About the X-STEM Extreme STEM Symposium – Thursday, April 24, 2014
Ignite your students curiosity at the X-STEM Extreme STEM Symposium - a unique conference for kids where some of our nation’s most respected professionals in science and engineering will speak to elementary through high school students in a TED-style format.  X-STEM is a one of a kind opportunity to get your students up close and personal with leading STEM role models while inspiring them about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  This all day event will feature multiple presentation sessions covering a wide array of subject areas including space exploration, storm chasing, oceanography, the physics of superheroes, music technology, mathematical puzzles and much, much more!  Student attendees will have the opportunity to sit in on multiple engaging presentations, live demonstrations and hands-on workshops.


When:  April 24, 2014, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Where:  Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

Who Should Attend:  Students with a strong interest in STEM, educators and parents.  Talks and workshops will be geared mainly toward a middle and high school level audience with some options for elementary level students as well.  

Information about an exclusive, free code for admission:

Detectives take note! Join Detective Sherlock Holmes and his right-hand man Dr. Watson as they set out to solve their very first case in the 21st century! There they meet Marilyn Monroe, George Washington, Tarzan, Count Dracula, and other remarkable characters–or so they claim. Sherlock and Watson are in the Freudly Institute, so it’s no wonder Holmes gets treated like any other patient. Will Sherlock be able to prove he is the real Sherlock Holmes and solve a murder on the grounds of the Institute? This clever, humorous mystery is one you won’t want to miss! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Encore Stage & Studio Presents The Secret Case of Sherlock Holmes

WHO:            Encore Stage & Studio – Theatre By Kids, For Kids!

WHAT:          The Secret Case of Sherlock Holmes

WHEN:          February 28 – March 9, 2014
                               Fridays, February 28 and March 7 at 7:30 p.m.
                               Saturdays, March 1 and March 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
                               Sundays, March 2 and March 9 at 3 p.m.

WHERE:        Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington,
                        VA 22204)

If you’ve ever wished a fairy godmother would waive her magic wand over your children and sprinkle good manners over them like fairy dust, wish no longer.  Mrs. B is a real mother whose sweet doses of kindness and courtesy are eagerly welcomed by the young guests to her new special event tea room in Falls Church, VA.

Much more than just a place to sip tea and nibble goodies, the tea room at Tea With Mrs. B is designed to make every gathering memorable.  You won’t find any plastic spoons or cups here! By bringing out “the good stuff”, including floral tablecloths, crystal glasses, and china cups, Mrs. B shows all of her guests that they are special. 

O-M-Zeus!

Orphie and the Book of Heroes, now playing at the Kennedy Center and running through February 25, 2014 was an absolutely phenomenal family experience. In this seemingly never-ending DC winter, my family craved a distraction from what has become our cold-weather weekend routine of debating the expiration of screen-time and the boredom that follows. We found our break from the ordinary in a show that not only had our boys, aged 9 and 4, dancing in their seats but also added a modern twist to Greek Mythology that kept us all laughing and wonderfully entertained.

Orphie tells the story of an orphan girl in Ancient Greece who sets off on a quest to find her hero, Heracles, at Mount Olympus so he can save her beloved caretaker, Homer, who has been kidnapped by Hades, god of the underworld. Orphie’s journey through elements of Greek mythology leads the audience on the adventure of a true hero and has some seriously awesome girl power in 75 minutes of delight for children and parents alike. From the clever way the larger-than-life titan, Atlas, was brought to the stage for a song and dance number to Hermes, the messenger of the gods, delivering Zeus’ opinion via roller skates, this family musical is so well-crafted by the collaboration of Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman that you’ll leave the theater pretty certain you’ve just watched what could easily be the next Pixar tale.

Performance Dates and Show times:
Saturdays, February 15th & 22nd : 11:00am, 1:30 and 5:00pm
Sundays, February 16th & 23rd : 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Tuesdays, February 11th & 25th : 12:30pm

Win a month of FREE classes at Great Play, an exciting new Kids Gym coming to Fairfax: Grand Opening is next week (Feb 19-22, 2014!)

Great Play is a unique new gym for kids, where children ages 6 months to 5th grade have fun developing motor skills, sport skills, fitness and coordination through instruction and fun, structured play, in an exciting Interactive Arena™. Their comprehensive and fun-filled curriculum of directed play, which includes hundreds of specialized games integrated into a carefully crafted progression of skill development, helps children reach their full physical potential. Also offers award-winning, high-energy birthday parties and camps. 
The Goal is for every child to develop a love of physical activity that will lead to an active, healthy and confident life, whether they choose to pursue competitive athletics or simply play and move for fun.

Reserve a spot for a trial class today. If you register for our 4 week or introductory special 10 week plan on the day of your trial, we will waive the family membership fee. Also $50 introductory savings on our award winning birthday parties. 


* Must join the Insider’s Email List and like Great PLay on Facebook 
* Winner must begin his/her class within 30 days of grand opening.

Disclosure: Great Play of Fairfax is a sponsor of this website. All opinions are our own. 

Naturally, we are drawn to local children's authors and were pleased when Laura Canetti reached out to us about her second picture book, Monster Noises. Find out more about this delightful, rhyming book below:

1.)  What is the inspiration behind Monster Noises?

For my second book, I wanted to write a fun book.  I just started sketching some silly monsters and went from there.  I wanted kids to see the monsters as having problems and fun just the same way they do.  I also always try to include a message in my books so I included the part of  the boy having empathy for his poor monsters squished under the bed.
 

2.)  Why did you decide to compose the book in a rhyming pattern?

I wrote my first book in rhyme and received a lot of good feedback that children are drawn to the rhyming patterns.  It also helps children with their reading skills.

3.) When working with characters that are monsters, how did you keep the book "funny" and "not scary" for children?

 I work with kids so I thought of things that make them laugh.  Underpants always gets a giggle so I drew underpants on one of the monsters tails.  I tried to use a lot of bright colors and drew the monsters doing things you would never expect (having a party, typing on a computer, etc.)


4.)  Do you currently have plans for any future books?

 Yes, I am working on my last book which will be about a girl whose super power is being nice and helping people.  


Also, head over to the Canetti Books Facebook page to enter the monster drawing contest to win a free copy. 

Under the Canopy, is a 20-minute, interactive, non-verbal show created specifically for children ages 0 – 2 (and their 3 - 4 year old pals!). It includes two professional adult actors who create a sensory theatre experience with the help of props and objects designed by Wit’s End Puppets.
 
The production runs at The Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria from February 12-23, 2014. Tickets are $5 per person, for both children and adults.
 
Show Dates and Times:
 
Wednesday, February 12 at 10:30 am

Thursday, February 13 at 10:30 am

Friday, February 14 at 10:30 am

Sunday, February 16 at 10:30 am

Monday, February 17 at 10:30 am

Wednesday, February 19 at 10:30 am

Thursday, February 20 at 10:30 am

Friday, February 21 at 10:30 am

Sunday, February 23 at 10:30 am

Show Description:

Imagine a theatrical world designed especially for babies and young toddlers to explore - a world inspired by the wonders of the rainforest! That's what's in store when the innovative style of Arts on the Horizon targets our very youngest fans and their caregivers. Using colorful objects and playful sounds, our performers will discover and build a rainforest setting around, within and above the audience. Whistling flowers, a clacking caterpillar, and brightly-colored umbrella birds await! After each performance, children are invited to explore the different props and objects used to create the playscape. Under the Canopy is a 20-minute, interactive, nonverbal show geared for children ages 0-2 (and their 3-4-year-old pals).

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit  http://www.artsonthehorizon.org/under-the-canopy.html. 

Get ready to rock the rainbow! The Rainbow Lady (Kate Moran), joined by some of her friends, Guitarmony Gus (Derek Evry), Sgt. Bam Sam (Sam Carolla), Captain Toe Tappin (Kevin de Souza), Princess Fiddlesticks (Lynn Rovelli), or Bassious Berry (Matt Berry), make up the rainbow band, will entertain your little ones with a combination of classic and original
children’s tunes. Always on hand, inside the box of fun, tambourines, shakers and more for your little one to join in the fun, and if they are feeling like completing their rock star appearance, how about a nice little temporary Rainbow tattoo, from none other than Pattycake Patty (Patty Moran) or the lovely Rockin Rox Anna (Anna Goist)!! Are you ready
to rock the rainbow?

Suggested age range: Infant to 8 yrs. old

Check out Rainbow Rock's Upcoming Shows:

Whether you’re commuting to and from work, taking a family road trip or traveling around town, on-the-go families know that spills in the car are almost inevitable. In fact, a recent Contigo survey found that 79 percent of respondents said that an adult (either themselves, their spouse or another adult) had spilled a drink in their car. That’s why Contigo – a maker of leak- and spill- proof travel mugs – want to help you survive all your commutes this year with their AUTOSEAL Travel Mugs.  Recently rated as America’s #1 selling line of travel mugs*, Contigo’s AUTOSEAL mugs are 100% spill- and leak-proof so you never have to worry about spilling another drop. Simply press the button to take a sip, and then release to automatically seal the mug between drinks. Plus, the AUTOSEAL Travel Mugs are thermal insulated to keep coffee or tea hot for hours. This Commuter Survival Pack from Contigo includes:

·         Two 20 ounce AUTOSEAL West Loop travel mugs
·         Two 16 ounce AUTOSEAL West Loop travel mugs
·         Two 16 ounce AUTOSEAL Randolph travel mugs

*Based on total branded travel mug sales, excluding private label. Source: Nielsen ScanTrack Drinkware Container and Set report for U.S. Food, Drug, Mass and Information Resources (IRI) Costco CRX report for the 52 weeks ending 8/3/13.

Gone are the days of Dad and the boys being responsible for all the fix-it jobs around the house.  Today’s Moms and girls are interested in and fully capable of taking care of business-- they just need someone to show them how.  Enter Moss Building & Design.  In 2011, Moss introduced the HandyMOM 101 workshop series to northern Virginia women’s groups.  Since then, ladies have been learning lots of necessary homeowner skills from patching holes in the walls to adding dimmers to light switches.  

Always looking for new ways to work with our community, Moss created the HandyGirl 101 program.  These workshops are a spinoff of the popular HandyMOM 101 series and have been created especially for girls in Northern Virginia interested in learning DIY skills. 

The program was launched at the Fall Capital Home Show and Fox5DC’s Holly Morris even came out to cover it.  These Oakton Brownies were pretty pleased with the trivets they made using all the skills which would be used in a tiling project in their own home.