November 9, 2008
I am recycling this post from October 12th to let you know that you have another chance to triple your coupons at Bloom. You have until midnight tonight (Sunday, November 9, 2008). But, beware! The word on the street is that you should double check your receipt to make sure they actually triple the coupons. Have fun! Save lots of money!
I once suffered from a year long case of coupon-itis. My dream job of the moment paid very little and I found the act of cutting the coupons almost as satisfying as actually shopping. Visiting the local “double coupon” store at midnight—the only time it wasn’t too crowded to do the slow coupon shuffle through the store—and buying only items I had coupons for felt positively subversive. Over time I came to realize that not only were most items in the coupon section of the paper not on my list, they also contained unnecessary packaging, phosphates, partially hydrogenated oils, or other evils. Finally I took a new job that did not leave time for lazy afternoons cutting coupons and slow midnight shopping trips. I was cured and my kitchen cupboards more accurately reflected my values… until I stopped by SuburbanFizz earlier today and caught a case of triple-coupon-itis. I am here to pass it on.
Locals have just over two hours left to visit Bloom (closes at midnight) and they will triple up to 20 coupons (99 cents and under). If you are lucky you won’t read this until it is too late. I, however, was completely suckered in and am now the proud owner of a $22.92 receipt that reflects $27.62 in savings and three bags of brand name groceries. Behold!
It consumed at least an hour of my weekend, but I thoroughly enjoyed my triple coupon experience and am tempted to cut more coupons. I am really excited about frozen Eggo waffles and SpaghettiOs. Maybe I’ll ask my husband to hide the scissors.
If you are ready to join the coupon cult but missed the Bloom triple coupon deal, you can visit Safeway instead. I just confirmed with the Leesburg location that they double coupons valued up to 50 cents every day, and they do not limit the number you can use.
October 28, 2008
There is a great new playground at Brandon Park on Harrison, just off Catoctin Circle (behind the BB&T bank and across the street from the Village Lanes Bowling Center).
Even though there are no swings, monkey bars, bathrooms, or drinking fountains it still gets our thumbs up! Everything is still in mint condition and in my opinion it is one of the easier parks in town for juggling lots of kids. It is also one of the easier parks for toddlers since it has one of those rubber play surfaces made from recycled tires rather than mulch, and none of the play features are too high. The park is not entirely fenced, but it does have some strategically placed fencing to discourage kids from heading towards the street or the creek—or at least slow them down so you can catch them.
If you get bored with the playground there are picnic tables, lots of grassy space for running, and access to Tuscarora Creek. From what I gathered by googling town records, it appears that there is a long term plan in place to connect this park to Raflo Park and the W&OD via a walking trail. Many thanks to the folks who put this in the town’s plan. It was a great surprise to see it being built!
We walk to this park so I am not sure where the best place to park is… there’s some street parking and I think you can park behind the BB&T bank in unlabeled spots, but don’t quote me on that.
October 27, 2008
We have been trying to save gas and money by avoiding all the wonderful fall festivals, but we slipped up when we saw that The Seldom Scene would be playing at the West Virginia Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival. The slip up reminded us that attending these festivals is worth all the time, money, and energy expended. Watching my kids frolic to bluegrass music on a beautiful day was priceless.
The drive out there was beautiful (even though we fell off our Google map and landed in a run down neighborhood of mobile homes somewhere north of Ranson, WV) as is any drive into northwestern Loudoun and beyond this time of year. We arrived to plenty of parking, well shaded tents (they were ready for rain), and a steady stream of music wafting over the fair. The vendors were friendly and patient with our kids.
This Festival happens every spring and fall, so even though the most recent round is over you will have a chance to visit next time. Watch their website for 2009 dates.
Logistic info for you
- If you want to bring a stroller I’d recommend a jogging or off road stroller, since you’ll likely have mud to deal with.
- There are potties all over the fair and they were still pretty clean at closing on day 2 of this 3 day event. There was a hand wash station near the peanut roasting tent not far from the stage.
- There is an old-school playground on site, behind the sheriff area. They have swings, a slide, a spider web climbing thing, and a roundabout.
- $6 for adults, FREE for kids under 6. You can print a coupon from their website and save $1. We dropped $26 ($12 entry, $5 ice cream plus tip for a good cause, $5 custom painted wooden top that my husband felt obligated to buy after the artist let my daughter help make one, $4 half-peck of apples). Lots of the vendors take credit cards and there is an ATM on site.
October 27, 2008
We kicked off October with a trip to explore my Pennsylvania roots. In addition to quality family time with my really cool aunts, the kids experienced their first touristy weekend in Vendango County.
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad & Caboose Motel may not be worth the 6 hour drive from Northern Virginia on its own (unless you are really into trains), but if you are headed through the region anyway it is definitely a fun stop.
409 S. Perry Street
Titusville, PA (map it)
814-676-1733 (beware busy signals, they seem to have only one line!)
The kids’ favorite things about the train ride:
- seats that can be turned around depending on which direction the train is going.
- buying ice cream when the train stopped (not that we needed to drive all that way and buy $15 tickets for ice cream!)
