No really. Hear me out. I’m not saying I want kids to fail all the time and never succeed, but did you know that failure and success are not mutually exclusive?

Claire has always been good at everything, right away: Academics, Ballet, Karate, Swimming, you name it. There was just a slight learning curve at some things, but for the most part, she was a rock-star from Day One.

What’s it like to not be the first?
What’s it like to be the last?
What’s it like to fail?
And fail?
And fail?

How will you know that the important thing is not the fall but the ability to get up?
Again?
And again?
And again?

Speaking of which, I’m not an ice skater. I’ve been told by my parents that I ice skated when I was 3 years old and loved it. I have really no solid recollection of that. I tried to take Claire ice skating in Beaver Creek in April (probably almost exactly 34 years later), but what ensued was not what I could classify as ice skating, per se. We had a great time laughing at ourselves, but Claire was itching to go and do and learn more, but I had no skills to teach her.

We’d said that when the opportunity arose for her to learn from a professional, we’d take it. So, Claire is learning to ice skate. I was offered a handy-dandy little coupon at the local Rec Center for her to try it out for the month at a discounted rate, so there you go.

Guess what! Finally, we’ve found something at which Claire is not the best, and I’m SO GLAD. No, really! She’s not the first across the ice. She’s not the most skilled.

She’s normal, and it’s eating her alive.

She’s learning one of life’s hardest lessons right now, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Soon, she’ll catch on and be zipping across the ice with the rest of them, but she’ll know what it’s like to fail. She’ll know what it’s like to not be the best at something. She’ll know what it really means to fall and how it feels to get up.

Again.
And again.

Still, real photos were rare. Every year, we had School Picture Day, and it was a chance for us to dress up and get our mug shots taken. My mom would send those photos of us in the Official Yearly Holiday Letter to all our friends and relatives.

(Here is my 1979-80 Kindergarten Photo, both the class group photo and the single shot of little JoAnn as a Kindergartner. This year my daughter is a Kindergartener. We’ve come full-circle.)

Am I the only one shocked by the fact that they do Picture Day twice a year out here? Really? Our kiddos are growing so much that we need to document the changes in 6-month increments? No? Then, this is all about money and how much those picture companies can make off of well-meaning parents who don’t want their children to suffer the peer pressure of not participating in picture day. Do all the different companies hum the same tune as they skip to the bank?

If the point of school photos is to provide everyone accessibility to “real” photos, then why are the prices so high?

All of this has made me think about how ridiculous school photos are now anyway. I’ve taken more photos of my daughter in her first few months of life than I had taken of me EVER…as in TOTAL my ENTIRE childhood. I know I’m not alone, as the blogs I follow and my Facebook friends are proof that this trend is continuing. I even get photos instantaneously via my magical handheld device, and that doesn’t count all the ones that get emailed to me.

Granted, most of these are not “professional” photos, but some of them are really good. If you prefer a “professional” feel to your photos, there are some really awesome studios around here that will take professional photos for CHEAPER than the school photos cost! Yes! Really!

You’d think that if the prices are this high, the quality would match it. Sadly, this has not been my experience. We’ve had ONE photo turn out well. ONE. All of the others have been returned for a refund. Because I wasn’t able to see a proof of the photo before supplying payment, I got the pleasure of working through the refund process. Fun!

Now, before I swear off school photos altogether, I do like the class group photos. Those are fun to see the group of kids together, and it’s a nice memento of the class. But, does a single photo need to cost $10 to $15 a piece!?

I have an order form sitting on my desk right now for pictures that are going to be taken next week, and I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. Will I pay? Probably. How much? I have no idea, but I guarantee you it’s going to be more than I’d like to.

So, what’s the point of school photos? Have they lost their place in this day and age? Is it time we tell the Lifetouch companies of the world that they’re out of touch?

(Stock photo by muresan113)

I do not begrudge the schools for doing fundraisers, and kudos to the volunteers! The kids need what the schools offer, and these things don’t come for free. During a time when millions of dollars are being cut from school budgets across the state, the money has to come from somewhere. The old adage is true: money doesn’t grow on trees.

I’m going to go out on one of those mythical tree limbs and say it’s not found in a tub of cookie dough, either.

Yes, I said it.
Out loud.

I refuse to sell cookie dough!
I don’t want to buy your kids’ cookie dough!

We’ve all been guilted into doing just that. For us, it was our wonderful babysitter who was forced to peddle her wares on our street. Over the years, her sales pitch gained a tinge of honesty: “I’m so sorry. I hate doing this,” she’d say with a sigh when I came to the door. “…but I’m in gymnastics AND band this year.” One year, that was her entire sales pitch.

Not that our babysitter would ever blackmail us with butter braids or cookie dough, but I almost always err on the side of caution, especially when date-night hangs in the balance. “I’ll get my checkbook” was always my answer to the embarrassed look on her face.

“But, JoAnn! People need an excuse to give money to the schools! Cookie dough is the perfect way to do that!”

Oh really? I don’t think so. My babysitter could have been selling painted rocks, and I would have written out a check. She could have just asked for a donation for the school, and I would have given it to her. My actions were about supporting her and her classmates.  They were never about the cookie dough or the butter braids.  It’s too bad a larger percentage of my money couldn’t have gone to her school with that transaction.

Fast forward a couple years…

Last year, while in Pre-K, my daughter came home from class with a packet. She could win all kinds of these wonderful trinkets for selling cookie dough! And, for this wonderful opportunity, the school would get a teeny-tiny percentage of the proceeds! Yay!

You want to be supportive of your school, don’t you?

Of course I wanted to be supportive, but the last thing I wanted to do was hawk tubs of cookie dough on the corner. If my daughter wants to go into sales as a career, she can work on those skills MUCH later in life. None of our relatives live in this state, so the “built-in” supporters aren’t here. Knowing how much I love answering the door to solicitors, why would I want to do it to my neighbors?

I loved her school. I’d love to support her school. So, that’s what I did. I filed the packet away (read: recycling bin) and wrote a check directly to the school.

I went to the office the next day and offered my sincere apologies for not allowing my daughter to participate in a selling campaign. I then pulled out our check and handed it to the director.

She burst into tears and had trouble finding the words to thank me.

Finding a way to support the school without having to sell cookie dough was thanks enough.  We didn’t have to pester any of our neighbors or friends. We could afford a donation; the school got to keep 100% of the funds, and there was NO COOKIE DOUGH IN MY HOUSE.

That’s what you call a Win-Win, times two!

Not to mention the fact that we got to record our check in the Donation Spreadsheet for our CPA to handle at tax time. (Another win!)

Now, my daughter wasn’t really old enough to have her heart set on winning anything on that colorful poster, so my job was easy. If we’re ever put in that position, I’ll explain to her the true value of a donation and hope she can withstand the peer pressure of being denied shiny trinkets based on the sales of frozen goods.

Claire started Kindergarten this fall at a local public Charter school, and so far, the fundraisers are not sales-based. Participation is fun and easy, because it’s based on things we’ll be doing anyway. There is a pledge drive for a Read-a-thon; local restaurants host “school spirit nights” where they donate a percentage of the sales for the evening to the school, and participation in SCRIP is a big thing, just to name a few. (SCRIP is where I purchase a gift card to our local grocery store. Every time I use the reloadable card to buy groceries, our school automatically gets a percentage of the proceeds.)

If the cookie dough tubs ever make an appearance, though, I’m just heading straight for my checkbook. I’ll give my dough straight to the school. You can keep that other stuff in the fridge.

What about you?  Do you hide when the neighborhood kids knock on your door?  Does your school do fundraisers that don’t involve selling, or are you forced to peddle wares all in the name of supporting the school?

I take a deep breath.

I unclench.

Consistency is the key, and we’re both nothing if not consistent.

I remind her that there is no talking in the time-out corner.
We can talk when the timer goes off.
We will talk when the timer goes off.

The microwave beeps, and I grant her release from the corner.

She comes to stand in front of me, her eyes brimming with tears. I kneel down to her level and look into her eyes. I wipe her tears, and she says she’s sorry. She says she won’t do it again. We embrace as she gives me a hug and a kiss.

I ask her to explain why she was in time-out, and she does. I explain to her why it’s important to not do what she’d done to land herself there.

I think I’m really getting through to her. I hope I’m really getting through to her. Discipline is a process. Is the message being absorbed? Will she take this to heart?

I take her face in my hands and look into her eyes again. I ask her if she understands me and understands what just happened. I search her face, hoping to see any evidence that she’s taking this seriously. I’m waiting for her answer.

She looks at me, gently touches my mouth, and says, “Momma?”

“Yes, Claire?”

“What color is your lipstisk?”

(Stock photo by: Ravenwood.)

…at the end of November,

but the end of June and first part of July is when the Linden tree blooms right outside my home office. (photo credit: me)

Wait. What?

You see, when I was pregnant with Claire, one of my super powers was Smell-Detection-And-Identification. I could tell you what the people in the neighborhood across the lake had in their garbage by standing in front of my open bedroom window, a mile away. If the wind was blowing, it was even easier, but not necessary.

“Watermelon rinds, approximately 3 days old. Coffee grinds, from this morning. Ohhh, chocolate candy-bar wrappers, the Twix variety.”

Coffee smelled like skunks, so there was some translation needed before giving my response to the people outside my head, but my abilities were mind-blowing.

This super power was challenging when grocery shopping. There were whole aisles I had to avoid or hold my breath while walking down. Meanwhile, I could lose track of time smelling the mangoes.

My husband does most of the cooking around here, and he never knew what would happen when a meal was ready to eat. There are foods that have never tasted so savory before or since. I had to refrain from making audible noises of joy while eating. Other foods would make me gag before even making it out of the pan.

Pregnancy was quite the ride…for all of us.

Then, there was the Linden tree outside my office.

To fully describe the aroma of the blossoms on this tree, I’d have to sing a song while tossing colored glitter around the room, all the while doing some interpretive dancing with scarves.

It was magical. It was intoxicating. It was so powerful that I wanted to bestow upon our baby girl the name Linden. My husband, always the voice of reason, wouldn’t allow his daughter to be named after a tree. Not even one that smelled so incredibly awesome. Even if his wife had super powers.

Party Pooper.

(He wasn’t a complete fuddy-duddy. When asked, we told people we were naming her “Nebulona Roku.” When they asked why, we’d explain that “Nebulona” is the female version of Nebulon and “Roku” is Japanese for 6. “Of course,” we’d add with a completely straight face. We have a friend who still calls her that.)

But…when it came to the real name, I knew he was right. There would be no naming of children after trees. We went the practical route: We ended up naming our daughter the only name we both liked that we could both spell. Claire is Claire, and I can’t see her as anything else.  

Still…even without the pregnancy hormones soaking in my veins, the Linden tree smells so good. When the breeze wafts through my window and I smell that glorious smell, I smile.  I remember when I had super powers.

Have you ever had super powers? Could your child also be known by a genus and species name in Latin?

Well, with the help of our readers (yes, that’s you!) Mile High Mamas has compiled a list of fun activities in the Denver area this summer.  All of these places and activities in one handy list!?  Awesome!

Need an idea for an inside activity? It’s here!
Need a new outside activity to try? It’s here!

See something that isn’t on the list? Let us know, and we’ll add it! Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often! It’s your Summer 2011 Guide to Fun in Denver!

So, get out there! Try something new! Explore your own backyard and beyond.

Indoor Activities:

Get in out of the sun (or rain) and have an indoor adventure!

• American Paintball Coliseum – The coliseum is comprised of indoor and outdoor paintball fields. The indoor fields are split into two arenas, one with giant inflatable obstacles, the other with heaps of corrugated plastic tubing. The paint is water-soluble, and remnants of matches make floors sticky.

• The Apex Center Treehouse Play Area – The kids love crawling through the tubes and sliding down the slides. This indoor play area is free and provides hours of fun, rain or shine!

• Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities – Play on the dragon outside of the Arvada Center or go inside to see a children’s play.

• Baby Boogie at the D-Note – Baby Boogie at the D-Note in Olde Town Arvada runs every Sunday from 3-6 pm. They clear their stage and put up kids’ instruments. The kids rule the restaurant and mom and dad can relax while the kiddos boogie.

• Black American West Museum & Heritage Center – This museum is focused on researching and teaching about African-Americans in the Old West. There are cowboy, military and homestead exhibits, and more!

• Boondocks Fun Center – Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn is an 8-acre indoor-outdoor fun facility. Indoors you’ll find a futuristic laser-tag arena, a dual-seat Max Flight Simulator and a broad sweep of arcade games that run from Dance Dance Revolution (hilarious to watch) to a Panzer tank simulator. From tiny tots to older teens, there’s a game appropriate for every player.

• Brown Palace – The Brown Palace is a luxury hotel in Denver, and it’s considered to be a national treasure. Take advantage of a one of the free tours, which are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm.

• Buffalo Bill Museum – Check out the gorgeous views, nature programs and tee pees for your little natives.

• Butterfly Pavilion – This small and cozy museum still boasts a lot of bang for the buck. When have you last held a tarantula? Or better yet, stood in a tropical enclosure while tons of butterflies flitted around you? Definitely worth the jump up Highway 36.

• Celestial Seasonings – Head up to Boulder to explore “the world’s most advanced tea production plant.” (Children must be 5 years or older to go on the factory portion of the tour.) Enjoy the artwork and free tea samples!

• Cherry Creek Mall Looney Tunes – Great fun on indoor days, and/or super hot days, and/or when you need time to get some shopping done while the kids hangout with Bugs Bunny as he takes a “carrot break” from his hike, ride in a river raft with Sylvester and Tweety, whiz down a slide with Porky Pig and Martin the Martian, fish with the Tazmanian Devil, camp with Elmer Fudd, plus much, much more.

• Children’s Museum of Denver – This museum is the perfect place to explore and learn! From crawling around in the nature tunnels to building something in the workshop, there’s something for every child to enjoy. The Children’s Museum of Denver is free to the public on the first Tuesday of the month.

• Climbing Walls – Are you or your kids climbing the walls? Take them to climb the walls…for real! Check out the climbing walls at Dick’s Sporting Goods or REI!

• Colorado History Museum – Kids don’t need to go brain-dead in the summer, and this museum is a great way to keep their minds fresh! Note: Reopening 2012.

• Colorado Railroad Museum – All aboard! The Colorado Railroad Museum is a great destination for kids of all ages to learn about Colorado’s railroad history.

• Colorado State Capitol building – Home of the Colorado Legislature and Governor. Give the kids a great history lesson and cross the street to Civic Center Park for a picnic.

• Denver Art Museum – Don’t forget all the cool kid-friendly things the DAM has incorporated into the new building. Follow Seymour, the museum’s mascot, and he will guide you to all the museum’s best kid-friendly haunts, AND the first Saturday of every month is free!

• Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys – This museum “provides educational and cultural services to the greater Rocky Mountain region through the preservation, exhibition, collection and interpretation of the visual arts using miniatures, dolls and toys.”

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science – This museum has something for everyone! Be sure to explore the new Expedition Health exhibit while you’re there. The price of this exhibit is included with your admission, but you need to make reservations ahead of time!

• Downtown Aquarium – So maybe we actually have a rainy day here and there this summer? Perfect! Head to the Aquarium and see the fish! Lots and LOTS of fish! Plus, they still have the tigers from when this museum was more about following the path of water around the world. AND you now have lots of extra kid-friendly activities, like touching some of the aquatics on display, or eating lunch surrounded by real fish tanks.

• Fat Cats Fun Bowling – Once home to a skatepark, this well-kept, cavernous building now houses a state-of-the-art, 29-lane bowling alley. Clean and hopping, this alley offers bowlers and bystanders, from tykes to teenagers, a friendly place to party.

• Fun City – This massive (144,000 square feet) family activity complex features just about every indoor activity imaginable: a hip, decorated 40-lane bowling alley, complete with full bar and pizza buffet; indoor carnival ride; three-story foam-ball arena for those under 5 feet tall; a massive laser tag room; 18-hole putt-putt course; and, coolest of all, a rare group of BattleTech virtual-reality combat simulator pods.

• Firefighter’s Museum – Turn boring summertime afternoons into fun with tasty firehouse treats and tips.

• Globeology at The Wildlife Experience – Globeology is a new exhibit at The Wildlife Experience. Explore the eight different biomes: Rainforest, Temperate Forest, Tundra, Savanna, Asian Highlands, Coral Reef, Desert, and Wild Colorado.

• Heritage Square – Heritage Square in Golden is a replica of a Western village. Check out the shops, alpine slide, dinner theater, and more!

• Jump Street – These indoor trampoline parks in Thornton and Littleton offer an immense, elevated, platform-style trampoline field where participants, big and small, pay by the hour to spring around like rabbits. It’s fun — and it’s exercise!

• Jumpin’ Jordy’s – If you’re looking for “a fun, clean, safe environment to let your kids burn off some steam, Jumpin’ Jordy’s is the answer-featuring an exciting collection of giant inflatable slides, bounce-castles, and obstacle courses.” Jumpin’ Jordy’s inflatables are best suited for kids ages 2 to 9.

• Jungle Quest – Each budding-trapeze artist is then strapped into a harness and attached to either a swing or one of the three ziplines that adorn the “sky” in this 12,000-square-foot Thornton “jungle.” A four-route climbing set-up graces a side wall, and a rope-bridge climbing area for the faint of heart (or the very young) decorates another. Thatched huts and Mayan-style art carry the jungle theme throughout this well-lit building. Popular with the 5-12 set.

• Koelbel Library – This library in Littleton is great because it has a great used book store and cafe! You can check out books and then read them over coffee, apple juice and cookies.

• Littleton Historical Museum – This museum is free! Walk around the barn yard, and see the animals and blacksmith. Bring a picnic and make it a day.

• Lyons Pinball Arcade – When it’s too hot to be outside, duck in for classic pinball and ’80s arcade games. Stop next door for a family-friendly lunch at Oscar Blues.

• Mizel Museum – This museum in Denver “teaches awareness and respect through Jewish life and culture.” Check out the link for exhibits and workshops.

• Monkey Bizness – Moms and dads can take advantage of a full-service cafe while the little kids monkey around!

• Museo de las Americas – The diversity of Latin American art and culture is the focus of this museum in Denver.

• Museum of Contemporary Art – This museum is an ever-changing group of works. Experience culture in the making. This museum is good for older kids: pre-teens or teens…and above!

• Plastic Chapel – A designer toy store and art gallery? Double the reason why you should pay this hip store a visit.

• Pump It Up – Pump It Up is “the inflatable party zone,” with different obstacle courses, slides and jump-as-much-as-you-can fun! It’s not just a place for parties! Check out the website for the “pop-in playtimes” at a location near you!

• Puppet Theater – The Puppet Theater has been ranked “the best children’s theater in Colorado” by The Denver Post and “the best kids’ outing” by 5280 Magazine. The shows are designed for kids 3 and up.

• StoryTime – Get in out of the heat and enjoy a StoryTime at your local library! Here are some links to the libraries in your area: Denver Public Library, Jefferson County Public Library, Boulder Public Library, and the Adams County (Rangeview) Public Library. Be sure to check out the Summer Reading Programs, too!

• U.S. Mint – Don’t miss out on visiting only one of two U.S. Mint facilities that offers tours. Great for older kids.

• Wings Over the Rockies Aircraft & Space Museum – This museum is located in the former Lowry AFB on the east side of Denver, in a World War II-era Hangar. “Cockpit demo days” are the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm.

• Wizard’s Chest – Need some magic in your life? Take the kids to Wizard’s Chest in Cherry Creek. Check their calendar for upcoming events.

• WOW! (World of Wonder) Children’s Museum – This Children’s Museum in Lafayette is a great place for children to explore and learn! There’s a pirate ship! There are costumes for dress-up! Check out the art center and interactive play areas! Pack a picnic lunch and eat on-site.

Food Fun:

Need a fun place for lunch or dinner or a snack? Check these out!

• Aquarium Restaurant – Don’t have time to visit the Denver Aquarium, but want to have lunch with a great view of the big fish tanks? Eat at the Aquarium Restaurant! There is no admission charge for the restaurant, and it’s a great place to stop for lunch after walking along the river or visiting the Children’s Museum.

• The Buckhorn Exchange – This is Denver’s oldest restaurant. The Buckhorn Exchange is a National Historic Landmark and Western Museum. It’s been “serving the finest in Old West fare since 1893.” Reservations recommended.

• Casa Bonita – This restaurant is a feast for the senses (some may question the sense of taste) and more tolerable than a certain mouse’s pizza place.

• Coney Island Hot Dog Stand – It used to be located in Conifer until about 4 years ago where it was relocated to Bailey. Their Dogs and Shakes are awesome, and there are outdoor tables (in fact that’s all there is). The building is in the shape of a big giant hot dog that the kids will love. There is some good hiking close by to walk off your lunch, and it’s cooler because it’s in the foothills, so it’s a nice escape from the heat.

• Liks Ice Cream – This favorite ice cream parlor is a local family-owned creamery with retail locations in Denver and Centennial.

• Little Man Ice Cream – Ummm, hello, the ice cream shop is in the shape of a giant creamery can. Doesn’t get any cooler than that!

• Flapjacks and a Flick at the Movie Tavern – On Saturdays at 9 a.m., they have all-you-can-eat pancakes and a family movie!

• Rheinlander Bakery – The Rheinlander Bakery in Arvada has awesome cookies! Some of them even come on a stick!

Outdoor Activities: Explore the great outdoors! Enjoy the sun (but don’t forget the sunscreen!) and see what outdoor adventures you can find!

• Aspen Grove – They have summer movie nights on Wednesdays, with fun vendors/goodies for the kids. They also have “A Paris Street Market” on 1st Saturdays. Check out their website for a complete listing of events!

• Belleview Park – Belleview park has a stream that is great for wading or catching crawfish, a train to ride, and a children’s farm with a petting zoo!

• Berry Patch Farms – Berry Patch Farms opens in June for the season. It’s a pick-your-own fruit place! It’s free to get in, and you only pay for what you pick. Luckily, they don’t weigh you when you get there and when you leave, because it’s hard to resist eating strawberries and raspberries right off the vine! The kids love wandering around in the yard with the chickens, turkeys, and pot-bellied pig, and picking out wonderful fresh produce in the farmhouse for supper.

• Bluff Lake Nature Center – This urban wildlife refuge and “outdoor classroom” is located on the eastern edge of Stapleton, and is open from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to check out their calendar for different events through the summer or venture out there any day of the week to find some quiet time away from the city!

• Boulder Falls – A hike to Boulder Falls is the perfect activity for a summer day!

• Carson Nature Center – The South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center in Littleton has hands-on activities focused on Colorado wildlife. Biking and hiking trails and close proximity to Aspen Grove shopping center located in Littleton.

• Chautauqua Park – The Kids’ Park at Chautauqua in Boulder is another favorite spot. It has a slide built into the side of the mountain, a fun play house, and the best view around!

• Chatfield State Park – This is the perfect park for boating, hiking, bicycling or riding horses. Chatfield Reservoir has many different types of activities to beat summer boredom!

• Cherry Creek State Park – This park is great for hiking, swimming, or skipping rocks! One mile south of I-225 on Parker Road at Lehigh (a light). You can walk down by the Reservoir to skip stones and picnic at covered tables. If you’re a boater, there’s ramp access. Follow the wetlands trail (foot path only) to see some of the shyer wildlife, or use the longer paved trails that run as long at 6 miles, great for bikes. There is a walk-in entrance (free!) at the corner of Quincy and Parker.

• City Park – Denver’s largest park has a lot to boast about. The Denver Zoo to the north, Museum of Nature & Science to the east, several playgrounds in the middle – including a large lake with paddle boats shaped like ducks! Not to mention City Park Jazz all summer long. What’s not to love?

• Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch – Next to the Highlands Ranch Library, this park has fun interactive fountains, a wading stream, a playground and lots of great events, free yoga classes, and concerts all summer. The park is next to the Highlands Ranch Library, which has lots of great story times and kids’ activities.

• Colorado Rapids Soccer – See the pros in action! Saturday mornings at the soccer field is a great way to start the weekend.

• Colorado Rockies Game – Maybe they will recapture the magic of the 2007 season this year? Um, who cares. It’s all about the experience. The big, beautiful field, the crack of the ball, the COTTON CANDY. Get seats on the 3rd base side to avoid the intense afternoon sun. And yes, the line of purple chairs are exactly a mile high!

• Confluence Park – Even though we are in a dry climate, we still have plenty of water. Head down to Confluence Park and watch the kayakers strut their stuff (on the river that is) and play along the shore to keep cool. Even better, bring a picnic lunch. On Saturday nights, check out the amazing energy of the drummers, fire dancers and jugglers!

• Cure Organic Farm – Volunteer at this farm in Boulder. The farm has set volunteer hours each week, and they are seasonally based. It’s totally kid friendly (the owner has a toddler) and super fun! You and your kids can help, play and learn!

• Dad Clark Park – This park in Highlands Ranch has a playground, picnic area, basketball court and a separate off-leash dog area.

• Delaney Historic Farm – Show your kids a working farm, not that far from the city at 170 S Chambers Road in Aurora. They have guided tours, and there are also beekeeping tours!

• Denver Botanic Gardens – Make your very own “photo day” outing by packing the camera gear and head over to the gardens with your budding photographer(s) in tow. Share some cinematic love through the viewfinder. Not only are the flowers amazing, so is the company. Be sure to check out the new Jurassic Gardens exhibit or enjoy your old favorites.

• Denver Botanic Gardens Concerts – Food, flora and music keep kids and their parents happy! Tickets are still available to most shows – no membership required – and little kids are free.

• Denver Municipal Band – Check out the band at a variety of local parks this summer. Bring the blanket and picnic and let the kids run around.

• Denver Skatepark – We are really lucky in Denver. A variety of crazy fun things to do – even a very large and intricate skate park right near Millennium Bridge. But go early, when its cooler and it is the best time to bring little ones… before the professionals, I mean hipsters, take over the skate tricks. Feel free to bring scooters if your kids are not proficient on boards yet.

• Denver Zoo – The summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Zoo! It’s the perfect place for you and your own little monkeys to check out the other animals!

• Dinosaur Ridge and Dakota Hogback – Take a short hike while showing your kids some fascinating geographical features.

• Eldorado Canyon State Park – Located just five miles southwest of Boulder and 30 miles from Denver, this park is like a hidden treasure. It’s a great place for hiking, climbing and picnicking.

• Elitch Gardens – Elitch Gardens is Denver’s own theme park! Check out the rides, shows and attractions!

• Farmer’s Market – Check out this link to find a local farmer’s market in your area!

• Film on the Rocks – There is always at least one beloved kid film in this series at Red Rocks. The kids will love climbing the stairs and a special night out under the stars.

• First Friday’s Art Walk in Denver – On the first Friday of every month, you’ll get a chance to experience the work of artists from around the world and next door. Over 30 galleries on Santa Fe in Denver participate in this event!

• Four Mile Historic Park – This park is just four miles from downtown Denver and features Denver’s oldest standing structure. This park is great for school-age kids and beyond. For a unique peek into Colorado’s frontier past, check it out!

• FlatIron Crossing – Looking for a giant sandbox? Check out the play area in front of the FlatIron Crossing!

• Harlow Park and Pool -This outdoor park and pool at Belleview and Federal has a fun baby pool and slides and is never very busy!

• Heritage Square – Heritage Square in Golden is a replica of a Western village. Check out the shops, alpine slide, dinner theater, and more!

• High Line Canal – This trail is a great for hiking, biking, jogging and horseback riding. There so much to see and it’s shady!!

• Lair o’ the Bear Park – Open Space – This favorite park is near Evergreen. There’s a small hike that is good for kids but also a great picnic area and a spot to fish!! Three things to love!

• Letterboxing – This hobby will get you out and about all over the Denver Metro! Letterboxing is like a treasure hunt, but instead of hunting for buried treasure, you solve puzzles and decipher clues that lead to hidden boxes containing carvings. Collect these stamps and/or hide some of your own!

• Lakeside Amusement Park – Lakeside isn’t your typical amusement park, and that’s why we like it. The art-deco signs and original architecture are showing their age, but the place has character. The kiddie rides are old school and you can bring your own picnic.

• Lion’s Park in Golden – Not only is there a great playground with a huge sandbox, picnic area and Farmer’s Market, the kids love to watch the kayakers on the Clear Creek Whitewater Park.

• Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve – Connect with nature, go on a naturalist-guided tour.

• Majestic View Park – This park has fun play equipment, and the views are, well, majestic!

• Matthew Winters Park – This is the perfect gentle hike for kids over age 4, and it’s close to Red Rocks.

• Mother Cabrini Shrine – No matter your religious views, it can be spiritually uplifting to climb to the top and take in the breathtaking view of the city (no strollers).

• Nottingham Park – This park in Westminster is awesome! It’s off the beaten path, so the traffic is light. The ground beneath the massive play structure is spongy, and there is equipment for all ages of kids. There are picnic tables under awnings, the perfect place for a shaded picnic. And, there’s a stream to explore!

• Pearl Street Mall, Boulder – The Pearl Street Mall in Boulder is always a happenin‘ place! Stroll along the pedestrian mall, checking out the street performers, shops, shaded areas and great views!

• Plains Conservation Center – Discover your local prairie! This conservation center is “an outdoor education facility and state-designated natural area consisting of two sites totaling approximately 8,894 acres.”

• Platte Valley Trolley Ride – Experience a piece of history on this open-air trolley ride that takes you past REI, Confluence Park, the Children’s Museum and Invesco Field.

• Red Rocks – We have one of the best concert venues in the whole country right in our back yard. Check out the schedule to see what concerts you may want to attend, or try to get up the hill to see a movie under the stars via Film On The Rocks.

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge -This vast open space is a sanctuary to more than 330 species of wildlife. The Refuge, located just northeast of Denver at 56th and Havana, is open five days per week and offers over eight miles of hiking trails. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provide environmental education and interpretive programs, from wildlife tours and hayrides to guided photo tours and treks. All of the Refuge’s programs are free and reservations can be made by calling 303.289.0930. Stay up-to-date with new programs and events at their Web site or become a fan of the Refuge on Facebook.

• Sensory Park – This park was built in cooperation with Children’s Hospital and is 100% accessible to children of all ages and abilities. It’s tucked away from view, nestled between Church Ranch Blvd and Olde Wadsworth Blvd, just down the embankment from the SuperTarget in the Walnut Creek shopping area.

• Sixteenth Street Mall – This 16-block long pedestrian and transit mall in Downtown Denver is home to numerous cafes and retail merchants. Stroll along or take the free bus!

• Stapleton’s Central Park – Stapleton was smart when they named this park after the famous New York park. Because it’s HUGE. It’s GINORMOUS. And the play area has some of the coolest equipment around!

• Stapleton Under the Stars – Catch an outdoor movie on a summer evening at Founders’ Green in the East 29th Avenue Town Center.

• Star K Ranch – Morrison Nature Center – This nature center is in northern Aurora, just south of I-70. Hands-on science, trails from 3/4 mile to 13 miles, program for up to age 5, and other programs for age 6 and up.

• Tiny Town Railroad – Tiny Town is just west of Denver, about ½ mile from the intersection of 285 and South Turkey Creek. It’s a tiny town! And, there’s a train you can ride! They also have an awesome playground. The oldest kid-size village in the United States that will remind just how big you really are.

• Washington Park – “Wash Park” is a great place to rent a paddleboat, play on one of the playgrounds, or pack a picnic. Don’t forget to stop by Bonnie Brae Ice Cream for a scoop (or two) of ice cream!

• Westlands Park – This park in Greenwood Village has been ranked as one of the best parks in the metro area. The playgrounds include areas for kids of all ages and abilities. There is also an in-line hockey rink, playing fields, natural water sculpture and more!

• White Ranch Park – This is a great spot to walk your dog and hike with the family, just off Highway 93 on the way to Boulder. It’s near Denver and has a great view of the City.

• The Wild Animal Sanctuary – This Wild Animal Sanctuary is America’s premier sanctuary for large carnivores. They have been rescuing exotic wildlife and endangered species since 1980, and are currently home to more than 200 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Jaguars, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Lynx, Bobcats, Servals, Wolves, and other wildlife.

Water Fun: Whether they’re indoor or outdoor, these fun water parks and spraygrounds are sure to help you beat the heat!

• The Apex Center Pool – The Apex Center in Arvada features a 23,000 square foot indoor water fun area, complete with water slides, zero-depth pool, and family hot tub.

• Argo Park & Pool – Located in north Denver, this pool has a beach entrance for the little kids!

• The Bay in Broomfield – This is a fun water park designed for children under 12 years old!

• Bear Creek Lake – Bear Creek Lake near Morrison almost feels like a real beach! Pack a picnic lunch and spend a day at the beach without leaving Colorado!

• Great Plains Park (Spray park & Playground) – East of Tower on the south side of Jewell, it feels a little like you’ve driven past civilization, but trust us it’s there! The spray park runs from 10 am to 8 pm, and the park itself is open 8 am to sunset. Unlike some parks we’ve been to, there IS a potty. The playground has the smaller scale toddler side and a big-kid side. There is access from Jewell, and also walking access from the neighborhood just south of there.

• Harlow Park and Pool – This outdoor park and pool at Belleview and Federal has a fun baby pool and slides and is never very busy!

• Highlands Ranch Recreation Centers – There are four different pools, and each one has different features like water slides, a loch ness, lazy river, and more!

• Lake Arbor Center & Outdoor Pool – This pool in Arvada is a great place to cool off in the summer heat! Play on the water slides, or the zero-depth pool or the pool geysers! Bring a picnic lunch and play at the adjacent park & playground.

• Pirates Cove – Small kids can have a blast at this water park without getting rundown by teens.

• Southlands Spray Park – This big spray park is right in front of the theater, with benches and grassy areas for picnicking. A very popular spot, especially on “Free Movie” days.

• Splash at Fossil Trace in Golden is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is the largest water park in Jefferson County. Come and enjoy the waterslides, fountains, and “beach” area. There is something fun for kids of all ages, from 1 to 100.

• Stapleton Town Center Fountains – How much better does it get than to sip an iced coffee and dangle your toes while your kids splash happily in the side-by-side fountains in the Stapleton Town Center on 29th Ave. and Roslyn. One is sunken with wide, gentle stones and mere inches of water — great for wee ones. The other rises like a pyramid of slabs that invite ascension to the top and vigorous splashing in the moat below. Go on Sunday mornings when there is a fun farmers market across the street from the fountains.

• Sunset Swimming Pool – This outdoor pool in Longmont is great for kids. What’s not to love about a great big curvy slide!

• Water World – Sometimes we can forget what a gem we have in this awesome water park. just a hop & a skip up I-25 to 88th and Pecos. This LARGE water park has something for everyone from the littlest toddler to the largest teenager and everyone in between. AND you can STILL bring picnic lunches. Score!

• Westminster Promenade Fountains – A favorite free activity is to run through the fountains at the Westminster Promenade. It’s a sure way to beat the heat!

(At the time of publication, the above links and information were correct.  If you find something that needs to be changed, let us know!)

So, which activity on the list are you going to check out first?

(stock photo by gogoroko)

It had a really long cord.

A REALLY long cord.

We knew exactly how long it was and where we could stand so that Mom couldn’t swat us when we were being naughty when she was on the phone. That was the perfect time to be naughty. She had to maintain her composure or the person on the other end could see her true colors. Sometimes, we irked her on purpose when the phone rang so that we could hear the difference in her voice go from the ominous “YOU KIDS BETTER KNOCK IT OFF, OR I’LL…” and immediately transform into her sweet, “Hello?” when she answered, totally pretending that utter chaos had not just broken out in her kitchen.

(From this point forward, no one will feel sorry for me when my own daughter acts up, paybacks being what they are these days.)

And, if she didn’t answer, it would just ring and ring. We didn’t have an answering machine until much later, and I’m the one who set it up for them. (I was also the one who programmed the VCR. Ours was one of the only houses who had a working clock. There were no flashing 12:00′s when I was on duty.)

I have memories of my mom walking around the kitchen with the receiver tucked under her chin. (Did you know phones actually had two PARTS. For realz, yo.) She’d chat while she did chores, masterfully weaving in and out, lifting the cord over the kitchen table or around the corner to the laundry room as she talked and worked. If people tried to call when she was on the phone, they would get this odd beeping noise. My daughter has never heard it. I think it was called a busy signal.

And, when the phone rang, you had no idea who it was until you answered it. My dad was notorious for getting the phone and then grilling the person on the other end if the call wasn’t for him. He wouldn’t hand it over until they’d answered a series of questions. All my friends knew my middle name, because if they didn’t, they were out of luck. (It’s Elizabeth, by the way. Now, you can talk to me whenever you like!)

Things have changed. In 1999, I got my first cell phone for emergency purposes. Not only could I make emergency calls from the road, but it was large enough to double as a weapon. My phones eventually got smaller and smarter, and now what I carry with me everywhere I go is more of a computer than a phone. I don’t remember the last time I used a real phone book. The smarter your phone, the less you need a phone book. Funny how that works.

Imagine my delight when setting the ringtone on my Droid to discover that they have “Old Phone” as an option. When I was testing it out, my 5yr old asked me what that sound was. She’d never such melodious bells. My husband joked that it was the 80s calling. I had the urge to shake my cane at the whippersnappers on our lawn. Have you seen my cane? It’s probably over by the record player. She didn’t know why we were laughing.

So, I explained that it’s what phones used to sound like. We then talked about how they used to be attached to walls and had really long cords. She almost didn’t believe me. It was the silliest thing she’d heard!

Then, my phone rang and she got a mischievous look in her eye and the urge to be naughty.

It’s good to see some things haven’t changed at all…

We wish our toddlers and preschoolers wouldn’t say it.
We hope our teenagers do.

We grow up and forget how to use it.

We think saying it makes us weak.

(stock photo by lusi)

We somehow correlate it with disappointment.
We don’t want to be impolite.
We don’t think anyone else will do what needs to be done, so we justify not saying it.
We think not saying it will make everyone happy.

Deep down, we all know it’s impossible to make everyone happy, but we’re capable of anything.
And everything.
So, we don’t care.
And we don’t say it.

We think if we don’t say it, we’ll have more power.
We group it together with other things we don’t want to leave on the table.
Leaving things on the table is unacceptable when success is at stake.

Don’t take no as an answer, but giving it as one could kill the possibilities.
We say yes to the possibilities.
We say yes to power.
We say yes to too much.

And, by doing that we silently say no to ourselves.

What we really need to do is travel back in time to when we weren’t afraid to say it.
We were expected to say it. We were encouraged to say it.
We need to summon our inner child and shout it out loud.

Whether or not you stomp your foot for added effect is up to you.

Have you lost the art of saying no?