Awesome New Kids' CD: Great Day by Milkshake

Abel and I have been pretty discerning when it comes to the kids' music we play for Lucas. Quite frankly, the majority of the music he hears in the car or at home is not kids' music at all, but is from our own play lists. On a road trip this summer, my brother noted that it was pretty cool that Lucas likes to rock out to the Grateful Dead but it might not be so cool when he starts singing "Riding that train/High on cocaine" at preschool.

Yes, there is a place for actual, age-appropriate kids' music! But, who wants to sacrifice the cool factor? Not us!

That's why we were so excited to discover the band Milkshake after I won a copy of their last album, PLAY! from A Parent in Silver Spring. And, the whole family was even more excited to get an advance copy of the band's newest CD, Great Day, earlier this summer.

In a sentence: We love it!

From the opening song--high energy and awesome to dance around the living room to--Happy Place, to the super-sweet lullaby, I Love You, this CD is full of great music and great lyrics.

One of my favorite things about this CD is that I feel like I could have written some of the lyrics myself. Seriously, how often have you said one of these phrases?

"Can't find a thing to wear" (Happy Place)

"Toys all over the stairs/Clothes scattered everywhere" (You Did It!)

"When I'm old I'll be looking back and smiling" (When I'm Old)

"I want it--don't need it/I want it--don't need it!" (I Want It)

"I need a Recipe. Something new!" (Recipe)

"I love you/I Love You/I don't know much but that much is true" (I Love You)


We've listened to it no less than 20 times since receiving it and, I promise, I'm not sick of it even a little bit! (Parents, you know that is crucial!)

Great Day is available on-line and in stores now. But, the best is that you can win your very own copy right here at Out by Ten!

Here's how:

1) Leave a comment--any comment--by Saturday, September 12. You must include your e-mail address in the comment form or include it in the body of the comment so I have a way to reach you if you win.

2) Receive an additional entry by becoming a fan of Milkshake on Facebook at http://facebook.com/milkshakeband and then leave a comment to let me know.

3) Receive yet another additional entry by listening to the the album on the music player at http://facebook.com/milkshakeband and leaving a comment letting everyone know which song is your favorite.

4) Receive another entry by tweeting this contest and leaving a comment with a link to your tweet. Sample tweet: Win a copy of the fab. new kids' CD Great Day by Milkshake at http://tinyurl.com/mpbjdy @smilingmama

5) Receive another entry by subscribing to Out by Ten via RSS feed or becoming a follower and leaving a comment to let me know.


Good luck!

Blogging disclaimer: I was given one free copy of Great Day to review and one to give away to a reader. The opinions above are mine alone and if I didn't actually like the CD, I would have simply not blogged about it and would not be hosting this giveaway.

Update: Congratulations to Kim whose comment #3 random.org chose as the winner!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Meet an Astronaut or Check Out a Helicopter at AirFair 100! Saturday, August 29

We love the College Park Aviation Museum (read my previous post here). If you, too, are a big fan of the museum or especially if you have never been there, you'll definitely want plan to visit on Saturday, August 29 for AirFair 100!

Highlights of this exciting day include: airplane & helicopter rides (15-20 minute rides; $40 per person for the helicopter and $15 per person for the airplane; adults must have government issued ID), aircraft displays, a hot air balloon, children’s activities, food and craft vendors, entertainment and refreshments. A 1909 Wright Military Flyer--the plane that started it all!--will be unveiled at the AirFair. You can also meet an astronaut, Joe Edwards, a veteran of two space shuttle missions.

Airshow performers will include: Misty Blues Skydiving Team; Greg Koontz, The Flying Farmer and Decathlon Aerobatics; Kevin Russo, T-6 Texan; Otto the Helicopter; Bob Essell of Ultralight Wingwalking; and, Dan Buchanan doing Hang Glider aerobatics.

Be sure to bring along an envelope or post card--you will get a special airmail cancellation commemorating 100 years of exciting aviation history.

Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for those ages 2-17.

Note: this is a cash only event; food vendors, additional activities (like airplane rides) and admission must be paid in cash.

Additional Details:

AirFair 100!
Saturday, August 29, 10am-5pm

College Park Aviation Museum

1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
College Park, MD 20740

For directions click here.

