NAvy Yard | KidFriendly DC

Want to send your child to a “Best of D.C.” preschool? ToTH Montessori is filling the last few spaces in their new Primary Classroom! The program will provide an authentic Montessori education for children ages 3-5 from 8:15am – 2:45pm for two, three, or five days per week starting August 28, 2017. They have won the Washington City Paper’s “Best of D.C.” Readers Poll for the top preschool in the city for the last two years!

You can learn more about the program at a Music Together Fundraiser for ToTH’s scholarship fund taking place this Saturday, July 29. Mr. Steve Leroy will lead families in 45 minutes of interactive songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play developmentally appropriate for kids ages 0-5. Sign up for a session at 9am, 10am or 11am. It’s just $20/family, and all classes will be held at Douglas Memorial Church located at 800 11th Street, NE. Advance registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. All registrations are non-refundable as they are supporting the scholarship fund.

In the meantime, you can find more information about this award-winning program at ToddlersOnTheHill.org.

This post is sponsored by ToTH Montessori, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will be of interest to KFDC readers.

Share this!
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Paddling the Anacostia from Ballpark Boathouse

There have been some pretty sublime spring days lately, so we’ve been taking advantage and spending a lot of time outdoors. (And I have a spectacular farmer’s tan to show for it!) Recently, on an especially glorious day, we rented kayaks with friends at Ballpark Boathouse, located right next to Yards Park, for a paddling jaunt along the Anacostia River — a fun, active, and relaxing venture all in one outing.

b_dock

Single and double kayaks and canoes are available for rent, and we were actually able to add a third seat in the double kayaks, since the kids were small enough. After filling out waivers and donning life jackets, we hopped in our vessels and set out on the river along the Capitol Riverfront.

This paddling excursion was more about the views from the water than the nature around it, since the area is very developed (unlike rowing from Fletcher’s). We got to get fresh perspectives of Nationals Park, Yards Park, and the Navy Yard, places we usually just see on land. And one of the coolest parts was paddling up close to the USS Barry, the display ship moored at the Navy Yard.

Rental rates are $20 per hour and pro-rated in 10-minute increments beyond that. You pay upon return, so there’s no limit to how much time you spend on the water. Really small kids need to be in a boat with parents, but older children can paddle on their own (8-year-old Owen and his friend could have had their own kayak, but opted to go with adults this time). I recommend bringing a hat, water, and snacks along. A small plastic bag for your phone is a good idea, too — water will splash in the boat from the paddles. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

When we got back, we enjoyed snacks at a picnic table set up on the boardwalk by the river, then made our way over to Yards Park to continue savoring the beautiful day — and do a little kayak-watching from there.

Ballpark Boatyard is located on the Anacostia River between Yards Park and Nationals Park. We rode bikes there via the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, but there is parking nearby both on the street and in a couple of lots.