Texas Book Festival in Austin, TX October 25-26, 2014

October 25-26, 2014

Texas State Capitol Building

Austin, TX

The 19th annual Texas Book Festival is a free event that celebrates authors held over 2 days on the Texas State Capitol grounds.  This year, it has over the largest number of authors in it's history, over   280 authors at book readings, signings, and panel discussions as well as exhibitor booths, live music and themed events.  

Established in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, the Texas Book Festival has quickly evolved into one of the "premier literary events in the country."  It honors and features over 200 Texas and nationally-known authors.  The schedule is packed with events - from sessions discussion author's books to story time and puppet shows for little ones.

The schedule is packed full with fun events to attend, including some new ones.  Check out the Lit Crawl with R.L. Stine held on Saturday night at the Texas State Cemetery!!   There are authors from all genres featured - biography, mystery, cooking, politics, etc.  Click here to see the full schedule. 

I was most excited about all the fun for children that is scheduled at the Texas Book Festival:

Children's Read Me a Story Tent (13th & Colorado)

Every half hour, a new story will be read by the author, including some of the following:

• Pumpkin Time by Erzsi Deàk
• Ninja! by Aree Chung
• The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale
• Under the Freedom Tree by London Ladd
• Blizzard by John Rocco
• The Boy Made of Lightning by Barbara Renaud Gonzalez
• Baby Penguins Love their Mamma by Melissa Guion
• Attack! Boss! Cheat Code! by Chris Barton
• I Love You Too by Ziggy Marley

Also, on Saturday at 3:00, be the first to find out who made the list of Texas Literary Association's Bluebonnet Master List. 20 books are picked each year to promote reading in 3rd thru 6th grade.

Children's Entertainment Tent (West Capitol driveway near Colorado St.)

Every hour features fun entertainment for little ones (and their parents!).  Here is just a few examples of the fun:

• Magician Ken Cummins
• Singing Zoologist Lucas Miller
• Poetry Fun
• I Knew an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
• Biscuit Brothers
• Joe McDermott

Children's Activity Tent (Colorado St. between 12th & 13th)

Fun, hands-on activities for kids with various authors.  Here is just some of the fun:

• Austin Dog Alliance - Meet the Bow Wow Reading Dogs and create your own book to read to your pets at home
• All Over the Alphabet - learn how to make fun alphabet crafts
• Create a Calavera
• Create your own Texas Book Festival Souvenir 

Also, don't miss the Kid's Fashion Show, where they are encouraging kids to dress up as their favorite book character from 11 am - 12 pm on Saturday.

Please check the Texas Book Festival website for a full schedule - you will be amazed at how much there is to do!

This is such an awesome opportunity for kids to meet the authors behind some of their favorite books and learn about new favorite authors too.  We can't wait to go!

About the Texas Book Festival:

• Sessions are FREE and open to the public, with a first come, first serve policy
• When the sessions are full, no one will be allowed in, so come early to ensure a seat
• No food or drinks allowed in the Capitol, but a food tent will be on grounds
• Adult & Young Writers Authors book signings will be in the Book Signing Tent (Congress, between 10th & 11th)
• Children's Book Signing Tent is at 13th & Colorado
• Proceeds from book sales help fund the festival, therefore all books to be signed MUST be purchased at the Barnes & Noble Sales tents. (a receipt must be presented)
• FREE parking will be available at the event at the following locations:
• Granger Parking Garage (12th & Guadalupe)
• Capitol Visitor Garage (12th & Trinity)
• State Lots 8 & 11 (15th & Colorado)
• State Garage A (14th & San Jacinto)
• State Garage F (13th & San Jacinto)
• State Lot 15 (9th & Colorado)

The Making of Gone with the Wind Exhibit at Harry Ransom Center Austin, Texas

Are you a Gone with the Wind fan?  We are HUGE fans!  So I was thrilled to see the Making of Gone with the Wind exhibit was going to be at the Harry Ransom Center on the UT Campus for the next few months.

I took my mom as a surprise for her birthday last week.  This free exhibit is easy to get to, packed with history and so worth the visit......even if you have only seen the movie one time.  The back story of how the movie came to exist was absolutely amazing.

The exhibit is laid out on a time line, showing all the behind-the scenes work to get the movie produced - from getting approval from the book's author, Margaret Mitchell, to finding the perfect actress to play Scarlett (which took YEARS!).  There are over 300 articles that tell the story, including 2 dresses that have not been on display in over 25 years.

I'm sure you recognize this famous dress!

These gorgeous dresses are so much better in person - to see the amount of work that went into their intricate detail - it's amazing.

I don't want to give away all the fascinating things you will see at the Making of Gone with the Wind, but you will see scripts, actual audition tapes of the potential "Scarletts", fan mail, costumes, and producer David O. Selznick's memos.

It's a great exhibit that takes less than an hour to see.  While you are there, make sure to see the Gutenberg Bible and the world's first photograph.

There are several fun events that correspond with this exhibit in Austin, including this:

The Paramount Theatre commemorates the 75th anniversary of the December 15, 1939, premiere of Gone With The Wind. Tickets required and may be purchased online, by phone at 512-474-1221, or at the Paramount's box office.

Exhibition Galleries
Extended Hours for Gone With The Wind (starting Sept. 9):
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
10 a.m.–7 p.m. Thursday
Noon–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Tours
Noon Daily
6 p.m. Thursday
2 p.m. Saturday
2 p.m. Sunday

Gone With The Wind screentests will be shown in the Ransom Center's first-floor theater at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekends, immediately following the public tour.

Closure Dates
The Ransom Center Galleries are closed the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day.

Location
21st and Guadalupe Streets - park in any of the nearby parking lots ($3-5)

Walking with Dinosaurs Cedar Park Center Ticket Discount November 14-16, 2014

The Dinosaurs are coming to Cedar Park - Walking with Dinosaurs that is, and we have a GREAT deal for you to get tickets this month!

Cedar Park Center is pleased to announce the The Walking with Dinosaurs Tour is coming to Cedar Park November 14-16, 2014.  The Cedar Park Center has offered my readers an Exclusive Discount and Walking With Dinosaurs Activity Book for the First 100 Purchasers:

This is your chance to  save $10 on select tickets to Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular! Follow this link  http://bit.ly/WWD_RWTYM and enter promo code TREX in the "Offer Code" box to purchase your tickets. For the first 100 purchasers you will receive a Walking With Dinosaurs Activity Book for your family that you can pick up at guest services the day of the show!

Dinosaurs once again roam the earth when the spectacular production, Walking with Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series, returns to North America this summer. The show that critics have called ‘awesome’, ‘spectacular’ and ‘breathtaking’ will bring the new tour to Cedar Park Center November 14-16 for six performances only.  This updated production will showcase changes to the dinosaurs based on the latest scientific research including the likely feathering of some species. Worldwide, more than eight million people have seen this show in 243 cities and over 2,000 performances.


Don't miss your opportunity to get the $10 off discount and your activity book! 
*All tickets subject to additional fees. This offer is valid Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. – Friday, October 31, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.

Top 11 Halloween Events in Austin 2014

It's that time of year to get spooky - Lots of Fun Halloween Events in Austin!

We narrowed it down to 11 must-do Halloween events for all ages in the Austin area:

Boo at the Zoo!

Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary

October 10th & 11th and 17th & 18th and 24th & 25th, 2014 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Enjoy after hours at the zoo! Come dressed in costume and make sure to bring a flashlight to see the animals at night.  Take a ride on the Haunted Train, all decked out for Halloween. Tickets are $12.50 and include a train ride and unlimited Haunted House visits.  Purchase tickets in advance through the website. So fun to see the zoo at night!

Haunted Trails

Pioneer Farms

October 10th & 11th, 17th & 18th and 24th & 25th, 2014 7 PM - 10 PM

Walk the 3/4 mile trail all decked out for the holiday with spooky scarecrows, lanterns, historic haunted houses, story-tellers, and more! This year's theme will be "Disappearance," featuring a haunted trail where guests will help search for missing loved ones who vanished without a trace from the Sprinkle Corner village, at the hands of legendary Creatures of the Night.  Fortune tellers & hayrides are available for an additional fee. Admission is $12.

Salado's Halloween Fright Trail

Salado's Tablerock Trail

October 18 & 25, & November 1, 2014 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Talk a walk along this spooky trail and see scenes from chosen classical tales of terror and Grimm's Fairy Tales will be reenacted for both the young and the young at heart. $3 per child, $5 per adult

Spooktacular

Bullock Museum

October 24, 2013 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Discover the spooky side of Texas at this family-friendly Halloween extravaganza, featuring performances, games, interactive activities, art, and more for kids ages five and up.  Museum admission is free.

Spooky Skedaddle 5K & Halloween Festival
Texas School for the Deaf
Saturday, October 25, 2014 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This is Austin's only Halloween-themed evening 5K and family fun festival. Come in costume! Runners and walkers of all ages welcome. Registration for the 5K is $30 and includes all festival events and free trick or treating.(1102 S. Congress Ave)

Dia de los Muertos Festival

Pan American Recreation Center
October 25, 2014 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Come learn more about a Celebration of Life at the Day of the Dead Festival  $20 per person

Halloween at the Y

Old Settler's Park, Round Rock

October 25, 2014 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Come to one of the largest Halloween events in Central Texas, this festival includes carnival games, inflatables, rides, climbing walls, FREE Halloween candy, music, prizes, concessions, and more.  There will also be a fun costume contest!  Admission is $6 per person

Halloween Children's Concert

Austin Symphony

October 26, 2014 2:00 PM

A family fun "spook-tacular" show featuring chilling songs for everyone.  Come dressed in your best costume!  What a fun way to get you in the spirit! At the Long Center for Performing Arts, tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Halloween Hootenanny

Thinkery

October 31, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

One of Austin's best family Halloween events, Thinkery's event will feature spooky science activities, a not so scary Storytime and a pumpkin patch that the little ones will love. Come dressed in your Halloween best for their costume parade! Member Child $15, Member Parent $12; Child $17, Parent $15; Children under 2 are free.

Trick or Treat Trail 

Pflugerville Hawaiian Falls

October 31, 2014 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

This is a special event and part of the Hawaiian Falls Pfall Pfestival. Admission is free; activities are $1-8.

Fall Fun Fest

Old Settler's Park in Round Rock

October 31, 2014 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

This year's theme is Pirates! and is THE place to be if you have a pre-schooler! Featuring pre-school & toddler carnival games, hayrides, and fun entertainment. Bring canned goods to donate, as all donations benefit the Round Rock Serving Center. Free Admission

For a really BIG list of October fun, head on over to Free fun in Austin's list of 2014 Halloween Events.

Don't forget that we have already lined up the Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin for you.  And check out the Top 5 Corn Mazes in Texas as well!

Lastly, make up your own spooky visit to an actual ghost town in Manor, TX - read about our experience here. 

Have a Spook-tacular Halloween!!

Barton Hill Farms in Bastrop, Texas {Coupon}

Barton Hill Farms in Bastrop, TX opened this past weekend and it's the perfect place to have the quintessential harvest experience!  With outdoor games, pumpkin patches, play areas, big swings and the best corn maze around, Barton Hill Farms is a fun place to spend an afternoon with the family.  I want to tell you all about why you need to plan a Saturday or Sunday to go AND make sure you take advantage of the Coupon link at the bottom of this article.

Let's face it, here in Central Texas, we don't get a traditional fall.  In fact, we are down right HOT most of September & October.  So it is really great that we can still experience some fall fun with Barton Hill Farms so close to us.

We have visited Barton Hill Farms the past 2 years and plan on doing so again this year.  Here is some of the fun you can experience:

History 
Barton Hill Farms is dedicated to bring outdoor fun and educational events to families in Central Texas.  The history of the farm itself is fascinating, dating back to the 1830s, when it was first settled by Josiah Wilbarger, a survivor of an Indian ambush that left him scalped (read the whole story here).  I loved reading about the history of the land and area on the historical signs that are peppered throughout the farm.

Photo Credit: Barton Hill Farms

Go Horns Corn Maze
In honor of Coach Strong's first year coaching the University of Texas Longhorns, Barton Hill Farms created this AMAZING corn maze (see above - isn't it AWESOME?).  The maze is my family's favorite thing to do here, as it is a challenge. There are themed sets of clues (we chose Halloween History) to help you through the maze.  I had never worked my way through a corn maze before when we tried it 2 years ago and was overwhelmed with how tall all the stalks were.  It was extremely well done, with just the perfect amount of difficulty to make it challenging.  We never got lost and we never wanted to give up.  It really was a great family time. And every Saturday night, they host a Flashlight maze!

Outdoor Fun 
The best part about Barton Hill Farms, other than the corn maze, is the relaxing atmosphere.  There are so many fun things to do at the Farm as a family that you can take your time with and really enjoy yourselves.  throw washers, play in the massive pirate ship/sand box, run around like frontier men in the Fort, hula hoop, and take tons and tons of pictures.  Picnic tables are scattered around with great big shade awnings to sit under.  There are a few drink & food tents as well. This year, they also have a jumping pillow, kayaking on the Colorado River, calf roping, John Deer Trike Track, and farm animals.

Photo Credit: Barton Hill Farms

Pumpkin Patch
Barton Hill Farms also has a great pumpkin patch to select the perfect one to carve or decorate for Halloween.

Live Music
We loved the fact that we could sit as parents and enjoy live music with a cold drink and warm kettle korn.  The farm has live music all day, which makes for a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  After getting their fill of popcorn, the kids ran off to swing some more and allowed us parents to relax and enjoy the farm.  It was wonderful.

Barton Hill Farms will be open on weekends through November 9.

Texas Travel Facts for Barton Hill Farms:

Location: 1115 Farm to Market 969 Bastrop, TX 

Hours: Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm  Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm (Open until November 9)

Admission: 11 and up: $11

                    3 - 10: $8

                    2 and under: free
                    Buy tickets online in advance and save $1!!

Recommended Time: 2+ hours

Good to know: All ages welcome, lots of walking, bring a picnic lunch (tables are available), no pets, bring your camera - lots of fun pictures to be taken!

Website: http://bartonhillfarms.com/

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Barton Hill Farms.  All opinions of the farm, including how amazing I think the corn maze is, are all mine.  

Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin, TX for 2014

One of our favorite things to do in the fall around here is to find the Austin Pumpkin Patches.  Here is your list of all the Pumpkin Patches we could find in the Central Texas area.

Austin Area:

Austin Oaks (Austin): Open October 13th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch & Photo Opps
• 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd., Austin, TX
• Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:30-11:00 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

ACTS Church (Lakeway): Open October 4th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• 1304 RR 620, Austin, TX
• Monday - Friday (noon-6:30) Weekends (10 am - 6:30 pm)

Bethany Lutheran Church (Austin): Open October 12th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Storytelling & Children's activities
• 3701 W. Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX
• Mon-Sun (10 am - 7 pm)

Hawaiian Falls (Pflugerville): Open October 3rd - November 2nd

• FREE Fall Festival each weekend
• Friday (3 pm - 9 pm), Saturday (10 am - 7 pm), Sunday (10 am - 5 pm)
• 18500 N SH 130 SVRD SB, Pflugerville, TX

First United Methodist Church of Georgetown (Georgetown): Open October 6th -  31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Hours (9-dusk)
• 410 East University Ave, Georgetown, TX

King of Kings Lutheran Church (Round Rock): Open October 13th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Hours Vary (check the website)
• Fall Festival on Nov 2. (1-3 pm)

Kyle United Methodist Church (Kyle): Open October 12th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch 
• Monday - Friday, from 2:30 - dusk, Saturday, from 9 a.m. - dusk, and Sunday, from noon - dusk p.m. 
• 408 West Lockhart, Kyle, TX
• Fall Festival on October 18 (11:30 am - 1: 30 pm)

Manchaca United Methodist Church (Manchaca): Open October 4th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Mon-Fri from 2:30 - 8:00 pm, Saturday 10 - 8 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 8 pm
• MUMC Fall Festival (October 25, 2014) from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.   
• hay ride, children's games, a moon jump, food, a cakewalk, crafts, prizes, clowns, music and more (FREE).
• 1011 FM 1626 at Manchaca Rd, Manchaca, TX

Red Barn Garden Center (Austin): Pumpkins available all Fall

• Pumpkin Patch
• Sat. October 18th : Inflatables & Barnyard Animals from 10 am - 4 pm
• 12881 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX

St. John's United Methodist Church (Austin): Open October 14th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Hours Vary (Check website)
• 2140 Allendale Rd, Austin, TX

St. Mark United Methodist Church (Austin): Open October 18th - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch (daily til 7 pm)
• 601 W Braker, Austin

St. Richards Episcopal Church (Round Rock): Open September 27th - October 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Benefiting NetsforLife, The Round Rock Serving Center, and St. Richards Episcopal Church
• Sun-Fri (noon-dark); Sat (9am-dark)
• 1420 E. Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX

Tarrytown United Methodist Church (Austin): Open September 29th - pumpkin sell out

• Pumpkin Patch
• Monday to Friday (2-7 pm), Saturday (9 am - 7 pm), Sunday (12-7 pm)
• 2601 Exposition Rd, Austin, TX

YMCA Camp Twin Lakes (Cedar Park): Open October 1st - 31st

• Pumpkin Patch
• Weekdays: (9:30-12 & 4-7:15); Sat (9-4); Sun (12-4)
• Fall Festival (Oct 19): Inflatables, Hay Rides, Petting Zoo, Vendor Fair and more
• 204 E Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX

Outside Austin:

Barton Hills Farms (Bastrop):  Open Weekends September 27th - November 9th

• Pumpkin Patch
• 5 acre Corn Maze
• Live Bands
• Frontier Games
• Saturdays 10 am - 10 pm; Sundays 10 am - 5 pm 
• Adults $11; Children $8 (Save $1 by purchasing online)
• Read about our experience here

Elgin Christmas Tree Farm (Elgin): Open Weekdays 

• Hay Rides
• Hay Jumping
• Mazes
• Kiddie Train Ride (weekends only)
• Pumpkin Painting
• Animals to Visit
• October Fall Fun: Weekdays & 1st & 4th Weekends - Admission $6
• Pumpkin Festival: 2nd & 3rd Weekends - Admission Adults $8; Children $6

Evergreen Farms (Elgin): Open All Weekends in October

• Pumpkin Hunt
• Wagon Rides
• Petting Zoo
• Pumpkin Launcher
• Train Ride
• Pumpkin Maze
• Rides on an authentic pumper fire truck
• Saturdays (10 am - 5 pm) & Sundays (1 pm - 5 pm)
• Admission is free; Select activities have a fee ($2.50 - $5)

Silo Christmas Tree Farm (Temple): Open Weekends in October

• Kiddie Train Ride
• Maze
• Hay Ride
• Pumpkin Painting
• Feed the Farm Animals
• Pony Rides
• Stuff the Scarecrow
• Weekends 10 am - 5 pm
• Admission is canned food or monetary donation; Purchase tickets for activities ($2-$15)

Sweetberry Farms (Marble Falls): Open September 27th - November 2nd

• Texas Hayfield Maze
• Stuff Your Own Scarecrow
• Scarecrow Island Hayrides
• Sweetberry Express Barrel Train
• Horse Rides
• Berry Bounce
• Pick your own Pumpkins
• Free Admission; Activities are individually priced ($2.50 - $16.50)
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday (8:30 am - 5:30 pm) Sunday (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
• Closed on Wednesdays
• Read about our experience here

25 Fun Things to do in Austin this Fall ~ 2014

I love when fall comes to Central Texas there are so many fun things there are to do here in Austin!!

Here are 25 Things to Do in Central Texas this Fall (2014)

UT Football Game - September 6 - November 27 - UT football is great fun for the whole family - even if you just go down to tailgate and don't even go into the game, it's great fun. Here's 10 Tips to going to a game with kids.


The King & I at ZACH Theatre - September 17 - October 19 - I love the musicals ZACH Theatre brings to Austin, and the King & I will be a great show!  Click here for tickets.

Austin Museum Day - September 21 - The Austin Museum Partnership hosts a day of free admission to over 40 participating institutions.  Check out the details here.

Barton Hills Farm - Saturdays & Sundays September 27 - November 9 We love Barton Hill Farms - this amazing farm has a HUGE corn maze (Horns Themed this year), lawn games, food, and live music.

A Day Out with Thomas - September 27 & 28 -  Everyone's favorite train is coming to Burnet for the weekend.  Head on out to catch a ride....your little one will love it! Here's our experience.

Old Pecan Street Festival - September 27 & 28 - Head on out to the largest arts & crafts festival in Central Texas.  Free admission, festival includes vendors, music, food, & fun.

Spend an evening out in Walburg - Weekends - Have some schnitzel with your Spaten by celebrating Oktoberfest at Walburg's gorgeous Biergarten.  They have some pretty great music too.

Round Rock Chalk Walk - October 3 & 4 - The streets of downtown Round Rock are turned into an Italian street painting festival where everyone is encouraged to create a chalk drawing for free.  Other activities, live music and food are offered at this annual event as well.

Oktoberfest in Fredricksburg - October 3 & 4- Chicken Dance down Main Street at Oktoberfest - Tons of family activities and lots of great food.

Austin City Limits - October 3-5, 10-12 - ACL is 2 weekends full of music and there's plenty to do with the whole family.  I have friends that take their kids each year!

Beauty & the Beast - October 7-12 - Bass Performance Hall presents this Broadway musical - fun for all ages - you can probably sing along!

LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS! - October 11 - October 19 - The Pollyanna Theatre Company presents this theatrical exploration of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Best for students grades 3 – 6 and their families.

Social City Dash - October 18 - We can't wait to try this new race around town using social media clues - great for families too!

Sweetberry Farm - Daily except Wednesdays - One of our favorite Central Texas Farms, Sweetberry features pumpkins, corn mazes, farm animals, rides, flower-picking, and more.

Boo at the Zoo - October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25 - The Austin Zoo's annual fundraiser features a unique way to see the animals - at night.  They also have a haunted train ride that is way fun!

Austin Celtic Festival - October 18 & 19- Join this 19th annual festival for food, dance, sports, music and more!

Shaping Sound at Long Center - October 18 - This is some hard core dancing coming to Austin - check out the video here to see this amazing group.  Any dancers in your family would love this.

rePlay Symphony of Heroes at Long Center - October 18 - Your heroes come to life with this amazing symphony concert.  See the heroes battle on the screen as you hear the music come to life.

UT Star Parties - Wednesdays  - Every Wednesday night while UT is in session the astronomy department sponsors free public star parties on the top roof of Robert Lee Moore Hall. Fridays & Saturdays Every Friday and Saturday while UT is in session the Department of Astronomy hosts free viewing on the Painter Hall Telescope.

Texas Book Festival - October 25 & 26 A FREE family fun event featuring literary sessions, book signings, music, crafts, and more on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. And don't miss the Teen Texas Book Festival held the weekend before - October 18.

Dia de los Muertos - October 25- The Austin Day of the Dead Festival benefits Easter Seals of Central Texas.

Manor Ghost Town - Daily - Right on the edge of Manor sits a complete "Ghost Town" for you to explore. Check out their calendar of events for movies, concerts, dinner, and more.

New Braunfels' WurstFest - November 7 - 16 - Enjoy the best sausage in Texas at this year's WurstFest in New Braunfels, TX Fun for all ages!

WWII Living History Reenactments - October 11 & 12, November 8 & 9 - The Pacific War Museum in Fredricksburg hosts actual Pacific War combat reenactments.  They are fantastic and a great way to spend Veteran's Day.

Walking with Dinosaurs - November 14-16 - If you have a dinosaur fan in the house (and even if you don't), you are not going to want to miss this cool experience at the Cedar Park Center!

Thundercloud Sub's Turkey Trot - November 27 - Benefitting the Caritas of Austin, what better way to burn off that turkey and spend time with family than a fun run?? Click here to register.

Enjoy Austin in the Fall! - Daily - Now that the weather has cooled down a bit, take advantage of all the great outdoor fun we have - Here's a few ideas to get you started:

• Climb to the top of Mt. Bonnell
• Enjoy a day at Zilker Park- Austin Nature & Science Center, ride the Zilker Zephyer, canoe around Town Lake
• Take a leisurely walk around the grounds of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Learn how to Geocache
• Do a Hill Country day trip out to Inks Lake State Park or Enchanted Rock
• Go back in time with an afternoon spent at Pioneer Farms
• Or go wayyyy back to the Prehistoric times at Dinosaur Park 

Happy Fall Y'all!

Complete Guide to Hawaiian Fall Pflugerville ~ Pflugerville, TX

Ok, let me be completely honest with you.  I did not visit Hawaiian Falls all summer long because I am not a waterpark gal. But being that Austin's newest place to play in the water is less than 15 minutes away from our house AND the fact that the kids have been wanting to go all summer, I planned a day to check out the new Hawaiian Falls in Pflugerville.  And I'm glad I did.

Despite the rush to open and hearing all the complaints that came out earlier in the summer about it, I wanted to go with an open mind.  I was lucky enough to get a tour of the park and meet with the General Manager.  Truthfully, I was overwhelmed with how much there was to do at Hawaiian Falls.  Not only do they have a lazy river, one of the biggest wave pools in Texas, and several different types of water slides, they recently opened their Adventure Park with a 7-story ropes course and zip lines that zig-zag all over the park.

We had a great day and I would recommend Hawaiian Falls as a fun place for the big kids to cool down & have fun.  It is convenient for those that live in the Austin area and a fairly inexpensive day.  There is more to do for the big kids than there is for the little ones (see below).  My 11 & 13 year old loved it and can't wait to go back.  My 5 year old is a beginning swimmer and was not tall enough to do most of the slides, so it wasn't as full of a day for him.  Next year, he'll be ready for it.

If you are planning to go to Hawaiian Falls, here is your complete guide to know before you go:

Tickets - The best prices I have found are at HEB or if you bring in a Coke can to the park. Both of these deals offer you $7 off the Big Kahuna ticket.  Also, there are some coupons on the Hawaiian Falls website that offer great deals:

• MauiMoms Mondays - Free Kids Admission with a full price Big Kahuna ticket on Mondays before noon.
• MauiMoms Meal Deal - Free Kids meal with the purchase of a meal on Mondays.
• Tuesdays 2Fer - Buy One, Get One Free Big Kahuna ticket on Tuesdays.

If none of these work, check out the Ohana Combo Pack, that includes admission to the park, one combo meal and all-day drinks for $29.99.

If it rains continuously for 15 minutes or if the attractions are closed due to bad weather, all paid guests will receive a complimentary ticket good for any normal operating day through this Labor Day. You receive the free return ticket even if the park stays open.

*Make sure to keep your receipt or ticket stub. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE TO RECEIVE THE FREE TICKET. (Guarantee excludes season passes and rain or bad weather starting after 4 p.m.)

Parking - Parking at Hawaiian Falls is $5 or you can buy a season pass for $20.

Cooler Policy - If you would like to bring in a cooler with food, snacks, & drinks, you will pay a $10 cooler fee ($30 season pass).  Don't bring with you outside fast food or pizza, alcohol, or glass bottles. If you don't want to pay the cooler fee, you can leave it in your car.  There are shaded (with umbrellas) picnic tables in the parking lot. Also, unopened, clear water bottles are allowed.

Food - Food is available for purchase. As of last week, the Surf Side BBQ sells brisket sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, sausage on a stick, and corn dogs. I think the prices are reasonable too - the 4 of us ate for under $25 and it was pretty good. They also offer large Hawaiian Ices.  Another restaurant is planned to be built for next summer.

Cabanas - Hawaiian Falls has around 15 cabanas for rent for the day.  A cabana can fit up to 8 people and it includes a locker rental, free drinks all day and a server to wait on you.  We had a cabana for the day and it was great to have our own shady spot to hang out in.  Make sure to reserve the cabana in advance, as your admission tickets are discounted too. ($125 weekday/$150 weekend)

Lockers - There are lockers available for rent for $10 ($2 refunded when you return a key).  It is such a small park, that I felt completely comfortable leaving my bags on the chair.

Where is the Shade? - For obvious reasons, get there right when it opens.  While there are many umbrellas for shade over the tables and chairs, you need to get to the park early to claim them.  When we arrived at 11:30, they were all taken.

Is the park good for Little Kids? - Most of the slides require a height of 48" or taller.  There is the lazy river, wave pool and a kiddie splash pool for the little guys.  I would have liked to have seen the inner tubes for the wave pool and lazy river have a bottom, as my 5 year old kept slipping out of them.  Unless you have some strong & brave swimmers, I think this park is geared more toward the big kids.  And that is GREAT - think about the multitude of splash pads and kiddie pools we have in the Austin area, the big kids need a place to play in the water too.

Lifejackets - Lifejackets are available all over the park to use for free.  You are not allowed to bring in your own personal floatation devices and floaties, so it is nice to have these available.

Adventure Park - The Adventure Park at Hawaiian Falls features a 7-story Big Island Adventure Trail for the little kids, a 3-level ropes Challenge Course, and 3 zip lines that fly over the water park (Pineapple Zip Tour).  Everything within the Adventure Park is included with the waterpark admission with the exception of the Pineapple Zip Tour.

Is the Ropes Course Safe? - The 3-tiered, 7-story Challenge course is for 48" and above.  A full body harness and Smart Belay System is used.  There are 2 lobster-claws that attach to the ropes.  When one is off the rope (as when you move from one rope to another), the other is locked in the "clipped in" state.  In other words, you will always have at least one claw attached to the rope at all times.  This gives a mom a great peace of mind when it comes to seeing you 11 year old seven stories high in the sky!

What do I Wear in the Adventure Park? - You are not allowed in the Adventure Park when sopping wet, but you don't have to wear completely dry clothes.  Shirts & shorts are required as well as closed toed shoes (no flip flops).  My son wore his bathing suit with a shirt.

Pineapple Express Zip Tour - The Challenge Course has 2 zip lines, but the really big zip line is the Pineapple Express Zip Tour.  You need to sign a waiver to go on it and pay an additional cost.  The price is less expensive if you buy it online before getting to the park.  My 11 year old did it and said it was AWESOME!

When will the Adventure Park be open? - The Adventure Park will be open year round on weekends after the water park closes.  It was very hot to climb the Challenge course, which took about a half hour to 45 minutes, so I can imagine it will be an awesome winter and spring activity.  The Adventure Park will also be open for team building during the week.

