Reviews – Page 20 – Rockland NY Mom

Building a Foundation- Condors Swimming Month 2

Posted on July 2, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Classes for Kids, Reviews, Thoughts.. .

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

I promised you a monthly update on (A)’s progress so here we go…

I have to admit, I thought when the parents at the Condors Swim lessons warned me that we would become addicted they were joking. We had signed on for one month of lessons. At the end of that month (A) was doing so well and enjoyed it so much that we had to sign up again (read our review here). Here we are now at the end of month two, just having signed up for the first summer session, and here’s why.

(A) adores his teachers. I actually get in trouble if we are running late. At the conclusion of his classes, he always tries to talk me into purchasing another session for him. Finally, on days when he doesn’t have class, he asks if he can go.

Aside from that is what he is accomplishing during these lessons. At the end of month one he was looking good, starting to gain confidence in the water, even submerging his head. At the end of month two I can happily add that he is “swimming”. That is, he can put his head under water and kick at the same time. He is moving. I am actually so mad because the one lesson that I had to miss because of another engagement, RNYD took him, and it was the first time that (A) achieved this feat. I remember them coming home running in the door saying “I can swim!” RNYD came in right behind asking why I hadn’t told him that he could do that… The answer, he hadn’t done it yet.

So fresh off of his success he is excited to start intense training (4x a week for 2 weeks) in summer session 1. All I can think is, if he has done this well only attending twice a week, how much will he gain at the end of this session?

How can I tell he really loves it and wanted to do it again? He asked for the additional lessons for his birthday, in lieu of toys. That is HUGE for a 5 year old.

We are really excited too. Ashley mentioned to me during one of our first talks that once he was “swimming” the fine tuning would begin, and that is where we are. I cannot wait to see him continue to develop. He LOVES every moment of class and so do we (he even tells me I don’t have to walk him into the pool area anymore, he knows the drill).

The best part? I am glad that he is swimming and will continue to become a good swimmer. It’s a huge part of our lives (both grandmothers have pools). RNYD and I both swim well. More than that, he will be safer. Confidence and a good foundation in the water will give us piece of mind to know that we can spend time at the pools and the beach.

I am over the moon with his progress in the Condors Swimming program and cannot wait to post again in 2 weeks and show you more!

If you would like to see video of (A)’s swimming progress check out our YouTube Channel (just search RocklandNYMom)!

For more information on Condors Swimming visit their website at: http://www.condors.org or email them at lessons@condorsswimming.com.

Bounce and Jump Party Rentals- Review

Posted on July 1, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, Services .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are those of Ashley our writer.

Every year when June rolls around I try to think of a fun birthday idea for (W). As a June baby, I always think a pool party is easiest. No need for extra activities, kids will swim for a few hours, easy! This year, (W) said he didn’t want a pool party. So, I was stuck thinking of how to keep kids aged 1-16 entertained. Then I realized, bounce house, of course!

I got in touch with Phil at Bounce and Jump Party Rentals via email. He was quick to respond, and very accommodating. The following day his wife, Denise, called to go over everything and get our party booked. I was a little late booking (May 10^th for a June 20 party…oops) but they still had plenty of options available. Denise mentioned the larger houses sell out several months in advance, so definitely plan ahead! We chose the Large General Module Bounce House. They offer to add a banner onto the house to match your theme. They have 11 options and since (W) is a big Yankee fan we surprised him with a “Yankee bounce house” as he called it!

They also have a few concessions for rent. We added on a snow cone machine! They bring the machine, flavors, cups and you supply the ice. Unfortunately, about 2 weeks before the party we noticed a huge bee problem at our house. I was so scared of the bees being attracted to the sugar in the syrup we decided to cancel the snow cone machine to help keep the bees away. They were very understanding, and I was able to cancel without penalty.

The day before the party, Denise called to confirm all the plans for the following day. Phil and 2 others showed up the next morning about an hour before the party. It took them about 20 minutes to roll out and blow up the bouncer. Once it was up and running they spent another 15 vacuuming and wiping down the inside. Phil then went over the safety rules with us, and pointed out the rules are also posted on the bounce house for everyone else.

The boys quickly got in the bounce house to get some good jumping in before their friends arrived.

Just as the party started the rain came in, ruining the other games I had planned. Thankfully, the bounce house had a roof, and the kids just kept jumping! All the adults were huddled in the garage watching the kids having a blast jumping like crazy, un-phased by the rain. I don’t think the bounce house was ever empty!

Since the rental is for a full day, we had the bounce house for a few hours after the party, so even I got in a few good jumps! Another side note, Phil is so personal that he gave (W) a birthday present, which was a tote bag with a t-shirt, cup and basketball. (W) was beyond excited!!!

They have bouncers, concessions, tables, chairs and tents available for rent. You can check out their pricing and products on their website www.bounceshouserentals.com or call 845-634-1452!

“Traintastic” Chuggington Review!

Posted on June 25, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as Ashley and her family were invited for a ride. All opinions expressed are her own.

This past weekend we were lucky enough to attend the “traintastic” Chuggington event at the Catskill Mountain Railroad. My boys LOVE Chuggington, so I knew we would have a blast… and perfect timing as a birthday celebration for my oldest!!

We started our day with a quick hour and twenty minute ride straight up the thruway to Kingston, praying for sunshine the entire trip. When we arrived parking was ample, and quickly noticed there were porta-potties easily accessible (there is also a grocery store in the same parking lot with clean bathrooms and a changing table). The parking lot is also connected to the lot of a strip mall with a Blimpies, Bagel shop, and a pizza restaurant.

As we picked up our tickets, we were also handed Catskill Mountain Railroad dollars to be used at specific local restaurants, as well as our trainee name tags. Right behind the ticket tent was a shop to buy Chuggington merchandise, and the photo booth to purchase any of the professional photos taken throughout your visit.

There was lots of food available – hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, french fries, chips, and even a local pizza shop set up ovens and had fresh pizza cooking! Of course, don’t forget ice cream, which we couldn’t resist!

Since we had some time before our train departed, we decided to take a stroll through the tents they had set up. WOW! There were 3 main tents – one for each of the main characters in the show. Within in each tent the kids were challenged to complete a challenge to earn a “badge” (a bracelet ) and a sticker. Just like badge quest on the show!

In Wilson’s tent, there were train tables, and a big mat for the kids to build their own train tracks. The challenge was to knock down the flames with bean bags. Since this was our first activity, my boys were intimidated so I took the lead to earn our bracelets.

In Koko’s tent, it was a race! The boys quickly filled buckets with ‘coal’ and ran to dump the buckets and fill up the train carts earning a green bracelet and KoKo sticker.

In Brewster’s tent there was a big sandbox filled with trucks, trains, buckets and shovels. The challenge was to build a tower putting blocks in number order. This earned each kid a a blue bracelet and Brewster sticker.

In addition to the main character tents, there was also a tent with free face painting, temporary tattoos, coloring, and small band playing kids music.

We heard the whistle of the train rolling in, so we headed over to get in line. We were slightly disappointed when the train got closer and we didn’t see Hanzo, as advertised. But the disappointment switched quickly to excitement when the boys saw it was a steam train just like Old Puffer Pete! Phew.

We were able to get great seats on the train, on one of the open flats so the boys could see everything going by. The ride was a serene 30 minutes, through the town and along a wooded area.

The train cars were decorated with blue and white streamers and flags, to symbolize Hanzo. Over the loud speaker they played songs from the show, and the voice of Hanzo was sharing all of the information about Chuggington and events that were coming up next. They had ‘train workers’ (dressed like the characters on Chuggington) coming around interacting with the kids and singing along with the songs. Towards the end of the ride, each child was given a party hat and party blower to use at the next event – a surprise party for KoKo!

As we exited the train we were guided to tent for a show. There, we found Eddie with Brewster and Wilson gearing up for KoKo’s surprise party. The show encouraged the kids to dance, and sing along. After the show, all were welcome to come up to take pictures with the trains. As we left the show the boys were each given a certificate to color showing that they are Official Chuggington Trainees!

After the show, the boys couldn’t wait to get back into the 3 activity tents and do the challenges all over again! Also, we couldn’t miss our turn in the bounce house!

We spent a good 4 hours exploring and having a traintastic time! There are still tickets available for this Saturday and Sunday! They have trains running on the hour from 10am until 4pm. Check out catskillmtrailroad.com for tickets.

Dining Out on a Budget- Italiana’s

Posted on June 23, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Food, Money Momma, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as Jamie and her family were invited to a meal at Italiana’s. All opinions expressed are her own.

Dining out is one of my absolute favorite things to do. (T) and I lived in NYC for 10 years and I had the time of my life eating my way through all the delectable food that city has to offer. I am an avid runner and (T) is a recreational biker, but the dirty truth is that the ONLY reason either of us does any type of physical activity is simply to eat more. Yes, we are foodies. So upon becoming parents, we very quickly had to learn how to combine my love of dining out, with (T)’s love of saving money. Over the course of the next few weeks, the Money Momma will be sharing some of her favorite local restaurant picks, meaning they are both family friendly and affordable, as well as tips for dining out while staying on budget.

Tip #1: Choose a restaurant that serves family style

One of my best tips for keeping dining out affordable is to choose a restaurant that has a “served family style” option. It’s rare that either (R) or (S) eats their entire dinner, even a kid’s meal. We constantly order them each a meal upon their insistence that they are hungry and without fail we pay for a half-eaten grilled cheese. When we order family style, the meal comes in a large size and everyone shares. Italiana’s in New City is not only family friendly and delicious, but they have one of the best family style dinner deals in town. If you purchase a family style entree, you get a FAMILY SIZE pasta side dish for FREE! This is enough food for at least 2 meals for our family of 4. We have ordered this way several times and so far we have not had one thing that wasn’t insanely good. This deal applies to both eat in or take-out so it can be taken advantage of for a family night out or a quick stop on the way home from life.

If dining in is the experience you are looking for, this is a fantastic place to bring a family, have a date night, or even a girls night out. The main floor of the restaurant is spacious and there is also a gorgeous outdoor patio that is very quiet and has a bit of a romantic feel. (R) and (S) enjoyed watching the chefs cook their famous brick oven pizza (you can see the whole thing from the dining room) while (T) and I perused the more adult items. No matter what your drink of choice is, Italiana’s is likely to have it. They also have their own specialty drinks and a martini list. You can enjoy a history lesson in alcohol while reading their drink menu.

3 year old (S) is not very patient when it comes to waiting for his food (and really neither am I) so we really enjoyed the bread while we read the menu. As the waiter (who was quick and accurate) began to tell us the specials, which change every day, (R) began to chant “pizza, pizza, pizza”. We always have a temporary moment of panic when dining out with (R) because there are very few things she will eat. Italiana’s is always a good choice for us because they have pizza! The server even winked at us and said “I’ll tell them to leave the basil off.”

Since we were there to sample their food for this piece, we stuck to things that could feed a family of 4 for at least 2 meals. (T) and I chose a Caesar salad to share (this could have been an entree; it was so big), chicken parmesan, and a pasta Bolognese. The mozzarella cheese was so good we wanted to eat it by itself. And don’t even get us started on the desserts – Oreo stuffed zeppoles! The perfect size for (R) and (S)…

Throughout dinner, we routinely commented on how we felt like we were dining with our pretend big Italian family. The staff was happy to see all of their customers come in, many customers requesting their favorite server or favorite table (its always good to see returning customers, it means people like it). We even watched as 3 staff members respond super quickly and attentively to seat a walk in party of eleven, who brought diners ranging in age from 6 months to 80 years. It should also be noted that Italiana’s is fully equipped with a party room and complete audio visual equipment setup for any type of larger event. I would happily plan a baby shower here any time!

As we were gathering our four bags of leftovers (R) said to us “Wow. Their food was really good.” Enough said. (T) and I were able to have an “adult” meal with our kids. Fabulous food (no waste), great atmosphere, affordable, happy all around.

Enter RNYM’s Italiana’s giveaway! Give this post a like, a comment, and share on your own timeline for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Italianas!! Drawing to be done by third party website on 6/25/15.

Dino Days Train Ride Review!

Posted on June 17, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited on the Dino Days Train Ride. All opinions expressed are my own!

This past weekend we were lucky enough to attend the Dino Days Train Ride at the Delaware River Railroad excursions. When we first heard about it we knew that it would be a perfect fit for our family. (A) has really taken an interest in rocks and digging, and (E) is always happily right behind. She adores dinosaur train so this would be an opportunity to enjoy an activity that they would both love.

The trip was a quick hour and a half down the Garden State. When we got there we were handed a map that showed where to easily park (for free) along with a list of local restaurants that we could eat at. When we walked down the hill we saw all of the wonderful activities that we could participate in. We decided to hit those after the train ride as they were loading up and moving out within the next ten minutes.

The train was lovely. Clean and old fashioned. (A) was very proud to be able to recognize that it was a diesel train. The conductor was lovely and came around to chat with everybody. During the ride there was fantastic narration about the history of the train line. It was super peaceful. The view of the Delaware River was great. There was also a bathroom (very important) and a souvenir shop on the train (with refreshments if you needed).

Once we reached our location we were directed over toward the mine and given plastic bags to collect our minerals in when we completed the exercise. There was a tour that included some more history of the mines, as well as some humor (mostly for the parents) and some action (the kids loved it). Once the tour was complete each person received a bag of dirt (and minerals) to learn to pan with.

We have done this several times before at fairs etc, but I must say we received more minerals than ever before in these bags. We enjoyed it so much RNYD went and purchased an additional bag of Fossils so that he and (A) could do it again and then identify the fossils. Available for purchase at the mine store were these additional bags as well as some more refreshments etc.

What we came across next was very special and worth mentioning as it left a lasting impression on (A). There was a group of Doctoral students from Temple University who were conducting research for their dissertations on site. They set up an actual Archeological dig and were searching for artifacts. The group had set out a bunch of artifacts that they showed the crowds, what they were and even gave demonstrations on how some were used.

We got to ask questions and see how they used sectioning, measuring and sifting tools for their work. They even let the kids help them to sift through the dirt to find items (they LOVED THIS)!!! After spending a long time doing that they even let (A) begin to help them dig and use their tools to carefully dig up the space. He was really into it and helped them to find an arrow head as well as a knife head. Although he was unable to take it home (it is now a part of their dissertation), he was able to take a photo with it, and has the memory. It also sparked an interest. He’s even talking about becoming an archeologist, how neat is that?

We boarded the train after that to go back to the main area in time to catch the Paleontology show which was really cute and informative. I was surprised and happy to see how much (A) knew about dinosaurs from watching Dinosaur Train. This show was followed by a silly ventriloquist who introduced us to his different friends. He made the kids laugh and really got them engaged. In this area there was also refreshments, a bounce house, a bubble station and souvenir stand. We never even made it to the bubbles or bounce house. If I had realized we would have gone even earlier. I was figuring on about two hours of fun (tops) and a ride home, but we boarded the train at 12:30 and when we left at 4:15 we were exhausted without even visiting every attraction.

We stopped for a quick dinner on the way home and both kids slept the entire ride back (always a good sign). When we arrived home (A) wanted to go through his minerals and fossils and identify them, very fun. He was able to match them to their indicator on the pamphlet and we spoke about each one. He keeps telling everyone what an amazing time he had!!

Although this event was one weekend only the Delaware River Railroad excursions has all sorts of amazing events that they do throughout the year (click here to see). Worth mentioning for our kiddies is the Thomas experience ((E) is a HUGE fan so we may have to attend that one too), and the Great Pumpkin Train, and The Polar Express (which are all being added to our events page). All of these tickets sell quickly so be sure to plan in advance.

Mountain Creek Smoke ‘n Blues Festival- Review

Posted on June 5, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to attend the festival. All opinions are my own.

As I mentioned on our previous post (CLICK HERE) RNYD and I love music. We are always happy to attend live events and are excited to expose our children to it as often as possible as well (see our event postings which include lots of music). We also happen to really appreciate BBQ. Our favorite restaurants make this kind of food. SO, obviously when we saw that Mountain Creek (who we love) was doing a Smoke ‘n Blues Festival we HAD to attend.

Pleasantly reminded that Mountain Creek is only a scenic 45 minutes away we were there in plenty of time. When we arrived we mistakenly drove into the wrong parking lot, but the nicest attendant helped us to navigate our way to the free parking across the street. The walk was short and the kids loved the walkway over the highway. (A) commented on the little village that we walked through and said that he wanted to come back when it was open during the winter.

Once checked in we were directed to the open area where the festival was all set up and ready to start (we could have just followed our noses honestly, you could smell and almost taste the flavors when we parked).

