Moms of Fredericksburg Blog

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? Well, look no further than our very own Downtown Fredericksburg. This weekend, April the historic district of Fredericksburg will host the 2nd annual Fairy Godmother Project’s Scavenger Hunt!!!

Their fearless leader and chief godmother, Andie McConnell, has been hard at work with her team of interns and volunteers to make this year’s event brilliantly fun!

The event kicks off on April 20th at 11am and goes until 1pm. Participants form teams who then collect clues and follow their keen instincts and, of course, their map! Each team member will receive an event t-shirt, raffle tickets, goodie bags, and yummy food to fuel your hunt! Numerous downtown businesses participate in making this day a success as well by providing gift certificates and merchandise that all the participants can win.

To get your team signed up – please visit their website for the easy enrollment form.

This event is more than just a fundraiser for the Fairy Godmother project – it’s a way to get the local community active, having fun, and learning a lot about the participating businesses. Executive Director, Andie McConnell, is a huge advocate of supporting local business in her personal life and for her organization. If you’re not familiar with the Fairy Godmother Project please visit their website and read the very touching story of how cancer touched Andie’s life and transformed her life mission.

The scavenger hunt was born out of Andie’s s sense of adventure and her sense of adventure in entertaining her own children. In an email correspondence about the event Andie wrote, “I do scavenger hunts for my kids all the time and LOVE them which is one of the reasons we started it last year. And, of course, we are trying to raise money to support our families.”

Please – come out to support an amazing local non-profit organization, have some fun learning about the downtown shopping district, and maybe even win some amazing prizes!

I have goose bumps sitting here in my 2011 Marine Corps Historic Half shirt reflecting upon the horrifying events in Boston. Yesterday, just before the terrorist attack occurred, I was at my desk preparing a blog article to announce the upcoming Great Train and Caboose races. Both are hailed as the largest children’s races in the area.

In spite of Monday’s tragedy, I am still going to promote the events because it’s important for us, as a community, to continue to running forward. We, as parents, need to set a positive example for the children of our country. Exercise has healing properties, just like medicine.

Despite fear, anxiety, and doubt, finding hope and promise in our efforts to forge ahead is the most couragious way to stand up to evil. Now is NOT the time to back down and give up on those things that bring us closer as a community.
Right after I hit the “publish” button on this article, I’ll register my three little pumpkins, Chase (3.5), Lance (7), and Cole (8), for a great event, one they’ve participated in for three years now. If your children have participated in the past, then you know the sense of accomplishment they feel as they cross the finish line. You’ll regret the decision to pass this family event up- TRUST ME!

Chase's First Race

Caboose Run (1/4 miles perfect for ages 5 and under)

Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Time: Approx. 11:30 am (plan on arriving early because you’ll need time to find parking)
Register: Race Timing Unlimited or in person at VA Runner.

Great Train (1 mile run for ages 5 – 18)

Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Time: First Heat Starts at 7:30 am
Register: Race Timing Unlimited or in person at VA Runner.

Today was the first day back to our “normal” school and work routines following the horrific shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. The residents of Newtown are now left with SO many unanswered questions…Why? How? Will it occur again? Can our community, and the school itself, EVER feel “normal” again? Are our children going to live in fear every day they make the trip to school? These are exactly the type of questions many parents must now ask themselves, local law enforcement, and their school administration.

I’ve personally spoken with several local moms who are experiencing a heightened sense of concern about the future safety of their children while attending school. As I type this article, I STILL can’t believe the world has fallen socially to such a low place where stepping up school security is no longer a luxury, it’s an outright necessity. Innocent children and loving teachers deserve a safe place to pave the way for the future of our nation’s best and brightest..

There are reports of up to 31 different school shootings, since the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado, where two students killed 13 of their classmates and wounded 21 others. Some other notorious examples of pure evil include the following:

· In 2006, a gunman at a Pennsylvania Amish schoolhouse shot 11, killing 5 girls.

· In 2007, a gunman at Virginia Tech shot 56 students, killing 32.

· In 2008, a gunman at a university in Illinois shot 21, killing 6

· In 2012, a gunman at an Ohio High School shot 6, killing 3.

· In 2012, a gunman at a university in California killed 7 students.

· This past Friday, 20 elementary school children and 6 adults were murdered.

This is obviously NOT a rare occurrence. If anything, it seems like the cowardly acts of these psychos are actually INCREASING. Their “success,” IF it can be construed as such, seems to be emboldening others to follow suit. It is a sad and unfortunate fact that school shootings, as horrendous and senseless as each and every one is, seem to be here to stay. What can we, as parents, along with our local law enforcement and school officials, do to prevent these vile incidents? After all, we parents want to do everything in our power to prevent this from ever happening again, and to ensure our children’s future educational experiences are happy, healthy, and SAFE. I realize the following suggestions are potentially very costly, however, what is the alternative? (PLEASE, I would LOVE to hear any of your thoughts on this).

A POTENTIAL SOLUTION:

1. Main visitor entrances should be rebuilt with a man-trap. This would consist of a small room with two reinforced doors, a magnetometer, and cameras (outside and inside). Essentially, a visitor would request entry into 1st door. A school employee would make a visual determination to allow the visitor into 1st door through camera recognition. Once inside the man trap, with 1st door closed and employee continuing to observe, the visitor would move through a magnetometer. If cleared, AND with a legitimate purpose for being at school, visitor would be allowed to move through 2nd door. Even if suggestions 2-4 are not done, this one thing would slow down a shooter, giving children and employees more time to move to safety OR GET OUT OF THE BUILDING, AND allow police more time to respond.

2. There should be an internal alert for any breaches/suspicious behavior. This should immediately signal all teachers/employees to move to classrooms, bathrooms, closets, etc., (assuming there is a key locking feature from the inside and out – and yes, that means the employees would need to carry it while on school grounds.) Also, all internal doors should not have any windows large enough for a shooter to break and fit arm into to defeat.

3. All exterior doors should be reinforced metal, with locks from inside. These should be checked hourly.

4. All 1st floor windows should be reinforced to prevent entry from outside. These MUST be defeatable from the inside to allow students/employees to escape.

5. Drills should be done every month or more to ensure students know what to do under stressful conditions.

These are by no means the only, and maybe not even the best solution to this problem, but it’s a start. Let’s hear your thoughts.

Please read my post from last week if you are unfamiliar with the Santa train in Fredericksburg.

Tickets go on sale Monday, November 26, 2012, at 9:00 am. They can be purchased online through the VRE website, or in person at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Online tickets are $6.00 each and $5.00 each if you purchase them at the Visitor Center. For those planning to purchase tickets in person, you should probably arrive before 9:00 am on Monday morning. Also, bring cash or a personal check, and don’t expect to purchase more than 6 tickets total. If you have any additional questions, just give the Visitor Center a call at 540-373-4748, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 5pm.

NOTE: Currently, the VRE website doesn’t have the Fredericksburg Santa Train Station listed this year because the pick-up will be at Leeland Station due to a scheduling conflict with the anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. The Leeland Station is the next stop up from Fredericksburg and is located at 275 Leeland Road, Falmouth, Virginia, 22405.

Last year, I purchased our tickets online, and didn’t have a problem.

Oh, and don’t forget…..on the day of the train ride, bring your unwrapped toy to drop off with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Collection.

Tis the season – see you soon!

Whether you just arrived in the Fredericksburg area, or you’ve been running the annual Turkey Trot race as a special holiday tradition, I think we’d all agree that participating in these types of community oriented activities makes one feel right at home.

For many local families, this may be your first year spending the holidays in the Fredericksburg area. If so, having your family participate in the YMCA 5k Turkey Trot, and/or 1 Mile Youth Run, is great way to join the community, and combat the sadness of missing family and friends during the holiday season!

This year, the race will be held at a new location – The Fredericksburg Expo Center! Many of the local runners, including yours truly, have already run this course and I think we’d all agree, it’s a FAR easier location to get in and out of.

Visit the YMCA’s racing website for more details on the Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk and the Youth 1 Mile Run.
To register online visit Race Timing Unlimited.org.

Whether you’re a new resident of the greater Fredericksburg area, or consider yourself a local, we all love to experience the excitement of traditional downtown Christmas parades. So spread the word everyone because the Fredericksburg Jaycees will be hosting its 26th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 1, 2012. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m., and is expected to last approximately 2 hours.

If you’re a part of an organization that may be interested in actually participating in the parade, this year’s theme is “Once Upon a Christmas.” All parade participants are encouraged to highlight this holiday theme in their Christmas parade entries.

Trophies for 1st place will be awarded to entries in each of the following seven categories:

• Commercial Floats
• Novelty
• Bands
• Majorettes (Senior)
• Majorettes (Junior)
• Dance/Gymnastics
• Equestrian

Each entry is required to provide two (2) adult supervisors to walk the parade route. Each equestrian entry must provide two costumed persons equipped with scoop and container to clean behind the horses. The Jaycees have selected the official Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for the parade. Therefore, in the best interest of the children, we ask that no other entry include and/or dress as Mr. or Mrs. Santa Claus. Please note that any group performing in the parade will need to keep moving and when the group approaches the judging stand they will have a maximum of 30 seconds to pause and perform and then must move forward.

2012 CHRISTMAS PARADE ENTRY FEES
Commercial / Business Entries: $175.00

Non-Profit Entries (please provide status of your non-profit/not-for-profit organization, i.e. IRS ruling letter): $ 100.00

Please make all checks payable to: The Fredericksburg Jaycees

Entry fees have been established to offset the costs of the Christmas parade. Please note: If you plan on entering more than 100 people with your organization, we will charge an additional $25. All proceeds above the costs of the parade will go toward community projects throughout the year including taking approximately 30 local, underprivileged children Christmas shopping for necessary clothing and shoes.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY FORMS IS November 2, 2012 – and only the first 100 entries can be guaranteed!

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK IN ORDER TO FILL OUR YOUR ENTRY FORM:
2012 CHRISTMAS PARADE ENTRY FORM

Once you have completed the entry form your information will be emailed directly to our Parade spreadsheet, however, you will still need to send in your check. Please see the entry form for that information.

Parade packet including Confirmation Letter, Parade Guidelines and Route Map will be handed out at the Parade information meeting on Monday, November 12, 2012. We will need one (1) representative from each entry to attend this meeting. Please make sure we have an email contact so that we may send you out more information on this meeting.

Important note: There are to be no handouts during the parade. This means that you may not throw or handout candy, toys, beads, pamphlets, etc. during the parade.

If you have any questions, please e-mail athomewithjen@gmail.com.

Ladyburg Brings Skin Care to Fredericksburg Women AND Men!
Owner, Crystal Wellman, made no apologies yesterday as she unlocked the doors to her new store at 807 Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg, VA. Sure, Fredericksburg may have other skin care salons and boutiques that sell lotions, soaps, and bath products, etc., but none of them can offer the pampering to Fredericksburg residents like the Ladyburg team intends to! Now merged together with Crystal Clear Complexions, Ladyburg will provide everything from the most unique and rare bath products, to full service advanced aesthetics treatments, chemical peels, facials, and even Dermasound treatments!

To name just a few of the products available right now at Ladyburg: handmade natural soaps; custom-blended bath products, including but not limited to, scrubs, lotions, body butter, aftershave; locally made candles, and so much more! Here’s a sneak peak of the store. Kudos to Crystal and her team for taking downtown Fredericksburg to new heights with plenty of beauty indulgences at affordable prices.

Connect with Fredericksburg’s newest modern skincare apothecary on Facebook!

At this “hand-crafted only” festival, you’ll find premier arts and creations from hundreds of the country’s best crafters and artisans. From it’s 1st show back in 2006 to this year’s event, the festival has more than doubled in size, as has the quality of vendors and selection of items to choose from. There is something to suit everyone’s tastes and interests. From paintings to ceramics, jewelry and home décor, specialty foods, clothing, holiday knick-knacks, fashion accessories, photography, pottery, and so much more. Trust me when I tell you that anyone looking for a unique gift, or simply something special for yourself, you can find it at the Annual Fredericksburg Arts and Craft Festival.

The Fredericksburg Fall Arts & Crafts Festival is being held at the Fredericksburg Expo Center, Saturday, October 13: 10a-6p and Sunday, October 14: 11am-4pm. Tickets are good both days: Adults: $8; Kids 12 and under FREE. For additional information, a money savings coupon, and a list of participating vendors, visit www.fredericksburgartsandcraftsfestival.com or www.FredericksburgExpoCenter.com or call 540-548-5555.

The 2012 Fredericksburg Fall Home Show at the Fredericksburg Expo Center has received a makeover of delicious proportions! The event is a “one stop shopping” extravaganza filled with experts who’ll help you decide what to do in, and around, the house over the coming winter and spring months. From building a new deck, to re-facing your cabinets, the Home Show has what you’re looking for! Remodeling your bathroom, or planning a full-blown renovation? Our exhibitors would love to help you make your dreams a reality!

But this year, there’s a new twist to the traditional Fall event. Attendees will be treated to Wegmans’ Perfect Pairings. Wegmans will be demonstrating how to match the right wines and/or beers with a variety of foods. Learn how to pair the perfect wine with dinner and dessert so you’ll impress your friends at your next dinner party. Do you know if red wine goes with beef or fish? Did you ever try a heavy lager or seasonal brew? Not only will you learn the answers to these questions, but you’ll have the ability to sample their suggestions AND give feedback.

Don’t miss this new exciting section at the Fall Home Show!

Don’t forget to bring you questions, measurements, and project photos to the 2012 Fredericksburg Fall Home Show. We know you’ll find just the right mix of vendors, ideas, and solutions for anything you’re either planning or need help finishing.

Any type of violence is senseless, but when it involves a child, it makes the action that much more difficult to understand and accept. As a parent, there simply are no words strong enough to adequately describe the emotion I feel as I read the “mother of ALL mother’s message.” The manner in which she describes the realization that her baby is no longer coming home has such a profound effect upon my psyche, I swear I can feel every single emotion, almost as if it were one of my own sons. However, within 2 hours of writing this very article, my boys will hopefully step off their school bus, and I’ll be able to see their beautiful eyes.

For Gwendoyln S. Brawsell-Nash, the joy from her son, Baron’s “Deuce’s,” smiles and laughter are nothing but memories now. On January 20, 2006, the joy of Gwendoylyn’s life became a 16 year old victim of teen violence, murdered by another teenager. A superb athlete, great student, son, grandson, nephew, brother and friend. His life here in earth was violently snatched from him much too soon. His family, friends, and others from the community have since joined forces to take a stand against teen violence.

Please join our community on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Courtland High School as we participate in the 7th Annual Baron “Deuce” P. Braswell Race Against Teen Violence. The entire family can take part in a 5k Run/Walk and/or Youth 1 Mile Youth Run. It will be a great day to get some exercise, enjoy food, refreshments, music, raffle prizes, moon bounces and most importantly, become inspired to help the children of our community not fall victim to teen violence.

The last day for online registration is Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Please visit www.braswellratv.com to register and learn more!

One day at a time…that’s exactly how I intend to pave the way for my sons’ future. It seems like just yesterday when my husband and I learned we would soon be parents and asked ourselves, “how will we afford kids?” And like many of us, we focused on the present, hoping and praying the future would work itself out. However, as time continues to tick by, we suddenly realize just how fast it all flies by. The kids seem to outgrow their shoes, clothes, toys, and interests so fast, we have trouble keeping pace with them. AND, the kids actually become MORE expensive as diapers and pacifiers are traded in for fancier sneaks, bigger bikes, and I-pods. Yes, your child’s Christmas list may get shorter as they grow, but rest assured, the overall cost will likely increase exponentially with each passing year.

Another summer has flown by, and as our kids begin a new school year, we are THAT much closer to the holidays, AND more expenditures. Within the next few weeks, I’ll be conducting an inventory of the basement toy boxes, purging items the boys have outgrown. More than likely, I’ll also be shaking my head in disbelief that my husband and I actually have to buy MORE toys. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely recognize the importance of gift giving and receiving, holiday traditions, and most importantly, the wonderful innocence of childhood. But, sincerely… what’s wrong with asking for future college tuition contributions instead of SO many gifts?!

Yes, I said it, COLLEGE MONEY!!! Oh my, we’ve been dodging the subject for almost 8 years now. Thankfully, though, we researched our options for College Savings Plans before our first son was born. Back then, we didn’t realize how just how expensive children really were (even though everyone and their mother warned us!). So, we made a commitment early on to open a 529 College Savings Plan – and THANK GOODNESS we did!! For 8 years, tax-advantaged money has been funneled directly from our monthly income into the 529. Unfortunately, we’ve had to be very cautious about increasing our contribution with the addition of 2 more babies, BUT, any little bit in savings is certainly better than nothing.

If you are unfamiliar with how 529 plans work, here’s a snapshot:

• 529 plans get their name from Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which was passed by Congress in 1996 to help families plan and save for future qualified higher education expenses at eligible educational institutions
• Virginia 529 (the nation’s largest 529 plan) offers one prepaid program that allows families to prepay today for their future cost of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, and three different savings programs
• Benefits may be used at eligible universities, colleges, community colleges, and technical schools across the country, AND around the world.
• Earnings for all Virginia 529 accounts grow tax-free and are NOT subject to tax, IF used for qualified higher education expenses.
• Virginia taxpayers are eligible to receive a deduction from state individual income taxes of up to $4,000 per account each year if they use a Virginia 529 plan.

For more information on Saving For College, visit Virginia 529 at:

www.virginia529.com
https://www.facebook.com/va529
http://twitter.com/virginia529

Mother’s Day is almost here, and I’d like to let each of you know how awesome it is to have made over 2000 new “Moms of Fredericksburg” friends in just over a year! I truly love having so many wonderful friends to rely on for advice, recommendations, and perhaps, most important, an ear to listen to when only a mom can understand. You all deserve the absolute best Mother’s Day and, if I could, I’d throw a huge bash just for us! It’d be some special place where we could all meet in person, enjoy a great meal, and share our experiences about how we got here. Most likely, it was due to our husbands’ employer, right? But, until the day comes when I can host this event (let me get these advertising rates increased a tad!), we’ll just have to continue to support one another through cyberspace. I’ve already met many of you in person, and I just love it when we make the internet connection, only to realize our paths have already crossed!

Okay, let’s cut to the chase. I’ve got some giveaways for the first moms who respond to this post, either on Facebook or below.

Save the fun stuff for Mom! Polar Fitness is a unique fitness studio right here in Fredericksburg that is owned by a local mom of 2 boys. They are the area’s only dedicated Pole Studio featuring 6 dance poles, each over 12 feet tall. This Mother’s Day, Polar Fitness would like to give you a chance to spend some quiet time taking care of yourself. Whether you choose to stretch out in a quiet yoga class, shake it in Zumba, rediscover your sexy side on a Pole, or sweat out some stress in bootcamp or Parkour, they have something to fit your interests. They know how hard you work and are pleased to offer a Free Class to 10 lucky moms this Mother’s Day. A full class schedule can be seen at www.polar-fit.com. They look forward to meeting our lucky winners soon.

No coupon cutting for Mom! I have TEN TriQuest Savings Cards for those moms interested in saving up to 50% at over 250,000 locations! My children had to sell them for their lacrosse team, so I decided to just purchase them all and give them away for Mother’s Day. Again, just respond to this post on Facebook or below. No fussing, no specifics, just a “hello” is perfect!

In memory of the victims of domestic violence, and in honor of Jenny Vaughn-Bates. Read last year’s article to learn about Jenny’s story.

This has been an uncharacteristically mild winter season for us here in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The weather has, most likely, given each of us the opportunity to relish in life’s simple pleasures. Whether it be enjoying a cup of coffee outside, taking a walk at lunch, or even having a play date in the park, you might have been inspired to delay your plans for the day (much like I did!) and just get outside.

The Daffodils are in full bloom in Fredericksburg!

This afternoon, I headed down to the trails with my little guy to meet a friend. She and I were able to enjoy watching our three adorable children march around like little soldiers – “God love them!”

Needing to get back to work, I eventually returned home and began checking my email. I quickly noticed a CaringBridge journal update regarding a friend of one of my other sons, Dominic Beltran. My heart sank as I read the title, “Not good.” Dominic’s mom proceeded to share the absolutely horrendous news that his cancer has spread, again. Furthermore, the treatment he’s been receiving, in New York, must be stopped so he can have chemotherapy.

While waiting for my youngest son to finish up his nap, I leaned over and kissed his head, trying to comprehend how AWFUL it must feel to have a child who suffers with such an evil illness that even the strongest forms of medicine can’t fix it? How TERRIBLE it must feel to be completely stressed out and constantly worried about the fate of your child, in addition to, typical (obviously, less important) household concerns like money, house and car issues, hectic schedules, etc., etc. Dominic has now begun his chemotherapy treatment in NY with his wonderful parents right by his side.

Speaking of Margaret, she had to resign from her nursing job recently, so that she could be with her son as he bravely fights for his life. I imagine giving up her job to care for her son was an easy decision, however, losing a paycheck is never easy. With monthly bills that still need to be paid, this only makes life MORE stressful for Dominic’s parents.

Please click on the following link to watch a video of sharing Dominic’s story and DONATE whatever you can to help our this family.

Superman himself - Dominic Beltran!

This Saturday (03/03), from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, over one thousand people will gather for the 28th annual oyster roast fundraiser to help Dominic’s family. A menu of steamed and fried oysters, hot dogs, coleslaw, chips, and homemade desserts will be served. Diners are asked to make a donation which will go directly to Dominic’s family.

Please visit our calendar for event details!

**Note – the article was written 1 week ago.

A few months ago, we added a great new resource to our website so readers would have a place to advertise items they had for sale, or even post a classified looking for something specific, like a job. If you’re unfamiliar with our Mom’s Market, the following link will help you get caught up.

Recently, a local mom posted a comment on Facebook asking if Moms of Fredericksburg could recommend any “at-home” jobs. Instantly, I thought, our “Mom’s Market” would be the perfect place for her to post a classified ad seeking to do work from her house.

What is so UNIQUE about our website is that ALL posted ads have the ability to become “VIRAL!!” This is the brilliance behind Facebook (and our developers!). AND, it’s another reason why our “Mom’s Market” is the absolute BEST place to post a classified ad for residents of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Whether you’re looking to sell a stroller, buy a bunk bed, or find a part-time job, it’s rapidly becoming THE place for local moms to do business.

Here’s our advice for when posting a classified ad in “Mom’s Market”:

1. PHOTOS are a must. There’s no sense posting a bike for sale if you aren’t going to show a potential buyer the merchandise.
2. If you own a local business, please don’t try to use ” Mom’s Market” to advertise your product (unless you are already a paying sponsor of our website). You can easily become a paid sponsor of our website – you’d be surprised at how competitive our prices are!

BELOW is an example of how “sharing” your classified ad on Facebook and/or Twitter works. Essentially, every time you share your “Mom’s Market” ad, one of your friends clicks and, now, their friends view your classified ad. ***Please note that Facebook specifically defines a viral reach as the number of unique people who saw this post from a story published by a friend. These stories can include liking, commenting, sharing your post, answering a question, or responding to an event.”

Guest blog from local mom, Lisa R. Thank you Lisa!

The Harlem Globetrotters 2012 Tour is coming to North Stafford High School on Wednesday, February 29 at 7 pm and there is a discount code to save $7 on tickets: just use the code MOM when purchasing tickets at www.ticketweb.com. This is a great family-friendly event for all ages! The wows, the laughs, the magic – these moments become the memories that last a lifetime!
Highflying dunks … eye-popping tricks… hilarious jokes … the Globetrotters will have you smiling from start to finish. At the Globetrotters, the game of basketball sets the stage for an experience you will never forget. The Harlem Globetrotters just signed a historic rookie class that includes the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest. This year’s roster also features the world’s tallest player – they call him Tiny … At 7-foot, 8-inches, he’s anything but. Players and rosters are subject to change. You can also visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com for more information. Discount code and information provided by Miles of Marketing (www.milesofmarketing.com).

Guest Post By Nancy Tait, Science Museum of Virginia

The story of race seems as old as mankind itself and has become intertwined with all of our lives. In Virginia the story easily goes back hundreds of years. These differences have offered us strength, community and identity, while these same differences have also been the historical basis for discrimination and oppression.

Scientific understanding of human variation is beginning to challenge “racial” differences and even question the very concept of race. We invite you to explore these ideas as the Science Museum of Virginia proudly hosts a spring filled with events, discussions, presentations, workshops and the groundbreaking exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, April 29.

No matter your color or background RACE will give you an opportunity to examine yourself and how you see others. “This is an important subject that touches us all, regardless of who we are,” says Science Museum of Virginia Chief Wonder Officer Richard C. Conti. “The RACE exhibition is just one element in a variety of experiences that brings new ways of looking at the variations of humanity through the framework of science.”

RACE examines the topic from scientific, historical and cultural perspectives, demonstrating how economic interests, power struggles, scientific research and even popular culture have informed the American understanding of race, and have provided a sturdy framework for discrimination. The exhibit shines a spotlight on our experience with the concept of race in everyday American life — at school and work, at the doctor’s office and in the halls of Congress. Join us as we celebrate the scientific fact that we are all part of the human race.

Fees: RACE is included with Museum admission. Tickets are $10 for ages 4-12 and 60+ and $11 for ages 13-59 or free for members. For more information visit www.smv.org or call 804.864.1400.
Location: 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220

Guest post by local teach and writer – Susan Carter Morgan

A question I read recently has me thinking: How do you get kids to read and write as if their lives depended upon it?
Pretty strong language, but literacy matters. Writing is how we communicate. It’s how we give meaning to our lives. It’s how we learn. Not only is writing the path to success in school and career, but writing helps us clear our minds and share our stories.
It’s my own story that has compelled me to open a writing studio for young people (ages 8-18).

When I was 9, I cobbled together a kind of fairy tale. At ten, I tried to publish a neighborhood magazine, though it failed miserably. One summer I wrote a column for our town newspaper about goings-on in the community and felt totally famous with a byline. Yet it would be many years later when, as an adult, I finally realized how much I needed to and wanted to write.
Author E.M. Forster’s quote has always resonated with me: How can I know what I think until I see what I say?
After teaching middle and high school students for 30 years, I’ve learned a few things about supporting children in finding their voice and developing confidence. And so, the idea for a studio was born.

Downtown Writing Studio For Children Ages 8 to 18

Location: Liberty Town Arts, 916 Liberty Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Hours: Weekdays 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm (homeschoolers are welcome during the day by appointment)
Fee: The hourly rate is $20 per student for a group of up to three students. I ask for a commitment of at least four weekly sessions payable at the first meeting.

I want the Downtown Writing Studio to be a nurturing place, and I’ll be writing there, too. Please stop by the second floor of LibertyTown Arts in Fredericksburg on February 3, during the First Friday celebration for the arts community and say hello. Or visit my blog for more information. Join us!

During the past week, I heard a few local moms expressing great concern over the recent news that Mary Washington Healthcare has decided to no longer accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health insurance. This is obviously VERY BIG news for many of us Moms of Fredericksburg since BCBS is our primary healthcare insurance provider.
Here’s a link to a recent Anthem BCBS – Mary Washington Healthcare Contract Termination (Key Messages & FAQ) Release that will answer many questions concerning this situation.

Let me ask all of you mothers something…Just what kind of joke is a Mom’s Night Out (MNO), anyway, if it doesn’t start until AFTER the kids go to bed?! I mean, when you still have to help with the evening chores, dinner, bath, books and bed, you end up feeling so worn out that the thought of going out seems like too much trouble! And, if you do decide to venture out with your significant other, the next morning’s routine seems to be “off” due to a lack of sleep or a hangover (kidding, ladies). But in all seriousness, my opinion is that we moms should ONLY redeem our “once in a while MNO pass,” IF it’s truly a night out.

Moms' Night Out!

So, in keeping with my thoughts on this extremely important matter (slightly kidding, ladies), I would like to make the following offer one lucky Moms of Fredericksburg fan who would like to enjoy my version of a true MNO. The lucky fan will get to watch the “sold out” 7:30 pm movie of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, with 3 of her closest friends on Friday, November 18, 2011?! Again, show time is 7:30 pm at the Regal Cinema on Plank Road in Fredericksburg. Like I said, moms, tickets for this showing are completely SOLD OUT. It’s a good thing Moms of Fredericksburg was able to snatch up 4 tickets just moments before these hot items were completely gone! I’ve already heard several complaints from a few of my girlfriends who were disappointed that I opted to giveaway these tickets instead of using them for our own MNO. But, the truth is, I’m always looking for ways to show appreciation to the readers who take precious time out of their days to read what Moms of Fredericksburg has to say.

