The first time I ever rode my bike was on a parking lot behind my elementary school. I remember the wind in my hair, and how the bells on my handlebars seemed to ring in celebration with me. Even though it was a little area, I would often imagine that I was riding along a woodland jungle or a beach with calming waves. As I got older I was able to live out my imagination on a bike trail. Some were 8 miles and some were longer, but I remember riding those trails with my cousins and friends and how free and fun it felt. Now as a mother, I am looking forward to letting my children experience those same feelings by taking them on a bike trail. It’s inexpensive fun for families that promotes a healthy lifestyle, creates lasting memories and helps explore the land around you. Here are some excellent bike trails for you and your family to discover together this year!

Sick of the rain yet? Well good, because it's supposed to be dry and sunny this weekend. There are lots of outdoor events, including two Touch-a-Truck fests, the wildly creative Hudson River Pageant and the annual celebration of talented moms, Mamapalooza.

For animal lovers, there's the Doggie Pedal Parade around Washington Square Park, the Fleece Festival at the Prospect Park Zoo, a petting zoo at the 14th Street Y’s Farm in the City Fair and a Red-Tailed Hawk Reunion in Riverside Park.

Indoor fun also abounds. The main branch of the New York Public Library celebrates its centennial with storytelling, family theater, live music and free ice cream. Comic book fans will dig the Big Apple Comic Con. The Whitney Community Day is full of artsy amusements, and the Morgan Library & Museum throws its Medieval-themed spring fair.

Read on for all of our best bets for the weekend and remember, the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar lists many additional options.

My preschooler just scored a scooter for her birthday. Now I know that scooters lead to bikes, which means cycling is just around the corner.

I'm really looking forward to riding with my family—but not to storing all of those bikes. Who has the space for three cycles in a NYC apartment, I ask? Not most of us, which means I'm going to rely on rental spots to keep us on wheels.

I did the research, and here are some great places that rent bikes at reasonable prices—sometimes even for free! Happy Bike Month!

There you are, making dinner in your kitchen surrounded by peeling cabinets, ugly wallpaper and a cracked counter top, watching yet another family getting a dream kitchen makeover on TV and wondering, “Why not me? How on earth do they get this?” Believe it or not, it’s easier than you think to not only be featured in a home remodel, but to receive a personal makeover, free professional advice, game show prizes and more.  Speaking as a veteran of HGTV’s “Dear Genevieve,” (photo at left is my remodeled kitchen!) the “TYRA” show, “LXTV”, REDBOOK, ALL YOU, and the CBS “Early Morning Show”; and having been chosen for, but turned down, many more opportunities including “Wife Swap”, “Rocco to the Rescue” and “Honey Please,” I know that you’re what they’re seeking.  You just need to know where to reach them and how to position yourself.  Read on, and ready yourself to shine in the spotlight!

Just 100 miles from New York City, the City of Brotherly Love has a spirit all its own and is loaded with history and activities that appeal to kids of all ages, from tots to teens. NYers can drive to Philly in approximately two hours; my family likes to stay the night at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, which has an artsy vibe, and the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, with its small indoor pool.

Whether you're a local, visiting for a day, or staying the weekend, here are 13 fun activities to get you started. For a deeper look into Philly fun, check out our list of 100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Look on my kids' bookshelves and you will find tons of books about New York City. And not surprisingly, we do not have one book about New Jersey. I mean, what comes to mind when you think about New York? The Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and there are even some who think of the Statue of Liberty (boo! it's on the Jersey side!). What comes to mind when you think about New Jersey? The weeds growing on the side of the turnpike? Well, Thomas Yezerski wrote a book for children called "Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story" and it celebrates just that... the neglected wetlands of New Jersey. Have you ever walked or boated through the Meadowlands? If you have, you will know why we were so excited about this book!

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.

It's Spring and along with the flowers and new leaves on the trees ticks are lurking in the woods and tall grasses. There's plenty a parent can do to protect their children from this disease. Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme, CT in the 70's.  It's preventable if recommendations are followed and can also be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. However, if  left untreated serious illness can occur. Most cases of Lyme disease develop during the spring or summer months, when people are more likely to be outside walking in the woods or in tall grass.

To prevent ticks from attaching to you or your kids: