Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Looking for a unique Valentine's gift that won't cost a fortune? Visit the Art League Gallery at the Torpedo Factory for artist-made Valentine cards and reasonably priced heart-themed original art. Etsy has a daily Valentine's Day Showcase highlighting everything from this cool From Russia With Love necklace to bonbon shaped handmade soaps. Jen Bekman's 20x200 is always a good source for unusual art and photographs, all starting at $20. Check out Marilyn Scott Waters' a.k.a. The Toymaker's website where you can download and print templates of whimsical cards and paper toys for all of the loved ones in your life.

Placing Moms in Part-Time Jobs

Does the lousy economy have you thinking about going back to work part-time? Don't know where to start?

Enlist the services of Momentum Resources, a staffing company dedicated to helping moms like us to find part-time professional jobs. Founded by two moms, the company aims to help smart women find flexible work opportunities and to balance professional needs with family obligations.

Here's how to reach their Northern Virginia office:
Jennifer Folsom, Director
jennifer.folsom@mom-entum.com
703.879.1560

Good luck!

Beyond Route 1: Kids Toys, Clothes, and More

I'm as grateful as the next person to have a Target close by, as well as Ikea just down the road. After all, you can't beat the prices and the designs aren't half-bad either. But there are times when I crave so much more out of a store than I can find on Route 1 or I95, especially when it comes to outfitting my kids, decorating their rooms, or stimulating their imaginations.

Join me on a virtual field trip to two of my favorite kid-design blogs and websites. The viewing is free, no gas is needed, and the inspiration is boundless!

Kidshaus
A source of great decorating ideas for your kids' rooms, as well as ideas for unique clothing items, cool toys, and marvelous gifts.

Moolka.com
A favorite for unique arts and crafts kits and amazing puzzles by Djeco like this one called "Invitation to Travel."

Soccer Registration Time Already?

It's time to register your darlings for the Spring season of soccer (I know. Where did all the time go?).

For those of you in the Lee Mount Vernon Soccer Club, the registration deadline is February 12th. In-person registration is on February 7, 2009, 10:00 - 1:00 at the Kingstown, John Marshall and Sherwood Hall Libraries.

Those of you in the Gunston League can wait a little longer to pull out your checkbooks. The pre-registration deadline is February 28th ($55.50); the final registration deadline is a hard-and-fast March 23rd ($65.50). As of this writing, the registration page is not yet up and available. Keep checking www.playgunstonsoccer.org for more information.

Guilty Pleasures

It's true that Mount Vernon Moms are well-educated, savvy, successful women, but even they have a dark side. Mine is watching Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo. There's something about these Botoxed, unabashedly breast-enhanced, money-loving femme fatales (not your average Alexandria housewife, in other words) that is utterly fascinating. Give me a new episode, a glass of wine, and a comfy couch and I can unwind from even the most stressful of days.

How about you? What do you do to take the edge off of a hectic day in the Fort Hunt corridor?

(For those of you who share my secret passion, take this quiz and find out which Real Housewife's personality is most like yours.)

Service of the week: CVS Minute Clinic

Last week our family was toppled with illness: two kids with a virus, the other sidelined by a tonsillectomy, and me with a sinus infection. I was able to get the kids to the doctor, but dreaded calling my primary care provider whose grouchy office staff invariably says (no matter what painful illness has befallen me), "We can see you in 4 days." Aaaagh!

Enter Belleview's CVS Minute Clinic. I walked in, signed in on the computer, was seen after a minute-long wait, spent 10 minutes answering questions about my health history, insurance, and symptoms, then, voila! The very friendly nurse-practitioner had electronically sent my prescription to the pharmacy to be filled right away. You can't get much more seamless than that. Plus, because they are on our insurance plan, I only had to pay a $15 co-pay, same as if I'd seen my regular doctor.

With service like that, I'll be a fan for life.

Inauguration Festivities with Kids

As I, my kids, and my furnace can tell you -- it's cold! That makes finding something inaugural, inspiring, and kid-friendly even more challenging. Here are a couple of options close to home (as in, "I'm not willing to take my kids on the Metro into DC"):

Mount Vernon is hosting some inaugural activities including a special storytelling time "Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon " for kids ages 3 - 8 at 2PM January 19 - 21, and on the weekends in January at 2PM. They also are featuring a special exhibition of presidential china, inaugural buttons from years past, and an area where kids can pretend to take the oath of office with a life-size model of George Washington. Tickets are $15 for adults (here's a coupon for 20% off adult ticket prices) and $7 for kids over 5. Kids under 5 are free.

The Torpedo Factory in Old Town is serving free hot chocolate and hot cider from 11 to 5 on Tuesday, January 20th in honor of the new president's big day. They'll also being projecting the Inaugural ceremony and parade on a big screen in their main hall.

You can't get much closer to home than by staying put and enjoying the view from your couch. If you want to add some more oomph to the day for your kids but without leaving home, check out Family Fun's 11 Top Patriotic Treats, Crafts, and Printables. (The "Edible Eagle" is sure to be a favorite.)

Tip of the Day: Leggings at the Gymboree Outlet

Okay, so Potomac Mills isn't exactly in the Fort Hunt corridor. Trust us, you won't care when you see the cute leggings on sale at the Gymboree outlet. They range in price from 4.99 to 6.99, a hefty discount off of regular prices, and there are even some matching/contrasting cotton dresses for just 10.99. For those of you who have never been there before, it's in "Neighborhood 1" in the same section of the mall as Nordstrom Rack.

Welcome to South Alexandria Source

A shout out to all the moms and dads in the Fort Hunt corridor! If you, like us, would love for our area to receive some of the recognition it deserves, stay tuned. South Alexandria Source is here to offer recommendations for our area's best services, parks, playspaces, and activities, to provide you with timely information regarding special events, and to just generally dish about things close to home.

We're tired of looking in DC parenting magazines only to find that a really cool place that's featured is in Chantilly or Wheaton. We're frustrated that the best way to find out about goods and services in our area is by chance. Help us harness the power of the mom-network and make this a must-check resource for Fort Hunt families. Start by telling us about yourself: Where do you live? How many kids do you have? How long have you lived in our area?

Welcome. We hope you'll stop back by often.