7 Reasons to Take a Cruise aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines from Galveston!

Thinking about taking a cruise?  You should definitely consider departing from Galveston, Texas aboard a Carnival Cruise!  Whether you're planning a family vacation or a weekend getaway, Carnival Cruise Lines offers several affordable and fun options.  If you are planning a spring break vacation or a summer vacation and have more time to travel, definitely consider the Carnival Cruise!

Shore Excursion to Isla Roatan, Honduras 

Whether you want to hang out at Mahogany Bay beach or go on an adventure tour, Isla Roatan, Honduras is a great port of call.  The people are friendly and the water and plants make for great scenery.

Shore Excursion to Cozumel, Mexico

In Cozumel, Mexico, you can tour the island, explore Mayan ruins, take a stroll through Downtown, or hang out at a beach resort.  You might even get to meet an iguana!

Great Food

Whether you like street tacos, burritos, stir fry, burgers, or pizza, the Lido deck has so many options from which to choose.  The hubby loved the burgers from Guy's Burger Joint, inspired by chef Guy Fieri from the Food Network.  If you prefer fine dining, you can eat at your assigned restaurant for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.  The staff at dinner also dance and sing!  You can even attend an afternoon tea.

Fun Onboard Activities

Carnival always has fun activities during your days at sea.  You can test your memory at a variety of trivia games, watch a Broadway-style evening performance, sing a tune during Karaoke, or take dance lessons.  You can even take a picture with the ship's Captain.

Fun Kids' Activities

From Camp Ocean to Story Time with Dr. Seuss, your kids will never be bored on a Carnival Cruise.  Story Time and the Dr. Seuss Parade are free activities while there is a charge for breakfast with the Dr. Seuss characters.  Camp Ocean also features BookVille, an area where you can read Dr. Seuss books to your kids.  Camp Ocean activities are free for day activities.  There are free and paid activities in Camp Ocean for kids during the evening.  Camp Ocean has three areas for kids in different age groups.  Our toddler loved Camp Penguin.

Fun Family Activities

Do you like board games?  Then you'll love Hasbro the Game Show aboard a Carnival Cruise.  Here you'll see some of your favorite games come to life as cruise passengers compete for prizes.

Towel Animals

After dinner each night, we would return to a different towel animal in our room prepared by our cabin steward.  Since our toddler loves animals, she was amazed by the different creations.

Question: What's your favorite part of cruising?  Let us know in the comments.


Sincerely,

The Weekends Count Family

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Weekends Count Magazine - September/October 2018 Edition

Hi everyone! Check out the newest issue of the Weekends Count Magazine! This magazine is focused on Fun Family Travel & Educational Activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area and Beyond.

From "24 Hour Travel from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport" and "How to Rock the 2018 School Year" to "Top Gluten Friendly Weeknight Staples & Snacks" and "7 Fun Things to Do with Kids This Weekend in Fort Worth, Texas", there something in this magazine for your family. Check out the magazine and remember to engage with Weekends Count by joining the exclusive Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/173493166545063/

Click Here to OPEN the Magazine!

The Weekends Count Magazine is Written By: The @WeekendsCount Blog Team

Interested in Submitting an Article to the Magazine? - Contact weekendscount@gmail.com

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences!

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Contact Information:

1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110
Box #145
Granbury TX 76048
817-382-8475

Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com

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Remember to Purchase or Download Our Family Travel Book on Amazon! - Family Travel Hacks and Tips for Any Budget!

Spending a Texas Weekend a Labor Day Lake Fest in Granbury Texas!

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We love living near a resort town like Granbury, Texas. In fact, there is ALWAYS something occurring in Hood County. Labor Day Weekend is one of my FAVORITE weekends in Hood County!

The Labor Day Lake Fest will begin on Saturday, September 3rd and will end on Monday, September 5th. This festival is definitely one of the most unique Labor Day experiences that I have had in Texas! When I include the word "unique," I mean sales almost everywhere and fun throughout the city. Of course, we are always on the lookout for kid-friendly activities and this event will have several activities for the younger women in your family! These events include: games for children, food, and a petting zoo!

Saturday Labor Day Lake Fest Highlights!
Our family is from East Texas on the Louisiana border and we love seafood! We love everything from fish to shrimp to crawfish and we are looking forward to the Labor Day Lake Fest - Fish Fry! This event is sponsored by Brookshire's Grocery and will be held at the Hewlett Park (across from the Hilton Garden Inn and the Granbury City Beach). The Fish Fry (potentially shrimp) will feature fish (of course!), fries, cole slaw, beans, and potato salad. The event will also have hot dogs and hamburgers for individuals who do not prefer fish! :) One of the events that we are REALLY anticipating is the inaugural Lighted Boat Parade on Lake Granbury! We've only seen an parade similar to We've only seen a parade similar to this one at the Kemah Board Walk near Galveston, Texas and that experience is over four hours away! Yes, we will take the local experience. This event will occur on Sunday, September 4th at 8:00 pm.

Sunday Labor Day Lake Fest Highlights!
Sunday's schedule features Music on the Square!

These events are GREAT photo opportunities for your family as well! Bring along a neat camera and capture memories for your family photo album. Check out our pictures from the Texas Independence Festival a few months ago!

Have a great week and plan for the weekend...Labor Day Weekend! Please let us know if you have ANY questions about Labor Day Weekend in Granbury.

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The Auto Collections at the LINQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas!

If you are looking for something fun to do when you visit Las Vegas, Nevada, then check out the Auto Collections at the LINQ Hotel & Casino!

The Sea Lions and Otters of Pacific Point Preserve at Sea World San Antonio!

When you visit San Antonio, be sure to check out Pacific Point Preserve at Sea World!

Our little one got a quick lesson from one of the animal trainers!

We also fed the sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve!

The sea lions leaped out of the water to catch the food!

The sea otters were also a hit with our daughter!

While you're at Pacific Point Preserve, you can also view Sea Lion High at Sea Lion Stadium next door!

After visiting the theme park, you can review the Sea World's Info Books about Sea Lions and Sea Otters to reinforce your child's learning.

Don't miss Pacific Point Preserve on your visit to Sea World San Antonio!

Become a Texas Nature Trader with the Fort Worth Zoo this Fall!

One thing to love about the fall in Fort Worth is the number of family-friendly activities available in all sections of city. One of the activities on our "to do" list is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Zoo, the Texas Nature Traders experience.

This experience is great for children who are between ages three and ten. Through this program, the children find natural items that peak their interest and then bring these items to the Texas Nature Traders area. The Texas Nature Traders team will provide your child(ren) with insight about their selected item and the child(ren) will have an opportunity to trade this item for another item in the collection. In addition to the newly-traded item, each child will also earn valuable points for: 1) their knowledge about the item, 2) the quality of the item, and 3) the research effort the child put forth when learning about the item.

They are seeking...

- Clean shells

- Clean bones (except bird bones)

- Antlers, teeth, and claws

- Snake sheds (found in nature)

- Rocks and minerals 

- Fossils

- Beach-combed (non-harvested) coral.

- Pinecones, nuts, seeds, and seed pods.

- Plant materials (leaves, stalks, etc.)

- Deceased insects (spiders, butterflies, etc.)

- Nature journals (printed photos, art, stories)

- Dry sand

- Casts of animal footprints

- Petrified wood

They also have a list of items that cannot trade.

Here are the guidelines for the program:

- Children must be at least 3 years old.
- Children can trade up to two items per visit.
- One item can be a collection of five or more like items (five stones, etc.)
- Siblings or friends cannot split points.

This is a great program! I hope you enjoy the Texas Nature Traders program!

Sincerely,

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Learning About American History at Disney Parks (Disney Land and Disney World)!

Planning a Disney vacation?

Here are some places you can visit during your Walt Disney World vacation to teach your kids about American History:

Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom

Liberty Tree Tavern is a great place to get a bite to eat at Magic Kingdom.  The setting helps kids better understand colonial times.  It's also a great place to learn more about founding father Benjamin Franklin.

Liberty Tree Tavern (1) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (2) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (3) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (4) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (5) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (6) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (7) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Tree Tavern (8) - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Liberty Bell Replica in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom

If you haven't visited the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the replica at Magic Kingdom is a great way to talk with your kids about Revolutionary War history.

Liberty Bell Replica - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom

Every U.S. President has a role in the Hall of Presidents presentation at Magic Kingdom.  Parents can talk with their kids about the executive branch of government, the U.S. Constitution, and historical events that occurred during various presidencies.

Hall of Presidents - Liberty Square - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Country Bear Jamboree in FrontierLand at Magic Kingdom

Okay, bears aren't people. However, this show is a great way for kids to experience uniquely American music.

Country Bear Jamboree (1) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Country Bear Jamboree (2) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Country Bear Jamboree (3) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Tom Sawyer Island at FrontierLand in Magic Kingdom

Tom Sawyer Island is a great way to get your kids some exposure to nature.  You have to take a ride on a river barge over to the island, which features bridges, caves, and a fort.  You can also ride around the island on a steamboat or canoe.  Parents can use this time to talk about historical modes of transportation and historical occupations.  Fort Langhorn includes a blacksmith shop and a stable.

Tom Sawyer Island (1) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Tom Sawyer Island (2) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Tom Sawyer Island (3) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Tom Sawyer Island (4) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Tom Sawyer Island (5) - FrontierLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Boulevard of Disney's Hollywood Studios

Who doesn't like to learn by watching movies?  The Great Movie Ride features scenes from classic movies, some of which cover important periods in American History.  Gene Kelly gives kids an idea of what life was like in big cities in the 1920s.  John Wayne gives kids an idea of what life was like for cowboys in the Wild West.

The Great Movie Ride (1) - Hollywood Boulevard - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Great Movie Ride (2) - John Wayne - Hollywood Boulevard - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Great Movie Ride (3) - Hollywood Boulevard - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Great Movie Ride (4) - Hollywood Boulevard - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Great Movie Ride (5) - Singin' in the Rain - Hollywood Boulevard - Disney's Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The American Adventure at the World Showcase in EPCOT

The American Adventure lets kids view American history through the eyes of Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin.

The American Adventure - World Showcase - EPCOT - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress in TommorrowLand at Magic Kingdom

The Carousel of Progress teaches about advancements in American History from the perspective of American families throughout the 20th century.

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - TomorrowLand - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

How do you teach your children about American History at Disney parks?

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