Expectant parents, new mothers and those looking to grow their families around the city of Houston are invited to attend Swaddle + Swoon on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2pm at The Meekermark in Magnolia.

Locally sourced and nationally respected, Swaddle + Swoon showcases the best in baby gear. After 10 years of producing bridal show alternatives, The Big Fake Wedding is translating their expertise in live events into an expo for new parents.

Guests will discover new baby goods, meet local small businesses, get professional baby bump photos taken, and see nursery inspiration while sipping mocktails and enjoying light bites. VIP guests will have the chance to win a giveaway every 30 minutes.

The event will showcase local vendors such as Kidtivities Soft Play Rentals, Bloom & Grow, the Pink Rose Company, and so much more. The Big Fake Wedding understands how overwhelming pregnancy and stepping into parenthood can be. That is why they have created an environment where guests can discover new products, test the latest gear and find everything they need for their registry in a stress-free environment. Tickets for the evening are $12 and can be purchased online at this link. Use code WOODLANDSMOMMY to take 50% off VIP tickets.

The Holcomb Family YMCA invites the community to join them for the grand opening of their facility on Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Holcomb Family YMCA is situated on the shores of the beautiful 100-acre Lake Holcomb on Imperial Promenade Drive, near Highway 99/Grand Parkway in the Falls at Imperial Oaks Development, located in Spring, Texas. The event will feature family games and activities, light snacks, Y Swag, Kona Ice for children (first 500 children), NERF Wars and fort building for the kids, group exercise class demonstrations, soccer clinics, sports agility and strength clinics in partnership with RedLine Athletics, and more and is open to all in the community.

This highly anticipated phase one project consists of a unique and innovative indoor/outdoor design that is open, welcoming and adaptable in all seasons and circumstances. Featured amenities include a 12,000-square-foot pavilion with turf, multi-purpose court for basketball, pickleball and other sports. In addition, there will be a one-of-a-kind outdoor fitness center with outdoor workout space for group exercise and other workouts and large multi-purpose sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, camps, and other programs designed to inspire youth to thrive. There will also be social and community areas nestled within the existing nature and will feature picnic tables, sloped lawn for seating, an area for food trucks and social gathering. Members will have the opportunity to participate in wellness activities, group exercise classes, soccer leagues, soccer clinics, youth enrichment programs and martial arts with personal and small group training beginning in late January.

"We are excited for the expansion of services to the greater Spring community with this location. The YMCA of Greater Houston was founded 135 years ago as a place where all people could find hope, fellowship and healing. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, we ensure that all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive. This Holcomb Family YMCA will be dedicated to this purpose and hopes to bring value to the Falls at Imperial Oaks residents and surrounding communities,” said Chris Butsch, District Executive Director. 

The expansion of YMCA services to the Spring community was the result of a donation of the 10.2 acres of land valued at over $3 million by developers Jim Holcomb, Dick Weekley and David Weekley. In addition to the land, the Holcomb and Weekley families donated $3 million toward the construction of Phase one of the project. The YMCA must raise additional funds to support future buildings for the project and is in the preliminary stages of a capital campaign.

Excitement is coming to Bear Branch Park, as the replacement of the inclusive playground is underway and will be complete in April. As of Monday, November 29, 2021, the old Bear Branch playground is closed. The entire play structure and rubber surfacing will be removed and redesigned.  

The new enhanced playground further expands the concept of inclusive recreation through implementing additional elements that afford additional individuals, with and without disabilities, to be able to access the playground. Individuals with disabilities related to visual, intellectual, physical and Autism will have elements and play features that more fully embrace their needs.

Anticipated re-opening will be April 1, 2022. As the only inclusive playground in The Woodlands, this will be a focal point for residents and guests for years to come. The primary pathway between the Recreation Center/swings and the playground will remain open during construction, as to not interfere with entry to the tennis courts, skate park, multi-purpose court or pathway to the Alden Woods neighborhood. The new amenity will include:

• Poured-in-place surfacing in primary play area
• Multiple elevated play structures with ramps and transfer platform
• Accessible merry-go-round
• Multiple elements include specific designs to engage sensory systems and motor, cognitive and social skills
• Five swing options
• Playhouse for 6 - 23 months old
• Playhouse for 2 - 5 year-olds

Bear Branch Park is located at 5200 Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands, TX 77381. For more information on parks and playgrounds in The Woodlands, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship/parksandrecreation  or call 281-210-3800.

For over 13 years, Alodia Basketball Academy has been providing basketball programs which help fulfill their mission of Developing the Next Generation of Leaders through Sports, and teaching life lessons on and off the court, and we're fortunate to have them right here in The Woodlands area!

Their five-star rated, year-round, co-ed programs, Kindergarten through 8^th grade are offered at Creekside Park Junior High.

Alodia’s coaches are the some of the best in the area with years of experience. They do all they can to elevate player’s confidence and skills while helping them meet new friends and have fun. And while no guarantees, Alodia programs have been instrumental in preparing players for school teams in future years.

Families can read what others say about Alodia, their programs, and coaches by  CLICKING HERE.

Whether it is year-round competitive youth league seasons, skills training, camps during school breaks, training in person or online with world renown trainer Ganon Baker…there is always something for everyone at Alodia Basketball Academy.

Visit website to learn more: alodiasports.com.

Walking through Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden felt like a dream! The  internationally acclaimed experience wasn’t a crazy, over-the-top sensory overload for my family, but rather an elegant, magical, and beautiful trail of well-planned, thoughtful installations that kept us delighted with every step. The light displays are set along a beautifully illuminated path winding through the Garden. My favorite installation at the event was the Fire Garden, but I won’t be sharing my photos and video here because I need you to get there and be as much in awe at this installation as I was! In a word, it was captivating!

Click here to see the original news update and photos we published a while back.

When visiting Lightscape, you can even stop along the trail and purchase refreshments such as hot cocoa and snacks. (We had just finished our Thanksgiving dinner, so we did not indulge.) Roasting smore’s was also an option. Parking was easy and the parking lot is safe and well attended. Lightscape is accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility assistant devices. (Wheelchairs are not provided and cannot be rented on-site.)

And OK, yes, Houston Botanic Garden, located at 1 Botanic Ln in zip code 77017, is a bit further south in Houston than you would typically drive, but visiting Lightscape event pairs well with your next trip to the city for dinner or a show. Or add it to your itinerary if you’re doing Galveston or Kemah evens for the holidays. Lightscape will be absolutely the cherry on top!

For the record, I believe it’s worth the drive even if you’re not already in the area, but be advised that it takes less than an hour to walk through the grounds, so take your time, take plenty of photos, and enjoy the journey!

Lightscape is open to the public and runs on select dates through Sunday, January 2, 2022. For more information, CLICK HERE to visit the webiste.