Houston Rodeo Great for Kids, Families

It’s officially Rodeo time in Houston, providing a great way for kids to learn about agriculture, animals and sports. Head to Destination: AGventure where your kids can pet various types of rabbits, learn how chickens hatch from eggs of many colors, and see more animals than on most farms. The petting zoo gives children a chance to pet and feed chickens, goats, lambs and even Kangaroos! Take a ride on a pony or do a photo shoot on the back of a longhorn bull. Yeehaw!

For families with young kids, I recommend attending the livestock show for a few hours during the week. If you can take off from work, this is the best way to avoid the crowd. Families can park up close by entering the Kirby & Westridge entrance. Just tell the parking attendant that you have young kids and you’ll be directed upfront. The Ford Truck Tram will take you right to Reliant Center for Destination: Agventure. Close parking is available between 9 am and 1 pm during the week. Weekday parking is $7. Weekend parking goes up to $12.

Rodeo performance tickets begin at $17. Entrance to the livestock show is only $6/person. If you plan to attend the livestock show more than once this year, buy the FunPass! for $20 and you gain access to everything except the concert for all 20 days of rodeo.

Weekend matinees are perfect for kids. See bull riders, barrel racers and famous performers from Martina McBride to Brooks & Dunn. The outdoor carnival presents fun rides, games and tasty treats for kids age ~6 and up.

Check back this week for 10 tips for navigating the rodeo with kids.

Little K is calling. Until the next nap time...

March Means Crawfish Boil

Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend with your family? Join the Kids Activity Queen at the 4th Annual Crawfish Boil, sponsored by the Heights Chamber of Commerce.

When: Noon – 4 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2007

Where: Under the huge tent at the corner of West 19th St. & Ashland in the Sterling Bank parking lot. This is a “Rain or Shine” event but the weather forecast looks promising. The Houston Weather Forecast on Yahoo predicts partly cloudy with a high of 68° and a low of 42°. Cross your fingers!

What's family-friendly about this event? There will be a Live Band, Moonwalk for the children, Face painting, Silent Auction, Great Food, Raffle for Door Prizes, and lots of Fun for the entire family! This is a great way to welcome spring. Hope to see you all there.

Until the next nap time...

Family Trip to Austin

Last weekend, we took a family trip to Austin and had a great time. Little K loved running outside at the Capitol. Once inside the building, Daddy explained a bit of history, which honestly went right over our "almost 2" year old's head but it was worth a shot. Our toddler did enjoy looking at the ceiling of the Capitol because of the star it holds. Spinning around with Daddy while looking at the star was also fun.

If you're looking for a quick trip this Spring Break, head to Austin. There are several inexpensive hotels that are kid-friendly. Just make sure you have room for the little ones to run. A meal at El Arroyo will really top off the trip.

Until the next nap time...

All Aboard! New Hours for Houston Trains & Dr Pepper Plant

Here's an update to my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids. The free train rides are a big hit for kids and parents. HALS train rides open in March and will have longer hours to fit your families' needs. YEAH! Since this event is only once a month, March - November, mark your calendars now for a great train expedition. Here's the HALS schedule.

Saturday, March 17, 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday, April 21, 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday, May 19, 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday, June 16, 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday, July 21, 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday, August 18, 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday, Sept 15, 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 am - 3 pm

Admission to the park and train rides are free. For more information, please visit http://www.hals.org/. Thanks to Diane S. for keeping us updated!

Another update: I'm sad to report that the Dr Pepper Plant in Houston is no longer giving tours. Ugh. (See page 57 in 100+ Activities for Houston Kids.) This was one of my favorites because I love this bubbly drink. If "You're a Pepper" like me, consider a visit to the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, TX... maybe on the way to Austin. This would be a fun Spring Break or summer trip. Speaking of which, if you haven't purchased your copy of my book, order yours today and get the whole family excited about Spring Break and summer vacation time.

Until the next nap time...

