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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Four Tips for Family Fun at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

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Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary VIP admission to experience Scarborough Renaissance Festival with my kids for purposes of this review. All opinions, thoughts and photos are my own. 

This Memorial Day weekend we wanted to enjoy some fun family time and do something different. Not a new restaurant or new museum, but something fun, interactive and new for us all to experience, not just the kids. With Scarborough Renaissance Festival celebrating its last weekend of the 2014 season and less than one hour away, it was just what we were looking for to do a little learning and exploring for a beautiful Sunday!


As a long-time resident of Dallas, I have heard about Scarborough for years, but haven’t ever gone. I wasn’t sure what to expect and especially if I wasn’t going to go in full costume, I wouldn’t have fun. However, with the kids in tow, a stroller and my camera, I was ready to see what the afternoon would present. 

Now after spending the afternoon, I now have a better idea of what to bring or do to make sure you have an even better family-fun experience! 

Four Tips for Family Fun at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

1. Bring the right stroller (ready for rugged terrain) and wear the right shoes since it’s all gravel and grass.

2. Wear the sunscreen and hat. 
3. Bring cash. (There’s an ATM onsite, but it’ll save you time and money in line!) 

4. Get a program with the map and make a checklist of what you want to do so you don’t miss anything!)

Here are just a few of the things we really enjoyed while we were there only for about four hours (although we could have stayed longer!)

MUST-DO: MERMAID LAGOON
We’re huge Ariel fans, so this was a must! 

MUST DO: Eat a Turkey Leg! 


MUST DO: Fool Hearts! 
(I don’t even like clowns, but these guys were hilarious for all ages and in the shade!) 
MUST DO: Ride the Rides! 
Totally worth the money (a few dollars) to enjoy authentic rides that are done manually – no technology or electricity!

MUST-DO: Get a Costume or at Least Try Them On!

MUST-DO: Enjoy the Fun Attractions and Authentic Architecture! 


MUST DO: Ride the Elephants or the Camel! 
While the 2014 season is now complete, make sure you put Scarborough on your list for Spring 2015! 

Summer Camps for All Your LEGO Builders + Pilots-in-the-Making

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What I wouldn’t give to be a kid and go to summer camp! My son is already signed up for some of the coolest camps including outdoor adventure camp, cooking camp, karate camp and even golf camp. 

Then I found two more that sounded like so much fun, but he’s just not old enough. However, yours might be just be the right age, so I highly suggest getting registered ASAP! 

Kids who love LEGO will love summer camp at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth. Along with Sunny Delight, kids ages 6-11 will have a chance to further their love of LEGO bricks through interactive team builds where they get to work hand-in-hand with the model building team.  Additional activities include free play and team games in the attraction as well as a Sunny Delight snack break.  All kids will receive one FREE Annual Pass and special goody bag with t-shirt.

Sessions: 
Session 1:  Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26
Session 2:  Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17
Session 3:  Monday, July 21– Thursday, July 24
Session 4: Monday, August 4 – Thursday, August 7
Sunny D Summer Camp LEGO Camps
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051
Sessions run 8 a.m. to 11 a.m
Cost: $125 per camper
Take off This Summer at 2014 Eagle Aviation Camp
I still wish I could have gone to Space Camp growing up, but I’ve found the next best thing. Eagle Aviation Camp is a great opportunity for children to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure into the world of aviation. Fifth through 8th graders can experience the world of aviation through a week of tours of aviation facilities along with fun and educational activities. Kids will meet aviation professionals while sharing their perspectives and stories as they explore aviation. Did I mention flight simulators, too? 
One-week camp includes:
  • Transportation for field trips for flight themed attractions like birds at the Zoo.
  • Lunches (unless you have dietary issues)
  • Snacks (including Go Go squeeze!)
Just make sure to sign up now – registration deadline is MAY 24! 
Eagle Aviation Camp 2014

American Airlines C.R. Smith Flight Museum
4601 Highway 360, Fort Worth, TX 76155
June 9-13, June 16-20 & June 23-27/8 am – 4:30 p.m.
Students entering 5th – 8th grade)
$250 for CR Smith Museum Members/$300 for CR Smith Museum Non-Members
To register, visit http://crsmithmuseum.org/pdf/EagleCamp2014.pdf



Make Mom Feel Like a Queen with Medieval Times {Free Admission}

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Disclaimer: I was provided tickets to the show so I can enjoy Mother’s Day just like you! 


I’ve lived in or around Dallas for most of my life, but I have never been to Medieval Times. So, I’m super excited that they are making the decision to go easy for families by giving mom a free ticket just in time for Mother’s Day! 

Now through May 11, Moms get free admission with a full-priced adult admission when you use the code MOMWEB! 

While I can’t tell wait to share the experience with you, I know that the whole family will enjoy being taken back to a time of castles, jousting, and feasting on a four-course meal fit for royalty.

Medieval Times has nine locations in California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, South Carolina, New Jersey, D.C. and Ontario. To find your closest location, visit the website.

Purchase your tickets by May 11: http://www.medievaltimes.com/purchasetickets.aspx

Sweet! Buy dozen Tiff’s Treats for $4, Make a Dream Come True for Local Boy THIS SATURDAY

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When two of my favorite organizations, A Wish with Wings and Tiff’s Treats have partnered together to grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo, a survivor of Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, to go to Disney World, I needed to do whatever I could to help!


Tiff’s Treats will hold a grand opening fundraiser at its newest location in DFW – its sixth in DFW and its first Las Colinas store — at 114 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 110, Irving, 75062 (intersection of 114 and O’Connor), on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will raise funds for A Wish with Wings, which grants wishes to special little Texans with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. These funds will grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo from Fort Worth, who loves Legos, Minecraft and the Beatles, and whose wish is to travel to Disney World this summer with his family, where he can focus on being a kid, instead of on the treatments he has had to endure for Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

On Saturday, April 26, celebrate the store’s opening and help raise funds for Viggo’s wish by purchasing up to six one-dozen boxes filled with one of Tiff’s Treats most irresistible flavors: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or oatmeal raisin, for just $4 a box.  Proceeds up to $5,000 will be donated to A Wish with Wings. Sales at this event are cash only.  Viggo and his family will be there to share in the fun. It’s a flash grand opening event — and it’s all for a great cause!


Tiff’s Treats’ warm cookie concept normally requires a 30-minute notice for pick-up orders or one hour for delivery — however, for the grand opening fundraiser, no advance order is required, and customers can simply walk in to the new store and purchase hot cookies from 9 a.m. to noon.  This deal is valid only at the new Las Colinas Tiff’s Treats location.

As the delicious aroma of fresh-from-the-oven cookies and brownies fills the air at the new store, guests can enjoy festivities and chances to win prizes. Get there early: the first 10 people in line at the grand opening April 26 at 9 a.m. will win a $100 Tiff’s Treats gift card, while the next 10 will receive a $50 gift card, the next 10 will receive a $25 gift card and the next 10 will win a $10 gift card. Guests who purchase a box of cookies at the grand opening can also enter in a drawing to win free Tiff’s Treats cookies for a year! Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event to be donated to a Wish with Wings will also receive a $5 Tiff’s Treats gift card.


The mission of a Wish with Wings is to grant magical wishes to little Texans with life-threatening conditions. First chartered in 1982, this Texas-based non-profit has granted more than 1,200 wishes to children all over the Lone Star State with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. For more information on a Wish with Wings, visit the organization’s website at www.awishwithwings.com or call 817-469-9474. If you know of a child who is in need of a wish, please visit www.awishwithwings.com to get more information.

Tiff’s Treats in Las Colinas opens for regular business on Sunday, April 27. The new Las Colinas location can be reached at (972) 889-7700 or online at www.cookiedelivery.com.


Have a sweet week! 


Easter Eats: Cheesy Corn Bake from 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House {Recipe}

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For our family, Easter lunch/dinner looks a lot like a lighter version of Thanksgiving: a big piece of meat with all the same kind of fixings like mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, we’ll you get the picture.


