It’s no secret that Frisco is home to some of the greatest food and restaurants in Texas, and the Frisco cocktail scene is legendary as well. Whether you’re looking to grab a quick pre-dinner drink or putting together a memorable girls’ night out, you’ll want to check out the signature cocktails at these local watering holes.
Sixteen days. SIXTEEN DAYS. That’s how long my kids, ages 5 and 7, will be in my house for Christmas/Winter Break. Please don’t misunderstand me- I LOVE MY KIDS. But that’s a lot of days of uninterrupted face time. So if you’re like me, you’ll probably be looking for some stuff to keep everyone busy, happy, and sane. Here are a few of my favorite FRUGAL HACKS TO SURVIVE CHRISTMAS BREAK.
AT HOME
Staying at home for a full day is daunting for me. But some days, we just need some downtime at home. Here are some things I keep handy to pull out in a pinch.
Art for Kids Hub. This YouTube channel is AMAZING. It’s an artist dad who draws simple characters with his kids in step-by-step fashion. I stream it to our living room TV and set my kids up with some printer paper at the coffee table. Even my 5-year-old loves drawing with them and is super proud of his masterpieces. Be sure you have plenty of refrigerator space after a morning or afternoon of Art Hub!
Kinetic Sand. This has been such a lifesaver for me so many times. Kid sick at home? Pull out the sand. Kids complaining they’re bored? Sand. Kids driving you crazy? SAND. I always put down a tablecloth I got for $3 at Walmart, provide some kind of container and some basic tools like a plastic knife and sand shovel, and let them go to town. In my experience, it hasn’t gotten too messy. It’s easy enough to sweep off the tablecloth and equally easy to vacuum off the floor, if needed.
National Geographic STEM Kits. These kits are a new discovery for us and my kids LOVE them. They’re fairly inexpensive- abut $8-11 for each kit- and provide a solid hour of entertainment for my kiddos. It’s basically a semi-solid chunk of clay that the kids excavate with provided tools, reveling things like dinosaur fossils, shark teeth, insect specimens, and more. The clay chunk is pretty solid and hard to get through, which works in our favor, Mommas- it keeps ‘em busy and engaged! And they learn science stuff along the way. (Bonus: My kids like to take the specimens they unearth from the STEM kits and bury them in the kinetic sand, listed above, for additional excavations. Win-win!)
Bake Something. Ha ha! Just kidding! Don’t bake anything with your kids unless you want to lose your ever-loving mind. Or unless you’re a stronger woman than I (totally possible).
Play-Doh. This seems obvious, but I tend to forget about Play-Doh until I’m pulling my hair out. And it’s so easy! As with the kinetic sand, I provide some basic tools with the Doh (and we have a few kits, like a Play-Doh kitchen and pizzeria) and let my kids’ creativity take over from there. I have to “eat” plenty of Play-Doh pizzas and ice creams, but they really enjoy it and I love hearing them be kind and creative.
OUT AND ABOUT
At my kids’ ages, we tend to enjoy a day where we get out of the house for a least a couple of hours the most. Here are my go-to places for when we need to get out of the house on a budget.
Local Library. The library is a great FREE source of entertainment for kids of all ages! In Frisco, we are blessed with a library that has several play and STEM areas for kids to explore, in addition to computers and iPads preloaded with fun and educational content. Many libraries have the same type of things. Some libraries even offer educational programming throughout the break. And picking out a few special books to read at home is always a treat for my kids!
Visit a Museum. Many museums offer daily free admission. In the DFW area, the following museums are always free: Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection (Dallas), Texas Discovery Gardens (Fair Park, Dallas), Interurban Railway Museum (Plano), Frisco Heritage Museum, Kimbell Art Museum (Ft. Worth), Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth, Amon Carter Museum (Ft. Worth). Many larger cities offer similar free admissions. Research the museums in your area- I think you’ll be surprised! (On a less-than-frugal note, my personal opinion is that a day spent at a museum is money well spent. So there’s always the option of biting the bullet and paying for admission to an educational children’s or science museum.)
Go to the Mall. To kids, the mall can be a magical place, especially at Christmas. The lights! The trees! SANTA! One of my son’s favorite things to do is hang out at the mall, so we often make a day of it. We hit all his favorite stores to window shop (Barnes & Noble, LEGO, Disney, Nordstrom for a balloon, etc.), ride the carousel, play in the play area, and eat lunch in the food court.
Skate Park. Many cities have skate parks that allow the use of different kinds of wheeled vehicles, including bikes, skateboards, scooter, and rollerblades/skates. (Frisco has a GREAT ONE!) My kids would break an arm on a skateboard, but they love riding their bikes around our local skate park. It’s a fun change from our regular around-the-block routine. Plus there’s a regular playground on the skate park grounds for additional, no-wheeled play. Bring helmets!
Ok, Mommas, that’s all I’ve got! Winter break is coming… Be strong. Be brave. Have fun! I wish us all the best of luck! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Rail District is the heart and soul of Frisco. Located in Historic Downtown, nestled along Main Street between the Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road, the Rail District consists of many independent and locally-owned restaurants, boutique shops, and unique entertainment opportunities. While there have been some cosmetic changes to the Rail District since the 1950s, the streets are still lined with vintage, historical buildings which house these restaurants and shops, making the Rail District an exceptionally charming and quaint area of Frisco that everyone should explore!
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to plan and participate in what we termed A Progressive Night Out in the Rail District. Along with another couple, we planned an entire evening to be spent exclusively in the Rail District, with as many stops as we could fit in. One of the best parts of planning a night out in the Rail District is that practically everything is walkable. Just park your car for the evening and you’re off on your adventure!
One of the main things I try to keep in perspective is the difference between a cheap mindset and a frugal mindset. To me, a cheap mindset focuses on making decisions based on spending as little as possible, thereby potentially acquiring inferior products and/or services. On the other hand, a frugal mindset focuses on being intentional about prioritizing spending; you may end up with fewer things, but what you end up with is quality.
Our family strives to carry over a frugal mindset to Christmas shopping and gifting as well. In order to do that, we try to stick to the 4 Gift Principle, where each kid gets 4 gifts: something they WANT, something they NEED, something to WEAR, and something to READ. This means our Christmas looks small on the surface- the bottom of the tree isn’t bursting with presents, and gift opening on Christmas morning takes less than 10 minutes. But the gifts we give our kids are well thought out- it’s stuff we know they want or know they will enjoy for more than one day. We just feel that it isn’t necessary to buy items that won’t be played with often in an attempt to fill out the bottom of the tree. (Plus, our kids are extremely lucky because they also receive gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins at Christmas.)
If you’re thinking about adopting this 4 gift principle, or already do it but are a little stumped on what to gift in each category (like I often am), I’ve listed a few item types (rather than specific items) for each category.
Something They WANT
This “wow” item is what we use as our Santa gift.
Toys (or Crafting Supplies if you have a crafter)
Riding Toys: Bikes, scooters, skates, etc.
Electronics: Gaming systems, system games, tablets, etc.
Something They NEED
This is always the most challenging category for me, but I’ve learned that the “need” gift doesn’t have to be lame. It can be super fun! Just maybe not as flashy as the “wow” want gift.
Sports Registration or Equipment: Sign them up for soccer, basketball, dance, etc., and wrap whatever equipment is needed as the gift to open.
Experience Gifts: Annual memberships, certificates for “a night out with mom/dad,” etc.
School Necessities: Headphones, tablet, new backpack, etc.
Family Board Games
Something To WEAR
We fudge this category a little because we usually give them more than one item of clothing for Christmas. This gift is usually a combination of the following:
Pajamas
New Shoes and Socks
Complete Outfits
Something To READ
This one is fun! I usually choose one seasonal book to add to our growing Christmas book collection, and then one or two age-appropriate books I think they’ll enjoy. If you’re stumped on what kids are reading these days, go check my Recommended Reading post from the summer, which was guest written by a former teacher and mom to kids who love reading.
Having a set framework for Christmas gifts helps keep me from going overboard or getting overwhelmed during this season that can be stressful. And I think reasonably limiting the amount of gifts my kids receive helps them be more thankful for what they do receive, and me and my husband get joy out of seeing them actually enjoy the gifts we intentionally bought for them. And a great bonus is that my house doesn’t get overrun with toys and clutter!
Thank you to Basic Invite for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
This year I stepped out of my usual holiday card creation bubble and created our card through Basic Invite. Since we are quickly approaching the deadline to get holiday cards in the mail (ahhh!), I wanted to tell you about the Basic Invite holiday card options ASAP. But first, here’s a little sneak peek of our card. Isn’t she a beaut??
Basic Invite is a fully custom card, invitation, and stationary company, and WOW- they have some of the best, most contemporary designs I have seen in a while! You can create and customize practically anything you can think of- holiday photo cards 2019, of course, but also wedding, shower, and party invitations, as well as stationary, business cards, and stickers. They even offer dog Christmas cards to include your furry children in the celebrations!
The Basic Invite selection of holiday photo cards and accessories is amazing and includes:
Almost Unlimited Colors. Basic Invite offers over 180 colors to choose from, so no matter where your family pictures were taken this year- a tree farm, your home, the town square, a beach, or even Disney- you’ll be able to match your photos with your card. Basic Invite also offers 40+ colors of envelopes to give your card an extra pop of holiday cheer.
Foil Cards. All that glitters IS gold! Basic Invite offers beautiful foil card options in gold, silver, and rose gold. You can choose flat or raised foil on all designs to add that extra sparkle to your holiday greeting.
Custom Samples. Basic Invite is one of the few card companies that allows customers to order a printed sample of their actual product. I may have thought this wasn’t very important before, but I have changed my tune. I ordered a sample of our holiday card to check out the paper and printing quality, and what did I catch when it arrived? A typo! Which is pretty much my worst nightmare. Something about handling the physical hardcopy made it pop out at me. I was then able to fix it easily online before completing my final order. Side note: I was more than pleased with the exceptional quality of both the paper and the printing.
Address Capturing Service. Are you ready to hear of a true Christmas miracle? Basic Invite offers a service that allows you to share a link with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their mailing addresses. The addresses are then stored in your Basic Invite account to be printed on holiday card envelopes. AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! This makes tracking down friends and family and addressing cards so easy (and free), you guys! I can finally kiss my battered and bruised Excel spreadsheet goodbye.
If you’re looking to get out of the usual holiday card box this year, I suggest you give Basic Invite a try. The design process is easy and streamlined, the number and quality of options is dazzling, and the final products are absolutely gorgeous. And right now, Basic Invite is offering a discount (you know I love a good deal)! Use code 15FF51 for 15% off. That’s a good deal on a high quality product, y’all!
If you need more convincing that Basic Invite is an all-around solid paper and card company, here are a few more custom designs I ordered from them. I mean, just look at that clear business card! I just love them all!
The first US location of KidZania has opened at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco. We had the opportunity to visit on opening day and WOW- it far exceeded our expectations! If you’re not familiar with the concept, KidZania is a huge indoor “city”- over 80,000 square feet- designed for and run by kids. It even has its own Declaration of Independence, which begins, “We, the kids of the world’s cities, countries and continents proclaim our independence from adults.” Thus, in KidZania, the kids run the show and the economy- they go to “work” in over 100 professions (veterinarian, fire fighter, NICU nurse, podcaster, chef, etc.) to earn money (kidZos), which they can then spend on fun experiences (a ropes course, for example) or items at the KidZania Store.
I love this time of year and am so looking forward to what November will bring, especially Thanksgiving. But as much as I love it, Thanksgiving can be easily overlooked, crammed in between Halloween and Christmas. Thus, historically, I haven't been great with distinct Thanksgiving traditions; it's ended up being a quick pit stop before we move on to the juggernaut that is Christmas. So this year, I've decided to try some new things that I think show the possibility of becoming Thanksgiving traditions in our family. Want to fry a few with me?
Start a Gratitude Pumpkin.
I've seen this one a few times over the years, but feel like my kids are just getting old enough to understand, appreciate, and participate in it. It's simple- find a white pumpkin, grab a permanent marker, and have your kids write down things they are thankful for on the pumpkin. Not only will it make a nice centerpiece, it's a great opportunity to instill and practice an attitude of gratitude!
Find a Way to Serve Others.
With all the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to forget that the holidays are not a happy time for everyone. Even in our North Texas bubble, there are many people in need. Consult your local church, food pantry, or area NPOs to find out where the greatest needs are and go help meet them. I love getting my kids involved in charity work as a way to teach them to serve others and to foster compassion in their young hearts.
Write a Hero Letter.
I got this idea from Money Crashers and I love it! Have your kids pick a hero- anyone from grandma to a police officer to a pop star- and have them write a letter to that person explaining why they are thankful for them. As Money Crashers says, "This is an exercise that lets you communicate with your child and talk about admirable personality traits and life goals."
This weekend, my daughter and I were able to attend a stage production of Mirette, presented by Lyric Stage, at The Majestic Theatre in Dallas. Mirette is the musical theatre adaption of one of our favorite Caldecott Medal-winning books, Mirette on the High Wire, by Emily Arnold McCully. In Mirette on the High Wire, a young girl, Mirette, meets a mysterious and melancholy gentleman at her mother’s boarding house in 19th century Paris. Over time, Mirette learns that the melancholy boarder is none other than The Great Bellini- the greatest tightrope performer in the world. But Bellini has developed a debilitating fear of the wire and has thus removed himself from the spotlight to practice his craft in seclusion. Curious and brave Mirette immediately becomes obsessed with learning to walk the wire herself, setting the course for her and Bellini to work together to overcome their anxieties and fears, both of the physical act of tightrope walking and the mental gymnastics required to perform at such great heights.
While my daughter is 7 years old and loves children’s theatre, I was still a little concerned about how she would handle a true theatre production as they tend to be longer and not geared specifically toward children. But to my delight, she loved it! She was able to follow the storyline based on our experience with the book, and the cast of characters- acrobats, a juggler, a mime, opera singer, and ballerina- kept her enraptured for the entirety of the performance. It was very special to both of us to see a young girl not much older than my daughter practice and excel at something deemed “dangerous.” The entire performance spoke to her love of adventure and daring.
Speaking of daring young girls, let’s talk about the star of the play, Mirette, for a minute. Young Emma Grace Freeman shone so brightly as Mirette that neither my daughter nor I could tear our eyes away from her. Emma Grace absolutely owned the stage with her beautiful voice, refined acting skills, and incredible presence. I loved that my daughter was able to identify not only with a strong female character, but also with a brave and talented real-life girl.
The Lyric Stage adaptation of Mirette was an absolute delight. The show has finished its run at The Majestic, but Lyric has two upcoming shows in their Wonder of Women season that I know we’ll go see. First up is Abyssinia, based on the Joyce Carol Thomas book Marked by Fire, which runs February 14-16, 2020. Then hold on to your slippers and get ready for Cinderella in June 2020! My daughter lit up with excitement when she heard the announcement that Cinderella is coming to her favorite theatre. And so did I! We’ll see you there!
I am so excited about this post, friends! This idea comes straight from my friend and super mom, Kallie Henley. Every December, Kallie creates a 25 Days of Christmas outline for her family, where they do something Christmas-related every day in December. LOVE! So with Kallie’s permission, I’ve used a lot of her ideas, added a few of my own, and given it a local twist to create Frugal Frisco Momma’s 25 Days of Christmas 2019! Use this outline any way you like- follow it to the letter, rearrange (though some events are scheduled for specific days), mix and match, or add your own. The purpose is simply to slow down, celebrate the season, and spend time together as a family during this most wonderful time of the year.
Sunday, December 1- Glow in the dark Christmas music dance party (buy green and red glow stick to wear and put inside white balloons)
Monday, December 2- Game night with Christmas cookies and hot cocoa
Tuesday, December 3- Christmas bingo
Wednesday, December 4- DIY Candy Cane Snowmen and hot cocoa
Thursday, December 5- Grapevine Parade of Lights
Friday, December 6- Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Elf
Saturday, December 7
AM- Volunteer (Minnie’s Food Pantry, Frisco Family Services, etc.)
PM- Merry Main Street Frisco
Sunday, December 8- Visit Santa at a mall, Bass Pro Shop, or Cabela’s
Monday, December 9- Mason jar snow globe craft
Tuesday, December 10- Go look at Christmas lights (try Deerfield Plano)
Wednesday, December 11- Make Grinch cinnamon rolls
Thursday, December 12- Watch The Polar Express or Home Alone
Friday, December 13- Holidays at the Heard Science Museum
Saturday, December 14
AM- Gingerbread house assembly and decoration
PM- Parade of Lights McKinney Square
Sunday, December 15- Wonder at Gabe Nesbitt
Monday, December 16- Make cards to deliver to a local nursing home
Tuesday, December 17- Make Christmas ornaments
Wednesday, December 18- Make Christmas tree pancakes for dinner
Thursday, December 19- Take Christmas treats to local fire or police station
Friday, December 20- Vitruvian Lights in Addison
Saturday, December 21
AM- Holiday Crafts at The Shops at Legacy
PM- Christmas Spectacular at The Star
Sunday, December 22- Watch The Star
Monday, December 23- Read the Christmas story and eat dinner around/under the Christmas tree
Tuesday, December 24- Attend a Christmas Eve service at your church (or mine) & read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Wednesday, December 25- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
If you’re a creative and crafty momma like Kallie, you can turn each day’s event into a surprise by creating a garland with laminated note cards. Using a dry erase marker on the cards makes them reusable year after year. So cute!
Photos by Kallie Henley
Spoiler alert for absolutely no one: The holidays are quickly approaching! I love this time of year- holiday anticipation is building, people seem to be in good spirits, the air even feels different. This time of year also reminds us of our blessings and challenges us to find ways to bless others. This holiday season, I’m setting a goal for my family to seek out and participate in as many acts of service as we can. If you and your family want to do the same, I’ve listed a few local options to get involved this November and December. Hopefully we’ll run into you at a few of them!
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SERVICES- An easy way to serve others is to partner with existing organizations by finding out what they need help with and then working to meet those needs. Below are just a few organizations you can partner with to serve others this holiday season.
Frisco Family Services
There are so many ways to contribute to Frisco Family Services as they work to provide for the underserved in our community. You can take your kids shopping for needed food pantry items for donation, or you can organize a food drive with your child’s preschool, play group, or church. No matter how you choose to contribute to Frisco Family Services, your donation will go straight to those who need it most. If you’re not local to Frisco, contact your local food pantry to find out how you can help there this holiday season.
Lovepacs
Lovepacs serves children who are on the free or reduced lunch program by providing them with non-perishable, easy to open, and minimal cooking food items during times when school is out of session, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Lovepacs has divisions across North Texas. Visit the Lovepacs website to select your area and see what items are needed and how you can contribute.
Feed My Starving Children
FMSC is a Richardson-based NPO that serves hungry children and families throughout the world. We are lucky to have them in North Texas so we can volunteer directly with them by packing MannaMeals. The next packing party, for which FMSC needs 5,000 volunteers, is happening November 15-17 in Irving. Visit the FMSC website to sign up to help pack meals.
Minnie's Food Pantry
Located in McKinney, Minnie’s is a great place to donate food items or your time. Minnie’s serves many different needs groups, including senior citizens and veterans. Visit the website to find out how you can donate needed items or time to Minnie’s this holiday season.
Operation Christmas Child
Each year, my family gets so much joy out of packing shoeboxes with simple Christmas gifts and toiletry items for children in countries negatively impacted by hunger, war, and natural disasters. Visit the website to see how you can partner with Samaritan’s Purse to provide some basic needs items, simple presents, and the Good News of Jesus to children in need. Collection week is coming up November 18-25!
OTHER WAYS TO SERVE- If you are unable to partner with an existing organization, or just want to take another path in your service, here are a few ideas of things your family can do to get involved this holiday season.
Make Thanksgiving and Christmas cards and hand-deliver to a local nursing home
Ask your children’s teachers if they’ve observed any child in their class who is in need of a winter jacket and provide one- you don’t need to know who the child is, only the size of coat they wear
Volunteer at a local animal shelter, or donate needed items such as pet food and blankets/towels
Clean out your closets and donate gently used items, especially coats and warm clothes, to a local community outreach center
Participate in “Random Acts of Kindness” by leaving encouraging notes or cards around town for others to find- it’ll bring them joy
Pick up the tab the next time you see military or law enforcement members eating at a restaurant
Bake cookies for neighbors or church members
Donate blood (adults only, obviously)
Contact your local church to find out if they are offering any service opportunities (for example, my church just hosted a large packing party for local food pantries at which hundreds of members were able to easily participate)
This time of year offers many ways for us to help others and, by example, model love, compassion, and service to our children. I’d love to know how your family plans to give back this year. Drop me a comment and let me know!
Have you heard it? The coughs, sniffles, and sneezes as you make your way through your daily business? Have you felt it? The congestion, cough, and want-to-stay-in-beds? Sick season is here, y’all. It is NOT the most wonderful time of the year. But if you happen to find yourself down and out with a cold, the flu, or any other nonsense, there are several go-to feel goods out there. They may not heal you, but they can make your sick journey a little less miserable. Here are my Top 5 Sick Season Feel Goods, just a DoorDash away.
Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea - The secret menu Medicine Ball now has a real name at Starbucks- Honey Citrus Mint Tea. It’s a flavorful concoction of hot water, steamed lemonade, Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea, Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, and a bit of honey. Add a pump of peppermint for extra throat soothing if you wish. It may not heal what ails you, but it may make you feel a little better as you snuggle under your blankie on the couch and binge Netflix.
Chick-fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup - Don’t tell granny, but this chicken noodle soup may just rival hers. And on a raw, scratchy throat, it is like manna from heaven. Don’t even pay attention to the sodium content in this one. It’s about self-care, ladies and gents, and that requires some salt.
McAlister’s Deli French Dip Sandwich - If you need to sink your teeth into something hearty and filling while you’re ailing, try the French Dip from McAllister’s (again, ignore the sodium content- it’s not relevant at this time). The warm, melted Swiss is soothing enough, but dip it in that au jus and you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.
la Madeleine Tomato Basil Soup - This is a classic. I have been eating la Madeleine soup for years, in good health and bad. Find some soft bread, maybe a grilled cheese sandwich, to dip in and eat to your health. I’ll also throw la Madeleine’s Country Potato Soup in the mix- it’s equally good and comforting.
Tom Yum Soup - If you need something to open up those sinus passages, dig into some aromatic, immunity-boosting Tom Yum soup with chicken. There are several Thai restaurants with great Tom Yum around, including Asian Mint, Best Thai, and Simply Thai Bistro. Pick your favorite and go for it!
Bonus:
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets - This one comes straight from my husband. When he was growing up, his parents would get him Chicken McNuggets when he was sick. To this day, he’ll ask me to go pick up some nuggets and BBQ sauce anytime he isn’t feeling well. It may be purely psychosomatic, but it usually perks him up. So don’t underestimate the power of past comfort foods! And McNuggets with BBQ sauce.
Despite our fickle and unpredictable weather (will it be 94 or 49 degrees!?), we love fall festivals here in North Texas! So plan your costumes, find your candy buckets, and prepare for a season of fun! Here are 25 Fall Festivals and Trunk-or-Treat Events in North Texas.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Trick-or-Treat at the Farmstead
Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum (Plano)
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 10am-12pm
Ages: Recommended for 18 months - 9 years
Cost: $8/child, $4/adult
The Frisco Fair
Where: Frisco Fresh Market
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 5pm - Nov. 3 at 10pm (times vary by day)
Ages: All
Cost: Pay to play
Heritage Halloween
Where: Frisco Heritage Center Depot
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 6-9pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Stonebriar Fall Festival
Where: Stonebriar Community Church (Frisco)
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 6-9pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Fall Festival and Trick-or-Treating
Where: Frisco Fire Safety Town
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 6-9pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
McKinney Monster Dash 5k & Fall Festival
Where: TUPPS Brewery
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9am-3pm (race starts at 9am, other events begin at 10am)
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (food and drinks available at additional cost)
Habitat for Humanity Birthday Bash & Monster Mash
Where: Habitat ReStore McKinney
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10AM-2PM
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
The Star Car Show
Where: The Star in Frisco
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10am-2pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Beer & Boos Fest
Where: Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, Noon-4pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (drinks not included)
Bach & Broomsticks
Where: Watters Creek (Allen)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, Noon-2pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Halloween Trick or Treat & Crafts
Where: Legacy West (Plano)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-4pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Cook Children’s Prosper Fall Fest
Where: Cook Children’s Prosper (Pediatrics Windsong)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-5pm
Ages: All
Cost: Free
Trick or Treat The Rail District
Where: The Frisco Rail District
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-5pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Friscovania
Where: Toyota Stadium (Frisco)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-8pm
Ages: All (though some attractions might be scary to younger attendees)
Cost: FREE (food, drinks, and experiences available for purchase)
Wind Rose Annual Teal Pumpkin Trunk or Treat (Allergy Friendly)
Where: Wind Rose Academy (Plano)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-6pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
1 Million Pieces of Candy Fall Festival
Where: Cottonwood Creek Church (Allen)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 4-7pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Trick or Treat Trail
Where: McKinney Community Center
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 4:30-9pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Halloween/Christmas Mash-Up
Where: The Shops at Willow Bend (Plano)
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8:30pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Beware! of the Square
Where: Celina Main Street & Historic Square
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 6-10pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Movie Night at The Star - Hocus Pocus
Where: The Star in Frisco
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 7-9pm
Ages: All (movie is rated PG)
Cost: FREE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
Trick-or-Treat The Square
Where: Frisco Square
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 11am-6pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Family Fun Fest
Where: Elevate Life Church (Frisco)
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 4-8pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (or can upgrade to all-access wristband for $30)
Bent Tree Church Community Trunk or Treat
Where: Verona Villa (Frisco)
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 4-6pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged and appreciated)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
Kids’ Spooktacular
Where: Legacy Hall (Plano)
When: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 9am-12pm
Ages: All
Cost: $15 (ages 1+)
Fall Festival
Where: Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco)
When: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
My 7-year-old daughter and I made the short drive to Farmers Branch, Texas, to attend Frozen Jr. at The Firehouse Theatre this afternoon. It was such a treat! I was a little nervous that my daughter would feel too old to enjoy the Frozen story line (she’s been resistant to the movie and merchandise for a few years now), but she LOVED it! It was really special to see her light up over the presentation and theater of it all, not only the subject matter. She stayed engaged the entire time and left saying she’d like to attend theatre camp and perform on stage.
The particular group of kids making up the cast of this Frozen Jr. production is among the best children’s theater I’ve ever seen. All of the leads sparkle and shine on stage- particularly the character of Anna, who was just as charming and awkward as you’d hope she’d be- and the rest of the ensemble was simply fantastic as well. Gosh, those kids can sing and dance!
Clocking in right at an hour and a half, including intermission, this show is the perfect length for a children’s program. (I’ve been to a few at other theaters that drug on and on, losing half of the young audience in the process.) Additionally, the exposition was almost entirely in song form, which helped keep the attention of the young audience members and moved the story along quickly and smoothly.
The Firehouse Theatre is small, intimate, and very charming. Originally built in 1958 as a working fire station for the City of Farmers Branch, the station was remodeled into a community theatre in 2012. And there isn’t a bad seat in the house! The theatre offers production options for all audiences, with Firehouse Jr. productions catering to younger audiences and families, as well as more mature productions for adult audiences.
I am delighted to have found this theatre gem and look forward to attending several of their upcoming shows in 2020! Frozen Jr. runs now through October 13, 2019. Go see it if you have the opportunity!
*Cover photo credit: Brandon Tijerina
I spent last weekend with a beautiful-inside-and-out friend who has an incredible story and two fantastic special needs kiddos. Stephanie is the author of a very popular blog about her family’s experiences in the special needs world. But even she, with all her access and resources, still struggles to find local events that are accommodating to children with special needs, including needs that are less visible, like Autism Spectrum Disorder. I think we all agree that it’s critically important for children of all abilities to have a wide range of life experiences. And to all kids, festive holiday celebrations and experiences are second to none.
So piggybacking on some of Stephanie’s research, I did some some research of my own to come up with a list of local(ish) sensory-friendly family activities. However, I ran into many of the same challenges as Stephanie. You’ll notice that many of the events on this list are in Dallas Proper. While I’m thankful for these events, I was hoping to find more options closer to home (Frisco, Plano, McKinney areas). But there just don’t seem to be as many publicized opportunities in Collin County. You’ll also see that only a couple of these options are actual seasonal events (Fall/Halloween, in this case). Therefore, I welcome any reader suggestions of other sensory-friendly events that I wasn’t able to find online or otherwise haven’t heard of. Please let me know about them in the comments!
Boo Bash (It’s a Sensory World, Dallas)
“Boo Bash is our annual Halloween Carnival that is open to the entire community. This event offers families a way to practice the concept of trick-or-treating in a sensory and communication-friendly environment. We provide non-edible and edible treats keeping in mind that some of the participants may have mild to severe food allergies. This event also features carnival games, a costume dance, bounce houses, concessions and our ever popular Boo Bus!” Boo Bash is on October 26 and is a ticketed event.
Sensory Mornings at State Fair of Texas (Dallas)
“The State Fair will host Sensory-Friendly Mornings every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fair welcomes individuals with autism, in addition to individuals with other intellectual disabilities, their families, and anyone else who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience. Modifications around the Fair will include sound and light adjustments on the Midway. In addition, the Fair will provide a guided itinerary for families to get the most out of their visit to the annual exposition during Sensory-Friendly Mornings. The Midway opens at noon on Wednesdays, and the usual sights and sounds of the Midway will come on at exactly 1 p.m.”
Sensory Sundays at Crayola Factory (Plano)
“Sensory Sunday! Join us for a special morning designed for kids and families who would like to experience the attraction adapted just for sensory needs. Lights will be dimmed, music will be turned off, quiet room/space, special character appearance.” Sensory Sunday hours are 9-11 a.m.
Special Needs Screenings at Studio Movie Grill (all locations)
“Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights up and the volume lowered and children are free to move around, talk, or even dance in the aisles during the movie. The sensory friendly screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings (parental guidance is always suggested). Adult tickets are available at before-noon price. Special Needs Screenings are shown at 11:00am at all SMG locations except EpiCentre.”
AMC Sensory Friendly Films (Frisco)
“AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.” The nearest North Texas location is AMC Stonebriar 24 (Stonebriar Mall).
Jumpstreet (West Plano)
“Jumpstreet with be hosting a semi-private event on the first Saturday of the month for children with special needs.” The private hour is from 9-10 a.m.
Sensory Story Time at Frisco Public Library
“Enjoy a family story time geared toward children who are on the autism spectrum and/or are sensitive to sensory overload. Enjoy books, songs, and sensory activities.” Sensory Story Times are at 11 a.m. every Saturday.
SNAP (Special Needs and Autism-Friendly Programs) Storytime at Plano Public Library
”An interactive, inclusive storytime ideal for children with special needs such as autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration challenges or short attention spans. Activities are designed to stimulate the senses and promote learning - read books, sing songs, move around and have fun!” Ages 3 and up. Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the Davis branch. Registration is required.
SNAP (Special Needs and Autism-Friendly) Science Explorers at Plano Public Library
”Learning and hands-on science activities geared toward children with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration challenges or short attention spans. Activities will focus on K-2nd grade level materials.” Dates are October 26, November 23, and December 21 at 1 p.m. at the Haggard branch. Registration is required.
Sensory Days at the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Dallas Zoo
Each of these institutions offer various Sensory Days throughout the year that cater to children with autism and their families. Please visit the link above to learn more about what these Sensory Days include and when they are scheduled.
I hope your families are able to experience some of these special events this fall and beyond! Fall for ALL!
It’s fall, y’all! Sure, it may still be in the 90s here in Texas, but our state has a strong FALL SPIRIT despite the heat. Fall is our family’s favorite season- we love the (forthcoming) respite from the heat, the pumpkin patches and festivals, and change in outlook and attitude that comes with each new season. Fall is also the best season to find free or cheap family entertainment. There are so many options for family fun! I’ve collected 5 of these options for you to try.
Fall Festival and Farmers Market at Shades of Green (Frisco) - Shades of Green is the cutest plant and flower nursery in North Texas! And in the fall, Shades of Green turns into a pumpkin wonderland. Be sure to join Shades of Green for their free Fall Festival and Farmers Market on Saturday, October 5, for hayrides, face painting, petting zoo, and crafts, as well as seasonal produce, fresh eggs, and other locally-sourced goodies.
Pumpkin Hollow (Little Elm) - Make the short trip to Little Elm Park for their 3-day Pumpkin Hollow event (evenings October 17-19). This free event will feature an old-fashioned carnival, hay rides, and lighted pumpkin trail. The Haunted Hallow experience is $10/person (looks like it could be too intense for younger kids).
Beer & Boos Fest (Frisco) - Brought to us by the Frisco Roughriders, this free event will be held at Dr. Pepper Stadium on Saturday, October 26. Beer & Boos will feature a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, costume contest, trick-or-treating, and catch on the field. A commemorative cup and two drink tickets can be purchased by adults for $10 here.
Friscovania (Frisco) - Friscovania at Toyota Stadium is now free to the public! This annual event is on Saturday, October 26, this year and will feature trick-or-treating, live music, a haunted carnival, magic shows, costume contests, food trucks (for purchase), and more!
Trick-or-Treat the Square - Wear your costumes and come out for some free trick-or-treating at Frisco Square on Sunday, October 27. This event is held during the daytime so is very kid-friendly and fun for the whole family. There will also be carnival games, hayrides, inflatables, a game truck, and vendor fair.
And that’s 5! But there are so many more fall events happening in and around Frisco this coming month. Be sure to check the Frugal Frisco Momma Events Calendar for more events- it’s jam packed! Happy fall, y’all!
Last week I made a list of 5 Affordable Girls’ Night IN Ideas. This week, I’m talking about affordable girls’ night OUT ideas! It’s amazing how a night out with the girls can quickly add up to a lot of dollars. While we all value our friends, I’d rather focus on spending quality time with them rather than stressing over how much the signature cocktail costs or if my wallet tells me I need to head home before the final stop of the evening. If you and your girls are in the same boat and want to focus on quality time rather than an expensive time, check out these ideas. I think you’ll find they foster even stronger girl bonds than any overly expensive night.
Friends’ Staycation. Big girls’ trips can really tip the scales to unaffordable if you end up needing to purchase a plane ticket to attend. But a staycation may not be out of reach! Pick a local hotel that has a good bar and a good pool- bonus if there’s a bar IN the pool- and split the room and cost by the number of girls attending. Sharing a room with several friends is not only economical, it’s really nostalgic, like a 1990s sleepover. Depending on the venue you choose and the activities you undertake, a staycation can end up being incredibly affordable for the amount of fun you’ll have and memories you’ll make.
Night at the Museum. Many museums offer free admission or have free or reduced evening prices. But the Dallas Museum of Art takes it to another level with its Second Thursdays with a Twist. Tickets for these events are only $5 and include full access to the museum. So you can get your culture on while also participating in whatever themed events have been arranged by the museum. For example, one upcoming event is centered around The Office with trivia, Office-themed tours by a local improv troupe, and themed food options. Come for the art, stay for trivia. You will leave quite satisfied! (That’s what she said.)
Yoga in the Park. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a yoga newbie, yoga with friends is always good for a few belly laughs. And you might just get some good stretches out of it! My yogi friend Erika teaches a FREE yoga class in a local park every Sunday evening. If you and your girlfriends live in or around Frisco, it’s a great option for spending time with your girls before the long week begins. If you’re not in Frisco, search around. I think you’ll find that there are more free or paid drop-in yoga classes than you think.
Book Club. Take clubbing in a different direction. Pick a book, a local coffee shop, and you’re good to go! We have no shortage of adorable, independent coffee shops in our area of North Texas, including Summer Moon, Karmic Grounds, and Nerdvana, just to name a few. If you do end up meeting friends at a coffee shop, be sure to check the hours first to make sure they’re open at night. And don’t forget to order decaf!
Happy Hour. If all else fails, keep it simple- hop on the InstaHap app, find a local happy hour, and get your margs, chips, and salsa on! InstaHap categorizes local happy hours by night of the week and location (only DFW right now, but they’re working on expanding to other cities and metroplexes). You’re almost certain to find some specials in your area on whichever night you choose.
By saving some cash on night out events, hopefully you and your girlfriends will be able to meet more frequently instead of once in a blue moon. Because at the end of the day, time spent together is never a waste, no matter how much money you spend (or save).
Do you need a Girls’ Night? I know I do! But sometimes a night out is the last thing my bank account needs. As wonderful as they can be, between the drinks and the apps and the ‘zerts and the more drinks, GNOs can get pretty expensive. So why not flip the script and opt for a Girls’ Night IN? Put on some sweats, tighten that top knot, and gather your girlfriends on the sofa! I’ve come up with five affordable options for your next GNI.
Game Night and Potluck. If your group of friends is up for some games and food (who isn’t!?), this is for you guys. Have everyone bring a snack or a drink. It can be as simple as a few bags of chips, some fruit, and/or a bottle of wine or two. Then gather around for some simple games. A few I suggest for this type of gathering are Catchphrase, Exploding Kittens, What Do You Meme, or pretty much any game with cards because they tend to be fast-moving and easy to take a break from for a quick side-chat.
TV Night In. Some of my favorite girls’ nights have centered around The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. So whatever your guilty reality TV pleasure, invite your besties over to experience the train wreck together. Have everyone bring a little snack or drink and your night is made! Don’t forget the stretchy pants and statement earrings. And remember, Aldi has all the ingredients you need to make a killer charcuterie board.
