background img

Contest: Win VIP Tickets to The Angry Birds Movie Pre-screening!

Why are those angry birds always so angry?

In the 3D animated comedy The Angry Birds Movie, we’ll finally find out why.

The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely.  In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis, We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride, This is the End, Eastbound and Down) have always been outsiders.  But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to. Rated: PG

Contest

On May 20th, we’ll finally found out why the birds are so angry! Six lucky readers have the chance to win a family-four pack of RESERVED seats (that’s 24 seats up for grabs!) to a special advance screening of THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE in Denver on Saturday, May 14th  at 10 a.m. Email [email protected] and include “Mile High Mamas” in the subject to qualify. Winners will be notified by Wednesday, May 11th at 5pm.

Denver’s Best Mother’s Day Brunches, Food and Fun

Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 8th) is a don’t miss and these local hotspots are going big to honor the mamas of Denver.  Don’t just call mom, take her out some delicious eats.  For a listing for family-friendly events, be sure to visit our event calendar. 
Mimi's

Mimi’s

Uncorked Kitchen is all about mom. Their Family Day Out: Mother’s Day Brunch (May 7 & 8 – 10am–1pm) bring the family together through the creation of a delectable meal: Refreshing Ginger and Orange Spritzer,  Cocoa & Hazelnut French Toasts,  Spring Vegetable Baked Fritatta, Chorizo and Sweet Potato Hash and Strawberry Shortcakes.  Price of $100 is per pair of attendees. Must be 6+ years old and attend with an adult.  www.uncorkedkitchen.com

Mimi’s, the popular neighborhood cafe offering French-inspired American comfort food, is showing Mom and her family twice the love this Mother’s Day. On Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day in America – Mimi’s will celebrate Mom and those special to her by pampering her like they do in France, with a three-course menu, free pastry, gifts and a relaxing time with loved ones. You’ll love the Mother’s Day menu and moms will receive a French Herb Heart-Shaped Palmier (French pastry) in every bread basket, a take-home muffin to enjoy later (the blackberry streusel muffin is a must-try), and Mimi’s French herb seed packet with the French Herb Palmier recipe on the back. And the celebration isn’t over yet. To celebrate Mom again, Mimi’s will invite guests back to celebrate through May 29, Mother’s Day in France, with a free entrée. http://www.mimiscafe.com/

At Punch Bowl Social (65 Broadway http://punchbowlsocial.com/) mom’s brunch is free, if she bowls a strike on her first attempt.  No matter the bowling skills, all moms will be treated to a complimentary mimosa upon arrival on Sunday, May 8th. The over-the-top brunch buffet will be available from 9 am to 3 pm and features a Tender Belly cured ham carving station, build your own omelette bar,  monkey bread french toast, jambalaya, fruit and cheese boards, buttermilk biscuits, salads and pastries.  After the feast, serenade mom in the private karaoke rooms or, check out the new giant bonzini foosball table, wall size scrabble, bocce, ping pong, retro arcade games, corn hole and darts. Buffet is $29, kids 15 and under  are $15 and kids 6 and under are free – call 303-765-2695 for reservations.   

Mothers, wear your favorite hat, take a glimpse of Paris, and enjoy your day with a delicious luncheon and musical performances. The Hats off to Mothers Mothers Day Luncheon at Craig Hall at the University of Denver will be May 7 from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm and will feature a 3 Course Meal with your Loved ones, musical performances, Parisian Door Prizes and more. Cost is $30 per person; kids 11 and under are free. Use Promo Code: HATSOFFMOM to recieve $5 off before May 1st.  A portion of proceeds go towards creating a scholarship for students to study abroad around the world. eventbrite.com

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1747 Wynkoop St. – www.hopdoddy.com) is rolling out the good stuff for Mom on her special day.  Got a rock’n’roll mama? Skip the fancy brunch crowds and head over the the fun and funky burger joint where the all-natural beef and bison is hand-ground throughout the day. Make it a Milkshake for Mom as she gets that “breakfast in bed” sensation with Demi’s Cinnamon Roll, a special shake that starts with homemade buttery dough smothered with cinnamon butter, rolled into layers and layers of cinnamony goodness. 

White Fence Farm– As always, the farm is going all out. Weather permitting there will be a festivities outdoors for families to enjoy the gorgeous property and petting zoo. Face painting, balloon animals, and a cotton candy machine will be on full display. White Fence Farm looks forward to serving all mothers their award winning chicken, delicious sides and of course, a sweet treat from Granny’s! whitefencefarm-co.com
Blue Bonnet – The Blue Bonnet will ​be ​open normal business hours and while​ be serving their brunch menu until 2 p.m. In addition, loyalists to the cafe can look forward to a brand new ​seasonal ​menu, perfect for the summer season. Free flowers will be handed to all moms as well as a sample of Blue Bonnet’s new Tres Leches Cake. bluebonnetrestaurant.com

 

Let your mom sit back, relax and be pampered with a Mother’s Day lunch or dinner at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (8100 E. Orchard Road, Denver www.delfriscos.com). Executive Chef Mario Hernandez will prepare a delicious Mother’s Day Prime Rib or Mom can can also enjoy a Mother’s DayPrime Pair for $55 which includes the choice of a salad (Del’s Salad, Wedge Salad or Caesar Salad), an 8 ounce Hand-Cut Filet paired with her choice of a Signature Crab Cake, BBQ-Spiced Shrimp or Lemon-Garlic Scallops and she can also have the choice of one side (Chateau Potatoes, Baked Potato, Spinach Supreme, Sautéed Mushrooms or Maque Choux Corn). The dinner menu will also be available all day. Del’s will open its doors at 11 a.m. Limited seating is available for this event and reservations are required, 303-796-0100. 

The Audubon Society of Greater Denver would love to connect your family with Colorado birds and nature at the Audubon Nature Center on Sunday May 8th for their annual Mother’s Day Bird Banding Breakfast on May 8 at 9 a.m. After a delicious continental breakfast, enjoy a leisurely spring hike and a visit to their popular bird banding station. This is a wonderful family event for mothers and grandmothers to come with their loved ones and experience wild songbirds in an unforgettable way while taking in the beauty of the Audubon Nature Center and Chatfield State Park. Purchase a gift in the Sweets N’ Tweets gift shop or peruse the used book sale. Interactive stations will teach our guests some amazing things about the best (or worst) bird mommies in nature.  www.denveraudubon.org

 The Inverness Hotel & Conference Center (200 Inverness Drive W., Englewood) – The hotel will be offering a special Mother’s Day brunch in both the award-winning Garden Terrace and Columbine restaurants from 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.  Set against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains, between Denver and Lone Tree, The Inverness is a AAA four-diamond, contemporary suburban hotel in Englewood, CO with superb accommodations and amenities. The cost is $55.95++ for adults, $25.95++ for children six to 10 years old. Children five and under eat free. There will be face painting and a balloon artist as well as two live jazz trios on site as well.

Expect to be pampered at the The Ritz-Carlton’s annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their brunch buffet experience includes a “build-your-own flower bouquet” family activity, an on-site family photographer with portraits you can take home, fun creations from a balloon artist and more. $84 per person;$40 per child, ages 6 to 12. Adult guests can enjoy bottomless mimosas. Reservations may be made by calling (303) 312-3133. Complimentary valet parking.  www.ritzcarlton.com

At Del Frisco’s Grille (100 St. Paul St. – www.delfriscosgrille.com/cherry-creek) in Cherry Creek North, Moms get special brunch treatment at the upscale casual eatery. In addition to an off-menu juicy Prime Rib special, Moms will receive a complimentary $15 gift card for a return visit, and they get to take home their very own creamy and citrusy Lemon Cake Jar, a treat specially made on Mother’s Day baked and presented in a cute and crafty mason jar. Regular brunch offerings are also available, such as the always popular Red Velvet Belgian Waffle with whipped vanilla bean-spiked cream cheese and thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon or the a Bananas Foster French Toast, with banana rum sauce and salty thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon.

postinoDenver’s a dog-loving town, and knows not all moms have human children. If your children are of the canine variety, consider taking a stroll on on the tree-lined streets of Denver’s historic LoHi neighborhood for a brunch at urban-casual Postino WineCafé (2715 17th St. – www.postinowinecafe.com). Their expansive, elevated and airy patio usher in dogs as welcome additions to the family and complement the casual, laid back atmosphere. Nosh a selection from their creative and unusual brunch menu for the day – we suggest the Walnut Toast with triple crème brie and tartly sweet house made berry preserves, and a must-have is the B.E.L.T., a hearty and filling breakfast panini on soft ciabatta with applewood smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, dijonnaise, lettuce and tomato. Of course, brunch hours are during the “$5 ’til 5” all day happy hour – glasses of wine and pitchers of beer every day for $5 until 5pm.

Treat your mom to a fun, interactive Mother’s Day brunch cooking class that she’ll never forget. Join the chefs at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts on Sunday, May 8th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to learn how to prepare delicious brunch dishes. A complete meal with fun cocktails is included with each class, $89 per person. Cook Street is located at 1937 Market Street in Denver. For more information, visit www.cookstreet.com.       

 Baur’s Restaurant and Listening Lounge (1512 Curtis Street, Denver) – The restaurant is celebrating Mother’s Day by offering a special Brunch Buffet from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. featuring tasty treats for all ages, bottomless mimosas, and a special chocolate treat for moms.  Their classic cordillera cuisine begins with the freshest seasonal ingredients, resulting in menus that offer interesting yet hearty and healthful dishes with true flavors.  Baur’s dining menus are created using ingredients that are sourced locally with quality products from Colorado providers and fresh seafood flown in from both coasts. Baur’s will also feature a nose-to-tail charcuterie programFor reservations, please call: (303) 615-4000, or by visiting: baursresturant.com
Hideaway Kitchen + Bar (25948 Genesee Trail Road, Genesee CO 80401) – The restaurant will be offering a special Mother’s Day brunch from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The cost is $32.00 for adults, and $12.00 for kids 12 and under. Seating is limited.  This restaurant offers live music seven nights a week, a delicious and creative menu that meets any appetite and a quiet spot in the foothills west of Denver. (The name plays to the restaurant’s location, tucked way in the mountain in the Genessee Town Center.) Reservations can be made by calling: (303) 526-0556, or by visiting: www.hideawaykitchen.com.

The 2016 Mother’s Day 5K & Brunch is on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Denver’s City Park and this family-friendly event promises to be better than ever. Each registration includes race entry, a tech T-shirt with gender specific sizes, and new this year – gourmet brunch from Goddess Catering in the park following the race for all participants. Again this year, they’ll have race-time childcare, the annual kids race, a fabulous post-race expo, awesome prizes and much more that the whole family can enjoy. 

Cinco de Mayo Recipes: Blue Bonnet’s Chicken Taquitos & Meatballs in Sonora Sauce

The Blue Bonnet is a family owned and operated authentic Mexican restaurant on historic South Broadway in Denver. The restaurant was established in the 1930s and upon purchase by the Mobells in the 1960s, transformed into the fresh, award-winning eatery run by the owner’s son and daughter to this day.

Their diverse menu includes signature tacos with house made salsas, unique tamales, famous chile rellenos and enchiladas, seasonal favorites such as posole, gazpacho, and pumpkin flan in addition to nearly 50 more items. Today the iconic restaurant shares with Mile High Mamas their classic Chicken Taquitos as well as Meatballs in Sonora Sauce recipes.

 
[yumprint-recipe id=’99’]
[yumprint-recipe id=’100′]

11 family-friendly events in Denver this weekend

There are plenty of events in Denver this weekend including Star Wars at the Hanger, Spring Concerts, Elitch Gardens Opening Weekend, and more. See our event calendar for additional information.

DigiGirlz Event at Microsoft at Park Meadows Mall 
Apr 27,  5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Are you interested in the girls in tech movement? Then join in the fun when a free DigiGirlz events will be held at Microsoft at Park Meadows Mall to introduce young women to computer science professionals and fundamentals so they can explore career paths and empower themselves through coding.

Haute Tots Sale at Jefferson County Fairgrounds 
Apr 29 -Apr 30 
For the full listing of Denver consignment sales and times, go to http://www.milehighmamas.com/blog/2016/02/17/denver-childrens-consignment-sales-spring-2016/

Elitch Gardens Opening Weekend 
Apr 30
Celebrate Elitch’s 126th Birthday on Opening Weekend. Located in the heart of Denver for over 125 years, Elitch Gardens is America’s only Downtown Theme and Water Park.

