(Don’t take his ball!)

If you need more than just a few seconds of cuteness, you’ll want your tickets to see 40 minutes of pandas on the big (76-foot) screen!

Pandas: the Journey Home comes to The Science Museum of Virginia on August 16th and brings you 29 million pixels of these amazing animals.  The film shows the story of Tao Tao as he is released into the wild. Audiences will discover the panda’s natural habitat, laugh (and aw) at the playful nature of the panda and be inspired by the efforts of people to save these marvelous creatures.

Pandas: The Journey HomeThe Dome
at the Science Museum of Virginia
Opens Saturday, August 16, 2014

Pssst.  Savvy Savers get a buy 1 get 1 free deal to admission to the Science Museum of Virginia! Get the details here

The Science Museum of Virginia is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com

Friday night, Kids will be enjoying pizza, games and making a wet clay fish bowl plaque and painting a 6″ tile, which can be used as a hot plate, room sign, or dry erase board while you enjoy a night for yourself!

Best part? The whole night out is less than the cost of a babysitter!

All Fired Up Kids Night Out
Friday, August 1, 2014
6-8pm
Pre-registration required by noon on Friday
$25 per child (plus tax)
Register online here

Psst… Savvy Savers a discount at All Fired up every day of the week with 10% off walk-ins!

Exciting changes are coming to Romp n’ Roll this month as we introduce two brand new membership plans, which are more flexible, convenient and family-friendly!

Our new and improved Individual Membership Plan will include any 5 classes each month for only $60 per month! You may choose a set schedule and attend the same class every week, or you can choose any five classes within the month.

We’re also adding a family-friendly Family Membership Plan which will include any 10 classes each month that can be shared between siblings who have paid the Lifetime Registration Fee, for only $99 per month.  As with the Individual Plan, you can choose a set schedule or mix it up — have one sibling come three times and another seven times, or whatever works for you!  This plan is also great if you have one child who wants to come to class more than once a week.

Both memberships will also have these additional great features:

• Unused classes will accrue and won’t expire unless your membership is cancelled!
• Unlimited free Open Gym for currently enrolled children, which includes siblings who have paid the Lifetime Registration Fee when you select the Family Plan!
• Greater flexibility by reserving and canceling individual classes online; reserve your space in class whenever and wherever you want!
• Exclusive member discounts on Romp n’ Roll events and Super Birthday Bashes!
• Great discounts on retail merchandise!

In addition, we’re getting rid of contracts!  Both the Individual and Family Plan will be month-to-month. No contract, no commitment; cancel anytime with just a 30 day notice.

We will also be launching new software, which will allow you to fully manage your account online, including scheduling and cancelling your own classes.  This will give you the ability to sign in to classes entirely on your own, whenever and wherever you want!

No matter if you’re currently enrolled or not, we want you to take advantage of these great new changes! Simply call us at (804) 364-6363 and we can get you signed up!

Romp n’ Roll is a Richmondmom.com site sponsor.

Right now.

You’re hunching.

Can I see you through the computer? No.  It’s because I do it too (in fact, I was doing it just then).  Look around, cell phones, computers, tablets… we’re all hunching.

The Willow Lawn location is total luxury.

If you’re a chronic huncher like me, you probably have the exact same upper back and neck feeling that I have right now. It’s kinda tingly, kinda stiff… you… just… can’t… quite make it go away.

The bad news is I can’t stop you from hunching, but the good news is Massage Envy can help your hunch with a massage that will make you feel like you never hunch at all!

The professionals at Massage Envy can give you just what you need like reflexology, prenatal and Swedish massage in 1 – 2 hour sessions.  I love how super-flexible their membership package is, allowing you to share, split your massage and even earn free ones!

And, because the winter weather absolutely wreaks havoc on my skin so I’ll be adding a facial to my list of things I am going to do for myself. Besides, I’ll be getting a great deal when I get $10 off with my Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver discount!

Seriously, if you haven’t done it yet, you’re overdue to treat yourself and now you have absolutely no excuses because Massage Envy is opening up TWO more locations in February! (Midlothian and Mechanicsville moms rejoice!)

We’ve got the mega list of where to take your technologically abused shoulders (or kid abused back) and give it a little love.
(Pssst…Massage Envy gift certificates make great Valentine’s Day Gifts!)

Massage Envy Spa
 – Mechanicsville (Opening February 11th)
7236 Bell Creek Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 746-1100

Massage Envy Spa 
- Richmond Willow Lawn
1601 Willow Lawn Dr. #304

Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 440-0004

Massage Envy Spa – 
Short Pump
4346 Pouncey Tract Rd.

Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 612-0540

Massage Envy Spa – 
Midlothian (Opening February 25th)
11625 Midlothian Turnpike
Midlothian, VA 23113
(804) 379-8005

Massage Envy Spa
 – Commonwealth Centre
5201 Commonwealth Centre Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 744-8440

Massage Envy Spa
 Colonial Heights Southpark
1909 Southpark Blvd.

Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804) 526-7777

Hundreds of Richmond moms, dads, grandparents, friends, and family love our Savvy Saver Card and there are plenty of good reasons – check them out and you’ll love them too.

Dozens of Richmond moms and dads have already taken advantage of great savings with their card.  You can easily download a copy here to use all year long, and/or request a tri-fold card by mail by clicking here and provide us with your mailing information. If you’re already on our 2012 list, you will automatically receive a new 2013 card – however, if your address has changed please email us at info@richmondmom.com as soon as possible with your new information. 2013 cards are being mailed in early January.

Wondering why you should request your own Savvy Saver card?

Here are some fantastic reasons for you to consider:

Hayes & Fisk offers a complimentary session fee valued at $150.

Real Life Studios offers $150 off a Real Life Birthday Party.

Get 10% off 2 or more custom window treatments at Sewinit’ where you’ll also find duvets, pillows, monogrammed items, accessories, and more.

The Science Museum of Virginia has a “Buy One Get One Free Friday” offer on Savvy Saver.

Core Kids Academy offers 50% off one session (8 week term) for babies classes (10-18 month old class).

Great Wolf Lodge offers 20% off best available room rates and spa services. Code “RICH230A” online or at (800) 551-9653. Restrictions may apply in peak periods

No enrollment fee for tutoring; buy 3 sessions, 4th free  at College Nannies & Tutors.

Hip to be Round makes clothes and accessories affordable and you can save an additional $15 off a $75 purchase with your card.

No registration fee ($25 value) for new plan registrants, use code “RICMOM” at www.va529.com.

Tuckaway waives registration fees for new enrollment.

Romp n’ Roll offers discounts on play-based early- learning classes (Gym, Art, Music, and more): $10 off 3-month enrollment (limit one discount per year).

The Wine Loft offers 20% off Monday nights for Mom’s Night Out.

Dream Dinners is even easier when you use code DDANY102013 for 10% off any order of 36 servings or more. One time use only.

Gundlach is there when you need them with a 10% discount on all repairs. Not valid with any other offer.

All Fired Up gives a 10% discount off walk-in projects.

 Richmond Rocks and the Richmond Rocks Spooky Sequel children’s book: Free shipping on any signed copy. ONLY through kate@ richmondmom.com; excludes retail stores & online sales.

 See clearly with Virginia Eye Institute’s offer of 30% discount off eyeglasses, sunglasses & accessories and 10% off contact lenses. Cannot be combined with other vision/ optical plans or other discounts/ promotions.

Brain Balance – Learn more about Brain Balance at any free Parent Seminar “Reconnecting Disconnected Kids” & get $50 off evaluation.

$10 off a luxurious Murad Signature Facial at Massage Envy awaits on your Savvy Saver card.

Virginia Rep Children’s Theatre of Virginia – check Richmondmom.com for shows and special offers throughout the year.

Present this card for a free one week pass at American Family Fitness.

