Pre-School Fair in Alexandria

Join the Alexandria -- NE MOMS Club for its 5th Annual Preschool Fair on Tues., Oct. 16 from 10:30am to 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street. Representatives from more than 20 local preschools will be on hand to discuss their school's goals and philosophy, and help guide you through the application process, sign up for open houses, and more.

Attendees will receive a booklet listing all of the local preschools, including those not able to participate in the fair.

For directions to the church see: http://www.fbcalexandria.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=269.

There will be plenty of parking. For more information, please contact Jacqueline Condakes at 703-519-0977 or jchubbard@verizon.net.

Thanks to Monique of DC Working Moms.

The Little Black Book

Once in a while, you find a great resource that you can't wait to share -- The Little Black Book Guide for Every Busy Woman is one of those. I pick one up every season. These cute, slim and fabulously free volumes are published by Bloom and are chock full of tips, resources and other word-of-mouth recommended tidbits sure to fit your needs. I find mine at the local Whole Foods Market, but I've seen them at the auto shop, my Obs office and at the Starbucks up the street.

What I love is that recently Betty, the fabulous persona of the Guide, has kicked it up a notch and sends regular quick read, busy mama-friendly, emails with tips, events and new fun stuff for this area.

Check out her site at http://www.everybusywoman.com/ and let them know Capitol Moms sent you.

New for DC Moms - www.DVMMoms.com

Check out the new site hosted by Channel 9. www.DVMMoms.com

It's a bright, colorful site full of news and stories by moms and for moms living right here in the heart of it all and they are looking for input for moms like you.

Check it out, I was glad I did.

Capitol Moms Quick Bites - Coming Soon!!!

COMING SOON

Capitol Moms Quick Bites - our first weekly newsletter featuring our tips and perk of the week, great recipes for busy lifestyles, coupon codes for great deals with some of our fabulous partners and an inspirational spotlight.

Fun products from the ABC Kids Expo

Want to see the latest products and goodies for babies and kids before they show up in your favorite boutique? Check out the link to http://www.babytv.com/ for live coverage of the ABC Kids Expo, one of the nation's premier children's clothing and product trade shows.

Thanks to http://www.poshcravings.com/ and http://www.babytv.com/.

Check back soon for Capitol Moms Recommended Goodies List September 2007.

Motherhood Resource Service?

Yes, did you know that Capitol Moms is also a motherhood resource service? You know and read us as means to find out about some of the latest trends, local family friendly activities and to see the latest perks, but did you know that we offer discrete, customized, problem solving for mamas and papas.

We find the products and gifts that our clients love to give and receive. We find and deliver unique goodies that get oohs and ahhs. We find services and information local to you to help across a wild spectrum of fields -- from recommending a line of fabulous maternity wear, a local La Leche Meeting to organic baby care products for a particularly hard-to-shop for friend and a Mommy Spa Kit with a super stylish bag for the busy working mommy.

For more information about the services that we offer or for a personalized consultation, contact Teia at teia@capitolmoms.org or call 571-723-3304

BBB- BusyBodyBook Organizer - a Treasure for Modern Mommies

Recently, I was introduced to a new organizer. I admit, I have seen and used my fair share of planner, but always find myself using envelopes, slips of scrap paper and other random things to keep myself organized. This one rocks.

It is made by About Your Time, LLC. It fits in my purse (huge feat!) There are pockets in the front and back to store bills, receipts and other random bits of goodness like my one-year old's attempts at drawing. There are tear-away "To-Do" Lists, places for notes and important phone numbers and spots designed for Doodles and random tidbits to yourself, which I love and find myself doing all the time. But the part, I really like, and use the most, is the grid where I can place all of our schedules on one page.

What can I say, you should try it out for yourself at http://www.busybodybook.com/ and test out the trial pages online, I'm sure that you will love it as I have come to.

The United States Postal Museum Volunteer Opportunities -apply by September 1.

Thanks to Jeffrey at the National Postal Museum, a hidden gem for DC, for the tip.

Do you have an interest in American history, storytelling, or philately?
Do enjoy working with children?
If so, consider becoming a student tour guide or a museum interpreter.

Student Tour Guides:
· Lead scripted school tours during weekday mornings
· Tour with specific grades and ages, pre-K & elementary
· Read stories, build stamp collections and teach American history in the museum’s exhibits

Museum Interpreters
· Lead museum tours · Have engaging conversations with visitors
· Learn & share fun facts & stories about the mail · Promote letter writing & reading
· Practice public speaking

Contact the National Postal Museum at 202-633-5535 for details.

Benefits Include:
· Positive Community Involvement (It’s tax deductible too!) · 20% discounts in all Smithsonian Gift Stores · 10% discount in most Smithsonian Cafeterias

America’s history is in the Mail!

Did you know that Ann Taylor Loft does Maternity?

Thanks to Peri with Metro Baby Slings for the fabulous tip.

I checked out the site today and how fun is that, especially since I am just getting to the stage where I can't fit into my pre-pregnancy staples. I find that a line that I normally dig is doing maternity wear. They do not have a very large selection, but they do have a nice range of staples, which Ann Taylor does beautifully.

Check them out at http://www.anntaylorloft.com/

About Well Woman Check-Ups and Pap Smears

Ladies, we are short-changing ourselves. We deserve better. Our children deserve better, and so do our loved ones. I know it is not a pleasant subject, the idea of stirrups and all, but it something that must be discussed and I promised myself that I would spread the word about Pap Smears as a part of your yearly Well Woman Check-Up.

What is a PAP SMEAR?
A pap smear is a test that checks the cells on the cervix, the opening of the uterus, for changes which could lead to cancer.

Why is a Pap Smear so IMPORTANT?
Some women who have cervical cancer may not have any symptoms, and regular pap smears can detect changes in the cervix and enable prevention and early treatment.

How often should I get a Pap Smear?
For most women, yearly is fine, but talk to your doctor about your individual situation.

Are these tests expensive?
Yearly pap smears are covered by most insurance carriers 100% or for the cost of your co-pay, but there are other options such as your county health clinic and your local Planned Parenthood offers routine women's health screenings and related services at an income-sensitive rate or sometimes even free for uninsured women.

Need a women's health and anatomy tutorial?
You know, it's been a long time since high school health and all the technical jargon sometimes makes things more complicated. See the link attached for a quick tutorial and a means to arm yourself with information, http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/women-health/gyn-exams.htm

Livie and Luca - Fun shoes at a great price

Local area mommas Amie and Mitzi co-owners of the celebrated children's shoe line, Livie and Luca have come up with a fabulous way to ring in the new school year and encourage new families to try their adorable shoes -- offer a 15% off discount. Just use the coupon code SHOES15OFF at http://www.livieandluca.com/ from now until August 10th to take advantage of this fabulous offer.

Also keep your eye out for the launching of the 2008 Spring/Summer line a little later in the fall.

Mommy Jewelry - Done right! (The Fine Art of Family)

Who doesn't love Mommy jewelry... especially when it is done right. The other day Capitol Moms was introduced to a particularly beautiful line by Monica Rich Kosann, noted photographer and maker of classically, swanky modern day heirlooms.

She features lovely lockets, photocases and beautiful museum quality pieces that I haven't found anywhere else. The pieces are made of sterling silver or 18K gold on slim luxurious chains or a casual black silk cord. Right now, I'm wearing the image case with a rockin' picture of my Z and have received several compliments over the last couple of days. It looks great with jeans and tee or with a bright summery dress.

I recommend checking out their site, if only for the fabulous photography. I'm sure, like me, you'll find a piece that will bring a smile to your lips. Monica's line is featured at http://www.thefineartoffamily.com/ and line ranges from $150 and up and is loved by celebs like Katie Holmes and Madonna and local mommas alike.

Spotlight on Blessence Maternity: Lovin' the Belly

This last couple of weeks, Capitol Moms has been scouting and scouring the internet and local area for new, fun things to feature on the blog and site. In our travels, we ran across a fabulous line of maternity-tees by Blessence Maternity.

These shirts send a powerfully sweet message of love and of blessings for the baby-carrying belly. You can find the adorable line at http://www.blessencematernity.com/ . I asked founder, Shaelyn Werner a couple of questions about perks and me-time and these are her responses.

What do you consider the perks of motherhood to be? "Motherhood is the most rewarding experience of my life. It brings out the best in me as a person. The best part of being a mom is getting to learn about my children's personalities, habits, likes and dislikes and when they tell you 'I love you' when you were not expecting it. They never cease to amaze me."

How do you spend and define "me-time"? "I cuddle up to my husband on the couch and watch a movie or go get a pedicure while reading a good book. All moms need a time to recharge away from the kids."