The festival was in a great area that had a court to dance on, a sand box (which the kids really enjoyed) and a very gradual slope to set up on and enjoy. The slope was just perfect to spread out our blanket and enjoy the day. We brought with us some bubbles and a little game to play (Velcro catch). This helped to keep the kids occupied during the transition between bands.

We didn’t really have to use our supplies much. (A) started asking about food shortly after entering the festival area because the aroma was so strong. When we ordered we tried to get one of everything to try. (A) had a cheeseburger, (E) a hotdog (it was like 18 inches long, RNYD a pulled chicken sandwich, and I had the grilled chicken. They were delicious. One would have thought that after all that food we would have been stuffed but (A) really wanted to go back for the giant pretzel. Boy am I glad he did! This thing was HUGE and so good. You could taste the smoke cooked right into the dough. It was cooked so hot so fast that it even broke its own skin!!!! It was also super entertaining to watch little (E) try to eat it. There was plenty for everybody and the line never became unmanageable.

Then there was the music. (A) was mesmerized by the instruments asking RNYD about all of them. He was especially impressed with the playing of the washboard! The music was great and the crowd was in a good mood. (E) spent most of her day dancing around, encouraged by all of the lovely people around us. She helped to entertain everyone.

We headed out a few hours in (the kids were exhausted) but had really had a fantastic time. RNYD has taken the opportunity to show (A) a few videos of the musicians featured, and of those songs that they “covered”. (A) is really into it (hooray!).

RNYD and I were so glad to have the opportunity to share something that we really enjoy with the kids and see that they had a great time as well.. This means that we can do these types of things more often, and our kiddos will be exposed to more and more culture.

Mountain Creek put on a great festival. It wasn’t so big that you got lost. The food was great, and entertainment really got us moving. The staff was beyond lovely, and so were the other festival goers. It’s sad to say but sometimes at these things, the crowd ruins it for the rest of us. This time that was not the case. Everyone who was there was a real fan of music and went to have a nice laid back time. We truly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you Mountain Creek!

To see the upcoming events at Mountain Creek you can CLICK HERE. Also be sure to watch our events page as more opportunities pop up. In fact, there is a great father’s day event next month that comes right after their water park (click here) opens for the season!!!! Stay tuned, we just might have a little something for a lucky reader!!!

Condors Swimming Program

Posted on June 3, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Reviews .

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

As parents we have a lot of worries. One of the biggest during the summer is that of water safety. It’s no wonder that we all start looking for somewhere to have our little loves take lessons during this transition into summer. For me it had become a really big worry. RNYD and I are fish, we adore the water and we would of course love the same for our children.

(A) was enrolled in mommy and me swim with me his first summer (at 1 year old). We had a blast that year and the following year. When he turned 3 it was time for the alone class he had a bad experience. He fell into the water and didn’t feel safe afterwards no matter what. To compound things his baby sister had a small issue and ended up in the hospital for a few days. We left the same exact time he had fallen into the water. Needless to say, he developed a thing about swim lessons. Refusing to go (literally shaking at the words “Swim Lessons”). Luckily, he still enjoyed swimming with myself and RNYD in the family pools so we knew all couldn’t be lost.

We let it be until this year. We knew that we had to get him some good structured lessons, even considering hiring privately in our family pools. That’s when I met Laurie from the Condors Swimming program. We had coffee and we spoke about (A)’s fears. She agreed that it was wise to leave him for a while and not mention it and then suggested that we begin attending this May (2015). That would give him a good amount of time to “forget” the experience, and some good time to mature.

Ready for class, I thought this was going to be a nightmare.

May came and we were all set to go. I had no idea what to expect when we got there (I was impressed that I got him into a suit and to even to watch). Although hesitant at first, Ashley (the program director) came over and spoke to him, and took the time to introduce him to his instructor personally. She did this for EVERY child, and brings them over EVERY class. His instructor was warm and welcoming and invited him into the water. Then they had something very special that I think solidified for him that he would take a chance. They have a platform that they put in the water with handles for the kids to stand on in between turns. Safety. He had an island he could stand on, he didn’t have to sit on the side of the pool where he could fall in again.

The amazing platform that makes all the difference.

