Put on your parkas and gloves and head over to Putnam for the 8th Annual Fire and Ice Festival on Feb 10. This large-scale ice sculpture carving event attracts people from all over the country.  Watch as several 300 lb. blocks of ice are transformed into a work of art - bring your Valentine or bring the whole family!

While you are at it, why not make a whole weekend of it?  If you are already in the  "quiet corner" of Connecticut, you may want to check out a few others things like the Conn. Audubon's programs, the Chocolate Festival, and the Textile Museum.  And of course, don't forget to check our Mommy Poppins' Winter Guide for all things fun to do in winter!

One of our annual Autumn trips, since my boys were young, has been a trip to the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor. From an early age, my boys, like many boys, loved trains; and this local museum has been able to meet their needs many times over. We attended this year during their annual Pumpkin Train Ride but they offer a variety of events throughout the year. The museum has a small staff, and relies on their many, many volunteers to drive the trolleys on the fun but short jaunt from the museum.

Fall is officially here and it's a great time to make some lasting memories with your toddlers. You know..the pint-sized people in your house who eat one bite of apple and throw it away? The ones who are obsessed with dinosaurs (trains, ballerinas, kitties, puppies...)? This time of year preschoolers are extremely curious about the changing seasons and we have assembled an enjoyable list of great places you can take them to in the Hartford area.  Come on, let's go! (But don't forget you-know-who's favorite stuffed animal!)