PARTY DIRECTORY INSIDE! P. 18 washingtonFAMILY.com MAY 2022 Sm a r t. Loca l. Pa re nt ing for t he DMV. Put thE in Kids’ Party s e i t i v i Act N FU Honoring Military Moms The Art of the Thank-You Note Celebrating Exceptional Teachers OFFERING the best in MONTESSORI EDUCATION for 30 years Hannah Chick Pearl Brown PROFILES OF EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS “ I love teaching in a multi-age Montessori classroom because I cherish the relationships I develop with students over the three years that I get to know them.” – HANNAH “I enjoy teaching diffi cult concepts and seeing “the light come on” when students break through to higher understanding.” – PEARL As our Middle School Montessori teaching team, Pearl and Hannah support their students as they grow in their capacity to meet challenges, ability to advocate for themselves, and capacity for self-refl ection. Enrollment: 130 Student/Faculty: 12:1 Special Programs: French, Spanish, Italian, Model United Nations, Yoga, Outdoor Education, Theater, Leadership Program DISCOVER YOURSELF • FIND COMMUNITY • TRANSCEND YOUR LIMITS Montessori Programs For Students Age 2 — Grade 12 in Chevy Chase-Bethesda Admissions: 301.652.7751 admissions@onenessfamily.org | www.onenessfamily.org Lower School (Age 2–Grade 8): 6701 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD Upper School (Grades 9–12): 9411 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, MD CONTENTS PINSTOCK/E+ PARTY: LSOPHOTO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS MAY 2022 Keep the birthday bash jumping with age-appropriate party activities. Pg. 14 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 10 06 MILITARY MOMS Mothers serving in the military discuss their service to country and family. 12 T EACHER APPRECIATION Meet three star teachers in the DMV. 14 P ARTY ACTIVITIES Send in the clowns? Learn how to fill the time between blowing out the candles and opening presents, whether the party is in your home or off premises. 16 THANK-YOU NOTES Teach your kids the basics of expressing gratitude in written form. DIRECTORY 18 PARTY GUIDE 08 TOP 10 CALENDAR Find fun things to do with family this May. EDITOR’S PICKS Delight your kids with this season’s top toys. 21 DIY Honor your award-winning mom with this simple craft project. 22 24 INCLUSIVE FAMILY What should parents consider when selecting schools for neurodiverse children? PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Celebrate life through photography with Becky A. Gardner. FAMILY FUN Get kids cooking with fun culinary classes. 25 26 HEALTHY FAMILY Learn the basics of bike safety for kids. 28 READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback — on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Enter your comments on the Feedback tab of our website: info@washingtonfamily.com. BOOK MARKED Explore celebratory stories about parties. 30 MY TURN Contributor Cheryl Maguire reflects on the joys of being a mother of twins. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. WashingtonFAMILY.com  3 OUR TEAM MAY 2022 VOL. 30, NO. 5 WashingtonFamily.com/ 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher EDITORIAL Michael Vyskocil, Editor mvyskocil@midatlanticmedia.com ADVERTISING Staff Writers Jesse Berman, Alex Krutchik Sasha Rogelberg, Heather M. Ross Jarrad Saffren, Lindsay VanAsdalan Sales Consultants Lisa Gaglia, Alan Gurwitz Pam Kuperschmidt, Jodi Lipson Taylor Orlin, David Pintzow Sara Priebe, Mary Ramsdale Sharon Schmuckler Kim Schofield, Shari Seitz Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek Contributing Writers Leenika Belfield-Martin Cheryl Maguire, Mimi Markopoulos Jacqueline Renfrow Jennifer Rothschild Jennifer Marino Walters Contributing Photographer David Stuck Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com MARKETING Julia Olaguer Audience Development Coordinator BUSINESS Pattie-Ann Lamp Accounting Manager 410-902-2300 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com CIRCULATION 301-230-2222, ext. 1 CREATIVE Rachel S. Levitan, Art Director Steve Burke, Graphic Designer Paul McGuigan, Graphic Designer James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager Jay Sevidal, Graphic Designer Frank Wagner, Graphic Designer Carl Weigel, Graphic Designer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher jmann@midatlanticmedia.com ©2022 Washington FAMILY. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with this publication’s standards. All rights reserved. 11459 Cronhill Drive, Suite A, Owings Mills, MD 21117. 2021 Overall Writing 2021 Overall Design 2021 Publisher’s/ Editor’s Note 2021 Briefs/ Short Stuff 2021 News Feature codewizardshq.com/summer/ 1-800-213-2417 4  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 2021 Feature Layout 2021 Single-Page Design 2021 Profile 2021 Column: Family Fun 2021 2021 Personal Essay Q & A Interview 2021 Feature Layout FIRST WORD Michael Vyskocil Editor mvyskocil@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com Thank You Moms and Teachers T hey’ve cooked thousands of homemade dinners, crafted Halloween costumes, set up makeshift forts in backyards, offered advice and comfort, drove to endless sports practices and recitals ... I could go on and on. Where would we be as adults and parents today without our moms? Celebrated on the second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day is the day we thank the moms in our lives for all that they do. In this issue of Washington FAMILY , we’re honoring military moms who serve their families and country (page 10). May is also the month when we take time to express appreciation for teachers and the lasting contributions they make in the lives of their students. Contributing writer Jennifer Marino Walters profiles several teachers from the DMV who dedicate themselves to promoting academic excellence and personal growth in their stu- dents (page 12). Saying thank you is something all of us can teach our children from an early age. Whether it’s to acknowledge a kind word or deed or a physical present, our article on the art of the thank-you note offers ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in kids (page 16). While we’re talking about expressing thanks, we want to thank you, our readers, for your continuing sup- port for Washington FAMILY. This years marks our 30th year of publication, and we have much to celebrate. Do you have a favorite story from a past issue? Was your child one of our cover kids? Share your comments, pho- tos and reflections with me by emailing mvyskocil@ midatlanticmedia.com. We invite you to be part of our 30th-anniversary celebration. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our DMV moms and happy reading! P PARTY DIREC TORY INSIDE! P. XX washing tonFAMI LY.com MAY 2022    Advertise in our June Issue! Party Pl anning Ac Fu tiv n iti es MADE SIMPLE Teacher Appreciation FO R KIDS Honoring Military Moms The Art of the Thank-You Note SUMMER FUN Pregnancy, Father’s Day, Dental Health and more news that parents need. Where Preschoolers Get Roots and Reach See how Early Learning Academies prepares its youngest scholars for fun, friends and lifelong learning! Locations in Ashburn and Sterling EMAIL us at advertising@ washingtonfamily.com OR CALL us at 301-230-2222, EXT. 2 LOCAL. PARENTING PARENTING FOR FOR THE DMV. SMART. SMART. LOCAL. THE DMV. Print | Digital | Register Today: elacommunity.com Early Learning Academies WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 CALENDAR Family Events for May BY LEENIKA BELFIELD-MARTIN Celebrate Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and more with your family this month. 2 1 MAY 1 SILVER SPRING MOTHER’S DAY ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR What better way to show mom that you care then with a beautiful locally made craft? You’ll find plenty to choose from with this event’s 60 artisan crafters, plus enjoy activities for the kids. Free silverspringdowntown.com MAY 6-8 SESAME STREET LIVE! LET’S PARTY! Join Elmo, Abby, Big Bird and Sesame Street friends for this fun, interactive experience at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax. You and your little one will be on your feet dancing to the show’s pop-infused soundtrack featuring familiar songs like “C Is for Cookie.” Show dates and times are Friday, May 6, 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 8, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20 a person. sesamestreetlive.com MAY 7 PASSPORT DC AROUND THE EMBASSY TOUR MAY 14 MOUNT RAINIER DAY It’s Mount Rainier’s biggest celebration of the year. Activities include a grand parade starting at the Kaywood Theater, plus various local vendors and entertainers. The celebration also includes a selection of festivities just for kids. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free mountrainiermd.org/residents/mount-rainier-day 6  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 5 3 4 You don’t need to hop on a plane to travel the world. Instead, you can take a stroll through Embassy Row to experience the rich local and international cultures that Washington offers. Take the family for an experience of touring one of the embassies. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Event organizers recommend that you take a form of government- issued identification with you. culturaltourismdc.org/portal/ passport-dc1 MAY 15 2022 ASIAN FESTIVAL ON MAIN Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month on Fairfax’s Main Street. This event highlights cultural heritage through food, arts and crafts, education and performances. Free asianfestivalonmain.com 1: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 2: PHOTO COURTESY OF SESAMESTREETLIVE.COM; 3: MAUDIB/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 4. ANDRESR/E+: 5: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ASIAN FESTIVAL ON MAIN & THE CITY OF FAIRFAX TOP 10 MAY 15 MAY 21 NSO FAMILY CONCERT: “PHILHARMONIA FANTASTIQUE: THE MAKING OF AN ORCHESTRA” 6: 2WINDSPA/E+; 7: WUNDERVISUALS/IE+; 8: WAVEBREAKMEDIA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 9: KALI9/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; 10: FLYSNOW/GETTY IMAGES PLUS 6 KIDSFEST SPRING FAIR AT MANASSAS MUSEUM Follow a magic sprite as it embarks on a musical journey through the inner workings of an orchestra. This unique hybrid experience has the symphonic sounds of the NSO, as well as stunning visuals that blend animated and live action filming. Tickets start at $18. kennedy-center.org/nso/home/2021-2022/ philharmonia-fantastique/ MAY 21 GAITHERSBURG BOOK FESTIVAL KidFest offers the best of both worlds! Not only does it have the best exhibitors offering products and services for parents, but it will also feature inflatables, carnival games and activities for the kids. The event is free, but moon bounces and games are available for a fee. chiceventsdc.com/may-21- 