long car rides with kids

Just got back from the Pediatric Urologists. The doctor informed me of something that I thought other parents might find interesting. Red food coloring is a diuretic. Red coloring is in purple, pink and sometimes orange food products. Remember that on your next road trip with the family and the kids want a grape Gatorade. The fewer the stops the better for my husband, so I found this information valuable.

Bug Box

I was just searching the internet for activities for Bug Bonanza Day during summer camp and I came across this place---The Bug Box. I haven't been there, but it's in Fredericksburg and we all drive through there on occasion, so it may be worth checking out, if you're into that kind of thing. http://www.bugbox.net/ Only $2 admission!

Summer Reading

It's time to sign your kids of all ages up for the summer reading program at the library! In case you aren't familiar, if you sign up your kid (even babies count) you get a form to fill out with books that you are reading to them/they are reading. Every week, there is a free coupon you get just for showing them the form as well as different rewards for 5, 10 and 25 books (I think). In the past thare have been coupons for a free personal pizza from Pizza Hut, tickets to the fair, and Splashdown Water Park, and lots of buy one get one coupons for restaraunts. You can sign up at any library, but whatever one you sign up at you have to keep going to to get your prizes.

Online surveys for gift certificates

I have been doing these online surveys for about a year now and although the time probably isn't worth the reward, you do get something for doing these surveys. My favorite one is My Survey, because they send me the most and there is also Zoom Panel and E-poll. So far I have only cashed in on my My Survey points and have gotten several Target gift cards, although you can pick what kind of gift card you want or redeem them for prizes.

Haymarket Pediatrics accepting new patients!

I know some of you have been waiting for this. They just hired a new doctor and as of yesterday were accepting new patients. Here's their website. We love Dr Eddie!

House of Bounce

Do you have any young children bouncin' off the walls? Well, I do! Bring them to House of Bounce tomorrow (Monday, June 9) at 10:30. You can sit back and chat with the ladies while the kids work at tiring themselves out. I have a $4 off coupon if anyone would like to use it!

Great Country Farms

This has been a favorite destination of ours for a few years now. It is a great place to pick virtually any fruit or vegetable and they have lots of kids stuff too like a petting farm, homemade slides and swings, mazes, and this big air pillow jumping thing. The drive there is so pretty, but be aware that there is an admission charge even if you are only going to pick produce.

Flying Circus and Hot Air Balloon Festival

My mom went to this festival last year and said it was really neat to watch all of those beautiful hot air balloons go up into the sky. I think we will go this year on August 16. I have also wanted to take advantage of their airplane shows, but it looks like they are always on Sundays.

C & O Canal

This is a great ride to take visitors from out of town or just to do with your family like we did. The mules actually pull the barge on a short trip down the canal and you get to experience them opening and closing the locks that allow the boat to rise or fall. It's full of history too, and the workers are dressed up in period clothing. There is also a long trail/path that is fun for biking or walking.

Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series in the parks

I've had this site bookmarked for some time now and have never taken advantage of the free concerts and children's shows offered throughout the Fairfax County parks. Several of the shows are at Burke Lake Park which in and of itself it a lot of fun, and most of them seem to be on Saturday mornings. Several of them look like they would be great for adults and kids.

Drive-In Theatre

Did you know that there is a drive-in theatre in Stephens City? It's a bit of a hike, but very fun for the family. We went once before and just opened up the back of our Jeep and ate our popcorn while we watched the shows. There are two screens, usually one with a double feature of kid flicks and one with adult. Jeremy and I parked right inthe middle so that we could watch a kid show and then the kids fell asleep so we could just turn around and watch the adult one. There is also a big playground there for early birds that get there before the movie and a snack stand. Here's the website for anyone interested. Looks like there aren't any kid shows right now, but we will be planning a trip once there is and anyone that wants to come with is more than welcome! We will let you know!

New Emergency Room

I didn't realize that there is a new emergency room (not an urgent care---but a real hospital emergency room) open so close to us until a friend emailed me this clip from a newspaper. Having an Emergency Room so close is fantastic! This is at the corner of I-66 and Route 15, on the Northwest side.

Published: May 29, 2008
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday marked the "grand opening" of the new Haymarket Health Center.
The center will officially open for patients on Monday, featuring state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, a laboratory and rehabilitation services. On July 1, the freestanding Emergency Services department will open, serving patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center opens with a staff of about 40 employees.
The full-service emergency room will feature nine beds and a two-bed trauma bay. It will allow emergency room specialist to care for a wide range of emergency needs, from sprains to heart attacks.

Hope you never need it---but it will be convient when you do!