Family

All this rain we’ve had in RVA lately has left me scrambling to find fun, indoor things to do with my three kids, especially the littlest one who needs a lot of help staying out of trouble. Sensory play is a great indoor activity for kids of all ages, even my eight year old can’t get enough of playdough and slime. However, it’s especially beneficial for little ones because it keeps them busy while also promoting their growth and development.

Three Main Benefits of Sensory Play

1. It promotes the development of many skills including: oral language skills,  fine and gross motor skills,  memory skills and problem solving skills.
2. It helps to relax anxious children.
3. It teaches children to use sensory characteristics (sticky, gooey, dry, cold).

Here are five of my favorite taste-safe sensory play activities: 

Banana Pudding Slime

• 1/4 cup instant pudding mix
• 1 cup corn starch
• 1/3 cup warm water

1. Add instant pudding mix and half of your cornstarch to a mixing bowl. Add 1/3 cup water and stir until slime begins to form (it will be pretty sticky at this point)
2. Slowly add the rest of your cornstarch, stirring as you go. When slime thickens and is hard to stir with a spoon, finish kneading by hand.
3. Making slime isn’t an exact science, and sometimes I need to add a bit more water if the slime is dry, or a bit more corn starch if it is sticky. I’d compare it to making bread: sometimes you need to keep working in flour until you have the perfect consistency.

From The Soccer Mom Blog

Homemade Kinetic Sand

• 1/2 cup flour  
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 Tbsp. oil (any kind) 
• 1 Tbsp. corn syrup.

If it runs a touch on the drier side add a touch more oil in your next recipe.

From Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

Pumpkin Pie Play Clay

• Canned Pumpkin
• Cornstarch 
• Pumpkin Pie Spice

1. Take your pumpkin and stir it until it’s smooth.
2. Add enough pumpkin pie spice that it smells delicious.
3. Slowly add cornstarch and stir.  Once the dough starts drying out, you’ll want to switch to kneading.  You want the dough to roll into a ball, but it should not stick to your hands.
4.  If it is sticking to your hands add a bit more cornstarch; if it is so dry that it won’t form a ball and is crumbling instead, add a small amount of water.

∗The amounts of cornstarch will vary depending on the brand and quantity of canned pumpkin you use. The dough will keep for 2-3 days sealed in the fridge.

From Fun At Home With Kids

Yogurt Silly Putty

• Corn starch
• Yogurt- Make sure it’s a yogurt without chunks of fruit.

1. Mix together 1 cup of yogurt and 3/4 cups of corn starch
2. When the mixture is no longer sticky, pick it up and roll the putty into a ball (to further mix the yogurt and corn starch)
3. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in additional corn starch. If it’s too dry, add a bit more yogurt

From Smart School House

Ooblek

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Corn Starch
• 1 Cup of Water
• 10 Drops of Food Coloring (optional)

1.  In a shallow bowl, combine the corn starch and water.  The mixture will be thick and hard to stir, so mix the ingredients by hand.

2.  Add the food coloring and mix well.  We used green food coloring to look like the Oobleck in the Dr. Seuss book, but you can pick any color.

From ABC’s of Literacy

Other great things to use for baby sensory play:

Rice Crispies/Cheerios or other cereal that isn’t a choking hazard

Boxed Mashed Potato Flakes

Ice

Colored Rice

Tapioca Pearls

Gelatin

Sensory play is so much fun for the whole family, and many of the items I used above you probably already have in your pantry. Summer is a great time to experiment and get messy with sensory because, when you’re done, you can throw them in a baby pool in the backyard for easy cleanup. If you try any of the recipes, please let me know how it goes. Let’s get messy!

♥ Erin

It’s a basic truth of parenthood: Kids are freakin’ expensive! After our third child was born, we realized that between twice weekly trips to the grocery store, preschool tuition, doctors visits, and too many Target clearance binges, we were spending more than we were earning. It was time to make a budget! Once we committed to it, creating a budget was actually quite simple and painless. If we can do it, so can you!

Follow the simple steps below to see where your money has been going and figure out where you can cut back. Just a few simple tweaks can help things really start to fall into place.

Basic Budgeting 101:

Calculate Your Earnings– Add up your total average monthly household income.

Track Your Spending– Over a three month period, write down everything you spend money on, and organize the spending into the following categories.

• Fixed payments– These stay pretty much the same every month. It will include your mortgage or rent, utility bills, insurance, car payments, subscription services like Netflix or Apple music, etc. In our house this category accounts for about 50-75% of our overall spending.
• Medical– This includes doctor, dentist or vet visits, and any prescriptions. These costs will most likely change from month to month.
• Necessities– Groceries, toiletries, pet supplies, school supplies, car maintenance and gas are all added up here. If you are anal retentive like me, you can split this category into further sub-categories.
• Fun Spending– This will be things like dining out, buying coffee, movie tickets, concerts, clothes, shoes, etc.
• Savings– Include this category only if you are currently saving money for things like your child’s college fund, vacation or unexpected home repairs.

You can use free apps like Mint or Fudget to help you with this step.

Analyze Your Spending– Subtract your expenses from your total income and see where you are. If you have money left at the end of each month, you’re definitely on the right track. You can start thinking about where you want to save that leftover income. However, if you realize, like we did, that you are spending more than you’re bringing in, you’ll now be ready to make some hard decisions about your spending. Obviously you can’t do much to change your fixed payments, but you can definitely cut costs in the fun spending area and make money saving tweaks to things in the other categories.

Cut Costs- Try some of these budget boosting strategies to help your family save money each month:

• Lower Energy costs– By making small changes like lowering the thermostat in the winter, taking shorter showers and turning out lights when leaving a room, you can save on utility costs each month while also reducing your carbon footprint.
• Cut Cable and Phone Service– We saved over $60/month by switching from a bundled service to only internet and subscribing to Hulu instead.
• Negotiate Better Rates– If you can’t cut the cord, you can still save money on cable, internet and phone bills by shopping around and negotiating lower rates. An employee at our internet provider actually recommended doing this every six months. You can usually get a lower rate, especially if you’ve been a loyal customer or you’re considering changing providers.
• Meal Plan Weekly– Planning out meals every week can really cut down on both food waste and grocery store spending. Also, if you have a planned menu, you’ll definitely eliminate those nights that you eat out because you have no idea what to make for dinner.
• Make Lists- Whether you’re shopping for groceries, clothes or toiletries, always make a list and stick to it. It’s such a basic idea, but it leads to big savings if you can follow through!
• Get it Delivered– I recently started having my groceries delivered through Shipt. You can choose from Lidl, Kroger and Target. I’ve been getting all of my groceries from Lidl. Many of our weekly staples are crazy cheap there, and the quality has been great. Getting my groceries delivered means I won’t be buying extra food because I’m shopping hungry, and I know the total before I check out so, if I feel like I’ve overspent, I can adjust as needed.  I’ve been saving an average of $50/week.
• Eat less meat– There are many vegetarian options that are much cheaper than meat. Consider adding in one or two meatless meals a week to cut down on your grocery bills.
• Get to Know the Farmer’s Market– When you’re eating the rainbow, those produce bills can really add up! Save money on produce by shopping local.
• Dine Out Only Once per Week- The cost of even a meal for two is rarely under $30, more if you order drinks and dessert. Cutting down to only once a week will help you save big.
• Brew at Home– My Starbucks addiction was killing our budget. If you can’t live without  lattes or cappuccinos, invest in a quality espresso machine with a milk frother.
• Invest in Reusable Items– One company that does a great job of providing these types of products is Norwex. Since I purchased the enviro cloths and window cloths, we no longer use paper towels. We also bought wool dryer balls that eliminate the need for dryer sheets, which are actually really harmful to the environment. I love saving money and I also love not throwing more paper products into the landfill. We also invested in quality reusable stainless steel water bottles and no longer buy disposable plastic bottles.
• Buy Kid Gear Gently Used– When it comes to children’s clothing, toys, and other gear, let the grandparents buy all the flashy new stuff. Kids bodies grow and change so quickly, and so do their interests. You might start Christmas shopping early and buy your Paw Patrol obsessed child an expensive Rubble action figure in September, but by December they only have eyes for PJ Masks! It just makes sense to shop garage sales or Craig’s List whenever possible, or arrange kids book, toy and clothing swaps with friends.
• Or there is always this……

Be a Saver– Once you’ve figured out how to lower your expenses so that you have something left at the end of each month, you should set up a monthly direct deposit into your savings account. This guarantees that you will be putting money away for a rainy day. You never know when an emergency will arise, so having a savings fund to draw from is really important.

Make sure you have a conversation about what the savings account will be used for to avoid arguments about money later on.  I felt like one of the points of our savings account was to have money for vacations and holiday gifts, things that are expensive and add up quickly. However, my husband felt like it should be saved for emergencies only. Talking through our expectations and saving goals helped us make sure we were on the same page.

Prepare for the Future- Another thing we did when we started budgeting was finally setup our children’s 529 plans. Some of our leftover income goes into monthly 529 contributions that are also direct deposited into each account. The VA 529 plan has three options, so you need to do your research to see which program is right for your family.

Review Your Budget– As your family grows and changes, your budget may look different as well. Also, unexpected expenses may make budget changes necessary. Take time to sit down together at least every three months, preferably with a bottle of wine, and make sure things are still on track.

For parents of young children, now is the best time to start budgeting to become both financially secure and financially aware. It will benefit you, and it will greatly benefit your children as well. Children with parents who understand how to handle money will grow into adults who know when to spend and when to save!

Happy Budgeting!

♥ Erin

Happy Summer! I hope you’re relaxing by the pool with a cold drink in your hand, not stressing out about packing everything you need for summer vacation like I am. However, if you are stressing about that first beach vacation with kids, you’ve come to the right place.

Check out the guide below for all of my family beach vacation must-haves, as well as what to leave at home:

Don’t Burn Baby, Burn!

My friends over at ThinkBaby.org came up with a comprehensive list of the best and worst sunscreens for your baby to toddler. As they say in the article, ” Finding the perfect sunscreen for your baby is not an exact science and it does involve plenty of trial runs until you find the one that you like the most. The most important thing is not to expose your baby directly to the sun and to have light layers of clothing even with the sunscreen on.”

Buzz off, bugs!

You don’t want bug bites to get in the way of a good time. Read on below for more information on applying insect repellent safely.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that insect repellents containing deet are safe for children as young as 2 months. Bug repellents with deet come in varying strengths — some contain up to 30-percent deet. A higher concentration of deet doesn’t mean a product is stronger, only that it lasts longer
• Although deet is safe for use on children, many parents prefer to use bug repellents that are deet-free. Natural repellents are made with plant oils such as citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood. They generally need to be reapplied more often than products containing deet.
• Lotions that combine bug repellent and sunscreen might sound like a good idea, but they aren’t. The reason is that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours, but you shouldn’t expose your children to that much bug repellent

Here are some of the top reviewed sprays for children:

Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes    

Baby’s Bugs at Bay Insect Spray

Sawyer Products Insect Repellant with 20% Picaridin

Swimsuits and Sunhats and Water Shoes: Oh My!

When it comes to beachwear, simple and easy to put on is always better. ALWAYS. When shopping for baby/toddler girls, always buy a two piece suit or a one piece that snaps at the bottom like a onesie. I just bought my youngest this one from Cat and Jack at Target.

I love these long sleeved rash guard bathing suits for baby/toddler boys. They also have snaps at the bottom for easy diaper changes.

If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm in the ocean or pool, check out the Confidence Babywarma Swimsuit it enables babies to stay warmer in the pool or ocean for much longer than would be possible without it. Babywarma is made of a very high-grade neoprene fabric to insulate baby while allowing parents to keep a firmer grip on their child in the water.

If you want to cut down on waste and save money at the same time (Those swim diapers are hella expensive!!) consider these reusable swim diapers from Nageuret. They’re adjustable and fit children from 8-36 lbs. so you can get years of use out of them.

These aqua socks from JIASUQI are so easy to slip on, with no annoying straps or velcro to attach. Hallelujah!

For protecting baby’s tender head, there is no better cover than the iPlay Flap Sun Hat. It is water resistant, machine washable, made of UPF 50 fabric and comes in every color of the rainbow.

I love these sunglasses from Tuga. They come with two different comfy straps, one for ages 0-2 and the other for ages 2-5. You have to love something that will grow with your child for their first five years.

Float On

Puddle Jumpers are the only floaties my kids have ever needed. They each have their own and they’ve really held up over the last 6 years.

I’ve also heard great things about the Full Throttle Infant/Child Life Vests. They provide a pop-up pillow for added head support and additional safety and a grab strap for quick recovery if necessary.

Sit on it, Potsie

You probably won’t have much time to sit, but it is nice to have something to rest your sandy behind on during those hard won moments alone. I got this Coleman chair last year and I love it! It is a little bit bulkier than some other foldable chairs, but I love the side cooler bag, cup holders and plastic sleeve where I can keep my phone handy.

If you don’t feel like lugging a heavy folding chair, try one of these backpack chairs from Rio Beach. It has 4 reclining positions, a pillowa,  cupholder and it’s pretty lightweight.

If neither of the options above are your speed, try rolling up one of these giant blankets from Chillax. It comes with a carrying bag that is stitched to it so you can’t lose it and it is small enough to fit in a beach bag when folded down. The RIP-STOP nylon fabric is sand, water and heat repellent. It also comes with 4 SandPockets to keep your blanket in place even in windy days.

Made in the shade

A little sun is good for babies, but too much can be very harmful. If you’re planning to spend a whole day at the beach, it’s important to keep babies in the shade the majority of the time.

This is the sun tent I used when my kids were babies. It easily folds down and fits into a small carrying case that you can throw in your beach bag. This tent held up through three kids over 6 years.

They also make a lot of sun tents now with a built in pool underneath to keep baby extra cool. I haven’t tried this, but this one from The Hamptons Baby was the best reviewed on Amazon.Best of the beach

Here are some of my favorite miscellaneous beach must-haves:

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set– I purchased this sand toy set eight years ago and it’s still going strong! The pail that’s included is the only one we’ve had that has lasted more than one beach vacation.

Intex Sunset Glow Inflatable Baby Pool– This cheap pool is a great choice for the beach. It’s compact, easy to inflate and inexpensive enough that you can buy one every year if you need to.

Codream Mesh Beach Bag– This leak-proof beach bag has a cooler attached to the bottom that can hold up to 12 cans. It also has two outside pockets to keep your phone or car keys.

SAFEGO Portable Indoor/Outdoor Lock Box Safe– If you get nervous about leaving your cell phones, cameras, wallets, etc. hidden while you’re swimming in the ocean, this is the product for you. It has a three number combination lock and key and it has a cord to attach it to your beach chairs or umbrellas. It’s also water and sand resistant.

The Shader– Dave Baldwin from Fatherly, an awesome dad blog, describes this amazing beach shade that you never knew you needed in his article, The 16 Best Beach Gear to Help Make Your Next Beach Day Go Smoothly:

“At first glance, Shader looks like somebody removed the canopy of a baby stroller and used it to cover their head on a beach. In reality, it’s a portable (and collapsible) sun shield designed in Australia to take the place of whatever you’re currently using to block your face from the sun ⏤ be it a hat, magazine, or t-shirt. That said, the thing comes loaded with bonus features including a removable pillow with integrated chill pack, a six-cup drink holder, and a phone/iPad solar charging panel that can accommodate a USB-powered fan. It also attaches to chairs, boasts an internal pocket for your wallet, and comes with a beach bag that also has room for a towel. Now that’s one hell of a stroller canopy.”

UE Roll 2- So this is totally going on my birthday wishlist! This tiny portable speaker is completely waterproof and boasts a 100 ft. Bluetooth wireless range and 9 hr. rechargeable battery life. It’s lighter than a can of soda and even comes with its own float to keep your music close to you in the pool.

Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Wagon Beach Cart – This large capacity wagon folds down to only 10″ thick, but carries up to 150 lbs. It also has a small table with two cup holders.

The Rinse Kit– If you’re like me and hate waiting in line to wash off your feet, just to have your kids get all sandy again on the short walk from the shower to the car, this kit might be well worth the $75 price tag. The rinse kit provides 4 minutes of high pressure water so you can get everyone clean right before hopping into the car. Score!

Or, for a much cheaper alternative, keep a couple jugs of water in your trunk.

Sand-Off! Sand Cleaner Wipe Off Mitt– This mitt contains a patented, dry body wash powder formulation embedded in the mitt to remove sand with no mess; plush terry cloth applicator feels leaves skin soft and sand-free. 

Keep it at home

• Don’t bring kids their own beach chairs! They take up a lot of space in the car and they’re tough to carry. They are too young to have bad backs, so they can sit on the sand just like we all did when we were young!
• If you’re going somewhere where you can rent umbrellas, don’t bring your own. It’s worth it to not have to carry your own all the way from the car. Your back will thank you.
• When it comes to beach gear, know your own child. If you have a sleepy baby, a small foldable beach tent may be all you really need. For a really active toddler, you won’t get them to sit still in the sun tent or baby pool for more than five minutes so it’s smarter to leave them in the car.

TRUE STORY.

Enjoy the beach!

♥ Erin

* This post contains affiliate links*

Summer is officially here! Richmond is an amazing city, full of things to do all summer long. From parks to pools to outdoor concerts, there is something for every interest. Look at all the summer activities we’ve collected below and start planning your family fun today!

Splash Pads/Parks

Check out our guide here to the best parks, splash pads and playgrounds in RVA.

Maymont Spring/Summer Calendar– Family camp-outs, concerts, hikes and more!

Lewis Ginter Calendar of Events– Drop in and dig, story time, yoga in the garden and crafts for kids, not to mention their splash pad that is now open daily.

Fridays on the Farm at Crump Park and Meadow Farm Museum–Fridays 7/6-8/31 from 9am-11am-Visit the farm for guided animal tours and old-fashioned games. FREE.

Outdoor Concerts

When my kids were toddlers, outdoor concerts were my favorite place to take them in the summer. My husband and I could listen to live music without having to worry about the kids being quiet and staying in their seats. We’re lucky to live in a city that has so many different venues to offer.

Rock n’ Roll Summer at West Broad Village– Located near the ALOFT hotel, beginning at 7 pm every other Friday this Summer. There will be live music, raffles, games, food, drinks & visit with our tenants! The 1st 100 guests to stop by our booth will receive a goodie bag. Enjoy Beer & Wine for sale as well as food from Chuy’s Tex Mex, Carolina Ale House & Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Innsbrook After Hours– IAH shows are always a good time, with plenty of food and drink available for purchase and reasonable concert ticket prices. Check out the 2018 concert schedule here. Doors open at 5 pm and shows start at 6 pm.

Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell– Varied events througout the summer celebrating theater, music and dance.

Stony Point Summer Concert Series– 1st and 3rd Thursdays, May 24th-September 20th from 6-8 pm in Triangle Park.

Music in the Park at Forest Hill Park– One Sunday a month, usually the second Sunday, from 6-8 pm, come out with a picnic dinner and listen to a free concert at Forest Hill Park. The next event is on July 8th with the jam band Villages.

Jammin’ on the James  July 14th and August 11th@ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wilton House, 215 S. Wilton Rd. 23226 (FREE)  Join us this summer for free concerts on the grounds of Wilton.  Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River.  Enjoy complimentary evening tours of Wilton before the concert as well as face-painting, games, and crafts for kids. Handsome Molly combine the best of traditional Irish, English and Scots dance tunes, airs and songs with musical virtuosity and all around good ‘craic.’

Sundays in the Shade at James River Winery every Sunday afternoon from 1-4 pm June-September– Come lounge in the shade with live acoustic music. Bring chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy. This event has no entry fee! Tastings and wine purchases will be available in the Tasting Room.

Flowers after 5 and Fidos after 5– Thursday nights June 7th-August 30th 5-9 pm at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens– Enjoy live music, wine, and beer, dining, and shopping. Please note: No outside food and drink are allowed inside the Garden; food and drink are available for purchase and garden admission is required. Leashed dogs are also welcome on select nights, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26 and water play in the Children’s Garden will be open until 8 pm on these nights. Children under 3 are always free.

Short Pump Summer Concert Series– The 15^th Annual FREE concert series offers family-friendly entertainment in the main plaza. Wine tastings will be available from Cooper’s Hawk Winery from 5:30-8 pm with the shows beginning at 6 pm. Concerts are scheduled for 6/29: The American Female Country Music Duo, – Maddie & Tae and 7/13 the high energy 80’s show band – The Deloreans.

