Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA!

Today we checked out the Play N' Learn Playground Superstore Free Play Days in Chantilly, VA! We had heard about the stores Free Play Days from a great Mommy website called SuperNOVAMommy. The Play N' Learn Showroom is tucked back in an industrial park off Route 50 and Stonecroft Blvd. They sell wood playsets, netted trampolines, basketball hoops, and game tables.

The Play N' Learn Free Play Days offer parents and kids a way to get out of the weather while playing on playground equipment in the showroom from 10- 1 on Monday and Thursdays. They also have netted trampolines and basketball hoops for the kids to test out. The showroom flooring is just carpet over concrete so just be aware if the kids fall they might hurt themselves. There are super clean restrooms and water fountains. It was very popular when we went and from what I understand they don't put a cap on attendance and the play time is for the 6 and under crowd.

I talked with one of the sales reps and she told me that if you are a customer of Play N' Learn you can come and play any day as a bonus for buying their product. If you live in the area you should go check out the Free Play Days at Play N' Learn Playground Superstore!

Cox Farms in Centreville, VA!

Every year we visit Cox Farms in Centreville, VA for their Fall Festival. Cox Farms puts on a great Fall Festival from September-November with lots of things for the family to do including huge slides, hayrides, Goat Village, live entertainment, barnyard animals and of course the pumpkins! There is something for every age and size when you go to Cox Farms. The area where it is held mostly dirt, grass or gravel so it makes it easy for strollers and wagons to get around. The restrooms are all clean porta potties and scattered all over the festival.

The Fall Festival is known for it's colorful cutouts of popular cartoon characters and pumpkins. Hillside slides are a huge attraction and located on top of little hillsides. There is plenty to do with the little ones including checking out the barnyard animals that are penned throughout the festival. If you want to meet the many goats that Cox Farms has head to the Goat Village to feed, pet and watch the goats walk around the ramp system.

 The pictures do not do the Festival justice not to mention there are too many large slides to put up. When it's time to leave the festival you are given a free pumpkin with every paid admission. The exit to the festival takes you through the Festival Market where you can purchase large pumpkins,fresh produce, baked goods, kettle korn and candied apples. If you like having fresh produce you can always stop by the Cox Farms Corner Market during the Spring and Summer.

If you live in South Riding, Chantilly, Centreville, Aldie or Stone Ridge you are just a short trip away from the Annual Festival and Corner Market!

Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, VA!

Today we checked out Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, VA! This time of year is great because local Northern Virginia Farms have Fall Pumpkin Festivals and Ticonderoga Farms is one of them.

With a small admission fee you can play on the playground equipment, go down the large slides, rope bridge, climb up into forts, enjoy a hayride and walk the barnyard area. The best part is you recieve a small pumpkin with each paid admission. My kids always get a kick out of picking out their own pumpkins.

The kids had a great time. Ticonderoga Farms is not as large as the Cox Farms Fall Festival but there is still plenty of things for the family to do at this Loudoun County farm.

Poplar Tree Park in Chantilly, VA

Last week we checked out Poplar Tree Park in Chantilly, VA. This Fairfax County Park is located off Stringfellow Road between Route 50 and Route 29. The park is located amongst older single family homes and newer planned communites including townhomes, condos, and single family homes.

Poplar Tree Park is more of a sports park complex but it does have a set of equipment for the kids to play on. The park has 4 softball/baseball fields, two turf soccer/football fields and a grass soccer field. The park does have clean restrooms and not porta potties. The playground equipment is older and one slide was shut down when we were there. But there was plenty of shade for the equipment during the morning hours.

I probably won't return to the park but for a local community park this one has a lot to offer local sports clubs. The fields are in great shape with lots of bleachers for spectators.

South Riding, Virginia

South Riding is a planned community located in Loudoun County, Virgina. Nestled between Chantilly, VA and Aldie, VA, South Riding offers the complete package. Located off Route 50 and Route 28, residents can easily access the Dulles, Reston, and Tyson's Corner Technology Corridor.

South Riding is a great place for young professionals, active individuals and families with children. The community offers single family homes, townhomes and condos. Three shopping centers allow residents to run errands while staying close to home. A network of fitness trails offer residents a safe place to walk, jog, and ride bikes. South Riding offers several community pools and clubhouses available to all residents. If you enjoy golf, South Riding includes it's own golf course, South Riding Golf Club. Families with children will have access to great schools from the pre-school level all the way up to high school. Tot lots and parks are located throughout the community and within walking distance of most homes.

South Riding is a beautiful community with many amenities. The location near government and private employers makes it a very sought after place to settle down. Let me show you what South Riding has to offer!

Attention Travelers.....

We are lucky to have three major airports in our area, Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Reagan National Airport.

Located in Chantilly, VA you'll find Dulles International Airport. You can spot the airplanes landing and taking off as you travel Route 28 in Fairfax County. Route 28 can be easily accessed from Route 66, the Dulles Toll Road, Route 50 or Route 7. There is plenty of parking if you plan to leave your car and no shortage of cabs or shuttles going to and from the airport. The Dulles Corridor Metro Rail project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2014.

Located across the Potomac River from the Nation's Capital in Arlington, VA you'll find Reagan National Airport. This airport is connected to the Metro Rail System which exits at two terminals of the airport. Amtrak can also be used to access this airport via shuttles from two rail stations, one is in Alexandria, VA and the other is Union Station in D.C.

Baltimore Washington International Airport is located in Baltimore, MD. BWI is easily accessible from Northern Virginia via Baltimore Washington Parkway and Route 95. Amtrak, MARC and Metro light rail also service the airport. With this airport being less than 45 minutes from Northern Virginia it's another option for air travel.


With access to these three airports from Northern Virginia, it makes traveling very convenient. Northern Virginia and the suburbs of D.C. are optimal locations for living.

Safe travels.....

Geo-caching?

What's Geo-caching? About a year ago we were introduced to Geo-caching through my sister and a friend. I had heard others talk about it but I never inquired as to what it was. Once we got started we were hooked and the kids had a blast.

Geo-caching is a high tech treasure hunt using a GPS unit. Just like searching for hidden treasure, you use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers called geo-caches. These containers can be any shape and size located outdoors. Once you find the hidden container you can inspect the contents and leave a little something behind to mark your find. Most containers also contain a log book that you can sign and comment. When you're finished you replace the container where it was found. If you're not into the hunt you could also be an owner of your very own geo-cache and place it in your favorite hiking spot or even in your neighborhood common areas.

To get started go to the official geo-caching website, Geocaching. Here it shows you how to get started and once you find a geo-cache you can return to the website and log in your find. The website also gives out helpful hints provided by the owners of each geo-cache just in case you get stumped. Geo-caching is for all ages and sizes and these hidden treasures can be found all over the world. If you love to hike or just being outside to get some exercise, geo-caching is a fun activity.

The local regional park, Algonkian is filled with great hiking trails and many places for geo-caches to be hidden. It is located at the end of Cascades Parkway in Sterling, VA. Part of the Potomac Heritage Trail is also easily accessed through Algonkian park and filled with hidden geo-caches.

Last Fall we drove out to Chantilly, VA to check out Ellanor C. Lawrence Regional Park. It is a great park filled with lots of trails and chances to see wildlife.

In our Countryside neighborhood in Potomac Falls, VA, we have found many geo-caches and we aren't even close to finding them all. My kids love to help Mommy and Daddy find the hidden containers. This is a great activity to share with the family and get out into the fresh air.