It never ceases to amazing me all of the wonderful treats and adventures we have right here in our own area. Since 1994 a brother-sister team has been manning the areas most incredible snow cone stands.

Not only is the sno-cone flavor the best, but these folks spoil their customers with all the extras…

Gummy Bears for an added treat and tiny umbrellas to make us feel ah-so-special!

Before I had children, I loved the Laura Numeroff books.
***
If You Give a Moose a Muffin

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give  a Pig a Pancake
***
Now they just hit too close to home to be funny.

My children are the Moose, the Mouse and the Pig.

Click here to read the rest of the story over at June Cleaver Nirvana.

P.S. That picture is taken at the BRAND NEW SUPER COOL COMPLETELY GREAT Westchester Park in Flower Mound.

Once Upon A Time…

A husband came home from work with a bag full of tacos. He said to his wife, “These are the best tacos ever created. You will love them. I know you are dieting right now but I love your belly and you will love these tacos – eat one (or two)….(or three).” (ok, he may not have said this, but this is what she heard)

She ate of the tacos and LOVED the tacos. With all of her heart.

One morning, the husband said to the wife, “I bet that my taco place has some delicious breakfast tacos, let’s go get some”

The wife – reluctantly and regretfully – said, “Ok, let’s do it – I DO love those tacos.”

The happy family drove down the road.

They pulled into a gas station.

The husband said to the wife, “Here we are!”

The wife, in utter confusion, looked at the gas station and did not see a Taco Restaurant.

But the wife saw this:

She sat in shock.

The blessed tacos had come from a “hole in the wall” – literally – a hole in the wall of the gas station.

She threw up a little then proceeded to eat some breakfast tacos.

One of the things I LOVE about being a mom in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is that there are tons of things happening. There are places to go and people to see. This is not limited to in real life (IRL) experiences . There is an ever-growing list of online resources for moms in North Texas. These are websites tailored for what moms want and need here in DFW.

Of course…
*drum roll*
*rim shot*
*deep announcer voice*

We will begin with BURB MOM!

really, what did ya expect?

BurbMom.net

What is inside: Burb Mom is a website that has new daily content for moms in the Dallas-Fort Worth ‘burbs.  It is like that that girlfriend that everyone needs that knows stuff – you know the friend you call when you need an electrician, a hair dresser, or a night out.  She may not know the answer to your question, but she will definitely have a contact name for you.  She is also the kind of friend that totally understands being hung up in the middle of a conversation because a child in the background yelled, “Mom, I just pooped!”

Stuff I like: Beyond the daily informational stories about mommy stuff in DFW, there is silliness.  Funny stories about moms and families that happened right here in North Texas.  Burb Mom is a great way to connect with your Dallas-Fort Worth ‘burb on a mom’s schedule…2 minutes here, 7 minutes there…even at 1 am.

Around Town Kids

What is inside: Around Town Kids is a website with a calendar of activities for kids in Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Allen.  There is also information about each city, resources for parents, coupons and a directory.

What I like: The calendar at Around Town Kids is super easy to use.  Each city has it’s own calendar so the information isn’t overwhelming.

Daily Candy Kids – Dallas

What is inside: Daily Candy Kids – Dallas is part of the Daily Candy family of websites/e-newsletters for 5 major world cities.  The Daily Candy Kids – Dallas is updated weekly with something unique for kids.

What I like: I love Daily Candy and receive all the daily email articles for Dallas.  The look of the website is great and there is always something funky and off the beaten track featured.  It isn’t really for kids…it is for the moms.

Dallas Child

What is inside: Dallas Child is a part of the family of websites that include Fort Worth Child, North Texas Child and DFW Everything Family.  Each website features the latest Child magazine plus website-only stories.

What I like: I love the look of the Dallas Child website.  I also like that the stories are written by experts right here in Dallas-Fort Worth.

DFW Area Moms

What is inside: DFW Area Moms is a forum-based website.  Members sign up to participate in discussions of just about anything related to mom, family, work and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Regular membership is free, but members may upgrade for $20 a year after a trial period.

What I like: I am a member of DFW Area Moms under the name Texasholly.  I like that it is an active forum with quite a few members participating on a daily basis.

Dallas – Moms Like Me

What is inside: Moms Like Me is a discussion site for moms.  I first heard about it when vacationing in Colorado where they were doing a lot of TV and newspaper advertising.  There have over 100 local sites within the US and one of them is here in DFW.

What I like: I am a member of Moms Like Me under the name Texasholly.  I like how easy it is to navigate the site and find what discussions interest me.

Fort Worth Mommies

What is inside: The Fort Worth Mommies website is part of the Mommies Network of 95 websites nationwide.  The site has news and mom-related stories on the front page and a discussion community where members can participate.

What I like: I am a member of Fort Worth Mommies under the name Texasholly.  The website is a non-profit organization “dedicated to helping parents find support and friendship in their local community”.

Family eGuide

What is inside: Family eGuide is an extremely comprehensive calendar of family events for the North side of the DFW metroplex.  At the website you can sign up for a weekly e-newsletter which is an organized overview of what is happening close to home.

What I like: I love the Family eGuide.  So much so that we are coordinating some future content exchange with Family eGuide in the near future!  YEAH.  If you are not on their email list…go now and sign up!

Go City Kids – Dallas

What is inside: Go City Kids is part of Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect Network of almost 50 local websites.  The website has information about local activities, events and a directory of services.  There is also a parent discussion forum.

What I like: I am a member of  the Parents Connect network under the name Texasholly. Besides the discussion groups, there is a lot of local information on this site about things happening in the metroplex.

In The Loop Kids

What is inside: In the Loop has been in the loop via email for over a year.  July 2009 they launched their first website.  The website provides general information about all things Dallas Mommy plus upcoming events.

What I like: My favorite part of the newly constructed site was the series of recipes for kids by local chefs.

Lila Guide

What is inside: The Lila Guide is part of The Bump network of 25+ local websites for parents across the country.  There are local reviews, events, groups and online message board for parents.

What I like: I am a member of this message board under the name Texasholly.  I like the modern, yet retro look of the website.

Mamasource – various DFW groups

What is inside:  Mamasource is the ultimate mother forum.  Moms sign up at the main website, enter their zip code and each morning they receive an email of 8 selected requests from the last 24 hours.  Requests are questions from local moms.  All you have to do is click on whatever request you want to answer and you are transported to the website where you can add your 2 cents. Mamasource is also behind the new website Mamapedia which will be compiling popular questions and answers into an encyclopedia-like format.

What I like: Mamasource is simple.  I have been a member for over 2 years – under the name Holly H. in Flower Mound.  It is so simple that I was interacting online with other local moms regularly on mamasource long before I started blogging.  I have answered almost 200 questions.  I love that there is tons of local interaction.  It is part information and part soap opera.

Metroplex Baby

What is inside: Metroplex Baby & Kids is a website for “MetroMoms”.  It has a calendar, list of events, area directory, and a social network where moms can connect with each other and post to forums.

What I like: I am a “Metromom” under the name Texasholly.  The network has current and frequent postings.  I like that on member home pages they can display RSS feeds – this is one of the few local online networks that allow this.

Metroplex 4 Children

What is inside: The Metroplex 4 Children website is a part of the Kirace.com family of websites.  They have locations in several Texas and Wyoming cities.

Modern Babies and Children – DFW

What is inside: Modern Babies and Children is the website for the complimentary local magazine by the same name.  Dallas-Fort Worth is one of 6 locations that currently has Modern Babies and Children websites/magazines.  The magazine is published three times a year and can be read online.  There are also resources, an event calendar and articles to read.

What I like: I like that the resource directory is broken down by child age and that grandparents are one of the targeted audiences of this site.

Mom 2 Mom – DFW

What is inside: Mom 2 Mom – DFW is a Fort Worth Star Telegram website for moms in the metroplex.  There is new daily content from 11 featured bloggers that rotate days.  Members of the Mom 2 Mom online network can also post blogs which can be featured as well.

What I like: I have been a member of Mom 2 Mom for almost 6 months.  They have made some changes lately that make it much easier to navigate the network and post things easily.  I am Texasholly there and write under the “June Cleaver Nirvana” blog.  I really like that they allow full blog posts with links which is why I contribute to this site occasionally.  I also appreciate that there is new content daily that is not dependent on a parent forum.

Moms Blog – Dallas Morning News

What is inside: Dallas Moms Blog is a feature of the Dallas Morning News website.  It is updated on a daily basis and has information about Dallas specific to moms.

What I like: There are interesting and informative pieces about family life in Dallas written by local reporters.

Moms MeetUp

What is inside: MeetUp is a website that connects online groups to in real life groups.  You enter your location and a type of groups for which you are searching and a list appears in order of how close the group is to you.  The screenshot above is Mom MeetUps near Flower Mound.

What I like: I love finding out how far away something is from me.  I also am impressed with the variety of groups that are available.  There is everything from exercise, playgroups, supper clubs, scrapbooking, etc….kickball for moms, anyone?

Moms Outloud

What is inside: Moms Outloud is a website and online network for moms in North Texas.  Moms become members and create a profile that allows them to add reviews, post to forums and share information.  Moms Outloud also has an extensive calendar of events for families in DFW that is featured monthly in North Texas Kids magazine.

What I like: I was one of Moms Outloud’s first members (under the name Texasholly).  The site offers a lot of good information including area business reviews that isn’t available anywhere else.  The calendar is very comprehensive.  Moms Outloud often features DFW moms and their inspirational stories.  Rebekah, the founder of Moms Outloud also writes at My Kind of Mom.

North Texas Kids

What is inside: North Texas Kids is the website for the North Texas Kids magazine.  You can read the magazine online or view their calendar of things to do in North Texas.  They also list summer camps in DFW.  North Texas Kids also hosts periodic events for moms in the area.

What I like: You can sign up for a monthly newsletter which will give you the inside scoop for upcoming events and contests.

Parent Zone – Dallas

What is inside: Parent Zone is one of almost 75 local websites in cities across the United States.  Dallas is one of their newest.  Each site has a local tour guide who oversees the members who are invited to add listings and events.  There is a calendar of event where all the added events are listed.

What I like: Parent Zone is easy to navigate and join.  It appears to be a relatively new site (still listed as beta), yet has some information which is unique to its site.  I am a member under the name Texasholly.

Southlake Moms

What is inside: Southlake Moms is an online forum for moms in the town of Southlake.  Members post and answer questions related to family life in Southlake.  There is a directory, calendar and classified area.

What I like: The website has a nice look.  I am a member under the name Texasholly.  I hope they don’t mind too much that I live 10 minutes out of Southlake…

The Parent Hive

What is inside: The Parent Hive is a website and online network for DFW parents.  There are articles, events, a calendar, online groups and forums.  The site is very new and still listed in beta form.

What I like: I am signed up as a member under the name Texasholly.  I like that there are rewards for interaction in the social network that can be redeemed for prizes.

WHEW!

I think that is all of ‘em.  If you know of a website specifically for moms in the DFW metroplex, please mention it in the comments below.  I will check it out and add it.

I’ll be honest – I don’t really enjoy working out. I never have.

And leave it to the fate of my life for me to marry a military man who loves working out.

Fate is funny. But not funny enough to change my ways.

I’ve heard part of the problem is my will. I don’t want to change my ways. I’ve also heard it’s hard without accountability.  In fact, that’s pretty much the only reason I think I’d ever take advantage of a paid membership to a workout facility – for the accountability.  It’s obvious that when you want something and you have accountability to achieve it, amazing things are possible!

