R We There Yet Mom? | Family Travel for Texas and beyond...

Top 5 Things to do in Fort Worth

2013-06-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love Fort Worth and was thrilled to see just how many fun things there are to do with kids! That's why I thought it would be fun to ask my children, from their perspective, what they liked best to do in Fort Worth.

I asked my 12 and 10 year old their favorites and why, and this is what they said:

1. Fort Worth Stockyards - There is fun for all ages at the Fort Worth Stockyards. From watching the twice daily cattle drives to walking through all the great historical museums, the Stockyards will keep you busy for hours. My kids really enjoyed running through the Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze and getting their pictures on top of a longhorn steer.

2. Fort Worth Museum of Science & History- There are many choices of museums to see in the Fort Worth Museum District. As a momma, I would recommend you go see them all...but my children really enjoyed the FWMSH the most. There are tons of hands on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX movie theater, and really great visiting exhibitions.

3. Fort Worth Zoo- The Fort Worth Zoo is beautiful - very shaded, tons of animals, and lots of fun. I really enjoy the Texas Wild exhibit, set up like all the different regions in Texas. It is really spread out and never feels crowded. There is also a fun train to ride located just outside the zoo.

4. Log Cabin Village - Located just across the street from the Fort Worth Zoo, the Log Cabin Village is a hidden treasure! Volunteers dressed in period costumes teach visitors all about the cabins they are in and they are fantastic. My children loved hearing about the family that hid form an Indian attack! Don't miss this great place.

5. Fort Worth Water Gardens- I remember visiting the Fort Worth Water Gardens as a child, so I was excited to take the children here. They loved it! There are several different "gardens" to observe - the main one being the most fun to walk down into. This is a great place to let the kids run around and tire out.

For a complete listing of fun things to do in Fort Worth, click here.

Things to do in Fort Worth, Texas

2013-06-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Fort Worth is awesome - no really, it is!! There is SO much to do in Fort Worth, Texas with families!

Here are the Top Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas with Families:

Museums:

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Fire Station No.1 - FWMSH

Top 10 Things to Do at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History

Kimbell Art Museum

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

Parks:

Six Flags Over Texas

Outdoors:

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

Fort Worth Botanic Gardens

Fort Worth Water Gardens

Fort Worth Zoo

Log Cabin Village

Culture:

Cowtown Cattlepen Maze

10 Fun Things to Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards

Sundance Square

Must Try Food Experiences:

Resorts to Stay at:

Gaylord Texan

Great Wolf Lodge

Outside the City:

Grapevine Glockenspiel

Grapevine SEA-Life Aquarium

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Top 5 Things to do in Dallas

2013-06-18T10:36:00.002-05:00

Dallas, Texas is full of fun things to do with kids! There really are a lot of fun choices. That's why I thought it would be fun to ask my children, from their perspective, what they liked best to do in Dallas.

I asked my 12 and 10 year old their favorites and why, and this is what they said:

1. Dallas Zoo - This Zoo has been around for a while and typically would have never made our list for the Top 5. However, the Dallas Zoo has added some really amazing features and upgrades that make it a must see. Our whole family loved feeding the giraffes - we couldn't get enough of it. We watched them train lions and get the elephants to "show off" for us. The animal interactions are top notch here.

2. Perot Museum of Nature & Science - Arguably the best Nature & Science museum in the State - and country - we were thrilled at how much there is to do here. We soared like an eagle, felt an earthquake, programed robots and raced against a cheetah - it's a fantastic museum.

3. Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour - Daily tours are available to see and hear about this architectural marvel. I didn't think it would mean much to my kids, but I was wrong! They really enjoyed their tour - from the locker rooms to the very top!

4. Klyde Warren Park - This is a new park that was built over the top of a freeway in downtown Dallas. My kids really enjoyed just hanging out in a park that provided books, board games, ping pong, foosball, and more. It's a totally new concept for a public park and a great place to relax one morning.

5. Medieval Times - I had serious doubts that I would enjoy our "dinner theatre" at Medieval Times. I couldn't have had more fun! We cheered on our knight and enjoyed every moment of our dinner. It was such a fun ending to our great time in Dallas.

For a complete listing of fun things to do in Dallas, click here.

Top Things to do in Dallas, Texas

2013-06-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

So many amazing things to do in the Dallas area with families. What will you choose?

Here are the Top Things to Do in Dallas, Texas with Families:

Museums:

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park

Dallas World Aquarium

Heritage Farmstead

Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum/Ripley's Believe it or Not

The Old Red Museum

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Sci-Tech Discovery Center

Parks:

Outdoors:

Historical/Culture:

Dallas Heritage Village

Dallas Museum of Art

Reunion Tower Observation Deck

Must Try Food Experiences:

Resorts to Stay at:

Gaylord Texan

Great Wolf Lodge

Omni Dallas

Outside the City:

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Grapevine Glockenspiel

Grapevine SEA-Life Aquarium

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Here's my kids' opinion on what you MUST see when you are in Dallas!

Top 5 Things to do in San Antonio, TX

2013-06-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

When it comes to choosing things to do in San Antonio with kids, the possibilities are endless. There really are a lot of fun choices. That's why I thought it would be fun to ask my children, from their perspective, what they liked best to do in San Antonio.

I asked my 12 and 10 year old their favorites and why, and this is what they said:

1. SeaWorld San Antonio & Aquatica - This theme park tends to top everyone's lists as one of the most fun things to do in San Antonio and it is easy to see why. SeaWorld has amazing shows, fun rides, and tons of animal interactions. This is our first year with season passes and every time we go, I find something new to love. SeaWorld San Antonio is also home to Aquatica, a really fun water park. I also have a 4 year old and I encourage everyone to take their young ones to SeaWorld - he loves it there.

2. The Alamo - Yes, all visitors to San Antonio are told to go to the Alamo. And yes, there is so much more to San Antonio than the Alamo. But my kids really enjoyed seeing it. We saw it after they both took Texas history, so it meant much more to them than just a cool looking building in downtown San Antonio. Try to walk around with a docent and you will learn a lot more. Or if you have time, take in "Alamo: The Price of Freedom" at the RiverCenter Mall's IMAX Theatre if you can - it is a great movie that really explains the history of it well. I have probably seen it over 5 times and still enjoy it.

3. Tower of Americas - Built in 1968 for the World's Fair, this tall tower is a fun spot to see all of San Antonio. My kids really enjoyed zooming up to the top and walking all around to see as far as they could see. It also has a fun 4D movie to watch as well as this amazing wooden playscape down below it.

4. Morgan's Wonderland - We spent all day at this fun theme park made for children of all abilities. Not only are there fun rides, but the most fantastic playscapes, indoor hands-on exhibits, and fishing. Yes, fishing - my big guy was thrilled - he fished all morning and my little guy played on the multiple playgrounds and swings.

5. San Antonio Riverwalk - Another famous spot in San Antonio, my kids really enjoyed cruising down the San Antonio River. The tour guides are funny and knowledgeable. It's a great way to learn more about San Antonio and pick the best place to eat dinner along the Riverwalk!

For more fun things to do in San Antonio, click here.

Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas

2013-06-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

With so many things to do in San Antonio, it is hard to narrow down what to do first. We love how many great family-friendly things there are to do there. San Antonio is filled with culture, history, and food! Amazing food at that! Here are some fun ideas for your next trip.

Here are the Top Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas with Families:

Historical Sites:

Alamo

San Antonio Missions

Tower of Americas

Museums:

Institute of Texan Cultures

Ripley's Attractions in San Antonio

San Antonio Children's Museum

Texas Transportation Museum

Witte Museum

Parks:

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Morgan's Wonderland

Schlitterbahn

SeaWorld San Antonio

SeaWorld San Antonio Aquatica

Outdoors:

Brackenridge Eagle Miniature Train

Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Riverwalk

San Antonio Zoo

Culture:

El Mercado ~ Market Square

La Villita Historic Arts Village

Must Try Food Experiences:

The Gristmill

LuLu's Bakery & Cafe

Rita's on the River

Schilo's Delicatessen

Resorts to Stay at:

Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country

Omni San Antonio at the Collonade - Kid's Fantasy Suite

Outside the City:

Enchanted Rock

LBJ Ranch at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park

McKenna Children's Museum

National Museum of the Pacific War

Sauer-Bachman Farm at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park

Friday Daydreamin': Zipping on through the Summer!

2013-06-13T18:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday friends! Time for Friday Daydreamin'!

Join us each Friday by linking up your favorite travel post of the week and I will do my best to see them all over the weekend. I hope you will take a few minutes and visit some of the link ups too.

I love this link-up party because I get to learn & see so much travel through the eyes of all my fellow travel bloggers. I have learned so many amazing things and seen some gorgeous pictures thanks to y'all sharing your travels here. I hope you continue to do so.

Two weeks into our summer vacation here in Texas - TWO WEEKS??!! Man, it has flown by. But we have already experienced so many fun things - ziplining, Schlitterbahn, SeaWorld, canoeing Lady Bird Lake in Austin, and more. We are going to be exhausted if we keep up this pace!!

And with our 3 week road trip in July, it's going to be a fantastic summer!

How has your summer been so far?? I'd love to hear what you are doing! Link up your favorite travel post of the week below! Then take a few minutes to visit some of the other blogs and see where everyone has been!

10 Tips for Families Visiting Krause Springs ~ Spicewood, TX

2013-06-13T10:09:00.001-05:00

Krause Springs is a GORGEOUS & hidden oasis in the Austin area. With over 32 natural springs on the property that feed both the manmade and natural pools, it is welcome treat on a hot summer day. I put off visiting Krause Springs for a few years and wish I hadn't. It is relaxing and fun for the whole family.

So, if you have been waiting to go, don't. Go this summer and use the following tips to make it a fun trip for your family.

10 Tips for Families Visiting Krause Springs

1. Take the time to visit the Butterfly Gardens. When you first arrive, take a moment to walk through these beautiful gardens, listen to the giant wind chimes, and soak in the serene atmosphere. My children really enjoyed seeing all the flowers, water features, and even caught a glimpse of a snake. I know you are here for the springs, but these gardens are beautiful.

2. Enjoy the manmade pool. This pool is fed with the natural spring water and is just as cool & refreshing as the natural one. It's perfect for anyone who might be squeamish about swimming in the natural pool waters. We went down to the waterfall and grotto when we first arrived and then swam at this pool later in the afternoon. What we found is that it became more and more crowded as the day went on. There are also great picnic areas all around here.

3. Claim a spot on the Rock when you first get here. We visited in May, so we wanted a spot on the rock to warm in the sun. There are lots of shaded areas to choose from as well.

4. Wear shoes with a grip on the bottom. The staircase down to the pool is a bit slippery as the rocks around the pool are too. Make sure your shoes have a grip on the bottom. My flip-flops did not and I was slipping everywhere I stepped. Once I was down to the big rock, I ended up taking them off. And we learned later, there is another staircase to use that is a bit easier to go up & down - keep waking away from the manmade pool, past this one, and you will see it.

5. Stand Under the Waterfalls. The water is COLD. Don't tiptoe your way into it, just get right in. After warming yourself in the sun on the rock, the water feels amazing!!

When we visited, it had rained hard a few days before, so the water was pretty murky. The owner told me that the more people visiting, the less clear the water is form all the silt being stirred up. He did say on a weekday, this water can be crystal-clear blue. That was enough motivation to take a trip back!

6. If you have little ones, try to go with more than one adult. I have a 4 year old and I waited until my husband and friends could go with us to go. If you have little ones, it just makes sense to have more adult eyes and hands to help hold with you.

7. Use common sense while swimming. There are no lifeguards at Krause Springs, so swim at your own risk (there are waivers to sign when you enter). The bottom is rocky, so wading, sitting in a tube and definitely no diving are in order. The area with the rope swing is deep.

8. Go exploring while you are there. We took a short hike into the woods (there are trails) and found another gorgeous waterfall. The friends we were with had recently visited Hawaii and commented that it was just as pretty - not at all what you would expect to see in Central Texas. I didn't have my camera with me, so you are just going to have to make a trip out there to see it in person!

9. Bring a picnic lunch, snacks, & drinks. Feel free to bring your own food. There are grills to cook out on as well. We saw many families have a great big spread - their watermelon looked amazing. No glass containers allowed. You can also pick up BBQ from Opie's BBQ in Spicewood to take out with you. We opted for the snowcones they offer at a stand on site. The perfect summer treat!

10. Weekdays are the best time to go. If you are looking to go when it is less crowded, the owner said that weekdays are best. Now with school out, that may not be the case. However, we were there on Memorial Day and it didn't seem that bad. It was crowded, but it wasn't like we couldn't find a place to sit or the water was too packed. I say go anytime - the springs are worth it!

Texas Travel Facts for Krause Springs:

Location: 404 Krause Spring Rd, Spicewood, TX

Hours: Open 7 days a week; Pools open 9 am til sundown

Admission: Adult (12 and up)- $6.00

Children (11 - 4) - $4.00

Under 4 - FREE

Overnight Camping - $12/$6 per day

Recommended Time: half to full day

Good to know: Cash only (no credit cards), no dog allowed, no glass containers, no smoking

Website: http://www.krausesprings.net

10 Fun Father's Day Gifts in Austin

2013-06-11T08:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day!! Stumped for a unique gift idea to get the main man in your life? Here are 10 Fun ideas you can get here in Austin for Dad. And if you live elsewhere (I'm sorry...) maybe these ideas will give you a bit of inspiration.

10 Fun Father's Day Gifts in Austin

1. Top Golf - Take Dad to one of newest hip spots in town. Top Golf features 102 bays to play this point-scoring golf game that I hear is fun and addictive. This family-friendly atmosphere features food & drinks. Grab a gift certificate for Dad or plan a fun afternoon outing.

2. Bud Light Cedar Park Rodeo - The Cedar Park Center is featuring two nights of professional rodeo action, followed by a night of pro bull riding on June 21, 22, and 23. Get tickets for the whole family to enjoy,

3. iFly Austin - For an experience Dad won't forget, take him indoor skydiving at iFly - but watch out, it is addictive - he might be taking up a new sport once he tries it!

4. Austin Aztec Game - Austin has it's very own PDL soccer team playing all summer long. We are a soccer family, so we enjoy the sport, but it is an easily enjoyed game. The Aztec have several home games to choose from all summer long.

