Happy Halloween everyone!
In lieue of weekend best bets, I've put together some hot trick-or-treating spots around the area. The creme de la creme, from what I hear is "Scary Perry" in Kensington.
Here's what mom Pam, who lives a few blocks away, has to say:
The block (Perry Avenue just east of University for one block) is closed to cars and houses virtually all do really all-out decorations. It is crowded, according to past news reports, with hundreds and thousands of people showing up. (Here's a Gazette article on Scary Perry from two years ago)
"The main tip I have, especially if your kids are small, is to get there the minute they open, which is usually at 6 p.m. (not sure if it might be earlier this year because it's Saturday). It is not too bad in terms of crowds between 6 and 6:45 but after that it is wall-to-wall people and I'm always worried about losing my kids in the dark. We usually move on to nearby streets at 6:45.
From a parental perspective, my favorite part of Perry is that they give each kid only one piece of candy per house because they get so many kids. Of course as kids get older this could become something they actually notice and resent but mine are oblivious and I like that we do a lot of cool houses and have only a small amount of candy at the end."
Besides Scary Perry, here are two other gems:
Takoma Park: Mom Wendy reports that there's a house at the corner of Maple and Tulip that usually does a literary haunted house every year. It's apparently put on by a bunch of adults who are into theater, including the directors from Lumina and Blair High School.
American Plant across from the Whole Foods in Bethesda has a Star Wars Haunted House, equipped with a corn maze that leads to Darth Vader, an X Wing Fighter and Yoda. Address: 5258 River Road, Bethesda. Time: 9-6 (store hours). Haunted House donations benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
If you're more into heading to a city-sponsored or mall event, here are some of your choices. Unless otherwise noted, all events are on Halloween:
Halloween Rocks Festival in Kentlands Market Square, Gaithersburg: Starts at 3 p.m. today.
City of Gaithersburg: Live entertainment, juice, glow sticks and crafts (for a $1 fee) at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 South Summit Avenue, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Monster Mash in Silver Spring: Halloween music, scavenger hunt, costume contest, hay ride and more from 2-5 p.m. in downtown Silver Spring
Takoma Park Halloween Costume Parade and Contest: Contest is at 4 p.m. at Carroll and Laurel in Old Town. The parade begins at 4:45 p.m. and ends at Piney Branch Elementary, where the award ceremony will be held at 5:15 p.m.
Halloween for Teens in Rockville: Middle-schoolers can come out for a Halloween dance and costume contest from 6 to 10 p.m. tonight at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway. The event will feature the 95.5 WPGC Radio Community Street Team. Cost is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. Student ID needed for entry.
Wheaton Mall Trick-or-Treating: 2-4 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Your Weekly H1N1 Update
There's lots to report from the past two days of vaccine and Tamiflu searching. Here goes:
1. D.C. had it's first clinic run out of the injectable vaccine at Wilson High School tonight. There's no word on the D.C. Swine Flu page about availability at the other clinics. Meanwhile, at Hardy Middle School, parents reported 3-hour waits, but still had praise for D.C.
2. Montgomery County is holding a by-appointment only injectable H1N1 thimerosal-free vaccine clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for pregnant women ONLY. To make an appointment, call 240-777-4040 on Monday or Tuesday between 3 and 5 p.m. The county reports that it is currently out of all other vaccines right now.
3. All reports from yesterday's Montgomery County H1N1 vaccine clinics at area high schools was that they were a disaster. Several parents reported to me that the county started giving out the vaccine at 3:30 and was completely wiped out by 4:15. And several folks reported that they couldn't even get their cars close to Rockville High School and simply turned around and left.
4. If you're one of the unlucky ones with Swine Flu running through your house, your probably stressful hunt for Tamiflu hasn't gone unnoticed. The Washington Post took notice today of the shortage of the liquid form of the medicine, which, of course, is what all young kids need. Here's the important tidbit for those of you on the hunt: Call Kensington Pharmacy, where the independent pharmacists are experts at compounding.
An aside: Barring a continued fever in a certain 5-year-old, I'll finally publish the Halloween trick-or-treating info I promised earlier this week.
1. D.C. had it's first clinic run out of the injectable vaccine at Wilson High School tonight. There's no word on the D.C. Swine Flu page about availability at the other clinics. Meanwhile, at Hardy Middle School, parents reported 3-hour waits, but still had praise for D.C.
2. Montgomery County is holding a by-appointment only injectable H1N1 thimerosal-free vaccine clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for pregnant women ONLY. To make an appointment, call 240-777-4040 on Monday or Tuesday between 3 and 5 p.m. The county reports that it is currently out of all other vaccines right now.
3. All reports from yesterday's Montgomery County H1N1 vaccine clinics at area high schools was that they were a disaster. Several parents reported to me that the county started giving out the vaccine at 3:30 and was completely wiped out by 4:15. And several folks reported that they couldn't even get their cars close to Rockville High School and simply turned around and left.
4. If you're one of the unlucky ones with Swine Flu running through your house, your probably stressful hunt for Tamiflu hasn't gone unnoticed. The Washington Post took notice today of the shortage of the liquid form of the medicine, which, of course, is what all young kids need. Here's the important tidbit for those of you on the hunt: Call Kensington Pharmacy, where the independent pharmacists are experts at compounding.
An aside: Barring a continued fever in a certain 5-year-old, I'll finally publish the Halloween trick-or-treating info I promised earlier this week.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Yes, I'm tired of the rain, Particularly tired because 10 years ago, husband and I didn't have the foresight to question skylights in a bedroom. (And then we left them in place, even after a tree smashed one.) If you've never experienced the sound of rain on a skylight, think pitter patter on a metal roof. So, when Nipper hopped into my bed at 3:30 this morning with a slight sore throat that seemed more like a desire to cuddle with Mommy, well, that spelled the end of sleepy time for me.
Add to that a sore heel made temporarily worse by a cortisone shot yesterday, and let's just say, I'm taking the day off today.
Coming tomorrow, though, if I can pull it off are places to go trick-or-treating around Montgomery County. I know there are some fabulous places out there. But since my Halloween trick-or-treating hours are spent every year within a four block radius of my house, I need the rest of you to pitch in and tell all. Please e-mail me with the must-visit neighborhoods in your neck of the woods at mocomoms@gmail.com and I'll share it with all 750 of you and counting!
One more note: For all of you heading into D.C. for H1N1 shots, D.C. has loosened its H1N1 priority groups a bit. In addition to pregnant women and youth ages 6 months to 24, adults with underlying health conditions such as asthma and diabetes, and caregivers of children under 6 months, can now get vaccinated. The clinics will continue to be in every ward once a week for the next three weeks. Here's the clinic list.
Add to that a sore heel made temporarily worse by a cortisone shot yesterday, and let's just say, I'm taking the day off today.
Coming tomorrow, though, if I can pull it off are places to go trick-or-treating around Montgomery County. I know there are some fabulous places out there. But since my Halloween trick-or-treating hours are spent every year within a four block radius of my house, I need the rest of you to pitch in and tell all. Please e-mail me with the must-visit neighborhoods in your neck of the woods at mocomoms@gmail.com and I'll share it with all 750 of you and counting!
One more note: For all of you heading into D.C. for H1N1 shots, D.C. has loosened its H1N1 priority groups a bit. In addition to pregnant women and youth ages 6 months to 24, adults with underlying health conditions such as asthma and diabetes, and caregivers of children under 6 months, can now get vaccinated. The clinics will continue to be in every ward once a week for the next three weeks. Here's the clinic list.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Coming Soon: Dinosaur Park
Just last week, Pumpkin Pie said he wanted to go to Arizona to search for dinosaur fossils. Every so often, he chooses a new place where he thinks he might do such exploration. So, when I read this morning about a new soon-to-be-opened Dinosaur Park in Laurel, my heart skipped a beat.