Website: http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.org/

Phone: 301-209-1390

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Last Weeks of Free Summer Activities

Summer is officially coming to a close (are you weeping or jumping for joy over that fact?!). This is the last week for the free family film festival. And, many of the wonderful outdoor concerts in Prince George's County and DC are coming to a close as well. The remaining dates are below; take advantage while you still can!

Free Family Film Festival

Catch the last free movie of the summer through Regal theatre's Free Family Film Festival which takes place at Regal theatres across the county.

The last two movies shown at Bowie Stadium 14 will be Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G) and Monster House (PG). Each movie will be shown at 10am on both Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19.

Free Outdoor Concerts

Mondays

The U.S. Navy Band plays on the West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol each Monday at 8pm, weather permitting. Remaining dates: August 17, 24, 31

Tuesdays

The U.S. Air Force Band plays on the West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol each Tuesday at 8pm, weather permitting. Remaining dates: August 25

Wednesdays

Music on the Plaza takes place Wednesdays from 5pm-8pm at the University Town Center, 6500 America Blvd. in Hyattsville. Make sure you dress your kids appropriately so they can have fun in the shooting fountain--they won't be able to resist it on a hot evening! This series lasts through October!

The U.S. Marine Band plays on the West Front Steps of the U.S. Capitol each Tuesday at 8pm, weather permitting. Remaining dates: August 19, 26

Thursdays

Jazz-o-scope at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden concludes on Thursday, Aug. 28 (no event this week, Aug. 21), from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The concert will be held on the museum’s outdoor Plaza (weather permitting; otherwise Ring Auditorium), and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.


Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

14th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment this Saturday

The War of 1812 is perhaps best known by most Americans as the war that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the Star-Spangled Banner which later became our National Anthem.

The defeat of the Americans by the British (whom we were fighting in the War of 1812, just in case you need a quick brush up!) at the Battle of Bladensburg led to the burning of Washington, DC. Thus we have the famous story of Dolly Madison saving the painting of George Washington from the White House and the legend that the "President's palace" became known as the White House after it was painted white to cover the smoke and fire damage after this siege.

This weekend you and your family have the opportunity to see what life was like in 19th century America at the 14th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment on the grounds of the Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale, MD. Get up close and see reenactors as they portray British and American troops from that period. You can watch drills and enjoy demonstrations and representations of military camp life. There will be free music and children's activities. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Additional Details:

14th Annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment
Saturday, August 15, 12 noon - 4pm
Ground of the Riversdale House Museum
4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, MD 20737

Admission to the grounds and demonstrations: Free!
Tours of the historic house are $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, $1 ages 5-18, free for 4 and under.

Contact: 301-864-0420

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Fun Outdoor Activities at Home

Photo via Skip to My Lou

It's the end of July and it seems like every family we know is either preparing to go on vacation or just returning from vacation. Add to that the heat and humidity and some days it is just nice to stick close to home. As tempting as it is to pop in a movie and stay in our jammies until lunchtime, it's still important to get up and moving in the morning or the entire day seems to slip away. In these dog days of summer, we like to take advantage of the slightly cooler morning temperatures to get outside and have some fun.

Here are some great outdoor activities from three bloggers really inspire me with their great kid-friendly activities.

Chalk Paint -- Lucas enjoys drawing on our front walk with sidewalk chalk but I think he'll love chalk paint even more.** Here's a super-easy recipe for making chalk paint via Skip To My Lou. Fill a spray bottle with water and you can double the fun--painting then spraying to wash it away. We're going to try it today!

Scavenger Hunt -- Or, even better, create a backyard alphabet hunt with these tips from Teach Mama.

Go Parachuting -- Er, rather, send your favorite stuffed animal (or in our case, small car!) on a fun parachute ride with these instructions from Flips Flops and Applesauce for making your own mini parachute.

Backyard Car Wash -- This one is my own. Sure you could always just pull out the hose and get wet but why not get some cleaning done, too? Get a bucket of soapy water and a couple of big sponges and create a car wash in your backyard! Wash the summer grime off that wagon, tricycle, little tykes coupe and, if you have a kid like Lucas, the many, many large plastic trucks that are in the yard on any given day. When you're finished rinse the vehicles and soapy kids with the hose! (Hmmm...does that count as a bath?!)

What are your favorite close-to-home summer activities?

**Updated to add: Chalk painting was a huge success! When mixing the paint, err on the side of too watery. When it is too thick, it is hard to spread on the sidewalk. Including the spray bottle was a good idea and Lucas enjoyed mixing the paint and then pouring the colors back and forth (with an ultimate result of brown, of course!) as much as anything else! We had fun hosing off ourselves as well as the sidewalk when we were finished. We wore old clothes but the food coloring we used did not stain.





Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Visit a Farmers Market in honor of the Buy Local Challenge

This week is Maryland's annual Buy Local Challenge. Buying local is good for you, good for your local economy and good for the planet. If you want to commit to eating at least one local food item each day this week then take the challenge and make the pledge!

There's so much more I could say about buying local food, but this isn't a food blog, it's a blog about family friendly activities and ways to get out and about with your kids in Prince George's County. And farmers markets are not only your best source of fresh, local food, they are an awesome family-friendly activity!

Farmers markets are a great way to introduce your kids to a wide variety of produce and to help make the connection between the farmer and the food. I always find the vendors to be friendly and ready to answer questions about the best way to store and prepare what they are selling. If you think creatively, there are so many educational opportunities for your kids. Younger kids might have fun seeking out different color produce. Can they find something purple? Red? Orange? Older kids will love choosing which bag of peaches or ears of corn look most appetizing (and won't they be more likely to eat it if they helped choose it?!).

The Maryland Department of Agriculture lists ten weekly farmers markets in Prince George's County. Check one out this week in honor of the Buy Local Challenge!

Of course, I am biased here, but I strongly recommend you and your family come on over to Cheverly this weekend to check out the Cheverly Community Market! This is the second summer in a row that Cheverly has had their very own community market and it just keeps getting better. The market is a completely home-grown effort by a few incredibly dedicated volunteers who wanted close-to-home options for purchasing fresh, local--not to mention, delicious--food for their families.

Here are a few things I love about our market.

1) Neighbors. Even if I could accomplish my actual shopping in 30 minutes, I know I have to plan to spend at least an hour at the market. I see so many of our neighbors. Lucas always sees a few of his little buddies and they run around while Abel and I catch-up with our neighborhood friends.

2) Fresh, fresh food. A few weeks ago I purchased new potatoes which had been dug from the earth just the day before. In fact, the man I bought them from had most likely done the digging. When I was younger my mom's cousins owned a potato farm and would bring bags of freshly dug potatoes to our family reunion each summer. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a potato that is only a day or two out of the ground. Another time, I bought a half dozen peaches. Again, they had been picked just the day before. The sweet, sweet girl who sold them to me cautioned to wait two days before eating them. She wanted them to be at their prime for me. I was barely able to resist but am glad I did. Because on days 3, 4, 5 and 6 I thoroughly enjoyed taking big bites of peach as the juice drizzled down my chin.

3) Music. Our Cheverly Community Market has a house band! I love it when Lucas takes a few minutes to dance--solo or with other kids--at the market. With that great music playing, he just can't help himself.

This Saturday just so happens to be a Market Saturday. Come on over to Cheverly and check it out for yourself!

Additional Details:

The Cheverly Community Market takes place Saturday mornings (generally the second and fourth Saturdays of the month), 8:00am to noon , in the heart of Cheverly, Maryland, at the Cheverly Community Center, 6401 Forest Road. Complete list of dates here.

Website: http://www.cheverlycommunitymarket.com/

Visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture for a list of all Maryland farmers markets arranged by county.

Russian American Kids Circus at the Publick Playhouse

The Russian American Kids Circus is coming to the Prince George's Publick Playhouse!

The Russian American Kids Circus combines circus arts, dance, theatre and comedy into an amazing show performed by youth ages 5-17. The troupe is coming to the Prince George's Publick Playhouse July 21-July 25, but tickets are going fast. It is my understanding that the only two shows not yet sold out are the Tuesday, July 21 show at 12:30pm and the Saturday, July 25 show at 11am. Tickets are $10 each (with a $3 per order handling fee). Reserve yours today by calling the Public Playhouse box office at 301-277-1710.

Additional information:

Prince George's Public Playhouse
5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, MD 20784
Box Office 301-277-1710; TTY 301-277-0312

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!