Bull Run Mountain Nature Conservancy Camps 2012

Bull Run Mountain Conservancy in Broad Run, VA, will be hosting several camps this summer for children of all ages.  Preschool Camp, Elementary Aged Herpetology Camp, and Middle/High School Watershed Workshop Camp for Teens.

Supernovamommy- If you're reading this- this is a Skink.  Taken from BRMConservancy.org

Herpetology Camp
Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. BRMC invites your child to spend TWO days hiking and handling, searching and observing salamanders, frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles on the Bull Run Mtn Natural Area Preserve. Marty Martin, the premier mid-Atlantic herpetologist will be joining both camps to discuss and find every snake possible
Ages 7-12
June 21/22, OR June 25/26, OR
9am-4pm
Pre-registration required.
Members: $100/ Non-members: $150

Summer Nature Camp


BRMC invites your child to spend a nature-filled week interacting with the natural world. Each day we will focus on different plants and animals in the Bull Run Mountains. Campers will add to their understanding of natural systems through hikes, stream walks, games, and eco-dramas.
Ages 7-12.
Week of July 23rd, OR Week of July 30th
9am-4pm
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $250/ Non-members: $300.




Chesapeake Watershed Workshop
BRMC will offer an educational workshop for youth ages 13-18 focused on the conservation of the rivers and streams that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. The four-day workshop will begin with an overview of stream ecology and natural history. We will then spend Day 2 exploring the headwater streams in the Bull Run Mountains. Day 3 will be spent downstream in the Little Bull Run, and Day 4 will be spent in Turkey Run National Park along the banks of the Potomac River. At each location students will perform stream monitoring, vegetation analyses, and stream habitat and riparian buffer evaluations.
AGES 13-18
4 Days Week August 6th
9am-4pm
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $200/ Non-members: $250.

Preschool Nature Camp

At this week-long camp, young children will be exposed to the outdoors and wildlife. They will explore the life on the Bull Run Mountains through a series of discovery hikes, nature crafts, and games. 
Ages 4—6.
August 13th
10am-11am
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $125/ Non-members: $175.




Bull Run Mountains Conservancy 17405 Beverley Mills Dr. Broad Run, VA 20137


To view our Full Summer Camp 2012 Guide, click here. 

June 1-2 2012 Leesylvania Activities

Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, Virginia has some outstanding kid-friendly programs coming up this weekend!! Whether your child loves dinosaur activities or your teen needs some volunteer service hours, these additions to our calendar can help meet your family's boredom-buster needs! 

Dino Days

Date:	06/01/2012
Time:	11:00 a.m.   To  4:00 p.m.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	Walk in the footsteps of the dinosaurs! Come to the Visitor Center to excavate fossils, try to out run a T-Rex, and design your own dinosaur. Fee is $2/person, $6/family

National Trails Day

Date:	06/02/2012
Time:	2 Sessions:  Noon and 3 p.m.
Location:	Pay at Visitor Center before and meet at Powells Creek Trail Head.
Description:	GPS: Tracking Trees Join the hunt and discover the amazing variety of trees that make up "the woods" at Leesylvania. Use GPS technology to uncover caches hidden along Powell's Creek Trail (approximately 1.3 miles) and learn the signs that will lead you to find and identify the different species of trees that make up the back bone of our cosystem. Don't forget to bring water and wear close-toed shoes.   Program cost is $3 per person, $8 per family, or $25 for a large group.

Kids Fishing Tournament

Date:	06/02/2012
Time:	9:00 a.m.   To  11:00 a.m.
Location:	Marina in lot #1
Description:	Join our kids fishing tournament and see what you can catch. There is some fishing equipment that participants can borrow, but we encourage folks to bring their own. There are several volunteers on hand to give participants help. Sponsored by the Friends of Leesylvania State Park .

Clean the Bay Day Shoreline Cleanup

Date:	06/02/2012
Time:	11:00 a.m.   To  2:00 p.m.
Location:	Visitor Center
Description:	We are going to be taking a day to remember how important keeping our environment is by cleaning up the shoreline. Show your love of nature and a clean environment by joining our clean  up crew.  Call the park to volunteer or for more information on this event.

