October 2014 - Adventure, baby!

Month: October 2014

Top Books For Tots

October 28, 2014 / Family, Kids / 10 Comments

I love books, and I love sharing my love of books with Missy E. Since she’d sit long enough to pay attention, I’ve read her books. Short board ones to begin with, and now that she’s three, longer ones.

Here are some of our favourites to read together – maybe you’ll find a new book to try in our list!.

Not A Box by Antoinette Portis
A book encouraging imagination, where a simple box is a key to a fantastical world.

Meet Snugglepot And Cuddlepie by May Gibbs
This book is a sweet introduction to May Gibbs’ endlessly endearing gumnut babies. Join Snugglepot and Cuddlepie as they go on an adventure into the Australian bush and encounter a human.

The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss
The troublesome Cat shows up of at the house of Sally and her brother one rainy day when their mother is away.

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein
A baby kangaroo seeks independence one hop at a time, just like a toddler slowly gaining confidence and exploring their new world.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This little caterpillar literally eats his way through the book, and then turns into a glorious butterfly. My daughter’s current absolute favourite book.

Who Sank The Boat? by Pamela Allen
A cow, a pig, a donkey, a sheep and a tiny mouse go for a row. One of them sinks the boat – who was it?

The Story Of Growl by Judy Horacek
Growl is a little monster who loves to growl. When her growling causes trouble for her neighbours, she’s banned from growling. How will she get her growl back? This adorable story teaches accepting others for who they are, the importance of community and of considering others as well as yourself.

Where Is The Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
There are red sheep, blue sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep. But where is that green sheep?

Maple by Lori Nichols
A little girl and her tree grow up together, in this story of a free spirited and nature-loving child and her new sibling.

Hi, Koo! A Year Of Seasons by Jon J Muth
26 haiku poems about the four seasons, with Muth’s famous panda, Koo. A great way to introduce youngsters to simple poetry and beautiful illustrations.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Williams
Set in our old Brooklyn neighbourhood, Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat and leave somebunny special behind. Told through a combination of black-and-white photos and bold illustrations, this funny book tells a tale about what happens when Daddy’s in charge and things go very wrong.

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Scott Magoon
Poor Spoon. He thinks Fork, Knife and Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. This enchanting book is about embracing what it is that makes you special.

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
For all the mischief makers out there, join Max and the wild things in their rumpus. A classic book for a very good reason.

The Colour Thief by Gabriel Alborozo
Zot lives in a world without colour. He sees Earth, sparkling with brilliant colour, and sets off to steal some of that colour for himself.

Who Are You, Baby Kangaroo? by Stella Blackstone and Clare Beaton
A curious puppy goes on a journey to discover what a baby kangaroo is called, and learns what all kinds of baby animals are called along the way.

Llama Llama Time To Share by Anna Dewdney
Sharing is hard, but Llama learns that it can also be fun.

What are your favourite books to read with your kids?

7 Ways To Get Mums In The Picture

October 23, 2014 / Family, Kids, Photography / 18 Comments

I’m the picture taker in the family. Are you? Between my iPhone, DSLR and snappy camera, I always have some device in hand recording precious moments. While this results in gorgeous photographic memories for my husband, daughter and rest of family, it means I’m usually not in the shot unless I beg my husband to take one.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Sep 9, 2014 at 7:34pm PDT

The resulting images are predictable. One toddler who hates being photographed, combined with one husband who hates taking photos, and the photos are usually blurry, forced, or feature one very angry toddler.

I absolutely love photography. One of my biggest joys is in capturing moments for those whom I love. I also would like to be captured in moments too, however. When my daughter is older, I want to be able to hand down images of her childhood with us all enjoying life together, not just pictures of her with everyone else.

I want her to see herself and her mum, smiling, having fun, playing games and goofing around. Just the simple daily lives we lead that are precious to me, but that she won’t remember. So, what’s a mum to do? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and have been working on ways to include myself in the picture in ways that are natural but still telling our story.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Oct 10, 2014 at 4:50am PDT

1. The selfie
My daughter is 3 and now enjoys a good selfie. While she dislikes having her photo taken as a general rule, she adores when we take selfies together.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Sep 9, 2014 at 3:11pm PDT

2. Little rituals
Our daily family rituals include babyccinos made by Daddy, and ice tea drunk by Mummy.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Jan 1, 2014 at 6:35pm PST

3. Activity shots
Ask someone to take a photo during a “Mummy & Me” class. Cute shots guaranteed when a certain someone doesn’t notice the camera is on them.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:14pm PDT

4. My shadow and me
My tiny sidekick loves shadows and is delighted when the sun is in the right spot to throw her shadow long and forward.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on May 5, 2014 at 12:50pm PDT

5. While you were sleeping
I spend a lot of time strolling my child to sleep when it was the only place she would nap. When she was finally down I would reward myself with a treat, like this delicious ice cream.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on May 5, 2014 at 2:01pm PDT

6. Toddler portraits
My budding photographer enjoys pointing the camera back at me now. While she is slowly learning technique, the results are so entertaining, and I adore seeing how I look through her eyes.

A photo posted by Christine Knight (@christine.knight) on Aug 8, 2014 at 1:30am PDT

7. Make them laugh
When I ask my husband to take a photo with me in it now, I try and make a game of it for my toddler to get her over the hating to pose mood. In this one, we were dancing around the room and I pulled her down into a backbend just as my husband snapped the button.

What about you? How do you like to sneak into the picture?

Brooklyn Neighborhood Guide: Boerum Hill

October 21, 2014 / Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Bites, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

Residents of south Brooklyn love to talk about the “BoCoCa” neighborhood. Like all acronyms in in NYC, “BoCoCa” is made up of three ‘hoods that border on each other. You might have heard of the “Co” (Cobble Hill) and “Ca” (Carroll Gardens), but you might not have heard of the “Bo”, which stands for Boerum Hill. That will change today with our handy neighborhood guide.

Upper 90
This soccer store is loved by locals for more than just their large range of soccer shoes, apparel and other soccer-type items. Upper 90 has an indoor soccer field where they host lessons for kids, as well as open play for toddlers every weekday morning from 10-12 ($10).
359 Atlantic Ave

Betty Bakery
This is your sweet spot to pick up cupcakes, cookies and, in summer, strawberry lemonade. You can also try a slice of cake – we recommend the strawberry shortcake, with layers of vanilla cake, fresh whipped cream, and huge strawberries.
448 Atlantic Avenue

Nunu Chocolates
Handmade truffles and caramels await you at Nunu Chocolates. All chocolate is made in the store, so you know what you’re about to eat is literally freshly made. Grab a coffee, hot chocolate, croissant (and of course, a few truffles), and watch the chocolates being made in the back. Our faves: the salted caramels.
529 Atlantic Ave

Building on Bond
This hot eating spot is so hip it hurts. Locals stop by for coffee every morning, and brunch on weekends. As well as having delicious food, it’s reasonably priced (the brunch menu ranges from $6 to $12).
112 Bond St

Acorn
Stop by this toy store for a special gift. Acorn carries beautifully designed, handcrafted toys from around the world. You’ll find lots of wooden toys at Acorn, plus flying bird mobiles and nursery prints, including the Red Knit Cap Girl.
323 Atlantic Avenue

This article was first published on MommyNearest.

Day trip: Taking the East River Ferry to the Imagination Playground

October 18, 2014 / New York Food, Outdoor Play, Snack & Play / 0 comment

With the temperature (finally!) rising, life with a kid is all about finding ways to cool down. There are only so many times you can go to your closest splash park before you literally go bananas from boredom (sorry, it’s the truth!). So why not venture out of your neighbourhood to try something new? You’re not the only one who will enjoy checking out a new playground – and getting there and back is just part of the adventure.

A great afternoon (and cheap!) outing we recently took was jumping on the East River Ferry to Wall st/Pier 11, and the Imagination Playground at the South Sea Port. It’s worth noting that the ferry trip alone made for a great adventure for the kids. They were insanely excited to sit in a big person seat next to the window, and see Manhattan quickly approaching. There is a cool breeze through the middle of the ferry while it’s on the water that will make you want to stay on the ferry and spend the entire day just going up and down the river…

We decided to test drive the Imagination Playground because we really wanted to see how the toddlers enjoyed playing with the blue, foam blocks that the Imagination Playgrounds are famous for. Imagination Playground blocks are suitable for kids aged two and up to play with. They’re basically huge shapes made out of non-toxic lightweight foam. The blocks come in a variety of shapes (curved and sharp angles) and sizes, and encourage kids to use their imagination to transform their play space into anything they can dream up. A robot, a play house, an animal or rocket ship – the only limit to what can be built with these blocks is a child’s imagination.

The blocks are only one feature of this great playground. At one end lies a huge sandpit, with a ramp running over the top and a twisty slide that ends up back in the sand. In the afternoons, this section is fully shaded, so gives a great respite from the heat if you can just get your kid to stay there.

At the other end of the playground lies the sprinklers, and a whole host of kids of all ages trying to cool down. Tip: dress your kid in their swimwear and water shoes, so they can run around from one area to the next without dirtying their regular clothes. Don’t bother with a swim diaper (the kids won’t get THAT wet), but do remember a hat and the water shoes in particular.

My toddler’s splash park outfit this summer consists of a long-sleeved swim top (better sun protection and less time spent trying to cover her in sunscreen while she wiggles and objects), a swim diaper (I put it over her regular diaper if we are somewhere that only has a basic sprinkler as she doesn’t get very wet, just so she has something to wear that’s water-friendly with her top) a hat and water shoes (we upgraded to the Natives shoes after taking these photos because the water come straight out, so your kid can wear the shoes in the water, and then all afternoon without getting wrinkly, soggy feet).

One last feature of the playground is an array of pipes and turning wheels, that older kids enjoyed climbing and the toddlers enjoyed spinning the wheels. Like everything else at the playground, each item can be played with by kids of all ages and abilities.

Imagination Playground at Burling Slip
Cost: free
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Front St., John St., and South St.
Manhattan

East River Ferry
Cost: $4 per trip, $12 for an all-day pass
Hours: Ferries run ever every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 15 minute on weekends. Be sure to check the schedule and your closest terminal. The trip from Brooklyn Bridge Park/DUMBO to Pier 11/Wall St only takes five minutes.

A Star Twinkles in Williamsburg

October 18, 2014 / Indoor Play, New York Food, Snack & Play / 0 comment

There’s a saying that you don’t live in New York for the weather. The five months of this year so far have certainly proved this to be true, with a long, cold winter, snow and a ridiculous amount of rain.

So what’s a parent of a little kid to do, when it’s too wet, too cold (and now that the summer months are upon us—too hot) to play outside?

The answer? Catch the G (or L!) train to Williamsburg and check out the play space there, Twinkle.

Twinkle is a true family business, owned by sisters Vanessa Yee-Chan and Mieka John, and their father Victor John. The family has been part of the Williamsburg community for over 30 years, and decided, after noticing a lack of play spaces in their area for families to go to, to create the amazing world that is Twinkle.

Walking into Twinkle was literally like walking into a wonderland. Here is a breakdown of the many, many different areas of the playspace: Red Hot Fire House (a giant fire truck where kids can make the lights and siren flash), Stardust Tree Fort (a life-sized tree with a fort in its branches), How to Feed your Dragon (four 15-foot dragons that suck up scarves into their pipes and shoot them out the top), Pretty in Pink (a beauty parlour with crazy wigs), Brooklyn General Store (the most amazing kids store we’ve ever seen, stocked with play groceries and carts, and a moving conveyor belt on which to “buy” items after shopping), the Graffiti Studio (a dance room filled with balls and balloons), Gently Down the Stream (a water play station), The Hard Hat Zone (a sandpit with construction toys), Young MacDonald’s Barnyard (adorable pretend farm animals for kids 18 months and younger), and Twinkle Lounge (a place for parents to sit and relax, overlooking the playspace).

My toddler is 21 months old, and the perfect age to enjoy a lot of what Twinkle has to offer. The playspace is suitable for kids under the age of six, so they have a range of activities that children can enjoy depending on their age. My daughter in particular enjoyed the grocery store, the fire truck, the sand pit and the water play station. I enjoyed seeing her deliriously happy.

Twinkle is a membership-based play space, with a $25 first-time trial drop-in rate, which is exactly what we did to test drive the amazing space. You can also buy a six-visit pass for $130 if, like us, you’re not a local to the play space, but think you’ll be back a few times over a two-month period. The six visit pass is perfect for summer and winter in particular, if, also like us, you spend all of your time during these seasons trying to escape the excessive heat/cold.

Maybe we’ll see you there!

This article was originally posted on the MommyNearest Blog.

Big Gay Ice Cream: Kid-Friendly West Village, NY

October 18, 2014 / Manhattan Munchies, New York Food, West Village / 0 comment

Before I was introduced to the Big Gay Ice Cream, my experience with soft serve was limited to McDonald’s. I’ve never liked it, and was hesitant to try what I’ve always viewed to be ice cream’s second-rate cousin. I’m happy to admit I was wrong when it comes to Big Gay.

Owners have created a cult following in New York City for a very good reason. Their soft-serve is developed in collaboration with Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and includes fun and creative ice creams like the Salty Pimp (my personal favourite, which includes injections of caramel and sprinklings of salt, and then dipped in chocolate).

Big Gay in the West Village is my favorite outpost to visit. They have a large seating area and we’ve always found a table, even on their busiest days. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere quirky and fun, and the ice creams are just amazing. What more could you ask for?

Last bite: A unique spin on old-school soft-serve is a winner with all age groups.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop West Village
61 Grove Street
(at Seventh Avenue South)
New York NY 10014
Prices $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm-12am
Get directions

Milkshakes and Sundaes at Daisy’s Milkbar, Petersham (Kid-Friendly Cafes Inner West)

October 18, 2014 / Inner West, Petersham, Sydney Food / 12 Comments

I’m a sucker for a milk bar. I absolutely love milkshakes, sundaes and grilled cheese, so I was a little too excited to visit Daisy’s Milk Bar in Petersham.

This cutie pie milk bar has a retro vibe, with brightly coloured pastel booths and signs, a free cordial station for an extra sugar hit.

We arrived at prime lunch hour on a Sunday and had a bit of a wait for a table.

We ordered a kid’s Chocolate Milk Shake ($3.50), which was actually big enough for an adult, but Little E drank the whole think anyway, Avo Toast (seasoned smashed avocado on toast with heirloom tomatoes, $8.50), plus a side of Persian Feta, $3, and Eggs, $4, the Egg and Soldiers, $5, and a Mini Sundae (chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge sauce, flaked almonds and whipped cream, $8).

Our food arrived pretty quickly, and was absolutely delicious. The ingredients were all fresh and busting with flavour, particularly the tomatoes. The eggs perfectly poached, and the boiled egg for E was just a touch runny for dipping in the toast soldiers.

A shared sundae was a must, so we tried the mini one after breakfast. I’m a picky ice cream lover, and this sundae was absolutely delicious. The cream was freshly whipped, the ice cream very chocolately, contrasting nicely with the almond flakes for some added crunch. The decadent fudge sauce throughout was just to die for. Yes, I do love my desserts.

There is a large selection of board games that can be borrowed and played at the tables, as well as card games (we spotted UNO) and drawing materials.

It’s safe to say we’ve found a new favourite cafe in the inner west, and will be back again to try a bit more of everything (plus a sundae or two).

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Not exactly, but a lot of the food is suitable for kids.

Daisy’s Milkbar
340 Stanmore Road
Petersham NSW 2049
Ph: (02) 8065 3466
Prices: $$
Get Directions

Get Bouncing At Sky Zone Little Leapers

October 18, 2014 / Indoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

If your child loves bouncing like mine does, then check out the Little Leapers toddler sessions at Sky Zone Alexandria. Monday to Friday, from 10am-4pm, kids under the age of four (plus their parents) can bounce in a specially designated area just for them, creating a safe and less-scary environment for little ones to jump to their hearts’ content.

There’s no minimum age requirement either — any kid who wants to bounce under the age of four is welcome.

We took Missy E trampolining on her birthday — a rainy cold day in August — and it was the perfect diversion for an active child like her. She was content to bounce for the entire hour, only wanting to briefly stop for a water break. We had to bribe her with ice cream to get her out of there.

Helpful tips:

Each jumping session starts on the hour and last for an hour.
Get the most out of your money by arriving 10 minutes early to get socks and prepare yourself and your child.
Wear tights or soft, comfy pants.
Bring lots of water for you and your child — jumping is thirsty work!

Sky Zone Alexandria
75, O’Riordan Street,
Alexandria, Sydney
Hours: Mon-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-9pm (every day from 9am during school holidays.

Sky Zone Alexandria opening time toddler only areas
Little Leapers
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm excluding school holidays and public holidays.
$10 each per hour for you & your child (under 4) plus sock fee.
Walk ins only

Sun, Surf & Ice Cream at Manly: The Best Sydney Beaches With Kids

October 18, 2014 / Manly, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Ahhhhh Manly! A favorite destination when I was a teenager, it’s still just as much fun now I’m going back regularly with my child. Manly can be a bit of a tourist trap, so the key to a great day is all in the locations you choose to stop by on your day trip.

Best Lunch: Hugos Manly
When I heard that Hugos had been voted“Best Pizza in the World” at the New York Pizza Challenge and “Best Pizza Restaurant in Australia” on multiple occasions, I knew that I had to try it. While Hugo’s is a bit on the fancy (read: expensive) side, the Margherita pizza is massive and very affordable at $20. All of the food at Hugos is delicious – from the side salads to the fat chips and the fish that Alec ordered. if you’re after a special lunch or dinner, it’s a great place to splurge on a meal with a killer view.
Hugos, Shop 1,Manly Wharf/E Esplanade, Manly

Best Dessert: Ben & Jerry’s
I’ll admit, I became addicted to Ben & Jerry’s while living in the US. Back in Oz, it’s so expensive that I rarely eat it any more. When at the beach, however, one must have ice cream, and Ben & Jerry’s do ice cream like no one else in Australia.
Ben & Jerry’s, 27 S Steyne, Manly

Must-do: Walk along the beach
While I never swim at the main beach, I love to walk along it, and around the coastal edge to Shelly Beach. The water is gorgeous, it’s fun people watching, and the view is just divine.

On this walk you’ll stroll past the Fairy Bower Pool on Marine Parade, and “Oceanides”, a sculpture of a pair of bathers by Helen Leete which I photograph every single time I visit.

Further along the walk you’ll find more public art with the Ecotourism Walk by Tim Johnman at Shelly Beach (my favourite sculpture is the little squid), and the nearby Sandstone Sea themed boulder by Ishi Buki. (Check out more of Manly’s public art online.)

Best Beach: Shelly Beach
At the end of the walk you’ll find Shelly Beach. This tiny beach is sheltered from the wind, leaving the water calm and flat. It’s perfect for swimming with kids, and you’ll usually find it busy with young families in summer. The sandy shore is long and wide, with plenty of room for families to camp while their kids are playing. This huge amount of space also means the beach never feels overly crowded.

Bitton: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Alexandria

October 18, 2014 / Alexandria, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food / 0 comment

For a French-Australian inspired brunch, locals in Alexandria head to Bitton – particularly if they have kids. Parisian born owner and chef, David Bitton, serves up a delicious all-day brekkie menu including authentic French Crepes and One-Pan Bacon and Eggs. For a grab-and-go snack, you can try one of their daily-baked muffins, cakes and pastries.

Bitton Cafe is especially popular with parents with a great kids’ menu and a play area in the back terrace section, close to where parents can keep a safe eye and still enjoy a coffee or meal.

We arrived on a busy weekend at prime lunch-hour, but were still given a table quickly, and then moved to the section adjacent to the play room when I discovered it.

We ordered: French Crêpes with Bitton Strawberry and Vanilla Jam ($13), Eggs Cooked Any Way with Wood-fired Sourdough ($12.5), a side of Avocado ($4), Eggs Benedictine with Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Hollandaise Sauce ($18.5), a Babyccino ($1), and Pommes Frîtes ($8).

The food arrived pretty quickly for a busy day. It was all well-cooked, using fresh ingredients. My eggs were perfectly poached, the sourdough tangy with a crusty edge. My only criticism was of the avocado – it was quite under ripe. The French crepes were just like I remembered them to be from my last trip to France – thin, and served with a delicious helping of home-made conserve.