I recently had the opportunity to hear about Transform U Fitness, a community of individuals coming together in search of a way to be strong both mentally and physically.   Accountability at it’s best!  They are dedicated to making the world a happier healthier place AND they do it by giving you the support you need, and in the process form lasting friendships.  But don’t take my word for it, take theirs:

Name: Judy R.

Age: 49

Total lbs lost: 30 (to date)

When did you realize you wanted to change your life and be healthy? I have always worked out, but could never achieve my goals. So, after years of working out at the gym and not getting the results I wanted, I decided it was time to get serious about this weight loss thing. I was going to sign up with a trainer at a local gym, but my sweet husband said “Why don’t you call Heidi? She is doing something, because she looks amazing.” So, I did and she got me started working out at T.U.F., which has transformed my life. I now eat cleaner and my workouts are more intense and consistent. It truly has been a life changing experience.

What is your biggest challenge? My biggest challenge is staying on track with my eating, but I am able to stay more consistent with the help and support of all the ladies at T.U.F..  Thanks ladies!

What are some tips for others to help them stay on track? Set goals, stay positive, and never give up no matter what. If you slip up or have a bad day, just get back on track and your good to go. It doesn’t hurt to have a place like T.U.F. to come to, and a trainer like Shayla to kick your Butt three times a week either..

What is the best compliment you have received since the “new you”? My husband, Bill is always giving me compliments, even when I look my worst. So even though I appreciate his compliments, it’s my daughter Rachel who gave me the best compliment. She said “mommy you sure are looking thinner, and I am proud of you, all your workouts are paying off. Good job mommy!”

What is your favorite exercise and why? I guess I would have to say, running.  The reason I like running is because I feel I lose the weight quicker and I like being outdoors. However, I am just getting into Yoga and must say that I really love it!   Yoga challenges all your muscles, and helps keep you focused, which is exactly what I needed. Thanks Heidi!!!

Transform U Fitness is a private personal training and yoga studio located in Lewisville, Texas.  Their motto is: Transforming Bodies…Transforming Lives. They have many success stories just like this, illustrating how a healthy lifestyle is achievable.

Name:  Dee L

Age:  29

Total lbs. Lost:  50+

Throughout most of my adult life, I have struggled with diets. I did them all – Can’t eat meat, Can’t eat carbs, Can’t eat foods high in fat, Can’t eat chocolate.  When the diets failed (which they always did), food became my comfort. Over the last three years, life got crazy and I pretty much accepted the fact that I would always be big. However, Shayla changed my perspective on diets, exercise, and my overall opinion of myself.

She introduced me to healthy choices and the benefits of an active lifestyle. With Shayla, it has never been about what I can’t do. Instead it has been about what I can do.

I can do 100 lunges.

I can run sprints.

I can even do boy push ups.

And yes, I can enjoy chocolate or cheesecake. Through Shayla’s constant encouragement and accountability, I have shifted from a frequent dieter and over-eater to someone who looks forward to her workouts. Thanks Shayla for all you have done to show me what I CAN do!

They work with each individual client, every step of the way, to plan lifestyle changes that bring real results. Their programs are class based, always guided by a Cooper Certified Trainer, to provide encouragement and variety as they aim to decrease workout boredom.

Name:  Heidi A

Age:  42

Total lbs lost:  50

I remember the flyer you posted, “Transform your life in 4 weeks.”

I can say you deliver on your promises.

I have tried for years to lose weight and become healthier and for some reason, until I met you, I could not put all of the pieces together.

Dieting alone did not bring results.

Exercise alone did not work.

You were able to bring the eating plan, cardio and strength training together for me to achieve real results.  Amazingly, it wasn’t painful and I can’t believe that I now like to run and don’t dread my cardio work.  The benefits go beyond how I look though.

I feel stronger and more confident.

I am setting an example for my kids that maintaining a healthy body is important and encouraging them to try new things and set goals.

