Not that I am surprised, but D Magazine's annual list of the Best Suburbs in Dallas has the city I call home listed as #2! There are many reasons I love calling Highland Village home.  How many people can see a hot air balloon flying over their house?! Here's my top five list of why if you're considering a move to the Dallas area, you need to first think about Highland Village. Location.  Dallas is a big place but living in Highland Village gives you a central location that affords you the opportunity to be almost anywhere you want within an hour drive.  You can take in a Cowboys game, racing at Texas Motor Speedway, kayaking on the lake, shopping at the Galleria or gambling just over the Oklahoma border.  So not only is lifestyle not a question, but also proximity to our own local amen... 07/06/2012

Fun was had by young and old and everyone in between at this year's Castlewood 4th of July parade in Highland Village, Texas.  The morning started with donuts and bananas topped with sprinkles inside the cool, air conditioned Clubhouse.  After your fill of sugar, it was time to head outside and decorate bikes, trikes and wagons in traditional patriotic flair.  Participants were able to choose from bunting, streamers, flags and buttons.   When everyone was ready to go, Officer Peterson from the Highland Village Police Department led everyone through the streets of Castlewood while onlookers cheered. After the parade, hot and sweaty residents got their lips ready for the annual watermelon seed-spitting contest.  There was a lot of pressure this year as my daughter, Trinity, was back to de... 07/04/2012

The Denton County Health Department has confirmed one case of West Nile disease in Highland Village and some areas are experiencing high concentrations of mosquitoes. The City of Highland Village will conduct spraying operations in the affected neighborhoods on July 5 and 6. Spraying will begin after 10:30 p.m. conclude before 4 a.m. on both dates. The areas to be sprayed include the Castlewood subdivision, the Clearwater subdivision, Caitlin Street and Craig Circle in the Highland Shores subdivision, a portion of the Briarhill subdivision from Silverthorne Street to Rosedale to Creekside and Woodside, and along Sellmeyer Lane from Lower Sellmeyer Park to Bexar Street. The City will notify these neighborhoods with community signs and a phone call on July 5 from the Connect CTY system. R... 07/04/2012

I wrote a post about this same topic last year but it bears repeating. There's no better favor you can do for your pet and your family than protecting your pets during the 4th of July festivities.  In my opinion, it doesn't matter if your pet doesn't seem to be bothered by the UPS truck or a loud motorcycle.  The 4th of July fireworks can be an anxiety attack for even the bravest of furry friends. You will most likely be gone when the booms, bangs and screeches start and alone, in the dark, a pet might look to you for comfort.  If you aren't there, they may try anything and everything to escape and try and find you.  I still have the vision in my head of a poor dog that was hit by a car on our way home from fireworks two years ago.  It makes me so sad to think about the panic that the ... 07/03/2012

The 4th of July.  Independence.  Freedom.  Spitting watermelon seeds.   Maybe only in Castlewood in Highland Village, TX does that make sense. Last year, my daughter pictured here in mid-spit, was the winner of the watermelon seed spitting contest.  I am one proud mama!   The annual 4th of July parade is quickly approaching!  Bring down your trikes, bikes, wagons, scooters or another preferred mode of transportation at 9 am on Wednesday, July 4th to the Castlewood clubhouse to decorate your wheels in red, white and blue.  There's breakfast for everyone and plenty of flags, streamers, temporary tattoos and fun for the whole family.  Even Elmo got in on the action last year! After your ride is decorated, it's time to hit the road for a parade through Castlewood.  It's not only a great way... 06/29/2012

As with so many great small-business success stories in America, the idea of The Flour Shop was made from scratch many years ago.   I love to support local businesses and am embarrassed to say that I've never visited The Flour Shop at The Shops of Highland Village.  Maybe it's because I've worked so hard the last six months to drop that baby weight.  Or, more likely, I don't need another sweet treat to make my mouth water at the thought of the deliciousness!   Unless you've been living under a rock the past few years, you'd know that cupcakes and cupcake stores have burst onto the scene as a preferred dessert item.  Hey, I like to bake and can certainly bust out a box of Betty Crocker and make a whole mess of cupcakes for the cost of the average boutique-bought morsel of cake and frosti... 06/27/2012

