Hello everyone, I'm launching the Weekly Blueprint early again because, well, we've already had school cancelled for tomorrow! I think because January was so ridiculously crazy for me, I'm sort of unphased by it at the moment, but if you're starting to go nuts and need some ideas for things to do, here are 10 snow day ideas, 16 fun places to sled, and 8 sources for Valentine's Day inspiration. Hang in there, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

February 9: Find the best summer camp without ever leaving home. (Virtual)

February 10: From page to screen: an inside look at children’s book adaptations. (Boston)

February 10: The How and Why of Family Dinners lecture and book signing. (Boston)

February 11: Who has the best chowder on The Row? (Somerville)

February 11: Have tea with Queen Elsa. (Wenham)

February 12: Just how do animals keep warm in the winter? (Acton)

February 12: Take a cooking class with your bestie or your sweetie. (Cohasset)

February 13: Come explore the Great Hill. (Acton)

February 13: Romancing the Square. (Arlington)

February 13: Celebrate love at the MFA. (Boston)

February 13: Italian Culture Night with performances, visual arts, science and more! (Boston)

February 13: Valentine’s Day story time with Curious George. (Cambridge)

February 13: Valentine crafts encouraging creative expressions of love. (Easton)

February 13: Valentine’s date night with clay. (Lincoln)

February 13 - 22: Frozen on Ice! (Boston)

Image credit: Artbeat

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're enjoying a great week! I finally feel as if I'm getting caught up on things and inching towards normalcy (just in time, I suspect, for more snow!). Anyway, I'm in great spirits and hope you are looking forward to the weekend. Enjoy these 26 weekend events, lovingly curated for your consideration. And if you missed it yesterday, check out the new editorial series Style on a Budget!

1. Especially for Me! FREE evening at the museum for children with Autism. (Acton)

2. Magic show with Rupayan Neogy. (Acton)

3. Check out Mix 104.1's Wellness on Wheels at the winter carnival. (Acton)

4. The Merrimack River Eagle Festival. (Amesbury, Newburyport)

5. Give kids a smile dental day. (Boston)

6. Family day at the aquarium is all about lobsters. (Boston)

7. Boston Musica Viva annual family concert The Adventures of Babar and Bliss. (Boston)

8. Get creative with your Valentine treats decorating. (Boston)

9. Learn the basics of filmmaking. (Boston)

10. Check out Mix 104.1's Wellness on Wheels at the Reilly Skating Rink. (Brighton)

11. Through their Musings at the Museum students learn that history can be magical. (Brookline)

12. It’s never too early to have Lollipops for Breakfast. (Brookline)

13. Final performances of Stuart Little - The Musical. (Cambridge)

14. The amazing world of reptiles and amphibians. (Cambridge)

15. Pancake breakfast, stop by for a stack. (Concord)

16. Big Joe the Storyteller’s snow show! (Concord)

17. Winter birding for kids. (Fall River)

18. North Shore Children’s Theater production of Seussical the Musical. (Medford)

19. Sledding party, bring your own sled. (Millis)

20. Explore the wonder of owls. (Natick)

21. Free open play at the dance studio. (Newton)

22. Storytime and watercolor exploration. (Salem)

23. Find the best summer camp without ever leaving home. (Online)

24. Winter fun at Bird Park. (Walpole)

25. A family winter wonderland of fun. (Waltham)

26. Enjoy tea and cake and wonderful music. (Waltham)

Image credit: Trustees of Reservations

Today, Katy shares inspiration to get out and sled:

The string of recent storms inspired us to shake the cobwebs off of our snow tubes and toboggans for some great sledding. Below includes some of my favorite sledding spots in my old neighborhood around Watertown as well as other recommendations from the Boston Mamas community. Share your favorite sledding spots in the comments below!

1. Robbins Farm Park (Arlington) is a classic, with a sweeping view of Boston and a long, steep hill for great big kid thrills.

2. The Arlington Boys & Girls Club (Arlington) offers a short, steep incline with plenty of spin out room on the field. 

3. Grove Street (Belmont) at the intersection of Grove Street and Huron Avenue offers a more gentle hill, close to a playground.

4. Boston Common (Boston) is right at the heart of things, including close proximity to snacks and hot beverages (see these features on Beacon Hill and Back Bay local gems for some options)!

5. Larz Anderson Park (Brookline) is a favorite, with huge hills that are awesome to sled down and challenging to climb back up. 

6. David Nunes Park (Cambridge) is a smaller -- but still fun -- hill for little ones.

7. Kingsley Park Hill (Cambridge) at Fresh Pond received repeat recommendations.

8. Danehy Park (Cambridge) is one of Cambridge's favorite sledding spots.

9. Williams Hill (Harvard) is a bit further afield and highly recommended.

10. Sugar Bowl (Jamaica Plain) at Riverway @ Perkins Street is a great spot for serious sledders.

11. Tower Hill (Medford) is a popular spot for Medford residents.

12. Tufts University (Medford) is another favorite in Medford.

13. Needham High School (Needham) offers a fun hill that runs down from the school to the football field.

14. Lowell School (Watertown), at the intersection of Orchard Street and George Street, is one of my old favorites.

15. Casey Playground (Watertown) on Watertown Street is a great spot with a big landing area.

16. Mullan Field (Winchester) across from Wright Locke Farm offers a steep and exciting incline. Added bonus: adjacent parking lot.

*ADDITIONAL PICKS: Also, editor Christine Koh just learned about this Boston Magazine feature on sledding spots in Boston; it includes some of the picks shared here, and several others in Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, Southie, and more.

Have fun sledding! And don't forget supplies for the backpack:

• Lip balm
• Sunglasses
• Extra mittens
• Snack and drink
• Towels to keep the car seats dry on the way home
• Camera

Image credits: Christine Koh

Hi everyone, happy Sunday -- I hope you're having a great weekend! February has started beautifully, with a 5-mile race and a great brunch with friends, and we're looking forward to some Super Bowl festivities too! But before we head out for football fun, I'm dropping the Weekly Blueprint early since school has already been cancelled for us tomorrow so the morning will be rather, uh, variable. Stay safe out there tomorrow!

February 2: It’s Groundhog Day. What will the groundhog’s shadow say? (Lincoln)

February 2: Celebrate Groundhog Day with Mish Michaels. (Wellesley)

February 3: ASD-friendly afternoon at The Discovery Museums. (Acton)

February 4: Happy Tu B’Shevat! Happy New Year for the trees. (Acton)

February 4: Explore deCordova for FREE. (Lincoln)

February 4: Fill your day with art and play and extraordinary snowflakes. (Lincoln)

February 4: Preschool animal tracks storytime. (Waltham)

February 4: Have tea with Mary Poppins. (Wenham)

February 5: Bring your budding scientist to Build! (Worcester)

February 6: Music and movement with Miss Bernadette. (Acton)

February 6: FREE admission to The Discovery Museums. (Acton)

February 6: What’s better than Lollipops for Breakfast? (Brookline)

February 6: Special night at the museum for families with Autism. (Easton)

February 6: What’s better than stew and brew on a cold winter’s night? (Lincoln)

Image credit: Arnold Arboretum

Happy Friday everyone and greetings from Washington, D.C. I'm here for a short work visit and per usual, wish I had more time to wander around the city and meet up with people. But alas, another time and I'm off to meetings and hope you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy this roundup of 17 events, lovingly curated for your consideration! Also, please take a moment to check out this post on lice (I'm on a mission to put the stigma to rest!).

1. Inspire your heart with art. (Acton)

2. Tanglewood Marionettes presents Sleeping Beauty. (Arlington)

3. Magic & Beyond One-Man Illusion Show. (Arlington)

4. Create a winter wonderland in a jar. (Boston)

5. Sing-along with Matt Heaton. (Boston)

6. Children’s performance of Stuart Little - The Musical. (Boston)

7. 6th Annual ICA International Children’s Film Festival. (Boston)

8. International phenomenon Gustafer Yellowgold. (Brookline)

9. The world premier of Lollipops for Breakfast. (Brookline)

10. The Big Family Quiz Thing live game show spectacular. (Cambridge)

11. Bug out with Karen K and the Jitterbugs. (Cambridge)

12. Get out and stretch your legs on a long walk before the big game. (Dartmouth)

13. The perfect weekend for a WinterFest. (Harvard)

14. Thoreau’s Desk (requires some assembly); a musical composition inspired in part by the "Sounds" chapter in Walden. (Lincoln)