Here’s how to win:
Just post a message on your Facebook wall asking your Fredericksburg friends to stop by Moms of Fredericksburg’s Facebook, like us, and tell us why YOU so deserve a MNO pass. Contest ends Monday, November 14 at noon!

So – my next question is – Team Edward or Team Jacob!??

It’s already November again, and for many of us Fredericksburg runners, it’s time to gear up for two local holiday traditions: the 19th Annual Mary Washington Healthcare YMCA Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K and Tot Trot 1 Miler on the morning of Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2011. Last year, my husband and I loaded up our jogging strollers and ran the entire race while pushing our three sons! When it was all over, we headed back home and enjoyed our holiday feast without the guilt – mommy and daddy earned each and every calorie.

Whether you’re new to Fredericksburg, or have been running the Turkey Trot as a yearly family tradition, I think we would all agree that participating in such a community oriented activity makes you feel right at home. For many local families, this may be your first year spending the holidays in the Fredericksburg area. These races are a great way to join the community and combat the sadness of missing family and friends during the holiday season!

Visit the YMCA’s racing website for more details on the Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk and the Youth 1 Mile Run.
To register online visit Race Timing Unlimited.org.

Hot Tip: If you are unable to pick up your race packet on Wednesday, November 23rd (between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm at James Monroe High School), plan to arrive extra early on race day. Fredericksburg has HUNDREDS of faithful turkey trotters!

There is no question about it, we Moms of Fredericksburg have been cautiously monitoring recent reports of attempted abductions within our communities. It is good to hear that the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office will be addressing our community concerns at a press conference, scheduled for 2:30 pm today, at their offices located at 9101 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553.

For many of us mothers, it’s just not possible to physically drop by to hear what the Sheriff has to say in person. Since no television stations intend to send out a news crew for this event, we’ll just have to rely on local print media to provide the information to us. I have a slew of concerns regarding these alleged abductions, however, first on my list is to find out how law enforcement intends to address what “appears” to be a rise in abduction allegations subsequent to the initial incident in the Salem Fields community last month.

I’ve copied and pasted below – the press release from Lt. Colonel Mike Timm. Thank you Lt. Colonel Timm for addressing our concerns!

Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office 9101 Courthouse Road
Spotsylvania, Va. 22553
Phone 540.582.7115
Fax 540.582.9448
Press Release

Contact: Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. Timm For Immediate Release
Phone: 540.507.7195

This press conference was called today to provide updated information to the citizens of Spotsylvania and neighboring jurisdictions regarding the steps we intend to take, as well as what has already been implemented, by the Sheriff’s Office to provide a feeling of safety to our residents.

An investigative strategy meeting was held today at the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office that included every detective currently working to resolve the recent suspicious incidents involving female children and adult victims.

Multiple items were discussed and plans have been put in place to move forward in a proactive manner with this investigation. One thing I wish to assure the citizens of this community is that you should feel safe conducting your day to day activities; however, as I indicated earlier, take appropriate precautions regarding your personal safety, and those of your children.

The community can rely on, and expect, several things of your Sheriff’s Office:

We will continue to have additional manpower and staffing out from 6:30 AM until 4:30PM, specifically patrolling the residential communities and associated bus stops everyday.
When appropriate, investigators will continue to perform neighborhood canvassing to glean additional information to either corroborate what we already know, or dispel anything that is not considered valuable to the investigations.
The Sheriff’s Office will be producing a bilingual flier that will be passed out to the Hispanic business community in an attempt to assist in locating Jacinto Osael Hernandez Andrade, the suspect we hold warrants for from the first event.

In addition, certain information pertaining to the named suspect in the first event has been shared with The Department of Homeland Security and Interpol, again in an effort to locate and take him into custody.
There will be additional forensic interviews conducted on some victims to gain further information from them that they themselves may have discounted as unimportant during the first interviews, but may relate to at this time.
Since school is not in session tomorrow for Election Day polling, additional staffing will be present to patrol residential communities throughout the day.

The Sheriff’s Office is treating each of these incidents as credible and using appropriate investigative techniques in all of them; we are sharing and exchanging resources and information with numerous other law enforcement entities. We want to do the best we can to make everyone feel safe. We will continue the additional patrols indefinitely to ensure that all citizen’s feel like they are safe as they go about their daily lives. We are working very closely with the school division to provide the greatest presence possible, both in the schools during the day as well as all after-school events.

Again, we ask that the citizens of this community be vigilant in exercising good, safe practices for personal safety. Have school-age children walk in groups, and when possible, have them walk with either older siblings or parents. We need each of you to continue reporting suspicious incidents to authorities.

If you could be at the press conference today, what questions would you have?

Today’s blog post is the next installment in our “Back-To-School” series regarding food allergies. Remember from the last post, we discussed some of the science associated with this subject. This time, we’ll focus on some practical tips to keep your children safe.

One of THE most important steps you can take is to make sure your school has several non-expired Epi-Pens® and a Food Allergy Action Plan for each child. A Food Allergy Action Plan is typically filled out by your child’s allergist.

Regardless of what setting a reaction occurs, it should be treated in the same manner. If the symptoms are isolated to either the skin or gastrointestinal tract, and mild in nature, treating the problem with an anti-histamine should be sufficient. If, however, the symptoms are more severe (like losing consciousness, throat constriction, wheezing/shortness of breath, or vomiting) then the Epi-Pen® (or Epi-Pen Jr. ®) should be administered immediately. Emergency services should then be notified for further possible treatment and observation. If you are unable to determine whether the reaction is mild or severe, epinephrine should be administered. The potential side effects of epinephrine are negligible compared to the potential consequences of under- treating an allergic reaction.

In order to prevent reactions, you should emphasize to your child that he/she cannot eat foods from other kids. Parents need to make sure their children understand that ONLY those specific foods provided, or approved of, are safe for ingestion . There is no evidence that policies like “peanut-free” classrooms/lunch tables, requiring hand-washing after food contact, placing restrictions on sharing foods, or isolating children with food allergies leads to a decreased number of reactions. I advise the parents of my patients to place the least amount of reasonable restrictions on other children while, at the same time, offering adequate protection for their allergic child.

Here are some additional tips adapted from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network:

• See the Allergist: Make sure to have an updated Food Allergy Action Plan.

• Meet with key school staff: Befriend the school nurse, talk with your child’s teacher and provide allergy-free snacks at the beginning of the school year so that your child won’t feel left out during parties and celebrations.

• Check medications: Make sure that medications available to your child have not expired. Work with your Allergist to confirm that the right dose is listed for your child’s current weight.

• Keep records: Make sure all of your school forms are up to date with your current contact information, including cell phone number. Keep copies of important documents.

• Offer to volunteer: If your schedule allows, consider volunteering to be the room parent so that you can be involved in classroom celebrations which may involve food. Volunteer to accompany the class on a field trip.

In the next blog post in this series, I will focus on tips for teenagers with food allergies.

As always, you can learn about pollen counts and access medical information about allergic conditions and asthma at our website. www.allergypartners.com/fredericksburg
Dr. Jonathan Mozena
Topics
• Science
• Tips
• 504 plans and IHPs
• FAAMA
• Teen tips

I’ve documented my journey about how, and why, I became a “fitness mom.” That’s my way of describing a mom who prioritizes her physical fitness and overall health each and every day.