Library Activities

The library is a great place to wait out a stormy morning or super humid afternoon. They also have great events all summer for kids and families including family dance parties, crafts, and busy hands programs. Find more information on the Henrico County library events calendar here.

Check out the story time schedule here for Henrico County. Session 4 starts from 6/25-8/18.

Parks and Recreation Activities

Henrico Parks and Recreation and Chesterfield Parks and Recreation have all kinds of activities including summer movies in the park, concerts, nature programs, music classes for babies, and more. Check out the program guides here for Henrico and here for Chesterfield.

Craft and Project Events

Michaels Camp Creativity– Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10- Noon, $2 for 3 and up and $5 for 6 and up, supplies included. Each week has a different theme, now through July 27th.

Home Depot Workshops for Kids– These take place on the first Saturday of every month, usually starting at 9:00 a.m- noon. You can drop in with your child anytime during the workshop class but make sure that they’ll have enough time to complete their project before it ends. Here’s the upcoming Home Depot Kids Workshop, just click on the link for more details and to register. Build a Wooden Fishing Game: On Saturday, July 7, kids can take the free building class and build and bring home a wooden fishing game.

Summer Movies

If you’ve never brought your kids to the movies before, this is a great time to try it out. Movies are free or cheap so if you need to leave you’re not losing much money. Also, the theaters are packed with other loud kids so you don’t have to worry about your child being too loud.

Free Summer Kids Series at Bowtie Cinemas– 10 am-12 pm, See FREE family-friendly movies on the big screen every Tuesday and Wednesday all summer long! See the complete schedule here.

Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas– Admission to the Summer Movie Express is only $1. Tickets available for purchase at the box office and all movies in most locations start at 10:00 am. Dollar movies are available on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at all RVA area Regal Cinemas. Check with your theatre for exact showtimes. Each week both movies play on both days. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. See the schedule here.

Festivals

Maymont’s Turtle Races at Hardywood– June 29 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- And they’re off to the races! Maymont and The Dooley Noted Society are partnering with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery to present exhilarating races between four of the turtles that call Maymont home, with heats at 6:45pm, 7:00pm and 7:15pm. FIT4MOM RVA is even sponsoring one of the turtles! This unique event is open to the public in conjunction with Hardywood’s canned beer release of “But Does It Make Sense?” and features live music by the local band, Night Idea. Come out to support your favorite turtle team! All proceeds to benefit Maymont’s Adopt-an-Animal program.

Don’t forget to also visit the sites below for updated family-friendly events each week:

Richmondmom.com

Hula Frog West End

Richmond Family Magazine

Completely Kids Richmond

And if you’re heading to the beach with your kids, don’t forget to enjoy every moment!

Happy Summer!

♥ Erin

I know school is already out for many of you, but here in RVA we still have two more weeks. Only two more weeks until I get to spend every waking minute with my precious children. Oh joy….Oh rapture. That got me thinking about the wonderfully patient individuals who have been handling them all school year. God bless those teachers, those administrators, and don’t even get me started on what those poor bus drivers have to endure. We definitely can’t forget them.

If you want to thank those people who have managed to make it through the entire school year without running out screaming, a feat I’m not sure I’ll be able to match in just the first week at home with my kids, here are some great gift ideas that they will actually appreciate.

Truth.

Creative Gift Card Gifts- Teachers love gift cards. We all know this. However, for some, a gift card can feel impersonal. Change that by doing one of the following:

• Add to Their Classroom Library– Find a book that is age-appropriate for the grade they teach. On the inside cover, tape a gift card of your choice and on the back cover have your student write their teacher a sweet note or draw them a picture and sign their name.
• Fill Up Their Cup– Buy an inexpensive water bottle, large cup or mason jar and place the gift card in the center of it. Next add some things you either know your child’s teacher likes or things most people like such as hershey kisses, chapstick, a small tube of sunscreen, nail polish, gum, etc. Finish it off with some ribbon or a label with your child’s name.
• Supply Them with Supplies– Visit the Dollar Tree for inexpensive school supplies. Teachers always need extras! Put them all in a plastic bin or basket, tie a ribbon around it and tape the gift card on the top.
• Don’t Forget the Bus Driver– Use these easy printables to personalize your bus driver’s gift card gift or use these gift tags to add a more personal touch to any gift you plan to give them. My kids have two different bus drivers so I’ll be making them chocolate chip cookies.

Get Them Summer-Ready– Stop at Five Below and purchase a beach bag and beach towel and then add in a few of these other ideas: magazines, a beach read, sunglasses, sunscreen, protein bars, a water bottle, lip balm. If you want to get fancy you can attach one of these free printables to the bag from Havalah at Sisters, What.

Write a Note From the Heart– It’s been awhile since I’ve been teaching, but I still remember the sweet note that one of my students’ mothers wrote to me at the end of the school year eleven years ago. (OMG, that adorable first-grader is graduating from high school! Holy shit, I’m old!) Hearing how I’d helped them get through a particularly tough year was the highest praise and best gift I’d ever received. Teachers don’t go into the profession for the glamour and money, they do it because they want to make a difference. Telling them that they did a great job gives them a reason to keep on going!

Make Them a Teacher/Bus Driver Emergency Kit– I love this idea from Jessica at Timeout With Mom. This sweet kit contains everything they could need from extra deodorant to gum to wrinkle releaser.

I’m here to tell you that, at the end of the day, teachers aren’t going to care about the cutesy presentation and the rhyming, personalized gift tags. They will appreciate that you thought of them. There really isn’t a need to overthink it.

If you’ll be home with your kids all summer, like me, may the force be with you! I’ll be posting next week on setting up a summer schedule that will help kids stay on a routine while still having lots of fun.

♥ Erin

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting a little tired of all of this rain!  My three kids have spent way too much time indoors, and that’s made for some really long days. Keep your kids busy and avoid the “I’m bored!” chorus with these inspired indoor ideas.

The sun may come out tomorrow, but if it doesn’t, try one of the ideas above and have some indoor fun.

♥ Erin

It’s May and it’s finally feeling like spring! I don’t know about you all, but Mother’s Day has really snuck up on me this year. I usually like to get something for my mom and my mother-in-law to go along with a homemade card or note from the kids. I got this cute idea from Amy at the aptly named, Idea Room, but wrote my own poem. My mother-in-law loves to bake and cook with my kids. She’s great at making plans for pizza nights and cookie nights with them whenever they sleep over so I thought this personal, but practical gift would be perfect.

Almost everything you need for the craft can be purchased at the Dollar Tree: oven mitt, sponge, string. Buy the smallest jar of white and red fabric paint you can find. I got mine at Michaels for under $5. The fabric paint will keep the handprint on the oven mitt, even if it needs to be washed.

