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MAY 2012
May 2012
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APRIL
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May 19th & 20th, 2012 • 10am–4pm
Pier 92, 711 12th Avenue (52nd Street & West Side Highway) Top products and services for maternity, baby and toddler. Tickets available at www.newyorkbabyshow.com
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Anyone who enters will automatically receive our wonderful weekly eNewsletter for expectant and new parents, which includes deals, tips and all kinds of great ideas about enjoying your journey into parenthood! The deadline to register is Friday, June 1. *Items in the picture are not the exact items in the giveaway
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Spend your City Summer on our Country Farm! June Camp ages 3-5 9:30 am -12:30 pm (May 29 - June 22)
Summer Camp Half Day 9 am -12:30 pm ages 3-4 Full Day 9 am - 3pm ages 5-7 (June 25 -Aug 17)
Register by week or the whole summer! Our Eco friendly facility offers children a hands on experience learning about and caring for our live animals in our award winning petting zoo. Camp activities include animal science/care, cooking, art, crazy science experiments, nature, music, soccer, swimming and outdoor play. All campers play outdoors every day. Soccer is twice a week and swim is offered for full day campers. Every week we focus on a different theme. All children experience theme entertainers and full day campers go on theme related excursions. Pack a lunch or purchase one from Red Rabbit a healthy organic Nut Free School/ Camp lunch program.
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newyorkfamily.com
FEATURES
66 | TOY BOX
40 | HONEST ALBA
The Best Birthday Presents For Playful Boys And Girls
Inspired By Her HealthConscious Awakening As A New Mom, Actress Jessica Alba Has Added A New Role To Her Résumé: EcoEntrepreneur
68 | HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…AND YOU, TOO! Strategies For Celebrating With Twins
70 | GA-GA FOR GAGA 46 | THE MOM CHRONICLES In Celebration Of Mother’s Day, We Asked Some Of Our Favorite Local Moms For Their Best Parenting Stories
72 | JUST THE TWO OF US Discover Some Of The City’s Best Mommy & Me Classes
FAMILY FUN GUIDE
30 | A SPECIAL PLACE
20 | TEN GREAT EVENTS FOR MAY
One Of The City’s Most Popular Sports Programs For Kids Has A Special New Offering—Its Own Hub
24 | ATTRACTIONS The 13 Best NYC Playgrounds
32 | TREATS
COLUMNS
A Mother’s Day LYSST: Lavish Finds For The Lady Who Deserves It All
A Popular Kids Sport Gets Its First New York City Home
16 | EDITOR’S NOTE The Journey Begins
34 | STARTING OUT
HOME & AWAY
18 | CONTESTS & SPECIAL EVENTS
76 | ON THE MARKET
The New York Baby Show, an ultimate nursery giveaway, the Second Annual Mamas Expo, plus Mommybites’ big night out
Magazine Writer Erin Bried Focuses On The Tried-And-True Experiences Of Mothers Of Prominent Adults
One Suburban Realtor Has Made It Her Mission To Help City Families Find The Perfect Home—And Also The Perfect Hometown
In Her New Baby Book, SELF
26 | SCOOP
BIRTHDAY PLANNER
78 | TRAVEL 55 | CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Four Fabulous Family Road Trips For Summer
Stroller Spa cleans up NYC, local pizza tours, conserve your child’s artwork and more
In This City There’s A Birthday Party Theme To Match Every Child’s Imagination
80 | CAMP COUNTDOWN
28 | IT’S MY PARTY
How To Prepare Your Child For A Summer They’ll Remember
Birthday celebrations at Super Soccer Stars, Dylan’s Candy Bar and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
64 | LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Up The Fun Factor At Your Child’s Birthday Party By Hiring A Great Local Entertainer
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New York Family | May 2012
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36 | ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH Who Says Golf And Tennis Can’t Be Sports For City Kids? Plus, An Extreme Nod To The Olympics
82 | THE LAST WORD After Fifteen Years, A Stay-AtHome Mom Goes Back To Work With The Help Of Some Key Supporters—Her Family
The Cover: Photography by Justin Coit. Styled by Brad Goreski. Hair by Robert Ramos. Make-up by Lauren Anderson. www.newyorkfamily.com
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S” BEHiND THE “BABiE yORK THE NEW W BABy SHO
6 1. EdiTOr ANd CO-PUBLiSHEr Eric Messinger emessinger @ manhattanmedia.com
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2. SENiOr EdiTOr Whitney Casser wcasser @manhattanmedia.com 3. ASSOCiATE EdiTOr Kat Harrison kharrison @ manhattanmedia.com 4. ArT dirECTOr George W. Widmer gwidmer @ manhattanmedia.com PrOdUCTiON MANAgEr Ed Johnson ejohnson @manhattanmedia.com
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ASSiSTANT PrOdUCTiON MANAgEr Quarn Corley qcorley @ manhattanmedia.com
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PHOTO EdiTOr Andrew Schwartz aschwartz@ manhattanmedia.com CONTriBUTiNg PHOTOgrAPHErS Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick CONTriBUTiNg WriTErS Jessica Kobrin Bernstein, Natalie Diaz, Meghan Gearino, Elizabeth Raymond, Joy Sherwood, Briehn Trumbauer, Mia Weber, Stephanie Wolf
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5. PUBLiSHEr John Hurley 212-268-3086, jhurley @ manhattanmedia.com 6. ASSOCiATE PUBLiSHEr Mary Ann Oklesson maoklesson @ manhattanmedia.com
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7. SENiOr ACCOUNT MANAgEr Gina Waldman gwaldman @ manhattanmedia.com 8. ACCOUNT MANAgEr Jennifer Lesser jlesser @ manhattanmedia.com SPECiAL PrOjECTS dirECTOr Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer @manhattanmedia.com
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9. NEW YOrk BABY SHOW Rebecca Martin 212-284-9732, rmartin @ manhattanmedia.com 10. ASSiSTANT TO THE PUBLiSHEr Laura Mishkin lmishkin @ manhattanmedia.com
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CirCULATiON Joe Bendik jbendik@ manhattanmedia.com AdVErTiSiNg COOrdiNATOr Jennie Valenti jvalenti @ manhattanmedia.com BUSiNESS MANAgEr Shawn Scott sscott@manhattanmedia.com
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ACCOUNTS MANAgEr Kathy Pollyea kpollyea @ manhattanmedia.com Manhattan Media PrESidENT/CEO Tom Allon CFO/COO Joanne Harras FOUNdiNg PUBLiSHEr Barbara Witt
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dirECTOr OF digiTAL Vinny DiDonato vdidonato @ manhattanmedia.com WEB PrOdUCTiON MANAgEr Jaime Negron jnegron @ manhattanmedia.com
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11. WEB PrOdUCTiON COOrdiNATOr Kathryn Fortuno kfortuno @manhattanmedia.com WEB dEVELOPEr Peter Hintz phintz@ manhattanmedia.com New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Our Town, West Side Spirit, New York Press, Mitzvah magazine, The Capitol, City Hall, City Arts, Chelsea Clinton News, The Westsider and The Blackboard Awards. © 2012 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com
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The Journey begins A dear friend, who I don’t get to see that often, will soon be a father for the first time. With his wife expecting in about five weeks, he and I met for dinner and, not surprisingly, there was a lot of baby talk. “Nothing really changes,” I assured him. “Yeah, that’s what I hear,” he responded, every bit as deadpan. After a little more food and wine, we talked more seriously. I shared my thoughts on how important it is to be his most helpful self in the weeks after birth, when his wife is recovering, sleepless and breastfeeding. I talked about the joy of rolling around with a baby, acting like the biggest fool in the world. It’s difficult to put a good spin on how hard the first year can be at times, but I emphasized that it’s also a year in which a parent transforms. “You’re going to be amazed at how well you know your child and how capable you
will become at doing the things that parents do, changing a diaper, changing a mood.” When my daughter was about five weeks old, I remember a very desperate conversation with my wife that only got better when we agreed with the logic that this wasn’t really how it was going to be for the rest of our lives. Our child wasn’t going to be one month old forever. Sharing stories like this with my friend, I worried that I was somehow offering too much. But he seemed to welcome it all— assimilating my thoughts and experiences with his own ideas and feelings. In my dreams, this is how I hope it is with our readers. My team and I know that your journey is ultimately your own, so we try to offer a little assistance along the way. In this month’s issue, there’s a lot for new and expectant parents (most notably our cover story with Jessica Alba on page 40),
The hardest part of the job.
Theo Wargo, Getty Images North America
editor’s note
timed to our biggest event of the year—The New York Baby Show on May 19-20 (page 18). But there are treats for all parents, too. From the entertaining and revealing Mom Chronicles (page 46) to our picks for the best playgrounds in the city (page 24), and our Birthday Party Mega-Planner (page 55)— but all I really want to say is…enjoy. A Happy May To All, ERIC MESSINGER EDITOR emessinger@manhattanmedia.com
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New York Family | May 2012
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N E W YO R K FA M I LY C O N T E S T S & S P E C I A L E V E N T S
The IS HERE
The New York Baby Show for expecting and new parents with infants or toddlers will take place at Pier 92 in NYC the weekend of May 19 and 20. This one-of-akind show is an extraordinary mix of goods, services, expert speakers and fun for families, all under one roof! America’s #1 pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, creator of the best-selling DVDs/books, The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block will be joining us as our Keynote Speaker. The show will also feature a Stroller Test Drive Track, free buggy tune-ups, a performance by Pinkalicious, entertainment by Audra Rox & Brett Band for Kids, classes by Eastside Westside Music Together and Karma Kids Yoga, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. For details and to purchase tickets, visit NewYorkBabyShow.com.
THE ULTIMATE MOMS’ NIGHT OUT
Join the Mommybites community in The New Yorker Hotel’s grand ballroom on Wednesday, May 2 at 6pm for an evening of learning, socializing and shopping. Enjoy wine and delicious food, mingle with other moms, win incredible prizes, check out must-have parenting products and services, and take home fabulous goody bags! You’ll also hear from the bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin, and get your parenting Qs answered from experts at the new speakers’ corner. Sign up now at mommybites.com/newyork.
SECOND ANNUAL MAMAS EXPO
The Mamas Network and New York Hall of Science present the Second Annual Mamas Expo on Saturday, May 5 from 10am until 5pm. Open to all parents and families with children ages 0-5, the expo provides access to some of the best local services, specialists and products in Queens and throughout New York City. A ticket to the expo also grants you all-day access to New York Hall of Science’s 450 exhibits, demonstrations and play areas. For details and to purchase tickets, visit themamasnetwork.com.
CONTEST & GIVEAWAY WIN THE ULTIMATE NURSERY!
For expectant and new parents, here’s your chance to win a dream nursery courtesy of New York Family! One lucky reader will be gifted with everything you need to build a beautiful nursery for a newborn—complete with crib, mattress & bedding, furniture, glider & ottoman, layette, room décor, stroller, diaper bag, car seat & cover, toys, baby monitors, babysitting services and much more. The dream nursery is sponsored by aden + anais, Britax, The Children’s Place, Quinny & Maxi-Cosi, Citrus Lane, Lazoo, Naturino, Plum Organics, Nomie Baby, Pearhead, NessaLee Baby, pediped, Sensible Sitters, Little Pim and Skip Hop. For more details and to enter, visit newyorkfamily.com and click on the Contests & Giveaways tab . Deadline to register is Friday, June 1.
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New York Family | May 2012
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 9:14 AM
Success Starts Here.
You will be amazed how much your child will achieve at World Class Learning Academy. From the age of two, your child will begin learning a new language. From age three, your child will discover reading. And from the age of four, they will learn a musical instrument. Imagine what your child will achieve by age 11. Chosen by over 1500 schools worldwide, our innovative, international curriculum helps students achieve well beyond expectations for their age. World Class Learning Academy is part of a successful network of international schools where students’ accomplishments rank among the highest in the world. Students from our schools have been accepted to the world’s most renowned colleges and universities, including Harvard, McGill, MIT, Oxford, Princeton, and St Andrews.
To find out more, call to schedule a private tour.
World Class Learning Academy, New York An International School for Children Ages 2-11. Part of the growing network of World Class Learning Schools in the US and abroad. Inspired. Successful. Empowered.
www.wclacademy.org • 212.600.2010 • 44 East 2nd Street • New York, New York 10003 • infowcla@wclacademy.org
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FA M I LY F U N G U I D E Museums Al Fresco
ore s m r Fo t pick heck n c eve ilies, mily fam ur Fa at r o f ut o dar y. o alen mil a C f k yor vents w e n /e com
THROUGH MAY ZOO TALES [All Ages]
Energizing the transition from spring to summer, the Bronx Zoo returns with their action-packed Animal Tales Extravaganza programming. Every weekend from now until June 30, visitors can meet a rotating cast of characters—Dora, Diego, Buddy the T-Rex, Yo Gabba Gabba and Spider-Man—while dividing their time between yoga, crafts, rainforest parades, performances and special storytimes (don’t miss the featured weekend with actor LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow). And this year, Kate Monster from the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q is sure
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Photo by Friends of the High Line
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GREAT EVENTS
MAY
to steal the spotlight with her wildlifethemed entertainment. 2300 Southern Boulevard, 718-367-1010, bronxzoo.com.
THROUGH MAY 20 IT’S UP TO YOU [Ages 5+]
In TADA! Youth Theater’s new original musical, Up To You, the year is 1977 at Hamilton High. Find out how this entertaining show tackles stereotyping, bullying and popularity (or lack thereof) in the midst of a student election. Tickets are $15/adults and $8/children. And on Sunday, May 6, don’t miss the It’s Up 2U forum at 11am. Moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, this dialogue allows kids and parents to discuss bullying and the call for change. The forum is free, but you should RSVP at info@tadatheater.com. 15 West 28th Street, 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com.
MAY 5-6 SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP [For Moms]
The Manhattan moms behind Shop Lucky
Finds—a consignment and trunk show selling gently used and new clothing (for children 0-8 years), toys and gear—are hosting their first ever two-day shopping event at The Museum of Motherhood. Don’t miss out on steals from top designers like Lily Pulitzer, Juicy, Ralph Lauren and Bonpoint. Items from popular New York boutiques like Lemonade and Pink Chicken will be featured as well. Event runs 11am-4pm/Saturday, 11am3pm/Sunday. 401 East 84th Street, 917796-7092, shopluckyfinds.com.
MAY 5, 12, 19 MUSEUMS AL FRESCO [Ages 4+]
This month, celebrate NYC’s wealth of children’s museum programming with the High Line’s three-week morning series. First, families can join the Children’s Museum of the Arts to collage personalized cityscapes. Week Two welcomes El Museo del Barrio for some bilingual storytelling and dancing. The final week concludes with artsy, continued on page 22 www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 9:04 AM
Creatures of
LIGHT Nature’s Bioluminescence
Now Open
The natural world shines brightest with the fascinating creatures that produce their own light. Explore it all in an immersive exhibition.
TICKETS AT AMNH.ORG, FREE FOR MEMBERS
Open daily • Central Park West at 79th Street • 212-769-5100 Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, and The Field Museum, Chicago.
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Fa m i ly F u n g u i d e continued from page 20
architectural drawing with The Whitney. Free, 11am. Locations Vary Along The High Line, 212-206-9922, thehighline.org.
May 11-June 13 A YEAR IN ART [All Ages]
Get inspired by the Guggenheim’s newest exhibit, A Year with Children 2012. Part of the museum’s Learning Through Art residency, this program sends teaching artists into New York City public schools to collaborate with teachers and develop projects for the schools’ curriculum. The current exhibit proudly showcases artwork from children in grades 2-6 from all five boroughs, and features around 100 drawings, paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures. Tickets are $18/Adults, children under 12 are free. 1071 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.
All Aboard!
May 12-13 MOTHER’S DAY GARDEN PARTY [All Ages]
The New York Botanical Garden is hosting an all-weekend nature soiree in honor of mamas! Gear up for lawn games like badminton, croquet and kite-flying while kids decorate cupcakes or make a homemade greeting card. A scavenger hunt will also be held in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Simply feel like relaxing? Sit back and enjoy the ragtime music of The Banjo Rascals. Oh, and just be sure you’re on the lookout for the roaming professional photographers to snag a great family photo. Tickets are $20/ adults, $8/children 2-12, children under 2 are free. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, 718-817-8700, nybg.org.
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1 0 G r e at e v e N t s
Citywide Science
May 13-19 WILDFLOWER CHILD [All Ages]
NYC Wildflower Week offers a bevy of nature-related events throughout the five boroughs. The whole family can trek to Brooklyn for the Family Flora Walk, where they can discover Prospect Park. Or attend the Interactive Plant Fair and make seed balls, get your face painted and take home a free native NYC sprout. In Union Square Park, experience life as a plant through movement, art and poetry. Most events are free, check the website for detailed info and schedule. nycwildflowerweek.org.
May 19 A FREE SPRING SPREE [All Ages]
Madison Square Park’s free Spring Kids Fest returns with a frenzy of familyfriendly programming, including concerts from two local favorites—The Rockdoves and songs for seeds. Kiddos can also enjoy the magical musings of Amazing Max, or downward-dog in storytime yoga sponsored by Karma Kids Yoga. For the creative, arts & crafts events from the Rubin Museum of Art, Children’s Museum of the Arts, apple seeds and the newly opened Museum of Mathematics will delight. 10:30am-1:30pm. Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, 212-538-1884, madisonsquarepark.org.
May 23-28 ALL ABOARD!
May 30-June 3 CITYWIDE SCIENCE [Ages 3+]
The annual World Science Festival is back and even better for its fifth year. Is your little one already dreaming of test tubes, DNA and brain waves? Then head over to the Kaye Playhouse to learn all about some of the field’s coolest careers. Children will also be able to explore a black hole through a multimedia performance of Icarus at the Edge of Time. And do not miss the popular all-ages Street Science Fair in Washington Square Park to learn how to build a boat and a volcano. Venues vary around the city, check the website for scheduling and ticket prices. worldsciencefestival.com.
[Ages 5-13]
The ships sail in for Fleet Week at the Intrepid Museum, so grab a tour of one of the gigantic military hubs while they’re in port. Pier 86 will boast special displays and performances all week long, including the popular military tug-of-war battle. Families can also help kick-off the Intrepid’s outdoor summer movie series on the flight deck. And there’s no better way to ring in Memorial Day than with the unfurling of a 100-foot-long American Flag. Events are free with museum admission. Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org.
Zoo Tales www.newyorkfamily.com
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Grand Opening Saturday, May 19th, 10am - 3pm FRONT ENTRANCE ON 28 WASHINGTON STREET
2 0 W E S T S T. | N E W Y O R K , N Y 1 0 0 0 4 | ( 2 1 2 ) 7 9 7 - 1 1 1 0 | M A N H A T T A N . T L E C H I L D C A R E . C O M
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Now Enrolling Ages 6 Weeks to 5 Years
Sign Language Program Beginning at Age 6 Weeks
Dynamic and Interactive Curriculum, L.E.A.P.®
Our Exciting Early Reading Program Fun With Phonics®
Infant Care with Sanitary Systems to Protect Baby’s Health
Open 6:30am to 6:30pm Year Round
Interactive Foreign Language Program
Brand New State-of-the-Art Facilities
4/20/12 11:07 AM
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AT T R A C T I O N S a water feature. Nearby, another set of statues depicts beloved characters of children’s author Ezra Jack Keats. During the summer, families flock here for storytime.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE
MANHATTAN
SANDBOX
Best NYC Playgrounds
BY JENNIFER LEHNER There are close to 1,000 playgrounds throughout the city! If you’re in the mood to go beyond the neighborhood swing set, here’s a list of 13 out-of-the-box playscapes worth traveling to throughout the five boroughs.
BRONX COOLEST SOUNDS MULLALY SOUTH PLAYGROUND | HIGHBRIDGE Located near Yankee Stadium, this fun spot lets mini musicians delight in sound exploration by slapping hollow, open-ended metal pipes, talking through telephone tubes and playing a xylophone with their feet.
BROOKLYN BIGGEST WOW FACTOR BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK | PIER 6 Boasting four separate play areas totaling 1.6 acres (Water Lab, Sandbox Village, Slide Mountain and Swing Valley), spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the New York Harbor, three sand volleyball courts and an outdoor food section—this playground is a destination in and of itself.
STRAIGHT OUT OF A BOOK IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND | PROSPECT PARK Paying homage to children’s literature, this storytelling playspace sports an enormous bronze dragon which doubles as
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Pack up the bathing suits and towels because there’s water, water everywhere at this Danish-designed wonderland. Kids will have a ball splashing in the wading area, getting drenched by the wall of faucets and running through the funky, blue fountains while parents and caregivers can sit in cool comfort beneath the shade umbrellas. Frank Oudeman ©2010
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BEST WATER FEATURES CHELSEA WATERSIDE PARK | HUDSON RIVER PARK
MAKES YOU WANT TO BE A KID AGAIN IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND | BURLING SLIP SOUTH STREET SEAPORT David Rockwell’s brainchild invites children in for unstructured play using assorted, loose parts like burlap bags, buckets, shovels, brooms, carts and fabrics. Kids can reenact elaborate pirate fantasies by scrambling up ropes, swinging in hammocks and swabbing the decks of their imaginary ship using miniature push brooms.
BEST FOR YOUNGER KIDS UNION SQUARE PLAYGROUND | UNION SQUARE Although there’s plenty to draw the older kids, this playground caters to its littlest patrons with a section devoted solely to toddlers. Lined with wooden benches for parents and caregivers—and carpeted with checkerboard rubber tiles to cushion falls—this tot lot features age-appropriate climbing equipment, a sandbox and water fountain.
MOST SPECTACULAR SLIDE BILLY JOHNSON PLAYGROUND | CENTRAL PARK There are slides and then there are SLIDES! The 45-foot-long granite beauty at this playground—constructed primarily from natural materials—is known to true slide aficionados as the fastest one in the entire city. Some kids even bring their own cardboard to increase speed on the way down.
BEST SHADE HIPPO PLAYGROUND | RIVERSIDE PARK A favorite among Upper West Side families—this good, oldfashioned hub is a shady haven even on the hottest days. The playground’s stars are its namesake hippo statues, which can be sat on, climbed in and scrambled over and even spray water in the warmer months. A canopy of mature, honey locust trees provides ample shade.
THE HIDDEN GEM TEARDROP PARK | BATTERY PARK CITY Tucked away between the tall residential buildings of Downtown, this urban oasis offers children both a place for excitement and exploration, as well as quiet contemplation. Its www.newyorkfamily.com
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Science Playground
main event is a truly awesome, two-story, joy ride of a slide. There are also plenty of boulders for rock-hopping, a water play area and shady benches for midday reading.
WHERE LIFE IMITATES ART Ancient PlAyground | centrAl PArk This playground mixes standard issue equipment with climbing pyramids, an obelisk and a sundial mirroring the real ones right next door in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian art collection. It’s a mecca for older children once school lets out for the day.
QueenS MoSt educAtionAl Science PlAyground | new york HAll of Science | fluSHing MeAdowS-coronA PArk It’s more than just letting loose at this 60,000-square-foot fun zone. Through more than two dozen hands-on elements like slides, seesaws, speaking tubes, a giant spider web and sand pits—kids soak up the scientific principles of motion, balance, sound and sight, as well as the elements of sun, wind and water.
FOR ALL ABILITIES PlAyground for All cHildren | fluSHing MeAdowS-coronA PArk The first of its kind in the country, this playground was created expressly for children with physical disabilities but, like its name implies, will appeal to all children. Special features include a boatglider swing for the wheelchair-bound, a jungle gym accessible by ramp, stair-free paths, and swings and slides set at lower levels.
StAten iSlAnd eXcePtion to tHe rule connie gretz’S Secret gArden | Snug HArbor culturAl center & botAnicAl gArden Inspired by Francis Hodgson Burnett’s children’s classic, this charming space features a turreted castle and a hedge maze leading to its very own secret, brick-walled garden of dogwoods, roses and other blooming greens. Though not your typical playground, it’s an imaginative hotspot for the curious nonetheless.
for A PHoto SlideSHow of tHe PlAygroundS, viSit newyorkfAMily.coM. for More inforMAtion About tHeSe SiteS, viSit nycgovPArkS.org. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Stroller tlC Solve all of your pram problems with Stroller Spa. What began in 2006 as one mom’s dream to revamp her outdated, rickety stroller is now a full-fledged tune-up service in several major U.S. cities including Manhattan. Heading up Stroller Spa NYC, Brooklyn moms Carolyn Pravda and Allison Leale help local families achieve the baby gear of their dreams by providing a variety of services—from fixing faulty brakes and replacing a flat tire to cleaning and detailing. Plus, they’re opening three new locations on the Upper East and West Sides, as well as Tribeca. For more information, visit strollerspa.com.
eAtS
A SlICe oF the CIty Walking tours can be a tough sell to kids, but not if they’re about pizza! Local entrepreneur Scott Wiener began his tour enterprise, Scott’s Pizza Tours, soon after researching the NYC history of the cheesy choice and obtaining a Sightseeing Guide license. With a variety of tours available—some even catering to food allergies and sensitivities— there’s a pizza jaunt for every taste. A ticket will get you a guided educational tour (think Italian immigration, dough and oven science) to three or four of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s best pizzerias, as well as a slice at each eatery! For more information, visit scottspizzatours.com.
Book
SCAry reAdIng If you haven’t been reading Jill Smokler’s Scary Mommy blog, you’re missing out on all sorts of confessional hilarity. The mother of three hosts an online community where moms can divulge on everything from secretly crying in the shower to joining a gym for the free daycare. Now, Smokler has compiled her “best of” in a new book, Confessions of a Scary Mommy: An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood—the Good, the Bad, and the Scary. It’s a quick and relatable read that will have you in stitches by the end (or right at the beginning). Our favorite admission? “I’m wearing maternity jeans but I haven’t been pregnant in six years.” Write on, mommies. For more information, visit scarymommy.com.
Art
ArtS & CrAFtS everlAStIng Every child’s drawing is a masterpiece in the eye of the parent. But, eventually, there is the dilemma of where to stash the growing number of collages. This quandary motivated two NYC moms to implement a simple solution— Plum Print. Instead of stashing items in a drawer or—the unthinkable—throwing things away, Plum Print Founders Carolyn Lanzetta and Meg Ragland will eternalize your child’s art. Using top notch techniques, Plum Print will help you digitize your child’s creations and transform it all into a stylish photo book. For more information, visit plumprint.com.
MUSIC
AngSty BeAtS We found two CDs that give “edgy” music a whole new meaning. Releasing next month, KinderAngst features the talents of Palmyra Delran and New York native Rachelle Garniez. The kiddie songs on this alternative punk rock CD take place in the imaginative world of Alphabet City (a nod to the Lower East Side) and cover everything from friendship and self-sufficiency to loneliness and neighby dynamics. Similarly, New Yorkers Amelia Gewirtz and Harold Stephan are Parents With Angst. With tunes that play on the themes of joy and frustration in parenting, Parents With Angst is folk-indie soft rock with more than a hint of family. To catch them live, check out Mamapalooza on May 20 in Riverside Park. For more information, visit kinderangstmusic.com and parentswithangst.com.
For A dAIly doSe oF SCoop, vISIt newyorkFAMIly.CoM.
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:38 AM
ENROLLING NOW FOR SUMMER AND FALL CLASSES
So Happy To Be In Mommy & Me
Gymtime is the savvy parent's resource for recreational and educational activities for children ages 7 months to 12 years old. We offer: ■ MOMMY & ME CLASSES ■ GYMNASTICS ■ EARLY LEARNING FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL ■ SPORTS & GYM ■ TAE KWON DO ■ COOKING, ART & MUSIC CLASSES ■ COMBO CLASSES ■ BIRTHDAY PARTIES ■ USAG AND USAIGC TEAM GYMNASTICS
1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 • 212.861.7732
For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.
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Gavin Waldman celebrates his 3rd birthday at Super Soccer Stars. 1. The day’s true soccer star dribbles across the field in a happy-go-lucky flash. 2. The Waldman family works together to blow out Gavin’s balloon-covered birthday cake. 3. Fun with colored cones puts a smile on every party-goer’s face. Photos by Andrew Schwartz (wix.com/gadgetandrew/photography)
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Shayna Greenberg celebrates her 5th birthday at Dylan’s Candy Bar. 1. No party at this infamous NYC sweet shop is complete without a towering chocolate fondue. 2. You know the party is in full swing when the games begin. 3. The birthday girl and her family hover over a crazy cool candy confection. Happy Birthday, Shayna! 4. “It’s good to the very last drop, Mom!” Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)
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Kelsea Burke celebrates her 7th birthday at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. 1. Enthusiastic party guests sit back and relax for a special performance of Little Miss Muffet’s Monster-Sitting Service. 2. The birthday girl gets some hands-on fun—with plenty of strings attached. 3. Kelsea and family pose with a festive, Tinker Bell-themed treat. Photos by Andrew Schwartz (wix.com/gadgetandrew/photography)
WIN A $100 GIFT CARD FROM THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT WEBSITE, GIFT HERO! FOR DETAILS, CHECK OUT OUR CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS TAB ON NEWYORKFAMILY.COM.
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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a special place
room
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One Of The City’s Most Popular Sports Programs For Kids Has A Special New Offering—Its Own Hub Standing on the bright green turf inside Kids In Sports’ new Upper East Side location is as close as it gets to the great outdoors. One wall features a panoramic photograph of Central Park—where lush greenery meets cityscape—and the room is filled with brilliant, primary colors and plenty of sunlight. But the energetic young athletes learning the value of practice and teamwork as they run, jump and play are what really bring the newly designed space to life. During its decade-plus of operation, Kids In Sports has greatly expanded and now runs programs at multiple locations in Manhattan, on Long Island and Greenwich, Connecticut, as well as the D.C./Maryland area. Of course, this year’s big change has been the opening of their very first dedicated facility on Second Avenue, which will provide increased independence and visibility for the program. Founded in 1999 by Kenneth Colon and Michael Strutt, Kids In Sports aims to instill a lifelong appreciation of athletics while teaching the fundamentals to children from 12 months to 12 years old. The pair first met as personal trainers at New York Sports Club, but it wasn’t until a few years later when Strutt was working as a physical education instructor and Colon as a coach that they realized they had a chance to create something special. Recognizing that not every child will have the natural talent and innate interest of a star athlete, Strutt and Colon have made it a significant aspect of Kids In Sports’ mission to reach out to younger children who typically stand on the sidelines and need only a welcoming pull to join in on the fun. “That’s [our] specialty—we reach the kid who’s over there in the corner sitting on Mommy’s lap because we understand how important it is to learn sports at a very young age,” Colon says. To this end, the coach to student ratio is very low in all of their programs, between 1:4 and 1:5, ensuring that every child gets the attention they deserve. While some dream that their children will grow up playing Mom or Dad’s favorite sport, as parents themselves, Colon and Strutt strongly feel that younger kids should have options. As Colon notes, “You want the child to be able to pick the sport that they want.” Because of this, their programs for kids five and under
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andrew schwartz
BY ElisaBEth FraNkEl rEEd
have a multi-sport theme, teaching little ones a range of athletics, including baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football, floor hockey, volleyball and lacrosse. In this way, children have the chance to discover what they enjoy most in the comfort of what will become a very familiar class environment. For older kids who may already know what they like, Kids In Sports offers single-sport programs throughout the city, although the availability of any particular sport depends on sufficient interest to fill a class. With respect to lacrosse, Strutt says, “That’s a sport which is increasing in popularity here in the city, so we are trying to increase our programming.” Structuring each class around what skills and teaching styles are appropriate for a particular age group, Kids In Sports also takes into account what the children have already learned. “So what we do in a three-year-old class is maybe teaching the foundation of something, where we make it a little more challenging and build upon that as a four-year-old and then again as a five-year-old,” explains Strutt. Teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship are the focus for the early years, whereas more detailed skills and competition are taught in later years. Age-appropriate equipment is another unique offering for growing athletes. “Our equipment is child-friendly,” points out Colon. “A lot of it is made out of foam and some is handmade by ourselves.” One-year-olds especially love the custom foam bats, which are light enough that they can practice hitting balls independently. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Andrew Schwartz
Coaches Mike and Kenny Once they get a bit older, toddlers between two and a half and three and a half years old can participate in Creative Athletes. The first half of each two-hour class is similar to the multi-sport classes, with children learning gross motor skills through a succession of different sports. During the second half, the children focus on acquiring fine motor skills through various arts and crafts projects that keep with the sports theme. Creative Athletes is a drop-off program, where, according to Colon, “a lot of parents try this out to get their kids ready for separation.” Fans of the programs also have the opportunity to host their
birthdays at Kids In Sports. The celebration is much like a regular class but the birthday boy or girl gets to choose two sports for their guests to play. In another variation on the multi-sport classes, Kids In Sports summer camps provide the same array of sports as their seasonal classes, but switch between offerings each day. An indoor camp for two-and-a-half- to three-year-olds is available, as are both indoor and outdoor camps for older kids. In addition to learning to play each sport, children participate in arts and crafts and other activities. And since summer is when families are looking for more flexibility, enrollment is by week. Sports programs can be particularly beneficial in an era when electronic devices are as common as scooters and for those who live in apartments where space to play is often tight. In addition to providing a place—rain or shine—for kids to run and burn off energy in a constructive and structured environment, Strutt enthuses that the new space also helps them “plant the seed that physical activity is good.” For city families interested in the many benefits of athletics, the new Kids In Sports venue provides room for their kids to grow and excel. See you on the turf! Elisabeth Frankel Reed blogs regularly at newyorkfamily.com. She was born and raised in New York and loves exploring the city with her husband and two children, Brandon and Julia. To read a profile of CoaCh Kenny and CoaCh MiKe, CheCK ouT “GaMe on!” aT newyorKfaMily.CoM.
Only 90 minutes away. Our family friendly resort awaits on a pink sand paradise.
60 South Shore Road, Paget Parish, Bermuda PG04. For reservations, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bermuda or call toll free 1-800-223-7434
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A M ot h e r ’ s DAY LY s s t
Lavish Finds For The Lady Who Deserves It All BY LYss sterN
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Lyss stern, an Upper east side mom of two, is the foUnder of divamoms.com.
Mother’s Day is, of course, a special time to be with your family. But, let’s be honest, it’s also a nice excuse to have that rare day when the focus is solely on you! And, hopefully, that includes a gift (or two) from the people who love you most. Here’s a run-down of my favorite gifts for Mother’s Day—just leave it out for your loved ones, in case they need a little inspiration. 1. eres Babylone alibaba swimsuit Worn by the world’s most elegant women, Eres bathing suits are incredibly flattering. This one-piece comes in a sophisticated color and you’ll still be wearing it a decade from now. $660, eresparis.com
4. ferragamo signorina perfume Fragrance is many a gentleman’s go-to for Mother’s Day— and this one’s my favorite this year. It’s light and very wearable thanks to notes of jasmine and rose, with a hint of spicy pink pepper for sophistication. $74, ferragamo.com
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2. dior mohotani sunglasses Sunglasses do everything from protect your eyes at the playground to hide exhaustion when you’re dropping the kids off at school. This sleek pair is unquestionably stylish with its cat-eye shape, helping you channel your inner Sophia Loren. $295, dior.com
5. andrew miller arts The genius of Miller’s work is not just embodied through the intricate puzzle-piece assembly required to create each mosaic, it’s also found in the act of rediscovering those timeless memories and moments with family. Price upon request, andrewmillerarts.com
3. Bracelets By stephanie Brooks What mom doesn’t want a handful of beautifully beaded bracelets to brighten up an outfit? These fun, chic pieces are a great way to add some sparkle to your day. Starting at $40, etsy.com
6. alicia adams alpaca hot pink throw A hot pink, delysscious throw for the bed or couch. These blankets are made with the most luxurious fabrics and I can promise you will not want to get out of bed once the snuggling begins. $425, aliciaadamsalpaca.com
7. squarespot squarecard Moms-in-the-know will appreciate and adore a subscription card to SquareSpot, the new online community for deals and discounts on family-friendly products and services. $50, squarespot.com
www.newyorkfamily.com
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s ta r t i n g o u t
The Power of PersPecTive
BY JeNNa Helwig When she was pregnant with her daughter over a year ago, Brooklyn-based writer Erin Bried found herself up to her eyeballs in sometimes confusing, often contradictory advice on parenthood. But she put her zest for research to work, and the result is the practical, yet tender book How to Rock Your Baby: And Other Timeless Tips for Modern Moms (Hyperion). The heart of the book flows from Bried’s interviews with ten extraordinary mothers including Sunchita Tyson, mother of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Elaine Maddow, mother of Rachel Maddow, Betty Horton, who at the age of 102 is America’s oldest mother and of course, Bried’s own mom.
Marlene Rounds
In Her New Baby Book, SELF Magazine Writer Erin Bried Focuses On The Tried-And-True Experiences Of Mothers Of Prominent Adults erin Bried and her daughter, ellie How would you describe your overall parenting philosophy? In a nutshell, love your child and let her find her own way. And it’s equally important to do the same for yourself and trust [that] you will find your own way, too. Ruth Alsop [mother of Marin Alsop, the first female conductor of a major American orchestra] said that there’s a strength in each of our children that needs to be nourished. That also resonated with me as a mother. We are all stronger than we know... We got the strength from our mothers, and they got it from their mothers.
What inspired you to research and write How to Rock Your Baby? When I was pregnant, I read as much as I could. But rather than feel empowered, I felt totally paralyzed. There was so much conflicting information. Let the baby cry versus never letting the baby cry. Always wash hands before touching baby versus germs are good. It was overwhelming, and I found myself not trusting myself. That is why I wrote this book: I wished there was a book with advice in it that hadn’t changed over the years.
“You’re going to remember what songs you sang to your kid for the rest of your life… You don’t need to have an award-winning voice to soothe your child. Your baby just needs to hear your voice.”
How did you decide which mothers to interview? I wanted to talk to moms of all backgrounds and all ages, and I wanted to interview moms of extraordinary kids, so we could all agree [that] they did something right. I wanted the best advice and I figured these moms would offer it to me.
What was the most unexpected piece of advice you received? One of the moms confessed that she let her kids watch television and eat junk food from an early age. That gave me so much comfort! You’ve got some wiggle room. If they eat a cookie, you haven’t ruined them.
There are so many books about pregnancy and parenting newborns out there. Why do moms need another one? There are a lot of wonderful books out there, but what I wanted to offer with mine was perspective. You can get so wrapped up…what brand of pacifier should I buy? Which crib? But, in the end, you won’t remember any of that. You will remember the sweet memories.
When should parents start trying to get their baby on a schedule? Parents should be at their baby’s beck and call for the first two months… Your job is to make them feel loved, safe and comfortable. After that, start establishing loose routines like at bedtime— give the baby a bath, a massage, read a book and put her down. Establish that ritual. This will help you in the long run.
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You make several mentions of encouraging moms to get help and support. Do you think there’s still a stigma against moms who need help? Yes, I think there is absolutely a stigma. There is an aura surrounding motherhood. On one hand, I say trust your instincts; your gut will not steer you wrong. On the other hand, people expect you to have all-knowingness once you’re pregnant. But it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes the best parenting decision you can make is to get help. You include chapters on things that some people probably think are instinctive, like how to sing a lullaby. Have you found that some moms today have lost these instincts? You’re going to remember what songs you sang to your kid for the rest of your life. I found so often at 2am when I wanted to sing to my daughter that I couldn’t remember a single song. There’s so much pressure on mothers today to be perfect. This chapter is just a reminder that perfection doesn’t exist. You don’t need to have an award-winning voice to soothe your child. Your baby just needs to hear your voice.
If you could give just one piece of advice to a new mom what would it be? Overall, worry less. When I was breastfeeding, I was so paranoid that my daughter wasn’t getting enough milk. Of course she was—I wish I had worried less! Describe your perfect Mother’s Day. My perfect Mother’s Day would start with breakfast at home, because restaurants are tough with a one-year-old in tow! I would treat myself to a caffeinated coffee. Then my husband and I would put our daughter in the stroller and walk to the carousel under the Brooklyn Bridge. We’d have a picnic and play, then walk home, put the baby to bed and have a glass of wine. Jenna Helwig, Founder of Rosaberry, is a culinary instructor, personal chef and freelance writer. She blogs for Yummy Delicious at newyorkfamily.com.
Don’t miss our new York BaBY show on the weekenD of maY 19 anD 20 at Pier 92 in nYC! for Details anD to PurChase tiCkets, visit newYorkBaBYshow.Com.
Summer Camps June-August Ages 2.5 through 3 and 4 through 7
Sports For Kids -Classes -Birthdays -Camps Baseball Basketball Football Hockey Soccer Volleyball Free Trial Class
(New Children Only) www.newyorkfamily.com
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(Sign up by the week)
Call to reserve your spot today!
Grand Opening 1420 Second Avenue Corner of 74th 212-744-4900
www.kisnyc.com May 2012 | New York Family
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activity of the month
Sweet SwingS Scott McDermott
Who Says Golf And Tennis Can’t Be Sports For City Kids? These Courts And Courses Offer Lessons For All Ages Chelsea Piers BY CeleNe MCDerMott While you may not find country clubs within the city limits to lure your kids into playing tennis and golf, New York does offer sprawling greens and top tennis facilities that let them tee-off or racquet around. Here’s a slew of courts and courses to inspire and perfect their game.
GOLF Brooklyn Golf Center The center’s Brooklyn Junior Golf Skills Academy offers afterschool and weekend programs for young golfers in a small group setting. Each session hones in on a specific aspect of the game and children receive personalized practice programs, which are designed to monitor their skill level. brooklyngolfcenter.com the Golf CluB at Chelsea Piers Located in a 2,000-square-foot indoor training center, The Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers allows kids to practice their swing with afterschool lessons from the pros. The facility also offers the only multi-tiered, year-round outdoor driving range in Manhattan. A year-round curriculum for elite junior players is offered for those eyeing the JV or varsity high school team. Summer camps and family clinics are also available. chelseapiers.com CityParks Golf Aspiring golfers ages 6-17 can take advantage of gratis golf lessons held in public parks and courses throughout the five boroughs from May through September. CityParks Junior Golf Center, which includes a six-hole golf course and a covered driving range, is automatically available to
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children who enroll in one of their many golf programs. cityparksfoundation.org the first tee of MetroPolitan new york Offering golf instruction for kids ages seven and up throughout the five boroughs, athletes at The First Tee progress through a six-level program designed to teach golf essentials and important life skills. Registration for the summer session begins at the end of June. thefirstteemetny.org Golf Manhattan This luxurious indoor golf lounge features PGA TOUR Simulators, which allow golfers to play over 50 championship courses. Private lessons by a PGA golf professional are offered by the hour for kids ages seven and up. golfmanhattan.com kate teMPesta’s urBan Golf aCadeMy (ktuGa) Founded by Kate Tempesta—deemed a Top Young Instructor by Golf Digest—KTUGA helps kids ages four and up learn proper technique, etiquette and skill in both indoor and outdoor settings. The curriculum combines a mixture of putting, driving, pitching and chipping to help children learn four basic shots using age-appropriate methods. ktuga.com randall’s island Golf Center Individual and group lessons are offered by PGA golf professionals. The center features over 80 heated and covered tees, a grass tee area, putting green and 36-hole miniature golf course. A Junior Golf Clinic is also offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and kids can sign up for The Kelley Brooke Golf Camp to learn basic golf skills via mini golf. randallsislandgolfcenter.com continued on page 38 www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:27 AM
Let Victorian Gardens set the stage for your child’s next birthday party. With thrilling rides and a hassle free experience for the parents, Victorian Gardens is the perfect venue for a memorable celebration!
PARTY PACKAGES INCLUDE: Admission and Unlimited Rides for the Children Located at One Free Adult Admission per Child Wollman Rink In Central Park One hour of Private Seating Time Enter 59th St. & 6th Avenue Food/Beverages for the Children Party Host 212.982.2229 birthdays@victoriangardensnyc.com Party Favor for each Child “Happy Birthday”themed paper goods www.victoriangardensnyc.com
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TENNIS
Advantage Tennis Clubs Members have access to several tennis clubs including the Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, the New York Tennis Club and the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. Kids ages 6-17 can enroll in the Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Camp, a 12-week program that combines tennis instruction and other recreational sports play. advantagetennisclubs.com BumbleBee Tennis A program for every player! Ages 2-4 should attend Tiny Toddler, a great introduction to footwork and hitting drills. Ages 4-7 can sign up for Tiny Tennis, and ages 7-10 will learn more advanced skills, like core tennis strokes, in Mini Aces. A summer camp is also available. bumblebeetennis.com Central Park Tennis Center Private, group lessons and afterschool programs are available for ages 4-7 and 8-15. Kids can also sign up for a Tiny Tots summer camp (ages 4-7) or a Junior Camp (ages 6-16). The facility features 26 newly reconditioned Har-tru courts and four hard courts, generally available for the season, which runs through November. centralparktenniscenter.com CityParks Tennis This summer, the City Parks Foundation will offer free tennis lessons to more than 7,000 children (ages 5-16) citywide. Free use of equipment is available at more than 36 parks. A beginner’s tournament concludes the Central Park Tennis Center program, and for intermediates, the Chase Aces Tournament is held at the Flushing Meadows Tennis Center in mid-August. cityparksfoundation.org Riverside Clay Tennis Association Ten beginner red-clay tennis court lessons are offered for member children and grandchildren, ages 3-9. Children ages 10-18 who are serious about tennis can try out for the Junior Ace Program, available afterschool in the spring and fall. rcta.info SPORTIME Randall’s Island This impressive facility includes 20 indoor/outdoor hard courts, a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, and a fitness and training center. SPORTIME’s Junior Tennis program and John McEnroe Tennis Academy for Elite Players are designed to excite kids about the world of tennis and nurture young players into world-class athletes. Summer camp sessions are also offered. sportimeny.com Sutton East Tennis Club Sutton East’s Pee Wee program introduces the sport to ages 3-6 in a small group setting, while ages 8-18 can sign up for a Pre-Junior Development program, where the size of the net and racquets are modified for young players. suttoneasttennis.com Yorkville Youth Athletic Association Beginner and advanced group lessons are offered by the Sutton East Tennis Club for a bargain, generally for kids in second to fifth grade. yyaa.org
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Now For Something A Little More Extreme By Gavriella Mahpour The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games are edging near, so we’ve found some of the city’s best extreme sports programs to inspire gold medalists of every age. ARCHERY | Queens Archery The Junior Olympic Archery Development Program is perfect for kids ages 18 and under who want to shoot like Robin Hood (or Katniss Everdeen). bigapplearchery.com CLIMBING | Alley Pond Park Adventure Course Designed for kids ages eight and up, this free outdoor ropes course features a climbing and bouldering wall, zip-line, nets, a trust fall station and balance platforms. Reservations are recommended. nycgovparks.org CYCLING | Bike New York During Bike New York’s Bike Bonanzas, kids can participate in free riding clinics, a bike driver’s ed class, and a bike swap where they can trade in their old ride for a better model. bikenewyork.org FENCING | Manhattan Fencing Center This center offers beginner saber and foil camps for kids ages seven and up—en garde! manhattanfencing.com KAYAKING | The Downtown Boathouse This non-profit org offers free kayaking (and introductory lessons on Wednesdays) for families during the summer months at various piers around the city. downtownboathouse.org SAILING | Atlantic Yachting Ages 9-15 learn nautical basics in a safe atmosphere thanks to their NYC Summer Sailing Camp. atlanticyachting.com SKATEBOARDING | Skateboarding School With classes ranging from beginner to advanced, the Skateboarding School provides group and private sessions for kids looking to shred like a pro. skateboardingschool.com TRAPEZE | STREB With classes like Baby Action, Kid Action, German Wheel and Kid Fly, “extremists” ages 12 and under can learn daring acrobatics and trapeze skills at this Brooklyn-based center. streb.org
For more venues and classes, visit our directory at newyorkfamily.com www.newyorkfamily.com
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:42 AM
Honest
Alba
Inspired By Her Health-Conscious Awakening As A New Mom, Actress Jessica Alba Has Added A New Role To Her Résumé: Eco-Entrepreneur By Whitney Casser Photos By Justin Coit
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May 2012 | New York Family
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J
essica Alba is one of Hollywood’s most likeable ladies. In an industry where being young and gorgeous often goes hand-in-hand with superficiality and irresponsibility—Alba has opted for a cleaner and classier reality. The 31-year-old actress has made her mark as one of the entertainment industry’s hottest stars with her rise to fame in the TV drama Dark Angel, as well as major motion pictures like the Fantastic Four series and Sin City. More recently though, Alba has been stepping out of the sexy spotlight and into the familyfriendly sphere with projects like Spy Kids 4, Little Fockers and the forthcoming animated comedy Escape from Planet Earth. As a working mother with a baby and a preschooler, Alba maintains her Hollywood appeal, but with decidedly less glitter and glam than most of her A-list cohorts. Instead, she spends her nights and weekends with Honor, Haven and her husband of four years, movie producer Cash Warren. And in her latest undertaking as Founder of The Honest Company—an eco-friendly diaper, skin, bath and household cleaning products provider—Alba seems to have found her next perfect role.
even been asking for the option to buy items piece by piece, as opposed to following the company’s customizable subscriptions. “They’re asking us to make more stuff,” Alba says. “[For example], there are no good eco bathroom cleaners [on the market].” Without the sticky supply-and-demand pressures of a traditional business model, Alba and her team are free to innovate as they see fit, adding new products to the line, tweaking their offerings and discovering what works. One of the most exciting innovations presented from the start was a high design factor. While most eco-conscious brands rely on color-free logos and a “less is more” approach, The Honest Company infuses its packaging with turquoise blues and floral imagery. The ripple effect is a modern yet distinctly family-focused feel—a combination we expect to see in Alba’s forthcoming book set to release next year (tentatively titled The Honest Life). With its core team of about ten people, and some additional customer service staff, The Honest Company houses a friendly kids corner in its L.A. offices. On days when she’s not filming, Alba spends at least eight hours there as Honor attends preschool just three blocks away. As for baby Haven, who was born in August, “it’s really just about her nap schedule,” says Alba. “We have a little room set up for her at the office so she can go sleep and she has her highchair connected to my desk. The only time it gets distracting is when she’s crying but she’s a really good baby. She’s mostly just giggling and being cute.” At one point, Alba politely interrupts her own train of thought, having found her littlest one turned around in her crib. “Oh my gosh, my baby is upside-down,” she laughs. “What are you doing? What are you doing you little faker?” Her voice goes up an octave with a hearty, audible smile. It’s moments like these that make this down-to-earth mom the happiest. When asked about her daughters, Alba’s voice softens and she seems to take extra care with her words. “They’re both really happy,” she gushes. “Honor’s imagination is always going crazy. She says really funny things all the time. Literally from the moment she wakes up until the moment she goes to bed, her mouth doesn’t stop running!” Even as a silly big sister, cracking jokes and playing dressup, Honor was actually a “very serious” baby. “She would check people out…look them up and down,” Alba says. Now, graduating from the toddler stage, she’s getting into things, finding interests and learning about the world. “She always tries to go into my make-up and I say ‘No, it’s toxic. You can’t have it.’ And now she goes around and is like, ‘Daddy, is this non-toxic?’” Alba met Honor’s daddy while on set filming Fantastic Four in 2004. “He’s super hands-on. He and Honor hang tough on the weekends and watch golf… And he’ll let her paint his nails!” she laughs. “He’ll walk around with half-painted blue-and-red nails— such a good look. He makes her so happy.” When Haven starts crying in the other room, Alba goes to pick her up and the baby transforms from howling to laughing
“My mom gave me the best [advice] which was that all you can do is your best. At the end of the day, if you love your kid unconditionally, that’s really all that matters.” “The inspiration [for The Honest Company] came out of being a mom and really just wanting this company to exist!” Alba says. When she was first pregnant with daughter Honor, who will be four next month, Alba read environmental health expert Christopher Gavigan’s acclaimed Healthy Child Healthy World. The book opened her eyes to the hazardous chemicals found in not only household cleaning supplies, food, fragrances and makeup—but also baby care products. Like any good mother, Alba took matters into her own hands by reading consumer reports and scouring the market for the best stuff available. But, like most parents, she found the process to be overwhelming and often confusing. “It has to be easier for parents,” Alba insists. “[It’s] so unfair that most of my family and friends can’t go out and afford this stuff, and they want to have healthy children and a healthy life.” So Alba made it her mission to team up with Gavigan and together they honed in on assembling a new eco-minded diaper and baby products sales model. Based on a personalized monthly subscription delivery service, The Honest Company took about three and a half years to bring to fruition, and it’s been a true labor of love for Alba, Gavigan and the Honest team, which includes business partners Brian Lee (Founder of ShoeDazzle.com) and Sean Kane (an executive from PriceGrabber.com). And while she had some concerns about knowing whether or not other parents wanted the same things that she wanted, the public’s initial response to Alba’s flexible-meets-accessible company has been overwhelmingly positive. Consumers have
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5 Practical steps to raising a healthy child at home Alba’s Honest partner, Christopher Gavigan, is Former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World. Here are his top five tips (they’re easy!) for how you can make your home healthier and happier.
2. try to eat organic and unprocessed foods as much as possible. Be sure to check out the Environmental Working Group’s “clean 15” and “dirty dozen”.
1. choose non-toxic products. Everything from your countertop cleaners to body lotions have an impact on your children’s health and wellness.
3. clean up your indoor air. Open doors and let the fresh air in. Indoor air quality is traditionally much worse than outdoor air quality.
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instantaneously. “You’re so silly. You need to go to sleep. You haven’t had your morning nap, kiddo,” Alba coos. This leads to the topic of parenting practices, philosophies and advice, which, for Alba, was difficult to resolve because she’s a perfectionist in an area of life where perfection simply doesn’t exist. But Alba had to remember her own mother’s words of wisdom. “My mom gave me the best [advice] which was that all you can do is your best. At the end of the day, if you love your kid unconditionally, that’s really all that matters,” she says. “And you’re gonna make mistakes along the way—nobody is perfect. Especially with a first baby, you want to do everything just so—or I did, at least—and I wanted to be in control.” Looking back at her own childhood, Alba remembers her young parents being “fun” and “totally involved.” Rather than have separate kid and adult activities, Alba and her younger brother were always part of what was going on in Mom and Dad’s lives. “They traveled with us, they included us in everything,” she remembers. “And I feel like a lot of people think that until a kid gets to a certain age…they are in two different worlds.” For her part, Alba has been recreating that same dynamic with her own daughters, bringing them to restaurants and on trips whenever possible, to make them a part of her life while also exposing them to new experiences. She has even brought both of her girls to the Big Apple for New York City fun. “We hit every park from the Lower East Side up through Chinatown to Tribeca,” Alba says. “We walk everywhere.” Some of their favorite places to visit, often with friends who live in Manhattan, include restaurants like Bubby’s and Balthazar, and the popular family hangout Citibabes for when it’s raining. Honor’s last birthday was spent at NYC’s famed FAO
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4. take your shoes off. Have a shoe-free home. Otherwise you’ll track in grime, pesticides and petro-based chemicals. 5. consider how you use plastics and petrobased products. Eating and drinking around plastics should be monitored. There are safe plastics and there are unsafe plastics.
Schwarz. To say that she was thrilled would be an understatement. The little one had never been to a toy store of that magnitude. “Between the lollipops and the toys and the dress-up, she loved it,” says Alba. Next month’s birthday celebration for the growing girl remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly be hands-on. “I think it’s always fun for kids to do some sort of activity and go home with something that they made,” Alba insists. “One year we got little wooden cars for boys and wooden fairy wands for girls and the kids all painted [them].” And even if the day is spent just relaxing at home, the AlbaWarrens will have plenty to do with a gorgeous nature preservation right next door to their Pacific Coast hideaway. “We go to the park all the time and we spend a lot of time playing outside—we do art projects,” Alba says. “I put black tile outside so [that Honor] could write with chalk. Because we don’t really have sidewalks!” With Mother’s Day on the horizon, Alba actually hasn’t thought much about downtime or taking a day all to herself. When asked about her plans, she hesitates slightly. “Maybe a massage, while the [kids are] napping?” she says like it’s more of a question than a plan. Whether or not pampering is on the calendar, she mostly wants to be at home with her family. “Just hanging out with them!” she laughs. Of course, that’s just the kind of honest answer that’s endeared her with entertainment executives and moviegoers alike. And it’s undoubtedly what’s getting parents across the country on board with this down-to-earth mama’s next adventure. For more oF our interview with Jessica, visit newyorkFamily.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:46 AM
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arenting is as much about the journey as it is about the memories you make along the way. And just in time for Mother’s Day, nearly twenty local mamas tell all, sharing their favorite moments, insights, lessons and laughter. BABY GENIUS Like most mothers, from the day my son was born, I knew he was special. So, on a Tuesday afternoon, when he was 18 months old, I wasn’t shocked when I saw him reading Curious George out loud from across the room. I immediately ran to get the video camera. “He’s a genius!” I exclaimed. It wasn’t until I got close up that I realized he was reading the book upside-down. —Lauren Maslin, Founder and Owner of Encore Maternity
Mom
The
Chronicles In Celebration Of Mother’s Day, We Asked Some Of Our Favorite Local Moms For Their Best Parenting Stories
EDITED BY WHITNEY CASSER
LET THE GREAT WORLD STOP Recently, at the end of a lousy day during what had been my most trying month in my almost-decade as a parent, my daughter asked me, “Mommy, how do you stop the whole world?” “Nobody can stop the whole world,” I told her. “It keeps spinning no matter what.” Then I turned off the light and shut the door before Maggie could formulate her follow-up. But her question stayed with me as I slumped onto the couch. I picked up the remote, and stopped. What if I could press a pause button? What if I could live suspended in that moment before returning to the challenges of my life? And if I could do that for myself, could I not show my children how to do the same? I have found renewed energy for tackling my own motherhood mountain by stopping. By breathing. And by taking all the stuff out of my backpack that was too heavy for the next part of the climb. Volunteer breakfasts and auctions and making thirty phone calls by tomorrow? No. Sorry, I’m not available. “Mommy, can you read just one more story? Mommy, can you answer just one more question? Mommy, can you stop the whole world?” Yes. Yes, I can. —Amy Wilson, Author of When Did I Get Like This? and Director of Listen To Your Mother NYC, listentoyourmothershow.com/nyc TAKING THE HIGH ROAD Just yesterday my eldest son, who’s ten and a half, came home with a check minus on an assignment. I had helped him with that homework, so WE got a check minus! I went to Vassar, I have a Masters in French and I have a law degree…and I often can’t understand my son’s homework. Scary! The assignment was a map of Europe and he had to fill in three countries. He received a check minus because the instructions said to fill in the countries with a color and we only labeled them. So I was up in arms…and I called the school—which is really out of character for me because I usually don’t get involved. But I never had the chance to speak with the teacher. That day my son came home and said that his teacher knew that I had called the school. I told him that I would call her the very next day. continued on page 48
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continued from page 46
UNSOLICITED ADVICE One night when my youngest son, Arthur, was five, I came into his room to kiss him goodnight and found him crying. Very concerned, and wanting mightily to console him, I asked what was wrong. He told me that he “messed up” the block corner in his kindergarten room and that his teacher had chastised him. Oh, this is going to be easy, I thought. “OK, Arthur, here’s what you need to do. Tomorrow when you get to school...” As I was talking, Arthur was sinking further underneath the covers. I asked him what was the matter—didn’t he think my advice was good? “Don’t want advice,” he said. “I just want you to say POOR BABY!” I never made that mistake again, with him and his brother, with my grandchildren and even with my husband. We all just need a POOR BABY from someone who loves us from time to time! —Barbara Zinn Krieger, Artistic Director & Founder of Making Books Sing A LIFE-CHANGING BIRTHDAY For my 35th birthday, I got served divorce papers while I was changing diapers. I was alone with a one-year-old and a four-yearold, both of whom had special needs. And it was Halloween. Would I crumble in a heap or would I pick myself up and keep going? I’d always looked forward to my Halloween birthday. But, would I hibernate on my favorite day of the year because it had turned into one of the worst days of my life? I had a little ballerina and mini monkey counting on me, so my decision was clear. We had friends over for birthday cake. We went to a Halloween party—I was clearly a zombie with my puffy red eyes. The kids had speech and physical therapy appointments. In between, I hid in my room to call my new lawyer. When I emerged, I splashed cold water on my face and forced a smile. In the afternoon, we went trick-or-treating. I tucked them into bed that night, and then burst into tears. Looking back, my kids probably sensed something was wrong. But I showed them that day (and in the four years since), that life goes on. Each Halloween, there is birthday cake and costumes and trick-or-treating. And every day of the year there is plenty of hugging, smiling and laughing. I make extra sure of that for my kids, not because I am a single mom or because my kids have special needs, but simply because all kids deserve it. And so do their moms. —Joanna Dreifus writes at mymomshops.com and serves on the board of YAI.org GOOD GIRLS (DON’T) WEAR UNDERPANTS My daughter is a nudist. She is an unrepentant clothes-doffing, underwear-eschewing, bum-baring, breeze-loving, parts-showing
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Randi Baird
My ten-and-a-half-year-old looked at me and said: “Mom, don’t call her. Be the bigger person.” —Aviva Drescher of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City. She is on the Advisory Board of Cancer Schmancer/Trash Cancer and a Spokesperson for the One Step Ahead Foundation.
Joanna Dreifus nudist. It’s sort of awesome, but also a little disconcerting. I love that my daughter so exults in her physical being, that she is so unreservedly comfortable with her physical self. And yet I catch myself, sometimes, pestering her about sweaters and socks and underpants. Aren’t you cold? Would you like to put on socks? Let’s put on underpants, shall we?! I don’t worry about her becoming a lifelong nudist. I worry about her getting cold. I also worry about her peeing on the couch, which hasn’t happened yet, but still: one particularly engrossing episode of “Global Grover” and all the Scotchgard in the world won’t save our off-white sofa… I love that she is so unabashedly, physically she. So I resolve to not worry about shame or unshame and to just let her be. But if she pees on my couch, those underpants are going on with duct tape. —Catherine Connors writes at herbadmother.com A KISS IS JUST A KISS My son is seven and a half years old and is consistently recognized for having such a warm demeanor. When he was a toddler, he always licked his friends and family to show his love. Other mothers would say, “What is wrong with your son?” My immediate thought was: He isn’t even two—at least he isn’t hitting or biting! Fast forward to six years old: I get a call from his kindergarten teacher saying, “Ithan is kissing all the girls.” I wish every parent could get that call from school. “Your kid is a bit too loving; we need your help to teach him to curb that a little.” Did she want me to punish him? I would never punish him for loving! —Lori Zaslow, Co-Founder of Project Soulmate, Bravo TV’s Love Broker LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER When my daughter Rochelle was two years old, I remember being in a store and she was screaming, throwing a tantrum. I was mortified. As a young mother, I didn’t know what to do. So I said to her, “You have to be quiet!” It was the “terrible twos” when she had that moment. But that was the only time it happened! —June Jacobs, CEO of June Jacobs Spa Collection Actually, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! We’re all about stubbornness, survival, being strong-willed and never giving up. continued on page 50 www.newyorkfamily.com
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Tiffany Casanova
When I was young and had really long hair, my mom liked to blow it out. One time, she had dressed me up…and was doing my hair and I just remember the tears falling down my face. I was so angry! But, in the end, I knew she was going to win and I was going to have to have my hair blown out. So I let her do it. One night, my own son Jake was refusing to go to sleep. He paced the room, going in circles for an hour. Finally, I said to him, “We can sit here all night long. I don’t mind. Because I’m going to win this in the end.” He paced a little more. But then, finally, he got it. “Now, I understand, Mommy,” he said to me. He gave me a hug and he went to bed! —Rochelle Jacobs-Silpe, Co-Creator of June Jacobs Spa Collection IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED One day when my son was about four, we were heading to the park and the sun was setting. I told him it would likely be closed and he said, “Why don’t you take a piece of cardboard, cut it out in the shape of the moon and cover the moon with it, and then the sun can stay out?” “Wow. Why didn’t Mommy think of that?” I replied. When we reached the park and the gate was locked, he was a little frustrated. I told him we had no choice but to go home and play with toys. “Wait, Mommy. Take out your keys to unlock the gate,” he said. “I don’t think my keys fit the lock,” I said, to which he replied, “How do you know, Mommy? You didn’t even try.” My little guy has taught me a lot about solutions. —Latham Thomas, Founder of Mama Glow A TALE OF TWO DIAPERS Over the past eight years, the funniest (and grossest) moment of mommyhood with twins was when I finally thought (emphasis on thought) I got the hang of having two infants. In a rush, I decided to be the champion of all mothers of multiples and change both boys’ diapers at the same time. Boy, was I confident! Onesies unbuttoned? Check! Dirty diapers off? Check! New
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ones ready? Check! Right before what would have been an extremely triumphant moment for me, I got the gift that only a baby boy could give: the oh-so familiar splash of you-know-what to my chin and neck. But, it wasn’t just one infant who gave me the shower. One aimed for the chin; the other, for the neck. So, if you’re like me and have experienced the warmth of a double tinkle to your face, admit it: motherhood is awesome. —Tiffany Casanova is an entertainment lawyer by day and Producer of family web series “Tristin and Tyler’s Tales from the City!” by night, tristinandtyler.com. FORGET-ME-NOT Soon after my brother-in-law was deployed to Afghanistan, my sister gave birth to their second child. Fortunately, my parents lived nearby and were able to help out quite a bit with both the baby and her three-year-old brother Jacob. But by about nine months into what was ultimately a year-long deployment, my parents were exhausted. One cold winter night, my mother got a call from Jacob’s preschool right after closing time. “No one came to pick up your grandson today,” the teacher told her. My parents had gotten their signals crossed about whose night it was for pick-up. My mother felt terrible—as if his father’s departure hadn’t been hard enough on the boy, now he’d been forgotten by Grandma and Grandpa on top of it. She rushed over expecting to find an inconsolable toddler. Instead, Jacob was bright eyed and beaming. “Grandma!” he exclaimed. “I must be so special—they kept school open just for me!” —Darcy Lockman is a clinical psychologist who works with New York City parents. Her memoir, Brooklyn Zoo: The Education of a Psychotherapist, will be published by Doubleday in July. ENDLESS LOVE It was the typical day in the life of my three-year-old. The day started with singing and pretending we were Pharaoh and Moses. But her doll (who of course was playing Baby Moses) was not wrapped just right. “Not her eyes covered, Momma!” And faster than a Ferrari we are on the ground hysterical. By the arrival of the splashing tantrum at bath time, I felt like a failure of a mom. Add on a big heap of shame that I was so looking forward to her being asleep and—let’s be honest—a glass of wine. When she calmed down after some snuggles and songs, and as I was putting her into the crib she said, “Momma, I love you even when you get frustrated and give me consequences. My love for you is endless.” Holy crap. I wish I could have bottled that moment to pull out during the next tantrum, the teen years, or heck, just for a day when I feel blue. She heard me. She gets it. I am doing something right. —Alysia Reiner is an award-winning actress, producer, humanitarian and outspoken environmentalist. She is part of the NYC cast of Listen To Your Mother, listentoyourmothershow.com/nyc. AND THEN THE PHONE RINGS… One evening, I received a phone call at home from one of my continued on page 52 www.newyorkfamily.com
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daughter’s middle school teachers. My mind went so many places. The teacher began with “I don’t know if you know this but...” which raised my anxiety even further. She then continued to tell me that my daughter had been writing letters to her. She said they were letters of encouragement while she was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. She told me how my daughter’s words were inspirational and how touched she was by her insight and spirit. As a family, we had just supported my sister through chemotherapy and so my daughter used that experience to lend a hand and her heart to her teacher. To me, this was far greater than any report card grade. —Elizabeth DeAngelis, Master Teacher at The New American Academy METAMORPHOSIS Think about it. For ten months, men get to chill out and wait while women go through an awe-inspiring metamorphosis, resulting in something far more glorious than a butterfly. I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do to grow a healthy child. Give up wine, easy. Sushi, Splenda, soda and coffee were harder but doable. Then, after the baby was born, sleeplessness, nursing woes, night terrors, preschool applications, juggling careers and kids are all pars for the course. My children are now ages five and eight, and I have learned that there are many sacrifices, challenges and fears to face in raising children but the rewards are vast. —Rose Caiola, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Manhattan Youth Ballet and Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, and Producer and Co-Writer of Freckleface: The Musical IN THEIR EYES My oldest daughter was infatuated with my forehead and kept saying, “What are all those wrinkles?” All I could think was, I don’t have wrinkles! She was probably five at the time, but wouldn’t leave it alone. So then I looked in the mirror and…oh my gosh, I really do have wrinkles! I must have just gotten these in the past couple of years with all of these kids. Then my husband said, “Yeaaa…you’ve had those ever since I’ve known you.” —Mollie Marcoux, Chelsea Piers Field House General Manager NANA’S LITTLE SECRET My seven-year-old son went to spend quality time with Nana for the night. When he came home he told me that Nana used cream on her eyes to prevent lines and wrinkles. I wondered what she used since I am surrounded by lifestyle services in my industry. The next day we had my daughter’s birthday party. Cooper must have seen the product on TV shortly beforehand and asked, “Nana, why do you use butt cream on your face?” My husband and I, embarrassed, had to compose our smiles with the innocent question asked in front of ten other grown-ups. —Shannon Russo-Pollack, Co-Founder, Lifestyle Director and President of Dasha Wellness Corp.
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Adriane Stare
WHEN NATURE CALLS THE ECO-MINDED One day we ran out of TP at home, but we serendipitously had a large stack of washable, flannel wipes in the bathroom that we were using for baby wipes for Damien at the time. Cotton wipes are softer, denser and more effective and they all go in the same laundry bin. From that day forth, the fluffy, cotton wipes have been used to pat ourselves (and our son) dry. Damien has long been out of diapers, but the flannel wipes remain—I’m never going back! —Adriane Stare, Owner and Founder of Caribou Baby TO GO OR NOT TO GO “Jake is hurt. 911 is here.” That’s how my daughter, Emma, began a phone call when I was on a business trip in Dallas. My heart began beating wildly. My face flushed. Jake had been reaching for an antique glass candy jar, it slipped and shattered in his hand. His right thumb was badly cut and would need stitches. The paramedics would take him to Lenox Hill Hospital. I faced a working mom’s dilemma: fly home or stay the course? Like any mother, my immediate inclination was to cancel the rest of the trip and race to the airport. I was wracked with guilt. I quickly tracked down my husband, Peter, with the news, and he jumped in a cab to meet Jake at the hospital. We spoke a few minutes later and I realized there was nothing I could do at home that Peter couldn’t handle. Jake, he said, had begun to brag about how badly he cut his thumb. He was proud of his wound. I got home, as scheduled, two days later. There was Jake, smiling and thrilled to show me his bandaged hand. “Mom, you should have seen it. There was A LOT of blood.” Any residual guilt had dissipated. In retrospect, I view it as natural, but perhaps wasted, emotion. Seven years later, Jake happily tells the story and shows off his deep scar to anyone who’s interested. —Tory Johnson, Founder and CEO of Women For Hire and Spark & Hustle
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In This City There’s A Birthday Party Theme To Match Every Child’s Imagination BY CeleNe MCDerMott
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lanning the ultimate birthday party for your child can be overwhelming. but when presented with the right tools—like themes and venues—it can be an experience worth “wow”-ing. here are over 25 categories, from barnyard animals to sequins and scrapbooks, to make any happy birthday…just that.
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MONKEYING AROUND
ExerBlast offers an out-of-this-world birthday experience. Teams blast off into a high-stakes obstacle course, racking up energy points as they climb revolving rock walls and navigate geometric twists. The 92Y offers a Gymnastic Party package where kids ages 2-12 get active with spiral slides, a ball pit, air bounce and spider net. For a Sportacular Sports Party, enjoy exclusive use of the 2,500-square-foot gymnasium. Gymnastics are the focus of parties at 74th St. MAGIC, where a SuperHero Training Party lets kids “fly” across the gym in a gravity-defying swing! At the West Side YMCA, kids can play on the new rooftop playground, replete with a slide and spongy surface. Or they can check out the Early Exploration Play Center and enjoy an indoor treehouse, climbing wall, pirate plank and more. Also, consider the 14th Street Y for a rooftop party and take advantage of their Noah’s Ark playground, water sprinklers and riding toys.
ALL ABOARD!
How about a transportation-themed bash? The New York Transit Museum offers a kid-friendly tour of the museum, housed in a 1930s subway station. The party includes a scavenger hunt and activities like Design a Vehicle and Make a Mosaic. Or hop on the Taxi & Trains Adventure at the Museum of the City of New York, with a bday celebration including subway scavenger hunts, taxi magnet invitations, a NYC traffic obstacle course and custom car craft.
FARM FUN
You don’t have to flee NYC to experience life on a farm. The Art Farm in the City offers a number of thematic soirees, including an Exotic Animal Party where kids meet live animals and partake in music and art activities. TLB Music offers a Barnyard Bash, beginning with a personalized music class inspired by farm friends. Kids dance, enjoy farm-themed décor and use the playroom’s clubhouse, rockclimbing mountain and play kitchen. Or get the full down-on-the-farm experience from April through October at the Queens County Farm Museum. Children ages 1-12 go on a farmyard tour, enjoy an animal feeding and take a tractor-drawn hayride.
MAD ABOUT MUSEUMS
Kids ages four and up can explore various sections of the American Museum of Natural History with their choice of five party themes: Dinosaur Discoveries, Cosmic Blast-Off, Safari Hunt, Underwater Treasures or Beyond Planet Earth. Or consider The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where kids climb into the cockpit of a real aircraft, design their own NASA flight suit or learn Morse code. At the world-famous Madame Tussauds, rent the Viewing Gallery for a few hours to meet all of your favorite celebs or gain private access to the SportsZone and shoot hoops among popular athletes sporting a waxy sheen. If you choose to party at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, book an Eat Sleep Play bash so partygoers have private access to their newest exhibit. Kids will learn how to keep their bodies healthy and strong as they conquer an obstacle course, jump through hoops, crawl through tunnels and test their balance. Or make any birthday special with treasure hunts, green-thumbed detective work and touch-tank exploration at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
CULINARY COOL
Taste Buds offers ages 2-13 the chance to chop, mix, swirl and bake their way through an appetizing celebration. Little ones whip up pizza, cupcakes, pretzels and quesadillas, while older kids learn how to make a three-course meal that pulls from global cuisines, chocolate or brunch themes. Or consider Home Cooking New York for your next shindig. Kids can battle it out in a Risotto Challenge, or host their own Iron Chef Competition to see which party guest can make the best Mac and Cheese. At Dylan’s Candy Bar, host the perfect party in a room filled with gumball tables and gumdrop ceilings. Kids can enjoy games and crafts centered on sweets.
EN POINTE
At Ballet Academy East, the birthday child and her brood bask in a decorated studio and personalized ballet class according to a theme of the child’s choice. Following the lesson, guests dance a ballet story recited by the teacher. Or bring Twinkle Party to your home for tutu-tinged festivities in themes like the Nutcracker, Fairy Princess and Sleeping Beauty. Movers and groovers can age another year in a ballet, jazz, hip-hop, creative moment, modern, African or Salsa dance class at Peridance Capezio Center. You can even pick a High School Musical or Michael Jackson party.
BOUNCE & BOWL
A one-stop party shop, For Kids Only at Reebok Sports Club/ NY & The Sports Club/LA-Upper East Side puts on parties amplified by rock climbing, a toddler gym, dance, movement, art and music. Kids will also love the 15x15 on-site bounce house. Active tots might want to try the Ultimate Tykes Challenge at Chelsea Piers, where they can compete in tricycle and potato sack relay races, play tug-of-war and enjoy an oversized sports-themed moon bounce. The McBurney YMCA also offers a bouncy castle in its indoor playground, which can be reserved for parties. For the ultimate ten-pin experience, choose from two Bowlmor Lanes locations, offering unlimited bowling, shoe rental, food and a souvenir pin that kids can sign.
BACKSTAGE PASS
Soak in a special afternoon of singing, dancing and acting at TADA! Youth Theater. The full cast will even sing an original birthday tune from the stage! Or, rent the entire venue during one of the theater’s regular performance runs for the ultimate show. At Discovery Programs on the Upper West Side, kids can choose from eight different themes including a Broadway Bound bash for ages 6-10. Rent a ballroom, gymnasium or fully equipped classroom. At Kidville, families love the Calling All Future Oscar Winners Party, where petite partygoers design their own props and put on their own performance or host a game show with a ZanyZing-Zang Game Show Party.
PARTY LIKE AN ANIMAL
While party planners handle the details, guests can meet-andgreet with penguins, toss fish to sea lions and enjoy a Wildlife Theater performance at the Central Park Zoo. Or, enjoy a private party room and up-close visits with wild animal friends, incredible exhibits and age-appropriate activities at the Bronx Zoo. continued on page 58
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TURN UP THE MUSIC
At The Early Ear, music teachers introduce the birthday child and guests to musical instruments as well as lead them in song and dance. At Poppyseed Pre-Nursery, celebrate your little one’s first few milestones with music and craft activities especially geared towards babies and toddlers. Little Maestros offers catchy celebrations with Broadway-level entertainers and a high-energy performance that features instruments, bubbles and a mix of classic kids songs and popular music. Famed Pottery Barn Kids’ performer and certified teacher Robert the Guitar Guy hosts Moving to the Beat parties alternating music, humor, puppets, magic, instruments, singing and moving for all ages. Tied in with their popular BYOK (Bring Your Own Kid) concert series, birthday bashes at 92YTribeca reap the coolness of a live show on Sundays, followed by a celebration in a private room.
TOY TOURS
Broadway Birthday Bashes at The PIT
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE Applause NYC offers over 10 party package themes to let your child star in their favorite movie or play—complete with acting games, dancing and a performance. Choose from Peter Pan, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Annie and more. Broadway Birthday Bashes at The PIT offers private access to an Off-Broadway theater, where kids will watch the city’s top comedic talent create a brand new musical all about the birthday child. Red-carpet extras include karaoke, a disco dance floor, carnival treats and more. Child’s Play NY lets kids exercise their dramatic imaginations in parties led by professional performers. Through theater games, storytelling and creative movement, the birthday child can shine in themes like Angelina Ballerina, Red Carpet Bash and “Singing in the Rain meets Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”
GYM’S THE WORD
Birthday parties are private at Jodi’s Gym, where kids have a dedicated space to balance on beams, spring from bars and tumble on mats under the supervision of trained professionals. Also offering a totally-yours tumble space, parties at Columbus Pre-School and Gym incorporate hoops, scooters, balls, music and trampoline fun. At Gymtime Rhythm & Glues, kids can choose from themed parties in Tae Kwon Do, Fabulous Foodies, sports or gymnastics. And at My Gym, the birthday child can request specific games and songs to up the fun factor in a range of birthday party packages. Oh, and did we mention the gymnastics, puppets and Space Flight?
GAME ON!
Looking for the ultimate arcade affair? At Dave & Buster’s, every guest receives a game card to use. Different packages are offered, but a meal is always included and the birthday child walks away with a memorable gift. Victorian Gardens in Central Park offers all-inclusive parties, featuring unlimited rides and games, plus one hour of private seating.
At FAO Schwarz, guests are greeted by a toy soldier and then escorted into a private, theme-oriented party room. Great for older kids, the Ultimate Late-Night Party lets kids go on a candy raid, a scavenger hunt, watch demos of the hottest selling toys and then cap it all off with a sleepover. Is your little girl a fan of Madame Alexander? Celebrate her special day with a tour of the historic doll factory and get a behind-the-scenes view of the creation process, including a trip to the Doll Hospital, a meet-and-greet with the design team and an exclusive shopping session.
PARTY IN A PLAY SPACE
Customize your party inside the 1,500-square-foot funzone at Citibabes. Kids can enjoy the indoor playground, art activities and choose from themes like Barnyard Buddies, Day at the Circus, Jungle Safari or Pirates & Princess. At apple seeds, rent the entire playground and sports gym to let children make slime, cook up goodies and enjoy free play, music and art through interactive party packages like Build It! Break It! Fix It!.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
In a world-class show by Fantasma Magic, the birthday child (AKA the magician’s assistant) will float in the air in front of all of his friends after witnessing a Houdini Museum. Storytellers will love the Galli Theater’s interactive A Show & A Party package, in which guests get to share the stage with actors in their favorite fairytale. At the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, kids befriend Freckleface and enjoy thematic favors during a Freckletaining Party, or meet the Amazing Max after a stage show during The Amazing Magic Party. Moey’s Music Party lets kids rock out to musical versions of famous fairytales, plus revamped versions of classic songs like the “Princess Pokey”. The royal party receives a gift bag boasting tiaras, magic wands, boas and bling.
