Month: February 2014

Funny Pregnancy Cravings: The Good, the Bad and the Very Ugly

In pregnancy, there are two kinds of cravings: the ones you’re willing to indulge, either because they’re healthy or because you’re hormonal and the only thing that will keep you from crying is half a cheesecake. Then there are the unhealthy ones that you try your best to suppress. Sometimes suppressing them feels like you’re wrestling a pack of wild badgers while blindfolded and balancing on a spinning log on Class IV rapids, but you still try. For me, jalapenos fall into category number one. I am obsessed. Getting a turkey sandwich (pressed on the Panini maker until steaming, of course)? Slice me up a few jalapenos. Ordering a salad? More peppers, please. A turkey burger? My fabulous husband knows to throw a few jalapenos on the grill. Perhaps jalapenos aren’t in the same healthy categor...

Picky Eaters? This Recipe for TaterTot Casserole is Sure To Impress Any Kid! The Ultimate Kid-Approved Meal!

Being a cook at a daycare has taught me two things: 1.  even the pickiest eaters LOVE tater tots, and 2.  kids like anything in a casserole.   Thus… TaterTot Casserole. What I love about this recipe is that it is easy to hide vegetables inside without your kids even knowing that they are in there!  Bonus.  What’s the benefit for mom?  Easy clean up.  I used one pan, one bowl, one spoon and one casserole dish.       [yumprint-recipe id=’12’]  Love it and want some more kid friendly recipes?  Check out my list of the Ultimate Kid Approved Meals!

Preoccupation Pottyitis and an Accidental Foray Over to The Dark Side

We all pray for the day – the day when our little angels can use the potty all by themselves. We all expect it to happen in one day just like Dr. Phil said it would if we followed his potty party in a day philosophy. Well, I can tell you folks, it ain’t always that simple. For us, the day was more like two months but once she got it, she got it. No more pull-ups, no night-time accidents and hallelujah, no more diaper bag. Well, hold on there, almost. We still deal with what I am terming “preoccupation pottyitis.” P-squared for short. This is a self-inflicted illness that commonly occurs in toddlers and small children in which playtime or some other mind-inhibiting activity causes the child to wait until the very last second to rush to the potty in hopes that he or she will make it. Sometim...

Morning routine chaos: How can I end the madness?

Dear Mama Drama: (photo credit) I am having a hard time getting my four-year-old to preschool on time. I usually ask him to get ready while I hop in the shower. When I get out, he hasn’t done anything. I get so frustrated because we are then rushing around and end up being late. Please help us with this madness! ~Delayed Mama Dear Delayed: Getting out of the door on time in the morning is a challenge for many families. It is important to consider your child’s age and skill level when determining how independently he can complete the tasks you are asking of him. It sounds like your son, like most four-year-olds, will need more adult support to get through the morning routine. When things are not working it is time to develop a new plan. One idea would be to bring the items he needs to use i...

Running Mama: Finding Comfort in my Shoebox

When I was pregnant with my first, I swore I’d be one of those women who wouldn’t let her running fall by the wayside.  Sure, I’d take six weeks off, but then I’d throw those running shoes back on.  I’d read about women like that.  It was just a matter of determination… …then the baby arrived… I’d been put into a shoebox, flipped over and spun around.  Every single thing I had done previously seemed impossible now.  It took me 45 minutes to prepare to meet a friend three blocks away. I couldn’t figure out how to make food and actually eat it. I braced myself for toe curling pain every time my tiny insatiable being dared need nourishment. When I was “cleared for physical activity” I gave it a go, desperate to climb out of my...

When “The 10 Plagues” is the Theme of Your Birthday Party (Think: Lice)

This year, I’m having a humdinger of a birthday: I am celebrating it on Maui (be sure to follow my Instagram feed and stay tuned for the details of our whirlwind family vacation). I’ve had some great birthdays. In years past, I: * Was on my honeymoon in Costa Rica. * Had the time of my life on a cruise to Belize and Honduras. * Attended the quarter-finals for hockey at the Olympics. * Received a new car. Now, lest you think my birthday has been all about extravagance let me assure you it has often coincidentally fallen during such occasions. There was a respectable amount of fanfare surrounding my birthday five years ago. Lunch with a friend. Dinner with family. A night out with my husband Jamie while the kids slept over at Grandma’s. A couple’s massage the next mor...

My mom fail and how velcro dependency is a national crisis

It’s with deep shame I admit a few years ago I was failing as a mother: My 8 and 6-year-old sons were just learning how to tie shoes. They hadn’t been given the opportunity to learn this life skill. We went shoe shopping. They immediately gravitated toward the usual vinyl superheroes splayed on the sides. Superheroes on shoes means faster running, higher jumping, and greater kindergarten cred. I understand this and respect how important it is to my boys to have their feet encased in Spidey and growling men with big jaws. As I considered their choices, I found myself becoming dismayed at the design of the shoes. Velcro, again? It’s fast, it’s easy. Kids can put their shoes on with no parental hunching. But is it too easy?

Denver Deal: Redbox, Free Days and Mr. Peabody Movie

Last week, MileHighMamas were invited to the Soybu Grand Opening in Greenwood Village. While I enjoyed seeing all the other ladies and of course shopping for a totally cute outfit (or two) that night, another thing I was looking forward to was sneaking into the Trader Joe’s in the same parking lot. I was surprised when I went into their store and saw that it was a bit like the apocalypse was going happen. The shelves were bare and I couldn’t really understand what all the hoopla was about. I have fallen in love with some amazingly different foods sent to me by Frieda’s Produce (things like sunchokes, purple brussel sprouts and the purple sweet potatoes) I guess I was sort of hoping that some of these items would be in that store – but they were not. So back to my we...

Mile High Mamas’ Popular Denver Spring Consignment Sale Schedule 2014

It’s finally here! Twice a year, Mile High Mamas does a round-up detailing Colorado’s popular children’s consignment sales. Thousands of shoppers find bargains on kids’ clothing for newborn-preteen, toys, strollers, furniture, baby equipment, books, shoes, maternity items and more…all at 50-90% below retail. And for the seventh season in a row, Tracey Gifford–a mom of two boys and owner of the  Just Between Friends sale in Denver–has compiled this year’s schedule. As a word of thanks, I’d like to offer a little shout-out to Tracey’s sale March 20-23, 2014, which is the largest kids’ gear and clothing resale event in Metro Denver. Mention Mile High Mamas and get in FREE! Be sure to also check out the following fabulous sales: *March 1 Supertwins of the Rocky Mountains (STORM) Sat...

Colorado Summer Camp 101: Our Top Picks As Seen on 9News!

I appeared on 9News talking about one of my favorite topics: summer camp! (Watch the segment here). With so many different choices, how do parents and kids decide what they should do? What Camp Should I Choose? There are literally hundreds of choices for camps for kids in Colorado, whether you choose a day camp or overnight.  Our day camps are divided alphabetically due to the sheer number of listings. Be sure to browse through all the options and remember not to delay. Many camps fill quickly and believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. Let  the countdown (and fun!) begin. Colorado Overnight Summer Camp Guide 2014 4 Things Every Parent Should Know When Choosing the Right Summer Camp  I sat down with Avid4Adventure’s owner David Secunda who believes kids r...

It’s Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (a.k.a. Theodor Geisel): Who Was He?

Literary milestones come and go, but one is looming that has particular resonance for nearly every living American who ever learned to read: March 2 marks the birthday 110th birthday of Theodor Geisel, the beloved children’s author better known as Dr. Seuss. Sure, it’s an offbeat anniversary, but Geisel was always an offbeat kind of guy. Over the course of his career, Geisel, who died in 1991, churned out more than 60 books. Many were award winners, and all were models of craft, fusing a unique voice and artistic style. They have enthralled children — and their parents — for more than 75 years. The books have spawned movies (which Geisel resisted during his life) and TV classics such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” which Boris Karloff memorably voiced. They ha...

8 educational video games the whole family can enjoy

As a parent of a teenage boy, there are a few shoot ’em up video games in my house. My ex-wife and I were able to keep him from these kind of games for years, but you can hold off for only so long. Much has been written about the influence of violent video games on the development of teenagers. I’ve written about it as well, noting that games like Minecraft help with educating the mind of a teen, rather than focusing on killing and maiming. I can usually see when it’s getting to be too much with my son. He may become angry or dismissive if I try and talk with him. Sometimes that behavior can be seen early in the game, sometimes after he has been playing for a while. He’s not a violent kid and I get that it’s an outlet, but I usually end his playing time when h...

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