mischiefmakers

Getting just the right holiday card...

2010-01-02T14:23:00.004-05:00

...was such a challenge

we didn't even go with the one in front of the tree.

...and settled for the photo we took after the boys' Christmas concert at school.

Next year, I think I will try a professional photographer.

New Year's Eve Baby: Happy Birthday GG

2009-12-31T15:14:00.002-05:00

Wishing you and yours a prosperous and blessed
New Year!

and a

Very Happy Birthday to GG who turns 2 today!

(click to enlarge to see the photo collages I put together for her.
You can check out the entire album of pics used to put this together HERE)

*created using Free Software from Shape Collage

Family Friendly New Year's Events in the DC Area

2009-12-29T11:18:00.003-05:00

reprinted with permission from author Joscelyn Campbell of The Alexandria Parenting Multiples section of Examiner.com

Santa Claus has made his rounds worldwide, the presents have been opened, and its time for another holiday celebration--New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. There are many New Year celebrations occurring in the Washington DC Metro area that are alcohol free and appropriate for all ages.
The following events are multiples and family friendly:

Alexandria
First Night Alexandria: New Year's Eve celebration with music, dance, performing arts for all ages throughout Old Town. All performances indoors except finale & fireworks at midnight. http://www.firstnightalexandria.org

Fairfax
Fairfax Four Miler: The City of Fairfax hosts a family friendly end of the year running event to bring the community together for an evening of healthy fun. This event will support the Fairfax Police Youth Club. The post race party will include food and entertainment. www.fairfaxfour.com

Falls Church
Watch Night: Bring in the New Year with the annual, free, New Year's Eve "Watch Night" celebration held from 7 p.m. to midnight near the crossroads of Broad and Washington streets. Children's entertainment includes magicians, storytelling, face painting, and the Moon Bounce. Children, teenagers and adults can show their skills on the karaoke stage or at digital dance revolution. http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Departments/CommunityServices/RecsParks/Events.aspx?

Fredericksburg
First Night Fredericksburg: Downtown Fredericksburg is the stage through the evening with revelers enjoying - and even joining in - the multiple, simultaneous, and continuous performances and activities by our region's diverse artists. The New Year is welcomed in at the Midnight Celebration and lighting of the First Night Lantern. Held in historic churches, Old Town streets, and businesses, all First Night sites are alcohol free, allowing our city's celebration on New Year's Eve to be an event that everyone can enjoy. http://www.firstnightfredericksburg.com

Leesburg
First Night Leesburg: The event brings families together from all around Northern Virginia to celebrate the New Year with more than 100 performances at 20 indoor locations in downtown Leesburg. Enjoy jazz, bluegrass, folk music, magicians, puppet shows, and much more! At midnight, First Night concludes with a traditional Grand Illumination gathering on the courthouse lawn. http://www.bluemont.org/Events/FN_Leesburg-index.html

Stafford
New Year's Eve All Night Skate: Come to Cavalier for their all night skate! DJ's will play the hottest tunes and help count down to the midnight balloon drop. Refreshments will be available for sale. Prizes will be given away throughout the evening. http://www.cavalierfamilyskating.com

Winchester
First Night Winchester: First Night Winchester offers an array of more than 50 performing artists staging 35 plus shows, including country, classical, rock 'n' roll and jazz, big band, magicians, puppeteers, jugglers, story-telling, face painting, dancing and more. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and end with a party under the stars at midnight for the traditional Apple Drop countdown and fireworks show. http://www.firstnightwinchester.com

Whatever your New Year's plans are be safe and have a wonderful time!
Happy 2010 to you and all your family!

2009-12-29T11:08:00.001-05:00

I've been looking for something like this for the kids to be more Green as I cringe at all the plastic baggies we go through...

ripped from Celebrity-Babies.com

Yubo Eco-Friendly Lunch Boxes

Courtesy of Yubo

Keeping a lunch box clean isn’t easy. There’s those messy spills that seep into hard to get places and the food stains that never seem to come out. Well, hip design company yubo — Ali Landry’s a fan — has the answer!

The company’s brand new eco-friendly lunch boxes ($22 to $30) feature a patent-pending modular design so you can take them apart for easy and safe dishwasher cleaning. And forget plastic baggies! The deluxe version ($30) comes with three removable and reusable food containers (one square sandwich size and two round snack sizes) and an ice pack that are also dishwasher safe. Plus, they’re completely BPA-free, 100 percent recyclable and treated with an anti-microbial agent to keep the germs at bay.

Now here’s the fun part! They’re also fully customizable. Choose from the company’s standard faceplates — celeb mom-to-be Tiffani Thiessen’s husband, Brady Smith, created a design. Or upload your own photo. You can also personalize it with your kids name.

Merry Christmas from The Mischiefmakers

2009-12-25T12:24:00.002-05:00

there's no such thing as hand me down boys' jeans

2009-12-10T20:39:00.000-05:00

behold...exhibit A!

My 7 year old is settling in well as the wise cracking eldest

2009-12-03T19:38:00.001-05:00

I've been cracking up at the antics of the mischiefmakers lately.

In particular, Cboy who is so cunning and sneaky about tricking his little brother into doing his bidding. I shouldn't laugh but I thought it was so funny one day when I asked him to go to the basement and tell his little brother I needed him upstairs to clean the tiny mess little brother had made in his room.

Next thing I know, Jboy comes up stairs asking "Where is my surprise?" ...and I ask, "um did Cboy tell you I had a surprise?"

"uh yeah."

FUNNY! So creative.

Another time, I made some home made chicken nuggets [read: store bought freezer Tyson's chicken heated in the oven] and I ask Cboy to take it downstairs to JBoy to snack on in the basement. On his way down, I hear Cboy exclaim, "Oh Jboy! Guess what I have? McDonald's" So sneaky.

Of course, Jboy wasn't fooled. Shortly therafter, I heard JBoy say, "HEY! THAT'S NOT MCDONALD'S!"

FUNNY!

5 Mischiefmakers Holiday Traditions

2009-12-03T08:02:00.003-05:00

As the Holidays draw near, the mischiefmakers, their dad and I are gearing up and excited about counting down until Christmas. Here is our list of traditions:

1. The boys pick out a new ornament each year to decorate and place on the tree.

2. We have a family holiday movie watching night when we make hot chocolate, bake chocolate chip cookies together and then curl up as a family on the futon in the basement and watch as many Christmas movies and DVRd specials we can. After we're pooped, we call it a night and start over the next day.

3. They only get new gifts on their birthday and Christmas, but yet their toys are still out of control so to prepare for their new gifts, we get the Mischiefmakers to help me select toys they aren't playing with anymore to gift to Good will and charity.

4. We find a nearby light show to do see.

5. We make a wicked gingerbread man which is a new tradition we just started last year, but I think this one is a keeper. Now that GG is into baking and helping out cooking now, it should be even more...interesting...heh heh heh!

What do you guys do? What are your 5 traditions?

made this post as part of TwitterMoms Dora Christmas Carol contest. Check it out here.
Watch Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure Dec. 6 on NickelodeonFavorite Holiday Activities with Kids

Dora's Christmas Carol Adventuregreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

There is an old man trapped in my 4 year old's body

2009-12-02T19:06:00.003-05:00

Not sure if I should just accept the fact that there is 94 year old man trapped in my tiny 4 year old body. I am left with two clues:

1. Every evening after school, he waltzes upstairs and proceeds to squat on the throne for an excessively long time and produces some "stuff" that only a geriatric patient can appreciate. When he's done, he sings for me to come wipe his butt! "I need some wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipes" he sings non stop until I cease whatever chore I'm belaboring to go fulfill the dirty deed. I tell him he's big enough to wipe his own butt. "Who wipes your butt in school?" hrmpf!

2. The boy whistles and has been since he was two or so. His 73 year old grandfather doesn't even know how to whistle. What's up with that?

FUNNY STUFF! oh and he is wise beyond his years and has the imagination that is unnatural. I can only explain it that he's an old man reincarnated! ha

My professional look

2009-12-01T16:57:00.000-05:00

masculine power on high heels by manicurelover featuring Burberry

Preview of the National Gaylord's ICE Exhibit & National Children's Museum's Launch Zone

2009-11-20T16:00:00.004-05:00

Our friends at the National Children's Museum invited me and the fam to preview a spectacular award winning exhibit called ICE a day before it opened to the public and to check out the cool ICE related demo the National Children's Museum's Launch Zone was planning to share with families this holiday season.

ICE is a winter wonderland created entirely from two million pounds of ice, hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans. This frozen world of larger-than-life ice sculptures includes ten different holiday scenes and ice slides that stand more than two stories tall!The exhibit runs in winter months at the Gaylord's other properties and this was the first time debuting in the DC area fun!

I remember visiting the National Children's Museum on field trips as a kid growing up in DC. when it was located on Capitol Hill. At some point, the building the museum was housed in got too dilapidated and plans were made to move it to a 150,00 square foot building at the National Harbor near DC in 2013. I can't wait! In the meantime, while being built, NCM opened a Launch Zone at the Harbor this past spring, which is a 2,700 square foot store front center where children can preview and provide input on the type of exhibits that will be featured in the new museum once reopened. Check out the Launch Zone Schedule Events HERE! Also, to supplement the Launch Zone activities and events, NCM hosts a series of events, workshops and traveling exhibits in its Museum Without Walls program.

We got to the preview a bit late and missed a chance to tour the Launch Zone, but we did catch up with other mommy bloggers inside the ICE tent which houses the exhibit. The tent is kept at 9 degrees to keep the ice from melting from the heat visitors' bodies emanate when passing through the exhibit. Any lower and it may become too brittle and break and any warmer,the Ice would melt. Well, we should've been better prepared for that bit of trivia but we weren't and we didn't layer GG enough nor outfit her in mittens to keep warm. Needless to say, she didn't have much of a shelf life through the ICE cold tent...

...so she had to make a quicker exit, but not before she made every single man and woman (teachers, bloggers, employees, journalists and others there previewing) who passed her waddling by from ooohing and ahhing at the cute mini parka and how cute she looked . We got a big old smile out of everyone who got a peek of my little blue parka'd PENGUIN!! As usual, GG was a hit!

And she didn't go quietly into the big oversized coat either. You should've seen the look she gave to the dozen or so greeters who were there to help patrons into their coats. I think I captured a bit of her hesitance in this photo below...she's like "whoa, Dude, what's going on here?" Hilarious! (Click photos for a larger crisper view)

Okay, we're ready now...

Even though the parkas kept us pretty warm, to get your money's worth, (prices start at $19.99 for adults and $13.00 for kids) I recommend you come dress ed warmly and plan to stay in the exhibit for at least 30 minutes. Imagine that's a long time to be in a 9-degrees tent so do come prepared and dress in warm layers and definitely gloves and hats and/or scarves.

The boys enjoyed the 4 slides that flanked the Grand ice sculpted entrance to Santa's workshop. I think my middle boy, the 4 year old, slid down at least 20 times down all the slides. We almost had to drag him out kicking and screaming and everyday he begs to go back!

The stairwell leading up to the slides....

In the portion of the exhibit that is Santa's Toy Shop, the inspiration for each ice sculpture was situated next to each other so you could marvel at the similarity.

One of my favorite pieces was the angel sculpture with a phenomenal Nativity scene coming in a close second...

The details were spectacular and apparently, Chinese artisans and other international craftsmen and women who create extravagant Ice villages and exhibits in their respective nations traveled here to re-create their masterpieces for this exhibit.

To add an educational element to the exhibit and for those who maybe can't afford the exhibit, NCM had about 6 different stations that are part of its Cryogenics Science Show (when we visited, it was outside the "cold room" past the ICE Store). The boys got to actually get hands on as they learned about the properties of dry ice and liquid nitrogen. They had a ball and it was educational. This is great because I do plan to steer all my kids to careers in science. Yup, I am that pushy mom! Ha!

Learn more about the shows which will be presented December 5, 12, 19 at 1:15 and 3:30pm in the Gaylord National Resort Atrium HERE.

If you live in the area or plan to visit the DC area between November 19 and January 10, hit up Gaylord National's ICE exhibit because it's definitely worth seeing up close and in person.

Though, I must admit, in this recessionary economy, the price may be a bit too steep for some families. For those who live in the DC area, NCM hosts FREE Science Saturdays and a series of Gingerbread making workshops (at cost with a portion of proceeds going to the Museum Fund). There are other free or cheaper options too to check out.

Some are in The Gaylord Resort itself which has a lot going on too including a new Ice Skating rink that's set to open soon and will cost $8.00 per person, a nightly Tree lighting show, a Train Village, indoor snow falls, local musical performances, dancing water (ooh like the fabulous one at The Bellagio in Vegas, I wonder), brunch and lunch with Santa and more. Find out more at its Christmas On The Potomac website.

Kiddy Party "Goody" Bags are going S.W.A.G.

2009-11-11T13:35:00.004-05:00

Check out the FANTABULOUS goody bags my kids walked home with after a couple of parties:This bag from a party we attended on Halloween was fully stocked with licensed merchandise. At the party, the host gave away prizes which my family took home including a Cars DVD, a plush Cars blanket, Motorized Cars, and other goodies. Whoa Mama!
Last weekend, CBoy went to a movie party with just 6 other & 7 year olds and walked away with this big bag of wonderful stuff. I was excited to see the Chess game because I was going to ask my husband to teach the kids and I how to play. I'm thinking it would help teach logical skills, strategy and patience. The cylindrical thing is a piggy bank which is also very timely as I was planning on starting to give CBoy money for chores in lieu of an allowance to encourage him to save and buy something he wants rather than wait for us to get it for him. Finally, the science book is cool to go through as I plan to steer all the kids towards fields in science and tech.

Yes, I'm crazy, neurotic and pushy! And what? LOL!

By the look of these bags that are comparable to full out celebrity event S.W.A.G. bags, I was wondering if it was time to step up my goody bag game! Hahaha!

Review: The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook

2009-11-10T09:30:00.004-05:00

I received a copy of the third edition of The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. for review on Mischiefmakers. Between the hard covers of this 2,000+ page reference book is an overwhelming stock of information.

When I first received the book in the mail, I admit I was awe struck by the sheer size and volume of it. Over the next few weeks, every now and then I would take some quiet time to go through the manual. I schlepped it along with me on trips to Starbucks and would take in a chapter here and there. By the time I had gone through the bulk of the manual, I was satisfied that I had fed my brain well. I was able to fill in a lot of holes I had in my head on various medical, health industry topics and on common health conditions. What a satisfying consumption!

I was extra enthusiastic about getting this book to review because the country is in the middle of the Health reform debate. It was very timely. In actuality, I wrapped on the book on the eve of the historic House of Representatives passing their version of the Health Reform Bill.

Anyway, one of the early chapters that piqued my interest was the one that explains in laymen terms managed health care and how HMOs v. PPOs v POS get paid. The later chapters about preventing diseases and diagnosing them, especially the sections on vaccines and screen tests were eye opening because these topics ordinarily are quite confusing to wrap the brain around. Especially in this time with health care being a hot button issue, it's important for people to know the facts! The charts and tables were wonderfully dispersed throughout the book and are organized in nice nugget sized chunks of data that are easy to digest when skimming through the book.

When I say the book is comprehensive, I am not joking. The font was pretty small and there were a dearth of photos and illustrations which I would have wanted more of because I am a visual person. Notwithstanding, the pictures and tables in the manual were pretty clear and did not get bogged down in complex medical terminology and jargon.

Although a morbid topic, I also enjoyed the section on preparing for death, either your own or that of a dying loved one. It goes through the emotions and various stages of prepping for death and delves into complex sub-topic of preparing financially for after death. It was a very insightful section.

The remainder of the book goes through various conditions, their diagnosis, the symptoms ,causes, evaluation, treatments and as I think of it, it's one of those books that is good to review all in once quickly and as you do make mental notes of the sections that stick out in your head for later.

Towards the end, there are chapters on family planning, infertility and children ailments and treatments. Those chapters also do a great job answering common questions and concerns for families.

You know, because I have family members who have certain medical conditions and in case I ever hear of the conditions getting complicated or causing trouble, I am happy to have this book to turn to and read up on some more information.

All in all, this is a manual that would be a great addition to any library. At bottom, I know my children are set when and if the time ever comes for them to do a school report on a disease or medical related topic.

Overall, I'd highly recommend The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook.

You can order it from Merck's website or Amazon.com

M.A.S.K. Mothers Against Spoiled Kids Public Service Announcment

2009-11-10T09:24:00.003-05:00

just sharing my Facebook status update today:

"Spoiled Kids aren't born. They are created. Don't spoil your kids."

This has been a public service announcement by M.A.S.K. - Mothers Against Spoiled Kids

and now...

Top 5 Signs you have a Spoiled kid:

5.Clinginess - when they don't want to be put down, sleep in their own beds, learn to drive when they are 16 and insist on you chauffeuring them around, leave your side and explore when your are talking to someone and insist on interrupting you for attention etc etc.

4. Unreasonable expectations for you to - cut their food or spoon food in their mouths, carry them around all the time, stay up late and watch TV, pay for all their stuff whether they earned it or not, let them go to school wearing crazy clothes etc etc... Read More

3. Sharp tongue - talking back and extra unnecessary and inappropriate "back chat" /comments. Forgetting that you are the parent, e.g. THE BOSS. In the work world, they'd get fired. But you can't "quit" your kids

2. Tantrum throwing- b/c they need that toy, candy in the candy aisle, that hot new doll or game, or cell phone or car and insist on whining, screaming and leading you to essentially tear your hair out

1. Handicapped Ears - There's a problem with their ears b/c they don't understand the word "NO!"

PARENTS DON'T LET OTHER PARENTS SPOIL THEIR KIDS

ORGANIZE AN INTERVENTION TODAY

Funny, You don't Look Smart

2009-11-03T15:18:00.003-05:00

When I was in college, I told a friend that I was elected one of The Top Ten Freshman at my University and to which she responded, "Funny, you don't look smart."

Trust me, at that point, I was an insecure 18 year old and had not yet developed the cohones, self-esteem and bravado to respond to such insults. Had it been here and now, I would responded appropriately to put her in her place.

Notwithstanding, ever since that day, my girlish looks have set me up for many more similar insulting comments to looking so "young" and dumb, I guess.

Yesterday, I was reminded of it again when rolling my three children around a Marshall's department store. I was greeted with very judgmental looks from people who assumed I must be an out of control young mother having children she can't take care of because they were driving me crazy and I looked frazzled. And I can count on my fingers and toes the number of eye rolls, head shaking and tsk tsking that were hurled my way. Sad, but I know at this point I do not really know what is going on in their heads and I should be happy to look so young. I am certain that many other 36 year olds wish they would be so lucky to have girlish looks. Okay. Stressful enough, but I do NOT shop often with those three so I do not have to deal with that too often.

Roll back to this summer, I am walking up to the building where I set up a temporary office for myself and my interns to work out of for a client project. (ordinarily, I work from home, but this particular project required me to have bigger professional space). One weekend, I am dressed super casual and walking up to the building and a burly man dressed in suspenders, slacks and a dress shirt is standing by the building door.

I had my key fob in my pocket that I knew I would need to enter during the weekend. I see a sign on the doors instructing clients of an upstairs bankruptcy clinic to call a number to get buzzed in. The guy sees me coming and smiles to greet me and opens the door. I smile politely in return and try to maneuver past him to gain entry into the building. Apparently, he is dismayed that I did not acknowledge him more and he stands firmly in my way to try to block me from entering. Finally, a little confused and a bit peeved, I ask him to pardon me. He says nothing.

"Um, I have an office in this building." I tell the rude olf who resembles a well fed Colonel Sanders.

"YOU!?" he exclaims, clearly amazed, shocked and in disbelief that someone so casually dressed, young looking and quite female and unassuming looking would have the ability to have an office in that building.

"Yes," I replied flatly. "If you don't want to let me in, you are free to go back in and I will let myself in." I pulled out my fob and finally the ignoramus moved aside.

Boy! The Nerve!

At some point later, I am going to the bathroom and I see the same fool coming back from the men's room into our shared office suite. He proudly introduces himself to me and exclaims he is a lawyer.

"Hrmph!" I think in my head and then without the same air of self-importance I politely let him know that I am one too.

He looks quite shocked again! He is calmer now though and I, being the accommodating persons I can sometimes be engage him in small talk. During our chat, he learns about my accomplishments, the connections I have and quickly realizes that there are many synergies that coexist between our practices. I could well be a source of referrals for him.

Imagine! If he went with what his gut told him I was based on superficial outward appearances and obviously prejudiced and preconceived notions, he wouldn't be in the position to potentially get some new business.

Of course, that is where the relationship ended as I had no interest or need to further engage him or dare refer family, friends and colleagues to such a close minded person.

I've learned in life and work that is indeed better that people have lower expectations of me because it makes it that much easier to surmount these first impressions and dazzle them, but boy does taking such a backseat position require reservation and patience.

Thank God I have three rambunctious little ones and a very hectic life that is training me well. My older years are calming me for dealing with such buttholes in an intelligent way, but boy do I get tested and tested often!

And check this out I'm not the Only ONE!

Pumpkin Patch and Halloweeeeeeeeeeen!

2009-10-30T07:08:00.006-04:00

We headed down to a Harvest festival in Mt. Airy, Maryland last weekend with the kids, my baby sis, her mother-in-law, and her son
Cboy feeding the goats
JBoy was the only one brave enough to let them eat out of his hands actually...brave kid!
GG checking out the chickens
riding around the Trike track
Swine Flu? GG checks out the chickens
and a baby calf only 8 weeks old...
the tube slides were too fun....
even I couldn't resist partaking...here I am sliding with my nephew, KD
TriniD and GG take a twirl
and waiting for J boy to come down...
which he did with a splash...
next up, the hay ride to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins...

but first, a hay ride milk break...

two pumpkins for two pumpkins...
playing in the corn feed pit...

on top of the world on the hay bales...
getting lost in the kiddie maze (one of 5 different mazes they navigated)
one day earlier, GG went to the patch with her nursery school class...
she had a ball getting up close and personal with many of the animals on that farm.

FUN TIMES!

I am THAT mother...

2009-10-10T18:14:00.002-04:00

...who was so franticly rushing one morning that she sent the wrong lunch box to school with the wrong kid. Totally, switched the lunches! doh!

...and who accidentally forgot to put CBoy's homework folder in his backpack after correcting it the night before forcing him to be sent home with a Discipline note! doh squared!

...who accidentally threw away JBoy's picture he drew just for ME. It just got swept up in my Type-A obsessive sweeps of the dining room table. Eek!

We can't all have A days. Does it matter that mine are usually C-/B+ days? Thank Goodness Moms Don't get report cards, I'd be in Detention right about now. Ha!

Fun Stuff for Kids to Do in DC area this October Calendar

2009-10-09T07:16:00.003-04:00

Wippeee!!! Look at all the fun stuff being hosted and thrown by the National Children's Museum this month!

02, 09, 16, 23, 30

Witches, Wizards, and Wands FRIDAY, 3 P.M. - 5 P.M. Enter an imaginary world of witches, wizards, and most importantly, magic wands at the NCM Launch Zone!

06, 13, 20

Wee Wonders' Sense-ational! TUESDAY, 10 A.M. - 11:15 A.M. Explore smells, textures, sounds, sights, and tastes with your child in this fun, fast-paced program.

10, 11

The 2009 DC Green Festival SATURDAY, 11 A.M. - 6 P.M. and SUNDAY, NOON - 5 P.M. Take part in this annual celebration of sustainability, where there is something for everyone: activities, a green film festival, live music, 150 speakers and workshops, a green marketplace with more than 350 green businesses, dozens of community programs, and an NCM Kids’ Zone. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001

2009 Kids Euro Festival: France and Hungary SATURDAY, 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. The NCM Launch Zone is pleased to host 2009 Kids Euro Festival programs, presented by the 27 European Union Member States and independent cultural partners.

-FRANCE: Get a Taste of France Reading Workshop; Story readings at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.

-HUNGARY: Hungarian Storyteller; Stories are 45 minutes at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run SATURDAY, 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. NCM will provide hands-on activities for children in Camp Miles at the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run. Pentagon North Parking Lot, Arlington, VA

2009 Kids Euro Festival: Greece and Estonia SATURDAY, 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. See October 17 description for more 2009 Kids Euro Festival details.

-GREECE: A Musical Journey Back in Time; Performance is at 11 a.m.

-ESTONIA: Raggie is Coming to America Reading Workshop; Readings are at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Crystal Run at the Marine Corps Marathon SUNDAY, 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. NCM will provide hands-on activities throughout the day at Crystal Run, the convenient festival location for families to cheer on their runners as they reach miles 22 and 23 of the Marine Corps Marathon. Festivities will be located right outside the Crystal City Metrorail Station.

2009 Kids Euro Festival: Poland SATURDAY, 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. See October 17 description for more 2009 Kids Euro Festival details.

-POLAND: Beware of the Wawel Dragon Reading Workshop; Story will be read at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Ten Signs you Might be a Mischiefmaker with two Lawyers for Parents

2009-10-08T20:21:00.007-04:00

This post was inspired when I heard my husband tell our 7 year old son that he had to impose "sanctions" on his lunch!
10. You come in complaining about your brother hitting you and your mom asks you to state the basis of your complaint.

9. You're teasing your baby sister and your dad comes in from the other room and warns you to stop "badgering" your sister.

8. You break the living room lamp and before your baby brother tattles on you, you know you have to decide whether or not to "plea guilty"

7. You aren't told to go to bed, but rather to "adjourn" your playing until tomorrow.

6. You get your allowance in billable hour increments

5. When doing your homework and you mess up, your mom makes you "re-draft" it.

4. When you don't eat your peanut butter sandwich, your dad tells you he is about to apply sanctions and put in apple slices instead of cookies in your lunch box for the next few days.

3. You tell your mom "Timmy's mom lets him eat snacks before dinner" and she tells you Timmy's mom has no jurisdiction in YOUR house.

2. You know what the word "mitigating" means and you're only 4 years old.

1. You get to get out of the corner early when your dad comes home and issues a "pardon".

Stuff Going on This Oct 2-10th Weeked in the DC Area

2009-10-03T12:18:00.005-04:00

10/2 - 10/3 Performing Arts- VelocityDC

A new festival of dance, with works from CityDance, Gesel Mason, the Washington Ballet and more.

Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall 610 F St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-547-1122

Through 10/10-

D.C. Asian Pacific American Film Festival

Documentaries and features, shorts and full-length films about and by people of Asian descent.

Various locations Around, Washington, DC | 202-357-4880

Saturday, Oct. 3

Art on the Avenue in Alexandria Full of arts and craft vendors, this neighborhood festival boasts food vendors, activities for children, a pie-baking contest and three stages of music featuring rock, salsa, zydeco and honky tonk.

Sunday, Oct. 4 Takoma Park Street Festival Takoma Park's Main Street turns into a giant block party with live music -- including acts like the Nighthawks, Chopteeth, the Grandsons and Tom Principato -- plus food vendors, local artists, crafts and family activities.

