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July 30, 2008
Coming August 9: Summer Safari Festival in Gaithersburg
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It's almost here: The Summer Safari Festival, hosted by Andy's Parties and the city of Gaithersburg, is set for Saturday, August 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Gaithersburg City Hall Pavilion.
The Summer Safari Festival is a first-of-its-kind, large-scale, kid-focused event featuring a live performance from SteveSongs (the friendly guitar guy made famous by PBS Kids), along with a petting zoo from Squeals on Wheels, carnival rides and games, a storyteller from Bach to Rock, and entertainment from the Little Maestros. Plus, food from Potomac Pizza and Carvel, and animal-themed activities from nearly 20 other local business sponsors. Admission to the festival is FREE - you just have to pay for your food and carnival rides.
Summer Safari prize packages, including kid-size event t-shirts, SteveSongs CDs, and animal-theme toys, are being raffled at several of the local sponsor businesses - including Jabberu, Yellow Balloon, Tots2Tweens, Potomac Pizza, Carvel, Thyme Out, Bach to Rock, Yellow Balloon, Ballet Petite, and Andy's Parties.
As part of his nationwide "Marvelous Adventures DVD Release Tour," SteveSongs will be also performing at Wolf Trap August 5 through 9.
Posted by Sarah at 6:43 AM. Permanent link to "Coming August 9: Summer Safari Festival in Gaithersburg."
July 29, 2008
July 30: FREE Hola Baby demo class at Aladdin's Lamp
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One of our favorite DC-area enrichment programs for young children, Hola Baby, will hold a free demo class at Aladdin's Lamp children's bookstore in Arlington, tomorrow, Wednesday the 30th, at 11 a.m. If you live or work in the area and you've never tried Hola Baby, stop by to sample the fun.
The free demo class will be led by Hola Baby founder and instructor Maria Elena Giraldo Greene, a bilingual Arlington mama of two bilingual cuties. Registration for their fall playgroups - offered on both weekdays and weekends - will open in August, so this is a good time to check it out if you're looking for a fun post-summer activity.
Aladdin's Lamp is located in the lower/basement level of the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2499 N.Harrison St.) If you're new to the store, you're in for a treat. Locally owned and managed, they have one of the most extensive stocks of books (both newbies and classics), toys, and puzzles for babies through young adults. They also regularly host free events like tomorrow's demo. Fabuloso.
Posted by Sarah at 11:58 AM. Permanent link to "July 30: FREE Hola Baby demo class at Aladdin's Lamp."
July 24, 2008
Weekend Watch: Recess Monkey at Jammin' Java
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Seattle kids' band Recess Monkey (brilliantly named) will perform at Jammin' Java in Vienna this weekend. Tix are still available for the 11 a.m. Sunday show - and can be purchased online (or by calling 703.255.1566, ext. 8).
These guys are the coolest schoolteachers-you-never-had, whose band has produced a handful of CDs and is embarking on a first national tour. Check out Recess Monkey's MySpace page to sample their sound.
UPDATE: I took Ava to the show, and it was a good one! Fun, smart, and not too precious. My daughter has developed a small crush on the drummer (whom she insists on calling "Ringo," as if all drummers we like must share the same name). Highly recommend buying their music and catching them the next time they come through DC.
Posted by Sarah at 9:53 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Recess Monkey at Jammin' Java."
July 21, 2008
Free at the Smithsonian: Jim Henson exhibit, through October 5
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If you haven't yet made it to the Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit at the Smithsonian, get thee downtown as soon as possible! It's a fabulous display of Henson's puppets, art, and video from The Muppet Show(s), Sesame Street, and more - plus a nice little interactive play area where children can "film" their own puppet show on a TV screen, design funny faces on their own original creatures on a big velcro board, and play dress-up.
There's also a store stocked with puppets, books, videos, and memorabilia related to Henson's world. (My favorite = the old-fashioned metal Kermit and Animal lunchboxes.)
Tips to make your visit less stressful: Arrive the moment they open, at 10 a.m. By 11:00, summer-camp groups with school-aged kids show up, and all hell breaks loose. Misery ensues for little ones and parents. I also suggest allowing extra time to find the place. Once inside the pagoda-like dome of the obscure Ripley Center (located on the Mall between the Freer Gallery and the Castle), you'll need to go through a security check and then wander down a series of stairs/escalators (or elevators). Once underground, you still have some navigating to do, and the gallery is not well-marked. Best bet: Follow the signs to the Discovery Theater, since the exhibit is just around the corner from it.
Probably goes without saying, but don't try to park down there at this time of year. Buses and out-of-state plates are all vying for the few spots available on the street. Ava and I went down early on a weekday morning and it was already mobbed with thousands of sweaty, confused, fanny-packed tourists. The Smithsonian metro stop is just a short 2 blocks from the Ripley Center.
The good news is, strollers are allowed inside. The bad news is, there's no "stroller check" area for those of you who want to ditch the wheels when you arrive. Oh, and did I mention you should pack cold water and copious snacks for this adventure? I failed on that count, and paid for it dearly on the way home.
Free admission. Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 9:55 AM. Permanent link to "Free at the Smithsonian: Jim Henson exhibit, through October 5."
July 18, 2008
Weekend Watch: Family-oriented Colonial Fair in McLean
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The Claude Moore Colonial Farm in McLean will hold its annual Summer Market Fair this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.
The all-ages event will feature puppet shows, "swordmasters" (!), rope walkers, fiddlers and dancing, a three-legged race and other games, and many folks dressed in period costumes. There will also be loads of food and drinks on hand, and unique stuff for grownup shoppers.
For discounted tix, click here.
Posted by Sarah at 2:44 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Family-oriented Colonial Fair in McLean."
July 17, 2008
Bugaboos on sale! (Seriously!)
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Hard to believe, but Amazon is doing a sale on a rarely-discounted, high-end, rock-star product: Through July 31, selected Bugaboo stroller models are discounted up to 20 percent.
In my four years obsessing over kid gear, endlessly comparing prices, features, and reviews, I don't think I've ever seen Bugaboos on sale. I could never even manage to snap up one of the rare used Bugaboos on Craig's List - They're so few and far between, someone always beat me to it. So if you're in the market for the gold standard stroller, now's the time to buy!
Posted by Sarah at 9:51 PM. Permanent link to "Bugaboos on sale! (Seriously!)."
July 16, 2008
New resource: Postpartum Support Virginia
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I'm so proud of my friend Adrienne Griffen: After many months of hard work and planning, she has established a not-for-profit organization that all expectant and new parents in the DC area should know about: Postpartum Support Virginia, serving NoVa and beyond.
Adrienne, an Arlington mother of three, suffered from severe postpartum depression (PPD) following the birth of her second child. After struggling to find help and eventually getting her groove back, she vowed to improve resources and support for women and their families in the DC area who are going through similar experiences. Adrienne is a powerhouse of a woman who, in a former life, was in a position to brief the President of the United States and moved with Washington's bigshots. She now channels her energies and smarts into leading free support groups and overseeing this new organization, which will make a difference in the lives of so many moms and babies.
Postpartum Support Virginia offers one-on-one support and groups, resources and info for new mothers and their families, and outreach to area communities. If you - or someone you care about - are suffering from symptoms of depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum, please visit the site and reach out for help. It's available!
Posted by Sarah at 4:17 PM. Permanent link to "New resource: Postpartum Support Virginia."
July 14, 2008
Salsa Cinderella at the Smithsonian
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This sounds so neato, I'm wishing our schedule allowed me to take my four-year-old daughter: The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater in DC will host a new take on princess lore with "Salsa Cinderella," tomorrow, the 15th, at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (and running through July 18th).
Appropriate for ages three to eight, "this classic tale of love and footwear is told with an original Latin musical score and dazzling puppets and staging. The show is sure to delight the salsa fan in everyone."
Tix are $6 for adults, $5 for children, and $4 for nonresident members. Advance tickets are required: Call 202.633.8700. The show is staged in the S. Dillon Ripley Center, Room 3111, at the Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater on the National Mall.
Posted by Sarah at 1:43 PM. Permanent link to "Salsa Cinderella at the Smithsonian."
July 12, 2008
Saturdays at the National Harbor
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While the National Children's Museum won't be reopening for a few more years (2012 is the hoped-for date), they're still managing to host some enticing programs for kids of all ages. Case in point: Their free Saturday programs al fresco at the National Harbor's American Market Saturdays now through October 18, the museum is sponsoring family fun from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Each Saturday in the series has a unique theme. For example, July 26 features an original children's theater performance, "The Truth About Bunny" - a new take on the race between the tortoise and the hare - with shows at 10 and 11 a.m. and 12 and 1 p.m. August 2 is "Rhythm and Movement," where kids create with guest artist Karen Brown and the 7 Step Hand Dance Academy from Prince George's County performs at 1 p.m. August 30 you can help your children learn to reach out to others at "Kids Making a Difference," by creating and decorating whimsical "happy hats" to be distributed to more than 500 hospitalized children in the DC area.
Posted by Sarah at 9:08 PM. Permanent link to "Saturdays at the National Harbor."
July 11, 2008
This just in: A rare sale on Saturday in Bethesda
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For those of you who like the Olive Juice kids' clothing as much as I do (and therefore recognize how rare this discounted opportunity really is), a last minute heads-up:
There will be an Olive Juice warehouse sale tomorrow, Saturday the 12th, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bethesda, at the fabulous Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market (7155 Wisconsin Ave.). I'm told there will be a wide selection of past-season Olive Juice items, including from the spring '08 line. All items will be priced between $5 and $35.
If you've never bought Olive Juice kids' clothing before, my advice is to buy a size up. (IMO, they tend to run on the small side, especially if your child is tall or long-torso for his/her age.)
Show up early for the good stuff! You might have to arm-wrestle me for it.
Posted by Sarah at 3:47 PM. Permanent link to "This just in: A rare sale on Saturday in Bethesda."
July 10, 2008
Weekend Watch: Reston Festival & Alexandria's Birthday Party
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Saturday and Sunday it's the Reston Festival, with loads of live music and children's booths set up by familiar names like Andy's Parties, Wee Play, ArtSmart Kids, and Music Play. There will be kids' arts and crafts, a magician, balloon art, airbrush tattoos, games, and a ride-on train.
Also... If you skipped the fireworks displays last weekends due to the insane crowds, tourist traffic, and late hours for the kids, you get a second chance this weekend with a slightly more manageable event that's family-friendly. Saturday night it's Alexandria's annual symphony concert and fireworks by the Potomac to celebrate the city's birthday. Children's activities and food booths open at 4 p.m., and the evening ends with the symphony's pops performance and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs/picnic blankets. Best of all, FREE admission.
Posted by Sarah at 9:15 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Reston Festival & Alexandria's Birthday Party."
July 6, 2008
Another super-cool shopping spot in Old Town: Pink & Brown
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Making King St. an even happier place for parent-shoppers (and grandparents with dough to spend on the little darlings) is newcomer Pink & Brown, a boutique debuting this summer.
We love their retro-chic window display and the promise of more options in organic baby and children's clothing. As soon as you get a chance to shop, please send your first-hand reviews our way!
Pink & Brown joins new children's bookstore Hooray for Books, toy and gift stores 1022 Toys and Whistle Stop, and boutiques Apple Seed, Nina's Closet, Monday's Child and Why Not? in making Old Town's King St. a real corridor for unique and upscale kiddie loot. Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 9:03 PM. Permanent link to "Another super-cool shopping spot in Old Town: Pink & Brown."
July 1, 2008
Weekend Watch: Happy Independence Day
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UPDATE: The Post just published their Fourth of July Guide online.
In the name of summer vacation, DCB is taking a newsletter break this month - So there will be no July edition in your mailbox, but we'll be back for August. Now to the real news: It's almost July 4th, and there's loads to do with kids in the District and throughout the 'burbs. Just a few highlights:
The parade in downtown DC starts at 11:45 a.m. on Friday.
On Friday all day at Mt. Vernon in Alexandria there will be family-oriented events - a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a costumed "George Washington, 18th century patriotic music, and an annual concert by the National Concert Band of America. There is a fee for admission. A military re-enactment and reading of the Declaration starts at 9:45 a.m. The concert starts at 11 a.m., and there's a 1 p.m. Revolutionary War military demonstration by the first Virginia Regiment.
Fireworks on the National Mall start between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Fairfax also does a parade and fireworks display on Friday. Lee District Park in Franconia will have its own free, family-friendly blowout with fireworks (call 703.922.9841). Also check out planned events in Takoma Park and Montgomery County in Gaithersburg.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
Posted by Sarah at 8:32 AM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Happy Independence Day."