Friday Daydreamin': Readers' Choice

We are still celebrating Spring Break over here at R We There Yet Mom?  Across the country, families are having a great break, traveling to new places and spending time together as a family.  We love to recognize all the fun things everyone is doing, so we asked you all to send us a few pictures of your Spring Break.  

Many escaped to the water!  Here are some fun water pics submitted by R We There Yet Mom friends:

I LOVE IT!!! Do you see the grins from ear to ear?  The sweet smiles of happiness?  Vacations bring out the best in us!

Big thanks to all who submitted a water picture!  We have lots more to feature next week here and on our Facebook page. We would still love for you to submit your favorite Spring Break picture too.  Email to rebecca@rwethereyetmom.com

Lastly, post your favorite vacation pictures and link up with us today for Friday Daydreamin'.  There is nothing I like better that sipping my coffee and daydreaming about traveling.

But I do get a mini-vacation this weekend!  I am running a half-marathon with my bestie at a resort outside of town.  The flip side is that we stay at the resort all weekend for a girls get- away!  Woo-Hoo!

Hungry for more travel photo adventures?  Please visit Travel Photo Thursday from Budget Travelers Sandbox and Delicious Baby's Photo Friday.

Mayborn Museum Children's Discovery Rooms ~ Waco, Texas

Hands down, one of the best children's museums I have been to in the state is here in Waco at the Mayborn Museum.  The sixteen - yes, SIXTEEN - Discovery rooms will enthrall, entertain, and even educate your children for hours on end,no matter what their ages.  Even this mom had fun.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Mayborn Museum has a Natural History Museum, a Historic Village, and a Children's Discovery Center.  As my kids really enjoyed the scavenger hunt through the historical side of the complex, the hunt continued on in the Discovery area.  But truth be told,  they had so much fun, that they sometimes forgot about the hunt. What engaged my kids so much?  What were they busy exploring? And why did they enjoy it so much??

 It could have been the fact that they touched and played with everything.  This museum gives the words "hands-on" new meaning, with activities, buttons to push, dress up clothes to put on, puzzles to solve, science experiments to build, cars to drive, tea to serve, and on and on.

 While my daughter spent a long time mastering "Twinkle, Twinkle" on the giant keyboard, my son chose to make some weather in the room next door.  My toddler loved driving the fire engine and school bus and planting a garden in Mrs. Moen's Neighborhood.  We performed science experiments with velocity and force.  We built an arch out of blocks.  And we learned the importance of recycling.

 But our absolute favorite room?  The Bubble Room!  All 3 kids got to see what the "inside" of a bubble was like as they crated bubbles around themselves.  They attempted to try to blow the biggest bubbles they could.  At one point, we had a crowd working together to blow a big one.  It was fantastic.

What fascinated my toddler the most?  This wonderful model train set.  He could watch it for hours if I let him.

The details and workmanship of each of the Discovery Rooms is done with such care.  As a mom, it is refreshing to take your children to a place that was built so well.  Each child has an opportunity to explore what they want, at their own pace and get a lot out of their experience. The Mayborn Museum's Children Discovery Rooms was a highlight of our Spring Break and is at the top of our list of places to visit in Waco.

Make sure to visit part one of our visit to the Mayborn Museum Complex and learn about the Natural History Museum.

Texas Travel Facts for Mayborn Museum:

Location: 1300 S. University Parks Waco, Texas

Hours: Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (open until 8:00 pm on Thursday) Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm 

Admission: Adults: $6.00

                   Children (18m to 12 years): $4.00

Recommended Time: 3 - 4 hours

Good to know: Check the website for special events, strollers are available to use at no charge, bring a picnic lunch (tables are available outside), great gift shop

Website: http://www.baylor.edu/mayborn/


My children and I were invited to visit the museum and were provided admission. I was not financially compensated for this post.  All opinions of the Mayborn Museum  are strictly my own based on my experience.  

Mayborn Museum ~ Waco, Texas

Want to take your kids to a "Night-at-the-Museum"- Museum? At least, that's the description my kids gave it!

The Mayborn Museum Complex in Waco, Texas was a perfect combination of natural science mixed with hands-on children's fun.  Located on the Baylor University campus, the Mayborn features a Natural History Museum, a historic village, and a children's discovery center.  The tag line the complex is using "engage! explore! enjoy!" describes this museum to a T.

Recently, we had the opportunity to explore this museum complex and was so pleasantly surprised at how amazing it was!  There are so many great things to say about it, that we had to break it down into two posts.  Today we will talk about the Natural History Museum.  

With the general focus on Central Texas, the Mayborn does an incredible job teaching and showing us what life was like before we were ever around.  The first room you walk into is the Strecker's Cabinet of Curiosities - take your time in here, open the drawers in the cabinets and see what surprises lay in there.  And make sure you see the HUGE Humpback Whale Skull! (explore!)

What we loved the most are the several walk-in dioramas - they really add to your experience.  When you walk into the Texas Caves exhibit, bend down as if you are going into a cave. See the life-sized Waco Indian grass-hut or Comanche tipi in the Waco at the Crossroads of Texas exhibit.  Stand over the "mammoth bones" as if you were excavating them yourself.  Everything here is so life-like, it really enhances your learning.

One of the things my children enjoyed the most was the museum scavenger hunt that you can pick up at the information desk.  Not your typical hunt with questions to find the answers too, these are blown up pictures to find.  My kids were attracted to the pictures and did not rush through the museum to find them all. They would find a picture and then linger to learn what it was.  (engage!)

They also really enjoyed the hands-on games at many of the exhibits.  Fun games such as word scrambles about the topic was another fun way to learn.  They collected a letter from each exhibit to unscramble for a prize at the end of the tour.  Yet another fun way to keep them "learning"! (enjoy!)

Right as we were walking out, a juggling performance captivated the kids - many scheduled performances are brought into the rotunda.  Make sure you check the events calendar on the website before you go.

The Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village is currently being remodeled, so we did not have a chance to see this exhibit.  It re-opens in May 2012.  

This is a gem of a museum and I have only told you half of the story! Come back tomorrow to hear about the infamous bubble room!!!

Texas Travel Facts for Mayborn Museum:

Location: 1300 S. University Parks Waco, Texas

Hours: Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (open until 8:00 pm on Thursday) Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm 

Admission: Adults: $6.00

                    Children (18m to 12 years): $4.00

Recommended Time: 3 - 4 hours

Good to know: Check the website for special events, strollers are available to use at no charge, bring a picnic lunch (tables are available outside), great gift shop

Website: http://www.baylor.edu/mayborn/

My children and I were invited to visit the museum and were provided admission. I was not financially compensated for this post.  All opinions of the Mayborn Museum  are strictly my own based on my experience.  

Waco on Dwellable

York's Wild Kingdom ~ York, Maine

There is nothing I like more than a great zoo, so where Cheryl from Heart to Heart at Home wanted to tell us about an amazing place all the way up in Maine, I was thrilled.  (Not often does this Momma have an opportunity to travel to Maine, y'all!) Cheryl also takes fantastic pictures as you can see below.  Makes me want to hop on a plane!

Spring, summer or fall, there’s nothing like a family outing to the zoo. Animals and nature capture our hearts and help us relax and enjoy life. Our family ventured off to York Zoo in Maine one very hot day last summer. 

 Although it’s a small zoo, it has a lot to offer. When we walked in the front gate there were 3 directions we could take; right to the birds & butterflies, left to the elephants & monkeys or straight ahead on a leisurely stroll next to a shaded canal with lots of ducks. We opted for straight ahead because it led to the main part of the zoo where the large animals were.

Lions, tigers, bears and crocodiles were all there, along with a few animals that you don’t usually see at a zoo, like the fallow deer with their soft velvety antlers. Although there is an enclosed area for the deer, the enclosure is actually to keep the visitors out, the deer roam freely going under or around the fence. They will follow you down the path hoping you will put a quarter in a food machine and offer them a hand full of tasty treats.

My family enjoyed visiting with the goats. The goat enclosure is quite large and you can go in, it’s like a barn yard, to feed, pet and play with the goats. There were quite a few babies when we were there and they are very curious and friendly. This is a great zoo for getting close up and personal with many of the animals.

After watching a show of exotic creatures and exploring every species in the main area we headed back to the front to see the birds and butterflies. There were parrots, peacocks, and other tropical birds in enclosures at the main part of the zoo, but the bird area was reserved for pheasants and flying birds that needed a bit more freedom.

A little further down the path was a large butterfly enclosure that also housed a few baby alligators and turtles, with lush landscaping and a waterfall. This was a cool and calm change from the heat outside. A wide variety of butterflies flitted from plant to plant, and one formed a strong attraction to my son. The butterfly kept landing on his bright green shirt and even tried to stick to him as we were leaving the enclosure.

Our last stop was the elephants and monkeys. Unfortunately we had just missed the show where the elephants created paintings, and it was too late in the day to ride them as they were being hosed down and fed. However a monkey family in a large enclosure decided to entertain us with some acrobatic tricks. I was entranced with the baby who clung to his mother no matter which way she swung, dropped or turned, as he learned the ropes of monkey life.

We had shared a picnic lunch before entering the zoo and now we were headed off to the beach before dinner. The zoo is located very close to York Beach; as a matter of fact there is another entrance via the amusement park on the beach side. The amusement park would have to wait for another day as the summer heat was pushing us toward the ocean for a quick swim.

Cheryl Roth

 I am a photographer, writer and graphic artist living in New Hampshire with my husband and 3 children. Author & creator of Heart to Heart at Home and Create A Beautiful Life, I am passionate about helping families create good relationships and a loving life. You can also follow her on Facebook & Twitter:

http://www.facebook.com/Heart2HeartatHome

http://www.facebook.com/createabeautifullife

@CherylSRoth

York on Dwellable

Sweet Berry Farm ~ Marble Falls, Texas

It's harvest time at Sweet Berry Farm!  And right now, pick all the strawberries you want!  This Spring is offering some gorgeous days to head to the farm - there is so much to do!

Grab a box when you first get there - no need to bring one from home - and as the farmers advise, start in the middle of the row, picking the "redder the better" strawberries.  Strawberries do not ripen much once they have been picked.  Also, most people tend to start at an end and have a full container by the time they get the biggest ones in the middle of the row.

We headed out on a Saturday in March and it was busy at 10 am.  But never too busy where we felt crowded or that there wasn't enough strawberries to pick.  In fact, with the Spring rain we have been receiving, there is a great crop to pick right now.  

And what I love most about the Sweet Berry Farms website is the daily updates on what's happening at the farm.  Check this page before you go to know if the strawberries are plentiful and hear what other events are going on.

Once you have completed picking, they will weigh your bounty and pay per pound.  We had a box that was maybe a third full and we had a TON of strawberries to enjoy all week on ice cream, on cereal, with yogurt....... A full box will cost you @$15 - a bargain for fresh picked strawberries!

Sweet Berry Farm provides lots of fun activities in the Spring for all ages.  My older kids enjoyed bouncing on the Harvest Hopper, while my toddler loved the barrel train.  Additionally, there are goats to feed, berry ice cream to try (strawberry/blackberry was YUMMY!) , and jellies/jams to purchase.

From now through April, Strawberries are for picking, but come May - June, the crop is blackberries.  According to the farm, you can also pick onions, potatoes, and possibly tomatoes come May & June.  And I am highly anticipating the Texas Maze which opens up in June as well.

Sweet Berry Farm is also a popular destination in the Fall with pick your own pumpkins and gourds, hayrides, scarecrow stuffing and more.  

What we liked best about Sweet Berry Farm is the relaxing atmosphere.  We took our time meandering around the farm, taking pictures, and enjoying being outdoors.  This is not just a one-time experience.  I can see us visiting often.  Especially to see that Texas maze.....

More Fun Things to do in the Hill Country:

Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm

LBJ Ranch at Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park

Longhorn Caverns State Park

Inks Lake State Park

National Museum of the Pacific War

Enchanted Rock

Vanishing Texas River Cruise

Sweetberry Farm in the Fall

BlueBonnet Cafe

Salt Lick BBQ

Texas Travel Facts for Sweet Berry Farm:

Location: 1801 FM 1980 Marble Falls, TX (right off of Hwy 1431)

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm Wednesday: CLOSED

Admission: Free admission to the farm 

                    Pay for what you pick

                    Actvities have different prices

Recommended Time: 2+ hours

Good to know: All ages welcome, lots of walking, bring a picnic lunch (tables are available), Cash & Checks only (ATM is available), no pets, bring your camera - lots of fun pictures to be taken!

Website:http://www.sweetberryfarm.com/

Friday DayDreamin': A Darling Texas Spring Break

Happy Friday!  Whose on Spring Break out there?  I know I have seen a few friends traveling via the posts they are leaving on Facebook.

We just finished out Spring Break last week and had such a fantastic Staycation - home every night - very little spending - and say so many things.  Take a look at what all we saw:

What about you?  How was your Spring Break?  Or maybe I should ask, how will your Spring Break go? Let us know!  Link up a picture & a post today.  

It doesn't have to be about Spring Break - so link a travel picture away that allows us to Daydream!

Hungry for more travel photo adventures?  Please visit Travel Photo Thursday from Budget Travelers Sandbox and Delicious Baby's Photo Friday.

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One last thing! If you would like to be a part of our Spring Break Fun next week, please email me your favorite Spring Break picture to rebecca@rwethereyetmom.com

We will be featuring the pictures on our Facebook page and in a fun movie like the one above!  We welcome all pictures - the more the merrier!

The Best Vacation Pictures

Do you take pictures on your vacation?  Just a few? Or TONS and TONS? Only to get home and not do anything with them?  So why bother taking so many pictures in the first place, right??

Don't do this.  Please.  Take pictures.  Take TONS of pictures. 

Here's why - Each and every picture you take tells a story, holds a memory, and invokes a feeling that allows us to capture our happiest moments.  And when we are on vacation - away from everyday stresses of life - we are at our happiest (most of the time).  Why would you not want to remember all these great memories?

Ask any of my family members and they will tell you I take a ton of pictures - I'm the unofficial photographer of any event, always with my Nikon slung over my shoulder.  I do happen to get a tiny bit obsessive when it comes to capturing our moments.  That's only becausee I am not a good photographer - I practice and practice, but out of 100, I'll get maybe 10% that I actually like.

Take for instance Spring Break last week.  Within 7 days, I took 1403 pictures with both my Nikon and my iPhone.  Yep.  I took pictures of everything - from posed kids in front of signs, to dirty hands picking strawberries, to laughing kids on amusement park rides - I snapped away.  

Of those 1400+ pictures, I capture some amazing moments that tell a story - that make me smile remembering the way the moment felt - that I want to remember forever.

Moments like these:

 My 2 year old's first official amusement park ride.  I remember him patiently waiting to get on, being upset as the gate shut right in front of us, so we had to wait for the next ride, and then his sweet baby boy laughter as we went around in circles.

 My big girl's moment to conquer her fear of big roller coasters - she was nervous but came out ready to ride it again!

 Who cares where we were - how could you not want this moment preserved forever?

 My oldest son's obsession with sharks - he stood there for 20 minutes watching all the sharks swim by - he was enthralled and that makes this momma happy.

 Another big moment for my son - I was thrilled to see his excitement and rapt attention to the guide as we looked at Mammoth Bones - an experience I was again happy to provide.

 The baby's was thrilled to play with farm animals this past week - he fed 5 week old baby goats, mooed with cows, petted horses, and ran with chickens - all moments I captured.

 How about taking a 30 minute break under a giant oak tree on the banks of a river...in front of the Texas White House to boot.  I will remember that moment of relaxation and down time - it was sweet.

 and more....

 and more...

I honestly could go on & on...remember, I have over 1400.....

But that is not the purpose of this post.  What I'd love for you to take away is to capture the moments of your vacation - capture the smiles, the awe, the giggles, the fun...and your memories will last long after the vacation laundry is done (ugh) and everyone is back into a routine.

