Come to a My Gym Open House for FREE Fun and Fitness - Sept 11, 12, 25 & 26

Please welcome back FCC's latest sponsor - My Gym of Stamford, Norwalk and Fairfield!

My Gym Children’s Fitness Centers are bright and exciting facilities where children actively participate in a variety of structured, weekly physical education classes to gain social skills and self-esteem. From sports, dance and gymnastics to birthday parties and mommy-and-me programs, My Gym has something to offer for everyone. Come check it out at this upcoming FREE Fall Open House in Stamford.

FREE Stamford Open House
Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26
9:30a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Stop by to learn about fall classes designed to promote children’s health and fitness and hear about My Gym’s commitment to a sanitized, germ-free gym throughout the year. Also included at the Open House:

* $500 in raffle prizes
* Free gift for attending
* Gymnastics, games, activities, puppets, and so much more

Special Offer

New members - register for fall classes and receive FREE Lifetime membership, a $75 value, plus 50% off the first payment (Offer valid through the date of the open house at each location).

New Fall Schedules

Stamford, Fairfield and Norwalk My Gym facilities have newly updated fall schedules with exciting, interactive, and fun classes for your child. Click the links below to view the full schedules.

* Stamford Fall Schedule
* Fairfield Fall Schedule
* Norwalk Fall Schedule

Birthday Celebrations at My Gym

My Gym's 1½ hour parties are easy to plan and include age-appropriate music, games, adventures, stories, relays, activities and more. Also, included is exclusive use of the facility, experienced staff members to lead the party, plus (and this is the part I love)...invitations/thank you cards, paper goods, decorations, setup, and clean up! All you have to do is show up.

My Gym Locations

My Gym Stamford
7 Hyde St.
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 327-3496

My Gym Fairfield
905 Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 256-0496

My Gym Norwalk
346 Main Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 847-3496

Back to School With Boden - Save 20% Between Now and September 6

Watch me do the happy dance. Summer's almost over! I know I'm in the minority here, but I love everything about the fall, especially this year. It's much more fun being pregnant under sweaters and jeans (vs. tank tops and bathing suits). Just browsing at www.bodenusa.com got me all excited for the season ahead. If you're a Boden/Mini Boden lover too don't miss these two important things:

• Save 20% and receive free shipping and returns between now and September 6 when you place your Boden/Mini Boden order through my friend Jennifer Erdlen. Please contact her at erdlenfamily@optonline.net by SEPTEMBER 6 to receive the 20% discount.
• Also, mark your calendars for a Boden/Mini Boden trunk show on September 24 at Jennifer's home in Darien. Save 15% that day and receive free shipping and returns. More details to come.....
  

www.bodenusa.com

11th Annual Teddy Bear Clinic at Greenwich Hospital

Now this is cute... on September 13 Greenwich Hospital is hosting its 11th annual Teddy Bear Clinic . Kids 3-12 are invited to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal for a "check up" with hospital staff. Depending on their ailment, your kid's lovey may receive an x-ray, ultrasound, surgery or stitches. Librarians from Greenwich Library will be there reading health-related stories and kids will have the chance to learn about other health-related topics like healthy eating.

It's all FREE and meant to make kids more comfortable with the healthcare system.

11th Annual Teddy Bear Clinic

Sunday, Sept. 13 – Rain or Shine!

12 Noon– 3pm

Greenwich Medical Building Parking Lot

49 Lake Avenue

(right behind the hospital)

Parking available in the hospital’s staff lot on Lake Avenue.

Questions? Call (203) 863-3627 or toll-free (888) 357-2409.

For all the details, click here .

NEVA Paintings

I finally made it to the Rowayton Farmers Market last Friday where I found lots of cool stuff from local farmers and artists (click here for list of vendors). My favorite, by far, was NEVA Paintings. Sandra Schulze of Stamford is the artist and owner behind NEVA and in her words, she turns memories into modern art by mixing photography, collage and acrylic painting. Not only do I love her work, but she's one accomplished lady. Check this out from her bio.."After her first child was born in 2007 Sandra opened Neva Paintings...She started out with children as her main subjects but the outcome of the 2008 presidential election and her imminent swearing in as a US citizen inspired her to take on her first adult subject, Barack Obama and start her “Political, Celebrity and Cultural Storyteller’s Series”. The Obama portrait was exhibited during the inauguration and widely hailed in local NYC area press. It is currently exhibited at corporate offices in Norwalk, CT."

She'll create a custom portrait of your child based on a photograph you give her and a simple interview with questions about your child's favorite stuffed animal, colors, sports, etc.

What you end up with is a big, bold, one-of-a-kind piece for your home. I'm loving the cool, calm colors and edginess to her designs. While these photos are lovely, you need to see her work in person to truly appreciate it. It's so striking and not at all cutesy.

Sandra's also busy working on a line of kids' t-shirts - also bold and not too cutesy. Check out all the styles at www.nevapaintings.com/kids/

Visit NEVA Paintings at www.NevaPaintings.com to learn more about the artist and to place an order for your own portrait.

Kindermusik Demo Class Tomorrow (Sat Aug 22)!

You can try a Kindermusik class tomorrow - for free! Class is at 10:30am at The Long Ridge Music Center. Please email stamfordmusic at aol.com for more details and to register. You've heard me say it before but I'll say it again... Kindermusik classes rock!

www.longridgemusic.yourvirtuoso.com

Congratulations Christine Sargeant and Melissa Marriman!

Hope you're enjoying these last weeks of summer before back to school. This year, I'm experiencing the back to school thing as parent for the very first time. My *baby* starts preschool in September. Ok, it's just preschool. Two days a week. For under three hours a day. But I'm still a little bit of a wreck. Where did time go?

Speaking of wreck, who needs a pick-me-up? Thought so. Well two lucky FCC readers have won themselves a special back-to-school treat. Thanks to everyone who filled out the childcare survey last week (Or at least attempted to. Sorry about those glitches!). You were all entered in a drawing to win some sweet prizes. And the winners are...

Christine Sargeant of Fairfield

Enjoy your luxurious pedicure from Williams & Warren in Darien

Melissa Marriman of Stamford

Enjoy your 30 minute massage or facial from Aetheria Spa in New Canaan

Thanks again to everyone who tried to complete the survey!

Green Moon

Awhile back I wrote about how much I love Green Moon in Rowayton. My daughter's been taking classes there ever since it opened last winter. Green Moon is nurturing, creative, safe, progressive and loving. I love all the teachers (a special shout out goes to Miss Veronica and Miss Lorena!) as much as they love every kid that walks through their doors.

Registration is now open for fall drop-off and mommy-and-me classes for kids up to age 6 in Art, Music and Spanish. Plus they host birthday parties in their funky, cozy space. Check out their site at www.rowaytongreenmoon.com

Dog Days of Summer in New Canaan August 20

I'm such a wannabe dog owner. I want one so much (one that looks just like that one up there), but it's just not the time. That's why this event in New Canaan caught my attention. It's a great outdoor activity the whole family can get into. On Thursday August 20 from 5pm-9pm, dog owners are invited to downtown New Canaan for the Dog Days of Summer event. 

Stores will be staying open later (5- 8 or 9 PM, varies per store) and there will be trainers on hand, grooming services, pet adoption and rescue agencies, pet store retailers and products, veterinarians, and, of course, Doggie-Doo-Not! Plus – your pooch can even get a massage provided by Aetheria Spa of New Canaan. I almost can't take it. Such a cute idea right?

Survey Saga Solved

If you're a FCC subscriber, you've received two (that's right - TWO) emails from me this week with a link to a survey about childcare in Fairfield County. In both cases, due to the volume of responses, the survey crashed. I am truly sorry for cluttering your inbox (not to mention embarrassed too).

You can now access the survey by clicking here . Once you take the brief survey, just email me at fairfieldcountychild@gmail.com to let me know you've completed it and you are automatically entered to win one of these gifts:

• A luxurious pedicure from Williams & Warren in Darien ($60 value)
• A half hour treatment (facial or massage)  from Aetheria Relaxation Spa in New Canaan ($70 value)

I'll announce the winners here next week. Thanks so much for your time and understanding! Have a great weekend.

Disney Party at Danbury Fair on Tuesday, August 11

This Tuesday, August 11th come to Danbury Fair for another FREE event for kids from 10am - noon. This week it's a musical salute to Disney Princes and Princesses. There will be a craft activity and balloon crowns by Sparkles the Clown. It's all part of Danbury Fair's summerlong Kidz Camp program. Click here for the full schedule.

Boo! Haunted House on Sheffield Island This Weekend (August 8 & 9)

Halloween's coming early to Sheffield Island in Norwalk. This weekend kids can cruise over to the historic lighthouse for an age-appropriate haunted house.

Haunted Lighthouse activities are free, but participants must purchase round-trip ferry tickets -- $20.00 adults … $12.00 children ages 4-12 … $5.00 children ages 3 and younger. Reservations are recommended – 203-838-9444. Box lunches can be provided for an additional fee.

For all the details, visit www.seaport.org/SheffieldEvents.html

Your Opinion Please...

Quick poll: If you could have a $50 gift certificate to ANY local business (in Fairfield County), where would it be? Think restaurants, spas, shops... it's up to you. Please email me or leave a comment below with your wish. Thanks so much for your input!

A Salute to Elmo Tomorrow at Danbury Fair

I have other plans but if didn't, I would definitely show up for this event tomorrow to personally salute my friend Elmo. Who wouldn't want to salute a guy who allows me a few minutes of peace every morning during the final minutes of Sesame Street during Elmo's World? The trance my daughter goes into during Elmo's World is sort of scary, but also sort of wonderful. Really, does any character even come close to Elmo? I think not. At least in our household, Elmo = happy kid = happy mom.

Head to Danbury Fair tomorrow for a Salute to Elmo and a dance party and face painting from 10am- noon. It's all FREE and part of Danbury Fair's summer KidzCamp program. Click here for a full schedule of events.  

www.danburyfairmall.com