6/22/15

Guest Post: Taking the Train To Disney

Taking the Train To Disney


Have you ever thought about taking the train to Disney. My family did several summers ago. It was a very relaxing way to start our vacation. Check out my newest article on The Disney Planning Blog.
If you live near Washington DC you should consider taking the Amtrak Auto Train to Disney.  The Auto Train leaves daily and runs between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida (43 miles from Disney World).  This is my kids’ favorite way to reach Florida.  At times it has been more relaxing than the normal 2-hour flight with all the stress of air travel.  Your fare includes coach seating and all your meals (dinner and breakfast).  You can upgrade your ticket for sleeping accommodations at an additional cost.

Once at the terminal you will be directed to park your car.  Each passenger will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags.  Make sure you put any medications or other important items in your carry-on.  Once your car is taken away you will not have access to it until it is unloaded the next day.  All other items will remain in your car. Upon arrival inside the welcome center you will check in and choose your dinner seating time.  Passengers wait until boarding is announced.
The Auto Train leaves each station at 4:30pm and arrives at its destination by 8:30am.  It takes approximately 2 hours to load and unload all vehicles.  Therefore you are requested to be at the train station to load no later than 2:30pm.
IMG_1617
There are restrictions on vehicle size.  You should check http://www.Amtrak.com for more information or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

If you have coach tickets you will be seated in a Superliner coach car.  The seats here have footrests and lean back.  First Class passengers will be assigned a sleeping car.  A train attendant will be able to direct you to the correct sleeping compartment.

Once the train leaves the station, guests will be able to visit the Club car for refreshments and light snacks.  A wine tasting is offered in the Lounge Car an hour prior to departure.  Dinner is usually served at three different times.  Meals are included in the cost of your fare.  Dinner usually consists of a choice of 5 different entrees – chicken, fish, beef, vegetarian and special.  You will also be provided with drinks, salad and dessert, wine is complementary at dinner.  Children can order from another menu if they prefer.  Breakfast is continental with your choice of cereal, muffins bagels, fruit, juices and coffee.  For entertainment movies are shown several times during the evening.
Bedding is provided for sleeping car passengers.  Your attendant will inquire prior to dinner what time you would like your seats converted to beds.  Coach passengers will be given a blanket and small pillow.  Feel free to bring your own pillow on board.

Watching the countryside fly by while sipping a glass of wine is so much better than fighting traffic on I-95.  The kids love the freedom of the train, being able to walk around and stretch their legs.  Our family was able to start our vacation the moment the conductor said “All Aboard!”
The procedures for travelling north are similar to traveling south.

Patricia Mickus is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Magical Memories Travel.  Patricia lives in Bristow, Virginia with her husband and two sons.  She believes you can have a Disney vacation of a lifetime and maximize your vacation dollar. All of her concierge planning services are FREE to her clients.   Contact Patricia at patricia@magicalmemoriestravel.com or visit her Facebook page or blog - www.MagicalMickeyTips.com for more Disney planning tips.

6/17/15

Giveaway: Touchstone Crystal with Terri O'Neill

I think that we're overdue for a giveaway, don't you? 

Excellent.  Then let's away with Touchstone Crystal with Terri O'Neill.  I shared with you guys the piece she sent me to check out- it's absolutely gorgeous.  I've worn it a few times already (blues and greens are my go-to colors, so it matches a ton of my current outfits) and I have gotten at least one compliment every time I've worn it.  I love that it's sparkly and that the price is right for having a statement piece! Sparkles is my favorite color.  :) 

Erin is a busy momma, but she took a few minutes to talk with me about Touchstone Crystal! (That's her on the right- she's super sweet!) I asked her what she likes about this company, and here's what she had to say:                                                                                                    As a Mom of 3 little ones (7months-age 6) direct sales has always been the perfect balance of having a great income and the flexibility of being home with my children! I wanted a company that is well known, has high standards and has financial security...Swarovski has all that and more! Their newest division-Touchstone Crystal offers the best income opportunity, high quality jewelry at affordable prices (1/2 the line is under $50), the best warranty and the best hostess plan...Swarovski allows me to be home with my kids and allows me to get a 'break' to shower other women with sparkle! I've loved 'bringing the bling' into the lives of so many women-whether they just love to wear it or they've decided to change their own lives with the business opportunity! (Initial investment is only $139!)




In honor of Swarovski's 120th anniversary, Terri is offering our winner a personal shopping experience with $120 in free jewelry! If you'd like, you can upgrade to a personalized party with three friends (Sangria and Sparkles anyone?) and receive $175 in jewelry and each of your guests will receive a free Swarovski charm.

To win- head over to Facebook.com/pwcmoms and leave a comment with a link to your favorite piece from Terri's line! (Not just the name, be sure to leave the link!) You can find the full line here.


Know someone who loves sparkle? She also offers special Swarovski Charms! Yours is FREE when you refer a friend who hosts a Summer Sparkle get together or starts her own business!
Learn more at www.touchstonecrystal.com/TerriONeill
ONeill.terri@gmail.com
703-362-8535 (call/text)





Occoquan Duck Splash 2015


Guest Post: Nerd Block Jr Boys/Girls Review

Picture
Rhubarb & blackberry here again with another review of child-oriented subscription boxes. today we have nerd block jr!  Nerd block jr has both a boy's and a girl's version and we were lucky enough to get one of each to review for you.  we'll do them side by side so you can compare what is in each one.

cost
month-to-month: $13.99/month + $6 shipping
3 month sub: $12.59/month + $6 shipping
6 month sub: $11.89/month + $6 shipping
12 month sub: $11.19/month + $6 shipping
what you get
geeky toys for kids aged 6-11
Picture
here are the two boxes side by side.  the toys included in the boy's box will be listed on the right and the girl's box will be listed on the left.
Picture

Adventure Time Mad Libs - $3.25

we remember mad libs from when we were young - and they're still just as funny.  a great thing to share with your children!

The Quest for the Diamond Sword Novel - $6.41

this is a really nice chapter book and minecraft is popular with kids right now.

Frozen Reusable Sandwich + Snack Bag - $6.99

who doesn't know about frozen?  and we can't think of any young girls who don't like it.  great for school lunches!

Justice League On-The-Go Bottle - $6.49

this particular type of water bottle is very popular right now.  the graphics on this one are really bright and fun!
Picture

Hello Kitty Monsters Collection Zombie - $5.99

hello kitty is super cute as a monster - which one will you get?  she can hang out on your child's bookbag or lunchbox.

Tech Deck Star Wars Yoda - $12.00

these tech deck toys have been around for a long time and are still very popular.  with the return of a new star wars movie - these are right on trend.

Sonic The Hedgehog Collector's Edition Bouncy Ball - $11.23

all kids love bouncy balls and this one is supposed to be super bouncy!  

Sick Bricks Set w/Smokey Burns & Gus Groucho - $3.99

this is a new video game type toy - you have to scan the package and then you can play online.  

The Monster Factory 5" Plush Colin - $8.98

we've never heard of the monster factory, but chances are, the nearest 8 year old has.  this plush freaks us out a little.

Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket Raccoon Magnet - $2.09

not sure how popular a magnet will be with kids, but you could hang their artwork on the fridge with it.

Girl's Box Value - $36.44

Boy's Box Value - $30.98

the value is there for both boxes and they contain items that are fun for their target audience of 6-11 year olds.  if you think that your children would enjoy a subscription - just click here!  use promo code "continue" to save 25% off your first box~
Author Bio: Rhubarb has lived in Prince William County for almost 16 years and is the mom to three wonderful young men. She is a sometime author and is active in her church. To relax she enjoys finding seashells on the beach and snorkeling for them in the ocean. Her new website and blog Rhubarb&Blackberry: Musings of a Landlocked Mermaid is a work in progress and is more fun than she could have imagined. Her current obsession is subscription boxes (beauty, food, home & lifestyle) and she hopes to launch her own branded items sometime this year.

6/11/15

FREE PHYSICALS 2015


A Health Screening & Health Fair will be held on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Stonewall Jackson High School. The Health Screening & Health Fair will include free K–5 school-entry physicals for uninsured children, vision and hearing screenings, concussion training for middle and high school parents and their student athlete, and enrollment assistance for Medicaid & FAMIS programs.

There will also be health and wellness information, fitness demonstrations, and free giveaways. Tentative plans also include blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose testing; and the mammogram mobile van.

The fair is a collaborative effort between Inova Partnership for Healthier Kids, Novant Health, the PWCS Offices of Student Services and Student Learning.

For information and appointments, contact Inova Partnership for Healthier Kids at 703.967.3772.

6/10/15

Newsies at the National Theatre

I apologize for a new low in my blogging- totally unedited, unscripted videos because I don't have time to ask him, organize, and type.

#NoFilter #NoMakeup #JustGetItCheckedOff

But seriously, Newsies was great! They'll be playing the National from June 9-21 if you can go we both recommend it!


6/9/15

EFK Summer Camps (And a coupon!)


Meet Dr. Hau Le with Potomac Pediatric Dentistry!

We want to take a moment to introduce you to our newest PwcMoms advertiser, Potomac Pediatric Dentistry! They've got a fun open house coming up on June 20th: 
But before that, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to their newest doctor, Dr. Hau Le! She took a few minutes to answer some important questions I know we're all looking for in a pediatric dentist- like what's your favorite Disney movie- and she sounds like such a sweet, fun person, I can definitely see her taking the stress out of visiting the dentist!! 
PwcMoms- Tell me a little about what made you want to go into pediatric dentistry? 
Dr. Hau Le- I grew up in Vietnam where dental care was a privilege. I had many incidences of dental pain when I was a child, and was extremely fearful of the dentist. In fact, dental visits were always a threat. I got lucky enough to be sent to study aboard in the US to pursue my education. I chose dentistry, and pediatric dentistry has been always something I hold dear to my heart due to my childhood experiences. After dental school, I worked for a community health center that served underprivileged children in Maryland, and it truly confirmed my commitment to pediatric dentistry.


PwcMoms- Wow! Having that childhood experience must make you a great advocate for your little patients!! What's your favorite part about working with kids?
Dr. Hau Le- They are so honest, unique and fun to work with. My most rewarding part is helping a child to conquer their fear of the dentist.  The best part is I get to be myself around kids, being a kid at heart myself :)

PwcMoms- Nice! So, what's your advice for parents with kids who are nervous about the dentist?
Dr. Hau Le- Preparation is the key. I understand parents sometimes have dental anxiety themselves, but try to limit transferring that fear to your children. Parents should always refer to dental appointments as a positive and not as a threat (the dentist is going to drill your teeth out if you don't brush!) and let our team guide their child's dental experiences when they come to the office. We also welcome "happy visits" for our littlest patients, or childre with special needs  who would benefit from a visit to the office without any work done for them to familiarize them with the doctors and staff. 

PwcMoms- I love that- I know some of my friends with kids on the Autism Spectrum sometimes need their child to have a little extra time to acclimate.  Speaking of your office, how does it differ from a regular dentist? 
Dr. Hau Le- Our staff and doctors are well-trained and experienced in working with children. We use kid friendly behavior guidance that is uniquely tailored for each child coming to our office. We've also definitely got a fun and inviting space- check it out and come visit us on June 20th! 
A few fun facts- 
Dr. Hau Le's favorite Disney movie is "Frozen"
Her favorite scrubs have Princess Ana on them
And when she was growing up, she wanted to be an Astronaut! 


Potomac Pediatric Dentistry is located at 16708 Jefferson Davis Highway #115 in Dumfries.
You can call them at 703-221-4040 or visit www.ppdsmile.com

6/8/15

Guest Post: Disney and Food Allergies

Disney and Food Allergies


IMG_2117
Disney wants to make sure that each guest has a magical and safe visit while vacationing. My husband and son each have a different food allergy and I have always been impressed that Disney will go the extra step and have the chef stop by our table for all sit down reservations to go over the menu. On year my son wanted to eat at ‘Ohana. We have never eaten there before. His had a pineapple allergy and everything on the menu is glazed in pineapple juice or touching a pineapple in some way. We decided to give it a try and see if he could be accommodated. The Castmember had no issue placing a special order for chicken nuggets and sent someone down to Captain Cooks to retrieve them for us. My son was so happy that he could finally eat among the Tikis and participate in the coconut races while enjoying his dinner.
IMG_2509

Special meals and desserts are easier to order at a table service meal than the quick service or buffet options. So make sure you research your options before making your dining reservations. Make sure that you have the allergies noted at the time you make your ADR reservations. You can also make these notations by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
Disney will also begin to introduce new allergy friendly menus at approximately 120 quick service and table service locations. These menus will provide allergen content for each menu item, making informed choices easier and focus on the more common allergens: gluten/wheat, milk peanut, three nut and fish. The new menus will be available at all Signature restaurants starting April 14th and will be rolled out to all others through September 2015. You can view a sample menu HERE.
In addition, EpiPen Auto-Injectors are now located at First Aid stations throughout Disney Parks and on Disney cruise ships with personnel trained in how to administer them.
The Special Diets Team is only a phone call away. I highly recommend that you contact them at least 2 weeks prior to your vacation to make all special requests.

Walt Disney World – email: SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com – Phone: 407-WDW-DINE
Disney Cruise Line – email: special services@disneycruise.com – Phone: 407-566-3602

Patricia Mickus is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Magical Memories Travel.  Patricia lives in Bristow, Virginia with her husband and two sons.  She believes you can have a Disney vacation of a lifetime and maximize your vacation dollar. All of her concierge planning services are FREE to her clients.   Contact Patricia at patricia@magicalmemoriestravel.com or visit her Facebook page or blog - www.MagicalMickeyTips.com for more Disney planning tips.

6/3/15

Water Polo in Lake Ridge

Do you or your kiddo want to check out Water Polo? It's a fun, fast-paced sport and there are both adult and child teams forming in Lake Ridge!

You can try Water Polo for free on Sunday June 7th from 8am-11am.  Want to play? Email Randy Cooper for more details at waterpolo@lakeridgeswimclub.com.  Lake Ridge Swim Club is located at Harbor and Old Bridge, and you can also find details online at the team's website.

6/2/15

Guest Review: iBbeautiful

Picture
We've reviewed quite a number of boxes, so believe us when we say that this is a very special sub box.  When we opened it - we were floored by the items included and how thoughtful and lovely they were.  iBbeautiful mission is "to help young girls realize they are beautiful just as they are without comparisons to how others look or act.  We do this by offering a monthly box of inspiration that includes fun lifestyle items and a message of empowerment to help young girls be confident, smart, brave, unique and kind.  Every girl should be confident that she will become the woman she is meant to be and can achieve anything she sets her mind to". We love this box. iBbeautiful kindly sent us this box free for review purposes.

Cost
There are two age groups that you can choose a box for: 8-12 and then 13+.
For either sub you can choose  the basic box (with no t-shirt) for $20 or you can get the box with t-shirt included for $30.  If you want a one-time only box the costs are $24 and $34 respectively.

Shipping 
Shipping is included in the above prices.

What do you get? 
Every box will have fun lifestyle items that promote a message of empowerment to young girls.
Picture
Picture
Each box includes a card that shares their positive, caring and empowering curation for the month.  Also included is a card detailing all of the items included and their values.
Picture
Bra Strap Headband (value $8) - this is ingenious and adorable.  Not really a bra strap, but a great idea for old bras.  You can wear it so many different ways and it has quality construction.

Aspire Journal (value $3) - This notebook is the perfect size for tucking into a pocket and jotting down dreams, ideas and other important notes on the run.  The message on the front is a reminder to invest in yourself and to work for the things where your heart is.
Picture
True Girl Exfoliator (value $18.50) - We loved this gentle scrub!!  It smells like a mix of berries and apple and left our skin feeling so clean and soft.  Great for teens to help with breakouts.

Zipper Headphones (value $8) - We can't believe that the value on these headphones is so low.  They are super nice and we really like them.  The zipper on them makes storage a breeze and the cool factor is seriously on fleek (did we just say that?)
Picture
Spring Scarf (value $18) - LOVE!  This is a beautiful, soft and airy scarf that is perfect for the fashions on trend right now.  The soft pink coloring with pale chocolate detailing is dreamy.
Picture
Aspire Graphic T-Shirt (value $22) - Super well-constructed fitted t-shirt.

BOTTOM LINE 
(Value $77.50) - Wow - this is an incredible value (considering the box only costs $30).  It is so wonderful to see a company that wants to empower young girls to love who they are, the way they are.  All of the items were very age appropriate (nothing too mature) and of a great quality.  We think this is one of our favorite tween/teen boxes.
Author Bio: Rhubarb has lived in Prince William County for almost 16 years and is the mom to three wonderful young men. She is a sometime author and is active in her church. To relax she enjoys finding seashells on the beach and snorkeling for them in the ocean. Her new website and blog Rhubarb&Blackberry: Musings of a Landlocked Mermaid is a work in progress and is more fun than she could have imagined. Her current obsession is subscription boxes (beauty, food, home & lifestyle) and she hopes to launch her own branded items sometime this year.