Uncategorized – Page 9 – Rockland NY Mom

Dear Dads… You’re Welcome

Posted on May 8, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Opportunities, Party, RNYM's Picks, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Ok, so, this weekend is Mother’s Day. I know, I know, it came on so fast. We at RocklandNYMom really value our parents (grandparents, caregivers), and know how much you put into everything that you do and so first of all, please accept our greatest PRAISE, and THANK YOU! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

That being said- I polled the Moms on our page to see what they really wanted for Mother’s Day, then went out and attempted to make it happen with some AMAZING giveaways that we are doing this week. I am NOT able to provide for everyone but we do have 5 fabulous days of fun. What do I have for you? The list of items that were most requested by Moms, and where you can find them. You’re welcome.

Surprise, surprise, Moms want to be PAMPERED. I think I can speak for most parents in general, when I say that when it comes to doing something special for ourselves, we hesitate, but today we speak specifically about moms (so Dads no offense we will get to you next month). So Moms asked for things that they should be doing for themselves (when possible) but are afraid to ask for:

To have their nails done
This one I don’t actually have a recommendation for, there are SO many. But I would love to be able to go monthly, with no GUILT to do this, especially with the warm weather coming, pedicures are a must.
To get their hair highlighted (dyed) and cut.
I am actually giving one hair gift certificate away this week to Hair by Andrea www.hairbyandreanyack.com as well as an adorable tote, and a hair straightener.
Not only can you make an appointment to go in and see Andrea- but she has a special for new clients you may want to take advantage of for your gift $85 for a full head of highlights and a cut. She also makes house calls.
For a Massage
I don’t have one to give away this time, but word on the street is that you can contact two FABULOUS places to book one:
Nellie Grossenbacher- Who can be reached on Facebook or text (201) 523-3907The Wholeness Center- https://www.wholenesscenterny.com/ who also has some other fantastic pampering services like facials with Carrie ElAmir (my favorite)
A night away
Here’s something neat, Moms asked for one night away, in a hotel, even a STAYCATION. Cool idea if you ask me, send her with a friend or leave the kids with grandparents and go together. Some me/alone/couple time is ALWAYS a great idea.
Someone to professionally clean the house
I do actually have one to give away this week. Michelle of Dutchmen Cleaning who cleans my house has kindly offered to give a Momma a break and given us an all natural cleaning gift basket with a gift certificate to give away.

Not our lucky winner? That’s ok, you can call and give Mom some time off by calling (845) 742- 9592 and mention us, Michelle will give you $10 of your cleaning.
A night off of cooking
Luigi O’Gradys has just what you need to pamper mom and give her some time off, be it breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner Michelle and her staff can make anything happen (if you give them some lead time). Give them a Call: (845) 735-9110 **MUST CALL BY FRIDAY**
Something witty
Our very first giveaway this week is from Shine Bright Co. Its an ADORABLE gift bag with some super witty gifts inside.
Have a Mom or Grandma with a FABULOUS sense of humor? Take a look and see what they’ve got! https://shinebritecompany.com/
Professional Photos- Photos of Us
Moms are constantly taking photos, documenting EVERYTHING. But we are TOO hesitant to jump in front of the camera. Also, it seems SO frivolous to ask for professional photos, but we would LOVE them. We have a directory for that CLICK HERE. Any of these talented photographers are ready and willing to document your special family moments.

In fact, two of them have donated gift certificates to pamper Mommies this week.

Jennifer Tesker Photography-

www.JenniferTeskerPhotography.com

www.Facebook.com/JenniferTeskerPhotography

JenniferTeskerPhotography@gmail.com

Phone: 845-268-3846 (best is email)

Honeybee Photography NY-

http://www.honeybeephotographyny.com/

(845)729-3159

HoneyBeePhotographyNY@gmail.com
Something Home Made
Jill’s Ceramics has a wide variety or fabulous thing you can make for mom. We made hand print Vases.
We also happen to have an event on 5/18 for parents to go and be creating (there will be wine) and one on 6/9 to make Father’s Day Gifts (told you we were including you guys!) YOu can RSVP to these events by emailing Rocklandnymom@yahoo.com or checking out the Facebook events.