Materials Needed:

• Oven Mitt
• Fabric Paint (I used red and white.)
• Sponge or Foam Brush
• Yarn or String
• Single Hole Punch
• Printable Mother’s Day Gift Tag (printable below)

MOTHERS DAY OVEN MITT INSTRUCTIONS from the Idea Room

1. Take your oven mitt and place it on a flat surface.:
2. Take your child’s hand and paint a little fabric paint on the palm of their hand with a foam brush. Don’t do a lot of paint. If you paint it on so that it isn’t too thick you will get a little more definition of the hand rather than a large glob of paint. You may want to practice on a piece of paper first.
3. Take the child’s hand and hold it steady with your own two hands and gently press it onto the fabric making sure that the entire hand is pressed on the oven mitt.
4. Wash your child’s hand and then let the paint dry. If there are a few areas that did not get enough paint, you can take a small paint brush and touch up those areas.
5. Take the red paint and paint a heart over the child’s palm print.
6. Print out the free Mother’s Day Poem on some white card stock and attach it with some yarn or string.

Find the free printable Mother’s Day Poem here. When you go to print it you can change the printing size from 100% if it will print to big.

Happy Mother’s Day!

♥ Erin

It’s time to take to the open road! Richmond is a great city in its own right, but it’s also within short driving distance to many popular family-friendly destinations like Washington D.C., Baltimore, Charlotte, the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach. Believe it or not, there are even more great places that you might not have thought of, and they can all be reached in four hours or less. Check out our ideas below and start planning your next adventure today!

1.Yorktown, VA– I’ve heard great things about Yorktown Beach, and you can get there without the traffic of Virginia Beach and OBX. Yorktown also has many historical attractions including the American Revolution Museum and Yorktown Battlefield.  After you’ve taken in some sun and some history, take a stroll along Riverwalk Landing or take a boat tour or even set sail on a pirate cruise.

Distance: Just over an hour

2. Small Towns of the Shenandoah Valley– Staunton, Natural Bridge, Lexington, Hot Springs– I love a small town and these are some of my favorite due to all of the wonderful restaurants, breweries and specialty shops they have to offer. Make one of them your home base and then enjoy driving around and exploring all of the many local attractions. Some of my favorites include: The Frontier Culture Museum, SunSpot Glass Blowing demonstrations and The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, The Route 11 Chip Factory in Mount Jackson, Natural Bridge State Park, Dinosaur Kingdom II and Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge and all of the numerous parks and hiking trails in the area.

Distance: Anywhere from 1 hour, 45 minutes-2 hours, 45 minutes

3. Raleigh/Durham, NC– These two nearby cities are both university towns so they are chock-full of great museums, parks, and other family-friendly activities. Check out Pullen Park, Marbles Kids Museum or North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh and The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, The Museum of Life and Science or the Duke Lemur Center in Durham.

Distance: 2 1/2 hours

4. Roanoke, VA– My family visited Roanoke for the first time last December and we had a blast. We stayed here at this tiny horse farm. I highly recommend it. Our favorite attraction was the Taubman Museum of Art. The museum itself is free, but we paid $5 to enter Art Venture, the museum’s interactive children’s learning space. The kids had a blast making all sorts of things. We also loved the Mill Mountain Star and Park, The Virginia Museum of Transportation, The main Roanoke Public library (with an indoor twisty slide in the children’s area) and the Carilion Peter Pan playground in Elmood Park. If you get some adult time, Roanoke is also home to some great breweries, like Deschutes and Parkway, and Black Dog Salvage, the home of the show Salvage Dawgs on the DIY Network.

Distance: Just under 3 hours

5. Berkely Springs, WV– Ok, I’ve never actually been here, but I’ve driven through the town many times on my way home from Ohio and I just think it has to be one of the cutest small towns ever! One day I will visit, and, I’ll be sure to take a walk around Prospect Peak, snuggle with a cat at Give Purrs A Chance and check out the stars at the Morgan County Observatory. This small town is also home to many artists, art galleries and antique shops. Just 10 miles south of town is Cacapon Resort State Park, which features a challenging golf course, miles of trails and a sand swimming beach.

Distance: Just over 3 hours

6. Hershey, PA– Chocolate, anyone? My in-laws took my 7 year old here last summer. He loved the Hershey’s Chocolate World factory tour so much that they didn’t even make it to the Hershey Park Amusement Park. His favorite part was going into the kitchen and designing his own chocolate bar. In addition to these two main attractions, Hershey is also known for the ZooAmerican North American Wildlife Park, The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum and The Pennsylvania State Police Museum.

Distance: 3 hours and 45 minutes

7. Wilmington, NC– This beach town has a lot to offer. Our kids loved Battleship North Carolina, the most decorated US Battleship of WWII! You can explore nine decks, crew’s quarters, gun turrets, and much more. We all loved the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, full of interactive exhibits. The ferry to Southport was exciting for the kids, as they’d never been on a ferry that they could drive onto before. Sourthport itself was a very sweet town full of speciality souvenir shops, ice cream and seafood restaurants. If the weather is warm enough you have to check out Wrightsville Beach and grab a late lunch/early dinner at Oceanic to watch the sunset.

Distance: 4 hours

8. Bethany Beach, DE– Bethany Beach is a great destination for young families because it calmer than Rehoboth and Ocean City, but it still offers a small boardwalk with shops and restaurants and a great beach. There are definitely not as many things to do as there are on the bigger beach boardwalks, but for small children, not to mention their already exhausted parents, content to play in the sand, this might be fore the best. The Bethany Beach Nature Center has some small animal exhibits and a playground for kids. Rent some bikes at the Bethany Bike Shop, take a reading break at the South Coastal Library or compete for best score at Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf. If you run out of things to do you can always make the short 20 minute drive to the theme parks, boardwalks and outlet shopping in Rehoboth Beach.

Distance: 4 hours

Traveling tip: Have you ever tried sharing a hotel room with young children? Do you and your spouse go to bed at eight o’clock or just sit whispering in the dark? That is not a vacation!

I’ve solved this problem in two ways:

1. Extended Stay Hotels- For not much more than an average room, you can book a one or even a two bedroom suite. We always check the rates at extended stay hotels like Marriott’s SpringHill Suites and Residence Inns and Hilton’s Homewood Suites. These hotels also have free breakfast buffets and small kitchens, which can help you save money on vacation.
2. Vacation Rentals– I’ve had a lot of success using Airbnb and Vrbo on family vacations. You lose out on some of the amenities that a hotel has to offer, but you can a lot more space, free parking and privacy. If you book far enough ahead you can find a great deal. I just got back from a trip to NYC with six ladies. We stayed in an apartment with three queen sized beds and one bathroom in the middle of Midtown Manhattan and we only paid $115/person for three nights. No hotel could’ve beat that!

Traveling with children is always a big adventure, and, let’s face it, a bit of a crap shoot. If you’re planning a trip for this spring, I wish you good luck! Go forth and make those family memories that you and your kids will never forget, like the time my son pooped through his diaper and all over my husband’s shirt just as the waiter was bringing over our dinner at a beautiful Italian restaurant on the Jersey Shore. Ah, sweet memories.

♥ Erin

Despite yesterday’s weather, summer really is quickly approaching! RVA is a great town for summer famtastic (i.e. fantastic family, not me misspelling the word fantastic) fun! Compiling this list was a bit of an overwhelming task, honestly. There is just so much to do in our small city!! Check out all of the fun events coming up in the next few months, and be sure to bookmark this post for future reference!

THIS WEEK:

Richmond Food Truck Court at Hardywood Brewery– Every Thursday 5-9:30 pm at the original Richmond location and Wednesday 5-9 pm at the new West Creek location beginning today at West Creek and running through Thursday, September 13th. Join Hardywood for beer, live music and ten or more local food trucks each week. Do yourself a favor and try my favorite, curry fries from Dank Eats. Delicious!

French Food Festival– Friday, April 27th from 4-8 pm and Saturday, April 28th from 11-8 pm at 1503 Michaels Road, 2229.  From a Parisian marketplace featuring local vendors, to entertainment from fantastic musicians and even local favorite Jonathan the Juggler, to a dish of Chef Paul’s Boeuf Bourguignon or Chef Sean’s Gumbo Ya Ya, it is a festival you DON’T want to miss. Check out the menu here. On Saturday there will also be a children’s area with a moon bounce and hotdogs served for those less refined eaters. The festival benefits the Little Sister of the Poor charity that offers a home and loving care to Virginia’s elderly poor.

The Really BIG Show– Saturday, April 28th from 1-4 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia– The Really BIG Show brings together people from throughout the city to experience artwork created by young people in spring programs at a dozen ART 180 sites, and celebrate their creativity. The event is open to the public and includes live performances, art activities, games, food trucks and more! FREE

Herbs Galore and More– Saturday, April 28th from 8am-4pm on the Carriage House lawn– $5 for entrance to the Marketplace / free for Maymont members and children 16 & under. Dozens of vendors from the mid-Atlantic fill the lawn with every imaginable herb as well as annuals, perennials, trees, vegetables, and herbal products and crafts for this one-of-a-kind event. Food and drink will also be available for purchase.

The South of the James Farmers Market– Forest Hill Park at New Kent Ave. & 42nd St. This open-air producer-only market where farmers and artisans sell locally-grown and hand-made items is located in the beautiful Forest Hill Park and runs year-round. For the rest of April the market will be open on Saturdays from 9am-12pm, but beginning in May their hours will be from 8 am-12 pm.

MAY:

Lewis Ginter Plant Fest– Members only pre-sale Thursday, May 3, 4 – 7 p.m.;  Friday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Garden’s plant sales are among the largest in the region with more than 40 vendors selling plants ranging from well-known favorites to rare exotics and other garden related items.  Plus, join us for live music, a festive atmosphere and a chance to get all your gardening questions answered. Free admission to the plant fest, but the usual admission to visit the garden.

Maymont Beer and Wine Classic– Friday, May 4th, 7-10:30pm– Leave the kids at home for this one and enjoy live music, food trucks, lawn games and more while sampling some of Virginia’s finest beers, ciders and wines. Guests can try samples of Virginia’s finest brews as they enjoy live music by Three Sheets to the Wind, America’s #1 Tribute to Yacht Rock or head over to the lawn game zone provided by CLUBWAKA Richmond. Cheers! Tickets are $30/members and $40/non-members.

Friday Cheers on Brown’s Island Fridays at 6-9:30 pm in May and June, beginning 5/4-6/29 on Brown’s Island. These weekly concerts are only $5-$10 depending on the show, and children under 12 are free. Food and drink are available for purchase.

Que Pasa?! Festival– Saturday, May 5th from 11-8 pm in downtown Richmond at the Canal Walk.  Come out and celebrate the food, music and art of Virginia’s Latin American communities, and witness a community-wide challenge to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the Largest Display of Piñatas! This is a FREE event!

HenROCKus at Henricus, Bands and Brews on the James River Bluff– Saturday, May 5th from 2-8 pm at Henricus Historical Park– Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy a brew (or two!) from Steam Bell Beer Works, food from Gregory’s Grill, rock out to local bands, and enjoy the outstanding views of the mighty James River – all while supporting educational programming at Henricus Historical Park. Tickets are $5, but kids under 12 are free.

Arts in the Park– Saturday, May 5th 11- 6 pm and Sunday, May 6th 11-5 pm at the Carillon at Byrd Park. This is a FREE event where more than 450 artists from around the U.S. will gather in Byrd Park to display everything from fine art of classic and contemporary paintings, to photography, pottery, jewelry and home and garden accessories.

World Laughter Day Celebration– Sunday, May 6th from 1-3 pm at Libby Hill Park– This FREE event will be taking place all over the world. Richmonders are encouraged to enjoy an uplifting afternoon of fun and connection and be part of the amazing movement that is teaching people how laughter, deep breathing, and playfulness can improve their overall well-being. Check out all of the events happening at this celebration on their website.

Music at Maymont– Wednesday, May 9th, 6-11 pm, Brandi Carlile and Secret Sisters. Come enjoy the first Maymont concert of the season on the Carriage House lawn. Food from local food trucks, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Tickets to this show are $25.

Mother’s Day Weekend and Father’s Day Weekend at Lewis Ginter– All Weekend, May 11th-13th and June 16th and 17th. Moms and Dads deserve more than one day to feel celebrated. Come to the garden for many opportunities to honor and spend time with family during these special weekends. Enjoy the popular Butterflies LIVE! exhibit, live music, Children’s Garden activities, shopping, dining and more.

Peony Picnic at Tuckahoe Plantation– Sunday, May 13th, 12-4 pm-Bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds, tour the historic plantation home, and view our blooming gardens! Admission is $5 per guest over 6 years old (free for children under 5 years). Peonies will be available at $5 per peony stem and greenery (limit two stems per person), so you can enjoy Tuckahoe’s beauty at home! Gelati Celesti will be serving ice cream from 12-4pm.

Weekends at the Berry Patch– Gallmeyer Farms- Sunday 5/13 and Saturday 5/19 and 5/26 10am-5pm– Come visit the Berry Patch for pick your own strawberries, live music, free activities for kids, a play area, hayrides, and arts and crafts from all over the great state of Virginia. The Berry Patch also has free admission and free parking.

Music in the Park at Forest Hill Park– One Sunday a month, usually the second Sunday, from 6-8 pm, come out with a picnic dinner and listen to a free concert at Forest Hill Park. The first event is May 13th featuring the fun covers of the Illbillys.

Ashland Street Parties– Saturday, May 19th from 6:30-11:30 at 201 South Railroad Avenue. This is the first Ashland Street Party of the year. Come check out the beauty of Ashland while you listen to live music and enjoy some local food and drink. Check the website above for future dates.

Lebanese Festival– Friday, 5/18-Saturday 5/19 from 10am-10pm and Sunday, 5/20 from 10am-8pm-at St. Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church– This is one of my favorites because the food is so good and the lines aren’t crazy long like the Greek fest. You’ll love it for the delicious Lebanese delicacies and the adorable kids doing traditional dances, and your kids will love it for the fun playground right on the church grounds.

Dominion River Rock– May 18th-20th,  Go to check out the pros competing in climbing, slackline, and freestyle bike events, or the flying pups in the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs. Stay to enjoy the full schedule of awesome live bands taking the stage throughout the weekend! Some of the events charge for you to participate, but most of them are free and there is no admission charge.

Lake Anna Brewfest– May 19th from 12-5 pm at Lake Anna State Park– If you buy online before 5/19 tickets are $20 and you receive a free Brewfest sample mug, eight beer sample tickets, access to great and amazing food vendors from all around the Lake Anna area.

Public Safety Day– Saturday, May 19th from 10-1 at Bon Secours Westchester Emergency Center– Kick off National EMS and Police Week by coming out to enjoy all of the activities this day has to ofer including: FREE children’s bicycle helmets for the first 100 visitors,  FREE hot dogs, popcorn and drinks for the whole family, face painting, interact with a display of fire engines and ladder trucks, ambulances, police and sheriff cars, and more.

United By Music Southside Big Tent Community Festival– Friday, May 18th 5-8 pm and Saturday, May 19th 12:30-7:30 pm at the Southside Community Center presented by the Richmond Symphony. Friday night there will be a concert under the big tent featuring Latin dance band Bio Ritmo. Saturday is family day with performances by Richmond Public Schools and Legacy Band, culminating with a Dance Party with DJ Missing! Other activities are still in the works but are likely to include a skateboard competition in the skate park, a community art gallery showcasing work from local students and schools, and a Kid’s Zone you won’t want to miss!

Play Day 2018– Saturday, May 19th from 1-4 pm at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.  At Play Day, kids and adults make art projects in more than a dozen studios throughout VisArts’ 30,000-square foot facility. Admission is free. Be sure to check out which other RVA locales are participating in this national event. Last year’s events included Maymont, CMOR, Project Yoga and more!

Explore the Outdoors– Sunday, May 20th 1-5 pm at Huguenot Park and the Studios of the Community Idea Stations. FREE day of hands-on fun exploring science and nature. This is a  special day in the park to give children and their families plenty of exciting outdoor experiences. Over fifty local community groups with expertise in outdoor adventure, healthy living, and environmental science will engage you in activities ranging from archery and fishing, paddle boarding (on dry land), gardening, camping, art making and much, much more.

The Johnny Z Festival– Sunday, May 20th, 12 PM – 6 PM at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery– Join us and celebrate the creative spirit of Richmond during this fun, FREE, kid-friendly event benefitting ART 180! Hardywood and Chop Suey Books present a variety of children’s activities including a moon bounce, face painting, and various artworks. Vendors from Bizarre Market showcase local arts and crafts, and, of course there will be plenty of food trucks and beer on draft.

Summer Fest at ARC Park– Wednesday, May 23rd, 6-9pm– Visit my favorite RVA park for live music starring TriCity Revue, food trucks, and craft beer. $10 entry for adults includes a branded acrylic glass and a drink ticket. Extra drink tickets will be for sale. Kids are free! Your participation will benefit children and adults with disabilities served in programs at ARC.

Greek Festival– Thursday, May 31st- Sunday, June 3rd Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral- This festival is super popular and crowded, but after you taste the baklava you’ll understand why. If you don’t want to brave the crowds, you can always go through their drive-thru tent and take your food to go!

JUNE

Peace Love RVA– Saturday, June 2nd from 10-4 pm at the Maymont Children’s Farm– If you love yoga, than this is the event for you! Come to Maymont for a day of music, vegetarian food, local merchants and yoga classes led by Richmond’s finest instructors! Admission is free, but registration is required.

Sundays in the Shade at James River Winery every Sunday afternoon from 1-4 pm June-September– Come lounge in the shade with live music. Bring chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy. This event has no entry fee! Tastings and wine purchases will be available in the Tasting Room.

Broad Appetit– June 3rd from 11 am-6 pm on Broad Street between Henry and Adams– I LOVE food and having options, so this is my favorite festival of the year! For $3/plate you get to eat the best dishes that local restaurants have to offer and now you can even sample local beer/wine with a sample cup that gets you 4 samples for $5. They always have lots of family activities and kid-friendly food as well. I can’t wait!

Kids’ Days at Berkeley Plantation– Tuesdays, June 5th-August 28th, 9:30am-4:30pm– Every Tuesday, children ages 16 and under are admitted free with paying adult.  Learn 18th century history, explore the gardens and grounds, see our ninth president’s birthplace and walk the same floors as our founding fathers.  Children’s activities included.

Flowers after 5 and Fidos after 5– Thursday nights June 7th-August 30th 5-9 pm at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens– Enjoy live music, wine, and beer, dining, and shopping. Please note: No outside food and drink are allowed inside the Garden; food and drink are available for purchase and garden admission is required. Leashed dogs are also welcome on select nights, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26 and water play in the Children’s Garden will be open until 8 pm on these nights. Children under 3 are always free.

Festival of the River– Friday, June 8th-Sunday, June 10th- Three Days of Music, Art and Environment on Brown’s Island. There are so many events happening! Check the site for more info.

Bumblebee Jamboree– Saturday, June 16th from 10:30 am-2:30 pm at Maymont Children’s Farm– The 7th annual Bumblebee Jamboree provides an opportunity for children to better understand the role pollinators play and what each of us can do in our own backyard to protect natural resources. Families are invited to participate in hands-on experiences at this free event that encourages kids to learn about birds, butterflies, bees, bugs, and bats. Children will enjoy pollinator-related crafts, puppet shows, snacks, games, and other interactive activities.

Ashland Strawberry Faire– June 16th from 10am-5pm on the campus of Randolph Macon College– The Faire is a free event featuring vendors selling arts, crafts, plants, and antiques to the thousands who attend. There Kid’s Zone is filled with fun activities such as a Cake Walk, Moon Bounce, Raffles, Arts and Crafts, and games ranging from Golf Putt, Bean Bag Toss, Lollipop Picking and lots more.  There are lots of prizes and treats for all. The proceeds from the Faire provide scholarships and grants to local non-profit groups.

Richmond Veg Fest– Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 12-6:00 pm at the Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park– Lots of great vendors that showcase the resources available in the local area, a ton of great live music, speakers, food demonstrations, and of course some great vegetarian food. Free admission.

Richmond Bacon Festival– June 23rd from 11-4pm at the 17th Street Farmer’s Market in Shockhoe Bottom– Live music, beer tents and all the bacon you can eat, make this festival a great one! $1 suggested entry donation to Enrichmond keeps the bacon rolling! Enrichmond’s mission is to enhance Richmond parks and activate its public spaces. I think we mamas can get behind that!

Hanover Maters Corks and Kegs Festival– Saturday, June 23rd from 11-6 at the Hanover Vegetable Farm– Enjoy craft beer, live music, BBQ, and, of course, delicious tomato dishes all day at the farm. Tickets are $8/advance, $14 at the door and include a souvenir mug or wine glass. Kids 10 and under are free.

JULY

Rocketts Red Glare– July 3rd-4th at Rocketts’ Landing from 7am-10pm– A FREE family-friendly event, open to the public, with activities, vendors, music, food trucks, craft beer offerings and a pro beach volleyball tournament hosted by EVP Tour. Culminating with riverfront FIREWORKS on July 4th at 9 PM!

Carmax Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter –9am-5pm. FREE admission to the Garden on this day includes Butterflies LIVE!, Origami in the Garden, live music from the Happy Lucky Combo, a parade, and more. Open rain or shine! Sponsored by CarMax.

Fridays on the Farm at Crump Park and Meadow Farm Museum– Fridays 7/6-8/31 from 9am-11am-Visit the farm for guided animal tours and old-fashioned games. FREE.

Hanover Tomato Festival– Saturday, July 14th from 9am-4pm at Pole Green Park-Enjoy all day live music, yummy tomato delights, over 150 artisan & business vendors, the MaterFUN zone (designed for children 12 & under), Bow-Wow Beach (cooling station for pets) and of course Hanover Tomatoes.What more summer fun could one ask for?!

James River Parade of Lights– Saturday, July 21st- 6-9 pm at Osborne Boat Landing– Celebrate Christmas in July with the lighted boat parade sponsored by the James River Advisory Council in cooperation with Henrico Recreation and Parks. Enjoy entertainment before the parade.

AUGUST/EARLY SEPTEMBER and BEYOND

Richmond Jazz Festival– Thursday, August 9th-Sunday, August 12th at Maymont– One of the largest music festivals on the East Coast, this event boasts a lineup of award-winning national talent. Check the website for hours and tickets as the event gets closer.

Filipino Festival– Friday, August 11th from 5-10pm and Saturday, August 12th from 10am-10pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The Filipino Festival is a community event which showcases the richness of the Filipino culture and features delectable cuisine, folk dances and music. They will also be hosting a Race N’ Roll 5K and 1 mile fun run on Saturday morning before the festival opens. Admission to the festival is free.

Carytown Watermelon festival– Sunday, August 12th from 10am-6pm– In addition to the delicious watermelon dishes and other yummy food on offer, big bands, jugglers, and folk acts will entertain from 5 outdoor stages and there will be a kid zone in Cary Court.

Labor Day Free Community Day at Lewis Ginter– Monday, September 3rd- Free admission for all from 9 am-5 pm on Labor Day sponsored by Genworth.

Richmond Folk Festival– Friday, October 12th-Sunday, October 14th: Friday: 6 PM – 10:00 PM Saturday: Noon – 9:30 PM, Sunday: Noon – 6:00 PM– This festival celebrates the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance traditional crafts, storytelling and food. The Richmond Folk Festival has become one of Virginia’s largest and most-loved events of the year and has been voted as the best musical festival in Richmond several years running. There are also plenty of activities for kids of all ages. Admission is free.

Check out these links below for even more ongoing famtastic events! There were too many too list!

Innsbrook After Hours– IAH shows are always a good time, with plenty of food and drink available for purchase and reasonable concert ticket prices. Check out the 2018 concert schedule here. Doors open at 5 pm and shows start at 6 pm.

Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell– Varied events througout the summer celebrating theater, music and dance. 2018’s event calendar is not yet available, but check back for more info in May.

Stony Point Summer Concert Series– 1st and 3rd Thursdays, May 24th-September 20th from 6-8 pm in Triangle Park.

Maymont Spring/Summer Calendar– Family camp-outs, concerts, hikes and more!

Lewis Ginter Calendar of Events– Drop in and dig, story time, yoga in the garden and crafts for kids

Ok, ok, I know I may be getting a little ahead of myself here,  but come on, it’s almost May! I am so excited for warm weather, festival season and enjoying a glass of something good out on a patio! Who’s with me?

Yup.

♥ Erin

Good morning! I’ve compiled a list of springtime activities guaranteed to keep the whole family busy as the weather warms up.

Springtime Crafts/Recipes

Birdseed Ornaments from Debbie at One Little Project- I can’t wait to try these with my kids next week!

Hand-print Flower Pots from Connie at Little Stars Learning- These would make great inexpensive mother’s day or preschool teacher gifts!

Button Rain Drops from Kim at The Pinterested Parent- Such a sweet and easy craft, that can be adapted for the littlest crafters. For older kids you can expand the activity by having them sort the buttons by color, shape or size.

Salt Dough Egg Ornaments from Polona at Baby Jungle- We used to make these for Christmas when I was a kid, but the eggs would make great Easter decor!

Ice Cream in a Bag recipe from Genius Kitchen- We actually made this last weekend at our house. My daughters wanted plain vanilla, but for my son I added a few drops of blue and green food coloring and 3 drops of peppermint essential oil and he had a delicious turquoise mint ice cream in under 10 minutes!

Peeps Playdough from Crystal at Growing a Jeweled Rose- I’m not gonna lie, I hate the taste of Peeps. What a great way to use them without exploding them in the microwave, though that’s fun too.

Outdoor Activities

Ice Cream Cone Seedlings from Gardening Know How- How clever is this idea if it works?! Once the seedlings are ready to plant in the ground, you can plant the entire cone so there is no waste!

Make a Butterfly Feeder from Ehow.com- Design your own butterfly feeder. Let your kids choose and add the flowers and glass beads and create something that you can watch and enjoy together until the fall.

Outdoor Sticky Mural from Jenae at I Can Teach My Child – What a great way to save all of the “treasures” that your child finds outside without having to bring them into your house!

Host an Outdoor Sensory Playdate from Crystal at Growing a Jeweled Rose- How fun does this look for kids of all ages?! Use the ideas here or come up with your own, and watch your kids have a blast engaging in sensory play.

Color Hop from Jenae at I Can Teach My Child. This activity is so simple, yet so effective and fun for teaching your toddler colors.

Nature Scavenger Hunt from Shaunna at Fantastic Fun and Learning- A scavenger hunt is so fun, kids will forget they’re learning. You can also adapt them for whatever you want your kids to work on that week: colors, numbers, shapes, etc.

Check out these fantastic sites and get even more great ideas for having fun with your child while teaching them something new!

Growing a Jeweled Rose

I Can Teach my Child

Busy Toddler

Spring is a time to get outside and explore, and to play with our children as if we are still children ourselves. It’s a time to teach them something new, and learn something new about ourselves in the process. Enjoy this great season of new beginnings and family fun!

♥ Erin