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or, how to get the biggest, nicest, cheapest Christmas tree in New York City

photo by slapjack

Our 2008 Holiday Guide is now up! We'll be posting lots more Holiday Activities, Shopping and Gift Ideas and other fun stuff, adding it as we go. This is one of our posts from last year, which I have updated and am re-posting for you.

This morning they were setting up the Christmas tree stall on the corner of our school's block and my kids ooh'ed and ahh'ed at the gorgeous, giant trees. The light rain made walking past them smell fabulous. Even for a Grinch like me it's hard to resist the smell and lure of those beautiful trees while I could feel my wallet having a seizure.

Even though I am ambivalent about the tree, it's one of the rites of the Holiday season I feel I can't really deprive my kids. And if I'm going to get a tree I want it to be the biggest, most beautiful Christmas tree I can get - and cheap, of course.

So here's the sum learnings of my years of where to buy a Cheap Christmas Tree in New York City: Read more »

On Friday evening, people all over the East Coast will be able to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor launched into orbit on it's way to rendezvous and dock with the international space station. If you want to see it look low along the southern horizon around 8pm, Friday, November 14th, 2008. Read more »

With the colder weather ahead it's time to start planning for how to pass the time indoors. If your kids are anything like mine, they love being on the computer and playing games on sites like Webkinz, Club Penguin, and Nick Jr. But I noticed they can be just as happy and have just as much fun if I put them on an educational site, it's just a matter of remembering about the good ones.

There are dozens of great, smart, fun sites where kids can play games and learn about science. I've rounded up some of the best educational science websites for kids to help keep those indoor activity times a little smarter: Read more »

Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC. And it's a great way to travel with kids. But if you're not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. We've rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

There are now a few sites that give accurate subway directions. Just type in your starting and ending addresses and they will tell you the best routes. Read more »

It sure is a world wide web out there. So much good stuff. We've rounded up our best finds for fun and helpful tips for parents from all over the internets. Below find, decorating and costume ideas, how to make your halloween greener, your jack o'lantern spookier, and tons of other tips.

Check out our Halloween Guide for more fun Halloween ideas and don't forget to submit your photos to our Halloween Costume Photo Contest. Like the fun new entry we got today, at left. :)

  Read more »

We launched our Back to School Guide last week and since then we've already added a bunch of new posts with more on the way. But for a special Linkin' Blogs we thought we'd give some link love to some other great back to school guides out there.

Cool Mom Picks always has the best recos for adorable stuff for moms and babies and the Cool Mom Picks Back to School Shopping Guide is jam-packed with wonderful backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes, jackets, supplies, and even snacks and organizational supplies for moms.

On a much more brass tacks level, the Consumer Reports Back to School Guide has tips for parents on health, safety, saving money and, of, course electronics recommendations. Read about vaccinations, how to save money on kids clothes, how to know if your child's backpack is too heavy and much more. Read more »

I'm not a big "stuff" person, but when I do want to ogle, buy or dream about buying kid stuff, I turn to the site Cool Mom Picks where some super savvy moms select the most unique little things for babies, kids and moms. That's why I'm thrilled to announce that Cool Mom Picks is coming to Mommy Poppins. Check out what the girls have found for us this month: 

Now your little monsters can make their own big monsters.

  Read more »

I just returned from the BlogHer conference, where approximately 1000 bloggers descended on San Francisco to meet, learn, discuss and recreate blogging. Although I have very little stamina for conferences and was BlogHurting pretty bad by Saturday, I had a great time and was really pleased to finally meet some of the fantastic bloggers that I have been reading, emailing, trading posts with and linking to for the last couple years, but had never so much as spoken to before.

I also had the opportunity to become acquainted with many new bloggers and blogs that I had never read before. This week, instead of our usual linkin' b'logs, I thought I would share some of the wonderful blogs that I read or will start reading now that I know about them. These are some of todays' best writers, who share their intimate, passionate, unique and truthful takes on parenting. Read more »

At Mommy Poppins we love the blog www.ethansbookshelf.com for recommending great age-appropriate ideas for children's books, and Ethan's Bookshelf has been distinguished as an American Library Association recommended site (one of 14 this year!). Creator blogger mom Jennifer—a former NYC teacher—tells us about literacy and reading styles in this interview, plus summer reading recommendations.

What was your biggest motivation for starting this blog and how has it evolved over time?

I started my website, after my son was born and the blog that goes along with it, Read Imagine Talk (www.readimaginetalk.com) launched just about a month ago. Ethan's Bookshelf was born out of a desire to find work I could do from home that I could really love. Some of my most favorite things to do are read and write, and running the website allows me to do both. Before I had Ethan, I worked as a teacher in NYC. I taught second, fourth and fifth grades. I received my Masters from Bank Street College of Education in Reading & Literacy and then worked as adjunct faculty at Bank Street. I loved teaching in general, but my favorite part of teaching was helping kids fall in love with books and reading. Again, the web site allows me to stay in touch with something I love doing, albeit in a slightly different way! Read more »

For many New Yorkers, as soon as the weather warms up, it signals a primordial urge to flee, but summer is one of the most fun times to be in New York. In the summer you can take advantage all the City has to offer — amazing beaches, gardens, pools, outdoor concerts and movies, events and activities. And much of it is completely free, turning New York in the summer into one big fest...and we don't mean a big "sweat-fest" — there's a million ways to stay cool and enjoy the summer in NYC with your family.

Whether you are visiting New York for the day, a week or hanging here with your kids for the whole summer, our Summer Fun Guide will tell you everything you need know to have an incredible summer right here in the city with the kids.

Be sure to check out our Free Fun Summer: A free activity a day for the entire summer!

Summer Concerts and Festivals

The Best Grown-Up Outdoor Music Festivals for Families

The Under(play)ground Music Scene

Free Outdoor Shakespeare for Families

Free Outdoor Movie Festivals

Free Outdoor Movies at Waterside Plaza

Water Fun

Best Free and Cheap Swimming pools

Best New Swimming Pools for NYC Kids

Best Free Swimming Pools in Brooklyn

Swimming Classes

Top 5 Beaches Near NYC for a Family Daycation

5 Water Theme Parks Close to NYC

Best Water Playgrounds around NYC

Best Boat Rides for Families in NYC

Do-It-Yourself Pool Party

Outdoor Fun

Four Excellent Summer Outings for NYC Kids

Where to discover wildflowers in NYC

Free Sports Programs in NYC Parks

Free Summer Sports Activities for Kids in NYC

Free Exercise Spots in NYC

Free Bike Rentals in Manhattan

Children Blossom at Free Brooklyn Botanic Garden Programs

Go Around to NYC's Nine Carousels

Indoor Activities

Lefferts Historic House

The Secret Glass Garden

5 Great Indoor Activities

The Early Childhood Resource and Information Center

Story Times Around the City

5 Museums You've Never Heard Of

Free Movies in Theaters Now 

Free Family Museum Programs:

Cool Stuff at the Queens Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

MoMA

Rubin Museum of Art

Tips for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Kids

Day Trips and Daycations

Long Island Farms to Visit with Kids

Farm Fun for City Kids at NY State County Fairs

Day Trips: Long Island's Best Parks

Four Ideas for Day Trips from NYC

Summer Family Travel

Top Resources for Family Travel

Taking a Babysitter on Vacation with You

House Swapping

Get Outta Town: New Orleans

Get Outta Town: San Francisco

How to bring your own water on the airplane

Car Travel Tips

Neighborhood Outings and Expeditions Exploring the city is another great thing to do while the weather is warm. Just hop on the train or bus and head to a neighborhood you haven't been to before or would like to explore more. We've got loads of neighborhood outings and expeditions for you to explore in our Neighborhood Guide.

Summer Camps Just looking at all this make you exhausted? It's not too late to find a camp. Check out our Camp Guide.

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