WAM Happenings
Winter Edition
Smart Sacks
enjoying the last nice days of fall...
WAIT...don't throw that away!
Letter from the President
I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the snow. If you are tired of the long snow days, cold, and school delays, you'll find some fun ideas of things to do in this newsletter and on the monthly activity calendar to tide you over until we get some warmer weather!
While you may be sick of winter, it is the best time of year for getting down to the museums in DC. You have just a few more weeks where the parking is easy (free 3 hour parking on the mall starting at 10am!), the museums are warm, and the tourists haven't shown up yet. And then when the tourists show up and the weather gets warm, the local events really ramp up! Katie has put together an awesome list of seasonal and special events coming up for you to fill your calendar. Don't forget to invite your WAMmie friends to join in the fun too. Plan something with your playgroup, and then add it to the calendar to meet even more amazing moms and dads!
Also, a special thank you to Alana, our Party Czar, for putting together a fun and sweet Valentine's Day party. My son celebrated the holiday of love with a classic face paint choice, a black widow spider. Thank you to everyone who attended and brought treats to share to complete the party.
Best,
Elise Lee
President, Wheaton Area Mom
WAM Valentine's Day Party
The Valentine's Day party was a lovely success. There was a delightful array of sweets and snacks for all to munch on, a big thank you to everyone who contributed food. Munchkins of all ages very much enjoyed Sara, of Kids Party Face, as she entertained with face paint and balloon art. Thank you to everyone who helped set up and clean up. I would also like to remind all members that parties are the most fun when everyone contributes, so even if you don't sign up to do so, help cleaning up after a fun party is always appreciated.
Thanks, as always! Alana, Party Czar
Wow! Look at Me!
Face Painting was a hit!
Really enthusiastic about face painting!
little beach balls
Even the little ones helped with clean up!
The Littlest Valentine
Things Kids Say
- summary after visit to friends' house for doggie play date: I did not get knocked over by the doggies! (Katya E)
- 3 yr old: I want a Princess Ivy dress Mom: Isn't she the bad girl? [from a Sophia the First episode] 3 yr old: yes, but mom - I'm a little bit bad! (Kim M)
Need some time to run errands kid-free? Check out the Babysitting Co-op
Spring book picks by Elise and her kiddos
1. Ladybug Girl by David Soman: Beautiful illustrations and story about creative play and imagination while exploring outdoors. When Lulu puts on her ladybug costume, she becomes Ladybug Girl, a superhero who uses her imagination to have adventures right in her own backyard. Her dog, Bingo the basset hound, is always by her side and the two prove that they are not too little to explore nature, build forts, and make their own big fun.
2. Lost in the Woods by Carl Sams: Amazing nature photography portrays a story about a newborn fawn in its first few weeks of life. Woodland creatures keep watch over a young fawn they believe is lost in the woods. But the book also delivers a message: most fawns found alone in the woods are not lost or abandoned.
3. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: One boy's quest for a greener world... one garden at a time. While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.
4. And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano: Following a snow-filled winter, a young boy and his dog decide that they've had enough of all that brown and resolve to plant a garden. They dig, they plant, they play, they wait . . . and wait . . . until at last, the brown becomes a more hopeful shade of brown, a sign that spring may finally be on its way.
Bonus book: This is one I haven't read, but it is going on my list of must-find kids books!! 5. The Gardener by Sarah Stewart: In the mid-1930s, Lydia Grace is sent from her rural home to live with her uncle in the city. Her uncle doesn't smile. She's going to fix that. It's told in a series of letters that show Lydia Grace's positive outlook, as well as her love for her family. Small's artwork feels just as friendly as Lydia Grace herself.
Service Projects
December - Toys for Tots
January - Virtual WAM Blood Drive
February - ShareBaby
December - Holiday Sing-Along
Little Maestros!
Spring House residents enjoyed the company
I joined WAM because I am a domestic engineer (stay at home mom) and was looking for some fun activities to do with Sofia during the day with kids her age. I'm so glad we found WAM. - Aisha (Jan 2015)
Spotlight on...Aisha and Sofia
- Name: Aisha Habibi
- Kid’s name and age: Sofia Selina Habibi - 10 months
- Pets: 5 rescued feral cats- Smokey, Bandit, Onyx, Junior, and Rover
- How did you meet your significant other (SO)? Through mutual friends
- When was the last time your kid(s) or SO made you laugh out loud...and what was it? Sofia loves animals, especially cats. We were at a baby singing class and there was a cat song and she Meowed really loud. It made me laugh because "Meow" is the 4th word she can say!
- If you could give one piece of advice (or warning) to new moms, what would it be? Be flexible and try not to plan anything. Before Sofia was born, we planned on so many things. For example, we didn't want to give her a pacifier for the first few months. My husband was so upset when the nurse rolled her in with one at one day old. It actually turned out to be a good thing because she uses it a lot for a soothing. It really comes in handy sometimes.
- Describe your last family trip. Sofia and I traveled to New Mexico with my grandmother and her friend who came to visit Maryland. We ended up staying in New Mexico for two months to help my Grandmother recover from knee surgery.
- How do you like to wind down once the kids are down for the night? A nice bubble bath
- What was the last movie you saw...and when was it? With This Ring I just finished watching it Saturday.
- Describe something about yourself that people might not know. I really love getting good deals and couponing. I also like to cook, bake, & sew.
Sofia's fathers family is from India. I'm 1/2 Mexican 1/2 white. We are both Muslim. We are trying to teach Sofia Urdu (my husband's language). We feel that she would be able to learn English fast once she starts school.
New Member Meet and Greet - January
New Members - Welcome!
New WAM Babies
*If you know of other new babies in WAM - let us know.
Calling all Babies...
The baby WAMMIES 2014 are growing up!
WAM survey - Recommend YOUR doctors
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
March:
-St. Patrick's Day: Gaithersburg parade at 10am March 14 (Lakefront Plaza at RIO Washingtonian).
- National Cherry Blossom Festival: March 20 – April 12, 2015. See the blossoming of thousands of cherry trees on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The capital welcomes spring with this annual tradition begun by the gift of 600 trees to the United States from Japan in 1912. Don't miss the parade, kite festival, concerts, fireworks and cultural events.
- National Shamrock Festival: March 21, 2015, 1-9 p.m. RFK Stadium, Washington DC. Enjoy a day of family fun at the largest Saint Patrick's Day party and street festival in the DC area featuring more than 50 live bands.
- Blossom Kite Festival: March 28, 2015. As part of the festivities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, kite enthusiasts compete and show off their kite flying skills on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
-Bunnyland at Butler's Orchard: March 28 & 29. Hayrides, Easter Egg hunt, pedal tractors, bunnies, lambs, chicks and so much more! Children $8.75, Adults $6.75
April:
- National Cherry Blossom Festival: March 20 – April 12, 2015. See the blossoming of thousands of cherry trees on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The capital welcomes spring with this annual tradition begun by the gift of 600 trees to the United States from Japan in 1912. Don't miss the parade, kite festival, concerts, fireworks and cultural events.
- Passover in Washington, DC: April 3-11, 2015. Find resources for planning and celebrating the Jewish holiday in the Washington DC area, including kosher markets, restaurants, synagogues and more.
-Bunnyland at Butler's Orchard: April 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12. Hayrides, Easter Egg hunt, pedal tractors, bunnies, lambs, chicks and so much more! Children $8.75, Adults $6.75
- Easter in Washington, DC: April 5, 2015. See a guide to celebrating the holiday in the nation’s capital including the schedules and suggested venues for Easter brunch, Easter egg hunts, religious services and other special events.
- White House Easter Egg Roll: April 6, 2015, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bring the kids to hunt for Easter Eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny on the White House lawn. See also Easter Egg Hunts in Maryland and Virginia.
- African American Family Celebration at the National Zoo: April 6, 2015, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this year's multicultural tradition, the Zoo will offer an Easter egg roll/hunt, crafts, live entertainment, a food bazaar, and more family-friendly fun. Talk with Smithsonian scientists, who will share their work with such African animals as the kori bustard, cheetah, gorilla, and gaboon viper.
- Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival: April 11, 2015, 10 a.m. See wonderful entertainment for the whole family including decorated floats, gigantic colorful helium balloons, marching bands, clowns, horses, antique cars, military and celebrity performances, and more.
- Sugarloaf Craft Festival: April 17-19, 2015. Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD. Enjoy a wide selection of contemporary crafts and fine art at this popular festival.
-Earth Day:
May:
- National Cathedral Flower Mart: May 1-2, 2015. Enjoy the grounds of the cathedral, floral displays, children’s activities and musical entertainment. Free admission.
- Bethesda Fine Arts Festival: May 9-10, 2015. See the works of 140 contemporary artists and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and downtown Bethesda restaurants.
- Mother's Day: May 10
- Blue Angels Air Shows: May 20 and 22, 2015. Annapolis, MD. The Blue Angels Air Shows demonstrate choreographed flight skills of the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron.
For details on these and even more seasonal activities, check out the Spring Activities Pinterest board at https://www.pinterest.com/wheatonareamoms/spring-activities/ -
If you have an idea or family tradition that isn't included, help us make this an even better resource and email Elise (ecolella@gmail.com) or Caroline (carocan111@gmail.com) to share it with everyone.
Wheaton Area Moms
Email: wheatonareamoms@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wheatonareamoms.org/
Phone: 000000000000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234406673318785/