RocklandNYMom – Page 7 – Rockland NY Mom

CAMP Johnston is in Session!

Posted on June 24, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camp Johnston .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

WHAT A YEAR 2020 IS!!! So many things have changed!!!

Some of our amazing camps are open online and/or in person this year (click here for info on our directory), but Day Camp in the Park (where my kids go) is not. Which was smart for them, and fine for us because we couldn’t have sent our kiddos because (E) has some health issues. In lieu of camp, we are doing our own home camp complete with activities that we want to share for you!!!

First up is FISHING!!! Which is best done in the am before it gets hot, or in the evening.

Our kids are LOVING fishing. You can get your license online or over the phone (here) adults, and kids are free up to age 15.

You can fish at your local watering hole (where we have been catching Sunnies and Blue Gill like crazy- only snagged one Carp).

For information on how to catch and release and other information you can check out – HERE and then when you are done you can download the booklet, fill it out and get an official BADGE from the National Park Service!!!

What you need: (these affiliate links mean that if you go here and purchase something we get a small bonus)

5 ft Fishing Rod– We like the ugly stick- and recommend practicing casting in the back yard to start (our 6 year old does).

Polarized Sunglasses– You can see the fish a little better in the water with these, and they also double as protective gear in case you yank the hook out of the water.

Fishing Line– This 8 lb line will catch you Sunnies and Carp fairly easily- but you’ll need a higher weight if you go heavier.

Power Bait– It smells gross- but isn’t a worm if that’s not your thing. It works well, the fish eat it up (ha ha ha). But we’ve had some great success with sweet corn too!!

Multi-tool– Both of our kids wear these on their belts. They are great for releasing the fish back into the lake (without even having to touch them) and cor cutting line etc. We have found these to be moderately priced, and great to have in the outdoors. FULL DISCLAIMER- this has a knife on it and should be used only in supervised situations, our children are NOT allowed to touch them unless we are doing something outdoors which requires it.

Ponytail Hat– (E) and I love these for keeping the sun off our face and Hair off our necks. This one gives you the option of how high you want that pony tail and comes is many colors (which is (E)’s favorite fashionable part).

Enjoy the great outdoors, don’t forget your sunscreen and share pics with us we LOVE to see them <3 Also, remember hunting and fishing day at congers Lake is always during September if you would like to try it out for your first time <3

A sigh of relief…

Posted on June 23, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

On March 13^th the world changed. I don’t have to tell you, we are all living it. A slow re-opening is going on and we are all fearful that it may be temporary. Some are eager to get back to business as usual, others more cautious waiting to see what happens. We happen to be the latter.

You see, (E) is immunocompromised. She’s had health issues since birth, she’s always been the one to catch things, and when she does, its serious. We’ve been in and out of the hospital since she was 21 days old and it terrifies me. Not enough on a daily basis to keep her from participating in a normal every day life, but COVID has changed that. We were super careful from the start, but it didn’t save us from ending up at Westchester Medical for a 5 day stint in the middle of all of this. But this article isn’t about that really. SO MANY more people have it worse, they’ve suffered losses so this isn’t about my problems. Its more about solutions.

As a teacher and mom, I staggered through online learning like everyone else. I am finally getting the hang of it and NO I don’t want it to continue long term, but I can’t go back to normal yet either. I was so grateful for all of the activities that the kids participate in for finding ways to accommodate, and none more than the New City School of Music.

On the day that would usually be (A)’s lesson, we had decided that we had been scared enough and wouldn’t be sending him to drums. About to notify the school, we received a notice that lessons would be going online. Unsure what to think but glad that we had invested in a kit for home, we jumped on. Andrew and the school made the switch seamlessly. The lessons have continued to be excellent, right from the start, that first day when it wasn’t even a plan yet.

(A) has continued to work on his number for the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame this summer (which we hope will happen and we can attend). The school stepped out and added more incentives for the kids. Extra wrist bands that say “Hope” on them as well as bands for completing and submitting practice logs. In a time where their morale is low, it was a welcome challenge.

