Materials  2 cardboard tubes  Colorful tape and clear tape  Colorful or patterned paper  Glue stick  Hole punch  Yarn   Paper straws  Optional items:   Foam sheet, stickers, and markers  Instructions  1. Start by decorating the cardboard tubes. Cut some paper long enough to wrap around each tube.   2. Secure the paper on…

A beach visit offers an opportunity to relax, enjoy some sunshine (once you’ve applied sunscreen, of course!) and splash around in the warm water. A summer trip to Virginia’s beaches is not only an opportunity for your family to build sandcastles, it’s also a chance to unearth something even more…

Dive into family-friendly excitement at Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland. With a revitalizing spa, indoor pool, seasonal splash pad, family-friendly activities, and perfectly located in the vibrant National Harbor area near Washington, D.C.’s iconic landmarks, the resort offers the perfect escape. Package includes two-night room accommodations for up…

Chocolate Strawberry Banana Yogurt Clusters  Serves 12  Ingredients  2 cups strawberries chopped   1 large banana chopped   ½ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt  1 tablespoon honey  1 cup dark chocolate chips  1 tablespoon coconut oil  Toppings: Chopped roasted and salted peanuts for sprinkling  1. Add fruit, yogurt, and honey to a…

Kids are always on the move, working hard and often playing harder. It’s not altogether surprising that one in five kids will break or fracture a bone during the course of their childhood. Forearm fractures from falls are the most common injury, though we see plenty of broken wrists, legs,…

I’ve always believed in the magic of books. From a young age, I was captivated by them. At just 3 years old, I was so eager to unlock the world of stories that I even shed tears over my inability to read, crying to my mother, “I wish I could…

On Monday evenings, with Iron Maiden songs playing in the background and purple lights shining down on him, 10-year-old Logan can be found defeating some of the strongest chess players in Richmond at GWAR Bar. Logan discovered chess two years ago, and after proving to be too great a competitor…

Q. My 6-year-old son often becomes upset when he doesn’t immediately succeed at something, especially when he’s trying something new. For example, when we tried learning to ride a bike last week, he got frustrated and started yelling when he couldn’t balance properly. How can I help him handle his…

And Then Came You   Event at bbgb on 5/3! by Christina Shawn  illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani   Ages 3-5  Families grow and change, but what if you like things just the way they are? What if you aren’t ready to welcome in a new parent, a messy pet, or a baby sister…

Enjoy a great round of golf, an amazing lunch from Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, and time with your child. You can participate in raffles and fun competitions like Best Dressed, SWAT, the Splash-n-Dash, Crash Cart, and Longest Putt. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win Ukrop’s White House Rolls for a…

In a consumer-driven world, it’s easy to accumulate clutter, both physically and mentally. From overflowing closets to crowded workspaces, our surroundings can significantly impact our state of mind. Have you ever walked into a tidy room and instantly felt a sense of calm? That’s no coincidence. Decluttering and organizing aren’t…

How does that old saying go? Oh, that’s right – it takes two to tango and eight to square dance. Well, that second half isn’t part of the original saying, but maybe it should be, especially now that square dancing is having a revival in the Richmond area.   When you…

2025 is flying by, isn’t it?! It seems like just yesterday we were wrapping up the holidays, and now we’re sailing into summer. I for one am ready for it!  I’m excited to introduce you to the Townes family in this issue. I had the pleasure of meeting Martin Townes…

That’s how long the Townes family has been lending its expertise to the governor and governor’s family in Virginia’s Executive Mansion.  “The Townes family is woven into the very fabric of the Executive Mansion’s history,” says Virginia’s First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. Tutti Townes, along with his son Martin and daughter…

Growing up in the country, I didn’t have a strong sense of community. Our closest neighbors were cows, and our next closest neighbors lived on the other side of our 40-acre property. Now, I live in the city and have found myself surrounded by the kind of neighbors and community…

Between Chase City and South Hill, Virginia, there used to be an enormous Union 76 Gasoline sign that served as a halfway point between the two small towns. Like an infinity moon, the orange glass lit up the night sky, serving as a beacon for anyone traveling on US-47.  Today,…

I couldn’t help but cry while reading A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley. This raw and honest memoir about the author and her twin sister growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes facial disfigurement, offers readers a front seat to experience their physical and emotional pain.…

The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and it’s the perfect time to shake off those winter blues and welcome the warmer weather. But as we know, keeping kids entertained over summer vacation without breaking the bank can feel like a full-time job. The good news? Spring and summer…