Our family has been coming here for nearly a decade, and it has become one of our favorite traditions. I still love watching my boys’ faces light up the moment they walk through the doors and spot the giant dinosaur towering over the entrance. Even after all these years, that excitement never seems to fade.

More recently, though, their attention has been completely captured by the museum’s incredible new LED dome experience at the Jane and John Justin Foundation Omni Theater. Honestly, I was just as mesmerized as they were. I enjoyed it so much that I planned a date night there with my husband. The next day, he spent at least half an hour talking about the experience with our extended family.

Why We Keep Coming Back

When we first became members, we started with the basic membership. At around ninety dollars, it only took three visits for it to pay for itself. A friend later told me that the Wonder Membership included reciprocal admission to places like the Perot Museum, along with entrance to the Fort Worth Stock Show.

We do not use the Stock Show benefit very often, but my kids love the sports exhibits and children’s museum at the Perot, and I appreciate that it is another great indoor option during the Texas heat. About two years ago, we upgraded to the Wonder level, and it has easily become one of the best family expenses we pay for all year.

The membership has given us access to museums across the country, including museums in Washington, D.C., the Thinkery in Austin, the DoSeum in San Antonio, and the Children’s Museum in Denver, just to name a few of the ones we have visited. I am a family travel writer so we are always exploring new places and getting to use reciprocal benefits. 

Our New Favorite

For a while, the playground was the highlight of every visit. Then it was the new Omni Theater. But now, at least according to my kids, the TCU Children’s Museum has officially taken the top spot.

The old children’s museum served our family well over the years, especially the little grocery shopping section that my boys spent countless hours playing in. But the newly renovated space feels fresh, interactive, and thoughtfully designed.

My kids especially love the farming section and market, while I appreciate details like the quiet room and nursing room. It is clear that the renovation was designed with both children and parents in mind.

Why I’ll Keep Renewing

The last time I renewed our membership, I accidentally selected the basic level instead of the Wonder Membership. I did not realize my mistake until we visited the Perot Museum and were told we no longer had reciprocal admission benefits. Purchasing tickets for the day would have cost our family eighty-eight dollars.

I immediately called the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and upgraded our membership back to the Wonder level for fifty dollars. Not only did we get into the Perot that day, but we regained access to all the reciprocal museum benefits for the rest of the year.

Moments like that are exactly why this membership continues to be worth it for our family. After nearly ten years of visits, the museum is still one of our favorite places to spend time together, make memories, and escape the Texas heat for a few hours.

Summer Kick-Off Party | June 6 from 10AM-2PM

• Bonus activities throughout the Museum
• Community partners
• Bubbles, music and sweet treats
• A celebration for Summer Break!

Dinos Rock! | June 27 from 10AM-4PM

• Dinosaur-themed activities
• Community partners (like Dinosaur Valley!)
• Fossil tables/displays

Dynamo’s Birthday Party | June 27 from 10AM-11AM

• MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
• Member only hour in TCU Children’s Gallery and Galaxy Park 
• Dynamo meet and greet
• Complimentary sweet treat

Shark Week | At some point in July, official week has not been announced

Space Day | July 25 from 10AM-11AM

• Space related activities
• Community partners 
• Lightsaber/Jedi training
• Special programming in planetarium

The post Fort Worth Museum of Science and History – A Summertime Tradition first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Mackinac Island is magical. There’s so much to see and do, and I love that my children get to grow up experiencing this little slice of heaven.

I’m always giddy when we leave the ferry and walk towards the island’s famous fudge shops, where fudge is made by hand in front of you on large marble slabs. I always want to try every flavor. Thankfully, the fudge shop proprietors let you do just that. These shops make ten thousand pounds of fudge a day during the summer. Every day.

When our editor asked what my happy place was, I had a hard time answering. I thought of my favorite places to vacation around the world. The one thing that each place had in common was a feeling of warmth, deep love, connection, and community. When I pictured each place, I saw my family with me, relaxing away from the cares of the world.

That is when it clicked. I love Mackinac because it pulls me back in time and away from today’s distractions. Without cars, life slows down. It seduces you into putting your phone away. (One year, I tried to capture a video while riding my bike and nearly crashed. I quickly put my phone away and did not pick it back up.)

Imagine a life without constant notifications, where movement is slower, and meals are homemade. That simplicity feels rare.

My family talked for years about buying a home in Michigan. There was something about the island that stayed with us. It drew us back, year after year. The community itself is small, with only a few hundred year-round residents, but the residents are deeply connected to one another.

This connection is one of the reasons the island is so special. You feel it in the smiles of strangers, in the quiet kindness of a passerby, and in the way people acknowledge one another. Mackinac Island is not just beautiful, it is intentional, welcoming, and deeply human.

But back to a typical day on Mackinac Island.

Located near the fudge shops is my favorite cookie shop, the Mackinac Island Cookie Company. They sell traditional favorites like sugar cookies and snickerdoodles, but Michigan cherries are truly second to none, so the cherry chocolate chunk cookie is a must.

This shop is special for more than its cookies. It’s the person behind the cookies who gives it meaning. Kate Conlon lives on the island year-round now. As we talked about Mackinac, I could hear the excitement in her voice. She lit up as she shared how she had spent her summers there growing up and how she had always dreamed of living on the island.

“Everything feels so much more intentional here,” Conlon said. “There’s nothing that compares to Mackinac, and there’s just something living and breathing about this island that, once you feel connected to it, never leaves you.”

It makes perfect sense why someone like Conlon would choose to build a life on Mackinac Island. I understood the pull. I feel it, too.

After a stop at the cookie shop and a few souvenir stores, we usually rent bikes. I rent a bike with a hitch for our four-year-old, and my husband rents a tandem bike for himself and our six-year-old. Then we usually head to our first stop, a school playground right on the water with a beautiful view of the Mackinac Bridge.

The kids play on the monkey bars and chase each other around the playground. We always get pulled into their play, too, all of us smiling and laughing. After a while, the adults need a break, and we sit on a bench facing the water, eating cookies and taking in the boats sailing across Lake Huron.

After a short break, we load up the bikes and headed along the west side of the island. There are other cyclists along the route, but it never feels crowded; friendly faces are always passing by. In the distance, we hear the sound of hooves. A horse-drawn carriage rounds the corner, heading back toward Main Street after dropping off overnight guests.

We pull off the road at a small turnout. Our younger usually falls asleep in his seat in the bike hitch, so we let him rest while our older explores and throws rocks into the water. We take a few pictures with Arch Rock in the distance before starting our hike to see it from above.

The steps are easy to navigate, just numerous. The climb feels long, especially while carrying a sleeping thirty-five-pound toddler, but the view at the top makes every step worthwhile. The arch is tall and striking, and visitors gather in waves to observe and admire. My adventurous six-year-old asks if he can climb the one-hundred-and-forty-six-foot arch. I point out the clearly posted “do not climb” sign and keep a close eye on him as we admire the view.

When the next group arrives, we head back down. The walk down is much easier, and soon we’re back on our bikes, continuing the eight-mile loop around the island.

We make our way back to Main Street, where we stop at Watercolor Cafe. They’re known for their homemade Pop-Tarts, which often sell out early (so get there early), and for their lavender lattes, which are unforgettable.

We sit with our coffee while the kids run freely through Marquette Park. In that moment, we’re not focused on the lovely historic homes or the sailboats serenely drifting across the water. We’re watching our children be children, reveling in their laughter, their freedom, their joy.

I can’t help but think that this is what childhood should be. Connection – not to devices, but to each other and their surroundings.

This is the true gift of Mackinac Island. Beyond the horse-drawn carriages, the quaint houses, the fudge, and the breathtaking views, the island offers visitors a rare gift. It gives you time, presence, and uninterrupted connection with the people you love most.

And that is what makes it my happy place.

The post Where Time Slows and Connection Grows first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

If you ask Micah and Jenna Kinard, they will say a need for renewal.

Micah, the rockstar, described how his marriage to Jenna, the Fort Worth Top Chef, had once been falling apart, much like the long-neglected and decidedly dilapidated Fort Worth Public Market. Today, Jenna and Micah are rebuilding both the Public Market and their marriage. Their love story traverses winding roads from late-night tours and busy restaurant kitchens to a plywood cabin in Alaska to finally return home to Fort Worth, where they are breathing new life into a landmark.

On their very first date, Jenna tried to impress Micah with food. “I cooked him this huge meal, and I tried to win him over with food,” she remembered. “That night we talked about how much we’d love to open up our own restaurant, but he was touring the world as a musician, and I was pursuing my own career as a chef.”

For the next decade, that dream stayed on the back burner as their relationship and their careers grew. Micah played shows around the world as the lead singer of metal band Oh, Sleeper. Jenna climbed the culinary ladder at some of North Texas’ most notable properties, helping open concepts like The Westin in Southlake and 97 West Kitchen & Bar at Hotel Drover.

Seen from the outside, they were thriving.

On the inside, they were slowly drifting apart.

“After building our careers and doing great [things], our marriage hit a real low point,” Micah said. “We hit a rock-bottom place in our relationship. We had been chasing career highs, but we were moving in different directions.” He realized something had to change.

photo credit: Omorfia Imagery

“We decided that if we kept going down this path, there was not going to be any more us,” Micah recalled.

So, he started looking for answers. “I started praying about it. Then the Alaska opportunity came up with all of these confirmations. So many that it was laughable. We were like, I think we’re supposed to move to Alaska, live in a ten-by-ten plywood cabin with bear mace on our hips, and figure this out.”

They both laughed as they retold this part of their story, but at the time, it was a serious leap of faith. “We prayed about it, and it was just so obvious,” Micah said. “So, we said yes, and we quit our jobs.”

They packed up and got on a plane to take seasonal jobs at a remote lodge in the Alaskan wilderness. Jenna ran the entire culinary program at the lodge. Micah worked as the maintenance man and sous chef.

Then came another surprise. “We got pregnant,” Jenna said. “So, you talk about basically doing marriage counseling between the two of us in a plywood cabin in Alaska, doing the hardest jobs we’ve ever done.”

“We were in Alaska, two hundred and fifty miles away from the closest road to take you anywhere. Our neighbors were bears,” Jenna emphasized.

“We were working from five a.m. to ten p.m. every day. Zero days off for four months,” Jenna said. “It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done mentally, physically, emotionally. All the things. And we had breaking point after breaking point after breaking point, and all we had was each other.”

In that tiny cabin, without the distractions of tours or restaurant openings, everything came to the surface, good and bad. “God knew we were going to be going through this right now, and he actually wanted us to,” Micah said. “We thought, ‘That means we can access him right now. So, let’s bring him into this and see where the breakthrough is.’ And it happened.”

After three and a half months in Alaska, they finally felt their relationship start to turn. “That last month, we killed it,” Micah said. “We crushed it. It only took three months for us to figure out the groove, but we figured out our stuff; we let a lot of stuff go. It stretched us a lot. The Lord did a lot of healing.”

As the season wrapped up, one big question remained: what happens when they go home?

“We started thinking about what we would do when this job was up,” Micah said. “We were like, ‘All right, Lord, I don’t think we’re supposed to go back and just get separate jobs. That seems like it’s not the end of this story of us working together.’”

So, they sought answers. “We start praying about it,” Micah said, “and we got an email.”

photo credit: Omorfia Imagery

It was from Wilks Development, a Fort Worth-based group behind several major local projects. Before Alaska, someone from that team had casually asked if the couple would ever be interested in opening a restaurant back home. Now, the question was back on the table.

This time, Jenna and Micah were ready to say yes.

In Alaska, Micah started dreaming and planning. “I was crunching numbers while I was in Alaska,” he said. “I was like, all right, we’re going to go back and open our own restaurant. I think that I’ve crunched all the numbers, and fifteen hundred square feet is exactly what we need to crush it.”

They emailed the Wilks team to let them know they were in.

At first, the project seemed straightforward. “They had one building,” Micah recalled. “We start talking to them about it, but a couple of months down the road they’re like, ‘Oh, turns out we promised that building to another group.’” So the search continued.

“They showed us another building that was twenty-seven hundred square feet,” Micah said. “I was like, ‘Oh, man, that’s a lot more than I was thinking.’”

They prayed again, felt peace about the bigger space, and moved forward. Then that option fell through, too.

Next came a building just a mile from their house. “To us, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this makes perfect sense,’” Jenna said. And Micah replied, “We were taking it seriously, so we were praying for this thing every day, and [the] talks stretched on.”

At first, they worried the square footage was too big. Then a sermon at church shifted Micah’s perspective. “I thought, ‘Thirty-three hundred square feet is not a lot for God,’” he said. “If he’s doing it and we’re fully locked into his plan, laying down everything for him, it will work.”

That season became a turning point.

“It took way too long for us to realize that going our own routes and just trying to pursue our own dreams only led us away from each other,” Micah said. “It only led us away from him.”

They laid down every fear and prayed a simple prayer. “Lord, we want where you have us,” Micah remembers praying. “If this is it, great. If not, just shut the door.” Three days later, they got their answer.

“Three days after we prayed that prayer, oh man, we get an email,” he said. “‘So sorry, it’s not going to work out with you guys.’” Another door closed.

Three days after that, an even bigger door opened.

They finally heard about a space that felt different — the historic Fort Worth Public Market.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Kinard

“My earliest memory of Fort Worth is in the backseat of my parents’ Suburban, leaving an event, just looking at the outside of it and wanting to go in,” Micah said.

Years later, in 2011, when Jenna was first moving to Fort Worth, Micah drove her past the same building. “He pointed it out and told me it was his favorite,” Jenna remembered. “I said, ‘What if we did something with it?’” At the time, it was just a passing comment. Now it felt like a promise coming full circle.