Now, as we look at reopening I receive an email from the school, afraid of what it says. (You see (E) can’t attend the in person dance recital that her school might have, she’s still at risk. She may not attend school in the fall. If she can’t, neither can her brother, they are inseparable. So he can’t attend the in person lessons yet.) As I scroll, I breathe a sigh of relief. Sam and his team are accommodating everyone. Kids have the ability to resume in class sessions, with several precautionary measures in place- OR they can continue to learn from home. I couldn’t be more relieved that my kiddo can continue down his path of learning with Andrew and the school, that he won’ t miss a beat (see what I did there) and that my baby girl will remain safe. Thank you to Sam and the New City School of Music, from the bottom of my heart.

For those of you wondering about their precautions, here they are:

We ask that every student upon arrival wash their hands.
We have complimentary disposable masks if you would like one, just ask the office. These are FREE for our students to use during the lesson (and can then be discarded), but you have to be a current student or family member of a current student to receive one.
We have (and have always had) plenty of hand sanitizer in each teaching room as well as the common areas.
We have additional complimentary 2 oz bottles of hand sanitizer if you would like one, just ask the office. These are FREE for our students to use during lessons.
We ask that for now you do not wait in the waiting areas, but that you wait in your vehicle while your child’s lesson is being held. What’s really cool is you can ZOOM into the lesson with your phone and watch every minute from your vehicle. If you arrive early, please either call or text the office to let us know that you are here, and we will let you know when your teacher is ready for you. Then, we will meet you at the door to escort your child inside.
Please keep 6 feet of distance from teachers, staff and other clients.
We (as we always have), are cleaning the schools multiple times a day.
Additionally we have hired a professional cleaning service to deep clean each school weekly.

Love what you’re reading and interesting in signing up for a lesson? Contact the New City School of Music today. They have great deals and incentives right now- AND we can’t wait for our trip to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame this summer where (A) will be PLAYING!!!

Call: 845-709-8383
Text: 845-499-2137
Email: office@newcitymusicschool.com

Pretty Princess Photos

Posted on March 2, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Photo Obsessed, Photography, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to take photos with IC You Photography.

Anyone who knows (E) knows that she loves dress up, that she loves lace, and accessories, especially a tiara, oh AND shoes. She is a horror loving girl, with a strong fashion sense (you should see her closet vs mine). What they may not know, is that she also loves Lacrosse. She plays soccer (yay, sort of) and swims well, but she loves Lacrosse. Only people who know us are aware of that. It’s no surprise then that when Isabella wanted to capture the two sides of several clients, to showcase some girl power she thought of (E).

The photos she envisioned were girls dressed up all fancy, with their favorite sports equipment. Isabella’s goal was to break down barriers and show the different sides of today’s youth.

As a female athlete I can say that I have dealt with my fair share of assumptions and discrimination over the years. It was not uncommon when I was in college for people to assume that because I was a female athlete that we must be gay or not be girly and have no fashion sense (well some of that is true… but luckily my daughter helps me with the fashion). Listen, I don’t care who you prefer nor have I ever, but assumptions hurt, no matter what they are.

Fast forward to NOW, to this new breed of girl. I am loving it. Our girls are not encouraged anymore to be tough or girly. It is accepted and praised to be one, both or none. In fact, more of my female students than ever participate in one sort of sport or another, and they are excelling at it. That’s what this shoot was about. Showing who you are.

(E) chose a REALLY girly lace pink dress and her favorite tiara for the shoot, and then brought her mouth guard, cleats, goggles and stick, along with her game face. The photos are simple, on a black backdrop so as not to detract from the subject. They are stunning. I love what they show about (E), and that it might just encourage other girls to be whoever they are as well..

CAMP SPOTLIGHT- Little Ivy Academy

Posted on February 7, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Real Summer Discovery,
Real Camp Fun Starts Here!

This Summer, Your Child Can. . . have a camp experience like no other when they join us for our all-new, limited-enrollment 2020 summer camp programs. . .

To discover more, either click on one of the colored links just below, or read on.

Summer Explorers, for campers entering 1^st-2^nd Grades
RealScience & Express Yourself, for campers entering Grades 3-5 & 6-8

Discover RealScience & Express Yourself!
for Your Campers Entering Grades 3-5 & 6-8

Your camper can actively engage in both the Real Discovery of awesome STEM/STEAM-based projects & the Real Fun of traditional day camp activities– all with a 21^st-Century twist– when they. . .

Build, Program & Launch sensor-driven, mobile LEGO Robotic athletes that battle for Summer Olympics glory.
Develop & Code an amazing array of fruit stomping, space-blasting arcade Video Games.
Craft & Produce Digital Stop Animation Videos with modern action heroes, princes & princesses, or a mash-up of both.
Invent, Code & Fashion awesome, wearable electronic creations.
Create & Deploy high-tech, 21st Century Spy craft on missions to root out the chaos-causing F.O.E. syndicate.
Design & Code Mobile Apps with a purpose, whether it’s to Protect the Penguins, Fund their Team Trip or whatever else inspires them to inspire their friends.
Program & Promote their own online business, from marketing to creating & coding their own attention-grabbing e-commerce websites.
Teach Their Computer a Think or 2, play games with them, answer chatbot questions, & more with the basics of creating & coding artificial intelligence!

. . . all in one-week camp sessions that also include plenty of time for our campers’ favorite outdoor games & activities. . . and a mix of projects from beginner to advanced!

You can extend your child’s camp day, too with our CarePass program! Pre-camp mornings starting at 7:30 am & after-camp until 6 pm.

Throughout the summer, we’ll be conveniently located on our Rockland County/Pascack Valley Campus, our Ridgewood Campus and our Montclair Campus in NJ.

Summer Explorers: Freedom to Discover!
for Your Campers Entering Grades 1 & 2

Your campers will have eight new & unique, one-week Summer Explorers Adventures in store for the 2020 summer camp season where their imaginations will take them to see the sights and explore the cultures of destinations far and near. . .

. . . with opportunities to also engage in hands-on, STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) and Arts-based enrichment projects where they’ll. . .

Invent, Construct & Play flashing, beeping electronic Boardwalk-style carnival amusements, building & coding with the littleBits electronic invention systems when We’re Down the Shore!
Build & Program sensor-driven LEGO Robots to field their very own team of Olympics athletes at Olympics Adventure: Game’s On! . . . a zoo-full of mammals, reptiles & birds for Destination: Animal Planet . . . and a rugged space rover during our Mission to Mars!
Create & Code their own animated World Music Dance Party where they can make characters dance, jump and spin to dance music from around the world and an interactive Travel Diary as they explore Europe, all with the age-appropriate Scratch, Jr programming language.
Design & Build full-size outdoor shelters, create & cook with a solar oven and capture water from the summer air, too during Survivor: Lost in Africa!
Craft & Launch awesome digital Spy Gadgets, simple machines with pulleys, levers & wheels and mini-catapults, too, while on the trail of an international ring of pyramid raiders!

. . . and more. . . with plenty of time for water play, crafts and other traditional summer day camp activities.

You can extend your child’s camp day, too with our CarePass program! Pre-camp mornings starting at 7:30 am & after-camp until 6 pm.

Throughout the summer, we’ll be conveniently located on our Rockland County/Pascack Valley Campus & Camp LIA in Ridgewood, NJ.

Contact & Registration Info

Online Registration/Camp Details: littleivyacademy.com/summercamp.html
By E-Mail: info@littleivyacademy.com
By Phone: 201-444-8400

Valentines Help for Spouses

Posted on January 31, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in RNYM's Picks .

Disclosure: This post is sponsored as some (not all) of the places listed are directory members, which says a lot because if we include them we approve and love them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Who is stumped as to what to get the woman in their life who has everything but time??? Well, I spent some time brainstorming an came up with a list of great gifts that I would love, so your momma may too!! The truth is MOST of these apply to the men in your lives too, sooooooo take a peek.

NOT NEGOTIABLE! Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Chocolatier-Matisse Orangeburg

You have to call in advance to order them, and I love them so much I did the ordering.

2. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS-

Guys there’s a reason we have a whole DIRECTORY dedicated to this. Moms. Love. Photos. And often times, we don’t even get to be in them. Whether she’d like an updated family pic, some of the kids or her and the kids, Moms appreciate the effort, especially since we know our men GENERALLY don’t love it.

It doesn’t even have to be a “Valentines Session”- Current sessions are posted below, but any photographer can do ANY session you’d like at any time, so check out their work (we have samples of each on the directory itself) and choose one you connect with.

3. Treat her to her “usual” place.

This is a biggie for me. RNYD always tells me to go, get my nails done, do my hair, go get waxed, grab a massage, or facial etc etc etc- BUT I don’t always have time, and I often don’t want to spend the money on me. A gift certificate to one of these places means I HAVE to go, I enjoy it and its already paid for. Special bonus points if you pay the tip too so I have to worry about NOTHING.

Here is where I go if you need suggestions:

Waxing – European Wax Center New City – I use Stephanie, she’s great. If your lady (or you) are looking for a new place the first waxing of one area is free for new customers, and give them my name (Megan Johnston- they like to know who sent them).
Hair– Joseph Taylor Salon New City– I ADORE Barbara who both colors and cuts my hair. She’s a real sweetheart and does an amazing job. I am lucky if I get there 2x a year though with my schedule.
Nails– Diva Nail Salon New City– (E) and I both love it here. It’s clean, and they do a great job. I do love how they pay special attention to my little girl who always wants a fun design.
Massage/Facial- I LOVE Carrie at the Wholeness Center for my Facials and Catherine for massage. They run a GROUPON every now and again that’s great.

4. Bring Dinner IN

Most guys think that a woman wants to go out for a special date, and while that is sometimes the case, bringing a well made dinner IN where I don’t have to cook and I can be comfortable on my couch, in front of the fire watching Star Wars can be just as dreamy. I KNOW my hunny would rather stay in than go out… so win win. No Secret Here, my go to is Luigi O’Gradys for that. Michelle and her staff have family meal deals with lots of CHOICES that are awesome every week day.

Family Dinners – $39.99 Each

5. PLAN THAT TRIP

She WANTS to go away, whether its with you, a friend or the whole family. Listen to her, what is she saying??? The older I get (yep 40 now) the more I value EXPERIENCES, TIME and SMILES.

Call Scott Walters (official travel agent for the RNYM Family) and get started with that trip today. Fortunate enough to take 2 trips last year we are looking at a few this year where we will use his expertise. Take that cruise she always talks about, head up to Rocking Horse Ranch with the family, maybe even o to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Scott can do it all. Scott@goawayoftentravel.com (845) 558-1225

(photo from my #fabulous40thadventure last summer in Greece and Rome)

6. GIVE HER A DAY OFF

Call Michelle Squiteri of Dutchmen Cleaning and have your house cleaned as a surprise. She will have more time to relax and spend with you. I LOVE every other Friday when I get home and I don’t have to worry about cleaning after a long week of work, I can just be present with the family. Its the perfect gift for working or stay at home moms.

7. Go to Dinner AND a show

Westchester Broadway Theater has some FABULOUS shows in 2020 and you’ve heard me speak of them before. For less than the cost of just a Ticket to a Broadway show, you can get dinner and a show, in a comfortable chair, closer to home. The food has been reinvented as of late (made to coordinate with the show themes) and is so good. The cast is always wonderful and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.

8. Make something 1 of a Kind

Parents (as you know) really appreciate this kind of stuff. Jills Ceramics has TONS of great things you can make to spoil that special lady (or man) in your life. Bring the kids to do it, or make a date with your honey to bring some wine and cheese and go together.

9. Something that Blings

This wasn’t my first choice because I need to really LOVE jewelry in order to want it, although RNYD is always happy to oblige. A piece of jewelry with the birth stones of my babies, is ALWAYS welcome. For this, we always hit up Rockland Staple Bourghol Brothers. The stuff is STUNNING, the family lovely and the price always fair. They have made items for our clan since before I was born, as well as my wedding and anniversary bands and so much more.

10. Food Town

Making your life a little easier this year, offering discounts on Valentines Day Gifts!!! Check it out!!

CAMP SPOTLIGHT 2020: Day Camp in the Park!

Posted on January 27, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Its almost never too early to begin planning and looking around for the summer… We have a whole directory available for you to take a look at some great camp options… Here is our first spotlight of 2020! This happens to also be the camp my kiddies attend and LOVE!!!

Day Camp In The Park is an ACA award winning day camp celebrating serving campers ages 4-15 for 40 years! Located on over 1000 acres on a protected nature site right on majestic Lake Tiorati in Rockland County. We’ve created every camper’s paradise for our children of every interest to learn skills, be safe, and have fun! With over 100 activities including Swimming, Archery, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Kickball, Skateboarding, Ceramics, Soccer, Music, Basketball, Climbing Wall, Woodworking, Softball, Batting Cages, Tennis, plus a fully certified Nature and Hiking program. Our campers play and make friends in our incredible forest setting featuring swimming twice every day in both our lakefront swimming dock and waterpark or in our massive in-ground heated pool, plus over 25 indoor cabins, and a boating center with over 50 boats! Certified teachers lead every group and we include door-to-door A/C transportation almost anywhere in Rockland, Bergen, Westchester, Orange, and Manhattan. Only 15 minutes from New City on the Palisades Parkway.

Take the Trip…

Posted on January 22, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Birthdays, Health and Wellness, Money Momma, Opportunities, Reviews, RNYM's Picks, Self Care, Services, Things to Do!, Thoughts.., Travel .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

A little while ago, I posted about how I am done giving gifts of “things” and am moving toward gifts of time and experience. I am about to turn 40. I don’t only believe in time and experience for others, I do for myself too. I’ve always dreamed of traveling, especially to Europe, but everywhere. For one reason or another it just hasn’t happened. Well with 40 knocking on my door I decided to do something about it.

EDIT TO ADD: I wrote and was supposed to post this article early fall, but I am kind of glad that I didn’t. Due to normal “Life” situations, I am more glad than ever that we got a chance to do Disney this year as well as to have taken this trip myself. I do not know when the next time I will be able to take the family on a trip or go myself might be able to happen. Those who know me know that I am not exaggerating, my new advice…..When you have the chance, Do it. I intend to try to figure out how to continue to travel, and bring the family along, but its going to take a whole lot more work now.

Due to unforeseen circumstances RNYD was not available to travel (which is cool anyway cause he’s much more of a home body), so I begged my bestie Michelle to come with me. I gave her a list of places on my bucket list and let her choose. I also wanted to hit up a cruise if possible because I have never done one. She was game, and she choose Greece. Perfect for a cruise, and really one of my top two trips.

We picked a cruise and booked it, since it left and returned to Rome and neither of us knew when we would be back, we decided to take 2 days to explore there as well.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

I will never book a trip with a travel agent other than Scott Walters (sorry dudes say what you will, he’s bailed me out 2x now).
Cruises are great because you don’t have to pack up your stuff every day to move, you have a home base.
You can make friends on cruises, which is neat for when you are done sightseeing for the day you can meet for dinner/drinks/dancing later.
Get the drink package (just saying)
Try all the different foods
Clarks are the best sandals ever (and yes you can find some that don’t look like your grandmothers shoes).
Greece is REALLY HOT in the summer so May or September may be better.
I AM OBSESSED WITH TRAVEL.

At each of the islands we went to Scott sent us 2-3 excursions that he thought we would like based on our “profiles” and we chose 1-2 for each. The tours that we took were so complete that I actually don’t think we missed anything, BUT we didn’t have tons of time so it was more like a taste test, I may have a list of places that I’d like to get back to if I ever check off my list the other trips I want to take.

