The devastation in Japan has been tremendous. It's hard not to be transfixed by the awful images and details. There are tales of hope (the one about the four-month-old rescued from rubble totally choked me up), but the main stories dominating the news (and our minds) are heartrending.

Just like the tragedy in Haiti last year, families want to help. Making a monetary donation is the easiest way to do that, but choosing a charity can be daunting. In fact, Slate and the New York Times ran articles encouraging people to give but to do it wisely. (The takeaway: Give but do so without restrictions; let the organizations figure out how to use the money.)

Instead of just posting links to the usual nonprofits (we figure you already know about the Red Cross, Americares and Doctors Without Borders), we've found some great articles with info about reputable organizations and donating tips. In some cases you can help just by liking a page on Facebook or sending a text!

The circus is in town! And spring weather is here!  If you and your family want to get out and take in spring we've got some great choices for you, like scavenger hunts and spring walks. For inside fun, the circus is here, but not for long, so have at it. If the big top is too big, there is a circus themed film fest, and a workshop about bridge building that might fit the bill. Whatever you do with your weekend, we hope that it's a good one.

Just a few days ‘til Spring officially starts, and there are Springfests, Greenfests and frogs to prove it. Many frogs. All over Jersey. So if your idea of celebrating the end of a long winter is hunting for slimy green animals, this is your weekend to par-tay. If not, you can take in a cool Storytelling festival or watch a defining moment in history with Living Voices theater troupe or a myriad of other non-frog events. Enjoy!

Spectacle, Showmanship and Sequins – The Circus is in Town!   Last night, Fully Charged, the 141st over the big top production from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, opened at the Nassau Coliseum.  Side splitting clowns, awe inspiring acrobatics and amazing animals are just part of the fun that awaits your family. Plus, included in your ticket price are two before the show open houses that completely enrich your experience, so this year families can see the circus in a whole new way.  It really is the Greatest Show on Earth.  Read on to find out why (and save a little green on your tickets.)

Schlepping strollers onto subways, cramming a kid’s worth of stuff into a small apartment, wait-listing your fetus for preschool—there are times when raising a family in New York seems utterly impossible.

Then you take a spring stroll through Park Slope or catch sight of the Empire State Building or have a snowball fight in Central Park and you realize, you just couldn't live anywhere else. These ten picture books, some old classics, others quite new, reinforce your family's love for this wild and wonderful town. Add them to your library so you can pack a couple of them to read on the subway the next time you're off to a free storytime or other activity.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, a joyous Purim and a big welcome to the first official day of Spring! There are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of these holidays (after the winter we've had, the Spring equinox totally qualifies as a holiday) today and all weekend long. Don your green and take in the big parade on Fifth Avenue Thursday afternoon, the all-ages Black 47 show tonight or pay a visit to one of the smaller parades and events over the weekend. Drag out last year's Halloween costumes and head over to one of the many Purim parties, including Purim in Outer Space, where revelers can explore the skies and even try moonwalking!

There's also a free puppet show, City of Hamburgers, The Chamber Music Society's concert for kids, the Girls in Science & Engineering Day (boys are allowed, too!), the New York Hall of Science's 1001 Inventions exhibit and Awesome Allie First Kid Astronaut. How to choose? (We leave that to you.)

Early Spring is always a great time to hightail it outta here. There are maple trees to tap, pinball machines to play and excellent science museums to explore, all perfect for a day or weekend trip.

Did you notice that today is Thursday? From now on we'll be putting up our events posts a day earlier, which gives you more time to read and plan!

Our best bets for the weekend are below, and be sure to browse the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar for additional options, including live music, theater, author readings and free storytimes. Have a great weekend!

 If you thought Atlantic City was only slot machines and cocktail waitresses, think again.  This South Jersey seaside city is reinventing itself as a family destination. 

My kids and I took an overnight vacation to Atlantic City last spring, with winning results.  The kids were excited to walk the actual streets whose names they recognized from frequent games of Monopoly.  We headed over to the boardwalk, and though it was too cold to swim, there were lots of activities to keep the kids entertained.  We had a great time visiting the emporium of the weird and freaky, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum.  We hit the famed amusement park, the Steel Pier, and had a ball on the rides and trying our luck at the arcade games. 

This time of year I always start dreaming of a warm sunny paradise. Unfortunately a trip to the Caribbean is not in our near future so thank goodness we have an indoor water park not too far away. Paradise for me? Not quiet. But it sure does make my kids happy and for that I get bliss at the end of the day (when they are too tired to even speak). CoCo Key Water Resort is located in Waterbury at the Holiday Inn. They have separate entrances and it's easy to find. I was surprised to find out that they open from 4-9 during the week. If you get a gang of kids together you can get a discount for 10 or more. It's big enough to keep all ages occupied for hours yet small enough not to overwhelm you as a parent. Food is easy, if not the the healthiest, and there's even an arcade when the kids need to dry off and take a break from the water.