Play with LEGOs at Snapology and Raise Money for the American Cancer Society This Saturday

BY  |  Thursday, Feb 28, 2013 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

NOLA HalfHere’s what the kids and I are doing Saturday: We’re going to the awesome new LEGO Discovery Center called Snapology to have fun and raise money for the American Cancer Society.

I’m going to write more about Snapology next week because it’s so cool it deserves a blog post of its own. But I wanted to get the word out about their fundraiser today.

Cedar Grove mom Melissa Skabich (see left) will be running the New York City Half Marathon for the ACS in a few weeks, and she and her husband are running the full in November. Her husband Paul (also left) lost his mother to cancer in December, and they’re passionate about the cause and determined to help any way they can. Her goal is in 2013 is to run 13 marathons, all to get donations for what she and Paul call ‘Team Determination.’

So they partnered with Snapology owners Donna and Steve Meccia who donated their space for the party. This Saturday, for $10 per person, families can head to Snapology to play, have LEGO building contests, do arts and crafts, eat snacks and win door prizes. Melissa’s three boys Paul, 9, Christopher, 7, and Evan, 3, will be helping with all of the activities. “They lost their grandmother so recently, so they’re eager to contribute to the cause,” Melissa says.

Come!

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The Modern Village Presents a FREE class: Divorced, Separated or Remarried – Now What?

BY  |  Tuesday, Dec 04, 2012 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Divorce is never easy. Even amicable separations come with complications and emotional baggage. With children in the picture, all is magnified. No couple, no individual going through divorce, needs to navigate the stormy seas of separation alone. Today, more and more couples are finding creative solutions for living together in peace, apart—but it’s a long journey to “happily divorced.” And finding an objective support network takes the pressure off those already dealing with new and uncomfortable situations. To help make the search for that support network easier, The Modern Village presents: Separated, Divorced or Remarried, Now What?

The Modern Village will gather together experts to the offices of umojawa in Maplewood, NJ to help families going through transition. Our goal is to help everyone involved – parents, children, extended family – come through the life changes to the most emotionally healthy – then hopefully happy – life possible.

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Black Friday Drop Off at Uptowne Girl Salon

BY  |  Friday, Nov 16, 2012 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (3)

How is it that Black Friday is almost already here? I haven’t had time to save money! Oh but I’m sure I’ll still find the resources to spend dough this holiday season.

I might just start at Uptowne Girl Salon. My 7-year-old twins love the manicures and pedicures, facials and up-dos there. See one of them during her Uptowne Girl birthday party last month at left. (I swear these children are not spoiled.)

If your girl would like some pampering, Uptowne Girl is offering a Drop and Shop day for Black Friday. All ages are welcome from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 23. The idea is that the kids will be supervised and have fun while their moms get two free hours to go shopping (or get their nails done). The cost is $30 per girl.

The children will get up-dos, make up applications, manicures, nail art, snacks and craft time. Space is limited, and Uptowne Girl asks that you RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the latest:
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Northeast School’s Anti-Bullying Program is Going Strong: RESPECT

BY  |  Friday, Oct 26, 2012 7:30am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Last year, Northeast principal Dr. Joe Putrino started a really cool program at our school called RESPECT. I love how it encourages all the students—including my kids—to choose kind words and actions and to speak up when someone else doesn’t. Children sing songs about respect, complete art projects, attend school assemblies and talk about it in their classrooms. This is such a kind and effective anti-bullying initiative—and Dr. Putrino offers it to the entire community, not just Northeast.

Alongside the principal, graduate students from Montclair State’s psychology department go into the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to ‘hang out’ during lunch and recess. Kevin DeJong is one of those folks and this year’s RESPECT team leader. “If I see a kid sitting on the field alone, I go up to him,” DeJong says. Usually, he manages to connect with the kid and make him feel better. DeJong adds that Northeast students are really aware of the program during its second year, and they’ve been more comfortable telling adults about problems that arise.

Wednesday was a big RESPECT day at Northeast.

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New Kids Yoga & Dance Classes at Montclair’s Boone Studio: Try Them Out for Free

BY  |  Wednesday, Sep 26, 2012 4:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

On Monday, October 1, Boone Studio moves into town—and the schedule is packed with kids yoga and dance classes. For the first two grand opening weeks, many of Boone Studio’s super fun offerings are free. Yep, totally free.

