A Goat Dairy Farm In Flower Mound? No Whey!
August 4, 2010 by Happy Campers
Filed under To Do in DFW, activities, feature
We spent the morning at Latte Da Dairy…which is probably the coolest place I’ve seen in a long time!! Anne Jones and her husband were “city folk” who got tired of the rat race & set out to live a country lifestyle. Long story short, they began a goat dairy farm & have in just a few short years, won many awards on their 100% Natural, Artisanal Goat Cheese. Anne’s cheeses are even carried by Central Market…talk about dream come true for a homestead farmer!
First, with our plans to move to the farm in the next few years & have goats (although not dairy goats), this outing was of particular interest to me. Second, it’s always so inspirational to hear someone’s story of really living their dream.
You can really, really see the care that Anne’s “divas” receive. She believes that the best quality food for the Divas, most comfortable living environment, & freshest milk make her cheese so amazingly delicious. After eating about half of the chevre I took home yesterday I have to agree!
Latte Da Dairy has two breeds of dairy goat: La Mancha (genetically born without ear flaps) & Nubian. They are a larger breed of goat capable of producing about a gallon of milk each day!
Anne told us that her goats respond in many ways that dogs do. The girls know their names, they know the milking order so that when Anne calls one Diva, the next Diva knows it will be her turn soon, & she said they love to be pet! Here’s my attempt at petting a goat and taking a picture at the same time. Guess my glove tasted good!
Goats always need a “guardian” and Dozer the Llama was the Latte Da Dairy guardian. What a unique looking fellow! Some goat owners use donkeys & others choose llamas as Goat Guardians. I asked Anne’s husband why they chose a llama & I found out some very useful information for our future goat herd! If a predator entered the goat pen, a donkey would stomp the predator to death if possible & Anne was afraid that if her own dogs ever got into the pen, the donkey would kill the dogs. On the other hand, a llama will gather the goats in a corner of the pen & stand guard against the predator. Llamas are tall, spit far, & are very brave, so they are ideal guardians. That information greatly impacts our decisions in the future!
Anne took us into the barn to show everyone how the milking process begins. I just liked the silhouette picture of Reese & a friend in the barn….
We went into the milking room & when Anne said “The milking machine is a little loud….” everyone covered their ears as she turned it on.
All the kids got to feel the suction tubes (that attach to the teats) on their hands. Reese really, really, really liked the sensation & kept asking Anne if he could to do it again & again. Silly boy 
Here’s our motely crew gathered outside the milking barn. Check out how bundled up we are!
After the pasteurization process, the whey is leftover & is unusable in the cheese making process. These divas know what to do with it though! As Anne poured they whey into the trough, you could hear the “slurp slurp” of the girls loving their treat. The whey helps keep their fur nice & shiny too…
One of the Happy Divas who just finished her whey.
After visiting the milking barn, Anne invited us all into her cheese making kitchen. Brave woman. Seven children & six mothers gathered in her commercial kitchen! She graciously explained her cheese making process. The white basket is where Anne’s cheese is made & it gives the finished product a pretty basket weave design.
Finished chevre cheese on the left, basket on the right. See the similarity in pattern?
Tammy was SO kind & purchased a cheese for each family to take home. We chose the “plain” Chevre, but it was definitely not “plain old cheese”! I ate it three different times yesterday & could have easily eaten the entire cheese in one sitting.After leaving Latte Da Dairy, we all headed to lunch together. Why do you think they put all 13 of us at one big table in a room all by ourselves?
Our group really is unique & I feel SO very thankful that we have friends who are wacky enough like we are to visit a Homestead Goat Dairy when it’s 33 degrees outside!
Websites for Moms in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
June 30, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under cheap, free & easy, feature, mommy tech 101
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Art Lab at Irving Arts Center
May 23, 2010 by Happy Campers
Filed under To Do in DFW
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
Heather writes of daily life with a homeschooler at Reese’s View of the World.
Because Texas Children Need Outdoor Time
March 13, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under From the Editors
Can I just say one thing to the weather around here?
FINALLY!
Finally, we have seen the sun. Mother Nature has taken pity on our Texas-sun-lovin’-souls.
There is a reason that most of us live here…
Yes, I love the DFW amenities, but one of the things I love the best about where I live is the SUN.
I might be a little irritated at it around August, but every relationship has it’s ups and downs.
Give and take.
Peaks and valleys.
On Thursday, we were going to meet friends at the library for story time. But the sun was peaking through the clouds just a bit and I didn’t have any strength to take three boys anywhere INDOORS.
The forecast was for sunny and 72. WHOO HOO!
So, I donned my capri pants and loaded up the minivan for the park.
Except…it really was closer to 52.
But in a secret sign of unity in the hope of spring, I wasn’t the only mom at the park in capris.
There was an army of us hanging on a thread of hope and vying for slivers of sunshine to warm our lower calves.
No matter how chilly our lower legs got, it was totally worth it. The children ran like children who had spent the winter cooped up inside.
FINALLY.
FREE.
Here are my favorite pictures from the day – we were at Unity Park’s Kid Kastle in Highland Village:
Swinging.
Dreaming.
Flying.
So, thanks to Mother Nature three hours of park play resulted in an easy bedtime that evening and a good night’s sleep.
And to my friend who I ditched at the library, I am really sorry, but I suspect you understand…
Reading Friends Preschool/Kindergarten
March 9, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under Best Of, feature
I had the opportunity to visit Reading Friends Preschool and Kindergarten in the Highland Village a few weeks ago. I was excited because it is a place that I had heard about from one of my friends as having a really structured, yet creative approach to learning.
The Reading Friends program is is an academic Preschool for children ages 2 through Kindergarten which is structured and multi-sensory. They take abstract/academic subjects and make them age-appropriate, concrete and meaningful to your young child.
And all of this is delivered in a fun, loving and nurturing environment.
Imagine visiting a jungle (aka Reading Friends Pre-Kindergarten Language Class for 4 year olds): A different book introduces a jungle friend, and each friend represents a different letter of the alphabet. The explorers sing along with Sis the Snake and her Jungle Band. Mag the Monkey leads out with song and dance. Tat the Toucan teaches about tattling. Pal the Parrot demonstrates the importance of cleaning up after an adventure. Every character has its own unique personality, and the kids adore them all! Language is exciting when jungle friends lead the way through learning letters and sounds.
There is great joy and learning by DOING.
Reading Friends was started here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and has been teaching DFW kids for 21 years. Their unique and innovative learning program has been developed and refined over the years. The Phonics Advantage curriculum is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach of teaching phonics and language structure.
The bottom line is…it works!
The kids have fun participating in every aspect of learning.
What I loved the most about the school was the incorporation of exercise, movement and sensory activities into every activity. As a (no longer practicing) Physical Therapist, I know how exercise and movement impact brain function. As a mom of three boys, I know that energy expenditure is essential! Reading Friends keeps their students moving while learning.
Parents love the school almost as much as the kids do…
I met with Graham’s teacher today for the first Parent Conference and she had nothing but good things to say. I have to share that Graham had a green (best behavior) EVERY DAY for the 1st 6 weeks! So we’re off to a great start. Just wanted to reiterate that I know Reading Friends gave us such a great foundation for K and beyond, and we are so grateful for that. –Kim, Parent of former Reading Friends Student
Burb Mom is excited to announce a Reading Friends coupon for our readers:
Special Offer for new families at the Moccassin Trail, Lewisville location –receive $75 off your first month’s tuition (limit one per family).
It really is something you should check out. The school is located convenient to Flower Mound, Highland Village and Lewisville at 1439 Moccassin Trail. You can find out more information by calling Marlo Senick, School Director at (972) 317-7772 or by filling out this form.
You will know if this is the right place for your child after exploring what Reading Friends has to offer…
On a Bounty Search
January 4, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under family, feature
I was recently at the Highland Village Wal-Mart to pick up paper towels.
When I got to the bright and shiny aisle, I looked around.
And around.
I needed white, large rolls of Bounty in a big package for the best price.
Is that too much to ask?
Yep, there is over 20 feet of Bounty bulk paper towel packages. I felt a bit lost in the Bounty department.
Let’s find large white rolls of paper towels for the best price!
Please stop pushing your brother! You boys need to stay with me here.
Let’s find large white rolls of paper towels for the best price!
No one should be hitting any person or thing! Brothers are nice to each other.
Let’s find large white rolls of paper towels for the best price!
Stop wrestling! No one should be touching a brother.
Let’s find large white rolls of paper towels for the best price!
All boys need to behave or we will be skipping the toy aisle!
Let’s find large white rolls of paper towels for the best price!
*screech*
*stop*
OK. I am going to stop right here. I want off this crazy train.
I have two solutions for this overwhelming Bounty paper towel choice problem:
1. Bounty could make large white paper towels in big packages – if they search their line carefully, they might find they already produce such a product.
2. Wal-Mart could move a portion of the toy aisle – I suggest Transformers, Legos and toy guns – to allow frazzled moms a moment in peace to figure out which is the right product. It would give us a chance to solve the Where’s Waldo paper towel search.
Until one of my solutions are adopted, I am boycotting paper and pulling out the old fashioned, cloth…*gasp*…towel.
Chocolate Therapy
December 17, 2009 by bianca
Filed under To Do in DFW, feature, shop
Moonstruck Organic Chocolate Treats
Assorted Truffles
Marich Caramels
…and for those nights when you wish you could indulge in the bubbly – try this less-guilty alternative:
Wait! Don’t forget Santa! Why not replace the stale cookies with these smooth treats?
The Chocolate Apothecary also has a wonderful hot drink bar – all sorts of coffee, tea and of course, hot chocolate. In the back of the store are large tables that are perfect for meeting a friend (even if the kids are along).
Here is a little tour that I found on YouTube:
It really is a sweet place!
Heaven on Aisle 2
August 24, 2009 by Texasholly
Filed under eat
Heavenly Burb Mom Moment #1: Starbucks and wide open aisles at Target.
A few minutes after this picture was taken I checked out and headed for the Target parking lot on 2499. I had noticed a lady following me, but didn’t think anything of it until she said this:
What is your baby drinking?
What?
Ma’am, what is your baby drinking?
Oh, I get the kid’s size soy milk at Starbucks for him. Starbucks is one of the few places I can get milk for him that he can drink.
Oh! I thought he was having coffee…
Next time I am answering, “full caf, vanilla latte, soy, with a shot of Red Bull”…
Events this Week – August 9 to 15
August 8, 2009 by bianca
Filed under To Do in DFW, feature
Here are some of the really fun things we found on the Family eGuide calendar for families in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex:
When you click on the event links below they will take you to Family eGuide’s information about the event – while you are there be sure to sign up for the weekly e-newsletter and check out the other fun things on the calendar.
Week of August 9 through August 15 – Events and Activities for DFW moms, dads & kids!
Sunday – Wizard of Oz at Studio B in Highland Village – 2:30 pm
Monday – Summer Movies at Studio Movie Grill: Price of Egypt – 11:00 am
Tuesday –Free Ringling Bros. Party – Ft. Worth – 7:00 pm
Wednesday – Callie’s Kids – Feeding Nature (free kids clinics at Calloway’s) – 9:30 am
Thursday – “How to Raise A Money- Smart Child” – 6:30 pm*
*Check out Burb Mom’s take on teaching kids about money
Friday - Highland Village Balloon Festival – 5:00 pm
Saturday – The Knack Free Family Event: Summer Fun Tote Bags – 10:00 am
Dallas Zoo
July 14, 2009 by Texasholly
Filed under DFW East, feature
Last Friday we had good intentions. A friend and I agreed to meet at the Science Museum with our collective 5 boys for a morning of fun.
I was 1/2 the way to Dallas when my husband called and said, “Where is this museum?”
“Fair Park.”
“You CAN’T GO THERE TODAY! It is the Cotton Bowl!”
About that time my friend called to report her husband had just called her with the same information and she was already in a traffic jam on I-30.
We had 5 anxious boys, 1 grandma and 2 very uninformed mommies!
We made a snap decision to go to the Dallas Zoo instead. The weather was great and we already had sandwiches packed…
The boys were excited to get out of the car and run around. The zoo was a perfect place for expending child energy.
There is an area where you can buy either worms or birdseed sticks to feed the birds for $1. All our boys chose the birdseed sticks. The birds were still on their “winter schedule” so eating wasn’t a high priority, but we had some fun encounters. Several of the birds kept trying to climb into my purse or up my mom’s coat sleeves. They were not shy and the kids loved it.
Next time I will encourage buying the worms. Some of the birds only eat worms and they seem to be a less popular purchase among the zoo visitors. You don’t actually touch the worms, the birds will eat them out of a small cup that is provided.
The zoo has a huge play area. It has equipment for kids of all ages. This spider web was my 5 y/o’s favorite:
There is also slides and tunnels and large eggs to climb into…just a bunch of fun stuff. Surrounding the play area are several smaller learning centers and the Nature Exchange Center.
All the boys thought this was great. You can bring in up to 5 items (you collected at home) and trade them for other nature treasures. There is a point system assigned so it is like a nature store. There are many things to see and touch even if you (like us) don’t have anything to trade.
This Nature Exchange Center is one of the main reasons we will be returning to the zoo this year–and next time we will be prepared with treasures to trade.
The underground learning area is really unique. It is dark (and quiet) and has all sorts of animals that live underground.
There is also a tunnel to crawl through to fully experience underground living.
There are also lots of animals at the zoo…
Overall it was a great experience. We were glad we had missed the craziness at Fair Park and gone to the Dallas Zoo. It took us about 45 minutes (without traffic) to get there from Flower Mound. We spent 4 hours, but could have easily spent another hour or two if everyone had the energy!
If you have written about your experience at the Dallas Zoo, please mention the link in the comments.
When Holly isn’t planning trips in the middle of major events, she can be found at June Cleaver Nirvana where being a mommy and blogging is not in the middle of traffic.
