Children’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family Luncheonby Intown StaffMarch 25, 20230Shares00Alex Gottschalk, Amy Woolf, Ashley Sloan, Carina Antweil - Photo Credit: Wilson Parish Photography+6View GalleryChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family Luncheon12345678910Alex Gottschalk, Amy Woolf, Ashley Sloan, Carina AntweilPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonAli Donnelly, Mary S Dawson, Allison ChavezPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonAndrew and Caroline BeanPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonBasa nd Courtney SolleveldPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonBrittany O'Brian, Krystal Crane ThompsonPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonCarrie Carson Fersen, Chea KellyPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonChea Kelly, Tara MacLarenPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonCo Chair Caroline Bean, Mistress Of Ceremony Chita CraftPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonCo Chair Lacey Goossen, Lindley ArnoldyPhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum of Houston 2023 Friends and Family LuncheonDiana Bridger, Whitney Sharman, Megan MacIntyrePhoto Credit: Wilson Parish PhotographyChildren’s Museum Houston and chairs Caroline Bean and Lacey Goossen raised $180,000 during the 2023 Friends and Families Luncheon on March 1, 2023, at the River Oaks Country Club. Keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author, Jessica Lahey, shared tips about how parents can instill a passion for lifelong learning in their children and engage in something their children care about. Lahey explained that through intrinsic learning, parents can build children’s autonomy and competence and show them that oftentimes the process is more important than the achievement. Lahey’s thought-provoking speech challenged parental ideals about accepting what their children are rather than longing for what their children should be. Her speech resonated with the more than 300 parents, educators, families, and friends in attendance. KHOU 11 Anchor Chita Craft served as Mistress of Ceremony.Guests noshed on a scrumptious meal of roasted poblano soup, grilled chicken parmesan, Brussel sprouts salad with pomegranate and toasted almonds and key lime pie with fresh seasonal berries catered by River Oaks Country Club. Beautiful floral centerpieces, donated by Central Market, created a vivid and colorful Spring setting. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in an exclusive raffle which included Houston Rockets floor seats, stylish items from luxury retails Mirth and á bientôt, and a weekend stay at the Royal Sonesta. Guests were sent home with custom cookie party favors donated by Village Bakery.The Marian and Speros Martel Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award’s finalists were recognized at the event: Christie Bishop, Genoa Elementary (Pasadena ISD); Te’Andrea James, School at St. George Place (HISD); Arielle Moore, School at St. George Place (HISD); and Adrienne Rance, Beth Yeshurun Day School. The award is presented annually to an outstanding professional who possesses an exemplary commitment to young children’s education.Shoutout to Patron supporters: Julie Alexander, Caroline and Andrew Bean, Allie and Jay Fields/Fields Companies, Ann and Peter Fluor, Lacey and Matt Goossen; and Friends supporters: Kathy and Marty Goossen, Nicole Katz, Christie McCartney, Megan MacIntyre/Title Houston Holdings, Memorial Hermann, Charlene Pate, Dr. Barbara Samuels, Courtney and Bas Solleveld/CIBS PWM, and Krystal Crane Thompson. See Also Reliving Sicily Through A Bottle of Planeta La Segreta Il Rosso Sicilia The luncheon was a resounding success in raising funds for the Museum’s early childhood and parenting programs, which focus on building parenting skills, providing information on child development and engaging families in the joy of learning together.ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTONWinner of Good Housekeeping’s “2023 Best Family Travel Award,” Let’s Roam’s 2021 “Top Things To do in Houston,” Houston Chronicle’s 2021 Best of the Best “Best Children’s Activity in Houston,” listed among Forbes, LA Times and USA Today’s “Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.,” TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence “Hall of Fame,” The Culture Trip’s “Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston” and one of “Houston’s Must-See Museums” by Travel Channel, Children’s Museum Houston is a Playground for Your Mind™. It is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children. Founded in 1980 and housed in a whimsical building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Robert Venturi, Children’s Museum Houston offers a multitude of innovative exhibits and bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, please visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138. Children’s Museum Houston is A Playground for Your Mind™ Can your mind come out to play?™ What's Your Reaction?Excited0Happy0In Love0Not Sure0Silly000