(845) 623-4975

180 Germonds Road

West Nyack, NY 10994-1325

http://www.jillsceramics.com/
MAD MONEY
And I don’t mean cash. Know why? People give me cash or a check and then I go and do something RESPONSIBLE with it. Mad money, Mommas wanted a gift certificate to a home store, or their favorite clothing store, or jewelery store. Somewhere NOT RESPONSIBLE, but guilt free. Then, give her the child free time to go and use it- want to really make an impression? Ask her to see what she got, and then pretend you ADORE it ;o)Pick her Poison and go with it.
Does she love to DECORATE? Then we suggest- Homegoods, Or Kirklands
JEWELS more her thing? Bourghol Brothers in Congers
Living with a STYLE MAVEN (that means she likes clothes)? Macys- Lord and Taylor- Nordstrom- Runway on the Hudson- or Ann Taylor (or the Loft) will do the trick!

Get it Sold with SOHN AND Make a Difference too!

Posted on May 4, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause, In the Home, Rockland Real Estate, Services, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Most of you know that Sheri is a passionate, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Agent, and the owner of SOHN Real Estate. What you may not know is that she also likes to give back to charity at least once a year in a big way. The charity that Sheri donates to is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and this is how it works.

List your home with Sheri in the month of May, and she will donate 20% of her commission to the society. Why this specific charity? Sheri lost her sister to the horrid disease and wants to give back in her name, to try to find a cure for others, so that they don’t suffer the same fate.

Prefer to donate to another charity? That’s great too!!! Just let Sheri know which one and she will donate the 20% to them instead!!! This is a great opportunity to sell your home and also make a great difference for your favorite charity!!!

To speak to Sheri give her a call at: 914-906-2900 and check our her current listings at: http://sohnrealestate.com/

Climbing the Ladder at New City School of Music

Posted on April 23, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

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

As (A) attends Drum lessons at the New City School of Music I continue to be impressed by their program and how efficiently and expertly run the school is. We have already signed up for our times for our performance in June, lessons and makeups are easy to schedule, and communication is clear.

Well, this past week we were able to see another dimension of what they offer. As (A) has been working hard with Andrew it had come time for him to complete his first level test. You see, The New City School of Music uses the Musical Ladder system. The idea is to set attainable goals for students and encourage them to keep working towards them. As they do, they take a skills test, and upon completion they earn a colored bracelet, certificate, and later on even trophies.

Two lessons before the test Andrew mentioned that it was time, but didn’t put excess stress on (A) they told him that if he wasn’t ready, he could wait. I like this flexibility because we have been involved in programs that pushed very hard, and stressed him out. No 7 year old should be stressed, and we appreciate how this fits into the philosophy that (A) isn’t just learning an instrument, he is learning to love music, and enjoying each moment.

To test Andrew gave (A) some new rhythms that he needed to work on. In order to pass, he needed to be able to do 3/4 of them without mistake. The day of the test (A) was nervous but not the way I had seen him in the past, he was focused. Andrew gave him a minute to get acclimated and then he began. He did it without any problem and earned his first level “Apprentice”.

We still had time left in the lesson so Andrew used it to move (A) on to his next challenge. Reading “real” music. Up until now Andrew had been modifying it for (A)’s ability using a special “tab” (a simplified representation of music) that tells him which drum to hit on each beat. When he first brought out the book and (A) looked at it, his response was that he couldn’t do it, it was too confusing. But then Andrew translated it into the system they had been using. He recognized it immediately, and then Andrew did something awesome. He showed (A) how to transform it into real music, which unbeknownst to us was just the addition of a few extra “lines”. HE HAD BEEN READING IT THE WHOLE TIME!

As an educator I was blown away. This is the perfect was to scaffold teaching for kids, instill confidence and help them to achieve goals. Its still taking a little getting used to, but (A) is now responsible for writing in the “beats” for himself and read the music. I CANNOT wait to see where this progresses to.

If you call New City School of Music, please let them know that we sent you, we are always happy to hear that our readers give people a call.

When do Toddlers Transition to One Nap?

Posted on April 19, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Fitness, Reviews, Rockland Babies, Services, Uncategorized .

Content provided by Sarah Cummings

When do Toddlers Transition to One Nap?

The terrible twos. No matter how angelic your little one is as a baby, you’ll still have to fact that chaotic year sooner or later. And quite often, it’s more than a year; stretching into the “terrible threes” and beyond!

Of course, our kids give us an incredible amount of joy, and love, and sheer entertainment too. But this stage of their little lives can be testing for the entire family…especially as their sleeping patterns change.

Maybe they’ve been a very sleepy tot so far and have taken 3 naps a day, at 45 minutes a go. Or maybe they prefer two naps for longer, for an hour or more at a time. In any case, your carefully crafted sleep schedule is about to change.

When does the transition normally occur?

As with so many parenting tips, there isn’t one catch-all answer. Popular belief used to hold that babies could transition to one nap at 12 months; however the average age is actually between 15–18 months. And this transition can be a pretty difficult time. Since one nap may not be enough for your little one to keep your eyes open during the day, or make them cranky and over-tired, you may choose to stick to two. Which might make it impossible to get them settled at night.

Every child is different. So you’ll need to check when a good time is right for your toddler, not just the recommended age.

How to make it easier

Start by reading the signs

You can spot them pretty easily… for instance if your child won’t go down for a nap without kicking up a big fight, every time! Or if they’re taking longer to doze off, or if they don’t nap for very long… it might be time to cut one nap from their day. Monitor their behaviour for around 2 weeks and if their napping schedule continues to be disrupted in some way, it’s probably time to make the move.

Next, do a test run

Keep your toddler up and active when they’re normally napping, say in the afternoon, and see how it goes. If they make it to bedtime without a meltdown, maybe that should be their routine going forward. If not, well, maybe they’re not quite ready yet. You could try another test run in a few days but this time push their morning nap to 15 minutes later and stretch it out as long as you can. If they do wake up after an hour, try soothing them back to sleep or use a white noise machine to lure them back to slumberland.

Repeat this process the next day, and the next, moving that nap back 15 minutes at a time.

The change probably won’t occur overnight – in fact, this phase of limbo can last from a few weeks to two months – but be patient. Ultimately your toddler should be napping right after lunch, for 2 to 2½ hours, and that’s it for the day.

Remember to respect their needs

The move from two naps to one can be pretty unsettling for a toddler; so it’s up to you to make the switch as comfortable as possible. Try to understand that they will naturally feel more overwhelmed and overstimulated without having a chance to rest between all the excitement of their day.

So in the morning, introduce a little “quiet time”, during which you read to your child or play soft music. If they’re bouncing around the room playing imaginary heroes games, they’re likely to be exhausted and in need of a nap; depriving them of one will only make them cranky!

So keep mornings quite calm and, when it comes to naptime after lunch, it’ll be easy to get them settled. Then they can have their active play when they wake up!

Enjoy your new-found freedom

While it might be a challenging time at first, once you’ve made the move to one nap you won’t look back. You’ll have more freedom to work, exercise, meet friends, run errands or do whatever you like knowing that your child has a fixed nap time every day. And if they’re in a daycare centre in which afternoon naps are part of the program, well, scheduling naps might not even be part of your agenda!

Instead you can spend your little one’s waking hours doing the fun stuff – playing and bonding and enjoying some quality time together.

Hopefully this piece has shed a little light on moving from two naps down to one. If you need any more sleep tips for your toddler, or even for yourself, head on over to The Sleep Advisor now. Start paying more attention to the importance of a good night’s kip, learn how to improve your sleep every night and embrace a more rested, healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

WBT Presents Sister Act!!!

Posted on April 11, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Out and about..., Reviews, Things to Do!, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Westchester Broadway Theatre

Presents

SISTER ACT

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Glenn Slater

Book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner
Additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane
Directed and Choreographed by Donna Drake
Musical Direction by Bob Bray

April 5 – July 1, 2018

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.

Featuring original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar winner ALAN MENKEN (Disney’s Aladdin and Beauty and The Beast, Newsies, Enchanted), dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, Soul, and Disco, SISTER ACT is the funniest and funkiest musical around.

The Cast features: Zuri Washington (as Deloris Van Cartier), Mary Jo McConnell (Mother Superior), Lani Corson (Sister Mary Robert) Ken Jennings (Monsignor O’Hara), Philip Michael Baskerville (Curtis Shank), Danny Wilford (Eddie Souther), Corben Williams (TJ), Jayson Elliott (Joey), Mike D’Amico (Pablo), Sandy Rosenberg (Sister Mary Lazarus), Katelyn Lauria (Sister Mary Patrick).

The multi-talented Ensemble: Melanie Burg, Joanna Caruso, Sincee Daniels, Hannah Eakin, Hector Flores Jr., Keyonna Knight, Jose Plaza, T. Shyvonne Stewart, Jessi St. George, Stephanie Sable, Karen Webb.

Directed & Choreographed by Donna Drake. The Musical Director is Bob Bray; Associate Choreographer is Rhonda Miller. Set Design by Steve Loftus, Lighting Design by Andrew Gmoser, Sound Design by Mark Zuckerman. The Costume Coordinator is Heather Carey, Wig/Hair Design by Gerard Kelly, the Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas, the Assistant Stage Manager is Duane McDevitt and Properties are by Grumpy’s Props. Lisa Tiso is the Associate Producer.

Donna Drake (Director/Choreographer: Broadway: Original production of A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies, Woman of the Year, The Wind in the Willows, 5678-Dance, It’s so nice to be Civilized and the original production of The 1940s Radio Hour. She directed 4 Broadway Concerts of Nothing Like A Dame for BC/EFA and Addy & Uno, currently running off Broadway at Theatre Row. Awards include an Emmy nomination, 4 Drama Desk Nominations, A Mac Award Nomination, A Theatre World Award and an Off Broadway Alliance Nomination. She choreographed Catherine Zeta Jones for the American Film Institute Awards, 2009 and The AFI 2011 honoring Morgan Freeman and starring Betty White. She directed the children’s show; John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean off Broadway & National & International tours. TV: Julie’s Greenroom, starring Julie Andrews, Monica’s Mixing Bowl, Disney’s Johnny & the Sprites, and ABC TV’s Dear Alex & Annie. She is currently teaching acting at Pace University.

Zuri Washington (Deloris Van Cartier) is a Bronx native making her WBT debut in one of her favorite roles! She starred in the National Tours of Bring It On: The Musical as Danielle and Memphis as Felicia Farrell. Other credits include: Dreamgirls (Deena) and Bat Out of Hell which is now enjoying a run in the UK.

Reservations: Call (914) 592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com
Group Reservations: Discounts for Groups of 20 or More: Call (914) 592-2225.
Luxury Boxes: Call (914) 592-8730. For private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking.

Show Times:
Wednesday & Thursday & some Friday Matinees: Lunch: 11:30 am & Show 1 pm.

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Evenings: Dinner: 6:30 pm & Show: 8 pm.

Sunday Matinees: Lunch: 12 pm & Show: 1:30 pm

Sunday Evenings: Dinner: 5:30 pm & Show: 7 pm.

Ticket Prices: Dinner & Show range between $59.00 to $89.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performance chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers!

WBT Mainstage:

Sister Act – April 5 – July 1, 2018

Anything Goes – July 5- September 9, 2018

Phantom – September 13th – November 25th 2018

A Christmas Carol – November 29 – December 23rd, 2018

Phantom – Returns December 27th – January 27th 2019

Commit to Fit @JCC Rockland!

Posted on March 16, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

JCC Rockland Fitness Center is EPIC! They have unbelievable equipment, resources, and programs (Click here for our overview)- Commit to fit is one of their great programs back for YEAR 2!!

March is National Nutrition Month

Time to Commit to be Fit at JCC Rockland (Membership NOT required)!

10-week weight loss and exercise challenge includes:

1. Group motivation & Support

2. Fitness consultation & 2-sesssions with a personal trainer

3. Nutritional guidance and much more.

Limited space available.

jccrockland.org/commit-to-fit

ACT NOW! Max of 15 participants in each class

Sundays, Mar 25-May 27 Noon or Wednesdays, Mar 28-May 30 6:45pm

Camp Spotlight- Rockland Band Camp

Posted on March 16, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Rocklandrockbandcamp.com

rockbandcamp@optoimum.net

845-709-5930

Now in its 8th year.

The camp program director and Berklee College of Music graduate Brian Murphy and assistant director Terry Foley will lead the campers through each week-long session full of music, creativity, and collaboration, while sharpening musical skills and creating a truly memorable and impactful experience. Making new friends and having fun included!

Musical development is encouraged throughout every aspect of the program. Individual and group instruction is provided while campers are in-studio, and critical musical concepts are presented during rehearsals and in a classroom setting. Playing with other musicians in a band setting is an invaluable tool for musical growth, and a lot of fun.

