Did you grow up singing this jingle?

Is it spring yet?  The calendar says it is, but weather says not quite yet.  Well it’s spring break for the children in Woodbridge, Virginia and many of the surrounding school districts in Northern Virginia, so I’ve been on the hunt for kid-friendly activities and places to go within the Washington DC area to take my children to keep them entertained and engaged (without electronics).  Before school was dismissed for the break, I’ve been searching spring break activities my kids would enjoy, but it would still be fun for the adults.  Here are five ideas spring break ideas for family Northern Virginia that doesn't require reservations or a lot of pre-planning; perfect for spring break or a no school day.  Don't forget to bring your camera to take pictures of the fun.
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​Living in Northern Virginia, puts us in the middle of a lot of history and endless things to do.  
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​1.  Washington D.C.
The nation’s capital is a great place for kids and provides countless sightseeing and attractions.  There are so many things to do and see in Washington D.C. that it would take a few weeks (maybe even months) to see it all.  However, I’ve narrowed it down to some highpoints that we want to see, and the kids always enjoy visiting.  There are so many interactives museums and great places to eat.  If you're planning a trip to Washington D.C., some of the top museums to visit is The National Air & Space Museum, The Newseum, National Museum of Natural History, and the National Postal Museum.   We also want to take the kids to the latest Smithsonian Museum that recently opened – The National Museum of African American History and Culture.  Since opening, the museum has had a serious interest in the amount of people wanting to visit.  Therefore at this time, many people aren’t able to obtain access to the museum.  However, did you know if you're a military family, you can show your military ID (or dependent ID) and receive access in the museum with a small group.  Here is a quick list of some off the beaten path places to visit in the Washington D.C. area:
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• Chinatown

  My boys enjoy the bubble tea and fried rice.  
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• Georgetown

Georgetown Cupcakes is a must stop.  Dean and Deluca is a nice place to break for unique foods to try later.  

• City Center DC

10 acres of walkways with glass street level business.  (Recommended for teens and kids that love high price shopping like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and more.)

Updated: September 24, 2020

Fall is usually a fun time of the year for taking fall rides, watching the leaves change colors, or taking in a football game.  However, this year is different with COVID. 

There are only like a billion things that make Fall one of our most favorite seasons! We are not sure whether it is the weather, the color of the season, or it is the crisp smell in the air which makes us want to spend more time with our families.

Wanting to spend time with our families and actually figuring out what to do during that time are two very different things. Keeping that in mind we have got some super fun activities that you can do this Fall to make the most of your family time.

Photography is no easy subject and interviewing a wedding and portrait photographer.  Regardless of if you are hiring Tamieka Smith Photography or another studio, we have created a list to help find the perfect photographer to capture your special memories. 

1.  Are you a member of PPA?

Being a part of PPA is not a sure fire way to determine if the photographer is a right fit for you, however, it indicates the photographer is connected to an organization that encourages good business practices and continuing education in the photography industry. 

2.  Do you specialize in a particular type of photography?

​​I was recently contacted to photograph a family and one of the first questions asked was how many pictures will you take and I receive.   Photographer X will charge $150 for a mini-session and I will receive 100 images. 
 
Well may I ask a question?  What is more important, the amount of pictures you receive or their quality?
 
Compared to many photographers, Tamieka Smith Photography offers a select amount of portrait to display to our clients during their ordering/viewing sessions (reveal).  This allows us to look at all the images taken during your session and edit only the best, rather than take give you 100 images that are low in quality (eyes closed, blurry, etc.).