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.

Photo Credit: Some rights reserved by Andrew Forster

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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Potomac Mills Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Simon Kidgits Club

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Published: 04/04/2013

POTOMAC MILLS CELEBRATES THE SIMON KIDGITS CLUB’S

10^th ANNIVERSARY

Simon Kidgits Club highlights a decade of fun, educational programming

for children and parents

WOODBRIDGE, VA (April 4, 2013) — To celebrate Simon Kidgits Club®’s 10 years of delivering entertaining, educational programming to kids at Simon® malls, Potomac Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the Washington, D.C. area, is offering Kidgits Club members a birthday puzzle when they visit Simon Guest Services in Neighborhood 4 (near the Food Court) with a valid Kidgits membership card throughout the month of April. Children will also receive birthday bubbles* during of the Kidgits Club’s spring event on Thursday, April 18 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

As part of the ongoing anniversary celebration, children of all ages will spring into fun at this special Third Thursday event held at Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store in Potomac Mills’ Neighborhood 1 Fashion District. Kidgits Club members will enjoy live musical entertainment from local children’s performer,Banjo Man Frank Cassel, delight in complimentary refreshments courtesy of Starbucks and Rita’s Ice and giveaways for moms and dads. In addition to birthday bubbles, children will also receive a complimentary pinwheel* in celebration of spring. Plus, for just $1, attendees will be able to enjoy VIK (Very Important Kid) goodie bags filled with delicious snacks**.

Introduced to Simon mall shoppers in 2003 by Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the world’s leading retail real estate company, the Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3 to 8. Throughout the past decade, the Simon Kidgits Club has served as a community event staple for kids and parents by rewarding young members for good behavior; offering reading hours featuring favorite children’s authors; helping children enjoy time in the kitchen; and celebrating holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Easter.

More than 100 Simon malls, including Potomac Mills, offer Simon Kidgits’ Club programs which have played a key role in reaching the following milestones:

· Engaging with over 1.8 million parents and kids since the inception of the program.

· Hosting more than 10,000 family-focused events with more than 1,000 events annually.

· Celebrating more than one million children’s birthdays by sending cards and receiving gifts.

Families are invited to join Simon Kidgits Club and receive a variety of benefits. Each Simon Kidgits Club member receives his or her own official Simon Kidgits Club membership package and T-shirt at the time of enrollment. Other benefits include: a ‘spin’ at the prize wheel whenever the Kidgits Club member visits the mall; special invitations to programs and events at the mall; special discounts and rewards for members only; a Birthday Club (including birthday card and gift redemption certificate); and a periodic newsletter with games, educational features and special news.

“The impact the Simon Kidgits Club has had on our members over the last decade has been phenomenal,” said Cathi Weiner, Senior Vice President, Simon Brand Ventures, “and we have also been able to use the platform as a catalyst to build relationships with consumer packaged goods companies, toy brands and entertainment properties who want to easily and directly reach parents and kids. Shoppers and sponsors alike realize the power of the mall as an entertainment and learning destination. The scope of the program has exceeded our expectations and we’re looking forward to the next 10 years.”

“Thousands of children and their parents participate in Kidgits Club activities each year,” said Jayne Stilson, SPG’s Assistant Vice President of Business Development who helped launch the Kidgits Club and has directed the program since its inception. Stilson continues, “Kidgits Club programming is varied but has always emphasized fun and learning. We’ve had a great time.”

For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, visit Simon.com/Kidgits.

* While supplies last

** All of the proceeds collected from the VIK bags will benefit Simon Youth Foundation, which helps at-risk students earn high school diplomas and scholarships to realize their dream of going to college.

About Potomac Mills

Potomac Mills is the Washington, DC area’s largest outlet mall with more than 220 stores including Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, True Religion Outlet, Michael Kors Outlet, Talbots Outlet, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, J.Crew | Crewcuts and Ann Taylor Factory Store. In addition, the center boasts over 25 eateries and the AMC Potomac Mills 18 Theatres with IMAX. A much anticipated new restaurant expansion has added The Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze to the mix, with Bobby’s Burger Palace to follow later this year.

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) is an S&P 100 company and the largest real estate company in the world. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 326 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising 242 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S. For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.

