Mother's Day is the big subject on all of our sites this week. In NYC, we've got Mother's Day brunch suggestions and fun family activities on Sunday and even a few ideas about how to celebrate the holiday without the kids. Since my mother and my mother-in-law live in the city and we always end up at their respective homes, I often forget that Mother's Day is about me, too. This year I'm going to make sure I enjoy myself—and I hope all you moms out there do the same!

We launched two great giveaways this week on the NYC site. First up, we're giving away 100 tickets to the massive New York Baby Show on Saturday, May 18-Sunday May 19 in Midtown West. Right now the odds are pretty good to win! And if you're planning on visiting Long Island's East End this summer, you'll want to check out our brand-new Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide and sign up for our soon-to-launch newsletter. If you subscribe to our Hamptons and North Fork newsletter before Tuesday, May 21, you'll automatically be entered to win one of a host of awesome local prizes, including gift certificates to Dockers Waterside and Studio Art, and tennis lessons at Sportime Quogue.

Here's what else we covered on our NYC site this week:

Happy Mother’s Day!

We’re all about Mother’s Day in Boston this week, with a full calendar of special events that kids and families can do together. With events like the One Family Music Festival on Sunday, plus the Watch City Festival, Lilac Sunday and the Duckling Day Parade, families can find plenty of things to do. Read on for weekend highlights, and see our Events Calendar for more events.

Our Mother’s Day weekend coverage continued this week with some ideas for Mother’s Day day trips. We also cover spring Farmers Markets and have rounded up a few great places to have your adventurous child's outdoor birthday party.

We also want to know: What’s your child’s favorite thing about Boston? Is it a diner in your neighborhood? The Frog Pond? How about the Boston Fire Museum? Email us a photo or drawing, and we’ll feature it in our slideshow at the One Family Music Festival this Sunday! Imagine your child’s face when she sees her drawing or photo up on the big screen! If you need some inspiration, check out our 100 Things to Do in Boston with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Enjoy!

You may have already realized this, but I’ll just come out and say it anyway: We want your family to be at the One Family Music Festival. Moms, we get that it’s Mother’s Day, we really do. But the music festival starts at noon, leaving plenty of time in the morning for brunch, whether it’s homemade or chef made. Plus, what better way to celebrate being a mom than to get together with other families, rock out with Boston’s best kids’ bands, reclaim the city for our kids, and do something good for the community?

This is your guide to the festival. There’s lots going on and free stuff galore, and we don’t want you to miss a thing. Read on for the who, what, when, where, and why of the One Family Music Festival. 

Whether Long Island's East End is your go-to getaway spot or just your dream vacation, our new Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide has everything you need to get the most out of your visit this summer. And since we want everyone to be able to experience Long Island's slice of heaven, not only will our guide feature affordable family-friendly activities, day trip ideas and indoor activities, if you sign up for our soon-to-launch Hamptons and North Fork newsletter, you'll automatically be entered to win awesome prizes so you can enjoy a little bit of the beach yourself.

If you need a simple activity as the weather warms up but before swim lessons start, look no further than your own town station. A fun and family-friendly (and wallet-friendly) trip in between a staycation and a vacation, is a traincation! Here are four towns, Summit, Chatham, Madison and Morristown along the Midtown Direct to Penn Station, and some great walkable activities. Ditch your car and shout it with us, “All-aboard!”

This is the eighth year that I am celebrating Mother's Day as a mother in addition to celebrating it as a daughter.  Raising my two children these past eight years has brought me joy, pride and yes, sometimes frustration, and has changed me as a person forever. I've also grown to understand and appreciate my own mother in ways that I never could have before having children of my own. 

For kids who love animals, nature, and adventure, an outdoor birthday party just seems right. Even if your young adventurer’s birthday is in the winter, there are good options for outdoor parties. And at this time of year, it almost seems criminal to be indoors when you could be outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

However, planning an outdoor party can be tricky. The weather is always a wildcard, so you want to minimize the variables. This means having a party somewhere you can choose a package and know exactly what you’re getting. It also means that at least part of the party is under cover, so you don’t have to worry about nixing the whole thing if the weather isn’t cooperating. I've found four really fun party places for kids in and around Boston that fit the bill – read on, and starting planning an epic outdoor birthday celebration!