If you followed me from DC Metro Mom then you know I am a design JUNKIE!  I sift through no less than 10 design blogs a day, I subscribe to 5 monthly shelter magazines and I am up to 8,600 pins on Pinterest.  Addiction is an understatement!  Design is my passion and in my next life I plan on ditching the safe route of Corporate America and becoming an interior designer.  Dare to dream, dare to dream.

Celebrate Fairfax
Fairfax County Gov Center 
Fairfax, VA 
June 7-9, 2013
http://www.celebratefairfax.org/ 

We love this big event!  Community booths, carnival rides, great entertainment, children's activities and more.  Plus this year the festival is attracting great headliners like the B52s, Spin Doctors, Live, Everclear, & more.  Don't miss out on one of the area's greatest summer festivals.  Save money by purchasing tickets online.  Children two and under are admitted free. We are giving away a FAMILY 4 PACK OF TICKETS below to the festival.  Tickets are good for one time admission and can be used any day.  (Carnival rides not included.) Tickets will be emailed to the winner.  Enter below::

I was invited to visit PBS Headquarters to learn about their new "It All Adds Up" math initiative. Many parents have anxiety when teaching math to our children, and by the 4th grade,  60 percent of students are performing below proficient levels in math.  Yikes!

" Parents with older children are more likely to practice math skills daily with their kids than parents of younger children. Sixty percent of parents of 5-8-year-olds practice math daily with their kids, whereas only half of parents of 2-4-year-olds do. Parents are also more likely to practice reading skills with their kids than they are to practice math" (PBS Kids It All Adds Up Online)

As a former educator who always worked in low income areas, I also applaud the efforts PBS has taken to make online learning free and accessible to kids in many communities. Check out all the new fun and free learning opportunities: 

If you, or someone you know, is in the military Marina from BelaJuli Photography wants to hear from you. 

BelaJuli Photography is currently hosting a contest that will award one lucky winner a 50% off discount on their next photography package. 



Simply submit a paragraph that describes what you, or someone you know, loves most about serving in the military. The winning paragraph will be published on the BelaJuli Photography Facebook page and the winner will receive 50% off a BelaJuli Photography package*. 

Entries must be received by no later than June 15, 2013.  Submit your private entry through the BelaJuli Photography Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BelaJuliPhotography or via email to Mariana at [email protected].  

The Music Loft in Herndon, VA has a great summer music lesson program including piano, guitar, drums, voice, strings, woodwind and brass lessons available - all at one location. 


Plus, they are giving away a SUMMER OF MUSIC LESSONS (8 weeks of 30 minute lessons- a $300 Value!)

Current students do not need to feel left out! If current students refer a student that stays for 3 months of lessons, they get a $100 VISA gift card, 5 months-$500 gift card, and 10 months-a $1000 gift card.  Pretty cool.  

Find out about The Music Loft's Top 5 Benefits of Studying Music below, and enter the giveaway for a SUMMER of MUSIC LESSONS!

Enter to win tickets Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

The Kid Trips contest will award one lucky winner a
family pack of four FUN CARDS to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 

The contest runs from May 21, 2013 until May 28, 2013!


*FUN CARDS can used for unlimited access until September 2, 2013

I am going to be completely honest here.  Last summer for me was a WASHOUT!  I went to the pool every morning with my children, but too many of my afternoons were spent writing a certain book while they played at home.  This summer, I am committed to breaking the monotony and made a list of 100 Things to Do this Summer with Kids in Northern Virginia.

The list is very non-specific.  For example, "ride a train" could mean the Metro, Burke Lake Train, or even the mall train at Tyson's Corner.  I'm not sure if we're going to get to everything on this list, but I am challenging myself to complete at least 90. I hope you enjoy!  Please share, pin, and print it out the PDF.   

Our friends at the fabulous Washington FAMILY Magazine gave us a two night stay at the Gaylord National Harbor to give away to one lucky reader. The stay must occur before June 15, 2013 and includes accommodations, one morning of breakfast, champagne, and parking. 

Details below:

Encore Stage & Studio invites you to fall in love again with Sleeping Beauty, an amusing and playful presentation of the well-known fairytale. When Princess Briar Rose is born, the King and Queen throw a celebration to welcome their new daughter. The whole kingdom is invited, save for one truly wicked witch. In revenge, Evilina sends the young Princess an unforgettable birthday gift—a sleeping spell which can only be broken by true love’s kiss.

Check out this delightful "theatre for kids, by kids." We have been to several of their shows and always find them fun, professional, and entertaining.  Performance details are below: 

It will soon be summertime in the DC Metro area and we thought it might be fun to put together a great list of upcoming local events.  Our list will help you kick start summer beginning with Memorial Day Weekend and will take you through to Labor Day Weekend! 

We have TONS of family-friendly adventures packed into our Summer 2013 calendar and while we have given you an awesome starting point for warm weather outings, we still have LOADS more in our book Kid Trips Northern Virginia.  For an even more comprehensive list of seasonal events you can buy our book for your digital device or purchase the handy paperback version on Amazon and in select local stores. See our home page for buying options @ http://www.gokidtrips.com/.