Flash forward to today, and the couple has partnered with a team to reopen the historic Fort Worth Public Market.

The Fort Worth Public Market was once a bustling hub with more than 140 vendors. Residents could pick up produce, file their taxes, and get a haircut in one stop. In 1941, the after-effects of the Great Depression and World War II forced its closure to vendors. Manufacturers used the facility until the early 2000s, and since then, this grand old building has mostly sat empty.

Having seen God carry them through the hardest chapter of their marriage and knit them back together stronger than before, the Kinards felt confident He would lead them in restoring this historic space as a place of love for the community.

When they first started dreaming about a restaurant, Jenna and Micah were looking for fifteen hundred square feet. Nine months later, they ended up with fifteen thousand. Micah and Jenna see that scope as proof of how God has been leading them and growing their trust. “His timing is unbelievable,” Micah said. “We went back again, we prayed about it, and talked to our business partner. We just had overwhelming joy about it and not an ounce of fear.”

With fifteen thousand square feet, they realized they could not open just one concept. They were about to bring several experiences to life. “We want to honor this building by staying true to its roots,” Micah said. “The old slogan was ‘Everything for Everyone,’ and we are trying to provide that.”

Inside the renewed Public Market, three concepts will anchor the space.

Madrone will be their Texas-inspired fine dining restaurant. The name carries its own meaning for Jenna.

“I named the restaurant ‘Madrone’ because it’s a Texas evergreen tree, so it’s always in season,” Jenna explained. “That’s the idea behind our menus. I’ll print them probably every six weeks in-house. We’re just looking at what we are working with right now. These relationships with our farmers and our vendors are very important to us. We want to be as close to the farm itself as we can be.”

Willow will be a cocktail lounge with a strong zero-proof program, so guests who do not drink alcohol can still enjoy thoughtful, crafted beverages.

Public Market Cafe & Goods will be a daytime hub featuring baked goods, coffee, and local products, including hydroponic greens grown on-site, handmade items from local artisans, and everyday pantry staples. Jenna is passionate about filling the market with local foods and local makers, creating a space where small businesses and neighbors can thrive together.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Kinard

Through their interview, Micah and Jenna kept circling back to how different seasons in their lives prepared them for this one. The long hours in restaurants. The pressure of touring. The plywood cabin in Alaska. The breaking points and the healing that followed. Jenna said that while she has worked extremely hard in her career and in her marriage, she is excited to merge the two and let both become ways to reflect God’s love.

“We just kept coming back to ‘Everything for Everyone,’” she said. “To Micah and me, it hit one day. We were like, ‘Oh my gosh. Jesus is everything for everyone.’”

From a broken marriage to a restored landmark, the Kinards’ story is one of choosing to stay, choosing to rebuild, and choosing to trust God with each subsequent step. Their hope for every person who walks through the doors of the renewed Fort Worth Public Market is simple.

Jenna said, “I hope everyone leaves feeling just a little more joyful than when they entered.”

The post Saving a Marriage, Saving a Market first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

These places are not just shops or cafés where you grab coffee. They are the backdrop of our lives. These businesses and the people behind them are what make Fort Worth so special. In honor of our 50th issue, we present 50 of our favorites. (Okay, so we went over 50. We got excited.)

Coffee shop

1. Ostara Coffee Roasters
2. Cherry Coffee Shop
3. Avoca Coffee Roaster

Great days start with a little sugar and a lot of coffee. Ostara Coffee Roasters and Cherry Coffee Shop have delightfully welcoming vibes, while Avoca Coffee Roasters is a Fort Worth institution for artisanal beans.

Donut shops

4. Batter and Beans
5. FunkyTown Donuts and Drafts

Batter and Beans serves amazing fresh cake donuts with coffee, which is a perfect way to start your morning, while FunkyTown Donuts and Drafts is a longtime favorite of Madeworthy’s.

Bakery (Worth the calories!)

6. Eduardo’s Pastry Kitchen
7. Swiss Pastry Shop
8. Unrefined Bakery
9. Leaves Bakery and Books

If you need a gluten-free treat or just want a slice of melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, Fort Worth bakeries deliver. While Swiss Pastry Shop has long been a Cowtown favorite, Eduardo’s Pastry Kitchen is beginning to make waves. Unrefined Bakery makes indulgent gluten-free classics, like toothache-worthy cinnamon rolls. One of my personal favorites is Leaves, a cozy bakery, tea shop, and bookshop in one.

Breakfast/brunch place (The Best Meal of the Day!)

