A couple of years ago, my husband Charles and I were sitting around the house  trying to think of something unique we could do that weekend with our son, Jack (who was about eighteen months old and very much into trains).  Charles, who worked in Uptown at the time, suggested the M-Line Trolley – he saw it  roll by his office every day – yet, we had never been for a ride.

It was summertime, which meant it was hot out (wait, this is Texas…that meant it was REALLY HOT OUT), and the idea of sitting in a little trolley car with a toddler didn’t appeal to me…but, for lack of anything better going on at the time, I agreed to give it a try.

My first surprise was that the trolleys are FREE to ride.  My second surprise was that the trolley cars are all AIR CONDITIONED!  Woohoo!  And it turned out my fears about a cranky toddler were unwarranted – Jack was perched on his knees, his nose pressed to the window, oohing and aahing at the cars on the road and the big work trucks we passed as the trolley ambled past more than one construction site (and what kid isn’t fascinated by a construction site with cement trucks and cranes and all of that fun stuff?).

We recently returned to the M-Line trolley for another successful adventure.  Jack is a bit older – his attention span is longer and he’s interested in every. single. aspect. of trolley riding.  We were unable to answer many of his questions (“How does it go?” “Who made it?” “What building is that?” etc. etc.) but the friendly trolley-driver was a wealth of information.

There is lots to see on the M-Line Trolley!

There is a stop right out front of the Starbucks on McKinney (and what fun is a trolley ride without a little caffeine?).  This is where we started our ride, although you could jump on at any of the many trolley stops.  From here, the ride takes you through Uptown (and there’s so much more to see than you realize when you’re driving through), across Woodall Rogers and into downtown – which is where the ride ends (but if you don’t want to get off, stay put – you just turn your seats around – literally – and the trolley heads back the way it came!).

We got off at the last stop and walked around downtown.  The Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center (which has many exhibits outside – the perfect place for a restless toddler to get some exercise while you admire the art) are an easy walk away (bring your stroller or baby carrier if you have a little one!).  And of course, you’re in downtown Dallas – so you have lots of places to choose from should you decide to get some lunch.  The last time we went, we ended up just walking around and enjoying the sights a big city has to offer (mainly, skyscrapers and construction – sure favorites with our three-year-old!).

When you’re done seeing the sights, hop on the trolley and head back to Uptown (if you haven’t already eaten, and have a pizza-loving child with you, may I recommend Grimaldi’s – yummy!).

Before you go, be sure to check out the map (so you’ll know where to get on and off) and the schedule (so you can be sure to plan your trip for a time when the trolley is running).  If you’re like me, and kind of freak about the unknown, you can even learn about *how* to ride the trolley here (mostly, how to signal when you want to stop and helpful little tidbits like that – but I didn’t read the Trolley Riding Instructions prior to our trips and we managed just fine).

Oh!  And don’t forget your camera…kids and trolleys make for some great photo ops!

While visiting the  Trinity River Audubon Center website and looking at the pictures of the majestic oasis of fields and flowers, it was hard for me to comprehend that this type of nature wonderland existed so close to the big city of Dallas. After spending a Saturday there with my two youngest kids, I questioned myself what took me so long to go?

If you are a nature lover, want to get your kids out of the city for a bit, or just need a quiet place for “Me Time,” this is your answer. The area includes bottom-land hardwood forest, wetlands, river, and prairie habitats. You can choose from a variety of trails and experience many different kinds of nature along the way.

As fun as it is for my kids to expend their energy outside in our neighborhood, either by riding bikes, scooters or playing ball, I encourage you as a parent to take them out and experience nature. It brings a type of engaging slow-down that keeps your child’s mind alert while he experiences new things, but also serves as a force of physical stimulation as he walks and climbs to explore new and great discoveries.

The center offers many different programs suitable for all ages. The workshop that I’ll be signing us up for is the “Discover Together Workshop.” You get to choose the date for a two hour workshop of your choice. Choose from Hiking, Beginning Bird Watching, Nature Journaling, Survival Skills & Building an A-frame Shelter and Camping Basics 8 “Leave No Trace.”

The Trinity River Audubon Center is heralded as the first LEED-certified Dallas Park and Recreation Department project. An interesting fact: this project was built on top of 1.5 million tons of illegally dumped construction debris. The waste was consolidated to form rolling hills and tall prairie grass and hardwood trees were planted. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a certification program formed to accelerate the development practices of green building and design.

The Overlook

Making a Caterpillar Friend

Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, but you don’t have to wait for Mother’s Day to enjoy some “mom time” – the 3rd National Mom’s Nite Out is right around the corner!

Mom’s Nite Out is an evening dedicated to celebrating motherhood.  Most events are hosted at a mall, and you can expect makeovers, discounts, prizes, and a peaceful evening with other moms (well, maybe not entirely peaceful if you attend the event at Firewheel Town Center in Garland…due to hubby’s schedule, I’ll likely be bringing my kids, but I’ll do my best to keep them under control!).

Simon Malls will be hosting this event, which occurs on May 10th from 5:00-8:00 PM, in over 100 locations nationwide.

Enjoy your nite out…you deserve it!

The French Bakery

As parents, we are all looking for the most exciting and memorable spot to host our child’s next birthday party. I have found that spot for you, ZippiDiDa! That’s right! ”ZippiDiDa“!

When you first walk in to ZippiDiDa you know that something is different. Each area is artfully constructed to depict different places around the world. Your child and their best friends will take a trip around the world to help celebrate their birthday.

Start off their birthday journey by decorating their own cupcakes in a French Bakery. Next travel to New York to create your very own piece of art. Asia is the next stop where a face painter or balloon artist will make the party extra special. The last stop is in Hollywood where the stage and lights are set to celebrate your child’s special day and make them the star you know they are. Family and friends can sing Happy Birthday and the karaoke machine is available.

Additional add-ons are offered to their birthday packages, such as creating chocolate covered pretzels and marshmallows in the French Bakery. In New York, your budding fashion designer can play dress-up by “re-designing” their clothes. A hair stylist, nail-technician or Zumba or Yoga instructor can also be added to your fantastic party.

Food can be added on such as a hot dog or popcorn machine. Fruits and veggie trays are available for the healthy minded. Discounts are given for certain size parties given on Monday through Fridays.

Mommy Drop Off Time is also available! Your child will be enchanted with the first step they take into ZippiDiDa. This store is located inside the Stonebriar Center Mall at 2601 Preston Rd., Suite 1252 in Frisco.

On a side note, the front of store, which is called “Choco-coco”, sells the best in children’s apparel that you will not find anywhere else. These brand name collections come directly from Spain, Italy and France.

It’s that time of year again: Festivals in Dallas–Watters Creek Fine Arts Festival kicks off  MAY 11-13. This is the fourth year for this festival featuring one-of-a-kind Fine Art, Live Musical Performances and Children’s Activities.

Highlights of the festival include tented artists booths located throughout Watters Creek’s beautiful grounds, featuring gallery-quality work from local, state and nation-wide artists displaying and selling a variety of styles and mediums.

The three-day outdoor festival is being held at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm, and is free and open to the public with free parking.   Daily Itinerary is:

Friday, May 11–Artist booths open from 4 p.m. until dark, Live musical performance on The Green from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Make and take activities for kids

Saturday, May 12–Artist booths open from 10 a.m. until dark, Lucky Duck Kids Club from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Mother’s Day themed activity , Live musical performance on The Green from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 13–Artist booths open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Live musical performance on The Green from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Watters Creek is located at 970 Garden Park Drive (U.S. 75 and Bethany Drive) in Allen, Texas.  For more information call 972-747-8000 or visit www.watterscreek.com.

I love the Dallas Arboretum.

The grounds are beautiful and impeccably maintained, the views of White Rock Lake are stunning, the staff is helpful, and maybe best of all – the kids love it (what kid wouldn’t love a place where they can run barefoot across a manicured lawn and then play in a giant frog fountain?).

If I were a squirrel, I'd live here, too!

We have a family membership to the Arboretum, and we go often (it’s ever-changing, and there is always something new and unexpected).

This morning, I decided that I wasn’t going to waste away a single day of beautiful Spring weather (you all know it’s going to be HOT in just a couple of weeks, right?!) and I loaded up the kids (and the stroller, and the baby carrier, and the diaper bag, and the blanket for us to sit on while we ate the snacks I had packed, etc., etc.) for a trip to the Arboretum.

And as usual, there was something new going on.  But, this was not at all a usual “something new” – this was pretty amazing, actually.

There is a new exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum.  The exhibit – Chihuly – consists of more than fifteen glass sculptures by world-renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. The exhibit hasn’t officially opened, but the sculptures are up now (they are putting the finishing touches on everything, but this didn’t interfere with viewing them one bit).

The sculptures are breathtaking, and there is something magical about walking around a corner and finding a bright red swirly mass of glass in the courtyard, or walking onto the lawn and finding a yellow tower of glass two stories tall reflecting the sunlight.

It’s nothing short of remarkable how these man-made objects integrate seamlessly with their natural surroundings.

This swirly burst of color welcomed us to the Arboretum.

Jack spent the morning running from sculpture to sculpture (and there are plenty to look at).  He was so worn out that we ran out of time (or, more accurately, energy) to visit the Small Houses of Great Artists – five playhouses that reflect the works of famous artists (our favorite is the Van Gogh house).

We were so enthralled with the sculptures, in fact, that we skipped all of our normal Arboretum favorites – the frog fountains (bring a change of clothes if your kid likes to get wet, and if that’s okay with you!), the koi pond, and the lawn overlooking White Rock Lake (which is a giant hill the kids love to run down).

We brought a picnic blanket and found a quiet place in the shade to enjoy our snacks…but, it turned out we were hungry for more than crackers and juice boxes, and we ended up buying some “real” food from Cafe on the Green – one of the Arboretum’s many dining options.  There are several places to eat, including a full-service restaurant – Restaurant DeGolyer.

And this is where I give you a great Mother’s Day idea!

The Restaurant DeGoyer hosts a Spring Tea.  I took my own mom last year for Mother’s Day, and she loved it (not only did we get some one-on-one time, but we also filled up on deliciousness like egg salad on pumpernickel bread and blueberry scones).  The tea is a creative gift for the mom who has everything (and, a little different than your average Mother Day’s lunch).

The tea is for adults 13 and up, so leave the little ones at home (you can always bring them back to the Restaurant DeGoyer for a “normal” lunch on another day!).  Or, have someone else show the kids around the Arboretum while you and mom enjoy the tea (and trust me, you will enjoy it!).

Reservations for the Spring Tea can be made by calling 214.515.6511.  The menu and details are available here (and if you miss it, there’s a Summer Tea, too!).

The cost is $47/person ($57 to add champagne) and includes admission to the Arboretum, parking, and gratuity.

Regular admission to the Arboretum is $15/adult, and parking is $10/car.

You might be interested in becoming a member – annual membership is $109, and includes admission for up to six people every time you attend (we love this, because we can bring Memaw and Grampa!).  Membership includes parking, gives you a discount at the store (oh, yes…they have a store, too…with lots of cute things), and best of all…gets you Express Entry on those extra-crowded days.

So slather on the sunscreen, pack some snacks and load up the kids.  You have a whole day of fun ahead of you at the Dallas Arboretum!

It’s that time again: Festivals in Dallas!  During May 5-6 weekend , check out these Festivals:

Japanese Maple Festival–May 5th, 10am-2pm at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas. Tours, crafts, yoga, storytelling and more!  Free.

My big guy being sweet at the Cottonwood Arts Festival 2011

Cottonwood Art Festival–May 5-6th, Cottonwood Park, Richardson. Art work, live music performances, and an art area for children. Free Admission & Free Parking.

There are more festivals in Dallas–May 12-14:

11th Annual Butterfly Festival–In Collin Creek Mall, Plano.  Hundreds of butterflies are released into a mesh tent for a personal up-close encounter. Adults $6, children $3. Continues until May 20.

Watters Creek Fine Arts Festival–May  11-13.

Look what I got!

This is the fourth year for this festival featuring one-of-a-kind Fine Art, Live Musical Performances and Children’s Activities. Free Admission and Parking.

new dessert options

Two weeks ago, Chick-fil-A announced there would be a change to their dessert menu.  They would no longer carry the lemon pie or the nutty brownie.  Instead they would offer a chocolate chunk cookie, brownie (sans nuts), small sundae, cookie sundae, and brownie sundae.  All this along with their milkshakes.  I was very bummed about the change because I love their lemon pie.  It was my occasional cheat treat.  Something about it put a smile on my face.  It being taken off the menu was very sad and a pretty big deal to me.

This past Saturday, to give customers an opportunity to try the new chocolate chunk cookie, my local Chick-fil-A had a pajama night.  From 5-6 kids came in dressed in their pajamas and were read stories with the famous Chick-fil-A cow.  During that time, the kids and their parents were offered the cookies along with milk.

Kids were given a cow plush with their cookies.

Story time

I will start off by saying that I was impressed right off the bat.  The chocolate from the chips was melting onto the paper package.  I love a chocolate chip cookie that is melty.  The cookies were warm, and best of all, soft.  It was ooey and gooey and yummy.  I forgot quickly how much I was going to miss my boring lemon pie.

The cocolate was the perfect kind of messy.

I completely recommend trying the chocolate chunk cookie.  I can’t wait to try it in a sundae.  I wonder where I am going for lunch today….

The boys with the Chick-fil-A cow

Check out these other blogs about events at Chick-fil-A:

Romantic Dinner At Chick-Fil-A

Tis The Season For Giving

Family Night At Chick Fil A

Hello, everyone!  I am so excited to be blogging for Today’s Mama!  Before I get started, I’d like to introduce myself.

My name is Carrie and I’m the mother of two small kids…Jack (3) and Claire (whose first birthday is coming up in July).  I left my job of five years as an Insurance Agent to be a stay-at-home-mom.  This SAHM thing has been the most rewarding *and* the most challenging job of my life.  When I’m not wrangling kids or trying to convince a kid to sleep or cleaning up toys – AGAIN – I like riding horses, reading books, and writing.  I blog about learning to be a SAHM (it’s quite a journey!) at Burp Cloths and Saddle Pads.

I’ve been married for 11 years to a man I met at a Blackjack table in Las Vegas when I was 21 (no joke!).  We moved from California to Texas in 2004.  And that is a nice segue into my FIRST BLOG POST (yay!) for Today’s Mama.

I am a California girl at heart.  In the eight years we’ve lived here, I’ve come to love Texas and after five years of working in Dallas, I know the city well and can even say I don’t think I would live anywhere else.

But (and I blame this on California!), I am kind of a Zoo Snob.

I grew up with the San Diego zoo just a short drive away.  We had annual passes and would often go to the zoo in the evenings after the crowds had dwindled.  We’d meander through the Panda exhibit and admire the baby chimps in the nursery, then munch on iced lemonade while petting the deer in the children’s zoo.

I have such fond memories of the San Diego Zoo (and such high expectations) that I refused to go to the Dallas Zoo for six whole years.  It wasn’t until I had a kid (and needed something to do) that I caved and visited the Dallas Zoo for the first time.

And it turned out I was wrong, and all my Zoo Snobbery was for naught.  The Dallas Zoo was (is!) awesome.  We even bought annual passes that same day.

So, fast-forward two years, and the zoo is *even better* – we’ve see two new exhibits open since we became members.  The most recent exhibit to open is the Koala Walkabout, and the other day I took Jack and Claire to check it out.

Located in the northern tip of “Zoo North,”  the Koala Walkabout has…you guessed it…koalas!  Two of them.  And boy are they cute.  But that’s not all – they are housed in the Australian Outback exhibit, which also has kangaroos, emus, and wallabies.  And, doing what the Dallas Zoo does best, you can get up close and personal to these animals.   Most animals are behind glass, and it’s easy for the little ones to get eye-level with the wildlife.

While we were in the Australian Outback, we checked out the Rainbow Lorikeets.  These cheerfully-colored little birds are housed in an atrium, and the best part (aside from their pretty colors!) is that you can join them.  Many will let you touch them…some will even let you hold them.  And if they don’t want to be held, or touched, they will let you know.  This bird let Jack know, in no uncertain terms, that he was not to be messed with:

Despite being severely reprimanded by a Lorikeet, this was Jack's favorite part of the day - and the hardest thing to tear him away from. He loved these little birds!

Also located in Zoo North is the Children’s Zoo.  At the Children’s Zoo you’ll find farm animals, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a playground.  If that isn’t enough, let the kids stare at the fish in the gargantuan trough/tank, or let them splash in what Jack calls “the pool” (it’s really more of a creek-like fountain).  Be warned, though: if your child is a toddler or older, it’s going to be very hard to get through the Children’s Zoo without them wanting to get wet.  If you’re up to it, bring a change of everything…because for all the wonderful animals and exciting things to do at the zoo, the kids seem most enthralled by the water!

The other side of the zoo is known as the Wilds of Africa, and let me tell you…this part is awesome!  This is where you will find the gorillas, the crocodiles, and the Giants of the Savannah exhibit (which opened recently and includes elephants, lions – which can often be viewed from the air-conditioned comfort of the Serengeti Grill – zebras, giraffes and more).

Again – you get to be so close to the animals.

For $5, you can feed a giraffe (they provide you with a head of lettuce, and the giraffes come up and munch away – from your hands!).

When you’re ready for a break, enjoy a picnic lunch from home in the shaded picnic area (which is located next to bald eagles), or grab something from one of the several restaurants.  Or, take the kids for a monorail ride.  The monorail circles the Wilds of Africa and gives you views of some animals you can’t see just by walking the park (a word from the wise, though…in the middle of summer, when the zoo is all quiet and deserted and admission is cheaper – don’t think you’re going to cool off on the monorail…we tried this once, and it was HOT – so, enjoy the monorail now, while the weather is still amazing).

On your way out, you can talk to the parrots (they are located right next to the restrooms, and one of them does indeed talk – or say “hello!” at least) and let the kids ride the Endangered Species Carousel (my kid likes to ride the gorilla).

If you are close enough to the zoo, you might consider an Annual Pass.  For a family of four, a basic pass is $119, tax-deductible, and includes free parking and several free rides on the carousel or the monorail.  This is a great value, and we have an annual pass – that way, I don’t feel like I need to “do everything” every time I am there.  It’s nice to just go visit for a couple of hours and then be able to leave as soon as someone (and I admit, sometimes it’s me) starts to get cranky or tired.

And one more thing – everyone who works there is so nice.  They must screen employees for helpfulness and friendliness, because I always feel like I get a real dose of Texas Friendly when I go to the zoo.

Zoo hours are 9-5.  Admission prices vary by season, but tickets right now (March, April, May) are $15/adult, $12/childen (3-11). More details, and prices for the rest of the year, are here.

Have you been to the Dallas Zoo?  What is your favorite exhibit?

They may be little, but they’re cool.  Bugs and insects rule!

Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly is a stage adaptation of three children’s books written by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss: “Diary of a Worm,” “Diary of a Spider,” and “Diary of a Fly.” The show opens at Dallas Children’s Theater on May 4th with a fun celebration and runs through June 3rd.

Bugs and insects rule in the diary of unlikely best friends Worm, Spider and Fly. Worm eats his homework, Fly believes she has superpowers and Spider can’t wait to grow up and molt.  Promoting eco-consciousness, earth science and tolerance of others, Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly is a joyful, hip exploration of the world outside. With the addition of Bee, Ant and Butterfly, the show combines the best of the Arthropods with rap, hip-hop, ballads and boogie-woogie in a hot new musical that will have audiences wiggling in their seats to the beat.

It’s the first day of school and everyone wants to look cool.  Teacher Mrs. McBee assigns “All About Me” reports for homework.  Spider boasts about his magnificent legs, Fly is preparing to protect the planet, Butterfly looks forward to migrating to Mexico, and Ant shows off his strength.  Worm can’t stop himself from eating his assignments, but is that the real reason he won’t complete this one?  Will Fly get her own room away from 327 brothers and sisters, or find her superpowers in time to save Aunt Rita?  Why has Spider missed DAYS of school?  And who will be the lucky members of The Dirt Bag Club?  When Worm finally finds his confidence it’s a celebration of all the world’s little creatures, and their place and importance to the Earth!

Diary of a Worm, a Spider and Fly opens on Friday, May 4th at Dallas Children’s Theater with a party that features a few furry friends from the Dallas Zoo and complimentary appetizers and desserts from Purple Cow restaurant. Party begins at 6:30pm. Each family will also get one free show poster.

The show is playing weekends from May 4th – June 3rd. Tickets can be purchased online at the Dallas Children’s Theater website or by calling their box office at 214-740-0051.

The show is recommended for kids ages 4 and up.

Photo by Karen Almond

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Teacher Appreciation DIY Idea

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Visit my blog at TheMomsJournal.com!