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June 30, 2009
Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods underway
Categories: Northern Virginia
The very positively-reviewed Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods program, held every summer at Wolf Trap in NoVa, just kicked off its '09 season.
While some of the performances are best for kindergarteners+, there are several entertainers on this year's lineup who would be perfect preschoolers! I especially think SteveSongs, Cathy & Marcy, Rocknocerus, and Bob Brown Puppets will appeal to the littlest kids.
The schedule includes 70 performances for young audiences, June through August, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. A lovely introduction to live performance in a natural setting. Bring a picnic.... and your bug spray.
Tix sell out fairly quickly, so buying in advance for the show you'd like to see is advised.
Posted by Sarah at 4:52 PM. Permanent link to "Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods underway." | Comments (0)
June 29, 2009
This week: Half-price open play at Monkey Business
Categories: Northern Virginia
If you've been meaning to check out Monkey Business in Falls Church, now's the time: They're hosting half-price open play today through Sunday.
Beat the heat for just $4 an hour. Today and Tuesday, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday 1 to 6:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday (the 4th) from 1 to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This Friday night, they're also hosting a "Parents' Night Out" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. F/ more info or registration, you can reach Monkey Business at 703.241.PLAY.
Posted by Sarah at 2:12 PM. Permanent link to "This week: Half-price open play at Monkey Business." | Comments (0)
June 26, 2009
Weekend Watch: Celebration (& a good sale) on the Hill
Categories: Washington, DC
At long last, Saturday is the big grand re-opening celebration at the historic Eastern Market, with face-painting, magicians, balloon-twisters, live entertainment, tours of the restored market, and of course all the great local food, flowers, arts/crafts/antiques dealers. Some of the streets around the market will be closed to traffic to make extra space for the festivities, so plan accordingly if you'll need parking.
Joining the celebration, Eastern Market neighbor Dawn Price Baby will celebrate with sales that include 50 to 70 percent off select floor models, furniture, bedding, and nursery accessories (Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Their spring and summer infant and toddler clothes and accessories will be 30 percent off all weekend.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 2:35 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Celebration (& a good sale) on the Hill." | Comments (0)
June 25, 2009
Kid fun @ Glen Echo Park
Categories: Maryland
Not only does Glen Echo Park celebrate its Heritage Days this weekend, but its fabulous children's theaters are also staging two great performances for kids. Make a day-trip of it, and be sure to ride the historic 1921 Dentzel carousel, while you're there. (Open 12 noon to 6 p.m.)
At the Puppet Co.'s is the 30-minute-long "Circus," featuring vintage marionettes, or "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" on the Adventure stage. If you do the Adventure show, be sure to arrive early, since their seating tends to fill up quickly when the doors open.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 2:57 PM. Permanent link to "Kid fun @ Glen Echo Park." | Comments (0)
June 24, 2009
The Folklife Festival is here!
Categories: Washington, DC
Outing alert: It's opening day at the Folklife Festival on the National Mall.
Free admission for all, but with yummy food and drinks available for purchase, if you like. Loads of live music and dance demos are on the schedule.
Check this link for activities specifically for kids.
Posted by Sarah at 12:46 PM. Permanent link to "The Folklife Festival is here!." | Comments (0)
June 19, 2009
Weekend Watch: Dad's Day & the Waterfront Festival
Categories: Maryland | Northern Virginia | Washington, DC
Happy Father's Day, DC dads! Hope it's a good one. If you're taking Pop out for a good meal this weekend, check OpenTable's list of who's open and who's doing special menus.
With the weather looking decent for the weekend, our pick is the 28th Annual Waterfront Festival in Alexandria, to benefit the Red Cross. Year after year, this is our daughter's favorite outing of the summer, with loads of kids' carnival rides, good food, and live music by the Potomac.
Our best advice for families with young children is to arrive as close to opening time as possible (10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday), before it gets too crowded...and in time for the kids' music acts: This year featuring two of the favorites I've blogged about. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo performs Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30, and Rocknoceros on Sunday from 12 noon to 12:50. Kids can also tour a tall ship, learn about the life of pirates with authentically-attired "pirate guides," and make Father's Day cards and get their little faces painted in the arts & crafts tent. If your children are old enough to stay up late, there will be fireworks Saturday night!
Advance tix online are just $10 per adult - and two children get in free with each paying adult. All kids under age three get in for free.
Posted by Sarah at 10:23 AM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Dad's Day & the Waterfront Festival." | Comments (1)
June 18, 2009
NoVa's all-ages faves
Categories: Northern Virginia
The June issue of Northern Virginia Magazine spotlights readers' picks for all-ages services and shopping. Several of the chosen ones have also been featured in the two editions of my book!
Here's how the magazine's votes shake out:
Kids' Birthday Cake: Edibles Incredible (with multiple NoVa locations)
Children's Clothes: Doodlehopper in Falls Church & Springfield
Children's Furniture: Baby 2 Teen in Manassas and Fredericksburg
Toddler Class: "Music with Maddy" (Music Together) in Falls Church & Ashburn
Activity Center: Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn
Arts & Crafts: Maverick Mosaics in Vienna
Museum: UdvarHazy Air & Space Museum in Chantilly
Check out the magazine for complete reviews!
And feel free to share your own NoVa favorites here, in the "comments."
Posted by Sarah at 9:33 AM. Permanent link to "NoVa's all-ages faves." | Comments (0)
June 16, 2009
Summer book love
Categories: Maryland | Northern Virginia | Washington, DC
When I was a kid growing up in extra-sweaty Texas, summer meant extra-many trips to the (air-conditioned) library with my grandmother and my cousin, where we piled stacks so high we could barely carry them home. Hot afternoons were for snuggling under a cotton quilt on the day-bed and escaping into a good book.
While it's not quite as miserably sweaty here in Washington, summer's still a great time to luxuriate in books with your little one(s). Unfortunately some (though not all) of the DC area's public libraries are cutting back on their hours and storytime offerings due to budget woes - but you can still check out books to your heart's content.
Here are some of my other local faves for falling in love with new books this summer:
Politics & Prose storytime: Mondays @ 10:30 a.m. They also offer a discount on a "signed book of the week." Check out the current selection in the store or on their website.
Hooray for Books storytimes: Saturdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. (for ages two and under) and from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon (for ages three to five). Also, they've added Tuesday storytimes for all ages in Japanese - from 10:30 to 11 a.m. And check out a day-long anniversary party at the store this Saturday, the 20th, with balloons, face painting, raffles, and special visits from local children's authors.
The Pajama Squid summer storytimes: Fridays at 10:30 a.m. until August 28th, with fabulous reader Karen Payne and occasional guest-reader Jessica from the "A Parent in Silver Spring" blog. Geared toward ages three to six years, but all ages are welcome. The store also stocks a brilliantly select offering of books - a mix of classics and will-be-classics. Check out owner Tiffany King's video book reviews on their homepage.
Aladdin's Lamp storytimes: This Saturday the 20th, local author Laura Melmed will celebrate Father's Day by reading her new book, "My Love Will be With You," @ 11 a.m. (suggested for ages three+).
Kinder Haus storytimes: Every Monday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. with "Ms. Laura" - and they have a nice book section in the store, too.
Feel free to post your own favorite storytime or book-related events in the "comments."
Posted by Sarah at 2:44 PM. Permanent link to "Summer book love." | Comments (2)
June 15, 2009
Thumbs up for "Dinosaur Pop"
Categories: Maryland | Northern Virginia | Washington, DC
An outtake from our recent newsletter that's well worth sharing again on the blog:
DC-area dad and musician Paul Legrady, inspired by his young son's dinosaur mania, is the dominant talent behind a new kids' CD, "Dinosaur Pop." We recently had the opportunity to test-drive the music with the most discerning critics we know... our very own five-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. It was a hit!
Think pop-rock composition and instrumentation reminiscent of early R.E.M., with dinosaur-themed lyrics that hook the younger set. A welcome antidote to the much of the tired, uninspired "children's music" on the market. Check out their website, sample the tunes, and buy your CD at www.dinosaurpop.com.
Posted by Sarah at 9:10 AM. Permanent link to "Thumbs up for "Dinosaur Pop"." | Comments (1)
June 12, 2009
Weekend Watch: Pirate cruising on the Potomac
Categories: Northern Virginia
Have a pirate-obsessed youngster in your family? The Potomac Riverboat Company's "Pirate Cruises" for kids are now running...Setting sail Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. through September 7.
It's a 40-minute cruise with pirate-themed music and entertainment, departing from Old Town's historic riverfront. Tix are $15 per adult, $9 per child (ages 2-11), and little ones under age two cruise for free.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 2:00 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Pirate cruising on the Potomac." | Comments (2)
June 11, 2009
Free outdoor concerts in MoCo
Categories: Maryland
Those of you who live in Montgomery County have a built-in supply of free, kid-friendly outings to choose from this summer. Check out the Post's extensive compilation of these events, running now through August in Bethesda, Germantown, Rockville, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery Village.
Anyone who knows of free outdoor concerts in other parts of the DC area should post them here in the "comments" section. Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 10:11 AM. Permanent link to "Free outdoor concerts in MoCo." | Comments (1)
June 9, 2009
Kids (& moms) eat free tomorrow @ California Tortilla
Categories: Maryland | Northern Virginia | Washington, DC
We really like locally-owned California Tortilla for yummy affordable meals out with our children... So we were happy to hear that tomorrow - Wednesday, June 10 - is "Kids Eat Free Day" at all California Tortilla locations. One child eats for free with each adult purchase. And all stores will be collecting donations for Make a Wish, rewarding donors with a $1-off coupon for their next visit.
At the Cleveland Park location only (Connecticut Ave. next to the metro entrance), tomorrow is "Moms AND Kids Eat Free" from 1 to 2 p.m. Just say "Mama Mia" to get your free meal(s). They'll also have some extra goodies on hand for families.
Posted by Sarah at 1:51 PM. Permanent link to "Kids (& moms) eat free tomorrow @ California Tortilla." | Comments (0)
June 8, 2009
Children's portrait mini-session, part deux. . . & a contest
Categories: Washington, DC
Photographer Stacey Vaeth is hosting another of her extra-popular (and economical) mini-sessions for summer, with 20-minute time slots available for the morning of June 27 and the early evening of June 28, both at Montrose Park in Georgetown, and again July 11-12 at a DC-area location TBD.
Here's how it works: Sitting fee is just $35 for each child and $15 for each additional person to be photographed, 20 minutes, your time spot reserved in advance. All images are made available online after the shoot for ordering and sharing, and participants get a 10 percent-off coupon for a family session.
Also: Stacey is doing a little contest to get creative ideas for a great summertime mini session location for the July 11/12 shoots. The individual who submits the winning idea gets a free mini-session for two. She says the sky's the limit... anything within 30 miles of the District. A fountain, a sprinkler, a swingset, a field of flowers? Send your suggestion via email: info-at-staceyvaeth-dot-com.
For more info or to book your mini-session, ring Stacey at 202.276.2481.
Posted by Sarah at 8:42 PM. Permanent link to "Children's portrait mini-session, part deux. . . & a contest." | Comments (0)
June 5, 2009
Weekend Watch: Children's Street Festival in Bethesda
Categories: Maryland
The weather should clear up nicely for Saturday's Imagination Bethesda, an annual children's street festival celebrating the arts.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., check out the live kids' entertainment, roving performers, face painters, balloonists, hands on creative activities, children's yoga and Spanish sing-alongs, faux tattoos, and food booths from some of Bethesda's best restaurants. It takes place along Woodmont Ave., between Bethesda Ave. and Elm St. Take the Bethesda Circulator, plan to park in one of the nearby metered garages, or metro to the Bethesda station. Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 3:09 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Children's Street Festival in Bethesda." | Comments (0)
June 4, 2009
June 13-21 = Kids' Restaurant Week in DC
Categories: Washington, DC
This month Cookie and Gourmet magazines are co-hosting Kids' Restaurant Week events in Washington, DC, New York, and Chicago. June 13-21, you can take advantage of early seating times (5 to 7 p.m.) and fixed-price menus (kids "pay their age"), with a portion of proceeds benefiting local nonprofit organizations.
It's an opportunity to eat at some of the best restaurants in town without having to find a babysitter, in a "kids welcome" atmosphere. Make a fancy dress-up family date of it! For the complete DC schedule and to book your reservations, click here.
A kick-off party for Kids' Restaurant Week DC is set for Saturday, June 13th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eastern Market, with children's activities, as well as demos and tastings from top DC chefs.
Our local Kids' Restaurant Week will benefit the still-struggling-to-rebuild Eastern Market, one of the city's historic gems in Capitol Hill... as well as Miriam's Kitchen, a 26-year-old organization providing meals and support for 4,000 of DC's homeless individuals.
Posted by Sarah at 10:17 AM. Permanent link to "June 13-21 = Kids' Restaurant Week in DC." | Comments (0)
June 3, 2009
Coming back to DC: Recess Monkey!
Categories: Northern Virginia
At our house, the guys from Seattle-based band Recess Monkey are mammoth rock stars. We became devotees after catching their kids' show at Jammin' Java last year, and have been listening and singing along ever since. And they're coming back to Jammin' Java this summer! Buy your tix now for the Saturday, July 18th show, part of their "Field Trip" national tour to celebrate the release of their (really good) fifth CD.
Recess Monkey's live performances are a rockin good time for both kids and adults. (Seriously.) They have a wacky interactive vibe with the kids throughout the show, and their hip, cleverly hooked Beatles-esque songs are at their best in the live setting. Part magical Mystery Tour, part Mr. Rogers, part Muppet Show. Much like taking your kid to see Dan Zanes live for the first time, it's an experience that will ensure you'll never again tolerate Raffi or the Wiggles.
Tix are just $8. Call Jammin' Java at 703.255.1566 or go to www.jamminjava.com. See you @ the show!
Posted by Sarah at 10:04 AM. Permanent link to "Coming back to DC: Recess Monkey!." | Comments (0)
June 2, 2009
2 weeks only: BIG summer book sale
Categories: Maryland | Northern Virginia | Washington, DC
Preparing to move to Austin! For you, that means a big book sale. Through June 14th only, your online order of DC BABY: Revised Second Edition in paperback is 35% off PLUS free shipping. (That comes to just $14.92.)
If you've been planning to buy the book or have an upcoming baby shower/gift need, now's the time. Thanks f/ your support, and thanks f/ reading!
Posted by Sarah at 10:49 AM. Permanent link to "2 weeks only: BIG summer book sale." | Comments (0)