Because we write for and about thoughtful parents, the Metropolitan Water District recently invited Mommy Poppins to an all-day seminar about the drought in California. As a native Californian, I was anxious to attend, because I vividly remember the drought in 1976-1977. Back then, restaurants were not allowed to serve water unless requested, and we barely flushed our toilets. Our mantra was “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.” Much has changed since the 70s. For one thing, all toilets these days are low flow and consume far less water than they used to. More importantly, the MWD and other water agencies across the state have learned many lessons and as a result have greatly increased our capacity to store water from wet seasons to have it available during dry times. But what else should families be doing, and how can we help our kids to preserve their most important resource? 

Fall is underway, and ‘tis the season to be orange. And there’s orange everywhere you look! The leaves are turning brilliant shades of auburn. Pumpkins are popping up at the farms, front stoops and even in the form of giant lawn inflatables. This weekend, there’s plenty of orange to go round. Party with pumpkins galore at the South Jersey Pumpkin Show. Revel in the season throughout the state at fantastic fall festivals, including the Allentown Fall Festival, the Hightstown Hometown Harvest Fair and the Dunellen HarvestFest. And for a splashy day trip, visit the Camden Aquarium for its African Penguin Awareness Weekend. For a full list of weekend activities, check out our Event Calendar.

If you haven’t heard, something called ‘Paint ’n Sip’ is sweeping the country.  From Miami to Cedar Rapids, mamas are tucking their wee ones into bed and sneaking off with their gal pals … to art studios.  You may know precisely where they are, as many offer Art Classes for Kids by day. By starry night, however, parents channel their inner Picasso or Matisse … with the help of a patient instructor and a bottle of red or white.  Getting the nerve to paint in public, and freely at that, takes a little coaxing for some!  These studios promise zero experience or talent required … merely a willing spirit.  They take you brush stroke-by-brush stroke through a novice-friendly work, and you come out with something all your own — you might even be proud of it.  Mommy friends of mine that have tried it, say it’s a good time (and trust me, they aren’t talented, haha — at least in this way)!  The studios run the gamut from art school to franchise to full-on restaurant, so you have your choice of ambiance.  And lest you think the franchises, are, well, franchise-ish, know they seem to take giving back pretty seriously, with a range of ‘paint it forward’ sorts of non-profit efforts.  Seriously, friends, it’s fun you can feel good about.  

The fall harvest is in full swing and while you can celebrate the season right here in NYC, the upcoming Columbus Day holiday weekend is an ideal time to get out of town for one last nature-themed excursion before the cold of winter sets in. Even though apple picking is already pretty much over (many orchards say their trees have been picked bare), farms throughout the northeast are still offering lots of seasonal fun like pumpkin patches, giant corn mazes, petting zoos and other agritainment.

We've rounded up half a dozen attraction-filled destinations for Columbus Day weekend. Most are within two hours of the city and make great day trips but a few require an overnight stay. For even more vacation inspiration, check out our NYC Family Getaways Guide and our Travel site, which has a great list of fall travel deals.

A preschool tour is the best opportunity for parents to get a feel for a school before tackling the admissions process. Hopefully, you see the school in action, or at least check out what the classrooms look like. Keep your eyes open for important details. What type of student work is on display? Do the kids seem happy and engaged? How do the teachers interact with them?

When you're on the tour, don't be shy about asking questions. This is your chance! "Parents should ask as many questions as they want to help understand and grasp our program's philosophy," says Lisa Pacheco, center director at Children’s Creative Learning Center. Jennifer Jones of Battery Park Montessori and the Pine Street School adds, "I encourage parents to ask questions based on their personal priorities for their children. For example, if the child is physically active and the parents are concerned about it, they should ask how the school will satisfy the child's need for physical expression." Open-ended questions are best, as they tend to reveal more about the school. For example, "How do you support literacy?" is better than, "When do you teach the alphabet?"

Here are the top 10 topics to ask about when you're visiting preschools.

Boys, girls, ghosts, goblins and ghouls alike can take part in these Halloween-themed parties across Long Island. From creepy crafts to desserts to die for, these spooktacular fiestas are serving up fun with a side of food. Kids can also take part in trick-or-treating around an aquarium and a museum.

And for more holiday fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide and our Events Calendar.

While the people of Scotland were recently thwarted in their bid for independence, they still have plenty of national pride -which is on display in Ventura this later this week at the Seaside Highland Games. Gather the clans and pin your wee lads and lassies into their plaid kilts. Be sure to prepare with a hearty snack if haggis isn’t your thing. The Games offer a great opportunity to appreciate the sport of large men throwing things. And remember, this is the first week of October so be on the lookout for free admissions at local museums. Another thing to be on the lookout for? A full lunar eclipse.