Looking for outdoor fall fun to enjoy with your family? Here’s my compendium of the area’s best (free or cheap!) fun that keeps you in your bubble as much as …

Read the rest of Fall Fun for 2021 or check our Playdate Calendar.

There are a lot of perks to joining an established site as a team member, and we would LOVE to see your article ideas. Come on in and find out about syndication, social media amplification, and more.

Read the rest of Write For Us! or check our Playdate Calendar.

Here’s what we were doing when we weren’t here this week! A gift guide for every member of the family, why you should consider coaching your kids’ teams even if …

Read the rest of Gift guide, FREE printable, and more from this week or check our Playdate Calendar.

An easy snack to keep you going while you run errands, use your slowcooker to produce a better-than-takeout dinner on a busy day, and wine pairing menu that's ready to go for easy entertaining. Bookmark these recipes and put your food decisions on autopilot this week!

Read the rest of Holiday prep? Party planning? Let’s streamline that. or check our Playdate Calendar.

Here is your guide to holiday giving programs in and around Northern VA  this year. I've included service projects as well as donation drives. Our local charities need our support all year long, but it is no secret that they get the bulk of it at this time of year, when their efforts to support the most vulnerable members of our community are close to our hearts and always on our mind. If you are looking for ways to "help Santa" as we say at my house this time of year, any of the excellent community organizations on this list would love to recruit you.

Read the rest of Put the YOU in community and give back this season or check our Playdate Calendar.

Your reading roundup this week has houseplant fails I've made so you don't have to, books you won't want to throw across the room, and FREE printable activities to help you out in a pinch.

Read the rest of Bulletproof houseplants, Forestall the “I’M BORED”s, and more or check our Playdate Calendar.

Making a list? Checking it twice? If a Santa Visit is on that list, we have the area's best roundup of places to make one! Remember to check the venue's website for details, as they may change without notice. HO HO HO!

Read the rest of Don’t visit Santa without checking this list! (“twice” is optional.) or check our Playdate Calendar.

Check out what you may have missed at our parent site, Joy Makin’ Mamas: Brick Fest Live! Lego Fan Experience: A Joy Makin’ Mamas Review (BrickFest is in Baltimore this …

Read the rest of Everything is Awesome (at Brickfest), #MeatlessMonday, and more or check our Playdate Calendar.

When you have a baby or toddler (or both) on board for your adventures, you can’t always count on regular trail information listings to include what you need. Our Stroller …

Read the rest of Your Stroller Hike Guide to Northern VA or check our Playdate Calendar.

Nowhere will you find a greater variety of holiday events to attend than in Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area. It’s easy to find out that you missed something …

Read the rest of Fun and Festive: What to do from now ’til New Year’s or check our Playdate Calendar.

OUR VISIT TO THE MAJESTIC IN OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA It’s rare to find food that knocks my socks off. As a lifelong vegetarian who likes to cook, restaurant eating can …

Read the rest of Brunch at the Majestic: Cue choir of angels or check our Playdate Calendar.

School has started, the leaves are turning, and Target Dollarspot is filled with orange glittery tchotchkes. Fall is here. {Visit our Fall Festival Roundup for 25+ ways to celebrate the …

Read the rest of Navratri: The Other Fall Festival or check our Playdate Calendar.