Lee's Woods Historic Hike

Date:	06/03/2012
Time:	2 sessions - 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Location:	Lee's Woods Trailhead
Description:	Take a walk through the woods with a ranger and get to know the unique history of the land now known as Leesylvania State Park . You will see historic sites from the 1700's and the 1800's along this 2 mile trail.

Free Concerts "On The Plaza"

Throughout the summer, there are several FREE community concerts at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza, located at One County Complex in Woodbridge, Virginia.  If you've ever been to a Potomac Nationals Game, this venue is located to the left, where you would turn right for P-Nats Parking. 

U.S. Navy Cruisers

Saturday, June 16

7 p.m.

Prince William and Oak Grove Community Bands Combined Concert

Thursday, June 21

7 p.m.

257th Army Band

The Band of the Nations Capitol

Monday, July 2

7 p.m.

U.S. Navy Country Current

Saturday, Aug. 25

7 p.m.

Prince William Community Band Festival

Saturday, Sept. 15

2 - 6 p.m.

  

All Plaza events are free to the public.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the show!

Upcoming Special Roller Skating

Skate N Fun Zone in Manassas Virginia offers both roller skating and indoor entertainment including laser tag.  Here are a few of their upcoming special events!

On Tuesday, May 29 (that's today!) admission is only .99 cents, and skate rental is $4.25.  On Wednesday, June 20th, they'll be having the characters of Madagascar available to skate with, and on Wednesday, July 11th, they'll be doing $6.50 admission that covers 5 hours of playtime.  Don't forget that Skate N Fun Zone participates in the Kids Skate Free Program, too! 

FUPCDC Presents Godspell Junior

On Saturday, June 2, 2012 First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City (FUPCDC) will present Godspell Junior, a condensed version of the Broadway musical originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak with music and lyrics by Stephen Swartz. Godspell Junior is an exuberant, fun-loving, knee-slapping musical about the gospel of Matthew modernized for today's audience. The FUPCDC cast members range from 8 to 18 years old, and at a running time of only one hour it is great musical for all ages, but perfect for families introducing younger children to the theater.

The play will only be performed on Saturday, June 2. There is a matinee at 2:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door with general seating, so get there early to get a good one!

Adults 13 & up are $10
Students ages 5-12 are $5,
Children 5 and under are free.

Early Bird Discounts at Kids in Motion

Kids in Motion Infatable Party Place in Woodbridge and Fredericksburg, has a summer camp special.  Sign up for just $15 per day when you register by June 5th.  I haven't tried their camps before, but it sounds like a good way to break up the summer days!

Save $5 per camp session sign up by June 5th!

Early Bird Sign Up Special $15 per day per child -We will stretch, exercise, play games & lots of jumping
Lots of fun. Must bring a drink and LUNCH.

This is a Peanut-Free Facility. So please do not bring in any lunch foods containing peanuts.Ages 2 1/2 - 12 Monday through Friday 9:30 - 12:30

$15 per day if sign up by June 5, 2012 then price goes up to $20 per session.Begins June18, 2012- August 31, 2011Must have a reservation at least the day before to be sure we have enough staff
you can call the day of but we may be full!

Your deposit is 50% of the cost and is transferable but non-refundable. Registrations for
our mini camps will be accepted by phone, mail or in-person. Balance due first day of your
camp week. Payment can be made by Cash or Credit Card.

703-878-0100

3310 Noble Pond Way #101, Woodbridge, Va 22192

Requirements: A signed waiverform and a medical emergencyform.See website for forms.

Where do MamaMafia Dons Dine?

Where do MamaMafia Dons Dine?

It sounds like there should be a punchline to that question- but the answer is anything but a joke.

