Father's Day at the Pool- 2013 |  |
Published: 06/10/2013
Published: 05/31/2013 Experience Manassas at its best this June and come out to the 19th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival. This family celebration of rich railroad history features train memorabilia, specialty vendors, and live performances.
Country and Blue Grass music will transport you, as you watch miniature trains come to life. These elaborate train displays are created by a number of local model train groups. Located under the Harris Pavilion and in the Manassas Train Depot lot, these displays are a must see. Take your love of trains to a new level by boarding one of our four train excursions to Clifton and back. Times include: 10AM/11AM/12PM/1PM Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased at the Manassas Train Station (9431 West Street), starting May 1st, from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Everyone on board must have a ticket, so make sure to get yours early! ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Check back later for a printable map of the event and our entertainment lineup! WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT THIS EVENT? Make sure to complete a Volunteer Application by clickinghere! Return completed paperwork to Sarah McHugh at smchugh@historicmanassasinc.org or mail to Historic Manassas, Inc. ATT: Volunteer Manager 9431 West Street Manassas, VA 20110. Food vendors are by invitation only. Vendor Applications are now closed. All participants MUST fill out a Participation Agreement, click HERE for a copy. Questions about insurance, clickhere. Interested in Sponsoring this event? Make sure to check out our Sponsorship Page! We have sponsorship packages that include all our events, as well as a number of individual sponsorships per event. If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor, please call Debbie Haight or Sarah McHugh at 703.361.6599.
Published: 05/30/2013 The following is a guest post by Winter Harris the editor of Christ Centered Home Magazine. She shares her own tips and tricks to keep your kids learning, yet having fun, this summer in Prince William County!  Guest Post: Summer Education by Winter Harris One of the most talked about problems for children during the summer is how much information they lose from the previous school year because there is not an option at home to continuing building upon what they have learned. As a mom, I understand how difficult this can be when you are used to transporting kids from school to practices and other extra-curricular activities. If I’m being completely honest, the end of the school year signals a welcome break for more than just the kids; Mom is officially on “Summer Vacation” as well. However, the older my kids got, I began to realize the importance of them retaining the information they had learned during the school year. I strive to set my kids up for success so I went on mission to find the least stressful way to promote learning throughout the summer. Thanks to our dear friend, the Internet, we don’t have to go far to find the tools we need to make things fun and interesting. My children range in age, so I have a variety of suggestions you can use.
Summers can be relaxing and educational. As moms our job is to do our best in finding the balance between the two. Try visiting the National Summer Learning Association to get the facts and to find additional resources. While I get the importance of taking a load off, I just want to ensure my kids don’t dump the whole load and that they are adequately prepared to start the new school year refreshed, ready to learn. Enjoy your Summer! Winter resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and four children. She enjoys traveling, photography, scrapbooking, writing, socializing, and decorating. She attends Fireside Church, where she is a part of the worship team. She owns Christ Centered Home Magazine, a modern periodical for today’s woman of faith. She is active in the non-profit community, member of Off the Field PWA, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Meant 2 Live foundation. You can follow Winter on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Published: 05/10/2013  You may have noticed last week, that we started up the "Featured Organization Friday" again, in an effort to share more about the ways you can become involved with local nonprofits and organizations and make a positive impact on the community. So when Goodwill reached out to PWC Moms to paticipate in their #Blog4Good campaign this week, I said yes! May 5th through May 11th marks Goodwill Industries Week, an annual celebration of Goodwill’s mission to provide free job training and employment services to people with disabilities and disadvantages.  In 2012, Goodwill directly affected the lives of more than 3,200 people in our community. These are people who have re-found the dignity that comes with being a contributing member of our society. Goodwill also diverted over 20 millions of trash from local landfills through their donation program. In addition to training people for jobs, placing them into jobs, providing consumers with access to quality, low cost goods, and acting as one our region’s largest recyclers, Goodwill is also a job developer. With each new store and donation center that Goodwill opens, 25-30 new jobs are created. Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission is summed up by its tagline - “Transforming lives and communities”. If you’d like to learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, find their nearest store or donation center, or get involved, visit dcgoodwill.org or download their free mobile app. Here in Prince William County there is a Goodwill Donation & Retail Center in Manassas, plus a Prince William County Landfill Attended Donation Center. There are also Goodwill locations nearby in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Herndon, Stafford, plus an Outlet Store in Fredericksburg. Disclosure: This blog post is a part of the #Blog4Good campaign to help spread the word about Goodwill of Greater Washington.
Published: 05/08/2013 Coming up this Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 7:30pm is the Manassas Symphony performance "Bach To The Future" at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Plus we have a fun giveaway, so keep reading!! This milestone season for the Manassas Symphony comes to an end with Bach to the Future, celebrating their 20 years of growth and looking forward to the next twenty. The soloist for this concert is Julliard clarinet professor Jon Manasse. He is performing Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto (originally written for Benny Goodman). The season closes with Tschaikowsky's Symphony No. 5.  Time: 7:30pm Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 Ticket prices are: FREE - Students, Children, and College Students $18 - Adults $12 - Educators and Senior Citizens (62+) You can purchase tickets online here or by calling 1-888-945-2468. But thanks to the Manassas Symphony, one lucky PWC Moms reader will win a 4-pack of tickets for the performance! This is a quick giveaway, so enter now through Thursday using the Rafflecopter entry form below: a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: PWC Moms was not compensated for this post. The giveaway prize will be supplied directly by the Manassas Symphony in the form of four ticket vouchers to be e-mailed to the winner. Prize is not transferrable or exchangeable. We love sharing local, family-friendly events and giveaways with our readers, and we're happy to work with local organizations and spread the word about events. Please note, winner assumes all liability and risk.
Published: 04/10/2013  Saturday, April 13, 2013 Noon to 8:00 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center 10960 George Mason Circle Manassas, Virginia 20110 Arts Alive is a free festival with performing and visual arts on multiple stages, booths, children's activities, unique vendors and artisans, face painting, live demonstrations, make and take art projects, and more! View the 2013 Performance Schedule here. This event is a definite "don't miss" for Prince William County families and gets rave reviews each year. Be sure to check it out!
Published: 04/08/2013  Coming April 13th from 12pm-8pm FREE, family-friendly arts festival hosted by the PWC Arts Council. Come out to the new and beautiful Hylton Performing Arts Center to enjoy all the different outlets of the arts. Experience the local artists in our area and be entertained by their talents and abilities. Experience everything from food to dance. Fun is garunteed at this festival so don't miss out! Remember, this great opportunity is FREE so be sure to tell everyone and bring them too! Hylton Performing Arts Address: 10960 George Mason Circle Manassas, VA 20110 http://pwcartscouncil.org/ Follow us on Twitter! @PWCArts (Note from Kristina- you won't need all day for this event, and plan to bring cash if you want to eat. The performances are good, and Ruth from Edgemoor usually has painting, but other than that, expect lots of vendors and local artists selling books, photographs, jewelry, etc.)
Published: 04/07/2013  From January through October, the Manassas Mall Movers & Shakers Kids' Club takes place at 10 AM in the JC Penney Court. Events feature musical performances, sing-a-longs, puppet shows, read alouds, interactive movement, and more. Plus Discovery Junction is always there with fun magnetic creations for hands on play. Check out the upcoming programs: April 10, 2013 at 10 AM: Peter McCory Concert, Discovery Junction, and Fit & Healthy Schools Join Peter McCory; the One Man Band; along with Fit & Healthy Schools at 10am in JCPenney Court, for an hour of moving and shaking to the music! Join Uncle Pete; along with Fit & Healthy Schools at 10am in JCPenney Court, for an hour of moving and shaking to the music! June 12, 2013 at 10 AM: Mr. Don, Discovery Junction, and Fit & Healthy Schools Join Mr. Don; along with Fit & Healthy Schools at 10am in JCPenney Court, for an hour of moving and shaking to the music! More programs July-October 2013 available at http://www.manassasmall.com/events.aspx * Discovery Junction will be on hand with Magnetic Creations; let your child come play and use his imagination to create robots and much more with Magnetic Creations! For more information on Discovery Junction visit their website at www.discoveryjunction.org *Find out more about Fit & Healthy Schools at www.fitnhealthyschools.org or facebook them on FitNHealthySchools
Published: 03/24/2013 Are you looking for some ideas for activities this coming spring break week? The Skate-N-Fun Zone has some fun upcoming events this Spring Break: Monday, March 25th: Moustache Skate  Tuesday, March 26th: Carnival Skate  Wednesday March 27th : Lego Skate  Thursday, March 28th: Cheetos Skate  Find more programs, rates, and directions at http://www.skatenfunzone.com. Read Kristina's review of the Skate N Fun Zone here.
Published: 01/25/2013 Just a reminder! Scottish Highland Festival this weekend! Sounds like fun, kids are just $5.  Saturday, January 26 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm:
$15 Adults • $5 Children Buy Tickets Now!A Taste of Scotland
$35 per person
3:00 pm Tasting:Buy Tickets Now!
$35 per person
3:00 pm Tea:Buy Tickets Now!
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Giveaway: Peter and the Wolf at the Hylton Performing Arts Center | |
Published: 01/19/2013
The children and family performances at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia, are a great way to expose your children to the arts in Prince William County!
Coming up in February, the Hylton Family Series will be presenting Peter and the Wolf on February 2nd with showtimes at 2pm and 4pm. Children's tickets are just $5, which is very affordable, with adults at $15 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at 1-888-945-2468, or online at HyltonCenter.org
Here's a synopsis:
The Pushcart Players makes its Hylton Center debut presenting the beloved and familiar folk tale,Peter and The Wolf. Set to music by Prokofiev, this charming Russian story follows a young boy who dares to venture into the woods, despite his grandfather’s warning about a dangerous wolf that lurks within. When Peter’s beloved duck, Clara, is swallowed whole by the wolf the brave boy is determined to capture the fierce creature and save his friend. This classic tale offers a splendid introduction for children into the world of music, with a different instrument and melody representing each character in the story. Don’t miss this Emmy-nominated ensemble hailed by The New York Times as “a polished and knowing theatre company … for children.”
The Hylton Performing Arts Center is generously offering two family four packs of tickets to Prince William County Moms readers, one set for the 2pm performance and one set for the 4pm performance. Enter using the Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner assumes all liability and risk. Facebook is not affiliate with this contest. Prize provided directly to winner by Hylton Performing Arts Center, not transferrable or exchangeable for other performances or cash.
Review: Skate N Fun Zone | |
Published: 01/17/2013
If you've been reading my site for any amount of time, you know that we're huge fans of "Mommy Dates" and "Daddy Dates" in our family. (If you haven't been reading my site, then welcome.) We truly value having one-on-one time with our children so that we can really have time to know their hearts and how they're doing. We try to make sure that each child gets individual time with one of us at least once a month. Sometimes it's a big deal and we take them out to do something that costs money, but other times it's a walk, or a trip to Starbucks, or a walk around Target and something from the $1 section.
On New Years Eve Day, our boys were invited to go play with friends, which left our daughter home alone. I needed to do some lesson planning, so she and daddy decided to capitalize on their alone time by heading out to Skate N Fun Zone, which offers a New Year's Eve Party at both mid-day and midnight. Brilliant! They actually offer special events both weekly and monthly, including a homeschool skate, rock-n-stroll for parents who have infants and older children, and more.
Skate N Fun Zone is located at 7878 Sudley Road Manassas, VA 20109 (for those of you who always like to have an address listed)
$10 per person covered their admission, glow cups, a balloon drop, party favors, and glow sticks. With just two of them, it was definitely workable, although they also offer a discount for purchasing a "super pack" with 4 admissions. For a special event like New Years, I would say that's worth it.
The actual building is behind a few other buildings, so while there is a sign from the road, you have to "do kind of a u-turn thing" to get to the actual location.
He's an engineer, guys, not a writer.
For this particular event, there was no parking available, and my husband ended up asking a local Liberty Mutual agent if he could park in his lot, and he was very nice, since it was New Years. However, inside my husband heard there's overflow parking (somewhere) so be sure to check on that if you find yourself in the same situation.
After they rented their skates, they found a spot to drop their stuff, which was slightly challenging since there were so many people. Lockers are available to rent for your valuables, which is probably a good idea especially on a special event day. He had this recap:
"Everything seemed relatively clean, but definitely used. The floor was definitely well-worn, but it didn't impede our ability to skate. There's a jungle gym included in the price, a little food area where you can buy food, and an arcade area similar to Chuck-E-Cheese where you can pay for games and get tickets to trade in for lame prizes."
"I'd say what I liked most was that they had a large variety of things to do, and even with the skating they'd shift between a game (like Limbo or backwards skate) and regular skating, and there was the arcade and the gym, so we were able to rotate a lot and stay for a pretty long time considering our daughter is 4. We were there for several hours. We got there just as they were finishing the balloon drop, and it was loud, so she wasn't a huge fan of that becuase everyone was popping balloons and that was "scary" for her. I'd go again, we had a great time. I also liked that their rules included the ability to kick people out who were not dressed appropriately, were cursing, or appeared to be under the influence of anything."
I tried to grill him about something negative to say, but the hard part about reviewing things in our family is that we, generally speaking, have fun, and decide that it's a good time :)
My daughter also said that she had fun and would go again.
Especially with her daddy.
Not a paid or solicited review, hubby and DD went and paid just like everyone else.
On New Years Eve Day, our boys were invited to go play with friends, which left our daughter home alone. I needed to do some lesson planning, so she and daddy decided to capitalize on their alone time by heading out to Skate N Fun Zone, which offers a New Year's Eve Party at both mid-day and midnight. Brilliant! They actually offer special events both weekly and monthly, including a homeschool skate, rock-n-stroll for parents who have infants and older children, and more.
Skate N Fun Zone is located at 7878 Sudley Road Manassas, VA 20109 (for those of you who always like to have an address listed)
He's an engineer, guys, not a writer.
For this particular event, there was no parking available, and my husband ended up asking a local Liberty Mutual agent if he could park in his lot, and he was very nice, since it was New Years. However, inside my husband heard there's overflow parking (somewhere) so be sure to check on that if you find yourself in the same situation.
After they rented their skates, they found a spot to drop their stuff, which was slightly challenging since there were so many people. Lockers are available to rent for your valuables, which is probably a good idea especially on a special event day. He had this recap:
My daughter also said that she had fun and would go again.
Especially with her daddy.
Not a paid or solicited review, hubby and DD went and paid just like everyone else.
Manassas Blaze 14U Softball | |
Published: 01/02/2013
Hylton Family Series Presents: Trout Fishing In America | |
Published: 10/09/2012
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Trout Fishing in America warm the hearts and tickle the funny bones of both children and adults alike with silly songs such as “My Hair Had a Party Last Night,” “Rock and Roll Roosters,” “Hello, My Chicken Thinks He’s a Dog,” and “When I Was a Dinosaur.” Bassist Keith Grimwood and guitarist Ezra Idlet continually win over countless fans of all ages with its infectious blend of folk/pop and family music peppered with the influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical music. Over the years, the duo has earned Grammy nominations, Parents’ Choice and Indie Awards, and recently authored several children’s books/CDs sets including their newest, Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important. “The Trout boys work to entertain ‘kids’ of every age.”
PS- There's a height disparity here...
Trout Fishing in America will play the Hylton's Merchant Hall on October 20th at 2pm. Adults are $15.00 and Children are just $5.00. If you've not been to the Hylton Performing Arts Center yet, you really do need to go. The theatre is exquisite, and the experience is very reminiscent of a trip to the Kennedy Center, but without the traffic, parking fees, etc. Plus, it's in Manassas, and you know how strongly I feel about not having to leave Prince William County to be entertained!
Want to go?
The Hylton Center is offering a family 4 pack of tickets to "Trout Fishing in America" to a lucky PwcMoms reader! Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Hylton Family Series also has "Peter and the Wolf" coming in January, and February and "Masked Marvels and Wondertales" coming in March.
PwcMoms.com was not compensated for this post. PwcMoms is not responsible for your personal experience at a venue, all opinions are our own.
