A huge hello to all our Mac Kid families out there!  I just got back from three amazing days in New York City.  As some of you know, Macaroni Kid publishers reach certain levels based on how many subscribers we have.  I am so honored to be in the top publishing group!  I know I owe so much of that to you all helping me spread the word about this newsletter and website (and FB page) to your friends, family, co-workers, mom and dad groups and everyone else you know.  This past weekend Macaroni Kid HQ wined and dined those of us in this top group to an amazing weekend in the Big Apple.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel called the TRYP by Wyndam which was super convenient to Penn Station and walking distance from Times Square.  The room totally blew me away!  My roommate and I got to stay in one of their family rooms, which come with two queen sized beds, as well as bunk beds  and a sitting area, wet bar, etc.  It was the largest room I have ever seen in NYC and SO super quiet and comfortable!  I will definitely be going back to the TRYP any time I have a chance!

We got to see the Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theatre which was so much fun!  (Even more so since one of the Mac Kid publishers got pulled up on stage), enjoyed amazing NY-style Pizza at John's of Bleecker St., some fabulous BBQ at Duke's, got to ride The Beast speedboat ride around the Statue of Liberty, have fabulous dim sum in Chinatown and so much more.  It was just an amazing weekend to learn from other publishers and celebrate each other's success.  I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to HQ for inviting me!!! (By the way, for those who haven't seen my weight loss with Medifast, here is a brand new picture of me from this past weekend with one of the amazing Mac Kid Co-founders, Nicki!)

This week we have advanced screening passes for The Odd Life of Timothy Green available, and there just *might* be another giveaway coming up later in the week.

If you have a craft or recipe you would like to see included in the newsletter, please e-mail it to me at [email protected] with subject NEWSLETTER.  Also, please send a pic and be sure to include your byline as you would like it to appear.  Also, if your teen or pre-teen every writes an article they would like to submit (book or movie review, things to do in our area, etc.), please feel free to send that along as well!  I'd love to give them the chance to be published nationally (which might look great on a resume...hint, hint)... Oh, and if you ever know of events for older kids, PLEASE share them with me!!  My son is almost 5, so I know I am not in the pre-teen/teen scene yet, but would love to add more events for kids of all ages to the calendar.

Once again I would like to say a very special THANK YOU to our site sponsors who allow us to bring you this free newsletter and website every week!  We could not do this without their support!  Please be sure to show some super Mac Kid love to Adventure Kids Playcare,  Sabrina at Pixie and Pirate Destinations, MarVaTots'n Teens, Willow House with Lani, and My Gym Kentlands!  We still have a few spots for more site sponsors.  If your business would like to be showcased, please e-mail [email protected] for a copy of our media kit.  

Remember that in addition to the event listings, remember there are LOTS more events listed in the updated weekly events article including open gyms, story times at the local libraries, craft workshops and more.  We also have a Kids Eat Free or Cheap section, a Now Showing section with current productions at local theaters, and a Macaroni Kid Saves section.

Until next time...Peace, Love and Macaroni!

Lani