Add Some Punch to Your Lunch

Honestly, I hate packing my lunch. Not only does the food not taste as fresh, it’s no fun to carry it out in a sack, or even worse, a plastic bag. BO-RING.

However, after discovering these adorable lunchboxes, I may have to change my mind. Even kids will love taking these colorful carriers to school with them, especially with so many options offered.

For your wee ones, there are the Dante Beatrix lunchboxes with adorable cartoon animals on the front. And, not only are they insulated, they’re made with heavy-duty laminated canvas, making it easy to wipe clean.

Does your older child cringe at the thought of cutesy lunchboxes? No problem. Mimi the Sardine offers little tote-like lunchbugs in colorful patterns. The chic carriers are so cute, you’re going to want one too, Mom. It comes in five different patterns so everyone can pick out their own. Plus, it’s easy to wipe clean, or simply toss it in the washer.

So go green and stop spending money on lunchsacks. Find these lunchboxes, priced between $24-$34, at babybliss in Snider Plaza, Dallas, or Southlake Town Square.

—Mari Park

Special Sale Starting Tomorrow!

Hey Dallas area moms and moms to be...DallasChild just got word of an incredible sale starting tomorrow at one of our favorite shops...Pickles & Ice Cream! Make sure to stop by!

—Jenny

Hot Headbands for Athletes of All Ages

I admit: I'm a fitness junkie. What do I spend my "disposable income" on? Pretty much anything that has to do with exercise. Most of the time, this means I carry home the newest, coolest blister-free socks or a new jellybean that will help replenish electrolytes while running (exciting, right?). Not exactly things that I rush to share with friends or readers.

Except in the case of last weekend ... I stopped by my favorite running shop RunOn! in Richardson and nearly FELL OVER when I spotted these: The Sweaty Bands, adorable ribbon-like headbands made especially for workout women!

I was even more excited to discover (after checking out their Web site) that the brand makes specialized bands for sports lovers of all sorts — and of all ages! Look here at a band made for young female soccer players. Moms, this is going to be the new hot trend on your daughter's soccer field, basketball court or track!

The bands are not only adorable (available in various ribbon widths and a wide variety of colors — they even come in metallic patterns!), the headbands will not slip or slide back ... AT ALL. The backing on these babies are velour-like, so they don't budge (yet they don't stick and tangle hair). And, the elastic band that holds the ribbon together adjusts to your head's size, meaning you won't find yourself with a headache due to the tightness of your headband.

Check the Web site for various designs, all available for $15, or head to RunOn! (with locations in McKinney, Richardson, Dallas and Coppell). You can even select custom ribbon to match your sporty girl's team colors.


—Gretchen

Today in NORTH TEXAS: July 22

Get your game face on for Family Game Night at 7pm today at the Flower Mound Public Library. Children ages 3 and older will challenge their parents at fun board games! Free.

Today in FORT WORTH: July 22

Enjoy a great morning of books and art with Storytime at the Carter: This Land is Your Land at 10:30am today at Fort Worth's Amon Carter Museum. Kids of all ages will hear The Legend of the Bluebonnet and River and then see landscapes in the museum's collection. Free.

Today in DALLAS: July 22

Creative kids ages 6-12 will love the Go Van Gogh! presentation at 2pm today at Dallas' Oak Lawn Branch Library. They'll see an interactive presentation featuring images of artwork from the Dallas Museum of Art, followed by a fun art activity. Free.

A "Jillion Helpful Hints" from Junie B.

The end of July is nearing, and that can only mean one thing: preparing to go back to school. Groan. No doubt it can be a headache, with plenty of last-minute arrangements and errands. But have no fear; we’ve found a resource that could actually make it fun this time around!

Grab a copy of Barbara Park’s new book, Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School ($10.39 at Barnes and Noble). Chock full of fun advice in categories like “Getting Started (Stuff you need to know and buy for school” and “Getting in Trouble (Plus how to stay out of it!),” you and your kids will giggle as you read through Junie B.’s words of wisdom.

The book is spiral bound, complete with pages that look like they’re straight from a notebook, penned by Junie B. herself. Kids will delight in the silly illustrations and afterward, they can write and draw out their own ideas in spaces provided in the book. How cool is that?

The book/journal is a perfect gift for the first and second-graders in your life. Plus, it may spur them to help out (willingly!) with back to school prepping.

—Mari Park

What's for Dinner, Mom?

If you're like me, the thought of planning dinner is more daunting a task than actually cooking. Ladies, lets help each other out: Send me your easy, make-it-in-a-pinch dinner recipes and I will re-post to help ease your dinner-planning headaches! E-mail: gsparling@dallaschild.com.

In the meantime, I'll share a little inspiration from my kitchen. The past couple of weeks, my (teeny-tiny) backyard garden has been in full bloom. Green peppers, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes — it may be a small plot, but it sure does produce! To keep up with the ripening veggies, I've been on the hunt to find tasty meals to 1) entice young taste buds and 2) quell my husband's incessant appetite. (Don't forget No. 3: the meal must be EASY!) A friend of mine turned me onto pizza making — a great activity to involve kids or entertain guests!

The biggest leap of faith (for me, at least) was making homemade dough. But, let me tell you, it is worth it! Here is a quick, pain-free recipe for homemade pizza. (Never made dough? Check out this link for tips on making your own dough. No breadmaker required!)

Kid-friendly Pizza
Dough: Activate 1 packet of yeast, 1 and 1/2 cups of hot water and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar in a mixing bowl. Wait 5 minutes. Slowly add (one-half cup at a time) a mixture of 2 and 1/2 cups of plain flour and 1 cup of whole-wheat flour. Add 1-2 tablespoons of garlic-infused olive oil as dough gets tougher to knead. Remove dough and knead on floured surface for 10 minutes. Place dough back into bowl (first oiling bowl to prevent sticking) and cover with towel. Let dough rise for 45 minutes.

Pizza: Gather your favorite pizza toppings together on an open counter top. (GET THE KIDS TO HELP!) Roll out dough in preferred size and shape of pizza. Place on oiled baking sheet (no pizza stone necessary!). Have the kiddos toss on their favorite toppings ... including but not limited to pesto, marinara sauce, basil, garlic, pepperoni, tomatoes and (most importantly) CHEESE! When completed, place in a 400-degree oven for 25 minutes, watching carefully to prevent overcooking. When browned, remove pizza from oven and let cool. ENJOY!

Please share your recipes with me! Send to gsparling@dallaschild.com!

—Gretchen

Today in NORTH TEXAS: July 21

Hear some great stories and songs and make a cool craft to take home at Toddler Time Lewisville at 10:30 and 11am today at the Lewisville Public Library. The storytime is geared toward children ages 15-36 months. Space is limited, so grab your stuff and head out now!

Today in FORT WORTH: July 21

See beautiful works of art at the exhibit William Kentridge: Five Themes from10am-5pm today at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Kentridge, a native of South Africa, creates prints, drawings, sculptures and more. The exhibit will be on display through Sep 27. Tickets are $10 adults; $4 seniors; free for children younger than 12.

Today in DALLAS: July 21

Think pink and see Legally Blonde: The Musical, opening at 8 tonight at Dallas' Music Hall at Fair Park. Based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie, the show features plenty of catchy tunes. It will continue through Aug 2. Tickets start at $20.

Seuss on Show

Dr. Seuss has come to town! Or, at least, a collection of his artwork has come to the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas for the official launching of Storyopolis Fine Art. My husband and I attended the opening of The Art of Dr. Seuss: A Retrospective and National Touring Exhibition on Friday and were thrilled by images from our childhood. The gallery’s walls display brightly colored prints from all the familiar Seuss stories – from Green Eggs and Ham to How the Grinch Stole Christmas (and my favorite, the tongue-twisting Fox in Sox). Alongside these familiar images were examples of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s early illustration and advertising work, as well as pieces from his “secret collection.” We loved seeing his “taxadermied heads” sculptures – mounted busts of animals clearly straight out of a Seuss illustration.

Kids (and grownups!) will love identifying pages from some of their favorite stories, and parents will enjoy learning a little more about the real man behind the whimsy. The Art of Dr. Seuss is open through Aug. 8. — Mary D.

Etiquette for College Savings?

Several mommies stumped me with the following question and I'm interested to know what you think!

"Is it appropriate to request contributions to a child's 529 college-savings plan in lieu of baby shower or birthday gifts?"

Your thoughts?

—Gretchen

Today in FORT WORTH: July 20

Have a fun cultural experience by taking in the Tales From the Land of Gullah exhibit through 5pm today at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. Children of all ages will learn about the Gullah culture that developed after West African slaves were brought to the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. They'll enjoy crafts, music, stories and more.

Today in NORTH TEXAS: July 20

Get ready for some sudsy fun at the Incredible Bubble Show at 7pm today at the Lewisville Public Library. Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade will learn the science behind bubbles as host Linda Berman does some amazing tricks!

Today in DALLAS: July 20

Explore a storybook world at the Dallas Arboretum's Storybook Playhouses through 5pm daily. Whimsical playhouses created by local architects feature themes such as Alice in Wonderland, The Lorax (a Dr. Seuss classic) and Peter Pan. Kids can climb on the colorful structures and make up their own fantasy story!

More Than Just a Family Fun Run!

Last Saturday, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure North Texas 5K drew thousands of supporters to the Shops at Legacy and the Legacy Campus of EDS in Plano. DallasChild staffers were out in full force — many readers stopped by our booth located next to the stage to say hello and talk about our June issues (in addition to signing up to win a free iPod Nano!).

The above photo is of our sponsor booth and of Claudia, Jenny, Kendall and Kendall's dedicated and helpful mother. What you can't see is the yummy stack of mini cookies provided by Tart Bakery. It was difficult to restrain myself from eating them by the handful prior to running the race! Claudia and I are in the second photo at right.

Four of us took to the start line, while Jenny manned the DallasChild station. Claudia and I set a goal to run as much of the race as possible — it was her inaugural 5K, and she was bound and determined to run. And she did! We both crossed the finish line together with smiles on our faces, but not after swapping stories of friends and relatives stricken with breast cancer. That's what I love most about this race; it's a time to honor survivors and those women (and men!) who lost their battle, and it's a time to honor your own body with a healthy dose of exercise and camaraderie.

Afterwards, we toasted our accomplishments at the DallasChild booth with cookies and lots of yummy freebies from adjacent tents and sponsors.

Thank you everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello! You will find us out again at the Dallas-based Susan G. Komen For the Cure at NorthPark Center in October. Keep your eyes out for another post with more information on how to join our running/walking teams!


—Gretchen

No Business Like Show Business

Got a talented kid? (Of course you do!) Producers are searching North Texas for little stars in the making, around ages 8-12, to appear in the Dallas Summer Musicals engagement of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang starting June 23 at Dallas' Music Hall at Fair Park. Auditions are set for 5-9pm this Thursday, May 28, at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. Kids, with a parent or guardian in tow, must arrive by 5pm and be prepared to sing 16 bars a cappella of an upbeat song of their choice. They should also be prepared to learn and perform a bit of simple choreography at the audition. Head shots and professional experience are not required.

Six kids (plus two alternates) will be chosen to play orphans in act 2 of the show, which will run through July 5. Children chosen won't receive compensation for their roles, but they will get a whole lot of performance experience. Start practicing!

Get Ready for a Father-Filled June Edition!

Can you guess the house? (Or, the kitchen table?)
Here's a preview of the upcoming June Nesting feature, which will highlight the home life of a very artistic Dallas family.

Enjoy the preview and be sure to snag a copy of the June edition. Check back for a link to the story on DallasChild.com and to read more behind-the-scenes details from the photo shoot with photographer Scott Williams (shown in above image behind the camera).

—Gretchen

Let's Play!

Every now and then, a toy comes along that is so cool, it seems criminally unfair that it wasn’t around when you were a kid. We discovered just such a toy when the Playmobil Egyptian Pyramid arrived at the office just begging to be played with.

