Dallas | How I Spent a Stay-Local Fourth-of-July Long Weekend

🍄High-energy kickoff at the Dallas Zoo. A morning shower had cooled things to the high-70s and overcast—perfect zoo weather. We wandered until noon, grabbed lunch, then the toddler passed out the second we buckled the car seat. 💐Post-nap boredom cure: a random nearby creek for some fishing. Expected to get skunked; instead my straw hat took one for the team and sailed into the water—hat count: –1. Dinner craving led us to Kulu. Classic combo: malatang plus Mom’s Pig-Trotter Soup. Two-year-old demolished the trotters. Grabbed a cup of YoMi yogurt next door—perfect malatang sidekick. 🥗Afterwards, dad hit the grocery run while the kiddo and I attacked the claw-machine. We snagged two plushies, then my tiny human handed one to a younger boy playing beside us—sharing phase unlocked, heart melted. Inside 99 Ranch we discovered two new ice-cream novelties. The “Quarter Coconut” had icy-shaved coconut instead of creamy filler—refreshing. Chocolate shell was meh; durian hammer still awaiting review. 🍜Saturday: Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex. Non-resident adult ticket = $10. This water park wins—giant shade structures mean no sunburn meltdowns. Carrollton residents are living the dream. Post-park pit stop: watermelon cheese slushie. Peak summer flavor. 🥬Morning fun knocked the kid out for a three-hour nap—parent shock and awe. Wake-up call = dinner time. Sunday miracle: the entire family slept in until 10 a.m.—a level of relaxation I’d forgotten was possible with a toddler. After lunch we toured a few open houses, then swung by Trader Joe’s and scored the last bottle of matcha-lemon sparkling water. Verdict: the hype is real. The people never lie, haha. #DallasLife #LongWeekendVibes #DFWWithKids #WeekendWins