Before leaving the house, the girls held up this sign.

For Mother’s Day, I can proudly say that my husband took me to romantic Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. It was wonderful! We arrived 2.5 hours after our departure and came home the very same evening without breaking the bank!

In case you think you misread the above, let me clarify. We took a road trip to Paris, TX. And “oui, oui,” this small town boasts its very own Eiffel Tower. I didn’t have to practice my French and we didn’t have to worry about boarding our family dog at our veterinarian’s office.

The first place we visited was Paris’ Eiffel Tower. It was adorable and worth the driving time to see. It’s 65 feet tall and has a red cowboy hat at the top of the tower. We had so much fun taking family pictures.

The Only Eiffel Tower Boasting a Red Cowboy Hat

 We then drove downtown which boasted a beautiful fountain. Again, we took pictures in front of the Paris sign and the fountain. Fortunately, we were blessed with beautiful weather the day of our visit. It was the perfect day to don shorts and sunglasses.

Lady Luck was smiling down on us. We secured a last minute tour for our family of four at the Sam Bell Maxey House  and admission was free the day of our visit. Our guide was very polite and informative. She provided such detailed facts of former owners and their rich history.  I was pleased to discover our ten year old had been attentively listening.

Sam Bell Maxey House

As Texans, we are truly blessed with all that surrounds us. There’s so much to to do and see! Go out and take advantage of the many attractions Texas has to offer.

- Cool Playground Mommy

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Love Duck Dynasty so much, I didn’t mind posing by this cut out of Willie Robertson

My family and I LOVE A&E’s reality television series, Duck Dynasty. What’s there not to love? They end each episode with a prayer at the table, are proud of their Louisiana roots and beards, and have an endearingly relatable yet hilarious family. It makes me wish I had an Uncle Si in my family because of his embellished stories and various rants.

The Robertsons are self made millionaires from West Monroe, Louisiana. Their family duck calling business, Duck Commander, is operated by a band of brothers. Their CEO is Willie Robertson.

This is one show my entire family watches together. My oldest likes the fact that they’re filthy rich and have our sense of humor. Their appeal is that they’re down to earth. One example of this is that the family was seen and photographed on the red carpet in full camouflage attire. They make no apologies for it.

On the Red Carpet – courtesy of US Magazine

They are who they are and apparently, America loves them as much as I do. Their ratings are sky high. They have a large following on Twitter (@AETV‘s #DuckDynasty) and get paid for appearances.   

Tune in and get ready to fall in love!

- Cool Playground Mommy

The post “Happy Happy Happy” – Duck Dynasty appeared first on DFW Mama.

Taste Addison features for 2013 includes fun activities like the Log Roll. (Photo courtesy of Addison Flickr.)

Main Street Days, Grapevine

Savor the flavor of fun at Grapevine’s 29 ^th Annual Main Street Days. Festival guests will enjoy three fun-filled, family -friendly days featuring a variety of activities, live entertainment, food, beverages and more for all ages. Delight in the varieties of premium Texas and International wines, craft beers and festival foods. Taste a slice of delicious pizza or enjoy a whole pie from one of Grapevine’s pizza purveyors along the Pizza Piazza. Hear live music on five stages throughout the three day festival. Cheer the masters of the grill at the Grillin’ Competition at the Town Square Gazebo. Watch your kids experience the thrilling KidCave, brand new kid-friendly entertainment zone, featuring LEGOLAND® Discovery Center’s Junior Builder Competition and the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium touch pool. Take a turn at the games and on the carnival rides along the Carnival Midway. All this fun and more await you at the 29^th Annual Main Street Days Grapevine!

29^th Annual Main Street Days
Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. – free until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. on Friday, adults are $7 and children 6 – 12 and seniors are $5. Weekend passes are $15. Souvenir weekend passes are $20.
Free shuttles run continuously from designated parking lots.
Website

Taste Addison, Addison

Taste Addison offers a tasty weekend blend of food, music and family fun. This three-day festival, May 17 – 19, 2013, features more than 70 Addison restaurants serving generous samplings of their menus at reduced prices, national breakout musical entertainment.  This year’s event features a Texas Country night on Friday with headlining acts like Reckless Kelly and Turnpike Troubadours. Saturday will cap off a full day of musical entertainment with favorites Sister Hazel and Blue October.  In addition we will have celebrity chef demonstrations, carnival rides, midway games, award-winning children’s entertainment, and more.

21st Annual Taste Addison
Friday, May 17, 2013 :  6 p.m. – Midnight – $15*, Saturday, May 18, 2013:  Noon – Midnight – $5 before 5pm; $15 after 5pm*, Sunday, May 19, 2013: Noon – 5 p.m. –  $5**Ages 4 and older.Buy one ticket, get one 25% off anytime tickets sold at DFW area Albertsons stores.
Addison Circle Park
FREE parking at the corner of Dallas Parkway and Arapaho Road.  Handicap parking is available at the DART Transit Center.
Website

Wildflower Festival, Richardson

Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival is the City of Richardson’s award-winning, multi-day festival featuring live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities, interactive exhibits, strolling buskers and more.  Highlights include local, regional and national headliner entertainment:

• Robert Earl Keen
• The Toadies
• Grand Funk Railroad
• Uncle Kracker
• Reverend Horton Heat
• Cowboy Mouth
• Slaid Cleaves
• Eleven Hundred Springs
• Rocket Man – The best of Elton John
• Eliza Gilkyson
• Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines
• Le Freak

Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
Friday, May 17, 6 PM – Midnight, Saturday, May 18, 11 AM – Midnight; Sunday, May 19, 12:30 PM – 8 PM
Galatyn Park Urban Center, Richardson, Texas
Three-Day Pass – $30, Single-Day Adult – $20, Kid’s Pass (age 5-12) – $3’ Sunday kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult.
Website

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(Graphic courtesy of simon.com)

All events will focus on rewarding moms.
 
North East Mall, Hurst
Moms will have the opportunity to enjoy hair, makeup and skincare consultations, massages, food and beverage tastings, product demonstrations, a DJ, door prizes, fashion tips, swag bags and more all in Center Court from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Firewheel Town Center, Richardson
A special party will take place from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with swag bags for the first 100 attendees, a DJ, food samples, beauty demonstrations, door prizes and more at Coneflower Drive near AMC.

Irving Mall, Irving

Moms will be entertained with product sampling and demonstrations including hair demos and a lipstick bar as well as over 15 prize giveaways, a DJ and a caricaturist. From 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. attendees will also enjoy freeze modeling highlighting clothing and accessories from Macy’s, Burlington Coat Factory, Image and Sears. The first 50 women at the event in Center Court will receive a swag bag filled with retailer goodies and specials.

This year, as an extra bonus, one lucky mom and her friend will be treated to a trip to Chicago to see Bon Jovi’s “Because We Can” tour at historic Soldier Field on Friday, July 12.

Originally organized by Maria Bailey, CEO of BSM Media, author and Mom Talk Radio host, National Mom’s Nite Out unites social media groups, companies, local playgroups, mom bloggers and networks in giving moms a well-deserved night off.

NATIONAL MOMS NITE OUT
May 9
North East Mall
Firewheel Town Center
Irving Mall
www.simon.com

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On Friday, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The first 100 people in line received a goody bag filled with all kinds of good stuff.  What kind of greatness was in the bags?  Well, I don’t know.  I was #101 in line.  I didn’t get a goody bag.  Needless to say, we didn’t stay for the ribbon cutting either.  I’m sure it was nice and well done. (Not bitter one bit).

the B and B Wylie 12

We did decide to take in a  movie the next morning.  There weren’t many movies to choose from, none that were kid friendly anyway.  We had seen the Croods the weekend before, so we decided to try something in 3D.  Jurassic Park.  The boys love that movie.  So what if we have it at home, it’s in 3D!

It was very nice.  The inside ticket counter was like you were checking into a hotel.  I really didn’t get a movie theatre feel from it.  The concession stand was very nice too.  Being that it was opening weekend, they were giving out free popcorn.  That was my boys’ favorite part.  It wasn’t crowded at all.  Again, besides having the concession stand, it did not feel like we were about to see a movie.  Everything was brand new and clean.

The ticket booth looks more like a check in at a hotel.

Concession stand full of goodies.

Free popcorn!

Our movie was in a regular auditorium.  A little smaller than I expected, but the chairs were a nice size, and they rocked.  There was a ton of leg room.  No worries that someone will come in late and step all over you.  One thing that really stood out to me, while watching our movie, was that the ushers would come in periodically to check on everything.  I remember they used to do this in movies years ago, but don’t anymore.  I appreciate the fact that this theater does that.

Long hall. Again, like a hotel.

Outside the auditorium door.

In our seats!

In addition to the auditorium  the other two types of screens they have at the Wylie 12 are the Grand Screen and and the Marquee Screen.  The Grand screen is one of the largest in the nation.  It has extra large stadium seating with 24″ wide rocker seats and Dolby 7.1 surround sound (if you are in to that kinda thing).  The Marquee Suites offers extra wide leather recliners, full menu and service at your seat throughout the film, reserved seating, full bar and grille, and wall to wall curved screens.

Screen details

For more Wylie happenings, check out:

Say It With Sugar

Big Cats at The In-Sync Wildlife Rescue

The post B and B Theater-Wylie Grand Opening Weekend appeared first on DFW Mama.

I’ve been doing bluebonnet sessions through the month of April and I LOVE wildflower photos with kids. It’s impossible to pass them up!  I relish that richness in color, and how children look so ‘fresh’ in them. I personally (well, and the State of Texas of course) call them flowers, but they really are weeds!

I don’t care. Bluebonnets make for a beautiful photo opportunity especially if you are a native Texan. You have to ‘do’ bluebonnets if you are from Texas. Let’s face it, you aren’t going to go anywhere else and do them!

Bluebonnets and other wildflower photos with kids, and pets too

My son REALLY wanted to take a picture with Kitty Perry so we brought him with us out to the bluebonnet patch, and my daughter loved the chance to be caught lounging among the wildflowers with her dog. So we had to bring him too. Why not?

If you missed taking bluebonnet pictures with your kids this year, Richardson has another wildflower photo opportunity

Every year the city plants wildflowers. I suppose that means they aren’t REALLY wild but I think it’s a nice touch. I don’t know of any other city that does this. You can call the City of Richardson to get a map so you will know where to find them, but I know for certain that Cottonwood Park off Belt Line and Coit has them; Prairie Creek off Campbell and 75 blooms every year; and I took these at Arapaho Rd and 75. You can get there by turning into the post office or the library.

The post Wildflower Family Photos in Richardson, Texas appeared first on DFW Mama.

This free event features over 240 artists from all over the nation. Artists are picked by a jury – more than 1400 applied! The artists then compete in 14 categories, including photography, Sculpture and Wood, Glass, and mixed media. You can see a list of the artists here.

Stroll through the festival and check out all the amazing art…but there’s a lot more than art at this festival!

There will be performances from local bands as well as food and a chance to relax in the shade at the Lakeside Courtyard.

Kids will also have plenty to do – be sure to take the little ones to the ArtStop Children’s Area. Kids will enjoy some hands-on artistic time, with a chance to create a hat from scrap, work with plaster, add to a collage, or try their hand at sculpting with a real potter’s wheel!

The Cottonwood Art Festival is happening on Saturday, May 4th from 10AM-7PM (live music continues until 8PM). The following day, Sunday, May 5th, you can attend from 10AM-6PM. The festival is located at Cottonwood Park (click here for the map).

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There’s something happening every weekend, but here’s a few of the ones I know will be on the top of my list including Kentucky Derby Day, Mother’s Day Diamond Dig, and Jockeys and Java. And to sweeten the deal, I’ve even included a few discounts to make it worth your wild (and easy on your pocket book!)

Don’t be Late to Starting Line for Lone Star Park’s 2013 Season (photo credit courtesy of Lone Star Park Facebook page.)

Kentucky Derby Day
Saturday, May 4
10:30 a.m. – Gates Open/1:35 p.m. – First Race

On Saturday, May 4, grab your hats and join Lone Star Park for the 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby to watch and wager on the first leg of the Triple Crown. Customers in attendance can enter the Kentucky Derby Best Hat Contest* for a chance to win one of two $500 grand prizes or one of three “Honorable Mention” prizes.   Contestants must be age 21 or over and present in the Saddling Paddock by 3 p.m. to be considered.  There will be a live music performance by Big Mouth on the Courtyard of Champions Stage from noon to 4 p.m.  Kids will enjoy bounce houses, pony rides, and a petting zoo in the family fun park. 

*See complete Kentucky Derby Best Hat Contest rules online for more details.

Mother’s Day Diamond Dig
Sunday, May 12
11:30 a.m. – Gates Open/1:35 p.m. – First Race

On Sunday, May 12, show mom that you care and treat her to a day of live racing at Lone Star Park! The first 500 women (age 21 and over) through Lone Star Park’s Grandstand admission gates will have the opportunity to win a diamond solitaire valued at $2,500 in the Star Park  Mother’s Day Diamond Dig*.  The dig will take place on the main track following the final race of the day.

*See complete Mother’s Day Diamond Dig rules online for more details.

Jockeys and Java
Saturdays, May 25 – July 6
8:30 a.m. – Gates Open for Jockeys and Java
11:30 a.m. – Gates Open for Live Racing/1:35 p.m. – First Race

Join Lone Star Park’s for the free Jockeys & Java Morning Workout Program on Saturdays, beginning May 25 at 8:30 a.m. in the Courtyard of Champions. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast, while you observe the horses’ morning training on the main track and listen to commentary and insights from track announcer, John Lies and special guests. Afterwards, enjoy an in-depth tour of the barn and stable area.  Then make a day out of it and stay for the races!

Pepsi Promotion
Sundays, Now – June 16
11:30 a.m. – Gates Open/1:35 p.m. – First Race

Every Sunday throughout the 2013 Spring Thoroughbred Season bring any Pepsi can to Lone Star Park and receive a Pepsi track pack, good for one free general admission and one free large Pepsi.

Double Date Discount Night
Thursdays, Now – June 27 (Except Thursday, May 30)
5:00 p.m. – Gates Open/6:35 p.m. – First Race

Thursday nights during Lone Star Park’s 2013 Spring Thoroughbred Season, from now until June 27 will be Double Date Discount Night (except Thursday, May 30 there will be no live racing).  For only $64 (a $127 value), four people will each receive general admission, box seating, a Lone Star Today racing program and a Value Basket that includes a cheeseburger, fries and a large soft drink.

Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, Texas
Click here for the entire list of 2013 events

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Looking for More Family Fun from me on Today’s Mama? 

Introduce Your Kids to the Arts with Disneys The Little Mermaid, Jr.

The post Derby, Diamonds and Discounts: Lone Star Park 2013 Season Scores appeared first on DFW Mama.

“May The 4^th Be With You” Activities:

·      LEGO® YODA mural display

·      Mingle and take photos with your favorite 501st Legion characters. (Saturday, May 4th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 5th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

·      Showcase your building talents by creating a spaceship during special Star Wars themed builds. (Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

·      Dress up in your best Star Wars gear and have your picture snapped to participate in our Facebook contest for a chance to win cool prizes! (Ages 2 years and under, 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.  Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Plus, costumed guests will enjoy 20% off in the Café!

·      Watch as the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Master Model Builder demonstrates how to put together a special LEGO® Star Wars model. (Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

·      Test your Star Wars knowledge in a trivia contest for a chance to win fun prizes! (Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Tickets

Admission is $19 for adults (ages 13+), $15 for children 3-12 and free for kids 2 and under.

The post Star Wars Weekend Extravaganza appeared first on DFW Mama.

Texas Food Truckin’ Fest, April 26 & 27 in Arlington (Photo courtesy of TFTF Facebook page.)

Thankfully, Experience Arlington, U.S. Foods, and the Texas Rangers have partnered up to create the upcoming Texas Food Truckin’ Fest, April 26 & 27! It’s a Texas-sized food truck festival with the best of DFWs food trucks lined up around Ballpark and Nolan Ryan Expressway for one delicious weekend! Best of all, you can put the kids in the stroller or bring a blanket and enjoy some of the most delicious foods on four wheels (or more) can deliver!

Food trucks participating include:

• My Cupcake Garden
• Yellow Belly
• Rockn’ Rick’s
• The B.L.T. Bacon Lovers Truck
• Nammi Truck
• Simply Dosa
• Bombay Chopstix
• Cravetopia
• The Guava Tree
• The Butcher’s Son
• What’s Cook-N Chef
• Jolly Trolley Express
• Eat Jo Dawgs
• Doughboy’s Pizza Truck
• First Bite Gourmet
• Empanada Armada
• Cup Cakin Machine
• Four Seasons
• Short-N-Sweet
• Aunt Sweet Tooth’s Kitchen
• OinknMoo BBQ
• Maui Wowi
• Taste of Cuba
• SweetieV’s
• Gorgonzilla
• Gandolfos
• Salsa Limon
• Parrot Ice

Just make sure to bring more cash to purchase the food!

Texas Food Truckin’ Fest
Benefiting the American Cancer Society
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
April 26, 2013 (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27th, 2013 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Adults: $10 one-day pass; $12 two- day pass; $5 – Kids 12 and under; Free – Kids under 32 inches
Price includes parking!
Website

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Looking for More Family Fun from me on Today’s Mama? 

Choo-Choo! Promo Code for A Day Out with Thomas in Grapevine

And make sure you check me out on MamaChallenge.com! 

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