DC Baby - Pregnancy In the City Part 2

Congrats to Sarah at DC Baby for launching a comprehensive new section to her awesome book, DC Baby. The new section is filled with information about Pregnancy and New Mommy-hood in the city and surrounding areas. It is available in e-book format for $6 at http://www.dc-baby.com/ and for any new mom or mom-to-be this is a fabulous price for a great resource.

GIVEAWAY: A Woman's Worth - Book with a message -

Recently, I finished reading a wonderful book called A Woman's Worth by Marianne Williamson, the creator of the inspirational series "Touched by an Angel". The book touched my heart and I know that other women should hear the message that this book speaks of.

It speaks to the fact that our worth as women is not defined by the society that we live in, though it longs to shape our perspective, but rather as our inate quality of being a woman. We are powerful, gentle and strong at the same time. We are mothers, warriors and pioneers... that by the very virtue of being a woman we are gifted with the honor of being co-creators in this world and that we should not take our gifts lightly, but share them with world around us, not like war-lords demanding that men bow down and worship us, but rather with grace and honor, like a queen successfully ruling her domain.

My mother shared this book with me and Capitol Moms will share this book with the first 5 readers that email me at teia@capitolmoms.org. For anyone wanting to purchase this book, it is available at http://www.amazon.com/.

Chavez Prep Enrolling Sixth Graders

The newest campus in the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School System is Chavez Prep. It will be opening for the fall in the Anthony Bowen YMCA, 1325 W Street, NW, and is currently enrolling 6th graders. For more information on this tuition-free, college prep program for DC Students, visit, http://www.chavezschools.org/ or call Principal Andrew Touchette at 202-547-3975 ext. 14.

Mama Mio - Deluxe Pampering for SuperMamas

Recently at the Babies, Bellies and Brunch event in Clinton, Maryland, I was introduced to line of fabulous products. The line is called Mama Mio and they specialize in pampering products for women in the nine-month strech and beyond. I got the Tummy Rub in my goodie bag and have been using it for a couple of weeks now, just to soothe and pamper this busy momma's skin and love it!!! The oil has a light rose citrus scent that massages in fabulously without leaving a lingering greasy film.

Mama Mio has an extensive line of pampering products from lotions and rubs to a nice gravida candle. The line is loved by celebs like Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham and DC area mommas alike.

Guppy Gala at the National Zoo - May 11, 2007 6:00pm -8:30pm

The National Zoo is hosting a fun party for all the guppies in your house aged 2 to 12 - the Guppy Gala. There will be a mock construction site, rock-climbing walls, moonbounces, mazes, arts and crafts, costumed characters, jugglers among other things.

It will be fun for all. Click the link below to get tickets. Children 2 and under are free. Anyone 2 and over $20.

(Scene from last year's Guppy Gala)

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/Guppy/

A Good Reason to take some Mommy-time -- join us for Tea!

Please Join Us For A Mocha Manual Power Tea

At DC's Famous Akwaaba Inn, a historic townhouse in the fashionable Dupont Circle area... www.akwaaba.com

The afternoon kicks off with a networking session followed by tea. Kimberly Seals-Allers, author of the NAACP Image Award Nominated "The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy," Tamara Richardson-Williams, founder & Ceo of Taceri Footwear and Gretchen Cook-Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Saphia Water will share their personal success stories and pearls on empowering women to pursue their passion.

Sunday, May 6th

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Akwaaba DC Bed & Breakfast

1708 16th St. NWWashington, DC 20009
Door Entry Fee: $10.00 (includes tea and desserts)

Join Rep. Maloney to Host Capitol Hill "Nurse-In"

A Cool Post from DC Baby:

May 10: Rep. Maloney to host Capitol Hill “Nurse-In” with local moms

Are you an advocate for breastfeeding and women’s rights? If so, you might be interested in this news out of U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s (D-NY) office: She’s hosting a Capitol Hill “Nurse-In” on Thursday, May 10 to reintroduce the Breastfeeding Promotion Act to Congress. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Cannon Terrace, New Jersey and Independence Ave. SE on Capitol Hill, and all local moms are welcome. The proposed legislation would protect the rights of nursing mothers who return to the workplace after having a baby, by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with a new clause. The bill would also provide tax incentives for businesses that establish private lactation areas in the workplace, allows families to deduct all breastfeeding pumps and equipment from their taxes, and would provide a performance standard for breast pumps. For more details on the “Nurse-In,” contact Rep. Maloney’s office at 202.225.7944