It’s hot and the sprinklers are on at the local parks – But I some toddlers (including Cameron) are a bit water shy. If your little one is a little nervous about getting wet – here’s a few things you can try.
Cameron stages a ball rescue at Camel Park
I will often take one of Cameron’s favorite toys (his blue car, a ball, or doll stroller usually work well) and throw it in the sprinkler. Most of the time he will go and get it. Once he’s been in the sprinkler once, he seems to get over his fear (at least for the day). Warning – if your child is stubborn you might end up having to retrieve the toy yourself… or you can try and convince another kid to get it for you.
Another method I use is to hold Cameron and we run through the edge of the sprinkler together. Be sure to take your cell phone out of your pocket before you do this! Again, once Cam has gotten wet he seems to get over his fear.
This last method I saw a dad use with great success. He dared his 2.5 year old to run into the Camel Park sprinkler and tag the center of it. Who can resist a dare? After his first trip in, the little boy was soaking wet in 2 minutes.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
During our last little heat wave I called 311 to find out when the sprinklers and water fountains would be turned on at the local parks. According to them, sprinklers are on from 10am – dusk once the weather reaches above 80 degrees for three consecutive days between Memorial Day and Labor Day (but not before, no matter the temperature). So, unfortunately we’ve still got about a month to wait.
Last summer, the Camel Park Sprinkler in all it's glory
Strangely, (but thankfully) the water fountains at Greene Playground (near PS11) and at Edmonds Playground (aka Camel Park) are already on. I wish they would get the sprinklers going as well! Both Cameron and I could use a little cooling off!
I also did a little checking to find out when my beloved Clermont Pool will reopen (Cameron and I spent many days there last summer!) According to this page at nycgovparks.org NYC pools won’t open for the 2010 summer season until “Late June.”
For more NYC info, you can call 311 (they were very nice and informative,) you can check the 311 website, and you can even follow 311 on twitter!
Cameron loves to swing. So yesterday while we were out and about in the afternoon we stopped at Camel Park (at the corner of Carlton and Dekalb in Fort Greene) for an impromptu ride on the swings – but they were all wet from the morning’s rain storms. Usually I have a cloth with me for dealing with such occasions, but I hadn’t planned ahead this time. I thought to myself… what do I have with me that is absorbent? Duh, a diaper!
Mom Genius At Work!
Swinging Happily
So next time you are out and you need something to dry off a wet swing, try using a diaper. It worked like a charm!
Did you remember to send your Halloween pics in to the Local? Check out the ones that made it. I see Cameron, and some other familiar faces there! Thanks to Tiffany for the heads up. 
Cameron and his Dad at Camel Park
Jax and his dad Jayce at the pumpkin patch
Tillie, the adorable bunny
Holy Moly it’s cold out! I have to admit this weather crept up on me and I haven’t really gotten Cameron outfitted for the winter. So today I decided to check out Etsy.com to see what I could find in the way of unique and cute winter hats for my little one. Here’s a small sample of the ones I like (including some super cute girl ones too!):
Ava
baby bear beanie
Flapper Green and Purple
Electric Blue Bird Hat
Mr Alligator
Each image links to the item page on Etsy.com These hats range in price from $9.50-$25 – not bad for hand made items! I just typed “baby hat for winter” into the search box – so if none of these are your cup of tea, check out the rest of the selection to find the perfect hat to keep your baby nice and cozy. Also, check out Chic Squirt for Celia’s Cute Winter Hat Round Up.
Loving the new hat!
Update: I bought the Baby Bear Beanie for Cameron (I think I got the last one!) and he has been rocking it at the playground to much fanfare and compliment! I changed the link on that image to go to the shop that made the Bear Beanie – they have some other cute items as well that are worth a look.
Well, I was hoping for more, but I was happy to see Tenzin and of course, Cameron on The Local today!
Tenzin on the New York Time Local Blog
Cameron hams it up for The Local
What proud mommy doesn’t want to see their baby on display for everyone to “ooh” and “ahh” at? Well tomorrow, September 25th, the New York Times Local blog is devoting an entire day to only pictures sent in by readers taken around Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.
Today Cameron Swings at Camel Park after going in the sprinkler. Tomorrow, who knows!
So take the opportunity to get out, enjoy the weather, and snap some pics of your little one having some fun out and about and send them in to bklocal@nytimes.com along with the time and place where the the picture was taken, plus any other info you’d like. Then share your published photos with proud grandparents, coworkers, and friends!
I love my iPhone, that’s for sure, but I do not love Apple’s weather App that comes with it. So, I got the AccuWeather App, which is FREE! It is 100 times more informative and accurate than the built in one (what the heck is a drippy sun, anyways). Here are some screen caps hilighting a few of its features:
The current conditions - Does Cameron need a sweater?
the Hourly forecast - to go to the park, or no?
the 15 day forecast - will it rain for that birthday party this weekend?
Risk - should I chance going out without my umbrella?
I reference this app all the time when trying to figure out what to clothes to put Cameron in, if I should take the Ergo or the Stroller (pushing a stroller while holding an umbrella is NOT easy!) if we have time to make it to the swings at Camel Park, shall we go have a picnic in Fort Greene Park? Its invaluable, especially since it’s free! The only thing I think this app is not great for is checking the radar of the area. For that, I refrence the Weather.com App, which is also free. So why not get both at the App store!
Also, be sure to check out our other posts about great iPhone Apps!
My favorite park in the Fort Greene neighborhood is “Camel Park” on Dekalb between Carlton and Adelphi. It’s got great baby swings in the shade, and a nice sprinkler. Cameron loves it!
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