I love the size of Hawaiian Falls.  I felt very comfortable allowing my kids to go off and do a slide or the lazy river and check in with me. I also felt fine leaving my bag on the table of the cabana and getting in the water. As big and exciting as it is for the big kids, as a mom, I felt like this was a small, hometown park.  We ran into several people we knew throughout the day.  And I really like how close Hawaiian Falls is to home.  I could see us buying a season pass next summer and really getting good use out of it.

I think Hawaiian Falls rushed to open and in that time received a really bad rap.  I think the company did the best they could to rush to provide a fun, family option this summer.  The organization is family-owned based on Christian principles. They strive to bring families closer together in a fun way.  I think they succeed with the Pflugerville location.  Now that the summer season is coming to a close,  they will have ample time to finish construction and make improvements before next summer.

Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville Water Park will be open daily through Sunday, Aug. 24, and also Labor Day weekend Aug. 30-Sept. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Water Park will also be open 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7.

This Friday, August 22, 2014 - Hawaiian Falls presents a Luau with Live Music, Hula Dancers, 
Fire Dancer Performance, Special Menu items and more. Luau activities are FREE for all guests to enjoy.  Delicious Luau Meals will be available for only $10. Luau begins a 6 pm. 

Disclosure - My family & I were invited to visit Hawaiian Falls Water Park & Adventure Park.  I was not compensated to write this article.  All opinions are my own. 

12 Fun Things to do for Kids at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa ~ Austin, TX

I am such a fan of a staycation at a resort - especially when the resort has so much to offer kids & families.  Such as the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa on the outskirts of Austin, TX.  Not only do they have an incredible pool, lazy river, and fun night time events for all ages, we recently discovered some other really great things to try next time you are there.

12 Fun Things to do for Kids at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa 

Arts & Crafts Under the Trees

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines has an incredible staff that plans fun activities for kids - from games on the lawn to scavenger hunts with family, these are fun event for all ages.  When we first arrived and our room was not ready, we sat under the trees and made some wooden figures together.  Even though it was July, the shade and wonderful breeze was very comfortable.  Later in our stay, they "branded" leather necklaces.
Activity Rating: Great for my 5 year old son & 13 year old daughter

Water Park 

Truth be told, my kids could spend all day at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines pool and be perfectly happy. If there wasn't so many other cool things to do.....  The pool is really more of a mini water park with a fun water slide, volleyball & basketball area, beach front entry, splash pad and more.  They recently updated everything in the pool within the last year or so, including adding great canopies for shade.
Activity Rating: Fun for all ages

S'mores 

Who doesn't love a little sweet treat after dinner?  Each night, the resort hosts a big bonfire and invite you to make your own s'mores.  Make them just the way you like it and have as many as you want, they are as easy to make!
Activity Rating: Awesome for those who love s'mores

Meet the Mini Mascots

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort has animals all over the property - including these adorable "mini-mascots". They have an actual time to meet them with a handler, but at anytime, you can walk over to their pen and see these gentle creatures. If you're lucky, they will mosey on over to get a scratch behind the ear.
Activity Rating: Perfect for Preschoolers and Animal Lovers

Bike Rides

We love the collection of bikes of every size & shape the resort has available for guests to check out.  We went for a leisurely ride one morning after breakfast.  All the huge trees the resort has make a wonderful shady area to ride in.
Activity Rating: Even though they had bikes with training wheels, my big kids enjoyed riding bikes more

Storytelling with JD

Each evening, in the lobby, JD brings some creatures from his own collection out to meet with guests. He loves to teach guests all about snakes, birds, and more and tell you all kinds of fun stories.  But this is not the only time you can catch him.  JD can be found wandering all over the property with creatures.  We ran into him several different times within our stay, all with a different "pet".  He lets the kids touch/pet them, teaches them about it, and answers every question they may have.
Activity Rating: Great for elementary-aged kids and their parents

Lazy River

Grab a tube (there are plenty) and take a spin (or two.... maybe 3) around the shady lazy river that winds around the pool.  It's so peaceful and relaxing, this momma could spend her whole day here.
Activity Rating: Tubes do not have bottoms, so kids need to be able to hold themselves up. My kids enjoyed it, but didn't make it "lazy & relaxing" like their mom did. 

Pony Rides

Trailhead Renegade at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resorts offers horse & pony rides as well as archery. My 5 year old was invited to try a pony ride and was escorted by 2 lovely teens around the area on Bo.  Afterwards, we could pet him & pose for pictures.  As I mentioned, they have 35 horses that go out on several long horseback rides as well.  I thought it was great that they had an option for the little kids too.
Activity Rating: Awesome for my 5 year old son and those not ready for horseback

Movie Under the Stars

Every night, the activities staff inflate a big, portable screen to show movies on - they showed Monsters University, Brave, & Frozen while we were there.  They serve free popcorn and bring out big towels to stretch out on while you watch the movie.
Activity Rating: Even though they had seen all the movies before, all 3 of my kids enjoyed it