Mom’s Treehouse offers 20% off 1st time fitness program purchase and $25 off any Mom’s Treehouse Host-Your-Party rental (888) 232-2450.

You will also find great services at these local businesses and schools:

Gardner Grins: Excellence in Orthodontics

Leave a comment below and let us know what you love most about your Savvy Saver card. Let us know what you’ve used your card for and how much you saved. We’d love to know how much our Richmond moms, dads, grandparents, and friends are saving!

Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Discounts are offered by advertisers on Richmondmom.com

Editor’s Note: Save the fee using your Savvy Saver Discount and start an account today!

September is College Savings Month and VA529 has some great opportunities to save. With four unique programs, there is something for every type of savings strategy and style. Wondering why you should start saving now?

Here are 4 great reasons:

Tax Advantages

• All earnings in Virginia 529 accounts grow free from federal tax.
• Virginia taxpayers with Virginia 529 accounts may deduct up to $4,000 per year, for each account they own, with an unlimited carry-forward.
• Account Owners age 70 or above may deduct the entire amount of their contributions at one time or in any future tax years
• Favorable estate and gift tax provisions

And if that’s not enough, consider the future costs of college. The average college tuition and fee charges at four-year public institutions increased from $617 in 1976-77 to $5,930 in 2009-10, an 861 percent increase over 33 years, according to the College Board’s 2009 report, “Trends in College Pricing.”

Get a head start on college savings and be prepared for your child’s future education. Visit the VA529 website to learn more and to get started.

VA529 is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Pub-Style Chicken w/Mashed Potatoes, Yum

Since starting Richmondmom.com, I’ve been lucky enough to test some really great stuff from the best-of-the-best in Richmond, and Dream Dinners is one of them. Full disclosure: Dream Dinners is an advertiser of our site, and has been since almost the very beginning,  and hear me out on this one: they can be a mama’s best friend. We even have a snazzy Dream Dinners Discount if you’d like to try ‘em out.

I always have a stash of Dream Dinners in my freezer, and they’re like my little insurance

We usually have leftovers from the Chicken Enchiladas–even better reheated, in my humble opinion.

policy. I get home to find that I don’t have enough olive oil, milk or butter for a recipe or that I just plain ol’ don’t feel like coming up with dinner, and all I have to do is reach into my stash. There, I find a healthy meal that cooks up quickly that my kids love 97% of the time (give or take a percent).

Because I live in the east and there’s no Dream Dinners near where I live (the only physical location is in Midlothian), I order ‘em online & pick ‘em up at

My kids love some ribs–these are some of the best.

The Daily Grind in Short Pump, ready-made and frozen.

If you’re lucky enough to live near Midlo, you can have the fun of putting them together yourself if you like at the Woodlake Commons Loop Dream Dinners.

Our faves? Of the items that are out in the August menu, a few of them are:

• Smokehouse Ribs
• Pub-Style Chicken
• Chicken Enchiladas

To get a 10% discount off 36 servings or more using our Savvy Saver card, and see if you like them as much as we do.

Thanks to Dream Dinners for being an advertiser and supporting Richmondmom.com from the get-go. You “get” what it’s like to be a mom!

What kind of technical problems? Well before long it was announced that the play was cancelled so we moved on over to the Hanover Tavern and we had a lovely dinner with even better service (yes Diane, I’m talking about you). Regardless of the cancellation we did what girlfriends do. We rattled on and on and had a wonderful evening.

So I decided to take another whack at this play only I couldn’t get a date this time. All of my friends were busy and I ended up going alone. I sat next to a really elegant lady and her husband. She shocked me by telling me that it didn’t matter how great the play was, she would, without doubt,  nod off at some point and would kindly appreciate a nudge when it happened.

I laughed out loud at her. She said “No honey, seriously, Elvis Presley could walk onto this stage and I would still doze off”.  I immediately fell in love with her.

I have to tell you the title is pretty misleading. I was almost dreading all this dancing to country music I was about to witness. When I saw the set I thought, these people better be good because if they fall it’s going to be on my lap. If you haven’t been to the Barksdale theatre, there isn’t a bad seat in the place. It’s a very intimate venue to see a play and I’m looking forward to a return visit.

