Who doesn't like bounce houses? See second event!
I got a flyer about two events this weekend at the Gateway Pavilion.
1. On July 4, the Pavilion will be open to the community as a park for picnicking from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. No specific activities are planned. (I find these flyers sometimes understate the amount of activities planned. At the very least, my baby can play in the grass, and we can hide in shade of the big trees there and have a picnic.)
2. On July 5 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, in addition to the monthly Whole Foods market, there is going to be a host of family activities, including moon bounce, face painting, card games, an ice cream food truck, AND a walking tour ! I've been meaning to go on one of the St. Elizabeth walking tours. The walking tour will happen at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Fireworks are NOT allowed. I hate fireworks, so that is a plus in my book.
We are looking forward to these events. We had a blast this Saturday at the Summer Kick-Off event at the Pavilion. There were three enormous bounce houses/water slides. A carnival ride. The kids had an awesome time. Elmo even made an appearance. My baby couldn't stop talking about him. It was a success. I loved seeing kids have a good time.
We need some permanent kid space at St. Elizabeth's! In the meantime, we are enjoying these events.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
I heart 404 Woodcrest Dr SE's kitchen!
This is 404 Woodcrest Dr SE, listed for $379,900, located in the new townhouse community near Ballou in Congress Heights. Three bedrooms AND three bathrooms. How many millennials and babies of millennials can fit in this house? Probably a lot :)
This is what I want my kitchen to look like! If I was to redo my house buying experience, I might reconsider buying a fixer-upper. I like the fixing up part. I just don't have patience with the saving money part to have funds to fix it up with. (That's my impatient millennial-ness kicking in.) Buying a renovated house even if it was more expensive would have been worth it. Some day I aspire to have a nice kitchen like this!
This townhouse is a bit pricier than most places in Congress Heights, but it is brand new, clean and spacious. And the mortgage is still cheaper than renting a one bed apartment in say... Columbia Heights. Mindboggling, isn't it? I just can't get over what a good deal houses in Congress Heights are.
This is what I want my kitchen to look like! If I was to redo my house buying experience, I might reconsider buying a fixer-upper. I like the fixing up part. I just don't have patience with the saving money part to have funds to fix it up with. (That's my impatient millennial-ness kicking in.) Buying a renovated house even if it was more expensive would have been worth it. Some day I aspire to have a nice kitchen like this!
This townhouse is a bit pricier than most places in Congress Heights, but it is brand new, clean and spacious. And the mortgage is still cheaper than renting a one bed apartment in say... Columbia Heights. Mindboggling, isn't it? I just can't get over what a good deal houses in Congress Heights are.
Bright and cheery. Looks nice inside and out. I found this on Zillow here.
GSA unveils plans for DHS headquarters
Not like this is the end all be all or anything, but I think it's interesting to read about the developments that are set to take place in our neighborhood. Apparently, the completion for the next chunk of the Homeland Security project is set for completion in 2017. You can read the whole Washington Business Journal article and see the pictures here.
The General Services Administration has released its first renderings of the Department of Homeland Security's headquarters at the former St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C. as it seeks contractors to renovate the historic Center Building there for the agency's use.
The GSA is proposing to renovate the Center Building, which dates to the late 1800s and is the highest building on the campus, for the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The GSA issued a request for qualifications earlier this month for the work, slated to cost between $100 million and $140 million, with completion expected in July 2017.
The project would be the second in a series of DHS consolidations at St. E's, following the Coast Guard's move from Buzzard Point to a new headquarters at the campus last year. The GSA plans to move other DHS agencies to the campus in the future, pending additional funding, an issue that has prompted the agency to explore alternatives including swapping federally owned buildings in exchange for additional renovations.
GSA offers first look at Department of Homeland Security headquarters
Courtesy General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is seeking contractors to renovate the historic Center Building at the St. Elizabeths campus for use by the Department of Homeland Security.
The GSA is proposing to renovate the Center Building, which dates to the late 1800s and is the highest building on the campus, for the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The GSA issued a request for qualifications earlier this month for the work, slated to cost between $100 million and $140 million, with completion expected in July 2017.
The project would be the second in a series of DHS consolidations at St. E's, following the Coast Guard's move from Buzzard Point to a new headquarters at the campus last year. The GSA plans to move other DHS agencies to the campus in the future, pending additional funding, an issue that has prompted the agency to explore alternatives including swapping federally owned buildings in exchange for additional renovations.
Things I love to do close to home with my baby
One of the reasons I love Congress Heights is because we are so unbelievably close to downtown DC and other centers of activity. I wanted to highlight things that I love to do close to home with my baby and would like to hear your favorites. Even grown up people things because sometimes we do that too :)
1. The Yards Park. We love attending the Friday evening concerts. This week there's a jazz performance as a part of DC's jazz festival. Did I mention they are FREE? Starts at 6 pm. AND they have a wading pool for kids. Love it.
2. The playground. We have a handful of favorites, namely Turtle Park on 4th St SE on Capitol Hill. They have a bunch of community toys for the babies to play with. But there's some playgrounds we haven't tried out yet. I heard about the pirate ship that was built in/near Anacostia Park. We haven't gone yet.
3. Oxon Hill Farm. Cows, chickens and goats, oh my. My baby would go every week, if we would take him. He loves talking about the cows and the chickens. Plus, the visitor's center has a children's corner with farmhouse toys for indoor play that's nicely air-conditioned for midmorning breaks.
4. Canal Park also in Navy Yard neighborhood. My baby loves the fountains. Also, there is a really shallow wading pool, if you walk one north of the fountains. The whole area is really interesting for my baby. You wouldn't think it would be but my baby loves exploring those blocks.
5. The Museums. My baby loves the Air and Space Museum. He also likes the Native American Museum. They have a really great interactive exhibit for kids of all ages on the third floor. I haven't gone to the Building Museum yet though I've heard its really kid-friendly too.
6. National Harbor. Two different parts of it in particular. First, the "beach" where the water god (what was his name again?) comes out of the sand. Next, the carousel that costs 5 dollars for all day rides, with a playground next door. Also as you've probably noticed, there's a Ben and Jerry's between the beach and carousel. Both momma and baby are happy :)
5. Just going out for a walk. The baby loves taking me out on walks. He knows the way to everything, the playground, the corner store, even the pizzeria.
1. The Yards Park. We love attending the Friday evening concerts. This week there's a jazz performance as a part of DC's jazz festival. Did I mention they are FREE? Starts at 6 pm. AND they have a wading pool for kids. Love it.
2. The playground. We have a handful of favorites, namely Turtle Park on 4th St SE on Capitol Hill. They have a bunch of community toys for the babies to play with. But there's some playgrounds we haven't tried out yet. I heard about the pirate ship that was built in/near Anacostia Park. We haven't gone yet.
3. Oxon Hill Farm. Cows, chickens and goats, oh my. My baby would go every week, if we would take him. He loves talking about the cows and the chickens. Plus, the visitor's center has a children's corner with farmhouse toys for indoor play that's nicely air-conditioned for midmorning breaks.
4. Canal Park also in Navy Yard neighborhood. My baby loves the fountains. Also, there is a really shallow wading pool, if you walk one north of the fountains. The whole area is really interesting for my baby. You wouldn't think it would be but my baby loves exploring those blocks.
5. The Museums. My baby loves the Air and Space Museum. He also likes the Native American Museum. They have a really great interactive exhibit for kids of all ages on the third floor. I haven't gone to the Building Museum yet though I've heard its really kid-friendly too.
6. National Harbor. Two different parts of it in particular. First, the "beach" where the water god (what was his name again?) comes out of the sand. Next, the carousel that costs 5 dollars for all day rides, with a playground next door. Also as you've probably noticed, there's a Ben and Jerry's between the beach and carousel. Both momma and baby are happy :)
5. Just going out for a walk. The baby loves taking me out on walks. He knows the way to everything, the playground, the corner store, even the pizzeria.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Saturday: Water Slides and Family Fun at Gateway
I got a flyer today for a Safe Summer Kick-Off at the Gateway Pavilion for this Saturday, June 28 from noon to 5 pm. There will be water slides, activities, summer camp registration, and refreshments!
I was just complaining how there isn't a kid friendly space on that pavilion :) I guess I spoke to soon.
There really is a need for more family activities nearby. We go to the playground at Sheppard Parkway on MLK and Malcolm X, but every time I go I spend the first 15 minutes cleaning it up. My baby really likes those swings, and I really like the trees in that park, so we make it work.
It would be really cool if there was a splash park or a kid friendly fountain in the neighborhood too. We usually go to the Yards Park or Canal Park to play in the fountains there. So much fun!
In the time being, Saturday's event will likely satisfy the need for fun activities close to home.
I was just complaining how there isn't a kid friendly space on that pavilion :) I guess I spoke to soon.
