As moms we don’t always have the opportunity to get dressed up. Even putting together an outfit for a typical day can sometimes be a challenge. Spit up. Snack remains. Boogers. It all somehow ends up on our clothes which is why the mom’iform became trendy!

But even when wearing our go-to yoga pants and tee, we don’t have to look sloppy! Enter Old Navy.

Old Navy has a collection that’s perfect for when we’re tending to our little one’s or (using what the clothes were intended for) that early morning run. And with fun colors and comfortable material, I’d easily trade in my favorite pair of sweats for these adorable capris from Active by Old Navy.

Just because we don’t always have it together doesn’t mean we can’t at least look like we do! 

The Active by Old Navy collection offers an assortment of styles and colors at an affordable price, and the Old Navy Compression Collection features everything from solid color leggings to color block capris, sports bras, tanks, shorts and jackets, AND offers performance fit for added support and a slimmer silhouette.

Designed with the highest level of technology, active items are made with cotton, spandex and GoDry Fabric, which quickly wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable, and flat lock seams and tag-free labels prevent chafing to ensure you stay focused on the task at hand. 

And for those of you who are a lot more motivated than me, Old Navy is helping you put that cute Active wear to use next weekend! (I mean, exercise in active wear? Who would have thought!?) 

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Active by Old Navy is bringing Pretty Muddy to Dallas on June 1^st and to celebrate, Dallas Moms Blog is offering an opportunity to win a $100 Old Navy gift card! 

Join us on Pinterest and follow these simple steps to enter to win a $100 Old Navy gift card or one of (3) $50 Old Navy gift cards.  Winners will be pulled at random, announced and contacted via email on Wednesday, May 29^th.

 Here’s How to Qualify:

Step 1:  Follow us on Pinterest

Step 2:  Pin your favorite Active by Old Navy items

Step 3:  Must include the hashtag #getactivewithON in your pin

Step 4: Post the link to your pin in the comments section of this post along with your email address for prize redemption

Optional: Please note that you can share your pin via Facebook and Twitter to gain more than one entry but must put the link to the shares’ URL’s in separate comments so they are counted as different entries.

We’ve already started a #GetActivewithON Pinterest Board for you to find our contributors’ favorite active wear, links to healthy recipes and DMB blog posts, and a little “motivation” prior to the race!

Want to Participate in the Run? Pretty Muddy Mud Run is a 5k adventurous obstacle course mud run for any woman who wants to get outside, spend time with friends and have fun getting a little dirty.

WHEN:       Saturday, June 1, 2013 

WHERE:      Skyline Ranch (1801 E Wheatland Rd Dallas, TX 75241)

Visit www.prettymuddy.com to register.

After the race runners will be treated to an Old Navy Fashion show featuring their latest active wear trends.

So, place your iPods in those easy fuss-free storage pockets in the Active by Old Navy pants, grab a friend, and head to the Pretty Muddy race next Saturday! We’ll see you there!

Inspired by our sister moms over at the Quad City Moms Blog, we’ve decided to start a new series called Fashion Fridays where we focus on mommy fashion topics.

First topic on the docket: “upstyling” your wardrobe.

We all know when we became moms, the only clothing shopping you really do these days comes in sizes 9 months and 4T.  There isn’t always a lot of money left to treat yourself like you used to in those fashionable pre-children days.

But who said you need to buy new clothes to feel like you have a new wardrobe?

A dear friend of mine, Carson Carney, is a closet consultant and taught me a genius closet trick: Take what you have in your closet and make it new again.  It’s called “upstyling”.

Example 1: Re-hem.

Do you have a few knee-length skirts or dresses that might need an update?  Carson had me take a stack of skirts and dresses to my favorite tailor to hack off six inches or more.  The result?  Look at my adorable “new” mini.  This skirt used to be a pencil skirt below my knees and rarely worn.

Example 2: Add a monogram.

Us Southern gals know monograms are especially the rage right now.  See this oxford?  It’s been in my closet since 2001.

I added a white pocket monogram last summer and the shirt is once-again a “go-to” staple.

Example 3: Add some flair.  

I was recently inspired by one of my favorite blogger’s post on adding ribbon to a simple cardigan.

Boring sweater from your closet:

New sweater in your closet:

There are a ton of ways to rethink your wardrobe and I even found whole Pinterest boards devoted to this concept.

PS Are you wondering what a “closet consultant” is?  My friend Carson Carney is the owner of a styling company called Melange (You can LIKE her Facebook page here) where she comes to your closet and gives you an honest opinion for the age-old “keep” or “throw” question. Emily duQuesnay Closet Consultants, Stolz Image, and Amy Havins from Dallas Wardrobe are just a few of the other closet consulting companies around Dallas.

You see it every year – the Kim Dawson Dallas Child model search. And yes, while you DO think your own child is cute, you repeatedly have people coming up to you telling you the exact same thing! If you’ve ever wondered about how children get into modeling and whether or not it’s for your family, then read on.

It’s no secret that Dallas is a big city, but what many mothers don’t realize is that with companies like JC Penney, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and hundreds upon hundreds of smaller companies in the area, there is a huge LOCAL void for modeling that needs to be filled. Between print ads, mailers, and the internet, local modeling agencies are always in need of child models – and they start hiring when at just six weeks old!

Need to know how to get started?

1) Send in your photos. 4×6 snapshots work the best – just make sure they have your child’s entire body in them.On the BACK of the photos (this is important!) write your child’s name, date of birth, and your name and phone number. Be sure to check the agency’s website, as well, as most still only take submissions via snail mail. Don’t forget to fully check out any agency before sending your child’s picture and information! When we initially looked at agencies we found one local company that had make-up (including lipstick!) on all of their child models…even the ones as young as 3. For us personally, this a flag that crossed the agency off our list. Currently the three largest agencies in Dallas are: Kim Dawson, The Campbell Agency, and The Clutts Agency.

The photo I submitted (I had a friend take of my daughter in her birthday dress.)

2) Be persistent. The first time we sent in photos I didn’t hear back and in essence gave up. Four months later at the encouragement of Husband I made a call in to the Campbell Agency and was told by all means to send them in again. This time I heard from Kim Dawson within 4 days of sending in the photos. Send in updated snapshots every 4-6 weeks (and don’t take silence personally), as your child’s photo may get passed over several times if they don’t fit the specific “look” the agency needs at that particular time.

3) Do it for the experience, not the money. Generally your child will make somewhere around $60.00 per photo shoot. If they are a back-up child (standard for babies and toddler photo shoots) and don’t get their photo taken, your child’s commission will be lower still. In order to make the MOST of the money your child does make be sure to open up a savings account for your child (see Krystal’s article for tips on opening college savings accounts!)

4) Expect to spend a little bit of money (but run away if they ask you to spend a lot!). The basic necessities that YOU have to provide and bring to most photo shoots will be carried at all times inside of your “modeling bag”. These include several styles of shoes (in pristine condition), socks, and tights (for girls) to fit all seasons. As your child gets older (ages 3+) you may have to arrange to have headshots taken (we used Kelly Williams Photography and she was amazing) and a “comp” card made that the agency will send to the companies. Other than this, you should not be asked to spend any money.

One of the professional headshots taken by Kelly Williams Photography

5) Be flexible. Although there will be times that you will get emails or phone calls about go-sees and bookings with plenty of advance notice, this is not the norm. Frequently the phone calls I get are at 3:30 in the afternoon asking me if one of the girls is available the next morning in Irving, Frisco, or even downtown. I check to make sure Husband can watch our other two for an hour or so at his office and then give the agency the O.K.

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So at the end of the day, why do I let my children model? First and foremost: because they enjoy it. Dressing up in fancy clothes, sitting in the princess chair, and having praise and attention lavished on them is something all my children dig. They love the fashion shows at the World Trade Center, and they love the clothes so much that on occasion I’ve been known to splurge at a later date and pick them up something they absolutely loved from a particular shoot (hello Sperrys!). I love that they learn at a young age how to respectfully interact with adults outside of our family circle. I love that my girls are growing up and tangibly seeing that the world really is a very big place and that the possibilities for them are endless. I love that they have developed a steely self esteem that thus far has stood firm in the face of their peers.

And best of all I love that I have some really cool things to put in their scrapbook.

There’s a quaint little shopping/dining area you probably haven’t seen, unless you’re from around there, because it’s tucked back from major roads and highways. However, this is one happening place most days. II Creeks Plaza (2701 Custer Pkwy) is the perfect destination for families looking for restaurants, retail, relaxation, and more!

Located right off of Custer Rd, between Renner and Campbell, in Richardson, means there’s not a whole lot of traffic passing by, but it hasn’t stopped the growth and popularity of this small area. It’s more than inviting for families, at any time of the day.

I wanted to share five places within II Creeks that keep my family coming back again and again.

1. Frankie’s Mexican Cuisine is an authentic Mexican restaurant that never fails to keep their tables full. With constant specials and an inviting outdoor patio perfect for those Texas summer days, they always keep their customers coming back for more.

What we love most about Frankie’s is the family feel we get when we’re there. Frankie, the owner, is almost always there and makes his rounds among the tables to chat with his patrons. We’re always recognized when we go in and we leave thinking about when we’ll be back!

2. Sweet Firefly is another popular stop for many families looking for the perfect sweet treat! From ice cream, to snow cones, and candy treats, there’s so much to offer that sweet tooth of yours! I wrote about Sweet Firefly a little over a year and a half ago when they first opened their doors and I’m happily amazed at their earned success! The place is always full of customers but there’s rarely a wait. It’s a family favorite of ours!

My one complaint about this amazing place? They’re closed on Mondays. :( I guess everyone has to have a day of rest. :)

3. Beyond the Door is a little boutique full of women’s clothing, jewelry, gifts, and decor. I could stay in this little store for hours just looking at every little piece hung on the walls. My favorites are all of the word art! It seems they have new designs constantly!

This is my go to shop when I’m on the hunt for that perfect gift for a girlfriend of mine, or when I want to check out the holiday decor they have to offer. Their Facebook page is often running contests to win prizes or store credit, too!

4. The Spa at II Creeks is perfect for stepping out of this crazy busy world of ours and walking right in to relaxation! With massages, facials, pedicures, and more, they have so much to offer the stressed Dallas mom (or dad).

I love the atmosphere they offer their clients and the service is top notch, too!

5. Shady’s Burger Joint is the newest addition to II Creeks Plaza and one that so many are thankful for!

With their large, beautiful patio, surrounded by trees, it’s the perfect place to enjoy an amazing burger and tasty beverage with your family! The onion rings and fried pickles are pretty fantastic, too!

Having three kids under the age of four means we don’t think about going out to eat as a family much, but having dinner outside on the patio does something awesome to my children. They behave and we ALL get to enjoy our dinner!

Shady’s is now offering live music on the third Thursday of every month on their patio, too!

II Creeks has so much to offer your family and you can’t go wrong when you’re looking for restaurants, retail, or relaxation! You can get it all at II Creeks Plaza in Richardson!

None of the establishments mentioned in this post have paid me to write about them. My family and I are just huge fans and I love sharing about places we love around Dallas!

The devastating, history-making tornadoes that hit Moore, OK on May 9, 1999 took 41 lives.

As of  this morning, at least 24 deaths  (7 of which are children) have been reported from the EF4 tornadoes that once again ripped through Moore.

There are no words that can express our sadness for our neighboring state to the north.

If you’d like to help, USA Today has posted a list of organizations that are already at work: 

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has several shelters open in Oklahoma and Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have begun delivering hot meals throughout the affected areas. The Red Cross is also working to link loved ones in Moore who are OK through a website called Safe and Well. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, donate online, or donate by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is activating disaster response teams and mobile feeding units to help residents and rescuers in Moore, OK., as well as in other locations in the Plains and the Midwest that were impacted by tornadoes. Donate online or text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts or make a donation by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. If you’re sending a check make sure you put the words “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157.

