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August 30, 2007
Hola Baby is back for fall!
The fabulous Hola Baby program is back for fall, with a new website (where I get a kick out of seeing a photo of my husband and daughter taking part in a class).
My family has done several sessions of Hola Baby enrichment playgroups with Maria Elena Greene (aka "Tia Maria") in Arlington, and we are huge fans. We adore Maria, her team, the curriculum, the diversity of famlies in the classes... I can't say enough good things! It's a great support and supplement to the Spanish my daughter continues to learn and speak with her Bolivian-born caregiver.
If you have the first edition of the DC Baby book, you can read my review of the Hola Baby program in the enrichment classes section. Registration is now open for fall, and classes fill up quickly!
Posted by Sarah at 12:46 PM
August 29, 2007
Tix on sale for Strathmore family shows
We love, love, love the Strathmore in Bethesda. A beautiful space for introducing young children to live performance. And tix to the Strathmore's children's lineup for fall '07 through early spring '08 are on sale now. They go fast!
Check out the schedule, with shows appropriate for toddlers through school-age:
The 5 Browns, Saturday, November 3
A Year with Frog & Toad, Sunday, November 11
Arthur - Live!, Friday, November 16
DinoRock: Dinosaur Jamboree, Saturday, March 29
Posted by Sarah at 12:45 PM
August 28, 2007
Jonah's Treehouse referral perk
Our friends at Jonah's Treehouse in Glover Park, NW DC are doing a special promotion for this week ONLY. Any existing JT member who refers a new member will receive $10 off their winter registration - and the new member will receive $10 their fall registration.
Again, valid only THIS week, before Labor Day. Next week, post-Labor Day, Jonah's Treehouse will be offering a lineup of free preview classes and registering many new families.
When registering, be sure to identify the name of the friend who referred you under "How did you hear about us?"
Posted by Sarah at 1:13 PM
August 26, 2007
Discount on Spanish Amigos registration
Spanish Amigos Immersion Playgroups is offering my readers a discount! Get $12 off class registration for the Fall 2007 session by entering this code during online registration: Fall07amigos.
This offer expires September 7, and classes are filling up. So be sure to register soon.
Spanish Amigos offers playgroup-style Spanish immersion classes in Reston, VA for children ages two to six years, incorporating music, finger-plays, stories, crafts and audio-visual aids. Created by bilingual mom Jane Norton, each lesson is theme-based and designed with the varying abilities of the two- to six- year old child in mind.
Posted by Sarah at 9:00 PM
August 22, 2007
Classic Tales 'n Tunes adds new program to fall lineup
Many thanks to Jody Katz and Classic Tales 'n Tunes for sponsoring the DCB website this month!
The fall schedule is now online for their music and movement classes for toddlers and young children, with offerings in Arlington (3 locations), Alexandria, Falls Church, and Vienna.
NEW in the Classic Tales 'n Tunes programming this fall is a class especially aimed at little ones under age 18 months. Tiny Tunes will meet at the Alexandria/Kingstowne and Falls Church locations, with 30-minute mini-sessions of the curriculum - age appropriate for shorter attention spans.
In doing the research for the second edition of the DCB book, I have personally received dozens of rave reviews from local parents whose children have taken classes with Jody and her staff. To find out what parents have to say about their experience in the Classic Tales 'n Tunes program, click here.
To find out when and where you can take a FREE trial class, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 12:21 PM
August 21, 2007
"Arts in the Park" weekends in DC
Select weekends during the summer and well into the fall, Pershing Park in DC (at 14th St. and Penn Ave., in front of the Willard Hotel) transforms into an Arts in the Park festival, showcasing local artists, performers and musicians.
The family-friendly event features a special area dedicated to children, with roll-paper and easels for creating their own art. Also demonstrations by artists including caricaturists, muralists, glass blowers, etc. and plenty of live music.
Upcoming Arts in the Park events: September 7-9 and October 5-7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. FREE admission.
Posted by Sarah at 12:31 PM
August 20, 2007
Rock N Romp in Silver Spring
Rock N Romp is back, indoors at McGinty's Public House in Silver Spring, so you can skip the mosquito bites and humidity.
The next Rock N Romp show, featuring grown-up music that kids can also love, in a child-friendly environment with lowered volume, is set for this Saturday, August 25 starting at 3 p.m. Performances by Bellman Barker and The Ardennes.
For the kids: Juiceboxes, musical instruments they can play, and inflatable guitars.
For more info, send email to: debbie-at-rocknromp-dot-com.
Posted by Sarah at 12:03 PM
August 17, 2007
Weekend Watch: County Fair time
The annual County Fairs are up and running across the DC area this weekend... and the weather is allegedly going to be beautiful.
