Check out my top event picks this week via my FamilyFinds column, which includes fun ideas for those who love food, cultural celebrations, puppets, frogs, and more. Given the weather, the good news is that picks #1 and #2 (the first of which I'm enjoying this evening with girlfriends...yay!) are indoors.

Image credit: Puppets on the Common

August 11, 2011

7 Fun Weekend Picks

spencer-peirce-fiber-festival.jpgAssuming you're going to do something other than stimulate the economy via the impending tax-free weekend (thank you all, for your couch shopping suggestions via Facebook!), here are 7 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. I recently taught Laurel to knit. I have a feeling she would love the Fiber Revival at Spencer Peirce Little Farm.

2. Textile enthusiasts will also dig the Lowell Quilt Festival, which runs today through Saturday. (And on Saturday the Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival will include family friendly entertainment.)

Continue reading "7 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 9, 2011

Share a Haircut

hair-cuttery.jpgGrowing up in a large family, salon haircuts were not in the budget. Fortunately, my mom had a steady hand, and it wasn't until I went away to college that I stepped into a salon for the first time, paying for the haircut myself. Subsequently, Hair Cuttery's Share a Haircut program really resonated with me. Until August 15, for every child that gets a haircut at any Hair Cuttery (there are over 750 locations in 16 states), a haircut will be donated to a child in need in the community. If you've been planning on back-to-school haircuts for your kids, I hope you will consider supporting this program.

August 8, 2011

This Week's Picks

decordova-free-summer-wknds.jpgGiven that we're still happily clinging to summer in our house (task I have not missed the least bit = packing school lunches), it's been amazing to already see friends updating about their kids heading back to school. And whether or not you're off this week with your kids, hopefully you can enjoy some of this week's picks via my FamilyFinds column. Also, below is one bonus event: a practical outing for expecting parents.

Continue reading "This Week's Picks" »

August 5, 2011

5 Fun Weekend Picks

mass-marketplace.jpgDoesn't it feel fantastic to get to Friday? Here are 5 fun picks to consider this weekend:

1. I'm all about supporting local, so hooray for the New England farmers, specialty food producers, and artisans who will be showing at the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival at the Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley.

2. Get your groove on at the Boston Urban Music Fest.

Continue reading "5 Fun Weekend Picks" »

August 1, 2011

This Week's Picks

boston-skyline.jpgHere's another strange example of how the universe works: I've been thinking for some time that it would be helpful to share weekday event roundups. And then some folks who completed the Boston Mamas 5th Birthday Survey asked for weekday event recommendations (I still need to fully look at the survey responses, so feel free to chime in!). And then FamilyFinds asked me to write a weekly column doing just this! So starting this week, I'll share 7 picks to enjoy through the week over at FamilyFinds and also share the posts here (+ any other interesting picks that come across my radar), which will serve as a nice bridge to my weekend roundups. Here are this week's picks, plus a bonus one below. Enjoy!

Continue reading "This Week's Picks" »

July 29, 2011

A Couple of Weekend Picks

boston-handmade.jpgThis week has been crazy so I'm behind on sifting through my calendar pitches. However, I wanted to share two events that have been on my radar for some time now. Indie artist collective Boston Handmade (how awesome is this Zen monkey?) will host a marketplace in Union Square tomorrow, and the Lowell Folk Festival runs today through the weekend. We've taken Laurel in years past and it's a terrific event. Happy weekend!

July 28, 2011

Curbing the Summer Slump: Social Studies

social-studies.jpgToday, Sheri continues our Curbing the Summer Slump series with fun ideas to engage your kids in social studies:

Boston is an amazing place full of historical experiences to explore. The first colonists began to rebel again England, and the American Revolution started right in our backyard. Even if you aren't ready for the full history end of it, social studies boil down to the study of the communities in which we live. This summer you can experience so much historically and socially with your kids while enjoying the outdoors. Here are my top picks for learning experiences to engage and expand your child's mind this summer -- both in and out of the city, as well as in your own neighborhood.

Continue reading "Curbing the Summer Slump: Social Studies" »

July 22, 2011

5+ Fun Weekend Picks

esplanade-association.jpgOh. my. swelter. Stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and enjoy these weekend picks:

1. Every year the March for Babies reminds me that I want to spend more time hanging out down on the Esplanade. This weekend you can do just that via Sunday Fun in the Park.

2. The Hyde Park ARTSCENE reminds me of the block parties of my youth.

Continue reading "5+ Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 18, 2011

Lil' Folk Farm

lil-folk-farm.JPGFollowing a query on animal education birthday parties, reader Melinda wrote in to share feedback on Lil' Folk Farm in Holliston. Thanks, Melinda!

"Lil' Folk Farm was AMAZING. We arrived to real horseshoes that the kids painted. Once everyone was there, we went downstairs to their barn and the kids ran around with bunnies, goats, chickens and sheep. They were very tame and allowed the kids to pet, feed and brush them. The kids went wild. Then we went outside for pony rides, and finally we had cake and a pinata, all in two hours. It was great and the kids loved it."

July 15, 2011

8 Fun Weekend Picks

artbeat-somerville.jpgThe forecast for the weekend looks sunny and hot -- perfect, in my opinion, for lapping up soft serve ice cream while enjoying any one of these 8 fun weekend picks:

1. I've commented before that there's always something cool happening in Somerville. This evening and tomorrow it's the ArtBeat arts festival.

2. I love this free programming that inspires families to get fit (and enjoy a boat ride) together.

Continue reading "8 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 11, 2011

Summer in the City

cambridge-summer-in-the-city.jpgIf you're finding it challenging to get away and/or invest in events this summer, here's a fun way to celebrate staying put at zero cost (except, perhaps, for T fare). Kicking off tomorrow and running through September 1, Summer in the City features a fun roster of weekday family-friendly events covering music, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, and more. All events are free and open to the public and are based in Cambridge.

Image credit: Summer in the City

July 8, 2011

6 Fun Weekend Picks

wilson-farm-ice-cream.jpgI can hardly believe that school just let out for Laurel last week. It (happily) feels like we've been in summer mode for a while already! I hope you're all having a fantastic summer -- enjoy these 6 fun weekend picks:

1. You really don't need to twist my arm when it comes to sampling locally produced ice cream.

2. Hooray for the Greenway Open Market -- this new open-air crafts and art market opens tomorrow.

Continue reading "6 Fun Weekend Picks" »

July 1, 2011

Happy July!

fireworks.jpgI hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend! If you're looking to head out for some fun, I wanted to share a few links with you. Boston Central has a fantastic roundup of Massachusetts fireworks displays, handily organized by town so you can find a celebration near you. Boston Harborfest kicked off this week and runs through the weekend (yay for chowder!). And there's entertainment and family fun to be had at the New Bedford Summerfest (through the weekend) and Amesbury Days (through July 9). Enjoy!

Image credit: Boston Central

June 30, 2011

Free Fun Fridays

free-fun-fridays.jpgIt's hard to believe tomorrow is July 1, but the good news is that the change of month is marked by the start of the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays -- a program that offers free admission to four different Massachusetts cultural venues for nine Fridays starting tomorrow. The roster is fantastic and there's something every single week that I'd love to take the girls to (I've been meaning to take Laurel to the MFA Chihuly exhibit ever since it opened). What a lovely way to slide into summer weekends -- enjoy!

June 23, 2011

9 Fun Weekend Picks

city-of-cambridge-dance-party.jpgI'm sharing my weekend picks a bit early this week since I'm going to hibernate with the family for a few days (Violet's 100 Days is this weekend...I can hardly believe it!). I hope you enjoy the first official weekend of summer!

1. This event will probably mess up bedtime (but hey, it's a Friday night right?), but I love the idea of a city dance party.

2. Events such as the Kids MTB Ride really make me want to help Laurel lose the training wheels this summer.

Continue reading "9 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 17, 2011

12 Fun Weekend Picks

bruins-onesie.jpgWas this the craziest week ever for you too? I hope you have a chance to kick back and relax this weekend and celebrate a Dad you love. Here are 12 fun weekend picks to enjoy:

1. Yay for the Bruins (and I love that Zdeno Chara actually yelled "yay!" when he was holding the Stanley Cup over his head during the postgame celebration). You can celebrate en masse at the Bruins celebration parade.

2. Hello strawberry season. Consume to your heart's delight via the Mass Farmers Markets Strawberry Dessert Festival, strawberry festivals at Connors Farm (Danvers), Russell Orchards (Ipswich), and Land's Sake Farm (Weston), and strawberry picking at Drumlin Farm (Lincoln).

Continue reading "12 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 10, 2011

10 Fun Weekend Picks

arnold-arboretum.jpgYay, Friday! Here are 10 fun weekend picks that caught my eye:

1. I used to love taking walks through the Arnold Arboretum with my Dad. Painters for a Purpose opens tomorrow at the arboretum and features South Shore pastel artists. A portion of sales from the exhibit will benefit the Elizabeth Stone House in Jamaica Plain -- an institution for women and families in need.

Continue reading "10 Fun Weekend Picks" »

June 6, 2011

Walk, Run, Eat Ice Cream for Good

jimmy-fund-scooper-bowl.jpgI love this city. With the good weather comes many opportunities to help others in need. Some of these events (such as the March for Babies and Walk for Hunger) have already passed, but this week you can participate in the following family friendly philanthropic events: June 11 is the Four Seasons Run of Hope (5K run/2K walk) to benefit pediatric cancer care and research at the Mass. General Hospital for Children and MGH Cancer Center. June 12 is NSTAR's Walk for Children's Hospital Boston and the New Balance Heart Break Hill 5K to benefit Franciscan Hospital for Children. And starting tomorrow (through June 9) all you need to do is eat ice cream at the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl to help raise funds for cancer research and care. So easy, no?

Image credit: Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

June 3, 2011

11 Fun Weekend Picks

coolidge-corner-arts-festival.jpgOh, this awesome weather. It serves as the perfect backdrop for, well, everything! There's no shortage of fun stuff going on this weekend in and around the city (including Jon and my first date night -- to celebrate our anniversary -- since Violet was born...yay!). Here are 11 events that caught my eye (it was a strange coincidence to have back to back posts referencing the number 11, btw):

Continue reading "11 Fun Weekend Picks" »

May 27, 2011

12 Bits of Web Awesomeness

i-heart-massachusetts.jpgHello everyone -- I hope you have fantastically relaxing plans for the Memorial Day long weekend! We're going to be staying local and keeping it low key since June will be a bit crazy, but at the very least, yummy food and fun and games with Laurel and Violet are on the docket. (Admittedly, hopefully we'll also chip away a bit at some household to do's.) Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 12 bits of web awesomeness to entertain you over the long weekend. Enjoy!

Continue reading "12 Bits of Web Awesomeness" »

May 24, 2011

Yoga & Flowers at Frog Pond

frog-pond-garden-party.JPGThe Boston Common Frog Pond typically is associated with skating and swimming, but this spring the beautiful setting is being put to other mindful and creative uses. For the next several Thursdays (9-10:30am), start your day off right with free yoga classes (small worldly enough, taught by one of my sisters!) -- all levels are welcome and advanced registration is not required. And on Saturday, June 4 (10am-2pm), engage your creative spirit through a free flower arranging workshop (and take home your creation) at the Frog Pond Garden Party. Advance reservations are encouraged. So lovely, no?

May 20, 2011

Rock Out at EarthFest

earthfest.jpgI know I'm not the only one eager for the sun to break through, and tomorrow -- for EarthFest -- would make for especially welcome timing. In its 18th year, this free Hatch Shell event will feature national and local music acts (starting at noon) as well as eco-friendly products and environmental non-profits. EarthFest also will feature an interactive family area -- Kid's Planet -- starting at 10am. In addition to kid friendly activities and displays, the family friendly musical lineup will include RhymeZwell, Vanessa Trien & the Jumping Monkeys, Little Groove, and one of my personal favorites: Dan Zanes & Friends.

May 19, 2011

Hooray for Hollywood

boston-pops.jpgSome of my happiest high school memories are musical in nature -- I made wonderful friends and played in fantastic venues such as Symphony Hall as a violinist on the competitive circuit. Not surprisingly, I'm a fan of the BSO and the Pops, the latter of which opened its season last week. And if you and your kids would like to enjoy the musical brilliance that frames many memorable movies, the Pops will present three performances of Hooray for Hollywood next week, during which esteemed composer and conductor John Williams (yes, the John Williams of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter fame, among many other films) will lead the Pops in shining a light on famous cinematic villains and heroes. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the Boston Pops are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to Hooray for Hollywood*! It'll make for a bit of a late school night but will be well worth it! Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Hooray for Hollywood" »

May 17, 2011

A Drool-icious Baby Expo

drool.jpgI've written before that Eli and Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans are some of the busiest (and kindest) people around, so I was impressed to hear about an amazing expo they're bringing to Boston on May 31. Debuting at the Seaport Hotel, the Drool Baby Expo offers expecting, new, and seasoned parents (or anyone else who digs cool baby stuff) the opportunity to check out the latest in baby gear, partake in refreshments and complimentary spa services, engage in demos, workshops, and consultations, and enjoy giveaways, freebies, and discounts (plus, all attendees will receive an awesome gift bag). And how cool is this? The kind folks at Magic Beans are offering one of you awesome readers a pair of VIP tickets to Drool*! Below is how to enter to win, plus additional insider info on why you want to buy a ticket even if you don't win. I'll be drooling over things for Violet at Drool, so please come say hello if you see me!

Continue reading "A Drool-icious Baby Expo" »

May 14, 2011

Lights, Camera, Nostalgia!

reagle-music-theatre.jpgToday, Jennifer shares some great local theatres where you can get your musical fix on a budget:

The first time my parents took me to a musical, I was blown away. My dad surprised us with season tickets to a local theatre and we saw everything from Annie to South Pacific that year. I was in elementary school at the time and boy, nothing I'd seen up to that point compared to the glorious lights, music, costumes, and magic that is live theatre!

Continue reading "Lights, Camera, Nostalgia!" »

May 13, 2011

Let's Go Fly a Kite

air-guitar-kite.jpgI hope the rain holds off this weekend because ever since our recent overnight to Maine (where Laurel flew her first kite last summer), I've been thinking about kites. And tomorrow (May 14, 12-4pm) is the Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival, where families can fly kites (BYOK; they'll also be giving away kites to the first 50 attendees) and/or "rent" bikes for free. Meanwhile, I'm browsing Into the Wind, which offers a crazy selection of kites. I especially like that they break out sections for beginner and kids kites (read: easy to fly models). And in the show kite department, this air guitar kite is out of my budget but totally cool, no?

May 11, 2011

The Joy of Flour

flour-bakery.jpgToday, Kate shares a great local spot for sweet and savory treats, and a cookbook that will allow you to recreate tasty treats at home:

One of the many great things about living in the Boston area is getting to enjoy Joanne Chang's wonderful Flour Bakery + Cafe. Chang is a pastry chef and entrepreneur, and a devotee of all things baked and frosted and all-around yummy. Each of the three locations of Flour (Cambridge, Fort Point, the South End) is a happy haven in which to sit, relax, and enjoy a range of sandwiches, salads, and lots and lots of baked goods. Chang is committed to using real foods and fresh ingredients -- none of your pre-packaged, over-oily muffins and scones here -- and to helping people to learn how to bake well at home.

Continue reading "The Joy of Flour" »

May 10, 2011

Farfalle (Butterflies)

farfalle.jpgSpring always brings up discussions about the life cycle with Laurel, and this week there's a unique show in town that celebrates a "nature treasure" (as Laurel likes to call them) not to be taken for granted. Running today through Sunday, May 15, Farfalle (Butterflies) debuts in Boston courtesy of the Italian theatre company Compagnia TPO. This hour long show traces the life cycle of a butterfly through a multisensory theatre experience in which kids can join the actors in bringing the show to life via a digital carpet that illuminates on touch. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the Celebrity Series of Boston are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to Farfalle*! Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Farfalle (Butterflies)" »

May 6, 2011

Rocking The Walk Tomorrow

BM_MarchforBabies_2011.jpgHello everyone! Tomorrow is the March for Babies in Boston and I would be super appreciative if you would make a donation to Team Boston Mamas & Friends (or you could donate to my personal page if you like). Truly, no gift is too small! Thanks so much in advance for your support, and also to fellow team members Kerrie, Kami of The Fence, Angela of Mommy Bytes, Sonia of My Little Pakora, and Liz of Goddess in Progress for their footsteps and fundraising efforts! If you'd like to join us last minute for the walk, drop me a line at editor@bostonmamas.com!

May 5, 2011

For The Critter Loving Mama

franklin-park-zoo.JPGFew things cute overload me like baby animals, and if you're of a similar persuasion and would like to enjoy Mother's Day with your own little critters in tow, you can celebrate Mama's Day at the Franklin Park and Stone Zoos this Sunday, May 8. Moms will enjoy free admission throughout the day, and the first 100 moms to arrive at each zoo will receive a goodie bag, the contents of which includes items from some of the local, awesome mom-owned businesses listed in the Boston Mamas mamapreneur network! Both zoos will also honor their celebrity animal moms, including gorilla Kiki with her 5-month-old baby Kambiri at Franklin Park Zoo, and emperor tamarin Snoopy and her baby Wally at Stone Zoo.

May 4, 2011

For The Fitness Mama

equinox.jpgHaving received clearance yesterday from my midwife, just this morning I got back on the fitness wagon with a short (yet shockingly sweaty) yoga practice. And if you're looking to cash in some Mother's Day self care time via fitness, consider heading to Equinox Back Bay on Saturday (May 7). During this free event (you can also check out and share the details via Facebook), enjoy group fitness classes (how awesome does barre burn sound?), mom-focused seminars (including a talk by Boston Mamas contributor Carole Arsenault, who recently published a fantastic book), complimentary spa services, refreshments, and giveaways. You can even bring your little one for a playdate at the Kid's Club (reservation required). Namaste, mama.

May 3, 2011

For The Shopping Mama

moms-nite-out.jpgLast month, I actually had to ask someone when Mother's Day was, which seemed comically fitting. However, once informed, I was thrilled to connect with several local establishments who are hosting fun Mother's Day events. I'll be sharing these events over the next few days, and first up is a pick for moms who love to engage in a little retail therapy. This Thursday (May 5), moms around the country will enjoy a collective night out via Mom's Nite Out, and I'm pleased to partner again this year with participating Mom's Nite Out site, the Atrium Mall. In addition to hitting favorite stores (I could use a visit to Anthropologie, J. Crew, and LOFT now that I'm done with maternity clothes...), at this event (4-7pm) attendees can peruse fashion, beauty, health, and home design tables, and pick up or enter to win various goodies and prizes.

April 29, 2011

Family Friendly Weekend Awesomeness

boston-college-arts-festival.jpgHooray for a gorgeous weekend on the forecast! There's no shortage of fun on tap in Boston and the surrounding communities; here are some events that caught my eye, via my lovely site partner Boston Central:

Get cultured at the Boston College Arts Festival, Harvard Arts First Festival, Brandeis Performing Arts Festival, International Children's Cultural Fair, or Harvard Square Mayfair.

Continue reading "Family Friendly Weekend Awesomeness" »

April 14, 2011

Boston International Kids Film Festival

boston-international-kids-film-festival.jpgOne of my favorite things about living in Boston is the access to cultural offerings, and how cool is it that we can now lay claim to having an international kids film festival? Running April 15-22, the first annual Boston International Kids Film Festival debuts at the Arlington Capitol Theatre, featuring a variety of independent full length films + shorts that offer families a window into cultures around the world. Age recommendations per film are indicated at the BIKFF website and you can purchase tickets to individual shows, or festival-wide passes also are available for film aficionados large and small. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the BIKFF are offering one of you awesome readers a family 4-pack of festival-wide passes good for any shows all week! Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Boston International Kids Film Festival " »

April 8, 2011

Boston Tree Party

boston-tree-party.jpgThis weekend is shaping up to be downright spring-like, perfect for this cool and unusual event I heard about from my friend Melissa. The Boston Tree Party is on a mission to plant 100 pairs of heirloom apple trees in public spaces across Greater Boston and the inauguration party kicks off this Sunday at 1pm at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. (Apparently, once the trees bear fruit, anyone is welcome to pluck a healthy snack -- awesome!) Featuring the ceremonial planting of the first pair of heirloom apple trees, music, refreshments, and other civic-minded activities, this event offers a cool way to teach kids about community, urban agriculture, and the all important lesson of sharing. And of course before or after the inauguration, there's no shortage of family fun to be had in the area, whether you hit, say, the Aquarium, Christopher Columbus Park, or walk a little further for gelato in the North End.

April 4, 2011

Four Fun Outings with Baby

rookie-moms.jpgI adore Heather and Whitney of Rookie Moms. They're wonderful, funny friends, and through their website (and book The Rookie Mom's Handbook), Heather and Whitney offer countless practical ideas for breaking out of maternal hibernation. In February I was featured on Rookie Moms as a born again rookie (since it's been a long time since we've been in the diaper trenches) and it subsequently seemed fitting that for today's four favorites guest post I ask the Rookie Moms to share four fun outings that moms can enjoy with a new baby.

Continue reading "Four Fun Outings with Baby" »

April 2, 2011

More Chicken Pie, Please

harrows-chicken-pies.jpgTruly, one of the best postpartum gifts imaginable is the gift of food. And on Thursday, when it was cold and rainy out, my friend Jen kindly brought over a Harrows chicken pie (+ rolls) that totally hit the spot. Impressively loaded with white meat, carrots, and potatoes (no mystery fillers of the frozen pot pies of my youth here...), all I needed to do was pop the pie in the oven (I recommend placing the pie on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips) and within an hour the house smelled fantastic and Jon, Laurel, and I were happily indulging in a wonderfully warm and comforting dinner.

Continue reading "More Chicken Pie, Please" »

March 27, 2011

Postpartum Q & A

baby-feet.jpgOne thing is for sure: in this fast paced, instant gratification world of social media, being an online person who disappears for a few days apparently results in some digital hand wringing. When I finally turned my Blackberry back on following 58 hours of labor, I was touched and surprised to see so much concern about my whereabouts on Twitter and Facebook. There have been some frequently asked questions, and I thought I'd share the responses here since some of the information may be handy to other expecting parents.

Continue reading "Postpartum Q & A" »

March 15, 2011

Dear Boston Mamas: St. Patrick's Day Fun

clover.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook page:

Dear Boston Mamas, do you know of any St. Patrick's Day parades downtown or in the metro-Boston area? It's our first year here and we'd love to take our 2 year old to a parade!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: St. Patrick's Day Fun" »

March 9, 2011

Boston Sparkling Clean

boston-sparkling-clean.jpgI know I've been lucky to have such a wonderfully smooth pregnancy, carrying on per usual with everything in life. However, some typically onerous chores have take on even more onerous dimensions -- such as house cleaning. I'm good at cleaning when I get to it, but it's just not among my favorite things to do, particularly when super pregnant. Subsequently, a few weeks ago I called some eco-friendly cleaners to book a one-time pre-baby cleaning, but I either received no response or was told that there was no immediate availability or that one-time cleanings were not possible. So last week, when a Boston Sparkling Clean deal rolled through my e-mail via Buy With Me, I immediately bought a voucher (well, after doing due diligence by looking at their website and finding some positive Yelp reviews online).

Continue reading "Boston Sparkling Clean" »

March 7, 2011

Come March for Babies!

BM_MarchforBabies_2011.jpgI'm thrilled to partner for a fourth year with the March of Dimes to support the March for Babies on May 7 in Boston. Last year's rain didn't deter the spirit of the team (even the kiddos...and this year I plan on toting my wee one!), and I hope you will join us -- Team Boston Mamas & Friends -- whether by walking, joining the team for fundraising (walking or not), and/or making a donation. Truly, no gift is too small and anyone is welcome to join the team. Thanks so much in advance for your support! Please email me if you have questions.

Continue reading "Come March for Babies!" »

March 6, 2011

Capone's Chocolate Covered Figs

capone-figs.jpgToday, Jules shares a fantastic local chocolate find:

Mothers' Day is creeping up and while I'm constantly telling my husband to never, ever bring me chocolate for occasions such as this, this year I do want just one thing -- and it happens to be chocolate. This is the kind of chocolate that I will eat guilt free and will happily share with my kids so they can experience the beauty of quality chocolate made with natural and fresh ingredients -- not the kind that sits on a shelf in a box for weeks (months? years?) before the foil is torn away.

Continue reading "Capone's Chocolate Covered Figs" »

March 2, 2011

Chatting with Sasha Cohen

SashaCohen.JPGAs I mentioned last week, I'm super excited to see Smucker's Stars on Ice this Friday in Boston (there's still time to get tickets if you want to see the show!). And thanks to the folks at Stars on Ice, I had the lovely opportunity to chat with US champion, two-time Olympian (and Olympic silver medalist), and world medalist Sasha Cohen, who is one of the headliners of the tour. Read on for my interview with Sasha, where we talk about everything from family, to staying grounded as an elite child athlete, to encouraging kids to try or stick with hobbies, to competitions vs. shows, to the awesomeness that is Boston.

Continue reading "Chatting with Sasha Cohen " »

February 28, 2011

Gather Here

gather-here.jpgToday, Kate shares a craftastic fantasy that now is a reality:

Allow me a moment to admit to a fantasy. In my fantasy, I own a small and pretty shop that allows me to combine my love of baking, sewing, knitting, and beautiful things in a single place that is warm and welcoming and also somehow turns a profit and allows me to live stress-free and in creative happiness. For me, this is but a fantasy, but the creators of Gather Here -- a new 'stitch lounge' located on Broadway in Cambridge -- have managed to turn it into a reality.

Continue reading "Gather Here" »

February 21, 2011

Stars on Ice Boston

stars-on-ice.jpgGiven my pregnancy, I haven't been able to take skating lessons this winter (which I took for the first time last winter and adored), so I've definitely needed to get my skating fix from a distance. I'm subsequently thrilled to see Stars on Ice again when it comes to the Agganis Arena in Boston on March 4. In its 25th year, the Smucker's Stars on Ice show will include a roster of skating greats, headlined by Olympians Evan Lysacek and Sasha Cohen (Laurel's favorite skater). Click here to find a show near you (the tour wraps in April) -- meanwhile, how cool is this? The kind folks at Stars on Ice are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to Stars on Ice in Boston! Check out the rules below to learn how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Stars on Ice Boston" »

February 20, 2011

February Vacation Roundup

JillKinLA-abe-lincoln.jpgToday, Stacey Sao of Boston Central kindly shares a guest post including a fantastic roundup of activities for February vacation week:

Welcome to the wonderful week of February vacation! This massive activity roundup should help cure any cabin fever out there...let's get right to it! In the spirit of Presidents Day, there's Visit with Abe Lincoln at The Concord Museum (2/21; reservations required), and The Jackson Homestead Museum in Newton will host a story and craft hour entitled Hats Off to Abe Lincoln. History buffs can take a step back in time at the Old Statehouse Museum with lots of old fashioned games as well as spinning and weaving activities. Bring out the scientist in you at the MIT Museum -- they'll have robotics themed mini-workshops for ages 10+.

Continue reading "February Vacation Roundup" »

February 17, 2011

Secondhand Baby Shower

baby-shower-1.JPGI had a bit of a rough week last week and the baby shower my friend Heidi hosted for me this past weekend was a wonderful antidote, making me feel enormously grateful for the happy energy and wonderful people I have in my life. And I wanted to share the theme -- a secondhand baby shower (because I'm an eco-geek and because I have many friends who are done having babies and were eager to pass things along) -- plus some great leads from Heidi's planning. Here's how it all came down the pike:

Continue reading "Secondhand Baby Shower" »

February 16, 2011

Great Little Art Escape

plaster-fun-time.jpgToday, Jennifer shares a great little art escape for kids (and grownups too!):

Like every mom I know, I'm running low on options for indoor fun. With five school snow days on the roster already, I'm fighting the urge to pack up the family and head south for a very long time! But alas, this is New England, and even when we're being lulled into submission with unusually warm temperatures (like this week), it's important to have creative ideas at the ready.

Continue reading "Great Little Art Escape" »

February 14, 2011

Hotel Commonwealth's Hotel For Kids

hotel-for-kids.jpgOne thing that has become very clear during all of the traveling I've done with Laurel is that she loves hotels (and admittedly, I'm also a fan of not having to make my bed). And if you're looking for a fun family staycation option during February vacation week (or just to get through the rest of winter), check out the Hotel Commonwealth's Hotel for Kids program, which kicks off February 25 with a bedtime stories/pajama party to benefit ReadBoston. I'm thrilled to be a media partner of the Hotel Commonwealth for this event, and part of that partnership means awesomeness for you! Read on to learn more about the Hotel for Kids, as well as how to win a Hotel for Kids overnight package for February 25 + admission to the bedtime stories/pajama party!

Continue reading "Hotel Commonwealth's Hotel For Kids" »

February 11, 2011

Rabbit & Other Winter Festivals

PEM-lunar-new-year.jpgHooray for rabbits! And you can celebrate them in fine fashion this weekend at the Year of the Hare Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown, 23rd Annual Lunar New Year Festival in Quincy, and Peabody Essex Museum Lunar New Year Festival in Salem. And for those looking for winter adventures a little further west, bundle up and check out the Amherst Winterfest.

Image credit: Peabody Essex Museum

February 10, 2011

The Book Rack

the-book-rack.jpgWhile I adore the community feel and eco-friendliness of public libraries, and the shiny newness and convenience of large bookstores, my current happy medium is the independent used bookstore. And The Book Rack is one of those little gems I've walked by a million times but never paid much attention to until recently. I was surprised to learn that The Book Rack has roots dating back to the 1960s and is a network of independently owned bookstores, with about 100 stores across the country, including five locations in Massachusetts.

Continue reading "The Book Rack" »

February 8, 2011

Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3

disney-on-ice-toy-story.jpgDespite needing to rearrange our plans when the first (or was it the second? I can't even remember) snowmageddon hit during the December holidays, we eventually made it to, and Laurel utterly adored, the Disney on Ice Princess Wishes show (her sister did too...she kicked non-stop during the entire performance!). And returning to entertain during February vacation week is a Disney on Ice show perfect for Toy Story fans. Running February 18-27 at TD Garden, Disney On Ice presents Disney*Pixar's Toy Story 3 will feature Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and other favorite Toy Story friends. And how cool is this? The kind folks over at TD Garden are offering two lucky winners a four-pack of tickets to the Disney on Ice Toy Story 3 show (as well as a special ticket discount)! Here's how to enter to win and/or purchase discount tickets:

Continue reading "Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3" »

February 7, 2011

Valentine's on the Odyssey

odyssey.jpgIn contrast to Jon and my low key approach, Laurel is totally cranked up about celebrating Valentine's Day. If you're in a similar boat, and are looking for a family-friendly Valentine's outing, what about the Odyssey's Valentine's brunch cruise? You'll achieve a sense of escape (undoubtedly welcome, given the recent plague of snowstorms...) without the fuss of needing to pack. I haven't yet experienced the Odyssey, but I dig the idea of cruising along against the backdrop of our city skyline while listening to live music, enjoying brunch I didn't have to cook, not worrying about washing dishes, and gazing lovingly at Jon while Laurel ogles the chocolate fountain.

And how cool is this? The Odyssey kindly is offering one lucky winner a family four-pack of tickets for the Valentine's Odyssey brunch cruise. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Valentine's on the Odyssey" »

February 4, 2011

Weekend Winter Festivals

franklin-park-snow-festival.jpgI just loved the clever responses (via comments, Facebook, and Twitter) to my snow day ideas post! And while my ideas were rather inside-centric (given the sleet nastiness and the fact that the novelty of making snow people has totally worn off for Laurel), hopefully this weekend's winter forecast will be more suitable for outdoor adventures. Consider the: Franklin Park Snow Festival, Chelmsford WinterFest, Lowell Winterfest, and Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival.

Image credit: Franklin Park Coalition

January 28, 2011

Winter Weekend Fun

dunstable-winterfest.jpgThere's little new I can say about this month's snow shock, with the exception that I'm impressed that our rotating composter is completely submerged (and our second, taller composter isn't far behind). The good news is that this weekend, the vast snowy expanses will create the perfect backdrop for the Brighton Winter Fun Fair, Dunstable Winterfest, Lincoln Winter Carnival, and Westford Winterfest. And let's hope lil' Phil offers a favorable forecast for us at the Groundhog Day Celebration at Ipswich River.

Image credit: Dunstable Winterfest

January 26, 2011

Cooking at Henrietta's

eggs.jpgToday, Lindsey shares kudos for the kid's cooking classes at Henrietta's Table. Read on for Lindsey's thoughts, as well as to learn how to win a complimentary cooking class for your child at Henrietta's Table next month:

One cold Saturday last February I took my 7-year-old daughter to "cooking school" at Henrietta's Table in Harvard Square. Neither of us knew what to expect. Chairs and a big demonstration table were set up in the light-filled private room off the main Henrietta's dining room. The kids in the room varied in age from 6 to about 10. Parents had a choice of staying to watch or leaving to enjoy lunch at 10% off (or, in my case, to sit and drink a cup of tea and write, thanks to the hotel's wireless!). The classes run from 12:30 to 2:00 and I stayed for the opening introductory minutes, ducked out to write, then poked my head in to watch for the last half hour.

Continue reading "Cooking at Henrietta's" »

January 9, 2011

Local Knitting Favorites

sheep-street-yarn-shop.jpgOne thing that I quickly learned with Laurel is that her level of content is completely different depending on whether I'm doing something not-so-present such as, say, checking my e-mail vs. crafting alongside her. Of course, her favorite kind of time is when we're working on the same project (e.g., we're finishing a really crazy quilt right now -- Laurel has become impressively facile with my sewing machine!), but when she's working on something like latch hook or pot holders, I'm kind of left hanging. So I've been thinking of -- and getting excited about -- revisiting knitting.

Continue reading "Local Knitting Favorites" »

December 17, 2010

Weekend Winter Fun

snow-heart.jpgToday, Stacey Sao of Boston Central kindly shares a second guest post with her favorite activity picks for this weekend:

Kick off your weekend at the Kendall Square Annual Holiday on Ice Show. Two outdoor shows will feature performances by former stars of Disney on Ice and the Ice Capades, as well as complimentary skating and snacks throughout the day. The Kelly Outdoor Rink in JP is also hosting a day of free skating on Sunday. And looking ahead this month, Boston Common's Frog Pond will be open for skating on Christmas Day this year from 4-9pm and the Disney on Ice Princess Wishes tour will be in town the week after Christmas.

