I was looking at my blog today and realized that I had not posted in a crazy long time! There is so much going on! This past year, we put out our first album. We want to put more music in our classes, and to provide a different way to inspire kids and get them to think about their world. It was almost a surreal experience to travel to Nashville and make this album with heavy-hitting, Grammy-award winning producers and musicians. So much fun to sit in the studio with headphones on participating in the making of the album. And, of course, going out to hot restaurants and bars with the music crowd. My business partner, Linda, who lives in Middleburg, is a music industry veteran, so you never know who you are going to meet hanging with her. . . . For example, her best friend is married to David Cassidy -- who apparently causes a huge stir with the "older" crowd in Middleburg every time he shows up. And she has a hilarious story about being with Cindi Lauper in Moscow. (But I digress.) Shane Hines, who wrote all the music and sang on the album is a true rock star in his own right. In fact, he is opening at the 9:30 Club next week. So funny that he can turn off his rock thing and turn on his kid vibe. Such a great guy.
As part of the music thing, I was downtown on Tuesday and met Tommy McFly, a DJ at Mix 107.3. (We are talking to them about kid concert sponsorships.) He and I got to gabbing, and suddenly I found myself invited to talk live on his show that night. Too funny. You just never know what life is going to hand you. That was a fun day, because I also got to go the National Zoo to talk to their education team. Looks like we are going to have a good partnership there -- much like the work we've been doing for the Air & Space Museum. Never a dull moment!
I'm also in the process of writing another book -- this one with Chic Thompson, a leading expert on creativity and innovation. I love being back in the writer's chair. More about the book later . . . .
Finally, anyone who knows me knows that this past year has been especially special because of meeting Russ and his two kids, Jordan and Jackson. They have done a great job of reminding me that working all the time probably isn't the best long term strategy. . . .
I hope everyone is into the holiday spirit. Reach out and help someone today. Smile at a frowner. Hold a door open. Tell someone they are special!
Peace,
Mary
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Summer Camps are Here!
I can't tell you how excited we are at the C-Zone to work on our summer camps! Many people don't know how talented the educators are at the C-Zone, but we have both incredibly experienced and credentialed teachers, including a couple with special ed experience, and we have brilliant young people with science degrees and a passion for kids who also share their infectious enthusiasm in the classroom. The combination is just awesome. It's so fun for me, as the founder -- someone with neither a teaching nor a science degree, just a huge amount of curiosity -- to be around such talented people with so much passion for their work!
I am always amazed at how much creativity flows out of the C-Zone daily. We'll start out with a concept -- like how do we bring "Space Station Zoorp" to life this summer for the kids in a way that helps them understand space travel, confined spaces, etc.? So what did we come up with? Construction of a giant box fort on the last day for the kids (and their parents!) to "visit." We are having so much fun brainstorming what it will look like (hard to believe this is my job!). Turns out, almost all of us built forts and tunnels in our basements out of old boxes when we were kids. When I was a kid, we moved all the time (6 elementary schools in 6 years -- Dad was an engineer climbing up the DuPont ladder) -- and every new house brought an opportunity to build tunnels and "rooms" out of boxes. Refrigerator and wardrobe boxes were the best! All tunnels lead to the pingpong table, which was properly draped with blankets to give it that cave-like feel. That's where my poor cat Shadow got brought night after night by me and my two sisters, to be dressed up like a doll baby while we played family. (Don't worry about the cat -- she lived to be more than 20. She died when I was away working on antitrust litigation at a Union Carbide plant in Texas -- I'll never forget that day -- but I digress. . . . )
Did anyone read that article in the Wash Post magazine today about the Amazon's native indians? Wow, that was interesting! So much to think about there: progress vs. preservation, modernity vs. history, anthropology, liguistics, law, politics, devoted scientists. . . . Just the concept that there are humans alive on Earth still living as one with nature -- no clothes, huts woven from leaves, animal traps dug in the ground, rudimentary tools made from bamboo and rocks. Most of us live so amazingly far removed from that now. On that same topic. I also saw recently that a guy named Richard Louv will be speaking at the National Cathedral on Feb. 21 at 7:00 about "the transformation in the relationship between children and nature" and a thing he calls the "nature-deficit disorder." A very interesting topic to ponder. You can get more info at www.beauvoirschool.org/leadingvoices.
OK, now I'm actually taking some time off to have some fun tonight. Yeehaw! I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine today!
Peace,
Mary
I am always amazed at how much creativity flows out of the C-Zone daily. We'll start out with a concept -- like how do we bring "Space Station Zoorp" to life this summer for the kids in a way that helps them understand space travel, confined spaces, etc.? So what did we come up with? Construction of a giant box fort on the last day for the kids (and their parents!) to "visit." We are having so much fun brainstorming what it will look like (hard to believe this is my job!). Turns out, almost all of us built forts and tunnels in our basements out of old boxes when we were kids. When I was a kid, we moved all the time (6 elementary schools in 6 years -- Dad was an engineer climbing up the DuPont ladder) -- and every new house brought an opportunity to build tunnels and "rooms" out of boxes. Refrigerator and wardrobe boxes were the best! All tunnels lead to the pingpong table, which was properly draped with blankets to give it that cave-like feel. That's where my poor cat Shadow got brought night after night by me and my two sisters, to be dressed up like a doll baby while we played family. (Don't worry about the cat -- she lived to be more than 20. She died when I was away working on antitrust litigation at a Union Carbide plant in Texas -- I'll never forget that day -- but I digress. . . . )
Did anyone read that article in the Wash Post magazine today about the Amazon's native indians? Wow, that was interesting! So much to think about there: progress vs. preservation, modernity vs. history, anthropology, liguistics, law, politics, devoted scientists. . . . Just the concept that there are humans alive on Earth still living as one with nature -- no clothes, huts woven from leaves, animal traps dug in the ground, rudimentary tools made from bamboo and rocks. Most of us live so amazingly far removed from that now. On that same topic. I also saw recently that a guy named Richard Louv will be speaking at the National Cathedral on Feb. 21 at 7:00 about "the transformation in the relationship between children and nature" and a thing he calls the "nature-deficit disorder." A very interesting topic to ponder. You can get more info at www.beauvoirschool.org/leadingvoices.
OK, now I'm actually taking some time off to have some fun tonight. Yeehaw! I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine today!
Peace,
Mary
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Whew!
Got the holiday toy season and holiday camps behind us, and now it's on to new 2008 parties (they start this week), summer camps (registration starts next week) and the new class session that is right around the corner (starts first week of Feb.) Never a dull moment! I'm really looking forward to the International Toy Fair up in NYC this February. Always a fun event! If anyone reading this has any thoughts on toys they'd like to see in Ashburn, leave me a note. The Toy Fair features all of the new cool toys from around the world, and this year I am especially focused on buying unique toys from smaller companies, both in the USA and abroad. The Germans and the Swiss seem to be especially innovative when it comes to cool toys.
I also officially start my new role on Loudoun's Economic Development Commission this Friday. I am very excited to dig into the issues, and especially to serve on the education subcommittee. If anyone has comments or thoughts on any of the county's economic development issues -- especially with regard to educating our workforce or developing retail in the county -- please leave a note here. I'd love to hear from you.
I actually had a few days off over the holidays, and spent them down at my sister's cabin near Charlottesville -- where I seem to have set off a knitting craze with the kids. I randomly brought along a scarf that I had started two years ago and hadn't looked at since -- and my nieces (14 &12) and nephew (7) were completely fascinated. Over a 3 day period, all three of them dug in and knit their own scarves! It only took about 5 minutes to teach them, and it kept them happily occupied through the hours and hours of "adult" conversations that happened around every meal. Spend a few bucks on some needles and yarn and maybe the same thing will happen to you!
I also spent some great time with various friends over the holidays. A special shout out to everyone from the West Springfield H.S. class of 1986 who was at Joey's rockin party a few weeks back. The surprise guest appearances were awesome, as was Mike Manuel's buzz. . . .
