After having a complete & total "I-miss-Seattle-we'll-never-be-as-happy-as-we-were-in-Seattle" 12 hour sob fest (triggered by talking to Jake and hearing about how much he LOVES Sea-town), I decided I've got to figure out why people love it here. And they really do love it here. I've met dozens who've said that they'd only intended to live here a few years then move. They've now been here many years beyond the plan and they love it. The schools are good. It's family friendly. The spring & fall are fantastic. No state has more pride than Texas!
Bloom where you're planted.
Lemons into lemonade.
The silver lining.
So...here are a few things we've discovered, enjoyed, and are adding to the list of things we will do again:
1. Frisco Roughriders games. Our minor league baseball team plays just north of us in a town we LOVE. The venue has a great local, community feeling, good and affordable food, zero bad seats, a fun playground, a pool in the outfield (I know, right?!), and super family friendly. We had a great time and will definitely enjoy these games during the season!
2. Heritage Park in Grapevine, TX. The girls and I discovered this park when it was finally cool enough to play outside. I found it online and was under the impression it was simply a botanical garden with a koi fish pond. I knew Bella would have a blast feeding the fish! We were very pleasantly surprised to find multiple koi fish ponds and a great playground right next to the gardens with lots of shade (something I know to look for when I read playground descriptions and reviews now). We've been to this park a dozen times already: it's close, it's shaded, it has a nice walk between the playground and the gardens, and it's FREE!
3. Grapefest. Annual festival in Grapevine, TX, known to be the largest wine festival in the south! First of all, love, love, love Grapevine & Southlake (the adjoining town). So much to do, retail therapy heaven. Going to this festival was like stepping into Smallville (that's a reference to the TV show - I know, I'm a geek). Picture small town (though Grapevine is not, it's downtown is made to feel that way), great atmosphere, adorable, restored downtown, trendy, urban area -- felt like home. We went on Thursday night when Charles got off of work because it was free to scope it out, we went with friends on Friday, and then we went again as a family on Sunday. Bella participated in an impromptu children's show, enjoyed the petting zoo, rode the carnival rides, and danced at the concerts. We enjoyed watching Bella have a ball, listening to country concerts and good festival food. It was such a good time and we'll definitely plan on doing this every year!
4. Plano Balloon Festival. I've never had the pleasure of being in Albuquerque for the largest hot air balloon festival, but Plano also hosts one annually that is pretty impressive. We went on a Saturday and really enjoyed relaxing on the hill with our blanket, snacks, and smoothies; we people watched, giggled with delight at Bella dancing with new friends to the concert that was going on at the bottom of the hill; we "ooohed and aaahed" at the balloon glow once the sky grew dark.Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the balloons never launched. Despite that, it was a great family evening. The event itself was well organized, laid out conveniently, and provided lots of family entertainment.
5. Alliance Moms Group. One of the moms I talked to at church mentioned she was starting a mom's group on meet-up, sponsored by the church. Many of the families at church also relocated to the area within the last 3 years, so they had plenty of advice to give as well as references to doctors, dentists, and daycare. Trish was starting this meet up as a form of outreach to the neighborhood and fellowship for moms! So, I've attended the first two meet ups and really enjoyed the conversations (Yay! With adults!), the kiddo-time for Bella, and discovering new parks!
6. Christ Alone. This means many relevant things, obviously, right now, but it's also the name of the church we really like in Keller. It's a mission church that meets in the elementary school gymnasium. The congregation is smallish, but really engaged, lots of young families, and the message is right on.
So, that's kinda where we're starting - new adventures, new places, new faces, new friends. I'm throwing up the white flag, Tex. You and me, well, I reckon we'll be all right.
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