Amanda
A fifth-generation San Antonionian - who happened to spend her formative years in Austin - Amanda loves the SAT from the confetti in her hair to the bluebonnets under her feet. Never one to miss a reason to host a party or decorate for a theme, Amanda revels in the 'mas Fiesta' attitude of the city. She's mom to Vivi (2012) aka #HurricaneVivi, Mac (2020) and wife to Francois, whom she met at Texas A&M (FTAC '05). She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Making it Up As She Goes - which means she's a sometimes-fun-mom. You can find her on Instagram . She loves confetti, croissants, and a cold Ranch Water.
Favorite Restaurant: Piatti's
Favorite Landmark: Johnson Street footbridge in King William
Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Medals
I Don’t (and Refuse to) Wear a Swimsuit to the Beach
I absolutely refuse to wear a swimsuit to the beach.
The chafing. Ugh! The awkward tan lines. Ew! Constantly worrying about it shifting or being pulled down by a wayward child? It’s a hard pass...
San Antonio Summer On a Budget: Free and Cheap Activities for the Whole Family
This post was originally published in 2018 by Michelle Head. While we try to ensure the accuracy of all information, times, and dates in this post, please confirm details for yourself!
Can you smell the...
Shopping Small in San Antonio: Family Friendly Holiday Markets
Shopping with locally owned businesses, especially at seasonal markets, is such a great way to get to know the community you live in. The hidden talent of the 'side hustle' a beloved teacher shows...
Free Your Inner Artist: Pop In and Paint at Painting with a Twist
Sometimes when I scroll Instagram I'll catch a glimpse of an artist's studio—the stacks of canvases, the paint-splattered floor, the seemingly endless supply of paint—and I get a fleeting desire to clear out our...
Three Tried and True (and Mom Tested) Tricks for a Smooth School Year AND...
I am of the firm belief that the first day of school should get as much celebration as New Year’s Eve. The anticipation of new beginnings is high, the opportunity for a fresh start...
Favorite Things 2022
Our Favorite Things Party is a highlight of being on the ACM team—think Oprah, but all local, small, San Antonio businesses! Hotel Estancia del Norte hosted a fabulous event, complete with Don Strange specialty...
Summer of Play – Splash and Learn
Summer is for a lot of things but we think that the best parts of summer are the playing and the learning that comes through that play. Be it a new skill tried at...
Alamo City’s Amazing Teachers 2022
We can see it in the not so distant future - the end of the line. And you better bet our amazing teachers, even though they love to teach, are sprinting towards it, too!...
How to Support Your STAAR Test Taker (And Get FREE Breakfast from McDonald’s)
From dreaded pop-quizzes to Friday spelling tests and major midterms to STAAR (or TAKS, or TAAS, or ITBS depending on your age!)—testing is stressful and can take a physical and mental toll on students...
Making it Up As I Go: Ugly Crying, Being Kind, Saying Thank You and...
Thank you to The DoSeum for being a sponsor of this podcast! The DoSeum’s newest holiday exhibit The DoSeum Express: Tiny Trains and Trolleys is open from November 6 – January 2, 2021.
Ugly Crying,...
Expert Q+A: Mandi Wheeler, Administrative Director of Women’s Services at North Central Baptist Hospital
Amanda:
Hi, I am here with Mandi Wheeler, who's the Administrative Director of Women's Services at North Central Baptist Hospital. And she is joining us on our Expert Q and A series for Bloom 2021...
Making It Up As I Go: Summer Travel with Kids
This post and episode are brought to you by Palenque Grill. Palenque Grill at La Cantera now has an app! With pickup and curbside now available, you can get your favorite dishes to-go, and...
Making It Up As I Go: Summer Truths
This post and episode are brought to you by Palenque Grill. Palenque Grill at La Cantera now has an app! With pickup and curbside now available, you can get your favorite dishes to-go, and...
Making It Up As I Go: Expert Q+A with Essence Chiropractic and Wellness
Dr. Shabnam Ashtiani is the owner and treating chiropractor at Essence Chiropractic & Wellness located near 1604 and 281. Dr. Ashtiani has been in San Antonio since middle school so she claims SA as...