Gretchen Pierce
Gretchen is a former communications manager turned stay-at-home mom to son Shepherd (Dec. 2016) and daughter Rosemary (Oct. 2019). She grew up in Minnesota and the D.C. area but is so happy to call Austin home, even in the summer. Gretchen and husband Ryan also have two high-maintenance fur babies, Hank and Gracie. She is a wannabe minimalist who enjoys tennis, creative projects, lake time, and spending time outdoors with her kids as much as possible.
Restaurants with Playgrounds in South Austin
My kids, like most, have a lot of energy. Energy that I do not typically wish to bring into a restaurant. It’s not particularly enjoyable keeping two wildlings quiet and occupied in an enclosed...
How to Spend a Weekend in Dallas with Kids
Looking for an easy family road trip? Spend a weekend in Dallas! It’s well worth a visit to see world-class museums, large aquariums and zoos, and professional sporting events that we don’t have here...
Date Night in Austin: 33 Out-of-the-Box Ideas
For a lot of us parents, date night doesn’t happen as often as we’d like. So when it comes along, it can be fun to step outside the box and go beyond your typical...
Unique Playgrounds In and Around Austin
Some people are storm chasers, but in my family, we’re playground chasers. We’re not afraid of a longer trek, even to destinations outside of Austin proper, if it leads to a cool playground. We’re...
How to Have a More Eco-Friendly Holiday Season
The winter holidays are my favorite, but as someone who tries to be environmentally conscious, the excesses of the season can be challenging to navigate. Between the food, gifts, decorations, lights, and travel, the...
Arts and Crafts Studios for Kids in Austin
My 3-year-old recently went through a phase where she would ask me, every day, to do a “crafting.” I came to dread the question because I could only buy so many of those cute...
Where to Take Grandparents Visiting in Austin
I love Austin, but having moved from the sightseeing and museum hot spot of Washington D.C., it took me a little while to uncover the best places to bring grandparents who came to visit...
When Mama Has the Back-to-School Blues
My son’s entrance into kindergarten has loomed large in my head for the past couple of years. But I always swatted away any negative thoughts by telling myself that his first day was far...
Where to Play Mini-Golf in Austin
Mini-golf in Austin is truly a great activity for the whole family. Even the youngest kids can have fun chasing balls around and marveling at the various obstacles, while the grown-ups can unleash their...
Best Places to Splash in the Creek in Austin
I love getting outside with my kids as much as possible, but it becomes more challenging in the summer in Texas. Of course we love pools and splash pads, but that can get repetitive...