How much to spend on Kid gifts?

We’ve got a whole bunch of birthday parties to go to in the next month.  Two just this weekend!  What is a good gift to get for a 6yr old? I hate getting gifts that don't have gift receipts.  They either really just awful gifts or items we already have.  By the way most times when you get gifts without receipts they are recycled.  Don't tell anyone but sometimes I recycle items that I don't like.  I feel terrible when I do because I hate it when I get them.  Most time I buy giftcards because it saves me on trying to think of something smart to get and run into the chance of getting something the birthday kid already have, along with something really small so they can open something.  Speaking of which, while I was shopping yesterday, I found these delightful coloring books, not your ordinary coloring book.  It encouranges your little one to think outside the box and can keep them busy for hours.  You can find them on Amazon.com or any local bookstore, from $8-$20.  Perfect for my little small gift.  How much do you spend on gifts? 

We are in May but believe it or not, I have mommy friends that are already planning for their kids bday for Nov!  We didn't throw a bday party for my daughter last year since it was around when i had my son.  Still debating whether I should throw one for the both of them.  Think it would be tacky to throw one for both in between their two birthdays - Sept 17 and Oct 29?

Boy left behind

A friend from work picked up her daughters from the daycare as usual yesterday.  As she drove into the lot she saw a little boy alone at the playground situated next to the daycare center.  She rushed in to pick her daughter as she did she forgot about the little boy.  As she walked out of the building with her girls heading towards the car she saw a boy still playing in the playground alone.  Just as she spotted the boy, she saw the director along with one of the teachers talking heading towards their car and she then shouted to them that there is still a kid in the playground!  Both the director and teacher scramble back to the building to get to the little boy.  As she was telling me this I was appalled.  He was left behind!  It gave me goose bumps as she told me this.   How can they forget the kid.  Why wasn’t there anyone watching?  Where was everyone?  Were they short staff?  That is no reason to forget a child!  I was flooded with question.  She then told me that it was impossible to miss the kid in the playground as you walk out of the building.  She then asked me if she should mind her own business or tell the mom and file a complain.   I told her that she should speak up.   I know if it was my little one, I would want someone to tell me about if they saw my child out there by himself.  Imagine if something happened or if someone snatched him?  What the informed parent do with the information would be up to them.   What would you do, if you were in her shoes?  I'm still a bit shocked hearing the story from my friend.

Happy Belated Mother’s Day

Happy Belated mother’s day to all the mommies out there.  Hope everyone had a beautiful weekend last week.  On the other hand, had one  Besides entertaining mom and grandma for the weekend, going in and out of doctor’s office and staying late at work, I'm finally catching my breath.  Is the worst when kids are sick.  They don’t sleep well, I don’t sleep well. 

Daughter came home yesterday from school with a big bite mark on her forearms.  This is her 3^rd time she got bitten at this school.  Whenever there is an incident at school, she is sent home with a letter with a report explaining what happened.  However, I felt kind uneasy still so I called to inquire if this is the same kid that bit my daughter.  They explained the situation that my daughter snatched a toy and the other kid bit her because she wasn’t sharing and no is not the same kid.  I know this is probably something that happens quite often among this age group.  Not sure which is worse, being bitten or bully?

Date Nite

Husband and I are going to go on a date and catch a flick tonight!  I think the last time, we went to the movies was maybe over a year ago while I was still pregger with my son.  Nope, can't tell you what we watched.  It was that good!   Tonight we are going to see "Fast Five".  It was between "Fast Five" or "Water for elephants".  I'm not a big fan of Robert Pattinson and the reviews were not too good.  Besides, who can resist Paul Walker?

We are going to rush home first from work, spend a little time with the kids, eat a light dinner, tuck them in and then head out.  Grandparents will be over while we are out.  Hubby installed a camera (FOSCam) in the baby's room so that we can check in and see how the baby is doing while we are out.  There is a phone app you can download for free, is call CamViewer.   Is password proctected and secure.   There is also audio sound.  How cool is that.  Tonight will be our first time using this device and app.

By the way if you are in the area check out the TriBeCa Film Festival - Family Fair 2011 tomorrow from 10AM to 6PM. There will be lots pf kid friendly activities at the fair.  We'll also have good weather.  The film festival last until May 2nd.  So if you can't attend tomorrow do try and go before it ends.   Hope to see you there.

Summer Ambition

I finally joined the gym today and took one of the aerobic kick boxing classes at Lucille Roberts! It's been almost 8 months since I had my son. I think is time that I got off my arse and got motivated. I don't intend on completely losing myself just because I'm a mommy.  I'll like to feel and look good.  Besides, I still want to fit into my pretty clothes. 

It felt really good to sweat.   As disgusting as it sounds, I was delighted to find my shirt drench!  Dawn the instructor was awesome.  Maybe that is why the class was so crowded.  Everyone's got the one mission in mind, for - swimming suit bodies!  You should see these women, they meant business.  And ME, struggling to keep up, fumbling with my steps and punches.   Whenever I falter I will check out my neighbor and got me focusing again.  I had a moment, an embarassing moment, but - please don't laugh.... I found myself unable to control myself when I was doing jumping jacks or any sort of jumping for that matter.  O-K, I mean down there. Other mommies out there experience this?

I have also joined the NY Road Runner and signed my first run in June.  So get myself ready for the runs, im going to alternate gym and jogging.  I'm so excited. 

Feeling the pressure

You get that guilty feeling at work as if you are not pulling your weight?  I joined the group early last year and then went on maternity in Sept.  Somewhat new in the group and then sort of not.  I work where men are the majority.   A lot of them single and/or young eager to prove themselves.  Stepping up and moving the bar.  Able to pull late nights and milk the benefits of free dinners and car service.  As well as go for drinks and smooch with the managers and bosses. And still be able to get in before I can.  I feel guilty leaving on the dot and dashing out.  I go home thinking about work and sometimes even dream about work!  How scary is that?  I get a guilty consious when I take days off.  Then when I return from missing out work a couple of days I get this terrible feeling.  I stay late when I can but I just can't help but wonder if just all me.  Is it possible to have it all?? Are there other moms feeling the same? Yes, I want it all. I guess you can if you can handle it.  Some people tell me to take it easy and stay as longest as I can.  Sometimes I feel like i need to look for something that doesn't require staying late and meeting deadlines. Then there is another part of me that wants give it the best.

Updated Hall of Science

The last time I was at the New York Hall of Science was over twenty years ago when I was in grade school.  For some reason I remember it as - boring and dark! 

We went this past weekend on Easter Sunday and it was nowhere near what I remembered.  Three words - educational, bright and modern!    I don’t know why I never thought of going and I pass by it every day.  Guess it never occurred to me - Hall of Science to be toddler appropriate and thought it was more for mature audiences.  Was definitely wrong.  There was plenty of things to do that kept the littles ones occupied.   I’m so glad my friend convinced us to go.  We were able to use our LICM membership to get discount tickets at Hall of Science - one free adult and child.  We purchased our membership in Long Island Children’s Museum in February and we’ve done so much with it.   We have user our membership several times already.  We were also able to use when we visited in Boston's Children's Museum earlier in March where we were in town visiting family and friends.   Great value and option to take your kids to.  For today's visit only had to pay $11 for the 2nd adult, Wyatt is free since he is still a baby.  NY Hall of Science was super easy to get to, is right off the LIE.   If you have enough time and feeling to do more you can visit Queens Zoo just down the block.  You can pay $10 for parking or do street parking.   We got lucky, the attendant wasn’t at his post so we pulled right in.  Surprisingly the place was pretty packed on a holiday but we still manage to find parking near the entrance.  Once you pay, they hand you stickers that you wear on to show that you paid.  Just as we pass the entrance and peeling the stickers to put on, we overheard 2 people ahead of us talking about sharing the stickers with friends waiting outside.  I know it doesn’t have anything to do with me but I don't totally approve the idea.  Would it bother you?  Do you think is ok for them to?

Anyhow, Megan had a good time running around with her friend.  She enjoyed playschool area, Great Hall and the playground the most.    We left at closing and just before the rain started to come down.  It was certainly a quiet ride home.  We will definitely go back again