Events - Spring Break/Easter Edition - March 23-31

HOORAY FOR SPRING BREAK!

Besides the museums and all the gorgeous parks that you could visit over the next several days (see our past blogs for places to visit), think about adding one or two of these things to the mix during your time off. One of my favorites is always the Cherry Blossom Festival (several events at various venues) which coincides perfectly with Spring Break this year. We will be at the Blossom Kite Festival for sure!  This listing serves for 2 weekends so our next event post will be on April 5th.

Maryland

• Three Little Birds - Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo, through 4/14, http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org/seeashow/professional/nowshowing.html
• Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Dragons - 3/27-4/7, Baltimore, 1st Mariner Arena, http://www.ringling.com/TourSchedule.aspx?action=details&engagementId=105876
• Baysox 14th Annual Free Family Funfest - Bowie, Prince George's Stadium, 3/23, 10am-2pm, http://bowie.baysox.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t418
• Come Fly with Mickey - Columbia, Columbia Ice Rink, 3/23-3/24, http://columbiafsc.com/
• Sid the Science Kid: The Movie - National Children's Museum, National Harbour, 3/23, 11am, http://ncm.museum/events
• Maryland Day Celebrations - 3/23, 3/24, Annapolis, http://www.marylandday.org/
• ArtFest - Annapolis, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Sunday, 3/24, 12-3pm, http://www.mdhallarts.org/home_flash.asp
• Mary Poppins on Ice - Laurel, Gardens Ice House, 3/23-3/24, http://www.gardensfsc.org/
• Children's Teddy Bear Dress Up Specialty Tea - 3/26-3/27, Strathmore Mansion, 1pm, http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=9229
• Picadilly Circus - National Harbour, The Plateau, 3/26-4/7, http://www.thefuncircus.com/#!national-harbor/c1z4c
• Gaithersburg Indoor Flea Market - Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 3/23, 9am-2pm, http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=263&TOC=107;84;99;263;
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2pm-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Watermark Tours Charter Cruises - Annapolis, Saturday, 3/23, Free Family-friendly Tour, 10:30am, http://www.watermarkjourney.com/
• Breakfast with the Bunny - Thomas Farm Community Center, Rockville, 3/23, 10am-Noon, http://www.rockvillemd.gov/thomasfarm/
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt - Meadowside Nature Center, Rock Creek Park, Rockville, Friday, 3/29, http://www.parkpass.org/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=502&From=fas
• Laurel Eggstravaganza - Granville Gude Park, 3/23, 1pm, http://www.cityoflaurel.org/news/2013/03/15/eggstravaganza-2013
• Bunnyland at Butler's Orchard - 3/23, 3/24, 3/28, 3/29, 3/30, 9am-3pm, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=6&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.butlersorchard.com/
• Chesapeake Beach Easter Festival - Kellam's Field, 3/23, http://calendar.visitmaryland.org/Views/Events/Details.aspx?id=65403

Virginia

• Kidspy Overnight - Int'l Spy Museum, 3/23, 7pm-10am, Kids 9-13, http://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/day/2013-03-23/
• Family Day Women in Aviation & Space - Chantilly, 3/23, 10am-3pm, Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, http://airandspace.si.edu/events/eventDetail.cfm?eventID=4833
• Virginia State Parks Spring Break Activities - http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/events-list-info.shtml?srchloc=All%20Parks&eventtype=Special%20Event&txtBDate=03/22/2013&txtEDate=04/07/2013&curdate=03/13/2013
• Reston Zoo's Annual Easter Event - Vienna, 3/23-3/24, 3/30-3/31, http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2013/02/01/kites-of-asia-family-day-part-of-the-heritage-family-day-series-made-possible-by-the-generous-support-of-northrop-grumman-corporation/
• 14th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House - Alexandria, 3/29-3/30, http://www.leefendallhouse.org/
• Morven Park's Eco-Friendly Easter - Leesburg, 3/23, 10am-Noon, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=67&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.morvenpark.org/
• Easter Egg Hunts at Ticonderoga Farms - Chantilly, 3/23-3/24, 3/30-3/31, 10am-5pm, http://www.ticonderoga.com/
• Bull Run Easter Egg Hunt - Centreville, Bull Run Regional Park, 3/26, 10am-1130am, http://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/events/Easter%20Egg%20Flyer%202013.pdf
• Easter Egg Hunt at Cameron Park - Alexandria, 3/27, 10am-11:30am, http://www.nvrpa.org/events/view/2201
• Easter Egg Hunt at Pohick Bay - Lorton, 3/27, 10am-11:30am, http://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/events/Easter%20Egg%20Flyer%202013%20Pohick%20Bay.pdf
• Great Country Farms Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest - Bluemont, 3/23-3/24, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=558&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.greatcountryfarms.com/
• George C. Marshall International Center Easter Egg Hunt - Leesburg, Marshall House, 3/30, 2-4pm, http://www.georgecmarshall.org/index.php?bid=19&tb=4&targetdate=3/30/2013&evtid=33&returntb=0

Washington DC

• Cherry Blossom Festival - 3/20-4/14, various venues, http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/category/events/
• Blossom Kite Festival - National Mall, 3/30, 10am-430pm, http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/SmithKiteFest.htm
• Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Dragons - 3/23, 3/24, Verizon Center, http://www.ringling.com/TourSchedule.aspx?action=details&engagementId=105877
• Culture Kids -  Saturday Morning at the National Theatre - Mother Goose Jazz'n Blues - 3/23, 9:30am, http://www.nationaltheatre.org/Saturday/Saturday.htm
• Culture Kids - Teen Studio Saturdays - National Gallery of Art, 3/23, 10am-3:30pm, http://www.nga.gov/programs/teens/
• Faberge Egg Family Festival - Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 3/23, 10am-5pm, http://www.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=787&pid=4113197
• Georgetown Walking Tour with Cupcakes - Dumbarton House Museum, 3/24, 10am-12pm, http://georgetowncupcaketour.eventbrite.com/
• Cherry Blossom Lantern Walk - National Mall and Memorial Parks, 3/24, 3/29, 3/30, 3/31,   8-10pm, Meet at NPS Welcome Tent at Tidal Basin, Bring flashlight
• Culture Kids Spring Tea & Chocolate Workshop - Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 3/26, 1-2:30pm, http://tudorplacespringteaandchocolateworkshop.eventbrite.com/
• Family Days at the National Building Museum - 3/23-3/24, http://airandspace.si.edu/events/eventDetail.cfm?eventID=4833
• Fly a Kite Workshop - Corcoran Gallery of Art, 3/23, 10am-12pm, http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2012/02/19/fly-a-kite-workshop/
• Japanese Culture Day - Library of Congress, 3/23, 10am-3pm, http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2012/12/27/japanese-culture-day/
• Kites of Asia Family Day - National Air & Space Museum, 10am-3pm, http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2013/02/01/kites-of-asia-family-day-part-of-the-heritage-family-day-series-made-possible-by-the-generous-support-of-northrop-grumman-corporation/
• Jason Invisible - Kennedy Center, 3/25-4/7, Kids 11+, http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=KNTBB
• Washington Home and Garden Show - Washington Convention Center, 3/23-3/24, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=11&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.washingtonhomeandgardenshow.com/
• Easter Egg Hunt at Madame Tussauds - 3/30, 7:30am-9:45am, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=12&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.madametussaudsdc.com/
• 5th Annual Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place - 3/29, 10am-12pm, http://tudorplaceeggstravaganza.eventbrite.com/ 

Smithsonian Museums

I've been going to these museums since I was a kid and I never get tired of going. The best part of all is it's all FREE, which I think is fabulous because they have so much to offer in the way of learning for both adults and children.  I can't write about all of them, but these are our family favorites.

My all-time favorite Smithsonian Institution is the National Zoo but I've already written about that one. http://familyfunseekers.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-national-zoo.html

The Natural History and Air & Space Museums tie for our favorite Smithsonian museums with the National Museum of American History following a close third.

The Natural History Museum is amazing! Greeted by a giant mammoth in the main lobby with huge exhibition halls shooting off in every direction, you could easily spend a whole day in there. See the dinosaurs exhibit, the Great Ocean hall with ancient giant sea creatures, discover the hall of Human Origins, experience the live butterfly pavilion, and my favorite part - the Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals - where you can see the Hope Diamond and many other beautiful pieces of jewelry from royalty around the world. There's also a mammal section, a bird section, and an African culture section. There is an IMAX theater there and they even have a program where you can spend "A Night at the Museum". Overall, this is a great museum for the whole family. (Large cafeteria and gift shop)
http://www.mnh.si.edu/

The Air & Space Museum is awesome! This is my husband and daughter's favorite. Missiles, rockets, planes, space-crafts, and air-related artifacts from way back lines the walls and hang from the ceilings in this museum. There are segments of planes and rockets that you can walk through and a flight simulator that you can ride for a stomach churning experience. There is a small fee for this ride but the kids will tell you it's worth it. You will see the Wright Brothers' Flyer, the Spirit of St Louis, Apollo 11 and much more here. They have an IMAX theater and a large fun area where the kids can do experiments with flight dynamics, gravity, velocity and other scientific things. My kid would spend all day in there if you let her. Again, this is a great museum for the whole family. (Large cafeteria with McDonalds and scattered gift shops)
http://airandspace.si.edu/

The National Museum of American History is next in line for our family-friendly favorites. With the exception of maybe a couple of areas, I think this museum is good for families with older children. Exhibits take you through the Presidents, the First Ladies (including their dresses and other treasures), the changing of America through the years, artifacts from influential musicians, Girl Scout history and artifacts, history of machinery, electricity, the flag and tons more. They also have travelling/visiting exhibits. This museum could easily take an entire day to go through everything. One summer, we did one floor per day, just to break it up and have some play time outside on the lawn. http://www.si.edu/Museums/american-history-museum

If art is your thing, there are several art galleries on the National Mall. Although I love to look at art, my husband and daughter revolt at the mention of going into them. I have gone without them and enjoyed them very much.  I took the kids one summer to the Hirshhorn Museum & Scultpure Gardens where they really enjoyed looking at the sculptures and tried imitating the poses of each piece. It was quite amusing and they had a great time while appreciating (I think) the art.  In the middle of the garden is a Wish Tree (Imagine Peace) inspired by Yoko Ono where you can write your wish for the world and tie it to the tree. The kids loved this!
http://www.si.edu/Museums/hirshhorn-museum-and-sculpture-garden

Outside the Natural History Museum on the National Mall is a wonderful carousel that has been there since the 60's (built in the 1940's) and has an interesting history. ($3.50 to ride) It goes fast! http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-locations/the-carousel-on-the-national-mall,1027953/critic-review.html

The museums are open every day except Christmas Day and museum hours are extended in the summer (and certain other times) until 7:30pm.
See calendar here - http://www.si.edu/visit/hours#ExtendedHours

Parking is always crazy so I recommend taking the Metro to the Smithsonian station.  If you don't want to eat in the museum restaurants (a little pricey), there are plenty of food vendor trucks lining the streets. Nothing like a hot dog and a hot pretzel from a street vendor!

Kid's View: "I love the Natural History Museum and seeing all the animals and the rocks and gems, and I like to do all the interactive things. The Air & Space Museum is my favorite though. I love that ride that spins you and flips you over and over and I like going into the planes and stuff. We bought the astronaut food in the gift shop once, it was kinda strange. I like the one area that all the kids get to play around and test a bunch of things related to flying, gravity and things like that."

This Weekend's Events - March 16-17

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!  Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Maryland

• St Patrick's Day Parade - Saturday, 10am, Gaithersburg, Washingtonian center, http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=1376&TOC=107;84;99;1376;
• Celebrate the Irish - St Michael's, Eastern Shore, http://historic.stmichaelsmd.org/Events/details/celebrate-the-irsih-3239
• 49th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show - Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, http://glmsmc.com/events.shtml
• Storytime with the Washington Redskins - National Children's Museum, National Harbour, Saturday, 1:30pm, http://www.ncm.museum/events
• A Woman of Courage, Harriet Tubman - Baltimore, R.F. Lewis Museum, Saturday, Ages 6-10, http://www.rflewismuseum.org/node/11969 
• Bunny Tea - Kentlands Mansion, Gaithersburg, Sunday, 1:30pm, http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=309&TOC=1;8;309;&id=6097
• Clara Barton - One Woman Show - Clara Barton National Historic Site, Glen Echo, Saturday, 2-4:30pm, http://www.nps.gov/clba/index.htm
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Persian New Year Celebration - Reston Town Center, 11am-5pm, http://www.restontowncenter.com/cgi-bin/calendar/Calcium40.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=EVENTS 
• Super Pet Expo - Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly,  http://www.superpetexpo.com/
• Easter Egg Hunt - Sully Historic Site, Saturday, 1-3pm, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/

Washington DC

• St Patrick's Day Parade - Sunday, 12pm-3pm, http://dcstpatsparade.com/
• National Shamrock Festival - RFK Stadium, Saturday, 1-9pm, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=62&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&st=13&zu=http%3A//www.shamrockfest.com/
• NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo - Washington Convention Center, 9am-5pm, All ages, http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/NBC4s-Health-and-Fitness-Expo-2013-185464791.html 
• Saturday Morning at the National Theatre - St Patrick's Day Show, http://www.nationaltheatre.org/Saturday/Saturday.htm
• Nordic Cool 2013: Lego Exhibit and Play Space - Kennedy Center,  http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=ZNLEX
• Fun Family Saturday - Fashioning the New Woman - DAR Museum, Saturday, 10:30-12:30pm, Kids 7+, http://www.nps.gov/clba/index.htm
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

National Cherry Blossom Festival

I'm writing this one a little bit early so that those of you who haven't planned Spring Break yet can still have a chance to consider Washington, DC.  Cherry Blossom time is coming quickly and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is my favorite part of Spring here!

The cherry trees were a gift from the Japanese to D.C. and the blossoming symbolizes the arrival of Spring. (which we are all anxiously waiting for!) They are planted around the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal basin and are a spectacular site when they are all in full bloom. (Check for the peak bloom week when planning your visit). 

This year, the festival runs from March 20-April 14, and has over 200 performances and over 90 special city-wide events. The areas around the Tidal Basin and National Monument have stages for daily performances, grounds to picnic on, paddle-boating, and all kinds of tours. City-wide events include an Opening Ceremony (sorry, already sold out), Fireworks Festival and Show, a Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony, a parade, a Japanese street festival, various Family Days activities, the National Kite Festival (my favorite and now our family tradition), and much, much more.  It's amazing to see how many people show up every year to experience this Festival.  The grounds are planted up everywhere with beautiful flowers (tulips, roses, etc) and people can be seen posing for pictures everywhere.

 





This year the Kite Festival will be held on March 30th from 10am-4:30pm, on the grounds of the National Monument. Thousands of people pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket and their kites and head out to this amazing event. I have memories of this as a kid and I have started a tradition of going with my family (this year will be our 4th year). We've turned it into a fun time with friends who want to join us, and it's a good time watching both the kids and the adults trying to get their kites up in the air.  Kites run from the dollar store variety to home-made kites to some really elaborate kites. There are all kinds of competitions and some free activities for kids (if you get there early enough).  The pictures don't do it justice but just image thousands of kites in the sky all at the same time!

 

Kid's View: "I like going to the kite festival. There's a giant tree there that we love to climb when we take a break from flying our kites. I like to see all the different cool kites and watch the competitions. The first year we bought a small kite there that we got up in the air but not too high. The second year we bought dollar store kites and some friends brought some fancy box kites that we couldn't get up in the air. Last year, we brought kites that use double strings but we couldn't figure out how to use them so we went back to our little cheapie ones that worked very well and went really high.  My dad and I have a big home made one that needs to be finished but we haven't yet, so I guess this year we'll be using the old ones again. They work well so I'm good. Our group has been getting bigger every year and it's fun when more kids are there with us. I'm looking forward to going again this year!"

The best part is that almost everything is free!  Food truck vendors line the streets if you're not up to packing a picnic but plan to do a lot of walking to get there. Port-o-lets are everywhere and are maintained regularly. Parking is a killer so I highly suggest taking the Metro.  We usually take it to the Smithsonian Station but there are others around depending on which direction you're coming from.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

This Weekend's Events - March 9-10

HAPPY FRIDAY!  Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Maryland

• Baltimore St Patrick's Day Parade - Sunday, 1pm, http://irishparade.net/
• Annapolis St Patrick's Day Parade - Sunday, 1pm, http://www.visitannapolis.org/includes/calendar-of-events/St-Patrick-s-Day-Parade/307/?menuid=37
• The Wizard of Oz - Port Discovery Children's Museum, Baltimore, http://www.portdiscovery.org/calendar/vexhibits
• Little Red Riding Hood & The Three Little Pigs - 10am, Glen Echo, Puppet Co Playhouse, http://www.thepuppetco.org/
• Great Salmon Run 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-great-salmon-run?EventID=%7bDB9EE52E-896B-42D9-AF22-B3D13CF94E97%7d
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Manassas St Patrick's Day Parade - Saturday, 11am, http://dc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dc&cdn=citiestowns&tm=56&f=22&su=p284.13.342.ip_p554.23.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.stpatparade.net/
• Riverbend Park's Astronomy Festival - Saturday, 7pm, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/html/psa024-13.htm
• Ticonderoga Farms Spring Festival - Chantilly, Saturday, 10-5pm, http://www.ticonderoga.com/seasons/spring_easter_festival/
• Family Day - Model Making - Saturday, 12-3, Triangle, National Museum of the Marine Corps, http://www.usmcmuseum.com/news_Calendar.asp
• March150 Kids Art Activity - Alexandria, Torpedo Factory Arts Center, Sumday, 10-1, http://www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/target2013/march150.htm
• Raggedy Ann & Andy - McLean, The Alden, 3pm, https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/917617
• Super Science Saturday - 10am-3pm, Chantilly, Air & Space Museum Udvar Hazy Center, http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20130309#/?i=1
• Oasis in Space - Arlington Planetarium, Sat/Sun,  http://apsva.us/Page/2715

Washington DC

• Saturday Morning at the National Theatre - St Patrick's Day Show, http://www.nationaltheatre.org/Saturday/Saturday.htm
• Civil War Family Day - American Art Museum,  Saturday, 11:30-3pm, http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20130309#/?i=14
• Nordic Cool 2013: Lego Exhibit and Play Space - Kennedy Center,  http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=ZNLEX
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/

Liberty Mountain Ski Resort

My last memory of skiing was not a good one. Some 30+ years ago, I went skiing in the Poconos with my family and came back scarred physically and mentally. I swore I would never ski again. Now that I have a  family of my own, I felt that it would be unfair to prevent them from having a ski experience of their own. After a long deliberation and blocking the thoughts of injuries and a trip to the emergency room from my mind, I brought up the conversation to the family and just my luck, the response was a very loud and resounding "YES!". Of course, my daredevil daughter put the icing on the cake by telling me she had no interest in the skiing part and that she has always wanted to try snowboarding.  Well, you can only imagine the pictures that went through my mind at that point, but it was too late to take back the offer.  After asking around and doing some research, we narrowed it down to Liberty Mountain Ski Resort....the closest thing to the "beginner" hills that we could find.

Just a short 75 minute ride from where we live in Potomac, MD, Liberty Mountain Resort is one of three ski resorts (RoundTop and WhiteTail) frequented by the locals.  We bought a beginners package (ski or snowboard) which included entrance, lift tickets, a lesson, rentals, and access to the First Class Quad and the Dipsy Quad for $89. It's cheaper if you go during the week but I still thought the price was reasonable.
http://www.libertymountainresort.com/learn-to-ski-ride/ski-snowboard-school/lessons-packages.aspx

Everyone chose to ski except my brave child who decided to snowboard and went off on her own to take her lesson. The rest of us muddled through the ski lesson, including my mother who never gave up despite how many times she ended up on the ground. She eventually went down the whole hill and as she put it, "had an award-winning ride down". I managed to get through the lesson and barely made it down the whole hill. (The trainers are great and they don't mind if you "take them out" because you can't figure out how to stop.)  Eventually, the women gave up and sat out the afternoon while the husbands and kids spent the rest of the day on the slopes. They had a great time!!!

