Take me out to the Ballgame

My boys love sports. So when they got a chance to go to a Yankees game a few weeks ago, they were ecstatic. What could be better than the atmosphere at the game? They got to eat Cracker Jacks and hot dogs, watch some of the greatest athletes and just have an all around good time. We're planning to go to a Staten Island Yankees game soon, and the boys are just as excited about seeing the minor league team as they were to see the major league team. (And guess what? The most expensive seats are $13 in Staten Island... not the average $50 at Yankee Stadium.)

As everyone has noticed, family events have been getting more and more expensive over the years. Taking the family to a Yankee Game can cost over $300! Going to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus would cost at least $150! And even a trip to the movies costs between $40 and $50!

That's why I love finding the simpler things that I know my kids will love just as much. For example, when we were on vacation last summer, we stopped at a small town rodeo. My husband and I thought that it was a little small... but the boys had so much fun! They couldn't believe all of the different sights, and they periodically ask if we can go back.

I've realized that children are able to do something that we as adults often overlook; they can find joy in the simpler things... in the essence of events. They don't necessarily need the whole package when they enjoy themselves just as much doing alternative things. Plus... if they're enjoying themselves with affordable family events just as much as if we were spending a fortune... doesn't it make more sense to go with the affordable and super fun activities? Because now we can do even more fun things together!

Going "Green"

It seems like you can't open your eyes nowadays without being constantly encouraged to live a more "green" lifestyle. Now I know that almost all Moms try their hardest to live a more eco-friendly life by recycling and buying "green" products. But when you think about it, what's the point in recylcing all of the plastic bottles that you encounter, and then buying a toy race-car made with a thousand little plastic parts that's only going to break and be thrown away in a few monthes?

That's why I love the more durable toys; they are often more simplistic, bordering on old-fashioned, but I have found that they are usually the kinds of toys that kids love for years upon years. So what if they love the latest and greatest toy that speaks and flashes lights and has a dozen moving parts? I bet in just a few months they won't love it as much any more. But I have a few toys that I bought for my oldest son, and not only does he still love them, but they have been passed down to my younger boys, who also love playing with them. Instead of buying lots of toys that will break within a year, I chose a few quality toys that I knew would last for years. I chose quality over quantity, and I think that was one of the greatest things I could have done.

Plus, how can you go wrong with classic toys that have been popular for generations? Not only will they last longer (and keep you from throwing away all of those broken or no-longer-loved toys), but they will be remembered for years to come.

Seeing Green!

It's all about birds in our household! Both Fischer and Henry are official "birders". Which to me, this seems like is an oxymoron for city living kids.

I went on a Central Park field trip on Monday with Henry's class. The kids were decked out with binoculars, bird books and enthusiasm.

Imagine keeping 28 kids trooping through the park, quiet! As they tip toed through the tulips in the North Woods, we got a hot tip that there was a Green Heron fishing in the creek. Word spread like wildfire. The kids could barely contain themselves...

"It's A Green Heron!"
"Where?!"
" I see it. I see it"
"I don't...where is it?"
"Oh my gosh, I see it...!"
"It's not green!"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"You'll scare it!!!"

Such a sighting. I was mesmerized and at the same time, in awe. Hidden in the brush, was a small, beautiful bird, completely unaware of the childish commotion he had inspired.

Ha! I was able to slow down, escape the city for a moment. I was a birder.

Who would have thunk?

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I know that the saying goes "April Showers Bring May Flowers"... but why does it feel like it's raining more in this month than it did last month?

Springtime always makes me want to surround myself with fresh flowers. I wish I could go into the park by me and just pick every single tulip and daffodil that I can get my hands on and put them in vases all around my home. Wouldn't that be beautiful?

Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip with my son to Central Park. It's supposed to be sunny and warm - and I'm so excited! The class is going bird watching. We're going to be on the lookout for robins, sparrows, cardinals, swallows and blue jays. We might even get a glimpse of a peregrine falcon! It's going to be fun because the only birds that we see on a regular basis are pigeons.

It's funny, I feel like I've been stuck indoors all winter, and now I seem to be going to Central Park every few days. I love it!

Sunday in the Park

Life doesn't get any better than a perfect Spring Day in Central Park.

My mom was in town and after a whirlwind weekend of seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway, a birthday party celebration, back-to-back baseball games, etc...we were finally able to kick back and relax!

Once in the park, we tossed baseballs, chased birds, floated in a row boat and my favorite... took a nap in the sun! Central Park is an oasis for city dwellers. I leave after most visits with a renewed sense of being.

We all tumbled home on the subway...all happy, hungry and EXHAUSTED!

Let's Play School

The other day, I overheard a young girl on the subway telling her father that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. This got me to thinking... how come some kids love school, and the idea of learning, while others can think of nothing but summer vacation?

I remember when I was a kid, I loved to play school. My brother and i would take turns being the teacher (I usually was!) , and each of us would patiently sit at our desks with our pencils and notebooks, pretending to learn.

Nowadays, my boys play on the computer...no desk or teacher! And I know that it's not just my boys. With TV and video games being so dominate in their life, are kids pretending as much anymore?

Or is school, and the idea of education, less "fun" than it used to be?