Special Offer From Prince William Ice Center

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Published: 12/07/2012

When the holiday season comes, sometimes budgets get a little tight. That means that some of the fun winter activities we all enjoy can get put on hold until January. Prince William Ice Center is offering some fun at a discount price for PwcMoms readers with a Buy One Get One Free on skating! Note that you'll actually need to PRINT THIS OUT and take it with you- you can't just show them on your phone. These BOGO's are good through December 31st and are not valid with any other offer. You can check out their Public Skating Schedule for times.

If your little skater loves public skating, then why not take it one step further and purchase some lessons? I love giving my children lessons/activities as gifts because they don't take up any more room in the toy closet, and a sport or skill is something they'll never outgrow! If you want something to open, head to the Prince William Ice Center Pro Shop and pick up some gloves, an ornament, or even skates! Hockey Equipment rental is available, and lessons are a great value, especially since students in group lessons receive a pass for one public session each week so that they can practice their skills! Classes are available for all ages and ability levels. When you register, be sure to let them know you're a PwcMoms reader, because I've got another deal for you! 10% off the January/February Learn to Skate or Learn to Play Hockey Series!! For this deal, you must reigster by January 5, 2013, but again, these lessons would be such a great gift for someone in your life who's itching to get on the ice!

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Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) in Prince William County

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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.

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Stampin Up "Creative Escape" Crop

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Published: 08/02/2012

PwcMoms.com reader and Stampin Up Demonstrator Keisha (you can follow her creative exploits here) has a great end of summer invitation for you!! I love Stampin Up crops, and while I haven't attended one with Keisha personally, check out this example of her past stampers' work!

Be ye not intimidated!! There will be plenty of tools and inspiration to keep you going, or, if you're already crafty on your own, bring your own projects and get out of the house for awhile!! Nothing like not having children tugging at you to increase your productivity!!

You're invited to attend the Creative Escape Crop.
Saturday August 25, 2012
Save the Date Now!
Westridge Swim and Racquet Clubhouse
12764 Quarterhorse Lane
Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
Time: 12:30pm - 11:30pm
Cost: $45

Bring your own projects to work on, or choose from the many samples we will have plus 2 optional classes that you can take while you are there.
(optional classes will be announced after August 1)

Get away for a day of crafting, bonding and relaxing. Whether you prefer to spend your time stamping, scrapbooking, sewing or any other creative pursuit, you will love what I'll have in store for you!
Plenty of table space with free wifi
Goody bag filled with Stampin' Up! Goodies
Little gifts made especially for you throughout the day
Plenty of samples to copy
Raffles
Punch station, tons of stamp sets, sizzix station, ink station, all of the tools and accessories, and more!
Optional classes
Two make-n-takes
Fun Atmosphere with games and prizes to keep you motivated!

2 meals (lunch and dinner) included!

Coffee, sodas, tea and snacks throughout the day!

Space is limited to the first 15 people, RSVP now!
simplyalon@yahoo.com

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Reviews: Potomac Overlook Park

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Published: 07/31/2012

I have mommy brain. My mommy brain syndrome (MBS) is augmented by my technology dependence syndrome (TDS, or, in my case iTDS). Example? We showed up for my daughter's dermatology appointment (a 45 minute drive in traffic because while I love PWC, I'm driving to the bets possible doctor our insurance will semi-pay for) only to sit for 30 minutes before the semi-rude receptionist reminded me that I cancelled this appointment when I made an earlier one for before we left for the beach.

My MBS apparently prevented me from removing that from my iCal, so when my iAlarm went off, iGotIntheCar and iDrove to the appointment. Hence the iTDS kicker.

Being that I am also spontaneous, and had skipped swim team practice, we opted to iMap our way over to Potomac Overlook Regional Park and check out what it had to offer before doing the same thing back down i66, err, I-66, to head to a library event back down in our neck of the woods.

Potomac Overlook is located at 2845 North Marcey Road, Arlington, Virginia. It is absolutely gorgeous for hiking, as well as having a beautiful nature center, concerts, a solar-powered outdoor stage, roving naturalists, community gardens, and canoe trips.

We've been to Potomac Overlook once before, and we enjoyed the well-shaded hiking, especially since with water shoes on we could enjoy keeping our feet cool in the creek/river that flows through the park. Throwback photo evidence:

Okay, so they didn't like their water shoes. I admit, I am that horrible parent that lets my children experience the world barefoot whenever they want and my husband isn't yelling. I don't like shoes, either, so I get it.

In this picture my kids are 15 months, 3, and 5. I'm wearing sporting an awesome blue Moby Wrap. If you don't have a Moby Wrap and you have a baby or are about to have a 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th) baby, you should stop reading this NOW and go buy one. I'll wait. No, they're not paying me, either.

I am also that mom that lets her kid swim in the deep pool he finds. It was warm that day. He had an amazing time and the water was clear so that you could see straight to the bottom. I realize this doens't mean it was clean, but it looked like it, so there.

This time, however, we never made it that far since by the time we arrived it was already 108 degrees outside. Walking from the parking lot to the nature center, we noticed there is a fun hike with signs for each planet placed at representative distances along the path. They include fun facts like how much a person of a certain weight (I want to say it was 100 pounds) would weigh on each planet. On your left hand side, you'll also see the solar-powered outdoor theatre as well as an eletctric car filling station. Trees and rocks along this main path are also labeled for your viewing pleasure.

By the time we arrived at the nature center, my middle child informed me that he was dying, and I informed him that the nature center is air conditioned, at which point he summoned the will power to go on the three steps to the door. It was magical.

By the way, now that my kids are 4, 6, and 8, their lives exist soley on my iphone because I'm not good enough to carry a camera, so I hope that you enjoyed the nice, clear pictures above because now we're switching back to my typical low-quality cell phone pictures.

The nature center includes a fun mix of energy saving information along with a living bee colony, live turtles, frogs and snakes, as well as some stuffed local species, skulls, and skeletons and fossils to look at. The upper level is mostly non-living, although there is a turtle and two snakes, and the lower level is mostly snakes and frogs, along with a children's cave area, which was fun to hang around in for a few minutes even if it wasn't very large.

The children's area included boards to make your own "cave drawings" sounds of a cave on a phone, and space to sit and read books or play with toys. It'd be a good place to cool off and calm down on a hot day.

There's also a lower-level educational room, which was completely devoid of people on the day we went, but looked like it must be used for field trips and scout groups. There were some fish in the tank as well as stuffed bird and small mammal species.

Ooooh, something stuffed. Fun. My kids love anything about animals, so they thought this nature center was fantastic. It's definitely small enough that you can do it in a morning and still have time for a hike, even if you read everything in the nature center, but I enjoy that about it.

It was after this picture that my phone died. It was sad. So, not pictured are the community garden, Indian-themed circular garden, or the live birds of prey that are a short walk across from the nature center. These are previously injured owls and hawks that cannot be returned to the wild due to the extent of their inuries, and you do get a very close look at them. The owls were especially beautiful, and, as a bonus, I found a 4 foot black snake on the trail on the way up! How fantastic!

Fine, I freaked out. But the boys thought it was amazing.

This is a great local field trip, and we enjoyed both of our visits. Check out Potomac Overlook Regional Park for your next hike or nature event!

Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Recommended for: Any age, really. Lots of walking, but getting to/from the nature center is stroller-friendly. There is a long hill that is not particularly handicap-accessible, I would talk to the park rangers about the possibility of being allowed to drive to the center itself if that's an issue for your. Older children will enjoy the various themed areas and hiking.

Pros: Free! Lots of different interests addressed. Live and stuffed animal species, lots of labeled plants and rocks with information on species.

Cons: Nature center is somewhat small, parking is removed from areas of interest.

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Guest Post: Leave a Financial Legacy

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Published: 07/17/2012

Leave a Financial Legacy™

Guest Post by: Sherri Gray, Certified Personal Finance Counselor®

In a previous post, I talked about loving your family well by getting a will that includes a medical directive, purchasing adequate life insurance, becoming debt free, and saving for the future.

When I talk about financial legacy though, I’m not only talking about how you handle your money while you’re living but also about what you leave behind when you’re no longer here.

We should all be leaving assets, property, and money to our heirs, or to those whom we would like to bless financially.

But financial legacy is not just about putting in place the necessary financial tools to love your family well now or just about leaving behind assets to your loved ones. It’s also about what you teach your children and those who look up to you as mentors, about money.

Financial legacy is making decisions about how you use your money so that you and your family are living in financial abundance which overflows into and impacts your community. Then your family and your community will look at your money choices, see the positive impact on your life and theirs, and want to do what you did.

There’s a line in the book ‘A Purpose Driven Life’ that says, and I’m paraphrasing, it’s not about you. That line has stuck with me ever since the first time I read the book about 5 years ago. Because for the longest time, I thought getting my finances in order was only about me.

Now, I always say that my money is not just about me. It’s also about leaving a financial legacy to my family and giving back to my community. And when your family and community see the rewards of your work, they’ll want to do what you did and they’ll in turn pass on what they’ve learned from you to their families and those they love and so on.

Your family and those you love, especially your children, learn by what you do and not just by what you say. So, always tell them what’s possible financially, show them through what you do, and watch them follow in your footsteps. That’s true financial legacy.

Sherri Gray will conduct a FREE Financial Legacy™ Workshop at Grace Church (17889 Fraley Boulevard, Dumfries, VA 22026), this Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 9 am – 12 pm. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required.

Find more ways to save money by going to The Money Mom website at www.themoneymom.org or following The Money Mom Deals Blog at http://themoneymomdeals.blogspot.com/.

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Summer Camp- JoAnn Fabrics

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Published: 06/18/2012

JoAnn Fabrics has several great kid-friendly offerings in Prince William County! Our store is in Woodbridge across from Potomac Mills Mall, and I hope that someone signs up for one because making this list out of the separate corporate and store lists took forever.

Here you go, with Woodbridge Location Dates/Times and Corporate Pictures!

Headtime Story
Ages 8 and up make a pillow. One 3-hour session, $35. Level 101
Tue, Jun 19 4-7pm
Mon, Jun 25 10am-1pm
Mon, Jul 2 3-6pm
Sat, Jul 14 1-4pm

Sew Sweet Pillow
Ages 5 and up make a pillow. One 3-hour session, $35. Level 102

Wed, Jun 27 12-3pm
Mon, Jul 9 10am-1pm
Thu, Jul 26 3-6pm
Fri, Jul 27 10am-1pm

You Rock Smock
Ages 8 and up make an apron with trim and pocket. One 3-hour session, $35. Level 201

Thu, Jul 12 10am-1pm
Mon, Jul 23 3-6pm
Sat, Jul 28 9:30am-12:30pm

Simply Summer Shorts
Ages 8 and up make elastic waistband shorts. Two 2-hour sessions, $45
Level 202

Tue, Jul 3 & Tue, Jul 10 4-6pm
Thu, Jul 19 & Thu, Jul 26 10am-12pm

Sew Summer Dress
Ages 8 and up make a dress with hem, pleats, and zipper. Two 2-hour sessions, $45
Level 301
Sat, June 23 & Sat June 30 1-3pm
Sat, July 21 & Sat July 28 1-3pm

Summer Treat T-Shirt Kids Quilting 101
Ages 8 and up create and apply an appliqué. One 3-hour session, $35

Tues, June 26 5:30-8:30pm
Thu, June 28 3-6pm
Wed, July 4 2-5pm
Fri, July 27 10am-1pm
Mon, Aug 6 1-4pm
Wed, Aug 15 10am-1pm
Thu, Aug 23 3-6pm

Slumber Mat Kids Quilting 201

Ages 8 and up make a project. Two 2-hour sessions $45

Sat, Jun 23 & Sat, Jun 30 10am-12pmSun, Jul 8 & Sun, Jul 15 1-3pm
Tue, Jul 17 & Tue, Jul 24 6:30-8:30pm

Kids Can Knit! With FREE supplies from Lion Brand Yarn

Ages 8 and up learn basic skills. One 3-hour session $35

Mon, Jul 9 1:30-4:30pm

Thu, Jul 12 1:30-4:30pm

Sat, Aug 11 9:30am-12:30pm

Mini Book

Ages 8 and up. One 2-hour session $30

Sat, Jun 23 10am-12pm

Wed, Jul 11 11am-1pm

Wed, Jul 18 11am-1pm

Wed, Jul 25 11am-1pm

Tue, Aug 7 11am-1pm

Tue, Aug 14 11am-1pm

Tue, Aug 21 11am-1pm

Pompom Pals

Ages 5 and up. One 2-hour session. $30

Tue, Jun 26 1:30-3:30p

Thu, Jun 28 4-6pm

Wed, Jul 4 10-12pm

Tue, Jul 17 2-4pm

Fri, Jul 27 4-6pm

Mon, Aug 6 10-12pm

Wed, Aug 15 2-4pm

Thu, Aug 23 4-6pm

Cake Decorating and other specialty classes are also available! Yes, for kids! Also, check out the Woodbridge Store's additional offerings by visiting the store.

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Guest Post: Adding Reading to Your Outdoor Play

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Published: 04/25/2012

Happy Tuesday, friends! Ginny from The Writing Well is sharing some tips and tricks for incorporating literacy into your outdoor play now that the weather is getting warmer. She has several classes coming up this summer to enrich your child's writing- check her website for more details!

As the days get longer and the weather grows warmer, our thoughts naturally turn to outdoor play. Enhance your outdoor time with reading and writing activities that make learning fun and natural.

Detail scavenger hunts

Help your child take notice of the world around her with this “I Spy” activity. Take a walk outside, visit a favorite park or simply head to the backyard; bring along a notebook and pens. Ask your children to tell you (or write down) any details they notice: an unusual tree or brightly colored bench are good examples. Once home, turn your details into clues for a scavenger hunt. Make clue lists using pictures or words, then head back to the spot for some hunting fun.

Mixed media

Go beyond finger paint with an activity suited for all ages. Use shaving cream, play sand, rice or even oatmeal, whatever you have on hand. Take plastic sheeting, cutting boards or aluminum pans outside; spread the material of your choice on the surface. Let children use their fingers, sticks or paintbrushes to write or scribble, then take pictures to record the results.

Natural object letters and shapes

This is a great activity for toddler and preschool “collectors”. Let your child gather rocks, leaves, sticks, flowers, blades of grass – whatever strikes his fancy – on an outdoor excursion. Use the objects to form letters, numbers or shapes on the sidewalk or front steps. Have little ones still learning their letters? Use sidewalk chalk to draw an outline first.

“Found object” stories

Suitable for children Pre-K and up, this activity is a fun, reusable option with different results every time. Drop objects collected outdoors into an old shoe box. Pull out one item at a time and place it on the table; continue until you have a row of five or six objects. Model using the objects as inspiration for a story (is the stick a fairy wand, or perhaps the mast of ancient sailing ship?), then let your child take the lead. Let younger children dictate; confident writers can pen stories on their own.

Wordless picture stories

Inspired by the work of David Weisner (author of Flotsam), wordless picture stories are great for budding photographers and pre-writers. Take photos of scenery and objects on your next outing: capture animals, rocks, trees, or even street signs and cars. Print the images and use them to tell a story in pictures: order them as desired, then staple together or glue into a notebook. If you’d rather keep the images digital, simply copy and paste them into a document file.

The key to developing a lifelong appreciation for literacy is integration. Make it a part of your family’s everyday life inside and out, and your child’s interest in reading and writing will become as natural as the springtime sunshine.

Ginny Kochis is owner of The Writing Well, a tutoring and homeschool consulting business based in southern Springfield. State certified and the mother of two young children, Ginny is dedicated to providing Northern Virginia families with engaging learning experiences in reading and writing. Services include individual and group tutoring, classes and workshops, and homeschool assistance. Join The Writing Well this summer for week-long workshops in study skills and writing. Visit Ginny’s website, http://www.thewritingwellonline.com for more information or contact her at thewritingwell@earthlink.net or 703-909-7425.

Join The Writing Well this summer for two valuable four-day workshops. The Study Skills workshop helps students discover how they learn, then teaches skills to foster successful study habits. Students will learn to how to read with a purpose, take effective notes, get organized, manage their time well, and more. The writing workshop gives students the opportunity to read, write and share a variety of pieces across all genres - both fiction and nonfiction. Topics include effective brainstorming and planning, building and defending strong arguments, creating solid characters and plots, and revising creatively. Workshops are $80 for four days of instruction and are Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to noon. Workshops sessions begin July 9 and end August 2; two sessions are available for each workshop. Contact Ginny at 703-909-7425, thewriitngwell@earthlink.net or http://www.thewritingwellonline.com.

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Guest Post: Photography for Moms

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Published: 04/10/2012

Photography Tips for Moms from Nadine of Fotos By Nadine

Hey there, lovely! I have a great little post for you here.
As busy as we are as moms we always want to make sure to snap cute shots of out little ones in between cleaning, cooking, and other fun things. Making memories and making sure to capture them is one of the most important parts of being a mom! I am going to help you to make this even better.
I took some time to come up with this blogpost for you, my awesome PWC Moms readers, to improve your skills of taking pictures of your precious little stars! (Hang tight, there is a little extra for you at the end of this article)

First things first: You do not need a fancy shmancy camera to take some nice pictures of your kids. Of course I do use a high end DSLR for my business but in private my iphone is my most frequently used camera for the everyday stuff. What really matters when it comes to the everyday super-duper-awesome snapshots are other things (like composition and light). Of course if you have one....awesome!!! (In case you need a little help figuring out how to use it best, read to the end of this post and find out how you can get there)

Simple simple is the secret
Easy Peasy....simplify your image! It is the most important and easiest rule to follow to improve your images: take distracting things out of the frame when you take your picture. That trash can right next to your kids stroller at the ice cream stand just does not scream ‘awesome picture’ - all you have to do is move a couple of feet to the right or left to eliminate it from your shot - done! Of course all this can be done in post processing of an image by cropping it, but let’s be honest: who has the time to do that with those tons of images you take everyday? I sure don’t so I make sure to eliminate those things from the get-go!

Hocus Focus!
Try focusing on the face and eyes of your subject! Nothing is less appealing than a well composed image with blurry face and eyes. It is always the first thing that you will look at in a picture so it needs to be sharp. To achieve this, make sure to push the shutter release button on your camera half way first while pointing at the subject’s face and then - once focusing has occurred - push it all the way.

Don’t wait for the right moment...
....because you might miss it. But when you take 7 or 8 pictures in a row of the same moment, you have a great chance of capturing that beautiful smile that you wanted!! The beauty of having that awesome digital camera is not only to see the picture instantly, but also to be able to delete all those goofy and quirky shots later on the computer! (save some precious space there too, dear!!)

Light is the key
I don’t like bright and sunny days! (What????) Sounds crazy? I agree - and really - I only meant this from my photographer point of view :) Bright sunshine can make people blink when they are forced to look directly at it and it can draw some harsh shadows on their faces. None of which is very flattering in an image. Solution? Place people facing away from the sun (you will now be the one looking directly at it, but you are not in the pic so who cares LOL) and take them to what we call ‘open shade’. Under a tree, in front of a wall or otherwise shielded from direct sunlight. You will see a huge difference in the image quality.

Composition
Compose your images right to make them pop! Pleasing to the eye....what does that mean? We do not like when arms or legs are cut off...so when you take a ‘full body shot’, be sure to include the full body!! When taking a close up portrait make sure to have the full face in the frame and so on. When taking pictures of children, squat down to eye level with the child as opposed to ‘look down’ at them. And one more easy, but effective tip (my last one for today) is to shift the camera slightly when taking a picture so that your subject will be a little off centered (left or right). Try it and be wowed!

About Nadine:
I am Nadine. I am a photographer! I am passionate about everything I do, I am spontaneous and definitely never boring.
Together with my husband I created ‘Fotos by Nadine’, a high end lifestyle photography business. My passion for photography came from wanting to take the best pictures possible of my babies.
I love paying attention to detail when it comes to my photographs and I love capturing the special moments of a family, a milestone in a child’s life or a breathtaking portrait just because...you can follow my work at www.fotos-by-nadine.com.

If you liked my collection of photography tips, take it to the next level with my ‘Sweet Captures’ Workshop for Moms. If you have a DSLR and want to get out of shooting only in ‘Auto’ mode then this is right for you. Held in August at Confections Cupcakery. Find all the details and sign up information here.

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Cooking with Bloggers at Alice and Louise Cooking School

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Published: 03/28/2012

Being a blogger is not fun when your space bar isn't working. Being a blogger IS fun when you get to hang out with other bloggers at Alice and Louise, however!

Last week, I was able to go check out Alice and Louise with a group of Northern Virginia Bloggers for a fun networking event put together by Andrea from Real Housewives of Northern Virginia. Alice and Louise, in addition to doing catering, also hosts cooking classes for everyone from children through adults, and will do corporate events or private parties. (Interested in doing one? Email me! If we can get a group of 8 together I'll book it!) They can work around your price range and interests, and, bonus, you can BYOM (bring your own Merlot).

Mother Earth Meals was also on hand to share some great cooking inspired by battling cancer and increasing your health using food. Simply Desserts was also there with some delicious cheesecake tips. By the way, did you know that it's Lent? Everything smelled delicious and got gobbled up, but I just watched. Le sigh. (Okay, really I've been trying to pinpoint a few tummy issues and keep giving up different things to try to figure it out, but Lent is a much faster explanation)

Group shot! These ladies are a lot of fun! They didn't even make fun of the fact that I brought my own beverage (it was lemonade made with stevia) in a Patriots cup. Rocking :)

Pictured (In No Particular Order):
Paper Placemats
Mom Machine
Caffeine and a Prayer
Creekside Learning
703MommyandMe
SuperNovaMommy
Real Housewives of Northern Virginia
Beltway Bargain Mom
PwcMoms.com

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Stroller Strides

Published: 03/13/2012

Working out after baby is tough. You're tired, you've got a new baby that you don't necessarily want to leave with the stressed out lady in your gym childcare room, let alone expose them to the germs from the other 50 kids in there while Mommy works out....

But yet, you also want to wear non-maternity clothes and get out of the house.

Enter: Stroller Strides

Stroller Strides is a fitness program designed for moms to do with their babies. It includes cardio, intervals of toning, songs for your baby and more. What fun! Our local Stroller Strides franchise is run by Angela Grevert, who is very fun and excited about what she does!

Right now, Stroller Strides meets at Potomac Mills Mall from 9am-10am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. They're also opening a new class at Manassas Mall THIS WEDNESDAY, March 14th from 9:30am-10:30am, meeting at the entrance to Sears. They'll also be starting outdoor classes soon at Signal Hill Park (Manassas) and Anne Moncure Wall Park (Dumfries/Montclair). On a day like this one, an outdoor class sounds like just the ticket!!

Angela offers a "First Week Free" program so that you can see how Stroller Strides works with you and your baby. She's also offering a special promotion for anyone who registers and mentions PwcMoms! Name drop our website, and your registration fee will be $25 (a savings of $50).

To sign up for a trial class, give Angela a call!! Again, your first week is free, and this is a great way to get back in shape (or stay in shape), meet other moms, and have fun! Don't worry about your baby crying, either- there's no better group of understanding people than other new mommas!!

Angela Grevert
Stroller Strides Woodbridge/Manassas
703-229-1414

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Guest Post: Slash Your Budget with the Internet

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Published: 03/07/2012

Welcome to this week's guest poster!! Sherri Gray, aka "The Money Mom", is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor Candidate. In this post, she'll introduce herself and some of her money-saving internet strategies. Sherri, who is a PWC resident, also hosts a weekly web-based radio show, which you can find on the PwcMoms calendar, or in the links at the end of this post.

I’m The Money Mom, a financial coach, who works with individuals and families nationwide, taking you from where you are to where you need to be financially. I use Biblical principles to teach you how to budget, get out of debt, and save for the future. And I do it all with a mom’s touch, not telling you what you want to hear but telling you what you need to hear because I genuinely care about the people I work with and want to see them succeed.

One of the financial areas that many people struggle with is their budget. It’s so easy for us to swipe our debit card, credit card, or write a check without having a realistic system for tracking our purchases. John Maxell said that a budget is simply telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. Raise your hand if you’ve ever reached the end of the month and wondered where all of your money went. I see those hands. Don’t feel bad. Mine is raised, too.

But I knew there had to be a way to slash my family’s budget without sacrificing the quality products that my family had become accustomed to. I found a way to do just that through the internet. The internet is a great resource and has a plethora of discounts and coupons to help my family save money. Now the days of my family spending more money than we have, and using credit cards to make up the difference, are behind us.

I’ve saved money on food items by purchasing some from retail stores, like Target, as an alternative to my grocery store. I recently purchased 2 Dannon Activia yogurts (4-pack) for absolutely nothing. The yogurt was on sale for $2 each. I then used a $2/2 Target internet coupon (http://coupons.target.com/) and stacked it with 2-$1/1 manufacturer internet coupons (www.coupons.com), which made them both free.

Please keep in mind that most internet coupon websites are designed so that you can only print 2 identical manufacturer internet coupons per computer. I’ve also purchased other name brand items for free or cheap, using store and manufacturer internet coupons, including cereal, milk, condiments, margarine, peanut butter, snack bars, gum, lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, paper towels, pain relievers, air fresheners, mouthwash, dental floss, toothbrushes, soap, sanitizer, and dish detergent.

But the internet doesn’t just stop at couponing deals. It also has a vast array of clothing and shoe deals. Private seller websites like www.amazon.com also have discounts and close out sales on so many things like snacks, electronics, DVD’s, and even diapers. Overstock websites like www.zulilly.com and www.6pm.com, can offer discounts on name brand clothes and shoes at a fraction of the department store prices. Keep a look out for end of the season sales at retail websites as well. I recently purchased a Rothschild coat, including a hat and scarf to match, for my school age daughter, for $23 (including shipping), a 75% savings, directly from the Rothschild website, using a coupon code that I found on an internet blog.

Internet blogs are another great source for finding online coupons and deals. Internet bloggers do all of the legwork and you reap the benefits. I’m an avid couponer now and have my own internet blog as well (http://themoneymomdeals.blogspot.com/). Now, I can’t imagine life without internet coupons and website deals.

If you’ve never researched internet deals, my recommendation would be to start small. Think of an item that you purchase regularly from the grocery store, retail store, or department store and do a search to see if there’s a way to get that item cheaper using the internet. I guarantee you that once you see the discounted price versus what you usually pay for that item, you’ll wonder why you ever paid full price for it. In fact, I saved over $2,400 last year using internet deals in combination with newspaper coupons. So, take full advantage of the internet and use it as a tool to slash your family’s budget. Your family and your wallet will thank you.

If you want to learn more about spending less and using coupons, Sherri is hosting a workshop called ‘The Secrets to Spending Less Workshop’ on March 24 from 6 pm – 7 pm. For more information about registering for this event, go to www.themoneymom.org (a call in number will be provided to those who want to attend remotely).

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Giveaway/Review: Mamas Link

Published: 02/21/2012

This week's giveaway comes from Mamas Link! Since I don't have an infant, Mamas Link provided their own explanation of their program. If you've ever participated, we'd love to include your review/thoughts! Shoot us an email, and let us know what you thought/think!

Mamas Link

A Social and Educational Community of Moms and Moms-to-be!

I love being a mom. When I became a mom for the first time in April 2009, I was lucky to make a network of friends all going through similar experiences. It was amazing to have a support network to share the joys and fears of motherhood with. Many of my friends who experienced motherhood without that type of support network felt lonely and isolated and struggled with their identity as they transitioned into parenthood. I came to realize how imperative it was to have a strong community of friends, it can be lifesaving. After my maternity leave ended, I left my teaching job in MCPS and found a perfect way to marry my interest of education, my love for parenthood and my desire to connect with others. I created Mamas Link, a program that connects moms and moms-to-be and gives them unique learning opportunities and fun ways to bond with other moms and their babies.

Mamas Link features the popular mommy and me class called “The Six Week Hook Up”, formerly called Onesies DC; Mamas-to-be events; special events and seminars; a nanny posting; blog; and additional mommy resources. Classes are held in NoVa, MD and DC.

The popular “Six Week Hook-up” mommy and me class is a program featuring weekly activities (a six week session) including talks by local experts, lunches, a chance to create keepsakes, and what’s more, an opportunity to connect with other moms of infants. Activities and workshops in the lineup may include mother-baby fitness, music, yoga, infant massage, photography services, lactation consulting, CPR instruction, nutrition counseling and much more.

Mamas Link special event topics run the gamut from breastfeeding and finding a nanny to introducing baby food. Some upcoming events include a seminar about healthy sleep, baby food 101, expert training in breastfeeding and newborn care and CPR training. Events are held at various venues, may include up to 100 attendees, include delicious food and gifts galore. Attendees leave with swag bags and raffle prizes from local and national sponsors. Mamas Link helps women learn the latest in parenting, introduces them to the best and hottest products and gives them an opportunity to connect with other women to form lasting friendships.

For more information about the site, classes or to learn about hosting an event or becoming a Mamas Link sponsor, visit www.mamaslink.com. Become a Facebook Fan to be the first to know about events, coupons, contests, view recent photos of events and more: www.facebook.com/mamaslink.

THE GIVEAWAY:
Looking to connect with other moms and learn about different resources for you and your baby in Northern Virgina? Enter to win half off the popular Mamas Link "Six Week Hook Up" class which includes six weeks of mommy and me classes and meetings with local experts. Learn, have fun and create friendships to last a lifetime! (for current schedule, go to: http://mamaslink.com/schedule.php?location=DCMetro#page=page-1c).

Email PwcMoms to enter!! Also- leave a comment if you'd be interested in a Six Week Hookup for PWC!

Disclosure: This post was provided from Mamas Link. PwcMoms has not participated in a Mamas Link series. In return for this post, Mamas Link is providing a giveaway item for a PwcMoms reader.

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Try Hockey Free- Prince William Ice Center

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Published: 02/15/2012

It may seem like this blog is turning into the official sponsor of the Prince William Ice Center, but it just worked out they got 2 posts this week. Promise.

Check out the info above for details on "Try Hockey Free" for ages 4-9. Children over 10 who'd like to try the sport can contact the rink for more information. You need to register at TryHockeyForFree.com, but other than that it's totally free and even equipment is provided.

(We love hockey, and spring registration starts soon!! Get out and try it!)

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Plan Ahead for: Wegmans Kids in the Kitchen

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Published: 02/06/2012

I'm a little perturbed that I'm having to type this again!! I was all planned out for this week and did all my blog posts this weekend (at the very reasonable hour of 3am Sunday morning) and today when I went to publish, it appeared that blogger only cared to keep the tags, dates, and titles.

Well that's not helpful!

Clearly this is God telling me that he approves of my typical method of waiting until the last minute to do any/everything.

Anyhow, Wegmans.

Wegmans is not just a grocery store- it's a shopping experience. My Uncle The Doctor (have you ever heard the joke about the difference between God and a Doctor? It was written for him.) lives near the flagship Harris Teeter store in North Carolina, which he refers to as the "Taj Ma-Teeter". When my Uncle The Doctor came to visit near the end of my grandmother's life, he kept going on and on and on about how we don't know good shopping. Knowing that my fiesty grandmother would have approved if she could speak, I tossed my Uncle The Doctor into the car and hauled him to Wegmans.

He wasn't "wrong" you understand, but I may have been right about something in this one, isolated incident.

With some people, you have to learn to take the victories when you can get them.....even if they won't fully admit it.

Wegmans has two Prince William County locations, and they offer some great looking Kids Cook classes for ages 4 and up! Tickets are required and are $5 per child/adult pair with your Wegmans Club card or $10 without a card. Sign up at the Customer Service Desk.

People- those Wegmans Club Cards are free. Let's be logical and just sign up for one, shall we? If you feel the need to spend the extra $5 you can mail it to me.

It's been my experience that cooking with your kids is fantastic. It gets them to eat what they made (even if it's healthy!) and it ensures that they'll be able to survive outside of your home on more than easy mac and top ramen. However, I do so love the idea of cooking with my kids at Wegmans since that means my kitchen can stay clean....assuming it was clean when we left for Wegmans.

Here's what's coming up:
February 11th-
We Heart Parties at Wegman's Potomac Mills. Three times slots are available at 10am, 12pm, and 3pm. We "Heart" Parties Valentine’s Day goodies are the main event! Join us to make Fruit Tarts, Heart-Happy Trail Mix, and Strawberry Smoothies—you’ll even get to create a card for someone special.

March 3rd-
Wegmans Lake Manassas: Build Your Own Pizza! Sign up your children to learn how to get involved in the kitchen and build their own pizza. They will make a Tandoori Naan Pizza with a whole grain crust and a Caesar Salad with strawberries and yogurt dressing! 11am or 2pm

March 10th-
Wegmans Potomac Mills The Secrets in the Sauce (Craveable Veggies!) Want to learn a special chef secret? This class will share just how easy it is to make any dish taste yummier with sauce! Learn how to add zip and flavor to all kinds of meals, including kid-friendly Lo Mein and Peanut Salad and veggies like broccoli and snow peas with 4 snazzy sauces! 12pm or 3pm

March 17th-
Wegmans Lake Manassas: The Secrets in the Sauce (Craveable Veggies!) Want to learn a special chef secret? This class will share just how easy it is to make any dish taste yummier with sauce! Learn how to add zip and flavor to all kinds of meals, including kid-friendly Lo Mein and Peanut Salad and veggies like broccoli and snow peas with 4 snazzy sauces! 11am or 2pm

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Upcoming Scout Offerings from PWCPA

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Published: 02/05/2012

With Blue and Gold Dinner coming up for our Cub Scout Pack, we've all been in a frenzy to get a few things finished up for ranks! I'm sure we're not the only den having that issue, but I love that this spring you can get your scout ahead though the Park Authority's Cub Scout Badges program! All of these programs require advance registration, but they're a great way for your scout to have a little fun. There is a small fee associated with each badge opportunity, which varies depending on the program requirements.

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For Older Kids- Teen Events at Manassas Park Community Center

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Published: 02/02/2012

A recent discovery for me was the Manassas Park Community Center! I'm busily adding their spring events right now, but I love their extensive offerings for teens and tweens!

Teens ages 12-17 may participate for a drop in fee of $2, or may purchase a teen pass. Classes are subject to cancellation or change without notice. Cultural Arts Classes (Guitar, Photography, DJ) must be paid monthly, $25 per member, $30 non-member.

For March/April/May the schedule is planned as follows:

Monday- "Fighting Fit" 6-6:50p

Tuesday- Whiffle Ball 3:30-5p

Etiquette Class 6-7p

Photography Class 4-5p

Guitar Class 5:30-6:30p

Yoga 6:45-7:30p

College Prep 4-5p

Wednesday- Basketball 3:30-5p

Movie Break 6-8p

DJ Class 6-7p

Cycling 4-4:50p

Tutoring 3-4:30p

Thursday- Dodgeball 3:30-5p

Teen Civics 4:30-5:30p

Poetry 5-6p

Guitar 5:30-6:30p

Karate 7-8p

Field of Dreams 3:30-4:30p

Friday- Volleyball 3:30-5p

Friday Night Fun 7-10p

Cartooning 4-5p

Zumba 5-6p

Journalism for the Rest of Us 3-4p

Saturday- Tennis 9-11a

Saturday Social Sites 12-3p

Swing Dancing 12-1p

Teen Boot Camp 2-3p

Cooking Class 10-11:30a

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Activities for Little Guys/Gals

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Published: 01/11/2012

Sometimes one of you asks a question on the wall that warrants you an entire blog post.

My goodness some of you are needy. ;)

Just kidding. I wouldn't have anything to claim I'm doing if I didn't have questions. Then I'd have to admit I really AM watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and not "doing laundry and blogging".

I would never live that down, y'all.

Okay, so, user question was something along the lines of "I'm looking for sports activities for my 3 year old"

You wanna nab an early sports scholarship for junior? Let's do this.

Gymboree (Happy Birthday to our Gymboree Woodbridge Friends!!) offers sports for ages 3-5, art for ages 18 months-5 years, music 6 months to 5 years, and play and learn from birth to 5 years. (Bonus- they've got scheduled indoor play times you can take advantage of!) Classes vary by location.

Haymarket Ice Plex offers Skating lessons for children as young as age 3. Hockey classes can be started after passing the first two levels of skating lessons so a child has a firm grasp of the fundamentals.

SoccerTots/Little Sluggers offers classes starting at age 18 months for soccer (which involve parents) through age 10. Locations are all over the NOVA area, including Haymarket. Baseball starts at age 2 and goes through age 5.

The Little Gym (in Gainesville) offers classes ranging from Parent/Child (4 months-3 years), Sports Skills (starting at age 3 through age 6, includes hockey, baseball, soccer, and more), gymnastics from ages 3-12, dance from ages 3-12, and karate from ages 4-12.

The Freedom Center in Manassas has "Little Hoops" basketball starting at age 2.5 and 3.5 year olds can try "Little Pucks" hockey. Pee Wee Football classes start at 3.5, as does T-ball. Parent/Child sport classes start at age 2, and Soccer and Sports Mix start at 3.5, with Tae Kwon Do starting at age 4.

Prince William County Park Authority offers swimming and gymnastics for toddlers, including "Parent/Child" classes that start at 6 months for swimming. Ballet begins at age 3 and gymnastics at 18 months. The Dale City Rec Center offers two courses of "Tiny Titans Tri-Athletes" classes for ages 2-5, and has both soccer and t-ball for ages 4 and up. Basketball through the Park Authority begins at 4, All Star Sports (a mix) is ages 3 and up, and Little Pros is 4 and up. For these courses, check out Our Leisure Magazine.

Gymnastics- most gyms offer classes for toddlers and up. Rates vary GREATLY based on the credentials of the instructor, and all I can say is that from a personal perspective, unless you 2 year old hops on the uneven bars and throws out a triple flip with a stuck dismount the first time they touch it, you do not need to be paying over $80 a month for gymnastics. If the first place you call gives you sticker shock, try again.

Prince William Ice Center starts their skaters at age 4.

Most Martial Arts studios that I've looked into seem to have a class for children as young as 3. I'm linking to this one but just because it's the one I found that actually listed their class ages. Call and check the studio nearest you. As with gymnastics, let me point out that if you're signing up a 2 or 3 year old, please do not let some push owner pressure you into a 1 year contract. Your kid is too young to know if they'll like mashed potatoes from one day to the next, a year is insane. Just throwing it out there.

Swim Kids starts em young, too, with classes for parents and children beginning at age 6 months.

Hope this helps you get started!! Have a favorite sports location for your child? Share it in the comments!

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Let's Talk Gymboree Woodbridge

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Published: 06/06/2011

Our first introduction to Gymboree was in Massachusetts when our first baby was, well, still a baby. A very kind Auntie had given us a 2 month class and we really loved it! Getting out of our ~~freaking small~~ intimate apartment was difficult in the ~~ridiculous cold~~ New England winter. Especially for someone that still used "y'all" even if it was in conjunction with "wicked cool".

Yeah, I know, he's the cutest brunette little boy you've ever seen. You don't have to tell me, I already know. :)

When we moved to Woodbridge, my middle baby tried Gymboree art and it wasn't for him because OH MY GOSH I MIGHT GET DIRTY!!! But he really loved the music classes and thoroughly enjoyed shaking his moneymaker during the Spanish Songs section we did. I was a huge fan of the art classes and loved making adorable projects since he wouldn't touch them. I have to say I kicked serious butt at those 18-24 month old art projects. Classes vary in price and you can try one for FREE. I know that June is a tough time when you're waiting for older siblings to finish school, so I've actually listed all the Gymboree Woodbridge Classes on our June Calendar so that you can pick a free preview class for your little one!

We've also really loved Gymboree Woodbridge Birthday Parties. We did a joint one for our daughter's 2nd birthday with a little friend of hers and everyone had a great time.

All the kids got to run around and get out their energy and I didn't have to clean my house. I am all about not having to clean my house.

Our Gymboree Party Liason was fantastic and did a great job of engaging the kids. I think some of the older siblings might have been a little over a few of the games, but they were good sports and secretly (or not so secretly) still loved the bubbles and the parachute. Gymboree Parties are $250 plus a 15% tip for your party host/hostess. That includes 15 kids and all the adults you care to invite to act as baby paparazzi, 90 minutes of hosted party time, the custom theme of your choice, paper products, goody bags, and invitations (which they'll even fill out for you). You can also add a live appearance from Gymbo the Clown, a craft, extra kids, extra time, and pizza. You are able to order pizza through Gymboree Woodbridge, or you can bring any commercially prepared food and beverage you'd like. You can bring a homemade or commercial cake. Parties can be held at 1:30, 3:30, or 5:30pm Saturday or Sunday. To schedule a party, contact Gymboree Play & Music Woodbridge at 703-590-3320 or email the owner, Meshell.

Gymboree Woodbridge also offers Bubble Camp, which is brilliant. It's one day (always a Friday) for young children that can be hard to find camp for (ages 3-5 and potty independent). They're $35 per week and include great themes, all of which are up on our calendar! The best part is the $35 includes unlimited attendance at Open Gym time, which is a great way to burn energy, the Tuesday and Thursday of your camp week! Open Gym is from 1pm-7:30pm.

This giveaway is closed, but you can still join Gymboree for fun!!

The very fabulous people at Gymboree Play and Music Woodbridge are offering some great promotions for our PWC Moms readers!! This June, new families can join for their first month of class for $49 and NO MEMBERSHIP FEE!! They're also offering one lucky PWC Mom a totally free Birthday Party! Plus, if you don't win- book your party by June 15th and mention PWC Moms and they'll give you a $50 discount. That way we're all winning!

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Edgemoor Art Studio

Published: 05/25/2011

On Tuesday, my 7 year old and I got the chance to go check out Edgemoor Art Studio in Lake Ridge.

This bright, child-friendly studio is owned by the very sweet Ruth, who gets bonus points for sharing my philosophy that children are capable of way more than we give them credit for. Ruth's students start as young as preschool, and she teaches both Art and Literacy. Students use artist-quality materials during classes including oil pastels, paints, charcoal, found materials, sculpting, and more.

Students learn actual art principles, including motion, shading, sketching, painting technique, great artists, and design and implementation of projects. Ruth shared with us during our visit that she frequently gives "homework"to the kids to do something like design a dog-wash that does it all for you, and then when the kids come back, they'll put their ideas together and build one. Other projects around the room included still-life, group sculpture, and a sign for a Chocolate Sculpture Class, which she offers with Wine for grown ups ;) or with just chocolate for children. I think that would be such a fun mom's night out!!

Do you see these dresses? They're made of paper. Edgemoor offers custom birthday parties (whoo! another non-mouse with pizza option!!) and these are for a little girl who wants to be a fashion designer. Her party is going to be making their own fashion out of paper and then they'll have a red carpet walk at the end of the party. How freaking cool is that?

This sculpture project made of recycled materials and bamboo was made by a 3 year old class. I love that they include collaboration as part of the class with the younger and older children because for some of us (me) that is a skill that needs continuous development (even at my age).

Edgemoor Classes come in both parent and me and drop-off varieties, and there is an afternoon homeschool class, as well. 8 week sessions run $140 (materials included) for preschool classes, which are an hour long or $160-$220 for older children (again, materials included) which run for 2 hours.

There are also Art Camps offered, which are really on-par price wise with many of the park authority camps. $175 a week, all materials included for ages 4-6 (9am-12pm) or ages 7-14 (1pm-4pm). Phonics class info is available via email.

We were very impressed with Edgemoor and my 7 year old has not stopped talking about how he can't wait to go back!! There's an open house on July 10th, in the evening (there you go working parents!!) and I'd encourage you to go meet the very dynamic instructor. We were definitely impressed and if you're looking for a great art experience for your child, this is definitely the place in Woodbridge to go!!

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Lorton Workhouse Part II

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Published: 04/22/2011

Sharing a few more notes:

1) They do Birthday Parties!! Ages 4-12 can host a custom party theme, activities and art projects. Proceeds from the parties support the workhouse's outreach for young people. Contact Caren Hearne for details- 703-584-2900

2) They do classes!! Summer Session begins in June and includes the following(prices listed are for members, add $25 for non-members)
-Mixed MEdia Painting for Kids (4 weeks, $110)
-Art Exploration (Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media) for grades 1 and 2 (7 weeks, $110)
-Art Discovery (Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media) for grades 3 and up (7 weeks, $150)
-FUNdamentals of Fine Art for Children ages 8-14 (8 weeks, $135)
-Kindergarten Creations (6 weeks, $100)
-Papermaking for ages 7-12 (9 weeks, $150)
- Young People Crochet for ages Preteen/Teen (1 week, $50)
-Exploring Papermaking: Pulp Painted Postcards ages 7 and up (1 day, $45)
-Kimekomi Dolls, ages 12 and up (4 weeks $105)
-Doll Making for Busy Hands for ages 7-12 (9 weeks, $150)
-A Complete Puppetry Experience for ages 7-12 (9 weeks, $150)
And that's just art!! There are also classes in animation, "writeamation" film editing, short film, recording studio, piano, guitar, drum circle, ceramics, dance, yoga, and hula.

3) They do Summer Camp!
Camp options include Short Films, Visual Arts Explorers (1/2 or full day), Art Star Theatre Camp, Art Star Performance Workshop, and Half Day Music Camps in into to music, guitar, and piano.

Register at workhousearts.org or by calling 703-584-2900

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JoAnn Fabrics March and April Classes for Kids and Teens

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Published: 03/06/2011

edit: There are also 2 open house dates- Saturday March 12 and April 9 from 1-3. If you sign up that day you can save 50% on select classes and meet instructors.

In addition to adult classes in everything from painting to cake decorating to jewelry making, JoAnn Fabrics also offers teen and kid classes. Disclaimer: I haven't tried any of these because my kids are too little, so if you have, please leave a comment and let us know how it was!!

Teen Crafting 101: Duct Tape Clutch, $40, Tuesday March 29 6-9pm
Teen Crafting 101: Duct Tape Clutch, $40, Saturday April 23 10am-1pm
Teen Sewing 101: Lazy Pants, $50, 2 Thursdays March 3 AND 10, 6-8pm
Teen Quilting 101: TV Blanket, $50, 2 Sundays, March 20 AND 27, 4-6pm

Kids Classes are ages 8+ unless otherwise noted
Kids Sewing 201: Fleece Backpack, $35, Saturday March 19 1-4pm
Kids Quilting 101: Floor Pillow, $45, 2 Saturdays March 26 AND April 2 1-3pm
Kids Sewing 202: Lazy Pants, $45, 2 Saturdays March 26 AND April 2 10-12pm
Kids Sewing 301: Girls Tunic, $45, 2 Sundays March 6 and March 13 4:30-6:30pm
IN MARCH: Kids Cake Decorating Classes are 50% off the list price, so they're $17.50. Sign up on March 26 or 27 to get that deal!
Kids Cake Decorating 101: Buttercream, $35, Saturday March 12 4-6pm
Kids Cake Decorating 201: Fondant, $35, Saturday April 9 4-6pm

If you're taking classes for yourself, the Wilton Flowers and Gum Paste/Fondant classes are BOGO on March 26 and 27, so you can take both for $45 and wow your friends :) You can add decorating basics for just $17.50.

JoAnn also offers craft parties.

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