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Now Booking – Spring Portrait Sessions
Now Booking Spring Portrait Sessions
Click on the calendar below to book your Spring Portrait Session this March, April or May 2020 in Austin, TX.
A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. The remainder of the fee is due at your session (package information here).
Trying to decide on the best time for your family…
- …and you want bluebonnets – last week of March/first week of April are usually the best bets – but I’ll be keeping a close eye on the available fields and giving you updates if we need to move up or move back a session date.
- …and you want wildflowers in general – end of March through beginning of May should be fine.
- …and you want to be indoors – consider the Flower Vault (sample shoot) for fake flowers or CityHouse collective for a styled vibe
- …and you want a road trip – check out the Tulip Farm in San Antonio – only open from now until the beginning of March (*additional travel fee will apply)
- …and you don’t require flowers – starting Saturday, March 7th through May 23rd is your time window for Spring. Let me know if you’d prefer an urban setting or a park. And if you have any locations in mind or want suggestions.
Next steps:
Contact me for questions, then book online directly.
48 Hours in Houston – Weekend Art Trip
You have 48 hours in Houston without kids – what do you do?
If you’re me, you make Art the theme of your trip and hit the road.
Color Factory exhibit
Here’s a sample itinerary:
Friday – Drive to Houston from Austin (making sure to stop at Buc-ee’s on the way). As you look at all the merchandise – ask yourself – Is it Art?
Is it Art?
Once you get to town, head to the Menil Collection. The Menil includes 30-acres of art space to house their 17,000+ collection. There is no admission (and no photos allowed inside) – and you can see work from the Prehistoric to the Modern including one building just to house works by Cy Twombly.
Menil Collection
If it wasn’t under construction, you could then head down the block to visit the Rothko Chapel. It’s due to re-open this summer.
Instead, you continue to explore the Museum District of Houston. Next up, the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. This kid-friendly spot also often has Groupons for discounts on tickets.
Museum of Natural Sciences
Between their Planetarium, Butterfly Center and Theater – inside their 16 permanent exhibits, you can explore everything from Faberge eggs to Prehistoric Man (flying through the air) to Space.
Faberge Egg
Sorry, Prehistoric Man. Better luck next time.
Space Exhibit
And make sure you take a long stop at our favorite area – the gems and minerals.
Hall of Gems and Minerals
If after experiencing all that Science you need a change of pace, and the weather is delightful, you should walk up another block to Hermann Park.
McGovern Centennial Garden
The McGovern Centennial Gardens are a delightful stop. If you have your kids with you, you might also go to the Zoo near there. Then after a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready for Day 2.
Saturday – make sure to get your tickets in advance to the Color Factory Houston.
Color Factory, Houston
The Color Factory is an interactive exhibit with palettes and projects inspired by Houston. You’ll be given treats along the way, and you can use your token to get your photo taken at various spots in the exhibits.
Color Factory, Houston
You will still take a million photos because you can’t stop smiling and it’s just so photogenic.
Color Factory, Houston
You may also want to pack a rainbow dress for pictures 🙂
Pic taken courtesy of the Color Factory, Houston
You make sure to save all your colorful treats to share with your kids once you get back home.
Color Factory treats along the way plus the colorful calendar you bought in the gift shop
You still have time to fit in another Museum. This time you choose the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. You will be visiting one of the largest museums in the United States. Their permanent collection spans more than 6,000 years of history with approximately 64,000 works from six continents.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Now saturated with art and inspired to create, you get one more good night’s sleep and then plan to drive back home to Austin. You’re already thinking about another trip and all the Museums you didn’t get to visit…this time.
In the future, you’ll go see The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston or the Space Center or the Art Car Museum or the rest of the 19 Museums listed in the Houston Museum District.
Maybe in time for Fotofest ….
Let me know if you end up taking a trip to Houston to see Art, it would be well worth your time.
Top 10 Parents Night Out places in Austin, Texas
*** UPDATED FOR 2023 ****
If you’re lucky to have family in town or kids old enough for sleep-overs or to stay home by themselves – you may not need this advice. And while we have some favorite babysitters, we’ve also been checking out the local Parents Night Out options around town. So I wanted to share what I’ve researched. Here are some options if you want your kids to get a night out at the same time as you get a date night:
Thinkery
Location: 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
Age range: 4+ years old (must be potty-trained)
Cost: $45 first child, $25 each additional child ($5 discount for Members)
Details: Kids have the museum to themselves and live it up with pizza, hands-on STEAM activities, exhibit exploration and MORE!
Extra perks: Check out the special discounts offered in the Mueller community for your date night
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Receive FREE snacks (popcorn or two cookies) at any location!
- BD Riley’s – Receive 10% off your meal.
- Contigo – Receive 10% off your meal. To make a reservation, call (512) 614-2260 or contigotexas.com.
- Colleen’s Kitchen – Receive 10% off your meal. To make a reservation, call (512) 580-2413 or visit OpenTable.com.
- Halcyon Mueller – Free s’mores with purchase of 2 beverages.
- Lick Honest Ice Creams – Receive 25% off ice cream floats.
- L’Oca d’Oro – Receive 10% off your meal. To make a reservation, call (737) 212–1876 or visit OpenTable.com.
- Lilla & Beth – Receive 10% off your purchase.
Schedule and to book: Tend to fall on Friday nights from 5:30pm – 10pm
Crenshaw’s
Location: 5000 Fairview Dr, Austin, TX 78731
Age range: 5-11 years old
Cost: $30 first child, $20 for second child
Details: Night out of fun that includes gymnastics, trampoline, pit time, recreational swimming, games, snack, and a full length movie (G-PG) on a HUGE movie screen (includes a mid-evening light snack and a drink). Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and a towel.
Schedule and to book: Saturday nights once/month 6:30pm – 10:45pm (Registration for each Kids Night Out starts TWO weeks before the date of the night.)
YMCA
Location: various
Age range: 3 – 12 years old
Cost: $30 members ($60 non-members)
Details: swimming, gym games, pizza, crafts and more
Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:30pm
Austin Ninjas
Location: 6001 W Parmer Ln #430, Austin, TX 78727
Age range: 5 – 12 years old
Cost: $30/child
Details: Gym time, 2 slices of pizza and water bottle included (must sign waiver)
Schedule and to book: Saturday nights, once/month, 6:30pm – 10pm
Lifekido
Location: 3636 Bee Caves Rd #212, Austin, TX 78746
Age range: 5 – 7 years old
Cost: $35 for current students, $30 additional siblings; non-members: $40 for first, $35 for additional siblings
Details: martial arts games, an obstacle course, movie AND pizza!
Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5:30pm – 8pm (usually once/month during the school year)
Crux Climbing Center
Location: 121 Pickle Rd #100, Austin, TX 78704
Age range: 4 – 10 years old
Cost: $35/child (members); $45/child (non-members)
Details: Date Night is a 4 hour guided play session run by our professional and experienced staff. During these 4 hours your kids will climb and play in our awesome Pandamonium room! Kids will have toys, games, and all the climbing they can handle! Our classes are capped at 6 participants to ensure that your child gets plenty of attention and supervision. Crux will provide cheese/ peperroni pizza for your kids for no additional cost!
Schedule and to book: Ever first Friday of the month from 6:00pm – 10pm
My Gym
Location: 5307 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd, Austin, TX 78735
Age range: 2-9 years old
Cost: $30/child members, $35/child non-members (discounts are offered when enrolling siblings)
Details: games, rides, songs, dances, relays, obstacle courses and more.
* Pizza and juice are provided for dinner.
Schedule and to book: Fridays from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Toybrary
Location: 2001 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757
Age range: Site doesn’t list age range
Cost: $35/child ($10 per additional sibling)
Details: Kids craft, play dress up, play outside and more
Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5pm – 8pm
LittleLand
Location: Various locations in and around Austin
Age range: 2+ years old
Cost: $45/child (10% discount per additional sibling)
Details: Kids play and get pizza and juice
Schedule and to book: Alternating Friday and Saturdays from 4:30pm-8:30pm
Austin Bouldering Project
Location: 979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702
Age range: 5-12 years old
Cost: $40/child, $30 for sibling ($20/child and $15 sibling if Members)
Details: Kids climb and get pizza and a movie
Schedule and to book: Two Fridays a month from 5:30pm-10pm
Austin Gymnastics Club
Location:13776 US-183 Hwy, Austin, TX 78750
Age range: 4+ years old and up
Cost: $40/child, $35/sibling, $45/day of walk-in
Details: Gymnastics, pizza, games and crafts
Schedule and to book: Monthly – see site for dates
Capital Gymnastics
Location: They have Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Round Rock locations
Age range: 3-12 years old
Cost: $30/child, $25/sibling, +$5/day of walk-in
Details: Gymnastics, movie and dinner
Schedule and to book: Fridays from 6pm-10pm – see site for dates
Code Ninjas
Location: 3621 E. Whitestone Blvd. Suite 500, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Age range: 7+ years old
Cost: Not listed on site
Details: Games, puzzles, building and more
Schedule and to book: See site for dates
Enjoying dinner out on South Congress WITHOUT OUR CHILDREN
Now if you need ideas for things to do WITH your kids, you can also check out my blog posts on:
