Every once in a while we parents get an opportunity to re-experience a treasured childhood memory with our own kids. If you grew up here in Southern California, odds are that you made it to a grunion run at least once when you were a child. If you're from elsewhere, chances are that you thought this was total urban folklore. Well, it's no myth; there really are SoCal fish that jump out of the ocean at midnight and slither up the beach when the moon is full. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro has been hosting grunion runs with a front row seat for this peculiar phenomenon since 1964. I remember cooking out on the beach with friends and family, bundled up and waiting for those squirmy silver fish to appear. The hot dogs were usually a bit burnt, and the sand was wet and cold, but it was a night of adventure and marine biology that I never forgot.

In Los Angeles there is pressure to find the best of everything, and finding the best preschool for your little heir is no exception. Some parents jump on this task intimidatingly early, doing research and attending open houses even while Junior is still in utero. And there are so many choices: Play-based or academically focused? Montessori, Waldorf, full-time, part-time, cooperative, parochial, or secular? Media-free or media-intensive? A philosophy of "let children be children" or "teach them everything as soon as possible"? Perhaps we want our kids to learn to use their words in more than one language, to preserve their midday nap, or to spend most of their day playing outdoors in nature.

As fall approaches, there are fewer ways and reasons to enjoy the outdoors; but while the movies are fading to black and the music and the melodies begin to ebb, the Ford Theater in Hollywood continues to jam with interactive, internationally themed movement and music. This week families learn to dance to the Brazilian accordion rhythms of Forró Dance.

Yes, David Shannon is at Vroman’s this week, signing his new book, Duck on a Tractor. If you purchase a new copy of Duck on a Tractor, Shannon will sign it. Proof of purchase is required, or No, David won’t sign.

And the much anticipated remodel of the Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavillion opens on Friday. No child’s education about the cycle of life is complete without some up close personal time with cocoons, caterpillars, and the beautiful butterflies they become.

As always, Mommy Poppins has picks for the week, the month, the season and an up to the minute Event Calendar. Find something new or rediscover old favorite ways to enjoy parenthood on our September GoList and Best of Fall selections.