by Micaela Williamson Before heading out on a National Tour, Caps for Sale, the Musical is on stage at Adventure Theatre MTC for a limited three-week premiere engagment from September 11-27, 2015. This show is a spin on the classic children's storybook with vivid scenery, an entertaining plot line, and a truly animated cast. Caps for Sale, the Musical follows a different storyline from the book. The peddler is much more than a flat character selling caps, but instead is a misunderstood man filled with dreams and struggling for acceptance in his small town. The villagers are too caught up in their ways, but when monkeys come to town, everything changes. Will the peddler gain their friendships or will the monkeys wreak havoc? Find out in this warmhearted tale filled with catchy music, funny scenes and loveable characters. We would recommend the show for ages 3-8, although my almost nine year old also enjoyed the performance. At a running time of about 50 minutes (with no intermission,) the show is just the right length to keep young kids engaged while parents get value from their children's many smiles and laughs. My eyes were on the stage the whole time, and along with my children, I was very much wide-eyed, at the edge of my seat If you haven't been to Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park, then you are missing out on the perfect, intimate venue for young children to see live theatre. The stages and actors are up close, and there are also opportunities to meet the cast after the performance. Plus, the theatre is just steps away from the historic Dentzel Carousel where the whole family can enjoy a magical ride after the show.
by Micaela Williamson After living in apartments and townhomes, this is the first time in eighteen years that I have had a "real" backyard. I couldn't wait to show it off to my closest friends and decided to rent an inflatable water slide to celebrate my son's birthday. After scouring the internet, one local company, Astro Jump of Metro DC, continuously stood out. They have rave reviews online for safety, customer service and cleanliness. Plus, they are pre-approved by Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, DC, and Prince George's County Public Schools. Their rental prices, while they may not be the absolute lowest, are very competitive and reasonable. For me using a company with high standards to safety and customer service is far more important than saving 25 or 30 bucks. The Experience: From start to finish, our Astro Jump of Metro DC experience was seamless. I spoke with the owner, George Williams, and he explained everything to me in great detail. Since I was a newbie to the party rental scene, I appreciated their patience in answering all my questions. Then, I put down a security deposit and immediately received an email confirmation with a contract. Before the party, Astro Jump contacted me twice to make sure I knew their inclement weather policy. (Luckily we had a sunny day!) On the day of the party, the delivery was easy and professional. The inflatable was in pristine condition. The driver set up the water slide and took time to secure it to the ground. He instructed me on the unit's safety (keep it inflated at all times, no food or jewelry on the slide, only one kid on the ladder and down the slide at a time, etc.) and made sure I was comfortable with the water slide before he left. Once the kids arrived, it was non-stop fun. During the entire party, the water slide was in constant use. Since the party, I have gotten many messages and texts from friends telling me how much fun they had and asking for the rental company's information. At the end of the day, Astro Jump of Metro DC picked up the slide at the time they said they would. (They even texted me when they were 15 minutes away.) Everything was packed up neatly and taken away. We would definitely use Astro Jump of Metro DC again and highly recommend them for party rental needs. About Astro Jump of Metro DC: Astro Jump of Metro DC has a huge selection of inflatable moon bounces and water slides in a variety of characters, sizes and themes. However, they also have many other party rentals such as obstacle courses, a mechanical bull (um...this sounds like a must next year for my husband's 40th birthday party!,) laser tag parties, carnival games, a selfie photo booth, fun food concessions, and giant inflatable movie screens. Astro Jump of Metro DC only rents the cleanest and highest quality moon bounces, inflatable slides and other amusement rentals and is locally owned and operated by George Williams. "Before owning Astro Jump DC, I was a first grade teacher with Teach for America," says George Williams, "While I no longer teach reading or math, my team and I work hard to bring fun to thousands of children in the DC Metro area." Astro Jump of Metro DC provides free delivery, set up, and pick up for moon bounce rentals in Washington, DC and most Northern Virginia (VA) and Maryland (MD) suburbs. For more information, visit them online at http://www.astrojumpdc.com/ Disclosure: I received a discounted package with Astro Jump of Metro DC for sharing this information. No other compensation was received. This review contains my honest opinions.
