Sponsored Post: Help Wanted @Natural Mom Home Day Care

Natural Mom Home Day Care is seeking an energetic, responsible and patient person to provide care for 3-4 children (ages 18 months and 3 years) on occasional sick days and vacation in our State Licensed Home Day Care. You’re welcome to bring your children with you (depending on the ages). Meals for you (and your children) will be provided, you’ll have to cook easy meals (often just heating as they are prepared ahead of time) and feel comfortable changing diapers.

Toys, books, projects and a basic schedule are here to assist you, and with few exceptions the days are fun and stress free. You would need to have transportation here and back, but you would not need to transport the children. Our hours are from 7am-6pm, and all children nap together for about two hours. Background checks are needed as well as CPR and first aid certification. If you aren’t already certified, I can help you get certified.

This would be a great job for a stay at home mom who is happy staying at home, but would like the opportunity to make extra money occasionally while still staying with her child.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d love to meet you!

You can contact me with a description of your experience and information about yourself at naturalmomdaycare@gmail.com,  a resume isn't needed but your philosophy on child care and a lot of information about yourself would be great!

  _________________________________________________________

This is a sponsored post with content provided by Natural Mom Day Care.  It does not represent an endorsement by PwcMoms, or a guarantee of employment. 

Week in Preview: March 31st-April 6, 2014

A "Week in Preview" post? How long has it been since I did one of those?

Awhile.

It's been awhile.

Upcoming/Plan Ahead For:
Be sure to keep checking our Easter Egg Hunts/Spring Fun Guide for 2013! If you're looking for Easter Egg Hunts in Prince William County, this is the post for you! 

Patriot HS will be presenting "Into the Woods" on April 3-5th at 7pm.  Tickets are $7.

Monday, March 31
Reminder that Monday, March 31 will be a regular school day. In addition, 10 minutes will be added to the school day beginning March 31 through the end of the school year.  (PWCS)

Lake Ridge Parks and Rec Fish Out
There is a $7.00 fee for everyone ages 3 and up (a two-fish limit per individual) and a $4.00 charge for each fish caught over the two-fish limit.  Groups of ten or more must pre-register and the fee is $5.00 per person.  The trout have returned to Ridgewood Pool.  We are stocking Ridgewood with 500 rainbow trout and will fish them out over the long weekend.  Fishermen can bring their own tackle or rent cane poles for $1.00 each.  Fish will bite on corn, cheese, mini marshmallows, worms, and lures (single barb hooks only, please!).  Bait cups will be available for 50 cents at the fishing hole.  Call the Recreation Department for information at 703.491.2154. 8am-7:30pm

Tuesday, April 1
Cat in the Hat Storytime at Deja Brew
Come in and relax and enjoy some time off wile CAT IN THE HAT reads to your little ones starting at 10am every TUESDAY 

Wednesday, April 2
Hike With a Naturalist at Bull Run Mountain
1st Wednesday of Every Month at Bull Run Mountain Natural Area 9 a.m.–11a.m. Our first Wednesday of the month hike for those members and nonmembers who prefer to hike in a group. Come and discover some of the flora and fauna of the Bull Run Mountains.
This program is free; all are welcome.

Thursday, April 3
Shenanigans at Central Library in Manassas
Alternating Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. 
Make practical or whimsical items and have fun while doing it! All of the programs are free and all materials are supplied!  Grades K–5. Registration is required and may be done by phone or online.
 
Friday, April 4
PW Mothers of Multiples Sale
Clothings, toys, baby gear, and more to benefit the PWC Mothers of Multiples Club held at the Church of the Brethren Nokesville, 7-9pm.

Saturday, April 5
Join the Freedom Center for an Egg Hunt! 
Bring your children to Freedom for our Spring Fling! Meet the Freedom Bunny and participate in recreational activities, crafts, games, sports, and more! This year we will take the egg hunt to the next level. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in an egg hunt in our pool. Each registered child will receive a special goodie bag for participating in the aquatic egg hunt. 1:30-3:30pm

Sunday, April 6
Marshmallow Harvest (Bluemont)
After a long winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! Join us for the first "crop" of the spring- marshmallow picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’more kit to melt away that chocolate craving. The Easter Bunny also hid some eggs and we need you to help us find them! There will be multiple egg hunts each day this year with over 7,000 eggs filled with treats. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can take a photo with the Easter Bunny. Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride, and rejoice the spring! Admission Fee: $12 adult, $10 child, free for children 2 and under

Readers Recommend: Marriage Counselors

We had a reader request for a good marriage counselor in Prince William County.  Good work asking- marriage is hard, but it's worth the work!! Obviously I have not tried all of these, and you should always check your insurance benefits before booking.

*I have heard great things about Prince William Family Counseling. They have several offices around NOVA. God Bless those referees!
--I don't like PWFC either. I tried several times to get help from them with other things They are mean on the phone and told me to look else where.
--I would go against pwfc. I was in contact with them for my son and even the basic contact from the receptionist and one of their therapists was unprofessional and nasty.

*The preist at the catholic church always helps.

*Dr. Carol Walsh with Life In Balance.
*I agree with Dr. Walsh!!! 

*Pastoral Counseling. There used to be a counselor named Becky (can't remember her last name) and she was really good!

* Also in Tackett's Mill Janine Cosentino! She is absolutely wonderful (703) 490-3210

* I am a marriage therapist in Manassas, you can look me up at www.wendyboyer.com And I would actually advise against PW Fam counseling, unless you have a good name of someone specific there...

* Occoquan counseling center http://www.occbc.org/

* I have heard nothing but wonderful things from several sources about Dr. Paul Jenkins. He's based in the west, but works with people all over the country. http://www.drpauljenkins.com/ 

* Therapy and Life Counseling on Hereford Rd (Dale City area) 

* My son uses phoenix family counseling. They have an office is Gainesville and woodbridge. I've been nothing but impressed.

* Richard A. David he's in Manassas and Old town Alexandria 703-541-6270.... He's awesome! 

All recommendations are freely offered by readers.  Your needs and preferences may vary.  Have a recommendation to add? Leave a comment!  

Upcoming Event: FREE Ice Skating

Readers Recommend: Developmental Pediatricians

We had a reader ask for recommendations for developmental pediatricians near or in Prince William County.  Our Moms never fail to have an answer!!  Developmental Pediatricians specialize in a wide variety of behavioral, cognitive, and physical difficulties, including but not limited to ADHD, Autism, Tourette's, Cerebral Palsy, and more.

*All Pediatric in Lake Ridge, Dr. Farber is supposed to be a developmental pediatrician (x4 comments and x4 likes)

 

*Children's in Fairfax (x4)

 

*Kluge Center at UVA (Charlottesville) 

 

*We love the entire pediatrics department at Georgetown and think they are worth the drive!

 

*For military moms at Ft. Belvoir- Dr. Shropshire. You have to love any doc that gives you his cell phone to call in between appointments for concerns, med refills, etc. A coworker raves about Dr. Bachelor also at Belvoir. We had seen 3 (others kept getting deployed) before Dr. Shropshire.

 

Have a doctor recommendation to add? Leave a comment, and be sure to include a link or contact email/phone number! 

2014/2015 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center

If we ever get to move into our new house in Manassas, which I consider to be less and less likely every day, one of the things I'm most excited about is being closer to the Hylton Performing Arts Center.  My kids are big lovers of the arts- my middle son Logan is learning the violin and has become obsessed with classical and orchestra music, and all of them love live performances whenever we can make it to one.

I was so very fortunate to be invited to come out for the unveiling of the 2014-2015 Season, which has some really fun options for the whole family.

