On behalf of Citibabes, I would like to wish you a happy new year filled with enriching experiences and special moments with your family. Happy New Year!

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

Materials

• Small paper plate
• Feathers (various colors)
• Jewels or stickers (various shapes and sizes)
• Paint, markers, and/or crayons
• Glue
• Scissors
• Rice, beads, dried beans, or popcorn kernels

Instructions

1. Have your child decorate the paper plate with paint, markers, or crayons and let it dry.
2. Once the paint has dried, fold the paper plate in half so you can see where the center is and then unfold.
3. Let your child glue the feathers to the rim of the plate (only on one side) leaving most of the feather sticking out. The glued end of the feathers should be on the inside of the plate once it has been folded.
4. Fold the plate and place some rice, beads, beans, or popcorn kernels inside. Then glue the plate closed.
5. Give your child jewels and/or stickers to decorate the outside of the plate.
6. As the countdown ends: 3….2….1…. Happy New Year! Shake your noise makers and celebrate the new year!

Craft adapted from Kaboose.com (http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-plate-noise-maker.html).

By Citibabes’ Teachers

So what can you do when you live in an area where snow is rare, non-existent, or if it just hasn’t snowed in time for the holidays? Last week at Citibabes, we had our December storytime where we read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. After the story the children shared their favorite snowy day activity and hunted for snowflakes in the playground! Here, CitiSchool teacher Sarah Rinaldi shares how you can bring this snowy storyime home to your family.

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

BOOK:  The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (author and illustrator)

AGES: 2-5 years

MATERIALS:

• Book
• Snowflakes of various shapes and sizes (paper of course)
• Variety of art supplies for drawing activity

DESCRIPTION: A little boy named Peter awakes one morning to discover a snow-filled world. Take a journey with Peter as he explores the newly discovered world of snow by making snowmen, snow angels, watching a snowball fight, and more!

BEFORE YOU READ:  Set the stage for this story by talking a little about snow and some fun activities and games that you can play in the snow. This can include activities such as making snow balls, snowmen, and snow angels and even playing snow tag or snow hide-and-seek!

DURING THE READING:

• Present the cover of the book to your children. Point to the title of the story and read it aloud as your finger follows the print. Do the same with the author and the illustrator.  Explain that the author writes the words in a book and the illustrator draws the pictures.  In this case, the author is a boy (Ezra). You can also explain that this book was a winner of the Caldecott Medal which was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
• Ask your children to look at the illustrations/pictures on the cover. What do they think the story might be about? Allow them to make several predictions and ask them why they think that. Use positive reinforcement techniques by saying: “Yes, I like how you use the title, The Snowy Day, and the picture on the cover to guess that this book might be about playing in the snow.” This develops children’s awareness that titles and illustrations are important cues to note when trying to comprehend a story.
• Begin reading the story to your children. Pause at appropriate points in the story and engage them in the illustrations or what they think might happen next. Ask them questions that might help them relate to how the characters are feeling or if they have experienced similar things in their own lives. Making these personal connections as they listen and read stories is very important in developing a life-long love of reading!
• As you read, your children may recall additional experiences they have had on snowy days or share things they like (or dislike) about snow.

AFTER YOU READ:  

• Ask your children to recall who the characters (people or animals in the story) were.
• Ask your children to retell what happens in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
• Review the experiences shared by the children before and during the reading of the story.
• Engage your children in drawing pictures of an activity they have engaged in or would like to engage in on a snowy day and invite them to share their reason for drawing a specific image. Encourage them to keep their drawings for the holidays and share them with your entire family!
• You can also hide snowflakes around the room and invite your children to “hunt for snowflakes”! Let them gather as many as they can and then invite them to show you which snowflakes are different and which look similar. By sorting items, your children learn valuable visual discrimination skills as well as basic sorting concepts. And don’t worry, if your children don’t find all the hidden snowflakes they won’t melt!

Thanksgiving is a special time of year – spending time with family, giving thanks, and also giving back. At Citibabes, we work hard throughout the year to give back to the community and the holiday season is no exception. This year in conjunction with Bundle, we are collecting food for the Food Bank for New York City. If you’re in the SoHo area, please stop by and donate canned food items. Or if you can’t make it to the club, please consider donating to our virtual food drive. In addition, for each new Facebook “like” and Twitter follower from now until December 16^th,  we are donating $1 worth of food to the Food Bank for New York City. Please share this information with your friends and help us support this important initiative.

On behalf of Citibabes, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and special Thanksgiving Day!

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

I don’t know about you, but when I think of the traditional Thanksgiving Day feast, I have to include squash and corn! I grew up with a dish that my mother made with Italian squash and corn – something that is VERY easy to make. Realistically, there may be people in your Thanksgiving Day brood that appreciate your Veganism… but then there is Auntie Mae who grew up on a dairy farm and might look at you very strangely when you place Mr. Tofurky on the table instead of Mr. Tom. Understanding this realistic scene at the table, I have made this recipe to fit a Vegan lifestyle as well as a non-Vegan lifestyle (give it time, they will convert)…

Instructions:

1. Sauté one chopped white or yellow onion in water in a pan.
2. Peel and chop (or smash) 5 garlic cloves and sauté as well.
3. After onions are cooked to a clear color, add about five or six Italian squash that have been cut into 1/4 inch slices (“coins”). You might have to add a bit more water to sauté.
4. Add one can of corn (no sugar added is preferred).
5. Add one bunch chopped cilantro.
6. Add one small can diced green chilies.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Cover and simmer until squash is tender.

Now comes the Auntie Mae version and the Vegan option as well:

1. After the mixture is cooked add about 1/2 cup milk (soy milk for Vegans) and a cup of grated cheese. Spread the cheese on top of the simmering concoction (Vegan cheese for Vegans of course!).
2. Simmer until cheese is melted.
3. Stir gently and serve with corn tortillas if desired.

Turkeys!

By Citibabes’ Teachers

Materials:

• Brown paper
• Glue
• Crayons
• Feathers

Instructions:

1. Precut the brown paper in 2 sections; one will be the back of the turkey which is the shape of a cloud with a flat bottom.
2. The second section will be the body and the head which should be in the shape of a bowling pin.
3. First, give your child the back of the turkey and give them glue and a paint brush. Have them cover the entire section in glue. Once covered, take away the glue and give your child a variety of feathers.
4. Allow your child to place the feathers wherever there is glue. Talk to your child about the different color feathers and where they should be placed.
5. Once finished, place it to the side to dry.
6. Now give your child the front of the turkey. This section will be done using crayons. Allow your child to draw in the different features – eyes, beak and waddle. Or, if you have extra scrap paper you can also cut out the different shapes. Allow them to draw and/or place features where ever they wish.
7. Finish by gluing the front of the turkey to the back section right on top on the feathers. Let dry and hang your turkey in a special place for Thanksgiving dinner.

If you have your own Thanksgiving recipes (vegan or non!) that you would like to share, leave them as a comment below! Happy Thanksgiving!

By Penny Tylor, RN, BSN, St. Ambrose Catholic School: A Notre Dame ACE Academy

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

BOOK:  Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barette

AGES: 2+ years

MATERIALS:

• Book
• Objects that represent things to be thankful for (fall leaves, school items, musical instruments, toys, etc.)
• Variety of art supplies for drawing activity

DESCRIPTION: From fall leaves and school to turkey and pie, there is so much to appreciate during Thanksgiving. Take a journey with the children of this book as they explore all they are thankful for – especially family.

BEFORE YOU READ:  Set the stage for this story by displaying a variety of items that represent something to be thankful for. This can include fall leaves, a picture of your family, school items like books or pencils, musical instruments, and even toys.

PROCEDURE: Engage your child in a discussion surrounding the items you displayed. Pose questions like:

• What are each of these items?
• How can they be used?
• How do they relate to Thanksgiving?
• Do you think the children in the story are thankful for some of these items as well? Let’s read to find out more!

DURING THE READING:

• Present the cover of the book to your children. Point to the title of the story and read it aloud as your finger follows the print. Do the same with the author and illustrator.  Explain that the author writes the words in a book and the illustrator draws the pictures.  In this case, the author is a girl (Julie) and so is the illustrator (Doris).
• Ask your children to look at the illustrations/pictures on the cover. What do they think the story might be about? Allow them to make several predictions and ask them why they think that. Use positive reinforcement techniques by saying: “Yes, I like how you use the title, Thanks for Thanksgiving, and the picture on the cover to guess that this book might be about what happens on Thanksgiving.” This develops children’s awareness that titles and illustrations are important cues to note when trying to comprehend a story.
• Begin reading the story to your children. Pause at appropriate points in the story and engage them in the illustrations or what they think might happen next. Ask them questions that might help them relate to how the characters are feeling or if they have experienced similar things in their own lives. Making these personal connections as they listen and read stories is very important in developing a life-long love of reading!
• As you read, your children may recall additional experiences they have had on Thanksgiving or share things they are thankful for.

AFTER YOU READ:  

• Ask your children to recall who the characters (people or animals in the story) were.
• Ask your children to retell what happens in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
• Review the experiences shared by the children before and during the reading of the story.
• Engage your children in drawing pictures of what they are most thankful for and invite them to share their reason for drawing a specific image. Encourage them to keep their drawings for Thanksgiving and share them with your entire family!

By Sarah Rinaldi, Citibabes CitiSchool Teacher

Thankfully there are people like Allison O’Neill, children’s wear expert and owner of Bundle and Bundle@Citibabes, to help us with our search for perfect children’s clothing. With her knack for spotting trends, a talent for being the perfect gifting concierge, plus the ability to identify the necessities of a newborn’s registry, she’s the ultimate resource for everything fashionable and fun for the little ones in our lives. Here are her must-haves for the little ones this season.

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

The Knit Blazer

I was so excited to see this blazer when I was buying for the season. It looks so polished, with its classic lines and herringbone detail, but it feels like a sweatshirt. Parents tell me on a daily basis how their little boys just won’t wear anything that isn’t soft. This blazer is the answer to your dress-him-up needs, while keeping him happy.

The Comfy Play Pant

Go Gently proved with these pants that sweat pants can be edgy! The asymmetrical pocket detail and raw seem cuffs on these pants are so cool and they’re so comfy, he will want to wear them every.single.day. You’ll get your money’s worth on these!

The Perfect Party Dress

There are a lot of party dresses out there, but so many are stuffy and I’m not one for lots of frills. I do love a dress that makes an impact and that will photograph well. The vivid colors of Tea’s Pinata Party Dress are so much fun and it says holiday without screaming it.

The Skinny Cargo

How cool are these? Neige does muted earth tones better than any brand out there, and these prove it. They also combine the ruggedness of a cargo pant with the fit and seaming of a riding pant, making them truly unique.

The Cashmere Dress Coat

I fell in love with this coat when designer Tina Salibello brought it to my store for our Velvet & Tweed trunk show last Spring. Made of cashmere, it’s as soft and warm as it is beautiful. And with a very limited production made, you can be assured you won’t be seeing this coat all over the place.

By Allison O’Neill, Owner of Bundle and Bundle@Citibabes

Do you want Allison’s help in finding the most perfect outfits for your children? Or do you need assistance with that growing Christmas/Hanukkah list? No problem, personal shopping is her favorite past time. To purchase any of the items above or to schedule your personal shopping appointment, email stylebabe@bundlenyc.com or visit www.bundlenyc.com.

And if you are in the SoHo area on Saturday, October 29^th, stop by Citibabes for our annual Halloween Spooktacular where we will be creating even more arts & crafts projects that you and your children can enjoy together. We will also have spooky Halloween story readings, cookie decorating, a performance by Wee Rock Babes, a concert with The Rockdoves, photos by Bellamy Blue Photography, and more!

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

It’s that time of year – time to get into the Halloween spirit and what better to welcome guests than a Halloween wreath? With only a few materials and candy available by the bushel, this wreath will be fun and easy for the whole family to put together.

Halloween Wreath Materials:

• Cardboard circle
• Tacky glue
• Halloween candy
• Orange construction paper to cut out pumpkins
• Black construction paper to cut out bats
• White construction paper for ghosts
• Black and orange glitter
• Self adhesive googley eyes

Instructions:

1. To begin, you and your child can cut bats, ghosts and pumpkins out of the construction paper. If your child is under four, I recommend cutting it out for them and allowing them just to decorate.
2. Give your child a paint brush with glue and apply to the pumpkins and bat cut outs. Apply orange glitter to pumpkins and black glitter to bats. For easy clean up apply glitter on cut outs over a paper plate or tray.
3. Use excess black paper from the bats to cut out eyes and mouth for ghost as well as the face for the pumpkins. Allow your child to apply to the pumpkin and ghost cut outs.
4. Once dry, glue the ghosts, bat and pumpkins to the cardboard circle. Space them out evenly. Wherever there is extra space on the cardboard, glue googley eyes and different Halloween candies such as candy corn and gum drops.
5. Allow to dry completely and hang on your door for a festive Halloween wreath that the whole family helped to create!

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO & Co-founder, Citibabes

Halloween is the perfect day to capture your children’s excitement and creativity!  It’s a time of color, energetic little ones, and lots of interesting backgrounds. As you photograph this Halloween, keep in mind some of the basics of digital photography and add a few things to spice up your “snaps!” Here are some great tips to keep in mind:

Spooky Snapping

Embrace the dark and spooky in your Halloween images – after all, the real action of Halloween seems to happen after dark. To capture the mood, you’ll want to think carefully about the light sources for your shots as well as the settings of your camera.

1. Avoid the stark bright light of flash photography by switching off your flash. This is an override feature available in most cameras, simply by turning it off or by selecting a “night photography” mode. Keep in mind there is a trade off in low-light photography, generally resulting in motion blurs as the camera slows down the shutter speed to let in more light. You can counter this by using nearby objects as makeshift tripods (countertops, the side of a building, etc.) or by increasing the light sensitivity of your camera by increasing your ISO setting (refer to your manual).
2. Use your flash, but diffuse it! User-friendly flash diffusers are available at most camera stores. However, you can make your own at home by simply placing several layers of Scotch tape over your flash. The milky transparent material lowers the intensity of the flash, softening its effects.
3. Lower the power of your flash. This is a setting adjustment that you can take advantage of all year long. Most consumer cameras have a flash menu setting that allows you to decrease its power. Refer to your manual for this option.

Get Low, Get High

Find fresh perspectives by placing your camera where you can’t go! Put the camera high above your head for group party shots or even flat on the ground to add a spooky twist. When taking portraits, greet your little subjects at their eye level, kneeling down or even crawling on the floor for the littlest ones. Put a twist on things and rotate the camera slightly off kilter to the right or left. It’s a photojournalist trick that energizes even the simplest of scenes!

Details, Detail, Details

Getting the details of the costumes helps complete the story. Take pictures of your little one’s feet, hands, hats, and bags. Focus on the smallest of details, zooming in on just one portion of the costume at a time. There are so many unique details in each moment – hanging Halloween decorations, picking out and carving the pumpkin, trying on costumes, little ones counting their bounty of treats at the end of the night, and fast asleep trick-or-treaters exhausted from their big day. Remember that Halloween isn’t just about costumes. There is SO much going on – so take a step back, take it out all in….and have your camera on you at all times! Whether it’s people or objects – getting close and framing tight will add vitality to your shots.

“Third” Time’s a Charm

This is a surefire and simple way to enhance the composition of your shots!  Placing your points of interest in smart positions by using the “Rule of Thirds“ energizes your images, making them stand out from the typical snapshot. Visualize breaking down your image frame into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have nine parts in a grid. By placing points of interest in the intersections or along the lines, balances your photo. When viewing images, people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.

Share the Fun

Hand off the camera to your little ones for brief supervised periods or buy them a disposable camera to use on their own for the evening. Encouraging kids to capture the day from their perspective yields incredibly special photographs from not only from their unique eye level, but also of moments that they deem “camera worthy.” Asking little ones to photograph each other in their costumes brings them into the fun and makes them feel a part of the action.

A Camera a Day Keeps the Dentist Away

Instead of giving out candy this year, consider purchasing disposable cameras in bulk and handing them out to trick-or-treaters. Children will be delighted at the novelty of receiving a “grown up” treat and parents will appreciate the gift that entertains twice – first while the children are taking photos and second when the prints are picked up from the drug store.

By Bellamy Blue Photography, CitiScoop‘s Photography Experts

Don’t forget to stop by Bellamy Blue’s “Spooky Snaps” photo booth at Citibabes’ Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 29th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm! Visit the photo booth and receive a complimentary on-site 5×7 print of your little ones courtesy of Bellamy Blue!

Made of bamboo and featuring sporty racing stripes detailed with water-based paint, the Hape e-racer Monza is a great alternative to the standard “toy car.” With roll bars, oversized wheels, and those trendy racing stripes, this e-racer is ready to roll! Check out other Hape vehicles like e-copters, e-planes, e-trucks, racers, and more. $19.95; package size is 9.1”/5.5”/5.3” (l/w/h); 3+ years (available at hape-international.com).

Now, we are excited to announce our next venture into the e-world universe: the publication of a blogger e-book anthology.

When entering the e-world of blogger e-book anthologies, there is no one better to partner with than Sarah Byden-Brown of Blogstar. Her first e-book, Stories I’ve Only Told My Mom, has been a huge success. Described by Sarah as “an eclectic package of funny, smart and emotionally-charged writing by women who understand how real women think,” the e-book reached #1 on Amazon (Kindle) and #8 Amazon (books) under the category of Motherhood. With stories ranging from the loss of a child to an unexpected pregnancy, best mom advice, and coming of age, it is a surprise package that does not disappoint.

Why the new journey into blogger e-book anthologies? One of the goals of Citibabes has always been to provide information for modern parents. With a number of bloggers writing on a set topic (some controversial), a reader is able to see different points of views and form their own opinion. Also, as Sarah explained, “The authors are bloggers, who have dedicated fans on their blogs, and know exactly what their readers want. Reading a Blogstar e-book anthology is like having all your best friends share their stories one after another while you do nothing but turn the page!”

Sarah also added that, “Bloggers have so many stories to share and being able to read all your favorite bloggers on the one topic in the one place, which you can simply download to your computer or Kindle from Amazon, seemed like a great service to provide because it meant readers can connect easily when they want to without needing to click through all their regular blog reads. Plus you can discover new bloggers, too.”

Citibabes then joined forces with Giggle – two perfect partners for Blogstar because, as Sarah emphasized, “They understand moms!” Blogstar represents over 200 mom bloggers for publishing ebook anthologies and blogging programs. Sarah went on to describe mom bloggers as “a powerful group who are always on the lookout for the best of anything. Citibabes and Giggle represent the best in their categories and I experienced firsthand just how excited the bloggers were to hear of the partnership – and it’s hard to get a mom blogger excited because they see it all!”

So with Citibabes’ and Giggle’s proud support, Blogstar’s newest e-book is now available! Welcome to My World shares stories of stay at home moms vs. working moms with 13 bloggers sharing their stories. Download it now and then decide – who has it easier?

By Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

We didn’t have fancy apps to tell us if our flights were delayed (we found out once we arrived at the airport) or help us find a rest stop on those long car rides (we stopped at the cleanest looking spot and hoped for the best!) – though it would have been nice if we did. But yes, there is an app for that – and Christina Ohly Evans, CitiScoop’s travel expert, has shared these and some amazing other apps that can make your vacation a little smoother.

