🌴 Basketball at the Citadel, Mermaids and Taco Boy!

Hi Palmetto Parents!

How did you enjoy the snow this weekend? There is something so magical about snow, especially in a (mostly) tropical place like Charleston! Let’s make one snowfall a yearly thing?

Congratulations to our cofounder Daniel Berk on finishing this years Charleston Half Marathon. Even with the snowfall coming, he kept running!

This week we’ll have a fun time watching a game with the Citadel Basketball Team. This past weekend we went to see my oldest play during their halftime. More details on that below!

Below we write about seeing mermaids at the aquarium, enjoying the best margaritas and tacos at Taco Boy, and discuss another reason why you should celebrate your spouse this Valentine’s Day, hint… your kids are watching and learning!

Don’t forget that Second Sunday is this weekend in downtown Charleston. Check our Instagram for a free parking pass. Have a great week!

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We just had the best family night out cheering on The Citadel Bulldogs. My son’s seven-year-old basketball team got to play during halftime against four different mascots, and yes my kid absolutely dominated! The boys were laughing, high fiving, and soaking up every second on the court. Watching them play together in front of a crowd was such a fun memory for all of us, and we truly had a blast.

The game itself was such a great experience for families. McAlister Field House had plenty of classic game day snacks, and there were optional adult drinks available too, which made it feel like a fun night out for parents as well. The kids loved sitting together, cheering loudly, and interacting as a team throughout the game. It felt energetic but still very family friendly. They had fun (clean) music and a bunch of T-shirts being passed around if you danced your heart out!

Tickets are surprisingly affordable, with many individual game tickets starting in the low tens depending on the opponent and seating. Season tickets are also available for families who want to make it a regular outing. They have a clear bag policy, but my diaper bag was allowed through once searched. Kids over the age of 2 should have a ticket. There are still several home games left this season, during the month of February, making it an easy activity to add to your family calendar.

Beyond the fun, it is really special to support a local college team. Sitting in the stands cheering on the Bulldogs gives you a true sense of Charleston pride. It is community, it is exciting, and it is something the whole family can enjoy together. We cannot wait to go back again soon.

We have written before about how amazing the South Carolina Aquarium is, and it truly never disappoints. It has the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, which makes it ideal for families with little ones who need room to explore. In the cooler winter months, it is especially nice to spend the morning inside enjoying the exhibits and then step outside for fresh air along the harbor. Winter in Charleston is actually one of the best times to visit, with fewer crowds and plenty of space for kids to linger at their favorite tanks.

This February, there is an extra splash of magic heading to the aquarium. Real life mermaids are making their way to the South Carolina Aquarium every Saturday throughout the month. On select dates in February, a mermaid will be swimming in the Carolina Seas exhibit from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with a 90-minute lunch break in between. While there is no formal show, guests can enjoy whimsical encounters filled with friendly waves, bubble hearts, up close moments, and other enchanting surprises that make the experience feel truly special.

If you are looking for something unique to add to your winter calendar, this is such a fun and easy outing. Between the hands on exhibits, the beautiful waterfront views, and now the chance to spot a mermaid swimming among the fish, it is a memorable experience for kids of all ages. February might just be the perfect month to plan your next aquarium adventure.

If you are looking for a family friendly spot that makes dining out with kids actually enjoyable, Taco Boy is always a win. From the moment you sit down, the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with plenty of space and a fun atmosphere that feels easy for parents and exciting for kids. If your kids yell when they’re not supposed to, no one will notice with all the fun chatter going on. Which is perfect for my family!

Longing for the oceanside fish tacos of her youth, Karalee Nielsen Fallert founded the original Taco Boy on Folly Beach in 2006 to bring fresh Mexican inspired flavors to the Lowcountry. Since then, the restaurant has grown to include locations in downtown Charleston, Summerville, Biltmore Park, and LoSo in Charlotte. A founding partner in numerous Charleston restaurant ventures and a strong advocate for community projects and women led initiatives, Karalee continues to guide Taco Boy’s growing family of taquerias through hospitality group All Good Industries. We love a local legend!

One of the biggest perks for families is their perfect kids menu. The options are simple, affordable, and kid approved, which takes the stress out of ordering. There have been plenty of times my daughter orders a plate of rice for dinner and we happily let her indulge in such an expensive meal. Even better, Taco Boy offers coloring mats at the table, giving little hands something to do while you wait for food. Chips and salsa are always waiting for you the second you sit down. Which is perfect timing for my kids!

On Mondays all three locations in Charleston have half-priced wings. Tuesdays are $5 margaritas and $5 tequila. They also have a daily happy hour from 3-6pm with drink options, chips and nachos and also a choice of tacos. Their regular menu offers salads, rice bowls and the best Mexican street corn dip for starters. Their birria tacos are out of this world and offer many different types of tacos as well!

Taco Boy is open for winter hours on Folly Beach Thursday through Tuesday from 12 pm to 9 pm and is closed on Wednesdays. Downtown on 217 Huger Street is open Sunday - Thursday from 11am-9pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am-10pm. In Summerville (The Nexton area) they are on 106 Front Street and they are open daily from 11am-9pm.

Valentine’s Day is easy to dismiss as a commercial holiday. Cards, candy, flowers, reservations. But for families, it carries more weight than we sometimes realize.

Research consistently shows that children form their understanding of relationships primarily by watching the adults in their home. According to the American Psychological Association, children begin forming beliefs about romantic relationships and emotional expression as early as elementary school. They do not learn about love from one grand gesture. They learn it from patterns.

In other words, they are watching us.

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children who observe consistent affection and respectful conflict resolution between parents report higher emotional security and stronger future relationship skills. It is not about perfection. It is about predictability and warmth.

Valentine’s Day offers something unique. It is one of the few cultural moments entirely centered on expressing love out loud. For kids, that matters.

When children see:
– A parent give flowers or write a card
– Verbal appreciation exchanged at the dinner table
– Simple affection like a hug or an intentional thank you
– Kindness modeled in small, visible ways

They internalize that love is active.

According to research from the University of Virginia’s National Marriage Project, children raised in homes where affection is regularly expressed are more likely to describe marriage and long term partnership as desirable and stable. The modeling they witness shapes their expectations.

This does not mean you need a perfect marriage or a perfectly planned evening.

In fact, studies on family rituals show that consistency matters more than extravagance. A small repeated tradition, like heart shaped pancakes, writing appreciation notes, or sharing one thing you love about each family member at dinner, strengthens children’s sense of belonging and emotional security.

Valentine’s Day can become less about romance pressure and more about emotional literacy.

It is a chance to:
– Normalize saying “I love you”
– Demonstrate gratitude
– Show healthy affection
– Model repair if tension exists

Even conflict handled respectfully teaches more than silence.

As parents, we often focus on academics, sports, and extracurriculars. But relational skills are built at home. They are built in kitchens and car rides and yes, even on Valentine’s Day.

Our kids are not looking for perfection. They are looking for patterns.

Since my husband expects nothing from me for Valentine’s Day, it can be easy for me to put little or no effort into a gift or card for him. He just wants me to feel stress free on gift giving times. But making effort isn’t just for my husband, but also for my kids to see.

This holiday can be more than candy and class parties. It can be a visible reminder that love is expressed, practiced, and prioritized inside our homes. And that lesson may last far longer than the chocolate or roses!

Have the best week!

Love, Jenna