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Mamas! Treat yourselves for a Happy Hour!! What a better way to cool off this summer with a delicious drink! They're so good, you won't even tell they are alcohol-free! Don't feel guilty on these little indulgence. It's for the baby too, right? :) ENJOY!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Baby and Tot Storytimes
Storytimes are a great way to connect with your child for free! Classes are typically 20-30min and are often offered in public libraries. It's not jut about reading books. It's more about songs and movement! Depending on the age, the instructor may read a very simple book or just show books that you may introduce your child. Your very little ones will enjoy listening to songs, which are often combined with gestures, and watching other babies while they sit on your lap or crawl around the room exploring. As they get older, they will start becoming more engaged and actually participating in the songs and even the stories read. Towards the end of the session, there's usually playtime! A pile of toys in the middle of the room brings the crawlers and walkers together to socialize. It also allows the parents time to meet each other.Below you'll find storytimes around Austin and surrounding areas, ranging from newborn up to 5 yrs. Please call before attending any of the storytimes listed below as events times and dates may change.
Round Rock Public Library
216 E. Main, Round Rock, TX /512.218.7000
Babytime Storytime /infant – 12 mos /THU at 9:30a
Babytime Storytime /12 mos – 18 mos /FRI at 9:30a
Storytime for toddlers /18mos – 3yrs /WED at 9:30a and THU at 10:30a
Preschool Storytime /3yrs and up /MON at 7:00p, WED at 10:30a, THU at 10:30a
Bilingual Storytime /3yrs – 6 yrs/ TUE at 10:30a
Pflugerville Public Library
102 Tenth Street Pflugerville, TX 78660 /512.251.9185
Bilingual Storytime /All Ages /MON at 10:30a
Toddler Storytime /18mos – 3yrs /TUE at 10:30a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5yrs /THU at 10:30a
Lapsit Storytime /Infants – 12 mos /FRI at 10:30a
Cedar Park Public Library
550 Discovery Blvd. Cedar Park, TX /512.401.5663
Lapsit Storytime /Infants – 12 mos/ MON, TUE, & THU at 9:45a and MON at 2p
Toddler Storytime /12 mos – 36 mos/ MON, THU at 10:30 a
Family Storytime /All Ages/ SAT at 10 a
Bookpeople
603 N. Lamar Austin, TX /512.472.4288
Storytime /All Ages /TUE, WED at 10:30a and SAT at 11:30 a
Family Connections
825 E 53 ½ St, Bldg E-101 /512.478.5725 ext. 210
Storytime /All Ages/ SAT at 10:00a
Austin Children’s Museum
210 Colorado St /512.472.2499
Austin Kids Storytime /All Ages/ WED: 2p, 4p, & 6p, THU: 2p & 4p, FRI: 11a, 2p, & 4p, SAT at 11:00a
Barnes & Noble Bookstores
Arboretum /10000 Research Blvd #158, Austin, TX 78759 /512.418.8985
Storytime with Ms. Naomi /All Ages /WED at 11:00a
The Homestead Lakeline Crossing 14010 US Hwy. 183, Austin, TX 78717 /512.249.5644
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5yrs /WED at 9:30a, 11:00a
Hill Country Galleria /12701 Hill Country Blvd Ste O-140, Bee Cave, TX 78738 /512.263.7402
Storytime with Ms. Dana /All Ages /MON at 10:30a
Storytime with Ms. Kim /All Ages /TUE at 10:30a
Pajamarama /All Ages /WED at 7:00p
Storytime with Mr. Nick /All Ages /FRI at 10:30a
Sunset Valley Sunset Valley Village /5601 Brodie Lane Suite 300, Austin, TX 78745 512.892.3493
Storytime All Ages SAT at 11:00a
Westlake /701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860, Austin, TX 78746 /512.328.3155
Storytime /All Ages/ WED at 10:00a
Storytime /All Ages /SAT at 11:00a
Austin Public Library Branches
Cepeda Branch /651 N Pleasant Valley Rd /512.974.7372
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Faulk Central Library / 800 Guadalupe St / 512.974.7410
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 11:00a
Hampton Branch at Oak Hill /5125 Convict Hill Rd. /512. 974.9900
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /WED at 11:00a
Howson Branch /2500 Exposition Rd. /512.472.3584
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a
Manchaca Road Branch / 5500 Manchaca Rd / 974.8700
Evening Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 7p
Millwood Branch Library /12500 Amherst Dr. /512. 974.9880
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Spanish Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 11:00a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a
Old Quarry Branch 7/051 Village Center Dr. /512.345.4435
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Pleasant Hill Branch /211 E William Cannon Dr/ 512.974.3940
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a
Ruiz Branch / 1600 Grove Blvd / 974.7500
Spanish Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /THU at 10:15a
SE Austin Community Branch / 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd / 462.1452
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /FRI at 10:15a
Spicewood Springs Branch /8637 Spicewood Springs Rd. /512.974.3800
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs /WED at 10:15a
Windsor Park Branch /5833 Westminster Dr /512.928.0333
Infant Storytime /Infant – 5 yrs /TUE at 10:15a
Pajama Storytime/ Infant – 5 yrs /WED at 7:00p
Yarborough Branch /2200 Hancock Dr/ 512.454.7208
Toddler Storytime /18 mos – 3 yrs/ TUE at 10:15a
Preschool Storytime /3 yrs – 5 yrs /TUE at 11:00a
Books & Babies /12 mos – 18 mos /WED at 10:15a
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fit Mommy2B Tip #8: Get a Prenatal Massage!
Getting a pregnancy massage is a real opportunity to help practice your capacity to let go as you prepare your body for your birth experience! Massages can be adjusted to accomodate your changing body. It is shown that just receiving 20-minute massages, twice weekly in the last trimester, may significantly improve the mom’s neonatal outcome, especially prematurity, labor pain and labor time.
Prenatal Massage presents a number of benefits for the future mommas:
Prenatal Massage presents a number of benefits for the future mommas:
- Reduces stress
- Relieves back discomfort due to changes in body and posture
- Lower prematurity rates
- Reduce labor pain and labor time
- Lower the risk for depression
- Reduce pelvic discomfort
- Lower the need for medication
- Reduce the swelling of ankles and feet
- Improves sleep
If you'd like to know more about the great benefits of prenatal massage, you can view the entire article submitted by Star Doula Summer Greenlees on our Mommy2B website.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Music and Play for Mama and Baby
Unlike any other activity, every single area of the brain is stimulated during music making! The first 6 years for a child are the most critical ones for musical growth. Infants are “wired” to receive music and able to discriminate between melodies and frequencies – this stage is also known as the ‘music babble stage.’ This is also the time where a child learns his surroundings through play. By incorporating the music culture into your child’s live, he will be able to experiment playfully with these musical elements. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can do a great deal to provide the necessary stimulation through music experiences to nurture the young child's music abilities, regardless of your own.
At Heartsong Music, you and your child can experience Music Together®, an the award-winning early childhood music program. These classes are geared for children 0-5 yrs and their parents. Their classes are based on the idea that making music with children, in a community of families, enriches their lives as it promotes musical growth and aptitute. And, above all, it is FUN!
Classes include songs, chants, dancing and instrument play. Even though the class follows a structured sequence of activities, they are presented as informal, where kids and parents are free to explore through movement and music.
Heartsong Music was founded in 2004 by Carey Youngblood, a certified Montessori teacher who has been involved in teaching children for over 25 years. According to Carey, this program has become a "true community of diverse families and enthusiastic, loving, and talented teachers bonding through musical experiences." (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)
I was able to experience a class with my 22 month old son and he LOVED IT! At the beginning of each session, families receive a Music Together illustrated songbook and two CDs (one for home and one for the car). Classes are mixed-aged and typically run for 45 minutes. You will find children and their families singing, dancing, and playing instruments together.
You will find some children sit in the parent’s lap, while others independently explore the room, the instruments, and their own movement in relation to the music – As you can see in the picture to the right, I must say my son was the independent one! In this particular part of the class, children and their parents, dance around the room to the rhythm of the music in a circle waving fun-colored scarves.
At the end of the class children and parents gather in a circle and enjoy the “Goodbye song.” This last section of the class is very neat as the teacher passes by each kid (mentioning the kid’s name in the song) and lets them strum the guitar. I'm not a musical person myself, so I don't think I've touched a guitar more than a handful of times! Knowing that my son is getting this experience from early on will be very valuable for his development and love for music! (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)
Heartsong music is located on 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320. They are currently offering FREE sample classes! at 10:15 and 11:15am and 3:15 and 4:15pm September 8th, 9th and 12th. Call 371-9506 or visit their website.
At Heartsong Music, you and your child can experience Music Together®, an the award-winning early childhood music program. These classes are geared for children 0-5 yrs and their parents. Their classes are based on the idea that making music with children, in a community of families, enriches their lives as it promotes musical growth and aptitute. And, above all, it is FUN!Classes include songs, chants, dancing and instrument play. Even though the class follows a structured sequence of activities, they are presented as informal, where kids and parents are free to explore through movement and music.
Heartsong Music was founded in 2004 by Carey Youngblood, a certified Montessori teacher who has been involved in teaching children for over 25 years. According to Carey, this program has become a "true community of diverse families and enthusiastic, loving, and talented teachers bonding through musical experiences." (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)I was able to experience a class with my 22 month old son and he LOVED IT! At the beginning of each session, families receive a Music Together illustrated songbook and two CDs (one for home and one for the car). Classes are mixed-aged and typically run for 45 minutes. You will find children and their families singing, dancing, and playing instruments together.
You will find some children sit in the parent’s lap, while others independently explore the room, the instruments, and their own movement in relation to the music – As you can see in the picture to the right, I must say my son was the independent one! In this particular part of the class, children and their parents, dance around the room to the rhythm of the music in a circle waving fun-colored scarves.
At the end of the class children and parents gather in a circle and enjoy the “Goodbye song.” This last section of the class is very neat as the teacher passes by each kid (mentioning the kid’s name in the song) and lets them strum the guitar. I'm not a musical person myself, so I don't think I've touched a guitar more than a handful of times! Knowing that my son is getting this experience from early on will be very valuable for his development and love for music! (Photo on the left is courtesy of Katie Jo Dixon with Heart Roots Photography)Heartsong music is located on 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320. They are currently offering FREE sample classes! at 10:15 and 11:15am and 3:15 and 4:15pm September 8th, 9th and 12th. Call 371-9506 or visit their website.
The Fall Session will start September 14th and will run through December 12th.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Workout Activities for Mama and Baby: Swimming Lessons
Taking care of a baby is a workout in itself! But once your little one starts crawling and walking, there’s a new world of exploration right before their eyes, and guess who’s going to be breaking a sweat chasing him around?!
To further enhance their motor skills, there are some activities that I have found quite engaging for my little one while getting a fun little workout for me too! Given that it's SO hot here in Austin, the first workout I'll focus on will be on swimming!
Swimming Lessons
You can get your baby involved in swimming as early as 6 months! Your babies will learn to get comfortable in the water and gain confidence, while you learn basic safety skills and holding techniques. Water exercise has been noted to improve your baby’s endurance, coordination, and lung capacity.
Classes are typically in small group settings, so you’ll get the maximum attention from the instructor. They also offer private lessons if you prefer one-on-one training.
To learn more about class schedules and locations, here are some local places that specialize in infant/toddler swimming lessons:
1. Aqua Tots
To further enhance their motor skills, there are some activities that I have found quite engaging for my little one while getting a fun little workout for me too! Given that it's SO hot here in Austin, the first workout I'll focus on will be on swimming!
Swimming LessonsYou can get your baby involved in swimming as early as 6 months! Your babies will learn to get comfortable in the water and gain confidence, while you learn basic safety skills and holding techniques. Water exercise has been noted to improve your baby’s endurance, coordination, and lung capacity.
Classes are typically in small group settings, so you’ll get the maximum attention from the instructor. They also offer private lessons if you prefer one-on-one training.
To learn more about class schedules and locations, here are some local places that specialize in infant/toddler swimming lessons:
1. Aqua Tots
Friday, July 17, 2009
Austin's Local Picks: Best Frozen Treat Places
I'm going to start compiling the top 5 favorite for our new and future momma community here in Austin! Given that it's SO hot in Austin, let's start our first one with Frozen Treats. I will run this until the end of the month and then we will pick Mommy2B's top 5 favorite picks!
Vote Here!
Vote Here!
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