Have You Tried The Best Shrimp On Earth?

Galveston is full of so many places to explore which include the beach, the island, and the food.

Thanks to Fisherman's Wharf for inviting us to their restaurant for a complimentary lunch.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Fisherman's Wharf is located right at Pier 21.  A waterfront seafood restaurant with great views of the bay.  You can't get fresher than this, right? 

2200 Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 765-5708
Fax: (409) 765-7074

Hours of Operation

Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 11pm

In the 1940s, this was a shrimp and fish “factory”.  Fun fact-Shrimp from this very place was served to President John F. Kennedy at the White House.  Many have said that this is the “best shrimp on Earth.”  Shrimp Po-boys have been served here since 1970. 

So of course, we had to try them.

Shrimp Po-boy

Grilled Chicken Po-Boy

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

My husband loves Shrimp Po-Boys and he said, "it was one of the best tasting ones he has ever tried".  We all enjoyed our food.  It was very flavorful.  The portion size was great too.  The ambience was amazing.  You can dine in and outside.  The restaurant is kid friendly.  And the staff was great too. 

To check out the menu and find out more information, go to www.fishermanswharfgalveston.com. 

Music Makes Me Lose My Mind

I do not know what it is about music but it can really change my mood, put a smile on a face, and really turn a day around.  Music helps us express ourselves, moves us, and sometimes changes us.

Remember when you were a teen?  I do.  I loved music.  I love to take my music on the go too. 

Thanks to DreamWave for sending my teen the Bubble Pod to review.  All opinions stated are our own based on our personal experience.

This is a Bluetooth speaker that your kids will want.  Why?  Because:

-ultra-light
-portable
-compact

It comes in 4 different colors; baby blue, sunshine yellow, bubblegum pink, and jolly green.  It is rechargeable.  It also has IPX5 water/dust/sand/snow protection which is great because with kids you need all the extra protection available. 

My teen loves to take his music on the go.  He can now use this on his walks to and from the bus, school, or anywhere else he may go.  It has a D-ring which can be attached to any backpacks.

But moms can use it too, hook it on the stroller, on any clothes, or even in your pocket.

For more information, go to godreamwave.com. 

Tips to the Best Camping Trip

I am going to start by saying I am not an expert but I have learned a thing or two from our camping trips.  Camping has become a part of our summers.  We all love to be one with nature.  Experiencing the great outdoors together has brought us closer.  It is something we do that we all enjoy.

1)  Location-Our first camping trip was to Canyon Lake, not too far away from us.  And now our goal is to visit a different campsite each camping trip.  We are discovering new places each time.

-research your location
-fees or cost
-reservations needed

2)  Tent or Cabin-Camping is camping whether you do it in a tent or stay in a cabin.  We like to do real camping and really enjoy pitching our tent.  Even if we happen to put the rain guard upside down.  The first time we went camping, we didn't even have our own tent.  We stayed in our friend's tent.  Another different time we even spent the night in our truck because it rained so hard our used tent leaked.  Lessons learned.

-find a tent or cabin that fits your family's needs
-if you go with a tent, make sure to get a rain guard or scotch guard your tent.
-follow the directions, even you think you know it all.

3)  Fire-Are you going to be grilling?  charcoal or wood?  What's camping without a campfire?  We tried to Bear Grills it with a flint but had no success, we would have died before we had a fire.

-check to see if your camp ground allow grills
-is there a burn ban in effect?

4)  Food-The first time we went camping we learned that camp food does not suck at all.  You can make anything in a Dutch oven. 

-meal plan each meal for the entire trip
-make grocery list      
-pick your favorite foods or get creative

5)  Discover-Shelter-check, Food-check, now it is time for you to enjoy yourself.  The first time we went camping my son went fishing for the first time and caught his first fish.  There is so much to discover in the great outdoors.  Have fun!

-fishing
-hiking
-swimming

Make the best of every trip.  It does not have to be perfect.  You will forget things, even if you make a checklist.  Things will go wrong  It may rain everyday you are there.  The memories you make together cannot be replaced.  The time you spend with the family is precious time they will treasure for ever. 

Here are some more pictures from our camping trip this Summer at Garner State Park:

 

Travel Tuesday-Bucket Brigade #LoveGalveston #BeachesFam

I am a water baby and so are the members of my family.  We love to head South to Galveston, TX, where it is always island time!

