How one Katy mom uses technology to “get away” for a while

As a stay-at-home mom, I like to be available to my children.  But there comes a point at which I need a mental break in order to keep going.  This has become especially true now that my oldest daughter has given up naptimes.  She still reads or plays quietly in her room, but silence in our house is a thing of the past.

I’ve found that podcasting can really save my sanity.  During “rest time”, I don’t want to hear every little bump that my daughter is making.  However, I don’t feel comfortable tuning her out by cranking up the tunes to drown her out completely.  My solution: Podcasting!  (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Check out what your Katy kid should be reading this summer!

Katy Library

It’s out! Hot off the presses, the summer reading list for 2010 is officially posted on the Katy ISD website. Students can get a  jump start on their summer reading by checking out the reading lists for the grade level they will enter in the fall.

So why should they read during the summer? Summer is supposed to be for relaxing, taking vacations, and having fun,. That’s true, but part of the adventures of summer can include the adventures found in good book. We’re not talking about making them read because they “have to” learn something for school. The books on these lists are chosen to foster enjoyment of (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Kids, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Wood Creek JH representatives receive the throphies for their choirs

April 29, 2010 – Katy, Texas – On April 17th, all of the WoodCreek Choirs took a trip to the Alamo Showcase of Music Festival and Competition in San Antonio, TX. The WoodCreek Women’s, WoodCreek Men’s and the TimberWolf Beginning Mixed Choirs competed and all were awarded a superior rating trophy. Each choir was also chosen as the Outstanding Overall Choir in their category (Women’s, Men’s and Beginning Mixed). To top it all off, WoodCreek Choirs were chosen as the OUTSTANDING OVERALL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS to perform at the competition site that day. This means the judges selected our choirs to be the BEST of any choirs to compete that day.

Following their performances, WCJH Choir members had an afternoon of fun in Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Then, that evening, they were awarded their trophies at Fiesta Texas. Choir members were truly in celebration mode.

April 29th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

Using Jessica Seinfeld’s Cookbook in our Katy home

I put Jessica Seinfeld’s cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, on my wish list the year it came out.  I received it as a Christmas gift and immediately began cooking from it.  Her premise is that we can puree vegetables and include them in recipes to boost the nutrition of a meal.  The idea is that as children eat the muffins you serve them or the chicken nuggets you’ve made for dinner, they are also getting a serving of vegetables, which they may not otherwise have eaten.

When I first began using the book, I was already pureeing foods for my first-born.  She was in the baby food stage, and so I’d chop and steam and puree (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Kids, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

One Katy mother shares her experience from growing up in a house full of girls to raising a family of mostly boys

I was raised in a family with three sisters, a composed mother and a soft-spoken father.  Memories of my childhood consist of piano lessons, ballet lessons, creating musical productions with my sisters, and all things beautiful.  I remember collecting flowers, pressing them and making stationary with them.  I cherished family meal time and basked in the warmth of my fellow family members.  Ok, maybe it wasn’t all perfect, but that’s how I like to remember it. (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Little mistakes can cost your Katy family hundreds each year!

Yesterday I went to the grocery store for my weekly shopping trip.  I piled the cart with fruits, vegetables, cereal, milk, bread, and the necessary ingredients for a week’s worth of meals.   As I unloaded my grocery cart and watched the cost add up, I was shocked!  My total came to $188.64.  Reluctantly, I scanned my credit card and signed my name on the credit-card machine.  I couldn’t believe how much I was spending on groceries!  I knew the cost would go up as my children grew, but boy, the cost never ceased to amaze me! (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

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How one Katy family inspires others in the community

Some time ago, my husband and I met a family who had a significant impact on our lives. This remarkable family taught me how one can live with what I like to call “An Abundance Mentality”.  They inspired me to live life to its fullest in spite of circumstance.     

I met the Smith family the first day we visited our new church.  We had recently moved, and had not yet met anyone.  Upon entering, Shannon Smith walked up to me and introduced herself.  Shannon promptly asked if she could help me in any way.  Not knowing her, I was at first reluctant to ask, but I desperately needed some help with my younger children while we unloaded the moving truck. I decided to go ahead and ask if she could help (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

Making your kid’s playdate at the park even better!

Avery, holding up her completed scavenger hunt

My daughter, Avery, has been a part of a playgroup since she was 3 months old.  Which I realize means it was really more of my playgroup than hers.  But, having grown up with the other children in her playgroup, three years later she is fabulous friends with each of the children.

We take turns planning events for our group of nearly-four-year-olds.  Ordinarily, we choose a park and provide the snack during the week we hostess.  If the weather is bad, we’ll either open up our homes or meet at a bounce warehouse or play area at a restaurant.

This week, our friend Miss Stephanie and her son Tyler played hostess and host.  We met at Mary Jo Peckham park, which in itself makes for a wonderful playdate.  However, Stephanie also provided the children with a scavenger hunt.  She gave each child a paper with words and pictures listing items to find: squirrels, trees, fish, flowers, leaves… As each child found something on the list, they’d get a sticker to put in a box next to the (more…)

April 29th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Family Fun, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

April 28, 2010 – Katy, Texas – Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital was recently named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions designed to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.

The hospital’s sister campus, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, was also an honoree.

The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence and overall organizational performance in clinical outcomes, patient safety, patient satisfaction, financial performance and operational effciency. The two facilities are the only Houston hospitals to receive the honor. This is the first time the two hospitals have been recognized with this honor. Memorial Hermann Memorial City was awarded in the category of large community hospitals; Memorial Hermann Katy won among medium-sized community hospitals.

 ”We are proud to be recognized as one of the country’s leading hospitals in a comparison that is based on stringent criteria and quantifiable results,” said Rod Brace, Memorial Hermann West and Southwest Market CEO. “This award highlights the world-class care that our physicians and staff bring to Houston.”

The winners were identified through an in-depth analysis.  The study evaluated 2,926 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the areas of mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, expenses, profitability, patient

satisfaction and adherence to clinical standards of care, as well as post-discharge mortality and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia.

“The 100 Top Hospitals winners raised the bar again this year, delivering a higher level of reliable care and greater value for their communities,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs at Thomson Reuters.

Announced in the March 29 edition of “Modem Healthcare” magazine, Thomson Reuters will present the awards to executives and board members of the winning organizations in June during the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Summit in California.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 28th 2010 Posted to Business News, Katy News |  Email This To A Friend

Fathers helped out around the school including reading books to the students

April 28, 2010 – Katy, Texas – Cimarron Elementary School hosted its first Dad’s Day on April 15.  We had a great turnout of fathers to welcome the kids in the car rider line, volunteer in the library and cafeteria, and read stories to the children in their classrooms.  The children were so excited to have them, and sent home handwritten Thank You cards to all of the Dads.  What a success, and a new tradition for the kids and Dads to look forward to every year.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 28th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

Pattison students dressed up as different circus characters

April 28, 2010 – Katy, Texas – The Circus has come to town!  Second Graders of Pattison Elementary entertained students and parents with a performance of Circus, Circus.  Pictured is Addy Aliaj the Band Member, Sigurd Smith the Elephant, Alexandria Skillern the the Circus Girl, Grace Fisher the Bear, Sasha Burford the Clown and Grace Kim the Horse.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 28th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

A Katy Mom shares her triplet experience

April 28th 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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The Katy community shares in the flight experience

A popular community event flew into Katy’s West Houston Airport the last weekend of April. The CAP Wings Over Houston Air Show was staged

Visitors got to get up close and personal with the planes.

 through the voluntary endeavors of the Commemorative Air Force in conjunction with West Houston Airport and Gulf Coast Wing. The organizations displayed US modern military, WWII, and  Korean War era aircraft, and even a Soviet fighter plane.

History buffs and airplane fans alike explored the WWII museum in one of the hangers, examined the planes up close, and then watched as many of the aircraft flew in formation overhead. A few of the spectators who bought tickets were offered the chance of a lifetime to ride in one of these historic airplanes. (more…)

April 27th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Family Fun, Katy Scene, New to Katy |  Email This To A Friend

Katy families should take advantage of  free internet resources

We’ve all been there. It’s the weekend or summer day and you are looking for something fun for the whole family to do without costing the bank. Sometimes saving money can be so easy and informative. We are fortunate to live in a world run by the Internet. Businesses can reach out to their target markets and for free. 

Your family can use the success of social media to save money and not miss out on great events. By following local event venues you can easily stay up to date on events and programs but you can in many cases gain access to great coupons and offers. I have seen several cases where a company has posted a special offer to their Twitter followers where you can get two admission tickets for the price of one. That can be helpful when planning family outings.

