Wow!  August 6th!!  How is it August 6th already?!  My son will be starting kindergarten in just a few weeks and we are running around frantically trying to buy tons of glue sticks, boxes of tissues, folders, etc.  Every time my son sees a new item at Target or Staples he tries to convince me why he really needs a _____ (most recently a binder and stapler) for his new school.  I cannot believe how fast the past almost 5 years have gone (he will turn 5 on the 2nd day of school), and that we are just a few short weeks from saying goodbye to his amazing daycare teachers.  I'd love to hear from all of you with kids going back to  (or just starting) school on what routines, tips and tricks work best for you!

I'm thrilled to announce the winner of our BabbaBox giveaway is Annie Hanson!!  Annie- Please e-mail me at [email protected] by Thursday at 9am to confirm your prize!  For anyone who didn't win but would like to try out this awesome monthly box, remember you can use code a20off to get 20% off your first box.

This week, we have a great giveaway from Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music" coming to Baltimore in early September.  Keep reading the newsletter to find out more and then be sure to refer everyone you know for your chance to win!

Remember if you are a Cirque du Soliel fan that now is the time to buy your tickets to Dralion, coming to the 1st Mariner Arena in late August!  The show is supposed to be absolutely amazing!!!

If you have a craft or recipe you would like to see included in the newsletter, please e-mail it to me at [email protected] with subject NEWSLETTER.  Also, please send a pic and be sure to include your byline as you would like it to appear.  Also, if your teen or pre-teen every writes an article they would like to submit (book or movie review, things to do in our area, etc.), please feel free to send that along as well!  I'd love to give them the chance to be published nationally (which might look great on a resume...hint, hint)... Oh, and if you ever know of events for older kids, PLEASE share them with me!!  My son is almost 5, so I know I am not in the pre-teen/teen scene yet, but would love to add more events for kids of all ages to the calendar.

THANK YOU to our site sponsors who allow us to bring you this free newsletter and website every week!  We could not do this without their support!  Please be sure to show some super Mac Kid love to MarVaTots'n Teens, Willow House with Lani, My Gym Kentlands, Adventure Kids Playcare, and Sabrina at Pixie and Pirate Destinations!  We'll be running a special Work From Home business directory in mid August so please write me if you'd like more info about advertising your business!  All ads for this section must be reserved by August 15th.  Please e-mail [email protected] for a copy of our media kit and more info on any of these specials.  

Remember that in addition to the event listings, remember there are LOTS more events listed in the updated weekly events article including open gyms, story times at the local libraries, craft workshops and more.  We also have a Kids Eat Free or Cheap section, a Now Showing section with current productions at local theaters, and a Macaroni Kid Saves section.

Until next time...Peace, Love and Macaroni!

Lani