Happy Monday everyone; I hope you had a great weekend. It was truly awesome to get a taste of spring and enjoy some non-frigid time outdoors with the girls! Meanwhile, I'm excited to meet some of you wonderful mamas tomorrow at the spa party (yay!), and if you're looking for something to do this week with your kids, enjoy this roundup of events via the Weekly Blueprint:

March 10: Irish music with Kevin Mulkerrins. (Dorchester)

March 12: From the tap to the table, the journey of maple syrup. (Ipswich)

March 12: Fill your day with art and play. (Lincoln)

March 12: How about some Feathers for Lunch? (Salem)

March 13: Just how did SMART Gal Ruth Benerito revolutionize fashion? (Easton)

March 13 - 16: One World, Many Stories. (Brookline)

March 13: Optical illusions with Steve Lechner. (Charlestown)

March 14: Math lovers rejoice. It’s Pi Day! (Boston)

March 14: A St. Patty’s day treasure hunt for the gold at the end of the rainbow. (Cambridge)

March 14: Who can resist more Pi? (Easton)

March 14: Make some cookies for the cow...and maybe he’ll share with you too. (Lincoln)

Image credit: Pi pie via Pinterest

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week. It's been a busy one here and I've got painters in the house right now (color! exciting! this feels grownup!) so I'm looking forward to downtime with the girls this weekend (hello, unplugging!). If you're looking for something to do, here are 16 events, lovingly curated for your consideration. Have a wonderful weekend!

1. A special night at the museum for children with ASD. (Acton)

2. Magic show with Rupayan Neogy. (Acton)

3. Margot Fox family fun show. (Arlington)

4. Ben Rudnick show benefitting Birthday Wishes. (Boston)

5. Explore and restore the Boston Harbor Islands habitats. (Boston)

6. Mix, built, predict and experiment with kitchen science. (Boston)

7. For the 5+ set, the egg tower challenge. (Boston)

8. Spend the day discovering the mysterious octopus. (Boston)

9. Share an arctic journey with Elska and her friends. (Brookline)

10. Tales of a Mysterious Land. (Brookline)

11. Spend your Saturday at the sugar shack. (Ipswich)

12. Explore line and space through tiny collaborative sculptures. (Lincoln)

13. Have a playdate with nature and get your mud madness on. (Mattapan)

14. It’s sugarin’ time. (Milton)

15. MA Special Olympics Winter Games. (Princeton)

16. Maple days. (Sturbridge)

Image credit: Mass Audubon

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Following the fun features on Medford and Beacon Hill, today’s Local Gems spotlight is on Lexington, a pretty town 11 miles northwest of Boston. I’m grateful to my brilliant friend and colleague Morra Aarons-Mele (mom of two adorable sons and a digital tour de force via Women Online and The Mission List), who shares her Lexington faves today. Thanks, Morra!

1. Wilson Farm. It's expensive and the traffic can be maddening but Wilson Farm is a magical place in my book. My boys love to go visit Belle the llama in her barn and see the fish in the garden shop. The fresh produce and plants are fantastic (as are the fresh made cider donuts, shown above), and I always buy a fresh turkey at Wilson's for Thanksgiving. My #1 favorite thing, though, is to take my sons on the spooky hayride around Halloween time!

2. Willard’s Woods. This is the most beautiful place to walk your dog. It's leash free on weekdays, which is fantastic. Park in the main parking lot and explore! Also great for kids' walks and mini hikes.

3. Arlington's Great Meadow. Despite the name, Arlington's Great Meadow is in Lexington! I sneak in behind the Waldorf School and onto the bike path. The Meadows are vast and beautiful -- you feel very far away even though you're about 15 feet from civilization. It’s great for little "hikes" for kids.

4. Revolve. Revolve offers incredible women's clothing consignment! Great designers, fair prices, and a good selection. I try to stop in once a week to see what's new. Belmont also has a Revolve but I prefer the Lexington shop for selection.

5. Ride Studio Cafe. OK, you may feel you've stepped into an episode of Portlandia, but the coffee is worth it, I promise. If you're a cycling enthusiast, this place is your hub.

6. Sweet Thyme Bakery. This little café near the Lexington Common is replete with fresh baked bread, scones, and other treats -- all beautifully presented and wrapped. They also offer a small sandwich menu.

7. Rancatore's Ice Cream. Originally established in neighboring Belmont, Rancatore's (aka Ranc's) occupies a prime spot in the heart of Lexington Center. The flavor roster changes daily and includes sweet picks such as cinnamon nutmeg, gingersnap molasses, and callebaut (Belgian) milk chocolate. Also, try the homemade hot fudge!

8. FORTHCOMING GEM ALERT: Il Casale. Nourish was originally on my local gems list, but sadly, they have since closed. The good news? Belmont's Il Casale is opening a sister bistro in Nourish's space this spring. Assuming the Lexington spot mirrors the tastiness of the Belmont location, this will be a fantastic addition to the Center!

Do you have other Lexington gems you love? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Image credits: all images via linked websites, with the exception of Willard's Woods, sourced via Lexington Patch

Good morning everyone, are you bleary eyed from watching the Oscars? I instead obsessed over paint swatches last night and caught the award highlights on YouTube this morning (thank you, internet). I hope you have a great Monday; enjoy this roundup of events for the week! Also, I still have a handful of slots left for this (free) spa party I'm hosting if you want to join in!

March 3: Especially for me morning for children with hearing loss. (Acton)

March 4: Make a MESS: Mardi Gras in a box. (Acton)

March 4: ASD friendly afternoon at the museum. (Acton)

March 5: Parent education session on families and the digital age. (Boston)

March 5: DeCordova Museum tours are free today. (Lincoln)

March 6: Celebrate Women’s History Month with these SMART gals. (Acton)

March 6: The final stretch to Spring and marathon season in Boston. (Boston)

March 6: Give your budding scientist the chance to explore wheels and ramps. (Worcester)

March 7: Celebrate Carnaval with free museum admission. (Acton)

March 7: Chinese New Year banquet. (Boston)

March 7: Dr. Seuss storytime. (Cambridge)

March 7: Late night at the museum. (Easton)

March 7: Farm connections: where does our food come from? (Lincoln)

March 7: A year in the life of a honeybee. (Marshfield)

March 7: World premiere concert by Matthew Aucoin. (Salem)

Image credit: Mass Audubon

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you've enjoyed a great week! I've felt a little scattered since it's been a short one for me. I'm looking forward to recalibrating this weekend with Jon and the girls (and perhaps putting the final decorative layer on this unicorn!). If you're looking for something fun to do over the weekend, here are 14 options for you via the Weekend Roundup. Enjoy!

1. It’s never too early for good fitness. (Boston)

2. Celebrate Purim! (Boston)

3. Get behind the camera and learn the basics of filmmaking. (Boston)

4. BSO family concert. (Boston)

5. A puppet presentation of Aesop’s Fables. (Brookline)

6. Put a Little Groove in your Saturday morning. (Brookline)

7. Ever wonder what it would be like to walk with dinosaurs? (Cambridge)

8. Spend your Saturday at the sugar shack. (Ipswich)

9. Sculpture park snowshoe tour. (Lincoln)

10. Baby it’s cold outside, but not too cold to learn about summer camp! (Sharon)

11. Maple days. (Sturbridge)

12. Musical postcards, around the world with music. (Westborough)

13. Build a feathered friend a bluebird house. (Worcester)

14. Nature play and free admission to Ecotarium. (Worcester)

Image credit: Boston Children’s Museum

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Happy Sunday all; I hope you've enjoyed a wonderful February vacation and thanks to everyone who came out to the Marimekko event yesterday. It was so much fun and I'll be posting a wrap soon! Meanwhile, I'm dropping the Weekly Blueprint early since I'll be in meetings all day with ONE tomorrow. Enjoy the roundup and good luck to all getting back into the routine tomorrow!

February 24: Multi-cultural art and seek. (Canton)

February 26: Visit the story throne for fairy tales and crafts. (Concord)

February 26: Fill your day with art and play. (Lincoln)

February 26: Sip some sap straight from the tree. (Lincoln)

February 26: Just what we all need in the middle of winter...a beach party! (Sharon)

February 27: Adult and teen book discussion: Letters to a Young Scientist. (Acton)

February 27 + 28: A puppet presentation of Aesop’s Fables. (Brookline)

February 28: Uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics. (Acton)

February 28: Polar bear day at the bookstore. (Cambridge)

February 28: It’s a maple moo mix up! (Lincoln)

Image credit: DeCordova Museum & Sculpture Park

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Hello everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful break! We've been a bit scattered, and while I've enjoyed a week off from making school lunches, I'm also looking forward to getting back to a routine next week! But before we get there, there's plenty of fun to be had via this Weekend Roundup (I hope we'll meet tomorrow!); also check out the February vacation roundup for continued programming:

1. Celebrate National Engineering Week in the Lego Zone. (Acton)

2. Splash’N Boots, Canadian children’s group of the year. (Arlington)

3. Fireside winter tales and crafts. (Attleboro)

4. A musical open house. (Boston)

5. What’s better than sustainable projects? (Boston)

6. Engineering everywhere! (Boston)

7. Super cool wheelchairs and bicycles at this adaptive sports demonstration. (Boston)

8. Ben Rudnick show supporting Cradles to Crayons. (Boston)

9. Transform your imagination. (Boston)

10. The Tanglewood Marionettes present Sleeping Beauty. (Brookline)

11. Come meet me for fashion, fun, and cupcakes this weekend! (Cambridge)

12. Explore the Ice Age up close. (Cambridge)

13. Teddy Bear tea in the historic Brooke Hall. (Concord)

14. All things slimy and scaly. (Mattapan)

15. Oh yum! Maple sugaring season is kicking off. (Topsfield)

16. Hey, there’s enough of it on the ground. May as well try snowshoeing. (Worcester)

Image credit: Coolidge Corner Theatre

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

So, did February vacation sneak up on anyone else? If you're still looking to fill your week, fear not, I've got a great February vacation mega roundup for you! And if you're looking for fun at home, enjoy this awesome craft for all ages, 9 cool science experiments using everyday household ingredients, these Black History Month learning resources, and this apple crumble pie recipe.

BEDFORD: Always wanted to create your own scrimshaw? Now’s your chance.

BOSTON: Lots of newly renovated exhibits and new sea life at the New England Aquarium.

BOSTON: Travel to the tropics without evening hopping on a plane.

BOSTON: Everything you wanted to know about habitats, ecosystems and biomes.

BOSTON: Time to celebrate with Disney on Ice.

BOSTON: Science in the park.

BOSTON: Painting, juggling, magic and more...not to mention half price cookies. 

BOSTON: It’s engineering week at the Children’s Museum.

BOSTON: A special night out at the Hotel Commonwealth.

BOSTON: A contemporary art sampler.

BOSTON: Celebrate President’s Day week with a real president.

BOSTON: Artists in the making.

BROOKLINE: An Arabian Adventure.

CAMBRIDGE: Skate to support those with ALS.

CONCORD: A visit with Abraham Lincoln.

CONCORD: Teddy Bear tea in the historic Brooke Hall.

EASTON: The case of the Fantastic Forgery art museum heist.

KINGSTON: More than just shopping at the Independence Mall.

LINCOLN: A week of art at deCordova.

LOWELL: It’s all about the kids this week.

NEWTON: Put those kids to work and have them cook dinner for a change.

PLYMOUTH: Become a 17th century apprentice.

PRINCETON: It’s the perfect week to learn to ski.

SALEM: Jam-packed week at the Peabody Essex Musuem.

STURBRIDGE: Old Sturbridge Village has more that 50 things to do this week.

WALTHAM: Snowshoe your way to a book sale.

WATERTOWN: Vacation workshops at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.

WENHAM: How they did February break in the 17th century.

WORCESTER: Around the world in 4 days.

WORCESTER: For the tinkerers in the group.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS: Mass Audubon can keep you busy all week.

Image credit: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Happy Friday and Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I apologize that I'm a little late posting; I'm actually posting from the air en route to a quick turn and burn work trip to New York City. Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend; enjoy this roundup of events (and be sure to try any or all of these 9 cool science experiments using everyday household ingredients this weekend!):

1. Boston’s hottest magician. (Arlington)

2. Learn about  the diggers and builders of the animal world. (Boston)

3. Visiting artist workshop with Anthony Palocci Jr. (Boston)

4. Kid-friendly, bilingual rock with Mister G. (Brookline)

5. The final weekend of the Great Red Ball Rescue. (Brookline)

6. It’s time to relax with Room to Read. (Concord)

7. Sumingashi, the ancient art of paper marbling. (Concord)

8. Dens, nests, lodges and mounds, check out that critter carpentry. (Mattapan)

9. Build a backyard birdhouse. (Norfolk)

10. A snowboard slopestyle competition just like the Olympics. (Princeton)

11. Story trails with Martha the dog. (Salem)

Image credit: Boston Children’s Museum

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.