I never thought I'd be so happy to see school buses clogging up the streets! Those yellow vehicles were a welcome sight for the NYC families who suffered through the month-long strike. It was a wonderful way to return to school after midwinter break, which was short but filled with fun. Here at Mommy Poppins, we even slowed down a bit so we could spend some quality time with our children. We hope you did too!

But now it's back to business. And since it's February, one of the top things on most parents' to-do lists is figuring out summer camp. We're in the midst of updating and expanding our NYC Summer Camp Guide, and this week we posted about the best new programs set to debut this year. But don't just look at our Camp Guide: Our sister sites also have the scoop on exceptional camps in their areas, including commuter programs. So check out our Summer Camp Guides for Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Even though February break has come and gone, these final winter weekends are a great time for day trips. Maple sugaring season has arrived and we've got the scoop on the best places to taste the sweet stuff in upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Or consider a visit to the World of Wings in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey, where kids can get up close and personal with butterflies, insects and reptiles, and then hit an indoor bounce house, all in one building!

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

Winter break wraps up this weekend, and with it, a full slate of activities for kids and families in Boston. Many of the special events we highlighted in our February vacation roundup continue through the weekend, including Built to Last at the USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown. If you are planning to visit, be sure to check out Kid-Friendly Places to Eat near the USS Constitution from our newest contributor, Kristin Quinn, author of Misadventures in Mommyhood: The truth & nothing but the truth (So PLEASE Help Me God!). Welcome, Kristin!

And read on for more events taking place this weekend, from Family Day at the Mass College of Art and Design to the final weekend for Boston Children’s Theatre’s Honk! and Wheelock Family Theatre's Oliver. As always, you will find more things to do by checking out our Events Calendar.

Have you seen our Birthday Party Guide recently? With Tara’s newest addition, Boston Birthday Parties for Foodie Kids, we’ve got over 50 suggestions for places to go and things to do to celebrate a kid's birthday in and around Boston.

Enjoy the weekend!

It’s party time in LA this weekend. The Oscars only come once a year, and in this company town, we’re all celebrating! Folks are dressing in elaborate costumes, going on wild and wacky rides and indulging in a total carnival atmosphere. On the other hand, it’s Purim. So folks are dressing in elaborate costumes, going on wild and wacky rides and indulging in a total carnival atmosphere. (Paparazzi optional.)

You know what they say: it’s raining, it’s Purim. If this Purim (or any other day) is finds you seeking shelter from inclement elements, Mommy Poppins has you covered. Check out our roundup of free indoor rainy day activities, for hotspots sure to keep your kiddies entertained and raindrop-free.

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend …

This weekend, catch the opening of Marionetas de la Esquina Family Puppet Theater's Sleeping Beauty Dreams, a humorous, modern take on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale at the Long Island Children's Museum. Make a day out of it by exploring all the museum has to offer before or after the show. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is hosting its Camellia House Weekend with plenty of activities for the entire family. Enjoy live music by the Chamber Players International Saxophone Duo, ukulele music with Josh Kekoa Cho, and a screening of The Great Gatsby. For the kids, there will be crafts, Mad Hatter storytelling, and bingo. Purim is this weekend, and there are opportunities to celebrate this fun and festive holiday right here on Long Island. The Sid Jacobson JCC is hosting a Purim Character Breakfast where you can join Queen Esther, King Achashverosh, and the cast of the Megillah for bagels and more.  You'll also get to make masks and bake hamentaschen. The Chabad of Mid Suffolk is hosting a Purim Family Party complete with masquerade festivities, a Megillah reading, snacks, and a clown. Also on tap: a Maple Sugaring Demonstration at Benner's Farm in Setauket, along with Tea Time with Dolly and Me at the Conklin Barn in Huntington.  As always, please check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family!

Although this weekend is just a regular two-day affair, there are still lots of fun things for families to do, and many of our picks are FREE. Rock out to the Grammy nominated Pop Ups at the New York Public Library, catch a stage adaptation of kid-lit classic Charlotte's Web at the Brooklyn Public Library, celebrate George Washington's birthday at Harlem's Morris-Jumel Mansion and see a Purim puppet show at the JCC in Manhattan, all at no cost.

Of course there are plenty of events worth paying for too, including a slew of Purim parties and carnivals, and the American Museum of Natural History's annual Black History Month celebration. And if you're looking for a sweet day trip, maple sugaring season officially kicks off this weekend.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide.

I have a son who associates all of his childhood memories with food. If I bring up something that happened in the past, he tells me exactly what he ate that day. About six months before his birthday each year, he starts planning his big day, one meal at a time. The theme, the guests, the decorations, and the activities – they are all subordinate to the most important aspect of his celebration, the food.

Maybe your kid’s life revolves around food like my kid’s does, or maybe you have a child who just loves cupcakes. Or ice cream. Or pizza. Either way, there are some pretty great birthday party options for kids who like to tickle their taste buds, whether you want to have the party at home or skip the cleaning and go out somewhere. Read on for five fun and deliciously food-focused birthday parties. And if your kids like to cook as much as they like to eat, check out these birthday parties for kids who love to cook.