Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Halloween Events this Weekend

There are some great Halloween events going on in the Lake Travis area this weekend!

From 3PM-9PM this Saturday The Hill Country Galleria will be hosting a Trick or Treat event with performances by PAIYH Dance Studio, a bounce house, face painting, live music and trick or treating at participating stores. Check out their website for more information! (By the way- helpful hint for next Summer, when you log onto their website it will tell you if the interactive fountain is open that day!)

Also, the Lake Travis Fire and Rescue will be having their ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday from 1PM-3PM! Bring the kids in their Halloween costumes where they can enjoy the bounce house, photo booth, Res-Q the clown and tour the fire station! They'll have plenty of snacks and safe Halloween candy!

Let's see how many times we can get our kids in their Halloween costumes this year!

We're sure there are more many more events going on, so as always, please be sure to share with us. You can comment below or find us on Facebook too.

Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Mandola's Italian Restaurant and Market

We enjoyed a trip to Mandola's in Bee Cave at The Shops at the Galleria last weekend with the kids. There is a cute little table and chairs just their size which they loved. The kids meal comes with a scoop of their fabulous gelato too! Next time we hope to try out the Bocce Ball Court.

Update: There is a nice outdoor playscape now!! We are looking forward to enjoying spring evenings on the patio at Mandolas!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

beneFIT Bikram Yoga in Lakeway

Yesterday I took my very first Bikram Yoga class (at beneFIT in Lakeway). Wow! To explain the experience is sort of like explaining parenthood to someone. There are these two very distinct, competing voices in my head- there is the one that wants to blurt out, don't do it! it's grueling, exhausting, painful, and there are going to be several times when it gets so intense you will want to quietly escape. Then there is the voice that I actually use that says it is wonderful, inspiring, life altering and completely worth it. Hang in there...take a break when you need to...breath through it when you feel like you can't take it anymore...relax...be calm...be mindful...work on your balance...your flexibility... and you WILL be able to do it. Just like parenting, the Bikram Yoga experience is challenging in every sense of the word, but it is special and exhilarating. I am looking forward to growing in both.

For those of you who are not familiar, here is an explanation taken from the BeneFIT Bikram Yoga web page:

Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute class that works the entire body every time. In 105 degrees and 50% humidity, students do 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises that work all the major systems and force them to work together: cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, lyphatic, central nervous, digestive and musculoskeletal. Postures are done twice and prepare the body for what comes next.

Students sweat, detoxify, lose weight and reshape and restructure their bodies developing strength, flexibility and balance. All kinds of chronic ailments and diseases disappear with regular practice.

Most importantly, students develop their patience, concentration, determination, self-discipline and faith, key elements to a truly balanced life.

The studio is located in the Oak Grove Plaza in Lakeway.

Check out the website for more information.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Free* Michaels Crafts

So we made the trek to Michaels on Saturday despite the lovely rain we have waited months for. And it was absolutely worth it! We went for the pumpkin craft and the kids had a blast! When we showed up, they had plenty of signs that told us what to do. We picked our pumpkin, stood in line and bought the crafting pumpkins at a reduced price (*$5.00). We went to the crafting classroom and my daughter squealed with delight. She is, after all, the one always telling me that she needs to do her "arting". They had feathers, glitter glue, and paint pens, oh my! It was great to see them let their imagination take shape in form of a pumpkin face. They both loved the large selection of supplies they had at their finger tips, and want to go back again very soon! We hope to see you there soon! Were you there? Post your pictures and show us your creations!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Kid-E-Shack Under New Ownership


We recently interviewed the new owner of Kid-E-Shack (a state-licensed drop in day care) and we are very excited to welcome Claudete Gunsalus into the Lake Travis community! She is passionate about children and it shines through. She has some wonderful new ideas that she will begin to implement, such as planning a new organic food menu. We are certainly looking forward to keeping in touch with her.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am a Brazilian-American. I moved to Berkeley, CA in 1983. I have a degree in Child Development. I have experience working with all ages children. My last job before moving to Austin was as a Research Teacher and the Director of the Before and After School Program for 13 years in one of the Elementary School in Oakland Hills, CA. My passion is children. I love to work and make a difference in the children's lives!


Why Kid-E-Shack?

Because I was looking for a business that fits my philosophy of life. I am a giver with a positive attitude. I was so impressed with the Kid-E-Shack playscape being inside and not having to take the children outside during the hot summer days. Kid-E-Shack Lakeway is a drop-in program that fits the needs of the parents and children. The children are safe, happy and entertained by the highest quality childcare providers. I hope the business can grow providing the best flexible and qualified child care program.

What kind of experience do you envision for the kids? What about the parents?

The program philosophy is "Happy Parents = Happy Children." Until you get back... Kid-E-Shack will provide the best entertainment time and safe environment. The parents will feel comfortable knowing about their child being socializing with other children.

There is a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce for Claudete today. We will post photos on our Facebook page soon- so be sure to stop by and welcome her. Or, better yet, stop by Kid-E-Shack and meet her in person!

Location: Just West of Randalls, in the same shopping center as Jack Brown Cleaners right off 620.

1508 Ranch Road 620 South Lakeway, TX 78734-6274

(512) 402-0077

Ages 18 mo - 12 Years Old

Check out the website for more info and rates




Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Papa Murphy's Pizza in Lakeway

It's been a few years ago now, but I remember it like it was yesterday...the day I had my first Papa Murphy's pizza. It was a crisp fall evening and the neighbors were watching a football game on a big screen TV which had been plugged into a long extension cord and placed smack in the middle of the lawn. (This is just one of the many reasons I love my neighbors.) It was about half time, when one of the girls brought out pizza cut up into small bite-sized pieces. We all passed the plates around and commented on what a good cook she was. She fessed up that it was not something she made but that it was actually "take and bake." Take and bake? The concept just didn't make sense to me at the time. Why not just stock your freezer with frozen pizza or why not delivery? BUT once you have fresh pizza, it is pretty hard to compare frozen or greasy delivery pizza. The fresh taste is not the only thing that has kept me going back to Papa Murphy's though. If you have already been to the Lakeway location you will know just what I am talking about- the owners, Michael and Bridge, are so friendly and personable. They will make you remember why we need to support local business owners who put their heart and soul into their work and into our community! Papa Murphy's in Lakeway- We love you! We have fallen in love with your cute little Jacko Pizzas too.



These Jacko Pizzas will be offered for only $6 at Papa Murphy's soon. Like our Lake Travis Moms Facebook page and watch for our post on Friday! A few of our lucky fans will have the chance to win a FREE Jacko Pizza!

Personalized Pumpkins at Michaels

So, I was in Michaels the other day to buy paint for a craft project at home, and I was distracted by the carved craft pumpkins in the floral department. I am a sucker for anything Halloween, and who can pass up a reusable pumpkin? I filled out the order form, brought it to the cashier and then got to wait. I was told I would get a call in 5-10 days and I could pick up my carved name-o-lanterns. I was so excited, and super pleased with the actual product. My kids love them too and they use them as night lights. The best part of the pumpkin pick up was the list of the October free crafts that Presley is excited to attend so she can do her “arting”.

Check out the link below for what’s to come at our local store, located in The Shops at the Galleria.

October In-Store Events.

See you at Michaels!

(FYI for the apostrophe Nazi out there- "Michaels" does not use one.)


Monday, October 3, 2011

October Fun in Lakeway/Bee Cave!




Ahhh it is finally Fall! I'm sure we are all looking forward to some cooler weather. Also exciting are all the great events planned around the Bee Cave and Lakeway area to bring in the season. The Fall Concert Series is starting up at the Hill Country Galleria, there are great themed events at the libraries each week, local businesses have tons of fun offerings and CUTE Halloween decor, and local restaurants are now featuring their fall recipes!

We plan to keep adding to our calendar of events, so keep checking back for updates, OR friend us on Facebook :)

And, if you know of anything we have not featured yet, let us know!

Click Here to see what we have on our calendar so far!