In 2017, my life modified in a method I couldn’t totally comprehend on the time: I grew to become a godmother. It was an honor I didn’t take evenly, figuring out her dad and mom had loads of different certified candidates for the job of their circle. After they entrusted me with this function, I used to be deeply grateful but additionally slightly not sure of what it meant past being at her baptism and supporting her lifelong non secular journey.
Almost eight years later, I can say with out hesitation that being a godmother is likely one of the biggest privileges of my life. Watching her develop into her personal and into the function of huge sister (x2, similar to me!) has introduced me immense pleasure. Whereas her siblings aren’t my godchildren, they’ve every discovered their very own particular locations in my coronary heart, and I really like them simply as fiercely.
I’m fortunate sufficient to see them at the least a few times every week, generally extra if their dad and mom are out of city or they’re on a faculty break. Our time collectively is valuable, so I’m at all times searching for methods to make it particular. Whether or not it’s a picnic within the park, crafting or exploring free and inexpensive spots throughout town, I cherish these easy but significant moments that hold us linked.
Listed here are some San Antonio experiences to create memorable experiences along with your godchildren or the cherished little ones in your life.
San Antonio Public Library
Irrespective of which facet of city you’re on, a unbelievable San Antonio Public Library department is probably going close by. Our favorites embody:
Central Library: We’re massive followers of driving up the escalators to their huge youngsters’s part on the third flooring. Relying on the day/time you go to, don’t miss the E book Cellar on the basement degree for cheap finds for all ages, some for as little as 10 cents! Talking of escalators, I took them to the two-story H-E-B on Nogalitos as soon as, and so they now ask to go each time they arrive to my home.
Notice: When visiting the Central Library, you possibly can park within the adjoining parking storage and luxuriate in free parking for the primary three hours with validation.
Bazan Library: This hidden gem in my westside neighborhood has a terrific part for youths; their jumbo magnetic constructing tiles are at all times an enormous hit with the littles.
Landa Library: There’s nothing higher than heading to the playground on a stunning day. In fact, we at all times take a look at some new books whereas there!
Schaefer Library: Get pleasure from their cozy youngsters’s studying nook or head outdoor and burn some power on the lined playground at this eastside location.
Bookmark SAPL’s occasion calendar to see a listing of upcoming actions at varied branches. We’ve been capable of take part in some neat occasions up to now, together with a memorable ‘Get Eclipse Prepared’ occasion again in March of final yr, the place we had been capable of study from UTSA’s Chair of the Division of Physics and Astronomy, do some enjoyable crafting and get our eclipse viewing glasses forward of the massive April occasion – all without cost!
Arts & Crafts
These children are big-time crafters, so every time I’m out thrifting, I hunt for something I can add to their two (very full) craft drawers at my home. Along with the standard thrift shops (Texas Thrift, Goodwill, and so on.), Spare Elements on Wetmore Street is a goldmine for pre-owned artistic supplies and provides. Their retailer is open year-round, however I attended their Mega Pay-What-You-Can Sale final yr and scored a terrific haul of provides, together with stamps, crafting books and extra.
If you happen to’re searching for a extra formal however introductory expertise, I extremely advocate UTSA’s Saturday Morning Discovery program, the place youngsters ages 5-14 have a hands-on alternative to work with artist-teachers in all kinds of media, together with drawing, portray, pinhole pictures, printmaking and extra. I used to be capable of take the 2 older kiddos to particular person periods, and it was so particular having that one-on-one time with them in such a enjoyable, artistic surroundings. This system is totally free, however superior registration is required and slots refill shortly.
Picnic at Brackenridge Park
On a stunning day, I extremely advocate grabbing your favourite meals and setting out a blanket or grabbing a desk at Brackenridge Park. Bonus factors if you will discover a spot the place the Zoo Prepare zooms by. We did this lately, selecting up slices of pizza at Complete Meals after which heading to the park. The expertise was short-lived since somebody wanted the toilet shortly after we arrived (children, am I proper?), however we had enjoyable nonetheless.
San Antonio Botanical Backyard
We grew to become frequent Botanical Backyard guests on the peak of the pandemic, and it’s turn out to be certainly one of my favourite spots to go to, with or with out the little ones since. Along with their awe-inspiring reveals (latest favorites embody Illuminate, Huntopia and Frida Kahlo Oasis), they provide all kinds of workshops and courses for all ages. If you happen to’re seeking to develop your backyard, be looking out for his or her occasional plant gross sales to buy from tons of of sorts of native vegetation, succulents and pollinator-friendly vegetation. The youngsters have tagged together with me earlier than and love getting to pick vegetation for my backyard. It’s value exploring membership choices if you happen to plan to go to ceaselessly.
Youngsters Empire
Youngsters Empire is an indoor household leisure middle within the Park North buying middle that we go to typically. It’s a superb method for the children to remain lively, particularly on a dreary, wet day. Bonus: Grown-ups are welcome to discover the play space, and I’m someway at all times wrangled in. Admission will get you in for the entire day with re-entry, so if you wish to arrive as quickly as they open, depart for lunch, after which head again for extra playtime, that’s completely an possibility. Admission for kids ages 1-17 is $22.90, with two free grownup entries per youngster. Take a look at their punch card possibility if you wish to save slightly coin.
The Pearl
Because the youngest solely goes to preschool a few days every week, he and I generally hang around one-on-one whereas his massive sisters are at college. On a latest Friday morning through the vacation season, we joined a small group of latest buddies for a fun-filled outing at Pearl. We arrange at Pearl Park for coloring, decoration adorning and a e book alternate, then headed into the Meals Corridor at Bottling Division to heat up and refuel with bean and cheese tacos and queso from Chilaquil. As soon as the temperatures begin rising, you’ll discover us again on the park’s splash pad, cooling off with a refreshing drink in hand.
Magik Theatre
As a self-proclaimed theatre nerd myself, I’m at all times searching for methods to share my ardour with the kiddos. Final yr, we noticed Disney’s Frozen on the Majestic Theatre, a magical expertise for all of us, particularly getting to decorate up in our greatest Anna and Elsa-inspired put on! For theatre geared in direction of the youthful ones, there’s no higher place in San Antonio than the Magik Theatre. We’ve loved numerous performances at this downtown gem, together with The Velveteen Rabbit, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and Elephant & Piggie’s “We’re in a Play!” Positioned within the coronary heart of Hemisfair, a visit to Magik ought to at all times embody a cease for some playtime at Yanaguana Backyard.
Ana Flores
