Don’t miss this on the big screen, and if you’re around, join us on Wednesday May 12 for a private screening at the Coolidge Theater in partnership with The Stork Fund and Magic Beans. Tickets are $12, and include the movie ticket, snacks and wine, plus a post-film conversation with a nurse educator. Register now!

Through it all, my headquarters for inspiration and equipment is Party Favors, a Brookline outpost for all things party-related. I lived in Brookline for an unfortunate number of years before discovering that Party Favors was also a nationally acclaimed bakery, but once I’d tasted one of their sublime cupcakes, I was hooked. Over time, I’ve developed a friendship with Mary Lynn and John Pergantis, the owners of Party Favors.

When we started Moms Going Out, I asked John if he would consider doing a masterclass inside his kitchen. I was thrilled when he agreed. And yes, maybe it’s because I’ve always wanted to take a formal class (I never have), and I think John is a genius with a piping bag. But I’m not the only one, and with only 12 slots available (ahem, 11), I think this is going to be a quick sell-out.

Join us on Monday 3/22 at 7pm for Moms Going Out: Have Your Cake (and eat it too). Registration is $40, which includes the workshop, materials, refreshments and a cake you’ll decorate and bring home. Register now.

After indulging our sense of taste and experiencing the visual delights of Magic Beans, it was more than a pleasure to experience the soothing lotions and scrubs from Melt. Somehow, they managed to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere in the midst of crazy shopping. How do they do that?? Wonderful, handmade products that made us feel warm and fuzzy, that’s how. Their wide array of yummy scents, silky lotions, and gentle scrubs made the tensions of the day slip away. We can’t wait to see more of them. And oh, we will…we’re doing a special event in January with Melt on January 17th! Mark the date…it’s a tropical getaway soiree, right here on Harvard Street. More on that later.

But the BEST part of the evening? The friendships renewed and/or created were amazing. The joy was palpable. And we collected hundreds of articles of clothing, toys, books, and basic necessities for our partner charity, Cradles to Crayons. The fact that one child who was without basics may now enjoy the simple acts of being warm and clean-something we so often take for granted-made my heart swell with happiness. I’m pretty sure we all felt that way. Remember, Cradles to Crayons isn’t just for the holidays. They are always looking for help in any way possible-from giving the most basic of necessities, to helping out in their Quincy Giving Factory. Visit them online at www.cradlestocrayons.org

It was, all in all, a wonderful evening full of sensory delights, friendship and fun, giving and receiving. Exactly what the holiday spirit should represent. We wish you a happy, healthy holiday season, and look forward to more fun in the new year! Bring on 2010…we’re ready to enjoy every “mom”ent.

It gets a bit harder to get outside during these chillier months, but hey-there’s no snow on the ground, so take advantage of the last beautiful bit of foliage and dry ground to take a power walk along the Charles, or through the Arboretum. And remember-most of the animals at the Zoo seem to love fall, so make a fun afternoon of visiting the lions and tigers and monkeys, oh my!

Boundless energy? What better way to harness that energy than through DANCING?? And singing, of course! Our favorite rock star, Vanessa Trien, with her band of Jumping Monkeys, will be performing TWO TIMES in November!! It’s as though she planned this just for us! Kids singing and dancing for an hour with their rock star idol? C’mon-it doesn’t get any better than that. She’ll be performing in Arlington on the following dates:

Saturday, November 7, 10:30 am
Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA
FULL BAND SHOW, including Music Together’s own Sharon Simon and Julie Winslow!
We’re so happy to have a chance to return to this wonderful theatre’s children’s series. Please tell your friends!
For more info about the show or to order tickets online, visit http://regenttheatre.com/events/ff_trien.htm
Or call (781) 646-4849 for the box office. $10 adults, $8 kids and seniors

Saturday, November 21, 10:30 am
“Concert and Cupcakes!”
Brattle Theater, Harvard Square, Cambridge
40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
Vanessa will be joined by Sharon Simon and Julie Winslow for an intimate morning of movin’, groovin’ kids music, followed by cupcakes and decorating supplies at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education next door!
This event is being presented by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. You can purchase tickets for just our show, OR a “Concert and Cupcakes” combination (yum!). Visit www.ccae.org or call (617) 547-6789 for more info and to purchase tickets online. $8 adults and kids.

For complete show information, and to purchase Vanessa’s children’s CDs (“Carnival Day” and “Hot Air Balloon”), please visit www.vanessatrien.com.

For those of you who won’t be able to make these shows, don’t fret. She’ll do more.

So let’s check out some additional events. Holidays are coming, which means holiday shopping is upon us! Why not take advantage of some of the amazing works being displayed and sold at the Brookline Arts Center during their Holiday Craft Fair. It runs from December 3 through 20. On December 9th, they will be having a special holiday shopping event just for preschoolers and parents. So sweet. Give them a call at 617-566-5715 for more information.

On Sunday, November 15th, 2009 join Reach Out and Read at the Seaport Hotel in Boston for the sixth annual Read and Romp event. Read and Romp is a unique family event which allows children to travel through the pages of some of their favorite storybooks. Activity booths, games, and arts and crafts based on such family favorites as “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “Frog and Toad,” and “Runaway Bunny” are designed to provide hours of fun for children and their families. Along with interactive storybook stations, there will be a buffet lunch with children’s musical entertainment, and a visit from storybook characters like Clifford, the Big Red Dog. The event runs from 10:30a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Enjoy this great day with your family, and help ROR continue to prepare children for success in school. Tickets to the event are $50 each and include lunch, a gift bag, a fun-filled day of activities for children and more! For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.readandromp.o

For more fun activites, check out the public libraries for storytimes, or head over to the Clayroom on Beacon St. to craft your own holiday gifts. Nothing sweeter than a homemade platter from the kids. The Puppet Showplace Theater on Station St. in Brookline Village also has some great shows this month, mostly for kids ages 4 and up.

Have more fun suggestions? Let us know. We’d love to spread the news…

Topsfield Fair
America’s oldest agricultural fair runs from October 2-12. Just 30 miles north of Brookline, take your kids out for a day of good, old-fashioned country fair fun. Enjoy agricultural exhibitions, a traditional midway with carnival rides and games, wonderful dedicated activities for kids, a spectacular flower show, giant pumpkin contest, and much, much more. For complete details, go to topsfieldfair.org.

Vanessa Trien at the Coolidge
This Saturday, 10/3 at 10:30am, Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys are back at the Coolidge for a movin’ and groovin’ show with original kids’ music the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are available for presale online at coolidge.org/kids or by calling 617-734-2501 – we do recommend you purchase in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day of the show (Vanessa’s last show at the Coolidge sold out very quickly).

Scarecrow Workshops at Allandale Farm
Every Thursday in October, at 3pm (rain or shine), Allandale Farm is hosting scarecrow-making workshops. Bring child-size clothing to outfit your scarecrow, and $20 to cover the cost of the workshop and all other materials. The workshops are an hour long and good for kids ages 4 and up. Register in advance by calling John Lee at 617-524-1531 or email allandalefarm@verizon.net.

Coolidge Corner Sidewalk Sale
Mark your calendar, there’s going to be another epic Sidewalk Sale in Brookline. October 17-18 from 11-4, come to Coolidge Corner to scoop up amazing deals at many local merchants.

Zoo Howl
We had a blast last year at Zoo Howl, a great October event at the Franklin Park Zoo. This year’s event is scheduled for October 24-25 from 11-3. There will be haunted happenings, creature encounters, creepy crafts, ghoulish games and a trick-or-treat trail. Best of all, many zoo animals get to play with a pumpkin. It’s really fun to see how the different animals interact with it.