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Friday, February 4, 2011

Go Green this Valentine's Day


This article from education.com has some great examples of how we, as parents, can help our little ones recognize how to avoid being wasteful.  Even if you choose one idea from the article, it'll make a difference.  

5 Ways to Go Green this Valentine's Day


5 Ways to Go Green this Valentine




(based on 4 ratings)
by Education.com
While red and pink may be the traditional colors of Valentine's Day, consider adding "green" to the mix this year. Here are a few easy ways to show Mother Earth your love this February.

Ditch the Paper Cards

Send e-mails or create electronic cards instead of sending out store-bought valentines. Grandma isn't tech savvy? Surprise her with a phone call on the 14th.
If you want to mail a greeting, consider paper your child has already used. A drawing or a picture colored from a book can quickly become a valentine when your child adds his own heart-felt message for the recipient. If you have lots of office paper that is printed on one side, cut two hearts, glue the printed sides together, and decorate the blank sides.

Reuse Valentine's Day Cards

Get maximum benefit out of the cards your child brings home from classmates by encouraging use as bookmarks. Or consider making other paper crafts from them, such as collages and mobiles.

Drive with a Buddy

According to The Clean Air Campaign, every mile driven releases a pound of pollution into the air. Make a conscious effort to trade off with other parents to transport kids to dances, group movie dates, or parties. Even one car off the road during that drive to a Valentine's Day celebration can help improve air quality.

Limit Party Waste

If you are hosting a party, consider using Evites or a similar service to send invitations electronically. (Added benefit: Saving on the cost of stamps!)
"Avoid buying anything made from paper for your party," recommends Lynn Colwell, who with daughter Corey Colwell-Lipson is a co-author of  Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family . A few of her tips include:
  • Use a sheet for a tablecloth. If it's old, stamp on valentine sentiments and symbols, or pin on paper hearts if you don't want to damage it.
  • Instead of paper plates and cups, use what you own, borrow, or check out local thrift stores. Plates don't have to match or be red.
  • Only purchase food items that can be eaten, frozen, or given away. About 20 percent of food Americans buy is tossed. Provide glass containers decorated with hearts for guests to take home leftovers.
  • Supply clearly marked recycling containers covered with hearts.

Be an Earth-Friendly Room Parent

  • Forgo cake and other treats that require plastic utensils in favor of cookies and other easy-to-eat items. To eliminate the need for paper plates (and to keep grubby little hands off all the food), cut fabric scraps into squares for each child's desk and let an adult go around distributing edibles.
  • Instead of purchasing trinkets for game prizes, organizers may want to put out a call for donations of "extras." You'd be surprised at how many parents would love to send leftover treat-bag favors from their child's birthday party or duplicate Happy Meal toys, and kids love the opportunity to select from an assortment. Another option is seeing if the teacher would agree to privilege prizes, such as winning the spot as line leader for a week or receiving a one-time homework pass.
  • Finally, literally and figuratively send home the message to help the planet by giving each student a solid-colored, reusable tote to carry goodies. Supply fabric markers for kids to draw on the cloth bags, or have them collect signatures and messages from classmates as a remembrance of Valentine's Day.

Cutie Patootie Events



Friday, 2/4 Glow-Ga: Glow in the Dark Yoga
5PM (Mommy and Me)
6PM (Age 4 and Over)
Cost: $15 per child

Saturday, 2/5 Glow-Ga: Glow in the Dark Yoga
5PM (Mommy and Me)
6PM (Age 4 and Over)
Cost: $15 per child

Thursday, 2/17 The Cat's Pajamas Concert and Pizza
12PM Pizza and 12:30 Concert
Cost: Free with Open Play Admission

Monday, 2/21 Sock Puppet Workshop
11:30 AM and 2:30PM (Age 3-6)
Cost: $10 per child

Friday, 2/25 Favorite Character Collage Workshop
11AM (Age 3-6)
Cost: $10 per child
Our mailing address is:
105 N Dean Street @ Demarest Avenue
Englewood, NJ 07631
Copyright (C) 2011 Cutie Patooties All rights reserved.

Looking for Something to do This Weekend????

There's lots to do this weekend!  Check out the calendar for more details on these and other upcoming events:



  • Friday:  "Bossy Frog Band Pajama Party" 6:30 in New City, NY; Storytime at Barnes and Noble Palisades at 5:30
  • Saturday: "BubbleTime" at Bergen PAC; Family Yoga at Cutie Patooties- 10am; "Despicable Me" playing- 3:30 at the Mahwah Library
  • Sunday: "Laserific Light Show" at JCC of Rockland County- 4:00pm; "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" at South Orange Performing Arts Ctr- 11am and 2pm

Thursday, February 3, 2011

In the Swing Presents:



The Family Health and Wellness Series
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month, In The Swing Hosts a family health and wellness seminar with topics that might be useful to many of today's families.  They run from 10:30-11:15am, and you're welcome to bring your little one upstairs to play (while Mommy/Daddy attend the session) for a fee of $5/child.  
The schedule is as follows:

  • Feb 15- Is Your Child Developmentally On Track?
  • Mar 15- Chiropractic and Exercise for the Entire Family
  • Apr 19- Nutrition for Today's Family
These sessions are FREE, but you must call to register: (201)444-3556/ info: http://www.intheswing.biz/ 
In The Swing
145 Hopper Ave
Waldwick, NJ 07481

Snowflake Mania at the Hillsdale Library




On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the library will present "Snowflake Mania", a craft workshop for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The workshop, which is set to run from 4 to 5 p.m., will show children how to decorate paper and foam snowflakes.
To register call the Children’s Room at 201-358-5073 or e-mail Cindy Greenwald at greenwald@bccls.org.
Space is limited to 25 children.
For further information contact the Hillsdale Public Library at 201-358-5072 or visit its website at Hillsdale.bccls.org. The library is located at 509 Hillsdale Ave.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Gymboree Play & Music Sweetheart Day Event!








It's time to celebrate with the ones you love
at Gymboree Play & Music!





 
Love is all around during our special Sweetheart Party!
 
Celebrate with sugar & spice & everything nice...
- Stroll in our sweetheart parade  
- Play on cupid's course
- Travel through the tunnels of love
- Ride the love train & so much more...
 
Don't delay... Call and reserve your spot today!






In Paramus: Sunday, Feb.13th from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
In Waldwick: Sunday, Feb.13th from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
In PineBrook: Sunday,Feb.13th from 3:30 to 5:30pm
$20 per child. Pre-registration is requested.
 
Gymboree of Paramus | 201-262-4485 | 385 Rt.17 South | Paramus | gymbo594@optonline.net
Gymboree of PineBrook | 
973-227-7588 | 101 Rt 46 East | PineBrook | pinebrooknj@gymboreeclasses.net
Gymboree of Waldwick | 201-262-4485 | 160 Hopper Ave. | Waldwick | gymbo594@optonline.net


Barnes and Noble Online Story Time!

pinkalicious_product.png

Wish you could get the kids out to Story Time in this gross weather? Check out Barnes and Noble Online Story Time!  This month, Pinkalicious read by the author, Victoria Kann.  So fun!  My 4 year old LOVED this!  




Here's the link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/storytime/index.asp


Comic Book Project at the Westwood Library




The Westwood Library (www.bccls.org/westwood), in conjunction with Ramapo College, is launching"The Comic Book Project", a program open to students in grades three through six.


The program will take place Wednesday evenings starting February 3rd!
The aim of the project is to engage students in the process of writing, designing and publishing original comic books. Participants will be taught about storyboarding, character development, writing skills, design techniques and desktop publishing.
The program will be led by Ramapo College students in the Teacher Education program and overseen by project founder/director Dr. Michael Bitz.
The project will culminate with an exhibit and web gallery of student work.
For further information about The Comic Book Project visit www.ComicBookProject.org.

Kindergarten Workshop Starting Feb 5th


The Laning Avenue School Community Association (Cedar Grove/ Verona) is sponsoring a pre-kindergarten program for children who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1 and will be entering kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year.
The workshops will be held on four Saturday mornings — Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7 — from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Laning multipurpose room.
Formal and informal discussion sessions for parents will be held while the children attend the workshops.
Registration is required. Contact Melissa Collucci via e-mail at mcollucci@verizon.net or call 973-943-5726.  

Monday, January 31, 2011

Happy 107th Birthday, Dr Seuss!



Clifton Public Library – Clifton Memorial Library


Celebrate Dr. Seuss's 107th Birthday 

Family/Child (Books)Enjoy stories read by Candice Brown, Director of the Clifton Public Library. Birthday cake and refreshments will be served.
Tickets: 973-772-5500
Free
Schedule
 • Wed 3/2 at 6:30pm-7:30pm

address  
292 Piaget Ave.

CliftonNJ  07011
phone 
(973) 772-5500

Sunday, January 30, 2011

New Jersey Children's Museum Wintervention

Moms We’ve Got Your Winter-Vention!


Hey Moms, got some cabin fever with all this snow? Need to go somewhere fun with your toddler?


Look no more!


The New Jersey Children’s Museum has a special offer just for you! Organized mom’s groups or just a bunch of friends can come weekdays* for two hours of play beginning at 10am. We will set your group up with a private room, free coffee, and a simple craft for your little one. You are welcome to bring a snack or order a pizza lunch through us!**


All is required is a minimum of 10 children,


ALL MOMS ARE FREE!!


Pre-registration and pre-payment is required***


Call now or check our website for details!


201-262-5151x10 ,www.njcm.com






* President’s week not available 2/21-2/25 Scheduling available 1/18-1/21, 1/25-1/28, 2/1-2/4, 2/8-2/11, 2/15-2/18


** Can not be used as a birthday party, school group trip or other special event.


*** Pre-registration and pre-payment to be made over the phone, 100.00 minimum to reserve a date, each additional child is 10.00 plus tax, coupons can not be used for a child's admission. No strollers are permitted inside the museum.