First, and most obvious, the center offers a "Hylton Family Series" each year.  I consider these to be targeted to a slightly younger crowd, PreK-2nd grade, perhaps? But you're the best judge for your child.  You can purchase individual performances for $10/adult or $5/child and you can also purchase a Hylton Family Series Subscription, which essentially gets you 3 performances at regular price and the fourth for $1. This year will feature:

ImaginOcean October 26th, 2014 at 2pm or 4pm.
Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia takes young audiences on a magical under-the-sea adventure in this one-of-a-kind live glow-in-the-dark musical! Fishy friends Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel discover a treasure map, thus beginning their remarkable journey of underwater discovery. Jam-packed with music ranging from swing to R&B to big band, this charming story appeals to audiences of all ages and is a blast from the first big splash to the last wave goodbye! Celebrated puppeteer, actor, and singer John Tartaglia got his start working on Sesame Street as a teenager, and later starred in Broadway’s Avenue Q, Shrek the Musical, and Beauty and the Beast, and created and performed in Disney’s television hit Johnny and the Sprites. “A whimsical trip to the depths of the sea.” (Back Stage)

Peter Yarrow April 12, 2015 at 2pm.
Folk musician, songwriter, and children’s author Peter Yarrow returns to the Hylton Center for a fun and interactive musical performance that combines beloved folk tunes with inspiring lessons for children of all ages. This American music legend and Grammy Award winner is perhaps best known for his career with the beloved folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary; yet he is also a spirited activist who now uses his music to educate children about the effects of bullying. In this family-oriented concert, Yarrow performs “Don’t Laugh at Me” and other songs that encourage children to treat each other with compassion, kindness, and respect, as well as some of iconic folk songs from throughout his career, including “If I Had a Hammer,”  “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”

Pushcart Players Alice in Wonderland February 28, 2015 at 11am or 2pm.
Lewis Carroll’s zany and fantastical tale comes to life when this Emmy-nominated troupe returns to the Hylton Center with Alice in Wonderland. Filled with pure nonsense and madcap characters that everyone knows and loves – from the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter to the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts – this intriguing tale about a curious and imaginative young girl has enchanted readers for many generations. Pushcart Players now brings young Alice’s adventure to the stage in this delightful adaptation, complemented by whimsical music, vibrant costumes, and spectacular scenic elements. “A polished and knowing theater company and a felicitous event for children.” (The New York Times)

The Berenstain Bears LIVE! Family Matters the Musical on November 22, 2014 at 11am or 2pm. 
Come on down to Bear Country for this enchanting adaptation of Stan and Jan Berenstain’s beloved children’s series. Fresh from its sold-out off-Broadway run this heartwarming musical based on three of the Berenstain Bears most popular books. Brother Bear’s grades are slipping, Sister Bear still has a few things to learn about making new friends, and Papa Bear can’t stop eating junk food – but thankfully, they – and we – can always depend on Mama Bear and her loving patience to set things right. Filled with original songs, fun dancing, and important life lessons, this humorous and heartfelt theatrical experience gives parents the opportunity to share these treasured tales they enjoyed as children with their own young cubs! “Like honey for little kids!” (Mommy Poppins)

Also available for families, several performances throughout the year are marked as "Family Friendly", which also comes with a youth discount.  Half price tickets are available to these performances for students through grade 12.  High Schoolers may attend without an adult chaperone present, but must present their student ID.  Children under high school age must have a paying adult with their party.  These performances can still be pricey, but some of them look really neat.  For 2014/2015 the schedule includes:

The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir	October 3, 2014 at 8:00 pm
The National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China: Cirque Peking	October 19, 2014 at 4:00 pm
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season	December 12, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: An Evening with Doc Severinsen	February 20, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond	March 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Russian National Ballet Theatre: Cinderella	March 27, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: Popular Piano Classics	April 19, 2015 at 4:00 pm

If it was up to me, I'd definitely hit the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China....and Cinderella. 

Also worth mentioning, the Hylton Center also does a fairly extensive lineup for the Christmas Season, which would be fun for your family or if you have out of town visitors, too!

_________________________________________________________________
Disclosure: The Hylton Performing Arts Center invited me to come to their 2014/2015 Season unveiling as a media guest.  I got a free cake pop from Confections.  It was awesome.  No other compensation was provided, although I'll take free tickets anytime if someone from the Hylton Center is reading this.  Just sayin. 

