Free Kids Stuff:

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (83rd b/w Broadway and Amsterdam) has a program where admission for adults and children (all ages) is free on the first Friday of every month. We took the pumpkin last month and she had a blast. As it gets busy fast, we recommend getting there as close to 5 as you can, especially if your little one is under two.

Target First Free Friday! (Next as of this writing: Friday, September 4, 2009)
Children's Museum of Manhattan
(212) 721-1234
Admission is free from 5—8pm

Extra bonus? During August's event, there was a Time-Warner ice-cream truck outside (that isn't a typo) selling cups and cones of soft-serve for a buck!*

* More info on that TW ice-cream truck: One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to nonprofit organizations that offer science, technology, engineering and math programs for kids. Cool, huh?

As if you needed a reason to eat cupcakes...

Eat your Cupcakes for a Cause! Until Sunday, October 26th, you can buy cupcakes at a participating bakery and part of the proceeds will go to CancerCare for Kids. If you'd like to choose a more healthful way to help out, you can send an e-cupcake to a friend and $1 gets donated to CancerCare for Kids. I sent one to Columbia with a pumpkin I drew on it... or at least it looked something like a pumpkin.



Find a bakery near you or look below for NYC bakeries.

Amy's Bread
672 Ninth Avenue
New York NY 10036

Amy's Bread
75 Ninth Avenue, Chelsea Market
New York NY 10011

Amy's Bread
250 Bleeker Street
New York NY 10014

Baked
359 Van Brunt Street
Brooklyn NY 11231

Buttercup Bake Shop
141 West 72nd Street
New York NY 10023

Crumbs
Upper East Side
1371 Third Avenue
New York NY 10075

Crumbs
Upper West Side
321 ½ Amsterdam Avenue
New York NY 10023

Crumbs
Wall Street
87 Beaver Street
New York NY 10005

Crumbs
Bryant Park
43 West 42nd Street
New York NY 10036

Crumbs
The Village
37 East 8th Street
New York NY 10003

Downtown Atlantic Bakery
364 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11217

Dylan's Candy Bar
New York City
1011 Third Avenue
New York NY 10021

Ivy Bakery
278 87th Street
Brooklyn NY 11209
Kumquat Cupcakery
190 S. 8th Street
Brooklyn NY 11211

LaGuli Pastry Shop
29-15 Ditmars Blvd
Astoria NY 11105

Little Cupcake Bakeshop
9102 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11209

LuxSugar
PO Box 3164
New York NY 10063

Make My Cake Bakery
121A St. Nicholas Avenue
New York NY 10026
Oxford Bake Shop
104-01 Liberty Avenue
Ozone Park NY 11417

Petite Treat
26 Farrell Court
Staten Island NY 10306

Sweet Revenge
62 Carmine Street
New York NY 10014

Tribeca Treats
94 Reade Street
New York NY 10013
Whole Foods
Bowery
95 East Houston St.
New York NY 10002

Whole Foods
Chelsea
250 Seventh Avenue
New York NY 10001

Whole Foods
Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, Suite SC101
New York NY 10019

Whole Foods
Tribeca
270 Greenwich Street
New York NY 10016

Whole Foods
Union Square
4 Union Square South
New York NY 10003

William Greenberg Jr. Desserts
1100 Madison Avenue
New York NY 10028

Bein' a dad isn't so bad (except that you gotta feed em')

Friday morning I saw a subway ad for "New York City Dads." It's a city program designed for (surprise surprise) dads in New York City. I figured, "hey that's me!" so I checked it out. The site communicates a message that's more and more prominent lately (or perhaps I just pick up on it more now): Reminding men that they need to be daddies and not just babydaddies.

I'd like to think that I am there for Pumpkin as much as I can be, but I could always be doing more. The site has a lot of great suggestions, including 100 free or cheap things to do with your child in NYC, separated by age group. "The Ultimate Playground Tour" certainly piques my interest; a toddler version of the pub-crawl, trying to monkey around on 21 central park playgrounds in one day. Oh I am so there... with Pumpkin, of course. Obviously.

If you're a NYC dad or know one who is, please share the NYC Dads site with them. And here are a few PSAs from fatherhood.org. The second one is pretty much my goal when I come home each day. :)

NYC Dads: www.nyc.gov/nycdads

(Title from the Loudin Wainwright song, "Bein' a Dad". Thanks, Curtis!)

Get a Free Pumpkin (and other great free activities on Saturday)

I'm beginning to think you should never have to buy a Halloween pumpkin in New York City!  The other day I posted about Central Park's Halloween Celebrations where you can get a pumpkin at the Pumpkin Festival (next Saturday, the 25th).  Now I find they're giving away pumpkins at the Madison Square Park's Fall Kids Fest 2008 sponsored by Time Out New York Kids.  It's tomorrow (Saturday, October 18th) from 10:30 - 1:30 and there are tons of great activities planned, including clowns from the Big Apple Circus (um, and free pumpkins).

If you missed touring The Little Red Light House during Open House New York you have a second chance.  The Park Rangers are leading a tour tomorrow (Saturday, October 18th) from 1-4.  You can find out more details here.

I wish we were going to be here for the Pet Parade!  Our little Pumpkin would squeal with delight at all of the pets in their costumes.  It's at Hudson River Park's Pier 84 at 44th St tomorrow (Saturday, October 18th) from 1-4.  There's nothing like pets in clothes to bring a smile to your face and make you forget the chill in the air!

Posted picture used under creative commons license from Flickr user Brit.

Halloween in Central Park, a spooky good time

Central Park is offering fantastic Halloween events starting... well, yesterday.  Here's the line-up:

Halloween Crafts for Tots 

Thursday, October 23rd,  12-3pm at the Chess and Checkers House

Seasonal arts and crafts led by the Chess & Checkers House staff 

Pumpkin Festival

Saturday, October 25th, 3-8pm at Bethesda Fountain, the Bandshell, Cherry Hill AND the 72nd Street Travers (hay ride anyone?)

When Columbia and I went several years ago, sans children, it was definitely organized with kiddies in mind.  Now it has been revamped, and made later in the day, to include activities geared towards adults.  Events include a pumpkin patch (yep, with free pumpkins), haunted house and the popular Jack O'Lantern Tower.  If you still think you need to have kids to attend, why not volunteer instead?

Spooks at Belvedere

Saturday, October 25th, 4-8pm at Belvedere Castle

Belevedere Castle as a haunted house!?!  This we have to see!  Then we'll stay for the showing of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.  

Halloween Night Hike

Saturday, October 25th, 7pm starting at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center

The north woods at night?  Only with park Rangers leading the way and s'mores waiting for me at the end.  

Halloween Pumpkin Sail

Sunday, October 26th, 4-7pm at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center

Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away your pumpkin with me... and hundreds others.  There will also be storytelling, crafts, music and treats.  

All events are free!  Now if the Central Park Conservancy could just help me figure out Pumpkin's costume...

Leaving a tourism short list for visiting friends and family

My sister and her family are coming to spend the weekend at our apt for Columbus Day. We won't be here (more about that tomorrow) so we wanted to leave them a few neighborhood spots to visit. Here's what's making the list:

• Bagel Talk bagel shop
  It's not H&H, but it's not H&H's prices either. While a bit divey, the bagels are great (the ones that Zabar's buys even) and they have a huge selection of cream cheeses, including tofu.
  
  
• American Museum of Natural History
  Yes, it's a huge tourist destination, but there's a reason for that. It's AWESOME! It's also close by. As a "suggested donation" entry, it's the perfect spot to stroll around and pass some time on the cheap. I've also found that if you're not careful, you might just learn something. Consider yourself warned.
  
  
• Buttercup Bake Shop
  The cupcakes are delicious and reasonably sized at this West 72nd street cupcakery. We used to frequent Crumbs on Amsterdam, but you could choke a horse with their oversized $4 cupcakes. The cupcakes at Buttercup are about half the size, with a price that matches. Buttercup was a refreshing change, and they offer a 20% discount for teachers (which will come as a nice surprise to my bro-in-law).
  
  
• Riverside Park, during sunset
  It's such a beautiful stroll when the weather is nice. It's probably getting too cold now. As a reformed Long Island boy, my heart will always have a soft spot for beaches and waterways and after summer the park's groupies make their exodus.
  
  
• The playground at 77th and Amsterdam
  We've been itching to take Pumpkin here since before we were even expecting her! My 9 year old niece and 3 year old nephew are going to have such a good time!
  
  
• Arties
  Arties pseudo-authentic Jewish deli, that has some eclectic foods, great soups and enormous onion rings. It's is a fun place to go and has a little something for everyone. Plus, it's fun to sit in their solarium and watch the passers-by.
  
  
• Central Park
  Pack a picnic and find a patch of grass. Head over to the CP zoo, or just find yourself lost in this 843 acre oasis.
  
  
• IMAX Movies
  Who doesn't want to see a movie on a 7-story tall screen? If the weather punks out, it might be just the thing to do. Head down to 67th and Broadway on a Friday morning or weekend morning and see that first-run IMAX movie at a discount.
  
  
• Jeckyl and Hyde Club / Mars 2112 / Other theme restaurants
  While these aren't everyone's favorites (I think it's something New Yorkers or adults are too cool for) I would have killed to eat here as a kid! The closest I had to a theme restaurant as a child was Chuck E Cheese, a restaurant who's theme is "Mice"... Ummm, yeah, well we have some of rodent themed eateries too, I guess...
  

As I make this list, I realize there are so many more places to share and love in this great neighborhood and city! I'd love to hear what's on your short list for when company visits.

Come to the annual PS 87 street fair

I'm a little late to post this, but I hope not too late for you to make use of the info.

PS 87 Fun Under the Sun Street Fair
West 77th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus
Sunday, June 1st 2008 from 11am - 5pm

Come and support a local school, and enjoy the vendors, rides, food, games and crafts. More information can be found on the PS 87 website.

Hiatus

Well, it sure has been a while since my last post! I did get one out in September, but it's been a while since I've posted regularly. I do have good reasons though for my absence -- a) summer is over, b) I'm at a new position within the DOE and... what was c?... Oh right -- The Misses and I are expecting our first baby (a girl) in March!! We are both so excited, but time has already seemed to seep through my fingers. It's been a very busy few months.

We've also begun that conversation about where we will call home next year. We have our place until October '08 and then we'll likely move north or east. How far north or how far east will depend on what housing is like in September '08. We will almost certainly leave the neighborhood I've called home for 7-1/2 years, which is a little depresso.

I have all these starred blog posts to refer to when I get my head above water, but I thought I'd check in and give you the update. Greenmarkets, soup recipes, and organic shopping and blood donation will have to wait for now. :)

Free books for Kids this summer

Barnes & Noble is having a promotion this summer where kids read 8 books and they get one free. The books can be from the library or borrowed from a friend, so this isn't a buy 8 get one free kind of deal. It's a read 8 get one free kinda deal. Buy none, get one free... you get the idea.

Here are the shortened rules, go to the link for the fine print.

1. Kids read any eight books of their own choosing
2. They write about their favorite part of each book on a Summer Reading Journal form.
3. Bring the completed journal to a B&N bookstore between May 29th and September 2nd, 2007.
4. They get a coupon for a FREE book! (choose from a list of titles.)

Pretty sweet deal, and good encouragement to keep reading this summer. This is a good time to remind you to get your orders in for Book 7!


link: Summer Reading in the Magic Tree House

PS 87 street fair around the corner, literally, figuratively

Please note this is the 2007 school fair! For the 2008 fair, click here.

In an effort to highlight more local events, here's an annual favorite.

PS 87 Just Kids Street Fair
West 77th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus
Saturday, June 2nd 2007 (Rain date: 6/3)

I'm off to find a good community calendar and see what other local events are in store for us this summer.

Free Movies this summer!

Get out of the heat this summer and watch a family-friendly movie on the house! Here in Manhattan, it looks like the E-Walk is your only option (and not a bad one -- it's a great theater), but there are more in the boroughs. I have friends at Rising Sun Pictures who worked on the effects for Charlotte's Web, so I may get to see that one on the big screen.

Movies are weekday mornings (tuesday/wednesday in most cases) at specific times. Check the sites for specifics. Links below go to the participating theaters. [via Parent Hacks]

E-Walk Stadium 13
247 W. 42nd St.
New York ,NY 10036
212-505-6397

07/03-07/04	Curious George (G)
	Hoodwinked (PG)
07/10-07/11	Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (G)
	Open Season (PG)
07/17-07/18	Everyone's Hero (G)
	Happy Feet (PG)
07/24-07/25	March Of The Penguins (G)
	Barnyard (PG)
07/31-08/01	Charlotte's Web (G)
	Ant Bully (PG)
08/07-08/08	Trumpet Of The Swan (G)
	Ice Age: The Meltdown (PG)
08/14-08/15	Babe: Pig In The City (G)
	Flushed Away (PG)
08/21-08/22	Clifford's Really Big Movie (G)
	Over The Hedge (PG)
08/28-08/29	Doogal (G)
	Two Brothers (PG)

Link: Participating AMC theaters
Link: Participating Regal Cinemas theaters

Bringing the outside inside and the architecture to the yard

I sent these links to family and friends who are either with small children or expecting. The links offer a couple of fun ideas for decorating a child's room, and building the archetypal childhood fortress. Both links are from Lifehacker.

Build the Ultimate Tree House
I don’t know if this is the ultimate tree house, but it's a good starting point for anyone with a tree. And if you don't have a tree, it's not too late – operators are standing by.

Large Format Printing as Wallpaper
How cool would this have been growing up? If colors summon specific emotions, imagine what a photo could do. I’m keeping this one in the mental archive. My kids will have a picture of the vast and empty desert. If they don’t go fast to sleep, the gypsies might come out of the wall and take them back where they came from.

You'll never be rich as a teacher...

Growing up, there were four kids in my family. We always had food, electricity, clothes, amazing inexpensive outings (ie. camping, nature walks, etc), music lessons... I don't know how my parents didn't sell me to the gypsies after one look at my food bill, but I guess I should be grateful - I hear gypsies aren't the best chefs. Anyway, I definitely have a bit to learn from them about stretching a dollar.

"You'll never be rich as a teacher, but you'll never be poor." This was advice from my dad, also a teacher, about going into the profession of teaching. I started teaching as a new york city teaching fellow in 2002. I'm finishing up my fifth year in the New York City Department of ed. Due to corporate restructuring, I'm soon up for a change of scenery. More about that at a later date.

I am always looking for a chance to buy a home, but it comes as no great shock that two city teachers aren't going to drop 1.7 million on a two bedroom in our neighborhood. Maybe with the next contract, fingers crossed. Existing one-bedrooms in our neighborhood start at around 350k for a basic shoebox. Two bedrooms... well, let's say they're a bit more. Maybe 550+? I never see them even on the most pie-in-the-sky searches, so if I have to ask the price... well, you know the rest.

So I've been following a few finance 101 blogs these past few months, and thought I'd share them with anyone in the same boat.
They've already helped me to get my mind around money and savings, and hopefully you'll get something out of them too.

www.thesimpledollar.com - "Financial talk for the rest of us"
This guy must not sleep. He's always got great links and articles to share, and writes roughly 22 hours per day. All great stuff, and comments are usually filled with intelligent conversation.

www.wisebread.com - "Living large on a small budget"
Like the last one, the titles really sucked me in. I haven't been following this as long, but it's also great stuff. Not updated as often -- about a post or two a day.

www.babycheapskate.com - "Saving big bucks on baby stuff"
While we're not expecting, it didn't seem to hurt to get learned a little early. When everyone tells you that it's too expensive to raise a child in your hometown, you tend to get a little proactive in proving them wrong.