You don' need a fancy camera to take the pictures with - some of my favorites from this last week came from Instagram on my iPhone - just take them.

That said, I want to see your favorite Spring Break picture!  If you would be so obliged, please send me your favorites - I would love to feature them on here and on our Facebook Page next week.  Send me the picture that sums up your Spring Break week - the ones with laughter or tears - maybe it's the gorgeous scenery? Or the best BBQ (oh- I have one of those!).  Email your photo to rebecca@rwethereyetmom.com 

And don't forget to link up with us tomorrow on Friday Daydreamin'.  Tell us a little about your Spring Break - or if you haven't gone yet - tell us where you are going!  I want to continue to daydream about Spring Break a little longer!

Texas Bluebonnets Are Here!!

As beloved as Texas BBQ & cowboy hats, the Texas Bluebonnet is a welcome site each Spring to native Texans.  Why?  Because as far back as they can remember, their mommas & daddies were propping them up in a field of these beauties each spring to take pictures.  I remember it.  And have the pictures to prove it!

Adopted in 1901 as our state flower, the bluebonnet shares that title with 5 other bluebonnet species.  Never the less, many recognize this gorgeous flower as unique to Texas.  And protect it as it is an endangered species.  I grew up all my life being told to "never pick a bluebonnet. It's against the law!"

Well, that is completely false according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, although they do warn against illegal trespassing on someone else's property to take a picture.

And this past last week, as we were galavanting all over Texas, we were amazed at all the bluebonnets showing their pretty little faces so soon this Spring.  And of course, I being a true Texan Momma, made me kids get out and take pictures.

It takes some trial and error (thank you digital cameras), but we were able to capture some pretty ones!

We took our pictures out in the Hill Country, near Kingsland off of Hwy 1431, but here are a few patches that have been discovered closer to Austin:

- Round Rock: Hwy 79 off of Old Settlers Blvd - a nice patch is starting to grow there
- Austin: Barton Springs Rd & Mopac
- Hwy 71 on the way out to LaGrange
- Austin: Howard Lane between Mopac & Parmer - a nice hill for pictures
- Cedar Park: Brushy Creek Lake Park off of Parmer

There are lots of great sites dedicated to finding bluebonnet patches. Click here to visit a website for Texas Bluebonnet Sightings in Central Texas. And Jessica from Suitcases & Sippycups posted about where to find them in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Free Fun in Austin put together this awesome Interactive Google Map to find bluebonnet patches and add them!

So get the kids, load up the car and take that annual picture!

Friday Daydreamin': Spring Break Favorites!

Boo! It's Friday of our Spring Break here in Texas and we are wrapping up a FUN FUN FUN week.  If you have been following us on Facebook, you know that we have been BUSY!  We are in the Hill Country right now, enjoying some fun activities, but we wanted to still share our Friday Daydreams with you!

Truth be told, I have taken over 1000 pictures this week, so it's hard to summarize our fun in just one picture.  We have watched Shamu leap effortlessly out of the water like a dancer, we have hiked a popular hill in Austin, played with some amazing new iPad apps at SXSW, and viewed 50,000 year old mammoth bones.  And that was only by Wednesday!!

These set of pictures says it all for us, "WOW! There is so many fun things to do in Texas!"

Including standing in a bubble......

What have you done or are planning to do this Spring Break?  What have you doe in the past?  Share a Spring Break Experience with us and link it up below.  Take a few moments to visit the other links! It's like a trip around the world!!

I have no access to the internet this weekend, but I will visit everyone when we get back!!

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Hungry for more travel photo adventures?  Please visit Travel Photo Thursday from Budget Travelers Sandbox and Delicious Baby's Photo Friday.

California's National Parks & Treasures Part II

One of the things I love the most about this blog is being able to share fun places to take your family across these wonderful States.  And being that I can't see them all (though I wish I can), I am blessed to have made some wonderful travel friends that are as passionate at sharing their adventures as I am.


Mary from The World is a Book, travels extensively with her sweet family.  She has some amazing glob-trotting stories that she shares on her blog.  Luckily, I caught her at home and strong-armed convinced  her to share some fun reasons to visit her beloved state of California. Thank you Mary!

