Summer is here and many will begin retreating from the city in search of nature and the idea of peaceful living. Some of us have made the rural lifestyle a full-time affair here in Connecticut while others of us just dream about it (okay, or have nightmares about it). But seriously,  how do some of these working parents end up with chickens and sheep living on their property? Well, we've got the inside scoop. Watch out, it just might inspire you to add a chicken or two to the family.

Karen and Elliott Davis live in Washington, CT with their lovely young son and daughter. Step by step they have created New Leaf Farm right outside their back door.

1) What were you before becoming interested in having a mini-farm on your property and what inspired you to do so?
Both of us work at full time jobs; however, it has been a life long passion to connect more with our land and with our food, which inspired us to find our "inner farmers".

2) What is living and growing on your land right now?
Two years ago, we started with an assortment of 25 heritage chickens that we are raising organically, we then established a flock of Icelandic sheep; this year we started making maple syrup from our own trees and have also started raising honeybees and will plant 50 organic old-world cider apple trees.

3) Are the kids into it and do they help out with the care-taking?
Our kids have enthusiastically taken to these projects- from caring for the animals which encompass many chores, to the marketing of the products,  They are learning the value of hard work and making their own money.  Their responsibilities include gathering and delivering the eggs, feeding the sheep, boiling and bottling syrup etc and having to discuss the benefits of our products and making change with customers.

I'm a busy NYC mom getting ready for the birth of my second child. As you can imagine, I have a lot of things to take care of. (See my recent post on searching for a double stroller!) 

However, I'm finding that some things are a bit easier this time around, like packing for the hospital. When my first son was born, I ended up with a huge suitcase full of stuff I didn’t need. Worse, I frantically sent my husband out to grab all of the items I suddenly couldn’t live without.

In addition to my own personal experience, I asked my fellow NYC moms to share their tips on what to pack. Here are the things I'm definitely putting in my hospital bag.

This post was written about the 2011 incarnation of Frogs, so some details may have changed. Things are really jumping at the American Museum of Natural History. That's because the frogs are back. Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, which features more than 200 live specimens, previously appeared at the institution in 2009. Now the amphibians, from tiny dart-poison frogs to giant bullfrogs, have returned for another tour.

Since my son had only just been born the last time the green guys were in town, this is the first time I got a chance to check out the special exhibit. Even though it's a little advanced for toddlers, we had a fun time watching and learning about these waxy super-jumpers, some of whom can leap more than 20 times their body length.

With temperatures climbing into the 70s and 80s, we're all about cooling off. This Memorial Day weekend, local beaches and beach clubs open for the season, and given the forecast we suspect playgrounds may turn on their fancy water features.

We've also got some fantastic summer camp deals, and an invitation to an exclusive advance screening of the family flick Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

I'm excited to invite you to a free advance screening of one of this summer's top family films, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, just for Mommy Poppins readers—yah!

I don't think there's a kid in New York City who doesn't read Megan McDonald's wonderful books about goofball Judy Moody—and to read them is to love them. Now the world of this gleeful third grader is coming to life in the new movie, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. The film looks like a lot of fun, and my kids and I are looking forward to checking it out at Mommy Poppins' exclusive (and free) advance screening. I hope you'll join us.

The screening will take place on Wednesday, June 8 at 5:30pm on the Upper West Side. We have an entire theater, but I expect these seats to go fast so RSVP ASAP if you'd like to go. Read on to get a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of the movie, as well as info on your chance to snag free tickets.

Back in the LBC days (“Life Before Children,”) a long, summer weekend meant a much-needed break--sleeping-in, relaxation, ahhhhh.... Now, these 3-day “free” days often mean a scramble to find family-friendly activities to entertain a crew without breaking the bank.  That’s why you have us.  This weekend we’ve got your family festivals, your garden parties, your raptor tours, your parades, your snake-handling sessions...but wait, there’s more! Check out our list of Memorial Day celebrations and crafts, too.  And no need to thank us.  We’re right there with you. Believe us.

The unofficial kick off of summer starts this weekend. From fun festivals and tooting trains to air shows and parades, we’ve got some amazing events that you’ll want to be a part of this Memorial Day weekend. In addition to some festivities, we have also found events where you can honor the brave men and women who proudly serve our county. And if you are in a planning mood, check out our post on Long Island CSAs so you can guarantee your family some of the best summer picnics ever. Have a wonderful weekend.

Eliza, a mother of 3 living in Litchfield County, had an inspirational moment one day while grocery shopping. Tired of the usual meatballs, burgers and Bolognese rotation, she has begun a quest to cook authentic ethnic meals from a different region each week. Last time was Spain and this week is Israel.

With typical Israeli bravado, all the websites and cookbooks I perused insinuated that although the recipes were excellent, the dishes could not possibly be as delicious without access to the fresh fruits and vegetables found in the Israeli markets. And having seen those markets and tasted the produce, I understand the pride.  However, with a trip to my well stocked local health food store, New Mornings in Woodbury, I managed to make some delicious Israeli meals.

Israeli cuisine finds its origins in the wide swath of fertile to barren land from northern and eastern Europe down through the Middle East across northern Africa and into Spain.  And because the recipes traveled with immigrants, many carry stories and traditions.There were websites galore featuring Israeli recipes, but I ended up enjoying the dishes from one cookbook the most.