Calling all little engine fans! DAY OUT WITH THOMAS  is coming to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore from April 27 - 29 & May 4 - 6, 2018. This fun filled day includes a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine™, all day admission to the B&O Railroad Museum, live entertainment, themed activities and programs. Some of the fun things at DAY OUT WITH THOMAS include:

Repeat after me, "History is FUN!" Yes, you heard that right. If your memories of history include memorizing timelines and writing definitions in composition notebooks, then it's time to create new memories. The perfect place for hands-on history is the historic triangle of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. Here, history truly comes to life. We've written about this area in the past, and as our children grow and change,  it's a place that we keep coming back to learn more. 

We especially love the immersive historical environments of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (read our previous post here) and Jamestown Settlement. 

One of our favorite children's museums in the U.S. is Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore. With so many hands-on exhibits​ and sensory opportunities, kids are sure to have a blast. Here's what's coming to museum this spring:

It's time to spark your child's creativity! A new show, PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC, is premiering on PBS KIDS on Monday, February 19, 2018.  The animated show is based on the popular best-selling Pinkalicious book series by Victoria Kann and encourages kids to engage in self-expression through music, dance and visual arts.  

PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC follows the adventures of Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, as they explore the town of Pinkville with their neighborhood friends. Pinkalicious is an artist at heart and has a unique perspective on the world. She's also not afraid to express herself--though sometimes she needs a little help from her friends. Each episode includes two 11-minute stories featuring Pinkalicious, Peter and their friends, and one live-action interstitial. The interstitials will feature real-life kids creating art, as well as profiles of professional artists.

My daughter really wanted a Mermaid Pillow for Christmas but I dropped the ball and didn't order one in time. Happily, I was redeemed by the arrival of the Love pillow this week. Since she opened it up she can't keep her hands off it. The removable cover has a  velvety side that is huggably soft.  On the other side, sequins flip with the brush of a finger or a hand to reveal whatever shimmery pink and silver design you want to create. 

Being familiar with kids with sensory issues, I am especially impressed by this pillow's ability to engage kids in calming, tactile play. This special purpose hasn't been lost on the company...in fact they have donated pillows to children in hospitals and have designed a special pillow to benefit Autism Speaks (see pick #5 below). Whether used as a calming comfort pillow, inspiring decorative pillow, teaching tool, or an entertaining travel pillow, the reversible sequins beg to be played with.  

Now that its close to Valentine's Day, this pillow would be a perfect gift, especially if you are trying to downplay candy and screens.  In addition to the Love design there are gift sets in a variety of themes like mermaids, fairies, sharks, and more.  Our top gift picks are: 

Watch Mickey and Minnie and 25 of your favorite Disney stars live on stage at Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic, at the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA on Sunday. February 25, 2018. The show will be filled with all the unforgettable moments and magic that you expect from Disney. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful ball gown; the Toy Story gang defy the dimensions of Andy’s toy box; and the dazzling stage debut of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they rise amidst the floating lanterns. With special appearances by Snow White, Tinker Bell and Aladdin’s Genie, you never know who might join in the fun.
 
SHOW TIMES:
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018
1:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
 
TICKET INFORMATION:
Ticket Prices:  $60 VIP, $35, and $25
Additional fees may apply. Ticket prices based on market demand and subject to change.
 
3 Easy Ways to Purchase Tickets:
1. At the Eagle Bank Arena box office
2. Visit www.ticketmaster.com
3. Call 800-745-3000 

This summer we planned an epic road trip in a rented minivan that circled through Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado,  Wyoming, and Idaho. The inspiration for our trip was the 100th Anniversary of the National Parks-- well that and the free domestic flights we'd earned with credit card miles!  I knew the 2-week 2,000+ miles itinerary was ambitious, but I struggled to cross anything off our list. With the kids getting older I wasn't sure we'd have another chance to travel to these places together. 

My addiction to antique shows and yard sales came to an abrupt end once I had kids.  Driving around back roads and browsing through aisles of fragile nick-nacks is pretty difficult with kids in car seats and strollers.  Online person-to-person  sales were appealing for a while, but my interest wore off pretty quickly after coming across some sketchy sellers.  

So I was super excited by the launch of a new online auction site, Everything But The House (EBTH) that allows you to browse online, bid, and complete the entire transaction with a trusted professional service.  Items can either be shipped or picked-up from a number of EBTH warehouses across the country. [Tip: If I'm shopping for furniture, I specifically look for sales in my city so that I can pick it up and avoid shipping costs.]

For deal hunters, the best part is that with no reserve prices, some items go for as little as a DOLLAR! If you love a deal and are on the hunt for mid-century pieces, original artwork, sterling silver, vintage holiday decorations or estate jewelry, EBTH is definitely worth checking out.  
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