Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! It's been a busy one here and we've been wrestling with more plague but I'm hoping that the forthcoming warm up (according to the forecast, 60+ degrees several days in a row!) will signal the turning of a corner and the last of the winter plague. And on that, let's turn the corner towards the weekend and enjoy this roundup of 22 weekend events, lovingly curated for your consideration!

1. An evening at the museum for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. (Acton)

2. Magic show with Rupayan Neogy. (Acton)

3. Step into spring with a family hike. (Belmont)

4. An interactive journey around the globe using stories, music, dance and poetry. (Boston)

5. Learn about architecture, design and construction and build a city from the ground up. (Boston)

6. Check out a collection of over 2000 dolls from around the world. (Boston)

7. Amazing showcase of musical talent and performances. (Boston)

8. A performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus. (Boston)

9. Week of the Young Child kicks off. (Boston)

10. Meet the woodwinds of the New England Philharmonic. (Boston)

11. An engaging day focusing on research and conservation. (Boston)

12. It’s Alex the Jester. (Brookline)

13. The Magic Soup and Other Stories puppet show. (Brookline)

14. Rock out with Karen K and the Jitterbugs. (Cambridge)

15. Daytime bedtime stories and hands on history. (Concord)

16. Let’s go fly a kite. (Essex)

17. Engage deeply with some art. (Lincoln)

18. Create sculptures fit for adventure. (Lincoln)

19. Ben Rudnick show and bake sale. (Littleton) 

20. Get down and dirty cleaning up the trail. (Medfield)

21. What goes on with amphibians after dark? (Norfolk)

22. Slow down and take a look at some art. (Salem)

Image credit: Mass Audubon 

One of my favorite things about spring is shedding the cold weather layers -- and that goes for feet too. Over the last few weeks, while the weather has toyed with all of our emotions (what was up with the hail yesterday?!), I've been chomping at the bit to wear my spring shoes daily. So, for the next edition of Style on a Budget, I'm sharing a roundup of 8 neutral spring/summer shoes that will give you plenty of bang for your buck, both in and out of the office.

You might ask, Hey, it's spring! Why are you focusing on neutrals? Well, for one, most of us are, in fact, on a budget, and can't afford to have a closet full of colorful shoes that only go with a limited number of outfits. Second, as I shared in my green fashion picks post, I will never recommend you buy cheap (like, under $20) dress shoes...I've just had too many foot problems due to wearing cheaply constructed shoes! So, I encourage you to spend a bit more on a pair of shoes (though the picks in this roundup still range a pretty reasonable $35-$138) that will give you plenty of wears. Save your color pops and trends for inexpensive pieces such as scarves! Finally, as I was scouting these picks, I wanted to share options that would work both in and out of the office, so you can up those dollars per use. Do you sense a theme here? Here goes, in order of ascending heel height:

1. These two-toned d’Orsay flats are a steal, currently on sale for $35 at LOFT.

2. For a classic, ladylike look, try these Brin metallic captoe leather flats ($88, Ann Taylor).

3. Loafers are a great pick to pair with everything from suitwear to jeans. These Carole leather loafers ($88, Ann Taylor) have an awesome, subtle metallic heel to give you a little edge.

4. If you'd like a little elevation without the teeter totter factor, these Romy pumps ($64.99, Lands’ End) will give you a 1.25 inch lift.

5. Wedges are my absolute favorite these days when it comes to elevated comfort. And I just ordered these gold crackle demi-wedges (currently on sale for $68, J. Crew Factory). I bought these in suede last year and wore them all the time so I wanted to get another pair in gold.

6. OK, I know this is another pair of demi-wedges, but these cut-out wedge sandals ($79.50, LOFT) add a level of visual interest that I really love. I recently ordered these in black and they're perfect for riding clear of my bunions.

7. If you're in a less conservative office, height makes these espadrille wedges (currently on sale for $84.50, J. Crew Factory) office appropriate. And yes, they are wedges. And yes, I own these!

8. If you're good with true heels, I am completely and utterly swooning over these Leandra sandals ($138, Banana Republic). The styling is just so gorgeous.

Image credit: all images via linked sources above

"Do you want the children's menu?" the hostess asked, flicking her eyes over my girl on her eleventh birthday. It seemed awfully small for The Cheesecake Factory, a place with a menu that sells advertising. We took it, anyway.

When we got to the booth, the little angel informed us she is no longer allowed to eat from that menu, as it is for children ten and under. We told her she probably wouldn't get arrested or anything, but she seemed proud of the fact that it was LEGALLY AGAINST THE LAW for her to order off that menu.

I sat there scarfing down the tiny bread that comes in the little basket and is just enough to kick your blood sugar into high gear but not enough to take the edge off your hunger if you ate a really little lunch because hello, you were going to The Cheesecake Factory, her birthday favorite and grandfather of America's portion-size issues, for dinner, and while I tried to make myself chew instead of just swallowing the doughy goodness whole, a sea of children's menus flashed before my eyes.

Hot dogs

Chicken fingers

Cheeseburger sliders

Cheese pizza

Macaroni & cheese

Applesauce

Fruit cup

French fries

Scoop of vanilla ice cream

It's not that I'm nostalgic for the children's menu. It's full of food that we all pretend is disgusting and then lick off our kids' plates after we finish our salad and they leave half a perfectly good chicken finger for which we paid hard-earned money, dammit. I don't miss the little kid days, actually. She was adorable, to be sure, but when I look back at the pictures we took of that time, I can see the exhaustion in my face and remember the feeling of OH MY GOD I CAN'T PLAY POLLY POCKETS ONE MORE TIME OR I WILL SCREAM AND I'M NOT SURE I WILL BE ABLE TO STOP SCREAMING PLEASE GOD SOMEONE PASS THE ATLANTIC.

It's just ... that at some places, at least, it's no longer an option. Another milestone, so to say. You hear everyone say it and you can't believe it's possible at the start of the journey, but eighteen years really isn't that long. I was a senior in high school more than eighteen years ago. I've been married for almost fourteen.

My marriage can't even eat off the kids' menu.

As my daughter would say, *poof*. Mind blown.

I look forward to the next chapter of her life, even though I'm a little afraid of the teen years that linger not that far on the horizon, and OMG, middle school even closer. Thank God she still can't finish a cheeseburger. Pass that plate, sweetheart. I got your back.

During the past year, two things have shifted my approach to -- and consumption of -- alcohol: 1) learning about (and later becoming part of) Responsibility.org’s #TalkEarly program (which educates about responsible consumption + sending positive messages to kids); and 2) the strange reality that some of Laurel’s friends have started following me on social media. April is Alcohol Responsibility Month and I want to share some thoughts about alcohol + social media as it relates to kids. I'd also love to hear your perspective on this topic.

At the #TalkEarly summit in January, Gabrielle Glaser spoke about her research on women and alcohol. Glaser, author of Her Best Kept Secret: Why Women Drink & How They Can Regain Control, is smart, passionate, and totally NOT against enjoying a glass of wine with dinner. She is, however, concerned by her findings that: 1) American women are drinking more often and in greater quantity than ever before; 2) moms are very much part of this equation (i.e., it’s not just the single, clubbing ladies); and 3) the way parents refer to alcohol as a stress release valve sends troubling messages to kids.

To Glaser's third point, I didn’t used to pay much attention to the wine/mom memes floating around; it’s just not where my humor tends to play out. But as I’ve been thinking about Responsibilty.org’s work, and now that I’m in the zone where it’s not uncommon for Laurel to notice what I’m viewing on social or for her friends to see what I’m posting, I now cringe when I see graphics like these being shared around:

I'm not humorless; I get the angle! But why do these make me cringe? Because I grew up in a home that was regularly in a state of crisis due to alcoholism -- where seeing another glass filled and raised filled me with anxiety (and invariably led to something bad happening). And because I can imagine how hurt my sweet, sensitive Laurel would be if she saw that last graphic especially. Thinking about that actually makes me want to cry right now. I mean, yes, parenting is crazy hard sometimes, but that last graphic stings, right? Stand in your kids shoes and imagine someone you love and trust saying that the only way they can stand being around you is when they've got a couple of drinks in them. Ouch.

I’m curious about how you respond to these kinds of graphics, and also how you reference alcohol around your kids -- please feel free to share in the comments below. The main ways my behavior has changed since I started thinking about this stuff last year is: 1) I’ve become more mindful about consumption. If I’ve had a stressful day, instead of reflexively turning towards a glass of wine, I think about whether that is actually what I want or whether there’s something that would feel better. 2) I don’t talk about alcohol in front of Laurel and Violet in stress-release terms. 3) When I share on social media (Instagram is where Laurel’s friends are following in particular), I’m mindful about what and how I’m sharing, alcohol-related or otherwise.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned for sure during this wild parenting ride, it’s that kids see and hear EVERYTHING. And during the formative years, they take your words at face value.

Image credits: 1) Responsibility.org; 2-4) someecards.com via linked sources above

Disclosure: This post was inpsired by my work as part of Responsibility.org's #TalkEarly program. All thoughts and opinions are, of course, my own.

