Hot enough for you? It's hard to believe that less than six months ago we were enjoying snow days. Now we have 80-plus degree temperatures and hurricane warnings.

The upside to summer seemingly arriving early is you can start enjoying warm-weather activities, like beaches, sprinklers and boat rides. Plus, looks like we have clear skies for all of the incredible fairs and festivals taking place this weekend.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.  

With temperatures climbing into the 70s and 80s, we're all about cooling off. This Memorial Day weekend, local beaches and beach clubs open for the season, and given the forecast we suspect playgrounds may turn on their fancy water features.

We've also got some fantastic summer camp deals, and an invitation to an exclusive advance screening of the family flick Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Are you ready for summer? We're not just talking about summer camp (although if you're in the market for a day or sleep away program, now's the time to register your kids). We mean picnics, outdoor sports and swimming, and other seasonal activities.

Of course spring isn't quite over yet, which means we still have strawberry picking and various festivals and Memorial Day weekend trips to look forward to.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

They say nothing is certain but death and taxes, but they forgot one: birthdays. Every year they come, whether you celebrate them or not. Of course, kids live for their birthdays (my daughter's been counting down the days until she turns six since the day she turned five!), and that kind of excitement and anticipation can put a lot of pressure on parents.

But there's no reason to stress. We've got the scoop on how to throw a memorable party, whether you're a DIYer who hosts every bash at home, or the kind of parent who prefers to pay someone else to do all the work.

After years of writing about parties, we've compiled our favorite posts onto one page. Plus we've added a super-cool Party Planner tool, which allows you to search for venues and entertainers by theme.

Read on for a sampling of what you'll find in our new-and-improved New York City Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

Is it us, or did the week go by really quickly? Not that we're complaining. We've been planning our weekend since, oh, Monday or so.

Although Mother's Day is behind us, moms are always No. 1 in our book. That's why we kicked off the week with a slide show of the moms at Mommy Poppins and their kids, and asked our readers to share their pictures on our Facebook page. It's not too late! Log on and show off your fabulous family.

Technically it's still spring but with temperatures in the 70s, we're starting to think about all kinds of summer fun, like ice cream and camping. And we rounded up the best family events at the New York Public Library's upcoming centennial festival—they're all free.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

There's a ton of theater in this town for little kids (especially girls). From Angelina Ballerina to Pinkalicious to Freckleface Strawberry, sometimes I think every pink-clad kit-lit heroine has had a musical made in her honor. But once your elementary schooler graduates to middle school, there aren't a lot of options, unless you're willing to spring for Blue Man or Broadway.

That's why I was so excited when I heard that the New Victory was bringing back one of its signature shows, Peter and Wendy, which played at the theater in 1997 and 2002. Based on J. M. Barrie's novelization of his Peter Plan play, Peter and Wendy is a much more melancholy take on the famous story. The suggested age is 10 and up, and that makes sense. With a deliberately slow pace (the production clocks in around two and a half hours), abstract puppetry (a pair of nightshirts represent Wendy's brothers, John and Michael) and a wistful tone, this tale of a motherless boy who won't grow up is best appreciated by those who have—or are about to—grow up themselves.

I have my criticisms of the production: The treacly Irish music sounded like the soundtrack to Titanic, and the Peter puppet was way more creepy than cute. But overall, it's a haunting, one-of-a-kind experience. Here are eight reasons why you should take your family (or, if your kids are too young, consider it for date night).

Moms aren't the only ones feeling the love this Mother's Day week; it's also Teacher Appreciation Week and Cinco de Mayo. Woohoo! As if we needed another excuse to go out and party.

Speaking of going out, when's the last time you enjoyed date night in your family? A number of play spots are offering evening drop-off care, so parents can enjoy some adult time, while their children are plied with pizza and activities.

But this weekend, the focus will be on mom. What will you do? Enjoy a fancy brunch? Or spend quality time with your kids?

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

New Yorkers are used to lots of businesses opening and, more often it seems, closing. So while we were sad, we weren't exactly surprised when two veteran children's theaters announced that they were losing their spaces and looking to move. Manhattan Children's Theatre is running its final show in its Tribeca theater, The Complete Works of the Brothers Grimm (Abridged), through May 30. Meanwhile the New Acting Company, which is performing its campy take on Snow White through May 15, will vacate its Greenwich Village location next year. No details yet on where these companies will end up.

But for every spot that closes, another one opens. It's just the nature of this town. So we're happy (and again, not all that surprised) to tell you that two other NYC family theater mainstays, Galli Theater and Teatro SEA, have brand-new theaters in downtown Manhattan.

We've got the scoop on their new spaces and the shows they'll be performing the rest of this season.