Date Night Alternative to Dinner and a Movie

For my husband and I, Washington's downtown mall holds a special place in our hearts. While many, especially Washingtonians, may find it overrun with tourists and attractions, it can also be a great place to escape for a special night with your loved one. C'mon what is more romantic than walking hand in hand on a cool D.C. evening awing at the beautifully lit marble monuments.

Our latest excursion downtown is one I would recommend to anyone. We began our day at the National gallery, another oddly romantic place to walk hand in hand, to view the hopper exhibit. Everyone who has the opportunity to see this exhibit should. It is excellent, and since it is the first time a comprehensive representation of Hopper's work has been showcased in the United States outside of NYC in 25 years, you should jump at the opportunity.

You don't have to be an art aficionado to enjoy Hopper, especially since many of his paintings are so recognizable.

If you want to learn more about the exhibit and the artist, check out these links:

National Gallery of Art Hopper Exhibit
Edward Hopper, Wikipedia entry




After a great tour around the gallery, you will of course be hungry, and this can present a problem while at the downtown mall, unless you like hot dogs, or as my husband refers to them: pigeon dogs. But don't worry, there is quality food to be found among the museums and monuments. The National Museum of the American Indian offers a splendid array of grub. Don't be fooled by their cafeteria setting. If you are hungry and want something satisfying and tasty, do not hesitate to visit them. If you have never had an Indian taco on home-made Indian fry bread, you do not know what you are missing. Fresh produce, great pastries, even buffalo burgers and chili are all standard fare at the Native American museum which should not be missed, and if you don't trust my word for it, check out the Washingtonian, as they are frequently listed in their cheap eats guide.

So if you want to spend the evening with your significant other, actually interacting and not starring up at a movie screen, head downtown; there are lots of adventures to be found.

Cure for Winter Time Blues

It is finally starting to feel like winter, and as the temperature drops so do our trips to the park. So if you are like me, looking for fun and creative indoor playtime activities for toddlers, I have a great one for you.

While playing with paint, play dough, and bubbles are always fun indoor activities, they can pose a threat to younger children who still have an affinity for placing everything in their mouths. The toxic chemicals that store bought molding clays, paints and bubbles contain pose a dangerous problem for many moms, but don't fret. Here are a few home made recipes which provide an all natural, more economical and often funner variations of your these good old standbys.


Recipe for Homemade Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 T oil
• 1 T powdered alum
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 T vanilla
• food coloring (Don't have or want to use food coloring, use beet, spinach and/or carrot juice instead.)

All you need to do is mix all dry ingredients. Add the oil and water. Then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading. And now your ready to start sculpting. When your done playing keep your play dough fresh wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge.

Recipes for Homemade Finger Paints

Jell-O Finger Paint

• Any kind of flavored Jell-O
• hot water

Mix enough hot water, just a little at a time, until mix has the consistency of finger paint. Allow to cool before play.

Pudding Finger Paint

• Instant Vanilla Pudding
• Food Coloring

Mix pudding according to directions. Add food coloring for desired color.

or for a more traditional paint

• 2 cups flour
• 4 cups cold water
• food coloring or dry tempera

Mix flour and water and cook over low heat until thick. Let cool. Follow with a pinch of salt. Add dry tempera, food coloring or kool-aid packs to color. Store paint in covered jar in refrigerator.

Homemade Bubbles

• 1 Cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Light Karo syrup or 2 Tablespoons Glycerin
• 4 Tablespoons Dishwashing liquid (or for a more tear friendly alternative use baby shampoo or wash)
• Food coloring (optional)
  

Mix together and have fun!


Now you need a bubble wand!!

• 2 straws
• A piece of heavy string or yarn about 36-48 inches long
• Scissors
• Bubble solution

Thread the string through both straws and tie a knot at each end. This will form a rectangular wand. To use hold one straw in each hand and lower the wand into your bubble solution. While the wand is submerged bring both straws together. Now lift the wand upward, through the air. As you raise the straws up, move your hands away from each other and then back again, letting your bubbles fly free.