Weekly Summer Library Calendars 2016

I absolutely adore this organization of the Summer Reading events for summer 2016 from Prince William Public Libraries.

I'll share these each week, as well, but as many of you know THESE EVENTS WILL FILL UP QUICKLY!! If there is something you absolutely want to take your children to, I suggest giving yourself a calendar reminder for the day that tickets become available.  Also, if you can, be open to the idea of going to another branch.  Maybe Chinn is full, but Nokesville is offering the same event on a different date- you probably have a better shot of getting tickets at a smaller library.

For events with online registration available, visit HERE. 

And now, on to the good stuff!

Summer Memberships at Freedom

We love Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Manassas Campus of George Mason University. My husband works out daily, and I love the track and Zumba classes for days I can't run outside.  My oldest does swim team there, and we've had a lot of fun playing adult volleyball for date nights.  I know that for some people a school year membership doesn't make sense- but over the summer it totally can! The indoor pool is great (whether you're sun-challenged like me or whether you don't want to weather the weather #homophones), and the fitness classes are super fun! 

If a summer plan makes the most sense for you, Freedom offers two options.  You can customize a family plan, or you can take advantage of a student/teacher discount.  Details on both programs are below! 

See you at Zumba! 

Dream it, Plan it, Do it, Own it at Camp SheEO

Is your daughter a boss? Has she organized her Barbies into a corporate hierarchy? Does she win cookie sales every year? Do her lemonade stands rival someone on Shark Tank? If so, you should definitely check out Camp SheEO!

With four camps in Prince William County (Manassas and Woodbridge NOVA Campuses) and additional locations all over the region, Camp SheEO exists to empower the CEO inside every girl and to encourage girls to take steps toward business and community leadership.

Each week of camp, trained Success Coaches will help girls at Camp SheEO enrich their ideas about what it means to be a business owner and leader.  They will also host a guest speaker from the local business community.  There are two levels of the camp, First Steps and Next Steps, both of which run for one week from 9am-4pm and are $290. 

Both First Steps and Next Steps are intimate enrichment experiences, which means that space is LIMITED.  If you know that this would be a perfect opportunity for your daughter to explore her passion and interests, then sign up today! Owner DeShawn Robinson-Chew explains the program like this- “We really want to introduce and encourage entrepreneurship in girls and show how they can have a leadership role in their community.  We are hyper-focused on business, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.  This is the only program doing this” 

Camp Dates in Prince William County Are:

Week of 7/18/16 First Steps

Woodbridge NOVA CC

Week of 7/25/16 Next Steps

Woodbridge NOVA CC

Week of 7/11 First Steps

Northern VA CC Manassas

Week of 7/25 Next Steps

Northern VA CC Manassas

Find out more information about Be a SheEO or register for one of their amazing camps today by visiting them at:

Website

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Instagram

Twitter

Giveaway: Peter and the Wolf and Laquita

USE CODE pwcmoms FOR 20% OFF TICKETS!!!

NVYB is pleased to present its production of the Sergei Prokofiev classic, Peter and the Wolf. Featuring Australian guest soloist Victor Leo Smith as Peter, our version is augmented by beautiful scenery, and exquisite costuming. The talented and award winning members of NVYB round out the cast of characters.

Paquita, one of Marius Petipa's Imperial masterpieces, features Colorado Ballet dancer Melissa Zoebisch and Alexandru Glusacov in the principal roles.

Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $20.00 for seniors and military, and $15.00 for children. Don't miss out on this wonderful performance! NVYB is the only local performing company dedicated to staging and producing professional level productions for talented and aspiring young dancers.http://www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/766/

Want to win tickets? Use the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway provided by Academy of Russian Ballet.  By entering, you agree to all Giveaway Rules.

Summer Programs at the Academy of Russian Ballet 2016

Summer Bowling Options

The popular website "Kids Bowl Free" offers free games of bowling all summer long for your registered children.  There aren't any bowling centers near us that participate, but if you know the kids are going to be spending some time at Grammy's house or with the cousins, you can check to see if the bowling center near them is participating.

The AMF Summer Games program isn't completely free, but for just $4.95, kids ages 15 and under can bowl three games per day all summer long.  Add an adult summer games pass for $14.95 and you can bowl with your kids, too.  

For either program, make sure that you sign up online before summer begins and passes run out.

In Summmmmmerrrrrrrrr

We are excited about Summer....and all things warm and hot.....and laying on the beach.

Just like Olaf.

And speaking of Olaf, well, that reminds us of our super fun Frozen Dance Camps that we've hosted for you guys at Showcase Dance Studio.  And they've got fun summer camps, too! Check it out!

Free Composting Event April 30, 2016

Get the Dirt on Compost—the Soil and Water Connection

Free Compost Awareness Event on April 30

Prince William, VA, March 9, 2016  – The Prince William County Solid Waste Division will host its fourth annual Compost Awareness Day Event for area residents on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prince William County Balls Ford Road Yard Waste Compost Facility, located at 13000 Balls Ford Road, Manassas, VA.  

Event highlights include:

·       Presentations by Lisa Ziegler, Gardener’s Workshop Farm, “From the Ground Up, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

·       Container gardening demo by Virginia Cooperative Extension Prince William Master Gardener, Amanda Caswell 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

·       Composting exhibits and environmental information

·       Compost and Compost bin sales

·       Plant sales-local schools

·       Door prizes

The event promotes backyard composting, which is recycling of leaves, grass and garden waste instead of sending this organic material to the County landfill for disposal. In addition to learning how to compost, residents can also find out how compost helps build healthy soil and enrich degraded soil in yards and gardens. As well as discover the positive effects it has on the environment. For example, it reduces or eliminates the need for fertilizers, which can be harmful to ground water and composting also saves landfill space. Yard waste is more than 13% of the waste stream in Prince William County, so composting is an important component of the County’s waste management strategy.

Event attendees can also save money.  Coupons good for $5 off the cost of a pick-up load of compost or mulch will be available. Compost bins will also be available for sale for $25/each (limit three per household while supplies last).

Prince William Compost Awareness Day supports International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry.  ICAW supports composting efforts in the back yard or at large scale commercial composting facilities, like the County’s Balls Ford Road site. This year’s theme is Compost—the Soil and Water Connection. ICAW is held annually the first full week of May. The International Compost Awareness Committee chose this year’s theme to bring attention to the role of compost in healthy soil to address growing drought and food insecurity issues across the world.

The basic goals of Compost Awareness Week:

·       To increase the diversion of organics from the main waste stream through increasing

awareness of, and participation in organics diversion initiatives (centralized composting, home composting, community composting) and;

·       To increase awareness of, and advocate the proper use of, ‘soil-improving composts’

Visit www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling for more information.

Silver Sparkles Family Fun Day 2016

Join us for an awesome day of family fun with all the funds we raise after expenses going to support Brain Cancer Research.  (Can you still get your business at this event? Yup! Email me.) 

A special thanks to our sparkle sponsor, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute! 

Throughout the day we'll have free classes in the community room, lots to do in the gym, and even a few outdoor activities, weather permitting.  There will be food and raffle tickets for sale, so bring cash (we will take credit cards for raffle tickets, too).  Every vendor table has a fun thing for your kids to do, so you can check out local businesses and kid-friendly venues while your kids have a great time playing!

Why should you come? Well, come to have fun, come to meet local businesses and find places to plug your kids in.  Come to support local Mom-run businesses.  Come to support me because I run this insane website.  Come because cancer sucks.  I don't care, really, all that much about your motivation, just come!! 

TICKETS ARE PER FAMILY- you will need one ticket for everyone that lives in your home as part of your family.  If you bring grammy and grandpa and they don't live with you, they'll need their own ticket.  I really want this event to be accessible for families, so please be honest about your ticket purchases so that I don't have to start charging per person! Remember, too, we donate ALL the profit we make at this event, so it's all for a good cause!

Here's what's on tap so far:

Classroom Space:

Ballet Class with Academy of Russian Ballet

Mincraft Class with Animated Child

Special Storytime with Prince William Libraries
**Please note, admission to these is NOT guaranteed because we have space limitations**

Thanks to Just Between Friends for sponsoring our DJ!

Main Event Space:

We're updating this list as vendors sign up! Keep checking back for more fun! 
GMS Gymnastics- Flexed arm hang challenge

Jessica Salazar Photography- Family Fun Photo Booth

Jamberry Nails with Jaimie Gvozdas

Bach to Rock- Musical Performer and instrument play

Discovery Junction Children's Museum- Interactive Play Area

Chick Fil A Bristow and Chick Fil A Sudley Manor (and the cow!) Will be selling their Original Chick-fil-A Sandwiches -- all profit will go to brain cancer/brain tumor research. And the Chick-fil-A Cow will be there =) PLEASE BUY SOME CHICK FIL A :) this is a really big deal for our fundraiser!
LuLaRoe

The Freedom Center

Animated Child- Hosting our minecraft class, their table will be awesome, too! 

Soccer Shots- Score a goal challenge

Academy of Russian Ballet- hosting our ballet class, and their table will be awesome, too! 

Prince William County Parks and Recreation

Athlete's Addiction-  Agility Ladder

Game Truck- Full game truck play will be available outside during our event! 

Potomac Patriots Youth Hockey- Score a Goal

Lori Beth Willis Thirty One- Train station

Michael Chamberlin, Magician from 2:15-4:45pm

Kingdom of Azuria (Princess!) 

Brunos Bounce House- indoor bounce

DPGolf Academy- Putt Putt Golf
Pampered Chef with Doina Heinz- Food Fun
Gainesville Pediatric Dentistry- PlayDoh Dentist
JustJump Outdoor bounce
Megan Keys Photography- Temporary Tattoos
Kids Chemistry with Des & Desi
Drama Mama Cupcakes
Smoothie King of Woodbridge/Colby's Ride
DoTerra with Leah Zapata 
Stella and Dot with Melisa
MOMS Club of PWC

Raffle Items- We'll have awesome Swag Bags from Katherine Breyfogle and Got Posh for the first 200 people who purchase $10 or more of raffle tickets! (Cash or credit  cards will be accepted!) 

Raffle items include: 
We're updating this list as vendors sign up! Keep checking back for more exciting prizes! 

4 classes at The Little Gym

A one year membership at The Little Gym

Swim Kids gift baskets

Marketplace at Madison Crescent gift card set

Scentsy warmers

Toddlin Time of Manassas gift bag

The Smart Car Wash gift card

DC United Tickets courtesy of Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots Season

Simple Luxuries Travel gift basket

Barbie DVDs from Universal Home Entertainment

Passes to BeeHive Indoor Playground

Passes to Cheers Art Studio

Summer Camp from Edgemoor Art Studio

Gift Certificate to Abrakadoodle

Gift Baskets from Waterworks Water Park

Gift Basket from the Primrose School of Bristow
Birthday Party with AviationEd
Free PeeWee Golf Registration from DPGolf Academy
$105 Gift Card to DPGolf Summer Camp

Easter Egg Hunts 2016

Looking for fun springtime or Easter events in Manassas, Woodbridge, Gainesville, Lake Ridge, Bristow or Montclair? (Or maybe you're one of the brave folks who will drive all over Prince William County!) Here's what we've got! You can email us to add your event to this list for free, but please be kind to us and submit it in the same format you see all of these listings!!

Now, let's hop to it!

Event: Hippity Hoppity Pool Hunt
When: March 5th from 1-2pm
Where: SBDCRC
What:Egg Hunt and Open Swim event. Children will collect floating eggs in the pool and trade them for a “goodie bag”. Find the special egg and receive a special prize!  Children will be grouped by age for the Egg Hunt from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Age Groups: 6 yrs and under (parents may help): 1:00pm - 1:20pm 7 to 9 yrs: 1:20pm – 1:40pm 10 to 12yrs: 1:40pm - 2pm  
Fee: $14/family of 4, $5/child, FREE to SBDCRC Passholders
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/446021715595749/

Event: Breakfast with the Bunny at Matchbox (Potomac Mills)
When: March 12th from 8:30-10am
Where: Matchbox Potomac Mills
What: Potomac Mills will also be offering a chance to have Breakfast with the Bunny on
March 12th from 8:30 am to 10 am at Matchbox. The event is free, but seating is limited.  RSVP online.

