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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

To-Do: Holiday Hurry with Ice, Trains and Christmas Cards

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To-Do Thursdays:


The countdown is on! A week from today we’ve got Thankgiving and then the most crazy of Holiday events, Black Friday.

7 days to THANKSGIVING
40 days to CHRISTMAS
47 days to NEW YEAR’S DAY
Now that the initial shock of holiday has passed, I’m ready to take on Christmas shopping like a champ and begin to get the family in the mood. The Christmas decorations are at least out of the closet; I just need to find time to put them up (but I get an star for my efforts!) However, now that I’m hearing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” in my head (and the grocery store), I’ve got holiday fun on my brain, too. So here’s what’s on the holiday schedule so far:


“O Christmas Card, O Christmas Cards”…The Cool Way to Do Christmas Cards – Part 2 {GIVEAWAY ALERT} (I’m making it so easy this year with a special giveaway only until 11/18!)


However, next week is where the calendar is packed full of holiday cheer:



And there’s lots more where that came from! Just wait until next week and I provide an insider’s look at the Gaylord Texan’s ICE!


Until then, Happy Decorating!

To-Do: Here’s the first of your Holiday Helpin’!

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To-Do Thursdays:

This has been a power-packed week of events with my birthday, Halloween and a pending holiday. The smiles on my kiddos’ faces and a late bedtime verifies that 2012 was a good Halloween, so like any good mom I’ll share a few shots from the best of the evening. 

However, it’s all about looking forward, so I’m putting my star on a few events this weekend to officially celebrate the next two months of HOLIDAY! Can you believe we are already in the home stretch? 

21 days to THANKSGIVING
53 days to CHRISTMAS
60 days to NEW YEAR’S DAY


Now that I’ve officially scared you (and me), no need to worry! Mamachallenge.com is going to help you get that gold star for HOLIDAY 2012. Whether you’re looking for gifts, recipes or things to do, we’ll bring ’em to you. So just stay tuned to here AND do subscribe to 100 Days to Holidays newsletter from Parents. It’s always one of my must-dos and it’s a great way to get ideas for the holidays that make you look like a Martha Stewart without the jailtime. 

While we have time for holiday planning, we don’t have a lot of time for planning this weekend. So here’s the scoop for Nov. 1-4:


Follow me on Facebook and Instagram (arredmon) for photos of my look at Napa Valley
Get a leg on shopping with a Rundown on Holiday Markets (This weekend is the Junior League of Arlington’s Holiday Magic!)
Do something with the leftover Halloween candy with a little help from Steve Noviello!

To-Do This Weekend: Treat Your Senses

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To-do Thursdays:


This weekend is all about preparation for fall…with Halloween next week, my 21st birthday (tee-hee) and a little chill actually roiling into Dallas/Fort Worth, I need a little time to get things in line. 

So with the exception of all the fun things I need to catch up on like laundry, dishes and holiday planning (I did say that), I’m planning on keeping the calendar light — well, kinda.

Here are a few events I’m planning on for this weekend:
Face Logic Spa, one of my favorite local spas owned by local mom Faryn Clark, is holding their annual Image Peel Event with an opportunity to see the future of your skin, Oct. 26 – 28. While I’d like to think my skin isn’t beginning to age, I can’t ignore the things I can see and even worse, the things I can’t see — YET.

The experience includes a special introduction to the Woods Lamp, which utilizes an ultra violet light to reveal color changes and areas of hyperpigmentation (age spots/sun damage) below the skin’s surface so they can prevent those imperfections before they are visible. 



A peek into the future is $25 and includes a Wood’s Lamp session and an aesthetician’s analysis of what it reveals. Consultation also includes a 20 minute Image Vitamin C or Orodemic Peel ($59 value) + a $25 gift card for any Image retail product -to use that same day, cocktails and a pass into the Peel Event reception. 

Annual Image Peel Event 
Facelogic Spa Highland Park
October 26th-28th
Reception – October 27th, 1 pm – 6 pm, featuring Jena Sorenson, LME 
Raffle, goody bags and more than $800 in giveaways
4518 Lovers Lane
214.696.3223

To-Do DFW: Bears, butterflies, boos and blooms, Oct. 19-21

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To-Do Thursdays


Everything about this weekend is FALL. And in Texas, this season is only about two weeks long. So between the bears, butterflies, boos and blooms, you’ve got all kinds of options! However, it looks like most of them are on Oct. 20, so you’re going to have to make some decisions.

Tip from me: Choose only 1-2 things to do and have a blast. Don’t try to make it too all of the events and not have any fun at any of them!

Here’s my roundup of a few events that will entertain your family this weekend in DFW:


Dust off your wings Oct. 20: Grapevine Butterfly Flutterby & Fall Roundup

#To-Do #DFW: Enjoy fall with Celebrate #Roanoke, Autumn in the #Arboretum, & Flower Mound #Pumpkin Patch

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To-Do Thursdays

This weekend is actually shaping up to be all about fall and family. With few opportunities left to enjoy the amazing Texas fall weather, I’m suggesting you get out outdoors and just spend time doing nothing, but enjoying each other. 

Here’s my roundup of a few events that will entertain your family this weekend in DFW: 

Here’s my son at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Village in 2010.



Celebrate all things Roanoke with Celebrate ROANOKE, Oct. 13

Enjoy Autumn. It doesn’t last long!

To-Do: Arlington’s After Dark in the Park, Oct. 5-7

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style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To-Do Thursdays

As a proud resident of Arlington, I love when I can attend and recommend worth-while events in my own backyard. After Dark in the Park, Oct. 5 – 7 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. is one of them. Designed to create awareness of the River Legacy Living Science Center environmental-education programs, After Dark in the Park is an annual family-friendly fall festival that includes fun family programming from ages 2 – 10 years old. 

It comes at a perfect time of the year when you start burning those pumpkin candles and thinking about the holidays. My favorite part is that the event is just the ideal size to enjoy with a young child without feeling overwhelmed or like you’re missing something. And since entrance includes a hayride shuttle from River Legacy Parks to event entrance, that’s almost worth the experience all together.

Here’s an old shot of  my then 2 yr. old enjoying the simple fun of leaves at After Dark in the Park. 
The annual festival features family fun like:
·         karaoke
·         storytelling under the stars
·         animal encounters
·         pumpkin patch
·         bounce houses
·         crafts and games
·         concessions featuring fall foods like hot chocolate and cider
·         NEW for 2012: Bass Pro Camping Demo & Contests & Drawings for GREAT Prizes!
After Dark in the Park
River Legacy Living Science Center
Oct. 5 – 7, 2012 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
$7 for kids ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under free. (Star-Telegram Press Pass customers get half off on Sunday, Oct. 7 when they flash their pass.)
Special notes:
No pets allowed.
Bring extra cash for tickets and some activities.
Want another mom’s view on After Dark in the Park? My friend Shannon of milkandcuddles.com and her daughter attended last year and she shared her experience on She is Dallas.

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