We met up with some friends at Jack Carter Pool in Plano. We have never been to this pool before. I can't believe we had never even heard of it. It has some really fun features!
First there are three big water slides.
We couldn't believe when we saw this FlowRider Surf Simulator! How cool is that?! Water flows and you get to ride the waves on a little surf board. It looked like a lot of fun but I couldn't get up the courage to try it myself. But the kids loved it!
There is also a real rock climbing wall. It sits above a 12 foot pool and includes waterfalls and real rocks to climb. It looked challenging but both of our kids love rock climbing so this was a big hit for them.
There is also a lazy river that we moms enjoyed walking and floating around while we chatted with each other.
There is even a little kid area to splash around in.
Jack Carter pool was a fun discovery and we will definitely be back! It is located at 2601 Pleasant Valley Road in Plano, TX. Admission is included with the Plano parks membership. If you don't have a membership then the admission cost is only $5 for ages 16 and under and $9 for adults. Check them out at the Jack Carter Pool website.
Through October, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will "Celebrate the Children" through an
art exhibition of beautiful, hand-crafted bronze sculptures of children, which are displayed
throughout the garden. The exhibit features more than 25 different,
hand-produced, bronze sculptures, many of which are of his own children. The
11-foot sculpture, "Celebration!" features joyous children
celebrating life and soaring around the globe. The exhibition encourages guests
to revisit childhood memories such as singing Ring-Around-The-Rosie in
"Circle of Peace" with five children or playing in the grass near one
of the four "Cartwheel" statues. The pieces range from 2 to 7.5 feet
tall with one sculpture weighing more than 1,300 lbs.
We enjoyed having the opportunity to hear the artist, Gary Lee Price, speak about how art has been therapeutic for him and how he became inspired to create these beautiful statues. You can hear a little about his story in this video below:
We had fun exploring the garden looking for all of his statues. Here are just a few of them we found.
Rachel saw this sweet statue of a mom holding her little girl up in the air. She laughed and asked me to pick her up like that. Sorry, baby girl but you are on your own. I do miss those days when my kids were little enough to hold up in the air like that. Savor the days, Mama!
Anytime we go to the Arboretum, I always make sure that we spend some time in the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. It is so much fun for kids but there is so much to learn here too!
Speaking of learning, there is a homeschool class coming up next week called Wetlands Biologist: How healthy is our habitat? In this program, students explore our Texas Native Wetlands on our outdoor island classroom. They will collect scientific data by examining live macroinvertebrates using cutting edge scientific tools. Students will then make connections between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem to determine the health of our waterway. The homeschool class is for grades K-6th (ages 5-12). It takes place on April 22 from 10:00 - 11:00 or 11:15 - 12:15. As we walked through the garden, Nicholas found this ladybug pupa. It is kind of like a teen ladybug in that it is not quite fully developed. I wouldn't have known what it was without its spots!
We spent some time in the lab. There is currently a great exhibit about the scientist and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
He obviously understood the thoughts of homeschool moms around the world when he said this....
Besides the amazing nature items on display, there are also several digital stations with different activities like this Case of the Mysterious Egg in which a strange egg appeared in the nest of an Eastern Phoebe.
She had to review the evidence which included learning about the Eastern Phoebe as well as other types of birds and their egg size in order to determine the species of the mysterious egg.
We wandered about the Children's Garden for quite a while. We found the petrogylphs.
And we spend time learning about amazing numbers in nature and the Fibonacci spiral.
My kids always enjoy the Pendulum Art station. They pour sand into the pendulum bucket and then learn about the designs that it creates as it naturally swings back and forth.
Do you know what this cool looking contraption is?
It's a giant kaleidoscope! You can turn the different discs to change your view in thousands of ways.
I said it earlier but savor the days, mama. As they get to be teens, it might not be so easy to get them to pose for pictures with you!
This little sweetheart still loves to pose for me though!
The Dallas Arboretum is the perfect place to get some nice posed pictures of your children and family. Walk around and explore for just a few minutes and you are bound to find a great backdrop of nature for your pictures.
Rachel was actually just sitting here quietly enjoying the waterfall on her own when I snapped this candid picture. It's amazing how nature helps to calm children and get them more focused.
We had a wonderful time at our visit to the Dallas Arboretum. Take a look below at all of the wonderful events coming up over Easter weekend and throughout the spring.
Easter Weekend Activities in Main Garden:
New! Break the World Record for Largest Bunny Hop
Saturday, April 20 |Noon| Jonsson Color Garden
Join WFAA Good Morning Texas reporter and producer, Paige McCoy-Smith, and the Easter Bunny in the garden, and help them attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest bunny hop. All ages are welcome to participate, and the event is free with paid garden admission.
Easter Portraits
Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21 |10 a.m. - 4 p.m.| Jonsson Color Garden
Chris Ivey Photography will be in the garden to take family portraits with a live bunny. Portraits are available to purchase from the photographer.
Easter Brunch
Sunday, April 21| 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. | Restaurant DeGolyer and Rosine Hall
Get together with family and friends for a picturesque brunch. Enjoy an elaborate menu featuring multiple carving stations and extensive chef antipasto displays. Seating for brunch is at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. To book your reservation, please call 214-515-6511
Artscape Fine Art and Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, April 27-28, 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Pecan Grove
Artscape, a juried fine art and fine craft show and sale, is where 100 outstanding artists from around the country showcase their art. Artscape features a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, photography, jewelry, glass, digital art, ceramics and more. The layout for the art fair is architect-designed for maximum visibility of artists and audience flow. Visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/artscape for more information.
Spring Cool Thursdays Concert Series
Every Thursday through June 27
7:30-9 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
The premier concert series "Cool Thursdays," sponsored by Wells Fargo, single tickets are available for purchase now at the Dallas Arboretum and feature four new exciting tribute bands. As Dallas' only concert series overlooking the picturesque White Rock Lake on the award-winning Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn, concert subscriptions and single tickets have a history of selling out quickly. To see concert lineup and purchase tickets, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/cool-thursdays-concert-series/
Garden Tea
Daily, April 8-September 21
11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Enjoy Garden Tea which includes a three-course meal with three different tea options. Teas are available Monday through Friday with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for $49 per person, or an additional $10 to add champagne. Reservations are required. Contact 214-515-6511 or email teas@dallasarboretum.org to book a reservation.
Try three free different samples featuring a weekly vegetable, fruit or herb from the garden. Visit www.dallasarboretum.org/recipes for past, current and future recipes.
DEMONSTRATION COOKING: El Centro College Cooks
Every Monday, 11 a.m.-Noon
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
Participate in this popular demonstration cooking class, taught by Chef Alison Matis from the college's nationally recognized culinary school.
April-Honey Roasted Radishes and Creamy Dilled Green Bean Salad
DEMONSTRATION COOKING:
Presented by: Chef Carol Pock
Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-Noon
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
Free with paid garden admission
Join Chef Carol Pock, a Certified Integrated Health Coach, Healthy Living cooking instructor, and Wellness Consultant, demonstrate how to make three different types of deviled egg recipe
Flower Power
A Meditative Walk in the Garden
April 26 * Level 1 * 10:30am-Noon
May 17 * Level 2 * 10:30am-Noon
$45
In the last 30 years, the immediacy of the technology coupled with the "I must have this" causes havoc on the body, brain and spirit. Bodies can go into in crisis mode with digestive disorders, anxiety and panic attacks. In this two-part series, Patricia Dedman Nail, owner of 6-D Design and clinical psychotherapist, teaches a processes that can be used to combat stress. Class is held in A Tasteful Place, followed by a healing meditative walk in the garden. For more information, please visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/event/flower-power-spring-april-2019-2/ or call 214-515-6615.
INTERACTIVE COOKING:
Lorie Fangio- 4-Course Spring Market Menu
April 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
$70
Join Lorie Fangio, teaching chef, and owner of A Taste of Paris™, for a spring French market class. Lorie teaches a four-course meal as she shares stories of the French table. This four-course meal starts with decadent Baked Goat Cheese with Tomato Confit. Our second course will be a beautiful Pear and Endive Salad with a French vinaigrette, and learn to make the perfect risotto; French style. To register, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/event/lorie-fangio-french-pastries-2-17-19/
Get excited for two weekends full of egg-citing, egg-themed programs. Stop by the Plant Lab for special egg-squisite egg dying using plant-based dyes. This year, an eggs-tra egg-citing weekend is included, and the plant lab offers egg-speriments every hour on the hour. Be sure to reserve a lab seat online. Appropriate for ages 5 and older.
Creativity Corner: Easter Edition Sponsored by Neiman Marcus
Friday-Sunday, April 19-21
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Entry Plaza
Kick off the day by creating a homemade Easter craft to take home.
Our family is a huge fan of LEGOs. They are a great tool for STEM education and creative expression but they are also just plain fun. We were really excited to get the opportunity to go to the Perot Museum's new traveling exhibit, The Art of the Brick.
The critically
acclaimed exhibition touts the largest and most elaborate display of works
constructed using only LEGO bricks. Created by internationally renowned
contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, The Art of the Brick is designed to
inspire ingenuity and creativity with original pieces and re-imagined versions
of some of history’s most famous works of art, including Van Gogh's Starry
Night, Michelangelo’s David and Vermeer’s
Girl with a Pearl Earring. It was amazing getting to hear directly from Nathan Sawaya
Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive
Officer of the Perot Museum. “LEGObricksare a beloved learn-through-play staple in so many children’s lives. The
exhibition elevates a classic toy into
the interesting realm of art and science resulting in something meaningful,
educational and awe-inspiring.”
The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai. It was built using 2,877 LEGO bricks and it is three-dimensional like the wave is just going to flow off of the wall.
No one can mistake this LEGO creation! It is, of course, Starry Nights by Vincent Van Gogh built with 3,493 LEGO pieces.
AAAAAHHHHHHH! There are 3,991 LEGOs making this amazing representation of the painting The Scream by Edvard Munch.
American Gothic by Grant Wood. 8,303 LEGOs are in this creation.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci was made with 4,573 LEGO pieces.
This one looks a little blocky when up close but step back from the screen a little or try squinting your eyes. It is unmistakably Rembrandt's self portrait recreated with 1,948 LEGOs.
This next creation is so unique! It is a translucent LEGO creation of the Northern Rose Window at Chartres. It is comprised of 17,842 LEGO pieces. Although the number of LEGO pieces used is quite astounding, what we really remarkable is the image on the floor below it. How beautiful!
Whistler's Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1. It is made with 15,283 LEGO pieces.
Rachel was disturbed by the mostly naked LEGO statues in the next room. I think my jaw dropped for other reasons. Look at these amazing works of art....built from LEGO!
You can not possibly miss the looming head tucked away in the corner of the room!
Nefertiti was made with 1,675 LEGO pieces.
I didn't catch the name of this piece but I loved how the water droplets seem to pop out from the wall.
This amazingly huge piece is a self-portrait of Nathan Sawaya in LEGO!
Rachel enjoyed the entire exhibit but she was a bit entranced by the giant T-Rex made from 80,020 LEGO bricks!
We got a chance to talk to the incredible artist Nathan Sawaya.
The next time you go to the Perot, check out the LEGO Pegasus that greets you at the door. Guess how many LEGO were used to create this beauty and you could win a one year membership to the Perot!
If you would like to learn more about this amazing LEGO artist you can follow Nathan Sawaya on Facebook.
The
Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. Museum general admission is
$20 for adults (13-64), $13 for youth (2-12) and $18 for seniors (65+). Museum
general admission is free for members. Children under 2 are always free. The
Art of the Brick requires asurcharge
of $10 for adults (13-64) and seniors (65+), $8 for youth (2-12) and free for
children under 2. Member tickets are $7 for all age levels. For ticket information, parking maps and
other details visit perotmuseum.org.
We have a few Christmas traditions in our home. One of them is decorating gingerbread houses. I usually buy the pre-made houses and some extra candies to go on them. Sometimes the kids have decorated their houses at their grandparents' house in Louisiana. This year they decorated them with friends. I think this is their favorite way to hold the tradition.
I bought houses that were not only pre-made but also pre-assembled. Easiest thing ever! Just take off the cellophane wrapper and start decorating. Several other kids had pre-made pieces but they were supposed to assemble them with icing. Well, if you've ever done that then you know it is time consuming and tries your patience. And then it all collapses in a mound of disappointment. But my friends are so creative. They took the kids' pieces and stuck them together with hot glue. Not as edible as the traditional way but much more efficient! You go, girls!
And these days, you don't have to just buy a gingerbread house. No. Now they have gingerbread barns, movie-themed gingerbread houses, gingerbread, Christmas trees, and even gingerbread trains!
They also had graham crackers and other cookies and candies in case friends wanted to just make their own crazy creations.
Nicholas assessed his house and the candy options and then decided on the best way to proceed. He often takes his time with decorating gingerbread houses. Last year, he enjoyed some crazy decorating for his house to make it look like a monster!
But this year he said he wasn't going to make a monster or anything crazy. He just wanted to decorate it like a house.
While the boys were outside decorating their houses, the girls were inside decorating theirs.
Gingerbread house decorating is serious business for these girls!
After decorating, everyone enjoyed pizza and fellowship with friends.
Finally, the kids had fun with an ornament exchange. Everyone brings a wrapped Christmas ornament and they play a white elephant game to see which one each child gets to keep.
Nicholas ended up with a silly dog with a bow.
Rachel was even less excited than Nicholas because her ornament was Superman. And no, Nicholas did not want to trade with her. He is a Batman fan all the way so he didn't want anything to do with Superman. Silly kids!
What are some Christmas traditions in your family?