There really is a need for more family activities nearby. We go to the playground at Sheppard Parkway on MLK and Malcolm X, but every time I go I spend the first 15 minutes cleaning it up. My baby really likes those swings, and I really like the trees in that park, so we make it work.
It would be really cool if there was a splash park or a kid friendly fountain in the neighborhood too. We usually go to the Yards Park or Canal Park to play in the fountains there. So much fun!
In the time being, Saturday's event will likely satisfy the need for fun activities close to home.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Buying in Congress Heights WITH a Baby
Did I mention I have a baby? :)
Part of the discussion about millennials moving out of DC was their desire to raise a family somewhere safe, affordable and with good schools. Why would I, a millennial, buy a house in Congress Heights with a baby in tow?
Part of my calculus on living here with a baby is based on how much I like Congress Heights. Congress Heights' reputation isn't great, but I love it here. I am willing to bet the reality of the neighborhood schools likewise exceeds its reputation. I'm sure we will find committed teachers, working their butts off in our neighborhood school, and other parents and students, who are also committed to getting an education in spite of the reputation.
We are going to try our hand at the school lottery and all that good stuff. But we will attend the neighborhood school, when we don't win the lottery, and I am sure we will find likeminded neighbors, who are also interested in ensuring their children get the best education possible.
I know everyone wants the best for their kids. Are there any readers out there who can share their experience with MLK Elementary or some of the other neighboring schools? I'd be interested to hear more about them!
Part of the discussion about millennials moving out of DC was their desire to raise a family somewhere safe, affordable and with good schools. Why would I, a millennial, buy a house in Congress Heights with a baby in tow?
Part of my calculus on living here with a baby is based on how much I like Congress Heights. Congress Heights' reputation isn't great, but I love it here. I am willing to bet the reality of the neighborhood schools likewise exceeds its reputation. I'm sure we will find committed teachers, working their butts off in our neighborhood school, and other parents and students, who are also committed to getting an education in spite of the reputation.
We are going to try our hand at the school lottery and all that good stuff. But we will attend the neighborhood school, when we don't win the lottery, and I am sure we will find likeminded neighbors, who are also interested in ensuring their children get the best education possible.
I know everyone wants the best for their kids. Are there any readers out there who can share their experience with MLK Elementary or some of the other neighboring schools? I'd be interested to hear more about them!
Farmer's Markets: Gateway vs THEARC, Part 2
So I went to the Ward 8 Farmer's Market at THEARC for the second time this summer on Saturday and bought some delicious cucumbers, Swiss chard, tomatoes, cabbage, apples, beets, lettuce, etc. I nearly filled up my fridge with $25. Last, last week I bought strawberries and blueberries as well. Awesome!
Advantages:
-Nice variety of local produce. Granted both the farmer's market at Gateway and THEARC are small, but the one at THEARC has a slightly larger mix of vendors. It shows how even a couple more stalls can add to the vibrancy of a farmer's market. Plus, you can check out the garden where THEARC grows the produce they sell at their stand. So you know it's local.
-Every Saturday! No need to remember when it happens. It takes place even when it's drizzling like last week, making it a dependable place to get your fresh produce. That's the way it should be.
-Playground. There's a big playground for the kids to run around in. Put dad into the nicely fenced-in playground with the baby, and you're free to go shopping.
-A familiar face. I was going to say I didn't recognize anyone at the market because it was in a part of the ward I usually do not visit, but then I remembered I saw Nate there, who wouldn't recognize me if he ran into me again, and I don't know how he would feel about me namedropping like this. :) But I will because he works for a good cause--cleaning up Sheppard Park, the National Park in our backyard, home to bald eagles. He is also apparently in charge of farmer markets! What a cool job.
Disadvantages:
-Farther away. For us, it requires a drive. There's probably a bus that goes in that direction. But usually we just wait for my husband to wake up for him to take us. I'd be up for the mile and a half walk, but my baby probably wouldn't like it. We walked to Giant once, and that was more than enough.
-Located in a parking lot. I admit I've been spoiled with awesome farmer's markets growing up. So this point is petty, but it is so nice and also cooler when farmer's markets are held in places other than parking lots. See my previous post about the Pavilion farmer's market and shade.
Another nice thing about both farmer's markets. Everyone is really nice AND they make it easy to pay. At many farmer's markets, I've been to vendors only take cash. But unfortunately I almost never carry around cash, because I have a sweet tooth and would spend all my money at the vending machine, if given the opportunity. So it's nice when vendors make it easy to buy things.
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