Museum of Fine Arts Houston Celebrates Spring Break Fun with Week of Activities

Beginning Monday, March 12, the all-new Kinder Foundation Education Center (KFEC) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, becomes a hub of Spring Break activities, tours and creativity for visitors of all ages. Museum docents and  staff will showcase the very best of Sketching in the Galleries, Storytime Tours, Family Tours, Creation Stations, Gallery Talks and more. Stop by Cafe Express for a sensational luxury tea and delicious pastry before embarking on a discovery of  Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski or for one last look at Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great  Pharaohs before the exodus of this history-making exhibition on April 15.

When: Monday, March 12 – Sunday, March 18, 2012

Where: The MFAH campus and house museums
•    Audrey Jones Beck Building, 5601 Main Street
•    Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet Street
•    Rienzi, 1406 Kirby Drive
•    Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center, 6003 Memorial Drive at Westcott Street

Admission:  General admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children 6–18, students and senior adults (65+); free for children 5 and younger. Order tickets online for a $1 discount. On Thursday, general admission is free for everyone, courtesy of Shell Oil Company Foundation. On Saturday and Sunday, general admission is free for children 18 and younger with any Texas public-library card. MFAH Members receive free general admission every day. Go to www.mfah.org/visit for  more. Admission to the King Tut exhibition requires additional tickets: visit www.mfah.org/KingTut for details.

Activities: Spring Break Week is filled with new experiences and resources for families! 

Among the highlights:
•    Become an art detective and uncover works of art from around the world with Gallery Investigations; enjoy interactive tours designed specifically for kids and families; make your own art at Creation Station; sketch in the galleries with an MFAH teaching artist; join a guided Gallery Talk and explore topics ranging from allegory to architecture to the arts of Japan.

•    Check out the brand-new MFAH Family Pack. “Animal Adventures with Art” is designed especially for younger children (ages 3+) to explore works of art from around the world. This edition, filled with hands-on activities, looking games and books, becomes the fifth family pack available to be checked out free of charge during a museum visit.

•    Pick up a guide to Family Cell-Phone Stops that will help you find all the new cell-phone stops in the galleries. Listening is easy! Just call the phone number provided on the labels, then listen to learn and discover together.

•    Three new titles added to A Book and A Look, a storybook checkout program.



Visit www.mfah.org/calendar for ongoing updates and complete descriptions.


Monday, March 12    Gallery Talk “Highlights of the MFAH” (12 noon). Explore some of the best-known and best-loved works of art in the MFAH collections on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk.

Reel Kids Kid Flix (2 pm)
“Reel Kids” films offer unique family viewing experiences: children’s film festival selections, classic cinema and more. Adults love these films, too, so everybody can enjoy together! Today, enjoy Kid Flix, a selection of short films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival especially for children ages 3–6.

Lecture “Color Remix: Jules Olitski, Irreverence, and Redemption” (6:30 pm)
Presented by art critic David Pagel of Claremont Graduate University and the Parrish Art Museum. Admission is free.

Tuesday, March 13    Detective Days at Bayou Bend (10 am–4 pm)
There’s mystery afoot! Drop in Tuesday–Friday for outdoor scavenger hunts that explore the diversity of plant species in Bayou Bend’s gardens. Detectives receive a dossier, clipboard, pencil, magnifying glass and bottle of water to complete the mission. An ideal way for kids ages 6–12 and their parents to learn together. Admission is free for children 12 and younger; $5 for adults and older children.

Art + Studio “Discover King Tut” (10:30 am–12:30 pm and 1:30–3:30 pm)
This workshop offers families a personal and engaging looking experience in the galleries, followed by a chance to create art in the studio. The morning session is for families with children ages 4–6, and the afternoon session for families with children 7–10. Preregistration required: visit www.mfah.org/families for details.

Gallery Talk Shifting Paradigms in Contemporary Ceramics (12 noon)
Explore trends in contemporary ceramics—from functional vessels to sculptural works and hybrids of the two—on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk presented in conjunction with the exhibition Shifting Paradigms in Contemporary Ceramics: The Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio Collection.

Reel Kids Party Mix (2 pm)
Enjoy Party Mix, a selection of films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival especially for children ages 7–14.

Lecture “Early American Silver at the Metropolitan Museum of Art” (6:30 pm)
Presented by Beth Carver Wees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Admission is free.

Wednesday, March 14    Detective Days at Bayou Bend (10 am–4 pm)
There’s mystery afoot! Drop in Tuesday–Friday for outdoor scavenger hunts that explore the diversity of plant species in Bayou Bend’s gardens. Detectives receive a dossier, clipboard, pencil, magnifying glass and bottle of water to complete their mission. An ideal way for kids ages 6–12 and their parents to learn together. Admission is free for children 12 and younger; $5 for adults and older children.

Gallery Talk Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski (12 noon)
Color Field artist Jules Olitski (1922–2007), one of America’s last classic modern painters, created brilliant color harmonies and chromatic shifts in his paintings. Explore a survey of his work on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk in conjunction with the exhibition Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski.

For MFAH Members: Family Art-Making Program
Dress Like an Egyptian (1 pm−4 pm)
This gallery-and-studio activity is available to MFAH members at the Family level and above. For information on becoming a member, visit www.mfah.org/member or call 713.639.7550.

Sketching in the Galleries at Rienzi (1:30 pm−4:30 pm)
Draw from 18th-century decorative arts objects in the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles during open sketching hours. Rienzi’s galleries hold treasures for every artist: space and light, interior design, historical narrative, decorative motifs, reflective surfaces, intriguing shapes and form inspired by function.

Reel Kids Kid Flix (2 pm)
Enjoy Kid Flix, a selection of films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival especially for children ages 3–6.

Thursday, March 15    Detective Days at Bayou Bend (10 am–4 pm)
There’s mystery afoot! Drop in Tuesday–Friday for outdoor scavenger hunts that explore the diversity of plant species in Bayou Bend’s gardens. Detectives receive a dossier, clipboard, pencil, magnifying glass and bottle of water to complete their mission. An ideal way for kids ages 6–12 and their parents to learn together. Admission is free for children 12 and younger; $5 for adults and older children.

Gallery Talk “The Arts of Japan” (12 noon)
Explore the museum’s new Arts of Japan Gallery on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk covering major themes and traditions in Japanese art.

Family Activities “Tea Bowl, Jar, and Dish: Exploring Japanese Art”
(1 pm–4 pm)
Visit the new Arts of Japan Gallery for inspiration to create your own work of art; drop in at Creation Station to join in an art-making project in the studio; spend time at Sketching in the Galleries drawing works of ancient and contemporary Asian art.

Thursday, March 15    Rienzi Gallery Talk (1 pm)
(continued)    Find out all about a great work of art in the Rienzi Collection. Admission is free, reservations suggested: 713.639.7800.

Reel Kids Party Mix (2 pm)
Enjoy Party Mix, a selection of films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival especially for children ages 7–14.

Sip & Stroll Evenings at Bayou Bend (5 pm–8 pm)
Stroll through Miss Ima Hogg’s historic estate at twilight. The beautiful house interiors and 14 acres of gardens are open for self-guided tours. Enjoy light refreshments on the Diana Terrace. Before or after your stroll, visit the Shop
at Bayou Bend and Hogg Family Legacy Room in the Kilroy Visitor Center.
No reservations required. Purchase tickets ($10) on-site or call 713.639.7750.

Gallery Talk Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski (7 pm)
Color Field artist Jules Olitski (1922–2007), one of America’s last classic modern painters, created brilliant color harmonies and chromatic shifts in his paintings. Explore a survey of his work on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk in conjunction with the exhibition Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski.

Spotlight Gallery Talk “Chinese Scrolls” (7:30 pm)
Immerse yourself in the serene landscapes of Chinese scrolls on this guided,
20-minute, gallery talk.

Friday, March 16    Detective Days at Bayou Bend (10 am–4 pm)
There’s mystery afoot! Drop in Tuesday–Friday for outdoor scavenger hunts that explore the diversity of plant species in Bayou Bend’s gardens. Detectives receive a dossier, clipboard, pencil, magnifying glass and bottle of water to complete their mission. An ideal way for kids ages 6–12 and their parents to learn together. Admission is free for children 12 and younger; $5 for adults and older children.

Gallery Talk “Cultural Intersections” (12 noon)
Trade, war, diplomacy: What happens to artistic traditions when two cultures meet? Join this guided, 45-minute gallery talk to see examples of cultural intersections.

