Fairy Godmother Project co-founders Stephanie Johnson and Andie McConnell

Spend two hours exploring parts of downtown Fredericksburg you may have never known were there, then get a chance to win prizes from downtown businesses, all in the name of supporting families caring for children with pediatric cancer.

That’s the idea behind the scavenger hunt fundraiser that the Stafford-based Fairy Godmother Project will put on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event is based at J. Brian’s Tap Room on Hanover Street.

Andie McConnell, co-founder of the Fairy Godmother Project, said she loves putting on scavenger hunts for her three children, and she loves supporting local small businesses, so a downtown scavenger hunt seemed like the perfect idea for a fundraiser that would offer families and groups of friends something new.

“It’s my hope is that it raises money for our cause, but also raises awareness of all the small businesses downtown,” McConnell said.

Here’s how it works: Teams of up to four people each can sign up now through Saturday. A team “participant” is anyone 12 and up. Children under 12 can participate for free.

Team registration is available online here, or in person at J. Brian’s the day of the event. Cost per team is $80 now through Friday, $90 on Saturday.

Teams will have two hours to find answers to clues involving shops and restaurants around downtown Fredericksburg without using smartphones to help them. Additional “extra credit” questions about downtown history and other fun facts will help teams earn additional points. In the end, the team with the most points–not necessarily the fastest finisher–will win.

The grand prize is $100, plus additional tickets in a raffle for various downtown prizes.

Every registered team member will receive an event T-shirt, 20 raffle tickets per team, post-event food from J. Brian’s and a sponsor bag filled with coupons and promotional items from participating downtown businesses.

McConnell said the event is drawing teams of all ages, from parents pushing strollers, to high school and college kids, to adult groups of friends. Some special prizes will also be given–including one for the team with the best uniforms, or costumes, which McConnell said there should be stiff competition for.

All of the proceeds will go toward the Fairy Godmother Project, a group that McConnell and her friend, Stephanie Johnson, founded to help support families dealing with pediatric cancer. The group does everything from household chores that these families often can’t get to, to professional photography to provide lasting memories of little ones whose time may be limited.

McConnell said she hopes the event will boost exposure for the downtown businesses that are helping to sponsor it. One of those businesses–Caroline Street restaurant Foode–already helps the Fairy Godmother Project by providing one “date night” dinner a month to a family the group is supporting.

In addition to J. Brian’s, other participating businesses include Foode, Party Elegance, The Richard Johnston Inn, Monkee’s, the Cobblestone Square apartments, Castiglia’s, Bangz salon, Sweet Caroline’s, Corky’s, Olde Towne Butcher, 25 30 Espresso, MacDoc Realty, Lydia’s and Hair Studio of Olde Towne.

Read a Free Lance-Star story about the Fairy Godmother Project here. Find the group on Facebook here.

Supported by a $3,000 grant from the Lego Children’s Fund, the exhibit is called “Build It!”. Here’s how the museum organizers describe it:

This exhibit offers hands-on experiences for children ages two to seven years in which they create, play, and learn as they explore science concepts related to building and using simple machines. 

Another exhibit to look for from Explore It!’s “Museum on the Go” program this year is called “Ready, Set, Roll!”. It focuses on physics concepts and was assisted with a grant from the Fredericksburg Area Service League.

Explore It! has been working for a few years now to try to establish a physical children’s museum in Fredericksburg. (And as my own family prepares for another trip to Richmond to spend a rainy Saturday at that city’s children’s museum, I say, “How can I help?”) These traveling exhibits are just the beginning of the group’s work as they form plans for moving forward with establishing a permanent location. To learn more about Explore It!, click here.

The event takes place on Tuesdays in May, June and September from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Last year, the city moved the event to its riverfront park on Sophia Street. This is a park the City Council has been working build energy around, and the thought was that moving such a popular event down there would help build its reputation.

