Denver Deal: Colorado History Museum, Concert Series, JC Penney Haircuts & More

I just love Crested Butte. It is one of my favorite places to stay and play in Colorado! While the drive can be a bit long (although very pretty), when you get there you are rewarded with the most beautiful scenery, a fun small town and lots of things to do! My kids enjoyed the spectacular drives (and rock skipping) and hanging out with family downtown. This year we went to the Adventure Park right at the base of the mountain. The Adventure Park is a ton of fun with climbing wall, putt-putt golf course, bungee jump and lift tickets to go to the top of the mountain. We can’t wait to get back to have more fun this winter. Good thing they are running a fantastic special right now.

Celebrate Colorado Day!

Did you know that August 1st is Colorado’s Birthday? Celebrate Colorado Day and learn more about the state’s rich past on Wednesday, August 1, at History Colorado museums around the state. The celebration includes Free admission, make-and-take crafts, and live performances: noon – Taiko Drummers; 1 p.m. – Native American Singers/Dancers; 2 p.m. – Irish Dancers; 3 p.m. – Youth Fiddlers Group; last day of the LEGOrado display; $1 grab and go food at stations by KM Concessions. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit HistoryColoradoCenter.org for details. The fun doesn’t end there there are also deals and events at Byers-Evans House, Pueblo History Museum, Fort Garland, Fort Vasquez Museum, Healy House, Trinidad Museum, Ute Indian Museum and Georgetown Loop History Mining and Railroad Museum.

Young Americans Bank Celebrates 25 Years

Young Americans Bank (located at 3550 E 1st Avenue in Denver) is celebrating 25 years with a birthday party on Saturday, August 4 from 11 a.m .to 2 p.m. open to the public and completely free to attend. There will be games and activities for all ages, including a climbing wall, face painting, piggy bank making, a cash cube, fishing for money, banking bingo, and more. Plus there will be hot dogs, popcorn, and snow cones all day. Finally, we’re getting lots of our young entrepreneurs involved, so they will be giving away their products and food.

Free Summer Concerts

Several cities throughout the metro area will have a host of free concerts – all summer long! Bring your chair or your blanket. Most locations encourage you to bring picnic and have fun with the whole family.

Skyline Park – Mary Poppins movie will be shown next to the D&F Tower, The Swayback will play on August 11 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Skyline Park
Southlands in Aurora will host their FREE Friday concert on August 3rd featuring Fourever Fab from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Highlands Ranch will have The Chancer’s Hooley play fun, sing-a-long, foot stomping Irish rock for Spotlight on the Plaza on Wednesday, August 1 at the Town Center North and they will show Happy Feet 2 as part of their summer movies series on Friday, August 3rd from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. at Civic Green Park
FlatIron Crossing will host Hot Lunch for the their Thursday night concert this week August 2nd from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.
Streets of Southglenn will feature FACE Acapella band on August 8 starting at 6:30 p.m.

JC Penney

Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are eligible for a FREE haircut at JCPenney! Just call the salon or stop by to make your appointment first. No coupon necessary.

Southglenn Stadium Free Kids Movie

SouthGlenn Stadium 14′s Family Summer Series is winding up their family-friendly movie series. offers a FREE family flick every Wednesday at 10 a.m. August 1 the featured film is Hop. The show is first-come, first-served and often fill up fast, so get there early.

Blockbuster Blue Carpet

Now through July 31, Blockbuster is offering exclusive deals as part of the Better Blockbuster Extravaganza. Coupons feature: Rent one movie get one free, Rent one game get one free, One free month of unlimited Kids and Family movie rentals through the Kids Pass membership subscription, One free month (unlimited movie and game rentals through the Blue Ticket membership subscription.

Baby Matinee

The first Tuesday of every month, parents can enjoy movies in a baby-friendly environment without worrying about baby making too much noise, no place to breastfeed or space for stroller parking. The next event will be Tuesday, August 7 in AMC Theatres (Highlands Ranch and FlatIron Crossing) the featured movie is The Amazing Spider-Man. We’ll also be giving away a Little Pim Spanish Playtime DVD to the first 10 moms and dads in the audience! Brought to you by TheBump.com

Little Feet Sale

Little Feet (Denver’s leading store for high-quality children’s shoes) is having their annual summer sale through August 4. They have 20% off savings storewide, as well as $20 and $30 clearance tables for top children’s shoe brands. 201 University Blvd. #103.

Crested Butte Christmas in July

Thinking about pools and air conditioning in the hot summer heat? Why not think about skiing and Christmas time? Save up to 73% at the Elevation Hotel and Spa during Christmas. Plan your stay in an Apex King Courtyard view room for $99 per night between December 19 and December 27. Restrictions apply and the offer is subject to availability, due to the deeply discounted offer. Special airfare to fly directly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport and discounted lift tickets are also available. Visit www.skicb.com for full details.

Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!

Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.

You can also follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93). If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.

Events: Take a Child to the Opera Day, Boulder County Fair

Thursday. Opera has a high-society reputation, but young music fans can get in on the artsy action at a special “Take a Child to the Opera” day at Central City Opera. Featuring a family friendly production of Puccini’s “La Bohème,” the day’s activities include interactive theater games, picnicking, and instruction by CCO ensemble members on “La Bohème”’s legendary Parisian love story. Guests can also learn about Central City’s history, pan for gold and more. The program’s recommended for kids age 6 and older. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Central City Opera House at 124 Eureka St., Central City. Tickets are $35 for kids, $40 for adults; opera-only tickets are $10 less. Buy tickets at 303-292-6700 or visit centralcityopera.org.

Through Sunday. Celebrate the high life—as in 10,430 feet above sea level—at Leadville Boom Days, starting today. North America’s highest incorporated city pulls out the stops for its annual three-day blowout, with activities all over the old silver-mining boomtown. This year’s Boom Days salutes famous former Leadville resident Margaret, a.k.a. Molly, Brown. Take in live music at the historic Tabor Opera House, cruise around the Boomin’ Auto Show and stroll through a food and craft fair. Check out Boom Days’ big events, too, like burro races, a 5K, a parade and the “1880s Costume Mosey,” a leisurely walk and costume contest that finds participants gussied up in their 19th-century finest. Events begin at 2 p.m. today, 7 a.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. Sunday. Various locations in Leadville, including the Elks Lodge, 123 W. 5th St., and Tabor Opera House, 308 Harrison Ave. Admission is free; there are fees for some activities, including pancake breakfasts and motorcycle and bicycle games. leadvilleboomdays.com

Kathleen St. John

From August 1-5, Boulder will be hopping with the Boulder County Fair’s 100+ FREE events–everything from contests to car shows to dancing to interactive entertainment, a daily carnival and special activities for the kiddos. There is free gate admission and parking, ticketed grandstand events it will be held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. http://www.bouldercountyfair.org

Know the Signs: Is Your Young Child at Risk for an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that have long been primarily – and wrongfully –associated with teenaged girls. The fact is, eating disorders simply do not discriminate. In recent years, more adults and children, of both genders, have sought treatment for these potentially life-threatening diseases.

In fact, from 1999 to 2006, hospitalizations for eating disorders increased sharply – 119% – for children younger than 12 years.* And in Denver, Eating Recovery Center, a local treatment center, recently expanded its child and adolescent programming to accommodate increasing demand.

It’s important for parents of children at any age to educate themselves about eating disorders in order to prevent them, and to recognize and treat them if they do occur.

Defending Olympic marathon champion (and mom!) loves her life in Colorado

Constantina Dita holds dual citizenship and lives a double life. In Colorado she is an anonymous suburban soccer mom who hates to miss her 17-year-old son’s games. In Romania she is a national hero, even though she has lived in Erie for seven years.

In Beijing four years ago Dita won the Olympic marathon. Last week she was delighted to learn her son, Rafael, made one of the Rapids’ under-18 teams.

“She’s a very committed soccer mom,” said her friend and massage therapist, Binesh Prasad. “She will change a massage schedule just to be there. ‘I have to go for the soccer.’ I say, ‘Let Rafael be taken by someone else. It’s not the end of the world.’ She says, ‘No, no, no, I have to be there. I have to watch him.’ ”

Dita doesn’t get a lot of attention in Erie,

Why Your Family Will Love Flying High at Vail’s Zip Adventures

The Adventure: In early-July, my two sons and I, along with one of their friends, headed up to Vail for a zipline tour with Zip Adventures.. We were looking for fun, adventure and a quick getaway. We were looking to scare ourselves, just a little, and enjoy a beautiful Colorado afternoon.

Zip Adventures was even more fun than we’d imagined. As we drove to the 4Eagle Ranch to check in, we passed landing and take off platforms and saw people zipping over the canyon. The older boys, who had both ziplined at a ropes course, quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be simple tower-to-tower flight. Instead, we would be flying 200 feet above a rugged river canyon. The excitement began to build.

Reading Corner: How to Raise Your Kid’s Self-Esteem and Environmental Awareness at the Same Time (with Activity!)

Does Green Economy include you? How can parents become involved in lessening the carbon footprints of their family? How can parents engage young children in environmental activities?

Here is the perfect picture book that can serve as a launching pad for a summer family vegetable garden that will inform, engage and involve kids in what will hopefully become a life-long concern for preserving the environment and living a healthier lifestyle. The book is one of the hundred classic picture books recommended in Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

The trampoline conundrum: To buy, or not to buy & safe jumping tips

It’s a question that any parent is bound to face: “Mom, dad, can we get a trampoline?? Please???”

It’s a question we have pondered for years in our house, having one child who was practically born jumping. She’s 9 now, and still, when she gets excited about something she starts jumping up and down.

Liven Up Garden Pots with Color and Sparkle!

As July winds down and the drought continues, I’m noticing that my yard looks a little drab, a little brown, a little lack-luster. My daughter and I came up with a plan to add some sparkle, literally, to our front step with the intention that the shine will enliven our entire yard.

Baby’s Gender: To Find Out or Not To Find Out?

