Toby B

Toby is our uber-busy events editor for Mommy Poppins LA. Feel free to email Toby about events for our LA area calendar.

Latest posts by Toby

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: CicLAvia, Festivals, and Camellias

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 12:38am

African American Festival. Photo Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific

After a week that had a decidedly presidential start (punctuated by some delays by presidential motorcades) we're now thinking primarily about the future. As in this weekend, and what we are going to do.

The answer, of course, is that We. Can. Do. Anything.

Whether you heed the call of the wild or give in to the compulsion to make mayhem, you are sure to see the light.

These boots were made for walking, (and scooting and biking) and for being perfectly dressed when we do. It's a celebration, so let the good times roll!

Keep reading for picks sure to get your vote...

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Big Bounce, Turtle Odyssey, and DC Zoo-per Heroes

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 11:01pm

We put our faith in him, but it’s time we admit, that varmint is a no good liar. Either that, or he’s just bad at his job. How hard can it be? Stick your head out, see no shadow and…. eternal winter!?! Is he a groundhog, or Elsa?! With that in mind, this weekend might be a good time to explore some warmth-generating activities like biking and bouncing. Might be a good time to explore heat-adjacent topics like cooking and volcanoes.

The camellias are in bloom this weekend, unless they are freezing their pitooties off like the rest of us Southern California lightweights. Aha! The turtles! New turtles are hatching and thriving and venturing out to sea. Scratch that; they're in Australia. It's summer there now. Must be nice.

Luckily a number of local events this weekend can warm your heart, if not your frostbitten extremities. Love is in the (bitter, frigid) air. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, you can sip the tea, dress up fancy, tour the manor, and make Valentines for deserving souls.

Keep reading for our most chill picks for the weekend...

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Golden Dragon Parade, Otter Bowl, Lunar New Year

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 01/30/2020 - 12:35am

Not to bowl you over with too much information, but this weekend is sure to be super. It's a bird... it's a plane... it's a rat!

Yes, Lunar New Year is in full swing all over the Southland. Don't let its ratty reputation dissuade you from what is sure to be a golden, nay, a magical weekend.

Call me a dork, but the new year has me brimming with optimism as I see all the opportunities that lie ahead. It makes me want to sing out (and maybe sing happy birthday). We've learned to defy gravity and reach the stars. Of course, we give thanks to those who helped us get there.

Don't be a rat, keep reading for our most golden picks for the weekend.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Lunar New Year, Dodgers, Whales, & Museums Free-For-All

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 01/22/2020 - 11:12pm

Last weekend to Build Your Kingdom! Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube

This weekend is all about what we can do. We can defy any limits or expectations. We can root root root for the home team (and they can root for us!). We can go to museums for free. We totally rock!

We can explore the far reaches of our solar system or the most hidden corners of our planet. We can play in the Southern California snow. We can kick up our heels and celebrate like the party animals we are, whether our spirit creature be rat, whale, or teddy. But, no, you cannot have unlimited screen time.

Sorry, that last part was just for my kid. The rest of you can web surf to your heart's content and even run with scissors if you want. Totally fine by me. Just do me a solid and keep reading for our can-do picks for this weekend. Because yes we can! ....

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Underwater Parks, Bricks LA, and Cool Camellias

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 01/09/2020 - 1:19am

For a year called 2020 things are looking pretty blurry right now. Though I suppose that is to be expected underwater—which is where we are in spirit as we celebrate Underwater Parks Day. Three local aquariums honor the beauty fathoms below. (You might get so inspired you'll want to sing about it!)

If under the sea is not your thing, how about polar opposites? Unseasonable snowfalls? Blooming blossoms? Or just all things wild and scenic?

Or perhaps you like your wonders to be of human design? We can build 'em. We can smash 'em up. And then we can write home about it.

We can talk up this weekend til we're blue in the face, but the bottom line is this: it's a new year, and anything is possible.

Keep reading to see your way clear to our best picks for the weekend.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Oshogatsu, Three Kings, & Goodbye to the Holidays

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 01/01/2020 - 4:19am

We're coming at ya brand spankin' new. Hot off the presses, fresh off the grill, just out the toaster, we hand you the two oh two oh, full of sheen and sparkle and that new year smell. On this, the first weekend of the new year, deeply infused with the spirit of rebirth, we proudly present to you the newly minted....

...closing weekends of a bunch of holiday favorites. (Is it too soon to break out the 2019 nostalgia?) Because really, you're not emotionally available to engage with a new year until you've gotten closure with the previous one. Last year was a bit piggish anyway (though in truth I hear this new year is a rat).

There is much to come in this new year, much to look forward to. But for now, just chill and enjoy the ride. Things are finally coming into focus, and it's gonna be a great year.

Keep reading for our most 2020ish events for this weekend...

Things To Do in LA this Weekend: Snow White Panto, Beach Wonderland, Disney on Ice

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 12:17am

Snow Wonder! Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Visitors Bureau

We here at Mommy Poppins love all our holiday events equally. The Christmas lights, the boat parades, the holiday-themed train rides. What's not to love? It's just that we love some a little more equally than others.

Like Disney on Ice. The touring ice show is the perfect match of world class athleticism and stunning artistry, paired with the most beloved characters known to childhood. Call us un poco loco, but we simply love Disney on Ice.

And the Lythgoe Family Panto productions: Broadway caliber showmanship paired with absolute inability to take anything, least of all itself, seriously. Laughs and awestruck gasps and goosebumps from all the talent on stage. Mirror, mirror on the wall, what's our most wanted ticket of all? That would be Snow White, headlined this year by Disney Channel star Olivia Sanabia.

Do we love the latest Disney Animation feature, venturing into the unknoooooown and ruling the box office? Or do we love the many ways our SoCal kids can venture into the snow without getting frozen? Do we love the unique spins local venues put on holiday celebrations? Or do we love the fact that we can start celebrating Hanukkah 8 crazy days early (give or take—you do the math)? Which is our favorite? How do we choose? Why should we? If there's one thing we've learned as mothers, it's that there is more than enough love to go around.

Keep reading for our choices for this weekend, all equally loved, including the ones that are loved more.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Boat Parades, Christmas Parades, Snow Days, CicLAvia

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 12/05/2019 - 12:00am

Snow Wonder it's so fun! Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Visitors Bureau

There's a cold front coming. We're talking bitter, icy chills, and giant piles of snow. And just as the jolly guy is coming for a visit. What to do, what to do...

Why, fatten him up like a Christmas goose! A few extra pounds, and he'll be able to face the cold like a pro. Since he's mostly a morning guy, that means a whole lotta breakfasts.

It would take more than snow to deter our fellow Angelenos, who will be out in force this weekend, walking and parading on land and by sea, in celebration of children, the holidays, and El Segundo (all fine reasons to hup to).

So get on your toes, join the parade, and get in on this weekend's fun...