Oh, how lucky we are to live in Southern California. At a time when the rest of the country is dealing with temperatures represented in numbers you need an advanced degree in mathematics to understand, our biggest concern is the possibility of rain. But never fear; we have plenty of indoor adventures awaiting us in the event of such utterly inclement weather. You can hunt for faeries, meet time-traveling artisans, enjoy the films of animation master Miyazaki, and visit more than a dozen area museums for f-r-e-e. Or, if it's nice out, you can play in the snow.

I'm not normally one to name drop (just ask Justin and KPat), but this is a big weekend for celebrity sightings. Your kids will have stars in their eyes after sharing storytimes with such literary luminaries as Madeline and the Wild Thing (and perhaps a friendly sea squid). They can sing alongside a cast of princesses, or watch future rock stars strut their stuff. They can build with Bob. The Bob, of building fame.

And, of course, it wouldn't be a weekend without a few holidays to celebrate. This weekend, families can join together in recognition of Tu B'shevat, the Lunar New Year season, and, that most reverent of days, Zimmerpalooza.

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend...

So how you likin’ 2013 so far? Cold enough for you? Not meaning to scare anyone, but the temperature might actually drop so low that water will turn into a solid. All by itself! (In case it doesn’t there’s still time to find rinks with ice that’s only slightly less organic in origin).

But overall, I would say the forecast is looking pretty sunny.  This weekend alone, our thoroughly modern kids can revisit classic stories, or take a trip to the Mesozoic era. They can tinker like Bob the Builder, or watch the rough-and-tumble sport of Monster Jam.  There are events for parents looking to grow their families, feed their families, and find resources to help with the daily tasks of raising their families.

And if you weren’t quite ready say goodbye to the holidays, guess what? There’s another one coming up next week! We’re here with guides for MLK Day volunteering and MLK Day camps.

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks to make your weekend bright…

Happy 2013 everyone! We hope you rang in the New Year with all the frivolity and caution thrown to the wind that the night deserves, and maybe even made it through to midnight (don’t worry; East Coast time counts).  Now it’s time to get back on track, tidy up your messes, and follow through on your resolutions. If one of your resolutions was to recycle more, we can help you off to a good start. Mommy Poppins has the low-down on Christmas tree recycling options throughout Los Angeles!

We now return to our regularly scheduled program of classes, shows, and festivals to keep your kids occupied and amused. Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend.

A decade after it was made, Monsters, Inc almost counts as a family classic, and a fun choice for the holiday season. Of course, just because a movie's been around for 10 years doesn't mean moms and dads have all had time to see it yet, so we thought one of our parent reviews might be helpful. What's it all about? Monsters generate their city's power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children. When a child enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted.

I’m having a slightly hard time keeping track of the dates lately. Because whatever the calendar may say, all I can hear is LESS THAN TWO WEEKS 'TIL CHRISTMAS ALL IS LOST ABANDON HOPE PACK IT IN NOW. Or something to that effect. Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help me separate the nuts from the Nutcrackers, to keep me from getting light-headed with all the light displays, and, most importantly, to help put a little booty in my stockings. (I refer, of course, to the final days of our Biggest Holiday Giveaway - one of the many perks of being a Mommy Poppins reader.)

We have enough events this week to fill three or four newsletters. It's only through serious exercise of self-restraint that I've kept this post down to mere Russian novel length; you can find scores of other events on our daily calendar. No doubt things will slow down next week, because that's the week before Christmas and... oh. Well, after that there's Christmas week, which means some serious school break time, and then New Years Eve... I'm sorry, but for the next few weeks we simply have no choice but to provide you with an overabundance of fun, festive, and frequently free activities. If you need a break, I suggest you pencil it in sometime early 2013.

Keep reading for a small sampling of our favorite picks for this weekend...

Yay!  Saturday is the first night of Hanukkah! That means lots of dreidel spinning, menorah lighting, and latkes!  (Eight crazy nights of it, to be exact).  And there’s no better place to get your Maccabee on than Los Angeles, the city with the 4^th largest Jewish population… in the world! (somebody say Challah!) Whether you like your Menorah by the sea, in the Valley, or in the heart of downtown, or even put together with LEGOs, our handy dandy Hanukkah guide can help you get your candles lit.

While 8 nights of presents is simply awesome when you’re a kid, it can be a bit of a challenge when you’re the one doing the providing. Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help with that, too. Our first ever Biggest Holiday Giveaway offers up the hottest gifts of the season, with a different prize each day. Each prize is available for 24 hours only, so be sure to check in every day!

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend...

Wreck-It Ralph is fun, funny, moving, laugh out loud clever, and nostalgic (but be warned - it's likely to be too scary for younger viewers). This latest film from Disney Feature Animation is a love letter to video games old and new. When my daughter and I decided to see it, our choice was for a theater was clear; we hopped in the car and made the journey to the "happiest theater on earth" - Hollywood's El Capitan.

It’s December, people. De. Cem. Ber. Do you realize what that means? Those of you with Advent Calendars, it’s time to start popping open windows. If you light a Menorah, better stock up on petite, colorful candles. Snow is falling all over the Southland; Santa has begun his never-ending quest for the perfect breakfast. The holidays have hit us, in a big way.

But never fear; you’re not in this alone. Mommy Poppins is here to help you through. Our Holiday Fun Guide has the lowdown on all the holiday highlights. We can direct you to the finest Nutcrackers, the best boat parades, the most chill-worthy outdoor skating rinks, and dazzling light displays. Want to cut your own tree? Recycle it when you’re done? Find snow? And a hill to sled down? We’ve got all that and more.

Now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. Let the reindeer games begin!

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend...