I Have a Baby and Ten Dollars... Now What?

photo by Flickr user PharCyder

The Back to School Edition!

Going back to school got your kids feeling a little... caged? Check out the Escape! Tour in Fairmount's Eastern State Penitentiary. Running at 11:25 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, this "supplementary" tour (it's an extra freebie with the price of general admission) guides your through three different exciting escapes in detail. Illustrating how the break outs actually changed the prison over time, this tour is a great way to get kids excited about history—but be warned: the Penitentiary is preserved, not restored, meaning there are crumbly bits and fairly unsteady footing at points. Admittance isn't granted for children under the age of seven for safety reasons. Tickets for adults will run you 12 bucks a head (but there's a coupon on the website that'll knock down the price) and children get in for eight. For more information on other tours, directions to the penitentiary via public transportation, or any other questions you may have, visit the website or call 215-236-5111.

A while ago, I threw a spotlight on a "Kids Eat Free" special at the South Philly Bar and Grill and it seems that someone thought it was a good idea. Earlier this week, Phillyist received an email letting us know that the Kids Eat For website is up and running along with an iPhone application for those times you're trapped in the car and the kids NEED TO EAT or they'll start sucking on those markers that smell like fruit. Paring local joints (like Kildares!) along with bigger chains (Lonestar Steak House, Denny's, etc...) this site surpasses any I've tried to search on before. Once you enter in your zip code, you're set! It pulls up restaurants, gives you the address, and provides a Google based map with each location highlighted by a marker. I'm afraid to say that I can't comment on the iPhone application as I don't have an iPhone, but if its anything like the site, I'm sure its comprehensive and easy to use.

Have a baby not quite ready to snarf down chicken fingers or Moons Over My Hammy? Ali's Wagon is sponsoring a free "Healthy Start for a Happy Baby" seminar on Saturday, September 12th at 11:00a.m. Appropriate for children up to 15 months, Trina O'Boyle, in conjunction with Happy Family, an organic food company specializing in baby/children's food, will be presenting a lecture on the benefits of organic foods and, even better, how to make healthy foods and tasty options. There will be open demonstrations on how to prepare a variety of easy to make recipes, as well as take home lists, recipes, coupons, and samples of HappyFamily products.

Looking at school buses making you want to take a class yourself? Check out the Mommy and Me yoga class at Studio 34. Starting today, Studio 34 is offering an hour long class designed for new moms and their babies (five weeks to a little past crawling) for just ten bucks. No need to pre-enroll, just come with an open heart and your little one in tow. This is an incredible deal because unlike some other yoga studios here in Philadelphia that sell the classes as a bundle and price them close to 18 bucks apiece, 34 uses a "pay as you go" method. This means you don't have to worry about missing a class because you're tired or dragging a cranky, teething baby out into the world because you didn't pay two hundred bucks to sit at home. Moms are encouraged to bring a blanket (or baby care seat) for a play space beside you as you enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with your body. Class will also feature a soothing Savasana (the meditation part) and a short relaxing massage at the end of each class.

So that about wraps it up for me this week. Enjoy the beginning the light sweater weather, and remember, if you have any tips, praises, or gripes, email me at amym@phillyist! Help a mother out.