bethesda – Page 2

My Gym Bethesda & Potomac Open House, Fall Enrollment + Giveaway!

August 28, 2017

My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. They offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. My Gym has earned the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

Fall Open House at both Bethesda and Potomac My Gym will be on Friday, September 15^th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Visit My Gym for FREE! Meet some teachers, play in the space and learn about new classes and programs!

Fall Schedule for My Gym Potomac HERE
11325 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Fall Schedule for My Gym Bethesda HERE
5110 Ridgefield Rd #201, Bethesda, MD 20816

Fall classes start September 5^th – Reserve your class TODAY! Popular classes and times will book up fast. Try a NEW class like Ninja Training or Pre-Ballet. Don’t forget that all enrolled members get Open Gym (which they call Practice and Play) for free! This fall they are including MORE Open Gym times to accommodate members.

Not only does My Gym Bethesda and Potomac make having a child’s birthday party so easy but they offer very generous perks and policies. My daughter has taken classes at My Gym for a year now. This summer if you were enrolled in a class you received unlimited classes at either gym location! And you always get unlimited Practice and Play (Open Gym) in both locations when you are enrolled at either location. PLUS you can always do make-up classes in ether gym if there is a class that better fits your schedule. It doesn’t get much better than My Gym and trust me, I’ve been to many kid gyms!

****My Gym is offering 1 lucky Bambino a month of free classes at either Bethesda or Potomac location. Comment below with what class you’d be interested in signing up for and earn extra entries by commenting on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. Winner will be announced on September 14, 2017****

Mom Picks this Weekend

May 11, 2017

Happy Mother’s Day to all!! We’ve found some fun things families can do together. And, in case you still need brunch plans for that special Mama here’s a list of some family friendly places.

All Fired Up offers 10% off to all Moms Saturday & Sunday at both locations.

Friday-

3:00pm-7:00pm: Jo Malone London at City Center
(996 I St NW)
Customize a cologne or candle with a beautifully engraved message. RSVP to attend.

Saturday-

8:00am-5:00pm: Mothers Day Weekend at Mount Vernon
(3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121)
Join the “Mother of our Country”, Martha Washington, for Mother’s Day weekend at Mount Vernon! Stroll through Mount Vernon’s magnificent gardens in bloom. Lady Washington will give lavender sachets to all mothers (while supplies last).

10:00am-6:00pm: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, Md)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

10:00am-12:00pm AND 1:00pm-3:00pm: Children’s Ball at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
(701 21st Street, NW)
Dress in your best for our Children’s Ball during a very special Mother’s Day weekend at the museum. Join us for fun and fancy treats, dancing beats, and a kid-centered visit to the exhibition Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. $10/museum members and GW students, faculty, and staff; $15/public (entrance for one adult and one child). Advance registration is required; space is limited. Register online or call 202-994-7394.

5:00pm-7:00pm: Adam’s Morgan Summer Concert
(Columbia Rd and 18th St NW)
Join us for the second show in Free Summer Concert Series! We’ll have hula hoops and bubbles for the kids as free wristbands good for discounts at businesses all over Adams Morgan. The Oxymorons take the stage with a mix of the hottest new songs, the best of the old, and their award-winning originals, giving audiences a night of hip-shaking New Orleans funk, soulful blues, Americana roots, and jam-band rock. This seriously-fun eight-piece band has been playing the DC area for more than 25 years, reeling off favorite party tunes spanning four decades and witty, well-crafted originals.

Sunday-

9:00am-12:00pm: La Bella Strada
(Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA)
Del Ray’s main street, Mount Vernon Ave. will come alive with vibrant chalk art. The second annual La Bella Strada Street Painting Festival, modeled after an ancient Italian art form, will bring artists from around the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. region to create masterpieces up and down the sidewalk. Learn more about the event here. The event raises money for The Del Ray Montessori School, a 501c3 profit, for an outdoor playspace.

9:30am-4:00pm: Mother’s Day Brunch at Pinstripes
(1064 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20007)
Make this Mother’s Day special by treating mom to an expansive bottomless brunch fit for a queen! Indulge in favorites like made-to-order omelets, carved prime rib and fresh shrimp, bagels with spreads and smoked salmon, flatbreads, waffles ‘her-way’ topped with berries, bananas foster or Nutella, plus a chocolate fountain for dessert. Moms will be especially encouraged to sit back and relax with mimosas and bloody Mary’s as the kids are taken care of at the ‘Kids Corner’ station with pizzas, chicken fingers, Mac and cheese and more. Adults $36, includes bottomless mimosas | Kids 6-12 $15 | Kids 5 & Under: Free | $4 Mimosas & $7 Bloody Marys available all day. Please call to make a brunch reservation: 202-625-6500 Or plan ahead to Father’s Day Brunch.

10:00am-5:00pm: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, MD)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

11:00am AND 2:00pm: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 20812)
See my review of the play here. Bring your mom to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp this Sunday and she will receive a chocolate rose!

