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UltimateMama loves New York.  UltimateMama loves Tribeca.  UltimateMama loves movies of all varieties.  UltimateMama loves introducing her kids to everything she loves.  Put it all together and you have this DO NOT miss event of the year:  Tribeca Film Festival’s Family Festival Street Fair

Grab your partner, your kids, a backpack (of diapers/wipes/sippy cups/snacks/etc.) and head to Tribeca on Saturday, May 1st from 10 AM until 6 PM!  Meet local merchants, enjoy street performances, engage in arts and crafts, and enjoy some possible celebrity sightings!

NYfamilySports, 04-06-2010 » Page 5

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Samuel Chamberlain, Kristen Duca, Neil Landwehr, Brittany McNamara, Bonnie Rosenberg, Teresa Tobat, Spike Vrusho, Daniel Wright

NYfamilySports, 04-06-2010 » Page 4

30 DAYS

This is for all the young and the restless out there. Get out of the house and go do these things. You’ll have fun, you’ll feel better and we won’t ever say we told you so.

April 17 Jordan Brand Classic All-American Game 3:30 p.m. Madison Square Garden www.jordanbrandclassic.com Who will be the NBA’s next superstar? Find out at the Jordan Brand Classic, when top high school talent from around the world will get the chance to showcase their skills at the legendary Madison Square Garden. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant all played their final high school games at this game. So this is your chance to see tomorrow’s NBA greats for the first time!

April 17 Street Games 2010 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Thomas Jefferson park, 114th Street and First Avenue www.nycgovparks.org The third annual Street Games puts a modern twist on the classic games of the ’60s and ’70s. Enjoy the sounds of old time rock ‘n’ roll, soul and Motown while your child plays with pogo sticks, double-dutch, hula hoops and yo-yos—all in the streets, just like their grandparents! This year’s festivities also feature skate boarding clinics and a costume contest for the grooviest duds. And it’s all free!

April 18 Run for the Parks 4-mile: 8 a.m.; Kids’ Races: 9 a.m. Central park www.cityparksfoundation.org Kick off the running season and keep in shape with this 4-mile race to benefit the City Parks Foundation. Youngsters can get in the spirit by participating in the kids’ races. Families can enjoy food, music and activities at the post-race reception.

April 24 The Big Swim at Asphalt Green 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. location: Asphalt Green, 555 E. 90th St., between York & East End avenues www.asphaltgreen.org Give your child an Olympic experience at The Big Swim. This open swim meet invites 1,000 children to participate in a free day of competitive swim races—complete with the nuts and bolts of a real competition, including starting blocks, officials and a timed finish. Regardless of scores, each child will feel like a winner and get to take home a medal, T-shirt and a goodie bag. Olympic swimmers and elite athletes will be in attendance, and families can watch diving and swimming exhibitions in addition to the meet. Registration deadline is April 14. For more information, call 1-888-979-4669.

April 24 High Rock Challenge Adventure Race 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Greenbelt recreation Center, Staten island www.nycgovparks.org Join 600 runners for this 10K trail race along the Staten Island Greenbelt’s legendary trail system. Held in honor of fallen NYPD officer John Kelly, the race is presented by the Greenbelt Conservancy, New York Adventure Running Association and the Parks Department. Teams of two members will run and compete in five mystery events— previous challenges have included water crossings, mental challenges, climbing stunts and water submersion. After the teamwork is finished, all will be rewarded with food, beverages and entertainment.

MAY 1 Hershey’s Track and Field Games 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Van Cortlandt park, Bronx www.nycgovparks.org Kids with a craving for track and chocolate should race to Van Cortlandt Park for the chance to advance to the North American Final track and field meet held in Hershey, Pa.! The free trip will include an afternoon at Hershey Park Entertainment Complex and a tour of the world’s largest chocolate factory. Children ages 9-14 can compete in a number of events, including the 50 meter, 100 meter, 400 meter and 4×100 meter relays, standing long jump, softball throw and more.

MAY 7 Meet Ralph Kiner at Last Licks 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. 245 W. 93rd St. www.lastlicksicecream.com Take the family to meet a legend at Last Licks, Manhattan’s “Sports Bar for Kids.” Baseball Hall of Famer with the Pirates and Mets announcer Ralph Kiner will be on hand to sign autographs.

MAY 11 New York Liberty’s 5th Annual “School Day” 11 a.m. Madison Square Garden www.nyliberty.com Experience a New York Liberty preseason game at the Garden for a fraction of the cost during the 5th annual “School Day” game. Tickets range from $10 to $15 and groups can also qualify for a chance to meet players on the court, get autographs, create a fan tunnel or even sing the national anthem! Plus, schools that purchase $1,500 worth of tickets will receive a visit from Liberty legend Kym Hampton.

MAY 15 Al Oerter “Fists for Fitness” Free Youth Karate Tournament 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Al Oerter recreation Center, Flushing Meadows Corona park www.nycgovparks.org Calling all teen martial artists (think Tae- Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Karate) to this citywide competition that encourages healthy lifestyles. No worries if you’re not the next Karate Kid—spectators are welcome, too!

MAY 16 AIDS Walk 11 a.m. Central park, 59th Street and 5th Avenue www.aidswalk.net The world’s largest AIDS fundraising event returns to the city. Last year, 45,000 participants—including families, youth sports leagues and schools—raised more than $5.6 million for Gay Men’s Health Crisis and 50 local AIDS service organizations. Log on to their website to register as an individual, sponsor a walker, join a team, start one or make a donation. A chance to get some excercise and help those in need!

