Holiday fun at the ready!

Holiday fun...

Lot's to do in around the area this time of year! The weather is just right for firepits & hot chocolate. It's also a great time to experience some of the local holiday traditions. I've gathered a few of the one's we've done over the years...feel free to share any you know of as well.

The River Legacy Living Science Center is located in Arlington and it is a museum filled with learning stations for children. There is even a small play area for the youngest visitors. Outside the center is a series of trails that can be explored along the river.
http...://riverlegacy.org/

Dallas Arboreteum - a great place for fall & holiday pictures. Get those Christmas Cards ready.
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens - Beatiful place to spend the day with the family.
http://fwbg.org/

 Jazz in the Atrium What: Jazz in the Atrium. Arlington Jones Trio. Distinguished pianist, composer, and producer Arlington Jones performs his original compositions. Jones has shared the stage with legends such as David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, and Frank Foster. He has been the keyboard player for Wayman Tisdale since 2001.
When: Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Dallas Museum of Art
Cost: Free with general admission
Children's Medical Center Holiday Parade
Photo Courtesy of Children's Medical Center

The Children's Medical Center Holiday Parade is a free event open to the public. Sidewalk seating is available along the Parade route. Tickets for reserved bleacher seating may be purchased online. Free 2 and under.
When: Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 10 a.m.
Where: It begins at The Adolphus, 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas, Texas 75202 and it ends at City Hall Plaza.
Parking/DART: There are multiple street and garage lots for public parking. You can also take DART to the parade. Visit the DART for more information. The parade route is only a few blocks from the Akard Station, the West End Station, Union Station and the Convention Center Station.
TV: The parade will be broadcast on WFAA-TV Channel 8.
Parade Questions: Call 214-456-8360.

 Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
What: Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. Experience the timeless tale of Rudolph and friends live. The beloved classic soars from the TV screen to the Casa Mañana stage in this live-action world premier. Featuring everyone's favorite characters: Hermey the Elf, Sam the Snowman, the Misfit Toys, the Abominable Snow Monster, Yukon Cornelius, Santa and Rudolph! You won't want to miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. This show is suitable for all ages.
When: November 26 - December 23
Where: Casa Mañana Theatre, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107. 817-332-2272
Tickets: Tickets from $20

 Holiday in the Park What: Holiday in the Park. Six Flags Over Texas turns into a winter wonderland each year. Enjoy spectacular seasonal shows, tasty holiday treats and an unprecedented Christmas celebration like none in North Texas. Sled down a hill made of snow and participate in crafts and sing-alongs. Don't miss the parade thirty minutes before closing.
When: November 26 - January 2, 2011
Where: Six Flags over Texas, 2201 Road To Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76010. 817-530-6000

 ICE! A Charlie Brown ChristmasWhat: Ice! is back. It's 2-million pounds of hand-carved sculptures and slides, including larger-than-life characters from A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. Lone Star Christmas features acres of dazzling decorations, a 52-ft rotating Christmas tree, over 1.5-million twinkling lights and special activities.
SNOW! - New this year. Grab a tube and speed down an extreme eight-lane tubing hill covered in real snow!
A real life-sized Gingerbread House Electric Train Display and Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers Rudolph's Reindeer Roundup Yourself as an Elf... A Family Holiday Adventure Visits with Santa and Cookies & Milk with Mrs. Claus Breakfast with Charlie Brown Where: Gaylord Texan Resport, Grapevine, TX
When: November 12 through January 3, 2011.

 Camp Gingerbread Celebrate the holidays in sweet style at the second annual Camp Gingerbread. Bring the whole family to decorate gingerbread cookies with frosting, nuts, dried fruit, candies and sprinkles.
When: December 4-5, 2010
Where: Northpark Centre, Located on Level One near Macy's.
Cost: $10 per child. Hours on Saturday, December 4th are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, December 5th are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Charity Event: Proceeds benefit Shared Housing, a non-profit organization that facilitates affordable housing options for those in need.


Trains at Northpark CentreWhat: Over 2500 feet of train track wind through miniature landmarks, such as Reunion Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore. More than forty locomotives pull train cars around the track to the delight of kids and adults.
When: November 20, 2010 to January 2, 2011. M-Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday noon to 6 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Where: NorthPark Center
Cost: Adults: $6; Kids 3-12 and seniors: $3; free for kids two and under. Discount tickets at Tom Thumb stores. Proceeds provide almost one-third of the annual operating budget for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

North Pole Express Train Ride -Grapevine, TX
https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas/NPX/index.html

Spring is in the air!

Wow, March is here!  It's a great time to get that veggie garden ready & to plant a little Spring color to perk up your yard after the long Wintery grey days.

Next week is Spring break for MISD and other Metroplex schools so lots of family fun days...here's wishing everyone beautiful weather and lots of family fun!!

 If you have a little extra time we will be working on cleaning up the lot next to the Summers house this weekend to have it Easter Egg ready!  Come on out neighbors and lend a hand. ;)

Merry Christmas!

The countdown is here and the elves are busy checking list, checking them twice & making everything beautiful & nice!

It is looking like a Christmas wonderland in our own little corner of the world. Driving through the neighborhood all the pretty wreaths & lights make everything warm and cheery during these cold gray days. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the season.

Please continue to uplift the Kendall family, 5610 Evening Ln., in your thoughts and prayers. When your doing your Christmas cards a quick note letting them know they are thought about would be a great way to embrace these neighbors during their time of loss. The first holiday without a loved one can be a very difficult time.

Remember we are our first step of defense out here! Keep an eye for any strange cars or trucks that are making random drive through without purpose, if possible jot down license plates. We have had a few thefts in the neighborhood and being so far out I'm sure makes us a bit of a target. Would still like to have a meeting to discuss a neighborhood watch. We have a Dallas police officer that owns a home in the neighborhood and I'm sure he could give us some great tips and advice on how to make our homes and neighborhoods more secure.

Things that can be done in the mean time are....network with the neighbors closest to you. Seek a neighbors help if your going out of town to help with mail & to take the trash cans out on trash day & put them away. Consider timers for lamps to light up various rooms in your home when your away. You want to make it look like members of the home are coming and going so that the house doesn't appear empty.

It also seems we are a prime location for pet drop off! There have been several pets, so far dogs, found in the neighborhood that are obviously house pets that have been abandoned. The Midlothian animal control is great at working to find the owners and/or find new homes for these pets. If you call them they will come and pick them up. We have had two show up in our yard and just a small bowl of water was enough to keep them here long enough to be picked up.

The cold weather has hit so wrapping exposed pipes will save a few headaches come warmer weather and running sprinklers on warmer days will help prevent unneeded repairs. Watering your plants before any hard freezes will help protect the root systems and salvage the loss of any new perennial plants.

On a personal note the Harvey household would like to say that we are truly enjoying our new neighbors and our first Christmas here. May each and every one of you enjoy time with your family and loved ones and enjoy the wonders of Christmas and the blessings to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.