Welcome to the first full weekend of 2012! We're still having trouble writing a "2" at the end of the year and we're not adjusting well to this cold winter weather. But we know we'll get used to both of them soon enough!

Although the frenzy of the holidays is behind us, there are still plenty of things to do in NYC. In fact, one big seasonal activity, the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show, is still going. If you visit this weekend or next, you'll be treated to an appearance by Thomas the Tank Engine, who'll greet his young fans, pose for pictures and sing a few songs. If your Christmas tree is still up, you can recycle it at the Parks Department's annual Mulchfest this weekend. And if you want one last blast of holiday spirit, you can attend a Three Kings Day celebration, including a parade in Brooklyn and a holiday-themed art workshop at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.

Other fun on tap includes a Panorama-themed family day at the Queens Museum of Art and a wacky circus show at Symphony Space.

Those are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. Read on for all of our picks and remember, you can find additional options in our Event Calendar. Happy New Year!

I realize that we all feel stuffed from the holidays and either inspired or offended by all the happy magazines encouraging us to get fit, eat less, declutter and so on, but the good news is that in a couple weeks we will all forget how much we ate and be ready to hunker down with some good wintertime eats. I love, love, love spending the day in my kitchen with something simmering away in the slow cooker or on the stove for hours, while I bake bread or help the kids in and out of their snow gear eighty times (it used to snow, I think…). It’s the most peaceful, contented perfect way for me to spend a day, so I’ll indulge the magazines, take a breather and then resume the comfort of comfort cooking.

[UPDATED: DECEMBER 31, 2012]

Seeing a bald eagle in the wild is an incredible experience. I can still vividly remember my encounter with the majestic bird at Umbagog Lake State Park in New Hampshire back in August 2001. With their striking white heads and tails, and massive wingspans, mature bald eagles are an impressive and unforgettable sight.

Like most birds, bald eagles fly south for the winter and pass right through our neck of the woods by soaring down the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. They begin their migration in December, with the highest concentration of eagles visible during the months of January and February.

Eagle viewing is a popular winter activity for bird and nature lovers in and near New York City. We've got the scoop on how your family can marvel at our national bird, either by joining an organized event or heading out on your own.

The holidays are over (boo), which means the kids go back to school (yay!). Yes, we love them, but I doubt I'm the only parent who feels like I need a break to recover from holiday break.

For better or worse, it's time to get back to business, like our biweekly links roundups. Our first 2012 installment includes stories about schools (of course), Legos aimed at girls and sex ed via text message. Gives a whole new meaning to ROTF.

As part of our continuing series that highlights area museums, Mommy Poppins Boston recently toured three museums on the North Shore: the Wenham Museum (Wenham), Cape Ann Museum (Gloucester), and Peabody Essex Museum (Salem).

While they vary in size and focus, from the cozy Wenham Museum to the nearly 500,000-square foot Peabody Essex, each one offers a unique museum experience for kids and families, with special exhibits and programs geared to different ages.

[UPDATED 1/24/13]

Wait just a second.  I’m still eating Christmas cookies (the stale ones, anyway) and I’m getting camp brochures in the mail?  I’m thinking sledding, not swimming! But around here, it pays to think ahead about summer camps.  The right camp can make for happy summers kids…and happy summer moms. Here are just a few great summer camps in Fairfield County to choose from: