vintage 1980's Disney on Ice poster

I used to see the television promotions for Disney On Ice when I was a little kid back in the early eighties. I thought the show looked so beautiful as I watched the commercials. But although my parents were great about taking us kids to lots of shows and amusements, we never got around to seeing those Disney characters on ice skates live and in person.

So while I claim that I now attend Disney on Ice to entertain and delight my own children, often the kid in our family who is most excited is me. But as I have written about previously, my son Charlie and daughter Eve thoroughly enjoy the Disney on Ice shows, and they are happy to introduce little sister Alice to this favorite family outing, too.

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic  is here in Washington, D.C. at the Verizon Center February 15-20, and in Baltimore at the 1st Mariner Arena February 8-12.  The show features a retrospective of kids’ favorite Disney characters over the past century, beginning with ol’ Steamboat Willie himself and all the way up to the gang from Toy Story. Eve is especially looking forward to her favorite girl warrior Mulan. And my cheesy heart is ready to see the  figure skating art is choreographed to old school Disney songs I adore like “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets via charge, by phone at 800-551-SEAT, via www.ticketmaster.com  and at the Verizon Center and 1st Mariner Arena box offices.

Use code BLOG12 for tickets for just $15!

Show Times:

Baltimore – 1st Mariner Arena

·       Wednesday, February 8th @ 7:30 p.m. – Buy One Ticket, Get One Free!
·       Thursday, February 9th @ 7:30 p.m.
·       Friday, February 10th @ 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
·       Saturday, February 11th @ 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
·       Sunday, February 12th @ 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

DC – Verizon Center

·       Wednesday, February 15th @ 7:30 p.m.- Buy One Ticket, Get One Free!
·       Thursday, February 16th @ 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
·       Friday, February 17th @ 7:30 p.m.
·       Saturday, February 18th @ 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
·       Sunday, February 19th @ 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
·       Monday, February 20th @ 12:30 p.m. (President’s Day)

GIVEAWAY: Feld Entertainment has offered one lucky reader family of A Parent in Silver Spring 4 tickets to opening night at the Verizon Center, Wednesday February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

To enter to win, leave a comment below with the house of mouse character you or your kid would most like to see do a double axel. I’ll draw the winners on Wednesday February 8 at midnight.

To be entered to win:

• Leave a comment below with the house of mouse character you or your kid would most like to see do a double axel.
• Be available to see the Disney on Ice show at the Verizon Center on Wednesday 2/15 at 7:30 p.m.

For additional entries:

• Share this giveaway on Twitter (be sure post this link http://bit.ly/zRT4Vj and @jessicaAPISS and @disney_on_ice so I can throw your extra entry in the ring!).
• Share on your Facebook page (link to this page and tag me with an @A Parent in Silver Spring on Facebook so I can count it).

Good luck everyone!

Full disclosure: Tickets for my family and for the winning family have been generously comped by Feld Entertainment. 

Susan, and her family, are watching these videos and express their thanks to you al.

The amazing Amy Mascott of TeachMama put a third one together for Susan. Thank you Amy!

Music was provided thanks to Marty Long and Bill Leslie.

If you would like to be a part of future video cards of love for Susan, here are details how.

Again, you can also send hard copy cards and expressions of love to their P.O. box here:

Susan and Curt Niebur
11006 Veirs Mill Rd, Ste. L-15 #112
Wheaton, MD 20902

Thank you.

She is seeing this page and loves it!

Here are two videos from Susan’s friends all over the world. The amazing Amy Mascott of TeachMama has been putting them together.

Music on the second card was provided thanks to Marty Long, Susan’s dear friend, and modern Celtic musician Bill Leslie.

If you would like to be a part of future video cards of love for Susan, here are details how.

Again, you can also send hard copy cards and expressions of love to their P.O. box here:

Susan and Curt Niebur
11006 Veirs Mill Rd, Ste. L-15 #112
Wheaton, MD 20902

Thank you.

Who?Comics iPad App for Children Age 8 and Up

Our kids believe the iPad is a just one big gaming tool. Angry Birds was the gateway, opening up a world of fruity sous chef-dom,  cute monsters cutting ropes, even rainbow tooting unicorns.

You know, VERY intellectual.

I know there are a good deal of iPad apps out there that will better stimulate my children’s minds, I just have not yet explored. (I’ve added that activity to #549 on my to-do list.)

However, I do read to and with all three of children daily. Bring on the frozen Trader Joe’s nuggets, the bakery-ordered birthday cupcakes, even online games with burping candy, but I hope that the reading every single blessed day will somehow get me a passing grade when mothering report cards come out.

So when the Clever Girls asked if I would check out the Who?Comics biography iPad app for children, it seemed a worthwhile activity to share with Charlie (eight, in second grade) and Eve (nearly six, kindergarten). My husband Chris and I use the iPad primarily to read newspapers, magazines and books, as well as research the new headway made daily by app developers.  Why not involve the kids in also using the iPad similarly?

Official Who?Comics description:

Read about the lives and achievements of some of the greatest people in history, both past and present, in a 150 page long comic book form.
These comics are educational and fun to read. Instead of boring plain text, give your children a new, enjoyable reading experience that is light and easy to read in comic book form. But even before the children can start, parents won’t be able to stop turning the pages, too.

Who?Comics series contains the life stories of 10 of our greatest leaders of today and 19 historical figures of the past. Read and learn about the amazing lives of Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg, Joanne Rowling, Barack Obama, Warren Buffett, Stephen Hawking, Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall, Bill Gates and much, much more.

You can even collect badges easily as you read the comic books and even try to find and collect hidden badges for each great figure.
Who?Comics provides a fun badge collecting experience that both children and parents will enjoy. Everyone can get caught up in the fun of badge collecting and eventually discover and develop their new found reading habit.

The who?Comics app costs $9.99 on iTunes. There are two free biographies included in this price, Bill Gates and Oprah. Additional biographies to store on your who?Comics bookshelf are $4.99 each. or you can buy the entire set of biographies – 30 titles – for $29.99.

Charlie was intrigued by the notion of learning history comic-book style. This was his first experience with a graphic book that was not a superhero or Super Diaper Baby. He chose J.K. Rowling’s biography as our first Who?Comic to read together. He’s a huge Harry Potter fan, and he has been intrigued by the idea that one person thought of all those stories and spells and fantastical names and plot twists. Although the comics are geared toward children age 8 and up, Eve heard us reading the comic in the other room and she jumped in the bed with us too. The J.K. Rowling was a great story to “hook” Eve since the beginning involves young Joanne “Jo” Rowling’s imaginative childhood and her little sister.

My kids loved reading this 150 page biography together. I read aloud, they read along with me and looked at the graphic manga-style drawings (podotree, the developer, is based in Seoul). I thought the fictionalized dialogue was a bit cheeser at times, but my kids responded to the dramatizations. I think they will better remember the stories because of the funny jokes and awkward lines. I have no idea how much of some of the lesser plot items in the biographies are based upon research, and which items were filled in by the authors in the spirit of items gleaned from interviews and other biographical sources.

But then, most of what I know about Mark Zuckerberg I learned from The Social Network, so who am I to judge.

Since I let Charlie choose the first Who?Comic, I chose our second and selected the biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. I thought this biography was appropriately meatier. Charlie and I read this one without Eve, although I believe it was not too much for her. But reading about Dr. King one-on-one allowed Charlie and me to have some solid older kid discussions about civil rights, segregation and race. I read this one solo before involving Charlie, because I wanted to ensure that those topics were handled with age-appropriateness while not glossing over the severity and horrors of segregation and discrimination. I also wanted to see how Dr. King’s assassination was handled in pictures, and I believe it was portrayed accurately but not sensationalizing the violence. (The accompanying picture shows Dr. King wincing and falling as a bullet non-gorily enters his cartoon body.)

In summation, I think this is an entertaining and educational app. The proof for me? The kids enjoyed this app even more than me.

Thank you again to who? Comics for sponsoring my post. Please click here to learn more about the app. Visit Who? Comics for updates. I was selected for this opportunity by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own. #CleverWhoComics #spon

She is all I can think about, making fluffy fun posts suggesting children’s activities almost impossible at the moment. The suggestions I have for you are to

Read Susan’s words

Send her your love

(Send her best friend some love too)

Take your kids to a planetarium or other space/sky-themed field trip in honor of Susan’s life work as a planetary scientist. (That post I am linking to there is woefully old, written in April 2010, but I hope it provides some good links to spark an updated online search.)

Immerse yourself in two of the glorious online communities and websites Susan has founded, Mothers With Cancer and Women in Planetary Science

Pray.

Susan is the praying kind.

UPDATED to add:

If you would like to send a card of love or encouragement to Susan, the family has opened a post office box expressly to receive those kind expressions. That P.O. box is

Susan and Curt Niebur
11006 Veirs Mill Rd, Ste. L-15 #112
Wheaton, MD 20902

Please feel free to share.

And thanks to Janice D’Acy of The Washington Post’s On Parenting blog for her thoughtful post about Susan and the love Susan has received over the Internet.

Sara Damelio is one of the country’s first eco-facialists and has been practicing and studying natural skincare for over 12 years. She is also the owner/creator of Skincando — a luxury natural skincare line based and manufactured in Silver Spring, MD.

Naturally Beautiful Skin

One of the most frequently asked questions I get this time of year is “How do I find a winter moisturizer that will keep me hydrated but won’t make me break out?” If you’re breakout-prone, like so many of us are now and then, the last thing you want to do is use a “heavier” moisturizer – but you also don’t want to be stuck all winter with parched, undernourished skin!  The solution is layering.

By layering a nourishing  face oil with a protective moisturizer, you don’t have to worry about using something that’s too heavy for your skin.  Face oils are the best way to hydrate the skin on a deeper level but alone can be leeched out of the skin in dry, cold environments.  Moisturizers with larger molecules tend to treat on the skin with natural waxes that stay put longer to prevent moisture evaporation.  Together, you get the best of both – a light breathable barrier and deep hydration -  without compromising on either, which could lead to breakouts or buildup.

For best results, I recommend layering during the AM and using a rich nourishing night cream in the PM.

For more information on natural winter skincare, Sara Damelio of Skincando is happy to give free email or phone consultations. She can be reached at sara@skincando.com or 202-215-8991

Hot Peas ‘N Butteris a unique children’s musical group that incorporates elements of traditional Latin music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, folk, and rock. By combining an interactive, invigorating approach to performance with mature, multicultural music, Hot Peas ‘N Butter has developed a distinct way of inspiring care and creativity in kids and adults alike. – Hot Peas ‘N Butter website

The free concert will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 11am at the Germantown Library. Free tickets are available only in advance in person at the Germantown library branch beginning Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30pm.  The Germantown Library is located at 19840 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD (map and directions).

One of my goals for 2012 is to take my family to a children’s theater performance at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. We have yet to check out their offerings for families, but their line-up of plays and musicals for kids always impresses me.

This performing arts center is celebrating its 10^th anniversary season, and as an anniversary gift to A Parent in Silver Spring, BlackRock is giving away four free tickets to their upcoming performance of Fancy Nancy & Other Story Books on February 4!

Fancy Nancy & Other Story Books  is a musical revue by Theatreworks USA based on six favorite children’s books — Duck for President; Babymouse, the Musical; I Have to Go!; Leonardo,  the Terrible Monster; Pirates Don’t Change Diapers and Fancy Nancy — and is geared towards kids aged four and up.

There are two performances, at 1pm and 3pm, and tickets are just $12 each. (Of course, one lucky winner will receive his or her four tickets for free.) Tickets may be purchased at the box office: 240 -912-1058 or online at www.blackrockcenter.org. BlackRock Center for the Arts is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD near the intersection of Middlebrook Rd. and Route 118 (Germantown Rd.)

For a chance to win four tickets to the 3pm show on February 4, leave a comment below with which of the six books – Duck for President; Babymouse, the Musical; I Have to Go!, Leonardo,  the Terrible Monster; Pirates Don’t Change Diapers or Fancy Nancy – YOUR child will most like to see come alive on stage!

I received no tickets or compensation for hosting this giveaway. Photo courtesy of Theatreworks USA.

St. Luke Christian Day School in Silver Spring Open House: Friday January 13 10 am. Open Houses are for families new to the school and include an overview from the Director and a tour of the school.  Children are welcome to attend with their families. A schedule of tuition and fees for 2012-2013 will be published in January, at which time they will begin accepting applications for the 11-12 school year. Admissions are determined by lottery and notifications made prior to the end of February.

Evergreen School Open House: Friday January 13 9:00-11:00 am. Evergreen School is an independent, co-educational Montessori school for children from 18 months old through 3rd grade, located at 10700 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. This event will allow you to learn about Montessori by observing a classroom, talking to parents and touring our school. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Caitlin Garry or Lourdes Buenaflor at 301-942-5979 or at info@evergreenschool.com.

Spring Knolls Cooperative Early Learning Center Annual Open Houses: 9:30am- 11:30am Wednesday, January 18^th; Thursday, January 19^th; and Friday, January 20th. During the open house, prospective families can observe classes in action, meet teachers and parents, learn more about the school. This is a parent only event. To sign up for a tour, email membership@springknolls.org. For more information on Spring Knolls, go to www.springknolls.org.

Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School Open House: Thursday January 19  at 7:30 pm. To register for an information session or learn more about programs for children ages 2 through 5, please visit  www.TakomaCooperativeSchool.org or call 301-585-7272, #2.

Acorn Hill Waldorf Nursery School and Kindergarten Open House for Families: Saturday January 21 10:00 am-12:00 pm (Snow date: Saturday, January 28). Children are welcome to come to experience Waldorf early education first hand. Twice a year we open our classrooms for a taste of a typical day at Acorn Hill. You and your child can meet our teachers and enjoy an activity, such as grinding grain, beeswax modeling, and story-telling. 9504 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, 301.565.2282.

Silver Spring Day School Open Houses: University Campus  – Tuesday January 24. New Hampshire Campus –   Monday January 30. Time for all Open Houses is 10-11:30am. Reservations for attendance at Open Houses are required. To reserve a spot please contact the school at mail@ssds-coop.org or 301 593 6581. SSDS asks all Open House registrants to arrive promptly and plan to stay for the entire 90 minute session. Sessions are for parents only and babysitting is not provided.

Silver Spring Nursery School Open Houses: January 25 & 26 at 10am. Silver Spring Nursery School will hold its Open House for the 2012/2013 school year on Wednesday, January 25 (2s, 3s and 4s classes in session), and Thursday, January 26 (2s and 4s classes in session). We encourage you to come on the day your child’s prospective class is being held. There will be an informational session each day at 10:00 am, followed by a tour of the school. Reservations are NOT required. (In case of school delays/closures due to weather, please call SSNS at301-434-2313 to check on the status of the Open House.) Applications will be accepted between the time of the Open House and Friday, February 3. Admission will be determined by lottery selection the following week. Applications received after February 3 will be placed on our waitlist. For more information, please visit www.silverspringnurseryschool.org, or contact Lisa Büttner,301-408-1523 or lisa.buttner@gmail.com.This co-op preschool is located at 10309 New Hampshire Avenue, 3 blocks north of the Beltway (about 8 minutes from downtown Silver Spring and 10 minutes from Takoma Park).

Acorn Hill Waldorf Nursery School and Kindergarten Information Evening for Parents: Wednesday January 25 7:30-9:00 pm. These evenings provide parents with a brief, comprehensive presentation of Waldorf early childhood education and our programs, followed by a question and answer period led by one of our teachers.  All enrolling parents are asked to attend. 9504 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, 301.565.2282.

Casa de Montessori’s Open House: Saturday January 28, 10am-2pm. Casa is located on New Hampshire Ave. just north of Randolph Rd. Casa starts at age 2.5 as of Sept. 1 (and potty trained) and includes a full-day Kindergarten. There is before- and after-care.

Kensington Cooperative Nursery School (KNS) Open House Sunday January 39 3-5 pm. Kensington Cooperative Nursery School (KNS) is accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year.  You can also schedule a visit to the school at your convenience, where you can observe a class in session.  Please contact the Membership Chair, Christina Lange (301-949-0359 or cmlange753@yahoo.com), for more information or visit www.knscoop.org.

If you would like your school open house listed and get the word out to thousands of local parents, unlike other publications in the area, there is no charge to list it on A Parent in Silver Spring. However, you must email me the info well ahead of your open house date. Thanks!