2022-kidsfest-spring-fair 8 9 7 Celebrate the power of the written word with this fun-filled literary event. When you go, don’t forget to visit the children’s village for literary activities, writing workshops and more. Admission and parking are free. gaithersburgbookfestival.org MAY 21 MAY 30 MCLEAN DAY 2022 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE The nation’s largest Memorial Day parade returns. Catch this patriotic parade in person along Constitution Avenue in Washington at 2 p.m. Free americanveteranscenter.org/parade 10 Bring the family and enjoy music, games, balloon animals, a petting zoo, amusements, sponsors, exhibitors, gourmet food trucks carnival rides and more. Free admission; ride tickets are sold at the venue or may be purchased in advance online. mcleancenter.org/special-events/upcoming/day.listevents/2022/05/21 THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 20 RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP 1 8 Join us for our 40th year ENROLL NOW FOR 2022 IN-PERSON ACADEMICS & AFTER CARE 8am – 6pm 7611 Clarendon Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1260 Email us to learn more and tour the school admissions@bethesdamontessori.com www.bethesdamontessori.com PayYourNanny.com We’re here to help families Payyournanny.com provides payroll and tax compliance services to household employers (703) 819-9796 byudd@payyournanny.com payyournanny.com (703) WashingtonFAMILY.com  819-9796 (703) 819-9796 7 HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOVING FOR KIDS THIS MONTH BY ELENA EPSTEIN, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARDS For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com BusyKid comfiGO® Kids Friendly Car Booster Seat Here’s an educational app that helps teach kids how to earn, save, share, spend and invest a real allowance. The app also provides a prepaid debit card so that kids can learn how to manage and spend money one can’t see. $3.99 per month, ages 5-16, busykid.com This comfortable and convenient car booster seat is great for travel. Its shoulder guide smoothly adjusts the car’s seat belt to your child’s height, and the patented stretchable and adjustable lap band keeps the vehicle’s lap belt section low on the hips. $59.95, ages 4-12, clypx.com Tonka Steel Classics – Mighty Dump Truck Your little one will enjoy playing with this truck for hours on end. This sturdy, steel construction vehicle is ready for the toughest loading jobs. $24.99, ages 3+, amazon.com Hazel’s Helpers Help your children develop decision making, construction craft and planning capabilities. They can play while practicing fine motor skills. $34, ages 4+, simplyfun.com 8  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 Slinky: 75th Anniversary Classic Slinky Celebrate 75 years of wiggly- jiggly fun. This classic metal spring toy walks downstairs, alone or in pairs, and makes a slink-ity sound. $3.99, ages 5+, target.com ILLUSTRATION: FANDSRABUTAN/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; PRODUCT IMAGES COURTESY OF NAPPA EDITOR’S PICKS Techno Tiles Kids gain creative freedom in building masterpieces they can play with. From rockets to castles, vehicles and abstract structures, imagination is limitless with these tiles. $19.99, ages 4-8, tlji.com Youth & Teen Art Camps SleepOvation Baby Mattress This innovative product reduces pressure on the head while keeping the spine correctly aligned. The two-stage design supports the newborn and toddler phases. $475, birth-2 years, sleepovationbaby.com SunGemmers Suncatchers Uniquely colored transparent gem stickers catch and amplify the sun, creating a glowing, sparkly effect. The craft kit includes preprinted window designs, color guides and more than 1,000 gemstone stickers. $12.99, ages 6+, plbfun.com MONSTER GO Snake Puzzle Kids can have all the fun in one. It’s detachable, disassembled into pieces and can connect into different sets according to your child’s imagination. $9.90, ages 6+, monster-go.com Sleep Bag Indulge in this wearable blanket made from bamboo fabric that is breathable and buttery soft to the touch. This item features a J-shaped double zipper, which makes it super easy to use. $50, ages birth- 24 months, kytebaby.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  9 Military Tales from mothers serving across the DMV BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN Capt. Candice Hunt takes the family out to their favorite pizza place on one of the days where cooking dinner would be too much for her and they need her attention. Lt. Col. Racine Randolph attended the Pentagon’s Month of the Military Child Event, 2018, with her children. C apt. Candice Hunt has her morn- ing routine down pat. As a mother in the U.S. Marine Corps, based in Quantico, she gets up around 5 a.m. before waking her three children about an hour later to get ready for school. Her ex-hus- band—in U.S. Air Force security forces at the Pentagon—gives her a few nights off each week. Co-parenting can be difficult to navigate in any family, but even more so in the military with unexpected late nights, responsibilities that take priority and sometimes long deployments. It can be impossible to achieve balance, Hunt says. “I thought the military was the hardest thing I’ve ever done until I had kids,” she says. “There is no balance. There really isn’t. You just try to be organized and set goals, and you allow yourself to not always be perfect and you keep moving.” As a woman in the military, Hunt is a rarity. Women comprised only 16% of enlisted forces—and 8% of the Marine Corps—in 2018, according to background provided by the Council on Foreign Relations. Pair military service with motherhood, and the experiences are rather unique. 10  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 Washington FAMILY spoke to three mothers about what it’s like to be a mom serving in the military. You’re Never Alone Getting by day to day often takes outside commitments. Hunt uses a nanny for her children—ages 2, 4 and 7—one or two nights a week if she or her husband is deployed so that their routines are not disrupted. With schedules that are often unpredictable, it helps considerably to have family members nearby who are able to step in. In the case of Racine R. Randolph, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, her mother relocated with her disabled father to help care for her 6-month-old while she was deployed for a year. “All of this becomes an extended family affair,” she says. She adds that it was important to her to have someone care for her son who knew and loved him as much as they did. A special camaraderie exists among military neighbors and friends. Military families— especially stay-at-home moms—have stepped up for Hunt, cooking dinners or picking up the kids, regardless of whether she was living on base or what branch they were in, she says. “I don’t think I could have made it, especially on my first tour with my first kid, if I didn’t have neighbors and friends who were there,” Hunt adds. Tammye Abbott found the same support. She was a single mom during her 20-year service in the U.S. Navy. Her sons are now 23 and 35. “Being a single parent in active duty is not easy,” she says. Her next-door neighbor is active duty, and his wife would pick up her son when she had overnight assignments and ensure he was fed, washed and doing homework. Abbott says they’re still the best of friends. “Having friends that understand what it’s like to sacrifice—to serve in the military—they’re all the more willing to jump in and help you out,” Randolph says. The Challenge of Separation In her 16-year career, Hunt has been fortunate enough to have only one major overseas duty station, in Japan, where she lived with her family for three years. Many military moms aren’t as lucky. Randolph recalls the logistical difficulties of shipping her breast milk home to her infant Moms, W e t u l Sa ! You for the first time when she was on tour alone in Korea for a year. Shipping cost $800, and the breast milk was stuck in customs for three days. Abbott, who grew up with a stay-at-home mom while her military father was overseas, believes there’s something about having a mother away that’s more difficult. When her eldest son was getting his clinical hours to be a military social worker, he realized how much help he needed, Abbott recalls. He asked her how she used to do it. “It’s hard just getting me up and out doing what I need to do,” Abbot remembers him saying. Hunt says a lot of dads are stepping up. Her last master sergeant, for example, became the primary parent on call so that his wife could start her career. This example made Hunt realize that she should never assume fathers are more available in their careers than mothers. Programs in the military to ease the burden of family separation exist. They aim to keep military parents together, but they do not apply to civilian spouses such as Randolph’s spouse. Randolph had to make the difficult choice to take her yearlong tour alone to sustain her husband’s career. Although he and her youngest were able to visit once, the onset of the COVID- 19 pandemic in early 2020 kept her family, including two older children, now 7 and 8, apart for the rest of the tour. “Service to your country as a mother is a sacrifice that cannot be repaid,” she says. It took her youngest son—now 3—about a year to “have that trust and love for me” when she returned in 2021. Abbott cried for two weeks when she started a six-month assignment—her longest up to that point. Her kids were 2 and 15 at the time. “The flag secretary would be asked where their parents will be living and working, every day if I was still crying. ‘Yes, sir, but not Abbott says. as much,’ or ‘she’s OK, sir. She’s drying up,’” And the military provides local benefits to Abbott says. families: more affordable child care on base and facilities on site such as youth sports and libraries that provide convenience to Military Support Randolph, who works for the Army Talent working parents. Management Task Force, says one of the goals Sometimes, finding support is also about they’re working toward is longer stretches being open with your superiors, Hunt says. between moves and telework options. This “If you have a bad day because life is hard, development is something that she’s been (it’s) being able to go to your boss and have hoping to see as she reflects on her 21 years that conversation,” she says. “Hopefully, they of service. Many more dual working families had a few experiences, too, to understand.” exist today compared to the 1960s, according to the Pew Research Center. Making It Work The Navy has carrier groups that give As a parent in the military, you will have to make an eight- or nine-hour family cruise with sacrifices, but you can exercise priorities. fun activities before a deployment. It helps “Everyone has to sit down and think about children adapt by becoming familiar with what the must-dos are,” Randolph says, whether they be dinner together or attending sports games. Hunt makes accommodations she can for her kids, such as letting her son visit his old friends and feeding off her daughter’s excitement for moving to a new location. “She thinks it’s an adventure,” Hunt says, noting everything is exciting for her, whether it’s new friends or a new house. Tammye All three women also have incredible Abbott takeaways from their experiences that they and her can share with their kids: respect for service, two sons exposure to history and diversity and the are shown at her knowledge that it’s OK to fail and try again. youngest’s “I was proud to be in the military,” Abbott graduation says. “It makes you feel like you’re doing from something really important.”  n Potomac High School. WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 g n i t a r Celeb ding Teachers u Meet O t Three sta Star n Teachers in the DMV BY JENNIFER MARINO WALTERS O ver the past two years, teachers have gone above and beyond for their students. During the first part of the COVID-19 pandemic, they proved their adaptability by juggling virtual, in-person and hybrid learning. After schools fully reopened, they’ve helped students readjust to being in the classroom. This month, during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6, it’s time to celebrate and recognize teachers for their service and dedication. Meet some of the outstanding educators who serve the DMV. Dr. Monica Isquith Subject Expert Teacher: Spanish | BASIS Independent McLean Dr. Monica Isquith has been a teacher in Northern Virginia for 20 years. She’s spent the past six of them at BASIS Independent McLean. She teaches middle school science and high school honors biology, and her students have a passing rate of 100% on the AP exams. Isquith serves as the sponsor for the Hispanic Honors Society and the Biology Club. She started the girls’ middle school basketball team and the co-ed volleyball and tennis teams. She’s taken students on four trips to the Galapagos Islands for an interactive Spanish and science learning experience. What do you love most about being a teacher? I love the amazing energy the students have and the impact I can make on their lives. The most rewarding part is to see students getting excited about learning. But what I love most is the interaction with the students—to know them and work hard to inspire them. What is one of your biggest goals as a teacher? My biggest goal is that students feel safe in my 12  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 Pearl Brown and Hannah Chick Co-Teachers, Middle School Classroom | Oneness-Family Montessori School Dr. Monica Isquith - BASIS Independent McLean Pearl Brown applies her scientifically trained mind—she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry—and poetry-writing heart to provide versatile teaching and mentoring to Oneness-Family middle school students. She is known to use, by turns, power, tenderness, pressure and patience in the classroom. Prior to joining Oneness-Family in 2009, Hannah Chick was the dean of students in the middle school at the Thornton Friends School in Silver Spring, as well as a middle school and high school science teacher. While at the school, she developed a three-year integrated middle school science program with an environmental focus. A biology major in college, she teaches all subjects at Oneness-Family. classroom—that they are able to participate and share their ideas without being judged. If they feel safe, they will learn and enjoy being at school. I hope my students gain confidence and determination and that they feel the passion I have for what I teach and are able to apply it to themselves. When you treat your students What do you love most about with love, learning gets easier for them, and teaching? Brown: I love the positive impact that I have you receive love back. on each of my students. I love getting to know What was your funniest teaching what they like and don’t like and what makes moment? them laugh. The most rewarding part of There have been a lot in 20 years, but a really teaching is guiding students to honor, respect sweet and funny moment was when we and love themselves—to say yes to their dissected a brain. One of my students yelled strengths and welcome the lessons learned out, “This is the best moment of my entire from their weaknesses. life!” I know this student will have moments Chick: I love teaching in a multi-age classroom that are more amazing in her life, but on that because I cherish the relationships I develop day, I made her have the best day of her life! with students over my three years with them. How can parents work with teachers Especially in middle school, so much change and growth happens over three years. I get to be a to best support their children? Parents should focus on the learning part and part of their journey of growing and discovering the student’s experiences at school, not just themselves. It’s incredibly rewarding to help on the grade. Always ask your child to tell you students stretch beyond their comfort zone something they learned in school that day. academically, socially and personally and to see the sense of accomplishment, pride and Even if there is no answer, never stop asking. APPLE & DESK: ROMOLOTAVANI/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; GLOBE & BOOK DRAWINGS: DISCAN/DIGITALVISION VECTORS; TEACHER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SCHOOLS Pearl Brown (far left) and Hannah Chick (far right) with their students at Oneness-Family Montessori confidence they exude when they mistakes with resiliency, grace, surpass their expectations of and a deeper knowledge of their personhood. their abilities. Chick: I hope that the students What is your teaching I work with grow in their approach? Brown: My approach is to teach confidence in their capacity to students to think through an meet challenges, their ability to assignment. The most important advocate for themselves, their skill in learning is not that you capacity for self-reflection and got the “right” answer, but that their willingness to seek out you can explain the reasoning novel experiences that push them that led you to the answer you beyond their comfort zone. got. That helps students develop confidence in their reasoning and analytical skills, which helps them better handle their academic and personal challenges. Chick: I tend to lean into understanding the big picture and recognizing patterns over encouraging students to memorize information. What is one of your biggest goals as a teacher? Brown: My hope is that after my students have left my class they will have confidence in their abilities to think and reason and to explain their work, that they will love and honor the person they are becoming, that they will always affirm their goodness and that they will recover from their How can parents work with teachers to best support their children? Brown: Understand that the child we see and interact with at school may not be the same child they see at home. Therefore, it is important that teachers and parents form a team in which consistent communication flows easily and honestly. Parents should love and accept their children as the whole person they are. Too often parents act like grades define their child’s success or failure, and that is simply not true. The goal of education should be to educate the whole child, not just isolated academic parts of the child. Chick: Communicate! If there are things going on at home that are out of the normal routine, send an email so teachers have a heads up. Trust that your child’s teacher has his or her best interest at heart. If your child tells you that something is going on in class that surprises you, reach out and ask questions. Make it a family routine to talk about the things they do in class each week.  T Montessori School of McLean Where Authentic Montessori Meets the 21st Century: Ages 2-12 Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish in mind, body and spirit ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom • Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education Extended Day • Transportation • Summer Camp 1711 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 Accredited by www.mcleanmontessori.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 Children’s BY LEENIKA BELFIELD-MARTIN Y ou’ve sent invitations, bought decorations, made a list (and checked it twice) … now you’re ready to throw your child the best birthday party of the season. But the biggest task has yet to begin: hosting the party. Don’t let all your preparation go to waste. Find out how you can make sure that your guests will be entertained. Keep the structure simple Think about a theme Listen to your child Keeping in mind your party’s theme is a great way to help you stay organized and add some flair to the activities. Turn simple activities into exciting entertainment by incorporating the theme into them. For example, “pin the tail” on the donkey can be morphed into “pin the patch on the pirate” for a pirate- themed birthday. TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE FEELS LIKE A WINNER, AVOID COMPETITIVE GAMES AT A PARTY. IF THERE ARE PRIZES, FIND A WAY FOR EVERY KID TO GET ONE. 14  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 What party guests are going to be able to bounce on a moon bounce, get their faces painted, play six different games and eat pizza all within a three-hour period? None of them. Don’t overwhelm your guests with too many things to do. Avoid activity overload by keeping your party activity schedule straightforward and easy. Your child knows exactly what his or her friends enjoy doing and what activities they dislike. Let your child provide a list of suggestions for activities. You may not be able to accommodate all their requests, like booking a favorite musical artist for entertainment, but the experience will give you a feel for what activities your child’s peers like to do. Set a schedule Schedule what you plan to do with your guests a week before your event. Your schedule doesn’t have to be too structured. Kids lose attention quickly, so most activities should last only about 30 to 40 minutes. If your activities are outdoors, weather BALLOONS: JULIA_SUDNITSKAYA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; DOORBELL: DORIOCONNELL/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS How to keep the birthday bash going from the time the doorbell rings until the last guest departs PARTY: LSOPHOTO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS Party Activities permitting, make sure to have a plan B for What about a movie? alternate indoor things to do. Classic party Wind down a party with a movie. Pick games make a convenient alternative. three or four options for kids to vote on, then turn on the movie while you begin the Don’t forget to delegate cleanup. Don’t forget to pop some popcorn You can easily get overwhelmed when you’re and get some blankets together to make the hosting an event. Lift the weight off your experience as cozy as possible (bonus points shoulders by putting together a “party crew” if you’ve chosen a sing-a-long film). of family members and friends to help you on party day. By delegating tasks to your party Keep calm crew, you’ll free up your time to host. Having The most important thing you have to do the parents of your child’s friends stay for the while hosting your child’s party festivities duration of the party can also help things run is to keep your cool. Your attitude and more smoothly. Just be sure to have enough enthusiasm set the tone for the vibe of the food and drinks for your adult guests. party. Your child and their friends probably won’t remember the little bumps in the road that happen along the way, but they’ll When in doubt, dance it out How do you deal with the awkward transitions remember the joy they’re celebrating at from one activity to another or a waning your party.   T interest from kids? It’s time for a dance break! Turn on tunes and let the music work its magic. You can have the little ones help you pick out a few trendy songs beforehand, or you can use child-friendly party playlists that music streaming services offer. Hiring Help Bringing in the party professionals to lead the fun can keep children occupied and give parents a break from working the party. Consider balloon artists, magicians, musicians and storytellers. Fees vary depending on the entertainer and length of time you select. Look for entertainers who let the kids get involved. For example, you may want to ask a magician to provide a scarf and magic wand for each child so that the magician can have kids follow along with a simple magic trick. Check our party directory in this issue and on our website to find entertainers in our area who specialize in kids’ parties. You can also contact children’s museums, schools or parents you know for ideas and recommendations. —Michael Vyskocil WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 The Art of the Thank-You Note Motivate your kids to express their gratitude IMAGESBYBARBARA/E+/GETTY IMAGES BY MICHAEL VYSKOCIL 16  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 hat child doesn’t love get- ting gifts? What if kids approached writing thank- you notes for those gifts with the same love? Learning to write thank-you notes can be fun, and it’s something kids of any age can do. First, a few points about thank-you note etiquette: • Your child should acknowledge every gift, no matter how small, with a thank-you note. Some parents feel that this expression of gratitude should always be in the form of a handwritten note. Others feel a verbal thank-you message is OK if the person giving the gift is present when the child opened the gift. You’ll need to decide which approach you want to follow in your family. • Write and promptly mail thank-you notes within a few days of receiving gifts. How do you get your kids interested in the art of the thank-you note? Start with a pos- itive attitude. If you nag your kids to do it, they’ll approach writing thank-you notes as something to dread. “I think the main reason kids ought to write thank-you notes is that grateful people are happy people,” says Raffi Bilek, a family therapist and director of the Baltimore Therapy Center, in a Postable arti- cle. “Gratitude is a key factor in enduring, long-term happiness. Training our children to appreciate what they have and what they receive is an important way to instill this trait in them.” Learn what you can do to give your kids some encouragement: • Keep thank-you notes short. The notes don’t need to be elaborate to be effective. If your child spends an entire morning writ- ing one, he’ll run out of steam before he gets to the others. • Make it fun. Use colored papers, stick- ers, stamps, crayons, colored pencils, sequins and other craft-store objects to turn an ordinary thank-you note into something extraordinary for the recipient. • Help your child understand the reasons for writing in the first place. You might talk to your child about how Aunt Pat spent time looking for just the right pair of roller skates so that her niece can enjoy them. Ask your child to think about a time when she gave a gift to someone. How did she feel when she got a thank you back? • Make thank-you note writing something the family can do together. Children follow by example. Sit down at the kitchen table and write your own thank-you notes so that your child can see how important expressing grati- tude is to you. Offer help if your child gets stuck. Thank-You Note Tips Younger Kids (Ages 3 to 7) • Young children can put the fun into thank-you cards. For example, you can snap and print a photo of your son wear- ing the new baseball cap he got from his grandparents. Ask him to make a drawing or two on the photo. • If your child knows how to write, have him use a pen or marker to write “thank you” on the photo or on a note card you can tuck into an envelope with the photo. Older Kids (Ages 8 and older) • Teach your child the basic parts of a thank-you note: a greeting to the per- son who gave the gift, the body containing details thanking the person for the gift and mentioning how he or she likes the gift or will use it, and a sign-off with your child’s name. • Children might get intimidated by find- ing the right words to say. Encourage your kids to use the words that are natural to them so that the message comes from the heart. • Make writing thank-you notes part of a daily routine. Leave blank cards or paper where your child is most likely to see them, such as on a bedside table or a bedroom desk.  T All basic thank-you notes have the following parts: Body: The body of the thank- you note can be a few short sentences. In the body, have your child acknowledge the gift and express gratitude. You may want to encourage your child to write a sentence or two about why he or she likes the gift or appreciates the gift giver’s thoughtfulness. he Dear n k you for t Tha ause c e b t i like I really Love, IMGORTHAND / E+ / GETTY IMAGES JAMMYDESIGN/DIGITALVISION VECTORS Greeting: This line contains the word “Dear” followed by the name of the person who gave your child the gift. Closing: Sign off with “love,” “thinking of you” or other appropriate words. WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 PARTY DIRECTORY 2022 PARTY DIRECTORY LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! Whatever you’re celebrating — birthdays, graduations, anniversaries — Washington FAMILY’s Party Directory has all of the resources you need to make your party memorable. From fantastic locations and party planners to entertainers and musicians, you’re sure to find that special something to make your party spectacular. ANIMALS CLARK’S ELIOAK FARM clarklandfarm.com clarkselioakfarm@hotmail.com 410-730-4049 10500 Clarksville Pike (Route 108) Ellicott City, MD 21042 Plan a petting farm birthday party. Visit and feed the animals and go on a hayride, take a pony ride, travel on the cow train, have fun in the play area and take a break in the picnic area. Many Enchanted Forest attractions are available. Open April through early November, Tuesday through Sunday. Fall parties include a visit to the pumpkin patch. Gem mining also available as a party add-on select weekends. LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK leesburganimalpark.com admin@leesburganimalpark.com 703-433-0002 19246 James Monroe Highway Leesburg, VA 20175 Go wild at Leesburg Animal Park. Enjoy indoor or outdoor party areas, pony rides, animal petting and feeding, a kids’ play zone and more. Staff can bring the zoo to you anywhere in the Washington metro area. PONIES PLUS LLC poniesplus.org; poniesplus1@ msn.com 571-283-2408 12780 Aden Road Nokesville, VA 20181 Discover pony rides, a petting zoo and ice cream truck for any occasion. Smiles are the specialty. REPTILES ALIVE LLC reptilesalive.com reptilesalive@gmail.com 703-544-9304 Kids go wild for Reptiles Alive! Bring a fun, exciting and engaging live animal show to your next party, school assembly or special event. The group’s 20 years of experience in delighting audiences of all ages guarantees your event will be a success. CAKES, CUPCAKES & CINNAMON BUNS CINNAHOLIC – GAITHERSBURG www.cinnaholicgaithersburg.com 230 Crown Park Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-963-1200 Cinnaholic is proud to serve create-your-own cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats like made-from-scratch brownies, cookies and edible cookie dough. All products are fresh baked and 100% vegan, dairy and lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free. Contact us for your party’s sweet treat needs. Staff can create a custom cake, cookie platter and more. JUST ASK MO CUSTOM CAKES justaskmo.com justaskmo@gmail.com 703-359-5055 An award-winning boutique bakery in Fairfax, Melwood’s CAMP ACCOMPLISH! An inclusive summer camp for kids with and without disabilities in Southern Maryland. Activities include:  Swimming  Sports  Horseback riding  Ropes courses  Performing arts  Paddle boats and canoeing Programs run from June 19, 2022 - August 26, 2022. LEARN MORE AT WWW.MELWOOD.ORG/CAMP 18  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 Best Restaurant! WINNE R Come see why we won Best Restaurant WINNE R 1 BEST O 02 F for no additional fee. Come see why we won 2  Crafts WINNE R 2 years in a row! A neighborhood Italian restaurant using the freshest ingredients, serving our guests with “out of this world” hospitality www.gregoriostrattoria.com POTOMAC 7745 Tuckerman Lane 301-296-6168 BETHESDA 4611-A Sangamore Rd 301-347-6830 RESTON 1428 N. Point | Village Ctr 703-689-4894 Virginia, celebrates 10 plus years of business. Just Ask Mo Custom Cakes offers parties and decorating classes. The staff takes pride in providing attentive customer service, working within specific dietary needs and offering convenient delivery. EDUCATIONAL PARTIES PONIES PLUS LLC poniesplus.org; poniesplus1@ msn.com 571-283-2408 12780 Aden Road, Nokesville, VA 20181 Discover pony rides, a petting zoo and ice cream truck for any occasion. Smiles are the specialty. REPTILES ALIVE LLC REPTILES ALIVE LLC reptilesalive.com reptilesalive@gmail.com 703-544-9304 Kids go wild for Reptiles Alive! Bring a fun, exciting and engaging live animal show to your next party, school assembly or special event. The group’s 20 years of experience in delighting audiences of all ages guarantees your event will be a success. reptilesalive.com reptilesalive@gmail.com 703-544-9304 Kids go wild for Reptiles Alive! Bring a fun, exciting and engaging live animal show to your next party, school assembly or special event. The group’s 20 years of experience in delighting audiences of all ages guarantees your event will be a success. ENTERTAINERS AND FUN THAT COMES TO YOU PLACES TO HAVE A PARTY MAD SCIENCE DURBIN & GREENBRIER VALLEY RAILROAD Ages: 6-11 dc.madscience.org 301-593-4777, 703-536-9897 Learn about virtual and in-person birthday parties. Give the gift of science with a Mad Science celebration like no other. At Mad Science’s birthday parties, kids discover the fun side of science as they take part in spectacular demonstrations, including chemical reactions and amazing bubbling potions, plus all the extras like goody bags and cotton candy. mountainrail.com 304-636-9477 315 Railroad Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 Cass Depot 12363 Cass Road , Cass, WV 24927 From vintage diesel to steam locomotives, the trains will transport your group through the scenic mountains of West Virginia in comfort and style. The trains range from 1½ to 8½ hours in length, and we have something for everyone’s liking. GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM gepaquarium.org 301-955-6256 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812 Make aquatic exploration part of your next birthday party. GEPA hosts birthday parties with exciting themes, or the team will help you plan your own. Parties are available for ages 3 and older and include a guided tour of the Aquarium Exhibits and Touch Tank, a themed craft activity and use of a Glen Echo Park classroom for refreshments. JUST ASK MO CUSTOM CAKES justaskmo.com justaskmo@gmail.com 703-359-5055 An award-winning boutique bakery in Fairfax, Virginia, celebrates 10 plus years of business. Just Ask Mo Custom Cakes offers parties and decorating classes. The staff takes pride in providing attentive customer service, working within specific dietary needs and offering convenient delivery. KINGS DOMINION & SOAK CITY kingsdominion.com 804-876-5000 1600 Theme Park Way Doswell, Virginia Explore the world-class roller coasters, thrill rides, kids’ rides and Soak City waterpark slides and attractions. LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK leesburganimalpark.com admin@leesburganimalpark.com 703-433-0002 19246 James Monroe Highway Leesburg, VA 20175 Go wild at Leesburg Animal Park. Enjoy indoor or outdoor party areas, pony rides, animal petting and feeding, a kids’ play zone and more. Staff can bring the zoo to you anywhere in the Washington metro area. ROER’S ZOOFARI roerszoofari.com groups@roerszoofari.com 703-757-6222 1228 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA 22182 Roer’s Zoofari is a family zoo that covers an area of 30 acres. Experience animals up close and personal. SHADOWLAND LASER ADVENTURES shadowlandadventures.com shadowlandbooking@yahoo.com 410-740-9100 9179 Red Branch Road V OTE F THE W OR INNERS 2 0 2 2 Vote for your favorite people, places and things in the DMV! The winners are chosen by popular vote, so let your friends know it’s time to cast their ballot. As a business, share with your audience to help you win the title of “Best” in your category! Opening May 28th! Weekends Only • Opening Weekdays starting on June 17th Limited Capacity. Reservations Required. Plan Ahead www.chesapeakebeachwaterpark.com BEACHCOMBER GRILLE • BIRTHDAY PARTIES • SWIM LESSONS Voting ends May 15th Winners will be contacted in June, and the results will be in the July issue of Washington FAMILY magazine. Go to washingtonfamily.com/bestforfamilies and VOTE TODAY! Print | Digital | Contact Julia Olaguer for more information jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com LAP POOL • WATERFALLS • SPEED SLIDES • LAZY RIVER 4079 Gordon Stinnett Ave. | Chesapeake Beach, MD WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 Sister Montessori preschools, providing Northern Virginia’s preschool children with quality education for the past 50 years. Columbia, MD 21045 703-921-1004 5508 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310 Strap on a suit, enter the huge 6,500-square- foot multi-level carpeted arena and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! website and contacting the on-site party planning personnel for information. SHENANDOAH VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM BOWIE BAYSOX discoverymuseum.net business@discoverymuseum.net 540-722-2020 19 West Cork St. Winchester, VA 22601 The museum offers a fun-filled approach to birthdays that allows you to have the party your way. Its staff takes pride in providing a stress-free party experience in the area. SKY ZONE GAITHERSBURG SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, DANCE, GYMNASTICS, MARTIAL ARTS AND SPORTS baysox.com info@baysox.com 301-805-6000 4101 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20716 The Bowie Baysox (Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) provides a perfect location for your child’s birthday party, outing, group event or a night out. Enjoy fireworks, promotions, special events and more. CLIMBZONE LAUREL laurel@climbzone.us climbzone.us/laurel/parties-and-events 301-708-2700 13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd., Suite 130 Laurel, MD 20708 Experience a revolutionary concept in family entertainment, the most unique climbing experience ever created. Visit the website for information about party rooms, party reservations, party hosting and more. skyzone.com/gaithersburg 240-454-9768 15813 Gaither Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Get ready to soar in open jump arenas, play trampoline dodgeball, do flips, perform somersaults and climb with friends. Sky Zone is the place to be! From kids’ parties to youth groups, you can find everything you want. It’s fitness disguised as fun for all THE THEATRE LAB ages. Learn more by visiting the Sky Zone theatrelab.org DEDICATED TO THE BEST SUMMER EVER SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS U LT I MAT E S PO R T S C AM PS ADVE N T U R E & G AM I N G C AM PS S P O R T S PEC IALT Y C AM PS JUNE 6–AUGUST 26 FULL & HALF-DAY CAMPS | AGES 6-15 THESTJAMES.COM/CAMPS 680 5 I N D U STRI AL ROAD | S PRINGF IELD, VA 22151 | 703.239.6870 20  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 terah@theatrelab.org 202-824-0449 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001 Bring the magic of theater and improv into your home and to your virtual party guests. An experienced Theatre Lab teaching artist will lead the group in theater exercises and improv games. Expect lots of laughs, creativity and celebration. The Theatre Lab offers parties for kids (ages 3-12), teens (13- 18) and adults, and the team is happy to incorporate a theme upon request. Allow a maximum of 12 participants per party.   SUPPLIES FOR YOUR PARTY TALK OF THE TOWN ENTERTAINMENT www.tottevents.com 301-738-9500 14650 Southlawn Lane, Suite 23 Rockville, MD 20850 Celebrating a birthday? Talk of the Town Entertainment has lots of games, entertainment and supplies to make anyone’s birthday one to remember! Editor’s Note: To view more listings from our party resources directory, visit our website at WashingtonFAMILY.com/ annual-party-extravaganza. n SCAN TO REGISTER DIY Mother’s Day Award Ribbon Craft BY MIMI MARKOPOULOS M other’s Day celebrates motherhood and the contribution of mothers to society. Did you know that the holiday is celebrated worldwide as an international day to honor moms? In addition, Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday in May in the United States every year. It is often marked by people sending Mother’s Day gifts and cards to their moms or mother figures in their lives. In the United States, three women were most responsible for establishing the tradition of Mother’s Day: Ann Reeves Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe and Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis. These three women—who advocated efforts toward adopting better health, welfare, peace and love—contributed to the day we celebrate mothers. Now that we’ve had a history lesson, let’s get right into making this simple, adorable and fun- to-make craft. Making Mother’s Day Award Ribbons MIMI MARKOPOULOS Materials: ● Scissors ● 3 sheets of colored construction paper ● 1 piece of white paper ● Glue ● Marker Directions: 1. Cut 1 piece of colored construction paper into five long strips. 2. Make a snowflake shape out of the paper strips by overlapping them and gluing them in the center as you go. 3. Hold the top part of the snowflake shape. Loop it down and glue it to the center at the spot of the strips’ initial overlap. 4. Cut out a circle from white paper. Write a message such as No. 1 Mom on the circle and glue the paper circle at the center of the colored construction paper shape. 5. Cut the remaining two pieces of construction paper into two rectangles with a triangle-shaped notch at each end to resemble the notched edges of a ribbon. 6. Glue the ribbon strips to the back of your award. Consider these fun ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day: Take mom to a spa. Have a picnic in the park. Take her out to her favorite restaurant for a meal. Enjoy some fun at an indoor pool or activity center. Prepare breakfast in bed. Create something together.  T WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 INCLUSIVE FAMILY Finding the Perfect Fit for Education How to pick the right school for your child with special needs BY JACQUELINE RENFROW How can an educational consultant help my special needs child? According to the Independent Educational Consultants Association, “An Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is someone who can assist you in finding the most suitable school placement for your child using an individualized approach. The IEC conducts personal interviews with your child and your family and combines it with data collected on the student including school transcripts, teacher comments and prior testing. In addition, an IEC has an extensive knowledge of schools and their available support services and profile, including student- teacher ratio, teacher credentials and availability of learning aids like computers and tape recorders, plus the culture and school environment.” For more information about IECs, visit iecaonline.com. 22  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 learning support, athletics, clubs, activi- ties, facilities, geography, and costs are all important factors to consider.” Taking the first step Whether a parent chooses to work with an educational consultant or look into school choices, the first step is assessing the child’s current school environment and experience. When determining whether the child is currently in the proper school set- ting, Hoffman’s team typically starts by reviewing all of the academic records and previous assessments and speaking to any of the child’s relevant service provid- ers. They ask parents to think about what their child needs to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally in school. Hoffman recommends that parents make a pros and cons list of what is work- ing and what is not working in their child’s current school setting. “It is imperative to determine if the stu- dent is appropriately challenged and making academic progress as well as determining if their social and emotional needs are being met,” he says. “This comprehensive overview helps to more clearly identify the parents’ concerns with a variety of data points.” Laura Rup, director of admissions at AIM Academy, a school for grades 1 through 12 in Conshohocken, Pennsylva- nia, says that the admissions committee at a school should be asking similar questions about what a child will need when con- sidering an applicant. Rup works to place children at AIM Academy who will fit the school’s niche—educating children with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. “When the school and child are a match, that is where ‘magic’ can happen,” Rup says. KALI9/E+/GETTY IMAGES P arents want the best education pos- sible for their children. But when you parent a child with special needs, deciding which school will best support your son or daughter’s needs is not easy. We spoke with educational planning experts who spe- cialize in understanding the academic and social-emotional needs of neurodiverse chil- dren for some tips to help parents find the perfect fit for a child at any age. First, it’s about matching a school to your learner, not the learner to the school, according to Brad Hoffman (M.S.Ed), a board-certified educational planner at My Learning Springboard Inc. Hoffman’s com- pany serves students around the country but primarily in the greater Washington and New York City areas. The boutique, multidisciplinary educational consulting firm works with learners of all ages—from preschool through young adults—with diverse learning goals. “A school can have a phenomenal repu- tation without necessarily being the right fit for your child,” Hoffman says. “Many families we work with send their multiple children to different schools. It certainly presents an added challenge logistically, but for a variety of reasons, one particular school may not be well suited to the indi- vidual needs of each of your children.” Before diving in, parents need to keep in mind that making educational placement decisions means putting the child’s current and potential schools under a microscope. Before the process can begin, parents need to make a list of their top priorities for a school environment since some tradeoffs may be likely. “All choices come with opportunity costs, and school selection is not exempt from this reality,” Hoffman says. “Aca- demic programming and perceived rigor, INCLUSIVE FAMILY If you plan to look outside of your child’s current educational institution, Rup recom- mends starting with school websites. They are “chock full of information, but some- times it can feel like drinking from a fire hose!” Try zeroing in on the “at-a-glance” or snapshot information. This strategy will usually provide parents answers to a major- ity of factors such as the size of the school or type of applicants the school seeks. “If the profile does not seem like a fit, you can quickly move on. You want to focus your time on those schools that are best able to support your child,” she says. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoff- man would recommend that parents spend some time in their child’s classroom to gain an up-close look at what is happening. If you are working with an educational consultant, ide- ally, this individual would observe the child in the classroom as well. Hoffman notes that whether parents get to see inside the classroom or not, working closely with the child’s teacher is paramount to gathering needed information. The more data, the better Other vital pieces of data can contribute to making the best school decision for your child. First, if the child has undergone a neu- ropsychological assessment, the evaluating psychologist can help to identify qualities and supports that are critical for your child’s success. Additionally, other related service professionals, such as a speech therapist or occupational therapist, can provide valuable insights. Also consult with any current service providers in the classroom, such as a school counselor or a special education teacher. Parents should bring their own informa- tion about their child to the table as well. Ask a lot of questions about a potential school generally integrated into the daily schedule. Specialized schools will differ depending on their mission and target population. Public schools offer various levels of service within the general education setting. Services can range from plug-in and pull-out services to a self-contained classroom. All teachers, both general and special educators, in a pub- lic school setting have to be certified by the state in which they teach. Public schools are required to follow the procedures set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Hoffman notes that any school, public or private, that takes federal funding is required to participate in the Indi- vidualized Education Program (IEP) process Public versus private When debating public versus private schools, under IDEA. don’t automatically assume that one is a bet- ter fit for your child than the other without Don’t forget the power looking over their individual services. of emotions Obviously, the student-to-teacher ratio is Hoffman notes that while data plays a large usually smaller at a private school, and the factor in choosing a school, an undeniable emo- facilities and enrichment activities are often tional factor exists behind school placement. more robust. However, that does not mean Therefore, visit a school you are considering that the private school necessarily offers the whenever possible and talk with faculty such emotional and educational services that are as the admissions team, learning specialist or best for your child. head of school. When an in-person visit is not Some private schools offer learning spe- possible, arrange for digital meet-and-greets cialists on faculty to consult with teachers and tours of the physical space. In addition, to address the identified needs for specific talk with currently enrolled families to get a students or work directly with identified stu- better sense of the school culture. dents. However, these learning specialists Plus, allow your children to have a voice in may not be certified special educators—as it the decision. is not required. “This means letting them know you are However, specialized private schools considering having them look at new schools exist. At these schools, all or most of the fac- and responding to their questions about it,” ulty includes skillful learning specialists and Rup says. “You get to make the decision, but special educators engaged in regular profes- your child has to live the choice on a daily sional development and implementation of basis. Establishing open communication will evidence-based interventions. In these spe- make the transition experience better for cialized school settings, related services are them and for you.”  T when meeting with admissions staff or fac- ulty members. “At AIM, many of our applicant families are learning about a newly diagnosed learning difference at the same time they are looking for a new school to support their child. It’s natural to have questions,” she says. “Admis- sions folks are not there to judge. They are there to educate, and chances are that they have answered any question you have a num- ber of times before. A positive home-school relationship is critical to student success, and asking for clarification is a great way to feel involved and informed.” Sessions from June 21 to August 26 TOGETHER IN G E TTYS B U R G ! summer drama camps for kids entering grades 1-8 theatrelab.org · 202-824-0449 DestinationGettysburg.com 900 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC Check out our teen programs too! WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Becky Gardner Celebrating life through photography BY LINDSDAY C. VANASDALAN FAMILY FAVORITES Family meal: I would say spaghetti and meatballs. We love to make lamb meatballs. Place to photograph your family: Probably at home. We just bought a 110-year-old house out in Purcellville, and there are always weird outbuildings and light. Family photo: We spent some time living abroad in England. My boys were a couple of years younger, and everywhere has swords and shields. I remember this photo of Henry and Hollis doing what we called storming the castle. Everywhere we went, my husband would be like “OK, go storm the castle!” Story to tell your kids: My husband used to be in the Army, and we met in college. He got orders to move to a different base, and if we weren’t married, basically I couldn’t go. We like to tell them the story of when we got married on our lunch hour and both (of us) went back to work. We didn’t even bring the camera. 24  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 why they’re awesome. But then it’s realizing that 13 years went by super duper fast. I went through a time where I actually had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was sick, went through chemo and lost all my hair. And I made sure to take pictures of my kids. We had a lot of funny things to lighten the mood there. But I think a lot of lev- ity can be found in photos. Looking back, you can find that—maybe see something differently than you did before or you can always then see. I have a giant wall of pho- tos and books and books and books of them to look through. Your photography is focused on capturing the authentic moments that tell a family’s story. Has your career made you more driven to document these moments in your own life? Yes and no—I would say most photographers would agree with that. When I pick up my camera now, I would say that’s one of the hardest things is it sort of becomes work, or that I get to be kind of How do you balance your too much of a perfectionist, or trying to day-to-day schedule as a really treat it as a job rather than letting photographer with family life? my family take center stage. A couple of I feel like that’s something that I still am times a year, I’ll really buckle down and learning. It’s gotten much better as I have have a couple of long days with my kids learned to set boundaries, say no to things where I can document them as they are. and focus on what is going to be best for not only my clients but for my family. I What’s one thing you hope your think when you’re first starting out it’s a kids learn from your career? lot of “hustle, hustle, hustle” and trying to Creativity and creating art, and creating say yes to everything. There is definitely something for others to appreciate and room to say no, and that’s sometimes all treasure and that’s meaningful to them. you can do for your sanity. I hope that they get letting their brains wander and play in beautiful light in big open fields and those kind of things. I started with a camera and a couple of classes and then put my mind to figuring It means so, so much. My daughter just out this was something that I wanted turned 13, which I feel like, you know, I to do, took the steps and did it the right spent a lot of time going back through way. You can create something if you put pictures and I feel like that’s one reason in the work.  n What does creating those memories mean to you as parent? PHOTO COURTESY OF BECKY GARDNER B ecky Gardner’s photography journey began with a few community college classes after her son Henry was born in 2011. In seeking something fun and different from her work in corporate sales and recruiting, she turned to an old love. “I’ve always been really interested in genealogy and local history, and trying to find out the stories of things and places,” Gardner says. Now she seeks out stories through her camera as the owner of Becky A. Gardner Photography. A big part of these stories shines through in clients’ homes, she says, but Gardner also enjoys finding hidden gems where she photographs families in Loudon and Fairfax counties, as well as Arlington and Washington, D.C. “Through 11 years—and some of my families have been with me that long—I haven’t run out of places,” Gardner says. Gardner now lives in Purcellville, Virginia, with her husband, John-Mark, and her three children, Hollis (6), Henry (11) and Sage (13). FAMILY FUN Best Kids’ Cooking and Baking Experiences in the DMV BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN I Serving up all types of candies and treats—nostalgic varieties, candy-by-the-pound jars, every chocolate bar you could imag- ine (including bacon and potato chips!)—Henry’s opens up its modern candy store to kids with fun classes and camps for bak- ing and decorating. Owner Patty Craver is also a full-time pas- try chef, which means she offers lots of house-made goodies in the store, such as fresh pastries, Cookology 21100 Dulles Town Cir- chocolate-covered Oreos, cake cle, Sterling, VA 20166 | pops, buckeyes and fudge. Sum- mer camps for ages 6-12 include cookologyonline.com/kids Is your little chef looking for lunch and a baking craft. more options to hone their culinary skills? Kids with big The Kosher Chocolate dreams of becoming a chef can Factory get started at Cookology, which 14803 Southlawn Lane offers a range of camps; fam- (behind the Dunkin Donuts), ily cooking classes; one-on-ones Rockville, MD 20850 | with mom, dad, a grandparent kosherchocolatefactory.com or caregiver; and a workshop. Learn how to make your own Cooking classes at Ballston chocolate at The Kosher Choco- Quarter and Dulles Town Cen- late Factory, part of the JCrafts ter begin as early as age 3. Kids workshop series. Families can will learn skills such as measur- sign up for two programs: choc- ing, mixing and rolling. All age olate from scratch and truffle groups will work with a profes- making. This kosher series also sional chef and explore cuisine allows children to explore the including New World, seasonal, historic connection between healthy and gluten-free varieties. Jews and chocolate and mold some kosher-themed chocolate shapes. Kids will also get to make Henry’s Sweet Retreat 4823 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda, MD their own custom box of truffles 20814 | henryssweetretreat.com to take home. L’chaim! WHISK: PURUAN / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; LITTLE CHEF: MIKI-TIGER / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS s your child a budding gour- met? Soon your little one could be making you pan- cakes every morning, not just on Mother’s Day! Just kidding … but your little chefs will love the opportunity to learn (and eat) more at these cooking and bak- ing classes in the DMV. The Red Bandana Bakery 8218 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 101, Bethesda, MD 20814 | theredbandanabakery.com Here’s a baking class you and your child can complete in the comfort of your own home. Order kits from the gluten-free bakery with a 4-inch or 6-inch cake round (dairy-free, vegan and keto-friendly options) and frosting, sprinkles, fondant, pre- serves filling, cake board and a piping bag and get baking. A pre-recorded instruction video from the head baker will be avail- able to play as you create. Kids can also try other kits, including scratch-made pizza, cookie deco- rating, chickpea blondies, bagels and cinnamon rolls. Wild Wood Pizza 1600 Village Market Blvd., Suite 120, Leesburg, VA 20175 | wildwoodpizzeria.com “Pizza is a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old,” reads the Wild Wood Pizza website, and that quote translates to its cooking classes! Kids of all ages will participate in hands-on pizza making in the Village at Leesburg. Chef Curtis Alfred will teach them how to roll and knead dough and create their own pizzas, which will then be placed in the wood-burning oven by Wild Wood staff. Parents or guardians must be on site, but only children younger than 10 require cooking supervision. Purchase an extra DIY pizza kit to take home after class.  ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 HEALTHY FAMILY The Basics of Bike Safety Brush up on these bicycling essentials for kids BY ALEX KRUTCHIK W armer temperatures and sunny skies encourage many families to take to the streets and side- walks to ride their bikes. Biking through the neighborhood is one of the simplest ways to entertain oneself and stay in shape. But biking can also bring about a few risks, especially for first-time riders. According to the National Safety Council Injury Facts, individuals 19 years and younger are most at risk of suffering a cycling injury. In its most recent report in 2019, 112,900 individuals younger than age 19 were injured while rid- ing a bike. Jessi West, executive director at Neigh- borhood Bike Works in Philadelphia, says that wearing a helmet comes first when get- ting ready to go on a ride. “We always tell our kids that it is vitally important for them to protect their brains,” West says. “And that is why we wear helmets. We are often biking with kids on hard sur- faces that can cause injuries that can affect them for the rest of their lives.” 26  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 An instructor with a group of children works with youth at a Pedalheads’ camp. coordination aspect of it is less challenging, West says that this type of bike acts as “a stepping stone” for kids. She adds that this approach could work better than learning with training wheels. “It teaches them a balance that learn- ing to ride with training wheels actually doesn’t,” West says. “The training wheels help do the balance for you, whereas a bal- anced bike teaches them to balance with their bodies.” Parents can also incorporate games and challenges into their children’s riding les- sons, Chan says. Moms and dads can draw a chalk line on the ground that goes in differ- ent directions for children or have them ride toward a fixed point, such as a lightpost. “Just keep it not too serious or too out- comes driven,” Chan says. “Parents should encourage and help them along as they’re developing these first skills.” What’s the best age to teach kids to ride bikes? Chan says that while every child is different, Pedalheads starts teaching kids as young as 2 years old. Besides balancing, Chan says that the big skill that children learn at first is the pedaling motion. Although children may learn balance and pedaling, Chan calls attention to a few benchmarks to look for when deciding whether kids are ready to ride near roads. “If they are riding on the road, it would be good to have skills like being able to ride close to the curb without bumping it, being able to follow or be followed by a parent behind them without swaying back and forth, know- ing their hand signals and knowing the signs that are on the road,” Chan says. Most states, including Maryland and Vir- ginia, require cars to give at least 3 feet of space when sharing the road. PHOTO COURTESY OF PEDALHEADS What are some best practices for bicycling? Mike Chan, marketing manager with Pedal- heads in Washington, says that keeping things fun and upbeat is one of the keys when teaching a young biker. One tip he offers is to let the biker’s feet touch the ground, rather than pedaling as normal. “If you feel that heel and the base are touching the ground, that’s actually what you want,” Chan says. “A lot of times, feet can be a little bit too high when sitting on the bike, as bikes can be a little bit too big. It makes it more challenging for children to learn when they’re first learning how to ride.” West says that many parents find that using a balanced bike first will help their kids. A balanced bike is essentially a child- sized bike without pedals, a design which forces the rider to push with the feet. This design allows kids to establish the bal- ance that’s essential for biking. Because the HEALTHY FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE WORKS While some more experienced cyclists enjoy the challenge of biking in the rain, snow or other elements, West recommends children avoid slippery conditions alto- gether, especially when the rain first begins. West says this period is the most dangerous time because that’s when the oil or the gaso- line left on the road mixes with the rain and causes the road to become more slippery. Follow the ABCs of bike safety When this situation happens, she recom- mends sticking to the side of the road where less gasoline or oil is present. Once children are finally ready to go on a ride, West says they should go through the “ABC bike safety check.” The ABC acronym stands for air, breaks and chain. “Before you go out bike riding, you should check to make sure that you have enough air in your tires, check your brakes to make sure that they’re functioning and take a look at your chain and make sure that it’s cleaned and lubricated,” West says. “You should also rotate your wheels a few times to make sure Young riders take to their bikes with Neighborhood Bike Works. that the chain is working properly.” T EXPANDING PRIMARY PROGRAM Live Virtual Tour & Info Session Thursdays at 10 a.m. ********** On-site Tours Available Why have families moved across the country specifically for their children to attend Nysmith? EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW We provide PreK -8th graders with a life-altering educational experience taught by teachers whose passion inspires students. Our unique program makes it possible for children to work four grade levels ahead in both Math and Reading. Our 1:9 teacher-to-student ratio with classes of 18 or less allow our exceptional teachers to devote the time to those children who need to fill in any academic gaps caused by Covid. Accepting Applications for Enrollment We Make A World-Class Education A Joy-Filled Experience Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Advanced Academic Curriculum McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org Preschool-8th Grade 13625 EDS Drive Herndon, VA Nysmith.com 703-713-3332 WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 BOOK MARKED Let the Party Begin! 12 Books Celebrating Special Occasions BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD, COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT LIBRARIAN, ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Parties are a great time to connect with friends and family and meet new people. These books explore all types of parties and the feelings that surround them, from uninvited guests and weather-related disasters to making new friends and how a good event can help change the world. PICTURE BOOKS “It Was Supposed to Be Sunny” written and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill Laila has plans and charts for everything, especially her upcoming birthday party. But the weather doesn’t cooperate, and doing the obstacle course inside results in a cake disaster. Laila is ready to cancel the party, but some helpful ideas from her mom and a few quiet minutes spent with her therapy dog allow her to enjoy the big day. While the hints in the story and the included back matter will be helpful for kids with sensory processing disorders, anxiety, or autism (like Laila), they will also be useful for any kid who wants a special day to be perfect. “Your Birthday Was the Best!” by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Felicita Sala A cockroach is having the best time enjoying all the games and festivities at a young child’s birthday party until he wears himself out with all the excitement and falls asleep on the birthday cake. Luckily, everyone is so excited to see him that their screams wake him up so he can have more fun. Young readers will love the cockroach’s sunny attitude about the best birthday party, even if he is not a welcome guest. “Going Up!” by Sherry J. Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua Olive’s birthday party is on the 10th floor of 28  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 June’s apartment building. She and her dad, along with a platter of fresh-baked cookies, get in the elevator. At every floor, the elevator stops to let in more people. The excitement for the party builds and builds as more people pack in until they finally reach the top of the building. The final spread reveals everyone spilling out of the elevator to celebrate the guest of honor. BEGINNING READERS “Cupcake Fix: A Branches Book” (Layla and the Bots #3) by Vicky Fang, illustrated by Christine Nishiyama In this third adventure, Layla (inventor and rock star) is helping with the grand opening celebration of the new community center. The mayor is worried that attendance will be low. She and her robots build a cupcake machine to help attract a crowd. Delicious hijinks ensue in this fun series that weaves in STEAM concepts and includes at-home activities for readers to try for themselves. “We Will Find Your Hat!: A Conundrum!” written and illustrated by Candy James Fox cousins Reddie and Archie are back in this early-reader graphic novel. It’s Hat Day, the hattiest day of the year, but when Reddie goes to pick up Archie, Archie can’t find his hat. The two must search through piles and piles of Archie’s belongings to find the missing hat. Will they be able to find it in time for the party? A silly read with a lot of visual clues and jokes, this light mystery is one beginning readers will love. It also works as a read-aloud book. “A Whale of a Tea Party” by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Sam Ailey Whale is having a tea party with her friends Lumpo, Bob and Grumpy Gus. As much as she likes her friends, they’re rocks. They can’t answer when she asks if they want more tea. But when Quail and Snail arrive, Whale invites them to join the party, turning it into the “best day ever.” MIDDLE-GRADE BOOKS “Best. Night. Ever.: A Story Told from Seven Points of View” by Rachele Alpine, Ronni Arno, Alison Cherry, Stephanie Faris, Jen Malone, Gail Nall and Dee Romito It’s the night of the big middle school dance. Seven students all have different plans relating to the dance, whether they’re going or not, or even in the band. Each chapter follows a different student, and is written by a different author, over the course of the dance as funny antics and friendship drama make for an unforgettable night. “It’s My Party and I Don’t Want to Go” by Amanda Panitch Ellie has always hated crowds and being the center of attention, but now they’re making it hard to breathe. She’s terrified of her upcoming bat mitzvah, so she’ll try anything to stop it from happening, except for talking to her parents about her panic and anxiety. From hiding the invitations to trying to fake her own death, Ellie’s antics grow out of control until she has even bigger problems than the bat mitzvah. Full of humor and heart, Ellie will need to discover there’s more to becoming an adult than learning your Torah portion. TEENS “Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions” by Navdeep Singh Dhillon After his older brother dies, Sunny finds his journal and decides to continue writing in it, making a list of uncharacteristically rash decisions, such as cutting his hair and shaving his beard (visible markers of his Sikh faith) and going to prom (even though it’s the same night as his brother’s barsi, which honors his death anniversary). When some friends try to coax him away from prom to a fan convention instead, the rash decisions keep coming in a fast-paced night that perfectly balances the madcap adventures while exploring Sunny’s underlying grief. “10 Truths and a Dare” by Ashley Elston Olivia has everything planned out—she’s aced her AP exams and set to graduate as class salutatorian and attend LSU where she has her double major already picked. Unfortunately, she’s failed her physical education class, and if she doesn’t make it up quickly, graduation isn’t going to happen. She can volunteer at a local gold tournament, but only if her cousins agree to stand in for her at all the events happening during senior party week so that her parents and older relatives don’t find out. She’s not going to let things like her shaky grasp of golf stand in her way in this engaging tale full of humor and witty banter. “The Jasmine Project” by Meredith Ireland Jasmine’s family always knew that her boyfriend was no good for her, but when they finally break up, she’s not interested in meeting any of the guys they think she should be with. They decide that her graduation party is a great time for a secret Bachelor- style series of setups. They even have a podcast. In this romantic comedy, everyone in Jasmine’s large family has an opinion, but they all ultimately have Jasmine’s best interest at heart. They’re determined to get Jasmine the love she deserves, but only if their plans don’t backfire.  n BACKGROUND: ZOLGA_F/ISTOCK /GETTY IMAGES PLUS; BOOK COVERS COURTESY OF PUBLISHERS “PhilanthroParties!: A Party- Planning Guide for Kids Who Want to Give Back” by Lulu Cerone This hands-on guide is full of step-by-step instructions for tweens wishing to use social events for a good cause. When she was 10 years old, author Lulu Cerone organized a lemonade-stand competition to raise money for Haitian earthquake relief. The event was very successful and a lot of fun, so she started throwing more events to raise funds and awareness of different causes. With three events for each month of the year, this guide has everything young philanthropists need to get started. WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 MY TURN Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Being a Mom of Twins BY CHERYL MAGUIRE babies—for me it was a more challenging time to be a parent than now. I still feel this way, but some of the statements are more relevant to when they were little. They are now 17 years old. I would also add to the list that they can help each other with their homework since I definitely don’t remember eighth-grade math equations or other similar school-related things. My Turn gives readers a voice. To submit a piece for consideration, email us at mvyskocil@ midatlanticmedia.com. My Turn opinion pieces do not reflect the views of Washington FAMILY. 30  Washington FAMILY  MAY 2022 A PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERYL MAGUIRE They certainly are two peas in a pod. The Maguire Twins, who are now 17, show off their cuteness in their baby photo. 10. Only one pregnancy, for two babies— that is two for the price of one in my book! 9. I don’t have to worry about what I look like. Everyone is too busy staring at “the twins.” 8. No one expects me to arrive on time. 7. After having twins, I feel like I can accomplish anything. 6. I only need to plan and pay for one birthday party for two kids. 5. After potty training twins, my fear of germs is officially cured. 4. They have been sharing since they were in the womb—no teaching necessary. OK, this one might be a stretch, but it sounds good, right? 3. Twin discounts. I’m starting to dmitting I’m a mom to twins usually elicits a myriad of realize a lot of the items on this are money saving related. questions: 2. Everyone opens the door for us. Who was born first? And the No. 1 reason I love being a mom Are they identical? of twins is . . . How do you manage? 1. Daily affirmations from strangers that People are fascinated by twins, especially twin babies. I couldn’t go to the grocery my hands are indeed full!  n store without strangers approaching me to get a closer look at “the twins.” Sometimes Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling I felt like I was warding off the paparazzi. Psychology degree. She is married and is the Now that they are older, no one even knows mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing they are twins since they are a boy and has been published in The New York Times, girl and don’t look alike. They also don’t Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your acknowledge each other in school so some Teen Magazine and many other publications. people don’t even know they are siblings. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can I wrote this top 10 list when they were find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05. • Basketball • Tennis • Soccer • Putting Greens • Roller Hockey • Baseball • Game Courts • Pickleball • Exercise Rooms & More (703) 690-7678 scofwashdc@aol.com more delight more connection Discover beautiful new guest rooms, be a swashbuckling pirate, or take the princess pledge during your summer getaway to Gaylord National. GaylordNational.com more adventure