 Businesses are doing the same thing with their Facebook accounts. Following a business that you like on Facebook is another way to let your voice be heard. Many companies seek out information from their Facebook friends. We do it at the Katy Magazine (follow us @ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Katy-TX/KATY-MAGAZINE-Katy-Texas/ .) There are many times that we are looking for a particular type of person to interview and we will put out a request.

With summer quickly approaching many favorite event venues and local activity centers are going to be preparing for social media summer campaigns. This is the time for you to put in a little time at your computer that could result in great savings.

Sit down with your family and think of some of your favorite places to go around town. Then visit sites such as http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/ and pick out some places that you haven’t been but would like to try. Take a few moments and search for the places on your list on Twitter and Facebook. Commit to follow them.

That’s all you have to do. Then while you follow your family and friends online each day don’t forget to pay attention to any great offers or events that pop up on your newsfeeds. Take advantage of the savings and offers thanks to social media and enjoy your time together as a family! If you’ve had a great savings experience by following a venue through their social media please share. Also, feel free to post links to businesses Twitter and Facebook pages if you find them to be helpful.

April 27th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Family Fun, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

Having sick Katy kids can be a hard experience

My oldest daughter and I spent the morning at the doctor’s office.  She woke up in the night with croup and a high fever, and needed cuddling and to be rocked most of the night.

Although she is four, and we have been through many illnesses, it is still such a painful, disappointing experience every time she gets sick.  For one, it is so hard to watch your baby feeling so ill.  It hurts to not be able to do anything for her.  One of the worst feelings in the world.

Add to that sleep deprivation from being up with the sick child all night.  And the need to clear your schedule, make an appointment, drop some cash on a doctor visit and a prescription… it is just a miserable experience. (more…)

April 27th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Seated: Mom (Kim), Kyle, and Sister (Tara); Standing: Dad (Don), Jonathan Stone (Asst Golf Coach), Rick Nordstrom (Head Golf Coach), James Cross (CRHS Principal), and Don Clayton (CRHS Athletic Coordinator)

April 27, 2010 – Katy, Texas – Cinco Ranch’s outstanding golfer Kyle Westmoreland will continue his career with Air Force as he has signed to play for the Falcons. Kyle has been instrumental in leading the Cougars to the Regional Tournament four straight and is currently in the hunt for a State Championship. Joining Kyle on this great day are:

We are thankful to have had a young man of Kyle’s character and competitiveness in our athletic program and he has done a lot to bring positive accolades to CRHS. We wish Kyle the very best the rest of this spring for the Cougars and in the future for Air Force.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 27th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

They came. They worked. They learned. 

Front row (L to R): Schon Cormack, Ben Boozer, Ben Po III, Chris Wilson, Joseph Pruett; Back row (L to R): Carra Fleming, Dr. Hal Stevenson, Dr. Ben Po

April 27, 2010 – Katy, Texas – On April 10^th more than 150 boy scouts, cub scouts, students, PTA members, teachers and community members took part in the beautification project at Bonnie Holland Elementary School.

The project was organized by the school’s PTA Environmental Awareness Co-Chairs, Cathy Buss and Lori Alten, in recognition of Keep America Beautiful: Great American Cleanup.

The day included a clean-up walk where students and adults walked through Seven Meadows and picked up trash, cleaned up the community and learned about what items are recyclable.

Bonnie Holland, the school’s namesake and Katy ISD’s Assistant Superintendent for Governance, Legal Affairs, and Special Programs greeted the students and checked them in.

Back at the school, members of Boy Scout Troop 925 and Cub Scouts from Pack 281 planted Crape Myrtles, donated by Benjamin Po, D.D.S. of Pediatric Dentists of Katy and Hal Stevenson, D.D.S. of Stevenson Orthodontics.

Bonnie Holland Elementary students also incorporated the beautification project into their reading program.  Students were encouraged to read three books about the environment and were rewarded with a tag for their reading chain.   

Keep America Beautiful: Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program. The goal of the organization is to engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.

An estimated 3 million volunteers and attendees donated more than 5 million hours in 2009 to clean, beautify, and improve more than 32,000 communities in all 50 states and beyond.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 27th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

April 24, 2010 – Katy, Texas – The first grade team at Exley Elementary thought it would be a great idea to incorporate community service into our curriculum.  The project began on Monday, February 1st. Teachers began  explaining to students that February is the month of love. It is a time for individuals to show love and kindness towards others. We then utilized the time to inform students about the issues of homelessness.  Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting was read to students. The misconceptions

Exley Elementary student creates his square for the quilt

associated with homelessness were discussed and the hardships homeless individuals face were identified. One specific hardship included harsh weather and temperatures during the winter months. Students brainstormed ways in which they could show love and kindness towards the homeless. Students were then informed that they were going to make their very own classroom quilts.

 It was through much collaboration with employees at Quilt N’ Sew in Katy, Texas, that we came to formulate a plan for creating the quilts. Quilt squares and fabric markers were provided for each student in first grade. Students then decorated their square with a motivational message or illustration. Squares were then collected and combined with additional quilt pieces. We contacted the president of the West Houston Quilt Guild to inquire about their participation in this project. Their charity bee agreed to donate their time. They also provided all sashing needed to complete the quilt tops. They sewed the quilt squares and sashing together to compete all nine quilt tops. (more…)

April 26th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

 An all-time Katy family favorite… perfect for any occasion!

Whenever I need to sign up to bring a dessert to an event, I know just what to make.  My mom has been making caramel brownies my whole life, and when I started making them for my own functions and get togethers, people loved them.  They were even re-named “Ridiculous Brownies” because of how ridiculously rich and good they were.  We use the same basic recipe as the one found online when you do a search for “caramel brownie recipe”, but I like to think of it as a family recipe.

The recipe calls for: (more…)

April 26th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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Being a Katy mom is full of surprises! 

Simple things seem to make life wonderful.  That’s why I decided to try this new, really cool toothpaste.  I was honestly excited to brush my teeth.  Yes, I had spent a little extra on it, but, goodness, I was a mother of four.  It was okay to splurge on myself.  I deserved it.  The first morning I used it was like magic.  My breath was as fresh as it had ever been.  I liked spoiling myself!

I wasn’t the only one who was excited about my new toothpaste.  He must have known how much it meant to me, because he waited until I was on the phone to make his move.  My toddler snuck into my bathroom, located the new toothpaste and commenced the experiment.  He smeared it all over the tub, counters, sinks and floors.

When I discovered my new toothpaste was already used up, I set out to get my next luxury.  Lipstick!  I was in need of a new color.  I had worn the old color for a long time and was ready for a change. The search began for the perfect new lipstick.  Finally, I found the perfect color.  It was called Burgundy Wine.  I bought it and stashed it in my purse. 

Again, the undercover rascal lay in wait.  This time, he waited until I was in the shower.  How did he know it was in my purse?  While drying my hair, little Braden walked in my bathroom.  I immediately noticed his hands and panicked.  Was it blood on his hands?  I threw the blow dryer down and rushed to him.  Upon closer examination, I discovered it was lipstick.  My brand new, beautiful, perfect lipstick covered him.  A smile crept over his face. 

“Where is it?”  I demanded.  “Where did you put it?”

He led me to the powder room and pointed.  The white pedestal sink was now a red pedestal sink.  And, there, lying on the toilet was my new lipstick…now only a stub.  There was nothing left. Ah…the joys of motherhood!

Do you have any zany motherhood stories to share?  Please do!

April 26th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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“You’ll love this place!”

Fabulous Schools- Most people admit that an excellent school district is what brought them to Katy.  The Katy ISD school district is indeed impressive.   Most of the elementary, junior high, and high schools within Katy ISD are rated exemplary.  There is tremendous parent involvement within the district, and students within Katy ISD become accustomed to a rigorous academic environment.

Extra-Curricular Choices-There is no shortage of choices when it comes to extra-curricular activities in Katy.  Sports offered in Katy include Roller Hockey, Basketball, Bowling, Dodge ball, Fencing, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, and Baseball.  There are also many excellent dance studios, martial arts studios and art, theater and music studios.     (more…)

April 26th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Family Fun, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene, Katy Worklife |  Email This To A Friend

April 26, 2010 – Katy, Texas – The Cinco Ranch High School Robotics Team 624 participated in the Lone Star Regional at the George R. Brown last month.  The competition proved to be more exciting than ever before for Team 624! Our team finished the qualifying match round with a 7-1-1 record leaving us as the 3rd seeded team out of a field of 66 teams going into the elimination rounds.  After exciting wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals we made it to the finals to take on an alliance that included both the first and second seeded teams.  We won the first match of the best of three match final, leaving the other alliance in shock!  Unfortunately, two opposing alliance robots were able to turn our robot over and prevent our relentless scoring attack giving them the victory.  Even with this loss, it was a proud moment for our team to compete at this level of competition.  Team 624 was the recipient of the “Engineering Inspiration” award which qualified us to attend the FIRST Championship in Atlanta. The TEA and the Houston Endowment provided grants to offset our entry fees to the Championship.  With the help of our school administrators, teachers, sponsors and mentors, travel/lodging arrangements for over 40 people were made within 48 hours!  The competition in Atlanta was fierce with teams from all over the world vying for a spot on the Championship EINSTEIN Field.  The team did a fantastic job making it to the Curie Division Quarter Finals.   We are all extraordinarily proud of our performance and look forward to next season.  Keep a look out for our Green Hair Spikes!!!  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 26th 2010 Posted to Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

April 26, 2010 – Katy, Texas - Businesses and families in West Houston and surrounding areas are being invited to make their name a permanent part of a new community landmark, Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, by underwriting a brick for the West Campus Brick Campaign. Recently announced by the hospital, the brick campaign will raise funds to support Texas Children’s first community pediatric hospital, currently under construction at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Barker Cypress Road. With a gift of $500 or more, a brick will be engraved with the donor’s name and permanently installed as part of the West Campus entrance plaza, creating a lasting legacy for participants and helping to ensure that high quality pediatric care will be accessible to the community for years to come.  For more information on Texas Children’s West Campus brick campaign, see: www.bit.ly/WestCampusBricks.

Donors purchasing bricks before August 31, 2010 will be recognized with a specially-designated brick featuring the word “Founder” engraved above their personalized inscription on their selected brick style. Among the first installed, Founders’ bricks will be placed in a circular area of the plaza just a few steps from the main entrance. The brick unveiling will take place during the grand opening of the hospital’s inpatient facility and emergency center in spring of 2011.

Three types of bricks are available for purchase through the West Campus Brick Campaign:

• 4” x 8” with two lines of inscription for $500
• 4” x 8” with three lines of inscription for $1,000
• 6” x 9” with four lines of inscription for $5,000

For each brick ordered as an honor or tribute, a special acknowledgement can be requested.  To order bricks or for more information, please visit www.westcampusbricks.texaschildrens.org.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 26th 2010 Posted to Business News, Katy News |  Email This To A Friend

Katy is rich with history, including local cemetaries

Just North of I-10, lies an unpretentious cemetery. The modest plot of land

Katy's Antioch Baptist Church

 was originally owned by Adam Stockdick who donated it  in 1915 to the Colored Baptist church — now called Antioch Baptist Church. It contains the graves of some of Katy’s early settlers, several farm workers, war veterans, and workers for the MKT Railroad.

Katy Community Cemetery (KCC) is located on Stockdick Road, between F.M. 1463 and Danover Street. It is fenced in on three sides and neatly maintained by the church. Antioch Baptist church members have done a great deal of work on determining where many of the grave sites are and identifying several of the people known to be buried there. A list of names has been compiled, but the names on the graves don’t always match the list. Some of the recorded names and some of the unmarked graves have not been located so far. Moreover, some of the names on the graves are not on the list. (more…)

April 25th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Scene, New to Katy |  Email This To A Friend

Your Katy garden will enjoy this time of year

Humidity can be a good thing, in a small amount.  As April is progressing here in Katy, that small amount is growing!  As a gardener and nature lover, I love it!  The lettuce is already forming small bunches, and I’m salivating at the thought of homegrown salad! My parsley, basil, chives and dill are turning into miniature herb fields, and the okra, peppers and tomatoes are all growing nicely.  The flowers here…don’t get me started!  My gladiolas are about to burst into bloom at any moment, the deep pink impatiens have become weeds, and the geraniums in red, white and pink are brilliant in the front yard.

So, humidity and I get along just fine.  Without the rain, moisture and mist, my garden and flower babies wouldn’t look the same.  Trust me, I’ve lived without it!  The roadsides in town are amazing, lit up with rose and violet colored azaleas, which grow like roses here.  Further out of town, into the countryside (my favorite place!), the wildflowers grow in abundance, like a flag spread over the meadows. (more…)

April 25th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Family Fun, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

There are many different fitness options in Katy, how do you choose?

Many people often wonder what are the best ways to get in better physical condition. I am one of those people and with some research I have found  3 methods of training that seem to work fairly well and they are -

3. High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T)- This training system offers great balance between scientific theory and intense physical effort.The theory for this paricular system is intense short busrt of effort and muscular tension whether it be with cardiovascular training or weight training followed by longer but effective rest periods. The other method is a complete contradiction of the previous idea, but just as effective.This method involves long, strenuous and intense muscular movements followed by shorter resting periods. While the second method is intended more for athletes or weight lifters with intermediate to advanced levels of fitness, both are effective and with proper technique and form mastering both routines will come easily. (more…)

April 25th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy |  Email This To A Friend

Should this type of test be required for our Katy kids?

April 25th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

How you can help a fellow Katyite in their time of need

April 23rd 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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A Katy mother-to-be starts saving before the arrival of baby 

I use to be one of those people that despised having extra cards in my wallet. However, expecting a baby quickly changes you! Now that I’m 6 months pregnant I’m quickly becoming a collector of coupons and reward cards as a way to save money.

At the local Katy Babies R Us my rewards card helps me earn points towards savings and alerts me via email on great coupon specials. Thanks to paying attention to such coupons my husband and I were able to save 20% on our crib. This was a significant savings and with a baby on the way every little bit helps. (more…)

April 23rd 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Come support one of the Katy area’s many Fine Arts programs

My four year old daughter loves dancing.  She is in a dance class, watches So You Think You Can Dance every season, and generally believes all dancers are princesses. 

So, the Cinco Ranch High School Stars Dance Team’s Annual Spring Show is perfect for us.  Each year, I let my little dancing princess choose an extra special outfit and we gear up for the big night of dancing.  She gets so excited to see all of the performances. 

There are a variety of dances put on by each grade level within the Cougar Stars, each squad of girls, and some really special performances by the mothers, fathers, and Cougar Men of CRHS.  There are solos, small group (more…)

April 23rd 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

April 23, 2010 – Katy, Texas – The Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston is excited to announce that 30+ local churches are participating in this year’s Baby Bottle Blessings Event. The event runs Mother’s Day thru Father’s Day. Local residents will be picking up Baby Bottles at their home church and filling them with change during this month long event. This event spotlights the extensive help that the Pregnancy Help Center provides to area residents who are faced with unplanned pregnancies. Pregnancy Test, Counseling, classes for Moms and Dads, as well as ultrasounds, and help with maternity clothing and baby layettes are just some of the services that the center provides to their clients.

Anyone interested in participating or in learning how to be a volunteer should contact the center at 281-578-0078.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 23rd 2010 Posted to Katy News |  Email This To A Friend

How one Katy mom shares her time with her children

When I first became a mom, I devoured every parenting book I could get my hands on.  I wanted to be the best mom I could be.  I wanted to parent correctly!  The more I read, the more amazed I was at the abundance of parenting theories.  From sleep to discipline to diet, there was no shortage of advice on how to raise happy, well-adjusted children.  So, I began my long journey through motherhood, daily testing the theories I had read about.  At times I felt really good about my parenting…the methods were working!  But, it seemed that just as I mastered a particular parenting technique, my child changed and I found I needed to adjust my style.  There is one parenting technique, however, that serves as a powerful tool at every stage of child rearing.  That tool is my time. (more…)

April 22nd 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Favorite Katy locations and activities for enjoying the weather as a family

We have enjoyed the fair weather this last month or so and have spent most of our time outside.  My two daughters have gotten their fill of indoor activities… in my opinion, winter (even in Katy) goes on two months longer than it is welcome. 

Angela, along with her daughter Avery, enjoy a bike ride around Katy

Over the past month, with the weather being as nice as it is, almost every play date and get together has involved some sort of outdoor activity.  Some of my favorites include…

*Walking around the large lakes at Cinco Ranch Blvd and Spring Green.  This is a family favorite, and we will sometimes pack a lunch and eat out on the grass.

*Playing outside at La Centera.  And what trip to La Centera is complete without a treat from one of the several shops around?  The girls love to get ice cream or cookies, I love the Starbucks and Jamba Juice.

*Visiting the parks in each of our friends’ neighborhoods. 

*Geocaching in and around Katy (for more, go to www.geocaching.com).  Geocaching is like a global scavenger hunt, with locations given in GPS.  We use my iPhone and my 4 year old has a blast helping us discover the hidden capsules.

*Local Katy parks are a real hit.  Mary Jo Peckham, the ‘train park’ nearby it, George Bush park – we love making the park rounds! (more…)

April 22nd 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Family Fun, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene, New to Katy |  Email This To A Friend

The Houston and Katy areas offer many fun (and sometimes free!)options for families.

Earth Day would be great time to take your children to a local Katy park. You can search for the one nearest you right here on the Katy Magazine site http://www.katymagazine.com/parks.htm. Fly a kite, take a walk, enjoy the beautiful Katy weather before things get too hot!

If you want to tie in a little more education into your Earth Day celebration the short drive into Houston can provide you with many options. Today you can celebrate Earth Day at a most appropriate venue, the Houston Weather Museum. From 10am-4pm the museum will celebrate the Earth and the museum’s birthday. Admission is free. For more information visit http://www.wxresearch.com/earth/index.html.

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is also always a great place to go to be close to nature. It also is free! Enjoy walking the trails and coming face to face with wildlife. The Arboretum also has many great programs that you can learn about on their site at http://www.houstonarboretum.org/

If you want to celebrate Earth Day this year in the comforts of air conditioning Disney is debuting their documentary, Oceans in theatres today. This is a great way to show your children some of nature’s masterpieces! You can read more about this at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765128/.

Even with these options if you want to stay home there is always a way to incorporate a love for nature in what you do. Channel surf the National Geographic, Discovery and Animal Planet stations. There is bound to be something on that will peak your family’s interest.

Earth Day is a great time to have family discussion about what you love most about the Earth and how you can help to make a difference. Discuss the importance of conserving electricity by turning off the lights in rooms when you leave them. Come up with a family recycling plan or decide to help through volunteering. If your family is doing something fun and unique for Earth Day please share it in a comment!

April 22nd 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Family Fun, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene, New to Katy |  Email This To A Friend

April 21, 2010 – Katy, Texas – Katy ISD’s volunteer celebration, the VIPS Breakfast, will be held in the Merrell Center Arena on Friday, May 21, from 9-10:30 a.m.  This annual event honors the thousands of school district volunteers who donate hundreds of thousands of hours each year to our students and teachers.  In addition, each school’s Volunteer of the Year will be announced.

This years VIPS Breakfast keynote speaker is YouTube sensation and internationally acclaimed inspirational comedian Judson Laipply.  His “Evolution of Dance” has been viewed over 140 million times and led to appearances on the Today Show, Ellen, Inside Edition, E!, Oprah, and hundreds of other media outlets around the world.  Entertainment for the VIPS Breakfast will include a Katy ISD Show Choir and Jazz Ensemble, both comprised of students from every district high school. 

Katy ISD parent volunteers who need more information may contact their school’s VIPS Campus Liaison or Katy ISD Partners in Education at marthabrown@katyisd.org.  Volunteers planning to attend should RSVP online at www.katyisd.org.  The VIPS Breakfast is hosted by Partners in Education, the Katy ISD department that brings the community into the classroom!

April 21st 2010 Posted to Business News, Katy News, School News |  Email This To A Friend

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One Katy Mom shares how she uses her kids’ TV favorite as a parenting tool

What is it about these guys?

I skipped the Barney craze and luckily missed out completely on the Teletubbies.  I did some babysitting and so I knew of them, but I never had a deep understanding of these children’s television icons.

I am getting paid back tenfold via Yo Gabba Gabba. 

In today’s media driven society, there are so many more choices out there for television for children.  And, with as much as we limit tv time in our house, we’ve been through a few crazes: Sesame Street, The Wiggles, The Doodlebops… and most recently, Yo Gabba Gabba. (more…)

April 21st 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Kids, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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April 21, 2010 – Katy, Texas – “Big Event,” an Aggie tradition since 1982, is the largest, one-day, student-run service project in the nation where students of Texas A&M University come together to say ‘thank you’ to the residents of Bryan and College Station.  On Saturday, March 27, over 12,000 student volunteers completed jobs for residents and community organizations in the Bryan/College Station area.  To recognize and support this student event, the Katy/West Houston Aggie Moms met at Living Word Lutheran Church to tie fleece blankets.  The group completed 51 blankets which were donated to the Krause Center and Pregnancy Help Center here in Katy.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

Katy/West Houston Aggie Moms and KISD student volunteers pose with completed blankets

April 21st 2010 Posted to Katy News |  Email This To A Friend

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Creating space to play and be together with your Katy family

I got a phone call from a friend of mine the other day.  “Angela!  You will never believe how much fun we just had!”  She and her 4 year old son were running an errand at Katy Mills Mall when they discovered a sidewalk full of caterpillars.  She happened to have a container in the car, so the two of them spent the next 30 minutes collecting caterpillars to take home and nurture together.  It was a moment of unplanned fun, and it reminded both my friend and I that so much of our time has become scheduled.

I stay home with my two girls, but we have activities planned most days.  With pre-school, The Little Gym, ballet and playgroup, we are very rarely home and almost always have a schedule and a plan wherever we go. (more…)

April 21st 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

Fine arts facilities and programs are in full bloom in and around Katy

April 20th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Family Fun, Katy Scene, New to Katy |  Email This To A Friend

Tips on creating a fun date night for you and your significant other in Katy

April 20th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting, Katy Scene |  Email This To A Friend

April 19, 2010 – Katy, Texas – On Saturday, April 17, 2010, John Searle won 1st place overall in the Texas Skies District Pinewood Derby for the third year in a row. The 2010 Pinewood Derby was held at Morton Ranch High School and was open to every Cub Scout in the Texas Skies District.

John Searle - Pack 239 and Greg Allen - Texas Skies District Pinewood Derby Chair.

Searle was representing Pack #239.  John Searle is a Cub Scout Webelo 1 and calls his championship Pinewood Derby car “The Green Light.”  John, age 10, is the son of Kameron and Marisa Searle.

The Texas Skies District is part of the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and comprises all of Katy ISD and Royal ISD. John Searle has won the Texas Skies District Pinewood Derby each year since the creation of the Texas Skies District.  Searle won the derby in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Each year more than a million boys team up with their parents to build and race cars in local competitions held all over the United States.  Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.

April 19th 2010 Posted to Katy News, Scouting News |  Email This To A Friend

The intricacies of raising two Katy kids that are as different as night and day

My first daughter, Avery, is what most would call strong-willed.  She is emotional and excitable, which make her fun to be around… most of the time.  Anyone who has been in our lives at all will vouch for the fact that when Avery is in her element, feeling wholly loved and supported, she is a gem.  However, when something goes wrong or when she is asked to obey and she doesn’t want to… well, everyone knows about it.  (more…)

April 19th 2010 Posted to Babies & Tots, Community Blog, Katy Kids, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

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Katy has many work-out options to fit your budget and your interests

No one likes spending time doing activities they find disagreeable, even if the activities are good for them.   So, what is the best way to ensure you will exercise throughout your life?  The answer is finding a form of exercise that you love.  Once you find a kind of exercise that is fun, you will be hooked and exercise will become a pleasure.

My favorite form of exercise is dancing.  I enjoyed ballet and ballroom dance when I was younger and find that I work hardest when the form of exercise is somewhat creative.  I was thrilled when we moved to Katy and found that several of the local fitness centers offered cardio dance classes.  If you pay for a membership to Lifetime Fitness or the YMCA, for example, the fitness classes are included in the membership cost.  I have loved attending Latin Dance, Hip-hop and Zumba classes.  They are great cardio workouts and they make me feel like a teenager again. (more…)

April 19th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Healthy Katy, Katy Kids, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend

One Katy mom discovers the philosopy of motherhood

Some of my greatest learning moments have occurred as I have talked with other women about motherhood and life in general. Often, these conversations happen spontaneously. Sometimes, they occur at times most unexpected. Years ago in a neighborhood park, I learned a lesson on motherhood.

Children really seem to be in their element when they are given the freedom to run and play to their heart’s content. On one particular day, the weather was perfect and we decided to pack a lunch to eat at the neighborhood park that was close to our home. The land on which the park was situated was really quite beautiful with rolling hills and large, majestic trees. A walking trail surrounded the entire park and the flowers and shrubs were abundant in their variety. (more…)

April 19th 2010 Posted to Community Blog, Katy Parenting |  Email This To A Friend