You probably know that we’re having an unseasonably warm spring here on the East Coast

Hard to believe that we’re breaking temperature records!  The great news?  This spring, Washington, D.C., will be even more fun to visit if you don’t have to bundle up the kids against the chill.  And given that American history is an important part of the curriculum at schools across the country, you should be able to get the kids on board for a real, live civics lesson.

First things first:  what should be your home base?

Well, the D.C. Homewood Suites is right in the center of everything, near the Metro, bustling Dupont Circle, and tons of fun shops and restaurants.  The rooms are hugs and comfortable, with sofa beds and multiple TVs, plus kitchens so you can prepare snacks right at “home.”  Add in a full, hot breakfast, plus a three-course evening meal during the week, and you’ve got a central, cost-efficient crash pad in our nation’s capital. Read More >

Nothing captures kids’ imaginations quite like piles of money, which is why touring the United States Mint is so much fun for kids.  Even though there are four active coin-producing mints, only the ones in Denver and Philadelphia are open to the public.   The Philadelphia Mint has been closed for renovations since January, and will be reopening this summer.

The Tour

The highlight of any mint visit is, of course, seeing coins being minted.  The mint is not responsible for the production of paper money, however.  That happens at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C.

The tour, which covers both the history of the mint and the present state of coin manufacturing, will probably be of interest to kids aged 5 and older.  Depending on your docent, you may get to hear some colorful stories of attempted gold theft by insiders and outsiders over the years. Read More >

Contents of my birthday care package this year (thanks sis):

Six linen placemats, six napkins, one potholder and one book: The Art of Fielding. Opening up in a small Midwest town on the shores of Lake Michigan, The Art of Fielding is about far more than baseball, but the first five chapters illustrate a pace and a melody to the a game that is far more endearing than I had ever originally considered. That narrative and the unseasonably warm weather this year have put baseball in the front of my mind this spring, a true symbol of American culture and the sign that summer is here to stay.

In honor of that transition, here are five of the best ballparks to experience this season. Get out there, enjoy the weather and drink some $17 beers to celebrate. Read More >

Spring break and family travel go hand in hand. After all, the benefits of taking your kids on a vacation when school’s on a break far outweigh the benefits of having them miss school for that trip. Of course, that means that the most popular theme parks are at their busiest. Fun, family friendly, and exciting: Disney and Universal Studios are popular for good reasons!

LEGOLAND Florida is a great alternative to all those Mickey ears and sorting hats at Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando. It’s in Winter Haven, around 45 minutes from Orlando, but a world apart in terms of spring break crowds. LEGOLAND has always been great fun for younger children; in Florida, the park is also so beautifully designed that parents enjoy taking in the views, and end up having a more relaxing vacation. At almost 40 acres, LEGOLAND Florida is parklike. It feels like a true escape rather than a stressful hurry-up-and-stand-on-line trip to one of the mega theme parks in Orlando. Read More >