Operation USA

Los Angeles-based international relief agency Operation USA announced it’s providing emergency aid where needed to community-based health organizations across Oklahoma. Donate online, by phone at 1-800-678-7255, or by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036. You can also donate $10 by texting AID to 50555. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also being requested.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief 

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief says it has deployed at least 80 volunteers to respond to severe weather in Oklahoma. Those interested in helping can make a tax-deductible donation to the BGCO’s Disaster Relief ministry online or call (405) 942-3800. You may also send checks to: BGCO Attn: Disaster Relief 3800 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73112.

Samaritan’s Purse Mobile Unit – On Site Help

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the damage in Oklahoma after several tornadoes tore through Shawnee and Moore, OK.  Meals and sleeping quarters will be provided. Local volunteers are also welcome. Sign up here to help with clearing the debris field, roof taping, and chainsaw work (chainsaw skills aren’t required). Volunteers need to bring an air mattress or cot, sleeping bag or sheets, towels, and personal hygiene items.

I have a sweet tooth.  In fact, my kid was carefully crafted from sugar and pasta during that first trimester of pregnancy.

So, it’s probably not a big surprise that he adores sweet treats, too.  Although it may not be the most healthy decision, there’s something about long summer nights that scream “special sweet treat”.

In anticipation of summer memories, below is a list of my personal favorite sugar stops in Dallas:

1.  WILD ABOUT HARRY’S - We’re wild about the frozen custard, described as a little richer than ice cream with an extra dose of egg yolks and less air to make it extra creamy.  We’re also wild about the hot dogs and the adorable creator, Mr. Harry Coley. :: 3113 Knox St, Dallas, TX

2.  HENRY’S ICE CREAM - With flavors like Lavender Vanilla and Caramel Corn, Henry’s Ice Cream puts Plano’s sugar scene on the map. :: 3100 Independence Parkway, Suite 215, Plano, TX

3.  MONSTER YOGURT – Lauren has blogged about this special gem before.  Yogurt, free wifi, a children’s play area, and free coffee for parents.  What’s not to love?  The yogurt shop has since opened a second location near Campbell and Coit in Richardson. :: 9540 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX

4.  POKEY-O’S – When you combine two warm cookies with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream, you create a little slice of my own personal heaven.  And did you know they cater for large events?  Just think, a birthday party dream! :: 3034 Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX

5.  HIGHLAND PARK SODA FOUNTAIN – This Dallas icon celebrated its 100th birthday last year and there’s a reason why it’s still open after all of these years.  Step back in time when you sit up to the counter and order an old-fashioned shake or malt in a frosty glass.  We recommend the “egg cream” soda, too. :: 3229 Knox St, Dallas, TX

6.  JD’S CHIPPERY – JD’s is known for their cookies and muffins baked from scratch.  Thirsty?  Add a fresh-squeezed limeade or lemonade.  Make sure to bring cash as this little bakery doesn’t take cards. :: 6601 Hillcrest, Suite A, University Park, TX

7.  SOCIETY BAKERY - Ellen DeGeneres voted this Greenville Ave bakery to have one of the top ten cupcakes in the country.  Nobody messes with me and my Ellen, so I listened and agree.  If you like buttery frosting and moist cake, come check out these cupcakes and whoopie pies. :: 3426 B Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX

8.  FRUTERIA CANO – Aguas frescas are THE summer fruity drink for many countries south of the border.  Luckily, Dallas’ own Fruteria Cano has some pretty great offerings like fresh melons and mangos infused with sugar water and spices. :: 1133 N Zang Blvd, Dallas, TX; 800 S Beacon St, Dallas, TX

9.  TC SHAVED ICE – The opening of this hot pink shaved ice stand signifies the arrival of summer for me.  You’ll see the standard rainbow-colored flavors but, be sure to check out the Knockout for an extra scoop of ice cream on top. :: 10999 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX

10.  EMPORIUM PIES – I’m not sure what I love more: the delicious pie flavors like Drunken Nut (bourbon pecan with shortbread crust) and Smooth Operator (French silk chocolate with a pretzel crust) or the adorable packaging of little wooden cartons and spoons.  Either way, you can’t lose at this Bishop Arts pie shop. :: 314 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX

11.  SWEET MIX – Ever since Cassidy wrote about those waffle sandwiches the other day, I can’t get this sweet shop out of my head.  Hello, Nutella!  I’m sure I’ll see you very soon. :: 1811 N Greenville Ave, Suite 300, Richardson, TX

12.  ENTICED and COOL HAUS – Food trucks are hot and here to stay in Dallas.  Make sure to check the social media pages of the amazing shaved ice truck, Enticed, and the creative ice cream sandwich truck, COOLHAUS, to catch up with either of these mobile trucks on a hot summer day.

13.  SNO – Some people swear shaved ice doesn’t get any better than North Dallas’ Sno.  Hard to find flavors like nectar and spearmint find their way on the same menu as natural flavors like pineapple. :: 7813 Meadow Rd, Dallas, TX

By the way, did you know Dallas Moms Blog has a Pinterest board?  This would be a great list to file away.  Make sure to pin this and check out many of our other archived posts to save to your boards.

What did we miss? Please share your favorite summer evening sugar haunt in the comments section.

When I first became a mom, one of the most common pieces of advice I’d received was to buy a membership to the Arboretum. Each time this phrase was repeated, I’d secretly roll my eyes and sarcastically mutter “Sure!” Because as a new mom (who obviously knew it all based on the record number of parenting books lining my shelf), I wasn’t convinced my son was going to want to take walks around a park staring at flowers for a year — after all, that’s what the Arboretum offers, right?!

Wrong!

I’ve now had an annual membership to the Arboretum for 2 years, and I’m still continuously amazed by the exciting family-friendly events the Dallas Arboretum puts on all year long. Of course, we’re all familiar with the nationally renowned Dallas Blooms in the Spring and the Pumpkin Patch in the Fall, but if you only make your way to these events, then you’re missing out on so much more!

The Arboretum has made a huge effort to make this summer a place to be for kids.

Starting on May 27th, head to the Arboretum on Memorial Day and spend the afternoon with Dallas native Eddie Coker! He’ll be performing 2 concerts at 11am & 2pm with time for face-painting, petting zoo, and arts & crafts in between.

Then June through August, the Arboretum will host Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Flower Village to lead up to their big grand opening of their new Children’s Adventure Garden. Any one else as excited as we are for this to open in September?!

In the area where you’d normally find the pumpkin patch (Pecan Grove), you’ll find 4 houses made entirely of beautiful, bright summer florals designed to bring Alice in Wonderland to life for your kids. They’re welcome to explore the in’s and out’s of each building or even bring a book and spend an afternoon reading! Then, every Friday from 10am-2pm, your children can meet one of their favorite Alice characters, like Alice herself or the Mad Hatter as a part of the Family Fun Fridays!

If you’re a working mom or want to find a way to enjoy the gardens with your whole family after Dad gets home, the fun doesn’t stop at 5pm! The summer concert series will continue every Tuesday and Thursday evening. With music from Eagles and Journey tribute bands, Latin Salsa, and the Dallas Wind Symphony, there’s something for every taste. But don’t feel rushed after the concert ends, you’ll find some beautifully lit waterscapes after dark,  and the Arboretum will stay open until 10pm so that you can enjoy your time.

Another late night activity for families, is the Wind Down in Wonderland on Wednesday evenings in June. From 6-10pm, you’re invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing night under the flowers as music is played throughout the gardens (and wine is poured for mom!)

So as one of those moms who’s now been there I’ll give the advice I once ignored. If you haven’t purchased a membership to the Dallas Arboretum, make sure and do it now! You won’t want to miss all these great summer activities especially once the new Children’s Garden opens this Fall!

What are some of your favorite family-friendly activities at the Dallas Arboretum?

**Although the Dallas Arboretum sponsored the content in this post, all opinions are 100% my own and are activities Dallas Moms Blog would have told you about anyway, although maybe without advanced warning. :) 

Call me crazy but I’ve been telling friends for as long as I’ve been a mother of four (almost 2 years)…that having four children is actually easier than having one, two, or three.  Friends laugh. (They think I’m joking.) Strangers scoff. (They think I’m lying.)  But, I firmly believe it’s true.

So, when I found out that the Today show actually uncovered a survey that backs up what I already knew, I was thrilled. The main premise of their story was that mothers with three children report the highest levels of stress.  But, woven throughout, was a talk with a mom-of-four, who, like me, explained how she felt four was a magic number in terms of making her life a little bit more relaxed.

Why? How could a mother of four claim her life is calm?  Well, according to the interviewed mom, once you have four or more you have no choice but to let go of some things.  And, I couldn’t agree more.  Confessing this may take me out of the running for all mother-of-the-year competitions, but once you have four children you no longer have the capacity to do everything “right.”  You just get it done, however you can.

I think this takes the pressure off.  My five-year-old daughter’s hair is rarely fixed to perfection. If she matches and has her shoes on the correct feet (a major struggle for her at this stage in life), we are doing well.  My three-year-old dresses himself and may or may not go to church wearing his pants and underwear backwards…every week.

My kindergartner doesn’t play a sport or take music lessons, in part, because getting him to and from school each day is about all I can handle right now.  (In Texas, I know, this is appalling.)  And, my baby, well, he’s almost two and insists on being outside, always.  Sometimes that means he plays in our fenced-in backyard (while I make dinner) with only his three-year-old sidekick to supervise. (Insert your gasp here.)

Lest you misunderstand where I’m coming from, you should know I’m not a laid back, go-with-the-flow girl.  In fact, I’m about as type A as they come. I’m a perfectionist…an over-achiever.  I’m a safety freak.  I’m a little OCD, especially when it comes to germs.  And, I never leave the house without make-up on.  I like order.  I like control…

Then I had four children.  And, I realized what was probably true all along: I’m not really in control anyway.

With four children I can no longer be there to catch every spill or break every single fall.  I can’t get in the middle of every sibling squabble and I can no longer keep track of everyone’s favorite toy.  I can’t keep each child together, perfectly, like I would try (in vain) to do when there were only one…or two of them.

So how is four less stressful?  I think I finally have enough children to give myself an exemption from the expectation that I should be able to “do it all.”  (I should add that I believe every mom–no matter how many children she has–should free herself from this expectation. But if this is an area of struggle for you, maybe a few more children will tip the scales for you, too.)

A few years ago I wrote about my struggle to transition to life as a new mom.  The secret, I believe, was to give up.   Now that I’ve fully embraced life as a mother of four I think that secret is more relevant than ever.

I’ve had to give up my super mom fantasies.

For example, I’ve come to grips with the fact that we are only going to look good (all at the same time) in Christmas card photos.  And, I spend more time worrying about the number of bread loaves we consume weekly than I do stressing about the nutritional value of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I serve daily.

That’s not to say that I don’t struggle with the same mommy guilt as everyone else.  Yes, I wish I had the capacity to make the vegetables on my kids’ dinner plates look like a friendly lion.  I still fantasize that I’ll teach them a second language before elementary school just for their own enrichment. (My oldest missed out but I still have 3 chances… If I start today….)  I should probably stop pinning elaborate kiddo art projects because just busting out the Play Doh is too much for me to muster most days.

It’s true.  My children don’t have their own iPads and will never have their own bathrooms.  They have to make sacrifices because of their abundance of siblings.  And, I’m afraid those sacrifices have only just begun.  There is going to be room-sharing, clothes-handing-down, computer-turn-taking, snack rationing, and many other less-than-indulgent experiences that my children will endure in the years to come.  Many that their peers with fewer siblings will never understand.

But, I hope they will grow not to mind… and see the trade-off.  Like the bonus that they always have a friend to play with or someone to ride the roller coaster with on the family vacation.   There will be more birthday parties, four times the Christmas presents, and more special occasions and achievements to celebrate.

Life with four children means that, as parents, my husband and I hear more great, “only-a-kid-could-come-up-with-this” stories, more silly jokes, and more laughter than we ever heard when there weren’t as many little faces around the table.

And, as for me, I do feel like my life is a bit easier with four than with fewer.  They entertain each other. They come up with interesting things to do and learn how to work together.  They cheer each other on when one needs encouragement.  They cheer each other up when one gets down.  They look out for each other and thus give me extra sets of eyes and ears wherever they go together.  They function well, like a little team, often keeping each other in line.

The child-bearing chapter in our lives is closed.  So, for us four is where we’ve chosen to land.  And, we’re happy there.  Every family size has its advantages and disadvantages, but for us, four is fantastic and has allowed me the chance to finally, just relax and enjoy the parenting ride.

Photography is one of my favorite forms of art.

To me, it is inspiring to look at a single moment captured and try to discover the emotion of that slice of time.

After attending an event or having a professional photography session done, my favorite thing to do is to see an outsider’s prospective and views.  Like when a wedding photographer captures a groom playing with his new ring, or a during a family session a familiar face between spouses is frozen in time.

When selecting a photographer for Mom’s Night Out, the goal was to select someone we trusted to make sure that could invoke the excitement of the moms gathering for a well deserved break.  Lani Khong was the woman to do the job, and not only did she deliver, she exceeded our expectations (and captured quite a few chilly moments!)

Lani is a stay at home mom to Liam, an adorable 1.5 year old.  Prior to spending her days chasing her son around, Lani worked in graphic design for ten years.  The past several years have been spent crafting her passion-preserving memories.

Lani enjoys all styles of photography from event to family portraits. She also specializes in glamour and boudoir sessions.  She has a private in home studio that she can hold her sessions or she can meet you at a location of your choice.

Lani was absolutely a dream to work with! She was extremely prompt and as sweet as can be.

Please do not hesitate to contact her, we know you will love her as much as we did!

And a bonus for Dallas Moms Blog, Lani would like to offer our readers a complimentary 30 minute mini session!

Please contact Lani through her Facebook or her website for more details.

*Photography Services were provided in exchange for this post; however, all opinions are 100% our own!

80 degrees all week and a beautiful weekend ahead — dare I say it??  Summer is here!

This weekend we plan on spending a ton of time at any water feature/water fountain we can find.  And what’s the perfect treat after running around in the heat all day?  One of Dallas Moms Blog’s favorite play spaces — Monster Yogurt.

We’ve mentioned their 80 different yogurt flavors (with dairy free, glutton free and sugar free options!) with their 75 different toppings before!  If that didn’t draw you in, I know we had you at free coffee bar (donations feature local charities) and free WiFi!!  But whether you’ve had a chance to try it out before or not, you definitely want to make it to either the Richardson or East Dallas location THIS weekend for their awesome Birthday Celebration.

They are kicking off on Thursday with free, yup FREE, 8 oz yogurt cups for ages 62 and over – all day!  What a fun treat for the grandparents!!

Friday is Face Painting from 4 to 6 pm!

Saturday is when the kids are gonna go crazy though — from 4 to 6 pm prepare to be star struck by some famous visitors from Yo Gabba Gabba and Seasame Street at both locations!!  The location in Richardson (at Coit and Campbell) will have Toodee and Elmo visiting.  And the location at Casa Linda in East Dallas will have Brobee and Abby!!  Personally I cannot wait for Miles to meet Elmo!!

Sunday is going to have live music starting at 3 pm with some awesome prizes being given out at 4 pm at both locations!

 I hope we see you there!!

*DMB was not compensated for this post in any way.  We just thought you might want to know about some fun events in Dallas this weekend!*