15. Fun-filled day celebrating the cultures of South America. (Somerville)

16. An early Groundhog Day extravaganza. (Topsfield)

17. STEM Discovery Day at the Ecotarium. (Worcester)

Image Credit: Mass Audubon Society

We haven't yet traveled internationally as a family, and though I definitely plan on it once Violet is a little older, meanwhile, I'm always keen on finding ways to expose my kids to different cultures. And luckily, living in a city like Boston, it's not that hard a task! I'm subsequently thrilled to partner with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair to bring you a fun new editorial series to help you explore the world from the comfort of home.

The first post in this series is about Brazil. Here are 14 ways to introduce your family to Brazilian culture; for my non-local readers, the recommendations in the second half of the post are for you!

*** VISIT ***

1. Mark your calendar for Boston’s 20th Brazilian Independence Day Festival on September 13, 2015. At the festival, you can soak in cultural activities, food, live performances, and more!

2. Learn a variety of Brazilian dance styles at Moves & Vibes Dance Co. in Cambridge. Let go of inhibition and give forro or samba a try!

3. Experience capoeira -- a Brazilian martial art performed through dance -- at Capoeira Angola Quintal Boston in Somerville.

*** EAT ***

4. For vibrant, authentic Brazilian fare, try Muqueca in Cambridge. The menu offers lots of options but I've totally got my eye on the signature Brazilian seafood stews. #nomnom

5. Love meat on giant skewers? Midwest Grill has locations in Cambridge and Saugus and specializes in traditional Brazilian BBQ, and also offers seafood and vegetarian dishes.

6. When it’s time for something sweet (um, when is it not?), head to Padaria Brasil Bakery where cakes, breads, and snacks await. You can find Padaria at two Framingham locations, as well as Allston and Milford.

*** SHOP LOCAL ***

7. For many, Brazil is synonymous with soccer. If you've got soccer fans in the house, head to the Brazilian Soccer House in East Boston to gear up.

8. Casa de Carne Solucao in Somerville is a butcher shop that offers fresh cut meat and traditional Brazilian dishes.

*** PLAY ***

9. I love using crafts as a lever for cultural teaching. Try these Brazilian craft activities to create maracas, tambourines, and more.

10. As a former music and brain scientist, not surprisingly, I believe that music has lots of power! Learn more about -- and jam out to -- choro instrumental music, which was born out of Rio de Janeiro in the 1800s.

*** READ ***

11. Brazil ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Brazil dives into Brazilian culture, geography, and history in an easy for kids A-B-C format.

12. The best way to build bridges across cultures? Pick up some of the language! Get started with My First Book of Portugese Words.

13. For a 3D learning experience, check out Rio de Janeiro: A 3D Keepsake Cityscape for a foldout tour of Brazil's landmarks in Rio de Janeiro. So pretty!

14. Looking to learn alongside your kids? The Brazil Reader: History, Culture, Politics offers a comprehensive look at Brazil's historical, cultural, and political development.

So awesome, right? Enjoy exploring Brazil and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, totally related: Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting the Somerville 2015 World Fair at The Armory this Sunday, February 1. RSVP today for this free, fun-filled event celebrating South American, European, and Asian cultures.

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Disclosure: This post reflects an editorial partnership with Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair is a leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 90,000 au pairs in American homes. Hosting an au pair offers many benefits, one of which includes the opportunity for your family to learn about another country's culture.

Image credits: 1) flag via Wikipedia; 2) compilation graphic by Christine Koh with images via linked sources above.

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. This weekend was somewhat comical and chaotic; Jon was out of town and of course we got hit by lice for the first time ever! So, my weekend was filled with nit picking and olive oil treatments and just total craziness, but weirdly, the girls and I remained in great spirits! And now, let's get on to the week. There's a blizzard in the forecast, and also these events via the Weekly Blueprint:

January 28: A spanish story time. (Boston)

January 28: Who has the best chowder on The Row? (Somerville)

January 29: Celebrate National Puzzle Day! (Acton) *Also, check out this roundup of 14 awesome puzzles for babies, kids, and grownups!

January 29: A romantic cooking class just in time for Valentine’s Day. (Lexington)

January 29: What’s happening with snowy winter owls? (Milton)

January 29 - 31: Kerplop! The Tale of the Frog Prince. (Boston)

January 30: A Dream Concert creating sounds using just your voice and body. (Boston)

January 30: KidsJam family dance party. (Boston)

January 30: Weekly storytime with Curious George. (Cambridge)

Image credit: Etsy

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you enjoyed a great week! Despite it being another scramble of a week (I'm basically ready to say goodbye to January), I'm feeling in such happy spirits because my sister and her baby are visiting...hooray! Also, it's Friday and also National Pie Day (he are 10 pies you'll want to try), and it's time to think about the weekend. Here are 21 events to consider via the Weekend Roundup:

1. An afternoon of outdoor winter fun. (Andover)

2. Matt Roberts: Laughs and Illusions one of a kind interactive magic show. (Arlington) 

3. Grab your camera and warm coat and hop aboard a winter wildlife cruise. (Boston)

4. Explore assistive technology with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital! (Boston)

5. OSHOGATSU 2015 - Japanese New Year's Celebration. (Boston)

6. Shake off the winter cold and warm up in the tropics. (Boston)

7. Kids intro to digital photography. (Boston)

8. Juggling, magic and wacky antics with Davey the Clown. (Brookline)

9. Final weekend for The Pied Piper of Hamlin puppet show. (Brookline)

10. Explore the science of dinosaurs. (Cambridge)

11. Tim Seston concert and CD release party. (Concord)

12. Everything you ever wanted to know about North American birds of prey. (Ipswich)

13. Creature Feature live animals presentation. (Gloucester)

14. Ben Rudnick Family Works benefit show. (Natick)

15. A winter stringfest and instrument petting zoo. (Newton)

16. No snow is no problem at this winter open house. (Princeton)

17. Learn about ONE, international development and the fight against global poverty. (Somerville)

18. A winter day to work and play the old fashioned way. (Sturbridge)

19. It’s time to start thinking about summer camp. (Sudbury)

20. Support the Greater Boston Food Bank and have brunch for a cause. (Various locations)

21. Have tea with Queen Elsa. (Wenham)

Image credit: The Trustees of Reservations

Looking for an indoor adventure? Read on to learn more about 5 Wits via Lindsey + enter to win a ticket giveaway!

My children, husband, and I recently headed to Patriot Place in Foxboro to experience 5 Wits, a "cutting-edge, live-action entertainment venue that immerses participants in realistic, hands-on adventures." There are two adventure experiences at 5 Wits, one called Espionage and one called 20,000 Leagues.

Each adventures takes about an hour and immerses you in a high-stakes, drama-filled experience of trying to solve a mystery. In Espionage, you're cracking codes, dodging lasers, and trying to find a corporate mole. In 20,000 Leagues you're solving geography puzzles, building gears that work together to drive a motor, and tweaking a chemistry experiment in order to try to return to the surface of the ocean. In both cases, the 5 Wits team is energetic and well-trained and the technology that underlies each adventure is well thought out and compelling.

During the brief break between the two adventures, we figured out that 5 Wits refers to using all five senses to solve the mysteries. I asked my children what they liked best about 5 Wits, and this is what they had to say:

Whit (9): "I thought it was really exciting!  You had to actually put your mind to things and it was so much more interesting and interactive than a regular museum."

Grace (12): "I thought that it was a one-of-a-kind experience and a lot of fun! The people there were super nice."

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Are you ready for intrigue and adventure? To win a four-pack of combo tickets* to 5 Wits, simply leave a comment below by noon Friday, January 23, 2015. Be sure to include your e-mail in the e-mail field so we can contact you if you win (note: your e-mail will NOT appear publicly when the comment is posted). Easy peasy!

*One winner will receive one (1) four-pack of combo tickets (package value = $92) to 5 Wits, Patriot Place, Foxboro.