Get ready for a busy weekend!

This weekend promises lots of fun! Here’s the scoop on what’s going on:

Saturday

George Washington’s Mount Vernon will host their Fall Harvest Family Days (Oct. 26-27, 9am – 5pm). This weekend event includes wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, a
straw maze, apple roasting, corn husk doll making and early American music. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half price this weekend only. Another great event the entire family can enjoy!

Bring your little “monsters” for a day of Halloween surprises, mask making, Sesame Street character fun and much more at the National Children’s Museum! Make sure to wear your best Halloween costume!
Special storytimes will take place at 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. featuring The Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey and Annie Was Warned by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.
In the Center for Learning and Innovation, they’ll have a Monster Mash Workshop (Green Room) where kids will be able to make their own little monster!
In the Blue Room, children ages 3 and under will make paper bag pumpkins and flying bats. Other activities for NCM’s youngest visitors include fishing for apples, Jack-o’-Lantern tic tac toe amd pumpkin switch-a-roo!
See more at: http://www.ccm.org/events#sthash.K3ryU1hn.dpuf

Drop-in studio time at UpCycle Creative Reuse Center runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a $5 fee or a $15 maximum for a family to come in and craft.
http://www.upcyclecrc.org/

If you are looking for something to do with the wee ones visit the Frog Pond Fall Festival. There will be games, food, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafts, music, etc. all for a suggested donation of $5. It is also a great chance to check out this full-day nature-based preschool. (There are goats!!! That was the selling point for me, anyway.) 10AM to Noon, 7204 Harrison Lane

Old Town Theater’s Vaudeville Matinee for Kids will be from Noon-3 p.m.

Trick n treating with Shirlie on Saturday, October 26th from 2-4pm! http://villageatshirlington.com/events/upcoming-events/trick-or-treat-with-shirlie/
Dress in your Halloween costume and stroll through The Village and pick up treats at your favorite restaurants and shops.

Hooray For Book will have author Jennifer O’Connell in the store from 2-3 p.m., just in time for Halloween. Her book Ten Timid Ghosts is a delightfully spooky counting book that teaches children how to count backwards. Ages 3+

The Del Ray Montessori School’s Multi-Family Yard Sale, Sat., Oct 26 from 9:00 am – noon at 100 East Windsor Avenue, Alexandria

Head to Old Town Farmers’ Market tomorrow morning, Sat. Oct. 26, 2013 from 9-10 AM. Join a witch and a warlock at the bandstand in the reading of “Doggie Tails With Alex and Andria In Alexandria.” A local PTA fundraiser, proceeds from the book sales will go directly to area City of Alexandria Elementary School PTAs.

This Saturday is Trick or Treat with the Boutiques in Old Town Alexandria! Thirty-seven stores in Old Town will be handy out treats of all sorts to you and your little ones. The event runs during regular store hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday

This coming Sunday is the Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade to be held on October 27th at 2 pm. In past years, more than 5,000 have participated in this annual event which included over 2,000 children, special dignitaries and elected officials; over 50 pets in Halloween costumes; and 25 decorated strollers.

Dust off that jogging stroller and join us for a morning of rocking and strolling at National Harbor. Check in begins at 8am and Run/Walk will begin at 9am. Rock on to Rocknoceros, the coolest band in the DC-area (and maybe even the world!) for kids of all ages
http://rocknstroller5k.com/

Harvest Days is continuing at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

 

Trick or Treat with the Boutiques 2013

This Saturday is Trick or Treat with the Boutiques in Old Town Alexandria!

Thirty-seven stores in Old Town will be handy out treats of all sorts to you and your little ones. The event runs during regular store hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This is such a fun event and a great way to spend the day as a family.

Many of the Old Town Boutiques will be having special events celebrating Halloween!

At Pink and Brown you can have your child’s photo taken in costume on Halloween and win major prizes!  On Halloween (October 31) from 11 am to 5 pm. Bring your child into the store in their favorite costume for the free photo and you will be automatically entered to win a $100 Pink & Brown gift card. Pictures will be posted in store and on Facebook. Encourage your friends and family members to vote for your child’s photo starting on November 2. The winner–the child with the most votes–will be announced on November 10. Spend $25 or more at Pink & Brown on October 31 and you will automatically be entered to win a gift basket worth $200.

Hooray for Books will have an author event on Saturday from 2-3 p.m. They are pleased to have author Jennifer O’Connell in the store, just in time for Halloween. Her book Ten Timid Ghosts is a delightfully spooky counting book that teaches children how to count backwards. This activity is for kids ages 3+

Monday’s Child will be offering a bonus 20% off all day Saturday!

Del Ray Halloween Parade 2013

This coming Sunday is the Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade to be held on October 27th at 2 pm. In past years, more than 5,000 have participated in this annual event which included over 2,000 children, special dignitaries and elected officials; over 50 pets in Halloween costumes; and 25 decorated strollers.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreational Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb.

This year’s parade will feature awards for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. Judges include elected officials & City Dignitaries.  Awards will be given out at a brief ceremony following the parade, along with refreshments (hot dogs donated by 7-Eleven, cider, and cookies) and goodie bags for the children (including as long as they last, healthy bags that will not have any candy). Entertainment will be provided by the popular band Mars Rodeo and again this year thanks to the Alexandria Jaycees there will be games and activities for the children. They will take place at the Mt. Vernon fields immediately following the parade. The Parade and all activities are free!

***This year, please note that there is a major change for Stroller Entries for both registration location and judging. Based on feedback from parents, judging for the Stroller Competition will be done prior to the parade. Stroller entries must register by 1:30 pm at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and E. Howell – look for long string of orange balloons & signs. Once registered, strollers will line up on Howell to be judged prior to participating in the parade. Please allow extra time to get to the judging area by 1:30 pm especially if your entry is difficult to maneuver or if you are a large group. There is no fee to register and there are lots of wonderful prizes donated from our local businesses. Categories are: “Creative”, “Humorous”, “Best Group or Family”, “Less is More” and “Overall”.

Registration for Pets begins at 1:30 pm on Mt. Vernon south of E. Howell Ave. look for signage to register your pet. Categories include: “Creative”, “Team”, “How Could You Do This to Me” & “Best of Show”.

There is no registration required for children and families that march in the parade – they should gather at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte.

Del Ray Variety Store will be offering parade day face painting from 10:30 and 1:30pm and sidewalk sale.

Happy Doh Lucky  will be handing out free samples in front of the Purple Goose. Happy Doh Lucky is a really fun, soft moldable dough that encourages children to make their own play! The company is run by a local mom and sold online and at the Purple Goose.

After the parade from 5 pm to 8 pm, for the 7th year, families can enjoy a Spooky Bean Halloween Haunted Graveyard and Belmonster Zombie Decontamination Zone (free!) and will be located next to Bean Creative at Mt. Vernon and E. Del Ray Avenue. The front part of the Haunted Graveyard is open to younger children but the back portion is recommended for a more mature audience.

T.H.E. Baby Shower 2013

T.H.E. Baby Shower is coming to Alexandria tomorrow evening!

Event Highlights Include:

Baby Bump Photoshoot – Show off your baby bump or your new mini-me at our fun photo session

The Cravings Station – Indulge in delicious treats and refreshing beverages, and learn how healthy also can be tasty

 Just for Me Corner – Learn how to incorporate exercise and beauty in your new life as a mommy. Feel the importance of massage therapy — relax | relate | release

Mini-Seminars – An introduction to answers to your most pressing questions about being a parent — Connections to the experts who can guide you along the way

 Exhibitors – A diverse group of local and national companies offering an array of products and services for you and your little one

Mini-Seminars include the following topics:

Delicious, Nutritious Baby Food: Why You Should Consider Homemade
Hosted by Lisa Barrangou, Ph.D., Author of RealSmart Baby Food
Dr. Lisa Barrangou discusses why you should consider making homemade baby food rather than relying on commercially processed foods for baby. She shares quick tips and strategies that will allow even the busiest of parents to create a well-balanced, diverse offering of meals for baby, without spending countless hours in the kitchen.

Simplifying Work-Life (& Baby!) Balance
Hosted by Katie O’Brien, Life Coach for New Moms
Work-life balance with a new baby can be tricky. Moms tend to put their needs, values and desires aside to care for their beautiful new baby (whether still in the womb or after baby has arrived). While babies do need a high level of care, that doesn’t mean mommas don’t.
Join Katie O’Brien, life coach for new moms, for a mini-workshop and learn how to make your work-life balance simpler. Learn how to easily blend your needs and wants with those of your career and your family so you can create a win-win for everyone.
The feeling of loss of control, while normal for new moms, is completely optional. Make the 24 hours in a day work for you instead of against you. By learning how to utilize time with a better awareness it can actually appear that you are shifting it to work for you, instead of against you. In this workshop begin to design a solution that will finally allow you to simplify your work-life balance with your new baby.

Cloth Diapering 101
Hosted by Cheri Chapman, Owner of Chapman Hill BABY
Why choose cloth diapers? There are so many reasons! Cloth diapers are soft against your baby’s skin. Cloth diapers are also free of the many chemicals contained in disposable diapers. Our common sense tells us that cloth diapers are the ultimate in recycling because they are used again and again, not entering a landfill until they are nothing but rags. Of course, some people want more than this common sense approach–they want facts

Breastfeeding Basics
Hosted by Fleur May, MSN, RN from Inova

Annual Preschool Fair

If you’re in the market for a preschool, you won’t want to miss the Moms Club of Alexandria-Northeast’s 11th Annual Preschool Fair this week!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from 8:30am-12:00pm

WHERE: First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302

WHY: This highly informative fair is your one-stop shop to meet with representatives from preeminent preschools and programs from the greater Alexandria area. Last year, over 200 parents attended the fair to meet and talk with over 40 schools exhibiting. Here’s your chance to learn about the educational opportunities available for your child.

All parents are welcome and admission is free.

NOTE: As in previous years, the Moms Club will publish and distribute the 2013 Preschool Booklet to attendees of the fair. They ask for a $1-$5 donation to cover costs for printing/advertising the booklet and fair. This booklet lists each fair exhibitor along with a brief description of their program, including admission, tuition and open house information. It’s a great reference guide for all the local preschools available to you. After the event, they will make the booklet available to those interested.

About MOMS Club: The Preschool Fair is a service provided to the community by the MOMS Club of Alexandria-Northeast, VA. MOMS Club is an international nonprofit organization offering the invaluable resources of support, friendship, activities and local information to stay-at-home moms. The chapter is devoted to fulfilling the motto of MOMS Club International: Moms Offering Moms Support and also playing a key role in supporting the local community.

Time for Art On The Avenue

It’s time for one of Del Ray’s signature events; Art on The Avenue!

This is the 18th year of the art festival that takes over Mount Vernon Avenue. The festivities go from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. starting at Bellefonte Ave. and stretching down to Hume Ave. (right where Mt. Vernon runs into Commonwealth Ave.)

Over 340 artists and craftspeople set up along Mount Vernon Avenue to display and sell their work.

Here’s the list of free children’s activities:

Art on the Avenue hosts four stages that are packed with entertainment throughout the day.  Each stage has different performers scheduled from 10am to 6pm:

• Twin Stages at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Oxford Avenues – two stages go continuously, while one stage has performers, the other stage has the next entertainment being set up.
• Homegrown Stage at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Bellefonte Avenues – all performers on this stage are from the Del Ray area.
• Acoustic Stage in the Nature’s Nibbles side yard located at Mt. Vernon and Stewart Avenues – this stage features music at its’ best where individual artists perform playing their own music.
• Grassy Knoll Stage at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center – this stage features musicians from the Del Ray Performing Arts Center.