This week, October 24 – 30, 2011, my fitness center, American Family Fitness, is allowing members to “bring a friend for the week!” Are there any moms out there desperate to get back into shape?! Please join me for the week at the gym. We will learn and motivate one another as we bolster our personal commitment to stay in shape.

All you have to do is email me at dina@momsoffredericksburg.com. I will gladly support your decision to make personal fitness a priority in your life. Why would I take time out of what is already an over-taxed schedule? Because motivation is the key to achievement and I find great pleasure in helping others, that’s why! A little over a year ago, several local moms inspired me to complete a half marathon! I achieved my goal, despite not being able to a run a mile continuously. Trust me, moms. If I can do it, you can too!

I know all of the excuses because I’ve used them in the past. But let me tell you, moms, American Family Fitness has great child care. It’ll be a truly eye opening experience to see dozens of other moms (who in all shapes and sizes) taking advantage of the opportunity to work out while their children are cared for in a safe and pleasant environment.

Come on ladies, who’s ready to get an early start on the holidays???!!!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m somewhat concerned about my ability to control myself next week when our house becomes inundated with overflowing halloween baskets full of chocolate and other goodies.

You see, I try to adhere to this little strategy each year where I purposely wait until the last possible moment to purchase halloween candy. I do this because I know my husband and I will “sample” each bag, just to make sure it is appropriate to hand out. We wouldn’t want to give out candy that didn’t meet “our standards,” now would we? I am usually pretty good with keeping my snacking in check but, for some reason, chocolate and candy ALWAYS seem to get the best of me! I actually wish my children would become a little stingy with their candy just to protect it from mom and dad. If, however, this Halloween is anything like those that have come before it, my family will most assuredly indulge in a variety of sweets to mark the beginning of the holiday season.

As for myself, I plan to follow a NEW strategy…one I hope to actually stick with, THIS time! I am going to publicly confess (on Facebook) my candy “sins,” each and every day, including just how many pieces I’ve eaten, to all you mothers out there who face the same dilemma. And just to make it official (hopefully, that will in some way help me adhere to it), I am going to call it the HALLOWEEN CANDY CHALLENGE!

How about it, Moms of Fredericksburg? Are there any other mothers out there ready to accept the challenge?

Together, we can share with one another, all of our secrets for combatting temptation and finding the willpower NOT to become a savage candy monster, devouring all of our children’s halloween candy.

Here are some tips from the “experts” for avoiding Halloween candy.

By now, many Fredericksburg moms have heard of the two recent attempted child abductions in our area. Thank goodness, both of these children got away and were able to provide surprisingly good descriptions of the perpetrator. These young girls should be recognized for their bravery and understanding of stranger awareness. Unfortunately, not every child knows what to do in these circumstances. If you feel your child falls into this latter category, I strongly suggest you check out the related blog link below which mentioned a movie specifically suited to teach stranger awareness.

Please recall from my recent blog about stranger safety, the fantastic DVD titled, “The Safe Side,” which is a wonderful teaching aid for children (ages 4 to above) about the importance of stranger safety awareness.

Those of you who’ve had a chance to review this DVD will likely recognize one of it’s two creators, John Walsh. Walsh is the host of the long running hit television series, “America’s Most Wanted.” I’m sure anyone familiar with his personal background knows he lost his son, Adam, to a horrific kidnapping incident in 1981. His vast experience in this particular area lends additional credibility to the DVD’s message.

These two attempted kidnapping incidents occurred only eight days apart. And though greatly disturbing to us as local residents, the Greater Fredericksburg area is, and will continue to be, a fantastic location to raise your family. If anything, these should serve as a reminder that we residents need to be particularly vigilant to better protect our families, friends, and neighbors from harm. The fact of the matter is, wherever you live in our blessed country, your family is still vulnerable to crime. As moms, we need to stay on our toes, educate our children about the potential real dangers associated with strangers, and unite with other community members to provide a more effective net of protection for our children. As much as I absolutely adore Fredericksburg, I realize, neither it nor any other place, will ever be EXACTLY like the fictionalized “Mayberry.” Unfortunately, we DO live in a world where criminals prey on unsuspecting victims, so we need to do our part and keep Fredericksburg safe for our children.

Moms, I felt compelled to share the following incident with you to serve as a reminder for those of us who sometimes become complacent living in such a peaceful, relatively safe area.

The other day, I had just put the baby down for his afternoon nap and was digging into some household chores when someone rang the front door bell. My initial reaction was one of anger at whomever was about prematurely wake my son up. After all, doesn’t everyone know it’s nap time in suburbia? My frustration, however, was soon replaced by a sense of apprehension as I noticed a young male standing at my door, motioning for me to open it. I had seen him walking along the road earlier in the day, less than a mile from my home. He had no identifying information on his clothing, nor did he offer to provide any. While attempting to convince me that he was harmless, he continued to move his hand around to the small of his back. Needless to say, I flat out refused to open the door, OR have anything to do with whatever it was he was trying to sell.

Not long after this incident, I was outside with the babysitter explaining why it’s not a good idea to open the door for uninvited guests I noticed the same guy down the street at a neighbor’s house. When I tried to explain that our neighborhood has rules against “soliciting,” the dude got mad and made a snide comment about my neighborhood being “too good” for this type of activity.

Honestly, moms, it’s really got nothing to do with being “too good.” What it DOES have to do with is a matter of safety, both for myself, AND my family! I will not apologize to anyone for doing my best to ensure the safety and well-being of my children. And neither should you. Whether it was for a legitimate purpose or not, It’s MY right to decide.

There are plenty of not-so-nice people out there who prey on the fear or complacency of well-intentioned homeowners – especially stay-at-home moms and senior citizens. Don’t become a statistic. In this day and age, door-to-door business solicitation has become increasingly rare and should be scrutinized for anything nefarious. Are they there to sell you some product or service, or are they trying to get a good look at your house, casing it for a future break-in? All you have to do is google, “home invasions” to realize just how serious, and deadly, they can be. The fact that one of the those thugs from that awful home invasion in Connecticut is in the process of being convicted for their atrocious acts has not been lost on me.

Sorry to sound so preachy moms, but I want everyone to be safe and be viligant. Don’t be a victim!

Teaching our children stranger safety at a young age is just as important! Please check out The Safe Side for more information on the award winning video created by America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh, which shows children how to stay “smart, cool and safe.”

As the founder of Moms of Fredericksburg, I’ve been all over Fredericksburg, scoping out great finds to add to our area’s newly launched website, dedicated solely to mothers. Although our site has multiple paying sponsors, I have also selectively sought out respected businesses to add to some of the functional online directories. I do this, NOT because they paid us, but because it’s extremely important that we ONLY recommend the very BEST Fredericksburg has to offer.

Here is a testimonial provided by just one of my sponsors – American Family Fitness Operations Manger

“She is the living definition of Word of Mouth Advertising (WOM). Her business, Mom’s of Fredericksburg (MOF), is a resource of information and products for families and individuals. Dina listens. In a world where not too many people listen, SHE does. She listens to Moms and fills the need of the community on her site. Dina shares her experiences, good and bad, so that her followers don’t waste time or flock to her recommendation. MOF has evolved in its short time of existence. Recently MOF added a Marketplace. I personally easily uploaded a stroller I hope to sell.

Thanks Dina, and MOF, for providing a user friendly reference for local families!”

