Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

Kids Ski Free at Top Pennsylvania Resorts, Plus More Ways to Save — and Win!

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 11:50am

With Snowpass, 4th and 5th graders get 63 days of free skiing and snowboarding this season.

Did someone say affordable winter fun for the whole family? Yup, Pennsylvania's got it with 21 kid-friendly, activity-filled ski resorts offering some deep discounts this year!

Whether a quick weekend trip filled with wobbly runs down the bunny hill sounds about your speed, or you're dreaming of a week-long vacation crossing black diamonds off the list with your pro crew, there are plenty of packages and specials that'll work with your family's skill level and budget.

From Snowpass, which lets kids ski for FREE, to an awesome ski and snowboard giveaway, read on for the best ways to save and win this season in PA.

The Kent Raises the Bar for Real Estate Envy in Manhattan

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 11:00am

“Camp Kent” is an interactive indoor/outdoor play experience for kids.

If you want to actually like where you currently live, just stop reading now. Because once you see the lavish condominiums and equally extravagant amenities being offered at The Kent, a new luxury building on Manhattan's Upper East Side, you may not be able to survive without over-the-top amenities like a 24-hour stroller valet, Lenny Kravitz-designed music studio, dog spa, and glamping-inspired play space again.

Located at the corner of East 95th Street and Third Avenue in a neighborhood packed with premium prams, swanky boutiques, cushy cafes, and some of the city’s best schools, the decadent Art Deco-inspired building not only features 83 sleek and stylish residences with the finest finishes, but a host of amenities that read like the ultimate wish list written up by kids and parents across the city. Read on to see the envy-inducing features our sponsor, The Kent, is bringing to lucky NYC families.

Kidmoto Brings Safe, Reliable Airport Car Service with Car Seats to More Areas

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 11/21/2019 - 9:00am

If you haven't obsessed over whether or not to lug your kid's car seat to the airport, are you even a parent?? Getting everyone to and from a flight safely can be a total headache—as if flying with kids isn't already overwhelming enough—but the folks at Kidmoto have made it their mission to make the trip simple. With a fleet of professional drivers and safety-inspected livery vehicles equipped with pre-installed convertible car seats, the family-friendly service provides transportation to and from a number of major airports, and cruise piers, too. Plus, now the stress-saving airport car service has expanded to serve Philadelphia, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte, in addition to New York City. Read on to find out how Kidmoto works and why it's one of the safest and most reliable options out there for your whole crew.

A Child-Focused Lower School Builds a Strong Foundation at Fairfield County’s PreK-12 King School

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 10/31/2019 - 4:20pm

King School is a top-rated PreK to 12th grade private school that sits on a sprawling 34-acre campus in North Stamford.

Fairfield County’s King School has a big mission: to set better standards for both the experience and outcomes of education. And the top-rated PreK to 12th grade private school is working to embody that mission holistically at its 34-acre North Stamford campus complete with designated Lower School facilities, including visual and performing arts’ rooms, a gym and library, computer and science labs, a sustainable garden, age-appropriate playgrounds, and classrooms designed to encourage opportunities for small group work, student-led learning, and discovery.

I connected with Head of Lower School and elementary expert Amy Vorenberg to learn more about King School’s preschool and elementary programs, along with their other offerings, and to find out how interested families can start the application process.

Diversity and a New Head of School Make NYC's Metropolitan Montessori a Must-See

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 3:45pm

New Head of School, Racheal Adriko, joined Metropolitan Montessori School in July 2019.

Nestled on a quiet cozy street on the Upper West Side, Metropolitan Montessori School just might be the program you didn’t know you were looking for. Not only is it Manhattan’s only Montessori school for kids ages two years and eight months up to twelve years old, but it's dedicated to diversity in all its forms — from race and religion to family structure and sexuality — and it recently welcomed a new Head of School, Racheal Adriko, whose passion for education is contagious. If you're currently applying to preschool or private school in NYC, MMS's individualized learning approach, small class sizes, commitment to sustainability, and record for prepping grads for top-notch schools (Horace Mann, Riverdale, and Brearley have been the most popular since 2000) will also easily earn it a spot on your list.

As the mother of two New York City tots myself, I was looking forward to having an opportunity to connect with Racheal and hear more about Metropolitan Montessori School, and I found myself listening to her inspiring personal story with my mouth wide open. Read on to learn more about Racheal and everything MMS has to offer.

Family-Friendly Sukkot and Simchat Torah Services and Events Across Westchester

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 12:45pm

UJA strives to care for Jews and New Yorkers of all backgrounds. Photo courtesy of UJA.

These days, synagogue services aren't the only way for families to celebrate the Jewish holidays! From fall festivals complete with petting zoos, crafts, and sukkah decorating to meaningful volunteer opportunities for all ages, there are so many ways to mark this sacred time of year surrounding the High Holidays.

Together with UJA-Federation of New York, we've created a calendar to help connect families to services, programs, and free events across the Westchester area. Below, you'll find a number of kid-friendly opportunities to celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torrah 2019. Take a look at the complete calendar for Shabbat services, special yoga classes, and more.

Top Family-Friendly Spots on NYC’s Upper East Side

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 10:00am

Featuring New York's most iconic park, world-renowned museums, some of the city's most unique play spots, and eateries for all, the Upper East Side has easily earned its spot as a family favorite. Watch Avery, a Kids Access Press student reporter, take us on an action-packed video tour of the fun-filled neighborhood. Then read on below for more details about some of the area's best spots for kids.

Thanks to our sponsor 180 E 88th St for making this video possible. 180 E 88th is a luxury building in the heart of everything that makes NYC’s Upper East Side a perfect fit for families. Take a peek at the stunning full- and half-floor residences, complete with 14’+ ceilings and sweeping views of Central Park, plus the 8 floors of amenities, including a wine room, game room, indoor basketball court and soccer pitch, and a playroom conceptualized by the Children's Museum of the Arts.

How Obé's At-Home Fitness App Actually Helped Me Start Working Out

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 09/30/2019 - 10:17am

After welcoming my second baby, I wouldn't say I was feeling my best... A tough pregnancy had left me seriously out of shape, lifting my newborn and toddler was taking a major toll on my back, and let's just say the baby weight wasn't exactly "falling off." At 4-months-old, my little one was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy, which forced me to clean up my diet (no dairy or soy — yikes!), and it finally started to show on the scale. But when the ban was lifted 6 months later, cheese plates and pints of ice cream seemed like the obvious way to celebrate. It was right around then that I heard from obé, an at-home workout app and fitness program, and I figured it had to be a sign, right? I've never been much of a gym-goer, but their apartment-friendly signature 28-minute workouts required no equipment and looked manageable. I put down the mint chocolate chip and the heating pad and created an account.

Read on to find out how the obé fitness app actually got me working out, and why it seems like it was made for busy parents everywhere. Mommy Poppins readers can also snag their first month for just $1 with the code below.

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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