I have a tendency to get a bit flowery with my posts about life, travel and just about anything I ponder for more than a minute.  So I am going to try to stick to the facts on this blog.  I won’t belabor the point about how my recent trip to Club Med Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) was the best vacation I have taken since becoming a parent.  I won’t go on endlessly about the wonderful food, people, childcare, camps and resorts services that I enjoyed during my trip.  Well maybe just a bit.  What a vacation!

      I am so tired of living in the suburbs. I sometimes feel if I eat at another chain restaurant or visit a strip mall, I will scream.  That is why the Mosaic District in Merrifield is a breath of fresh air! Without battling DC traffic, I am able to shop in an ultra hip urban environment and feel like a "real" person again. (Plus, I am not brought to tears about having to parallel park my minivan.)  No matter what your age or preferences, the Mosaic District truly has something for everyone.

Oh how exciting!  I have been a royal watcher since Princess Diana first arrived on the scene.  As a little girl I bought every magazine that had an image of Diana on the cover.  I was totally fascinated with the royal family.  I have to admit I also shed a tear after her untimely death in 1997.  Alas...there were some rough years for the royals where even I didn't feel like reading or hearing about them.  I am still not, nor will I ever be, a Camilla fan!

Thankfully life moves forward and Diana's little boys are now men and much of the black cloud over the House of Windsor has been lifted like an evil spell cast out of the kingdom (must stop reading so many princess stories to my daughter).

My family and I were invited to a media dinner at The Coupe restaurant to highlight their Monday Family Movie Nights. Upon entering The Coupe, I was immediately impressed with the spacious layout, gorgeous decor, and fun, attentive staff.  We were excited to leave the humdrum of the suburbs and be out somewhere really special.  

The Coupe hosts a Family Movie night each Monday, and both kids and adults enjoy awesome fare while watching a kid-friendly movie.  Adults can sit with their kids or sit elsewhere and enjoy rare, actual adult conversation. 

 We had a blast at Kid Junction, the newest indoor play space in Chantilly. The three partners, Srikanth, Himanshu, Parag thought that "we in Virginia should have a facility for children where they can learn while playing. " After visiting a lot of facilities they found thought Kid Junction in New Jersey was close to their thought and decided to open a franchise.


Read all about the venue in my article in Northern Virginia Magazine, and enter to win 4 Passes below.  Passes expire August 30, 2013.

What do you get when you bring together nearly 70 remarkable women around a topic that plagues nearly all of us? Great ideas and energy! On June 2nd, Grow Your Family Strong hosted its (pre) pre-launch event, convening a diverse group of women from DC, NYC, and LA to ask the question, ‘Why is it so difficult to integrate healthy practices into our families’ every day lives?’

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Sonya Gavankar in March of this year at a local event, A Baby Affair.  For those that don't know Sonya (as if), she serves as the face of the Newseum hosting a number of programming events at the venue.  In addition she is an on-camera host for Let's Talk Live for NewsChannel 8.

During the event I had been asked to participate in an expert panel discussion on parenting.  Umm...what the what.  I was pretty nervous as I have never claimed to be an expert on anything much less parenting.  As I scurried to my spot on the panel, Sonya immediately put me at ease.  As Sonya asked questions she and I would laugh and some of my lighthearted (sarcastic) comments about the BEST way to prepare yourself for motherhood.  

Our awesome sponsors at Baby Blossom are at it again with their monthly giveaway on Kid Trips.  This time it is a Baby Cargo 100 Series Stroller in Steel/Sky (Retail Value: $110)

My original plan for my son’s 9th chemistry-themed birthday party was to demonstrate science experiments to him and his friends myself. I could visualize it. I’d spent my childhood watching the Discovery channel, Bill Nye and Star Trek with my MIT-educated big brother. I had this. I’d get a funny Einstein wig and glasses and even a lab coat! I’d be funny! Hilarious! I’d let all those kiddos get their hands messy! Google would hook me up with all the coolest experiments! My son’s friends would not only be learning wonderful science that I’d explain to them patiently and gently yet also with engaging wit and charm, but they’d leave the party telling him how lucky he was to have such a cool mom! Yes, I could see it. And I’d be the best mother ever.

Don't miss out on the fun and action!  The Washington Kastles are ready to kick off the 2013 season on Monday, July 8th.  This is a fantastic outing for the whole family! Our trip to see the Washington Kastles is always one of the highlights of our summer!  The Washington Kastles do an excellent job of getting kids engaged in the fun. 

Here is a list of all of the family-friendly fun for kids!


· Quickstart court set up before the matches for kids to play
· Children are often used for fun promotions between sets
· Racquet giveaway to kids 12 and under during every match - Look For Sign Up Table
· Kids 16 and under can get autographs of all players after each match on the court

The Kastles also keep the action coming with an all-star lineup of visiting players including: Venus Williams, Andy Roddick and Martina Hingis.