Continue reading "Weekend Winter Fun" »

December 14, 2010

Disney on Ice Princess Wishes

disney-on-ice-princess-wishes.jpgThough I must admit that I'm relieved that Laurel has finally moved on from her obsessed-with-all-things-princesses phase, she remains faithful to Belle ("because she has brown hair like me," says Laurel) and I'm planning on taking Laurel to Disney On Ice during winter break. Laurel and I have seen three previous DOI shows in Boston and the skating and creative spectacle has proven so, so fun and entertaining for both of us! Disney on Ice Princess Wishes shows at the TD Garden December 26-29 and will feature Tinker Bell, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, and Mulan. And how cool is this? The kind folks over at TD Garden are offering one lucky winner a four-pack of tickets to this show! Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Disney on Ice" in the subject by midnight Thursday, December 16.

Continue reading "Disney on Ice Princess Wishes" »

December 12, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Animal Education Birthday Parties

ecotarium.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Melinda via e-mail:

Hi Boston Mamas! I'm thinking ahead for my boy/girl twins' birthday party in May. They'll be 3, and I'd love to take them and friends to a farm. I've been looking on the internet, and I'm having trouble sorting through the good, bad, and ugly. Drumlin Farms comes up, but it doesn't look like they do much. The place that looks terrific is Lil'Folk Farm in Holliston, but I've never heard of it before (I swear, this is not a plug). Have you heard of it? Do you have suggestions? I'd love a place that will allow the kids to actively engage with animals, better yet if they have someone on hand to do a little teaching/coordination.

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Animal Education Birthday Parties" »

December 10, 2010

Weekend Holiday Fun

faneuil-hall-candy-land.jpgI imagine that I'd be hard pressed to find parents in Boston who don't already know about Boston Central. In fact, Boston Central is one reason I didn't bother implementing an exhaustive calendar function when I launched Boston Mamas in 2006 (why reinvent the wheel, you know?). Boston Central and I recently teamed up as site partners (you can check out daily event listings right here via the BC widget down in the left sidebar), and in advance of the holidays, I'm thrilled that Stacey Sao of Boston Central will share a couple of guests posts with some of her favorite activity picks for the weekend. Check out Stacey's roundup of family holiday fun for this weekend:

Continue reading "Weekend Holiday Fun" »

December 9, 2010

Creativity at Kidstock

kidstock.jpgAs Laurel has come out of her shell in the past year, she has started to express an interest in theatre (recently going so far as to state that she's going to be an actress when she grows up). Subsequently, I've been interested in checking out Kidstock in Winchester. From what I have heard from various sources over the years, Kidstock's summer theatre camps are pretty fantastic. A couple of weeks ago, we had a chance to visit Kidstock for the birthday party of one of Laurel's friends, and I must say, I was impressed.

Continue reading "Creativity at Kidstock" »

December 5, 2010

Shellac for the Season

cnd-shellac.jpgToday, Jennifer shares her favorite beauty solution for the season:

A couple of weeks ago some gal pals and I went to a local salon, Lexington Nails in Lexington, to check a miraculous new gel-based nail polish we'd heard about called CND Shellac. Apparently it's strong enough to resist the smudges, chips, and fading that we moms experience all too quickly after treating ourselves to a manicure. Since the product is so new, this particular salon only offered a few colors, so I went with a basic pale pink just to be on the safe side. It took only 20-25 minutes to apply and dry under a UV lamp. It was crazy fast drying. Like, no-worries-digging-for-your-car-keys-in-your-handbag-right-after crazy fast. We all marveled at our nails over coffee afterward.

Continue reading "Shellac for the Season" »

November 22, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Fun

faneuil-hall-tubas.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook page:

Hey Boston Mamas, It's me again! The "new to Boston" mama you helped out before with great toddler-friendly activities. Well, I have another question! This is our first year staying here for Thanksgiving and I am wondering if you know of any Thanksgiving Day parades or activities like that? (Again, we live in Watertown.) I know this [past] weekend [was] the lighting of the tree at Faneuil Hall...any more activities like that (Thanksgiving or Christmas) would be appreciated!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Fun" »

November 20, 2010

Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions

life-style-episode-4.jpgIf you didn't have a chance to watch episode 4 of Life.Style live on Thursday, please check it out! It was a fantastic episode, in which Paige Lewin of Mudroom Boston shared easy and inexpensive tips for holiday décor and tabletops, Jane Maynard of This Week for Dinner offered fantastic recipes for traditional side dishes, twist-on-traditional side dishes, and perfect-for-potluck dishes, and Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans shared great ideas for toys to keep babies, toddlers, and older kids entertained while traveling. Check out the segment to see additional images, video, and inspiration, but as promised, for easy reference below I link up recipes and leads shared by my guests. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions" »

November 18, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Prenatal Yoga

yoga.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jenny via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I'm pregnant with my first child and would love to find a prenatal yoga class in Harvard Square or Watertown. Do you know of any good classes/instructors? Thanks!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Prenatal Yoga" »

November 14, 2010

Boston Mamas Rock! Joanna Silverman

joanna-silverman.JPGWelcome to Boston Mamas Rock! -- where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today's interview with Joanna Silverman, a mother of one and the educator and holistic health counselor behind Nourishing the Peas and the Pod. Read on to learn about Joanna's wonderful work with moms and kids. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!

Continue reading "Boston Mamas Rock! Joanna Silverman" »

November 12, 2010

Boston Awesomeness for Families

boston-harbor-hotel.jpgGoodness. In the complete chaos that was last month, I forgot to share a series of articles I wrote for CBS Boston. The process offered fun fodder for reflection on Boston awesomeness for families and I hope you enjoy and find the articles useful. I share my favorite recommendations for: cool spots to photograph your kids, family friendly restaurants that are truly great for kids and foodie parents alike, awesome art studios for kids, out of the box birthday party ideas, and ideas for indoor and outdoor winter fun (because oh my word can you believe next month is December?).

Continue reading "Boston Awesomeness for Families" »

November 4, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Maternity Clothes Shopping on a Budget

mighty-aphrodite.gifToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from CM via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I'm about halfway through my pregnancy and am in desperate need of maternity clothes, but I hate the thought of spending tons of money on clothes I'll only wear for a few months. Any sources of reasonably priced maternity clothes in the area that you'd recommend? Thanks!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Maternity Clothes Shopping on a Budget" »

October 31, 2010

Boston Mamas Rock! Janet Lee Harrold

janet-lee-harrold-1.JPGWelcome (or shall I say welcome back!) to Boston Mamas Rock! -- where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today's interview with Janet Lee Harrold, mother of one, artist, book author, and special needs advocate by way of her efforts to support her granddaughter Hailey, a 3-year-old with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. Read on to learn about Janet's impassioned efforts on behalf of her granddaughter and the special needs community as a whole. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!

Continue reading "Boston Mamas Rock! Janet Lee Harrold" »

October 29, 2010

Weekend Halloween Fun

neaq-pumpkin.pngFinally, Halloween is almost here! And if your kids are looking for extra places to wear that costume, consider (in addition to a few previously listed ongoing spooktacular events): the Halloween Party at Ringer Park (Allston), Franklin Park Zoo Howl (Boston), Titus Sparrow Park Pre-Trick-Or-Treat Halloween Party (Boston), and Newton Community Service Center Halloween Fair. Also, on Sunday, kids 11 and under in costume (accompanied by a paying adult) can enjoy free admission to the New England Aquarium and on Boston DUCK Tours departing from the NEAQ. Sweet!

Image credit: New England Aquarium

October 26, 2010

Giveaway Goodness: Strega Nona

strega-nona.jpgWe've read all of Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona books; the illustrations are so sweet and Laurel and I find Strega Nona's humble wisdom and Big Anthony's bumbling cluelessness endearing and entertaining. For fellow Strega Nona fans, this Saturday (October 30, 1pm) you can see Strega Nona brought to life in musical form at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston (tickets are $22.50 and $32.50, with discounted rates if you purchase in four-packs). This family-friendly musical features a score by composer Aron Accurso and set design inspired by the Strega Nona pop-up book. (How they will bring the erupting magical pasta pot to life remains to be seen!) Now, as part of my Giveaway Goodness series, The Wilbur Theatre kindly is offering one lucky winner a four-pack of tickets to Strega Nona: The Musical! Simply check out the rules below to enter to win.

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: Strega Nona" »

October 24, 2010

Walk in the Woods

belmont-habitat.jpgToday, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents recommends recharging at Habitat:

Few things erase the frenzy of everyday life like nature. And mere blocks from my home is a wonderful gem: Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont. Part of the Mass Audubon system -- which maintains 43 wildlife sanctuaries in the state -- Habitat is a heavenly place to walk alone or with the family in all four seasons and using all five senses.

Continue reading "Walk in the Woods" »

October 22, 2010

Weekend Halloween Happenings

halloween-witch.jpgIf Laurel could wear a costume every day, she probably would. Barring that, there are plenty of opportunities to get into the Halloween spirit a week in advance. In addition to a few previously listed ongoing spooktacular events, consider these weekend Halloween happenings: Halloween Fest at Prudential Center (Boston), Ipswich River Halloween Happenings, Wachusett Meadow Halloween Night Hike and Hayride (Princeton), Halloween Prowl at Moose Hill Sanctuary (Sharon), Boo at the Zoo (Stoneham), A Great Pumpkin Day! at Gore Place (Waltham), and EcoTarium's Great Pumpkin Fest (Worcester). And of course there's Laurel's gentle yet beloved Spooky Hayride at Wilson Farm.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October 15, 2010

Spooktacular (Or Not) Fall Weekend

pumpkins.jpgHere are a few not-so-spooky family-friendly fall festivals to enjoy this weekend: Newton Harvest Fair, AppleFest at Wachusett Mountain (Princeton), Rockport HarvestFest, and Fall Family Fun Fest (Westford). And if you're feeling brave (I'm not sure I am, but I do tend to be easily spooked...), your family can get their fill of spooktacular entertainment at: Harvest of Horrors (East Falmouth), Winnekenni Castle Halloween Extravaganza (Haverhill), Martin's Pond Children's Haunted Playground (North Reading), and Witch's Woods (Westford).

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October 14, 2010

The MOMologues: Pink Ribbon Overdose

MOMologues-pink-ribbon-overdose.jpgMy friend (and contributing writer) Sarah projects an admirable blend of spirited determination and humor in her battle with ovarian cancer; her attitude is medicine in itself. And if you want to experience a similar dose of comedic medicine while supporting the fight against breast cancer, check out The MOMologues: Pink Ribbon Overdose on October 27 at the Hard Rock Cafe. Featuring Susan Wornick, Bianca de la Garza, and Karen Holmes Ward of WCVB-TV5, actress Erica McDermott, and Julie Nations, this comedic reading will benefit The Ellie Fund, a non-profit that provides free transportation, childcare, housekeeping, and meals to women and families fighting breast cancer in Massachusetts. Tickets include admission to the cocktail reception, show, and post-show dessert party; I'm thrilled to serve as a media sponsor of this show and for this wonderful local organization.

Now, want to be one of two winners to receive a pair of tickets to The MOMologues: Pink Ribbon Overdose? Here's how:

Continue reading "The MOMologues: Pink Ribbon Overdose" »

October 8, 2010

Long Weekend Fall Fun

salem-haunted-happenings.pngWhat a relief it was to finally see the sun yesterday, and how awesome that we'll see it all (long) weekend long! Here are some events that warrant being on your radar: Immerse yourself in music and culture at the Fenway Alliance's Opening Our Doors festival and HONK!fest. Enjoy fall fun at Harvard Square's Oktoberfest, the Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival, and the Yarmouth Seaside Festival. And see how Salem rocks the Halloween party (every day now through the end of the month) via Salem's Haunted Happenings.

Image credit: Salem Haunted Happenings

October 1, 2010

Weekend Fall Festivals

barnstable-county-harvest-festival.jpgThere's plenty of family friendly fall festival goodness on tap for this weekend. Get a dose of fresh air while enjoying: the Barnstable County Harvest Festival, Boston Local Food Festival, Essex County Greenbelt Association Fall Festival, Lakeville Arts & Music Festival, Harvest Festival & Perennial Divide (Mattapan), Homestead Hayfest (Newton), and Westford Fall Foliage Festival. And for those with serious fair stamina, there's the Topsfield Fair running now until October 11.

Image credit: Dave Doolittle for Barnstable County Harvest Festival

September 30, 2010

Giveaway Goodness: StyleFixx

stylefixx.jpgAs much as I love the convenience of online shopping, you can't beat the tactile delight of in-person boutique shopping. And especially so when over 55 cool shops are assembled under one roof to make browsing easy and fun. Sound good? Next week (October 6 & 7) StyleFixx will hit the Boston Center for the Arts, offering a (probably much needed) girls night out during which you and your pals can enjoy shopping, complimentary cocktails and spa treatments, and tasty food samples. Tickets are $30 (includes admission, on-site freebies, and swag bag), and as part of my Giveaway Goodness series, StyleFixx kindly is offering five lucky winners a pair of tickets to enjoy the event with a girlfriend! Simply check out the rules below to enter to win.

Continue reading "Giveaway Goodness: StyleFixx" »

September 28, 2010

Two Local Stylish Finds

lady-luxe.jpgToday, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents takes a departure from parenting advice to recommend two stylish local finds:

Given my apparent talent for spilling black coffee, chocolate ice cream, and ketchup on myself, I don't like spending lots of money on clothing. For me, it's not worth it to ruin expensive clothes and it's good to tighten the spending belt when a bad economy threatens us. That said, I still like to shop, dress well, and look professional. Here are two Boston area shops to try that won't break the bank.

Continue reading "Two Local Stylish Finds" »

September 24, 2010

Fall Festivals Galore

marblehead-fall-festival.jpgGoodness, there's no shortage of family friendly fall festivals all across our fine state. Here are some interesting picks for enjoying food, crafts, kids activities, nature, live entertainment, and more this weekend (feel free to add others you know of in the comments!): Arlington Town Day, Oak Street Fair (Boston), Bourne Scallop Festival (oh. yum.), Endless Summer Waterfront Festival (Hull), Meet Me Downtown Festival of the Arts (Lynn), Marblehead Fall Festival, Rappin' with Raptors Festival (Mattapan), Creative Movement and Arts Center Fall Festival (Needham), Annual Harvest Festival (Newton), Stony Brook Fall Fair (Norfolk), Marshmallow Fluff Festival (Somerville), Spirit of Shrewsbury Fall Festival, and Faire on the Square (Watertown). And if you're feeling really ambitious, The Big E (West Springfield) runs until October 3.

Image credit: Marblehead Fall Festival

September 20, 2010

Party On at Verrill Farm

verrill-farm.jpgToday, Lindsey recommends Verrill Farm for your next birthday party:

I've always gotten really excited about my kids' birthday parties. I think it might come from my own August birthday and consequent sense that I never had the parties I dreamed of as a kid. Whatever the reason, I really enjoy planning celebrations for my son and daughter, who are 5 and 7 respectively. We've had a lot of parties already, and far and away our favorite location -- one we've already done twice and plan to do again this October -- is Verrill Farm in Concord.

Continue reading "Party On at Verrill Farm" »

September 19, 2010

The Cutest Panda Mugs

panda-mugs-1.JPGThough in general I advocate for less of the unnecessary, every now and then something material catches my eye and refuses to budge from my periphery. Such was the case last weekend when Laurel and I were in Porter Square, picking up some Japanese pastries and browsing Tokai. I circled away from these ridiculously cute Japanese panda mugs (note the adorable tail blob on the back of the mug) about five times, trying to convince myself out of buying them. Which of course meant I needed to buy them.

Continue reading "The Cutest Panda Mugs" »

September 17, 2010

Weekend Art Festivals

decordova-sculpturefest.jpgWe had such an awesome time last weekend at the Boston Arts Festival that I've had creative things on my mind all week -- both in my studio and in anticipation of the weekend. Good news is, there are a few more cool art festivals on tap for this weekend: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln is hosting its first Family SculptureFest on Sunday. On Saturday, the Kingston Arts Festival and Quincy ArtsFest will celebrate their fourth and thirteenth years, respectively, with live entertainment, juried exhibits, crafters, and kids activities. And a bit further afield, through the weekend is the Old Deerfield Fall Art & Craft Festival. Enjoy!

Image credit: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

September 16, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Ideas for Indoor Fun

mucky-kids.JPGToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook community page:

Hi Boston Mamas! I am new to the Boston area and have a 21-month-old little girl. I need things to do with her this fall/winter and weekends/rainy days. Also, I need some ideas for her birthday this fall. I would LOVE some suggestions! (FYI, we've done Boston Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc... we're looking for something a bit more interactive and smaller scale). Also, we live in Watertown so closer to that side of town would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Ideas for Indoor Fun" »

September 15, 2010

LEGO KidsFest Boston

lego-kidsfest-boston.jpgLaurel and I first got hooked on playing with LEGOs when we visited the Bahamas on a media trip earlier this year to learn about LEGO Atlantis. (I know, it's late for me to get hooked on LEGOs, but growing up in a family of seven kids, we didn't have a lot in the way of toys.) We've since had a lot of fun testing our instruction-following and spatial skills with small and large kits. And whether your kids already dig LEGOs or are just starting to tinker, LEGO KidsFest Boston no doubt will offer plenty of fodder for exploration. At the Hynes Convention Center next weekend (September 25-26), families will have a chance to build to their heart's content, interact with displays (including a scenic railroad ride through the festival), and check out impressive LEGO masterpieces. In a word, it'll be LEGO-tastic.