5. SUP - huh? That's Stand Up Paddle boarding and is quickly become a popular sport here in the ATX. It's easy to do and loads of fun. Spend the afternoon paddling around Town Lake then grab a quick bite to eat in downtown Austin.

6. Man of Steel - We do happen to have some pretty great movie theaters in town - you know, ones that allow you to order yummy food and sit comfortably - What better movie to take Dad to see than one about Superman?? Try show times at Flix Brewhouse, Alamo Drafthouse, or iPic at the Domain.

7. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures - Another fun experience to do as a whole family - take Dad on the longest zipline in Texas out at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures!

8. Father's Day Concert with the Austin Symphonic Band - Celebrate Dad in a fun way - spread out your blanket on the Zilker Hillside and listen to the band play familiar tunes at this FREE concert. Sunday, June 16, 2013 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

9. BBQ - Of course, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach...right?? Even if it's not, we have amazing choices for BBQ in this town. Take Dad to Franklin's here in East Austin or trek all the way out to Salt Lick in Driftwood. Where ever Dad's fav BBQ is, make a fun family meal out of it.

10. Father's Day Weekend at Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa - One of our favorite resorts was just renovated this past spring and is looking great. Take dad out for the weekend to enjoy Dad & Me Pedicures at Spa Django, Golf Specials, and a great BBQ Chop House Buffet just for him.

Happy Father's Day to all those amazing Dads out there. We hope it is a relaxing yet fun day with your family!

Top 25 Things to Do in Austin this Summer ~ 2013

2013-06-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Summer everyone! School is out and the kiddos are just itching to do some fun activities! There are so many fun & unique events happening in Austin and surrounding cities over the next three months!! Check these out!

Here are the Top 25 Things to do this Summer in Austin

1. Swim at a Water Hole - Why swim at a boring old pool when there are some gorgeous natural swimming holes and springs in the area? Check out Krause Springs, Hamilton Pool, Blue Hole in Wimberley, or Barton Springs. all summer long

2. Shipwrecked! by Penfold Theatre - Summer kicks off with a fun opportunity to see theater in the park up in Round Rock. Thursday, Friday, & Saturdays in June 8:00 pm

3. Don't just see the Bats this summer - Learn about our amazing bat colony that lives under the Congress Ave Bridge from the Austin Park Rangers. Each Friday night in June at 8pm

4. Austin Sound & Cinema - What could be more fun than a FREE concert & movie on the Long Center lawn?? Take a look at the summer schedule of movies here. Alternating Wednesdays in June 5 - August 21 at 7 pm

5. Blanton Summer Family Program - The Blanton Museum of Art offers Story Time Tours and Art Labs for children each Thursday & Friday this summer. Admission for children 12 and under is free. Thursdays & Fridays June 6 - August 9, 2013

6. National Lampoon's Vacation Quote-a-long - It's been 30 years since this iconic movie was released. Do you rememebr all the lines? No need, the words pop up along the bottom! The Alamo Drafthouse quote-a-longs are a must do event. June 11, June 13, June 18, & June 20, 2003

7. Children's Day Art Park - Each Wednesday morning in June & July, enjoy music, dancing, art, and more. Put on by the Austin Symphony, it is only 50 cents to participate and is one of the highlights of the summer! Wednesdays June 12-July 31 at 9:30 am

8. Austin Mural Photo Scavenger Hunt - Take your next visitors around our wonderful city and Find out more here. anytime

9. Father's Day Concert with the Austin Symphonic Band - Celebrate Dad in a fun way - spread out your blanket on the Zilker Hillside and listen to the band play familiar tunes at this FREE concert. Sunday, June 16, 2013 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

10. Play a Round of Old-School Mini-Golf - Peter Pan Mini Golf takes you back in time with it's whimsical 18-hole golf courses (two of them!). There's not to many of them around the Austin area, so this is a fun treat for the kiddos - especially those who have never played mini-golf! anytime

11. 20th Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot - Come out to the ballpark and watch The Sandlot on the jumbotron while sitting on the Dell Diamond field!! How fun is that? June 25, 2013 7:05 pm

12. Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks - This is the big way to celebrate July 4th here in Austin, on the lawn of Auditorium Shores. July 4, 2013 at 8:30 pm

13. Stargazing Parties - The Summer is a perfect time to get outdoors and observe the celestial skies! And the Austin Astronomical Society offers events each month to look at the stars (Public Star Parties) and the moon (Moonlighting Parties). Make reservations, as these parties fill up quickly! July 6

14. Geocaching - One of my families all time favorite things to do, this Free activity is always available. Check out our Geocaching 101 post here to get started. anytime

15. Watch a League of Their Own at Movies in the Park - A free movie in the park brought to you by Austin Park Foundation and Alamo Drafthouse. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and watch a movie under the stars. Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 8:30 pm

16. "Little Shop of Horrors" Zilker Summer Musical - We always look forward to the annual Zilker Summer Musical as we love the shows! These FREE performances are well attended, so make sure you plan appropriately - here are our tips from last year. Thursdays - Sundays July 12 - August 18 8 - 10 pm

17. Austin Park - This fun family park recently underwent a major rennovation and it looks great. It's a fun day of games, acing, water play, mini golf, and all the pizza you can eat! anytime

18. Bubblepalooza! - A fun day filled with bubbles, music, chalk art, and water fun on the Long Center Terrace. August 3, 2013

19. WWII Family Fun Day - Just a short drive out to Fredericksburg to see one of the best WWII museums west of the Mississippi - the National Museum of the Pacific War They are having a Family Fun Day in August, but a trip put there to see the museum is a great idea anytime. August 3, 2013

20. Austin Pet Expo - Bring your pet (dog, cat, bird, lizard) to see all sorts of fun displays, performances, pet adoptions, vaccinations and more! Free Admission at the Palmer Event Center. August 3, 2013

21. Round Rock Express Game - So many fun things going on up at the Dell Diamond from Kids Days (Sundays) to Dollar Dog Night (Mondays) to Fireworks Fridays. Check out their Full schedule seen here April 4 - September 2, 2013

22. 7th Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival - It's going to be hot in August, so why not cool down with the best treat? FREE Ice Cream plus games, activities, and more. August 17, 2013

23. Canopy Challenge at Natural Bridge Caverns - For a unique challenge after a fun morning at the Natural Bridge Caverns, climb up the Canopy Challenge and zip line down! anytime

24. 9th Annual Night of the Bat Fest - Celebrate one of the coolest things we have in Austin - our 2 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Arts & Crafts, Food, Vendors, Music, and a costume contest! August 24, 2013

25. Staycation! - Book a night (or two) away at one of our great local resorts for you & your spouse or the whole family! We have been to all of the following resorts and they are perfect get-aways for either type of mini-vacation!
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa
Lakeway Resort & Spa
Barton Creek Resort & Spa
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

With lists like these, do you ever wonder why anyone would choose to live anywhere else? Have a wonderful Summer y'all.

Cedar Park Rodeo ~ June 21-23, 2013 {Tickets Giveaway}

2013-06-07T15:45:00.000-05:00

It's Rodeo time up in Cedar Park - for all my Austin friends, this is a really fun opportunity to take your kids to the Rodeo!

Cedar Park Center is pleased to announce the return of the Bud Light Cedar Park Rodeo presented by Hooey Brands on June 21-23, 2013. Get ready for two evenings of professional rodeo action with the Cedar Park Pro Rodeo on June 21-22. Finish out the weekend with the Professional Bull Riders Lucas Oil Touring Pro Division as they take part in the Cedar Park PBR Challenge on June 23rd. You will not want to miss these three days of action packed family entertainment!

Pro rodeo events will include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, girls barrel racing, girls breakaway roping, team roping and mutton busting.

The PBR's Lucas Oil Touring Pro Division offers up-and-coming bull riders and riders not competing on the elite Built Ford Tough Series the opportunity to compete in PBR-sanctioned events while earning money to qualify them for the BFTS and the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals.

Tickets are available at the Cedar Park Center Box Office (512-600-5001), www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or click here. Children’s tickets start at $11!

Cedar Park Center is offering my readers the chance to win one Family Four Pack of tickets to the Friday, June 2, 2013 7:30 pm pro rodeo event! Easy giveaway using the rafflecopter below. Contest begins Friday, June 7, 2013 and concludes at 11:59 pm Friday, June 14, 2013. Winner will be drawn randomly on Saturday, June 15, 2013 and notified by email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Nights at SeaWorld San Antonio

2013-06-07T10:30:00.003-05:00

There are 90 nights of summer to have fun at SeaWorld San Antonio and it kicks off this weekend with Summer Nights! Three great new shows have been added to all the already amazing entertainment that SeaWorld offers. My daughter & I were invited last night to see all three and I have to say, they are fantastic - if you weren't planning on a trip to SeaWorld this summer, these 3 shows may change your mind!

Pets Ahoy
Pets Ahoy opens June 8 in the newly-renovated Sea Star Theater. This comical show features over 130 rescued animals - yes! rescued from shelters across the country, many of which were in San Antonio! The show is adorable, featuring dogs, cats, birds, pigs, and even a skunk! It is heart-warming and makes you want to go home and start teaching your pets some tricks.

After the show, you can meet some of the stars - they love to give kisses!!

And on a side note - you can some some of the amazing conservation efforts that SeaWorld does on the outside of the theater. Look for the big silver silo - it's job is to collect the 1600 gallons of conservation that the 600-seat air conditioned theater makes each day. They use that, along with other silos across the park, to water the landscaping. Way to go SeaWorld!

Opens June 8 - various times throughout the day

Island Nights
Each night at Aquatica, as the sun sets, the beach comes alive with Island Nights. With Polynesian dancers and music, fun beach games and more, this "show" allows you to participate. The San Antonio band, Desert Polynesian, is really good - they set the mood perfectly. My daughter enjoyed limboing and hula hooping yet she shrunk way down in her chair when it came to asking for volunteers to learn to hula. She enjoyed watching the 2 grown men try it out!

Island Nights is available for guests at Aquatica. You can purchase food & drink tickets for island-inspired concoctions. It's a really fun experience to close your day at Aquatica.

June 8 - August 25 & August 31 - September 1
Sunday - Friday - 7:00 - 8:45 pm
Saturday - 7:00 -9:45 pm

Sol Celebration
This dance party has to be the coolest way to end a full day at SeaWorld or Aquatica. It's colorful, loud, and full of energy. Even the most tired guest will find themselves dancing along. The singers & dancers are great. It is set right at the front entrance of the park and there is not a bad seat as the dancing goes on all around you.

Personally, I love stuff like this - we both thought it was a fun way to send you home and say thanks for spending your day at SeaWorld. In my opinion, it's worth hanging out for!

Finale Show - each night 15 mins before the park closes

Other Fun Articles on SeaWorld San Antonio:
Yes! You Should Take Your Toddler to SeaWorld
10 Fun Ways to Get Wet at SeaWorld San Antonio

SeaWorld San Antonio's Aquatica
SeaWorld San Antonio - Know Before You Go!
SeaWorld San Antonio - The Animals!
SeaWorld San Antonio - The Rides!
SeaWorld San Antonio - For Kids!

Friday Daydreamin': Welcome to Summer!

2013-06-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday friends! Time for Friday Daydreamin'!

Join us each Friday by linking up your favorite travel post of the week and I will do my best to see them all over the weekend. I hope you will take a few minutes and visit some of the link ups too.

Summer is here for us in Texas! School is out, the weather is HOT, and we had our annual "Welcome to Summer" trek to our favorite water park this week - Schlitterbahn in New Branufles, Texas. It was a perfect day to slip down the slides, catch some rays, and despite FOUR applications of 50 SPF sunblock, get a sunburn. Welcome to summer indeed!

Where does your summer plans have you visiting?? LInk up your favorite travel post of the week! We would love to hear all about it!

Summer Camps at Cook Learn Grow ~ Austin, TX

2013-06-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

A fun way to entertain your kiddos this summer is to explore their interests through summer camps. I am a horrible cook, so when it comes to teaching my children how to cook, I have failed miserably. Good thing there are people out there that LOVE to teach and are good at it. Such as in the fun summer cooking camps I found at Cook Learn Grow!

Cook Learn Grow is an Austin cooking school for kids. I met the owner, Lori, through a mutual friend and just loved her heart & mission to start this school. The Cook Learn Grow mission is to lead people to a positive and healthy relationship with food through food literacy while creating fun and delicious memories. They offer afterschool programs, classes, and fun summer camps for kids.

They have a really fun summer camp that still has openings, so I wanted to share that with you all:

The following camps still have openings:

WestlakeEanes ISD Community Ed: Hill Country Middle School, June 17-20, 9a-12pm ages 5-10 and 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Lakeway Activity Center: June 17-20, 9a-12pm ages 5-10 and 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Dripping Springs ISD Community Ed: DS Middle School-June 24-27, 9a-12pm ages 5-10 and 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Steiner Ranch: Towne Lake, July 1-4, 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Brushy Creek Community Center: July 9-11, 1-4pm

Round Rock Parks & Rec: Baca Center-July 15-18, 9am-12pm, ages 5-10 and 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Davis Elementary School: July 22-25, 9am-12pm, ages 5-10

Austin Children's Academy: July 29-Aug 1, ages 5-10

Jewish Community Center: Aug 19-21, 9-12pm, ages 5-10 and 2-5pm, ages 11-13

Check out these amazing opportunities for your children to Cook, Learn & Grow!

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures~ Austin, Texas

2013-06-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

When most think of ziplining, they think you have to go on a tropical vacation to experience it. Not so Central Texas friends - Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is less than a 30 minute drive from downtown Austin and features the 3rd, the 2nd and the LONGEST zipline in Texas!! My children and I were able to experience it last week it is was just as my son describe it, "Best Day EVER!"

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is on an isolated corner on the north side of Lake Travis. The course sits on 88 acres, with only 2% of the land actually developed for the ziplines. This is their 3rd season and they are quickly becoming more and more popular as they word gets out how fun this is.

Each tour last 2 1/2 - 3 hours, depending on how many are in your tour. Once a few waivers are signed, you load up in a van for a quick drive to the marina. A fun boat ride over the the launch and you are at the "zipline island". Ok, so it's not really an island - but it feels so remote, let's just pretend it's one - ok?

The guides, I have to say, have the most fun job! They are entertaining yet there for your safety and they do an excellent job of that. After a few brief instructions, we gear up and head to our first zipline.

The first two are baby ziplines to get you ready for the biggies. These get the fear of what you are doing out of your system as there is a guide on each end helping you on and off. These lines allow you to relax and enjoy the experience.

And then you head to the 3rd zipline - one of the three big ones. My kids were fearless, asking the guides how they could go even faster. There was something about a cannonball and a pencil.....no thank you.

I just wanted to take my time and enjoy the amazing scenery. Even with Lake Travis down so low, the views were still amazing. It was an incredible feeling to be "flying" so high. And I really loved the length of the lines, it gave you plenty of opportunity to look around and enjoy.

Between the lines, there were a few strenuous hikes. As our guide said, "You have to hike up, to enjoy the ride down." There was plenty of shaded rest stops and cold water bottles at almost every line, so it was absolutely do-able. And no one was ever rushing you to get up the hills as fast as you could. Honestly, the hikes were so worth the climb.

And finally, we arrive at the grand finale - the longest zipline in Texas and the 9th longest in the world. This baby is 2800 feet long and over 20 stories high. And there are 2 lines, so you can race against someone on the way down.

Remember what I said about not wanting to go fast? Yeah, that all went out the window as I saw the person zooming past me. This momma curled up into a cannonball and won that race! Whee!

And my kids weren't "racing" either....at least that's the story from the one who came in second.

I was pleasantly surprised at the length of the tour and felt that it was well worth the cost. It was such a fun experience - we enjoyed each of the lines, laughed at our entertaining guides, met new friends, and bonded over a really cool experience. You seriously need to put this on your to-do list.

If the daytime hikes intimidate you in the heat, there are sunset hikes on the weekends and once a month full moon zips too.

And check out this deal in June ----> Children under 17 can go for free with a full-price adult! Offer is good on Monday-Thursday until June 30. Now you have no excuses to go.

Other Fun Things to Do in Austin:
Austin Bats
Austin Children's Museum
Austin Mural Scavenger Hunt
Austin Nature & Science Center
Austin's Park
Austin Zoo
Big Top Candy Shop
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Cathedral of Junk
Cedar Rock Railroad
The Dinosaur Park
Dino Pit
iFly
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Mt. Bonnell
Pioneer Farms
Texas Military Forces Museum
Texas State Capitol
Waterloo Ice House

Texas Travel Facts for Lake Travis Zipline Adventures:

Location: 14529 Pocohontas Trail, Leander, TX

Hours: Daily, call for tour times

Admission: $95/ person

Recommended Time: 3-4 hours

Good to know: Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes to wear; children must be 10 years or older and weigh at least 70 pounds; pictures available for purchase

Website:http://www.ziplaketravis.com

My family and I were invited to visit the zipline and were provided admission. I was not financially compensated for this post. All opinions of Lake Travis Zipline Adventures are strictly my own based on my experience.

10 Fun Things to Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards ~ Fort Worth, TX

2013-05-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

1. See a Cattle Drive
What the Fort Worth Stockyards are known for, no visit is complete without watching a cattle drive. You can see the drive daily at 11:30 am or 4:00 pm.

2. Visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
This museum in the Stockyards pays tribute to over 70 cowboys & cowgirls. There are interactive exhibits and a fun are for children.

3. Bull Riding at Billy Bob's
Once you've learned about all the amazing Texas Cowboys, head on over to Billy Bob's to see bull riding in person. Billy Bob's also features a large dance floor with country music headliners quite often. And there is a big arcade, making it a fun place for the entire family.

4. Run the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze
One of my kid's favorite things to do here, they each worked their way through this confusing cattlepen maze. There is a great observation deck to watch your family scramble their way through it.

5. Sit on a Steer
If you've never met a longhorn steer up close, now's your chance. There are always a few scattered on the street available for pictures, petting, and sitting on. A small fee is asked for pictures.

6. See the Rodeo
Every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, see the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum. You can purchase tickets here.

7. Ride a Horse
The Fort Worth Stockyards Stables offers both Trail and Arena horseback riding at the Stockyards. They also have a great petting zoo for the little ones.

8. Visit the Stockyards Museum
This cool museum has fun artifacts that bring Stockyard history to life. Make sure you see the 103-year burning light bulb, the bad-luck wedding dress, and the white buffalo skin, among other cool things.

9. Walk the Streets
We had more fun just walking the streets of the Stockyards. Watch out for the stars that make up the Texas Trail of Fame, the great murals, and where the Chisholm Trail began. Head over to the Visitors Center to learn about the Historical Walking Tours they offer.

10. Grab a Souvenir & Eat some good grub!
Stockyards Station has lots of fun shops to pick up a cowboy hat or some spurs and inexpensive restaurants to grab a quick bite. If you want something a bit more fancy....like a juicy steak, head on up the street and you'll be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Honestly, the list could be longer!! There is so much fun to be had at the Fort Worth Stockyards!

Other Fun Things to Do in Fort Worth:

Fort Worth Museum of Science & History

Fort Worth Zoo

Cowboy Stadium Tour

Grapevine Vintage Train

Cowtown CattlePen Maze

Log Cabin Village

Texas Travel Facts for Fort Worth Stockyards:

Location: Visitor's Center: 130 East Exchange Ave. Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Admission: Free, various attractions may cost

Recommended Time: 3-5 hours

Good to know: Parking close by, take your time, do what you want, take as many pictures as you'd like!

Website:http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/

10 Packing Tips for Travel with Little Ones

2013-05-29T13:29:00.000-05:00

Summer is almost here! If you are heading out to travel with your little ones this summer, here are a few packing tips you may not have thought about.

If you Google “Vacation Packing Tips” you will get a gazillion hits. There are lots of great lists that you can print off to help you pack for any climate you may be visiting. Since everyone has their own way of packing what they feel they need, I don’t feel like I can tell you to bring a certain number of swimsuits or changes of clothes – you know what you feel comfortable with.

What I can do, is provide you with 10 things you didn’t necessarily think of when you are packing. I am a complete under-packer and never have exactly what I need when I need it. So these tips are ones I have discovered by trial and error over the many years I have had children. And these ten items are things I don't leave home without.

10 Quick Packing Tips for Travel with Little Ones

1. Brightly colored outfits: If you dress your kids in bright colors or prints, they are much easier to spot in crowds versus browns or blacks. And remember what color your child has on for the day!

2. Identification wristbands: I recently did a review on Call Me Cuffs - the preprinted ID bands - and I love them! My youngest loves to wear his "bracelet". You can certainly make your own ID bands, pin your contact info on the inside of a pocket or just do what I used to do - write your cell phone on their arm with a marker!

3. Long-sleeved PJs – It never fails - hotel rooms are always 10 degrees colder than home. So my kids gladly wear longer pjs when we travel.

4. Medicine – You never know what can happen on vacation, so it's best to bring your own supply of medicines your children might need. I always have pain reliever and allergy medicine with me. Besides, you never know how long that $10 bottle of Children's Tylenol has been sitting on the hotel gift shop shelf.

5. Umbrella Stroller - Easy to fold and carry, it's always nice to have a place for your little one to rest their legs. For our family, it allows us to move a bit quicker when we'd like to - especially through the airport.

6. Backpack - Keep 2 hands free at all times by carrying everything you need - wallet, camera, cell phone, bottles, snacks, etc. - in a backpack.

7. Baby Powder - It's the miracle cure for cleaning sand off the body. Sprinkle it on you hands and wipe all the sand off your kids legs and feet in one motion.

8. Plastic bags - One can never have enough plastic bags to throw wet clothes, garbage, or other stuff in. Wadded up, they take up no room, so throw a couple in with you.

9. Electronics Bag - Don't ever hunt around for your Kindle charger or camera cords again if you keep them all in a zippered pouch.

10. Child's favorite toy (or 2) - Bring a little piece of home with you on vacation to comfort your child. Many have said that we are daring as we have always brought our kiddos' blankies/lovies on vacation with us, but it is the best way to get them to sleep at night or calm them down when they are upset. Maybe you are afraid to lose it? Ask your child to pick a toy that represents "home" to them. Tell them if they need a little bit of comfort from home to hold it tight!

I hope these tips help make your travels that much smoother - I am sure there are more great tips out there. I'd love to hear yours! Leave me a comment with what you never leave home without!

Here are more fun Travel Ideas:
5 Fun Road Trip Games
Preserving Travel Memories
Ideas to Save for Your Next Trip
Wanna Save Up for Vacation?
Amazing Car Games
Reader Travel Tips

iFly Austin ~ Austin, Texas

2013-05-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Want to fly without having to jump out of an airplane? You can - and it's right here in Austin. At iFLY Austin, you can act like a skydiver and fly around without ever having to strap on a parachute. It's called Indoor Skydiving - kinda like Jumbo Shrimp huh? - and it is quickly becoming one of the coolest experiences in Austin.

When I was invited to take a flight this past week, I imagined all sorts of things that made me fearful to try it.....

I imagined there would be a huge fan at the bottom of the wind tunnel blowing air upward. Just having to look at those big blades while flying was enough to almost make me say no. But I'm glad I didn't. There are not any big fan blades to intimidate you. The technology on how the wind tunnel works is pretty darn cool. I'm not smart enough to explain it all (but they are here), however the basic design is in the two big fan tunnels on either side of the wind tunnel. They generate up to 1600 horsepower of wind that creates a cushion of air to float on safely.

I imagined that indoor skydiving is only for professionals....that I would be living on the edge by trying it...one of the cool kids. True, indoor skydiving is used by professional skydivers to practice maneuvers. But it is also a fun sport that is safe for anyone - iFLY Austin has seen 3 year olds and they have seen 93 year olds enjoy flying. Certified instructors are with you in the tunnel the whole time and are there to ensure you not only have a great time but to keep you safe as well.

iFLY actually is a safer alternative to the real thing. You get a two to three times longer free fall, as you have a 1-2 minute flight in the tunnel versus a 30 second free fall in the sky. Before you ever get in the tunnel, you watch a safety video, go over proper body positioning and learn all the right hand signals.

I imagined I'd be nauseous with my stomach in my throat at the free-fall sensation the whole time. Not a bit. In fact, there is not a free-fall sensation at all. You just feel wind blowing forcefully on you, but to be honest, you are so in awe of the fact that you are actually flying, that you really don't "feel" anything at all.
I imagined there was no wind strong enough in the world that could hold this momma up. As soon as I "laid" into the wind and was gently picked up, that thought disappeared. There is a "driver" of the tunnel that controls the air speed depending on whose flying. I had visions of little kids blown to the top of the tunnel a la Willie Wonka style. Everyone flies at a different wind speed. And they push it up a bit for the tricks and the high flyers - which I may have experienced.....

And I imagined I would look like Wile E Coyote trying to fly off a cliff....scrambling through the air, trying to stay a float. Cause let's face it, I'm not the most graceful momma. But the moment you lay into the wind, having faith that you will float, all concern about how you look, goes out the window. I mean, your flying.....I don't care what I looked like - it was amazing!! Take a look:

I really had such an amazing time at iFLY Austin - one of the coolest things I have done in a long time! While I was there I saw a little one fly and he was so comfortable at it that it made me want to bring my kiddos - it is on our Summer Bucket List for sure!

iFLY Austin is a great family activity but they host birthday parties too - What a fun way to celebrate turning 16! Or 12...or 10? Birthday parties include flights for all participants.

Once you try it, you only want more, which is why iFLY offers great deals for return flyers as well. And I hear they even have a kids club!

So, now that I've taken all the fear away - who's going to try it this summer?

Other Fun Things to Do in Austin:

Austin Bats

Austin Children's Museum

Austin Mural Scavenger Hunt

Austin Nature & Science Center

Austin's Park

Austin Zoo

Big Top Candy Shop

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Mt. Bonnell

Pioneer Farms

Texas Military Forces Museum

Texas State Capitol

Waterloo Ice House

Texas Travel Facts for iFLY Austin:

Location: 13265 N Hwy 183, Austin, TX

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Friday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

Sunday: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Admission: Fees vary based on experience

Recommended Time: 1-2 hours

Good to know: Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes to wear under jumpsuit; Video and pictures available for purchase

Website:http://austin.iflyworld.com/

5 Things you Must Do at the Dallas Zoo ~ Dallas, TX

2013-05-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

As we lived in Dallas for many years, we have visited the Dallas Zoo a fair bit. And truth be told, it always was a bit dated in it's appearance. But not anymore! The Dallas Zoo has added tons of great new exhibits and looks fantastic now.

This past winter, my family and I had the opportunity to see the Dallas Zoo's newer exhibits first hand. I was pleasantly surprised at how many great, new things there are to do there...many of which you can ONLY experience at the Dallas Zoo.

Take a look at FIVE Things you MUST do at the Dallas Zoo:

Feed a Giraffe
1. One of the most exciting new exhibits we saw at the Dallas Zoo was the Giants of the Savanna. Here you can see animals that call the Savanna home in their unique but familiar habitat. We really enjoyed the Elephant Talk with a zoologist where we learned about their habits and play. We also were able to see lions training up close.

But our most favorite thing we experienced at the Dallas Zoo was feeding & petting the giraffes. For $5, you can get a handful of lettuce and feed these gentle giants straight from your hand. We were amazed at how they patiently eat the lettuce and allow you to nuzzle them. It was a really cool experience.

Watch the Birds Fly
2. See trained birds fly, swoop, and dive at SOAR, a Festival of Flight. We are big fans of animal encounters and love that more and more zoos are taking the time to teach visitors about their animals. This free show has over 20 different species of birds and is fantastic. You can pick up a ticket to this twice daily (weekdays, 3 times a day on weekends) when you first walk into the Zoo. Don't miss it!

Ride, Splash, and Learn
3. Let your children learn through hands-on activities at the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo. Children of all ages enjoy the opportunity to ride a pony on the farm, swap objects found in nature, feed birds, and splash in the cool stream. We especially enjoyed the JCPenny Discovery House, where there were several hands-on displays and activities to try.

See the Animals from Above
4. This one has been around for a while, but our family still enjoys the Monorail Safari in the Wilds of Africa. You can ride comfortably over the animal enclosures while learning all about each animal as the tour guide narrates the ride. See 6 different African habitats on this 20 minute ride, many of which can only be seen this way.

Go Down Under in Texas
5. Meet the only koalas in Texas at the Koala Encounter. I was surprised to hear that these cute and cuddly bears were the only ones in Texas. There are also other fun animals from down under to see here - wallabies, lorikeets, and kookaburras!!

There are tons more fun things to do at the Dallas Zoo. My 10 year old son wanted to spend all day in the Reptile House. We actually were able to watch a rattlesnake have lunch while we were there. It was really cool to walk through the Ghosts of the Bayou exhibit there too.

The Dallas Zoo also features a train and a carousel to ride for a small additional fee.

The Dallas Zoo is not finished remodeling, as they were making a big picnic enclosure while we were there. They are currently celebrating 125 years with 125 Great Reasons to "Do the Zoo" - many more than I have listed here!

Take the opportunity to visit the Dallas Zoo next time you are in town. It is well worth it and with their new additions, moving quickly up the list of Best Zoos in Texas!

While you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area, here are more fun things to try:

Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Klyde Warren Park

Dallas World Aquarium

Cowboys Stadium Tour

Cowtown CattlePen Maze

Log Cabin Village

Medieval Times

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Grapevine Vintage Train

Fort Worth Zoo

North Texas Factory Tours

Paradise Springs at The Gaylord Texan

The Gaylord Texan

Texas Travel Facts for Dallas Zoo:

Location: 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas

Hours: Daily: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Admission: Adults: $15.00

Children (3-11): $12.00

Under 2: Free

Recommended Time: 3-4 hours

Good to know: Parking is $8; Take the DART; Feeding and talks are scheduled throughout the day; strollers are welcome; gift shop; restaurants

Website:http://www.dallaszoo.com/

My family and I were invited to visit the zoo and were provided admission. I was not financially compensated for this post. All opinions of Dallas Zoo are strictly my own based on my experience.

5 Fun Ways to Welcome Summer!

2013-05-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

What could be more exciting that celebrating the END of the School Year???? How about celebrating the BEGINNING of Summer??

As we are always VERY excited for summer to start, we like to welcome it in a very FUN way.

Here are 5 FUN ways to WELCOME SUMMER!

Bus Stop Party
Welcome your children home from school right as they step off the school bus for the last time that year with signs, party hats and noisemakers. Make a big deal and watch them come off the bus cheering!

Water Fight
Have loads of water balloons & filled water guns at the ready, so you can make a big splash as they get home. This is a great idea for the whole street to get into a big water fight together. Make sure you recruit other parents so everyone can be involved. One year, we took it a step further and used whipped cream!

School Year Finish Line
Create a BIG sign that says "Welcome to Summer" and drape it across your door way. Have the kids run through it with arms in the air...they are celebrating a milestone!

Buckets O' Summer Fun
Fill a bucket with all the supplies you need to start your summer off with a bang. We always fill one with new sunscreen, goggles, fun snacks, books, and new games to try.

Surprise Trip
Blindfold your children and take them somewhere fun for the weekend. Kick off your summer travels with a surprise trip. Here in Texas, we have some fantastic resorts to go to for a few days, such a Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort or the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country.

Take one of these great ideas and start your summer off in a FUN way!! Happy Summer!

Friday Daydreamin': My Favorite City

2013-05-23T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday friends! Time for Friday Daydreamin'!

Join us each Friday by linking up your favorite travel post of the week and I will do my best to see them all over the weekend. I hope you will take a few minutes and visit some of the link ups too.

Do you have big plans for Memorial Day Weekend? We don't - we are heading to a soccer tournament for my daughter. Good thing is, it's in one of my very favorite cities.

San Antonio feels like home to me. Even though I only lived there until I was 12, I have a certain sense of comfort when I visit.

It is such a beautiful and historic city, that I thought I'd give you the "birds-eye" view of it today from one of the prettiest landmarks in the city, the Tower of America.

What catches your eye first? Is it the red Torch of Friendship given to San Antonio by Mexico? The sunflower roof on top of the convention center? How about the box-shaped hotel between the two - the first hotel that was pieced together room by room by crane? The rooms were completely made up (including the TVs) before being placed together like an intricate puzzle.

Maybe your looking for the Alamo? That's it right in the center - the white domed roof surrounded by trees. You can't see the iconic front that everyone is familiar with from here - but it quickly identifiable to all Texans.

I just love this city. Do you have a favorite city?

Link up your favorite Travel Posts of the week - I love to daydream about where you have been! And take some time to give your fellow bloggers some love as well!

Inks Lake State Park ~ Texas Hill Country

2013-05-23T08:33:00.000-05:00

The Texas Hill Country is rich with outdoor activities you can enjoy year round. Inks Lake State Park, located near Burnet, features hiking, camping, canoeing, swimming and so much more.

We recently visited over Spring Break – it was a perfect day to enjoy the warmer temperatures in a gorgeous setting. We just went for the day and didn’t anticipate spending as much time as we did there. Simply put – it was a fantastic place to unplug and enjoy the beautiful Hill Country.
We started with a hike to Devil’s Waterhole. This small extension of Inks Lake, the Devil’s Waterhole is completely surrounded by bare pink granite hills. We sat in amazement watching kids jumping form this huge rock into the cool waters below. This well-known waterhole is a popular site to spend the day cliff-jumping. I can’t find much on the depths of the water here online, but it must be pretty deep. Those kids were having a blast.

We hiked on around the trails in the north part of the park, looking for a few geocaches and came upon this great little stream and water hole to cool off in – more my style. It was great to relax in the sun while the kids & dog splashed around.

Inks Lake State Park has several great picnic sites to enjoy lunch at. We had a leisurely meal while the kids played on the playground – been a while since they enjoyed an old-school teeter-totter – and watched the fishermen on the pier.

Once re-fueled, we braved another hike, this time on the southern end of the park. The Pecan Flats area offers a few different hikes and even primitive camping (no thanks). This state park has a ton of great geo-caches to find which made our hikes even more interesting. I loved how the hikes were both shaded with gorgeous Texas trees and covered gorgeous pink granite hillsides.

Inks Lake is also a popular camping destination, with reservations booked up months in advance. You can rent canoes and kayaks and there are lots of great events with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Ranges that are offered on the weekends and throughout the summer. Click here to see their events schedule.

Inks Lake State Park makes a wonderful day trip from Austin or a weekend camping trip to get out and enjoy all the Texas Hill Country has to offer.

More Fun Things to do in the Hill Country:

Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm

LBJ Ranch at Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park

Longhorn Caverns State Park

National Museum of the Pacific War

Enchanted Rock

Vanishing Texas River Cruise

Sweetberry Farm in the Fall

Picking Strawberries at the Sweetberry Farm

BlueBonnet Cafe

Salt Lick BBQ

Texas Travel Facts for Inks Lake State Park:

Location: Burnet, TX

Hours: Open 7 days a week; no gate; office hours vary; always open at 8:00 am

Admission: Adult (Day Use)- $6.00

Adult (Overnight) - $5.00

Children 12 and under - Free

Recommended Time: half to full day

Good to know: All ages welcome, lots of walking, bring a picnic lunch (tables are available), pets on leash, bring bug spray and sunblock; swimsuits to play in water

Website:http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/inks-lake

Win a ZACH Theatre Camp!!