Crashing 4 Causes | |
Published: 10/03/2012
Who wants to have a SMASHING time this Saturday, October 6? Old Dominion Speedway is hosting Crash Fest V, a huge demolition derby, including multiple heats, a jump car contest, and more. Before the event, several local teams have joined together in a movement they call Crashing 4 Causes, and have set u a pre-race vendor fair and FREE children's activity area, as well as entertainment from the local spooky sensation TV Show, Monster Madhouse! This year the net proceeds for the event will be donated to The Autism Society of Northern Virginia! Raffle prizes will include a family pack of tickets to the upcoming WIGGLES SHOW on October 9 at 2PM, AND a chance to drive in the derby (for the grown-ups)
PWC Moms has partnered with Wild Pigz Motorsports to give away a family four pack of tickets to the derby!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
On October 6, 2012, at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, there will be a Cooke Brothers demolition derby event, called Crash Fest V. Within the event, the teams Wild Pigz Motorsports and the Lorton Boyz are uniting with other teams and drivers for the third year in a movement they call Crashing 4 Causes. Each year they select a new charity to raise money for, and this season they voted to raise money for The Autism Society of Northern Virginia. If anyone has ever wanted to drive in a demolition derby, they can earn a chance while helping this amazing charity! Big Blocks/Stafford Towing has generously donated a vehicle which will be raffled off to help raise money for ASNV! Anyone over 18 with a valid driver’s license can participate in the drawing! There will also be additional raffles for tons of great items, including gift certificates, tickets to the October 9 Wiggles concert, and a pre-race vendor fair! We are honored to once again partner with Monster Madhouse Television, who will be assisting with fundraising and entertainment. The vendor fair will include awesome sponsors and donors such as Confections Cupcakery, Vinyl’s By Vogel, and The Umbrella Syndicate. Another great feature will be free children’s activities, which includes a moon bounce donated by Big Country Amusements. The pre-race fun will begin at 4 PM, and the smashing good time will start at 6! Pre-sale tickets to the derby are available on the Old Dominion Speedway webpage, at a substantial discount. We are looking forward to helping ASNV! For more information, families can visit our facebook page Crashing 4 Causes, OR they can check out all the details on the events calendar for ASNV
PWC Moms has partnered with Wild Pigz Motorsports to give away a family four pack of tickets to the derby!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
On October 6, 2012, at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, there will be a Cooke Brothers demolition derby event, called Crash Fest V. Within the event, the teams Wild Pigz Motorsports and the Lorton Boyz are uniting with other teams and drivers for the third year in a movement they call Crashing 4 Causes. Each year they select a new charity to raise money for, and this season they voted to raise money for The Autism Society of Northern Virginia. If anyone has ever wanted to drive in a demolition derby, they can earn a chance while helping this amazing charity! Big Blocks/Stafford Towing has generously donated a vehicle which will be raffled off to help raise money for ASNV! Anyone over 18 with a valid driver’s license can participate in the drawing! There will also be additional raffles for tons of great items, including gift certificates, tickets to the October 9 Wiggles concert, and a pre-race vendor fair! We are honored to once again partner with Monster Madhouse Television, who will be assisting with fundraising and entertainment. The vendor fair will include awesome sponsors and donors such as Confections Cupcakery, Vinyl’s By Vogel, and The Umbrella Syndicate. Another great feature will be free children’s activities, which includes a moon bounce donated by Big Country Amusements. The pre-race fun will begin at 4 PM, and the smashing good time will start at 6! Pre-sale tickets to the derby are available on the Old Dominion Speedway webpage, at a substantial discount. We are looking forward to helping ASNV! For more information, families can visit our facebook page Crashing 4 Causes, OR they can check out all the details on the events calendar for ASNV
Urban Evolution | |
Published: 09/20/2012
You need to shake up your child's monotonous perspective on staying fit with some exercise, but you don't want to make them feel like a hamster in a wheel on a treadmill or pass the ball around for 3 hours at a stretch! Check out Parkour classes at Urban Evolution for PwcMoms fans! Pay $100 for 10 visits to the gym (a 10-visit "punchcard"), and change how they look at the world forever! (This is a special savings for PwcMoms.com readers.)
Classes are available for kids ages 6 to 14, with dedicated "homeschool only" classes for kids ages 9-11 on Wednesdays at 1pm, and more classes for other age groups to come as we grow the program! Here's a schedule for all the kid classes that are currently being offered at Urban Evolution Manassas.
Urban Evolution (or "Urban Evo" for short) has locations in Alexandria and Manassas and different age and skill level options each week, allowing boys and girls throughout Northern Virginia to learn Parkour. Cross off the food pellets and wood chips from your grocery list, because thanks to Urban Evolution, you can graduate your child from hamster to hall of famer. It's the perfect activity to grab the interest of kids who might not gravitate to team sports or whose idea of fitness is a PlayStation controller thumb workout...but it can be demanding enough for professional football players! It's a great way to help kids change their ideas about fitness while helping them build self-esteem and encouraging them to work hard.
So you’ve heard of parkour before, and maybe you’ve even seen some pictures or videos labeled as parkour, but what exactly is parkour?
It's not strictly defined by any particular workout or conditioning regiment. It’s more about finding the way to keep improving and eventually reach your greatest physical potential. And that’s what makes it so great! Your only opponent here is yourself. Your competition is you (at least officially speaking). So it does have its philosophical side, but here at Urban Evolution, we’ve come up a variety of ways to challenge your kids and hone their skills in a safe and fun environment!
Urban Evolution offers many other classes as well. After some training, you'll be able to check out more advanced training in parkour. We bring discipline and conditioning together with creative obstacle courses to challenge your mental and physical abilities. Generally, our high teacher-to-student ratio allows us to address questions and work through challenges for kids of all types on an individual basis.
This is a sponsored post from Urban Evolution. As with any physical activity, please note you participate at your own discretion. PwcMoms is not responsible for children's participation in any activity listed.
Max Muscle Update | |
Published: 09/19/2012
So as part of this process with Max Muscle, a large part of my work has been cleaning up my act where eating is concerned, which means making changes in how frequently I eat and what I choose to chomp on.
There've been some winners and some losers in this process. I thought I'd share and see if you all have any input as to what works for you when it comes to eating healthy.
