I'm hoping to take it easy this long weekend, save a little household puttering (the floors are sticky and the weeds abound), but here a few leads for Memorial Day fun that are worth considering. If your kid loves tricks as much as Laurel does, head to the Faneuil Hall Street Performer Festival Extravaganza. Boston Central has a running list of Memorial Day parades in Massachusetts (you'll just need to dig up the route if your town is hosting one). And then there's the Memorial Day picnic I'm co-hosting on Monday in Boston. Check out the details and feel free to RSVP at the Facebook event page -- I'd love to see you there! (And don't forget to bring donations for Room to Grow and Women's Lunch Place!)

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Holidays; Local
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As some of you may know, I took up running last summer and have gotten into it enough to actually run some races. I love the minimalism of running -- you can hit the pavement on your own schedule and can go pretty minimal gear-wise, with running shoes being the major expense (that is, unless you're like some of my crazy barefoot running buddies). But one piece of gear that I was thrilled to learn about and now use regularly is the Moji Knee. I wanted to share my thoughts about the Moji Knee here because it's been great to have it in my running "toolkit" and it also seems as if every week I connect with more readers and bloggers and friends and family who are taking up running.

A representative from Moji reached out about sending me the Moji Knee when they heard that I was part of Eat. Blog. Run. And despite said love for running minimalism, I was immediately intrigued because one of the reasons that I have built up my miles very slowly is because my knees are prone to injury. And pretty much are the source of my aches and pains post-run. But the thing is, even though I well knew that I should be R.I.C.E.'ing my knees, I just didn't. Because after I run (and stretch) I need to get back to work or parenting or household minutia; I can't sit around holding a bag of frozen peas or negotiating a drippy bag full of melting ice.

This is where the Moji Knee comes in. It includes two pieces. The first is a compression wrap made of performance stretch fabric; there are Velcro strap fasteners to secure the wrap above and below the knee. The second piece is the cold cell, which affixes to the wrap via Velcro (Moji's designers even patterned the outline of the cell on the wrap to ensure you put it in the right place). The awesomeness of this product is that the cold pack comprises 18 flexible cells that conform to the shape of your knee and the Velcro wrap creates compression, thus taking care of the I (ice) and the C (Compression) of R.I.C.E. And it allows for totally hands free icing; I can walk around, prop my leg up (E for elevation) and work on my laptop, etc.

At just under $90, the Moji Knee may seem like a bit of an investment, but if you are like me, and have been foregoing injury treatment because it's messy or inconvenient, I would highly recommend the Moji Knee as part of your minimal arsenal of running gear. I now ice my knees after each run -- and it not only feels good from an aches and pain perspective, but also when I make the crazy decision to run on a 90 degree day.

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Sports & Fitness
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Valerie via Twitter:

Dear Christine, do you have any summer camp recommendations for a day long camp with an educational component (reading + math) for a 6-year-old? I am right in the city. Thank you!

Dear Valerie,

Thanks for writing in! Here are some thoughts:

1. I recommend you start by visiting the American Camp Association - New England website. The camps included in the database are accredited, and with the camp finding tool you can keep the search really loose (or drill down as much as you want). Just specifying "day camp," "Massachusetts," and "Academics" (under the Activity field) generated 12 results, and of those, Beaver Summer Programs (Chestnut Hill), Boston Nature Center Day Camp (Mattapan), and Summer at Park (Brookline) would be the closest to Boston. Be sure to call the various locations to check on how much reading and math are included in the day.

2. MIT also offers a summer day camp database that includes approximately 450 summer programs in the Boston area and extending outward to Route 128 and beyond. Note, however, that the included programs have not been screened to meet a standard for inclusion (the way that camps in the ACA database must be accredited). So if you find leads through this database, just be sure to check them out thoroughly.

3. If you are looking for a focus on math, a friend of a friend recommended the Russian School of Mathematics in Newton. However, it looks like the summer program classes meet 1-2 times per week; it's more of a summer tutoring program than a day camp but I thought it warranted mention in case your child has specific math needs for the summer or down the road.

4. If you're having trouble finding a camp that incorporates enough math and reading, I suggest finding a day camp that you otherwise love, then encouraging reading and math at home. For reading, visit your local library regularly, read books together (sometimes Laurel and I alternate pages and other times she reads the book in entirety...it makes for fun cuddle time where she gets to practice reading). Also, if your child likes playing on the computer, he/she could explore online material, such as PBS's recently launched free online service called Ready to Learn (it's part of their PBS KIDS Raising Readers national literary campaign and is funded by a grant from the US Department of Education). The site is for ages 6+ and focuses on building reading skills.

5. Finally, for math development: contributing writer (and educator) Sheri wrote a great post on encouraging math moments in everyday experiences. And if you want something more traditional and classroom-like, I found these free math worksheets you can print out at Math Worksheet Wizard. Laurel loves worksheets so I'll be printing some of these for her to work on this summer.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with your camp search Valerie!

Image credit: American Camp Association - New England

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Childcare & Education; Development & Behavior; Local
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Kimberly via Twitter:

Dear Christine, my hubby and I are celebrating 10 years in September. Any suggestions for a nice getaway? I am in Malden (so, about 5 miles from Boston). We are willing to travel a little!

