School scoop: Nursery/Preschool Openings Fall 2010

    by Karen on 9/02/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Joyce Szuflita, our School Expert, always has the scoop on what’s going on with schools. Her list of “Nursery/Preschool Openings” and News just came out and gives you updated info on schools that have spaces still open and new programs. For even more of her advice you can attend her “Intro to Nursery School” on [...]

    PS Bookshop has changed its popular story time

    by Karen on 9/01/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    I’ve always liked PS Bookshop’s story time in DUMBO on Sunday afternoons. It has been our standby if we were looking for something to do on a lazy Sunday. Sadly for us, PS has changed it story time to Thursday afternoons, which makes it harder for us to make, but perhaps easier for the rest [...]

    Preschoolers Party (tho all ages are welcome)

    by Karen on 8/31/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    School is starting and The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is having their annual Preschoolers’ Fall Fun Party to celebrate.
    This Friday, September 3, author Kyle Donovan will read from his popular children’s book the Do’Bees.
    Throughout the museum, children 5 years and younger can celebrate with music, snacks, Cold Stone treats, giveaways, art projects, storytelling. They can touch [...]

    Try out a dance class for free

    by Karen on 8/26/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    Let’s Dance Brooklyn, a group that offers dance and movement classes, has changed their name to City Kids Dance after 5 years of being in business. The name switch is going to be hard for me…but I’ll get over it, they have….with a new logo and website .
    They have a few events this weekend and [...]

    Kids Music Listings this Weekend: August 27, 28, 29

    by Charles on 8/26/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Friday August 27th
    3:30 pm: Get Your Rhythm Going!
    Kids learn how the children of Hangzhou create music with the popular hand drum toy, and create an instrument to take home.
    Details: Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Avenue  Cost: Free with paid admission

    Got a boat fan? This event is for them!

    by Karen on 8/26/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    This event is perfect for the boat fans in your family. In ours, we have two. A 40 year old man, who gets as excited as his 4 year old sidekick, seeing a tiny tug boat push a freighter. In this case, I guess they’ll be thrilled to see that tug boat push a barge [...]

    Free children’s magic show in Greenpoint

    by Karen on 8/26/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    Mario the Magician will be performing a FREE children’s magic show this month at the fabulous WORD bookstore in Greenpoint. “This illusionist’s routine features handcrafted props, slapstick humor, audience interaction and a live dove named Mozzarella,” says TONY Kids. The 35-40 minute show is reminiscent of old-time slapstick performances and includes  his handcrafted [...]

    Watch out! Dinos! (well, eco-friendly ones)

    by joy on 8/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Last year we started receiving Sprig toys for birthday presents. I had never heard of them before, but it seems everywhere I look now, someone has one on the playground.
    You might have seen them too. There are the very popular eco-trucks that dig and dump in the dirt and the funny large-headed figures with their [...]

    And the preschool search begins…and we have info on how to do it

    by Karen on 8/12/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    Are you a new parent with a nagging feeling that you are behind the curve on the preschool search? Never fear, we have information for you here.
    Joyce Szuflita, our School Expert, has tips and hints for helping you start your preschool search. And, yes, August is NOT too early to be thinking about this…it’s actually [...]

    Saturday- meet Curious George & board the Peking

    by Karen on 8/12/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    As some of you might know, I am an Ambassador for Kids Club Thirteen- which means I get to tell you all about the great events they have going on throughout the year and I get to go and meet you at them too! You need to join Kids Club Thirteen to get the special [...]

    Bunk beds- should you or shouldn’t you?

    by Jill on 8/11/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    As my daughter approached 3 (still in a crib!) and my tall son seemed to be growing in the shape of a C in his toddler bed, I had to come up with a new sleeping solution.We don’t have a bedroom big enough for them to have two twin beds. We needed a compact solution. [...]

    A Camp Director’s Equipment

    by Carolyn on 8/08/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    I take my job as mommy pretty seriously so I like to go with the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared!” When my kids were young, I was always overpacking the diaper bag.  Now with a few years of experience under my belt, these are the things I consider essentials on our daily mommy day [...]

    Visiting Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways

    by Carolyn on 8/05/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    As a transplant from the middle of the country, I still find the ocean new and exciting. Luckily, my children share this awe and affection and accompany me on trips to play in the sand and splash in the water.  One of my favorite beaches in New York City is Jacob Riis Park. After visits [...]

    Ach! Growing Pains

    by Karen on 8/04/10 | 4 Comment(s)

    We thought we were golden with our 3.5 year old’s sleep pattern: not a chance. First, it started with middle-of-the-night wakeups from nightmares and then growing pains. Though, I can empathize with him on both counts, I am especially so about the growing pains.  When our son wails from the pain, I get it. I [...]

    New family practitioner takes over Dr. Carpenter’s office

    by Karen on 8/03/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    People always talked about the family doctor Dr. Maggie Carpenter in hushed tones: she was amazing, she hadn’t taken new patients in years, she was so good people were willing to pay 0ut-of-pocket for her for both themselves and their children. Then, last week, one of my friends (J) told me that Dr. Carpenter had [...]

    The NY Aquarium: an outing for a hot day

    by Tonya on 8/03/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Last Sunday it was too hot for the playground but we needed to get our 2 year old out of the house and away from the breakables so we took him to The New York Aquarium at Coney Island. Of all the places the Wildlife Conservation Society offers ( Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central [...]

    Brooklyn Bridge Park: new concessions are opening!

    by Karen on 8/03/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    As Brooklyn Bridge Park has expanded, so has the concessions. The long awaited opening of Blue Marble has finally happened! I like the other ice cream concessions that are at Brooklyn Bridge Park too: Uncle Louie G’s ice cream and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory’s, but I have to admit, I’m partial to Blue Marble [...]

    Vitamin D: Why you and your kids need it NOW

    by Jill on 7/29/10 | 1 Comment(s)

    This morning at breakfast, I remembered that the kids and I hadn’t taken our vitamins since before vacation, a week ago.  Not really a big deal, though with all the press that vitamin D has gotten lately, I made sure the kids and I took ours today.
    What can happen if we don’t have enough of [...]

    Got a Picky Eater? One Hungry Mama has help!

    by Stacie on 7/28/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    I’m going to give you a reason to laugh at me. (It’s okay. I deserve it. And laughing is good for you.) Ready? I didn’t think that my older son would go through a picky phase. Ever.
    Done chuckling? Yea, me, too. Because my (deservedly) famously intrepid eater has now, nearing 4-years-old, gone through several picky [...]

    Red bumps? Our kids have it- you?

    by Jill on 7/27/10 | 5 Comment(s)

    It’s ridiculously hot in NY today as I type; I’m terrified our electric company is going to break down yet I can’t bring myself to turn down the air conditioner, and my son Baker’s chest and back are COVERED in red bumps — so many red bumps that they run together into a giant red [...]

    Eczema: What can be done?

    by Karen on 7/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Eczema:  The rash that itches! By Dr. Hugh Gilgoff
    Almost all babies have sensitive skin.  We all know to avoid harsh detergents, strong perfumes, and rough fabrics during this period, but what is normal dry skin versus eczema?  What can you do to avoid dry skin?  And what medicines are safe and effective?  Read below [...]

    The Noguchi: Events for families- including this weekend

    by Karen on 7/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    The Noguchi Museum is working hard to introduce more family friendly events into their programming. As The Noguchi is one of my favorite museums in NY, I don’t need a lot of reasons to go, but I’m happy they are doing more to entice families.  This Saturday, July 24th is their annual Summer Family Day. [...]

    Book Signing and Toy Making in Greenpoint

    by Tonya on 7/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    Join Brooklyn author Heather Swain for a toy making demonstration and book signing. Her new book:  Make This Toy: 101 Clever Creations from Everyday Items will debut on July 24th, 3:00 pm, at WORD Bookstore (http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/) in Greenpoint. Simply take the G line to the Greenpoint Avenue stop.  You and your family will learn how [...]

    A shaded adventure in Central Park

    by Carolyn on 7/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    As a stay-at-home mom to two preschoolers, I both dread and anticipate summer. I always thought part of  the fun having kids was having companions in exploring all the great things New York has to offer.  At ages four and two, my kids are finally at an age where they both are really starting to [...]

    Daycare expanding with 2 new locations

    by Karen on 7/14/10 | 0 Comment(s)

    This email came in today about an established daycare in Brooklyn that is expanding to 2 new sites:
    “After fourteen successful years in business Sunflower child care is expanding! We would like to inform you that in September we are opening two new Sunflower sites: in Park Slope area on 7th Ave and Saint John’s Place; [...]