Dripping with Kids

Tag: fyp

  • 2025 Holidays in the Hill Country

    2025 Holidays in the Hill Country

    The holiday season has been starting earlier and earlier each year. I have friends who completed all of their Christmas decorating on November 1st, while I still have scarecrows guarding my flower bed and fall leaf garland adorning my stair railing.

    Despite my procrastination, I’m excited for the Advent season and Christmas, and now is a great time to reflect on the events and traditions my family looks forward to every year. I love sharing our favorites with you and hope you’ll let us know what tops your lists as well.

    One of our most anticipated Christmas traditions is our Family Advent Calendar. I write down one holiday experience to do for each of the days leading up to Christmas, starting on December 1, These daily activities can be must-do tasks, like addressing and sending Christmas cards, or fun nights out, like meandering through a trail of lights after dinner.

    I cling to this tradition every year despite how busy my kids’ schedules become because we connect our participation in our favorite events, activities, tasks, and traditions to the joyful anticipation of celebrating the birth of Jesus. In addition to a daily activity, I also include a slip of paper with scripture that tells part of the Christmas story so that each day, a little more of the story is being recited. (Luke 1:26-35; Luke 2:1-20)

    Our Family Advent Calendar

    Below I’ve included a list of some of the at-home activities I’ve hidden in our Advent calendar pockets in years past, followed by our 2024 Holiday Bucket List of events and activities. Use our guide to fill in your own Advent calendar!

    TRADITIONS/FUN AT HOME – 

    • Bake sugar cookies
    • Make cards/gifts for teachers, neighbors, coaches, and relatives
    • Holiday movie night
    • Read the story of St. Nicholas and put shoes outside bedroom doors for a little surprise (Dec 6th)
    • “Elf” the neighbors
    • Caroling at home and holiday charades
    • Decorate the tree(s) or make centerpieces
    • Make homemade paper snowflakes and tape them in the windows
    • Tell stories of our family’s holidays past, as well as dreams for the future (reminisce over photos, plan vacations, etc)
    • Silly game night (minute to win it)
    • Make gingerbread houses

    HILL COUNTRY HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST –

    (Our list is in no particular geographic or date order, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to check out all of the exciting options around the Hill Country.)

    Main Street Bethlehem (Burnet)

    Dec 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14, 6 pm – 9 pm

    Walk through historic Bethlehem to find Jesus

    Explore the live nativity, down the narrow streets to faint sounds of ancient music, savoring the sights and smells. Immerse yourself in the din of the marketplace; surrounded by the revelers in the tavern, shouted insults to and from the Roman oppressors, merchants, craftspeople, animals of all kinds, taxpayers, and beggars all seeking money, or position, or revenge.

    Western Wonderland (Dripping Springs)

    Nov 28 – January 4

    Go ice skating, peruse the market, listen to festive music, walk the trail of lights, and/or attend a special event such as story time on the ice. This rink is my kids’ top choice, and it’s one of the biggest temporary ice skating rinks in Texas. Check the link for prices and hours.

    Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s and Budafest (Buda)

    Now – Dec 24 & Dec 5-6

    Santa's Wonderland

    Stop in the store for a free photo with Santa and a stroll through the store’s holiday decorations. Your kids can also mail a letter to Santa and take home a holiday craft kit. Plus, no visit to Cabela’s is complete without a visit to the dead zoo.

    Budafest is the town’s big weekend festival Dec 6th-8th. It will include shopping, games, vendors, music, a lighted parade, Santa, and so much more!

    Serve at Brown Santa, Sing to Seniors, or Donate to Toys for Tots

    There are so many ways to serve as a family during the holiday season. We love wrapping gifts for families through Brown Santa, dropping off additional gifts in Caliterra for Toys for Tots, scheduling a date to carol for seniors at a local home, and “adopting” a family or child through an Angel Tree at a local school or church.

    Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin)

    Dec 5 – Jan 3

    Enjoy the illuminated trail walk with thousands of lights. Go earlier in the day to explore the forts of Fortlandia. Purchase tickets in advance.

    Christmas in Marble Falls

     Nov 19 – Jan 3

    Just along the water’s edge, there’s a free Walkway of Lights with a variety of themes, as well as daily events to get you in the Christmas spirit, including breakfast with Santa, ice skating, shopping, and a lighted parade on Dec 5.

    Lost Pines Christmas (Bastrop)

    Nov 28 – Dec 25

    Take a short drive to Bastrop for some spectacular holiday events, including a wassail fest, river of lights, a holiday revue at the Opera House, tree lighting ceremony, historic home tour, and a lighted parade on Dec 13.

    PEC Lights Spectacular (Johnson City)

    Nightly November 29  – Jan 4

    Johnson City Light Spectacular

    The courthouse and downtown area are aglow with thousands of lights. Local vendors set up tables inside and outside the courthouse. Check website for special events, such as lighted parade on Nov 29, a chili cookoff on Dec 13, and a live nativity on Dec 5-13 at the Methodist Church nearby.

    Weihnachtszeit – Christmas in Fredericksburg

    Nov 19 – Jan 4

    Show up on any day of the week for a spectacular holiday light show and events-a-plenty. Fredericksburg is so full of holiday cheer that you may need a few days to take it all in. Check the website for specific activities and lodging options. Our favorites include the lighted parade on the first Friday in December, the Eisbahn ice skating, Kinderfest at the Pioneer Museum on the first Sat of December, and taking pictures in front of the German Christmas Pyramid.

    Christmas on Mercer (Dripping Springs)

    December 6, 10 am – 5 pm

    This fun hometown festival keeps getting bigger and better. Enjoy shopping with local vendors, a trackless train, pony rides, a festive atmosphere, live music all day long, giveaways and games, an opportunity to write a letter to Santa and mail it on-site, plus free photos with Santa at Hudson’s. (Tree lighting and movie night in Dripping Springs will take place at dusk on November 29.)

    Holidays in Gruene

    Weekends in late Nov and all of Dec

    Photos with Cowboy Kringle (appointment required), free afternoon shows at historic Gruene Hall, gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town, a new ice skating rink, and unique shops, as well as weekend markets, to complete your Christmas lists are just a few of the ways to celebrate the season in one of our favorite historic towns! The holidays truly kick off with Santa riding into town on horseback to light the night on the evening of Dec 6 at 5 pm.

    Home Depot Kids’ Workshop

    Nov 29 and Dec 6, 9 am – noon

    Visit your local store so your kids can create their own Teddy Bear Ornament (Nov 29), Hot Cocoa Mug (Dec 6), and Tow Truck (Jan 3) for FREE! Kids develop hands-on skills with sanding, nailing and applying stickers. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last.

    Christmas in the Parks (Various State Park locations)

    Nov – Dec

    Enchanted Rock

    Texas State Parks have several holiday events, from scavenger hunts to Santa sightings to s’mores and ornament-making. Find a park near you and enjoy the great outdoors this season! Check out the detailed program linked above.

    Hill Country Galleria Holidays (Bee Cave)

    Nov 14 – Jan 19

    Small ice skating rink

    The popular outdoor mall will have live music, ice skating, Christmas markets, Santa photos, and unique events most days in December, including a Mario Kart party on Dec 13. Check the link for details.

    Mozart’s Festival of Lights (Lake Austin)

    Nov 22 – Jan 4

    Purchase tickets in advance for this special Austin tradition. Grab a hot cocoa or coffee and enjoy the “dancing lights” set to music.

    Emily Ann Theater Trail of Lights (Wimberley)

    Nov 29 – Dec 26

    Enjoy a FREE walking trail through approximately 8 acres of lighted exhibits, with entertainment provided almost every night. Wander into town afterward to stroll and shop local. There are several other events in the adorable town of Wimberley; it’s worth checking their local calendar!

