It's the most wonderful time of the year again, when the children go back to school and everything on the menu is apple, squash, pumpkin or fig. (Yes, figs are in season now, too!) I can't say I won't miss those drifting, lazy days that sneak up on you, only to deposit a more fully grown child in September, and all that 'where did the time go'-ness and memory-making quickly turns into busy school days and early rising. Of course, as a nostalgist, I find melancholy in all seasons, so let's move along to the food. I love a good fall recipe, and despite sitting in traffic for 50 hours to get there, I also love the bounty from a day spent apple picking. If you don't feel like cooking, we've got some crafts and leafy fun for you as well. Very good for the memory-making.

Can you find: a chessboard hidden in a secret glade, a pond where blue glass grasses grow, a gigantic “Fly Eye,” a black mirror, and an army of frozen men? You can on a scavenger hunt through the incredible sculpture gardens of the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, an often overlooked East End attraction and a great day trip for anyone interested in outdoor roadside art..

UPDATED: 9/10/12 Many of us are looking for things to do on 9/11 with the family.
The 11th anniversary is upon us and the heartbreak is still there as memories resurface. While 5 months pregnant, I was planning on taking my 3 year old son up to Central Park Zoo on that stunningly beautiful day. We lived on the Hudson River, 2 blocks from Ground Zero in Battery Park City. We experienced the tragedy as it unfolded minute by minute. We didn't know the towers had fallen until we were half way across the Hudson River on a rescue boat. I happened to look up and caught the second tower crumbling to the ground. For weeks, months and even years later we lived and breathed in the aftermath alongside our neighbors and friends. Through the tragedy we experienced the strength and love that can be created in a community of neighbors and strangers. We also gained a whole new appreciation for life that can only be found once you are so close to losing it.

We live in Connecticut now and my children understand the importance of the anniversary each year. We plan to attend a local memorial service and to review the photos and diary that I kept during the days (and years) afterwards; we'll also peruse the kids' 9/11 artwork that I have saved. We will never forget. Here's a listing of child friendly events that are occurring around the state so that your family doesn't forget either.

Most NYC kids went back to school this week, including all of ours (that's my daughter and her long-time pal in the pic, both going into second grade). The energy in our schoolyard was palpable today. We hope your kid's first day was equally exciting.

Although quality family time is harder to find in the fall, there are still lots of great ways to come together on the weekends. Autumn brings fun festivals, cool kids' concerts and apple picking outings. We recently updated our roundups of the best pick-your-own-apple places on Long Island, in New Jersey and Connecticut, and we even have a post about low-spray apple farms.

Even though school has started, we continue to add handy posts to our Back-to-School Guide, like money-saving supply tips and more do-it-yourself fashion and supply ideas, perfect projects for a rainy day.

And if you're already planning your next family getaway (hey, NYC public school kids have a four-day holiday coming up next weekend!), our Travel site is doing a series of posts on the Poconos in Pennsylvania, including a Bushkill Falls Waterfalls Hike, a slide show of the adorable residents of Claws "N" Paws Animal Park and a look at the lovely Skytop Lodge.

Here's what else happened this week on the NYC site.

All the kids back to school? You might be taking it easy this first weekend since school has started, but in case you're still looking for family activities, there's plenty to do. There's a Fiddle & Folk Festival at Benner's Farm, Cirque du Soleil's Dralion is in town, the ChickenKidz consignment event is on in Riverhead, and there are various shows on for kids and families. Have a great weekend.

My daughter is an only child and an only grandchild on my husband’s side, so it was my mission to combat her selfishness early by getting her involved in community service young and often. There are so many great ways to get children, even very young ones, involved in community service, especially as we approach National Day of Service on September 11. Long Island has a great many charities that children can support, and starting young will help your child become ware of all she/he can be grateful for and how to give to those who are not as fortunate.