MARTIAL ARTS MIXERS
At East Side Tae Kwon Do, children learn techniques to break boards, kick and punch, and then actually cut birthday cake using a real Samurai sword. Kids can also chop their way through the big day with a party at Tiger Schulmann’s Karate, which offers introductory course certificates for guests. West Side Taekwondo also offers age-appropriate demonstrations of forms, sparring and board breaks while letting kids run through an obstacle course. continued on page 60
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EXPERIMENTAL EXCITEMENT
With mess-free Mad Science, ages 3-12 can spend their birthday engaged in hands-on experiments that range from tornado tubes, indoor fireworks and chemical reactions. All parties include a take-home chemistry experiment. Kids can also choose from fun science themes at Liberty Science Center, like Kaleidoscopes or The Heart of the Matter, which involves a staff-led dissection. Groups then spend the rest of the day exploring exhibits like the pitch-black Touch Tunnel maze. Or take a trip to the New York Hall of Science in Queens and indulge in exhibit tours, science demos and a hole-in-one party on the Rocket Park Mini-Golf Course. New York Kids Club offers a Spectacular Science Party for ages five and older that lets kids participate in astronaut training and conduct two experiments, all offered in a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility.
PAMPERED PARTIES
Treat your birthday girl to a full makeover at one of the city’s Cozy’s Cuts For Kids locations, where she’ll rock a jeweled tiara and enjoy hairstyling, make-up and manicures with her friends. The private day also includes music, dancing, pizza and beauty-themed arts & crafts. Or enjoy a Princess Party at Let’s Dress Up! Ages 3-10 can get all dolled up with glamorous gowns, princess accessories, sparkly tattoos and glittering manicures. A tea party is also offered with flower-shaped sandwiches, candy served in glass slippers and pink lemonade “tea”. Get Coiffed, a mobile hair salon, hosts Rocker Girl Parties that feature—you guessed it—a rocker ‘do, make-up and nail polish, temporary tattoos, hair feathers and accessories, plus Karaoke so kids can rock out. Or get glamorous with a Glamour Girl Party at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, where primping goes down in a private dressing room. The package includes a fashion show (with snapshots!), mini-cure, make-up application and pizza.
CHILD’S POSE How about a Yoga Spa Party or Downward Doll Party where even toy friends are invited? At Karma Kids Yoga, learn kidfriendly yoga poses, breathing exercises and games. East Side Yoga offers a Pedicure Party where kids can take a shortened, age-appropriate yoga class, get a foot massage, paint their toes and take home a yoga mat. At Yogi Beans, the festivities include playful yoga poses, engaging songs and novel games, held at a brand new studio located on the Upper East Side.
D.I.Y.
At the Children’s Museum of the Arts, partygoers participate in art workshops ranging from animating a short movie to Pollock’s action-style painting. Does your child love chocolate? Celebrate by building a chocolate house or decorating a chocolate box at The Craft Studio. Hi Art! also offers Arty Parties that lets kids turn candy into sculpture. Kids at Art lets your child celebrate his birthday with plaster crafts and other fun projects in a private studio. If D.I.Y. duds are your child’s thing, consider Tie Dye Town so she can make tie-dye slime, artwork, a t-shirt or bracelets. For something really unique, head over to Make Meaning where kids create their own glass plates, unique soaps, jewelry or ceramics. Has your child always wanted to learn to weave? Loop of the Loom teaches the
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basics, with a handmade scarf, purse or felted toy. And at Kids at Work, kids can literally make a mess at their bash, where they’ll dive into hands-on art projects like murals or sculpture.
BIRTHDAY KEEPSAKES
We can’t think of a better way to preserve a child’s birthday than with personalized mementos like books and calendars at Scribble Press. MoonSoup offers PortraitBug Parties, for girls ages five and up. This party combines a 30-minute photo shoot with individual and group shots and a crafting session in which kids receive a scrapbook kit and photo book. Kids leave with a painted frame or collage project including a photo from the shoot.
GOAL-WORTHY GALAS
If soccer’s your child’s game, consider hiring the über-flexible Super Soccer Stars for a party anywhere, indoors or out. Join in a series of soccer activities during this 90-minute party, culminating in a mini-World Cup tournament. Or book a bash with Soccer by Coach Fher, who offers all the equipment for two fun-packed hours of activities, games and races with a 1:6 coach-to-child ratio.
ONCE UPON A TIME
For kids who love to read, The Scholastic Store offers up a variety of themes from fashion to outer space. Consider the Young Wizard party, where guests transform themselves into wizards, hear magical stories, concoct potions, make wands and cast bewitching spells. An Imagination Celebrations premium birthday party service customizes every detail down to the guest list. StoryTime by Design offers a great thematic experience for your child’s birthday party, based on their favorite books. Choose from themes like a Beach Party or an ABC/123 Party. And at Moomah Kiosk—creativity is the word with customized parties. Often collaborated with Story Pirates, a group of teachers, Improv actors and comedians, children are entertained by stories written by other kids. Birthdays are celebrated in the café’s signature ecosystem, the Funky Forest.
SPORTY SHINDIGS
Sports lovers can enjoy an hour of playtime at the spacious facilities housed by Asphalt Green, choosing from party themes like gymnastics, martial arts or the swimming pool. Ages 3-12 can celebrate their special day with trained coaches at The JCC in Manhattan with the choice of any sport including baseball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, hockey, tennis or golf. Kids In Sports specializes in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, hockey and soccer parties. Kids can also participate in cooperatives games like relay races, tug-of-war and parachutes. Vanderbilt YMCA offers a pool party, complete with custom party favors, a waterproof camera and one-hour use of the swimming pool with lifeguard. SPORTIME Randall’s Island lets little ones choose from multisports, tennis, rock-climbing, dance or pool parties. And have your kids ever tried gaga? The newly opened Gaga Center on the Upper East Side combines the skills of dodging, striking, running and jumping in an octagonal pit. A variety of birthday packages are offered with food, music, cake, party favors and balloons in over 3,000 square feet of party space. continued on page 62 www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:55 AM
REGISTER ONLINE NOW
NEW YORK CITY
Birthday Parties ★ ★ ★ ★
Ages 1-12 Customized Parties Catering in our great spaces Over 25 themes including: Broadway Spectacular, Annie, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, Superhero Party, Princess, Grease, Hairspray, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hip-Hop, Pop-Star Contest, Celebrity Runway, Sound of Music, and more...
Including Broadway & Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies Parties! 184 East 76th St. New York, NY 10021
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(646) 430-1581
Call Us Today! applauseny.com
4/20/12 11:38 AM
continued from page 60
Scott McDermott
VENUES
Chelsea Piers 14th Street Y 14streety.org 74th St. MAGIC 74magic.com 92Y 92y.org 92YTribeca 92ytribeca.com American Museum of Natural History amnh.org Applause NYC applauseny.com apple seeds appleseedsnyc.com The Art Farm in the City theartfarms.org Asphalt Green asphaltgreen.org Ballet Academy East balletacademyeast.com Bowlmor Lanes bowlmor.com Broadway Birthday Bashes at The PIT (Peoples Improv Theater) broadwaybirthdaybashes.com Brooklyn Children’s Museum brooklynkids.org Bronx Zoo bronxzoo.com Central Park Zoo centralparkzoo.com Chelsea Piers chelseapiers.com Child’s Play NY childsplaynyc.com Children’s Museum of Manhattan cmom.org Children’s Museum of the Arts cmany.org Citibabes citibabes.com Columbus Pre-School and Gym columbusgymnyc.com Cozy’s Cuts for Kids cozyscutsforkids.com The Craft Studio craftstudionyc.com Dave & Buster’s daveandbusters.com Discovery Programs discoveryprograms.com Dylan’s Candy Bar dylanscandybar.com East Side Tae Kwon Do eastsidetaekwondo.com Eastside Yoga eastsideyoganyc.com The Early Ear theearlyear.com ExerBlast exerblast.com Fantasma Magic fantasmamagic.com FAO Schwarz fao.com The Gaga Center gagacenter.com
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Galli Theater gallitheaterny.com Get Coiffed getcoiffed.com Gymtime Rhythm & Glues gymtime.net Hi Art! hiartkids.com Home Cooking New York homecookingny.com The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum intrepidmuseum.org The JCC in Manhattan jccmanhattan.org Jodi’s Gym jodisgym.com Karma Kids Yoga karmakidsyoga.com Kids at Art kidsatartnyc.com Kids at Work kidsatworknyc.com Kids In Sports kisnyc.com Kidville kidville.com Let’s Dress Up! letsdressupct.com Liberty Science Center lsc.org Little Maestros littlemaestros.com Loop of the Loom loopoftheloom.com Madame Alexander madamealexander.com Madame Tussauds madametussauds.com Mad Science madscience.org Make Meaning makemeaning.com Manhattan Movement & Arts Center manhattanmovement.com McBurney YMCA ymcanyc.org Moey’s Music Party moeysmusicparty.com Moomah Kiosk moomah.com MoonSoup moonsoup.net Moving to the Beat movingtothebeat.net
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Museum of the City of New York mcny.org My Gym my-gym.com New York Hall of Science nysci.org New York Kids Club nykidsclub.com New York Transit Museum mta.info/museum Peridance Capezio Center peridance.com Poppyseed Pre-Nursery poppyseedprenursery.com Queens County Farm Museum queensfarm.org Reebok Sports Club/NY reeboksportsclubny.com The Scholastic Store store.scholastic.com Scribble Press scribblepress.com Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids sharkeyscutsforkids.com Soccer by Coach Fher coachfher.com SPORTIME Randall’s Island sportimeny.com Sports Club/LA thesportsclubla.com StoryTime By Design storytimebydesign.com Super Soccer Stars supersoccerstars.com TADA! Youth Theater tadatheater.com Taste Buds tastebudskitchen.com TLB Music tlbmusic.com Tie Dye Town tiedyetown.com Tiger Schulmann’s Karate tsk.com Twinkle Party twinklepartyfun.com Vanderbilt YMCA ymcanyc.org Victorian Gardens victoriangardensnyc.com West Side Taekwondo westsidetkd.com West Side YMCA ymcanyc.org Yogi Beans yogibeans.com
PARTY SUPPLIES & FAVORS Crystal Party Supplies 4306 Broadway 212-543-9463 Dinosaur Hill 306 East 9th Street 212-473-5850, dinosaurhill.com Party City 38 West 14th Street 212-271-7310, partycity.com The Children’s General Store 168 East 91st Street, 212-426-4479 State News 1243 Third Avenue, 112 East 86th Street 212-879-8076, uppereast.com/state-news www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 11:25 AM
Birthday Parties at 74th St. MAGIC
Pre-Professional Ballet Program and Special Boy’s Classes Ages 7-18
Mother & Child Classes Ages 2-3
Pre-Ballet, Tap, Modern and Drama
Please join us for:
ffordable a d n a n u f ...a ty to Birthday par remember
Ages 3-6
Adult Open Classes All Levels Ballet, Tap, Zumba, Jazz, Pilates and Yoga
Summer ClaSSeS and our full-day SummerdanCe program begin June 25th.
Where:
Ballet aCademy eaSt
1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10128 212-410-9140 info@baenyc.com www.baenyc.com
15 WEST 28TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10001
Create and perform a mini-musical...in as few as five days! Professional Teaching Artists direct scenes and musical numbers from original TADA! musicals and Broadway shows. New teachers and themes every week so take one or take ‘em all! For more info, join us for a free open house on May 5th!
WEEK LONG
CAMPS
AGES 6-8 AND 9-14 CREATE A MINI-MUSICAL IN JUST 5 DAYS! NEW CAMP EVERY WEEK
TWO WEEK
MINICAMPS AGES 4-5
HALF DAY PROGRAMS JULY 9-20 & AUG 6-17
Book multiple camps and save as much as $180!
MAGIC’s fully equipped gym, baby gym, sundrenched party room and rooftop playground When:
weekdays and weekends during the summer months
RSVP:
212.737.2989 www.74magic.com
Under the red canopy 510 East 74th Street (off York Ave.) NYC 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com
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Up The Fun Factor At Your Child’s Birthday Party By Hiring A Great Local Entertainer BY RoBiN SakS FRaNkel Whether it’s a small family gathering or a big birthday blow-out, choosing the right performer for your child’s party can be a make-it or break-it decision. We’ve compiled a list of New York’s favorite children’s entertainers for bashes of any size or style.
Mozzarella
CLOWNS
Each child who attends Looney Lenny’s hilarious, interactive magic show (with juggling!) receives their own clown-o-rific name. Every party guest walks away with a balloon animal. looneyluckylennyland.com Juliet Schaefer Jeske studied clowning at the New York Goofs Ultimate Clown School, which should tell you all you need to know. Schaefer’s talents include face painting, balloon twisting, stilts, silly magic and the ukulele. rednosesnewyork.com Sammie and Tudie’s clowning philosophy: life is better when you’re laughing. Boasting over 20 years of experience, this comedic, magic circus show is ideal for ages three and up. sammieandtudie.com FACE PAINTING
Not your typical face painting experience, the award-winning Faces by Derrick will make your kids, ages three and up, wish to never wash their faces again. facesbyderrick.com Girls love the signature unicorn design of Face Art by Melissa. This mother of two does fabulous face art and gorgeous glitter tattoos. faceartbymelissa.com The owner of Hearts Face Painting & Balloon Art brings both creative art forms to birthday environments. Her professional background lies in painting, so party spaces and little faces are sure to transform. facepaintingballoontwisting.com Kiki’s Faces and Balloons is an all-encompassing entertainment company offering face painting, balloon sculpting, “silly people” and princesses. kikisfacesandballoons.com Party Faces By Rachel’s namesake has a background that’s practically a Ph.D. in paint. The Brooklyn preschool teacher’s ability to charm the little ones while she works helps to keep them comfortable with the painting process. partyfacesbyrachel.com
Mario the Magician
MAGICIANS
The Amazing Max is so beloved; he even has his own Off-Broadway show for mega-magic families. His highenergy, interactive show blends comedy and juggling. maxdarwinmagic.com
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:59 AM
Paying tribute to the great magicians at the turn of the century, Cardone The Ultimate Vaudeville Magician’s act includes escape artistry, ventriloquism and classic scarf, coin and card tricks. cardonethemagician.com Ages 3-7 will fold into fits of laughter at Gary the Great’s comedic magic act. He adapts his show based on audience response, so no two performances are alike. ahrealmagic.com Magic Al’s sleight of hand tricks will stupefy even grown-ups and his goofy antics keep kids in stitches throughout every performance. magic-al.com Mario the Magician’s 45-minute set is aimed at kids ages 4-11 who are sure to go nuts for his silly antics, age-old slapstick humor and a live dove named Mozzarella. mariothemagician.com Kids ages 3-8 (and their parents) will adore Silly Billy. This self-proclaimed “comedian for children” uses magic, balloon twisting and lots of jokes to drum up laughter. sillybillymagic.com
with boas, bling and boogieing. moeysmusicparty.com Meredith LeVande, perhaps better known as Monkey Monkey Music, specializes in upbeat, original tunes for little ones. Her parachute-, instrument- and bubble-infused party shows instantly get all ages grooving. monkeymonkeymusic.com mr. RAY—a pioneer of the kindie genre—takes a mix-it-up approach to birthday gigs. Beginning with a concert and transitioning into a dance party, the festivities end with kids stepping up to sing solos on the mic. mrray.com A one-man band, Rockin’ With Andy makes kids and their parents want to shake their groove things. Mom and Dad love Andy’s acoustic guitar versions of grown-up hits and the little ones go bananas for his kids classics. Andy also brings shakers, bells, scarves and animal puppets for maximum rocking. rockinwithandy.com SPECIALTY
MUSICIANS
Led by Audra Tsanos, a highly sought-after Music for Aardvarks instructor, Audra Rox’s family-friendly band is just right for Big Apple birthdays. Audra incorporates the birthday child in the music and will have every guest jamming along on percussion props. audrarox.com Brett Band is the brainchild of early childhood music educator Brett Rothenhaus, formerly of Little Maestros. His original music and kiddie classics make for a playlist that gets everybody on their feet. brettband.com Moey’s Music Party brings the pompoms, maracas and parachute for 45 minutes of fun. Try the Princess Party Package filled
www.newyorkfamily.com
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If you can dream it, Nick the Balloonatic can make it. At it for 20 years, Nick’s handiwork includes flower bouquets, superheroes, monkeys on palm trees, top hats and much more. nicktheballoonatic.com Wendy The Pipe Cleaner Lady is a category unto herself. Girls adore her tiaras, boys covet her spider creations and even Martha Stewart wants her pipe cleaner flower rings. thepipecleanerlady.com Robin Saks Frankel is a mother of two toddlers and a freelance writer, editor and social media addict. For MorE bIrThdAY PArTY PLANNINg TIPS, vISIT NEwYorkFAMILY.CoM.
May 2012 | New York Family
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B o x y o T
BY Kat HarrisoN
The Best Birthday Presents For Playful Boys And Girls Birthdays are a time for celebration—preferably with a side of mini cupcakes, magic tricks and bounce castles. Oh, and let’s not forget about the toys! With the help of a few of our favorite trend watchers, we’ve whipped up a guide to the top present picks for primetime playtime.
AGES 1+
INFANT
INFANT
AGES 5+
Editor’s Pick: Elefun Busy Ball Popper by PLAYSKOOL $32.99, hasbrotoyshop.com
Editor’s Pick: LEGO® Friends Heartlake Dog Show $19.99, lego.com
With three adjustable modes for a sitting, standing or crawling babe—this ball-poppin’ pal plays ten tunes to boot.
Help Mia wash, groom and accessorize her pups, Scarlett and Jacky, for Heartlake’s annual runway show. Then guide the canines through obstacles and await the judges’ (hopefully winning!) verdict.
AGES 1+ AGES 3+
MyMomShops Recommends: Geared Shape Sorter by P’kolino $30, giggle.com This bright wooden shape sorter helps toddlers learn colors while developing fine motor skills.
AGES 5+
AGES 3+ StrollerTraffic Recommends: Maddy Micro by Tegu $22, tegu.com Your child will love attaching the magnetic wheels to the carshaped block (or just carrying them around the apartment!).
AGES 8+
Editor’s Pick: Free Play Magnatab by Kid O $23, shopexit9.com Amplify the fun while en route on trains, planes and automobiles with this bead board that erases with just the tip of a young traveler’s finger.
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AGES 8+ GIFT HERO Recommends: Perplexus Epic™ by PlaSmart $29.99, perplexus.net This 3D maze game challenges kids to navigate a steel ball through 125 barriers of varying difficulty as they try to defy gravity. Momtrends Recommends: Olivia Porcelain Tea Set by Schylling $14.99, schylling.com Whether it’s Mom, Dad or teddy bears that create the social scene—a make believe tea party is a time-honored tradition come to life with this Olivia-themed set.
FOr MOrE TOYS, vISIT GIFTHErO.cOM, MOMTrENDS.cOM, MYMOMSHOPS.cOM AND STrOLLErTrAFFIc.cOM, AND NEwYOrKFAMILY.cOM. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 11:26 AM
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Happyay d H t r i B … u o y To , u o y And ! too
ith Twins W g n i t a r Celebr o F s e i g e Strat BY Natalie Diaz
Double the kids, double the gifts, double the cakes, double the celebration! A birthday party for twins is a special occasion. With the Diaz Duo most recently passing their seventh birthday, our family has a few celebrations under our belt—here are a few tips (and opinions) on making your kiddos celebrations rock! ONE PARTY OR TWO? Twiniversity strongly recommends you
stick with one party as long as possible. Yes, your twins are two different people, but you can make elements of the party about each child. Two parties equals twice the money spent and twice the time planning. If they are old enough, let them pick the location. If you have twins with very different opinions, you can alternate the celebration’s location each year. The Diaz Duo has been lucky to have gender-neutral locations and parties.
FOR YOUNGER ONES: Between ages 1-5, consider the traditional
route of hosting a party in your home or in the back room of a restaurant. We’ve had most of the Diaz Duo’s bashes in a private room at La Mela (lamelarestaurant.com) with themes like carnival and costume party. Here’s a big cost-saver: sometimes we pick themes on clearance at online party stores, saving a ton on decorations and goody bags!
FOR OLDER KIDS: For children ages five and over, some of my
favorite combo parties are: 1. Pottery - Trust me, boys get into it. We like Chambers Pottery in Tribeca (chamberspottery.com). 2. SPortS - Make sure it’s one everyone can participate in, like soccer or martial arts. 3. Picnic - Getting a permit from the Parks Department will only set you back $25 and playing games like hot potato or tug-of-war require little equipment and are a lot of fun.
WHO TO INVITE? Let each child make their own guest list. Figure
out the maximum number of kids you can have and, of course, let each child have an equal number of guests.
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INVITES/THANK YOUS: Send Evites to make it easy on yourself,
but don’t skip Thank You notes! Teach your kiddos the proper etiquette and they will thank you later in life. If your children are too young to write, let them finger paint or color a blank card and you can write the message for them.
GIFTS: If your home is overrun with stuff, you may want to ask
guests to bring a can of pet food for a local shelter or even some candy that you can send to the troops via Operation Smilebox. If this is too hard for your children to comprehend, then put all the presents in a closet after they are opened and use them one by one, so they are appreciated to the fullest.
ONE CAKE OR TWO? We used to only get one cake and re-light
the candles, but now the twins argue over chocolate vs. vanilla, traditional vs. ice cream—they shouldn’t have to share everything. This year we had THREE cakes (one for my husband, too). And most twin families will sing “Happy Birthday” twice, alternating who goes first each year.
FINAL THOUGHTS: No matter how you choose to celebrate, it
shouldn’t cause you more stress than happiness. If you aren’t the type who likes to plan parties, hand it over to the professionals. The kids will be just as happy—and you, even happier. Happy Birthday To All! Natalie Diaz runs the online network Twiniversity, for parents of multiples, and produces Multiplicity, a magazine for parents of multiples. She is also a full-time mom raising twins in NYC with her husband, John. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 11:26 AM
112 East 86th St. New York, NY 10028 Tel: 212-831-8010
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1243 Third Ave. New York, NY 10021 Tel: 212-879-8076
1215 2nd Ave New York, NY 10065 Tel: 212-706-9881
4/16/12 2:41 PM
Ga-Ga for
GaGa A Popular Kids Sport Gets Its First New York City Home
BY Eric MEssiNgEr
I
n the invitation (via Evite) to our son Adam’s 8th birthday party in March, my wife and I thought it best to give parents a sense of what was to come in case their children had never experienced the game of gaga before and decided to show up in crazy wigs and Born This Way buttons. “No, this is not a Lady Gaga party,” we clarified. “Gaga is a fun and fast indoor ball game, only recently available in Manhattan.” I had experienced gaga once before, when my 11-year-old daughter’s sleepaway camp hosted a mid-winter reunion for kids from the NYC area at a gaga facility on Long Island. Like me, Alissa Schmelkin and Marcy Singer first heard about the game from their kids, who also played it at camp. Their children were so passionate about it, in fact, that the two Manhattan moms sensed an opportunity. And, after two years of dreaming, planning, searching Birthday and executing, the friends opened boy, Adam up The Gaga Center in late February on the Upper East Side in the 90s. With its burst of rainbow colors and spacious setting offering three gaga pits, The Gaga Center is an immediate enticement to kids. On the day of my son’s party, we got there a little early to help set up the food, but of course there was no stopping Adam and his buddy, and his sister Elena and her buddy, from heading right into one of the gaga pits to start playing. And that was spirit of the day: kids showed up—and even if they had never played before—they were eager to jump right in.
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Watching the action from a safe distance.
You can think of gaga as a first cousin to dodgeball but not as threatening. Within its padded octagonal ring, kids take aim at each other by slapping at the ball underhand (as opposed to throwing it overhand), and you’re only “out” if the ball (which is softer than a dodgeball) hits you below the knees. The net effect is that kids spend a lot of time dodging, weaving, jumping, swatting—and having a great time. So let me not mince words: Schmelkin and Singer have done a great job, and if the experience with my son’s birthday party is any indication, I think The Gaga Center is likely to benefit from being a fresh and novel experience, and will become a popular fixture on the grand menu of kids classes and birthday parties that city families have available to them (just like it’s become a big part of the summer camp experience). In addition to birthday parties, The Gaga Center offers semester classes as well as 50-minute drop-in sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays. At most birthday parties I’ve been to in recent years, kids enjoy the activities but by the time the pizza and cake are served, they’re ready for it. At Adam’s gaga party, many of the boys and girls were rushing through the meal in order to play another round. I started worrying that we weren’t going to have a quorum of friends to sing “Happy Birthday!” So I persuasively stood in front of the doorway leading back to the gaga floor until the sacred trinity of pizza, song and cake were complete. Despite my best efforts, a few of them slipped through. At pick-up, a number of parents noted how sweaty, tired and content their kids seemed. But the biggest compliment came from the kids themselves a few days later. Like sports fans, a number of Adam’s school friends who were at the party conspired to wear their Gaga tees on the same day—an 8-year-old’s statement of acceptance and cool if there ever was one. Eric Messinger is the Editor of New York Family. The Gaga Center is located at 230 East 93rd Street. For more info, call 212920-7884 or visit gagacenter.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 11:26 AM
Come Play Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga!
Warriors can do anything.
Yoga for Babies Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Families Community Yoga CircusYoga Prenatal Yoga Free Story Time Yoga Yoga Birthday Parties Special Events Teacher Training
Bring the zen home with our new CD, Come Play Yoga!, Mom’s Choice Awards Winner, available at CDbaby. com, Amazon, selected tracks on iTunes and now playing on Pandora. Karma Kids Yoga | 104 West 14th Street, NYC | karmakidsyoga.com | (646)638-1444
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30
yrs. of Fun, Frien ds, & Fitness !
fo r k id s 9 mos to 12 yrs
teeny tumblers • mighty muscle movers rockin’ rollers • jodi’s jumpstart • tumbling tots creative cartwheeling kids • funtastic gymnastics totally tumbling • motion evolution • mad science • creation station • open play • jodis to go • best birthdays ever • summer mini camps!
www.jodisgym.com
244 E. 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633
4/20/12 12:03 PM
My Gym
JUST The
Of
TWO
US
Discover Some Of The City’s Best Mommy & Me Classes
BY MEGHAN GEARINO
T
here is nothing like the bond between a mother and child. When your little one is still a baby (newborn to two and a half years old), this is prime time to form that special relationship. And there are plenty of Mommy & Me classes to choose from around NYC. Check out the Rock-A-Baby class (2-18 months) at the 14th Street Y for an introduction to rhythm, melody and harmony. Three musicians play an interactive show featuring classical, rock, pop and blues via different weekly themes. 14streety.org Don those baby berets and head to 74th St. MAGIC for their Enchanting Artists class (15-18 months). Each thematic class includes painting, drawing or collage. Music also plays a part and each class concludes with storytime. 74magic.com 92Y has a plethora of family classes for you and your youngster. Check out Little Explorers (10-13 months) which introduces your infant to age-appropriate toys and teaches them how to safely climb equipment. 92y.org Shake your groove thing with ABC Do-Re-ME!. They offer a “Boogey Baby” class for moms and newborns (8 weeks-walkers) to dance to Lady Gaga, Madonna and the Beatles. abcdoreme.com
For future thespians, head to the Broadway Babies class (4-12 months) at Applause NYC. Each week, babies are introduced to a new Broadway show where mommies and tots can sing along. Crazy costumes and props are part of the fun, along with musical instruments. applauseny.com Who doesn’t want a furry friend? The Art Farm in the City has a Rock, Smocks and Animals class for infants as young as 14 months. Each animal adventure includes an “Animal of the Week” complemented by music, crafts and an indoor petting zoo! theartfarms.org Kids swim programs like Water Babies (4-18 months) at Asphalt Green are the perfect way to get your baby comfortable with the water. The heated pool allows your tot to kick, play, splash and float with ease. asphaltgreen.org Baby Fingers offers Baby/Toddler American Sign Language classes (newborn-15 months), which dives right into ASL via songs and play. To take home, a weekly vocab assignment is also given out to parents to ensure family fluency. mybabyfingers.com Located at Perry School in the West Village, Baby Moves NYC offers a variety of mommy & me classes. The Toddler Dance and Pre-Ballet class (18 months-3 years) begins to teach babies the fundamentals of dance. babymovesnyc.com continued on page 74
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 9:16 AM
“SuPErSTAr ROCKS BROADWAY!” DAILY NEWS
Morningside Montessori School 251 West 100th Street
Now Accepting Applications for 2012 - 2013 PM and 3-Day Programs Ages 2-5 years old
Programs include: • Toddler 3 & 5 day • Full day, Morning & Afternoon • Yoga, Movement and Music Classes
For more information call (212) 316-1555
www.morningsidemontessori.org
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Rumble and tumble at Gymtime, where you can enroll your child in Tiny Tot Fitness (7-18 months). This movement program, which also includes sign language, is held in the custom-designed minigym and promotes fitness and motor skills. gymtime.net Hands On! specializes in an age-appropriate, instrument-based curriculum for children. Infants, along with mommies, get a crash course in music through story, movement and instrument exploration. Don’t forget the hand puppets! handson4music.com
Discovery Programs Losing the baby weight can be hard—especially mustering up the motivation to do it. Caribou Baby in Brooklyn has the perfect solution with their Baby Boot Camp! Bring your newborn along and get back into shape with Pilates, yoga and core exercises. cariboubaby.com Get your young one interested in sports at an early age. Chelsea Piers offers a Little Athletes Class (6 months-4 years) that boasts age-appropriate activities used to stimulate social and physical development. Kiddos get free access to the Little Athletes Exploration Center, an incredible indoor play area. chelseapiers.com Storytime for Tiny People (0-4 years) by Child’s Play NY meets on Tuesdays at Dean Street—a family-friendly café—in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Interactive storytelling, singing and theater games abound. deanstreetbrooklyn.com Creative Play for Kids focuses on music and offers several classes according to age. Check out the Non-Mobile Babies class (3-6 months) for a chance to dance the day away! Weekly handouts are also provided in order to keep up the movement at home. creativeplayforkids.com Roll around with your little one at the Baby Gym & Music class (6-12 months) through Discovery Programs. Early childhood gymnastics teachers lead in exercises and stretches designed just for your baby—families can even bounce on the trampoline while listening to music. discoveryprograms.com The Mommy & Me program (newborn-5 years) at Downtown Babies Inc. is a great experience for both mother and child. The class combines education with music, and focuses on topics such as feelings, sharing and pretending. downtownbabies.com Introducing music to kids at a very young age lies at the core of Eastside Westside Music Together’s mission. Their Babies Class (3-6 months) does just that, along with teaching parents about music development in infants. You can also learn at-home musical activities to do with your baby. eswsmusictogether.com Gymboree Play & Music offers wonderful (and messy!) Family Art Classes (18 months-5 years). These interactive mommy & me experiences offer sculpting with clay, painting and designing your family tree. gymboreeclasses.com
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Starfish Swimmers (6 months-3 years) at Imagine Swimming is a great way to introduce your little fish to the water with musicbased classes, with the goal of fostering social and physical growth. imagineswimming.com Join The JCC in Manhattan for their Young Families classes (prenatal-4 years). The offerings, depending on your child’s age, can include anything from swimming and art to music and science. Pre-nursery programs are also available. jccmanhattan.org Teeny Tumblers (6-14 months) at Jodi’s Gym is a great way for your child to explore movement. Singing, clapping, music, tumbling and moving fill this 40-minute class. jodisgym.com Babies love to kick. So why not enroll in a Kick & Play (12-24 months) class? Pre-soccer skills are taught, along with music and dancing. It’s a great way to introduce your little one to a popular sport—and is sure to have them exhausted by the end! kickandplay.com Yogi mamas will love the Mom & Baby Yoga class (6 weeks-new walkers) at Karma Kids Yoga. Moves are taught to promote growing muscles, aid digestion and better sleeping patterns. Dads are welcome, too! karmakidsyoga.com Chelsea’s Kids at Work programming provides various classes in art, music and dance. Sun Sessions Babies (0-13 months) is a time for you and your newborn to enjoy the outdoors with a guitarist, baby-friendly instruments and “storysongs”. Classes are held indoors on very hot days. kidsatworknyc.com The goal at Kidville is to inspire happy kids and happy families. They do just that with their Wee Wiggle GiggleTM class (4-12 months). Books and toys are provided, and infants even get an introductory sign language segment. Each class ends with one of Kidville’s resident musicians leading in song and dance. kidville.com Baby massages offered at Maternal Massage and More are a great way to bond with your newborn. The benefits of infant massage are vast: relieves gas and colic issues, promotes restful sleep and strengthens the immune system. Both mum and babe win! maternalmassageandmore.com On Wednesdays and Thursdays this summer, children’s music favorite Moey’s Music Party will offer great Mommy & Me classes in Central Park. Moey’s energy-filled mornings feature singing, dancing, puppets, phonics and musical fairytales. Classes are divided into specific age groups. moeysmusicparty.com www.newyorkfamily.com
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Music and sign language unite for the Crawler Rock & Sign class (5-13 months) at MoonSoup. Studies show that learning American Sign Language as a baby enhances language development and reduces frustration when learning to speak. moonsoup.net Música Para Mí offers musical Spanish classes for mommies and their little niños (5 months-3.5 years). It’s best to begin teaching kids a second language as soon as possible, so get your bilingual on and learn alongside them! musicaparami.com Get your little bundle of joy in the habit of being active from the start. Head to My Gym for their Little Bundles class (6 weeks-6 months). To enhance musical understanding, babies swing, exercise, dance and listen to songs. Each class includes a parent discussion forum. my-gym.com Infant Milestones (2-5 months) at New York Kids Club focuses on enhancing natural patterns of development in your newborn. Activities include music, movement, massage, songs and tummy time. Calming and energizing infant techniques are taught to parents, as well. nykidsclub.com Grab your little rug rat, and head to Rug Bug! The instructors (who welcome both mommies and daddies) lead the class (newborn-5 years) in a unique, environmentally focused music program. Parents will learn how to construct their own green toys and obtain advice on baby sign language and massage. rugbugny.com
music together The McBurney branch of the YMCA has a great Toddling Around program (1.5-2.5 years). With a focus on improving social, emotional and cognitive growth, this is a supportive learning environment for both moms and tots. Activities include circle time, singing, parachute play, puppets and bubbles. ymcanyc.org
Don’t miss our new York BaBY show on the weekenD of maY 19 anD 20 at Pier 92 in nYC! for Details anD to PurChase tiCkets, visit newYorkBaBYshow.Com.
