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.

Help your kids get excited about gardening and homegrown food!

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.

I have a new found love for the library now that I have kids.  We go all the time to pick up books I’ve requested (see my post on putting books on hold) as well as to browse the shelves for something new and excited.  So I was happy to hear about the Check it In Fine Forgiveness Campaign that the DC Public Libraries have in effect.  Here are the details:

Don't worry, the library still loves you. Bring it back!

The “Check It In” campaign is an effort to encourage DC Public Library cardholders who haven’t used the library in a while because of overdue, lost or damaged books or other library materials to return to the library.  The DC Public Library will forgive all fines and fees on any overdue, lost and damaged item.

The DC Public Library wants to get back as many overdue books as possible to benefit more District residents. The Library wants to also ensure we have your most up-to-date information so this is an opportunity for you to update your customer record with your new email address, phone number or mailing address.

How long is the campaign?
The 60-day campaign will run from Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 – Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.

How does it work?
No matter how long you’ve had the book. No matter the condition of the CD. You can return them to any DC Public Library. No questions asked. And best of all NO FINES OR FEES charged. You lost it? No problem. Stop by your local library and we’ll forgive that too.  When returning your book, you must see a library staff person in order to clear your record of fines and fees.

What are you waiting for? Check it in and discover the joy of using your library again.

I remember as a child I lost a book and was so scared of paying the fines (my allowance was non-existent) that I never went to the library again.  It wasn’t until I came back to DC as and adult (with a new last name from my marriage – ha!) that I started using the library again.  Don’t let this happen to you!  The DC Public Libraries want to give you a clean slate.  Start your love affair with the library again!

For more information on where to find your local DC Public Library branch, check out their website.  Also be sure to read my post on placing books on hold (my favorite way to get the most out of the library) and check out what Cameron is reading if you need some inspiration!

The Hurricane is coming!  It’s time to batten down the hatches, and figure out what the heck to do with your kids!  Here’s a round up of my favorite rainy day activities in Washington DC if you need to get the little ones out of the house, most of them FREE!

Some ideas to beat the rainy day blues. Of course, there's always puddle stompin'!

Wilson Aquatic Center – The Aquatic Center is currently closed for it’s yearly “deep clean” but will re open Sunday, August 28th all refreshed.  Given that Sunday is supposed to be one of the more rainy days, this seems like great timing to me!  Check out my earlier post on the Wilson Aquatic Center to learn more about this fabulous, free spot.  It’s the perfect place to take your kiddos and really tire them out!

Rock Creek Park Nature Center – While not the most glamorous spot, it’s a great little gem for a rainy day.  There’s lots of things for your little explorer to look at and touch, and plenty of free parking.  Check out my earlier post on the Rock Creek Park Nature Center for more information.

The National Museum of Natural History – This museum has Dinosaurs, bugs, a huge Elephant, gems, and so much more.  Both my son and daughter loved being able to hold the bugs, and were amazed by the butterfly exhibit.  Check out the National Museum of Natural History website for more information on the current exhibits and hours.

National Museum of American History – If your little one loves trains, trucks, machines, and hands on activities don’t miss the Spark Lab!), then you definitely want to check out this Museum.  Check out the website for more information on exhibits and hours of operation.

National Air and Space Museum – There is something amazing about giant planes hanging indoors just a few feet away from you – even to an adult!  Air and Space is a guaranteed winner for kids.  Be sure to check out the How Flight Works exhibit which has lots of fun hands on activities.  Check the Air and Space website for more info.

Wisconsin Place Rec Center – This isn’t the most exciting outing, but if you are desperate to get your little on out of the house, this is a decent option.  Check out my previous post on the Rec Center to learn more.

Metro Train Ride – If your toddler loves trains as much as mine does, they might enjoy just a train ride on the Metro.  I know I’ve done this before!  Cameron really loves the “underground train.”  Seems silly…. but you never know what is exciting to a little one.  Kids under 4 ride free.

National Zoo – Yes, much of the Zoo is outside, but there are lots of indoor exhibits too.  Cameron’s favorites are the Bird House and Amazonia.  Check the Zoo website for more info on exhibits and hours.

Palisades Library – Did you know the Palisades library has a train table, and a whole floor devoted to the kids section?  It’s the best kids library I’ve ever encountered.  The library isn’t open Sunday, but it’s a good option for this Saturday (or any other rainy day!)  Check out the Palisades Library page on the DC Public Library website for more info.

Those of you who read Mommy For The Win regularly know that Cameron loves to read, and I try to encourage this by always getting him new books.  I’ve become a huge fan of the D.C. Public Library because really, who has the money to buy all these books!

When I first started going to the Library I would aimlessly search the shelves and pull out what seemed like it would interest Cameron.  Occasionally I would find something good, but it was hard to really get in there to look for specific things while wrangling a toddler and a newborn.  So, with the encouragement of the DCPL on twitter (@dcpl) I checked out the D.C. Public Library website, and learned how to place books on hold for pick up at whatever library I wanted.  It’s really easy – Here’s a step by step guide:

1)Figure out what book you want to check out – this can be the hardest part.  If you are short on inspiration, use Amazon.com to help you.  Today I started by typing in “Truck Book” to the search box.  One of the suggestions that came up was “Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle.  The reviews seemed good, so I thought I’d see if the Library had it.  (Honestly, I would say 8 out of 10 times they do have the book I am looking for!)  FYI, another great resource is the “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” suggestions box.  It’s full of other great ideas for similar books.  If your toddler has a favorite book, search for it and see what Amazon suggests in this area.  It’s really helpful!

Use this suggestions box to come up with ideas

2)Go to the D.C. Public Library website and search their online catalog.  The website is catalog.dclibrary.org – just type the title of the book (or if you have an author you like, you can try that as well) to find your book.

Search the online catalog

3)Place the book on hold.  Click on the book – when looking at the book information page you will see there is an option to “Place Hold” – this means that they will fetch the book for you (from any DC Library branch) and bring it to whichever Library branch you ask.  Yes.  THEY DELIVER IT!! If the book is checked out, they will get it for you once it is returned.  Usually it takes a few days if the book is not checked out.  They will email you when the book has arrived at your requested library.

Place your book on Hold - you can choose your pick up branch

4)Pick up your book.  Once you get your email, go and pick up your book – it will be there waiting for you under your name.  It’s so easy.  You will never aimlessly browse the Library again!

You can manage your holds and see what the status is as well.  If you decide you don’t want a book after all, you can cancel the hold.

Manage your Holds using the "My Requested Holds" button

Of course to do all this you need a library account.  If you don’t have one of those, sign up.  It’s quick, easy, and FREE!

Not in D.C.?  Don’t worry – I know other Libraries have a similar system.  Stop in to your local branch and ask them how to place a hold for a book and if they have an online catalog.  You will be so happy you did!

It seems like every time we get new books from the Library Cameron learns new words and his vocabulary grows.  Pretty cool!  And now to make finding the books I want super easy I just request them online at the DC Library website and get an email when they are ready to pick up.  If I’m short on inspiration of what to look for in the online catalog I just browse Amazon and see what other books people buy when I look up Cameron’s favorites.  Anyways, these are his current favorites – soon to be returned for something new!

Alphabeep!  Cameron learned so many words from this book, which highlights a transportation related word for each letter of the alphabet.  Now everywhere we drive he points out stop signs, yield signs, red lights, firetrucks, cement mixers… the list goes on!  It’s perfect for any vehicle obsessed toddler.

Cameron has loved many Byron Barton books, and Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs is no exception.  A lot of the dinosaur names are pretty hard for him, but he did learn “T Rex” and also now seems to understand what “scary” and “scared” means.

In the book My Big Rig a young boy drives cross country in his truck via his imagination.  Since Cameron likes anything to do with trucks, this one is a no brainer!

Cameron seems to love every Spot book that we bring home.  In Spot Goes to the Park, Spot and his friends play ball and swing at the park.  These are things that Cameron and I do a lot together, so reading this book is a fun way for me to ask him questions about what we did at the park too.  Of course, this book has all the lift-the-flap fun that Spot books are known for.

Be sure to check for these books at your local Library – and DC friends, try out the online library catalog.  It’s a really convenient way to get all the books you want.  If you’re not in DC, check to see if your library system has a similar feature.  I know the one in Brooklyn did as well!

A few weeks ago I posted a link on the Mommy FTW Facebook fan page about how to prepare your toddler for a new sibling, and I reached out to the fans for any additional advice because I am not exactly an expert on this topic.  I got some great ideas from both the article and my fellow moms that I wanted to share with the rest of the Mommy FTW readers.

I started off by requesting some books from the library about newborns and older siblings.  I know at both the the DC and Brooklyn libraries you can search the online catalogs and request that books be placed on hold for you.  You get an email when the books are at your local branch to pick up.  It’s really easy!  The books I got were:

Baby on the Way by Martha Sears

I’m a Big Brother (or, I’m a Big Sister) by Joanna Cole

Brand-New baby Blues by Kathi Appeit

I also ordered a baby doll from Amazon.  I got the Melissa and Doug baby Jenna – it had great reviews, and the price was very affordable.  Cameron loved the doll from the second it came out of the box.  We put diapers on it and get it dressed.  He gives it hugs and kisses and tucks it in under his blanket.  He even puts the baby in his Sister’s crib and says “shh quiet” because she is sleeping.

Cameron's little sister, taken Jan 2011

I talk to Cameron a lot about the baby, and he likes to give my tummy hugs and kisses.  I’m not sure he really understands what’s going on in mommy because one time he pointed to my husband’s stomach and said “baby.”  Oh well!  It can’t hurt!

Lately I try and get Cameron to help me as much as possible with small tasks around the house.  I think this makes him feel useful, and hopefully will make him feel good about himself and involved when the baby comes.

Other bits of advice I got from some of the fans was to spend as much one on one time with Cameron when the baby comes (especially in those early days when the baby is sleeping a lot).

Also, just as sometimes Cameron will have to wait when I am doing something with the baby, it is good to ask the baby to wait a minute while I do things with Cameron (use your best judgment, of course!)  That way he won’t always feel like he is second.

Another fan suggested a Sibling Preparation class at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.  I didn’t check this out myself but it sounds like a great idea.  You can find out more about this class and the 2011 schedule via this link.  Sibley Hospital (where I’m to deliver) has a “Sibling Tour” with activities for young kids as well.  Find out more at the bottom of this page.  If you aren’t in the DC area, check with your local hospital to see if they offer any classes.  I didn’t even know classes like these existed!

If anyone has any other advice, please share it with me.  I have to admit I feel nervous about such a big change in our family, but I am sure Cameron will handle it like a champ – and that brother and sister will become the best of friends over the years!

The other day Cameron and I decided to give the Tenley Friendship Library another visit.  The first time we went the Library was really crowded and the layout of the Children’s section made it feel cramped and unwelcoming.  I know I wasn’t the only one who felt this way because there was a lot of talk on the local Yahoo groups about it!  Well, it seems like the Library listened to the criticism and changed the layout.  They’ve reoriented the book shelves and moved all the small tables into a cluster (see pictures – click the image to see a larger version).

The area feels more spacious now, so I think it’s an improvement.  A warning though – the chairs they have at the small tables, while really cool looking, tip over very easily.  I had to help Cameron in and out of them to prevent an accident.

So, if you were originally underwhelmed with the Children’s section at the Tenley Friendship Library, check it out again.  You might find it more welcoming this time.  We’ve been going in the evenings to wait for Cameron’s dad (he takes the metro home) and then we all go home together.  It’s not too crowded, and a good way to escape the cold in the afternoon/evening.  Plus Cameron is really getting into books lately!  This mom certainly loves that.

Most of you know that I moved from Brooklyn to Washington D.C. with my Husband and Cameron last fall.  Well, we finally were able to find a house to buy, and this past weekend we actually moved in.  It’s been pretty hectic, and Cameron seems to be having  a hard time adjusting when it comes to his sleep routine.  I think he thinks it’s just too exciting to nap!  So, I have to apologize for the lack of postings – things have been so busy lately.  I hope to get back on track soon.

But, while I am here…. a small bit of local news – The Tenley-Friendship Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave. N.W D.C.) just opened today after being under construction for what seemed like forever!  The first toddler story time is tomorrow, Tuesday January 25th at 10:30 am.  Cameron and I are going to check out the scene and I promise a write up with pictures. Check out this article on TBD.com for more stats about the library and some sneak peek pics.  See you there tomorrow?

Cameron and I have been looking for fun things to do since we’re in DC – and Library story time seemed like a great (free!) idea since he enjoyed it so much at the Clinton Hill Library in Brooklyn.  I checked on the DC public library website to see what kinds of things were going on.  It turns out, there are lots of options, and their website makes it really easy to see what is going on each day of the week at each location.  This is awfully handy when you wake up and it’s pouring rain and you wonder what in the world you are going to do with your busy toddler (like yesterday!)

I live near the Chevy Chase library (5625 Connecticut Ave. N.W DC), and they have two kids of story times there.  There’s a “lap time” for kids up to 24 months, and a “toddler time” for ages 2 and up.  I have checked out both since Cameron is right on the dividing age line.  Both of them were really fun for him – the lap time is more low key with some singing, less moving around, and is a little shorter (30 minutes).  The toddler time had more music (most played from a boom box and you sing along), moving around to the music, more reading of longer books, and lasted longer (45 minutes).  After each session we went to the children’s section to look for books and hang out with the other kids.

Check out the Story time Calender on the DC public Library website to find out what activities are going on at the library near you.

Also I wanted to note that on nice days, it’s fun to check out the small playground behind the library.  It’s made especially for kids age 2-5 which was perfect for us.  Cam had a ball.  It’s a great way to spend a few hours.

Hi all – I had two bits of Fort Greene / Clinton Hill news I wanted to share.

First – I was at Story Time yesterday at the Clinton Hill Library and it seems that the usual woman has moved libraries and is gone for good.  They have  a stand in named Steve (I think) and he didn’t give the impression that he was going to be the permanent person in charge.  He seemed a little awkward, but everything worked out fine.  I saw another mom who was at the later session and she said Steve told her class that they might not have the funding to keep Story Time going for more than 6 weeks.  I hope this isn’t true!  It’s such an amazing resource in the neighborhood.  Yesterday there was quite a crowd!

Lots of strollers yesterday at Clinton Hill Library

Secondly, I also went to the Pratt Post Office on Myrtle to get the mail from my P.O. Box.  I wasn’t sure what to expect since they quietly and quickly announced their closing.  There was a truck outside that was selling stamps (no money orders, according to the postal worker).

Get your stamps here....

They were also letting people in to use the APC machine and drop items in the big box in the foyer.  I was also allowed to walk into the actual post office and pick up my mail.  The postal worker said they decided to keep it like this until actual construction begins.  Sounds reasonable to me!  After that, she said, who knows.   Yikes….  She recommended that people with P.O. Boxes check their mail daily for now.