- leaves flying off the open car (No throwing allowed! We just happened to be around when they escaped…)
My favorite parts:
- pondering the age of the cars
- enjoying the scenery
Tips for your visit
The brochure reminds you to dress for the weather, and it bears repeating. If you travel during the cooler months make sure to bundle up. The station is chilly, and although it was somewhat warmer in the indoor cars, the most fun can be had on the open air car in the back. Burrr!
If you want a healthy lunch pack your own. If not, they have lots of tasty treats in the front car.
Changing a diaper on those old train cars is even less fun than changing a diaper on an airplane without a changing table. Enough said.
We did not try out the motel, but it is definitely a fun idea for a unique family vacation.
October 3, 2008
“The McGruff Child Safety and Identification Program will be conducted at Party City… Other activities are also planned for the day, including Free Light Sticks and Temporary Tattoos for the Kids…
YOUR CHILD WILL:
- Watch Educational Safety Videos
- Have their picture & fingerprints professionally taken by a trained associate.
- Take home… safety materials”
…For more info contact Michael Halperin 240-876-5470”
Both events are listed on our community calendar. Watch for more updates and additions to the calendar in the coming weeks.
September 9, 2008
This summer we attended a rain barrel workshop. The workshop was a joint presentation by the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District and the Town of Leesburg.
We enjoyed making our own rain barrel by adapting a fifty gallon drum to include a spigot, overflow release, and insect screen. When we got home we needed to choose the best location and build a stand to put it on… this part proved to be the harder part.
We are slowly watching our rain barrel fill up a little more each time in rains and looking forward to watering our garden with it someday soon. Rain barrel workshops continue to be offered throughout Loudoun County, and we will add them to our community calendar as we hear about them.
Here’s the content of a previous announcement of the workshops that was emailed to me:
Build a Rain Barrel & Conserve Water; Workshops Scheduled
Rain barrels have started to re-emerge as an economical and practical way for homeowners to conserve water, reduce runoff, save money, and help protect the Chesapeake Bay. The recent lack of rain has left many looking for ways to conserve water. A rain barrel collects the water that runs off the roof and makes it available for homeowners to water plants, fill the birdbath, wash their car, the dog, and muddy feet. It can even be used in toilet tanks when the well pump isn’t working. This water is free and the water is collected before it runs off and picks up sediment and contaminants that pollute our streams and rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.
The Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation & Community Services will present 3 workshops where homeowners can learn more about the benefits of rain barrels and make one to take home. The workshops will be held…
Participants are reminded to dress appropriately as they will be constructing their barrel. There will be a $XX charge per barrel, and pre-registration is required.
Contact: Suzanne Brown, Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, 703-777-2075
And here’s the info I have received regarding upcoming dates:
Rain barrel workshops will be held on Wednesday 09/24/08 and Thursday 09/25/08 from
6:00 - 7:00 at Tuscarora Creek Park in Leesburg. These 2 workshops are for Leesburg residents only.
Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District is getting a shipment of 70 more barrels in and will be holding a rain barrel workshop open to all county residents later this fall. Probably early
October in Lovettsville or Hillsboro. They also plan to hold a workshop in Ashburn. The dates for these workshops are being determined this week. Contact Suzanna Brown (703-777-2075) for details.
September 8, 2008
I know I rave about most of the places my kids and I explore, but this is one of the coolest places around here. If you are looking for a fun summer day with your kids, Greenbrier State Park (map) will not disappoint. It is worth every mile of the drive, even at the current gas prices. My friend in Baltimore agrees, and her drive is even longer.
What’s so great about this place? Clean white sand, calm clean (as far as I can tell) water sans riptides, waves, sharks, and jellyfish, lifeguards on duty, perfectly placed lines denoting swimming area for little ones, sand castles, the sound of happy summer laughter…. Plus there’s more:
- camping
- boat launch
- visitor center
- hiking
- proximity to the Appalachian trail (where my children met a through hiker!)
- fishing
- and store full of junk food.
I feel so far away from my to do list here that it is easy to be completely present with my kids and enjoy a one day holiday.
As with any place that draws crowds, there as issues with litter that make me sad and mad, but Greenbrier is no worse than plenty of parks here in Loudoun in that department.
Tips for your visit
- There is a walk from the parking lot to the beach, so when you toss everything in your car make sure to consider how you will carry it all.
- The beach bathrooms are wet, busy, a bit grimy, and usually in need of a cleaning. If you decide to camp, however, the bathrooms there are incredibly well maintained.
- If you plan to camp, call and ask which loop is closer to the beach.
- Call ahead to find out lifeguard hours. The lifeguards are off duty for the 2008 season already but, according to the website, swimming at your own risk is allowed until the end of September so it is not too late to squeeze in an afternoon at the beach.
September 5, 2008
We think we discovered paradise in Crested Butte, Colorado. Can you imagine taking your children to this playground every day?
Despite the allure of this seemingly utopian mountain resort town, we are happy to be home in Northern Virginia, and are almost ready to start inundating you with a series of posts about local places to take your kids. Stay tuned!
