In the Know
Mom Hack: Make Frozen Cookie Dough from Your Halloween Candy!
Now that Halloween has passed, you’re probably ready to get your kids’ candy out of the house. There are lots of good places to donate, from shelters to toy stores (think The Toy Post for a $5 gift card!) to dentists’ offices to the military, but we stumbled upon this smart idea from The Baker Mama and wanted to share it. This freezable dough uses up your Halloween candy, and you’re ready for any last minute bake sale request from school – win-win!
Squash Toast – Cold Weather YUMMMMMMMINESS!
As the colder weather sets in, we wanted to share this Butternut Squash Toast from local mom and nutritionist, Robin Barrie! (We know that avocado gets the most glory on a regular basis.) Toast is a blank canvas that can be topped with a variety of items. Plus, it’s a warm alternative to a cold sandwich or salad this time of year. Butternut squash is in season and delish right now. It is a great source of carotenoids, which benefit healthy eyes and smooth skin….yummmmm!
Register Today for the Learning Pods at MOCA with Special WestportMoms Discount
MoCA Westport’s POD Learning Program features small group tutoring, robust arts enrichment, and certified academic teachers and art instructors. ENROLLMENT IS OPEN AND ONGOING for the next POD Learning session beginning Nov 9, including a new afternoon kindergarten POD. LIMITED TIME OFFER: Receive a $150 credit toward MoCA Westport’s POD Learning program if you apply online before November 9 and use coupon code WESTPORTMOMS.
Exciting News! STAR, Inc offering Expanded Services!
STAR, Inc., is a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages who have developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. Expanded Birth through Early Childhood Intervention. As of September 1st, they began offering expanded services to children ages 6-8. This includes direct intervention with a coaching approach by licensed Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Behavioral Therapists and Special Education Teachers. Learn more today!
Considering that next Home Improvement Project?
Ring’s End is a local resource you can trust when you need help with a home improvement project. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, searching for the perfect color paint, creating a backyard oasis with a new deck, replacing your windows, or even changing small details like cabinet and door hardware, Ring’s End is your one-stop-shop. With unparalleled customer service, and 19 convenient locations in Connecticut and New York, Ring’s End is the partner you can trust to bring your inspiration to life.
10 Ways to Celebrate Halloween Safely
Halloween is an annual rite of passage for kids. From the first time a new walker toddles up to trick or treat with his parents, to older kids finally being allowed to go door-to-door on their own—Halloween is as much a part of childhood as any holiday. Which makes it one of the hardest things to see our kids giving up this year (along with birthdays, graduations and more). That’s why we decided to compile some of the best ways we’ve heard of getting into the spooky season—safely.
Fox Pest Control is Here for you!
You may think since the weather is cooling off, pests like bugs and other critters will start disappearing—but sadly, it isn’t so. According to the experts at Fox Pest Control, some pests actually start appearing in Fall—often looking for shelter or food before temperatures drop. Find out more, here!
What exactly is a Montessori School?
Why choose a Montessori school? The Nurtury Montessori School emphasizes self-directed learning, multi-age grouping environment, and dedication to individual growth. Children learn how to learn. This prepares each child for future academic and social excellence. Click here to learn more!
New Canaan Country School is now Accepting Applications!
New Canaan Country School is now accepting applications for Fall 2021-22. A co-ed, independent, day school, the school welcomes students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 from all over the region to its 75-acre campus. Join them on a Campus Tour online or in person. For more information or to sign up for any of these free events, click here!
10 Things your “best friend” might want to know about Divorce…
During this truly unprecedented times, relationships are being tested in every way imaginable. If you – or someone you know and love – may be struggling right now and needing support, Broder Orland Murray and Demattie LLC may be able to help. Learn more about the 10 questions anyone might want to know about divorce….
5 Tips from Academic Approach to ensure Your Child Gets the most out of this Year
It’s only October, but this has already been a challenging school year for students, parents, and teachers. At Academic Approach,
even as students and teachers work remotely, we continue to offer one-on-one tutoring and school programs that empower students from all backgrounds to increase their scores, skills, and confidence on and beyond standardized tests. Here are five tips from our team to help you ensure your middle schooler gets the preparation they need to tackle their next challenge.
St. Luke’s Virtual Open House THIS SUNDAY, October 18th!
It’s a challenging time for families—particularly when it comes to school. If you would like to find out what your child’s school day would be like at St. Luke’s, please join them this Sunday, 10/18 at 12pm for the Middle School Virtual Open House. Hear from Head of School, Head of Middle School, teachers and students who have been back on campus since August. The team at St Luke’s looks forward to meeting you!
Meet Melissa – a true hero!
In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to feature rockstar momma and breast cancer survivor, Melissa Levy. After 15 years running her own company, declutter + design, helping people maximize the value of their space, she was faced with an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis which began with her first mammogram, and led her down a road she had never expected to travel. As she continues her own fight, Melissa is working to create an online space for people going through the journey she has to share, to support each other, and to heal together, and could not be more excited about its potential. In another life, she will return to her acting and singing roots, and looks forward to a time when we all can travel once again! In the meantime, she continues to fight – with her husband and eight year old son by her side – and looks forward to empowering other women to do the same! Melissa’s story is extremely real, raw and inspiring, and we are so grateful she has shared It with us! We are sending her – and all those fighting this fight – all our positive energy, love and strength during this time!
reminds us all how precious each moment is, how much stronger we are than we often even know, and that we need each other to get through! Thank you for sharing; you are an inspiration!
Wondering about CBD? Welcome New England Hemp Farm!!
Wondering about CBD? Meet New England Hemp Farm – a new Westport company, committed to delivering only the highest quality, thoroughly tested, CBD products to their customers. Not only are the founders two local Dads but the VP of Sales- Colin Bannon is the coach for the Staple’s High School Lacrosse Team! Use the discount code “MOM15” for 15% off your first purchase.
WeekDays are Kid Days at Pinstripes!
Pinstripes has begun a new promotion for their Kids Club Program. Monday through Thursdays, up to 4 Kids are able to enjoy $5 Kids Meals and/or $5 hour of Bowling or Bocce including shoes with each adult meal purchase.
Pinstripes has lots of activities coming up for children 12 years and under, including fun special parent / children events beginning around the middle of October to help safely celebrate Halloween this year.
Why Cerebelly means you can stop making your own baby food!
As moms, we all want to give our kids a healthy start, and that’s why so many of us have made our own baby food. From those adorable first bites to enticing picky toddlers, feeding our kids can be rewarding, a struggle, or (in most cases), both. That’s one of the reasons we love Cerebelly, a new brand of baby food developed by neurosurgeon and mom Teresa Purzner. Learn more about her story, and why Cerebelly might be the right choice for your family!
Meet Samantha!
Mom to 13 year old Sadie and formerly the fashion Editor at Vogue, O Magazine and the Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons and Gotham Magazine, Samantha is new to Westport and couldn’t be happier to be here! A branding and marketing expert, she has her hand in many projects including launching her own agency (Samantha Yanks Creative) and serving as the VP of Marketing for Fashwire – a fashion marketplace for discovering new designers! Samantha and her family love museums, visiting local farmstands (follow her at @curated_for_you) , and eating delicious food. Fun facts: Samantha still doesn’t know how to ride a bike (though is open to being taught!), might be a lobbyist in another life, and is a daredevil at heart. By those closest to her she is often described as fiercely loyal, confident and caring – and her creative genius is bar none. We are thrilled to have her here in Westport, and look forward to all the amazing things we know are ahead with her in our community!
NEW Nurtury Montessori School in Rye!
Did you know that our partner Nurtury Montessori School offers full time daycare for infants (0-9 months and 9-18 months). The Nurtury keeps infants in a dedicated space to help them develop naturally in their own way and at their own pace. Their newest location in Rye Brook has its Grand Opening set for October! Click through to learn more and call 914-632-6200 to set up your tour today!
Blue Light Glasses: Are They A Necessary Part of Back to (Virtual) School Shopping?
Whether we’re homeschooling, doing virtual school, or simply giving more TV/tablet time in order to get 15 minutes to ourselves, many of us are allowing more screen time than in years past. But how bad is extra screen time for kids’ eyes? And are tech-y accessories like blue light glasses a good idea? Here’s what we learned when we spoke to experts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and NY Presbyterian-Columbia.
Meet Jenae
If you are looking for a truly spectacular fall family photographer – or someone whose presence just makes you feel calmer immediately- Jenae may be a perfect fit! Mom of two, and formerly a Creative Producer and Event Director, Jenae followed the creative itch she felt pushing her toward photography a few years ago, and never looked back! She loves the beach in Westport, wishes True Food would come here one day, and in another life (one where she was a morning person!), she might be a Today Show news anchor! For now, she is excited about capturing the beauty of fall, studying to be a spiritual director, and trying to make some artistic sense of the chaos that is today.