I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

Explorers Academy Preschool Potluck 2011 from NY City Explorers on Vimeo.

 But it sure doesn't look like that will be happening this year, does it?  Having resigned ourselves earlier in the month to calling to mind the white Halloween of two months past, we've rested in all that is holly, jolly, merry and delicious about this holiday season rather than dwell on the less-than-seasonally-appropriate landscape outside of our windows.  With a visit from Santa, our Explorers Academy Preschool Holiday Potluck, the final We SIT, You SHOP event of the year at the Union Square Gap, and an intimate staff dinner in Bed-Stuy all under our belts in the past month alone, there's more than enough to be merry about even without the opportunity for sledding and snow-shoeing (Although we can't wait to do those in the new year as at well!)

     December 10th saw a break in toy production in the North Pole, letting Santa spend the morning at The Learning Garden at 186 Underhill Ave in Prospect Heights!  Neighborhood tots, preschool students and visiting family alike made their way to NY City Explorers' cozy playspace to spend a morning enjoying a bagel breakfast, OJ and coffee with sitters, crafts, treats and toys on hand for one and all.  Bag-of-Tricks-Babysitter extraordinaire Sam Pinkleton spent time engaging sweeties in festive fun, while 3-years-old Shelton, daughter of NY City Explorers' co-owner Kisha Gandsy, kept Santa company for much of the morning.  Perhaps the lovably mischievous Shelton had in mind to make up through cheerful conversation any marks that might be next to her name on the "Naughty List" this year.  Hmmm... 

     On the last full weekend before Christmas, with Santa packed and headed back to the North Pole, and crowds of eager shoppers fanning out all through Manhattan, Bag-of-Tricks-Babysitters Elisa, Ka Yiu and Shani set up shop on the sales floor of the babies' section of the Union Square Gap, equipped with toys, books and holiday crafts to keep the youngest tots of holiday shoppers engaged and entertained while parents shopped with free hands on the busiest shopping weekend of the retail year.  With googly eyes, glue sticks, crayons and sequins, Elisa and the rest of the crew ensured safe, thriving fun for all in their care, from 10am-1pm last Saturday.  With corporate and in-store sitting booking quickly for the New Year, contact Amy Yurcan to set up an event at your favorite store, office or school or community event.  Amy can be reached via email at ayurcan@nycityexplorers.com or by phone at 718-809-6486.

1 Birthday Party

Don't let the celebration season end when the ball drops!  Book your sweetie's next birthday party now and put a promise of fun to come under the tree with an NY City Explorers birthday party package.  Customizable crafts, activities and fun are yours for the taking.  Best part?  Your personal party facilitator will do the clean-up for you, so you can save your energy for home entertaining of the more sophisticated variety.  Check out the details at www.nycityexplorers.com/parties or call 718-809-6486 to speak with your party planner.  Another plus?  With grandparents everywhere seeking out the perfect gift, a day of memories for a precious grandchild makes holiday shopping suggestions easier than ever!

2 Seasonal Sing-Alongs Worth Sharing with Company

Love playing honorary Auntie or Uncle to your bestie's brood, but have had it as much as the next parents with hearing that precious 20-month-old "nephew" prove that "Your Baby Can Read" while your babies are still working on colors?  Ensure your own tot's top spot on the holiday party child performance circuit when you teach him or her to sing (Or, hey, even lip-sync!) to these off-the-beaten-path holiday tunes.  Bonus?  You'll save yourself endless repetitions of "Jingle Bells" on car rides to come!  Both can be found here, along with several other NPR picks:  

*Shiloh

*Patapan

3 Movie Date Nights (The Perfect Gift Package for Every Parent in Your Life)

Gift the kids a night out while you enjoy your own!  Book 3 upcoming evenings for the kids and guarantee yourself some holly-jolly respite from parent-duty.  Reserve Friday Dinner and a Movie Date Night at NY City Explorers' Learning Garden and enjoy 4 hours of time dining without the whining somewhere that's not stocked with  a changing table.  Your youngsters will enjoy pizza and a flick in the cozy comfort of The Learning Garden at 186 Underhill Ave in Prospect Heights under the confident and competent care of our

Bag-of-Tricks-Babysitting staff.  Bring them in jammies for an easy pick-up and seamless transition to bedtime at the end of the evening.   Our recommendations for how to spend your time off?  Check out these three local restaurants, all within easy walking, subway or can distance from The Learning Garden:

* Chavela's 

* Amorina 

* Cheryl's Global Soul