What an AWESOME place for dinosaur-loving kids to dig. The new Dinosaur Park, which is near Laurel, is not yet open to the public, but it was dedicated yesterday, according to multiple media reports. It's a 7.5-acre piece of land that is now owned by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation. "The main purpose of the park is to preserve these very rare fossil deposits," archaeologist Donald Creveling told the Baltimore Sun. "But we also will do limited public programs ... particularly geared toward children, where they can come and work with scientists."
While no details on the programs or public opening times and dates are available yet, Creveling did tell The Sun that Dinosaur Park won't be like one of our other favorites: Calvert Cliffs and the surrounding beaches. You won't be able to find a fossil and take it home. Instead, you might be able to find a fossil while being supervised by a scientist and donate it to the Smithsonian.
That's just fine in our house. The point for my kids is finding the fossils in the first place.
What an AWESOME place for dinosaur-loving kids to dig. The new Dinosaur Park, which is near Laurel, is not yet open to the public, but it was dedicated yesterday, according to multiple media reports. It's a 7.5-acre piece of land that is now owned by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation. "The main purpose of the park is to preserve these very rare fossil deposits," archaeologist Donald Creveling told the Baltimore Sun. "But we also will do limited public programs ... particularly geared toward children, where they can come and work with scientists."
While no details on the programs or public opening times and dates are available yet, Creveling did tell The Sun that Dinosaur Park won't be like one of our other favorites: Calvert Cliffs and the surrounding beaches. You won't be able to find a fossil and take it home. Instead, you might be able to find a fossil while being supervised by a scientist and donate it to the Smithsonian.
That's just fine in our house. The point for my kids is finding the fossils in the first place.
Monday, October 26, 2009
H1N1: Yes, D.C. IS Better Than MoCo
As much as I'd love to stop the one-trick pony of H1N1 on this blog and move on to other topics, this one keeps coming up. So, here's the latest:
1. The Wednesday evening clinics in Montgomery this Thursday will NOT have injectable vaccines; the county only has supplies of the nasal spray vaccine.
2. All reports over on the flu board on DC Urban Mom as well as word of mouth from other area listservs and moms I've chatted with at soccer and elsewhere is that D.C. is doing a fabulous job doling out the H1N1 vaccines. If you're child needs the vaccine, head there. The best locations for getting in and out seem to be in the NE quadrant.
3. For those of you wondering about the ingredients in said vaccines, Dr. William Sears has a breakdown on his Web site.
4. Some folks are reporting that they've gotten the vaccines at their pediatricians. A mom who brings her children to the Bernstein, Paxton, Feldman practice in Silver Spring got the vaccine there. And Hirsh Pediatrics reports they've got it in. So, if you're still searching, be sure to call your pediatrician first.
5. Yes, folks, H1N1 is prevalent and many, many folks are surviving it: While it's easy to worry with all the hoopla about the vaccine and President Obama declaring a national emergency over the weekend, it's important to remember that for many who actually get H1N1, they'll feel awful and then recover. At soccer this weekend, one mom of a 5-year-old described his H1N1 case as a fever that spiked to 104, a terrible cough and a week of misery. In other words, he had the flu and recovered.
Anyone else have information to share?
1. The Wednesday evening clinics in Montgomery this Thursday will NOT have injectable vaccines; the county only has supplies of the nasal spray vaccine.
2. All reports over on the flu board on DC Urban Mom as well as word of mouth from other area listservs and moms I've chatted with at soccer and elsewhere is that D.C. is doing a fabulous job doling out the H1N1 vaccines. If you're child needs the vaccine, head there. The best locations for getting in and out seem to be in the NE quadrant.
3. For those of you wondering about the ingredients in said vaccines, Dr. William Sears has a breakdown on his Web site.
4. Some folks are reporting that they've gotten the vaccines at their pediatricians. A mom who brings her children to the Bernstein, Paxton, Feldman practice in Silver Spring got the vaccine there. And Hirsh Pediatrics reports they've got it in. So, if you're still searching, be sure to call your pediatrician first.
5. Yes, folks, H1N1 is prevalent and many, many folks are surviving it: While it's easy to worry with all the hoopla about the vaccine and President Obama declaring a national emergency over the weekend, it's important to remember that for many who actually get H1N1, they'll feel awful and then recover. At soccer this weekend, one mom of a 5-year-old described his H1N1 case as a fever that spiked to 104, a terrible cough and a week of misery. In other words, he had the flu and recovered.
Anyone else have information to share?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Get Your Money Back on Baby Einstein Videos
Yes, those Baby Einstein videos that you may or may not have lying around the house really were simply television babysitters. But let's face it; that's not news to most of us.
Still, because of Disney's marketing claims that the videos would make babies geniuses, you can now send your Baby Einstein videos (up to four of them) back to the company and get a refund of $15.99. Here are the details.
Still, because of Disney's marketing claims that the videos would make babies geniuses, you can now send your Baby Einstein videos (up to four of them) back to the company and get a refund of $15.99. Here are the details.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Going to D.C. for H1N1 Vaccinations
Mom Heather in Silver Spring sent the following information to other moms in her area this morning:
"I just want to let everyone know that I had a great experience last night getting the H1N1 shot and mists for my son and nephews. After hearing all the crazy Montgomery County wait stories, I decided to go into D.C. We went to Kelly Miller Middle School in NE and had a great experience. There was parking in the adjacent area, cross guards, no lines, the staff was lovely and kind to the children and they got stickers and candy. I highly recommend going -- you do not have to be a D.C. resident to get vaccinated. They had an ample supple of both the mist and shot. We got there around 5:45 p.m. and we were out by 6:20 p.m. Staff was literally just standing around there was such a small turn out. I would think the weekend clinic coming up may be more crowded, but I just wanted to share our experience."
I just followed up with D.C. spokeswoman Dena Iverson about the information. Here's what she has to say:
D.C. is not checking resident identifications. The county is not encouraging non-residents to come into the city because the District's allocated supply is based on the number of people who live in the city (not the number of people who work there). Turnout has been medium to high, numbering around 200 to 600 people depending on the clinic. Iverson doesn't have numbers of how much spray and injectable supply the city has, but said that the CDC has warned all jurisdictions of a slowdown of availability of injections.
If you decide to head into D.C. for vaccinations, here's D.C's Department of Health listing of where the clinics are. One extra note about the D.C. clinics, they are for kids and pregnant women only. Vaccinations for other priority groups will come later.
"I just want to let everyone know that I had a great experience last night getting the H1N1 shot and mists for my son and nephews. After hearing all the crazy Montgomery County wait stories, I decided to go into D.C. We went to Kelly Miller Middle School in NE and had a great experience. There was parking in the adjacent area, cross guards, no lines, the staff was lovely and kind to the children and they got stickers and candy. I highly recommend going -- you do not have to be a D.C. resident to get vaccinated. They had an ample supple of both the mist and shot. We got there around 5:45 p.m. and we were out by 6:20 p.m. Staff was literally just standing around there was such a small turn out. I would think the weekend clinic coming up may be more crowded, but I just wanted to share our experience."
I just followed up with D.C. spokeswoman Dena Iverson about the information. Here's what she has to say:
D.C. is not checking resident identifications. The county is not encouraging non-residents to come into the city because the District's allocated supply is based on the number of people who live in the city (not the number of people who work there). Turnout has been medium to high, numbering around 200 to 600 people depending on the clinic. Iverson doesn't have numbers of how much spray and injectable supply the city has, but said that the CDC has warned all jurisdictions of a slowdown of availability of injections.
If you decide to head into D.C. for vaccinations, here's D.C's Department of Health listing of where the clinics are. One extra note about the D.C. clinics, they are for kids and pregnant women only. Vaccinations for other priority groups will come later.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
(Pre-Halloween) Weekend Best Bets: Oct. 23-25
This weekend, it's all about Halloween. Yes, yes, I know, the spooktacular trick-or-treating sugarfest isn't till next weekend, but try telling that to all those folks who want to lure you to their spots. A few interesting ones are listed here:
Calleva's Enchanted Forest: Brought to you by the folks who put on Markoff's Haunted Forest, the enchanted forest lets kids walk through different scenes interacting with stories that we grew up with. "Fish with Hiawatha, cast a spell with the wicked witch, and enter a castle of classic lure," writes the Web site. Plus, you leave with a pumpkin. Recommended age: 8 and under. When: Oct. 23, 24 and 30 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $10 person. Get Directions
For the older kids, you can try the spooky Markoff's Haunted Forest mentioned above. Beware, though, the two trails are terrifying. So, judge for yourself whether your kids will laugh at the spooks are get nightmares from them. Dates: Oct. 23-25, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Cost: $25 all days except Oct. 29, when the cost is $20. Time: Dusk until all patrons are finished.
The Wheaton Haunted Train & Creepy Carousel runs Friday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The scary folks who put on the event recommend it for ages 8 and up. "We try to really up the scare factor at Wheaton," they say. Buy same-day tickets for $6 ($5 with a canned food donation) at the train station each day. Tickets will have a scheduled running time printed on them so you won't need to stand in line for hours. Instead, arrive at the station at least 15 minutes before your boarding time.
For the 8 and under or easily scared kids, the "Eye Spy" Halloween Train will be running in Cabin John Regional Park. Writes the Montgomery Parks Web site: "Kids can peer into the woods as they chug along, and pick out the friends they see hiding there. Is that Sponge Bob sitting up in a tree? And look! Isn't that the same friendly skeleton that's on my 'Eye Spy' card?" Cost: $5 ($4 with canned food donation). Dates: Oct. 22-Oct. 30. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. The same ticket purchase as the Wheaton train applies, with same day tickets on sale at the train station at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, Boo at the Zoo still has tickets available for tonight and Sunday.
In addition, there are daytime fall festivals around the area in Olney, Gaithersburg.
A fuller calendar now appears on the right-hand side of this blog underneath the Google ads. It's a work-in-progress. Please send your events to mocomoms@gmail.com to help me continue to fill it out.
Beyond Halloween (yes, it will come and go), a few events have come my way that may interest you.:
Sesame Street Live "1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo and Friends" is coming to the Patriot Center Dec. 17-20. To purchase pre-sale tickets, use the password SEWP. Presale tickets are available until Nov. 8. Here's the cost breakdown, per the e-mail: Opening night: All seats $14! (excluding Premium & Gold Circle) Other performances: $15, $18, $27 (Premium), & $37 (Gold Circle)
Taylor Swift will perform at the Verizon Center on Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Calleva's Enchanted Forest: Brought to you by the folks who put on Markoff's Haunted Forest, the enchanted forest lets kids walk through different scenes interacting with stories that we grew up with. "Fish with Hiawatha, cast a spell with the wicked witch, and enter a castle of classic lure," writes the Web site. Plus, you leave with a pumpkin. Recommended age: 8 and under. When: Oct. 23, 24 and 30 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $10 person. Get Directions
For the older kids, you can try the spooky Markoff's Haunted Forest mentioned above. Beware, though, the two trails are terrifying. So, judge for yourself whether your kids will laugh at the spooks are get nightmares from them. Dates: Oct. 23-25, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Cost: $25 all days except Oct. 29, when the cost is $20. Time: Dusk until all patrons are finished.
The Wheaton Haunted Train & Creepy Carousel runs Friday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The scary folks who put on the event recommend it for ages 8 and up. "We try to really up the scare factor at Wheaton," they say. Buy same-day tickets for $6 ($5 with a canned food donation) at the train station each day. Tickets will have a scheduled running time printed on them so you won't need to stand in line for hours. Instead, arrive at the station at least 15 minutes before your boarding time.
For the 8 and under or easily scared kids, the "Eye Spy" Halloween Train will be running in Cabin John Regional Park. Writes the Montgomery Parks Web site: "Kids can peer into the woods as they chug along, and pick out the friends they see hiding there. Is that Sponge Bob sitting up in a tree? And look! Isn't that the same friendly skeleton that's on my 'Eye Spy' card?" Cost: $5 ($4 with canned food donation). Dates: Oct. 22-Oct. 30. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. The same ticket purchase as the Wheaton train applies, with same day tickets on sale at the train station at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, Boo at the Zoo still has tickets available for tonight and Sunday.
In addition, there are daytime fall festivals around the area in Olney, Gaithersburg.
A fuller calendar now appears on the right-hand side of this blog underneath the Google ads. It's a work-in-progress. Please send your events to mocomoms@gmail.com to help me continue to fill it out.
Beyond Halloween (yes, it will come and go), a few events have come my way that may interest you.:
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Share Your H1N1 Stories
Are you a parent who got the nasal spray without the wait two weeks ago? Did you wait in that crawling line last week at the Dennis Avenue Health Center for 2-3 hours and get your shot/spray without a problem? Were you caught in the craziness of Rockville today?
Dad Chris reports that he got in line in Rockville around 6:30 a.m. "The line moved pretty well when they opened up at 9," he said. His wife and daughter met them at 9:15; his daughter had the shot by 10 a.m. Here's what the line behind him looked like:
Meanwhile, mom Lisa, who got there at 7:30 was out of luck. She left at 10:15 sans shot for her youngest.
What about you?
Dad Chris reports that he got in line in Rockville around 6:30 a.m. "The line moved pretty well when they opened up at 9," he said. His wife and daughter met them at 9:15; his daughter had the shot by 10 a.m. Here's what the line behind him looked like:
Meanwhile, mom Lisa, who got there at 7:30 was out of luck. She left at 10:15 sans shot for her youngest.
What about you?
Status Report on H1N1 Clinics
Last Wednesday, many of us sat in lines for 2-3 hours to get vaccinated against the H1N1 (Swine) flu with the limited supply in Montgomery County. Today, in Rockville, the lines are just as tremendous, maybe even more so. So, if you're heading out to the Piccard Drive Health Center, 1335 Piccard Drive, Rockville, come prepared with coffee and snacks. You've got a ton of folks in front of you. Also, this just in at 10 a.m.: the Piccard Drive Health Center is OUT of the injectable vaccines. They started the day with only 200 doses.
Here's the scene via Ch. 5:
The next opportunities for getting vaccinated through the county are at high schools for the next four Wednesday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting next week. Here, again, are the locations:
Also around town, I've heard some parental confusion about how the H1N1 vaccines should be administered. Here's a rundown via the CDC:
Here's the scene via Ch. 5:
The next opportunities for getting vaccinated through the county are at high schools for the next four Wednesday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting next week. Here, again, are the locations:
- Northwood High School
919 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring - Northwest High School
13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown - Rockville High School
2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville
Also around town, I've heard some parental confusion about how the H1N1 vaccines should be administered. Here's a rundown via the CDC:
- Pregnant woman should get the H1N1 shots, not nasal sprays, which are not approved for pregnant women. H1N1 shots are made with killed virus, versus the nasal sprays, which are manufactured with live virus. It is okay to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot on the same day so long as they are given in different arms. The shots can be given at any time during pregnancy.
- Nursing mothers can get either the nasal spray or the shot.