    Maywald Lights Display (W. Austin)

    Nov 27 – Dec 25

    It’s their last year! Over 120,000 lights are on display at a family’s home in Austin for a good cause: the Make-a-Wish foundation! Walk through the trail of light and leave a donation. (FREE to enter.)

    Lights On Festival and Boat Parade (Lakeway)

    Dec 6 & 7 at 6 pm

    Lakeway’s FREE annual holiday and Christmas celebration is held at the Lakeway City Hall parking lot. This festive event kicks off with the official lighting of the Trail of Lights and will include a visit with Santa, live music, vendors, and family photo opportunities. The Trail of Lights will be lit every night afterward, so if you can’t make the event, you can still walk through on another evening until Jan 1.

    On Dec 7th, there will be a lighted boat parade starting at Crosswater Yacht Club.

    We hope this holiday bucket list inspires you to enjoy the 2025 holiday season to the fullest! Please share anything your family never misses during the holidays in the comments below. Also, use the calendar on this page to fill in yours!

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  • Easy, Shaded Hike at Charro Ranch Park

    Easy, Shaded Hike at Charro Ranch Park

    Experience the simplicity of nature on this flat, easy hike in Driftwood, close to Dripping Springs.

    ✅ Trails for Children

    ❌ Swimming

    ✅ Bathrooms (port-a-potties)

    ❌ Playground and Sports Fields

    ✅ Free Admission for Park and Trails (and free parking)

    ✅ Stroller-friendly Trails

    ❌ Reservations needed

    Beautiful Sunsets

    Charro Ranch Park is tucked away off of FM 150 near the heart of Dripping Springs, but it’s rarely busy and allows you to escape into the beauty and simplicity of nature.

    Charro Ranch Park is located at 22690 W. FM 150. The 64-acre park was donated to the City of Dripping Springs by Lucy Reed Hibberd in December of 2008 after being in her family for about 50 years. Mrs. Hibberd developed trails, created areas for reflection, and installed signs identifying tree species in order to create a natural setting for passive activities for the community of Dripping Springs to enjoy nature. (website)

    The park is free, and gates are open from 5 am to 11 pm.

    Easy Trails for Hikers and Bikers

    Charro Ranch Park Trail Map

    Whether hiking with tiny tots, older kids, or adults, these trails are a great choice! You can take a short hike with a stroller making several stops to check out all of the flora and fauna or you can ride bikes with older kids through the narrower outer trails.

    Most trails are dirt or mulch paths and can get narrow in some areas with high grass on either side. They range in distance from .13 of a mile to 1.23 miles, but they’re all connected so you can make your hike as short or as long as you’d like.

    Free Parking at Trailhead

    Parking lot at entrance

    Google Maps will take you directly to the entrance. You can park for free in the small parking lot. Then, you can choose a trail just steps away from your car. It can become a bit of a labyrinth as your start out, so be sure to have a picture of the trails and their names from the board at the trailhead. Trails are marked by pictographs along the paths.

    Interesting Sights and Pavilion

    There are a few stops along the trails that allow you to interact with what other nature-lovers have built, such as a human sundial and wooden bridge.

    There is also a small pavilion for picnicking and bird-watching. It’s close to the parking lot, so you can leave your food and drinks in the car instead of hauling them with you on the trails.

    Close to Breweries, Wineries, and Restaurants

    Before or after hitting your daily step count, stop by Twisted X Brewing, Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood or Duchman Winery, Paloma Dining and Events, or Le Muse Coffee Shop. I always love adding on a local hot spot or additional sightseeing when visiting a new hiking trail!

    Charro Ranch Park is a great stop for a no-frills, easy hike right on the border of Dripping Springs and Driftwood.

    Let us know what you think after you visit! For other family hike recommendations in the Texas Hill Country, check out our page, This Week’s Hike.

    Follow @dripping_with_kids on Instagram or this blog so you don’t miss out on the best places to go in the Texas Hill Country! We’d love to hear about your favorites as well.

  • Who’s in Charge?

    Who’s in Charge?