Lecture “The Curse of the Pharaohs” (1:30 pm)
Presented by David Silverman, national curator for the exhibition Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.

Recital at Rienzi: Houston Grand Opera Studio (7:30 pm)
The young, up-and-coming artists of Houston Grand Opera Studio present a sparkling evening recital in Rienzi’s intimate Gallery. A wine and sweets reception follows. Admission is $30, including valet parking. Reservations are required. For tickets, go to www.mfah.org/calendar or call 713.639.7800.

Saturday, March 17    Spring House & Gardens Days at Bayou Bend and Rienzi (10 am–5 pm)
Rienzi and Bayou Bend invite you to join in a spring affair of home and garden tours. Enjoy visiting these historic sites during Houston’s most beautiful time of year. Light refreshments and shuttle service between the two house museums provided. Admission is $15 for a two-day pass (March 17–18) and $10 for one-day pass. Free for children
12 and younger. For tickets, go to www.mfah.org/calendar or call 713.639.7759.

Spotlight Gallery Talk “Crowning Achievements” (12 noon)
Explore crowns—valued as symbols of power and for the precious materials from which they are made—on this guided, 20-minute gallery talk.

Short Film Jules Olitski: Modern Master (continuous screenings, 12 noon–3 pm)
Interviews with friends and peers, as well as rare footage of artist Jules Olitski in
his studio, eloquently portray the superb achievement of a man driven to make art. Shown in conjunction with the exhibition Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski.

Artist Workshop at Rienzi: Watercolors in the Garden (1 pm)
Create a work of your own while developing new skills in this artist-led outdoor workshop in the gardens of Rienzi. Recommended for adults, no prerequisites. Admission is $15, supplies included. Reservations are required. For tickets, go to www.mfah.org/calendar or call 713.639.7800.

Gallery Talk “The Medium Is the Message” (1 pm)
How important is an artist’s choice of materials? Join this guided, 45-minute gallery talk to explore artworks in which the medium impacts the meaning.

Gallery Talk “The Arts of Japan” (2 pm)
Explore the museum’s new Arts of Japan Gallery on this guided, 45-minute gallery talk covering major themes and traditions in Japanese art.

Spotlight Gallery Talk “Ramesses II” (3 pm)
Join this guided, 20-minute gallery talk to see how the power of one of ancient Egypt’s longest-ruling pharaohs—Ramesses the Great—is expressed in sculpture.

Lecture “The Curse of the Pharaohs” (4 pm)
Presented by David Silverman, national curator for the exhibition Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.

Recital at Rienzi: Houston Grand Opera Studio (7:30 pm)
The young, up-and-coming artists of Houston Grand Opera Studio present a sparkling evening recital in Rienzi’s intimate Gallery. A wine and sweets reception follows. Admission is $30, including valet parking. Reservations are required. For tickets, go to www.mfah.org/calendar or call 713.639.7800.

Sunday, March 18    Spring House & Gardens Days at Bayou Bend and Rienzi (1 pm–5 pm)
Rienzi and Bayou Bend invite you to join in a spring affair of home and garden tours. Enjoy visiting these historic sites during Houston’s most beautiful time of year. Light refreshments and shuttle service between the two house museums provided. Admission is $15 for a two-day pass (March 17–18) and $10 for one-day pass. Free for children
12 and younger. For tickets, go to www.mfah.org/calendar or call 713.639.7759.

Sunday Family Zone + Studio “Color Harmonies: Exploring the Abstract Paintings of Jules Olitski” (1 pm–4 pm)
Spend some time with the friendly MFAH educators! This suite of programs, related to the exhibition Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski, includes: Creation Station, where
artists encourage families in creating art; Gallery Investigations, with an MFAH educator at the Gallery Cart featuring looking games, books and hands-on activities; Sketching in the Galleries, with an MFAH teaching artist to guide adults and children of all drawing levels; Storytime, where families make connections between a storybook and a work of art in the galleries.

Gallery Talk “The Architecture of the MFAH” (2 p.m.)
From the original MFAH building in 1924, to the opening of the Audrey Jones Beck Building in 2000, the museum’s architecture has continually reflected the intellectual and artistic trends of the times. Join in a guided, 45-minute gallery talk and find out more about these works of art that house many other works of art.

