Mom in the City

I really love magazines, so I was excited to read about LMNOP.  It is a free PDF magazine that comes out four times a year.  LMNOP stands for laugh, make, nurture, organise and play (all things that we do daily as moms!).

I viewed their most recent magazine and was impressed by the photography as well as the variety of topics and companies they cover. The magazine takes a little while to load but it's definitely worth the wait.

(Thanks to kirtsy.com for the referral.)

Posted by Kimberly at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week was the first time that The Muppet Show: The Complete Third Season has ever been released on DVD.  It was released in a special four-disc set.

Many of us grew up with the Muppets, so we pretty much know what we’re getting with Jim Henson's classic variety show.  The third season includes a variety of popular guest appearances (i.e. Harry Belafonte, Gilda Radner, and more).  The guests are great, but it’s the actual Muppets that steal the show.  Who doesn’t remember Kermit and Miss Piggy’s crazy love?  The rest of the gang (including Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, and Animal) are all still there also.

In addition to the 24 episodes from season three, the DVD also includes new behind the scenes bonus features.  This is a great DVD set to introduce/re-introduce your family to the beloved Muppets!

Suggested retail price: $39.99  

Posted by Kimberly at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The first thing that I noticed when I received a copy of THE YUMMY MUMMY MANIFESTO by Anna Johnson was the beautiful illustrations. (I love "pretty", stylish books.)

I'm not a big fan of mom labels (like "yummy mummy") but I'm glad that the title didn't stop me from reading the book.  It was great to see that in addition to being "cute", it had some really great information in it for new and expecting moms.  The book covers a variety of topics from when moms are expecting to the toddler years.  Fashion, exercise & nutrition, sex, breastfeeding and shopping for kids are some of the topics covered. 

My favorite section is called "TWENTY SELFISH LITTLE PLEASURES".  Number 20 - "ten minutes a day"... is my personal mantra (more so 15 to 20 minutes!).  Moms need (at least) that amount of time a day for themselves in order not to self-destruct!

In any event, this book would make a great gift for an expecting or new mom.

Posted by Kimberly at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to several items in the new Wild Harvest line of organic and natural products.  The line was introduced at a lunch at Telepan.  (May really is my month. Back-story: earlier in the year during Restaurant Week, I wanted to visit Telepan, but they were booked up.  Fast forward to yesterday – I get to eat an amazing meal there and learn some valuable tips from the chef.  How cool is that?!  Note to self: remind husband that we need to go on a kid-free dinner to Telepan).  In any event, Chef Bill Telepan was so helpful - he has been using seasonal organic and natural foods in his cooking throughout his career. The meal (which used several Wild Harvest products) was also delicious.  The menu was tomato soup with rice & beans; pan-roasted chicken breast and strawberry granite parfait (yum!) for dessert.  (I have the recipes for all three dishes, so email me if you’d like them.)

The event was hosted by Supervalu, a grocery retailer that operates under several names (including Acme, Albertsons, etc.).  They also supply groceries to a variety of independent stores.  Recently, they launched the new Wild Harvest brand of organic and natural products with around 160 current products.  The goal is to grow to 250+ products.  The neat things about this line of products (the items that I tried anyway) are the following:

-Not only are they healthy but they are also tasty (a must for my picky kid eaters).

and

-The products are reasonably priced (which is important to my pocketbook!).  The line is around 15% lower than other branded organic and natural products.

On an earlier blog post, I wrote that I would not only eat organic products.  I am trying to eat more organic products though, so I’m eager for the Wild Harvest products to hit the NYC market.  (Acme grocery stores in NJ are the closest chain of stores in the NYC area that will be carrying the line.)

Posted by Kimberly at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To celebrate the North American launch of Wii Fit this week, Nintendo held a launch event in Central Park on Monday. Although the weather wasn't the greatest, the area was packed when I went.  What was especially great was that Nintendo donated $5 (up to $25,000) to the American Heart Association for everyone who did a demo.

I was really looking forward to going to the event.  Then, on Sunday night my four years old son Michael got a "Wii punishment" (no Wii at all on Monday) because he threw the Wii remote (he didn't want to get off the game when it was time for him to do so).  "Oh great," I thought - he's going to have a fit going to this event and not being able to play.  "Oh, well."  We went anyway.  I'm so glad that we did.  It was fun!

My son didn't have a fit.  He just enjoyed seeing all of the other people testing out the game.  (To be fair, I didn't do a demo - that would have been pretty mean to my son - even though I wasn't the one on punishment - I guess that I owe $5 to the AHA.)  It was also fun to see the professional demonstrators on the stage.  One of the personal trainers received a 100% on the push-ups/side plank exercise.  Michael exclaimed, "Wow Mommy, he did great, like you!"  (I had got a 100% on this exercise at home earlier - of course, I had "cheated" a bit and did the girly "knees-down" push-ups.)

In any event, Wii Fit is available at stores beginning today.  Definitely grab a copy if you can!

