| Wednesday, Oct 24 - Tuesday, Oct 30 |
| A Note From New York Family's Editor
Silly vs. Serious: A few nights ago, my family and I were visited by one of my oldest, funniest and quirkiest friends, someone who (oh, which example should I share?) has become a prominent executive in the music business but still manages to wear red socks every day of his life (as he has since high school). Over the course of the evening, I was dazzled at how good he was at engaging and entertaining my children (who are seven and three), and they were so thrilled it made me wonder if lately I've tipped too far into the role of parent as authority figure to the neglect of another very important role: parent as goofball. It's a balance, isn't it? They need us to be the anchors of a sensible and moral universe. But is there any better way to bond with children than by sharing some silliness? My friend has a point: Best to eat their feet while they are still young and delicious.
Have a yummy week, --Eric Messinger (emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
 Parenting Tip
Where The Moms Are: Even though everyone knows that your first year with your first child is life altering, it's not until you are actually in the middle of it that you can really start to appreciate the enormity of the changes. That's why we can't emphasize enough how helpful it is for new parents to befriend other new parents facing a lot of the same challenges that you are. You know where to find them: playgrounds, children's classes, parenting classes and groups, in your building, in online support groups and on bulletin boards. Locally, we are also very lucky to have a few social activity groups that do an outstanding job of creating fun and informative events at which new moms and moms-to-be can meet each other. They include Big City Moms (bigcitymoms.com), Divalysscious (divalyssciousmoms.com), and Baby Bites (babybitesnyc.com). We warmly recommend them all. |
 Joy's Shopping Tips*
Special Charm: This week's pick in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a beautiful token from Coach-a key chain with three pink rhinestone charms, including a pink heart and the iconic pink ribbon. It costs $38, and a percentage of the proceeds is donated to cancer research. Details: Available at Coach stores nationwide. For more information, 1-888-262-6224 or coach.com.
Edible Jewels: The caterer Great Performances offers some fabulous nibbles that you not only can find at their events but also can buy retail and use to entertain at home. These treats are edible jellied jewels, which come in an assortment of fruit and vegetable flavors, such as roasted red pepper, corn, passion fruit and green apple-and they pair wonderfully with cheeses. Details: Available at Sweet Life, 63 Hester Street. For more info, 212-598-0092.
Boy Toys: Girls have American Girl Place. Boys-or at least those boys into robots-will be in heaven at ROBOTGALAXY, a new kids' entertainment space with locations opening this month in West Nyack, NY, and Freehold, NJ, as well as online. Kids can personalize their own robots from motorized parts and accessories and can even add in programmable sounds, light and speech. Completed robots range from $27 to $80. Details: For more info, 877-7TH-RING or ROBOTGALAXY.COM.
* Joy Sherwood, the Style Director of New York Family Magazine, can be reached at jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com. |
 Activity Tip*
Pumpkin Paradise: Central Park has two fabulous pumpkin-centric events this Saturday. First, there's a huge pumpkin carving extravaganza, in which anyone who shows up can help squash the world record for the most simultaneously lit jack-o'-lanterns, which was set in Boston in 2006. In addition to the pumpkin carving, there will be live music from Nickelodeon's "The Dirty Sock Funtime Band," face painting, a performance by The Big Apple Circus and other fun and games for kids. All proceeds from the event will benefit CampSunshine, a national retreat for children with life-threatening diseases and their families. The first 7,500 people will receive a free pumpkin. Details: Saturday, October 27, 12-8 pm. Come early for pumpkin carving at Cherry Hill(west of Bethesda Terrace, mid-Park, near 72nd Street); later (4-8 pm), the lit pumpkins will be displayed at Bethesda Fountain and other areas. For more info, visit nycgovparks.org (in the "things to do" section) or call 311. Second, the beautiful Harlem Meer will be the site of the Park's annual Pumpkin Sail, in which kids who bring pumpkins (10 pounds or less) can put their jack-o'-lanterns out to sail on the Meer as the sun sets. The event will also feature crafts and storytelling, and costumes are encouraged. Details: Saturday, October 27, 4-7 pm. The Meer is in the northeast corner of the Park, near 110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox Avenues. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org or call 212-860-1370.
Free Ice Skating-And a Free Show: The city has some wonderful ice skating rinks in some wonderful settings, of course, but the only rink that is free is that sleek newcomer called The Pond At Bryant Park, which opens this Friday to the public and then, on Monday, will host a magnificent opening ceremony extravaganza with championship skaters from Smuckers Stars on Ice, including the likes of Michael Weiss (three-time US Figure Skating Champion) and Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman (three-time National Pair Champions), among other famous skaters. Details: The Pond at Bryant Park opens Friday, October 26, and is open through mid-January. Admission free; skate rentals $10. For more info, see thepondatbryantpark.com or call 866-221-5157. The big skating display with the Smuckers Stars On Ice will be take place on Monday, October 29, at 12:30 pm.
*The activity tips are provided by New York Family magazine and GoCityKids.com. |
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This Week's Bonus Tip
Children's Holiday Fashion Show: If you love children's clothes-and who doesn't? -you can treat yourself (and your child) to a festive children's holiday fashion show, featuring gorgeous threads from Best & Co., Kule, Whitlow & Hawkins, Prissy Poofs, ABC Home, Bonnie Young, Ochanga, Florence Eisman and other top designers and stores. The event, sponsored by New York Family Magazine and the Extell Development Company, will include a raffle for a free family vacation at a luxury resort, and an amazing goodie bag. Details: Tuesday, October 30, 10:30 am-12 pm, at The Rushmore Sales Gallery, 422 West 70th Street. RSVP to Stephanie Musso at 212-894-5441 or smusso@manhattanmedia.com. |
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