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The Nashville Mom

Exploring Nashville with kids in tow.

/ The Nash Chat

The Nash Chat Podcast

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I am so excited to announce that I am starting my very own podcast! I wanted a way to share more about all the makers, dreamers and doers out there! I can’t wait to share some of my favorite people with you on the show as well as more about Music City!

I hope that you’ll follow along on this podcasting journey! Stay tuned!

/ Events, Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Guide: Jan. 4-6

Marshmallow Hike

  • When: Friday, January 4th and Saturday, January 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Where: Owl Hill Sanctuary
  • What: Go for a winter hike followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows

Kids’ Beginner Cookie Class

  • When: Friday, January 4th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Where: SugarDrop
  • What: Decorate six winter themed cookies and learn tips with royal icing. Advanced Registration required!

Lego Mania

  • When: Friday, January 4th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Where: Brentwood Main Library
  • What: Kids can use their creativity to spend the afternoon building their own creations. Ages 5-12

Monster Jam

  • When: Saturday, January 5th and Sunday, January 6th
  • Where: Bridgestone Arena
  • What: Monster Jam® is the most action-packed live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions.  Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. Monster Jam features the most recognizable trucks in the world including Grave Digger®, Max-DTM, El Toro Loco®, Monster Mutt® and many more.  Monster Jam events leave you on the edge of your seat as these competitors thrill fans with jaw-dropping displays of gravity-defying feats.
  • Coming to the Preshow Pit Party on Saturday? Upgrade to Lexus Lounge for the 1PM Saturday and access our pre-show buffet for only $20! Walk straight off the dirt from the Pit Party into our exclusive Lexus Lounge and enjoy an unlimited buffet of garden salad, chef’s choice soup, nachos, hot dog bar and more.

Elvis Presley Capes and Crowns

  • When: Saturday, January 5th at 1 p.m.
  • Where: Country Music Hall of Fame
  • What: From his cars to his costumes, Elvis Presley expressed his personality and his unique, often flashy, style. In honor of his January 8 birthday, young guests can make a Presley-inspired cape or crown embellished with designs all their own. Wear your cape and crown with pride to celebrate the king. Taylor Swift Education Center Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Local incentives through the Community Counts Program can be found here.

Create Your Own Cookie Dough

  • When: Saturday, January 5th (2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.)
  • Where: NoBaked Cookie Dough (117 28th Avenue North Nashville)
  • What: Customize your own cookie dough with a variety of toppings. Proceeds benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Belmont Bruins Basketball

  • When: Saturday, January 5th beginning at 3 p.m.
  • Where: Curb Center
  • What: Cheer the Belmont Bruins against Tennessee Tech

Clean Juice Grand Opening

  • When: Saturday, January 5th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Where: Clean Juice, 962 Woodland Street, Nashville
  • What: Free samples of menu items, free 8 oz. cold pressed juice with purchase while supplies last, raffles and more! 
**Upcoming Nashville Mom Events**

Nashville Mom Family Night at Belmont Basketball-Saturday, January 19th at 3 p.m.

Family Food Sort Night at Second Harvest Food Bank

/ Dawn's Latest

The Nashville Mom: Year in Review

It’s hard to believe another year has passed by! 2018 was a year of many ups and downs for our family but we are going to celebrate all the fun!! Here’s a look back at the best of 2018!

We went to our first Belmont Game! Join us for The Nashville Mom Family Night on January 19th! Use code NASHVILLEMOM when snagging your seats!

 

I took you on a tour of White’s Room and Board’s Sweeney Cottage in Leiper’s Fork

We explored the Fiery Gizzard Trail in Tracy City, Tennessee

I fell in love with the charming town of Columbia, Tennessee

Rounded up the best sweet and fruit teas around Nashville!

We spent Spring Break in St. Louis visiting the Gateway Arch and Museum

We began serving with ShowerUp

My friends and I spent some time catching up over biscuits and jam at Loveless Cafe

The Flying Ham took us camping in the great outdoors!

Girl’s Road Trip to Seabrook Island, South Carolina at Lowcountry Retreat

Spent the day boating with friends on Percy Priest Lake at Elm Hill Marina

Explored the Cracking Art Exhibit at Cheekwood

Biked the trails at Shelby Bottoms Greenway

Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg 

Style Blueprint Dinner with Bailey Rae’s Kitchen

Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Factory Tour

The Candle Bar

Shared my love of football with Talk of the Town and Today in Nashville

Second Harvest Food Bank

Bloomsbury Farm

Green Door Gourmet Field to Vase Dinner

Horseshoe Bend Marina

Lynchburg Lakehouse

Goo Goo Cluster Class

 

Styling Session with Effortless Style at Gin-O Boutique

Raised almost $900 for American Cancer Society at Girl’s Night Out with Kendra Scott! In honor of both my mom and stepmom who faced cancer this year!

Spent the day on set at Pickler and Ben

We enjoyed all the Nashville Christmas Festivities!

What a year! I pray that each of year will have a wonderful and blessed new year! Thank you for following me along on this journey as we explore Nashville! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ Events

Kid-Friendly Nashville New Year’s Eve

Balloon Garland by Vroom Vroom Balloon

New Year’s Eve doesn’t always have to include wearing fancy clothes and going out! Make it a kid-friendly occasion! Here are a ways to ring in 2019 with the family. 

  • Brentwood Skate Center is hosting a New Year’s Skate from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a balloon drop at 4:30 p.m. They’ll also have a skate from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. with another balloon drop at midnight for the teens and adults. Admission is $20
  • Discovery Center will have lots of fun activities on the last day of the year including karaoke, a Wii dance party, Creation Station art and a balloon drop at noon! Free for members or $8 admission for non members.
  • Adventure Science Center will host NOON Year events from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A disco ball, resolution wall and fun party crafts will be included. Admission costs vary.
  • King’s Dining and Entertainment will have family friendly lanes available during the day and early evening. Make reservations! 
  • Music City Midnight will celebrate the New Year with Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Brett Young and more! The Music Note will drop and fireworks at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

Here are a few kid-friendly activities I found on Pinterest

New Year’s Bingo

Milk and Cookies New Years Toast

DIY Balloon Drop

Happy New Year everyone! May it be the best one yet! 

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Guide: Dec. 20-23

Hard to believe it’s our last weekend before Christmas! Here’s your local weekend guide to enjoy before the holidays!

Cheekwood Holiday Lights

  • When: Through December 30th (Closed on Christmas Day) Timed-ticketed event
  • Where: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
  • What: Over one million lights, real reindeer, meet Santa , Have Breakfast with Santa (for members only), Carolers, S’mores Pits, and so much fun!          

Feast with the Grinch.When: Through December 30th 

  • When: Through December 30th 
  • Where: Gaylord Opryland Resort
  • What:  Enjoy a delicious meal and meet the star of the holiday season…THE GRINCH himself! This one-of-a-kind interactive dining experience includes a buffet of Who-ville inspired items, table-side visits with The Grinch and special touches Dr. Suess fans are sure to adore!

Elf at Chaffin’s Barn

  • When: Through December 22nd
  • Where: Chaffin’s Barn, 8204 Highway 100, Nashville
  • What: Elf comes to life in this on stage performance for the whole family! 

American Girl Holiday Events

  • When: December 20th and December 22nd  
  • Where: American Girl Store, Cool Springs Galleria 
  • What: Decorate cookies on the 20th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa will be at the store on the 22nd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring your camera for a photo and treats! Reservations required for Santa!

 Festival of Trees

  • When: Through January 12th
  • Where: The Factory at Franklin
  • What: Stroll through the Factory to see locally decorated trees! 

Christmas at The Ryman with Amy Grant and Vince Gill

  • When: November 28th through December 23rd
  • Where: The Ryman Auditorium
  • What: Join Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Mother Church for this annual Christmas concert tradition.

Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker

  • When: December 1st through December 23rd
  • Where: Tennessee Performing Arts Center
  • What: Celebrate this magical production of the Nutcracker, this show will put you in the ultimate holiday spirit

Holiday Movies at The Franklin Theater

  • When: Throughout November and December
  • Where: The Franklin Theater
  • What: The Franklin Theater will be showing classic movies like A White Christmas, The Christmas Story, Elf, Polar Express, The Grinch Stole Christmas and more! Tickets are only $5!

Franktown Festival of Lights

  • When: November 22nd through December 29th
  • Where: Williamson County AG Expo Center
  • What: Beginning Thanksgiving night, FrankTown Open Hearts, a local nonprofit in Franklin, will host a drive-through holiday lights experience with synchronized music that stretches for a mile at the Williamson County AG Expo Center. $25 per car

/ Mommy Must Haves, Real Mom Tips

Nashville Area Indoor Play Activities