10/1 - 10/10- Measure for Measure

Taffety Punk presents an all-female version of Shakespeare's problem comedy about a rigid-but-hypocritical lord who strictly enforces order until he encounters a beautiful woman.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop 545 Seventh St. SE, Washington, DC | 202-261-6612

The Master Mischiefmaker and his Protegee

2009-09-28T23:10:00.002-04:00

mount a Beast!

...look out World!

All the Single Babies

2009-09-24T14:49:00.006-04:00

I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN THIS ALREADY...IT'S THE BIGGEST THING on

Twitter, FaceBook and YouTube this Week!

Baby Dancing to "All the Single Ladies"

and look there are other babies out there too!

This isn't a trend is it...

And I dare say an original back in 2003!

Was even on America's Funniest Videos.

The Mud Mask Monster

2009-09-23T14:07:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when my face gets blemished, I like to put on a mud mask.

I manage to scare each and every child when I put it on. They look at me like, "um are you my mommy? You sound like her."

I've managed to make at least one cry.

That tickles me.

Giving in to Marriage

2009-09-21T21:27:00.011-04:00

An interesting thing happened this weekend. Some old friends came into town to attend the funeral of a set of brothers, who are local. Besides connecting at the the wake and funeral itself with old local friends who we hardly see any longer, we got the opportunity to spend extra time with friends who lived farther away in other states and overseas. Some stayed with us in our home.

We, the entire group, all went to college together and had a wonderful time back then doing what college kids do best when they are not studying: partying and taking road trips together. During this weekend, I began to see how we had really grown up and have become such more responsible.

I had already seen the transformation in most of the guys except one. That one was considered quite a ladies man by the way he would swoon all the girls and how he had a string of steady flings and girlfriends who would go crazy over him. He has that effect on his exes still in a way that they would ask about him periodically when he would flash into town, even being married with children themselves.

In any event, something was different, I noticed, about this particular guy friend of ours, who is an artist and was always a free spirit rolling stone kind of guy who didn't take too much to the establishment or conformity. He seemed resolved, sullen, settled, more mature and progressively older somehow and unassuming, almost like a bit of his playboy swagger had been dissipated somehow. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about him changed from the last few times I had seem him.

Fast forward to Monday afternoon. My husband had to drop him off at the airport early this morning before returning to help me prep the kids for school. Unprovoked, my husband announced that he had asked this friend if he was "now finally settled" into marriage life.

"Yes." he had responded. Essentially, my husband checked in to make sure that this friend, who had at least one bump getting settled into married life had finally resolved himself to his new life; and seemed renewed and committed...and content.

In essence, it was confirmation of sorts that the old play boy, renegade, ladies man Life is gone. Buried in the past and replaced with the resigned devoted husband and father who is at peace with the new reality that his life is now rituals, norms and practices of family life and the typical family man.

"Yes." he had replied to my husband. I'm not sure what else was said, but my husband felt it important to give me the report that he had finally joined him and the other fellers to realize and appreciate all the wonderful things he had at home and nothing in the world would compete or compare to that.

I wondered at what time, if at all, my husband had to go through that realization. He was unlike most of our guy friends though and never really the playboy lady chaser type. Well that is what I told/tell myself anyway.

In any event, I found it a very interesting notation to see the last to crumble and give up on "young life", if you would. Don't get me wrong. Our friend has always been a great dad, and eventual husband, just like the other guys in my circle. I was tickled to discover that all of them are the disciplinarians in their households. Typical, but neat to know I am not the only softee. But all in all, it was an interesting commentary on married life, giving in to the routine and the evolution into adulthood. Just like with maturity in the teenage agers, the guys are always last to conform...way after the girls.

But in any event, that weekend spent taking tequila shots and laughing and reminiscing over old photos of our "wutless" and raucous past was fun. Indeed, it was great to re-connect. At some point one of the brothers whose mom had passed said, "When did it happen? When did we all become responsible adults?"

Our 10 Year Wedding Anniversary Photos

2009-09-16T22:28:00.002-04:00

We celebrated 10 years this August! And celebrated by having a night out...we plan a European cruise later when we can coordinate child care.