2013-05-22T17:17:00.003-05:00

This past year, we have had the opportunity to attend many of the performances at the ZACH Theatre. They have all been wonderful and have made my daughter appreciate the theater even more.....so much so, she choose Theater as one of her electives in middle school. And when ZACH Theatre announced their Summer Camp lineup, we knew these were going to be GREAT camps.

This summer, ZACH Theatre is offering some pretty unique and fun camps for all ages. Pick a Creative Drama Camp and pick from themes ranging from Myths & Monsters, Beatles, Dr. Seuss, and more. The Theatre Skills camps have Hogwarts, Step Up!, and Wild West themes. You can see the complete schedule here.

WHY ZACH CAMP?
The Performing Arts School at ZACH Theatre is proud to be a leader in theatre arts education. Since 1970 we have enjoyed watching our students nourish their imagination and creativity while also developing confidence and valuable interpersonal skills like communication, team-work and an appreciation for diversity. We offer process-oriented, production based instruction that provides opportunities to explore, develop, apply and refine expression through performance in a supportive environment. Our instructors are professional theatre artists and experienced drama teachers.

The cool thing is, ZACH Theatre is offering my readers the chance to win a slot in the below summer camp:

HALF-DAY IMAGINATION EXPLORATION | Ages 4-5
Go on an adventure this summer! In Imagination Exploration, students start with an imaginary character with an imaginary problem and the story grows from there. By learning theatre games and creating unique characters, students travel through their imagination to an original world that they create based on the theme of the week. Students gain skills in sharing ideas, giving and taking focus, and creative expression.

JULY 22-26 | OPPOSITES: Through movement, art projects and creative adventures students will explore hot & cold, heavy & light, straight, curvy & more!

Please see below to sign up to win. You have several chances!

Contest begins, Wednesday, May 22 and ends Wednesday, May 29. I will announce the winner on Thursday, May 30. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sale on Disney Storybook Apps {Road Trip Fun}

2013-05-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

I have been doing a lot of research lately on Road Trip Fun for my kiddos - from games to books to smart phone apps - and found a GREAT deal on some Disney books. Disney Publishing is running a Mid-May Madness Sale on all Storybook apps! From celebrated heroines in Cinderella, Tangled, and Brave to loveable creatures in Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo – these apps foster reading skills and dive into the back stories of these beloved characters.

The sale runs from May 17 – May 21 and all Storybook apps below will be $4.99 only!

Wreck-It-Ralph Storybook Deluxe – Relive the incredible story of the Disney animated film Wreck-It Ralph – and, create and race your very own kart against other racers in the film! Wreck-It Ralph longs to be as beloved as his game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix, Jr.

Cars 2 Storybook Deluxe – Experience the action-packed story of Disney/Pixar’s Cars 2 in this supercharged children’s book app filled with vibrant art, professional narration, exciting music and sound effects, plus A-list celebrity voices from the film.

Finding Nemo Storybook Deluxe – Through engaging narration, authentic underwater sound effects, and original graphics from the Academy Award winning movie, families can explore the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbor, and the world of reading together.

Brave Storybook Deluxe – Experience the magic of Disney/Pixar’s Brave as an interactive storybook app. Read along and discover beautiful art, stunning animation, and special effects. Even hunt for hidden arrows and take aim in a Medieval-style archery game!

Monsters, Inc Storybook Deluxe – Relive the incredible story of the highly acclaimed film classic Disney-Pixar Monsters, Inc. and find hidden Scare cards throughout the story. Navigate your way through a Monsters, Incorporated scare simulator training room to collect scream energy!
Tangled: Storybook Deluxe – Disney’s “Tangled” is re-imagined in this interactive app. Read along and explore the magical world of Rapunzel through vibrant animated scenes with interactive tap-and-play surprises! Multiple reading modes include Follow Along, Read and Explore, Record Your Own Voice.

Cinderella: Storybook Deluxe – Disney’s Cinderella has enchanted generations with its spellbinding story, charming music, and endearing characters that live in your heart forever. The Cinderella: Storybook Deluxe app includes a full retelling of the film with fresh illustrations, engaging narration, music and sound effects, as well as whimsical interactivity on every page.

Hurry! Sale ends Tuesday, May 21, 2013!

Natural Bridge Caverns Canopy Challenge & Zip Lines ~ New Braunfels, TX

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

As if Natural Bridge Caverns needed even more reasons to love them, they recently opened up an amazing ropes course and zip line. The Canopy Challenge & Zip Lines is a fun way to stretch yourself, test your fear of heights, and have a ball doing it.

The Canopy Challenge is a 60-foot, four-tiered adventure course filled with 47 different obstacles. You are fitted in a harness and clipped in throughout the entire challenge. The obstacles include tightropes, small beams to cross, and other rope challenges as you work your way up to the top and towards the zip line.

Every participant is fitted in a harness and checked multiple times to ensure you are safely strapped in. And then you are off! You have 30 minutes to make your way to the top. Both of my older two really enjoyed the challenge, but they are fearless and raced their way to the top.

I, on the other hand, felt that if you concentrated on what you were doing and not where you were, you could relax and take on each challenge for what it was.

I love that they have a Canopy Kids Course for kids who are under 48 inches tall. It is perfect for toddlers and children under 6. They are strapped in, just like the older kids, and can go through their “challenge” as many times as they like – it’s only a few feet off the ground. Mom or Dad can walk along side them (required).

You have the option of taking one of the four zip lines down for an additional price. The zip lines are open depending on the weather. You can always take the stairs down from the top of the Canopy Challenge if you wish.

A few things to know about the Canopy Challenge:

Participants must be at least 48 inches in height or be chaperoned by another responsible member of your party.
A chaperone can be another adult or older sibling at least 17 years old
All Canopy Challenge Zip Line participants must weigh over 60 lbs.
The minimum weight requirement can change due to wind or weather conditions daily.
Both the challenge & zip line have a maximum weight limit of 300 lbs and maximum height of 6’ 8”.
No flip flops or open heeled sandals are allowed.

We felt the cost was minimal for a fun climb. It will get HOT during the summer, so our best advice is to try the challenge when they first open at 10:30 am. Also, visit during a weekday to avoid bigger crowds. You can always visit the Canopy Challenge without touring the Caverns, though the Caverns are amazing and should definitely be seen if you haven’t yet.

Other great things to check out in New Braunfels:

Top 10 Reasons to Go to Schlitterbahn
Yes! You Can Take a Toddler to Schlitterbahn
Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
McKenna Children's Museum

Snake Farm
Landa Park Aquatics Complex
The Gristmill

Texas Travel Facts for the Natural Bridge Caverns:

Location: Exit 175 off I-35, Natural Bridge Caverns Rd

Hours: Mon-Sun: 9 am - 4 pm (closing hours vary in the summer)

Admission: Canopy Challenge Adventure Course $ 17.99

Canopy Challenge Zip Lines (one Tower, two Zip Lines) $ 17.99

Canopy Challenge Combo – Adventure Course and Zip Lines $ 27.99

Add a second Zip Line Tower (two more Zip Line rides) $ 9.99

Canopy Kids Adventure Course $ 4.99

Recommended Time: 2+ hours

Good to know: closed toe shoes, snack bar on site, free parking

Website:http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/