Is summer really over? Do we have to trade beach towels for backpacks already? I'm reluctantly gearing up, shifting my focus from planning days in the sun to planning afterschool activities, lunches, and routines.

I've spent the last week or so updating our Classes Guide so you should find lots of great information about all kinds of classes for kids in there from Mommy and Me to preschooler classes to classes for big kids. We have a bunch more posts about cool classes coming up in September so keep an eye out for some ideas for what's new and cool in classes this Fall.

Soccer has become more and more popular with both boys and girls in New York City and luckily there are plenty of leagues for kids to join. If soccer fever is running high in your house, you may want to consider registering your son or daughter for an outdoor youth soccer league this fall. League play will teach your kids the rules and skills needed for the game. Plus children can experience the camaraderie of being part of a team versus “taking a soccer class”.  Soccer leagues generally start with kids aged 4. The youngest teams aren’t competitive and everyone gets a chance to play.  And youth leagues are easy on the wallet a season runs about $200 and includes a uniform.  No matter where you live in the Big Apple there is a league close by. Check it out.

This weekend, New York City kids can play tennis, tour a really old boat, catch great live theater and a magic show. Or celebrate their love of reading, honey or the culinary diversity of Brooklyn and check out a re enactment of the largest battle of the revolutionary war (yep, it took place here, in Brooklyn).  If you plan on spending the last few moments of summer in Central Park, check out our recent posts on where to eat and what to do in the park.

Sadly, summer is quickly ticking away but there is still enough time to have an awesome day with your NYC Kid and tell us all about it to be entered to win a Flip in our Awesome Days of Summer contest – plus you can even see your mug grace our home page!

Read on and have a great weekend.

If you’re looking for some NJ-centric activities this weekend, rumor has it that Miss New Jersey and Miss Teen New Jersey 2010 are going to be at the OMG! Glam Tea Party. Beauty contestants and Glam tea? Can’t get much more Jersey than that. If this is just too girly for your almost-last weekend of summer, Rockit! Live will have plenty of teenaged boys playing electric guitars, and the St. Sebastian Feast statue will definitely be male. Or just go unisex and enjoy chocolate and vanilla treats at Camden Children’s Garden or haul bootie all the way down to Philly to see the immensely popular Yo Gabba Gabba Live. However you slice it, enjoy your last weekend of August!

What's the best baby shower gift for a friend who is having a baby? In my opinion, skip the cute onesie and BRING FOOD.  A healthy, home-cooked meal delivered to a new mom's door, ready to eat, is an amazing gift any time, but especially when you’re trying to adjust to one of life’s curve balls. I remember my mother bringing foil-covered lasagnas to neighbors after a birth or death in the family.  Now our generation is continuing that awesome tradition with the help of a modern resource: online meal registries which make organizing deliveries amongst friends much easier.

It is a good weekend to be a kid in the Big Apple!  In one weekend they can choose from a kite flying festival, a South East Asian Festival, a classic Volkswagen show and even an Ice Cream Fair.  This is the  last weekend that  kids can ride, walk, scooter or stroll their way through Manhattan uninhibited by traffic at Summer Streets.  They can also hit up a new playground, try a family friendly high-tech scavenger hunt game and take a trip to the beach on an old time subway and bus during the season’s last vintage train ride.  How lucky are they?

Adults, don’t forget about our Awesome Days Flip Camera contest. Simply tell us what you have been doing with your kids this summer and you can be entered to win! If you need some inspiration check out our events calendar, The Mommy Poppins Summer Fun Guide or our post on 100 free things to do this summer (there is still plenty of summer left!)

We have everything you need to know for a fun weekend. Hope it is great.