- Children ages 6 months to 9 years old need two doses of H1N1. These should be administered 28 days apart. People ages 10 and up can receive just one dose.
- Healthy children ages 2 to 24 can receive either the H1N1 nasal spray or the shot. Because of limited supply at the county clinic in Silver Spring last week, the shots were reserved only for people with underlying health conditions that prevent them from receiving the nasal spray and their caretakers.
- The vaccine is made with thimerosal; the county department of health advises that you get a doctor's prescription if you want thimerosal-free vaccine. However, those vaccines have not yet become available.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Denver Girl Denied Health Coverage for Being Too Small
In the "oh, my" category of news comes this little story out of Denver: Underweight Girl Denied Insurance Coverage." Now, I know this family lives across the country. And I know that this has little to do with any of us here in Montgomery County, Md. But seriously, denied coverage because she weighs too little?
Aislin Bates is healthy say her parents and her pediatrician. At age 2, she weighs 22 pounds, which puts her below the 5th percentile on the CDC charts.
Aislin's story follows another one earlier this month, also out of Denver, in which a 4-month-old breastfeeding baby was denied health coverage because he weighed too much. In 4-month-old Alex Lange's case, the insurance company, Rocky Mountain Health News, changed its attitude -- and its policies.
While there are so many questions here, it's hard to get started, one that sticks in my head is this: What other small children have been denied health coverage because of their weight? If this is happening in Colorado, it must be happening elsewhere as well.
Aislin Bates is healthy say her parents and her pediatrician. At age 2, she weighs 22 pounds, which puts her below the 5th percentile on the CDC charts.
Aislin's story follows another one earlier this month, also out of Denver, in which a 4-month-old breastfeeding baby was denied health coverage because he weighed too much. In 4-month-old Alex Lange's case, the insurance company, Rocky Mountain Health News, changed its attitude -- and its policies.
While there are so many questions here, it's hard to get started, one that sticks in my head is this: What other small children have been denied health coverage because of their weight? If this is happening in Colorado, it must be happening elsewhere as well.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Join My Mom Panel
Today's Monday pickings are gonna be light today as what was supposed to be a quick into Boston/out of Boston weekend trip to unveil the plaque on my mother's grave turned into a getting-stuck-at-Logan-because-of-the-weather trip. So, now that I'm FINALLY back home, here's what's on tap for later this week:
1. Halloween: I know there are tons of great neighborhood events around the county. And I also know that I only hear about a sprinkling of them. So, help me inform all of you. E-mail me at mocomoms@gmail.com about any and all Halloween cool stuff that you know about. An entry's coming later this week.
And speaking of helping out MoCo Moms. My goal for this blog is to make it a rich resource for all moms over the next several months. To make that happen, I need help from some of you. If you're that In The Know Mom in your neighborhood, please e-mail me at mocomoms@gmail.com about joining my In The Know Panel. You know who you are. You're the moms who e-mail your friends about all the events going on in your neck of the woods. You're the ones who organize sports classes for neighborhood kids. You're the ones who take your kids galavanting around to tons of really cool places and see lots of the same familiar faces. If you're that Mom and want to join my panel, please e-mail me and let me know where you live. Ideally, I'll find representatives from Gaithersburg, Germantown, Darnestown, Olney, Bethesda, Potomac, Kensington, Aspen Hill, Fairland and any of the other areas I've missed on that list.
1. Halloween: I know there are tons of great neighborhood events around the county. And I also know that I only hear about a sprinkling of them. So, help me inform all of you. E-mail me at mocomoms@gmail.com about any and all Halloween cool stuff that you know about. An entry's coming later this week.
And speaking of helping out MoCo Moms. My goal for this blog is to make it a rich resource for all moms over the next several months. To make that happen, I need help from some of you. If you're that In The Know Mom in your neighborhood, please e-mail me at mocomoms@gmail.com about joining my In The Know Panel. You know who you are. You're the moms who e-mail your friends about all the events going on in your neck of the woods. You're the ones who organize sports classes for neighborhood kids. You're the ones who take your kids galavanting around to tons of really cool places and see lots of the same familiar faces. If you're that Mom and want to join my panel, please e-mail me and let me know where you live. Ideally, I'll find representatives from Gaithersburg, Germantown, Darnestown, Olney, Bethesda, Potomac, Kensington, Aspen Hill, Fairland and any of the other areas I've missed on that list.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Gymnastics Scene Keeps Growing
Yes, Rockville, you, too, have joined the kiddie gymnastics scene. The new player in town is called Dynamite Gymnastics Center and it's at 4956 Boiling Brook Pkwy. Like it's competitors around the region, it's got classes, open gym, summer and winter camps and hosts birthday parties. Original? No. But closer than Silver Stars or Hill's Gymnastics for folks living near the Pike? Yep.
In case you're wondering, the gymnastics scene around here has exploded in the past few years. Here's a rundown of some of the players:
Silver Stars: After being forced to close it's leaky Wheaton location, Silver Stars opened a facility in Bowie in addition to its warehouse location in Silver Spring. The Silver Spring venue is easy in/easy out with good instructors for the toddler/preschool set who can come in the quiet mid-day hours. But after school, it's a zoo. The Bowie location now boasts laser tag, which Silver Stars has been hyping to the max every chance it gets.
The Little Gym: Compared to Silver Stars, the Kemp Mill parking lot for the Little Gym is a dream. It takes a non-competitive approach to the sport and isn't just about gymnastics. Other offerings there include dance, karate and cheerleading.
Hill's Gymnastics: If your child is serious about gymnastics, this is the place to be. In our preschool days, there was a little girl who thought it was fun to do flips off a closet bar. As an elementary schooler, this is the gym where she ended up.
Fairland Gymnastics: Over in neighboring Prince George's County, the Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex houses competitive gymnastics and trampoline tumbling programs.
All that brings us back to Dynamite Gymnastics Center. The gym boasts a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with new equipment. It's hosting an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. If you go or have tried their classes, let us know what you think of it.
In case you're wondering, the gymnastics scene around here has exploded in the past few years. Here's a rundown of some of the players:
Silver Stars: After being forced to close it's leaky Wheaton location, Silver Stars opened a facility in Bowie in addition to its warehouse location in Silver Spring. The Silver Spring venue is easy in/easy out with good instructors for the toddler/preschool set who can come in the quiet mid-day hours. But after school, it's a zoo. The Bowie location now boasts laser tag, which Silver Stars has been hyping to the max every chance it gets.
The Little Gym: Compared to Silver Stars, the Kemp Mill parking lot for the Little Gym is a dream. It takes a non-competitive approach to the sport and isn't just about gymnastics. Other offerings there include dance, karate and cheerleading.
Hill's Gymnastics: If your child is serious about gymnastics, this is the place to be. In our preschool days, there was a little girl who thought it was fun to do flips off a closet bar. As an elementary schooler, this is the gym where she ended up.
Fairland Gymnastics: Over in neighboring Prince George's County, the Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex houses competitive gymnastics and trampoline tumbling programs.
All that brings us back to Dynamite Gymnastics Center. The gym boasts a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with new equipment. It's hosting an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. If you go or have tried their classes, let us know what you think of it.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weekend Best Bets: Oct. 17-18
It's raining, it's pouring ... and it's downright chilly.
So, with early fall raking out and pumpkin patches not a great rainy, cold day activity with kids, we're heading indoors for some ideas this weekend. Here goes:
The Kids Euro Festival began this week. The festival, now in its second year, will host free events by European children's entertainers throughout the region through Nov. 10. Here's a schedule of events. Some offerings are opera for children, improvisational storytelling, puppetry, dance, and acrobatics.
Maryland Science Center: The Science Center in Baltimore is one of our favorites for indoor days. It's currently got a DaVinci traveling exhibit in house. But what seems more interesting for kids is the Imagination & Creation Exploration in the kids room going on Friday, Oct. 16 -- when most of us will have our kids home from school. Kids will investigate Da Vinci inventions and explore how science and art come together.
Strathmore's Family Concert series is on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer perform both folk and silly songs. Strathmore recommends the concert for kids ages 6 and up. Cost: $7.
If you're more a museum person, the African Art Museum has an "Artful Animals Family Workshop" at 1 p.m. on Saturday where kids make masks inspired by animals in the museum's exhibit. Age recommendation: 7 and up. Cost: Free, but call to reserve a space.
And looking ahead to family events that require some extra planning:
The Wiggles will be at the Verizon Center on Nov. 5 and Disney on Ice will be at the Patriot Center in Fairfax from Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 25 and at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore from Wed., Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 1. Here's a full list of upcoming family shows in the region via Ticketmaster.
So, with early fall raking out and pumpkin patches not a great rainy, cold day activity with kids, we're heading indoors for some ideas this weekend. Here goes:
The Kids Euro Festival began this week. The festival, now in its second year, will host free events by European children's entertainers throughout the region through Nov. 10. Here's a schedule of events. Some offerings are opera for children, improvisational storytelling, puppetry, dance, and acrobatics.
Maryland Science Center: The Science Center in Baltimore is one of our favorites for indoor days. It's currently got a DaVinci traveling exhibit in house. But what seems more interesting for kids is the Imagination & Creation Exploration in the kids room going on Friday, Oct. 16 -- when most of us will have our kids home from school. Kids will investigate Da Vinci inventions and explore how science and art come together.
Strathmore's Family Concert series is on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer perform both folk and silly songs. Strathmore recommends the concert for kids ages 6 and up. Cost: $7.
If you're more a museum person, the African Art Museum has an "Artful Animals Family Workshop" at 1 p.m. on Saturday where kids make masks inspired by animals in the museum's exhibit. Age recommendation: 7 and up. Cost: Free, but call to reserve a space.
And looking ahead to family events that require some extra planning:
The Wiggles will be at the Verizon Center on Nov. 5 and Disney on Ice will be at the Patriot Center in Fairfax from Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 25 and at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore from Wed., Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 1. Here's a full list of upcoming family shows in the region via Ticketmaster.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
H1N1 Flu Shots Are Now Available
Wednesday afternoon update:
So, after seeing last minute that the H1N1 vaccine injectables are now available, I called the pediatrician, who had a small supply but has already run out, and then pulled my asthmatic son out of school to get the shot at the county-run clinic at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring. I'd heard the first clinic (nasal spray only) was easy in, easy out. Not so this time.
Parents who arrived at 8:30-8:45 reported a 2-hour wait after coming out vaccinated. Those of us who arrived in the 10:30 range didn't leave until about 1:30. The whole thing, wait included, was both well-staffed and well-run. The crowds were calm and the lines did move. But if you head off to one of these clinics, go prepared with water, food, coats and even lollipops or stickers for the kids. I'd forgotten the requisite shot lollipop and Nipper, who normally has no problem with shots, thought the needle was super long and hurt more than his seasonal flu shot last week. I attribute that to my bad mommy syndrome of forgetting the lolly. The nurse who gave him the shot lamented that she didn't have stickers to give the kids.
For those of you looking for the flu clinic info, here's the latest from the Montgomery County Department of Health:
Free H1N1 vaccination clinics (providing nasal spray and injectable) will be held for priority folks first. These are pregnant women, children and young adults, ages 6 months to 24 years, household contacts and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months old, health care workers, adults ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, cancer and HIV. The currently posted clinic dates are:
919 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring
Northwest High School
13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown
Rockville High School
2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville
Area pediatrician Web sites continue to report that they have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine.
So, after seeing last minute that the H1N1 vaccine injectables are now available, I called the pediatrician, who had a small supply but has already run out, and then pulled my asthmatic son out of school to get the shot at the county-run clinic at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring. I'd heard the first clinic (nasal spray only) was easy in, easy out. Not so this time.
Parents who arrived at 8:30-8:45 reported a 2-hour wait after coming out vaccinated. Those of us who arrived in the 10:30 range didn't leave until about 1:30. The whole thing, wait included, was both well-staffed and well-run. The crowds were calm and the lines did move. But if you head off to one of these clinics, go prepared with water, food, coats and even lollipops or stickers for the kids. I'd forgotten the requisite shot lollipop and Nipper, who normally has no problem with shots, thought the needle was super long and hurt more than his seasonal flu shot last week. I attribute that to my bad mommy syndrome of forgetting the lolly. The nurse who gave him the shot lamented that she didn't have stickers to give the kids.
For those of you looking for the flu clinic info, here's the latest from the Montgomery County Department of Health:
Free H1N1 vaccination clinics (providing nasal spray and injectable) will be held for priority folks first. These are pregnant women, children and young adults, ages 6 months to 24 years, household contacts and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months old, health care workers, adults ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, cancer and HIV. The currently posted clinic dates are:
- Wednesday, October 14 (That's today, folks)
9 a.m. to noon
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring
- Wednesday, October 21
9 a.m. to noon
Piccard Drive Health Center
1335 Piccard Drive, Rockville
- Wednesday, October 28 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.
919 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring
Northwest High School
13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown
Rockville High School
2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville
Area pediatrician Web sites continue to report that they have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are
I LOVE Maurice Sendak's works: The "Where the Wild Things Are" characters are about as unique as they get. The illustrations in the "Little Bear" series still enchant. "In the Night Kitchen" allowed us a fun game when the kids were little of gently pounding them and stirring them like dough.
Throughout his career, Sendak has been no stranger to controversy: Both with the drawings of "Wild Things" when the book was first released and with showing the full anatomy of a little boy in "Night Kitchen."
But even a favorite author can go too far. And that, in my opinion, is what Sendak has done in a Newsweek interview recently about the Wild Things movie, which opens in theaters on Friday. The movie is rated PG, for any parents contemplating taking their little ones to see the film. A quick look at the trailer will show you that yes, the monsters look real, and yes, the boy truly travels in rough waters alone on the high sea. In case you're wondering whether the movie might be too scary for your little ones, there are some good Web sites that will tell you that sort of thing. Unfortunately, they haven't posted their reviews just yet. As for Sendak himself, he really doesn't care for any of us parents who consider whether a movie is too scary for our children before spending the gobs of money movie theaters charge these days:
Let's just run through a few choices in which information overload isn't a problem:
Finding Nemo: A movie perfect for the toddler set, EXCEPT the first scene where the mom and all the eggs get eaten by a barracuda. I discussed the never-before-watched scene with my elementary schoolers this morning, revealing in words the part they'd never seen. And even they agreed it wouldn't have been something they wanted to see a few years ago. Now, though, they both want to finally see it; and I'm happy to show it to them. On DVD, it's easy to skip that first scene without the kids ever knowing since the credits start after the shark attack.
The Wizard of Oz: The book was wonderfully imaginative and on our summer reading list a few months ago. We followed it up with the movie. Nipper (age 5) couldn't sit through it because he found it too scary. Instead, we let him put on a movie that wouldn't give him nightmares in another room.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- the original: Another book/movie charmer that was on our summer list. Neither boy was scared by the boat in the dark tunnel, but hubby recalls vividly that scene scaring him as a kid.
Charlotte's Web: I made the mistake of taking our kids to see this movie in their preschool days. As elementary schoolers, they'd be fine. But back then, the death of Charlotte brought a four-year-old to tears. My mistake: Pumpkin Pie has an intense love of all things living -- ants, spiders, beetles, crickets, cicadas, etc.
The Lion King: Pumpkin Pie (age 7) hasn't seen the movie by choice. He knows the dad dies and made the call that he didn't want to watch a movie in which that happens. Again, information can be a good thing.
Will you be going to see Wild Things this weekend? If so, come on back and share your thoughts on age-appropriateness.
Throughout his career, Sendak has been no stranger to controversy: Both with the drawings of "Wild Things" when the book was first released and with showing the full anatomy of a little boy in "Night Kitchen."
But even a favorite author can go too far. And that, in my opinion, is what Sendak has done in a Newsweek interview recently about the Wild Things movie, which opens in theaters on Friday. The movie is rated PG, for any parents contemplating taking their little ones to see the film. A quick look at the trailer will show you that yes, the monsters look real, and yes, the boy truly travels in rough waters alone on the high sea. In case you're wondering whether the movie might be too scary for your little ones, there are some good Web sites that will tell you that sort of thing. Unfortunately, they haven't posted their reviews just yet. As for Sendak himself, he really doesn't care for any of us parents who consider whether a movie is too scary for our children before spending the gobs of money movie theaters charge these days:
Newsweek: What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?In other parts of the interview (bonus interview here), Sendak pans movies that cater too much to little child/big parent sensibilities. After all, scary movies molded his childhood 70+ years ago (Sendak is 81) and life as a child is scary. While he may well be right, he needn't have been quite so angry and dismissive of those of us with children who won't sit through movies that scare them. I'd much rather have seen both Sendak and the others intricately involved with making the movie give a clear age range of who they think the movie will appeal to and who it's appropriate for and not. Yes, there are always exceptions to such questions, but general guidelines can apply.
Sendak: I would tell them to go to hell. That's a question I will not tolerate.
Because kids can handle it?
Sendak: If they can't handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it's not a question that can be answered.
Let's just run through a few choices in which information overload isn't a problem:
Finding Nemo: A movie perfect for the toddler set, EXCEPT the first scene where the mom and all the eggs get eaten by a barracuda. I discussed the never-before-watched scene with my elementary schoolers this morning, revealing in words the part they'd never seen. And even they agreed it wouldn't have been something they wanted to see a few years ago. Now, though, they both want to finally see it; and I'm happy to show it to them. On DVD, it's easy to skip that first scene without the kids ever knowing since the credits start after the shark attack.
The Wizard of Oz: The book was wonderfully imaginative and on our summer reading list a few months ago. We followed it up with the movie. Nipper (age 5) couldn't sit through it because he found it too scary. Instead, we let him put on a movie that wouldn't give him nightmares in another room.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- the original: Another book/movie charmer that was on our summer list. Neither boy was scared by the boat in the dark tunnel, but hubby recalls vividly that scene scaring him as a kid.
Charlotte's Web: I made the mistake of taking our kids to see this movie in their preschool days. As elementary schoolers, they'd be fine. But back then, the death of Charlotte brought a four-year-old to tears. My mistake: Pumpkin Pie has an intense love of all things living -- ants, spiders, beetles, crickets, cicadas, etc.
The Lion King: Pumpkin Pie (age 7) hasn't seen the movie by choice. He knows the dad dies and made the call that he didn't want to watch a movie in which that happens. Again, information can be a good thing.
Will you be going to see Wild Things this weekend? If so, come on back and share your thoughts on age-appropriateness.
Monday, October 12, 2009
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Update
Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services has announced its second H1N1 clinic for H1N1 nasal spray vaccines. This one will be on Wed., Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring.
The following groups of people take priority in receiving the H1N1 spray:
• Healthy children from ages two to 18
• Healthy adults up to age 49 who are caretakers of infants younger than six months of age, and
• Healthy health care workers up to age 49.
The county says that it expects to receive the H1N1 flu shots in the next several weeks. For a list of what's going on at area pediatricians' offices, click here for the list I put together last week.
The following groups of people take priority in receiving the H1N1 spray:
• Healthy children from ages two to 18
• Healthy adults up to age 49 who are caretakers of infants younger than six months of age, and
• Healthy health care workers up to age 49.
The county says that it expects to receive the H1N1 flu shots in the next several weeks. For a list of what's going on at area pediatricians' offices, click here for the list I put together last week.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Goodbye, Halloween; Hello Fall Festival
On Monday, like many other MoCo parents, I'll be spending the morning jumping from one child's classroom to another. It's the annual Columbus Day open house, where, for a couple of hours, we get to peek into our child's world at school.
My focus will be on watching the classroom dynamics. But these days, it's the non-academics that has my school's parenting community up in arms.
You see, for the first time, the school has banished Halloween, both in name and store-bought costume, from the school grounds. Instead, kids will be making costumes in class. The annual parade and ensuing classroom parties will exist. Hopefully, though, the changes, will mean that some children don't sit in the media center while their classroom friends get to have fun. Hopefully it will mean that children won't avoid coming to school that day. And ideally, no child will feel badly because their parents can't afford that coveted superhero costume while their classmate gets to show that some costume off.
Some parents have argued that changing Halloween at school is akin to being as unAmerican as, say, burning the flag. (Alright, maybe they haven't quite used that analogy, but you get the picture). For me, it's been a lesson in teaching my children about how lucky they are and about how even something as innocuous as a Halloween party at school can make some children at school feel badly. And school, in my opinion, is a place that all children should like to be at.
For us, it's enough to save Halloween for home. How're your schools handling Halloween this year -- fall festival or costumes from home?
My focus will be on watching the classroom dynamics. But these days, it's the non-academics that has my school's parenting community up in arms.
You see, for the first time, the school has banished Halloween, both in name and store-bought costume, from the school grounds. Instead, kids will be making costumes in class. The annual parade and ensuing classroom parties will exist. Hopefully, though, the changes, will mean that some children don't sit in the media center while their classroom friends get to have fun. Hopefully it will mean that children won't avoid coming to school that day. And ideally, no child will feel badly because their parents can't afford that coveted superhero costume while their classmate gets to show that some costume off.
Some parents have argued that changing Halloween at school is akin to being as unAmerican as, say, burning the flag. (Alright, maybe they haven't quite used that analogy, but you get the picture). For me, it's been a lesson in teaching my children about how lucky they are and about how even something as innocuous as a Halloween party at school can make some children at school feel badly. And school, in my opinion, is a place that all children should like to be at.
For us, it's enough to save Halloween for home. How're your schools handling Halloween this year -- fall festival or costumes from home?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Weekend Best Bets: Oct. 10-11
Oktoberfest at the Kentlands: The 18th annual festival sponsored by the city of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Citizen Assembly features horse-drawn hay rides, pumpkin painting, Bavarian food, dancing and music, face painting, pony rides, a moonbounce and art activities for kids. It's from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kentlands. Get Directions
Do you have a child who loves to build? Mom Becky recommends the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in which 20 teams of college students are competing to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house.The houses are open from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday on the Mall between the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum.
Pumpkin Picking and Play: Friend and mom to 3, Renata, recommends Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch in Middletown, Md. She writes: Real patches. 15 different kids of pumpkins. No "cover fee". They have a petting area, kids barn, arts barn and a small general store. The corn maze -- 1 for kids and 1 for "big kids". I thought it was very well run and reasonably priced.
Other pumpkin picking options include: Butler's Orchard has a ton of free activities (hayrides, straw and corn mazes, slides, rubber ducky derby, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, pedal tractors and more), though it's Pumpkin Cannon is off this weekend and back next weekend. Summers Farm is trying out a new Pumpkin Festival this year. It's on both Saturday and Sunday. That's in addition to the corn maze, hay slides, farm animals, hay rides, pumpkin patch, pig races and the jumping pillow. Larriland Farms has the basics, a hayride, a straw maze and a boo barn. Homestead Farms has the bare-bones offering: hayrides to the pumpkins. And finally, Sharp's Farm has a hay ride, a corn maze and more.
Do you have a child who loves to build? Mom Becky recommends the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in which 20 teams of college students are competing to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house.The houses are open from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday on the Mall between the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum.
Pumpkin Picking and Play: Friend and mom to 3, Renata, recommends Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch in Middletown, Md. She writes: Real patches. 15 different kids of pumpkins. No "cover fee". They have a petting area, kids barn, arts barn and a small general store. The corn maze -- 1 for kids and 1 for "big kids". I thought it was very well run and reasonably priced.
Other pumpkin picking options include: Butler's Orchard has a ton of free activities (hayrides, straw and corn mazes, slides, rubber ducky derby, pumpkin coach, jump in the hayloft, pedal tractors and more), though it's Pumpkin Cannon is off this weekend and back next weekend. Summers Farm is trying out a new Pumpkin Festival this year. It's on both Saturday and Sunday. That's in addition to the corn maze, hay slides, farm animals, hay rides, pumpkin patch, pig races and the jumping pillow. Larriland Farms has the basics, a hayride, a straw maze and a boo barn. Homestead Farms has the bare-bones offering: hayrides to the pumpkins. And finally, Sharp's Farm has a hay ride, a corn maze and more.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
So Much for That Free Flu Shot
I have to admit that I thought it suspicious that Montgomery County was giving free Flu Mist and injectable vaccines to all students in the county. It's a large county, after all. But still, I bit because, well, free is better than paying a co-pay.
Because of various health conditions, both my children need the shot, not the spray. I talked to the school nurse to make sure that this wouldn't be a problem. And I waited. Until last night, that is, when a note came home from school saying that Montgomery County has suspended the seasonal flu vaccine campaign.
So, back to plan A: Go to one of the flu clinics at our pediatrician's office.
Still, lots of questions linger, such as how will this all work?
Here are some details from the Montgomery County letter that went out to parents and the CDC:
Have you called your pediatrician about how they are administering flu vaccines? If so, post them here.
Here's what I've learned so far:
Montgomery County Clinics: The first H1N1 nasal spray clinic will be held on Friday, October 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring. The clinic will be focused on the following priority groups: healthy children ages 2-18, health adults up to age 49 who are caretakers of infants younger than six months old, healthy health care workers up to age 49.
Capitol Medical Group, Chevy Chase: Has ordered the H1N1 Vaccine for October delivery, but quantity is not guaranteed and the actual date of arrival is not yet known. Updates available on CMG's Web site. Flu vaccine clinics are being held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Children First Pediatrics in Rockville and Silver Spring: The seasonal flu vaccines, both injectible and Flu Mist are currently available. Call the office to schedule an appointment for either day or evening. Adults who want the vaccine can get it as well. The office expects to receive its shipment of H1N1 vaccine by the end of November. However, the quantity of doses that will arrive is not yet known, so the office reports that it can't make appointments for the H1N1 vaccine yet.
Discovery Pediatrics: The last flu clinic is tomorrow night (Thursday, Oct. 8) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call to reserve a time. The office has no information yet on the H1N1 vaccine.
Hirsh Pediatrics: After hours walk-in flu clinic is Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.. You may also walk into the office any weekday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Milestone Pediatrics: The seasonal flu vaccine became available in September. Call the office for an appointment.
Nighttime Pediatrics (Locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg): From its Web site on 10/13: Due to manufacturer shortages, our supplies of seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine are limited at this time. To ensure availability, please call 888.808.6483 before coming to a Care Center for a flu shot, and check this site frequently for updates.
Primary Pediatrics: As of Oct. 6 (yesterday), the office is temporarily out of the seasonal flu vaccine. It is expecting another shipment by mid-late October. The H1N1 vaccine has not yet arrived.
Smita Parikh Mengers: Flu shots and Flu mist available now. H1N1 vaccine coming in November.
Takoma Park Pediatrics: Call the office to schedule a seasonal flu vaccine. Once H1N1 arrives, TPP will post evening walk-in hours.
Because of various health conditions, both my children need the shot, not the spray. I talked to the school nurse to make sure that this wouldn't be a problem. And I waited. Until last night, that is, when a note came home from school saying that Montgomery County has suspended the seasonal flu vaccine campaign.
So, back to plan A: Go to one of the flu clinics at our pediatrician's office.
Still, lots of questions linger, such as how will this all work?
Here are some details from the Montgomery County letter that went out to parents and the CDC:
- Currently, 99 percent of circulating influenza in Maryland is H1N1. That's not to say that regular influenza won't spike later.
- The live virus sprays of Flu Mist and the H1N1 vaccine cannot be administered together. There is a 28-day waiting period between the two live vaccines, though the CDC reports that if the two are administered in a 21-day period, the vaccines are considered valid.
- Both the flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine can be administered together if one or both is given as an injectable.
- Children 9 and under will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Those 10 and older need 1.
- There's no clear delivery date to most providers as of yet for the H1N1 vaccine. However, this just in from the Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services: The first 2500 doses of the nasal spray vaccine have arrived. It is anticipated that injectable flu vaccine will arrive in the next few weeks and there will continue to be deliveries of both types of flu vaccine in the coming weeks and months.
Have you called your pediatrician about how they are administering flu vaccines? If so, post them here.
Here's what I've learned so far:
Montgomery County Clinics: The first H1N1 nasal spray clinic will be held on Friday, October 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring. The clinic will be focused on the following priority groups: healthy children ages 2-18, health adults up to age 49 who are caretakers of infants younger than six months old, healthy health care workers up to age 49.
Capitol Medical Group, Chevy Chase: Has ordered the H1N1 Vaccine for October delivery, but quantity is not guaranteed and the actual date of arrival is not yet known. Updates available on CMG's Web site. Flu vaccine clinics are being held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Children First Pediatrics in Rockville and Silver Spring: The seasonal flu vaccines, both injectible and Flu Mist are currently available. Call the office to schedule an appointment for either day or evening. Adults who want the vaccine can get it as well. The office expects to receive its shipment of H1N1 vaccine by the end of November. However, the quantity of doses that will arrive is not yet known, so the office reports that it can't make appointments for the H1N1 vaccine yet.
Discovery Pediatrics: The last flu clinic is tomorrow night (Thursday, Oct. 8) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call to reserve a time. The office has no information yet on the H1N1 vaccine.
Hirsh Pediatrics: After hours walk-in flu clinic is Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.. You may also walk into the office any weekday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Milestone Pediatrics: The seasonal flu vaccine became available in September. Call the office for an appointment.
Nighttime Pediatrics (Locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg): From its Web site on 10/13: Due to manufacturer shortages, our supplies of seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine are limited at this time. To ensure availability, please call 888.808.6483 before coming to a Care Center for a flu shot, and check this site frequently for updates.
Primary Pediatrics: As of Oct. 6 (yesterday), the office is temporarily out of the seasonal flu vaccine. It is expecting another shipment by mid-late October. The H1N1 vaccine has not yet arrived.
Smita Parikh Mengers: Flu shots and Flu mist available now. H1N1 vaccine coming in November.