Evolve Expo at the National Western Complex 
Apr 29 – May 1 
The 2016 Evolve Expo will present live demonstrations and hands-on opportunities in cooking with natural food products, grains, and real unprocessed foods; gardening and raising your own plants with plenty of family fun.

Star Wars at the Hangar at Wings Over the Rockies 
May 1, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Is the Force strong within you? See Cyborg Darth Maul, meet BB-8, play games like Blast-A-Trooper, star in your favorite Star Wars scene with Green Screen Adventures and much more.

Race for Open Space Fun Run at Star K Ranch 
May 1,  8:00 am
Join Star K Ranch for their 5K and 10-Mile Fun Run on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Star K Ranch in Aurora. Only $10 per person.

Birth Story Healing Half-Day Retreat at The Family Room 
May 1, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Take a deep dive into your birth story, led by birth doula Liz Grant, to discover what you can learn from your birth experience.

Free Community Day at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
May 1 
From 1 – 4 pm, you and your family will receive FREE ADMISSION to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.

Spring Concert  at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus
May 1, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Your whole family will enjoy this Spring Concert: Roads less Traveled

Jewish culture through stories for kids at the Columbine Library 
May 1 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Book to be read: The Little Little House

Free Day Target First Tuesdays at Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
May 3, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Through their generous sponsorship of the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, families can play for FREE the first Tuesday of each month.

New feature: You may now add your own family-friendly event to our calendar below for free!

Camp: How to become a Ninja

Does your child want to become a Ninja? Follow these five easy steps.

Step 1.

Sign up for National Martial Arts Alliance’s Ninja Summer Camps this summer that are being held in Stapleton and Broomfield. Camp dates are:

Broomfield: July 11-15, August 1-5
Stapleton: June 13-17, July 11-15, August 1-5

ninjaStep 2.

Learn how to be a Ninja at camp by moving quietly, using stealth ninja skills, and sneaking up on people. Learn different Ninja walks that will allow you to move through the bamboo forest (punching bags), sneak through the towns (the school), and how to cut through grass. Learn how to use Ninja weapons that are safe, including ninja stars, rubber ninja knives, and blowguns! All these safe ninja weapons will help you defend your team against the evil Ninjas (the instructors)!

Step 3.

Practice on parents. As a trainee Ninja, you will get “homework” each night to practice your new Ninja skills, such as sneaking up on your parents!

Step 4.

Every day there will be a different Ninja obstacle course you will have to fight your way through. The evil Ninjas have blocked your path and you must use your training to overcome the obstacles – never giving up and using your perseverance! Fight your way through booby traps, jump over castle walls (pads), crawl through the fields, and dodge the evil Ninja’s attacks.

Step 5.

Successfully use all your Ninja training in the big Ninja Battle at the end of the week. All the new Ninjas will split up on teams (which side will you be? Good or Evil?) and try and outsmart the others. You must use all your skills, including your Ninja walks and weapons to come out victorious! Will you survive?

Congratulations! You are a certified National Martial Arts Alliance Ninja!

All camps run 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and cost $225, which includes 5 ninja stars, 1 ninja utility belt, 25 safety darts, 1 blowgun, and 1 one rubber ninja knife. Go to www.EnvisionMartialArts.com
www.Facebook.com/EnvisionMartialArts and call today to reserve your spot! 303.968.5500 [email protected]. In partnership with Mile High Mamas. 

7 tips to start trail running, with a jogging stroller!

Well, I am here to tell you that trail running with kids is easier than you think!  Here are 7 tips to help you get back out on the trails:

#1.  Get a good stroller.

The word “good” is relative in this sentence.  You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a stroller; sometimes a second-hand stroller might be better for trail running; the trail is going to beat it up.

For stroller trail running, ensure the stroller has knobby tires, front shocks and good suspension; it is important for the snow and ice.

Stroller Hack: If you can’t afford or don’t want to pay for a new stroller, but want to ensure your stroller is ready for stroller trail running regardless of the climate. Switch your wheels out. Purchase knobby tires from your local bike shop for the back tires and purchase a BOB front wheel. It is significantly cheaper than buying a new stroller. 

#2:  Strap em’ in and lock it up.

You may be thinking “of course”, but you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t strap in their kids.  On a trail that is rocky or with any kind of incline/decline make sure that they are in tight!   If you have a front tire that has a swivel option, make sure that it is locked.  This will ensure that when you hit bumps or rocks the front tire goes straight over them, giving you and your kids a smoother ride.

