Toby B

Toby is our uber-busy events editor for Mommy Poppins LA. Feel free to email Toby about events for our LA area calendar.

Latest posts by Toby

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Kites, Purim, and Daylight Savings Time

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 2:03am

Purim carnival fun. Photo courtesy of Alpert JCC

If you do one thing this weekend, let it be this: change your clocks. It's okay to let the microwave be out of sync, and your VCR if you still have one (kids, ask your parents). But make sure to adjust those timepieces that you use to plan your activities, because there's a lot going on this weekend and you're going to want to be on time.

We lose an hour of sleep, but Mommas don't need sleep to think clrbly, am i rtght? We are superheroes! Girl power! Ready to take on the world and run 26.2 miles. Hmm...Scheduling the marathon on the same day we lose an hour of sleep--is that smart? Was it planned by someone... sleep deprived?

Purim Carnivals and Celebrations Are All Over Los Angeles this Week

Submitted by Toby B on Mon, 03/02/2020 - 6:07pm

Not too sure what Purim is? Let's just say it's something between Hebrew Halloween and Middle Eastern Mardi Gras. Jewish families know Purim as a time of uncharacteristically raucous rabbinical revelry, marked by costumes, noisemakers, interactive storytelling, triangular pastries, and enough drink (for the grown-ups) to muddy the lines between good and evil. Gentile families generally don't know it at all. But Purim is worth knowing. Its story has all the best elements: a party-hearty king, a beautiful and courageous queen, a resourceful good guy, and a bad guy so hateful that everyone drowns out his name with noisemakers at community carnivals all over town. Check out one of the events below for classic Purim activities, costume parades, carnival games, and boisterous retellings of the Purim story.

And if you know of a great celebration we've missed, please let us know!

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Leap Day, Art of the Brick, Irvine Park Railroad, Bob Baker Day

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 2:48am

Los Angeles, it's time to cast your ballot. No need to wait, you can get started now. Vote early (but don't vote often, that kind of thing ends up on your permanent record).

Whom will you choose? Will you opt for the older distinguished gentleman? Or the other older distinguished gentleman with his sophisticated lady partner? The young tiger, or the fella who has a way with words?

Are you a builder or a baker? (Or a Baker?) Will you shoot for the stars or ride the rails?

We've even snuck an extra day in for you (you're welcome), and again the choice is yours: Spend it with your kids, or leave them home with the sitter. (Once in every 4 years you're allowed.)

We don't care whom you vote for, but vote. This is America, and being free to make choices is what we're all about.

Like choosing to keep reading for our most electable picks for this weekend....

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: CicLAvia, Festivals, and Camellias

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 12:38am

African American Festival. Photo Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific

After a week that had a decidedly presidential start (punctuated by some delays by presidential motorcades) we're now thinking primarily about the future. As in this weekend, and what we are going to do.

The answer, of course, is that We. Can. Do. Anything.

Whether you heed the call of the wild or give in to the compulsion to make mayhem, you are sure to see the light.

These boots were made for walking, (and scooting and biking) and for being perfectly dressed when we do. It's a celebration, so let the good times roll!

Keep reading for picks sure to get your vote...

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Big Bounce, Turtle Odyssey, and DC Zoo-per Heroes

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 11:01pm

We put our faith in him, but it’s time we admit, that varmint is a no good liar. Either that, or he’s just bad at his job. How hard can it be? Stick your head out, see no shadow and…. eternal winter!?! Is he a groundhog, or Elsa?! With that in mind, this weekend might be a good time to explore some warmth-generating activities like biking and bouncing. Might be a good time to explore heat-adjacent topics like cooking and volcanoes.

The camellias are in bloom this weekend, unless they are freezing their pitooties off like the rest of us Southern California lightweights. Aha! The turtles! New turtles are hatching and thriving and venturing out to sea. Scratch that; they're in Australia. It's summer there now. Must be nice.

Luckily a number of local events this weekend can warm your heart, if not your frostbitten extremities. Love is in the (bitter, frigid) air. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, you can sip the tea, dress up fancy, tour the manor, and make Valentines for deserving souls.

Keep reading for our most chill picks for the weekend...

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Golden Dragon Parade, Otter Bowl, Lunar New Year

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 01/30/2020 - 12:35am

Not to bowl you over with too much information, but this weekend is sure to be super. It's a bird... it's a plane... it's a rat!

Yes, Lunar New Year is in full swing all over the Southland. Don't let its ratty reputation dissuade you from what is sure to be a golden, nay, a magical weekend.

Call me a dork, but the new year has me brimming with optimism as I see all the opportunities that lie ahead. It makes me want to sing out (and maybe sing happy birthday). We've learned to defy gravity and reach the stars. Of course, we give thanks to those who helped us get there.

Don't be a rat, keep reading for our most golden picks for the weekend.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Lunar New Year, Dodgers, Whales, & Museums Free-For-All

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 01/22/2020 - 11:12pm

Last weekend to Build Your Kingdom! Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube

This weekend is all about what we can do. We can defy any limits or expectations. We can root root root for the home team (and they can root for us!). We can go to museums for free. We totally rock!

We can explore the far reaches of our solar system or the most hidden corners of our planet. We can play in the Southern California snow. We can kick up our heels and celebrate like the party animals we are, whether our spirit creature be rat, whale, or teddy. But, no, you cannot have unlimited screen time.

Sorry, that last part was just for my kid. The rest of you can web surf to your heart's content and even run with scissors if you want. Totally fine by me. Just do me a solid and keep reading for our can-do picks for this weekend. Because yes we can! ....

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Underwater Parks, Bricks LA, and Cool Camellias

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 01/09/2020 - 1:19am

For a year called 2020 things are looking pretty blurry right now. Though I suppose that is to be expected underwater—which is where we are in spirit as we celebrate Underwater Parks Day. Three local aquariums honor the beauty fathoms below. (You might get so inspired you'll want to sing about it!)

If under the sea is not your thing, how about polar opposites? Unseasonable snowfalls? Blooming blossoms? Or just all things wild and scenic?

Or perhaps you like your wonders to be of human design? We can build 'em. We can smash 'em up. And then we can write home about it.

We can talk up this weekend til we're blue in the face, but the bottom line is this: it's a new year, and anything is possible.

Keep reading to see your way clear to our best picks for the weekend.