Fun in New York City at My First Bloggers Brunch

As I mentioned before, I get invited to a lot of blogging-related events now. This Wednesday I attended my first bloggers brunch after I was invited to the Second Child’s Play Communications Bloggers Brunch at the Williams Club in New York City. This brunch was designed to enable bloggers to connect in person with Child’s Play’s clients and each other. After dropping off Landon at preschool, I parked my car in Katonah, got a coffee, and hopped on the train to hurl toward NYC. It was so much fun to take off like this in the middle of the week, like a little adventure! I had nothing to worry about — Landon was going to be picked up by my sister-in-law — and so I was free to just enjoy this special day.

I missed the earlier train, which meant I would not be able to listen to the panel discussion before the brunch, but I was still in good spirits. Once on the train, I was shocked to find that they don’t have trash bins in the cars, so I danced around my half-empty coffee cup with my feet for an hour and a half. I whipped out Don’s new Blackberry, which he had forgotten that morning, to figure out how to use it. I wanted to tweet from the brunch! But I didn’t get very far — I will report about my Blackberry tribulations and why I still have a stiff neck another time.

Walking through Grand Central Station, the energy of so many people around me rubbing off, I got really exited. The Williams Club was only a short walk away, and I was glad I had opted to take the train into the city when I saw this sign:

My frugal heart skipped a beat when I saw that price, although the train ride also cost me $26 round trip. I arrived just in time for the brunch and was greeted by one of the Child’s Play ladies. I was outfitted with a name badge and let lose in the room full of about 40 mom bloggers. The sponsors had set up tables with products and goodies, and the whole room was abuzz with female chatter. I found a seat and made the rounds. I had a nice conversation with one of the sponsors, Joy Berry, a children’s book writer, about breastfeeding. After talking to a lady from Cuisinart and a gentleman from the Toy Industry Foundation, I got to hold an alligator, see?

Orlando’s Gatorland and the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau had brought the gator, a big snake, and a kookaburra, which periodically went off and entertained us with his exotic, loud calls.

After Stephanie Azzarone, the president of Child’s Play Communications, greeted us and told us a little about all the sponsors . . .

. . . I started a conversation with Courtney Hutson from One Bored Mommy. We instantly connected and exchanged information about why and how we started blogging. She looks way too young to have four young children — wow! We ate some yummy food, got another picture with the alligator, and then it was time for the raffle. I didn’t win any of the prizes, the largest being a trip to Florida, but I left with a big bag full of fun goodies.

I walked back to Grand Central Station with Courtney, and we hugged each other good-by. I think I made another blogging friend I will stay in touch with. I had to wait for half an hour for my train, got another coffee, and looked through my gift bag before I boarded the train. I couldn’t wait to give Landon the little Elmo that was in one of the bags — he loves Elmo and already has two! Elmo kept me company on the way home, along with his friends the whale and the white alligator (white?).

Nowadays, it always feels like such a treat to get a coffee, because I can never manage that when I have Landon with me — I just don’t have enough hands!

I was tired when I picked up Landon, but I had had such a fun day in New York City.

What a whirlwind! Thank you, Child’s Play Communications, for inviting me.

Tagged as: Blackberry, Bloggers Brunch, blogging, Child's Play Communications, elmo, frugal, New York City, One Bored Mommy, Stephanie Azzarone, Toy Industry Foundation