Win Tickets to Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 {Giveaway}

Disclaimer: I was provided tickets to giveaway for you to The Grapevine Vintage Railroad for Day Out with Thomas™: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014.

READ MORE ABOUT Day Out with Thomas™: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 on Mom2MomDFW!

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7 Places to Go with the Kids Before Jan. 6

* In some cases, I was provided complimentary admission to enjoy some of these attractions with my family for purposes of this review.* 

Oh, Christmas. 

It's been fun. And short. And Mother Nature's little ice fit didn't help us any either. This was a quick holiday season. As quick as a clean baby's diaper, it's time to clean up and get ready for the next year; making it impossible to try to get out there and enjoy all the fun that DFW had to offer. 

And unfortunately, while the gifts area already opened and the new toys have made their home on the living room floor, most parents still have another week to keep the kids happy while they are at home from winter break. 

Lucky us, right? 

While I enjoy seeing their little faces and not rushing to get in the drop-off lane at school, I will admit trying to continue with all the excitement and energy of the holiday hoopla is hard. That's why it's good to schedule a few outings to keep the kiddos happy and mom to keep her sanity. So here are a few events in the Dallas-Fort Worth-area that still have a little holiday cheer that are worth fitting in before the school bell rings for the 2014.

Just make sure to check each website for schedules and pricing before heading out! 

1. Six Flags Over Texas Holiday in the Park
There's nothing like sipping hot chocolate in your official Six Flags refillable mug in front of the campfire before you get on the Shockwave to get turned upside down. While the teens may find that fun, you can find plenty of other fun activities for the little ones like The Frosty the Snowhill (with real snow sledding) or Looney Tunes Land. 

While many of the big holiday activities end Dec. 31 with the big finale, you can still plan to take the fam for a fun time sans water rides until Jan. 5. Just make sure to check the hours and the temperature.  While we bundled up, the kids in layers, mittens and hats, the kids were popsicles in a matter of a few hours so we had to go home. And when you are talking more than $50 a person for admission, you want to make sure you get your fun out of it! 

WEBSITE

2. Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway 
We had a chance to enjoy this light display earlier this holiday and the kids really enjoyed it. While the lights were a nice way to get into the holiday mood while listening to Christmas music, the fun really kicked in after seeing the lights and getting to play in the snow. For my littlest it was her first time to feel snow so she loved walking around, putting it in her hands and throwing that first snow ball. For my five-year-old, he couldn't get enough of the snowtubing! 

WEBSITE

3. DALLAS CITYSCAPE at Galleria Dallas 
Looking to show the kids some Dallas landmarks without getting stuck in Dallas traffic? Then let them LEGO at DALLAS CITYSCAPE! The kids can take a look at some of the best Dallas landmarks scaled to size in the building block attraction that raises money ($5 for ages 2 and older) for the East Dallas Community Schools. While they are there they can also create their own creations at the building block station, which is a great incentive to get the kids to be good while you make a gift return! 

WEBSITE

5. The Trains at NorthPark 
For more than 25 years, The Trains at NorthPark have delighted kids and parents alike with more than 1,600 feet of track while taking a trip across the U.S. to see some of the best of America's landmarks. Make sure to find all the buttons that allow you to create your own bit of magic as parts will move, figurines dance and more. While the White House is impressive, of course the best is the ode to the Texas State Fair and Big Tex. 



WEBSITE

6. ICE! at the Gaylord Texan
While we didn't have a chance to make it to this one this year, we heard we missed some great fun and are already planning our Santa Staycation for 2014. You can still come out and see the Nutcracker-themed ICE exhibit as well as get another opportunity to do a little indoor snowtubing (it's still very cold, so don't think you are getting away that easy!) If you've never been to ICE, I'd suggest you take a look at my tips for the best ICE experience!