There is always so much to do.  Every time we go to Galveston we discover something new that we have not seen or done before.  At the beach we get to disconnect.  I always find things to learn in every adventure we take and the beach is always a place of discovery for us.  You can use all your senses when you dig your feet in the sand.  Find a shell; touch it, feel it, collect it.  There is beauty everywhere.

On this adventure, we took a tour with the Galveston Bucket Brigade. 

Bucket Brigade offers free interpretive tours to beach-goers on Galveston Island.  Their objective is to increase the public's understanding of the positive role of sargassum and turbid water in our marine and coastal ecosystems.

Tours are available from March to October 2016. They last approximately one hour.  It is a unique hands-on activity that the entire family can partake in.  Bucket Brigade highlights the impact we can all have on coastal ecosystems through marine debris and pollution. 

We learned that Galveston's beaches are not "dirty" beaches.  Galveston water is actually very clean but full of sand.  Our water is sandy brown, the same color as our sand.   

Check out some of the cool items found in Galveston:

 Lighting Whelk Seashell

 Moon Snail

Mermaid's Purse (shark egg)

Do you go on beach walks?  We love to go on walks on the beach.  We are always finding cool things, not this cool.  Or maybe we didn't know what it was? 

The Galveston Bucket Brigade has 6 free tours that are held at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  They are offered at a variety of locations along Galveston beaches including Stewart Beach, 21st Street, 37th Street, 53rd Street, 61st Street, 63rd Street, and Dellanera Dunes RV Park.  If you want to participate, you can sign up for a tour at the lifeguard station at each tour location.

For more information, go to galveston.com/bucketbrigade

UniverSoul Circus #BestCircusEver

Have you been to the circus?  What was your favorite part?  Do your enjoy it as much as your kids?

My family received complimentary tickets to opening night.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Thanks to UniverSoul Circus for totally entertaining us on their recent visit to Houston, TX.  This circus sure does fit their hashtag #BestCircusEver.  We danced, laughed, and were truly entertained the entire show.  We did not want it to be over.  It was a big party under the big top.  This is not like the circus you are use to going to.  There is so much going on right in front of you.  I loved that we were so close to all the action.  Every seat under the big top is a good seat.     

My favorite parts were:

 skillful,

colorful,

stunning,

breath taking,

and jaw dropping.

The big top is coming to a city near you, to find out more information go to universoulcircus.com.

Flick Friday-Kubo

What kind of movies do you like to watch with your kids?  We start taking our kids to the movies at a young age.  We let them pick the movies at times but sometimes mom and dad pick the movie. 

My family and I were invited to an advanced screening of Kubo and the Two Strings.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Kubo was a cute, funny movie.  There were a lot of lessons to be learned.  Things aren't always as they seem.  It is a great story taking place in Japan.  It is full of action and lots of adventure throughout the movie.  Kubo is a great storyteller and when he starts telling his story, everyone around wants to listen.  Along the way, Kubo has help from some unusual friends.  Monkey and Beetle join Kubo on his quest to save his family. 

Check out the official trailer:

"If you must blink, do it now..." 

My family enjoyed this movie.  Our favorite character was Monkey.  You will know why after you watch it with your family.  Kubo opens today. 

Universoul Circus Returns-Houston Aug 2016

Have you ever been to a magical place that so much going on your eyes are going to pop out of your face?  That is how I feel when I go to the circus. 

The 2016 production of UniverSoul Circus takes fans of all ages on an unforgettable journey of light, sound and soul.

WHEN:  Thursday, August 4 thru Sunday, August 14

WHERE: Butler Stadium, 13755 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77035

UniverSoul is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel.  It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers.

Caribbean Dynasty

Porcelain Dolls

The circus was founded 23 years ago in Atlanta by concert and theatre promoter, Cedric Walker.

Thanks to UniverSoul Circus for inviting my family to their opening night.  We will be receiving complimentary passes.  Stay tuned-I will let you know all about the show.  I have previously attended their shows and they never disappoint.  I can't wait for us to see the following:

 Fly High

 Axle

  Airborne

Visit www.universoulcircus.com for more info, show times, and schedules.  Also follow all the action on www.facebook.com/universoulcircus  and www.twitter.com/universoulcirc