Join Me, ClarendonMoms.com Publisher and Host of “Beauty & Bliss” Angelica Talan on Tuesday, May 14th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Yorktown Nail Spa & Salon,5163 Lee Highway, Arlington VA 22207.

Spring Community Reading Festival/Fiesta de la lectura  

This spring, Arlington Kids Read holds its third Community Reading Festival on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Join in for a wonderful afternoon celebrating family reading with bilingual read-alouds, crafts and snacks.

With Arlington Magazine, TRC has created a new reading initiative, Arlington Kids Read. Its goal is to promote reading for Arlington kids and families and to raise funds to support TRC’s ongoing reading programs for at-risk kids.

Meet Clifford, the Big Red Dog!

Hear stories read by Adam Ebbin (state senator), Desiree Fairooz (Arlington County Library), Maria Greene (Hola Baby), Mary Hynes (county board member) and Alfonso Lopez (state delegate).

Verizon is the Signature Sponsor of Arlington Kids Read.

Location of the Arlington Community Reading Festival:

Campbell Elementary School
737 S. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, VA 22204

To Register, please click here. For more information about The Reading Connection, click here. 

With 365 days in a year, why do moms only get one official day of recognition? As a brand that celebrates moms for all that they do, Residence Inn by Marriott declares May as a month-long celebration, thanking moms for the evening homework help, rides to practice, family dinners and daily hugs.

ENTER TO WIN A FREE WASH & BLOW OUT: 

Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address  & “Blow Out”

Like Clarendon Moms on Facebook & Leave me a Post on the Wall: “Blow Out”

Follow Clarendon Moms on Twitter  & Tweet: “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #BlowOut”  

Follow Clarendon Moms on Bloglovin 

Follow Clarendon Moms on Instagram

Tweet about it by copying this and pasting the following into a Tweet – “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #MomsMonth Giveaway” 

This Contest is open to the public and the residents of the United States. It will close at 12 PM Noon on Wednesday, May 8th. The winner will be selected by http://www.random.org and will be emailed and posted on Clarendon Moms Facebook Page and announced on Twitter. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to claim the prize or another prize winner will be drawn and contacted.  All products are sponsored by Residence Inn and Paul Mitchell.

“As an all-suite brand, Residence Inn is well-suited to help families as they travel,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn. “We recognize and admire moms for all that they do year-round, and are proud to honor them by giving back in a small way this month.”

Launching May 1, Moms’ Month will include:

– Launch of Residence Inn’s new Family Travel Talk forum As its online community continues to grow, Residence Inn recognizes the need for a centralized forum for families to talk about travel and share their experiences. With a team of 10 family travel experts leading the conversation, parents can log on to ask questions, discuss family travel and weigh in on topics, such as finding balance and staying healthy on the go.

– 30 days of giveaways on Residence Inn’s Facebook page. Prizes include:

– Residence Inn gift cards, so moms can treat themselves to a getaway (with the brood or not!)

– Paul Mitchell� gift baskets, overflowing with styling favorites and full-size versions of the products found at every Residence Inn, leading to much-deserved “me time” pampering

– Amazon Kindle Fires, so moms can have the perfect travel accessory

– Waffle makers, giving moms the chance to recreate Residence Inn’s signature hot breakfast option at home

– Paul Mitchell� salon experiences through Residence Inn’s Facebook page. Residence Inn will be giving away complimentary wash house experiences and blow-outs at Paul Mitchell� The School locations in Chicago, Los Angeles and the Washington, D.C. area, and Paul Mitchell Focus Salon Raika Studio in New York City, to five lucky winners in each city.

– Announcement of the 2013 celebrity Resident Mom of the Year. For the third year in a row, Residence Inn will be presenting the Resident Mom of the Year award to a standout mom for all she does. Stay tuned later this week.

With more than 600 properties in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Central America, Residence Inn by Marriott is a leader in the extended-stay lodging segment. Designed for long stays, the brand offers spacious suites with separate living and sleeping areas. Fully functional kitchens, grocery delivery, 24-hour markets and complimentary breakfast help guests maintain a healthy balance while on the road. Complimentary Wi-Fi allows guests to stay connected to the home and office, while health and fitness options and inviting lobby spaces provide comfortable places to work and relax.

Residence Inn participates in the company’s award-winning Marriott Rewards� frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, call the Residence Inn toll-free number at 800-331-3131 or visit http://www.residenceinn.com. For travel tips, the latest on the brand or to connect with other travelers, “like” Residence Inn on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/residenceinn.

Marriott International, Inc. MAR +0.23% is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit http://www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Score an exclusive VIP ticket to the hottest outdoor Fashion Show & Cocktail Party in town and meet Celebrity Mommy Jessica Alba while you’re at it! Ringing in its fifth year of bringing star-studded style to Bethesda Row, The Front Row 2013 kicks off on Thursday, May 16. Over three days, the event will present three signature fashion events, as well as more than 35 in-store trunk shows, designer appearances, culinary events and more. The festivities begin with an exclusive screening of “The Tents,” the first behind-the-scenes look at New York Fashion Week, with an appearance by director Marcus K. Jones.  Friday is the highlight of the weekend: a Summer/Fall 2013 runway show with VIP guest Jessica Alba (before the runway show, the actress will be signing copies of her new book). Saturday features Chic Child on the Row, which includes fashion sketching with ArtJamz for Kids, Legos on the Lane, Kidville and Equinox classes for kids, Pink Palm pattern designing and more. SPECIAL OFFER UPDATE: Receive a 25% Discount on your $69 VIP ticket for ClarendonMoms.com Readers has expired.  Tickets are $69 from Gilt City DC. Event is Open to the Public. For more information on this event, please visit www.BethesdaRow.com

Pushing my kids in their double stroller down the streets of Clarendon at a whopping 205 pounds stopping to take a deep breath every couple of minutes while watching all the skinny moms on their morning run with their double strollers was the wake up call I needed. I was exhausted all the time. And I just didn’t feel like I did prior to having my children. I felt fat and heinous, old, ugly and angry. After seeing my doctor, I was diagnosed with a mild case of post-partum depression. My doctor said I had a choice. I could “choose to ‘pop several prescription pills to treat the weight loss and one more to treat the depression’ or I ‘could simply stop eating and restrict my caloric intake to 1200 calories’ or less per day”. Neither one of those options sounded good to me. I am not disciplined enough to give up something I love–food! And even though I realize legalized prescription drugs have helped many people, I just didn’t want that to be my only option. I didn’t have to remain sedentary, I could do something about it!

Having been previously fit and a size 6 throughout all of my 20′s and my 30′s, I was not about to be given just two choices to try to get my pre-pregnancy body back at age 40. I have always worked out and I had just given up on myself and I stopped! I made all sorts of excuses. I thought back to the years in my life when I belonged to one of the BEST gyms in the DC area: Sport and Health. There, I felt comfortable in my own skin–no matter how heavy I was, how ugly I felt and no matter how much I had to work out. Sport and Health felt like home to me. This is a gym that attracts people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels–but that are very serious about their fitness. This is a gym where the staff greets you like your friends do, where like minded people go. It isn’t “meat market” like some of the other area gyms. Rejoining Sport and Health was the swift kick in the patooty that I needed to get “my sexy” back. I lost 50 pounds without even changing my diet. I hired a personal trainer and worked out four to five days a week only one hour a day.

I have 15 more pounds to go to fit into my 6 jeans. (Note: Stay tuned for my next fitness challenge beginning May 1st!) This is my story. Sport and Health made a huge difference! To get more information on Sport and Health and to receive a FREE 7 Day Pass, click here.

CLARENDON MOMS (A TOP 15) GUIDE TO LOCAL BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUES 2013

1. Fort Meyer Bowling Center Have all the fun and none of the fuss by planning your child’s next birthday party at Fort Meyer Bowling Center located on the Joint Base Meyer Military Base in Arlington, Virginia. Perfect for a group of 12 guests at only $11 per person, this party includes a meal, one hour of bowling, bowling shoes, reserved separate party room with decorations and a gift for the birthday boy or girl. Most suitable for ages 4 and up. It isn’t a requirement to be a military family. This venue is open to the public.

2. Tennis Birthday at Army Navy Country Club One of the best Kids Birthday Party Celebrations I’ve ever been to was hosted here. In order to host a party, you either have to become a member or have a member sponsor the party for you. The office is very helpful and if you don’t know a member who can sponsor you, the staff is very accommodating and will work with you to locate someone interested in sponsoring you. Prices vary. Contact Rebecca Pipkins for more information at 703-521-6800 ext. 1265. Perfect for ages 4 and up.

3. National Building Museum The National Building Museum offers exciting birthday party opportunities for children turning ages 3-11. Parties at the Museum feature hands-on, interactive activities with construction and building themes. All parties include use of the Museum’s party space including tables and chairs for the celebration, party favors for child guests, a Museum t-shirt for the birthday child, and complimentary tickets to the Museum’s exhibitions like the latest PLAY WORK BUILD Exhibit, an absolute favorite. A Museum teacher is present at all parties to lead the activity, read a story, and help supervise children. Birthday parties are a member benefit and can be booked by Museum members at the Family Level or higher. It is worth the price of membership to host your child’s birthday party here.

