When my son and I first went to Parenting Playgroups’  Play and Workshop class – previously called the Toddler Program – he was a very attached little boy. The program was perfect for us; my son discovered his inner gregarious self while I learned a lot about how to be a good parent for him.
 
We spent the first half of the 90-minute class playing together with the other children in the adorable setting with engaging, thoughtful toys. Then, while several other moms and I sat down to a lecture and discussion with Dr. Rene Hackney, my toddler son got to have his first social experience with another adult. A preschool teacher served snack, read a story, led the children in songs and bubbles and watched them as they played while we moms learned about children’s language development or motor development or discussed steps to positive discipline. My son could come over to snuggle or nurse for comfort, but after the second week, he never did.

My Gym summer camps are booking up quickly! Each week, they'll have fun themes going and will tailor all of the programming for that week to the theme!  

Our sponsors, My Gym Burke and My Gym Chantilly still have some space available for their afternoon sessions.  I am sending my kids a few days this summer, and they can't wait.  My kindergartner is already asking about it, and he's not even done with school yet! From Pirates to Princesses, Disney, Outer Space, Carnival, Superheroes, A Trip Around the World, and much much more, My Gym Camp offers great themes each week and keeps the kids active, engaged, and having fun. 

Camps for ages 3-8 years old.  Potty trained only please.

Join us on June 20, 2013 from 10 AM-11 AM at the Simon's Kidgits Club at Potomac Mills. We will be selling and signing our Kid Trips Northern Virginia books. Learn to sing in Spanish with Andrés! --Delight in complimentary refreshments courtesy of Rita's Ice and Starbucks. Plus, we have a special surprise for anyone who purchases or brings a copy of our book to sign! It's going to be a great time!


Details below:

Well it is officially summer for all of us.  For most mothers this is a time when we can kick back, relax and linger by pool.  Ha!!!  Just kidding.  For some (me) it is like Dante’s fifth circle of hell to try to deal with multiple children with diverse needs all summer long!  The sad truth is I actually relished being in Wegman’s today with JUST my toddler.  Sniff, sniff…I am already trying to come up with a reward system to incent my 1st grader to be a kind and honorable daughter this summer in the grocery store, gas station, pool and any other place that she steps foot in with me and her younger sister. 

Naturally I will be looking for a few simple wins.  A drive-thru of any kind is big on my list.  So is online shopping for even the smallest necessities.  I am sure I am not alone.  If you are like me and want to try to find ways to simply your life, I have a great idea for you.  Have your hairdresser make a house call for cuts for you and your whole family.

Baby Cargo High Chair (white/brown)

Retail value $150

This space-saving high chair features:

1. Seat cushion that is thick and comfortable
   
2. Removable tray insert for easy cleaning
3. Washable seat cover
4. Convenient caster-style wheels
5. Recommend for 6-24 months

Winner must pick up this item at Baby Blossom of Fairfax.  Enter below. 

This past Friday, I was fortunate to attend Disney Social Media Moms on the Road and listen to the most inspirational mompreneurs I have ever heard that inspired me to take my own dreams to the next level.   The speakers included: 

Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Labit, founder of Cotton Babies & creator of bumGenius, Flip, and Econobum

 Mompreneur Panelists: Christina Daves, founder and creator of CastMedic Designs and MediFashions, Anastasia Dellaccio, co-owner of Dolci Gelati, Frederique Campagne Irwinis, founder and CEO of Her Corner and Amy Creel, founder of Smart Mom Jewelry

Buying for Father's Day can be tough. We have put together some great ideas for dad. 

ELIZABETH STREET UNVEILS WASHINGTON DC EDITION

As the announcement hit my email last week, I squealed with delight!  Elizabeth Street, the online destination where stylish moms meet, is at long last unveiling its much anticipated Washington DC Edition. 

I have always been a fan of Elizabeth Street.  I discovered this intoxicating site when it first launched.  It was profiled on one of my design blogs.  Trust me, there aren’t many mommy sites that hit the radar of design bloggers!  I was immediately taken with the list of über stylish moms that hail from Europe, Asia and North America.  I lingered over the write-ups that featured Parisian mothers.  I soaked up every word of the interviews with Ivanka Trump.  I studied the sections on seasonal style and I daydreamed about hitting some of the parks that Roman mothers mentioned.  The beauty of the site is that it opens up parental worlds that you would otherwise be totally unaware of and it styles the material and content in a very approachable format.  Mind you Elizabeth Street is not only a delicious compilation of venerable establishments but it is also kid-friendly! 

Summer has officially descended upon us and it is just a matter of time before the kids are out of school.  Hopefully you will enjoy more relaxed mornings, less hectic evenings and savor some quality time with your kids. 

With the summer comes reclaimed hours to enjoy things that DON'T include spelling test prep, endless homework, art projects, book reports, soccer practice and piano lessons.  Seize the moment and take advantage of some great reads for both young and adult. 

The authors at Kid Trips have put together an all-star list of reading recommendations for you to enjoy this summer.  Each of us has our own recommendations and top picks.  So the next time you find yourself waiting for swim practice to end, sorting out options for a raining day or just have some extra time at the end of a lazy day enjoy one of the attached books.  Happy Summer 2013!

I am no stranger to Disney Parks. Growing up with grandparents in Florida, we would take frequent trips to the ones in Orlando.  This past winter, my family was fortunate to visit my in-laws in beautiful California and embarked on an official kid trip to Disney's California Adventure.  

While I grew up watching classic Disney movies, my kids are Pixar fanatics. California Adventure is the perfect theme park for all things Pixar.

Read about some of our favorite attractions and highlights below: