Exploring the Casey’s Clubhouse Playground in Grapevine

09/29/2016 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

We have a few playgrounds around us in Roanoke, but when a friend told me about Casey’s Clubhouse, I put it on my Things To Do With Avery list right away.

Located in Grapevine, TX, Casey’s Clubhouse is part or Dove Park which has a waterpark and splash pad. All are free except for the waterpark. The playground is just a short drive from our home in Roanoke and pretty easy to get to.

Without telling her my plans, I loaded Avery up in my Blue Rocket aka Subaru Outback and “blasted off” for the park. She could see the unique playground equipment as we parked and started calling out the familiar ones. We excitedly entered stopping only to pose with the turtle at the entrance.

posing-with-turtle-at-caseys-clubhouse-in-grapevine

Then it was off to play! With a cool tree house to explore, a zip line, several slides, swings (small, big, and gianormous), a rock climbing wall, and more, deciding on what to investigate first was challenging. Since we were already challenged, it only made sense to attempt climbing a steeper-than-ever, rock wall.

grapevine, tx, casey's clubhouse, dove park, playground

With slight hesitation at first, then a short panic pause in the middle, Avery proudly escalated the wall all by herself in her Soft Star Shoes. The first ascent was a bit slow, but each repeated attempt showed her gaining more confidence and speed. The big red slide on the other side was a great motivator too.

grapevine, tx, casey's clubhouse, dove park, playground

Sticking with the red theme, we ventured over to the gianormous swings. I tried it out first, and after a friendly mother took the time to try and get it over my big head, I decided it’s not so gianormous after all. But for Avery, it was huge, and she like it….kinda.

grapevine, tx, casey's clubhouse, dove park, playground

Zip lining seemed to be quite popular among the other kids on the playground, but after one zip down with Daddy, that was all Avery cared to do. Maybe we’ll try again next time. To make up for me hanging on the cable with her, Avery gave me a ride on a boat. I asked if I could stand up while riding, but she shot me the “don’t you dare” look.

grapevine, tx, casey's clubhouse, dove park, playground

I know that look from Going Mom and decided to keep seated in the interest of my safety. We played on various equipment that we’ve never seen before and wrapped up our time by running around the treehouse to see what there was to discover.

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There were multiple levels with spiral staircase and ramp as choices to navigate the structure. This makes it a great choice for kids of all abilities to make use of the fun, adventurous equipment in Casey’s Clubhouse, and I can attest that parents will love it too.

With many things to do on the playground to wear your kiddos out in hopes of a successful nap (something we’re seeing much less of at home…..), I recommend anyone in the area to stop by. It’s nothing super extravagant, but it’s clean, FREE, and big enough for a small crowd. We’ll be sure to make it back soon!

Food, Going Healthy

Processed To Death – Get These Cooking Oils Out of Your Pantry STAT!

09/28/2016 R.C. Liley

Some of the listed cooking oils to avoid surprised me, but the reasons make sense. On my quest to eat less processed foods, and more whole foods, I value this info. I want the best nutrition for our family, especially when what goes in our little girl’s body is being used to create new tissue that will be with her for life.

In an effort to provide vital information on health and fitness, I’ll start to share what I find interesting from other articles/blog posts. With less time being spent on writing my own posts, this content will have practical advice for parents, kids, and, well, anyone looking to live a happy and healthy life.

Hopefully you find value in what I have to share and can put the info to good use. Enjoy the read and please let me know if you have anything specific you’d like to know more about.

Processed To Death – Get These Cooking Oils Out of Your Pantry STAT!

Source: Processed To Death – Get These Cooking Oils Out of Your Pantry STAT!

Guest Post

Back to School Gifts for the College Student

09/22/2016 R.C. Liley 1 Comment

Fall is here, and with it, hordes of students are heading back to college campuses across the country. If you have a loved one that’s soon packing up and starting their higher education career, consider these fun and practical gifts perfect for the studious scholar.

Dorm Decor

Cramped spaces, shared bathrooms, and cafeteria food—ah, the joys of dorm living. Help them make their own mark on their living space with some great dorm décor. Instead of sticking to those boring old posters that have more crinkles than a linen shirt, help your college student outfit their living space with some up-to-date art. Finding great, unique pieces doesn’t have to mean spending a small fortune. Sites like Minted.com offer a bevy of art prints that will appeal to every style preference. Order the prints framed or stand alone for a great gift that will help transform a dorm room from a glorified closet into a stylish abode.

A New Backpack

Backpacks aren’t just for elementary school, but the college student you love probably wants something a little more sturdy and stylish than the good old JanSport packs of childhood. As they mature in age and fashion choices, keep up with their changing tastes and make sure they have all the school supplies no matter the class with any of these refined Touch of Modern backpacks. Tailored and high-end, these packs will help them move from school to professional world with ease.

Some Sweet Treats

College students are notorious for their snacking habits, and you can’t go wrong by appealing to these sensibilities. Whether they need some savory snacks to get them through those boring afternoon lectures, or need a bit of sugar power to help get them through those late night study sessions, you can’t go wrong with a delivery from CarePackages.com. Send the package of your choice right to their door to make for a fantastic surprise during midterms or finals week.

Some Fashion Sensibility

If the college student in question is a young fashionista or “fashionisto”, consider contributing to their wardrobe. If you’re not sure about the styles they prefer, or you just have a hard time narrowing down your selections, consider a subscription service like StitchFix. This awesome company will pair your college student with a personal stylist who will send collections

A Special Alarm Clock

We all know college students are notorious for their strange sleeping habits, but if they’ve got a morning class, there’s nothing more valuable than a great alarm clock. Make this gift unique by checking out the Shape Up Alarm Clock. Designed to add a bit of fitness to anyone’s morning routine, this gadget will definitely make sure they’re open for that early morning lecture. When the alarm goes off, they’ll have to stand up and lower and raise the dumbbell shaped clock thirty times in order to turn off the blaring. They’ll make it to class on time and have chiseled arms—talk about a win-win.

The Gift of Experience

Even the most studious of college students needs to take a break from the dingy interior of their campus library and head out into the world to get some real life experiences. What could be better than an experiential gift from FunSherpa.com? This awesome website allows you to type in a zip code, then gives you a list of all the fun activities and experiences available in that area. Whether it’s a day spent white water rafting or time spent galloping sat astride a valiant steed, they’re guaranteed to appreciate this gift idea. It will also help them get more involved in their college town area, and show them the opportunities knocking at every door. Life is about collecting amazing memories—this is one of the most important lessons they’ll learn in their college years.

It’s rare to see a college student on campus without headphones jammed in their ears. Whether they’re listening to educational podcasts or the latest radio jams, you can make sure they hear all their favorite beats and sounds in the highest quality possible with some new experiences.