Budget cuts affecting area library baby/toddler reading times

The Williamsburgh branch announced a new "six weeks on, two weeks off" schedule beginning April 8. There will be no toddler time or babies and books the weeks of May 18 and May 25.

Mamalu officially closed, rumors swirl over possible buyer

Mamalu, the doomed indoor playspace and cafe, finally had to shut its doors. The last day of business was April 5, 2009. I'm not surprised that Mamalu closed. The food was tasty but the playspace needed help.

Because of the lack of toys, it was really only suitable for older children who could have fun playing make believe with the large foam structures that were scattered about the floor. Children under about 2 really didn't have much to do there except get run over by older kids.

If someone does try to resurrect the business please:

- keep it clean
- have a protected play area in a corner for crawlers
- have a variety of toys and structures that appeal to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers
- rotate the toys every month to keep children's interest and imaginations growing
- have a special "big kids" only time so that older children can run free
- consider making the eating area smaller so that there is more room for playing.

Great inspiration can be found at http://www.amysindoorplayground.com/photoalbum1.html

Thanks to the owners who put in countless long hours trying to keep the place afloat. It was a great resource for me when Junior was a newborn. To have a place where you can breastfeed and no one cares if your kid is wailing... that was great!

It's too bad that this neighborhood doesn't have any child-friendly indoor playgrounds. If I had the money I would love to open something.

WWJE: What Would Junior Eat?

Junior has days when he won't eat anything except for crackers, so I'm constantly on the look out for new lunch and dinner items. Here's a list of this week's favorites. Please share your ideas.

Baked eggs with shredded zucchini and cheese: whip up all the ingredients in a bowl, place in a small ramekin or other heat safe bowl and bake in oven or steam in beaba or steamer basket til cooked through.

Veggie bread: Use standard muffin recipe, then add 1 cup shredded green veggies (broccoli, squash, etc) and 1 cup shredded carrots. Bake in mini muffin or bread pan.

Baked sweet potato with chopped up whole wheat pasta and peas.

Tofu squares with tomato sauce.

Veggie burgers.