Babesta blog

Theatrics in Tribeca - An Octonaut takes center stage

The Manhattan Children’s Theater puts on a special acting class for birthdays, where you pick a book, they read it with the kids and then help the kids put on a performance. The parents mingle and eat as the kids prepare, and then watch the big show. Books that they’ve done: Fancy Nancy, Where the Wild Things are and Tacky the Penguin.

I’ve decided to do this for my daughter’s 5th birthday – it was between that and ice skating at South Street Seaport (which we haven’t yet tried) but I thought that with iffy weather, it’s best to do something inside. For her party she’s selected the book The Octonauts and the Frown Fish, about a group of adventurers who make it their singular purpose to get a sad looking fish to smile. They try everything: music, dress up, food, etc, but no go. Turns out he wasn’t frowning after all. He was simply upside down.

 

Whether you check out Manhattan Children’s Theater for a birthday or go to one of their weekend shows (right now their performing Harry the Dirty Dog), It’s a great local spot and something new!

 

Tis the season for Apple Picking!

Every year we try a new spot for apple picking and this year was the best yet. Not far from the city - about a half an hour - is Melick's Farm in Oldwick New Jersey. It's one of the most beautiful spots I've seen, with views to die for and rows and rows of apples. It's a giant farm so when you find your favorite type of apple (all rows are well labeled), you can have a nearly private family experience, rather than a fight-for-your-food afternoon. There is delicious apple cider, your pick of pumpkin and a small playground on the premises so that any extra energy can be swiftly burned off on the swing and slide.  Visit Melick's Town Farm.

 

Courduroy reading at Babesta for Jumpstart

On October 2 at 10:30, Babesta will be hosting "Read for the Record" for Jumpstart, a non profit promoting literacy in children. It's a classic story about a teddy bear in worn green overalls finding a home and a friend. Be there or be square, and bring your favorite stuffed animal along to enjoy the story too! 

Babesta 66 West Broadway between Warren and Murray Street, NYC 

October 2, 10:30am

Get Priti

I recently found out about Priti Organic Spa on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I love a good manicure. And even more fun - a mommy and me mani! Priti is just the place. With polishes free of formaldehyde, toluene or dibutyl-pthalates (the bad stuff), the polish is perfect for little girls and pregnant women. Time to get Priti!

35 East 1st Street, NYC 212 254 3628. www.pritiorganicspa.com

Around Town with Babesta

On Thursdays, we're recapping events and activities from the prior weekend, and previewing the weekend ahead. Let us take the plunge, and if it's great, we'll let you know! So here goes:
[A New York Classic] We went to see the butterflies at the Museum of Natural History with our almost 3 year old daughter. On a freezing day outside, the butterfly habitat is quite toasty (I would recommend it on that alone). But better yet, she was mesmorized by the brightly colored animals, and we could discuss the migration of butterflies in the winter from Canada to Mexico, how they transform from catepillers to butterflies, and other lessons made more fun for seeing these little guys in person. We bought a book in the gift store and we reinforced the trip later in the afternoon (something I'm trying to do to make excursions more meaningful and longer-lasting). And no one's too young - even my 5 month old was mesmorized by the color and the fluttering.

This is a fairly expensive trip, however. You have to pay the ticket for general admission as well as the butterfly exhibit. Kids under 2 are free. That meant over $56 for 2 adults and one (paying) child, and really, with a young-one, 2 hours is the maximum visit. The Butterfly exhibit runs from October 7, 2006-May 28, 2007.
The Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History
Everyone also loved the dinasaurs, though, the other section I highly recommend with a kid. We reinforced it with a book (A Night at the Museum) and a Diego video (what can we say, we were exhausted.)

[tip: We hear that they order the butterflies every 2 weeks as the creatures only have a short life-span. I would steer clear of the last week of the exhibit, as the number of butterflies will start dropping off without replacement].

For this week ahead, I am thinking of going to see "Have a Little Bubbly", recommended by NY Magazine. Every kid likes bubbles, and this should be a fun one. It's at the New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, and tickets are $35-$41. I hear that kids of all ages have to buy tickets ($19.95 at the box office) ...
Gazillion Bubble Show