Heading to kindergarten is a major milestone and important transition for a little learner. It is an exciting time of exploration and discovery. With kindergarten comes greater responsibilities, and a more complex, faster-paced curriculum than pre-school offered (See here for an example of a typical day in a kindergarten classroom.) It’s a big step, and […]
Parenting Tips
The Ultimate Holiday Bash: Jingle 2012 Buzz
Rain, snow and traffic could not keep moms away from our first annual holiday bash. With over 300 moms, 60 vendors, raffles, wine, massages, yummy food and even a comedy show, moms (and dads) shopped, mingled and partied their way into the holiday spirit. During the Event We had a grand old time at Jingle! […]
The Gift of a Great Book: The Penderwicks
This past summer, a close friend of mine gave me a book recommendation. The two of us have exchanged titles with one another for years now, always books for our own reading pleasure. This time, the suggestion was for my daughters. We had just spent an entire day together with our kids and she thought […]
Wonderful Winter Deals in New York!
The holidays in New York are truly like nothing else! The twinkly lights adorning the Rockefeller Center tree; the smell of street vendors roasting nuts; the magical shop window displays and the first snow of the season in Central Park. New York bursts with so much holiday spirit that it often feels like a movie […]
My Pre-Holiday Resolutions
A few days after Thanksgiving, I walked into a store and was instantly overwhelmed with all things Holiday! Christmas Carols were blaring, ornaments and decorations in all shapes and sizes, as far as the eye could see. Instead of merrily humming along to ‘Jingle Bells’, I felt my panic level rise. Frantically, I began ticking […]
Love Letters from the Benches of Central Park
If you’ve ever strolled in Central Park, you have seen that there are thousands of benches throughout the park. Each with a unique view, providing a place to take a break, feed a baby, rest tired feet, have a chat, read a book or just take a moment to take in the true splendor of […]
Flower Girl Duty for a Beloved Nanny
Seven-and-a-half years ago, when our first child was born, we started the search for a nanny. We asked everyone we knew for referrals, interviewed a number of women and then resorted to a local baby-centered website with a great deal of trepidation. We interviewed some wonderful women, but had to go with our new parental […]
Trendy Thai at Glow
Thai food has become as ever-present in the dinner decision making ladder as Chinese and pizza, yet Bay Ridge hasn’t really had its share of Thai food restaurants – until Glow opened. Bay Ridge has had long standing Thai restaurants – Bangkok Thai and My Thai – but it has been in desperate need of […]
Surreal Times in the City
It’s a week like this past one that makes your head spin in more ways than one. Our family, like so many others, gathered batteries and flashlights and stocked up on groceries and water in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. Our kids have been dying for a black out – we didn’t have one during Irene. […]
Does Money Buy Happiness?
I heard the old saying, “Money can’t buy happiness” the other day and it reminded me of a very interesting Blog Talk Radio show that we hosted a while back on “Advantaged Children.” Our guests were Dr. Karen Rancourt (from ask our Ask Dr. Gramma Karen column) and Dr. Christine Fernandez. Here is an overview […]