Each week, we're going to share with you a local mom who we think is awesome. We'll ask her some questions and hear about how she manages life with kids in our area. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know some of our neighbors.

Jill Muchnick Liflander is founder of Jilly Puppets and a member of the Bossy Frog Band (she is the person dancing inside the 6 foot tall frog costume). She lives in Sleepy Hollow with her husband, Mark Liflander and their daughters Lily Zeva Liflander (6) and Ruby Ayelet Liflander (4).

1. How do you balance being a mom and working?

Jill is a freelancer and finds that her levels of working go in waves. If she is developing a new show, her children watch her practice and tinker with her performance.

Like many parents that work from home, she doesn't have too much time without the children. You might see her walking her younger daughter to school and even "rehearsing scenes out loud and practicing singing."

Jill is grateful for her own two children who offer great feedback and act as her muses. She regularly will watch "her children closely, listening to their fantasy play and the extravagant scenarios that they engage in to be in tune with the world of imagination."

Jill depends on her husband, Mark, and friends, and sitters to free up her schedule to do the puppet shows and live Bossy Frog Band shows.

2. We think your business is a great idea and  would love to hear more it.

Jill started off as a teacher but knew she was searching for a more "soulful career." Her first puppet performance was in 2007 at her brother's wedding. She found it so "gratifying and so enlivening, loving the process of constructing the show" from her mind to reality. She asked Patty Cohn, the children's librarian at the Warner Library in Tarrytown if she could do some shows. Jill is "forever grateful" for the opportunity. She still finds it "challenging, expansive and scary" but keeps doing it and grows from each experience.

She writes and performs puppet shows for kids 6 and under that combine movement, ukulele, music/percussion, stories, rap, dancing and silliness. Her shows "impart an overall message, like being connected to nature or celebrating family." She also feels strongly that the "world of creativity and imagination has so much to offer children and adults" and hopes to bring that joy and freedom to her audiences. 

Jill has been involved in shows for nature centers, museums, libraries, nursery schools, local farmer's markets, parties and more.

Jill approaches each performance and always spends time thinking about the music and story. where I feel an artistic flow throughout the writing, constructing puppets, rehearsing and performing the show so that I can transmit that energy to that audience!"

Here is a video of some of Jill's work.

3. When you find time for yourself, what do you enjoy doing locally?

Jill describes herself as "a passionate dancer." She dances in the Evolve Adult Ensemble at the Tarrytown YMCA, taking three dance classes a week and participating in public performance pieces. She is "thrilled to learn so much technique and to have had the opportunity to work with such talented dancers and choreographers -- it's been a wonderful experience these past few years."

4. What are some of your top things to do around Westchester with your family?

The Liflanders enjoy spending the morning eating croissants and apples at the Tarrytown Farmers' Market when it is open and seeing friends. They also love attending Tarrytown's Third Friday.

You can also find them at the Warner Library participating in the great programming that is offered for children. The kids love being outdoors and playing at the local parks including Morse Playground, Barnhardt Park, Patriot's Park and Douglass Park. Another favorite local activity for this family is taking a walk to  the Horseman for a pizza.

When the family ventures a bit farther, they like to visit the Greenburgh Nature Center. 

5. What is your favorite thing about living in this area?

For Jill, the people tie her to this area. She has "always been fascinated by the achievements and passions of New Yorkers."  She finds the people she knows and meets interesting and that they "have lived such lively lives, and have such a deep connection to the arts, education, nature and sharing life experiences."
 
6. Anything else you want to share?

Jill has really enjoyed working with Jeffrey Friedberg and the members of the Bossy Frog Band. Jill adds "it has been a tremendous experience for me. I have always dreamt of being a rock star and when I am dancing in that frog costume, it's the fulfilment of that dream. I have learned so much about myself and performing from being the Bossy Frog."

Is there a question you'd want answered by our Moms featured here? Tell us!

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Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to elizabeth@patch.com