Can you believe the Red Sox open at home next week? It’s hard for me to wrap my head around this fact given that we still have a snow pile on our tiny front yard! But yes, it’s true, and, as a Boston lifer + Red Sox fan, I’m looking forward to working with the Red Sox this year as part of their Red Sox Moms program. A few weeks ago I met with the team that is working hard to make Fenway family-friendly, and I wanted to share 6 ways they're upping their game in that department.

1. FREE TICKETS! With the support of Hood, the Red Sox have a new program called Calling All Kids, in which kids can join Red Sox Kid Nation for free. The first 25,000 kids registered for Red Sox Kid Nation will receive a free ticket to a 2015 game. And yes, you can of course make sure they line up with tickets you are purchasing. So go sign up!

2. A DEDICATED GATE. There’s a special new Fenway entrance just for families. Gate K is adjacent to Gate B, near the corner of Van Ness and Ipswich Streets.

3. A DEDICATED CREW. The Red Sox Kids Crew is a new dedicated staff for families; they'll greet kids as they enter Gate K, lead kids in games, and be on hand to help families at the park.  

4. KID NATION CONCOURSE. Gate K leads families into the new Kid Nation Concourse, with activities (games, balloon artist, face painter, etc.), kid-themed concessions, and more.

5. WALLY’S CLUBHOUSE. After you've enjoyed a couple of innings with your kids, you can hop over to Wally’s Clubhouse. Open from the 3rd to 7th innings, your kids can enjoy clubhouse offerings and take a selfie with Wally the Green Monster. (And yes, there's a TV there so you can follow the game.)

6. STUDENT TICKETS. Got older kids? As a longtime poor graduate student, I love that the Red Sox are making $9 home game tickets available for students 15 and older. 

So great, right? First and foremost, go grab your kids a Red Sox Kid Nation membership before they run out. And if you have Red Sox/family related questions, please drop me a line at editor@bostonmamas.com. I will patch your queries through to headquarters!

Image credits: Red Sox

Disclosure: The Red Sox Moms program is an experiential blogger program. I'm not paid to share information; I'm just sharing what I think is cool and useful for you all!

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! Ours included lovely things like flowers, a long run (albeit a tough one!), an egg hunt with friends, a gorgeous family hike, and a visit to see my mom, in addition to getting our house back in order (oh the endless piles of laundry!) after last week's plague. I'm looking forward to this week, and am kicking it off with the Weekly Blueprint. Enjoy, and have a great week!

April 7: Autism-friendly afternoon at The Discovery Museums. (Acton)

April 8: Celebrate Sakura, the season for cherry blossoms. (Boston)

April 8: Sprout your very own garden. (Lincoln)

April 8:  All about sheep storytime. (Waltham)

April 9: Making silly circuits. (Easton)

April 9: Looking for somewhere to volunteer? Here’s the place. (Boston)

April 9 - 12: The Magic Soup and Other Stories puppet show. (Brookline)

April 10: The Concord Band Spring Pops Concert. (Concord)

April 10: Sing along with Ed Morgan. (Needham)

April 10: The magic of the beautiful vernal pool migration. (Topsfield)

Image credit: Boston Children’s Museum

Congratulations Rachel Patrick for winning a copy of THE OBVIOUS GAME in my Rafflecopter giveaway!

The Goodreads giveaway is still open until tonight.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Obvious Game

by Rita Arens

Giveaway ends April 06, 2015.

See the giveaway detailsat Goodreads.

Enter to win

Results for my Rafflecopter giveaway should be available tomorrow. Thanks for playing the YA Scavenger Hunt!

Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying this very welcome warm up! It has been so gratifying to see the persistent snow piles dwindling down! Anyway, it's been a fascinating week on the web this week, as you'll see from this week's Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome -- enjoy! And also, you have until tomorrow to enter to win $500 for you + $500 for a friend via an Instagram giveaway I'm co-hosting with some lovely friends! Be sure to enter to win!

- A mom holds her kids accountable for their bad behavior via an amazing use of social media.

- The science of why you should spend your money on experiences not things.

- Four personal style lessons.

- Wonder Woman gets her own sneaker!

- You can play Pac-Mac inside Google Maps right now.

- Why kids are getting more agressive on the playground.

- There's a modern problem afflicting our friendships and it's time to talk about it.

- Getting girls excited about science.

- How to get kids interested in coding + 7 free resources that teach how to code.

- A 9-year-old's letter to Obama about putting a woman on U.S. currency -- and Obama's response.

- Why America's obsession with STEM education is dangerous.

Image credit: 9 plants you can totally neglect via Pinterest