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Helping your dyslexic thinker thrive

THE VIRGINIA AQUARIUM + MARINE SCIENCE CENTER WOW WOW WOW guys!!!! We hadn’t been @vaaquarium since 2021, and let me tell you this is an amazing day trip and I recommend 10/10! This is really like 3 or 4 experiences in one, so I am going to break it down for you. Please let me know what questions you have! 🐟 NORTH BUILDING 🐟 You’ll see harbor seals on your way into the building, and then you’ll be in the North Building. This is the part of @vaquarium that you remember if you’ve been here before. You will see everything from a Komodo Dragon to lion fish to sandbar sharks.  🌟 Our favorites in this area: 🐢 Light Tower Aquarium - watch sea turtles swim by!! ✋ Ray Touch Pool - touch various types of rays, including stingrays ✋ Chesapeake Bay Touch Pool - Touch urchins, hermit crabs, and more! From the North Building, you can head straight outside which will eventually take you to the South Building.  ☀️ OUTDOOR AREA ☀️ There’s a really nice (stroller-friendly) Nature Trail to walk, overlooks, and a tower! There is also a small play area, and currently @thomasdambos SAVE THE TROLLS exhibit! I suggest packing lunch to eat at one of the picnic areas along the trail. If you’re with young kids, this is a big outing, so breaking it up with a picnic makes it manageable. There is also an Adventure Park (we didn’t do it) for an extra fee. It looks really cool - ziplining over water! 😮 🧌 TROLLS: SAVE THE HUMANS 🧌 Now through January 20, this exhibit is @vaaquarium! It is SO cool - all these trolls are made of reclaimed materials! 🤩 There are 6, but you may only be able to get close to 5, due to construction. You can use VA Aquarium’s site to “meet the trolls,” learn their names, and the story behind each one. I loved seeing these with my kids! Such a creative inspiration and motivation to care for our Earth ❤️ **Continued in comments**

MISTER SOFTEE - Holiday Express Mister Softee is a locally owned ice cream truck who delivers ice cream all around RVA. During the holidays, his ice cream truck transforms into the Holiday Express, to spread magic with special menu items (in addition to the regular menu). I think this is a really fun and simple holiday outing, and you could easily add on driving around to look at lights, or going back home to watch a holiday movie, depending on your family’s energy levels/bedtime/etc. ❤️ WHY WE LOVE MISTER SOFTEE’S HOLIDAY EXPRESS ❤️ 🍦 Festive cones, holiday shakes and sundaes, and warm goodies! Our favorites are: Frosty the Snowman’s Oreo Shake and Santa’s Hat Cone 💴 The Christmas Sprinkle Cone is $4 - pretty affordable pricing for the portions. 💡 It’s so fun to watch the ice cream truck drive around with all the lights! 🗓️”Fifteen Nights of Christmas” runs through Dec. 15th so there are many opportunities for you to experience the Holiday Express! 🛻 You can follow Mister Softee’s location on FB or on the app, and plan your outing around where he will be. He also provides updates on times. (I also like that he doesn’t drive around super late at night when I want my kids to be in bed 🙏 ) 🗺️ Mister Softee drives from Chester to Hanover — lots of chances to see him all over RVA! ⭐️Tips for The Holiday Express: 🛝 It’s fun to find out where he will be, and then plan an adventure somewhere nearby afterward. If it’s still light out, try finding a close playground, or if it’s later, go look at lights. 👦 Check the date/time when Mister Softee will be near you, and invite friends and make it a whole holiday event! (Bring wipes!) 💰 Prices range from $3 hot chocolate to $7 (Frosty the Snowman’s Oreo Shake) 📣If interested, you can act as a representative for your neighborhood and be the contact person for @mister_softee — he would contact you for updates to post on your neighborhood’s social media. If you need help planning something to do after your visit to the Holiday Express, let me know! I love helping families plan fun outings, especially around the holidays! 💡 #richmondva #rva #rvakids #holidayfun #chesterfieldva #hanoverva #henricova

VIRGINIA STATE PARKS — Gift Certificate Sale Comment PARK for a link to the gift certificate sale! Exciting news! @vastateparks Gift Certificate Sale is happening on Monday, 12/2!! This sale will make ALL gift certificates 15% off, so you can purchase one for yourself, and then turn around and use it to purchase an Annual Pass. (This is what my family usually does 😊 ) The sale is only good online, Monday, Dec. 2 between 12 AM - 11:59 PM. ⭐️ Here are a few tips for visiting Virginia State Parks: 🅿️This pass will cover your parking for the year at all Virginia State Parks, but it does not include extras, like water park admission at Pocahontas.  🌳 The closest VSP to Richmond is Pocahontas, and we absolutely LOVE hiking, camping, and exploring this expansive park. My favorite spots @fopsp_org are: Bright Hope Butterfly Garden and The Aquatic Center. 🏖️ For a summer day trip, I love First Landing State Park. You need to arrive early, but I promise you it will be worth it! 🧺 For a simple outing, pack a picnic and play on one of the playgrounds. We love to make an easy activity out of playing at Pocahontas or Powhatan State Park and having lunch at the picnic tables. 📝 Virginia State Parks have amazing programming. Two of my favorites for kids: Junior Ranger Badge, Caterpillar Club. Programs are typically included with your annual pass. 🚴🏿 High Bridge Park State Trail @farmvillevirginia is another great day trip, especially if your family loves bike riding. The route is flat, and you can stop for ice cream halfway ice cream 🚘 Virginia State Parks within an hour or less of RVA: Bear Creek Lake, Chippokes, High Bridge, Twin Lakes, York River,  Pocahontas, Powhatan — these are parks that we’ve visited again and again. I love them all! This is one pass that I recommend for families with kids of all ages. I think you can find so many uses for it, and it’s an easy way to get outside and take adventures. Let me know what questions you have about any state parks in our area.  #virginiastateparks #virginiafamily #getoutside #virginiaoutside #virginiafamily