Editor Reviews

Cutest Toy Alert!! We simply adore our Koloreeenies!

BY: Karen Logan

The Koloreenies are here! All five girls in my family (myself included) were very excited to welcome these sweet babies home! My oldest daughter turns 13 in just over a week, and I had no idea she would be just as thrilled to get her hands on the newest, smallest, Neonate Nerlie babies by Distroller. I'm pleased to introduce you to Baby Lili Pink and Baby Petunia Bloom. Do you remember the YouTube review I did a while back when we brought home our first set of babies? (If you didn't see it, CLICK HERE.) Well, these Koloreenies are even cuter, and they’re so lovable!

Tickled Pink at Pinkalicious: The Musical at Main Street Theater

With two preschoolers and a kindergartener, my family has amassed a huge collection of the popular Pinkalicious books by Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann. I was excited to learn that the original book has been made into a family friendly musical being performed at Main Street Theater in Midtown Houston through the end of July.

Xscape at 1488 Opens In Conroe / Magnolia Area

Xscape at 1488, located at 16051 Old Conroe Road in Conroe, recently opened just north of the Del Webb Woodlands development. The theatre includes stadium-style, plush, electric reclining leather seats in every auditorium. Two of the twelve screens are 70' wide Xtreme Screens that use a top-of-the-line 4K Christie Laser Cinema Projector with an immersive wall-to-ceiling Dolby Atmos surround sound system.

Sweet Fun At Stage Right's Performance Of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka

My son and I just finished reading Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was amazed at how quickly a kid can zip through a book when it's all about chocolate! We were excited to attend the Stage Right's new production of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, performed weekends through July 22 at Crighton Theatre in Conroe. The musical combines the classic story from the book and favorite songs and dialogue from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory with a few new songs and scenes sprinkled in.

Mom’s Weekend in Hughes Landing – Embassy Suites, The Broken Barrel, and more must-do’s!

BY: Karen Logan

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of the school year! Packed lunches, homework nights, parent-teacher conferences, book fairs, school zones, standardized tests… it all comes to an end on May 31, the last day of school for The Woodlands area! We figured you’d be needing a break, so we set off to create the perfect antidote for your busy, stressful, hurried life!

Surprise! We found an amazingly relaxing escape for our readers, and it’s right here in our backyard. Read on to learn how to “get away” for the weekend and return home after a night or two, ready to tackle the summer break. It’s only minutes away from your humble abode, but it has all the ingredients to help you get your groove back.

The Lodging – Embassy Suites Hotel

Summertime Fun at Kemah Boardwalk!

BY: Karen Logan

If you're like me, the next best thing to being home is being somewhere within a 5-mile radius of home! But I have to admit, at times I find it relaxing to just get in the car and drive for a while. (And by "drive," I do mean sit back and read Facebook updates on my phone while my husband drives.) In any case, the next time you get a hankering for a bit of fun-in-the-sun thrills, make your way down Interstate 45 to Kemah Boardwalk, a recent Local's Choice Award Winner for Best Attraction and Best Place to Take a Visitor.

Our recent springtime visit was a delight for all six of my family members; and now that summer is here, the Boardwalk is even more exciting with fireworks, live music nights, special discounts, and more. I just really love the feel of this place. It's energetic and lively and somewhat nostalgic, and so much fun!

Here are a few highlights from my recent visit:

Galveston and Moody Gardens Hotel – A Tropical Family Destination Just Over an Hour Away!

BY: Karen Logan

Last month we celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday with a trip to Galveston, the island city less than two hours south of The Woodlands. We booked a beautiful two-bedroom suite at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center, and our visit was the perfect marriage of luxury and comfort! I’ve lodged at the Moody Gardens Hotel many times over the past decade, and just when I think things can’t possibly get better, I’m pleasantly surprised! The online reviews you see on TripAdvisor and other sites seem to portray Moody Gardens as superior to the other island hotels for good reason – this Four Diamond Resort really does shine and is the best in Galveston!

Our Luxurious, Two-Room Suite

All the rooms I’ve experienced here have been simply lovely – clean, beautifully appointed with an authentic, tropical appeal. This time, our room was phenomenal! Our suite included two bedrooms (2 queen beds in one room; one king bed in the other) plus a kitchenette, a gorgeous living area with swanky furnishings, elegant molding, coffered ceilings, plum-colored accents, and a glass dining table with seating for eight. The floors, furniture, and counters were polished and flawless.

Experience Crayola in Plano

BY: Karen Logan

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The Crayola Experience is an exuberant, color-crazy adventure! It wasn't too long ago that Keri gave us a look at Crayola Orlando, and now it's Karen here - checking out the newest (much closer) Crayola, the fourth location for this popular attraction. Crayola Experience Plano, Texas' most colorful family destination, opened at The Shops at Willow Bend (6121 W. Park Blvd.) last month, and this place is rocking! If your family enjoys making the occasional drive to the Dallas Metroplex, you'll be happy to have one more family-friendly attraction to add to your list when visiting the area.

A New Take on Chi Japanese Cuisine

I love, love, love sushi. Before we had kids, my husband and I used to frequent Chi Japanese Cuisine in Oak Ridge North quite a bit. They have huge rounded banquettes that make for fun, intimate seating for a date night. Now many years later with plenty of kids in tow, we rarely get out for sushi, let alone a date night! I've driven by the location a few times recently and noticed that they now advertise themselves as an all you can eat restaurant. On a recent date night we decided to give Chi a fresh try.

Unlike a buffet, Chi has guests order anything they want from a specific All You Can Eat menu that includes soup, salad, appetizers, sashimi, nigiri, cooked and raw rolls, fried rice, udon, hibachi items and dessert. If you're out with sushi-phobic friends, there's plenty of choices to keep them happy.

Road Trips from The Woodlands: Dallas / Fort Worth

BY: Karen Logan

alt The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a smooth four hour drive north of The Woodlands and offers plenty of options for family fun, perfect for an extended weekend getaway.

One of my absolute favorite attractions is contained within the grounds of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The expansive Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden is a beautifully designed garden with interactive exhibits for kids.