Mommy FTW

Most of my Fort Greene readers know that I am huge fans of the local Beer Garden Der Schwarze Kölener.  The owners and the staff have always been so child friendly, and especially in the long winter months it’s a great place to take your little ones, meet some fellow parents, and grab a beer – of course!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Bring me a Bitburger!

Well this Sunday, December 5th, they are giving us one more reason to love them: Santa is coming to the Beer Garden!  From 3-5 pm Nikolaus (aka Santa Claus) will stop by with his big bag of presents. Recommended age 3-6 years, but younger kids are encourage to come and soak up the festive atmosphere.  I suggest you swing by, take some pictures, and relax!

FYI, as far as grub for the kiddos go, Cameron always loved the pretzel plate with cheese and pickle, and the chicken sausage is always a toddler crowd favorite.

Der Schwarze Kölner is located at 710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Brooklyn.  Even if you can’t make it this Sunday to see Santa, stop by some other time and enjoy some Babies and Beer!

Last year I did a post about the FREE CPR classes that  Brooklyn Hospital (121 Dekalb Avenue) offers, and it still remains one of the most googled posts.  So, I decided to check up on the schedule and make sure my info was still up to date.  Sure enough, they still offer this great resource.

Free Courses in Infant and child Resuscitation (CPR), Car Seat Safety, Choking. First Aid: Burns, Lacerations, Falls, and Poisonings. Class is offered every other Thursday.  Check the website for the schedule of classes.

The Brooklyn Hospital Center
121 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Pediatric Conference Room
5th Floor Hospital Building

Space is limited.
Please call of email to schedule a class: 718.250.8525 or tam9043@nyp.org

Who: Parents and care takers are invited to this free infant CPR training and certification run by board certified pediatric critical care specialists and specially trained pediatric hospitalists.

Why: According to the American Heart Association, “Every new parent should have the peace of mind of knowing they’re prepared to save their infant’s life.” The organization recommends that all parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR.

The Pediatrics Department of The Brooklyn Hospital Center offers free infant CPR training and certification to expectant parents to help teach infant safety and prepare parents for emergencies.

the Brooklyn Hospital Center

Take advantage of this amazing free resource! If you’re not local to Fort Greene, check with your local hospital to see if they offer something similar. You might be surprised!

I’ve found Yahoo groups to be extremely helpful and informative in terms of meeting other parents, asking questions, finding used items, and getting doctor recomendations to name just a few things.  When in Brooklyn I was an active member of both the Fort Greene Babies and Fort Greene Kids Yahoo groups.  Through them I met most of my awesome mom friends, learned about great free activities in the neighborhood, and sold (and bought) lots of used baby related equipment.

Now since I’ve moved to Washington DC I’ve joined the AU Park (American University Park) Parents Group, DC Metro Mommies, and the Friends of Forest Hills Playground Yahoo Groups. These have been so helpful in terms of finding a new OB, or Pediatrician, scoping out the toddler friendly playgrounds, classes, and story times, and meeting new moms for playgroups.  So, I can’t ephasize enough how fantastic Yahoo Parenting groups are.

Find a Yahoo Parenting Group Near You!

Wondering if there is one near you that you can join?  Well, it’s easy to find out.  Click this link to find Yahoo Mom Groups by Location (U.S. State). You can then narrow down by city.  Want to look at a more broad selection?  Check this link to see the choices for Yahoo Parenting Groups.  Here you can choose to check out all kinds of things (groups for Grandparents, Dads, Babies and Toddlers, Blended families, Parents of twins etc – and in some cases narrow down by location).  Check out what kind of support you can find for your needs in your area.  I don’t think you will regret it!  Our parents didn’t have the internet to help them out when we were growing up.  Take advantage!!

It’s harder to get local fresh produce in the winter season, but for Fort Greene / Clinton Hill residents there’s a new CSA you can take advantage of.  I got an email in my Mommy FTW inbox from someone at Red Jacket Orchards with all the info:

Red Jacket Orchards is proud to announce a CSA for the winter season.  The winter fruit CSA will provide members with weekly shares of farm-fresh fruit from November til December.  Throughout the CSA winter season, Red Jacket Orchards harvests pears and over 25 varieties of apples.  Winter shares will also highlight our freshly pressed juices and our pantry items, such as Apple Butter, Apple Sauce, and various different flavors of jam.

A sample share from Red Jacket Orchard's winter CSA

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 .

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.

My go to shopping spot for fresh food in Fort Greene is definitely the Farmer’s Market at Fort Greene Park on Saturday mornings.  But – sometimes my rations run out before Saturday rolls around again.  Now there’s two more options for farm fresh produce on other days of the week:

Fresh fruits and veggies in our neighborhood at the Myrtle Ave Farm Stand

On Thursdays from 4-7pm you can find the Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand located 177 Myrtle btwn Prince and Navy in front of the Ingersoll Community Garden.  You can find beets, carrots, lettuce, collards, potatoes, white onions, basil, broccoli, eggplant, peppers, parsley, corn, peaches and red plums at great prices – nothing costs over $2.50 per bunch or pound!  The Farm Stand is open through October 28th, 2010.

Youthmarket on Lafayette

My Little O recently reported that on Fridays the Lafayette Youthmarket is stationed at the corner of Lafayette and Washington Avenues in Clinton Hill, every Friday from 1pm to 7pm, until October 29, 2010.  The market offers fresh, locally grown produce at reasonable prices. It is a part of GrowNYC, which is a network of youth-run urban farm stands in New York City.

So check out the Farm Stand and the Youthmarket and get some healthy, tasty, and fresh food for your family!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Today I stopped in at the Home and U store on at 394 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbuilt.  I found some really great items there for Cameron (at LOW prices) so I wanted to share so it was on your radar!

In the back by the cash registers I stumbled upon the most amazing Truck book (it’s called My First Truck Book).  Apparently the version I got isn’t made anymore (which I am guessing is why it ended up at Home and U).  But honestly, I don’t care if it’s a few years out of date – since the book itself was still brand new!  Anyways, I paid $2.99 – on Amazon a newer version is over $7, and is smaller in size.  Not too shabby!

And, picked up a small Elmo doll which Cameron immediately fell in love with.  At $1.99 it was worth every penny.

They also have lots of spray bottles to choose from – which are great fun at the sprinklers and playgrounds.  And plenty of other odds and ends toys for summer fun.

And, don’t forget I got Cameron’s little watering can there, which he uses to help me water the plants in the garden.

I will certainly be back to dig for more items.  The store can seem a little cramped and disorganized, but if you take a look you can find some low cost treasures.

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.

Cameron and I take a dip

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.