february 22 | Vol. 34 | Issue 2
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR CHILD'S 1ST CRUSH TEACHING TOLERANCE AND DIVERSITY TO OUR KIDS 52 DATE NIGHT IDEAS 14 NEW VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS
+Camp Directory Mardi Gras is back in Galveston
MASON MIMS:
A NORMAL, WHOLE HEART AND A BRIGHT FUTURE Karen and Taylor Mims spent the first six years of their son’s life trying to accept the fact that he was born with half a heart and would eventually require a heart transplant. Now, thanks to an innovative procedure being performed by affiliated pediatric heart surgeons at The Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Mims are trying to come to grips with a new reality—that their son, Mason, has a normal, fully functioning heart and a very bright future.
Born with Hypoplastic Left Heart
Mason was born on February 26, 2015, in the Mims’ hometown of Grenada, Mississippi. Despite a normal pregnancy and delivery, two days after Mason was born, doctors detected a heart murmur in the newborn and referred the family to a children’s hospital in nearby Jackson, Miss. “Within 30 minutes, the doctors told us Mason had hypoplastic left heart and would need a series of at least three open heart surgeries before the age of 3 or 4. We prayed he would make it through each one,” says Karen. “Hypoplastic left heart is a severe congenital (present at birth) heart defect characterized by a small, underdeveloped left side of the heart,” says affiliated pediatric heart surgeon Jorge Salazar, MD, professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery and John P. McGovern Distinguished Chair at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and co-director of The Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “The normal heart has four chambers: two upper chambers, called atria, which receive blood into the heart, and two lower chambers, called ventricles, which pump blood out of the heart. Babies born with hypoplastic left heart have only one functioning ventricle.”
Underwent Fontan Palliation Sequence
Through the three surgeries, known collectively as the Fontan palliation sequence, surgeons can rearrange the baby’s heart to function with only a single working ventricle (functionally, half a heart). “While the Fontan sequence is commonly accepted as the standard of care for hypoplastic left heart, these children are not assured a length or quality of life,” says pediatric cardiologist Avichal Aggarwal, MD, associate professor with the Center for Advanced Cardiopulmonary Therapies
and Transplantation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “Often, they experience heart failure requiring a heart transplant while they’re still young.” When Mason was 7 days old, doctors in Mississippi performed the first procedure, the Norwood procedure. When he was 4 months old, they performed the second surgery, the bidirectional Glenn. And when he was 2 years old, they performed third surgery, the Fontan procedure. While all three surgeries were considered a success, after the third, an echocardiogram revealed that Mason’s tricuspid valve was leaking. So, a fourth surgery was performed to implant a mechanical valve to replace the leaky one and to implant a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat.
Placed on Blood Thinners
To ensure the mechanical valve performed properly, Mason was required to take blood thinners, which restricted his activity. “Mason’s being on the coumadin was the hardest part,” says Karen. “We had to keep him safe from accidents, for fear of bleeding. And we had to monitor his blood thickness and adjust his dosages, even based on what foods he ate.” As Mason grew, Drs. Aggarwal and Salazar became increasingly convinced that their patient might be a candidate for a groundbreaking procedure being performed by a very small number of pediatric heart surgeons in the world, including Dr. Salazar at The Children’s Heart Institute. Known as a biventricular conversion, the procedure enables the surgeon to rebuild the child’s heart into a normal, fully functioning heart. A successful biventricular conversion will eliminate the need for a heart transplant and enable the child to live a long and healthy life.
“She just couldn’t stop crying.”
Dr. Aggarwal recalls the day he called Karen to discuss the possibility with her. “I said that if Mason were deemed a good candidate for the procedure—and we’d have to do a full workup to find out—it might give him a normal heart,” he says. “She was listening, and she couldn’t stop crying. She just couldn’t stop crying.” “For a child to be a good candidate for the surgery, the left-sided structures—the mitral valve, the left ventricle and the aortic valve—have to be big enough to support the blood flow to the body,” explains Dr.
To learn more about The Children’s Heart Institute, visit memorialhermann.org/childrens-heart
Advancing health. Personalizing care. 2 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Salazar. “We assessed Mason using echocardiogram, MRI and heart catheterization and we were able to demonstrate—to prove ahead of time—that his heart was in fact big enough.” “I was in shock,” says Karen. “To be told, ‘We can give him a normal heart,’ it was overwhelming. We were so happy, but we were in denial. We’re still in denial.”
Jorge Salazar, MD Pediatric Heart Surgeon
Successful Biventricular Conversion at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
On February 26, 2021—his 6th Avichal Aggarwal, MD Pediatric Cardiologist birthday—Mason underwent his fifth and final open-heart surgery. Dr. Salazar and his team performed the biventricular conversion, converting Mason’s heart back to a normal, twoventricle arrangement. “We basically took his heart apart completely and put it back together as a normal heart,” says Dr. Salazar. “And we created a new tricuspid valve by hand, out of natural tissue, to replace the mechanical one, eliminating the need for blood thinners. Now Mason can run, play, do sports and have a normal life without worrying about bleeding.” “The experience was amazing,” says Karen. “Everything was fully explained, and we were included in decision-making at every step. Drs. Aggarwal and Salazar exhibited a rare level of involvement. Dr. Salazar called us from the operating room to keep us updated. Dr. Aggarwal called me during my stay at Ronald McDonald House and even hand delivered a medication to us there. To have two physicians take care of a child who is not their own like they did ours was unbelievable. They treated us like family. There is nothing I could ever do to repay them. They gave Mason his life.” Karen knows that in time she and Taylor will come to terms with the fact that Mason now has a normal life. “You spend six years in this mindset, this trauma, and then one day it changes,” she says. “We are beyond grateful.”
WE TREATED HER HEART WITH ALL OF OURS
OUR CONGENITAL HEART SURGERY OUTCOMES ARE AMONG THE TOP IN NORTH AMERICA When your child suffers from a heart condition, your family does, too. At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, in partnership with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, we provide specialized care personalized to help your child live a healthy life. Because when it comes to you and your child’s health, there is nothing more important to us. And with enhanced safety measures at all of our facilities, you can get the care your child needs with peace of mind. LOCATED IN THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER 3 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
memorialhermann.org/childrens-heart
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7
VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
8
THE ROMANCE OF SCENT
12 16 26 28 30 ON THE COVER
32
Take in some history at the Bryan Museum? HFM Kid Ambassador Janel got to tour Galveston's own Bryan Museum with some other members of the KA Team.
36
written by Chantal Lemieux
14 SWEET VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS written by Jill Morgenstern
HOW TO HANDLE THEIR FIRST CRUSH written by Sandra Gordon
CHOOSING CAMP DURING A PANDEMIC written by Kimberly Blaker
TEACHING TOLERANCE & ACCEPTANCE IN A CHANGING WORLD written by Kimberly Blaker
REKINDLE THE ROMANCE: 52 CREATIVE DATE NIGHT IDEAS written by Janeen Lewis
FAMILY CRAFT: YARN HEARTS written by Tidbits.com
OPULENCE REIMAGINED: HOTEL CRESCENT COURT written by Amy Garrett
MARDI GRAS GALVESTON IS BACK! get ready to celebrate!
photo by: Amy Garrett
SPRING & SUMMER
IN EVERY ISSUE 5 PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Welcome to our 2022 Kid Ambassadors!
15 BOOK BITES
6 FAMILY FYI
38 THE BIG TO-DO
Things you need to know
camp directory
Valentine's Day Reads
Explore all the fun things happening in the Greater Houston area.
4 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
CHECK OUT THE SPRING/ SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY
PAGE 18
HOUSTONFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
10
curated by HFM Staff
publisher/editor
Kimberly Davis Guerra kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com
associate editor
2022 HFM Kid Ambassadors Abby, Avery, Batu, Berkley, Brandt, Calvin, Dylan, Elle, Janel, Jiselle, Josh, Jy'Rah, Lucas, McKenna,
Chantal Lemieux chantal@houstonfamilymagazine.com
creative director/ production
Casey Johnson casey@houstonfamilymagazine.com
staff photographer Amy Garrett
contributing authors Kimberly Blaker Amy Garrett Sandra Gordon Chantal Lemieux Janeen Lewis Jill Morgenstern
advertising sales Beverly Davis Tish Petty
printing
Publication Printers Denver, Colorado
contact us:
1334 Brittmoore Rd. Box #1000B Houston, TX 77043 (P) 713.266.1885 (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
FIND US ON FACEBOOK @houstonfamilymagazine FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @houstonfamilymagazine CONTACT US Let us know how we’re doing. kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com Houston Family is published monthly by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. Houston Family is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material. Houston Family is ©2020 by Houston Family Magazine,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited.
Natalie, Orissa, Tamir, Thalia, Thomas, Viviana HoustonVanGogh.com Kick off to 2022 with our new Kid Ambassadors was a blast! Thank you to all of the parents and Ambassadors who came out and spent a Sat. getting to know each other and what's expected of them in the coming months! I think they are all amzing kids and I am really looking forward to see what they can do! This issue, as last February, is all about the love. Love of each other, community and ourselves. Too often times we forget that we are the best versions of ourselves, if we allow the time and space needed for what fuels our souls. Remember to take time to recharge those batteries everyday. Your family, friends & co-workers will thank you for it. Also, this issue features the beginning of our camp directories. Look to the Feb. June issues to feature great editorial, products and resources for you and your campers. Information on Spring Break and Summer Break camps, as well as great family travel ideas. We hope you continue to think of Houston Family Magazine as your one stop shop for everything you and your family need to create happy memories and healthy lives.
uerra
vis G a D y l r e Kimb
Be5well, | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
FYI
YUMMY & FAMILY FRIENDLY OUR NEW FAVORITE CAFE !!!
February 17 - April 17, 2022
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE ART AND LIFE OF FRIDA! SHE OVERCAME PAIN AND ADVERSITY THROUGH SELF-EXPRESSION – TURNING HER LIFE INTO ART. Explore the world through the eyes of the legendary Frida Kahlo – a brilliant, uncompromising painter who created some of the history’s most iconic artwork. The groundbreaking team behind the smash hit Immersive Van Gogh now turn their eye for innovation towards the work of a woman who boldly told the story of her life in brushstrokes. As you stroll through the Lighthouse Immersive gallery, you will see the Mexico-born artist’s work come to life on a grand scale and discover the people, events, and obstacles that made her the extraordinary woman she was. The mesmerizing, large-scale projections, accompanied by a ravishing musical score, will sweep you up as you encounter Frida as never before.
Rustika Cafe and Bakery was founded by Francis Reznick in 1994. From the first day, executive Pastry Chef Francis put her vision to work. The vision is simple: Use only the highest quality ingredients while putting an international flare to each dish. Fast forward to 2022, now there are 5 locations around Houston and the whole family is involved in the business. Each location offers different hours, so please visit the website for specific locations and times. You will find scrumptous desserts, delicious breakfast items and something for everyone on their fresh all-day menus.