WEBSITE

7.  Snowland! at Great Wolf Lodge
Grapevine is known as the "Christmas Capital of the World," so if you are looking for something different than the Gaylord, consider going across the street at Great Wolf Lodge. Besides the fact that you have a HEATED. WATER. PARK. that will keep the kids happy for hours, they have water-less games like MagiQuest and the new ShadowQuest interactive live action adventure game to keep them (and you) on your toes for hours!  

Chicken nuggets and pizza not up your alley for a vacation meal? Don't worry, the LODGE Wood-Fired Grill gives you upscale options that are convenient for the whole family. From steaks, mini-desserts and signature sangria (my favorite), you too can feel you are having a break and not just escorting the kids on their vacation.  

Plus right now you can get 20% off your stay until Jan. 5, so you still have a whole week to enjoy the fun or make a weekend of it even after school starts! 

WEBSITE

Now off to get that tree finally back into it's box - we'll maybe later...

Now What? Unique Family Fun Activities for After-Thanksgiving Dinner in DFW

After you've hit Pumpkin Pie coma, dad has OD'd game and the kids have caught cabin fever, it's time to get out of the house for a little post-Turkey Day time. 

Here are a few unique ideas for family fun in Dallas that doesn't take too much time or planning to get the holiday happiness flowing! 

Get to the Ice to Meet Missile Toes, the back-flipping, pyrotechnic ice-skating Santa at Galleria Dallas

Burn off those mashed potatoes by taking to the ice at the Galleria Dallas Ice Rink from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Galleria! And if you try real hard, you probably can even get a little shopping checked off your list, too! If you just can’t get out of the house on Thanksgiving then venture out on Friday at noon when Galleria Dallas debuts the first Macy’s Grand Tree Lighting Celebration of the season. World Champion and Olympic skater Kurt Browning joins cute local skaters and the legendary pyrotechnic Missile Toes countdown to the tree lighting on the ice for a 20-minute holiday extravaganza around the 95-foot-tall Christmas tree. Best of all this show is free!

Galleria Dallas has several holiday experiences for you to enjoy, so visit the full schedule at galleriadallas.com. (Disclaimer: #Client)

See the World’s Longest Light Tunnel at the Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie

We are super excited to load up the car, grab our hot chocolate and turn on Michael Buble for Christmas memories you’ll enjoy for years to come.  Read more about the Prairie Lights here…

Go Nuts at the Gaylord Texan ICE display of The Nutcracker

Our family loves the Gaylord Texan at the holidays because it’s like going to a little bit of Disney – but I can be home in just 20 minutes!  Last year we really enjoyed our experience (if you’ve never been to ICE check out my 7 tips to the Perfect Ice Experience here), but we are really excited to check out the new theme, The Nutcracker! Of course, little man is all about the tubing action and some mama fun making a gingerbread house with Gingy! 

Even if you aren’t a guest, you can enjoy the ICE exhibit! Hours vary for this experience, so make sure you check out the website for the specific schedule and price.

Nothing Says the Holidays than Snow with the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway

Texas Motor Speedway doesn’t do anything small and that definitely describes their holiday event, the Gift of Lights. The Snow Village at TMS features a tubing hill, snow ball gallery, and a snow play area – and finish the fun by making s’mores! Read more about the Gift of Lights…

And don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming holiday events later in December!

Holly Jolly Holidays Start Dec. 11 at the Grapevine LEGO MINILAND

Search for Santa in a scavenger hunt through MINILAND. You’re bound to find an old St. Nick, as there are 11 LEGO Santa’s hidden throughout the 1.5 million LEGO bricks in MINILAND. (Dec.  11 - 25)

Write and mail your letter to Santa while enjoying complimentary milk and cookies in the Café. (Wednesday, Dec.  11 and 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Milk and cookies served on Dec. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Build a LEGO ornament to hang on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center tree (with a minimum $1 donation to Merlin’s Magic Wand.) Plus, meet Bertie the mascot! (Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under. Also note, special holiday hours: Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Christmas noon to 6 p.m., New Years Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and New Year’s Day 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To purchase special discounted tickets visit www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw.

Scuba Diving Santa takes the plunge at Sea Life Aquarium

While you are at MINILAND at Grapevine Mills, walk across the hall to the Sea Life Aquarium! This Santa doesn’t have fire coming out of his skates, but he does have an oxygen tank on his back. The Scuba Diving Santa takes the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish and sharks in SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine’s 145,000-gallon tank.  Scheduled dives occur at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec.  11 and 18 and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21.

The kids will also be able write and mail a letter to Santa.  Letters can be written from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and 18 and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21.

Admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under.  To purchase special discounted tickets visit www.visitsealife.com/grapevine.  Please note the special holiday hours: Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Christmas noon to 6 p.m., New Years Eve 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and New Years Day 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Gobble, Gobble!

Last-Minute Back-to-School Discounts

To-do Thursdays:

While my kiddos are already back in session at Spanish Schoolhouse, most of North Texas will start another school year come Monday morning. With only a few days left, now is still a great time to get those school supplies and BTS wardrobe needs with some special opportunities available for a limited time at area Staples, Office Max and Grapevine Mills.

See? It does pay to procrastinate (some of the time.)

Staples: 
Save a bundle when you purchase a  Back-to-School Savings Pass for $10 and get 15% off  on school supplies until Sept. 21. (All eligible products can be found here.) 

Office Max: 

If you haven’t started your back-to-school shopping, then it’s time to to bag it with OfficeMax – at least until this Saturday, Aug. 24.  You can get 20% OFF everything that fits inside a brown paper bag during OfficeMax’s 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event, including tablets, eReaders, must-have school supplies from backpacks to paper, calculators, printer ink and more (some exclusion do apply.)

OfficeMax's 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event is available in-stores only. Brown bags can be found in Sunday’s paper. While you are there, make sure you also take up on their rewards program, Office Max Perksfor 5% back in rewards with every purchase plus some other great goodies! 

Grapevine Mills: 
Grapevine is known for trying to offer a little bit of everything for everyone and for Back-to-School this is certainly the case at Grapevine Mills. Here are just a few of the great discounts you can take up on for a limited time: 

• Receive 15% off when you show your student ID at Forever 21.
• Nautica Factory Store and take an additional 30-50% off storewide.
• Taking advantage of 10% off with a student ID at the Tommy Hilfiger Company Store. 
• Spend $75 or more at G by Guess and receive a free messenger bag.
• Buy one, get one 50% off at Stride Rite/Keds/Sperry Outlet

You can check out other deals on their deal page on the Grapevine Mills website. 

Happy Shopping!

Snag an Invite to Grapevine Mills Private Shopping Event + Giftcard {Giveaway}

Me Mondays:

Have you ever wanted to find out what happens at blogger events? Well here is your chance! Grapevine Mills Mall, one of DFWs premiere shopping + entertainment outlets, is hosting an exclusive, invitation-only event on August 1 complete with: 

• A Style Presentation
• Cocktails and Appetizers
• A swag bag of special gifts
• A $25 Simon Mall Gift Card
• An interactive tour with a chance to win a $250 Simon American Express Gift Card!

Wanna go? 

I'm super excited, but even better, they are allowing me to bring one one of you for a fun night of shopping, girl time and good swag!  

Are you ready for a great evening of sizzling summer of style & savings? All you have to do is enter this giveaway, open now until July 30, 2013 at midnight via Rafflecopter. 

So what are you waiting for? ENTER NOW!

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To-Do: Star Wars Miniland on Exhibit at LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW

To-Do Thursdays:

The summer is up and running and we've taken no breaks making the most of it.

We've done Disney World already, so what could be left?

A lot and we aren't even leaving the Dallas/Fort Worth area this time!

Here's one worth putting on your summer to-do list:

Fly Over to LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW for New Star Wars Exhibit

Make sure you check out our experience on TodaysMama.com.