Editor Reviews

Tomball Bowl - Old Fashioned Fun!

The summer is winding down, but the hot weather isn't! We're always looking for free, cool summer activities around our house, and I think we found our favorite thing to do this summer!

I was so happy to stumble across the "Kids Bowl Free" program sponsored by Tomball Bowl before school even let out, I knew it would be that "go-to" activity when the pool and splashpads were old news.

Tomball Bowl is what I would call an "old-fashioned" bowling alley. Prices are in-line with my 1990s expectations, there's a great little snack bar with popcorn,nachos and pizza, a game room where video games are 50 cents and even a juke box! If you use your Kids Bowl Free pass, shoe rental is extra for only $3.25. Without the summer passes, games are still less than $5/person on weekdays and on Sunday and Tuesday only $2.25. You really can't beat that!

When we went with friends a couple of weeks ago, we stopped for lunch at an awesome little spot just in front of the bowling alley called Frey's Backyard Cafe. It's a cute little spot with counter ordering and a great outside seating area and a large turf, fenced-in area in the back for the kids to run around and play. Our friends were very pleased that they had gluten-free options and we were even happier to have time to sit in chat in peace while the kids played soccer happily within eye, but not ear range!

Kids Bowl Free is still available until August 31 here: www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=6234.

Tomball Bowl is located at 14435 FM 2920. To see their hours and specials, visit: http://tomballbowl.com/.

Frey's Backyard Cafe is located at 14441 FM 2920 just in front of the bowling alley. See their hours and menu at: http://freysbackyard.com/.

Don't Hesita(s)te! Sweet'N Low National Sampling Tour

BY: Karen Logan

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Sweet’N Low. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you were at the Red, Hot & Blue Festival on the 4^thof July, I hope you got a chance to drop by the Sweet’N’ Low truck to sample some of their sweetened beverages. It was a hot night and I didn’t have any cash for soft drinks, so I lingered around the truck for more than my fair share of samples, and the staff on hand were kind enough to let me indulge. What can I say? I’m a Sweet’N Low fan (and the sample cups were really small)! Since iced tea is my drink of choice when dining out, I love that America’s favorite pink packet zero-calorie sweetener is an option at most restaurants because it takes WAY too much regular sugar to sweeten my tea the way I like it. One little packet of Sweet’N Low is as sweet as 2 tablespoons of sugar. Lately, however, I have an even greater appreciation for Sweet’N Low because it’s zero calories. Yes, I’m still trying to lose my “baby” weight from the 16-month-old, and ever calorie cut is worth its weight in gold.

Sweet’N Low doesn’t’ taste exactly like sugar, and that’s totally fine with me. As I told my husband, “it sweetens efficiently”, and the flavor is delightful. People who know me well can tell you that I’m a HUGE sweets eater! Artificial sweeteners just make sense for me and my lifestyle, and I like the fact that numerous reputable organizations such as American Diabetes Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, World Health Organization, and National Cancer Institute (to name a few), have acknowledged the health benefits and safety of consuming saccharin, which is what Sweet’N Low is made with.

Have you tried Sweet’N Low recently? If you don’t think you’ll like it, you might be surprised! Tastes change, and that’s why Sweet’N Low has taken their sweetness on the road with their national sampling tour, to give everyone a chance to try them again (or try them for the first time). Their theme is “don’t hesita(s)te” which is all about not missing the moment to try something great! So try them out next time, and kick the sugar to the curb! Don't forget to mention "WoodlandsMommy.com" at upcoming Sweet'N Low events to win a free gift! #donthesitaste

Why Not Toys? Local Toy Store Fascinates Shoppers!

BY: Karen Logan

"Wow!!" That's what my husband and I kept exclaiming as we walked deeper and deeper into Why Not Toys, hands down the cutest and coolest toy store around, located in Old Town Spring.

This week we decided to explore the charming shopping district of Old Town Spring with our 4 munchkins, and the amazing toy shop was the very first store we entered. I'd visited in the past (without hubby), and all I remember of that visit is that it was a quick in-and-out type of thing (I can't remember why we had to leave so quickly. Perhaps one of the kids were being unruly.) I was thrilled to experience the store for a 2nd time, because it was nothing like I'd remembered it. We walked through room after room (after room) of some of the most fascinating toys around. There were figurines, dolls, board games, stuffed animals, tents, crafts, vintage toys, wind-ups, books, puppets, kitchens, trucks, cash registers, puzzles, monsters and so much more. It was a delight for the senses, and I really don't know who enjoyed the store more, the kids or myself!

The Woodlands Car Club: Coffee and Cars for a Cause

I've often seen the calendar listing for The Woodlands Car Club's event "Coffee and Cars for a Cause" on Sunday mornings at Market Street, but with church and self-admitted laziness on Sunday mornings, we've never made the effort to check it out.

Recently my boys have been showing an ~~interest~~ obsession with cars, so we made it a priority to take them to Coffee and Cars for a Cause earlier in June. What great fun!

It's a simple enough concept - car owners and enthusiasts park their cars around the streets of Market Street with their doors open and hoods and trunks up while patrons stroll around admiring their prizes. The boys admired new Lamborghinis, Corvettes and new model BMWs (to name a few) while my husband and I leaned towards the older model Mustangs and Camaros. If you're lucky, the owners will let the kids sit in the cars and have a look around and of course, take plenty of photos.

If you're looking for something fun and different to do with the kids this summer, The Woodlands Car Club holds their event the first Sunday of each month from 8-10 a.m. You'll enjoy the quiet stroll, friendly conversation and the fact that you're supporting an organization that has been raising awareness and funds for local non-profit organizations in Montgomery County since 2001. For more information: www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/events/5884/cars-coffee-cause-2015-07-05/.

Editor's Review: Mabel's Labels

BY: Karen Logan

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Mabel’s Labels. I received a voucher to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Next month is the month my mom takes off to treat all her grandkids for a week of fun at her house. For my nieces and nephews, it’s been a summer tradition for the past 15 years, and now that I have kids of my own, mine participate too. That’s about 12 little ones in all (and yes, it was Grandma’s idea)! While I look forward to my one-week “vacation from the kids” every summer, I DO NOT look forward to having them return home with less than what they left with. With everyone’s sleeping bags, clothes, pajamas, socks, shoes, stuffed animals, video games, hair stuff, etc. strewn all over the place, it’s easy for things to get lost. That’s why I decided to use Mabel’s Labels to keep track of everything this year. All of my kiddos items will be labeled, so there will be no question about “Whose is this?” when it’s time to pack up. Also, having things labeled will allow my mom to help the younger ones avoid mix-ups and lost items.

Although I’ve used Mabel’s Labels in the past, to facilitate my review of the product this month I was able to customize and receive a Mabel's Labels Limited Edition Camp Label pack – a Mabel’s Labels product designed specifically for campers to keep track of their belongings. The process of ordering online was super easy. It literally took only a couple of minutes and I was done. I knew what the pack was going to include, but I was still surprised when I physically got the items from the mail and saw how many shiny, neat labels it really amounted to.

Out of the Box Summer Fun: Owl Pellet Dissection

BY: Karen Logan

I would have never guessed that dissecting owl pellets would be the highlight of our month! For only $4/each, I was able to purchase 2 owl pellets online from Home Science Tools, and they arrived to The Woodlands within a week's time. Even still, they sat in their packets for another 2 weeks because I simply had no interest in doing anything with them.

Scented Socks & the Sweetest, Cutest Fashions for your Little Girl!

BY: Karen Logan

"Farrah, that doesn't match!" I seem to have to tell my 7-year-old daughter far too often. When we're meandering through The Woodlands Mall, we need to look prim and proper, right?

Well, not anymore. There's a company that actually specializes in mix-matched fashions now, so I suppose I should stop giving my daughter so much grief about being a shade or two off. In fact, I'm really loving the super cute, adorable, colorful, fun girls clothing from LittleMissMatched. For Farrah's recent birthday, we purchased her first bicycle without training wheels from Toys 'R Us, and it was Little MissMatched brand - white, green, blue, orange, pink, and probably a few additional colors.

Do you think your little one would like these styles? There's a "sweetness" and innocence about the products that I can't seem to get enough of. This season, we're buying LittleMissMatched Dresses and rompers, and we really love the scented socks (great for sleepovers). and the ball caps (we can use some of those NOW!). The bags (especially the sneaker backpacks) are super cute too, and make for a fun birthday gift.

Craft Time! Photo Explosion Box

BY: Karen Logan

Disclosure: I received a sample product and a promotional item to thank me for my participation in this blog activation campaign with MyPrintly and MomSelect. All opinions are my own.

Have you visited MyPrintly? If not, you totally should! The website is full of inspiration and ideas for fun crafts and DIY projects, plus it showcases easy print solutions that you might not already know about. Check it out at MyPrintly.com.

Now, on to our craft, shall we? These days, you don't have to be "crafty" to turn out a great product. Just a spoonful of inspiration and some simple instructions, and you're cranking out something beautiful in no time. This week I needed to create a "thank you" gift for my mother-in-law, and I decided to put together this hand-assembled photo explosion box that I think she'll really appreciate. It has three layers of snapshots of our family, plus a few special embellishment like the "Thank You" note in the middle (found online and printed on regular cardstock).

This craft was so easy, and I love the way it turned out! I simply used HP photo paper, my printer (to print the pattern pieces and the photos), 4 sheets of cardstock (though you can use a lighter weight decorated paper if you have to), scissors, Elmer's glue, and some small printed photos (my photos were able 1.5 sqin each). I also embellished the box with a heart jewel and a satin flower, just to add a special touch.

Explosion boxes are nothing new. I remember many years ago when my friend, Katie, first showed us these cute little boxes that she'd learn how to make. I've been long familiar with the square boxes, but this time I decided to make a hexagonal box. The actual instructions and free pattern sheets can be found online here.

Have fun making your boxes, and please send us a photo of your projects!

EXTRA EXTRA: Here's an exciting giveaway! Entry is easy - simply follow @MyPrintly on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram, and then complete this brief entry form in order to be entered for a chance to win one of three (3) HP Envy Printers: http://bit.ly/MyPrintlyGiveaway. The contest will end on Friday, May 15^thand winners will be randomly selected and notified next week. Please note, only residents of the U.S.A. are eligible to enter. Good luck!

Editor's Review: Ready?? OK!!

BY: Karen Logan

My 7-year-old tried out a tumbling class at Sideline Spirit this week, and it was a great class! It wasn't until we were headed to the facility's Budde Rd. address that I realized they are located at Legends Sports Complex (with a separate entrance). The facility is clean and modern (albeit a bit smaller than I'd anticipated).

My daughter has been asking to try gymnastics for the longest, but her primary interest is "flips", so I figured a beginning tumbling class would be our best bet. Sideline Spirit offers a one-hour class that suited us perfectly, and the initial class is a FREE trial. It was a combination of tumbling (cartwheels, handstands, bridges, rolls, etc.) and exercise and strengthening (jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, jogging), and I can't think of a more exciting way for her to meet the required dose of daily physical fitness.

Win a $500 Babies "R" Us Gift Card!

BY: Karen Logan

Disclaimer: I participated in a Blog Blast Activation on behalf of Influence Central for GB. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

What would you do with a $500 Babies "R" Us gift card? I would LOVE to see one of our very own WoodlandsMommy.com readers win this Grand Prize that's being offered in the GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes, so please enter! It wouldn't be the first time one of our readers have won a nice prize from a national contest we've publicized, and we're feeling quite lucky!

GB is launching the GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes to help promote their car seat safety campaign and the launch of their Asana35 AP car seat. (Have you seen the unique 3-way FirmFit System on these car seats? Brilliant!) Even if you don't win the G $500 gift certificate Grand Prize, there's still so many other chances to win! You could be awarded a GB Asana35 AP Car Seat and GB Zuzu Stroller (second prize), a GB Asana35 car seat (3rd prize), plus each week, two Sweepstakes participants will be randomly selected to win a $50 Babies "R" Us Gift Card, and each week one Sweepstakes participant will be randomly selected to win a $100 Babies "R" Us Gift card.

Are you feeling lucky? I hope so! The GB Travel Safe Sweepstakes is all about accumulating points (you gain points quickly by performing easy tasks like watching a video about the GB products, or posting a message to your Twitter account, etc.) If you're an expectant mom and add the Asana35 AP to your Babies "R" Us registry, you'll get extra points!

You can enter the sweepstakes via the website at http://www.gbtravelsafe.com, or simply use the below widget to enter:

Best of luck to you!