Posted by Kimberly at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a mom and educator I believe we are living in a world where values and social skills are in danger of being extinct by the media and sometimes our own believes that “they” our children will learn on their own. But hope is not jet lost. Last week I was able part take of an event where we were introduced to Hasbro’s new line of games that will be launching this summer. There are three different games and they each focus on a different social skill; there is “Learning to Listen Pizza Palace Game”, “Learning to Share Fun Park Game” and lastly “Learning about Manners Picnic Basket Game”. These games are a great opportunity for children to learn to share, listen and say thank you. It comes with a book that tells a fun story that lives out the different situations where simple manners and skills are put to the test. It also comes with a CD with the story telling of the book and songs that complement the game. I found it to be the perfect way to reinforce these important values in a fun and easy activity that kids together with parents will enjoy. Let’s not forget that children learn by play and who better than their parents to teach them to have fun.
-Review by Alexandra Cerda

Alexandra Cerda was born in Viña del Mar, CHILE and grew up in NY. She was taken to Chile to do her high school years and start college. She came back to NY in 2002 to continue college studies where she attended BMCC and got an ASS in Early Childhood Education. She is married to her funny husband Jose and is a part-time mom of a beautiful girl, Liana. Alexandra is currently working as a Teacher in different sites and with children of different ages. Alexandra plans to go back to school to further her education.

Posted by Kimberly at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"My" month has started off beautifully (and I say "my" because I get double celebrations - Mother's Day and my 35th birthday).

Last night, I had the opportunity to help make (and of course eat!) one of the best meals of my life (and I'm not exaggerating)...

Beth (from Role Mommy and BeyondPr) invited me and several other ladies to a special dinner/demonstration down at Select Italy's Soho Loft which was hosted by Kim Orlando AKA Traveling Mom.  It was an amazing experience primarily because there was so much passion in the room.  I love being around passionate people (and I don't mean those annoying, overly obvious public displays of affection type people passion - get a room!).  Anyway, I digress.  I'm talking about the type of passion where you're enthusiastic about your life and how you live it. 

Some of the people that I had the pleasure of meeting, cooking and eating with were the following:

-Beth Feldman: I really like Beth.  I've liked her since I went to my first Role Mommy event a few years ago.  She's just one of those warm, friendly moms who are so calm even though you know that they have a very full life.  Besides being a wife and mom, she is a co-founder of Role Mommy and recently she started her own business, BeyondPR - an entertainment public relations and talent consulting company.  (Did I mention that she cooked two turkeys and a chicken for Passover?!)

-Kim Orlando: I've never met anyone as passionate about family travel as Kim!  She made me want to get on a plane and go somewhere.  (Which is no small feat - as I tell my husband, "I like to get away with the kids, I just don't like to travel with them" -- in other words, if teleportation was a reality, we'd be traveling all over the world!)  I really hope that her vision for her TravelingMom.com site becomes a reality (we came up with "a tripadvisor for families" being a good goal).  In any event, if you're a mom who likes to travel, I definitely recommend visiting her site and become a part of that community.

-Andrea Sertoli: One of the few men at the event, he is the President of Select Italy.  Select Italy specializes in travel and vacation tours (including family-friendly ones!) to Italy.  Andrea's excitement about his native country (he was born in Rome) is so obvious that it's no surprise that he has been on Travel + Leisure's "A-List" of top travel agents for six years in a row!  (On a side note, a group of my single friends are currently on a European trip.  One emailed me today to say that they loved Italy.  I think that it's a sign that I need to visit Italy!)

In addition to Italian travel, Select Italy also offers cooking show classes down in Soho (like the one I attended).  They are so much fun!  We were able to help prepare some of the food as well as eat it.  There's something really bonding about cooking together.  I had a great time with (mostly) people I had met before and I kept thinking, "this would be such a great thing to do with a bunch of friends...).  It's not cheap (it's $130/person), but the experience is definitely worth saving up for.  At the end, you get a copy of the recipes in case you want to recreate them at home.  (I think that it's okay for me to share the recipes, so let me know if you'd like the recipe(s) for the following: Insalatina con quaglia su cestino di Grana Padano (mixed baby green salad with roasted quail in a Grana Padano cheese basket); Gnudi con salsa di formaggio (home made "Gnudi" pasta with cheese sauce); Pesce al Cartoccio (baked fish with eggplants and tomatoes) and Mousse ai Baci Perugina (Chocolate baci perugina mousse).  

In any event, Select Italy has a class on September 4th that I want to go to.  Mom in the City members, let me know if you'd like to come too - it will be a blast! The show runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm (but my group got so "caught up" that we didn't leave until around 10). They also do catering and private cooking events if you're interested.

On another note, the chefs, Andrea Tiberi and Francescho Pellecchia of Eatalian Style were excellent!  They were funny, skillful (and adorable!).  Once I heard that Andrea, the head chef, had cooked for the Pope and the President of Italy, I knew that the meal would be wonderful (and I was right!).

There were other great women at the event that I wanted to write about because they are pursuing their passions, BUT this post is getting too long so I'll just link you to their sites: Barbara Jones of One2One Network; Gwendolen Gross, the author of The Other Mother; Rachael Herrscher of Today's Mama; Kelcey Kitner of the mamabird diaries (I met her twice in one week!) and Jeanne Muchnick  of So Little Time.

Posted by Kimberly at 09:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I took my four year old son to see A (Tooth) Fairy Tale.  Theatre is one of my favorite perks of living in the city and this was such a great little play!

Basically, the story is about a little boy (Samuel) who does not like following rules.  After setting a trap and catching The Tooth Fairy, Samuel trades places with her for a while.  (The Tooth Fairy was tired of doing the same old thing and needed a vacation herself!)  Of course, the role changes lead to some mishaps, but all ends well. 

All of the actors and actresses did a great job, but I think that the main reason I liked the play is that the Upper West Side was one of the focal points.  (The Upper West Side was the first place that I lived in Manhattan - as a student at Columbia - and it is still my absolute favorite part of Manhattan.  If I ever hit the lottery (which I don't play?!) that's where I would live as long as possible!)   I also liked the fact that the cast signed the kids' programs after the show. 

In any event, if you get the chance, I recommend seeing a Vital Theatre Company production.

Posted by Kimberly at 09:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have wanted to see the Enchanted movie since last month, but I couldn't convince my husband or older son to watch it with me.  (It's times like these that make me want a girl...or at least to borrow one!)

In any event, after hearing Judi from A Baby Boomer's Life After Fifty rave about the movie while we were on a panel together, I decided to stay up and watch it after everyone was down for the night.  I'm so glad that I did.  It was great!

I liked how the movie seamlessly combined animation with live action.  One moment, it's a traditional Disney fairy tale.  Shortly after, the soon-to-be princess (Giselle) ends up in Times Square.  All of the live action actors and actresses did a great job, especially Patrick Dempsey (he's so handsome!) and Susan Sarandon (she's one of my favorite actresses anyway). 

I won't give away the whole storyline, because I think that in this instance it's more fun to see it unfold without knowing what's going to happen next.  I will say that the things that I liked the most were the music.  I especially liked "True Love's Kiss" which reminded me of my wedding day -- the first time that I kissed my husband on the lips.  I also liked "That’s How You Know" which reminded me to do those special little things to make sure that my husband knows how much I love him.  I also liked the ending which was a refreshing girl-friendly alternative to the stereotypical prince saving the "damsel in distress".  I highly recommend this movie (even if you have boys and husbands that don't want to see it with you - you'll enjoy it by yourself!).

Posted by Kimberly at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Anyone who reads this blog on a semi-regular basis knows how much I love books.  I primarily like non-fiction for myself.  However, I love all types of books for my sons.  My oldest son Michael loves books too.  His new favorite book is a customized one, "The First Adventures of Incredible You" by Custom Made For Kids.

When I asked his opinion, Michael said that he liked everything about the book.  He especially liked:

-the picture of the Earth (He has been learning the planets dues to his fascination with Planet Heroes.)

-the bright, colorful animal pictures ("Oh I have to use my imagination," he said after I wouldn't tell him which image he was in the book.  For some reason, he made the little mouse be his little brother Sean throughout the entire book)

-the park (Overall, he most liked the areas in the book where Sean's name is mentioned with his, the main character.)

and 

-the basketball game (I had customized it to his dad's favorite team, the Knicks.  What can I say?  My husband is loyal.)

As a mom, I think that the writers (two Sarahs) and the illustrator did an amazing job.  The writing really makes kids feel wanted, special and ready to go on new "adventures".  They have more books coming soon which I'm looking forward to adding to the Coleman family library.

Posted by Kimberly at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you are one of those parents who love innovative, educational toys, you will love the new ThinkBlocks by ThinkWorks.

When we first got the set, I just let my son play with the blocks to see what he would do.  (He is very good at puzzles and games with definite answers.  That’s whey I try to introduce open-ended games so that he won’t become so rigid in his thinking.)  He had fun connecting the blocks (they’re magnetic); stacking them, spinning them around and making up roles for them (i.e. cars) – especially the large blocks.

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Saturday’s event at The Little Gym of the Upper West Side was so much fun!  Personally, I had fun catching up with moms from the past and meeting new moms.  I really didn’t get to experience the inside of the gym, but my husband and sons did.  I must say that (because of the nature of my job) my oldest son Michael is hard to impress.  So, it was a pleasant surprise to hear him rave about the gym's air raft.  My husband was impressed by it too since we haven’t seen it at any other gyms in the city.  (My husband’s description: “kids sit on it; then, the staff blows it up and it rises up in the air; then, the kids get to run or crawl across it; at the end, the kids sit down on the raft; it deflates and comes back to the ground”.)  were the highlights for my sonThe air raft, pizza and Valentine’s day cupcakes by TJ Bakery & Cafe were the highlights for my son.

Posted by Kimberly at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I'm not big on doing gift guides for every holiday.  I do like passing on good finds though.  I'm not a huge lingerie fan, but I (re)discovered recently that my husband likes it a lot.  (Men are really visual!)  So, I'm making more of an effort to stock up on some key pieces.  I like Victoria's Secret, but at a certain point, their products just tend to be "cookie cutter".

All that to say I was so happy to find Yumdrop.com, a site that offers both sexy and sweet lingerie.  I received their Ruffle Bust Chemise and it was a hit (with both me and my husband).  It was comfortable, flattering and my favorite color (pink). 

On a funny, mom side-note, the chemise comes with a thong.  Michael (my older son) came into our room the morning after I "modeled" it for my husband.  He looked at my panties (before I could put a robe on) and asked, "Where's the rest of your clothes?"  My husband and I started cracking up!   

Posted by Kimberly at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New York Restaurant Week is one of the most popular events in the city.  This year, the event takes place from January 21–25 and January 28–February 1.  During this time, you can enjoy three-course fixed-price meal ($24.07 lunches, $35 dinners) at over 200 top restaurants.

My husband had the 21st off for MLK day, so we went to luch at China Grill - New York, a popular, high-end Asian restaurant.  It was great!  First of all, the place was beautiful and the service was very attentive.  The food was also very good.  We loved our appetizer (spicy beef & scallion dumplings) and salad (crackling calamari salad).  The family-style servings were very generous.  The dumplings were served in a soy ginger sauce that was excellent.  The calamari was cooked perfectly (not too chewy/not too greasy) and the lime miso dressing on the salad was so good that I went back for more (and I'm definitely not a salad person).  The entree (sake marinated "drunken" chicken ) wasn't as good as the appetizers (we normally find that to be the case) but it was still good.  Our last course, the mango ice-cream dessert was also very good.  It came with mango, vanilla bean and raspberry ice cream along with some cookies.  It was a great ending.

China Grill - New York

Two tips in case you plan on going to Restaurant Week:

1. Be sure to ask for the official Restaurant Week menu when you are seated.
and
2. Save yourself some time in finding which participating restaurants are available at the time you'd like to make a reservation by going directly to OpenTable.com.  (Our first choice, Tao Restaurant wasn't available.)

Enjoy!

Posted by Kimberly at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The January issue of Time Out New York Kids has a funny tongue-in-cheek (I hope!) article about NYC parent stereotypes.  One type, "the posh mom" to whom "the finest equals French" will love the following products from Berjang USA...

Two lines which parents of young children should note are the Le Petit Prince Bath and Fragrance Collection and another line called Dessin Moi un Mouton (or Draw Me a Sheep).  Both lines can be used from birth.

Since my boys can only use fragrance-free products, I gifted some of the products to several Mom in the City families.  I received nothing but good reviews.  Le Petit Prince Foaming Bath Flakes received special praise for the fragrant bubbles that they created.  Dessine moi un mouton, “Draw me a sheep,” the Parisian brand bath, body and fragrance line, uses aromatherapy.  Dessine Moi Un Mouton For Night time uses chamomile for relaxation so that kids can sleep more soundly while Dessine Moi Un Mouton For Daytime uses grapefruit to help wake up the senses in the morning.
The thing that is especially great about all of the products are that they can be used on small children (which is especially fun for little girls who want their own "perfume") as well as adults with sensitive skin.

Berjang USA is the only U.S. distributor of the Le Petit Prince and Dessine Moi un Mouton lines.  

Posted by Kimberly at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In December, I read a couple of books that had some good tips worth sharing.

Think BIG and Kick ___ in Business and Life by Donald Trump and Bill Zanker was a good, quick read.  I have mixed thoughts about Trump.  On the one hand, I admire what he has been able to do business-wise and I like the way that he carries himself (confident, nicely dressed, etc.)  On the other hand, he definitely loses style points with me when he calls people childish names and verbally attacks women.  Call me old-fashioned, but I just don't think that gentlemen should attack women in the way that he does.  Anyway, back to the book. The things that I like the most are that the book encourages the reader: to think big; to really count the costs of success; to follow their passions; to trust their intuition; to be prepared for "luck"; to overcome their fears; to build momentum and to stay focused.  The only two points that I disagree with are the ones about revenge (they encourage it "in spades") and pre-nuptial agreements (they encourage getting one - actually, I won't say "they", I'll say "Trump" because this is the one topic that Zanker remains silent about).  In any event "success leaves clues" and both of these men are successful in their own fields (Zanker is the founder of The Learning Annex) so it's great to peak inside their minds a bit.

Another book that I enjoyed is the 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss.  This book provides some practicals regarding how to spend (moreso not spend) time at work.  It encourages readers to define what they're seeking; eliminate time wasters; automate as many things as possible, and find ways to work away from the office.  I really liked some of the time saving ideas like only checking email twice a day (I must admit that I'm an email fan, so I'm going to put that tip into practice).  On a domestic note, Ferriss mentioned that he only does his laundry once every two weeks.  I so agree with that.  My family has two weeks+ worth of clothing so I only do laundry every two weeks also.  My husband thinks that when we move into a home with a washer/dryer in the future, that I will increase doing laundry to once a week (but he's wrong on that point).  I also like how the book talks about automating things by outsourcing them.  Although that tip isn't especially practical for me (I'm not going to outsource my child care to India!) at this point in time, it is good to have that knowlege on file for future business ideas.  Overall, the book encourages people to take breaks/enjoy life now and not to wait until retirement to do so.  I was so excited about that concept that after reading the book, I asked my husband if we could go away for at least one month this summer.  (As a teacher, he has the perfect job to do so.)  Unfortunately, that won't be happening because he will be taking classes this summer.  As soon as he finishes school though, I'm bringing the mini-retirement/ extended vacation idea back up again.  I think that these are great concepts for families.  Now if I would only find a $50-$200 product that I believe in to sell online... (you have to read/skim the book to "get" that last point). 

A book that the men in your life might like to read is Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy.  My husband enjoyed it and we gave it to two other men who had expressed an interest in the book for Christmas gifts.

On the kiddie side, the top two books at our home were:
When Randolph Turned Rotten
and
The Shy Creatures (This is an especially cute story if you have children who tend to be on the shy side).

Posted by Kimberly at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In November, I skimmed several books but nothing really worth recommending on the adult side.

On the kiddie side, three books that both my son and I really enjoyed were the following:

-Pinkalicious (actually my husband enjoyed reading this book to my son a lot too!)
-Llama llama red pajama
and
-Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Posted by Kimberly at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, I attended a Staples event for online media, “How to shop for tech gifts…when you don’t understand tech!” 

It was nice to put a face to the names of some women behind some of my favorite NYC area blogs/sites like SavvyMommy (who recently had her third baby and looks GREAT), Cool Mom Picks (Liz was very friendly, very cool), Alpha Mom (she really is an Alpha Mom – she doesn’t forget anything!) and Twins & the City (Paris is a very nice woman – I would join her group if I had twins).

It was also great to actually learn some technology tips. (I am so not a gadget girl!).  Also, who knew that you could get such cool things at Staples?!  Of the four areas covered (Digital Cameras, Digital Frames, Portable GPS and Laptops), I was most interested in the laptops and digital cameras.  I’m not a big digital photo frame fan because I find the shifting images distracting.  Currently, I don’t need a GPS because I don’t drive.  (Hopefully, that will be different this time next year.)  I already have a camera and a computer but I now know what I want when it’s time to upgrade.

As far as laptops, I learned the following terms:
-Integrated webcam: Many laptops feature an integrated camera conveniently located right above the screen that easily connects you to family and friends through the Internet.

-Bluetooth: This technology lets devices to share information wirelessly. Laptops with built-in Bluetooth allow you to wirelessly connect other Bluetooth devices such as cell phones, PDAs, printers and mice to conveniently transfer and sync data without an external adapter.

-LightScribe: To avoid the hassle of printing CD labels, look for a laptop with a CD/DVD\ burner with LightScribe technology. This burns your media, as well as text and graphics, directly onto the disc’s surface for easy labeling.

Posted by Kimberly at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. Hasbro Tonka Wheel Drivers Scoot 'n Scoop 3-in-1 Ride-On: Recommended for children 9 months to 3 years old, this is a great 3-in-1 dump truck.  Both of my little boys love it!  They enjoy playing with the shape-blocks and playing with the steering wheel which makes noises, has lights, and vibrates.
APPROX. RETAIL: $ 39.99

Posted by Kimberly at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

To my surprise, this was the hardest section for which to choose items. I wonder why...

1. International Playthings Lift-Off Rocket: Recommended for ages 18 months+, this rocket, with a lift off sequence, rocket sounds and light up boosters, has been receiving raves from across the board.  It comes with 2 astronauts, a space dog, alien, dune buggy and moon crater.  
APPROX. RETAIL: $ 39.99

2. Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go Trike: Recommended for ages over 1 and a ½, this is a great, compact award-winning tricycle.  My son loved his as did his friends (they have both a boy and girl version).  It comes fully assembled for instant riding and folds up for easy storage.  It’s also reasonably priced, which is good, since most kids will outgrow it by the time they turn 3. 
APPROX. RETAIL: $49.99 (You can get them for $39.99 at Toys R Us.)

3. EEBOO Tot Towers: Fun for ages 18 months and up, these beautiful block towers are great at helping toddlers build language and motor skills.  (I especially like the award-winning “Read to Me” tower.)
APPROX. RETAIL: $24.95

4. Melissa & Doug’s Monster Bowling: Recommended for ages 2+, this set is super cute (and I don’t usually like silly looking toys!).  Kids love this colorful bowling set, which has a monster ball and 6 pins.  While they are having fun, the kids are also developing physical dexterity, which is great!
APPROX. RETAIL: $24.95

5. Imaginarium 5-way Giant Bead Maze Cube: Recommended for ages 18 months to 3 years, this cube is a better version of what kids normally play with while waiting in doctors’ offices.  All sorts of skills are learned and/or reinforced in a fun way. 
APPROX. RETAIL: $ 49.99

6. IQ Preschool Push Along Block Cart: Suggested for ages 2 years and up, this multiple award winning set include 36 hardwood blocks in 10 different shapes all within a wooden push-cart.  I like that it combines a pull toy, building blocks and puzzle solving all in one package.
APPROX. RETAIL: $49.95

7. Building sets by JAKKS Pacific: Specifically, I like their KnotWüd™ sets (recommended for ages 18 months to 7 years) which use a durable, soft (no hard edges!) and lightweight foam material created to look like traditional wood.  This line features foam puzzles, construction block sets and other playsets.  I also like JAKKS’ colorful new Gorilla Blocks™ which are large, lightweight (they even float in water!), interlocking blocks that allow kids to build almost anything that they can think of creating.  They are great introductory blocks for young toddlers.
KnotWüd™: Range from $2.99 to $19.99
Gorilla Blocks: Range from $14.99 to $49.99

Posted by Kimberly at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yesterday, I attended the opening of Hasbro's LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs Boutique in Manhattan.  The store is primarily geared towards girls (even though my son loved his pet dog and panda).  I was surprised to learn that this pop-up store will only be around for eight days.  Basically, it allows the kids to experience in real life the things that their VIPs (Virtual Interactive Pets) do on the computer. 

There were computer stations, an ice cream (not real) game, picture-taking and more.  Kids who complete each station get stamps that they can "redeem" for free t-shirts, mouse pads, pens and stickers (while supplies last).  Of course, the new line of VIP pets (cat, dog, penguin or panda) are also available for purchase at $14.99.  These plush toys are so cute ... they have these big heads and eyes.  They also each have a unique code so that kids can "adopt" them in their online world.  Although intended for kids 6+, younger computer-savvy kids (like my 3 and a 1/2 year old) will also enjoy them.

The LITTLEST PET SHOP VIPs boutique is located at 587 Fifth Avenue and will be open the following days and times:

Oct 19-20: 9am-9pm 
Oct 21: 9am-7pm
Oct 25-27: 9am-9pm
Oct 28: 9am-7pm

Posted by Kimberly at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Following are some books that I read last month that were good or great...

For Myself: 
-Heather Reider and Mary Goulet's It's All About You: Live the Life You Crave: This book (by two moms) gives practical advice to moms regarding how to be successful in every area of their life.  It's a good book overall.  However, in my opinion, it covers too many topics (money, sex, appearance, career, family, etc.).  I guess that it's good for those who like to dabble.  I prefer to go in-depth on one primary topic per book.

-Robin Roberts' From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By: I really liked this small book full of practical advice.  (I was pleased to see one of my favorite quotes as her #2 "rule".)  The seven rules are: 1. Position Yourself to Take the Shot; 2. Dream Big, but Focus Small; 3. If at First You Don't Succeed, Dive Back In; 4. Never Play the Race, Gender, or Any Other Card; 5. Venture Outside Your Comfort Zone; 6. Focus on the Solution, Not the Problem; and 7.Keep Faith, Family, and Friends Close to Your Heart.

-Lisa Kothari's Dear Peppers and Pollywogs...: What Parents Want to Know About Planning Their Kids' Parties:  This book is written by the founder of a great children's party website, Peppers and Pollywogs.  It provides practical advice and tips regarding planning parties for kids.  Some of the tips helped me with certain questions that I have had regarding parties as my children grow older (i.e. how to deal with siblings of invited guests, etc.).  I highly recommend this book as a practical guide. 

For My Sons:
-The Police Cloud
-Ginger Bear
-The Giving Tree (a classic!)
-Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You See?
-The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z  
-Big and Little
and
Punk Farm On Tour 

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I love it when moms live their dreams.  As such, I'm happy to announce the upcoming release of Karen Gurwitz' The Well Rounded Pregnancy Cookbook.  Karen is a really nice mom who is great at preparing food.  (I could hardly get my toddler son to stop eating the healthy, yummy food that she catered for an event that we attended!)

Karen, the founder of Mothers & Menus (http://www.mothersandmenus.com), includes over 100 recipes that are adapted to meet the many moods [Feeling Green (nausea) Feeling Blue (cravings) or Feeling Full (weight loss, or increased nutrients)] of expectant and new moms in this new book.

I love learning.  I especially love learning from people who've actually done what I'm trying to accomplish. As such, I'm vey wary of taking marriage advice from people who aren't married.  However, I'll make an exception for Mathew Boggs and Jason Miller, the bachelor authors of Project everlasting (http://www.projecteverlasting.com/).  Even though they're bachelors, they had the sense to ask over 200 couples who were married 40+ years for their advice.  Each of their book's eight chapters asks a question that is answered by the experienced couples. It's much more than a q & a though - you actually get to "know" some of the couples.  I walked away inspired by (and in awe of) many of them.  I feel challenged to have a marriage that will inspire others 40+ years from now!

Posted by Kimberly at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, I attended the launch event for "Little Scholastic".  It is an early-learning (for newborn through 3 year olds) program.  Books are the focus of the program, but it also has a dedicated web site (http://www.scholastic.com/littlescholastic/) which offers parenting tips, resources, message boards and more.

I read a few of the books to my three year old son.  They are simple, bright and interactive.  (They were a little too "young" for him, but I definitely recommend these books for kids up to age 3.)

Posted by Kimberly at 09:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

These days, my definition of a good book is one that I must read before the week is up (my standards have changed drastically since child #2).  Paula Deen’s memoir is a great book!  Her book is written in the colorful style that she speaks in and (seems to) live by.  She is refreshingly honest with her memories…from her struggles with agoraphobia after her parents dies to a foolish affair with a married man.  Recipes are sprinkled throughout the book to emphasize a point in the respective chapter.  This is also a great book for entrepreneurs because she candidly shares the various steps she took in her business from catering bag lunches from her kitchen to her restaurants/books/tv programs, etc.  She gives great, practical advice on both running a business and “running a life” based on her mistakes and successes.  The things that I like the most about the book are:

1. Her Southern charm – I love New York with all my heart, but I will always be a Southern gal

2. The fact that she started her business out of necessity later in life – In our youth-obsessed society, it’s sometimes easy to think that if you haven’t done something “great” by the time you’re 30 that it’s too late.  It’s inspiring to learn that Paula didn’t even start the foundation of her future successful business until she was in her 40s.

3. She is a hard worker – At the end of the day, the one common denominator of all truly successful people is that they work hard at what they do….Paula Deen is no exception.

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Now that we have two sons, my husband and I divide and conquer when it comes to bath time.  I wash the baby in the kitchen sink (in a baby tub, of course) while my husband gives our toddler son baths in the bathroom tub.  Our older son loves bath time, but he's been so attached to the new baby that he keeps wanting to run to the kitchen to see the little one's bath instead of taking his own.  This all changed last week when I received some Crayola products to review.  My toddler, Michael/reviewer once again, stays and plays happily in the bathroom tub.

Michael already loved the Crayola Bathtub Tints (now called Crayola Color Dotz) and hasn't taken a plain colored bath since he was introduced to them.  Now, Crayola has some accessories for the Dotz.

The one that my son loved the most was "ozzie the octopus spout cover".  It's this adorable little octopus that you place over the spout, you put one of the dots in his mouth and colored water comes out from his tentacles when you turn the spout on for bathtime.  Unfortunately, our tub's spout isn't standard sized so ozzie doesn't fit (to my son's dismay).  So, we now have an octopus on our (standard-sized) bathroom sink...not quite the same effect but it makes Michael happy. 

The next item that he tested was the "color dotz tub boat".  You put dotz into each of the boat wheels, pull the flag post, and put the boat in the bath water.  The boat then travels through the tub, coloring the water.  It works really well at coloring the water and is a fun boat to play with at the same time.  Michael really liked it. 

In addition to the two toys, Michael tested their "bath caddy".  It includes bath crayons, bathtub paints and a jar of the dotz.  Everything fits into a Crayola caddy that sticks to your bath wall with two suction cups.  All of the bath coloring items were fun for Michael to use.  Last, but definitely not least, Crayola included 30 packs of bath markers for attendees at our March playdate.  Crayola is the BEST!   Definitely look out for these products in your local toy stores.

4/20/07 Update:
Ozzie is being featured at Rite Aid from April through June and is now in line at Wal-Mart.

Posted by Kimberly at 04:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. All Star Gourmet Popcorn Comets: Popcorn Comets (http://www.allstargourmet.com/) are 4 oz bags of air-popped organic popcorn in four flavors - Sweet & Salty (cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla & sea salt); Spinach, Herb & Asiago; Hot & Spicy; and Sweet & Spicy.  The popcorn is low fat - 5 g per serving (no saturated fat) and high fiber - 3 g per serving. Truthfully, I'm not a huge popcorn eater...(My teeth are close together and I have to floss like crazy after eating popcorn), but my favorite flavor was the Hot & Spicy.  My son liked the Spinach, Herb & Asiago flavor well enough.  Visiting friends, who are really into healthy, organic snacks and foods, really liked the Comets.  Overall, this organic popcorn is a tasty, healthy snack for kids old enough to eat popcorn (and their parents!).  It is sold at Whole Foods and www.amazon.com.
 

2. Flat Earth Fruit Crisps and Veggie Crisps: These are Frito Lay's newest brand.  Each one ounce serving of the new “Impossibly Good” crisps contain a ½ serving of fruits or vegetables. Flat Earth fruit crisps and veggie crisps are available in six flavors: Farmland Cheddar; Garlic & Herb Field; Tangy Tomato Ranch; Wild Berry Patch; Apple Cinnamon Grove; and Peach Mango Paradise and retail for $2.99 (6 oz.). I sampled the Tangy Tomato Ranch and Apple Cinnamon Grove flavors.  I really liked the Ranch flavor.  I wasn't a big fan of the Apple Cinnamon chips, but my almost three year old son really liked them.  You can get a $1.00 off coupon for the crisps at http://www.impossiblygood.com.

Posted by Kimberly at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the last things that I wanted to do before giving birth was go to one more high/afternoon tea (one of my favorite things to do).  That's exactly what I did last Saturday with a close friend of mine.  We went to the St. Regis Hotel.  It was a little pricier than other teas in the city ($45+ per person before tax & gratuity) but I figured that it would be a really good tea.

Unfortunately, I was wrong.  The interior was nice, but since we were seated near the door we received a blast of cold air every time someone entered the area.  The tea selection was pretty minimal....I ended up with chamomile tea.  We received an assortment of bite-sized sandwiches which were fine, but nothing exceptional.  The scones and cream were good though, so that made me happy. None of the assorted pastries looked especially appetizing, so I (and my friend) skipped that portion.  Also, the presentation was confusing...it was a combination of English and Asian looking.  (The finger sandwiches and scone sides were served on long, narrow rectangular dishes?!)  The best part of the tea (besides catching up with my dear friend) was the attentive service.  Our waiter was great...it wasn't his fault that the meal wasn't great.

In any event, I would not recommend the St. Regis for high tea.  My friend and I rated our favorites (thus far).  Her favorite is Alice's Tea Cup.  My favorites are The Plaza (I hope that they still have high tea when they reopen in the Fall!); Alice's Tea Cup; Tea & Sympathy; and The Harlem Tea Room in that order.  If you're a tea person, you can also find pretty accurate reviews of NY tea places at http://www.teamap.com/states/state_NY_Name.html.

If anyone else knows of any great tea spots in the city, please drop me a line at kcoleman@mominthecity.com.  (I've also heard that Lady Mendl's has a great high tea...I'll try them next.) 

Posted by Kimberly at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As a mom, it can be challenging for me to go to the movies with my husband...that's my excuse for taking so long to see Dreamgirls.  Anyway, we finally went yesterday and it was GREAT!

I had read several reviews beforehand.  Practically everyone raved about Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy; but the rest of the movie had received mixed reviews.  So, I went in thinking that I would like the move.  I was wrong...I loved it! 

From the opening scene to the end, I was fully engrossed in the movie.  Everyone did at least a decent job with their roles.  Eddie Murphy did a great job.  Jennifer Hudson did an amazing job...she's a natural.  I had watched her on American Idol and she was a good singer then.  However, she has definitely grown.  It wasn't just her singing though...she's a natural actress.  She took over every scene that she was in, not to mention every song.  It's very rare that audiences clap in the middle of the movie, but we were clapping two or three times after Jennifer's singing.  It wasn't just the women....the men were cheering just as loudly. 

My husband and I left the movie singing (badly) and the songs stayed in our heads all day. In any event, I'm certain that there were some flaws in the movie, but the good outweighed the bad so much that I didn't notice the flaws.  If you haven't seen this movie yet, line up your babysitter ASAP and run to the theater....highly recommended!

Posted by Kimberly at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week, I went to a "Green Baby Shower" at the Prenatal Yoga Center (students raved about the center... http://www.prenatalyogacenter.com).  It was interesting to learn about "Green Gear" for moms and babies.  Some of the items that caught my interest were the following:

-The book, The Complete Organic Pregnancy. What I like about the book (besides the fact that it was written by two moms of young children) is that it allows readers to pick and choose (without feeling guilty) which areas of their life that they can go more natural.  As one of the authors said, "It's better to be 20% green, than 0%."
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060887452/The_Complete_Organic_Pregnancy/index.aspx

-Green Nest: Their goal is to create healthy homes. I especially liked their colorful organic baby accessories.  My toddler (who came with me) really liked their (beautifully illustrated) children's book My Body My House which teaches about the importance of a healthy home.  ttp://www.greennest.com/

-HappyBaby was also there with their fresh frozen organic baby foods.  They have been getting raves in the press. http://happybabyfood.com/

and

-Last, but definitely not least, you can't have a shower without food.  Catering was provided by Mothers and Menus.  Karen Gurwitz, the Founder, was in attendance and it was obvious that she has a passion (and the talent) for catering.  The food was nutritious, but also yummy.  I especially liked the sandwiches.  My son especially liked the strawberries, cookies and cake (of course!)http://www.mothersandmenus.com/

In any event, I left thinking of ways that I could incorporate "going green" into my lifestyle. 

Posted by Kimberly at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I picked up this book at the library and I was pleasantly surprised.  (I've been doing a lot of reading lately...perhaps out of "fear" that I won't have as much/any time to read after I have Sean in February.)  Overall, this book is about women facing their fears.  By nature, I'm not a very fearful person so I didn't think that the book would be that helpful.

As I mentioned, I was pleasantly surprised.  The book tackled fear on a variety of levels: about the body; about love; about parenting; about work; about money; about aging and illness; about God and death; about leadership and speaking out; and about changing the world.  After Ms. Huffington shared her thoughts on each topic, there was an essay from another prominent woman on the topic. 

Of the fears mentioned, I realized that I still need to be conscious of my fears regarding parenting (not so much that me and my husband will "mess up" our kids, but the fear of "outside" dangers and influences) and about aging and illness (moreso illness...it's disconcerting for me to think about the necessity of relying on others to meet my needs). 

In any event, the book isn't really about becoming fearless...everyone has some sort of fear.  Moreso, it's about facing our fears and not allowing them to rule our lives....a great lesson/reminder for women (and men!).

Posted by Kimberly at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Last night, our family attended the Eleventh Annual Halloween Celebration at the American Museum of Natural History (www.amnh.org).  It was a lot of fun.  There were a lot of performances, activities and characters throughout the museum. 

Last night, 10/24/06, I attended the AMNH (http://www.amnh.org/) Family Party.  It was excellent. 

On the second (ground) floor, families were welcomed into the museum with tunes by Jeffrey Friedberg and the Bossy Frog Band (http://www.bossyfrog.com/), a fun lively family music band, along with friendly stilt walkers.  The Butterfly Conservatory, which houses a variety of beautiful living butterflies and foliage, and butterfly origami were also on this level. 

The first and fourth floors of the museums were where the majority of the festivities took place.  I headed to the fourth floor first.  I stopped by the “Lizards and Snakes: ALIVE!” exhibition first.  The little boys especially loved this exhibit which was full of creepy, crawly actual lizards and snakes (behind glass, of course).  The dinosaurs, primitive and advanced mammals were also on this floor.  There were many activities from which to choose.  The more popular areas were the “Dino Doo’s by Cozy’s Cuts for Kids” where the kids were able to get cute, gelled-out hairstyles; the “Dino Tattoos” and the “Decorate Dino Cookies” stations.

On the first floor, I observed families with smiling children enjoying a variety of activities.  Highlights included the inflatable moonwalk, the “Build a Book” station by the Scholastic Book Factory, and the “Meet & Greet Joe from Blue’s Clues” areas.  In addition, the children especially enjoyed the music by Music for Aardvarks and other Mammals (http://www.musicforaardvarks.com/), clown performers and face painting.  Lastly, the great array of food and gift backpacks added to the evening’s overall festive mood.

All in all, it seemed as if everyone had a great time for a great cause. 

Posted by Kimberly at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I took my son to the preview of the Big Apple Circus’ carnival-themed “Step Right Up” performance at Lincoln Center last night.  It was so great!  The adults in the audience were having as much (if not more!) fun than the kids.  In fact, there were several couples that were there on a date without the kids.  The jugglers, acrobats and bicyclists were my favorites.    My son’s favorites were the performing dogs and horses.  He also loved “Grandma” flying through the air.  After the circus, he said “Thank you Mommy for the circus.  Good job!”  (That’s a pretty good endorsement from a 2 year old.)  Highly recommended.

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-Bugaboo strollers
-Mustela skincare, especially Dermo-Pediatrics
-Bumbleride Strollers
-Stokke Kinderzeat
-Bratt Decor Dick Crib
-Trumpette Mary Jane Socks (Babies & Toddler's now in stock!)
-Petunia Picklebottom Diaper Bags
-Oeuf Cribs and Changers
-Barefoot Dreams Blanket and Robes
-Beca Diaper Bags

Source: www.babyandmeboutique.com 

Posted by Kimberly at 03:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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4/25/06
Agent Provocateur has launched a range of maternity and post-natal lingerie. Famous for their beautiful bras and panties, Agent Provocateur has teamed up with maternity expert Dr Gowri Motha to create the line, which both looks great and is also functional. Find out more at http://www.agentprovocateur.com/maternity.php 

Posted by Kimberly at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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