Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia Gonzalez

Sonia is a veteran editor and writer for Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring greater New York with her husband and their three kids and is always on the looking out for innovative, educational and fun things to do with them. She is thrilled to have this platform to share what she finds with Mommy Poppins readers.

Latest posts by Sonia

What to Do with Excess Candy: Five Creative Ideas for Halloween Candy

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 11:00am

My kids are counting down the days to Halloween. They've had tons of fun at various seasonal events around town including the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (our first time visiting) and other events happening all month long. Even so, October 31 is about as exciting for them as Christmas morning and they are already giddy thinking about the rivers of Halloween candy headed their way as they parade around our neighborhood trick-or-treating.

The first time I went trick-or-treating when my oldest was old enough, we came home and he sat with a wild grin, scanning his candy loot, then looked to me with those anxious, pleading eyes. I let him indulge (but not too much) and once he came down from the sugar high, I got him cleaned up and off to bed. Then I scanned the mounds of leftover candy, too much for a classroom to consume in a day. I packed up most of it (minus a small bowl for snacking) and put it away in a cabinet he couldn't reach. The next day, he was happy with the small bowl and didn't even seem to remember the rest. I stumbled across that hidden stash the following October. I told myself this was a novice mistake.

Now with three kids and three times the candy, I have to come up with creative ways to make that candy disappear! What to do with the excess? We've got five fun ideas for using (and getting rid of) extra Halloween candy.

News: Brand New Parks App, Decoding Westchester Towns & Villages, Mommy Poppins at HarvestFest

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sat, 10/19/2013 - 3:01pm

There's a lot happening around town. Westchester Children's Museum is one step closer to opening their doors and we couldn't be happier. Grand Prix New York added a new art studio space to their already fun filled indoor entertainment complex and Westchester County Parks Department launched a new app to help navigate the parks system.

Speaking of Westchester, ever wonder about the many redundant town and village names in the county and the boundaries they encompass? Well, if you've been puzzled about the county map (or if this just sparked an interest), we found a great breakdown we thought was worth sharing. Read on for more on these topics plus details on catching up with Mommy Poppins at Ridge Hill's HarvestFest 2013!

HarvestFest 2013: Join Mommy Poppins for Trick-or-Treating, Arts & Crafts, Great Food, Kids' Rock Band & More at Ridge Hill!

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 10/15/2013 - 1:00pm

So far this month, we've told you about Halloween events in Historic Hudson Valley, great haunted houses and fun ideas for Halloween crafts. And the month's only halfway done! There's still so much more fun in store this month, we can barely decide what to do next! One event we are particularly excited about is HarvestFest 2013 at Westchester's Ridge Hill. We mentioned this event in our October Go List but with so many fun activities (including a Mommy Poppins booth!), we thought it deserved a dedicated mention here as well.

HarvestFest is an all day event that will be filled with fun seasonal activities, shopping, great food, live music and more. Plus, Mommy Poppins will be on site with the official HarvestFest trick-or-treating bags and an arts and crafts table! You can also enter to win tickets to a show at NYC's New Victory Theater! Read on for everything you need to know about HarvestFest!

Acting & Musical Theater Classes for Kids in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sat, 10/05/2013 - 11:00pm

When my son first asked to taking acting classes, I was floored. He was such a shy and timid kid, even as a toddler. I actually asked him if he knew what acting was. He assured me he did and he wanted to take classes so I signed him up. I was surprised and delighted to see my quiet little boy flourish on stage. He became more confident and took to the stage with enthusiasm and excitement that I had never seen in him before.

Acting can be lots of fun and a great way to build public speaking skills and foster teamwork. It's also great to experience seeing a production brought to life and being a part of the process. Westchester has great choices when it comes to acting programs and we've listed them for you here. Instruction ranges from acting and film making to musical theater with dancing and singing incorporated.

Mostly Free & Fun Things to Do This Weekend with Westchester Kids: Festivals, Reptile Expo, Harvest Party, Sept. 7 & 8

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Wed, 09/04/2013 - 3:14pm

Summer is winding down and many kids head back to school on Monday but the weather is gorgeous and there are great ways to squeeze in lots of outdoor fun while its still warm out. Friday Mamaroneck Shares hosts their final block party in the summer long series. Saturday there's the annual Yonkers Riverfest or Take Me to the River Music and Art Fest in Hastings-on-Hudson. Sunday the weekend long White Plains Jazz Fest comes to a close with the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival and Greenburgh Nature Center is hosting their Harvest Party.

Read on for our top weekend picks for families in Westchester. If you see something that piques your interest, be sure to click through to the listing for full details. And be sure to check our Event Calendar for more events happening this weekend and beyond.

Join the Mommy Poppins Team: Looking for an Event Editor for Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 2:20pm

Mommy Poppins Westchester is growing, and we're looking for a freelance Events Editor to join our team. We'd love to hear from someone who is familiar with Westchester and understands why it's such a great place for families. The Events Editor will manage our Calendar of Events, helping to curate the calendar with unique, fun, educational, cool and off the beaten path activities. This person will also highlight the best family events for the weekend in a weekly post.

If you're as enthusiastic as we are about Mommy Poppins Westchester and would like to join our team and help enhance our site, read on for additional info about this opportunity, as well as instructions on how to apply.

Things to Do This Weekend with Westchester Kids: Fairs, Concerts, Animal Encounters & More, August 24 and 25

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:26am

It's hard to believe summer is winding down, but there's still lots of fun happening this weekend in Westchester County. If you're feeling a little blue about back to school, we've got a Back to School Swagapalooza coming up that should help get you in the spirit. This national giveaway will include prizes that include $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, a year supply of school uniforms from French Toast and a Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, just to name a few. More details are coming soon.

In the meantime. Rye Playland continues its Summer Concert Series with Jake Miller on Friday and the Dutchess County Fair is in full swing now through Sunday. For all the creature lovers out there, young and old, head to Hudson Highland Museum on Saturday to see Sky Hunters in Flight or check out the Slithery Serpents at Teatown Lake Reservation. On Sunday, grab your favorite fairy gear and head to Muscoot Farm for their popular Victorian Faerie Walk.

If you see something that piques your interest, be sure to click through to the listing for all the details. And don't forget, our calendar of events has even more to do this weekend in Westchester!

Things to Do With Kids This Weekend in Westchester: Block Party, Baseball Card Expo, Concerts, Fossils & More, August 17 & 18

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Wed, 08/14/2013 - 4:33pm

These gorgeous (though fall-like) temperatures are a reminder that we've only got a few more weeks before back to school madness begins. Even so, there's lots of summer fun still to be had in Westchester, both indoors and out!

If you're looking for a good show, Oliver! and Into the Woods are playing this weekend. The East Coast National Baseball Card Show is going on now through Sunday, for all you baseball fans. On Friday, you can check out Mamaroneck Shares Summer Block Party, which we mentioned earlier this summer, or check out Annie at Hudson River Museum's new amphitheater. Saturday, head to Hudson Highland's Nature Museum for Fascinating Fossils. On Sunday, walk the gangplank to the Science Barge in Yonkers for their Art & Science series or check out a 50's doo-wop concert in Yorktown. And don't forget, the New York Renaissance Faire continues this weekend.

If you see something you like, click on to the listing for full details and contact information. As always, there's even more to do this weekend and beyond in our calendar of events!