Reported on BOWSER.ORG: An exclusive interview with Edlyn, a babysitter who knows “what happens when” in the local kids’ world. Edlyn is looking for work in the area for the month of July. If you or someone you know needs a short-term babysit, contact her.

From the interview, conducted by a local mom:

“Edlyn tells me that on Tuesdays, the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza offers computer playing, while on Wednesdays and Thursdays, it’s story time. On Fridays, there is arts and crafts, following a story time session. All these programs are posted in the library for different ages - or you talk to the local nannies.

“Edlyn tells me that on Monday, the library is closed, therefore kids can go to Barnes & Noble (on 7th Ave. and 4th St. in Park Slope) for story time. As an alternative, you can go to the ‘babysquare’ downstairs, where all the babies ‘hang out.’”

“Of course, playdates are always another option to consider. And there are so many toddlers in the area, that it is not hard to find a friend or two. JJ’s Place on Flatbush Ave. (by Chase Bank) has play sessions three times a day. They have a lot of toys, including a slide, doll houses, a chalk board and crayons. They do have coloring books.”

“If you want to invest some money, you can sign up your child for tumbling class at Eastern Athletic (Eastern Pkwy. and Plaza St. East). They also offer ‘Baby and Me’ swimming classes. Music Together is another great place to go. They offer classes every day at different locations in Brooklyn, including 6th Ave. and 1st St. in Park Slope. The price is about $200 for 10 45-minute sessions.”

The mom adds: “By the way, if you as parents want to hang out with your kids and have a drink, I know a great place: Soda Bar on Vanderbilt Ave. This bar has already been mentioned many times on DailyHeights.com. The great thing about it is the extra lounge area with fake fireplace. It is a very cozy atmosphere, and there is room for kids to run around (the waitresses are also very understanding and accomodating) while the parents can enjoy some happy hour drinks or bar food (fish and chips, onion rings, burgers, pizza, salad, BLT sandwich, etc.). In the summer they have outdoor seating in the back yard! So, doesn’t that sound like the perfect place for ‘mommy and baby’?”

LINK: What you can do with your toddler in Prospect Heights [bowser.org]

Louise Crawford writes on OtBKB about her son’s band: “They’ve been practicing for months but he’d made it clear that he’d tell us when he was ready for us to come to a rehearsal … Cool and Unusual Punishment is the name … they rehearse every Friday night in the drummer’s apartment. The drummer’s parents are extremely good natured about the noise. They actually keep the drum set in the living room.”

“The people in their apartment building are good natured too. Apparently last week they called while the group was rehearsing a song called ‘Where is My Mind?’ by the Pixies. the drummer’s mother came into the living room holding the telephone: ‘The woman downstairs would like to speak with you,’ she said ominously. The kids got nervous, of course, sure that she was calling to complain about the noise. But it turned out that she loves the song … and just wanted the band to play it again.”

“It would be virtually impossible for the band to rehearse in our building what with Mr. Persnickity downstairs … “

Link: Cool and Unusual [Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn]