It was Premiere Night for Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO at Sam Houston Racetrack which is scheduled to run through March 23, 2025. And to borrow a phrase from the younger generation.. The show ate (and left no crumbs)!

First things first: I absolutely love attending top-tier events without having to drive all the way into downtown Houston. From The Woodlands, it's just a 23-minute drive to the big top, located at Sam Houston Racetrack.

Cirque du Soleil always brings a whole vibe! From the moment we arrived, we felt like we were walking into a party. With a red carpet rolled out, strolling characters, and an energy that buzzed with excitement, there was no shortage of interesting sights. From merchandise to tantalizing treats and fun photo ops, the atmosphere was electric. For the Premiere Night, guests were treated to complimentary warm cookies courtesy of Tiff’s Treats and espresso martinis—definitely a nice touch!

If you’ve ever experienced a Cirque du Soleil show, you know it’s some of the most breathtaking and daring performance art out there, and ECHO absolutely lives up to the reputation! Having seen at least four Cirque du Soleil shows, I can confidently say this one is the BEST yet. Fun, colorful, and playful, it transported me back to my imaginative childhood. Not only was it visually stunning, but there were quite a few funny moments that had us all laughing out loud plus audience participation that made me feel welcome and valued.

As described on Cirque du Soleil’s website, ECHO is inspired by youth’s optimism, the power of invention, and the value of empathy. The show captivated us with its joyful characters, inspiring music, breathtaking lighting and projections, and jaw-dropping acrobatic feats. CLICK HERE to see a 30-minute reel I posted on Instagram.

I highly encourage you to grab tickets for this incredible experience. It’s a family-friendly show that everyone will enjoy, (or you can make it a memorable date night with that special someone)!

Cirque du Soleil is located at Sam Houston Racetrack, 7575 North Sam Houston Pkwy W in Houston.

If you're ever looking for a fun, affordable way to spend a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoon, you should head over to Altitude Trampoline Park in Spring for their Homeschool Hops! From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm during the school year (when Klein ISD is in session), students can enjoy 2 hours of open jump time for just $10.99.

We had an awesome time there, and it was super chill. There were no more than10 kids total at any given time (including my little one) during our visit, so the place felt like our own personal playground.

Have you been yet? If not, here's why it's awesome:

The park is clean, spacious, and open, which is perfect if you have younger kids or multiple kiddos to keep an eye on. Unlike more compartmentalized venues, you can actually relax knowing your kids are in a big, wide space that you can easily monitor.

The park features trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, battle beams, and more! Plus, there's a small game room for extra fun.

Here’s a quick rundown of the 13 zones you’ll find:

• Extreme Dodgeball
• Basketball Slam Dunk
• Battle Beam
• Log Roll
• Performance Trampolines
• Wipe Out
• Toddler Court
• Foam Pit
• High Jump
• Trapeze Bar
• Rock Wall
• Tumble Trampolines
• Main Court

I was so impressed with Altitude Trampoline Park, and at just $11 for 2 full hours of playtime, it was a total win for my budget. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to jump alongside your kids (I wasn't on this day, but NEXT time!), it's only $4.99 per adult to join in the fun. Need a pair of Altitude Trampoline socks? They’re $3—but you own them and can bring them back for future visits.

Our top pick of the day? The Wipe Out! It’s an epic electronic spinning arm that circles around, and when it comes your way, you’ve got to jump over it. Up to 10 kids can join in at a time, and my daughter and her friend had a blast competing to see who could last the longest. I also loved that there was always an attendant on hand to keep things safe while everyone played.

Just like any great trampoline park, Altitude has plenty of seating to keep you comfy. There are relaxing benches scattered throughout, and if you need a little extra pampering, there are even pay-per-use massage chairs to unwind in. If you’re planning to snack, rest, or throw a mini party, there are also long picnic tables perfect for hanging out. Plus, if you're looking to celebrate in style, this venue has private party rooms for a more exclusive experience.

As with most indoor amusement places, outside food isn't allowed for open jump, but Altitude Trampoline Park has a snack bar with goodies like nachos and cheese, popcorn, chips, ice cream, candy, soft drinks, and Icees.

I mentioned we went for Homeschool Jump, but Altitude has other special jump times and events throughout the year too, like Teen Night and Friday Night Frenzy. For parents of younger kids, the Junior Jumper program might be of interest. This special time for kids ages 6 and under runs Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (when Klein ISD is in session) from 10 am - 1 pm and costs just $10.99. That breaks down to only 3.66 per hour! Just a heads up, the park is still open to all ages during Junior Jumper sessions.

Altitude Trampoline Park is located at 4740 Spring Cypress Road in Spring. And keep an eye out —according to the Altitude website, there's a new location opening in Conroe soon!

All in all, we had a blast! This spot is affordable, fun, and WoodlandsMommy.com-recommended. We'll definitely be visiting again!

OMGoodness, you guys! I've already written an ENTIRE other article with fall picture book picks for your kiddos, but I just read a new one and it's so cute and comical that I needed to tell you about it! The Leaf Thief is an adorable book about a squirrel who loves counting the leaves on his tree. But then, one day, he finds that one of his leaves is missing.

I'm still sooo amazingly full and satisfied from the dinner + retreat I had three days ago!

I say "retreat," because that's what the eclectic dining experience at Costa Fina Latin Coastal Kitchen feels like. Frankly, it’s what it looks like, too. Get a taste of this:

SCENE FIT FOR A QUEEN

The evening began with a gorgeous, flawlessly designed setting, an exotic, well-thought-out menu of delicious scratch-made food (flavors inspired by Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, and other Latin American regions), and the cherry on top was the cool, chillax ambience (a bit of romance, a dash of spice, and a whole lot of elegance). Add in down-home hospitality (our server, Frank, was friendly, knowledgeable, and highly attentive), and we had the makings of an unforgettable Date Night only a few minutes away from home.

If I forgot my own name as I approached the host stand after walking into this restaurant, it's because I was truly stunned to learn a place this gorgeous has been right here in The Woodlands - less than 10 minutes from my house - since January 2024!

Costa Fina is located at 26435 Kuykendahl Rd Ste 900 in The Woodlands Village of Creekside Park. The decor is amazing and vibrant, yet the lush botanicals and chic, subdued colors take the atmosphere up several notches above the typical Latin American restaurant.

Sophistication is the word I've settled on for now. I felt like I was dining at an upscale island resort, and Costa Fina definitely gives a "let me put on my cute linen dress and my Ariana Grande ponytail because I need a fun, elevated ensemble to match this vibe" vibe! (Yes, I know I used “vibe” twice. Read it again. I promise it makes sense!)

It was Date Night for me and my beau, but this restaurant is just as perfect for Girls Night Out, a business luncheon, or impressing your father-in-law, and - of course I asked - they have a few kids menu options in case you bring little ones along!

THE BODACIOUS BAR

And look at this bar! (Seriously, do you see this?) It's extravagant! Happy Hour never looked so good! (More on that later.) Oh, and I ordered a sweet and fruity Mango & Pineapple mocktail. It was bright and pretty, served with a chamoy-covered lime and a tajin rim.

DINNER'S A WINNER!

I’m not naïve enough to think you’re here just to hear me ramble. You came for the food! And it’s the food you shall get! Ah-mazing selections here, I'm excited to say! Lots of original options, and even if you see something on the menu that looks familiar, you can bet it's going to have its own Costa Fina flavor, so you'll really get something unique.

Our meal started off with a large plate of fresh, warm, crunchy plantains and chimichurri sauce that came to the table complimentary! A delightful surprise!

For appetizers, Frank suggested the Crema Poblana which looked simple but was marvelous, and that's no exaggeration. It’s a creamy, roasted poblano soup that was lick-the-bowl good (but I promise I didn't!). The soup was comforting, full of flavor, slightly spicy, and had a smoky undertone to it. I told my husband I'll be ordering this “to go” on the regular once the cool weather kicks in, to bring home and eat it in bed in front of the TV.

The slow-braised pork empanadas are served as 6 half pieces with cilantro sauce. They have a perfectly light and crispy crust, and the meat filling was scrumptious.

The appetizers menu boasts many other flavor-promising options like ceviche, smoked guacamole, and even calamari!

But what to choose for an entree? The Braised Lamb Shank? (I hear that it's fall-off-the-bone!) The Cuban Sandwich? It's meaty, cheesy, mouthwatering deliciousness, according to the photos I've seen!) Pork tacos? (Slow-braised pulled pork served with all the fixins!) 

I ended up choosing a Five-Star meal - the Surf & Turf - which includes a grilled 6-ounce beef tenderloin steak with chimichurri, broccolini, yucca, gallo pinto (a delectable rice dish), and three huge shrimp covered in some butter cream sauce.

It's a LOT of food! The plate is large and they fill it up, so you're getting your money's worth and then some! I was able to bring half the dish home to finish it for breakfast the next morning.

The Surf & Turf is undeniably rich, and I really appreciate the artistry of the chef and creation of this splendid combination of flavors. The rice had a bit of a kick to it, and everything was served hot and fresh. And even though I wasn’t quite a fan of my yucca fries, I still ate them because I felt like the chef had done such a fantastic job deciding what to include on this plate that I'd better have some appreciation for it.

I always order my steaks medium-well, which tends to yield a drier-than-I'd-prefer steak. Well, not here! My medium-well steak was cooked to perfection, and it was all-around succulent. I was pleasantly surprised! I would order the Surf & Turf here again and again (and again)!

My husband ordered the Arroz A La Marinera. We’d seen the dish ahead of time on the Costa Rica Instagram page and were drawn to it because it looks like a paella. It has ALL THE THINGS: saffon rice, scallops, octopus, squid, shrimp, mussels, chorizo, and more!

