Where are you from originally?
Robin (on left): New Jersey
Jessica (on right): Pulaski, New York (30 minutes north of Syracuse)
How long have you lived in New Canaan?
Robin: 6 Years
Jessica: 5 years
How many kids and their age(s)?
Robin: Four Children: Three girls – 12, 10, 7 and one boy – 8
Jessica: (4) Kids – Carthan (8), Brynn (7), Drew (5) Jack (3)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Jessica: I was a band geek in high school – Drum Majorette of the Marching Band and played flute in concert band.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Robin: I love to swim in the ocean, ski, and hike with them. We also play a lot of softball, baseball, and football.
Jessica: Disconnect at our cottage on Lake Ontario where we have no cable or wifi. Simple 1980’s type summers.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Shoes? Furniture?
Robin: I love Togs and Scout & Molly for clothes. We purchase children’s clothes at Candy Nichols and J. Crew. It’s fun to shop for my girls at She La La & Pennyweights.
Jessica: Candy Nichols, Crew Cuts, Ella and Henry, She La La (for me and kid gifts), Shoes & More (for me and kiddos), Togs (for me), Scout and Molly (for me), Elm Street Books.
What are your favorite events in New Canaan?
Robin: Our family loves marching in the Memorial Day Parade and checking out the town sidewalk sale.
Jessica: Holiday Stroll on Elm Street, Farmer’s Market every late Spring/Summer/Fall
What are your favorite restaurants in New Canaan?
Robin: Cherry Street & Swirl are our go-to with the kids in tow. I also spend a lot of time with my husband or on a girls’ night at Chef Luis or South End.
Jessica: Cherry Street Grill, Swirl, Baskin Robbin’s, Dunkin Donuts/Starbucks/Kaahve Coffee, Locali, South End, Rosie
What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?
Robin: Quesadillas! Yummy, quick, and easy to hide some healthy stuff in there 🙂
Jessica: My grandmother’s Italian Chicken Cutlet’s – winner every time.
Favorite hobbies?
Robin: I enjoy reading fiction & non-fiction (although lately I spend most of my extra time reading fastpitch softball and coaching blogs), planning & preparing for our family travel and vacations, and decorating every inch of our house for Halloween.
Jessica: Date Nights with the hubs, Getting my butt kicked by a trainer, Sama Yoga classes, Soul Cycle, Coaching girls in basketball and softball
What was your career before having children?
Robin: Family Law attorney in Greenwich.
Jessica: Sr. Director Digital Media Marketing at ESPN –worked on ad campaigns for ESPN’s mobile/Internet based products
Anything else you want to add? Feel free to include a business venture, involvement in local organizations, etc.
Robin: For the past 4+ years I’ve coached my daughters’ recreation and travel softball teams. Softball has always been a passion of mine and I’m so happy to share it with my children and their friends and teammates. I enjoy helping girls at all levels improve their softball skills. However, my favorite part of coaching is helping these young ladies develop into confident players who support each other and can motivate themselves to work hard on and off the field.
In addition to coaching, I serve as Vice President of the New Canaan Softball league. It’s been fun and fulfilling to work other board members, coaches, and parents in our town that I might not have otherwise met who are just as enthusiastic about developing softball in our town for girls in Kindergarten through the High School.
Jessica: I LOVE coaching young girls – especially in New Canaana’s rec and travel softball programs. Having played sports all my life and then softball through college, I strive to provide girls with the same self esteem, confidence and leadership skills that were introduced to me by so many great coaches of my youth. Showing girls that they can be strong, responsible leaders at a young age is a rewarding experience for all involved. The softball field is also a place where new friendships are formed and bonds become tighter outside of school.
I also serve as a Public Relations Chair on the New Canaan Softball board, as Social Chair on West School’s PTC board and in fundraising for New Canaan Community Preschool. These allow me to tap into my “work brain” that retired back in 2008 when I left to raise my family.
Check out Robin & Jessica’s Top 10 Reasons to get your daughter involved in NC Softball here.
