Don’t get us wrong: sure, being a parent in New York can have its, uh, hassles. But for every annoyance there are a dozen ways that raising a child in the city can be glorious fun. Packed playgrounds, neighborhood communities, the best museums and theater for kids — and fellow parents who will clue you in on how to make it work here with little ones. Click through to see just a few of the reasons why we here at Red Tricycle are thankful to be parenting in the Big Apple.
Yes, the MTA
I live in the middle of a barren land when it comes to kids' activities and we have no car... which makes me so thankful for the MTA —with all its flaws and faults— for giving me and my kid access to everything that's happening in the rest of the city. I'm thankful that one day we can travel half an hour in one direction and end up at the beach or the aquarium, and another day we can go half an hour in the other direction and wind up in a beautiful park or at the zoo. That's one of the perks of living in NYC, and I love it!
You’ve sung “Wheels On the Bus,” played white (and pink) noise, even propped the bouncer next to the clothes dryer — all in the hopes of soothing your cranky, crying baby. But, have you pumped anything unconventional through the mini-speakers in your little’s nursery? We have video proof that there are just some crooners (think: Katy Perry and Nine Inch Nails) that have a knack for helping the under-one set calm down before nap time. Introducing your bambino’s newest lullaby play list:
1. “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift A net worth of over $200 million, a gaggle of awards, and the ability to quiet an over tired baby with her voice — is there anything Taylor Swift can’t do?
2. “Little Things,” by One Direction Even after being fed, bathed, and changed, this little lady isn’t having it. At. All. Until the boy band One Direction starts harmonizing for her.
3. Star Wars Theme Song We aren’t surprised in the least bit that this recognizable tune helps relax hysterical babies; it is the greatest song of all time.
4. “Dark Horse,” by Katy Perry This Katy Perry hit doesn’t just quiet a whining tot, it actually makes her bust out some on the spot dance moves.
5. “California Gurls,” by Katy Perry (Again) Just call her the baby whisperer, because here’s another Katy Perry song that gets rave reviews from fussy babies.
6. “Happy,” by Pharrell Even babies can’t escape the feel-good vibes of Pharrell’s Dispicable Me 2 smash hit single.
7. “Gangnam Style,” by Psy And you thought you’d heard the last of this get-up-and-dance diddy. If you have a screaming baby on your hands, you might want to add this back into the rotation.
8. “Love On Top,” by Beyonce It doesn’t matter the time of day or who this cutie is with, when she hears Queen B belt out this loveable tune she drops everything – and stops crying. Whew.
9. “Copy of A,” by Nine Inch Nails We’re willing to bet it’s the repetitive drum beat that gives this song it’s lullaby qualities. Whatever it is, it works!
Are there any outside-the-box lullabies that your baby loves? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Prepare to be amazed by all of the purple sea urchins, red sea cucumbers, giant green sea anemones, colorful sea stars, hermit crabs, harbor seals and sea birds your family can handle at these seven protected intertidal ecosystems, known as marine gardens, along the Oregon coast. All of the gardens are hands-on sites that enable your little scientists to carefully touch the starfish or pick up hermit crabs. Click through our album for the splash-tastic scoop on where to find them.
For Anemones and Starfish: Haystack Rock
This seabird nesting colony is also home to spectacular tide pools teeming with sea anemones, sea stars, sea urchin and shellfish, not to mention it's within a couple hours' drive of Portland. Volunteers from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program are available on most summer days to help your family with any questions and to point you in the right direction of little sea creatures.
Capturing the essence of your child in a picture requires a photographer who is equal parts observer and alchemist. They must have that uncanny ability to get kids to express their true selves and then capture the magic when they see it.
You’ll find this intriguing combination in Seattle-based family and child photographer, Tony Asgari. For Asgari every photograph tells a story. Asgari employs no-fuss art direction and has an eye for whimsy and capturing life’s little vignettes. He doesn’t subscribe to posed photos of kids or families. Rather, he wants to see your kids in action, whether it’s exploring a puddle or chasing seagulls. He shoots alongside kids – especially if it requires climbing monkey bars or serving as a guest at your daughter’s tea party. His ultimate goal: to capture your child’s delight in doing something they love.
Asgari’s photojournalistic style has been inspired by his travels to faraway places with his camera in tow: lost in the labyrinth of alleys in Evora, Portugal; atop Mt. Batur at sunrise in Indonesia; amidst the din of Agra and the giggles of village children in India. Asgari brings the same curiosity and artistic approach in engaging the world to his clients’ photographs.
At home, Asgari Photography will shoot at a location of your choice in the greater Seattle area. Because he is telling your story, Asgari will take time to get to know you prior to each session. Within two weeks, all of the session photos will be showcased in a private online slide-show gallery for viewing and sharing with friends and family. Clients can purchase individual prints a la carte and/or the digital images on CD.
Asgari’s favorite accolades come from many of his young clients who leave their photo session saying, “That was FUN!”
