Jesus on Facebook?

Just got a friend suggestion on Facebook.

Someone thinks I should be Facebook friends with Jesus O. Nazareth (Houston, TX).

Apparently, this is a project by River Pointe Church in Richmond, located near Greatwood just off the Grand Parkway and U.S. 59, to celebrate Easter. They want to see how fast Jesus will spread on Facebook. 

It made me think. If Jesus were here today, would he actually use Facebook to reach his followers? Who would his "Friends" be? Would he have a MySpace page? How about Twitter? Wonder how many "Followers" he would have. I imagine his "tweets" would be much more impressive than most!

If Jesus were on Twitter, what do you think he would say? 

Get Them While They are Cheap!

Unfortunately, another Sugar Land Town Square retailer is leaving. Strasburg Children will be closing sometime before the summer, according to the clerk, and the mark downs have started. We bought a dress off the clearance rack for this fall for – get this – $18.99 and a winter nightgown for $14.98. If you've ever been at Strasburg, you know that's a SUPER bargain. The prices of each item started at $107 and $86. Check out the deals before they are gone!

Have you found any awesome deals lately? Tell us about them! E-mail info@sugarlandmom.com. 

Easter Carbs ... Today only!

My kids always love this pasta around Easter time. It's on sale today only at World Market. (The one in Sugar Land is at Sweetwater near Toy R Us and Lowe's.) Check it out ... but save a couple for me!

Let's Talk about Sex!

Today the Texas House Public Education Committee will hear a number of bills of interest to children in Texas. One of them is a proposed law that would require that, if Texas schools choose to teach sex education, they must present medically-accurate and age-appropriate information, including information about abstinence but also contraception, effective communication, responsible decision-making and what it really takes to be a parent. A second bill does not require discussion of condoms or contraceptives but it does require scientific accuracy if they are discussed – and it prohibits discouraging the use of condoms or contraceptives. 

Did you know that, according to the group Children at Risk, Texas receives more federal funding for abstinence-only programs than any other state in the country yet, at the same time, it has one of the highest rate of births and repeat births to teenage girls in the nation?The group Education Works believes teenagers need honest information to make responsible choices about sex. 

Have you discussed sex with your children? No matter how the schools cover it, it is our job as parents to make sure our kids are well-informed and can make educated decisions with their life and sexuality. Unfortunately, there are too many kids out there that do not receive proper guidance from their parents or other adults in their lives, so it falls on the schools to help them make good decisions about their bodies and morality. Obviously, teaching abstinence alone does not work. So, how far do you think schools should go in preventing teen pregnancy? It's a highly controversial topic but there is no avoiding it. 

I think it's time to start talking! Don't know how to start? I suggest a book written by Sugar Land mom and OBGYN nurse practitioner, Janine Sherman, and therapist Mary Jo Rapini: "Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex or Whatever." 

We love the Q&A format and the lighthearted take on these big time issues that are so hard for moms and kids to discuss sometimes. Buy one copy for you and one for your daughter. We wish there was a boy version, too! (We suggest highlighting the parts boys should know in blue highlighter and giving it to your son to read!)

Dora is Growing Up ... for Better or Worse?

Got an invitation recently to sign a petition asking Mattel to "Stop the Dora Makeover!" Apparently, Mattel is launching a new "tweenage" Dora doll and online "club" for girls who may no longer be interested in the preschool version of Dora the Explorer. 

According to Mattel, parents were asking them to create a Dora character that is more appropriate for older girls. (Of course, they also want to capitalize on the Tween market. Based on the success of Hannah Montana, Barbie and the Bratz dolls, can you blame them?)

Based on a Reuters article and the photo released of the "new and improved" Dora (see above), I think Mattel might be giving moms of little girls just what we needed. Not more Bratz and Hannah Montana craziness ... but a cute character who has lots more going for her than a bunch of eye makeup. She's still smiling, doesn't wear high heels, appears to be sporty and healthy, doesn't appear to have a belly ring and still wears pink (and not all over her face)! Even her jewelry is tastefully simple. 

While I'm a little (okay, a lot) concerned about the high price tag for the new Dora doll (something like $60!) and the fact that the doll hooks up to the computer and gives "alerts" when new online activities are available (and, of course, there will be lots of stuff to go with the expensive doll – sold separately), I'm not that concerned about the new Dora's look. She is not getting a makeover. She's growing up ... just like my little girl is. 

According to Mattel, the new Dora isn't going to spend all of her time texting, shopping and running after boys. She's going to solve mysteries with her girlfriends and will be interested in wildlife, the environment and school. (I don't see any games where girls solve environmental problems on the Hannah Montana website, by the way. And, just take a look at the Bratz Web site. They look like contestants on VH1's Rock of Love.) 

This new Dora seems cute, smart and fashionable. I'm not sure I will be buying the new Dora given the price tag and the fact that, after the whole Webkinz craze, I am sick of toys that do not require an imagination,  just a computer.  However, if there are books or less-expensive "fashion" dolls, I might be interested. 

And, by the way ... Dora the old-school, preschool version isn't going anywhere, so don't worry! The new Dora will be a totally separate line, and she won't have a regular show on TV like the original. You'll only be able to find the new Dora online (and probably under the Christmas tree). 

Strawberry Patch News Not Berry Good

There was a rumor that the Strawberry Patch in Wharton, a favorite pick-your-own spot for many Fort Bend County residents that closed, was opening back up. Not so, says the owner:

I'm sorry, but we have not opened back up. We take our berries into the Bayou City Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. We are there from 8-12, but usually sell out between 9 and 10. I wish things could be different, especially our soil. It really hates strawberries. But we keep trying.
Thanks for checking with us.
Melissa Boerger

I guess we'll all have to visit the Bayou City Farmer's Market to get our fill of the delicious Strawberry Patch strawberries. Check it out at 

http://www.urbanharvest.org/programs/market/index.html

The Mom Who Came to Dinner

I'm visiting family in the Midwest  and feeling like a royal pain in the you know what ... sitting here taking over my mom's house. However, my family of four's annoying tendencies pale in comparison to Sheridan Whiteside's monopolizing of the Stanley family's home, also in the Midwest. At least I hope we're not as bad as Whiteside! 

If you have time this spring break week, check out the Alley Theatre's "The Man Who Came to Dinner," playing only through March 22. Whether you are a house guest or have been entertaining house guests or just need a good laugh, you won't regret visiting the Alley to see this show.

Visit www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-220-5700 for tickets.