Bounce New York- Party Rentals

Posted on May 13, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, We're Having a Party .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are those of Carrie Regan our contributor.

With my daughter’s birthday being at the end of April, we usually roll the dice with the weather- especially this year, it was SNOWING on April 24, but the weather prediction for the 25th was sunny and warm. Ahhhh… spring in New York! I decided to err on the side of luck and started investigating one thing that all kids love; bounce houses for the party. I reached out to a few different companies, and there was one who instantly got back to me…BOUNCE New York!

When I first explained to Joe at Bounce New York that I was throwing a Peter Pan party, I included a link I had found on Google that showed a Peter Pan bounce house. Joe went above and beyond looking for the panel that I had in mind for the party- unfortunely it’s been discontinued, but I have to say that several other companies just simply replied “no” when I asked them if they had a bounce unit for my theme. Joe and I messaged back and forth several times with him giving me updates about his search. Luckily though, there are several themes that Bounce New York can accommodate from their own stock – super heroes, princesses, Dora and many more. They also have those huge combo bouncers, water slides and ball pits (oh my!)

Their trailer which features their different choices.

I decided that I would be the only one who noticed that the bounce house didn’t coordinate exactly with my theme and booked a bouncer for the party. I am SO glad we decided to do it. From the second the BOUNCE NEW YORK trailer pulled up in my driveway, it was a delightful experience. Bounce is a family owned business and that was evident when Joe, his wife and their daughter got out of the car. The three of them worked together to get the house set up and secured. Joe made sure the house was in a spot where it was protected from the wind and then secured it with stakes into the ground to make sure it was safe. He then put down a foam mat for the kids to sit on and take their shoes on and off. And then, the part that totally impressed me- Joe’s wife, Tara, got into the house with a spray bottle of disinfectant and Joe began spraying the outside. BOUNCE NEW YORK disinfects EVERY house, EVERY time they set it up. Joe said that they make sure to spray and wipe the parts of the house that kids would touch. That statement put this germ-a-phobe mom right at ease! Joe and Tara made sure it was sparkly clean and germ free (yay!) before leaving. Upon leaving, Joe even offered to let us keep the bouncer overnight so my kids could use it after the party- he said, “I’d rather have kids having fun on it then it just sitting in the trailer”.

Some pictures of the awesome Castle.

At the actual party, the kids were in the bounce house constantly- every time I looked over there were kids getting in and out, I don’t think it was ever empty! There were even kids who decided to forgo cupcakes to keep on bouncing! I asked a few kids what their favorite part of the party was and most of them said “bouncing!”. Between the amazing customer service that BOUNCE NEW YORK offers and the great time the kids have, you definitely can’t go wrong by contacting this company.

The kids thoroughly enjoying their time in the Bounce Castle.

As a special treat for the readers of ROCKLANDNYMOM will be offered $25 off their rental when you mention this blog. Additionally, BOUNCE NEW YORK offers a referral program, in which you will get a free rental for every 5 referrals you send his way! You can’t get any better than that! 845-234-3121

The NEW Englewood Family Birthing Center

Posted on May 12, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, Services .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own. (Photo credits to the Englewood Hospital Marketing Department.)

Having a baby is a beautiful experience. It should be. It is the most life changing event that I have ever been through, twice. I remember being so scared when the test came back positive that I was having a baby. I remember being so scared when I went into labor with (A). All if it is so exciting and new and wonderful, and completely horrifying at the same time. I look back and think about what could have possibly made my experience a little better, or make it that much more amazing for new mommies to be and one thing comes to mind. Atmosphere.

When embarking upon something as amazing as childbirth, the setting should match the miracle. What if, instead of walking into a place that screamed “Hospital” you could quietly ride a beautiful elevator into what looks like a luxury hotel? What if for the next few days, you could have room service, and serenity and have nothing to worry about except bringing that wonderful life into the world, and beginning the next phase of your journey together? That’s what the new Englewood Family Birthplace had on their mind when they designed their new facilities. A setting that befits the miracles that happen there.

I am often asked where the best hospital to deliver is and for a time I thought, aren’t they all the same? What I have found…far from it.

The rooms are like stunning apartments. I was floored when I entered. You would never know that you were in a hospital. Don’t want to look at the monitors? They have handsome cabinets that can hide them in an instant.

Want to watch the beauty of the birth? The mirror comes right down from the ceiling.

Looking for a relaxing bath while you labor? Many of the rooms have soothing tubs within. Process taking longer than expected? No need to bring in a cot, or have your loved ones sleeping on an uncomfortable chair. There are full size futons (seriously extra-long for tall daddies), that just pull out and turn into a comfortable bed.

Your baby also has a beautiful room to stay in should you choose to have them stay in the nursery. At Englewood its your choice.

Englewood spared no detail. Not only did they take into account the needs of mommy, baby and daddy, they have even gone that extra mile for the rest of the family as they wait in the lobby. There is a charming area set aside for loved ones who are awaiting a new arrival, complete with flat screen TV, comfortable seating, and even a charging station for your phone should your wait time exceed your battery power. When they need a break, there is also the amazing cafeteria (really it’s more like a café) downstairs to grab a meal and stretch your legs.

The charging station available to family members while they wait.

After baby is born, aside from the top notch medical care available, they offer other services that not all hospitals think of. They have an exclusive contract with a newborn photographer who takes some of the cutest photos I have ever seen. One more thing to check off the list and not have to worry about afterwards. Another adorable amenity, there are little red wagons that you can use to bring your newborn gifts to your car with. These wagons double as an awesome way to bring big brother and sister along and make them feel included.

Some of the adorable photos taken by their exclusive newborn photographer which line the halls of the birthing center!

Who doesn’t love a wagon, such a cute and special detail!

Having your first child? Having a second or third and maybe need a little refresher (let’s face it we are programmed to forget portions so that we do it again)? Englewood can prepare you for all of that too with their Childbirth Education Classes. These classes cover everything from what to expect, breastfeeding, sibling prep, yoga and more. These classes have a fantastic reputation and are very affordable. There are also resources available post-partum, like access to their lactation consultant, and breast-feeding hotline. Additionally, during my tour it was mentioned that they also have several different “events” for expecting families that are free of charge and open to the public (which we will be posting on RNYM for your benefit).

Having a baby is an experience beyond compare. Doesn’t matter if it’s your first or you’re fifth. For both of my children I planned incessantly. I read for hours. Englewood has done a lot of that for you. They have planned for you. Every precaution has been taken to make your experience the beautiful memory it should be. It even makes me want to have a third child just to experience it!

To schedule a tour of the Family Birth Place which are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 please call 866-980- EHMC (registration is required).

Faeries for a Cause

Posted on May 7, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause, Photo Obsessed, Photography, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post.

I love a good charity, and no one has to twist my arm for photos, usually. When I came across this advertisement for a fundraiser for the March of Dimes I thought it was absolutely adorable and something my readers might be interested. So I shared it, but I wasn’t planning on participating in it. I am happy to report that I was correct. You all were into it, and shortly after posting it I started getting messages from many of you saying that you were interested but you wanted to see mine first. I should explain… I wasn’t going to participate because my children are photographed a lot, not because I didn’t love the idea, I really love the idea, I just fear that my kiddos will have enough one of these days… BUUUTTTT once you all started asking me to I agreed (it didn’t take much convincing). I was there a week ago, and here’s how it went.

Firstly, here is the deal… More info can be found HERE

Session fee is $50 per child, which includes an 8 x 10 print of your child(ren). 100% of this goes to March of Dimes.

There are a la carte options for purchasing additional poses or prints or both. A portion of these fees goes to the March of Dimes

Your photo is entered into a voting contest. Votes are $1 each and 100% of this goes to March of Dimes.

If you are one of the top 13, your photo goes into a calendar that is sold for $15. 100% of this goes to March of Dimes.

I made my appointment (click here to do the same) and was able to get in very quickly. (E) loves to play dress up so I was not too worried that she wouldn’t have a good time. I chose not to bring (A) because he has so many after school activities and it would be near impossible to book for him. I was also a little worried that he may not be into it.

It took just about an hour to get to the studio, and it was not hard to find. We were brought in and taken to a dressing room where there were several different outfits, wings and headpieces to choose from. We let (E) choose her own. It ended up being perfect, and not what I might have picked if it was my choice so the girl has got style.

(E) chooses her costume. She chose the one that was so a-typical, and I am SO glad she did.

Once dressed we walked into the studio itself where magical music played in the background. Instead of just throwing (E) into the scene and forcing photos, they just allowed her to walk around, to get accustomed to the setting. She was able to explore the animals, the “water”, the flowers, everything. While she walked around, the flash stated going off. Totally naturally. The photographer asked (E) if she could do certain things (look into something, talk to an animal, etc.) and she did. The staff had some little tricks for getting her to look in certain places, and for getting her to smile.

Ready for her close-up!

The photographer was so patient, allowing her time to get used to the surroundings.

(E) really loved the fan blowing in her face, she looked like she enjoyed being a “star”. She enjoyed walking around the magical set. When we first walked in there were some toys in the area for parents to stand and she fell in love with a blue wrench. Instead of being upset that she wouldn’t let it go (nope not even to play with the set), they were able to incorporate it into the photos, hiding it to get her to look inside or at a certain place.

They were able to get (E) to look in certain places because of the wrench.

Yep its in that little ball too ;O)

Once the shoot ended the tough part started. Which photo to choose. This is always the toughest part and the faerie session was no exception. All of the photos were breathtaking. I was patiently walked through them with a yes, no, maybe process that really helped me to narrow them down. We spoke about the editing process (which takes place after you make your choice). After making that big decision there are some packages you can choose from if you would like more photos than the 8 x 10 that comes with the deal. You can also purchase photos a la carte.

The quick last shot I took before the photographer did his thing.

LOOK AT THIS PICTURE!!!

(for a special surprise, download the free app “Vivaloo” and use the key word Faeries to see video of (E)’s session).

I ADORE my photo. I am GLAD that I did it. It may not be something that I ever do again, but I have this beautiful keepsake of my little girl. Since completing my session I have shown the photos to several of my friends, who quickly signed up for sessions. I can say with true confidence that it was fun for both of us, and the money goes to an amazing cause. It is a really fun and innovative way to fundraise. Everyone walks away happy. Except maybe (A) who said that he wished he could have gone too.. and I thought he wouldn’t be into it (go figure).

To schedule your appointment call 845.707.4061. You can also see more about the experience, and ND Pro Media at their website: http://magicalfaerieportraits.com/

Trust Me I’m a Jedi

Posted on April 28, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Classes for Kids, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.
This kept resonating with me while I was observing class at The Workout Place. It’s more than just a karate class, and Sensai Arnie makes sure that it’s apparent. It’s truly amazing to me how many different lessons are taught in just one class. You see, I am a bit of a Star Wars buff, and what I find appealing about the Jedi order is that being a Jedi is not about having a light saber and fighting the sith, it’s a balance, it’s about peace, it’s a way of life. Similarly, becoming a member of The Workout Place is more than joining a class, it’s a community just like being a Jedi and here’s why.

(A) and I showed up early for class. I am not a fan of being late and I wanted to be able to introduce Sensai Arnie to (A) as well as talk about being in the class to take pictures and not being intrusive. When we arrived Sensai was cleaning up. After introducing himself to (A) he asked if (A) would help him. Right to work they went cleaning cubbies together. Sensai is great with kids, he is sort of like a Sesame Street Character. He finds ways to connect with them on their level, while respecting them and making them feel super important, because they are.

As the other students started arriving, (A) began to get a little nervous. His confidence from before started to slowly melt away. The students and parents noticed and each introduced themselves to (A) and encouraged him to go and have a good time. He wasn’t ready. All I could think was “great this is going to work out well.” I remained calm and Sensai Arnie told (A) that when he was ready he should just jump right in, don’t worry about it. Sensai greeted each student and asked them if they were good this week, and if their rooms were clean (music to my ears). He holds them accountable for what they do at home and at school as well.

So (A) sat with me as I took pictures in the beginning. All of the other students know exactly how these classes work. They know how to line up and get ready. So much so that a student who is good and responsible gets to lead not only the warm-up but then some of the different activities later on in class. This is not dependent on ranking (although there are a few things that are) it depends on your willingness to volunteer and take pride in leading.

As class continued (A) became more comfortable and finally jumped in. He did very well for his first time, and for being one of the youngest students there. While students practiced their forms a fellow student even took him in the other room and worked with him for a while. (A) had to be reminded a few times to sit correctly while waiting (patience, yes he needs to learn patience) but I was so very impressed at how focused he was. He had to be, that’s the atmosphere in the class.

Students for the next class began to arrive near the end of class when the students played a few games (all strategically geared toward specific skills). The older students who would participate in the next class, jumped in without prompting and helped Sensai set up and run the games. They kept the line moving and encouraged their younger mates.

