Hello there April, so nice to see you! After a cold (and snowy, and windy) winter, it’s finally time to start shedding those coats to enjoy spring! Sign up for a Read & Explore program about birds at Terhune Orchards, check out the rides and kids activities at Maywood’s Springtime Family Funfest or take a guided nature walk at Tenafly Nature Center. Jersey’s got some great shows going on too, like Disney Junior Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure at the IZOD Center, Stuart Little at the Kelsey Theater and the awesome (and free!) WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series at the Montclair Art Museum. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Even though my daughter's birthday is in December; I'm already thinking about her next birthday party! Thankfully, the New Jersey Kids' Party Ideas Guide is here to help me nail down the perfect venue for my princess. And speaking of princesses...does your daughter enjoy dressing up in beautiful costumes and dream of being a princess? If so, chances are she’d love a dress-up princess party for her next birthday.

The kids have their baskets ready for the big community egg hunt, you’ve bought fancy outfits for their pictures with the Easter bunny (they look so adorable), and you’ve made plans for Easter brunch.

What about the egg hunt at home and the kids’ Easter baskets? Does the thought of stuffing them with candy and weathering the ensuing sugar high give you a headache? If you’re looking for some ideas for filling baskets and eggs without going overboard on the sweets, read on for basket themes, egg fillers, and places in and around Boston to get great little gifts.

Well, Mommy Poppins has given you the skinny on birthday parties from ice cream bashes to museum shindigs and now we're chatting about at-home fun, beginning with yesterday's party vendors that come to you. And many moons ago, before I decided that having a party at a bowling alley was the easiest birthday party known to man, I used to throw really fun, theme-y birthday parties for my kids at home and I'll let you in on a few things I learned.

Have you seen any of the dozens of giant egg sculptures hiding throughout the five boroughs? No idea what we're talking about? Then read on for everything you need to know about the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt, which seems to be taking the local social media scene by storm.

Plus, we've got the lowdown on New York City's first-ever cupcake ATM, a great deal on scoops at both Big Gay Ice Cream shops, a new play space growing in Brooklyn, a planned ice-skating rink in Washington Heights, and links to two must-read articles, one about the world's most fantastical playgrounds, the other about a playground that looks like a junkyard where no parents are allowed.

I have to admit that I'm a coupon queen and rarely spend full price on any piece of clothing for anyone in our family. However, Easter is the one time I splurge and dress my littles ones up to the "nines". I also have many friends with children making their first Communions in the next few months. Sure, you could go to a regular department store, but New Jersey is home to some fun Easter and Communion boutique finery, so why not make it special? And for more ideas for parties and special occasions, check out our Mommy Poppins New Jersey Birthday Party Ideas Guide.

New Jersey isn’t known for being a quiet state. We’re loud, we’re alive and we certainly know how to party…but that can come with a steep price. There’s no need to plan an over the top party. Children enjoy simple pleasures, so why not keep their party simple with a classic treat-- milk and cookies and, of course, ice cream! You may have to deal with some sugar highs, but it will be well worth it. And for more party ideas, check out our Mommy Poppins NJ Birthday Party Ideas Guide.