Lil' Monsters in NYC: Nickelodeon's World Wide Day of Play 2013

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say this but, sometimes it feels like we nearly have to bribe our nine year old CJ to get out of the house on the weekends. Whether we're discovering something new and undoubtedly amazing to do or visiting a family favorite spot, initially he'd most likely rather stay home and play Sklyanders on his Wii or watch a marathon of Ninja Turtles or WWE wrestling while chowing down on pizza to pass the time. We even have to hide the Nook and cellphones from our 2 year old who is way more technologically savvy then we ever imagined he'd be. Lucky for us parents, for the last ten years Nickelodeon has been hosting it's World Wide Day of Play events all around the globe to encourage kids to take time away from the television screens and gadgets and to get outside to be active and healthy.

This year, after numerous attempts and the recruiting of friends to help us score free tickets online to the Sept. 21st event [which sold out daily in under 5 minutes], we successfully surprised CJ, Tristan and their two cousins. The day included get your heart pumping outdoor activities, celebrity & character appearances and a concert performed by boy band Big Time Rush and actress/singer Ariana Grande in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. 

I hope you guys enjoy my pics below and here's great Nickelodeon, City of Play pictures. I'm also sharing videos that I posted on Instagram so you can get a quick glimpse at why Nickelodeon's World Wide Day of Play is an awesome way for kids to burn some energy while having fun, like my two boys who got in on the action [you can spot them tossing and catching a football in this video]. 

What are some ways you and your family like to stay fit and get moving?

Upbeat party music + a trampoline class with JumpLife make for a great way to start the day. 

A step class helped kids of all ages get coordinated by following patterns and beats.

The monster really had a blast with his cousins and proved he was a tough guy on the field.

A neighborhood cheer-leading squad, cheered on the rock-climbers.

Mini golfers, future pros.

Life size ring toss + running obstacles.

The stars of the Nickelodeon show, The Haunted Hathaways and characters from Nickelodeon and Nick JR. {The Power Rangers, Team UmiZoomi and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles} drew lines of kids who were excited to meet them. As an 80's baby I think I was way more excited then the kids to see the Ninja Turtles.

Everyone was encouraged to get moving, to do their best and have fun!

  

True fans stood on line for hours near the stage as the afternoon ended with a free two hour concert from     Big Time Rush and Ariana Grande. I must admit, I was disappointed to see so many kids standing in line when there was so much fun to be had. To Nickelodeons credit they made several announcements to the fans to get out and play and be active.

The smiles on these kids faces were priceless, probably the best surprise ever and the best reward for us parents was a house full of kids who couldn't wait to go to bed! Make sure to mark your calendars for next year's World Day of Play event!

Lil' Monsters in NYC: Ain't No Party, Like an Urban Lawn Party

One of the best things about Summers in NYC are the abundance of fun-filled street fairs, block parties and festivals in some of the best neighborhoods on the weekends. The Urban Lawn Party hosted by the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is by far a great one to check out for kid-friendly activities, tasty treats {even for your fury friends} and lovely vendors providing services and giveaways. Oh and not to mention, everything was absolutely FREE!

As soon as we arrived the boys jumped right in and grabbed colorful paints and a few brushes to contribute to the Sherwin Williams mural. They also took out the time to write, cheerful notes that they decorated for the elderly that received food deliveries from Meals on Wheels {pictured in middle,top row of first collage}.

One of the most popular activity tables for the kiddies was the milkPOP shop, where mini artists used puffy paints and vibrant hued markers to decorate their own tee's and totes that were illustrated with fun characters and doodles. The founder, Jena S. was extremely encouraging and sweet with the kids and would create drawings right on the spot. I really loved that through their promotion of cultural unity milkPOP had the children help decorate a mural in honor of Trayvon Martin and unity through creativity.

Giggles, high jumps + a teary eyed monster in the bouncy house.

This monster was so not amused by all the stunts his big brother CJ attempted while he got jolted around uncontrollably from side to side. To cheer him up he suckered his daddy into standing on line for some yummy frozen treats from Imperial Woodpecker Sno Balls.

It didn't take long at all for those crocodile tears to fade. We tried out the Cotton Candy and Tiger Blood flavors and can't wait to indulge in the other 44 choices from their menu. Grabbing sno balls was a great relief from the city heat.