California has so much more than theme parks and Hollywood - it is filled with Natural Beauty!!  This is Part II of our series on California's National Parks and Treasures.  Make sure you check out the first 5 parks I listed here.

6. Lassen Volcanic National Park

How about exploring an active volcano’s surface and its landscape? This unique park has been described as a "living museum of volcanology". It is home to the world's largest plug dome type volcano - Lassen Peak rising at 10,457 feet (3.2 km). Various geothermal features to hold the kids’ interests like hot springs, geysers, bubbling mud pots, steaming sulphur vents, and fumaroles are also here.

Photo Courtesy of www.usastatestravel.com

Located in Northeastern California, access to the park can be difficult during winter and spring as it receives up to 40 feet of snow per year. While a bit unnerving to visit, I’m hoping that seismologists have enough technology in place to give plenty of warnings before the volcano erupts.

7. Joshua Tree National Park
Named for groves of Joshua trees, a giant yucca plant, this park is certainly unique. Filled with whimsical and quirky looking trees, they need to be seen to be appreciated. They are only found in this desert region along the Southwest USA. The other main attraction is the huge piles of boulders -- popular for rock climbing and bouldering. The kids’ favorite activity here was, of course, climbing rocks and discovering little trails to get to a boulder platform. It's definitely a huge natural playground for kids.

Miles of hiking trails provide a great way to learn about the desert life. Located 140 miles from Los Angeles and 35 miles from Palm Springs, it makes for a wonderful day trip from the cities. After visiting this park, we’ve never been able to look at boulders the same way again.

8. Devil's Postpile National Monument
The name alone should be enough of a curiousity factor to visit this area. This group of multiple-sided (mostly hexagonal), vertical rock columns located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are definitely fascinating. The 60 feet high (18 meter) wall is a geologic wonder formed with the forces of fire and ice working over time. Another attraction worth visiting here is Rainbow Falls - appropriately named for the rainbows that appear in its mist. Most of the hiking trails are beautiful and not too strenuous even with the little ones in tow. Due to its location, it is only open between May and September.

9. Death Valley National Park
Located in the California-Nevada border, this is the largest national park in the continental United States. It can get very hot and dry but it really is not as desolate as the name sounds. This desert park is
actually full of life -- animals and plants that have adapted to the extreme conditions. The do-not-miss attraction is Badwater Basin which is the nation’s lowest elevation at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. Miles of salt flats that looked like giant honeycombs and snow from afar were quite a sight to see. The landscape is also full of interesting geologic formations and multi-colored canyons.

Although, my kids favorite place would have to be the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. This was like a huge sandbox with little hills for sliding down. There’s even a castle here for that offbeat destination. Just don’t come to the park during the summer or you’ll melt.

10. Channel Islands
It is often called "The Galapagos of North America" due to its diverse ecosystem. The chain of eight islands off California's central coast is called home by over 2,000 species of plants and animals - 145 not
found anywhere else in the world. This remote national park may only be a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles but is also a world of its own away. It is only accessible by boat or small plane -- at least an hour boat ride from the coastal town of Oxnard to get to the nearest
island.

Photo courtesy of www.nps.gov

Its waters are perfect for snorkeling, sailing, kayaking and exploring tidepools. The rugged canyons and land have plenty of hiking trails and camping sites for the outdoor enthusiasts. Since traveling to the “real” Galapagos Islands seems like such a far-fetched dream to me, this is the absolute next best thing.

To enhance the visitor experience within these attractions, ranger talks and tours as well as participation in the Junior Ranger program are highly recommended. The Junior Ranger program was designed to help kids learn more about each park they're visiting and protecting and preserving these national treasures. So, when in California, please don't forget there's a whole other world out there waiting to be explored.

Have you visited any one these California wonders? If not, which ones will be on your travel list? Do you have any other wonders to add to the list?

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Mary is a full-time working mom who lives in San Diego, California with her husband and two school-age kids. She blogs about their family travel adventures at http://www.theworldisabook.com.


Twitter: @worldbooktravel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldisabook