New York Family’s December 2015 Issue

Photo by Sarah Merians Photography. On Wendy Williams: Shoshanna dress; White House|Black Market belt; Nude Barre tights; Carolee earrings; R.J. Graziano and Cartier bracelets; her own bracelets and rings.

FEATURES

Wendy’s World
Beyond her thriving daytime talk show (seven seasons strong and counting), Wendy Williams finds fulfillment as a devoted mother, wife, and philanthropist

Giving For Good
These inspiring local charities remind us that there are all kinds of ways to make a difference in the lives of kids and families

Class Notes
Exciting news from some of our favorite venues for kids’ enrichment

FAMILY FUN GUIDE

10 Great Events For December
“ELF The Musical,” the Unsilent Night parade, the New-York Historical Society’s Historical Train Weekend, and more

The Most Wonderful Time
Make spirits bright with our guide to a classic New York City holiday

GIFT GUIDE

Toy Stories
Our guide to this holiday season’s most unique, educational, and fun toys for all ages

My True Love Gave To Me…
Surprising and delightful holiday gifts for grown-ups

HOME & AWAY

Real Estate
New amenity-rich residential buildings are sprouting up all over the city

Travel
Three islands in two weeks—a New York City family discovers Hawaii

COLUMNS

Editor’s Note
Getting by

Events & Offers
Our upcoming Camp Fairs, the 2015-2016 Ultimate Guide to Education, and the scoop on signing up for our weekly e-newsletters

It’s My Party
Birthday celebrations at the Chord Club, Dance with Miss Rachel, and the Field House at Chelsea Piers

Scoop
The coolest custom cookies, a local caricaturist, Batik décor for kids, athletics and enrichment on the UES, a cooking class for kids in SoHo

Activity of the Month: Gymnastics
We asked coaches, directors, and owners at the city’s top gymnastics programs to tell us how they got started with the sport and why they love it

Special Place
Through their new franchise program, apple seeds is bringing their mission of community, play, and learning to more families than ever—and (no surprise) many of the new franchise owners are parents

Starting Out
New to the US, Gerber’s BabyNes combines a high-tech bottle prep machine with formula based on a baby’s changing nutritional needs

Last Word
Through the lens of her husband’s traditional grandmother, one local mom reflects on her own feelings of self-worth

Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.

British Swim School - Manhattan

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

The Ailey School – First Steps and Bounding Boys

<blockquote style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="m_-3740164643787738207m_4977048992707393770WordSection1"> At The Ailey School, FIRST STEPS offers a structured creative movement curriculum that allows girls (ages 3-6) and boys (age 3), to develop body awareness and control and learn the basics of dance technique. BOUNDING BOYS (ages 4-6) provides a more athletic experience, and an energetic approach to teaching dance skills. </div> </div> </blockquote>