McKinney Mommas Google+

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

2013 Pumpkin Patches & Fall Activities in Collin County, TX

Pumpkins and Cider and Hay Mazes, oh my!

Of course, there are a bunch of pumpkin patches and fun fall activities to be had in #DFW, but I wanted to focus on the fun being offered up north a little further in the North Dallas / Collin County area.

So, here you go:






Pumpkin Patches & Fall Fun in Collin County




MCKINNEY, TX

Tucker Hill Pumpkinville- October 17-31
  • Face painting, pumpkin decorating, a toddler-sized hay maze and weekend hayrides
  • HOURS:  Mondays - Thursday, 10am to 2pm, Friday & Saturday, 9:30am to 5:30pm, Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Storybook Ranch - October 1 - Nov. 3 - McKinney, TX  
  • Kid's Package: $15 - Includes pony rides, hay mazes, petting zoo, bounce houses, a wagon ride through the Dry Bones town and a mini pumpkin of their own!
  • HOURS: Hours: Sunday - Friday 10am - Sundown, Saturday at 9am through Sundown

 
FRISCO, TX

Pumpkins On The Prairie - October 2-31 - Frisco, TX
  • Bounce house, hay mazes, games in the kid's patch, hayrides and pumpkin launching on the weekends, of course!
  • HOURS: Monday - Friday: 1 pm-8 pm, Saturday/*Sunday: 9am-8pm (or sunset) *Sundays activities don't begin until noon


RICHARDSON, TX


Owen's Big Orange Pumpkin Farm - Oct 1 - Oct 31 - Richardson, TX
  • Weekday Admission ($6) includes a small pumpkin, animal feed, hay ride and roaming around the farm and museum. Weekend Admission ($7) includes FREE hot dog, animal feed, hay ride and roaming around the farm and museum. Pumpkins are available for purchase.
  • HOURS: Weekdays: 9am-4pm,  Saturday: 10am-6pm Sunday: Noon-6 pm


OTHER COLLIN COUNTY

Yesterland Farm - Sept 21 - Nov 10 - Canton, TX
  • Old Fashioned Fall Festival includes: Corn maze, Yesterland aMAZEment Park rides, rock wall, wagon rides, pumpkin launcher, pony rides, face painting, sack races, giant slides and more
  • HOURS: Weekends only - Sept/Nov Saturdays: 10am-6pm, Sundays: noon - 6pm, October Saturdays: 10am-9pm. Columbus Day 10am-6pm

Big Orange Pumpkin Farm - Sept 20 - Nov 3 - Celina, TX
  • Weekday admission ($8) includes a small pumpkin, feed for the animals, hayride, roping pen, and maze. 
  • HOURS: Monday - Friday: 9 am-6 pm, Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 12pm 6 pm

 

If you know of other fun fall activities and pumpkin patches in Collin County, Texas......feel free to shout it out!

Monday, September 30, 2013

October Instagram Photo-A-Day Challenge #LuvSoFab

I got a F minus for September's Instagram Photo-A-Day Challenge!

So, I'm gonna try again this coming month.





































Feel free to join me and get shutter happy, as those leaves fall, and cauldrons boil!



Post your links to your October Photo-A-Day below and I'll be happy to re-tweet them!



Show me how YOU do October!  





If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Texas Fails on Children in Disasters Report #GetReadyGetSafe

Not cool, Texas............not cool.

According to Save The Children's 2013 Report on Children in Disasters, Texas scored unsatisfactory in 1 of 4 categories.

When a disaster occurs (heaven forbid) and your child's life is potentially in danger, our state failing at just 1 out of 4 categories is not okay.

Am I right, Texas Mommas?!





























Even with all the school tragedies that have transpired in the last 2 years, most states still fail to meet basic child-safety measures for taking action when a disaster occurs.

Only 4 states, currently meet all 4 basic requirements for protecting children in case of a disaster.........and Texas is NOT one of them. 

In Texas, it looks like we're on our way, but still fail to have a best practice   safety plan for children with disabilities. 

Spreading the word about this concern can lead to positive action by policy makers here in Texas.

So, let's take action NOW! 




Click on the 2013 US Preparedness Map here to see if YOUR state has measures in place to protect your children.  

If your state (like mine) doesn't meet all 4 criteria on Protecting Children in Disasters, follow the prompt to send your governor a letter to take immediate action!

Let's keep our children safe!

For more information and steps to take action, visit: http://www.savethechildren.org/Get-Ready



# GetReadyGetSafe



Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this post.  This post is my commitment to Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200.  What good can you spread today?
Read more at http://mckinneymommas.blogspot.com/2013/07/giving-street-kids-safe-place-to-play.html#gj46RApcFRoU5V8J.99
Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this post.  This post is my commitment to Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200.  What good can you spread today?
Read more at http://mckinneymommas.blogspot.com/2013/07/giving-street-kids-safe-place-to-play.html#gj46RApcFRoU5V8J.99
Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this post.  This post is my commitment to Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200.  What good can you spread today?
Read more at http://mckinneymommas.blogspot.com/2013/07/giving-street-kids-safe-place-to-play.html#gj46RApcFRoU5V8J.99



Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. This post is my commitment to Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200. What good can you spread today?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

On The Go Giveaway! $600 Worth Baby Related Prizes - ends 10/2

If you didn't win the last Yummi Pouch giveaway I posted recently, here's your second chance to WIN some Yummi Pouches...........PLUS TONS of other baby related goodies!

  • Open to US and Canada Residents / 18+
  • Giveaway ends October 2, 2013

Enter to win this collection of great gear every child needs for on-the-go!

Prize Package Includes:

  • Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets of reusable food pouches ($30 value)
  • Diono RadianR100 car seat ($259.99 value)
  • Tivoli Couture Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald. ($49.99 value)
  • Imagine Baby The Shade ($39.95 value)
  • yoomi - 8oz Feeding System ($37.50 value)
  • líllébaby COMPLETE Organic Carrier ($135 value)
  • Buttons Diapers 3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts ($54 value)

Total Value = $600+

Yummi Pouch - Reusable Food Pouches

yummi pouch reusable food pouches

Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets - Retail Price: $30

Yummi Pouch Brights (Set of 4) combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container you can fill with homemade smoothies and blended snacks! Easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and enjoyed by drinking from the side spout, Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches are great for kids taking healthy snacks on the go. Includes set of 4 assorted patterns. For more information visit yummipouch.com.
  • Set of 4 Yummi Pouch Brights reusable food pouches
  • Dishwasher and freezer safe
  • BPA and phthalate free
  • Great for on the go snacks!
  • Hold up to 6 ounces each

Diono

diono carseat giveaway

Radian®R100 Car Seat - Retail Price: $259.99

The Radian®R100 Car Seat offers the adaptability you need to keep your child's car rides safe and comfortable for years. From birth to booster car seat, the RadianR100 fits children in the rear-facing position weighing from 5 to 40 pounds and children in the forward-facing position weighing from 20 to 65 pounds. With longevity in mind, this model converts to a booster seat for kids up to 100 pounds.
Dedicated to giving families safe and enjoyable travel experiences, Diono has more than a decade of experience producing award-winning products. Diono car seats, stroller and travel accessories continue to gain high ratings from industry experts, media and families worldwide for their unique functionality, safety innovations and thoughtful designs. For more information visit us.diono.com.

Tivoli Couture

tivoli couture

Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald - Retail Price: $49.99

Tivoli CoutureT specializes in Practical LuxuryT solutions for strollers, car seats and baby carriers.
Tivoli Couture stroller liners are unlike any other stroller liner on the market today. Tivoli Couture is the original inventor of the luxury memory foam stroller liner! Our memory foam stroller liners have been evaluated and recommended by a Chiropractor to help with proper spinal alignment and support. We chose memory foam padding because of its orthopedic qualities. Memory foam is known to relieve pressure points and help promote circulation - an important feature for children sitting in their stroller for prolonged periods of time. Tivoli Couture stroller liners also help cushion the ride and help absorb stroller shock; they double as tummy time mats and changing pads - just perfect for busy parents on the go!

Our stroller liners are super trendy and are available in a number of modern designs, colors and prints. They are reversible for style, versatility and year-round comfort. For more information visit TivoliCouture.com.

Imagine Baby

imagine baby the shade

The Shade - Retail Price: $39.95 (car seat not included)

The Shade by Imagine Baby is an award winning infant car seat canopy that protects baby from outside elements and germs. It also provides baby with a shaded place for napping when on the go. Made from a soft, stretchy micropoly/Lycra material The Shade provides baby with UPF 50+ protection from the sun's harmful rays and fits easily on most infant car seats. For more information visit imaginebaby.com.
  • UPF 50 + sun protection
  • Water resistant
  • Year round use
  • Breathable
  • Flexible fit on most infant car seats
  • Easy care - machine wash cold, line dry
  • Fits into any size diaper bag

yoomi

yoomi feeding system

8oz Feeding System - Retail Price: $37.50

Yoomi was created by Farah and Jim. A mom and dad whose experiences of stumbling around the kitchen in the early hours and begging waiters for hot water when out and about inspired them to look for a better solution. The combination of Farah's inspiration and Jim's engineering skills, together with expert advice and help from friends and family, has resulted in yoomi, the bottle that warms baby feed in just 60 seconds. For more information visit yoomi.com.

lillébaby

lille baby carrier

líllébaby® COMPLETET Organic Carrier - Retail Price: $135

The future in babywearing is here! Compare the líllébaby® COMPLETET with any baby carrier and you will see why it deserves its name. COMPLETET in function, comfort, and style, this carrier grows with your family. It includes every carrying position and ensures your baby is positioned ergonomically correct in every setting. It's all about options - it's COMPLETET!
Resonating the Scandinavian values of quality of life, honesty, and a love for nature's beauty, líllébaby strives to make baby products that bring this functional style to parents, anywhere. We wish parents to attain the simple luxury of keeping their baby close while building a natural bond, in perfect comfort and style. Soft, luxurious organic fabrics for treasured moments. Made with 100% soft-brushed organic cotton and lined with luxurious, 100% organic sateen cotton.

Designed with the unsurpassed functionality and comfort of the líllébaby® COMPLETET baby carrier line. The perfect baby carrier For more information visit lillebaby.com.

Buttons Cloth Diapers

buttons cloth diapers

3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts - Retail Price: $54

Tangerine, Lavender, & Apple Buttons Cloth Diapers were born at home. As a husband and wife team, we designed our diapers to be easy to use and affordable for everyone - the way it should be. We believe in keeping our lives simple, even when it comes to diapering.

Buttons Diapers feature soft, leak-proof, and durable diaper covers. The double-gussets around the legs keeps the mess in, so your little one can run, jump, climb, and sleep while your mind is at ease. Elastic at the back and tummy makes a custom fit. The durable snaps allow the covers to adjust to fit any baby (approximately 9-35 lbs.). And, they come in many adorable colors! For more information visit buttonsdiapers.com.

Enter to Win this Fabulous Set of Prizes!

One Winner will be selected October 3rd. Have fun and good luck!
On The Go Giveaway prizes
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Shop Beauty Week Event at Zulily

I'm in some serious need of some new beauty products. All my lotions and potions are old, expired or dried out.

It's time to Shop the Beauty Week event at zulily! 

Here are my picks:


 $69.00
$23.99


Since becoming pregnant, my face is more blotchy and irritated than ever. I need soemthign that will work overnight to soothe and calm my upset skin. I'd love to try this Kantic Calming Evening Cream!



$24.00
$14.99

Guava is one of my favorite fruits, in fact, I'm drinking some Guava Juice right now! :-) This Guava Oil could be used for everything from skin conditioning to taming unruly hair cuticles. Plus, I bet it smells G-R-E-A-T!


$15.00
$9.99


Living in Texas does wonders to your hands. No, not good wonders....the dry, cracked, terrible kind of wonders. I need this Velvet Hand Cream to get my hands back into shape before the chilly weather sets in.





I don't get much time to get into the spa these days with two little people under the age of 3 running around, did I mention I'm pregnant with #3 as well? Anyway, a little at home spa Mineral Therapy Mud Mask by Avani would be heaven for me!



$84.00
$34.99

Of course, since becoming pregnant, a daily face lotion with SPF is more important than ever. It seems like I instantly get "pregnancy mask" or darker pigmentation on my face whenever I'm pregnant, which I really detest.  Using a face lotion with at least SPF 15 is something I need to add into my daily beauty regimine to protect my skin from any further damage.

Anyway, those are my picks for Zulily Beauty Week!


Do you have any favorite beauty products to share with me? I'd love to hear about them!

Military Spouses: Scholarships Available!

Here are some interesting facts I just learned about the unique struggles that Military Spouses face when it comes to employment and education. 

Also, I found out that there is $300 million available in military/veteran related scholarships.  So, there just might be a way to help solve the issue of unemployed and underemployed military spouses!

This infographic was provided to me by Vista College:


Which career is best for me?

Image courtesy of: www.vistacollege.edu

Monday, September 23, 2013

Whole Kids Salad Recipe Challenge + Giveaway!

Guess how many school lunches your kid will eat before they finish high school?

2,300!   That's a big number, and makes the mission of Whole Kids Foundation that much more important. 

Their mission?  To improve childhood nutrition by providing better access and availability to fruits and veggies for your kiddos at school and at home.

Keep reading to find out how to win a $50 Gift Card to Whole Foods



In honor of Whole Kids Foundation mission to support school salad bar and garden grant programs I answered the call of the Whole Kids Salad Recipe Blogger Challenge and created a tasty, and healthy salad recipe that I wanted to share with you.


psssst! Did you know that if you replace just one meal a day with a salad, you could see a reduction of 100 calories per day, which equals 10-pounds a year!? Just sayin'.


Choppy Chopped Italian Salad w/ Pistachios


McKinney Mommas Chopped Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

6 Persian cucumbers, diced 
1 tomato, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Romaine heart, chopped
4 small stalks celery, chopped
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped
1 can 365 Everyday Value® Garbanzo Beans, drained
4oz. sliced black olives, drained
1/3 c. feta cheese (reserve 1 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp. 365 Everyday Value® Organic Italian Dressing
1/2 c. pistachios, shelled and chopped



Directions:

1. Chop/Dice cucumbers, tomato, red onion, romaine, and celery into small 1/2 inch pieces and place in large salad bowl.

2. Add chopped parsley, garbanzo beans, black olives and most of the feta cheese.

3. Drizzle 365 Everyday Value® Organic Italian Dressing (available at Whole Foods) over salad and toss to coat ingredients.

4. Sprinkle reserved feta cheese and pistachios on top of salad, and serve!

Serves 4-6 people

NOTES: If you're not into nuts, you can omit the pistachios, and this is still a totally tasty salad! I was surprised that both my 1 and 2 year old chowed down on this salad too....they LOVED it!

* * * 

So, if you're wondering what you can do to jump aboard this wagon headed straight for better nutrition in your kids school lunches, let me tell you:   


What You Can Do!

  • Purchase products from these participating brands that give back to Whole Kids Foundation: Mrs. Meyers; Yellow 108; Peeled Snacks; Red Jacket Orchards; and High Mowing Organic Seeds.
  • Make a donation at the register during check out
  • Text "SALAD" to 20222 to donate $10 to support salad bar grants at schools near you


Isn't the future health of your children and their friends worth a little time and investment?

I think so!  Join me and help set your kids on a path of better nutrition today.

Find out more about how to get involved at www.wholekidsfoundation.org



~ Enter To Win ~
(1) $50 Gift Certificate to Whole Foods

  • Giveaway deadline October 7, 2013
  • Open to US entrants ages 18+
  • Complete Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win
a Rafflecopter giveaway