Is it horrible for me to admit that I'm excited my son went back to school this week? I enjoy the return to my work routine, and I like the alone time, too.

Plus, I adore early fall (yes, I realize that summer technically runs until September 22 but it already feels like autumn). There's so much going on in New York City at this time of year, annual favorites like the West Side County Fair and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, and it's apple picking season!

Since Sunday marks the tenth anniversary of September 11, this weekend is more solemn than usual. Sunday is also Grandparents Day. Terrible timing!) We've rounded up ways to commemorate the day with kids, including the Municipal Art Society’s Tribute in Light and volunteer opportunities. We also highlight a few non-September 11-related events, too.

Our best bets for the weekend are below. And remember, we have plenty of other ideas in our Event Calendar.

Doesn't it feel like summer was just kicked out the door by Autumn? Now that the kids are back to school we have a healthy lunch post for you. There's a chill in the air and soccer season is upon us. Feels like Fall to me! One of the best things about Fall is apple and pumpkin picking and we have the start of a few posts about where to go. As we all know, the 9/11 10th year anniversary is this Sunday and we've written about places to commemorate with your family. Speaking of family, it's also Grandparent's Day so don't forget them on Sunday too.

We are happy to have another GIVEAWAY for our CT readers: 4 adult tickets (kids are free) to the Norwalk Boat Show that starts 9/22. Subscribe to our newsletter and leave a comment here or on our Facebook page to enter the drawing.

This weekend you can bring your pet or just meet and watch them at the Applause for Paws event in Shelton. You can also see cute and cuddly farm animals at the Cornwall Agricultural Fair. If eating is more your thing you won't want to miss the Norwalk Oyster Festival or the Taste of Danbury. Both have plenty of fun planned for you and the kids. Read more to see our top picks for the weekend.

[UPDATED: August 10, 2012]

It's back to school time, and if you anticipate busy days and busier mornings, we want to help remove one challenge from the list, lunch. We've gathered some easy and healthy lunch ideas here. And we've provided a few links to our sister sites to ensure that we cover any school lunch option that you may need. Happy back to school, here's to a great year.

Getting haircuts, shopping for clothes and supplies, menu planning, and picking out classes and after-school programs—these are my fall rituals. And I suspect many of you are going through the same thing right about now. 

We can help you plan your back-to-school season with our updated Classes Guide, which is filled with myriad options for NYC kids. And we can help you save money, too, with our Big Deal Fall Classes Sale. Read on for all of the details.

The Norwalk Boat Show starts September 22 and runs through the 25th. It sounds like a really fun weekend in the Norwalk Cove Marina for water and boating enthusiasts. They have tons to do with the kids and guess what? We have 4 adult tickets to give away as well as 4 Blackbear pirate books and toy bears (kids get in for free). That means your family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) can bring another pair of adults with you. If you would like to win tickets through Mommy Poppins CT please subscribe to our weekly newsletter and write a comment below. You can also leave a comment on our Facebook page. You have a really good chance of winning so don't wait. Enter now. Drawing begins today and ends Friday, Sept. 9th at 5pm. Good luck!!

Things to do with the kids at the Norwalk Boat Show:

Meet 17 year old Ammy Sunderland, the youngest solo sailor ever to attempt to circumnavigate the globe. We all heard her story last year when her boat capsized in the Indian Ocean 12,500 miles into her journey and she was presumed lost-at-sea for two anxious days. She'll be on hand at the festival sharing her new book Unsinkable.

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!