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.