A Parent in Silver Spring

Spinoffs, Sitcoms, Stars and Swag - Giveaway

jessica.mcfadden@gmail.com (JessicaAPISS) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:29:34 PST

Here's a sample of the type of product reviews (usually a giveaway for readers) I feature over at APISS Reviews. Since tweeny sitcoms are always having spin offs and guest star appearances, as detailed in this article in the October 22 issue of TIME about Walt Disney teen stars, I thought I'd bring my Disney teen star giveaway over from my spin off blog for a guest star appearance on APISS. Follow?

Anyways, in support of the Disney teen star factory and in the name of wholesome entertainment for our kids (and the possibility of winning swag you can give them for holiday presents), I have two scream-inducing DVDs to give away to you:

Jonas Rockin' the House Volume 1 DVD and Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana DVD.

I'm going to confess to watching the Jonas Brothers' TV show on Disney with my son today. Although I'm sure the target audience are girls that think these guys are dreamy cute, my almost six year old son thinks they are a crack up. Today one of the guys (I think it was the intense Nick) had a crush on a girl. He has a fantasy montage of himself singing a tender love ballad while she's walking around the school with massive angel wings that take people out, slam lockers and crash all the vases on a school table labeled "Vase Club." Charlie thought this was the height of hilarity.

Then I realized what the show reminded me of: The Monkees. You know, it's a comedy show about a band that is a band in real life but they don't act like sex symbols and instead just goof off and sweetly pine for girls and get into scrapes and sing their songs. Don't tell me you didn't watch The Monkees as a kid in the '80s, when they inexplicably had a big popular rerun following and play on local networks and cable. Kind of like how Scooby Doo is puzzling current parents as every 2009 kid's favorite cartoon with all its Scooby versions of the show dominating cartoon, kids and nostalgia cable channels. (How old shows are brought back to newfound popularity with later generations...now there's an article I'd like to read. Or get someone to pay me to write.)

I haven't yet watched the Wizards/Hannah/Zack and Cody mash up, but that was another concept that was killer: This three-part special episode was shown one part each on the three hit Disney tween shows. And now they're all together as one movie on the DVD.

And if you skipped all that blather, here's the info you need: Leave a comment with YOUR favorite sitcom of your own kid/tween/teen years to win one of four copies of the Jonas Rockin' the House Volume 1 DVD and four copies of the Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana DVD. Subscribe to APISS Reviews via RSS or email, and you'll win a second entry. Winners will be drawn randomly in one week.

(I have received no compensation for this post other than review copies of the DVDs. And in addition to Davy, Micky, Michael and Peter, I loved Saved By the Bell after they got rid of Miss Bliss and Gidget, the TV version with Sally Field.)

Kathlin Argiro Dress Event in Georgetown Friday & Saturday

jessica.mcfadden@gmail.com (JessicaAPISS) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:33 PST

Kathlin Argiro is a Georgetown Visitation High School alumn, and she's giving back to her hometown with an exclusive trunk sale on her cocktail, bridesmaid and - my absolute favorite style - the wrap dress. (That's her wearing one of her designs at left.)

She's offering her wrap dresses, vintage pieces and formal wear at deep discount from their usual $200-$400 price tag...

and mention APISS and get an additional 10% off!

I think the dresses are perfect for the holiday season and the dropping temps. I love how they are flattering but still modest, for the jersey fabrics stretch but don't cling, skim the bod and don't bulk you up, and Kathline's even designed them so that you don't need a pin to keep your cleavage covered. And get this: they stretch throughout a pregnancy and you can wash on gentle and skip the dry cleaner.

This special sale's going on Friday from 8:30am-9pm and Saturday 9:30am-4pm in the Lalor House on campus at Georgetown Visitation, 1524 35th Street at Volta Place in Georgetown.

If like me you're super interested in a sneak peek at the show's styles and seeing firsthand how flattering are these dresses, here's a video of fellow blogger, public relations guru and now author Beth Feldman of Role Mommy getting styled in the wrap dresses for her book tour:

Hope you can make this great sale if you're in the shopping spirit!

(And if you see one with black in a size 10 or so, please leave for me, 'k? Because I am in no way compensated for this post, other than the 10% off you guys get too! I just love Role Mommy Beth and wrap dresses and shopping and Georgetown and supporting women with fierce style.)

APISS Weekend Picks November 6-8, 2009 - Fabulous Fall Fun

jessica.mcfadden@gmail.com (JessicaAPISS) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:57:13 PST

The Race Against the Odds on Sunday in Arlington is a 5K for the whole family!

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Children's Native American Opera at the National Museum of the American Indian
"El conejo y el coyote/The Rabbit and the Coyote"

Friday 10:15 am & noon - tickets required, call 202-633-3030)

Saturday &Sunday at 2pm - no tickets required, seats are first come first served

Head to the Rasmuson Theater for this one act opera for children based on Zapotec stories and inspired by the artwork of Mexican painter, Francisco Toledo (Zapotec). Sung in a fantastical imaginary language and narrated in English, the opera blends the original wily coyote tales.

