Mommy FTW

When I was growing up my mom always grew food in her garden, and I loved participating in the process, and of course, eating the proceeds!  I have tried very hard to pass on this love of homegrown foods and gardening (both the growing, and the eating) to my kids.

So, I was excited to hear about a book called We Grew It, Let’s Eat It.  It was written by two young twins in Washington, DC who learned about the White House Garden and wanted to start one of their own – but they lived in an apartment with no outdoor space.  They started their project at a Community Garden – planting, tending, harvesting, and preparing their homegrown food, and writing about it.

Simply put, We Grew It, Let’s Eat It illustrates how exciting and rewarding creating and enjoying homegrown food can be to little ones.  And, this weekend (April 14th at 3:00 pm) at the Tenley Friendship Library (Wisconsin Ave at Albemarle St) the twin authors Annie and Veda will be reading excerpts from their book and talking to fellow gardeners (young and old) about their experience.  Bring your little ones and learn and help them get excited about gardening!

To learn more about Tenley Circle Press, the publishers of We Grew It, Let’s Eat It!, check out their website.

It seemed like the last half of May was a monsoon here in DC, and then it got terribly hot – so I was desperate for some indoor fun for Cameron that was easy for me to navigate having Violet in tow. My mom mentioned to me that when I was a kid she used to take my brother and I to the Rock Creek Park Nature Center. The Nature Center is located Just off Military Road near St. Johns College High School (5200 Glover Road, NW DC to be exact). It’s a small building with it’s own parking lot…. and it’s free!

There’s an area with flora and fauna on display that you’d find in the park (some of the animals are stuffed, others live – Cameron loves the Turtles). On Friday afternoons at 4pm kids can meet the live animals and help feed them. Check out the Nature Center website for more about the Ranger Led Programs.

Then there’s a children’s playroom with all kinds of fun things the kids can touch and interact with to help them learn more about life in the park. I completely missed this the first time I went! Cameron wanted to spend a lot of time here exploring, coloring, reading the books, and playing with the puzzles.

Finally, there’s  a planetarium which I’ve yet to check out because I think Cam might be a bit young still. The planetarium holds regular shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. for children five and older (5-7 year olds must be accompanied by an adult) and at 4 p.m. for children seven and older. Also, on Wednesday afternoons year-round there is an after- school show at 4:00 p.m.  Free tickets for the planetarium shows can be picked up at the information desk in the Nature Center.

The Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium is located at 5200 Glover Road, NW DC. It’s open from 9:00 am. – 5.00 pm Wednesday-Sunday. And closed on New Years Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Go check it out and have some fun!

Sunday morning my husband, Cameron, and I headed over to the National Zoo (part of the Smithsonian in Washington DC – and FREE) in search of something to do. Cameron and I go to the Zoo lots – and I knew there were indoor exhibits we could check out, and mostly avoid the freezing cold weather.

We parked in Parking Lot D (at the bottom of the hill,) and headed to check out Amazonia, which is about a 5 minute walk from the lot. The exhibit is made of two levels – the bottom level which you enter on has aquariums with HUGE (as big as me – no joke) fish and turtles, as well as sting rays. It’s really amazing to look at – Cameron was enthralled. By the way, at 11am they do the feedings, which are pretty fun to watch. Workers at the Zoo hang out by the aquariums to show and tell the kids examples of what the fish are eating and answer questions.

At the end of the hallway on the aquarium level is a set of stairs and elevator which take you up to the forest floor level. Here you see all the trees of the rain forest, and you can look down into the pools which make up the aquariums which you just saw below. None of the kids that were in the exhibit found this to be nearly as cool as the aquarium level, but it’s still neat to check out. Cameron loved the big trees, the flowers, and the birds that were there. You can also see monkeys if you look closely. Watch out, it occasionally rains a little!

As you exit the other side of the forest level you can take the elevator back down and there is a section that has some frogs and other creatures in aquariums. There is also a bathroom and water fountain. And then, you’ve made a loop and are back to the beginning.

Overall, it was an amazing exhibit for kids and adults alike, it kept Cameron perfectly occupied for nearly 2 hours, and it was nice and toasty warm. So, if you are looking for a FREE indoor winter activity in Washington DC, check out the Amazonia exhibit at the National Zoo!

By the way, if you live in Washington DC I highly recommend becoming a FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) member.  Being a member has lots of benefits which you can read about on the Zoo website – but the one that was most important to me is that it allows you to park for free at the Zoo.  This means you can easily come and go and stay for as long as you want.  The FONZ membership pays for itself after just a few visits.

Recently the people at Toren approached me and asked if I would be interested in doing a write up on the family friendly aspects of the building.  Honestly, I had never really considered Toren in a family friendly light (I didn’t really know anything about it at all) and I was intrigued.  So, last Thursday I went to go check it out.  In a word, I was impressed!  It is truly a gorgeous building inside and out, and it has some great offerings for the family set.  In this first post I’ll focus on the amenities and kid / child friendly programs they’ve got on tap, and in my second post I’ll finish with the absolutely incredible apartment they showed me (jaw droppingly beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover it….) as well as highlight the green aspects of the building.

Toren has a Yoga studio in house with class offered by Yoga Local.  There are a few classes for babies and toddlers on the books for this fall:

Mommy (or Daddy) & Me, Fridays, 9:30-10:15
Creative movement for all babies, 6 to 12 months, with caregiver.
Tiny Toes, Fridays, 10:30-11:15
Creative movement for normally-developing toddlers, 12-36 months.
Special Tiny Toes, Fridays, 11:30-12:15
Creative movement for identified special needs toddlers, 12-36 months.

All of these classes are paid on a monthly basis, $80 per head per month. They are taught by Amalia Rose and Carmen Rosario, a mother-daughter duo with over 50 years of experience under their collective belts. For residents of Toren, these classes are free.  Check out the Yoga Local website to learn more about them.  Also, keep checking for info about prenatal yoga classes!

Toren has a large bi-level outdoor space.  It’s a great place to take in some fresh air, have a playgroup get together, and enjoy a view of Brooklyn and beyond.  This fall Toren, in conjunction with Big Movies for Little Kids, will be hosting 4 screenings (every other Friday) on the outdoor terrace starting in late September.  These screenings are open to residents and the public.  The outdoor space has a huge set of stairs which will offer great stadium like seating for the event. Toren will offer stroller parking and free concessions. Doors Open 6:30- Movies to start at 7pm.  RSVP to Marco@torencondo.com.  Here’s the schedule:

Sept 24th – Spirited Away
October 8th – The Muppet Movie
October 22nd- Pinocchio
November 5th- TBD

The pool at Toren is so beautiful, when I was emailed pictures of it I thought they were computer renderings (see the gallery).  Well, I swear – it actually looks like that in person.  The pool is essentially a lap pool – only 4 feet deep.  It has a wide set of entry stairs that would be a nice toddler splash and play area.  In it’s shape and depth it reminds me of my beloved Clermont pool – a perfect place for a little one to learn to swim.  And of course, this pool is open year round.  Toren is going to offer Children’s swim classes free to residents.  Non residents can also sign up to participate.  This would be a great winter activity!  Although Cameron and I went swimming often last summer, over the winter his love of water seemed to dwindle.  The Toren pool is a great way to keep this from happening, and is a lot closer to most of Fort Greene than the neighboring YMCA’s.  Check the Toren website later this fall to find the class schedule for Children’s swim classes.

Toren has a lovely little library, a nice place to sit and quietly read a book – or have story time with the kids!  Residents who are looking for a place to take their little ones who have a case of cabin fever in the winter time should take advantage of this great space.  It would be a wonderful spot to organize a weekly story time, playgroup, or movie screening (they have perhaps the biggest TV I’ve ever seen).

Finally I wanted to note that there is an “upscale eco-friendly”  Supermarket coming to Toren (according to Brownstoner, and confirmed by the Toren rep I spoke to).  As a long time resident of Fort Greene, I can’t say how excited I am about this.  It’s something I think a lot of folks in the neighborhood are really looking forward to – and I can’t imagine having it just an elevator ride away.  This will be a major convenience for residents and is icing on the cake!

Check back in for my write up of the amazing family sized apartment I was able to preview, as well as to learn more about the Green aspects of the building which make Toren quite unique, and both eco and family friendly.

Toren is located at 150 Myrtle Avenue, at the intersection of Myrtle and Flatbush.  Nearby are a huge array of train lines (B, Q, M, R, 2, 3, A, C) and of course Fort Greene Park.  Your closest playground is one of my favorites, the huge and rarely crowded New Fort Greene, which I profiled in my A Gem of A Playground series.  Also, in the summer time, directly across the street you can find the Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand.  To learn more about Toren you can check out their websites – torencondo.com and mylifeattoren.com (for more of an inside scoop on what it’s like to live there).

In the spirit of full disclosure, Toren has compensated me for this post – which means I was paid to go and check out their building and do a write up.  I want to assure you that the opinions expressed here are my own, and I was in no way told what I was to write.  Those of you who read my blog regularly and know me, know that I wouldn’t speak positively about something I don’t believe in.  If this write up as made you curious about Toren, please contact them and check it out for yourself.  I would be surprised if you were anything less than impressed!

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.

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!

You’ve had a long (but typical) day taking care of  your little one, perhaps doing some laundry, attempting to keep the house in semi-order, and all around being super-mom.  Bath time is over, and your baby is snoozing in his crib – and now it’s time to cook dinner?!  Um – no.  It’s time to order out!  My husband has gotten me into using this online service called Seamless Web.  It allows you to order via their website and pay with a credit card (even include the tip amount you want to leave).  It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s great because so often I realize too late that I don’t have the cash to pay for delivery!

All you have to do is check out the Seamless Web website, sign up for a FREE account, and then check the delivery options for your area.  They actually operate in 14 cities.  If they don’t have your favorite places to order from, you can suggest them.  Currently there’s about 20 choices for my zip code (11205) – and more are coming all the time.  Again, Seamless Web is free – there is no charge to sign up, and no charge to order.  I admit I was nervous the first time I used it…. but my food arrived safe and sound!

Once you order on the Seamless Web website, your order prints out at the restaurant.  Then the restaurant will confirm your order, and you will get a confirmation email.  Then the food appears at your house, like it normally would – you sign the receipt and start chowing down!  As of yet Seamless Web does not have an iPhone App, but I heard from them via twitter that they are working on one.  I’ll let you know when it comes out!

Did you know Clinton Hill Library has DVDs for Kids?  Probably!  But I didn’t!  I know it’s not exactly shocking, but I had never even thought to explore beyond the little Children’s section.

I was in the Library last Friday and we had just gotten Cameron his Library Card (all it takes is a picture ID from Mom, and it takes about 5 minutes).  I saw another mom checking out an Elmo’s World DVD and I asked her where she got it.  She showed me where the DVD section was – it’s in the back right corner if you are facing the kids section from the entrance.

They’ve got lots of great options!  I am sure we will be back for more.  And it’s just one more reason to support Clinton Hill Library in their Support Our Shelves campaign.  Check out this previous post to find out more about how you can donate to the Library.

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Having a child can be so expensive – so here’s a simple and free idea to help save you some cash, and keep your little one happy as well!  Recently I started a toy exchange with two other local moms that have boys around Cameron’s age.  We each brought several toys to a playgroup meet up, then did a little swap (while the boys weren’t looking – of course).  That way, the guys can have new things to play with, and then when they get their toys back at after the agreed upon amount of time has passed (we decided a month) they will be new and exciting again.  Here’s a few tips if you want to start your own exchange:

1) Exchange with other parents who have kids around your child’s age, and sex (I hate to say it, but it really seems like boys are interested in different things than girls – Cameron and his boy friends love trucks, cars, mechanical things – and anything that rolls).

2) Agree upon the length of time for the exchange.

3) Realize that things might break, or not come back in pristine condition!  Hey, I know Cameron is a little destroyer, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from another toddler.

4) Clean your toys before you exchange them, and before you return them.

It’s easy, and it’s free -so ask your friends if they are interested!

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.

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.