To-Do Thursdays Archives - mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents

Reconnect with Family Fun at Trinity Forest Adventure Park {Special Offer}

April 14, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Been thinking the fam needed to do something together, but the thought of another movie night or going to spend tons of money at an event to just get full of sugar while standing in line at the bouncehouses?

Instead find something fun to do that might ACTUALLY have your family become stronger? Happier? And reconnect?

The Trinity Forest Adventure Park is a combination of a canopy tour, challenge course and zip line in Dallas.

Photo Credit: Trinity Adventure Park Facebook Page

Trinity Forest Adventure Park is an aerial course that has six self-guided courses at three different elevations and four levels of difficulty. The courses become higher and gradually more difficult, and have 8-12 elements (obstacles) each. Each course varies in terms of elevation and the strenuousness of the challenges.

The courses consist of:

Military-style obstacles (cargo nets, wobble bridges, tight ropes, ladders, etc.)
Zip Lines where the participant is in control
Six Courses with varying degrees of difficulty

To participate, an individual must be:

6 years old AND at least 48” tall
Able to grasp a cable 60” above them while flat-footed
And LESS than 265 lbs.

No matter what your activity level, you and your family will have lots of fun working together, breaking a sweat and getting outdoors to do something unforgettable time and time again at Trinity Adventure Park.

Fine Print:
Trinity Forest Adventure Park Coupon. Receive 1 free, standard, full-price admission ticket w/purchase of An Adult standard, full-price admission ticket. Not valid w/any other offer/discount. Must follow directions on coupon (after claiming w/email address) to get the discount. Coupon expires 6/30/2015.
Coupon expires 6/30/15. Must follow directions on coupon to get the offer.

Go Ninja at LEGO® NinJago Training Camp {Giveaway}

March 6, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 23 Comments

Spring Break begins next week for many kids in Dallas-Fort Worth, but unfortunately for parents not all of us have come up with a plan to make the five-day span full of fun activities. Just in time, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth is going to kick Spring Break into gear with the new LEGO® Ninjago Training Camp.

Put your creativity, agility and ninja skills to the test in this limited-time attraction. Included in the price of admission, the training camp brings the popular line of LEGO® Ninjago toys to life and gives visitors the chance to show off their ninja skills with interactive features. Enhance your coordination and test your reactions with ninja missions, grow your creativity by building Ninjago out of LEGO® bricks, then demonstrate your agility and skill by taking on the laser maze.

The 35,000 sq. ft. center features millions of LEGO® bricks and offers a fun, highly interactive and educational experience. Interactive features include hands-on play areas; a 4D cinema; LEGO® rides and outdoor water playground; special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations; and signature MINILAND exhibit, featuring replicas of North Texas landmarks made out of LEGO® bricks.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
$21 for guests 3 years old and older, free for kids 2 and under.
Advance booking recommended
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway
Grapevine, Texas 76051
www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win 4 Season Passes to Six Flags at Pokémon Trainer Challenge

August 6, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: I was provided passes so we can meet you at the Pokeman Trainer Challenge at Six Flags Over Texas on Aug. 10! Affiliate links may be used.

When I was a teenager my little brother, along with every other boy in the world was a big fan of Pokemon. However, I didn’t know what it was other than a game and the hot toy for his 6-year-old birthday. It, along with the Power Rangers, I thought, were a memory of us growing up.

Then when my own little 6-year-old uttered the words “Pichachu” after watching a cartoon on YouTube that I might need to do a little homework since the enchanting world of Pokémon was back again for me a second time!

After spending some time googling Pokéman, I learned that the game actually encourages strategic thinking, math skills and good sportsmanship. Considering these are ideal concepts for any child to learn, I started to become a bigger fan of the more than 700 creatures that inhabit the Pokémon universe.

That’s why this Sunday, Aug. 10 we are looking forward to participating in the Pokémon Trainer Challenge at Six Flags Over Texas and a chance to win FOUR Six Flags season passes PLUS a Pokémon toy prize pack.

Guests are invited to the Pokémon Trainer Station tent inside the park for contest info and to sign up. You can also practice your trainer skills, check out some of the hottest new Pokémon toys and take your photo with Ash.

Then 10 lucky guests will be selected from the eligible contest entry forms to take the Pokémon Trainer Challenge for the chance to win four 2015 season passes to Six Flags and more than $250 worth of Pokémon toys.

If you aren’t able to make it this Sunday, you can still make it out on Aug. 17, Aug. 23 & 24 to visit the Pokémonm booth at each park to try out the newest products and take a photo next to life-size Ashe!

The contest is open to guests age 8 to 13 at the park on Aug. 10. All guests must submit a contest entry form by 2:30 pm to be eligible for participation. Entry forms and contest rules are available at guest relations and at the Pokémon tent inside the park on Aug. 10.

Entrant selection begins promptly at 2:45 p.m. and all guests must be present at the designated Pokémon tent at this time to for a chance to participate. The contest will take place at 3 p.m.

Participating Six Flags parks include:
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Great Adventure

One prize will be awarded at each participating park. Click here for Official Rules.

For more information on the Pokémon toys, check out www.tomycollections.com.

Relieve Sinus Pain with Sudafed’s OPEN UP app and Win $5,000

November 13, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 37 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sudafed.

After returning from a wonderful mom-and-son blog getaway to Mexico last week, I was “lucky” to have my sinus take over and make me miserable – starting on my way home on the plane.

Everything hurt; my head was pounding from the pressure on my sinus and my eyes just kept watering. Not to mention the total discomfort of having my ears pop on the plane. In reality I just really couldn’t handle anything, much less traveling with my kiddo or not being able to get to my pharmacy to pick up some relief.

It wasn’t the way I wanted to end that trip at all, especially when it started so wonderfully for my birthday! But that is what sinus pain and colds do – especially here in Texas… they come over you when you least expect it and then like that you are down and out. And the feeling? That’s the worst part. I couldn’t put my fingers on enough pulse points to attempt to make my brain quit pounding.

And let’s not talk about the runny nose once that started. Indescribable.

While hindsight is 20/20, had I been able to take stock in tissues before I got sick, I would be a rich woman now.

Bottom line: I just wanted to zip off this body to relieve the pressure.

Thankfully, is helping to relieve a little of the pressure that comes from sinus pain with the Sudafed OPEN UP™ Facebook app. This nifty app helps sufferers visualize their pain with a photo contest, share it with other suffers, get a coupon and best of all, be entered in for a chance to win $5,000.

That alone is enough reason to feel better.

Well, after you have taken a Sudafed.

Sudafed knows that suffering from sinus pressure and pain can leave individuals feeling crushed, beat down, congested and even squeezed, desperately looking for a way to open up. Serious sinus sufferers are invited to creatively share how their sinus pain and pressure looks and feels to them by using Sudafed’s OPEN UP™ application on Facebook.

Then, beginning on December 2, the Sudafed Facebook community will vote for one of five finalist sketches that best illustrates the pains of sinus pressure. The winner will receive $5,000 and a chance to have their work included in a Sudafed advertising campaign. For more information, visit the Sudafed Facebook page.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sudafed.

Autumn Does Autumn Tablescapes on TV (with A LOT of help from GiggleGalore.net)

October 2, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Who better else to talk about autumn than Autumn, right?

Actually, when I was asked to do two segment on Autumn tablescapes, I knew I need to bring in some “reinforcements” to show viewers it is possible to create functional, beautiful displays that aren’t just pretty, but memory making as well. So I rang up one of the most amazing local DFW event goddesses and bloggers, Mariah from GigglesGalore.net, to put together a segment that would make Pottery Barn jealous.

Take a look at what we did for a kids’ table, every day dining, brunch with the girls and a formal dining experience that can take your fall from drab to fab – with things you can find in your house, your backyard and your local craft store.

I think you can agree to say, she outdid herself with these perfect expressions of fall.

Great Looking, Great Cooking: That’s What the MetroCooking Show is Made Of

September 19, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

To-Do Thursdays:

I have admitted that I’m a little obsessed with food.

And in the past I have admitted my love for Paula Deen (I found four posts already where I mention her.) However, today I have another admission about the Deen family: it’s my little ~~crush~~ obsession on Bobby Deen.

Yep, that’s right. There’s something to be said about a man that is as cute as he is, can cook all Southern-style, but knows how to the cut calories to keep your backside from looking like a rump roast. (I think we can all appreciate that, right?) So when my Bobby comes to Dallas for a little intimate cooking session with me this weekend, I thought it might be nice if I shared him with the rest of Dallas (at least for a little while to see what he can do with a skillet.)

So consider this your personal invitation to join me, Bobby, his mama and a whole lotta great-cooking folks to come out again for the second annual MetroCooking Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 21 & Sunday, Sept. 22 at The Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center (yes, that’s the former Dallas Convention Center, but aren’t you proud Kay gotten something named after her.) This year’s extravaganza brings renowned television chefs, hundreds of specialty food exhibitors, cooking demonstrations and workshops.

