by Heather
Another week of fun activities for moms and babies courtesy of Kristi at Ciao Bambino. If you’re a local mum, why not be a tourist in your own town for a week?!
Just visiting? Stay at the posh Hotel Manoir Victoria, which has a special entrance for strollers and an indoor pool.
What’s not to love about a city that makes you feel like a femme français? Your bébé and you can live like Europeans (visiting Americans will enjoy that their dollar will actually have value!) in this charming little city in Eastern Canada.
Monday: Sip & Shop
Get your caffeine buzz while your petit chou (this means “little cabbage” but never mind that—it’s an adorable term of endearment nonetheless) listens to French conversation. It’s tough to choose from the city’s 100 cafés, restaurants and bistros, by my fave is L’Omelette (66 rue Saint-Louis). Not so much for the ambiance (although there’s nothing better than an open-air window seat overlooking the street) but for The. Greatest. Café au Lait. In. The. Universe. Whittle away an hour or two then pop in and out of local shops on rue St. Louis.
Bring your sturdiest stroller—these cobblestone streets can be killers. Need a bathroom break or diaper change? Every bistro and hotel along the way has clean, accessible bathrooms, with the exception of the Chateau Frontenac, where you need a room key to open up the door to its swanky washrooms.
Tuesday: Gourmet Eats & Fresh Air
Head to J.A. Moisan Epicerie Fine, North America’s oldest grocery store. Stock up on two or three varieties of cheese, strawberry jam and a loaf on fresh bread. Uneasy because your French is weak at best? Worry not. Even in local stores where English is but an afterthought, employees are friendly and gracious and will find a way to help you figure out what you’re trying to say. Stroll your spoils along the city’s fortification walls and find a lay down a blanket on the massive grassy knolls of Artillery Park.
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by Heather
photo by Sarah Gilbert
Years ago, I went to a silly “roll your own” sushi and head-shaving party hosted by some people I barely knew. I dragged my sister, Meggan, along to keep me company and we enjoyed the general mayhem of the theme.
Rolling your own sushi is quite easy if you have all the ingredients. So, that’s the big trick, assemble the right stuff before you drag your preschooler along to play with you.
1. nori (seaweed) wrapping “paper” (available at grocery stores with an ethnic foods aisle)
2. room temp white sticky rice (less than a cup) — plain is good because the nori is salty
3. filling like strips of cucumber or avocado, and cream cheese if your kid likes that
I am blessed to have leftover rice in the fridge most of the time. If you have a rice cooker — I do not — set it and forget it and then go shave each other’s heads (I’m kidding!) while you wait. Or make it the old fashioned way. In any case, make sure it has time to cool well.
Once you’ve assembled the ingredients, let your kiddo scoop out one or two spoonfuls of rice onto the nori sheets and lay out any desired filling before rolling a genuine hand roll.
For more detailed instructions and inspiration on kid sushi, check out Being Savvy: Honolulu. Thanks Julie!
by Heather
Alissa and the readers of BabyScoopAustin compiled this great week of fun (more like 2 weeks!) for parents in Austin, TX. Whether you’re new to Austin or consider yourself an Austinite, babyscoopaustin.com has the SCOOP on everything baby! If we ever make it to Texas, I know who I want to hang out with. Thanks to Alissa for sharing all these great spots!
Monday
A favorite Monday morning activities is to take baby to Baby Bloomers at the Austin Children’s Museum. This open-play session from 9am to noon is exclusively reserved for children 3 years and under. It gives caregivers and their babies a chance to explore and play in a relaxed atmosphere. Baby Bloomers also has a sing-along and story time. Stroller parking is provided inside the museum.
Tuesday
If you have a newborn or infant and you are really itching to get out of the house or out of the summer heat, go enjoy a Baby Day Movie at Alamo Draft House Cinema (Tuesday and Friday only). Parents are allowed to bring infants into the movie for shows starting before 2:05 pm. (check website for movie times and location). They turn the lights up a bit, turn down the sound, and best of all…crying is allowed.
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by Heather
All my in-laws live in Washington DC now. They went from being spread out in NYC and Boston to congregating in one city. If I can survive the travel, I’ll test drive this fun sounding week of activities in our nation’s capitol.
Local DC Mamas, do these sound like fun to you? Let us know what’s missing!
This week of action came to us courtesy of Ciao Bambino, a global guide to family-friendly vacation properties (editorial and community reviews for awesome destinations worldwide with cute symbols to indicate baby- and toddler-friendliness).
Monday: It’s monumental
You can’t possibly be in Washington D.C. and not visit the national monuments. But instead of fooling yourself into thinking you’ll pop in and out of all the major landmarks along the National Mall without breaking a sweat, be forewarned that they’re spread so far apart that you’d be better off blending the monuments in as part of a day of fitness. Pack your baby up in a jogging stroller and go for a nice run/walk from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial.
Take a break in the center at the Washington Monument, where the flags will mesmerize your bambino and he can get in plenty of tummy/crawling/wandering-around time while you lick a strawberry shortcake bar from the corner ice cream man. (That’s about the only food you’ll find at the National Mall.)
[picture your baby here]
Tuesday: Get to know George
Georgetown’s vibe is a bit more college than mama, but that’s why you’ll like it. It’s always hoppin’ and there’s plenty of shoppin’ to do with a baby in tow. Clothing shops rule the roost, so come on a day when your body confidence is at a peak. Stop off for lunch at Clyde’s of Georgetown, where they make a mean crab cake and give out cute plastic cars to little ones. Save room for an ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s.
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