Review: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

5 out of 5 Ants Rating!

Wondering why I am reviewing a hotel, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay (Get Directions Here), when I typically just review area activities?  Because it is SO much more than a hotel; this place is a little bit of paradise for kids (and their parents too).  It's a destination in itself, so I just have to share it here!

We spent a long weekend at the Hyatt right before New Years.  It was busy, but not crazy.  This is definitely a family-friendly hotel.  In fact, I wouldn't go here if you don't have kids or aren't traveling with a family group.  I'm sure you could figure out a fun time without kids, but the place is crawling with kids and not exactly on par with the romantic getaway you could have at numerous other more adult focused hotels in the area.  So stick with Hyatt for the fam.

Miss M painting a wooden fish at "Santa's Workshop" arts and crafts room at the Hyatt

My poor friends, family and Facebook followers during and after our visit to the Hyatt.  I posted about it non-stop.  I'm in LOVE with this place.  

• The staff are SO friendly and very family-focused (they remember your child's name, have crayons and coloring paper ready to go at every turn, ask you if you are having a good stay, suggest activities, etc.);
• There are SO many activities, including a daily, hourly, activity list published for you to grab and read each morning (and if that isn't enough there is indoor pool with a plethora of toys to borrow and use, an indoor/outdoor hot-tub, reserved for adults on the even hours and children welcome on the odd hours, many arts and crafts, a game room, a teen room, organized scavenger hunts, and on and on);
• The main hotel restaurant has a free (under 5) kids buffet to keep your little one happy and fed while you wait for your (yummy) adult food to arrive; and
• Smores.  Need I say smore?  

If you visit in the warmer months, you could also partake in: mini-golf, beach volleyball, three more pools and a slide, playground, beach...

View from the hotel

We requested a crib for Miss M.  They brought a full size crib with an actual crib sheet (not an adult sheet wrapped around as is usually the case in my experience) and an awesome Melissa & Doug crab toy for Miss M to keep and enjoy in bed (how lovely!!). 

I also had a 50-minute massage in their upscale spa - highly recommend. 

On our way out, the bellman said to look him up next time we come and he'll be sure to have milk and cookies and a bottle of wine waiting in our room.

Can we please go back NOW?

Review: PB & Jack Play Space (and More!)

4 out of 5 Ants Rating!  Preliminary Review -- Just Opened, Need to Get Back for More!

PB & Jack (Get Directions Here) is an awesome new play space (and so much more) for kids and their adult companions.  Miss M and I only stopped in for a short time after their opening and most classes weren't up and running yet, but this place holds a LOT of promise as the new hot spot to take your child.  

PB & Jack is a combination of play area and cafe for adults.  The play area is supervised by professional staff and enclosed; it includes a number of toys and climbing activities (and a cool trampoline my daughter loved).  There is also a small, separated area for lego-building.  It can get a bit hectic when it is crowded as the space is on the average to small-ish side; a mix of ages might pose a problem (at least require parental supervision) for the youngest tikes, but all-in-all, it's very cool.  

The cafe is well stocked with yummy treats and beverages and has ample seating for working on your laptop, reading the latest US Weekly or just zoning out as moms often wish they could do!  The cafe is still within earshot of the play area, which enables you to know if something is going on with your child.  

PB & Jack is nicely done - clean, fun, well-staffed, secure.  It is evident they are new and still working out the kinks in a few ways, but we are REALLY looking forward to being back (and most likely, taking this review up to a 5/5 ants rating once we can partake in all that PB & Jack has to offer!).

Review: Cox Farms Winter Wonderland (Centreville, VA)

5 out of 5 Ants Rating!

Cox Farms Winter Wonderland (Get Directions Here) is part two of a truly spectacular experience at this venue.  See my previous review for the Cox Farms Fall Festival, which is a new tradition for our family.  For winter (open November 23 - December 24), Cox Farms pulls out all the stops for their Christmas tree lot.  The Winter Wonderland is not on par with the Fall Festival in terms of activities, etc. - the point is to sell the trees - but this still deserves a full five ants rating for fun, in particular because it is free (the fall festival is at a cost).  

Here is my attempt to capture everything this place has to offer....so much, it seems too good to be true.  But it's true!  

1. Christmas trees (we haven't had ours more than a day, but they seem like great quality and were good prices) and the customer service on trees is outstanding (pick one out, tag with your name, meet you in the parking lot whenever you are ready to go, but no rush; when you get there to pick it up, all set in the mesh, put on top of or in your car for you, easy peasy)
2. Bonfire and Smores (bonfire enjoyment free, Smores kit $4.99)
3. Santa (check times, not there everyday/all the time, but when he is, it was a good one and pics are free taken on your own camera)
4. Tons of photo ops (with gingerbread cut outs, reindeer displays, animals in santa hats, etc.)
5. Slide with snow tube (small and slow, for little kids, really fun)
6. Live animals (bunnies, goats, chickens...)
7. Big climbing ship/structure for kids to climb and slide down and crawl through
8. Market with cider, kettle corn, jarred goodies, etc.
9. Free Cox Farms ornament when you check out
10. Free candy canes for all

At the end of our fabulous time, and what will become a new Christmas tradition, we had the great staff there put our tree on top of the car.  My husband attempted to give them a tip and we were told they cannot take tips, but would be happy to donate the funds to a children's charity for us.  Seriously?  Cox Farms, you rock.

Review: The Little Gym of Falls Church (Falls Church, VA)

4 out of 5 Ants Rating!

The Little Gym of Falls Church (Get Directions Here) is part of The Little Gym franchise operation, with locations around the country.  They offer a variety of classes from infant on up through grade school, with a focus on gymnastics/tumbling, dance, sports, a bit of music and a lot of movement.  Miss M and I recently enrolled in their Beasts/Super Beasts class at the Falls Church location and we really love it!  The classes are very structured with a set curriculum that you can find out about ahead of time.  Activities are organized around themes (such as colors, numbers, direction) each week or several weeks. 

Things we love about The Little Gym (Falls Church to be specific as we've never tried another location): we love the instructors, who are very energetic, pleasant and remember the kids names.  We love the variety of equipment in the gym to play with and that the instructors re-arrange the equipment all the time so that the gym feels different and new each visit and we love that there is a mix of new things to do each week (new skills and activities) blended with repeats (kiddos love consistency!) like bubbles and playing with balls.  We love that The Little Gym is so flexible, with makeup classes allowed, practice time and a general understanding and appreciation that kids like to explore and might not follow the class exactly (it's totally acceptable to roam!).  

Once you signup, you are booked for a full school year of weekly classes (through first week of June - and then they do have a summer session that is separate, at additional expense); you can join anytime during the school year and they will pro-rate your fees.  

We highly recommend The Little Gym Falls Church for those looking for structured activity, interaction with other kids and instructors/teachers and really good physical exercise (it can even be a bit of a sweat for parents/caregiver if you really jump in and roll around with your child; or if you prefer, you can stand by and be less active yourself).  The only hesitation on a full 5 ants rating for this review is the price of The Little Gym.  Given the curriculum, planning, really nice equipment, well-trained and happy staff, I understand the price - but it will be too hefty for some families.  I also wish they had more open gym times (right now, only one practice session open for Beasts).  It would be nice to be able to drop in more often.

Can't wait for next week's Beast class!

Review: National Arboretum (Washington, DC)

3 out of 5 Ants Rating!

The National Arboretum is a hidden gem, tucked away in northeast DC (Get Directions Here).  The grounds are massive, with sections for every kind of garden species and tree.  The highlights include a spectacular Bonsai exhibit (even in the winter, many of the Bonsai are still green, including those in the indoor tropical exhibit) and the columns from the US Capitol way back in 1828 (though only installed at the arboretum in the 90's).  

The Capitol Columns are eery and magnificent at the same time

This is a great place to take a child to stretch their legs.  Admission and parking are free.  There are tons of paved areas to walk (long distances if you'd like), perfect for strollers or toddling.  You could get a great workout here.  I highly recommend coming for the fresh air and tranquility.  Miss M enjoyed running around the Bonsai exhibit, particularly as the trail inside is made up of small rocks, which she enjoyed picking up and moving around (well, ok, you got me - she enjoyed throwing them around).  

Beautiful trees throughout the arboretum

I give this venue a couple ants shy of 5 because there are not any specific young kid activities here (e.g., a playground or hands on exhibits, at least not when we visited), you can't navigate a stroller inside the bonsai exhibit area (small rocks everywhere) and you have to be a bit careful walking on the roads throughout the park as most folks don't obey the 20mph rule (more like 50mph).  Overall, the National Arboretum makes for just a quiet lovely day.  My mind always feels clear and calm after leaving there.  Can't wait to return in the spring when everything is in full bloom!

Where should Antsy Mom and Toddler go next?  Let us know!

Review: The Puppet Co (Glen Echo Park, MD)

5 out of 5 Ants Rating!

The Puppet Co is a must-do with kids (of all ages!).  Located in Glen Echo Park (Get Directions Here), this is fully outfitted playhouse with kids in mind.  They feature puppet shows of many types, including: hand puppets, rod puppets, sock puppets, marionettes (string puppets), masks, costume figures, etc.  In addition to adult shows and regular storybook shows, they feature a "Tiny Tots" program for the 0-4 crowd on various days during the week at 10:00am.  My daughter and I recently attended the "Baby Bear's Birthday" show on a Sunday and really enjoyed it.

Marionettes in the lobby

We sat on the floor in the very front and Miss M was mesmerized!  It did take her a few minutes to warm up and figure out what was going on, but then she loved all the tricks that Baby Bear and his friends were up to. The puppeteer at our show has been practicing his craft for decades and I overheard someone say he had worked on Mr. Rogers and The Muppets.  Definitely a class act of a program.  During the Tiny Tots shows they leave the lights up, shorten the program to just 30-minutes - and everyone seems ok that kids might wander or make noise.  

Puppet stage

Get there early.  We lined up by 9:30 for the 10:00am show and within minutes there was a very long line behind us (seating is first-come, first-serve).  Don't miss this.  It's a unique experience to share with your child!

Where should Antsy Mom and Toddler go next?  Let us know!

  

Review: The Children's Museum (Glen Echo Park, MD)

2 out of 5 Ants Rating!

(Based on Walk-In Experience, Not Classes/Programs)

The Children's Museum at Glen Echo Park (Get Directions Here) is run by the Living Classrooms foundation, a nonprofit that, "strengthens communities and inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural and maritime resources as 'living classrooms'."  Miss M and I had a nice time, but I was underwhelmed by the museum.  Admission fees are low; $5 for my toddler the day we visited, which was nice and reasonable.  That said, the path leading up to the museum is extremely difficult for a toddler to navigate (rocky path = tripping hazard for younger ones) and the indoor activities were only so-so.  There are some climbing structures designed to look like trees and a variety of reptiles in aquarium tanks.  Miss M liked the turtle a LOT and the bunny was cool.  

Checking out the turtle

There was one staff person inside while we visited and she was cleaning the animal cages.  She said hello, but made no effort to orient us (we were the only people there) or teach my daughter about nature (I thought that was the point?), etc.  We had just missed the "animal encounter" a few minutes prior, but I doubt they really did it as there was no one there when we arrived.  It's not an awful place by any means.  It's just a bit dull.  I see that they have lots and lots of classes and programs, which we have not tried, so perhaps those are really great.  

On the way out, we saw a craft area (but it wasn't clear who can do crafts and it wasn't staffed), but we went ahead and invited ourselves to color a little bit.  Miss M definitely enjoys getting out the crayons!

Miss M coloring in the craft area of the museum

On the way out, we also tried the outdoor sand pit.  That was nice.  It was in a pretty spot, surrounded by a bamboo forest.  Overall, I would skip this as a destination in itself.  If you find yourself at Glen Echo Park for a show at The Puppet Co or to use the park's facilities, it might be worth stopping in for a bit.  But you aren't missing too much if you don't.

Sand pit in front of the museum

Where should Antsy Mom and Toddler go next?  Let us know!