Sounds like Mamalu is staying open... for now.

Everyone thought Mamalu was going to sell and if they couldn't find a buyer, they were going to close. Well now it looks like they are going to stay open, although, when I asked one of the owners if they are still looking for a buyer, her answer was a firm "yes".

I'm glad it'll be open, at least through the rest of winter. I do sincerely hope they do some things to make it more appealing so more people will come. I would gladly pay a higher entry fee if the playspace had more activities and a roster of toys that change every month.

I also think they should have a little foam structure play area for babies, so moms with the youngest guests can have some protection from the running and jumping older kids.

Mamalu Closing?

Rumors are swirling over the impending closure of Mamalu. Apparently, the owners don't like each other and want out. But that's not the whole story. I talked to one of the owners recently and she was very upfront and honest about the financial state of the business. In the 2.5 years they've been open, they have never made a profit nor have the owners made a salary.

The rent is $4,500 a month, and they have 6 years left on their lease. I believe they are asking $25,000 for the business. That doesn't sound like a lot until you start factoring in the other costs associated with maintaining it (insurance, utilities, accountants, lawyers, staff, etc)

I think there are some things that could be done to make Mamalu profitable, but it would be an undertaking and would require capital. I hope that someone comes through and buys it because it's one of the only things to do in the neighborhood with your kid.

Gadget Alert: Beaba Babycook

My husband bought this for me for Christmas and at first I thought that we were a little past the appliance's must useful time period (when Junior was eating nothing but purees). But now that I've used it for a week, I love it.

We don't have space for a microwave so this thing really comes in handy. You can cook foods in it as well as reheat stuff. You don't have to puree but that still comes in handy, especially for leafy greens like kale and chard.

Very neat.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/e203/index.cfm

Soy Vey! Soy Formula Frought with Dangers

One more thing before we head out. Soy milk (including soy formula) consumed in large amounts sounds like it can have some pretty scary and unknown affects on babies and children.

http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HealthNutrition/dangers-of-soy/

Is there nothing left that is just plain safe to eat? For years we've been led to believe that soy is the ultimate health food, and now this...

I know a lot of people wean their babies off the breast and move towards soy milk. Based on what I've read, it seems like goat's milk or organic cow's milk would be a better bet.

Cross Country Tour

Tomorrow we are headed to the airport to embark on our grand cross country tour. We're going to see all 4 grandparents and travel through 4 time zones. I'm trying not to freak out about all the delayed and missed naps and night wakings. Focus on the positive: grandparents want to care or your kid all day while you go get pedicures or see your first movie in over a year with your husband!!

So, loyal reader, I'll be taking a little break from blogging over the next week. Will report back with traveling tips!

Happy holidays!

Voices From The Bitter Side

The checkout line at a supermarket always seems to turn up some kind of small talk, especially around the holiday season as it is now. At the Key Food store, I walked up to the checkout with a few small baking items. The little guy was in his stroller, bundled up in his snowsuit and adult-sized scarf.

The cashier - a woman in her mid-40s, I'd say - looked at me, said hi, then looked down at my year-old son. She made googley-eyes at him, and then, here it came.

"Oh, he's cute," she said. "That's the best age. It's downhill after that."

It occurred to me right there, that there is a reason mothers go gaga over babies of this age: THEY HATE THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

"My kid is 12 now, and all he does is talk back," she proceeded to inform me. That's nice, I thought, but having nothing else to say, I said, "so I have about 10 years?" To which she replied, "not even."

This is not a tirade against bitter mothers. But she was not the first to blurt out this pretty strong condemnation of her kid to a complete stranger.

The first time, Bad Mommy and I were standing in front of our local bodega. A woman walking with three children walked up to our baby - he was probably about six months old at the time - and began to ooh and aah, bending down to the stroller to get a closer look.

"He's so adorable," she said. "Enjoy him while they can. Cuz they turn into this - " at which point she turned and pointed at her teenage daughter. "They're angels at this age. Then they get an attitude," she informed me, who didn't particularly care.

Not exactly America's #1 Mom, this one. We just kind of ignored her and let her fawn for a minute, and then moved on.

But really: right in front of her daughter? This kind of comment is probably the exact reason the daughter is the way she is. Not to say I'm/we're going to be the perfect parents - we'll do the best we can. But I'd like to think that once the little guy starts to form opinions and starts to challenge me, this will be an exciting time. Perhaps I am naive; maybe I am stupid. But it was a harsh reality that these two women offered: after years of parenting, all these two had to show were strong, bitter remarks to strangers about their children.

I know this much: the day you catch me saying "and then they turn into this" as I point to my teenage son is the day that I need to have my Daddy License revoked.

Why Why Why?!

...when Junior spends the day w his nanny, does he sleep for 4 HOURS! straight?

Am I not good enough, not deserving enough of the luxury of a 4-hour nap?

Not only that, but word has it, just before he succumbed to this glorious state of uninterrupted shuteye, my son - the MANarexic - and I quote, "ate like a horse."

So many feelings I am feeling right now.

Since buddy's nanny IS teaching him Nepalise, and he LOVES her. maybe she should just raise him herself. He would probably just eat and sleep his way through a heavenly childhood.

(:)