Dear Kimberly,

Great question and congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! Jon and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary soon as well, so I've been researching this very topic. Below are a range of options that I investigated, ordered by proximity to Boston.

Note: given that Jon and I only have the time to do a one night getaway, proximity to Boston was important so we could avoid spending a lot of time in transit. I also wanted to find an inn that offered spa services, and was set against a green and peaceful backdrop.

Country Garden Inn & Spa
Rowley, MA (~40 minutes from Boston)

The Country Garden Inn & Spa is a short range getaway, but admittedly, based on the online photos, the look of the accommodations just wasn't as lush as I was hoping for. I recall seeing descriptions such as "clean and comfortable" in online reviews -- definitely good features for a hotel, but I wanted something more like "serene and beautiful."

Blue, The Inn on the Beach
Newbury, MA (~45 minutes from Boston)

Blue, The Inn on the Beach indeed conjures a serene and beautiful beach cottage vibe via the website. I was very interesting in booking there (I liked the close proximity to Newburyport for browsing around), but all of their getaway packages are for two days. When I emailed the inn about a one night package, they responded with separate accommodation (starting at $345) and couples massage ($275, including gratuity) rates. Though beautiful, I passed on this option because I really wanted to find a one-day package that included meals.

John Carver Inn & Spa
Plymouth, MA (~45 minutes from Boston)

The John Carver Inn & Spa offers one night getaway packages but I ruled this location out quickly because: a) they were booked the night I was looking for; and b) the vibe wasn't quite what I was looking for (based on the photos from the website).

Stonehedge Inn & Spa
Tyngsboro, MA (~45 from Boston)

Admittedly the first thing I thought of when I discovered Stonehedge Inn & Spa was Stonehenge. However, this is where I ended up booking. Stonehedge fit the bill all the way around. It's less than an hour from the city, looks lovely and green, and they offer a one-night spa package that is well spelled out and available for booking online. Extra bonus? You can enjoy the spa facility any time the day of arrival so I booked our spa treatments for earlier in the day (before 3pm check in) so we could get our day rolling earlier. I hope Stonehedge brings the awesome!

Daniel Webster Inn & Spa
Sandwich Village, MA (~65 minutes from Boston)

The Daniel Webster Inn & Spa looks like a sister inn to the John Carver (based on web format and availability). I passed on this option for the same reasons as the John Carver.

Portsmouth Harbor Inn & Spa
Kittery, ME (~65 minutes from Boston)

When I queried about awesome spa getaways on Facebook, my friend Patti responded: "If by awesome you mean ritzy then this isn't the place, but for a cozy B&B spa close to Boston, Portsmouth Harbor Inn & Spa can't be beat. BEST couples massage we have ever had and it's a quick walk over the bridge into Portsmouth for fabulous dinner options."

The Cliff House Resort & Spa
Ogunquit, ME (~1 hour, 20 minutes from Boston)

My friend Christina recommended I check out The Cliff House Resort & Spa and it looks gorgeous (I suppose it's hard to go wrong when situated along a beautiful rocky cliff on the Maine coast!). I definitely would love to try them in the future, but it was a little further than I wanted to travel for this visit. They also did not offer one-night getaway packages.

The Spa at Norwich Inn
Norwich, CT (~1 hour, 50 minutes from Boston)

I have heard repeated raves about The Spa at Norwich Inn. This is another option I would love to try in the future.

Canyon Ranch
Lenox, MA (~2.5 hours from Boston)

I visited Canyon Ranch about 8 years ago with a girlfriend and it lives up to the hype; it's truly lovely. However, it was too far for this visit and also seems to me like less of a drop in for one night type of location.

Cranwell Resort, Spa, & Golf Club
Lenox, MA (~2.5 hours from Boston)

I visited the Cranwell Resort, Spa, & Golf Club for the first time this past weekend, for a work retreat. It was gorgeous and green and the spa was wonderful (I got to swim laps, sit in the hot tub, and also get a massage and pedicure...all awesome). The service was really great all around.

My room (king bed) was nice and spacious and had a pretty little patio. They also offer free wireless (which is great for a business trip, but perhaps not for a 10 year anniversary celebration!). It occurred to me that I might not have initially been drawn to Cranwell since "golf club" is part of their brand and I have no interest in golf, but I would definitely visit again. (I barely noticed the golfers while I was there, by the way.) Also, I hope someone I know gets married there someday; there were a couple of weddings this past weekend and I loved the idea that everyone could enjoy the wedding on the property, lodge there, and get some spa treatments and do fitness classes if they wished.

Finally, if you're willing to travel further out of the city, my resourceful friend Christina offered yet another lead on the topic: Michael Blanding recently wrote an article for Boston Magazine about the best spas in New England. Aside from Boston's Mandarin Oriental (which I didn't consider due to said desire for a nature-y location), the destinations were a bit too far for the purposes of my getaway, but I would definitely explore them as options in the future when we have more flexibility with time.

I'd love to hear where you end up booking Kimberly! Happy anniversary!

Image credit: Stonehedge Inn & Spa

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (8) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Dear Boston Mamas; Local; Web (Admin)
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Today, Sarah recommends [me] & goji's custom organic cereal. Read on for Sarah's review, as well as to learn how to be one of three winners to receive a [me] & goji gift certificate:

I'm a cereal-a-holic. My family ate it every weekday for breakfast growing up, under the strict nutritional guidelines of my mom: one box of "junk cereal" per month, otherwise everything else had to be healthy (i.e., of the granola or raisin bran variety). In college, I discovered the art of mixing at the row of cereal dispensers (the mixes sometimes were of questionable nutritional value), and now, in my own kitchen, I continue the same mixing ritual (admittedly sometimes adding a sprinkle of "junk" to the healthy) for myself and my kids.

Turns out I'm not the only one obsessed with cereal and cereal mixing. I recently tested out the custom artisanal cereals of [me] & goji, a cereal-mixing upstart from New Hampshire. Three college buddies -- who shared the same experience as I did in the nutritional wasteland that is college breakfast -- set out in 2007 to build a better cereal. And to let customers navigate an easy-to-use online interface to customize their own cereal. That's right, no picking the sliced almonds out of your muesli anymore, or doctoring your All-Bran with Craisins and pistachios. Choose your base, your add-ins, nuts, seeds... I tried to count all the possible combinations, but ran out of zeros.

Everything is organic, too, and earth-karma points abound. They offer customers a chance to purchase a green credit at checkout for $1 to offset the carbon emissions from shipping; all the money goes to renewable energy projects through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Now, you're probably thinking the same thing I did: this isn't your $3.69 box of Shredded Oats. And you're right; cereal bases start at $4.90, and each add-in costs anywhere from 25 cents (cinnamon) to $2 (chocolate-covered goji berries). According to their website, the average cost of the cereal created by their customers is $12, but can range as high as $56. BUT: the packaging is unique, and once you sort out the per-serving cost of the cereal, it starts to compare better with your average organic offering. [me] & goji offers a big cylinder of their cereal; these "capsules" hold 600 g (21+ oz.) of cereal, or 850 g (30+ oz.) of muesli or granola. And since your average cereal box holds 15 oz. or less, the per-serving cost gets much more reasonable. It's still possible to make a really costly mix if you add all the expensive toppers, but when I looked at a bag of Trader Joe's Muesli ($3.49) plus the sliced almonds and Craisins I was adding myself, the [me] & goji cereal started to make sense.

But what you really want to know is, it's DELICIOUS. [me] & goji sent me the mix I customized (labeled "mixed by hand by Adam's Mom" -- how sweet is that?), which I named "Sarah's Power Breakfast Blend" and loaded with dried fruit and nuts in a granola base. They also sent their pre-blended Holy Granoly! (they offer a number of pre-mixed recipes for the indecisive) and Adam's Apple, a flakes-and-apples blend they decorated just for Boston Mamas (you can add a favorite photo to the outside of your capsule for an additional charge). The flakes are crunchy, the granola even crunchier, the dried fruit big and soft, the nuts big and fresh. I'm trying hard to justify buying my old market cereals now, but I think I may have converted to custom granola. And since they have so many options, I'm going to buy some gluten-free cereal for my mother-in-law, some nut-free for an allergic cousin, some extra-fruity for a silly friend... If you get granola from me for the next major holiday, you'll know why.

[me & goji] might seem like a luxury at first, but when you take into account the customization of the process, the quality of the ingredients, and how important those ingredients are in getting you through a busy day, this cereal turns out to be quite a bargain. Especially if you can keep your kids' mitts off 'em. Good luck with that.

Today, Kate highly recommends Henry in Love:

How do we learn about love? Not parental love -- something so fundamental that I assume it is part of us from birth (if not before) -- but romantic love? My daughter has started asking questions about love songs, about the composition of different families that we know, and about why Cinderella falls for the Prince even though he barely utters a word throughout their (admittedly brief) courtship.

I realized that I was stumped about how to explain the emotions and rituals of pairing in all of its forms. How will I guide my daughter through the joys and complexities of young love, let alone teach her how to create healthy and lasting relationships?

For all of these reasons, I was happy to discover Peter McCarty's endearing and gentle Henry in Love, a picture book that describes the affection of a cat named Henry for a bunny named Chloe, all set in the schoolyard and focused on the importance of homemade blueberry muffins to successful wooing.

Already a fan of McCarty's Jeremy Draws a Monster, in which a young boy is surprised to discover that his drawings can come to life, I was charmed by the warmth of Henry in Love. McCarty's illustrations are also irresistible, as is his vision of a harmonious animal universe in which rabbits play football and cats and dogs can be BFFs. I know that my daughter will have to find her own way in love, but I can only hope that she will have a first experience as positive as that of Henry and Chloe.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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I can hardly believe the end of May is fast approaching, but I'm thrilled to cap the month with a bang and invite you all to a big, awesome party on Memorial Day. I'm honored to co-host (along with the lovely Audrey of Mom Generations, Christy of Quirky Fusion, and Jodi of Mom's Favorite Stuff) one of TheMotherhood's series of Hebrew National Better-Than-A-Picnic Picnics. This series of nine picnics along the East Coast offers a fun means through which families and friends can hang out, enjoy some hot dogs (100% kosher beef with no nasty fillers or artificial flavors by the way), and do a little good. Below are the details on the Boston event. I hope to see you there!

When?

Monday, May 31, 11:30am - 3:30pm

Where?

Artesani Park, 1234 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. The site includes free parking, a playground, and a spray park.

Who?

You, your family, and friends -- the more the merrier! This event is free and open to the public. No formal RSVP is required but an RSVP via the Boston picnic Facebook page will help us with our hot dog estimate.

What will be there?

Complimentary refreshments will include hot dogs, fruit, and beverages (please feel welcome to bring picnic items for your family if you have other food preferences). Entertainment will include music, activities, and a mechanical bull (for real!).

Let's do some good y'all!

Do you have travel toiletries you've collected from hotels? Books that you're done with and want to share? Outgrown baby items (in excellent collection) that you're ready to part with? We hope that you will help us with one or all of the below charitable efforts:

1. We will collect donations for Women's Lunch Place, a Boston-based organization that serves homeless women and children. WLP has a host of in-kind donation needs, and top priority items include: toiletry items (travel sizes), office supplies (paper, pens, envelopes, stamps, etc.), and gently used books/magazines (for their library).

2. We also will collect donations for Room to Grow, a Boston-based organization that serves babies born into poverty (throughout their first three years of development). RTG has a host of in-kind donation needs, and top priority items include: board and soft books as well as all children's books for children 0-3, toddler clothing (especially boys sizes 18 months - 3T), and safety equipment.

3. Given that our picnic is on Memorial Day, we'll host a card making station where kids (and grownups!) can make cards for military service members (cards will be sent to the Boston VA and Operation Gratitude). We also will host a craft project (to benefit Women's Lunch Place) that attendees are invited to help with.

I hope you'll come join the fun! If you have any questions, just leave a comment below, or send me an e-mail.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Good Deeds; Local
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Here are a few events -- small and large -- that you might enjoy this (gorgeous according to the forecast) weekend. If you want to celebrate fair trade and green living in smaller community settings, check out the World Fair Trade Day Celebration in Sudbury and the kickoff event for SomerStreets in Somerville. If you're ready to rock, head to the Hatch Shell for Radio 92.9 Earthfest. And if you like amusement parks (Laurel has been begging me to take her to a carnival), hit the Fiesta Shows carnivals in Braintree and Haverhill (now through the weekend).

Image credit: Mango Tree Artisans

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Though Laurel tends towards shy, I think she may have caught my theatre bug. She has an astonishing capacity to memorize lyrics (she's got the entire Sound of Music soundtrack down pat) and she adores live performance. And if your kids love fairy tales and live shows, Snow White -- playing at The Wilbur Theatre Sunday, May 30 (2pm) -- will be right up their alley. Impressively affordable for a show at one of Boston's major theatres, Snow White tickets are only $9-14; a bargain price to see a classic story brought to life on the big stage.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to Snow White*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Snow White" in the subject by midnight Sunday, May 23. (And psst! Subscribe to the BM newsletter for additional ticket opportunities next week!)

*One lucky winner (drawn via Random.org) will receive a 4-pack of tickets to Snow White at The Wilbur Theatre on Sunday, May 30.

Also, one handy bit of information that I learned when I went to the Straight No Chaser concert. The Wilbur Theatre validates parking at the Archstone Garage (660 Washington Street), offering a $10 flat rate. It's about a 5-7 minute walk from the garage to the theatre.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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I've long been a proponent of gardening with kids, but that wasn't the only reason I adored the hands on, tchochke-free garden(ing) party my friend Nicola (of teddy bear tea party fame) assembled for her daughter's sixth birthday party. You will totally want to copy this awesome idea.

First off, I found the relative simplicity and back to basics nature of this party so appealing. These days, kids birthday parties tend to get huge and complex and outsourced and expensive. I recognize that part of the challenge is that kids develop a large network of neighborhood, preschool, and elementary school friends (and siblings) and some kids want everyone they know present. (I've been lucky that Laurel prefers home parties with just a few close friends.) Though the birthday girl definitely has said wide network of pals, Nicola was determined to fix the party size in order to keep it fun and relaxed and at home. There were 10 guests, plus the birthday girl and her sister. The party ran from 11am - 1pm.

There were balloons, streamers,and tunes to create a festive feel. Pizza, fruit, veggies, beverages, and decorate your own cupcakes were served. And aside from the central gardening craft (more on that next), the girls enjoyed the gorgeous weather in the backyard -- making up their own games, and enjoying adult-led ones (sack race, balloon popping, parachute and balls, etc.). It was great -- just kids being kids frolicking around the garden.

Now, on to the gardening part. Early on in the party, the girls each painted a terracotta pot + dish (on a big tarp spread out on the driveway); Nicola's husband had sprayed the terracotta pieces in advance of the painting session (since terracotta is porous and would otherwise absorb the paint too much). Nicola used a pencil to write each girl's initials on the bottom of their pieces and the pots were set to dry in the sun while the girls played. Later, during lunch (after the pieces had dried), Nicola's husband again sprayed the terracotta pieces with sealer to seal the paint layer in.

After lunch, the girls filled their pots with soil and flowers. Nicola bought 24-pack trays of impatiens; each individual square of the tray was small -- perhaps 1-1.25 inches square -- so the girls planted 3-4 stems per flower pot. To prevent a mess in the house, Nicola's husband brought out a basin, filled it with water from the outdoor hose, and the girls could clean up from there. It worked beautifully.

While the girls resumed play, Nicola put a popsicle stick marker (labeled with each girl's name) in each pot, plus a colorful lollipop. As the girl's left the party she also handed out cute plastic watering cans to go with the pots.

Isn't that fabulous? Simple, promoting of nature and nurturing, functional, and free of wasteful favors. I love it. And so did the party guests.

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Eco Living; Home; Kid's Parties
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Music is a powerful trigger, and for me, They Might Be Giants immediately conjures memories of rocking out to their quirky tunes in college. And whether you're a longtime fan, or want to widen your kid's palette of musical options, together you'll no doubt enjoy TMBG's foray into family friendly music. TMBG plays at the Regent Theatre this Sunday, no doubt pleasing the younger crowd with tunes from Here Come the ABCs and Here Come The 123s, and appealing to older kids with tracks from Here Comes Science, in which they bring their upbeat alternative rock style to scientific topics of all kinds. The concert will benefit Boston By Foot.

My friends at the Regent kindly are offering a 4-pack of tickets to the 12pm show! Simply check out the rules below and enter to win by noon Thursday, May 20.

Today, Kate shares the natural skinny on Babo Botanicals. Read on for Kate's review, as well as to learn how to be one of three winners to win Babo Botanicals product:

One of the unexpected legacies of my pregnancy (now five years ago) is that I'm very conscious of the myriad ingredients in the myriad products I use in my home and for my body (and for my daughter's body). I have tried to educate myself about what's good, bad, and worse in household cleaners and beauty products, and I've become vigilant about reading labels and searching out items that are as close to natural as possible.

It can be quite challenging to find things that do the job I need them to do -- moisturize skin, block out UV rays, clean the counters -- without making use of a witch's brew of chemicals ending in -xene and -phate and -paraben. My particular pet peeve? Items that claim a natural or organic label but are actually chock-full of unhealthful chemicals.

For these reasons, I was particularly pleased to learn about Babo Botanicals, a line of hair and skin treatments for babies and kids -- and good for grownups too, I happily discovered -- that lives up to its promise of being free of synthetics. Founded by a mother entrepreneur with a background in the beauty industry, Babo offers shampoos, soaps (my daughter and I both fell for the bunny shaped hand soaps), detanglers, and other products (their gift sets would make for an excellent, eco-minded baby shower gift). All worked well for us, and we particularly liked the Berry Primrose scent. For anyone looking for natural beauty products that are faithful to the name, check out Babo Botanicals.

Now, want to be one of three winners to win Babo Botanicals product? Here's how:

We have a gorgeous weekend on tap -- perfect for being out and about with the family. So why not enjoy a fun run (or walk), picnic, and games at the Hill House Backyard Dash in Boston (today), or fly a kite at the Wollaston Beach Kite Festival in Quincy (tomorrow), or rock one of the many Bay State Bike Week events (through the weekend and beyond). Happy weekend everyone!

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Through my design work and in real life, I love birds. And whether you're a novice or experienced birder, or simply want to celebrate the awesomeness that is our city's green space, consider Birds and Bards. Ongoing today through the weekend, this family friendly festival explores birds, poetry, music, and nature and celebrates 1,000 acres of green space encompassed by Boston's Emerald Necklace. The event is sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum, Forest Hills Educational Trust, Franklin Park Coalition, Franklin Park Zoo, and Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Anne via e-mail:

Hi Christine, My friend and I split a "plus one" membership to our local zoo. The zoo pass lists my name and my friend's, "plus one." It is a family pass, which in this case seems to include whatever little kiddos we have with us. Our zoo allows anyone (the plus one) to enter with the pass, even if my friend and I aren't there, so that a babysitter, or my husband, can bring my daughter. An employee at the zoo gave us the idea. I'm wondering if you know how it works with a Boston Children's Museum membership. They have great reciprocal agreements with other fun venues, so I'm thinking if several moms or families can go in on membership, it would be worth it, even for those of us who wouldn't be using it very often.

Dear Anne,

Great question! I made some phone calls yesterday to clarify membership terms regarding your "plus one" question for the Boston Children's Museum as well as for a few other major local attractions in Boston. Here's what I learned:

Boston Children's Museum

The Boston Children's Museum offers two membership plans -- the regular family membership ($125) admits up to 6 people, and the primary cardholder must be present for use. The plus membership ($250) is the same as the regular family membership but also offers 2 one-day guest passes that admit 6 people. So, this museum doesn't allow for membership sharing exactly in the way you envision, though for the higher level membership, a "plus one" could use the guest passes. As you pointed out, the BCM has great partnerships with other museums (membership includes free admission to hundreds of science and children's museums across the country), so I'd say that if you foresee your family going to the museum a few times a year, and you also like visiting museums when you travel with your kids, even the basic family membership would pay off compared to paying regular admission ($12 for adults; $9 for kids ages 1-15) per visit.

New England Aquarium

If you don't take the T, between admission, parking, and (inevitable) snacks, a visit to the New England Aquarium can get pretty spendy (admission is ~$21 for adults and ~$13 for kids). So even if you just visit a couple times a year with friends or family or guests from out of town, a membership (plans start at $75) would pay off (added bonus: you can avoid long lines, as friends of ours discovered). When I called the aquarium, they clarified that no membership sharing is permitted; the named cardholder must be present.

Museum of Science

I didn't need to call the Museum of Science because they are very clear about their policies in their membership FAQ. Memberships start at $75 and, like the aquarium, are worth considering given that admission to the exhibit halls alone are $20 for adults and $17 for kids. Adults living at separate addresses cannot be named on a single membership. So, you can't share your membership card with a friend or relative; one of the members named on the card must be present. However, you can give a friend one of the guest passes included in your membership to use in your absence.

Museum of Fine Arts

When I called the Museum of Fine Arts, the representative I spoke to said membership sharing was permitted, noting that this would work for memberships starting at the dual/family membership ($100) level. Only one physical address may be put on a membership, so the representative suggested putting the address for one parent on the membership, but then providing the e-mail address for the other parent so that both parties receive information from the museum. This is a great deal to consider given that membership sharing is permitted and regular adult admission is $20.

Zoo New England

I know you already have a zoo membership but I wanted to investigate this venue for other readers. My final call was to the Franklin Park Zoo. You can split a membership (and go separately or together) so long as the adults sharing the membership are named on the cards. For example, if a parent couple wants a zoo membership (i.e., both visit regularly) and also have another adult friend who wants to join in, they should opt for the Friend level membership ($110), which allows for 3 named adults (plus 4 kids + 2 guests). (Regular admission to Franklin Park Zoo is $14 for adults and $8 for kids ages 2-12. Regular admission to the Stone Zoo is $11 for adults and $7 for kids ages 2-12.)

Ultimately, you'll need to do the math to see if a membership works for your family and "plus one" at a given location. In general, I would say that if the venue is one that you anticipate visiting more than a couple of times a year, a membership would be worth it. And perhaps for venues that don't allow membership sharing, you could work out a mutually beneficial arrangement with friends (e.g., they come as your guests and you all carpool together and they pick up the parking tab).

Finally, if you aren't ready to take the plunge on a membership and are looking for a deal on one-off visits, contact your local library to see if they offer discounted museum passes. We've used museum passes through our local library several times and it's a phenomenal bargain. The one downside is that sometimes you need to reserve well ahead of when you want the tickets, but it's worth a call.

Image credit: Boston Children's Museum

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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At last year's Mommies Who Shop! I purchased a sparkly statement ring (for a mere $20) that continues to reign as my most commented on, coveted-by-strangers-and-friends piece of jewelry. And this year's MWS shows (May 20 in Weston and June 3 in Hamilton) undoubtedly will offer more covetable treasures. This boutique marketplace will feature indie designers offering their goods at sale prices, hors d'oeuvres and wine, spa services, goodie bags, and more. Yummy. Ticket worthy.

Want to be one of 2 winners to receive tickets to the Weston & Hamilton events? E-mail contests@bostonmamas.com (with "MWS" in the subject) by midnight Sunday, May 16, and indicate which event you want to attend.

*One winner will receive a pair of tickets (including goodie bags) to the Weston event; a second winner will receive a pair of tickets (including goodie bags) to the Hamilton event. Winners will be drawn via Random.org.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Retail
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Today, Jules shares her favorite babywearing solution: Baby K'Tan. Read on for Jules's review, as well as to learn how to win a Baby K'Tan sling:

I've tried a million and one different slings (only a slight exaggeration), but when the opportunity arose to test a Baby K'Tan sling, I was intrigued. The double sling structure is different than slings I have used in the past, and the sling looked like it could meet my kids' steadfast preference to be held vertically (and eat vertically, as is the case for my baby girl). In the simplest terms, I will say that I love this sling. But let me tell you more.

We have a collection of carriers and slings collecting dust in my basement because of said vertical orientation preference of my little ones. However, the Baby K'Tan will never make it to the depths of my basement due to the design and comfort it offers. The Baby K'Tan is made of breathable 100% cotton knit fabric that is strong enough to hold a child from birth to 42 pounds (it's true -- I got my big guy into it!). The design consists of two loops of fabric connected by a sliding support band. There are eight different position options for baby, all of which free up your hands to tend to other tasks or other children. The sling allows for positions conducive to nursing your infant, and positions that allow them to be carried upright, reclined, facing in, facing out, or on your front, back, or hip.

The first few times I used the Baby K'Tan, I had to watch the instructional video online, but once you get the hang of it, the sling is easy to use. And this is truly the first sling I have used where I don't feel as if I need to keep my hands hovering under my baby so she won't drop and where I know she is totally comfortable facing in or out.