Owner and longtime instructor Hala Ghanem gave me the details on her new endeavor. She wanted to open a studio that was more mom- and kid-friendly. In her beautiful and huge new space on Church Street in Montclair, Ghanem will teach adult classes in one room while kids take yoga and dance in another. She planned the afternoon schedule this way so moms can get in a workout instead of just waiting around.

Adult classes—Vinyasa yoga, hot Vinyasa, Barre, hot Barre yoga, pilates and more—also run every morning. On certain days of the week, Ghanem offers childcare in a room filled with wooden toys. “They’re really nice things I’d want my kids to play with. No TVs!,” she says.

Her kids classes include creative movement for ages 2 to 3 and jazz and ballet combos for ages 3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 9. She also offers yoga for kids from age 2 on up.

Music Together of Montclair is partnering with Ghanem and will use her space some mornings.

Click to the jump to see the schedule, and be sure to sign up  for free yoga and dance classes online. Ghanem also says to check out her discounted opening prices. Have questions? She encourages you to call: 973-901-1392.

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What’s for Dinner?: Magic Bean Soup (aka Italian Bean Soup)

BY  |  Sunday, Sep 16, 2012 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Getting young kids to eat certain foods is all about how you sell it to them. When my girls were younger, broccoli was rebranded (by me) as “tiny trees”, and cauliflower became “snowy trees.” It worked a treat and they ate their veggies.

A friend recently gave me a bag of dried heirloom beans which contained a mixture of beautiful looking cannellini beans and borlotti beans—perfect for Italian Bean Soup. My girls are not fond of beans but when I announced we were having “Magic Bean Soup” they were at least willing to try it and heck, they even enjoyed it. Just changing the title transformed a bag of dry pellets into a mystical trove of jewel-like beauty.

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Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair Collecting Halloween Costumes

BY  |  Friday, Sep 14, 2012 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Halloween is right around the corner, just look at the shelves at most stores! Some families need help getting Halloween costumes for their children, so the Human Needs Food Pantry is collecting new and gently-worn Halloween costumes for its littlest clients. Please drop them off any Tuesday or Thursday, between the hours of 9 am – 2 pm, as soon as possible!

Human Needs Food Pantry Halloween Costume Collection
9 Label Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 am – 2 pm
(973) 746-4669

Rosh Hashanah: Vacation Camp Child Care Options

BY  |  Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 4:45pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Schools are closed on Monday, September 17  for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

If you need childcare, here’s a list of Vacation Camp options:

Little Live Y’ers Vacation Camp
Who: Kids ages 3 – 6.
What: A day filled with fun activities: swimming, gym, arts and crafts and more!
Where: The Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Monay, September 17. Kids can be dropped off as early at 7:30 a.m. and picked up as late as 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Members – $50 a day / Non-members – $60 a day. In order to reserve a space for your child, payment and a registration form must be completed for each date attending. Please register within 3 business days prior to the program date. Registration received in less than 3 days prior to camp will be charged an additonal $10 fee.
Download your registration form here. Call (973) 783-7640 for more information and to sign-up.

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Bloomfield PBA Take on The Puerto Rico PD in Softball Game Tonight for Tuesday’s Children

BY  |  Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 2:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

The Bloomfield Police Department will play in a charity softball game tonight against the Puerto Rico Police Department to raise money for Tuesday’s Children, an organization helping the families affected by the events of September 11th.

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Remembering to Laugh and Cry

BY  |  Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 7:00am  |  COMMENTS (1)

I ran to the top of Eagle Rock Reservation on Sunday with a group of other runners. Fleet Feet Montclair organized the event. When we reached the 9/11 Memorial up there, we all stopped. We looked at the skyline, forever changed. One of us remarked about the weather, and how it was so similar to that day eleven years ago. Clear, crisp, summer still holding on for life as autumn waited to take its turn. Then a plane flew overhead. Another eerie reminder.

I didn’t know anyone who died that day. I know people who knew people. That’s as far as my connection to the victims goes. But still, I mourn. I think about what happened that day and I still shake my head in disbelief. How cold that have happened? It’s still mind-boggling, even though we lived it. Thinking about it still evokes confusion, anxiety, sadness.

There was a time when we weren’t sure it was ok to laugh. When we did, it made us feel normal again, at least for a moment. The first time I truly laughed after 9/11 was shortly after the first time I cried.

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