Family Guides, Reviews, and Local Adventures

Did your kids go through a full-blown Blippi era, or was that just mine? No shade to Blippi because he taught my kids more about construction equipment than I ever could, but I definitely don't miss hearing The Excavator Song on a loop. Even though we've moved past that stage, my kids still get excited anytime they spot an excavator or bulldozer. I'd known about Dig World in Katy but had never made the trip, so when I heard they were opening a location in Grapevine, I was immediately interested. If y'all know me, you know I love a good niche attraction, and a theme park centered around construction equipment definitely fits the bill. We visited during one of the park's preview days, so if you're wondering what Dig World is really like and whether it's worth a visit, here's everything you need to know before you go.

I fully expected Vellix to be another trampoline park. It wasn't. I came across it while scrolling through the Get Out Pass app, looking for something affordable to do with the kids. The pictures made it look like your typical indoor adventure park, so I almost kept scrolling. I'm glad I didn't because after spending the afternoon there, I realized the trampolines are probably the least interesting thing about the place.

When I found out the Dallas Museum of Natural History was temporarily reopening, I knew we had to go before it closed again. The museum is only open on Sundays through July 19, and since I never had the chance to visit before it closed more than a decade ago, I didn't want to miss this rare opportunity. I expected to enjoy it. What I didn't expect was to leave wondering why more people aren't talking about this incredible piece of Dallas history.

My kids have been campaigning for a trip to Hurricane Harbor Arlington for years.

Six kids squealing in a parking lot before you've even made it to the entrance is usually a sign that expectations are dangerously high.

If you're anything like me, you're always looking for somewhere fun to take the kids that doesn't require a second mortgage or a five-hour road trip. That's exactly how we ended up at Malibu Jack's in North Richland Hills. We were scrolling through the Get Out Pass app looking for something to do, saw Malibu Jack's pop up, and decided to give it a shot.

I love it when homeschool lessons happen by accident. The other day, my husband and I were talking about random things we remembered from childhood, and somehow the conversation turned into Gak. If you grew up in the 90s, you probably remember it instantly. The weird texture. The bright colors. The gross noises. Peak childhood entertainment.

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for places to take your kids that feel fun for them but also worth the effort for you. Bonus points if it gets them outside, keeps them engaged for more than 20 minutes, and sneaks in a little learning along the way. That’s exactly why I wanted to check out Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Between the giant LEGO animal sculptures, the gardens, and all the educational tie-ins throughout the exhibit, it ended up being a hit!

I think I’ve officially passed the honeymoon phase of homeschooling. You know that first year or two when everything feels exciting and new? When you call every trip to Target a field trip and count baking cookies as math and science? That was fun. But we’re way past that now. It’s real over here. *send help*

I get asked all the time, “How do I get started homeschooling?” And I get it. It’s a big decision. It can feel confusing, even overwhelming. The advice is usually the same: look up your homeschool laws, join a few Facebook groups, and go from there. And honestly, that’s not bad advice, but it barely scratches the surface.

Hi, I’m Lauren, a homeschooling mom of three. I love the flexibility that homeschooling offers, but let’s be honest: flexibility doesn’t pay the bills. Over time, I have experimented with different side hustles to support my family while still prioritizing my kids' education. In this blog, I want to share my honest experiences, what has worked for me, what hasn’t, and why I believe there are plenty of options out there for other homeschool moms, too.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive. Seriously. There are so many incredible educational resources out there, and a lot of them are either super low-cost or completely free. Once you know where to look, it changes the game.