I love my dentist. I really do. Everything about him is amazing.  And so, when it came
time for my son to get braces, my first instinct was – well, our dentist can handle it. But
after thinking about it more, I realized that maybe that’s not the case? Maybe what my
child really needs is to see a specialist. And that’s when I started researching the
differences between a dentist and an orthodontist. At first, I didn’t really think there was
a difference, but there is. A big difference. Okay, so here’s what I discovered:

Summer Fun Fridays are coming to Fair Oaks Mall - enjoy kids activities, Summer of Science event, and a kids back to school fashion show. Find more details and event info at www.shopfairoaksmall.com.

For more details and event info, visit: www.shopfairoaksmall.com/events/directory.

This blog is sponsored by Wyndham Extra Holidays. All opinions are my own.
Last month, we took a quick getaway to Williamsburg, Virginia for Ava's first road trip! All of our friends have been telling us how family-friendly Williamsburg is -- and they were right!
We found the perfect resort to stay for the weekend: Wyndham Kingsgate, so we made the
quick trip down 95 South.

We were looking for a resort close to all the action - historic Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Busch Gardens. We found the perfect, family friendly spot at Wyndham Kingsgate. The resort is surrounded by the area's top attractions, sites and historic landmarks, it made it easy for us to quickly travel around Williamsburg. ​
The resort was styled with furnishings of the colonial period, but included upgraded amenities like a full kitchen to cook on-site, a beautiful pool, mini golf, and tennis. Brennan's favorite was the game room -- loaded with everything from pool to air hockey -- and then even had video gaming and arcade games which were ALL FREE!
Being that there are so many attractions in the area, we didn't spend the majority of our time in our room. However, since our suite had a full kitchen, we did hang out there just like we would at home. The ability to cook in your suite is a real game changer since traveling with a newborn and dining out isn't always that easy.  
​Wyndham Kingsgate offered spacious one- and two-bedroom resort suites which were much larger than we imagined. Next time, we'll travel with the grandparents!

There is so much to do in and around Williamsburg, it was really hard to choose our activities for our weekend.   We decided on visiting Busch Gardens now that Brennan is old enough for roller coasters and I personally haven't been since I was little.  I learned that traveling as a family, you really can't beat Busch Gardens since there was something for everyone. I enjoyed eating my way through the park since we just happened to go during the food and wine festival! Next time we go back, I want to make sure we pack our swimsuits. Being the largest waterpark in Virginia, and seasonal events all year long, it's the perfect place for families. ​

Our next adventure was a trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not, located right in Williamsburg.  Brennan always comes home with Ripley's library books -- so when we found out there was an attraction, we had to stop in! We could have spent more than just a few hours there -- are so many activities at Ripley's! After touring the Odditorium, Brennan played Laserace and experienced a 4D movie screening before heading home. ​

Ava's first road trip was a success! If you're looking for more information about where to stay and what to do, you can always check in with the Visit Williamsburg site for a calendar of events and more information. ​

Paris-born Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts today introduced Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée by Le Méridien – a global programme that brings the playful glamour of European summers to life at its more than 100 hotels around the world. Inspired by the brand’s French heritage and the allure of the Côte d’Azur, the global series of events invites guests to sip, sway and savour the journey of travel through all senses.
Beginning this month, Le Méridien hotels will feature a dedicated Petit Plates menu offering light and local fare alongside rosé spritzers and aperitifs, part of the brand’s signature Sparkling programme. The brand will also bring a modern twist to the iconic seaside pastime of backgammon - ubiquitous throughout the Mediterranean in summer months – inviting guests to lounge a little longer, with an exclusive summer soundtrack, curated by French Bossa Nova collective Nouvelle Vague.
“No matter where you are from or where you are traveling, the idea of summer connotes a sense of slowing down and savouring the good life – a mentality that we celebrate at our hotels year-round,” said George Fleck, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing & Management, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts. “With a hint of whimsy and a nostalgic nod to the glamour of the French Riveria in the 1960s, this programme aims to inspire travellers to explore the world in style, the same way that we’re inspired when visiting destinations like Mauritius and Melbourne.”
Embodying the idea that the sun never sets on the jet set, Le Méridien will chase the sun continuing Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée programme around the globe, from Dubai and Bangkok. Soirées will occur nightly, weekly or at celebratory moments throughout the summer months in both northern and southern hemispheres, in destinations as diverse as Split and Seoul, Nice and New Orleans. Here are just a few on the horizon:

• Just on the heels of the extravagant French tradition Monaco Grand Prix, which draws celebrities and socials to celebrate the start of summer, Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée will debut at Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monte Carlo this week with music performances by Nouvelle Vague and DJ Inès Mélia, a custom built rosé bar and beachside bites.
• Recently renovated Le Méridien Ra will roll out its signature Gelato truck to launch the programme for its global guests this week as well. The hotel famously celebrates summer anchored by its buzzy beach club on one of Catalonia’s matchless beaches where guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, Sparkling Cocktails and live music well into the evening - all beginning on Summer Solstice with dinner on the beach and fireworks that will illuminate the San Salvador Beach.
• Beginning on Bastille Day with a celebratory sparkling soirée, Le Méridien Denver Downtown will offer aperitivo hour featuring Italian Aperol Spritz Punch and French 75 Punch in the hotel’s restaurant: Corinne Honest Food and Drink as well as on the patio (everyday, 4pm – 10pm); backgammon and rosé in The Lobbyist bar (Sunday) and vintage summer cinema on Mondays with light bites, cocktails, music and projected films inspired by the late 1960s,
• Le Méridien Versailles in Montreal will create an aperitif moment to transition from day to night, offering live music, rosé cocktails, gelato and a backgammon tournament each Thursday – transforming their signature Hub and outside terrace into a mid-century Mediterranean oasis, complete with Palm trees, orange blossoms, beach umbrellas and vintage throws. In addition, the hotel has partnered with Priority Bicycles to offer guests a fly-by-view of the charming city in the summer.

 
Le Méridien & Atelier Doré Celebrate L'Art de Vivre

Le Méridien has tapped Garance Doré - celebrated writer, creative director and founder of Atelier Doré – to continue evolving the brand’s summer programming. As creative consultant for Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée, she will lend her editorial eye to guide how the sentiment of summer will come to life for Le Méridien guests around the globe. Doré, who embodies an effortless French style and sensibility similar to Le Méridien brand, first moved to Paris from her native Corsica and now also calls Los Angeles home. Sharing Le Méridien’s view that the sun never sets on the jet-set, Doré will introduce a new video franchise — The Art of Life — a “how-to” series about savoring the good life, told through her unique lens.
To visualize the intangible allure of summer, the brand also created a contemporary yet classic visual identity for Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée by Le Méridien programme developed by creative agency The Gathery, which will be featured in hotels, on the brand’s website, on social media and more. The graphic design treatment exudes a warm sophistication and bright simplicity that stays true to the brand’s distinctly European spirit anchored by mid-century modernism. Inspired by the iconic beach club culture of the 1960s, signature elements include chic straw sunbathing hats and backgammon patterns punctuated by yellow and white stripes.
For more information about Au Soleil: a Summer Soirée programme by Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.lemeridien.com/ausoleil and follow along on social media with #LMAuSoleil.

​At Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, summer is the perfect time to play by the bay - whether reconnecting with friends, family, or nature, there is something for everyone on property - and around town . ​

Visitors can:
-Bike, hike or kayak through the 25,000-acre Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, while keeping an eye out for swooping bald eagles and nesting blue herons;
-Explore Cambridge and check out the downtown Farmers Market every Thursday, or take the Downtown Cambridge Art Walk on the second Saturday of each month;
-Tour one or more of the 20-plus breweries and wineries in the region; and don’t forget to try “Off the Rook,” RaR’s ale brewed especially for Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay;
-Visit local maritime museums and the Harriet Tubman Educational Center for learning opportunities for all ages; and
-View the galleries, shops and boutiques in nearby St. Michaels, the perfect location for a stroll, some window shopping, and an afternoon sweet treat. ​

 At the end of a wonderful day of adventure and relaxation - or both - settle in for some fresh seafood and cocktails or s’mores making on Manor Lawn.
Lastly, don’t miss Crab Week, August 10-19, a celebration of Maryland’s world-famous crabs including family-friendly, crab-themed events, food trucks, pool deck BBQs, cooking demonstrations, specialty dishes served at all restaurants on property, seaplane splash-ins, and a waterfront crab feast. Complimentary fitness classes and family golf clinics will be held all week to help burn off the well-earned extra calories.
 
Oh, and pets are welcome.  We have lots of special treats for our four-legged friends.

For more information on Hyatt Chesapeake Bay Hotel check out their website.

​When my son was born, the hospital was amazing. They gave me this nice book filled with all
the things I’d need to know as a parent. When to take him to his first doctor appointment. How
to handle the common cold. Sleepless nights. What lullabies to sing. When he should go to the
dentist the first time, and so much more. And if you believe anything I’ve just written, I have
beach front property in Idaho that is perfect for you. Only $5.46! It’s a steal.

Seriously, I was clueless. I remember this one time listening intently as a girlfriend relayed in
perfect minute detail her son’s second dental appointment. Needless to say, I reached for my
Pinot Noir more than once. All the while, I kept wondering, “Should I make an appointment for
Max? He’s three. Am I a bad mother?” (Her son was only one and had only one tooth.)

​Of course, the next morning I called my dentist and booked Max his first visit. Despite his initial
apprehension and my guilt for not taking him sooner, we left the appointment feeling thrilled
he didn’t have any cavities. Although, I did find out that my son has a cross bite. Which meant
he’d need to see an Orthodontist when his big-boy teeth come in.

​After doing some research I discovered that there are lots of ways to fix certain bite issues early
– especially if you take your child to see an Orthodontist around age seven. So, you can bet that
now that Max is seven I’ll be making that appointment. Seeing an Orthodontist early can mean
less extensive orthodontic methods later (like extractions and jaw surgery), and ultimately save
some green, too. (And who doesn’t want to save money?)
The question is how do you know if your child, who’s teeth seem straight as an arrow needs to
see an Orthodontist? Just to be on the safe side, your child should see an Orthodontist even if
they don’t have any problems with their teeth.

1) Your child lost their baby teeth early
2) Your child lost their baby teeth late
3) Your child sometimes has difficulty chewing or biting into food (not their sibling)
4) Your child is or was a thumb sucker or finger sucker
5) Some of your child’s teeth seem a bit crowded or misplaced
6) Your child’s jaw shifts and makes sounds
7) Your child often bites their cheek or the roof of their mouth
8) Your child’s teeth meet abnormally or not at all
9) Your child’s teeth are out of proportion to the rest of their face, either too large or too small

If you answered yes to one or more of the statements above, consider reaching out to an
Orthodontist for an evaluation. Overall, the best age for a child to get braces is between 8 and
14. But seeing an Orthodontist a few years early, could give your child the early intervention
they need to negate the necessity for braces later in life. Or, at the very least, shorten the
timeframe in which they need to wear braces. And what teenager doesn’t want to shorten the
time they’ll have to wear braces? (None that I know!)

​Follow your heart straight to adventure at Disney On Ice! Just keep swimming
with Dory and new pal Hank from Disney-Pixar’s Finding Dory as they set out to
find her parents. Cheer with the Emotions from Disney Pixar’s Inside Out.
Venture to wintery Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite Anna and Elsa
and learn love is the most powerful magic of all.

See the Disney Princesses achieve their dreams through bravery, kindness and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with The Toy Story gang. Make unforgettable memories with Mickey and your Disney friends when Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates into Fairfax!

Housewives In The City readers can get $6 off  tickets by using offer code: BLOG when booking your tickets online!  

Disney on Ice: Follow Your Heart will be at EagleBank Arena (formerly Patriot Center) in Fairfax.

• Thu. April 12 @ 7:00 PM
• Fri. April 13 @ 10:30 AM  and 7:30 PM
• Sat. April 14 @ 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:30 PM
• Sun. April 15 @ 12:30PM and 4:30PM

To book tickets you can grab them online, at www.ticketmaster.com, Call 800-745- 3000, or visit the Arena Box Office.

Easter Bunny and Family-Friendly Adventures in Annual Bunnyville Experience Return to Fair Oaks Mall March 9th
With spring just around the corner, Fair Oaks Mall is preparing for the anticipated arrival of the Easter Bunny. Beginning 9, March, the Easter Bunny will greet visitors in Bunnyville -- a three-dimensional town for kids to explore. Located on the shopping center’s lower level in Grand Court, Bunnyville features many places to visit including Hoppin’ Fresh Bakery, Hare Salon and 24 Carrot Bank. The last stop along the adventure is an opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny and have photos taken. Those who visit the Easter Bunny will receive a complimentary gift (while supplies last). This special family-friendly holiday experience is being offered exclusively at Fair Oaks Mall from March 9th through March 31st. This annual event is free for the public to attend. Photo packages may be purchased onsite. 

Adventures in Bunnyville + photos with the Easter Bunny at Fair Oaks Mall
March 9 through March 31, 2018
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks, Fairfax, VA 22033

Bunny Paws:  Bring your furry friends to visit the Easter Bunny on March 18, 2017 from 6:30PM to 7:30PM and on March 24, 2018 from 8:30AM to 9:30AM.

Bunny Cares (Sensory Bunny): March 11 and March 18. Individuals within every spectrum of special needs and their families are invited to a private photo session, to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with the Easter Bunny during dedicated hours. Please reserve your complimentary ticket on EventBrite - ONE TICKET per group/family, please. Photo packages that capture holiday memories will be available for purchase at the event, pricing varies: https://www.autismspeaks.org/bunny2018

For more information visit shopfairoaksmall.com/events

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to start making your reservations.  I've rounded up my top five restaurants in the NOVA area for a romantic Valentine's Day Date just for you!  

The mission of The Hitch Chantilly is to provide a dining experience that brings the coastal delights to the suburban regular. Their chefs and mixologists develop a menu that is simple but honors the bounty of the coastal regions of America through fresh and simple cuisine. The Hitch is styled in an ambiance of relaxed sophistication with service that delights and entertains.
thehitchchantilly.com

don't forget to RSVP + join us for our next meet up and networking social!