Now, want to be one of two winners to receive a family four-pack of tickets to LEGO KidsFest Boston? Here's how:

Continue reading "LEGO KidsFest Boston" »

September 10, 2010

Family Friendly Weekend Festivals

ahts-boston.jpgOh fall how I love you -- what a picture perfect weekend we've got on the forecast! There's a little something for everyone this weekend. Enjoy big and small city and town festivals at the Boston Arts Festival, Allston Village Street Fair, and Eastham Windmill Weekend. Immerse yourself in culture at the Cambridge Carnival International and Peabody International Festival. Rock out at the Life is Good Festival (Canton) and MusicFestLive! (Boston). And get back to nature at the Sterling Fair and Franklin County Fair.

Image credit: Boston Arts Festival

September 7, 2010

Props for Posto

posto-somerville.jpgSometimes, for seemingly unexplainable reasons, certain retail locations appear cursed. Take for example, the site of Posto in Davis Square, which didn't survive as the café chain Carberry's (despite a seemingly thriving business; they closed well before the Lyndell's acquisition), and then as another food outlet (The Green Tomato maybe?), and who knows what else before that. But Posto -- a well styled purveyor of wood fired pizza, pasta, and other Italian delights -- seems well positioned to reverse the curse.

Continue reading "Props for Posto" »

August 21, 2010

OceanQuest

ocean-quest.jpgToday, Heather recommends a fantastic ocean adventure for the whole family:

No visit to Cape Cod would be complete without some type of water excursion. And OceanQuest -- a non-profit marine education program out of Woods Hole -- was one of the highlights of our vacation. The 90-minute cruise is a hands-on, marine educational experience for kids and parents of all ages and truly has something for everyone. Passengers are introduced to the major disciplines within oceanography and are actively involved in manipulating equipment, collecting data, and discovering the wonder of ocean sciences.

Continue reading "OceanQuest" »

August 20, 2010

Family Friendly Weekend Festivals

cotuit-craftfest.jpgWe've got an utterly perfect forecast on tap for this weekend, so why not get out and enjoy one (or more) of these family friendly events? Check out: Boston GreenFest, the West End Children's Festival (Boston), the Southeast Asian Water Festival (Lowell), the Marshfield Fair, and (a little further afield but I can't resist craft festivals) the Cotuit Arts & Crafts Festival.

Image credit: Cotuit Arts & Crafts Festival

August 19, 2010

Island Fun

georges-island.jpgToday, Jennifer recommends George's Island for a little island fun:

With my husband on vacation for a few weeks in July, we took advantage of the many wonderful sites and day trips around Beantown. One of our favorites? A trip out to Georges lsland. My husband (a native of the area) loved going there all the time as a kid and was anxious to show our kiddos how fun an old fort on an island can be!

Continue reading "Island Fun" »

August 12, 2010

Baby Loves Disco is Back

bld_lemonade_tour.jpgIf you've been lamenting the absence of regular Baby Loves Disco events in Boston, you're in luck. Baby Loves Disco is back at Revolution Rock Bar this Sunday, August 15 (2-5pm), as part of a 45 city tour that will offer parents a fun way to rock out with their kids while raising awareness about and funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand, a nonprofit organization devoted to finding a cure for childhood cancer. The Boston event will be just as cozy and cool as in previous events; in addition to the dance floor, there will be refreshments, a chill zone for relaxing with your kids, and activities such as face painting and crafts. Also cool? The folks at Baby Loves Disco kindly have offered me a 4-pack of tickets to this Sunday's Boston event to pass along to one of you awesome readers. Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Continue reading "Baby Loves Disco is Back" »

August 3, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Equal Exchange

equal-exchange.jpgI have been a fan of Equal Exchange for some time: I've purchased their fair trade products at the market. I invariably visit the Equal Exchange Café when I'm in the vicinity of North Station. I love that they are headquartered locally. I'm a wee bit obsessed with their dark chocolate minis. I think it's super cool that they offer an alternative to cheese log and wrapping paper school fundraisers with a fair trade fundraising program that makes money for schools and community groups via yummy and cool fair trade gifts while benefiting organic farmers and artisans around the world. And as if that isn't enough, as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Equal Exchange generously is gifting one lucky winner with the delightful gift of coffee and chocolate (one 5 lb bag of whole bean coffee + 1 box of 150 mini chocolates; $82 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Wednesday, August 4, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Equal Exchange" »

July 25, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Toddler Fun in Boston

swan-boats.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Nan in Minnesota via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, Growing up in the suburb of Belmont, I recall entertaining myself by hopping the bus to Harvard Square, eating copious amounts of Ranc's ice cream, skinny dipping in Walden Pond, and stealing traffic cones. As I sit pondering a visit back to Massachusetts later this month with my almost 2-year old daughter, I certainly hope to let her enjoy two of those activities, but am looking for some ideas on what else we can do. Thoughts and ideas on fun activities for a youngster in and around Boston would be appreciated!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Toddler Fun in Boston" »

July 24, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Bliss Boston

bliss-spa-boston.jpgLast month I served as a practice dummy for Bliss Boston, and given that the Bliss team was able to deliver the awesome in a temporary, not so fancy training space, I cannot wait to go back once the 5,000 square foot spa opens for real this summer at the W Boston. Offering a full range of spa services such as facials, body treatments, massage, waxing, and mani/pedis, Maureen skillfully infused new life into my face with the triple oxygen treatment and Leanne executed what is possibly the most awesome body treatment ever: a carrot and sesame body buff that involves being rubbed in carrot mulch, drizzled in warm milk and honey, and scrubbed with sesame and sea salt. AMAZING. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Bliss Boston generously is gifting two lucky winners each with a $100 gift certificate to the Boston spa. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Monday, July 26, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Bliss Boston" »

July 22, 2010

Cirque du Soleil's OVO

cirque-du-soleil-ovo.jpgThanks to the generosity of the folks at Cirque du Soleil, last night I brought a few of my fabulous contributing writers and their families to the preview of OVO. And oh my goodness did the show deliver. Housed under a big, cheerful blue and yellow tent at Fan Pier, the bug-inspired costumes and set pieces were fantastic, and the acrobatics were stunningly super human and gravity defying. I highly recommend seeing OVO (the show opens today and runs into August); it's definitely a family-friendly event (we had three 4-5 year olds with us and they loved it), though I recommend an afternoon performance with little ones in tow. Given Laurel's sensitivity, I wondered whether the experience would be too much for her, but she was enthralled, clapping and cheering the whole time. She was so emboldened that she even dragged me over to meet Mayor Menino during intermission to tell him about her letter to the Boston police.

Now, want to win a pair of tickets to see OVO? Here's how:

Continue reading "Cirque du Soleil's OVO" »

July 21, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Harvard Sweet Boutique

harvard-sweet-boutique.jpgIn line with my preference for non-tchotchke gifting, I've always found food to be a much appreciated and happily consumed gift. But if you lack time or ability in the kitchen, worry not: Harvard Sweet Boutique can hook you up. Offering lovingly assembled sweet arrangements made from scratch with all natural ingredients in Harvard, MA, you can order toffees, cookies, brownies and bars -- whether packaged on their own or as part of centerpieces, party favors, or even in a package (signed baseball included) to benefit Kevin Youkilis's Hits for Kids charity. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Harvard Sweet Boutique generously is gifting one lucky winner with their Thinking of You Tower ($80 value)! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Thursday, July 22, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Harvard Sweet Boutique" »

July 18, 2010

Beach Gear Favorites

wonder-wheeler-beach-cart.jpgToday, Heather shares a roundup of beach gear favorites that made vacationing with four kids a breeze:

We recently returned from our annual family weekend at the Cape. We love Ridgevale Beach in Chatham. The large, sandy oceanfront beach typically is warm and calm, which makes it ideal for swimming, plus they have a lifeguard on duty. Also, tucked behind the main beach are several large tidal pools that are terrific for younger kids. In my opinion, Ridgevale provides all the amenities a family with young children needs: parking very close to the beach, bathrooms, snack bar, lifeguard.

Continue reading "Beach Gear Favorites" »

July 16, 2010

Summer Fun in the City

art-beat-somerville.jpgIt's going to be a hot one this weekend but don't let that deter you from some local fun. Slather on the sunscreen and head out to enjoy: fantastic local artists and performers at ArtBeat 2010 in Davis Square, cultural celebration at the First Annual African Festival of Boston and Festival Betances in the South End, seriously impressive sandcastles at the Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival, and urban gardening 101 via the Bicycle Tour of Community Gardens in Boston.

Image credit: ArtBeat

July 15, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Diaper Lab

diaper-lab.jpgIn the last few years, it's been fantastic to watch the evolution of cloth diapering (we cloth diapered Laurel in her first six months with traditional diapers, liners, and covers that were a tad challenging to keep in place with our squirmy one). And it's especially fantastic that there are stores such as Somerville-based Diaper Lab that are committed to educating parents about the ease and green goodness of modern cloth diapering via free in-store workshops and an online shop replete with diapering products as well as slings, diaper bags, nursing products, and other goodies. As part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Diaper Lab generously is gifting one lucky winner with a GroVia diapering set that includes the GroVia Experience Package + BioSoakers ($83 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 16, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Diaper Lab" »

July 14, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Olivia Browning

olivia-browning-paris-bucket-bag.jpgIt was a pretty remarkable day when I moved from my big (way overpacked) diaper bag to cute, compact bags that -- save the occasional snack cup or activity book -- primarily held my stuff. And whether you've been in that zone for a while or are approaching it, this chic Paris Bucket Bag ($165 value) would likely serve you well. Kindly gifted by Charlestown-based brick and mortar (and online) indie boutique Olivia Browning as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, this bag is punchy in color, lined with a washable interior and handy pockets, and features gold hardware to up the fancy factor; you'll no doubt feel happy carrying this bag, whether or not the bottom is lined with a few Cheerios. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Thursday, July 15, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Olivia Browning" »

July 13, 2010

77kids Do Good Day

77kids-do-good-day.jpgOne of the things that is so sweet about Laurel is that she is so people focused. When she was a toddler, if a friend at day care was crying, she would toddle over and pat them on the back to try to make them feel better. On Sunday she wrote a letter to the Boston Police because she was concerned about people trying to steal the Make Way for Ducklings statues (which I guess makes her duck and people focused). And yesterday, she offered to wash our car just to do something nice for us (she did a great job by the way). It was almost as if Laurel knew that tomorrow, 77 mom bloggers in 11 cities around the country would be inspiring kids to do good. Here's the scoop on what's going down tomorrow:

Continue reading "77kids Do Good Day" »

July 12, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Clevergreen Cleaners

clevergreen-cleaners.jpgFew household chores overwhelm parents like laundry; indeed, I will confess to poor folding practices (I hang everything or toss clothes haphazardly in drawers) and ironing (I avoid it at all costs). And whether you need dry cleaning services, or want to treat yourself to or make wash and fold services part of your routine, check out Clevergreen Cleaners. Offering standard clothing care services with awesome green practices, you'll feel good getting this household chore done in eco-friendly fashion via Clevergreen's locations in Boston, Medford, and Cambridge. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Clevergreen generously is gifting one lucky winner with a $75 gift certificate! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 13, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Clevergreen Cleaners" »

July 11, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Baby Shower Venues

seaglass-restaurant-lounge.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Victoria in Chicago via e-mail:

Dear Christine, I live in Chicago and I am planning my best friend's baby shower in the Boston area. She lives in Newburyport. Any suggestions for places in Boston or Newburyport?

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Baby Shower Venues" »

July 9, 2010

Weekend Fun in the Sun

mashpee-sand-sculpting.jpgI've got my fingers crossed (and I'm attempting to will sun into existence with the title of this post) that the rain projected for this weekend holds off for these fun events: Mashpee Commons Sand Sculpting Festival, Chinatown Main Street Festival, Lowell Puerto Rican Cultural Festival, Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival. And luckily the skies look clear for Tanglewood's opening night this evening. One of these days I want to get myself back to Tanglewood and pull up a lawn seat!

Image credit: Mashpee Commons Sand Sculpting Festival

July 8, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: vianne chocolat

vianne-chocolat.jpgI love fine chocolate and I love all things local so I was thrilled to learn about vianne chocolat, a new Boston-based source for handmade artisan chocolates. Passionate about sourcing local whenever possible, chocolatier Valerie Conyngham uses cream, butter, and jams from New England farms, and spices from independent local spice purveyors to create a delightful variety of chocolates for gifting, home parties, special occasions, and corporate events. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, vianne chocolat generously is gifting one lucky winner with a vianne chocolat canvas tote + assortment of 50 chocolates! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 9, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: vianne chocolat" »

July 6, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Crabapple Photography

crabapple-photography.jpgIf you've ever lamented over the quality of your family photos, or the fact that you're almost never in them (since you're the one busy snapping), hire a professional. And if you're local, consider Kate McKenna of Crabapple Photography. Whether you want wedding, maternity, or family photos, Kate can hook you up with beautiful shots that might just convince you that your kids are never, ever cranky. For the first in my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Crabapple Photography generously is gifting one lucky winner with a photography session + print credit valued at $300! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Wednesday, July 7, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Crabapple Photography" »

June 30, 2010

Chill Out

frog-pond.jpgIt was with great anticipation -- then great relief -- last week that I took Laurel and a friend to the local park to see if the sprinkler system was on (it was!). We have officially hit the weather where splashing around in water is the funnest thing ever for the kids, and if you -- like me -- lack the yard space or motivation for water accessories in your back yard, fear not: there are plenty of local spots to chill out. Frog Pond opens today, and check out my water play post for links to DCR's guides for local pools, fresh water beaches, and ocean beaches.

June 27, 2010

Summer School

artists-brushes.jpgToday, Jennifer recommends summer school for grownups:

School may be out for summer for your kids, but there's no reason we moms can't have our own fun! In the whirlwind of momhood, "fun" often includes everything from play dates to work to endless domestic duties...it's hard to remember that at some point in our lives, it was perhaps easier to explore our more creative side. Which is exactly why it's so important to take some time during the summer to unplug, recharge, and try something new -- and maybe something even a little scary (not in the sky diving kind of way, but in a singing lessons kind of way).

Continue reading "Summer School" »

June 25, 2010

ParkARTS Boston

park-arts-boston.jpgAfter a stressful end of the school year, we have entered the unfamiliar territory of summer vacation (prior to kindergarten, Laurel attended a year-round day care). And 40% of our day camp plans evaporated. And Laurel has vetoed the countless day camp and lesson ideas I have pitched to replace said evaporated plans. So in addition to piecing together playdate swaps and sitters so I can keep up with client work, I've got a keen eye on fun happenings around town. Among those, consider checking out ParkARTS Boston's roster of free summer events. In its 14th year, this program includes an impressive array of music, theatre, and dance performances, as well as puppet shows, story times, and art activities.

June 18, 2010

Community Fairs & Festivals

art-on-the-green.jpgOnce you've had your fill of strawberry festivals, there's a little something for everyone this weekend in the way of community fairs and festivals. For eco enthusiasts, check out the Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair in Salem. For art lovers, there's Arts Fest Beverly, Art on the Green in Plymouth, and the Arts Festival in Cohasset. For those who dig music, there's Make Music in Harvard Square. And in honor of my ever widening group of friends living in Reading, check out the Reading Friends and Family Day.

Image credit: The Pinehills Art on the Green

Local Strawberry Festivals

strawberries.jpgIf you or your kid inhales strawberries with the same enthusiasm as Laurel, you're in luck: this weekend is strawberrytastic. Here are some local farms rocking strawberry festivals this weekend: Verrill Farm (Concord), Connors Farm (Danvers), Russell Orchards (Ipswich), Wilson Farm (Lexington), Drumlin Farm (Lincoln), and Land's Sake (Weston). Also noteworthy: now through July 4, a number of local eateries are donating a percentage of strawberry dessert sales to the Federation of Mass Farmers Markets as part of the Mass Farmers Markets' Strawberry Dessert Festival.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

June 11, 2010

Teen Talk

teen-talk.jpgSometimes it's hard for me to believe we're already discussing social quandaries with Laurel in kindergarten. And I know it will only get more complicated as she approaches the teen years. If you need help figuring out how to communicate with your teen, consider this lead: Tomorrow at the Boston Health & Fitness Expo, medical staff from MGH and Newton-Wellesley Hospital will lead a session to offer parents of teens strategies on ways to support self-esteem and independence, and recognize and address signs of depression and substance abuse. Registration required.

At the Hynes Convention Center, Boston.

World Cup & Weekend Festivals

dragon-boat-festival.jpgWhen you're not watching World Cup this weekend (USA and Korea FTW tomorrow!), there's plenty of outdoor family fun to enjoy. Consider rocking the Dragon Boat Festival (Cambridge), Lowell Riverfest, Sudbury, Assabet, & Concord RiverFest, Festival by the Lake (Wakefield), and Kite Festival at Pemberton Park (Lawrence).

June 10, 2010

Fashion Forward

fashion-forward.jpgI'm a big fan of Room to Grow, and while my support to date has been of the social media/donation collection variety, I'm honored to share that I'll be lending a hand (and um, more) at their Fashion Forward fashion show to raise awareness and support for babies born into poverty. Please come to the show on June 24, 8-10pm, at The Liberty Hotel in Boston! Your ticket purchase will support Room to Grow's efforts and will include refreshments and entertainment in the form of a runway show including yours truly + other local media, food, and fashion folks. And yes, let's just say it now: here's to me staying upright and avoiding that whole "fashion road kill" thing.


Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 33554432 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 819201 bytes) in /usr/home/christinekoh/public_html/templates_c/%%FA^FAC^FACFD0FD%%mt%3A15.php on line 156