Looking for a one-stop shop for eco-friendly, organic and natural toys for children? Offering wooden toys and much, much more, Rosie Hippo is a mom-owned online retailer of planet-friendly classic toys and games, as well as furniture and decor. Spark your child’s imagination today!
Check out their ABC Blocks with Wagon - a timeless toy sure to be a favorite for building, spelling, counting and stacking! Ages 1+. Let little hands explore the brightly colored Trix Triangle, which can be flipped into new shapes and tucks easily into mom’s purse to keep baby occupied while on the go! Ages infant+. For more nature-inspired toys for your children, visit www.RosieHippo.com.
Looking to spruce up your evening look? Trying to avoid appearing like you’re trying too hard? Avon’s Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner gives you just enough sparkle to differentiate from your daytime style without overdoing the glam.
When I saw the name on the package, I immediately thought to myself, “I’m too old for this”. However, when I tried it on – I was pleasantly surprised. It gives just enough shine to make it both fun and wearable. Avon’s eyeliner is long-wearing, water-proof, and smudge-proof and promises not to fade for up to 12 hours.
More often than not whenever Bill and I ask friends to join us out to eat… we end up eating in at their place. Too many people are afraid of taking their children to a restaurant and I just hate that we are losing so many dinner companions! Sure, I like the at-home play date. But every now and then it’s nice to NOT have to worry about the clean up.
So, what’s the secret? It’s really quite simple. Start them young! The more you try to shield your kids from the experience (because you think that perhaps they are too loud or wild), the less likely you will able to have a peaceful night out as a family. When Liam was 3 months old we got right back into the groove of dining out. It is now just part of our dynamic and they know nothing else.
You didn’t start ‘em young? No worries! There are a few tips I’d like to share.
Tip #1: Don’t sit your children next to one another. At first separate them. This will lead to less arguments – trust me. Each parent takes a kid. (If you have more than 2, I am sorry – but I can’t help you with that one – two will have to be together).
Tip #2: Choose a loud restaurant. For the time being, you have to let go of that quiet and quaint little spot where you and your husband first met. Reserve it for a date night. You need to be in a restaurant that is equipped for an outbreak. Something large and loud. It doesn’t have to be a chain restaurant – but those typically fit the bill. Pizzerias are also a good bet.
Tip #3: Try not to rely on toys. In fact don’t bring any. Yeah I said it. When you pack your diaper bag with a ton of toys, your child will bore of each and every one of them until you are left with none – and this brings on the tantrum. It’s just not an option! Use what you can at the actual restaurant.
For example,
Play peek a boo with your napkins
Play Eye Spy
Have your children clean the table
Let them guess which hand the ‘X’ is in
Play a counting game
That will buy you enough time to get their meal.
Tip #4: When you order your drinks, put in the order for your child. Restaurants ALWAYS bring out the food for the kids way in advance. They’ve played this game before.
Tip #5: If this is your first run – don’t order an appetizer. You have to ease your way into a relaxing night out as a family. Just deal with the main course. An appetizer can add an additional 25 minutes at LEAST. Not worth it until you are completely comfortable.
Tip #6: If the kids are starting to act up and their meal hasn’t arrived, ask the waiter to bring a bread basket. In NY, restaurants have stopped placing them on tables automatically (I guess to save money). However, if you request it, they will bring it. Another option is to take them for a quick walk or a bathroom break. Their attention spans are much smaller than ours. A trip to wash their hands can completely bring them back into focus.
Tip #7: If your child does start to throw a fit, remove them from the table and just step outside. Remain calm! It’s not the end of the world. You didn’t ruin anyone’s night – and trust me – the waiters have seen worse. Get your child back on the same page and sit back down with your party.
Even if you have to do this a few times the first night out – don’t worry! They will eventually learn how to act (the same way they learned how to behave in school or in church). Our little ones are smarter than we think.
When the meal comes, the kids are usually occupied. So you can take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.
And if things went really well and you are in the need for coffee – let them have a dessert. You all earned it!
Do you have any tips to share about managing kids in a restaurant? Share them here!! I would love to hear what you have under your sleeve.
Earlier today we took the kids to the NY Times Travel Show. It was held in the Jacob Javits Center and Bill and I decided it would be a fun Saturday activity. BESIDES – we knew there were plenty of vacation spots that just weren’t on our radar. What better way than to dive right into this crash course!
Well, talk about an insane amount of paper waste! I actually started to FEEL GUILTY about grabbing all the brochures. After I filled 4 bags, I decided I would just take business cards. I thought it would be environmentally friendlier if I got the information that way. {{{poor trees}}}
Forgetting that small little issue, there were plenty of things to do with the kiddies. When we walked in we were immediately greeted by two adorable penguins. Liam couldn’t believe it and truth be told, neither could I. I just thought it was going to be a bunch of booths with information – but there was so much more.
There were a variety of characters to take pictures with. Natalie threw her peanuts at Bill and jumped into Sponge Bob Square Pants’ arms. Not sure if he liked that so much – but we got the picture either way.
There was also a variety of shows to choose from. Dancers, singers and musicians from a handful of countries were present representing what their native land is most known for. It really was quite beautiful. If you aren’t a huge traveler, this is a nice way to get to experience something authentic without having to spend a ton of money.
There were also cigar rollers from the Dominican Republic and a group of Japanese artists that would write your name in their language. What fun!
Last but not least there was even a DIVING TANK towards the back. BeADiver.com gets the award for being the most creative when it came to fun things to do with the kids.
If a travel show is coming to your neck of the woods, give it a shot! You might have yourself an adventure.
The Radio City Stage Door Tour is a one-hour walking tour, lead by enthusiastic and expertly trained tour guides, and offers an interactive experience while visiting the venue. Our tour guide was named Alvin and boy was he one to remember!
My group (which consisted of Fit Celeb, 24/7 Victoria, Bronx Mama, Orange Juice And Biscuits, NYC Mama, NYC Single Mom, Gay NYC Dad, )explored the art-deco interior, learned the secrets and history of the Great Stage (one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world), and walked through the lavish private apartment of “Roxy” Rothafel, known as The Roxy Suite.
We even met a Rockette! They took pictures of us with her – but they weren’t developed in time. So Radio City promised they would mail it to us.
The best part of the entire tour HAD TO BE when we were allowed on the stage. As a joke I told the group we should all get in a line and kick out our legs and they AGREED. I thought that was so funny because I was totally kidding. Good times. Good times.
Don’t miss the chance to take the Radio City Stage Door Tour and experience this iconic and impressive theatre up close and personal. The Stage Door Tours depart approximately every half-hour from 11a.m to 3p.m daily.
Moms and babies will love Oh Plah™! – a stylish toy and teething cuff that can be worn by mom while out and about! For the little one that gnaws on everything, Oh Plah™! stays securely on mom’s wrist for those times when a clean object is needed to entertain and soothe baby! Super squishy, babies can chomp, bite and gum on this cool accessory when teething.
Even more impressive is that Oh Plah™! is free of lead, latex, BPA, PVC, phthlates and paint! Made in the USA, this eco-friendly toy is the winner of 7 industry awards and has been recognized with the Toy Man’s eco-seal. Oh Plah™! is also 100% recyclable., and once your child has outgrown its’ use, the company pays to have the Oh Plah™! shipped back to them to recycle into new products.
Vera Sweeney is a mom of two beautiful babies and the owner of I'm Not Obsessed, I'm Not Shopping and INO Mommy. She currently lives on Long Island and sleeps about 4 hours a day.
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