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May 2012 | New York Family
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H O M E A N D AWAY
ON THE MARKET
RELOCATION,
RELOCATION,
Relocation
Alison Bernstein, Founder of The Suburban Jungle Realty Group
One Clever Suburban Realtor Has Made It Her Mission To Help City Families Find The Perfect Home—And Also The Perfect Hometown there’s a lot to consider beyond popularity. To fully understand a buyer’s needs, Suburban Jungle first asks them to fill out a questionnaire before meeting. The company helps its clients sort through important considerations, like what kind of school the parents would like their children to attend, and even has a division dedicated to finding education options for special needs children. Moreover, Suburban Jungle encourages clients to consider whether a community is a two-parent-working kind of place or a stay-at-home mom neighborhood. And, by extension, whether it’s a creative-writing town or a sports town, a walking town or a driving town, and how long the commute to the city is— whether it’s by car, train, bus or boat. Furthermore, parents may even be asked if they plan to send their kids to camp. “If you pick a town where everybody is sending their kids to sleepaway camp and you don’t believe in that...your kid is going to be the only [one] home during the summer,” Bernstein advises. Adding to its niche appeal, Suburban Jungle gives buyers access to Town Consultants—ex-Manhattanites living in the suburbs who can say what it’s really like to live in a certain town. These representatives shed light on daily life in the community, such as how far you have to drive for milk at midnight. Beyond such personalized attention, Bernstein’s company also has a complimentary interior design division. She explains that her clients are usually moving out of smaller apartments into larger homes and they can feel overwhelmed by decorating a much larger space. Suburban Jungle takes care of that. “There’s nothing more incredible than seeing a family moving…to a town where they’re going to start their life,” Bernstein says. “You know this is a place where they’re going to be raising their kids.” ALL ABOUT
BY MEGAN MAXSON When Alison Bernstein decided to move outside the city with her young family in 2005, she found a house in a beautiful suburb that everyone was buzzing about—Westport, Connecticut. But soon after the family settled in, Bernstein realized that the town wasn’t exactly a perfect fit. It was the ideal neighborhood on so many levels, but for a family that values a small-town feel and seeing familiar faces on Main Street, it was simply too big. Several years later, armed with experience and a wealth of knowledge, she and her husband, Jay, decided to move to a different suburb. This time, it was Armonk, New York—a town in popular Westchester County. Armonk was a great choice for them and they remain happy there today along with their four children. From this real-life relocation, the idea for a specialty real estate company was born. With the goal of helping families making similar decisions, Bernstein, a veteran broker, launched The Suburban Jungle Realty Group in 2008—a company that acts solely as the buyer’s broker, representing city-dwellers who are ready to make the move to the suburbs. “Most of our clients are at this wonderful stage in life where they have just had children,” Bernstein says. “They want a lovely place for their families to grow up.” But with over 500 suburbs in the tri-state area to choose from, families can easily be overwhelmed. Of course, many potential buyers from the city will start by looking at the most well-known suburbs, including Westport in Connecticut, Port Washington in Long Island, Montclair in New Jersey and Larchmont, Rye and Scarsdale in Westchester. But
SEE WHAT SUBURBAN JUNGLE IS
With young families in focus, Suburban Jungle is hosting an informative event with Mommybites on Wednesday, May 16 at Portrait Bug on the Upper West Side. For couples considering moving to the suburbs, you’ll find out the good, the bad and the unexpected when it comes to life outside the city. For more information, visit our family calendar at newyorkfamily.com/events.
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Megan Maxson, a lawyer, is currently working on a collection of short stories. She lives with her husband and daughter in Maplewood, New Jersey. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:58 AM
LA ScuoLA D’ItALIA GuGLIELMo MARcoNI 12 East 96th Street, New York, NY 10128
Pre K-12th Grade
Allergy Relief is Here!
People are talking about Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT), the alternative to allergy shots. •It’s great for children as well as adults •Drops are placed under the tongue - no needles! •It’s more convenient - the treatment is done once a day at home •It’s even safer than traditional allergy shots •Symptom relief continues after the drops are stopped •It decreases the need for costly medications •It helps prevent the development of asthma in young children
To find out more information, call or schedule a visit:
646-962-2093
The Allergy Center at Weill Cornell Medical College
La Scuola d’Italia is a private unique Italian/English bilingual and bicultural school reflecting the best features of the Italian and American education.
William Reisacher,
MD FACS FAAOA, Director Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Knowledge of the Italian/English language is not a pre-requisite for admission to Pre-K through 9th grade.
1305 York Avenue (corner of 70th)
La Scuola d’Italia is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York and by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Italy. The School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
www.lascuoladitalia.org tel. 212-369-3290 email: secretary@lascuoladitalia.org
If you are planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Pick up a copy of The spring 2012 issue of MITZVAH Spring 2012
Available at:
Chelsea Piers JCC in Manhattan Westside Y Glenwood Lester’s 92nd Street Y Ralph Lauren Child Parents League of New York Asphalt Green Jewish Community Project & Others
For our digital edition visit: www.mitzvahmag.com
IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN
CULTIVATING A LIFELONG CONNECTION TO JUDAISM
CREATING A
MEANINGFUL
MITZVAH PROJECT COVER_MitzvahSpring_2012.indd 1
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mitzvahmag.com
FINDING THE
RIGHT
PARTY
VENUE
(HAVE WE GOT A LIST FOR YOU)
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t r av e l
WHEEls UP! Four Fabulous Family Road Trips For Summer BY Carol CaiN Though my family and I always take advantage of all the city has to offer, nothing compares to the adventures we have had on the road—cost-effective, easy (and pleasing!) endeavors. We took our first big four-wheeled trek out West when our three boys were only 2, 3 and 11 years old. You never know what’s going to happen when you hit the road—something always does—and the memories sure do stick around. Here’s a list of our favorite travels. Hershey, Pennsylvania DRIVE TIME FROM NYC: 3 Hours For those with a serious sweet tooth, this is the road trip for you. A great starting point is Hershey’s Chocolate World. While admission is free, there are a few ticketed packages your family can choose from in order to include some or all of the various attractions, from the Hershey’s Really Big 3-D Show (complete with samples!) to the Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure. Looking for a treat sans the wrapper? Chocolate World also has a few scattered bakery stops where you can buy freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, brownies and cupcakes. Then, you’ll need at least two days to take in the neighboring Hersheypark. While one section is home to coasters of all thrill levels, the other side boasts an impressive water park with a kids splash area, water slides, wave pool and a boardwalk. Before entering the park, be sure to stop by one of the measuring stations where your child’s height is determined and bright, easily visible wristbands are handed out. This “errand” tees up your entire day by indicating which rides are appropriate for the smaller set. Oh, and don’t leave without trying a deep-fried Kit Kat bar! Niagara Falls, New York DRIVE TIME FROM NYC: 7.5 Hours Over the years, Niagara Falls has improved quite a bit— debuting cleaner park areas for picnics and well-organized lines for attractions. If you only do one thing when visiting Niagara, ride the infamous Maid of the Mist for up-close action, blue poncho included. My advice, especially when traveling with little ones, is that you arrive either early or late in the day in order to find parking close to the falls and to avoid standing on unbearably long lines. Luckily, they allow groups to break up, so that one person can
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stand on line while the others wait elsewhere with the kids. And if you’re willing to break bedtime just this once, the falls are also a sight to behold at night. Williamsburg, Virginia DRIVE TIME FROM NYC: 7 Hours Talk about a great family destination! My kids go nuts over Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a European theme park where Elmo abounds and a new indoor/outdoor coaster, all about the autobahn, launches riders this season. While older and taller kids enjoy thrill rides such as the Griffon and the Loch Ness Monster (you won’t believe the loops!), little ones can spend most of their time in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, cooling off in the water area and taking pictures with their hosts Elmo, Ernie, Bert and Cookie Monster. History-loving families will also enjoy the sights and activities of nearby Colonial Williamsburg, where broods can learn about everything from the Revolutionary War to handmade bricks. Kids gravitate towards the war re-enactments, battle scenes and observing the soldiers set-up in camps along the lawns in the center of town. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming DRIVE TIME FROM NYC: 1.5 Days This was the first road trip my family ever took together. With drives through cities such as Chicago, Madison as well as Minneapolis—you are bound to have an endless to-do list of family fun, including a stop to check out the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN and the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. And let’s not forget about the breathtaking Black Hills, the Badlands and Mount Rushmore, all in South Dakota. When you finally arrive in Wyoming, you’ll realize that Yellowstone in and of itself is full of natural beauty and wildlife that can take you days to get through. Don’t miss the Mammoth Hot Springs as well as the famous geyser, Old Faithful. For camping, I highly recommend the KOA Campsite in Yellowstone, where amenities such as warm breakfasts and laundry are available, as well outdoor campsites and fire pits for s’mores. Just beware—temperatures, even during the summer months, can go as low as 30 degrees at night. So bundle up! Carol Cain blogs about her travel and food adventures in New York City and beyond at NYCityMama.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Looking For Family Fun Close to Home this Summer? Come Join us at the
Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club Surrounded on 3 sides by the Long Island Sound Something for everyone in the Family • Right Around the Corner • Private Beach • Private Cabanas • Two Swimming Pools • Yacht Club and Docks • Indoor/Outdoor Waterfront Dining • Children’s Day Camp • 9 Har-Tru Tennis Courts with Pro
Contact us today at 914-698-1130 info@mamaroneckbeachandyacht.com www.mamaroneckbeachandyacht.com
Kids stay, play & eat free! MY RUSH = Family time This May and June only, kids 17 and younger enjoy complimentary breakfast, admission to Hersheypark®, and so much more with our Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE* package!
*Kids 17 and younger receive free accommodations, breakfast, Hersheypark admission, and more when staying with a parent on our Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE Package. ©2012 Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. All words, designs, and phrases appearing with the symbol ®, SM, or TM are trademarks used under license or with permission. 12DT8438
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Call 1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439) or visit HersheyPA.com.
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camp c ountd own
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4/23/12 8:32 AM
McMaid
For all your cleaning needs 212-371-5555 www.mcmaidnyc.com Manhattan Cleaning Corp. The Name You KNow & TrusT iN maNhaTTaN move-iN/ouT, PosT CoNsTruCTioN, GeNeral,TurNover, CorP. aPTs, eTC. FullY iNs/BoNded
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WHO SAID SCIENTISTS DON’T HAVE FUN? OUR KIDS HAVE A BLAST AT
SCITECH KIDS SCIENCE CAMP
Camp starts and ends at The New York Junior League and travels throughout the City. SciTech Kids field trips include Central Park, Hall of Science, Liberty Science Center, Science Barge and so much more. New York Junior League 130 E. 80th Street New York, NY 10028 For Registration, Call Today 212-804-7055 or www.sci-techkids.com
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Summer 2012 Jun 11 - July 27 (ages 4–13) 9 AM - 3 PM
UNIS Summer Program
BUDDING SCIENTISTS ENJOY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: • Composting • Bird watching • Exploring Ecosystems • Robotics • Model Boat Sailing • Fishing • Cool science experiments • Golfing • DIY projects • Field trips • Sports, Music Arts, & Crafts AND MORE
June 25th through July 27th, 2012
The United Nations International School Summer Program was created to provide recreational and enrichment activities for children between the ages of 4 and 14, in a friendly and supportive environment that fosters friendship, develops sportsmanship and nurtures in spirit. The composition of both our student body and our professional and experienced faculty makes UNIS summer program unique. We welcome students from UNIS and from other schools, both in the USA and abroad. www.unis.org
4/20/12 12:57 PM
the last word
The
Return
After Fifteen Years, A Stay-At-Home Mom Goes Back To Work With The Help Of Some Key Supporters—Her Family By Mary DiPalermo After having three kids and a sporadic (but mostly quiet) freelance existence at home for fifteen years, I went back to work last fall. Back to the grind. Up and at it. Forty hours a week. I didn’t plan to return to office life but we really needed the health insurance. And like most of my major life decisions, I stumbled into this one. It was a three-week writing gig that kept up. I’m reviewing children’s books—a nice fit for a mom who’s been buying them for nearly seventeen years—and the job is now considered semi-permanent (just like my hair color). My most frequently used phrase these days is: the balls are dropping. Curiously, all the work balls seem to be airborne—it’s the home balls that are crashing down. Maybe crashing is too strong of a word. Perhaps plopping is better. Permission slips aren’t getting signed. Backpacks aren’t getting checked. My youngest son had a record number of tardys on his latest report card. And the house looks worn—dust bunnies are gathering at a rapid pace and the clutter is multiplying. And those little things that need to be done? Read: laundry, laundry and laundry—aren’t getting done either. My kids greet me at the door every night like a pack of crazed wolf pups—each one more hungry than the last for fresh bits of undivided attention. And with my eyes crossed from hours of computer gazing and wordsmith-ing, I’m not always undivided. I have a recurring wakeful nightmare where Dr. Phil or Oprah steps out of my disastrous front hall closet and urges me to live my best life. “Pay attention!” “When you know better, you do better!” “Your child is speaking to you, stop thinking about your dang Fresh Direct order!” Having three kids is like having three pans of risotto cooking on the stove simultaneously. You’ve got to keep your eye on each one— stirring and tending—while watching them as a whole. Returning to work at this stage of
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the game has turned up the heat on every burner. And yet, if you were to ask me how the transition is going from home-mom to office-mom, for the most part I’d say smoothly. It helps that I really love what I do. I love writing, I love books, I love dressing for work and oh, how I love meetings. I’m proud of myself, this Mother’s Day, to have made the leap (as I thought I would, as I hoped I would) back to a career I really enjoy. But I’m most proud of the family that makes me a mom. My kids have become so independent. They do homework (usually) and chores (most of the time) before I get home. They’re more self-reliant and show more initiative now that I’m not always around to hound them. My work-from-home husband—already a great dad—has really stepped up as a caretaker. He’s the one picking them up from school, making lunches and cooking dinner. And when we sit down to dinner, we really talk. (And, I have to say, it feels nice when they ask about my day!) In many ways, despite the plopping balls and near-constant state of exhaustion, this has been a really good time for me to go back to the office. I feel balanced. My kids are growing up, and I’m growing, too. Now, parenting has moved from the physical to the emotional. I’m no longer pushing strollers or hauling car seats, but I do need to be insightful enough to see when a snarky attitude isn’t just snark. Often I find that listening—rather than fixing—is my best course of action. And to think, it’s taken me years and a new job to learn that one! The entire transition has been a family effort. It reminds me of the infamous Sesame Street sign-off: This working mother has been brought to you by a flexible dad and three amazing kids. Mary DiPalermo, mom to an elementary-, a middle-, and a high-schooler, writes and shares her special parenting perspective on New York Family’s blog “Parenting In Progress.” She lives on the Upper West Side. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/23/12 8:53 AM
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