Alicia Manning
Alicia is a mom of two girls and loves living in the DC area. Most recently moving from Alaska, thanks to the military, she is living her childhood dream of living on the East Coast and exploring everything. Alicia and her family love attending local events, trying new foods, sitting in the nosebleeds for Nats games, and visiting museums galore with her daughters. Alicia is passionate about increasing the number of women in STEM careers and works with Rosie Riveters as a STEM educator in Northern Virginia school districts. She is a beginning watercolorist, a devoted dog mom and loves to immerse herself in a good book.
Why Being a Mom to a Tween Rocks!
You know, that magical stage between childhood and full-blown teenagehood? Enter tweens! These fascinating creatures exist in the space between childhood and the whirlwind of teenagehood. Not quite kids anymore, but they're not fully-fledged...
Head to Fairfax County’s FREE Summer Entertainment Series
Are you on the lookout for free family fun this summer? Look no further than Fairfax County's FREE Summer Entertainment Series! Get ready to laugh, dance, and sing your way through the season with...
50 Ideas for a No Candy Easter Basket for Kids
Every holiday my kids get too much candy. Whether from us, friends, family, or school it’s too much. We’ve got stockings filled with candy for Christmas, Valentine’s treats, and gold coins for St. Patricks...
5 Hilariously Heartwarming Children’s Books Celebrating Love
Looking for some fun picture books to read with your kids this Valentine's Day? Here are 5 hilariously heartwarming children's books celebrating love. You won't find mushy, gushy romantic love here, however your kids,...
Confidence Year After Year in the DC Area
When we moved in December of 2021, I was beyond excited to move to the DC area. I enjoyed living in Alaska but was ready for a change. When we got here, life seemed...
5 Big Christmas Trees to See in Washington, D.C.
This holiday season, if you're looking to feel some extra holiday cheer, here are 5 great places in Washington, D.C., where you can see big Christmas trees with your family:
1. National Christmas Tree
This...
Hershey’s Chocolate World: An Easy Weekend Trip from Washington D.C.
We drove to Hershey, Pennsylvania for a quick trip to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World and we had fun! A 2 1/2 hour drive from Washington, D.C., Hershey, Pennsylvania was just far away to be a...
Easy 15-Minute Pumpkin Craft with Kids
If your home is anything like mine, you may have extra craft supplies on hand from old school projects, unfinished big ideas, or an art/junk area that never stops. Here’s an easy 15-minute yarn...
Apple Picking: 3 Life Lessons Learned from the Orchard
There's more to apple picking than meets the eye—especially when you're navigating the narrow orchard with the eager kids you’ve driven from the city to the farm. We’ve visited a variety of U-Pick farms...
The Truth About Camping with Kids
So, you're thinking of taking your crew on a camping adventure? Well, grab your sense of humor (and a sturdy tent) because here comes a refresher for camping with kids! It will be intense,...
Top 3 Things To Do at Green Spring Gardens with Kids
If you're looking for a gorgeous place to take the kids that you'll all enjoy, look no further than Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Here are 3 great things to do at Green...
4 Favorite Dog Parks in Northern Virginia
If you have a postage stamp-sized backyard or your dog is tired of city living, here are 4 of our favorite dog parks in Northern Virginia. These are great places for dogs to run...
6 Places to Celebrate National Pancake Day
National Pancake Day is this month on February 21!
Kids and adults love pancakes — so treat yourself this National Pancake day! Here are the best pancake spots in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
1....
DC Area Observatories for Stargazing
Here are three observatories in the Washington, DC area for families to go stargazing. These observatories offer education and telescopes to learn more about planets, stars, and nebulas and maybe even catch a glimpse...