As I stood in front of the stage at Crash Mansion on Bowery, I never imagined that it would be to see my daughter play the drums in her rock ‘n’ roll band. At the ripe old age of 6, Max looked up at me with her big blue eyes and said “Mommy, I would like to play the drums!” and so began my search for a music school.  And voila, you have a budding little rockstar who is looking to get up on stage and perform, NYC is the place where kids can be rockers too. There are a few options where your children can explore the world or popular music. Here is the skinny:

Are you the one all your friends turn to when they need to be in the know, especially when it comes to kid stuff? Are you always on the lookout for the coolest stuff for kids and parents, the latest bit of news and the off the beaten track activities? Are you passionate about raising your kids in New York City and always out exploring its nooks and crannies?

Mommy Poppins is looking for a new blogger or two to join our team. Someone enthusiastic and knowledgeable about New York and the things that make living in New York City with kids so great. Someone who wants to share her (or his) knowledge with our readers, with a talent for picking out the cool and unique.

Some hopefully helpful and interesting links going into your weekend: Find out about the vaccination clinics opening this weekend for middle and high schoolers, the definitive resource on how to recycle your gadgets, great ideas for baby gifts for people that have no space, and our own contributor, Bess, was shown on Good Morning America this week in her "real" job.

You might still have left over Halloween candy hanging around (here’s some ideas of what to do with it), but the monster-filled events have come to an end here in the city. And that's not a bad thing. Fill this weekend with some decidedly Fall adventures like kite flying, chamber music for kiddies, family arts programs, dance parties, and much more.

And don't forget to enter our giveaway for a free family photo portrait session. Two winners will be chosen on Sunday.

Earlier this week we wrote about a website that helps you choose appropriate movies for your kids. Another way to find great movies for kids is to check out one of the local film series where aficionados have selected for you movies that are outstanding.

And this week there's a new option because the people who bring you the Tribeca Film Festival are turning their filmy goodness to movies for kids with the brand new Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club. Read on for the scoop on this new film series where you can catch cool flicks for kids every other Saturday starting this weekend, plus three other cool film series you won't want to miss.

If you have not heard of Ninja, a Japanese ninja-themed restaurant in Tribeca, I wouldn't be surprised. Like the warriors the restaurant is named after, it seems to hide in plain site, but this special occasion dining spot is worth discovering, especially with kids.

We haven't even been bombarded too early for Christmas yet. So how can it possibly be time to be pressured into thinking about summer camps? Seriously, no pressure, but there is a great camp fair this weekend if you want to get an early start on summer planning and I'll give you just one reason why you should: many camps give discounts if you sign up before December. So if you know you're doing it, why not figure it out now and possibly save some dough?

Mini Jake is Williamsburg, Brooklyn's hip baby design store and sister store to the neighborhood's Two Jakes, its adult counterpart. This 1500 sq foot shrine to baby design is full of some great items to spruce up your baby's room or give as gifts. And, for its size, it is quite a cozy store with little nooks for books, clothing and toys throughout the space.

{C}