ROckland Band Camp

Camp overview:

Campers will arrive at 10am each day for Rockland Rock Band Camp at Anjel Blue Studios in Nyack. Each full day of the camp program includes a 15 minute break in the late morning and a hour-long lunch break at 1pm. The day ends at 4 pm.

Selecting songs for the band and live show: The program begins with campers working together with their band members and with the Band Director instructor, to listen to, provide input, and review arrangements of their favorite songs for consideration for the live show at the end of the week. Songs are selected for rehearsal and live performance and bands can start working with these songs minutes later.

Morning sessions: Each day campers will continue to learn and practice the selected songs, with full in-studio rehearsal. Concepts that help students learn the songs and improve their expertise are introduced, and proficiency is developed throughout the week in areas such as learning by ear, understanding and playing from chord charts, and working with song lyrics and tabs (for guitar and bass players). Throughout the week, initially selected songs will be rehearsed and additional songs may be added.Afternoon classroom sessions: Each afternoon at 2pm, campers will participate in engaging classroom learning in the main studio room. Many topics could include rock and pop music history, music appreciation and exposure to different styles and genres, techniques for recording live music on the computer, analysis of the music of specific bands, their styles and albums, and discussion of the many types of backline gear and musical equipment used by bands in studio, and for recording and performance. One afternoon is set aside for “Musical Jeopardy,” which is a big hit with all the kids.Jam sessions: Our band members love our daily jam sessions! After classroom learning, kids play for about 45 minutes, take on challenges with their new skills, improvise, and make some great music.

Getting ready for live performance: As campers work towards the Saturday live performance, significant milestones are achieved. On Wednesday, the live performance set list starts to form, and performance skills, stage presence, playing to a live audience, and other performance aspects of the set are explored. By Thursday, campers create their original band name! Friday is spent rehearsing and reviewing the set list and then performing in the main studio room with the other camp bands.

The Performance: The week culminates with each camp band performing on Saturday afternoon at a renowned music venue, the Turning Point, in Piermont. Our live performance program provides an exciting opportunity and an invaluable experience –and the kids absolutely love it. The legendary Turning Point hosts nationally and internationally known artists, the best of the best of the club circuit – or as Westchester Magazine says, “Everyone who’s anyone.” Our campers get play the same room, from the same stage, for their very first gig! No other camp offers this great opportunity. This acclaimed entertainment venue boasts a long list of bands and musicians who play there – and Rockland Rock Band Camp band members can add their names to the list.

Students will improve musicianship and knowledge through:

Learning to practice and rehearse individually and as a group
Developing stage presence and live performance skills
Working cooperatively through band member interaction and playing with others
Listening in a band setting
Playing by ear
Understanding musical styles
Learning song formats
Learning to read and play from chord charts, song lyrics and tabs
Being introduced to reading music notation
Properly using studio equipment

Testimonials

What kids are saying about Rockland Rock Band Camp:
“So much fun. This is my third time doing this and every time has been great!” – Matt B, age 13,guitar”You get a real band experience-bonding with other people who enjoy music”- K.L. age 13, vocals/guitar”One of the best camps I have ever signed up for”- Kyle. C, age 13, vocals/guitar

“It was wonderful. I loved every minute of it!”- A. S., age 16, guitar

“I like being challenged to learn the songs for the performance”- Cameron P., age 12, bass

“It was a fun week”- Evan F., age 12, guitar

“This was my second year in Rock Band Camp and I learned a lot both times. It was fun and really helped me improve my music. It’s cool that we learn like a real band does, we work together, we learn the music, we practice and have a concert at the end. Brian is a good teacher and the new studio in Nyack is awesome.”– John Lynch, 12,keyboards

“My favorite part of band camp was being able to be in a real band! I thought it was really cool that I had a chance to have a real gig being so young”. — Johnny Vota, 10, drums

“Brian’s Band camp offers a vast plethora of musical endurance and learning. It was also a lot of fun for me and my fellow band mates to learn songs we wanted to learn. If you want a place to go to that offers a great setting for a awesome musical experience, your search is over.” — Bobby, age 13, bass

