Author Archives: meg1rl

Mar 05, 2015

BOUNCE Gymnastics in Del Ray

Do you have a child that loves gymnastic? Does your kids like to tumble, balance and bounce? Be sure to check out Del Ray’s only full fledged gymnastics facility, Bounce.

The owner, Lanette opened the doors last summer and the classes are becoming more popular as families hear about this new gymnastic facility. Bounce is in Del Ray  at CrossFit MVA (you do not have to be a member) & UpCycle Bldg 1712 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria 22301

My daughter began taking classes with Lanette last fall and I have the highest praise for the classes and teachers. It’s great for kids of all skill level. Lanette keeps the class fun, fast paced and challenging. Lanette’s enthusiasm and positivity shines throughout all of her interactions with her students. She allows students to try one introductory class for free.

Bounce is a recreational program with fabulous, portable equipment from Tumbl Trak. They have a 20′ tumble track and landing mat, a cheerleading tumbling floor with carpet bonded foam, Jr. Parallel Bars, Jr. Balance Beams, Vaulting Mat, Wedge Mats, a Developmental Fitness Wheel, as well as pull up bars, rings and ropes. Their classes are beginner to intermediate. They follow USAG fundamental skills that lead to skill progressions and routines.

Nov 06, 2014

Hooff Run Playground Renovation

We stop by the newly renovated Hooff run playground recently to check out the new space.The city has replaced all of the existing play structures and installed a new rubberized safety surfacing. The play structures includes swings for children, infants and children with disabilities. There’s a nice large see-saw that accommodates multiple riders on each side.The main play structure has plenty of slides and several fun areas to climb and tunnels to explore. There’s also a seperate imaginative play area for preschool children. Several children were enjoying the lone rotating equipment which is essentially a spinning stick, for lack of a better description. There’s also a climbing/bridge structure which is nice for older children. I would say that the plate area is most suitable for children ages 2 to 5. Park also includes grassy areas and a basketball court. The landscaping work around the park is still in progress. Hooff run is tucked in off the street at 99 E. Rosemont Ave.

Oct 16, 2014

Alexandria City Play Groups

If you’re looking for a play group for your little one, the City of Alexandria has several low cost options!

Mount Vernon Rec Center, right here in Del Ray has Kids Rock Social Hour for ages 0-4 years on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. You can drop into the Rec. Center and sign up for only $25 per season and this session goes until Nov. 24th. The group meets in the large play room and encourages development through music, movement and play.

There are also drop in hours at Charles Houston Rec Center (CHRC) & Chinquapin Park Rec Center (CQRC) offer Soft Time Players Mon-Fri. This unstructured play for ages 0-5 years encourages motor skill development on three-dimensional soft play equipment. CHRC soft play is open from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. M-F, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. CQRC is open for soft play from 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. M-Thur. and 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Both locations are $5 for 1/2 hour play for city residents.

Cora Kelly Rec Center (CKRC), CHRC and Nannie Lee Rec Center (NLRC) offer Lil Gymmies drop in play time for children 2-5 years old. The play sessions have toys, balls, hulla hoops, moon bounce inflatables and more. RKRC Lil Gymmies is on M-W from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CKRC is on Sat. from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. NLRC is on Thur. & Fri from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Play time is $5 per half hour for residents.

Sep 25, 2014

Lunchbox Blues?

Schools are back in session so many of us have pulled the lunch boxes back out and are probably already finding ourselves in a rut with the daily variety and even spread thin getting homework done, delivering everyone to various practices, getting clothes/uniforms ready and getting the darn lunches packed.

Bon Vivant (formerly SEVA Cafe) has come to the aid of moms and dads and is now offering daily packed lunches. The lunches are $6.50 and they will donate 25c to the school of your choice for each meal purchased.

Pick up the lunch after 5 p.m. the day before and you are set!

Here is their current lunch box menu:

Monday
Sandwich: Pasture-raised chicken + mayo
Snack: 100% grass-fed local yogurt
Fruit: Apple, banana, peach or other seasonal fruit

Tuesday
Sandwich: Almond butter + jelly
Snack: Hummus + chips
Fruit: Apple, banana, peach or other seasonal fruit

Wednesday
Sandwich: Tarragon chicken salad sandwich
Snack: Ester’s granola bar
Fruit: Apple, banana, peach or other seasonal fruit
Thursday
Sandwich: 100% grass-fed beef + mayo
Snack: Pretzels
Fruit: Apple, banana, peach or other seasonal fruit

Friday
Sandwich: Free-range Ham + local raw cheese
Snack: Variety of cut veggies like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers
Fruit: Apple, banana, peach or other seasonal fruit

Bon Vivant has additional items that you can add to your boxed lunch such as cookies, brownies, apples, bananas, yogurt, hummus, chips and drinks from their fridge.

If you haven’t been in to Bon Vivant yet, you’re really missing out on some excellent tasting and good for you food. As an extra bonus, they offer a play room for kids so it’s a great place to meet friends, eat out or just a relaxing change of scenery during the day.

Sep 17, 2014

Tippi Toes Dance in Del Ray

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with Claire Portolese, owner of Tippi Toes DC to learn more about the dance classes they offer here in Del Ray. Tippi Toes operates out of Mind the Mat Studio in Del Ray, Saffron in Clarendon and numerous locations in DC.

Tippi Toes offers a Toddler & Me class for ages 18 months – 3 years old. For children that advance out of Toddler & Me classes, they offer Baby Ballet which is for children 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 years old. Their Ballet/Tap/Jazz class is offered for ages 3-6 years. My daughter took their Hip Hop class for ages 6-12 and had a great experience.

Tippi Toes offers summer and spring break classes along with providing programs for numerous in school and after school clubs in the DC-VA area. They also offer birthday parties for children 3-7 years old and their parties come with your own princess instructor!

Be sure to sign up online for their classes!

Sep 12, 2014

Alexandria Multicultural Fest

This Saturday, Sept. 13th, is the Alexandria Multicultural Fest from 12- 4 p.m. at Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria! The festival in the Chiralagua neighborhood of Alexandria is designed to bring community members together and celebrate Alexandria’s diversity. The festival will include free family entertainment, including live music and games and other activities representing the region’s cultures. Performances include music from “Rainbow Rock Band,” “The Johnny Artis Band” and “Melodica Oriental,” as well as a variety of dance styles. Free games, demonstrations and activities will highlight a broad range of cultures and a wide variety of crafts and cuisines will be available for purchase.

“Rainbow Rock Band,” featuring Kate Moran as the Rainbow Lady, will perform interactive Pop Rock children’s songs where kids can play instruments along with the band. “The Johnny Artis Band” has been entertaining the Mid-Atlantic region for years with their fun loving brand of Rhythm and Blues music. El Salvadoran and Honduran musicians form the group “Melodica Oriental” and perform in the traditional Latino style.

Sep 11, 2014

First Annual Soccer Cleat Exchange sponsored by Del Ray Baby

Del Ray Baby will host an informal soccer exchange to help out our community. If last season’s cleats are a bit too tight please join us to exchange them for a larger pair. We’ll be working on the honor system. Everyone is invited. Please tell your friends and teammates. If you bring a pair of shoes, you may take a pair.

How It Works

Clean your out-grown cleats, tie the laces together and clearly label with size.
Place your old clean cleats in the appropriate size location.
Take home the pair that you need.

Location

Mount Vernon Community School/Recreation Center on Mt. Vernon Ave. on the outdoor basketball court (Across from Los Tios)

Time & Date

Monday, Sept. 15th at 6 p.m.

Other Notes

Please clean cleats up before bringing them
If the cleats have holes or broken soles please don’t bring them
Please only soccer cleats — no baseball or American football

We look forward to seeing everyone!

Aug 31, 2014

Del Ray’s Got Talent…and Fashion at the last First Thursday for 2014

Don’t miss the last First Thursday of the year this coming Thursday, Sept. 4th. Join the Del Ray Business Association for an evening of fashion, talent and fun,

Local merchants Amalgamated, Gossip on 23rd, Kiskadee, LuLu Lemon for Mind the Mat, Purple Goose and Salon Bisoux will style and coiffe our models for the runway show. And what’s a model without her canine sidekick? A Dog’s Best Friend has some surprises in store proving that canines + fashion = fun!

The Kate Moran Band will kick-off the evening promptly at 6 pm, and headline the talent portion of the evening following the runway show. Martha Krabill, singer in The Reflex ultimate 80’s band, will be a siren you won’t want to miss (you’ve seen her on American Idol Season 3). Our own Rayvonne Lewis will also be with us delighting the audience with his smooth dance moves. There may also may have some surprise walk-ons from some of our local politicians.

As in past events, they are asking for audience participation. Join us by wearing your favorite ensemble, Sunday best, high couture, drag attire, or even costume and you too may end up on the runway toward the end of the evening!

They are also asking for donations of new or gently used coats that will be put to good use by one of our favorite local charities, ALIVE. And be sure and check out additional activities that will be taking place up and down the Avenue.

So mark your calendars and we’ll see you this Thursday, September 4 th from 6 pm to 8 pm on the catwalk, located at Mt. Vernon & E. Oxford Avenues!

Aug 25, 2014

Discovery Time Learning Center opens in Del Ray!

A few months ago Discovery Time Learning Center opened its doors and we stopped by to take a look at Del Ray’s newest child care facility. They are located at 1509 Leslie Avenue which is right behind Swing’s coffee shop.

I met with the director and learned of her passion for child development and got a tour of the impressive new facility. The mission statement is simple; Discovery Time Learning Center was founded with a purpose of Supporting Families, Guiding Discoveries and Empowering Children to be their very best.

The facility operates from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and serves children ages 6 weeks- preschool.
In addition to full time child care, they offer part time preschool for children from 2-5, which as many families know, can be difficult to find in the city of Alexandria!
The center is brand new and very spacious. They are currently using Simpson Playground but will soon have their own playground constructed near their facility.
The center offers great bonuses like Family Support Programs and Parent’s Nights Out and promises to have more programs as they grow!

Aug 15, 2014

Don’t let summer slip away

This summer has been amazing and our kids are growing by leaps and bounds so don’t let this weekend’s Cinema Del Ray slip by! This coming Saturday starting at sunset, Cinema Del Ray will be showing The Lego Movie for their last movie of the season.

The movie is free courtesy of Jen Walker. Bring a blanket to sit on and a little cash because there are concessions and your kids will ask for a little treat. Come early and let the kids dance barefoot to the music that is played before the movie. Enjoy that last little bit of summer!