Happy Friday (June 27, 2014)

What are you up to this weekend? I'm going on my first overnight trip sans baby. Looking forward to resting and relaxing but also sad to leave my little one.

Still trying to figure out what to do? Check out my summer guide or take a look at these suggestions below.

Friday

No World Cup games. Take some time to catch up on the rest of your life.

Saturday

The Smithsonian Folklife festival begins this weekend.

For those us that came of age in the 90's, the 9:30 club is hosting No Scubs, a 90's dance party. Get ready to do some Vogueing.

Sunday

Watch the Netherlands vs. Mexico at noon. I don't know about you but Mexico wins the Cup even if they don't really win the Cup. Their coach and goalie are awesome!

Mouse on the Move is showing at Bethesda's Imagination Stage. The show is good for children 1-5 years old.

In other news. . .

This video about encouraging your girls to be more than just pretty faces.

NPR's series on Cuba, has peaked my interest.

Posted with Blogsy

Happy Campers (Camp Care Package Gift Guide)

1a&1b/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

Summer is in full swing. I imagine many of you know a camper that is either having the time of her life or about to have the time of her life.  What are you planning on sending to your favorite camper? 

1. Watercolor Postcards and Watercolors- Camp is one of the last places on Earth where you actually send and receive snail mail.  These watercolor postcards are a great idea.  Your camper need not only use watercolors.  She can draw on them, decorate them with stickers, decoupage. . .  

2. Personalized Stationary- I love these cards because they have a campy feel to them.  Tinyprints can get these to your camper in less than a week. 

3. Stickers- Younger campers will trade them and older campers can put them on envelopes. 

4. Books- Kids actually read at camp because there's no television.  I am told that Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl series are popular with both pre-teens and their parents. 

5. Fake Tattoos- Because we all know that camp is the time for fake tattoos, friendship bracelets and other fun stuff.

6. A knotted bracelet screams summer.

7. Zinka- I don't know if kids these days use it, but I'm glad to see it's still around. 

8. Glow Bracelets- Things that glow in the dark are fun for campfire time and also after the lights go out.  Get this pack of 100 and your camper can share them with her bunkmates.

9. Hairbands- like socks and underwear, you can't have too many hairbands.

What would you add to your camper's care package?

Happy Friday (Summer Solstice Weekend 2014)

What are you up to this weekend?  I am going to a bridal shower.  I start boot-camp this Sunday! 

Still figuring out your plans?  Check out my Summer Reference Guide.  Or, you could spend your whole weekend drinking caipirinhas and watching the World Cup. 

Washington DC Summer Guide (Bookmark Me)

Kiddos swimming in Rock Creek Park. 

Summer is not my favorite season here in Washington. 

I grew up in Miami where getting to the beach was easy, and the public pool looks like THIS.  Then I spent several years in Chicago where the lake and a bevy of summer festivals make summer one of the city's best assets. 

But I call Washington home, so I need to make the best of my summers as long as I'm here.  What I have discovered is that enjoying a DC summer requires planning.  And planning can be hard especially because May, June, and July are typically our city's busiest months. 

Behold, Handle with Karo's Reference Guide to a Washington summer. 

Happy Friday (June 6, 2014)

What are you up to this weekend?


Friday:

• It's Pride Weekend!

• The National Museum of Women in the Arts is hosting a happy hour.

• The Source Festival begins tonight. Get ready for a month of original plays.

The Pumping Project (My Pumping Story)

Pumping in front of the Eiffel Tower with a hospital grade pump (NBD).  Photo via Rookie Moms

Rookie Mom's is trying to make pumping an accepted daily activity through its Mom's Pumping Project. They also want the world to see the craziness many Moms endure by encouraging us to upload our pumping photos with the hashtags #rookiemoms #pumpingproject.

The Pumping Project came about two months too late for me to post my own photos. And, I would've had some awesome photos to share with you all. 

Father's Day Gift Guide 2014

Shinola Watch/ Levenger Iphone and Card Holder/ Glennfiddich 15/ Merino Hoodie/
Madras Shorts/Tie/ Converse by John Varvantos/ Baseball Cap

Father's Day is coming up. It's a going to be a big day in our family. . . my husband's first father's day coincides with his birthday.   So this year I need to come up with something really special. 

I typically like to give a material gift with something a little more thoughtful and non-material. Here are some of my ideas. 

What do you plan on giving your guy for Father's Day?