Suggested Food: Egg Whites
Losing: Plain Egg Whites
Winning!: Egg whites are actually not that bad! However, I need my food to taste like something, and I've found that 1 tablespoon of hot salsa, a few shakes of Tabasco Sauce, or 1 tablespoon of feta cheese and some spinach if you're trying to be fancy, makes them amazing. I usually go for the Tabasco. Buying them pre-separated makes using them a lot easier, too.
Suggested Food: Protein Bars
Losing: Luna Protein Bars in Peanut Butter. Y'all. I am a fat girl. I love food, and I love peanut butter. I couldn't get one bite of this sucker down. Not One. I think that's funny because the Luna White Chocolate MacadamiaCookies Bars are amazing.
Winning!: 1/2 of a Cliff Builder Bar in Chocolate is amazing, as is any variety of Kind Bar I've ever had. They sell the Kind Bars in Max Muscle, too, although they're not really high in protein but they have a lot of healthy fats. Max Muscle also has Power Crunch bars, if you can get them- they're frequently gone because they're so popular. They taste like wafer cookies, if you used to eat those as a kid. Yum :)
There've been some winners and some losers in this process. I thought I'd share and see if you all have any input as to what works for you when it comes to eating healthy.
Suggested Food: Egg Whites
Losing: Plain Egg Whites
Winning!: Egg whites are actually not that bad! However, I need my food to taste like something, and I've found that 1 tablespoon of hot salsa, a few shakes of Tabasco Sauce, or 1 tablespoon of feta cheese and some spinach if you're trying to be fancy, makes them amazing. I usually go for the Tabasco. Buying them pre-separated makes using them a lot easier, too.
Losing: Luna Protein Bars in Peanut Butter. Y'all. I am a fat girl. I love food, and I love peanut butter. I couldn't get one bite of this sucker down. Not One. I think that's funny because the Luna White Chocolate Macadamia
Suggested Food: Max Muscle Protein Shakes
Winning: Chocolate IsoMax Powder. It tastes like coconut to me when mixed with almond milk (not like chocolate), but it's pleasant.
Winning!: Max Muscle Triple Whey in Chocolate. I like Chocolate, don't judge me. This stuff seriously does not taste like protein powder. It tastes like Nestle Quick. The only reason I didn't buy this was because I'm slightly dairy sensitive and I wanted the isolate. I've come to love this as a quick breakfast. Before starting this process I always skipped breakfast and now I'm actually hungry in the morning if I do that, but with kids and commitments speed is king. When you go in to Max Muscle, they'll actually do a tasting for you, just like a winery but proteiny-er. Which is totally a word.
Suggested Food: Meat.
Losing: I don't really love meat. I eat it, but I don't love it. When I eat it, at least in the past, I've typically used it as a conduit for getting more sauce. Bread works equally as well. I do not love meat without sauce. No sauce is a fail.
Winning!: I also love Middle Eastern food, though, and they've got the solution. Greek Yogurt is a happy food on my plan, and if you put three crushed garlic cloves into a large container of low fat or fat free Greek Yogurt overnight, you have made sauce! Delicious, creamy, garlic sauce! Win. Garlic, cilantro, parsley, jalepeno and red wine vinegar pureed in the food processor also works. (Do you see a theme here with spicy things?)
What helps you keep your diet healthy? Do you need some tips, too? (Or maybe you already have the fitness thing down? That's cool, too!) Come out and join me for our next Mommies Night Out at Max Muscle! Corry, who as I've mentioned a few times has been amazing, is promising that cupcakes and wine go with losing weight, and I'm willing to buy what she's selling ;)
We'll have vendors and raffles (if you're interested in coming, let me know) and some great time together! If you're planning to join us, please RSVP to my email so we know who to expect. Newbies to fitness, new moms (especially new moms!) and fitness divas are all welcome!
2 Cutie Patooties | |
Published: 09/02/2012
Welcome to one of our newest advertisers!
2 Cutie Patooties consultant Teresa Giltner offers “boutique style" shopping in the comfort of your hostess's home! Headquartered in Savannah Georgia, 2 Cutie Patooties is an embroidery and gift store specializing in the highest quality items; incorporating the newest trends with the ageless Southern Tradition of personalization.
Personalization of their products is always included in the price! Love that!
Products range from the traditional bags to children's clothing and backpacks, to items for the man in your life, like customized golf-club socks. Have you ever wondered why someone's golf clubs need to be kept warm? I have. However, if you're going to do it anyway, you may as well monogram it and make it cute.
Thanks to Teresa for supporting PwcMoms.com, and we hope you'll support her, too! Be sure to let her know that PwcMoms sent you, when you order or book your party!
2 Cutie Patooties consultant Teresa Giltner offers “boutique style" shopping in the comfort of your hostess's home! Headquartered in Savannah Georgia, 2 Cutie Patooties is an embroidery and gift store specializing in the highest quality items; incorporating the newest trends with the ageless Southern Tradition of personalization.
Personalization of their products is always included in the price! Love that!
Thanks to Teresa for supporting PwcMoms.com, and we hope you'll support her, too! Be sure to let her know that PwcMoms sent you, when you order or book your party!
Guest Post: National Night Out in Prince William County | |
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.
Max Muscle- Week 1 | |
Published: 08/19/2012
I mentioned on Facebook the other day that I went to meet with the very awesome Corry Matthews of Max Muscle. Corry is someone that really intimidated me on paper. She's a former fitness model, co-author of a book (a real book!), and owner of a business, namely Max Muscle.
If there is ever a store that I didn't contemplate ever entering for even a second, y'all, it had to be Max Muscle.
Just the name was enough to scare me. I am not now, nor do I ever have aspirations of being a bodybuilder. Heck, as I openly admit I don't even really care to be fit, I just want to be skinny. So, when Corry contacted me about coming out to the store and talking about some ways she could help out my readers, I sat in my car staring at the storefront for a few minutes trying to decide what I was walking into. Then I manned up and went in. They're located at 12849 Galveston Court Manassas, right across from Confections, so I figured if it went really bad, I'd just head across the street. ;)
Guys, this might be the best-kept secret in Prince William County, but Max Muscle is not necessarily just for people who currently possess "Max Muscle". Corry explained to me that one of her passions, and part of the reason that she wrote her book, is post-natal wellness in mothers. We see all these women in the media who pop out a baby and leave the hospital in size zero jeans and then we beat ourselves up. So, while she does work with competitive athletes, and even people who are really fit and want to take their fitness next-level, she's also here to help regular people who are just looking for a quality of life change. She can help you up your energy level or drop a few pounds post-baby. Her store stocks energy and protein bars and shakes as well as supplements, and she's even set it up so that if you're new to fitness, you don't have to go past the first 2 feet of the store.
Oh, also- if you've got a student-athlete, Corry has great information on nutrition and even diet plans for them, too! She's helped high-school wrestlers and football players add lean muscle mass rather than bulking up with fat, and she can also help parents who are looking to help their multi-sport players (hello my family!) stay well-fed and fit.
We talked for a few minutes, and then Corry invited me to try out their Max Formation program, which involves assessing your current body fat, measurements, physical activity, and calorie needs and tailoring a system of eating to help you meet your fitness goals.
Listen, she's good you guys. I let her take my measurements in the first 10 minutes of knowing me and my husband doesn't even know how much I weigh. When she asked about my eating habits, I didn't feel judged or embarrassed at all, and she was very gentle about making corrections to how I currently do things, but also firm with the fact that they needed to happen. For example, I openly admitted I frequently don't have my first food of the day until around lunchtime or later. Corry said that was a very common mistake that a lot of women make, but then told me that I was going to have to suck it up and eat breakfast. That's a perfect balance for me. Don't make me feel stupid, tell me you get that it's hard, tell me to do it anyway. It works!
This post is getting really long, so let me cut to the chase. over the next 3 months I'll be using the customized Excel Spreadsheet that I was provided with. It's got a pull-down menu for each meal so I can keep making my family meals as I usually do and it will provide me with portion sizes. I spent $64 on protein powder mix (um, yeah, that almost made me drop dead, but then I realized it's just over $1 per serving and I spend a lot more than that on iced tea at Starbucks). I've gotten a lot of feedback from friends that think that too much protein makes you big, or that you need to totally cut out carbs, or that you need to eat only egg whites, but I'm going to try this for 3 months, and I'll share with you guys how it's going. It seems like a really reasonable plan, and I'm kind of at the point where I'll try anything.
I didn't have an ideal weight in mind, but Corry's measurements helped me set a super-embarrasing 40 pound goal. It's been 1 week, and I'm -2. I'm also on vacation this week, and with the exception of driving to South Carolina alone in the car and using Diet Coke and snacks as a crutch to stay awake (I drove from 7pm to 3am), I've had no problems following the plan as directed, and I even really like the protein shakes, which aren't required, but I bought because they're really fast and easy for breakfast, rather than cooking for myself every day.
If you've got questions or comments you'd like answered as we go along, I'd be happy to answer them, or to get answers for them from Corry.
Also, Max Muscle Manassas will be having their 5th Anniversary in September, and they're holding a 5K to benefit the Semper Fi Fund in celebration. I'm planning to run jog it at a moderate pace, and if you'd like to join me, I'd be happy to put together a team of us!
Aaaaannnnddd.....other than that just cross your fingers for me because failing in front of an entire audience of people would be mortifyingly embarrassing.
Oh, aaaannnnddd (since I'm apparently typing things out the way I hear them in my head right now) if you go in to Max Muscle Manassas and tell them you're a PwcMoms reader, they'd be happy to give you 10% off this week. Just show them this post on your smart phone (or if you don't have a smart phone, just tell them, it's random enough that you should be good).
 |
| I really want to dislike people that look this awesome pregnant. |
Just the name was enough to scare me. I am not now, nor do I ever have aspirations of being a bodybuilder. Heck, as I openly admit I don't even really care to be fit, I just want to be skinny. So, when Corry contacted me about coming out to the store and talking about some ways she could help out my readers, I sat in my car staring at the storefront for a few minutes trying to decide what I was walking into. Then I manned up and went in. They're located at 12849 Galveston Court Manassas, right across from Confections, so I figured if it went really bad, I'd just head across the street. ;)
Guys, this might be the best-kept secret in Prince William County, but Max Muscle is not necessarily just for people who currently possess "Max Muscle". Corry explained to me that one of her passions, and part of the reason that she wrote her book, is post-natal wellness in mothers. We see all these women in the media who pop out a baby and leave the hospital in size zero jeans and then we beat ourselves up. So, while she does work with competitive athletes, and even people who are really fit and want to take their fitness next-level, she's also here to help regular people who are just looking for a quality of life change. She can help you up your energy level or drop a few pounds post-baby. Her store stocks energy and protein bars and shakes as well as supplements, and she's even set it up so that if you're new to fitness, you don't have to go past the first 2 feet of the store.
Oh, also- if you've got a student-athlete, Corry has great information on nutrition and even diet plans for them, too! She's helped high-school wrestlers and football players add lean muscle mass rather than bulking up with fat, and she can also help parents who are looking to help their multi-sport players (hello my family!) stay well-fed and fit.
We talked for a few minutes, and then Corry invited me to try out their Max Formation program, which involves assessing your current body fat, measurements, physical activity, and calorie needs and tailoring a system of eating to help you meet your fitness goals.
Listen, she's good you guys. I let her take my measurements in the first 10 minutes of knowing me and my husband doesn't even know how much I weigh. When she asked about my eating habits, I didn't feel judged or embarrassed at all, and she was very gentle about making corrections to how I currently do things, but also firm with the fact that they needed to happen. For example, I openly admitted I frequently don't have my first food of the day until around lunchtime or later. Corry said that was a very common mistake that a lot of women make, but then told me that I was going to have to suck it up and eat breakfast. That's a perfect balance for me. Don't make me feel stupid, tell me you get that it's hard, tell me to do it anyway. It works!
 |
| This is my magic spreadsheet. It's pretty amazing. |
I didn't have an ideal weight in mind, but Corry's measurements helped me set a super-embarrasing 40 pound goal. It's been 1 week, and I'm -2. I'm also on vacation this week, and with the exception of driving to South Carolina alone in the car and using Diet Coke and snacks as a crutch to stay awake (I drove from 7pm to 3am), I've had no problems following the plan as directed, and I even really like the protein shakes, which aren't required, but I bought because they're really fast and easy for breakfast, rather than cooking for myself every day.
If you've got questions or comments you'd like answered as we go along, I'd be happy to answer them, or to get answers for them from Corry.
Also, Max Muscle Manassas will be having their 5th Anniversary in September, and they're holding a 5K to benefit the Semper Fi Fund in celebration. I'm planning to
Aaaaannnnddd.....other than that just cross your fingers for me because failing in front of an entire audience of people would be mortifyingly embarrassing.
Oh, aaaannnnddd (since I'm apparently typing things out the way I hear them in my head right now) if you go in to Max Muscle Manassas and tell them you're a PwcMoms reader, they'd be happy to give you 10% off this week. Just show them this post on your smart phone (or if you don't have a smart phone, just tell them, it's random enough that you should be good).
Week In Preview, August 13-19, 2012 | |
Published: 08/13/2012
Y'all, I know I'm supposed to be a model of exceptionally high-fun parenting (or something) but I am exhausted! Getting ready for back to school and a summer full of fun has left me ready for a nap!! I'm secretly hoping that I can convince my children that Prince William County, as a whole, is on vacation this week and that we have to stay home and fold laundry and play in the back yard while mommy hides in a corner reading on her kindle.
I think they're too smart for that, but I'm hoping.
If you're still going strong this summer, here are some highlights for the upcoming week that are kid-friendly/family-friendly!
Monday, August 13
Head to Bull Run Library (8051 Ashton Avenue Manassas, VA 20109) from 11-11:45 to "shake, wiggle, move & groove while singing, dancing and playing with scarves, rhythm sticks, shakey eggs and more!" Ages 2-6 with an adult. FREE admission tokens available 30 minutes before program begins.
Have a golfer in your family? General's Ridge (9701 Manassas Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111) will be having a 1pm tee time for $39, which will help support the Wounded Warrior Project, as well as be entered into the Guiness Book of World Records as they attempt to have the most simultaneous golfers at over 100 courses across the country, all supporting this great charity.
Tuesday, August 14
Today is $2 Tuesday at the Prince William County Fair. No wristbands are for sale, but tickets for each ride will be $2 each.
Firefighters, Police, and Military are free from today to the 18th with a paying child at the Manassas Park Community Center (99 Adams Street, Manassas Park VA)
Wednesday, August 15
Various libraries will be hosting "Big Yellow Bus" day today, for Kindergartners and any other students who have never ridden the bus. Check the calendar for specific locations and times. This could be a fun opportunity for homeschoolers, too!
It's Barefoot and Pregnant Night with the Potomac Nationals. Check out the deals and enter to win some great prizes if you're expecting!
Thursday, August 16
It's time for Kidgits! This week, join Princess Amy and Pirate Rob in the Grand Court near TJ Maxx. These events are free and theres a special free gift for Kidgits members and it's just $5 to join. This event begins at 10am.
From 10:30 to 11:30am head over to Chinn Park Library for a bilingual program for ages 2 and up. Free tokens will be given out 30 minutes prior to the event.
Friday, August 17
We're heading towards the end of summer, and while their are still some local Friday night movie nights, I wanted to note two events that have been on the calendar forever, and might be a great option for an end of summer special one week. Target sponsors reduced-rate nights at Children's Museums on Fridays. You can head to the Children's Museum of Richmond (one of our favorites) or Port Discovery in Maryland for a reduced price.
Saturday, August 18
Sunday, August 19
Have you been ice skating this summer? 2:10-4:10 at the Prince William Ice Center! How about been to one of our local water parks? How about hitting one of those today after the Farmer's market?
I think they're too smart for that, but I'm hoping.
If you're still going strong this summer, here are some highlights for the upcoming week that are kid-friendly/family-friendly!
Monday, August 13
Head to Bull Run Library (8051 Ashton Avenue Manassas, VA 20109) from 11-11:45 to "shake, wiggle, move & groove while singing, dancing and playing with scarves, rhythm sticks, shakey eggs and more!" Ages 2-6 with an adult. FREE admission tokens available 30 minutes before program begins.
Have a golfer in your family? General's Ridge (9701 Manassas Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111) will be having a 1pm tee time for $39, which will help support the Wounded Warrior Project, as well as be entered into the Guiness Book of World Records as they attempt to have the most simultaneous golfers at over 100 courses across the country, all supporting this great charity.
Tuesday, August 14
Today is $2 Tuesday at the Prince William County Fair. No wristbands are for sale, but tickets for each ride will be $2 each.
Firefighters, Police, and Military are free from today to the 18th with a paying child at the Manassas Park Community Center (99 Adams Street, Manassas Park VA)
Wednesday, August 15
Various libraries will be hosting "Big Yellow Bus" day today, for Kindergartners and any other students who have never ridden the bus. Check the calendar for specific locations and times. This could be a fun opportunity for homeschoolers, too!
It's Barefoot and Pregnant Night with the Potomac Nationals. Check out the deals and enter to win some great prizes if you're expecting!
Thursday, August 16
It's time for Kidgits! This week, join Princess Amy and Pirate Rob in the Grand Court near TJ Maxx. These events are free and theres a special free gift for Kidgits members and it's just $5 to join. This event begins at 10am.
From 10:30 to 11:30am head over to Chinn Park Library for a bilingual program for ages 2 and up. Free tokens will be given out 30 minutes prior to the event.
Friday, August 17
We're heading towards the end of summer, and while their are still some local Friday night movie nights, I wanted to note two events that have been on the calendar forever, and might be a great option for an end of summer special one week. Target sponsors reduced-rate nights at Children's Museums on Fridays. You can head to the Children's Museum of Richmond (one of our favorites) or Port Discovery in Maryland for a reduced price.
Saturday, August 18
Sunday, August 19
Have you been ice skating this summer? 2:10-4:10 at the Prince William Ice Center! How about been to one of our local water parks? How about hitting one of those today after the Farmer's market?
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) in Prince William County | |
Published: 08/07/2012
Are you absolutely at the end of your rope? Are you lonely and tired and overwhelmed by diapers? Honey, you need to get the heck out of your house.
No, seriously. Go.
And, honestly, there's no better place to do that than a place where other people understand what you're going through.
Mothers of Preschoolers, or MoPS is a fantastic organization that exists to support moms through the somewhat overwhelming years of infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool. Groups have various formats, including daytime with childcare, evenings for working moms, and even groups for teens. Moms NEXT exists to extend further support to mothers whose children are now elementary aged. These groups do have a fee associated to cover childcare/supplies/room rentals. While these groups are housed in churches, you do not have to be a church member or a Christian to belong. Also, note that most groups will let you come and try a meeting or two before joining. Frequently, scholarships or payment plans are available, too.
Here are some of our local groups:
MoPS Woodbridge:
First Baptist Church of Woodbridge offers online registration as well as a Facebook group. They offer 3 traditional MOPS on Friday mornings (1st/3rd or 2nd/4th from 9:30-11:30) with childcare as well as a 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7-9pm group without childcare. Registration is $94 for Fridays and $74 for Tuesdays.
Lake Ridge Baptist Church offers a group on the third Thursday of each month from 7-9pm. Membership is $53.95, and includes childcare on an as-needed basis.
Old Bridge UMC offers a group on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm and the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 9:30-11:30 as a playgroup. Membership is $43.95 and includes childcare if required.
St. Margaret's Anglican Church has previously offered both MOPS and Moms Next, but is currently sharing worship space with another church. Check back for updates.
MOPS Manassas/Bristow Gainesville:
Manassas Baptist Church meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 9am-noon. Registration is $45 and childcare is available.
Mclean Bible Church Prince Wiliam Campus MOPS meets the 1st and 3rd Friday from 9:30-11:30am. Registration is $155. Childcare is provided.
Manassas Assembly of God hosts a group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30am, additional information is available by calling 703-368-2895
Gainesville United Methodist Church meets the 1st/3rd Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30am. Email gummops@gmail.com for additional information.
Am I missing your MOPS group? Shoot me an email! I'm happy to add you! Also, if you're a MOPS leader, I am available to come and speak to your group, for free. Email me for details on the topics I can cover.
No, seriously. Go.
And, honestly, there's no better place to do that than a place where other people understand what you're going through.
Mothers of Preschoolers, or MoPS is a fantastic organization that exists to support moms through the somewhat overwhelming years of infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool. Groups have various formats, including daytime with childcare, evenings for working moms, and even groups for teens. Moms NEXT exists to extend further support to mothers whose children are now elementary aged. These groups do have a fee associated to cover childcare/supplies/room rentals. While these groups are housed in churches, you do not have to be a church member or a Christian to belong. Also, note that most groups will let you come and try a meeting or two before joining. Frequently, scholarships or payment plans are available, too.
Here are some of our local groups:
MoPS Woodbridge:
First Baptist Church of Woodbridge offers online registration as well as a Facebook group. They offer 3 traditional MOPS on Friday mornings (1st/3rd or 2nd/4th from 9:30-11:30) with childcare as well as a 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7-9pm group without childcare. Registration is $94 for Fridays and $74 for Tuesdays.
Lake Ridge Baptist Church offers a group on the third Thursday of each month from 7-9pm. Membership is $53.95, and includes childcare on an as-needed basis.
Old Bridge UMC offers a group on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm and the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 9:30-11:30 as a playgroup. Membership is $43.95 and includes childcare if required.
St. Margaret's Anglican Church has previously offered both MOPS and Moms Next, but is currently sharing worship space with another church. Check back for updates.
MOPS Manassas/Bristow Gainesville:
Manassas Baptist Church meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 9am-noon. Registration is $45 and childcare is available.
Mclean Bible Church Prince Wiliam Campus MOPS meets the 1st and 3rd Friday from 9:30-11:30am. Registration is $155. Childcare is provided.
Manassas Assembly of God hosts a group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30am, additional information is available by calling 703-368-2895
Gainesville United Methodist Church meets the 1st/3rd Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30am. Email gummops@gmail.com for additional information.
Am I missing your MOPS group? Shoot me an email! I'm happy to add you! Also, if you're a MOPS leader, I am available to come and speak to your group, for free. Email me for details on the topics I can cover.
National Night Out 2012- Manassas VA | |
Published: 08/01/2012
Guest Post: Fabulous Fun Fair | |
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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