Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

An Affordable Beachside Family Vacation in Southern California

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 04/10/2025 - 10:00am

Oxnard features beautiful beaches, free family activities, affordable restaurants and hotels, and more.

Plan a budget-friendly Southern California getaway in Oxnard, with its beautiful beaches, affordable family activities, and hotels with free breakfast, all at a fraction of the cost of other coastal towns.

LA's bougie beachside destinations come with a high price tag, but there’s a hidden gem of a town a little further up the 101 with just as much stunning seashore for a fraction of the price–and plenty of activities to keep the whole crew happy.

Equal parts vibrant and laid back, Oxnard offers 7 miles of pristine uncrowded beaches, picturesque places to stay, waterfront dining, and tons of budget-friendly fun for the whole family. Read on for more on why this affordable Southern California beach town is the perfect spot for your next oceanside vacation or weekend getaway–and my family’s personal favorite.

4 Misconceptions About Online Public School–And Why It Might Be a Fit for Your Family

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/20/2025 - 10:00am

PA Cyber is one of the largest, most experienced remote public schools in Pennsylvania.

As public cyber charter schools like PA Cyber become more popular, there are a growing number of misconceptions about online education.

Over the last few years, more and more families have turned to public cyber charter schools for their flexibility, small class sizes, personalized programming, and safety. But, with this rise in popularity has come a lot of questions and confusion around what an online K-12 education really looks like.

In case you're thinking an online school could be a good fit for your child, but you're not sure what to believe, we connected with PA Cyber–one of the largest, most experienced remote public schools in Pennsylvania–to bust some common myths and get to the truth about virtual education.

This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/13/2025 - 11:00am

Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall

From skiing and sledding to horseback riding and hiking, Mountain Top Resort is a year-round New England family vacation destination with something for everyone.

Nestled at the top of a Central Vermont mountain and surrounded by 700 acres of woods and meadows, Mountain Top Resort in Chittenden is about as perfectly picturesque as a New England family getaway gets. But beautiful views and a stunning setting aren’t the only draws. Mountain Top Resort offers access to almost any activity on your vacation wishlist–and with accommodations ranging from luxurious lodge rooms to cozy cabins and full guest houses, Mountain Top is perfect for group travel too.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about the resort’s attractions, accommodations, and packages that are just the right fit for families.

24-7 UK Soccer Camps and Clinics—Recreational, Competitive, and Adaptive Soccer Programs for Bay Area Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/06/2025 - 10:00am

24-7 UK Soccer has camps, classes, and clinics for a wide range of ages and abilities.

24-7 UK Soccer has been providing top-quality kids’ soccer camps and programs in Oakland and the East Bay for 20 years.

Whether your child is new to the game or a seasoned player, 24-7 UK Soccer has programming for a wide range of ages and abilities at their top-notch Oakland training facility and at indoor and outdoor locations across the East Bay. Not only do the program’s experienced professional coaches teach the technical skills that build strong athletes, but they help foster the kind of confidence and values that go way beyond the field.

From competitive camps for experienced players to adaptive classes specially designed for neurodiverse kids, take a look at their summer camps, clinics, and classes below to find out how to get signed up–and how to save 20% with our exclusive Mommy Poppins code.

Look Inside Sutton Tower Where Luxury Living Meets Fun for the Whole Family

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 01/30/2025 - 10:00am

Five floors of amenities in one of the city’s most desirable zip codes make Sutton Tower a new standard in luxury city living.

Tucked away into one of Manhattan’s most serene and sought-after neighborhoods–home to the historic mansions of the Vanderbilts and Morgans–Sutton Tower raises the bar. Claiming the title of the tallest waterfront building on the East Side, this new addition to the skyline brings residents unrivaled river and city views, plus five floors of luxurious private amenities designed for every age and interest. Located in the exclusive and elegant enclave at the crossroads of Midtown and the Upper East Side, Sutton Tower is also just steps from the heart of the city.

Want to see inside Sutton Tower’s residences and private club? Of course you do!

Santa Photos, Classic Films, and More Holiday Magic at PaleyLand

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 12/19/2024 - 10:00am

Until January 5, The Paley Museum has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland.

Children under 12 are free at PaleyLand, the five-story winter wonderland at The Paley Center.

Known for its enormous library of TV shows and movies, and its action-packed VR-filled gaming studio, The Paley Museum also draws an adoring crowd for its annual holiday extravaganza. Running now through January 5th, “PaleyLand” invites visitors into a five-story winter wonderland to snap photos with Santa, sip hot chocolate, and catch screenings of classic holiday movies alongside much of the museum’s usual collection.

My daughters and I love visiting PaleyLand in Midtown Manhattan–just steps from Rockefeller Center and Radio City–for the hands-on activities and attractions, and the heavy dose of holiday cheer. Here’s what to know before you go:

Ice Skate Under the Brooklyn Bridge at the Newly-Opened Roebling Rink

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 12/17/2024 - 10:00am

Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park welcomes visitors to skate under an NYC landmark.

Now open for the winter season, Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo welcomes ice skaters of all ages to take a spin under one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

It would be tough to find a more breathtaking backdrop for a family ice skating outing than the waterfront city views at Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Nestled right below the Brooklyn Bridge itself, the seasonal pop-up destination welcomes skaters for one hour ice sessions from Monday to Sunday now through February 2nd.

Of course, I couldn’t pass up an invitation to take my daughters and husband for a spin at what I can now only imagine is Brooklyn’s most picturesque rink. So, we bundled up tight and laced up our skates, and I’m here to share the ins and outs of rentals, admission, and more at DUMBO’s must-visit Roebling Rink.

Westchester Ballet Company’s World-Class “The Nutcracker” Coming to Lehman Center

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 11/21/2024 - 11:00am

This December, Westchester Ballet Company returns to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts with its enchanting presentation of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The full-length ballet features exquisite choreography, opulent costumes, incredible special effects, and a cast that includes renowned adult guest performers and nearly 100 young dancers from 30 towns across the Westchester area and beyond.

This annual performance is a regional favorite, welcoming thousands of kids and families each and every holiday season. Read on to learn more about The Nutcracker and purchasing tickets.

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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