Peace,
Mary
I also officially start my new role on Loudoun's Economic Development Commission this Friday. I am very excited to dig into the issues, and especially to serve on the education subcommittee. If anyone has comments or thoughts on any of the county's economic development issues -- especially with regard to educating our workforce or developing retail in the county -- please leave a note here. I'd love to hear from you.
I actually had a few days off over the holidays, and spent them down at my sister's cabin near Charlottesville -- where I seem to have set off a knitting craze with the kids. I randomly brought along a scarf that I had started two years ago and hadn't looked at since -- and my nieces (14 &12) and nephew (7) were completely fascinated. Over a 3 day period, all three of them dug in and knit their own scarves! It only took about 5 minutes to teach them, and it kept them happily occupied through the hours and hours of "adult" conversations that happened around every meal. Spend a few bucks on some needles and yarn and maybe the same thing will happen to you!
I also spent some great time with various friends over the holidays. A special shout out to everyone from the West Springfield H.S. class of 1986 who was at Joey's rockin party a few weeks back. The surprise guest appearances were awesome, as was Mike Manuel's buzz. . . .
Peace,
Mary
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Holiday Fun
Fun week this week -- pandas & bamboo for the little ones, the Moon for the big kids. I never get tired of this stuff! But, I gotta say that running a retail business really messes with the holidays! This is my absolute favorite time of year -- BUT -- we have to start thinking about the holidays in July, which means by the time December rolls around I am really, really ready for Christmas to get here! It makes me so sad not to have the energy to deck out my house or shop for Christmas presents -- because I've already decorated my 3000 sf store and shopped for zillions of dollars of toys for our toy store! Usually my house has the most lights on the street! This year it has one sad strand of lights hanging from a ficus tree in the front window.
What makes it worse is that I'm currently working on summer camp planning. Hard to get my head in the game :) But I did have a whole heaping helping of holiday spirit this weekend with my family. We saw the Army band play down at Constitution Hall, then made a quick supper together, then shot out to see my brother-in-law play in a holiday concert. He is a really talented musician, and looked so handsome in his tux. So fun to see my sister look at him with those googlie eyes after 18 years of marriage!
It is also priceless to see the little ones come into the toy store and go nuts! I've always wanted our store to be as hands-on as possible, so I love it when kids make animal forts in the front of the store, or hide balls all over the store. It's hilarious! A while back, we had one kid decide to hide our 4' stuffed snakes all over the store. We found them everywhere, and laughed so hard we just about fell down. Kids are so creative :) It's always interesting to see what's selling -- this year it's tons of room gear, volcanoes, puppets, stuffed animals, science kits, travel toys and preschool toys. And of course, lots and lots of stocking stuffers! UFO magnets, seahorse bubble bath, blob frogs, christmas music tops, windup snowmen, wooden ball blowers. . . .
We worked on our video at the store again yesterday. (Check out some of the raw footage in the videos below.) A huge thanks goes out to all of the customers that we ambushed to participate. It is going to be awesome!
Got in our 2008 party invitations yesterday. http://www.curiosityzone.com/Parties/birthdayparties.html
Especially exciting for me, as I took a stab at designing them this year! Looks like they turned out pretty well, thank goodness. My staff had no idea I had designed them, so that's a good sign!
Loved the snow last week, but am less enamored of the grey, grey sky this week. Where'd the sun go? Where's the fun in looking at clouds when it's one solid pile?
Finally -- another hit from the PR gods, this time about the EDC: http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2007/12/10/loudoun_business/biz694edc120607.txt
Peace,
Mary
Little Lab class on Weird Liquids (2-4 year olds):
Big Lab class on what creates magnetism (5-12 year olds):
What makes it worse is that I'm currently working on summer camp planning. Hard to get my head in the game :) But I did have a whole heaping helping of holiday spirit this weekend with my family. We saw the Army band play down at Constitution Hall, then made a quick supper together, then shot out to see my brother-in-law play in a holiday concert. He is a really talented musician, and looked so handsome in his tux. So fun to see my sister look at him with those googlie eyes after 18 years of marriage!