Even better, when the swimmers start getting comfortable, they can practice dunking their heads and kicking while their classmates (each group is a ratio of 3:1 max at the beginner level) take a turn. Swimmers get a TON of individualized attention in their half hour class, and all instructors follow the same curriculum teaching the basics of swimming. In addition to the small student teacher ratio, there are also lifeguards on duty as well as other instructors out of the water.

(A)’s instructor gets the class ready for the water.

(A) gets a turn practicing with the teacher.

Well, (A) loved it from the very first class. When the half hour was up he begged for more. The next day, he asked if it was swimming day, and was sad when it was not. On Thursday when it was time, he was dressed and ready to go when I arrived home. Again, at classes’ conclusion he begged for more.

Happy camper after his first lesson.

By day 3 (A) was one of the students who was dunking their heads and kicking in between turns. His instructor makes him feel comfortable and listens when he says he is nervous. She is strong with him, but understanding. She uses several different techniques with him to help to work on his form.

Working on swimming on his back with a kickboard.

Then without the board.

Eager to take advantage of his love for class, and the time we have I spoke with Ashley and asked what I could do at home to reinforce the skills taught in class. She was able to provide me with several different “fun” ways to practice without making it work. As a coach myself, I understand that an hour of pool time a week will not turn my son into Michael Phelps and would like to help with the process, but I don’t want to overstep my bounds or reinforce the wrong things (although a good swimmer I don’t completely understand all of the nuances involved).

(A) improves with each session, and continues to beg for more after each. He really loves the instructors (he is happy to stay and chat them up afterwards if they are available). I can barely believe that the month has already passed. Of course considering if I should sign (A) up for the next session, I asked that Ashley sit with me and discuss his progress at the last class. She took the time to personally speak to me about his progress. She noted his big wins: he comes to class happy and ready to learn, he wants to stay longer every time, he is learning the mechanics and not needing so many reminders. I was glad and interested to hear that on average (of course some quicker and some a little slower) it takes 3 months of consistent lessons to become a “swimmer.” Ashley was able to explain to me that the meaning of “swimmer” is putting ones head in the water and kicking at the same time. That mastering that fear along with doing something else at the same time is the key, and that once that is achieved, the fine tuning can begin.

We adore going to the Condors swim lessons twice a week. (A) is signed up for the month of June now and I cannot wait to watch him blossom. He is getting great instruction in a super safe environment (not to mention some good exercise). I cannot wait for (E) to be old enough to begin (probably by next spring!).

After speaking with Ashley and as a coach I do have the following recommendations. If your schedule permits, sign up for the 2x a week classes. One half hour a week (sometimes skipping weeks) although financially attractive, does not offer enough time to reinforce skills and aid children in becoming comfortable in the water. Also, remember that everyone learns at their own pace. It is unrealistic to assume that your child will learn how to swim in a month (after all it took them longer than that to learn how to walk). If you are going to register for lessons, assume it will take 2-3 months for it to stick. I cannot wait to update you all on (A)’s progress next month.

If you would like to see video of (A)’s swim progress check out our YouTube Channel!

For more information on Condors Swimming visit their website at: http://www.condors.org/ or email them at lessons@condorsswimming.com.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Posted on June 2, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Food, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as Jamie and her family were invited for dinner. All opinions expressed are those of Jamie our writer.

When T and I first decided to start a family, it certainly never occurred to us that daily dinner would be the thing that stressed us out to no end. I don’t even think we discussed how we would keep these kids alive with food. We just assumed it would all fall into place. Well fast forward half a decade and we have 2 working parents (T runs a business and works 7 days a week), a 4 year old in ballet and gymnastics, and a 3 year old in gymnastics and soccer. Not to mention birthday parties, playdates, school activities, etc. This is exactly what we want to be doing at this stage in life but somehow cooking a healthy dinner 7 nights a week doesn’t quite make the cut. This is why we were so exited when Moe’s Southwest Grill opened up right in Nanuet.

Not only can Moe’s be used as a quick dine-in or take-out experience, but the food is delicious and a large majority of the menu options are fresh and healthy. It’s very clear when entering Moe’s that it’s a family friendly place, from the kids meal menus, to the fun and upbeat music playing, to the fact that every time the door opens the entire staff does a “Welcome to Moe’s” chant. It made us feel very welcome and we knew no matter what kind of a mess 3 year old (S) made, it would be acceptable. I should also point out that I was still in my gym clothes and no one batted an eye. We ordered our food in a fast moving line and the kids got to watch how the staff made burritos and quesadillas and choose a cookie to go with their meals.