New Amusement Park to Open in Galveston May 28, 2012

The Galveston Daily News and

KHOU Channel 11 are reporting that Tilman Fertitta and Landry's have already broken ground on a new amusement park for families in Galveston and beyond. "Pleasure Pier" as it will be called will take the place of the old Flagship Hotel, which long-time Galvestonians, Houstonians and many more likely remember. The new project is set to open Memorial Day weekend, which is May 28, 2012. 

It brings back the lessons that many of us read about in history class years ago. Galveston once was an entertainment epicenter but all that changed with Hurricane Carla in 1961.

Ushering in a new era for the coastal island, the new park will include a 100-foot tall ferris wheel, a 36-foot double-decker carousel, a 200-foot tall swing (considered the highest ride in Texas), a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, a shopping center and much more. With Astroworld long gone, this looks like a fun place to spend the day or weekend. Come on summer!

Until the next nap time...

Ancient Treasures Family Day and Kids Flick A Night at the Museum

On Sunday, Feb. 5 from 1-4 pm, you can immerse your family in ancient treasures from Greece, Rome, and Egypt!

Create your own clay pot inspired by amazing works of art from ancient Greece, explore Egyptian art at a hands-on Gallery Cart, discover Greek myths at Storytime, and sketch works of art in the MFAH Antiquities collection. Plus, at 2:30 p.m., the Reel Kids Film Night at the Museum starring Ben Stiller will delight families as the past comes to life! Check out the video clip on the museum's web site to see if your child would enjoy this flick.

All activities are FREE with general museum admission. Click here for more information.

Until the next nap time...

National Pancake Day: Feb. 28, 2012

IHOP is helping Houston families (& beyond) celebrate National Pancake Day.

On Tuesday, February 28, head to any local IHOP restaurant to enjoy a free stack of pancakes. In exchange, IHOP hopes you'll leave a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It's just one way that IHOP is supporting charities where it does business. Another upside is your family gets a belly full of yum.I'm hoping to take my daughter for breakfast out before school for an extra special treat. Pass the syrup please.

Find an IHOP near you by visiting http://ihoplocator.com/. 

Until the next nap time...

I'd like to re-post these parenting tips from the Real Age newsletter. While these tips aren't groundbreaking, it's good for parents to have a gentle reminder that all kids struggle at some point and there are simple things we can do as parents to help them. Consistency is the key.

5 Self-Esteem Boosters for Kids

An occasional bout of self-doubt is to be expected, and even has an upside -- it keeps a child from thinking she's invincible. But too much doubt leads to low self-esteem.
To help your child strike the right balance, give her plenty of opportunities to shine. And instead of empty praise, which she'll be onto in a flash, help her master different challenges. Here are five good and useful challenges to offer up.

5 Opportunities to Shine

If patches of self-doubt are lingering in your child, here are a few ways to help her feel unafraid of what life has to offer.

1. Encourage your child to get physical. Exercise has a short-term positive effect on self-esteem. Find an activity that interests your child, and then make it happen by being ready with transportation, encouragement, and equipment.
(Watch this simple stretching workout video that the whole family will love.)

2. Get help at school. Check in with your child's teachers if academics seem to be part of the problem. Some schools have homework helpers; others offer tutoring recommendations to help children get back on track with their studies.
(Think your child may have ADHD? Check out the symptoms here.)

3. Nurture healthy habits. A healthy child is a stronger and more confident child. Nip bad habits in the bud. Enforce regular showers, shampoos, and bedtimes. And check that your child isn't slipping into poor eating habits. At home, insist on eating fresh, healthy meals together.
(Find tasty, healthy recipes that are perfect for busy families here.)
 
4. Reward accomplishments. Emphasize the positive. If your child is discouraged in one area, make a big deal of her accomplishments in another.

5. Do something just for fun. Surprise your child with an experience you know she'll enjoy, like a trip to an amusement park or an evening at the movies. If unpleasant experiences with friends are getting her down, give her something unexpected to tell the world about, making her feel special.

Developing a healthy sense of self begins when your child is a baby, and continues beyond her teenage years. So be consistent, nurturing, and responsive . . . even when she says she doesn't need you anymore.

