By Tricia Berwick

You have every book and magazine article on what to expect when your new baby arrives. A few relatives have provided some valuable words of wisdom regarding newborn care, too. However, you’re still very apprehensive about how you’re actually going to deliver this new life and what will really happen when your bundle of joy enters the world. Your questions are endless: How am I going to survive the birthing process? What are my options to help with the pain? Will I be able to successfully feed my baby? When is it reasonable for a baby to sleep through the night? What happens if my baby gets sick? Will I know how to soothe and console my crying infant? How will I be able to take care of baby and still do the laundry, cook dinner, and have a little time for myself? Will my husband and I ever be able to go out again?

If you would like these questions and others discussed and answered by someone who has years of experience with infants, sign up for Sung Star Academy’s newest program called, “Baby Basic Classes for Expecting Parents.” Kellie Schmitt, a registered nurse at Sung Star Academy in Toms River, will conduct the four-week session which begins on June 22. The brand-new class is geared for first-time moms and dads who are looking for some valuable information during this exciting time of parenthood. The classes are not formal, so expectant moms can come dressed in comfortable clothes or bring whatever else they may need (such as a support pillow) to make the class a more enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Schmitt hopes to educate new parents during this program by showing them real-life techniques and strategies about caring for infants.
“Being a new parent is a very overwhelming experience,” says Schmitt. “You read all about it in a book, but you don’t know what to expect when it’s your own child; you feel helpless. Knowing as much as you can to help you and your child is beneficial.”

The first class, titled, “The Birthing Experience” will provide useful information about the labor and delivery process, including what to expect if a caesarian-section is required. Options for pain management will also be discussed. Questions will be answered regarding who is allowed in the delivery room, the father’s role and what is expected of him as his wife’s labor coach, and the recovery process after the birth. During this two-hour class, Schmitt will show a film called, “The Stages of Labor” to give both parents an idea of what exactly will take place in the delivery room.

The second class, called “Bringing Home Baby” will help parents learn about proper newborn care. Even with years training, Schmitt says everything changes when it’s your own child and you’re alone with an inconsolable, crying infant.

“I’m an experienced nurse, but when I first brought home my baby, I didn’t know the difference between a hunger cry or a cry that meant the baby was in pain,” says Schmitt. “It’s very scary and overwhelming at the beginning and this class will help parents learn how to care for their newborn. Some fathers have never even held a baby, so this is good, hands-on practice so they can be prepared. We’ll also discuss how to properly diaper and swaddle a baby, crib safety, and which products to buy.”

In the third class, Schmitt will discuss how to bond with baby and the importance of developing a strong and reliable support system of caregivers. The first few weeks and months can be extremely overwhelming, so it’s important for parents to enlist the help of loved ones whom they trust to help out whenever needed. For example, maybe a grandparent or caregiver can take care of baby while mom or dad takes a much needed nap. Or maybe someone could go shopping or run a few errands for the family. It’s critical for the parents to receive assistance during this period of adjustment. Schmitt will also discuss how to combat the “baby blues” which many new moms experience during the first few weeks of parenthood. In addition, survival strategies will be discussed such as sleeping when the baby sleeps or making easy, stress-free dinners in the crock pot. The main goals of this class are to make the parents’ lives easier by devising coping mechanisms and developing a loving and trustworthy support system of caregivers.

The last class will discuss when it’s necessary to contact the doctor with medical concerns and issues. Schmitt will go over the symptoms of reflux, which affects many newborns and how to help infants overcome colic.

“Acid Reflux is a common problem with babies,” says Schmitt. “We will go over what parents can do to help their babies to relieve some of the symptoms such as elevating the crib or keeping baby upright for thirty minutes after a feeding.”

However, even with all of the ideas and tips to help make baby feel better, Schmitt will tell parents that they should always feel comfortable to call the child’s pediatrician with any concerns or questions.

“I always tell parents not to hesitate to call the doctor, even if it’s in the middle of the night,” says Schmitt. “That’s what they are there for. Parents should never feel embarrassed about calling the doctor.”

At the end of the four-week program, parents will receive a basket of baby goodies to use upon baby’s arrival. Also, if a family decides to register a child for any of Sung Star Academy’s future classes, the school will automatically waive the registration fee. If this program sounds like something you and your spouse would find beneficial, contact the school at 732-341-7500, or visit sungstaracademy.com for more information.

By Jennifer Enright

Focus on
the Family
The Durrua Family

It’s all about the great outdoors for the Durrua family. Parents John and Jenn both spent their childhoods outside and on the water. Jenn’s family was very involved in sailing and John’s father, Walt, was so taken with water sports that he founded Brick’s own Jersey Paddler store out of the back of his Sunoco gas station in the 1980’s. When the old Laurelton Circle was re-designed as a five-way intersection in 1991, Walt took the opportunity to build the charming building that now houses the store on the old Sunoco site. Although Walt officially retired ten years ago, he’s still a daily fixture in the store, while John runs the family business. Jenn works as a speech therapist. The Durrua children, eight-year-old twins Megan and Kate and big brother, Adam, 12, are following in their parents’ footsteps, spending much of their time in outdoor adventures. John and Jenn have recently divorced, but their commitment to raising the children with plenty of outside time has remained unchanged. “We strive as parents to do what is best for the kids with academics and activities,” notes Jenn. “We work amicably to address issues – we really have each other’s backs,” she continues. “We want the kids to have full and balanced lives, with two loving parents,” John adds. Talking with both parents, it’s imminently clear that they are dedicated to providing the kids with lots of opportunities to participate in the activities they themselves love so much.

When describing the children, a theme becomes apparent. Jenn and John both consider all three kids outgoing and adventurous. “I always think of Adam as ‘comfortable in his own skin’,” says Jenn. John brings Adam along to the consumer show for paddle sport enthusiasts in Somerset, NJ, he attends as a vendor each year, where Adam greets, and charms, customers. “I’ve been told he’s getting a great education in business, starting so young,” John proudly states. Adam will also be an ambassador at a youth summit commissioned by an outdoor industry group in Central Park, NY, later this year. Jenn observes that Megan and Kate do not follow the common twin pattern of displaying opposite personalities, instead calling them “pretty equal in nature,” although John says Kate is a tad more “girly-girl”, while Megan is a bit of a “jokester.”

The children’s activities are varied. All enjoy sailing and paddling, and as members of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club, they spend lots of time swimming and sailing regattas during the summer months. They enjoy camping at Round Valley and hiking at Hartshorne Park in Navesink. With John, they’re likely to spend a day waterfall hunting in Pennsylvania’s Dingmans Ferry or biking at Sandy Hook or along the Delaware River in New Hope, PA. Winter finds them skiing on nearby mountain trails, and ice skating at the Wall Skating Rink. For a treat, Jenn and the kids will board the train in Point Pleasant Beach and head to the Red Bank Armory for ice skating. The girls took part in the Point Pleasant Education Foundation triathlon last fall and solo kayaked some Class I rapids for the first time. John and Adam recently completed New York’s Five Borough Bike Tour, a 42-mile adventure! Megan and Kate also take gymnastics at Devlin in Wall. “They all participate in these non-traditional sports – it just works for us,” Jenn declares. “The kids want to try lots of things and I love that they are so well-rounded and engaged in what I think of as life-time activities. They are not ‘TV’ kids – they’d rather be outside, even in the winter. Sometimes I’ll be trying to get something done, and I’ll tell them to go watch television for a change,” she adds with a laugh.

Jenn explains that while the family avoids the local tourist traps in the summer, they love to take advantage of them during the off-season. They enjoy spending cold winter days in the boardwalk arcades or biking around town. A leisurely afternoon spent painting pottery at Git Fired Up in Point Beach is always a hit. Jenn and the kids usually prepare hearty meals at home, but on particularly hectic days, Surf Taco and Point Pleasant’s Hickory Hog are favorite spots for a quick dinner, and Jenn shares the secret of great take-out food available at the Point Lobster Company in Point Beach. For dessert, they often hit Hoffman’s Ice Cream or the Lighthouse Italian Ice, both in Point Beach. When staying with John at his new home in Brick, the family usually cooks at home, often grilling a backyard barbecue.

Each summer, the kids and Jenn join her parents for their annual summer trip on their 36-foot sailboat. Last year, they ventured to Block Island, Rhode Island, with plans to sail to Mystic, Connecticut, this summer. John was thrilled to take Adam on a business trip to the Bell Canoe Factory in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, last year, where they were able to test canoes on the lake. They both like to take day trips with the kids, as well. “We’re all stressed for time, and I look for little windows of opportunity to do things with the kids,” says John.

When she gets a bit of kid-free time, Jenn enjoys sailing, sometimes taking part in a local regatta. John grabs a canoe or kayak for some solo paddling time, when he’s not busy at work or with the kids. But both enjoy the same activities with the kids, so that’s often how they choose to spend their time.

As for utilizing Your Child Today’s advertisers, Jenn quickly exclaims her loyalty to Pied Piper Swim School. “All three kids went there for lessons – I absolutely swear by them,” she remarks. “They are so wonderful, they have such patience and skills understanding children. They have quite a method and can overcome a child’s fears by being consistent. I believe it’s so important for kids to be good swimmers, especially living here,” she adds.

John’s parenting advice can be summed up in three words – “never show fear”, he jokingly says. Clarifying, he remarks that raising children has been an adventure unto itself. He loves spending time with his kids, although he notes that there is no such thing as a typical day when they are all together.

For Jenn, it’s important that the kids stay active, but she doesn’t want them to feel pressure to commit to one sport or activity just yet. “A lot of activities push kids to invest so much time that there’s none left over for other things. Unless and until they tell me they’re ready to make one sole thing their focus, I want them to do lots of things. I think it makes them feel successful, to have so many different skills.”

But she’s a bit sentimental about the idea that her children’s passion for outdoor activities can be traced back to their grandparents. “It’s really neat that John’s family passed down the traditions of canoeing and camping, and my family passed down a love of sailing – what a perfect match!”

June 4
Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grand Central Ave. (Route 35 north). Shows start at 6 pm. A Broadway cabaret comes with the sundae. Information: 732-854-2779 – www.njmusicman.com – LAVALLETTE

Scouting Night, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. 5 pm – 11 pm. 2-for-1 Admission to the Fun House, Cast-a-way Cove and Aquarium. Family Happy Hour Specials & $5 off the wristband in Amusement Park. All Offers Available with Participation in Each Week’s Themed Organization, bring your sash/shirt/vest. Information: 732-892-0600 or www.jenkinsons.com
- POINT PLEASANT BEACH

June 5
Bay Head’s Town-Wide Garage Sale. Rain date June 6th. Information: www.bayheadnj.org/bhnj – BAY HEAD

Trail Exploration Day, Forest Resource Education Center, 370 E. Veterans Highway. 10 am – 2 pm. Includes one hour guided hikes, arboretum, sensory awareness, forest discovery, swamp life, bluebird trail, forest products.irewise trail and changing forest hike, free Information: www.njforestrycenter.org – JACKSON

One Fish, Two Fish: World Ocean Day, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. All day. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of fun in the sea with Dr. Seuss and learn how to ensure the health of our oceans. Included with general admission. Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com
- POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Toms River Founders Day, downtown, Washington St. Parade start at 11 am. Festival ends at 4:30 pm. Annual event is moving from an early to mid-morning opening. Event will be highlighted with an encampment featuring the Second Brigade of New Jersey Civil War reenactors, and celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the election of Abraham Lincoln with a street fair and beer garden and bands through the afternoon. Raindate June 9. Information: 732-341-1000,
732-349-0220 – TOMS RIVER

June 6
Let Your Spirits Soar – Preview for 2nd Annual International Film Festival, Daddy O, Long Beach Blvd. 6:30 pm – 9 pm. Cost includes food, wine and door prizes. Information: 609-361-1668, 609-494-7211 or www.LighthousefilmFestival.org – BRANT BEACH/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Open House and Half Hour Sailing Adventure, Nelson Sailing Center, 12 Lake Dr. 11 am – 3:30 pm. In conjunction with the Barnegat Bay Festival, Nelson Sailing Center will host an Open House featuring a half hour Sailing Adventures (the “green” way of boating) $. Free shuttle connects festival with sailing dock. Information: 732-270-6510 or www.nelsonsailingcenter.com
- ISLAND HEIGHTS

Lighthouse International Film Festival, VariousTimes/Locations. Dedicated to showcasing new and innovative films and fostering the next generation of filmmakers. Films, panels, Q&A’s, networking, parties and surfing, drawing film critics, producers and distributors. $ Information and schedule: 609-494-7211 or lighthousefilmfestival.org
- LONG BEACH ISLAND

June 8
Bed & Breakfast Tours, The Sand Castle, 710 Bayview Ave & Minerva’s, 13 W. 7th St. Noon – 1 pm. B & B tours. Information: 609-361-CONE or www.barnegatlight.org – BARNEGAT LIGHT

June 9
Celebrate Jersey Fresh Fruits: Strawberries, Toms River Farmers Market, Huddy Park, on Water Street. 11 am – 5 pm. Rain or shine. 1st Wednesday of each month from June 9 – October 27. Enter to win a basket of Jersey Fresh produce! Farmers & vendors will feature the fruit of the month. Demonstrations & sampling by Downtown restaurants and businesses. Information: 732-341-8738 or www.downtowntomsriver.com
- TOMS RIVER

Cruisin’ Downtown 2010, downtown Toms River, Washington St. 6-9 pm. Live Bands & Entertainment, street vendors, contests along with classic cars & motorcycles. Information: 732-341-8738 orwww.address.com – TOMS RIVER

June 11
Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grand Central Ave. (Route 35 north). Shows start at 6 pm. A Broadway cabaret comes with the sundae. Information: 732-854-2779 – www.njmusicman.com – LAVALLETTE

Teacher & School Administration and Staff Appreciation Night, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. 5 pm – 11 pm. 2-for-1 Admission to the Fun House, Cast-a-way Cove and Aquarium. Family Happy Hour Specials & $5 off the wristband in Amusement Park. All Offers Available with Participation in Each Week’s Themed Organization, bring your ID or proof of employment. Information: 732-892-0600 or www.jenkinsons.com
- POINT PLEASANT BEACH

June 12

LBIFest, Bayview Park & Long Beach Township Complex, 6805 Long Beach Blvd. 11 am – 6 pm. Free family fun in support of Re-Clam the Bay, local food, merchants, beer, music, local art, fun and games. Information: 609-494-3555 or www.LBIfest.com – BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

ONE-DAY Boating Safety Certificate Course, SOCH Ocean Club/Family Resource Center, 700 South Route 9. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Course stresses safe boating practice and boating rules. As of June 1, 2009, NJ Law requires all boaters 16 and older obtain a Boating Safety Certificate. Information or pre-registration: 609-597-4876 or 609-597-1295 – MANAHAWKIN

June 15
Free Wellness Moms America meeting,
All moms are invited including new and expecting moms, and moms interested in maximizing their kids immune and brain function. Great topics and networking. Next meeting is Tuesday,
June 15th 7:00pm at 3201 Bridge Ave. Point Pleasant. For more information call 732-295-0707 or email drswarner@aol.com

June 18
“A” on your Report Card, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. 5 pm – 11 pm. 2-for-1 Admission to the Fun House, Cast-a-way Cove and Aquarium. Family Happy Hour Specials & $5 off the wristband in Amusement Park. All Offers Available with Participation in Each Week’s Themed Organization, bring any report card from the 2009-2010 school year with an A on it. Information: 732-892-0600 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

June 19
Look Who’s Cooking, Christ Episcopal Church, Washington Street. 6:00 – 8:00 pm. This event features more than 50 Men of Distinction who will offer up their culinary specialties for an evening of tasting, elegance, and good will. Door Prizes, 50/50 Cash Raffle. Fundraiser for the Family Planning Center of Ocean County. Cost includes complimentary Wine and Beer. Information: 732-364-9696 or 609-242-6927 – TOMS RIVER
Behind the Scenes Tours, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 9:30 am – 11 am. Discover what goes on behind the scenes at their aquarium while you tour the building front top to bottom. Sneakers required. Pre-register. Ages 5 and up. $ Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

18th Annual Baymen’s Seafood Music Festival, Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St., Rt. 9. 11 am – 5 pm. Enjoy delicious Jersey fresh clams, crabs, scallops and shrimp from the finest local seafood purveyors while listening to Shorty Long and The Jersey Horns. Speak with commercial fishermen to learn about occupations on the bay or take a clam shucking class. Crafters, vendors, music, food, refreshments, family activities, demonstrations, boat rides. New for 2010… Mermaid and King Neptune contests! So bring the family and plan to spend the whole day. $ Information: 609-296-8868 or www.tuckertonseaport.org – TUCKERTON

June 20
Outdoor Concerts 2010: Festive Flutes, The Amphitheater, Drum Point School, Drum Point Rd. 7 pm. Free. Information: 732-262-1044 – BRICK

Fathers Day, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. All Day. Dads free with paid child admission. Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com – POINT PLEASANT BEACH

June 24
HANNAH BANANA, game show edition, Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grand Central Ave. (Route 35 north). 5 pm. Featuring songs from Hannah Montana. When you purchase sundae the show is FREE. Reservations Required. Information: 732-854-2779 or www.njmusicman.com – LAVALLETTE

June 26
Concert: Rock N’ on the River, Huddy Park, Water St. 5 pm – 9 pm. Summer concert presented by The Music Academy. Information: 732-341-8738 or www.downtowntomsriver.com
- TOMS RIVER

