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.
I am pretty sensitive about bringing Cameron to a bar… after all, there are plenty of people who aren’t on board with the idea, and I don’t want to be one of “those moms” who are getting dirty looks from across the room… but so many moms had told me that Der Schwarze Kölner (710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Brooklyn) was really child friendly, and my bi weekly playgroup needed a place to go. So last Thursday afternoon, that’s where we ended up. And thank goodness we did!
Beers for the moms
Snack time for the babies
We descended upon Der Schwarze Kölner at 4, just as they opened. As I walked in, the place smelled of just being cleaned, and was totally empty. The wait staff was extremely welcoming, and gave my group a big area in the corner. There was plenty of area of stroller parking. I brought a few toys for the kids to play with, and so did the other moms. The moms had beers, the babies had brats (Cameron practically housed an entire one by himself) and some cheddar bunnies. It was a total success! I have to admit I’m not 100% on board for taking Cameron out to a bar in the evening (besides, it’s way past his bedtime) but in the afternoon when no one else is there? I don’t see the harm in taking advantage of a great, clean space… while the moms can hang out, and the babies have fun too.
Eating out with a baby is never easy, per say, but this Skip Hop Mate plate certainly does help! I first saw Celia using it with her daughter Claire and knew I had to get one. I take it with me every time Cameron and I are eating out now. It sticks to the table well, and since the edges slope down, its harder for him to toss around than a regular plate. We even use it sometimes at home in his high chair. I got mine from Diapers.com (which by the way is having a huge site wide sale now.) Amazon has it too, so it depends where you are shopping and what else you are buying. Anyways, it’s a real help and I highly recommend it!
Skip Hop Mate comes in 3 colors - Blue, Orange, and Rasberry
Cameron in action
FYI, the Diapers.com site wide sale is on now thru November 12.
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!
Hi all! I know some of you are new to Mommy For the Win so I wanted to highlight some of the most popular and asked about posts that I’ve done in the past. Check them out!
Diaper Rash? My Doctor Said Mylanta
Picnic in the Park Made Easy with the best picnic blanket ever!
Free Infant CPR Classes at the Brooklyn Hospital
FREE – Clinton Hill Library – Reading for Babies
The Books I Found Most Helpful
The What’s Cameron Eating series: Ricotta Cheese and Squash, Avocado and Banana, Baby Yogurt and Banana, Baby Mum Mums, Cream of Wheat, Peaches, Waffles, Organic Puffs, Roasted Butternut Squash, Oatmeal with bananas and cinnamon, 67 Burger, String Cheese, Grilled Cheese and Peas
I hope you find them useful!
UPDATE! – I just added some pictures I took today of the store, check the bottom of the post to see what the kids section looks like!
If you haven’t heard there’s exciting news for us Fort Greene / Clinton Hill residents – we’re finally getting a bookstore – and one that promises to have a decent Children’s Book section too! The store is called Greenlight Bookstore, and is located at 686 Fulton Street (on the corner of South Portland) in Fort Greene. Next Saturday (10/24) they are having an story time for kids of all ages at 10:00 AM.
Library Lion
Brooklynite Michelle Knudsen, author of the bestseller Library Lion, will read from her picture book, and will then sign copies of her books, which Greenlight Bookstore will have for sale. Book-related treats and prizes will be handed out to the kids. Of course, this event is FREE! I think it’s a great sign that the opening festivities for Greenlight Bookstore includes a children’s event – hopefully it will be a wonderful resource for mommies, babies, and kids alike!
Update: My hubby, Cameron and I stopped in the bookstore today after lunch at 67 Burger and before a birthday party. It was so nice! Really light, airy, and open. And the Children’s section was GREAT! It had books for all ages of kids. I am really excited to have it in the neighborhood. I took a few pictures of the kids section to share with you all
Mom’s night out is tonight at Olea at 7:30. I hope to see you all there! I will attempt to take pics.
Get those babies to bed and come get yourself a cocktail!!
I am so excited – Mom’s Night Out is almost here! And after the weekend (or lack there of) that I had, I am in need of a night out, and a few cocktails. Here are the details:
When: Wednesday October 7 at 7:30pm
Where: Olea – 171 Lafayette Ave, possibly moving to the Beir Garden – 710 Fulton St
Mom's Night Out!
So remind your husband, book the babysitter, or whatever you have to do…. And hopefully I will see you there!
For a few years now my friend has been trying to get my husband and I to go to the Atlantic Antic, and we’ve never made it. But this year, I think we are going to really try. I bet Cameron will love all the excitement. And the weather is looking good. Check out the Atlantic Antic website to learn more about the festivities.
the Atlantic Antic
Sunday, October 4th, 2009 from 10am to 6pm, rain or shine
Atlantic Avenue from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue
10 Blocks of Food, Festivities, and Fun Through the Heart of Brownstone Brooklyn.
Move About Myrtle is still going on for the next two Sundays. Get out and enjoy your neighborhood! Check out the Myrtle Avenue Partnership website for more info on this week’s events.