For more tips like this for you and your family, check out http://www.RealAge.com/. 

Until the next nap time...

Houston Kids Clown Around

If you're looking for inexpensive fun for very young kids, here are a few fun activities with local clowns that are sure to cheer up your kids.

On Tuesdays from noon until 2 pm, enjoy a FREE storytime at the IKEA STORE on I-10. Children will also like the balloon animals that the clown will make for the kids to take home. Kids eat free all day and there's no purchase required.

Also at IKEA, on Saturdays from 1:30 - 4:30 pm, enjoy clown fun with magic, balloons, prizes and a lot more. Kids can enjoy the activities while the parents shop.

For those of you living near West, check at the Kroger at 5150 Buffalo Speedway near Westpark every Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm or Sunday noon - 6 pm. The clown entertains kids with stickers, prizes, magic painting and balloon fun.

I love being able to couple fun for my daughter with errands that I can check off. Hope this helps you, too.

Until the next nap time!

Recap of the Holidays & Looking Forward

So yes, our holiday schedule was crazy busy -- just like all of yours with children. Then, my Grandmother passed away late the night after Christmas Day. She was 98 years old so I have to admit that she had lived a full life and we knew it was coming but it doesn't make it any easier. My 6-year-old daughter didn't find it easy either.

The last Monday before the holiday break, I picked up Little K from her Girl Scout meeting that followed a day of school. She asked if the time had come & I carefully told her "not yet but any time." Grandmother's home is just 6 houses down the street from ours so we drive by literally every day & Little K's Great Grandmother has been an important part of her life. Little K said she cried to a teacher that day. Oh no!,  I thought. So, while driving home, I told Little K that when we got home, we could talk more about it.

When we arrived home, we both cautiously proceeded to the family room as if instructed to do so. I sat down on the sofa & Little K curled up in my lap. "Do you want to talk about Grandmother?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Mommy, it's just not fair," she started. "You see, Grandmother is very old and I am very young so I just didn't get enough time with her." At that, she burst into tears and clung to my neck. I was floored that this little one had so much emotion bottled up inside. I just sat there, fighting my own tears and rubbed her back. A solid 10 minutes later, she stopped, dried her eyes and told me that she just had to get it out. I reassured her that she could talk to me any time about anything. She drifted off to her own room.

Exactly one week later, Grandmother passed away and we buried her on 12/29/2011. I worried how Little K would respond during the funeral but she wanted to go &, unfortunately, it wasn't her first funeral. She had several cousins there to keep her preoccupied and she didn't really seem bothered by too much of it. My mother & I both gave eulogies and while that was really tough, I felt it was important to share with people what a remarkable woman she was. Fiesty & loving all at the same time. After a day full of funeral activities -- all escorted by my family & noteably my supportive mother-in-law (yes, she's a gem!), we returned to our home in central home. My husband & I changed out of our all black attire into something more comfortable when suddenly we looked at each other bewildered.

What was that? Little K was downstairs by herself crying. Trent ushered her upstairs, where she crawled in our big bed & I just held her.. & cried too. It's so hard to tell what goes on in those little heads but surrounding them hugs & kisses, plus letting them know that they can talk to you is all I know to do. I think it's the right thing to do. Finally, she dried her eyes again & found a toy play with.

While Grandmother had actually lived in a nearby assisted living facility for about three years, she still owned her home and said when she got stronger, she'd move back. It happened to be the house where my dad was born, where he & his older sister played for years, & where my sister, my two cousins & I also played for years. My parents moved a couple of times while I was growing up so I have absolutely no attachment to any home that I grew up in. But, I'm attached to that one house down the street from me. Time heals all wounds & I do believe that. But a special place in my heart holds onto the memories that I have of my Grandmother. The extra special memories often include my daughter & her Great Grandmother interacting. We'll all move on but I'll hold onto those precious memories.

And in the New Year, I'll again be committed to spending time with my family. I've been reminded how important those little moments are & how I want to make the most of them.

Until the next nap time...

Head to Galveston for the Holidays

GALVESTON: The Perfect Destination for the Holidays!

The Magic of the Season Returns!

Galveston Island has much more than the beach this holiday season. From traditional events to special celebrations and Santa sightings galore, the Island is filled with holiday cheer.

More than a million lights, animated displays and live entertainment adorn the pyramids of Moody Gardens along a mile-long trail during the annual Festival of Lights. Open Thursday through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. November 24th through December 17th. Open nightly December 18th through January 1st.

Relive the story of Christ's birth through fresh eyes and recapture the wonder of God's miraculous gift during the Imagine Christmas Dinner & Show at Moody Gardens. This Imagine Christmas holiday musical combines fine dining and a unique performance for the ultimate holiday experience. Door to Imagine Christmas open daily at 6:45 p.m. from December 15th to 27th. Admission is $49 for adults and $29 for children 12 and under.
Holiday-themed films will also be featured in the Moody Gardens IMAX 3D Theater, Ridefilm Theater, and 4D Special FX Theater.

Santa Claus will make special Saturday appearances in historic downtown Galveston to take pictures with good little boys and girls next to the Downtown Christmas Tree in Saengerfest Park, 23rd St and Strand. Appearance schedule to be listed here soon.

Your favorite friends from Tuna, Texas return to The Grand 1894 Opera House for not one, but two weeks of laughter with original stars Joe Sears and Jaston Williams in A Tuna Christmas, December 13-18. Don't miss master comedians and original cast members Jaston Williams and Tony Award- nominee Joe Sears, with their deft comedic timing, trademark characterizations, and split-second costume changes, as they portray all 24 denizens of Texas' mythical third-smallest town, Tuna, and attempt to cope with the traumas and dramas of the holidays!
 
Just in time for the holidays comes a wonderful story about the beauty of the season and the true meaning of Christmas...Wrong! When two well-intentioned parents decide to direct the school play, they make the terrible mistake of casting the Herdman kids; probably the most inventively awful kids in history! Chaos and hilarity results as the cast and crew collide with the Christmas story head on! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will take the stage at island e.t.c. December 9, 10, 16, and 17th at 8pm, with and Sunday matinee on December 11th at 2:30pm. 

Voted the Best Indoor Waterpark in the World, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is a 26-acre waterpark that features the world's first indoor / outdoor 70,000 square foot heated convertible waterpark area. This climate controlled area of the park that includes a dozen heated water attractions including favorites such as the Faust & Furious speed slides and Guada-Loopy Tube Chutes. Also relax in Wasserfest Hot Tub and Kids Area. Don't miss Schlitterbahn's unforgettable heated indoor season!

The whole month of December Moody Mansion and Bishop's Palace are adorned with historic ornaments and lights from the early 1900's. Travel back to the days of elegance and class as you explore a Victorian Christmas at the Broadway Beauties.

Of course, you'll also want to Ring in 2012 in the most unforgettable way possible! And Galveston Island is the place to be with New Year's Eve Celebration hosted by The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center and the Moody Gardens Hotel.
 
Galveston Island has a variety of festivities to choose from this holiday season. So head South and check out the full line up of events on Galveston.com.

Until the next nap time...

Insperity Golf Experience & Flea Market at Discovery Green

Last weekend, Little K and I had a lot of time together since my husband was out of town. We headed down to the Insperity Golf Experience in downtown Houston. It's a 9-hole putt-putt golf course that was created by local artists. It's open through the end of November. With the weather this nice, there's no excuse not to check this out. It costs $5/adult and $3/child. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. I love the combination of art and sport.  

I loved all the vibrant colors with our skyscrapers as the back drop. Amazing. Little K liked the zig-zagging colorful course. We both agreed that the pin ball machine turned golf hole was the most challenging. I never could get my golf ball to go up into the hole in the pin ball machine. Then again, I wasn't much good at those machines as a kid either. :-)

 After completing the 9-hold course, we cooled off with an iced tea and a snowcone. You can guess who got which item. 

We walked around Discovery Green and absolutely LOVED the Discovery Green Flea Market. Each booth sold different vintage items made of recycled materials. Little K's favorite was the booth with the enormous hulahoops (see photo at right). She could whip that thing around like nobody. She had me laughing so hard that when you watch the video on FaceBook, you see a very shaking camera person who won't stop giggling. It was great. 

Any ways, the Flea Markets will return the 3rd Saturday of each month from noon - 6 pm. I already added the November 19 event to my calendar. It's located at 1500 McKinney so basically the area is right in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Expect to pay $5- $10 for parking in downtown.

I think most of all we both enjoyed being outdoors in the gorgeous weather. You just can't be in a bad mood when you're outside, soaking up a llttle sun and breathing the fresh air. Then again, maybe my good mood was due to my good company.

Until the next nap time...

Zest in the West festival in Houston, Oct. 22-23, 2011

activities including Kidz-Chen Kids Cooking Classes,

If you're wondering what to do in Houston the weekend of Oct. 22-23, look no further. As I mentioned in my October newsletter, the Zest in the West promises fun for young and old. More than 20 restaurants and food trucks will be on hand for plenty of tastings so come hungry. Plus, 19 wineries will be on hand for tastings for attendees 21 years old and over.

I'm most excited about how the zestival will incorporate children's activities including a Kidz-Chen Kids Cooking Classes, thanks to Denis Seafood. (See photo above.) So check out the Zest in the West web site and then mark your calendars for the weekend of Oct. 19-22. We hope to see you there.

When: Saturday, Oct. 22nd from 11 am - 6 pm and Sunday, Oct. 23rd, 2011, Noon - 6 pm
Where: The Great Indoors- Front Lot, 10496 Old Katy Rd, Houston, TX 77043
Cost: $15 General Admission, Kids 12 and under get in FREE



Until the next nap time...

Revisiting Old Stomping Grounds & the Yexas State Fair

With the State Fair of Texas opening in Dallas this weekend, our Houston family decided to make the drive. It's what I call a rite of passage as a Texan. Little K packed plenty of DVDs, Barbies & other dolls for the incredibly long (4-hour) drive.




Upon our arrival in Big D, we were all filled with energy. I was thrilled that our 6-year-old loved the rides & games. I was surprised with the number of activities for the very young, too. Little K was proud that she popped two balloons with a hackie-sack & won a Smurfette doll. I giggled with the sight of Big Tex, although he wasn't as tall as I remembered him.


A trip to the State Fair wouldn't be complete without a Fletcher's corn dog, followed by a funnel cake. It was calories galore! I even rode in the very tall ferris wheel but I insisted that everyone hold very still. The


view really was beautiful!

After hours at the state fair, we checked into a downtown hotel. We drove by my old Arthur Andersen office on Main Street, which brought back great memories.

Since both my husband & I attended SMU in Dallas, we had to make a few pit stops. First, dinner at Snuffer's on lower


Greenville (because we hadn't eaten enough at the fair!). The cheddar fries were impeccable as we remembered.




We drove around the SMU campus, amazed at the growth that President Turner has brought to the university. We stopped by the Delta Gamma sorority house, where Andrea politely showed us around. The decor looked great! We not only found my old composite photos but also my mother-in-law's composite! Little K grinned from ear to ear.

Next, we drove through Snyder Plaza to see which places remained from our college days. Shell's, check. Burger House, check. Kuby's (a German restaurant & grocery) was even celebrating Oktoberfest with a


live band, food & beer. We enjoyed a cold one & a few dances. Kuby's was my father-in-law's favorite so this stop made us all smile.

To end the night, we made one last stop at a wall near Hillcrest & the Umphrey Lee building.


Trent showed our daughter a brick that his parents bought him at graduation & that was incorporated into a marquee entrance wall. Inscribed on the brick was "Trent Salch -- a 2 keg brick". My husband beamed.

On Sunday, we drove to Plano to see our first house & the trees that finally grew. We stopped by our old church, St. Elizabeth Anne Seton on Spring Creek & remembered how the events of 911 unfolded. It certainly prompted our move to Houston.

On our return home, we swung by Ozona's Restaurant on Upper Greenville to pick up our to-go order.

As we struggle to get a good radio signal in the car so we can hear the Houston Texans game, I'm so thankful that we moved back to Houston. Our family is much closer & our community much tighter. Even Little K pointed out that she was glad we lived in Houston because Dallas didn't have her friend Clare. Still, it's great to go back to Dallas & Plano, relive memory lane & see how we've all grown.

We look forward to SMU's homecoming on Nov. 1 when we hope to return. We'll need to make a new list of places to visit. Here's hoping SMU wins its football game that weekend like it did this weekend.

Until the next nap time...

More Fun Things to Do in October in Houston with Kids

     Each month, I publish an email newsletter with fun ideas of things to do in Houston with kids. If you haven't yet subscribed, take just 1 minute to sign up online and tell your friends, too. 

    There are so many fun things to do in Houston in October with kids that I couldn't fit them all in my October newsletter. Here are a few more that I hope you'll try.

    1. Saturday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 9 (10 am – 6 pm) is the Bayou City Art Festival, where you can walk through downtown to view all sorts of art from nationwide artists. Welcoming children, the Gexa Energy Creative Zone includes more than 12 activities designed specifically for young, aspiring artists. From creating custom jewelry to making mini art cars, your kids will have a blast. Parents and grandparents will enjoy strolling through booths featuring art work for sale by more than 300 artists. This is a fun way to spend the day outdoors and appreciate art. The festival is showcased in front of City Hall and around Hermann Square on the streets of Walker, Bagby and McKinney, as well as Sam Houston Park. Admission is $12/adult and children are free.

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    2. We had a blast at the Scarecrow Festival in Chappel Hill, Texas last year. It’s about 1.5 hours from Houston. If you have the day free, head out of town to enjoy this outdoor event together. Aim to arrive early as the traffic on Hwy. 290 heading into Chappel Hill backs up for miles. It’s worth the wait though. I enjoyed all the festival food (yum!) and the autumn décor and early holiday shopping. The children’s area includes a small ferris wheel ($5), a train ($3), a petting zoo ($3) with the cutest pot belly pig baby & much more. Be sure to bring cash as each booth has different fees and I didn’t see a place that accepted credit cards. Check out our photos from last year. This year, the festival is Saturday, Oct. 8 (10 am – 6 pm) and Sunday, Oct. 8 (noon – 5 pm). There is no admission fee but parking is $5/car.

     

            3. Monday Oct. 10 is Columbus Day. Do your kids know who Christopher Columbus is? If your children span various ages, encourage your older children to read a story or make up a play about Christopher Columbus so the younger kids can learn. Teach them the “1492 Poem.”Or check out these fun ways to celebrate Columbus Day that I found online.

4. Attend Energy Day 2011 on Saturday, October 15 from 11 am to 5 pm at Houston’s Hermann Square (downtown at Smith between Walker & McKinney. Sponsored by the City of Houston and Consumer Energy Alliance, Energy Day is a FREE family-friendly festival that will celebrate and highlight the importance of energy in our daily lives and Houston’s role as the Energy Capital. The event is designed to educate youth of all ages about the overall role all forms of energy play in meeting our current and future needs. With more than 80 kid-friendly innovative exhibits, demonstrations and booths focused on some of the coolest energy-related scientific breakthroughs, games and interactive displays, Energy Day is sure to be a can’t-miss event for the entire family. Energy Day will also feature Live Music, Food and Prizes. Free parking is available. For more information, visit www.energyday2011.org.

5.   On Friday, Oct. 28 at 11 am, Miller Outdoor Theatre presents “The Adventures of Tom & Huck”, an adaptation of the book by Mark Twain. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch so you can enjoy this one-hour musical with your youngster. You’re sure to laugh, too. Miller Outdoor Theatre is located in Hermann Park at 6000 Hermann Park Drive. Arrive early to find parking before the production begins. Price: no charge

Until the next nap time...

Involving Children in a Groundbreaking Ceremony

 

Last weekend, our church and school held a groundbreaking to expand the nursery school and the elementary school buildings. The event was very nice and most of what you'd expect from a groundbreaking ceremony. 

However, I loved how the staff included the kids in this exciting event. Each student was encouraged to where their school uniform (in exchange for an out-of-uniform pass later during the week) and were given yellow plastic hard hats. A representative from every class -- from 6 weeks old to 14 years old -- was invited to add an item to the time capsule that will bury during the building phase. Lots of photos were taken and then everyone was invited inside for lunch and a "dirt cake with worms", which was actually chocolate cake with Oreos and gummy worms. They even had a focal point of a wheel barrel holding the dirt cake.

We all enjoyed the efforts made by the team at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and School. Just thought I'd share in case any of you are planning your own groundbreaking. 

A special thanks to Dory Michels for sharing his wonderful photos.

Until the next nap time...