There will be a children’s stage will the following line-up:

There will also be food vendors, so come hungry.

Here are a few more details that the amazing Del Ray Patch has pulled together about our neighborhood festival:

• Painter and singer-songwriter Alex Cook will be installing a mural on the E. Del Ray Avenue side of A Show of Hands throughout the day. You can view some of Cook’s other murals on his website.

• Del Ray Artisans (2704 Mount Vernon Ave.) will host artist demonstrations throughout the day outside its gallery. Inside, check out the new “Del-Ray-Geous” exhibit. 

• St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Catholic Church (402 E. Monroe Ave.) is hosting a blessing of the animals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All pets are welcome, even fish and snakes. There will also be animals available for adoption and an exotic animal petting zoo.

• The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (1804 Mount Vernon Ave.) is hosting a flea market and estate sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday featuring furniture, collectables, educational games, books for kids and adults, stuffed animals, crafts and glassware. The market benefits struggling families living in Alexandria.

• Del Ray Variety (203 E. Custis Ave.) is hosting a Great Pumpkin Contest.

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy and Greener Cleaner are both closed Saturday for the festival.

• Evening Start will start serving food and pouring drinks at 11 AM so stop by for some mac and cheese, chef Jim’s housemade hot sauce and brews such as Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner and Long Trail Brewing Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Plus, 6 bands (Kate Moran Band, Lucky Dub, Mud Rey, Andrea Pais, Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray and Rachel Burns) will be supplying the tunes in our back lot. Can’t wait, Del Ray!

 

4th Annual Alexandria Story Festival

What’s the best free event in Alexandria for children and families that you may have never heard of? The 4th Annual Alexandria Story Festival of course!

This fun festival has been growing each year and this year offers an incredible line up of authors and performers. This year won’t disappoint! This is a don’t miss event for families.

The 4th Annual
Alexandria Story Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2013
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
T.C. Williams High School
3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
As always, the Alexandria Story Festival is a FREE event for children and their families.

2013 Author Presentations

Jonathan Auxier – Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
John Belemans Marciano – The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield,
Madeline and the Old House in Paris, Madeline at the White House, Madeline and the Cats of Rome, and others
Erin Cabatingan – A is for Musk Ox, Musk Ox Counts
Elisabeth Dahl – Genie Wishes
Martha Freeman – The Case of the Diamond Dog Collar, The Case of the Ruby Slippers,
The Year My Parents Ruined My Life, and others
Shannon Jones – KeeKee’s Big Adventures in Paris, France
Anne Marie Pace – Vampirina Ballerina Hosts a Sleepover, Vampirina Ballerina
Erica Perl – King of the Zoo, Chicken Butt, and others
Trevor Pryce – An Army of Frogs: A Kulipari Novel
Mark Tatulli – Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic, Lio: Making Friends,
Lio:There’s a Monster in My Socks, and others

Schedule of Events

Picture Book Panel: 10:00 am – 11:15 am Cafeteria Stage (in alphabetical order) John Bemelmans Marciano Erin Cabatingan Shannon Jones Anne Marie Pace Erica Pearl

Chapter Book Panel: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Cafeteria Stage (in alphabetical order) Jonathan Auxier Elisabeth Dahl Martha Freeman Trevor Pryce Mark Tatulli

Performances/Presentations

Kaleidoscope for Kids Activity: 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Titan Den (for students in grades 3 and up)

Arts on the Horizon’s The young Spectaculars and the Front Yard Adventures: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Black Box Theater (performance for youngsters)

Lulu Delacre: Canta, Baila, y Viaje por el mundo!: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Black Box Theater (for Spanish speaking students and families)

The Alexandria Story Festival is hosted by
Wright to Read, Hooray for Books!, ACPS Face Center and Carson Scholars Fund.

National Night Out Alexandria

Tomorrow, Aug. 6th, the Del Ray Citizens Association will host National Night Out at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center Field from 5:30-8:30.  National Night Out is a community gathering to promote community and public safety. Come visit with your neighbors and local police and other public safety officers. Refreshments will be served.

All through Alexandria there will be several National Night Out Celebrations . McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, K-9 Unit, Motor Unit, Bike Patrol, Command Bus, Armored Personnel Carrier and the Crime Scene Mobile Lab will tour neighborhoods and offer special demonstrations.

National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to:

•     Heighten crime prevention awareness;
•     Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
•     Strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnerships;
•     Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

“National Night Out is an opportunity for the Alexandria Police Department to strengthen our relationship with the community and thank the residents for their vigilance and their dedication to keeping Alexandria a safe place to live, work and visit,” says Chief Cook.

First Thursday- Did you know?

Tomorrow, August 1st from 6-9 p.m. is First Thursday – Did You Know

The Del Ray Business Association will be sharing interesting facts about local businesses and Del Ray through a scavenger hunt and educational demonstrations.  For the Scavenger Hunt, pick up the clues and map at 6pm at the Farmer’s Market. Find the answers by visiting local businesses and their tables along the Avenue. Seichou Karate, Del Ray Variety, Rich Rosenthal Brincefield Manitta Dzubin & Kroeger, A Shot in the Dark, The Plannery, Nanny Next Door, Jason Fuchs of Wells Fargo Advisors, Del Ray Artisans, and Sediment Press will be participating.

Mount Vernon Community School will be the featured non-profit of First Thursday and will have a booth at the Farmers Market. At the booth you can:
■Purchase MVCS t-shirts
■Sign up to join/renew your PTA membership
■Drop off “Boxtops for Education“
■Register your Giant, Target, Safeway and Harris Teeter cards so MVCS can earn money with each purchase
■Get the latest on the MV Big Flea and other PTA programs and activities
■Learn how to become a community partner
■Donate school supplies

There will also be demonstrations at the Farmer’s Market Lot starting at 6:30 Turn Your Favorite Bar Soap Into A Liquid Soap (Truly Life) 6:45 Karate Student Demo (Seichou Karate) 7:15 A Skit (Del Ray Variety)

Many businesses will have tables set up along Mt. Vernon Avenue. Many will have fun activities and demonstrations. Get your face painted at Nanny Next Door’s table near A Show of Hands. Watch Meghan from A Shot in the Dark demonstrate the rule of thirds at A Shot in the Dark’s table near the Farmer’s Market.

Warwick Pool

In case you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy Warwick pool with your family, you should take of advantage of it this summer. The city has agreed to keep this facility open for 2013 but is not planning to keep the pool open after this year. It is located at 3301 Landover St. in Warwick Village.There is a 25 yard pool with a diving well. The Pool starts at 3 feet in depth and increases to 9 feet in the diving well. There is a separate wading pool for children up to 42 inches in height. There are changing rooms in a very basic bathhouse. No concessions are available so bring a picnic lunch. There is a picnic area inside the pool complex. Next door to the pool is a park with a new playground and picnic area.

Operating Hours

• May 25 – June 23
  • Saturday & Sunday only: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• June 24 – August 16
  • Monday – Friday: Noon to 7 p.m.
  • Sat & Sun: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• August 17 – September 2
  • Sat & Sunday only: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Memorial, Independence and Labor Day)

Where to find the pool? It’s located at 3301 Landover St. You can call for more information at 703.836.1241

Warwick Pool Admission Fees:

General Admission	Fee
Child (0 – 4) with paying adult	Free
Youth (5-17)	$1
Adult  (18-59)	$2
Senior (60 & older)	Free
Nonresident	$3
Outdoor Pool Season Pass	Fee
Child (0 – 4) with paying adult	Free
Youth (5-17)	$53
Adult (18-59)	$105
Seniors (60 & older)	Free
Family (includes up to 4)	$288
Nonresident	Not Available