To do so, we rely on the talents and creativity of a variety of people.  Obviously we have a number of behind-the-scenes tech-type genius people that keep our site running.  But, we also utilize the talents of some pretty amazing moms.

They write our expert articles and they contribute weekly content to our blog.

We often get inquiries from people who are new to the blogosphere or interested in becoming  a part of it asking about how they can write for Tots2Tweens, or grow their sites, or work with us to gain exposure for the awesome things they do.

We like doing that for people.

So much so that we’re starting a super cool Blog Awesome Challenge!

We’ve collected some influential and knowledgeable bloggers in our area who are willing to share what they know with all of you!

Doesn’t matter if you’re really just thinking about starting a blog, or trying to increase the traffic on the blog you have, this program is for you!

It will bring you weekly posts with action items for you to complete.

It will guide you to avoid some of the common pitfalls all of us bloggers have found ourselves trying to clamor out of.

It will help you expand your audience and grow your traffic.

It will be so much dang fun.

And, for one lucky winner, it will get you an amazing sponsorship to one of the most helpful blogging conferences for newbie bloggers around, Bloggy Boot Camp, Philadelphia!

Yes, peeps, we are doing all of this to help you be a more awesome blogger so that we can send you to Bloggy Boot Camp Philly on May 19th, 2012 to represent us (along with Dumb Mom from parenting BY dummies)!

We will buy you a ticket, give you some spending cash ($300 to be exact so you can get a hotel and maybe eat while you’re there!), AND set you up with a post conference, PAID, internship writing for us!*

Awesome, no?!

And all you have to do in the process is make your blog more awesome.

Seriously, this is a win-win situation!

Want to join us and our amazing leaders (more on them to come, but please be advised they are well known local bloggers who have some serious knowledge to impart**)?

Only bloggers and wannabe-bloggers who join the Tots2Tweens Community and comment on this post before the contest is officially under way (March 7th to be precise) will be eligible to win the sponsorship and the internship.***

So, join us why don’t ya?!  You’ll be on your way to Blog Awesome Super Stardom in no time!

*Official contest rules, eligibility requirements, and info about prizing will be released Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

**Official contest mentors will be announced on 2/29.

***Must join our community on Blog Frog in order to comment on the post.  Please email parentingbydummies at gmail dot com if you have difficulties or questions about how to comment or interact with Blog Frog.

These simple tacos are a breeze for a workday, throw the thighs into the slow cooker frozen and pour the marinade on, then let it slowly cook away while you’re at the office. Then, dinner on the table in no time!

Slow Cooker Asian-Inspired Chicken Soft Tacos

Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 6-8 hours; Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 5 frozen chicken thighs, bone-in
• 1 bottle plain barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 Clementines, juiced and zested
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup carrots, thinly sliced
• 8 soft tortillas

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice and zest, Clementine juice and zest, garlic salt, pepper and onions. Place the frozen chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker, then pour the marinade over top – turning the chicken once to fully coat. Lay the carrots and garlic on top of the chicken, then cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for up to 8 hours.

Before you’re ready to eat, take the chicken out of the slow cooker, discard the skin, and remove all the meat from the bones (it will fall off). Use a fork to shred it a little, then put the chicken back into the slow cooker and let it continue simmering for about 15 minutes.

Serve with the remaining sauce, shredded cabbage, warm tortillas – and “yum yum sauce” if your grocery store is awesome.

Bring the kids and enjoy a morning demo class at the dance school, food, drinks, goody bags, giveaways, and plenty of mingling time!

We only have space for 20 moms (& their kids of course!), so be sure to sign up quickly!

Dance Unlimited is located at 244 B South Jefferson Street, Frederick. For directions or other information, please call them: 301-662-3722

If you’d like to attend – leave a comment below…we’ll confirm that you’re in!!

When I first became a mom, the idea of figuring out daycare for my daughter was overwhelming.  So I became a stay at home, work at home mom instead.  As my work from home life became busier and my kids grew older, it’s become increasingly difficult to accomplish my work during their waking hours. Just a couple of weeks ago, as I chatted with a client on the phone, my mood music consisted of my toddler screaming and whacking me on the head.

I’ve always been jealous of those huge metropolitan cities that offer drop-in day care. (NYC I’m looking at you.) Thanks to Adventure Kids Playcare, parents in Montgomery County, MD have similar options. Located in Bethesda, MD near White Flint Mall, AKP offers drop-in daycare for children ages 2-12.

Last week, I brought my toddler for a preview of AKP. Immediately I was struck by all the natural lighting and large space for kids to play.  While the room is big, it is separated into different stations. A big climbing structure dominates the room while on its peripheral sits a Lego table and a dress up station. Older kids can shoot hoops on the full size basketball goal. Knowing that our kids love technology, there’s a setup for them to play games on the Wii or Xbox. The computer stations can also double for homework help or play. If your child need downtime, they can chill out on a bean bag in the movie room.

There is a separate area for children 2-3 years. The area is closed off to older kids, so they can play in the child sized kitchen or the train table without competing with older kids for them. This area holds a maximum of 10 children, so calling for reservations is highly recommended. The young kids are not limited to this space but can play at other stations.

All of the staff are First Aid and CPR certified. While we were there, the staff member was very hands on with my toddler. She got on the floor and played with him and the other children that were there.  Together they played Legos and shot some hoops.

Not only does AKP offer childcare during the day so you can run errands or go to the doctor, they are open late on Friday and Saturday nights until midnight. Do you know what that means? Date night! Check out their calendar for special theme weekends. Reservations are highly recommended for the weekend.

Adventure Kids Playcare offers flexible childcare options that any busy parent will want to add to their playbook. For more information such as hours and rates, visit the Adventure Kids Playcare website. Meals and snacks are offered for an additional fee or feel welcome to pack your own. Adventure Kids Playcare is located at 5268-A Nicholson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20895.

If skating is new for you or your children, start with roller skating.  Roller skates can be locked or adjusted to control the speed at which the wheels roll.  This is helpful for beginners until they develop their balance on skates and learn the motions needed to move forward and stop.  Roller skating rinks are warm and dry compared to ice skating rinks.  This will make the falls that do happen when learning easier on the kids and allow for a more enjoyable day.

Once comfortable on roller skates, try moving on to ice skating.  Ice skating takes more skill, balance and coordination.  Comfort on roller skates can make the transition easier, but learning to ice skate will require patience.  For very young children, double bladed skates may be available to make it easier for them to balance.  Once you learn the basics, more advanced skills can be learned through individual lessons or sports like figure skating and hockey.

Roller skating and ice skating are great activities for children because they build flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, balance, and coordination.  Through group lessons and sports, this can also be an opportunity for children to develop and build social skills.

It is important to remember safety while skating.  Helmets are recommended for children.  Consideration may also be given to wrist and knee pads while learning.  Rink surfaces are hard and proper padding can prevent injuries.  When ice skating, dress the kids in warm, water-proof gloves and clothing to keep them comfortable all day.

But also? It’s National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day, and any excuse to indulge in chocolate – especially CREAM-FILLED chocolate – is a good thing. I don’t have a severe sweet tooth, but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy my chocolate, or dessert for that matter. Warmed homemade brownies with a dollop of  ice cream on top every night for the last half of my first pregnancy is why I gained over 40 pounds.

I truly appreciate dessert, not nearly as obsessively as I did whilst grossly pregnant, but enough to seek out the good stuff (especially chocolate) on occasion.

Here’s where you can get your fix today if you’re in the Frederick area and need a Valentine’s Day pick-me-up:

The Perfect Truffle, 16A N. East St, Frederick, MD – Open until 5:00pm on Valentine’s Day!

Voted “Best Chocolate” in the “Best of 2012″ edition of Frederick Magazine, The Perfect Truffle has a loyal following of truffle-lovers. And, with over 40 different flavors to pick from there’s tons chocolate truffle magic happening there. From off-the-wall flavors like Cayenne Pepper, Guinness or Old Bay Caramel, to more traditional blends like Peanut Butter, 72% Dark Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Cherry, the folks at The Perfect Truffle KNOW THEIR CHOCOLATE.

Hint: Owner Chef Olmstead is always looking for new flavor suggestions – email him with your best ideas!

Zoe’s Chocolate Co., 121A N. Market St, Frederick, MD – Open until 6:30pm on Valentine’s Day!

Never been to Zoe’s Chocolate Co., in downtown Frederick? You totally should. Quaint, ridiculously cute building, along one of the most aesthetic parts of Frederick. AND? They were the Official Chocolatiers of the 2011 Emmy Awards. YES, YOU HEARD ME – EMMY’S, PEOPLE! For Valentine’s Day, Zoe’s has all kind of love: Love in a Bar, Love in a Box, Love from the Heart, and even Love in a Bag OR a Big Box.  So, yeah, they’re good.

Hint: Ask for Zoe’s frozen chocolate drink the “Fro Zoe” in the summertime. You won’t regret it.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wave frantically and make me feel welcome, kay?!

Seriously.  I spend a good number of hours each day reading through, commenting on, Tweeting about, and swooning over blogs.

I’m not committed to just stalking a certain genre either.  I like them all.  Food blogs, craft blogs, mom blogs, and even tech blogs.

I can name at least 5 in each of those categories I visit daily.

There are just so many creative and talented people making the blogosphere awesome that I can’t help myself!

Which is why I’ve been working tirelessly (when not reading blogs) to bring a DC family blog roll to Tots2Tweens.

Because I can’t be the only self-proclaimed blog stalker around here, right?!

And, as someone who is always on the hunt for a new read, I like to have a good place to find them.  A central place, organized nicely, to include lots of links I’m bound to love!

So, we made you one!

Right here at Tots2Tweens!

It’s not an all encompassing list (seriously, there are thousands of bloggers right here in the DC area; we don’t have them all), but it does include some of our favorite reads, including all of the Meet a Mom bloggers we’ve already featured, and all of the awesome contributors we have to our site!

Want your blog on our DC family bloggers list?!

It’s super easy!

Just fill out this handy dandy little form: Best of DC Family Friendly Blogs List.

But, you don’t have to live in the DC Metro Area to be included in our blog roll!  Or, even feature on Meet a Mom Monday!

Business owning/mom blogging moms from any and every where are welcome to participate!

We just had to start somewhere, ya know.

But it’s growing and we’d love you to all have a feature day and be a part of our blog roll and stuff.

So, fill out the form.  Join us on Facebook.  Send us a Tweet.  Or an email.  Or, whatever.

We’re well versed in the land of blog stalking; we won’t think you’re creepy!

Yesterday we did our Outlook topics, so we didn’t write. Today, Ms. M isn’t here so I really don’t feel like writing.

October 8

This one is going to be a long one. Saturday night at the C’s party I helped KH home. He was wasted. He threw up outside and was feeling awful. He drove to the party, but I wasn’t going to let him drive home. So, me JL and ER helped him to his car and I got into the passenger seat. So we went behind JL and ER when KH swerved around. I told him to pull over right now before he killed us both. So, he did and I drove him to his house with ER and JL following.( It was a 4 speed.) I did really good – no jack rabbiting or stalling! I am very proud of myself. Anyway, we got him home and into his den when ER and JL cleaned the puke off the side of his car. Gross! Then we left him there. Well Sunday night at about 10:21 I got crank phone calls – saying a bunch of bull I’d rather forget. I found out it was SK and KW. They claimed they had nothing else better to do. I got pissed off and took the phone off the hook for the rest of the night. Today I was pissed and told TF and CC and they were pissed off. Then we thought it was TC (I hate her) but we were wrong. Oh well – mistakes happen. I’m just pissed off about this whole deal. Now I really don’t think I have a chance with KH. Oh well. God will take care of it. I hope so anyway. Just let me – help me – to overcome this anger – and let me forgive – I’ll be hard but…That was today – wild huh? I cut out a lot of details!! Not too important though. I toll SP and CB home today. Talked to SP some. Miracles never cease – he doesn’t like me though. I really don’t think. Oh well. I gave Ms. M my class poem to read and respond to. We have a new descriptive paragraph to do this week in comp.  We had impromptu speeches in AP English – what a pain.

October 9

Ms. M isn’t here right now. She told us she’d be late. We have a descriptive paragraph to do in here. I think mine is going to be on High School Days. This day has been ok. I had to take RG to school – he missed the bus – DG to CY and BG her lunch to work. I was almost late for school. Oh well. I don’t think I missed too much. I have a 96.8% in computer, a C in AP English, a B in comp. and my grades for Psych are A, C, C.

For my essay –

-          Been here since the 7^th grade

-          The

Wait. Hold up – describe the sub time –

-          Brunette, hair brushes her shoulders

-          A pale complexion with little “face paint”

-          The look on her face is one of exhaustion, perhaps

• Not from our class though

LC described her as one who used to be “into” turquoise.

-          Not very old, yet a look of wear in her eyes – from subbing?

-          She needs to do something about her complexion – Stridex is recommended.

October 10

I gave Ms. M my Class poem to read. She said she liked it. I really like it too. JL and I were discussing my Homecoming choices. Not too many. If MD goes to the game on Saturday the 27^th I’ll ask him if he’d like to go. Embarrassing. She said RW, DM or SP. This morning she even suggested KO, ER’s friend. I really don’t know who or what I want. Just to go would be fun. I really want to go with MD. I don’t even know if he’s interested. I doubt it. I need a relationship, bad! JL keeps reassuring me that when the time’s right it’ll be worth the wait. But my patience stinks! Oh well. Lord, grant me with MD – I am begging you to help me on this one! Let him show up at the game and really look good. I need your help. He is the one I want and I know you’ll come through for me. Won’t you? I need your time and you’ve got the power. MD is the one I want to get involved in a relationship with.

My day’s are spent alone
Sitting and daydreaming
of my white knight arriving to sweep me off my feet.
Why then do I feel so lonely
Like I’ll never be saved
from this seemingly eternal madness?
I sit and pray every night
For that special someone to enter my life -
But my ears are deafened
with the unanswered silence.

MD

October 12

Well it’s Friday! Everything has been okay. The above “poem” was written yesterday – the words are true – change in topic – Food Fight.

