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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Celebrate The Best of Texas at Market Street, July 12 -13

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style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disclaimer: I’m thrilled to be partnering with Market Street to highlight features, deals and more each month! #MarketStreetTX

I might not like to shop for clothes, but grocery shopping is a whole “other ballgame.”  As long as I’m without a kid to speed me through the process, I like to take the whole thing in; a sensory experience from the moment the sliding doors open welcoming me in to want to touch, smell, eat and of course, BUY everything I can get my hands on.
I am blessed there are so many innovative grocers in my area, but one of the ones that is near and dear to my heart is Market Street. Growing up in my small hometown, United was the only grocery store in town. At one time my mom worked there, my friends worked there and of course, many holidays were first celebrated with a couple of runs to United. However, just like me, United has grown up, added more stores and brands including Market Street, the experiential marketplace that allows customers to touch, feel, smell and taste their household needs, but still with that hometown hospitality it’s always had.

Continuing to celebrate that local pride, Market Street will host the BEST OF TEXAS, JULY 12 AND 13, 11 am – 5 pm throughout the store. To support Texas growers and suppliers who share our dedication to excellence, the stores will be sampling a huge number of Texas products, so it’s an ideal time to come in and shop! Of course, Market Street always features Texas products like wine, beer, beef and produce.  You can see the extensive list of sampling opportunities on the website, but the Olli Wild Boar Salame, Llano Wine & Mom’s Strawberry Cake are high on my target list!

If you’ve never shopped Market Street before, make sure to sign up for their Rewards Program to save on the Texas grown watermelon and cantaloupes you’ll be buying. A completely digital program, coupons are automatically loaded to your account and all you need to do is type in your phone number and you save on the items you buy most! Even the kids receive a free cupcake or piece of fruit on their birthday! Get started on saving money by signing up today!

Perfect Pairing: Girls’ Night Out with Grapevine Wine Tours

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When a trip to Napa isn’t in the schedule or the budget, but you really need to get away to do something fun with the girls, I highly recommend Grapevine Wine Tours. I experienced the fun of the Grapevine Wine Tour complimentary for purposes of this review. I enjoyed every moment of it and I had no idea it was just a few minutes from home! 

 
Only a few short miles from the DFW Airport, many people are astonished at all the fun things to do inn Grapevine, Texas. One of my favorite places, there’s lots to do for visitors to Dallas-Fort Worth as well as the locals who live here. I’ve been here for more than a decade and had never heard of the Grapevine Wine Tours. With a name like Grapevine, you know that wine is part of the recipe for fun, so I was eager to hop aboard the GWT bus and see how the experience stacked up – especially next to my own Napa Valley experience. 
 
 
The wine tour bus was clean, comfortable and full of hospitality as we met with our lovely tour guide, a cold bottle of water and a little bit of history before we came to our first destination for the evening: Homestead Winery. 
 
 

Close to the Main Street downtown area, you’ll find Homestead. I’ve been to this area a million times (no lie) and had never seen this adorable restored home that housed our first tasting. 


 Raising our first glass of the evening, we were able to enjoy pours of several varieties from Homestead’s own wines produced and bottled in Ivanhoe, Texas. While I enjoyed several samples, the one I love the most was actually our first glass, the Bois’ d Arc, a medium-bodied red table wine. 

 
I liked it so much I purchased a bottle as well to take home to enjoy. However, the crowd pleaser was definitely a chocolate wine that had several of the girls making purchases before boarding the bus for our next destination: Delaney Vineyards. 
 
 
I had actually been to Delaney Vineyards before as it’s a landmark for several beautiful Grapevine events like the Vineyard 5K Run in September, but I had never had a chance to tour the facility and the grounds. 
 
 
Delaney has been in production since 1996 and the Grapevine winery, along with its main vineyard in Lamesa, Texas, have been producing several award-winning Texas wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. 
 
Honestly, after going through my photos from the evening, I had a hard time distinguishing my vineyard photos from Napa and the ones I took in Grapevine. As we walked the grounds we learned more about the wine-making process, from the vine, to the barrel and to my wine glass as well as the history of Delaney Vineyards. 
 
 
Of course, no vineyard tour would be complete without a tasting! So we sat down to enjoy a few samples and catch up for a little while before boarding the bus for our last stop. 
 
 
As part of our tour, we selected two wineries and dinner . However, depending on your needs and time of day preference, you choose to do a lunch tour; either four hour tour includes three wine tastings in Grapevine. However, if you find yourself in Dallas, they actually have a Dallas wine tour there as well! 
 
Our last stop before heading back after was the main course of the evening; a three-course private dinner at Winewood Grill and another tasting opportunity. After such a great evening of hanging out with the girls, experiencing such beautiful scenery, and of course, savoring the wine, I knew I’d be doing this again the next time the girls were looking for something fun to do! 
 
 
Ranging from $79.50 for lunch – $89.50 for dinner, the Grapevine Wine Tours operate twice daily. Perfect for girls’ night out, date night or just a great way to experience Grapevine, the GWT are an excellent options for any itinerary for the adults and can be experienced again and again. 
 
Book your Grapevine Wine Tours online or by calling 817.259.WINE! 
 

Great Deals, No Fuss, Lots of Parking at Grand Prairie Premium Outlets

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Disclaimer: I received a lovely gift card to lure me away from my online shopping to experience Grand Prairie Premium Outlets. I’ve been back several times to shop on my own dime and spent even more! Take a look at what keeps me going again and again. 


I’m a big fan of online shopping. I mean big fan. I click, I look, I click again and in a few days, it’s mine. And for the most part, I can send it back if it doesn’t work. So why would I go shopping at the mall? 


We’ll honestly, it was totally as a challenge from the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets and considering this is mama challenge.com, I had to take it. That, and a reason to go shopping by myself without my children, is totally worth the opportunity to at least try to check out a nearby shopping center (like a stones throw away from home) that I never go to and see what it had to offer.

After I opened up the map, I realized this challenge might be fun. All my favorite shops, no kids and a little money to spend, I was ready to do something completely off the to-do list, go looking at handbags at Michael Kors.  AHHH…

I was in love with them all and since I know the prices for MK bags like the back of my hand, I had found some great deals on handbags from this season. The green one caught my eye, but considering I was just starting, there was no reason I needed to blow my budget all in one spot…





Never one to ever pass up the holy trinity known as Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy, I made b-line to the Banana Republic OUTLET (even better!) 



Most of the styles that I saw looked just like the e-mail blast I was sent from BR that morning, so I was even more happy that the prices weren’t. Notice the nautical theme on the table? So summer 2014 and at 50% I could get on trend at half the cost! 

Of course, a little trip to Gap OUTLET was also on the must-do list! I only spent $82 and look at what all I got…but even more impressive, was my savings – $95.99! Woo-hoo! And I still had money left! 

And the savings don’t stop there! I highly suggest getting on the GPPO VIP Club and check out all the savings you can rack up like on the Promotions page, VIP coupon book and a whole lot of other amazing savings! 

Best of all, I was so satisfied by my few hours of shopping and great wins, that I had only hit up a few stores and hadn’t even made it to my favorite kid shops like The Children’s Place and more! Another shopping trip for me and way better deals than I could find online! 

I highly suggest you take a trip to Grand Prairie Premium Outlets (off 360 and 20) and check out the deals for yourself! All you have to lose is less money than shopping somewhere else! 




Take a SHOT with Real Housewives’ Tamra Judge in Colleyville on Friday

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Anyone who knows me, knows I have a bad habit of Bravo! I don’t mean I applaud ferociously at anything, but late at night, when I’m hard at work on presentations, blog posts and more, I normally have my TV tuned to the Bravo network to check on my fellow Housewives or see what my buddy Andy is up to. 

That statement even makes me laugh. 

There’s nothing really fellow about any member of the Real Housewives franchise, but there are a few of the geographies that I do enjoy indulging in like a spoon in an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s on a Sunday night. In the past I’ve enjoyed a little Heather Dubrow on the blog and this Friday I’ll kick off my weekend (well 24 hour vacation) with from Tamra Judge. 


You know Tamra. In the past she’s been known to do a lot of things, but she’s been know to throw down and be the life of the party. So what a perfect way to start things off – with Tamra and a shot!

Friday, June 20 Real Housewives of Orange County star, Tamra Judge, hosts a bottle signing and cocktail tasting event at the Colleyville Goody Goody Liquor store, 4701 Colleyville Blvd., Friday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. in celebration of her partnership with the Cuca Fresca brand.

Don’t know what Cuca Fresca is? Me neither. 

From the press release: 
Cachaça is the world’s third most consumed spirit behind vodka and soju, and the Brazilian-based liquor is one of the fastest growing spirits category in the U.S. Tamra’s husband, Eddie Judge, discovered the spirit while traveling overseas, and introduced Tamra to it on one of their first vacations together. The couple was drawn to working with Cuca Fresca because of its premium taste and organic production methods.



So bring your $21 and come out and get a “shot” with Tamra (or at least get your bottle signed and use one of these recipes to enjoy a little Cuca Fresca! 

Free & Low-Cost Summer Outdoor Movies Across DFW

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Going to the movies can be expensive with the whole family in tow. So take advantage of these outdoor movie opportunities this summer across DFW – from Addison, Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas, there are some great movies for the kids (and even date night option for some really recent films! 

Movies Under the Moon at The Shops at Park Lane
Movies Under the Moon is a fun, family-friendly event to see movies under the big sky at the big shopping center across from Northpark. Refreshments will be available for purchase, but don’t forget a blanket!

June 20 – BRAVE
June 27 – SPIDERMAN (Visitors with tall chairs will be asked to sit in the back.)


UTA Summer Movie Series
Opening up its campus to the community, UTA invites everyone to enjoy  movies outdoors with complimentary popcorn Thursdays this summer. While some of the shows are family-friendly, it may be a perfect opportunity to spend the money on the sitter and save on the movie and refreshments. Specifics about location can be found on the website. 

