Burke Lake Park

Burke Lake Park is a huge facility right outside the DC beltway. There are plenty of open fields, various volleyball courts and picnic areas. My kids love the multiple play areas, the carousel, and this great train that goes through the forest, passes by the lake, through a tunnel and back. The train goes faster than you would expect and is a lot of fun.

Jingles! the Christmas Elf

Jingles came to us last year right after Thanksgiving and he has returned again. Last night he wrapped the girls' bedroom door in Christmas wrapping paper and left a note that said, "I'm back"... it kind of freaked them out. He does slightly naughty things in the evenings when the kids go to bed. Tonight he is having a romantic picnic with Barbie.

Our LEGO ROOM

We have a Lego Room in our house. Not a playroom with a section for Legos. This is an unfinished portion of our basement with two large banquet tables and nothing except a town of Legos. We have an urban development, roads, a train station, a jail, a wedding chapel, gardens, a farm, train station....even some Jedi. My husband came up with this idea when I was tired of Legos taking over my dining room--it was a brilliant compromise and now the children enjoy hours of imaginary play in a room where they never have to put the Legos away!!

Hibachi!!

I think my kids want to be hibachi chefs when they grow up. What kid wouldn't want to get paid for playing with their food and have an audience to watch them? This is a restaurant that my kids ask to go weekly. Of course, we try to reserve it for their special occasions.

The Animal Cookies at the National Zoo

Okay....so what kid doesn't like the Zoo? Well, the National Zoo is unique because it's free. And on a good day I can make it there in 13 minutes. It can get old if you are FONZ members like us... we pay a yearly fee, get free parking and all of the free animal cookies one can eat. If you haven't tried the animal cookies at the DC National Zoo, you MUST. They are delicious. They are different from any Animal Cookie or cracker that you can buy in a store. Even the packaging is cute. I try to limit my carbs, but these cookies are worth the extra 5 minutes on the treadmill.

Naartjie Kid's Clothing

pronounced "Nar-Chee" in case you were wondering. I find it difficult to find reasonably priced, decent clothing for my 5 and 7 year old daughters. I like this line of clothing because it's sweet and girly without being too babyish. I also don't want to put my girls in anything too mature looking. Two thumbs up for Naartjie!

Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese

A classic. What kid doesn't like Mac and Cheese?? So I wish I had the time or inclination to make my own Mac and Cheese, but if I made it from scratch, my kids wouldn't like it. This is the next best thing and it's not a neon orange color.