Let your kids’ entrepreneurial skills soar with Lemonade Day

Mobs of metro-area kids will be out to show that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, during Lemonade Day on May 22.

Hordes of lemonade stands throughout metro Denver — the goal is to set up 5,000 small businesses — will participate in the community-wide event dedicated to teaching children how to start, own and operate their own business through the time-tested act of building and running a lemonade stand.

Lemonade Day, which started in 2007 in Houston, has expanded to 28 cities nationwide. Last year, the event served an estimated 3 million

The Cloth Diaper Switch: And I thought AIO was a type of gun

The other day my husband asked me if we were hippies,”We moved up to the mountains, try to grow our own food, eat mostly organic, you gave birth without pain relief, and now we cloth diaper?”

Well, maybe we are.

Don’t let me fool you. I think taking care of our earth is very important and there are several times I went out in public without shaving my legs (I assure you the hairy leg days were accidental and a bit embarrassing.) but the truth is I like to save money.

I was standing in front of the cashier with credit card in hand while hushing my 6 month old. The cashier rang up my month supply of disposable diapers and wipes, the amount finally hit me as a brick across the face would for the first time since buying diapers. I spend $100 a month. A MONTH! I spend $100 a month on things my children poop in and I toss in the trash. It

Happily ever after: Princesses rule, thanks to imaginations, merchandising

Kate Middleton will turn into a princess Friday.

For little girls across America, she’s living the dream.

A familiar one.

Youngsters have bonded with tiara-wearers for generations. But today — with entire aisles of big- box stores devoted to princess bling, with princess-themed parties and movies — the path from commoner to coronation has become a routine fantasy.

For them, princess is a way of life.

“They dress up as princesses on a daily basis when they get back from school,” said Donna Coker, a Highlands Ranch mother with two princess-loving girls: Lauren, 7, and Kelsey, 3. “My husband calls them ‘My lady.’ ”

Does she appreciate that her daughters are modeling something akin to “The Real Housewives of Windsor” rather than successful, career gals who make it on their own?

“I try to ground them,” she says. “It’s not always happily ever after. It’s just for fun.”

The contemporary craze for queens-in-waiting finds roots in

CLICK TO READ THE THE WHENS AND WHERES OF WATCHING THE ROYAL WEDDING

Fresh Look for Summer – Divine Beauty Tips Unveiled

This is it…the secret vault of mommy makeovers. I’ve unknowingly been working on this for years, sporadically, and with research in the form of frumpy, fried phone calls (sometimes tears) and over coffee with my yaya sisterhood of girlfriends.

Event round-up: Cinco de Mayo, Touch-A-Truck & Tapir Day!

Saturday. Is it a pig? Is it a hippo? Is it an anteater? Nope, it’s a tapir, and he gets his own holiday: The Denver Zoo celebrates World Tapir Day on Saturday. Visit the zoo’s two Malayan tapirs, Rinny and Benny, and learn all about these thick-skinned grazers from South America and Asia. Also, get a preview of the zoo’s upcoming Asian Tropics habitat, a new, environmentally friendly facility for endangered Asian wildlife. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.; 303-376-4800. Activities free with admission: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $8 for kids ages 3 to 11. denverzoo.org

Sunday. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra shows of its sporty side in “Casey At The Bat.” The family oriented concert features a recital of the classic poem by actor Frank Oden, plus a full program of sports-themed music. Expect lots of rousing athletic anthems, like the theme from “Rocky” and the familiar “Olympic Fanfare.” Naturally, since baseball season is just getting started, the orchestra will also offer a symphonic rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis Streets. Tickets: $25 for adults, $13 for children; call 303-MAESTRO or visit coloradosymphony.org.

Sunday. Youngsters get an up-close view of the world of opera in “Young Hands on Opera and Art,” presented by Central City Opera and the Denver Art Museum. The program focuses on Ravel’s “The Child and the Enchantments,” the tale of a naughty little boy whose hijinks eventually backfire on him. CCO ensemble members will perform scenes from the opera, and then let kids have their turn wearing the costumes, acting and singing. Afterward, get a free guide to kid-friendly art activities and explore the museum. 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.; 720-865-5000. Tickets are $10 and include museum admission following the program. Purchase tickets at centralcityopera.org or call 303-292-6700.

Saturday. Ever wondered what it’s like inside an ice cream truck, or what the view looks like from the seat of a big rig? Stop by the “Touch-A-Truck” event and find out first-hand. All kinds of cool trucks will be parked and available to explore, including a big garbage truck, a fire truck and a construction-site digger. The event is a benefit for Denver Public Schools’ Swigert-McAuliffe International School—bring cash or checks to buy a ticket at the door. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The parking lot at Sam’s Club, 7805 E. 35th Ave. Admission is $5 per person, or $40 for a four-person VIP package. smistouchatruck.com

Sunday. Get an early start to the Cinco de Mayo revelry at Mile High Marketplace’s Cinco de Mayo celebration. Stop into the Event Center for live music, including sets by Lunaticos, Tierra Jerezona and Super Suave. Kids can party on fun rides, like the giant slide and dragon kiddie coaster, while grownups stop by the beer station and check out the food on display. 12:30-5 p.m. The Event Center at Mile High Marketplace, 88th Avenue and I-76; 303-289-4656. Admission is $3 per person; kids under age 12 are free. milehighmarketplace.com

-Kathleen St. John

Are Our Children in a “Race to Nowhere” Through the Education System?

A few months ago, the mom taxi was running strong. One of us had at least one thing to do every single night of the week. Trying to schedule a play date or just take a breath was next to impossible.

I decided I was running my family into the ground. We were all headed for burnout. Gymnastics, Girl Scouts, sports, music, dance…it was all looped in a never-ending schedule.

I realized it was time to find a way to actually breathe. Our schedule needed to breathe. We needed to breathe. I’m not sure I’ve succeeded, but things have improved. Each child can only commit to two activities. We are still running three days a week, but it’s not insane.

When is enough, enough? When do our children have enough enrichment activities along with schoolwork, homework and play time?

Yes play time.

A new documentary, Race to Nowhere, has made me stop and think about how I am preparing my children for life after high school.

Win a Tollytots Rapunzel doll & Tangled DVD!

**CONTEST CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER JESSICA TALSTEIN**

What little girl wouldn’t love this giveaway: A Tollytots Rapunzel doll and a DVD of Disney’s hit movie Tangled.

Inspired by the Disney film Tangled, this 14-inch-tall doll is the toddler version of Rapunzel with hair as long as she is tall for styling fun. The back of the doll’s head glows when her hair is brushed and she comes with a brush, tiara and mirror (ideal for ages 3 and up).

In exchange for hosting a giveaway, I was sent one of these dolls to review. Since my daughter has never been a fan of dolls (oh, the travesty), we instead concocted a plan to give it away to a little girl in need. Though we kept our donation anonymous, simply imaging the look on her face to receive such a magical doll brought a big smile to our faces.

And here’s a chance for you to do the same for your child.

Contest
Mile High Mamas is giving away a Tollytots Rapunzel doll and Tangled DVD. Please go here to enter. Contest deadline is May 20, 2011.

About Tangled
When the kingdom’s most wanted (and most charming) bandit is forced to make a deal with the golden-haired, tower-bound teen, the unlikely duo sets off on a hilarious hair-raising escapade complete with super-horse cop, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. Tangled experienced the biggest-ever opening for Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the second-biggest Thanksgiving weekend opening in history-behind only Toy Story in 1999.

IKEA announces opening day for Centennial store is “much earlier” than expected

Shoppers will get peruse the aisles at IKEA earlier than expected.

IKEA announced today that its Centennial store will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, according to a news release.

The 415,000-square-foot home furnishing store is being built on 13.5 acres along the western side of Interstate 25, north of the Park Meadows area.

The store is the 38th IKEA in the United States and the first in Colorado.

“The excellent construction progress made this past fall

Forget the fairy tale: Royal weddings then and now

Where were you when Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married?

On the morning of July 29, 1981, I witnessed spectacular pomp and solemn ceremony on a small TV in an Omaha motel room. Our vacationing family was traveling from Colorado to Minnesota. I was 10 years old.

My dad must have found an extra reserve of patience that morning. I wanted to see it all—Diana’s gown, the horse-drawn carriages, the fairy tale. Minnesota had to wait. I was swept up into the excitement and hype. For months, the engagement had been trumpeted in the news and on every magazine cover. Lady Diana’s blue sapphire ring, her beauty, her youth, her destiny as future Queen captured my imagination.

The Holiday Western Best Days Johnson Inn faded away. I was an honored guest. I was a part of history. I loved the newly-married royal couple. Happily Ever After was a promise.

Back home, I had Charles and Diana paper dolls. Their paper clothes were copies of ensembles they wore in press conferences or at high-profile functions. If I dressed Diana in the black strapless gown, Charles wore his tuxedo.

They had a paper baby, the heir to the throne. It wasn’t labelled as a boy or a girl because there was no William, yet.

Now there is a William and a Kate. They will marry on April 29, 2011.

I found the dolls, a bit mangled from improper storage, several years ago. My oldest daughter had a lot of questions about my flat little childhood friends, especially Diana. Was she really a princess? Did she live in a palace?

At the time, I struggled with what to tell my daughter. Diana was a princess who lived in palace. She had two sons and she worked hard to help others, but she was often lonely and sad. Diana and Charles were divorced.

And then the woman once known as Shy Di died.

The coverage of William and Kate’s wedding is much more subdued than it was when Charles and Diana were the happy couple in love. There are no books of paper dolls to buy at our local grocery store. They aren’t on every magazine cover. One news outlet called the impending nuptials boring.

I don’t think the lack of coverage is because William and Kate are boring people.

My thought is that the coverage is more limited this time because people have learned a lesson. Also, Jersey Shore. It’s actually a high compliment these days to be considered boring.

In my mind, I play back the lovely images of Diana smiling, waving, seated next to her Prince. Those memories stand in stark contrast to late-night news reports of a car crash in a Parisian tunnel.

The fairy tale which seemed real and possible and even attainable in 1981 is marred by a bit of cynicism.

It’s also put into perspective by wisdom. I hope with everything that William and Kate have a long, happy marriage. It isn’t easy for anyone, even those who have never been paper dolls.

Denver Deal: Colorado Rockies, Baskin Robbins and European Wax Centers

I know it doesn’t feel like it now (all rainy and cold again), but the summer is upon us. The baseball diamonds will be filled again and the pools will be busy. But the free lawn concerts and other free events are coming soon too!

I got invited to a market test of the new wraps (hopefully they introduce them to all locations) at Boston Market. These were fabulous! There were three different wraps to choose from including the Southwest one that I tried. I can see this being a yummy and refreshing summer meal that won’t load me down and it was big enough to feed at least two of me!

Colorado Rockies Promotions :

Going to a Colorado Rockies game can be a great bargain – especially if you are going during one of the promotional nights. Saturday, April 30 is “Great Clips Coupons” and Sunday, May 1 is Coca-Cola $59 Value Pack night. The Value pack includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 cokes. The deal also includes 1 Lot B parking permit and 1 Rockies Magazine.

Payless Shoe Source

Payless Shoe Source is having their BOGO event again. Buy one pair of shoes get the second one at 1/2 price. I don’t know about your kids – but something about summer. They wreck their shoes!

Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night

Add Baskin Robbins to your calendar. This Wednesday, April 27th From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. you can purchase ice cream for just 31 cents per scoop. This is a fundraiser for America’s Firefighters. (and many locations also have a cool firetruck there too!).

European Wax Centers

Swimsuit season is upon us and I know you will be hanging out at the pool with your kids this summer. European Wax Centers offers a free wax session to first time customers! Call and book your appointment today. (Tell them that Gretchen Yoder sent you). It takes less than 20 minutes – so you could also squeeze in a coffee break while dad’s at home with the kiddos.

Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee is offering great deals every Monday through May 30 including $2 breakfast sandwiches and $3 Northern Lites beverages.

Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!

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