Frida Kahlo’s art is not only beautiful on an aesthetic level; it has also become a universal symbol of resilience and perseverance. Brave and brutally honest, Kahlo transferred her fears and pain onto canvas in a way that resonates even more powerfully with us today. Kahlo used art to empower herself and, in so doing, has become one of the most beloved and popular artists of all time. Kahlo’s art has been described as magic realism – blending realistic depictions of her life with fantastical elements to reflect her inner thoughts and struggles. Using state-of-the-art technology, the 360degree experience invites you to step inside the colorful and vibrant world of Frida Kahlo as never before with Immersive Frida Kahlo.
Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake
West U ~ Downtown SugarLand ~ League City ~ Friendswood
www.Rustikacafe.com
The iWRITE Organization and The Bryan Museum are partnering with New York Times bestselling author and illustrator team, Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos, to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest published book in the World called I Am Texas! To break the record, they’ll be creating a massive book (over 7 feet tall!) that will be displayed at The Bryan Museum, alongside its Texas and American West collection of historical artifacts, books, and artwork. One-thousand students will have the chance to be published and become part of Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos’s, Ordinary People Change the World series. Students are invited to share “their Texas story” from grades 3-12. These stories (fiction or nonfiction), poetry, and illustrations are due no later than March 2, 2022 (Texas State Independence Day). Students will be invited to the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudication and book signing event in Houston, TX. Brad Meltzer and Illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos will be announcing the Editor’s Choice Award Winners and Featured Illustrator! For more information, please visit iamtx.org 6 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Valentine's Day Gift Guide Give the one you love a little something special
CATSKILLS
PERFECTION
Escape to themountains of the Catskills when you light this candle. Close your eyes and the aroma will take you away with one inhale.
Once you experience the luxury of a Krigler scent, you will never wear anything else. Available at The Four Seasons in Houston.
foxfiremountainhouse.co m
krigler.com
UNWILTED
ZEN
Beautifully crafted, these stunning paper flowers will never be out of season. So real looking, your guests will never suspect they aren't actually real.
Watch anxieties disappear as you take a moment to watch as the brush strokes evaporate from the Buddha Board. AAAHHHH. cabeau.com
unwilted.com
PARTY TIME
RAINBOW
CHEERS The Savino Wine Saving Carafe is not only elegant, but is designed to maintain fresh wine for up to a week. savino.com
For those days when you need a rainbow. This magical cube brings a different rainbow of light depending on how it is positioned.
Explore the beauty and mystique of the Old World through the unique aromas and flavors of France and Italy’s finest wines with In Good Taste’s Passport Collection
cmycubes.com
ingoodtaste.com
CALM Sensate is the first portable, palm-sized device designed to help you naturally regulate your stress & anxiety. getsensate.com
7 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
L OV E I S I N T H E A I R - C A N YOU S M E L L I T ?
The Romance of Scent
8 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
T
he olfactory world is more private than we may think. The crafted perfumer is a master in preserving the artisanal techniques that can send us on a poetic journey and inspire us on an emotional level. So why don’t we take more time to enjoy this intimate sensorial experience? I think partly because we are offered few opportunities to explore new sensory thrills until the fragrance house Krigler came to town. Nestled in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown, the boutique is one of ten in the world and is the first boutique in Texas. The elegant blend of black, gold and mirrored Art Deco, mixed with local Bayou décor lends itself well to the pleasures of an olfactory experience. The romantic soft lighting and elegant plush chair are the perfect backdrop for exhilarating in the pleasure of perfume and discovering the scentscapes each fragrance evokes. With a history as interesting as the individual notes used in each scent, Krigler is firmly rooted in romance. The German chemist Albert Krigler fell in love with the daughter of a French perfumer in 1879 and created a fragrance called Pleasure Gardenia 79, a sensual mix of jasmine, vanilla, and mimosa as an engagement gift to his fiancée. And just like that, a legacy was born.
lemon. But make no mistake, whichever fragrance awakes the part of you you love, they are all subtle, sophisticated and alluring. “I’m taking you on a trip through history” says Ben. No other sense has the power to unlock emotions and memory while transporting us to any time and any place. The fragrance bottles are on jewel-like display, numbered by the year they were created and chronicle the history of the perfume and the stories of the famous people who wore it.
The best perfumes for women come with a story.
Is there any point in wearing perfume these days?
Today, the fragrance house is headed by Ben Krigler, Albert’s great-great grandson. Donning his signature newsboy cap, we spoke to Ben, who has a charming exuberance for his trade, to find out more about each fragrance, starting with some of the best-selling, most iconic fragrances ever. The most notable blends include America One 31 and Lovely Patchouli 55 as well as English Promenade 19, and Chateau Krigler 12. Inspired by love letters sent between young fiancés, Lieber Gustav 14 is one of the brand’s more seductive scents while Hermitage Heritage 04 is a strikingly masculine scent offering a citrusy crispness of vetiver and 9 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
How to be unforgettable.
Any scent, however simple or complex, requires more than one encounter so it’s especially important to be patient. To help you decide, a body chart is given so you can remember the name of the fragrance you applied on focus spots. The perfumes have a high concentration of 25% - 35% fragrance, compared to a market average of 9% to 18%. The boutique offers the full range of Krigler’s existing perfumes, luxury scented candles, extraordinaire soaps, and a workshop to make scented candles on site. However, the most remarkable service is the atelier Silvertray Collection, a unique one-of-a-kind fragrance that is sold exclusively in one of ten shops in the world.
One can argue that in our socially distant reality, perfume is becoming an irrelevant accessory. But since we wear perfume for ourselves, being alone or in a crowd doesn’t change the pleasure it gives us. Fragrance is a chance to do something special for ourselves. It makes us fantasize. It inspires wanderlust. It enhances our day and lifts our mood. If something makes us this happy, it’s essential–anytime and we should take the time to do it right. House Of Krigler is available to shop online or instore at the Four Seasons Hotel located at 1300 Lamar St. For more information, visit krigler.com
SWEET 14 VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS BY
JILL
MORGENSTERN
Although it may be true that Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a holiday for adult couples, what could be sweeter than Valentine’s Day with your kids? This year school parties may be back in the classrooms but you can make the day extra special at home too.
Here are fourteen ideas to get you put you in the mood to celebrate:
10 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
1) Make a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
7) Put Up a Valentine’s Day Tree
While a simple cheese plate used to suffice, the popularity of the charcuterie board is still going strong. Technically a charcuterie board means a board of prepared meats, but these days anything goes! Why not cut cheese or salami into heart shapes to make one of these beautiful food presentations?
Haven’t taken down that Christmas Tree yet? Don’t despair! Just switch the decor from ornaments to hearts!
8) Break a Heart Shaped Piñata
2) Send Valentines in Many Ways
Kids love the fun of breaking a piñata and these can be easily incorporated into your celebration. Heart shaped piñatas are available on Amazon if you can’t find one locally.
By email - sites such as Blue Mountain Cards, American Greetings, or Punchbowl allow you to email fun cards for free.
9) Play Tic Tac Toe
Postcards - For a small charge the Touchnote app lets you send postcards and add a picture. They do the printing and mailing for you and your valentine receives a special postcard. Or go the old fashioned route. Some post offices will have more selection than others, but children love picking out their own stamps and mailing out valentines. Depending on your child’s age you can address the envelopes for them or use this as a time to teach the finer points of letter writing.
3) Decorate In Hearts
Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like the x’s and o’s in this game that kids already love. Winner gets the number of kisses and hugs on the board!
10) Get Baking Of course there’s the old standby. Pink frosted cupcakes or sugar cookies are sure to be a big hit.
11) Make Heart Shaped Food Make Heart Shaped Pizza
So many items can be found in heart shapes these days. Heart shaped balloons or simple pink and red balloons for Valentine’s Day will make your child’s day!
A heart shaped pizza is a lot of fun! Whether you make the dough yourself or buy prepared dough, kids will love having their own personal sized heart shaped pizza. Or Make Lunch Heart Shaped. Sandwiches can be cut into hearts or use a cookie cutter.
4) Make a Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt
12) Make Pink Smoothies or Milkshakes
Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a box of candy hearts or similar treat.
Recipes for strawberry smoothies or milkshakes are plentiful online.
5) Have a Valentine’s Day Photoshoot.
13) Read a Valentine’s Day Themed Picture Book
Admittedly this may be more for you than for the kids, but a heart is an easy shape to cut out of construction paper for props. Dress the kids in red and have a Valentine’s Day photo shoot!
There are many, many great picture books that complement Valentine’s Day. Try Mama Do You Love Me by Barbara M. Joose or Henry In Love by Peter McCarty.
6) Surprise Your Kids with Love Notes
14) Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Leave Post-It Notes of love or encouragement for your kids on the fridge, their bathroom mirror, or other places around the house. For extra fun use pink ones for Valentine’s Day or put them together into the shape of a heart.
These are not actually very hard. Just melt chocolate chips in the microwave, dip the strawberries in the melted chocolate and then place on wax paper. They’re beautiful, delectable and very easy!
11 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
HOW TO HANDLE THEIR FIRST CRUSH By Sandra Gordon
"Oh, how cute." That’s what crossed my mind when a boy from summer camp asked my oldest daughter, who was in the 4th grade at the time, to go to the movies. (She said “No!” then ran from the phone.) But as I witnessed, a first crush—whether it’s initiated by your child or she’s on the receiving end of the romantic attention–is definitely anything but adorable from her perspective. “Crushes are serious,” says family therapist Julia Simens. Like me, Simens knows from experience. When her son, Grant, was 11, he wrote a children’s book, “Spirit of Saint Valentine: An Expat’s Tale of Love,” available on Amazon, which is about love in an international elementary school. “I hadn’t given crushes much thought until Grant opened my eyes to how important they are from a kid’s point of view,” Simens says.
12 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
The fact is that Cupid’s arrow can aim low, striking kids as early as 7 or 8. And though it’s easy to trivialize this experience, a child’s emotions are just as real as the fervor we might experience when we’re infatuated. “Kids can fall in love by all developmental measures as soon as you can begin to measure their feelings,” says Carleton Kendrick, EdM, a family therapist and author of Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We’re Going to Grandma’s. “There’s no such thing as puppy love.” Crushes are a healthy part of life. Besides being good practice for the future, they can teach kids a lot about relationships and themselves. On the other hand, they can also be a source of pain and difficult for your child to handle, especially in the pre-teen and teen years. “When the hormones kick in, kids have more of a physical response to a crush and that can be confusing because they’ve already got so much going on emotionally—from trying to figure out their identity to how to fit in socially, academically, and within the family,” says Stephanie Haen, a licensed clinical social worker. Though you may not always need to get involved, there are things you can do—and things you shouldn’t–to help your child deal with love’s first blush. After counseling hundreds of parents on this issue, our experts weigh in on the dos and don’ts of managing this tender milestone.
Do
Have talks, not
“the
talk.
”
Help your elementary-age child prepare to deal with a crush, which is a distant cousin to dating, by having an ongoing dialogue from a young age in a way she can understand about being respectful of her own body and herself. Then, as your child ages into the pre-teen and teen years, keep talking. These days, pre-teens and teens can put pressure on each other to add sexual exploration to the equation under the misguided notion that if they don’t have sex with their crush, it’s not really love. “This is a big change from what it used to be like with kids 10 or 15 years ago,” says Kendrick, who has been in practice for 30 years. So be aware of what’s going on, and acknowledge it with your child. “You might say, ‘You might feel pressured. But you don’t have to do anything. You need to trust your feelings of being uncomfortable. And even if you’re a little bit curious, that doesn’t mean you have to say yes,’” he says. To bring up tough subjects like these and get your child talking, a good way to start, is “Gee, I’ve read that”…then fill in the blank with what you want to address, such as “girls are having oral sex and they’re only 13. Do you think that’s going on at your school?” Keeping the discussion going—despite all the eye rolling–lets your child know that you know what she might be going through and builds trust so she is more likely to come to you for advice if she needs to. Let your child learn from the experience. If your child has a crush and it’s unrequited, don’t trivialize it by saying things like, “Oh, you’ll get over it,” or “Well, it’s just puppy love.” Instead, console him and let him be upset and grieve the loss. But also stress that rejection is a normal part of life, that that’s what dating (teens), is all about, that you don’t always find the right person and it’s not always reciprocated, Haen says. Teach your child how to deal with unwanted romantic attention. If another child has a crush on your child and it’s not mutual, encourage your child to politely nip it in the bud. Roleplay at home and have him practice an “I’m not interested” script, such as “Thanks for all the notes, but I really wish you wouldn’t give them to me anymore because they’re upsetting me.” If that doesn’t work, call the other child’s parents. (If you’ve got a child in middle school or beyond, talk to your child first, before making that phone call.) Unwanted attention feels like pressure for children of all ages. Kids on the receiving end of crushes can suffer from psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches and not want to go to school. “It’s the same kind of thing I’ve witnessed with kids who’ve been bullied,” Kendrick says. Monitor the situation. Kids, especially tweens and teens, in reciprocal crushes can take things to the extreme by, for example, texting until all hours or spending lots of their free time with each other because they’re mimicking what they’ve observed in their older siblings or the adults around them. So be sure to set boundaries, such as curfews and limits on computer and phone time, to help your child balance his responsibilities with his social life. If you get the sense, though, that your child must have contact with his crush to get through the day, or that he’s no longer spending time with his friends or concentrating on his school work because he’s so focused on his crush, or that his behavior could change into stalking, he may need professional help to sort out why the crush has become obsessive. “It could be a sign of something else that’s going on in his life,” says Haen. “Kids might cling to a crush if things are rocky at home between their parents, they’re struggling in school for the first time or something’s going on in their social circle.”
13 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
DON'T !!
Out your child’s crush. “One of the most dangerous things I see parents do is comment on their child’s crush in front of the
child to other adults or horrors—to their child’s friends,” says Simens. Such insensitivity leads to embarrassment and undermines the confidence your child has in you. If your child can’t trust you with that sensitive information, how can he come to you with other important stuff in the future? “You want your kids to know they can come to you with questions and talk to you without being judged or made fun of,” Haen says. Micromanage your child’s love life. If you know your pre-teen or teenage-child has a crush on someone, don’t fan the flames by suggesting, for example, that she tell that person how much she likes him. “Imposing your more adult-oriented behavior onto the situation can lead your child to go further with a crush than she was wishing or contemplating,” says Kendrick, which can make her feel uncomfortable. If you’ve got a child in elementary school, however, it may be appropriate to suggest and arrange a play date with the object of your child’s affection, if your son or daughter would like that. But it’s not healthy for kids in elementary school to “date.” That sort of exclusivity with another person limits your child socially. “Kids need many options to make connections with people beyond the boy or girl they have a crush on,” says Kendrick. Say yes to sleepovers. “Today’s parents struggle with setting limits in general,” says Haen. So if your child asks to say, have a sleepover with her mutual crush (it happens), say no, but in a respectful way.
Sharing His Vision. Teaching His Values.
Contact the Admissions Office Today admissions@stannecs.org or 713.526.3279
www.stannecs.org
(Sleepovers with crushe s of the opposite sex, in elementary school and beyond, aren’t age
KIDS
appropriate.) Keep it neutral by saying something like, “It’s really nice that you like hanging out with Jimmy, but a sleepover isn’t going to take place.” Keep in mind that when it comes to crushes, your child can be crushed by your reaction to it. No matter what happens, “It’s never instructive or healthy to belittle or shame your child about it,” Kendrick says.
REGISTRATION $250 SPRING BREAK CAMP $300 SUMMER CAMP
SPRING BREAK 2022 & Summer 2022
CAMP
FUN CULINARY LEARNING ACTIVITIES pasta making • baking • fun & tasty recipes SUMMER CAMP DATES JUNE 20-24, 2022 JULY 18-22, 2022 10AM-3PM 14 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
SPRING BREAK CAMP DATE MARCH 15-17, 2022 10AM - 3PM
13003 Murphy Rd. Ste. B7 Stafford, TX 77477
cookingwithatwisthouston.com
book bites | G O O D R E A D S
Celebrate Valentine’s Day This month we celebrate LOVE! Valerie Koehler, owner of the Blue Willow Bookshops, shares some of her favorite reads. Visit BlueWillowBookshops.com Love you by Heart
Out of My Heart
Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds brings to life this ode to unconditional love with a delightful and poetic tribute to the rare and beautiful love that binds us together. From the intimate and unbridled love parents and caregivers have for their little ones, to the tremendous love of a lifelong friendship.
Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out
by Peter Reynolds
You Are My I Love You by Marianne Cusimano
The all-time classic, bestselling ode to the love shared between parent and child. Perfect for new parents, baby showers, christenings, and sharing at bedtime.
I Love You Spot by Eric Hill
It’s Valentine’s Day! Join Spot as he plans a special surprise to show his mom just how much he loves her. This heart-shaped board book is just right for little hands and big hearts.
The House Of Love by Adriana Trigiani
Mia Valentina Amore loves valentines. After all, her name means My Valentine. When she wakes up on Valentine’s Day, it looks like just another morning in the rickety old Amore house in the Blue Ridge mountains of Appalachia. But over the course of the day, her home is transformed into the House of Love. Mia and her mama festoon the halls, build a gumdrop tree, bake cupcakes, and most importantly, make valentines for all six of her siblings.
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad are best friends-they do everything together. When Toad admires the flowers in Frog’s garden, Frog gives him seeds to grow a garden of his own. When Toad bakes cookies, Frog helps him eat them. And when both Frog and Toad are scared, they are brave together. Love and friendship.
15 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
by Sharon Draper
Shipped
by Meredith Tate Stella Greene and Wesley Clarke are Gene Connolly Memorial High School’s biggest rivals. While the two have been battling it out for top student, it’s a race to the bottom when it comes to snide comments and pulling the dirtiest prank. For years, Stella and Wes have been the villain in each other’s story, and now it’s all-out war. While tensions at school are rising and SciCon inches closer and closer, the enemy lines between Stella and Wes blur when a class project shows them they might understand one another better than anyone else--and not just in cosplay.
Five Ways To Fall Out Of Love by Emily Martin
Aubrey Cash learned the hard way not to rely on love. After all, Webster Casey, the new boy next door she’d been falling for all summer, stood her up at homecoming in front of everyone with no explanation. Proving her theory that love never lasts seems easy when she’s faced with parents whose marriage is falling apart and a best friend who thinks every boy she dates is “the one.” But when sparks fly with a boy who turns out to be Webster’s cousin, and then Webster himself becomes her lab partner for the rest of senior year, Aubrey finds her theory--and her commitment to stay single--put to the test.
Check Out Our ts Calendar of Even at gs in en pp For Fun Ha shop! Bluewillow Book
SPCA
Kamp Kanakuk
Choosing a camp during a
PANDEMIC By Kimberly Blaker
Whether you're looking for enrichment for your child, a way to keep your kids occupied and supervised while you work, or need a short reprieve from parenting, there's sure to be a summer camp that's the right fit for your child and family. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many summer camps will be up and running either offering alternative programs or by following safety protocols to reduce the risk to campers and staff.
Alliance Fencing
16 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
YMCA
mer camps, ing into sum k o lo in g e b g for. Before you you're lookin a ri e it cr e of th create a list nsider. 'll want to co u o y s g in th e Here are som er camp? get for summ d u b r u o y is to summer 1 - What g your child in d n se f o e purpose 2 - What is th camp? ay camp? rnight or a d e v o n a t n a long 3 - Do you w or summerrm e -t rt o sh oking for a 4 - Are you lo r one that program? structured o ry e v s t' a th ant a camp 5 - Do you w oices? edom and ch e fr f o ts lo provides r interests? 's passions o d il ch r u o y 6 - What are
The benefits of summer camp
Summer camp offers kids plenty of benefits, and many kids are thrilled with the idea of going away to summer camp. Still, for some kids, particularly those who are shy, introverted, or homebodies, the thought of going away for a night, let alone a week or more, can cause considerable anxiety. When kids are adamantly opposed, forcing summer camp on them may not be in their best interest. But for kids who are eager – or at least willing to give it a shot without much fuss – summer camp offers opportunities kids may not have elsewhere: fosters independence a place to develop new and lasting friendships development of new skills discovery of new interests and hobbies the opportunity for creative expression a break from being plugged-in daily exercise improves their self-esteem teaches kids to work with others makes them feel part of a community prevents or reduces summer learning loss
Once you've narrowed down some of the criteria, you can begin your search. An excellent place to start is right here in Houston Family Magazine. WE run directories in print & online Feb. - June to familiarize parents with choices in our area. We also host a Camp Fair in April so you can come out to actually meet with the camps in person. It's a great opportunity to get your summer planned in one day! The American Camp Association (ACA) accredits summer camps. So this is another excellent place to look. The ACA educates camp owners and directors in health and safety for both staff and campers as well as program quality. It then accredits camps that meet the ACA's standards.
Next steps to finding the perfect summer camp
Once you've selected a few summer camps that meet your primary criteria, and that fit your child's interests, share the choices with your child to see what excites him or her. Be sure to let your child know upfront that you still need to thoroughly investigate the camp(s) before making a final decision. But do keep your child's choices in mind to ensure your child gets the most out of summer camp. Once you and your child have narrowed the list down to a manageable selection, you'll want to investigate the camps further. There are several things you'll want to consider.
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Is this camp a safe option for my child and family during the pandemic?
Many summer camps use teens to staff the camps. Teens make excellent mentors and can bring liveliness to summer camp programs. However, the programs themselves should be developed by professionals and have professional oversight to ensure kids are getting the most from their camp experience.
How does the camp ensure your child's safety? Find out what kind of safety training the camp provides its staffers. Also, is there staff on hand at all times that knows CPR? What are the camp's procedures in the event your child becomes ill, has an accident, or an emergency?
What is the daily schedule for campers?
Ask for a daily itinerary, so you know your child will be getting everything you and your child anticipate from the program.
What are the rules?
Each camp has its own set of rules. So, find out whether your child is allowed to call you. If it's a summer-long residential camp, can parents come and visit? Can kids bring along a cell phone or electronics? Also, how much money can they bring, and how is it managed?
Don't sweat it
Keep in mind, although there are many great camps, no camp is likely to offer everything precisely the way you want it. Just choose the one that best fits your child and satisfies your most important criteria. Remember, your child will have many summers to come and plenty more opportunities to work in more exciting camp experiences. Houston Family Magazine Camp Directory can be found within this issue and online @HoustonFamilyMagazine.com/camp
camp directory
18 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
HOUSTONFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
SPRING & SUMMER
Spring/Summer Camp Directory
ACADEMIC
ACADEMIC
ACADEMIC
special advertising section
Asia Society Culture Camp ASIASOCIETY.ORG/TEXAS 713.496.9905
Ages 6-17
Asia Society Texas' ExploreAsia camps seek to advance young learners' understanding of the world through fun, interactive, and meaningful activities. Camps are designed to engage students with Asian art, culture, and history.
Building Brains Lego Engineering BUILDINGBRAINS.BIZ 713.204.0770
Ages 3-14
Our camp is designed to strengthen math skills, motor skills, and science skills. Students will develop strong critical thinking skills in the fields of physics, engineering, and fine motor skills because we use Legos to build simple machines while incorporating math concepts such as Pythagoras’ Theorem.
Code Ninjas - Sugar Land CODENINJAS.COM 281.456.3010
Ages 5 - 14
Code Ninjas offers a range of programs for many age groups where they learn to code. We shift kid’s mindsets from consuming to producing technology. Kids have fun, parents see results.
Now Registering for the 22/23 School Year
19 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Spring/Summer Camp Directory
ACADEMIC
ACADEMIC
ACADEMIC
special advertising section
Language Kids World
Ages 8 -12
LANGUAGEKIDS.COM 281.565.1388 Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Sign Language and English Immersion Summer Camps by Language Kids World
Lone Star Flight Museum LONESTARFLIGHT.ORG 346.708.2517
Ages 11-17
This Spring Break…our Camps have merit! For scouts ages 11-17. Scout programs include Aviation, Electronics, Engineering, Weather, and American Heritage merit badges. For scouts ages 11-17. Dates: March 14-19. Visit LoneStarFlight.org for details!
Russian School of Mathematics RUSSIANSCHOOL.COM 346.704.0374
Ages 5-15
K-12 students can choose from a variety of online or in-person math courses reinforce your knowledge or seek out extra challenge! Courses open in June (June 6-July 14) and are offered over a 6-week session, with 2 classes per week.
Texas I am
A CHANCE FOR 1,000 KIDS TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE LARGEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!
iamtx.org
20 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Spring/Summer Camp Directory
ACADEMIC
ACADEMIC
special advertising section
Texas Story Camp
Ages 9 - 12
THEBRYANMUSEUM.ORG GALVESTON 409. 632.7685
Explore history, art, and ecology! Tour The Bryan Museum galleries including a behind-the-scenes look at our upcoming exhibit Of Birds and Texas and create some fabulous art projects.
Texas Story Camp
Ages 9-12
THEBRYANMUSEUM.ORG HOUSTON 713.893.1461
Calling all student writers! Join us for a week of adventure and hands-on discovery as we explore Houston's history. Get inspired and share stories through writing, drawing, and acting!
A R T S
Cordovan Art School CORDOVANARTSCHOOL.COM 512.275.4040
Ages 5-16
Get in the "ART ZONE" at CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL this Spring & Summer with the best creative art camps in the Houston area! Select from over 40 themed camps and experience mixed media of all kinds! 4 LOCATIONS around Houston
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Spring/Summer Camp Directory
COOKING
special advertising section
Cooking With a Twist COOKINGWITHATWISTHOUSTON.COM 713.574.9371
Ages 7-16
A Cooking Camp filled with culinary learning & fun! Our Kids Camp is designed for kids ages 7-16 who are passionate about cooking and creating culinary masterpieces. SPRING BREAK CAMP & SUMMER CAMP 2022
MUSIC
School of Rock Clearlake, Sugarland, Tomball CLEARLAKE.SCHOOLOFROCK.COM 281.218.7625
Ages 4 - 18
SUGARLAND.SCHOOLOFROCK.COM 832.939.8788 CHAMPIONFOREST.SCHOOLOFROCK.COM 281-246.4475
Send your kid to the ultimate summer music experience at School of Rock! Summer Music Camps are the perfect way to spend your summer break, where students learn to play songs through live performances like real musicians. School of Rock offers amazing Music Camps for musicians of all skill levels for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukulele, songwriting and vocals. Call today or sign up on our website!
ADVANCE IN MATH
this Summer The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, afterschool math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. RSM – Houston (346) 704-0374
RussianSchool.com/Houston 22 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Spring/Summer Camp Directory Houston Arboretum HOUSTONARBORETUM.ORG 713.681.8433
Camp Allen CAMPALLEN.ORG 936.825.7175
OVERNIGHT
OVERNIGHT
Camp Champions
CAMPHUAWNI.COM 936.254.3223
OVERNIGHT
Ages 8-18
Situated on 1,100 acres just an hour outside Houston, Camp Allen provides a fun & unique environment for young people to cultivate friendships, experience personal growth and learn about Jesus Christ.
CAMPCHAMPIONS.COM 830.598.2571
OVERNIGHT
Ages 4-12
Head to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center for fun-filled, week-long camps that explore the natural world through active, hands-on indoor and outdoor adventures.
OVERNIGHT
OVERNIGHT
N A T U R E
special advertising section
Ages 5 - 17
Camp Champions has created a tradition of excellence since 1967. With the facility and staff expected from a top overnight summer camp, Champions is distinguished by its focus on building strong kids. One, two or three-week sessions available for ages 5-17.
Camp Huawni
Ages 6 - 17
Nestled in the Piney Woods of E Texas, Camp Huawni is a traditional, throwback summer camp for boys and girls. We’ve crafted exceptional summers since 1965, cultivating an environment where friendships and creativity thrive.
Camp Olympia CAMPOLYMPIA.COM 936.594.2541
Ages 6 - 16
Camp Olympia is not just a premier, accredited TX summer camp, but one of the classic summer camps in the US. Our beautiful summer camp is on Lake Livingston in Trinity, Texas — the East Texas pines is the perfect setting for an American Summer Camp experience filled with FUN, SUN and ADVENTURE.
Kanakuk Kamps KANAKUK.COM 417.266.3000
Ages 6 - 18
Kanakuk is a premier Christian summer sports camp for kids ages 6–18 in Branson and Lampe, Missouri, offering 5 overnight camps that provide fun, safe sports and outdoor camping experiences.
Kidventure KIDVENTURE.COM 713.960.8989
Ages 3 - 16
Since 1994 Kidventure has provided the finest in Summer Day and Overnight Camps for thousands of Houston children ages 3-16. Helping grow your child through the power of camp.
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Spring/Summer Camp Directory
SPORTS
SPORTS
SPORTS
special advertising section
Alliance Fencing Academy
ALLIANCE-FENCING-ACADEMY.COM 713.410.6655
Ages 6 - 17
Alliance Fencing Academy - International Fencing School Safe, Smart, Unique and Great workout! Home of 3 Olympians, 4 World Champions, and over 40 US National Champions Enrollment is open now in Houston & The Woodlands
Kidventure Day Camp
Ages 3 - 16
KIDVENTURE.COM 713.960.8989
Since 1994 Kidventure has provided the finest in Summer Day and Overnight Camps for thousands of Houston children ages 3-16. Helping grow your child through the power of camp.
Stars Gymnastics STARSGYMTX.COM KATY: 713.364.2631 HOUSTON: 713.464.1996
Ages 1 - 18
Spring Break, Summer and Winter Camps that include weekly themes, daily gymnastics instruction, arts and crafts activities and games. Early drop off and late pickup is available. for an additional fee. Camp may be scheduled for full or half days with daily and weekly rates. Multi-week and sibling discounts available.
WHERE CHILDREN LOVE, LEARN & LEAD In this hurry-up world, The Branch School offers a culture of loving kindness, where accomplished educators help children develop as inquisitive scholars and kind people with authentic regard for one another and our world. Our STEAM-infused, project-based curriculum taps students’ creative energy for deep and lasting learning.
Schedule Your Visit Today! thebranchschool.org
24 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
1424 Sherwood Forest Houston, TX 77043 713.465.0288
Spring/Summer Camp Directory
THEATRE
SPORTS
SPORTS
special advertising section
YMCA Day Camp
Ages 5 - 15
YMCAHOUSTON.ORG 281.531.6088
Located all around Houston, our camps place special emphasis on youth choice, achievment and a sense of belonging. Activities include sports and outdoor games, creative and performing arts, archery, engineering and nature exploration.
Yorkshire Academy
Ages 2 - 12
YORKSHIREACADEMY.COM 281.531.6088
Yorkshire’s onsite Summer Program is open to everyone in the Houston and West Houston/Memorial community! With a wide array of academic and enrichment activities, there is something for everyone! Visit our website for details.
Main Street Theater
Ages 4 - 17
MAINSTREETTHEATER.COM 713.524.3622
MST Summer Camp has 4 locations across the Greater Houston Area: Rice Village, the Museum District, Midtown, and Bellaire. Ages 4 – high school. Plays, dances, prop-making. Creative, collaborative, FUN!
Special Needs Camps Camp Aranzazu www.camparanzazu.org
Cristo Vive International www.cristovive.net/texas-camp-conroe
Camp Blessing http://campblessing.org
Dream Catcher Stables www.dreamcatcherstables.org
Camp for All http://campforall.org
LearningRx Sugarland www.learningrx.com/sugar-land
Camp CAMP www.campcamp.org
Sire Houston Therapeutic Equestrian Center https://sire-htec.org
Charis Hills Camp www.charishills.org/index Camp LIFE http://camplife.tamu.edu Camp Summit www.campsummittx.org
Texas Lions Camp www.lionscamp.com True Knight Home School Academy www.trueknight.org
25 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
our community
Teaching Tolerance & www.reallygreatsite.com Acceptance in a Changing World By Kimberly Blaker
According to the latest FBI data, there were 8,052 single-bias hate crimes reported for the year 2020 alone, consisting of 11,126 victims, numbers that have risen dramatically in recent years. Because most hate crimes go unreported, the actual number is likely much greater.
26 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
N
otably, young men under 26 are the perpetrators of a significant percentage of these violent acts, according to various agencies. Religious-based biases, as well as ethnic and racial biases, are learned during early childhood, explains the Leadership Conference Education Fund. Young children exposed to these prejudices hold numerous stereotypes by the time they reach the age of twelve. In a society as diverse as the United States, the misconceptions often held toward those who are different, including those of other religious faiths, is troubling. As parents and educators, we must strive to change these patterns, so our kids grow into kind and accepting adults. Part of the problem is that kids, like adults, learn of violence perpetrated by individuals within a particular religion and come to believe that everyone within that faith is violent. So kids need to understand there will always be a few bad apples within any religion, even their own. Individuals who commit violence don't define the character of everyone or even a majority within that group or religion.
Tolerance begins at home
There are many ways to teach children religious tolerance. But we must first recognize that our own attitudes and actions toward those of different faiths play a crucial role. Children are observant and catch even the subtlest stereotyping and discriminatory behaviors. According to experts, attitudes held by those living in the home will have the greatest impact on the way children perceive people who are different. There are many ways you can encourage your child to accept those of other faiths and even those of no faith. If you haven't already, explain your beliefs to your child and why you hold your views. Then share factual, non-derogatory information about other religious beliefs as well. Read books with your child on world religions, diversity, and tolerance.
Have open discussions and encourage questions. Explain the importance of religious freedom for your own family and why it's also essential for others. Then make sure your child understands being accepting of another doesn't mean you must hold that person's beliefs as true.
Learning tolerance outside the home
Talk to your kid's school, as recommended by Tolerance.org, to make sure textbooks and curricula are up to date to reflect equity and multiculturalism. Ask teachers and staff if and how they approach the task of teaching tolerance in the classroom. If the school or class doesn't already include tolerance education in its program, try to help activate it. Ask if you can share ideas with staff. Also, learn other ways you can assist the school in promoting positive attitudes toward diversity. Help your child develop acceptance by sharing the beliefs of relatives and friends who hold different views from your own. It often comes as a surprise, even to adults, to learn some family members hold very different religious beliefs. Ask those of other views to share with your child what they believe and why. Make sure these adults understand your purpose, so they won't attempt to proselytize your child or criticize your own beliefs. Instead, ask them to share their beliefs with neutrality. When your child discovers that good, wellrespected family members and friends hold a wide range of beliefs, your child will be better equipped to accept others as well.
Fight Intolerance
Another recommendation by Tolerance.org is to encourage your child to fight stereotypes and intolerance actively. Help your child to form a club, study circle, or sponsor a walkathon for diversity. Your child will have the opportunity to meet kids of other beliefs while at the same time, learning the importance of social responsibility.
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Also, confront biased behavior expressed by family and friends, especially if your child witnesses it. For example, if grandma complains that her "Jewish neighbors don't take care of their lawn," don't brush the comment aside. Otherwise, both grandmother and your child will perceive your silence as acceptance of the stereotype or prejudicial remark. Confronting family and friends isn't easy but can be done tactfully. Don't criticize. Just nonchalantly but clearly acknowledge grandmother's frustrations with the unkempt yard. Then point out it has nothing to do with being Jewish. By doing so, your child will learn such biased comments are not necessarily valid. It also teaches your child not to be apathetic toward intolerance. If your child attends church, Sunday school, or other religious functions, talk with the leaders and teachers to learn their attitudes and levels of tolerance. Many are accepting of different religious views. Unfortunately, some religious leaders perpetuate intolerance by preaching against nonbelievers, those of other faiths, or people or groups that don't adhere to their specific lifestyle guidelines. Other religious leaders may contribute to stereotyping in more subtle ways. Kids are very perceptive, though, and will recognize the biases all the same. If you do detect prejudiced attitudes, look for another church or denomination that's less biased. Finally, talk with your church about ways it can teach and promote religious tolerance among its youth. After all, the desire for peace on earth is common among most of the world's religions.
Rekindle the Romance 52 Creative Date Night Ideas By Janeen Lewis
Are you skipping date night with your spouse because of everyday responsibilities, work and children? Have the past two years put a kink on spending one-on-one time with your significant other? A recent study shows you may want to rethink the amount of time you rendezvous with the one you love.
According to a study from the National Marriage Project, “The Date Night Opportunity Report,” couples who spend time together at least once a week are “markedly more likely to enjoy high-quality relationships and lower divorce rates, compared to couples who do not devote much couple time to one another.”
What better way to have one-on-one time than date night? No matter what your interests, personality or financial status, there are date night ideas to suit everyone. If you are socially distancing, there are still ways to keep date night alive. Hire a sitter, trade child care with another couple, or plan a date night at home after the kids are in bed. Try one of these 52 creative ways to date your mate -- one for every week of the year!
28 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
W e e k ! E v e r y I d e a
Cheap Dates
Outdoorsy Dates
1.Stargaze. Head to Rice University and check out the James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. 2. Go to a local wine-tasting at Haas Winery. 3. Rent bikes and ride around town. If you feel really adventurous, try a tandem bike. Houston BCycle. 4. Test your knowledge by participating in a local trivia night. Before making a debut, check out sporcle.com or funtrivia.com to play games that challenge your trivia knowledge. 5. Visit a local pool hall. Shoot pool and play darts. 6. Test drive an expensive, racy sports car, then go find a happy hour and eat appetizers for dinner. 7. Treat each other to an at-home spa night with bubble bath, foot rubs and massages.
23. Hold hands and wade in a creek. 24. Canoe or kayak together. 25. Go spelunking. Find out if where cave camping is allowed. Pack your gear and spend the night in a cave. www.TPWD.Texas.Gov 26. Go on an outdoor treasure hunt by geocaching. Using a GPS, treasure seekers enter a specific set of coordinates and then attempt to find a hidden container at the location. Check out geocaching.com to find out more. 27. Spend a lazy afternoon floating down the river in New Braunfels.
Fancy Dates 8. Make your most exquisite meal at home. Use silverware, China, candles and cloth napkins. 9. Take a cruise on a dinner yacht on Boardwalk FantaSea out of Kemah. 10. Dine at a restaurant that has live entertainment like jazz, blues or theater. 11. It doesn't get more romantic than La Colombe d'Or. 12. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city at night. Check out Houston Carriage.
Snuggle-at-Home Dates 13.Make popcorn and enjoy a romantic movie like Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sleepless in Seattle or The Notebook. 14. Play a board game for couples like Scene It? Squabble or Battle of the Sexes. 15. Share yearbooks from your childhood, high school and college days. Learn about each other before you were a couple. 16. If you have a fire pit in the backyard, build a roaring fire, make s’mores, and snuggle. 17. Share letters describing what you love and admire about each other. Write why you are important to each other.
O n e
Thrill Seeking Dates 18.Take a hot-air balloon ride at Air Texas Balloon Adventures. 19. Visit an amusement park like Big Rivers Water Park or Moody Gardens for indoor adventures. 20. Race go-karts at Andretti Karting & Games. 21. Learn to fly at iFly Indoor Skydiving. 22. Take SCUBA diving certification classes together. Plan a trip to an exotic place to scuba dive.
Around Town Dates 28. Visit Burke Baker Planetarium. There is something romantic about viewing constellations in the night sky, even if it is indoors. 29. Audition for a part in a community theatre production together. 30. Attend an Art Walk in Galveston, an event where several art galleries open their doors for free viewings on the same night. 31. Take a self-guided tour of our town. Google “Self-guided tour” and the name of your city and get a listing of sightseeing walks & tours. 32. Head to the Rooftop Cinema for a movie night under the stars.
Socially Conscious Dates 33. Volunteer at Westbury community garden. . 34. Love animals? Volunteer at Houston SPCA. 35. Serve together at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. 36. Volunteer as a docent or greeter at your favorite museum. 37. Buy tickets to a charity gala. Dress up in a tuxedo and evening gown, have a glamorous night and help others.
Book Lover Dates 38. Buy a book you both want to read. Take turns reading and write notes to each other in the margins. 39. Read a relationship book together. Try to outdo each other following its advice. 40. Visit Blue Willow Bookshop. Peruse the bookshelves and then sit, and read together. 41. Take a class together at HCC. 42. Start your own book. Take turns writing in a journal about your life together. If you have children, they will cherish the book one day.
Dates that make you feel like a kid again 43. Go to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo or Texas Renaissance Festival. Ride the rides and eat food on a stick. 44. Go putt-putting at PixarPutt at Discovery Green. 45. Visit your Dairy Ashford Roller Rink and skate. 46. Visit Dewberry Farm and take a hay ride. 47. Go to the Houston Zoo and feed the giraffes.
Physically Fit Dates 48. Take a dance lesson together. Whether you pick a steamy salsa, intimate tango or flirty cha cha, it will be good for your heart both physically and romantically. 49. Run in the Houston marathon. Cross the finish line together. 50. Take aerobics, yoga or Pilates together at your local YMCA. 51. Lift weights together at LA Fitness. 52. Bike/Hike through Terry Hershey Park.
Are you skipping date night with your spouse because of everyday
responsibilities, work and children? Have 29 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Family Crafts
Yarn Hearts
By Tidbits.com
Looking for something fun to do with the kids to celebrate Valentine's Day, but not sure what? If you are like me, you're looking for something that is fun and easy for the kids, but also will be something you are happy to display for years to come. So as I perused the internet and my in-box, I discovered Yarn Hearts from Tidbits.com. Perfect as a one off, for kids with little patience, to just prop in a bookshelf or next to a vase. Or, go crazy and string them together to form garlands you can hang all over the house. Perfect also for a teacher gift to hang in the classroom off of his/her desk! You only need 3 supplies.
Yarn Tape Cardboard
First trace and cut your heart shapes out of the cardboard. A cookie cutter works great for this. To make it easier for the kids, tape the end of the yarn onto the cardboard. Then just start wrapping and wrapping around some more. Keeping it tight is going to be key. Go until all the cardboard is covered and finish with a few loops around the center of the heart. If you want a loop to hang the heart, simply cut the yarn end and loop it into the yarn that is tightly wound around the heart. Finish it off with a couple of knots. You can tuck the end inside the yarn for a cleaner look.
30 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
GALVESTON HISTORIC SEAPORT HOME OF THE 1877 TALL SHIP ELISSA
NOW OPEN!
SHIP TO SHORE ....................................................................................
Galveston’s historic immigration story comes alive at the Galveston Historic Seaport. Follow in the footsteps of the early immigrants through interactive learning with immersive experiences, all based on authentic and documented personal stories of immigrants landing in Galveston. LEARN MORE AT #GALVESTONHISTORY AND WWW.GALVESTONHISTORY.ORG
31 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
TRAVEL
Hotel Crescent Court
By Amy Garrett
Finding Relaxation on a Family Getaway to Dallas
32 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
PROFILE
POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor
Burned out, exhausted, and running on fumes after the holiday hustle and bustle, our family of four was in desperate need of a getaway to relax, recharge, and re-center. With recent air travel challenges, we chose a destination close to home. A mere three and a half hour car ride transported us to the heart of Dallas and into the trendy and vibrant Uptown District to the Hotel Crescent Court for the weekend. Hotel Crescent Court is a commanding presence with its 11acre grounds and French-Renaissance façade. The Crescent complex echoes luxury, refined opulence, and sophistication. After a 33 million dollar renovation in 2018, “The pride of Dallas” delights travelers with an immersive spa, fitness center, swanky champagne bar and cocktail lounge, sparkling roof-top swimming pool, signature gardens, and the exclusive members-only Crescent Club. We were eager to see it for ourselves!
DAY 1 Arriving into Dallas early, our first stop was to explore the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. With five floors of exhibits there was something to peak everyone’s curiosity and interests. The Paleontology exhibit and the Engineering and Innovation Hall were the most popular with the kids. My son loved coding and driving robotic machines. My daughter enjoyed creating dancing IR emojis on the big screen and 3D printing in the ChallENGe Lab. We also spent quite a bit of time in the temporary exhibit, Towers of Tomorrow. The hall features 20 of the most iconic towers in the world constructed entirely of LEGO bricks. The interactive exhibit, with over 200,000 LEGO bricks, allows creators of all ages to construct their own unique architectural wonder. We couldn’t quite finish our creations before it was time for our 3D film to begin though. We ended our museum experience with a presentation of Hidden Pacific 3D. Being my son’s first 3D movie (that he can remember), he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of
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wonders of the oceans coming to life in such vivid detail. After expending quite a bit of energy at the Perot Museum, we drove to the Hotel Crescent Complex to have dinner at Sixty Vines. The open-air style kitchen and a large assortment of wines on tap made for a unique dining experience. With happy children and now- full bellies, we walked back to the hotel to properly check in.
CHECK-IN Our room was immaculate and beautifully decorated in shades of ivory, soft neutrals, and golds. Large glass French doors opened to a Juliet balcony overlooking the gardens. The room was well appointed with crisp linens, feather pillows, and a mattress akin to a billowing cloud. All of the beautiful décor couldn’t be matched by the surprise that was awaiting the kids when we opened the door to the room. A large white linen-lined service cart was adorned with warm chocolate chip cookies and chilled milk, an
array of candies displayed in glass jars, macarons, chocolate covered strawberries, popcorn and to top all of that… the crown jewel, an edible checkerboard made entirely out of chocolate and dusted with gold powder. Filled truffles were delicately placed on the playing board as game pieces. The kids’ eyes were wide and mouths agape as they stared for a quick second in shock and undoubtedly trying to figure out what to devour first. This spectacular welcome package is part of the exclusive “Crescent Goodnights” kids package. The package also included board games, a book, and a few other surprises to create a one-of a kind-family night hotel experience. The kids squealed with delight and I instantly knew this would be the highlight of their trip and a unique experience they would be talking about for many weeks to come.
DAY 2 After a pleasant night’s sleep, we rose to get dressed and have breakfast in the Conservatory. Situated just off the hotel lobby, we were seated along a wall of floor-toceiling windows overlooking the gorgeous gardens. Between the four of us, we ordered the Belgian waffle, pancakes, eggs benedict, and the giant cinnamon roll. When the cinnamon roll arrived, it was the instant talking point and commanded the attention of the table as it was about the size of my son’s head. It could easily feed four people. Every item we ordered was cooked to perfection and the service was impeccable. It was the perfect breakfast experience to begin the day. For me, my relaxation began as I prepared myself for a total immersive day of serenity at the spa.
@TISH.PETTY
AHHH THE SPA..... The spa has 16 treatment rooms, a whirlpool with hot and cold plunge pools, relaxation room, nail spa, wellness center/gym, and cryotherapy chamber. The holistic space is adorned in calming blues, greys, and lavenders tones providing a tranquil space for guests to be fully pampered and relax. Changing into my soft white robe and slippers, I was led to a treatment room off the women’s lounge area. Dimly lit and smelling of a soft citrus, I was instantly relaxed lying on the soft, warm heated treatment table. My aesthetician, Orit, instantly transferred my energy into a total state of serenity as she gently massaged and exfoliated my skin. A charcoal cleansing mask and several vitamin and remedy serums were just what my tired and sun-kissed skin needed. The texture of my skin felt smoother and my skin tone was noticeably brighter. Orit, a seasoned Hotel Crescent Spa employee of over 20 years clearly mastered her craft as it was by far, the best facial I have ever experienced. I highly recommend booking her for a treatment, during a stay at the hotel or if you happen to be in the area. Losing track of all time while feeling fully pampered, I decided to brave a round of cryotherapy. This being my first cryotherapy experience, I did not quite know what to expect and was admittedly slightly nervous. Margaret was excellent and explained the process in detail, calming my thoughts. I was given special gloves, socks, and slippers and a two minute session was recommended. I stepped up into the machine as cryotherapy mist wafted out of the open air cylindrical chamber. I felt the first initial blast of arctic air and tried to hold my composure as I felt the cold permeate into my muscles and bones.
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As my session ended, I felt the warm rush of blood coursing to my extremities and my muscles felt lighter. Having chronic swelling issues in my wrists from long hours on the computer or holding a tennis racquet, my swelling was noticeably reduced about 45 minutes after my session. I may now be hooked. Realizing I couldn’t spend all day hiding…err…relaxing by myself, I dressed back into my clothing and met up with the rest of the family to explore the Dallas World Aquarium. I love animals, especially all marine life, so I might have been more excited than the kids to venture out. Less than a mile from the hotel, located inside an unassuming converted warehouse, was the Dallas World Aquarium. To our surprise, this was not like any aquarium we were expecting. Sure, they had the usual variety of marine life: fish, rays, eels, and sharks, surrounded by vibrant corals; however, there was a huge variety of animals nestled into a rainforest themed backdrop as well. Tropical plants and a large waterfall flank the exhibits creating a realistic rainforest habitat for the animals. Penguins, sloths, crocodiles, snakes, monkeys, and even a manatee and ocelot were all easy to spot inside the enclosures. QR codes line the exhibits to detail information about each species. The consensus amongst our family was that the gargantuan crocodile was the clear favorite. It took our breath away with its sheer size as it glided through the water. The size of its jaw was a magnificent and slightly terrifying sight. It was mesmerizing to watch. Hungry after taking in all of the sights and sounds of the Dallas World Aquarium, we drove back to the hotel and walked to Shake Shack. Located just beyond the Hotel Crescent complex under a canopy of trees strung with lights, the kids were delighted to spot table tennis and a corn hole set.
@TISH.PETTY 35 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
A bit chilly to sit outside in January, we decided to grab a table inside to eat. While we waited for the food, the kids engaged in a few competitive rounds of table tennis. Our order of burgers, fries, and shakes came out rather quickly and everything was hot and fresh. A short walk around the complex led us back to the room to retire for the evening.
DAY 3 Awakening on our last morning to the soft sunlight flooding the room, Abby and I readied ourselves for some serious retail therapy. Located in the Crescent complex is the luxury goods specialty department store Stanley Korshak. With service derived from the late Stanley Marcus of Neiman and Marcus we were greeted with a team of style advisors. With its impressive selection of designer goods from Valentino and Jimmy Choo to Chanel and Christian Louboutin the brightly lit, immaculate and elegant show rooms are a luxury shopper’s paradise. Even more impressive, the store offers a dressing room to guest room service geared toward the affluent traveler. A selection of couture clothing, complete with shoes and accessories for any occasion, can be hand- delivered to your guest suite where you can try on and purchase what you intend to keep and send unwanted items back. An on-call tailor is available as well. This is truly a unique and luxurious service offered to Hotel Crescent Court guests. We closed out the trip thanking the staff for such a fulfilling and much needed get-away for our family. We had such a wonderful trip and I know we will be back very soon! CrescentCourt.com
HFM Kid Ambassadors Janel, Abby, Berkley & Joshua
at The Bryan Museum,'s Mardi Gras Exhibit
111th Annual Celebration Feb 18th - Mar 1st, 2022
MARDI GRAS GALVESTON IS BACK
Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees for two weekends of live concerts, parades, balcony parties, elegant balls and new festive additions. Visit www.VisitGalveston.com for up to minute details. Kick off your visit to the Island at the Bryan Museum Mardi Gras exhibit. This exhibit represents a portion of the organizations past and present that celebrate Mardi Gras on the Island. From the oldest costume in the exhibit (the King’s regalia worn by Charles Dibrell in 1938) to the newest (the blue gown worn by Francis Margaret Kusnerik for the 2020 Momus Coronation Ball), we hope you enjoy this journey through Mardi Gras fashion! On display through Mar 27th, 2022.
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SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
FUN FOR ALL AGES 21/22 SEASON
FOR THE SCIENTIST IN THE FAMILY
HELLO, DATE NIGHT
NEIL deGRASSE TYSON: ASTRONOMY BIZARRE
JEFF GOLDBLUM & THE MILDRED SNITZER ORCHESTRA
Mon, Jan 17, 2022
NEW SHOW— ON SALE Date NOW!
Venue DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE: www.danieltigerlive.com NEIGHBOR DAY
DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD © 2021, The Fred Rogers Company. All rights reserved. PBS and PBS KIDS are registered trademarks of the Public Broadcasting Service and are used with permission
Jones Hall | 7:30
Fri, Jan 28, 2022
Sun, Apr 10, 2020
Explore cosmic quandaries with astrophysicist and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey host Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Jones Hall | 7:30
Jones Hall | 2 PM & 5:30 PM
Actor Jeff Goldblum will ask you trivia, play classic jazz with his band and make you laugh—a lot.
Daniel Tiger and all his friends from the beloved Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS television series are back!
S PA H O U S T O N . O R G
SEASON SPONSOR
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
FUNDED IN PART BY
THE CITY OF HOUSTON
THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE
37 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S
the big to do
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S
February brings romantic vibes, wintry activities, and Mardi Gras festivities in Galveston. Left, right and center, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality family time from our city to our coast.
Location: Bryan Museum, Galveston Photographer: Amy Garrett HFM Kid Ambassadors Janel, Abby, Berkley & Joshua
All events listed are FREE unless otherwise noted. Don’t forget to check out our online calendar at www.houstonfamilymagazine.com/event-directory/ for even more family friendly activities.
FEBRUARY 1 Nothing Goes to waste (all month) Nothing Goes to Waste showcases a survey of artists who find exciting ways to reuse and repurpose materials, scraps, and castoffs through ingenuity. https://crafthouston.org/exhibition/ nothing-goes-to-waste/ Craft House Houston Various times. All ages.
RINGS! 1968 – 2021 (all month) Visit an incredible selection of wearable pieces that capture the avant-garde notions of contemporary jewelry and represent the limitless creative potential of the ring. https://crafthouston.org/exhibition/ rings/ Craft House Houston Various times. All ages.
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit – Houston (Thru February. 6, 2022) The exhibit features state-of-the-art technology and immersive storytelling, with approximately 100 state-of-theart projectors illuminating over the exhibit space. houstonvangogh.com 1314 Brittmoore Rd. Various time slots available on various days. All ages.
FEBRUARY 2 Family Storytime and Craft Enjoy a captivating literacy experience! Family Storytime features a story followed by a craft that accompanies the reading. All craft supplies are included as a part of this free program. Levyparkhouston.org
FEBRUARY 3 Galveston’s own Farmers Market There is something genuinely wholesome about shopping for fresh produce. Bring the kids, they will love the colors and smells. www.galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com The Bryan Museum, Galveston Thursdays 3-6pm, Sundays 9am-1pm. All ages.
Waterway Nights in The Woodlands Catch live music from local and regional performers. http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov Waterway Square, The Woodlands 6:30-8:30pm. All ages.
Levy Park 10am. Ages: under 6
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Fashion Show: Seams of Houston’s Heritage Have fun at a fashion show. Each design reflects the city’s cultural diversity and the designers’ various interpretations of the show’s theme. https://camh.org/event/fashion-showseams-of-houstons-heritage/ 6:30pm-8pm. All ages
Cistern History Tours Learn about the architecture of this unique space and the history of Houston’s water system during a guided 30-minute tour. Free every Thursday. https://buffalobayou.org/visit/ destination/the-cistern/ The Cistern 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Ages: 9+
February 2022 Blue Willow Storytime
Fulshear Farmers Market
Join us each Thursday virtually as we read stories, sing songs, and do an art activity. The themes change weekly. www.bluewillowbookshop.com
Shop fresh produce and food products that were grown or produced within a 200-mile radius of Fulshear. www.fulshearfarmersmarket.com
10am. Age: toddlers and preschoolers.
