Ask Haley

“I’m not one of those Pinterest moms.”, my neighbor told me recently. The good news is, in a town like Austin, you can find creative, go-getter moms to help you plan your kids’ birthdays, make their Halloween costumes and magically produce all of those finishing details that will get you that Mom of the Year award (well, in your mind anyway. ;) ).

Rachel Schnaiter is one of those moms. While juggling a nursing career, two kids and a household, she is also the genius behind It’s My Party , a local business specializing in custom, handcrafted party decor. Her work is meticulous and made with great care. Her tools include family heirlooms passed down from her husband’s Mee Maw. In her office, you’ll find photos of her daily inspiration - her family, along with an impressive craft organization wall. Working with fabric, paper and paint, she can custom create costumes, banners, cupcake toppers, highchair skirts, monthly birthday photo banners and party favors. My favorite parties that she’s done so far are the pink and gold first birthday (that crown is just beautiful!) and the 21st birthday (cake smash and all!). It’s My Party also offers antique high chair rentals for the perfect cake smash photo.

If you’re interested in creating things yourself, but just need some guidance and tools, Rachel will be teaching seasonal classes at Imagine That - Art Space, where she will do all of the prep work, while you and your friends can come and create your own custom decor and gifts for the season.
This weekend (October 22nd), you’ll see her work at Boofest Halloween Benefit and Celebration at in.gredients in Central Austin. Come early and bring your kids in costume, to get a free goody bag that includes a custom sewn mask from It’s My Party. Wanna ask a question about making a custom or a whole event? Click here and ask her anything
http://m.me/ask.haley.today

Are you ready for pumpkin season? Time to get those little sweethearts dressed up and your cameras ready. Not sure where to go? The Austin area has quite a few options to choose from. There are small local churches and spacious farms with activities galore. Barton Hill Farms is of the latter variety. They offer a very well thought out venue for a day out with the family.
40 minutes west of Austin, just 10 minutes before getting to Bastrop, the planners behind Barton Hill Farms Pumpkin Patch make sure that the trip is worth your while. Included in the multiple activities are tractor train rides, tube slides, rolling relays, a giant ship sandbox, “the pillow” (a large bouncing surface) and a space to feed goats and little pigs. Bands play live music on stage daily. Concession stands, food trucks and seating areas are situated throughout the farm space. For the younger family, they even offer a lovely nursing and diaper changing station in a tiny building by the front.
Staff are available to help you with those photo opportunities and getting around the space. The pumpkin patch integrates antique farm equipment and hay bales to create multiple places to take photos without having to wait for other families to finish their photos. This year, they’ve also positioned tractors for additional photo ops. I do recommend either getting there right at 10am or later in the afternoon to beat the lines (for photos, activities and concessions). If you arrive right at opening time, you also won’t have to maneuver around people in the back of your photos.
Admission is $14 per person, and $1 off if you buy your tickets off of their website (link in comments). 0-2 year olds get in for free. The price of admission covers the cost of all activities, except for face painting and the purchase of pumpkins. For all that’s included, it really is worth it. Be sure to bring sunblock and plenty of water, as this Central Texas weather can be quite unpredictable. A cool autumn morning could quickly turn into a sweltering day, as we found out this year.
The pumpkin patch is open on weekends until November 13th.
Saturdays 10am-8pm. Sundays 10am-6pm.
They are also open on Columbus Day from 10am-6pm.

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“Wow”. The first time I walked around Catch Air Austin in Northwest Austin, that was what my brain kept repeating. I had heard plenty of moms say, “Oh my gosh. You have to check this place out.”. I wondered what could be so great about it.

What sets Catch Air Austin apart from other play spaces is that they certainly cater to the younger set of kids, while still having enough to interest older children. Usually, little ones have to be kept away from the big kid fun, but here, they are free to explore, climb, run and take chances. Be free little one! At one point, the lights turned off, disco lights turned on and the stereo was playing “Move It, Move It”, from the Madagascar movie. It was a full on dance party. I could just hear my little one’s brain saying, “This is my jam!” ;)

There are two areas sectioned off for children 3 feet and smaller. The kicker is, that this wasn’t lame baby equipment. There were a variety of large play structures that I thought were pretty cool and unique. In addition to the toddler areas, there’s a ball air cannon room where, yes, you can shoot balls around without hurting anyone. Across the entire complex, there are soft, vinyl covered foam climbing structures in the shape of animals, slides, buildings, etc. that are great for small climbers. The giant climbing structure was pretty safe - I should know...my child made me climb through the entire thing with my giant diaper bag. Note to self: do not bring anything bulky on your person.

In terms of party rooms, this place had a good layout. At other venues, I’ve experienced many a cramped room with no windows or air flow. Total misery for a bunch of sweaty kids and their parents. Catch Air Austin has 3 bright and clean open rooms with plenty of space.

I would definitely bring the kids back here. Last time, we came on a Friday and found out that after 4pm, you have to pay weekend prices, so be aware of that. Parents do get in free though.

For the month of October, they’re doing a Catch Air Cares: Diaper Drive with the Austin Diaper Bank.
If you bring a package of diapers (Monday-Thursday), you’ll receive $2 off the admission of each child.

Admission Pricing:
Infants: Free (with paid child's admission)
Children Ages 1-2: Weekday $7 Weekend $10
Children Ages 3-16: Weekday $11 Weekend $14
Two 17+ Adults: Free (with 1 paid child admission)
Additional Adults: Weekday $5 Weekend $7

A new Catch Air is slated to open in Round Rock later this year. (Catch Air Round Rock, TX)