Location: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen (2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

Trading in parties, champagne and midnight celebrations for home made pizza, kazoos and warm chocolate with marshmallows; it’s just as fun and we get to celebrate twice if Mom and Dad can stay awake for round two!

The Count Down

We celebrate a bit early so there is plenty of time to wind down after the excitement and get into bedtime mode.  So we decided to have New Year’s in Paris.  Six hours earlier makes it a perfect time to get in all the festivities and get the little ones off to bed before cranky sets in.  If your tv has internet access, you can watch the countdown live at the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the amazing fireworks as well.

The Feast

There’s just nothing quite like home made pizza with the kids:  easy, tasty and FUN!  A couple of bags of pre-made pizza dough – we enjoy Trader Joe’s – a ton of cheese and a few choice toppings and we’re ready to roll.  The kids love making their own pies – Dinner and entertainment in one – thirty minutes and it’s done.

Kazoos

A New Year’s celebration just isn’t complete without noisemakers and our personal favorite would be home made kazoos.  Super easy to make with cardboard toilet or paper towel tubes, some wax paper and a rubber band.  Give the kids a glue stick, paint, glitter, whatever you’re comfortable with; nurture their creativity!  Of course, all the traditional noisemakers apply, it’s your call.  We do, however, enjoy the less ear splitting sound of the kazoo…

Party Hats

Honestly, we just take the easy route on this one.  Our daughter is all about ‘fancy’ and it’s just easier to let her pick out the perfect hat for celebrating.  A quick trip to the craft store and we’re good to go.

The Toast

Mock tails are popular and a fun way for kids to join in the celebratory toast, but we prefer a nice mug of cocoa with a bunch of mini marshmallows and a left over candy cane as a stirrer.  Just make sure it’s cooled down enough to avoid unhappy lips and tongues!

I’m sure in years to come, we’ll push the celebrating back and eventually make it to midnight, but for now, this is just about perfect.  We hope you enjoyed reading some of the ways we ring in the New Year and we’ll see ya in Paris!

Great Wolf Lodge has teamed up with candy maker Just Born to create a gingerbread house to put all others to shame!! Over 5,000 candies decorate the life-sized house and 1,320 pounds of sugar was used – wow, talk about a sugar rush.  
No, you can’t take a bite of it (delicious as it may look and smell) but you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner inside the cottage. There is a $10 entry fee to dine inside the gingerbread house, and the proceeds from your meal go to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Of course, Great Wolf Lodge hasn’t stopped there. For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, look no further than the Great Wolf Lobby where the forecast brings daily snowfall (where else can you play in the “snow” and ride a water slide in the same place?).

Kids can get crafty at the North Pole University and earn a “Snowpoloma” and a special surprise gift. Send that last-minute Christmas letter to Santa or sit down with the big man himself when you visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

Once again, Great Wolf Lodge packs so much to do in one weekend, you’ll have to remind yourself to visit the waterpark!  If you don’t have much planned for your holiday break, try to squeeze a getaway to Williamsburg in, don’t forget, you can use your Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Card for 20% off the best available rate.

Great Wolf Lodge is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com

Sure, you could eat it, but what else could you do with that fruitcake? The Science Museum is on a mission to find out. Does it float? What happens if you burn it? Can you conduct electricity with it? Don’t find these things out at home check it out at the Science Museum of Virginia with these 4 passes!

Fruitcake Science
December 26, 2013 to December 30, 2013
9:30am to 5:00pm

Here’s how to enter:

-Enter your name and email address on the “Polar Express” 
tab on our facebook page or by following this link
- Get additional entries to this contest by sharing your link with your facebook friends and twitter followers (no need for a twitter account to enter the contest)
-Check Richmondmom.com for the winner on Friday, December 20th at 3PM to see if you are the lucky winner!

Congratulations Ginger Good Henley!!!

Have a great time!!

One entry per email address. Enter by 11:59pm, 12-19-13. Winner announced 12-20-13 on our website.

Photo source: Microsoft Clipart

Are you a parent, grandparent?

Do you have a child in your life?

Then congratulations, the Holidays just got that much more enjoyable, and complicated, for you!  You have probably noticed that times have changed since you were little and oblivious to the behind-the-scenes work of making the Holidays work, and plus you’re an adult now on the “other end.”  That is why we have created The Holiday Survival Institute for Parents!  The HSIP is pleased to announce its 2013 Course Schedule!

1. Elf on the Shelf     Learn about the History of Elf on the Shelf and how to answer questions from your kids like, “Mommy, why there was no Elf on the Shelf when you were little?” and “My friend doesn’t have an Elf on the Shelf” and “Why can’t I touch him?  I want him to sit with me!”  Learn about easy antics that your Elf can get into, and how to avoid Elf guilt. Also learn how to explain how your Elf may not do crazy things like other kids’ elves do.  Please ask your Elf to attend with you.
2. Greeting Card Workshop  Explore new trends and technology in exchanging greeting cards, such as e-cards, using your computer to make a card, and ordering cards online.   Students will have a greater understanding of card etiquette and explore questions such as, “If somebody sends me a card but I didn’t send them one, do I have to send them one even if it will get there after Christmas?” and “Does a text count?” Students will leave with a greeting card design, distribution list and action plan.  Laptop required.
3. Gift Giving Action Planning Learn about traditional gift giving in American society and expectations related to giving gifts to your childrens’ friends, teachers, plus questions you may never have clarified regarding mail carriers, newspaper delivery persons (if you still get the newspaper), neighbors, co-workers, and adult friends, and friends’ children.  Discussion will focus on monetary value and types of gifts (i.e., “Is food OK?”). Tipping will also be covered.  Students will leave with a gift action plan. 
4. Taking Pictures with Santa  Students will receive a list of all the locations, days and times that Santa will appear in the community, along with a list of prices and photo options.  Learn strategies for getting a good Santa picture, how to avoid crying and avoiding long lines, and improvising.  Questions answered include, “What if my kid won’t sit on his lap?” and “How important is it for us to have a Santa picture really?”
5. Preserving the Magic  This course will teach students how to tell their story of Santa and plan annual traditions.  How DOES the sleigh fly?  How ARE the mall Santas connected to the North Pole Santa?  Students will also learn strategies for dealing with your child’s doubt about Christmas magic.  They will feel empowered to address situations when your child comes home saying, “Suzy’s mom told her that  Santa isn’t real.”  Students will philosophically explore questions related to truth and magic, and the appropriate age or moment to reveal and contextualize truths.

Please visit the Institute to learn more about these and other course offerings which include:  Being Merry AND Organized  (Pre-requisites:  Greeting Card and Gift Giving Workshops); Toy Assembly 101; Having an Environmentally Friendly Christmas; Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Baking; and The Christmas Family Photo.

Tuition is totally free, but chocolate and bottles of wine are much appreciated.

Date and time to be determined – since this is a very busy time of year for our course counselors! TRANSLATION: Don’t hold your breath for this!

A parade of Macy’s Employees cheer Samantha’s name with noise makers and handmade signs that say, “We Love Sam” written in glitter.  The cheerful crowd sweeps Sam and her family to the center of the store where galvanized tins of letters to Santa are displayed.  Sam is presented with a stocking, a gift basket of make-up, a makeover and a $250 shopping spree to Macy’s – in addition to the shopping spree gifted from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Sam buries her head in her friend’s shoulder, tears well in her fathers eyes, and even the most stoic associates begin wiping tears from their cheeks.  Each of these 1,700 letters, the manager announces, were written to Santa on Samantha’s behalf.

December 6th is no ordinary day for Macy’s, either. It’s also the fifth annual National Believe Day.  Macy’s is doubling their $1 per letter match for a potential to raise an additional  $1 million dollars to the Macy’s “Believe” Campaign for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Samantha is just one of 50 children across the country being granted a wish from Macy’s today.

“Today alone, $34,000 just from this store is being donated to Make A Wish Foundation,” says Todd Abrams, District Vice President for Macy’s. That’s $2 for every letter written for Samantha, and it’s only 10AM.

Sitting in a stool at the Estee Lauder make-up counter, it’s hard to believe this teenager was once on a feeding tube during her battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a cancer that affects bone and soft tissue.  This small whisp of a girl knows more medical jargon than most adults, she has seen her hair fall out during chemo, and she’s watched friends not make it.  Her shopping spree allows her to be carefree today.

“A year ago she was still really weak,  just getting her strength back… going to night school when she could,” says her mother, Sandy Mays.

Now Samantha is slowly adjusting to life as a normal teenager at Manchester High School. “It was real hard at first…” her mother says of her adjustment, “but she went to homecoming and she’s starting to make friends.”

Sam snaps a selfie with her friend after their make-overs as her parents are interviewed.  “It’s so nice to see her be a normal teenager,” says Sandy.  After her shopping spree with a personal shopping assistant at Macy’s, her entourage had lunch at Carrabba’s before heading back to the Mall for more shopping.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to kids with life threatening medical conditions “This past year we granted 124 wishes our goal this year is to grant 165 wishes,” says Sheri Lambert, President and CEO of Make-a-Wish Greater Virginia. The chapter has granted wishes such as trips to Alaska, helicopter rides and even dinosaur digs according to the website.