But it’s NOT a paella. This dish has a flavor all its own, and it's saucier than a typical paella which has a drier rice. I would say the texture of the rice here was more like what you'd find in risotto. If you prefer saucier dishes with fishier flavors, this beauty is one to try!

HEY, YOU'RE LOOKING SWEET!

For dessert, we ordered two more of Frank's recommendations - the Tres Leches and the churros. But look at my photo below. Does this look like any tres leches you’ve ever had?

I hardly recognized it! It was coated / topped with a beautiful toasted meringue, and the cake was soooo doggone good. Frank had warned that it wouldn't be as sweet as a typical tres leches, but I found the sweetness level to be about what I've come to expect for this type of dessert. Tres leches is all about texture as much as flavor for me, and this one was skillfully executed! Luscious, it was!

I’d planned to save some for my teen (who was babysitting her siblings for us), but when all was said and done, there was only a spoonful left of cake for the to-go box! Our gracious waiter didn't shame me about that either! He was happy to oblige when I asked if I could get it to go.

Listen... the churros didn't fare any better. They're palette-plesaing -- served warm, drizzled with caramel, and paired with dulce de leche ice cream. You get a good amount of churros (I think about 7), and I was certain hubby and I could limit ourselves to one or two each and bring a few home for the kids. Well... I hereby present you with the churros that we had left over to bring home:

I'm sorry, but they were so good, and I think they were hubby's favorite, along with his cappuccino.

LIVE MUSIC - LET'S TURN UP!

I'm excited for a chance to visit again, because there are many new experiences to have at this restaurant. For one, many other menu items were just begging to be tried, so I’ll have to continue the culinary journey some other time.

On Saturday nights, there's live Latin music on the expansive patio. Also, Mondays thru Fridays from 4-6pm and Sundays 6-9pm, there’s Happy Hour at the bar and patio with great prices on drinks and small plates. And every Tuesday there’s even a selection of half-priced bottles of Latin wine (valid on all bottles priced under $100)!

Visit Costa Fina on their websIte to check out the full menu and other highlights including their Live Music Schedule.

Also, keep up with them on Instagram and Facebook to see more photos and stay in the know!

We decided to try something new today, and LET ME TELL YOU!!! Our experience at Young Chefs Academy far exceeded my expectations! Okay... so in our family, we already spend a LOT of time in the kitchen most weeks, so what was my 10-year-old really going to do that was actually new?

It’s always a risk when you’re buying furniture online, especially assemble-it-yourself pieces. So whenever I find a WINNER, I love to tell you guys about it! I was in the market for a modern design desk that had a lot of storage, and I found this cute Tribesigns Stores desk that happened to be $169 on Amazon (I know right? It’s a bargain!).

Nobody gets excited about a new laundromat, until they end up with a power outage at home, or either a washer/dryer that’s out of commission and family members complaining that they’ve run out of clean undies. Or maybe it’s a season in life where you end up with a backlog of laundry and want to knock it all out in a couple of hours flat. Or… you know… when it’s time to wash those huge bed comforters or all the draperies in the house.

That’s why I’m ecstatic to tell you about the new washateria at 24421 Gosling Rd, just south of The Woodlands. If you’re at Woodlands Parkway & Gosling Rd, just head south on Gosling and you’ll arrive at Smart Wash Laundry less than a minute past W. Rayford Rd.

Shhhh!! Who knew silent mice were a thing? Such a simple little gadget has made all the difference in my household!  A year ago, I didn't even know there was a such thing as a silent mouse. My poor husband. All these years I've stayed up late, night after night, working on my computer - click, click, click goes my mouse as he tries to sleep while I browse the Internet and make updates to my website. He has never complained. I mean, you would think a mouse click is no big deal, but at the end of the day when the house falls quiet, even smaller noises seem to be amplified.

Have you seen the Little Live Pets "My Puppy's Home" toy? It's a WoodlandsMommy.com Editor's Pick for the 2023-2024 season, because it's one of the most innovative and magical toys we've seen in a long time. In a nutshell, your child will (very easily) assemble a sweet little dog house, choose a name for his/her new puppy, and once the kennel is complete, the puppy magically appears inside of it, giving a playful bark. I'm not joking. Your child will see the newly-built empty kennel, and then within minutes, there's the cutest surprise in the form of an adorable pet puppy right there!! The cute pet puppy appears with a toy bone in his mouth and making interactive puppy sounds. Let me just say that my 9-year-old and my 18-year-old daughters were equally impressed with this toy!​

What would you think if I told you your child can mix up some fun kitchen ingredients and actually bake up a REAL interactive plush friend? It's true! The Cookeez Makery Oven Playset is one of the most innovative toys I've seen in a long time! Your child can mix together some raw ingredients, pop it into the Cookeez Makery Baked Treatz Oven, and he/she will soon have a new plush companion! I find myself wondering WHERE WAS THIS TOY when I was a kid? It's an extraordinary blend of creativity mixed with a bit of MAGIC.