About The Mills, A Simon Company

The Mills®, one of Simon Property Group's five real estate platforms, offers a unique brand of shopping with a mix of popular name brand outlets, value retailers and full-price stores, plus family-oriented dining and entertainment concepts. The Mills are well-located in major metropolitan markets and many are recognized as leading tourism destinations. Notable properties include Arundel Mills (Baltimore), Gurnee Mills (Chicago), Grapevine Mills (Dallas), Ontario Mills (Los Angeles), Opry Mills (Nashville), Potomac Mills (Washington, DC) and Sawgrass Mills (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami).

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) is an S&P 100 company and the largest real estate company in the world. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 325 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising 242 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S. For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.

About Simon Brand Ventures

Simon Brand Ventures (SBV), Simon's business-to-consumer arm, is pioneering the transformation of shopping centers into a medium where consumer brands can build relationships with Simon shoppers who make over 2.8 billion visits each year. Simon's vast franchise of market-leading shopping centers nationwide provides SBV the foundation to monetize the distribution system through numerous consumer ventures. SBV and its affiliates have engaged in a number of consumer business initiatives, including the Simon Visa Giftcard® and the American Express®/Simon Giftcard; launch of Simon platform programs such as Simon dTour Live® and Simon Kidgits Club®; a national media delivery channel including static, digital and experiential marketing and advertising vehicles; and multiple national and local marketing alliances with Coca-Cola and Visa U.S.A. among others.

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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.

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Louis the Magician at Kidgits!

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Published: 01/14/2013

LOUIS THE MAGICIAN TO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES AT POTOMAC MILLS

ON JANUARY 17

Potomac Mills presents the monthly Simon Kidgits Club® Third Thursday Event

WHAT: Parents and kids of all ages are invited to a morning of magic and mystery with a hilarious performance by Louis the Magician as part of the Simon Kidgits Club’s monthly series of events at Potomac Mills. Guests will delight in complimentary refreshments courtesy of Starbucks and Rita’s Ice as well as special deals for moms and dads. Kidgits Club members will take home free silly nose/mustache glasses and a magic wand, while supplies last. Plus, for just $1, attendees will be able to enjoy VIK (Very Important Kid) goodie bags filled with delicious snacks.*

In addition, event guests will receive a free $20 Disney Store Outlet gift card with any mall-wide purchase(s) totaling $100!**

*All of the proceeds collected from the VIK bags will benefit Simon Youth Foundation, which helps at-risk students earn high school diplomas and scholarships to realize their dream of going to college.

**Present the flyer provided at the event and receipts totaling $100 or more from retailers at Potomac Mills between Thursday, January 17, 2013 and Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Simon Guest Services and receive one $20 Disney Store Outlet gift card; limit two. Purchases must be in the same time frame as the redemption period. Must be 18 or older to participate. Void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules and Regulations for more information.

WHEN: Thursday, January 17

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

WHERE: Potomac Mills (Grand Court by TJ Maxx)

2700 Potomac Mills Circle

Woodbridge, VA 22192

COST: Free

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Kid Friendly New Year's 2013

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Published: 12/31/2012

New Year's Eve in Prince William County has a few fun options for kids!!

Christ Chapel will be offering a NYE service at 10pm. 13909 Smoketown Road Woodbridge VA

The Cavalier Family Skating Center will host an a New Year's Party. Monday, December 31st from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. They will be giving away an iPad Mini (must be present to win). Black Outs, Games, Flash Light Skates, Dances, Balloon Drop. Tickets are $20. Receive FREE skate rental with an advanced ticket purchase. 1924 Jefferson Davis Highway Stafford, VA 22554

Skate N Fun Zone will also have some options:

Kids In Motion offers an annual Kids' Party for ages 3 to 12 from 7 pm - 9 am. It's $35 for the first child and $30 for each additional sibling. RSVP by December 27th to save $5 per child. Pizza, games, hats, necklaces and a balloon drop at 10pm. Call 703-878-0100, must pay in advance.

If you want to keep the kids home with you (and asleep) Jump N Jimmy's will have open bounce from 10am-6pm. Work them hard and put them to bed early ;)

Leesylvania Park will offer a “First Day Hike,” so you can start the new year with some exercise! This is a self-guided hike along Lee’s Woods trail; plus a scavenger hunt for young hikers, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr. Woodbridge. Parking, $4. 703-583-6904.

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12 Days of Giveaways: Little Pim Language DVDs

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Published: 12/17/2012

Thank you all for your patience as I let this space be quiet in respect for all of us as we processed the events of the last few days. I'll catch up on the giveaways, but sometimes we all need a moment to reflect, especially with such great tragedy.

I was asked to try the Little Pim series of educational DVDs and I was very excited to give it a go. We pay pretty decent money at a preschool that teaches a foreign language for our daughter, but since I speak (spoke, in college) Russian and French, I'm not much help with the German she gets at school.

As background, Little Pim was created by the daughter of Dr. Paul Pimsleur, who developed the Pimsleur method of learning languages for adults. They call the approach in the Little Pim series "Educational Immersion", and it is targeted at children ages 5 and under. For more about the development, methodology and approach, you can check out the Little Pim Website.

So, remember when Baby Einstein was a thing? (Maybe it still is, I'm a few years out from babies) This is a similar format with a simple animated Panda between footage of actual people doing things. It's all immersion, so there's no English, although there are subtitles for parents who need help with pronunciation. In German that wasn't an issue at all, but in reading reviews from other sites, some users complained that in languages like Russian and Chinese, the subtitles were phonetic and native speakers teaching their children often felt like they'd do the phonetics differently, or they wanted their child exposed to the alphabet of the language they were learning.

Each DVD is divided into 5 minute mini episodes, so if you are really trying to get a younger child to focus, they only have to do it for a brief stretch. My daughter sat down to watch this with my husband. She's 4 and he's in his 30s, and he did such a great job learning German, I'm very proud ;)
My daughter loved the DVD and at her age, she stayed focused intently for half the DVD, and then said her brain needed a break. She's already asked if she can watch again tomorrow. I assume that they use the same footage for each DVD and just put the language over the top because our first DVD was food/eating themed and we learned how to say "rice" and "chopsticks", but we also learned "strawberries", "kiwi", "cake", and "the oven is hot". I'm not an expert, but I know that this approach seemed to work quickly for my daughter (and my husband) because they could see the actual item being used and hear the words.

You can order Little Pim in gift sets like the one above, for $169, which includes books, DVDs, music CDs, a plush, a backpack, and flash cards, but only in French or Spanish. Other languages, including Chinese, Italian, German, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, English ESL, English ENG, and Portuguese, are available in 1 DVD or 3 DVD packs for $34.95 or $59.95.

(Shhh.....until the 19th you can get them over at Groupon, too)

Anyhow, I like the DVD concept. I'm not going really dedicated to the idea of being bilingual by age four, so I enjoy that I can provide my child with learning materials she can use on her own, working at her own pace. Could you really work these up into a language curriculum program for your toddler? Sure- but it's really nice to just pop in the DVD while you're making dinner, too. I think we might pick up a few other German DVDs for my daughter, but if you'd like to get your own starter DVD for free, enter to win! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a DVD to try and with one to give away to one of you lovely lucky people. Shipping will be directly from Little Pim. PwcMoms is not responsible for your child walking around speaking a language you don't understand. Winner assumes all liability.

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Hylton Family Series Presents: Trout Fishing In America

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Published: 10/09/2012

While it may sound a little messy for a venue like the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Trout Fishing in America is actually a dynamic duo of children's singers, and not, as one may have thought, a potential for a tasty fish fry dinner.

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.

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It's Back! Snow and Story 2012/2013

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Published: 09/26/2012

The Prince William Ice Center will once again be offering "Snow and Story" both for playgroups and preschools who pre-register and for those who wish to drop in. Admission is $6 per child and includes play on the ice with snow and toys, hot chocolate and a cookie, and a story read by a Prince William Ice Center employee. Prince William Ice Center is located at 5180 Dale Boulevard Woodbridge, VA, and is next to the Hylton Boys and Girls Club.

Read our review of Snow and Story by clicking here!

Drop-in Snow and Story will take place on October 1st and 23rd, November 5th and 20th, December 3rd and 18th, January 7th and 22nd, February 4th and 19th, March 4th and March 19th.

Groups can also arrange for their own snow and story time. Groups must be 15 or more and may pre-register by calling 703-730-8423.

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Easy Crafts- Marble Painting

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Published: 09/14/2012

I actually used this technique with my homeschool class yesterday, and it worked so well that I thought I'd share a little indoor-inspiration for the next time you need some!! (Hopefully that day will not be today because we are supposed to be going apple picking and I would like for the weather to stay lovely!)

Our kids are studying abstract art right now, and art is really not my thing. In college, I had to take a fine art class and I took 3D art since I like crafts, so I thought working with materials would make the class more bearable. The only A I received in that class was for an assignment where we had to make a tower for our imagination to live in out of balsa wood sticks and string (this was after making animal combinations out of clay and shoes out of wire). The night before our projects were due, mine was knocked out of my cubbie and shattered on the floor. Figuring there was nothing I could do to impress the teacher anyway, I just turned the assignment in broken. When I presented it, I said that it represented my complete and utter lack of imagination, and the professor ate it up. It was so frustrating!!

Anyway, I had a very long-reaching memory of making these marble paintings, but in an upside-down Tupperware cake carrier. Mine wouldn't work for the task because it's not flat-topped and has holes where the handle goes, but a cookie sheet did the trick!

All you do is find some marbles and dip them in paint. Then, lay a piece of paper down on your jellyroll pan (I call these cookie sheets- but they need to have sides to keep the marbles in!) and then drop the marbles all over the paper, and let your child gently shake to create designs. When the paint has all rolled off, you're done! Remove the marbles and let your creation dry.

I used primary colors because they make nice colors when mixed (unlike purple and green make brown) but you could use anything. Pros of the project include that the kids can't glob the paint on, so they dry in a fairly quick amount of time. I think that back in Kindergarten we also did this same process on green paper and then cut out Christmas Trees to make a card for our parents. Easy, quick, and a way to get the paint out without destroying your house/child's clothes. This takes literally 20 seconds per child, and while it's not high-level, the kids had fun!

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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!

Website: www.abovebeyondkids.com

Phone: 703-361-2692

Email: abovebeyondkids@gmail.com

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Smiley Face Pizzas

Published: 09/05/2012

As I shared a few weeks ago, I'm on a constant hunt for easy-to-eat foods for our co-op days. We tried out corn dog muffins, which were a hit with my kids, so I thought I'd switch it up for some vegetarian fare this time!

So pizza. Pretty easy. Easier than rotating pictures in your blog posts. True story. For these, we used whole wheat mini pitas as our base, leftover spaghetti sauce as our sauce, some part-skim mozzarella, and some bell peppers. My kids adore bell peppers, and snack on the red ones whenever they can get their hands on them.

I used the wrong end of a piping tip to cut circles, but a small cookie cutter or even a knife would help you get shapes just as well. You could use other veggies, too, to make your faces, but we had bell peppers, sooooo....we just went with it.

This one isn't rocket science. Place a mini pita on the pan, add sauce to your liking (I let the kids make their own, so you'll notice various levels of sauce and cheese application) and then funny face it up! Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese melts, but do not over bake or the pitas will become too crunchy to be enjoyable.

These were a big hit for us. We baked them the day before and ate them room temperature at CC for lunch. The kids thought they were great, and didn't mind that they weren't hot. My 8 year old ate two, but one was enough for each of the others.

Smiley Face Pizzas
4 Whole Wheat Mini Pitas
1/2 Cup Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Marina or Pizza Sauce
Vegetables to top

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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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Blog- www.TinyStepsMommy.com

Facebook – www.Facebook.com/TinyStepsMommy

Twitter – www.Twitter.com/NicDash

Pinterest – www.Pinterest.com/NicoleDash

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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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This Weekend At Leesylvania State Park

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Published: 08/09/2012

Hitching a Ride

Date:	08/08/2012
Time:	3 Sessions - 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., & 4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	Have you ever wondered how a plant ends up growing far away from other plants of its kind? Get ready to explore the world of nature's hitchhiking plants. Start in the Visitor Center where a ranger will show just how many different ways seeds can move and end by taking home your very own planted sock. Appropriate for ages 4 and up. $2/person, $6/family

Creepy Crawlies

Date:	08/09/2012
Time:	3 Sessions - 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., & 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	Take a peek at who lives under Leesylvania 's logs and rocks. We'll be taking an up close look at where decomposers live and what they like to eat. Join us and get to know your underground neighbors and eat a cup of dirt! Fee is $2/person and $6/family.

Pond Play!

Date:	08/10/2012
Time:	3 Sessions - 11:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M.- 3:00 P.M., & 4:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	Explore the animals that live in our pond. You'll get to see frogs, turtles, and fish. A ranger will use nets to catch animals that are under the water so you can see them up close and personal.

2nd Annual Hike for the Cause

Date:	08/11/2012
Time:	9:00 a.m. To 11:00 a.m.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	Join us in the fight against breast cancer as we host our 2nd Annual Hike for the Cause to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=121459) . There will be activity tables, prizes from local sponsors, and informational tables about the cause. Inquire at the Visitor Center for Registration forms or emailleesylvaniavc@dcr.virginia.gov. Registration fee is $25. Deadline to receive t-shirt is July 18, 2012. In 2011 we raised $1,607. That is enough to provide 16 uninsured women with a free mammogram! We are hoping to get even closer to our goal of $7,500 in 2012.

Music at the Marina - Soul Gravity

Date:	08/11/2012
Time:	5:00 p.m. To 7:00 p.m.
Location:	Breakwater Marina Store
Description:	Soul Gravity mixes a bit of acoustic rock sensibilities with contemporary rock grooves and then tops it all off with some fat guitar edge, tight vocal harmonies, and excellent musicianship. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic while listening to Soul Gravity. Sponsored by Steve's Auto Repair (http://stevesautorepairva.com) and Friends of Leesylvania State Park.

Bushey Point Trail

Date:	08/12/2012
Time:	2 sessions - 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Location:	Bushey Point Trailhead next to the Marina parking lot
Description:	Take a walk through the woods with a ranger along the Bushey Point Trail. We will pause at points of historic and ecological interest.

Canoe Tour

Date:	08/12/2012
Time:	5:00 p.m. To 7:00 p.m.
Location:	Register at the Visitor Center and then meet at Canoe Launch
Description:	Join a ranger for a guided canoe tour on Powell's Creek. You'll get to see wildlife, marsh plants, and test your skills in a canoe. Please register with the Visitor Center 24 hours in advance for the tour. Fee is $9.00 per person, or $6.00 per person when reserving for groups of 4 or more.

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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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The Lorax Release Party at Potomac Mills Mall

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Published: 07/24/2012

The Lorax is copyright Universal Studios. Image from Imdb.com

Come take a walk through the colorful, captivating world of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at Potomac Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Virginia, from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 28 in
Grand Court in Neighborhood 2.

In celebration of the August 7 Blu-ray™/DVD release of The Lorax movie, Simon Kidgits Club® invites kids from the Washington, DC area to visit Potomac Mills for a celebration of non-stop family-focused festivities. Families are encouraged to get creative and enjoy an imaginative adventure by participating in the following Seussian-inspired activities, all taking place in a familiar Simon mall setting:

· Create and take home intriguing Truffula Trees, just like those featured in the movie, and a Lorax mustache to commemorate the charming creature.

· Visit a viewing area to watch The Lorax movie trailer, learn how to draw the Lorax through a bonus feature on the Blu-ray™/DVD and hear about how the Lorax speaks for the trees.

· Pose for a fascinating photo next to Lorax-themed standees, capturing the fun of the unique event.

Kids will also have the chance to participate in interactive offerings which are focused on preserving the environment and celebrating The Lorax’smeaningful plot. Young attendees can join the Pitch-In Recycle Game to learn about the benefits of recycling and get involved in the Seed of Hope activity to craft a Lorax planter. Before departing the event, all children will pledge to care for the environment and take home a certificate to honor their positive promise.

“Simon Kidgits Club’s The Lorax event aims to get families together to have some fun with Dr. Seuss and think about the movie’s messages about the environment. Simon malls strive to offer parents and kids the opportunity to enjoy unique activities in a place that’s not too far from home,” said Jayne Stilson, assistant vice president of business development for Simon Brand Ventures, the business-to-consumer division of Simon Property Group.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. Since 2003, the Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games.

For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club and The Lorax events, visit www.simon.com/kidgits or check us out on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/PotomacMills and Twitter at (www.twitter.com/shoPotomacMills).

The Lorax Synopsis

The imaginative world of Dr. Seuss comes to life like never before in this visually spectacular adventure from the creators of Despicable Me! Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate, and Betty White, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is filled with hilarious fun for everyone!

Visit www.theloraxmovie.com for additional information.

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Giveaway: Combi Flare Stroller

Published: 06/28/2012

Our friends at Baby Blossom are offering a fun giveaway this week!

Following on the heels of owner David's discussion of double strollers for one of our PwcMoms readers, he's got a stroller for one lucky reader this week!!

Enter below by leaving a comment for your chance to win a Combi Flare!! One entry per person, contest closes on Saturday night, June 30, at midnight. Winner will be announced Sunday evening.

Combi Flare Stroller in Kiwi

The lightweight Flare stroller (only 11 pounds!) with the quick 3-Second Fold, folds easily and compactly and is self-standing. An easily adjustable, reclining seat, footrest and 5-point harness make for a safe and comfortable environment for your child. The adjustable canopy includes a storage pocket. The carrying strap, storage basket, removable padded guardrail, removable child cup holder, and washable seat cushion add convenience. Compatible with the Combi Shuttle 33 infant car seat (not included). Recommended for children from six months (without use of Combi Shuttle) up to 55 pounds.

One entry per person. Baby Blossom is a paid advertiser of PwcMoms.com and is providing one winner with a Combi Flare stroller. Prize listed may not be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Winner must claim prize within 3 days. Winner name will be posted on this page as well as on a congratulatory note on Facebook. Prize is provided by Baby Blossom, winner assumes all liability, PwcMoms is not responsible for any problems, accidents, etc. Please use your stroller responsibly.

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Summer Fun 101 at Piedmont Golf Club

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Published: 06/21/2012

Wakefiled School will be hosting free "Summer Fun 101" sessions for parents and children ages 3-6 at Piedmont Golf Club (14675 Piedmont Vista Drive Haymarket, VA). Reserve your free sessions by July 6th by calling 540-253-7600.

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The Great American Backyard Campout

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Published: 06/11/2012

On June 23rd, the National Wildlife Fund will be sponsoring the Great American Backyard Campout. They're inviting everyone in Prince William County (including you, your kids, neighbors, friends and even scout troops) to hoist a tent in the backyard and make some great summer memories!

You can just participate, or, choose to take it one step further and register a team to help raise money to get kids active and outdoors.

From the NWF Website:

Did you know that today, 25% of kids play outside daily—as opposed to 75% a generation ago? Be a part of the Great American Backyard Campout and set an example for children that will get them excited about the great outdoors. Join thousands of campers on June 23 (or you can choose another day that's convenient for you). Embrace an active, healthy outdoor lifestyle—we'll show you how.

Improving your Kids' Health is Rewarding for Them.......and for You!

You have the option to help support NWF's work to connect kids with nature for their overall good health by raising money for our programs. You can set a personal or team fundraising goal, invite your friends and family to support your Campout, and earn the official Campout t-shirt. It’s easy—we’ll give you all the tips and tools you need to be successful plus the added reward of happier, healthier kids.

Register and Win a Trip

You could get the chance to Go Behind the Scenes with NWF celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski. One lucky camper and a guest will win a trip to an upcoming NWF television appearance in New York City or Los Angeles.

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Saturdays in the Garden with PWCMG's

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Published: 06/06/2012

The Master Gardeners of Prince William County offer "Saturdays in the Garden" each week in Bristow. Held at St. Benedict Monastery (9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow VA 20136), each program is held from 9am-12pm and features concurrent adult and children's programming, however, children's programs are not drop-off, so plan to bring your gardening gloves, too!