Our Family Is Growing!

We're very please to announce that our blog has a shiny new url! Please visit our new blog at dallaschildblog.com, fortworthchildblog.com and northtexaschildblog.com and don't forget to change your bookmarks and register for our newsletter.

Stay tuned for announcements for new additions to our growing family of blogs.

Calling All Future Tony Romos!

Still looking for a way to keep the kids active this summer? If your little ones (and maybe you yourself) have been missing football season, we've got good news! Trinity Christian Academy is giving away a free, one-week pass to a Little Trojan Football Camp. Camp starts next Monday, June 21, and there are separate sessions for grade-school tykes (grades 3-5) and older folks (grades 6-8). Campers will learn fundamental football skills from Trojan coaches and participate in competitions every day.

To enter, send an e-mail to mediateam@pharrpr.com detailing why your child deserves to attend. Be sure to include a phone number and your child's age bracket! Remember, camp starts Monday so get those letters in fast!

8-10 and 10-12

What to Do Today: June 17

DALLAS

Want to get out of the house and into nature? Bring the kids out to Peter Rabbit's Flower Village at the Arboretum between 9am and 5pm, where you will all explore a themed village featuring the characters Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, Mrs. Tittlemouse and Jemima Puddleduck. Cost is $10 for adults; $7 for children ages 3-12; kids 3 and younger free.

FORT WORTH

In need of a breath of fresh air? Bring the whole family out to Sundance Square for Stars Under the Stars. Tonight's movie is the widely acclaimed The Blind Side (PG 13), a film that might just have everyone pulling for the tissues. Film starts at dusk; free.

NORTH TEXAS

Come on out to Quakertown Park at 8pm for a throw-back to the good ol' campfire days of your youth at Movies in the Park. Before the 9pm showing of Astro Boy (rated PG), everyone will enjoy huddling around the campfire to roast marshmallows. Bring blankets and chairs. Free.

What to Do Today: June 16

NORTH TEXAS

Craving some good book discussion? Well girls, round up your daughters, sisters, grandmothers—they'll all fit in at It's a Girl Thing! at 6pm at Denton's South Branch Library. Tonight we'll be discussing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, and you won't want to miss it. Refreshments will be provided to cure your inevitable sweet tooth. Ages 10-14; call ahead to register.

DALLAS

Travel all the way to the Outback without leaving the city! Kids ages 6 and older will get a kick out of learning about kangaroos with Kangaroo Kate—they'll even meet a tiny joey wallaby! Head to Josey Ranch Lake Library at 2pm for the free fun.

FORT WORTH

Be a 19th century Texan for a day at Wagons West! You'll get to wash clothes with a washboard, grind corn by hand and weave on a loom. Bring all your friends (grades K-6) out to Log Cabin Village at 9am for the old-fashioned fun! $15.

What to Do Today: June 15

DALLAS
Take me out to the ballgame—especially one that's incredibly family-friendly! Cheer on the Frisco RoughRiders as they take on the Midland RockHounds tonight at 7pm in Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark. Tickets start at $7.

FORT WORTH
Mini inventors should be sure not to miss Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius 1-am-5pm daily (through Sep 6) at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. This impressive exhibit highlight da Vinci's famous machines, inventions, artwork and designs. $14 adult; $10 child/senior; museum member free.

NORTH TEXAS
Enjoy stories, music and movement for new parents with babies younger than 18 months during Mother Goose Time 11:15am today at the Flower Mound Public Library. Free.

What to Do Today: June 14

DALLAS
Watch as youthful golf competitors play a round for a good cause during KidSwing 8am-6pm today at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch. Free registration for golfing kids; free admission for onlookers; fund-raising is encouraged for the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

FORT WORTH
Get crafty and let your artistic student create a take-home project during Crafty Kidz 4pm today at the Keller Public Library. Free; for kids in fifth grade and older.

NORTH TEXAS
Enjoy stories, music and movement for new parents with babies younger than 18 months during Mother Goose Time 11:15am today at Flower Mound Public Library. Free.

What to Do Today: June 11

DALLAS
Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready to cheer for your favorite rider at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo starting at 7:30pm tonight at Mesquite's Resistol Arena (gates open at 6:30pm). Families will watch barrel racing, bull riding, roping and more. Tickets start at $11 adults and $6 (and greater, depending on seats).

FORT WORTH
Break out the picnic basket and relax under the stars during musical performances at Concerts in the Garden 6:30pm tonight gates open (show starts at 8:30) in the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. $20 lawn tickets; children 10 and younger admitted free to lawn with adult.

NORTH TEXAS
Two of the biggest fairy tale villains, the Big, Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch, will wreak hilarious havoc on traditional fairytale stories during Fairy Tale Courtroom 8pm tonight at The Colony's Lakeside Theater.

What to Do Today: June 10

DALLAS
Summer nights sizzle at Jazz Under the Stars 8pm tonight at the Dallas Museum of Art. Bring a picnic and blanket; concessions available for purchase. Tonight's entertainment is The Shelley Carrol–Brad Leali Big Band featuring Sandra Kay. Free; weather permitting.

FORT WORTH
Enjoy outdoor musical performances on an open lawn during Summer Concert Series 8pm at Arlington's Levitt Pavilion. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets (picnics, snacks and coolers are allowed; no glass containers). Tonight's entertainment is Cedric Watson, a Creole fiddler, accordionist, vocalist and songwriter. Free; weather permitting.

NORTH TEXAS
Families and friends will enjoy watching an outdoor screening of The Adventures of the Wishing Rock during Movies in the Park 8pm tonight at Denton's Quakertown Park. Kids will especially love roasting marshmallows by the fire and participating in take-home arts and crafts projects. Free; weather permitting.

Rain Cancels Concert

If you've already made plans to listen to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra tonight at the Dallas Arboretum during the DSO Community Concert, take note: the Arboretum announced earlier today that the concert has been canceled due to expected thunderstorms.

At this time, there are no plans to reschedule the free concert. For more information call 214/692-0203 or visit www.dallassymphony.com.

What to Do Today: June 9

DALLAS
Immerse yourself in fluttering butterflies when visiting the Butterfly House and Butterfly Garden 9am-5pm today (ongoing through October 10) at McKinney's Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Get up close and personal with monarchs and many more, in addition to learning facts about each butterfly species.$8 adults; $5 seniors and kids ages 3-12; kids 2 and younger free.

FORT WORTH
Kids ages 3-10 can catch a flick on the big screen and enjoy some tasty treats during Dinner and a Movie 5:30-8:30pm tonight at the Keller Public Library. Guests will enjoy G-Force (PG). Registration recommended. $21 first child/$14 each additional; member $15 first child/$10 each additional.

NORTH TEXAS
Get out of the box and expose your little one to a foreign language during Spanish Storytime 10:30am today at Highland Village's Barnes & Noble. Free.

What to Do Today: June 8

DALLAS
View the first U.S. exhibition by Luc Tuymans (brand new at the Dallas Museum of Art) boasting more than 80 inspiring paintings 11am-5pm today (ongoing through September 5) at the DMA. $10 adults; $7 seniors; $5 students; children 13 and younger free.

FORT WORTH
Join Artie the Monkey under the sea during The Monkey and the Jellyfish 10am today at Hurst's Artisan Center Theater. This production is filled with laughter and comedy suitable for kids of all ages. $5.

NORTH TEXAS
Jam out to the smooth tunes played by Canta Rythym and Brass at a 7pm performance tonight (and ongoing every Tuesday at varying shopping venues in the Shops) near Patrizio's in The Shops at Highland Village. Free.

Before You Lose the Booster Seat ...

If you think your child is ready to lose his booster seat, be wary of Texas' new booster-seat law—if not, starting this month you could be ticketed for not meeting state standards. Children must sit in a booster seat until they are either 8 years old or taller than 4 feet, 9 inches (and, of course, they must also always wear a seat belt).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises parents to check the following before allowing their child to ride in the car sans booster seat:

• Child must be able to sit with back and hips all the way against the back of the car's seat (without slouching).
• Child must be able to bend knees over the edge of the seat and keep feet flat on the floor.
• The child's seat belt must cross over his shoulder and the middle of his chest (not neck) and fit snugly over his hips (not stomach).
• The car's headrest must also be high enough to support the child's head.

The state's law was amended in September 2009, but starting this month fines will be issued.

For more information about child safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What to Do Today: June 7

DALLAS
Just in time for the out-of-school boredom, kids and families can watch Horton Hears a Who (and other kids' films) and enjoy a meal at the 2010 Summer Children's Series 11am today (through Thursday) at Studio Movie Grill Dallas (at Royal) and Plano. $2 adult; $1 child (food prices vary).

FORT WORTH
Tarrant County residents can catch a kids' flick at Summer Movies at Harkins Southlake 9:45am Monday-Friday (through August 13) at the Harkins Theatre in Southlake. Films include Charlotte's Web, Shrek the Third, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and more. Get individual tickets to 10 weekly family movies for $5.

NORTH TEXAS
Join players of all skill levels and ages at Chess Night 6-8pm tonight at Denton's North Branch Library. Free.

What to Do Today: June 4

DALLAS
Head to this favorite Dallas playhouse to see one of its last performances (the venue announced it will close its doors on June 6)! Jungle Book will take the stage at 10:30am today and Saturday, 1pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday for its final show at the Galleria's Slappy's Puppet Playhouse. $9 adults; $8 kids; children 3 and younger free.

FORT WORTH
Break out the picnic basket and relax under the stars as the Fort Worth Symphony (and friends) perform during Concerts in the Garden 6:30pm tonight gates open (show starts at 8:30) in the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. $20 lawn tickets; children 10 and younger admitted free to lawn with adult.

NORTH TEXAS
Dogs and their youthful best friends will enjoy "yappy" hour during Dog Days of Denton 5-8:30pm Friday and 8:30am-3pm Saturday in Quakertown Park. Kids and their four-legged pets (canines only) can take "glamfur" shots, enter a canine contest, get information on adoption, listen to live entertainment and more. Free.

What to Do Today: June 3

DALLAS
Treat young minds to some literary inspiration at Peter Rabbit's Village, a new showcase of four flowered homes open 9am-5pm daily at the Dallas Arboretum. Kids can venture inside the homes, inspired by Beatrix Potter's characters, for story times and more. $10 adults; $7 children 3-12; kids 3 and younger free.

FORT WORTH
Enjoy an evening of family fun at Starlight Storytime at 7pm today at Fort Worth's Summerglen Library. Kids of all ages will be treated to crafts, songs and more—and they can even wear their pajamas! Free.

NORTH TEXAS
Watch Journey to the Center of the Earth with your family (and enjoy marshmallow roasts and arts and crafts) during Movies in the Park 8pm tonight at Quakertown Park in Denton. Free; bring your own lawn chairs/blankets.

What to Do Today: June 2

DALLAS
Children ages 3-5 and a grown up can work together and look at art, read a story in the galleries and make an art activity in the studio during Arturo's Art & Me 11am today at the Dallas Museum of Art. $10 per pair; call for availability.

FORT WORTH
Take a ride on the Forest Park Miniature Railroad during daily jaunts down the track, starting 11am-5pm today (trains typically run on the hour). $3 adults; $2.50 children and seniors.

NORTH TEXAS
Make it a playdate! Bring your toddler and a group of friends down to the library for arts, crafts and reading during Storytime & Craft 10:30am today at Lake Cities Public Library. Free.