Pirate Corn Maze at Montpelier Farm
Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm and Sunday 11am-7pm (bring your own flashlights if you go at night)
1720 Crain Highway North, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Argh! This is the last weekend of this legendary corn maze. Work together with your group to solve the clues and find the treasure. Adults 13 and up are $10, kids 3-12 are $8 and 2 and under are free.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Agricultural History Farm Park Blacksmiths & Friends
10am-4pm both days, rain or shine, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855
Free celebration of blacksmiths, silversmiths, coppersmiths and other artisans as they practice their craft and create objects of beauty. Hands-on teaching for kids and live demos. Craft shopping, hayrides and food will cost you extra.

Button Farm Living History Center Fall Festival
11am-4pm both days, call 301-916-7090 if raining, 16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown, MD 20874
Come see how people lived on an 1850’s Maryland farm at Maryland's only living history center depicting slave plantation life. The festival is a free, hands-on history experience with 19th century crafts and games for kids, walking tours, storytelling, music, artifacts, games, food and fun for all ages. Family performance of note - the Schroeder Cherry Underground Railroad Puppet Show at noon on Sunday.

SUNDAY

Race Against the Odds - A Team Alexis 5K for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research
9am, Bluemont Park, 4th Street and 429 Manchester Streets, Arlington, VA
Funds raised at this family-friendly race will help to fund pediatric brain cancer research and also support the medical needs of Alexis Agin, a three-year-old from Arlington, VA who is battling brain cancer. Thank you Jen B. of Strathmore for your informative and kind email about the event!

Children's Author Reading and Mini-Baseball Clinic: Batter Up with Sandy Koufax event at the JCC of Greater Washington
Sunday at 2pm, 6125 Montrose Road Rockville, MD 20852
In honor of the JCC's 40th Annual Book Festival, kids will enjoy Jonah Winter's reading of this book filled with baseball facts and the story of the legendary Sandy Koufax. Stick around to get some great pointers for the baseball season from real baseball coaches. Attire: baseball jerseys, of course! $8 kids 12 and under, $5 adults.

Have a glorious weekend with your family!

Free Christmas & Hanukkah Gifts (and Gift Ideas) on APISS Reviews

jessica.mcfadden@gmail.com (JessicaAPISS) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:35:08 PST

Come on over to my product review site A Parent in Silver Spring Reviews for some gosh-darn-cool giveaways that you can wrap up, stick under the Christmas tree or gift to your kid during the Festival of Lights.

Thanks to some super companies and PR people that love consumer moms like you, I'm giving away multiple copies of:

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Blu-Ray & DVD combo packs - 5 copies to be exact

Where the Wild Things Are...and 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak on DVD - 3 copies

Board games for kids like the Silly Socks Game and Rummikub for Kids

Art lessons on video via Art House Volume I: Basic Shapes and Animals

Holiday 3 pack DVD collections like Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection, Barney Tee-riffic Holiday Collection, and Bob the Buil der Building Crew Holiday Collection

I'm hoping to have lots more giveaways throughout the holiday shopping season, so be sure to subscribe to A Parent in Silver Spring Reviews via email or in your favorite feed reader so you can hear about the free goodies the minute they're available.

Best of luck winning, and thanks for reading!

Adelaide Photography for Family and Holiday Photos

jessica.mcfadden@gmail.com (JessicaAPISS) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:09 PST

Kristin Callahan of Adelaide Photography is a master in the art of photography, and she really captured the beauty of our kids in a recent photo session at our home. We are so pleased with the results! You know how sometimes when you see photos of your kids taken by someone else, even if the shots are OK, they just don't look like the kids you see everyday? Well, EVERY photo that Kristin took truly reflects the essence of our kids' personalities.

As a special giveaway to A Parent in Silver Spring readers, Kristin is slashing her prices in half for those parents that give her a call and set up an appointment this fall. What an amazing opportunity to obtain professional photography of your family and document this special time in your lives.

Kristin specializes in photographing newborns, children and expectant mothers. She loves to capture newborn babies sleeping before they are two week old or document an expectant mother's beautiful belly in an artful pose. (Every photograph she takes of babies could win a cutest baby contest.) Kristin started her work with children while working in a Head Start day care center and founded her photography specialty upon this comfort and joy of children. Kristin has been building her photography business and befriending Washington, DC area families since moving to the area two years ago.

Kristin works in both black/white and color photography. She uses digital photography which allows parents to view proofs online and share with family and friends. She likes to pose children in classic, natural poses, using small props or whatever the parents wish.

Kristin prefers to photograph children in their home environments, where they are comfortable and the photos can best reflect kids' unique personalities. (And this was totally the case with our kids - they were completely at ease and had a great time with the shoot, which took less than one hour, including set up and a change into Halloween costumes!) You can view our favorites from the session on Flickr.

Thank you so much Kristin Callahan of Adelaide Photography!

Finally, a Christmas card photo without messing with that blasted timer!

FYI - APISS does not do paid posts. I truly believe in and endorse Kristin's skill as a photographer and thus have waived the advertising fees for her beautiful banner ad on the site. And she totally rocks for taking these gorgeous pics of my family!