So to change it up for this year, we opted for BBQ. Good ole barbecue. While Dallas-Fort Worth has tons of amazing places to enjoy BBQ cooking at its best, the hubs wants to make it himself. However, I’m in charge of the fixings. And it’s just not BBQ if I can’t get at least a few bites of this Cheesy Corn Bake from 3 Stacks Smoke House in Frisco. There’s just something about this golden goodness that screams “I need to eat this NOW.” 

Perhaps it’s the cream corn. 
Perhaps it’s the cornbread mix. 
Perhaps it’s that one stick of butter and cheese. 
Whatever it is, it’s good. 


And while Trace “The Rib Whisperer” Arnold of 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House isn’t giving out all his secrets for tasty BBQ, he did share this recipe and his tips to make it perfect. And now I’m sharing it with you! 

CHEESY CORN BAKE
Trace “The Rib Whisperer” Arnold of 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House

Ingredients
1 can of undrained whole kernel corn
1 can of cream corn
8 oz. of sour cream
2 well beaten eggs
1 box of Jiffy cornbread mix
1 stick of melted butter (not too hot, avoid clarifying the butter)
1/2 cup finely diced fresh jalapeño peppers
Instructions
Place mixture in a well-oiled 9×13 pan and bake for 55-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Variations
  • Top with fresh grated cheddar or blended cheese.
  • Substitute jalapeños for green chilies. Cayenne pepper is also a great substitution for heat.
  • Add red bell pepper for a holiday flair.
  • Add brown Panco bread crumbs and top for a crunchy texture.
  • Light sour cream will reduce calories.
  • Cream cheese can be substituted for sour for a richer blend.
  • Fresh corn can be used in place of canned.
  • Plain yellow cornbread mix can replace Jiffy if you want to eliminate the sweet flavor of the Jiffy.
After this, you might be making this Easter side at Memorial Day, July 4th and Thanksgiving, too! Plus if you get a chance to visit 3 Stacks, I highly suggest you also try the fried dill pickle cheese fries – they’ll make every day better! 

Hoppy Easter! 








Beautify You at BEAUTY LIVE This Weekend at Galleria Dallas

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Even if it doesn’t look like I wear it, I love makeup. 

I mean my favorite “holiday” after Christmas growing up was Clinique Bonus time. Now as an adult, I’m not just on the lookout for a new favorite lipgloss, but now I’m looking at wrinkle reducer, eye brightener, primer and all those other things that sound more like painting a house than applying makeup. So like any good student, I need to get some schooling from time to time. So a few weeks ago I went to Nordstrom’s Trend Show and this weekend I’m hitting up BEAUTY LIVE at Galleria Dallas, April 12 & 13!  

It’s all beauty, all the time with two days of nothing by sessions, freebies, demos and more. While the event is free, tickets are only $20 for each sessions for reserved seating and that includes a gift bag and a $20 gift card!
Expert Sessions throughout Beauty Live include:

SATURDAY, APRIL 13:
11am – Expert Beauty Panel featuring Courtney Kerr of Bravo’s Courtney Loves Dallas, Galleria Fashion Stylist Holly Quartaro and a panel of experts 


12pm – TONI&GUY Presents: Hair Meets Wardrobe 
1pm – Courtney’s Favorite Things
Courtney Kerr, star of Bravo TV’s Courtney Loves Dallas, talk show host of KTXD’s The Broadcast and fashion blogger, has hand-picked her all-time favorite beauty and skin care products and she is sharing the love! Join us to find out what’s in Courtney’s make up bag, and you could go home with one of the dozens of products she is giving away.

2pm – Macy’s Presents Spring 2014 ‘Must Haves’

3pm – BELK presents Spring Beauty Panel hosted by In Style Magazine.

4pm – Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper Skincare Presented by Nordstrom Spa

5pm – Sephora Presents Re(Marc)able Beauty featuring Marc Jacobs’ newest beauty trends
6pm – MAC 

SUNDAY, APRIL 13: 

3pm – LUSH Fresh Handmade Beauty

4pm – Westin Galleria Dallas and The Second Floor Bistro-Bar Present SuperFoods

In addition to the expert sessions, Beauty Live showcases all the top trends in beauty with dozens of events and activities.  Tour the many how-to Beauty Stops stationed throughout Galleria Dallas for simple secrets and top techniques for a more gorgeous you. Guests will enjoy free hands-on makeover opportunities throughout the center.

