As a mommy blogger in South Brooklyn with 3 small kids and an often traveling husband, attending influencer events is a rarity for me, but one I always move mountains to attend is MomTrends' Moms' Night Out aka #MTNightOut! This was their 4th one and I'm excited to share with you what a fun night we had learning about the latest from Parents Magazine, Clorox, and Dove - basically, brands every mom needs in her life! Read on to see the unique activities they had us doing (spoiler: I made a snow globe, and my own perfume!?!? what!!!)

This blog post is sponsored by MomTrends, Parents Magazine, Clorox and Dove and contains affiliate links - we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking some links.

BABY DOVE
Jump in a blow up bathtub fully dressed!? Sure, why not - anything for the Gram, am I right!? But first, I got to play with WikkiStix, which we always bring for our kids to play with when we go out to eat; and also make GREAT non-candy Halloween or Birthday Party Goodie Bag treats FYI. Used the WikkiStix to decorate my very own bath caddy, which included Baby Dove Tip to Toe Babywash (affiliate link), of course!

​Did you know babies are born with a living protective layer of microflora on their skin, known as their microbiome? Unique to each baby, the microbiome works to maintain skin’s health while also helping with skin’s natural protection and nourishment. Baby Dove is uniquely made with prebiotic moisture and 100% skin-natural nutrients to gently nourish your baby’s delicate microbiome! A moisturizing, hypoallergenic baby wash made free from dyes, parabens, phthalates, & sulfates, this one by Dove is a great tear-free baby body wash and shampoo that’s suitable for newborns through big kids!

CLOROX® DISINFECTING WIPES

We've been big fans of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes for years now - they always save my sanity, helping me quickly disinfect countertops after cooking, and of course everything from door knobs to light switches to remote controls when someone has anything from the common cold to strep throat! In our small Brooklyn home, the kitchen table is where we spend a good part of our family life - eating meals, doing homework, and of course, arts and crafts galore! There's nothing like cleaning it down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, knowing it's free of food, glitter, glue, and germs, and ready for us to start a new project! I also distributed plenty of tubs to my 3 kids' teachers with their back to school supplies! They kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, and remove common allergens around your home - if you ask me, you can never have enough Clorox Wipes!

​At Moms' Night Out, Clorox helped me keep it clean while constructing my very first ever DIY Snow Globe!!! We picked out cute little creatures, glued them onto the base, waited for them to dry, then added glycerin and glittery snow and water to the globe, and secured it all together. Et voila - wintery wonderland of my very own!! With a Christmas Baby, my mind is all aflutter of how fun it'd be to do Snow Globes as an activity (and take home prize instead of traditional goodie bag) at his next birthday party!!

PARENTS MAGAZINE

Whether you subscribe to their magazine or just catch their articles online, Parents Magazine is a great source for all things pregnancy, birth, babies, and parenting! At Moms' Night Out, we got to meet their brand new Editor in Chief, as well as the editors of their Food department and Parents Latina!  We got to take part in 2 fun activities related to recent features in their magazine. We got to create our own scents with Julianne of Alchemologie (above), who ​teaches workshops in natural perfume blending, and provides perfume consultations, private classes, and fragrance parties at her shop, at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and at your choice of venue. It was a truly unique experience, and a bit overwhelming, since I don't wear perfume or know the first thing about the mixing of scents! Basically, we had to choose 2 from each of the 3 groupings she had, and I ended up choosing: Labdanum, Peru Balsam, Damask Rose, Jasmine, Rosewood, and Grapefruit. I named it US Japan Fam, of course, and it came out smelling quite lovely!

We also had the chance to create some adorable and yummy snacks that were featured in the magazine's Halloween edition, you can see a full list of their Spooky Halloween Snacks and Treats here - be sure to tag us on social (@usjapanfam) if you make some!!!

Such a fun night, and so happy to share it with all of you!! Let me know what you thought, or share your favorite goodie bag or party food ideas below!!

After dedicating time to my kids, my work, and my husband, let's face it, there just never seems to be any time left over for myself, or my mom friends. But that's silly. Of course there's enough time. You just have to get your priorities straight and MAKE the time! So, this week, I had myself a mom date and we had THE. BEST. TIME!!! And in true mom blogger fashion, I'm here to share it with you so you can be inspired and have an easy copycat mom date of your own!!

Disclaimer: This post is made possible by support from Mean Girls on Broadway. All opinions are my own. This post also includes some affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll earn a small commission from purchases made.

Some of you out there may already be obsessed with the Tina Fey written "Mean Girls", watching the movie regularly since it was released way back in 2004. I myself had only seen it once and didn't remember anything about the movie other than it starred the infamous Lindsay Lohan (who apparently now runs a few night clubs in Greece and recently starred in her own MTV reality show!?). My point is, whether you know the story or not, you will absolutely LOVE Mean Girls on Broadway. Why? It's got everything!!

• MUSIC - is amazing, super catchy tunes, with crazy talented singers
• STORY & MESSAGE - is really inspiring, basically anti-bullying, showcasing the importance of being true to yourself and supporting others, or at least not putting others down. Not sure if these are direct quotes or not but they're some that really stuck with me from the show: Telling someone they're dumb won't make you smarter. Telling someone they're ugly won't make you prettier. Even the people you don't like are still people, so, GET OFF THEIR DICKS! LOL!! Seriously though, it has such an amazing message, but told in such a fun and hilarious way, it's awesome!
• DANCING - is fun, lots of group dances of course, it's broadway, and my favorite was Grey Henson, who plays Damian, he's just SO over the top and absolutely pee-your-pants hilarious, his dialogue and his tap dancing, all of it! So fun!

Now, I suggest this most highly for a super fun night out with your girlfriends and mom friends. That said, many boyfriends and husbands would also enjoy it, if they're into Broadway musicals. I wouldn't recommend it for kids, because of the dialogue and innuendos (teenage drinking, sex, intense bullying), but older teens would love it, and again, it has just such a great message about accepting yourself and others, and the special need for girls to support each other.

So, I took one of my best mom friends, Rhianon of Brooklyn Boy Mom & Known, out to Mean Girls on Broadway for a special Bloggers' Night they organized! We started across the street from the theater for fun drinks and yummy food at Haswell Greens (240 W. 42nd St) and got a little silly with their photo props (above)! Then we headed over to the August Wilson Theater (245 W. 52nd St), which has been decorated to get you into the Mean Girls / High School mood from the start! So many fun photo ops, even in the bathroom LOL (see below)!!

There's themed food and drinks for purchase at the theater, and of course TONS OF MERCH!!

So, aren't you just dying to go see this now!?!? You're in luck, cuz I got some discounts to give you - for the show AND for babysitting!!!!

Get tickets for Mean Girls on Broadway for as low as $59 with code MGBWAY here!
(The code can be used on Ticketmaster after you select your date, September 17 - November 24).

And if you need to get a sitter in order to make your Moms' Night Out happen, check out this offer!!

Your sitter search made simple! Join Sittercity and easily connect to local sitters. Join today and save 50% on a monthly membership.  
**Pro Tip: Sign up for Rakuten (affiliate link / formerly E-bates) first and you'll get $20 cash back on your Sittercity spending!!**
To Redeem: Click the Sittercity link provided above and follow the steps to create a new account or log in from the homepage. Click “Upgrade” then select the 1-month Premium Membership option that shows the discounted rate of $17.50. Follow the steps to process payment for your new Sittercity membership. Discount offer is only valid for the first monthly payment cycle. Subscriptions are non-refundable and automatically renew at the original monthly subscription rate of $35 per month until canceled by changing your account settings or contacting us here. Offer is good for new Premium subscribers only.

There's absolutely no need to see the movie or listen to the Broadway music before you see the show, but in case you wanna get in the mood, here are a few fun items from Amazon to check out (affiliate links)

So fun, right!? Leave a comment below - are you obsessed with Mean Girls the movie? Have you seen it on Broadway or On Tour yet? What are some of your most memorable Moms' Night Out ideas!?

Whether you're planning a bachelorette weekend with the girls, a destination wedding, a corporate retreat, a golf getaway with your buddies, or a high-end family vacation, Crystal Springs Resort in northwest New Jersey will not disappoint! We were provided a night's accommodation in exchange for our honest review, and we loved it so much we're now looking into purchasing a unit! HA! Watch our YouTube highlights video here and keep reading for more details on their beautiful rooms, delicious dining options, amazing indoor and outdoor pools, and more!

Located on a spectacularly beautiful 4,000 acre piece of land with a mountainous backdrop, just 47 miles from Manhattan, it's no doubt Crystal Springs Resort has been named New Jersey's #1 four-season resort. Featuring 2 hotels, 2 spas, 9 dining options, 6 golf courses, a sports club, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, an adventure center, and meeting & event venues, as well as ski-slopes nearby!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY LUXE:
Upon entering the Grand Cascades Lodge for the first time, as you can see in our video, we were completely overwhelmed with how beautiful and luxurious the Adirondack-inspired facilities were. With three young children, we were a tad intimidated, initially thinking this place must be too nice for our crazy kids, and we would spend the entire stay fretting over their noise and behavior. Thankfully it wasn't the case, and we were happily surprised to see the number of families with young children there! We quickly relaxed with the understanding that guests there for a quiet spa retreat, business meetings, or other kid-free indulgences would find themselves at one of the many places for adults only - such as Latour restaurant (kids must be 12 years or older), the pool hot tub areas, spa, bars, etc. While I would say this isn't a hotel made FOR kids, it is most certainly family-friendly, so don't let their AAA 4-diamond award and grandness of the resort scare you away! They have some family activities here and there, including a nightly fire pit marshmallow roasting, Saturday daytime shows, animal educators, pony rides, summer movies on the lawn, free putting course and evening glow golf, life-size chess, mountaintop adventure experience (approximately $50 per adult, $30 per child; with paddle boarding, archery, fishing, hiking, and a lake with white sand beach), KidSole (learn to fly trapeze & circus ninja warrier training), to name a few!!

THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
Our room was absolutely fabulous, with a full kitchen, grandfather clock, huge balcony, Jacuzzi tub and full shower, indoor and outdoor dining, flat panel TVs, indoor and outdoor gas fireplaces, washer & dryer, it felt more like a beautifully furnished rental home than a hotel room! In fact, both Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel are what they call "condo hotel", meaning you can buy a unit (which are shockingly affordable, especially compared to prices here in NYC) and the management company will rent it out on your behalf when you aren't there, leaving you with a full-service luxury vacation home that potentially pays for itself. I'm currently obsessed with this idea and figuring out how to make it happen for my own family!

We were provided a suite and an adjoining room in the Grand Cascades Lodge, where overnight accommodations include complimentary use of the Biosphere Pool Complex as well as facilities at the Minterals Sports Club, just 3 miles away by free shuttle at Minerals Hotel, with 7 indoor/outdoor heated pools, sauna, steam room, indoor running track / tennis / raquetball / basketball, a 6,000 sqft fitness center, and more. Alternatively you can book a (cheaper) room at the Minerals Hotel, but you won't have access to the Biosphere Pool Complex over at Grand Cascades Lodge in that case.

THE POOLS:
The pools at Grand Cascades Lodge (GCL from here on out) and Minerals Hotel (MH) are everything you could ask for and more! Each place has a large amazing indoor pool, so you'll have a splashing good time no matter what time of year. They also have outdoor pools, some were heated to wonderfully warm bath temp and others were cool but not uncomfortably so.  GCL's 10,000 square foot indoor Tropical Biosphere was of course, the most impressive, with its massive palm trees, it will certainly be a standout on your Instagram feed! The ambience is magical, you feel you've been transported to the jungle, not northwestern New Jersey! It also features a 140' waterslide (min 48" to ride), grotto-like jacuzzi (age 16+), underground aquarium, and cave-themed sauna & steam room. I didn't realize at the time, but keep in mind the retractable roof is made of "advanced German Foiltec roofing material, allowing nearly 100% light transmission for year-round tanning"... so don't forget the sunblock! 

If you take a left out of the Biosphere, less than a 5 minute walk away you'll find two more pools in the Vista 180 Pool Complex. One is very luxurious with infinity pool edges and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. There's a cafe next to it, offering a selection of quick eats and yummy cocktails!

The other pool out that way was my son's favorite, with a water slide and a really unique "rotational current vortex pool" (we dubbed it the washing machine), where the jets cycle swimmers around and around. I've never seen anything like it and it was really fun!! Even our 3 year olds in their puddle jumper floaties were loving it. They have life guards all around, but stay close to little ones or children who aren't strong swimmers because those jets are strong and our toddlers ended up getting dunked quickly a couple of times.

Over at Minerals Hotel Pool Complex, you'll find heated indoor and outdoor pools, a 12 foot cliff jump (don't miss my husband doing this in our video!!), underground aquarium, steam room & sauna, jacuzzis and cold dip, moonshine bar and twisted treat ice cream bar! Unfortunately, neither location had a "kiddy pool" per se, the pools were all 3-4 feet in the shallowest areas, though Minerals does have a large "splash yard" near their outdoor pools. 

THE FOOD:
There were 9 dining options to choose from, so whether you wanted a pool-side burger and Frosé, a gourmet pizza and bottle of wine, or an adult-only award-winning fine dining experience, you'll find it all right on the premises! You can find menus (and kids' menus), hours, and locations all on the website, making it easy to plan ahead or research quickly just before each meal. Reservations are recommended at most, but we didn't bother and had no issue (but keep in mind we were there mid-week). We arrived super hungry at around noon on Tuesday and our room wasn't ready for us until 4pm, so we had a quick casual lunch at the Biosphere Cafe, the only thing we could find open. The food was good, a smoked salmon sandwich ($15) for myself, the Gardener sandwich for my husband ($13), and a chicken finger basket ($14) for the kids, however it was uncomfortably warm and humid in there, it's like a greenhouse basically, which is great for swimmers but not so much for hot and sweaty fully-clothed travelers trying to down some food! Still, it got the job done and we were off to the pools!

For dinner, we went to Springs Bistro, cuz the kids had a hankerin' for some pizza and I was intrigued by the authentic Italian cuisine Tuscan-inspired menu. The littles devoured a couple of baskets of complimentary warm bread and rosemary salted butter while hubby and I indulged in some delicious wine ($12/glass), before the main course arrived. We got 2 "personal pizzas" ($13 each) for the kids to share, I had a "pizzetta" topped with prosciutto, fig, red onion, and pecorino romano ($18 and possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life, opinion only partially influenced by extreme hunger and Riesling-induced buzz), and Ryoji had the tagliatelle ($28, with littleneck clams, pancetta, and crushed tomato - as delicious as it was beautiful). The Bistro is located on the first floor, beyond the lobby and at the exit to the patio, which meant we could take turns bringing the kids outside to get out some energy, leaving the other to enjoy some quiet alone time with their wine! Bonus: they boxed up our leftover pizza which the kids chowed on the next morning while watching TV in the living room, letting us sleep in a bit! 

For breakfast, we headed to the Crystal Tavern, a short walk down the corridor to the Clubhouse, where I found a list of SEVEN corporations scheduled to host events at Crystal Springs that day! WHOA! We peaked into a few ballrooms and other spaces, some were decked out for what looked like would be amazing rehearsal dinner or wedding reception venues, others great for business meetings and conferences. The view from Crystal Tavern was beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast there. My son was begging to order Fruit Loops, and was shocked that he loved what I ordered even more! To share, we got pancakes with whipped vanilla butter and berry capote ($12), açaí bowl ($12), and pork belly lardons and aged cheddar omelet with fried potatoes ($12). Breakfast of champions, if you ask me!

We took our last meal (lunch) at Kite's American Grille, located within Minerals Hotel. It is a great spot to grab a casual meal after spending the day at the pool! My husband got their vegan Beyond Burger ($16), I got the short rib grilled cheese ($16), and the kids shared their kid's pizza ($12) and hot dog ($12). As was the case with the other restaurants - service, food, and ambiance were all on point and we had a great final meal to fill our bellies and allow the kids to sleep the entire drive home (which was 2 hours thanks to heavy rain and rush hour traffic).

Amazing easy relaxing luxurious vacation for New Yorkers, am I right!? It's hard to include the "relaxing" part when you have young kids on vacation, but husband and I both agreed this was the most relaxing hotel stay we've had since having kids, and we really can't wait to go back!! 

​Head to their website to book your next getaway!! Room rates start from $199/night in Minerals Hotel and $299/night in Grand Cascades Lodge (more for the suites, of course), with special packages and deals popping up from time to time!

Whether you have children still using a stroller, or bigger kids like mine, I can't think of a more flexible option than a stroller wagon. What is a stroller wagon, you ask? It's basically a wagon, with padding and seat belts, so it functions as both a wagon and a stroller. We were just provided with the W1 2-seater stroller wagon by Wonderfold in exchange for our review, and I am honestly loving it!! It's more compact than our current tandem stroller, which means it takes up less space in our apartment's entryway, which is a win of its own!! Watch our demo video and keep reading for more of the functions this stroller wagon can offer your family!

Wonderfold makes a few models, including the X series (with models for 2 or 4 kids) which has a push and pull option, and the W series with push only. W2 (for 2 kids) and W4 (for 4 kids, great for triplets and quads!), both of these include seats that are elevated, meaning their feet hang and you have storage space below them. The seats, however, have a 33 pound maximum. Since my kids are all at or above that weight limit, we went for the W1 model, which has a 180 pound maximum for the entire wagon (33 pound, 40" limit to use the harnesses, which we don't really need anyway). Many functions apply to all Wonderfold stroller wagons, but this review will be focused on the W1, since that's what we have!

Retailing for $259 on their website (get $20 off with code "HTomoyasu20"), and on Amazon (affiliate link), the W1 Stroller Wagon by Wonderfold comes in three beautiful colors: cobalt violet, fuschia pink, and teal green.

THE ASSEMBLY:
The wagon does require assebly, but it's minimal and if I (who fails at even the most basic Ikea assembly) can do it, anyone can!! The wheels snap right on, as does the brake axle and canopy. The handlebar has to be aligned carefully and screwed together, but it's quite easy, so don't worry! Within 5 minutes (10 if you have to hunt down a screw driver or a coin; they do provide you with a hex tool to help you get the lug nut cap kinda thing on - I'm not technical, sorry!!), you'll have it ready to go!

THE FEATURES:

• Easy folding & one-step unfolding: you just unhook one lever and pull up to fold (self-standing) and push down in the center to unfold - really easy, watch my demo video above to see the fold and unfold in action.

• Double seat with 5-point harness: great for twins or siblings. They probably don't recommend using without the harness, and the manual says don't use with more than 2 kids, but I'll just say that we've been using it with our 2 to 3 unharnessed kids and so far so good. Though with 3.5 year old twins and our 6.5 year old, it is cramped, especially with park bags piled on top of them LOL! But, it's very stable, short and not tippy at all.

• 180 Pound Weight Limit: I've even gotten in it myself, see that in my "8 ways to use your wagon" video!

• Adjustable and removable canopy: I didn't even realize it was adjustable til a few days into using it, but it's true - you can slide the material depending on the angle of the sun! Very cool! The canopy has 4 poles that simply slide (snugly) in and out, so it's quick and easy to take off and put on. When not in use, you can squish it together and store it in 2 pockets near the handlebar!

• Adjustable push handle: the handle telescopes up and down just like many stroller handles, and has a nice comfy cover zippered on it. I'm 5'8" and it's plenty tall for me, because it's adjustable, I think just about anyone can push it (even my 3.5 year old pushes it in our demo video haha!!)

• Storage pockets on front, sides, and rear: this helps make up for the fact that you lose storage space when the wagon is filled with kids. The large pocket under the handlebar is especially great for throwing your phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses in! The kids can access the side pockets on the outside if needed, which is nice.

• One step foot brake: The brake is easy to use, even with flip flops, however its placement makes it difficult to hoist it up over curbs. I worry about putting all that hoisting power into the handle alone, so I choose my path based on where I know there is a sidewalk curb cutout or driveway, or I go to the front and pull the wagon up and over that way.

• Accessories: for the W1 model, they sell separately a snack tray with cup holders ($45), a cup holder for the handle bar ($12.99), and an insulated cooler bag ($29). I'm told they're working on a waterproof cover, but for now I've fashioned the below by strategically cutting out a PEVA-free shower curtain and securing it on the corners with snack clips!

MY REVIEW:
We are LOVING our wagon, like looooooooving it! It's so much more practical than our strollers, because it can hold the kids as well as so much stuff! I can load it with way more groceries than our stroller baskets could handle (I don't have a car so it's either go daily and buy what I can carry, or pay more to have it delivered). I'm also very excited to have it carry my 3 kids' park stuff, because let's face it, they love their scooters but after 5-10 minutes I end up having to carry 3 scooters and 3 helmets, not to mention a backpack full of 4 water bottles and snacks and ughhhhhh! It's also going to be very helpful when school starts, to carry 3 backpacks, and perhaps tired Pre-Kindergarteners home. My twins currently still require reclining stroller seats to take their naps, but starting September they'll be in school full day and take their naps there.

​So, goodbye stroller and HELLO WONDERFOLD WAGON!! Thrilled to have this guy join our family for the next many years!! It has a great push, even better than our tandem, probably because it's a bit shorter. Nice big wheels (did well on the grass at the park), no road vibrations in the handle (which is a deal breaker for me that I've noticed in some strollers). So far, my only remotely negative things are: no rain cover, small sun shade (extendable down to the wagon on all 4 sides would be awesome), and brake placement makes it difficult to get up over curbs and also my toes graze it ever so slightly if I'm in a hustle with extra long strides. But none of these outweigh the positive aspects, not by a long shot. It's just an all around amazing product! ​

8 Ways to Use Your Wagon:

So, what do you think!? Do you have a wagon, or are you looking forward to using one after your kids' stroller nap days are over? Leave a comment below!! And don't forget you can get $20 off at ​wonderfoldwagon.com with code "HTomoyasu20"!

Let me preface this post with a statement that I am not big into sports. Like, not at all. Nor is my husband or our kids. But, we are all about family-friendly fun activities, so when I found out there's a minor league baseball team in Coney Island, playing on the 4th of July, followed by fireworks we could watch from the field, I was ALL IN!!! We were provided free tickets in exchange for this post, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. Click below to watch our highlights video embedded from YouTube and keep reading for more details about what you can expect at a Brooklyn Cyclones' minor league baseball game in Coney Island, and my tips for getting home from Coney Island on the 4th of July (spoiler alert: it's a MAD HOUSE but totally doable!!)

From Bay Ridge, it's a pretty simple commute down to Coney Island - take the R to 59th, transfer to the N (go up and down stairs to the track going the opposite direction), and get off at the last stop, Coney Island / Stillwell Ave. Or take a direct (but long) B64 bus down there. You're just a stone's throw from the Boardwalk, the Beach, the Aquarium, Luna Park, and MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones - a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Mets!

Tickets are a steal at just $15 for most games (cheaper on weeknights), and you can also get group tickets, book a party room or even a picnic area. Many of the games have great giveaways to the first X number of visitors. On the day we went, they gave away Coney Island bobble heads and a free hot dog voucher (or $4 toward any food, beverage, or gift shop item) to the first 2,000 fans!

It was hot, and the seats were in the sun for the first hour or so. Rather than sweat it out and have the kids getting stir crazy, we decided to hang out up top where there was lots of space, a great shaded breeze, not to mention all the food and drinks and toilets! Concessions aren't cheap, but there are great options - from the traditional hot dog and beer to more gourmet and exciting options. I'd never had it before but after trying it at the game, I am now in love with Truly Hard Seltzer (affiliate link), which has only 1 gram of sugar - that's 26 less grams and half the calories as the hard cider I typically imbibe. WHAT!? And it was delicious!

There was lots of non-baseball entertainment throughout the game, as well, such as a race of 3 giant costumed hot dogs (my son's favorite), cheerleaders dancing and engaging the fans (my girls' favorite), and some fun contests that involved fans, including one fan getting a bucket of hot dogs dumped over her head! Yikes!

Most Friday night games, and the Fourth of July, finish with fireworks and you'll have a front row seat whether you stay in your seat or are invited to take the field (I'm thinking the latter might be only on Independence Day, but I'm not sure). The fireworks were fun and they played great patriotic music in the background, but they started late. After 10pm!!

After they finished, we all made a last minute bathroom stop, and headed to the station which was just beyond crowded. It was reminiscent of trying to board the last train of the night back in Tokyo. Like, OMG. But, with kids in tow. It was very nerve wracking!! We stumbled upon a little secret and I will share it with you - go in the side entrance!! There was no crazy crowd, and we did swipe but it seems they were pretty much just holding the gates open and letting everyone just go through without paying. I guess anything to get the crowds moving! We managed to get on the first train and our exhausted tots were offered seats by incredibly kind fellow subway goers. Once we made it back to Bay Ridge we were bummed to find out our local bus wasn't running, so we had to hoof it the last half mile home. I couldn't be prouder of our kids for making it the whole way home. In bed around midnight, it was quite a hot, exciting, and eventful day and I'm thinking we'll be making this an annual event, and highly recommend you considering it, too!!! Check out the schedule and get your tickets here!

Have you been to a Brooklyn Cyclones game, or have additional tips for 4th of July in Coney Island with kids? Leave a reply below!!

And here are some additional posts we think you'll find helpful:
- Summer Bucket List for Bay Ridge and Beyond
- The Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from NYC
​- Classes & Activities for Babies and Toddlers in Bay Ridge

Still on the fence about signing your city kids up for summer camp, or wondering if your progeny might be ready for sleep-away camp? Then you're in luck, because today's post is sponsored by Trail Blazers, an overnight camp located on 1,000 beautifully forested acres in Montague, NJ - just 2 hours from NYC with busing available from Brooklyn! One of the nation's oldest summer camps (open since 1887 - now in its 133'rd season!!) and accredited by the American Camp Association, sessions have already commenced, but it's not too late! Keep reading for more info and sign up ASAP!

Trail Blazers has an adventure for every camper - grades K - 12, of every background and all levels of experience. We're talking ​Farmstead, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, and Biking programs, and a Leaders-In-Training program for teens.

With 14 campsites and a private 55 acre lake, Trail Blazers offers campers a unique and immersive experience in nature. We're talking canvas teepees and tents (with beds), non-flushing latrines (running water & hot showers available), and a completely electronics-free zone (yep - no phones, internet, or video games!!).

Campers live in a smallcamp group, with just 7-9 campers and group leaders who come from all over the world. This allows each group to schedule days tailored to their to their individual interests. They believe children learn best through experience, so your child will learn hands-on skills, how to take charge, and how to share their skills and talents with others. While having the summer of their lives, campers will learn how to develop care and respect for themselves, their friends, our community, and the environment.

​FEES:
In order to make summer camp available to all children interested in Trail Blazers, they offer a 5-level tier system based on family income. Additional scholarship funding is available for some programs to families for whom Tier 1 (lowest) pricing is still out of reach.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

• Outdoor Adventure: classic 2-week long overnight camp program culminating in a 1-4 night hike, for boys and girls entering grades 2-10. Fee: $400 - $1,600.
• Mini Camp: 1 week of overnight adventure, designed specifically for children who have previously been to Trail Blazers' Brooklyn Day Camp. Co-ed (separate sleeping accommodations only), for boys and girls entering grades K-2. Fee: $200 - $750.
• Canoeing Intensive: 2-week long overnight program for students entering grades 7-10. ​Boys and girls sessions held separately. Fee: $500 - $1,700.
• Biking Intensive: 2-week long overnight program for students entering grades 7-10. ​Boys and girls sessions held separately. Fee: $500 - $1,700.
• Rock Climbing Camp: 2-week long overnight camp, for boys and girls entering grades 3-5. Co-ed (separate sleeping accommodations only). Fee: $600 - $1,800.
• Farmstead Camp: Partnership with an organic farm. Boys and girls entering grades 3-5 will be caring for animals, harvesting and cooking their own food, and stomping in the beautiful creek! 2-week long overnight program; Co-ed (separate sleeping accommodations only). Fee: $800 - $2,500.
• Leaders-in-Training: 4-week long co-ed overnight program (separate sleeping accommodations only). Students entering grades 10-12 will focus on leadership, personal growth, community service, environmental stewardship activities, and the love of outdoors. Fee: $800 - $2,000.

Sounds amazing, right!? Don't miss the chance for your child to have an amazing, adventurous summer with Trail Blazers! Head on over to their website NOW for more information or to schedule a tour! Besides their overnight camp in NJ, they also have a Brooklyn Day Camp (with drop-off locations in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Crown Heights, and Park Slope) for campers entering Pre-K through 10 years of age, from $55 - $125 per day.

MORE POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

• Bay Ridge Families' Summer Bucket List
• Family Friendly Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC
• 2019 Summer Camp Guide for Bay Ridge Brooklyn & Beyond

Welcome to our budget friendly kitchen makeover! We've been in our small Brooklyn co-op for 5 years now and have always disliked how dark and dated our tiny galley kitchen was, so we finally decided to give it an update. 

Watch our kitchen remodel step by step highlights video - a tour in the "before" kitchen, replacing our kitchen appliances (from mismatched black to new smudgeproof stainless steel whirlpool appliances), replacing our kitchen counters (from dark baltic brown granite to msi arctic white quartz countertops), adding new  white hexagon backsplash, and a tour of the "after" kitchen. I think it really brightened it up and gave it a much cleaner, fresher, and a bit funkier vibe, what do you think!? I mean, it'll never be a spacious pinterest perfect dream kitchen, but this is life in a Brooklyn co-op!

Our Step-by-Step Highlights Video:

WHAT WE USED:
Our budget friendly kitchen remodel features the following products (affiliate links) - our whole project, parts and outsourced labor, was just under $5K!

• Whirlpool Fingerprint Resistant Freezer Refrigerator
• Whirlpool Fingerprint Resistant Dishwasher
• Whirlpool Fingerprint Resistant Range
• MSI Arctic White Quartz from Super Stone in Brooklyn
• Jeffrey Court Callalily White Honeycomb Porcelain Tiles (with charcoal grout), installed by E&M Shore Construction
• American Standard Fairbury Pull Down Faucet

So, what do you think? We did a gut renovation of our bathroom (also done by E&M Shore Construction) when we purchased our co-op 5 years ago. You can see that post here!

This past weekend we were hosted by Pip's Island for a special bloggers' preview of this "immersive theatrical adventure" and can I just say, MIND. BLOWN!!! I was expecting a cute generic children's theater kinda thing, but boy oh boy, was I wrong! Rather than being the audience, your children are actually TAKING PART IN THE ENTIRE SHOW! There is no stage but rather a series of rooms designed so well that you actually feel transported to this other dimension - Pip's Island!

The kids are immersed in the adventure right from the start, getting dressed in special explorer vests and digital wrist bands. Led by a park ranger from set to set, meeting other characters, engaging in exciting challenges. The kiddos' care givers join but take a back seat, figuratively and literally, being encouraged to sit back and watch from comfy benches and chairs toward the back of each room. But for the kids, it's never about watching passively. They're engaged in every moment - helping to find gems to open up a hatch, fly a magical ship, crawling through mole hills, decorating cake to feed to a huge monster, and in the end, working as a team to destroy the villain and save the Island.

As a parent, I found the entire show captivating. The actors were terrific, the sets were incredibly creative, the dialogue at times downright hilarious. But watching my children's faces as they participated in the adventure was the absolute best thing ever!

It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience for both kids and adults. If you are a NYC-area parent, take your kids to Pip's Island, from the bottom of my heart, you will not regret it! Whether it's a birthday treat, weekend adventure, or random after-school splurge, you and your kids will be talking about it for days (or weeks, or longer!).

Pip's Island is geared toward kids ages 4 - 10 years. My 3 year old twins thoroughly enjoyed it, though there were a couple of short-lived moments that unnerved them a wee bit, and one of them sat on my lap during the last scene because of the "scary bad guy" haha! There are strobe lights and loud noises, too, but it's very kid-friendly, the actor / guides are great with the kids, and parent(s) are there for reassurance as well. So, take that into consideration, you know your children best!

Pip's Island started previews today (March 11)! You can buy tickets for $39 online or $49 at the box office (adults & kids require a ticket, and all children must be accompanied by at least 1 adult parent or guardian). The 60-minute long show runs Wednesdays through Mondays at 400 W. 42nd Street at various times throughout the day.

Don't forget to pop back to this blog post (or @usjapanfam on Facebook/Instagram) to leave a comment after you've seen it and let us know what you thought!!

I want to start this post off with a HUGE THANK YOU to King Kong Broadway, for providing us tickets in exchange for this post, but moreover, for providing my husband and I with a much needed (and LONG overdue) date night! And a thrilling one, at that!!

King Kong officially opened up on Broadway in November 2018 and has been receiving rave reviews, and I can now say personally, for good reason! Before heading to the show, I checked out their website and Instagram feed, but frankly, wasn't quite sure what to expect. A broadway musical... about King Kong? What the heck??? But now I'm here to tell you what you can expect: to be absolutely thrilled, breathless, enthralled... I could go on! And it starts from the moment you arrive at the theater. 

Their logo, with the heroine's silhouette within King Kong's shadow, love it! They've got it shining on the stage curtain when you walk in as well, so don't miss the opportunity to run up and take a photo in front of it as we and countless others did! They also have great merchandise, even water bottles with King Kong on them!

The story takes place in 1931, during the Great Depression, and we are quickly introduced to our beautiful and brave heroine, aspiring actress Ann (played by Christiani Pitts), who goes from dreaming of being Queen of the City to sleeping in Central Park and waiting in the soup line. She runs into her perceived savior, Carl (played by Eric William Morris), a film maker, who takes her on an incredible journey across the seas to Skull Island. 

Now, I want to pause here a moment to go over the incredible stage. How they were able to transform it from the streets of New York City to bobbing up and down across the ocean - they actually build the bow of the ship in front of your eyes and have it on hydraulics (I'm assuming?). AMAZING!! You actually feel like you're sailing across the seas with them!

On Skull Island, Ann is captured by King Kong, then saved by him, and finally her crew captures him and transports him back to NYC for exhibition. Because, it's all about the money, isn't it? This is the part of the story we're all familiar with. His fate is doomed, of course, which is utterly tragic and I have to admit I was very close to tears at the end. But the way they transform the characters, use King Kong's demise to inspire the characters and the audience to do the right thing rather than the easy or greedy thing. It's truly beautiful! The final song is upbeat and helps you leave the show feeling alive and excited rather than walking out bawling over the epic destruction of such a beautiful beast.

Speaking of the beast. He was basically a modern day puppet. Hung from strings, and operated by a group of hooded puppeteers on the stage and above (taking a bow, above). You could see them climb up his back and jump down making Kong's arm raise quickly and dramatically as his ROAR boomed across the theater. It was simply fascinating to watch him. They somehow figured out how to have him running across the jungle or streets of NYC, with exciting techno music, Kong staying in one spot but the screen behind him flying by, puppeteers moving his arms and legs in running motion. Your mind knew it wasn't actually running, but you simply couldn't believe otherwise. He is fast and ferocious, and this crew is nothing but masterful in its portrayal!! 

Kong's face was also spectacular. His eyes had soul, and so much emotion came through in the subtle motions made by the robotics team backstage. He's obviously not a real live gorilla, or is he?! Sometimes I almost forgot.

The story, the music, the dancing, the acting - all top notch, holding its own on Broadway and definitely well worth your time and money. But King Kong himself, he is the show stopper. He is what makes this a truly unique and unforgettable experience!!

So, make haste and grab your tickets today!! Get $55 off with code KKPVM129 here through 9/1/19! One final note, though. I personally wouldn't recommend this show for young children (under 4 years not permitted in the theater, but I would say under 7 may get afraid during certain scenes). I mean, I'm a grown woman and found some scenes downright terrifying - that roar, man, not something you soon forget!! Here's a great montage: 

This post is made possible by support from King Kong Broadway. All opinions are my own.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the day at Toy Fair New York 2019 and phew, it was a BIG day! This was my 3rd year in a row attending Toy Fair New York, which is only open to toy makers & distributers, buyers, and media. Since it's not open for you guys, the consumers, I always feel responsible and excited to walk the expo floor, booth by booth, hours on end, to find the new, exciting, and mind blowing products new to the market or coming soon. Many of these will be the hottest toys for Christmas 2019, and will be on all of your kids' wish lists! For the kids at heart out there, there are some great toys for you, too, as well as some non-toy products!! So, watch my Toy Fair New York highlights video below featuring my picks for the BEST TOYS OF 2019, and keep reading below that for some photos and details of a select few items from the video (some affiliate links are included, which provide our blog with a small comission from items you purchase - thank you)!

BEST ACTIVE TOYS:

• Brightz CosmicBrightz - LED lights for your bike frame and wheels, $13 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Easy Rollerz Heel Wheels - for toddler through adult, turn any sneaker into a roller skate! $25 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• Dexster Ezy Roller - stay tuned we have a personal review / video coming soon on this one!! You sit down on it, low to the ground, and move it with your feet (not pedals though). hard to explain, but so fun!! $120 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• Flybar My First Foam Pogo - a foam squeaking pogo for ages 3 and up, $17 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Monkey Moves Card Game - play alone, with a partner, or on teams, using cards that show various yoga / acro yoga poses to make. $15 on monkeymovesgame.com
• My Buddy Wheels by Yvolution - cute plushie covers for balance bikes! Coming soon, stay tuned on their Facebook page!
• Pulse Lightup Skates - rechargeable light pulsing roller skates. Need I say more!?  $80 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear - helmets, elbow and knee pads, and more - kids draw on them with dry erase markers and wipe off! $20 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link)

BEST ARTS & CRAFTS TOYS:

• PixPerfect - create art gallery worthy creations with sequins! $50 for a kit on Amazon (affiliate link).
• Spyrocity by Quill On - make very cool 3D pictures using wound-up strips of paper! $27.99 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• TreeMendous Christmas Tree Ornament Decorator Kit - by the makers of the EggMazing Easter Egg Decorator Kit, it spins your ornament while you color, so fun, and comes out great!! $30 on Amazon (affiliate link) but on sale now for $16!!

BEST BABY & TODDLER TOYS:

• HenBea Light Table - light up activity table that acts as a white board - use stencils, get creative putting colors together, etc! Not available in the US... yet... see it on henbeastore.com
• Trail Master Wagon by Simplay3 - a 1 or 2 seater wagon, rickshaw style - fun for the kids, easy for the parent. The  handle comes off and flips over for more compact storage. 2-seater for $130, single-seater for $110 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• Vertiplay Wall Toys - stick these to the wall, little ones can play, make music, and more! $20 - $40 on Amazon (affiliate link).

BEST BOOKS & READING TOYS:

• Ditty Bird Song Books - great board books with popular children's songs at the push of a button! $16 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Mark My Time Digital Bookmark - digital book marks with have timers, lights, and more! $10 - $20 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Quiet Books by Piqipi - great soft books for little ones with quiet activities on each page! A couple are listed for $55 on Amazon (affiliate link) but seems like the price will be lower once the line is released. You can see them on piqipi.com

BEST COMPOUND TOYS:

• ORB Slimi Cafe - create desserts with reusable slime, squishies and other fun compounds.  Hitting the US market on March 7, 2019!! See more on orbslimicafe.com.
• SloFlo - a very cool new compound similar to kinetic sand and Mad Mattr, yet different. Very cool and worth checking out, hitting the market soon but get more info on playvisions.com

BEST COOKING TOYS:

• Hapinest by Island Genius - created by a mom and dad team, this adorable baking set comes with a cute apron, easy cook book, cookie cutters, frosting bags and reusable coupler, and a patented rolling pin that makes cookies of the perfect thickness, and dough won't stick to it! $35 atislandgenius.com/collections/hapinest.

BEST PRETEND PLAY TOYS:

• Densters Build Your Own Fort at Home - a set of clips that easily allows you to attach blankets to any chairs, doors, corners, you name it. $30 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• Little Medical School Kits - how to be a pediatrician, veterinarian, etc! Great for aspiring professionals, or imaginative kids! $50 on littlemedicalschool.com
• Pop-Oh-Ver Pretend Play - these canvas sets go over your chair to make a stove, ice cream parlor, or kitchen counter! $40 on Amazon (affiliate link)

BEST PLUSHY TOYS:

• Cubcoats​ - an adorable hoodie that folds into a stuffed animal!! How cute AND practical!!  $45 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link).
• WowWee Pink Fong Baby Shark Singing Puppet - the faster you move your hand, the faster it sings Baby Shark! HA!!! Not on the market yet, but it should pop up here on Amazon (affiliate link) when for sale.

BEST TRAVEL TOYS & PRODUCTS:

• ClypX Car Seat Belt Positioner - an alternative to the booster, this brings the seat belt to a safe position for your child. $40 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• KidsEmbrace Character Car Seats​ - these are frankly the coolest car seats I have ever seen!!! WOW!!! From superheros to cartoon characters, $119 - $165 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Micro Luggage Easy - luggage with a built in seat so your child (or an adult!) can sit on it as you pull it through the airport - leave the stroller at home! $180 on Amazon (affiliate link).

BEST VIDEO GAME & TECH TOYS:

• Artie 3000 by Educational Insights - a coding robot for ages 7 - 12, you create the code and Artie draws. Not yet available but you can buy him soon on Amazon (affiliate link).
• My Arcade Micro Player Arcades - the classic arcade games you know and love, for your desktop! $18 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Shifu Orboot Globe - augmented reality globe that lets you learn about the world with a handy app. $60 (on sale for $50) on Amazon (affiliate link)

OTHER HOT ITEMS (not toys):

• iDecoz Phone Mirrors and Decals - hold your train pass, credit cards, check your makeup, you name it! $4~ on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Para'kito - refillable mosquito repellant bands, $19 on Amazon (affiliate link)
• Sunshine & Glitter Mermaid Sunscreen - 50+ SPF, biodegradeable (reef-safe), 80 mintue water resistant, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen!! Your skin will glitter and be protected from the sun, SO AWESOME!! $19 on Amazon (affiliate link)

In case you missed my Best Toys for 2018 video from Toy Fair New York last year, watch it below, LOTS of gooooooood stuff!