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

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Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

June 03, 2009

I keep swearing that I am sticking to one activity per kid for the summer and spending the rest of our time playing at the pool and visiting new places and attending all the kid-friendly events that happen around here in the summer. But then I keep finding out about new activities that my kids would love, so I'm having a hard time sticking to it. In case you are still in the market for some ways to pass the weeks until school starts back up, here are some of the things tempting me:

Yoga! Soccer! Ballet! Arts and Crafts! Swimming! Nature hikes! Gymnastics! Once a week classes or weeks-long camps! And cheap! Oh, Parks and Recreation, where have you been all my life? Check out your local county, city or town rec center and see what they are offering for the summer. My almost-four-year-old could keep herself very bus bouncing from camp to class to activity at the local community center. We've done several programs there in the past year and they have beenalmost without exception fantatic.
Most of the indoor playground places (Gymboree, Little Gym, My Gym, JW Tumbles, etc.) offer summer camps for preschool-age and up. I've been considering Little Gym, where you can do morning or afternoon sessions and can buy anywhere from one day of camp to the entire summer.

No, wait, I have to stop looking or else I'm going to sign the kids up for something every day of the week. What are your kids doing this summer? Read more...

Weekend Update

by Beth Hoffman

May 28, 2009

Ah, Spring has sprung and the mosquitoes have not. I think that makes this the perfect weekend to get outside. Check out the following local events:

Friday Night Live! Summer Concert Series - Every Friday until August 28th from 6:30 to 10:00 at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn Street). This Friday features Black Sheep and next week is Burnt Sienna. Food and drinks are for sale during the shows.

How Plants Work, A Guide to Being Green - This ongoing exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden. It is hands-on and targeted for kids, but I think the moms and dads will enjoy it as well.

Walking Town DC - This Saturday and Sunday, Cultural Tourism DC is sponsoring 120 free walking tours around the city. Check out their website for full details and the schedule.

Night at Mount Vernon - May 29-31 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Watch the sunset from the lantern lit grounds and interact with historical re-enactors. Tickets are required, see the website for more information.

Artomatic 2009 - The 10th anniversary of this event opens May 29th and last until July 5 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) at 55 M St. SE. This month-long art festival is free to the public. Read more...

Merrifield Garden Center

by Beth Hoffman

May 23, 2009

Ah, Spring, when a young suburbanite's fancy turns to thoughts of mulch. Do you constantly smell like mulch these days, even three showers past your last stint in the garden, or is that just me? Last weekend, to get a break from the weeding and the mulching, we went to the garden center to buy some new plants for all those bare spots that were formerly covered by weeds. We had a two-year-old gift certificate to Merrifield Garden Center, so we decided to head over there and put it to use. We went to the new place near Fair Oaks, not the original in Merrifield. And wow, this place blows my regular nursery out of the water.

We had both kids with us, of course, and they had a blast. The toddler was in the backpack, saying hello to all of our fellow patrions, and straining for handfuls of any plant I got him too close to. The preschooler ran all over the place admiring the plants, debating the best azalea colors, helping me pick tomatoes based entirely on their pictures and/or funny names, and getting an impromptu education on the difference between annuals and perennials, evergreen and deciduous, indoor and outdoor plants, and why in the heck we needed all that mulch anyway.

I never thought a trip to the nursery with the kids would be anything but a hassle, but it was actually a lot of fun to go through all the plants with the kids, and Merrifield was a great place to do it. It's huge, well organized, well stocked, and has plenty of wagons to dump the kids in when they get tired of tearing up and down the rows of rhododendrons. So brush up on your plant identification skills, or just keep a sharp eye out for the tags, and take the kids to the garden center for a free field trip and ecology or biology lesson.
Read more...

Savvy Guest: Amy Peck Demystifies Getting Started With Organics

by Leticia

April 24, 2009

Today's Savvy Guest post comes courtesy of Being Savvy Denver and Amy Peck. Amy is The Denver Examiner's organic gardening columnist and is here to share how to get started with organics in honor of Earth Week.

Getting Started With Organics
by Amy Peck

Talking about organics can sometimes stir up as much controversy in a conversation as bringing up religion or politics. It's a topic with fervent followers and stoic skeptics, and after my children were born, I started leaning more toward the fervent follower side of things. Over the past few years my interest in organics has grown to the point where not only do I try to feed my family organics as much as possible, but I've started a business delivering organic fruits and vegetables to people's homes and offices, plus I write a regular organic gardening column for the Denver Examiner.

The decision of "going organic" is understandably not an easy one to make. There are so many choices about organics out there that it can seem overwhelming. And what does it mean to be organic anyway? The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

"Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards."

What Does That Mean For Us?
Does the benefit to the animals, plants and their caretakers translate to the consumer and our children in some sort of measurable context other than making a bigger dent in our wallets? In the April 2008 issue of Organic Gardening magazine a study from the University of Newcastle on Tyne was reported to have found that, "Organic fruits and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants than non-organic produce." Project coordinator Carol Leifert told the BBC News that the ongoing study found that, "there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods, or improved amounts of the fatty acids you want and less of those you don't."

In the organic vs. conventional buying decision then there is always the "list" that people talk about when choosing which produce to buy. According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research group, the top ten foods that retain the most pesticides are strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, Mexican cantaloupe, celery, apples, apricots, and green beans. While a good starting point for sure when talking about the best organics to buy based on our own consumption, I like to think of the bigger picture. For me it's important to teach my children how buying organics is not only good for us, but for the farmers that grew our food and the environment.

Buying organic has broadened for our family. In addition to the organic certification, we consider the small farmers who practice organics but don't have the capital to get the certification necessary to label their food as such. We consider where our food is grown and like to make choices that are as local to where we live as possible. I consider this thinking "beyond organic."

Getting Started
When people ask me about organics or how to get started, I recommend starting wherever they can. In Denver, shopping for your produce at Vitamin Cottage, which carries only organic produce, is a good place to start in the winter months. Visiting farmers' markets in the spring through fall months gives you the opportunity to meet the farmers themselves. Not all farmers' markets participants are organic growers so be sure to ask if it's not clearly posted. Growing our own organic food is by far the least expensive way to bring organics into our homes, and a highly rewarding experience that the whole family can take part in. I don't think there are any hard and fast answers to this question.

The Bottom Line
As with anything that is good for us and the environment, making any organic choice, however small, will make an impact. We need look no further than our own children to know how small successes lead to big milestones. Perhaps someday, our children won't have to make this decision, because all of their options will be safe for them and the environment.

Tuesday List: Family Friendly Ways to Enjoy Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

by Leticia

April 14, 2009

Living in DC, we are exposed to plenty of history and museums so you might wonder why you would want to venture beyond the Metro Area to explore other presidential digs. Being in close proximity to Mount Vernon and the White House creates presidential intrigue so head south on a road trip to Charlottesville to visit Monticello.

Last weekend we took our two children, ages 5 and 2 1/2 years, to visit Thomas Jefferson's estate and it proved to be a wonderful place for young children. There are lots of things you can do before you go to give your children some background knowledge about the kinds of things they will see and do. During your visit there are numerous ways that your children can learn about Thomas Jefferson in an age appropriate way.

Here are some ways that you can enjoy Monticello and make the most of your time there.

Before you go:

Download Exploring Monticello: A Guide for Young Learners and share it with your children. This booklet is more like a picture book that designed to teach interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson, the gadgets and gizmos he invented and enjoyed using, the kinds of music and games played at Monticello, the grounds, and architecture. The booklet makes it easy for young children to understand and early elementary age kids to read independently. Reading it prior to your trip will allow your children to have a better understanding of what they will see when they get there.
Take a virtual tour using the Monticello Explorer that allows your to walk through 3-D models of the interior of the home, read about what is inside each room, view animated features, and use an interactive map of the plantation.
Check out the calendar for Events for Kids which list the dates of the Plantation Community Weekends where the sights and sounds of the early 19th century come to life on Mulberry Row, the plantation “street” along which Monticello slaves lived and labored. Costumed artisans interpret the trades and domestic skills practiced by Jefferson's enslaved and free workers.

During your visit:

Take a Family Friendly Tour- From June to September, Monticello offers Family Friendly tours that are included in the price of admission. These special 30 minute tours feature hands-on opportunities in each room and provide a glimpse of what live was like at Monticello for the children that lived there in the late 1700s and early 1800s. If you happen to visit when the Family Friendly Tours aren’t being offered, our 2 ½ year old and 5 year old enjoyed the regular tour which is also 30 minutes in length.
Visit the Griffin Discovery Room- This new hands on learning center is specially designed for children to interact with American history, Thomas Jefferson, those who lived and worked at Monticello, and experience life as a child during the early 1800s. The Discovery Room features many elements that are reproduced from Jefferson’s Monticello home like the alcove bed and thee nail-making shop and a slave dwelling on the plantation. Children can engage in numerous activities including trying on clothes, practicing weaving, rubbing a replica of Jefferson’s tombstone, relaxing with a story about Thomas Jefferson or another American president, using a cipher wheel, or cooking a meal over a pretend fire. Some of our favorite features of the Griffin Discovery Room included the polygraph machine that allowed us to see how Jefferson was able to make a copy of everything he wrote and the collection of wooden blocks where our 5 year old practiced classical architecture.
Play I Spy inside the house by searching for items of a certain theme. Look for famous portraits hanging on Thomas Jefferson’s walls, artifacts that indicate an interest in time, or items that are from animals.
Visit the Mountaintop Hands-On Activity Center. Open from early June to September, the Activity Center allows children to write with a quill pen, play 18th century games, and engage in other family-oriented hands-on activities which is included in the price of admission.
Roam the gardens and look for familiar flowers and herbs by rubbing the leaves between your fingers.

For more tips on visiting Monticello, visit their page of Insiders’ Tips.

For tips on visiting Charlottesville with your family, read my Being Savvy Washington DC post called Weekend Getaway: Charlottesville, Virginia for the inside scoop on family friendly things to see and do and our favorite places to grab a bite to eat.

Hearty flowers for little hands

by Leticia

March 16, 2009

With the warm spells that we have had so far this month, we are eagerly watching the buds form on the trees, the yellow blooms of the forsythia in our yard grow bigger each day, and the tips of our tulip plants emerge from under the grass.

Last year we really got into gardening and this year I’m determined to get an earlier start on our planting. Whether you have a yard of your own or want to start a container garden to brighten up your indoor space, planting is a fun and easy science activity that is quite rewarding for young children.

But where to start? Sometimes the selection at garden centers can be completely overwhelming. Last year my kids wanted one of each seed packet on the racks before them. The pretty blossoms and colors sent them into a spring planting tizzy and it was hard to restrict them to just a few kinds. Based on our planting and growing experience from last year, I suggest the following seeds for your budding botanist which are not only easy to grow but are sturdy enough for your child cut with child scissors without destroying the blooms:

Cosmos- I remember my mom planting Cosmos in our yard each spring. I loved picking the pink, purple, and white ones for bouquets for our kitchen table. Cosmos are great flowers for any yard because they tolerate poor soil, heat, and drought well.

Nasturtiums- These blooms are generally yellow, red, and orange. While some say you need to soak the seeds in order to have them germinate faster, we found that just planting them and keeping the soil moist was enough to make the seeds sprout. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible and commonly used to adorn fancy salads but you may not want to tell your child this for fear that they will start to sample other non-edible garden plants.

Zinnias- Zinnias come in all colors and are quite hearty flowers that are also deer resistant. My children loved seeing the beautiful yellow, white, red, bright and pale pink, purple blooms throughout the summer. We picked them all summer long and had constant containers of them on our kitchen table. They bloomed constantly despite regular harvesting and we even had Zinnias blooming into early fall even when it started to get cold.

Marigolds- These short blooms are usually full like pom poms. They can be solid yellow, orange, or white or variegated with multiple colors on a single bloom. Marigolds are perfect for kids because they bloom prolifically all summer long and there’s not much that can be done to harm them. Their stems are perfect for a child to cut and when the flower dies, you can collect the seeds in a jar to save them for next year’s planting season.

Coneflowers- We always admire our neighbor’s coneflowers. These large flowers usually have purple petals and a beehive shaped center that rises up from the flower. They are a perfect addition to your garden if you want to try to attract butterflies to your yard.

Black Eyed Susans- If you have a lot of room and are looking for a flower that will fill the space you give it, plant some Black Eyed Susans. This Maryland state flower has 13 yellow petals with a black center. They can become bushy as they plants mature but the blooms flower all summer long, making for a gorgeous backdrop in your yard.

Sunflowers- There are many variety and colors of sunflowers besides the dinner plate size blooms that tower over children. Check the back of the seed packet to find ones that grow only a foot or two high and intersperse them with a packet of the super tall ones. Since the stems of some sunflower varieties can be quite thick, have your child wrap their hands around yours as you use garden shears instead.

Now that you know the heartiest flowers for little hands, head to the garden center to get some peat pots and soil to start your seeds inside. If you end up with too many seed packets like we did, have a planting party and invite some friends over to begin getting them excited about spring too.

Happy planting!

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:

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

Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

by Beth Hoffman

December 28, 2008

If you are looking to add a touch of Spring to these cold Winter months, you need look no further than the Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (10th and Constitution, NW, Smithsonian Station in the Blue and Orange Lines). Start with a stroll through the Partners in Evolution Exhibition which explored the connections between butterflies and Read more...

Tuesday List: Local Light Up Traditions

by Leticia

December 02, 2008

December has arrived and nothing says holidays like lights. Lots and lots of lights. If your neighbors are just starting to deck their halls, roofs, and yards with decorations and your family is in need of a light fix, here are some great places where you can go to see beautiful light displays beginning now. Festival of Lights at the Washington Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Read more...

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

by Beth Hoffman

October 23, 2008

Have a budding (har-har) botanist in your family? Now is the perfect time for a trip to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna for a lesson in how the changing seasons affect the gardens. The 95-acre space boasts a nice visitor center, ornamental gardens, native plants and wildflowers, a wooded trail, a large lake, and lots of kid-focused displays and play Read more...

Wings of Fancy at Brookside Gardens

by Leticia

September 15, 2008

If you haven't already been, now is the time to go! The live butterflies that are part of Wings of Fancy at Brookside Gardens leave in just over a week when the exhibit closes on September 21. With school back in session and most people having already seen the butterflies, the exhibit is much less crowded than in earlier months. Wings of Fancy makes Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar come Read more...

August Posts to Help You Plan Your September and Beyond

by Leticia

August 29, 2008

With the month ending on Sunday and older siblings are heading back to school, I thought I'd provide a list of my favorite activities that can easily carry into September: Brookside Gardens is a place to visit each season. Changing leaves and glorious fall colors makes this a wonderful cooler weather destination. As winter approaches, head over for Garden of Lights, a beautiful light display Read more...

Room to Run: Brookside Gardens

by Leticia

August 25, 2008

We just went to Brookside Gardens and as much as I love going there, each time we go, I'm reminded how wonderful it is. Located in Wheaton, Maryland, Brookside Gardens is 50 acres of free tranquility and beauty that can wear your child out! One of my favorite features is the Japanese Tea House . Accessible by a stone path or a wooden footbridge, the Japanese Tea House is a place to enjoy some Read more...

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: Northern Virginia's Hidden Jewel

by Leticia

June 30, 2008

Guest writer Linda Kerr lives in Fairfax County with her two kids. She and her clan venture out to find fun and excitement close to home that doesn't break the bank. Linda is currently writing a book on having kids less than two years apart (aka Baby Bunching). She can also be found writing at Monkey Business and for DC Metro Moms . With school out for summer, it's tricky to find fun things Read more...

Seizing Unplanned Days for Teachable Moments

by Leticia

June 26, 2008

As the city editor of Being Savvy Washington DC, it is way too easy for me to get caught up in all the things there are to do in the area. As much as I want to do it all, sometimes the best days are the ones where there is no plan and nothing on our daily agenda. Days that lack scheduled playdates, errands to run, and appointments are rare and appreciated treat and the most likely time that the Read more...

50 Things To Do in the DC Metro Area With a Child Before They Grow Up

by Leticia

May 29, 2008

In no particular order, here's a list of 50 things to do in the DC Metro Area with a child before they grow up: Head out the night before and brave the elements for your tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll just to say you've done it Witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial at their peak Go kayaking at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia since it is a great place Read more...

Top 5 Things to Do in the DC Area on a Rainy Day

by Leticia

May 27, 2008

Top 5 Things to Do in the DC Area on a Rainy Day Sometimes rainy days make me want to curl up on the couch underneath a blanket with my two children cuddled close with a stack of books for a reading marathon. Other times we feel like we've been stuck in the house for days and need to escape. National Building Museum's Building Zone - - My children love anything construction related so we hop Read more...

Cultivating a Green Thumb

by Leticia

May 26, 2008

We're at the time in the year where the seasons are wavering between spring and summer. A series of rains have made the grass lush and green while the temperatures are warming and hinting that summer is on the way. I'm not a fan of the mosquitos and the Californian in me absolutely despises our humid summers so I'm trying to take advantage of being outside before summer truly arrives. We've been Read more...

Cultivate Your Child's Green Thumb with a Planting Party

by Leticia

May 14, 2008

There came a point during winter when I was just ready for spring. I was tired of the barren landscape of my backyard, the extra time it took to dress my children for the great outdoors, and my winter wardrobe. I decided to turn my nose up at old man winter and jump start our spring with a planting party. My Type A obsessive compulsive self realized this meant my children would have Read more...