Living in Los Angeles, there's no shortage of choices when it comes to educating our children. Even so, finding a school with a unique approach to teaching, inspiring, and mentoring students can get parents truly excited about their children's education. And that's just what happened to me after a recent tour of our sponsor, Highland Hall, the first Waldorf school in the western US for children in nursery through 12th grade.

At the heart of the Waldorf approach is the recognition that children pass through distinct stages of development, and that both the subject matter and the way it is taught need to be age-specific. The focus is to engage the whole child in the learning process, with the arts integrated into every subject, using movement, music, storytelling, and rhythm to bring the material to life and make learning a stress-free process. Nature also plays an important role in students' education.

In spite of what the thermometer may read, the calendar says spring is nearly here. Spring Break is on the horizon and maybe a family vacation is in the cards. If you haven’t yet overdosed on the flaky white stuff, get out and enjoy the deep snowpack with hotel specials in New Hampshire, Vermont or the Hudson Valley. If you’re looking to escape winter’s last grip, there are deals in Mexico, Santa Barbara and the Texas Hill Country. If you enjoy train travel, Amtrak and Eurail are offering price breaks. We've got the scoop all all these deals, plus a sweepstakes to may win a free vacation for four people to Kissimmee, Florida, a gateway to Orlando. Get set to save on your spring travels.

I have wee kids.  Wee, as in, it's taking some convincing that shamrocks are indeed plants, not distant cousins of granite or shale.  Suffice it to say, we probably won't be experimenting with corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick's Day (more like green bagels from Bruegger's). That being said, my little people are more than ready for the St. Paddy's folklore and fun offered up by several Fairfield County communities this month.  You can get your Gaelic on at parades, scavenger hunts, craft times, a fun run (Spiderman is registered, by the way), and Irish music sessions. Slainte!

Whether snowflakes are falling or flowers are blooming, the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington is a great Hartford County destination that will incite a child’s imagination and historical interest, without being overwhelming or expensive.

Confession one: I am passionate about all things literature, history, and art. Confession two: My daughters have inherited this exploration gene. Sometimes we travel far, but often we explore our home state and Stanley-Whitman House has become a favorite museum not only for convenience, but because of its non-pretentious presence in a quiet, residential neighborhood.

This photo sums up the way I think we all feel about winter right about now (minus the expletives). A warm vacation somewhere would be the perfect cure, but there's school so you'll have to console yourself with our slide show of the best things to do in Naples, Florida with kids or try hitting a toasty indoor destination right here in NYC.

If you can bear to be outside, maple sugaring season is upon us and there are lots of places in nearby Westchester and Connecticut to see how the sweet stuff is made. If you're planning for summer (assuming it ever gets here), we've updated our Camp Guide, including our super-popular post about free and inexpensive summer programs.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

You’re getting too much sleep. Yes, definitely too much sleep. Howsabout we take away some, like an hour? I suggest you do that at 2am, in the wee hours on Sunday, (changing the clocks in the middle of the night has the added bonus of depriving you of even more sleep). It’s also Daylight Savings Time, so changing your clocks slightly increases your chances of showing up on time for Sunday events.   

April showers may bring May flowers, but it is pouring Purim this March weekend. We've got festivals from Santa Monica to Tarzana, from Northridge to Beverly Hills. (Costumes optional).

Passing on Purim? No worries: as usual we are spoiled for choice when it comes to celebrating. Other topics of revelry this weekend include women, dogs, whales, bubbles, LEGO Star Wars, lanterns, kites, kids and…I’m not sure if it’s Zimmers or Paloozas, but Zimmerpalooza is celebrating something, too.

Keep reading for our most celebratory picks for this weekend...

Many Philly families are tired of the cold, snow and ice. So, as we prepare to shovel out from the biggest snowfall of the season, let's look on the bright side. There are some definite signs of spring now that March is here.

Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend and Spring consignment sales are in full force. Longwood Gardens hosts its Family Community Read highlighting the great kapok tree and the PHS Flower Show delights visitors with breath-taking garden displays for its final weekend.

Many historical celebrations are happening in Pennsylvania this weekend too. Charter Day, the day that King Charles II of England granted William Penn the land that is now Pennsylvania, is being celebrated throughout the state. Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford, Washington Crossing Historical Park in Washington Crossing, Graeme Park in Horsham and Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville all have free, family-friendly events on March 8.

If you are looking to acquaint your kids with the arts this weekend, introduce your children to musical theater at the PNC Grow Up Great event at the Kimmel Center or cultivate a love for classical music at the Kennett Symphony of Chester County's Annual Children's Concert and Instrument Zoo.

For additional ideas, check out the entire listing of weekend fun in our events calendar. Be sure to sign up for the Mommy Poppins weekly newsletter by clicking here. And, don't worry.. spring is just around the corner. That's what the groundhog said, right?

There's still plenty of snow on the ground, but the sap in local maples is finally starting to thaw. This weekend, opportunities to learn more about the maple sugaring process include the Maple Syrup Boildown in Somerville, Maple Magic Day in Natick, and the Maple Sugar Festival in Milton. This is also a great weekend to introduce the kids to some local history, with reenactments going on at the Old State House: On Saturday, Little Redcoats and Little Rabblerousers introduces families to what life was like in Boston before the Revolution, and families with older children can witness a reenactment of the Boston Massacre that same evening.  Young train enthusiasts can check out the Bay State Model Railroad Museum Open House all weekend.

In performances, families can choose from The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley in Boston, a Little Groove concert for small music lovers in Natick, or the Raccoon Tales puppet show in Brookline.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• How many of these skills does your Boston kid have?
• This Ice Castle is bliss for Frozen fans, and is a must-do during a winter trip to the White Mountains. (Or just check out the photos for a quick escape to a glacial palace.)
• Microwave popcorn can be healthy -- honest!
• Making these Sock Snowmen is fun for little ones, especially if they prefer staying warm and dry while building a snowman.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!