Our Library, Circa 2012

Libraries have been an amazing resource and source of inspiration since their inception. However, I have only recently become aware of the amazing online resources available for kids.

The tumblepad books on the Takoma Park library site are a major upgrade from traditional TV as they narrate animated versions of e-books at a pace much better for language development. Recent research shows fast paced shows such as Spongebob Squarepants reduce reading scores.

The library also has bilingual tumblebooks in Spanish, French and Chinese. The Little Pim online software features very basic language videos in about 10 languages that our girl loves. The many tumblebooks also feature accompanying games that complement well after reading that same book. There are even iPad tailored games to increase the interactiveness.


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Pizza Compass: Where to get a good slice around here

As a born and raised New-yorker, I feel I have the right to judge - and was pleasantly surprised by the pizza spots listed here:

Ledo Pizza has a few restaurants in the area, and the one in College Park is mentioned as one of the areas best (I've been to the one on Georgia Ave NE).

Armands Chicago Style has a kid-friendly make-your-own pizza night and their sauce is top shelf.

Roscoe's Pizza of Takoma Park is brick oven style, has a toy store next door, and a good beer selection.

Moroni and Brothers Pizza is also brick oven, on Georgia Ave. NE, the place and the area are not particularly kid-friendly but the pizza is great.  It could be a good takeout option.

Menomale, on 12 St. NE, Brookland has outdoor seating, though on a fairly busy if not cute street.  The sorbet is served in fruit rinds or a coconut bowl which is fun for all - we brought ours home.

We The Pizza, co-owned by Spike of Top Chef Fame off Penn Ave near the Capitol.  Great NY Style, large space and good non-pizza options.

For some more great pizza joints I haven't checked out yet:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/pizza-restaurants,64328.html

I know I'm missing some great spots, so if you have any favorites - let us know!

Possibly the best Pizza I've had in D.C. is that which I've made myself. It's exceedingly simple to make your own dough. Couple fresh ingredients with a pizza stone, and you are well on your way to making some great 'za. To get that perfect slice, set up some bricks or pavers to evenly distribute the heat in your oven. Flip the dough at your own risk!



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10 Trees for 10 Dollars!

Arbor day foundation has some great deals on trees if you can wait a few years for the payoff. We have a weed ridden embankment that is filled with weeds that no one knows what to do with.  I joined the foundation and will receive 10 flowering trees that I will use to turn this space into something special.  The trees are shipped via FedEx for free and look like a stick, but in a few months you will see some pretty leaves and in a few years you will have a legitimate tree.  It's an investment into our future and for 10 dollars why would you not plant as many trees anywhere that has the capacity?

https://www.arborday.org/shopping/Memberships/memberships.cfm?membership=trees&st=m

Fireflies vs. Lightning Bugs

Regardless of how you address them, bugs that light up are cool. Shea has become masterful at catching these winged creatures of the night, and we have been trying to take that momentum by watching some nature vids in our downtime. Through the process we've learned lightning bugs are actually related to ladybugs - both have covers over their wings and are classified as beetles. We found some sweet slow motion vids that I wanted to share:
 
Here is one just because it is a cool use of slo-mo that your kid may get a kick out of:



And some cool firefly sites:

http://www.readysetglow.org/ - this one has a few toddler friendly online games.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/

Kid-friendly Applications of Ipad Apps (aka App Round-up)

Since none of Shea's aunts, uncles or grand-parental units could think of what to get us during the holidays and/or birthdays we, of course, got a bunch of Apple Store Credits. So we decided to give the iPad thing a try. And yes, it's cool. I would go so far to say that I am on the "it's a disruptive technology" bandwagon. But I digress. We have had some success slowly exposing Shea to the iPad in the form of videos both bought and you-tubed as well as Apps. The apps with proven shelf-life for her are the Sesame Street Monster at The End of the Book and Monster... 2 (2 is with Grover AND Elmo!). We were pretty good with just those for almost a year and it is amazing how she has learned to swipe her way through menus to find the app, start it and interact without any help from us.  We've recently expanded the repertoire with some other apps but she still goes back to the classics probably because she enjoys the gratification of knowing all the nuances of them.
Babiis is an iPad only app, that may have some real legs.  It's marketed as a way of allowing a toddler to express their need for an online social networking presence - which is ridiculous and hilarious but does not make the app any less of a great way to keep distance relatives close.  You help your toddler record a video greeting for whichever relative and send it via email.  The relative can send a video back and when we watch it our response is recorded.  That allows you to have a skype-type interaction that is oh-so crucial to keep those distance faces familiar with your kid - but it has the advantage of email in that you can let the other party respond on their own schedule.  So even with time changes and the like you still get the comm.  Pretty neat.  The drawback is it's a young app and all the bugs aren't worked out and it is horribly complicated.
Crayola HD Color Studio requires you buy an ~$13 "marker".   That let's your kids actually write on the iPad screen.  This is good because just another medium in which they are holding those pens and writing/drawing may prove a great investment when you take you college savings to buy a boat because your kid got a scholarship.

Seneca Creek State Park and nearby Bruster's Ice Cream Stand

Seneca Creek State Park has a great shredded rubber playground with giant tire snake and the momma of all tire swings. The sand volleyball pit doubles as a ginormous sand box when no one is using it. The nature hut has alot of great natural artifacts to touch including turtle shells, preserved beetles and bones. Nearby Brusters Ice Cream is one of those classic ice cream stands with a ton of different flavors and picnic tables to take a break. http://www.brusters.com/
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Clark's Elioak Farm

We recently hosted a birthday party here. Admission to the farm includes the opportunity to play with the many historic play-sets from the old Enchanted Forest amusement park that closed in the late 80's. These sets include a life size old lady and the shoe-house with slide attached, the 3 bears' home and about 10 other playhouses. Any one of which alone could serve as the "childrens" area for one of the other local farms. An additional two dollar charge each buys you a pony ride, cow-train or tour around the farm on a hayride. Party bookings include a party manager who keeps your group coherent and having fun. The staff is helpful and friendly in a way you only find in a family-run business.


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2 Free Trees!

http://energysavingtrees.arborday.org

Pepco and the Arbor Day Foundation are giving away free trees to reduce utility usage, increase air quality and improve stormwater drainage.  Check out this link - there is a great interface to map where around your home is the most efficient planting zone based on heat produced by the sun.  You can choose between Crapemyrtles and Redbuds which both look great since the spring bloom!

Bixee Box at Hill Center, D.C.

The Bixee Box class at the Hill Center is a fun and educational activity that makes for a rich morning.  The duo who runs the class, Amy and Eric, have years of teaching experience for this age level, and drive the class with their great energy and welcoming encouragement.  It's difficult to find an activity paced for the 2-3 year ages, but the Saturday morning class we attended was paced perfectly.  The class starts and ends with songs, dancing and a parachute activity to get the kids warmed up.  The class itself consists of different themed tables in which the kids create and investigate in 5-10 minute segments and then rotate on - keeping them focused and engaged.  Our class featured a shape lacing activity, a "magic wand" magnetic experiment and a letter bowling game.  The curriculum is always expanding on the backbone of the great experience of the instructors.  You are encouraged to bring your class activities home to reinforce what you learned.  Highly recommended.  There is also a 4/5 year old class. 

For more info:  http://www.bixeebox.com/

Age 2/3 registration

http://activenet19.active.com/hillcenterdc/servlet/registrationmain.sdi?source=adet.sdi&activity_id=114

Age 4/5 registration http://activenet19.active.com/hillcenterdc/servlet/registrationmain.sdi?source=adet.sdi&activity_id=115

The Hill Center itself is an impressive space that has recently been renovated.  It looks great with manicured grounds, floor to ceiling windows and preserved hard-wood floors.  There is interesting art on every wall of the space and it is wide open and bright.  It is a new asset to the neighborhood.

For a previous post:

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7972319120696628346&postID=5675014513769927757




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Hill Center in D.C.

This is a recommendation from through the website.  I have not been yet but they recomend the following: Hill Center www.hillcenterdc.org. Hill Center offers a wide assortment of classes, programs and camps for children.

Hill Center's address is 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Some of the programs for children are listed here:
http://hillcenterdc.org/home//programs/categories/children%2C-teen%2C-and-family

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at sarah@hillcenterdc.org


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