Inspire Your Houston Kids with a Young Star

This time of year, many kids are beginning to suffer Spring Fever & need an extra (positive) push to get through the school year. I think I have a fun way to do it.

10 year old Noah McCullough has authored the book The Essential Book of Presidential Trivia and Noah will be at the Barnes & Noble store at Town & Country Center this Thursday, March 9 at 7 pm. (Barnes & Noble BooksellersTown & Country12850 Memorial Drive Suite 1600Houston, TX 77024713-465-5616). Not familiar with Noah or his book? For starters, Noah lives in Katy, Texas and attends 5th grade at Second Baptist in Houston. Noah has been on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show and many more. Check out http://noahmccullough.com/ for more details.

What a great way to show your kids that even young people can be successful and make a difference. I'm heading to the book signing just to meet this talented boy. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, March 9 at 7 pm
B&N Town & Country Center (on Memorial Drive near Beltway 8)
Noah McCullough

More Activities to Come

My new friend Carol emailed me today (KidsInfo@houston.rr.com) to see if I'd publish a calendar of upcoming kids' activities. Thanks for the prompt, Carol! As I emailed Carol, folks can buy a copy of my guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids for $19.95 in Barnes & Noble, Borders and other local book stores for just this information. You can also buy a copy online at www.TellYourTale.com/Kids. The guidebook is categorized by the months of the year and offers tons of activities for the 2006 year so parents & grandparents don't waste time calling places for more details. Now that info is right at your fingertips. Hope this is helpful to you.

Also, I'll be selling copies at the Childrens Festival on April 1-2 in downtown Houston. More details to come on where I'll be but mark your calendars for this AWESOME family affair. Check out http://www.houstonchildrensfestival.com/ for lots of event info but this is one weekend you won't want to miss. Hope to see you there!

Until the next nap time...

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Gets an A for FUN

Saturday afternoon, our family spent the day at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. The only problem we found is that we didn't allow enough time to do it all. Sausage on a stick, cotton candy & some drinks were our first treats. Then we headed to the petting zoo, which is FREE to enter but $2 for a small ice cream cone of pet food. It's fun either way. Kylie got a kick out of the goats. Brent liked the pigs and Noah was just taking it all in.

In AGventure, there are 10 stops for kids to see & learn about different animals and pick up a different animal trading card. At the last stop, kids show their 10 cards and are awarded with a small pin. We found the stops were too many for our kids (ages 8, 5 and 11 months). We wish they'd allow you to visit 8 of 10 or something like that. We opted to not find the 10th stop (we only had 9 cards!) and headed to the rodeo.

Check out 12 photos from our Rodeo adventure at http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=zs9ae4p.3w8ybcvt&Uy=-d2hgex&Ux=1.

The kids really enjoyed rooting for their chosen chuckwagon during the races. Noah (age 8) liked the bull riding. The boys got an extra treat when Colyn brought them light up toys for the performance. The toys cost $10 each which is a bit pricey for the glorified flashlight but it did keep all 3 kids extra entertained. Plus, the boys now have a token to remember the rodeo from. Amazingly, even 11-month old Kylie did fantastic during the concert, starring Martina McBride. We were sure to warn the kids that the show started with the lights being turned out, followed by a firecracker show. Kylie, who couldn't possibly understand what we were saying, didn't even jump when the fireworks went off. Instead, she danced through the performance. We opted to leave at 7:15 pm since we had been rodeo-ing it since 2 pm. The concert was not yet over but the family enjoyed a full day. Noah gave the day an A in terms of fun and I agree. Hopefully, we can make another visit next week so we can tackle the games & rides at the Carnival.

Mardi Gras Fun for Kids

So I'm running a bit behind this week on updates to my blog but with good reason. Last weekend, we ventured to Galveston for the Mardi Gras parades and found some great fun for kids. We caught the tail end (pun intended) of the Pet Parade that started at 1 pm Sunday and then stayed for the Childrens Parade at 2 pm. Kylie really enjoyed these events. She appreciated the extra help from Aunt Susan & friend Drew in catching stuffed animals, beads, cups & kids-friendly items. As a parent, I appreciated these parades because they featured lots of cartoon or kid program characters and strayed away from more adult content. I highly recommend this FREE activity for families next year. While we saw some parking lots that charged $10 per space, we had no problem parking along the street for FREE and the weather was gorgeous on Sunday. Plan ahead. See www.MardiGrasGalveston.com for details on the 2007 events.

Tune into 93Q's Morning Show tomorrow morning as the Kids Activity Queen gives parents & grandparents some fun things to do with Houston kids during the month of March. The radio station might even give away complimentary copies of the guidebook 100+ Activities for Houston Kids. Tune in!

Until the next nap time...

MarquE Offers Amusement for Kids 3+ Years

Today, Kylie and I went to the MarquE on I-10 and Silber to check out its activities beyond Jillian's. (See my earlier blog entry about Jillian's. It was a blast!) While there's not a lot for toddlers to do at the MarquE, there is some. Pump It Up has inflated structures that kids can play on indoors. This is great for a rainy day or one that is too cold or hot... the latter being more likely in Houston. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, Pump It Up has "Pop In Playtime" for the very young. It's similar to the mommy & me groups that many young families participate in. Kylie & I are hoping to join "Pop In Playtime" one day, so check back for our review or check it out yourselves. It costs $6/child and is held from 10 am to noon. Be sure to wear socks. Pump It Up is a great option for a birthday party, too.

The MarquE also has the Putting Edge, which is the indoor, glow in the dark putt-putt golf course & it's cool! I recommend it for kids age 3 and up. This is a good family activity. We went at about 5 pm on a weekday and it was not too crowded but families were enjoying themselves.

Another easy and inexpensive activity? Kylie & I soaked up the sunshine in the courtyard near the movie theater. Kylie liked looking at the large fountain, but she loved the small spherical fountains that she could touch. Since she's still under a year (barely!), I could hold her over the spherical fountains so she could put her hands in them without getting soaked. No need for a spare set of clothes. Thank you.

On a hot day, families can also grab a bite to eat at any of the restaurants at the MarquE & then treat yourselves to some ice cream. Yum! Overall, the MarquE gets a big thumbs up in my book. I just wish there was more to do with toddlers.

Until the next nap time...

No Child Too Young for Houston Fun

This is the little girl who started it all for me: Kylie. My active 10-month old gave me so many reasons to find fun kids activities in Houston. I grind my teeth when parents say their children are too young to do much. I disagree wholeheartendly. Kylie & I have seen so much of Houston and we love it. I'll start posting photos here regularly of the trips we make.

Don't forget to email me with your recommendations for kids activities. Email those ideas to KidsInfo@houston.rr.com. I'm also looking for suggestions on family-friendly (NOTE: Kid-friendly) restaurants. Let me know which letter grades you give Houston restaurants. One grade for its kid-friendliness and one grade for the quality & taste of the food. Dig in!

Until the next nap time...

P.S. - Check out my guidebook packed with fun kids activities in book stores now. It's called 100+ Activities for Houston Kids and it's an annual publication so you don't miss a lick!

Aquarium Food Less than Stellar, But Great Entertainment for Kids

We went to the Downtown Aquarium tonight for Brent's birthday. As always, the kids were mesmerized by the fish. Even Kylie at 10 months was really excited to see the fish. For a 1-2 hour dinner with young kids, the Aquarium makes a great option. The kids menus and coloring activities also keep children occupied at the table. Unfortunately, we spent $20+ on adult dinners that were less than spectacular. My husband's shrimp brochette tasted of freezer burn and my snapper was mediocre, although the price tag was not. I just wish the chefs would invest more into the food since the Downtown Aquarium is a restaurant after all. Otherwise, just call yourself an amusement park and focus there.

My suggestion: take the kids to the Downtown Aquarium during the day for the activities (I love the ferris wheel) and sights, but skip the meal. The adults will be glad they did.

Until the next nap time...

Kids Activity Queen on 93Q; Colonial Park Rocks

So Exciting... I was on 93 Q Morning Zoo radio show this morning talking about the 1st Annual Valentine Skate tomorrow at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink as well as tips for parents for taking youngsters to the rodeo later this month. Tune in to 93 Q during the 8-9 am hour on the first Friday of each month for regular updates from the Kids Activity Queen. Yea!

Colonial Park in West University is such a great park. Not only is the equipment newer & brighter in appearance, but it offers more equipment than many other area parks. Plus, the forts and climbing structures are great for encouraging vivid imaginations. Last Thursday during our trip to Colonial Park, two darling children were playing in a fort that has several steering wheels. I naturally thought of playing in a car, but the little boy said he was driving his "castle ship." Let your kids go wild with their imagination.

My little Kylie loves the swings. The park has traditional swings, baby swings & a swinging bench so take your pick. The sand volleyball court also serves as a sandbox. I always hear kids talking about tackling the slides: the red, the blue, the curvy one... you pick. The seasaw is a treat that hasn't been forgotten hear. And remember monkey bars? My daughter is too young for them but she likes me to help her touch them. She's an eager 10 month old. There's also a large field for running and burning off energy. Although it's cold outside, a few laps around the field will get those little bodies heating up. Enjoy!

Directions: Take Weslayan south past University Blvd. Turn right (west) on Case, which will dead end into the park.

Until the next nap time...

Feb. 10-12 Weekend for Houston Kids

It's cold outside. Call me a wimp but I'm dragging my feet AGAIN to get to StrollerFit with my daughter later this morning because it's just too cold to be outside. It's gonna be cold this weekend so what can you do with the kids?

The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters is visiting Houston at the Toyota Center. They're playing against the New York Nationals so head to one of the games this weekend and root the Globetrotters onto victory! Tickets start at only $12. Games are on Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1:30 pm.

If sports are for your little ones, drive to the Hobby Center for a performance of Dora's Pirate Adventure, starring Dora the Explorer & her cousin Diego. Performances run through Sunday and tickets start at $16. Saturday & Sunday have performances at 11 am, 2 pm, & 5 pm. Fun, fun, fun and learn more Spanish while you're at it.

Don't forget the Valentine Skate on Tuesday, 9:30 am - Noon at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink. Kylie & I will be there, using our stroller to conquer the rink & laughing lots. Admission is only $4! Hope to see you there.

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...

Houston Zoo Still Fun for Kids

Today, we took a family trip to the Houston Zoo. The adults found ourselves comparing the Zoo of our young days to the current venue. Wow! A lot has changed and our children have so much more to see and experience. Our daughter Kylie especially enjoyed the petting zoo, including the chickens, sheep, goats and more. While December and January are great months to visit the Zoo, I would still suggest going at opening time. We got there at 3 pm and the parking lot was packed. My husband joked: "Too bad the Zoo closes in two hours. It'll take us an hour to get to the front gate." The temp was a nice 78 today but usually I'd advise bringing a coat. I'd also bring a change of clothes for the little ones since the Zoo has added the dancing fountains that more and more places are including to add some fun for the kids. The Zoo gets a gold star for traditional family fun... even after all the years!

Until the next nap time...