What's Happening?

I have taken quite a bit of time off from writing this blog. During that time I have been actively participating in a few mommy groups in San Antonio. I've also started a new business that I love. I've enrolled Areya in cheerleading classes and Eric went back home to Michigan for a few weeks to visit relatives. Yeap, I lead a busy and productive life now. I can't wait to tell you all about it! The most recent and exciting thing happening is that I've decided to homeschool Areya. We started this past week, and I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it has been. It's a lot to talk about so I guess I'll break down all of the events and spread them out over the next few posts. This entry will focus on one of the mommy groups that I joined and one of the adventures that we shared.

Mocha Moms is group focused on the choice by African-American mothers to stay home and raise their children. I attended the first meeting at the President of the San Antonio chapters' home. It was wonderful! All of the children sitting at an oversized dinette table covered with craft paper, coloring their little hearts out. The moms were gathered in the spacious and beautifully furnished living area, talking in small scattered groups. The group was diverse and that works rather well. The meeting was called to order and everyone went around in a circle and introduced themselves. There were quite a few newbies to the group, which made me feel even more comfortable. We discussed meet-ups, education, pediatricians, best hair salons and other mommy related topics.
I actually felt like I'd found home.

One of the best places that we went to as a group was located in New Braunsfels, the McKenna Children's Museum. This place was beautiful! Upon entering the outer doors, you're delighted by the array of wonderfully stocked, bright colored educational toys and paraphenalia in the gift shop. In the gift shop is also where you purchase your tickets (clever marketing), and then Exploring begins! The artifacts and exhibits are vividly painted and the facility seems to be well keeped up. There are colorful oversized pictures that please the eye. The entire museum has a very modern and clean look. The best part about it is there's something there for all ages to enjoy. Some of the exhibits include the general store where children can grab a shopping cart and load up on the large assortment of staples, produce and other groceries needed to create our future shoppers. They're all plastic, but it all looks so real! Areya enjoyed ringing up all the tiny customer's orders and gladly taking the money that the children picked up at the local bank. The bank, which is right next door to the general store, comes complete with an ATM machine for children on the run! Other attractions are an old school house, bat cave, outdoor water/sand area, space exploration and more. There's tons of stuff to do, moms get to pretend and have fun alongside their children. To top it all off, I was with a great group of women that enjoyed playing with their children as much as I did with mine. It really doesn't get any better than that!

The Museum has an yearly membership option, which is very reasonable. Although I did not purchase the membership that day, I will definitely be buying it soon. The general admission is $5.50 Labor Day to Memorial Day and $7.50 Memorial Day to Labor Day, members and infants 0-12 months are Free! Hours of play are 10:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Saturday and Noon to 5:00pm on Sundays (Memorial Day thru Labor Day). Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm (Labor Day thru Memorial) and same time on Sundays.

I hope you decide to check it out and leave some comments on your experience!