Tag: Things to Do Dripping Springs

“Rib cage, eyeball, nipple, throat,” I croak to Wes upon first waking up.

He sighs and grumbles, “nose, gut, mouth, testicle.”

This is the verbal exchange my sweet husband and I often have when we first wake up on the mornings that our 19-month-old ended up in bed with us, listing off body parts
that were mauled by tiny yet freakishly-strong toddler limbs and digits. It. Really. Hurts. However, what often pains me even more is when my swollen eyes make out the time on the clock across the room. Is that a 5?!  Is he really up for the day?!

On the plus side, these late-night attacks have trained us in more ways than we ever could have imagined.  We’ve learned the art of returning to REM after experiencing excruciating pinches and twists. We’ve developed body contortionist skills that make cirque-du-soleil performers look like beginning gymnasts just to avoid kicks to our groins and intestine. We can wake from a deep sleep to catch a determined toddler in mid-air as he tries to launch himself from the bed. And the greatest skill of all, which every parent I know has mastered, is being able to tackle the challenges of daily life with mini-humans on only a few hours of sleep.

In the past, I have referred to myself as a Mama Bear. It’s a title many of us relate to because of how fiercely we’ll protect our children. But I am now realizing that my Mama spirit animal is a completely different one: the giraffe. Giraffes usually sleep only about 5 minutes at a time for a total of 30 minutes per day. Plus, they are on their feet all day long! Sound familiar? Skip that Mama Bear nonsense; she gets to hibernate all winter. You, my friend, do not.

It is now officially the insanely busy holiday season. With so many parties, events, family traditions, in-law visits, shopping trips, and days without kids in school, we have to accept that a good night’s sleep isn’t happening until the new year. So, I’m going to toss out that cute Mama Bear shirt and matching red plaid pajama pants. Instead, it’s about time to find myself some animal-print sweatpants and ask my friend with that killer cricut machine to make me a “Mama Giraffe” shirt. My family has a holiday bucket list to attend to!

HILL COUNTRY HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST –

1. Luminations at the Lady Byrd Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin): Dec 6th-9th, 6 – 9 pm… Gardens will be lit with thousands of luminarias and filled with music and festive fun. Plus, there will be performances by the aerial dance group, Blue Lapis Light. $15 for non-members, free for children 4 and under. (www.wildflower.org)
2. Emily Ann Theater Trail of Lights (Wimberley): Nov

   

   24th – Dec 28th, 6 – 9 pm… Stroll through over 100
   lighted exhibits, roast marshmellows, listen to live music, and visit with Santa on select nights. FREE, donations appreciated. (https://wimberley.org/event/trail-of-lights/2018-12-17/)
3. Johnson City Lights Spectacular: Nightly in

   

   December – Jan 6th… The courthouse and downtown area are aglow with thousands of lights. Local vendors set up tables inside and outside the courthouse. Carriage and hay rides are available for a fee. (https://www.johnsoncitytexas.info/local-events–calendar.html
4. Holidays in Gruene: Weekends in December… photos with

   

   Cowboy Kringle, free afternoon shows at historic Gruene Hall, gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town, and unique shops to complete your Christmas lists. (www.gruenetexas.com)

5. Make-and-Take Crafts (Dripping Springs Library): Dec 4th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm… Create your own holiday gifts, all supplies provided for free. While at the library, try to spot the Shelf Elf, guess the number of sweets in the jar to try to win a Kindle Fire, and don’t forget to bring hats, shawls, and throws as donations for the elderly. (https://www.dscl.org/events)

6. Holidays at the Oaks (Lakeway): Dec 6th, 5 – 8 pm … In the children’s courtyard, enjoy family fun with Santa & Ms. Claus, a s’mores bar with H-E-B, coloring contest and catering from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, hot chocolate bar from Vivel Crepes & Coffee, ornament making, gourmet popcorn and holiday card making, and horse-drawn carriage rides! FREE but bring an unwrapped toy to donate. (https://www.facebook.com/oaksatlakeway/)

7. Christmas Movie Night at Austin Ridge Bible Church (Dripping Springs Campus): Dec 7th, 6 pm… Bring your chairs or blanket to watch The Star on an outdoor movie screen. Cocoa, popcorn, smores, and coffee will be provided. Suggested donation is $10 per family. (https://www.austinridge.org/connect/events/christmas-movie-night-ds/967/1544162400/) ALSO, check this link for parents’ night out options through Austin Ridge: https://www.austinridge.org/connect/events/

8. Lost Pines Christmas Snow Day (Bastrop – Fisherman’s Park): Dec 8th, 12 pm – 5 pm, followed by fireworks and parade through downtown at 6 pm … Snow Day will have snow slides, snow play area, face painting, balloon animals, games, and food vendors. (www.visitbastrop.com)

