Rachael Cherry

Latest posts by Rachael Cherry

Splash and Play at Noah's Ark Pool

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 06/16/2017 - 10:49am

The Noah's Ark Pool in the Quillian Center (a facility operated by First Methodist Houston) is the perfect combination of a pool and splash pad with shallow water for toddlers to easily stand in, as well as several slides and many water features. You see, my son loves the water. He will let waves crash over him with reckless abandon at the beach, he lives for days spent in the backyard at his water table and he's out the door and running to the splash pad before the car is even fully in park. What he does not love, however, is swimming in pools where he can't touch the bottom. All of this means we spend a lot of time at splash pads, because he's able to experience a healthy dose of water play without worrying about if he can touch the bottom or not, and it's why we love going to Noah's Ark.

Berry Picking at Blessington Farms

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 9:00am

It's berry season in Texas, and Blessington Farms is officially open for picking. Berry picking has been high on our spring activity priority list, and we took full advantage the first Friday morning we had available. We lucked out with clear blue skies, cool temperatures and an empty farm, which - I'm sure every parent can agree - is pretty much the ideal situation when you show up to pick berries with two 3-year-old boys.

Fiesta with the Family for Cinco de Mayo

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 10:00am

While tequila and margaritas may have become staples for Cinco de Mayo parties everywhere, this hasn't always been the case. In fact, May 5 actually has a lot of rich cultural heritage, dating all the way back to 1862 when the Mexican Army proved victorious over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Over the years, the day has become a great source of Mexican pride... and also a good excuse for people to get together and fiesta.

Whether it's a morning spent exploring the holiday's history at the Children's Museum or diving into a Mexican feast and enjoying live music at one of this year's kid-friendly celebrations, we challenge you to bring back some of that cultural awareness this year... and have some good, old-fashioned family fun in the process.

Cruising Down the Houston Ship Channel

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 04/13/2017 - 9:25am

If there's one thing that I've come to appreciate as a native Houstonian, it's that there is no shortage of rich and varied cultural experiences waiting around every corner. One solid example of this is the Sam Houston Boat Tour, which takes passengers on a FREE 90-minute guided tour of the Houston Ship Channel. I took this tour several years ago with my husband and parents and was eager to take my transportation-obsessed son when the opportunity arose.

Affordable Preschools in Southwest Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 03/23/2017 - 10:00am

Preschool is one of those things I never put much thought into until my son's third birthday was looming. I assumed finding a preschool would be a breeze, one of those tasks I checked off the to-do list in a day (cue the first time mom chuckles). Instead, I quickly realized that there are a lot of variables to consider when selecting a preschool for your child, some of which make a big difference and others that may not matter as much. For us, price was one of those make or break factors, and finding an affordable preschool proved to be a big hurdle to overcome. So for all the parents out there looking for affordable preschool options in Southwest Houston, we have you covered.

Bellaire Nature Discovery Center Undergoes Massive Renovation

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 03/16/2017 - 5:40pm

Change is right around the corner at Bellaire's Nature Discovery Center, and we had the chance to take a sneak peek at everything the newly transformed center will have to offer. I remember my first visit to the Nature Discovery Center very clearly - it was like unearthing a hidden gem; it was (and is!) a small patch of nature inside the concrete jungle known as Houston. Under the name of the Gateway Project, the center has received a facelift in almost every area, from new education resources to added nature trails.

St. Patrick's Day Fun at Houston's Family Friendly Breweries

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:00am

The craft beer scene in Houston is as rich and varied as the city itself, and in addition to serving up good beer, many local breweries cater to families by offering a relaxed environment for kids to run around while parents hang out. While the focus in March is typically on Rodeo and Spring Break, there's another holiday that deserves celebrating, too: St. Patrick's Day! And what better way to celebrate than supporting your local beer masters. We rounded up several breweries around town that are opening their doors with festive cheer on St. Patrick's Day this year, so you can relax with a good beer, enjoy games and contests for the family, and fill up on delicious local fare from favorite food trucks around town.

Enjoying the Houston Rodeo Cook-off With Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 03/03/2017 - 6:05pm

Rodeo is a big deal in the Bayou City. The two-and-a-half weeks of livestock and horse shows, competitions, concerts and more give Houstonians a chance to dust off their boots, put on their plaid and enjoy some good old-fashioned cowboy and cowgirl fun. And it all is kicked off with one of my favorite events, the Rodeo Cook-off! The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the start of rodeo are filled with food, food, and more barbecue sauce-covered food. More than 250 cooking teams come together during these three days in tents outside of rodeo to cook their barbecue specialties, all leading up to the final judging where a Grand Champion is crowned.