Month: May 2015

Talking with Camp Staff about Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Even if you have already enrolled your child in camp, it’s not too late to talk with the camp director about child sexual abuse prevention. Make sure prevention is not only on the director’s radar, but that there are policies and practices in place.  Three Questions Every Parent Should Ask If you ask nothing else, ask these questions of camp directors: Beyond background checks, what is the screening process for new hires? What kind of child sexual abuse prevention training do you offer staff and volunteers? What specific policies are in place to minimize the risk of child sexual abuse at your camp? Look for camps that have a three-part staff interview process:  Background checks, personal interviews, and reference checks. Ideally, interviews should include questions about counsel...

Know Your Dog’s DNA? Wisdom Panel Can Help!

We do genetic testing on our human babies to ensure they are as healthy as possible, but what about our fur babies? Have you ever wondered what breed your dog actually is? This information goes way beyond questioning why your pup looks or acts a certain way. Understanding the breeds that make up your dog enables targeted care and in some cases provides lifesaving information for your furry family member!  Knowing your dog’s genetics is important for a few reasons. Some genetic information can indicate health issues, and it can also be important to help you know what health issues to watch for. It can also help you develop an appropriate diet and exercise plan for your dog with its breed health concerns in mind. Mars Veterinary understands dogs are family. That’s why they’ve launched t...

Lending a hand to the sky ~ Musings on mothering a graduating child

The western mountains were sandwiched by clouds this morning. The row of peaks was obscured by chalky grey banks of opaque clouds, no doubt packed with snow. I could see the middle elevations clearly. Along the foothills—the base of mountains—were stark white cloud balls. They looked like the trim on Santa’s hat. It was beautiful and I wished I could have pulled off the road to snap pictures. The shoulder was too saturated. If I stopped, I might never get going again. It’s been raining here for nearly a week and that is highly unusual. When I arrived home, I didn’t go inside right away. The rain stopped briefly, so I decided to survey my front garden. Nothing is blooming yet, but the green leafy parts are thriving. They love this rain. Some of my plants have d...

Winning Wednesday: Win tickets to the Butterfly Pavilion!

 Butterfly Pavilion is the zoo of small wonders and BIG experiences! Journey through their new and improved Crawl-a-See-Em, hold Rosie, touch a starfish and make your way through our Tropical Rainforest with 1,600 fluttering butterflies! They are the first stand-alone and second invertebrate zoo to become accredited by AZA! What’s fun, new or fabulous at Butterfly Pavilion this summer? This summer is jam packed with fun at the Butterfly Pavilion! Butterfly Pavilion is turning 20 this year, so they are gearing up our summer camps, adult programs, tasting series, and their annual events to make them better than ever! This summer they are preparing to open a new exhibit: Invertebrate World, coming in July. Invertebrate world will take you on an adventure and teach you why invertebr...

Denver Deal: Free Movies, Favor, and Rocky Mountain National Park

You can thank me for stopping the rain. I finally broke down and purchased an umbrella (my kids had played a bad version of Mary Poppins with my other one and it broke). I had said that once I purchase it – the rains would stop. Either that or wash my car. Free summer activities are pretty much a given here in Denver. From free concerts to cheap movies and more – there are tons of free/cheap things to do this summer! (A free concerts schedule is coming soon). Summer also means playing with toys and Toys is the newest exhibit at History Colorado Center. Remember Gumby, Barbie, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head, WhamO, Spirograph, and Hot Wheels?  Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is celebrating 100 years with special events, educational se...

My Daughter’s Future as a Mouseketeer

When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a great actress. That Annie character (actress Aileen Quinn) had nothin’ on me. Well, except that she could act. And dance. And sing. I enrolled in drama the first chance I could when I was in seventh grade.  My dreams of stardom would soon be realized. Until I realized I hated acting. Well, I didn’t hate all elements of it but one in particular: improv. And this class was all about off-the-cuff acting.  Though I was an overly self-assured seventh grader, I was way too self-conscious about being funny on demand so after just one semester my acting career was over. My daughter Hadley has enjoyed performing in her class plays at school and I thought that was the extent of it until she begged me to enroll her in Colorado ACTS, a local com...