My girls (ages 8 and 4) were in a state of bliss when they saw the pyramid, which isn’t set to hit stores until August. We immediately started putting it together. After about two hours of hard work (no one would ever confuse me with an engineer), it was ready to go, and I can honestly say, it was spectacular. With hidden chambers, trap doors and neat features like collapsible stairs, the lucky little Playmobil figures had tons of space for exploring. The pyramid came with a sarcophagus (with a glow-in-the-dark skeleton inside that 8-year-old Maddie inexplicably named “Eugenie”), a tiny Tut and Anubis and what could be either guards or robbers (either way, they’re fun). There were even little treasures like golden vases, ankhs and stones, which I feverishly — and futilely — tried to prevent from getting lost. My kids very rarely play well together, but this miraculous toy kept both of them entertained for more than two hours on a rainy Saturday, and that alone makes it work the purchase price of around $100.

The Playmobil folks had also sent the Church playset, which we put together the next day. My younger daughter, Finley, is very much the girly-girl, so this toy appealed to her big time. This one was a bit more difficult to put together; I would definitely recommend setting aside a couple hours to dedicate to following the directions exactly. Once assembled, the church was beautiful, with tiny stained-glass windows, flower-strewn wreaths hanging from the ceiling and cute flower pots by the front double doors. The set came with a bride (complete with a lace veil) and groom, a minister and itty-bitty wedding accessories. There were also human kid-sized rings to add a dressy flair to playtime. I had also received the Bridal Couple With Wedding Cake set, and the cake even had a truly minuscule bride and groom on top (I honestly don’t know how they made it so small). Finley couldn’t wait to stage her own mini-weddings, and soon the bridal couple had time-traveled to ancient Egypt to fight off an evil, kidnapping King Tut. The set is available now for around $75.

I should say that both sets had quite a few tiny parts, so parents with children under 3 years old should be cautious. But older kids — both boys and girls — are sure to love dusting off their imaginations and bringing these toys to life. And any mom who’s sick to death of TV, video games and summer boredom can appreciate that. —Claudia

Playmobil toys are available locally, among other locations, at:

Learning Express, Dallas
214/696-4876

Designs for Children, Fort Worth
817/732-6711

Amazing Toy Creations, Dallas
972/661-2990

www.store.playmobilusa.com

Triathlete Kids Compete (and Have Fun!)

At the soggy break of dawn on Saturday, May 2, kids from across North Texas challenged their bodies to complete the Historical McKinney Kiwanis KIDS triathlon (a sporting event in which athletes swim, bike and run), sponsored by the Playtri triathlon training club.

During the event, kids ages 7-10 were required to swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles and then run .5 miles. Participants ages 11-14 were required to swim 200 yards, bike 5 miles and run 1 mile.

I joined the ranks of volunteers who aided athletes with directions and traffic control. And, as a triathlete, I was astounded at the friendly competitiveness of the young participants. The kids whizzed by me on the bike loop — some of the kiddos even rode top-notch bikes made especially for triathlons (I was struck with a bit of bike envy!).


My favorite participant of the younger age category was a girl who rode a pretty pink one-speed bike fitted with a white wicker basket (shown at left). She was out on the course cycling to her heart's content with her head down and arms bent as she cranked up a hill. I was so inspired by this little athlete's devotion to the sport!

Congratulations to the participants and finishers of Saturday's race! And, kudos to the parents who encourage exercise and healthy competition. *More photos of the event coming soon!

Interested in signing your child up for a race? The following events are perfect for first-timers:

Frisco Youth Triathlon, May 31
Click here to register, find race details and read about training clinics just for kids.

4th-Annual Kids Tri at the "J", June 7
Click here to register and for race details.

9th-Annual Town North YMCA Kids Triathlon, July 19
Click here to register and for race details.

Kids Playtri Triathlon at Stonebridge Ranch, September 26
Click here to register and for race details.

Lifetime Fitness Kids Triathlon (Flower Mound), October 10
Click here for more information. Registration coming soon.

Trick-or-Treat Kids Triathlon, October 25
Click here for more race details. Registration coming soon.

—Gretchen

Our New May Magazines!

Hello, readers! Last week the Lauren Publications team was working hard to put the finishing touches on our May issues of DallasChild, NorthTexasChild and FortWorthChild magazines — in addition to the Spring/Summer edition of DallasChildbaby. Needless to say, it was a busy week! The hard work is certainly worth it, though, as we are excited to bring you new stories about topics that matter most to moms and dads.

