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Topgolf KidZone Summer Academy a Win-Win

We've partnered with Topgolf and were compensated for this post. Opinions are our own!

I decided to wear green because we were feeling super lucky for the opportunity to host an intimate Mom's Day and Kids Summer Academy event at Topgolf Spring. This time, there were 12 of us mommies and about 15 kiddos, and we had a chance to preview the KidZone Summer Academy. What fun! First of all, you should know that next week is the very last week to take advantage of the Summer Academy for this year, but it’ll return in full force at the beginning of next summer’s break. The Academy takes place Monday – Friday from 9am – 12pm, is for children ages 6-12, and they even feed the kids lunch. So, if you need to rip and run and get last minute school supplies handled next week, Topgolf is a great option for a unique experience for the kiddos. They’ll be well taken care of with a low student-to-teacher ratio of 1-6! Win-win!

Our Summer Academy Preview event was similar to last month’s Ladies’ Happy Hour.

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

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

Topgolf. Top Notch. Here’s a recap of our Ladies’ Night Out

What do you envision when you hear the word “golf”? Well, let me tell you... This isn’t your daddy’s somber golf country club! Topgolf is a driving-range-style entertainment complex full of thrills, energy, and smiling faces, and WoodlandsMommy.com was pleased to be part of the Topgolf Blogger Series “Ladies Happy Hour” event last week. We invited 25 of our local readers to join us for the evening, plus we were delighted with the opportunity to meet guests of The Observant Turtle, Houston Moms Blog, and The Simple Parent. The evening was a blast!

As I entered Topgolf Spring facility at 560 Spring Park Center Blvd, others were headed out, and – I have to say this for the single moms – there were quite a bit of good-looking men there who may or may not have been eligible bachelors. Just some food for thought! Now, where were we? When you enter, you’re greeted with music, lights, a beautiful lobby, a helpful staff, TV’s galore, and, did I mention the energy in this place?

Our Homeschool Room Tour

alt Even some of the unlikeliest moms in our area are starting to consider the option of educating their kiddos at home. There are so many pros and cons to homeschooling, and also very many pros and cons to sending your kiddos off to school. Personally, I think education works best when youre doing what works best for the child and the family, and every situation is different. So here are two words for you homeschoolers, public schoolers, and private schoolers: ROCK ON!

I've homeschooled for the past few years, and we plan to do it again this year. This could possibly change in the future, but until it does, Ill be enjoying the time I get to spend in our home schoolroom. If youre thinking of creating a home education space, feel free to take note and/or send me your own schoolroom photos so we can post them.

Why Not Toys? Local Toy Store Fascinates Shoppers!

"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!