It is also priceless to see the little ones come into the toy store and go nuts! I've always wanted our store to be as hands-on as possible, so I love it when kids make animal forts in the front of the store, or hide balls all over the store. It's hilarious! A while back, we had one kid decide to hide our 4' stuffed snakes all over the store. We found them everywhere, and laughed so hard we just about fell down. Kids are so creative :) It's always interesting to see what's selling -- this year it's tons of room gear, volcanoes, puppets, stuffed animals, science kits, travel toys and preschool toys. And of course, lots and lots of stocking stuffers! UFO magnets, seahorse bubble bath, blob frogs, christmas music tops, windup snowmen, wooden ball blowers. . . .
We worked on our video at the store again yesterday. (Check out some of the raw footage in the videos below.) A huge thanks goes out to all of the customers that we ambushed to participate. It is going to be awesome!
Got in our 2008 party invitations yesterday. http://www.curiosityzone.com/Parties/birthdayparties.html
Especially exciting for me, as I took a stab at designing them this year! Looks like they turned out pretty well, thank goodness. My staff had no idea I had designed them, so that's a good sign!
Loved the snow last week, but am less enamored of the grey, grey sky this week. Where'd the sun go? Where's the fun in looking at clouds when it's one solid pile?
Finally -- another hit from the PR gods, this time about the EDC: http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2007/12/10/loudoun_business/biz694edc120607.txt
Peace,
Mary
Little Lab class on Weird Liquids (2-4 year olds):
Big Lab class on what creates magnetism (5-12 year olds):
Family Fun at the Halloween Slime Spectacular:
Friday, October 26, 2007
Great News
Boy are the PR gods are smiling on us! We had two great hits this week:
An article about my participation in a law & entrepreneurship panel at my alma mater, University of Virginia School of Law: http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2007_fall/boot_camp.htm
A feature in Modern Mom Magazine:
http://modernmommagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=44
We're having fun this week at the C-Zone dreaming up the slime projects for the Halloween Slime Spectacular, and activities for our open house on Nov. 16 (3:30-5:30). Who knew you could get paid to do this stuff?
Of course, the highlight of my week so far has been going with my sister and my two nieces to the Kelly Clarkson concert down at Constitution Hall. It was a soggy but extremely entertaining evening.
Finally, did anyone notice the stunning cloud formations earlier this week as this rainy front approached? I think looking at the sky is like reading tea leaves -- what mankind did to survive until the advent of TVs and weathermen! Be sure to watch the clouds as this front leaves this weekend as well. And, of course, enjoy the rain! Isn't it great??!! It waters our plants, lifts the grease off the roads, puts water back in our reservoirs, puts moisture back in our skin and our hardwood floors. . . .
An article about my participation in a law & entrepreneurship panel at my alma mater, University of Virginia School of Law: http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2007_fall/boot_camp.htm
A feature in Modern Mom Magazine:
http://modernmommagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=44
We're having fun this week at the C-Zone dreaming up the slime projects for the Halloween Slime Spectacular, and activities for our open house on Nov. 16 (3:30-5:30). Who knew you could get paid to do this stuff?
Of course, the highlight of my week so far has been going with my sister and my two nieces to the Kelly Clarkson concert down at Constitution Hall. It was a soggy but extremely entertaining evening.
Finally, did anyone notice the stunning cloud formations earlier this week as this rainy front approached? I think looking at the sky is like reading tea leaves -- what mankind did to survive until the advent of TVs and weathermen! Be sure to watch the clouds as this front leaves this weekend as well. And, of course, enjoy the rain! Isn't it great??!! It waters our plants, lifts the grease off the roads, puts water back in our reservoirs, puts moisture back in our skin and our hardwood floors. . . .