And of course while you are there, go check out the new Belk…just know this is going to be a weekend you’re gonna buy stuff. 
Have fun and I’ll see you there! 









Win $500 Gift Card! Belk Opens its Texas Flagship Store at Galleria Dallas TODAY #BelkDallas

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Last week Dallas was invited to celebrate a 126-year tradition that now makes its home in Dallas with the first Belk flagship location in Texas!  


The 180,000 sq. ft. store that once housed Saks Fifth Avenue, rolled out the red carpet with a pre-opening event gala full of giveaways, southern hospitality, tons of great fashion and even a celebrity-hosted runway show with Nashville star Hayden Panettiere. 



Benefiting Susan G. Komen, the night’s activities began with a beautiful entrance that greeted guests as they rolled up to valet, showing that Belk was definitely prepared to make a impression. 


Considering I had been to a few Belk stores around DFW, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after mentally “pinning” about four handbags I was lusting over, including the Calvin Klein color block “Celene-like” bag one below, I figured I was in for a treat (and my wallet for a possible problem.) 

I found many of my favorite brands including Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Free People Nanette Lepore, Laura Mercier and many more with tons of options for all ages and styles. 

This Wednesday, April 9, 2014  marks the official grand opening of the new Belk at Galleria Dallas with lots fun including a gift card giveaway for the first 800 customers (and cards up to $500!)  

But if you can’t make it to Belk on Wednesday, make plans to enjoy several of their grand opening events including Shoes & Champagne on April 10, April 12 & 13 at Beauty LIVE event and even a Girls’ Night Out with Cynthia Rowley on April 17! 


I have a feeling that Belk will soon become your favorite go-to store for your modern southern style. (If you sign up on their website you also get a 20% discount!) 

Check out more style with Belk at @BelkDallasGalleria on Facebook, @Belk on Twitter and @MyBelk on Instagram and Pinterest! 



Final Four Fun for the Family in Dallas

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Our family may be close to the action of the big game over at Jerry’s World, but there’s a lot more happening at Final Four than just a game that the whole family can get excited about. Here’s a couple of big things you can do with the kids to celebrate (even if you can’t afford the tickets to AT&T Stadium. 


Dribble
Sunday, April 6
11:30 – Dribble begin
FREE

 Kids (18 and under) are invited to dribble through downtown Dallas from Dallas City Hall Plaza to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Sunday morning and will receive a free commemorative Final Four basketball, t-shirt, and an entry into Bracket Town!
To register: https://2014ncaamffd.theregistrationsystem.com/en/1824

Bracket Town
Friday Noon – 8pm/Saturday, 10am – 7pm/Sunday, Noon – 8pm/ Monday, Noon – 7pm
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Center – Halls A-D
Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Free for kids 2 and under. 

 The ultimate Final Four fun fest, KBHC turns into 350,000 sq ft of family-friendly activities. You’ll have a chance to meet legendary coaches, former athletes and a free concert by Fifth Harmony. Get more info on the website.


AT&T Block Party, Coke Zero Countdown Concert and Capital One JamFest
All weekend
Free

A free concert with Tim McGraw and Bruce Springsteen doesn’t need much explaining, but might be something fun to do if you have older kids. With so much going on I wouldn’t suggest a stroller child, but this event might be fun as an experience with the big ones. Get the full line of these activities on the website. 










Put Some Color in Your Life with the COLOR FUN FEST 5K, April 19 in McKinney

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I hate to run. 

A lot. 

But it sure does help to burn calories.


However, I still need something to get me excited enough to move my hiney. Thankfully, runs are getting creative so people like me that don’t like to run still want to get involved and enjoy the fun.
In the words of Julia Roberts: Well then color me happy!
The COLOR FUN FEST 5K comes to North Dallas/McKinney on April 19, 2014. Both a day and night  5k color run featuring finish-line festivals, the goal of the Color Run is to combine fun and fitness while helping local charities!
COLOR FUN FEST 5K is an EPIC color fun run that heightens positive emotions by combining a5k fun run with the energy of electronic dance music, all while coloring the crowd with thousands of pounds of vibrant colored powder. The event is family-friendly, and features a post-run celebration with DJ entertainment.

The charities the run benefits Free Arts for Abused Children, a nonprofit organization that gives children that have suffered adversity a chance to express themselves through art. Another nonprofit that benefits from this event is a new startup charity called Flight for Cystic Fibrosis that gives children with CF a chance to feel alive by experiencing the incredible feeling of skydiving through wind tunnels and jumps. The mission of this program is to show these kids how to overcome fears and feel hope, bonding families and encouraging healthy living, which is vitally necessary for a person with Cystic Fibrosis.

And this run is one the whole family can get involved in including kids/parents, couples, groups of friends, fitness gurus, dance enthusiasts, runners, joggers, walkers, bloggers, couch potatoes, the young, the old, and basically everyone and anyone that likes to have fun!

Would you like to have some color fun?
Win a pair of registrations for the Color Run ($35 per registration/ $70 total)

Color Run Fest 5K North Dallas/McKinney
April 19, 2014
First wave of runners at 9 – 11 am, second wave at 9 – 11 pm
Myers Park and Event Center
7117 County Road 166
McKinney, TX 75071


Calling All Budget Superheroes: Just Between Friends Dallas Starts Thursday in Mesquite

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Disclaimer: I’m working with Just Between Friends Dallas in Mesquite to promote their upcoming sale, March 20-23. I’m a huge fan of cute yet inexpensive clothes for my kids and I know you probably are, too! #JBFDallas #Mesquite #Spon

Mama Challenge:
Dressing your babies in cute clothes that won’t break your bank! 


We all gotta have ’em…Clothes. 

 Actually we don’t HAVE to have them, but it’s kinda of an expectation. And for most moms, we like our kid’s clothes to reflect our style and show off how adorable they are. And it doesn’t hurt that they keep them warm or cool for the weather, too. 

 But keeping up with kids’ ever-changing growth spurts makes it really hard and expensive to keep those closets up-to-date. Or an older sister or a bestie whose kids are exactly one season in front of your kids and you get everything of her kids passed on each season. 

 No such luck? Me neither. 

However, the next best thing is having Just Between Friends. Hence the name, the JBF franchise is one that I’ve relied on for both my kids to keep us stocked up on everything from clothes, shoes, toys and more. Last month I visited the JBF in Fort Worth, but I still was looking for more great finds for my kids and my friends’ recent additions, so Dallas here we come. 

 I hope you’ll join me there as I scout out the Mesquite Rodeo Hall for the best finds for boys and girls, ages newborn – 5. And I’m even going to get a sneak peek so you can see what I’m finding so you too get hurry on over to load up for spring, summer and fall. 

One of my tips is that you should always look for 1-2 seasons at least to make sure you are getting the most out of your JBF experience. I have some dresses I bought for my daughter and while they don’t fit today, at the prices I’m getting clothes at from JBF, it’s worth it to hang in the closet for a few months! 

Hours:
Wednesday, March 19:
noon: 15 hour presale
1:00 pm: 10 hour presale
2:00 pm: 5 hour presale
3:00 pm: consignor presale (+1 guest)
5:00 pm: Prime Time Shopping Sale ($10 admission per person)
7:00 pm: First time parent & teacher presale
10:00 pm: CLOSE


Thursday, March 20:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
$3 admission fee (Thursday only)

6:30 pm- 7:30 pm: Second Drop Off
(no clothing, shoes or car seats accepted at second drop off)

Friday, March 21:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


Saturday, March 22:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
6:30- 8:00 pm: 1/2 Price Presale (15 & 10 hour volunteers only)


Sunday, March 23:
noon-6pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC- HALF PRICE SALE

 Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook tomorrow to see what I find! 

 Just Between Friends Dallas 
March 20-23, 2014
Mesquite Rodeo Exhibit Hall
1700 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149
www.twitter.com/JBFDallas
www.facebook.com/JBFDallas
Website







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