You have transformed my lifestyle in numerous ways.  I want to thank you for all you have done and continue to do – you have a special gift.

Transform U Fitness is expanding quickly and they are excited to offer a full schedule of yoga, Zumba and Hoopnotica classes, in addition to their regular boot camps,  starting July 5^th. This expansion allows them to provide adult and kids bootcamps along with adult and kids yoga programs, running simultaneously so that families can get fit together.  They also offer the services of an on-site massage therapist as well as an esthetician for their clients, by appointment.

If you are ready to try a new approach to getting fit and healthy, one that’s proven to work, then get ready to Transform YOU with Transform U Fitness!

Last night I posted this picture:

And I asked if anyone could guess what Reese & I were up to! My one commenter guessed it right…that the dogs had encountered a skunk and fully reeked.

We were sitting in the living room & caught a very strong smell of skunk, which I thought had just come from the woods behind our house. Skunk smells are nothing new around here…they’re always squashed on the roads. I didn’t give it much thought. The back door was open & the dogs were going in & out. Again, I didn’t give it much thought.

I noticed the strong skunk smell again when Zoe came back in the house. Being the ding dong that I am, I called her over to me, grabbed her body and stuck my face into her neck to smell.

HOLY CRAP! Either she was rolling in burning rubber, or a skunk got her with a direct shot. And now my face smells like skunk. And I can taste the smell in my mouth. AHHHH!

Zoe gets put outside, I put myself in the shower and scrub my face with every abrasive, soapy product I can find on the shelves in my bathroom. The smell is not coming off. I want to vomit. This just plain sucks.

While I’m showering, & Reese is watching me saying “I’m glad I didn’t get sprayed by a skunk Mommy!”, I’m wondering if the dogs are trying to escape this family. Earlier in the day, they both got out into the front and bolted. Reese & I went down the street to try and find them, Jeff followed in the golf cart shortly after, & after about 5 minutes we found them. But they were wayyyyy in the back of a house down the street, & if it wasn’t for Jeff’s good eyes, we would have never found them. They don’t wear collars (I know, shame on me) and I don’t remember if I ever microchipped them or not.

Anyway–chasing two dogs in one afternoon is enough for me. Then add a skunk sprayed dog? Are they trying to tell me something.

I also had another thought while showering…I didn’t think to check Buddy to see if he got sprayed too. In the past, when the dogs have cornered a turtle in the shrubs or see another dog on the other side of the fence, they bark like mad & won’t stop until the perpetrator is gone. With the back door open, I never heard any barking so I thought perhaps Buddy had been spared.

I could only be so lucky. He’s a Jack Russell, and his hunting genes led the way. He smelled worse than Zoe. I could hardly be near him.

After my shower, I went onto the internet to look up skunk/dog remedies. I knew about the tomato juice theory, but 1) I didn’t have any tomato juice, 2) it was 9:30pm and I didn’t want to run out to get anything, & 3) tomato juice isn’t supposed to work very well anyway.

Google provided me with a host of options. There’s a peroxide/baking soda/dish soap mixture, but I didn’t have any peroxide. I found a vinegar/dish soap recipe. Many people suggested using a douche. Ewww.

I did have on hand a 2 gallon jug of apple cider vinegar, lots of dish soap, & 1 can tomato paste and 2 cans tomato sauce. I decided I’d tackle Zoe first with my homemade remedy.

I wrapped her in a towel, held her as far away from my body as possible because she was sooooo smelly. I soaked Zoe in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Next, I loaded her down with Dawn dish soap and scrubbed away. Skunk spray is oil based, & I figured if dish soap helped the animals stuck in an oil slick, then perhaps it would remove skunk oil too. I skipped her muzzle up to this point. Last, I applied a thick coat of tomato paste to her body & coated her muzzle in tomato paste.

The face I’m making is not for the camera. The combination of skunk/tomato/dish soap/vinegar made me feel like I was going to vomit at any moment.

Yum! Tomato paste!
I let that sit for about 5 minutes. I rinsed her well. Then repeated the apple cider vinegar mixture, repeated Dawn, & then used a can of tomato sauce to scrub with. Again, I applied the tomato sauce generously to her muzzle.

I let that sit as long as possible…probably about 5 minutes again. I rinsed her well, stuck her back outside & hoped for the best.

Next it was Buddy’s turn. And he was worse off than Zoe. I read that skunk spray can blind a dog for up to 2 days, & it makes their nose and mouth burn. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been for the dogs, because I couldn’t stand to smell them for one second. These poor babies were covered in it for an hour!

Can you tell Buddy isn’t very happy?

They had to sleep in the laundry room last night because I wasn’t sure if my remedy would do anything or not. This morning, I was proud to find that their bodies smelled more tomato-y than anything else. Their muzzles still smell slightly skunky, but certainly not any thing close to what they smelled like last night.

I think part of my success came from the fact that they must have just been sprayed when we found them. The oil was fresh & hadn’t dried yet.

It still puzzles me though that they didn’t bark. They bark at everything. They were either caught off guard (because they didn’t make a sound) or were busy sniffing before they figured it was another animal (because they were both sprayed heavily in the face).

Ugh. Yea for home remedies!!

I have admitted repeatedly (hoping confession is good for the soul) that I am not the world’s best cook.

Or even the world’s second best cook.

Really, the world screams “uncle” when I cook.

Aware of my one fault, I have attempted to make up for it in other ways so my family isn’t completely malnourished.

I watch what the boys have for snacks.

I pack healthy lunches.

I do what I can.

The boys like all those little packets of drink mix that you add to water bottles. As a treat once in awhile we choose a flavor…peach tea, pink lemonade, grape, etc. and shake, shake, shake for fun.

I was happy to find pink lemonade with added protein made by Special K that the boys drink with gusto. A little extra protein mid-morning seems to help dispositions.

I then found a drink with a full serving of vegetables! It is called “Veggies To Go”!

Be still my malnourished heart. What could be better than that? The boys are always a little light on the vegetables.

So we added it to the water.

We stirred.

And stirred.

And stirred.

It tastes as bad as it looks.

Using a goldfish glass might have been a little pond-water foreshadowing…

A few Sundays ago, the Irving Arts Center hosted an Art Lab for children & young adults.

Jessie & I took Reese to see what exactly an “Art Lab” was, and what a neat surprise!

The Arts Center had a large room set aside for the children, & our guide gave us a short introduction to the artist on display in the Museum, Arie Van Selm.

He uses stencils to create his very large paintings, so our guide showed us how to use the stencils & sponges to create our own works of art. Van Selm uses lots of head, bird, & “blob” shaped stencils, and so did we!

Jessie’s Favorite Painting

Reese’s Favorite Painting

My Favorite Painting

Today Stuart and Nicholas went to Spring Lake Park on Windmill Lane in Flower Mound. This park was recently part of a beautification project through Keep Flower Mound Beautiful. There is a great fishing pond, pavillion, amphitheater and trails. It’s just a nice place to walk around with your children.  One of my favorite parts are the interactive nature-based educational stations along the trails that teach about the levels of a forest such as floor and canopy as well as how to identify leaves of the trees in the park. What a great way for children to learn about nature while enjoying the great outdoors!  And, of course, nature is always a fun free activity

The guys spent most of their time fishing in the pond. Nicholas has his own little fishing rod and tackle box and is quite a good little fisherman. What fun! These fish usually bite well on little bitty pieces of hot dog which makes for cheap and easy to find bait. But, at least for my child, I find that he wants to snack on the cold hot dog while he is breaking off pieces to put on his hook. Ewww, you just touched a fish and pond water with that hand that you are putting in your mouth! But (fortunately) today we didn’t have any hot dogs at the house so the guys used some regular store bought fishing bait that Stuart had in his tackle box. They were quite successful. Nicholas caught four sunfish in a short amount of time!