Peanuts, It Is

We got the test results back on the peanut allergy testing today. On a scale of 0 being no allergy and a 6 being fatally allergic to peanuts, Little K is a high 3, almost a 4. (She has 15.2 units per litre of the histamine in her blood stream. Scale/rating 3 only goes up to 17 units.) Our allergy doctor recommends having Benadryl strips on hand in case of an episode. He actually does not recommend EpiPens on young children because it's extremely rare that a young child goes into shock and needs an EpiPen. That is more common in teens. Plus, according to our doctor, an EpiPen only stays in a person's system for 20 minutes -- enough time to get to a doctor. Benadryl stays in the system longer and, in my humble opinion, is easier to administer. The emergency room also administers Benadryl upon the first signs of an allergic reaction. We'll need to have Kylie tested each year at Texas Children's Hospital to monitor the severity of her allergy because that can increase or decrease year after year. In the mean time, I should probably invest in McNEIL-PPC, Inc. (the maker of Benadryl) stock.

So in short, the news could be better, but it definitely could be worse. I'll focus my attention on the good and do what I can to keep Little K away from peanuts. Is the glass half full or half empty? It's not full of peanuts, that's for sure! I'll say half full.

Until the next nap time...

Parents' Balancing Act

Being a mom is no easy chore. We all want our children to lead fulfilling lives. Finding ways to nurture their talents, help them become independent and find some sort of spirituality is tough. Don't forget feedings, bathings & good snuggling. When you throw into the mix the thought of working a full-time "out of the home" job, it just gets tougher.

I work three, very full days each week, plus some nights & weekends. I've just decided to extend Little K's nursery school day to later in the day so I can complete more work. Is this the best choice, I wonder. My friend Ashley has reminded me that this, too, can take an adjustment for all family members but in the end, I have to make the best decision for my daughter. Luckily, we've found a nursery school that Little K thrives in. Still, I love being with her, watching her learn from so many new experiences and I'd hate to miss those. For now, we'll focus on the time we have together and ensure it's quality time. I recognize that so many parents struggle with a similar dilemma and we all make the best decisions we can. When my daughter grows up, I want her to feel whole, to know she is loved and be confident in her talents and abilities. Even mommies & daddies need to feel good about these things. How do you manage it as a parent?

Until the next nap time...

Mardi Gras Parades for Kids

Pack up those Valentine decorations & roll out the purple, green & gold! It's time for Mardi Gras! YES, Galveston offers a family-friendly environment. My daughter loved it last year at almost a year old so we're heading back to the Island this weekend. So what are the best Mardi Gras activities?

High school kids and older will enjoy the festivities going on Saturday during the day. Catch beads, cups and more Mardi Gras treats. Live music fills the air & there's more fattening food than any carnival in the Galveston 2007 . Advance tickets are available at http://www.clicknprinttickets.com/ or $20 at the gate. Tickets required Noon-midnight.

Unless your kids are in college or older, I suggest they head home before the night parades -- only because there is a lot of drinking.

For your younger crowd:
Sun, 2/18/07 at 1 pm: The Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Mardi Gras Parade (Parade of the Animals) is purrrfect. Families can bring all types of pets from cats and dogs to ferrets and iguanas. The parade route runs along 25th Street from Avenue M to Santa Fe Place.

Sun, 2/18/07 at 2 pm: The Mardi Gras Children’s Parade follows the same route as the Parade of the Animals and is a great follow-up for kids. It includes familiar cartoon animals and giveaways ranging from beads to stuffed animals and kid-sized cups.

On Sunday, there's FREE Admission! Let the good times roll!

Until the next nap time...

Happy Valentine Week, Houston!

Well, the weather is soggy & cool, but it's bound to be a great week for Valentines. We've really been enjoying our Valentine activities throughout the month from making our own Valentine cards to baking cookies to eating heart-shaped sandwiches. (At left, Little K is dressed for Valentines as she hugs her Valentine pig. She loves the kissing Valentine pigs from Hallmark!)

In the busyness of a parent's day, I've actually been able to remember what February 14 is about. And after Wednesday, Little K & I will be putting away the Valentine decorations (to make room for Mardi Gras ones!) but plan to keep our focus on being extra nice to each other. Gosh, even Daddy is liking this new project. I hope your Valentine week is lovely... and less stressful than usual.

If you haven't picked up your copy of the book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids, I hope you'll join me at one of these upcoming events. And subscribe to my FREE eNewsletter for fun ideas and updates for your Houston family.

• 6:30-8 pm on Friday, Feb. 16 Barnes & Noble Sugar Land
• Monday, Feb. 19 at the Catholic Librarians' Meeting at John Paul II Catholic School
• 10-11:30 am on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the MOPS meeting at Grace Presbyterian Church
• 9 am - 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Baylor Family Fair on the McGovern Campus
• 9-11 am on Friday, March 2 at Barnes & Noble Town & Country
• 10 am - noon on Saturday, March 3 at Barnes & Noble Champions Village

Until the next nap time...

How Does Your Child Receive Love?

Considering Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I've been thinking a lot about how to show my daughter that I love her. I heard a speaker say earlier this week that "kids receive love so readily when they're relaxing and playing." Hmm. Interesting.

The speaker explained that as parents we need to show our kids that we love them by playing with them in the ways they're most receptive. It all has to do with putting the kids first, rather than doing what might come easiest to us. For instance, this speaker told the tale of a young boy who was fascinated with baseball. Unfortunately, ol' mom didn't know squat about the sport and her son often went to bed before his favorite team, the Astros, finished their games. His mother used this an opportunity to show her love for her son, despite her lack of interest in the sport. The morning after each late Astros game, his mom got the paper and read him the article about the Astros game. Her little boy treasured his mom reading the article during breakfast before school and still felt he was caught up on his team. Reading the sports page (or part of it) gave mom and son quality time, sharing their love for each other. As the boy grew older, his interest in baseball grew and so did mom's. Today, vacations often take their family to cities with professional baseball games, which they enjoy together. Sounds fun to me.

How does your child receive love? As parents, we often try to accomplish everything on our lists from laundry to dinner to bath time. What if instead we put sharing one particular interest with each of our kids at the top of our priority list? You could check it off once a week. Thoughts? I hope to hear from you all. Your feedback is needed. Thanks!

Until the next nap time...

Is Houston's Spring Really on its Way?

So Punxsutawney Phil, the season-forecasting groundhog, did not see his shadow on Friday, indicating spring is on its way. Well, I wish it would hurry. After dropping Little K off at nursery school this morning, I had to catch up with my friend & fellow-Mom Amy. As we talked about local schools and pediatricians, I noticed our warm breath fogging in the air. IT'S JUST COLD OUTSIDE. Come on, spring! Am I the only mom who is ready for warm sunny weather, afternoon strolls through the neighborhood without coats & blankets, and gosh... how about a dip in the pool? I can't wait. I just hope Punxsutawney Phil is right.

We've got a fun but busy week planned. Between nursery school three days this week (Oh, and my job!), we have MOPS on Tuesday with a speaker on dating your husband while my daughter plays with her little friends, a trip to Texas Children's Hospital to run the food allergy test on Little K (right, that one is NOT fun), a taste test at a Heights restaurant on Wednesday with Great Grandmother, a twirl at the Vale-Asche Playground in Memorial Park with friend Milla, and a play date next Saturday with some of Mommy's friends from elementary and high school. I've got to remind myself that Sunday is for rest! But I'm looking forward to sharing tips and fun ideas with all of you. PLEASE let me know if you have any ideas, too. Thanks!

Peanuts in Regular M&Ms?

We went to the allergy specialist today to determine the course of action for my daughter's probably peanut allergy. After a brief discussion of what happened two weeks ago after touching peanut butter, Dr. Kurt Peeters agreed she probably is actually allergic. Apparently, many adults claim food allergies. "Surveys show that aboutone-third of all adults believe they have food allergies. Yet true food allergy is estimated to affect less than two percent of the population."*

Little K will have blood tests next week to confirm her probable allergy and then we'll return to Dr. Peeters office on 2/20 for the results. Yeah! In the mean time, we're avoiding peanuts and peanut products except heat extracted peanut oil, which is safe from the peanut allergen. I thought it was especially interesting to discover that regular chocolate M&Ms contain crushed peanuts in the shell. I've emailed the manufacturer to confirm but if the food allergy doctor tells me this, I'm betting he's right. Thank goodness we can still get our little (and big) hands on plenty of other chocolate! (What's life without chocolate, I say!)

Thanks for your kind thoughts & well wishes as the not-allergic-to-any-food Mom navigates the food allergy world. I'd love to hear your comments & thoughts on this topic, too, so email me or share your comments on this blog.

Until the next nap time...
* Source: "Understanding Food Allergy" by the American Academy of Allergy & Immunology

Slide to Another Great Playground

We absolutely love the Vale-Asche Playground that opened in December '06 at Memorial Park. It’s wheel-chair accessible and has amazing toys for everyone (learn braile & sign language; run across the bridge, climb the forts). My daughter enjoyed the 9 slides over and over. Parents appreciate the rubber floor throughout the playground that keeps the mud off everyone’s shoes and softens any tumbles. This playground is located in Memorial Park on Haskell near St. Theresa School and Church.
Until the next nap time...

Houston Kids Read for Fun at Barnes & Noble

Kids' Activities Highlighted at Book Store

We had a great time this morning at the Barnes & Noble in Copperfield. After a great American Girl Club meeting (for girls age 7 & up), Clifford the Big Red Dog made a grand appearance. Here, community relations manager Cherri Northcut and her daughter Natalie introduce Clifford to the audience filled with children. My daughter was intrigued but not ready to shake paws with the Big Red Dog. Reading time was more fulfilling at one of the famous Clifford books captured everyone's attention.

During reading time, I was able to meet parents and grandparents while answering questions about my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids. It was great meeting so many families, including one young star who's already written and published her own book.

Spring Break is ahead and long days in the sun.

Grab a copy of this book for the most Houston fun.

Until the next nap time...

Nature Discovery Center Good for All Ages

We had a blast at the Nature Discovery Center yesterday! My daughter loved the nature puzzles and live-sized, walk-through exhibit of a marsh land. Our friend Jordan is only 4.5 months but enjoyed reading about sandcrabs and touching the different textures found in nature. Who wouldn't enjoy the bunnies?

The Nature Discovery Center is not just for girls though. Brink is 2.5 years and liked the rubber stamps of different animals. Brent (almost 6) and big brother Noah (almost 9) liked checking out the aquariums of snakes and roaches (ewww!) but really liked exploring outside in the sanctuary.

If you have an hour or two, head to the Nature Discovery Center at 7112 Newcastle between Bellaire & Beechnut. It's open noon to 5:30 pm but closed Mondays.

Until the next nap time...

Allergy Update & Book Store Fun

After last week's trauma with the peanut allergy, Little K and I paid our pediatrician a visit yesterday. Dr. Mike quickly referred us to Allergy & Asthma Associates for official food allergy testing. "Okay," I said. It's sounds smart to me. As our doctor pointed out, if last week's episode was a fluke, we shouldn't avoid peanuts for life. Let's get better equipped.

Unfortunately, when I called to make an appointment, I was told that we first have to come in for an hour consultation before any testing will be done. As I inquired further, I discovered that these allergy experts want to first "consult" and then in a SEPARATE APPOINTMENT do the testing. Hmm. I'm wondering if these docs realize how challenging it can be to wrestle a toddler into the car when she'd rather play in the puddles on the driveway. Well, I'll give in again and go to the consulting appointment. Wish us luck. I wonder if the whole process will be this big of an ordeal. For my daughter's sake (okay, & for my sanity), I hope it gets easier.

If you live near Jersey Village and need something to do with the kids this weekend, head out to Barnes & Noble at The Center in Copperfield on Saturday morning. This store has a great morning planned. I'll be visiting with parents & grandparents near the entrance of the children's department around 10:30 am. Then, at 11 am, the store has the American Girl Book Club on the children's dept. stage. I'll be talking about my book and how it helps Houston area families find fun things to do. (Remember: spring break is around the corner!) At noon, storytime with Clifford the Big Red Dog begins. What a wonderful way to avoid the soggy playground and surround the kids with educational fun! Click here for more details and a map to the store.

Until the next nap time...

Education and Fun in Houston

We're very lucky in that my daughter has plenty of toys. With a closet and a toy box full of books, stuffed animals and more, I wonder why she'd need more for her b-day in April. I thought maybe friends could bring a toy to be donated to a charity or our party invitation could simply list "no gifts". My husband disagreed: "She's a little kid, Megan. She deserves toys for her birthday."

Still in doubt, I asked a few neighbors what they thought about the dilemma but they agreed with my hubbie. However, they did make a great suggestion. Buy educational toys for Little K and do the same for parties which she attends. Great, I know the perfect place to find these educational toys.

Today, we went to the Lakeshore Learning store and in less than 10 minutes, I had purchased 2 gifts for a 2-year-old boy's upcoming birthday party and got plenty of ideas for my own daughter. My husband and daughter stayed in the car since it was minutes away for our regular nap time (thus, the rush) but I checked out the arts & crafts table. Each Saturday, Lakeshore has a different craft scheduled. It's a great way to get those minds & fingers moving while parents grab a needed gift. Check out the craft schedule here. Now we're at home, a few minutes and tears late for nap time but already Little K is fast asleep. Hope this gift idea and activity helps your family.

Until the next nap time...

Food Allergies in Kids Serious Danger

For those of you who read my blog regularly and/or subscribe to my newsletter, you know I've done a little research on food allergies in kids. I've suspected that my daughter might be allergic to soy but most doctors recommend waiting until age 3 before testing kids. Well, today we accidentally discovered that my daughter is severely allergic to peanuts. Ugh.

For a small snack, I gave my 21 month old two Saltine crackers with peanut butter on them. She touched the peanut butter and didn't like the way it felt. Instead, she asked for grapes and tried to get the peanut butter off her hands. Before my wonderful housekeeper or I could wash her hands, Little K had already spread it to her face and into one of her eyes. In less than 5 minutes, my daughter had blisters on her face & hands, was scratching her throat, crying and pulling at her ears. Based on my previous talks with Robyn O'Brien of AllergyKids, I knew immediately what was happening and called the pediatrician. (I should have a frequently flyer program there!) The nurse on the phone said to take my child immediately to the ER.

Thank God the staff at Northwest Memorial Hermann recognized the potential seriousness of a peanut allergy. As soon as I told the welcome desk staff what I suspected, they had us in an emergency room in less than 2 minutes. I'm not exagerating. My daughter's face just looked so horrible and my daughter buried herself deeply into my arms, whimpering. She knew something was wrong but, of course, couldn't understand what.

Luckily, her oxygen level was at 100 percent and her temperature was normal. The staff gave her some Benadryl and we watched the swelling and blisters disappear before our eyes... almost entirely. This all happened without my daughter actually eating a peanut or peanut butter. It only touched her skin! Imagine what could have happened if she had eaten the peanut butter. Thank you, God. Before being released from the hospital, the staff gave my daughter a steroid to help her lungs stay open through the night. She'll have an oral medication daily for 3 days and, of course, another trip to her pediatrician to discuss next steps. The remaining redness and swelling near her eye should disappear in the next day or so.

Peanut allergies can be fatal and are very common amongst children. An estimated 5 million American children have food allergies, according to AllergyKids. The Food Allergy Initiative says: "Dr. Scott Sicherer has documented that a food allergen, such as peanut, can be transferred through saliva to an allergic person through kissing, resulting in a reaction." Wow! I encourage all parents to learn about the most common foods that cause these reactions and know what the signs of a reaction are. Be on the safe side. It's just not worth looking at your child and not being able to help. Arm yourself and your children. You'll feel so much better & so will your family.

Until the next nap time...

MLK Day and More in Houston

Looking for fun things to do on Monday, when schools are closed and the city of Houston celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Here are some ideas.

The "We Are the Dream" Parade and Rally starts at 8 am in downtown at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. and Beekman. Participants will then march to MacGregor Park for the festivities, which are expected to last until 2 pm. There have been rumors of a second parade in the afternoon as well, but the City's online calendar does not list that. Let's just hope the weather holds for the morning parade.

