Tot Stops is giving away two gift certificates for one free t-shirt any style or size (shipping included).

My (Kimberly’s) older son (the ultimate critic!) received the Brooklyn Bridge tee in blue.  It was so cute that he wanted to wear it immediately (and repeatedly!).  What was interesting to me was that the thing that intrigued him the most was the "car" (taxi) on the tee.  The whole “Brooklyn Bridge” aspect of the tee was lost on him.  That’s kids for you!  As the mom, I liked that it was a quality (American Apparel) tee with a timeless graphic.  I can see this tee being handed down and looking just as cute and relevant on my younger son in the future. 

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"From Brooklyn with Love

Tot Stops is for hip kids everywhere. Created by two Brooklynite Moms, Illustrator Selina Alko and designer Jessica Sequinot, Tot Stops brings the energy and electricity of New York City to high-quality, home-grown t-shirts made in America.  Reinventing the souvenir t-shirt with designs from New York illustrators and artists and keeping it sweatshop-free, Tot Stops takes the t-shirt to a new level. Please visit TotStops.com for a family friendly guide of New York City."

Mom in the City members can enter to win the tees simply by sending an email to contests@mominthecity.com with "Tee" in the Subject line.  The winner will be chosen on March 31st.

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One mom will win tickets for two to Vital Theatre’s production of The Top Job.

The Top Job

The true account of what it takes to replace what may be the world’s most important light bulb.
Based on the Children’s book by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel with illustrations by Robert Neubecker

At Vital’s Theatre Company
The McGinn/Cazale Theatre
2162 Broadway (at 76th Street)

March 8th through April 27th
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Special school holiday performances: April 22 and 24 at 1pm

Tickets: $18; Group discount rate: $15.00 for groups of 10 or more
Seating is general admission; please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to curtain time to ensure seats together. For tickets visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 352-3101

Mom in the City members can enter to win the tickets simply by sending an email to contests@mominthecity.com with “Top Job” in the Subject line. The winner will be chosen on March 31st.

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One mom will win tickets for two to Vital Theatre’s production of A (Tooth) Fairy Tale.

A (Tooth) Fairy Tale
When Samuel and the Tooth Fairy arrange to switch places, nothing goes exactly as planned as adventures ensue on the Upper West Side and across New York City.

TRANSFERRED to Soho Playhouse
15 Vandam Street (Between 6th Ave. & Varick)
Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00pm
March 15th through May 25th

Special school holiday performances: April 23, 24, 25th at 2pm
Tickets: $25
Group discount rate: $22.00 for groups of 10 or more
Lap seat policy: Children under 1 who can sit on your lap do not need a ticket

For tickets:
www.vitaltheatre.org
Or call (212) 691-1555

Mom in the City members can enter to win the tickets simply by sending an email to contests@mominthecity.com with “Tooth Fairy” in the Subject line. The winner will be chosen on March 31st.

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One mom will win tickets for two to Vital Theatre’s production of Pinkalicious, The Musical.

*5/22 Update: Pinkalicious has been extended to all Saturday’s in August (2, 9, 16, 23, 30) at 2pm*

Pinkalicious, The Musical
At New World Stages
340 West 50th Street (Between 8th and 9th Aves)

Saturdays at 2:00pm
Sundays at 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Now through May 25th
Special school holiday performances: March 21 at 2pm, April 23, 24, 25

All Tickets: $29.50
Lap seat policy: All audience members need a ticket, even infants. Children under 2 may use a lapseat ticket for $20
For tickets visit:
www.vitaltheatre.org
Or call Ticket Master at (212) 239-6200

Mom in the City members can enter to win the tickets simply by sending an email to contests@mominthecity.com with “Pinkalicious” in the Subject line. The winner will be chosen on March 31st.

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I’m in a home cleaning/ rejuvenation mood, now that spring is around the corner.  My favorite color for the spring is yellow.  Following are seven home items that I have gotten or want to get for the spring season:

1. Swivel Sweeper: I don’t normally order things from tv.  However, I’m often pleasantly surprised when people gift me with such items.  One of the Christmas gifts that we received from my husband’s aunt was the Swivel Sweeper. We love it!  It’s a quick and easy way to clean the floors and the 360 degree swivel head helps to get in corners and such.  My sons think that it’s a game when I turn it on and like to grab/ "catch" the sweeper (they’re such funny, weird kids sometimes!).  After I finish with it, my oldest son takes "his turn".   

2, Floral pillow covers: I’m a flower and plant killer.  Even when I diligently follow the florist’s advice, I kill them.  Spring doesn’t seem like spring without flowers though.  I considered fake ones but that just feels so wrong to me.  So, I found a floral pattern that both my husband and I could agree on (the yellow one) at Pottery Barn.

3. Textured Throws: I love throws.  For the spring, I want a yellow one.  No matter what time of the year it is, I like having a throw on the edge of the couch to cuddle up under by myself or with the guys in my life.  Of course, with little kids around, throws take on multiple personalities (i.e. ghost covers, caves, etc.)!

4. Classic Stripe Shower Curtains: It’s something nice, clean and crisp about the right striped shower curtain.  For some reason, it reminds me of spring/summer on the beach.  Personally, I like green and white stripes because my bathroom tile is green and white.

5. Seashells in a Vase: I’m going to take a chance and place this in my bathroom.  I’ll just have to be especially watchful of little hands not knocking over the glass!

The last 2 picks are my husband’s practical home favorites from our recent shopping trip to Wal-Mart.  (We went to use a Christmas gift card.  That store is so huge that it’s overwhelming to me!)

6. Rubbermaid Food Storage Containers: My husband has a thing for Tupperware/Tupperware like products.  We had a whole set but over the years, the pieces had been loaned out for various reasons and people forgot to return the pieces.  So, my husband picked out a whole new set and has warned me not to give anyone, anything in them.  (He says that I should keep the "good" Chinese food containers to give food to people.  That way, he won’t care if we don’t get it back.)  He does have a point.  I’ll try to keep this set.  We’ll see.

7. Brita Pitcher: Within the last year, my husband broke one Brita.  Then, I broke the next one.  Instead of replacing filters, we seem to be replacing the pitcher every few months (?!)  However, this is one of only a few home things that my dear husband gets excited about.  Also, water is the drink in our home.  (This is one of the best habits that I’ve picked up from being married.)

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Underdog (Review by Toby Crane)

On the first viewing, the kids did not understand all that was happening in the movie, but my 4 year old was able to sing some of the theme song. His favorite part was the clip of the old cartoon, which helped him to see what underdog was. This original show, which had its original run in the late 1960s, was my favorite of all. Viewing the current movie brought back pleasant memories of being 3 or 4 in my old neigborhood while my best friend’s mom cut apples and PB & J sandwiches. Back then, I felt that underdog was a personal hero for me and my friends as we were not exactly in the social mainstream…

Fortunately, the mild violence and teen concepts in the current movie was a bit over my son’s head, but there was enough action to hook him. My 2 year old daughter also watched and focused primarily on the dog. Personally, I never knew how the underdog story started, but now I do. As a family, we look forward to any sequels. My wife’s only regret is that we did not see it on the big screen. The kids now go around saying, “Have no fear, Underdog is here!”

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Snow Buddies
Talking puppies and snow? It’s another heart-warming adventure for the Buddies puppies (Air Buddies). One mischievous decision takes a group of puppy friends from their hometown of Fernfiled, Washington to the Great White North – Alaska! There they meet some new friends, Shasta and his owner Adam who has been praying for five more dogs, so he can secretly enter a dog sledding race. The puppy crew learns that by doing your best, never giving up and lots of hard work anything is possible. By working together these new friends are able to help each other overcome many obstacles and achieve their dreams. This is a fun-loving movie to watch with the kids. Just be warned, they will be asking for a puppy afterwards!!

Bob The Builder: On-site Roads and Bridges
Bob and friends are off on their usual adventures. This DVD adds a little extra fun by taking us to real life constructions sites. Watch as real dump trucks, backhoes and cement trucks work together to build roads and bridges.

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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.

As I prepare my son for pre-school next year, I like the fact that the blocks can be used to teach a variety of concepts (i.e. similarities and opposites; parts and wholes; relations between objects and more). I’m not a “flashcard mama”, so this toy is ideal for me.

The set is a little pricey ($79.99) but it is a tool that can be used over time. As we were playing with it, I thought of how great it would be for an aging relative who is losing her memory. (Research shows that certain games help to keep the mind /memory in better shape.)

In any event, I recommend the ThinkBlocks for those who are trying to raise (or be!) great thinkers. The site thinkandthrive.com provides buyers with a large amount of different activities and exercises to use with the ThinkBlocks.

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Recently, there have been reports finding that phthalates (a commonly used cosmetic ingredient) can be damaging to the ongoing development of a baby’s reproductive system when applied topically in skincare products.

That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Belli Skincare’s new Belli Baby line for pregnant women, new moms and babies.  The line is 100% free of phthalates and other harmful ingredients.

The line includes baby wash Calm Me Hair & Body Wash ($18), Nourish  Me Enriched Body Lotion ($19), Pamper Me Talc-Free Powder ($14),  Protect Me Diaper Rash Cream ($12) and a three-piece Gift Set ($32).  First of all, I love the packaging with its old-fashioned images.  I also like that the products are pediatrician-recommended. The scents and textures are also great.

Belli also offers a Belli Pregnancy line.  Since my pregnancy days are over, I’m going to gift their elegantly packaged acne clearing facial wash ($22) and their bestselling Elasticity Belly Oil ($42) to one of my pregnant friends.

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I was able to go see this show with a friend.  The premise of the play is the interaction between three moms at a mother-son soccer game.

Before the play starts, the producers make it more of an “experience” by offering champagne.  There is also a small boutique with various “Soccer Mom” paraphanelia.  My favorite was the note cards that said something to the effect of “I can pencil you in between 9 and 9:15”.

In any event, the play is excellent.  Every mom will be able to relate to the age-old question “how did I get here?” that is raised in different ways by each character who feels like losing themselves is part of being a mom.  One mom contemplates having an affair because of her unhappy marriage (until she realizes that the man of her affections is married with a wife about to give birth!).  Another mom fails to go after her photography dreams and finds it challenging being a part of the mommy club.  She asks a really good question – Why do people assume that moms will instantly become interactive extroverts who volunteer for all sorts of activities if that’s not who they were before becoming parents?  The third mom, was a funny, self-sacrificing “room mom” who did everything for everyone.  The only unstereotypical aspect of her character was her (frequent) sex life. Throughout the show, I saw and heard the other moms nodding their heads and making comments in recognition of the universality of mommyhood.

In any event, both my friend and I had a great time. It was fun to laugh at and with the moms onstage. We both left glad that we still have some time before the team sports years!

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