Also, for the less adventurous or if the little ones are not ready for the hills just yet, they have great snow tubing here as well. $30 for a couple of hours and fun for the whole family! There's a lodge to keep warm if you just want to watch but how can you resist the urge to go sliding down the hill? Tons of fun!!! http://www.libertymountainresort.com/mountain/snow-tubing/snow-tubing-at-boulder-ridge.aspx

It's a great day trip but I highly recommend you get there early (opens at 8am) before the tour buses and groups arrive, and if you are on a budget, pack a lunch.  Make sure you wear lots of layers, scarves, gloves, hats, ski masks, goggles, snow pants, ....get the picture?

Kid's View: "It was so much fun. Snowboarding was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I'm glad I did it. I would love to do it again but I think they should have more easy hills for beginners to practice on. I thought it was cool that there were mini-blizzards throughout the day where it would get dark and cloudy and then snow like crazy and then five minutes later the snow would stop and the sun would be out. I had a blast when I went tubing too. I would love to do that again too. I think Liberty is a cool place to spend the day with the family."

http://www.libertymountainresort.com/

 

This Weekend's Events - March 2-3

HAPPY FRIDAY!  Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Maryland

• Passport Kidz! Let's Explore Ghana - Germantown Community Recreation Center, Saturday, http://passportkidz.eventbrite.com/
• Family Art Day - Towson, Asian Arts & Culture Center, Saturday, 1-5pm, http://www.towson.edu/asianarts/ 
• Dr. Seuss' Birthday Party - National Harbor, National Children's Museum, Saturday, 10-5pm, http://ncm.museum/events/59
• The Great Salmon Run 4D Experience - National Aquarium Baltimore, http://www.aqua.org/visit/baltimore/calendar/showtime-4d-great-salmon-run?EventID=%7bDB9EE52E-896B-42D9-AF22-B3D13CF94E97%7d
• Free Family Sundays at Baltimore Museum of Art - 2-5pm, http://artbma.org/families/sundays.html
• Ice Skating at Rockville Town Square - http://rockvilletownsquare.com/at-the-square/ice-rink/
• Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring - http://www.silverspringiceskating.com/

Virginia

• Chocolate Lovers Festival - Old Town Fairfax, http://dc.about.com/od/foodfestivals/a/ChocolateLovers.htm
• Salamander Excursion - Front Royal, Elizabeth Furnace, Saturday, 3:30pm, Kids 8+, http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_browseresult.asp?category=9999&desckeyword=Salamander+excursion&age=9999&match=matchall&Submit=Search
• Oasis in Space - Arlington Planetarium, Sat/Sun,  http://apsva.us/Page/2715
• Harlem Globetrotters "You Write the Rules" Tour - Patriot Center, http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/
• Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day Parade - Saturday, 10am, Market Square, http://www.visitalexandriava.com/events/32nd-Annual-Alexandria-St-Patrick-s-Day-Parade/5028/
• Complimentary Ettiquette Class - Ashburn Public Library, Saturday, 10:15am, Kids 6-17, http://commongroundetiquette.com/

Washington DC

• Family Day 2013: Families Rock! - Corcoran Gallery of Art, Saturday, 10-4pm
• Popovich Comedy Pet Theater - Warner Theatre, Saturday, 1pm, 4pm, http://warnertheatredc.com/event/1500492C98EB39E2
• Winter Night Sky: When I Wish Upon a Star - Rock Creek Park Nature Center/Planetarium, Sunday, 1pm, Kids 5+, http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/naturecenter.htm
• Women's History Month Family Festival - American History Museum, Noon-4pm, http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=eventid%3D103655326%26view%3Devent%26-childview%3D
• Stargazing at the Public Observatory - Air & Space Museum, 6:30-8:30pm, http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=filter1%3D_16749_%26-index%26filterfield1%3D11153#/?i=1
• Nordic Cool 2013: Lego Exhibit and Play Space - Kennedy Center,  http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=ZNLEX
• Harlem Globetrotters "You Write the Rules" Tour - Verizon Center, Saturday, 1pm, http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/
• Dolly and Me, Making Tea - Tudor Place, Kids 3-10, 1-230pm, http://tudorplacedolltea.eventbrite.com/
• Ice Skating in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden - http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
• Ice Skating at Washington Harbour - http://thewashingtonharbour.com/skating/
• Ice Skating at Pentagon Row - http://www.pentagonrowskating.com/