JUNE 19 – BAD WORDS
JUNE 26 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
JULY 10 – TRANSCENDENCE
JULY 17 – BRICK MANSIONS
JULY 24 – NEIGHBORS
JULY 31 – THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2
AUGUST 7 – MILLION DOLLAR ARM


Children’s Summer Series at Studio Movie Grill
The Children’s Summer Series at Studio Movie Grill, sponsored by Aquafina, offers a budget friendly entertainment option for families, summer camps, and weekday programs to escape the summer heat to watch $2 screenings of recent, popular, children’s films. With a new film every week Monday – Friday at 11 am there is plenty of family fun to be had!

JUNE 16 – 20 THE CROODS
JUNE 23 – 27 EPIC
JUNE 30 – JULY 4 TURBO
JULY 7 – 11 RIO
JULY 14 – 18 SHREK FOREVER AFTER
JULY 21 – 25 CHARLOTTES WEB
JULY 28 – AUGUST 1 KUNG FU PANDA 2
AUGUST 4 – 8 PUSS IN BOOTS
AUGUST 11 – 15 MADAGASCAR 3
AUGUST 18 – 22 RUGRATS Movie


Sunset Cinema at the Amon Carter Museum
Pack a picnic, grab some friends, and watch a movie on the lawn of the Amon Carter Museum on Thursdays in June & July. Lawn opens at 6 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome (lawn only). No glass bottles, alcohol, or pets please.No reservations are required.

JUNE 26 – TOY STORY
JULY 31 – CHICAGO

Cinema in the (Addison) Circle
Pack up your family, friends, and a blanket and enjoy some of your favorite adventure flicks under the Addison night sky! Cinema in the Circle offers free outdoor movies on a big screen every Saturday in August, right in the middle of Beckert Park!

AUGUST 2 – NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
AUGUST 9 – X-MEN
AUGUST 16 – JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
AUGUST 23 – BATMAN (1966)
AUGUST 30 – FANTASTIC 4
See you at the movies! 










Cool Summer Camps You Can Still Get Into! {As Seen on Fox Good Day)

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For the last few weeks, the constant chatter among moms has been “Where are your kids going this summer?” 


 While there are TONS of fun ways to do summer in DFW for kiddos, many of them also fill up quickly in early spring. However, that doesn’t mean that all the good ones are taken! So I did my research and found a few of the coolest ones I came across that were still accepting registration. Each one varies in cost, age requirements and dates, but they all look fun to me! 

Hopefully you were able to check out this segment on Fox Good Day I did on May 31, but just in case, I have the list of the camps I featured as well as a link to get registered. My one recommendation? You better do it quick! 

BAKE AND PLAY CAMP – Summer Camp

Ideal Age: Preschool age

Fun camps with cooking, crafts and lunch!

Half Day: 9 a.m. -1 p.m. or Noon – 4 p.m.
$40 per session per day pre-purchase a 5-day pack for a free day – $160
Lakewood
www.bakeandplaycafe.com


 SPANISH SCHOOLHOUSE – Summer Immersion Camp

Ages 2 years – Kindergarden
Spanish immersion with fun themes! Perfect for kids with no Spanish language experience or Spanish-speaking parents.
Two week sessions for 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and extended stay is $145-$294 for two days to five days June and July.
13 locations throughout DFW
http://www.spanishschoolhouse.com


 DALLAS ZOO – Wild Adventures Zoo Camp

Ages Preschool – 12th grade
Single-day camp or week-long camps from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with before/after camp options.  Campers
enjoy tours, games, arts and crafts, and up close animal encounters.
Dallas/Oak Cliff
http://www.dallaszoo.com

TEXAS RANGERS SUMMER CAMPS & CLINICS

Ages 4-12 years old
There’s nothing like learning from the big league! Learn the basics for your little rookies or for your more advanced player, refine and perfect their skills with several different times and times available throughout the summer.
Arlington
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/fan_forum/camps.jsp


YMCA SUMMER CAMPS & SPORTS CAMPS

Whether it’s weekly Summer Camp for teens, Summer Day Camp for school aged children, Sports Camps or Half-Day Summeer Camp for younger children, the Y can help you and your family have a fun, safe summer! 

 While you don’t have to be a member to participate, when you are, you can even get the half-day camps FOR FREE (with your $19 weekly supply fee.) That’s awesome. Period. 

 Multiple locations across the Metroplex

 http://www.ymca-arlington.org
http://www.ymcadallas.org
http://www.ymcafw.org


 LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER DFW in Grapevine – Summer Sunny D Lego Camp

Ages 6-11
Four-day camps throughout the summer from 8-11 a.m. for $125
Four sessions in LEGO bricks through interactive team build with FREE Annual Pass and special goody bag with t-shirt.
Grapevine
www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw

What cool camps do you know of or are your kids participating in this summer?

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
877-818-1677
To register www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw
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!
Especially since A Wish with Wings made my son’s dream come true for our family to experience Disney World. 


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! 



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