| A Note From New York Family's Editor |
Happy Anniversary: Ten years ago, my wife and I were married at Coindre Hall, an historic mansion on the north shore of Long Island, in Huntington, whose frayed grandeur struck us as romantic, charming, and original. The ceremony itself was on the property's foreground, and as anyone who was there that day undoubtedly remembers, it started to rain--no, pour--right in the middle of the ceremony, which we finished up, a huddled, well-dressed, intimate mass of 180 people in the mansion's cozy entrance hall. For our anniversary, which fell on the Saturday before last, we returned to Huntington and had dinner at a scrumptious French restaurant, Bistro Cassis. When we rallied ourselves to walk around the town's main streets after dinner, it started pouring. Right on cue. This time, we took refuge in an amazing independent book store called Book Revue. Through rain and shine, it's been a wonderful 10 years.---Eric Messinger (emessinger@manhattanmedia.com)
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Parenting Tip
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| Summer Reads: If you're still searching for a few books to round out your summer reading list, here are a few good reads from the parenting realm. Among the many excellent novels about motherhood published recently are: "The Ten-Year Nap," by Meg Wolitzer, which chronicles the lives of Upper East Side moms whose children are growing up; "Yummy Mummy," by Polly Williams, a UK beststeller about a postpartum mum struggling to reclaim her pre-baby identity; and "The Mercy Rule," by Peri Klass, the story of a mom's struggle to balance raising her kids in a wealthy suburb with her job as a pediatrician, working with decidedly less fortunate children who often end up in foster care. And, since it's not every dad who will like the above, here's a book both men and women can appreciate: "Dinner With Dad," by Cameron Stracher, a dad's true-life story about cutting back on his work to spend more time with his family by cooking dinner for them five nights a week. Of course, that didn't leave him very much time for reading. |
Joy's Shopping Tips
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A Lesson in Nutrition: In an effort to avoid childhood obesity, the Snacker Tracker keeps an eye for both parents and kids on what they are eating. A colorful magnetic board allows you to mark off when a child has eaten the appropriate servings of food and performed exercise activities. The kit comes with a dry erase marker and a nutritional guide to wholesome food choices. It's meant to be a fun and informative way to learn some good eating habits with your child. $19.95; www.snackertracker.com.
Paint Away: Imagine offering a child a paint can filled with a polo shirt, paint, stamps, and brushes and telling him to create his own masterpiece. Ralph Lauren created this brilliant idea for kids ages 6 and up to have hours of fun with non-toxic paints. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Pink Pony Fund benefiting Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Pediatric Arts Program. Visit any Ralph Lauren Store or go to www.ralphlauren.com.
Party, Anyone? With the feel of summer upon us, the need to have a party is eminent. The Bonnie Marcus collection has some modern, chic invitations for your next soiree. Perfect for a lobster bake or a pool party, your guests will surely keep these displayed so as not to forget. $12.95 for a box of 8. Arthur's Invitations, 13 East 13th Street, 212-807-6259, www.arthursinvitations.com.
*Joy Sherwood is the Style Director of New York Family. She can be reached at jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com.
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Activity Tips*
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Brady Rymer Free Concert: Parents' Choice award-winning musician Brady Ryder brings his peppy, kid-friendly rock n roll to Tribeca's Washington Market Park on Thursday, June 26. Rymer, a father himself, writes songs that about being a dad and being a kid, as well as some reworkings of classic tunes from his childhood. Bring a picnic basket and some goodies and see Rymer and his Little Band That Could at this charming park. Details: 6:30-8 pm; all ages; free. Park is located at Greenwich Street between Duane and Chambers Streets, www.washingtonmarketpark.org. CMOM's Cookin': The Children's Museum of Manhattan sponsors an internationally themed kids' cooking session on Sunday, June 29. Cricket Azima, author of the kids' cookbook "Everybody Eats Lunch," will make lunchtime treats like Mexican cactus salad, South African pumpkin fritters, and Japanese rice balls. And while you're at the museum, be sure to check out the other great exhibits, like the Adventures of Dora and Diego and the seasonal water area City Splash. Details: Cooking program is at 3 and 4 pm (tickets distributed starting at 12:30 pm in the museum lobby) for children ages 5 and up; free with museum admission. CMOM, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, www.cmom.org.