I recently attended a darling little girl’s 1st birthday party. It was pretty surreal to meet two other moms with one child around my son’s age and one on the way, all due close to the same day as me! Crazy! As we started chit-chatting the topic turned to finding out the sex of the baby. Did they find out the first time and would they be finding out the second time? Out of the three of us, I was the only one who had found out and is planning to find out the sex with my current pregnancy.

Here’s where it got tricky… One of the moms confidently stepped upon her proverbial soap box and didn’t come down until she had declared why NOT finding out is so much better than the alternative. She wasn’t saying things like, “I just feel…” or “for us, this is what worked best.” No, she was stating very firmly that not finding out the sex until delivery is how it should be done. She didn’t feel that there was any surprise or excitement over finding out in the ultrasound room.

I explained that my husband and I just couldn’t

Denver Deal: Concerts, Crested Butte, Parenting Seminars, Fazoli & Nordstrom’s Sale

I spend far too much time on Pinterest. Although for some reason I just look and don’t always pin to my own board. I also spend an inordinate amount of time on craigslist and facebook. This sounds like a confessional of an online mom. And maybe it is. It is hot outside. I send my kids out to play while I sit inside in the air conditioned (now quiet) comfort and troll the pages wasting hours of my day. I have found a new iphone app called OfferUp. It is a cross over between pinterest, ebay and craigslist where you can look at and purchase the most adorable outfits, baby/kids items and I even saw a Vespa on there! I can’t say that I’ve actually purchased anything YET but I know the time is coming. Who knows?!?

Free Parenting Seminars

Children’s Hospital Colorado has some FABULOUS free seminars http://www.childrenscolorado.org/wellness/parenting/seminars.aspx. Plus, free No Regrets Parenting book to all attendees. The first is No Regrets Parenting July 25th. Childcare is provided (but limited to 25)

Young Americans Bank Celebrates 25 Years

Young Americans Bank (located at 3550 E 1st Avenue in Denver) is celebrating 25 years with a birthday party on Saturday, August 4 from 11 a.m .to 2 p.m. open to the public and completely free to attend. There will be games and activities for all ages, including a climbing wall, face painting, piggy bank making, a cash cube, fishing for money, banking bingo, and more. Plus there will be hot dogs, popcorn, and snow cones all day. Finally, we’re getting lots of our young entrepreneurs involved, so they will be giving away their products and food.

Free Summer Concerts

Several cities throughout the metro area will have a host of free concerts – all summer long! Bring your chair or your blanket. Most locations encourage you to bring picnic and have fun with the whole family.

Skyline Park – Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl movie will be shown next to the D&F Tower, The Swayback will play on July 28 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Skyline Park
Southlands in Aurora will host their FREE Friday concert on July 27th featuring Chase N the Dream from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Highlands Ranch will continue their summer concerts with one of Denver’s Favorite bands, Opie Gone Bad on Thursday, July 26 from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. at Highland Heritage Regional Park
FlatIron Crossing will host Funkiphino for the their Thursday night concert this week July 26 from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.
Streets of Southglenn will feature The Love Royale – Soulful Grooves and Blues on July 25 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Movie at Shop Aspen Grove July 25 is the main event, with a screening of “Real Steel” featuring a live Bot Battle from Robotic Clubs & Robot Breakdancers. Fort Collins’ Odell Brewing will provide the $2 beers benefiting Ameribotics.

Fazoli’s Coupon

Fazoli’s has a new look and feel that includes lower calorie choices, table service and real silverware! They would like you to come and try their updated locations with $2.00 off $5.00 purchase when you use this coupon. Valid through July 31.

Nordstrom

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the perfect time to get a jumpstart on fall fashions and update your wardrobe. The annual sale at Nordstrom’s is July 20 – Aug 4th. Plus, Nordstrom Reward members can shop early starting July 11. The sale is a fall fashion sale – all new items get marked down before they go back to full price in August. And you can also grab many things on sale that only go on sale once per year! Book your appointment to shop today by calling 720-746-4240. Email me for a chance to win a Wacoal bra!

Blockbuster Blue Carpet

Now through July 31, Blockbuster is offering exclusive deals as part of the Better Blockbuster Extravaganza. Coupons feature: Rent one movie get one free, Rent one game get one free, One free month of unlimited Kids and Family movie rentals through the Kids Pass membership subscription, One free month (unlimited movie and game rentals through the Blue Ticket membership subscription.

Little Feet Sale

Little Feet (Denver’s leading store for high-quality children’s shoes) is having their annual summer sale through August 4. They have 20% off savings storewide, as well as $20 and $30 clearance tables for top children’s shoe brands. 201 University Blvd. #103.

Crested Butte Christmas in July

Thinking about pools and air conditioning in the hot summer heat? Why not think about skiing and Christmas time? Save up to 73% at the Elevation Hotel and Spa during Christmas. Plan your stay in an Apex King Courtyard view room for $99 per night between December 19 and December 27. Restrictions apply and the offer is subject to availability, due to the deeply discounted offer. Special airfare to fly directly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport and discounted lift tickets are also available. Visit www.skicb.com for full details.

Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!

Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.

You can also follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93). If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.