Albany Mommy Blog - Fun things to do in the Albany New York Capital District area for kids and parents

Formula feeding?

Both of my kids were formula fed at one point or another.  One right from the beginning and another after a few months of breast feeding.  When I did choose formula they both got Enfamil.  It was what we got in the hospital and I kept hearing how good it was.  I will admit I was afraid to try store brand formula, that it wouldn't be as good for my child.

That's why I found this very interesting.  PBM products {they make store brand formulas for Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club and others} just won a $13.5 million lawsuit against Enfamil.  

"PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands.  PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®.  The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case. "

 

Very interesting.  Especially considering how careful companies need to be when make claims in advertising.  I don't know if this would have changed my mind in regards to store brand formula, but I do find it very interesting.

Did you know?

Did you know that carbon monoxide detectors expire after about 7 years? 

I found this out the hard way last yer when our carbon monoxide detectors were blaring one evening.  I packed the kids up and raced them out of the house as fast as I could, right after throwing all the windows wide open.  The Latham fire dept came after the kids were situated and they were so incredibly nice.  After they cleared the house, one of them looked at the carbon monoxide detectors and guessed how old the house was. 

I never knew that hey expire, did you?  I have to say I'm not sure about smoke detectors, ours are hard wired. Anyone?

Some nice Sunday reading...

Check out one of our readers, Bridget here.   I think these tips may apply to me! Can the next one be for Moms??  Please!!!

Holiday bills got you down? Get cash for old jewelry next week!

 

What:Cash for Gold. 

When: January 22^nd 7:00-8:30.

How: Clean out your jewelry box and get rid of all the old gold that you never wear anymore and is just collecting dust.  Gold is at a high right now and in this economy we can all use extra money.  Bring your gold and walk away with cash is all there is to it.  Connelly’s Jewelry is very fair and gives back very generously.  Stay after for dessert and some time to mingle with other moms.  Mary Kay Cosmetics will be there giving Satin hands & Satin Lips demonstrations.  There will be special offers and raffle prizes. 

Event is FREE but limited to 50 people. Email smyron@nycap.rr.comto register.  RSVP’s preferred.  There will be a limited number of entries allowed at the door.

{on a personal note, I sold some jewelry to Connelly's and they really do pay well for it!}

Do you love Park Playhouse?

Park Playhouse in Washington Park is one of the best parts of Albany in the summer!  Free plays for kids, a great way to grow local talent, and I love it. 

A friend of the family recently sent some great info.  Bekshire Bank is giving away $20,000 in grant money to top vote-getters among local non-profits. 

Please, please, please vote for Park Playhouse!! Click here and enter Park Playhouse PO Box 525 Albany NY 12201.  {You do have to enter your name and something in the address box even though it doesn't say required}

Hmmm, I think this is such a good cause that if Park Playhouse wins the grant I should do a give a way and choose from those who helped.  If you vote for Park Playhouse, leave a comment below.  Who knows??

THANK YOU! {And please pass the word!}

Baby Einstein

I really don't know what to think about this.  Baby Einstein is offering a DVD/ money back guarantee.  I read this story from Baby Einstein on twitter yesterday.  Somebody {I refuse to use a name here} has been out bashing Baby Einstein.  They are standing behind their product.  I really have missed this whole thing until now, I am so out of the loop until there is a discount involved!

Baby Einstein feels strongly about their products, so they are offering a buyback guarantee.  Here's the deal, if you purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 2004 and September 2009 and are dissatisfied you may return it for a few different things - your money back, a Baby Einstein CD or book or your choice, or 25% off a Little Einsteins item.  OK, who can say they are HONESTLY dissatisfied with a Baby Einstein DVD?  

I am all for free stuff and was thinking I would take advantage of this offer, I would love a free CD.  I have so many Baby Einstein DVD's it not funny.  There is not a single one that I would give up.  Before I wrote this I was riding in the car with an almost 2 yr old who was screaming.  I flipped open the DVD player and World Music was in the DVD player, instant silence!  I really don't care if they turn my child into Einstein or what they named them.  My kids love them, they are not junk, and I get silence!  I can unload the dishwasher, clean up after a meal, or take a shower while Baby Einstein is on.

Do you think they would take back the DVD's that my son tried to eat that no longer play? 

I seriously can't believe someone is bashing Baby Einstein.  If they ever heard Julie's story behind the start of Baby Einstein and how selling the company helped pay for breast cancer treatment they might think differently.  Especially since it's October.

You can get all the details here.  I couldn't stop laughing at this story last night.  Keep on amusing my kids Baby Einstein!

November 13th

Here's a few pictures from the last Mommy Networking Night.  We networked, made connections, friends, and got free Pirate's Booty.  All while the kids played in the play area and were fed pizza!  Two and a half hours of adult conversation! 

The next Mommy Networking Nightwill be Friday November 13th from 4:30-7pm at Tumbling Tykes in Latham.  Come, meet other Moms and Women{you don't have to be a Mom to attend} and enjoy some social networking and ADULT conversation for 2 hours! 

Have a business that you want to promote and need help getting the word out?  There are still some sponsorship opportunities available, more info here.  Sponsors are the wonderful people who help keep the costs down for the kids to play and eat while Moms socialize, a huge thanks to them.

Usually tickets are still available that night, however since we were promoting Mommy Networking Night so much lately 15 tickets have already sold.  We may have a sell out situation!  Yippee!! Buy your ticketson line and save your receipt to present at the door.

See you there!!

Gap baby & kid

Could your child be the next Gap kid or baby?  They are looking.  Find out how to enter your child.  If your child gets picked they would receive a $1000 Gap wardrobe, trip to see Lion King, and more.  And you get bragging rights about how your child was chosen!

Tylenol recall

Some infants and children's Tylenol is being recalled.  Check out their website for more info.

Halloween costumes

Pottery Barn Kidsseems to have taken it down a notch this year.  Last year their costumes were incredibly expensive, most over $50.  This year they have a bunch at $29 and are offering free shipping to boot!  On Saturday September 19th you can visit your local Pottery Barn Kids for a Halloween Fashion Show and get 10% off Halloween goodies

So much fun!

The next Mommy Networking Night will be Sept 18th from 4:30-7pm at Tumbling Tykes in Latham.

Come meet other Moms and Mix & Mingle for business and pleasure.  Want some adult conversation?  Want to meet more Moms?  Want to talk to other Moms who run their own business?  Want to get the word out about your business?  You can do all that while at Mommy Networking Night.  You can even do all that with your kids in the supervised play area of Tumbling Tykes! 

Sponsor spots are also available.  You can even be a level 1 sponsor and set up a table and sell!  Woo hoo!

Albany Mommy discount cards will also be on sale at the Networking Night.  Get discounts at local businesses like Tumbling Tykes, Hola-la, New England Nanny, & more.  New businesses and discounts added weekly.  Introductory price is $25 and the first 100 cards sold have no expiration date!  Buy it and use it for years to come!  Can't beat the price for the discounts you get.

Customer service - my experience today

I keep hearing it over & over "In this economy how can anyone give bad customer service.  Are they nuts?"  I also keep saying it myself - what's with people being rude or not even trying to be nice when they should trying to boost sales? 

Today this really got me thinking.  I went to Crazy 8 in Colonie Center today and didn't have the best experience.  *BTW - at Gymboree it's Circle of Friends, but at Crazy 8 it's Friends & Family "they are not the same store".*  When I checked out the clerk handed me a receipt and said at the bottom I could go on line and fill out a survey to rate their customer service.  I walked out thinking - so many people emailed and commented on this site after I posted about their store opening about customer service and here I just witnessed it first hand.  I'm not going in there for a long time!  I had serious shopping to do and instead bought 1 thing. 

I really got to thinking.  I have met a lot of small business owners through Albany Mommy, some who have employees of their own.  Does Crazy 8 know about the customer service reputation at Colonie?  If they don't wouldn't they want to?  How do they know from where they are what's going on?  I suddenly have a different attitude about filling out a customer service survey!  I think of the business owners I've met - if they have a shop and their employee is rude to customers or not doing their job when they aren't there - how will they ever know if someone doesn't tell them?

Since my only "employees" are 18 months and 4 I really don't have much to worry about  Seriously, unless the store owner themselves is the rude one (like certain stores in Newton Plaza I will never shop in again) what happens?  If you run a business, would you like to be told? What if an employee was losing customers and you didn't even know it?

I never want to be fully negative - so - thanks to the following places for always, consistently giving great customer service Hannaford, LL Bean, Dunkin Donuts, Genoa in Latham, Starbucks(Wolf Rd & Rt 7 Latham), -please don't think good service is ever not appreciated!

Benefit for local 4 year old

Attend the Family BBQ & Fun Day benefit!!!

Music provided by

Bobby Dick and the Sundowners

Why: Annie, a beautiful, smart, happy 4 year old from  Wilton  was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She is currently at St. Jude Children’s Hospital with her family. This benefit will help offset the family’s expenses while Annie is receiving treatment. Remaining proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s.

When: Sunday, August 30, 2009 12-4pm

Where:        Elks Lodge B.P.O.E  #81 32 Cronin Rd.  Queensbury (518)792-3434

What’s Happening!

·        50/50 Raffle

·        Silent Auction (flat screen TV, weekend getaway, and more)

·        Toby Keith concert ticket raffle

·        Bounce house fun provided by Bounce Around

·        Face painting provided by Faces by Ferdinand

·        Special guests and surprises for the kiddies

Tickets:$15.00  -   Adults and kids 10 and over (cash bar)

          $  5.00  -   Kids 9 and under (includes all day bounce house fun)

Can’t make the event?

• Donations can be made directly to any TD Bank Branch or to any contact below
• Checks – make payable to “The Annie Jetter Fund”.

For information, ticket sales, donations visit www.hopeforannie.info 

         

New to Latham...

There are some new stores coming to Latham...

Bumble Beads in Latham is getting 2 new store-mates, Miso Cute and a women's clothing store.  They should be open very soon.  Miso Cute has a doll nursery, you have to check it out!

The strip mall across from Bella Napoli will be getting a new look and a Fresh Market!  Yeah, I have seen the pink signs over there so I knew something good was happening.  Check out more details here. 

(Thanks to Northeast Acura for the tip!)

Like this?

See this DYSON vacuum?  It's the DC28.  It's a Dyson. 

If you come to Albany Mommy networking night on Friday July 24th you'll see it up close.  Oh yeah, and get a chance to take it home!

I am having a very had time even thinking of having to hand this over to someone else at the end of the night.

I own a Dyson and it's amazing!  We had a different vacuum, cleaned the floors with it and then immediately used our Dyson when we bought it and filled the canister.  It was gross!!  I though our old vacuum had worked well until we got a Dyson.  These vaccuums are amazing! 

Boy, do we get good stuff for door prizes! 

Mommy networking night - Friday July 24th.

4:30-7pm at Tumbling Tykes in Latham. 

Tickets on sale here or at Tumbling Tykes.

Oh yeah, this retails for $599.  Maybe I shouldn't be putting this in writing...

Want to learn to twitter?

If you have a small business and aren't on Twitter yet, you should be!!  It's a great, FREE way to get out info about your business.  Tons of local businesses are growing through twitter. 

I found one of those businesses who is successfully using twitter and has helped me and taught other local businesses to use twitter.  I will be teaming up with her to bring you "Beginning Twittering".

If you are a local business who wants to know more about twitter, please email AlbanyMommy@nycap.rr.com  to get on the waiting list.  We are looking for a certain number of people before we set a definite date.

It's going to be fun!!!

Shhh..

Bumble Beads just shared some exciting news with me.  Next week I am going to get together with Karen to make plans and I can't wait to share it with you.

If you have a baby girl you will LOVE this!!!  Stay tuned for more info...  It's going to be huge!

Albany Mommy intern...

 

Albany Mommy will be "out of the office" for the next week.  My intern will be taking over and blogging from her crib while I'm gone.  She says she has some great things to blog about while I'm gone, at least that's what I think she said.  (She doesn't have too many words yet.)  But, she's definitely excited about her new gig and looks like she's already hard at work!  Oh yeah, she doesn't respond well to emails.

You have to see this!

 

Last Friday I got to try out the coolest new thing in the Capital District with a few "little friends".

Games 2 U is officially "a mobile game theater and more".  Unofficially it's "why on earth didn't anyone think of this before".

John, a father of 3 from East Greenbush, is running the local franchise of Games 2 U.  Tell me he isn't the coolest Dad on the block!! 

John met us in the Crossings and let us try out the games inside and outside of the van.  The inside of the van fits 12-16 people.  Once John got the games set up for the kids inside, it was almost complete silence.  Amazing!  My 3 yr old was playing with the teenagers and had a blast. 

Then we got to try out some of the games outside the van.  Then, the kids got to play laser tag!!  After that, we rolled the kids around in a hamster ball!! Can you believe all that?  Now that's fun.  The littler ones loved being rolled around and the bigger kids were able to get it going all by themselves.  I have never seen anything like it before, it was hilarious.  Everybody who was near us in the park stopped to take a look.

I am not a video game person at all.  (We have a Wii and I am still learning)  When we tried this I didn't think I was going to let John go home with the van.  We got to play for almost 2 hours!!  I know this is made with kids in mind, but it's awesome for adults too!  Seriously.

My opinion?  I love it, price is great, customer service is awesome, and this is just soooo cool.  John is a father and it shows.  He is so good with the kids.  When the 3 yr olds were having trouble with laser tag he got right down with them and showed them what to do and ran round with them. (That's the stuff that impresses me.)  Anytime the kids asked questions or needed help, John was right there. 

You know how I am about price and bargains.  Listen to this... IT'S THE SAME PRICE NO MATTER HOW MANY KIDS!!  Prices start at $199 for either the game van or laser tag, you can do add-ons for $50 each. So for $249 you can get the game van plus laser tag - the van can take up to either 12 or 16 players inside and another 8 outside AND you can have a whole bunch of other kids playing laser tag at the same time!  You won't even need to feed them, no way they are going to stop to eat!  Just keep throwing water or something to drink at them and they're good to go!

OK, I had a ton of fun.  My friend Kim and I both wanted to climb in the hamster ball and roll around.  The kids had an amazing time, didn't stop talking about it forever(still), I got a ton of thank yous from all the kids I invited.  Jon asked if I would ever be interested in setting something up so YOU GUYS, the Albany Mommy readers could try it out.  Of course I said yes!  Although, at the time I was thinking  - I am going to play again and bring my child back.  I also have had thoughts of telling everyone one time and telling John an hour earlier so I get play time for my only family first.  Sorry John, it's that much fun...

So, keep checking back.  Pretty soon you'll be able to try this out for yourself.  You have to see this in person.  As much fun as it sounds, it's even better in person!

So good we're going to do it again!

Mommy networking night on May 15th was incredible!  Everybody had fun, whether they were there for business or pleasure.  This was an amazing opportunity for local moms to mix & mingle.  Moms got to talk to other moms, found babysitters, made awesome business contacts, and found out about a cool winetasting in June to raise money for the Leukemia Society.  All while their children were nicely entertained and feed in the gym area.  A huge thanks to Stacy and the gang at Tumbling Tykes for that! 

I am very happy to announce that due to popular demand we will be hosting bi-monthly Mommy networking nights!!  The next Mommy networking night will be sometime in July.  If you want to be one of the first to know exactly when, sign up for our email list.

A huge thanks to our sponsors for making this possible, we couldn't have done it without you!  Lia Sophia, O!Baby, Bumble Beads, iSmile, and Take Shape for Life.  Thanks to Kristin from Tastefully Simple for providing great snacks, they were incredible!  (Especially since she let me take home the leftovers.)

If you didn't make it to the last one, you have to come to the next!  This is a not-to-be-missed event for mommies where kids are welcome!