There is still time to help Macy’s reach it’s goal of 1 million letters to Santa by dropping your letter off at the red Santa Mailbox in any Macy’s store. Each letter is matched with a $1 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation up to $1 million dollars.

If you would like to get involved with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, visit their website.

Photo: Stockman/Getty 2010

Only, you know, less coordinated.
Since the uncoordinated figure skater look doesn’t exactly work for me, I thought I’d round up some of the best ways to add a little sparkle to your wardrobe (that you won’t need to pair with skates).

Understated Sequin Dress

Sequin Line Dress
Madewell  // $298

Didn’t think you’d ever see “understated” and “sequin” in the same sentence? I didn’t either… until I saw this dress from Madewell.  Let’s break this down:  reasonable hemline: Check. Accentuates the waist: Check. Vertical lengthening stripes: Check.  I can’t think of a holiday function where this won’t be appropriate.

Hostess with the Mostess

Starlight Hearted Dress
Modcloth // $202.99

Looking for the perfect dress to ring in the new year?  I might have a problem when it comes to my love for confetti so of course this dress is going to make the list. Ivory and gold sequins on a stormy grey mesh… sigh…

Anti-LBD

River Island Sleeveless Sequin Dress
ASOS // $108.89

This drapey dress doesn’t cling and has slightly longer hemline so you won’t feel like you are on your way to a club at your next Christmas party.  This dress has a slightly open back for a flirty style.

Big Bash Party Dress

Your Name is Light Dress
Ruche // $79.99

“… I like large parties. They’re so intimate.  At small parties there isn’t any privacy.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.  I love this dress for a bigger bash.  Keep the accessories simple for this one, the dress shines on it’s own.

Classic and Elegant

Jeweled Tunic Dress
Boden // $148.50 (sale price)

Tired of neutrals? Try this easy shift dress updated with an embellished Peter Pan collar. Perfect for a holiday concert, service or play.  Simple and elegant.

Budget Bling

Cocktail Hour Beaded Dress
Forever 21 // $29.80

Yes, I went there… my cheap-o obsession. But enough about my dirty little secret. I love the beading just around the neckline in this one.  The beading breaks up the nude being too close to your face, and at under $30 it’s an absolute steal. Pair this with long black coat and envelope clutch for a chic holiday look when the dress code is slightly ambiguous.

Plus Size

Skater Dress With Deco Sequin Top
ASOS // $81.67

I’m not gonna leave my curvier girls with out a little sparkle.  Sure, it’s got “skater” in the description but I love the figure-flattering A-line fit and fitted bodice on this dress– and yes, there’s that deco pattern again. I just can’t get away from it.

Sparkle, Mama

Bow Shift Dress
Hip to be Round // $132.00

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t take care of my pregnant mama’s too. After all I’m mildly maternity-clothes obsessed. The bow on this dress brings eyes up and away from your belly, which is great when you feel like you’re constantly saying “Hello! My eyes are up here!”

Everyday Sparkle

Merona® Pullover Sweater with Sequin Shoulder Detail
Target // $24.99

Let’s face it: you need to brighten up your Tuesday. Pair this with a pencil for a night out or with dark skinnies for, you know, a Tuesday.  Best part about this sweater is that you can treat yourself with it when you need to go get some new white socks and a half a gallon of milk.

The Statement Necklace

Crystals Triangle Necklace
J.Crew // $135

Not sure you can go all out sequin? That’s alright. Start small with a (removable) statement necklace like this one.  Pop this puppy on with a tired crew neck LBD for an instant cocktail-worthy outfit… but don’t stop there! This necklace looks just as awesome paired with a tee jeans and a blazer (you’re never over dressed for the bus stop).

So will you be wearing something with a little shine this holiday?
I may have already decided on my New Year’s Eve dress.  Which one of these is your favorite?

And that is Science Museum of Virginia’s IMAX showing of The Polar Express.

I took my 7-year-old for a date who is just at the age where he’s becoming pretty skeptical about “all that Santa business”.  We’ve been reading the story of The Polar Express to him during the holiday season since he could sit still for a story.  Of course, movies have a magic of their own, but a 75 foot screen gives that magic a little extra boost.  He raved about the movie, identifying with the protagonist, and just as much raved about the IMAX theatre.  In fact, he’ll be really disappointed when he finds out he’s not invited when I go back when I take my 5-year-old train enthusiast.

The Polar Express became an instant Christmas classic after its 2004 release and is based off of the children’s picture book by Chris Van Allsburg.  The story centers around a young boy who is starting to doubt the magic of Christmas and is taken on an amazing and thrilling journey on the Polar Express to the North Pole.

Be absolutely sure to make this a part of your holiday.

While you’re there, check out all the other great things you can do right now at the Science Museum of Virginia! Save money on Fridays with the Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Card!

The Polar Express runs through January 1, 2013
Check the Science Museum of Virginia’s website for times
Tickets: $5 for members / $9 for non-members

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

“There’s one of those people, Mommy!”

I turned to look and saw what his little eyes saw, a person standing on the side of the road with a sign. The red light had already turned green and I continued on not wanting to block the traffic behind me.

“No, Mommy! Turn around! We have to go back and give that person something! Because if someone has a sign that means they don’t have a home!”

I turned the car around at the next light and we went back and handed the man a dollar; the only amount of cash I had.

“God bless you. And what a beautiful boy you have.”

“Thank you,” I said, and I saw my son smile as I looked back in the mirror and we continued to make our way home.

“I’m so glad that you asked me to stop. It’s important to be kind to other people,” I said to my son as we drove away.

“Yeah, Mommy, but why don’t some people have homes?”

“It’s very sad when people don’t have homes. Some people don’t have enough money to buy a home.”

“I know what we should do Mommy! We should make stuff to give to the people without homes!”

“I think that’s a great idea! What should we give to them?”

“Maybe some candy and some water probably.”

“That’s such a good plan! What about some granola bars?”

 “Oh yeah, granola bars and I even have stickers!”

“I love this. We can get started as soon as we get home.”

We arrived home and were unloading the car when a man approached our driveway carrying a large ladder.

“Do you have a moment for me to clean your gutters?”

“No, I’m sorry, we…” I trailed off as he continued,

“Please. I’ll take whatever you can give me. My wife passed away in a car accident and I’ve got three boys at home. One of them’s about your little one’s age.”

My son in our front yard.

Before I could really agree or disagree or ponder my decision, he was up on the ladder cleaning out our gutters.

I ushered my son inside and said, “You know how we were just talking about making bags for people that needed help? This man needs our help. Maybe we could make a bag for him?”

“Ok, Mommy!”

I got a bag from under the sink and my son started filling it with everything he deems essential; water bottles, candy, bubbles, stickers, and granola bars.

I talked to the man as he pulled leaves from our gutters and swept off our deck. He told me about his wife passing away in a car accident and how it’s hard for him to find work as a pipe line worker. I learned that his name was Patrick and that his children are allergic to peanut butter. And before he left, my son and I sent him away with two grocery bags full of food and the secret $20 I keep hidden in a drawer.

We watched the man walk away with the long ladder slung over his shoulder and two bags of groceries hanging off the end and I felt a rush of gratitude for all of the things in my life.

 “We were just talking about what we could do to help people that needed things, and then a man that needed help showed up at our door. I’m glad we were able to help him.”

“Me, too, Mommy. But why do some people not have food or homes?”

“I don’t know, love, it’s very sad. We are very lucky to have a home and food. I’m glad we can help people who don’t have those things.”

My son nodded in agreement and then we were onto our next adventure, but I found myself pondering the afternoon away.

I find it easy to become caught up in my own life, where my home and food are such basics that I often taken them for granted. My greatest worry about my home is cleaning it and my biggest challenge with food is shopping with a four year old in tow.

Sometimes, things line up just perfectly to remind us to be thankful for everything we have, even the things we so often take for granted.

How We Can Help

• If you are looking for ways to help people in need this holiday season,  try making care packages to carry in your car that include a water bottle, granola bars, and tissues or baby wipes. (Stickers and bubbles are optional.)
• Look into donating to a local homeless shelter.
• Volunteer your time or donate to Feedmore, Central Virginia’s hunger-relief leader.
• Donate to HomeAgain and help Richmond’s homeless children.
• Donate toys to Toys for Tots. 
• Donate to the Henrico Christmas Mother. 
• Adopt an angel for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. 
• Find a volunteer opportunity that interests you by getting involved with HandsOnRichmond. 
• Help women gain financial independence by donating to Dress For Success. 
• Offer a helping hand at Full Circle Grief Center and help grieving children get through the holidays.

What ways will you give back to others this holiday season? Please let us know of any other local places to donate and give to others! Leave a comment below and let’s see how many ways we can give-back!

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Enjoy a special Drop n’ Shop event at the Midlothian and West End locations from 9am to noon on Friday, November 29, 2013. Cost is just $25 and includes Gym, Art, and Music time plus a snack for children ages 2-6. Potty training not required.  Children must be pre-registered and member discounts do apply.

Visit the website to learn more and to register.

And then, enjoy Black Friday while the kids enjoy Romp n’ Roll.