Mommy FTW

It seems like spring is around the corner, so hopefully there won’t be too many cold days left on the horizon, but I am sure there will be plenty of “spring showers” to keep the little ones stuck indoors.  Never fear – besides Amazonia at the National Zoo, there’s also lots of fun to be had at the Bird House – which is where Cameron and I ended up earlier this week.

Besides the regular bird exhibits, the Bird House has something going on each weekday morning which the kiddos will really enjoy:

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings you can Meet a Kiwi up close and personal at 11am.

On Tuesday morning at 10:30am there is a story time in the bird resource center.

I haven’t been to these things so I can’t really speak to them.  But they sound fun!

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11am they do a feeding.  We watched this and it was really cool!  All the birds come up close to the zoo worker and you can get a really good look at them.  Cameron thought it was totally awesome.

Also, in the Bird Resource Center (which is in the back of the Bird House) there are lots of cool feathers that the kids can touch and other things.  Cameron had a blast checking everything out.  Of course, all of this is free.  And remember, if you are a FONZ member you can park for free too.

To get to the Bird House we usually park in Lot B and then walk past the Asia Trail (Panda Area) and over the bridge (and the Elephants).  Also, if the weather is good check out all the outdoor bird exhibits.  There’s lots of cool things to see in this section of the National Zoo.

So far Cameron has managed to kill several electronic devices – an iPhone (excessive drool), a digital camera (sticky fingers in the lens and smashing), and our printer (suprise! matchbox car parked inside). I was afraid our TV was next on his hit list.

A little tape in the lower left hand corner = access denied!

Cameron loves to press buttons and flip switches, and he found the on/off button on the TV to be particularly entertaining. The constant pressing of the button was worrying my husband and I so he got out some tape and taped over it. Not the most elegant solution – but it worked! No more on/off for the TV.

Today Only – if you become a fan of Babies R Us on Facebook you get a $5 eCard.  Sounds like a good deal to me!

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!

Starting Sunday, September 6, and every other Sunday in September Myrtle ave between Clinton and Emerson from 11am to 7pm will be closed to vehicles so people can walk, run, bike, or whatever.  Check out the Myrtle Avenue partnership website for more on Move about Myrtle.

Move about Myrtle

I’ve always dried Cameron off after his bath on the floor next to our bathroom vanity cabinets.  Lately he decided it would be super fun to open and close them relentlessly as I attempt to dry him off.  The other day at the pool my friend Crystal mentioned that she was using rubber bands untill her babyproofing stuff arrived in the mail…. so I got some out today pre bath time.  Worked like a charm – for now!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) instead of the regular Reading for Babies at Clinton Hill Library there will be a Rolie Polie Guacamole show at 11am.  Check it out if you can!

Yes, that’s right, FREE!  I’ve seen posts on Fort Greene Babies and other places about Infant CPR classes, but none of them have been Free.  A friend told me that at Brooklyn Hospital (121 Dekalb Avenue) they offer this class, and sure enough on their website is all the information:

Free Courses in Infant and child Resuscitation (CPR), Car Seat Safety, Choking. First Aid: Burns, Lacerations, Falls, and Poisonings. Every Thursday at 6:00 pm — Beginning February 2009.

The Brooklyn Hospital Center
121 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Pediatric Conference Room
5th Floor Hospital Building
(Light refreshments will be served)

Space is limited.
RSVP: 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!  Take that 50$ you saved and put it in Junior’s college fund.  Or get a pedicure…. your choice!