Mommy FTW

I did a post on the topic of trick or treating with your toddler last year, and it was pretty popular, so I am doing a repost since it’s that time of year again!  I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and fun Halloween!

Our pumpkins this year. Cameron's is the cat!

Choose a costume that is comfortable and don’t cover your child’s eyes. If your child is working on potty training, think about how easy it will be to remove for a bathroom break. If your child’s costume has a hat, try putting it on them a few times before the big day so they can warm up to it. Also, put it on your head to show them how cool it is.

Try and go visiting before your toddler’s bedtime. No one says you have to wait until dark to visit your neighbors in your Halloween costume. This will help avoid crankyness! I think we will head out after dinner, but before bath time.

If you are going to go around the neighborhood, bring a stroller or wagon. That way if they get tired of walking you have a back up plan that doesn’t involve you carrying them.

Take a flashlight with you if you are going out after dark. Also, Give your toddler something that is lit to hold. A flashlight, glow bracelet or necklace work great. You want others to see them coming

Make sure your toddler is wearing comfortable shoes – even if they don’t go with the costume!

If your child is potty trained, suggest they go to the bathroom before you go. If not, put on a fresh diaper.  (Even thought Cameron is mostly trained, I might try and get a diaper on him anyways to avoid any tricky situations).

Consider using a backpack as a goody bag. It’s easier to carry if things get heavy, and it keeps those little hands free to carry a flashlight.

Be sure to bring a bottle of water or your toddler’s sippy cup so that they can have a drink.

Take pictures before you go out trick or treating while everyone is well-rested, well fed, and happy.

I hope everyone has fun! Please feel free to post pictures of your little one in costume on our Facebook Fan Page!!  Cameron is going as Thomas the train – is anyone surprised?!

PS: if any readers live nn NW DC I hear that Brandywine St is closed to traffic between 46th and 47th streets from 5-8:30.  There will be a fire truck there around 6:30. That’s where we will be!

I’d like to preface this post by saying I am by no means an expert in this department – but since we’re taking Cameron out this year for his first trick or treating, I’ve been doing some research so I wanted to share what I’ve found.  Here are few tips and ideas for your trick or treating outing with your little one:

Our pumpkins this year. Cameron's is the cat!

Choose a costume that is comfortable and don’t cover your child’s eyes. If your child is working on potty training, think about how easy it will be to remove for a bathroom break. If your child’s costume has a hat, try putting it on them a few times before the big day so they can warm up to it. Also, put it on your head to show them how cool it is.

Try and go visiting before your toddler’s bedtime. No one says you have to wait until dark to visit your neighbors in your Halloween costume. This will help avoid crankyness! I think we will head out after dinner, but before bath time.

If you are going to go around the neighborhood, bring a stroller or wagon. That way if they get tired of walking you have a back up plan that doesn’t involve you carrying them.

Take a flashlight with you if you are going out after dark. Also, Give your toddler something that is lit to hold. A flashlight, glow bracelet or necklace work great. You want others to see them coming

Make sure your toddler is wearing comfortable shoes – even if they don’t go with the costume!

If your child is potty trained, suggest they go to the bathroom before you go. If not, put on a fresh diaper.

Consider using a backpack as a goody bag. It’s easier to carry if things get heavy, and it keeps those little hands free to carry a flashlight.

Be sure to bring a bottle of water or your toddler’s sippy cup so that they can have a drink.

Take pictures before you go out trick or treating while everyone is well-rested, well fed, and happy.

I hope everyone has fun! Please feel free to post pictures of your little one in costume on our Facebook Fan Page!!

DC Fans and Brooklyn Fans I’ve got you both covered for Saturday Halloween fun!

Fort Greene and Clinton HIll folks, The Conservancy presents the 11th Annual all FREE Halloween Festival in Fort Greene Park on Saturday, October 30th from Noon- 3:00pm

Free fun in Fort Greene Park this Saturday!

There will be hay rides, games, sack races, face painting, stilt-walkers, entertainers and free pumpkins to decorate – all FREE. Plus there will be a costume parade and spooky cemetery. The festival kicks off at 12 noon with a wild costume contest for dogs and their
owners, “The Great PUPkin,” sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS, the local dog-owners organization. Even if you don’t have a dog, this is really fun for kids to check out.

For the DC locals, there’s a Halloween Party at Forest Hills Playground (3200 Chesapeake St. NW DC) also on Saturday from 10:30 – 12:30pm.

Free fun for DC kids at Forest Hills Playground

Come celebrate Halloween at Forest Hills Playground park with all your friends. Events include: A magic show byThe Great Zucchini, a Bake Sale, a Costume Parade, and Arts & Crafts for the kids. It’s all free so go check it out!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s annual fall family event—Ghouls and Gourds—is right around the corner on Sunday, October 24!  This year, the event has a farm theme to it, complete with giant scarecrows and a barn dance.

Visitors can experiment with dyeing and spinning wool,  making field mouse masks, instruments made out of junk, and much more!  Also, (and new for this year) they’ll have large-scale collaborative workshops where kids can pitch in to create a giant pumpkin sculpture, oversized spider web, and an enormous mandala out of recycled materials .   Families can also visit the Children’s Book Barn where 20+ of Brooklyn’s best children’s book authors and illustrators will be on hand for readings and signings.
As far as music goes, Slavic Soul Party, Suzi Shelton, The Xylopholks (who dress up in furry costumes), and more will fill the afternoon with family-friendly tunes.  And then there’s the flea circus, larger-than-life puppets, pretend petting zoo, and more!

If you’re looking for some fall fun this weekend in Brooklyn, check out Ghouls and Gourds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  The Garden is located at 1000 Washington Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225.  For more information on how to get to Ghouls and Gourds, check out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website.

We’ve all seen the plastic Halloween costumes at the drug store and thought “My kid is going to wear something way cuter than that!” But, when it comes down to it – who has the time to make something cute, original, and quality?  Not this mom!  But thankfully, there’s Etsy.  I did a little searching to see what was out there for toddlers and found some nice options.

I love this little Where the Wild Things Are costume.  It’s as fun for mom and dad as it is for junior.  The Etsy seller is PaulaAndErika – check out their shop for more info.

Giddy up!  If your little one is into the wild wild west, this one might be right up their alley.  The costume is just the vest and chaps – you supply the shirt and jeans.  The seller is Saltwaterkids – check out their shop for more info.

Roar!  This costume reminds me of one that I made for myself when I was younger… but in a much more finished and professional way.  I think this one is my favorite!  The Etsy seller is amysewsit.  Check out the shop for more info.

This fine feathered costume is the least expensive of all the Etsy options I found.  It’s also super cute!  The seller is DIPdesigns.  Check out the shop for more info.

If these options are a little more money than you’d like to spend, I suggest check out Target’s website.  They’ve got lots of options at reasonable prices.  Also think about putting together your own costume – you don’t necessarily have to sew anything!  I think Cameron will be Bob the Builder.  He’s already got a checkered shirt and overalls, all I need to find is a hard hat and we are set to go!  Anyone else have any creative Halloween ideas?

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

Today, Brooklyn Junior opened!  They are located near the corner of Clinton and Myrtle in Clinton Hill.  I stopped in before their Halloween Party which starts tonight at 6pm (Cameron’s bed time, unfortunately!)  I took a few pictures to share with you all so you could see what it looked like.  The space is small, but bright, with lots of cute clothing and some toys.  It looked like they were still getting things in order…. so I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.  So far, so good!

Don’t forget they have a 10% off Coupon you can print out, valid until 12/31/09!

How exciting!  The New York Times Local blog is calling for pictures from Fort Greene and Clinton Hill residents again.  This time, it’s all about Halloween.  So be sure to snap some pictures of your little one all dressed up in their Halloween best, enjoying the neighborhood, and send it in!  The details can be found here.  Good luck – I got Cameron in last time, as well as a few other photos I took!

Brooklyn Junior Opening Party

You might recognize this old storefront on Clinton near Myrtle

New details were posted on Parents Around the Hill (via Fort Greene Kids) about the Kids store that is comming to Clinton Hill / Fort Greene.  Check out the website and Blog for the clothing line / store named Brooklyn Junior where you can read more about the clothes and see what they look like.  Super cute!  Of course the store will also have some toys and accessories.  I am hoping once it opens I won’t have to trek over to Area Kids for Birthday Presents…. with this place and Greenlight Bookstore, we are set!

The opening party is Halloween Night, 6-9pm.  After that, regular business hours will be Tuesday – Sunday 12-6pm (closed Mondays).  CLICK HERE TO GET A COUPON FOR 10% OFF!! Valid until 12/31/09.  I will visit once the store is open and post some pics!

No real updates today – this mommy is SICK!  And unfortunately it seems like Cameron has caught my cold.

Just a reminder – on Saturday is the Greenlight Bookstore Storytime (and other grand opening celebrations) and then on Sunday is Ghouls and Gourds at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.  Here’s to hoping for good weather, and a speedy recovery for myself and Cameron!