Austin. Mom. Blog. » Christmas

Galveston Trip

Dianna — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:49:05 +0000

We went to Galveston on the 20th and 21st. We stayed at the Moody Gardens hotel and loved it. We have stayed at the hotel before so we weren’t surprised on how kid friendly the hotel was. The hotel had a room set up as “Santa’s Workshop” where the kids could do multiple Christmas crafts. We got to enjoy writing a letter to Santa, making gingerbread necklaces, Christmas door hangers, cookie decorating, and playing several board games. The hotel also had a heated pool. We enjoyed the buffet breakfast in the Terrace Restaurant (which did cost) in the morning. It was a little pricey, but for a kid friendly hotel and the walking distance from the hotel to the Moody Gardens resort, it was worth it. We paid approximately $150, which included taxes. We stayed at the hotel because we were aware of the activities it offered for kids. We knew we wanted to enjoy the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. The lights were really nice and we had plenty walking room through the trail. We weren’t inching our way through like we were at “The Trail of Lights” in Austin last year. Last year it was too crowded for us and instead of looking at lights we were just fighting our way to get through. At the Festival of Lights there is a fee of $5.95 a person, but I believe it was worth it. They had an ice skating rink you could have paid to use, but our boys are too little for that. Also, there was plenty of concession stands you could buy hot dogs, nachos, hot chocolate, kettle corn, drinks, and even smores. We got each of our boys a smore kit and they had sticks where you could roast the marshmallows over a large fire pit. The boys really enjoyed it. The cost was $2 per kit. After the lights we had the option to enjoy the aquarium($5 a person), enjoy the 4D theatre Polar Express film ($5 a person), or go sit on Santa’s lap, but we decided to call it a night. We used to have Moody Gardens season passes a few years ago and enjoyed it back then. I would recommend Moody Gardens to any family looking for a small vacation. The weather was so nice over the weekend that we also got to enjoy the beach both days. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect small mini-vacation.

Build-a-Bear Workshop

Dianna — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:38:14 +0000

It is only a week away from Christmas and my boys keep insisting they want a puppy for Christmas. My husband came up with the idea of going to build-a-bear workshop for them to build their own puppy. I thought it was a great and cute idea. So, we headed over to Lakeline Mall today for them to pick out a puppy. They each picked out something that was not a puppy. As long as they were happy, it was fine with me. My oldest son picked out a longhorn. He put a Texas Longhorns shirt on it and named it Longy. My youngest son picked out Alvin the Chipmunk. Alvin was already dressed so we didn’t need to pick out any clothes for him. At Build-a-Bear workshop the concept behind the experience is to get your own little pet stuffed animal. First you pick out which animal you want. Next you pick out a heart to put in the animal while it’s being stuffed. I’m not sure if every employee does it the same way, but the lady who helped us told each of my sons to tap the heart on his head to make him smart, to tap the heart to his stomach to make sure he doesn’t go hungry, to close his eyes and make a wish, and finally give the heart a kiss. The heart then goes into the animal. I thought it was all so adorable. After this process you take your animal to the washing station to get it clean. There’s a scrub provided and the kids pretend to wash him or her. Then you pick out any clothes you might want. There are items that include shirts, shorts, pants, outfits, hats, shoes, and accessories. Finally you go over to a computer to name your animal and a birth certificate is printed. At the register you receive the birth certificate and it goes in a large box that holds your animal which is supposed to represent the animal’s home. I really think the whole process is fun for the kids. We might be able to do this build-a-bear workshop once or twice a year, but not much more than that. The price can really add up. For each animal it was $22 and then we only added the one shirt. Our total ended up being $55. So, it was pricey, but for once a year I would do it again. Also, maybe, just maybe, this whole “puppy” thing might go away.