What Arnie is teaching doesn’t end there. In his fun and enthusiastic way he is always embedding a myriad of lessons. Work harder, work as a team, the easy way is not always the best way, follow directions, lead confidently. A particular lesson that sticks out in my mind is the reward for working hard. Students arrive with piggy banks and at the end of class they earn pennies for doing well. It doesn’t end there. On the windowsill on the side of the lobby there are three large jars, to teach the students to give back to great causes. One for animals, one for people in need, and one for cancer research. Students can choose a charity and put their pennies in it, and more of them do than don’t. It’s not a requirement to put them in there, but they choose to. (A) chose the Cancer jar.

(A) had an amazing time at class, demanding that we return this week. We are, and here’s why. I love watching him concentrate and listen the way he did last week. I love the lessons that he is learning. It is more than just the usual respect and confidence that you would look for in a regular martial arts class. It is so much more. Sensai is dedicated to developing the whole child, mind, body, soul. They are responsible for their own actions, in class and outside of class. They pick one another up when help is needed. This is a place I would like for my son to be. UPDATE: (A) has been attending class here for the past month and I am beyond impressed. He has learned much and even led his first exercise the other day. Several people have attended introduction classes on my recommendation and were so impressed that they have signed up.

If you are interested in checking out a class at The Workout Place, contact Sensai Arnie at: 845-624-2244 to schedule a free trial.

Our “Super” Experience

Posted on April 23, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Services .

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

I am always looking for fun experiences to bring the kids to. It becomes difficult from time to time to find something that will interest both my daughter AND my son. Princess balls, tea parties etc. are all awesome and fun for me and (E) but are not that interesting for (A). This past weekend Manda’s Enchanted Events along with Powerhouse Dance Center, hit the nail on the head. Both kiddies (and mommy) had a “super” time.

We are an action film family. We LOVE superheroes. (E)’s new bitty baby that she received for Christmas is named Natasha Romanov. Most people don’t even know who that is. So, needless to say when they announced there was a “Superhero Luncheon” we HAD to be there.

They did not disappoint. We got to hang with Iron Man, Spiderman, and the Black Widow herself. Having Natasha there in and of itself speaks to how detail oriented the planners were. She (along with other female characters) are often overlooked at these types of events. I am so glad she wasn’t because in our house, we really love the role model of a tough, self-sufficient woman.

The scene was set right away. The heroes were really interactive, and really great at portraying their characters. They even had a game plan for what to say when asked where the rest of their friends were. Natasha (the Black Widow) led the charge by explaining the activities and making introductions, as she would in any of the movies. Spidey crawled all over the place and was super friendly (very like his real character). The kids really felt like a part of the training team.

The activities were age appropriate (for various ages, there were kids from 21 months up to 7), and fun. The whole time the heroes engaged the kids. There was ample opportunity for them to run around and play as well as have photos taken.

(A) really enjoyed the training (especially arm wrestling them and strength training).

(E) loved hula hooping and DANCING! She was a Dancing fool!!

The food was good and plentiful with a child’s interests having been taken into account. The Activities as well as the eating and photo opportunities were organized well. We did not have to wait on line for either food or our photos with the gang. All those involved were super accommodating and happy to be there. The parents and kids in attendance were all lovely. Everyone was so happy to see the kids having so much fun. There wasn’t “down time” when the kids would get bored or start to act a little nutty either, it was scheduled really well. I have been to events where you could tell the kids had had enough, this wasn’t one of them. They were interested in the whole experience.

After photos each “Superhero in Training” was given a certificate and cupcakes were served. The kids then had another opportunity to dance and hang out with the superheroes. My kids had a fantastic time. It was such a personal experience, they smiled all day long. (A) couldn’t stop talking about how he beat Iron Man at arm wrestling and he met a lovely little girl who was dressed like the Black Widow that he spent nearly every second there with.

If you get a chance to attend a superhero luncheon with these guys again, jump on it. It was not your typical event. They kept it small enough that it wasn’t overcrowded and it felt very nice. The kids had a great time and so did I.

Want to see more? Here’s a video Manda’s Enchanted Events put together for us!

http://youtu.be/1hU2vNYW3q4

Manda’s Enchanted Events not only plans and runs events like the “Superhero Luncheon” and “Princess Balls” she also has a slew of characters available to come to special events or parties. For more information about Manda’s Enchanted Events you can follow them on Facebook at: Facebook.com/mandasenchantedevents and on their website at: mandasenchantedevents.com For more information or to book an appearance you can email: manda@mandasenchantedevents.com or call: 845-494-0409.

The Great Outdoors!

Posted on April 22, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, Services, Uncategorized .

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

Like so many other people right now, I am dying to be outside. I want to enjoy this beautiful weather. Sit on the deck and watch the kids play on the swing set.

My deck needed help. Like serious help. I had to beg to have the deck added to the house when (A) was turning 1. Once RNYD agreed to do it, he thought I was crazy for the size I wanted it to be. Now 4 years later it is one of our favorite things about the house. It’s a great place to congregate, to eat, to have friends, to enjoy our nice back yard. Needless to say, we want to keep it nice, so we can enjoy it, and we don’t have to redo it any time soon.

Two years ago we had a disaster. We hired someone to power wash and stain it, and the staining created a problem. Although we contacted them to try to have them fix it, they agreed that they would and never returned. Completely fed up, last year we decided we would do it ourselves. BIG MISTAKE! Staining your deck (especially one as large as ours, with so many spindles) is HARD, tedious, and even more difficult to do well if you are a layman. That glove thing you use for spindles doesn’t really work and I got splinters, and the stain we chose wasn’t covering well. It also didn’t hold up.

Pictures of our poor deck after we tried to do it ourselves.

Spindles are not even close to covered.

Uneven coverage.

A close up of the terrible workmanship, and this took us HOURS!

This year I said no way, we have to get someone in who knows what they are doing. So on a recommendation of a friend we called ERock Bros for an estimate. Lance was timely and courteous when he came for our free estimate. He was knowledgeable and super reasonable. We discussed stain at length. We were determined to go with one brand, which he was willing to use, but suggested another. When I asked if I could research Lance told me to go ahead and just let him know. I did the research and it turned out he was correct, every article I could find concurred with his opinion. I even went to Pailey Paint and picked their brains. So we went with that product.

Lance was over bright and early to power wash. He worked straight through lunch and had it done in no time (which is no small feat given the size of our deck). He stated that it needed to dry and that because there were some splintery areas he would sand a bit before staining.

A picture of the newly washed deck, so much better already.

Two days later he was back to work. One of the things I was really impressed with was the care with which he protected not only the back of my house, but my shrubbery as well. I came home on my lunch break to say hello and check on their progress and found that he not only covered and taped off my house, but also carefully draped all of the plants that I had surrounding the deck with tarps as well. Geez that last guy hadn’t even protected my house, and he had just painted it!!

Lance staining the deck. Note the bushes carefully protected.

Look at how the house is also carefully protected.

My deck finally looks nice again. I am so glad to not only have it protected but also looking so nice. We used a natural color to bring out the wood, so that we can enjoy its natural beauty.

The finished product. I cannot wait to BBQ and spend time with friends and family out here all summer!!

A close up of the deck, see how much more even it is.

The deck all set, at night with our solar lights on.

I am so very happy with the entire process. I would not hesitate to recommend ERock Bros. to anyone who is looking for power washing of any kind.

For a free estimate contact them at the numbers below, and visit their website www.EROCKBROSPOWERWASHING.com .

Current RocklandNYMom Special Available!

15% off of a deck power wash and stain

*There is always a 10% discount for members of Military, Police, Fire Department, and Ambulance personnel.

Review- Gate Hill Day Camp

Posted on April 21, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps, Reviews .

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

RocklandNYMom started our camps page last year, but with (A) becoming of “school age” it’s my first year really paying attention. So many choices. I had to educate myself a bit. One great way to educate yourself and find out about the various camps available is to schedule tours or visits to them. (A) and I took one such tour of Gate Hill Day Camp and boy were we impressed. During our walk I had some flashbacks to my own youth, while dreaming about the amazing memories my children could make in attendance. I was also impressed and delighted to find out that Gate Hill offers birthday parties (on a limited basis so you need to book them early), and corporate events.

A photo of the cabins where some of the electives happen.

