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February 28, 2008
Weekend Watch: Maternity & baby sale in Old Town, Free puppet show & party in Chevy Chase
First, the savings: The lovely Apple Seed maternity and baby boutique will be at the Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) in Old Town, located just up the hill from the King St. metro station. They'll have on hand a wide selection of both maternity and baby (up to 4T) clothing and baby gifts discounted up to 70 percent off. A word to the wise: Last year at this sale they cleared out the inventory by 2 p.m. So go early! There will also be lots of other local merchants and artisans with booths at the sale.
Also this weekend: The historic Avalon Theatre in Chevy Chase (5612 Connecticut Ave. NW) will kick off its legacy campaign this Saturday, with a FREE puppet show presented by Kaydee Puppets at 10:30 a.m. There will also be free popcorn, face painting, gift bags, and local merchant discounts for all who attend - and a 1 p.m. free screening of "Washington's favorite DC film," as voted on by DC residents and Avalon patrons. Turn out to help celebrate the theatre's 85th year in operation!
Posted by Sarah at 3:56 PM
February 27, 2008
Free previews: Classic Tales 'n Tunes in Falls Church & Vienna
Classic Tales 'n Tunes, a fabulous NoVa early childhood enrichment program founded by Jody Katz, is offering FREE preview classes on March 31, April 5, and April 9.
Their integrated arts program combines music, stories, movement, and puppetry, enriched with basic Spanish and ASL. And there are two programs to choose from: their signature offering for ages 18 mos. through four years, and Tiny Tunes for young infants through 17 months.
Classes are held at the Vienna Community Center and the Falls Church Community Center. While there's no charge to attend these previews, space is limited and reservations are strongly strongly recommended. Check their website for the details on times, places, and how to reserve your spot.
Posted by Sarah at 5:05 PM
February 26, 2008
Free froggy fun for Leap Day '08
How fun is this? To mark Leap Day 2008, the NGS in DC will host a FREE event for kids of all ages:
Celebrate Leap Day at the National Geographic Museum exhibit "Frogs! A Chorus of Colors" this Friday, February 29. The exhibition features more than 150 live frogs from 15 species, each in custom environments that match their natural habitats.
Show-and-tell presentations with the exhibit's frog handler will allow Leap Day visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the frogs. The museum will also screen National Geographic Explorer's "The Last Frog," which delves into the worldwide mystery of why the frog population is declining. Visitors can also conduct a virtual frog dissection using one of the exhibit's many interactives, create their own art frog, and win a prize in a special leaping contest.
Lineup of Activities:
11 a.m. - Live Frog Demonstration
11:30 a.m. - Leaping Contest
1 p.m. - Live Frog Demonstration
1:30 p.m. - Leaping Contest
All Day:
Create your own colorful frog in the courtyard with sidewalk chalk. Take home a frog coloring page.
Film Screenings:
10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - "The Last Frog": Species of frogs have suddenly and mysteriously begun to vanish and experts are anxious to know why.
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. - "Fearsome Frogs": Find out how the surprisingly predatory North American bullfrog is wreaking havoc on Arizona's delicate ecosystem.
For more info on the exhibit, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 11:51 AM
February 23, 2008
Heads Up: Big Britax Sale
I rarely share sale announcements here on the blog - but because Britax is such a great brand with high safety ratings, not cheap, and almost never discounted... here's a heads-up for my readers:
Amazon.com has put Britax car seats, boosters, and strollers on sale - one week only!
With our baby #2 to arrive any day now, I jumped for joy when I learned about this sale. We were able to save $100 on the Britax Vigour stroller, which is compatible with our Britax infant car seat. Yay! Hope some of you will be able to take advantage of this offer while it lasts.
Posted by Sarah at 6:07 PM
February 22, 2008
Weekend Watch: Rock-n-Tot arrives & free Hola Baby demo at Aladdin's Lamp
DC's inaugural Rock-n-Tot event is this weekend, on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ultra Bar (transformed into a smoke-free, alcohol-free, child-friendly venue for the occasion). It's a big dance party for the whole family! Look for our family's fave professional photographer, Elizabeth Dranitzke, while you're there. She'll be on camera duty for the event. FYI: Tomorrow' Rock-n-Tot advance tix are sold out! There will be just 50 tickets available for purchase at the door, so get there early if you want a shot. There are still plenty of advance tix available online for the March Rock-n-Tot, so if you miss out on tomorrow, don't despair.
Also this weekend... Maria Greene, founder of the fabulous Hola Baby early childhood enrichment program, is doing a free demo of the class at the Aladdin's Lamp children's bookstore tomorrow, Saturday, February 23 at 11 a.m. No need to pre-register, but due to limited space you should arrive early to get a spot. Aladdin's Lamp is located on the basement level of the Harris Teeter shopping center at Harrison St. and Lee Hwy. in Arlington. If you've never visited the store before, you really should! They have a huge stock of classics and new books for all ages, as well as friendly and helpful staff. An outstanding children's bookstore, and SO important that we support the good work they do, especially with the recent demise of A Likely Story Children's Books in Alexandria.
Posted by Sarah at 11:40 AM
February 18, 2008
Discount on Red Cross Safe Baby CPR course
Safe Start Baby is offering a special you might want to take advantage of: The Red Cross Safe Baby CPR course, taught in-home, at a rate of $50 per person for a group of four or more.
The private in-home instruction allows you to gather a group of at least four adults - friends, neighbors, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, moms' group members - for a class taught by Red Cross-certified instructors. The Safe Baby presentation is an overview of the Red Cross Certification course, reviewing infant and/or child CPR, including rescue breathing, CPR, and conscious and unconscious choking. This class runs 1-2 hours, depending on the number of participants.
To take advantage of this offer, you must book the in-home course by May 1, 2008.
Posted by Sarah at 10:56 AM
February 15, 2008
Weekend Watch: George's Birthday Parade
For those of you enjoying a three-day weekend... This Monday, February 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Old Town Alexandria's historic district, it's the Annual George Washington Birthday Parade.
Assuming the weather holds up, it's loads of (free) fun for all ages. And, if you ask me, a parade in bleak midwinter is a treat indeed. For the full scoop, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 3:52 PM
February 13, 2008
Discount for DCB readers! "How to Talk..." parenting workshop in Arlington
Want to find out why time-outs don't seem to work? Learn fabulous alternatives? How about finding ways to get your kids to cooperate without yelling? If so, this is the class for you.
A new session of How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, led by Francine Ronis, LPC, begins on Tuesday, February 26, at 7 p.m. in Arlington.
To receive a special discount on the registration fee, contact Francine and let her know you are a DC BABY reader: frgilbert-at-gmail-dot-com or 571.213.9215. Francine can also share thumbs-up recommendations from other DC BABY parents who have taken the workshop!
Posted by Sarah at 1:25 PM
February 12, 2008
Children's Valentine party at Noodles & Noggins
Noodles & Noggins will host a special Valentine's celebration for ages two to five at the Clifton Town Hall (historic downtown Clifton, VA) tomorrow - Wednesday, February 13 - from 10 to 11 a.m.
The party will include love-themed live music and storytelling, as well as the opportunity for kids to create their own V-Day card for someone they love.
Admission is $5 per child. For more info or to reserve your space, call 703.815.8600.
Posted by Sarah at 12:22 PM
February 8, 2008
Weekend Watch: Zucchini at the Drafthouse
The Great Zucchini is at the Arlington Drafthouse this weekend! He performs on Saturday at 12 noon (doors open at 11, with food service and pre-performance short movies).
Tix are $8. And I've heard he often sells out the Drafthouse, so you might want to purchase online today.
When The Great Zucchini performed at my daughter's preschool last year, she and her best buddy reported that they LOVED him. And a parent in attendance told me that the whole crowd of children went wild with giggles and whoops of joy as he performed. So I think I have to give him a hearty "thumbs up," especially for audiences ages two to five.
Posted by Sarah at 1:25 PM
February 6, 2008
Family Movie Nights on Capitol Hill
The Family Room in DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood is hosting an ongoing series of Family Movie Nights, Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
Here's the schedule for February:
Feb. 8: Robin Hood
Feb. 15: The Love Bug
Feb. 22: Cars
Feb. 29: Charlotte's Web
March movies (and beyond) will be announced soon!
The movie is free with admission - $5 for kids and no cost for their parents/caregivers. Pizza, popcorn, and drinks are available for purchase, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Posted by Sarah at 2:44 PM
February 5, 2008
Valentine-making fun in Alexandria
For kids ages three to seven, Parenting Playgroups in Alexandria is hosting Valentine-Decorating Parties this week and next. They supply all the hearts, glue, beads, ribbons, doilies, lace, stickers, cut-outs, glitter... You supply the child for an hour of fun.
The Valentine-Decorating Parties are set for:
THIS THURSDAY: February 7, 11 a.m. to 12 noon
THIS SATURDAY: February 9, 10 to 11 a.m.
Next Monday: February 11, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost is $14. Space is limited, so you must reserve your spot in advance. Call 703.922.0044 or send email to: rene-at-parentingplaygroups-dot-com.
Posted by Sarah at 2:03 PM
February 1, 2008
A family-friendly bill before the DC City Council
Did you know? The DC City Council is considering a bill, the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, which would allow all employees in the District to take paid sick days to care for themselves or their children (as well as to deal with incidents of domestic violence). What I think is especially significant is that the Act would cover all types of workers, including part-timers... many of who are moms.
The City Council is set to vote on the bill this Tuesday, February 5. But word on the street is, some vocal lobbyists are attempting to get it permanently tabled.
If you're inclined to support the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, there's something you can do about it. Four calls you can make. (And every call, every voice message, counts.) Here's who needs to hear from you:
Council Chair Vincent Gray - 202.724.8032
Council member Kwame Brown - 202.724.8174
Your ward Council member - 202.724.8000 (This is the main Council number, so ask for your Council member by name or ward.)
Mayor Adrian Fenty - 202.727.1000
It's disturbing to learn that 86% of food and public service workers in the District don't get even one paid sick day - meaning they work sick and when their kids are sick, or face going unpaid or losing their jobs. And that half of the District's full-time workers have no paid sick time. IMO, lack of paid sick leave is a real liability for our children and families - as well as for our co-workers and, ultimately, for our employers.
Posted by Sarah at 7:28 PM