Takoma Park Pediatrics: Call the office to schedule a seasonal flu vaccine. Once H1N1 arrives, TPP will post evening walk-in hours.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Tot Swap, Take 2
At the end of Sept, I featured the Tot Swap Montgomery consignment sale. Well, if you missed that one, no worries. Another one, this time in Howard County, is happening this week. If you're pulling kid stuff out of your hair and from under beds and are wondering whether you really need all this junk, here's your chance to get it to another home. You can register and drop off your items tomorrow or Thursday. The sale is open Friday and Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday from 10-3. It's at 9033 Red Branch Rd., Columbia. Click here for directions. Tot Swap will also have a sale Oct. 21-25 in Frederick.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Playing Hooky at Great Wolf Lodge
Friday and Saturday were the big reward.
Way back in May, when we discussed the 100 book challenge for the summer, my husband and I decided to let the boys choose their final reward. The words that immediately escaped their mouths: Great Wolf Lodge.
The Great Wolf Lodge money suck idea was stuck in their heads from our first trip there in February. There's lots to love about the indoor waterpark in Williamsburg. First, it's a water park that's always 84 degrees inside. The kids hop from the massive waterlogged jungle gym to the wave pool to the obstacle course to the slides. Little ones only need to be 42 inches tall to go on the waterslides -- unlike Montgomery County waterparks at MLK pool and Gaithersburg, where the height requirement is 48 inches. And both can't get enough of MagiQuest, a game inside the massive hotel in which the kids use a light-sensored magic wand to find things, get runes and eventually go on adventures to fight a dragon and an ogre. Note: If you go, basic wands cost $15 and the game is another $10. Games hold over from trip to trip.
Fun, yes. Expensive. You bet.
Now, in general, we have a family policy around here: The kids don't miss school without a really good reason. But a look at prices for GWL left a lot to be desired. We'd pay a good $50 more if we went on a Montgomery County teacher workday rather than Friday's half day. And so, with a slight bit of guilt, we sent notes to the teachers that the boys would miss school on Friday and went off to the Lodge with another family who'd done the book challenge along with us.
Needless to say, ALL the kids had a fabulous time. The park experience when it was not crowded was so much more relaxing than the President's Day weekend lines for everything last year. The dragon succumbed to boy power multiple times. Pumpkin Pie befriended other children, teaching them how to slay the dragon as well. Nipper (the 5-yr-old) needed some parental help; but he, too, slayed the dragon. A note to any parent who attempts this feat: The dragon sensor is in a skull on the floor, so raise your little ones up high to point their wand in the right place.
Other Great Wolf Lodge lessons from two trips to the water park: Bring food, lots and lots of food. Everything, and I do mean everything, is way overpriced. A small container of milk cost $2.50! Plan to eat your main meals outside of the lodge. While Jungle Jim's Eatery right across the parking lot seems convenient and the decor is kid-friendly, the breakfast foods were mediocre at best. I'd recommend you head elsewhere. But for a fabulous meal and good service a short drive away, try Food for Thought, one of the independent places around town. Meanwhile, good friend Kristy, who's family has spent some time over the years in Williamsburg, recommends Pierce's barbecue just down the street. Leave yourself plenty of time for that place, though, or go at an off time. It was so jam packed at Saturday night dinner, that we gave up and ate elsewhere on the road home.
Way back in May, when we discussed the 100 book challenge for the summer, my husband and I decided to let the boys choose their final reward. The words that immediately escaped their mouths: Great Wolf Lodge.
Fun, yes. Expensive. You bet.
Now, in general, we have a family policy around here: The kids don't miss school without a really good reason. But a look at prices for GWL left a lot to be desired. We'd pay a good $50 more if we went on a Montgomery County teacher workday rather than Friday's half day. And so, with a slight bit of guilt, we sent notes to the teachers that the boys would miss school on Friday and went off to the Lodge with another family who'd done the book challenge along with us.
Needless to say, ALL the kids had a fabulous time. The park experience when it was not crowded was so much more relaxing than the President's Day weekend lines for everything last year. The dragon succumbed to boy power multiple times. Pumpkin Pie befriended other children, teaching them how to slay the dragon as well. Nipper (the 5-yr-old) needed some parental help; but he, too, slayed the dragon. A note to any parent who attempts this feat: The dragon sensor is in a skull on the floor, so raise your little ones up high to point their wand in the right place.
Other Great Wolf Lodge lessons from two trips to the water park: Bring food, lots and lots of food. Everything, and I do mean everything, is way overpriced. A small container of milk cost $2.50! Plan to eat your main meals outside of the lodge. While Jungle Jim's Eatery right across the parking lot seems convenient and the decor is kid-friendly, the breakfast foods were mediocre at best. I'd recommend you head elsewhere. But for a fabulous meal and good service a short drive away, try Food for Thought, one of the independent places around town. Meanwhile, good friend Kristy, who's family has spent some time over the years in Williamsburg, recommends Pierce's barbecue just down the street. Leave yourself plenty of time for that place, though, or go at an off time. It was so jam packed at Saturday night dinner, that we gave up and ate elsewhere on the road home.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Weekend Best Bets: Oct. 3-4
Saturday is jam packed with things to do. So, this feels more like a long rundown than a few highlighted best bets. That said, if you want to have a busy weekend, you've got lots to choose from, particularly in the Silver Spring area.:
Becca's Run: Start your family's day at 8 a.m. with a charity walk or run. Becca's Run at St. Bernadette School in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring partially benefits Special Love, an organization that gives children with cancer some normalcy.
South Silver Spring Block Party: The neighborhood's third annual event on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1-6 p.m. features food, music, vendors and a beer garden.
Want something more academic? Try All the Right Moves' Chess Tournament for All Ages at the fountain in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone young and old are welcome to play along with Senator Jamie Raskin, school counselor Fernando Moreno, Blair High school chess team members, parents and community leaders. Plus, if you're interested in starting a chess club at your school, there will be one-hour training sessions for adults at Pyramid Atlantic Art Cetner, 8230 Georgia Ave. Sessions are at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. All the Right Moves reports that donations now allow them to supply chess sets and instructional materials for these clubs.
Launch Rockets: On the first Sunday of every month (yes, that's this Sunday), kids can launch their own model rockets. The event is one of the best low-key events and about as kid-friendly as they come. Where: Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt. Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Takoma Park Street Festival: Much like South Silver Spring, there will be crafts, music, food and kids' activities. It's from 10 to 5 on Sunday in downtown Old Takoma.
None of that work for you? If not, the apple farms are still open and, now that it's October, Pumpkin Patch season has hit. I'll have more next week on area pumpkin patches -- feel free to e-mail me about your favorite spots at mocomoms@gmail.com
Becca's Run: Start your family's day at 8 a.m. with a charity walk or run. Becca's Run at St. Bernadette School in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring partially benefits Special Love, an organization that gives children with cancer some normalcy.
South Silver Spring Block Party: The neighborhood's third annual event on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1-6 p.m. features food, music, vendors and a beer garden.
Want something more academic? Try All the Right Moves' Chess Tournament for All Ages at the fountain in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone young and old are welcome to play along with Senator Jamie Raskin, school counselor Fernando Moreno, Blair High school chess team members, parents and community leaders. Plus, if you're interested in starting a chess club at your school, there will be one-hour training sessions for adults at Pyramid Atlantic Art Cetner, 8230 Georgia Ave. Sessions are at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. All the Right Moves reports that donations now allow them to supply chess sets and instructional materials for these clubs.
Launch Rockets: On the first Sunday of every month (yes, that's this Sunday), kids can launch their own model rockets. The event is one of the best low-key events and about as kid-friendly as they come. Where: Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt. Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Takoma Park Street Festival: Much like South Silver Spring, there will be crafts, music, food and kids' activities. It's from 10 to 5 on Sunday in downtown Old Takoma.
None of that work for you? If not, the apple farms are still open and, now that it's October, Pumpkin Patch season has hit. I'll have more next week on area pumpkin patches -- feel free to e-mail me about your favorite spots at mocomoms@gmail.com
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