ICE! and Christmas on the Potomac

Filling up on Ogre pops and Ogre milk with other bloggers and their families before getting started!

Have you been to ICE! yet? Thanks to this little 'ole blog, our family had the incredible opportunity to attend for free this year and we had a BLAST! In past years we've participated in different aspects of Christmas on the Potomac, but we hadn't ever been to ICE! Now that we have experienced ICE! I can promise it won't be our last time!

It's not too late for you to make Christmas on the Potomac a new family tradition, too! It continues through January 6!

As you may have heard, it's really, really cold inside ICE! -- 9 degrees to be exact. We bundled up in our warmest clothes and happily donned the bright blue loaner parkas but were still just a bit chilly. Actually, Abel passed on the parka touting the cold rating of his winter coat. Um, he regretted that decision!

The sculptures themselves were truly incredible. The kids (as a 6 and 2yo are wont to do) were trying to race to the next thing and so I had to keep up with them, but I could have lingered a lot longer to really take in and appreciate the sculptures. In fact, I recommended ICE! to friends with an 18mo but suggested they get a sitter and make it a date night.

Nathaniel LOVES Puss in Boots so this was his favorite! I mean look at those details -- incredible, right?

We all gave the ice slides a go. I, however, was really, really bad at it! I guess I assumed since it was ice I'd slide right down and so I didn't really get my legs up in the air (as instructed!) so I kind of scooted down. Abel got a good laugh at that one!

By the last room, the boys were cold and ready to be done. But I could have spent a lot of time here. This nativity scene was truly breath taking!

One of my favorite parts of the Gaylord is just being at National Harbor. After ICE! we (literally in this case!) rolled around the grounds for a bit!

Then we went back inside, met Gingy and decorated a gingerbread train!

Then rolled around a little more!

By then Nathaniel was pooped. Plus, he's kind of terrified of costumed people (including Santa!) so Lucas and I had some bonding time with the character meet and greet. Lucas is just the perfect age for this -- his smile got bigger and bigger with each character!

ICE! -- definitely a new holiday tradition for our family!

I was provided free tickets for my family to attend these events but all opinions are my own! ICE! and Christmas on the Potomac are open until January 6, 2013.

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Let your kids bounce out their energy at Pump it Up

Oh my, spring is just SO close we can almost taste it! We're so ready to be outside every day exploring our local playgrounds and parks. But, until the warm weather really arrives, we are still in need of some indoor locations to help burn off some energy. Pump it Up is a great place to do that!

I took Lucas to the local Pump it Up about a year ago and yesterday afternoon he was there again for a birthday party. Not only did he have a blast, even the sugar high from the birthday cupcake didn't stop him from falling right to sleep last night and even sleeping in a bit this morning!

Pump it Up is basically two huge rooms filled with inflatables--moon bounces, obstacle courses and amazing slides--for kids to jump, bounce and climb to their heart's content. Parents are welcome to get in the game, too! It's a great work out (trust me!). Other than hosting or being invited to a party at Pump It Up, families have three opportunities to visit each week.

Pop-In Playtime Pre-K
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-11:30am
Ages 2-6
$7 per child

Family Jump Time
Tuesdays from 5pm-7pm
All ages welcome.
$7 per child

Parents are free for all sessions and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Socks and waivers are required. Space is limited: first come first served.

Additional Details:

Pump it Up of Lanham-Bowie
4230 Forbes Blvd., Suite H
Lanham, MD 20706

301.577.7952

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Surviving Snowpocalypse 2010: Homemade Gummi Candy

Can you believe school is closed in Prince George's County again Tuesday? I just did a little counting and from February 3 through February 16 school has been open only 1.5 out of 14 days! No wonder kids and parents alike are freaking out about another day at home!

I'd like to share another easy indoor activity to help you and your family survive Snowpocalypse 2010: make homemade gummmi candies!

Lucas loves gummi fruit snacks. Seriously, LOVES them. So, when I came across the recipe to make homemade gummi candy over at Skip to My Lou, I knew we had a winner. This is a super-simple and fun activity to do with your kids!

Click here for the very easy and detailed instructions.




Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Surviving Snowpocalypse 2010: Tech Savvy Mama

In my personal opinion, Tech Savvy Mama is the best website out there that looks at tech gear and websites from the parent perspective. Leticia is not only awesome in real life (where I'm privileged to know her) but is fun and easy to read on-line. Spend a few minutes on Tech Savvy Mama today and you'll come away with tons of great ideas and resources for your kids.

Here are a few of the sites that I discovered through Tech Savvy Mama--you can find even more by spending a few minutes searching at Tech Savvy Mama or clicking on her post labels. Enjoy!

Meet Me At the Corner -- This site free virtual field trips for kids. Go someplace warm and sunny today!

Seussville -- Am I a horrible mom if I admit that I really dislike reading Dr. Seuss books to Lucas at bedtime? Well, maybe. But, I figure I can redeem myself my taking him over to Seussville, a website I discovered through Tech Savvy Mama!

PBS Kids and PBS Parents -- Leticia is also a community manager for PBS Teachers and regularly sings the praises of PBS Kids and PBS Parents. These sites should definitely be among your "favorites" and you can trust that the screen time your kids spend at PBS Kids will be fun and educational!


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Surviving Snowpocalypse 2010: Celebrate the Winter Olympics

Did you know that Vancouver is suffering from a severe lack of snow? It's true! How about if we ship ours there? (That's not such a far-fetched idea--they really are flying and trucking snow in for the Winter Games which begin tonight!)

What better way to put a stop to cabin fever during Snowpocalypse 2010 than celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics? Here are some fun ideas!

Make Gold Medal Cookies and an Olympic Torch (don't have gold foil on hand? Me either. Just shoot a little lower and make silver medals with aluminum foil!)

Check out these Olympic Craft Ideas

Meet the Vancouver 2010 mascots Miga, Quatchi and Sumi and check out games, activities, e-cards, crafts and more just for kids at this official Olympic site.

Now, if only digging our your car or dressing and undressing your kids in their cold weather gear were Olympic sports...my husband and I would have won multiple golds by now!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Surviving Snowpocalypse 2010: Teach Mama

Winter Wonderland or Kill Storm 2010? Has Snowpocalypse 2010 been a dream come true or a nightmare for your and your family? Either way, I'm sure you've already used up every creative idea you've ever had for keeping the kiddos entertained, both indoors and out, over the past six days of snow. With most schools closed in the region through at least Monday (oh, yeah, more snow is forecasted for Monday--eek!), we are all looking for new ideas. Out by Ten to the rescue! Over the next few days I'll be posting some great on-line resources for you and your family. Up first is Teach Mama.

Man do I love Amy over at Teach Mama. She's my inspiration for attempting new fun and educational activities with Lucas. I'll admit that I only get around to doing about one percent of the things Amy blogs about at Teach Mama, but even that small bit makes me feel like a rock star mama!

Of course she's one step and a few days ahead of me in helping you stave off cabin fever. That's right, she's already posted a round up of some classic Teach Mama indoor activities--most of which can be organized very easily and use things you have laying around the house. If you just do one or two of these, I guarantee you'll feel like a rock star mama, too!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!