Activities

  • Learning to Swim at Goldfish Swim School

    This post is in partnership with Goldfish Swim School, as usual all opinions expressed are my own. 

    Goldfish Swim School

    So guess what the kids are doing this summer? They’re swimming, well learning to swim at Goldfish Swim School in Garden City. While I planned to do it before, life came up and this is my son’s first time taking swim classes while my daughter has been enrolled in classes (on and off) since she was two, she still doesn’t know how to swim although she really wants to learn so I thought it was time for a fresh start. Swimming is a life skill and after an experience that I am not emotionally able to blog about yet,  it’s really important to me that they both know learn how to swim well.

    Goldfish Swim School

    The kids had two swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School so far, the first day we got there in the midst of what felt like a monsoon. We got through the summer rain storm and was pleasantly greeted by the bright design of the school. They cater to kids 12 and under at this school and you can tell they went all out in designing it to make it a fun place where kids can feel comfortable. The kids were given key tags to swipe in at every visit which lets them know who their instructor will be as well as what lane they will be swimming in. This remained consistent for the two lessons so far which I am pleased with as they both liked their instructors from the first lesson and having the same instructor really helps them to feel more comfortable. We got a short tour of the school, there are individual changing rooms which I really like and makes life a bit easier when you have kids of different genders as I do.  There is also a beauty station with blow dryers, swim suit dryers and tons of storage for the kids stuff.

     

    Goldfish Swim School

    My son was surprisingly very confident from his very first class, apparently he’s a natural goldfish. The student/instructor ratio at Goldfish Swim School is 4:1 which I love but my son’s class is only 2:1. With only two kids, his instructor is able to give him ample attention and I think that’s why he felt so confident from his first class. As I watch from the parent gallery, I can tell that he listens attentively to instructions from his instructor and is doing his very best. So far, she’s given some feedback that he needs to work on his hand movement but besides that doing well.

    Goldfish Swim School

    Goldfish Swim School

    My daughter isn’t as comfortable in the water and I can tell that her instructor is doing a really great job at building up her confidence. She cheers her on when she is brave and encourages her to try even when she’s a little scared. I’m excited for my girl as her swim classes  in the past were always about twice this size and I really believe the extra attention will help her.

    Goldfish Swim School

    Goldfish Swim School offers Family Swim program so we plan to take advantage of it since it’s inexpensive to take the kids regularly to build their confidence in the water.  Usually, I would pass but with the pool at 90 degrees year round, I am excited to support them.

    Goldfish Swim School

    Anyway, that’s our experience so far, I will be sure to give you more updates as the kids take more lessons. Also, I’ve been sharing some video clips of them in the pool in my Instagram Stories so be sure to follow me there.

    Are your kids taking swimming lessons?

  • This Summer We’re Streaming Netflix Interactive Stories

    The countdown to summer break is truly in session now! I just got back from my daughter’s honors ceremony and there are only two more days before my kids are both officially on vacation! I’m excited but I also want to ensure that I have things in place to ensure that they’re stimulated during the summer. As usual, we’re going to do some traveling and exploring our fascinating hometown, New York City but I’m concerned about the downtimes, the moments when they just need to play and have free time.

    Puss in books

    That’s where our good friends at Netflix comes into play (pun intended). A few weekends ago, my kids had the pleasure to test out the new Netflix Interactive Stories at a fun event in Brooklyn. The interactive stories give them the power to direct as they go. My daughter was immediately sold when she got her hands on one of the iPads at the event and played around with Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale. She loved having the power of making the choice of what should happen next, flexing her imagination and creativity.

     

    Streaming Netflix Interactive Stories

     

    While we traveled last week, she asked over and over if I could get it for her and I had to remind her that it wasn’t yet available so I’m excited that it is now, not just for my girl but for all our kids. This will definitely be a game changer for the summer, an introduction into a fun and modern way of storytelling perfect for our children’s generation.  Besides not having access to it, she was bubbling over to tell her friends which she’s really happy she can do now.

     

    Netflix Puss in Books

    Besides Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, another book Buddy Thunderstruck will also be available soon.

    Streaming Netflix Interactive Stories

     

    What do you think about Netflix’s Interactive Stories?

     

    I am a member of Netflix’s Stream Team. However, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

  • Win A Free Netflix Membership For One Month | Giveaway

    Yay! It’s Friday and my favorite thing to do to celebrate the start of the weekend is curl up and watch Netflix. I have to admit that I love to binge so I’m basically always looking for a good new show to binge. This weekend, after my daughter’s violin concert and working,  I plan to binge watch the new Netflix original series Anne with an E which is based on the book Anne of Green Gables. Now, I don’t want to brag too much about watching this series especially if you’ve read the book (which I plan to read this summer) without giving you the chance to watch it too.  That’s why I’ve partnered with the Netflix stream team to offer you a free Netflix membership for one month. This is perfect if you don’t have a Netflix account but you can still enter if you do and get an additional month added to your membership.

    kindred spirits

    Of course, that’s not all! The winner of this giveaway will also receive a tote-full of Green Gables inspired goodies from Netflix including the book and a pretty journal.

    Netflix Membership Giveaway.jpp

    Enter giveaway in the widget below! 

    This giveaway is in partnership with Netflix Streamteam. Good Luck!

     

     

    a Rafflecopter giveaway