Kids Fest at the B&O Railroad Museum September 12 and 13

After spending lots of time dancing and singing along to Play! and Great Day by Milkshake, Lucas and I couldn't be more excited to see them live in concert at Kids Fest at the B&O Railroad Museum this weekend. Milkshake will be performing on Saturday and Sunday at Noon in what the group promises will be high energy, surprise-filled performances!

The B&O Railroad Museum's Kids Fest will take place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 from 10am - 5pm and is free with regular museum admission.

In addition to the Milkshake concerts, highlights of Kids Fest include:

• Kiddie Train Rides
• Kids' "All Aboard" Calling Contests
• Balloon Twisters
• Children's Games, Arts, & Crafts
• Contests and giveaways throughout the weekend including a trip to Rye Creek Lodge in Montana courtesy of Modern Babies and Children.
• Mile One Express Train Rides ($2 adults, $1 children 2-12, free for B&O members)
• Guest Mascot appearances by Amtrak's Arte & Bowie Baysox Louie
• Souvenir family photos at Dr. Coupler's Railroad Photorium with packages starting at $12.95

Read more about why DC-area parents love the B&O Railroad Museum at Being Savvy DC and A Parent in Silver Spring.

Additional Information:

B&O Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt Street in Baltimore, MD

Admission rates:
Adults - $14; Seniors (60+) - $12; Children (ages 2-12) - $8; B&O Members - Free

Click here to print a coupon for $1 off admission for each person in your group during Kids Fest!

Parking: Free!

Want to check out the B&O Railroad Museum but can't make is this weekend? Plan to visit on the first Tuesday of any month for their "Thrifty Tuesday" half-price admission!

Website: http://www.borail.org

Blogging disclaimer: The B&O Railroad Museum sent us four free coupons for museum admission so we can attend this event.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a copy of Milkshake's newest CD, Great Day. You have until Saturday to enter--click here!

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival: September 4-7

The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival has been taking place for 55 years! This annual weekend event is the largest event of its kind in Maryland and has events and exhibits sure to please every member of your family.

Here are just some of the things you and your kids won't want to miss! (Click here for a full schedule.)


Friday, September 4 -- Opening Night

6-11pm CARNIVAL MIDWAY OPENS
Midway. Rides by Rosedale Amusements. Games, food, sale & information booths organized by Greenbelt organizations. Booths constructed and wired by Greenbelt Public Works Department.

Ride tickets - $1.00; 25 for $20.00; $20.00 unlimited rides from 11:00am to 4:00 pm on Saturday or noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday.

7-8pm ROVING CLOWN
Midway. Notlim the Clown will greet children. Notlim has been a mainstay of the Festival and this year celebrates his 30th year bringing joy to the children!

9-11pm GREENBELT IDOLS
Stage. Finals for the first annual Greenbelt singing idols! If you, your tweens or teens love watching American Idol, you'll certainly enjoy seeing the finalists for the first annual Greenbelt Singing Idols perform live!


Saturday, September 5 -- Kids' Day!

9-11am KIDS' GAMES
Greenbelt Community Center front lawn. (Rain Location-Community Center gym.) A variety of games will take place in a carnival-style setting.

11am-11pm CARNIVAL MIDWAY OPEN

1-3pm BETTY MAY BALLOONS
Midway. Betty May the Clown will make balloon animals for children.

1-2pm MELISSA SITES
Stage. Sing along all the old favorites with Greenbelt's leading children's singer!

3-4pm ROCKNOCEROS
Stage. Rock and roll for children of all ages. Read more about why so many DC area families love Rocknoceros over at Tech Savvy Mama.

4-5pm GREG MAY MAGICAL MAYHEM CIRCUS
Stage. Greenbelt's favorite clown will amaze and amuse you!


Sunday, September 6 -- Family Day

noon-11pm CARNIVAL MIDWAY OPEN

1-3pm "MY ISLAND" ART CARTS
Midway. Make Island-themed crafts with the Community Center's Artists in Residence. Part of an Artful Afternoon. FREE.


Monday, September 7 -- Labor Day

9:30-10am LIONS CLUB BIKES & TRIKES
Roosevelt Center. Decorate your bike or trike and ride it in the parade! All contestants meet at the Mother and Child statue. Sponsored by: Greenbelt Lion's Club.

10am-noon 55th ANNUAL GREENBELT LABOR DAY PARADE
Crescent Rd. The 55th Annual Labor Day Parade will entertain you with a variety of groups, demonstrate community spirit, and accentuate diverse cultural backgrounds. There will be Floats, Bands, Fire trucks, Color Guard, Community Organizations and the Miss Greenbelt participants. The Grand Marshall is Greenbelt's Outstanding Citizen. Sign language interpreter at the Reviewing Stand across from the Municipal Building. Parade Route: Down Crescent Rd from Greenhill to Centerway. Parade is marshaled by the Central Maryland Amateur Radio Club (CMARC) and Prince George's Amateur Radio Club (PGARC) of MD.

noon-6pm CARNIVAL MIDWAY OPEN

noon-2pm LUNCHEON ON THE LAWN
Greenbelt Community Church, Corner of Hillside & Crescent Rd. After parade. Barbeque sandwich or hot dog, baked beans, slaw, chips, drink and dessert for one reasonable price.


Additional Information:

All events will take place in the Roosevelt Center parking lot unless otherwise noted. (Here's a map.)

You can avoid parking issues by taking the FREE Festival Shuttle. Vans will pick-up at parking locations at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt Elementary School, Green Ridge House and the Greenbelt Armory & deliver the riders to the festival area. (Here's the shuttle schedule.) The festival is also just a 10- minute walk from Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

Questions? Call Festival Information at (301) 345-0147

Original post by Out by Ten. Thanks for reading!

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!