When I say that Gate Hill has thought of everything I am not over exaggerating. They really have everything. Not only does your child have a day of camp and great opportunities to be exposed to many different areas which will help them to be well rounded, they also have “Electives” in your specific area of interest that you can choose at various ages. They have also taken into consideration all the needs of the parent. Transportation, check. Healthy Meal Plans in a nut-free allergy conscious manner, check. Extended hours for those who may need them, check. Many bathrooms and water fountains around the grounds, check.

Of course (A) would have stayed and played on the playground all day.

Here are some of the highlights that we picked out an enjoyed.

Campers swim 2x a day, the first time is instructional and the second is free swim. This keeps them cool, and helps them to learn as well as have fun in the water. The instructor to student ratio in the pool is 1:3 (nice and small).

The beautiful swimming areas.

Pretty much every activity has two levels, one for smaller/younger campers and then one for the older guys. This holds true for their sports fields, race track (yes race track), zip line and more. No one gets left out of the cool activities. (A) just had to jump on a car and was so sad that the go carts weren’t operating during our visit.

The awesome zip line that goes over their own little lake.

The large baseball diamond for the older kids.

The smaller diamond for the younger campers.

(A) poses by the sign for the raceway which he was SO impressed with.

Which of course meant he had to sit on a co-cart :o)

They have a themed “Olympics” every year where campers get together and compete. So great. I remember activities like this at the camp I went to for years, that’s where a lot of the memories are made.

There is music, art and acting as well. Not every kid loves just being outside and being “athletic” all the time. Some really love these other aspects. Gate Hill has it all even a stage where they really put on a performance for the camp and for parents. (A) loved the stage and even put on a little performance for us.

Click to see video: (A) Performance Gate Hill

The cafeteria is clean. The campers eat family style, and Gate Hill takes their meal plans very seriously (which makes this momma happy). They are a nut free camp, and also take into account any other allergies a camper may have. In addition to their daily offerings, there is a sandwich station as well as a salad bar available every day for a camper who may prefer that.

Gate Hill also offers different schedules to meet your needs. Don’t need all 5 days? Need a half day for a younger camper? They do that. They do not offer a weekly camp, you sign up for 4 weeks minimum there, which helps the kids to really get into the culture of their camp. Believe me after what I saw, you won’t have to twist any arms to get them to go for more weeks.

Gate Hill Day Camp is an excellent option for sending your child to camp this summer. They offer so much it was mind blowing. We really enjoyed our tour (highly recommend taking one) and it was hard to get (A) into the car at its conclusion. For more information about Gate Hill Day Camp you can contact them by phone at: (845)947-3223. Online at: http://gatehilldaycamp.com/. VIA email: info@gatehilldaycamp.com

DiggerlandUSA

Posted on April 20, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Reviews .

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

Last year we had the pleasure of attending and reviewing Sahara Sams Oasis. We had an outstanding time (see our review here). I was so excited when we were invited to come and check out DiggerlandUSA as well. Not only does it sound really cool, but my son is, and has always been OBSESSED with construction vehicles! What a day we had. My husband who doesn’t really get excited about much went on and on about what a great family day we had, and he (along with the rest of us) smiled from ear to ear the entire time. Interested in sharing the experience with your family (see the bottom of our review for a special offer)?

My most important piece of advice is that you measure and be sure that your kiddos are 36” or taller before you go. (E) is 34” and so she narrowly missed out on the majority of the experience. She still had a blast, but when (A) was doing something that she couldn’t she was slightly annoyed. The good news for all of us is that it means a trip back when she meets the height requirement (no arm twisting needed there).

Let’s address the most common questions:

Jogger stroller was perfect
Food issues you can bring it and leave in car, you may re-enter all day.
Baby changing stations in women’s bathroom.
Now is the perfect time to go, it’s not too hot and you can avoid lines.
As with most of these attractions, go early or late in the day to avoid crowds.

I barely even know where to start. Upon entering we found that all of the necessities were centrally located. Bathroom, food, gift shop are all right when you walk in. This is the same area where you pick up the barrel train. Children under 36” can ride this as can bigger kids (even RNYD gave it a try). (E) and (A) rode it at least 5 times and (E) especially never wanted to get off.

All around the park there are rigs to drive and ride. There are amusement rides made out of different construction vehicles. (A) was in his glory. I loved watching how serious he took it when he was operating the machines. I couldn’t believe how well he could drive! He looked so proud, and so grown up.