Science and Magic: This weekend, children can build and play with an array of blue foam blocks of different weights and sizes, fabrics, tarps, and reused cardboard at the New York Hall of Science's preview of the new Imagination Playground, which is being built near the South Street Seaport. Also, opening this weekend at the Hall of Science is the new exhibit "Magic: The Science of Illusion," which explores how math, science, and psychology combine to create illusions and tricks. And if these two exhibits don't tire the kids out, the Hall's outdoor Science Playground--60,000 square feet of playground elements and greenery--may provide the perfect finishing touch. Details: All ages. Imagination Playground play area open June 28 and 29, 11 am-5 pm; free with museum admission. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Queens, 718-699-0005, www.nyhallsci.org.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.parentsconnect.com.
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| The Week's Bonus Tips |
All-Star Fun: July 11-15, make it to the big leagues at the 2008 DHL All-Star Fanfest, the world's biggest baseball fan event. Meet Yogi Berra and Derek Jeter and get tips from Yankee Hall of Famers. The week of interactive events includes "The Diamond," where kids can knock one out of the park at clinics with MLB athletes and managers, "FanFest Bullpen," letting fans try their pitching arm against virtual images of MLB pros, and "Steal Home Challenge," a race to see who can make it around the bases fastest. Details: All ages. Adults $30; children (ages 2-12) $25. Tickets available at www.allstargame.com. Jacob K. Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, www.javitscenter.com.
Old-Time Rock n Roll: Come to a special showing of the critically acclaimed documentary "Young @ Heart" and help support the Phoenix House IMPACT program, which provides counseling and drug treatment for at-risk NYC teens and their families. The film tells the story of a New England chorus of senior citizens who still bring down the house at venues around the globe. After the showing, viewers can meet two of the chorus members during a panel discussion to talk about their experience in the whole process. Tickets (tax deductible) are $60 each; donors also can opt to purchase tickets to send two Phoenix House teens to the screening. Details: Thursday, June 26, 6:30 pm. United Artists Theater, 64th Street and 2nd Avenue. For tickets, call 646-505-2089 or visit www.phoenixhouse.org. |
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Gymboree's Sun & Fun is 2 for
1!
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 Buy 1 Summer program; get a second
program FREE! June 30 - September 6. Playtimes also free with your enrollment.
Call 877-GYM-LEARN (496-5327) or
email info@nygymboree.com
We offer play & learn, music, art, fitness and
global kids classes at centers in Chelsea, Murray Hill, Midtown
East, Upper East Side Upper West Side and Midtown West. Summer camps at select locations. |
The Poppyseed Pre-Nursery
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 Where BIG things are happening for little people...
Receive $25 off for first-time enrollees
Music, Art, Gym and Play!
Mommy and Me classes for Babies, Toddlers, 2's or 3's
424 West End Ave at 81st St. (212) 877-7614
Gail Ionescu, MSW Director
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Coconut Bay Beach Resort
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Two worlds
await at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa on
St.
Lucia's exotic south coast. The resort's
unparalleled design presents 254 spacious guestrooms in two wings. The tranquil
adult-only oasis on one side features a quiet pool, hammocks, intimate cabana
beds and an oceanfront Spa. On the opposite end, families are closer to the
action of the CocoLand waterpark and Kidz Klub with exciting children's
activities, a lazy river and thrilling slides. Designed to please all ages, a
Casually Caribbean vacation to Coconut Bay is perfect for couples, singles or
families. Visit www.cbayresort.com. |
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