Month: June 2011

‘Baby Einstein’ DVD creators find redemption in documents suggesting negative study was flawed

Four years, one lawsuit and relentless pestering after a headline-grabbing study slammed their iconic Baby Einstein videos as harmful, Bill Clark and Julie Aigner-Clark have forced the University of Washington to turn over original research documents they say confirm what they always suspected: The study was deeply flawed and unfairly characterized Baby Einstein products. The university also paid $175,000 toward the couple’s legal fees. To Bill Clark, the files turned over by the school demonstrate “troubling aspects of how it was conceived, funded and publicized.” The university stands behind

New Safety Standards for Cribs Aim to Better Protect Children: Tips for Making Sure Your Crib Is Safe

Crib-related accidents send 26 children to U.S. emergency rooms each day and result in more than 110 deaths annually, according to a recent study in the journal Pediatrics. And for the first time in nearly 30 years, federal mandatory crib standards have been updated. Beginning June 28, 2011, anyone that manufactures or sells baby cribs will be required to meet new and improved crib safety standards approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Dec. 15, 2010. These mandatory standards will: 1) stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs; 2) make mattress supports stronger; 3) improve slat strength; 4) make crib hardware

Tips For a Successful Fourth of July

Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrated in honor of our nation’s Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776. The purpose: to declare the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Each of the Thirteen Colonies partied in style on that day decades ago, as predicted by John Adams himself in a letter to his wife. We will do it again this year give thanks on July 4th for the amazing gift of freedom our country is founded upon, and as moms, we’re going to do what we can to make it the best one ever for our families!

Event Round-Up: Colorado Symphony, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Ice Cream Social & More!

Sunday. Independence Day gets the classical treatment when the Colorado Symphony presents its “Independence Eve” concert at Civic Center Park. The huge outdoor show features the orchestra playing al fresco under a portable bandshell. Right behind the orchestra, the Civic Center building will be lit up with a choreographed light show—and you’d better believe there will be fireworks. The musical program includes plenty of rousing, patriotic favorites under the direction of resident conductor Scott O’Neil. Arrive early with folding chairs and blankets to get the best seats, and don’t worry about dinner—food will be available onsite. Latecomers can spread out and catch the show from the steps of the state capitol building, too. 8 p.m. Sunday. Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax Avenue. Admi...

Denver Urban Gardens – “growing community – one garden at a time”

For 26 years, the non-profit Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) has worked with communities to bring about positive change through gardening. DUG assists neighborhoods and schools with the planning, design, coordination and construction of community gardens, most of which are located in low- to moderate-income urban neighborhoods. With only 3 gardens in, 1985, it’s first year of operation, the organization has grown by leaps and bounds – or rather, by blooms and fruits – to over 100 gardens today in 11 cities supporting over 32,000 people throughout the Denver Metro Area. For 2011, the organization plans to open a total of 20 new community gardens. On June 22, DUG hosted GreenShoots2 at Root Down restaurant in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver. This annual fund raising event strives to sp...

KEEN Vail Kids Adventure Race: The Coolest Kids Race on the Planet?

When I heard about the inaugural KEEN Vail Kids Adventure Race last year, I knew my 6-year-old daughter Hadley simply had to try it. This is her year. On Saturday, August 13, 2011, kids ages six through 12 will get a fun introduction to adventure racing. Teams of two work together to navigate a variety of sports and and problem-solving challenges, including mountain biking, hiking, tubing, archery, a low ropes course, a zip line, a climbing wall, a Tarzan swing, a giant slip-n-slide and more. Competitors will be divided into three waves based on age and will start at set intervals. An after party and awards ceremony will take place immediately following the race. I don’t know about you but I wish they had this race for adults! Despite the fun factor, I had fears my 6-year-old was rea...

As long as you’re under my roof

I want the serial killer lurking in the woods to know this: I have left the back door unlocked. I am not armed. My room is at the top of the stairs to the right. I am usually sleeping from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, but I have kids so these hours greatly vary. If you need to sharpen your axe, look in the garage. There, you’ll find all sorts of tools. Hammer, crowbars, all-things sharp and scary. If you forgot your axe (blush) you can use what you find in the red tool box. There’s always the kitchen knives, too. Don’t let our dog worry you. She’s all bark, no bite. I’d hate for you to get hurt. I mean, if you’re going to kill me ANYWAY, you should be as safe as possible while you are committing your crime. I am powerless. I really can’t say no because I c...

Denver Deal: Kennedy Golf, Cherry Creek Arts Fest, Salads & More!

Happy Fourth of July!  I hope you have some fantastic plans.  I know my kids and I will do all that we can to put as much fun into this weekend as we possibly can.  We may visit the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.  We will be seeing the HUGE fireworks display at the Colorado Rockies game.  We may even make it to Keystone or Frisco to see the fireworks over Lake Dillon!  Whatever you choose to do with your family enjoy the time together and remember we live in an AMAZING country. Kennedy Golf Course The Kennedy Golf Course, located at 10500 East Hampden Avenue,  is currently running a super deal.  Junior golfers (any golfer under 18 years old)  From June 1st- August 31st, children play free on the Par 3 course with the paid admission of a parent. Cherry Creek Arts Festival For three days during...

Top 10 Things to Do in Frisco, Summit County’s Hidden Gem

With laudable Summit County neighbors such as Vail, Breckenridge and Keystone, the town of Frisco often gets overlooked when, in actuality, we should be putting “Frisco: The Main Street to the Rockies” at the top of our list. I fell in love with Frisco a couple of years ago when we stayed just a stone’s throw away from the network of bike paths that wind around crystalline Dillon Reservoir. My very best day ever was when I biked with my young kids around the reservoir and stumbled upon the town of Dillon’s charming farmer’s market (Fridays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through September 2011). My husband Jamie’s very worst day ever was hauling them in their bike trailer the next day 20 miles round-trip from Frisco to Breckenridge where he attested it was somehow uphill. Both ways. We all have ...

Our Brush with Fame (and $25,000) on NBC’s The Marriage Ref

Last night, my husband Jamie and I battled it out over his pumpkins on the premiere of NBC’s The Marriage Ref . Sadly, we didn’t win. I honestly did not go into it thinking we would but of course, I always hoped because that’s why we did the show. Bills were piling up and my knee surgery keeps getting pushed back. It’s not very often you get a 1 in 3 chance of winning $25,000. But as the show progressed and the audience and celebrities were very pro-pumpkin, I thought, “We have a real stab at this!” Oh, how great was our fall. Some observations: From the offset, Jamie was beloved, I was a fly on the wall and I was perfectly happy about that. I’m usually the one who has the spotlight and it was lovely to see my dear husband shine on a national stage...

Denver Area Farmers Market Round-up

‘Tis the season to get out and go and there is no better place to do it than at the many area Farmer’s Markets. Besides just fresh, locally grown produce, Farmer’s Markets are a great place for children to learn (check-out Teaching Children a Fresh Perspective With Fresh Flowers and Fresh Produce). Mile High Mamas has compiled an extensive list of Denver-area Farmer’s Markets. Be sure to tell us your favorite and if we missed anyone.

Mama Tech Talk: Best Apps For Learning Math

Most kids dislike math. I hated math growing up. It is a necessary skill to learn but yet can be incredibly frustrating for both children and parents. I remember having many melt downs in my jr high years over algebra. Math is such a “building block” subject – each concept builds on the one before. If any of the building blocks are weak, the subsequent ones come crumbling down. Here are some apps that turn math into fun and games, but still accomplish a learning purpose. The following list is some of my favorites I’ve reviewed this year.

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