Bluebonnet Time in Texas

Last week, while I was at a business meeting, my colleagues guided a newcomer to Texas on the way things are done around here. This woman didn't know what a bluebonnet was so everyone described them carefully.

Once the transplant finally realized she'd seen bluebonnets along the roadside, the team explained that she needed to schedule a photo shoot (formal or informal) of her daughter in the bluebonnets. The Yankee just didn't understand why these southern kicks would take photos in these blue flowers, although she questioned the practice politely.

"They're the state flower of Texas," one woman said. "You have to take photos of your kid in the bluebonnets."

Who knows if the transplant did or will, but we did. My parents took Little K to Navasota last weekend to the family ranch. The bluebonnets -- or bluebottoms as Little K calls them -- were in full bloom, reaching for the sky before the weather gets too hot and withers them away. Dressed in white, my daughter picked me a handful. (She can pick the state flower on private property.) Now we have a beautiful bouquet of bluebonnets on our kitchen table, welcoming spring.

The only thing better would be these photos framed. How picturesque!

If you're looking for bluebonnets that are a bit closer to Houston, head to Loop 610 North and TC Jester east. Park at the Boys Scouts of America building and walk across TC Jester to the bayou. Enjoy the walking trail and snap plenty of photos of your family in the bluebonnets, right in the middle of Houston. Much easier.

Until the next nap time...

Bluebonnets in Bloom

We had a great weekend filled with birthday parties and R&R. Kangaroo Kids proved to be a good choice. The inflatables were new and clean. The employees were quite helpful. Some of the guests noticed a strange odor at the end of the party. (I seriously thought someone needed a new diaper.) My husband said he thinks a sewer pipe broke. Any ways, I'm sure that will be corrected so check out Kangaroo Kids off Hwy 290 and Tidwell, behind the Party City, for free play or a party of your own.

After school today, Little K and I checked out the bluebonnets. There is a great field full of the Texas state flower. Just head to Loop 610 north and exit TC Jester East. You can park in the Boy Scouts parking lot and just walk across to the bluebonnets. It's beautiful. Spring is here. Yeah!

Until the next nap time...

Photo Opps Abound in Houston

It's a beautiful day in Houston and photo opps abound. If you haven't had a chance to snap that photo of your kids with the Easter bunny, don't sweat it. Northwest Mall on Loop 610 near Hwy 290 hosts the friendly rabbit every day through Easter Sunday. While most malls have visits from this guy, we like Northwest Mall the best because it's easy to make a FAST trip. If you enter on the northwest side of the mall at the main entrance (near CiCi's Pizza), you can walk straight through the food court and then reach the Easter bunny at center court. The line is either short or non-existent so this is an easy thing to do. Say "Cheese!"

This is also a great time to snap a few photos amongst the Texas state flower: the bluebonnet. Here are a few areas you can go to find them:
- Memorial & Wilcrest: a photographer friend of mine has been doing photoshoots here this year because the field is full of them. This is probably the best place I've seen/heard of this year.
- Loop 610 and TC Jester, just west of the Boy Scouts of America building. There aren't as many bluebonnets here as last year but it still provides an easy set up for good photos.
- Brenham and Hempstead: head north on Hwy 290 in about an hour, you'll see beautiful fields of bluebonnets and the redish/orange Indian Paintbrush flowers. Make a day trip out of this and head to the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham.

Another fun activity this Saturday is the Grand Kids Festival in Galveston. This is another great day trip for Houston families.

I hope your families enjoy a wonderful Easter holiday! Until the next nap time...