August 4, 2008
Now in the third trimester... DC BABY Revised 2nd Edition in paperback!
It's almost fully baked! The revised and expanded DC BABY, 2nd Edition is coming this fall. The book will be available in bookstores and select baby boutiques throughout the DC area, as well as online through this website and Amazon.com.
Stay tuned for the official due date, and the chance to preorder your very own bundle of joy online.
Posted by Sarah at 9:40 AM
August 2, 2008
Sara Lavan: Nourishing moms (and kids) on the local scene
I've recently had the chance to know a new (and extraordinary) Washingtonian serving pregnant and postpartum moms, babies, and children. Sara Lavan - transplanted from NYC to Alexandria in 2006 with her kiddos and spouse - is a holistic health counselor, pilates instructor (including pre- and postnatal pilates), and dancer with years of experience teaching creative movement for kids. She's also the co-publisher of Nourishing Moms, an online resource for expectant and new moms with an emphasis on whole foods nutrition and mind/body health.
My smallhead enrolled in Sara's summer movement class - and fell in love! Ava has to be dragged away at the close of each session, and lights up with joy at the prospect of the comeback.
Sara's currently teaching a wide range of classes for expectant and new moms - as well as children - at Body in Balance (near the fabulous Buzz coffee bar/bakery) and at the new Mind the Mat studio in Del Ray. I've also just signed up for Sara's Nourishing Moms newsletter, where I've already gained a summer recipe (watermelon lemonade!) - as well as some inspiring, quick reads for my own postpartum self (struggling, I admit, to adjust to life with 2 kids... and to regain anything resembling balance in my life and health. I suspect I'm not alone.)
I'm so glad Sara came to town! She's a great local resource for mamas of all stages and ages.
Posted by Sarah at 8:44 PM
August 1, 2008
Weekend Watch: Tax-free shopping in DC & VA
It's that glorious time again. Do your back-to-preschool shopping this weekend, TAX-FREE in the District and Virginia. The sales tax exemption covers all clothing, shoes, accessories, and school supplies.
To make the most of your tax-free shopping, check out these tips from About.com. As they suggest, consider shopping sales to really get a bang for the tax-free buck. My suggestions for the weekend: the 50 to 75 percent off sale at Dawn Price Baby, the 40 percent off sale on baby and kids' clothing at Apple Seed, Hanna Andersson's denim and seasonal sale (tax-free at the McLean location only), and the "monster sale" at Children's Place (tax-free at the VA locations only).
Sadly for Maryland shoppers (and retailers), the turkeys running M.D. have nixed the state's tax-free shopping holiday. Bummer.
Posted by Sarah at 1:56 PM
July 30, 2008
Coming August 9: Summer Safari Festival in Gaithersburg
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
July 29, 2008
July 30: FREE Hola Baby demo class at Aladdin's Lamp
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
July 24, 2008
Weekend Watch: Recess Monkey at Jammin' Java
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
July 21, 2008
Free at the Smithsonian: Jim Henson exhibit, through October 5
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
July 18, 2008
Weekend Watch: Family-oriented Colonial Fair in McLean
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
July 17, 2008
Bugaboos on sale! (Seriously!)
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
July 16, 2008
New resource: Postpartum Support Virginia
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
