New York Family’s May 2013 Issue

VID_3998 — Melissa Joan Hart; cover photo by Lindsay May for Classic Kids Photography

Features

A Total Sweet Hart
Everyone’s favorite teenage witch, Melissa Joan Hart is now a mom of three—and still a TV star with singular charm

Moms We Love
This year’s group of local mom heroes reminds us of the many ways to contribute to family life in the city

Hot Summer Programs For Cool City Kids
A preview of great children’s programs for summer fun and learning

When Day Is The Way
Many day camps now attract older campers who appreciate their mix of programs and attractions

Terrific Twosomes
Discover some of the city’s best mommy & me classes

Registry Rescue
Ten tips for taking the stress out of the baby checklist

Family Fun Guide

Ten Great Events For May
NYC wildflower week, all about frogs, block building galore, and more

Home & Away

Quality Time
Three whimsical springtime recipes for kids: Petite Watermelons, Rainbow Cookes, and Sweetie Pie Pie Pops

Travel
Where the wild trips are: America’s most underrated national parks

Columns

Editor’s Note
Big hug

Contests & Special Events
The New York Baby Show, Blackboard Awards, Ultimate Nursery Giveaway, and New York Family on Pinterest

It’s My Party
Birthday celebrations at FAO Schwarz, The Gaga Center, and All Souls

Kid Report
Two weeks at St. Jude Children’s Hospital turned an NYC Teenager into a dedicated advocate for its mission

Scoop
NYC’s newest kids’ gym, African-inspired fashion, delicious cupcake crawl, and more

LYSST
Pass these fabulyss Mother’s Day gift ideas to your partner—or just treat yourself!

Activity Of The Month
A writer reflects on some important life lessons that horseback riding taught her

A Special Place
With the addition of specialized programming for 3- to 5-year-olds, Gymboree is more popular than ever with city families

Growing Up
A prominent author finds the secrets of successful families in some unlikely places

The Last Word
Hoping mightily for a natural childbirth, a local mom labored through 20 hours of contractions before wrestling with a different choice

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.&nbsp; Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.&nbsp; Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.&nbsp; Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals.&nbsp; Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer. First Steps (ages 18 mos &ndash; 5 yrs) Kids &amp; Teens (ages 6-18 yrs) Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.

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.