As a grown up I don't pay nearly as much attention to the asphalt as I used to when I was a kid. As a kid growing up in Manhattan, the asphalt was like an entire eco-system, full of magical discoveries waiting to be made and questions to be solved. Like seeing a dime completely embedded into the street, oil slicks from leaking cars that created beautiful rainbows or, when it would rain, gutter streams that we would sail trash down (ah, the bucolic 70s in NYC).

One thing that always fascinated me was when you would happen upon a railroad spike sticking out of the street. My mother explained to me about how they were from old trolley lines that had been paved over and then the movement of the earth forces them back up through the pavement.  Really? This whole idea rocked my world because obviously the pavement is the ground and solid and there can't be anything under there, especially not stuff that can move and come up through the solid ground. If history can just push itself back up into the present, what else is under there waiting to turn up?

[UPDATED: July 18, 2012]

Figuring out the right summer camp for your kid can be puzzling, but if you have a child with special needs, the issue becomes even more complicated. Special needs children benefit from the experiences of camps, just like any other children, but what can your child handle? What can the camps handle? What is available and what's right for your kid?

Luckily, Resources for Children with Special Needs has a camp fair just for families of special needs children. Whether your child is autistic, learning or physically disabled, the Special Camp Fair provides information and resources to help parents find the right camp for their child or teenager. This is a great way to find out about the many programs that are available and things your child can do that maybe you never thought they would be able to.

The days seem like they’re slowly getting longer, which means that Winter will be behind us sooner than we know.  One thing I love about living in New York is that you experience each season.  Like it or not, you must leave the house and be in the world at least a little bit on most days.  Sometimes, it’s just to shovel the walk.  Hang on!  What’s that?  You can get your Robot to shovel it for you now?  Not only that, but also he’s shoveling it while you’re playing with your Obama Action Figure, attending a virtual baby shower and nursing your cold with free products from Sephora?A tool to help your kids sleep in? And find out what Brooklyn parents are all abuzz about. Do tell, after the jump!

There are some great exhibits at the "real" art museums that are fun enough that you shouldn't have to drag your kids to, or through. This is the first in a series of posts about some of current art exhibits recommended for kids in New York City.  

You've probably already heard about the Calder Exhibit at the Whitney. It's been promoted a lot. People love Calder's Circus, which is a miniature reproduction of an actual circus, made from wire, cork, wood, cloth and other household objects. Calder would perform the circus for people as his "day job" and the exhibit has videos showing how he performed it, bringing it to life for kids.

One of the things that I love about the Alexander Calder story is something I learned about him on a PBS American Masters program. Apparently, when he was a child, all Calder wanted to do was play with wire. He loved to make little toys and things with scraps of wire and his mother completely indulged this. I love this story because as a parent, we all know that child who refuses to do what they are supposed to do and is obsessed with one seemingly useless endeavor. How aggravating it is to try to bend children to our will and get them to conform to the requirements of society. I love the idea that there is value in the play of children and their obsessions and that, let to flower and grow, we may all be surprised by what comes out of them.

Why kids will like Calder: The Paris Years

Have you always wanted to learn to knit or imagined yourself being crafty and knitting for, or with, your little ones? Local yarn shops around the city often offer knitting classes for people of all ages. Usually kids can start to learn to knit or crochet as young as 5 years old, depending on the child.

Reader, Sharon, submitted this tip about a great yarn store that offers Duet Knitting Classes for an adult and child to learn to knit together:

There are so many opportunities to make New Year’s Resolutions, and you have one now. If you’ve already blown your fresh start you made on January 1^st, why not take advantage of the Chinese New Year to start over?  After the jump, considerations for change.  First: be honest, what do you lie about – and why?  Second: do you swear in front of your children? Third: can you admit that you secretly want that hat Aretha was wearing?  Fourth: Still wondering when your children are going to grasp the idea of good manners? Fifth and sixth?  Curious?  Go get ‘em.

What a week! The winter snow has been sparkling and shining a little brighter, the sun seems to be sending more warmth (and not in a bad Global Warming way, but a nice winter cool way). But even as the world seems to be humming at a more positive frequency, there are still major issues.  Things like trying to get your kids to school on time, finding a nice place to eat with the kids, and obviously the bane of the NY mother’s existence, the stroller vs. staircase showdown.  Figure it all out with me after the jump!

Just had a baby? About to have a baby? Thinking about having a baby? Thinking about thinking about having a baby? If you answered yes to any of the above you should come to the New Parents Expo and Family Fun Day this weekend being hosted by NY Family and Big City Moms.

At the Expo you'll find out about children's clothes, Mommy & Me classes, nursery furniture & accessories, stroller and car seats, family photographers, baby announcements, day care and nanny services, baby supplies, Birthday venues, School experts, more...and guess what? It's all free! And guess what else? I'll be there at my little Mommy Poppins table doling out irreverent advice and talking people down. Come say hi!

I'm also going to be doing a great giveaway of items from Giggle: