It’s that time of the year again. Time to choose new lunch boxes and get ready for the big day. While your kids may be more interested in what’s on the outside of their lunch boxes, what’s more important is what they’ll find when they open them at lunchtime.

The best time to implement any new ideas and guidelines on what goes in your kids’ lunch boxes is now—at the beginning of the school year. While some of these ideas may seem to create more work for you, in the long run, a few extra minutes of work will create a lifetime of healthy eating habits for your family. 

Here are some tips on how and what to pack inside lunch boxes to make both you and your kids happy!

[UPDATED: July 18, 2012]

When I was researching music classes for my two-year-old, a friend of mine recommended I try City Stomp. She said it was as a more interesting and affordable alternative to the ubiquitous Music Together programs.

I was intrigued by the fact that City Stomp was created specifically for New York City kids. Plus, I loved that the class could accommodate my toddler and my newborn. So all three of us hopped aboard the City Stomp train, and boy were we glad we did. This parent-child music class is great fun for little kids (up to about age five), so it really works for sibling pairs!

The After School Arts Program (ASAP), in its thirteenth year, is offering September workshops throughout Northwest Connecticut for residents and non-residents of Region 12 (Washington, Roxbury, and Bridgewater). I like the interesting and different after school activities that they offer at a reasonable price. Even better, all classes are taught by professional artists. Besides classes, ASAP offers many workshops. In October you and your child can join them on a field trip to Soho for the day. Listed below are the September workshops for all ages. You do not need to be a resident of Region 12 to attend.

Preschool (Ages 3-5)
Singing, Rhythm & Movement with Tom Hanford

Wersebe Hall, Washington

Wednesdays, 1:00-1:45pm

September 21, 28, October 5, 12

4 Sessions: $45

Vocal exercises, animal sound choral singing, simple traditional singing games, large movement with scarves, and rhythmic play with drums, bells, and shakers are just some of the fun elements of this musical movement experience.

Primary: Grades K-2
Storytelling with Lisa Worth Huber

Booth Free School Library, Roxbury

Tuesdays, 3:40-4:40pm

September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18

5 Sessions: $55 for Residents; $75 for Nonresidents

Come celebrate the magic of stories.  We will create a storytelling circle where Lisa will share some traditional folk and fairy tales sure to spark the imagination. Together we will use the story threads from these ancient tales to weave our own stories, creating characters and situations that will delight, while laying the foundation for more advanced story construction.

That Hurricane turned Tropical Storm, oh you know the one I'm talking about, inspired us to turn our thoughts inward this week. We focused our energies on ways to cope and ideas for how to wile away the hours when you are stuck inside.

Now that the storm has passed, with September's arrival we are starting to think about the kids going back to school. We've also updated our Classes Guide for your back-to-school season, which we will continue to build during the next few weeks.

And September also brings us a difficult anniversary. It is not easy to describe or explain the events of September 11th to our children. We've been thinking a lot about what to say, and what to do with our kids for the 10th anniversary, to honor the victims and heroes.

That's just a little peek at what is happening. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut. Please call and check the links we've provided to confirm that plans haven't been derailed by Irene. Be well.
 

Mommy Poppins - New York City's leading resource for things to do with kids - has arrived in Los Angeles!

Mommy Poppins LA is a free, online resource guide for families in the greater LA area. Parents and kids can discover great things to do and places to go, and get insights into the best activities, resources, services, schools, parks, and classes around.

On our site you'll find a daily events calendar that we are continually updating, camp and class guides, giveaways and ideas for things to do with kids of all ages. You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter that includes a round-up of weekend events in the area. And we’d like to hear from you if you have a favorite event to share - a school fundraising fair or concert or other activity, a special story time, or a hidden gem we have yet to uncover.

Mommy Poppins began in New York City nearly five years ago, with sites in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island now well-established. As in these cities, we hope to help parents by inspiring them to get out and do things that will be meaningful and memorable with their children and providing level-headed, practical information on raising kids in our communities. We are very excited to be bringing our unique stripe of content to LA.

Enjoy!

Labor Day weekend is always bittersweet - a big, barbecued symbol of the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. This year, the festive farewell to summer brings something else new to LA families: Mommy Poppins! Angelenos can now enjoy their own edition of New York City's favorite family online guide.

To introduce you to the wonderfulness that is Mommy Poppins LA, we bring you the Labor Day Weekend Fun Guide, with suggestions galore for great ways to enjoy the three-day weekend and send summer out with a bang!

For starters - or more accurately for finishers - there are a few great summer activities that sing their swan songs this weekend; this is your last chance to ride the Marina del Rey waterbus, the last of the Music Center's Drum Downtown series, the last Concert in the Park in Manhattan Beach, and the last chance to splash in several of LA parks' free water play areas.

On the other hand, this weekend also marks the beginning of the Los Angeles County Fair, bringing with it everything from kangaroos to deep fried Twinkies.

Read on for Labor Day weekend’s best bets...

Mommy Poppins - New York City's leading resource for things to do with kids - has arrived in Boston!

Mommy Poppins Boston is a free, online resource guide for families in the greater Boston area. Parents and kids can discover great things to do and places to go, and get insights into the best activities, resources, services, schools, parks, and classes around.

On our site you'll find a daily events calendar that we are continually updating, camp and class guides, giveaways and ideas for things to do with kids of all ages. You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter that includes a round-up of weekend events in the area. And we’d like to hear from you if you have a favorite event to share - a school fundraising fair or concert or other activity, a special story time, or a hidden gem we have yet to uncover.

Mommy Poppins began in New York City nearly five years ago, with sites in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island now well-established. As in these cities, we hope to help parents by inspiring them to get out and do things that will be meaningful and memorable with their children and providing level-headed, practical information on raising kids in our communities. We are very excited to be bringing our unique stripe of content to Boston.

Enjoy!

Boston Mommy Poppins readers are invited to a free advance screening of Alcon Entertainment’s Dolphin Tale at AMC Boston Common, at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, September 13.

Dolphin Tale is inspired by the true story of a brave dolphin and a group of strangers who banded together to save her life. Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, which severely damages her tail.  She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter.  But her fight for survival has just begun. The film stars Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, and Kris Kristofferson. as Clay’s father, Reed.

Tickets are limited to the first 100 readers to sign up, so RSVP ASAP by filling out this simple form.

Notes: No purchase is necessary. Seating at the screening is first come, first served and not guaranteed, so winners should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to screening time. Please print your invite and present it at the door. Find out more about the film at DolphinTaleMovie.com. Opens in theaters September 23. Movie rating: PG.