Coney Island = A Summer Bucket List Destination

So it goes like this: Christmas, respective birthdays, Coney Island. In terms of the girls' favorite days of the year, that's how far up the pole Coney Island ranks. Pretty impressive, right? They just love everything about the place, from the rides at Luna Park, to the boardwalk and aquarium, to the ice cream they figure we'll most likely buy them for the long subway ride home. Our day at Coney Island has become a summer bucket list item that we all really enjoy and look forward to once the last day of school finally arrives.

This time around, we spent most of our time at Luna Park, and also tried a legendary pizza place that we've somehow missed on previous visits. But more about that in a moment. Luna Park is filled with rides for all ages, and while we sadly skipped a few that they're just too big for now, there are still plenty of rides they love and even talked their mother into doing with them (AGH). From the swings to the Coney Clipper, the Wild Ride water log ride to The Tickler (the girls' all-time favorite, which we did twice)... it was a day full of twists and turns -- literally. Follow along for a few fun photos from our day!

For lunch, we headed about 10 minute walk from Luna Park to a Coney Island institution (for the last 93 years, in fact!): Totonno's Pizza. It is off the beaten path away from the boardwalk, so you may wonder where in fact you're walking, but just think of it as discovering Brooklyn... we're so happy we did. Called #1 pizza in America from the Food Network, it was also recently featured in an episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix. And while we did have to wait a little bit to be seated (and then wait some more for the actual pizza).... sufficed to say, it was worth it. Each pizza is made from scratch and put in a coal fire oven and what you get out is just perfection. From the sauce to the not overly thick crust... we found ourselves a new part of our Coney Island tradition.

Lastly, for your viewing enjoyment... my trip down the roaring rapids of the Wild River (I apologize in advance for the screaming). I've always been too scared to do it before, but when it's really hot and your children are begging you... it's amazing what you can get talked into. And you know what, that cold water at the end felt really GOOD! Until next year, Luna Park, Coney Island and Totonno's!

For more information on Luna Park pricing, calendar, etc., check out their website. Just a few weeks of summer vacation left for NYC kids... enjoy it! 

Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary tickets to Luna Park for the purposes of this review. All opinions herein are my own.

Curious Jane Summer Camp Opens NEW Location on UWS!

I know, I know. I don't REALLY want to think about summer plans yet, either. But we all know that the long months of summer will be here before we know it, and judging from the amount of camp emails I'm already getting- other parents are bracing for it, too! AGH. With that said, I'm trying to be a bit more proactive this year as I explore different options for my girls.

One day camp program that has been on my radar for a while now is Curious Jane. Have you heard of it? Founded in 2009 by a mom who wanted to give her daughters, and all young girls, a space to be creative, to explore their interests & most of all, have FUN, Curious Jane has expanded over the years to include a robust camp program, after school classes, birthday parties and even a magazine! In every Curious Jane offering you'll find themes of design, art, science and engineering that encourage girls to be creative and feel empowered. Love that!

Curious Jane offers camp for girls entering kindergarten through sixth grade throughout Manhattan & Brooklyn and this summer that'll also include the Upper West Side. Located at the Alexander Robertson School (3 West 95th & Central Park West), Curious Jane will be offering 4 weeks of camp, with themes like Design Studio and Miniature World. Can I go, too?

Please check their website for more information on camp dates and pricing, and on that note, exciting news! To celebrate their new location, use CITY75 for a $75 discount on a single week of camp (ANYWHERE in Manhattan). 

Good luck in your summer camp planning, friends!

Disclosure: I have been provided with one week of camp tuition, but all opinions herein are my own.

A Fairy Mystery with Fable & Lark at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

As the girls get bigger (and bigger.... sniffle), I'm enjoying mixing my interests with theirs and seeing what develops. As an example, we planned an afternoon at The Met early in the summer. Yes, they love to CREATE art, but would they want to STARE at art for a couple hours... if I was lucky?

Much to my surprise, our artistic venture was a success! Not only did they love it, they asked when we could go back. And if I could wager a guess why, I think it's because we brought paper and pencils with us, and I told them they could stop and sketch anything they liked. Yes, the drawing was fun, but I think what they really enjoyed was taking ownership over which pieces to sketch. The surprise benefit was their interest in each piece they chose, so we made sure to read the description and talk about the artist as we made our way through the museum. Truth be told, I was ready to leave before they were!

