Albany 4 Kids {by Albany Mommy}

Summer 2011

Welcome to the very first issue of Albany 4 Kids!

When I first started AlbanyMommy.com I wanted it to be a one stop shopping place for all things for kids to do in the Albany area. I had started AlbanyMommy.com when my second child was born and it never quite became exactly what I wanted.

I have always wanted a place where I could tell people about all the cool interesting places I have found in the area and all the interesting {strange} ways I have found to amuse my kids along the way.

There just isnʼt enough room on AlbanyMommy.com to share all my information. My kids had been using the Albany 4 Kids website to blog about their adventures and we decided to turn it into a digital publication to share our love of all things Albany for little ones.

Albany 4 Kids is starting as a quarterly publication that we hope will eventually turn into an every other month publication.

The best part of a digital only publication? If you get interrupted while reading weʼll still be right here online waiting for you! See something you like while reading and want to tell a friend? Forward the copy to them! Want to check something you read again? Weʼre still right here online and easy to find!

Visit us at Albany 4 Kids to view this issue again and more when we create them!

Legal stuff: NO portion of Albany 4 Kids may be reproduced without express written permission from the editor. We do not guarantee and will not be held responsible for information, services, goods, or advertisements within Albany 4 Kids publications.

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Albany 4 Kids or Albany Mommy.

Contact us at:TheKids@Albany4Kids.com

Kid Friendly Movies for $1Looking for something cool to do on a hot summer day?

Regal Cinemas in Crossgates is hosting Summer Movie Express 2011 this July and August.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am select G & PG movies will be shown for $1 admission. {Movies listed are rated PG unless otherwise noted}

{shows are subject to change}

Movie Schedule:June 28 & 29 " Ramona & Beezus {G}" " " Yogi Bear

July 5 & 6" " Chronicles of Narnia " " " Despicable Me

July 12 & 13" " How to Train Your Dragon "" " Kung Fu Panda

July 19 & 20" " Alpha and Omega" " " " Tale of Despereaux {G}

July 26 & 27" " Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs " Karate Kid

August 2 & 3"" Cats and Dogs: Revenge" " " Legend of the Guardians

August 9 & 10" Nanny McPhee Returns" " " Shrek Forever After

August 16 & 17" Marmaduke" " " " " Monsters VS. Aliens

August 23 & 24" Charlotteʼs Web" " " " Planet 51picture courtesy of digitalart

ALBANY

TROYBETHLEHEM

COLONIE

CLIFTON PARK

SARATOGA

The towns that make up the Capital District have so much to offer. Much more than we realize sometimes. Some towns, like Colonie, have hidden pocket parks, some have spitting fountains, nature trails, or more!

Here are links to lists of town parks by town or city. Click on each link to find out more about the parks in that area. Try them out and let us know what you think!

Things I Love!! {by Stacy Jubert of The Children’s Guide}

I wanted to share with you some of the things I love!!

Drama KidsSince launching The Children's Guide over 2 years ago, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing professionals and Deanna, (owner of Drama Kids ) is at the top of that list!Every time I see her at an event, she has a group of her kids with her and they are all having a blast! She loves what she does, and adores her students! From Summer Camp to classes all year long, there is something for every student!

Albany CrossfitIt’s not your typical gym that's for sure. But trust me when I tell you that its amazing! I have always enjoyed working out. Before I had kids I would go to the gym, take classes, spin classes, etc. I have a son who is 5 and a daughter who is 2.. I didnt get back into shape after my son, so it had been years since I worked out when I started Crossfit almost 1 year ago. It has changed my life, and not just my physical appearance. I needed something that was just for me. I needed a part of my day that was my time, and while I am there I am Stacy, not Mom. I have met some terrific people there and most importantly I love it! I can do things I never thought possible, bottom line.. You will become a better you, I promise! Its addicting, hard core and will change your body!

Albany Mommy

Tumbling TykesWho doesn't love Tykes! If you have a child under 5, I bet you have visited Tykes for a play date, birthday party, summer camp or more! They offer it all, and have a wonderful staff and facility to keep your kids happy and entertained!

Jumping Bean Party RentalThis is the place to go when you are looking for rentals for parties, school functions, and much more! Fantastic prices, great rental items and a wonderful staff make Jumping Beans one of my favorites!

Ferguson Family Chiropractic

Dr. John Ferguson is absolutely fantastic! He attends almost all of the children’s events I host and spoke at the Mom’s Retreat this year and was just amazing. His mission is “ to help as many people obtain optimal health as I can, especially children” As a chiropractor with extensive experience in pediatrics and wellness research, Dr. John is committed to promoting health for the entire family. My Things I love list would not be complete without him!

Childrens Guide.com

Rainy Day ActivitiesIf you are up early go to Colonie Center just before the stores open. {Barnes & Noble opens at 9am} Go straight to the water fountain by Boscov's and split the roll of pennies between your kids. They will amuse themselves to no end throwing their pennies in the fountain.Then you can let them run in the mall while no one is there to get energy out!Cost -as many rolls of pennies as you bring

If it's raining lightly {not pouring} let your kids draw on paper with markers. Place the papers outside where they can see from a window. Let them watch the colors bleed as it rains. So cool!

If there is no thunder and lightening why not put on their bathing suits and rain boots and let them jump in puddles? How many times do they try to jump in every puddle they see? Give them permission. You can sit just inside the garage with the door open and watch the kids have fun. It's even more fun for them if they think they are getting away with something!

Go to the Home Depot or Loweʼs and wander through the garden section. Kids love to look at all the beautiful flowers growing trees and shrubs. We even found some $1 plants at Loweʼs last week for the kids!

Tape bubble wrap to the floor and let the kids jump on it to pop the bubbles.

Itʼs fun and the jumping up and down is great exercise.

Go out for ice cream. This is the one time there is guaranteed to be no long lines!

Take funny pictures of the kids in different outfits or poses or even silly faces. Upload the pictures to the computer so they can see them for themselves.

Use colored card stock or construction paper to make your own banner. You can do school colors, team colors, favorite colors, etc.

Cut the paper into big triangles, fold the straight edge thatʼs opposite the point over and long yarn and glue it in place.

Easy, cheap and fun!

Affiliate $$$

Is My Child Too Young For Hoffmans?

I have had more than one person ask me recently “my child is still in a stroller, are they too young to bother taking them to Hoffmanʼs?”.

I say try it out! If you donʼt live too far away, make the trip and see what you think. Every child is so different there really is no way to tell how much fun they could have until they go. There is no admission charge to get in. You only have to pay to go on rides. It could potentially be an incredibly cheap way to spend some quality time with your little one.

My first child loved to go to Hoffmanʼs. The first time we took him he was 9 months old. He sat in the stroller and stared at everything and everybody. He smiled, babbled non-stop and had a great time. We took him on the train and the merry go round the first summer but he spent plenty of time watching everything going on around him. As a family we could spend a few hours at Hoffmans and spend less than $10!

My second child went on every ride her first summer and this year has decided she only wants to watch. But, she has asked to go every weekend.

There are rides for all ages, rides for Moms and Dads to go on with the kids, and rides for kids who are old enough to go alone. Try it for yourself. You never know until you do!

Looking for a great way to bring in extra income? Each issue of Albany 4 Kids will feature a Mom making money. Here is Tracy’s story in her own words.

My name is Tracy Villaume and I am a Star Stylist for Stella & Dot, an irresistible, affordable line of boutique style jewelry offered exclusively online and through Independent Stylists like me. I discovered Stella & Dot last year while reading about CEO, Jessica Herrin, in Working Mother magazine. I wasn’t working at the time, having been laid off while on maternity leave with my first child. Jessica’s story inspired me to check out the corporate Web site and as I like to say, “I was drinking the Kool-Aid within 10 minutes!” The product is amazing, the risk factor is low and the opportunity is ground floor (the company is just a little over 6 years old and there are only a handful of Stylists actively selling in the Albany area). Stella & Dot is also one of Inc 500's fastest growing companies, and was recently backed by Sequoia (you know, the ones who backed Apple and Google)!

I never thought of myself as a sales person, but taking the above into account, I decided to give it a go. Fast forward one year and by dedicating just 5-10 “office” hours a week, and working an average of 4 Trunk Shows a month; I have never missed a sales goal, built a team of nearly 20 and became the first leader in the Capital Region. Did I mention that baby number two was born during all this? Or that I earned $1,500 in free jewelry in my first 3 months? I also happen to make an average of $50 an hour while doing something I love. In short, Stella & Dot has changed my life. Before, I was your classic workaholic, traveling constantly, and spending 60-70 hours a week at work as an event planner. I had no intentions of ever being a SAHM, until I found this company. I am able to earn money and feel personally satisfied, while getting to raise my own children. What job could be better than that? Plus, Stella & Dot has a product that I am proud to stand behind.

$ Moms Making Money $

It has been featured in publications from the Wall Street Journal to Vogue, is worn by celebrities, and designed by the best. The jewelry is hand finished, on-trend, and versatile – and half our Look Book is still under $50!

Also, unlike most direct sales companies out there, I love that Stella & Dot does not require a long sales pitch, and we direct ship to each Trunk Show guest within 3-4 business days. Our Hostesses love not having to hurry to close their show in order for their guests to get their jewels, or drive all over town to make deliveries weeks later. The average $180-200 in free jewelry and additional half off items are the icing on the cake! If any readers want to learn more about the business opportunity or just shop some fabulous jewelry, please let me know. I hold monthly Opportunity Meetings and am always looking for new brand ambassadors! My summer Hostesses are also receiving a special, a bonus $50 in free credits, plus a beautiful Stella & Dot signature jewelry roll just for booking with me! Finally, “like” my Facebook fanpage at www.Facebook.com/tracy4style and be eligible to win free jewelry every month! I can be reached at TVillaume@gmail.com and my web

site is www.stelladot.com/tracyvilla

Cookʼs Park, Village of Colonie:

Every Tuesday during July and August there will be a FREE concert at the amphitheater inside Cookʼs Park. Concerts start at 6:30pm each night and include The Swing Docs, NYC Kids Theater. The final concert on August 30th will be Hair of the Dog!

Wiswall Park, Ballston Spa:

Free concert every Wednesday night in July and August from 6-8pm at Wiswall Park

Pruyn House, Latham

Concerts will be held Wednesday nights starting July 13th. Admission prices and start times vary so check their website for up to date information! Food will be available.

Summer Concerts

A l b a n y M o m m y

Thinking about advertising in Albany 4 Kids? Let me help persuade you!Albany 4 Kids is a digital magazine. That means that every time an issue is published itʼs hosted online. Itʼs not like paper publications that people recycle after reading once. Albany 4 Kids is always available, even months after publication.

Your ad is a direct link to your website! People see your ad, click on it, and are brought directly to your businessʼ website. How many other publications offer that? Albany 4 Kids is also search engine optimized. When people google for items that are in our articles they will be brought to the magazine and see your ad.

Albany 4 Kids initial issue will be emailed to 4,000 people in the Capital District with children. It will also be hosted online so you can check and see the statistics of how many more times itʼs viewed. There is no guessing about whether someone picked up Albany 4 Kids and read it, you will see the numbers yourself to know how many did.

Visit Albany 4 Kidʼs advertising page for more information and rates.

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