My daughter really wanted a Mermaid Pillow for Christmas but I dropped the ball and didn't order one in time. Happily, I was redeemed by the arrival of the Love pillow this week. Since she opened it up she can't keep her hands off it. The removable cover has a velvety side that is huggably soft. On the other side, sequins flip with the brush of a finger or a hand to reveal whatever shimmery pink and silver design you want to create.
Being familiar with kids with sensory issues, I am especially impressed by this pillow's ability to engage kids in calming, tactile play. This special purpose hasn't been lost on the company...in fact they have donated pillows to children in hospitals and have designed a special pillow to benefit Autism Speaks (see pick #5 below). Whether used as a calming comfort pillow, inspiring decorative pillow, teaching tool, or an entertaining travel pillow, the reversible sequins beg to be played with. Now that its close to Valentine's Day, this pillow would be a perfect gift, especially if you are trying to downplay candy and screens. In addition to the Love design there are gift sets in a variety of themes like mermaids, fairies, sharks, and more. Our top gift picks are:
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by Melissa MooreSince moving to the Washington DC Metro area in 2014, ZooLights at the National Zoo has quickly become part of our family’s holiday tradition. For the past couple of years, we have pulled into the zoo’s parking area just as the sun has set on the first Friday in December, traditionally the beginning of the FONZ member week, to enjoy our free member week parking and ride coupons. But, you don’t have to be a member of the zoo to enjoy the lights, animals and festivities that the National Zoo has to offer nighttime visitors for free during the month of December. Holiday Lights, Model Trains and Gingerbread Houses The entire length of Olmstead Walk from the zoo’s entrance on Connecticut Avenue to the lower parking lots is decorated for the holiday season. Trees are wrapped with rainbow colored lights and kids will be able to spot many of their favorite animals constructed out of hundreds of twinkling bulbs. The visitor center at the top of the hill is open, and tots will be thrilled to see that there is a small model train exhibit and gingerbread house competition in the auditorium. The Animals at Night While this event might not have all the sparkle of some of the more spectacular garden light displays in the area like those at Brookside Gardens and Meadowlark Gardens, there’s plenty of animals to see at during Zoolights at the National Zoo. The Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, and Reptile Discovery Center are all open to the public during ZooLights. On our last visit to ZooLights, the great apes were all tucked into bed, and we could see them all fast asleep through the glass. However, at the Small Mammal House many of the animals are up and moving about; this is the perfect opportunity to see the nocturnal animals that always seem to be asleep when you visit during daytime hours. Between the Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Visitor Center and Think Tank there are plenty of places to warm up on a chilly night. Rides The area below the Reptile Discovery Center on Olmstead Walk is mostly dedicated to rides and food during ZooLights. If your family is looking to skip the rides and save some money, it’s fairly easy to avoid this section of the zoo (unless you park in the lower lots.) Tickets are sold individually or as part of a coupon book for the small kiddie train, carousel and snowless tubing; a book of eight tickets is available for twenty dollars in 2015. The snowless tubing on Lion/Tiger Hill has been my kid’s favorite activity at ZooLights for the past few years at ages five and six. Tip for Visiting Families It’s pretty common knowledge to parents in the Washington DC area that the National Zoo is on a relatively steep hill. Walking back up to the top of the hill is no fun at any time of day, but it’s especially difficult at bedtime. Don’t forget a stroller for little ones. I’m sure that I’m not the first parent to have bought hot chocolate for my kids at the bottom of the hill before making our last trek up the hill at the end of the night. I find that kids sipping hot chocolate are a lot less likely to whine about how tired they are. Essential Information For the 2015 Season, ZooLights at the National Zoo, Powered by Pepco, is open November 27 – January 2: 5 - 9PM (Except December 24, 25, 31.) On Saturday nights, visitors can enjoy a complimentary shuttle ride from the Woodley Park metro station to the Zoo, generously provided by Big Bus Tours. Look for the red double decker buses that will be running every 20 minutes. Parking is limited and rates are $10 for FONZ members and $20 for non-members. For more family travel adventures, follow the author, Melissa Moore, on Twitter and Instagram as @DCTravelMom and read her articles as the DC, MD and VA family travel guru on the acclaimed national website, Trekaroo. Picture credit: Melissa Moore. Photos are property of Melissa Moore and may not be used in any publication without permission. Families are invited to celebrate the season with the Newseum at its 17th annual "Yes, Virginia" Family Day on Saturday December 12, 2015, from 9 am to 4 pm. Enjoy holiday treats, cookie-decorating, crafts, train rides, music by the Figgy Puddings Holiday Carolers, a visit from the One-and-Only Macy’s Santa Claus and more on a day inspired by a letter from 8-year old Virginia O'Hanlon to the New York Sun in 1897. The paper's response assuring Virginia that there was a Santa Claus has become most reprinted newspaper editorial in history and has appeared in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other newspapers, and on posters and stamps. As a special holiday treat for the whole family, kids 18 years and younger will receive free admission to the Newseum when they bring a “letter for Santa” to put in the Macy’s Believe Mailbox. Each letter collected will also earn a $1 donation to Make-A-Wish® by Macy's. Tentative schedule of events:
Seating is on a space-available basis. Free same-day admission offer is not valid in conjunction with other discounts. For more info please visit Newseum.org. Images provided courtesy of the Newseum.
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! Celebrate the Festival of Lights with your family at these upcoming community events with candle lightings, music, storytelling, crafts, donuts, latkes and more! Hands on Hanukkah at Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner (VA) - December 14
Washington DC JCC Chanukah Celebration (DC) - December 14 Greater Gainesville Jewish Community Menorah Lighting (VA) - December 16 National Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at The Ellipse (DC) - December 16 Lake Anne Chanukah Outdoor Festival in the Square (VA) - December 16 Fifth Night Hanukkah Party & Toy Drive (DC) - December 17 Happy Hanukkah to the Animals at Locust Grove Nature Center (MD) - December 17 Washington DC JCC Chanukah Candle Lighting at the J-GLOE Night (DC) - December 17 Clarendon Menorah Lighting (VA) - December 17 Chanukah On Ice! at Pentagon Row (VA) - December 18 Light Up The Night: Community Menorah Lighting at Mosaic (VA) - December 21 Alexandria-Arlington Chanukah Festival (VA) - December 21 Herndon Chanukah on the Green (VA) - December 21 JCC of Greater Washington Chanukah Celebration (MD) - December 21 Bethesda Row Chanukah Family Spectacular - (MD) - December 21 Village at Leesburg Hanukkah Celebration (VA) - December 28 Share your family's favorite ways to celebrate Chanukah in the comments section below! By Amy SuskiBelieve it or not, Nutcracker season is fast approaching. If you're looking for a magical performance that won't break the bank or require a trip into the city, The Gainesville Ballet is an excellent choice. The Gainesville Ballet brings together professional dancers with local student performers in two full-length ballets on Friday, November 28 at 2PM and 7PM. The performances will be at the elegant Merchant Hall opera house at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. New York City Ballet principal dancers Teresa Reichlen (a Virginia native) and Ask la Cour join the Gainesville Ballet to perform the grand pas de deux. Six other professional dancers will also perform character roles including the Arab Doll, Mouse King, Herr Drosslemeyer, Chinese, Trepak, Spanish, Marzipan, Flower Solo, and the Snow Queen. Children as young as three will perform the remaining roles including Clara, Party Guests, Dolls, Snowflakes, Flowers, Angels, Mice, Soldiers, Gingerbread, Trepak, Arabian, Chinese, Marzipan, and Spanish divertissement. If you haven't yet visited the Hylton Center, this is the perfect opportunity. The grand cultural arts center is not only a beautiful setting for a special performance but is also very convenient, just off I-66 in Manassas. Tickets are $35 for orchestra seats, with a $5 discount for seniors, active duty military, and children under 12. Balcony seats range from $15 to $25. Parking is free. For more information and tickets visit www.hyltoncenter.org or www.gainesvilleballetcompany.org. Photo courtesy of The Gainesville Ballet. by Micaela The Washington Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at the Warner Theatre is a Washington DC holiday tradition. What is more DC than George Washington starring as the Nutcracker? Experience this magical and epic event this season with your family. Enjoy the talented dancers, beautiful music, incredible scenery and costumes, and delight in all this magical performance has to offer. Check out the video below for a preview: by MicaelaMy boys and I were excited to check out this year's ICE exhibit at the Gaylord National, and it was spectacular as always. Please note, ICE is in a new location this year. The tent is now located on the hotel's riverfront garden. You can enter through the main lobby. Also, pick up your tickets inside the hotel as well. For those unfamiliar, ICE is an epic area holiday attraction. It is "A series of inter-connected rooms features breathtaking larger-than-life, 3-D sculpted ice pieces, including fantastic recreations of beloved characters, two-story tall ice slides and memorable holiday scenes. The awe-inspiring experience concludes with the wonder of the Nativity of crystal clear ice" (official Gaylord press release.) It's absolutely freezing inside the attraction so be sure to wear a winter coat, hat, & gloves. You will be given a parka to wear over your own winter jacket. Read more about ICE at the Gaylord National 2013: Junior League of Northern Virginia for the 13th Annual Holiday Wonderland The Enchanted Forest11/12/2013 Join the Junior League of Northern Virginia for the 13th Annual Holiday Wonderland, The Enchanted Forest
When: Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Westin Tysons Corner 7801 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043 Cost: General Admission: $13 Premium Events: $25-$35 (includes General Admission) From dazzling holiday decorations to the captivating entertainment of Oh Susannah!, The Great Zucchini, and more, this weekend-long holiday festival is filled with fun for the entire family. Create holiday wonders with hands-on children’s activities featuring the Children’s Science Center and Kids in the Holiday Kitchen. Marvel at the National Capital Trackers Model Train Display. Get a head start on holiday shopping at the festive Marketplace. Meander through the silent auction forest of 100-plus theme-decorated holiday trees and handmade gingerbread homes. |
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