New Jersey isn’t known for being a quiet state. We’re loud, we’re alive and we certainly know how to party…but that can come with a steep price. There’s no need to plan an over the top party. Children enjoy simple pleasures, so why not keep their party simple with a classic treat-- milk and cookies and, of course, ice cream! You may have to deal with some sugar highs, but it will be well worth it. And for more party ideas, check out our Mommy Poppins NJ Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

"That was the best birthday party EVER." David, age 6. We had the good fortune of choosing KidsU in Paramus for my son Miguel's party last week, and we all pretty much agreed with our buddy David's assessment. Fun, energetic, entertaining, varied and engaging are some of the happy adjectives that can be used for a birthday party at Kids U--oh, and moderately priced. And we like that one a lot. For even more great ideas, check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

Every year for our daughter’s birthday, I strive to come up with a party that is unique yet affordable. We go to so many parties it's difficult to find something that hasn’t already been done, but it seems that the days of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey in your living room are officially gone. Today’s parties are action-packed, craft-oriented, and even educational! For fun party ideas throughout New Jersey, check out the NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide. Here are some great ones in and around Somerset County.

Time to break out those baskets: Easter is nigh! And here I feel like we were just making New Year's resolutions the other day.

If you feel the same way, and one of your resolutions was to, ahem, get in shape before summer, chocolates and jelly beans and Peeps, oh my!, could derail those plans.

But everything in moderation, I say! If you're going to indulge, do it with candy you love. We've rounded up some sweet places to stock up on unique treats, and we've also got tips on what to do with your leftovers (because you know your kids can't eat it all).

And if you're looking to fill those baskets with non-caloric goodies, we've got ideas for those too. Now let's hop to it!

Last year, when the New York State Education Department decided to overhaul the ELA and Math Assessments to be more in line with the Common Core standards, there was a huge outcry. Teachers and parents alike complained that students weren't adequately prepared for the tougher tests and some families decided to have their kids skip the exams all together even though the NYC Department of Education refused to officially acknowledge opting out. Now that has changed.

Less than a week before the ELA Assessments, which begin on Tuesday, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña has updated the New York State Tests Parent Guide with opting out guidelines. So families who don't want their children to take the ELA or Math Assessments have a clear course of action. We've got the details on how to opt out and the implications it has for your child.

Between spit-up-filled days and sleep-deprived nights, finding time to work out with a baby at home can feel like mission impossible. Luckily for New Jersey mothers, Branchburg Sports Complex is now offering Oh Baby! Fitness Classes, where new mothers can work out with their children, while also bonding with other moms.

So far this month, Mommy Poppins has shined a spotlight on Mount Kisco, taking a look at what to do and where to eat with kids in this bustling town. Now, as we wrap up our month-long coverage of Mount Kisco, we're turning our attention to some of the best places to play in the area. From swings and slides to race cars and Rover, there is an amazingly diverse variety of indoor and outdoor activities and play spaces to choose from in this town covering just a smidge over 3 square miles. Read on for our top picks for playing, learning and having fun in with kids in Mount Kisco. 

This last weekend of March we're all looking ahead to everything spring brings like Easter, the ELA tests (they're next week!), school break and a lot more time outdoors. While we're still in the process of updating our super-popular Easter egg hunts post (don't worry, it's coming next week), we did share the best places to take your photo with the Easter Bunny in NYC and New Jersey, as well as fun holiday-themed train rides with the big bunny.

Spring is also a great season for family culture, both high and low. We kicked off our coverage with a roundup of the best new museum exhibits for kids in NYC while our Los Angeles site has a great review of Muppets Most Wanted, which my daughter and I also loved. Be warned, once you read about all the awesome extras you get when you see it at Disney's El Capitan Theatre in LA, you may feel inspired to book your spring break vacation there.

And if your family's not quite ready to say goodbye to winter, we have a great giveaway going on for you: Enter to win a family four-pack of lift tickets to Killington Resort in Vermont.

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