10. BREWED
11. Cafecito

I don’t know if I love brunch because it reminds me of Saturdays or because I always order coffee, but something about brunch gets my heart racing. Two favorites, both highly reviewed, are BREWED and Cafecito. BREWED brings upscale classics with a Fort Worth vibe, while Cafecito serves authentic Mexican breakfast in the cutest pink diner.

Hanging out with friends

12. The Shops at Clearfork

Doctors say a walk a day keeps the stress away, so we at Madeworthy recommend strolling around The Shops at Clearfork, where you can shop and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. If you’re so inclined, you can continue your walk down the Trinity Trails.

Place to relax and recharge

13. Ash Spa at Bowie House

For the ultimate in rustic chic pampering, indulge in a day at Ash. Don’t miss the personalized aromatherapy!

Art galleries

14. The Firehouse Pottery & Gallery

15. Giant Runt

Housed in a former firehouse, The Firehouse Pottery & Gallery offers pottery lessons as well as art from the owner, Keith Thomson, and local artists. Giant Runt continues to showcase some of the most intriguing artists working today.

Artist

16. Amy Brines “she draws on walls”
17. Art by Catalina Currea

Two of my family’s favorite local artists are Amy Brines and Catalina Currea. Their murals pop up all over town and seem more beautiful every time I see them.

Musician

18. Grady Spencer and the Work

If you love live music, I can’t think of anyone better than Cowtown local Grady Spencer and the Work.

Yearly event

19. FW Food and Wine Festival
20. Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

Mark your calendar for the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival and come dressed to impress. And the Festival raises money to support and educate local food and beverage professionals, championing the people who are the backbone of our city’s hospitality industry. Starting on January 16, Dickies Arena will host the 129^th Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. It’s legendary!

Boutique

21. Wide Brim in the Stockyards
22. Sunday Supper
23. S. The Letter

If you’re in the Stockyards, shop at Wide Brim in Hotel Drover. Sunday Suppers makes changing your vibe easy, while P. S. The Letter is your go-to for holiday and shower shopping.

Bar/ Breweries

24. Grandma’s
25. WineHaus
26. Thompson’s Bookstore
27. Wild Acre Brewing

Grandma’s is a great place to relax with friends and enjoy some adult beverages, while Thompson’s Bookstore continues to delight. The new owners at WineHaus are doing a bang-up job, and Wild Acre Brewing is one of our family’s absolute favorites. My kids love the playground, bike racing, and water trampoline, I love the relaxed atmosphere and food, and my husband loves the beer.

Sweet treat

28. Leo’s Churro Bar
29. Dusty Biscuit Beignets
30. Hurley House

I cannot write this section without mentioning my favorite Fort Worth dessert spot that closed during COVID: Sweet Sammies. Gone but not forgotten. Thankfully, Fort Worth still has no shortage of desserts. Leo’s Churro Bar serves some of the most creative sweets from an Airstream you’ll ever have. Madeworthy friend Dusty Biscuit is still slinging incredible beignets on South Main. And you can never go wrong with the cakes and cookies from Hurley House.

Hamburger joint

31. Kincaids
32. JD’s Hamburgers

The oldies are still the goodies. You can’t go wrong with JD’s Hamburgers or Fort Worth’s legend, Kincaid’s.

Barbecue

33. Smokey Beard’s Q
34. Goldee’s Barbecue
35. Hurtado Barbecue

Barbecue is a religion in Texas, and “the best” is hotly debated; local favorite Goldee’s consistently ranks among the best in Texas, and Hurtado is a North Texas staple. Smokey Beard’s Q, in the old Mamma Mia location on E. Belknap, is straight from… Riyadh? The concept opened its first stateside location right here in Cowtown, and it’s drawing raves from people like Mike Tyson. (Yep, that Mike Tyson.)

Restaurant

36. BobaLou
37. The Chumley House
38. Danny’s Greek Café
39. The Mont
40. Yoichi Omakaze & Handroll

Stop by BobaLou for delightful boba creations, delicious paninis, and decadent gelato. For somewhere to see and be seen, try The Chumley House or The Mont. Danny’s Greek Café serves to-die-for Greek cuisine in the former Mr. Gatti’s off Camp Bowie, while Yoichi’s quietly opened in the former Shinjuku Station location and is drawing rave reviews.

Random Favorites

41. The Virgin Olive Oiler
42. Teach Me Mahj – mahjong lessons with Shannon Irwin
43. Fort Worth Stockyards

Parks and Recreation

44. Tillery Park
45. Marine Creek Lake
46. Airfield Falls
47. Fort Worth Zoo
48. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

When it is not blazing hot, Fort Worth offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Hike the trail around Marine Creek Park or splash in the falls at Airfield Falls. Tillery Park is a forgotten gem, perfect for picnicking. And who doesn’t love the nationally ranked Fort Worth Zoo, one of our family’s favorite outings.

Gyms

49. Smart Barre Camp Bowie
50. Hotworx West Cliff
51. Union Cycle + Strength

Finding time for yourself matters; moms have to take care of themselves so they can take care of everyone else! Local moms rave about Smart Barre off Bowie, Hotworx, and Union Cycle + Strength for energizing workouts.

Nurseries

52. Mike’s Garden Center
53. Archie’s Gardenland

Spruce up your garden or grab a plant for your kitchen window. Mike’s Garden Center and Archie’s Gardenland are neighborhood favorites with the know-how to make your garden gorgeous.

These places are not just shops or cafes where you grab coffee. They are the backdrop of our lives. These businesses and the people behind them are what makes Fort Worth so special!

The post 50 Fort Worth Finds first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Traci was born in Fort Worth and grew up in the Como neighborhood. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and soon realized she wanted to be an actress. She did not have formal training immediately, but that did not make a difference.

Within her first year of chasing that dream, she caught a break. She landed a Reliant Energy commercial, and shortly after, a letter arrived in her mailbox. It was an invitation to join the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). This letter validated her dreams. She could be an actor. However, membership in SAG-AFTRA doesn’t guarantee a career. Traci has to grab every opportunity.

Traci invested in $300 professional headshots, then pitched herself to Dallas talent agencies for six months before finding representation. Like many actors, commercials provided were the first jobs on her resume. She booked ads for Main Event and Movie Tavern Date Night. The grind for people trying to break into acting is real. “I worked a twelve-hour day for $100 just to get experience to put on my resume,” Traci remembered.

Soon, Traci’s resume grew to include roles in the James Franco-produced series 11.22.63 and, most notably, the reboot of the ‘90s television classic, Walker, Texas Ranger.

Photo courtesy of Traci Burst

“To be cast in Walker meant so much to me,” Traci said. “Growing up, I loved Walker, Texas Ranger and watched it all the time. To be cast in this show meant so much to me. It shows all my hard work is paying off, all the late nights, early mornings, and rushing around.”

That hard work extends far beyond the screen. “It is a lot to balance a full-time job, motherhood, a startup company, and an acting career,” Traci admitted. “But if you truly care about something and have a strong support system, you make it work.”

Wait. Startup company?

Traci explained that during the pandemic, she launched an online retail store, Humanity4ever. The brand sells clothing with a mission, but building it while working full-time and pursuing acting has not been easy.

“I have to take care of what’s in front of me, right there in the moment, and not worry about things that haven’t happened or things I can’t change,” Traci said. “If things start to pile up, I make excuses, develop self-doubt, and stress about time I don’t have. I think most people do that. I’ve learned to move with purpose and a sense of urgency.”

When asked if she ever rests or gets time alone, Traci said she plays competitive volleyball, which is her release. It is her time to shut off her mind and enjoy her time on the court. “Everyone needs an outlet, and this is mine,” she said.

For Traci, chasing big goals comes down to courage and clarity. “Don’t let fear run you from your dreams.”

Traci has some tips for making your dreams come true.

• Act in the moment. Focus on what is in front of you instead of worrying about the past or future.
• Cut the excuses. When things pile up, self-doubt follows. Move with purpose and urgency.
• Do your homework. Research, ask questions, and connect with people who have been there before.
• Start, even if it is imperfect. “The worst thing that can happen is it doesn’t work out, and that’s better than the regret of not trying.”

Her online store is still a work in progress, but Traci views it as part of a bigger journey. “I invested a lot of money in merchandise, the license, the website, and it still isn’t where I want it to be. But I know it will get there. I had to at least start and stop being scared.”

Traci is currently booking commercials and sending audition tapes to directors and casting agents. While acting remains her passion, she hopes that one day she will have more time to pour into Humanity4ever.

No matter which role she is playing – mom, entrepreneur, or actress – Traci Burst will keep moving forward.

The post Juggling Hollywood, the Hustle, and Home first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The Legacy of Holt Hickman

The Hickman family has dedicated generations to preserving the history and infrastructure of Fort Worth. It all began with Holt Hickman’s deep love for the area.

About nine million people from all over the world visit the Stockyards every year. Visitors come to see the cattle drive, the historic Cowtown Coliseum, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum. The Hickman family played a huge role in preserving every one of these.

From Rundown to Renowned Destination

The Stockyards had its beginnings with the arrival of the railroads in Fort Worth in 1876. The area quickly became a place where cattle, hogs, and sheep could be sold, slaughtered, and packed. Today, the Stockyards have turned into a booming tourist destination known around the world. The district is a significant contributor to Fort Worth’s tourism economy, which had an economic impact of over $3.5 billion in 2024, according to Visit Fort Worth.

But it was not always this way. Just decades ago, the area was falling into disrepair. In 1988, Billy Bob’s dance hall filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors. The streets were lined with deteriorating buildings, and few ventured to this side of town.

Where It All Started

Growing up, Holt lived with his mother in Weatherford, Texas. But when he would visit his father, Cecil, they would head to the Fort Worth Stockyards to buy and sell cattle.

Holt crossed the Metroplex to attend Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he swam for his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, in intramural sports. He was discovered by SMU Hall of Fame swimming coach Red Barr and was given a full-ride scholarship. In his junior and senior years, he was the fastest freestyle swimmer in the Southwest Conference.

In 1954, after graduating from SMU, Holt married his high school sweetheart, Jo Aycock. But Fort Worth had a hold on Holt. Holt and Jo’s daughter, Brenda Hickman Kostohryz, shared, “The Stockyards have always held a special place in my father’s heart. It was always the Stockyards and us.”

When Holt heard about Billy Bob’s closing down, he partnered with Don Jury, Steve Murrin, and Billy Minick to reopen the honkytonk.

“That’s where it all started,” Brenda recalls. “He started with reopening Billy Bob’s, then he invested in the revitalization of the Stockyards, and he helped bring the cattle drive to the Stockyards.”

Restoring the Past, Building the Future

Between the 1980s and the 1990s, Hickman began buying derelict buildings, including the Livestock Exchange Building and the Mule Alley warehouses. Holt’s goal was to preserve the Western heritage of the area while also making it economically sustainable.

He envisioned the Stockyards as a walkable, family-friendly district full of history, shopping, rodeos, and cowboy culture. In 2001, Holt and his wife Jo played a significant role in bringing the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame to the Fort Worth Stockyards. Recognizing the potential to enhance Fort Worth’s Western heritage tourism, they bought the museum. They moved it into the historic horse and mule barns on Exchange Avenue, which they had restored as part of their broader revitalization efforts.

A Legacy Carried On

More than ten years after his passing, Holt’s son and daughter continue to carry on his legacy. Brad Hickman and Brenda Hickman Kostohryz have worked for the family business since graduating from college.

Brenda worked in the real estate division for nearly 40 years before partially retiring. “It was always known that I would graduate and work on the real estate side of the business,” recalls Brenda. “He taught me to work hard and treat everyone equally.”

“Business and family were the most important things to my dad,” Brenda recalls. “He was always at all the grandkids sporting events and birthdays. He took me and my girlfriends to Vegas for my 21^st birthday. That’s just the kind of man he was.”

Brad, who graduated from college with a degree in business, initially ran the manufacturing division before transitioning to real estate. His son, Brad Jr., has since joined him.

“My dad loved my mom and the Stockyards,” Brenda recalls when thinking about her father’s legacy.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Hickman Kostohryz

Modern Development with Historic Roots

Holt established the Fort Worth Heritage Development Company before his death. This joint venture between Hickman Companies and Majestic Realty Co. was designed to preserve the area’s Western heritage while introducing modern amenities.

Brenda and Brad continued the partnership with Majestic Realty, building on their father’s efforts with a $175 million project that transformed the historic horse and mule barns into a vibrant district filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. In 2021, they opened Hotel Drover, a luxury boutique hotel that blends rustic charm with modern comfort, serving as a centerpiece of the Stockyards’ revitalization.

To preserve and honor their father’s legacy, Brad and Brenda are investing in the next chapter of the Stockyards story with a $630 million vision that blends Western tradition with modern hospitality. This next phase includes improvements to the Cowtown Coliseum, the Fort Worth Herd Facilities, and two below-ground parking garages. The plan will also add 300,000 square feet of commercial space, 500 hotel rooms, and about 300 apartments.

Shaping Fort Worth’s Future

This family business has not only shaped the Fort Worth of today; it continues to shape its future. With each project, the Hickmans honor their father’s memory, ensuring that the Fort Worth Stockyards remains a destination where the past is celebrated and the future is welcomed with a friendly “howdy.”

The post The Hickman Legacy: How One Family Saved the Stockyards first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

My choices begin with the options closest to Fort Worth and gradually move to those farther away. When selecting destinations for young families, I prioritize ease of travel, proximity to medical resources, and, of course, family-friendly amenities. Here are my top picks that check all the boxes for your perfect family getaway. [Editor’s note: This article was edited for space in the magazine, but we wanted to run the expanded version on the website.]

