Fredericksburg Parent

12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2019 WRITTEN BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES Just for Moms Puzzle It Out If your group loves mystery games, plan a gathering at a mystery "escape room." In this latest entertainment trend, two or more people are locked in a room and must find and follow clues to break out within a set amount of time. Pamper and Primp Schedule manicures and pedicures for you and your friends. Or check out a blowout bar, where you and your friends can sip refreshments while each get- ting a signature blow dry and style or makeup touch-up. Depending on the size of your group, some spas will book an event just for your party. Although we're rarely alone, motherhood can sometimes feel lonely. Spending time with a few understanding friends to vent, laugh and re-energize in a kid-free zone is healthy, and a great way to shake off the blues. "We tend to be able to schedule nap time for toddlers, bath time for babies to help them relax and even make it easy for our partners to hit the basketball court with buddies. But when it comes to us, we forget that we need the same recharging," says Maria Bailey, host of Mom Talk Radio, author, talk show host and founder of National Mom's Nite out. Whether you have a gaggle of friends, or just a few you'd like to know better, here are 13 ideas to fire up some fun. Tap Your Inner Matisse Studies suggest that artistic engagement can reduce stress and anxiety. Many art studios offer instructor-led, one-time classes created specifically for ladies' nights out. Feel a pleasant drop in your blood pressure while painting and sipping wine in the company of friends. No clean-up required! Swirl, Sniff and Sip Head to one of the area's local wineries for a relaxing wine tasting or host your own. Choose a group of wines from a specific region, ranging from dry to sweet, and hide the names behind a large bow or decorative material. Place a placard with a number in front of each bottle. Give each guest a glass with her own wine charm. Provide scoring sheets for each wine they taste. Serve light appetizers including cheese and crackers, chocolates and palette-cleansing fruits. Coordinate a Book Swap Invite your friends to bring gently used books, cookbooks and magazines they no longer want. Guests can choose as many books to take as they brought to give away. Stephanie Perry, ReadersLane.com, suggests providing post-it notes so your friends can share their thoughts about a particular book. "As they peruse, guests can write in their own respons- es, and some interesting 'conversations' can result," Perry says. "We tend to be able to schedule nap time for toddlers, bath time for babies to help them relax and even make it easy for our partners to hit the basketball court with buddies. But when it comes to us, we forget that we need the same recharging," says Maria Bailey, host of Mom Talk Radio, author, talk show host and founder of National Mom's Nite out. Whether you have a gaggle of friends, or just a few you'd like to know better, here are 13 ideas to fire up some fun. Just for Moms Just for Moms Play Dates

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