Amazon.com

Dianna — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:52:07 +0000

I won’t be able to say enough about amazon.com. I absolutely love this site. I was able to do almost all my Christmas shopping on amazon.com. I didn’t have to leave the house. I didn’t have to fight the crowds. I didn’t have to wait in the lines. I didn’t have to pay tax on the items I bought. I simply love the convenience of amazon.com. On this site there are numerous items for sale. I only purchase the items that are sold by amazon to get the free shipping. There are outside parties that are able to sell through amazon, but I haven’t went that route yet. I like the free shipping that you are able to get with a $25 purchase. So far the best deals have been on amazon. I always do the comparison shopping through pricegrabber.com and look to make sure I am getting the best price. So far I have. I totally recommend amazon.com for anyone who likes convenience, best prices, and the items being shipped directly to your door.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

Dianna — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:30:11 +0000

We went to Sea World in San Antonio on Friday and had a blast. I’m already in the Christmas spirit and going to Sea World enforced it more. We first went to see the dolphins and fortunately it was feeding time. We paid $5 for four fish. It was worth it. When feeding the dolphins you are able to pet them in the process. The boys’ expressions were priceless. Next we went to the show of “A Sesame Street Christmas.” When the sesame street characters came onstage I got teary eyed. I was overwhelmed on how much our little family was enjoying this. The boys didn’t move once. They were mesmerized. Near the end, my oldest (he’s 5) finally said he was too old for this, but he hung in there. We then headed to a huge play area with sand and rope climbing. My oldest did the rope climbing and my youngest played in the sand. Fortunately both my husband and I were present so we could split up for this. When going to theme parks, I never venture out alone. Next we went by alligator alley where we saw several alligators surrounding a pond. They had a .25 cent machine to feed the fish which we took part in. The boys were aiming for the alligators so they would move, but they had no luck. We then went to the show “Deck the Halls with Clyde & Seamore.” This was a show full of sea lions acting out a skit for Christmas. Once again the boys were mesmerized and didn’t move once. This time my oldest didn’t ask to leave. Sea World had a 4D showing of Polar Express, but unfortunately we didn’t make it in time. We stood in line, but the theater got full before it was our turn. We got to see a 4D showing of Polar Express when we went to Moody Gardens in Galveston and from what I remember it was awesome. On our way out we saw the world-famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and the boys got to pet one. We really had a lot of fun. There was still so much we didn’t get to see because we were short on time so I’m hoping we will make another trip back. If you have a chance to go to Sea World for the Christmas Celebration, I totally recommend it.

Found the Almost Perfect Christmas Tree

Dianna — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:24:02 +0000

I searched and searched for the perfect Christmas tree. I found one, but it wasn’t perfect. We looked at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, H-E-B, Garden Ridge, Lowe’s, and finally Home Depot. Our choice ended up being at Home Depot. The price ended up being our final factor. There were other trees that were just as nice at Lowe’s and Hobby Lobby. I put up the tree yesterday and with the new technology in trees, I thought it would be easier this year. That wasn’t the case. It’s pre-lit and only has three pieces to hook together. Well, the time consuming part was spreading all the branches. It took me over two hours. Our old tree took just as long. It was the old fashioned kind where you put each branch on at a time. On the old one, I would spread the branch before I put it on the tree. So, I was looking for an easier and less time consuming set up of a tree, but the easy part just ended up not having to put the lights on it. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a beautiful tree and I’m happy we got a new one, but my expectations weren’t met on the time. Maybe we will get a fresh live tree next year. Then again, I wonder what my husband will say on that.

Christmas is Approaching

Dianna — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:52:29 +0000

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I am already in the holiday spirit. I already forced my husband to bring the decorations down from the attic. I am searching for a new tree. We have one that you need to put branch by branch on. I need a more simple one. I’m looking for a pre-lit seven foot tree that’s not going to cost me $300. I have looked at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. Nothing caught my eye. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Some people are already calling me crazy for putting up my Christmas decorations, but at least it’s later this year than last year. I put up my tree and decorations the day after Halloween last year. I really want the boys to enjoy it longer. Their faces light up with all the little musical globes, the lights being lit up, and the over-all presence of Christmas. We have already got out their Christmas trees. They each have a 3 foot tall tree in their room. We have put on ornaments and they are using them as night lights. We won’t put out the outside decorations until after Thanksgiving. I don’t want everyone to know how crazy we are. We will limit the craziness inside for now.