Build Sandcastles

Did I mention there is a beach entry to the pool, and that is is filled with sand?  For my kiddos, who didn't get to see beach this summer, this was a great opportunity to build some fun sand creatures & castles.  Also, you can pull a few beach chairs into the area to sit in the water while your kids play - it's not the beach, but it's the next best thing!
Activity Rating: Great for preschoolers and elementary ages

Horse-drawn Wagon Rides

The horse-drawn wagon rides ended up being one of our favorite things we did.  As they pull you around the property, a nice young man tells you all about these majestic horses, even showing you their horseshoes and answering any questions you may have.  Afterwards, you can pet the horses and pose for pictures.
Activity Rating: Great for my 5 year old son - he asked a ton of questions

Meet the Horses

If you don't have the opportunity to ride on the wagon, take a moment to walk or bike ride around the property to meet some of the animals.  The longhorns, horses, and alpacas are friendly and would love to say hello.  We met these 2 horses (King Author & Guinevere) while we were on our bike ride.  They were cozied up to the fences just begging to be loved on.
Activity Rating: Perfect for my teenager - my youngest was intimidated by their size

There are many other activities that we did not have a chance to try during the 3 days we were there such as birding, kayaking, rock wall & zip lining, archery, fly fishing, tennis, golf, tractor-drawn hay rides, painting your pony....the list goes on & on. There is truly something here for everyone.  Most of the recreation activities are included in the resort fee ($25 per room per day).  Some do have an additional fee.

It's fun opportunities like these that show you, this is not just a hotel, but a world-class family resort. They cater to bringing you a full Texas Experience, from trail rides to s'mores, you can relax and experience it all.  The employees are knowledgeable and helpful.  I love that you can stay at one resort for a week and have a different experience everyday without ever leaving the property.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa remains one of my favorite resorts in Texas.  I highly recommend trying it, especially if you can't get away for vacation.  After a few days here, you won't need one.

Disclosure: My family & I were invited to visit Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa and were provided rooms.  I was not paid for this article.  All opinions are my own.

Mt. Playmore ~ Austin, TX

August in Austin means one thing.  It's HOT outside so we spend the majority of time indoors this time of year.  Lucky for Austinites, Mt. Playmore opened up last week.

Mt. Playmore is an indoor play area in North Austin that features a gigantic playscape, arcade, and snack bar.  It's a great place for playdates for kiddos 4 and up - they do have a toddler area for young ones.  We visited this week to get the scoop on this new place.  Here is what we thought:

What I Loved About Mt. Playmore:

It's Big & Unique: The multi-level playscape is HUGE & complex with lots of fun things to do - slides, zip lines, swings, bungees, rope ladders, and more.  I took with me an 11, 9, and 5 year old and all of them had a great time entertaining themselves for over an hour.

It's cold: I like the fact that Mt. Playmore keeps the thermostat on cold - I may have froze but with all those kids running around indoors, it was nice to keep them cool.

Lots of places to sit: There are big comfy chairs in the center of the large playscape to sit on, and tons of tables & booths near the snack bar.  It was fairly busy when I was there and I still saw a few open tables.   That said, parents are invited to climb and play with the kids in the playscape.

Free WiFi: I was very happy to brings friends for my kids and get some work done. Yay for FREE WiFi!

Magazine Rack: I know, it doesn't take much to make this momma happy.  For those that didn't bring a friend to talk to or a book to read,  there is a magazine rack was full of new magazines to read.

Lots of Employees: I was impressed by the number of employees that were monitoring the playscape - both inside of it and walking around.  It gave me a great peace of mind to know that the children had help nearby if they needed it. The playscape is so large, that it would be difficult to quickly get to a child who needs help.

Secure Entrance & Exit: Both upon entrance & exit, my kids had to match up to the ultraviolet stamp on my arm. I love that Mt. Playmore is serious about making sure kids are leaving with who they came with.

Mt. Playmore does have some room for improvement, but knowing that they just opened up last week, I am sure they are working out all the kinks. And because school is out for the summer, it is really crowded. Being that it is housed in a large warehouse, it is a very loud space, so if you have children who are sensitive to noise, this would not be the place to go while school is out - maybe wait until a fall weekday to try it out.

They do have an area for toddlers - it seems a bit sparse, but I didn't ask if they would be adding more to this area or not.

And it would be nice to be able to bring in small snacks and drinks for the kids.  I understand the policy to not bring outside food in as they have their own snack bar.  I glanced at their menu and it was full of kid-friendly food and salads and sandwiches for adults.  We visited after lunch, so I didn't notice anyone eating to see how the food looked.

Lastly, they have a full-sized arcade with skee-ball, kiddie rides, and video games.  These cost additional money (i.e. tokens) and you can earn tickets to redeem for prizes before you leave.  I suspect that is for older kids who might get bored with the playscape.

I think the cost is reasonable - $9.95 for 4 and up on "non-school days" and $7.95 for "school days".

Overall, my kids enjoyed the time that was spent there, but were ready to leave after an hour and a half.  They were really excited to play on the playscape and ran through it the entire time we were there.  I think they would have liked it more had they brought friends to play with.  That said, this is a great place to set up a playdate.

But don't take my word for it, here's what my crew liked best about Mt. Playmore:
Mt. Playmore is located at 13609 N Ih 35, Austin, TX 78753 Click here for their website.