-          Mr. H is not very fair

-          GF and KL each 5 days

-          Basing his punishment on other kids’ word yet if these same kids were in trouble they wouldn’t be believed.

Change – senior pictures

LA
TW
JH
TF
KB

GF and KL

-          AP classes

-          Harsh punishment

School stands for -

Who we are –

-          Since 7^th grade

-          We’re not here to change

-          We’re aware it’s wrong – we believe

-          Alternatives

• Let make up work but –

-          Only goal is to talk

-          Social behavior – bad

-          Treats as we’ve treated

-          He’s not going to get

HOW CHIC!

Coach C’s suggestions

Go in and say – concerned about discipline

Get his attention

CONFUSION??

SP or JH

What about homecoming

I would really like to be on the court – oh well – dream on

A superlative maybe – most distinctive laugh.

We’ve found some free Valentine’s Day card printables for you to use with your family!

Check these out from Pocoyo:

Pocoyo Valentine’s Day Card:

http://www.pocoyo.com/img/san_valentin/Print_064.pdf

Elly Valentine’s Day Card:

http://www.pocoyo.com/img/san_valentin/Print_065.pdf

Pato Valentine’s Day Card:

http://www.pocoyo.com/img/san_valentin/Print_066.pdf

Loula Valentine’s Day Card

http://www.pocoyo.com/img/san_valentin/Print_067.pdf

Sleepy Bird

http://www.pocoyo.com/img/san_valentin/Print_068.pdf

Also, check out these fun Valentine’s Day printables from the Rubber Punkin.

image from Rubber Punkin

And these super cute Valentine’s Day printables from Pumpkins and Posies!

image from pumpkins & posies

Have fun creating!

This is Angie’s story:

Hello! My name is “Angie” Nusrat Anwar Ahmed. I am a victim of domestic abuse! Please consider investigating the details of my case, from the angle of: Immigration laws gone awry, Domestic Abuse Syndrome, Unnecessary Reasons for Foreclosures leads to lower value in community homes, Forgery of papers lead to mortgages given at rates meant only for US citizens, and Human Interest.

I have legally been in the United States for 14 years; I contribute to society, by working as an accountant, paying my taxes, owning 2 homes, and being actively involved in my son’s school PTA.

My husband, my eldest son Danyal (who is 12 and an honors student), and myself hold our citizenship with India. My youngest son, Daryan (who is 8 years old) is a U.S. citizen. My husband has been sponsored by his work Marshall Associations a government contractor, for getting his green card, my son Danyal and I, are on his petition. My husband works as a Chief Financial Officer making over $100K a year plus bonus.

For the past several years (in additional to the physical, mental and emotional abuse, and verbal attacks) my husband has threatened to permanently take our children away from me, by divorcing me, and having me deported. His plans he says, are to keep me from ever seeing our children again.

In order to finance this divorce, he has taken the proceeds from our rental townhome in Montgomery County, and not paid the mortgage on it for the past 15 months. The house is currently in foreclosure, even though the mortgage is $1050.00 (approx.) per month, and he receives $1950.00 amount per month by the renter and HOC combined. I have the statements from the renter as well as the mortgage company to prove this.

The renter, is mother of 3, who herself was a victim of domestic abuse. Through the help of section 8 housing she was able to get away from her abuser, and rent our home. Soon she and her children will be kicked out of the house do to the foreclosure by NationStar mortgage company.

My husband is not always known to do things by the books. I have discovered that the mortgage we hold on our home was refinanced, by my husband Parvez Ahmed, and he forged my signature for a loan which requires the borrower to be a US citizen or permanent citizen. This loan is called Making homes affordable – a federal funded program.

Up until recently, when I became unemployed, I paid the second mortgage on our home in Frederick County, directly to the mortgage company. I have learned that, like the townhouse, my husband has not paid the mortgage on this home in 5 months, even though he has the income and resources to pay it. This home is also in foreclosure. My husband, I suspect is using the funds he saves for the divorce.

As both an accountant and a homeowner, I know that for every house that is foreclosed on, that lowers the value of homes in the adjoining community considerably. Foreclosures are meant for families who are going through hard times. He is clearly abusing the rules and laws of the process.

With no credit, no job and very little resources, my children and I are in eminent danger of losing not only our home, AND our ability to be together. I am in a catch 22. I have been told by my divorce lawyer and that I cannot legally remove my children from the US since my husband has not agreed to it. In addition, my immigration lawyer has informed me that if I leave the home, that my husband can remove me from the green card petition, and have me deported within approximately 30 days, without my children.

I need help and am hoping you can intervene and look into this matter. I have exhausted all local resources, and have almost exhausted all financial resources from my family in India. In desperation I am reaching out to you for some help.

As a woman of domestic abuse, a mother, and a person who is legally in the US, I am caught between the laws. Please consider looking into this further. I can back up everything that I say with proof.

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Angie