Graphic from MCESshow.com

If Bobby and Paula aren’t enough to whet your whistle, then consider coming out to see The Chew’s Jason Roberts; actress Debi Mazur (most notable on HBO’s Entourage) and her husband Gabriele Corcos from the Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin; the Grill Sergeant Brad Turner and the Food Network’s Extreme Chef Terry French. Bobby’s also hosting The Bobby Deen BBQ & Photo Op on Saturday where attendees will enjoy recipes selected by Bobby and have their photo taken with him. Paula will swing by the BBQ for a quick “hey, y’all” as well. (Feel free to come tell me hi.)

While you’re there, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit more than 150 exhibitors so you can make sure to take something tasty home with you (husbands are much happier when you go gawk at other men if you bring home some sweet stuff for them like some of the pepper jelly you’ll find there.)

MetroCooking Dallas
Sept. 21 & 22, 2013
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center

Tickets: $24.50, children ages 4-12 are $12.50 and children ages 4 and younger are free.
Additional tickets are required for special events such as a VIP meet-and-greets with TV chefs, the one-day theater pass and entry to special lectures by the headliners.
http://www.metrocookingdallas.com/tickets

One more admission: Bobby isn’t really coming to Dallas to see me, but I’m sure once he meets me this weekend, he and his new Venezuelan wife would love to come on over for Sunday dinner with my husband and kids once the show is over.

Sneak Peek: Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden

September 10, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 14 Comments

Travel Tuesdays:

On September 27, the Dallas Arborteum will unveil one of the most beautiful destinations for learning, the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Overlooking picturesque White Rock Lake, this eight-acre “laboratory” houses 17 outdoor/indoor galleries designed around a key science theme outlined the state and national standards for life and earth science.

Each of the more than 150 exhibits provide preschool and middle-school aged children to experience how life works on a whole-new level with larger-than-life exhibits and hands-on opportunities to discovery science in nature. While we all wait to bring our children to this amazing attraction later this month, I got a sneak peek at some of the park’s coolest features and what you can look forward to you upon your first visit.

9-foot Ant and Plant Petting Zoo

“Plants are Alive:” Understanding Photosynthesis

“Texas Skywalk”

“Kaliedscope:”
Where Math, Science & Art Come Together (designed specifically for 4-6 graders)

“Pure Energy Gallery”

Areas are built throughout the park to congregate, rest and enjoy the beautiful outdoor scerenery overlooking White Rock Lake

A note before you go:

Admission for the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden must be purchased online in advance to make your reservation. Also admission to the garden is separate from regular park tickets, so you’ll need to budget accordingly if you are visiting both parks.

Strollers and wheelchairs can be used in the Children’s Garden, but wagons are not permitted. Also, you’ll want to bring hats and sunscreen during the warm months and bundle up accordingly in the colder parts of the year.

Food items are served at the park for purchase so you can make a day of it – especially when the legendary “Autumn in the Arboretum” opens September 21 or any of the special “The Year of the Children” performances and activities.

Have fun exploring and learning about nature!

Last-Minute Back-to-School Discounts

August 22, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

To-do Thursdays:

While my kiddos are already back in session at Spanish Schoolhouse, most of North Texas will start another school year come Monday morning. With only a few days left, now is still a great time to get those school supplies and BTS wardrobe needs with some special opportunities available for a limited time at area Staples, Office Max and Grapevine Mills.

See? It does pay to procrastinate (some of the time.)

Staples:
Save a bundle when you purchase a Back-to-School Savings Pass for $10 and get 15% off on school supplies until Sept. 21. (All eligible products can be found here.)

Office Max:

If you haven’t started your back-to-school shopping, then it’s time to to bag it with OfficeMax – at least until this Saturday, Aug. 24. You can get 20% OFF everything that fits inside a brown paper bag during OfficeMax’s 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event, including tablets, eReaders, must-have school supplies from backpacks to paper, calculators, printer ink and more (some exclusion do apply.)

OfficeMax’s 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event is available in-stores only. Brown bags can be found in Sunday’s paper. While you are there, make sure you also take up on their rewards program, Office Max Perksfor 5% back in rewards with every purchase plus some other great goodies!

Grapevine Mills:
Grapevine is known for trying to offer a little bit of everything for everyone and for Back-to-School this is certainly the case at Grapevine Mills. Here are just a few of the great discounts you can take up on for a limited time:

Receive 15% off when you show your student ID at Forever 21.
Nautica Factory Store and take an additional 30-50% off storewide.
Taking advantage of 10% off with a student ID at the Tommy Hilfiger Company Store.
Spend $75 or more at G by Guess and receive a free messenger bag.
Buy one, get one 50% off at Stride Rite/Keds/Sperry Outlet

You can check out other deals on their deal page on the Grapevine Mills website.

Happy Shopping!

The Best Places to Find + Post Garage Sales

July 18, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 4 Comments

To-Do Thursdays:

Last weekend the rain convinced me to face up to a task that had been looming for a long, long time.

I finally had to clean out my kids’ rooms.

My youngest was getting ready for potting training so she was ready to move up to a big-girl bed and the oldest recently announced to me that it was time to move out the Thomas the Tank Engine and bring out the Legos. (There were tears when he told me.)

But to be honest, there was a lot more to do than that. I needed to pull out those old toys, clothes, shoes and whatever else that we had finally outgrown and send them to storage. You see I hadn’t gotten rid of anything from either of kids since they were born. (Shame, right?)

So before people started to make a call to the show Hoarders, I moved out the old stuff and put them in storage with all the other stuff we were holding on to. Except this time, I couldn’t close the door. And there wasn’t enough Rubbermaid to organize all this craziness. I needed to make like a cheerleader and purge (just kidding.)

And since all the junk was a big eye sore each time I walked by, I needed to rid my house of the crap quickly (especially before I began to think about keeping that “one” outfit that would without a doubt turn into 20.)

Considering there was that much stuff, everything pointed to the idea that I needed to host a garage sale. But since I don’t go to garage sales and the only one I ever had made like $20, I went on a mad search for how the age of technology had changed garage sales.

Seven online sites you can find (and post) a garage sale in your area:

Craigslist.org
Yardsalesearch.com
Gsalr.com (this one even has a cool app that maps your garage sales!)
Yardsales.net
Atgaragesale.com
Online Private Facebook groups (you may have to research these, but they are controlled groups on Facebook that keep the “Craiglist experience” more local.)
And don’t forget to look at your local newspaper. (Many of them offer really cheap online ads for garage sale listings that can be both print and online!)

Good to Know:
I also needed to add that BEFORE having a garage sale, make sure you check your city’s rules on hosting a garage sale. Some request a permit, some don’t and there may be other rules for signage, ordinances, etc. For instance in Arlington, Texas, we have all kinds of rules on garage sales like where we can post a sign and that you can only host a sale no more than twice a year.

AND of course, if you are looking for GIRLS & BOYS BABY/KIDS CLOTHES,FURNITURE AND TOYS for ages 0-4, then come on out to see me on Saturday!

The Demise of RSVPs and Thank You Notes?

June 27, 2013 By Autumn Rose Reo 5 Comments

To-Do Thursdays:

Normally, I would be thinking about all the things to go see and do this weekend…However, I’m knee deep in thank you cards from a certain little boy and girl’s birthday party (photos forthcoming.) We are so grateful to have such amazing friends and family to celebrate the occasion and not to mention make Santa look bad with all the goodies they got. #soblessed

I’ve been working all week to get them completed within an acceptable timeframe – something both my mother and my grandmother drilled into me since birthday (really.) While I’m not always perfect (far from it), I do my best to remember to do them, make them personal and mail them. I was taught it was the right thing to do and just good manners. And of course it gives me a chance to use my pretty stationery from Minted. #nerdalert

However, I’ve noticed with all our technology and social media at our fingertips, the art of thank yous and RSVPs has definitely changed over the years. Dramatically. I remember I used to get an invite in the mail and you were either required to write a letter back you would be attending or picking up the phone. But that is the thing of the past. Now we get on Facebook, use Evite or even my personal favorite, Paperless Post, and we use the invitaition as a placeholder in our calendar until the day of and then make a decision last-minute if you are going to go or not.

This folks, is not an RSVP.

I know I’ve done it and from recent events I’ve attended or hosted, I know that’s what many of us are doing. It’s nothing new, but technology has made us lazy and rude. On the other hand, the hundreds of event invitations on Facebook have made it very easy to fill up our inboxes and feel overwhelmed by things to do and places to be. We just can’t respond to everything. And it’s just too enticing with the list of things to do to throw up a blanket “Thank you” message and feel like you’ve done your part. But have you?

I mean the overcommunication has made us actually quit communicating.

(Now think about that one for a while.)

So while I’m by no mean Miss Manners or the gal to lead by example, I would love to hear your thoughts on Thank you notes and RSVPs. What’s your experience with them nowadays? Do you think we should use them or are they a thing of the past? Should we create a campaign to reinstate them? Start a points system for those that do it correctly and not let others come to your party in the future (joke)? Do you have a service you use that you love for RSVPs? Are electronic thank yous enough?

Comments, please!