Being a new mom,makes hard to figure out where can I take my twins. The problem is:I don’t really know many mom’s in order to ask questions;information on places is all over the internet –thus time consuming to find;even with information –it is really hard to figure out where can I take my kids based on their age!
So I decided to put together a database of fun things to do based on the age.
Mommy and Me Classes
Jungle Gym in Aventura
They have classes for different ages. We went to try out their free class last week with the twins. Security wise –their front doors are locked and they use a computer sign in at the front desk,which I thought was pretty nifty. Beyond that,the walls need serious repainting,toys are either self-made or lacking in interest.
Cleanliness wise,they allowed adults to go into the play room with shoes on (!) and the carpet had crumbs on it.
After 20 minutes in the classroom doing very boring things (I was yawning and so were my 9 month old’s) we were escorted to the gym where they started the bubble time. Well,the gym is a carpet on top of a carpet on top of a carpet…Needless to say the bubble machine kept going forever and you could feel the carpet getting damp. The whole atmosphere there was of allergy attack coming on.
So until they remodel,hire better teachers and buy more interesting toys and rewrite their whole programs,keep looking for another place for a Mommy and Me classes.
Baby Stars in Waterways,Aventura
I am glad we tried this place after Jungle Gym. Anything would be better than the place above,but this one impressed me the second I walked in. I am a stickler for organization. And these people are SUPER organized. They have a nice waiting area,everything clean and put away in right spaces. After filling out paperwork,you are given a locker to put away you stuff and shoes. When time for your class comes,everyone is ushered into a nice room with floor chairs ready for tired mommas (or pappas). In this room,they work on fine motor skills introducing different toys at a fast pace. But here is where my head started to spin. It seemed that we just got a toy,blink blink,and here it goes. Comes the “Bye bye and time to clean and put away”song. We said good bye to toys so many times that my 9month old started to wave and say bye bye while in class. First words by the way.
After 30 minutes we were asked to move into room number 2 where different ladies were walking around with bananas and other fruits,and dolls,dropping their names in English and Spanish. I think they went around with at least 20 different things. Seems interested in theory but extremely boring in practice. Try keeping 9 month old seated for 30 minutes while they teach them vocabulary. Hello!?! We want to move and play and bang things. Also sing sometimes. Well,they got to play with a mirror for 5 minutes and a maracas for another 5 minutes.
Then off to the gym for last 15 minutes. I like this time:Gintare is all about swings,Allegra is all about crawling. So they really had fun there. Their gym is very clean,some nice areas there. Plus,they do texture feel. This day they sprayed some shaving cream and let little ones feet slide around.
Will I sign up with them? Nahhh. Just remembering the fast pace of toys moving around and half an hour of language torture,I can’t bring myself to do it again! I shall keep looking.
Free fun time
Your friendly local library
I rediscovered library after our business took a major cut in profits. I started cutting whatever expenses I could,andbuying books got snipped! And since I love reading,I marched to a local library and proudly demanded access. Now,behold,the beautiful shiny and free library card is all mine!
The next discovery surprised me:you could place holds on the books and they will call you when it is available. I truly sound like an idiot,but –hello! –stroll into the library,flash your VIP library card and volia! –you get your books. FREE!
Anyways,back to the kids. Most libraries have separate sections for kids. And no matter what age (preferably at least crawling),they will enjoy themselves there. You will find other kids ready to entertain your toddler,you can let them pick their own books and DVds,or you can let them play with mazes or toys that are there (yes,they have those!) Most libraries also have story times at least once a week for different age groups,so you can bring your tiny curious mind there and let them enjoy story telling and learn new faces.
After all,they do learn by experience! Hey,and it is free!
No. 1 Beach to go with family
South Florida has no shortage of beaches:South Beach,Miami Beach,Fort Lauderdale,etc. However,not all of them are meant to be enjoyed with little screaming kids in tow. We must have areas to play,close and easy parking,watering holes (aka really laid back restaurants),easy escape routes,accessible No. 2 areas,etc.
The place we always go is Hollywood beach. They have renovated the boardwalk a few years ago:made areas for pedestrians and separate lane for bikes,roller blades,etc. Although the fast traffic seems to ignore the SLOW signs at cross sections –as long as you train your kids to stop and look for bikes –you are safe.
Best time to arrive is before 9 am on weekends:parking will be a breeze,you will have a pick of best sand. I would say it;s a pretty clean beach,but today it was unspeakably dirty”cigarette buts everywhere,and some other trash. But this is an exception –the employees here really do a good job of combing through and keeping the beach in pristine condition.
You can drag your own u
mbrella,tents and chairs,but I enjoy renting a cabana once in awhile. It’s about $25 for the whole day and you get 2 chaise lounge and an awesome shade and privacy from a cabana. Actually,the rental guy even gave us a ride in his golf cart to the car today (I guess 2 girls with 4 kids will get anyone’s attention…)
If you decide to get some food,most places I would avoid on the boardwalk. I do enjoy Sugar Reef –great food and service. I can’t vouch for any others though…
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