First off, our May features:
What’s life like as a child living and thriving with Down syndrome? Local parents share their perspectives on life with a child with special needs. All moms and dads can relate to these parents’ hope for their children to experience healthy, happy and, eventually, independent lives.

This feature presents one staggering statistic: 117,600 kids in Dallas and Tarrant counties are living with a wide spectrum of special needs. To better serve this vibrant community, DallasChild will debut two new quarterly publications, DallasChildSpecialNeeds and FortWorthChildSpecialNeeds, in June. To read more articles or find events pertinent to parents of kids with special needs, go to either of our newly launched Web sites for either Dallas-area parents or Fort Worth-area parents.

Learn how to survive single parenthood with the advice and insight of local individuals who triumph this feat on a daily basis. Single moms and dads tell about American culture’s perception of single parenthood, in addition to one mom’s account of adopting as a single parent. Are you a single parent? Share your thoughts on life as a single mom or dad by commenting on this post.

Additionally, look for these articles in our May magazines:
Are you a working mom who’s wondering, “What am I going to do with the kids all summer?” We’ve compiled a slew of noteworthy summer camps (varying in cost and program lengths) for your review. An added bonus: The piece also presents several babysitting agencies and thoughtful methods for seeking summertime sitters.

It doesn’t get much more “real” than speaking with Pat Smith, wife of Emmitt Smith and mother of four. This month’s Mom Next Door chatted with me (while driving between appointments and stopping for gas — a true multitasking mom) about her new nonprofit women’s support group, Treasure You. Read about Pat’s daily juggle and whom she most admires (hint: this woman’s fashionable sense of style is sure to go down in history books).

And, in our Spring/Summer 2009 edition of DallasChildBaby—available soon on Dallas-area newstands—expect to raise an eyebrow while reading the publication’s main feature on non-hospital births. The magazine also serves up pieces on the growing number of stay-at-home dads, toxoplasmosis and why it’s essential to stay hydrated during pregnancy.

We hope you enjoy our May editions — let us know what you think!

—Gretchen

Congrats, Marathon Kids!

Last Saturday, April 4, I discovered what I love most about being a runner. The enjoyment of exercise isn't in logging hours on the track, treadmill or your neighborhood's sidewalk (duh!). The joy is sharing an experience with others who also dedicated months and months of their time to achieving a fitness goal.

On Saturday, I observed a new view of the finish line from the eyes of thousands of children enrolled in Marathon Kids, a free fitness program that teaches kids (in kindergarten through fifth grade) about the value of exercise and healthy eating. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, the program requires participants to log 26.2 miles during a six-month course. Saturday's final mile celebration marked the completion of this journey.

My co-worker Kendall and I braved the windy and cold weather (alongside hundreds of volunteers and supporters) to help serve this great organization and the kids who committed themselves to healthy living.

The experience was one to remember. Our volunteer duty was to help the runners get pumped up before hitting the track to run their final lap — a task that involved lots of cheering and occasional goofiness (our specialty). It was truly special to see how exciting this moment was to so many kids. They spent six months dedicating themselves to exercise and learning about healthy nutrition. From the looks of it, they loved every minute! How many kids share those feelings when it comes to exercise?

As a reward, each finisher received a medal. One young boy showed his medal off with tremendous pride, saying, "Isn't this the coolest this you've ever seen?!" I agreed. It was surprisingly cool to spend my morning with little runners who will surely treasure their Marathon Kids experience for the rest of their lives.

—Gretchen

Home births... medically irresponsible or a beautiful way to bring your baby into the world?

Ready, Set, Shop

Dallas' newest shopping mecca is getting ready to welcome its first customers. Nordstrom Rack will be the first retailer to open its doors at Park Lane, a 33.5-acre development across from NorthPark Center, Thursday, March 19. The store will host Race Through the Rack starting at 8am that day, during which one lucky fashionista will win a $1,000 shopping spree. Dick's Sporting Goods will also be open this weekend, starting March 21, at Park Lane. Stores slated for April openings include Lane Bryant and The Children's Place. 214/369-0860; www.parklanedallas.com.

Adventure in the Arts

Get ready to be blown away. The students of Dallas' Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts will wow the crowd at Taste of the Arts from 6-10pm Feb 28. The fun evening will include student performances, food, auctions and tours of the renovated school campus. WFAA-TV Channel 8 anchor Gloria Campos is honorary chairwoman of the event. Tickets start at $25. Visit www.btwhsptsa.org/announce/html for more information.

Fashion-Forward Fundraiser

See spring fashions, enjoy a catered lunch and raise money for a good cause at the "Hope for a Better Tomorrow" Luncheon and Spring Fashion Show at 11:30am Feb 24 at Dallas' Brook Hollow Golf Club. The event will benefit A Child Can Do All Things, a nonprofit Dallas school for children with motor disabilities. The luncheon will feature special guest Abbey Curran, a Miss USA contestant who has cerebral palsy. Tickets start at $150. For more information, call 972/788-2856.

Relax … and Give Back!

The new V Spa at Dallas' Hilton Anatole Hotel Has the perfect way to help a local charity while winding down from your Thanksgiving stress. Through Nov 30, the spa will donate a portion of sales from its treatments to Genesis Women's Shelter, which provides safety and shelter to local battered women and their children. The spa offers manicures, pedicures, massage, facials, men's treatments and more. Services are available from 9am-8pm daily. Call 214/761-7800 to make an appointment.

Give It Up!

At some point, you've probably hurried past someone collecting for charity, grimacing as you pat your pockets and mumble, "Sorry, I don't have any cash on me!" But this Christmas season, The Salvation Army is one step ahead of you: The ubiquitous red kettles are going cashless. The new techno-savvy kettles were set to roll out in Dallas Nov 20 and will be set up in 12 locations across the Metroplex. The kettles will be equipped with credit card scanners attached to the stands. So be on the lookout for the new high-tech giving gadgets ... and have your card ready!

TV Time

Tune in to the CBS Early Show this Saturday (Nov 22), and you might see a familiar face: Chef Jon Bonnell of Fort Worth's Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine. The culinary dynamo will present a special "Chef on a Shoestring" segment in which he'll create a traditional (and delicious!) Thanksgiving feast for just $80. When viewers across the U.S. see dishes like Butternut Squash Soup with Chili-Spiced Pecans and Pumpkin Seeds and Pumpkin-Spiced Cheesecake with Cinnamon Bourbon Whipped Cream, they'll learn what Fort Worth foodies have known for ages: Bonnell is a local gem.

— Claudia

How Not to Cook on Thanksgiving

Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes with little marshmallows, pumpkin pie, green-bean casserole - all homemade ... Wait, are you kidding?! I can barely get spaghetti with Newman's Own sauce on the dinner table without some minor disaster (or major whining). If Turkey Day seems just a bit insurmountable to you too, you might want to check out the Thanksgiving Day Ballroom Brunch at The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. You'll get an eye-popping (and gut-busting) selection of ham, prime rib, sushi, omelets and, of course, turkey with sage dressing. There will even be an elaborate children's buffet (just their size!) featuring all their favorite foods. Top it all off with a dessert table that includes a chocolate fountain and sugar-free goodies.

Reservations are recommended. The price is $65 adults; $25 children ages 6-12; and free for children under 6. You can even add tickets to the "ICE! Exhibit," Gaylord's winter wonderland featuring 2 million pounds of ice carved into life-size sculptures, for $75 adults; $30 children 6-12; and free for children under 6. Call 817/778-2000 or visit www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-texan.

— Claudia

Delicious Decision

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops want you to vote, and they're ready to put their ice cream where their mouths are (actually, where your mouths are). The dreamy ice creamery, which has locations in Plano, McKinney and Highland Village, will give away free scoops (one per customer) from 5-8pm Nov 4, Election Day, in celebration of democracy. So get out there and vote (yes, it really is that important!), and then treat yourself to some Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia or any other decadent B&J flavor. You earned it!

— Claudia

Know Before You Go

Starting Nov 10, it will cost you a bit more to visit the Fort Worth Zoo. The price of adult admission is rising from $10.50 to $12; the admission cost for children and seniors is not changing. Zoo officials said this is the zoo's first price increase in more than two years. During that time, the zoo's operational and fuel expenses have gone up, making the ticket price increase necessary.

