Presidents Day draws nigh, and doubtless many of you will be celebrating the lives and times of our forefathers in the traditional Southern Californian way: finding snow and sliding down it repeatedly, just like Honest Abe would have done. Parents who like to find meaning in days off from school might take advantage of the not-one-but-two Presidential Library Museums we have access to in the Southland; both the Nixon and Reagan Libraries celebrate the day with free festivities. But since not everyone can convince the boss that Presidents Day merits a snow day from work, some parents are bound to be looking for a day camp to cover the Monday holiday. Allow us to make a few suggestions.

Even though both Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, it sounds like we're going to get enough snow this weekend to go sledding, cross-country skiing down the street and maybe even have a full-fledged snow day. We're doing our best to keep our calendar and posts updated with accurate info, but we predict there will be many cancellations so if you're heading to an event, be sure to check the official website to confirm it's still happening.

If the blizzard inspires you to keep the fun inside, you can try some Valentine's Day-themed crafts, catch a family show or explore a new kid-friendly museum exhibit like Canstruction at the World Financial Center. My daughter went to see it last weekend and she took the photo above of a poodle made entirely from canned food! Our Winter Fun Guide is filled with info on all of these activities and more, so you can make the most of the season, both indoors and out.

If you're trying to figure out what to do during the upcoming four-day winter break, we just did posts on Presidents' Day break camps and NYC day trips. If you're thinking of traveling further afield, our friends across the Hudson just shared their list of the top 100 things to do in New Jersey with kids before they grow up and our Travel site has a roundup of great winter getaway deals and discounts, including an awesome Disney cruise deal.

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

This weekend, the Merrimack River Eagle Festival takes place at several locations around Newburyport, the Boston Globe Travel Show comes to the Seaport World Trade Center, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Performance options include Boston Musica Viva’s annual family concert and Gustafer Yellowgold at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve rounded up some kid-friendly ideas for sweet treats, craft activities, and other events taking place this weekend. Read on for the details, and be sure to consult our calendar for more things to do. Of course, given the weekend forecast, please be sure to check with the venues for any cancellations or changes to the schedule!

We’re also pleased to offer the next installment of our Poppins Parents series - meet funny gal, brand marketer, and yoga studio owner, Kristin Quinn! And if you’re a camp director or involved in running a summer camp, we’d like to invite you to contact us about being included in our new Summer Camp Directory, set to launch in March.

Stay safe, and enjoy!

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day."-- Dr. Seuss. Well, you're not making any more of a mess in MY house--my basement looks like a Disney Princess Island of Misfit toys. Even if Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, I'm still not seeing the light at the end of this tunnel. Get out and explore some of the best indoor play spaces in Northwestern NJ--in other words, a place where your kids can make a mess and you don't need to clean it up!

“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.”  - Mitch Albom

Growing up, my mom always said to me that i'll never understand how much she loves me until I have a child of my own. I feel blessed to finally comprehend how my son has changed me forever. So while we often think of February 14 as being a romantic holiday, take some time to remind your children how much you adore them. There are many events to do this weekend, including our list of Valentine's Day Events in Fairfield County. 

Roses are red, violets are blue, Fairfield County’s abuzz...with Valentines events to pursue!

Clearly my poetry leaves much to be desired, but you get my point.  There are lots of Valentine’s events for kids to participate in over the next two weeks.   To my mind, outsourcing both the sugary projects and the gluey, sticky projects is always a good idea!

Can you keep a secret? We at Mommy Poppins LA are harboring a crush on someone very special. Actually a whole lotta special someones: the moms, dads, and kids who visit our site. That’s a lot of Valentines to create. Luckily, we can take our own advice and snip, scribble, and paste together cards for you all! Artsy events at Vroman’s, reDiscover Center, and One Colorado also help craft special tokens from the heart. 

A card is all well and good, but sometimes a loved one wants a special night (or afternoon or morning) out. What could be more romantic than a stroll through the camellias (at your choice of gardens)? Perhaps a cultural journey to France?  Kids can share tea time with their favorite dolls, and maybe invite their dads along. Even wizards are feeling the love.

And lest you think we have nothing but hearts and roses on our minds, this weekend we also celebrate Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake) and Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday!). So what are you waiting for? Grab your honey(s) and celebrate!

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend...

Due to the snowstorm, many venues are canceling their events on Saturday. We're doing our best to keep this post updated but before you head out to an event, please check the official website to confirm it's still happening. Or check out our post about the best things to do on your snow day, including the scoop on awesome sledding hills, special snow sculpting contests and free hot chocolate courtesy of the Parks Department.

Happy Lunar New Year! The Year of the Snake officially kicks off on Sunday, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate throughout New York City. This weekend's big to-do is Chinatown's free Firecracker Ceremony and Festival but there are also fun celebrations at the main branch of the Brooklyn Library, Queens' Flushing Town Hall and Asia Society on the Upper East Side.

There are also lots of great arts and culture events this weekend, including the debut of two awesome sounding kids' shows, The Mark of Zorro at the New Victory Theater and the musical Bunnicula!, and cool concerts by David Weinstone and Music tor Aardvarks and Father Goose.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. As always, you can find additional choices in our Event Calendar and our Winter Fun Guide.