Make Lemonade of course! I asked one of my dear friends if she and her kids wanted to meet us at the pool but she told me that they were out on Castlewood Blvd. selling lemonade.  If there's one thing that Castlewood has in it, it's budding entrepreneurs.  Especially during the summer, lemonade stands can be seen on many a street corners.  In fact, my own daughter sold two paintings for $3 to our neighbors :) These cuties aren't just pocketing the money they make.  Instead, they were selling lemonade as part of a fundraising effort for a local vacation bible school to buy nets to keep mosquitos out and erradicate malaria.   For a few quarters, my kids and I enjoyed plastic cups of citrus goodness which included a straw, drink umbrella and helped those a half a world away.  It was just w... 06/26/2012

Officer Pittinger with the butter knife in the bathroom.  That's ultimately what was used to pry open the bathroom door that my naked two year old son locked while I was trying to get him to go potty. I'm a little embarrassed that this is the second post about my naked son in the past few days but hey, it's summer and he's a sweaty beast!  We had just gotten back from the Castlewood pool in Highland Village, TX and it was shower time but the little man needed to use the potty.  He needed some privacy and then locked the door from the inside.  Brilliant.  I tried the small key that lives above the door frame.  Too short.  My neighbor let me borrow hers.  Didn't budge.  I decided to call the non-emergency number for the Highland Village Police Department and within three minutes, Officer ... 06/25/2012

It's the time of year when the 100 degree days are starting to sneak into our lives and the only way to stay cool is either inside or at the local pool. We don't have a pool at our home...too much work...so we take advantage of the pool at in Castlewood in Highland Village.  You need your pool card if you are a resident to enter in through the security gate.  The hours of operation are 10 am-10 pm and there's even free WiFi to take advantage of. The best part, in my opinion, is the covered wading pool for the little ones to keep out of the brutal Texas sun.  An awesome fountain was added a few years ago and my one year old LOVES it! It's a fun place to stop by and enjoy the hot summer days!   06/24/2012

Isn't this what summer is all about?!   Image was blurred to protect the innocent. Our sprinklers in Castlewood Highland Village, TX are always on when we return from church Saturday nights.  The perfect time to disrobe and run around the same way he entered the world! 06/23/2012

How do you take on long summer days with kids? You take them to your community playground! Last year, the Castlewood playground in Highland Village, TX had a makeover which resulted in new goodies to climb up, on and around.  These molded "tires" are a favorite of my son Beckett and he's an unspecting victim of a photo hijack by me! The Castlewood playground really is a great place to spend afternoons or evenings.  The playground is completely tree covered which means protection from that hot summer sun.  Two bucket swings for the babies are a good add making this place suitable for kids of all ages.   06/20/2012

And my son is holding the living proof! My husband has been cultivating our garden at our home in Highland Village, TX for a few years now and it's not only been a labor of love but it's been fruitful...ha ha ha. We started with a dwarf orange tree and got a few oranges the first year and then last year, it was pretty much destroyed from our horrendous summer.  Our garden has been a favorite spot for local squirrels and bunnies which is why we have trained our dogs to run out when they hear the code word "McGregor" (refer to Peter Rabbit).   The best harvest so far has been our blackberries.  Plumpers, as we like to call them, are juicy, sweet and organically grown.  My son is holding the first bunch of grapes ripe for the picking.  They were tasty and even enjoyed by the littlest Hoffm... 06/18/2012

There are certain things I won't trim myself.  My hair is one of them and my trees are another.  My husband on the other hand, is bald, and shaves his own head and he's also not afraid to take a saw to our gorgeous trees.  I actually think I hear the trees scream when he comes out to "take a little off the top".   OK, maybe that last part was a little exaggerated but if you don't know what you're doing, you can do a lot of damage.  This is our prized "Blackjack Oak"  in the front yard of our home.  Last year, we had some scarring on the tree and were concerned that it was being eaten by ants.   So what does one do when one has a question about the health of their trees?  Google only will get you so far.  I was fortunate enough to be driving around Highland Village, TX when I saw an ad o... 06/14/2012

And Guys Do Too! That's the tag line for a fun, ecclectic and unique boutique in Highland Village, TX.  I went into this store a few years ago and enjoyed what they had back then.  A friend of mine gave me a gift certificate to Chicks Dig It for my birthday and since I'm participating in the 30 blogs in 30 days contest, I thought what a great excuse to make a return visit. Before you even walk into the store, you can tell it's going to be special.  I think it may only apply to Texans because, who outside of this great state of ours would want a 72" Texas star!?   I love places like this.  It inspires me let out my inner craft diva which is stuck behind the face of a mom, real estate agent and wife.  Sometimes I can let her out but for now, I need to just spend more time in Chicks Dig It... 06/07/2012

I consider us extremely lucky for many reasons.  But how about this...every morning at 7:02 am, Miss Stacy driving the "turtle" bus makes a stop right here in front of our house.  I get the traditional morning wave from the mother of five (crazy that she still wants to drive a bus!) with her hat on and precise and cautious way down Buckingham Lane in Highland Village, TX. This is a picture from my daughter's first day of kindergarten two years ago.  Red lights flashing, stop sign out, the doors open.  Miss Stacy welcomes the riders by name which is amazing considering she has over 50 kids just on the elementary bus and she has the older kids to get after the munchkins.   Miss Stacy is a no-nonsense gal, which of course is what you want when dealing with screaming, unruly (not mine of co... 06/01/2012

For 13 years, the Red, White and Blue Festival has been a summer kick-off in Highland Village, Texas.   Those interested in showing off your running skills, the day starts with a 1K/5K run at Unity Park sponsored by the Marcus High School Cross Country and Track teams.  If you're looking for something a little more relaxing, you can try your hand at the Family Fish Out! The event takes on a different locale in the evening at Copperas Branch Park for live music, activities and the fireworks extravaganza!   For more information, click here to go directly to the Highland Village website.   05/28/2012

Before it gets too hot to enjoy outdoor events, The Shops At Highland Village have given us a reason to get out and enjoy nights in our city! Starting tonight, enjoy free jazz at "the fountains" near Patrizio's.  Grab a drink or ice cream and then take in the soothing sounds of talented musicians.  This is set to happen each Tuesday in May and June!  Have a great time! 05/01/2012

But not with people...it's butterflies! They are EVERYWHERE!  Due to the mild winter we've had here in Highland Village, the butterflies decided not to head south for the winter.  The result?  A huge poplulation of butterflies!  It's so much fun to see, especially with three kids, who delight in the sight of the winged beauties.  And they seem to be less timid this year, landing on arms, heads and even my dog.   So get out and start enjoying the population boom! 04/26/2012

Well, let me preface that by saying, in most circumstances, that is true.  Maybe not when your three year old asks if their art is the best you've ever seen or your future mother-in-law asks how you like her meatloaf...when you're a vegetarian.  But, one area it is important to be honest is when pricing homes and informing sellers on the area market conditions.  I have had numerous discussions with sellers about the true value of their home.  My feeling on value is that it should be worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it but that is obviously not where it is in other arenas.  In Highland Village, we are seeing a sudden seller's market.  Homes are on the market for less than 24 hours and end up in a multiple offer situation.  Prices are more competitive right now and the inventory i... 04/16/2012

Spring has sprung and you know what that means...it's garage sale season! I hope and pray this is the LAST time I need to market my maternity clothes for sale.  I sold a bunch of what I had a few years ago at our garage sale and ended up needing them again.  Oops! Castlewood and Highland Shores subdivisions are holding garage sales this Saturday, April 14 from 8am-12pm.  In my experience as both a seller and a shopper, these are GREAT opportunities to find high quality stuff that people are just ready to get rid of.   So, bring your cash or get your closets cleaned out and see you on the streets! 04/10/2012