Well, at least from the moms’ standpoint, that wasn’t a popular move. There aren’t enough mature trees in that park to provide shade, so folks would battle to get there first and claim the few spots in the shade (most of which were unshaded by the time the event was over). A few parents I know were nervous about the prospect of the river being just a fence-jump away for their active youngsters. Not that you don’t have to keep a tight leash on your kids at Hurkamp, where well-trafficked streets are just a few feet from the park’s edge.

Anyway, this is an incredibly popular event that has been going on since 1997, and it’s a great chance to get out of the house and get some sunshine (as long as weather cooperates). Here’s a look at the lineup for the 2012 season. See you there!

2012 Line Up

Scheduled Performers

May  1st                        Wil Gravatt Duo

May 8th                         Chatham Street

May 15th                       Levi Stephens

May 22nd                      Gerry Maddox Duo

May 29th                       Donny Holcombe

June 5th                         Kyle Davis

June 12th                       McTell Brothers

June 19th                       Phil Kominski

June 26th                       Jason Masi

(I must give credit to my play group for alerting me to this news. Thanks, Bugaboos!)

This is the same exhibit that appeared in Hurkamp Park last August during Fredericksburg’s “Family Table” food festival. It includes a root vegetable garden in rubber mulch where children can learn about the process of planting, weeding, watering and harvesting produce, and an orchard where children can pick “fruit” from trees. Also included are child-sized replicas of a chicken coop, farmers market, kitchen and restaurant. It’s like that plastic kitchen set that’s been sitting in your living room on steroids.

The ExploreIt! Children’s Museum was formerly known as the Cobblestone Children’s Museum, and traveling exhibits like this are its way of serving the community as the group studies the possibilities of conducting a fundraising campaign for a freestanding museum. Learn more about the museum here.

Fredericksburg Preschool Inc. (the cooperative preschool at the Presbyterian Church in downtown Fredericksburg) – Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Christ Lutheran Church Preschool (1300 Augustine Avenue in Fredericksburg) – Thursday, Jan. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 540/373-5087 x17 if interested.

Fredericksburg Academy – The private school located in Spotsylvania County will host its final “Discover FA” day Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. until noon. Find more information here. FA is starting a preschool program in August. The school will also be having two neighborhood meetings to talk to parents and others specifically about the school’s early childhood program, for ages 3 through kindergarten. One will be at the Lee’s Hill South Community Center Jan. 18 from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. The other will be at the Idlewild Community Center Jan. 19 from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m.

We ran story last November that included information on several preschools in our area. Find it here.

The relative quiet of the holidays can bring a time of reflection, and even though it may feel a little cliche, the fresh start of a new year often provides the motivation we need to take charge of what’s gotten away from us.

Here are four resolutions that local parents said they’re working on this year.

Improving what’s on the family table

Stafford resident Nicole Hodges, mother of two girls ages 1 and 3, hopes to help her daughters establish healthy habits from the start, so they don’t have to make resolutions to get back on track later in life.

She plans to get the family up to eating the government-recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

“We are probably only at two to three servings going into the new year, and I am aiming for five because it is measurable and more specific than just, ‘eating healthier,’” she said.

Anyone who has fed a toddler knows that keeping up with what they will and won’t eat can sometimes feel like working the mind-reading booth at the carnival. So Hodges is prepared to employ some creative strategies, like working vegetable purees into familiar dishes, to try to boost vegetable consumption.

For kids of any age, a key to helping them build healthy habits is making sure parents are setting a good example.

“Kids emulate their parents and caregivers, so it is natural that they will adopt the eating patterns, for better or worse, of those who play an important role in their lives,” said local dietitian Nancy Farrell. “Oftentimes in my counseling sessions we work together to improve the nutrition practices of the entire family.”

A few tips she often shares:

- Make the child an integral part of deciding what is served at home. Let them come along to the market to pick out ingredients for the dishes they select.

- Allow children to assist in the kitchen, according to their age and skill level. “This may mean washing the food item, peeling mashing, slicing, etc.,” Farrell said. “I find that so many kids today do not know how to prepare and cook foods, let alone meals. Cooking is a lifelong lesson that encourages togetherness and bonding. It is a gift from parent to child.”

- Be willing to give foods that aren’t your favorites a try. If your child picks out a fruit or vegetable that isn’t your favorite, Farrell says, “Let your child take the lead in expanding your palate; sample with a smile no matter what.”

- Talk to your children about nutrition and the health benefits of eating well.

Taming technology and getting active

A companion to Hodge’s resolution to serve her children more fruits and vegetables is a pledge to spend more active time outside.

Specifically, she aims to get her children outside for at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week or more.

“Originally, I wanted to go outside every day, but I thought a minimum of five days out of seven was doable, whereas expecting to play outside every day might be setting us up for failure,” she said.

Hodges said she wants her children to develop healthy, active habits from a young age, so they won’t have to make a U-turn later in life.

Getting children involved in more active play is a major topic of discussion these days. First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign recommends that children ages 6 to 17 get 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow up to a healthy weight.

There are lots of different impediments to that goal, like lack of access to parks and playgrounds and cuts to physical education programs in schools. But a major obstacle is the increasing influence of personal technology.

According to the “Let’s Move” campaign literature, 8- to 18-year-old adolescents in America  spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media including TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies.

But it’s not just kids who are using technology, and sometimes parents need to examine their own habits if they want to change behaviors.

Locust Grove resident Sharon Corner, mother of four children ages 10 to 26, has found one small way to cut down on the influence of the ever-present cell phone.

“I had a huge awakening when I was at a friend’s house,” she said.  “We were having a lovely conversation, eating, laughing, and she answered her phone.  I could clearly hear the person ask what she was doing, and she answered ‘Nothing really.”’ Wow, what a blow that was to me.”

So now, Corner has a special ringtone for her children who have phones, so that she can recognize them.

“Unless they call, we do not answer the phone during dinner, we do not answer the phone if we are out with someone,” she said.

And she’s passed along some related advice to her 15-year-old son for when he starts dating.

“I have told him, don’t you ever answer that phone. If it is me, I will call twice, that means it is an emergency.  Don’t text, don’t call,” she said. “That girl in front of you is the most important girl in the world, don’t let her think any differently.”

Give and receive more hugs

While Corner is intent on making sure her kids show respect to others with their technology habits, she also wants to make sure her family makes affection toward each other a higher priority.

Very simply, her New Year’s resolution is to hug and kiss more.

“I used to tell my children I was ‘going to simply die if I didn’t get a hug right then and there’,” she said. “They would come running with a hug. “

Her two girls are now out of the house, her oldest son isn’t prone to hug because of his autism, and “somewhere along the way, my youngest got lost in the shuffle,” she said. So she’s renewing her focus on making sure she gives him plenty of hugs, and demands plenty in return.

That goes for her husband, too. With the down economy putting many stresses on their relationship, Corner said she hopes the simple act of being more affectionate before one spouse or the other walks out the door will help strengthen their ties.

Making “family time” routine

Some days it seems like there are so many boxes to check before bedtime that we barely have time to say hello to each other.

Katrina Herring, a parent of two children, ages 3 and 6, is resolving to develop more structure in her family’s days, while also blocking off time specifically for family bonding.

For her 6-year-old son, who was recently diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder, she hopes this will be of particular help. She’s created a “Daily Duties” chart to help keep him on-task. The chart includes school homework, taking out the trash, picking up dirty laundry and cleaning his room.

For the family as a whole, she is hoping dedicated family time, filled with group activities like board games, Bible study and arts and crafts, will help make sure they all have time to connect on a regular basis.

Already, she said, “The kids are loving the fact that we are spending more time together.”

Hey, wait, that used to be MY Exersaucer!

We’re working on our Parenting special section here at the FLS, and one topic we want to focus on this year is tips for parents who are planning to add another child to the family. I can’t say I am totally disinterested here, because my own family is expecting a new addition–baby No. 2–this summer.