A Hands-on Getaway: Austin, Texas

Austin is a city that has a vibe like no other, and it matches perfectly with kids. Whether you want to explore the outdoors or spend hours building and playing at state-of-the-art museums, Austin has it all.

• Explore the Thinkery Museum: At this interactive children’s museum, kids can experiment, build, and play in a multilevel learning environment. There is even a section just for the littlest visitors.
• Enjoy Nature: Splash and play at Barton Springs Pool or hike and explore the rest of Zilker Park. Combine the two for a beautiful day out.
• Visit Austin’s Nature and Science Center: Let the kids dig for dinosaur fossils, meet native Texas animals, and explore nature exhibits at this free, interactive science center.

A Family-Friendly Beach Adventure: Galveston, Texas

If you are looking for an affordable beach getaway without leaving Texas, Galveston is the perfect destination. This coastal town offers beautiful beaches, exciting attractions, and plenty of kid-friendly activities, only an easy six-hour drive from Fort Worth.

• Beach Fun: The beaches here are great for little ones, with calm waves and short distances from rental homes.
• Explore the Wonders of Moody Garden: Kids can marvel at marine life in the Aquarium Pyramid, walk through a tropical rainforest, and enjoy hands-on fun at the Discovery Museum.
• Thrill-Seeking Fun at Pleasure Pier: You can enjoy State Fair favorites all summer on this historic pier originally built for recreation for GIs in World War II. Ride classic amusement park rides, play midway games, and bask in beautiful ocean views.

Charming White Sand Paradise: Rosemary Beach, Florida

If you are up for a two-hour plane ride with your littles, consider visiting Florida. Nestled along Florida’s scenic and popular 30A, Rosemary Beach offers stunning beaches, walkable streets, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

• Fun in the Sun: The gentle waves and soft white sands make Rosemary Beach ideal for littles. Plenty of beach-front rentals make this beautiful destination extremely convenient for families.
• Rent a Bike and Explore: Families can ride along scenic paths, explore charming boutiques, and stop for a treat at The Sugar Shak, the notable candy and ice cream shop that’s a must for any child, no matter how old.
• Evening Entertainment: Enjoy outdoor movie nights, live music, and kid-friendly events at Barrett Square in the heart of Rosemary Beach. Plus, nearby parks and green spaces are perfect for picnics and playtime if you need a break from the shore.

A Tropical Paradise for Families: Cancun, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico, is home to world-renowned beaches and an abundance of five-star, all-inclusive resorts designed with families in mind. If you are dreaming of pristine shores, luxurious accommodations, and endless amenities, Cancun is a destination that belongs on your travel list.

• Relaxing Beach Fun: Clear Caribbean waters and soft, sandy beaches make Cancun a safe and enjoyable destination for young children to swim, play, and build sandcastles.
• All-Inclusive Resorts: Many resorts offer all-inclusive packages that cater to families, providing kid-friendly amenities like kids’ clubs, pools, and entertainment to keep the little ones engaged while parents relax. After all, a family vacation should be fun for everyone.
• Exciting Day Trips: Cancun offers easy access to family-friendly excursions, such as Xcaret Park, where kids can explore wildlife, snorkel in cenotes (sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water), and experience cultural performances, creating unforgettable memories.

Dreams Do Come True at Disneyland: Anaheim, California

With over 60 years of history, Disneyland remains a beloved destination for families that offers unforgettable experiences, parades, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets. You really can’t beat the original.

• Gentle Rides for Little Ones: Disneyland offers a variety of family-friendly, low-intensity rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Peter Pan’s Flight, perfect for young children to enjoy.
• Stroller-friendly and Accessible: Disneyland spans nearly 500 acres as compared to Walt Disney World’s more than 25,000 acres, making it much easier to navigate with small children.
• Magical Character Experiences: Kids can meet their favorite Disney characters, snap photos, and watch parades. After all, who wouldn’t want to meet their heroes?

Whether you are exploring Austin, swimming at an all-inclusive Mexican resort, or experiencing the magic of Disney, the most important thing is that you are making core memories with your loved ones. Your time with your family is precious; invest in it now.

Honorable Mentions

Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Lisbon are fantastic, family-friendly destinations with direct flights from DFW. D.C. offers the world-renowned (and free) Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and kid-friendly outdoor spaces. Toronto boasts safe, walkable streets, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Toronto Islands for lots of outdoor fun. Lisbon enchants with its iconic yellow trams, the world-class Oceanario, and castles like Sao Jorge. All three cities have excellent public transportation, interactive attractions, and welcoming atmospheres for kids.

The post Five Family-Friendly Vacations first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.