Fee: FREE

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/potomac-mills-kidgits-kids-club-breakfast-with-the-bunny-tickets-21462583164

Event: Bunny Frame Craft Class
When: March 12th from 10am-12pm
Where: Michaels Stores
What: They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
Fee: $2
Link: http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents

Event: Eggstravaganza (Pool Egg Hunt) 
When: March 18th from 5-7pm or 7:30-9:30pm
Where: Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center
What: Lots of fun and an egg hunt in the pool! REGISTER ONLINE.
Fee: $14/child, parents free
Link: http://www.freedom-center.com

Event: Easter Egg Hunt (includes adaptive option)
When: March 19th from 10am-12pm
Where: Costello Park, Manassas Park
What: Ages 0-7 can enjoy an egg hunt! Adaptive egg hunt available at 12pm.  Use the codes by age group to register online. 
Fee: $5
Link: https://apm.activecommunities.com/manassaspark

Event: Flashlight Egg Hunt
When: March 19th from 7-8pm
Where: Costello Park, Manassas Park
What: Ages 8-11 can enjoy a flashlight egg hunt.  Use activity number 7313 to register. 
Fee: $5
Link: https://apm.activecommunities.com/manassaspark

Event: Tissue Paper Eggs Craft Class
When: March 19th from 10am-12pm
Where: Michaels Stores
What: They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
Fee: $2
Link: http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents

Event: Egg-cellent Easter Extravaganza
When: March 19th from 10am-12pm
Where: Chinn Park Aquatic and Fitness
What: Come join us for an Egg-cellent egg hunt, face painting, family games, crafts and bounce house fun.  Egg hunt is for children ages 2 - 12.  Must Register by March 10. 
Fee: $5.00 per child, free to children ages 2 and younger
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/955832027786388/

Event: Monkey Joe's Easter Eggstravaganza (Sterling)
When: March 23rd from 2pm-close
Where: Monkey Joe's 
What: On Wednesday March 23, the location will be hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza with $7 admission from 2pm to close. “Easter Bunny Joe” will be available to take photos with children all day. He will also be handing out Easter eggs to each child.
Fee: $7
Link: www.monkeyjoes.com/locations/dulles

Event: Egg Hunt at Camp William B. Snyder
When: March 26th at 9am SHARP
Where: Camp William B. Snyder, Haymarket
What: Be here at 9am sharp! This event moves fast.  Children will be separated by age to hunt for filled plastic eggs. Keep an eye out for the prize winning golden eggs and make sure you bring a basket and your camera! The Easter Bunny will be there for photo ops and fun.
Fee: $5/child by March 23, $8 day of registration
Link: https://scoutingevent.com/?CWBSEggHunt

Event: General's Ridge Egg Hunt
When: March 26, 2016 10am-12:30pm
Where: General's Ridge Golf Course
What: Join us for our First Easter Egg Hunt. Ages 4 & Under 10:00 am - 10:20 am, Ages 5-8 10:30 am -10:50 am, Ages 9-12 11:00 am - 11:20 am. Egg Hunt on our driving range. Must be accompanied by a parent. Crafts on our patio 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.
Fee: FREE
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/849751228504328/

Event: National Community Church Gainesville Egg Hunt
When: March 26, 2016 2pm-4pm
Where: Buckland Mills Elementary School
What: Featuring carnival games, moon bounce, petting zoo, face painting, picture with a live Easter Bunny, local Fire Truck onsite, lots of free prizes, everyone wins, free raffle prizes including movie tickets, restaurant gift cards, Spark Scooter give-a-way and more. And of course a massive Easter egg hunt!
Fee: FREE
Link: http://eggstravaganzadc.com

Event: Egg Hunts
When: When: March 12/13, 19/20, 26/27 and April 2/3 at 11am and 2pm
Where: Ticonderoga Farms
What: Egg hunts and farm fun.  The Easter Bunny will make appearances, too! 
Fee: $14.95 all day admission (open 10am-5pm) 

Event: Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest

When: April 2/3 from 11am-1:30pm

Where: Great Country Farms (Bluemont)

What:  Your family won’t want to miss the first “crop” of the spring– Marshmallow Picking!! Do marshmallow peeps really grow on trees? Your children will be amazed to harvest a few marshmallows to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. 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 18,000 eggs filled with treats to enchant your children.

Fee: $10

Link: http://greatcountryfarms.com/festivals-events/egg-hunt-and-marshmallow-harvest/

Easter Bunny Pictures at Potomac Mills Mall will run March 3-March 26th.  Times vary, but can be found online here. 

Easter Bunny Pictures at Manassas Mall will run March 9th-March 26th