As I go through this second pregnancy, I find that I have been quizzing parents I meet everywhere–the park, the Y, the grocery store–who have two or more kids with them. How far apart are they? How much harder is it with two? How do they get along?

While some parents have told me having two kids is three times harder than having one, others have said the second baby seemed like a breeze after the stress of new parenthood. Everyone seems to agree that the first year is hard, and that getting out of the house with two really little ones requires Herculean effort.

I’d like to hear from parents in our area who have two, three, four or more kids: What tips do you have for new parents about bringing home a new sibling? Do subsequent children change your life more or less than the first new baby? Any special advice for parents who are growing their family through adoption?

If you’d like to share your thoughts for this story, e-mail me at efreehling@freelancestar.com.

The Feb. 4 show will feature Rocknocerus, and the March 3 show will feature Kyle & Kelly. Here is a brief description of both groups:

Rocknoceros, a kid-friendly power pop trio, will perform on February 4th. Rocknoceros (pronounced like Rhinoceros) is made up of three guys, Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the entire family.  They have dominated the Washington D.C. children’s music scene and have won a remarkable seven Washington Area Music Awards, including their fourth consecutive “Best Children’s Music Artist” award in 2011. Recently, Rocknoceros has gained significant national recognition with their single “Pink!” reaching number one on Sirius/XM Kids Place Live “13 under 13” countdown.  Plan to be charmed by their wondrous and whimsical tunes!

The winter fun continues downtown on March 3rd with The Magical Illusions of Kyle & Kelly. Be prepared for magic, music, and illusions presented by Kyle and Kelly, a husband and wife magic team specializing in family-friendly magic and illusion shows for over 25 years. Their magic has taken them all over the world. Fresh off of a performance on Carnival Cruise Lines, they are now bringing their award-winning magic to Culpeper!  Their interactive show is a mix of magic, comedy, and grand illusion that promises to captivate and enthrall everyone.

For more information, see Culpeper Renaissance’s website here.

Farrell emphasizes the role parents play in setting an example for what their kids eat.

“Kids emulate their parents and caregivers, so it is natural that they will adopt the eating patterns, for better or worse, of those who play an important role in their lives,” she said. “Oftentimes in my counseling sessions we work together to improve the nutrition practices of the entire family.”

She also urges parents to get their kids involved in the kitchen, to help give them ownership over what shows up on the dinner plate.

Here are a few of her tips:

- Make the child an integral part of deciding what is served at home. Let them come along to the market to pick out ingredients for the dishes they select.

- Allow children to assist in the kitchen, according to their age and skill level. “This may mean washing the food item, peeling mashing, slicing, etc.,” Farrell said. “I find that so many kids today do not know how to prepare and cook foods, let alone meals. Cooking is a lifelong lesson that encourages togetherness and bonding. It is a gift from parent to child.”

- Be willing to give foods that aren’t your favorites a try. If your child picks out a fruit or vegetable that isn’t your favorite, Farrell says, “Let your child take the lead in expanding your palate; sample with a smile no matter what.”

- Talk to your children about nutrition and the health benefits of eating well.

Read an interview we did with Farrell last year about her own kitchen habits here.

Eddie

When I was pregnant with my daughter, everyone we knew who had dogs told us that our beloved Eddie, a mutt we brought into our home right after we got married in 2006, would see his status fall after baby came.

“No way,” we said. “That won’t be us.”

Seventeen months later, I can say that we still love Eddie every bit as much as we did before we had a baby, and he still gets the two walks a day he demands (Eddie runs a tight ship), but he’s definitely slipped a notch in terms of how much attention he gets from us.

How do I know? Well, one good indicator is the percentage of pictures stored on my phone that are of my dog. Before baby: nearly 100 percent. After baby: 0 percent.

A friend of mine from journalism school who writes about pets for the News & Record in Greensboro, N.C., addressed this topic today on her blog, “The Pet Shop.” Read her post, “Feeling ‘mom guilt’ for the dogs,” here.

How about you? Has having kids changed your pets’ lives?