If you live in NYC it’s an institution that you make the summer pilgrimage to Coney Island at least once. We made ours last week on a scorching hot day. I almost lost my shit after trying to hold up both kids in an old fashioned photo booth that was at least 10,000 degrees inside. Pretty much all of the four images on the strip came out looking the same which made me even more agitated. Fritz had fun though and kept doing this funny little pose thing (see below). We ate good food, went on rides and visited the aquarium. Like always, good fun.

See I told you. Check out this little pose. He also picked his outfit himself that morning. How retro and stylee!

What little boy dreams are made of.

Coney Island has some of the best signage in the entire world!

My Family, My Life (that’s what it says on the top of the portraits). I feel ya bro.

When I woke up this morning and saw the rain I declared to the family that we would go bowling. And bowl we did. I hopped on the ‘puter and did a little research to see what our options were. I quickly discovered that the ultra posh Brooklyn Bowl had family hours Saturday and Sunday 12-6 pm. It’s still super pricy at $20 per half hour and $4 shoe rentals, but you cannot beat the magnificent decor and swanky vibe. Fritz had never bowled before so this was his first experience (he’ll get a rule awakening when I take him to the Whitestone Lanes one day). The kid loved it! We were all geeking out as a family hooting and hollering when each of our turns came up. High fives were being thrown about with reckless abandon.

The Brooklyn Bowl lanes are state of the art. You can pre-set bumpers to pop up on the little ones turns, which makes it as thrilling for them as it is for us. They also offer a pretty outrageous menu for a bowling ally. Blue Ribbon chefs up items like deviled eggs, gourmet french bread pizza, calamari, baby back ribs, milk shakes and egg creams. The place is very clubby even at 1:30 in the afternoon, so BD and I had no problem knocking back a pint while we got our bowl on. All in all we had a blast but I’m not gonna front, the bill was a bit steep for an hour of bowling. But hey if you feel like a glam afternoon of 10 pin with the fam Brooklyn Bowl’s got you covered.

I love love love typing in silly names on the score card but because this was a special occasion I went with something classic. My usual bowling moniker is Lil’ Pin Pin.

Brooklyn Bowl makes you feel kinda sexy.

The Champion! BD won both games. Natch.

Lola was just being adorable, as usual.

Look at that form!

Um, can you see the vein popping out on that kids neck? Fritz was on the edge of his seat. When he twirls his hair that means shit is serious.

Kingpin!

Lola eventually motivated out of her stroller onto the club couches. She looks like she’s actually in a night club. Love it!

Their ATM machine is disguised as a Zoltar. Now that’s fucking cool.

Hey party people! In the NYC area and looking for something fun and active to do this father’s day? Look no further. Check out Rockstar Games Annual Skyscraper Cycling Classic. Fun for daddy and everyone! For more information go here. Let the good times roll!

I saw on NY1 this morning that Union Square has unveiled it’s new playground! Looks super fun. I can imagine this spot is going to be packed in these next few gorgeous days here in the city. We usually don’t get a chance to get over there these days, two kids on the subway is a bit of a nightmare, but I’ll have to make a special trip and let Fritz wile-out a bit. Anyone living around the Union Square area go enjoy this new beautiful Playground today!

[Images Via A Fine Blog]

I have to admit to feeling like a bit of a mommy over achiever this week. Actually, I’m quite proud of it. The BD went out of town on business yet again, leaving me to tend to the two little ones. Then there was the storm. I spent the last two days working my ass off to keep Fritz entertained and keep my sanity, all while having a baby attached to my chest. Oh, Fritz could have went to school today, but how was I to clear the sidewalk, dig out the car and load up the kids all before 8am? We stayed home for the second day this week, the highlight, our kick ass snow man. While we were making it Fritz kept saying ridiculously amazing things like ‘This snow is perfect!’,'This is fun mommy’ and ‘Come use this snow over here mommy’. Yea, it was one of those moments.

On top of being the cruise director during the snowstorm, earlier this week I decided to take Valentines matters into my own hands. Who could forget getting those cute little store bought Valentines from all your friends at school? It was pretty much the sweetest/cutest thing ever. Since V-Day landed on a Sunday this year I thought the kids shouldn’t miss out on such a wonderful little holiday. So, not only did I suggest to all the parents in Fritz’s class that the kids bring in valentines for their classmates, I volunteered to make the ‘mailboxes’. Admittedly, I live for this kinda shit. The above image is of the small pink paper bag ‘mailboxes’ I made for each of Fritz’s classmates, adorned in stickers, glitter and illustrator generated graphics. If this makes the kids happy for more than five minutes, than consider me a happy mommy.

Viva La SAHM!!!

Ok that’s not really the name but it should be. It’s actually called The New York Botanical Garden Train Show with Gingerbread Adventures and it looks like a perfect NYC holiday family activity! The show runs November 21-January 10th. This is going on our holiday to do list, tout suite! It’s also high time this family made a trip to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. We’re doing it big this year…BIG!

*Above image not from Gingerbread Spectacular.

As some of you are aware I offer advice. Virtually anyone can get my opinion by simply emailing me via the clicking the ‘Take it or Leave it’  icon to your left.I’m open to talking about whateves so ask away. Here’s a good one from avid Hipster Mom reader Beth…

Q: I’ve read your NYC Activity Review and was wondering if you have any recent updates or recommendations. I’m travelling to New York with my husband and three year-old son for a three week stint (starting this week), and am trying to organize some activities while we’re there. We’re staying in Chelsea/Meat Packing District, so we’ll be based out of that area. We’d like to avoid super touristy stuff so parks, and other low-key jazz are definitely on the menu. If you have the time/energy, any tips are welcome.

A: Where do I start! NYC and the surrounding buroughs are filled with so many activities it can be almost overwhelming. Let me narrow down some of my families favorites…

1. Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Ok just to be up front this is a trek from Chelsea but sooooo worth it. You will relish watching your kid have a blast in this beautiful children’s museum. The museum is a totally hands on interactive experience.  Here is a link to all the traveling info. The museum is closed Monday & Tuesday.

2. Central Park. Duh! This one is obvious…maybe a little touristy but who can deny the beauty of NYC’s Central Park. Bring a little bag to collect a few leaves and acorns. You can bring them home as souvenirs, probably the only free stuff you’ll get this trip! Visit FAO Shwartz while your there. DO NOT GO ON A WEEKEND!!!

3. The Natural History Museum. This museum is stunning. I recently visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in DC and it didn’t hold a candle to ours. Fritz loves this museum and if your kid can actually sit still visit the planetarium while your there….so soothing.

4. Williamsburg. Head over to 14th St. Union Square and take the L Train three stops to Bedford Avenue. Explore the hood, shop, eat and look at the fashion parade down Bedford Ave. Take the kiddo to McCarren park to burn of some energy or take a stroll down Kent ave and check out the park at the waterfront. Here are some links to my favorite things in Williamsburg: Vintage Shop Beacon’s Closet, KCDC Skate Shop right next door, Sprout a beautiful plant store, Spoonbill & Sugar Town Books sells lot’s of interesting books and Zines, To-Go Vietnemese Sandwiches at Banh Mi on Bedford. If you check out these places you should also see plenty of other great stuff on the way.

5. Max Brenner Chocolate Restaurant in Union Square. They have regular food but the Chocolate Menu is obviously the highlight. You’ll be doing plenty of walking so indulge in something crazy.

6. Economy Candy. This is a good reason, among others to visit the LES. Economy Candy has every candy imaginable and it’s an NYC legend located on Rivington Street. WARNING: Kids could go batshit in here depending on age enter with caution. While on Rivington chill out with a glass of wine and yummy italian noshies at ‘Inoteca. Explore Ludlow and Orchard Streets while in the neighborhood.

7. Brooklyn Bridge. If your the active types take a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and make your way over to Dumbo. Great photo op’s and spectacular views. Depending on age of child bring the stroller. Bundle up!! Dumbo has a really great playground as well. Take the train back.

8. Shake Shack at Madison Park in the Flat Iron. Believe the hype. This infamous burger joint located in the middle of Madison Square Park and serves up delicioso burgers fries and shakes. The lines can be treacherous so go at an odd hour like 4:00 pm.

9. NYC Transit Museum. Go down into a real subway station that has been transformed in to a museum that houses train cars through the years. This is another one of Fritz’s absolute favorite NYC activities. Located in Downtown Brooklyn. While your there check out the Fulton Street Mall for everything ghetto fabulous, gold jewelry, kicks and mix tapes.

10. Do a tourist Day!  Just do it. Gawk at the signs in Times Square, Visit Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum and eat at Mars 2112. I live here and I still like to do this kind of stuff every once in a while. It’s good fun but again beware the weekend.

11. NY Hall Of Science. This is a trek to Queens but again, totally worth it. I did a review on The Hall Of Science this past summer. Go!

12. Last but not least when in doubt go on NYMag.com for other suggestions. It’s the place to go for food, entertainment and shopping.

I LOVE NY!!!!

Fritz got a much needed hair cut today. Since I wanted to avoid the mental patient look, he is in school after all, I decided to take him to a real barber shop. We visited The Brooklyn General Barber Shop on Bedford and N.9th in Williamsburg. The Brooklyn General has an old timey feel and caters to kids and adults. The best part about this place is all the little toys and penny candy they have for sale. Nothing is too expensive, so you don’t feel like your getting ripped when your kid begs for a toy and you kinda have to buy it to get them to cooperate. Just throw your kid in the little airplane, give um’ a swizzle stick and voila!, like magic,  your child will have only a semi-traumatic haircutting experience instead of a full-blown traumatic one. Ain’t life grand.

This is my over all feeling on the Renaissance Faire; the idea of the Renaissance Faire is a lot better than the actual Faire itself. Yesterday my BFF Jennie, Fritz and I all piled in the car and drove up to Tuxedo, New York for the Annual NY Renaissance Faire. The excitement was pretty much quashed for me after the 20 minute walk hike from the car and we approached the throngs of people at the front gates. It felt more like a trip to Six Flags than a Renaissance Faire. To insure that Fritz was not lost or kidnapped I had to keep telling him to stay right next to me…every 2 seconds…all day. A huge drag for me was actually dragging our stroller through the gravel paths that made up 75% of the fair grounds. Between that and constantly yelling at/making sure Fritz was next to me/the sugar meltdown at 3:30 I almost lost my mind. Anyway after waiting in line for our tickets we entered Sherwood Forest. Here are a few highlights… Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday we piled into the family truckster and headed to Flushing Meadow Park to visit the NY Hall of Science. Upon arrival we were happy to find that our Brooklyn Children’s Museum membership got us in for free! Fritz and I also visited the Transit Museum last week and it was the same deal. If you live in NYC spring for a membership at one of these museums, it’s totally worth the access you gain to the several museums and will pay for itself if you go to any of them more than 3 times in a year. The NY Hall of Science did not disappoint. It reminded me a lot of a museum I used to go to in SF when I was a kid called the Exploratorium. If anyone has ever been, can we discuss how cool the Tactile Dome is please! Anyway, the hall was chock full of hands on exhibits geared for children but equally entertaining for adults (Adrian and I were kinda geeking out and having just as much fun as Fritz). The museum was modern, clean and really well designed. This adventure is not to be missed. Check out some of the attractions… Read the rest of this entry »