The Baby K'Tan carrier can be personalized and the neutral color options allow you to get extra bang for your buck (I'm using the sling with my 10-month-old daughter and 2-year-old son). I've used a lot of baby products in the last couple of years, but I will venture to say that for $60, the Baby K'Tan is possibly the best baby product I've ever used. And I think my sling-loving kiddos would agree.

Now, want to win a Baby K'Tan sling? Here's how:

When I was training for The Relay, I grew keen on eating legume-laden soups for lean protein. However, similar to my experience with hummus, I found that the volume of my consumption resulted in excess packaging waste and expense. Soups generally are so easy and forgiving and inexpensive to make, so I decided to start incorporating them into my kitchen routine. I still have a wonderful French lentil soup I want to share, but first (because it is even faster to make), I want to share this wicked easy split pea soup recipe, which I whipped up yesterday as (an odd and unexpected but happily devoured) part of Mother's Day brunch. The soup -- packed with fiber and protein -- is super easy to knock together, and was perfect given yesterday's windy and chilly weather.

Wicked Easy Split Pea Soup

Friends, I was so happy to walk in yesterday's March for Babies (which had an impressive turnout despite the downpour preceding the walk), and am enormously proud of all of the funds raised by Team Boston Mamas & Friends. We raised $7,762 for the March of Dimes, and I am especially grateful to my sister Stephanie (our runaway top fundraiser at $3,915 -- she matched her donations dollar for dollar!), and to Carissa, Angela, and Christina, who all raised $500 or more (I was also thrilled to meet my personal fundraising goal). Amazing efforts all around and we couldn't have done it without the generosity of many people. Thanks to everyone who supported our team!

And thanks again to these fellow local bloggers who rocked the walk as part of Team Boston Mamas and Friends:

Manic Mommies
Digital Dads
Mommy Bytes
Fairly Odd Mother
Momisodes
Hey Girl Momma Go
Red Box Idea Shop
3 T Communications

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Good Deeds; Web (Admin)
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Today, Kate shares a couple of leads for kids who go bonkers for balloons:

We've never been one for big birthday celebrations in my family, and we've kept my daughter's parties similarly low key. For her most recent birthday (her 4th), I wanted to do something special that would neither break the bank nor cause too much fuss, and settled on the idea of hiring a balloon twister. I love balloon animals, and find the people who make them to be artists with nerves of steel, always moments away from having a creation pop in their hands (and in front of their young audiences).

A recommendation led us to Andrew Kleczek -- of Drew's Balloons -- who turned out to be just the right addition to the party: funny and gentle with the kids, skilled at fulfilling their every weird request (a bunny! a sword! an octopus! a monkey with a banana!), and a generally cool and laid-back guy. He even brought an amazing birthday cake hat (pictured below) for my daughter to wear while she blew out her candles.

Drew and his balloons were such a hit with my daughter that we decided to try some twisting of our own at home. For novice twisters, Balloon Animals by Aaron Hsu-Flanders is a great place to start. The books comes with a stash of balloons and a manual air-pump -- a must-have for twisting -- and simple step-by-step directions and photos to make a variety of animals. We've continued with the twisting, even trying some experiments outside Hsu-Flanders' guidebook. It's turned out to be remarkably fun for all ages.

Of the many gifts that my daughter received for her birthday, the fun creativity that Drew and his balloons brought may be the longest lasting.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Creative Services; For Babies & Kids; Kid's Parties; Local
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Today, Jules shares some fun ideas for enjoying Mother's Day in Boston:

Mother's Day -- made official in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson and celebrated on the second Sunday in May -- is this Sunday. And though I'm not wild about the over commercialization of the holiday (and obviously think mothers should be appreciated every day), I do enjoy low key festivities, now being a mother. My family traditionally does Mother's Day brunch (though we no longer are forced to dress in matching color schemes, thank goodness!), and there are other ways you can enjoy time and celebrate mom. Here are some fun picks for the weekend:

Years ago, my family went to Upstairs on the Square for brunch, relished in the luxurious and celebratory eatery, and enjoyed amazing food that echoed the casual elegance of this Harvard Square restaurant. I hope to go back someday. They're offering special Mother's Day brunch and supper menus this year.

Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro's menu by Executive Chef Jason Bond is looking particularly tasty. There will be a $38 prix-fixe menu including fare such as poached eggs over jasmine gravlax and brioche. YUM.

North End hot spot Prezza also is offering a special menu on May 9. Let's just say, "crispy zucchini flowers with creamy polenta, pancetta and roasted tomato" and leave it at that.

The Catered Affair at the Boston Public Library is offering a mother and daughter formal afternoon tea on Saturday, May 8, from 2-4pm. Fancy!

Sure, it means a trip to the grocery store, but the Whole Foods on River Street in Cambridge is hosting a Mom's Rule Weekend with food and a spa event.

On Saturday, May 8, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservatory Tribute to Mothers will feature artists of the Boston Ballet and the Boston Ballet Orchestra, pampering for mothers, and activities for kids.

And if you want to -- literally -- walk (or run) to the beat of a different celebratory drummer, lace up your sneakers for the Mother's Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester (Sunday), M.O.M.'s Run to benefit Dana Farber (Sunday), Melrose Run for Women (Sunday), or March for Babies (Saturday).

