Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Review: MiYim Organic Plush Toys Perfect for Baby

by Leticia

May 29, 2009

Weddings and babies seem to go in cycles and I find myself shopping for baby presents for friends and colleagues.  Despite the fact that my children are only 5 and almost 3, the baby market has changed since they were born. 

The other day I ventured to Target to shop off a friend’s registry.  There were the standard onesies, bottles, and diapers but a completely new line of organic plush toys from MiYim.    

I fell in love with the super soft MiYim Andrew the Hippo and envisioned a 6 month old falling in love with it just as my daughter fell in love with her white stuffed Gund Bear.  The petite deep rose colored Baby Victoria the Bunny is heavenly for a little girl.  It comes clothed in a darling little dress that makes it tea party ready for when a baby girl grows up.

I love the idea of organic gifts like the ones from MiYim because they are made from organic cotton, use plant and mineral dyes, and are packaged in recycled materials.  I can’t think of a better way to welcome a new little baby into the world than with something super soft and completely natural.

The MiYim line is available at Target, Toys R Us, and online through Amazon.

Savvy Guest: Children's National Medical Center's Advice for Talking with Children about Swine Flu

by Leticia

May 04, 2009

Late last week a suspected case of Swine Flu was discovered right in our neighborhood.  Over our back fence, to be exact.  While we have been monitoring the outbreaks and protecting ourselves with proper hygiene measures, our two children have many questions about Swine Flu.  Today's Savvy Guest is Children's National Medical Center who has wonderful advice for talking to children about Swine Flu.

As the threat of swine flu gains more public attention and media coverage, it’s likely that children will hear something about it on television or at school. Here are some tips to help you minimize your child’s fears while providing tips that can help him or her stay healthy.

Savvy Guest: Catherine Manabat Says Age 7 is Definitely a Year to Remember!

by Leticia

May 01, 2009

Today's Savvy Guest is Catherine Manabat who is writing on behalf of the American Association of Orthodontists.  The American Association of Orthodontists is a resource for parents to learn more about orthodontic treatments and provides general tips on how to achieve healthy, beautiful smiles, get braces-friendly recipes, and find an orthodontist near you by using the Find an Orthodontist Locator service. Why should you choose an orthodontist? Orthodontists receive an additional two-to-three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.  Catherine is also a proud former “braceface” and smiles every day to prove it!

Every age is a special one for your child – and when it comes to caring for their smile, age seven is an especially important year to remember!

Some early signs of problems can be caught by you, the parent, but the more subtle ones can only be detected by an orthodontist. This is why the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child see an orthodontist for an orthodontic check-up no later than the age of seven. Orthodontists can determine problems with jaw growth and teeth while your child still has his/her “baby” teeth in place.

What are some signs parents can look out for that could indicate the need for an orthodontic exam?

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Speech difficulties
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked out teeth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds
• Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth
• Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

If you observe these problems in your child, regardless of age, you should consult an orthodontist. Parents often notice issues like crossbites, protrusions, underbites and spacing problems.

Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. They can catch less obvious “malocclusions” (ortho-speak for bite irregularities). They want to identify these kinds of problems in patients as early as possible so that appropriate care can begin as soon as the time is right for your child. 

For more information, please visit the AAO on the web and on Twitter.

Savvy Guests Share 5 Basic Boosts for Busy Parents From Two Spicy Moms

by Leticia

March 09, 2009

I know, I know, being a parent is tough.  We're so focused on taking care of our children that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves.  Nutrition-wise, we often take the quick and easy way out -- a cookie here, a bag of chips there, a cup of coffee for breakfast, half of our children's mac-n-cheese at dinnertime .  I'm as guilty as anyone.  But what's a busy parent to do?

Today's guest posters, Bonnie Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, serve up five great ways parents can maintain a healthy lifestyle even in the midst of all the childhood chaos.  As registered dieticians, they know the ins and outs of good nutrition.  Even more important, they are moms who understand that our busy, crazy schedules means we need quick, manageable solutions – and all the help we can get.

Kick Up Your Heels - Don't make exercise a daunting chore. Have a 20-minute dance party with the kids. Everyone gets to pick one song. Try out different rhythms or steps like hula, cha-cha, the twist or the oldie-but-goodie chicken dance.

Faster Fruits- Often, we are so focused on getting our children to eat healthy, we forget about ourselves (sound familiar?) And most of us need to at least double our daily dose of fruit. So, instead of trying to count that strawberry cheesecake as a serving, try:

• 1/2 cup applesauce - Add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
•  1 can of trim® Juice drink - New from Tree Top, one can counts as a 1/2 cup of fruit serving and comes in yum flavors like Mango Peach and Strawberry Kiwi)
•  1/4 cup dried fruit - Try tossed into cereal, over a salad or eaten on the go

Satiety is the new buzzword in healthy eating-it's that feeling of satisfaction after a meal or snack. It makes sense - if you are satisfied longer, you won't scarf down those extra calories you really don't need (like the remnants of junior's PB&J.) Fiber has great satiating power.  Shoot for getting more fiber by choosing cereals with five grams or more fiber per serving, tossing a can of beans into a pasta dish, having a small bowl of popcorn  or enjoying a single serve can of trim® which has three grams of fiber per serving.

Get Some Extra Zs - That's sounds dreamy but how do you get your head on the pillow when  you are multitasking long after the kids are in bed? Research shows that a good night sleep can reduce stress, improve your memory and even increase your success at weight loss. While experts recommend at least 8 hours a night, start by going to bed just 15 minutes early. Do that every night for a month - and see how you feel (and if you can up it another 15 minutes.) And yes, this is one of Deanna's New Year's resolutions.

Cover Your Bases - As dietitians, we recommend getting your vitamins and minerals from food first. But as moms, we know you can't have it all. Add a basic multivitamin to your morning routine just to be sure. But remember, it's called a supplement because it SUPPLEMENTS your diet (rather than replaces food) - and really, we're all about keeping as much tasty and healthy food in your diet as possible!)
 

99 Things To Do in DC

by Leticia

February 24, 2009

In no particular order, here’s a list of 99 things to do in the DC Metro Area with a child before they grow up:

1. Head out the night before and brave the elements to obtain coveted tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll
2. Witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial at their peak 
3. Go kayaking at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia since it is a great place to spot a bald eagle 
4. Step back in time and go on a canal boat ride in Great Falls or Georgetown 
5. After dinner and a bath, take your PJ-clad child on a tour of the Monuments at night
6. Appreciate the grandeur of the interior space of the National Building Museum then head to the Building Zone to satisfy your child’s inner Bob the Builder 
7. Play at Turtle Park and don’t miss Turtle Park Day  
8. Attend a performance at Glen Echo Puppet Theater 
9. Catch a show at Glen Echo Adventure Theater, DC’s longest running children’s theater 
10. Take a spin on the Glen Echo Carousel and witness the amazing Wurlitzer band organ 
11. Witness air acrobatics at Bealeton Airport Flying Circus 
12. Choose a local farm, bring your own containers, and an appetite to spend a couple hours berry picking
13. Introduce your child to the wonders of live performances at Wolf Trap Theater in the Woods 
14. Attend afternoon high tea at Strathmore Mansion 
15. Witness the power of water at Great Falls
16. Take a seat at the end of the runway at National Airport’s Gravelly Point and watch airplanes zoom overhead 
17. Explore all areas of the National Zoo, including the naked mole rats
18. Feed the koi at the National Arboretum
19. Ponder what George Washington used to think about while sitting on his back porch on Mount Vernon high above the Potomac River 
20. Ride the train and feed the trash pig (a trash can that talks when you throw garbage in it) at Cabin John Park 
21. Throw rocks in Rock Creek
22. Hike part of the Billy Goat Trail 
23. Spend time in the woods just exploring
24. Go camping at a local campground for the weekend
25. Bike the Monuments and the sights of The Mall
26. Go to Sky Meadows State Park for Astronomy Day or a Saturday Star Party
27. Let a butterfly land on you at the Wings of Fancy exhibit at Brookside Gardens 
28. Attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival to witness sheep shearing, partake in the fabulous lamb sold at the concession stands, and be dazzled by all the beautiful hand knit items for sale by vendors 
29. Experience the plethora of fried goods, carnival rides, and animals at a County fair
30. Have a hands on learning day at Port Discovery 
31. Go train crazy at the B&O Railroad Museum 
32. Go plane crazy at the College Park Aviation Museum 
33. Have a cultural experience at an Embassy
34. Ride a restored DC trolley car at the National Capital Trolley Museum 
35. Hunt for shark teeth at Calvert Cliffs State Park 
36. Hum The Star Spangled Banner while paying tribute to the inspiration for our National Anthem during a visit to Fort McHenry 
37. Step back in time to 1771 at Claude Moore Historical Farm 
38. Attend Claude Moore Historical Farm’s Market Fair offered three weekends a year 
39. Engage in hands on science at Discovery Creek Children’s Museum 
40. Enjoy more hands on science fun at the Maryland Science Center 
41. Stare in awe at the most amazing stained glass rosettes at the National Cathedral 
42. Stare in awe at sheets of uncut money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
43. Stare in awe as you take in the scenery from the top of the Washington Monument 
44. Explore every corner of the 2 acre Clemyjontri Park 
45. Procure tickets to an afternoon performance of Cirque du Soleil and witness acrobatics like you’ve never seen before 
46. Cruise the Potomac
47. Attend Art-o-Matic, the free art festival featuring paintings, sculpture, photography, music, theater, poetry, dance and workshops 
48. Visit Cunningham Falls
49. Attend the lighting of the National Christmas Tree
50. Visit the bonfire on the Ellipse during the holidays
51. Catch Vienna based kid rock band, Rocknoceros, in concert for music the whole family will enjoy
52. Join up with Stroller Strides for a great workout and fun scenery and songs for your kiddo
53. Attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
54. Marvel at Jim Henson’s creations, First Ladies gowns, and the ruby slippers at the Museum of American History
55. Give your child unrestricted access to the hose one hot humid summer afternoon
56. Go swimming at an indoor pool in the middle of winter
57. Cool off at an ice skating rink during the summer
58. Be a pirate for a day 
59. Visit Meadowlark Gardens 
60. Begin to culture a love of art with a visit to the National Portrait Gallery or National Gallery 
61. Catch a summer movie outside under the stars at the Strathmore Film Fest or Screen on the Green
62. Practice using chop sticks at dim sum 
63. Go fishing 
64. Root for the home team at an O’s or Nat’s game
65. Pretend to be a rocket scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 
66. Go apple picking
67. Take advantage of Free for All Fridays classes at the Roundhouse Theater 
68. See the sights in the snow
69. Visit rescued owls and experience the cave slide at Meadowside Nature Center
70. Enjoy the spectacle of a Chinese New Year’s parade
71. Root for the Ravens or the Redskins either live or on TV
72. Have a SmartTrip card and know how to swipe it to ride the Metro
73. Know which Metro station is closest to home
74. Marvel at the sculptures in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden
75. Seen the inspiration for the Star Spangled Banner at the Museum of American History
76. Witnessed the grandeur of the space shuttle at Udvar Hazy
77. Indulge in a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl
78. Visit all the monuments on the National Mall
79. Write a letter and mail it from the National Postal Museum
80. Visit Roosevelt Island 
81. Walk among the dinosaurs or visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
82. Visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
83. Have an ice cream themed birthday party and create your own flavor of ice cream at Moorenko’s
84. Go spelunking at Luray Caverns 
85. Rock out with your kids while sipping coffee at Jammin’ Java 
86. Go on a tour of the White House with tickets from your local Member of Congress
87. Visit an aquarium- either in Baltimore or the one right here in DC!
88. Cool off at Deep Creek Lake
89. Test furniture at IKEA until you get a craving for meatballs and lingonberry sauce
90. Visit a lighthouse
91. Practice espionage at the International Spy Museum
92. Go fly a kite at the Smithsonian Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds 
93. Gaze at the stars at the Rock Creek Planetarium 
94. Enjoy a free summer concert at Carter Barron Amphitheater 
95. Watch the tennis pros practice for free before competing in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic
96. Become one with nature at the Audobon Nature Fair 
97. Ogle at sailboats at the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in Annapolis
98. Walk in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure 
99. Watch 4th of July fireworks on the National Mall
100. Spend a whole day doing what your child wants to do!

Savvy Guest Supermodel Emme Discusses Educating to Prevent Weight Bias and Weight Discrimination

by Leticia

February 23, 2009

Several of our Being Savvy City Editors recently had the great pleasure of participating in an interview with Emme, the supermodel and nationally recognized body image and self esteem advocate.  Emme has twice been selected as People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful Women.

Emme is working with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity to educate our country about weight bias, weight discrimination and wants to share with you helpful ways to teach your children about the harmful effects of weight bias and how to support a child in your life who is the victim of such a horrible experience.

I am bringing you this interview as the week of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins.  Please take a moment after reading this post to visit the site! 

Savvy Source - What exactly is weight bias? Why is it such a growing problem in the US?

Emme - The issue with childhood obesity is that it has doubled in the past 20 years.  30% of adults are obese.  1 in 5 children are overweight.  The obesity rate in teenagers has tripled in the last 20 years.  If you read the studies that are being done you realize that children who are obese have the same type of feeling as a child going through cancer treatments.

They get mobbed, they get verbally assaulted by their parents, other friends, coaches, teachers.  To think that these kids are walking around, having to deal with this? It is vitally important that government take it past just talking about.  Nothing is really being done behind the scenes.

Savvy Source - Yale University's Rudd Center has recently produced two videos.  What do you hope the videos will accomplish in the fight against weight bias?

Emme - To increase public awareness of its consequences.  One video is geared towards teachers/parents and one is geared towards the medical community.  Surprisingly enough, there is quite a weight discrimination between doctor and patient!

The other goal is to try and change the negative attitudes about obese individuals and replace it with tolerance and respect.  It's awfully hard in this culture right now when there is such loathing and fear around food.  It's hard to ask any of us overnight, to just be nice and be kind. There needs to be so much more education and exposure, so many more conversations and so much more knowledge.

Savvy Source - How can we help reduce weight bias at home and at school?

Emme - Exactly what we're doing right now.  We're talking to ... (to read the rest of the interview, please Naomi over at Being Savvy Cleveland).

Savvy Guest: Potty Training Power Authors Sean and Cindy Platt

by Leticia

January 29, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. That job we get as parents to get out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pullups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming? Here to help are Sean and Cindy Platt , the authors of Potty Training  Read more...

Tuesday List: 100 Things to Do Before Kindergarten

by Leticia

January 27, 2009

As a mom of a child who will be a kindergartner this fall, the thought of kindergarten readiness can be daunting. As a former first grade teacher, I often think of the skills that my students entered my classroom with having learned or not learned in kindergarten. It is true that kindergarten is becoming increasingly academic but the chances are if you read to your child, talk to them about the  Read more...

5 Things That Matter to Preschoolers

by Leticia

January 06, 2009

In just 3 more days, my preschooler will turn 5. While it has been amazing to watch her grow and change over the past few years, her turning 5 is monumental. Sheâ??s no longer the toddler that her brother is or the child she was when she first entered preschool. Sheâ??s a big girl who knows the ropes, can call the shots, but sometimes hangs back and still needs Mom and Dad to comfort her.  Read more...

Best Ice Cream Birthday Party Venues

by Leticia

June 03, 2008

As spring turns to summer, two things are on our mind- upcoming birthdays in July and beating the heat with our favorite treat- ice cream! This year we will be combining the two for an ice cream party! Here's a list of local places where you can go if you aren't feeling ambitious enough to about hosting your own ice cream party in your yard. Moorenko's not only has fabulous ice cream flavors  Read more...

Introducing Leticia...aka Savvy Source DC!

by Leticia

May 12, 2008

Hello DC Metro Area readers! Welcome to Savvy Source DC. I'm Leticia and I am Savvy Source DC! I know you are probably asking Who are you and how did you get this blogging gig So let me introduce myself. As a native of California's Silicon Valley, I never had any inkling that I would end up in the DC Metro Area but now love everything about living here except Beltway traffic and the humid  Read more...