Cait Sumner
Cait Sumner is an editor for Mommy Poppins and the owner and photographer of Apiary Photography. Along with homeschooling their kids, Cait enjoys playing soccer with the Philly Falcons. Always on the lookout for fun, unique family activities, Cait loves bringing those ideas to life through Mommy Poppins.
Latest posts by Cait
If you love chocolate, Philly has no shortage of this sweet treat. Chocolate shops and even chocolate restaurants abound in the city of brotherly love. Just in time for celebrating Valentine's Day, we've got some great places to enjoy this delicious treat. Because what kid (or parent) doesn't love chocolate?
Whether you've heard about it or not, there's no denying it sounds intriguing: Thai rolled ice cream (also known as smash ice cream). The name itself describes it pretty well, but the process is just as fun to watch as the ice cream is to eat. Just watching videos of it is pretty mesmerizing. Liquid ice cream is poured onto a cold metal sheet and then expertly shaped and formed into a perfect rolled cylinder about the size of a roll of quarters. It resembles something like a Swedish roll, but it's made entirely of delicious, sweet ice cream. You can make it even more unique and yummy by adding mix-ins and toppings. We've rounded up some great places in the city to try this delectable new phenomenon! It's the perfect way to celebrate or to finish out a fun day of adventures.
Birthdays are the best time of year for kids, and nothing makes a special day sweeter like free stuff! There's something extra exciting about being treated to something free on your big day. We've got a list of tons of great birthday freebies for kids. From meals to ice cream, to clothes and books, you can find just about anything for free on your birthday. Take note, these freebies require you to sign up for emails ahead of time, so even if your child's birthday isn't coming up, you might want to get started.
If you're a first-time mom, childbirth can be scary. Heck, let's face it, if you've already done it before, it's still a little scary. Childbirth classes are essential for any pregnant woman and her partner. Seriously, I cannot stress just how important these classes are for anyone who is expecting. If it's been a while since you've had your first baby (or babies), you may even want to refresh. Maybe you're trying something new this time around- whether it's a VBAC or unmedicated birth, or you just want to make sure you know what you're doing, a birthing class can help with that. The most important things that birth classes will help you with are pain management, knowing the signs of labor, understanding the labor process, and knowing your rights so you can be in control of your birth. We've rounded up a few great places (other than hospitals) that offer birthing classes in the area. Also included in this list are breastfeeding classes, as those are essential for any new mom who plans to breastfeed.
How do we love Philly? Help us count the ways! We know that Philadelphia is full of great stuff to do with kids, but we need help finding the best of the best. So we're counting on you, our Mommy Poppins readers and the most savvy parents we know, to help us pick Philly's BESTIES. The best play spaces? Philly has 'em. Family restaurants? We've got those, too.
Congratulations! You're in the homestretch. Baby is almost here and you're making all the final preparations before becoming a new parent (or becoming one all over again)! The bag is packed, the car seat is loaded in the car, the nursery is all set. It feels like you've checked everything off your list, but you probably haven't. Most new moms (and dads) get so excited to welcome their new little one, they don't take much time to think about what happens after baby gets here. Life will be incredibly different when your new bundle does finally arrive- take the time now to think about yourself before lack of sleep and baby brain truly take over.
At Mommy Poppins, our goal is to make parenting easier for you. So, check out this list of postpartum services in the area. Whether you decide to opt for a postpartum doula, you end up needing breastfeeding support, or you're looking for a local parenting group, we've got it all right here for you.
This list serves as your must-do activities for the whole year. Find out where to take Philly kids for adventures, shows, learning activities, and more. We've picked out the best activities for you and your family. Whether you prefer low-key family fun, indoors or outdoors activities, or seeing the latest exhibits, we've got you covered. We'll update this list throughout the year with all the latest reviews and updated info. You might want to bookmark this one; you know you're going to want it later!
Perhaps you remember the delightful stories from which A Year with Frog and Toad was adapted. The classic series "Frog and Toad are Friends" is a fairytale staple for anyone who grew up in the 70s and 80s. The musical adaptation follows a year-in-the-life of these two amphibious friends (and a few of their adorable sidekicks) through each season of the year. The Arden Theatre brings the stories of the two lovable characters to life with classical and creative costuming and a set that includes a trap door and 2 revolving houses, which was definitely a favorite feature for the kids.
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