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July 31, 2006
FREE Baby Massage Classes This Week in NW DC
The Potomac Massage Training Institute in NW DC and the International Institute of Infant Massage are offering FREE classes for parents and caregivers of infants from birth to crawling.
Dates are August 2, 3, and 4 (that's this week - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each day. You're welcome to come one, two, or all three days.
The classes are held at The Potomac Massage Training Institute, 5028 Wisconsin Ave., Lower Level.
There is no cost to participate, but space is limited and you need to RSVP in advance. To register or get more info, contact Jean Briggs at 202.359.6061.
Massage benefits for babies include:
Enhancing bonding and attachment
Nourishing your baby emotionally
Helping your baby sleep longer and more soundly
Helping to relieve discomfort from teething, gas and colic, & everyday stress
Posted by Sarah at 10:12 AM
July 28, 2006
Weekend Watch: A County Fair & a Bubbly Train Ride
It's a bit of a slow weekend for events suited to the little ones, I must say.
But if you're not daunted by the heat, Saturday is the last day to catch the Loudon County Fair in Leesburg, Virginia, open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Children under age six get in free.
And in Maryland, my pick has go to be the "Bubbles in the Breeze" train rides on the Walkersville Southern Railroad on Saturday (11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.) - The kiddos get a bottle of bubbles to blow as they go along for the ride.
Posted by Sarah at 10:27 AM
July 27, 2006
Sunset Serenades at the Zoo
In case you're running low on good, affordable ideas for getting out of the house with your little one this summer...
Don't forget about Thursday evenings at the National Zoo, with free concerts for families! These Sunset Serenades take place on Lion & Tiger Hill from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and you can bring a picnic or purchase food from the Mane Restaurant near the hill.
Tonight the band is GHz, a British blues/rock group. August 3 is a blues band, and the final Sunset Serenade for this summer, on August 10, features a reggae group.
It does tend to get crowded, so I advise arriving early to stake out your spot! Also remember that zoo parking can fill up pretty quickly - there's always the option of taking metro to the Cleveland Park or Woodley Park/Zoo station, with a short walk on Connecticut Ave. to the zoo entrance.
Posted by Sarah at 10:26 AM
July 26, 2006
Open Spaces in Weekend Sign Language Workshop for Expectant & New Parents
There are still spaces available in the Baby Sign Language Parent Workshop scheduled for this Sunday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Apple Seed boutique in Old Town.
The workshop will be taught by Laura Rozier of Baby Loves to Sign, and pre-registration is required. Cost is $45 per person, or $60 per couple, which includes the Baby Signs Parent Kit.
To register or get more info, contact Laura directly: laura (at) babylovestosign (dot) com or 703.912.7666. You may also register through the BLTS website.
To sweeten the deal. . . while you're at Apple Seed, take advantage of their Grand Opening discount coupon, for 15 percent off your purchase. To download the coupon, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 9:54 AM
July 25, 2006
Fancy Wings in Wheaton
Brookside Gardens, a Montgomery County park property in Wheaton, MD, has a really neat live butterfly exhibit, "Wings of Fancy," going on through September 17 - and I'm told it's the perfect outing for little ones.
The butterflies are in Brookside Gardens' South Conservatory, 1500 Glenallen Ave., with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages two and under get in free. Adults are $4.50 and ages three to 12 are $3.50.
Here's a description from the conservatory staff:
Step into the "Wings of Fancy" Live Butterfly Exhibit and be surrounded by butterflies flying freely among a colorful garden of nectar plants. Observe exotic Central and South American butterflies, in addition to our own native Maryland species. Come witness the butterfly life cycle as tiny eggs hatch into crawling, chewing caterpillars, which then encase themselves in jewel-like chrysalides and emerge as sipping, flying adult butterflies. Please note that strollers are NOT allowed in the butterfly exhibit.
For more info, call Brookside Gardens at 301.962.1400.
Posted by Sarah at 9:45 AM
July 24, 2006
Kids on the Fringes
A few of the (reportedly) kid-friendly events going on this week through the weekend in the District, as part of DC's first annual Capitol Fringe Festival:
"Dancing the Page" with Jane Franklin Dance
"Dis/Appearing" puppetry show
"Kitsch in Sync," dance and comedy
"Pop Up Dances," hip-hop, salsa, jazz, and modern dance
"Suite Earth," modern dance, trapeze, and live music
To download the official Capitol Fringe Guide, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 10:17 AM
July 21, 2006
Weekend Watch: Outdoor Festivals Galore
It's one of those "festival" weekends in and around DC - which might be a great thing for the parents of little ones, since the weather is rumored to be cooling off by 10 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. Here are some festival picks with babies/toddlers or preschoolers in tow:
African American Cultural Festival
Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m.
@ Old Town Alexandria's Market Square (on King St.)
Free and family-oriented, with music and dance performances, food, and booths.
Reston Asian Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
@ the Lake Newport Tennis Facility (on Barron Cameron Ave.), Reston, VA
Free and family-oriented, with music and dance, kickboxing demonstrations, food booths from 12+ local Asian restaurants, a free tennis clinic at 6:30 p.m., and an "Asian Idol" karaoke contest.
The Frederick, MD Blues Festival
Today through Sunday, 12 noon to 10 p.m.
@ Martin's in Walkersville
Arlington's Peru Day Celebration
Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Shirley Park @ Gunston
Free and family-oriented, with singers, dancers, performers, craft vendors, and traditional foods.
DC's First Annual Fringe Festival
Events run through July 30 and are held at various locations around the city - mostly downtown along the Seventh St./Penn Corridor. Features local and visiting "experimental" theater, dance, puppetry, poetry, and music performances. Primarily an adult event, but a few of the performances are tolerably appropriate for kids, and some take place outdoors. About.com has a nice "About the Festival" page. And Trey Graham at the City Paper is blogging about the festival.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 10:45 AM
July 19, 2006
August Madness at Jonah's Treehouse
The fabulous Jonah's Treehouse in Glover Park/"Upper Georgetown", NW DC is rolling out a new program to keep the young ones playing and climbing, despite the heat and humidity of a Washington August.
You can buy an "August Madness" pass for the two weeks ending that month - August 17-31 - for $75, which allows your child to drop in to ANY class for their age group, any day of the week, Monday through Friday. Could make for a very cool way to transition between summer and fall schedules, as a way for the little ones to get their ya-yas out, sans sunburn and mosquitos.
Here's the schedule (In Jonah's Treehouse lingo, "giraffes" are 9-15 months (walkers), "zebras" are 16-24 months (runners) and "elephants" are 2-year-olds.):
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays:
9:30 Giraffe/Zebra combo
10:15 Elephants
11 Zebras
Tuesdays/Thursdays:
9:30 Giraffes
10:15 Zebras
11 Elephants
To keep the play environment safe and fun, Jonah's Treehouse is selling only 20 passes per age group. You can register by calling their studio at 202.298.6805 or sending an email to vicki (at) jonahstreehouse (dot) com. J's T is located at 2121 Wisconsin Ave., C-1 Level, and there is easy street parking a block from the building.
Posted by Sarah at 9:58 AM
July 17, 2006
New Support Groups for Moms of Babies & Toddlers in NW DC
Two new support groups for mothers of babies and toddlers are meeting in upper NW DC on Wednesday mornings (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Thursday evenings (7:30 to 9 p.m.), at 5247 Wisconsin Ave.
The therapeutic groups are professionally facilitated by licensed clinical social workers Jen Kogan and Alison Fellowes Comly, and the cost is $25 per session or $250 for 10 sessions.
Here's a description of the support groups from Jen and Allison:
The group will help you to:
Explore your changing self as you grow as a parent.
Reflect on the relationship you have with your baby and others.
Share ideas and find solutions to feeding, sleeping, and soothing your baby.
Nurture yourself as a key part of parenting.
Develop relationships with other new mothers.
For more info or to register, contact: Jen Kogan, LICSW, at 202.215.2790 or Alison Fellowes Comly, LICSW, at 202.841.3697.
Posted by Sarah at 9:52 AM
July 14, 2006
Weekend Watch: Night Market, First of the County Fairs, & MD KidsFest
My weekend picks for going out and about with little ones:
Saturday in the District, you should check out the third annual Adams Morgan Night Market between 12 noon and 10 p.m. There will be lots of vendors, art and antiques, good food, fresh flowers, and live entertainment. No admission fee, and you can come and go as your little one's schedule and temperment allow!
In NoVa this weekend, it's the first fair of the season, the Fauquier County Fair in Warrenton - today through Sunday. Sunday is cheapo day, with an entry fee of $5 per person (babies in arms = free). Today and Saturday, it's $10 per person for everyone age 16 and over, with the under-16 crowd at $5 per person (babies in arms = free). Live bluegrass and country music, lots of food, rides and games for all ages, and plenty of livestock-watching.
In Maryland, the big weekend brew-ha-ha is the seventh annual Maryland KidsFest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairground in Timonium. Kids under age 12 get in free. Ages 12+ pay $8, and the parking is free. Live entertainment, games, bouncy stuff to jump on, demonstrations for all ages, etc. No advance tix - You gotta do it at the gate.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 9:54 AM
July 13, 2006
Stroller Strides: Not Just for the 'Burbs
At long last, there's a Stroller Strides postpartum fitness program IN the District!
D.C. instructor Kathrin Bachrack tells me classes started about two months ago. And here's their current schedule:
M-W-F 10 a.m., Turtle Park (45th & Van Ness St. NW)
T-TH 9:30 a.m., Meridian Hill Park (15th & W St NW)
M 6 p.m., Capitol Hill (1st & Constitution NE)
W 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Park (Capitol Hill - meet at playground)
Sat 9:30 a.m., Capitol Hill (1st & Constitution NE)
Your first class is free, which allows you to find out whether it's your thing before laying down the cash.
To get more info or to register, send email to Kathrin at: kbachrack (at)strollerstrides (dot) net.
Posted by Sarah at 3:04 PM
July 12, 2006
Saturday Yoga for 2 in Bethesda
Tranquil Space Yoga in Bethesda will hold a yoga-for-two workshop, "Baby & Me Yoga," on Saturday, August 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. (Perfect scheduling for new mamas who have already gone back to work and can't take advantage of weekday events.)
Here's the workshop description from yoga-for-two coordinator Andrea Abrams Creel:
This playful workshop allows new moms to connect with their babies and reconnect with their own body after pregnancy. New moms will be led through an energetic vinyasa flow that incorporates their babies. Baby yoga poses that aid digestion, increase flexibility and strength, and promote calmness and relaxation will be introduced. There will be plenty of time at the end to schmooze with other new moms and ask questions about how yoga can benefit both mom and baby. And dads are welcome, too!
Bethesda's Tranquil Space is located at 7475 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 8 - just across the street from the Bethesda metro station. For more info or to register, call 301.654.9642 or send email to andrea (at) tranquilspace (dot) com. For more about Tranquil Space's prenatal and postpartum programs, click here. And check out their helpful FAQ on yoga and pregnancy.
In addition to this workshop, Tranquil Space Bethsda will also offer a weekly Baby & Me yoga class every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., starting September 12. And of course Tranquil Space also does prenatal yoga, infant massage classes, restorative yoga, and massage and spa pampering. In addition to the Bethesda studio, they also have locations in Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter.
Posted by Sarah at 9:55 AM
July 10, 2006
Wednesday Mornings at The Washingtonian Center
Looking for a Wednesday morning activity with your little one this summer?
The Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, MD is hosting FREE children's musicians and entertainers on Wednesday mornings through August 30, with performances at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
This week, July 12, it's "The 3 (Not So Little) Pigs." All performances take place at The Washingtonian Center's Lakeside Courtyard, which is located between Joe's Crab Shack and Rio Grande.
Sounds fun!
Posted by Sarah at 10:25 AM
July 7, 2006
Weekend Watch: Happy Birthday, Dear Panda
It's not the only gig in town this weekend, but it's my favorite prospect. Not every day do you get invited to a giant panda baby's first birthday party... with cupcakes!
The big splash this weekend is giant panda Tai Shan's first birthday party at the National Zoo. On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the zoo will be serving free birthday cupcakes (from Whole Foods, so they'll be yummy) to the first 1,000 visitors. There will also be a panda-costumed character for taking photos with, special Tai Shan talks from the zookeepers, and arts and crafts for preschool-age and older children. Keepers will be at the Ed-Zoo-Cation Station every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the zoo's visitor center auditorium, Animal Planet's "A Panda is Born" will be shown throughout the day.
Unfortuantely, all the free-but-reserved, timed tickets to view Tai Shan in his indoor quarters on Sunday are GONE. However, tix are still available for Saturday and every day next week: click here to reserve a time. There will also be a very limited number of these distributed at 8 a.m. Sunday morning at the Panda Information Booth. First come, first served. Also: If you have reserved tix for Sunday, July 9 but know you won't be able to use them, PLEASE allow some other family to do so! The zoo has created an easy way for you to "return" your tickets, opening them for some other eager kiddos who want to see Tai Shan: Send an email to pandatickets (at) fonz (dot) org with the date and time of your reservation, and the name in which it was made.
We can ALL see Tai Shan without a ticket when he's in the outdoor portion of his living quarters. (He is free to go in and out as he pleases, thankfully.) However, I'm told that the ticket-holders get first priority both indoors and out, and it may be extra crowded on Sunday. So go EARLY!
The zoo is encouraging preschool-age and older children to make birthday cards for Tai Shan, which will be displayed for the public to see. You can ask for the free cards at Whole Foods and Panda Express restaurants, or you can make your own from scratch. Bring your birthday card to the zoo on Sunday or mail it to: Tai Shan's Birthday
c/o FONZ Membership Dept., 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
If your little one wonders what Tai Shan gets as birthday presents from the zookeepers, here's the official word:
For his big day, Tai Shan will receive a custom-made fruitsicle, prepared by Zoo nutritionists. Tai loves fruitsicles, so he will surely enjoy his special treat. Also, he will be presented with a new soccer ball and a baby pool filled with water and two new toys.
Heads up: National Zoo staff warns that on-site parking will fill up very early on Sunday the 9th. They suggest taking metro to the Woodley Park or Cleveland Park metro stations - OR, they're also offering a coupon for discounted parking at the nearby Wardman Park Marriott Hotel. Click here to print.
Posted by Sarah at 10:01 AM
July 6, 2006
Comg Attractions: 1 Sign Language Storytime, 3 Parent Workshops
On the horizon: A sign language storytime in Arlington, and three different parent workshops in Old Town:
Tomorrow, Friday, July 7, Aladdin's Lamp children's bookstore in Arlington will host a special storytime from 11 to 11:30 a.m. with "Beebo" the Baby Signs Bear, led by instructor Laura Rozier from Baby Loves to Sign. Appropriate for ages six months to three years. Aladdin's Lamp is in the lower level of the shopping center at 2499 N. Harrison St., Suite 10. Aladdin's Lamp doesn't have a website, but you can call the store at 703.241.8281 for more info. (This event will also repeat on July 21, same place and time.)
Laura Rozier is also doing a Parent Workshop on baby sign language at the new Apple Seed boutique in Old Town, on Sunday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Pre-registration is required in advance, and the cost is $45 per person or $60 per couple. To register or get more info, call 703.912.7666, send email to laura (at) babylovestosign (dot) com, or go to the BLTS website.
Also at Apple Seed, another Parent Workshop will be led by Foundations for Families on "Raising Resilient Children," next Tuesday, July 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children's National Medical Center in DC. Cost is $20 per person - or bring spouse or friend and registration is $35 for the two of you. For the registration form, click here.
Foundations for Families will also offer "Simplifying Child Care Selection" on July 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Apple Seed. Cost is $20 per person, or $35 for two people registering together. For the registration form, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 10:26 AM
July 5, 2006
Until 6:30 p.m. Today: Hi-End "Gently Used" Girls' Clothing Sale in DC
Rarely do I blog twice in one day, but sometimes it's merited. Today is one of those days.
There is a hi-end "yard" sale - albeit at an apartment - in the District this afternoon, July 5, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. GIRLS' clothing only, from infant to size 5.
Location is 2950 Van Ness St. (@ Van Ness & Connecticut), #904 at The Consulate building. Just one block from the Van Ness metro station. When you enter the lobby, scroll through the directory to "Goitein" and hit the call button to be buzzed in.
Here's the announcement for the sale, as it was sent to me:
For sale: a TON of girls clothing, all gorgeous and in near perfect condition. Sizes range from infant - 5 y/o. All were worn by one girl only - no hand me downs. Some outfits still have the tags on. Lots of outfits and separates, outerwear, and accessories. All seasons. Brands are a mix of high end (Oilily, Petit Bateau, Zutano, Ralph Lauren) and "low end" (Carter's, Gap Kids). At least 40 Oilily outfits. Well over 100 outfits total, and at least 200 separates. GREAT prices - most outfits are $3, $5 or $10 each for outfits that originally sold for over $80! Huge dollar and 50c bins. Adorable accessories, lots of summer and winter hats, tights, etc. Send email to dcsale20008 (at) yahoo (dot) com with any questions.
Posted by Sarah at 2:17 PM
Adventures in Swaddling: Go Mama, Go
Apparently we've been doing it for thousands of years! So why, I ask you, does swaddling a squirmy little baby not come more easily? It's a great thing, if and when you master it.
Recently my own swaddling escapades came back to me when I heard about another new, DC-based business founded by local mamas Georgia and Catherine. They have created what by all accounts is the easiest, most practical swaddling blanket around. (If only I had known of such a blanket 2 years ago, when I was fumbling around postpartum like Night of the Living Dead.)
Go Mama Go Designs' Snug & Tug has been on the market just three weeks, and the reviews have been nothing but positive. You can check out their swaddling blanket at the Go Mama Go Designs website, or at these Washington-area boutiques:
The Purple Goose (DelRay, Alexandria)
Apple Seed (Old Town Alexandria)
Full of Beans (DC & Potomac, MD)
Cosmo Tots (Arlington)
Beyda's Lad and Lassie Shop (Bethesda)
K Baby (Georgetown, DC)
Keedo (Arlington/Alexandria)
Noodles & Noggins (Clifton, VA)
Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington (DC)
Congrats to Georgia and Catherine for launching this product and a business for local mamas and babies! We wish them great success. And we hope that you will support their venture, too!
Posted by Sarah at 9:44 AM
July 3, 2006
More Parades: Takoma Park & Capitol Hill
To add to your parade options with the little ones tomorrow, July 4th:
The town of Takoma Park, MD will sponsor its own parade along a 1.25-mile route on Tuesday morning. Starts at 10 a.m. along the central stretch of Carroll Ave. Be sure to look for the local expectant mamas, new parents, and birth professionals of the Takoma Park Birthing Circle, who will be walking in the parade and passing out flyers about the group's activities.
Also, another mama-reader emailed to let me know that Capitol Hill will have its own parade on Tuesday. Thanks to DC mama Jade for sharing these details:
July 4th Parade on 8th St.
For the fourth year in a row, the Capitol Hill Cluster School PTA and realtor Robert Bergman are organizing the Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade! The Cluster School and Robert Bergman have sponsored a fantastic hometown parade each year for the last several years, each time growing and attracting more parade watchers. This year promises to be exceptional, with several more antique vehicles, homemade floats and community groups marching together to celebrate our country's birthday. As usual, the Commandant's Own will lead it off, promptly at 10 a.m. down Barracks Row from 8th and D to Eye St., and back again.
Parade organizers will also host a "Battle of the Bands" bake sale, with all proceeds going to the Eastern High School marching band. Buy your cookout dessert at the bake sale and help the Eastern HS marching band.
Hope you enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day!
Posted by Sarah at 11:38 AM