FEBRUARY 4 Disney Princess – The Concert Each performance, a different set of Princess will take to the stage, making each and every event a unique experience! You could see Belle from Beauty and The Beast, Jasmine from Aladdin, or even Nala from The Lion King. If you enjoyed Broadway Princess Party, you’ll just love this new production from their team and Disney! www.smartfinancialcentre.net/event/ disney-princess---the-concert Smart Financial Centre Sugarland 7:30pm. All ages. Tickets start at $39.50
Houston Home & Garden Show (Feb.4-6) Houstons’ Premier “One Stop Shopping Opportunity” for all your home & garden needs. www.nrgpark.com/event-calendar/ NRG Stadium Noon-8pm on Feb. 4, 10am-8pm on Feb. 5, 11am-5pm on Feb. 6. All ages. Tickets start at $8
Astronaut Experiences at Space Center Houston Every Friday and Saturday, a NASA astronaut shares some of their mission memories with guests at Space Center Houston. https://spacecenter.org/events/ NASA Space Center 11am and 1:30pm. All ages
FEBRUARY 5 Lunar New Year 2022: Celebrating the Year of the Tiger Join Asia Society Texas in welcoming the Year of the Tiger with performances, art and craft activities, and food inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia. https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/ lunar-new-year-2022-celebrating-yeartiger Asia Society Texas Center 11am-4pm. All ages
First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights This outdoor arts event features paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and handcrafted items, not to mention live music and gourmet food trucks! http://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com 540 West 19th St, Houston 11am-6pm. All ages.
Woodland’s farmers market at Grogan’s Mill Find fresh seasonal vegetables and organic products from local farms. www.grogansmill.org Labels Vintage Streetwear Grogan’s Mill, Woodlands Saturdays 8am-12pm. All ages.
Fulshear Saturdays, 9am-1pm.
Let’s be pirates Get ready to sail the high seas with a morning of pirate-themed fun for the whole family, including selections from Pirates of the Caribbean! https://houstonsymphony.org/tickets/ concerts/lets-be-pirates/ Jones Hall 10am and 11:30am. All ages. Tickets start at $24
Bank of America Museums on Us® Free admission for credit or debit cardholders during the first full weekend of every month. www.cmhouston.org/events/bank-ofamerica-museums-on-us Children’s Museum of Houston 10am-5pm. All ages
FEBRUARY 6 Prelude family engagement concert Bring the whole family to sing and dance along with professional musicians at this interactive concert. www.levyparkhouston.org Levy Park Event Pavilion 4:30-5:30pm. All ages.
FEBRUARY 7 Peruse Historic Houston at the Houston Heritage Society There are nine historic houses downtown and a well-maintained museum gallery. You can take the tour on your phone. Heritagesociety.org Downtown 1100 Bagby St. Every day. All day. All ages
FEBRUARY 8 Homeschool Day at the Aquarium This is a special day for homeschooled children to learn more about our animals and explore the wonders of the aquatic world. www.aquariumrestaurants.com Downtown Aquarium All day. Age: 5+
Family Storytime and Craft Enjoy a captivating literacy experience! Family Storytime features a story followed by a craft that accompanies the reading. All craft supplies are included as a part of this free program. Levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10am. Ages: under 6
first tuesdays at the houston zoo You’ll need a free ticket to enter the gates, so get them online and skip the ticket lines. www.houstonzoo.org Houston Zoo.
noon-5pm (September-May) All ages
FEBRUARY 9 Russell Peters Act Your Age World Tour Canadian stand-up comedian Russell Peters will get you laughing for days afterwards. https://www.smartfinancialcentre.net/ event/russell-peters Smart Financial Center Sugarland 8pm. Age: Adult
Houston RV Show (Feb. 9-12) Bring the whole family to the Houston RV Show and discover how to start your own RV adventure. https://www.nrgpark.com/eventcalendar/
FREE DAYS IN THE HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT EVERY THURSDAY, MANY OF HOUSTON’S MUSEUMS OFFER FREE ADMISSION. Children’s Museum of Houston 5-8pm • 1500 Binz St. www.cmhouston.org **FREE Admission for Bank of America cardholders the first FULL weekend of the month.
Health Museum
NRG Stadium Various times. All ages. Tickets start $15 adults, $5 children
2-7pm • 1515 Hermann Dr. www.thehealthmuseum.org
Nature Story Time and Discovery Center
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Enjoy storytime on the front lawn of the nature discovery center. Please bring your own blanket. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discovery Center 4pm. Age: 0-5
FEBRUARY 10 Waterway Nights in The Woodlands Catch live music from local and regional performers. http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
10am-9pm • 1001 Bissonnet www.mfah.org **FREE MFAH admission Saturdays & Sundays for all kids 18 & under with a library card
Houston Museum of Natural Science 2-5pm • 5555 Hermann Park Dr. www.hmns.org
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum 1-5pm • 3816 Caroline St. www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com
Waterway Square, The Woodlands 6:30-8:30pm. All ages.
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Blue Willow Storytime
6-8pm • 4807 Caroline St. www.hmaac.org
Join us each Thursday virtually as we read stories, sing songs, and do an art activity. The themes change weekly. www.bluewillowbookshop.com
10am. Age: toddlers and preschoolers.
Cistern History Tours Learn about the architecture of this unique space and the history of Houston’s water system during a guided 30-minute tour. Free every Thursday. https://buffalobayou.org/visit/ destination/the-cistern/ The Cistern 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Ages: 9+
FEBRUARY 11 Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party (February 11-13) Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street! Introducing an all-new, interactive show that unfolds on one of the world’s most famous streets at the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood. www.sesamestreetlive.com/
NRG Stadium 10:30am, 2pm and 5:30pm on Saturday, February 12. All ages. Tickets start at $22.
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FREE SUNDAYS Holocaust Museum Houston 2-5pm • 9220 Kirby Dr., ste. 100 www.hmh.org
FREE WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY Menil Collection 11am-7pm • 1533 Sul Ross Street www.menil.org
FREE THURSDAY WITH RESERVATION Cistern History Tours, Houston 1-5:30pm • The Water Works at 105 Sabine Street • Age: 9+ www.buffalobayou.org
FREE TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Tuesday-Friday 10am-7pm, Sat.10am-6pm, Sun. 12-6pm • 5216 Montrose Boulevard www.camh.org
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S Romance Under the Sea (Feb. 11-14) Bring your sweetheart for a romantic dinner under the sea for two in our Aquarium Restaurant. www.aquariumrestaurants.com Downtown Aquarium 5-11pm. Ages: adult
Valentine’s Weekend: Romantic French Masterworks (Feb.11 & 12)
C E N T E R S TA G E | T H E AT E R & P E R F O R M I N G A R T S
A.D. PLAYERS
No One Owns Me
Macy has dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter, however, she’s gotten caught up in the world of trafficking. www.adplayers.org Through February 20,2022
ALLEY THEATRE
High School Play: A Nostalgia Fest Dara is trying to rally his teammates, while new kid Paul disrupts Dara’s complete understanding of himself and his small-town suburban life. https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/ production-detail/high-school-play Through February 13, 2022
Amerikin Jeff Browning, a new father desperate for community, casually follows his buddy’s advice and tries to join a white supremacist group…but the results of his ancestry test prove surprising. https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/ production-detail/amerikin Through March 13, 2022
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
The Magic Flute
Prepare to be astonished as the musical brilliance of Mozart meets the stunning visual spectacle of Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s production of the composer’s masterpiece The Magic Flute. https://www.houstongrandopera.org/ events-tickets/2021-22-season/themagic-flute/ Feb.4-13, 2022
MAIN STREET THEATER
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963 It’s 1963 and the Watsons, an African-American family, journey from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to take their troublesome son, Byron, to live with his grandmother, a trip that lands them in one of the darkest moments in
America’s racial history. www.mainstreettheater.com
January 19 – February 13, 2022
Pete the Cat Theatre is great for all families and everybody loves Pete, the groovy, guitar playing cool cat. Everyone but Jimmy, the world’s most organized second grader. https://mainstreettheater.com/petethe-cat/ MATCH
Various days and times. Age: 4+
STAGES
MacGyver: The Musical The creator of the classic TV drama brings our favorite hero to the stage in MacGyver: The Musical, a rock-n-roll musical comedy set in 1989 East Berlin. https://www.stageshouston.com/ Feb.4-March 4, 2022
The Jones Hall 8pm. Age: 14+
FEBRUARY 12 The Infinite Experience (until Feb. 20) Be thrilled at 60-minute immersive virtual reality and augmented reality adventure to the International Space Station and back. https://theinfiniteexperience.world/
Sawyer Yards Every day. Various time slots. Age: 8+. Tickets start at $36
FEBRUARY 13
Sin Muros A Borderless Teatro Festival Stages celebrates the range of Latinx voices and stories reflecting the diversity of local Texas communities. Feb.17-20, 2022
THE GRAND
Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad
This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American woman who freed herself and hundreds of her people from slavery. http://thegrand.com/serious-funchildrens-series/ February 3, 2022
The Menil Collection Take a walk around the cluster of buildings that make up the museum art which spans over 30 acres in the heart of Houston. Between the various buildings that hold art collections, there are several green spaces beautified by contemporary sculptures. menil.org The Menil collection All day. every day. All ages.
FEBRUARY 14 Happy Valentines’ Day
FEBRUARY 15
TUTS
Family Storytime and Craft
South Pacific Timelier than ever, this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical proves that even the backdrop of a tropical paradise cannot shelter its residents from the prejudices of the time. https://www.tuts.com/shows/southpacific Feb.8-20
Music of the remarkable Boulanger sisters anchors this program of shimmering French masterworks, led by renowned French conductor Fabien Gabel. Valentine’s Date Night Special: Make this concert extra sweet with romantic Valentine’s chocolate! You’ll see an option to add chocolate to your order when buying tickets online; also available over the phone at 713.224.7575. Chocolates will be held at Will Call for pick up the night of your concert. https://houstonsymphony.org/ tickets/concerts/fabien-gabel-frenchmasterworks/
Enjoy a captivating literacy experience! Family Storytime features a story followed by a craft that accompanies the reading. All craft supplies are included as a part of this free program. Levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10am. Ages: under 6
An Evening with Fran Lebowitz Get your tickets for a night with Fran Lebowitz. In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators.
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https://spahouston.org/events/anevening-with-fran-lebowitz/
Jones Hall 7:40pm. Age: 16+. Tickets start at $60.
Reelabilities: Houston film & arts festival (Feb.15-24) ReelAbilities: Houston Film & Arts Festival is a FREE city-wide film and arts festival dedicated to presenting films, art exhibitions, performances, and speakers which celebrate the lives, stories, and talents of people with disabilities. www.reelabilitieshouston.org Various times and locations. All ages
FEBRUARY 16 Nature Story Time and Discovery Center Enjoy storytime on the front lawn of the nature discovery center. Please bring your own blanket. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discovery Center 4pm. Age: 0-5
FEBRUARY 17 Waterway Nights in The Woodlands Catch live music from local and regional performers. http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov Waterway Square, The Woodlands 6:30-8:30pm. All ages.
Pictures at an Exhibition: A ROCO Musical Promenade Explore Modest Mussorgsky’s beloved masterwork Pictures at an Exhibition— written as a tribute to his dear friend, artist Viktor Hartmann—in a unique collaborative performance. Roco.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston 7pm. All ages
Blue Willow Storytime Join us each Thursday virtually as we read stories, sing songs, and do an art activity. The themes change weekly. www.bluewillowbookshop.com
10am. Age: toddlers and preschoolers.
Cistern History Tours Learn about the architecture of this unique space and the history of Houston’s water system during a guided 30-minute tour. Free every Thursday. https://buffalobayou.org/visit/ destination/the-cistern/ The Cistern 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Ages: 9+
FEBRUARY 18 The Future of American Democracy: A Conversation with Andrew Yang Join Asia Society Texas in welcoming Andrew Yang as he shares his experiences on the national stage, discusses his ideas inspired by leading thinkers, and highlights the urgency in plotting a new way forward for our democracy. https://asiasociety.org/texas/
February 2022 events/future-american-democracyconversation-andrew-yang Asia Society Texas Center 8-9:30pm. Age: 16+
Nature Walking Tour
The Bryan Museum
Enjoy a free walking tour in Buffalo Bayou Park highlighting the scene and ecology of 19th century Texas that created Houston’s landscape. https://buffalobayou.org/calendar Buffalo Bayou Park 10:30am-12pm. All ages.
Yachty Gras: Grand Night Boat Parade Mardi Gras Galveston BEGINS (Feb. 18-March 1) Music, entertainment and parades. It’s fun for the whole family. www.mardigrasgalveston.com
The boat parade will begin in the Clear Lake Channel and pass by the Kemah Boardwalk throwing beads to revelers along the way while parade judges will tally their votes for the most lavishly decorated boats and most enthusiastic krewes. https://yachtygras.com
Various times. Various locations in Galveston. All ages.
Clear Lake Channel & Kemah Boardwalk. 7pm. All ages.
Party Gras Parade Procession
Party Gras Parade Procession
Enjoy the floats and cheer on your favorite ones. www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/
Enjoy the floats and cheer on your favorite ones. https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/
Downtown Galveston and Seawall 5-10pm. All ages
Presidents’ Day Weekend Enjoy 4 days of our Weekend Adventure Pass Friday-Monday for $39.99 https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/ Downtown Aquarium All day. All ages.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater One of the most important contemporary dance companies in the world returns to Houston. https://spahouston.org/events/ alvin-ailey-american-dancetheater-2022-02-18/
Jones Hall 7:30pm. All ages. Tickets start at $40.
FEBRUARY 19
Seawall Blvd to the Strand District in Galveston. 65-unit parade featuring 12 Aquarius double-decker floats, 15 marching bands, dance teams, and numerous other floats and walking units. 11am-6pm. All ages
Third Saturday at Silver Street Studios The artists of Silver Street Studios invite you to their open studios every Third Saturday of every month. You are sure to find something you’ll love. www.sawyeryards.com/do/thirdsaturdays-at-silver-street-studios Silver Street Studios Noon-5pm. All ages
FEBRUARY 20 Fiesta Gras Parade Enjoy the floats and cheer on your favorite ones. www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/
FEBRUARY 21 Play day at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Cheer on the floats presented by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. www.visitconroe.com Downtown Conroe 1pm. All ages, FREE for spectators
Monthly Volunteer Workday Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for community-wide volunteer days at Buffalo Bayou Park happening the third Saturday of each month. https://buffalobayou.org/ Buffalo Bayou 8:30am. Ages: 9+
THE HEALTH MUSEUM
www.thehealthmuseum.org
Hike the nature trails and enjoy the education room inside the visitor center. houstonarboretum.org Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Open every day. All ages
hmns.org
FREE on Thursdays 2-7pm
Treasures in Gold & Jade
Beautiful Minds-Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage
Masterworks from Taiwan features works of incredible beauty and complexity by two of Taiwan’s premier artists. Included with admission into the permanent exhibit
Admission: $10 adult, $8 senior 65+, free for children under 2
This exhibition explores the successes of those who think outside the box when faced with the challenges of dyslexia and learn about some of the tools and resources for diagnosis and pathways to success. Through May, 2022
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm., Sat. 10am5pm., Sun. 12-5pm
Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare is a multi-sensory exhibition that explores the intersection of politics, art, economics, and the social dynamics that impacted the American First Amendment rights of speech, religion, and assembly, during Hollywood’s Red Scare. Through February 20, 2022
Speaking Up! Confronting Hate Speech The exhibition provides historical and current examples and connection between speech and the commission of atrocities, while examining the strategies that might counter “hate speech.” Through May 1, 2022
FEBRUARY 22 Family Storytime and Craft Enjoy a captivating literacy experience! Family Storytime features a story followed by a craft that accompanies the reading. All craft supplies are included as a part of this free program. Levyparkhouston.org
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm., Thurs. 9am-7pm., Sun. 12-5pm
hmh.org
Downtown and Seawall, Galveston 1pm and 4pm. All ages
Go Texan Parade
N O W E X H I B I T I N G | M U S E U M C A L E N DA R
u autm! o y See Muse the
Levy Park 10am. Ages: under 6
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9am-5pm Mon-Sun
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
mfah.org
Hours: Wed 11am-5pm, Thur 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12:30pm- 6pm. Admission: $19 adult, $16 for seniors, $12 students and college-level students with valid ID. Free for children under 12.
Calder-Picasso Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso—two of the foremost figures in 20th-century art—come together for a fascinating encounter in this presentation. Through January 30, 2022
Incomparable Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 100 of the most significant paintings and works on paper from the renowned Impressionist collection is finally in Houston. Through March 27, 2022
THE BRYAN MUSEUM
thebryanmuseum.org
Open Daily: 10am – 5pm Thursdays: Open until 7 P.M. Closed: Monday & Tuesday Admission: Adults $12, seniors $12, students $10, children 6-12 $5, and children under 6 (free)
Mardi Gras: Pageantry and Revelry Celebrate Mardi Gras with a display of colorful array of garments. Each piece of clothing represents not only a time of celebration but passion, community service, collaboration, and often incredible craftsmanship. Through March 27
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S
Get listed in our calendar in print and online! Reach out to our calendar editor at
CALENDAR@HOUSTONFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 23 Nature Story Time and Discovery Center Enjoy storytime on the front lawn of the nature discovery center. Please bring your own blanket. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discovery Center 4pm. Age: 0-5
FEBRUARY 24 Waterway Nights in The Woodlands Catch live music from local and regional performers. http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov Waterway Square, The Woodlands 6:30-8:30pm. All ages.
Blue Willow Storytime Join us each Thursday virtually as we read stories, sing songs, and do an art activity. The themes change weekly. www.bluewillowbookshop.com
10am. Age: toddlers and preschoolers.
FEBRUARY 25 Go Texan Day Celebrate Western heritage and raise awareness of Rodeo season. Wear your Western attire, such as jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats in celebration! https://www.rodeohouston.com/ Visit-the-Rodeo/Pre-Rodeo-Events/GoTexan-Day
vignettes exploring the incremental changes of the seasons and how those who depend upon the land must adapt. Roco.org The Church of St. John the Divine 5pm. All ages. ROCOrooters childcare and music education program is available in conjunction with all of ROCO’s In Concert performances
Mardi Gras Parade-Galveston Cheer on your favorite floats. https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/ 11am-6pm. All ages
Want to be a zoologist for the day? Young animal lovers will spend the day learning how we care for our creatures that live outside the ocean including Bengal tigers, two-toed sloths, parrots, reptiles, and more! www.aquariumrestaurants.com Downtown Aquarium All day. Age: 9+
FEBRUARY 27 Mardi Gras Children’s Parade Shriner’s hospital and kids parade. Cheer them on. www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/ The Strand, Galveston Noon, 1:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm
FEBRUARY 28
NRG Park All day. All ages. Ticket prices vary
7pm, 8pm, 9:30pm. All ages.
FEBRUARY 26 ROCO in concert: Canvasing the Earth Reflecting upon the fundamental environmental crisis of our time, the work tells the story of a farmer’s life through
Strawberry season is in full swing and a great way to get outdoors while social distancing. Here’s a list of where you can go in the greater Houston area to get your berry fix. Don’t forget to call or visit your website before you go!
Atkinson Farms Spring, TX
Jollisant Farms Plantersville, TX
Blessington Farms Simonton, TX
Kosub Farms Strawberries Poteet, TX
3217 Spring Cypress Road, 77388 832-381-8202 facebook.com/Atkinson4thgeneration
510 Chilsom Trail, 77476 832-444-8717 www.blessingtonfarms.com
Froberg’s Farm Alvin, TX
3601 W. Hwy. 6, 77511 281-585-3531 www.frobergsfarm.com
11351 County Road 203, 77363 936-894-2766 www.jollisantfarm.com
3425 Coble Rd, 78065 210-385-7302 www.facebook.com/ kosubfarmsstrawberries
Sweet Berry Farm Marble Falls, TX 830-798-1462 1801 FM 1980, 78654 sweetberryfarm.com
For blueberries, blackberries and other fruit picking, check out these farms in the late spring and early summer months.
Salute to Texas – First Responders Day Will make 2 rounds beginning at Santa Fe place and 25th st. Right on 25th to Mechanic. Left on Mechanic to 20th Street. Left on 20th St to Strand. Left on Strand to 25th street. Then left on 25th Street. Come join all the Mardi Gras Krewes! https://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/ parades-3/
strawberry pickin’ time
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (Feb. 28-March 20) Carnival rides, concerts, and livestock galore! Concert performer lineups. www.rodeohouston.com
NGR Stadium, Houston. All ages, grounds admission: children-$5, adults-$15. FAMILY WEDNESDAY Free Family Wednesday NRG Park Admission for seniors, 60 and over, and children, 12 and under until noon. (does not include rodeo/concert admission)
Berryland Farms of Texas Winnie, TX
Fruit ‘N Such Orchard Dickinson, TX
Blakelock’s Berries Grangerland, TX
Harvest Season Farm Tomball, TX
2877 FM 1941 Rd, 77665 713-551-6360 www.berrylandfarmsoftexas.com
15761 FM 3083, 77302 www.blakelocksberries.com
Chmielewski Blueberry Farm Hockley, TX 23810 Bauer Hockley Road, 77447 281-304-0554 www.chmielewski-blueberry.com
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6309 Avenue U, 77539 832-443-6733 www.facebook.com/fruitsnsuch.orchard
21110 Bauer Hockley Road, 77377 281-351-7676 www.harvestseasonfarm.com
Morehead’s Blueberry Farm Conroe, TX
19531 Moorhead Road, 77302 281-572-1265 www.moorheadsblueberryfarm.com
SAVE THE DATE APRIL 9 - 10, 2022 Houston tradition since 1994
Visit with Camp Counselors from Academic, Arts, Day, Sports & Overnight Camps from all across Greater Houston and all over the state Find out what their camps have to offer and plan your child's summer in one afternoon! Visit HoustonFamilyMagazine.com 713.266.1885
43 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE February 2021
Start the New Year
HEALTHIER Safe, convenient primary care — at a location near you.
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At Houston Methodist, we provide personalized care for you and your family, including physicals, immunizations and preventive care. Many of our practices: • Provide in-person and virtual visits with online scheduling • Offer same-day sick visits • Are conveniently located close to work or home • Accept most major insurance plans
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You can be confident we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe, including requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all of our physicians, staff and employees.
houstonmethodist.org/pcg 713.394.6724
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