Mommy FTW

These last few days have been very fall-like!  I’m sure summer isn’t over yet – but more rainy and gloomy days are on the horizon, so I decided to do a re post / update on an old topic I visited last winter – Indoor Baby Friendly Places in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:

The Booklyn Flea – On Sundays you can find the Brooklyn Flea indoors at One Hanson Place (the big clock tower) from 10am to 5pm.  The Flea is on the main floor and lower level.  According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on.  She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers.  So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!

Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM.  Check it out for more weekend fun.  And for any day of the week – Greenlight has a great childrens book section – you can browse while your child plays in the cardboard house, draws on the chalkboard, and snuggles with the giant stuffed bear.

Story time at Brownstone Books – Brownstone Books is located at 409 Lewis Ave in Bed Stuy.  Story time happens every Wednesday and Saturday from 12-1pm.  Unfortunately this is smack in the middle of Cameron’s nap time, so I have yet to check it out.  The suggested donation is $5.  For more information, check out the Brownstone Books website.

The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 11:00 as well as Toddler Time on Fridays at 11, it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.  We spent many a cold winter day here!

Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of!  One day a few of us moms and babes were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her little one.  She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games).  Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.

Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies.  It is a great rainy day (or super hot day, or snowy day) option – and they are so welcoming and nice!  Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote.

Finally, there’s the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  It’s not really in Fort Greene / Clinton Hill – but it’s just a short drive away.  I did a complete write up on the Children’s Museum here, so check it out to get all the news you can use!

If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

I’ve got another year ’till Cameron is heading to Preschool for the first time – but I know that since the summer is ending lots of families out there are gearing up for back to school!

Recently, Darcy, a Fort Greene mom, and General Manager of Habana Outpost (757 Fulton St, in Fort Greene) emailed me to let me know that on Monday September 6 from 12-5 Habana is hosting a FREE Back to School Bash.  Here’s the info:

Bring the kids out for one last day of summer fun at Fort Greene’s favorite family eco-eatery! This year there will be free stilt walkers, clowns, face painting, games, prizes, crafts, a dance party and as always free notebooks and pencils for all school aged children while supplies last.

Thanks for the heads up Darcy!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Every Sunday from 12 -6pm in September Myrtle Ave between Hall and Clermont in Fort Greene / Clinton Hill will be closed to traffic – and open to fun!  It’s called Move About Myrtle – and of course, it’s free.  Here’s a little preview of the events that are scheduled:

September 5th: Back-to-School celebration with activities for the whole family!
September 12th: Brooklyn Food Coalition’s GRUB FEST featuring the biggest potluck ever, a Mac and Cheese contest, and fun for foodies of all ages!
September 19th: “The Case of the Curious Pedestrian” will offer playful public art installations, performances and surprises on all five blocks…and the FDNY Smoke House!
September 26th: It’s Bicycle Day, and our 2nd annual tree giveaway!

And every Sunday: kids activities and games, sidewalk cafes, free yoga and dance classes by Move With Grace studio, music and performances, merchant specials, free tastings, and raffle prizes!

I will add more info as it becomes available – so stay tuned!  And see you on Myrtle Ave in September!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Did you know that every Thursday in August kids 12 and under can ride the Prospect Park Carousel for free between the hours of 12-6pm?  I haven’t taken Cameron yet, but I am guessing this would be a most exciting adventure for him!  We’ll have to check it out… after all, it’s hard to resist something free – and fun!  Thanks to Parents Around the Hill for the heads up on this one!

By the way, if you are over getting a free Carousel ride, stop by the Prospect Park Zoo which a few paces away.  For more information on navigating the Prospect Park Zoo (how to get there, where to park, where to enter, what to see, and where to eat – or not) check out this post I wrote back in April.

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

I did a post about Seamless Web in the past – have you tried it yet?!

Seamless Web is an online service which allows you to place food delivery orders via the internet.  I love it because it’s fast and easy – and it allows me to use my credit card to pay (lots of the places around here in Fort Greene only take cash, and sometime I just don’t have it on hand!)  Another useful feature is that Seamless Web keeps track of your orders and allows you to name your favorites, so next time you come back and you want to get the same thing it’s a one click process.  You can also request that a restaurant not include plastic utensils, napkins etc – usually we are eating at home and we don’t need these things.

I’m posting about Seamless Web again for two reasons – one in case you didn’t see my first post and haven’t tried it yet, and second (and more exciting!) Seamless Web just launched their iPhone App!  You can get it via the iTunes store.  And for you Blackberry folks out there, there is a version for you as well.  So now you can order your dinner while you are out and about, so by the time you get home with your little one it’s on the way.

Seamless Web serves 26 cities across the US – so check out their website and see what they have in your area.  It’s fast, it’s easy, and you can do it while your toddler is making noise in the background – believe me, it’s a lot easier than a phone call!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Lately I’ve been getting lots of google searches for information about the Clermont Pool at PS 20 / Parham Playground in Fort Greene, so I decided to do a compilation post with all the news you can use!

Clermont pool hours of operation – the pool has two main sessions, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm.  If there is a line forming (only 30 people are allowed in at a time) the lifeguards will enforce 30 minute sessions, which means after 30 minutes they will clear the pool and let the line in.

Your little one needs to be wearing a swim diaper.  It’s fine to wear a hat, and I haven’t seen them care about what color shirt you, or your little one is wearing.  The only rules I see them really enforcing are “no jumping” and no lounging on the deck of the pool.

There is a shower that you are supposed to use before you enter the pool – and I would recommend after too!  By the way, they clean the pool every morning before it opens.

The water is already plenty warm.  Believe me, I am a baby when it comes to cold water – and it’s just fine!

If you bring a stroller, park it on the side where the line forms near the bike rack.

You can bring a bag into the pool area.  I generally leave my phone at home and just bring a bag with sunscreen, a diaper change, a towel, and some water.  I come to the pool already wearing my bathing suit so I don’t have to leave the line to change.

Defend your place in line – there are only 30 spots and lots of the kids will try and cut in line.  Just be sure of yourself and your spot.

If there is a line, and you really want to get back into the pool immediately because you little one is having tons of fun, dash out as soon as you can after the lifeguard blows the whistle for the end of the 30 minute session.  You might get back in for the next session if you are speedy and lucky.

The pool is only 3 feet deep – kids must be 3 feet 8 inches to enter on your own (without a guardian).

Only one adult/caregiver is allowed per child – so 2 parents can’t go in with one child.  If you talk to the security guy at the gate he will let you swap out.

If your little one needs to use the bathroom the security guy will let them leave to use the facilities and then come back.  Don’t worry – you won’t loose your spot in the pool.

There is a small “gutter” area (for lack of a better word) around the edge of the pool that is an inch or two deep, and about 8 inches wide.  This area is great for getting your little one used to the water, for getting in and out of the pool, and for splashing in general.  Cameron loves to jump into my arms from this area, and to have some splash time.

And now – go and enjoy the pool!  If you want more information, check out my other posts about Clermont Pool.

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

I used a random name selector I found online to make sure it was fair!

Here are the 5 winners of the Little Movers giveaway contest:

Karen Holtsberg mom to Tenzin
Lou Fernandez dad to Asher
Meredith Potter mom to Anna Belle
Tara Wilburn mom to Skylar Rose
Jonette Jamison mom to Kylie

Please email me your address and your little one’s size so I can get you your diapers!  mommyftw /at/ gmail /dot/ com !

Thanks to everyone for entering… especially for the pictures.  Adorable!!

Here’s some more of the pictures that were submitted for my Huggies Little Movers giveaway. The contest closes tonight and I’ll announce 5 winners tomorrow!

Jack’s mom writes: Here are a few pics of my Little Mover Jack! He is such a fast mover it’s hard to get a good pic these days!

Tenzin, 21 months. Tenzin’s mom writes, You can’t really see Tenzin’s face in this pic, but he is definitely moving…a little frisbee in the park. Couldn’t twist and bend like that without his Huggies!

Meet Jaxon – he loves to hang out at the playground with his friends!

Anna Belle’s mom writes, Here is Anna Belle playing with her favorite toy–a baseball rattle! She is four months old and loves to watch baseball with her daddy. We love Huggies!

Olivia’s mom writes, Olivia in her Huggies Jeans! She loves playing mommy to her dolls and animals, and her favorite thing is to do is play outside! She’s always pointing to the door saying “go!” She’s 15 months old.

Jackson – 15 months. His mom writes, He loves to climb through tunnels actually he loves to climb anything he possibly can. play in the water. Eat fruit and pasta. His best friend is our fluffy little dog Oliver whom he loves to chase and feed treats to. He loves stuffed animals and balls!

Wylie’s mom writes, Wylie stole mommy’s macaroni in his new Huggies Jeans. He loves to get into anything!

Zara’s mom writes, I love this picture of Zara practicing her walking with dad. Sorry you can’t see the Huggies, but she is totally a little mover!

As I reported for A Child Grows in Brooklyn, Clermont Pool (At Parham Playground / PS 20 on Clermont between Willoughby and Dekalb in Fort Greene) opens June 29th! I stopped by this morning on my way home from the sprinklers at Underwood Playground to check out the scene. I was happy to see it is full and ready for action! And boy, did it look refreshing. I took some pictures of the rules and posted signs to give you all an idea of what to expect. See you soon for a refreshing dip!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Loyal readers of Mommy FTW know that I am a big fan of Huggies, and that they have asked me to be an Ambassador for their Little Movers Diapers.  Part one of my job was to write up a little post about Little Movers – If you didn’t see it – check it out.  I believe my “Tale of 3 Diapers” really shows what a great product Little Movers are.  Part two of my job is to give away some free diapers!  Horay!

To win free Huggies Little Movers from Mommy FTW you have to:

1) Be a fan of Mommy FTW and Huggies on Facebook.

2) Email me a photo of your little one sporting some Huggies Little Movers.  The cuter, the better!  I want to be able to see those diapers in action, people!  Include a write up about your little one’s favorite activities.  After all, Little Movers are made for active babies!  So tell me what your baby does in their favorite diaper.  Send your email to mommyftw -@- gmail – dot- com.  I will write you back to let you know I got your message.

OR – upload a photo with caption about your little one and their love of Little Movers to the Mommy FTW facebook page wall.

You must enter by by July 1 – so you have one week.  Feel free to send me multiple pictures, but each person can only enter the contest once.  I will pick 5 winners at random, and post them on Friday, July 2nd.  Then, I’ll contact the winners via email and get your baby’s size, your address, and so on.

I will post as many pictures and stories as possible on Mommy FTW because I want to show off all your cute babies!  So be sure to check back in the week to see your little one’s adorable mug.  If anyone has any questions, please post them in the comments.

And now, start taking some pictures!