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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Healthy Winter Skin is In: Free Skin Check at DermOne DFW Now

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Normally in Texas we break out the big winter coat 1-2 times a winter season. Sometimes I even look in my coat closet and wonder why we spend as much money on big coats so they can gather dust and take up room. 


This year has not be the case. And with all this covering up and dressing in layers, you tend not to worry about your skin except to get slather up on lotion as we feel our hands crack and peel until around March or April when the warm temps finally do show their face and you begin to show your skin. 

However, now is actually the right time to think about your skin and getting your hide checked for skin cancer. 



To celebrate the opening of five DermOne Dermatology Centers locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, DermOne is providing 500 free skin care checks ($80,000 value) to the community. 

To book a free exam, you can simply call one of the DermOne offices by Feb. 28 and mention “Healthy Skin DFW” to receive a free skin check. 


Skin cancer is a serious issue in North Texas. In fact:

  • It’s the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with more than 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in more than two million people annually.
  • There are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer – combined.
  • When left unchecked, skin cancer can be deadly faster than any of us would like to think.

In around 20 minutes, you can take a big step at taking care of your body’s biggest organ!

Other services at DermOne include: 

  • General dermatology, including treatment of acne, eczema, warts, rashes, moles and much more;
  • Skin cancer screenings and surgery;
  • Laser technology, such as the Palomar Laser, an innovative fractional laser from the company that invented and patented micro-fractional laser technology, used to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, acne, surgical scars and other skin conditions;
  • Cosmetic procedures, including BOTOX®, Juvéderm™ and Restylane® at many locations; and
  • In-house pathology lab to ensure quick turn-around of biopsy removal of a sample of living tissue or cells for close examination by a pathologist for signs of disease and other test results.

ARLINGTON
715 North Fielder Road
Arlington, TX 76012
(888) 881-1626

GRAND PRAIRIE
4927 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Suite 170
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
(888) 881-1626

IRVING
2021 N. MacArthur Blvd. Suite 300
Irving, TX 75061

MESQUITE
2856 N. Galloway Ave.
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-289-2233

WAXAHACHIE
1505 West Jefferson St., Suite 170
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(888) 881-1626
972-254-3118


Secrets to Saving Money on Kids’ Clothes

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Kids cost money. A lot of money. But we have BIG secrets to saving  money on kids’ clothes. 
 
I love to dress up my kids. Before my daughter was born, I bought her a Burberry onesie from Neimans…and I don’t even have any Burberry! While it was wonderful to get her something nice to celebrate her coming into this world – I knew there was no one that I was going to be able to keep up dressing either of my children in brand name clothing without winning the lottery OR finding a better solution that didn’t involve refinancing my house. 

Thankfully my mama taught me the value of consignment and my friends have taught me where to find the best deals! Just Between Friends is the largest children’s and maternity consignment sales event in Texas with 75,000 square feet of gently used children’s and maternity items for purchase at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

See all those clothes in the photos above? 
Those were all treasures from my consignment finds!
 
If you’ve been, I’m sure you know the benefit of attending the spring and fall sales to stock up on your kids’ wardrobes. If you haven’t had a chance, then I’m giving you the best reason to go with a chance to win a $15 gift card certificate! However, if it is your first time, I want to share some of the best tips for the best experience at JBF from some of my favorite bloggers who know all the ins and ours of consignment! 

5 Ways to Get the Best Deals at JBF from Terrell Family Fun
10 Tips for Shopping at Consignment Sales from Real Life Notes

So now that you are ready to save money, now here’s your mama challenge: how much merchandise can you purchase with a $15 gift card? Enter my giveaway now and get your chance to see how far $15 can go!


Dallas Gets a Little Sweeter with See’s Candies at NorthPark

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There’s mothing more symbolic of Valentine’s Day than a beautiful box of chocolates. 

However, no matter its presentation, it’s what inside the box that counts. And there’s definitely a difference in well-made morsels and those other kinds of sugar mess that you’ll probably still eat, but wonder why you let yourself use up those extra Weight Watchers points later. Or even worse, the chocolate you know that’s been there for a long while in that box before finding its way to you. 

And just in time for Valentine’s Day, you have a new option in Dallas for chocolate. While the See’s Candies isn’t new since they’ve been making chocolate and other candy the same way since 1921, the store is at NorthPark Center is (it opened just around Christmas!)

Ironically, this candymaker purposely let’s the chocolate age before selling it. It’s part of its signature recipe. See’s Candies is one of the few remaining candy makers that still ages their chocolate, a process that imparts a smooth, mellow flavor profile and elevates the taste of the chocolate overall. And while See’s owned by one of America’s most well-known tycoons Warren Buffett, there’s been no new machines and new techniques for getting See’s to the masses. He’s left it just the way he found it. 


Recently, my son (the real chocolate expert) and I had a chance to visit the new store for a special media event. Designed to look like the crisp, clean black-and-white checkered motif inspired by Mary’s original kitchen, the shelves were stocked with candy of every flavor, size and occasion. Also like her kitchen the say, I was met instantly with a warm smile and asked to try a candy. While that tradition actually costs See’s one million pounds of candy each year, but looks like Warren said it was worth the effort since 26 million pounds is what they sold in 2013. 

Hairnets are the newest trend. At least the night of the See’s Candies event. Featured here is Cynthia from Oh, So Cynthia and Josh Hart from 102.1 The Edge. 

And while just trying See’s was a new experience in itself, to really appreciate the art of creating a custom box of chocolate the See’s way, we were challenged to a contest to see who could fill a box quicker among the guests. Hairnet, gloves and all. 


Does the image sound familiar? It should – apparently Lucy and Ethel did it on one of The Lucy Show episodes. And this contest was almost as funny. 

You can see my son joined me in the fun and he loved it. 

We’ll I think it was all the chocolate he kept putting in his month that he really loved. 

And you will, too. Make sure to taste one while you’re picking out your perfect Valentine’s Day box. Or make it easy and one of the pre-made ones. 

Don’t worry, Jackson says they are all good. 



#GoGoPlayfully with Go Go squeeZ Play Day, January 11 at 1:11 p.m.

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With just one week in the 2014 hopper, many of us are working to be: 

 Better at being active 
Better at healthy eating 
Better at quality time enjoying life – living playfully!


 This Saturday on January 11, Go Go squeeZ is launching its first GoGo Play Day to jumpstart the new year across the U.S. including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Aspen, Boston, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, San Francisco, DALLAS, and the Bay Area! We are celebrating with free products and exciting surprises at fun events of how people are choosing to live playfully and capture it with photos, videos, and storytelling. Plus, we’re calling 1:11 p.m., the official kick-off to a playful year. That’s when we’ll be unleashing coast-to-coast playful experiences showing the world what being playful really means.

As an ambassador for Go Go squeeZ, I’d love to invite you to celebrate with us! 

 We’d love you to be involved with our Play Day campaign!  We are looking for fun and unique events and activities going on Saturday, January 11.

  • Join us in participating in a Play Day event or host your own event – even if it’s your sports activity, playing at the park or just having fun with Go Go squeeZ
  • Play with us on January 11 at 1:11pm by sharing something fun 1-11 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! with @Gogoplayfully @squeezsquad #Texas
  • Get your own Go Go squeeZ redeemable for discounted GoGosqueeZ redeemable on Jan. 11 only.
With Go Go squeeZ, there are 10 flavors to enjoy whenever and wherever you GoGo, including: AppleCinnamon, AppleStrawberry, ApplePear and AppleBerry and many more. Our innovative, re-sealable packaging allows kids, big and small, to snack spoon-free and get their play on. And every pouch is gluten, nut, and dairy-free!


Looking for some fun ideas to starting celebrating? 

 Here’s 7 Ways to Have the Most Playful Week Ever from Go Go squeeZ

 It might cold outside, so considering cooking up some Go Go squeeZ fun for a great way for the family to involved with delicious Apple Cinnamon Muffins from 7 on a Shoestring! 

Or see how to make some colorful Apple Cinnamon pancakes from ME, Mama Challenge, on Good Morning Texas! 

 


 Valentine’s Day is just around the corner? Get moving on those Valentines for the classroom with this BERRY adorable idea from A Nerd’s Wife!

So how do you #GoGoPlayfully? 
Let us know this Saturday at 1:11 p.m!

7 Places to Go with the Kids Before Jan. 6

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* In some cases, I was provided complimentary admission to enjoy some of these attractions with my family for purposes of this review.* 

 Oh, Christmas. 

 It’s been fun. And short. And Mother Nature’s little ice fit didn’t help us any either. This was a quick holiday season. As quick as a clean baby’s diaper, it’s time to clean up and get ready for the next year; making it impossible to try to get out there and enjoy all the fun that DFW had to offer. 

And unfortunately, while the gifts area already opened and the new toys have made their home on the living room floor, most parents still have another week to keep the kids happy while they are at home from winter break. 

 Lucky us, right? 

 While I enjoy seeing their little faces and not rushing to get in the drop-off lane at school, I will admit trying to continue with all the excitement and energy of the holiday hoopla is hard. That’s why it’s good to schedule a few outings to keep the kiddos happy and mom to keep her sanity. So here are a few events in the Dallas-Fort Worth-area that still have a little holiday cheer that are worth fitting in before the school bell rings for the 2014.

Just make sure to check each website for schedules and pricing before heading out! 

 1. Six Flags Over Texas Holiday in the Park
There’s nothing like sipping hot chocolate in your official Six Flags refillable mug in front of the campfire before you get on the Shockwave to get turned upside down. While the teens may find that fun, you can find plenty of other fun activities for the little ones like The Frosty the Snowhill (with real snow sledding) or Looney Tunes Land. 

While many of the big holiday activities end Dec. 31 with the big finale, you can still plan to take the fam for a fun time sans water rides until Jan. 5. Just make sure to check the hours and the temperature.  While we bundled up, the kids in layers, mittens and hats, the kids were popsicles in a matter of a few hours so we had to go home. And when you are talking more than $50 a person for admission, you want to make sure you get your fun out of it! 


WEBSITE

 2. Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway 
We had a chance to enjoy this light display earlier this holiday and the kids really enjoyed it. While the lights were a nice way to get into the holiday mood while listening to Christmas music, the fun really kicked in after seeing the lights and getting to play in the snow. For my littlest it was her first time to feel snow so she loved walking around, putting it in her hands and throwing that first snow ball. For my five-year-old, he couldn’t get enough of the snowtubing! 


WEBSITE

 3. DALLAS CITYSCAPE at Galleria Dallas 
Looking to show the kids some Dallas landmarks without getting stuck in Dallas traffic? Then let them LEGO at DALLAS CITYSCAPE! The kids can take a look at some of the best Dallas landmarks scaled to size in the building block attraction that raises money ($5 for ages 2 and older) for the East Dallas Community Schools. While they are there they can also create their own creations at the building block station, which is a great incentive to get the kids to be good while you make a gift return! 

WEBSITE

5. The Trains at NorthPark 
For more than 25 years, The Trains at NorthPark have delighted kids and parents alike with more than 1,600 feet of track while taking a trip across the U.S. to see some of the best of America’s landmarks. Make sure to find all the buttons that allow you to create your own bit of magic as parts will move, figurines dance and more. While the White House is impressive, of course the best is the ode to the Texas State Fair and Big Tex. 

WEBSITE

 6. ICE! at the Gaylord Texan
While we didn’t have a chance to make it to this one this year, we heard we missed some great fun and are already planning our Santa Staycation for 2014. You can still come out and see the Nutcracker-themed ICE exhibit as well as get another opportunity to do a little indoor snowtubing (it’s still very cold, so don’t think you are getting away that easy!) If you’ve never been to ICE, I’d suggest you take a look at my tips for the best ICE experience!


WEBSITE

 7.  Snowland! at Great Wolf Lodge
Grapevine is known as the “Christmas Capital of the World,” so if you are looking for something different than the Gaylord, consider going across the street at Great Wolf Lodge. Besides the fact that you have a HEATED. WATER. PARK. that will keep the kids happy for hours, they have water-less games like MagiQuest and the new ShadowQuest interactive live action adventure game to keep them (and you) on your toes for hours!  

Chicken nuggets and pizza not up your alley for a vacation meal? Don’t worry, the LODGE Wood-Fired Grill gives you upscale options that are convenient for the whole family. From steaks, mini-desserts and signature sangria (my favorite), you too can feel you are having a break and not just escorting the kids on their vacation.  

 Plus right now you can get 20% off your stay until Jan. 5, so you still have a whole week to enjoy the fun or make a weekend of it even after school starts! 

 WEBSITE

 Now off to get that tree finally back into it’s box – we’ll maybe later…




10 Tips to Enjoy DFW’s Prairie Lights – NOW EXTENDED until Jan. 5, 2014

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Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post.


 Like a bad family Christmas movie, DFW’s most recent uninvited guest, ICEmaggedon, put a big kibosh on several holiday events, especially the light displays across the metroplex. Thankfully, many of these organizations, like Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, have decided to keep their gates open a little longer this season to allow guests the opportunity to appreciate these annual holiday experiences that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit OR light up your 2014 in a whole new way! 

Long one of my favorite of displays in DFW, Prairie Lights Powered by Gexa Energy in Grand Prairie is well worth the time and money! There is such much even beyond two miles of lit paths and four million lights, it’s a whole night of fun for the kid in all of us. The experience includes not only the drive-through display, but a Holiday Village with free rides, delicious holiday fare, a marketplace and of course, Santa. There’s even a special Holiday Magic theatrical show and a Walk-Through Forest (for an added cost), so you can keep the spirit of Christmas going all night long!


To ensure the best experience, there’s only two things you really need to remember: 
Allow Yourself Enough Time to Enjoy the Fun and 
Prepare Accordingly.

While you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed that you have to do anything at all, these are hopefully a few helpful tips to make you have the best experience ever at the Prairie Lights. 

10 Tips to Enjoy DFW’s Prairie Lights

1. Pick your day mindfully. The weekends are always full, so if possible, pick a Monday – Wednesday to attend (especially if you have kids), so you can keep the car moving in a comfortable pace.

2. Don’t plan to wait until one hour before it closes down to roll in the gate. We had only planned to drive through with the kids, but couldn’t help ourselves from stopping at the out-of-the-car experiences like the Carousel and the huge corn dogs (so good!) AND Since we didn’t pace ourselves, we didn’t get to see the best part of the event, the world’s longest tunnel of lights – because they did turn them off! It was our fault for waiting, so I’d suggest giving yourself at least 2 hours (maybe 3 on the weekend) to leisure enjoy the display, events and activities without missing anything!

3. Bring a blanket (or three). You will want to roll down the window and it gets cold even with the heater.

4. Sip and savor Christmas. Prepare a thermos of hot chocolate or roll up to the nearby Starbucks for hot chocolate (it makes everything better, I promise.)

5. Plan for the Potty. On the same note, you don’t want to have a potty break in the middle of the drive-through portion (you can’t get out of the car to stop once you are in line, so make sure that hot chocolate is a small one or you can hold it until you get to the Holiday Village!)

6. Make sure to grab those coats, scarves and mittens even if you don’t think you want to do the other events. You might change your mind and you don’t want to endure those winter winds without a little bundling capabilities (especially for the kids!)

7. Bring some extra dinero. With all the opportunities to enjoy the lights at the Holiday Village, funnel cakes and Santa pictures, you don’t want to come empty-ended and not able to participate. Even the biggest Grinchs want to get out of the car and get on the rides! 

8. Turn on the holiday music, even if you hate holiday music. It’s just part of the fun! And remember, this year’s holiday station is no longer KVIL, but now sister station, KLUV at 98.7 or turn on the Pandora!

9. Turn off your lights! The best way to enjoy the light display is to not have your view ruined by bright headlights in your face, so make sure to turn those off and just enjoy driving with the brake on without road rage.

10. Enjoy the time in the car. While normally I am not a fan of being stuck at less than 10 miles an our on a one-lane road, you can really do some great catch up time with the kids or your friend by just enjoying your time together without distractions! While I took some photos to share with you, it’s just best to let yourself be in the moment and enjoy the Prairie Lights!




Prairie Lights Powered by Gexa Energy 
Now until Jan. 5, 2014: Sunday – Thursday: 6 – 9 p.m./Friday – Saturday: 6 – 10 p.m.
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve: 6 – 10 p.m.
Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake
5610 Lake Ridge Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Admission for cars is $20 Monday-Thursday (non-holidays) and $30 Friday-Sunday and holidays. Tickets for Holiday Magic Live! are $5 for adults and $3 for children. For the Holiday Magic Lights Walk-Through Forest, adult tickets are $3 and $2 for  children. Save on combo tickets for both – $7 for adults, $4 for children. Carnival rides are free. There is a small charge for pictures made with Santa. VISA and MasterCard are accepted at the admission gate and in Holiday Village.

For more info on hours, admission prices and directions, please visit Prairie Lights on www.facebook.com/PrairieLights, http://twitter.com/PrairieLights, call 972-237-GLOW (4569) or go to www.prairielights.org. 

It’s Never Too Late to Enjoy the Holidays!

WIN a Stocking Full of Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie Christmas Goodies!

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If you live in Dallas/Fort Worth, Mother Nature has not been nice to our outdoor holiday events! Thankfully, Fort Worth’s 4th Annual Camp Bowie Christmas, Dec. 14 is still set to happen this weekend. 

If you haven’t made it out to this event, this is definitely one to check out – especially since it’s fun and free. And Santa’s there…with a reinsteer. (Yep, I said reinSTEER!) But that’s not all, folks. Just take a look at all the fun you’ll have in my last post (and to get a look at what happens when BEVO and RUDOLPH have an offspring…) 

To up the ante, several of the fine folks in the Camp Bowie District have put together a wonderful gift package here on mamachallenge.com for one lucky winner to entice you to come and get your photo with the REINSTEER with a stocking full of fantastic gifts from the following retailers:


And one of you fine folks can win it! 
Just let me know “How you’ll be spending your holidays this weekend?”
We’ll announce the winner on Friday, Dec. 13. 

[Since this giveaway is for Fort Worth-based businesses, I’m gonna limit our winners to only DFW folks (why else would you wanna win if you can’t redeem your gifts!) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I love getting to feel like Santa! 

 So have you been a good kid this year? Enter and see who ends up with the stocking full of goodies. 

Make it a Moment to Remember with Mimi’s NEW Menu

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Disclaimer: I was invited as a special guest to enjoy new menu items at Mimi’s Cafe. And enjoy them, yes, I did. Read on to find out what I liked most! (All the words here are completely my own!) 

Do you remember your first brunch? 


I was in college I had my first “real brunch” upon a friend’s invitation. Beginning sometime after normal lunch was supposed to happen, we enjoyed 2+ hours of mimosas, muffins and omelets at Mimi’s Cafe. The friend’s treat soon became a weekend ritual, as it was a great time to catch up with each other while we devoured all the cinnamon muffins we could handle – sometimes in our slacks and many times in last-night’s blue jeans and a pony tail. Either way, our Mimi’s moments became my benchmark for what brunching was meant to be – friends, fabulous food and fun. 


Fast forward ten years: things, of course, have changed.  While weekend to-dos have transitioned from brunches to babies, I still remember the fun, comfort and joy I had at Mimi’s. While I hadn’t been to Mimi’s in a long time, I was excited a few weeks ago when I received an invitation to re-experience Mimi’s.  I could only hope it would take me back to what I remembered before life was as complex as a decade of being an “adult” could be. 

Just like my life had changed, I learned Mimi’s had also changed over the last decade. As with any great restaurant, it had transitioned with the times and with it, so had the experience (and not necessarily for the better). So when its new owner, Le Duff America, Inc. purchased the french casual concept this year, they felt it was time to get back to the basics of what Mimi’s Cafe had been for me and many other fans years ago – an inviting, classic French bistro.  
And after months of work, dedication and tracking down many of the recipes to hard copies in the back of the file cabinet, the whole team including the very charming executive chef Executive Chef Katie Sutton (a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and previous Executive Chef at Hess Collection Winery in Napa), was ready to dust them off. 


Like a good champagne, I was anxious to uncork this baby. Let the trip down memory lane commence! 

First of all, the roasted tomato basil is exactly what you want on a cold day – or any day where you feel like you need a pick-me-up, this rich bisque will do the trick (and the bacon doesn’t hurt either.) I enjoyed other classic French dishes like Mimi’s Signature Bouillabaisse, Grilled Salmon Salade Niçoise, Coq au Vin and Spinach Crepe. But the Le Burger de Madame, crowned with a fried egg, was magnifique. 
I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the menu tasting as good in the past as it did that night – especially this baked brie with tart apples and apricot chutney (gush). 

Perhaps it was the company I was keeping (as they were all friends). 

Perhaps it was the staff that seemed like they had been my friends my whole life with their pure passion and generosity. 

Or perhaps it was surpassing my month’s quota of heavy cream in one sitting that made it just seem so buttery rich and perfect. 

Either way, I was not only taken back to those fun days of college, but actually advanced to a new experience that still could include mimosas. However, it also reminded me that life can take you many places but at Mimi’s, you’ll always have a little bit of Paris you can revisit again and again. And even if for no other reason than for those chocolate croissants. 

Just in time for the holidays: 
No time for a Mimi’s moment of your own? Then bring it home with you. Or better yet, let Mimi’s create a memorable holiday experience at home with their Holiday Feast To-Go that can feed all your holiday guests – for both brunch and dinner! 

Or are you looking for a personalized gift to give, but think gift cards don’t show your thoughtfulness? Mimi’s Cafe has gotten really creative with gift cards you can personalize for the holidays with voice messages and photos to really give it that personal touch!


For the nearest Mimi’s Cafe to you, visit their online locator.

Bon Appetit! 




Now What? Unique Family Fun Activities for After-Thanksgiving Dinner in DFW

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After you’ve hit Pumpkin Pie coma, dad has OD’d game and the kids have caught cabin fever, it’s time to get out of the house for a little post-Turkey Day time. 

 Here are a few unique ideas for family fun in Dallas that doesn’t take too much time or planning to get the holiday happiness flowing! 

Get to the Ice to Meet Missile Toes, the back-flipping, pyrotechnic ice-skating Santa at Galleria Dallas
Burn off those mashed potatoes by taking to the ice at the Galleria Dallas Ice Rink from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Galleria! And if you try real hard, you probably can even get a little shopping checked off your list, too! If you just can’t get out of the house on Thanksgiving then venture out on Friday at noon when Galleria Dallas debuts the first Macy’s Grand Tree Lighting Celebration of the season. World Champion and Olympic skater Kurt Browning joins cute local skaters and the legendary pyrotechnic Missile Toes countdown to the tree lighting on the ice for a 20-minute holiday extravaganza around the 95-foot-tall Christmas tree. Best of all this show is free!

Galleria Dallas has several holiday experiences for you to enjoy, so visit the full schedule at galleriadallas.com. (Disclaimer: #Client)
See the World’s Longest Light Tunnel at the Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie
We are super excited to load up the car, grab our hot chocolate and turn on Michael Buble for Christmas memories you’ll enjoy for years to come.  Read more about the Prairie Lights here…
Go Nuts at the Gaylord Texan ICE display of The Nutcracker
Our family loves the Gaylord Texan at the holidays because it’s like going to a little bit of Disney – but I can be home in just 20 minutes!  Last year we really enjoyed our experience (if you’ve never been to ICE check out my 7 tips to the Perfect Ice Experience here), but we are really excited to check out the new theme, The Nutcracker! Of course, little man is all about the tubing action and some mama fun making a gingerbread house with Gingy! 


Even if you aren’t a guest, you can enjoy the ICE exhibit! Hours vary for this experience, so make sure you check out the website for the specific schedule and price.
Nothing Says the Holidays than Snow with the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway doesn’t do anything small and that definitely describes their holiday event, the Gift of Lights. The Snow Village at TMS features a tubing hill, snow ball gallery, and a snow play area – and finish the fun by making s’mores! Read more about the Gift of Lights…
And don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming holiday events later in December!

Holly Jolly Holidays Start Dec. 11 at the Grapevine LEGO MINILAND
Search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND. You’re bound to find an old St. Nick, as there are 11 LEGO Santa’s hidden throughout the 1.5 million LEGO bricks in MINILAND. (Dec.  11 – 25)


Write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Café. (Wednesday, Dec.  11 and 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Milk and cookies served on Dec. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Build a LEGO ornament to hang on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (with a minimum $1 donation to Merlin’s Magic Wand.) Plus, meet Bertie the mascot! (Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under. Also note, special holiday hours: Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Christmas noon to 6 p.m., New Years Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and New Year’s Day 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To purchase special discounted tickets visit www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw.

Scuba Diving Santa takes the plunge at Sea Life Aquarium

While you are at MINILAND at Grapevine Mills, walk across the hall to the Sea Life Aquarium! This Santa doesn’t have fire coming out of his skates, but he does have an oxygen tank on his back. The Scuba Diving Santa takes the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish and sharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine’s 145,000-gallon tank.  Scheduled dives occur at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec.  11 and 18 and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21.


The kids will also be able write and mail a letter to Santa.  Letters can be written from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and 18 and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21.

Admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under.  To purchase special discounted tickets visit www.visitsealife.com/grapevine.  Please note the special holiday hours: Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Christmas noon to 6 p.m., New Years Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and New Years Day 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Gobble, Gobble!





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