Technology can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s fun to remember the fun (and almost technology free) vacations I had with my family when I was a young girl – and it is also okay to wish that we could have had that magical app to help us find a clean rest stop…

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes

The sun, sand, and carefree days of summer are quickly fading into distant memory. But take heart! Its time to start planning your next fabulous family adventure – or at least enjoying a little armchair travel – with these entertaining, varied apps that are perfect for groups on the go. From helping to pick destinations (Abercrombie & Kent’s latest app offers a photographic tour of the world) to the practicalities of finding clean bathrooms, to just plain entertaining bored kids, these apps make the research and planning half the fun. So download and get ready to hit the road, the rails, or the skies this coming holiday season…

Pack and Go Deluxe

Never forget that favorite worn blankie or kiddie toothbrush ever again. This brilliant app is designed specifically for family travelers and features everything from packing checklists to reminders for booking a car service to shopping lists for souvenirs from your particular destination.  Choose from ready made lists for every age and stage - infants to adults (we’ll take a glasses case reminder any day) - or customize your own to-do lists and feel unbelievably organized before you even begin your journey. Particularly genius is the “briefcase” feature that allows you to store important information – passports, emergency contacts, driver’s license details – in a password protected area. (iPad and iPhone $2.99)

iFlyPro

For parents dealing with planes, this one is a must. While a bit pricier than other apps, iFlyPro will pay for itself if you’re ever faced with airport delays (and when aren’t you?), a time-sensitive need for that Cinnabon, or you just need a good place to stock up on kids’ books and playthings at Chicago’s O’hare. From the best parking lots to navigating long security lines to finding WiFi hotspots, this app features GPS navigation for over 700 commercial airports as well as real-time flight tracking and info on airport delays. (iPad and iPhone, $6.99)

The World of A & K

From the far reaches of the Amazon rainforest to the Yangtze River in China, you’ll find a colorful world of images and ideas in the latest app from Abercrombie & Kent, the high-end travel specialist. Most popular destinations for families – the Galapagos, for example – are highlighted and all feature exciting movies that engage kids of all ages. Each of these 26 “virtual visit” videos is designed to get children excited about what they will see and hear on a given adventure (penguins chattering, views from hot air balloons, crashing waves, herds of wildebeests on the Serengeti), a country’s local customs, foods, and much more. This app is really food for travel thought and is designed to help you plan a trip (or trips) of a lifetime. Other highlights of this app include access to their whiz travel specialists, a postcard feature that allows you to share your images with friends and family, customizable maps and more. (iPad, Free)

Mom Maps

Whether you’re headed to Atlanta or Vancouver (or any metro area in between) this app will help you find the things parents care about most when traveling with kids in tow: playgrounds, parks, and indoor play spaces for those inevitable rainy days. Mom Maps uses the collective findings of hundreds of parents to point you in the direction of the best family destinations from coast to coast. Highlights include winning restaurants (both kid and parent approved) and a GPS feature that pinpoints child-friendly spots that are in your vicinity, as well as clear maps to get you there. (iPad and iPhone, Free)

My Little Suitcase

This simple, colorful app is perfect for the toddlers and younger children who want to get involved in the packing process. Let them amuse themselves by picking a travel destination – camping, the beach, or a snowy spot – and encourage them to virtually pack the right gear. Kids ages 1-4 can pick from things such as beach balls and mittens for colder climes, and the app allows them to get creative while strapped into a car seat. (iPad and iPhone, Free)

Rest Area Finder

So you’re not taking one of A & K’s fabulous safaris this winter, but rather you’re driving to the Catskills for the weekend. No matter! This app can be a lifesaver on back roads and crowded highways when you need a clean place to stop for food, gas, or walking a dog – all at a moments notice. Nothing fancy here, but it tells you how far you are from a place to simply stop. (iPad and iPhone, Free)

ZuiTube

Call this one YouTube for the kinder set and wonder why you didn’t think of the idea yourself. With over 60,000 parent-approved videos to choose from you will never have to dread sitting at the end of the tarmac again. Kids (even very little ones) can search by category – sports, a wide range of animals such as “funny cats,” National Geographic – and be thoroughly entertained by video snippets for hours on end. This site incorporates many games, books of all kinds, as well as new children’s music that is refreshing for both parent and child alike. Find a WiFi hotspot and you’re good to go. (Free)

By Christina Ohly Evans, CitiScoop Travel Expert