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!

As all moms know, from the moment you were handed that tiny bundle of preciousness, your life has been completely transformed. Never before had you felt this sleep deprived nor had you considered a morning shower a rare gift.  As desperately as you may want that old body back, squeezing in a workout is oftentimes as difficult as squeezing into your pre-pregnancy jeans. That's why we have to hand it to the creators of Fit4Mom. What an ingenious idea--baby gets some fun interaction and mom gets a great workout while meeting other new moms. Additionally, the organization offers a variety of classes for all stages of motherhood and levels of fitness. So while life may seem all about the kids these days, mom's this post is for you!

May is a pretty awesome month, with beautiful weather for festivals, parks and picnics. Celebrate that very special woman in your life with  a Mother & Daughter Tea at Acorn Hall or a laid back Mother’s Day hike at Tenafly Nature Center. And check out our article about the Mommy Poppins-sponsored show, Listen To Your Mother, at Symphony Space in Manhattan! You can also soak in even more spring with the Butterfly Festival at the Camden Children’s Garden or the Scavenger Hunt and Grill Out at the Great Swamp Outdoor Center. Read on for our top picks and remember, you can always find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

It's rare that we write about things to do without children on Mommy Poppins but, the fact is, while eating Mother's Day brunch and enjoying fun activities with the kids is lovely, some years, what you really want for your day is something all about, well, you. (Apologies to any dads reading right now, but you get your own Sunday in June.) We've gathered up some off the beaten path ideas for Mother's Day (and beyond) that don't include sticky fingers or crafts made out of pipe cleaners. From wine tastings to adults-only performances, here are five ways to celebrate Mother's Day without the bambinos.

As New Jersey editor, I am very excited to tell you about something that I'm doing--in New York City. If you're looking for a wonderful and unusual way to spend Mother's Day, consider coming out to the "Listen To Your Mother" reading series at Symphony Space! Showcasing moving, socially relevant and hilarious stories about motherhood from moms, non-moms and even a couple of dudes, "Listen To Your Mother" will be a memory-making end to the day that honors mothers everywhere. (Which means New Jersey, too, as there are five NJ writer/performers in the show!) Read on for all the exciting details about this Mommy Poppins-sponsored show.