Every family celebrates in a different way, and whether you go fancy or simple with food or activities, keep in mind that the most important thing you can do is simply tell your mom how much you love and appreciate her.

Image credit: The Catered Affair at the Boston Public Library

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Food & Drink; Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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When the warm weather returned, so did my voracious appetite for salads and cold things such as hummus and tabbouleh. We've been consuming vast quantities of these foods (I especially like hummus because it reminds me to eat carrots) and I soon found myself disgruntled by the volume of plastic containers we were acquiring. We reuse them all for storing leftovers or Laurel's craft supplies or other odds and ends, but we definitely don't need more of them. So I decided to start making more of these small container items from scratch. I'm still tweaking my tabbouleh recipe and will share that when I land on just the right blend; meanwhile, if you have a food processor, hummus is ridiculously easy to make.

I experimented with a few different hummus recipes, but I really like the stability and consistency of the one from Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors (there are also tons of other fantastic recipes in this book). The hummus doesn't get stinky over time with the raw garlic gloves (though we consume a batch of hummus within a matter of days...the garlic flavor will intensify if it continues to age). Alternatively, I've also swapped in loads of roasted garlic (yum). I think the recipe also would hold well if you wanted to get fancy with a little roasted red pepper, artichoke, or spinach.

But for me, speed is key. Here's the base:

Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents shares a favorite local family picnicking spot:

For some reason, my girls always called our favorite outdoor ice cream stand Dairy George (instead of Dairy Joy) and the nickname stuck in our family. In fact, the formal name of the stand is Cedar Hill Dairy Joy, but no matter how you say it, it makes for an excellent spring, summer, or autumn outing.

We discovered Dairy Joy when the girls were barely toddlers, and to this day they're still smitten with the clams, cones, burgers, and dogs. (If they could have their weddings there, I think they would.) Situated on the Weston/Lincoln line, the atmosphere is decidedly rural (you'll feel as if you traveled farther than your odometer might indicate) and picnic-y (there are fifteen or so picnic tables available).

Dairy Joy makes for a fantastic fair weather outing but it also works well in inclement weather. One rainy afternoon, my family of four enjoyed our lunch and then lingered under the overhang and played cards (we always carry a deck) happily for hours.

If you don't feel like heading to Weston just for a soft ice cream or soda, you'll find that there's plenty else to do in the area with or without children: for example, Drumlin Farm, the DeCordova Sculpture Park, and Pierce Park, which has no playground equipment but is a huge green space in which to run and play and offers lovely, well marked trails in the woods.

My husband and I think the lobster rolls are the best in Maine and Massachusetts where we've sampled quite a few. Also take note: Dairy Joy does not take credit cards and is not for the faint of wallet: the lobster rolls cost $20. Still, on a warm summer day, even though you might wait in a long line for your savory or sweet treat, I think you'll find a happy family atmosphere that makes it worth the wait.

Cedar Hill Dairy Joy, 331 North Avenue, Weston; 781-894-7144

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Food & Drink; Fun Outdoors; Local
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There are two things any mom undoubtedly could use and enjoy: spa treatment + babysitting help. So I'm thrilled that in honor of Mother's Day, and as part of my Giveaway Goodness series, three of you fabulous readers will receive a $100 gift certificate to kick back and relax at Bella Santé day spa (good at the Boston, Lexington, or Wellesley locations) + a yearlong premium membership to Care.com so you can find some child care (or tutoring, special needs, senior care, pet care, or housekeeping) help. Woo hoo! Simply leave a comment below about this giveaway by midnight, May 9, 2010 to enter to win.

Three lucky winners each will receive a $100 gift certificate to Bella Santé + a one year premium membership to Care.com ($120 value). Many thanks to Care.com for kindly offering up this generous giveaway package for the awesome readers of Boston Mamas!

Also noteworthy on the spa awesomeness front: Now through May 9, Care.com is running a Happy Family Moments video and photo contest on their Facebook page. The video contest grand prize winner will receive a spa weekend getaway for two including roundtrip airfare, a two-night hotel stay, and spa treatments ($2,000 value). The photo contest grand prize winner will receive a $500 spa gift certificate. Delicious.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (102) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Childcare; Childcare & Education; Local
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Friends, it's the final stretch and I am doing one last ask in this space: will you please support Team Boston Mamas & Friends with a donation to the team or my personal page? I am thrilled that we recently broke the $3,000 fundraising mark and I hope we can keep upping our contribution this week -- truly, no gift is too small! Thanks so much in advance for your support, and I look forward to rocking the walk on May 8th on behalf of all of you.

Thank you to these fellow local bloggers who are rocking the walk as part of Team Boston Mamas and Friends:

Manic Mommies
Digital Dads
Mommy Bytes
Fairly Odd Mother
Momisodes
Hey Girl Momma Go
Red Box Idea Shop
3 T Communications

And also a huge thanks to my sister Stephanie, who has been an amazing part of the fundraising effort; she currently is the top team fundraiser! Go Stephanie!

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Good Deeds; Web (Admin)
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