The Griffin Academy is located in facilities at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Annandale, Virginia. While the preschool is currently housed at St. Alban’s, there is no affiliation between the preschool and the church. The Griffin Academy welcomes students from all races, religions, and national origins. The preschool program accepts 3- and 4-year-old students, and has recently started a new enrollment initiative—2nd semester rolling admissions for 3-year olds (beginning in January of each school year)!

The Griffin Academy believes in encouraging children to use good manners, to be kind, to be respectful of one another, to be creative, to learn how to socialize with others, and to be interested in learning. The school day is built around routine. During the day, the children explore academics (letters, sounds, numbers, science found in nature, our community, art-based projects, and music) as well as social learning. The children also participate in weekly enrichment classes, which include music and movement, science, art, Fit Kids, and French.

The academic program for the three-year-old classes introduces children to letters and their sounds, numbers, science through nature, social studies through community, music, art, French, drama and free-play. The children experience indoor and outdoor play, structured and non-structured time, quiet and active times during the day.

The academic program for the four-year-old classes helps to prepare the children for kindergarten. Older four-year-olds (those who are five by December 31), are placed in the junior kindergarten class. Both classes are exposed to a phonics-based pre-reading/reading program that helps to prepare them for the joys and adventures found in books. Story-time is part of the daily routine and children are exposed to classic children’s literature, nursery rhymes, and poetry.

The Addition Process at Moss Building & Design

Thinking of adding an addition to your home?  At Moss, any remodeling project begins with the initial consultation. Through this consultation, your Moss sales consultant is able to assess your needs and learn more about your family dynamic. This way, we can learn more about you in order to make sure we understand exactly what your ideas are and how they fit in with your family, home, and budget.

Nothing beats picking this sweet summer favorite right off the tree, and we've got a list of local farms with pick-your-own options for families that is well, just peachy! Some of these farms offer events, hayrides, children's activities and more. We recommend visiting their websites for information. 

Baugher's Orchard
1015 Baugher Road (GPS Address)
Westminster, MD 21158

Take a wagon ride out to the orchard to pick your own peaches, and be sure to stop by the farm store for unique country gifts, goodies, and homemade ice cream. Kids can visit the petting zoo to meet and feed animals such as alpacas, llamas, chickens, pigs, peacocks, lambs, goats and more.  Plus, there is no need to pack a picnic.  Visitors and locals alike will enjoy the full service restaurant boasting great country breakfasts, lunches, and dinners served daily.  


Great Country Farms

18780 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, VA 20135

Pick peaches and enjoy all the fun families love and expect from Great Country Farms such as the hayrides, cow train, barnyard animals, giant slides, jumping pillow and more. Be sure to check out the Dog Day's Peach Festival in August where Fido is invited to join in the fun. Admission to the farm includes a free tasting at the adjacent Bluemont Vineyards, which is a win-win for parents.  


Hartland Orchard
3064 Hartland Lane
Markham, VA 22643

An old, family working farm near the scenic Skyline Drive. Pick your own peaches and take a day trip to other local attractions. 


Hollin Farms
1436 Snowden Road

Delaplane, VA 20144

A beautiful, rustic, family-owned farm with peaches available in July and August. 


Mackintosh Fruit Farm
1608 Russell Rd
Berryville, VA 22611

A great farm with lots of pick-your-own produce and peaches, including a fun Peach Festival in the beginning of August. There is a large country store and some mega playgrounds for the kids.


Stribling Orchard
1587 Poverty Hollow Lane
Markham, VA 22643

Situated among breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this historic farm has delicious pick-your-own fruit, historic buildings, farm animals, and lots of picnic areas. 


Westmoreland Berry Farm & Market
1235 Berry Farm Lane
Oak Grove, VA 22443

Besides the great crops and a country store stocked with yummy fare and local gifts, families will love the overhead goat walk, children's play zone and weekend hayrides. Bring a picnic or try their famous pulled pork BBQ sandwich!

Always check the venue's website and social media pages for the latest pick-your-own information. 


Do you have a great place to add? Please tell us...we'd love to know! Email us the farm's name, address, website and details in the format of the entries above, and we will add it to the list

Uber is making life easier for parents in the DC metro area with the launch of uberFAMILY, their new on-demand car seat option. With the touch of a button and a $10 surcharge, parents can easily request a ride that’s equipped with a car seat.

When we first heard the news, my biggest concern was safety and proper installation of the carseats.  We were thrilled to find out that Uber DC teamed up with The Car Seat Lady’s Dr. Alisa Baer. She trained the service’s highest-rated partner drivers on how to safely secure the seats — which were all manufactured specifically for Uber by IMMI.

In celebration of the launch, Uber DC is kicking things off with a surcharge-free week brought to you by Care.com, the world’s largest online destination for finding and managing family care.

To learn more about UberFAMILY, including how to request UberFAMILY on your Uber app and safety details, head over to: http://bit.ly/1vXbOjz


Plus, we have a very special discount code for you below:


1) Use promo code KidTrips for $25 off your first Uber ride!

2) Download the App and enter the code.

3) Request uberFAMILY and be connected to a highly rated driver with a car seat.

Being close to the water is good for the soul, and the picturesque setting of Solomons Island, MD is definitely the perfect location for a day trip. Located around 75-90 minutes from the Washington DC metro area (depending on your location,) Solomons, MD feels like worlds away. The number one, don't miss attraction for families is The Calvert Marine Museum.

The Calvert Marine Museum boasts 29,000 feet of indoor exhibit space as well as a marsh walk, Drum Point Lighthouse, outdoor exhibits featuring small crafts, and a river cruise on the William B. Tennison.  It is a hands-on place for kids to learn, have fun, and the museum hosts many special events and concerts throughout the year. In fact, the concerts attract huge names like Journey, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, the Gin Blossoms and more! 

What you'll see at the museum:

Discovery Room: This is the place for young ones to pretend to sail on a boat, climb in a play lighthouse, dig for fossils on the beach, and observe and interact with small marine creatures such as turtles, horse shoe crabs and sea stars. Knowledgeable staff is often on hand leading demonstrations. 

Skates and Rays:  Meet some trained docents to learn all about these cousins of the shark, a skate and a sting ray! Learn the differences, touch them, and see their stages of development. 

Paleontology Exhibit: Dive into our prehistoric past to see fossils, models, videos, multi-media exhibits and more that show the creatures that lived in the waters long ago. 

Maritime History Exhibit: View artifacts, exhibits, and boats from different points in history, starting with the Pawtuxunt Native Americans through the race boats of the 1970s. 

Estuarine Biology Exhibit: Encounter aquatic habitants of the region such as gobies, seahorses, the blue crab, invasive Snakehead and more. Go outside and meet Bubbles and Squeak, the resident river otters, and watch them play, dive, and swim around. Please note that the indoor Estuarium Hall is currently under a huge renovation and is closed to the public. It will re-open October 2014.  The otter exhibit is outdoors and remains open during the renovation. 

BrickFair is America’s LEGO fan festival! This awesome event will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday August 2nd – 3rd 2014 from 11:00am - 4:00pm.

All creations are built using LEGO bricks! Displays range from the cutest tiny little thing to towering cityscapes. There will be an incredible 900 exhibitors, 30 vendors offering all things LEGO, and and an estimated 15,000 public visitors.

Guests should allow around 90 minutes minimum to browse the show. Families will also love the Stay-n-Play area, which offers a ton of bricks for kids to free play and get creative.

BrickFair LEGO Convention 
Aug 2nd & Aug 3rd, 2014
Dulles Expo Center 
Chantilly, VA
11:00am - 4:00pmBuy Tickets Online here: http://www.brickfair.com/tickets/
$12 per ticket, 3 and under are free 


*Strollers are NOT permitted.  

Come see the prince find his royal wife in this hilarious musical adaptation of the classic tale of The Princess and the Pea. Many moons ago, in a far off place, Queen Aggravain decrees that no one in her kingdom can wed until her precious Prince Dauntless is married. But a prince can’t marry any old dairymaid—the Prince’s wife must be a genuine, certified princess. The Queen has concocted a test to prove each candidate’s royal authenticity, which quickly rid the kingdom of the first twelve girls who failed. Then, one stormy night, a princess arrives at the castle gate who is unlike any other. The Prince is immediately smitten, but his mother is harder to convince. Until this girl can prove her royal status, Dauntless and her fairytale ending is doomed. Will this unusual princess pass the Queen’s test and win the hand of her very own prince? Join us on this musical adventure and find out! Recommended for ages 8 and up.  

Once Upon A Mattress
July 18-27, 2014Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre 
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204


Performance Dates and Show times:
Friday, July 18 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m.
Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.


TICKETS:   $15 Adults, $10 Children, Students, Military and Seniors. Tickets are available online at www.encorestage.org or calling our box office (703)548-1154.

On the northern tip of Loudoun County, VA, near Harpers Ferry, WV sits a breathtaking place for families to engage in exciting adventures.  Whether you are looking for a day trip or a mini-vacation, Harpers Ferry Adventure Center offers tons of family-fun for a variety of levels and ages such as:

Adventure Park: a three-level high challenge course with over 50 cable and rope bridges and ziplines, a low level for kids 5-12 who are at least 36" tall, and middle and upper levels for  those 10 and older who are at least 48” tall.

White Water Rafting: (must be at least 5 yrs old & 50 lbs.) An awesome half day trip offered for beginners on a beautiful 7 mile stretch of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Enjoy Class I-III rapids, get active, and view some wildlife.  All trips include: the raft, a guide, PFD (Personal Flotation Device), helmet, paddle, beverage during the trip, and shuttle to and from the river.

Water Tubing: Choose from Flat Water Tubing (must be at least 5 years old & 50 lbs,) White Water Tubing (ages 12 plus) or do a combo of both.  Water tubing is one of Harpers Ferry Adventure Center's signature activities and the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day!

Kayaking: Kayak on the white water on an inflatable kayak dubbed a "Duckie" (must be 10 years and older) or paddle at your own pace on the flat water (ages 12 and up.) 

Canoeing: Paddle on the Potomac River alongside the historic C&O Canal towpath, Half and full day trips are offered, participants must be at least 5 yrs old and 50 lbs. 

Zip Line Tours: Play in the treetops and experience the best zip lining in WV! Tours include 7 ziplines and a skybridge. Must be 6 years old and 60 lbs to participate. Special rates offered for kids. 

Off Road Segway Tours: Teens and adults will love testing their balance and coordination in this fun tour complete with an obstacle course and mountain trip. Plus, Segways are less damaging to natural terrain than hiking boats, so the beautiful ride is also eco friendly! 

Camping: Extend your adventure by staying at one of the premium riverside camp sites

Cabin Rentals:  Prefer not to stay in a tent, try staying in a scenic mountainside cabin. 
 

Other family friendly activities offered include horseback riding, the giant jumping pillow, hiking, rock-climbing and fishing. 

We love that Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is just an hour from DC, rates are affordable, and the facilities are award-winning and top-notch.  Plus, they are located just 1/4 mile from the river which cuts transportation time down to a minimum. 

After an intense period of hard work, the government has fixed Washington … the Monument that is.  (The city itself remains the same dysfunctional place that President Kennedy famously described as having southern efficiency and northern charm.)

The Monument, damaged in a 2011 earthquake, underwent a 3 year, $15 million repair project to fix approximately 150 cracks in its edifice.  It reopened to the public on May 12, 2014.  Visitors can obtain free same day tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th street on a first come, first serve, basis or pay a mere $1.50/ticket handling fee to purchase reserved tickets online and have them delivered to your door via mail.  The reserved ticket option is highly recommended, as it lets you plan your day around your entry time, avoid lines, and the potential disappointment of not getting tickets.  You can make reserved purchases here.

What you’ll see:

After getting past security, visitors travel by elevator up 500 feet to unparalleled views of the city.  Four sets of windows offer views in each direction (N,S,E &W)  with helpful pictures to explain some of the less renown buildings and structures.  However, the highlight has to be seeing the “famous” sites from on high - the Capitol, the Jefferson, White House, and the Lincoln Memorial are all visible in unobstructed views.

More Information:

Washington Monument
Washington DC 

for hours, tickets, instructions, directions, and restrictions,  please visit http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=77811 



Photos property of Jay Williamson and Kid Trips LLC, all rights reserved.