Happy Friday, everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful week! It was so great to meet some of you at the Mommybites Boston mom's night out event last night -- thank you so much for coming out and braving the rain! Meanwhile, who else is excited for the weekend? If you're looking for something to do, enjoy this roundup of 25 events, lovingly curated for your consideration. And tune in later today for a fantastic Friday Find!

1. Hands-on programs about nanoscale science and engineering. (Acton)

2. Godspell! (Arlington)

3. Learn the ancient art of Pysanky, just in time for Easter. (Arlington)

4. Raise money for cancer research over brunch. (Beverly)

5. A festival just for healthy kids. (Boston)

6. Every rug has a story, every pattern has a history. (Boston)

7. It’s World Puppetry Day. (Boston)

8. Easter comes to the South Shore. (Braintree)

9. The Caring Bunny pays a visit to the mall. (Braintree)

10. It’s National Crayon Day in Color City. (Brookline)

11. Randy Kaplan introduces Jam on Rye. (Brookline)

12. The tale of a wise old rabbit and a no-so-smart tiger. (Brookline)

13. Sugar shack Saturday. (Ipswich)

14. Skip the pancakes and go for french toast this weekend. (Lexington)

15. The sheep get ready for Woolapalooza. (Lincoln)

16. Hear the colors you see at a Rainbow Symphony. (Lincoln)

17. A fun afternoon with the Harlem Globetrotters. (Lowell)

18. Celebrate cultures from around the world. (Manchester-by-the-Sea)

19. With spring comes maple sugar days. (Milton)

20. Karen K & the Jitterbugs rock Newton. (Newton)

21. Wachusett Mountain family day hike. (Princeton)

22. Hop on down to see the Spring Bunny. (Somerville)

23. Final weekend for Maple Days. (Sturbridge)

24. Have tea with Queen Elsa. (Wenham)

25. MA Mother of Twin’s spring sale. (Winchester)

Image credit: Art Beat

It's time to explore the world again! Our world tour has offered inspiration to learn about Brazilian and Polish culture. The third post in this editorial series with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair focuses on Germany. Here are 12 ways to introduce your family to German culture. And as with the Brazil and Poland posts, for my readers outside of Massachusetts, there are recommendations below that can be enjoyed from anywhere!

*** VISIT ***

1. The Boylston Schul-Verein German-American Club in Walpole offers language classes for kids and hosts events celebrating German culture, such as Oktoberfest.

2. The Goethe Institut in Boston offers movies, language classes and events to celebrate German culture in the New England area.

* * * EAT * * * 

3. Try weiner schnitzel, bratwursts, and other classics at Jacob Wirth’s on Stuart Street.

4. Bronwyn Restaurant in Union Square, Somerville, not only offers traditional German food, but the interior resembles a European tavern and has an adjacent biergarten during the summer months.

5. I seriously cannot wait to try this recipe for easy German pancakes.

* * * SHOP * * * 

6. Karl’s Sausage Kitchen and European Market in Peabody has sold handmade sausages and European meats since 1958. Check out the market section too!

* * * ACTIVITIES * * * 

7. These German paper stars are pretty any time of year.

8. Step into German music, soccer, and film via this multimedia site.

9. Musikgarten in Belmont offers German music classes for young children.

10. Create a Cook in Newton Highlands is offering a class to introduce kids to German cuisine.

* * * BOOKS * * * 

11. Germany ABCs offers an introduction to Germany and its culture.

12. I love M. Sasek’s books, and This is Munich offers a vintage look into the city.

So fun, right? Enjoy exploring Germany and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, totally related: Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting the 2015 North Shore World's Fair on March 28 from 12-2pm at the Manchester by the Sea Community. This free event will feature food, crafts, face-painting, and more from cultures around the world!

+ + + + +

Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored 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! Ours was a good mix of social time (including a loooong overdue date night...hooyay!), domestic errands, and relaxing at home. So nice! And now it's time to kick off the week. Enjoy this roundup of weekday events via the Weekly Blueprint -- and on that, I would love to meet you in Somerville on Thursday evening if you're looking for a fun evening out with other mamas!

March 24: Toddler Tuesday at Legoland Discovery Center. (Somerville)

March 25: Fill your day with art and play. (Lincoln)

March 25: Tots @ 10 celebrate spring with Stacey Peasley. (Somerville)

March 25 + 27: Exciting activities featuring science, art, creativity, exploration and sharing of ideas. (Easton)

March 26: Cosmic Loops: music beneath the stars. (Boston)

March 26: Join me for the ultimate mom’s night out! (Somerville)

March 26 - 28: Learn the ancient art of Pysanky, just in time for Easter. (Arlington)

March 26 - 29: The tale of a wise old rabbit and a no-so-smart tiger. (Brookline)

March 27: Godspell! (Arlington)

March 27: KidsJam dance party. (Boston)

March 27: Meet bestselling author Graeme Simsion. (Wellesley)

Image credit: Puppet Showplace Theater

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week, despite this crazy return to winter temperatures (cue sad tromobone)! I'll be doing a warm weather spring equinox dance today and to kick off the weekend, here's a roundup of 27 weekend events, lovingly curated for your consideration. Enjoy perusing the options, think warm thoughts, and check in later today for a delightful Friday Find!

1. Spend Saturday morning with Debbie and Friends. (Arlington)

2. Art discovery classes for children. (Boston)

3. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will entertain, delight, and keep you on the edge of your seat. (Boston)

4. Discover animals large and small; ASL interpreted. (Boston)

5. Set sail and look for signs of spring. (Boston)

6. A special Persian story time. (Boston)

7. A day to focus on water conservation. (Boston, Stoneham)

8. FREE My Gym open house events. (Boston, Newton)

9. Travel the world with shadows, stories and songs. (Brookline)

10. An adults only puppet show. (Brookline)

11. Rock and roll with Josh and the Jamtones. (Brookline)

12. Observe and draw the shapes, colors, and patterns of insects. (Cambridge)

13. Seed sowing and making compost. (Cohasset)

14. Bedtime stories in the morning. (Concord)

15. Tea for two. (Concord)

16. Think with your hands and make some jewelry. (Easton)

17. Kids learn to letterbox. (Framingham)

18. Creature Features live amphibian presentation. (Gloucester)

19. A day of fun and learning all about sustainable sealife. (Newburyport)

20. Wellness and fitness activities for the whole family. (Newton)

21. Curious George the musical. (Newton)

22. Grab a box, create a vehicle and hit the slopes. (Princeton)

23. Design, construct and explore at the intersection of art and architecture. (Salem)

24. Maple sugaring festival at Moose Hill. (Sharon)

25. Maple days the old fashioned way. (Sturbridge)

26. Flapjack fling and sugaring tours. (Topsfield)

27. Celebrate the start of spring with The Revels. (Watertown)

Image credit: World Music

Is it just me or does it totally feel like coming-out-of-hibernation time? And on that note, I’d love to meet you in Somerville next week (March 26, 6:30pm) at Mommybites Boston’s Ultimate Moms’ Night Out at Arts at the Armory in Somerville. I’m delighted and honored to be delivering a short keynote at the event (I'll also be signing copies of Minimalist Parenting) and then it will be time to relax and mingle and enjoy some hang out time with other rad mamas!

Are you in? Register now and use discount code BOSTONMAMAS to receive 50% off your ticket price! Sweet!

Happy Monday, I hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed a short day trip to see family, and also saw the new Cinderella movie. Aside from my (expected!) feminist objections, the movie was visually stunning, I liked the messages about courage and kindness, and it made for a perfect rainy day outing with the girls. Now, let's get the week rolling! Enjoy this roundup of fun events via the Weekly Blueprint!

March 16 + 17: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. (Boston)

March 17: Chemistry gets green for St. Patrick’s Day. (Acton)

March 17: Arts, crafts and a little leprechaun magic. (Easton)

March 17: Pitch in on afternoon chores on the farm. (Lincoln)

March 18: Celebrate Brain Awareness week. (Acton)

March 18: Food for Thought Film Series: Cave of Forgotten Dreams. (Harvard)

March 18: Even grown ups like the play with Legos. (Somerville)

March 19 - 22: Travel the world with shadows, stories and songs. (Brookline)

March 20: Live interactive performance with musicians from the radio show From the Top. (Boston)

March 20: A teddy bear tea. (Concord)

March 20: Spring brings bread and bunnies. (Lincoln)

Image credit: Just a Taste via Pinterest

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying a great weekend! If you're looking for something to do this weekend, be sure to check out yesterday's Weekend Roundup; there are lots of St. Patrick's Day and Pi Day related activities, in addition to other programming. Meanwhile, if you're looking for some interesting reads, here's what caught my eye on the web this week for Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome. Enjoy!

- Mother and child are linked at the cellular level.

- Giant chunks of ice wash ashore on Cape Cod.

- How to drive across the United States and hit all the major landmarks.

- Brides throwing cats apparently is a thing.

- The best present ever for parents of a newborn.

- Parenting a tween: an exercise in presence.

- On being read as white.

- Derek Zoolander and Hansel hit the runway. #epic

- What turned a promising chef into a bank robber?

- Dogs believe in karma too.

- The greatest (party) generation.

Image credit: how to make words out of wire via Pinterest

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! I've pretty much been a ball of nostalgia given that Violet's birthday is next week (how is it possible that she's turning 4?) and we went to the second of Laurel's middle school open houses last night. Total, inevitable craziness! Anyway, let's move on to thinking about the weekend, shall we? Enjoy this mega roundup of 32 events, lovingly curated for your consideration!

1. A fitting celebration for 3.14. (Acton)

2. Children’s performance of Hairspray: The Musical. (Arlington)

3. Two funny puppet shows. (Arlington)

4. Flowers are blooming in Boston. (Boston)

5. Children’s art discovery workshop. (Boston)

6. Join the musical adventures of Flat Stanley. (Boston)

7. Time for a parade in Southie. (Boston)

8. Circles rule on Pi Day. (Boston)

9. The animals have some fun for St. Patrick’s Day. (Boston)

10. Make your own flipbooks. (Boston)

11. All things Irish for St. Patrick’s Day. (Boston)

12. Opportunity for children with special needs to visit the museum. (Boston)

13. Rumplestiltskin puppet show. (Brookline)

14. Showing of Fantastic Mr. Fox. (Brookline)

15. A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic sojourn. (Cambridge)

16. A festival of owls. (Canton)

17. FREE drop-in arts and crafts workshop. (Concord)

18. Field to Lunchbox: Creative Solutions for Lunchbox Boredom. (Dover)

19. Learn more about birds of prey. (Harvard)

20. Spring may seem far away but it’s time for maple sugaring. (Ipswich)

21. Pi Day takes shape on Crane Beach. (Ipswich)

22. A little bit of Irish deliciousness. (Lexington)

23. Fill your weekend with art and family. (Lincoln)

24. A sap-to-syrup farmer’s breakfast. (Lincoln)

25. Don’t hibernate. Get out and celebrate winter. (Lowell)

26. Savor some winter delectables. (Sharon)

27. Test your skills at Ninjango training camp. (Somerville)

28. A Celtic celebration. (Sturbridge)

29. Maple Days continue. (Sturbridge)

30. A little bit of Ireland. (Waltham)

31. Ben Rudnick show. (Winchester)

32. The ultimate Pi day celebration. (Worcester)

Image credit: Ipswich Visitor Center

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! We had a truly lovely one, including lots of time outside, a dinner party with friends, ice skating, and crafting. Subsequently, the grogginess resulting from daylight saving's feels slightly less painful -- I hope your kids all transition smoothly! Meanwhile, it's going to be a spring-like week. Here's a roundup of fun events to consider via the Weekly Blueprint:

March 9: Mish Michael’s shares the story of the state’s very own groundhog. (Wellesely)

March 9 - 12: The Salem Film Festival wraps up. (Salem)

March 10: Storytime en francais. (Sudbury)

March 11: The MFA is honoring women in the arts. (Boston)

March 11: Now’s your chance to become a beekeeper. (Brewster)

March 11: Rock ‘n’ Scroll- The Spirituality of Two Music Icons. (Newton)

March 11: Have tea with Snow White. (Wenham)

March 11 - 13: Where We Live puppet show; explore the wonders we inhabit. (Brookline)

March 12: Go red for women. (Boston)

March 13: Special night at the museum for children with Autism. (Acton)

March 13: Find the colors of the rainbow on a Paddy’s day treasure hunt. (Cambridge)

March 13: A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic sojourn. (New Bedford)

March 13 + 14: Don’t hibernate. Get out and celebrate winter. (Lowell)

Image credit: Holly Hill Farm