Spa Night. If you and your girls need a relaxing evening with some heart-to-heart conversation, you can opt for a spa night in. This one is so fun and easy- pick up some single-use face masks (the more Hannibal Lecter-looking the better- think about the Insta pics), slice some cucumbers, add some bubbly, and have a cathartic venting session with your squad.
Service Project Night. Look online to see what items your local food pantry is in need of and “charge admission” in the form of food items for each friend. No matter how many friends or how many items they each bring, your GNI will be a blessing to people in your community. You could even play a game in which the loser (or winner!) is the one who gets to drop the food haul off at the food pantry. Another option for a GNI service project is to make Homeless Care Packages. Have each girl bring multiples of one item on the list, then combine and construct the packages as you sit around and chit chat. Split the packages evenly between the girls to distribute to any homeless or otherwise needy people you come across as you go about your daily lives.
Craft Time. Know what’s a fairly easy and cheap to DIY that even I can do? Seasonal wreaths. Find your favorite DIY wreath instructions online, source your materials from the local dollar store, and have a crafty evening with your girls! If your friends are a crafty group, you can always choose a more intricate craft, but wreaths seem to be a perfect fit for me and my friend group. My favorite dollar store wreath tutorial is here (and Her Happy Home has so many more great dollar store DIYs on her blog).
No matter what girls’ night activity you choose, the important thing is to carve out some quality time with your girlfriends, whether that looks super fancy or super casual. Because when it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year… they’ll be there for you. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
As parents, we all know there is a huge difference between a vacation and a family trip. A vacation is an adults-only getaway that is full of relaxation, lingering meals and experiences, and refueling for the return to real life. A trip is when well-meaning parents travel with their offspring in order to parent them in a different location for a few days. Very little about a trip with kids is relaxing, lingering, or refueling. But somehow, family trips still hold some of my favorite memories that I will cherish forever. But as parents of two young kids, our vacations have turned into trips, and we strive to make the best of it.
As a family that chooses to live frugally, out of both necessity and as a lifestyle, we always try to keep costs down on family trips without cutting any important corners or missing out on experiences. While we weren’t able to schedule a family trip this summer, but we have a fall trip in the books. Here are the ways we’re preparing and planning our trip with frugality and fun in mind.
Use Google Flights Tracker
This is my husband’s world, but he explained the process to me. When we’re thinking about planning a trip that involves flights for our family of 4, he begins tracking the possible flights using Google Flights. Through this free Google service, he is able to set search parameters to our specific destination and dates to search for the cheapest flights across all airlines (excluding Southwest Airlines- Google doesn’t track SW for some reason). Once he sets the parameters, he’ll usually track those flights for a week or two to determine trends in pricing, then purchase the tickets on whichever day they’re at their lowest price. (Side note: While Spirit Airlines often comes in at the lowest price, we do not fly Spirit because of their exorbitant add-on fees and lack of a family-friendly flight experience.)
Go Off-Season
Know what’s beautiful in April? Paris. Know what’s beautiful in September? Paris. But going in September, as we did, will cost you a lot less than going in April. As a general rule for most destinations, airline tickets, hotel rooms, and even some experiences and attractions tend to cost less during off-season months. I actually prefer traveling during non-peak, off-season times because I feel like we get a more authentic, less tourist-ey experience. And as an introvert, I’m easily overwhelmed by big crowds of tourists, especially if my kids are in the mix, so traveling off-season ticks many of my boxes- it’s the frugal option that keeps me sane and anxiety-free while we’re away.
Go Somewhere You Have Friends or Family
My husband’s family has a house on Lake Michigan, so guess where we’re going this fall… Lake Michigan! We get to stay at the lake house there and earn our keep by leaving the place cleaner than when we arrived, chipping in for groceries, and paying a small portion of what we would pay for a hotel or condo. Of course, we don’t always travel to places we have friends or family who are willing to put us up, but having that option for about every other trip keeps costs down on the whole.
Stay Somewhere with a Kitchen
If possible, stay in a place that has a kitchen, or at least a refrigerator and microwave. We are a family that values good food and dining experiences. However, dragging my kids into restaurants three times a day for a week or more is not high on the list of things I like to do. Plus it gets super expensive! So when we’re on a family trip, we make it a point to stay somewhere that has a kitchen. Then we stock up on a few grocery items at a local grocery store when we get there. We try to eat one meal per day at “home,” which usually ends up being breakfast or dinner as we’re out doing fun stuff during the day.
Have a Staycation or Go Somewhere Close to Home
This is a well-worn piece of advice, but it’s a good one! On Mother’s Day weekend this year, we packed up and drove about two hours to a nephew’s high school graduation party. Instead of turning around and driving back home the same day, we decided to make a weekend of it and stayed in a local hotel that had a pool. My kids still talk about what a great weekend we had. Their favorite part (apart from the pool)? “Talking” on the landline phone in the room! Who’d have thought? So we’ve decided that we’ll make it a tradition and go someplace close to home each Mother’s Day weekend. Nothing fancy or expensive, just some time together in a new environment, provided that environment has a pool and a landline. And maybe a spa for momma.
Make Your Itinerary Before You Go
My husband is the Itinerary King. He’s armed with a detailed schedule weeks before we embark on a trip. He creates room for flexibility, though, so it’s not set in stone. But planning at least a loose itinerary in advance is a great way to save money when you’re away from home. Before we leave, we research our destination location for attractions that are free or have reduced price days. You’d be surprised how many museums, aquariums, zoos, and other attractions have either free or reduced admission days. It’s such a huge letdown when you show up at the museum only to realize the day before or after would have been free. So we plan ahead to go to those places on free or reduced days. Easy peasy!
Don’t Underestimate (Free) Local Spots
It was hard for me to accept when we first started traveling with our kids, but not every second needs to be big, shiny, and expensive. One of my kids’ absolute favorite things to do when we’re on trips is to check out the local parks and playgrounds. We’ve even learned that one parent can take the kids to a local park while the other parent gets a nap! And then we switch the next day. A local playground will easily knock out an afternoon, and I know we all enjoy the downtime. So just do a little Google research to find the local playground talent in your desired destination.
There ya have it! While we try to live and travel frugally, we also don’t cut too many corners, cheap out, or even jump through any complicated hoops to save money (you will NEVER catch me on Groupon, for example, but that’s a post for another time…). We just use a little common sense and strategic planning to make our time and our money work for us the way we want it to.
What about you? What are your frugal travel tips?
School is back in session which means some of us stay-at-home moms have a little extra time on our hands. Once we get caught up on all the housework that we let slide over the summer (cleaning the house with kids in it is like trying to bathe a rabid raccoon), what’s next? I’ve come up with a list of free(ish) things for moms to do while the kids are in school. Check them out, try a few, and let me know what other things to add to this list.
Join a Bible Study - If you’re like me, you may have let quiet time and Bible study slip over the summer as well. Now that the kids are back in a solid routine, it’s the perfect time to find and join a Bible study. This fall, I’m again joining BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). If BSF isn’t your cup of tea, there are many churches in the area with weekly women’s Bible studies, many with childcare for infants-preschoolers!
Volunteer - This makes me sound selfish, but knowing I’m being helpful to others makes me feel good; it’s a natural pick-me-up for me. So if you find yourself with some time on your hands, find a local organization to spend some time with in a voluntary capacity. Check out my list of local non-profit organizations that would love to have your help.
Podcast + Declutter - I’ll probably get a lot of side eye for this statement, but I love to declutter. I once had an interior decorator come over to give her opinion on a few things and she assumed we had lived in our home for less than a year— we’d actually lived there 8 years. That’s how serious I am about minimalism. So one of my favorite things to do is pop on a podcast and get to business cleaning out drawers, closets, and cabinets. Check out my list of top 10 podcasts for listening inspiration.
Yoga - There are so many good (and free) yoga videos online these days, especially on YouTube and Amazon. Clear some space in front of the TV, find your favorite flow, and get in some good stretches. I find this can only be done at home when the kids are in school, otherwise I’m just a human jungle gym. You could always just take a nap, too.
Teach Yourself Something New - Before I started my blog, I knew absolutely nothing about web design. I still don’t really know much about design because I use a template program that does a ton of stuff for me, but I’ve still learned so much. So think of something you’ve always wanted to learn- hand lettering, painting, sewing, etc.- and teach yourself to do it. It’s been very satisfying and cathartic for me.
Coffee Shops - I love to go to coffee shops (local rather than chains) and just sit. I always take my laptop and/or a good book, but I usually end up doing more people watching than reading or writing. Something about it is very comforting and relaxing to me. If you’re in the Frisco area, we have some local coffee shop gems for you to try: The Book Shoppe & Coffee, Summer Moon, Nerdvana, and Global Peace, among others.
Join a Book Club - Or start your own book club! Find a handful of friends or acquaintances, pick a book to read, and set a date to get together to discuss it. In my experience, most book clubs are actually code for social hour, and I’m here for it. We were created to crave community and belonging, and getting together with friends fits that need perfectly, whether you discuss literature or not.
Create Photo Books - You know those 5,000 photos trapped on your phone? Do yourself a favor and turn them into gorgeous photo books! Books with actual pages with actual printed pictures on them so real people can actually see them. It takes a bit of time, but I never regret doing this. And the extra storage space on my phone comes in handy, too. Companies like Shutterfly, Mixbook, and Snapfish often run really good deals to get these books printed.
Meal Plan - I’ll get some side eye for this one, too. But it has to be done! And with online grocery shopping and pick up, it’s never been easier. I like to sit at my computer with my favorite cookbooks and get to shopping, creating our meal plan for the week. It sure beats fielding a million questions coming at my face non-stop while I’m trying to create a meal plan on the fly in the aisles with my kids.
Return All the Things (This one will actually make you some money!) - It’s time, ladies. It’s time to return that big pile of miscellaneous, ill-fitting clothing, shoes, and home decor items that are taking over your closet. Gather it up, organize your receipts, and make a day of it. And if you happen to find something cute to exchange an item for, that’s still a win.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Today was a crappy day. A REALLY crappy day. Normally I would go down the list in excruciating detail, describing all the things- big and small- that made it crappy, like my 4-year-old’s sudden independence regression where he won’t even step foot into the bathroom by himself and has seemingly forgotten how to put on his own underwear; about my 6-year-old’s mood swings from heck, which are new to us these last few weeks and are super fun; or even the epic battle I had with my 4-year-old over him chewing on GRAVEL today. GRAVEL. And then my husband… well, let’s just say I thought back and counted on one hand the number of times he’s washed a load of laundry in our almost 10 year marriage. (He’s good at other things.) Those are just a few of the challenges we experienced today. So tonight? Tonight I’m exhausted. And emotionally spent. And ready for a nice, long break from all these humans whose lives depend on me.
But if you follow me on social media, you probably think we had a great day. Restaurant pancakes for breakfast with everyone wearing pants and smiles? Success. Calm crafting in the afternoon? Hitting it out of the park. But it’s not true, not really. The pancakes came with a side of hissed threats that if they didn’t stop crawling under the table, we were never going to eat at a restaurant again. Crafts ended when the whining over the Emler’s got to be more than I could handle and I sent everyone to their rooms, including myself. Sure, we did all the things, but almost every single minute was fraught with conflict and bickering, both between my kids, and between me and my kids. They served it up like Federer, and I took the bait too many times. We were just off the rails today.
I wish I could say that when bedtime came around, we snuggled and read books and reconnected and apologized. But we didn’t. They were tired. I was tired. And all I wanted was for them to be asleep. So I rushed bedtime- no books, no stories. Just two hugs, kisses, and ugga-muggas each, then lights out.
I think it’s ok to admit when we’ve had a crappy day and that sometimes our children do not behave like the angels we make them out to be on Instagram. And it’s certainly ok, even healthy, to admit that I am not nearly as perfect a woman, mother, and human as I make myself out to be on Instagram. So here’s my confession: I wasn’t a great mom today. My kids got under my skin and I fought back. I didn’t pick my battles, so I fought them all. I was impatient and short-fused, irritable and sensitive. And like the predators they are, my sweet angels picked up on it and began to circle. So yeah. It was a crappy day.
But maybe tomorrow I’ll have the perspective to see that this crappy day is just a drop in the bucket, that not every day will be like this. I’ll read all the mommy-powerment quotes and articles and essays about how we must extend grace to ourselves and our littles, and how each day is a new opportunity to be and do better. And maybe I’ll believe it. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll remember that these children of mine are actual, literal treasures, entrusted to me by a gracious God to raise into good, kind humans. But tonight? But tonight I’m tired, and I want to wallow in our (my) failures for a hot minute. We had a crappy day and I don’t want perspective right not. Right now all I want is a glass of wine, maybe a few Oreos, and some Netflix.