Free Days June through December 2015

It may have been years since you went to one of our great institutions like the Denver Zoo or a museum (or maybe you saw them as you were chaperoning your kiddo’s class – which means between figuring out if you still have the right number of kids with you or taking bathroom breaks). But now is the opportunity to visit one of these great places for FREE!  We do recommend that you reach out to the museum/location prior to going to ensure that nothing has changed in their calendar.  June Tuesday, June 2 – Children’s Museum of Denver (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Friday, June 5 – Four Mile Historic Park Saturday, June 6 – Denver Art Museum Monday, June 29 – Denver Museum of Nature & Science  July Frida...

Melissa’s Eats & Treats: Chocolate Brownie Chunk Ice Cream Recipe

Raise your hand if you love chocolate ice cream. Raise your hand if you love chocolate brownies. Now keep both those hands in the air for Chocolate Brownie Chunk Ice Cream, the perfect indulgence for any time of year! This rich treat uses real chocolate for the ice cream base, with your favorite chocolate brownies completing the sinful combination. For maximum chocolate potency, be sure to use my recipe for Decadent Chocolate Brownies. They are thick and chewy, and even a small piece packs a big punch. Whichever recipe you choose, it’s best to use day-old (or older) brownies for the ice cream. So find all the chocolate in your house, because you are going to need it. And that’s a good thing. If you are intimidated by making ice cream, don’t be! Just read my article called Three Reasons Mak...

Gardening for Dummies: Win Your Own Garden Plot from Urban Farm Company Plot ($350 value!)

When Bryant Mason reached out to me last year about partnering with his company, The Urban Farm Company, we exchanged a few emails but I got busy with summer travels and dropped the ball.  So, when he recently circled back about his company that teaches everything you need to know about growing your own organic garden–including installing and education–I jumped at the chance. His company’s passion is to make it as easy as possible for people to grow their own fresh, healthy food right in their backyard.  Got a picky eater who doesn’t like vegetables (who doesn’t?) There’s no better way than to involve them in gardening so they can ...

Appreciating your teachers but not the “huffy” look

It’s first period and I’m teaching high schoolers. The end of class is near and I’m starting to worry if  each small group is going to get a chance to present what they’ve been working on. There’s a commotion in the hallway. An entire class of middle schoolers, many of whom I teach on a different day, are waiting along with their teacher to get into my classroom. I am annoyed. I peek out and ask what’s going on. I’m told that they need to use my large room just for a moment to make a brief announcement. I get huffy. What!? Are you serious!? No one told me. I didn’t plan for this. How will I wrap up the class with 10 minutes less than should have? Aaaaaagh! This is what I’m thinking in my head, and I’m afraid some of it shows as I mutter, “OK then. C’mon in,” and usher everyone in in a...

Families Will Love This International Bash Right Here in Denver!

Do you want your kids to have a multicultural experience right here in Denver? The International School of Denver (ISD) is throwing an International Bash on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. where the public can have fun in the sun while immersing themselves in cultures from around the globe. With bounce houses, climbing activities, bungees and carnival games for all ages, watch student performances in French, Mandarin and Spanish as the smell of plump Chinese pot stickers, baguette sandwiches, delicate crepes, tasty churros and more waft through the air from the food pavilion. Adults can cool off with a frosty beverage from the Bavarian Beer Garden, and kids can help someone ELSE cool off by taking a pitch at the dunk tank!   Entry is free and food/activity tic...

Winning Wednesday: Win Tickets to Heritage Square and Miners Maze Adventureland

There has been some confusion regarding the future closure of Heritage Square Amusement Park and Miners Maze Adventureland in Golden. Rest assured, the attractions are running full speed ahead for yet another action-packed season. However, some of the entities within Heritage Square may not be operating beyond the 2015 season which runs through the first weekend in November so stay tuned for more information and be sure to visit while you still can!   Miners Maze Adventureland and Heritage Square Amusement Park  (two separate entities, with tickets sold independently).   These action-oriented attractions, shopping, dining and amusement village in the foothills of Golden are fun for all ages in a safe, affordable and manageable venue.    Miners Maze: ...