This week I was able to spend some time (okay, almost 5 hours) at Carmello's in Old Town Manassas.  Y'all recommended Carmello's on our Reader Recommendation Restaurant Guide, and I've been wanting to try it ever since!  Andrea from Real Housewives of Northern Virginia set up a tasting, and from the moment we walked in, I was completely sold.  

Walking into Carmello's you'd never know that you're feet away from the Train Depot. Its warm colors and gold chargers invite you in, and even the sign glistens.  This would be the perfect location for a wedding or rehearsal dinner meal, and they are able to offer multiple room sizes to meet group needs.  Joining our dinner were Denise from Let Mommy Sleep/Mission Sleep, Rebecca from 3 Tiny Tyrants/Maguire Media Group, Laura from BeltwayBargainMom, and Micaela from SuperNovaMommy.  

Denise, Me, Micaela, the awesome manager Jacob, Rebeca, Laura, and Andrea

Rebecca selected a bottle from their extensive wine list for us.  There was what can only be described as the Cheesecake Factory Menu worth of wine on their list, but she picked out a fantastic red.  Twice :) (Please note- all photo credit is to Real Housewives of Northern Virginia who shared with me since I forgot to charge my phone before dinner) 

We were able to tour the restaurant.  This is the wine room.  Just for the reds.  

We had so much fun chatting with the manager, Jacob.  He selected a few dishes for us and I quickly shocked everyone since I love to cook and will try just about anything because I had never eaten ANYTHING that we had. I decided to try to handle it cultural-exchange style and just eat it :) It was all amazing, and I think I'm in love with scallops.  (Yeah, say that you've never had a scallop before at this table of women and you get 5 horrified gasps followed by two "Well you can pass them over here if you're not gonna try them!")

Okay, cell phones don't do food justice (sorry Andrea). This is shrimp and scallops over saffron rice with artichokes in a delicious creamy sauce.  I had never had a scallop before (gasp!) and am very selective about my shrimp, and since I'm not a seafood lover, let me say I loved all the seafood dishes here.  Everything was fresh and not the least bit "fishy".  Next we had veal medallions wrapped in bacon with a mushroom sauce, also over rice.





 I had (shocker) never had veal.  Also, let me confess to typically eating my meat "Well done, please, and then cook it a little more".  I didn't lick the plate....but I thought about it. This literally melted in your mouth.








Next we sampled the seafood ravioli, which had salmon (never had) and lobster cream sauce (never had lobster, either).  The salmon was probably the most out of my comfort zone, but the lobster cream sauce and I are now BFF's and I'm following it on twitter.





Now, all of this is very fancy and amazing, but it's of course special occasion/date night food.  And, when you have your next special occasion, this is where you should go.  Besides the food being amazing and the manager being friendly and knowledgable, the staff was attentive and I didn't see a single table that wanted for anything from water to clean forks.

But if you just need a little cocktail hour, Carmello's has you covered, too.  This delicious Pizza Margharita (yeah, I'd actually had this before!) Is actually from the adjoining bar, Monza.  If you're looking for a place for lunch, a light supper, or drinks with the girls, Monza has got to be it.  In addition, let me share something with you:

On Mondays, Monza has $5 martinis from a list about a mile long.  We sampled the pear, root beer float, grapefruit, a few I can't remember, and the awesome bar tender Jeff's espresso martini, which, if it were available at Starbucks, would land me in AA.  Meeting up with a few friends after work (even if work involves chasing toddlers!) at Monza would be epic. With the same warm and upscale feel, but substantially more flatscreen TVs (playing the hockey game!!) Monza is a great guy-friend or girl-friend meet up.

Also, now that summer is approaching, keep in mind that on Friday and Saturday nights, the patio is open and the side street shut down to accommodate live music.  What a great way to spend a warm summer night!

Carmello's- Entrees $23-30, elegant warm atmosphere. Going to the Hylton Performing Arts Center? Call ahead and bring your tickets and take advantage of their $35 Theatre Special before 6pm (Appetizer/Soup/Salad, Entree, Dessert).  Plan Carmello's for your next occasion and you definitely won't regret it!

Monza- $5-$17, fun upscale atmosphere, great for meeting friends! Don't forget the $5 martini Mondays, and that pasta is $4 off before 4pm, so a late lunch is an option!

Denise, Rebecca and me.  We like to segregate our Blondes and Brunettes when we dine out ;)

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My group was provided with products or services for this review, however it represents my honest opinion, and I'd have written the same thing either way.  Just saying :)

Giveaway: Again Bags

My dear friend Gaby is a crunchy tree hugging mama goddess.  I both love that and hate that about her.  Mostly love, except when she's using a much more extended version of the 10 second rule than I'm comfortable with.  Gaby cloth diapers, recycles everything, and even though she's military, she moves her big industrial composter across the country with her family.

Me, not so much.  I want to be green, but like the man said...

Picture from Issaquah Environmental Council

Can I get a witness?

Anyway, getting my kids to all convert to using one reusable water bottle a day was a huge step for me, and really, I only did it because I hate dishes, and I found really cute Sigg bottles with awesome designs. 

This brings me to my point.  I want to be eco-friendly, but honestly, I'm mostly motivated by things being easy and cute.  Enter: Again Bags.

 When we got ours in the mail, I was super excited.  These great reusable baggies meet all of my requirements to actually make me a little more eco-friendly.  I'm not ditching my car for a Prius yet or anything, but this is a step that anyone can take.  Again Bags are laminated fabric with extra-wide velcro that keeps your food from escaping, and, let's be honest, we're not looking to lose our Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies.  (Fine, they're Goldfish, don't judge me...I told you this is a process for me!) My daughter absolutely adored the patterns that arrived in the mail, and was really eager to take her snack-sized version of the apple print above to preschool.

Now, you may be thinking "Right, but eco-friendly is only good if it's not gross for my food".  Absolutely true- but you can toss your again bags RIGHT IN THE DISHWASHER! I was dubious about that, but ours came out just fine!  PWC Grandma came over and snagged one of the samples and also enjoyed it, but came up with our sole complaint which was that at between $6 and $9 a bag, you're probably going to have to build your collection of Again Bags over time.

Need a little less fru-fru and a little more man-card? They also have 2-ply versions in solid colors, which my boys think are really cool.  Since we homeschool, I don't pack their lunches every day, but I do once a week for our co-op and we are also avid hikers, and these hold up really well when tossed in a backpack.  They can even withstand being next to a sharpened pencil, which plastic versions (and I say this from experience) cannot.  

I definitely think these nifty bags are worth the investment!  The kids love using them, they're cute and easy to clean, and we're enjoying ours immensely.

Want to win your own?  Leave a comment on this post between now and May 27th, and I'll pick a winner from the posts at midnight.  Want an extra entry? Like Again Bags on Facebook and leave a comment that you did.  Please note that, as always, your entry is the comment you leave stating your completed the task and not the like itself.  This contest is now closed.  Congrats to Megan K.

__________________________________________________________________

Again Bags provided PwcMoms.com with 7 various sizes and prints of bags to try, in addition to providing a set for the contest winner.  Again Bags is furnishing the prize and the winner assumes all liability.  Facebook is in no way involved with this contest.  PwcMoms is not responsible for you feeling an urge to get a snack bag in every print available.  While PwcMoms was provided with sample product, all opinions expressed in this piece are my own, and represent my honest opinion of the product provided. 

Review: Rapunzel

When I went to my first show, "Miss Electricity" at the Workhouse Arts Center's Studio 3, I thought they did a good job.  The show was cute, my kids had fun, they did a good job.


Then they did "Home".  I didn't get to see it, but those of you that went with your preschoolers raved to me about the creative tale of two kids and a box. 

 When I went to "Rapunzel" on final dress rehearsal two weeks ago, I was floored.  What was already good has improved so much.  The company is utilizing every inch of space in their intimate performance area, the lights and sounds are spot-on, I am truly impressed by how far they've come from "good" in such a short time!  (Especially since they produce these show back to back on a few week flip schedule!)


Here's the deal with Rapunzel.  The show is truly about what's right, what's wrong, and what you'd sacrifice to get what you want temporarily.  Helicopter moms, it's also talking to you ;) 


While all the characters were well-portrayed, I did have a few favorites. 


The witch, played by Kindra Cook, was by far my favorite Studio 3 character to date.  Obviously skilled with children (her own child was at the dress rehearsal), she is able to take a baby-snatching, spell-slinging witch and make her, perhaps not entirely lovable, but understandable.  I could relate to the witch! I don't want my babies out in the world getting hurt or running off with some prince, either!  (Okay, fine, and my children would probably tell you that when they cross me bad things happen, too!) 

Credit: Melanie Beys

If there was another show stopper, I would say it was  Anna Jackson and Chris Galindo, who played the two headed monster.  My children came home and duct-taped their dragon costumes together to play their character, which provided comic relief, as well as being an unlikely aid to Rapunzel as she tried to escape.  I hope to see both of these actors again at the Workhouse!!


Rapunzel, played by Ashley San, is loveable and does a sweet performance as the bubbly and naive princess, although my daughter, having seen the magical hair in Tangled, was unimpressed with her very curly VERY large wig and kept asking me if she could do Rapunzel's hair!  I know this character is probably truer to the original, but I really loved Mandy Moore's self-sufficient cast-iron wielding movie version, which I missed here.

Credit: Melanie Beus

We've seen Eben Kuhns (Prince) before, and always find him warm and believable.  I think my 4 year old is infatuated with him (sorry, Eben, if you're reading this!), although she always chickens out of a picture with him after the show.  :) 


Parents with sensory-sensitive children should note there are a few instances of flashing lights and loud noises, but they are very brief and they are followed quickly with humor.  If you're unsure, note that the theater is small enough that making it to the door shouldn't be a problem.  There are a few times when characters use the aisle to the right hand side (facing the stage), so if you have to exit, I would go via the door you came in, and pick seats accordingly. 


The show is 1 hour with an intermission at the 1/2 hour.  Tickets are $12 adults; $8 children under 12 years old.  At intermission, cupcakes from Sugar Buzz in Occoquan are available for $2.50 as well as beverages.  


Studio 3's Rapunzel
Pros: Very well done show, local, affordable tickets, intermission is well placed and the hour run time keeps a great pace for keeping children entertained


Cons:  I did not have any particular issues (besides my daughter's obsession with re-styling Rapunzel's wig), but in reading other reviews from people who went on a show day rather than dress rehearsal, I've heard that the lines at intermission and for meet the cast after the show can run rather long.  


Overall- Go see the show!  Studio 3 is doing some fantastic work, and I can't wait for their next performance, either (Winnie the Pooh).  With the limited running of each show, it's important that you get your tickets early!!  Rapunzel is here until June 30th, and we've learned quickly that with Studio 3, the tickets run out long before interest in the show does! 

Thank You

Most days I feel like nothing I do has very much value at all.  I think that's pretty typical as a mom.  In between math lessons with my homeschoolers and switching the laundry, I try to find time to throw a few updates on Facebook to share what's going on with other moms.  I hope that what I do helps cut through the monotony in your life, or at least makes your already fun life more active.  As moms, in fact, I think we learn to not expect feedback.  When you go to school, you get constant feedback in grades and awards.  Those of you who work get performance reviews, raises (okay, not in this economy), and promotions.  

I haven't had a performance review in years, unless you count the days where I don't get the house clean before my husband gets home...but those aren't necessarily a good thing ;) 

So, when Northern Virginia Magazine emailed me to tell me that I'd won "Best of Northern Virginia" 2012 for my blog, I emailed them back to confirm they'd emailed the correct person.

Verbatim email:

"Thanks for the email, but are you sure? I didn't even know I was in the running."

I didn't pester you guys to go vote for me, in fact, I specifically remember saying that my site was too small to ever win.  I know that you're all busy, just like me, with kids and school and work and laundry.  So, I want you all to know how very much it means to me to get a review from you, who took time out of your day to go fill in a form that you didn't have to fill out.  Because today, I feel like some small percentage of what I do in this space must have something of value for someone, and that is such an overwhelming feeling.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for taking the time to vote.  You all have formed this blog into what it is, so truly this belongs to all of you who comment and ask questions, all of you who send events and reviews, each of you who has sent me an angry email because I cover or don't cover a particular event or organization.  Thank you for being a part of this community, and thank you for letting me be a writer.  As I told a reporter, I can't knit, so this is my outlet, and that is a gift that you all continue to give me as readers.  You all let me claim the title of "writer" and I appreciate that so very much.

I realize this isn't that huge of a deal, really, but it's a big deal to me.  

With Thanks,

Kristina

This year, the 2012 Best of NOVA Blog award is shared by SuperNovaMommy and PwcMoms.

Micaela has been a tremendous friend and inspiration to me, and I am incredibly humbled to share this title with someone who has done so much for her community.

For Those Who Serve- Memorial Day 2012

A few freebies for our moms and dads in uniform:

Prince William County Historic Sites are part of the Blue Star Program for Museums, which offers Military Families free admission to over 1,500 museums nationwide from Memorial Day (May 28) through Labor Day (September 3). Any holder of a CAC, DD Form 1173 ID, or DD Form 1173-1 ID, National Guard and Reserve members PLUS up to five family members.

The Virginia Renaissance Faire honors "past and present members of the Armed Forces" this weekend (Memorial Day) by providing a free admission with Military ID.  Dependents and friends are asked to pay the regularly low $9 ticket price.

Manassas Park Community Center will be offering 15% off ANY membership (single, dual, family) to active, inactive and retired military who sign up this weekend. These memberships include Signal Bay Waterpark.

(Not sure how family-friendly this is, but...) All active duty military and veterans can get 10 free wings (boneless or traditional) at Hooters all day on Monday, May 28th with a drink purchase.

Kings Dominion offers free admission to active, inactive, or retired US Military service men and women with valid ID on May 26/27 and July 3/4.

Shenandoah Caverns provides a free Adult Combination ticket to active or retired service members with valid ID.  Their admission is already buy one adult ticket get one child free.

Colonial Williamsburg will be offering a "Honoring Service to America Ticket", which is free admission for the entire historic area.  These tickets are valid for active cut, reserve, retirees, veterans and their families.  The service member need not be present (if you are the family of a deployed service member) but valid ID is required.  A Memorial Day Commemorative Program begins at 10am on May 28th.


NOT on Memorial Day- but the Potomac Nationals do a Military Appreciation Night on June 22nd.  Ticket distribution is via the USO.

FREE Skating Lesson June 2, 2012

As we've mentioned about a million times, we love skating lessons and hockey at the Prince William Ice Center in Woodbridge, VA.  If you've been thinking about a way to keep cool this summer, spending a little time on the ice is a great way to do it! 

Prince William Ice Center is offering a FREE skating lesson for ages 4 to adult on Saturday, June 2, 2012.  To reserve your spot, just call 703-730-8423!! 

18th Annual Manassas Railway Festival

The 18th Annual Manassas Virginia Railway Festival is coming on June 2, 2012!

Held in Historic Manassas, Virginia, the Railway Festival attracts over 30,000 people from the DMV.  There are elaborate model train displays, live country and blue grass music, performances from community groups, inflatable bounce houses, vendors, and VRE Excursion Rides.

Virginia Railway Express Excursion Rides will go from Manassas to Clifton (round trip) and will be available at the Train Depot, 9431 West Street Manassas, starting on Monday, April 30th from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.  Trains board 10 minutes prior to train times, everyone on board requires a ticket.
Rides take place at 10am/11am/12pm/1pm and are $5 per ticket.  Checks should be made out to Historic Manassas, Inc. and cash and charge are also accepted.

Photos from Historic Manassas, Inc. Website

Printable map available here