Women (and Girls and Boys) in Sports

We honored National Girls and Women in Sports Day this past weekend by attending a free program run by the NYC Parks Department. The Chelsea Rec Center hosted the event with an all day program with yoga, fishing and birding, wrestling, kayaking, lacrosse, volleyball, and more! 

It was open to both boys and girls, had healthy snacks, free t-shirts, and giveaways.  My kids had a blast trying the sports.  I was shocked that my daughter enjoyed the wrestling. It turns out there are ten girl's wrestling programs in NYC public high schools.  We've come a long way baby. 

My son most loved the birding class. NYC Park Rangers taught about bird habitats, bought birds nests, fake eggs, and binoculars for the kids to use. 

The kids and I were really surprised how much fun we had. LOL. Next year we'll be sure to bring swimsuits so they can learn how to kayak.

Birding.

Wrestling.

The packed schedule.

FREE IHOP Pancakes

We did this one year and enjoyed it, but we had to wait on a looong line. Keep in mind, only the buttermilk pancakes are free.

National Pancake Day

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Get your free buttermilk pancakes this Tuesday at IHOP.  Don't forget to tip your server on the true cost of the pancakes (not the free version).  Also, it's a fundraiser and a nice opportunity to give to the charity.

From the IHOP Pancake Day website:

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 20r06, IHOP restaurants have raised nearly $16 million to support charities in the communities in which they operate. On March 3, 2015, guests from around the country will celebrate a "Decade of Giving" with its tenth National Pancake Day at IHOP restaurants and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© or other designated local charities. 

Enjoy!

FREE Class on Frugal Living in NYC

I will be giving a FREE class on Frugal Living in NYC and beyond where I will discuss how to get by on less with style and fun!!

If you have particular questions or issues you'd like to have addressed, leave a comment below and I'll be sure to include it in the discussion.

Saturday, March 14th, 2015

10am - 11am

The Avenues School

259 10th Avenue - 5th Floor

New York, NY  10001

See you there!!!

How cool is this--three languages! Neat-o!

FREE: Kids Food Festival

Bryant Park (located between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues) will be hosting the Kids Food Festival on February 28th and March 1st from 10am to 4pm.

It looks like a fun event with tons of free food samples and education on how to feed your family healthy meals.  There will be cooking demos, a scavenger hunt, and musical performances.

Free general admission,  tickets to special events can be purchased online.

Babysitter Class

My oldest daughter and her best friend wanted to take a babysitter class at the Red Cross.  Her dad and I were thrilled at the idea.  In fact, he took a babysitter class when he was a kid.  

I was a little shocked at the sticker price which was $90 for one class!!!  When I went to pay online there was a slot open for coupon codes or promo code.  Do you know what I did?  You guessed it, I did a quick search on Google and found a 30 percent off code. 

A two minute search saved me just under $30. Not too shabby. It never hurts to look!!

Go Project - Free Academic Help & Super Low Cost Camp

Go Project is a non-profit organization that offers free academic help for struggling grammar and middle school children, many of them from low income families.  New students are only accepted for kindergarten through third grades.  The program is offered to students attending schools below 14th Street in Manhattan.

The children meet in one of several locations on Saturdays from October through April.  They meet again for camp in July which is comprised of half day academic and half day creative activities.  Past years have offered fencing, dance, and drumming to campers.

The program strives for to give each child individual attention and offer a integrated environment to support the family.  Space is limited.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

The second part of our super fun day included going to Sony Wonder Technology Labs.  I've been meaning to go to this place for years and years.  Recently, someone in my local homeschooling on-line group set up a trip there.  Unfortunately, we couldn't make it at that time, but it reminded me to finally go.

According to their website:   Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a FREE technology and entertaiment museum for all ages.  Explore exciting interactive exhibits in a dynamic state-of-the-art facility that brings technology and creativity together to make learning experiential, entertaining and fun.

The trick is to make reservations up to two weeks in advance.  If you don't, you risk not getting in, especially on busy holidays or schools out days.  Call for more info on tickets.  It's located in midtown Manhattan at East 56th Street and Madison Avenue.  

There are four floors of fun and technology.  Interactive computers teach about how computers, technology, and computer imaging work, but in original hands on ways that was loads of fun.  

Check out the kids below "catching" the computer rain with their shadows.  This was so cool and the highlight of the trip for us.

Even though it was after 5pm when we left, we still had lots more day to do.  A gymnastics class for one child then a family birthday celebration.  What a fun and filled day!!  (Just the way I like it!)