Check out the Montgomery County Fair, the Arlington County Fair, or the Prince William County Fair this weekend. And be sure to plan ahead for all the others by using the fabulous Summer Fair 2007 Calendar at the Our Kids website. They have the full scoop!
Posted by Sarah at 3:17 PM
August 13, 2007
"Positive Discipline," hosted by NoVa Parents of Multiples on Sept. 6
Thanks to a DCB reader for sharing this announcement:
Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples (NVPOM) warmly invites parents of twins, triplets, quads (and more!), to its September 6 general meeting. Learn about the many benefits of becoming a member, which include an active and engaging listserv, twice yearly children's consignment sales, organized playgroups and monthly meetings which focus on parenting (happily) with multiples.
On September 6 the meeting will feature a presentation and discussion on "Positive Discipline" with Dr. Rene Hackney of Parenting Playgroups. Dinner will be served. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the presentation starts at 7:30. For directions, RSVP by September 5 to Jessica Deering: deeringjess-at-yahoo-dot-com.
NVPOM welcomes expectant parents, as well as parents of children born very close in age (such as two children of the same age adopted at the same time, or a biological and adopted sibling of the same age). The cost of membership is $25 per year. For information on joining NVPOM, contact Eileen Piper: eileen.piper-at-verizon-dot-net.
Posted by Sarah at 11:37 AM
August 10, 2007
Weekend Watch: Shark Day at the National Aquarium
Last weekend my visiting in-laws took our daughter to one of the little-known spots I recommended in the first edition of my book - the National Aquarium in DC (the nation's oldest!).
This small 100+-year-old aquarium, perfect for young children with short attention spans, is located in the basement of the Commerce Building downtown (14th St. at Constitution Ave.) And THIS Saturday, August 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they're hosting Shark Day. The sharks will be fed around 2 p.m.! Kids can also hear special keeper talks, dig for fossil shark teeth in the aquarium's dig area, and do shark crafts.
The aquarium is in the midst of a renovation - but if your kid doesn't mind some of the official name markers missing from exhibits and that sort of thing (mine certainly didn't), it won't make a bit of difference.
Posted by Sarah at 10:06 AM
August 6, 2007
Danajill Designs offers special discount to DCB readers
Danajill Designs is offering a 10 percent discount to DC BABY readers! Just enter this promo code after placing an item in your cart at the website: 328502.
Danajill, a boutique offering unique baby products and apparel, was founded by a DCB reader and NoVa mom. Their products are "custom-crafted, created from the heart, and sewn with love." Be sure to check out their fantastic "Design Your Own" Studio.
Happy shopping!
Posted by Sarah at 1:56 PM
August 3, 2007
Weekend Watch: Bash at The Family Room to benefit Ronald McDonald House
This Saturday afternoon, August 4, The Family Room in DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood will host a special party to benefit The Ronald McDonald House (in celebration of the birthday of Family Roomer Bernadette Belcher).
The fabulous Mr. Derby will perform from 3 to 5 p.m., and cake will be served at 5:30.
Twenty percent of the day's admission charges go to The Ronald McDonald House, which provides support to critically ill children and their families. A birthday party for a great cause!
Posted by Sarah at 12:22 PM
August 2, 2007
Tax-free shopping in the District
It's the District of Columbia's "Back to School" Tax-Free Shopping Holiday, starting this Saturday and running for nine consecutive days.
As long as the retail store is located inside DC, you pay NO sales tax on clothing, accessories, shoes, and school supplies during this freebie period. No single item can cost over $100 - but unless you're prematurely buying your toddler her first pair of Manolo Blahniks, not to worry.
If you don't live or work inside the District, this tax holiday would be a great time to go into the city and splurge on one of the fabulous children's boutiques, like Piccolo Piggies, Dawn Price Baby, or Yiro.
Here's the complete scoop from the Washington Post.
Posted by Sarah at 2:36 PM
August 1, 2007
New JW Tumbles in town
The new JW Tumbles children's gym in Alexandria (Alexandria Commons shopping center on Duke St.) has announced its grand opening Open House, August 6-12.
Each day of the Open House, their doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for "magic carpet rides, obstacle courses, tumbling, bubbles, and more."
If you sign up during the Open House for their first session of classes (which runs August 13-October 27), you get the month of August for free, plus $20 off your membership fee.
I hear another JW Tumbles location is opening soon in Rockville - You can sign up for their email announcements list at the website. And of course, they are already open in Arlington and Ashburn.
Posted by Sarah at 10:10 AM