I remember a few years ago that every year during college graduation season, some prestigious university would feature a commencement speaker who would base their entire address on the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh The Places You’ll Go.” Basically, the book discusses life’s journey and it’s obstacles while imploring the main character to explore, keep moving and asking questions (which is a good thing…you know…to tell a college graduate. Go out and travel and explore and question things like the need for a job.) Anyway, the book is extremely popular because kids really can relate to it…college kids, high school kids, even grade school kids.

So, I am thinking that I should write a book, except, instead of writing it with lessons and stories aimed at young people, my book would be aimed at first-time parents to be. I settled on the title “Oh, The Things You Will Do for Your Kids” because I am pretty sure that my original title “Children: The Tax Breaks Do NOT Make up for Their Overall Expense” might negatively impact sales and would be shunned by the Newbery judges.

Happy Thanksgiving to all from www.GoKidTrips.com!

My boys and I were excited to check out this year's ICE exhibit at the Gaylord National, and it was spectacular as always. 

Please note, ICE is in a new location this year. The tent is now located on the hotel's riverfront garden.  You can enter through the main lobby.  Also, pick up your tickets inside the hotel as well.  

For those unfamiliar, ICE is an epic area holiday attraction. It is "A series of inter-connected rooms features breathtaking larger-than-life, 3-D sculpted ice pieces, including fantastic recreations of beloved characters, two-story tall ice slides and memorable holiday scenes. The awe-inspiring experience concludes with the wonder of the Nativity of crystal clear ice" (official Gaylord press release.)  It's absolutely freezing inside the attraction so be sure to wear a winter coat, hat, & gloves.  You will be given a parka to wear over your own winter jacket. 


Read more about ICE at the Gaylord National 2013:

If you are looking for some luxurious ways to spend some quality time with loved ones this holiday season, please check out these great events happening at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. 



Annual Gingerbread House Opening
Friday, November 29 at 2:00pm

Kick-off the holidays with The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, as the life-sized Gingerbread House is unveiled for guests and the community to enjoy. Located on the lobby level of the hotel, the culinary work of art is large enough for guests to walk around inside and explore the sugary construction created by our talented Pastry Team. Opening day festivities will include holiday confections, hot spiced cider and hot cocoa.

Gingerbread House Decorating Classes
 Saturday, December 7, 14 & 21, Sundays 8, 15 & 22, 2013; Seatings at 10:00am & 1:00pm
 $70 per child, ages 2 to 12, inclusive of tax and gratuity (no charge for kids under 2 years old)

After exploring our life-size gingerbread house, learn to make your own sugary home at a Gingerbread House Decorating Class, taught by The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner’s pastry chefs. The class includes all the ingredients to construct a beautiful gingerbread house as well as a special souvenir.

The Nutcracker Tea
 Saturdays, December 7, 14 & 21, 2013; Seatings at 10:00am & 1:00pm
 $75 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity

Escape into the magical world of The Nutcracker ballet, complemented by afternoon tea and treats. Students of the South Riding Dance Company will delight your eyes with a contemporary twist on the beloved holiday classic, while the Pastry Team will tantalize your taste buds with an extraordinary selection of tea sandwiches, pastries and sweets. All children will leave with a Nutcracker doll. Pictures will be taken with the featured artists and emailed at the conclusion of the tea.

Written by David Kilpatrick
Original Direction by Jennifer Furlong

Geared towards children ages 2-6

Get your little ones ready for a holiday show that will have them giggling, engaged, and is the perfect running time!  Drumming With Dishes: The Holiday Edition takes place in a special kitchen, where two friends cook up joyful music together. From a pasta-box Christmas tree to dreidels spinning on pots and pans, these friends (and their live guitar accompanist) bring many of your favorite holiday songs to life like you've never seen before! This whimsical production is a 35-minute interactive, non-verbal show, which features two adult actors and a musician. 

Artistic Director Michelle Kozlak states, "My hope is that this performance of Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition will inspire children to find music all around them in everyday
objects.  Creative play and exploration are so essential to a child's development at this age; we hope their imaginative adventures will continue long after the performance has ended."

Show details: 

We had the pleasure of seeing the silly, laugh out loud, Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! at the Kennedy Center. This musical performance is based on the popular series of books by award winning children’s author, Mo Willems.  Together, Gerald (the Elephant) and Piggie solve problems and are the “best, best, bestus of friends.”  Joined by the Squirrelles, the two friends go on many adventures and get into different “predicaments.”

Much of the script from the show is taken right from the Elephant & Piggie books. The characters prepare for a fancy costume pool party from I Am Invited to A Party!, solve a dilemma in Should I Share My Ice Cream?, perform the edge-of-your-seat dramatic I Love My New Toy! and many more.  Plus, the final act, We Are in a Play! is just like the story We Are in a Book!  The delightful cast has the audience interact, clap, and move along. 

Now that the leaves are gone and the winter chill has settled in for good, its time to set our sights on holiday festivities, family-friendly shows, and cozy evenings by a fire.  To help Northern Virginia families plan their best ever winter, we have a compiled a list of our TOP PICKS for Winter Fun in the area.  For even more options, check out our book, Kid Trips Northern Virginia, for descriptions of hundreds of local venues, and chapters on ice-skating, indoor play areas, hands-on art studios, seasonal fun and more.  If you don't already have this local guide, its the perfect time to wrap it up as a gift for yourself!

Read our TOP PICKS for Winter Family Events 2013 in the DC metro area: 

A new indoor play area is open at the Fair Oaks Mall.  This innovative soft, fun zone, designed by Michael O'Neill, features construction-themed climb ons, tunnels, and a big truck that is sure to be a hit with the little ones.  Parents and caregivers will love that it is created with soft material that is anti-bacterial and cleaned twice a day. Check out the pictures below:

Imagination Stage is known in the DC Metro for its well-performed, engaging, professional children's productions, and the newest musical show Lyle the Crocodile is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family!  Based on the children's book Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber, the story tells the tale of the Primm family who finds a crocodile in the bathtub in their New York City apartment. This extraordinary crocodile, Lyle, charms the family with his quirky ways, but the mean neighbor, Mr. Grumps, is not charmed at all.  He simply dislikes Lyle because Lyle is different. After a parade, a trip to the department store, and a stint in the zoo, Lyle saves the day and earns his place as a beloved friend and neighbor. 

Artistic director Kathryn Chase Bryer states, "I am pleased to revisit Lyle the Crocodile with this new musical version of the story. When we produced the nonmusical version of this script in 2009, we were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the show from our patrons; we knew that we loved Lyle, but we had no idea how much Lyle meant to the children of today. After all, the first Lyle book was published in 1964."

Growing up, I always looked forward to watching the Nutcracker every holiday season with my family. Make this beloved ballet part of your tradition, by attending Clara and The Nutcracker Prince by the Gainesville Ballet  on November 30, 2013 at 6:30 PM.  The full-length ballet features international guest dancers, faculty and students of the award-winning arts organization. 

" As decorative lights begin to sparkle across homes in Prince William County on Thanksgiving weekend, the elegant opera house of the 1,123-seat Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center will usher in the holiday season with the fanfare of soldiers and mice.  Ballet patrons will be welcomed by an elaborate two-story grand foyer leading to a large auditorium defined by circular balcony seats that glimmer three stories high, an expansive orchestra section, state-of-the art acoustics and an intimate ambiance" (Official Press Release.) 

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/416/

Enter to win a 4 Pack of Tickets to the Show via the Rafflecopter Below: