March for Babies

On Saturday, March 27th, I will be participating in the March of Dimes' March for Babies. I am doing this in honor of two special babies - my daughter and my friend's newborn son, who was born 11 weeks premature. My team goal is $1000 and my personal goal is $250. There are badges on this page where you can click to donate online and help support this cause.

Imagine if you had a baby who was born prematurely or with major birth defects. Wouldn't you want research to have provided medicine to help save and improve your baby's life? Do it for all the babies out there that are depending on us to give them a healthy start in life.

If you're in the Gainesville, FL area, come join me on this walk. It will be wonderful. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome. There will be tents along the way with food and drinks and children's entertainment at the finish line. Let's March for Babies!!

Celebrate Mama event tomorrow - Bethesda, MD

Tomorrow is the Celebrate Mama event in Bethesda, MD. This is a great event for "mamas of all ages and stages"! Vendors have something for everyone and there are children's performances like Rocknocerous, a ballet performance, storytelling, belly dancing, and more!

Last year, Little Pink Pansy was a vendor and had a great turnout. Unfortunately we weren't able to do it this year but we will probably be attending. It's a lot of fun and a great chance to support some other local businesses.

If you live outside of the metro DC area, check the Celebrate Mama website for a location near you.

Strides for Success

Are you a runner, jogger, or walker? Do you enjoy helping women and children?

Come join us for the Strides for Success 5K & 1K Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, April 26th, 2009 at Fairfax Corner Shopping Center (11950 Grand Commons Avenue) in Fairfax, VA. This event is put on by the Junior League of Northern Virginia and proceeds go to benefit women and children in the Northern Virginia area through various outreach projects such as our Back to School Health Fairs, JamPacks (stuffing backpacks for kids who wouldn't have school supplies), shelter projects, and a partnership with the Children's Science Center, among many other things.

The event is lots of fun and features two separate races - a 5K and also a 1K Fun Run/Walk. Strollers are welcome in the 1K only but sorry, no dogs or headphones allowed. Last year, Olive and I did the 1K Fun Run and let me tell you, it was FUN!

Registration Information: 5K: $30 through April 20; after April 20 the fee is $35.
5K Children 10 and under - $15.00
1K Fun Run/Walk: $20.
Children 10 and under $15.

This year, I am much too big to participate so I'll be volunteering instead. This is a great event with lots of fun for the whole family. There is also a post-race brunch and a tent with children's events. The 5K starts at 9:00am, the 1K will start shortly thereafter, around 9:15am.

For more information, please visit http://www.runwashington.com/archive0209/features/stridesforsuccessinfo.html# where you can register.

Hope to see you there!

I love the Fall!

I love the fall.

I love the summer because it's warm, you can live in flip flops and shorts (my uniform), and you can swim every day. But I love fall because the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, campfires abound, and let's not forget the most important thing - FOOTBALL SEASON.

Living in Northern Virginia can be really frustrating at times but during the fall, there are so many fantastic activities to do. Last weekend we went to Fall for Fairfax - a local fair with rides, hayrides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow creating, vendors, and more. It was so much fun - we went home for a nap and then came back again after! On Wednesday, we went to Cox Farms for their fall event - hayrides, tons of slides, apple cider, kettle corn, farm animals, and more! (This is a MUST ATTEND EVENT). This weekend is a City of Fairfax Fall Festival that we may attend. We are also probably going to go apple picking at Hartland Orchard - a super fun fall activity. Last year we had so many apples that they lasted us past Thanksgiving (and yes, they stayed fresh!) We are also coming up on Halloween - a great opportunity to see the kiddos dressed up and lots of fun Halloween activities, including a neighborhood parade for us this year. So much fun, so little time!!! So get out there while the weather's still nice and enjoy the weekend and the fall!

Presidential Debate - Tonight @ 9pm

Tune in tonight at 9pm EST to see the Presidential candidates go at it from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. If you haven't made up your mind yet (or if you have and just want to see them discuss the issues), turn on your TV tonight and take a break from reality shows to watch something of substance.

Event: Fall for Fairfax

If you are in or around the Fairfax, VA area, you should stop by the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway) tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 4th) between 9:00am -6:00pm. They are hosting the annual Fall for Fairfax, a great family event. This year it is being called the Fall for Fairfax Kids Fest, with an even greater focus on the little guys. There are hayrides, a trackless train, lots of vendors (I was a vendor last year with little pink pansy), and other fun fall events. There are also rides, climbing walls, bounce houses, kids crafts (like pumpkin decorating and scarecrow making), pony rides, farmers market, and entertainment. This is something you definitely don't want to miss! It runs all day so stop by whenever you can. See their website for more information and to see a schedule of events.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

TGIF

I'm glad it's Friday. This week went by in a flash. We've been very good this week and walking several mornings with our neighbors (and today we treated ourselves to coffee too!) Here's a picture of little Olive and her cohorts. She is the giant one (ok, well she is older than the other kids but it's so funny to see her looking so big!) Isn't this just the cutest picture?

I'm glad it's almost weekend. This is tax-free weekend in Virginia on school supplies and clothes and shoes (great b/c Olive needs some new kicks and maybe some new duds for school). Save a few dollars anyways ;)

Have a great weekend!

Baby & Kids Expo TOMORROW

If you are in or around the York, PA area, please come visit my company's booth (Little Pink Pansy) at the Baby & Kids Expo at the York Expo Center (Memorial Hall East). This event (sponsored by Memorial Hospital) is fantastic and features a petting zoo, performers, crafts, a reading corner, a diaper derby, and tons of vendors. There are also door prizes, including a great one from Little Pink Pansy. I went last year and had so much fun! There is something for everyone here - it is geared towards families with babies and children but truly you could find something fun no matter who you are! The event is being held this Saturday, May 10th from 9am - 4pm and admission is FREE. Be sure to stop by and say hi! Also come check out items at our booth from Kadoodlez and My Ribbon Fix (who will also be at the Expo). We will be having all sorts of specials as well as a raffle giveaway. Click here to find out more.

last-minute details

I have been very busy preparing for this wonderful Celebrate Mama! event that I will be attending tomorrow. I have been working for a long time to get everything ready but it seems there are always so many last-minute details that need to be done. Some things just can't be done too far in advance but the end is always a pinch. I'm so excited because I have so many great new things to take with me to this show. Hope it is a big success. If you're in the area, please stop by - we will be in Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD from 11am-4pm. Really hope to see you there!!

Celebrate Mama!

Celebrate Mama! is an event founded by a mama in Silver Spring, MD that "celebrates mamas of all ages and stages". This has become a national event with several locations. Many of the celebrations are held this Saturday, May 3rd. Others are being held throughout the summer and fall (check the website for an event near you).

Events are being held in the following locations this weekend:

Bethesda, MD

Vienna, VA
Monterey, CA
Huntsville, AL
Valley Forge, PA
Powell, OH (Sat., May 10th)

I will have a booth for my company at the Bethesda, MD event where there will be over 100 vendors, prizes, arts and crafts, face paintings, giveaways, Mother's Day goodies, and entertainment (Rocknocerous and Miss Belle - children's entertainers). There will also be goodie bags given to the first 300 people (stuffed with 30 items). It is from 11:00-4:00 this Saturday at Bethesda Row (Woodmont Ave., between Elm and Bethesda). Rocknocerous starts at 11. Hope you can make it out to support this great effort. If you do come, please stop by and say hello to me!! If you can't make it, shop my store online at http://www.littlepinkpansy.com/.

For more information on this event, visit http://www.celebratemama.com/. What a great way to celebrate being a mama and also get a jump start on your Mother's Day shopping!