June 27
A Taste of the Island Porch Party, Long Beach Island Historical Museum, Engleside & Beach Aves. 5 – 7 pm. Cost includes appetizers from Island Restaurants & wine. $ Information: 609-492-0700 or www.lbimuseum.org – BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Children’s Theatre: The Princess and the Pea, Surflight Theatre, Engleside & Beach. 6:00 p.m. $ Information: 609-492-9477 or www.surflight.org – BEACH HAVEN/LONG BEACH ISLAND

Twelfth Annual Pine Beach 5k Run and 1-Mile Riverside Run, Vista Park, Riverside Dr. 1-mile run starts at 8:15 am, 5k Race starts at 9 am. Cash prizes. Proceeds from the Pine Beach 5K will benefit local charities. Information: 732-349-6425 or www.pinebeachborough.us
- PINE BEACH

June 29
Dissection Workshop, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Boardwalk & Parkway. 9:30 am – 11 am. Get your hands dirty dissecting a fish and squid and learn the differences between the two animals. Ages 12 and up. $ Information: 732-899-1659 or www.jenkinsons.com
- POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Looking for a fun and creative place to have your child’s next birthday party, well color me mine is just that place. We have a large variety pieces to choose from that we know your children will love. Birthday parties are up to 2 hours long.

The children paint for the first hour and then during their second hour they eat and open presents. It is $18.00 a child and the children can pick any item up to $12.00. The birthday child also gets a plate that his/her friends sign that day, and that comes in the party package free of charge. The birthday child must be 5 yrs or older. This is a fun party that every child should experience. And of course every child will have there piece of ceramic that will remind them of there event they attended.. Book your child’s next party today! All children have a creative side waiting to be seen.

We were rated readers choice 2009 one of the best of ocean county place for a childrens birthdy party for the Asbury Park Press….
732-864-9300 ∙•1877 Hooper Ave ∙ Toms River

Sparkle diva studios, the ultimate beauty birthday studio. Let your Birthday Diva experience pampering from head to toe, at the only exclusive mommy and me day spa and salon. At SDS we treat your little diva like the rock star or glamour girl she is! You will know the minute you enter our sparkling studio that you and your guests are in for the beauty experience of your lives. With many party packages to choose from, your diva can have pedi’s, mani’s, eye kandy, sparkle hair service and our NEW private sparkle facials. All of our party packages include: invites, thank you’s, beauty goodie bags, the pink carpet, our SDS Dazzle toast, Music, balloons, a full staff including a party host, as well as fun games and dancing! If you would like to pump up your party we have just the thing. Nothing screams rock star or glamour girl like the birthday girls own private white stretch limo pulling up for her and her crew to roll to the studio in! Another great service is our Wish List Registry. With our wish list the birthday girl can come to the studio and check out all of the hottest gifts any diva would love. She then creates her own private gift registry, that only her BFF’s can see and choose the perfect gift from. Now how’s that for Rock Royalty! One last thing, depending on the time of day we have many different food options. However no matter what time your party is, our Candy Butler Service is always a hit. Your party host will indulge your guests with silver trays of everyone’s favorite sweet treats, she will then finish her service off with the fluffiest pink cotton candy ever…. YUMMY! Visit our website today and book your little diva a beauty birthday experience she will never forget. www.sparkledivastudios.com
732-206-1100

Having a birthday this year? Of course you are, so why not book your next party at Shore Ballet School! With their amazing ideas they can personalize your theme and bring your vision to life. A dance class is great entertainment and gives your guests a chance to be involved, even if they have had no formal dance experience.   The director of the school, Chrissy Starr, does all the great party planning herself with that personal touch you can only receive from a homemade business. When her daughter and son came along, she started using the space for their parties, and that sparked her inspiration to start her popular “dance” birthdays. Partygoers adore Ms. Starr’s enthusiasm, and she has fun with the kids and loves introducing the true fundamentals of dance. Ms. Starr is a certified dance instructor. Her teacher training began in London, England when she attended and graduated from the prestigious Royal Ballet School.  It was there that she learned how to work with children of all ages and train students to dance in a safe age-appropriate manner.  Upon retuning to the U.S. she continued her studies obtaining more teaching certifications while still performing in ballets and musical theater productions. The party package includes set up of tables, chairs and goodie bags. It also includes clean up which is a big plus for busy parents! The party itself starts with a 30-minute class of your choosing: Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro or Broadway. For boys popular themes include Pirates and Rock-n-Roll. For girls, Disney Princesses and Ballerinas are top picks. After dancing, eating cake and singing “Happy Birthday” kids have more time for musical games and piñatas. Wanna dress up at your party? Of course, dress up is the rage! All costumes are encouraged and they enhance the mood of the party for everyone. Shore Ballet can even personalize a co-ed dance party for boys and girls. Together brothers, sisters, friends and cousins can have fanciful themes such as princesses & knights, Idol Pop Stars, and countless others.   The historic Shore Ballet building is a renovated church that is spacious and can accommodate up to 80 guests. They even host weddings and showers in their 56×30 foot hall that’s amazingly open with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. The school is easy to find and just minutes off Rt.37 East in Toms River. Chrissy Starr is proud to proclaim her school is not a franchise, but a family owned local business that has been in the Toms River area for 32 years. Her growing curriculum and party ideas are all original and her customers love that personal creativity. Her dance parties are just another way of inviting kids and parents into the world of theater and dance. For Ms. Starr, owning the school is not just a job, but a passion. She loves her vocation, and since starting the parties she has had the opportunity to celebrate special moments with numerous families!

By Tricia Berwick

These days, it seems like there are more party ideas for birthdays than ever before. With so many resources to choose from, it’s easy for moms to get overwhelmed in the planning process. However, selecting the right option for your child’s next birthday fiesta doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Before any preparations are made, decide if you would like to host the celebration at home or invite guests to your child’s favorite party place. Once this decision has been determined, the other details will automatically fall into place.

First, it’s best to figure out how many children will attend the party. If the birthday boy wants to have fun with his entire class and neighborhood friends, think about whether or not your home is large enough to comfortably accommodate this type of guest list. Even with a long list of family members and friends, Neptune mother of three, Aimee Lomerson decided to have her twin sons’ birthday party at home last year.

Check out more places to have your child’s birthday party.

“When trying to find a place to have a party, we always need to look into something that caters to a wide range of ages and can be suitable for boys and girls, since we have a lot of cousins within a few years of each other,” says Lomerson. “There are a few places that do this, like McDonald’s or indoor jungle gym places. But, once you have attended several parties at each of these places it becomes boring. And it’s very expensive. So for my boys’ fourth birthday we decided to have an at-home party. We didn’t have $350 to spend on a birthday party and we felt like the old-school home party is actually something new and exciting to many kids. Having it in a place has its perks – they usually do everything and all you have to do is send invitations and show up. That is great! But sometimes having fun with a theme and needing to be creative is also great.”

Once the Lomerson family decided to throw a home party, they created a plan to keep the kids busy and entertained. Having organized activities keeps the party flowing smoothly, the kids out of trouble, and the sanity of the parents maintained. To reduce her level of stress, Lomerson kept the menu simple so she could channel her energy and concentration into entertaining the children, which was her top priority.

“We knew that we would have a packed house and that we needed to care for adults as well as kids,” says Lomerson. “So we kept it simple with the food. We served a sandwich platter for adults and had kid-friendly foods that matched our combination Wiggles and Spider-Man themes, like ‘Dorothy the Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets,’ and ‘Spider-Man Macaroni and Cheese.’ After the kids ate, we had arts and crafts projects set up on a big table and then played ‘Wiggles Freeze Dance’ and ‘Pin the Web on Spider-Man’ using a Spider-Man poster and webs that I printed from the computer.”

If you have the time to plan activities and can accommodate the guests in your house, home parties can be very rewarding and meaningful for your child. All it takes is a little creativity and preparation ahead of time.

“A person can have lots of fun creating an at-home party,” says Lomerson. “The ideas you can find on the Internet are endless. And if you can afford to spend a little more, there are all types of fun parties to have in your home – carnival themes, a petting zoo and pony rides. I think that switching it up each year keeps it exciting.”

Another advantage to having an at-home party is that the schedule of younger siblings does not need to be affected. Whenever it is one of her older girls’ birthdays, Brick mother of four, Penny Chandler always chooses this option because it works better for her little ones.

“A big advantage to having a party at home is that babies can nap in their own cribs and they’re not off of their schedules,” says Chandler. “Also, at home you don’t have to worry about any of them slipping off with someone else. You know all of the kids are safely inside your house. Plus, the party can last as long as you want and you’re not restricted to how many children can be invited. The more the merrier!”

Of course, all of this sounds gre

at, but the important thing to realize is that after the party is over, all of the mess needs to be cleaned up—by you! This factor alone is the main reason Howell mother of three, Tracy Hill has all of her parties outside of the house.

“When my sons were younger, it was nice to have parties at home, because we mainly had family over,” says Hill. “But now that the twins just turned five and my younger son is three, I prefer having it somewhere where they can run around, play with their friends and I can simply enjoy watching them laugh and have fun and not worrying about cleaning up the house. Having three boys means finding a place that fits their high energy levels and lets them feel special playing somewhere new. We are home every day so having a birthday party at the house seems like the same old routine. Plus, having it outside the house usually means a meal, the cake, and goody bags may be included. That’s one less thing for mom to worry about! The kids seem to really enjoy being at a birthday party and playing with new things and taking part in different activities.

If you decide that having the party out is your best bet, look into hosting the celebration at a park, family fun center or restaurant. If you’re not sure of what may be a hit with the kiddies, ask friends and family members for ideas about which places deserve a call and which ones you should seriously avoid. Most birthday party establishments offer discounts for weekday events,

so it might be worth it to plan the party on a Tuesday and save a few dollars. The beauty of having the party out is that other people will take care of the activities and food, but you should still be able to infuse some of your child’s theme into the event.

So, grab your calendar, pick a date and begin the planning process. Remember to include your children in the party details, too. Who knows? Your child could surprise you altogether and choose not to have a party—either at home or at a favorite place.

“This year we skipped a party all together and gave the kids the option to go to Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania instead,” says Lomerson. “They were thrilled! Variety is the spice of life!”

I Must Be Doing Something Wrong

I was driving my seven year old to school one early morning in May and we were having a conversation about his interests. He had one interest above all others at the present time. He had been bitten by an addictive phenomenon. Yes, silly bands were here and my son just had to have more. He already had about 100 silly bands, but this did not quench his desire. There were several key ones that were missing from his prized collection and he needed to purchase more. I thought to myself that this would be a perfect opportunity to teach him the value of money. He had his own money from the tooth fairy, gifts from relatives and his past birthday parties. He probably has over a hundred dollars in savings. I said, “Dak if you really want to purchase those silly bands then you will have to use money from your savings.” I thought it was the perfect plan to put his commitment of months of savings against this immediate desire to have rubber bands with strange shapes around his wrist. “No”, he said. My plan was working. He was learning the value of money and how to wait for things that he really wants. Then he says in a very calm and rational voice, “What I can do is save the extra money that I have left over from ice cream that I eat every day at school.” I said, “what do you mean?” He said “well, every day you or mom give me a dollar for ice cream and the ice cream only costs 75 cents, so every day that I eat an ice cream I make 25 cents extra. I can take that money and save it for the silly bands.” All of a sudden I felt like my intended lesson has completely backfired. I will make sure from now on to give my son three quarters every day for his ice cream and no more.

I Must Be Doing Something Wrong

We shot at Forge Pond just off Rt. 70 in Brick this month featuring Jersey Paddlers’ very own kids Adam, Megan & Katie. It wasn’t the warmest day, and they were good sports about wearing summer clothing for the shoot. The biggest challenge was to get them all together in their kayaks so we could fit the image on the cover! They were very good paddlers though.

Well, believe it or not, the summer is upon us! School will be out soon and now I get to do what I love most – family portraits on the BEACH! My calendar is already buzzing so don’t delay in calling to book something. The best time is in June and July to avoid the crazy rush in late summer and early fall.

Think about getting the whole extended family together this year… from babies to grandparents. I do many large groups like this and along with the group shots, you can get your own family done at the same time. This is a great gift for parents or grandparents wedding anniversaries and birthdays!

My job is social, fun, artistic, creative, challenging and rewarding. It’s wonderful to be able to do what you love and have others love what you do! Take time from your busy lives this summer to celebrate the love of family in portraiture. Preserve those memories for a lifetime and call Sue’s Point of View to capture timeless memories that you can cherish forever. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Sue Gerard
Sue’s Point of View
Children & Family Portraits
www.suespointofview.com
732-899-3049

After enjoying an exciting inaugural season, Jersey Shore Pirates is back for another summer of fun and adventure along the Metedeconk River. The Sea Gypsy 2, which sails from Riverfront Marina, on Princeton Avenue in Brick, is ready to engage and captivate your children as they search for treasure.

Owners Rob “Captain Scurvy” Corring and his wife Jessica, have prior experience with boating and buccaneers and have created a true-to-life pirate ship adventure. Families across the New Jersey Shore area are enjoying this unique form of family entertainment.

“The public has had a tremendous response to our Pirate Adventures,” says Rob Corring. “Last year we had a rough start with the inclement weather early in the season but as soon as the weather improved, we really started to see the “word-of-mouth” advertising that is so important to us. Friends told other friends and mothers who sailed with their families returned for birthday parties. It was really great to see the return Pirates. We had some mates sail with us three and four times throughout the season. Our crew puts their heart and soul into every trip and we believe it really shows when you see families coming back for another sail.”

“Captain Scurvy,” is part of the energetic and enthusiastic crew, along with 18-year-old Christopher Hendershot, otherwise known onboard as “Pirate Smee.” While on board, both men lead kids on an interactive treasure hunt and teach the little sailors how to properly read a treasure map. Before they set sail, the kids always listen to a few rules about water safety, which is of utmost importance to the Jersey Shore Pirates staff. The kids will then hoist the ship’s flag and begin their journey. Together, the kids on the ship will work as a team to defeat “Pirate Pete,” who has stolen the keys to their treasure. They will collectively use the ship’s water cannons to defeat the enemy and secure the treasure! At the conclusion of the ride, children will be treated to authentic pirate “loot” as a souvenir of their journey.

For Corring and the rest of his crew, the best part of each trip is watching the kids have tons of fun on this high seas adventure.

“What we enjoy the most is the reaction of the kids on The Sea Gypsy 2,” says Corring. “Nothing is better than watching the mates’ faces when they haul their hard earned treasure from the waters, or when they battle the dreaded “Pirate Pete” with the water cannons. Although we offer several sailings a day, every trip ends up having something new and exciting. The reaction of the kids is always the best part.”

For two consecutive seasons, Corring and his crew have enjoyed watching the reaction of little Jake Vowteras. His maiden voyage last year made such an impression on the young sailor that his mom felt compelled to have his birthday party with the family-owned and operated business.

“I have been listening to him talk about Jersey Shore Pirates ever since we sailed on the ship early last summer,” says Jake’s mom, Kimberly. “For nearly a year, Jake has asked when his pirate party was going to be. There wasn’t even a question of what should we do for his fifth birthday! The party was amazing and everyone had the best time. It’s hard to even say who had more fun. And although it’s a cruise for kids, it’s a really nice time for parents too. You’re out on the water, it’s scenic, and it’s relaxing and so enjoyable, even though 22 kids are screaming “Argh!” the whole time!”

Since preparing for the adventure is a major part of this event, Corring and his staff made a few changes during the off-season to further enhance the customer’s overall experience.

“This season we have expanded our offices so that we can present more of an experience for our families and groups when they arrive at the dock,” says Corring. “We have a larger shop where we offer more retail options. It was really important to us, that when you enter our office, you know that we are trying to improve on what we do, and what our guests experience. It took a lot of work over the winter, but we believe it will improve on the overall experience which is what we want. We will always try to exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Customer satisfaction is one of Jersey Shore Pirates’ top priorities. The crew will go to great lengths to make sure that all of their guests have had a pleasant and enjoyable experience aboard the Sea Gypsy 2.

“One of my favorite parts of the business is when we get someone who is slightly skeptical about what we do and then they approach us at the end of the Pirate Adventure to let us know they had a great time,” says Corring. “They admit that they weren’t sure what to expect when they arrived, but as they watched their mini-mates turn into Pirates right in front of their eyes they became believers. Our PirateAdventure is designed to keep the kids’ attention from start to finish. To anyone who has every tried to keep a 4- year-old occupied for almost two hours, you would be amazed how our crew does it for multiple kids at one time, six times a day.”

The Jersey Shore Pirates adventure is geared toward children ages 3 to 10. They sail from May-October and are available for birthday parties, class trips, and families. During October, they sail on Saturdays and Sundays only, with six different sailing times to choose from.

Before the children enjoy this exhilarating adventure, they first must be transformed into swashbuckling pirates. Upon arrival, kids will be welcomed by enthusiastic staff members who will assist the children in selecting a perfect pirate costume. The little mates will then receive their very own pirate names, learn some valuable pirate lingo, and also have the opportunity to get their faces painted with pirate “tattoos.” Before the kids head down to the dock for their trip, the staff will remind the children to keep a look out for “enemy pirates” in the area.

Prior to sailing times for check-in, face painting, and dress-up. For more information, check out their website at www.jerseyshorepirates.com or call 732-899-6100. Reservations are highly recommended and it’s suggested to that you arrive 30 minutes prior to sailing times for check-in, face painting, and dress-up.