9. Holiday Cookie Festival at the Springs Family YMCA (Dripping Springs): Dec 8th, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm… Cookies, pics with Santa, moonbounce, games, face painting, and crafts. Free event but cookies are sold as a fundraiser for the Y. (https://www.austinymca.org/news/holiday-cookie-festival-1)

10. A Pioneer Christmas at the Pound House (Dripping Springs): Dec 8th, 9 am – 3 pm… Food, Wagon Rides, Photos with Santa, Make-and-Take Ornament Crafts, Story Readings, Live Holiday Bluegrass Music, Demonstrators, Shopping with Local Artisans, Re-Enactments, and Tours of the House decked out for the Holidays! $5 admission for ages 5+ (http://www.drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org/pioneer-christmas.html)

11. Movie on the Lawn at Hill Country Galleria (Bee Cave): Dec 14th, 6 pm… Bring a blanket or chairs and watch The Polar Express. Free popcorn will be provided by Cinemark, and there are several restaurants nearby to grab an adult beverage or coffee before and after the movie. (https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/movie-on-the-lawn-the-polar-express/2145510417/)

12. Frosty Fun at Founder’s Pool (Dripping Springs): Dec 15th, 12 – 3 pm … Swim in the heated pool, enjoy cocoa and cookies, listen to holiday music, and play in the snow. ($2/person)

13. Save the Date: Snow Day at the Science Mill (Johnson City): Jan 19th, 10 am – 4 pm… 20 tons of snow will fill the museum’s backyard. Tickets are $11 for adults and $9.50 for children 3-12. (https://www.sciencemill.org/upcoming-events-1/)

“Mom, which way does the number ‘9’ go? I haven’t written it in so long that I forgot.” These words from my emerging 3rd grader made me realize that I actually allowed it to happen. The Summer Slide.

My kids are definitely experiencing it. They’ve forgotten facts and formulas; they’ve let their grammar and handwriting skills slip; they’ve become slower at reading and worse at spelling; and they’ve definitely eased right out of a daily routine and schedule.

The educator in me is pretty disappointed, mostly in myself.  Today, two days before school starts, I could be drilling them on multiplication facts. I could be forcing hour-long reading sessions. I could be sitting them down in front of workbooks. But I’m not… because the mom side of me isn’t worried at all.

At this exact moment, my two oldest children are playing in the backyard at dusk with their 2-year-old sister, sliding quickly and landing hard on their bums, jumping high and perfecting somersaults on the trampoline, swinging to their hearts’ content, and passing partially deflated beach balls to each other. No one is stressed out by homework or gone at baseball practice, and they are actually getting along. My children are happily playing and enjoying their family time, begging me to join in. This is summer as it should be, and although the teacher side of me is feeling pretty guilty, the mom side of me is feeling pretty proud. I know these kids are going to be just fine.

I know they are learning so much from free play and creative afternoons and traveling near and far. I know their social skills are improving with long summer playdates and eventful days away at church camp. I know that their problem-solving skills are rapidly developing each time I ban electronics or refuse to intervene when they have sibling spats. I also know that when they return to school, they will soon become re-acclimated to routines and schedules, and their brains will be totally ready to absorb new skills and facts, while recalling the old.

As long as my children are still technically children, my wish is that when they hear the words, “summer slide”, they continue to think it’s the big 22-foot inflatable waterslide they cruised down about 99 times yesterday, joyfully shrieking and doing tricks with some of their closest friends. It was one of the most fun days they’ve had all month, and I watched them learn so much on that summer slide.

We’ve still been checking off our summer bucket list but at a much slower pace these days. Staying home to watch movies, do scavenger hunts, and finish the big kids’ hang out space became much more appealing as the temperatures rose and our energy levels waned.

Cabela’s –

Highlights: aquarium, “dead zoo”, shooting games, cool products to try out, A/C, cafe

Tips:

– Bring quarters for the shooting game.

– The second level with several tents is a lot of fun for kids to pretend like they’re camping.

– It might be a good idea to have an item in mind that you need to buy, such as bait for an upcoming fishing trip. (It’s a little awkward to spend a lot of time in a store and not buy anything.)

– Check out the website ahead of time for classes, demonstrations, and additional entertainment.

YMCA-Hopping –

Highlights: different pool features at different Y locations, child watch for children up to age 12, free drop-in camps at some locations, playgrounds and open gym time

Tips:

– Check website for individual locations’ pool and child watch hours.

– If you’re not a member, you can join a friend as a guest up to three times. Otherwise, consider getting just a summer membership. At the beginning of the summer, the Y often waives the registration fee.