If the parade is not your style, try heading to the Houston Zoo, which is FREE on MLK Day. The Zoo animals have planned plenty of fun for kids of all ages. Head out early to make the most of this trip. Gates open at 9 am.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, here's a fun activity for Valentine's Day.
The River Oaks Chamber Orchestra will host the second concert of its 2006 – 2007 season on Saturday, February 10, 2007, at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., 5:00 p.m. A music education program is available for children age ten and under, giving parents the opportunity to enjoy an early Valentine’s dinner. (See photo above.) A repeat performance will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2007, at Temple Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online at http://www.rocohouston.org/ or at the Bookstore at St. John the Divine Church. The cost is $25 per person. Childcare runs $20 for the first child and $15 for each additional child and extends through 9:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Visit http://www.rocohouston.org/ or call (713) 665- 2700 for additional information.

Until the next nap time...

Kids Go Down, But Not Out

... not even close. My daughter had a runny nose and mucousy/sleepy eyes yesterday so I took her to the pediatrician. One ear infection, sinus issues and probable bacteria in her eyes, we left with prescriptions for 3 medicines. It's that time of year, right? My husband & I gave Little K a dose of each medication and sent her to bed at 7:30 pm. This morning, it was obvious she didn't have enough of the medicines in her system to make a difference yet. Daddy stayed with his only daughter this morning, while Mommy ran up Hwy 290 to a business meeting. Little K was still groggy when I returned at 10:30 am to relieve my husband from sick duty so he could get onto work.

It's a miracle! By 4 pm, she was obviously feeling better. I say "obviously" because she was literally doing laps around the house, chasing the indoor cat, eating a piece of chalk, applying Daddy's aftershave and opening doors that she shouldn't. And YES, I was watching her. When I was about at my whit's end, I carefully knelt down beside my toddler and asked her for a hug, a really big one. Little K obliged and it quickly put things into perspective. I wish I always had the foresight to think of that request. Don't you? Try it. Little arms wrapped tightly around your neck do wonders. As does 24 hours worth of medication.

Looking for another family restaurant?
Consider this: Rainbow Lodge has settled into its log cabin on White Oak Bayou and is celebrating its 30th Year Anniversary! How are they celebrating? Hopefully, with your family.

Sunday Supper! Family Night includes Comfort Food Specials Such AsOsso Bucco, Steak Frites, "Mac & Cheese", Grilled Gulf Fish and More.
Location: 2011 Ella Blvd. at East TC JesterHouston, Texas 77008
Phone#: 713-861 8666
www.rainbow-lodge.com for menus, map and photos
Open every day, except Mondays

Until the next nap time...

Parents' Muscles Important for Hugging Kids

I've been having some pain in my right shoulder and was a bit concerned but, like most busy parents, blew it off to move onto more important things. When the pain became debilitating, I called the doctor... of course, over the holidays. I wondered, what if the pain gets so bad that I can't pick up my daughter? Or I can't throw the ball with her in the front yard? Just a few years ago, my thought process would have been quite different. I would have worried about carrying my laptop through the US' biggest airports with an injured shoulder, not hugging my daughter and husband. Funny how kids change us.

After a doctor's trip and a visit to the physical therapist today, I'm told I likely have tendonitis and weak shoulder and rotater cup muscles. Whoopie! Sounds silly, huh? I thought so but I left therapy deflated. I was surprised that the strength in my right arm was so little. (This after I told the doctors that I had NOT noticed any loss of strength. Way to go, Megan.) Armed with a massage (ahhh...), exercises to do 6 days a week and physical therapy at least twice a week, we're hoping my shoulder muscles will strengthen. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on 1/17/06 per my primary care physician's orders. Hopefully, Dr. Street will tell me to continue with physical therapy and leave me alone.

All this said, I've come to appreciate hugs even more -- something I didn't know was possible. Give your kids or grandkids a big hug today. They'll appreciate it and so will you.

Until the next nap time...