Mommy Poppins isn't exactly the place one would expect wines to be highlighted; but let's face it, aren't the best spent days when children are happy doing something that parents enjoy?  Long Island wineries earned recognition for diversity and the ability to produce high quality wines. While the North Fork is better known for its wineries, the three that reside on the South Fork should not be overlooked.

Our month-long focus on Ridgewood, Queens continues with a look at places to play in the area, both indoors and out. Despite having a suburban feel, with lots of neighborhood townhouses boasting their own backyards, Ridgewood is also home to an impressive number of urban parks and playgrounds, as well as some nice indoor play spots like kiddie gym Kids Fun House and the historic Vander Ende-Onderdonk House. Our roundup includes a attractions in nearby Glendale, too. Here are our top spots to play in and around Ridgewood, Queens.

I live in “horse country,” which just happens to be Central New Jersey. When we moved from the city I knew I wanted my daughter to give riding a try, and as I hoped, she fell in love. At five years old she's still very much in the learning process but riding is her passion, and because I'm a mama who does her research, we've tried and tested many stables in the Central New Jersey area. Whether you want to go for a single pony ride, or plan on purchasing a package of lessons, the farms listed below are wonderful with children. Giddy up!

It grieves me more than I can express to be collecting resources for our community similar to those our Connecticut and Boston editors have had to research all too recently. The children of Santa Monica go back to school today for two days that were scheduled mostly with end-of-year picnics and field trips, but the time will also be spent processing a senseless, violent tragedy - this time in our own community. Whether your children heard the gunfire as they hid under their desks, were on a field trip at the college, knew victims, or just heard frightening rumors, all of them have questions. I hope some of the resources below may be helpful to families processing last Friday's events.

Summer is heating up, which is why we're bringing you the coolest Mommy Poppins deals on top of the best seasonal activities. We reached out to some fun and enriching NYC summer camps and getaway spots (and one fantastic family photographer) and asked them to extend discounts to our readers. The result is a dozen awesome offers for kids that you won't want to miss. Save big bucks on language immersion camps, a dude ranch, circus camp and more!

One of the things I love best about living in NJ is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. They don’t call it the Garden State for nothing! From tomatoes to corn to fresh berries, it seems you can find delicious, locally-grown produce everywhere you look. And what’s better than buying directly from the farmers who’ve grown it? We've already told you about Farmers' Markets in Hudson County and now Farmers’ markets are popping up all over Union County, offering wonderful food and gourmet items at many convenient locations. Whether it’s fresh nectarines, yummy whoopie pies or mouth-watering mozzarella, you’re sure to find something scrumptious!

Summer on the North Fork means the return of annual carnivals and festivals. Whether you prefer snacking on garlic inspired food at the Garlic Festival or viewing the green surroundings from high atop a Ferris wheel, there are plenty of special events to check out from Riverhead to the Orient this summer. Read on for a list of our recommendations for festivals this summer.