By Amy SuskiEveryone has their favorite eats at the beach and our family is no exception. If you're looking for the best of the trendy new upstarts or a undiscovered gem, this is not that list. Instead, this is our list of time-tested classic beach food favorites that our family returns to year after year. In fact, we wouldn't think of spending a week at the beach without visiting each of these nostalgic favorites at least once. And if you have your own suggestions, please share them with us in the comments section. Ever since the Bay Cafe in Fenwick closed we're still trying to find the perfect shrimp salad! Waterman's Crabs: Ambience isn't always the strong suit of a crab house, which is why when we visited Waterman's last summer we were pleasantly surprised to find that the previously dark spot had undergone a full renovation. The delicious fresh seafood and great piles of steamed crabs are the same, but now you can enjoy them in a bright, cool, and casual dining room. Thrasher's Fries: Beach-goers have been flocking to Thrasher's since 1929 for a reason: they are simply the best fries anywhere. My advice: when eyeing the available bucket sizes, never underestimate the amount your family will eat. When in doubt, get your own cup and let the kids fend for themselves. I think Thrasher's fries are best with salt vinegar, but any way you eat them, these rough-cut spuds will leave you licking for fingers for more. Fisher's Popcorn: If you find yourself on the boardwalk inexplicably drifting towards a delicious smell, you're probably close to a Fisher's location. Since 1937, this family owned popcorn stand has been hand packing freshly made popcorn in a range of flavors from simple butter and salt to classic caramel. My motto is more is more when it comes to Fisher's, which is why we always buy at least three tubs of these wickedly addictive kernels: one for the beach, one for the ride home, and one for a REALLY deserving friend. Dumser's Icecream: You can get a lot of good food at Dumser's Dairyland (fried dough, burgers, french fries, etc.) but the icecream treats are the big draw. This old fashioned ice cream parlor has been serving up classic soft serve, cones, shakes, floats and sundaes since the 1940s. The secret to their success? Dumser's makes their ice cream fresh daily. Anthony's Hoagies: Yes, its a liquor store but it also has an amazing deli with a huge selection of creative hoagies, sandwiches, and salads. One of the 12" hoagies can feed 2-3 kids and is perfect for packing a lunch for the beach. Dayton's Fried Chicken: There's something about the hot sun and the sandy beach that makes me crave juicy fried chicken. Actually, come to think of it I crave juicy fried chicken no matter what the place or season is -- so let's just say the beach inspires an extra-strong craving. Add some potato salad and an iced tea and thats my idea of the perfect beach cooler lunch. You don't even have to worry about making a mess of yourself because you can just swim it off in the ocean! Layton's Breakfast: Layton's has a great breakfast, a kids menu, and gluten-free pancakes (a must for our family). Plus, they make their own donuts. Need I say more?? Alaska Stand's Burgers & Hot Dogs: When the kids just want a burger or hot dog, there's no need for anything more than a quick stop on the boardwalk at the Alaska Stand. The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and do not reflect those of the businesses mentioned. By Amy Suski Each year our daughter comes home from school with colorful paper lanterns, hong bao (little red envelopes fulled with money to symbolize wealth and prosperity), and a Chinese greeting she's learned from her teachers. This year I vowed to go beyond what I've learned from preschool and Kai-Lan reruns and do a little research about the Chinese New Year celebration, local events, and ways we could learn about the traditions at home too. (But for the record, Nick Jr.'s Ni Hao, Kai-Lan website is a fine place to start: preschoolers will really enjoy the colorful printables, cooking projects, crafts, and games.) What I learned is that Chinese New Year (a.k.a. the "Lunar New Year" or "Spring Festival") is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar and has some inspiring traditions. The celebration starts on the first day of the lunar month and this year the Chinese New Year officially starts on February 19, 2015. During the celebration friends and families feast, celebrate and give each other gifts. Sounds good to me! But the new year is also about renewal, which in the dead of winter is a welcome endeavor. For ways to get your family in the spirit, read on! by Micaela Williamson Long gone are the days of boring dioramas and glaring at dead insects through glass cases. Modern science museums are fun, hands-on experiences where visitors engage with exhibits and each other. With the appeal for multiple age groups, we highly recommend science museums as an alternative to children's museums, which are often geared towards early childhood. Whether part of a family vacation or just a day trip, the east coast is packed with so many wonderful science museums. In geographical order from North to South, here are our top favorites: If there is only time to visit one museum in Boston, make it this one. The Museum of Science has hundreds of interactive exhibits on topics such as dinosaurs, the human body, conservation, energy, live animals, physics and much more. Don't miss the indoor lightning storm in the Theater of Electricity (occurring multiple times a day,) and the live animal shows. The museum is also host to New England's only IMAX® Dome screen and an amazing Butterfly Garden (additional fees apply.) Liberty Science Center Jersey City, NJ This massive museum has tons of hands-on things to do on subjects such as sound, communication, animals, electricity, robotics, the human body and more. Besides discovery exhibits, there are also a lot of physical challenges. One of the most popular exhibits, the Touch Tunnel, is a dark maze where visitors crawl through by using their sense of touch. It can be scary for children, so parental supervision is recommended. Also, check out the new Infinity Climber is a suspended multi-story play ,and learn about cityscapes and view 9/11 artifacts in the Skyscraper exhibit. During warmer months, visit the Wildlife Challenge, where kids can crawl and climb like an animal through an outdoor obstacle course. For just a few dollars more than general admission, an IMAX of 3-D movie can be added onto admission tickets.
By Amy Suski If you haven't yet been to the Maryland Science Center, now is a great time to check it out. As one of the country's top-rated science centers for families, the Science Center has so much for kids to see and even more for them to DO. Located at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, the Science Center features 14 full-sized dinosaur models, tons of cool science exhibits, the world-famous Davis Planetarium, a five story IMAX Theater, and plenty of chances for kids to keep their hands busy with interactive science activities.
Disney Jr.’s Choo Choo Soul at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltmore
Saturday, October 11, 2014 SHOWTIMES: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. TICKETS ON SALE NOW For more information, click here. For one day only the B&O Railroad Museum presents two performances by Disney Jr.’s Choo Choo Soul. Follow the musical adventures of the hip-hop singer, train station manager, Genevieve Goings, and her dancing, beatboxing engineer, DC, as they entertain kids while performing soulful and current renditions of the ABC’s and 1-2-3’s. Kid Trips Northern Virginia is giving away a family 4 pack of coach tickets to the 11 a.m. show. To enter, just leave a comment below. Be sure to use a valid email address (email address will be kept private.) Winner will be chosen on Friday, August 15, 2014 and notified via email. Nothing beats picking this sweet summer favorite right off the tree, and we've got a list of local farms with pick-your-own options for families that is well, just peachy! Some of these farms offer events, hayrides, children's activities and more. We recommend visiting their websites for information. Baugher's Orchard 1015 Baugher Road (GPS Address) Westminster, MD 21158 Take a wagon ride out to the orchard to pick your own peaches, and be sure to stop by the farm store for unique country gifts, goodies, and homemade ice cream. Kids can visit the petting zoo to meet and feed animals such as alpacas, llamas, chickens, pigs, peacocks, lambs, goats and more. Plus, there is no need to pack a picnic. Visitors and locals alike will enjoy the full service restaurant boasting great country breakfasts, lunches, and dinners served daily. Great Country Farms 18780 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont, VA 20135 Pick peaches and enjoy all the fun families love and expect from Great Country Farms such as the hayrides, cow train, barnyard animals, giant slides, jumping pillow and more. Be sure to check out the Dog Day's Peach Festival in August where Fido is invited to join in the fun. Admission to the farm includes a free tasting at the adjacent Bluemont Vineyards, which is a win-win for parents. Hartland Orchard 3064 Hartland Lane Markham, VA 22643 An old, family working farm near the scenic Skyline Drive. Pick your own peaches and take a day trip to other local attractions. Hollin Farms 1436 Snowden Road Delaplane, VA 20144 A beautiful, rustic, family-owned farm with peaches available in July and August. Mackintosh Fruit Farm 1608 Russell Rd Berryville, VA 22611 A great farm with lots of pick-your-own produce and peaches, including a fun Peach Festival in the beginning of August. There is a large country store and some mega playgrounds for the kids. Stribling Orchard 1587 Poverty Hollow Lane Markham, VA 22643 Situated among breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this historic farm has delicious pick-your-own fruit, historic buildings, farm animals, and lots of picnic areas. Westmoreland Berry Farm & Market 1235 Berry Farm Lane Oak Grove, VA 22443 Besides the great crops and a country store stocked with yummy fare and local gifts, families will love the overhead goat walk, children's play zone and weekend hayrides. Bring a picnic or try their famous pulled pork BBQ sandwich! Always check the venue's website and social media pages for the latest pick-your-own information. Do you have a great place to add? Please tell us...we'd love to know! Email us the farm's name, address, website and details in the format of the entries above, and we will add it to the list Uber is making life easier for parents in the DC metro area with the launch of uberFAMILY, their new on-demand car seat option. With the touch of a button and a $10 surcharge, parents can easily request a ride that’s equipped with a car seat. When we first heard the news, my biggest concern was safety and proper installation of the carseats. We were thrilled to find out that Uber DC teamed up with The Car Seat Lady’s Dr. Alisa Baer. She trained the service’s highest-rated partner drivers on how to safely secure the seats — which were all manufactured specifically for Uber by IMMI. In celebration of the launch, Uber DC is kicking things off with a surcharge-free week brought to you by Care.com, the world’s largest online destination for finding and managing family care. To learn more about UberFAMILY, including how to request UberFAMILY on your Uber app and safety details, head over to: http://bit.ly/1vXbOjz Plus, we have a very special discount code for you below: 1) Use promo code KidTrips for $25 off your first Uber ride! 2) Download the App and enter the code. 3) Request uberFAMILY and be connected to a highly rated driver with a car seat. WHAT IS UBER? Uber is an app that connects you with a driver at the tap of a button. Request a ride and have a driver curbside in minutes. There’s no need to carry cash. When you reach your destination, your fare is automatically billed to your card on file, no need to tip. Good for one ride, up to $25, new riders only. Expires 11/1/14. Excludes uberTAXI.
Already have Uber? Simply toggle to your vehicle option at the very bottom of the screen (uberFAMILY is available on both uberX and UberBLACK), and tap the ‘FAMILY’ button above the slider. |
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