4. Ultrazone Laser Tag Step into a high-techlaser tag adventure where identity is limited only by imagination. Dodge lasers, and strategize with teammates as you compete for high scores and glory in this futuristic version of Capture the Flag. Whether it’s a business meeting, Birthday Party, or Club Fundraiser, Ultrazone® transforms the routine into the extraordinary. Click here for price packages.

5. MOBU KIDS This is my absolute favorite place to throw birthday parties for my kids between the age of 1 and 3. This is a huge venue with plenty of room for kids of all ages to play while offering a big party room for the parents to take a break and enjoy themselves too. The place smells fresh, clean and is completely “green”. My children have taken classes there and have attended many parties including their own there. They’ve never caught any communicable illnesses there. I believe it’s because of how clean the venue is. The staff is always passionate about what they do and are especially fantastic at time management, organizing the activities and taking care of the small stuff. Located in Falls Church, this is definitely worth the drive. The price is unbeatable beginning at less than $300 for up to 20 kids for 90 minutes to 2 hours of worry-free fun!

6. JW TUMBLES This is is one of the most popular venues in the area to throw birthday parties and take classes. JW Tumbles in Arlington is a very cozy venue offering both the party area and the play area within the same room for little ones. They offer music, zip line swinging, bubbles, sport play, dancing and more for ages one to nine. You get 90 minutes of joy and excitement for your child’s birthday.

7. Sport & Health Kids Club This is my second favorite place to host birthday parties. The party includes: invitations, pizza, juice boxes, decorations, candles, party supplies and party favors. They offer two to three large, spacious rooms for your kids and your guests to spread out. This is the only venue where you have the option of dropping your children off and leaving while your children enjoy themselves under Sport and Health’s staff supervision. There aren’t any venues where you’re able to have “drop off privileges” and not that many other venues that offer to take care of the food and beverages. All you bring is the cake.

8. Be With Me Playseum offers multiple packages to suit just about every consumer. The Playseum is a children’s used book store in the design of a kid-size city offering hands-on fun.

9. Kidville Bethesda If you’re looking for inflatable castles, blowout art table, balloonist and face painting, look no further than the Kidville Bethesda. They also offer pizza, juice for the children and premium party favors. If you’ve got money to burn or want to impress your friends with the amount of money you have to burn, book your party here. Parties for ten children begin at $595 for 90 minutes.

10. Sprinkles Cupcake in DC I had the opportunity to see first hand how fun a party at Sprinkles Cupcake in Georgetown is while attending a Mother’s Day event in 2012. This is a fantastic place to host a Cupcake Decorating Party complete with dozens of cupcakes, generous cups of frosting and sprinkles. They offer vegan cupcakes by request too. The upstairs party room is very feminine and beautiful, just perfect for a birthday party.

11. Buzz Bakery in Ballston/Arlington I was surprised to find out that this cute, cozy bakery near Ballston Mall offers Birthday Party packages. You can choose to host a very small party in the very back of the bakery or on their outside patio next to the water sprinkler playground. Buzz offers cute cupcake and cookie decorating kits for only $5 per child. This is a steal compared to the price at Sprinkles. The decorating kits include: 2 mini-cupcakes, a tiny container of frosting and a tiny container of very stylish sprinkles. This is the perfect place to order cupcake decorating kits and host a party at your house or at a larger venue.

12. American Girl Cafe Tyson’s Corner The all-inclusive package features: a delicious meal with signature pink-and-white cake and ice cream, special goody bags featuring doll tiaras for each guest, a commemorative keepsake for the special birthday girl, a set of invitations and matching thank-you notes. Parties begin at $30 per child and $20 per adult, excluding tax and gratuity. Suitable for ages 3 and up.

13. The National Zoo Kids love the animals and Washington DC’s premier zoological park is a great place for a birthday party. For children ages 4-8, FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) will provide an indoor party room and expert tour guides. Parties are held Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, subject to availability.

14. Tea with Mrs. B Host a royal tea party and etiquette class at the same time with parties by Tea with Mrs. B. All parties are customized to suit your child. They offer imaginative, engaging activities and crafts which can incorporate a preferred theme. Manners instructions are sprinkled throughout the tea party. The use of lovely, crisp linens, fine china, crystal, silver and gold accoutrement is included. Cost begin at $365 for up to 8 guests. $22 for each additional guests with the option of add-ons.

15. Nationals Park Baseball Stadium Is your child a huge baseball fan? The local ballpark is a great place to host a birthday party. Nationals Park has a family picnic area that is ideal for small groups and the Family Fun Area is a kids-oriented play area that features interactive games including the Exxon Strike Zone, Build-A-Bear Workshop, GEICO Racing Presidents, and Jungle Gym.

Yorktown Nails is my new favorite nail spa. It’s located in the Yorktown neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia so it’s just a short drive from Clarendon. Upon entering Yorktown Nails you get the feeling that this awesome nail salon is unlike any other nail salon or spa in North Arlington. It’s vibrant, fresh, new and so clean! The family owned business is so inviting that you instantly feel calm and relaxed. Prepare yourself for a blissful experience! The staff is very experienced, warm and friendly. The salon is owned by a handsome 30 year old named Phat Dang (an account and marketing manager by trade) and his beautiful sister Li (who has been a nail technician for almost 20 years). This duo’s motto is “No other salon does a seriously great job consistently”. This mantra definitely help to set Yorktown Nails apart from all of the other nail salons in the area. Yorktown Nails is offering ClarendonMoms.com Readers a unique Promo for the duration of April! Mention: ClarendonMoms to receive a $30 Classic Mani/Pedi  or a $23 Shellac Manicure! Offer expires on April 30th. For more information on the services offered, click here. 

ENTER TO WIN A FREE MANICURE/PEDICURE FROM YORKTOWN NAILS: 

Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address “Yorktown Nails Giveaway”

Like Clarendon Moms on Facebook & Leave me a Post on the Wall: “Yorktown Nails Giveaway”

Follow Clarendon Moms on Twitter  & Tweet: “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #YorktownNails Giveaway”  

Follow Clarendon Moms on Bloglovin 

Tweet about it by copying this and pasting the following into a Tweet – “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #YorktownNails Giveaway” 

This Contest is open to the public and the residents of the United States. It will close at 5 PM on Sunday, April 14th. The winner will be selected by http://www.random.org and will be emailed and posted on Clarendon Moms Facebook Page and announced on Twitter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize.  All products are sponsored by Yorktown Nails.

My family and I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Ellen Im at her new practice Northern Virginia Pediatric Dentistry. Currently located in the Fairlington neighborhood of Arlington, Dr. Ellen Im is building her practice and is interested in opening another office in the Ballston Corridor sometime later this year. 

As embarrassed as I am to admit, this was my oldest child’s first ever visit to a Dentist. It is suggested by the American Pediatric Dental Association that you begin taking your child for regular dental check-ups as early as 12 months old. Missing the boat on that one, I prepared my 4 1/2 year old daughter Ella by first letting her know that (out of all the doctors that mommy has to go see), “the Dentist is mommy’s absolute favorite because they give your teeth a good polishing and they count your teeth and you get a flouride treatment that tastes really good and sometimes you even get a special prize for being good at the end of your appointment!” I very happily let her know that it doesn’t hurt, but the sounds of all the instruments can be very loud and buzzy sounding. Ella was so excited about her appointment, she asked me if she could wear one of her favorite party dresses.

Upon meeting Dr. Ellen Im, our entire family fell in love with her energy. She was high energy, happy, passionate and had the most awesome bedside manner. She carefully explained each of the cool tools she would be using to ensure that her patients had the best care. Overhead, there was a nice size flat screen television with Disney Jr. on and “Jake and the Neverland Pirates” playing in the background. Ella was given really funky cool sunglasses to wear to protect her eyes from the water that was sure to be sprayed during the appointment. And she was also given a nice big bib to cover her pretty party dress. Ella was happy. She enjoyed her time at the dentist so much that her little brother Logan wanted to be next. Although, we had to schedule his appointment for another date, both of the kids were able to pick from the “prize bucket” outside of the treatment room. Everyone was happy, happy, happy. Our experience was FANTASTIC!  For more information, visit: http://www.northernvirginiapediatricdentistry.com.

As a special bonus, Dr. Ellen Im is offering readers of ClarendonMoms.com a special opportunity to win ONE FREE COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC DENTAL EXAM (worth $250). 

WAYS TO ENTER TO WIN: 

Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your email address

Like Clarendon Moms on Facebook & Leave me a Post on the Wall: “Shine Bright Like a Diamond”

Follow Clarendon Moms on Twitter  & Tweet: “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #ShineBrightLikeADiamondGiveaway #NovaPediatricDentistry”  

Follow Clarendon Moms on Bloglovin 

Tweet about it by copying this and pasting the following into a Tweet – “Just entered to win @ClarendonMoms #ShineBrightLikeADiamondGiveaway #NovaPediatricDentistry” 

This Contest is open to the public and the residents of the United States. It will close at 5 PM on Friday, April 5th. The winner will be selected by http://www.random.org and will be emailed and posted on Clarendon Moms Facebook Page and announced on Twitter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize.  All products are sponsored by Northern Virgina Pediatric Dentistry.