Blog

The Children's Museum of Houston is a great hands-on learning center that will entertain kids for hours on end. However, it's so big that you might get overwhelmed. Discover the must-see exhibits waiting at this museum. more Chevron-Houston Texans Maker Annex This exhibit's name is a mouthful, but it shows children some of the most exciting new inventions used in construction and creative jobs. The whole area teaches visitors about 3D printing, programming, circuitry, robots, lasers, video game development, and more with interactive exhibits and colorful cartoons. The Annex has group lessons that end with each visitor creating products of their own. Give your tech-minded child a deeper understanding of the things they love most. You could spark their future career. How Does It Work? The wacky contraptions in this exhibit show how electricity, sound, and other waves travel through matter. They also show how pulleys work, what makes airplanes fly, and more with artistic representations by major local artists. Kids build their own miniature roller coaster and send it down a five-foot tower to understand kinetic energy. They can also design a miniature car. Flow Works Consistently called the most fun exhibit by repeat visitors, Flow Works is an outdoor water-themed zone that shows the many curious ways water behaves and how we use that to our advantage. The centerpiece of Flow Works is an 18-foot high cauldron that fills up more and more as kids participate with the exhibits and redirect the water flow. When it's full, it tips over and makes a massive, exciting wave. Kids can compete in groups to see who can tip the cauldron the fastest. Kids will be dipping their hands into water, but otherwise will stay dry. Cyberchase - The Chase Is On! Based on the Emmy award-winning PBS KIDS show of the same name, this exhibit combines math and critical thinking in an exciting clash of good vs. evil. The dastardly Hacker seeks to control Cyberspace, but the CyberSquad and their cyberbird friend are here to stop him. Kids will learn more about computers, networks, and relevant mathematical concepts, such as probability and geometry, in perhaps the first math-themed activity that any child will enjoy. This is excellent for kids who love watching Cyberchase as well. Cum Yah Gullah The Gullah are a West African culture from the Sea Islands, which survived slavery and had virtually no American influence until the 1950s. This exhibit preserves the Gullah way of life, showing the tradition-based, family focused, hearty culture that composed enduring folk characters such as Br'er Rabbit. The Gullah are the African culture least affected by American intervention, and in the recreated life of its people, kids can learn about their heritage of telling stories, living off the land, and supporting art and music.   With these five awesome exhibits, any brief visit is sure to get you your money's worth in oohs and aahs, laughs, and new insights for your children. Help them understand the world and themselves while giving them a fun-filled adventure at the Children's Museum of Houston. Image “ Houston Children’s Musem playground” by Theresa_QViews, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The CX-9 is among Mazda's most popular vehicles, a well-equipped and stylish SUV that adds an extra touch of refinement, both in terms of design and road manners. However, while Mazda describes the CX-9 as perfect for passionate drivers, it's also a practical vehicle for families. Check out some of the best things this three-row Mazda offers in terms of safety, comfort, entertainment, and efficiency. more Advanced Standard Safety Tech A rearview backup camera and automatic emergency braking are highlights of the 2017 CX-9. In 2016, the CX-9 Touring trim level offered Smart City Brake Support, an automatic braking system for lower speeds. But in 2017 the Touring gets this system standard plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Grand Touring adds rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, enhanced forward collision prevention, and adaptive cruise control. Some of these features are available as options on the lower trim levels, so you don't necessarily have to make the full upgrade to a higher trim. Roomy and Comfortable Interior This luxurious Mazda has a lot more going for it than a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rosewood accents. With both the third and second rows folded flat, the CX-9 has about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, and passengers equally benefit from that much room when the seats are up. The driver gets a six-way adjustable seat, and standard tri-zone climate control means the back and front rows can have the exact level of cooling or heating that suits them. Chic Entertainment Suite Road trips will never be boring thanks to the standard technology on all 2017 CX-9 models, including a seven-inch Mazda Connect screen with compatibility for navigation apps. Upgrade only one trim level to the Touring and you'll get the 8-inch alternative screen instead, along with two USB ports. Both infotainment screens forgo unreliable touchscreen controls and instead have a handy dial to cycle through options and make selections. If going hands-free is more your style, you can also use voice commands to open apps, enter an address, and much more. Power Meets Efficiency All versions of the 2017 CX-9 include a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, an exhilarating ratio that keeps it sprightly in both city and highway driving. Thanks in part to a smooth six-speed automatic transmission and painstaking engine refinement, this SUV boasts excellent fuel economy for its size. In most cases you could expect 25 combined miles per gallon in front-wheel drive and 23 combined mpg in all-wheel drive.   With Mazda's 2017 model, luxury and practicality aren't mutually exclusive. The basic Sport trim level is an awesome mix of family friendly standard equipment, and an affordable bump up to the Touring trim adds so much more. While it prides itself on more personal benefits, such as appearance and fun driving, families need not shy away from the CX-9. Contact us today with any questions about the CX-9's options or to discuss one of the models in our inventory. Image “ Mazda CX-9” by ppz, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Mazda offers some of the finest passenger vehicles of modern-day motoring. 2017 was no different as the model after model came out and dazzled Mazda fans the world over. Discover some of the top 2017 Mazda models and what makes them so special. more 2017 Mazda Miata At first glance, the 2017 Mazda Miata is a beauty. The design team took the style aspects that worked on the XR6 and perfected it in this model. The silhouette is sleek and elegant and reminds drivers of a barracuda, gently swooping along the ocean floor. This vehicle is known for its handling capabilities, and there is also the impressive 155 horsepower that makes it a formidable opponent on the road. But the fuel economy doesn't suffer too much here, as the car manages 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the open road. 2017 Mazda CX-9 The original CX-9 was introduced to us a number of years ago as Mazda's answer to a big crossover vehicle. With years to fine tune the smaller things that make this one a crossover of choice, there are a number of reasons why the 2017 model is one of our favorites. Although it kept many of the design features of the 2016 model, it does offer a new trim that includes automatic emergency braking as a standard feature. This makes it sought-after as many top range features are already standard, even with the base model. It also powers along easily with the 227 horsepower on regular gas and 250 horsepower on premium. Mazda 3 Sedan Once again a feast for the eyes, this car carries a powerful look yet still manages to remain elegant. As for driver satisfaction, this is one of the best vehicles in terms of handling. The trim options are easy to navigate and customers choose between the basic, well-equipped or loaded model. When it comes to safety, this is also a great option as it scores top marks in this category. Apart from quick acceleration, this model also features the tell-tale Mazda base features. This means even the base model is loaded with a stack of features ordinarily paid for with other brands. Mazda CX-3 Although this model is sometimes easily overlooked because of its big brother, the CX-9, the 2017 installment of the CX-3 is a worthy mention. This is because of the addition of the iACTIVSENSE feature that is now standard with this model. This little feature packs a whole lot of punch as it offers drivers access to adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, brake assist, high beam control, and more. This immediately ramps up the safety and the best part is that the 2017 model is less expensive than the 2016 model.   If there is one thing about Mazda that makes it the car of choice for so many out there, is that its drivers become accustomed to spectacular features. The cars are reasonably priced which makes them easily attainable to most drivers. What's more, these reasonable prices doesn't mean the brand skimps on safety. Image “ Mazda CX-9 GT 1” by Zytonits, used under CC BY-SA 2.0