February Is Big Month for Kids Activities in Houston

Yesterday evening, the Kids Activity Queen was on the Sunday evening show with Susan O'Donnell on 89.3 KSBJ radio. How fun! We gave away four copies of the guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids and took questions from various Houston parents about fun things to do with kids in the area. It never ceases to amaze me how much families want to do fun activities with kids, if only they had a trusted resource to get them going. Ta-da! My guidebook exists for this purpose. Any ways, it was a great way to get the message out about the book. A special thanks goes to Sally Woodward, who called into the show. Miss Sally is an old friend who watched my sister and me grow up in Houston along side her own 2 daughters. Thanks for your support, Miss Sally!

This month, Kylie & I will be venturing out to tackle some new activities. On Valentine's Day, we'll be headed to the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink in west Houston for the 1st Annual Valentine Skate. Parents can bring strollers for the little ones and still have fun making trips around the rink. Kiddie music plays and the children are going to love this. Hope to see lots of Houston families there. 9:30 am - Noon.

We're also planning to head to the Museum of Natural Science and Hermann Park for some fun. I'll be sure to report back on the museum's offerings for kids under 1 year.

Unfortunately, we'll miss the Rodeo Parade this year because we're heading to Galveston for the Childrens Parade on 2/26. This is good, clean fun for the family. Kids love the colors and activity. Catching beads and cups just for wavering to the float riders is a delight. The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 pm on 25th Street. Hope to see you there.

If you are wondering about certain Houston-area activities for kids, email me at KidsInfo@houston.rr.com and I'll be happy to check out the activity and report back. Until the next nap time...

Weekend Activities on KSBJ 89.3 Radio

Just after 7 am Thursdays, I'll be helping families find fun kids activities for the following weekend. If you're looking for something to do in Houston this next weekend, tune in to 89.3 for some great ideas. You can also pick up my guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids at Barnes & Noble stores city-wide, other bookstores & online at www.TellYourTale.com/Kids. Unleash the fun!

Until the next nap time...

Kids Love Galveston Beach & More

The weather was cold and foggy, but my 9 month old daughter Kylie really enjoyed Pirates Beach in Galveston Sunday. Too cold to swim, mommy and baby took a stroll on the sandy beach. Kylie loved to watch the frothy tide chase her up the beach and she giggled when mommy ran up the beach juggling the baby. We found beautiful shells, although the really pretty ones were broken. Kylie seemed to really like the birds that canvassed the sand and flew low in the skies above our heads.

A lot of Houstonians grumble when they hear "Galveston", but I encourage them to take another look. The beach itself provides a wonderful learning opportunity for youngsters. (I showed Kylie hundreds of shells scattered about & told her there were more people in the city of Houston than that. As she gets older, examples like this will help her put things into perspective.) We find the island a great relaxation destination. Great seafood is everywhere, too, and most restaurants are very family-oriented. Waterman's Restaurant on the west end of the island was perfect Saturday night with my little one. The staff was very considerate of the baby and Kylie enjoyed the bread and snacks they provided. Plus, Mardi Gras is just around the corner in February and there are a couple of really good children's parades. Check it out.

Until the next nap time...

Weekend with the Kids

89.3 KSBJ will be playing an interview I did today with highlights on what Houston parents & grandparents can do with their kids this weekend. I even feature a no-charge activity that kids love. Tune into 89.3 Friday between 7 and 9 am to hear these tips.

Kylie & I joined StrollerFit West U this morning and really enjoyed it. My body is still sore from Monday's workout with StrollerFit Memorial Park. Whew! This queen is starting to realize how much I need to work out, but StrollerFit makes it fun for mom and baby. Plus, it's hard to resist playground time after a good workout.

We have a new kitten that's hanging around our backyard. It's mother is a local stray, I think. At 9 months old, my daughter Kylie gets so excited when this little kitten appears at the back door and mouths a meow. Our own cat is 2-3 times the size of the neighborhood kitty, but our cat seems a bit jealous. It reminds me that many kids love animals and are intrigued by their different textures (furs). We went to a birthday party last Saturday that had a wonderful petting zoo. I'll have to investigate another petting zoo or activity with animals and post an update. I love to indulge my daughter's curiousities.

Until the next nap time...

Fun for Kids at Memorial Park

With rain imminent in this week's forecast for Houston, we decided to join some friends at Memorial Park on Sunday while the weather was still pleasant. We sat on a blanket just outside Beck's Prime and played for 2 hours. This really is a relaxing afternoon for parents & kids. Plus, you can grab some lunch and a tasty dessert like a vanilla shake. I got a large but Kylie shared it with me... No, really I didn't eat that whole thing by myself. Hee, hee. Kylie and her new friend Caroline had a ball in the monkey grass and crawling or walking in the grass. Sarah and I just hung out and watched the little ones. Ahhhh. If only it had been a tad warmer, I would have gotten some sunshine on my face.

This morning, Kylie and I test-piloted StrollerFit at Memorial Park. Some of you may remember that we tried a StrollerFit group in west Houston. Memorial Park is a lot closer so we joined up. It's a great workout for moms and it's nice to get the little ones outside a bit. Kids range in age from 3 months to 4 years old. It's also a great way to meet other moms in the area with children around the same age. This gets a big thumbs up in my book.

Whitney Clark leads a 9:30 am class Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 - 10:30 am at Memorial Park and then Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 am at Colonial Park in West U. The scheduling is flexible so you don't have to feel rushed to make a class because you paid for it. You pay for a certain number of classes over a period of months and then join when it works for you & your baby. Plus, there's fun singing and playing with your child or children during the workout. Check it out at www.StrollerFit.com.

Until the next nap time...

Guidebook Featured on Radio

I knew something was up when my mobile phone wouldn't stop ringing at 7 am today. I was -- for once-- still in bed after an incredibly long Wednesday. After listening to messages, I raced to the stereo downstairs to hear 89.3 KSBJ playing my interview about 100+ Activities for Houston Kids that we recorded yesterday. Yeah! That should help get the word out about the guidebook.

We've also booked a book signing party on Galveston island. Midsummer Books will be hosting our party on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 4-6 p.m. All are welcome. It'll be great to get parents, grandparents & kids together. See you then.

This Saturday night, Jan. 14, is kids night at the Houston Rockets game. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and will feature 6 NBA mascots from across the nation. This is a great family activity. Age recommendation is 3+ years.

We're still knocking around some ideas of fun kids activities for this weekend. Check back here for more ideas & I'll report on what we find. Next week, we'll be joining StrollerFit at Memorial Park on Monday. Kylie & I are looking forward to meeting the group.

Book Store Signing Successful; Lots of Kids

It was a great book signing party tonight at the River Oaks Book Store. Thank you to all of you who made it. It was also great to see so many little ones -- faces eager to explore and learn more about their surroundings. I hope to start organizing informal groups that want to tackle local activities in town with me. I'll post notes here and see who wants to head to another fun kids activity.

I also got some good feedback on additions for the 2007 edition of 100+ Activities for Houston Kids so that's really exciting. After a jam-packed day of promotions and other writing needs, I'm pooped and headed for bed. Hopefully, tomorrow we'll hear the radio interview on 89.3 KSBJ. Stay tuned!

Until the next nap time...

Activities for Kids Showcased on Radio?

Early this morning, I headed out to Humble to do an appearance on 89.3 KSBJ. We did a recording but unfortunately, the interview likely won't run until Thursday or Friday. I guess I should have expected that since I told so many of you to tune in this morning. Sorry! I'll post an update here when the radio station notifies me that the interview will run, but it should be Thursday or Friday morning. Thanks to all of you who tuned in today, especially those folks in Ohio! Your support is appreciated more than you realize.

Good news! I'm scheduled to be on Susan O'Donnell's Sunday evening show on January 29. I hope you will tune in from 6-8 pm when we'll be talking about my guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids -- the 2006 version that's packed with fun activities for kids. AND, Susan and Mike of KSBJ will be calling me each Thursday morning so I can give KSBJ listeners 2 things to do for the weekend. How's that for planning a fun-filled weekend with the kids? I hope you'll tune in and check this blog for updates and/or changes.

Don't forget to join us at the River Oaks Book Store tonight between 4 and 6 pm for my first book signing party! It'll be a fun way to meet other parents & grandparents interested in spending more time with their little ones. The River Oaks Book Store is located on Westheimer near Buffalo Speedway across the street from Lamar High School. Stop by to grab your copy of my guidebook and mingle with like-minded parents & grandparents.

Until the next nap time...

Kids Activities Highlighted on Local Radio

Wow! I'm so excited. I just spoke with DJ Susan O'Donnell of 89.3 KSBJ. For those of you unfamiliar with this station, it's Houston's contemporary Christian radio station. See www.KSBJ.org for details. Susan has invited me to visit the Morning Show this Wednesday, January 11 at 7 am to discuss my guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids. YES! Please tune in and wish me luck. I think this will be a great way to promote my guidebook to parents & grandparents who really want the best for the children in their lives. I'll also be discussing 3-5 fun activities to do over the next month with kids in Houston. We'll make it easy for adults to find fun activities for kids.

Until the next nap time...

Kids Activities Abound

After a bit of a holiday break, I'm back and dedicated to writing regularly in this blog. I hope others will share their ideas for topics to cover or recommend kids activities that they'd like to know more about.

One Houston mom asked me over the holidays if I was familiar with the Angels light park. Several moms began discussing it. Apparently, it used to be a park of holiday (or dare I say, "Christmas") lights that families could drive through in their cars. With little ones, families really appreciated the fact that they didn't have to load, unload and reload the kids. Unfortunately, no one seems to be able to find this attraction any more. If you're familiar with it, please let me know so I can investigate it and let other parents & grandparents know.

However, I did find a similar holiday attraction that blew our family away. This is a great kids activity or family event. Last week, our family visited "Santa's Wonderland" in College Station, Texas. I admit, I was shocked at the $20 entry fee per car, but afterward, we felt like we got a good deal. (Note: the attraction allows up to 10 people per car for $20. Additional charges then apply. So, pack your car full and then divide the $20 fee between families for the best deal.) There were literally millions of lights, including tunnels of lights, beautiful Christmas scenes, and even a dedicated area for the Aggies in the crowd. (You have to consider that Texas A&M University is in the same town.) While there are definitely Christian exhibits, I think my Jewish and Muslim friends who celebrate the commercial holidays in December would still find this a fun event. Next December, I'll write more on this event along with tips for making the trip easier and fun.

I'm also excited to announce my first book signing on January 11 from 4-6 p.m. at the River Oaks Bookstore on Westheimer. All are invited to attend. Copies of my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids will be available for purchase and the party will be a great way to kick off the New Year focused on your family. I hope you'll join us. For more details, please visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/1/prweb327089.htm.

2006 is going to be a great year for Houston families. There are so many fun kids activities to explore. We hope to see you and your little ones around town.

Until the next nap time...