Make no mistake, ladies. I am on an uncompromising mission to create a truly functional, faster than lighting, online resource for mothers, families, and area newcomers. Actually, I want Moms of Fredericksburg to be THE resource for anyone seeking a great recommendation for anything from where to eat to what to do with your kids on a Saturday afternoon. AND everything in between.

I am, however, truly committed to finding, connecting with, and endorsing businesses who’s owners care about their customers as much as I do. Without that, no amount of money will buy space on this website. If I wouldn’t patronize your restaurant, sorry, but I’ll have to pass. If your daycare or preschool is one that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending my children to, why in the world would I EVER recommend your services to my customers? As far as I’m concerned, it’s a “no-brainer.” Simply put, I’ve set out to create something unique. A one-of-a-kind, truly functional online resource for moms who either have, will, or are walking in my shoes. Beyond that, I want to create a virtual meeting place for moms who are new to the area because I know what it’s like to be the “New Kid On The Block.”

Yes, there are several other ways to learn about upcoming events, new places, and businesses within the Fredericksburg area, however, Moms of Fredericksburg.com, will remain committed to providing the type of referrals moms really want and need. What you WON’T see is a business being given exposure on my website just because they pay. It’ll be because they DESERVE to be exposed to my customers! And really, what good is an online resource, anyway, if it’s nothing more than bait for attracting more advertising dollars? Moms, I strongly encourage you to look at everything, including us, with a discriminating eye because “fancy marketing tactics” is NOT what we’re about! You won’t find ANYONE in Fredericksburg as legit as this mom. I’ll tell you, honestly, if your business stands a chance with my customers. And if it doesn’t, I’ll refer you to seek out advertising elsewhere. I’m sure you’ll find those willing to take your money.

Please help me continue to build this genuine “give and take” resource for Moms On The Move In Fredericksburg!

My goodness, can anyone remember back to those awful times, during junior and senior high school, when they only treatment available for our dreadful teenage acne was CLEARASIL or OXY 10? Back in the Eighties, it was either one of these EXTREMELY harsh products OR, a trip to the local dermatologist for a dose of some “prescription” topical antibiotic solution which, in the end, only seemed to make the acne ten times worse. I, myself, was very fortunate not to have suffered from severe acne but, as a mom, I fully expect to one day soon be googling, reading, and calling for help in treating my children’s acne.

Local moms – If any of your children suffer from mild to severe acne, your search for an effective treatment is over! Crystal Clear Complexion is hosting a Teen Night on Thursday, October 27, 2011, starting at 3:00 pm. This event includes Dermasound treatment for Acne which will be offered at a Teen Night price of $50 (reg. $65). Acne LHE (laser) treatment will also be offered for $50 (reg. $75). Last, but not least, a 10% discount will be offered on all medical grade acne clearing products!

On Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 11 am to 4 pm, the Prince William Forest Park Heritage Festival will celebrate the park’s history as colonial-era farmland, a Civilian Conservation Corps work camp, and a World War II era spy training camp. Musicians, artists, cultural demonstrators, antique car owners, exhibitors, and park staff will gather together in historic Cabin Camp 3 for a day of historic and inexpensive family fun! Children will enjoy plenty of hands-on activities, crafts and games in the Kids Kabin and throughout the event. The park entrance fee of $5 per car provides access to the festival as well as a whole day in a national park that is right in Fredericksburg’s backyard!

Food, music, candle and soap making, contra and square dancing, civil war children’s crafts, antique cars and more!

Exciting news – we have added another bake-sale venue for the Moms of Fredericksburg Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale! The Weecycled Wardrobe ladies have invited us to their upcoming children’s consignment sale (October 7th weekend) at the North Stafford location (5 Tech Parkway, in Stafford, Virginia). Please read below for the NEW details on the Moms of Fredericksburg Cookies for Kids’ Bake Sale!

What does this mean for our bake sale scheduled for tomorrow, (September 27, 2011) from 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm at the Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg? Moms of Fredericksburg will go ahead with our schedule, weather permitting, to meet at the park as originally planned. If tomorrow’s event is cancelled for wet weather conditions, we’ll go to “plan B” and have the bake sale at Fredericksburg’s biggest children’s consignment sale the weekend of October 7th. Even if we have the event tomorrow, Moms of Fredericksburg will still have a Cookies For Kids’ Cancer bake sale at the October 7th Weecycled Sale.

We are still looking for additions to our loving team of local mom bakers who’ll be supplying some delicious cookies for our bake sales. All proceeds will be donated to the “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” Foundation. If you’re interested in joining other Moms of Fredericksburg with this endeavor, – please email dina@momsoffredericksburg.com.

If I had a penny for every time I thought of a great idea that would help make my job as stay-at-home mom easier, I would be at a resort right now watching my children play in the sand while I sip decaf chi and read a novel! Well, the fact of the matter is, I’m not heading to the Caribbean any time soon.

Moms, the reality is, I’m living life in Fredericksburg just like thousands of other devoted stay-at-home moms doing our best to manage the household while my husband earns a paycheck and health insurance. Sometimes though, if you’re like me, you think back to those days when we earned a paycheck as well. Come on, I’m sure you vaguely remember those days when we could shop for trendy clothes, and use extra money for personal splurges likes shoes, hair, make-up, etc. Now as a parent though, we typically spend any extra money on our children, particularly, when it comes to splurges. I’m sure you recognize this scenario: You pay full price for some toy, video game, or pair of sneakers your child just HAD to have. Then 24-48 hours later, they are bored with it and want something else. Sound familiar? Those short-lived impulse buys add up…AND pile up unless we donate or sell them at the next community yard sale. Maybe you even try to find an online buyer looking to cut the retail mark-up for gently used items.

Or, maybe you’ve tried to post your almost brand new stroller, play-gym, crib, football, nursery bedding, etc., on Craigslist but feel your items get lost in the great abyss of what’s available? Well, moms, look no further. I’ve opened a new online “Mom’s Market” that’s entirely free, PLUS it’s users will have to get my stamp of approval before it gets published on the virtual shelf in OUR market.

Would you like to make some extra cash (AND free up some residential space) by selling items you or your kids no longer use? The extra cash you put in the Mommy Fund Can could then be used for whatever. Maybe even to justify a new pair jeans or that beautiful new purse you’ve been keeping your eye. Think about it, moms. Getting rid of the clutter might actually give you back a little of the old days when you could splurge on yourself!

Once upon a time, there was a lady who lived in Fredericksburg with a complexion that glowed as if she had hours of professional primping. Unfortunately, by the time this lady gave birth to her third child, the porcelain glow was replaced with tired, puffy eyes, large pores, and blotchy skin. A little red here, a little dark spot there…you catch my drift?

Lately, eyebrow waxing is just about the only thing I have any time for as far as self pampering goes. And, realistically, I’m lucky to get to the salon once every two weeks. I can handle not going to the MAC or Bobbi Brown counter anymore. I can handle not getting my hair cut every six weeks BUT, an eyebrow waxing is one beauty “necessity” I am simply unwilling to live without. Unfortunately, we moms here in Fredericksburg don’t have many of what I would call “expert” waxers available. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve paid ten bucks to be “botched up” in less than 5 minutes!

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received an email from a local mom, and owner of a new skin-care boutique, right in downtown Fredericksburg – Crystal Clear Complexions! After getting to know Crystal Wellman, a mother of 5, and learning about her background in advanced skincare, I absolutely HAD to share more information with other Moms of Fredericksburg about her newly opened local retreat. It’s one of those great places where we moms can truly indulge in some serious self-pampering while we continue our mission to get BACK TO MOM.