1:00pm-4:00pm: Celebrate Mothers Day at United States Botanic Garden
(Conservatory Garden Court)
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Mother’s Day? It is never too early to start planning your vegetable garden. Bring your mother to the USBG and help her design and plant her very own cook’s garden! Join Danielle Cook as she whips up two recipes and savor the bounty your garden will bring. Please note: This is a drop-in program and appropriate for all ages.

Spring Break Camp Guide 2017

March 6, 2017

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If you aren’t hopping on a plane this Spring Break to relax by the waves or shred on a mountain, get those little ones in a fun camp. In addition to the list, check local Parks and Recreation websites as most of them have Spring Break Camps.

Maryland:

Road Trip with L’Academie de Cusine- April 10-13, 2017
(5021 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814)
Looking for something new to do during Spring Break? Join us for a four day camp designed to take you on a culinary tour of the US. Each day will focus on a different region. Chef Sherri brings the fun of Summer Camp, just a few months earlier. Camp is from 9:00am-12:00pm and open to kids and teens aged 9-14 years old.

Baking with L’Academie de Cusine- April 10-13, 2017
(5021 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814)
Looking for something new to do during Spring Break? Join us for a four day baking boot camp. Each day will focus on a aspect of baking and you will make many sweet treats. Chef Sherri brings the fun of Summer Camp, just a few months earlier. Camp is from 1:30pm-4:30pm and open to kids and teens aged 9-14 years old.

Basketball Camp with Skills and Scrimmages– April 10-13, 2017
(Pyle Middle School- 6311 Wilson Ln. Bethesda, MD 20817)
This outstanding skills and development camp is focused on fundamentals, sportsmanship, teamwork, equal play and fun is presented by Former Delaware State University Standout Sheridan Price and other former Division 1 basketball players. Boys and Girls will develop their skills with top notch instruction, drills, and scrimmages. For Grades 1st-8th.
[Read more…]

A birthday party at My Gym Bethesda: A rare hands-off affair

November 23, 2016

We had a chance to celebrate our daughter’s 2nd birthday at My Gym Bethesda this weekend (Spoiler alert: You should book your child’s party there ASAP). Before you hear all about our birthday experience we wanted you to get to know the owner of the gym and learn more about it.

(Photo: Ball pit was a HUGE HIT!!)

Mandy Lemar has owned My Gym Potomac for 11 years and opened My Gym Bethesda 6 years ago. She is a member of the local community and had been taking her kids to My Gym for years and loved it so much she bought it! It has been an intricate part of her kids childhood and she’s so pleased that so many other kids have made My Gym a part of their childhood. Mandy met some of her best mom friends at My Gym and I know other moms have as well.

My Gym is such an amazing part of how kids grow and develop. Their goal is to teach kids how to be strong physically but also teach teamwork, cooperation and taking turns. They model kindness and thoughtfulness to all the families.

My Gym Bethesda and My Gym Potomac is family-owned and is an intrical part of the local community. There are My Gym teachers who have worked at these two gyms for many years. They have seen the My Gym families grow from 1 to 2 to 3 and more kids! And they love that keep coming back because My Gym is such an important part of the children’s and families lives. They make donations to local school auctions and charity events and strive to be an important part of the community and give back when they can.

They offer discounted pricing to members who book parties but non-members can and often do host parties at My Gym!

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(Mr. Nick assisting the birthday girl and getting her used to the Gym before her friends arrive)

There are three available party packages, the Grand is the base and the other two packages offer more.

What was included in our Grand Package:

Exclusive use of the entire facility
2 party specialists
1.5 hour private party (Additional cost for 2-hour party-must be last party of the day)
Up to 20 children (Birthday child is FREE!)
Balloon decorations
Special My Gym gift for the birthday child
Service of cake, food and beverages
My Gym Evite invitation
One free class for the birthday child (Currently enrolled members receive a complimentary 2nd class per week)

gym-party

My experience: Scheduling a date and time for the party took less than 5 minutes and the information above was re-iterated to me over the phone. My Gym Bethesda checked in with me 2 weeks prior to find out if I wanted to add anything to our package. A week prior to the party they contacted me again to get a final number and to remind me to arrive 10 minutes ahead of time. You read that right– 1o minutes ahead. I heard that and had some anxiety about not being able to bring in cute decorations and set up like I wanted to. But, we walked in 10 minutes prior to the party and tablecloths already covered the areas the children would eat at and where food would be placed. The 2 employees swiftly stepped in and started helping us plan, unpack, set the table, set up decorations and…voila in less than 10 minutes (with 2 kids in tow) we were set.

Mr. Nick and Mr. George were our My Gym employees and were absolutely amazing. Their energy and enthusiasm really showed how much they loved their job. They were engaging and fun while making sure everyone was safe. They had a plan and I was able to enjoy the party and actually play with our kids and socialize with guests while they ran the entire show. The kids enjoyed a fun stretch, circle games, swings, ball pit, climbing, bubbles, zip line, trampoline, songs and a lot more all to a fun, catchy soundtrack playing! Mr. Nick and Mr. George even put on sanitary gloves and served all of the kids plates and had them ready for when it was time to eat. They knew exactly how long before we should do cake so the kids didn’t grow tired of sitting and waiting. Once the food portion was over they assisted with wiping hands so the kids could get back out and enjoy the gym.

As a parent of the birthday child you usually are stressed out before the party begins because you’ve been juggling decorations, a menu, guest list and planning the itinerary of a 1-3 hour party that once the party actually begins you are ready for it to be over with. This party was SO much different. We showed up and My Gym took care of everything. I love you can add-on to each package which again the employees will take care of so you don’t have to. It was a fantastic party and everyone had a blast, including adults. I hadn’t ever been to My Gym so this was a great opportunity. We will be signing up for weekly classes as well as winter camps and parent night outs. Thank you My Gym Bethesda for an unforgettable and stress-free 2nd birthday party.

Call or book your party online today!

Indoor fun in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

June 23, 2016

There’s an update to this post and it can be found here.

We figured we’d pull together some great indoor options for you and your kids in the Washington, DC metro area– plus some options up the road in Baltimore. So whether it’s raining, snowing — or just too cold or hot outside, here are some fantastic places to check out. They’ll keep your little ones engaged and might even tire them out enough to keep you happy. We’ll try to keep this list updated, so do add your suggestions to the comments below and we’ll keep building! Scroll all the way to the bottom as there are on-going lists of theatres, gyms and other great indoor spaces.

Washington, DC:

Skill Zone- (709 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003)

SkillZone is a fun, fresh place to play and learn in Washington, DC., open for drop-in play time, classes, and private parties! A place in the city for children 6 & under. Registration is required.

Smithsonian Museum– (Various Locations)

Most are free of charge! Specific child-friendly areas in museums listed below.

U.S. Botanic Garden– (100 Maryland Ave SW)

Massive indoor exhibits, you can spend all day here. Check website as they occasionally have events such as cooking demonstrations, concerts, baby snuggler days and more.
[Read more…]

Weekend Picks

December 4, 2015

Experience the Mall Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, to celebrate the season with Smithsonian. We’ve got special events galore to help you get in the holiday spirit, including musical performances, book signings, trunk shows, activities for kids, and more! Participating museums include: National Museum of American History, National Museum of Air and Space, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African American Art, National Postal Museum, and The Smithsonian Castle. Hours are 10:30am-5:30pm and the Holiday Festival is free.

This weekend Baltimore will be having Dollar or Less Days. Many of your favorite spots will only be $1 for admission. Get there early as lines will be long but they’ll move fast. Check the above link for participating places. See our post on Baltimore for ideas of other places to go.

Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone.

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Workshop at National Building Museum is Saturday and Sunday. Get in the holiday spirit and construct a gingerbread house at the National Building Museum. Participants will learn how to use gingerbread walls and royal icing to build a house. We’ll provide the supplies and treats to make your gingerbread home as sweet as can be. Register online!

‘Tis the Circus! A Holiday Party on High presented by Sweet Spot Aerial Productions at Atlas Performing Arts Friday-Sunday. The holidays can be a circus – quite literally, at this holiday party! As the guests arrive, one couple’s living room is transformed as acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and other performers dazzle with spectacular routines celebrating the magic of the holiday season. Fun for the whole family – prepare to be delighted, amazed and inspired. A unique and new holiday tradition. All ages. [Read more…]

Make Meaning (and memories) in Bethesda

June 16, 2015

MM Party Room Looking for an unforgettable outing filled with fun and creativity? Just walk in or plan ahead by making a reservation for a one-of-a-kind experience for kids and adults of all ages at
Make Meaning. Perfect for a mother daughter day or a fun activity for the whole family! There were enough choices for younger kids but I can imagine this is a pre-teen/teenagers dream. Planning a party? They have that covered too.

Recently, on a rainy morning my son and I decided to head to Bethesda and check out the newish art space. We were greeted by a friendly employee (an Associate Creativity Enthusiast to be exact) who took us to an immaculate, organized and color coordinated area where she explained the options to us; candle making, soap making, plaster painting, glass making, ceramics painting, canvas painting and cake decorating were the choices. Each activity had an assigned color and chairs to match where children would work. My son chose to paint a plaster treasure box (after I discouraged him from decorating a cake) which included using quick dry acrylic paint so we were able to take it home immediately. They gave him a disposable apron as well as a clean, large area to work and let us be. They have a snack bar you can purchase treats and drinks. The restrooms are clean and have changing tables. [Read more…]

Date Night: Bethesda Outdoor Movies

July 21, 2014

Bethesda Outdoor Movies
(Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues)

Enjoy five nights of free blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 9th annual outdoor movie series. Show times begin at 9pm at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues. A limited number of chairs will be provided and attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs. A date night in the works as most of these are not kid-friendly or at least for the littlest ones. Check out this list of eateries in Bethesda for dinner beforehand.

July 22: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 23: Moonrise Kingdom
July 24: Citizen Kane
July 25: Pitch Perfect
July 26: Top Gun