Coast 2 Coast Mom

Math, Gilbert Gottfried, Big Apple Circus, Little Boy Voices and Me

Add to that mix: Britney Spears, Cyberchase and 45 weeks and you'll get a taste of the panel I was exposed to last weekend at Cyberchase Saturday. It was a quintessential New York experience, all thanks to PBS THIRTEEN WNET, Tribeca Cinemas and math. Yes, you read that right: MATH.

Saturday I had the pleasure of moderating a celebrity talkback panel with the cast of PBS's Cyberchase at the famous Tribeca Cinemas, as part of Tribeca Cinemas' Kids Club program. Cyberchase is one of the only children's programs where the heroes use "brain power" and math in everyday situations to save the day. It was a fantastic opportunity for fans of the series to see a sneak peek at episodes from the new season, meet some of their favorite stars and learn some behind-the-scenes secrets of the show. So much goes into the production of such a high quality show like this one, and as a PBS Kids Club 13 Ambassador, I was delighted to be asked to participate in the event, which featured:

Secrets, Sneak Peeks & Behind the Scenes Family Fun in Tribeca This Saturday

Secrets. Sneak peeks. Exclusive previews. They're the social equivalent of riches. They provide fodder at your next social event, and when you learn new bits of information it many times cements a long-lasting loyal relationship with whomever spilled the beans to you.

Well, get ready to become my new BFF. This Saturday I'll be moderating the talkback portion of the Tribeca Cinema Kids Club Cyberchase Saturday with series stars Gilbert Gottfried ("Digit"), Matt Wilson ("Harry"), Annick Obonsawin ("Inez") and Ellen Doherty (senior series producer). Cyberchase was developed for children 8-12 years old and airs on PBS. It's the only children's program in the U.S. to feature "brain power" and math as the solution to everyday life situations. 

The evil villian ("Hacker") is voiced by Christopher Lloyd - no relation to Christopher Lloyd the creator of ABC's Modern Family. (Just a little something I learned behind the scenes at PBS myself. ;-) )

I can promise giggles, guffaws and gossip (of the Cyberchase kind). Come join me . . . you know you want to.

Meeting Dr. Scott and Learning Dinosaur Train Secrets

On Sunday we drove into NYC to visit the World Science Festival Street Fair for a screening of the PBS children's series The Dinosaur Train, as well as a booksigning and discussion with Dr. Scott Sampson (aka Dr. Scott to many 2-6 year old kids!). L'il Boo was so excited! On our drive in, he was all "I'm going to meet my first paleontologist!" Which made me giggle hearing that in his little four-year old voice.

Most of the audience was families with kids around Li'l Boo's age, and Dr. Scott was clearly impressed, but not surprised, to be talking with kids using such big words. I think about every preschooler or early elementary kid in the audience could name Triassic, Jurassic and Cretacious when asked, and knew the difference between herbavores, carnivores and omnivores. Li'l Boo answered a warm-up question saying his favorite dinosaur was the Velociraptor. I was shocked that he didn't say the T-Rex. Perhaps he's maturing beyond the T-Rex? I mean, he has a book listing over 100 dinosaurs . . .about time he became interested in one of the others ;-)

Still Gleeful After Seeing Glee Live Tour

c2cDad and I celebrated my birthday by attending the Friday night showing of the sold-out Glee Tour 2010 at Radio City Music Hall. Yay! Glee Live was a high-energy show and the atmosphere around our seats in the orchestra section was electrifying. Seriously! Everyone stood for nearly the entire show . . . I think we sat for part of one slow song. We were surprised - though not shocked - to see so many tween-age girls there with their moms.  Admittedly, we seriously aged-up our section of the orchestra level. ;-)

I think that attending the concert with so many tween-age girls in the audience screaming at the sight of a different character, or a new song, added to the excitement of the entire crowd. It would not have been the concert experience if it was a crowd of adults. There were several moments when some of the cast appeared amused because of the roar of the crowd - like when "Fin" laughed at the beginning of their Bon Jovi number. I'm not sure if the rest of their tour stops reacted with such enthusiasm for that song, or if it was the result of being such an NJ/NYC area group and song. There was a bit near the end when "Sue," Jane Lynch and "Will," Matthew Morrison appeared live on stage and they cut their bit short because the crowd was literally cheering so loudly that you couldn't hear what they were saying anyway. It was funny. I wonder if any of the cast ever envisioned themselves performing to a sold-out crowd at Radio City.

Spend Mother's Day with Us and Kids Club Thirteen at the Prospect Park Zoo

Here’s an idea for spending Mother’s Day with the family - and with Li'l Boo and me! PBS THIRTEEN is hosting its inaugural Kids Club Thirteen event on Sunday, May 9th at the Prospect Park Zoo Fleece Festival. Admission will be free on Sunday for Kids Club Thirteen members and you'll get the chance to meet and get a photo with Ruff Ruffman from FETCH! and some other zoo animals. This is the first of many year-round benefits for Kids Club Thirteen members that includes free admission and discounts to NYC-area museums, parks, festivals, etc., and on-air mentions of your kids birthdays! Club activities are geared for families with kids ages 3-11.  

One of the benefits of joining the club is that each month the Kids Club hosts an exclusive event just for its members - 13 events a year (upcoming events include days at the Staten Island Children's Museum, and the Intrepid Museum!) – including chances to meet the kids’ favorite PBS characters. The event at the Prospect Park Zoo on Sunday May 9th, will be the last opportunity to sign up for the Kids Club as a Founding Family member and get for two years at the price of one (a $75 donation). The line-up for Sunday's Kids Club  members-only exclusive activities from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. include:
 

Make Your Own Muppets on FAO.com

I don't remember how exactly, but this morning I stumbled upon FAO Schwarz's online Muppet Whatnot Workshop. Li'l Boo perked up from his dinosaurs and caught a glance of my computer screen just while the Kermit and Miss Piggy video introduction was playing, and ran over to join me. Although not intended as a game, he loved the virtual Whatnot Workshop! I bet he spent a half-hour rearranging the optional body, eye, hair and costume choices, designing his perfect Muppet Whatnot.

Which made me glad that I didn't expose Li'l Boo to the Whatnot Workshop last holiday season as he appreciated it MUCH more today after having visited Disney's Hollywood Studios and experiencing Muppet Vision 3D earlier this year. (I think that was the first time he'd actually seen The Muppets cast of characters, and I think it's important to see them interacting to get a true sense of what The Muppets are.)

So now I have something else to send Li'l Boo and c2cDad off to do the next time I'm busy in the city on a weekend: they can head to FAO Schwarz and make their own Muppet Whatnot for us to keep. :-D

You can order the muppet you design online for $129.99, and they'll ship two or three business days after you place your order. They also offer e-Gift Cards for people to go online and design and order their own.

Pretty cool, huh?

Learning Values That Define A Lifetime From the Olympics

Watching the 2010 Winter Olympic closing ceremonies last night amid all of the pomp and circumstance, it seemed to me that the crowd and the athletes were walking a little lighter and smiling a bit wider. It was as though the entire stadium took a collective deep breath and began to relax, celebrate being there, and truly soak up the history, spirit and honor that is the Olympic games.

As we watched in awe of the young men and women athletes making their marks on the world stages of their sports, I couldn't help but notice how many teachable moments occured while watching the Olympics and I wondered what the future holds for Li'l Boo. Where will his athletic interests and strengths lie? Will he take to hockey? Or skiing?

Love Letter to Jon Stewart

I would be remiss in celebrating Valentine’s Day without acknowledging the man and his team whom regularly entertain me and put me to bed.  So for today’s post, please excuse the indulgence as I send some love his way. . .

Dear Jon,

You had me at “Welcome to the Daily Show. Thank you for joining us. My name is Jon Stewart.” I don’t know why, but the phrasing of “my name is” instead of “I’m” makes me smile – like a cute little name tag at a conference. Not that you need a cute name tag, you’re handsome enough to leave me happy in bed (while working on my laptop, of course).

Oh how my love for you has grown over the years and from coast to coast! From a workaholic newlywed living in Silicon Valley, I would come home from late dinners after long work days to collapse on the couch with my hubby chuckling over your fake news.

Taking in Sesame Street Live: Elmo Grows Up Now at MSG

This morning we were lucky to attend a Sesame Street meet-n-greet and take in the Sesame Street Live: Elmo Grows Up  show at Madison Square Garden. Li'l Boo was beyond the moon to see the "real live" Elmo and Cookie Monster before the show began!

The lively show followed the usual children's show structure - about a 45 minute show, a 15 minute intermission, then a final 30 minute wrap-up and finale. It was cute, energetic and even included a set from Elmo's World (you may feel inclined to sing along; la a la la lala la la Elmo's World).

T'was A Good Thing: Attending the Martha Stewart Show

I was positively giddy last week in preparation for attending The Martha Stewart Show's special blogger show.

I was going to see MARTHA! 

I've been a subscriber to her magazines, and ALWAYS search her website for holiday baking ideas, or other holiday "good things." The only thing I stressed about was what I would wear as there was a strict audience dress code in effect. (I went with orange thinking it was a color no one else would wear, and lo and behold, my bloggy friend Jen wore orange too!)