In one afternoon I discovered what an accessible museum The Met really is for children, and that was just us meandering around on our own. I confirmed it a few weeks later when we went back for a special "fairy mystery" tour with Fable & Lark.

Have you heard of this tour company? Conceived and operated by Evan Levy, a former Met employee herself, the guided tours open the museum up to a world of possibilities for children. The girls and I joined Evan for a tour of "After Ever After: A Children's Adventure," discovering parts of the museum I didn't know existed, while unlocking clues to a fairy tale-themed mystery (and learning cool facts along the way).

Zig zagging our way through The Met, we listened to riddles, searched for characters in paintings, sketched a magic carpet and made a wish in a wishing well. So much fun! If you're interested in an interactive way to experience art with your children, this is a really special way to do it.

Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will love some of Fable & Lark's other tour themes, which are inspired by these ultra famous tales. Between our early summer visit and our tour with Fable & Lark, my girls now have an appreciation for The Met and its treasures that they didn't have before -- one I hope will only grow with time (even if they insist on getting bigger).

Check out the Fable & Lark website for more info - they also do birthday parties and are a great idea for out of town guests. And for ways to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art (and other museums and cultural institutions) around the city for FREE, check out Culture Pass.

All photography (except first photo) is by Janette Pellegrini. 

Disclosure: Our Fable & Lark admission fee was complimentary in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

A Summer Tradition: Coney Island & Luna Park

Every summer we head to the islands. And by islands, of course I mean Coney and Governors. Both of these destinations are a summer rite of passage and make for a great day trip/mini escape with the family. While each destination has changed a bit since we began visiting a few years ago, Coney Island has managed to maintain its grit, uniqueness and charm.

While we've checked out the Aquarium and Brooklyn Cyclones in past years, my adventure seekers are all about the rides at Luna Park as soon as we've stepped off the Q train. The park is just off the boardwalk and filled with rides to fit everyone's interests, from the scared (me) to the "faster! higher!" crew (everyone else in my family).

Luna has a few new rides this year, among them The Coney Clipper, a giant rocking boat that didn't look nearly so scary until I was on it, and the Cozmo Jet, which was much tamer by comparison. If you plan on riding multiple rides, and want the most for your money, I'd suggest buying a day pass, which gets you unlimited rides. Don't forget that Luna Park's offerings also include the famous Cyclone roller coaster and the historic B&B Carousel amongst others. Open daily and on weekends and school holidays after Labor Day until October 31st, there's still time to have some fun at Luna Park before summer is over!

Quick tip: we checked out a new place for lunch this year and loved it -- wide open space, decent food and clean bathrooms (hurrah!) -- definitely worth checking out: Kitchen 21. Have fun!




Disclosure: I was provided with day passes to Luna Park for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

Summer Staple: A Day at Coney Island & Luna Park

NYC public school began today, and with that, the unofficial end of summer is upon us. There are lots of emotions happening around here... the girls were excited for school to start one minute and dreading it the next. I was mostly filled with glee (hee hee). Luckily, though, we really had a pretty great summer. Our California road trip was definitely the highlight (that post will come one of these days soon, I hope), along with seeing our families in Wisconsin and Georgia. And as always, we made sure to visit some NYC summer staples, like Governor's Island and Coney Island. Especially with the latter, it doesn't truly feel like summer unless I've had a little boardwalk under my feet.

Here are a few pics from our recent visit to Coney and Luna Park (I braved more rides than I ever have before and lived to tell about it). Luna Park actually stays open until October 29th (their Halloween Harvest begins 9/16), so the fun doesn't have to stop once school is back in session! If you go, don't forget to check out the Coney Island Art Walls, too (although they're only open until the end of September).

Photo credit to Husband on a few of these, and thanks to Luna Park for hosting us for the day. Their all day wrist band is a great deal if you're a ride-loving family!

JetBlue "Soar with Reading" Event this Sunday at The Strand

Hey NYC: How does 100,000 FREE books into the hands of underprivileged kids here in the city sound? Have I got your attention? Great! Bring on the online #BookBattle.