(T) immediately headed for a table near one of the large TVs so that he could watch the baseball game. (R) and (S) immediately went running over to what they now call the “magic drink machine.” Even I was mesmerized by the drink machine. It is a computerized machine of fun that allows customers to choose from about 50 drinks and even mix and match to create whatever kind of party in a cup one desires (alcohol free). (R) and (S) would have stood at that machine all night if we let them so I made a mental note that on a rainy day, Moe’s would be a good place to keep them entertained for an hour.

Eventually we left the magic machine and made our way back to our table full of incredible food. Normally this is where the not-so-fun game of getting (R) to eat begins. (S) will eat anything that isn’t nailed to the ground. I can count on one hand the things (R) will eat (soooo picky). I was THRILLED to see her bite right into the kid sized chicken quesadilla then dip it into fresh guacamole. (T) and I just looked at each other, too afraid to speak for fear it would end the moment. I’m sure plenty of you can relate to that!

This prompted us to ask the manager if Moe’s could cater our annual backyard picnic and it turns out they have an entire catering program. Moe’s is available for any event, large or small, to cater fresh and healthy food. With graduation and communion season upon us, Moe’s is an option that definitely should be considered.

The food was incredible and the queso was some of the best we had ever tasted. Always one for the bargain, T was excited to learn that the bottomless chips and salsa came free with the meal, whether it’s or dine-in or take-out. On our way out the door, the staff asked if we needed any help carrying left overs to the car and told me they would be happy to bring out the food curbside anytime I wanted to grab dinner on the way home from our busy lives. The experience was fun, but by far the best part was walking out the door with little S singing “I love Rock and Roll” from the restaurants music!

Sundays – Kids eat free with the purchase of adult meal and beverage

Moe Mondays – All Burritos are $5.99

Taco Tuesdays – Beginning in June tacos will be buy one get one free

RNYM Discount code for 10% off of your meal all summer!

Global Family Reunion- June 6

Posted on May 28, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Events, Good Cause, Out and about... .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to the event. All opinions expressed are my own.

This special event of epic proportions combines so many fun things to do and see. There will be games, there will be speakers, celebrities, a chance to break a world record and much, much, more! This fun filled day has another bright spot, the proceeds go towards Alzheimer’s Research.

HERES THE SKINNY…

What: Presentations by entertainers, authors and scientists! Music! Food! Exhibits! Comedy! Games for kids!

When: June 6, 2015, from 11:00AM to 8:30PM.

Who’s Invited: You! All seven billion members of the human family. Those with a proven connection to the world’s biggest family tree (currently at 77 million people) get a bracelet and take part of the largest family photo in history.

Presentations: The GFR will feature talks and presentations by a wide range of fascinating experts and entertainers. Among those who have already agreed to participate: Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush (via video), Comedy Central star Nick Kroll, NPR host Ophira Eisenberg and former Obama administration member Cass Sunstein. Many more speakers will be announced soon.

Activities: The Global Family Reunion will have dozens of activities for all ages, including: A scavenger hunt from Watson Adventures. The world’s largest family photo. A talent contest. Exhibitions about family history and genealogy. Historical impersonators. Not to mention the 450 interactive exhibits at the New York Hall of Science, the museum where the reunion will take place. ( I am not quite sure how we will get through it all!!!)

Documentary: The Global Family Reunion will be the subject of a documentary by Morgan Spurlock.

The Cause: Fighting Alzheimer’s. The Global Family Reunion has partnered with two remarkable organizations devoted to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Namely, the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund and the Alzheimer’s Association New York Chapter. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects more than 40 million members of the Human Family, a number that will climb exponentially unless we find a cure. In addition, to buying tickets, you can also support the cause by participating in the Surname Showdown to Fight Alzheimer’s (just click here) – a family friendly competition to see which family can raise the most money to battle this killing disease.

The Price: All proceeds will go to battling Alzheimer’s research, education and training. To buy Tickets CLICK HERE and be sure to enter code RNYMOM for a special discount.