Since we were just hangin' out on the stoop we figured it would be a great time for some family pics and these are by far our favorites. We've been told the photo of the four of us at the top of this page reminded people of a modern day "Cosby ShowFamily" and ironically we've been on a Cosby show mararthon on Hulu. 

Sweet Generation had some of the moistest and sweetest cookies and cupcakes we had ever tasted. The boys really enjoyed getting to sit down and decorate these scrumptious baked goods. The online bake shop is known as 21st century bake sale, on steroids {I love it}! and was created to help fund the art programs in the community.

Visitors at the Urban Lawn party got to enjoy massages and beautifully designed henna tattoos, while others got their hair colorfully spray painted and participated in games, leisurely strolled & lounged around on imported grass.

Even the Pets could get in on the fun with some pampering from the doggie boutique and organic treat shoppe withloveivan .

Since he was really little, CJ has always begged us to let him ride on one of those double-decker buses we always see around the city and although this one was stationary he was fine with just being able to head up to the top and thought it was pretty awesome that he had the entire bus to himself.

Even though it was scorching hot that day, I'm sure everyone who stopped by the Urban Lawn party truly enjoyed themselves with all there was to do. It was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon and a great stay-cation memory for us and the monsters!

Oh Snaps! A Peek at our last Summer Moments on Instagram

All though I'm back in the classroom, I've flipped through the pages of all the Fall fashion issues of my favorite magazines, and there's a cool enough breeze at night to leave the windows open, I'm still in denial that in just 5 days Summer will be officially over. In my Facebook feed yesterday there was a post from ABC Family, that mentioned the 100 day countdown till Christmas, which sparked a conversation about presents, and the need to buy the boys new winter boots which instantly had me anxious. I'm so not ready! Personally I'd love to just linger in the memories of our simply relaxing summer & thought I'd let you indulge a little longer by sharing some of our August stay-cation moments.

 Oh Summer you will be missed!

• I was so jealous of those that got to Foley sq. early enough for Zip-lining during Summer Streets.
• CJ loved this larger than life sun-catcher and the other pieces of public art at City Hall Park.
• Even Space Rangers have to take a potty break.
• Gantry State Park for some Shakespeare in the park.
• My new fave pic of the Hubby and I courtesy of our 8 year old. Say "Cheesedoodles"
• Sunset, slides and swings with great views of the skyline.
• My fave brunch at Essex: potato cakes, apple cream sauce w/ spinach, mushrooms and black beans.
• Roof top loungin' at home with the boys.
• Burgers anyone? Like father like sons, they aspire to be great cooks someday!

• My swag of beauty goodies from winning the Rank and Style Instagram contest.
• Riding the waves on the NYC water taxi to the Red Hook Ikea.
• Tristan sang his abc's as he refused to come from under this alphabet bedding.
• El Anatsui's installation Gravity and Grace was amazing to view up close.
• My girl Tacha is such a cheeseball posing with Annunciation at the Brooklyn Museum.
• We were starved and not disappointed when we popped into the  Sunshine Co. for brunch.
• Who doesn't love a lil bit of colorful Bklyn. street art?
• Baby SIR-MIX- A-LOT, future Dj in the making.
• Goodnight moon and other childhood stories old an new at the NY Public Library.

• Some would rather forget about their H.S days but the Brooklyn Tech class of 2000 meets annually.
• Stumbled upon some awesome Jazz in Central Park.
• Got up to use the bathroom and these guys took over my spot in the bed thanks to the 2 yr.old.
• Rose Gardens, composting and dragonflies, all enjoyed on our trip to the Bklyn. Botanical Gardens.
• Kicked off our anniversary weekend with Good Morning America, Alicia Key and Maxwell.
• Lunch at the South Street Seaport
• My outfit all planned out for date night, which included these killer wedges from JustFab!

• Taking in the city skyline at Gantry State park after dinner with the hubby.
• You'll probably never catch me in shoes this high ever again, so the photo is a keepsake.
• I'm so spoiled, I never want to go out to eat because I know my hubby can throw down.
• Hey there Lady liberty! Views from our ride on the Shark speedboat.
• A little arm candy and a glimpse at my metallic sandals.
• Caught the James Turrell installation at the Guggenheim.
• Impromptu trip to the Hamptons with the bestie and our beaus.
• "F LOVES F" the sweetest engagement party ever for the founder of My Bridal Budget.
• Living in the moment, enjoying Labor Day and loving my family.