This ensemble of five actors was a dialogue lovers dream come true. It was rich with lots of hysterically funny lines performed by some really talented actors. David Bridgewater (Jim) starts off the play and sets the tone for the Texas-twanged, laugh-induced non-dancing trip to a parking lot bar in the summer of 1982. Matthew Mitchell (Roy) was almost a little too believable as Roy, but I fell madly in love with him. He couldn’t have made me laugh harder. Joy Williams (Eve) was also a natural with the accent, mannerisms and hysterical dialogue.

Daniel Allen (Jason) was absolutely adorable at making us want to ring his little neck. Liz Earnest (Catherine) had us laughing too with her Nun gone wrong routine. The intermission was part of the show if you can believe it and caused a huge round of applause as well. Then it all made sense. Why the show had been cancelled the previous week. What I can say is: It was worth driving out there twice to see. I live in Short Pump and the Hanover Tavern is not a quick hop, skip and a jump, but it truly was worth both trips. The first time we had a great dinner and service at Hanover Tavern and then the second, a great performance at the Barksdale. Grab a girlfriend, husband or significant other and prepare for mad laughter… out loud laughter and a taste of Texas right here in Virginia.

In case you’re wondering… my elegant little friend did indeed nod off (how in the world I’ll never know) and I did give her a little nudge. She thanked me and at the end of the play she wished me luck and gave me a sweet smile. She didn’t realize she was my date, but she was all the same.

Editor’s Note: Info on tickets to Nice People Dancing here. Don’t forget we offer a discount on tickets with our Savvy Saver Card, which you can obtain free. The VA Repertory Theatre is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com.

Sewinit's Karen Curcio getting a silly hug from one of her grandchildren

When Karen Curcio retired, she didn’t sit for a minute in an easy chair and wait to watch the world go by. She blew out a bedroom in her home to create a workroom to design and sew draperies that adorn many homes all over Richmond.

Custom Draperies by Sewinit!

After attending design school in North Carolina where she created custom draperies for some of the cottages lining the Biltmore, she launched Custom Draperies by Sewinit in Richmond. Now that workroom is filled with heavy-duty sewing machines, drapery lining and fabric samples galore.

A custom valance created by Sewinit

Her amazing work includes custom pillows, curtains, bedspreads, shower curtains, and just about anything that needs to be sewn.

A simple valance like the one pictured at the left is a great way to create a beautiful look for less.

If you’ve never had custom draperies, you’re in for a treat if you work with her, not only does she have a creative eye, but she also has great ideas for saving money by creating designs that can use less fabric; some of those are pictured here. Many more, including custom nurseries, are pictured on Sewinit.com.

You can also save by using our Savvy Saver Card, request one here, free.

I’m pretty proud of her, and of course I’m biased–after all, she’s my mom! And as many of my friends and their friends can attest, she’s no “ordinary” grandma.

Great Wolf Lodge is a vacation destination!

We love Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburgand as a site sponsor, they help us provide the great content our

Cool fun inside and out!

100,000+ annual readers enjoy every day on the site.

They’re also providing a very special discount like ones we’ve had in the past–$149 per night!–but this one has a special twist: this rate is for Premium-Style Suites that are valued up to $369.99 per night–not just your average Great Wolf Lodge Room. To book one of these limited rooms:

5/11/12: 50 rooms only, code 0512RICH ***SOLD OUT AS OF 4/16/12, sorry!

5/20/12-5/23/12: 20 rooms only, code 0512RICH_001

If you miss out on these dates, you can always save 20% on the lowest available room rates by using our Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Discount by requesting a free Savvy Saver Card (will be mailed) and you may download a copy of the Savvy Saver for your use today.

Enjoy! Should you have any problems using your codes online, please call the Williamsburg Great Wolf Lodge directly and ask for the Marketing Department: 757.229.9700.

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com.