Hopdoddy's Euless: your new burger obsession awaits!

Burger fan?

That was a kind of a joke. I mean, we live in Texas. Who ISN'T a burger fan?! (well, to be honest, I'm not. I haven't eaten beef in a decade now. But my husband, a born and bred Texan, loves burgers. So I'm a burger fan by default, really)

I've always loved places that make a mean burger, black bean or otherwise. I love Smashburger and Jake's Burgers and my husband swears by In N Out. But I had honestly never heard of Hopdoddy's Burger Bar, which is based in Austin, before. They have a location on West 7th in Fort Worth and one coming in Southlake in June.

Their newest location in Euless at Glade Road and 121 (about a 25 minute drive from my house near Lake Arlington) just opened Friday night. And. It. Rocks.

They have burgers (made with fantastic beef) doctored all kinds of ways. With mushrooms. With truffle aioli. With salsa. They even have a burger called the Goodnight/Good Cause, where $1 of each $8.25 burger goes an awesome charity in Texas. So. Great. And, for non-beer eaters like me, they have a chicken sandwich and a fantastic black bean burger that will fill you up and make you leave happy!

To be honest, though, I'm more of a French Fry girl, myself. I love my (veggie) burgers, but take away my fries and we'll have issues. Good thing Hopdoddy's does delicious sweet potato fries! And parmesan truffle fries. And chili cheese fries. Just... all the fries. We tried their Kennebec Fries and their Sweet Potato Fries and I'm telling you, you simply cannot go wrong here. (And for those of you that just want a salad because healthy, you can order those, too!)

My girls were smitten with the milk shakes. Oldest chose Root Beer Float (I don't even like root beer and this was YUM), middle chose Vanilla Birthday Cake (so good!) and youngest chose Smores (also a stellar choice). To say they left happy is a total understatement!

Have I mentioned yet that Hopdoddy's has a full bar, too? I didn't? Huh. Must've slipped my mind...

The icing on the cake was the chalk wall that kept my girls happy for the better part of 30 minutes while my husband and I chatted with the managers and enjoyed one another's company. Behind the door marked for the women's restroom (but before you actually enter the bathroom, which has another door and then two stalls), there is a small hallway with wall-to-wall chalk paint and a shelf loaded with chalk. Encourage my kids to draw on things that aren't paper and you've won them over for life!

But really- this place rocks. The prices are completely reasonable, especially considering the caliber of food served. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (would you expect anything else from an Austin-based company?). The soda machine pours out delicious, fair trade drinks from Maine Root Sodas and the servers refill your drinks quickly and frequently (although you do stand in line and order your own food before you are seated and things are brought directly to your table.)

Go check out this place! Try the black bean burger and the sweet potato fries! And be sure to mention how great one of these places would be in the Arlington/Mansfield area...

Keep your kids busy all summer long in DFW...

May 1st always makes me nervous.
Summer is so close!
Summer is so close.
Summer is so close...
And with the dog days of summer come the cries of "I'm bored!," "There's nothing to do in this house!," and, my favorite, "We never do anything fun!"
In attempt to cut my kids off at the pass, here is a comprehensive list of ways to prevent (eye-roll here) summer boredom...

Arlington/Mansfield/GP Area
Get wet at Hawaiian Falls
Splash around at Hurricane Harbor
Let the little ones enjoy Arlington Splash Pads
Stay out of the sun but still have fun in the water at Epic Waters
See all sorts of bizarre things at Ripley's Believe It or Not
Enjoy the awesome roller coasters at Six Flags
Enjoy the summer reading programming from the local libraries
Play some games at Dave and Buster's
Let the kid's play at Chuck E Cheese
Join the Kid's Bowl Free program and enjoy some indoor fun at Alley Cats
Enjoy the arcade at Round 1
Go old school at Free Play Arlington
Enjoy Summer Tuesdays at Peter Piper Pizza
Hear a story at Barnes and Noble Storytime
Get crafty at Michael's (some classes are even free!)
Work on your drawing skills at KidCreate Mansfield
Paint memories at Creative Hands in Arlington
Practice your ninja skills at All Star Ninja Mansfield
Get adventurous at Urban Air in Arlington or Mansfield
Get flying at Flight Deck
Bounce baby bounce at Pump It Up Arlington
Enjoy a Rangers game- or the Kids Zone at the ballpark
Take a tour of Cowboys Stadium
Catch a $1 flick at Studio Movie Grill
Watch a minor league ball game with the GP Airhogs
See some horses race at Lonestar Park
Catch a concert under the stars at The Levitt Arlington
See movies and more at The Lot Mansfield
Lace up your ice skates at Ice at the Parks
Bust out those rollerblade skills at Arlington Skatium

Looking to expand your summer beyond greater Arlington? Check out all these awesome destinations that are just a bit of a drive from Arlington!

Fort Worth
Fort Worth Zoo
Safari Splash the FW Zoo
Museum of Science and History
Amon Carter Museum
Stockyards (catch the cattle drive!)
Splash Pad in Sundance Square
Sea Quest Aquarium
Forest Park Miniature Train Ride
Water Gardens
The Happy Lark indoor play area
Celebrations indoor play
Young Chef Academy (cooking lessons!)
Top Golf
Main Event
Van Grow Art Studio
Log Cabin Village
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Burger's Lake
Coyote Drive In

Greater Tarrant County
Peek N Play indoor playarea with a ball pit!
Small World Big Imagination indoor play
Sealife Aquarium
Legoland
NRH20 water park
NRH Centre indoor pool
Bedford Splash
Tastebuds Kitchen- cooking classes for ages 4 and up!
Pirate's Cove in Burleson
Country Critters
iFly indoor sky diving
Learn about farm life at Nash Farms in Grapevine
Escape the heat at Luv 2 Play Grapevine
Check out the new indoor playground Recess in Burleson
Artisan Theater- adorable, affordable theater for kids, by kids!

Worth the drive- Dallas & Collin County Fun
Klyde Warren Park- food trucks, water fun, oh my!
Spark Dallas- indoor play area for ages 7 and up
Reunion Tower- see Dallas from way up high!
Crayola Experience- just opened in Frisco!
Playstreet Museum- cute indoor play for little ones
The Playdate Co.- awesome indoor play for littles in Richardson
The Coop- huge ball pit and imaginative play for littles in Frisco
Safari Run
The Lot Dallas- grab a beer and let the kids play in the massive sandbox!
Dallas Arboretum
Dallas Zoo
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park
Dallas Aquarium
Medieval Times
Going Bonkers- huge indoor play attraction near Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville
The Frog Pond Water Park- fun play area for kiddos in Carrollton
Sandy Lake Amusement Park
Amazing Jake's
Dallas Firefighter's Museum
The Tubes in Irving- HUGE playarea for big kids- FREE
Fritz Park Petting Zoo- check opening hours in the summer!

What did I miss?!

JAM: the COOLEST online courses for kids 8-16!

As my kids get bigger, their educational needs are growing and changing. The cute PBS and Nick Jr. apps that used to entertain them (and teach them annoying-but-adorable songs such as “Adults come back”) no longer engage them. So I’ve been on the lookout for educational apps and websites for my oldest especially that encourages her to think and expand her horizons.

So when Pearachute approached me about trying out JAM, I was excited. I had never heard of JAM before, nor have I seen anything like it!

JAM is a series of online courses for bigger kids, ages 8-16. JAM includes short videos in a sequence that teaches kids about drawing, science, Legos and more!

My oldest (who is 8.5) couldn’t wait to try ALL the lessons on JAM. Because building Legos and Rube Goldberg Machines, learning to illustrate your drawings and learning about how to improve your singing from pros are all things that speak to her soul and challenge her mind. Plus, these are all lessons that I, myself, would struggle to teach her (have I mentioned lately what a terrible singer and drawer I am?!) and she wouldn’t necessarily learn in school. JAM to the rescue here!

One of my favorite things about JAM was how it’s more than just an app or a Website, it’s a community. My oldest picked a nickname for her account and then makes videos after each lesson that other users in the community can view. She can view others’ videos, also, which gives her confidence in her own abilities after viewing others. When she sees their drawings or hears them singing, she realizes that she is growing and improving her skills, just like they are! She loves making videos to upload to JAM- it might even be her favorite feature!

The videos are also short and easy to follow. And it is super easy to go at your own pace. Because the videos are quick and can be accessed from the phone, iPad or laptop, my oldest is always able to watch a quick tutorial or two and work on the skills provided in the lesson. (It is easiest to do the singing lessons on the go because there is nothing else needed) She literally gets home from school and asks if she can do a “quick video or two please Mom?” She has finally found something that is both fun and educational!

JAM has so many cool offerings that if your kiddo isn’t into singing like mine is, surely you can find something for him or her! JAM offers cooking instruction, drawing instruction, mad science tutorials, Lego build tutorials and more. (They even have Minecraft lessons!)

You can subscribe to one course at a time- or all the courses if you wish! You can get a free two-week trial (You will love it, I swear!)- and, the best part?!- you can get 20% off courses with my link:

http://lets.jam.com/stephanie20

or type STEPHANIE20 into the promo field (must use all caps for code to work)

Happy JAMming!

Note: I am doing this review on behalf of Pearachute. All thoughts and comments are my own. 

10+ Activities for Kiddos All Over DFW

I have teamed up with some awesome local Dallas bloggers and discovered some of the best places to go and things to do with your kids in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. From museums and zoos to free places to visit all over the Metroplex, check out these kid-friendly things to do (and follow all these other awesome bloggers while you're at it!).

10+ Kid-Friendly Dallas and Ft. Worth Ideas for Fun

• Crayola Event Plano from Plano Moms
• Scarborough Renaissance Festival from Ginger Casa 
• Medieval Times from DFW Dad
• Perot Museum from Julie Measures
• Reunion Tower GeO Deck from Everything Arlington 
• Hot Summer, Cool Camp Ideas from ModMomTV
• Places to Visit in Dallas for Free from Mejorando mi Hogar
• Best Hotels for Kids in DFW from Mama Challenge
• SeaQuest Aquarium, Ft. Worth from Everything Arlington 
• Lunch and Learn Opera House from Wise Mommies 
• Hidden Gem in Hurst, TX from  Mommies Reviews 
• Bush Presidential Library from Hustle Mom Repeat 
• SeaLife Grapevine Aquarium from Mejorando mi Hogar
• Klyde Warren Park from Plano Moms
• Enjoy a Day of Fun at Pinstack in Plano from Hustle Mom Repeat 
• Plan an Adventurous Day at the Dallas Zoo from Ginger Casa

Tinkergarten Classes are now in Arlington!

My Facebook feed has been flooded with Tinkergarten posts for months now.

Friends signing up to be instructors. Friends attending Tinkergarten classes. Sponsored posts inquiring whether or not I'm interested in becoming a Tinkergarten leader.

To be totally honest, though, I didn't really know what Tinkergarten was. But I'm always looking for awesome things to do in the area. So when a friend announced on Facebook she would be starting up classes in the Arlington area, I was thrilled! More local activities for wee ones. Score!

Tinkergarten's mission, from its Facebook page: Teach parents how to share authentic, outdoor learning experiences with their children, so those children may develop into curious, capable and well-balanced people.

Tinkergarten is held in an outdoor classroom, which I love! The class that tiniest one and I tried on Monday morning was held at Bicentennial Park in Pantego. And class is held outside in all weather conditions, barring extreme weather (think lightning, ice, etc.). I love this! I love this because I grew up in the Midwest, where I was encouraged to go outside in Fall (put on a jacket!), in Winter (put on your snowpants, a hat and gloves!), in Spring (put on your rain coat!) and in Summer (take a bottle of water!). Encouraging kids to enjoy being outdoors in all weather conditions is important to me! One of my favorite quotes on the Tinkergarten Facebook page is "there is no bad weather, just bad clothes." This is so true! I love that Tinkergarten encourages kids to get outside and be kids in spite of the weather. Put on those rain boots. Button up that coat. Get out those gloves. And go enjoy the weather, whatever it may be!

My second-favorite thing about Tinkergarten was that my littlest one was encouraged to explore nature. Play in the dirt? Sure! Pick up ALL the sticks? Yes, please! Get messy? Absolutely! Tinkergarten encouraged my kiddo to be, well, a kiddo during class! And her being a kid didn't disrupt anything. If she wandered off, it was no big deal! If she lost focus for a bit, nobody minded. She was scolded never or in trouble for not participating in every activity. She was simply encouraged to play and explore her surroundings. I love that for her!

At this first Tinkergarten class here in Arlington, kids made magic "potions" with water and elements found in nature. They got to totally create their own magic. And then, they all took turns "sniffing" each others' potions and turning into a creature of the potion-maker's choosing (my littlest one said anyone who sniffed her potion became a kangaroo.) This was so fun because each of the kids had a chance to speak in front of his or her peers, and all kids got to flex their creative muscles to transform into the chosen animal. Creativity definitely flowed freely!

The class was so free-flowing and fun, but I did wonder how my kiddo (who is 4; the class is recommended for kiddos from birth until age 5 or 6) was actually learning from all this creative play. Tinkergarten classes incorporate schema into their lessons. What are schema, you ask? (Because, I'll be honest, I had to ask, too!) Schemas are patterns of repetitive behavior that you notice during early childhood play. You can learn more here: https://tinkergarten.com/skills/behavioral-schema

The 1 hour and 15 minute class also included a snack time, as well as circle time at the beginning and end of class where kiddos sang hello and good bye to one another. The first session begins April 9th. More info can be found here: https://tinkergarten.com/classes/40093

Tinkergarten is a great way to meet new friends- both for you and your little one! It's also a great way to support a local mama who is interested in helping your kiddo learn and grow. Highly, highly recommend! Go. Support local. Learn. Spend time with your kid. Enjoy!

Adventures in Arlington: Urban Air Adventure Park Arlington has Arrived!

My girls are fearless. They are roller coaster-riding, ropes course-conquering, nothing scares us kinda girls.

I, too, was once a daredevil. However, my courage left me years ago along with my 20s... But that's a story for another day.

We've traveled all over the Metroplex, my girls and I, in search of fun of all sorts. We've been to painting classes in Plano and dance classes in Mesquite. We've checked out play areas in west Fort Worth and cooking classes in Keller. We've been to Hurricane Harbor and Six Flags and Hawaiian Falls and Epic Waterpark and Reunion Tower and the Dallas Zoo and the Fort Worth Zoo and all the open play areas in between. Y'all... We get around.

But what I love even more than driving all over creation in search of a good time is staying right here in Arlington and having a blast. And now I can do that! Because Urban Air Adventure Park opened right here in Arlington on March 10.

The end to Spring Break Boredom has arrived.

Urban Air is an adventure park for kids of all ages. Literally everyone in my family is entertained here, from my 30-something husband to my 4 year old daughter. And with good reason! You can bounce, climb, race, battle, shoot and balance at this new hot spot at Collins and I30.

My girls and I popped in on opening day with the intent to stay an hour (I knew better!). Three hours later, I had to drag them out to protests of "That's not fair!" and "Five more minutes!" because the fun to be had here is perpetually endless.

After you walk in and get your wristbands (and socks- no bringing your own here, so you'll need to purchase on your first visit), you can hit the ground running. To your right are six different climbing walls, all requiring appropriate climbing gear and tethers for safety. My girls spent hours (and lots of energy!) climbing up and coasting down. Two of the climbing structures are even double-sided, meaning adventure seekers can race their friends to the top!

Beyond that is a climbing structure with an area of mini slides and obstacle courses perfect for tots. But climb to the top and you can check out the ropes course, an area where you can strap on your safety tethers and check your balance 12 or so feet off the ground. Daredevils need to be 48 inches to check this out- or have an adult chaperone. (Y'all- my youngest begged me to go with her on this. I'll admit- from the ground, it doesn't look intimidating. It's not that high off the ground, and I'm no baby! But man oh man... I made her turn back halfway through because Mom was toast. She likes to brag to everyone how much of a Scaredy Cat I was. It's funny... Now. It was not funny when I was on that course!)

Beyond the ropes course is plenty of seating and birthday party rooms along with bathrooms and a concession stand. There is even a TV, presumably so Dad can catch the game while junior catches some fun at Urban Air!

In the back left corner of the park is a large area of trampolines for bouncing, playing dodgeball and so on. My girls love racing me down the trampolines. This is way more my speed than the ropes course, let me tell you!

In the center of the park you'll find one of the main attractions- the obstacle course! Four different courses, each with a combination of climbing, swinging or hanging apparatuses challenge ninja warrior-style competitors to test their skills solo or against others. If you don't have the strength to continue your quest, you will drop a few feet in to a ball pit filled with clear balls. These courses aren't nearly as easy as they look! (I mean, that's what my 8 year old says or whatever, not like I've tried them and failed more than, say, a dozen times or anything...)

My five-year-old loved battled me over the foam pit American Gladiator style. Pick up your battle bar, make your way to the center of the beam, and try to knock your competitor off! I swear I didn't let her win...

In the back left corer is an area with several trampolines and a large airbag for trying out a few flips and being able to land softly.

My girls- ages 4, 5 and 8- all had a fantastic time and loads to keep them busy for hours. I was able to sit for a bit at the tables and catch up with emails or go and challenge them to races and duels or simply cheer them on. The convenient location in north Arlington means we can stop off for Chick Fil A, Wendy's, or ice cream at Cool Berry after some high-flying fun.

Definitely check this place out- both during Spring Break week and beyond! I dare you to tell me your kiddos are bored after this!

Find out prices, hours and more at their Website:
www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/arlington-tx/

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

DFW for Kids on the Cheap!

It's no secret that I'm a girl about town.

From Mansfield to Frisco and White Settlement to Mesquite, I will drag my kids all over the Metroplex in search of fun, exciting experiences that will make their childhoods memorable!

But it isn't always cheap. All these awesome activities can definitely put a dent in our monthly budget.

But there are ways to experience some of the awesomeness that DFW has to offer without totally breaking the bank! Read on to find out how I do it!

1. Look for half price or discount days.
    Did you know that every Wednesday is half price day at the Fort Worth Zoo? And in January and February, you can go to the Dallas Zoo for only $7 per person! This gives our family of five tremendous savings! Legoland and Sealife Aquarium at Grapevine Mills both offer a similar program- Toddler Tuesdays. Every Tuesday through the end of February you can get yourself plus up to two kiddos ages 4 and under in for only $15!

2. Ask for discounts at the ticket counter.
     You'd be surprised how many places offer discounts. Traveling with a grandparents or other adult who is older than 65? Ask for the senior discount! Are you an educator? Ask for a discount! (Seaquest Aquarium at Ridgmar Mall offers free admission for teachers and educators!). First responder or military? Ask for the discount! I've found many places don't advertise these discounts well- but they are there if you search!

3. Phone a friend!
     We became Legoland members this year and have had Six Flags season passes for multiple years. Legoland gives each pass holder a finite number of free passes for friends and family. This is a great way for my girls to have playdates with friends- we bring them with us for free! Likewise, we are going to the Perot Museum with friends tomorrow. Our friends were gifted a membership for Christmas that also came with free friend passes- so our friends are letting us use them! Six Flags also has loads of "bring a friend free" days so buddy up with a passholder (and return the favor if you have passes elsewhere!).

4. Utilize school program discounts
     My girls bring home a reading log each January that allows them a free day pass to Six Flags if they read a certain number of hours. Don't let this freebie go to waste! Likewise, our school does a night at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. We get to go one evening for free- and they always provide us with family passes to come back! We go at least twice a year this way.

5. Check with nationwide free programs
     Bank of America is currently running a free program that allows active B of A card holders admission to museums and parks all over the country for free on certain days! Check their Website for details. Likewise, check with any programs you may be a part of. Groups such at AAA, AARP and more offer discounts on a variety entertainment venues.

6. Sign up for Rewards Programs
     So many businesses are realizing the power of repeat customers. Many of the kids play areas popping up all over the Metroplex offer punch cards if you are frequent users. Ask if the facility you are using has a loyalty program. Inneractive Playground in Fort Worth/Keller gives you a stamp for each admission you pay and after 10 stamps your next play time is free. That may not seem like much- but I bring at least three kids each time I go- so after three visits I get a free kiddo the next time I go!

7. Enter local blogger contests
     Search Facebook and Instagram for local social media influencers and follow their pages. When they run contests, enter them! Somebody has to win! In 2017, I won Fort Worth and Dallas Zoo passes as well as Six Flags Holiday in the Park passes- all from Facebook contests run by local mamas! It took seconds to enter each contest- and I won! Talk about a fun surprise in the mail! Somebody has to win the prizes these blogs give away- might as well be you!

8. Check discount sites and programs
     We all know that Groupon is a fantastic resource not only to learn about new places in the area, but also to grab a discount on your first (or second or so on) visit. Have you checked out Living Social? If you are in the Dallas area a lot, you can buy a CityPass, which allows you deep discounts on many of the area offerings. POGO pass is another pass to check out for your kiddos- for one low price you get admission to lots of fabulous places all over DFW. And don't get me started on Pearachute (www.pearachutekids.com), where you can get your first 4 credits free and redeem those credits for Legoland tickets, or Sealife tickets, or jump time at Flight Deck or a trip up Reunion Tower and so much more!

What are YOUR favorite ways to see the best of the Metroplex without going broke in the process?