School Board Meeting tonight in Falls Church

This is technically not a children's event but it does affect our children.

Tonight, at Jackson Middle School in Falls Church, at 7pm, the Fairfax County School Board will be voting on the Budget for 2011-2012 school year. Among the issues that will be discussed is an Amendment that was put forth by Tina Hone, that would cut the FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools) program from the current advertised budget for next year.

This post is not to advocate that you should stand for or against this issue, but that you should attend the meeting to make sure your voice is being heard.

A request for this post was submitted by a member of FLAGS.

More Days Off from School?

We've already had two days off and now we have two more days off next week due to teacher work days. What will you do for the next four days to not get cabin fever?

Fear not, there is plenty to do.

Check out Frying Pan Park's 50th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday from noon - 3pm.
Activities will include a preview of coming events, wagon rides, children's party games, hot cocoa, birthday cake, and s'mores at an outdoor warming fire.

This weekend is also Pentagon Row's Ice Skating Gala in Arlington.
From 7-9pm there will be A performance by fools and horses, specials and giveaways, An Ice Princess, Magicians, Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, a Photo Boot and plenty of Refreshments. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Fees for ice skating still apply.

And what about Monday and Tuesday of next week?
Take the family for a fun trip around the ice rink. Check out an updated listing of local ice skating rinks.
On Monday afternoon you can also check out Groovy Nate at the St. Elmo's Coffee Club in Alexandria. He'll also be at the George Mason Library in Annandale on Tuesday evening from 7-8pm. Have Fun with music, puppetry, games, creative play, and comedy! Donations are requested for the Coffee Club event.

The McLean Community Center is offering Teacher Workday trips for teens 5th - 8th grade. The center is open 8am - 6pm for these events. Please register on their website.

Also Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center in Manassas has a Teacher Workday Camp on Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 8:30a - 4:30pm. Campers will participate in sports, crafts and swimming activities on their day off from school. Registration is required.

Whatever you do, enjoy this time with your family. Sometimes, we need to be reminded to slow down and spend some quality time together.

Send Your Love...

Do you know that song by Sting, Send Your Love?



Well, now you can send your love through some really neat places throughout the United States for Valentine's Day!

This is a list of places that will postmark your love notes and letters and then send them to the final recipient for you!

Bliss, NY 14024

Heart Butte, MT 59448

Juliette, GA 31046

Loveland, CO 80538

Loveville, MD 20656

Loving, NM 88256

Romance, AR 72136

Romeo, MI 48065

Sugar City, CO 81076

Valentine, NE 69201

Valentine, TX 79854

Valentines, VA 23887

Click this link to get detailed information on how to get your love notes postmarked at these various places in time for Valentine's Day 2011!

Kinda makes you wish you had more loved ones doesn't it?

Even though I'm no longer in school, I send Valentine's Day cards every year to family and friends with fun little treats inside!

What is your favorite Valentine's Day tradition?

January 2011!

I hope you had a fabulous Holiday and Happy New Year.

Let's get right to the chase.

There are two events you need to know about.

The first is Synetic Family Theater's Nutcracker! The last showing is this weekend! Don't miss it! Critics rave about this amazing show! There's still snow on the ground, so you can still watch the Nutcracker live! Check it out!

And, the long awaited Blacksmith Shop at Mount Vernon is now open! "George Washington's blacksmith shop is back in business! The building is a careful reproduction of the type of blacksmith shop that operated at Mount Vernon during Washington’s lifetime. Watch as blacksmithing demonstrations take place, giving visitors a dynamic view of 18th-century smithing by creating the same household and agricultural items that were used on Washington’s plantation. Included in admission."

Check out our calendar for updated events and find us on Facebook for quick and easy access to special events in your area!
Just because it's cold outside it doesn't mean you have to say home. Enjoy time with your kids at these various events. Don't forget to check out your local community center and libraries for daily events.

The Mother of Holiday Events Listings

Every year, the Washington Post puts out a list of all the Holiday events in the area that are submitted to them. There are all types of events from concerts to festivals to Santa visits all happening in the Washington DC area.

That listing can be found here or you can purchase a paper today to get the paper copy. It's a 12 page insert.

Check it out!!

Visits with Santa

It's hard to believe that in less than a week it will be Thanksgiving and soon after, Christmas!

If you haven't already started getting into the Christmas spirit, this is the perfect time to start. Check out all the places you can visit with Santa (Remember to use the categories at the bottom for easier searching)! There are free gifts, free photos, visit for your pup, and more!

Dress up the kids and the dog and get your pictures taken with Dear Ol' Saint Nick!

Keep checking back for updates to the calendar as the holidays get closer.

Ho! Ho! Ho!!!

The Enchanted Forest

It's time again for The Enchanted Forest, which is sponsored by the Junior League of Northern Virginia.

The event takes place this weekend, Nov. 21-22 at the Sheraton Reston.

The Enchanted Forest, is a winter-themed festival designed for the entire family, and includes activities such as Breakfast with Santa, Cocoa and Georgetown Cupcakes with the Snow Fairy Princess, Kids in the Kitchen and Children’s Science Center interactive activities, a professional train display, musical and dance performers, arts and crafts, photos with Santa, a holiday shopping boutique, the 10th Anniversary Diamond Gala, and the “forest” itself filled with merchandise-decorated holiday trees.

Here is the schedule of events. These events are covered by the general admission. Additional events are priced according to event. Check out the website for specific times.

Come out and get into the spirit of the holidays by supporting this great organization. We'd love to see your pictures on our Facebook page from this event!

addition
**Tickets may be purchased in advanced, online, or at the door. General Admission tickets are $10.

A Neat Opportunity

Do you know an artistic teen or college student who is passionate about our oceans?


Oceans 2030: Youth Outlook is a multimedia - photo, video and art - contest that provides a forum for youth to share their vision for our oceans over the next 20 years. It is being organized as part of the Our Changing Oceans Conference by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

Top winners will receive an Ipod Touch.

Winning entries will also received complimentary registrations to the Our Changing Oceans Conference in Washington, DC, get showcased at the conference's Waves of Change Ocean Expo from Jan 2-21, 2011, and be published online on the Encyclopedia of Earth.

High school students (15-17 yrs) and college students (18-24 yrs) are invited to submit ONE of the following:

• Photograph - high resolution in digital format as a .jpg, .png, or .gif file
• Video - short video (up to 5 minutes) uploaded via YouTube
• Graphic Art - illustration or comic (up to 3 panels) in high resolution as .jpg, .png, or .gif file

Each submission must also include 200-300 words outlining your vision for our oceans in 2030 and why.


Submission Deadline is November 22, 2010

Contact Lyle Birkey at lbirkey@ncseonine.org
To learn more about the Oceans 2030: Youth Outlook Contest, visit http://www.ourchangingoceans.org

Pass it on - there's no time to lose!!

It's Nutcracker Time!

The first time I went to see the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center was when I was probably nine years old. It was the real deal, with men in tights, gorgeous women in costume and an orchestra. I don't think I will ever forget it. It was so, so amazing.

You don't have to wait for your kids to be nine years old though... nor do you have to travel to DC to get a similar experience. There are so many amazing and professional Nutcracker performances right here in our own backyard.

Throughout my years of living in this area, I have attended various performances of the Nutcracker performed by different companies. I have rarely been disappointed. So, if you have little ones at home and you're ready for them to experience the most breath-taking of all performances in living color, check out this listing of local performances.

I'd be happy to recommend a particular one to you offline. Just drop me an e-mail.

Stay tuned for listings of other Holiday performances such as A Christmas Carol and The Messiah.

Enjoy this little snippet of The Dance of Sugar Plum Fairies.




Or the Russian Dance



I could go on and on... but I know you can browse through YouTube yourself.

I hope watching these helped get you in the spirit.

Halloween Parades 2010

My kids are so excited about Halloween they can hardly contain themselves!

I think they plan to trick or treat all night long!

If trick or treating is not your cup of tea, maybe a local parade is more your speed.

For instance, The Old Town Alexandria Parade
On Saturday, October 30th
Beginning at 10am
At the intersection of Main and 5th Sts.
Following the parade, trick or treat at participating stores in Old Town, and special treats at the Fauquier Bank Plaza-Courthouse Square. For more information please call (540) 347-2700.
It is listed on the Fauquier events page.

and...

Leesburg's 54th Annual Parade which is a tradition since 1957!
On Sunday, October 31
6-8pm
From Ida Lee Park to Safeway
View over 200 bands, police, fire and rescue units, walking units, floats, animals, and more in this year's Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade.
Be sure to bring your donation of non-perishable items to donate to the Loudoun Interfaith Relief Food Pantry.
For full details click the events listing on the left sidebar of their page here.

Whatever you do, we wish you a Happy & Safe Halloween! Bwaaaahahaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

Halloween is almost here!!

Are you ready?

I have one Halloween costume down, one to go, how about you?
There is so much going on from now until Halloween. Check out our Halloween events listing here.
Also, this is the last weekend of the Renaissance Fair in Crownsville, MD for the 2010 Season.

If you're not quite ready for Halloween fun yet, check out an airshow that is happening at the Leesburg Executive Airport on Saturday.
Excalibur! by the Elden Street Players is also on the calendar. Check it out!

Whatever you do, enjoy your weekend and the weather!

Flu Prevention

I went to pick up my daughter from school on Monday and I overheard a conversation about there being too many kids in the clinic with vomit and flu-like symptoms.

I personally think that October is too early to get a flu shot, but perhaps not. Perhaps right now is the perfect time to get one. Here is a listing (in pdf) of Inova clinics with times and dates.

*addition
Also check out FluShotUSA.com for a listing of local clinics.

Most grocery stores and pharmacies are also offering flu shots at specific times and by appointment.

As always, remember that the best way to prevent the flu is to wash hands consistently, supplement with vitamin C and zinc and to maintain your intake of fluids.

Cheers to a healthy fall season.

Then Leaf Subsides to Leaf...

"Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay."
~by Robert Frost

Isn't this a fitting poem?

My favorite time is here, Fall! And with it come the many celebrations of this beautiful season.
This is the time of year when you might wish you had a cloning machine. Just take a look at all the events that are taking place just this weekend?!?! You couldn't possible go to all of them, even if you tried!

I hope you get to enjoy time with your family this month. Check out the listing of Halloween events! If you know of one not listed, please post it in the comments!!

Being that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to alert you of an event that a reader sent in. While it's not a "children's event" it is to benefit all the mommies current, past, and present... so it counts.

Please check out Shop For A Cure this Sunday at Sonak Family Chiropractic in Sterling, VA. Contact Alison Sonak for more information at (703) 406-0200.

Happy Fall!!

Books, books, and more books

School is now back in full swing. The kids are learning, the teachers are teaching and the parents are back into a routine, right?

There is no better time of year than now to buy books. Even though the kids are busy learning at school, they still need to be reading at home. Maybe they need a special book to read for an upcoming book report, or for a specific project. Libraries are wonderful, but it is sooo nice to have the book you need right on your bookshelf at home.

Right now, there are tons of used book sales coming up; this weekend and in the next few weeks. Take your kids to these sales and help support your local libraries and communities. Click here to check out the listing and don't ever stop reading!!

There is also the National Book Festival going on this weekend in DC.

The 10th annual National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 3rd and 7th streets from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are honorary chairs for the event. The festival, a celebration of the joy of reading for all ages, is free and open to the public. For more information regarding the Festival, please click here.

A Fun Filled Weekend

If you've ever wished you could clone yourself, this weekend would be a good reason. There is not enough time in the day to enjoy all the fun activities that are scheduled. Why does that always happen that everything gets planned for the same date??

For starters, how could you miss the International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap in McLean?

Then, the Dr. Seuss Anniversary and the Parks in Annandale. Not to mention RunnyMede Park's Nature Fest in Herndon. And the Thomas and Friends Playdate at participating ToysRUS.

Then there's the amazing AwakeningFest on Saturday in Leesburg. And of course the Maryland Renaissance Fair is also now in full swing in Crownsville, MD (thru the end of October).

Check out the full schedule here and we hope you love whichever event(s) you decide to attend!

Storytime!

By request, Children's Events has added a listing of local storytimes.

These include libraries, local book stores and other facilities.

If you know of other storytimes that are not listed, please let us know about them.

Happy reading!

Drive Thru Flu Clinic

Get your flu shot without having to leave your car.

On September 11 & 12, 2010. from 9am - 3pm, NOVA Urgent Care Center is offering drive-thru vaccines for $20 per Vaccine - Cash only.

They are located at 21785 Filigree Court, Ashburn, VA 20147

For more information, visit their website at http://www.novaurgentcare.com/.

Grandparent's Day - Knack Free Family Event

Michaels stores are sponsoring a fun event for Grandparent's Day tomorrow, Aug. 28th from 10am - 2pm.

My calendar shows that Grandparent's day is on Sept. 12th... but I guess it doesn't hurt to be prepared, right?

Make the grandparents go gaga by capturing your baby's handprints in Crayola Model Magic. Ages three and up are welcome while supplies last!

For more information click here. Be sure to call your local store to verify details!

The Best Kind of Showers - August 12 & 13

I know I don't ever post events after midnight... After all, my kids are certainly not awake then.

But, this event will certainly knock their socks off and it's definitely worth being awake to see.

The Perseid Meteor Showers are currently lighting up the skies.

Experts predict that the showers will be the strongest on the night of August 12th & August 13th, between midnight and the wee hours of the morning.

Do I recommend that you wake your children up for this event? Absolutely NOT! This is your call and yours alone to make.

But, if you do wake them up to see it, here are some tips to follow:

1) Most importantly, you need a dark sky... so if you live in the city, unless you have a super duper telescope, you may not catch much action.

2) Verify the dates and times.

3) Expect to be outdoors for at least an hour to get a good view.

4) Dress warmly, use binoculars if desired, bring a warm drink and get comfortable.

Other Meteor Shower predictions for this year include:

October 7 & 8, the Draconids

October 21st, the Orionids

November 5th, South Torids

November 12th, North Torids

November 12, Leonids

and December 13 & 14th, Gemenids

Don't ask me where all these names come from; I'm sure there's logic somewhere.

For more information on each of these showers, click here.

Come back and let us know where you went and what you saw... I can't wait to see these myself!

Silly Bandz Swap at Participating Borders Stores

Check your local Borders stores for a Silly Bandz swap on Saturday, August 7th at 2pm. A listing of all store is listed here by state.

Bring your collection and get set to swap.

Events and details vary by store. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Hope you get some really cool Bandz!