Crystal is a licensed Master Esthetician who has worked as both an educator and specialist in helping her clients correct skincare problems like Acne and aging skin. You can learn more about the services Crystal offers by visiting her website Crystal Clear Complexions.

Nothing excites me more than meeting local mothers who are willing to embrace their entreprenurial spirit so they find balance between work and family priorities. Congratulations to Crystal for launching Crystal Clear Complexions, AND for choosing Moms of Fredericksburg as a media platform for spreading the word on our Resource for Moms on the Move in Fredericksburg!

As part of Crystal Clear Complexions’ grand opening, we are SUPER excited to announce yet another great Moms of Fredericksburg contest whereby one lucky fan will win a Crystal Clear Complexions Signature Treatment (Dermasound) valued at $85.00!! This signature treatment uses ULTRASONIC and MICROCURRENT TECHNOLOGY, and will be customized to the MOF winners’ specific needs, whether it be Acne, Aging, Dry, or Sensitive skin. The Dermasound exfoliates up to 50% of the Stratum Corneum (dead skin), kills acne bacteria, reduces inflammation with Acne and Rosacea skin. This service also includes a neck and decolette anti aging treatment. The entire visit will last approximately 50 minutes.

Here’s how to enter for your chance to win! Visit Crystal Clear Complexions on Facebook, become a fan by “liking” the page, and then tell all of your friends and families to do the same! Have them tell Crystal on her wall that YOU sent them! The person with the most Facebook referrals wins!! Simple, right? You have 5 days to win – good luck!!

Many of us are fans of the food network channel. I’d be the first to admit that most nights, it’s the only channel I care to watch. I’ve grown to admire several of the channels celebrity chefs and especially enjoy learning about how they started off as cooks before they were famous. One story that always inspires me is Paula Deen’s road to fame. From what I have read and watched, Paula was a single mom that used her talent for cooking delicious comfort foods as a way to provide for her two sons when they were little boys. If you are interested in learning more about Paula’s success and trials and tribulations as a single mom that suffered from panic disorder – read more here. Well, the rest is all history because now Paula Deen is a celebrity in her own rights and is coming up to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to launch her new book – Southern Cooking Bible.

As of this morning, free tickets to this book signing are sold out, BUT, I snatched 1 ticket on my last shopping trip at Wegmans and would be willing to give it away to the first fan that asks!
Event Details:

When – Thursday, October 13, 2011
Time – 4pm to 6 pm
Where – Wegmans, Fredericksburg, 2281 Carl D. Silver, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Visit Wegmans.com for more details.

Just send me an email at dina@momsoffredericksburg.com and I’ll place it in the mail ASAP!

Please read below for the NEW details on the Moms of Fredericksburg Cookies for Kids’ Bake Sale – it’s postponed until next week!

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm, Moms of Fredericksburg will be hosting its first “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” Bake Sale at the Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg. As a lunch sponsor for the Riverfront Park Concert Series, we think this will be a great forum to showcase our unity as mothers in support of other parents who stand up against cancer! We’re currently on a mission to recruit a loving team of local mom bakers who’ll help supply some delicious cookies for our bake sale. All proceeds will be donated to the “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” Foundation. If you’re interested in joining other Moms of Fredericksburg with this endeavor, – please email dina@momsoffredericksburg.com.

How in the world did toys end up in absolutely every room of the house? Does it seem as if everywhere you turn you are running into or stepping over something that belongs to a wonderful, young child who is not yet old enough to go to school?
Ok, now that they are in school, the papers have exploded, the anxiety has begun and you are just stressed out trying to figure out an Action Plan to keep your sanity. Is there a way to work through it all and keep peace and calm in the home? Absolutely…
How do I know this? Because, I’ve been there, done that and worn that tee-shirt until it had holes in it! It all revolves around communication, expectation and follow-through with children, especially beginning at a young age. But, if your children are already in middle or high school, there is still hope. Don’t give up. Stop worrying! Being organized can be fun…when you are all clear about the mission. When your expectations are crystal clear you will see results.
And, I’m passionate about helping moms! I’m fortunate to be able to put all of my skills and lessons learned from 20 years ago into practice again another generation…a grandchild is 3 and lives with us. I have to say, that I wasn’t overly enthusiastic with the idea of raising an infant, toddler, school age…and especially a teenager again…but this time, it rocks! What does it take? Time, patience, understanding and having a system that will work for you and your family. Schedules and outside activities can seem to monopolize your time and cycle your schedule out of control. What do you do?
Think about attending our seminar in conjunction with Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation. In 90 minutes you will walk away with definite techniques and tools that you can begin implementing immediately to help: avoid clutter and chaos, get and stay organized with your children and avoid daily stress and overwhelm. Both day and evening classes are available in October. Class registration numbers are 9200.202 and 9200.203 and you can register online @ www.fredericksburgva.gov.
Commit yourself to a lifestyle that you can enjoy; without daily and out of control clutter and chaos. Free consultations are also available if you aren’t able to attend either class. You can check us out at www.organizationdirect.com.

Linda Clevenger Organization Direct 540-220-5912 Fax 540-972-3227 linda@organizationdirect.com

With the new school year fast approaching, there are a good number of upcoming events for our Fredericksburg families to be excited about. We are fortunate to live in an area with great public school systems, wonderful teachers, a great sense of community pride, with plenty of fun, local events geared toward supporting worthy causes.

September marks National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. If you check out the “Cure Search For Children’s Cancer” website, you’ll find some very disturbing information. For instance, did you know that approximately 12,500 kids will be diagnosed with some form of cancer and, of those, more than 2000 won’t survive.

As the children of baby-boomers, we are, for whatever reason, known as “Generation X.” I’m unsure what our children will be called in the future but I wouldn’t be surprised if they get labeled as “Super Kids,” since too many of these little boys and girls must bravely face the sobering diagnosis of cancer. Years ago, it wasn’t very common to hear of a family member or friend who suffered from this horrendous illness. Today, however, it seems way too often we get the dreaded news that someone near and dear to our hearts has been added to this seemingly endless list.

Last year, I learned of an organization called “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” from a local mom with a 5 year old son who continues to fight for his life each and every day against cancer. “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” was founded in 2008 by Gretchen and Larry Witt, who’s son, Liam, passed away from this frightening disease. The Witts soon learned the reason why over a quarter of the adolescent patients do not survive cancer…lack of effective treatment. This lack of effective treatment essentially boiled down to a lack of adequate funding. The Witts wanted to get involved, and so, formed “Cookies for Kids Cancer.” Their active support provided a mechanism for others to assist in a simple, but very meaningful way, with the development of new and better cancer treatments.

On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, Moms of Fredericksburg will be hosting its first “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” Bake Sale at the Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg. As a lunch sponsor for the Riverfront Park Concert Series, we think this will be a great forum to showcase our unity as mothers in support of other parents who stand up against cancer! We’re currently on a mission to recruit a loving team of local mom bakers who’ll help supply some delicious cookies for our bake sale. All proceeds will be donated to the “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” Foundation. If you’re interested in joining other Moms of Fredericksburg with this endeavor, – please email dina@momsoffredericksburg.com.

Sunflower Cookie By www.Buttercream-Bakehouse.com