Amanda Holliday-Bembridge
When she's not reading a thriller or crocheting something new, Amanda loves exploring all of the incredible options in the DMV area with her (almost as tall as her) little one. Her desire to continue learning more about young children and their families pushed her to become Doc Holliday, receiving her doctorate in Infant & Early Childhood Development specializing in Infant Mental Health and Developmental Disorders. Years of working with young children and prenatal/postnatal mamas have given her hours of material that she is excited to share in her blog posts. (She had her half-Jamaican son born during a blizzard and traveled to the hospital in Uber. Just one of the fun stories she has to tell!)
The Best Things to do on New Year’s Eve With Kids
My little guy and I are always excited for a party or balloon drop, so when New Year's Eve comes around, we're ready to go! Honestly, my old-in-bed-by-9 pm butt would prefer a "Noon...
Christmas Tree Farm Guide
Last year, for the first time ever, we cut down our own Christmas tree at a local tree farm. I still don't know who had more fun—myself, my husband, or our kid! While the...
2023 Holiday Light Display Guide
It's time to light the lights! Check out the best walking and driving places to enjoy holiday light displays across the DMV area!
Walking Light Displays
DC Holiday Lights
Neighborhoods across DC will be decorating their main...
20 Empowering Mom Support Groups in the DC Area
Smile Wonders is proud to sponsor this guide of local Mom Support Groups! All of these groups are here to support moms and create meaningful connections and community.
Dr. Rishita Jaju and her team at...
Geocaching 101: Free, Outdoor, Treasure Hunts
OK, not going to lie. I have no idea how I just found out about geocaching? I had heard that term before but never really knew what it meant. One quick Google search and...
4 Volunteering Opportunities for Kids in the DMV
What could be a better way to teach big concepts like gratitude, empathy, and caring for others than by volunteering? There are tons of ways to be involved as an adult, but it can...
CrossFit Kicks My Booty and I Love It
Chances are, if you’ve heard of CrossFit, you’ve probably heard stories about people doing these off-the-wall, crazy hard workouts and only eating protein shakes. Ok, take that image and scale it way down- that’s...
Guess Who? Playing A Classic Game With A Toddler Twist!
Remember the Guess Who game? Was it one of your favorites as a kid too?
This was the one game that Dad and I played so much we barely needed 3 guesses to figure out...
29 Quick Ways to Get FREE Popular Baby Samples and Items
Pregnant and looking for some baby deals?! The words "free" and "new baby" may seem like opposites, but we there are LOTS of freebies for you and your new little one! Check out the...
Fail Videos Teach My Frustrated Kid to Grow Resiliency
Interested in fail videos to grow resiliency? All too often, social media feeds the terrible habits of us self-diagnosed Type A, perfectionist people. We see perfectly clean and decorated homes, beautifully designed cakes, and...
The Best Local Beer and Cider in the DC Area
4520 Daly Drive, Suite 102
Chantilly, VA 20151571.409.6662Ono Brewing Company is a veteran and family-owned brewery in Chantilly with family connections to Hawaii. "Ono" means delicious in Hawaiian.
Ono features a self-serve beer wall with 12...
Explore Jamaica Like An (Almost) Native
If you find yourself visiting Jamaica, this gorgeous, popular tourist destination, you may want to explore with more of a local's set of eyes. Ok, I’m not a local at all, but being married...
3 Irresistible Authors That Are Mind-Blowing and Incredibly Captivating
Let me start off by saying that I’ve never loved fiction. My go-to has always been murder mystery. Give me a gruesome James Patterson and I’ll be done in a few hours.
Recently though, I...
Toddler-Friendly Summer Scavenger Hunt!
Looking to keep your little one busy this summer? Check out this list of super fun, toddler-friendly activities in and around DC that will put a smile on everyone's face!
Involve your child by taking...