I'm sad to say that gone are the days I would spend rocking my babies to bliss while nursing them to sleep. I may not be able to participate in this cool event happening around the world this Saturday but I will be there in spirit as I am sure will so many other post-nursing moms. In case you didn't know, over 120 countries are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week this week (Aug 1-7) in an effort to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

in 2005 in New Zealand, The Big Latch On started as an initiative to  increase support for breastfeeding in public. This Saturday (8/6) groups of nursing mothers can come together at registered venues around the country (or the world) to nurse their babes. All the mamas and babes latched on for one minute at the set time are counted by the witnesses. The point is to try to break the world record for the most women breastfeeding simultaneously! So bring your hungry babies on Saturday at 10am and take part in this important effort. Read more where you will find a list of the registered CT locations.

We’ve got some fun events to kick off your first weekend in August! Take part in storm exploring, see King Arthur acting silly or try some authentic Irish soda bread. Whatever you choose we want you to have an amazing weekend! Read on for our round up of fun, and don't forget to keep in mind the Summer Fairs and Festivals on Long Island, including the 32nd Annual Sayville Summerfest, which happens this weekend.

There's nothing we love more than cooling off in a cool culture spot. And if we can do it for free, all the better. Well this Sunday, August 7, you can do just that courtesy of Heart of Brooklyn. The nonprofit organization is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering no-cost admission to all of its partners, including the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and the Prospect Park Zoo.

In addition to free entry, many of the spots are offering special tours and activities. Plus there will be contests, raffles and a one-day-only, Brooklyn-themed mini-golf course featuring the borough's iconic landmarks. 

So on Sunday, head to Kings County to visit an old favorite or perhaps set foot in one of these institutions for the first time. (I am very embarrassed to admit that my six-year-old has never been to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. We'll be remedying that on Sunday!)

KaBOOM! is a nonprofit with an awesome mission: to create places for kids to play. The national organization—which was founded by Darell Hammond in 1996—helps to erect approximately 200 playgrounds a year, primarily in low-income areas.

This past May, I attended an amazing playground build at East Harlem's 103rd Street Community Garden, which was co-sponsored by KaBOOM!, Disney and the New York Restoration Project. Since it's just one component of the 13,000-square-foot site's overhaul, it won't reopen until this fall. When it does, there will also be basketball courts, picnic tables, barbecue pits and a community garden. 

In addition to facilitating the actual construction, KaBOOM! provides tools and grants to help groups finance and build their own playgrounds. We've got the info on how you can help KaBOOM! construct play spots for others or in your own community.

Can you believe we say goodbye to July this weekend? Summer always seems to move so quickly. Already, the back-to-school push has started, and we're all counting down the remaining days of break. (My six-year-old is actually marking them on her calendar.)

But August has 31 days! How much fun can you pack into them? There's certainly a lot to do beyond the usual pools, water playgrounds and beaches. The Rubin Museum of Art just opened a new education center, Theatreworks USA's free musical The Yellow Brick Road plays through August 19 and you can always celebrate the season by reading a beautiful book about summer.

And if you have plans to travel to Boston, Los Angeles or Orlando, we have some exciting news: We're launching editions in each of those cities in August (the exact date has yet to be determined). To make sure you're notified when they go up, sign up for the newsletters now. We're also working on a Family Travel site, which will cover destinations all over the U.S.A... and beyond.

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

Whether you’ve thrilled to a hot air balloon ride or just love looking up at a sky filled with huge colorful balloons, you’ll love this weekend! There’s two fests–a smaller one with rides and fair fun; and a huge one with hot concert action. Speaking of concerts, check out the FREE “Grease” performance on the Hoboken waterfront, or the stars of tomorrow performing a tribute to the Big Apple. There’s also fairy fun, an indoor play party, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Up, up and away!

We’ve got some wonderful events lined up for you this weekend! From a picnic with teddy bears, to helping to find lost ladybugs there is something for everyone to enjoy! Read on to see where you and your family can have fun this weekend.

Don’t let all the back-to-school ads fool you: There are still five and a half weeks of break to go. Now that last week's record-breaking heat wave is behind us, it's time to get back out there and enjoy summer in the city.

And there's plenty of fun to be had. Roller-skate the day away at the brand-new High Line Rink, build your best sandcastle at the Rockaways' legendary competition and get hep at Great Jazz on the Great Hill. There are also a number of wonderful cultural events. Hit the Queens County Farm Museum for the annual three-day Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Pow Wow, get psyched for the upcoming Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at the Museum of Chinese in America's Festival Family Day and celebrate Hispanic heritage at Junta Hispana.

Even though the weather will be milder, with temperatures in the 90s, you'll still want to spend some time cooling off at New York City pools, water playgrounds and beaches.

Our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide and our Event Calendar.