[UPDATED: July 19, 2012]

Like any parent, I’m always on the prowl for cool things to do with my kids. However, as the mother of an autistic son, our activity choices have to fit certain sensory criteria. My 9-year-old son Jake can't be exposed to overpowering or sudden noises, and he doesn't do well in very dark rooms. He also jumps up and flaps his arms when he's excited, so he needs a good amount of personal space.

Unfortunately, this means that going to the movies—one of Jake's favorite activities—isn't as easy as buying a ticket. Luckily, AMC Theatres has partnered with the Autism Society to offer monthly sensory-friendly family film screenings throughout the U.S., including three theaters right here in New York City.

Read on for details about how these special screenings accommodate children with special sensory needs, and find out about upcoming films in NYC.

All of NYC seems to be illuminated in honor of the holidays. While there are some really spectacular light displays in the outer boroughs, you can find a few fun ones in Manhattan, too. (Our photo was snapped on 117th Street and Madison Avenue.)

Like last week, we were very holiday heavy this week, with posts about Hanukkah celebrations, awesome pop-up shops, winter break camps and other holiday fun.

This is the season for giving, and we've been really moved by how much our readers have given to our holiday food drive. We are less than $500 from our $2,500 goal, which will feed 10,000 hungry NYC children this holiday. Our drive ends on Monday, December 19. We hope as you dash around town buying cool gifts and having fun that you'll consider helping us meet our goal.

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, as well as selected stories from our sites in Boston and Los Angeles.

Can you believe that Hanukkah and Christmas are just next week?! The celebrations are in full gear Islandwide. We've found Christmas, Hanukkah, and even winter solstice celebrations for your family's enjoyment this weekend. Get out and have fun!

For our December Little Lions post, we're looking beyond the holidays and focusing on nondenominational picture books about winter. (Of course, we also have roundups of wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas books and great books to give as gifts, too.)

Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library's Youth Collections Materials Specialist, picked these cool children's titles from her collection, featuring feisty snowmen, animals on the cusp of hibernation and many a wintry adventure. They'll make a great ending to your coming snow days.

This particular weekend right before Christmas is always inevitably a busy one. I still have a few (okay, more than a few) presents to check off the list, meal preparations to make, decorations to be hung, preparations for house guests....oh and then the wrapping and hiding and the cookie baking and updating our holiday music playlist. Sigh...The list goes on for so many of us moms! The end goal for me is to stay calm with a smile on my face while creating happy memories for the kids. The trick is to break the work up with some fun activities. There are a few places to get that photo with Santa, see the Nutcracker, or even have the kids make a holiday craft. This week we covered places to visit with Santa in Hartford and Fairfield Counties. This weekend in particular the Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Concert is at the Bushnell. There is also a Chanuka Fever Concert in West Hartford. If, like me, you'd like to take a break and go out to dinner a night or two, check out our listing of great restaurant options in Litchfield County. Some schools finish up this Friday and some not until next. For those in Fairfield County we've rounded up fun activities for the kids over the holiday break. We love our Facebook and twitter friends and will be doing some give aways next week so please sign up to like us. Take a deep breathe and dive in. Make the most of this Merry Holiday season!

We've told you our picks for Best Kids' Books for Holiday Gifts and given you recipes for No-Bake Treats for Overwhelmed Moms. Now as the last weekend before the Holidays (with a capital H) rolls around, take advantage of all the fun to be had with Jolly Old St. Nick. You've got your choice of sundaes, ice skating, train rides and special time with Sensitive Santa. Chanukah festivities are everywhere, too, with Latkerama and Chanukah Family Olympics rounding out the weekend fun.

Okay, folks: we're in the homestretch. Christmas is a little more than a week away, but there's still plenty of time to get your reindeer in a row. Luckily, the elves at Mommy Poppins are working overtime to solve all your holiday quandaries.

Want to find the best and brightest Christmas displays? Mommy Poppins can shine a light on that.

Looking to volunteer or donate toys for the holidays? Our list will earn you a sackful of checks in the "Nice" column.

Worried about where to eat Christmas Day? We're serving up a full menu of options.

Spent so much on everyone's presents that you need a little treat yourself? How about not one but TWO GIVEAWAYS!

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend, and to learn about our great big giveaways!

It’s the last full weekend before Christmas (!), and our holiday calendar of events and things to do in Boston continues to grow, with the opening of The Christmas Revels, one of our annual favorites. This holiday tradition, Nutcracker performances, A Christmas Carol productions, visits with Santa, and last-minute gift shopping at craft fairs in the area offer plenty of options.

Other picks this weekend are kids concerts with Judy Pancoast and Alastair Moock , artifacts from the Arctic, and the opening of the Charles Hotel ice skating rink.

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks this weekend, and see our calendar for more ideas.

Enjoy!