Tag: kids

My 15 Favorites of 2015

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I have something to share with you.

Happy New Year!  It’s been a fun year with over 130 new posts on Something to Share with You, the chance to “explore” 23 different cities and too many amazing meals to count.  Here are my 15 favorites from 2015.

Kid Friendly:

  • Surprise Mommy-Daughter Dates
    My favorite post of the entire year since I get to plan a surprise date with my daughter every month!  I hope you read this post and plan some fun dates with your kids!!

Beauty and Fashion:

Technology:

  • The Starbucks app
    Easiest way to pay for bottled water, snacks and oh yeah, coffee at the airport!

Just Because:

  • A Treat for the Feet:  Snoozies Slippers
    These are on my feet from the minute I get home till I get in bed!
  • Have time to read?  Liane Moriarty
    Download some books and find some time to read! Great for shorter flights!

Foodies: Recipes & Stuff:

On the Road Eats:

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  • Favorite Lunch- Peska in Houston
    $25 for an appetizer, soup or salad and an entrée.  Try the mexican shrimp cocktail and the Fideo Seco(mexican pasta in a light sauce with calamari, shrimp, clams and mussels).

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Hope you enjoyed this short trip back through 2015!  Looking forward to great new favorites this year!

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In Her Opinion: Ready for a Bike Ride?

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stswy-momicon“Ready for a Bike Ride?”
by a Dallas Mom(Married with two kids, ages 6 and 3)

“Are you kidding me?”  Yep, that was my husband’s response when I first suggested we hire someone to teach our 6 1/2 year old son to ride a bike.  At first, I thought he was opposed to the idea because of the cost (I admit that $170 for three lessons is not cheap).  I soon came to learn that it wasn’t the cost necessarily (although he still balked at the price) but, rather, my husband felt I was depriving him of one of his “jobs” as a father.  After all, isn’t a father supposed to be the one to teach his son to ride a bike?

Now, by way of background, I have what I think is the most adorable, smart and savvy 6 1/2 year old boy.  But, he’s also very sensitive, cautious and can be fearful of new things at times.  If he could stay on a tricycle for the rest of his life, I’m sure he’d give it serious thought!  While I appreciate that I may have been depriving my husband of something that’s on the manhood list of things to do in life, I did worry if our patience as parents would withstand trying to teach our son how to ride a bike.  This is where the idea to hire someone else — someone that we were told was “the most patient person in the world” — came in.

Well, it turns out that, after only 2 lessons (with our last one scheduled for this evening), my husband and I have a new friend…Daniela!  Daniela (who I affectionately refer to at times as the ‘Bike Whisperer’) is the amazing lady that has taught our son how to ride a bike in what I think is record time.  On Tuesday evening, behind a school in University Park, my husband and son met Daniela for our first lesson.  At the start of the lesson, Daniela removed the bike pedals so our son’s bike was left with nothing but the two wheels.  It wasn’t long before he was coasting for 22 seconds!  By the end of the first lesson, Noah not only had “earned” his pedals back but he was already starting to get comfortable with trying to pedal. More importantly, though, he was enjoying it and felt confident.

IMG_1675By last night, after his second lesson, the kid was riding around in circles!  He looked like a seasoned bike rider!  Most importantly, though, his confidence level was through the roof and he was genuinely so proud of himself and excited that he could ride.  Tonight, he learns the rules of the road and will get comfortable riding on the sidewalk and in a neighborhood.

For those of you that are still reading this, you are probably still saying to yourself “how ridiculous that she paid someone to teach her son how to ride a bike!”  Yes, I understand that many don’t get it and might never get it; however, if you worry about your incredibly sensitive and cautious child like I do and worry that one bad experience or nasty fall may result in your child never wanting to even look at a bike again, then I suggest you seriously consider calling my new friend.  Daniela’s goal (as she states it) is not only to teach your child to ride a bike, but also to teach them that hard work pays off and to make them feel good about themselves and help them gain a sense of confidence and independence.  So, if you’re interested in saving yourself some sanity and want to meet my new friend, check out her info below.  Now, off to meet up with our new friend for our last lesson!

Thanks to the Dallas Mom of two who sent in this great “In Your Opinion” recommendation.  Below is the information to reach Glide2Ride.

Dallas Spotlight:
glide2rideGlide2Ride Bike Lessons
Website:  www.glide2ride.com
Phone:  214-683-1154
Email:  Info@glide2ride.com
Please let Daniela know you found out about her from the blog “Something To Share With You”.

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Sensitive to Sounds? Read The Noisy Airplane Book

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I have something to share with you.

I was recently in Houston for business and was dining alone.  I sat next to a group of younger than me, newer parents and couldn’t help but listen.  Parts of their discussion brought a smile to my face as I remember having the same conversations with my friends as a new parent.  One of the topics was the challenge of flying with their little ones over the holidays.  But it wasn’t only the potty situation, it was the fear that her child would be scared of the plane and all the noises.

noisyairplaneI remember that phase – my daughter was very aware of noises, hated hand dryers,  blow dryers and automatic toilet flushes.  Before a flight, I bought her The Noisy Airplane Book by David Gordon.  When we read together, we made the noises(very fun as an adult) and explained, with help from the book, what all the sounds were and how they helped fly the plane. Definitely a must read if you are concerned about your next flight!
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Mom- This is the BEST GIFT EVER!

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I have something to share with you.

Moms and Dads- listen up! Grandparents- you too. In fact, anyone needing to buy a gift for a child in the near future, I have a great one for you.

I saw this on the TODAY show  and it looked like a winner for my daughter. When my sister-in-law asked what to get my daughter for the holiday, this was at the top of the list.

My daughter wants to be an artist and the Crayola Virtual Design Pro – Fashion Collection not only allows her to color and design clothing, but you can download an app, take a picture and see it modeled in a runway show. Yes, their designs come to life. She sat for two hours just “designing” her fashions for the models and was able to use the app on my iPad herself! And those with boys, you are in luck too! There is a race car version available.

crayolafashion

After showing me her first fashion show she declared – Mom, this is the BEST gift ever! We have three upcoming birthday parties for her friends and yes, each will be getting this gift!(Hint- Target will price match so check online for the best price.)