Featured Organization Friday: Bethany House

-->

Did you know that every day in the United States, three women are killed by an intimate partner?

Bethany House of Northern Virginia was organized to help women and their children who have suffered from domestic violence regain health and dignity and become re-established in their community by providing temporary housing and support. We provide emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence throughout Northern Virginia and the surrounding DC metro communities.

Help save the lives of victims of abuse in our local community by participating in Bethany House’s Third Annual Garden of Light Reception.  

This elegant garden party will feature delectable refreshments, live music and a silent auction with many one-of a kind packages donated by local area businesses.

Tickets are $55.00 per person, and will directly benefit victims of abuse served through Bethany House’s Family Assistance Program.

Bethany House of Northern Virginia Garden of Light Reception

May 3rd, 2014     3:00 – 6:00 PM 

Holiday Inn & Suites (Rooftop Terrace)

625 First Street, Alexandria (Old Town), VA 22314

To purchase tickets, visit:  http://bit.ly/2014GardenofLight.

For more information, visit www.bhnv.org or call 703-658-9500.

Easter Egg Hunts and Spring Festivals 2014

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on its way!  Here's a fun list of Egg Hunts and Spring Festivals in Prince William County from Woodbridge to Manassas to Gainesville!

April 5
Spring Egg-stravaganza at the Freedom Center
Bring your children to Freedom for our Spring fling. Meet the Freedom Bunny and participate in recreational activities, crafts, games, sports and more. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a n egg hunt in our pool. Each registered child will receive a special goody bag for participating in the aquatic egg hunt. This is priced at $16.

Marshmallow Harvest and Egg Hunt at Great Country Farms
After a long winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! Join us for the first "crop" of the spring- marshmallow picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’more kit to melt away that chocolate craving. The Easter Bunny also hid some eggs and we need you to help us find them! There will be multiple egg hunts each day this year with over 7,000 eggs filled with treats. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can take a photo with the Easter Bunny. Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride, and rejoice the spring! Admission Fee: $12 adult, $10 child, free for children 2 and under.  April 5th and 6th from 10am-5pm

April 6
Marshmallow Harvest and Egg Hunt at Great Country Farms
After a long winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm! Join us for the first "crop" of the spring- marshmallow picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’more kit to melt away that chocolate craving. The Easter Bunny also hid some eggs and we need you to help us find them! There will be multiple egg hunts each day this year with over 7,000 eggs filled with treats. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can take a photo with the Easter Bunny. Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride, and rejoice the spring! Admission Fee: $12 adult, $10 child, free for children 2 and under.  April 5th and 6th from 10am-5pm

April 12
Egg Hunt at Manassas Park Community Center
The MPCC will host egg hunts for various age groups all morning. $5/child.  Ages 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7 will enjoy a fun hunt. Don't forget to bring a basket and be sure to register online by April 11th. You must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your child's egg hunt.   

Adaptive Egg Hunt at Manassas Park Community Center
This Easter Egg hunt is designed especially for youths and teens with mental and physical disabilities. The egg hunt will be adapted to meet their needs. Egg hunt will take place on the Miracle Field, behind the Manassas Park Commuity Center. $5 fee.  Ages 6-16, Unlimited openings- but must register online by April 11th.  Event is April 12th from 11:30am-12pm.

Beeping Egg Hunt at Gari Melcher's Home
Belmont's third annual Beeping Easter Egg Hunt for visually impaired or blind children and their families. Registration required at 540/654-1851. 1-3pm.

First Baptist Church of Woodbridge Spring Festival
Join FBCW which is planning 15,000 eggs, pony rides, crafts, snacks, stories and more from 11am-3pm. 

Learn to Make Ukranian Keepsake Eggs at Center for the Arts
You will finish between 1 and 2 eggs during class.  Learn the process of layering beeswax and dye to create intricate egg designs.  This is a delicate process but anyone can do it! Come with the family or a friend! Ages 7 and Up.  $25/person includes all supplies.  Under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. center-for-the-arts.com or call 703-330-2787

April 19
Rippon Lodge Egg Hunt

11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $5 per child, adults and children 2 and under free.

Eggs have been hidden all over Rippon Lodge and we need your help to find them.  Egg Hunts will be at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30.  Hunts will be separated by age groups.  Enjoy fun kid friendly games and crafts all day long.  Bring a picnic and make a day of it.  House tours available.  Bring your own basket for egg collecting.  All other activities will be ongoing throughout the day. Please bring exact change or to speed entrance process.  VISA and MC accepted. 

Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192, 703-499-9812.

LRPRA Eggstravaganza

Meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs at the Eggstravaganza.  All children up to age 10 are eligible; parents must pre-register children by Wednesday, April 16, in order to participate.  The cost is $3 for LRPRA members and $5 for non-members.  Don't forget your cameras and Easter baskets.  Call the Recreation Department at 703-491-2154 for more details.   Begins at 9am SHARP.  Do not be late or you'll miss all the eggs!! 

Egg Hunt at Nokesville Church of the Brethren 
Easter Egg Hunt: April 19, 2 PM - 3:30 PM
Rain or Shine for Kids through 5th grade  

Egg Hunt at St. Thomas UMC in Manassas

8899 Sudley Road, Manassas VA 20110

Come one, come all children to our Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 19th 10:30-11:00 am. We will hear a story, make an Easter craft, and HUNT for candy-filled Eggs. www.StThomasUMC.org

April 20
Spirit and Life Church Easter and Egg Hunt
Easter Service and a FREE Easter Egg Hunt for young children on 4/20 at 10AM at Forest Park High School!

Egg Hunt at St. Thomas UMC in Haymarket

Gravely Elementary School, 4670 Waverly Farm Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169

The children will have an egg hunt directly after the worship service Gravely Elementary School, 4670 Waverly Farm Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169. We would love it if you could  join us for breakfast at 9 am, or just come for worship at 10 am with the egg hunt following the service at 11:15.

April 26
Springfest Fairfax at the Workhouse Arts Center
Springfest Fairfax is an Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration with eco-friendly exhibitors, food, games, pony-rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, educational workshops, plant sales, and more. 10am-4pm.

30 Acts of Kindness Task 14: Hypothermia Shelter Dinner

During February, March (because snow is not my friend) I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

The Bill Mehr Drop-In Shelter is run by the Cooperative Council of Ministries (CCOM) and is located at 14730 Potomac Mills Road.  If you're on Telegraph Road just past Toys R Us, where you could turn left onto Opitz/Smoketown to go to Wegmans, but you go straight towards the bus depot instead, you will eventually dead-end into the shelter.   From November 1-March 31 from 6:30pm-7am, this space is also used as a 50-bed hypothermia shelter.  This allows area residents who typically sleep in tents or other makeshift spaces to come in from the cold and sleep safely.  The space also offers shower facilities.  Patrons are offered a ride to churches on some nights where dinner is provided, but some cannot or prefer not to go, and some nights there's not a dinner option, so I was very excited that you guys helped me to bring a simple meal over.  Chick Fil A Sudley Manor Drive happened to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary of the Chick Fil A Sandwich by giving away 50 of them.  To win, entrants just had to say what they'd do with the sandwiches and have friends/family/facebook vote for their idea.  You guys are an awesome flash mob ;)  I picked up all 50 of my sandwiches at once and drove them over to Woodbridge one fine Wednesday evening.

My car smelled so buttery and delicious.  

