Lego is taking another swipe at marketing to girls, and it has predictably spurred a firestorm of criticism. But one mother makes us ask, why is something "girly" bad?

$59 million in School Improvement Grants have been suspended after the city and the union failed to agree on a teacher evaluation process. Which means everybody loses, especially our kids.

According to The New York Times, there are a number of free services offering sex ed info via text, including Planned Parenthood's ICYC (In Case You're Curious). (No word on whether responses come in full sentences or IM speak.)

As Mommy Poppins readers already know, moms are behind lot of successful inventions for their fellow parents. The Times profiled a few more cool mompreneurs on Christmas Day.

Speaking of inventions, a group of NYU students created MetroChange, a prototype kiosk that ostensibly allows riders to donate their leftover MetroCard money to charity. We love the idea but doubt the always strapped MTA would ever agree to give up that loose change.

Do you manage to get your kids to write thank-you notes after the holidays? Ohdeedoh has tips on making it more fun for kids, and a few cute ideas on photo thank-you cards.

The principal at an East Village public elementary school is demanding his teachers dress more "professionally" by banning jeans, flip-flops and gym clothes and other casual wear. Some teachers are pushing back, but others like the idea. We really hope the ones who wore sweat pants to class were gym teachers.

The Times reported that acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be linked to an increase in childhood asthma.

We were honored that Cool Mom Tech picked Mommy Poppins' new Boston and LA sites as two of the best new websites of 2011. Check out the other picks, many of which we've also been addicted to this year.

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