Fire station tour

Many thanks to Debbie P. for organizing a tour of the fire station for us. We had a wonderful morning playing with friends, driving the fire truck, and watching the flashing lights. Each kid got a bag full of fire safety goodies and a fireman's hat!

Thanks to everyone who came for making it a success!

keeping busy; keeping warm

How do you keep your little one busy during the cold weather? We've had a few specific requests to address this topic, so we'd like to throw it out to the group. Here are a few ideas people have contributed -- please use the comments section to add your own! We'll highlight ideas in the next issue of the newsletter.

* The new Harris Teeter in Shirlington has 5 or 6 kid-sized shopping carts. Before about 11am the store is nearly empty, and we have taken advantage of the friendly employees and nearyby location to stretch our legs and restock our YoBaby on a few freezing mornings.

* Barcroft Center offers open play for $3 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and they also have some classes for even the littlest kids. Tumbling classes have openings for kids as young as 10 months! See their website or stop in for class listings.

have a holly, jolly christmas

I just had to post Lulu's visit to Santa yesterday. I don't think he was a favorite of ours.

New Years for the under-five set

How will you celebrate New Years with the kids this year? Our little one was too young to care last year (and honestly probably is this year, too), but we'll do something to let her join in the fun. My family had our own New Years celebration at 8pm, 9pm or 10pm on New Years Eve -- late enough for the staying up to be a treat, but early enough to allow for parents or teenagers with plans to get to their other parties. We toasted with Martinelli's sparkling cider and played games together, and then had our own countdown to the appointed hour and sometimes a balloon drop. Will you do something special this year?

Post your ideas below and look for compiled answers in January's newsletter! Thanks, and be safe this season!

photos with Santa

I'm planning to go get emma's photo taken with Santa taken next week and I spent a couple hours today trying to find the best (cheapest?) place. Here is what I found:

Pentagon City, 703-415-5009: Santa is there generally 10a-8p every day (Sunday is 11-7). The girl I spoke to didn't know the pricing for photos, and there's no info on their website.

Tysons Corner Center, 703-847-7300: Santa is there 10a-8p every day (Sunday is 1-6). Their cheapest package is $11.99 for one 5x7. I didn't speak to anyone there, but I'm sure you could also use your own camera to take photos as long as you purchase a package. Kids get a "free gift." More info here.

Potomac Mills, 703-499-9128: Santa is there 10a-9p Monday through Saturday. Their cheapest package is $16.99 for one 5x7, and you can also use your own camera to take photos as long as you purchase a package. Kids get a free reindeer antler headband. More info here.

Landmark Mall, 703-813-8999: Santa is there from 10a-9p Monday through Saturday (Sunday 11-8). Their cheapest package is $12.99, and the girl on the phone told me you can use your own camera and you don't even have to buy a package! More info here.

For most of these Santa does take hour-long breaks around 1 and 5, but you can check individual websites or call before you go.

And, I'm getting my Christmas tree tomorrow! (Well, we are.) Anyone have any suggestions of a close, friendly, well-stocked lot? We'd prefer to support a non-profit or charitable organization (Boy Scouts, Jaycees, a local church...), but we'll take any tips!


*****

Update: We had a great experience at Landmark. There was no one else waiting to see Santa when we went, and he took extra time to try to make the baby comfortable so she'd sit with him. No dice, of course, but we did end up opting to buy the cheap package so we could get this photo (and crop mommy out, of course):

take two xanax and call me in the morning

It's been a trying day. I hate, HATE this aspect of parenting.

http://diana-caffeinated.blogspot.com/2007/11/take-two-xanax-and-call-me-in-morning.html

More Holidays in DC

I've had some more great suggestions made to me offline, so I wanted to post them here.

Have more ideas? Interested in forming a group to try something listed here? Post a comment to connect with others and use the listserv or an email to make some plans!

National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse (daily Dec. 6-Jan. 1)

Mount Vernon by Candlelight (Fri, Sat, & Sun only, Nov. 23-Dec. 9)

Parade of Lights Holiday Boat Parade (Sat., Dec. 1, 5:30-6:30pm)

Advent Noonday Noels (Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19, 12:05pm)

Union Station's Holiday Train (Nov. 20-Jan.6)

Creche Exhibit at the National Cathedral (Nov. 19-Jan.11)

The Nutcracker at The Washington Ballet (Dec. 6-23)

A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater (Dec. 6-29)