Leave it to the folks at LoveforEarth to come up with cute, compact reusable lunch bags for kids and adults alike.

UltimateMama loves the eco friendly insulated zipper sandwich bag.  At $9.60 it is a steal!

Bag

Chef UltimateMama has a few sneaky ways to get your baby, toddler, or young child to eat nutritious food:

– Shred or cube cheese and offer it as a side dish during the meal

– Put color into plain yogurt with berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)

– Peel and slice fruit for your child (kiwi, mango, apples, oranges, tangerines, clementines, etc.) DO NOT be a lazy parental chef!

– When making a sandwich use whole grain bread (avoid WHITE bread)

– Try dipping sauces (using yogurt, peanut butter, cream cheese, salsa, marinara sauce, etc.) with veggies

Teach your child good eating habits while they are young. NEVER let on that you do not care for a particular food – your child will pick up on it!  So, smile while you feed them brussel sprouts!

UltimateMama wants you to run to Target right now during its Swimwear Sale (in stores and online) for boys and girls of all ages (infants on up).  On www.target.com swimwear ships for free with a $50 order.

UltimateMama bought her little ones bathing suits on sale for $8 each ($9.99 regular price).  With summer around the corner these are perfect for your children!

UltimateMama wants to give you a quick breakfast tip:  try a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread.  If you want to be fancy, use almond butter and a nice raspberry fruit spread!  You could even add banana slices for extra nutrients.   Your child will love their nutritious snack.  Plus, it is portable!

UltimateMama wants you to dart to The Children’s Place right now during its Swim and Shorts Sale (in stores and online) for boys and girls of all ages (infants on up).  Use your The Children’s Place  Summer Pass to get an extra 15% off (valid April 8 thru May 12, 2010).  

Place 
UltimateMama just went this morning and stocked up on swimsuits for her little one!  At $8.50 each ($10 sale price plus 15% off with Summer Pass), that is a deal she couldn’t pass up…especially with summer around the corner!

UltimateMama read yet another disturbing news report of a parent who was charged with shaking their baby. 

Never, never, never, never shake your baby or anyone else’s baby.  Pass that message along to your caregivers, family members, and friends.  Shaking a baby for any reason is CHILD ABUSE. Shaken baby syndrome is 100% preventable.

If your baby is crying and you are frustrated please take the following steps:

– Place the baby in a safe place such as a crib or pak n play and take a “parental time out” for 5, 10, 15, or however many minutes it takes you to calm down, drink a glass of water, and think clearly.

– Call your partner, a friend, a neighbor, your doctor, or a close family member and talk about your emotions.

– Call a friend or caregiver to come over and help you with your baby.

Dealing with a crying baby is not always easy, especially when you are sleep deprived. But, do not lose your cool.  When you calm down enough to go back to your baby (and NEVER LEAVE A BABY UNATTENDED or ALONE) and hold them try these solutions:

– Take care of their basic needs:  burp the baby, change their diaper, feed the baby, etc.

– Take the baby on a stroller ride:  fresh air will do both of you good.

– Put some music on or background noise for YOU and the baby.  Whether it is Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Usher, Moby, Steve Miller, Abba, or whoever, calm down to the music.

– Offer the baby a toy or book to play with.

For more information on Shaken Baby Syndrome read the following website from the American Academy of Pediatricshttp://www.aap.org/publiced/br_shakenbaby.htm

UltimateMama has a simple yet effective tip for you that will make your life a lot easier if your trip gets delayed or if you are planning to arrive back home late at night.  Buy organic milk before your trip as it often has a longer expiration date compared to non-organic milk. Also, have a meal in the freezer for your family – pasta sauce, ham, meatloaf, etc.  Additionally, keep some frozen fruit in the freezer for breakfast the next day.  This way, if you arrive to your home too late to hit the grocery store you will be able to get by with a few meals!

You will thank UltimateMama when you arrive home with hungry kids late at night!

Recently, your UltimateMama spent a week in Florida.  It is part of the NYC triangle – Manhattan, Hamptons, Florida – that most folks find themselves in during the year.  Anyhow, sunscreen was a big part of UltimateMama’s family vacation, even on cloudy days.  Every morning, after a wonderful Chef UltimateMama made breakfast of fruit, pancakes, turkey bacon, and eggs, the while family would spend fifteen minutes lathering up SPF 30 (or above) sunscreen.  Then, after swimming it would be reapplied.  It was a ritual for UltimateMama’s family.   

UltimateMama is always SHOCKED, STUNNED, MORTIFIED, and ANGERED when she comes across parents or caregivers who regularly fail to put sunscreen on their children. They argue that the kids complain about the sunscreen applications or get it in their eyes.  UltimateMama believes that once it is part of a “routine” your child will stop complaining.  It is like zipping up a jacket or brushing teeth.  You, as the parent, can get your child to accept it if you are consistent.  Consistency is key.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sun and covered with protective clothes. 

If you are worried about your child having an allergic reaction to sunscreen then start by applying a small amount or “patch” on their arm and observing their reaction for the next 24 hours.

Keeping your child’s skin healthy now will benefit them in the long run!