The zoo plans to continue its half-price admission on Wednesdays.

— Claudia

Art Attack!

Make plans to attend the Target First Saturdays event this weekend at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. In addition to free admission from 10am-2pm, you and the kiddos will enjoy an art scavenger hunt, family tours, Yoga in the Garden, storytime, NasherKids Live! puppet show and more.

Your kids are sure to love hanging out in this Dallas cultural hotspot!

- Claudia

A Howling Good Time

Got a dog with a cute Halloween costume? Want to show it off? Head over to the Hackberry Creek Halloween Festival in Las Colinas at 6:30pm Oct 31 for Groom & Zoom Self-Serve Dog Wash's "Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest." Haunting hounds will compete in categories like "Most Frightening" and "Most Creative." The festival will have fun stuff for little ones of the human variety, too, with a bounce slide, face painting, a haunted tunnel, a petting zoo and more.

And leading up to the costume contest, Groom & Zoom is collecting toys and treats to donate to the Irving Humane Society. Drop off some goodies at the store, 4127 N. Story Road in Irving.

— Claudia

Thrill-Ville

The weather just took a major turn toward autumn, which means the conditions are perfect for "Tales by the Rails: Scary Stories" from 7-9pm Saturday at the Grapevine Depot. Bundle up the family and enjoy spooky stories around the campfire withttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifh the Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers. Free hot apple cider and popcorn will warm you up a bit, but you'll still have shivers down your spine! 817/410-3123; .

— Claudia

The Power of a Smile

Does your kid have a million-dollar smile? Show it off this weekend during a casting call for Duracell's Power A Smile holiday ambassador program. Children ages 6-15 will be asked to show how excited they get powering up a new toy. Five winners will receive a trip to New York in early December, a $500 shopping spree, Duracell batteries and the chance to serve as a holiday ambassador delivering toys to local children's hospitals.

The Dallas casting call will be at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. The museum is open from 10am-5pm.

Kids can also enter online at www.powerasmile.com through Nov 3.

For the Birds

The Trinity River Audubon Center was officially dedicated this morning, with many Dallas dignitaries attending. The center, which is shaped like a bird, is the first major signature development for the Trinity River Corridor Project, a $2 billion city of Dallas public works project. TRAC will be an excellent spot for bird watching and other outdoor activities and will also serve as a teaching facility for thousands of area students every year.

The center's grand opening for the public is this weekend, from 10am-5pm Oct 18-19. Admission is free all weekend. It's located at 650http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif0 S. Loop 12 in Dallas. Call 214/370-9967 or visit for more information.

Gather up the family and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

— Claudia

Grown-up Tea Party

Moms, gather up your girlfriends and make plans to attend a Harvest Tea at the Dallas Arboretum. These three-course teas are served at 2pm every Wed-Sun through Nov 23 and are open only to those ages 13 and up.

The Harvest Tea is $33.50, or you can add a glass of champagne before your tea service for $42.50. Both prices include admission, parking and gratuity. Advance reservations are recommended. Call 214/515-6610.

And while you're at the Arboretum enjoying your tea, don't forget to marvel at the beautiful fall flowers in bloom!

— Claudia

Baby Pick-Me-Up

International Babywearing Week is Nov 12-18, and Peppermint Natural Baby Boutique in Richardson is celebrating by hosting a baby sling drive. The store seeks gently used baby slings to donate to No Mother Left Behind, a group of volunteers who promote the benefits of babywearing. Drop off slings at the boutique, 1778 N. Plano Road, Suite 100, in Richardson.
Call 214/623-5080 or visit www.peppermint.com for more information.

— Claudia

Tea Time for a Good Cause

Bring your little ladies (and gents!) to Celebrity Café & Bakery's first-ever National Tea Party from 2-5pm Sun, Oct 19. Celebrity's 10 Dallas-Fort Worth locations will offer free cookies, petit fours and tea and will take donations for Kidd's Kids, a local charity that supports ill and physically challenged children. Each location will also have dress-up clothes for the little girls in attendance, and photographers will be on hand to take pictures of the fancy fun.

— Claudia