Kid-Friendly Eateries
"C" Is For Cookie, That's Good Enough For Me
June 22, 2009
I love desserts, but I must admit I'm partial to cookies. What's not to love? Easy to make, not too messy and fit in the palm of your hand. For my son, I feel better giving him a cookie for "special treat" than candy aka high fructose corn syrup and chemicals.
With this in mind, a friend had mentioned that the Austin Cookie Lounge had started what they called Little Baker Workshops for Easter. I had gone with some friends over the holidays to the Cookie Lounge and I loved it - choose your own cookie dough and toppings and they bake it right there for you! You can even order a flavored milk or milkshake on the side and there is NOTHING quite like a cookie (or two or even three) right out of the oven.
Kids and Austin's Food Trailers
June 01, 2009
Having lived in Austin on and off for most of my thirty-plus years, I have seen a number of trends come and go: bagel shops, brewpubs, and now, the trailer eatery.
I was skeptical at first about whether this concept would be kid-friendly. Generally speaking, menus are limited, waits can be long and seating is not a given.
But the trailers we have visited thus far have exceeded our expectations.
Austin Landmarks, Courtesy of My Preschooler
May 12, 2009
Isn't it funny what preschoolers will remember about a place? You take them someplace new, and they will remember the strangest and least expected details! Also, my son will rattle off names of parks, but he is still not able to recall actual names for many other places (although he's got Costco and Red Robin down!)
Since Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, for today's List, here are my son's favorite Austin landmarks (in his own words):
The Gorilla - Featured on the home page of the Keep Austin Weird website, this statue just HAPPENS to be on the way to his grandparents' house in Clarksville. From time to time, the Gorilla is adorned in garb fitting of the season (there was even a run with a yellow jersey when Lance Armstrong was competing in the Tour de France).
The Museum - Located near "the big buildings" aka downtown, the Children's Museum was a regular stop for us, until we let our membership lapse and my husband stopped working downtown, so no possibilities for lunch afterwards. Although we have been to other museums, this is considered by him to be "the" museum.
The Bat Bridge - On Sundays, my husband and son (and sometimes I) run on Ladybird Lake, and our turnaround point is often the Ann Richards Bridge on Congress. As you probably know, underneath the bridge is the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Even during the morning, you can see and hear them. We have yet to try seeing them come out at night with my son, but we are planning to this summer.
The Dog Park - Also in Clarksville, West Austin Park has two great features: 1) a nice park for kids with a playscape, swings, kickball field and basketball court; and 2) a fenced in dog park. Our pup is not quite ready for Auditorium Shores, so this is a nice compromise when we want an outing for the entire family. There is even a tiny veggie garden I assume was set up by the neighborhood or the nearby elementary (Mathews).
Central Market North - This used to be called "restaurant park" when we had a repertoire of only a few places to go for dinner and playing. Now, we seem to go less often, but it's a nice standby. Now my son remembers to ask for a balloon at Customer Service and gleefully holds onto it for two minutes until he remembers again about the playground.
Pump It Up - This warehouse full of bouncy houses, slides, etc. has become a favorite for my son and one of his best buds. Hidden north of the intersection of Burnet & 183, it's is open Mondays and Thursdays for Pop In Playtime from 9:30-11 for $6.
What are your preschoolers' favorite Austin landmarks?
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East Side Finds
April 27, 2009
Austin's "Upper East Side" (I had never heard of the name until I saw it on a bumper sticker) has garnered a lot of attention, particularly since folks started moving into the Mueller development. But don't forget, there is a lot more to East Austin than Lake Park! Here are just a few things you should check out:
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Where Mamas of Two Get Four Thumbs Up
April 21, 2009
Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and for today I compiled a list of places to go where two kiddos can be entertained. That said, as you might have gathered, I only have one child, so I relied on my awesome mama friends for suggestions. Thanks to Lori, Heidi and you others (you know who you are!) for sharing these great tips! Here goes...
Read more...Locally Grown: Where Your Kids Can Choose What's For Dinner
April 14, 2009
Now that the Easter bunny has come and gone and left a trail of empty foil wrappers and chocolate-covered fingers, it's time to get back to eating right. So...just step away from the Peeps and read on for today's List, where I'll cover the local farmers market, farm stand and CSA scene. Markets are a great place for kids, and who knows what your kids will eat if they learn more about how and who grows it!
Farmers Markets
Sunset Valley Farmers Market - Located in the Burger Center parking lot in South Austin, this is what I consider to be the "original" farmers' market in Austin, although it has not always been in this location. It's open 9-1 every Saturday and always has live music and plenty for kids to see, taste, and explore.
Austin Farmers Market - Located downtown, this market is also open 9-1 on Saturdays and also has live music and lots of yummy prepared foods. The Market is a project of the Sustainable Food Center, a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to make healthy food choices and to participate in a vibrant, local food system.
On Wednesdays from 4 until 8pm, the Market is open at the Triangle, which has become a real meeting place for many moms and their charges.
South Austin Farmers Market - I haven't checked this out for myself, but there is a "growers only" market open from 8-1pm on Saturdays at the El Gallo parking lot on South Congress. Reviews on Yelp and other sites were favorable.
Markets in surrounding cities (Taylor, Bastrop, Manor, Elgin, San Marcos and Sun City, among others) are listed here and here.
Farm Stands
Angel Valley Organic Farm - Located in Northwest Austin, this farm stand is open 10-2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays from February until December.
Arnosky Family Farm - Best known for their amazing flowers, produce and prepared foods are also available Saturdays 9-5pm at the farm, located 8 miles from Blanco.
Austin Farmers Market - In Dove Springs, this stand operates from 12-3pm May to mid-August.
Boggy Creek - No longer a secret, Boggy Creek Farm in East Austin has a surprising array of produce, flowers, and prepared foods. The stand is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 until 2pm.
Green Gate Farm - This farm stand and "U Pick" is open from noon until dark on Thursdays and Fridays, March until November near Decker Lane & MLK.
Pure Luck Organic and AA Dairy - Pure Luck artisan cheeses can be purchased at Wheatsville, Farm to Market, Whole Foods and Central Market, but you can also visit the farm stand Saturdays from 9-5pm near Dripping Springs.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)
CSAs are a service provided by local farms whereby you can subscribe and either pick up or have delivered what's in season. There is a comprehensive list of CSAs on the Edible Austin website. I know mamas who have been very happy with Johnson's Backyard Garden and, although it's not a CSA, Greenling provides produce (some local) and grocery service right to your doorstep.
Are you hungry yet?
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Twice the Fun!
March 17, 2009
Wow, talk about a 180 in terms of the weather, huh? Hope you are enjoying your Spring Break so far! For ideas of things to do around town this week, you can check my Monday post.
Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and today I'm bringing you some ideas for "two-fers": two places relatively closeby you can visit in the course of a morning or afternoon.
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Austin's Best Family-Friendly Live Music Venues
February 22, 2009
South by Southwest is just around the corner. What better way to show your preschooler what makes Austin special than by going together? In the coming weeks, free day shows will be announced. Although times haven't been confirmed, the schedule for Auditorium Shores on Saturday, March 21 features several kids' favorites, like the Biscuit Brothers and Joe McDermott.
If you haven't taken your preschooler to see live music before, or want a "practice run" before braving the Festival, here are some places you should head first:
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99 Things To Do With Your Little One in Austin Before Kindergarten
January 27, 2009
As you may be noticing, Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source. In keeping with the month's theme of Resolutions and Reflections, here are 99 Things To Do with Your Preschooler before Kindergarten (in no particular order): Hike to the top of Enchanted Rock Pick strawberries at Sweet Berry Farm Go to a UT game (try soccer, basketball, or baseball if you don't want to shell out the dough Read more...
What Matters & What Doesn't to My Little Austinite
January 06, 2009
This month's theme at Savvy Source is Resolutions and Reflections, and Tuesday is List Day. Today's list is about what really matters to preschoolers - and what doesn't. For a local spin, I've chosen to reflect on the Austin sights that my preschooler really digs (sometimes literally!) and what I've been surprised he hasn't taken to...at least not yet. Top 5 Austin Institutions My Read more...
Three Days in and Around Austin: Day 3
July 10, 2008
Now that you've spent some time getting to know Austin and the surrounding landscape, it's time to make sure you get your fill of all things Texan before you head back home. Fortunately, while the capital city does pride itself on being a little different from the rest of the state, there's still a few pockets of good-ol'-fashioned, horse-ridin', armadillo-lovin', country-music-listenin' Read more...
Three Days in and Around Austin: Day 1
July 08, 2008
Welcome to Austin. If you were expecting someplace, well, a little more Texan, don't be surprised. This is a city that prides itself on being different -- in fact, the town's unofficial motto is "keep Austin weird." So while you're here, plan on having an experience that's unique -- both for you, and for the Lone Star State. First step is to get some food. Steer clear of big national chains Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in austin
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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
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Our City's Stories
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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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