Mommy FTW

While we were in Washington, DC recently Cameron and I (and Grandma) went back to the Wilson Aquatic Center for some winter time swimming. This time the water was much warmer and it was almost empty!  Here’s a few more tips that I picked up on my recent visit, as well as a few pictures of the family locker room (hey, it’s no spa, but it’s clean with plenty of space).

Let's go swimming already!

1) All the times I’ve gone the water for the shower in the family locker rooms was cold. You are required to shower before going into the pool, so Cameron and I braved the cold for a few seconds out of necessity.  This time my mom was with me in the family locker room and she said that the showers in the women’s locker rooms was much warmer. So if you go to the family locker room and the shower is freezing, duck into the other locker room with your baby. It’s much more comfortable!

If this shower is cold, try the other locker rooms.

2)The men’s and women’s locker rooms also have swim suit dryers.  The family locker room doesn’t have one.  But, there are diaper changing tables in the family room, which is really helpful.

I've got my swim diaper on and I am ready to go!

3)The lockers in the locker rooms don’t have locks on them. If you are really worried about this you can bring your own lock to use.

Plenty of lockers, but bring your own lock.

4)If you a not a resident of Washington DC you have to pay a small fee to get in. They don’t take Cash – so bring some plastic! Also, bring your ID. They will check it!

5)I’ve never had a problem parking on the street, even though the Wilson Aquatic Center is right by the Tenlytown metro station.  Just be sure you bring lots of quarters for the parking meters!  There is a clock prominently displayed on the wall in the pool area, so it’s easy to tell how long you’ve been there so you don’t run out of meter time.

Need more info on the Wilson Aquatic Center?  Check out their official website.  Here you can find info about hours or operation, admission requirements, amenities, and costs.

Have fun swimming!  You can bet Cameron and I will be back next time we are in DC!

There was a discussion on Parents Around the Hill recently about kids’ music and it made me want to post about Cameron’s favorite CD’s.  Most of these were given to me by another mom whose child loved them – and with Cameron they were also an instant hit.  I also like them because they are classic kids songs which I already know the words to.  Here’s what’s on Cameron’s play list:

Playtime Favorites

Playtime Favorites has classics like BINGO, 1 2 buckle my shoe, itsy bitsy spider, hokey pokey, wheels on the bus, and London Bridge, a lot of which are sung by kids (he seems to like hearing the kids voices.)

Silly Favorites

Silly Favorites is similar to the other one, and has more classics – the ants go marching, apples and bananas, do your ears hang low….

Singable Songs for the Very Young

We also have Singable Songs for the Very Young (by raffi) which has Down by the bay, brush your teeth, baa baa black sheep….

Lullaby Themes for Sleepy Dreams

And before naps and bed time Cameron listens to Lullaby Themes for Sleepy Dreams which has all the classic lullabies.

The amazon links have little samples of all the CDs you can listen to.

Ok mommies, it’s time to get motivated!  The new fall session of Stroller Fitness starts up again tomorrow, Wednesday September 9th at 8am in Fort Greene Park.  It’s a 6 week session which will go through October 14th.  The cost is $90 – $15 a class.  We meet near the playground at Dekalb and Washington Park.  I know it’s hard to be up and exercising at 8am, but it’s good for you, and fun!

Stroller Fitness

Check out this article I wrote for the New York Times Local Blog to learn more about Stroller Fitness.

I know this mommy could sure use a night off and out!

Beer, but no babies!

If you are free this Wednesday night (or can wrangle your husband or other babysitter-type) join some Fort Greene and Clinton Hill mommies at the new Bier Garden Der Schwarze Kölner at 710 Fulton St starting at 8pm.  Full details of the event can be found on PATH (Parents around the Hill) who organized the event.  I didn’t make it to Mom’s Night Off and Out #1, but I am really hoping to be there for this one!

Check out Parents Around the Hill for more great stuff!

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 was about to throw away my empty paper towel roll when I thought… “maybe Cameron would like this.”  Like would be an understatement!  It brought about half an hour solid of entertainment, which in mom and baby land is practically an eternity.  Next time, don’t throw it out!