Every time I saw Lorelai and Rory Gilmore stroll the streets of Stars Hollow I felt a ping of jealousy. This picturesque small town may have only been located on TV, but its local restaurants, town center, quirky shops and hopping Main Street gave it a remarkable hometown charm. New Jersey is home to many of the country’s oldest communities, so today we start a new series on Mommy Poppins New Jersey, "Great Small Towns in NJ". With summer destinations like Cape May, distinctive college towns like Princeton and more, the garden state represents small town USA from Sussex County down to Salem County.

"Been there, done that," you're thinking, but not in a ho-hum kind of way. You dig LA's flagship museums (LACMA, The Natural History Museum, The Getty, to name a few), but sometimes you crave some off-the-beaten-path cultural destinations to add to your repertoire. We hear ya! So allow us to provide some inspiration. Ta da! Five lesser-known local gems we hope you'll get to know.

It's hard to know exactly how to explain the events of September 11th to our children, much less figure out how to commemorate this difficult anniversary. With that in mind, there are a variety of events to offer choices to Long Island parents, as every family and every child is different. Here are a few events that are held in honor and in memory of those whose lives are lost, and those who helped save lives during the attack on the World Trade Center.

I'm going back to work full-time this month, which is terrifying, but I'm determined not to give up our family dinner time together; it's time we all need to reconnect, unwind, and besides, it's pretty hilarious when our two-year-old wants to clink glasses and say 'cheers'.  I have written about time saving meal swaps before, but what about the nights when it's just you, a toddler or two, and dinner that's not yet made, assembled, or otherwise prepared? Here are some easy ways to transform that hour before dinner from meltdown city into happy land (ok, most of the time).

As my eldest started middle school last week (gulp), one thing became immediately apparent – my husband I are in way over our heads.   The principal at our school was throwing out words like sex-ed, internet safety, locker combinations, and body piercings.  As we looked around at the panic stricken faces of our fellow 5th grade parents, we knew that we needed to learn. A lot.  And fast. Someone has to know how to parent a middle-schooler, right?  I was pleased to find that there are several organizations in Fairfield County that offer classes or workshops designed to help parents navigate these crazy times.

Fall isn't just back-to-school time, it's also the kickoff to a whole new season of cool culture for families. Autumn is when New York City museums and galleries unveil new exhibits and installations, and we've got the scoop on the best ones for kids.

This fall's crop of kid-friendly exhibits is quite eclectic. Families can catch an alfresco flick at an artsy drive-in at the New York Hall of Science, enjoy hands-on design projects at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, learn about the birds and the bugs at the Children's Museum of the Arts and Central Park's Arsenal Gallery, find out what life was like for the crew aboard the Intrepid and more. Bonus: After months of work, the renovated Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park reopens with expanded gallery space, new exhibits, a cafe and a shorter name.

While all of these exhibits are new this fall, you still have time to catch many of our summer picks, including Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure and The Art of the Brick at Discovery Times Square, Frogs and Whales at the American Museum of Natural History, and a bunch of FREE outdoor public art installations.

Fall is the perfect time for an outdoor celebration, and there’s no better place than a farm, where the harvest and happenings are plentiful. Whether your child is 2 or 12, a thrill-seeker or an animal lover, there’s a farm party package to fit almost every taste and budget. I’ve rounded up a few places just a short drive from Boston where your child can celebrate the big day with friends, family, and a whole lot of fun. Here are five farms that offer a range of options, including corn mazes, bouncy houses, hay rides, pumpkin decorating, apple picking, homemade gelato, and even a train ride to the party room!

When you take your children to the Museum of Science, chances are you'll encounter at least one museum volunteer while you're there - the men, women, and teens in red coats and aprons that are at almost all Museum of Science exhibits, activities and special programs. And chances are at least one of them will help your children with a special activity, show you where the bathrooms are, or recommend a particular exhibit to see.

I've been a museum visitor plenty of times, but I've often wondered what it was like for someone wearing the red coat. So when the opportunity to spend the day as a Museum of Science volunteer came up, I jumped on it. The most important thing I learned? There is no doubt that the museum values and appreciates its volunteers, and there is no doubt that its volunteers are integral to a positive museum experience.

I arrived for my shift not quite knowing what to expect.