Travel Agent Extraordinaire Scott Walters helped me out immensely on this trip, and I am so grateful. I have just reached out to him again, about a possible trip for 2021, that I would like to start saving for. I am so excited, and hopeful that we can make it happen despite our challenges. He’s been super helpful in understanding and helping us with the physical needs of our family, and I am hoping that his expert advise will help us to be able to make the trip happen for our whole family.

cott Walters (845) 558-1225

scott@goawayoftentravel.com

http://www.goawayoftentravel.com

A full service travel agent specializing in family vacations to amazing destinations. From simple weekend getaways to multi generational once in a lifetime bucket list filling journeys, Go Away Often Travel can get you there. It’s YOUR VACATION, let me do the work! Worth noting here that I always thought I couldn’t afford a travel agent. Turns out that you don’ t pay one, they are paid by the people they book your trip with. The few times I have reached out to him to see if he should be consulted about a trip and he couldn’t help me with a deal, he encouraged me to book on my own to save the money.

Crayola Factory Adds Preschool Pass!!!

Posted on January 22, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

This promotion is free admission for preschoolers (kids ages 3 & 4) and additional tickets may be purchased through our link (see the day trips page)! I’ve attached our promotion flyer and included the details below:

Enjoy a fun-filled day with your little one and discover the magic of color! Kids ages 3 & 4 will receive a FREE general admission ticket on weekdays, excluding holidays.
*Must redeem at admissions counter and present a copy of child’s birth certificate or passport to verify age. Not valid for groups, field trips, or previous purchases. Offer can only be redeemed Monday – Friday (excludes holidays) and free ticket is only valid for use the day it is received. Offer ends February, 28 2020.
Kids 2 and under are always free. Admission is required for all guests entering the attraction.

To a Cleaner, Healthier 2020

Posted on January 6, 2020 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Health and Wellness, In the Home, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Do you have anyone in your house with breathing issues due to Asthma and Allergies? When was the last time you changed out your pillows?

Little (E) was one of those unlucky kiddos that ended up with RSV when she was an infant. As a result she has asthma, luckily the kind that she’s supposed to grow out of, and it IS getting better. When she get sick though, she goes from about zero to 100 in an hour. A little cough can become pneumonia over night.

Over the years we’ve done things to help he with her allergies and asthma, like for instance she has an air purifier near her bed, got a vacuum with a hepa filter, installed a filter in our AC System, and also use non chemical cleaning aids. She is under a pulmonologist’s care, and we do have instructions for when she starts to get sick. Don’t ask me why I’ve never attacked her pillows before, because it makes sense.

The Average Household Pillow

(information from Spry therapeutics website)

The average pillow has 1 million spores and as many as 16 types of fungus.
After 12-18 months, a new hospital pillow is heavier due to human waste buildup inside the pillow.
The average pillow is used for about 3,000 hours each year, and with that comes 20 gallons of sweat.

This information has me acting like Leia on Endor “Somehow i’ve always known…”

Sooo, when I heard about Spry Theraputics and their PURE line I was intrigued. Their Nano-barrier keeps out allergens, viruses, and bacteria, while allowing the pillow to breathe. So, that thing that my kid puts her head on every night wont be continually soaking up all the grossness that comes to bed with her. Additionally, it won’t be spewing harmful bacteria back into the air as she lays her head on it like her current pillows are. You don’t have to wash them, except maybe topically with water, which is awesome because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve washed a pillow and prayed that it’s dry on the inside… The pillow is water proof, so sweat doesn’t get absorbed either making it heavy and gross, or allowing bacteria to grow.

BUUUUUUT, are they comfortable? Yeeep. The benefits are so great that I am wondering how all hospitals aren’t making the switch, especially during the current season of cold, flu and the dreaded RSV. My daughter now refuses to sleep without her “asthma” pillow. It was actually difficult for me to get the pillow so that I could try it out for a while, since my 6 year old reported that it was comfortable, and that she loves it, but I don’t feel like it was enough. I wanted to be able to speak for myself, to give you all a better idea. After all, this isn’t a regular old pillow, its an investment. Also worth noting that it comes in memory foam or polyfill and we have the fill (which is recommended for little people).

The pillow is light, and even the fill is plenty supportive (for my head). I don’t find it to feel “facility” like at all. With the case on it, it really feels just like a regular pillow, but I did really enjoy my sleep. My pillows are of course old and tattered, so this would ABSOLUTELY be an upgrade for me.

My conclusion. We’ve had the pillow about a month. (E) enjoys sleeping on it, and because of that I am going to replace all her pillows with it. I can think of a handful of people in my life who would really benefit from this. My mother who seems to always end up with breathing stuff (that’s just how she get sick), a few of my in-laws who also suffer from asthma and allergies, and even myself- and my son who don’t but I’d like us to live cleaner healthier lives.

EDIT: Over this holiday break BOTH of my kids ended up with respiratory sicknesses. My daughter recovered rather quickly, my son has been on antibiotics for 4 days, and finally went back to school this morning, only to be sent home for coughing. I am currently throwing out my old pillows and replacing them with these spryPURE pillows.

For more information on the spryPURE pillow please click this link: https://sprytherapeutics.com/pure/

Art Party!

Posted on December 5, 2019 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Birthdays, We're Having a Party .

Disclosure: This is an original post about parties that I have thrown for my kids. Some links included are affiliate links.

Last year (E) has become more and more obsessed with Art of any kind. She loves to color, she doodles even when we drive to swim or dance lessons. That means its the perfect theme for her 5th Birthday Party!!!

*I’ve begun a few pre-party rituals now like pajamas on theme for the night before- this year she got tie dye. I also made family shirts which included tie dye shirts and a funny one for RNYD.* (if you want family shirts but don’t want to make them yourself- check out MHC Creations.

I also found her the perfect dress for the day of :o)

I made a few art party games to play, and let the kids run around and have fun in the yard as well. Food was supplied by our favorite Luigi O’Grady’s. Whenever I need to throw a party Michelle and I engage in the funniest email strings. I tell her the theme and she makes suggestions, I just never know. Luckily she does. This time however it wasn’t too necessary except for some additions as (E) knew that she wanted chicken finger and fries since its her absolute favorite meal.

One of my closest friends is a CRAZY talented cake artist, who works at La Promenade in Tenafly, NJ so she always makes my cakes. They are not only beautiful one of a kind works of art, but they are so very good.

If you are looking to re-create any parts of the party and need supplies, click items that are “blue” as they will take you right to the item on Amazon. These are affiliate links.

*Note- at each station I had a package or two of Baby wipes on hand for clean up. Totally necessary.**

Ceramics

My kids adore Jills Ceramics (if you are a reader you know this by now). Although we wanted to do the party at home, we made sure to incorporate something similar as a portion of the party. If you are local, you can go to Jills and purchase the supplies for the party at home. If you are not local- the boots (or other item you may want to paint) Amazon. We chose boots because (E) actually LOVES SHOES (lord help me).

Here’s the links also to the brushes, paint, smocks, Styrofoam plates and sealant I had on hand.

Chalk Art

(E) loves to draw on the driveway, but RNYD despises it (see funny shirt I made with my Circuit cutter and some vynil). Sooooooo obviously we had to take the opportunity to make a driveway mess. I drew assorted frames ahead of time and then left out some chalk, some chalk paint, spirograph and stencils for the kids to have a blast with.

Photography (see a theme in my parties? its art LOL)

I used a large frame that I always put into the ground as a setup for photos, and put some photo props there for the kids to use. It’s super cute (even the adults jumped in).

I found my large frame at a garage sale, which is a great place, but they also have these fun and easier to store ones online: Photo frame

DECOR

I used things I had lying around like old paintings and frames (which I love) but here are the other parts that went into the great look of the party.

After a 2 & 5th birthday photo shoot with IC You Photography where they made my children Large age Numbers with their theme, I have been continuing ever since, putting my own spin on things. I made a lage 3 and painted it then hot glued some of the fake flowers on it.

Here are some of the photos from the birthday shoot with IC You– for the full story and all the photos CLICK HERE.

Here is my “5” with not so little (E).

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