The McLean Central Park FREE Concert series, Jammin Jrs, has started up again and now that LG takes a later nap we are super excited to partake in some of these events.
We (LG and Mama) are so in love with this class. I swear I often feel as though it is as if LG created the curriculum herself. It is the perfect speed for her (read: it is fairly quiet and slow). She loves the fact that everyone has their own mat (she is the rare breed of two year old that respects personal space) and that it is a small group of children.
Dare I say that she enjoys this class more than gymnastics? I have to say that I do. The main reason? I don't have to say "no" as in "no don't go over there; no don't touch that." There isn't any equipment to worry about it is just an open room. I find this class to be so relaxing for me because I can just enjoy my time with LG.
The teacher, Kim Blackmon, is wonderful. She just has a way of engaging the children. You can absolutely tell that each child is special to her and what is really important is that the children can tell too. She watches what they do and she builds on it. She incorporates each request (benefit of a small group) and praises each child. In short, Miss Kim respects the children.
I cannot offer enough praise for this class. It is offered at the Virginia Hospital Center and new the early summer session is available for sign up now. If you are not in Arlington, check out the Itsy Bitsy Yoga website to find your local instructor.
This past Sunday, LG and I needed an outdoor activity to burn off some of her Easter chocolate energy. Given the sunny and breezy afternoon, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to head down to the USMC War Memorial and Netherlands Carillon to go fly a kite.
We had a great time and got the kite up pretty high when the winds were up. LG had plenty of space to run and got quite a workout. Even if you don't have a kite, it's a neat place to let a little one run free. There are scattered old, big trees and lots of grass with a great view down the hill to the Lincoln and Washington monuments and DC (it's a very popular spot to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July!). There are also a pair of bronze lions by the Carillon that LG really enjoyed "riding".
Parking isn't too much of a problem, you can look for a spot on N Meade St, or find a space down in the circle around the Iwo Jima Memorial. It's also a quick walk from the Rosslyn Metro.
Wahoo! Spring has sprung! It is officially time for Mini Golf at Upton Hill Regional Park. The pool doesn't open until Memorial Day but the batting cages and mini golf course currently have limited hours (see website).
We took LG out for some mini golf today. She had her own method of playing but she had a great time.We love this course because it is somewhat challenging but not frustrating. There are definitely a couple of possibilities for a hole in one.
Price: $6.00 for adults; $5.00 for children (although they let LG 'play' for free)
There are also picnic tables available so we let LG enjoy her lunch outside, which was a great treat on this beautiful day!
It looks like LG and I are on the waiting list for Water Tots this time around. Make sure to sign up in the early morning whenever registration begins. (this reminds me of the competition for classes in college!)
Although I won't be swimming on Saturday mornings this spring, I figured I might as well post an overdue review of the classes.
I really enjoyed both Water Tots and Water Babies. It gave me an assigned time with my daughter every week and gave her something to look forward to doing with daddy. I also learned the delicate skill of changing a diaper on a locker room bench.
Water Tots is designed for kids ages 1.5 to 3 years old and teaches them some basic swimming skills like paddling and kicking and just gets them more time in the water. Water Babies is for babies 6 months to 1.5 years. The only major difference is the skills you are working on, with the Babies class mostly focused on getting used to the water and having fun in it.
The classes are fairly small (about 8 kids if I remember correctly) and only last about 30 minutes. Adults get in the water with their child and move them around the water while the instructor tells you what activity/skill to be working on. LG most enjoyed playing with the toy ducks and doing the hokie pokie each week. She also got pretty good at kicking and paddling by the time the class was done.
There are lockers in the changing rooms, so I recommend bringing a lock to keep your gear in. I took the class at Washington-Lee HS and always found parking available.
Oh and kids are required to wear a swim diaper. I brought a training diaper by accident once and LG's bathing suit blew up like a balloon.
We have attended the Abrakadoodle Twoosy Doodlers classes this session and we really liked them. Given how much they cost we should probably be getting a lot more out of them, but they are a fun way to spend a Monday morning. The projects (except for one) are completely appropriate for toddlers and LG really looks forward to going to 'painting' class. The instructor is patient and encourages creativity. We did have a good time, however, I don't think we will sign up again for two major reasons:
Inappropriate furniture. This class takes place in a room intended for adult use. The table is high and the chairs are huge. Kids need to kneel or stand on the chairs in order to reach the table. This isn't safe and it isn't ideal since the kids have trouble reaching everything they need. I think a toddler class needs to happen in a toddler room.
Cost. These classes are way too expensive for a parent and child class. You could easily recreate the experience in your own home for a fraction of the price. I don't know why these classes are more expensive than gymnastics which has specialized equipment and specially trained teachers but I imagine it has something to do with overhead charges.
Like I said, this class was fun. LG adored it! But we'll be signing up for gymnastics next session :).
Are you ready for some Easter fun?FreemanHouseMuseum, Vienna, VA Saturday, April 4
10:30am -11:30am
Link:Freeman House Events Details:
Hip Hip Hip Hooray it is that time of year again. Hop on over to the Freeman Store on Saturday, April 4th with children under 12 and celebrate in some old fashioned fun with your youngsters. The Easter Egg Hunt starts promptly at 10:30 followed by storytelling. Event ends at 11:30. Bring your favorite basket! Call for more details at either 703.255.6360 or 703.938.5187. Arrive early.
The Easter Egg Hunt is held Easter weekend each year in Cherry HillPark (312 Park Avenue). In addition to scrambling for eggs, children ages 11 and younger participate in a make-your-own-candy-bag craft project and have a chance to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. This event is free to all participants.
Reston Zoo, Vienna, VA April 11 and 12
Cost: Children: $8.00
Adults: $10.oo
Link: Special Events More details to be announced on the website.
Tudor Place, WashingtonDC Saturday, April 11
10:00am - 12:00pm
Cost: Member children: $7
Nonmember children: $10
Adult Chaperones: $3
Link:Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place! Details from the website:
Celebrate Spring and Easter at Tudor Place's Third Annual Eggstravaganza! Children of all ages enjoy the largest Egg Hunt in WashingtonD.C. and a thrilling Egg Roll Contest. After the exciting games, spend the morning decorating festive eggs and building a spring basket! The Easter Bunny is available for pictures all morning. Visitors also enjoy a self-guided tour of Tudor Place's 5 ½ acres of glorious gardens. The Egg Hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. and the Egg Roll follows at 10:45 a.m. Bring your own basket, spoon, and one hard-boiled egg per child.
*Updated to add* Thank you Robin B.!*
Mason District Park, Annandale, VA
Spring Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 11, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Details:
Rain or Shine
Start Times: 11:10 a.m. (2 yrs & younger);11:30 a.m. (3-4 yrs);11:50 a.m. (5-6 yrs);12:10 p.m. (7-9 yrs)
Mason District Park
6621 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 941-1730
Booked: Upton Hill Regional Park, Arlington, VA
Places that had hunts last year but have not released information for this year: Colvin Run Mill, Great Falls, VA
For more options (especially those in MD and Loundon) check out the Washington Post.
Isn't entertaining a toddler fun? Sometimes it can be so easy - they stare at bug for hours; and sometimes it can be so challenging - they zoom through every toy in your house in less than 15 minutes (of course before breakfast).
A well known trick is to get the child out of the house. But where to go? What to do? Hopefully, this blog will help you to decide just that.
Created for parents of toddlers in Arlington, Virginia, here you can find reviews and helpful information about many of the local attractions that will help you and your child GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!
Email me!
Have a place that you want me to check out? Or perhaps you are hosting an event or class that you want me to plug. Maybe you just want to tell me how cute LG is :)
Whatever the reason feel free to email me at: fromthedeskofmama [AT]gmail[dot]com
Our Family
Dada ~ Telecommunications Analyst. Enjoys: soccer, video games, movies, and weekends.
Mama~ Elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom. Enjoys: baking, reading, reality TV, and getting out of the house.
LG ~ Little Girl, our daughter born 11/01/06. Enjoys: swinging, sliding, sand, ocean waves, animals, music, riding in shopping carts, and just being silly.
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