    Inspired by Guadalupe River State Park

    I’m the type who likes to make plans. I love to make bucket lists for each season and to-do lists for each day. I love doing projects and watching the development from start to finish. I love planning vacations and family visits. I even plan time for planning.

    My brother has explained to me that I compensate for anxiety by making plans. This compensatory skill has become especially helpful in dealing with chaotic and difficult seasons, as well as the unpredictability of parenting.

    While on my personal path of looking ahead and making plans, I’ve been picking and choosing what I want to hear from God, the Lord of hope. I’ve been reading scripture that promises that good is triumphant over evil, that we have hope as an anchor, and that the Lord can overcome all struggles. I like scripture that coincides with my plans.

    Then, I came across the type of story I was trying to avoid in Jeremiah 27-29. 

    Jeremiah prophesied that the Israelites would serve under King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon, his son, and his grandson. They would leave their homeland and submit to the control of a king they distrusted. The Israelites didn’t like this prophesy. Many didn’t want to believe that they would give up freedoms and even die far from home while under King Nebuchadnezzer’s rule. They were told it would be 70 years of oppression. 70 years away from the comfort of home. 70 years living a life they had not planned.

    This opened the door to a false prophet, Hananiah, who promised that the people would return to their land and the lives they were used to within two years. It was a promise people could cling to. Hananiah’s prophecy offered hope. The Israelites could make their plans. 

    But Hananiah was wrong. The Israelites were exiled. Their plans were destroyed… their hope, diminished.

    If I lived during the 6th century, BC, who would I have chosen to believe – Jeremiah or Hananiah?

    I probably would have listened to the false prophet. His promise would’ve matched my plans. His prophecy would’ve sounded better for my idea of the life I desire for myself and my family. It would’ve offered my version of hope, just as I choose to believe that this political season and economic downturn, full of anger, division, frustration, decline, and violence, will end soon and lead to significant change in our nation. I’m making my plans! 

    However, it’s not about me and my plans. The hope our Father offers is not related to the leader of this nation or how much money we can save (or spend). I have to remember the true message in Jeremiah’s prophecy.

    Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites to live well while in exile, even if their own plans for a good life would never come to fruition. They were called to worship the true king, work hard even under oppressive rule, to sow gardens they may never get to reap, to build homes somewhere other than their homeland, to marry despite their inward strife, to have children potentially bound to slavery, and to pray for the town and the king they did not choose.

    In Jeremiah 29:11, he adds God’s familiar promise: “For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” 

    This bit of scripture reminds us that we have many blessings and opportunities to live a fruitful life no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Our idea of abundance may not match His, but God is good in all situations, seasons, and political regimes, even if His own plans don’t make sense to me or align with mine.

    There is always a greater promise than the earthly plans we make for ourselves, and it will be better than we could have ever imagined. I will worship the king of kings above all else and rely on the hope He promises, regardless of current circumstances and my own faltered plans.

    This piece is inspired by Guadalupe River State Park. We love visiting this park because of the beautiful river running through it, the kid-friendly trails, the discovery room, and the stunning views. Although the river is fun to swim in and quite calm near the banks, the current can surprise you and take control.

    Once, when my husband and I brought our two toddlers to the park, we waded out to the center of the shallow river, each holding one of our little ones , who wore puddle jumper floaties because they were not yet swimmers. As we ventured toward the small ripples in the water, something took hold of us, and we were no longer in control.

    The current slammed our bodies into large rocks underwater, and there was no way to get our footing. We struggled to keep our babies, and even our own heads, above water. As I recognized that we weren’t able to keep our kids and ourselves safe, I screamed, “toss the babies to shore”. With as much might as we could muster, we launched the kids out of the current’s path and prayed they could stand and get to shore. We had to let go and trust that they would be ok.

    Then, we could use our freed hands to swim toward the shore ourselves. It worked, and the kids were safe! Thank God we walked away with just cuts and bruises, as well as a greater appreciation for the forces of nature.