Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

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Published: 05/16/2013
Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

Hey y'all, I'm Molly and I've lived in PWC for just over 3 years. I blog over at Stilettos and Diapers about fashion, motherhood and life in general. As much as I love fashion and wearing all the current trends, I'm frugal and never like to spend too much on my clothes. Today, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite pieces for spring and summer that fit into a Mom's budget. All these pieces are under $30! 

Floral and Print Shorts 

These are hot, hot this season. In tons of patterns and lengths, there are trendy shorts out there for everyone.


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Maxi Dresses 

These are all the rage again this year. I love them because I love to wear dresses, but short ones can be awkward when leaning over to tend to your babies. Maxis can be dressed up with wedges, or down with flip flops. You can wear them to the park, for a playdate or a night out with your husband. I love a good versatile piece that gets me the most bang for my buck. 


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

Colors and Patterned Tops

Just like the patterned shorts, there is no lack for color in this seasons tops. Neon, floral, stripes and sheers are all over the place. Don't be shy with your color! 


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Hope this easy guide helps you fill your closet on the cheap this season! If you want to keep up with me and more of my frugal fashions, you can follow me on my blog, Twitter or Instagram! 

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Guest Post: How I Found The Perfect Playgroup

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Published: 05/14/2013
The following is a guest post from Samantha at Happily A Housewife. Samantha lives here in Prince William County and shares something I think many of you will relate to: Her own experience in moving to PWC, not knowing anyone in the area, being a new mom, and trying to find the perfect playgroup.




One thing I have noticed since moving here 6+ years ago, is that no one else seems to be "from" here either. When we had Matthew our first born, I knew NO ONE. The six months we had lived in the DC metro before he was born I basically stayed in my apartment all day, everyday. I knew once having him, that had to change, we had to socialize. But living in a new place, with no family or friends, makes that tough.

The way I changed things was joining a playgroup. It was hard at first, I felt left out, like I was never going to fit in. Here is how I changed that:

First how I found the perfect playgroup.

1. Look online. This is the easiest way if you aren't too outgoing. Meetup.com is where I found so many groups to chose from. Especially in the DMV there are so many different groups. Find a couple. Join and attend a few meetups to see what fits you and your kids best.

2. Find a group that has kids the same age as yours. A group with school aged kids probably isn't going to meet when you are available to play with your toddler.

3. If you are more outgoing and willing to talk to people at random (I am not), go to your local library. During the story times and playtimes. Also hit up a local park. Talk to the other moms, they probably have a group they can refer you to.

Fitting into a playgroup.

1. My biggest piece of advice to give anyone...... GO TO THE MNO (mom's night out) or girls night out events. It is SO worth making that extra effort, trust me! Being able to talk to other moms without cranky, whinny, hungry toddlers at your feet is much easier.

2. Don't get discouraged. If the first few times it feels a bit off, like the other moms aren't making a huge effort, they probably aren't. They don't want to put in the time to meet someone new if they don't think you are going to stick around. The more events you attend, the easier it will get.

3. Don't push your parenting philosophy. It is so nice to have a group of women you can turn to when your child isn't eating, sleeping, or having problems at school, but advice is different than a mom who thinks her way is the only way. Be the mom you are, and don't change that. At the same time, don't expect others to change the way they parent either.

There are still so many times while sitting at a play date with my kids, that I remind myself how glad I am that I took the effort to find a playgroup. The kids have all become friends, and probably more importantly I have founds a group of women that have become true friends.

People I can rely on.

Other moms who keep me sane.



I am Samantha, a wife, SAHM of 3 wonderful kids (Who apparently doesn't have ONE photo of her family of five, awesome, right). We live in PWC and love it! I blog at Happily A Housewife.  You can also find me on Twitter, and Instagram where I over share about our life, write the things I wish I could say to my kids, attempt to share recipes every once and awhile, and most importantly post 8 million (unnecessary) photos of my babies!
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Party on a Budget

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Published: 04/28/2013

Party on a Budget
By:  Angela Pounders
 
I told myself that I would not be the type of parent who would go all out and spend a lot of money for my children’s birthday parties.  Instead, I would buy a few themed items and work around that with what I had and/or buy some inexpensive items to go with it.  My parents never went all out and I have some of the best birthday memories.  To me, it’s not about how much money you spend, but about the time spent together.

This year, Sweet Girl, my (now) four year old, wanted an Elmer the Elephant party.  (He’s a patchwork elephant featured in books by David McKee.)  I couldn’t find party stuff to buy so I had to be creative. Love Bug, my (just turned) two year old, picked a Thomas the Tank Engine theme.  Of course, there is a ton of stuff out there with Thomas!  However, I ended up spending about the same for each girl’s party with these easy, fun and inexpensive ideas.

Plates and Napkins:  I always let the girls pick out plates and napkins that go along with their chosen theme.  We have done solid colored plates and printed napkins before as well.  I found the cutest elephant napkins that stand up.  There is a wide variety of designs available.  So, not only did we have napkins, but a table decoration at each spot! 


Tablecloth:  Go with a solid color and something that can be reused.  If you are having a bunch of children over, plastic tablecloths from the Dollar Store work great.  Oriental Trading has a good selection to.  We used our nice cloth tablecloths (you know, like the ones you pull out for the holidays) this year for the girls and it made them feel so special.

Decorations:  A lot of money can be spent in this category, but it doesn’t have to be.  I printed out color pictures of Elmer and his friends and also of Thomas and friends to hang around the living/dining rooms. I also printed some in black and white so the girls could color them and used those as decorations, too. You can find a lot of free printables online to go along with any theme.  I found some elephant party invitations at the Dollar Store and used those for decorations and for making Sweet Girl’s birthday card. Remember, think outside of the box!  Also, streamers and balloons in colors that go with your child’s theme are an inexpensive addition to the décor.  The Dollar Store is the best place to go for these disposable decorations.
The new idea I came up with this year is free!  I thought it would be fun to decorate using books.  Yes, the kind you read.  We went to the library and checked out a bag full of books for each girl’s theme.  We set the books up around the living/dining rooms.  They decorated the rooms and were in reach when the girls wanted to look at them.  You could also buy some new books for your child and put them out the morning of his/her birthday as a surprise.



Activities:  Again, you can find many free printables online with patterns and craft ideas.  There are also a variety of BINGO type game sheets that you can print out, too.

Sweet Girl really wanted to look like Elmer and asked if I could paint her.  Um, no, but how about coloring a t-shirt to wear instead?  I drew a checkerboard on a couple of t-shirts and let the girls go at them with fabric markers.  I even made one!  What child wouldn’t think it was neat to draw on and make his/her own shirt?  You could prep each shirt with a picture related to your child’s theme (draw it on, iron-ons, etc) and have each child decorate his own shirt.  An activity and party favor in one!



Cake:  Maybe you feel like you’ve saved enough money with everything else to buy a bakery made cake, but why not make one at home?  Whether you make it from scratch or a box, it is so fun to have the birthday child make the cake with you.  Sweet Girl even wanted to help place the animal cake toppers (which doubled as toys afterwards—another money saving tip!) on her cake.
I hope these fun, easy and inexpensive ideas help you with the next party you plan.  Remember to think outside of the box and be creative.  Think about how things can serve double functions to save even more money.  Spend more time and less money and everyone will benefit from it!


Angela Pounders is a transplant to Prince William County Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She shares her ideas on her blog, The Master’s Daughter.
 
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Favorite Books for Toddlers

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Published: 04/24/2013

Favorite Books for Toddlers
By Carolyn Brace

"Image courtesy of [Ambro] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"


Once upon a time I used to read books to my pregnant belly. Then I read to my tiny little babies while they snuggled in my arms. Soon those books were chewed on with great love. Before I knew it we were reading books at every meal (a great time to read since they are a captive audience) and now we are constantly nagging our 8 year old to put away her book at dinner and talk to us. I live in a house with five children who love to read. They are ages 8, 5, and 2. No, that doesn’t equal five kids, until I mention that I have three 2 year olds. Three opinionated 2 year olds. It is wonderful that they love books, but with that love comes strong opinions and definite favorites. With that, I thought I would share my 2 year olds’ latest favorites with the hope that your children will enjoy them too.


Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

This book really touches on the bedtime routine and nervousness children feel when they are alone in their rooms. I recommend reading it with a great amount of drama and theatrical skills. Yell and holler along with Llama as he wonders where his mamma has gone. My children also like to point out Llama’s stuffed llama as they too sleep with stuffed animals. They clearly see themselves in Llama.


The Neighborhood Sing - Along and When will Sarah Come

The first book is written and photographed by Nina Crews, while the second is written by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard and photographed by Nina Crews. You may have read books by Nina Crews’ father, Donald Crews and she has clearly inherited his talent and vision. My children have always loved real photographs of people in books. They like to see other children’s actions, expressions, and movements. The Neighborhood Sing –Along is a collection of favorite children’s songs with authentic, beautiful pictures of children. The only downside is that it is long and my children want to read every single page of the book: sometimes twice.

When Will Sarah Come is perfect for any child with an older sibling who attends school. It is the story of a little boy who wonders all day long when his sister, Sarah, will be coming home. Life just isn’t the same without her. Its repetitive nature has my children reading along with me and happily predicting the ending.



Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Who needs words? Good Night Gorilla has only a handful of words but that is all it needs to capture my children’s attention. They love saying goodnight to all the animals and gasping with delight when there is nothing on the page but the surprised eyes of the zookeepers wife. (Once again, being theatrical is a big plus). With three children reading at the same time we opted for the lap book sized version and it wore out after receiving heaps of love.



Grandpas are for Catching Worms by Harriet Zeifert

What child doesn’t like to lift the flaps of a book? Many lift the flap books have lost their flaps in this house, but either my children are becoming more gentle or this book is sturdier because it still has all it’s flaps intact. This delightful story gives us a chance to remember our grandpa, who lives 10 hours away and is not seen too often, and to talk about all the wonderful things we can do together as families. Harriet Zeifert is a fantastic author for young children and also has lift-the-flap books for mommies, daddies, brothers, sisters, grandmas, cousins, teachers and many holidays.


Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley and Don’t let the Pigeon Ride the Bus by Mo Willems

What 2-year-old child doesn’t want power and control? In these books the children get to tell the monster to go away and tell the pigeon “NO!” as he constantly asks to drive the bus. After only a few readings my children were happily yelling “Go Away” and “No” at these engaging books that encourage audience participation. Another plus? My 5 year old can easily memorize them and “read” them to his younger siblings.


Last, but not least, books with your children as the main characters!


I use Shutterfly to create books with pictures of my children. Whether it’s a quick book with the pictures of all the people we love or a long journey through our memories of the holiday season, children love to see themselves and the people they love. What is more fun than a book about yourself?!


It’s been said before and I’ll say it again. The best way to teach your children to read is to read to them. So grab any book and enjoy! You’ll create a foundation that is priceless.




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Preschool Busy Bag Exchange

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Published: 04/21/2013
 Preschool Busy Bag Exchange 
by Courtney Power

If you already have a Pinterest account I am probably not going to tell you anything you don't already know. If, like me, you still don't pin keep reading because I've got an exciting idea for you. Preschool Busy Bag Exchange Being a non-pinner I had to google the term when an interest thread was started on my local neighborhood mom's Facebook page. Basically, it is the same principle as a cookie exchange but instead of baked goods you swap games/activities geared at the preschool age group.


As a mom of a 4yr old and 21 month old with self-professed "paint by numbers" crafting ability, I jumped at the idea of making multiple copies of a kid's game in exchange for getting back all new games in return. Our exchange was the Wednesday before Spring Break and the activities were lifesavers on vacation. A special thanks to Kelly who organized our neighborhood exchange and to all the other Montclair Moms who participated, you ladies ROCK!


We had 16 moms participate in our exchange. This may seem like a lot, especially when you’re in the throes of making 16 copies of a game, but when you walk away with 15 new games it is totally worth it. Below are pictures of the different games made. [Note: there are 17 items listed because two were bundled together] Some are overtly educational (alphabet match-up), some are just for fun (I-spy bottles) and some build great fine motor skills (anything with clothespins). While this was titled as “preschool” busy bag exchange the games really fit a spectrum of ages. My youngest one uses the I-spy bottle as a shaker and loves the pool noddle threading with no concern for following a pattern whereas my older child can easily do color matching but has been stretched by letter and sound identification.



A picture of my haul!



1) Counting/Shaking Eggs: match egg top and bottom, insert lentils or candy to match the number
2) Connect the Dots: a laminated flip book of connect the dots puzzles and a dry erase marker
3) Color Match: grab color card with appropriate clothespin
4) Number Tracing: trace numbers with monster finger puppet using rhyme to help remember
5) I-spy Bottles: small water bottles filled with rice and assorted treasures to find
6) Pool Noodle Lacing: pool noodle segments of different colors & numbers, pattern cards to replicate




7) Double Trouble: use the loose shapes to recreate the patterns
8) Felt Puzzle: match felt puzzle pieces to outline on background
9) Magnetic Fishing: wooden dowel fishing pole, felt fish with shapes and numbers
10) Color/Number Wheel: grab color or number with appropriate clothespins
11) Popsicle Shape Makers: Velcro dots allow creating of shapes with Popsicle sticks




12) Popsicle Stick Puzzle: line up popsicle sticks to create the puzzle image
13) Lacing Cards: practice lacing shoelace in the holes
14) Playdough Gingerbread House Mats: use playdough to make assigned number of decorations
15) Pipe Cleaner Threading: thread appropriate color and number of beads on the pipe cleaners
16) Colored Animal Sorting: use tweezers to sort animal figurines by color or animal type
17) Alphabet Match Up & Beginning Word Sounds: match uppercase letter bottle cap to lowercase letter or to picture that matches the beginning word sound



If you are interested this would be great to do just before school ends, in the middle of summer when boredom sets in or anytime really. Some thoughts on successfully executing a busy bag exchange. -- 16 participants were a lot and more than probably a high threshold level. You want to have enough participants to make the crafting effort worth your time and money, especially since it is generally more cost effective to buy materials in bulk but not too many that it becomes overwhelming and you run the risk of repeat or extremely similar activities. -- we used a Facebook event to organize our exchange. This way each participant could post a link to or describe what they planned on making (avoiding repeats). You could also feasibly use a Facebook group to coordinate as well. The communal forum also allowed for sharing of supplies that participants might have had in excess or weren't using. -- the exchange date should be set a couple of weeks if not at least a month from the initial setup time. This gives everyone time to browse for ideas, shop the sales and make the game/activity. -- Pinterest and Google are great places to get ideas. There are a ton of very crafty mom bloggers out there. -- for all you military mommas out there we had a participant from out of state who mailed in her contribution. If you were organizing for a geographically separated group you could either share addresses or ship to a single POC who would then separate, collate and ship.


The school year is drawing to an end of if you are going to host one of these with your child and classmates, now’s the time to start organizing!




Courtney Power is an Air Force wife and mom to two crazy kids. She lives in Montclair and can’t say enough good things about the Prince William County community and Montclair Moms in particular. 





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4 simple ways to sneak exercise into your day!

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Published: 04/14/2013

4 simple ways to sneak exercise into your day!




 Gone are the days when I had hours to spend at the gym or time for long runs through the neighborhood. Now that I am a stay at home mom with 4 small kids, I have to make sure to grab all opportunities to sneak some 'fitness' into my day! Here are 4 simple ways to help you fit in fitness:

 1. Dance parties! My kids love when I put on loud music (especially Gangham Style, of course!) and we dance all around the house. You are guaranteed to work up a sweat if you do this for 30-40 minutes.

 2. Lunge, squat, lunge. Whether we are at the park or just playing in the basement, I practice this one. I lunge, I squat, I lunge. Repeat as many times possible. Do this 4-5 times per week and you will notice firmer and stronger legs.

 3. Make use of your stairs. I don't have a gym membership, but who needs one when you have a built in stair master in your house? Here is a stair workout that I love to do 2-3 times per week. Quick and intense!

4. Races! My boys are very competitive and love to race Mommy. Sometimes, I even let them win! ;) Either way, we do this over and over for 20-30 minutes and I'm exhausted. The extra bonus is they are usually exhausted too!   How do you squeeze fitness into your day?  



Lisa is a stay at home mom of 4 boys (ages 7 and under). In her life before kids, she was a personal trainer and marathon runner. Now she blogs at Workout Mommy to provide motivation, inspiration, and ideas on how to fit in exercise, fitness, and health in your busy day. She firmly believes that exercise is what keeps her (somewhat) sane and it's a lot cheaper than therapy! Workout Mommy can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
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Get Outdoors with NoVA Outdoors

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Published: 04/12/2013



If you haven't heard about NoVA Outdoors, our area's finest blog for reviewing parks and playgrounds, you've been missing out!  You can expand the county list on the left sidebar to find a large number of parks in Northern Virginia and beyond.  Families love the honest reviews and pictures, so you can "know before you go."  

I got a chance to chat with Kamber Petty,  local mom and founder of NoVA Outdoors and asked her a couple of questions. 

Kamber Petty, NoVA Outdoors



What do you look for when reviewing parks and playgrounds?

When I'm reviewing parks I look for fun equipment for the kids to play on, restrooms for the potty training crowd and natural areas where the kids can walk the trails. Safety is always a concern so I look for parks that are kept up and if the equipment is in good shape.



Have you had any funny moments on any of your adventures. 
One of the many funny moments I've had over the past two years while reviewing parks was with my oldest Cooper. Cooper was 3 years old at the time and I asked him what he thought of the park we were at. I'll never forget, he put his hands on hips and in a very serious voice he told me he was concerned there were no swings for his baby brother Max. From that day on every time we get in the car after a park visit he lets me know what he likes about the park and what was missing.


Although the website boasts many, many reviews.  Here are some that are specific to towns in Prince William County. Click on the town to read the reviews. 





Article written by Micaela WIlliamson, author of Kid Trips Northern Virginia Edition. 



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Guest Post: Better to Give than Receive: Kids' Birthday Party Presents

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Published: 02/28/2013



We love giving special presents to our friends...even to friends that we don't know very well.  Whenever my children are invited to a birthday party, we take time to think about the child and like to get something unique.  However, the past few birthday parties that we have gone to, we never even saw the child open the present!  We end up leaving it in some bin.  If we're lucky, we will get a generic card in the mail saying "Thank you for coming to my party."  There is NO mention of our specific gift.
I remember my grandmother complaining about such a party years ago.  She was invited to a  child's birthday, and there was no present opening.  She didn't even receive a thank you card, and that is a huge no-no in her book.  At the time, I didn't even have a child, but I vowed to her that I would never to do this.  She would be proud to know that two children and twelve birthday parties later, I have kept my word!

My children open EVERY PRESENT they receive from friends at their birthday parties (except gifts from people that are not in attendance.)  I don't care if other children are bored and don't like sitting around.  We have small parties anyway, and the whole process takes 10 minutes.  Everyone will receive a PERSONALIZED thank you card within a week (okay...maybe 2 weeks tops.)

I realize that some people invite the whole class to their birthday party, or they are paying for playtime at a fun kids' place.  If I had a 90 minute party for my child at a bouncy place, I would want the time to be spent playing or jumping too, but I would never send a generic thank you card.  I wouldn't subject my guests to sitting through 25 gifts being open, but I also do not want/need 25 new toys in my house.  (Another reason I like to keep the parties small.)

What do you think?  Am I out of line?  Do you feel like you pay so much for your child's birthday party that a generic thank you card is enough, or do you forgo thank you cards all together?

Image credit:  © Mschalke | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos
Thanks to Micaela Williamson, AKA SuperNovaMommy for this fantastic guest post.  If you're on the Fairfax border, be sure to check out Micaela's fantastic site for even more great events to keep you and your family active and happy in Northern Virginia. You can also find SuperNovaMommy on Facebook. 
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Guest Post: Switch Up Your Winter Workout

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Published: 02/20/2013
It's about this time that I hear many students say , "I'm bored with my workout and don't have many options". Here is some of what I tell them to beat winter workout boredom and spice up that cardio routine:
-Make a cardio medley by picking three different cardio machines, or circuits, and workout on each for 10 minutes or so. This is a great alternative to just getting on the same machine for a certain length of time.
-Break up your workout by separating them into segments, each with a different focus-speed, incline, resistance, steady state, etc. By changing your workout  every five minutes, you get  variety and,  because you're  focusing on just a few minutes at a time, the workout will fly by.
-Try  something  new.! We  all  have  our  favorite  machines & routines  but  winter is a great time to experiment with something completely different. Challenge yourself to do something new.  When was the last time you tried the rowing machine or the stationary bike at the gym? What about an at home workout?  Moving your  body in  a different way can  rejuvenate  your workouts.
-Try group fitness.  Even  if  you're  not into group fitness classes, giving  one  a try  can  give  you  new  enthusiasm  for your workouts.  Pick up a schedule at your club and make a deal to try one new class every two weeks. You get a lot of energy from working out in a  group,  so take advantage of it!

I have to say, I’ve tried all of these and yet not one is perfect for me.  One day I may feel like taking a class or,in my case, teach a class. Another day, I may turn on some music and create my own “cardio medley” at home or at the gym.  Other times, I may pop in Insanity or Turbo Fire to check working out off of my to do list.

I challenge you to try something different over the next two weeks. Be sure to share your experiences with someone. They may want to give it a try too!   
Adrienne Vose is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, dedicated wife & mother of 3. She likes to workout & motivate others to "MOVE IT" and believes that without exercise, people are inhibited from achieving and maintaining their health goals. 
No matter what your fitness goals may be or how hectic life becomes, there is a way to accomplish those goals. As a trainer, her number one priority is to create a routine that works towards your needs and gives you the results that are best for you. "Eat Healthy, Move More & Stress Less" is her motto and she fully believes this is the KEY to a healthy lifestyle. 

This guest blog is presented as an opinion.  Health changes should always be discussed with a doctor. 
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Guest Post: Top 10 Tips to Save Money at Grocery Stores (Besides Using Coupons) Part 1

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Published: 02/14/2013

This guest post was originally published on BeltwayBargainMom.com.  We hope it helps you out, and that if it does, you subscribe to Laura Harders' blog posts for more money-saving tips each week! 

I know most of you reading my blog are regular coupon-users, but I wanted to share some simple tips on ways you can save at the grocery store besides couponing. This post may also be helpful for those of you who are new to couponing and want to find ways to save money now as you gradually learn the ropes of “extreme couponing.” For those of you seasoned savers and savvy shoppers: I’m sure you’ve heard these tips from other frugal folks before, and there is nothing below that is a shocking, new discovery in the land of grocery store savings, by any means. But hopefully this will help some of you put on your thinking caps on how you can save even more money at the grocery store in addition to regular coupon use.

Ten tips to save more money on your grocery shopping trips:
  1. Make a list and stick to it! To avoid impulse buys, create a meal plan and grocery list at home based on deals featured in the weekly circular or on frugal blogs/coupon forums. Take your list with you to the store and stick to it (an exception I make to this is purchasing “quickly reduced” items… see #9).
  2. Buy less prepared foods. For example, buying a small bagged salad will usually cost you much more than buying a head of lettuce, some tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, etc. You may not have quite the same convenience factor, but you will save money.
  3. Be willing to go generic, try new brands and put aside your brand loyalty/bias. Yes, I know it may be hard to “leave your loyalty at the door” initially, but think of it as a way to be adventurous and try new things with your main goal being: saving money. I will stock up on name brand items when there is a really good sale and/or coupon that brings that item price down to my “price point.” However, when my stock pile runs out and I want to purchase that item to use for a meal during the week, I’ll buy that item at ALDI (discount grocery store) or buy generic at another store. For example, a jar of Peanut Butter at my local ALDI is $1.29. This week Safeway has a deal on Skippy Peanut Butter for $2 each.  If there were any Skippy coupons available (which I don’t believe there are…there was one from the 1/31/10 Red Plum but it expired on 2/28/10) I would buy these if the coupon made it less than my regular ALDI price.
  4. Learn the different store policies. Find out the return policies, reusable bag policies, coupon policies, rain check policies, price-matching policies, etc. for your favorite or most frequently visited stores. Many, but not all, grocery stores in the DC metro area double manufacturer coupons up to $0.99. Some stores accept a manufacturer coupon combined with a store coupon on the same item (this is called “stacking coupons” because normally you can only use one coupon per item you are purchasing). Some stores offer a small credit (like $0.05) toward your total grocery purchase if you bring your own re-usable tote.  Most stores will accept returned items with an original receipt within a certain time frame (say 30-90 days).
  5. Sign up for your grocery store’s membership card and e-mail list. These are free to sign up for, and you need them to get the special sales price at many stores. For example, at Bloom this is the “Breeze Card”, at Bottom Dollar this is the “Membership Card”, at Giant this is the “Bonus Card”, at Harris Teeter this is the “VIC Card”, at Safeway this is the “Club Card” and at Wegmans this is the “Shoppers Club Card.” Also, sign up for email updates or special offers from the store.
Check back next Thursday for the rest of Laura's Tips!
Laura Harders lives in Prince William County and is a native Northern Virginian who loves to share ways to save. She runs the blog BeltwayBargainMom.com and teaches local Savings Nation coupon workshops. You can find Laura sharing tips & being social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Guest Post: Stop Over Thinking (Over Reading) Parenting

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Published: 02/12/2013
Stop Over Thinking (Over Reading) Parenting
By Nicole Dash

34,711. This is the number of books on parenting that appears when searching on Amazon.com. Parenting advice books are a big business. So are their online counterparts, with dedicated websites, blogs, and message boards telling you how to put your baby to sleep, how to discipline your child, how to tell if he or she has roseola, the best way to swaddle your baby, whether or not to encourage the use of a pacifier, the best way to read to your child, how to tell if your child is going to one day be obese, and the list goes on. At some point you have to realize two things:

You cannot parent from a book
You will make mistakes and that is okay

No parent is perfect and trying to “learn ” how to parent from a book is just going to lead to frustration. We cannot let go of our instincts in favor of all the “experts.” Does this mean you should never read? No. Does this mean I haven’t turned to the Internet to figure out if my child’s rash looks normal? No. The information age is wonderful, but it is also a slippery slope, especially if you allow yourself to be swayed from your instincts.

Good parenting is about trusting your instincts, learning from your mistakes, reaching out to your community, and forgiveness – for yourself and your child. When I say community, I mean leaning on your family, friends, co-workers, and yes books and the web.

Raising children cannot be approached like a professional or a student. You cannot study for some test or find the answers in one place. Here is an excerpt from an article in the National Post, a Canadian newspaper:

"At the end of the day, parents just need to trust their instincts and pay more attention to their child — that unique little snowflake that will never be a carbon copy of the next, said Judy Arnall, a Calgary-based parenting educator, who recently wrote a parenting book entitled The Last Word on Parenting Advice. It contains a few short sentences and key take-home message: “Trust yourself.” The rest is a whack of blank pages."

Would you follow your GPS off a cliff or would commonsense prevail? I like to think that you would keep your eyes open and pay attention. The same applies to raising children – and I’m sure at least one of the 34,711 books out there would agree with me.
Credit: K Photography
Nicole Dash is a writer, blogger, and child care business owner who lives in Annandale, VA, with her husband and four children. Nicole shares her journey on http://www.TinyStepsMommy.com – a blog about family, life and caring for children – yours and mine.
 
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Guest Post: Games to Improve Your Child's Strategic Thinking

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Published: 02/09/2013
There are a lot host of cool games available on the internet nowadays for your children to play with. A lot of these games are actually highly beneficial in the sense that they improve the way in which your child thinks strategically. This is because they help them to think on their toes, to become better at problem solving and to be more efficient. 
Your child may enjoy the games mentioned below:
  1. Ben 10: Cannonbolt Strikes
In this game your child will play Ben 10 who is inside a cannonball. Your child has to move the ball effectively around a platform – picking up diamonds along the way. Nevertheless, it’s not as easy as that; because there are enemies placed around looking to shoot the ball. Moreover, you need to avoid falling off of the platform as well. This aids your child’s quick thinking and they need to have a solid strategy to make it to the end.
  1. Scooby Doo: Creepy Castle
In this game your little one will get to play Scooby Doo and they will have to find the rest of the gang who are hidden in a creepy castle. The only problem is that there are lots of ghosts around. Thus, whilst trying to find the gang your little one will have to pick up objects e.g. a plank of wood, in order to seal a door shut to keep the ghosts out. This improves strategic thinking because your child needs to be clever when thinking how to use the objects they pick up by being effective and efficient.
  1. Gumball: Elmore High Jigsaw
Jigsaws are always great when it comes to improving strategic thinking because your child needs to think about how they are going to fit all of the pieces together. This requires forethought and clever planning.
  1. Tom and Jerry: Trap-o-Matic
This game is all about carefully planning and having a solid strategy. Your little one will play as Tom and will have a box full of tricks; such as a moving kid’s train. These all need to be used in order to create an effective path whereby Jerry will be trapped. Thus, your little one will begin with a mousetrap and then use their box of tricks in order to create a way to Jerry. If one thing is out of place, then the trap won’t work.
  1. Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends: Big Shot Checkers
This game puts a fun twist on checkers. And as you know; checkers is all about outsmarting your opponent. You need to think of all the possible moves and be strategic in order to win the game. There is no better game for thinking strategically.
  1. Ed, Edd n Eddy: Candy Machine
In this game there will be a gobstopper at the top of the screen and a bucket at the bottom. Your child will have a box of pipes and they will need to find a way for the gobstopper to make it to the bucket without being destroyed. This is all about being efficient, solving problems and thinking ahead.
The games mentioned in this article are all great when it comes to improving your child’s strategic thinking. Each game is linked to a different popular cartoon and thus your child is assured to enjoy at least one of the cool games that have been mentioned.
Author bio – 
CJ is a freelance journalist. She used Cartoon Network and tried several of their cool games in order to determine how they aided a child’s strategic thinking


This is a submitted post and does not necessarily indicate the views of PwcMoms.com
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Guest Post: Are Health Foods Hurting You?

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Published: 02/07/2013
As a fitness professional, it is my goal to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, I like to lead by example & practice what I preach. With one living such a healty lifestyle,  you might assume that they are healthy, with no issues what so ever, right? WRONG! 


I recently discovered that the fruits and veggies I thought were good for me are actually hurting me. Who knew that my love for broccoli, beans, apples and brussel sprouts (yes even those) could make me so sick? I thought these types of foods were essential for living a healthy lifestyle. While for some people, this may be true but not for me. 
After an interesting discussion with my GI doctor, she handed me a paper which listed foods I should eliminate. Of course listed was the "normal" stuff like high fructose corn syrup , dairy, certain sweeteners etc ....all things I avoid anyway. But then in other catagories I noticed all of my yummy veggies, fruits and beans!! YIKES!
Seriously? I'm not getting it. Why in the world shouldn't I eat an apple ? It contains fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins & minerals.
I realized I had been consuming a high "FODMOPs" ( Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols ) diet. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that are found in foods. 
I need to limit daily intake of anything containing Lactose, Fructose, Fructans, Galactans, Sugar alcohols (polyols), otherwise I'd keep having severe GI issues. Some of my favorite fruits and veggies contain these types of carbohydrates which can make me sick in the gut. Moving forward, I will try this approach and see if it has any impact on my body. My hope for you all is that you will listen to your body and know that just because products are supposedly healthy, they may not be good for you!
For more information regarding FODMAP, please check out these sources:
Adrienne Vose is a Certified Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, dedicated wife & mother of 3. She likes to workout & motivate others to "MOVE IT" and believes that without exercise, people are inhibited from achieving and maintaining their health goals. 
No matter what your fitness goals may be or how hectic life becomes, there is a way to accomplish those goals. As a trainer, her number one priority is to create a routine that works towards your needs and gives you the results that are best for you. "Eat Healthy, Move More & Stress Less" is her motto and she fully believes this is the KEY to a healthy lifestyle. 

This guest blog is presented as an opinion.  Health changes should always be discussed with a doctor. 
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Fields of Fear

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Published: 10/12/2012
We just shared with you about our daytime experience at Cox Farms, and that I am a giant pansy about going to the farm after dark.  PotomacLocal.com editor Uriah Kiser, however, revels in the scary side of Cox and was all too happy to check it out for us:

Photo from Cox Farms
"On this farm is Cornnighttmare; a twisted trail of haunts and lost souls trapped in a corn field at Cox Farms in Fairfax County. Once on this trail of terror, small sounds in the cornstalks reveal themselves as clowns with chainsaws who jump out at you, mummies rise from their tombs, and a seven-foot tall brown grizzly bear chases visitors out of a log cabin."

To read the full review, including prices and hours, visit their site to read "Find Nightmarish Fun at Fields of Fear"
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Guest Post: The New American Trail at the National Zoo

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Published: 09/12/2012


I wouldn’t normally venture out to the Smithsonian National Zoo on a humid Saturday at the end of summer, but this wasn’t an ordinary weekend.  After two and a half years of work, the American Trail was reopening to visitors.  Did you know that this trail has been part of the National Zoo since the late 1800’s?  And that it was originally called “Beaver Valley” before they changed the name in 2007?  Or that one of the main reasons for the renovation was that the seal and sea lion pool was leaking over 100,000 gallons of water a day despite efforts to conserve the water?  Well, if you didn’t, you just learned your new thing for the day. 
Waterfall Near the Beginning of the Trail
We started at the part of the trail closest to The Elephant Outpost (which is awesome if you haven’t seen that new addition!) and worked our way down the hill.  It was late afternoon and we were finally getting a break from the sun. As we walked along the trail we experienced several of North America’s ecosystems, including coastal upland, wet forest, eastern woodland forest and the shore. The trail ignites all of your senses as it is filled with sounds of running water, a variety of green trees and flora, tall rock walls and smells of the water.
Busy Beaver!
The first animals we saw were the two American river otters.  Their exhibit is not as large as the Asian river otters’, but it was fun to watch them swim and wrestle underwater.  Next, we saw the North American beavers. The beavers were pretty active, too!  This particular exhibit hasn’t changed that much, but you do get a great view of the beavers. One was having a snack on land while the other was busy carrying sticks and such to their dam.  My girls just loved going back and forth watching the beaver work.  Also included in their exhibit are two hooded merganser ducks, but they were sound asleep on a rock when we were there.
Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo
Adjacent to the beavers are two gray wolves (the white one is beautiful).  This species has never been exhibited before at the National Zoo.  The white one was in plain view pacing his area.  The revamped exhibit allows for visitors to see the wolves better when they are out and about.  Don’t worry about the Mexican wolves the Zoo had before on exhibit on the trail. They were part of a conservation release program.
Across from the wolves is a bald eagle.  I don’t think people realize how big this bird actually is.  I noticed that the exhibit was not enclosed as I remember it being in the past.  This is because the eagle fell from its nest when it was young and can not fly.  I like the openness of the exhibit and you can get a pretty clear view from a side viewing area.
We did not actually see the raven exhibit, but there are four of them.  One of them is a rescue. This is another species the National Zoo has never had on exhibit before. 

We didn’t intentionally save the best for last, but it worked out that way!  Of course, the big talk has been about the new seal and sea lion exhibit that was being unveiled.  I don’t know how many of you remember the old exhibit for the seals and sea lions, but it was more like a huge, white-bottomed swimming pool than a natural habitat for the creatures.  This new exhibit is totally different!  You will seriously forget you are at the zoo and will be transported to the west coast once you enter this exhibit.

Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo – sign by entrance of tide pool
As we got closer, we could hear children screaming and laughing.  I thought the seals and sea lions were swimming and that’s why everyone was so excited.  I had totally forgot about the tide pool!  My tired husband suggested we walk on by so the girls wouldn’t notice.  Granted, we had been at the zoo for a LONG time by then, but I said we should go for it.  (I am trying to do more of “living in the moment” these days.  The “old” me definitely would’ve agreed with him.)  He asked if I was sure and I said let’s get these socks and shoes off!


 
Photos from Smithsonian National Zoo:  Empty tide pool

The tide pool is very kid-friendly and is surrounded with model sea stars, barnacles and sea urchins – which my 3 ½ year old loved searching for and touching.  Water shoots up from numerous holes in the ground.  I almost got caught over a couple of them, which my husband found very funny. (Did I mention I was wearing a skirt?)   Every two minutes, a “tidal wave” sweeps across the area.  The water came up to my ankles.  My 3 ½ year old would rush up to where the water would come out of and my 17 month old was trying to “catch” the water spewing from the “geysers” around us. My girls love the water, so they had a blast! After we were well soaked, we headed on to the rest of the exhibit. 
Having fun!
The first seal we saw was a gray seal.  She is a retired NAVY seal whose skills were utilized during the Cold War.  (Maybe that’s why she was napping.)  She will have three friends join her in the late fall. Two harbor seals will also join the exhibit then.  This is another species that the National Zoo has not previously exhibited.
Next, we got to see four very active California sea lions (two which are rescues) and two lazy brown pelicans.  Both pelicans have wing injuries that prevent them from being released into the wild.
Trying to touch the sea lion--how precious is that?!
The underwater viewing area was filled with adults and children alike trying to get a glimpse of the sea lions swimming by.  This is a great place to just park the stroller and let the sea lions do the entertaining.  The sea lions seemed to be showing off by swimming on their backs and looking right at us as they swam by.  I could’ve sat there longer myself, but we wanted to give other people a turn.

Photos from Smithsonian National Zoo – This is the view from the seating area pictured below.  I love the natural look and feel of it.

As we walked further along the path, we saw this huge seating area where visitors can sit and watch the keeper talks, which happen twice a day.  It would be a great place for a break or just for watching the sea lions if they are on the rocks.  However, it’s not very shady.

Photo from Smithsonian National Zoo – The hidden gem of the exhibit

We were getting ready to leave the trail when I noticed another path.  I decided to go ahead to see what it was.  I saw the sign that said “stroller parking” but the kiosk was shut down for the night.  So, I peeked in the cave and boy was I taken back!  The flooring is soft and bouncy and there is a HUGE underwater viewing area.  There is no ambient lighting behind you and except for not being wet, you feel like you are under the water.  It really felt like the floor was moving.  We took advantage of the fact that we could have our strollers in there and parked the girls for a private show.  A few other people meandered through, but other than that we had the cave to ourselves. There is also a small seating area where visitors can sit and watch.
Waiting for the Sea Lions

There is also the Seal Rock Cafe on the trail, but it was closed by the time we made it by there.  The cafe serves local Chesapeake Bay seafood meals and it even has a vegetarian option.  These meals feature local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients such as shrimp and fish.  

The National Zoo did an exceptional job with the American Trail renovation.  There is so much more to it than meets the eye.  I didn't even mention how so much for the trail was done with "green" thinking in mind.  I have spent quite some time reading about the building of the train, the exhibits, and the animals themselves.  I definitely recommend that you take the family and learn more about what treasures are around us in our own country- from flora to fauna.  The American Trail is certainly an experience for the senses as well as the mind and a great field trip for the entire family!


A Few Tips
-Bring water.  I didn't do this and had to shell out $3/bottle and it wasn't even cold.  They gave scups of ice, but bottled water was hard to come by that hot, humid day!
-Be prepared to park your stroller to enter the cave
-The closest bathrooms are a three minute walk uphill.  They actually have a sign posted with the time!
- Not all parts are shaded, dress for the weather/sun appropriately. 
Angela Pounders is a transplant to Manassas Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She also loves to share her ideas and is looking to start her own blog, The Master’s Daughter, by the fall.


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Guest Post: Play is Exercise for Children

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Published: 09/06/2012

Play = Exercise
Watch a young child playing and you will notice how much they move their body.  Children will walk, run, sprint, lift, squat, jump, climb, and stretch; all of the things we pay a personal trainer to tell us to do!  The children are doing it because they enjoy it!  Play is a form of exercise for children AND parents.    During play, children are usually laughing, smiling, encouraging each other, sweating, and high fiving each other when they accomplish something together.  These children are exercising and moving their bodies, but to them they are just playing and having fun!  When we play with our children, we not only reap the benefits of exercise, we also form a stronger bond.
Children need and want to move.  As parents and child care providers, we must provide children with opportunities to move.  Children are action-orientated and like to be challenged mentally and physically.  Movement promotes physical fitness and the enhancement of a positive self-image, self-confidence, creativity, and self expression.  Movement has also been proven to stimulate the learning process.  Early motor development has been recognized by physical educators and human development specialists to be one of the most important factors in the optimum physical, mental, academic, and overall development of your child.
We are all aware of the increase in childhood obesity in Prince William County.  Obesity can lead to numerous health issues.  By encouraging movement and increasing opportunities available to our young children they will naturally develop an enjoyment of moving their bodies and gain self confidence to accomplish anything in school and life.    
Here are a few ideas to get you started:  
INFANTS
  • Bicycle baby’s legs and arms gently to stretch out large muscles.  Afterwards, lay baby on back and do push-ups, give baby a kiss for each one completed. 
  • Supervised tummy time helps back and neck strength for the baby.  Lie on your stomach beside the baby; arch your back and move arms and legs like a swimmer.  
  • Hold older baby up and encourage them to jump up and down.  Use your biceps to lift baby higher and lower gently to work your arms. 

TODDLERS
  • Use a large ball to kick around with your child.  “Race” your child to get the ball.
  • Place child’s favorite doll/toy in a wagon and have child pull.  Walk beside wagon.
  • Have an ‘aerobics class’ with your toddler.  Turn on music and stretch, jump, and dance.  Your toddler will imitate your movements.

AGES 2-3 YEAR OLDS
  • Play Monkey See, Monkey Do utilizing different arm and leg positions, bending activities and other body movements.
  • Have your child throw balls or bean bags into a laundry basket.
  • Play a simple game of Follow the Leader through an easy obstacle course, using small blocks or chairs to step or climb over.  Use the entire room.
AGES 3-4 YEAR OLDS
  • Have your child toss bean bags or balls into a box while pretending the box is a mouth of an animal that you are feeding.  
  • Set up an obstacle course with streets and bridges to go through, over, and under by driving their imaginary car, bus, or train.
  • Play imagination games where you ask your child to be different things such as an airplane, popping popcorn, a floating balloon, frog, and various animals.  Demonstrate when necessary but encourage your child to use their imagination.
AGES 4-5 YEAR OLDS
  • Have your child move to music use movement words such as:  run, gallop, hop, skip, spin, twist, jump, and roll.  ‘Freeze’ when the music stops.
  • Give your child a balloon and challenge them to keep it up in the air and not let it hit the ground.  Volley the balloon back and forth to each other.
  • Provide a tumbling mat or carpet area where they can perform somersaults and other tumbling exercises.
Get moving - you and your child will have FUN!



Kathy Harju and Christy Moore recently opened their own child care center, Above & Beyond Child Care, in Manassas.  While working together for Prince William County supervising children's programs, they both realized they had the same dream of opening their own center.  Kathy and Christy have the same positive, energetic approach to working with children and enjoy it immensely.  They have a combined total of 45 years of child care experience.  They are looking forward to serving the Manassas area and would love to meet you and your child!

Phone:  703-361-2692

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Guest Post: National Night Out in Prince William County

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Published: 08/29/2012

Anglea Pounders, a frequent contributor to PwcMoms.com, gives her feedback on the National Night Out in Manassas Park, Virginia.  For more information on National Night Out, visit their website. 
National Night Out is a nationwide event that is held the first Tuesday in August and was from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Signal Hill Park for Manassas Park. I checked out to see what other local cities were doing and let me tell you, Manassas Park really does this event up!  Not only is this a time for communities and local law enforcement to stand together against crime and interact in a laid back environment, it is a night full of fun for the family!  The night included free food, giveaways/freebies and a variety of local, state and federal vehicles to view up close and personal. We have gone to this event for several years and were looking forward to attending again this year.

We weren’t so lucky to get a parking spot on the park grounds, but we got one of the first spots in the field across the street.  Police were directing traffic by the entrance of the park, so that made it easier to get where we needed to go—both for parking and crossing the busy street with a toddler in a stroller and a preschooler in tow.

From www.manassaspark.patch.com
McGruff the Crime Dog greeted everyone as we made our way into Signal Hill Park.  As we got closer to the event area (it’s a little walk), we could hear bagpipes playing.  Finally, we saw three men all decked out in kilts serenading the group.  Live music is always a plus.
The first thing we did was to go and see the Chick-fil-A cow.  My 3½ year old is in love with that thing.  So of course, we ended up at Chick-fil-A Signal Hill’s tent.  They had a prize wheel with awesome prizes.  We left with a CFA water bottle and coupons for a free kids’ meal, a sandwich and a lemonade.  A good start to the night, I’d say!
Then, we decided to get dinner before the lines got too long and there were still tables available.  The set up was a bit different from years past.  The picnic tables were set on the other side of the pavilion away from the grills and such.  This was nice except the ground tilts on that side.  All of the tables appeared to be leaning!  It made for some tricky balancing on the table, but we survived!
They had some live music under the pavilion while we ate.  I suggest bringing a picnic blanket if you arrive later in the night so you have a place to sit.  According to Manassas Park Police via www.manassaspark.patch.com, some 3,000 people turned out for the event.  That’s a lot of water and food!!  Of course, they had the usual grilled burgers and hot dogs, but they also had pizza, cold sandwiches and Chick-fil-A sandwiches.  On the side, there was watermelon, chips, cookies and freshly made popcorn (which ran non-stop all night).  My girls were a bit too hot (it was quite humid) and excited to eat too much though.
The Aaron’s dog, Lucky, served as one of the distractions during dinner.  My 3½ year old was actually following him around!  I guess she has a thing for big, fuzzy animals. Their giveaways included a stuffed Lucky and an Aaron’s baseball cap.
Our next stop was the helicopters!  A little Miss Someone was very eager to get a closer look this year as we missed out last year.  How many people get this opportunity in their lives?
First, we saw Aircare 1, a medevac helicopter used to take patients to area hospitals.  My daughter loved sitting in the back and checking out everything.  
There was also a border patrol helicopter manned by a gentleman with a large firearm.  We got to sit inside this one as well.  They even let the children try on the headphones with microphones – very cool.
Many local, state and federal agencies had tables set up with information and giveaways like pencils, stickers and coloring sheets for the children.  Local businesses and the utility companies had tables as well.  Several of the tables had candy for the children, but we had to keep declining because we don’t do lollipops in my house.
However, we do eat sno-cones! Snowie BUS was there with free shaved ice for the children; adults had to purchase their cones.  There was a flavor station next to the bus where you could pump out your own flavoring.  A fun idea except for the bees that were hanging around!  This served as a great way of keeping my girls hydrated on such a humid, warm night.
After our little break, the family checked out the numerous vehicles on-site.  These included the typical fare such as a police car and fire engine to the not-so-typical 8-foot-tall Alpine Pit-Bull VX armored SWAT vehicle, a replica of the Delorean time machine used in the Back to the Future movies, and “Barricade,” a 2006 Ford Mustang GT used in the 2007 Transformers movie.
My 3½ year old really enjoyed checking out the SWAT vehicle and with Daddy’s help, got to stick her head out of the manhole in the roof. We even got a close up view of how big a dump truck tire is.  (It was actually very clean.)

After three hours of walking around the park, exploring the vehicles and such, everyone was ready to go home.  We were tired and sweaty, but couldn’t go without the promised freshly popped popcorn.  Who knew so many people would want popcorn!?  I waited in line forever, but my sweet girl was very patient.  There was even some watermelon left over for her little sister.
Above the glow of the police lights, God blessed us with this beautiful sunset before we left.  All in all, a fun, but tiring night!

Additional thoughts:
  • Arrive early for a good parking spot.
  • Be prepared for the weather!  There is little to no shade from the sun and it is usually humid this time of year.  Bring sun protection and stay hydrated!
  • Bring a blanket to sit on, unless you don’t mind sitting on the grass, because picnic tables fill up fast!
  • The bathrooms are located under the pavilion and were pretty decent.  (You know me and bathrooms!) Bring hand sanitizer though. 
  • Bring a bag to carry home your goodies in.  We had very minimal stuff to bring home (as I was determined not to pick up a bunch of things “just because”) but still, a bag would’ve been nice.
  • Take some time to actually talk with the law officials and thank them for what they do.  Plus, you might learn something new!
Angela Pounders is a transplant to Manassas Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She also loves to share her ideas and will be starting her own blog, The Master’s Daughter, by the fall.

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Guest Post: Building Good Teacher/Day Care Provider Relationships

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Published: 08/28/2012

Building good relationships with your daycare provider/teacher
By Nicole Dash, Tiny Steps Mommy
The start of school is a time of new beginning for many families. This year, my three older children start eighth grade, first grade, and kindergarten (insert sad face here). In my daycare, I am welcoming a few new children to replace my rising kindergarteners.
For many parents with children beginning daycare, preschool, or kindergarten for the first-time, the question is always the same. How do we stay connected with our children? When they are infants, we depend on and expect their providers to relay pertinent information about what how many ounces they drink, what they eat, whether they had a BM or not, etc. As they get a little older, our child care providers and teachers may share information about what they are learning, what story they read, and what fun activities occupy their day. But, this is not all we want to know. Are they having fun? Do they have a best friend and play well with others? Are they discovering something new each day? Did someone hurt their feelings? Do they enjoy learning?
So, how do we find out the answers to all these questions? The truth is as our children grow, we have to accept that sometimes we will not know everything that happens each day. Not even a webcam can tell the whole story. As children spend more time away from us, they develop a world beyond our scope. It hurts to think about, but it is a normal part of growing up. 
There are ways, however, to gain glimpses into this world. And this is through the eyes of their teachers and child care providers. As a child care provider, I feel privileged to witness the dynamics between the children who spend so much time together. With each month, their relationships become more intricate. Some days, I feel like I am observing a social experiment. 
If you build a positive and open relationship with your child’s provider/teacher then perhaps you will hear about stories that go beyond the daily report. Here are some tips for building a relationship with your child’s daycare provider/teacher. These tips may not make a difference beyond kindergarten, but are certainly worth a try.
  1. Introduce yourself. This may seem simple, but as your child heads into a larger setting, you want your child’s teacher to know you beyond “mom of one of the students.” You want your child’s teacher to know your name, face, and perhaps something about you.
  2. Ask their preferred form of communication. Don’t bombard your teacher/provider at the end of each day. Instead ask their preferred form of communication. Let them know you want to hear stories and updates. Not just on their “academic” progress, but about their social interactions. Sometimes you just have to ask.
  3. Don’t over communicate. Just because your teacher/provider gives you his/her e-mail or cell phone number does not mean you should call or e-mail every day, on weekends, or just because. Save your phone calls and e-mails for real questions or occasional check-ins. And be patient with a response. Your teacher/provider has a personal life and may not be able to (want to) respond at midnight or on Saturdays.
  4. Volunteer your time. Find out how your provider/teacher feels about volunteers. Even if you work full-time, try to make yourself available at least once or twice a year. I have always worked, so my ability to volunteer regularly is limited. I do, however, make a point to attend special events, like Thanksgiving lunch, Mother’s Day teas, or other special events. Your teacher and children will appreciate the effort.
  5. Offer to help. Teachers and providers often spend their own money on supplies. Ask if there is anything you can provide or bring to the classroom. Even better is to simply donate supplies like tissues, glue sticks, and anti-bacterial wipes throughout the year without waiting to be asked.
  6. Get to know them. Be interested in your teacher/provider as a person. Ask them about their weekend. Get to know if they have a family. Did they grow up locally? Is this their first year teaching? Did they have a profession before teaching? Don’t interrogate, but let this getting to know you process happen organically. The more you and your provider/teacher get to know each other, the more comfortable he/she will be sharing about your child.
  7. Be appreciative. You don’t have to buy expensive gifts or make grand gestures to show your appreciation. My favorite things have been handwritten and personal cards telling me how I have made a difference. Showing your appreciation is important, because it helps teachers/providers get through the hard days.
  8. Be proactive.  If you sense a problem at school, or if your child is suddenly acting out at home, please do not wait to communicate these issues. Your teacher/provider is there to help you and your child. They may not be aware of an issue, but probably have the insight needed to fill in the blanks.
Taking these steps may not guarantee the extra information you desire, but, it can go a long way to making you feel connected. And the next time your provider/teacher witnesses a funny scenario or example of some positive accomplishment, he/she may think to pull you aside or e-mail you to tell you the story simply because of the mutual relationship.
Do you have suggestions for building a positive relationship with your child’s teacher? Do you have a story about a good or bad relationship with your child’s provider? I want to hear from you. Connect with me on the Tiny Steps Mommy Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/TinyStepsMommy) and visit www.TinyStepsMommy.com, a blog about family life and caring for children – yours and mine, to read more.
About Nicole Dash, The Tiny Steps Mommy
Nicole Dash, creator of the blog Tiny Steps Mommy (www.TinyStepsMommy.com), is a mother of four, childcare business owner and writer living in Annandale, Va. Five days a week she welcomes infants, toddlers, preschoolers and all their parents to Tiny Steps Day Care, her home-based daycare and preschool.

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Guest Post: Last-Minute Back to School Shopping

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Published: 08/25/2012
Thanks to Laura Harders, AKA Beltway Bargain Mom, for following up with us on her input to PotomacLocal.com about back to school shopping!



Back-to-School shopping can be stressful and expensive, and perhaps you've been putting it off to the last possible moment. Whether you've been dreading *or delighting* in the back-to-school frenzy, I want to encourage you not to panic! Here in Prince William County, the public schools start back up the day after Labor Day, so you still have some time to get in gear for the school year. In case you need to do some shopping still or want to donate supply items on-the-cheap to local charities or organizations like Operation Christmas Child, I'm here to help! Here are my top 7 savings tips to help you with your last-minute back-to-school shopping:
  1. Shop in your house first.If your child has supplies from last year that are still good this year, like scissors, colored pencils, highlighters, ruler, calculator, etc, you don't need to buy new ones. Check your supply closet or craft drawer for items you already have.
  2. Stick to your list.Check your school's website for your supply list by grade, so you know the exact supplies you need. After you "shop" in your house, then make a list of the items you need to buy.
  3. Shop the sales.There are still some great deals to be had! The office supply stores have many 1-cent deals or 50%+ deals on back-to-school supplies. Take advantage of these sales and stock up.
  4. Use Coupons.You'll find many school supply coupons in your Sunday paper as well as printable coupons online. Also, some stores accept competitor coupons as well.
  5. Drug Stores & Office Supply Stores.Check out the drug stores & office supply stores for deals. Look at the weekly circulars for extreme deals such as Staples 1-cent Extreme Deals, and free-after-rebate items. You may not think of the drug store or office supply stores as your center for back-to-school deals, but they have quite a few!
  6. Price match.Take advantage of stores that price match, such as Office Depot, Staples, Target and Walmart. If a hot sale item is out-of-stock at a store and they don't offer a rain check, you can take your store ad/circular to a competitor that price matches to get the same deal. Price-matching can also help you save time, by combining shopping trips into 1 stop at a single store for that week's sale items.
  7. Go plain.If your child is intent on buying name brand or "official" rockstar/sports team/super hero branded gear, encourage them to buy a plain/generic item and decorate. You can buy stickers, patches and other DIY items on the cheap at your local craft store to help give notebooks, binders, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. a personal touch.
Credit: Amber Seat Photography

Laura Harders lives in Prince William County and is a native Northern Virginian who loves to share ways to save. She runs the blog BeltwayBargainMom.com and teaches local Savings Nation coupon workshops. You can find Laura sharing tips & being social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.


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Guest Post: Freshman Fashion 101

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Published: 08/16/2012

FRESHMAN FASHION 101

The smell of school is in the air, and mini-vans are being packed to the brim with dorm room essentials as first-time collegians head off to their new homes away from home.  In addition to must-haves like  mini fridges and extra long twin sheets, there are a few fashion essentials for today’s college student: 

  1. Cute & Comfy Shoes
College students walk.  A LOT.  Even if you are lucky enough to have your own car, most freshmen often have to walk the equivalent of a 5K to get from the designated satellite parking to the dorm. Thus, cute and comfy shoes are a crucial ingredient in a college student’s recipe for success.  Try a retro looking sneaker that evokes a casual hipster vibe…PUMA Outlet offers a great assortment of fun styles that are old school without being outdated.

          2. Novelty Tees
In the first few weeks of freshman year, you’ll find that mixers galore are in store.  As the “Where are you from?” and “What’s your major?” conversations get old, a novelty tee can inspire new topics.  For example, a tee depicting a favorite band or destination can be an excellent conversation-starter.  And gals, today’s tees are not the oversized, boxy styles of days gone by – soft fabrics, vintage looks and feminine fits make them a very cute way to showcase your “personali-tee!” 
3.  Premium Denim Jeans
Jeans are a wardrobe staple for just about everyone, and college students are no exception.  Whether they’re worn with a North Face fleece or paired with a cute top and heels, let’s face it – we   jeans! Since they will be worn regularly throughout your college career, invest in a pair with a flattering fit that will last from freshman orientation to graduation.  Try True Religion Outlet for premium denim looks for less.

         4. A Wristlet
Once in college, you’ll find that a backpack becomes your number one accessory.  With pockets galore, there’s little need to carry a purse, so lighten your load and put the necessities (student ID, keys, debit/credit cards, cash, lip gloss) in a wristlet.  This can easily pop into one of your backpack pockets, or it can be carried separately if you’re running to the dining hall or embarking on another backpack-free outing.  Wristlets are also fabulous for budget conscious college students since they’re much less expensive than their full-size purse counterparts.  Check out Coach Factory for trendy, fashion-forward styles featuring the quality for which this brand is known!


Caroline Barry Green is the Director of Marketing at Potomac Mills and the mother of two budding fashionistas under the age of three.   All stores listed in italics are located at Potomac Mills.  

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Guest Post: LEGO Birthday Party Ideas

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Published: 08/15/2012

5 LEGO Birthday Party Ideas
Certainly one of the main ingredients in a great kid’s party is the games, and a Lego themed party is no exception.  Surprisingly versatile and always popular, despite the temptations of more technologically advanced games and toys, Lego remains a huge favourite with younger kids and a Lego party will go down a treat.  Here are some tips for getting just the right mix. 
Rules of Engagement
Lego, or not, there are a certain rules of engagement when it comes to parties and kids ones are no exception. 
·        Have a game or an activity ready to start as the guest arrive; this helps to get the party started and it’s one small step in the continual battle to wear your own and your friends kids out! 
·        Have a different range of games that include group games and individual task, this ensures that everyone gets to take part and doesn’t get left out. 
·        It may be the taking part that counts but it’s important to ensure that everyone – including the birthday boy/girl – gets to win one of the games. 
·        Finishing touches – end the party games with the cake – and give out goodie bags for everyone to take home with them. 
Photo Credit: /lfab-uvm.blogspot.com/

Lego Games
·        Opening the games; no, you don’t need to create an Olympic spectacle but a jar full of Lego bricks at the front door to play “Guess the Number” is a good starting point.  The winner gets to take the jar of Lego home at the end of the day.
·        Using chopsticks tied with a rubber band get each guest to attempt to pick up as many Lego pieces from a central bowl and place them in individual bowls.  The winner is the one with the most bits in their own bowl at the end of a minute. 
·        Towering Treats; no Lego party is really going to be complete without a building challenge; a group task should naturally involve creating the tallest tower.  You can set the challenge to one large group or several competing groups.  Each team member has to take turns to add to the tower and the group with the tallest tower (or the last to collapse) wins. 
·        Especially if the party is indoors – either weather bound or because of distinct lack of outdoor space - Lego bricks can make an ideal focus for a treasure hunt.  Again this is a good team effort game and by setting it as a group challenge you can create a couple of different treasure routes.  The winning team is the one that finds all the pieces first.  A more complex version is to take each piece from a small model and the winning team is the one that finds all the bits and constructs the model first!
That Cake
Naturally the cake will be a key part of the celebration and thanks to their simple design Lego bricks make a perfect and easy to make cake.  Any flavour of sponge cake can be used along with six sponge cupcakes.  The cupcakes form the studs and you can use standard icing coloured red, blue or green to cover the cake and studs, creating a realistic and tasty Lego brick cake.  A more adventurous alternative is to create a layered cake, decorated with a number of different colours and top off with studs and a forest of candles on the top.  Goodie bags or boxes should contain at least one mini-kit (cars for the boys and jewellery for the girls go down well) to take home as a reminder of a fantastic Lego party. 
Photo Credit: Babble.com

AuthorCarlo Pandian is a freelance writer and LEGO fan. He blogs about LEGO bricks, parenting and design covering everything from Dallas with kids to theme parks. When he’s not online he likes gardening and volunteering at his local community center.

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Guest Post: What Do Value Investors and Couponers Have in Common?

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Published: 08/13/2012

What Do Value Investors (Like Warren Buffet) and Couponers Have in Common?
Guest Post by: Sherri Gray, Certified Personal Finance Counselor®

Value investing is a strategy that investors, like Warren Buffet (3rd richest man in the world), have been utilizing for years, often beating the average annualized returns of the S&P 500. The S&P 500 is an index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping, among other factors. Companies included in the index are selected by the S&P Index Committee, a team of analysts and economists at Standard & Poor's, and includes companies like Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Costco, FedEx, and Tiffany & Co. just to name a few. So, beating this group is a big deal.

How is value investing similar to couponing you might ask? Well, if you're a couponer, you know that one way to maximize your savings is to combine a coupon with a product that's on sale. And when you do this, you can purchase products at a fraction of their original cost. And when you can purchase a product at a fraction of its original price, you should 'stock' up and buy more than one of that product. That way you'll have enough of that product to last your family until the sale cycle rolls around and that product is on sale again.

Value investing works in a similar way. There are several ways to invest and one way is to purchase stocks from a company. A stock is a type of security that signifies ownership in a corporation and represents a claim on part of the corporation's assets and earnings.

With value investing, in particular, you want to make sure that a stock's current market value (the price at which the stock is currently selling) is less than its intrinsic value (the stock's true value). So, when the current market value of a company's stock is priced below its intrinsic value, you not only want to buy that stock but you want to buy more than one of it. Keep in mind that you should only buy what you can afford remembering that the 'sale cycle' for stocks will come around again giving you another opportunity to buy.

The key to value investing is diligence and patience. So, if you're a couponer, you already possess these fundamental skills and are well on your way to becoming a value investor. To learn more about value investing, refer to The Value Investor's Handbook.

Find more ways to save money at www.themoneymom.org or ‘Like’ The Money Mom on Facebook (keyword: The Money Mom)
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Guest Post: Healthy Poolside Snacks

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Published: 08/01/2012

Beat the Heat with Healthy Pool Side Snacks
 
Freeze half bottles of water overnight, and fill with water in the am. Great for keeping your foor cold, and great when the kids want something cold to drink. Freeze a few full bottles that will last until you are readyto leave.
 
Freeze slices of bananas rolled in chopped peanuts. They are easy, pop in your mouth snacks and taste just like ice cream. Bananas are also a quick burning carb so they will keep up the kids energy level.
 
Packed full of protein, boiled eggs are easy to transport and filling. Veggie sticks are a given - by themselves, or great dipped in hummus for a little extra oomph!
 
Sweet, refreshing, and delicious! Never frozen grapes before? It is so easy.
 
Who says muffins are just for breakfast? Packed full of healthy carbohydrates, they are the perfect pool snack to give your kids lots of energy. Make them ahead, freeze them and then pull a few out for your next trip to the pool.
 
Laughing cow cheese is one of our favorite snacks. It is great to bring to the pool - fast and convenient. It is delicious spread on veggie sticks, apples, pears, and crackers.
 
Homemade Lunchables: Cheese, turkey, whole-grain crackers and your favorite fruit. Great for a pool-side snack or lunch!
 
Edamame: This simple and quick snack is packed full of protein and fiber.
Liz & Jim Faison run Fit For Christ  Providing Complete Health and Wellness Programs for Individuals, Churches, Ministries and Corporations
They also run a FIT FOR CHRIST BOOT CAMP: Join them every Saturday, 8a at First Baptist Church Woodbridge, VA for 75 minutes of fun, fellowship and fitness. $10 Adults, children 9-15 FREE with a paying adult, otherwise $5.  
As a special offer for PwcMoms.com readers:
August Offer: Buy 10 boot camps, get 10 free. Children 9-15 participating with a parent are FREE. Every Saturday. The certificate is good for one year, and can be used on a drop in basis. 
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Guest Post: Fabulous Fun Fair

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Published: 07/31/2012

Angela Pounders joins us again for a heads up on the upcoming Fun Fair at Central Library. Pick up your free tickets beginning tomorrow.

I was so excited a couple of years ago when I saw that Central Library in Manassas was having a Fun Fair for its young patrons, ages 2-6 years old. My daughter was barely 1 ½ years old and I really wanted to take her (even though I am definitely a rules girl!) because it sounded so much fun! 

Needless to say, we waited until the following summer to partake in the fun.
The library describes this event as:  “A fun-filled hour of games designed especially for some of our smallest patrons. All of the games are non-competitive and everyone gets a prize!”
This year, the event will be held on Wednesday, August 8 at 10:30am.  Tickets are required.  You may pick up FREE tickets beginning Wednesday, August 1.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  (Seems like a given, but this is actually stated!)
When we entered the Community Room, we received 10 tickets (at least that's what I remember). Each game cost one ticket to play and you had to save one ticket for your prize at the end. That said, each individual game did not have a prize, but for one ticket, each child got to pick something out of the treasure chest at the end.
Just like any fair, the children had to wait in line for their turns. Young volunteers and a few ladies of the library staff ran the games. Everyone was very patient with the children – especially with the younger ones who didn't always want to stand on the designated lines to play the games. Unlike regular fairs, there was not an emphasize on competition, but rather on having fun and doing your best.
My daughter was now almost 2 ½ years old and she had a blast! We sort of worked our way around the room so she got a chance to play each game at least once. You do receive enough tickets to do some of the games more than one time.  The inside games included:
  • Throwing wooden gliders through hula hoops hung from the ceiling – my daughter needed help with this one.  It seemed easy, but proved to be challenging even for the older children of the group.  One of my favorite for its creativity!
  • Apple Toss – the children used very real looking, artificial apples and tried to toss them into the baskets.  Not as easy as it sounds. 

  • Bowling – this one was very popular and had the longest line. This was one of my daughter's favorites--once she understood the rules.  They had a “real” alley and everything!
They also had a few games outside.  These included:
  • Bean bag Toss – Again, not an easy game, but they gave the younger children ample turns to feel successful! (And let them stand really close.)
  • Fishing “Pond” – This was another popular game with a long line.  The children stood around little water-filled inflatable pools with fishing poles and were given one minute to see how many fish they could catch.   Younger children may need help with this one.

  • Bubble Table – There was a table set up with bubbles and a variety of tools to blow/make bubbles.  Potentially messy, but fun.
All in all, the Fabulous Fun Fair was a hit with my preschooler and we are looking forward to doing it again this year.  I loved that the games were not competition based.   I also liked that the focus was doing well at the games, not on getting a prize at each game.  My daughter was very happy with the water toy fish she got to pick out with her last ticket.
A few pointers if you go this year:  
  • Stash one ticket right after you get them to make sure you have one left for your child to get a prize before you go.  They were asking for it last year.
  • Depending on which games your child likes, plan on being there for at least 20-30 minutes.  We got there a bit after it started and ended up staying almost the entire time.
  • Some lines may be long and they don’t move very fast.  Be ready to entertain your sweet blessings a bit.
  • Do the Bubble Table last due to its potential mess factor.
Maybe we’ll see you there!
Angela Pounders is a transplant to Manassas Park from Arlington.  She is blessed to be a stay at home mama to two beautiful girls.  As a former teacher (as well as preschool director and Children and Family Director), she is always on the look out for fun, easy and educational things to do with her girls.  She also loves to share her ideas and is looking to start her own blog, The Master’s Daughter, by the fall.

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Guest Post: When You Get, Give

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Published: 07/23/2012

“When You Get, Give”
Guest Post by: Sherri Gray, Certified Personal Finance Counselor®

In a previous post, I talked about couponing. I love to coupon now. Getting discounts on products that I used to pay full price for is amazing. It makes me wonder now why I ever paid full price for razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, nail polish, paper towels, bathroom tissue, cleansers, soap, snacks, cereal, detergent, pasta, etc. You get the point.

Unfortunately, I don’t always get the deals that I want because some consumers choose to ‘clear the shelves’ instead of leaving product behind for others or the store doesn’t have enough in stock to begin with. Missing out on deals can be frustrating but it won't deter me from trying to get more deals as every dollar I save is a dollar my family can keep in its pocket.

Because of couponing, I’ve purchased products at drastically reduced prices and have even gotten some products for free. As I started building my stockpile of products, I realized that I was accumulating multiples of certain items and even acquired items that I wouldn’t normally use, because I got them for free.

It got me to thinking. There’s a residual effect to couponing that I hadn’t realized before. Not only can I get great deals on products for my family but I can give away my excess products to those who really need them.

So, I decided to start giving away some of the products that I’ve accumulated to non-profit organizations and food pantries who can distribute the products to families who need them. I’ve also given items to families who are struggling financially.

Maya Angelou said “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” I’ve learned that even though I’m on a tight budget, when I get something, it’s my responsibility to give. And you can do the same. There are several resources available to get you started with donating through couponing.

For store deals, go to http://themoneymomdeals.blogspot.com/, www.southernsavers.com, www.thekrazycouponlady.com, www.totallytarget.com, www.hip2save.com, or www.coupondivas.com just to name a few.

For manufacturer coupons, check your Sunday newspaper or print online coupons at www.coupons.com, www.redplum.com, www.smartsource.com, or http://coupons.target.com, just to name a few. There are also a variety of retailers that have their own in store coupons which can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons for additional savings.

You can also donate expired coupons to troops overseas that can use coupons in overseas commissaries for up to 6 months after the expiration date. This is another way to give, especially to the men and women who serve our country. Happy Couponing!

Find more ways to save money by going to The Money Mom website at www.themoneymom.org or following The Money Mom Deals Blog at http://themoneymomdeals.blogspot.com/. For more tips on couponing, listen to my April 10 Blog Talk Radio Show, featuring Extreme Couponer Janelle Bowles, at www.blogtalkradio.com/themoneymom. 
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