Mommy Time/Work Time

My friend Nicole over at Momtrends has started a series of posts called “Mommy Time Monday” where moms are encouraged to share how they used their ”mommy time” (“me” time) during the last week. Honestly, last week, my mommy time revolved around writing/blogging commitments. I’m so fortunate that (for the most part) work and fun are interchangeable. Here are a few enjoyable work things that I did last week:

-On Wednesday, I attended a breakfast at Toys “R” Us to test out the new Disney Netpal by ASUS – 8.9-Inch Magic Blue Netbook – 5 Hour Battery Life with Michael. (It’s interesting because both Nickelodeon and Disney are offering laptop computers this fall/holiday season. Both have their pluses, so I’ll be comparing/ contrasting them closer to the holiday season.) While at the breakfast, Michael made himself an honorary member of the TweenAngels, a group of students who speak about cyber safety as a part of WiredSafety.org. (When the adult leader called the “kids” up to perform, Michael automatically went. I tried to get him to sit down, but they encouraged him to join in (as if he needed any further encouragement – that kid!).

I love information, so it was great to learn about the new product. I also met new people like Clarissa of PoshPreneur. She’s such a lovely, positive woman. I was also able to see several of my NYC-based blogging friends including Marinka. She makes me laugh every time that I see her and her son. He is also hilarious and definitely has his mom’s quick wit and wonderful sense of comedic timing. That’s a gift.

-On Thursday, I had the afternoon/evening to myself. First, I dropped by an event sponsored by Del Monte Fruit Chillers Freeze & Eat Tubes at the Soho House. While there, I received a manicure, took a picture of an ice penguin sculpture and chatted with my blogger friends. (I came near the end, so I think that I missed most of the action.) I love all sorts of frozen items when it’s hot outside, so I liked the fruit chillers. In fact, my son had a playdate at our apartment the next day. Between the two families, we ate a whole box (8) of the chillers. It was hot and humid in NYC last Friday. The other box that I received was “bartered” later that night for a DS game that I’m going to give away later this week. It was nice to get a little pampering. More importantly – since my manicures get chipped within a day- was the uninterrupted time spent chatting with some of my blogger friends who are moms, including Nicole and Amy.

-Later that night, I had so much fun at a high tea for Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box Nintendo DS video game. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I love high tea. I have been to many tea services in the NYC area, including the one at The Carlyle, where the event was held. It really is hard for me to have a bad time when scones are involved, but Nintendo really did do a wonderful job with this event. On a side-note, Nintendo consistently hosts great events. The thing (besides the high tea) that I really liked about this particular one is that it was a mix of people. There were some bloggers, but there were also several Meetup groups (including a murder mystery one) that attended. I also liked the competition aspect, even though my table lost. It was a great bonding time and the first place winning team members each went home with a DSi hand-held system. We all received “consolation prizes” – the game and a box of tea. I’ll tell you more about the game later this week and give away my bartered copy. In any event, it’s obvious that Nintendo puts a lot of thought into their events.

In addition to the food and games, the people made this event extra special. I had a chance to meet some wonderful new people – including Rebecca Rodskog and Joyce from Nintendo. I’ve e-talked with Joyce for over eight months, but this was the first time that we were actually able to meet. She’s just as sweet and considerate in person as by email. I also had a blast chatting with other friends. Although we didn’t win…according to the official photographer, our table “laughed the hardest” and “had the most fun”. I’ll take that consolation prize! Well, I was pretty clueless at the game, so I spent most of the time cheering my team own, eating and chatting. (Although Victoria and Aly were not at my table, I kept getting up to go chat with them too – simply because they make me laugh.) In any event, it was SO wonderful to be catered to – every mom needs that from time to time!