Yogen Fruz is celebrating it's grand opening at the Reston Town Center with free small frozen yogurts from 12 - 1 pm. That combined with $1 flip-flops at Old Navy that day adds up to one terrific Saturday!
I was sad to see that Cradle n' Crayon (cute, upscale baby boutique) in the Reston Town Center location is closed.
The holidays have arrived at Reston Town Center, which is busy being decorated in preparation for the parade and tree lighting on November 28th. The ice-skating rink is up and running and things are beginning to look pretty merry.
One new feature - Santa is coming this year! Hooray for not standing in line at the mall! You can pick up a schedule at Cradle n' Crayon or several other stores at the town center. Our family is also going to take advantage of a horse drawn carriage ride on Hope's birthday this year - kids 5 and under ride free!
I love it when the town center is all lit up and holiday cheery - can't wait to stroll around some more with the family and perhaps a peppermint mocha.
Dear Restonmom,
"'I'm a North Reston Mom that is looking for a playgroup for my 2 year old
son. His big brother is now in preschool five mornings a week and I'd
love for him to be able to develop some friendships on his own. Any
suggestions??
Also, I'd love to start a playdate of some sort for my oldest son with
other kids that will be going to Armstrong elementary in the Fall of
2009, but not sure where to get started. We thought this would be a
good transition step. He's in preschool in Great Falls, so we don't
know tons of kids that would feed into Armstrong. Any suggestions??? Thanks for any help you can offer :)" - Kelli
Dear Kelli,
I'm not really sure how to go about finding or starting a playgroup. Most groups of which I've been a part have happened through natural social networking.
One suggestion is to enroll in some activities that include children who are around the same age (something at the community center, for an example). If you find a natural connection with another mom or two, you can invite them for play dates and maybe begin a regular group. Or if you know of other moms in your neighborhood, you can host a get-together so that everyone can meet and maybe plant the idea of a neighborhood play group. You may find groups that are already meeting at a community center or through some simple research. I'll post a few links following this response, though there are undoubtedly more.
I don't have any good suggestions regarding an Armstrong Elementary playgroup, other than to either inquire about posting something in the school or otherwise for anyone who might be interested or to try to get hold of some names and numbers and get bold about tracking down a few parents and planning something.
I hope that has been somewhat helpful, perhaps other readers will have more to offer as well.
www.newcomersclub.com
Reston Moms and Babies
MOMs Club International, Reston chapter
meetup
The 8th annual GWAC Youth Art Fest is being brought from D.C. to the Reston Town Center this year on September 27 from 1 to 6pm. The event is open to all kids K-12 and will include a mini concert,
performances, arts and crafts, games, activities and prizes for the whole
family. The event also includes an art competition with a judging panel that includes esteemed directors, professors and
artists from institutions such as the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, John
F. Kennedy Center, Corcoran School of Art & Design, George Mason University and the Duke Ellington School
of Arts.
Proceeds from the event will go to benefit Devotion To
Children. They are a small Reston-based non-profit who provide high quality educational and childcare programs for children aged six and under from economically disadvantaged families, so that their parents can be relieved of childcare burdens and be gainfully employed.
Come out and join in the fun, let your kids explore their creativity, and celebrate art! You can learn more by visiting www.YouthArtFest.com - where you will also find the guidelines for entering the art competition. Otherwise, just come out for face painting, balloon artists, dance and martial art performances, great children's art, games, and more....
And, if you are interested in volunteering or helping out, Alicia would love to hear from you at [email protected].
Just wanted to let my local readers know about a fun opportunity! Two fellow Reston moms have started
a local theater company called The Hub Theater. Here is what Helen writes about the company:
"The Hub Theatre endeavors to produce work that highlights our common
humanity. To create a theatrical experience that is at once challenging
and inclusive; to be the physical center of a dynamic circle of story,
art and community, a place where we all gather to experience and inform
that transcendent exchange so unique to live theatre."
You can still catch a performance of their current family show "Trunks."
"TRUNKS is the story of Bruno and Buffo (who are brothers) and their vaudeville show that goes to pieces when the beautiful Bella shows up. Full of prat falls, high jinks, and an all out water fight, the kids will laugh themselves silly."
Performances are at Lake Anne Plaza this Friday/Saturday (8pm) and Sunday (7pm) August 8-10. The cost is free, although a $10 donation is appreciated.
Also, let me point you to their website (which is still a bit under construction) so that you can keep an eye out for future performances - 'cause you'll definitely want to keep them on your radar.
I am so excited that we just got a Robeks at Reston Town Center (it's located in front of Le Madeleine). It's about time we got a fantastic smoothie joint in here! They've got a great variety of healthy smoothies (with or without supplements) and more....including fresh juice blends like orange/carrot/ginger and apple/beet/carrot and also a yummy menu of sandwiches and salads and frozen yogurt with fruit. I'm totally going to hit this place up for breakfast soon...a smoothie or some juice and a power muffin for me please!
I'm home for a rest after spending a hot morning at the Reston Festival (which continues until 10 tonight and all day tomorrow). I finally made it over to the children's area this year and was pleasantly surprised (though we did go early before the crowd was too large). My kids enjoyed the crafts but also the kiddie play area which included some really creative ideas. My favorite would be easy to repeat at home - they provided golf tees and small wooden mallets and blocks of styrofoam packing...Voila! Let the kids hammer to their heart's content! Also a big hit - the two trains that are running rides through town center. We're letting kids paint with spray bottles of non-toxic, washable paint at our booth. I'll be headed back tonight and again tomorrow, see you
Reston is a great place to live and raise children...and it's just an interesting place to live in general. Right now, for us, it's home. Here are some things you might not know about the town:
If you aren't familiar with lilaguide, you might find it a helpful resource. Self-tagged as the "word-of-mouth survival guide" it is chock full of information - baby gear, shops, activities, groups, services, restaurants and more are listed and then reviewed by real parents. It's available for tons of different cities nationwide, including several right here in Northern Va. Click here to see if there's one for your city.
Here is some FYI on the real estate market in Reston.....I know with recent dips in the economy, people have had this on their minds. So, my friend Scott Montgomery who is an agent for Keller Williams, and who also lives in Reston, had his team send some current market "good news" information our way:
Here's what Scott has to say about the Reston area: "Reston's numbers are staying put! This is a great indication of how the area sustains its value. With the great education system, proximity to Washington D.C., and suburban lifestyle, Reston continues to be a great place to buy and live. Being a Reston resident myself, I truly believe in this area as both an investment and a place to begin a family. My children have a backyard to play in, a safe neighborhood to run around in, go trick-or-treating, and grow up! I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."
If you are interested in more information about the real estate market in Reston right now, check out www.TheRealEstatePost.com. You'll find a ton of information, some really helpful people, and even some great blogs - fun too! Did you know that one Reston address was voted #7 of all tackiest Christmas displays in the state? (you can see a picture).
Scott would love to help you out as well, so feel free to contact him. He's got some great expertise, is a local, and can help take out some of your stress with buying or selling right now and cares that the process should be easy and successful for you. Plus, he's about to be a father again, this time to twins! So he understands the concerns, worries, needs, and limited schedules of parents!