Michaels: Camp Creativity

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays kids ages 3 and up can now participate in Camp Creativity at Michaels stores across Tidewater. Each thirty minute session is only three dollars and follows a theme with a different craft each day.

Check them out before summer ends:

• July 15, 17, 19- Word Explorers
• July 22, 24, 26- Sea Treasures 

Although they say to pre-register online, we had no problems getting in. The sessions technically run from 10-12 but ours was a "come and go" type thing. If your child is independent enough, you can drop them off to do a craft while you walk around the store or you can stay and work with them. Good to know for mamas with little ones- Michaels does have a changing table located inside of the women's bathroom in the handicapped stall. Now if someone could just answer for me, why it seems like everyone always has to go at once?!

By the way, did you know that Michaels does birthday parties for kids 4 and up? They are $120 (ten more for each addition guest) and includes invitations, thank you notes, craft supplies, a drawstring bag for the birthday kid, and the use of their classroom and one team member. They have different themes including unicorns, llamas, emojis, slime, under the sea, robots, monsters, and more. 

Babywearing of Hampton Roads

If you've been following this blog for a while, it's likely that you've seen pictures of this lovely mama Cayte and her two sons who are part of our tribe. (coincidentally she was featured in the most recent She Works Hard for the Mommy!) 

She and I have known each other since I was two. We had our first babies at the same time, and her second son is 9 months older than mine. She and I have been able pass things back and forth and have gone through all of the mom stuff together. It's indirectly thanks to her that I found myself at a babywearing meeting this past weekend. With RT I had a carrier, but didn't love it for the infant stage. Cayte came over and gave me her wrap which lead to a series of "what the heck. Do it again?!" texts while standing in the Tides stadium later that night. Honestly... these wraps can be confusing as hell. There are a million different kinds of wraps and carriers and they are all different. 

The mission of Babywearing of Hampton Roads is to promote babywearing as a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support. They host monthly meetings and meet ups where they teach any attendees how to use the different kinds of wraps and have a lending program for members. Membership is $30.00 a year and you can use a different carrier each month. I love that this is a resource in our area for moms. If you're looking for some help or education, this group could be for you. They could also be for you if you're looking for some babywearing mom friends in the area. The meetings are free, and you can find their schedule on their facebook here. They move around to different locations around Hampton Roads.

I know that babywearing is seen as a "crunchy mom" thing. I went to the meeting not for the bonding or the benefits but the practicality. Having a toddler and a newborn makes things a little more complicated. I need to be able to have my hands free to chase RT, pick up toys, or hold dripping ice cream cones. But I would be lying if I didn't admit that having a little newborn snuggled up on me makes me feel great too.

She Works Hard for the Mommy V. 8

Hi everyone! My name is Cayte and you may have seen me around this space a time or two. I’m the queen of my all boy household – mom to Harrison (3), William (10mo) and Stryker, our yellow lab (6.5).  My husband, DJ, is a retired baseball player turned Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Deputy that is currently going through the academy.  If you are a long-time follower of TAT, you may know that Allena and I grew up on the same court our entire life! It has been nothing short of amazing raising our boys together in the exact same neighborhood. 

Other than being a full time mom, I am also a full time employee at Norfolk Collegiate.  As the Alumni and Community Relations Manager, it is my responsibility to continue the outreach to our alumni through events as well as engage our community at gatherings throughout the year.  There is that little piece about asking for money, but that comes naturally if you engage the people in a way that makes the WANT to give! 

 

After graduating from Norfolk Collegiate, I went on to college at James Madison University and after working another job for one contracted year, I fell into my job at Norfolk Collegiate.  I’m getting ready to start my 7^th school year and couldn’t be more excited to get going.  Some may think that the summer time is boring and slow at a school, and yes, that sometimes can be true.  However this is the time when everything gets planned for the upcoming year.  After having been out for the beginning of the year last year on maternity leave, I am so excited to get things planned for the fall semester at the school. What I love most about working at Collegiate is the fact that they are very family-focused.  Not just making family a priority for employees, but that we pride ourselves on providing that “family” feeling to all of our parents, students and alumni.

 

Let me be 100% honest with you right now.  Sometimes, when I go into work after dropping the kids off wherever they are going for the day, it’s a nice time for me to relax and focus on something other than taking care of the kids. Having kids is HARD! As parents, we are their SOLE providers.  And let's be real, I swear the word “daddy” is not in my child’s vocabulary when it comes to something he wants.  Having a full time job means weekends are that much sweeter, evenings are that much longer and middle of the night wake ups are that much more tiring!

Thanks Cayte! Want to write a She Works Hard for the Mommy? Send me an email! 

Friday Nights in Ocean View

Norfolk's Ocean View hosts weekly free events every Friday night during the summer. They range from live music, fireworks, themed parties, to movie nights. As a kid my family used to go down to the beach from time to time to enjoy the music, and we took RT for the first time for the fourth of July celebration. There's food and drinks for sale, people walking around, booths with some local vendors, and a cool ocean breeze in the air. Events run from 6:00-9:30. Ocean View Beach park is 6.4 acre beach park with a grassy area and a stage. Parking is available across the street and around the neighborhood.

Check out the list of events:

• Friday, July 12th Beach Party: seafood, craft beer, children's activities and live beach music
• Friday, July 19th Taste of VA: craft beer, wine, spirits, food samplings and performer Jesse Chong
• Friday, July 26th Family Fun Movie Night: Kids' games, art, activities, and showing of the Little Mermaid in celebration with its 20th anniversary 
• Friday, August 2nd, Backyard BBQ: Country and Rock music by River Boyz with BBQ, craft beer, and children's activities. 
• Friday, August 9th Salsa Dance Party: Latin Music by Tumbao Salsero Orchestra, Latin inspired food, beer, and children's activities. 
• Friday August 16th, Family Fun Movie Night: Movie TBD, kids' games, art,  and activities
• Friday, August 23rd, Beach Party: Live music from Bill Deal's Original Rhondels, seafood, craft beer, and children's activities

If this isn't enough music on the beach for you, check out Big Bands on the Bay on Sundays in OV. 

Jurassic Journey: Town Center

Virginia Beach's Town Center has been invaded by dinosaurs! The two-week prehistoric visitors are located all around the outside for a self-guided tour. Similar to the Lego Roadshow, start by grabbing a map at the Dig Tent located at the plaza fountain. While there, dig for fossils, color, or make a dinosaur rubbing. Hit all of the dinosaurs and be sure to read the facts. You'll use these to answer questions on your map. Once you have these filled out, you can trade them in for a "dino-mite deal" at these town center locations.

• Bravo!-Free kids coloring page and dinosaur figure with a kids meal, plus dino drink specials. 
• Keagan's- Free dino treat bag
• YMCA- No joining fee
• Lamia's Crepes- 10% off 
• The Royal Chocolate- 10% off and a FREE truffle with a $10.00 purchase 
• Tupelo Honey- free dino kids meal with purchase of adult meal
• Cold Stone- free kids cone with purchase of "love it" or "gotta have it" 

Check out these dino events:

• Nightly Entertainment: at the fountain 5:30-9 
• Live! TC-Rex Encounter: Friday-Sunday 1-4 
• Dino Dancers: Friday-Sunday 3-6
• Dinosaur Movie (Disney's Dinosaur) in the Plaza: July 6th 8:30 pm, free popcorn will be served but bring chairs!
• Jurassic Dance Party: July 12th 6-9
• Jurassic Journey Movie & Music: July 13th 8:30 

Baby bro... not so impressed lol.