FREE Wortham Tree Lighting Ceremony today from 11 am - 1 pm

Are the kids out of school today? In between cooking for Thanksgiving and keeping the kids out of trouble, you may be looking for a way to kick the holiday season into high gear.

Head to the 26th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Wortham Theater Center. Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and Houston First Corporation unite to host this holiday tradition on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wortham Theater Center's Grand Foyer (501 Texas Street at Smith Street). Admission is free and open to the public. Costumed characters from Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker will be on hand to greet the public for the occasion, which has become a holiday tradition for many families. Local choirs and musical groups will perform at the event. Guests can enjoy holiday treats at the event. WHAT: 26th Annual Wortham Theater Center Tree Lighting Ceremony WHO: Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and Houston First Corporation WHEN: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE: Wortham Theater Center Grand Foyer (501 Texas Street at Smith Street)   Until the next nap time...

A Metal Mouth To Be

Before you get braces on your teeth, you always think it's cool to get them. As you can see from the photo below, Little K has her fingers crossed that she will get braces TODAY. 

Our orthodontist says (like her dad), K has a small jaw & nice, big teeth. The docs don't break your jaw like they used to. Instead, they'll likely put a spacer on the roof of her mouth & on the bottom. That'll expand the jaw so that when the rest of her adult teeth come in, there will actually be room for them. The braces will direct the adult teeth that are already in on where they should stay once there's more room in that mouth. 

K is a bit disappointed that she isn't walking out today with a mouth full of metal but we will in two weeks. Let's see how long her excitement about orthodontics lasts. 

Until the next nap time...

There's A Reason It's Called Vacation

There's a reason it's called vacation. On the up side, I eat and drink what I want, sleep in, half make my bed and lay around in the sun casually. Down side? The baby doesn't get the sleep he needs so he is fussy and K doesn't understand why the last day of vacation she has to go to bed at 8 pm.

"Because," I say, "I'm the mom, I waited many years to say this, and this was on the mom test. Go to bed."

All this said (in fun), we've had a nice July 4th holiday weekend in Galveston with a bike ride down Seawall Blvd., visits with

several friends and family, a dip in the

pool at the Artillery Club, fireworks and more. Here are a few pics from the

weekend. So despite the fun, we head home tomorrow, only for K to head to Scout Camp while I return to work, laundry, etc. But that's why it's called vacation. It's an escape from the norm and a good reminder of why we work as hard as we do. Well, there is the mortgage, too.

Until the next nap time...

When This Parent's Plans Changed

It's been quite awhile since I've posted personal updates. I've had my hands full ( literally) but more posts are ahead. Since October 2012, I announced my pregnancy with our second child, moved out of our house do it could be remodeled, had our son, finished our home remodel & moved back in. Mr. G is now 4 months old & receives constant attention from 8-year-old big sis, K. 

I'm afraid I can't call my daughter Little K any more. The contrast between the 2 kids is striking. Trent half teases that I should mention that, yes, both kids have the same father! I had no intention of having children so spread apart in age but life doesn't always stick to my plans. In fact, when K was about 6 years old, I changed my mind about having another child. Those details will have to wait for another post. 

Today, July 4, 2013, I'm thankful for so many freedoms and for a family that Someone much smarter than me planned. Thank you, Lord.

We're off to a party in Galveston with Taylor Swift blaring & the baby cooing to his sister singing.  I wonder if Taylor Swift will still think in 25 years that her ex is mean. I say, it's a fun song but there are great things ahead, honey. Get ready!

Until the next nap time ....

Escape the Houston Heat with Movies for Kids and Families

Looking for a way to escape the summer heat in Houston? Head to the movies. 

Take advantage of this great offer: the Summer Movie Express program at Edwards Marq'e and Regal West Oaks. Each location will host the Summer Movie Express on Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10 am for nine weeks. Admission is $1 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute.

It starts this week for the Houston locations and there is a list of the movies on the web site at http://www.regmovies.com/Movies/Summer-Movie-Express.

This is a great discount deal and both the kids and grown-ups apppreciate the option for a cooler activity.

Until the next nap time...

Heights Chamber Hosts Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

HOUSTON— Tuesday, March 5, 2013 — The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights to be held Saturday, April 6, from 11 am until sunset. With expected attendance nearing 10,000 people, the Festival will be held at Northwest Mall, located at 9500 Hempstead Highway and Mangum, to accommodate the large crowd.

“We think this prime location and large, open area will attract even more families and festival goers,” Chamber President Ken Stallman said.

The Festival will include activities for the entire family such as:

·         live music by Steve Krase and the In Crowd,

·         a Show and Shine car and motorcycle show,

·         Shoppers’ Paradise with more than ## vendor booths with items for purchase,

·         a kids world with loads of children’s games, rides and activities, and

·         the Idol of the Heights singing finale.

“The success of last year’s event fueled our energy to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever,” Mickey Blake, Heights Chamber chairperson, said. “One of the big changes is the incorporation of the Idol in the Heights song competition with one winner taking home the grand prize of $1,500. The talent is awesome!”

The Idol of the Heights preliminary rounds are being held on Fridays in March. Complete details are available online at http://www.heightschamber.com/crawfish-festival-idol-of-the-heights.

Festival attendees are encouraged to buy crawfish food tickets online in advance for $15 each through April 1, 2013. Crawfish food tickets will be available at the event for $20 on a first come, first served basis. The crawfish food ticket buys three pounds of crawfish, corn and potatoes as well as one drink (soft drink, water or beer). Other festival food will also be available at the event.

Supporters are encouraged to purchase $10 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, sponsored by North Freeway Hyundai and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners do not need to be present at the event to win. Buy raffle tickets online or by calling the Heights Chamber at 713-861-6735.

About the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and developing business and industry beneficial to the economic viability of the greater Houston Heights. Through monthly breakfast presentations, luncheons, expositions and other events, the Chamber works to develop local commerce. The Heights Chamber is located at 545 W. 19^th Street in the Chase Bank building. Learn more by visiting www.HeightsChamber.com.

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676. 

Until the next nap time...