Here's the back story -- Soar with Reading, a program designed to champion reading in children, was created by JetBlue Airways (through their JetBlue For Good program) & Random House Children's Books in 2011. To date, Soar with Reading has given out over 2,750,000 books to kids living in "book deserts," areas where children & their families have little or no access to purchase age-appropriate books, which we all know can stunt academic development. A truly incredible effort!

So, how do we get those books coming our way? Turns out one little vote (and a whole lot of spreading the word) is all it takes. You see, this online Book Battle is between NYC, Los Angeles, Boston and San Francisco. Whoever gets the most votes wins the contest, and we are currently in 2nd PLACE behind Boston. Boooo.... (sorry, Boston)!

To drum up excitement for this year's Soar with Reading competition, NYC residents & tourists alike are invited to Strand Bookstore this Sunday, August 6th, from 12-2pm. Authors R.J. Palacio (Wonder) and Chris Grabenstein (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library) will be present for a meet & greet & book signing. Guests will enjoy complimentary scoops from JetBlue's local ice cream partner, Blue Marble, while also learning about the Soar with Reading program.

One last bit of good news: in an effort to measure Soar with Reading's impact, research was done in Detroit and Washington, D.C. after vending machine were installed in those cities. The results were more than positive:

• Three out of four children with access to the vending machines scored higher on early literacy exams than before they had access to the machines.
• Children who did not use the machine on average scored lower on the test.
• Parents in neighborhoods with the machines had more knowledge about their children’s reading habits compared to parents in areas without the machines.

So come on out! Bring your little reader and support an amazing cause from JetBlue and Random House Children's Books. And don't forget to VOTE! 

Disclosure: I am being compensated to promote this event and the Soar with Reading program by JetBlue. All opinions herein are my own.

Camp Review: Play On! Studios

Last month, Millie completed a week of Creative Drama day camp with Play On! Studios (using space at Ballet Hispanico on the Upper West Side). She had a fantastic time, and as a result, has been talking nonstop about when she can go back. Maybe there's a little actress in the making?! Eeek. Before I get too nervous about that, I have to say I'm proud of her for going into a camp situation not knowing a soul and coming out of it with new friends and a positive experience.

In addition to practicing each day for a play that was performed Friday afternoon, "Rainbow Fish and the Sea Monster's Cave," she played all sorts of creative games like Night at the Museum (a favorite), Freeze Dance Tag and Kids are Talking throughout the week. The campers also painted pictures for the show on Friday and decorated play bills for the audience. I coincidentally picked up the program that Millie decorated, so we were sure to bring it home!

Here are a few pics from dress rehearsal:

In addition to day camps, Play On! Studios also offers after school & weekends classes for kids throughout the year in choir, drama & music, even audition prep! Check out their website for more information on class schedules & to sign up.



Disclosure: I was provided with a week of camp for review purposes. All opinions herein are my own.

A Day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We spent our summer vacation this year out on the West Coast exploring San Francisco, then driving down to Los Angeles and Orange County (post to come). I have family in both places, so it was fantastic to not only catch up with all of them but be a tourist at the same time. We had an amazing visit, and truth be told, we've been California dreamin' ever since we got home.

On the day we left San Francisco, we headed south along Route 1 to Monterey Bay and its world-famous aquarium. What an incredible visit! So many beautiful animals, interactive exhibits & feedings/demonstrations throughout the day, with a super friendly staff & volunteers to boot. See for yourself:

I must point out that this diver feeding the fish (& sharks!) is a volunteer & (wait for it) 70 years old! Incredible.

Touching a sting ray. No fear!

This aquarium is absolutely worth a visit if you find yourself on a similar-type trip along the coast of California. So many learning opportunities, and while obviously some things are geared towards children, I think Husband and I can safely say we had just as good a time as they did! If I had one complaint it's really that there is just so much to see and do, and if you want to catch certain feedings or shows throughout the day, you must plan accordingly and arrive at least 15 minutes early. Chances are a few people might have the same idea as you!

Side note; check out their Family Activities page before you arrive to help gain momentum for your visit - lots of fun ideas. 

Two thumbs up from the whole family on the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Disclosure: I received 2 press tickets to use towards our visit. All opinions herein are my own.

Summer Camp Profile: Play On Studios (& a discount!)