“I wanted to thank you for the having me at your camp this summer. It was the best musical experience of my life. It exposed me to a brand new genre of music and I can honestly say that I had lots of fun with it! I was never really into rock until my week at the camp the reason being that I didn’t really hear it while was growing up. I learned a lot in that short period of time, and my parents were more than happy with the results. So for this I thank you! Thanks to your camp this has been one of the best summers of my life. Thank you once again!”–Jocelyn Vallejo,17 singer

What parents are saying about Rockland Rock Band Camp:
“Once again.,…You have done a fantastic job….One that is greatly appreciated…”-Steve, father of Matt,16, keyboards

“Thank you for the great experience Molly had at camp!”-Teresa, mother of Molly,12, guitar

“The Rockland Band Camp fills a niche. The young people that attend the camp get to showcase the skills that they have mastered. They learn how to work as a group to put on a show in a fun and nurturing environment. You can see the excitement on the faces of the performers when they are on stage. Keep up the good work!”–Mary, mother of Michelle, 15, bass, guitar and vocals.

“This is our son Johnny’s 3rd time at Rock Band Camp. He absolutely loves it! Brian and Terry are magicians, we can’t believe how much these bands learn in one week together. The ‘Gig’ at the end is so special and unique for these kids. We look forward to our next experience with these talented teachers at Rock Band Camp!” — Mary Vota, Mom of Johnny, drums, age 10

“Thanks again for your hard work with the Rockband Camp. They were awesome. Our family and Matt’s friends were blown away. They were just amazing!”– Jackie, mother of Matt(guitar) , age 11

“Thanks again for another great season. It was really good and fun.” — Barbara, mom of John,age 12, Keyboards & vocals

“Great job w/ the kids they sounded great. Ryan had the best time please let us know when you are going to do another band group. Ryan would love to do it again.” — Jim, parent of Ryan, age 9, guitar

“Johnny had a ball. Brian thanks so much!!! Can’t tell you how happy he is and how happy we were with the whole program. You guys are awesome!” — Mary, mother of John, age 9, drums

“Brian all I can say is they impressed the hell at out of me. All 3 bands did great. You and Terry really got them rockin!” — Rose, mother of Vincent, age 11, drums

“I want to thank you and Terry again for such an amazing experience this week. I keep watching the video and I can’t believe how much Matt has improved and how great the bands sounded. You guys are great…we’re looking forward to the fall session.” — Jackie, mother of Matthew, age 9, guitar.

“So Impressive! You guys do an amazing job! Can’t wait for the fall. I think I’m a groupie” – Carolyn, mother of Caitlin, age 13, guitar.

Rocklandrockbandcamp.com

rockbandcamp@optoimum.net

845-709-5930

Proved Me Wrong

Posted on March 2, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Photography, Reviews, Uncategorized .

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

I have to be completely honest. Up until last year, I had seen Jennifer Tesker Photography’s “Be You” sessions and thought, “yeah they are stunning, but not my style.” I’ve always been a everyone get together and smile type of mom. I love the perfect family photo, with the kids and the dogs, something that reminds me how truly lucky I am, especially on tough days. Well, after I saw Ashley’s photos last year, I thought yeah I like those I’ll give it a try. So this year when they came up we jumped at the opportunity.

The session itself was so nice and low key. I didn’t have to sit there and try to get my kids to smile, if they did cool, if not- that’s cool too. This session is meant to be a reminder of who your kids TRULY are. Their goofy moments, their serious moments, their joyous ones. The faces they make on a daily basis, that you want to remember forever. There is a lot of laughing during these sessions. I got to sit comfortably on the couch and just watch. I knew immediately that Jennifer had gotten some amazing shots as I sat there but was unprepared for the real thing.

Not two days later Jennifer posted a “teaser” on her Facebook page for me (she’s so quick with turnaround). I was hooked. I remembered the exact moment that it was taken, what was going on, the giggles. My heart melted. I wasted no time in making it my profile photo, not just for my personal page, but for my business pages as well.

Waiting for the viewing session was TORTURE. I knew it would be good, so I invited my mother. Well, true to every experience I have ever had with Jennifer, the photos are breathtaking. I mean, I am having a TERRIBLE week, and I sat on her couch and cried (no worries she had tissues next to me). She captured my kids exactly as they are. She captured their signature looks. I watched the video 3 times before I could even proceed with the rest of the viewing. My mother who is a traditionalist as well, was floored. She had no problem laughing and smiling and picking her favorites.

We had to narrow them down to the ones we wanted to order products for and OH MY GOSH this was a task. I mean, EACH AND EVERY photo was spot on. It was a memory of what my kids do EVERY DAY. Its no surprise then that the first time through we picked 24!!! Upon working at it again were able to get it down to 12, that’s when it got even harder.

Yeah I am not going to lie, I ended up with all of them. It had to be done and I am not sorry. There was just no way to narrow it down further. I can’t even decide how I am going to display them, but I am going to. I can’t get over the silly faces they made when she said to do something they think is silly and like to do. I can’t get over the smiles when they were losing their minds over someones “toot” during the session. I can’t get over how suave my little man has become. How beautiful and tough my little lady is.

This “BE YOU” session captures the essence of its subjects. Every single shot.

So I’ve shared a bunch with you because they are just so awesome, but I am making you wait on some others, because I am going to show you the video- Its right here. Its sure to make you laugh and smile, and if you love it as much as I do- Give Jennifer a call, because as soon as people start seeing these photos (mine and the other ones shes done) she is going to book fast. To see more of her work check out her website- https://www.jenniferteskerphotography.com/ To book a session- send her an email- JenniferTeskerPhotography@gmail.com and as always, we appreciate if you let her know you found her here.

Movements for Life

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Sofija Duic Posted in Fitness, Reviews, Uncategorized .

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

-By: S. Duic

Movements 4 Life

Have you ever joined a gym and wondered if it’s right for you? Will it challenge me? Will they help me? That’s always a few of the questions that goes through my head when looking at gyms and their fitness programs.

If you know me I love the gym. I enjoy taking spin classes (yes I am one of those crazy girls), I love hot yoga, and work with a trainer one day a week. So when given the opportunity to try a new type of “training program” I was super eager to give it a go. I mean how different could it really be right.

Well let me tell you – it was different in such a good way. I took the Large Group Training class at Movements 4 Life which is located in Suffern (a few minutes past Good Samaritan Hospital) recently and fell in love with the whole experience. Like I said before I love working out and enjoy the push, sweat and the soreness the next day from a great work out. This was right up my ally.

Location/Gym:

The location was a hop skip and a jump from Nanuet, and parking was super easy. There is a train station right next to the gym so if you are a local Suffern resident and do a commute – it is easy to get to before or after work. The gym is on the 3rd floor – a quick run up the stairs for added cardio – or an elevator ride if you prefer.

The gym is open and airy with equipment set up around the perimeter in sections. There are various weights (depending on your fitness level and comfort), a changing area, cubbies to place your personal belongings, as well as an area to shower if you need.

Staff:

I spoke with Alex C. to go over the types of training classes that they provide. Between the Small Group and Large Group, I felt like the Large Group was where I wanted to start. Alex was great to work with, and the encouragement that was provided was spot on. A great first impression before even walking into the gym.

I need to be honest I was about 3 minutes late thanks to 1 sick child, and having to take my other daughter to religion. Being late, I felt I was destined to fail walking into the gym. Well the smile Amanda gave me when I walked in (apologizing profusely), and then Tim’s super cheerful “welcome” helped me relax and forget about life for a little bit. This was the start I needed, to have a great workout.

The Workout:

Alex had explained to me that this session would be an “overall conditioning with more of a cardiovascular emphasis”. So I was excited and ready to go.

Tim and Amanda worked with the group that was there – and we started out with a great stretch. It actually helped me to realize that I really don’t stretch enough unless I am in yoga, and it helped to loosen my muscles and get me ready for the workout. There is a blackboard wall on the left hand side when you walk in (the wall for the bathroom and shower room), and I see the words “Gamble, may the force be with you”. Yep I am officially worried – what do Tim and Amanda have in store for us tonight? Should I run or go to the bathroom and wait (hide) it out? Well I did none of that, and actually did the circuit workout that was planned for us. The gamble portion was a “roll of the dice” to see how long we were doing each of the activities with our rest period. This was great. Each workout had a different “workout time” and it really kept my body guessing what was next. I do have to apologize to everyone in the class because when it was my turn to “roll the dice” I had gotten double 6’s, and had to roll again, we had a full minute and half to work out (yep it was hard but wow was it a great one).

The hour for this session was quick and painless. Amanda and Tim walk around encouraging you, helping to guide and correct you as you work out. That to me was a huge perk, and something that is not done often at other gyms. I have taken many classes at different places, and had many a trainers, who would encourage you from the “stage” without walking around to correct your form – so the question is always in the back of your head – am I doing this right? Why is my leg shaking? Why does this feel weird? Should my arm feel like this? None of this came through my head, even at times Tim helped me to “tweak” my workout based on my prior knee issues (thanks to a torn meniscus 3 times). OH, and lets not forget the music in the background, upbeat current and past hits that gets your blood flowing – perfect for the torture, I mean fun that was planned for us.

Overall Experience:

I honestly can’t say enough about my experience, and can not wait to go back to try out the small group class that Movements 4 Life has. I called my sister as well as Megan to tell them all about it (both girls love to work out as much as I do and love to try new things). I felt bad, but must have kept Megan on the phone for a good hour afterwards raving about my experience – I don’t know about you, but that is not something I do often.

I emailed Alex when I got home to compliment him, going on and on about my experience. I just had to ask about costs and possibly adding this into my already crazy workout schedule. Now I just need to sit down and figure out how to add this into my daily routine.

Give the Alex, Tim and Amanda a call to set up a date/time to go in and get your experience – tell them I sent you. You will not be disappointed.

Webpage: http://movements4life.com/
Phone: 845-369-MOVE
Email: info@movements4life.com
Address: 47 Chestnut Street, Suffern, NY

Welcome to Wholesome Pantry

Posted on February 26, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Food, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as I was sent samples of Wholesome Pantry Products to test out.

Moms, well parents, carry a great weight on our shoulders. Along with all of the other things that we have to do, we also have to make sure that these amazing creatures that we have created are nourished. Not even just nourished, but fed well, healthily and in a way that’s appropriate for the fast paced world that we live in.

Enter Wholesome Pantry. Shoprite’s ever expanding line of healthy wholesome foods that are readily available and good for your family to consume. They are making eating and feeding well easier day by day.

Inside of the trial box I received were several great products including; apple crisps, energy trail mix, truffle oil and cayenne popcorn, pecans, and almond butter. I hadn’t even known that these items existed (you can find them in the snack isle).

We first went for the apple crisps. My family and I are big apple eaters, and these are literally freeze dried apple slices that are more like chips. I sent them to school with (A) as his healthy school snack. WELL, he loved them, so much that I headed right to the store to get more for all of us, and GUESS WHAT! They don’t only have apple, they also have pear, and peach. I got an assortment to send (and take) as snack.

Next we tried the popcorn. We LOVE the Olympics and you always need some snacks while you watch, so we made a few bowls. Its super tasty, RNYD and (A) especially liked it. It was a great lite snack for the opening ceremonies.

(A) and I get really bored if we have the same snack day after day, so the next day I tried the energy trail mix. A little of this goes a long way. Its a fabulous mix, I have always been a fan of sunflower seeds and dried cranberries. Its great alone, but also mixed into some Greek yogurt.

Although all of the items in our box could have been used to make healthy treats, I decided to look for dinner options for the last two. I had many reasons for it, but one of the major ones is how BADLY I need to switch up what I am feeding everyone, we’ve entered a food rut (insert scream).

The almond butter was kind of a mystery to me, I have never used it before but do LOVE peanut butter so I wanted to make something super yummy. I did a recipe search and found SO MANY great options- (including healthy options for those like me with a sweet tooth which I plan to try) but first, I am going to make this Spiralized Sweet Potato Pasta (CLICK HERE). I PROMISE to let you know how that is.

Last but certainly not least is the bag of pecans, which I purposely saved for last. I LOVE PECANS. I love Pecan Pie, I love Pecans in my acorn squash. But if you are a lover of Pecans you know they are not to be squandered, you have to use them in something great. I would REALLY like to make them into a pie- but I gave up sweets for Lent, so I am going to stick with this Honey-Pecan Chicken (CLICK HERE).

I promise to update you all on these two dinners and if I like them i’ll add them to our RNYM Favorite Recipes page where I put up recipes my family loves so that if you get stuck in a rut you can see what I have been up to. In the meantime, I am so excited about all these new options available for healthy eating in the home <3 I am hoping to be able to update you with more soon.

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