Month: December 2015

52 Weeks of Nature: A Colorado Family’s Resolution

Words from Nature: She called, and we came. This is how it all started… As parents of two boys, owners of full time careers, and CEO’s of our household (i.e., doing endless loads of laundry, dishes, and paying bills like money grows on trees), the weekend can easily become a reprieve from a long work week of emotional daycare drop offs, and long to-do lists. After two kids in two years I found myself turning to an indoor lifestyle – I just wanted to nest with my family (and eat chocolate). My husband and I still managed to get out and make important visits to the playground, library, and zoo, etc., but we missed the beating heart of Mother Nature, and we so wanted to introduce the outdoors to our kids. So, we took a hike. It was during this hike that we committed to getti...

57 Years Apart- A Boy And a Man Talk About Life

A new viral video featuring an intergenerational conversation proves you don’t need to be old to be wise. The Irish-based video-content producer Facts posted a funny, sad and sweet YouTube video of a chat between a 7-year-old boy and a 64-year-old man as they discussed life, love and aging. With a 57-year-old age difference, this heartwarming video discusses what’s the worst thing about young and old, falling in love and so much more. “Act normal, don’t be silly, don’t bully lots of people.”

Denver Free Days January through June 2016

As we round the first of the year – put some of these great and free attractions on your list of must-dos in 2016!  Always be sure to check their website to confirm dates and times. January Friday, Jan 1 – First Hikes free admission at several Colorado State Parks Saturday, Jan 2 – Denver Art Museum (P.S. It is free every day all year for kids 18 and under).  Tuesday, Jan 5 – Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Tuesday, Jan 5 – Target First Tuesdays, Children’s Museum of Denver 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan 8 – Denver Zoo Saturday, Jan 9 – Denver Zoo Monday, Jan 18 – Denver Botanic Gardens Monday, Jan 18 – National Parks Thursday, Jan 21 – Denver Zoo Monday, Jan 25 – Denver Museum of Nature and Science Sunday, Jan 31 ...

Work and Music, Like Oil and Water

I’ve never considered myself to be a music aficionado. I grew up in a house where the Barry Manilow’s Greatest Hits eight-track was heard almost as much as Tony Orlando and Dawn. And I was happy about it! Now, if only I could say that without blushing and hanging my head in shame…. My co-workers and I have been putting in ten-hour days for two weeks now because of a national audit that kind of caught us unawares. As such, we have been buzzing around one another like a frenzied swarm of killer bees. Tension is palpable. Stress levels are high. And, while Flight of the Bumble Bee might be most appropriate, I tend to want to blast some Jane’s Addiction while I’m looking for POAs and MFRs and hoobity-whaties. The problem is that I work in an office with seven othe...

Hilarious “Hello From The Mother Side” Parody

Adele’s “Hello” has already inspired plenty of parodies, but singer-songwriter and mother Emily Mills from Waco, Texas, has used the famous struggles of motherhood and math homework as a hilarious sounding board. The plaintive pleas of Adele will have been replaced by the laughter of moms around the world who never quite figured out algebra themselves, much less how to get their kids to do their algebra homework.

Letting Go

  There was recently a day that was exhausting  but ultimately worthy of the effort, as most hard things are. The kids and I drove out to the mountains, and one afternoon I took them snow tubing. I was unsure about how I’d to wrangle two young boys by myself, but my husband couldn’t go, so if we were going to do it, I would have to lead the effort. I’m not really an outdoorsy person or a thrill-seeker. But since our first trip to the mountains last year, my older son had been begging all winter for another chance to go. He is only seven, and has been only a few years a Coloradoan, but maybe he somehow already knows the allure of this landscape.  I tried to reassure myself thinking I should know what to expect from this; we did it last year. But there were four...

6 Denver New Year’s Events for Families

Noon Year’s Eve December 31, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver The Children’s Museum of Denver is bringing in the excitement, thrills and festive fun of Times Square on New Year’s Eve to the Children’s Museum – all before bedtime! They’ll have glittery ball drops, rainbows of confetti and HUGE sheets of bubble wrap (their version of fireworks!) for kids to stomp on. After the ball drops, the celebration keeps going with sparkling art projects and heaps of activities on the plaza. Zoo Year’s Eve December 31, 2015, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm WHERE: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St,  Denver In conjunction with Zoo Lights, enjoy Zoo Year’s Eve with an early New Year’s Eve countdown...

Ode to obnoxious Christmas newsletters

Everyone complains about bragging, overly-detailed Christmas newsletters. Invasive medical procedures undergone in May are recounted on paper rimmed with robust snowmen. Splashy vacations are described in so much detail, the room smells like Coppertone and the majestic horse the newsletter writer rode in the surf on the white sand beach. The list of their children’s proudest moments would serve as a smart opening for a European Union application essay–yes, the accomplishments are so numerous, the EU might consider admitting a sovereign 8-year-old individual into their economic, social, and military alliance. Parole officers, perfect health, demotions, bad report cards, and the story of the time back in March she was asked to resign from the volunteer committee under suspicion o...

“DADDY’S HOME”: When meeting your in-laws goes terribly wrong

This hilarious sponsored post is to promote the even more hilarious new comedy “DADDY’S HOME.” If there’s anything I love, it’s a Christmas comedy and the new “DADDY’S HOME” movie delivers! Coming to a theater near you Christmas Day this movie follows a mild-mannered radio executive (Will Ferrell) who strives to become the best step dad to his wife’s two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father (the smokin’ hot Mark Wahlberg) arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids. It’s like Meet the Parents meets Elf as hilarity ensues! I know all about well-intended holiday celebrations that go off the rails, as was evidenced when I brought the future fat...

Contest: Win tickets to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari

If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, add an electric safari to the mix! Mile High Mamas is joining Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to celebrate 25 years of holiday cheer during their Electric Safari. With 85 light sculptures on over 50 acres, warming fires throughout the Zoo offer a reprieve from the chill, as do select indoor animal exhibits that remain open during the event. Top off this astounding display by gazing out at the city’s lights and watch all of Colorado Springs sparkle. The fun includes: Interactive activities will be available in The Loft. Special Animal Shows and Keeper Talks nightly, see detailed schedule below. Select animal exhibits are open during the event, including the giraffe barn, Encounter Africa, Aquatics, Rocky Mountain Wild, Scutes Family G...

The Best Holiday Sugar Cookies with Coconut Snow Glaze

Can’t stop, won’t stop. Eating these holiday cookies, that is. Years ago, I clipped this recipe for sugar cookies with coconut snow glaze from a magazine and had yet to make them. Last week, I made some adaptations and now, there’s no going back. Trust me on this one, you’ll want to add this sugar cookie to your Christmas baking list. The coconut glaze is optional or you can just use your regular frosting recipe and top them with sprinkles. But if you’re a coconut lover, these cookies look and taste like they have a magical dusting of snow on them. [yumprint-recipe id=’94’]

Move over New Year’s Day, it’s time to celebrate Commitment Day

WHAT’S YOUR COMMITMENT FOR 2016? Holiday break. We love it and loathe it at the same time.  We love the time of year and having kids and family together but we admit, sometimes we loathe it for the same reasons. By the end of December it seems we’re running out of ideas for what to do with everyone that doesn’t involve movies, eating out, food and more of the bad stuff. That’s all to say – look no further! We were excited to learn the fourth annual Commitment Day Fun Run and Festival is coming back to Denver and it’s a fun, engaging and healthy way for your family to kick off 2016. Life Time is hosting a 5K Fun Run for the whole family at its Centennial, Parker-Aurora and Westminster locations on January 1 at 10am. The 5K is $30 for those older than 12 and free for kids under 12. ...

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