Summer camp. Two words that strike fear in the throats (and pockets) of many a parent this time of year. Yes, there are many options out there, but finding the right fit for your child, one that's entertaining, affordable, welcoming, conveniently located & offers the right hours to fit your schedule, etc, etc, etc... well, a program that meets all of those qualifications can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Yes, that much fun.

But never fear! I'll be profiling several camps over the next few weeks in an attempt to highlight some new programs as well as hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. They all get the Baby Meets City seal of approval and will include DISCOUNTS to boot. Hurrah!

First up, Play On Studios. Millie went to one of their demo classes in the fall and is so excited about attending summer camp! With locations on the Upper West Side & Lower Manhattan, this dynamic program runs all year long with music lessons & theater classes offered after school and on weekends. But during summer vacation, it's all about CAMP. Let's break it down.

UPPER WEST SIDE

For grades K-4, Play On Studios offers Creative Drama camp at 2 locations:

Ballet Hispanico (167 West 89th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam)
Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 West 86th Street between Broadway & West End Avenue)

Hours:  9-3pm (4pm on Fridays, which includes a special camp performance). Extended day & early drop off is also available -- see website for those details.
Dates:   June 19th-Sept. 1st with the exception of July 4th week
Cost:    $525/week (see bottom for discount!)
Campers must bring their own lunch & snack.

The skinny on Creative Drama:

"Our most popular class emphasizes the creativity, enjoyment, and personal growth of each child. Through drama games, movement, music, and vocal exercises, kids will explore self-expression and gain confidence. A final showcase in front of family and friends creates a comfortable and exciting opportunity to experience another important aspect of theater: performance!"

For grades 4-9, Play On steps things up a notch, offering "Musical Theater Performance" & "Musical Theater Revue" at a single location:

Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 West 86th Street between Broadway & West End Avenue)

Hours:  9:30-4pm (flexible drop off btwn 9-9:30am)

Dates:   Musical Theater Performance: July 5th-28th
             Musical Theater Revue: July 31st- Aug. 11th and Aug. 14th-25th 

Cost:    $2500 (Musical Theater Performance) & $1200 (Musical Theater Revue) - see bottom for discount!
Campers must bring their own lunch & snack.

The skinny on Musical Theater Performance:

Put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips (including a Broadway show!), and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! Additional activities often include scene-writing, film-making, Shakespeare, creating choreography, and more!

& Musical Theater Revue:

Using a different, inspiring Broadway theme each session, campers will explore solos, monologues, scenes, and full musical numbers. This flexible format allows us to create a very personal experience for our campers, helping them to grow and take on specific challenges. For example, campers looking to prepare for middle school, high school, or professional auditions will have opportunities to start work on appropriate monologues and solo songs. We'll show off our new skills at a final Friday performance!

LOWER MANHATTAN

For grades K-4, Play On! Studios offers Creative Drama camp at Pine Street School (25 Pine Street btwn William & Nassau)

Hours:  9-3pm (4pm on Fridays, which includes a special camp performance). Extended day & early drop off is also available -- see website for those details.
Dates:   3 weeks only, July 10th-28th
Cost:    $600/week (see bottom for discount!)
Campers must bring their own lunch & snack.

Last but not least, I'm thrilled to help highlight Play On! Studios, perfect for your theater-loving kid. 

Please use code BMC50 and receive $50 off any of their camp weeks!

Disclosure: We are receiving a week of camp in exchange for this review & promotion. All opinions herein are my own.

Back to School with Garnet Hill

As summer winds down & the first day of school approaches (many kids around the country have already STARTED school!), I wanted to spread a quick deal happening from one of my favorite brands, Garnet Hill. From now until August 31st, when you purchase one of their backpacks, they'll include a matching lunchbox for FREE. Hurrah! Here's to one less thing to think about.

With their durable, ergonomic design, Garnet Hill backpacks are a great value at $34.95-$44.95. I also love that they come in 2 different sizes depending on the height/age of your child, the shoulders are soft and padded, and there are plenty of pockets with enough room inside to carry all those school essentials.

The girls particularly love the fact that you can attach the lunch box to the back of the backpack without having to put it inside, and also the clip that goes across the shoulder straps "so it doesn't fall off," according to Millie. And how cute are these designs?

If you've been procrastinating on back-to-school shopping, I hear you, believe me. But this deal is too good to pass up, so I had to share the love!




Disclosure: I was provided with product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions herein are my own.