Monday, September 24, 2007
September 24, 2007
It's been another long one; I'm in hour 13 but still ticking. Got in some really awesome toys today -- about 20 boxes worth! Best toys: a 4' long stuffed snake with 2 heads, a turkey that gobbles when you squeeze it, a really cute fruit bat (really, it's cute!), and a bendable velociraptor.
We launched our sink & float unit this week for the little ones and a "chemical cleaners" unit for the big kids. The kids danced out of the facility today, so I think they are good labs! Who knew kids could spend hours cleaning pennies with salt and vinegar?
We're getting psyched to see the profile Modern Mom magazine is doing on us. Talked to one of the editors tonight. Got to find the time to write a short article to go with. Where does the time go?
Got my desk cleaned off today. Literally, cleaned. Got all the old, gross coffee stains off. It had been a while. It's amazing how fast things fly by you when you are so engrossed in a project. It's such a blur sometimes that you stop being able to focus even on the little things -- like icky sticky coffee stains. You literally just stop seeing them.
Loved, loved, loved the walk with the dog last night and this morning. The weather is SO beautiful! September is by far the best month of the year! Did anyone see those beautiful cirrus clouds last night? Like huge white feathers, shifting colors as the sun set. It was still dark this morning for the walk, but I had that early fall joy of fleece + flip flops -- perfectly cool, still air, but not cold enough yet to cover up the toes.
Had excitement with the fire department today. Smelled gas coming from the restaurant next door. Was no biggie -- an unlit pilot light over there -- but we were glad to get it resolved, and the kids loved the firemen and their truck! I had a bad moment there, though, when I wondered if I should evacuate the facility. I've never felt the weight of other people's lives on my shoulders before! I'm sure that sounds dramatic now, but on the news last night was a story about a couple who smelled gas, called the gas co., got the all clear, then had their house blow up and burn down 40 minutes later. They lived, but purely by luck because they were in the other part of the house. So YIKES -- what are the odds that we would smell leaking gas in our facility today???
OK, I'm sufficiently hopped up on leftover birthday cake and diet coke to make it home and walk the dog. Gotta watch the Bachelor season premiere and put together a toy order for Melissa & Doug. Maybe tomorrow will have more hours in it?? Here's hoping.
Peace.
We launched our sink & float unit this week for the little ones and a "chemical cleaners" unit for the big kids. The kids danced out of the facility today, so I think they are good labs! Who knew kids could spend hours cleaning pennies with salt and vinegar?
We're getting psyched to see the profile Modern Mom magazine is doing on us. Talked to one of the editors tonight. Got to find the time to write a short article to go with. Where does the time go?
Got my desk cleaned off today. Literally, cleaned. Got all the old, gross coffee stains off. It had been a while. It's amazing how fast things fly by you when you are so engrossed in a project. It's such a blur sometimes that you stop being able to focus even on the little things -- like icky sticky coffee stains. You literally just stop seeing them.
Loved, loved, loved the walk with the dog last night and this morning. The weather is SO beautiful! September is by far the best month of the year! Did anyone see those beautiful cirrus clouds last night? Like huge white feathers, shifting colors as the sun set. It was still dark this morning for the walk, but I had that early fall joy of fleece + flip flops -- perfectly cool, still air, but not cold enough yet to cover up the toes.
Had excitement with the fire department today. Smelled gas coming from the restaurant next door. Was no biggie -- an unlit pilot light over there -- but we were glad to get it resolved, and the kids loved the firemen and their truck! I had a bad moment there, though, when I wondered if I should evacuate the facility. I've never felt the weight of other people's lives on my shoulders before! I'm sure that sounds dramatic now, but on the news last night was a story about a couple who smelled gas, called the gas co., got the all clear, then had their house blow up and burn down 40 minutes later. They lived, but purely by luck because they were in the other part of the house. So YIKES -- what are the odds that we would smell leaking gas in our facility today???
OK, I'm sufficiently hopped up on leftover birthday cake and diet coke to make it home and walk the dog. Gotta watch the Bachelor season premiere and put together a toy order for Melissa & Doug. Maybe tomorrow will have more hours in it?? Here's hoping.
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