His favorite parts aside from driving the machines was the SPINDIZZY. He went on it 3 times which was huge because he hasn’t really been on many rides. I had no idea that he was such a risk taker!!! After his third ride he actually asked the operator if we could put one in our backyard (no we cannot).

Video Of SPINDIZZY

One of the things I was very impressed with at Sahara Sams Oasis was the way the lifeguards conducted themselves. They were all so lovely, and so serious about their jobs (rightfully so). I felt confident that my 1 year old and my 4 year old were safe and we could enjoy ourselves. Diggerland can boast more of the same. I was really impressed at the people they had working there. They were so nice, so patient and so quick. When someone had difficulty (say driving the equipment) they were right there helping them out. They were so professional.

(E) really loved the playground, and it’s a great space to go and work off some of the excitement. We stopped there twice during our 6 hour visit. It was great for getting out the energy that was built up while waiting on lines. Speaking of which, the lines moved rather quickly. There is a good amount of space on each attraction so they weren’t very backed up.

We adored DiggerlandUSA and will absolutely be back, probably sometime in the fall when (E) meets the height requirements and we can do a whole weekend away to take advantage of both Sahara Sams Oasis, and DiggerlandUSA (which there is a special rate for). When we went to Sahara Sams Oasis it was the middle of the summer, we had a blast but it was a little crowded. Now is an AWESOME time to go, I would also imagine that early fall is as well (that’s our plan).

For a limited time (through 5/17/15) use the code RNYMOM5 when you purchase tickets online to DiggerlandUSA and/or Sahara Sams Oasis and receive a discount off of the full day price!!

Part of RocklandNYMom

Posted on April 10, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, Services .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own, and based off of an interview conversation with Rachel Gottlieb, LCSW.

Part of RocklandNYMom’s commitment to becoming THE resource for the families of Rockland County and its surround areas means finding and connecting with ANYONE associated with children and families. I often joke with clients, family and readers that I collect people. That’s the thing about RNYM that makes us so proud. It’s personal. We make a personal connection and commitment to those associated with our page. Today’s post is no different. I won’t call it a review it’s more of a recount. I cannot write a typical “review” a LCSW. I can however tell you about what she does, her specialties, and about the amazing conversation we had in which I determined that this is a woman I would be able to open up to (and probably did a bit too much) and that I am more than pleased to add her to the arsenal of amazing listings available to our readers.

I would like to introduce you to Rachel Gottlieb. Rachel has been a LCSW since 1997 and works with children, families, adults, couples, you name it. She specializes in those ages 5-18 years. Her office is located at 67 S. Main Street in Pearl River (right near the Music Conservatory and Vision). Rachel’s hours are Monday – Friday 8-4 by appointment with extended evening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays. Although she can and will see anyone for any reason deemed necessary, she most commonly works with anxiety, behavioral issues, conduct disorders, mood disorders, and those dealing with family strain. One more great reason to see her? She takes most insurance plans, which almost NO other counselor does.

As parents our children are our first priority ALWAYS. We need to seek for them the best help that we can. We need to create a caring and loving environment in which they can flourish, and I LOVE that this is Rachel’s whole philosophy. Rachel believes that you need to work with the family in order to help the children. She uses insight gained in conversations with family members, observations during family interactions, and from some other places that I didn’t know could be so telling. In fact, she meets with parents prior to the child, and then does another session where all family members are present before working with the child independently.

Rachel uses a lot of play therapy (you have to see her toys). This type of therapy is helpful in making children (really anyone) comfortable enough to have a conversation. It takes the pressure off. There isn’t eye contact, which can be intimidating. It enables people to relax and let their guard down. She starts her first child visit by bringing an age appropriate toy with her to the waiting room to meet the child.

Another avenue that Rachel uses to help to work with children is the use of drawing and art. It’s no secret that art is a way to express emotions but I had no idea how much could be accomplished and learned by using a child’s art. One exercise that Rachel described that she uses is called the “Butterfly Activity” it helps with stress and anxiety by giving labels to stressors. She said it’s one of the few exercises that she learned in graduate school that she still uses very frequently. What a great activity, I’ve even asked if I could use it with my students for test anxiety!

I was also unaware how much you could learn about a child by having them draw something simple, like a family portrait. (A) is in preschool and does this frequently so when she started talking about it I was intrigued, hoping to gain some insight into how his little mind is working. Some of the littlest and cutest things drawn can actually tell us so much. So yes I was so relieved, the last time (A) drew a family portrait we were all superheroes and had capes.

When my parents divorced in 1988 my mother brought me to a counselor, which was great, super responsible. I didn’t relate well to the woman. I remember my first and only session. I hated it, she was condescending and made me uncomfortable. The office was dark. Rachel is nothing like that. She’s comforting and kind, her office is bright and full of fun. Although I think I ended up rather well adjusted (ha ha ha) I think that this is the type of counselor I wouldn’t have minded going to see.

To speak with Rachel or to set up an appointment you can call her at:

917-797-4640.

Greenburgh Nature Center Easter Egg Hunt

Posted on April 4, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Out and about..., Reviews .

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

I’ve always loved seeing the events that are presented by the Greenburgh Nature Center. That’s the reason that they are always added to our Events Calendar and our Day Trips Page. Although I had never been, I added them based on the recommendation of my sister-in- law whos opinion I highly respect. I reached out to them, and they have been sending me updates on their amazing programs. I love that they are well organized and outdoors, which the kids and I can never get enough of. Well, we decided it was high time that we go for a visit, and their Easter Egg Hunt was the perfect opportunity.

Ready for the trip!

The event was slated for 11-3 on a Saturday which was a great time of day. I was at first a little nervous about the kids and the trip across the bridge, but we were there in no time (30 minutes tops). It’s really pretty easy to navigate, and there was a nice man directing traffic when we got there. When we parked, I realized that I had forgotten to put my jogger in the trunk for (E). Having the stroller on the trails would not have worked, and I was happy to let her walk anyway. If you have young children I would recommend wearing them. It was still a little chilly, but a beautiful bright sunny day and we were so thankful to be outside!

Thought this was hilarious, Easter Eggs in the snow along the way!

(E) sitting on the job!

(A) searches for some well hidden eggs.

We got there right at 11 am just in time for the first wave of Egg Hunters. I loved the way that they ran this part. They asked that no one take more than 10 eggs, and that all participants who had at least 1 egg at the end would reap the full benefits. This was a great learning opportunity for (A) as we kept counting and then putting back eggs if we were over the limit. The eggs were empty (which meant less garbage laying around). Volunteers stood around the path to place more eggs if their section became sparse, and to keep adventurers safe (making sure we didn’t slip on the remaining ice). I love that the hunt was in the woods where there was more opportunity to hide them, and to walk and climb. We had a blast in there.

(A) runs and climbs in his search for eggs.

When you exited you turned your eggs in (they get reused for the next groups to go through), and received a few pieces of chocolate. I loved this idea too, my kids didn’t leave with 3 lbs of chocolate they didn’t need. Just a few pieces which makes it a treat.

Ready to turn in our eggs!!

The egg exchange.

Yummy chocolate!

After the egg hunt we went inside for the crafts. There was a bunny hat station, a tissue paper flower station, and a paint your own reusable bag (for a small donation) station. These can become quite crowded because they were inside so my recommendation would be to do these either early or late. As with most of these events the majority of the visitors showed up around noon and left by 1:30. If you go off peak, you can really reap the benefits of doing everything in a less crowded atmosphere. (A) enjoyed himself greatly and the volunteers working these stations were also patient and kind.

(A) makes a tissue paper Daffodil.

When you left the buildings there was even more fun waiting. There were vendors, food, and great open spaces to explore. (A) noticed that there were turkeys out and about. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it down to the turkeys, because (E) needed a nap. There was so much fun and excitement. You could stay the whole day and be busy as a bee the entire time.

A quick shot of some of the outdoor festivities!

Conclusions: Greenburgh Nature Center puts on a great event. It’s organized, well planned, and well known so it gets busy. The volunteers are all lovely. I would highly recommend going to any of their events or classes and having a good time.

Helpful Hints:

Go off peak to miss the midday crowds.
Wear your baby, a stroller doesn’t work on the trails and are difficult to navigate in crowds.
Plan to spend a good amount of time as there were lots of fun activities and things to do.

« Previous Page

**For a limited time (through 5/17/15) use the code RNYMOM5 when you purchase tickets online to DiggerlandUSA and/or Sahara Sams Oasis and receive a discount off of the full day price!! **

For a limited time (through 5/17/15) use the code RNYMOM5 when you purchase tickets online to DiggerlandUSA and/or Sahara Sams Oasis and receive a discount off of the full day price!!