I needed to take the heated bag back to CFA, so I had a good excuse to sit and chat with folks while they ate.  I love talking to people, and there were a lot of really great stories shared around the table.  This was a really easy and quick way to do something positive.  We actually did this as an impromptu family project when the "Polar Vortex" first came though.  My mom really has a heart for people not being cold- it's actually an ongoing joke with us that she cannot drive through DC in the winter without "losing" her coat.  She and her BFF brought over materials to my house and with my kids we packaged PBJs, Cup of Noodles, Crackers, and a treat up so the shelter could hand them out.  There's a kitchen in the facility, so hot water, microwave, and fridge are available. Simple, easy, and still helpful- this was definitely an easy act for anyone to try!! I bet it'd work just as well with $5 pizzas from Little Caesar's if you don't have a contest to win! 

PS- while the shelter will be closing at the end of the month for evenings, they'll still have the drop-in shelter open during the day.  They have a list of needed items, including boots in various sizes, on their website, so be sure to check that out! 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 13: ACTS Thrift Shop

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I feel like I owe ACTS another day of Thrift Shop work- I ran late in traffic and arrived 20 minutes after I should have and then I had to duck out early because my son had a hockey tournament in York, PA and we were told that we should leave extra travel time.  I actually really liked working at the thrift store- first because I had a few readers join me and it's always so cool to chat with you guys, and second because we got to organize books, which I loved! I really like jobs where I can see that I'm accomplishing something, so watching books and boxes and bags get emptied out was really satisfying! 

The ACTS Thrift Store is located at the Route 1 split in Dumfries and staffed by the lovely people in red vests. 

You can donate, shop, and volunteer at the Thrift Store.  I'm going to tell you right now- they had amazing prices!! There was a special sale the day we were there, so books (normally 5 for $1) were 10 for $1! People got hardcover collectors books, the entire Twilight Series, 50 Shades of Grey, The Help, and more! Kids books were 5 CENTS EACH, and there were tons of nice books! I saw people snag Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, unopened Sesame Street and Dora music books, and more! I didn't spend a lot of time in the clothes, but I did notice some really nice work shirts if your husband has to wear a button-down for his job. 

Donation Hours:

Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Retail Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

To volunteer, contact Robin at rsheedy@actspwc.org.  This work can involve some lifting/moving, so it's best suited for older teens and adults- but it really was satisfying work! 

 

Giveaway: Weecycled Wardrobe

Could you use $50 BUCKS?  Weecycled Wardrobe is giving away $50 in Wee Ward Money to a lucky winner good at their Spring&Summer Sale on March 14-17th at the Fredericksburg Field House or May 3-6 in Stafford from 10 am - 7 pm daily.  

They have over 25,000 items to choose from all organized on tables and racks by size, age and gender.  Toys, books, games, shoes, purses, backpacks, diaper bags, strollers, exersaucers, high chairs, toddler beds and just about anything you'll need to raise a child.  NEW Consignors welcome.  Volunteers invited to help for 3 hours in exchange for shopping early.  

Visit their website for more info:  www.WeecycledWardrobe.com.   http://www.weecycledwardrobe.com/index.php

 To enter to win $50, use the Rafflecopter below!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, by entering you agree to our rules, and also as always, this contest is not affiliated with Facebook/Apple/iTunes/Android or anyone else super cool raking in the cash.  

30 Acts of Kindness Task 12: Host a Fundraiser

During February (The snow and I aren't friends- extended to March), I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers. The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I am so behind on Blogging about these (or anything for that matter).  So.  Several of you wrote in to say I should host a fundraiser for my favorite charity.  Most of you that did so wanted me to do it with your company.  Since I have to be fair, I picked none of them, but I did do a fundraiser and some of you (470 of you) came!! 

We called it Silver Sparkles. It was the craziest thing I've ever decided to do- mainly because I was also in the process of buying a house, selling a house, one year doctor's visits, and all the rest of the crazy on my regularly scheduled program ;) 

It was so much fun, though, and I think next year will be even better!

First, we were not prepared for how excited y'all were.  The line to get in was wrapped around the hallway by 1:30.  

Photo Credit: Vivi Jackson

We had raffles, we had food, we had entertainment, we had a great time- and I hope you did, too.  
(All photos credit Vivi Jackson)

Thank you to all 470 of you that came out and made this event a success!! I definitely hope to do it again next year!