The Locations: The 2015 Global Family Reunion will be held on the site of the legendary 1964 New York World’s Fair. The grounds are now home to the New York Hall of Science, which is one of the top science-themed museums in the world. The museum holds 5,000 people, with a gorgeous, sprawling 11-acre outdoor space that can hold more than 10,000 more. The museum’s 450 hands-on interactive exhibits will be open to GFR attendees, including a space-themed mini-golf course, a design lab where you can create movies and 3-D print objects, and a collection of rockets.

The Founder: The founder of the Global Family Reunion is bestselling author A.J. Jacobs, whose books include The Year of Living Biblically, The Know-It-All and Drop Dead Healthy. Jacobs is an NPR commentator and the editor at large at Esquire. He is a speaker with two TED talks that have reached over a million views. He is the father of three, the husband of one, and the cousin to millions.

All proceeds will go to battling Alzheimer’s research, education and training. To buy Tickets CLICK HERE and be sure to enter code RNYMOM for a special discount.

Stay tuned for our photos and full review! Hope to see you there!!

The Perfect Gift

Posted on May 20, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Photography, Reviews, Services .

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

Well, Mother’s Day was approaching again, and I was having difficulty deciding what to get for my mother. She literally has everything, and at this point in her life, if she doesn’t and she needs or wants it, she buys it. So I brainstorm, what can I do for her that she will love for years to come, that will never get old, or go out of style? A memory…. A memory lasts a lifetime… So that’s just what we did.

When I first checked out Kate’s website Kennedy Grace Photography, aside from her beautiful photographs two other things really stood out to me.

She does mostly lifestyle, real life photography.

I love this, you can really see relationships, feel the atmosphere around the subjects, get a glimpse into what their lives are really like. Perfect for a Nana and her grandbabies.

2. She shoots at fun and interesting locations.

She takes her Christmas photos at a tree farm, has sessions at berry picking patches. They are original and adorable, and help to produce the realism that her photos emit.

I knew when I called Kate exactly where we would have to take these photos for my mother. The New Jersey Botanical Gardens. They are beautiful, they are near my mother’s house, and she happens to be a member (we go there with the kids often). Once that was set I tried to think of what else would really make this special for her and decided that in addition I would take her to have her make up done with the amazing Denise Ruis (she has an exclusive special add on rate just for RNYM).

Denise works her magic on my mother.

After much deliberation the clothing choices were taken care of and the day was here. Denise applied my mother’s makeup meticulously as always and it was so fantastic that my mother even purchased the lipstick.

I had spoken to Kate so many times that I felt like I already knew her, but even if I hadn’t her warmth made me feel like we were old friends. She had already been around the grounds checking out spots to take photos and so off we went. The kids, my mom and her husband were the subjects and it was nice to take a step back and let them enjoy. They ran around from spot to spot, stopping to take photos along the way.

The photos are breathtaking. Kate was able to capture my beautiful mother. She captured the special relationship between her and my children.

She captured moments I am so glad she did. For instance (E) has been afraid of my step-father for ages (he’s 6’8”), today she decided she was going to grab his hand and walk around with him. This was a first, a really, really sweet first, and I have it on film (or .jpg anyway).

She also captured some amazing shots of my mother and step-father. This is especially sweet and something that made my mother so glad that we did this.

Best of all is that my mother loves them. She is so happy. I’ve ordered prints, and a mug and she has something to hold on to. So do my kids and I. It was difficult to pick and choose from all of the awesome memories.

While we were looking through there were some special things that we realized took a trained eye and made the photos as beautiful as they are. We knew that the gardens were beautiful, but for my untrained eye, I would have taken close ups of many of the photos that Kate did not, she took them from further out and got the whole scene. Thank goodness she did, otherwise we would have missed out on the majestic surroundings. I really think that the photos speak for themselves.

Kate edited and had the photos back to me within a week. She was so sweet she even snuck in one photo of me off to the side with (E). I love that photo too, we had no idea. Kate is a doll, the pictures are amazing. My mother is happy. Perfect day.

To contact Kate for a session you can check out her website: http://www.kennedygracephotography.com/ or her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyGracePhotography Kate still has her May Special going on right now, and stay tuned for her upcoming on location shoots which will include, a lake, berry picking, and more!!!

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