This summer at my house, Mondays have been declared "Fun Mommy Mondays". 

I’ll be working a Tuesday through Saturday schedule all summer long to give my 6-year-old and 9-year-old a day each week to explore Central Texas.

Yesterday we headed out to Volente Beach for water slides, Lake Travis and the pool. We bought the $14.99 tickets available at Randalls, packed a picnic and gathered towels, sand shovels and pails.

The kids loved the Lazy Lagoon (pool) with its floating plastic alligator and lily pads to try to cross. My 6-year-old daredevil couldn’t get enough of the Sidewinder (a half-pipe water ride in which you ride a two-person raft.) And they built sandcastles on the beach and tried to catch a minnow.

Plus, the magic of Fun Mommy Mondays is less crowds. They could do anything they wanted and didn’t have to wait long in line.

Volente Beach is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 16107 FM 2769. Tickets are $19.99 adults, $14.99 people shorter than 42 inches, free children 2 and younger. Discounts available at Randalls. Parking is $5. Information: 258-5109, www.volentebeach.com.

Look for a story on how to do theme parks with children in Sunday’s travel section.