#3:  Find a trail.

To discover stroller-friendly trails near you, go to Trails.com or Trailforks.com or go to the map feature on your phone and pinpoint your current location. Then search for any large green patch close by, which usually indicates a park. Find the name of the park and go to the parks official website, you can usually find trail maps, trail information, etc.

You may also need to change your mindset about what is “stroller-friendly”.  There could be a rocky trail near you that you wouldn’t have considered pushing a stroller up but you will never know if you can do it until you try.

#4:  Got Brakes?

If possible, ensure you get a stroller with a hand brake. Note, if you are purchasing an older model jogging stroller second hand, they might not have a hand brake. Therefore, ensure you wear the safety strap tightly around your wrist when running on the trails to help stop the stroller easier.

#5:  It’s all about that form, bout’ the form, no walking.

When going up steep hills, lean into the stroller and straighten your arms so all the weight isn’t in your biceps and keep moving.  You need forward momentum to keep that stroller from rolling backwards so don’t stop until you get to the top! When running on steep downhill’s with a jogging stroller, lean back slightly and take short, quick steps.  Let your quads do the work to slow you down.

#6:  Learn how to do high rocks and stairs.

You can push a jogging stroller, especially a single jogger on most hiking trails- it just depends on how adventurous you are.  If you come up on some rocky sections, don’t turn back.  Here are a couple tips that will help you conquer those rocks and keep on trekking!

  • Lift the front tire up the rock and once it is on top or over the rock lift the back tires up and over, repeat this motion until you are over the rocks or up the stairs.  This isn’t fast but it works.  If you look like you are inch-worming the stroller up the rocks then you are doing it right.  Just think about how much of a great upper body workout you are getting!
  • On steep, rocky downhill’s it is also easier and safer to lift the front tire and slowly let the back tires drop down from rock to rock
  • If it gets too hairy, get the kiddos out.  Push the stroller through the difficult section and then go back for the kids (or if they are old enough have them hike that part on their own)

#7:  No headphones.

The point of trail running is to access places deep in nature.  Take this time to immerse yourself in the beauty and sounds of wildlife all around you.  This is also the perfect opportunity to connect with your kids on a more fundamental level.  Help to expand their world by expanding yours!

Now it is time to get out and rock those trails.  We’d love to hear about your favorite local stroller-friendly hiking or jogging trail.

Lauren Jones is the mom of 2 amazing boys, has her degree in exercise science, is a competitive obstacle course racer, trail runner and seasoned stroller runner.  

 
 

Humor: Scott Sterling’s Painful Return to Studio C!!

My kids are moderately obsessed with the sketch-comedy show Studio C, one of BYUtv’s most popular original series. It’s the perfect blend of corny, cute and clean with memorable characters like Scott Sterling, the Bisque Man, and the Awkward Avoidance Viking.

Studio C’s Scott Sterling is BACK defending his team in the Volleyball Championship. And as per usual, Sterling isn’t going down without a BIG fight!

And if you missed the original Scott Sterling sketch that made him a household name with 41+ million views on YouTube, guaranteed, your entire family will had a laugh at his misfortunes.

Let’s Hear it for C-Sections!

But I’m wearing my floral flats! That was the first thought that floated through my mind when I learned all my carefully-made birthing plans were out the window. Ridiculous, I know. But I had A PLAN, and wearing floral flats to the hospital was not part of it.

I was a week overdue, and we were at a routine ultrasound. Except it wasn’t routine. The doctor put the wand on my giant belly, immediately directed me to roll over onto my side, then sprinted out of the room. Which is pretty disconcerting. Doctors, maybe don’t do that.

He came back with my OB-GYN on the line who told me, quite calmly, that the baby’s heart rate was decelerated and that I was to go to the nearest hospital. Not the hospital where I’d registered and taken all my birthing classes? The one with the nice Jacuzzis for labor? No. The closest hospital. And go there now.

Here’s the thing: I did everything “right.” I took months of prenatal yoga, I attended birthing classes and read the books and practiced my breathing. I fully intended on having a normal labor, and that’s what my go-bag (still sitting at home) was meticulously packed for: a bluetooth speaker for the carefully selected labor playlist, organic lavender calming spray, a back massager, a labor caftan so I could simultaneously have this kid and look like I was wafting about on the lanai. I ended up using exactly zero percent of it.

Instead, I sat hooked up to machines as we discussed what to do. I was having regular contractions, but the baby was so high up that I wasn’t feeling them. I was not dilated or effaced. I was still in my floral flats. My OB—who we trusted whole-heartedly—gave us the option of trying Pitocin, but she feared we were going to end up at a c-section anyway, except it would be an emergency.

I’m going to be honest, a very large part of me wanted to experience labor. This was the end of the pregnancy marathon I had been running for months, and going for the c-section felt like I was nearing the finish line only to give up. But we knew there was something stopping my body from going into labor. And when it came down to it, who cares what I had planned? Labor and delivery isn’t just about me and my birth story; it’s about delivering a healthy baby.

We decided to go for a c-section. It is a decision that I will never, not for one second, regret. All the classes, the yoga, the textbook pregnancy, and it came down to this: A c-section was the only way I was ever going to have a healthy, living baby.

Not forty-five minutes after we’d made the decision, I was holding my son. And the reason for the c-section? His cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, I had basically no amniotic fluid left, and he had already aspirated meconium.

I’ve had people say they’re sorry when they learn I had a c-section. What is there to be sorry about? I nurtured a growing human in my body and made the best decision for his safe delivery. That’s a triumph, not something deserving of pity.

People also talk about not bonding, or your milk not coming in. I can tell you this, my milk was in—and with a vengeance—within seventy-two hours. And bonding? As I cuddled my newborn onto my chest, he peed all over me. (I guess that solves the mystery of the missing amniotic fluid. It was all in his tiny bladder for a urine-rific gift to his mother.)

A hundred years ago, or living in a different place, my outcome could have been very different. Having a modern hospital and medicine and doctors gave me a healthy baby and a good recovery. Sure, I didn’t envision ever having a c-section. But I am so happy I did. Because at the end of the day, giving birth isn’t just about you. It’s about the baby and doing what’s best for him, whether that’s an unmedicated delivery, epidurals up to your eyeballs, or a c-section.

I left the hospital a few days later with a thriving newborn. And I was still wearing those floral flats.

Jenny lives in Denver with her husband, son, and two fat tabbies. She’s a mom by day, a writer by night, and a traveler whenever she gets the chance. Follow her on her blog or on Twitter.

Deals: Free Fitness Classes, Elitch Season Opening, Film on the Rocks

Free Fitness Classes. Civic Center MOVES is a free fitness series for all fitness levels produced by the nonprofit Civic Center Conservancy and sponsored by Connect for Health Colorado. The 2016 season will run from April 25 through October 6.  Classes meet in various areas of Civic Center Park; look for the Civic Center MOVES flag for the class location.  To keep up with any schedule/location adjustments, please follow Civic Center MOVES on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CivicCenterMOVES.

Learn to Stand Up Paddleboard with the kids for FREE at Avid4 Adventure Family Days.  Combine surfing with kayaking and you’ve got stand up paddleboarding (SUP). SUP is the fastest-growing water sport in the world and a great way for families to be active together. Avid4 Adventure, a multi-sport adventure summer camp will be teaching families (kids ages 5+ with their parents) to SUP together during its two FREE Avid4 Adventure Family Days. April 30th– Union Reservoir.  9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.; May 7th– Chatfield State Park (gravel ponds)  9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Pre-registration with a $10 refundable deposit is required, please register here: http://www.avid4.com/family-adventure-days/

Elitch Gardens Season Opening. This Saturday and Sunday, April 30 & May 1, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park signals Denver’s unofficial start to summer and celebrates its 126th birthday. With all the rides, slides and shows at Elitch Gardens, a Season Pass is the best value and pays for itself in less than two visits.  A Season Pass is just $69.99 and includes unlimited visits and great perks like free parking, three free tickets for friends, a free souvenir cup offering $1.25 refills all season, free concerts, free dive-in movies and more. Guests must purchase and visit by May 1st to receive all the benefits.

Arvada Safeway Closing.  The Safeway at 12680 W. 64th Ave. in Arvada is going out of business on of before Saturday, April 30. They have sold out most of their produce but are offering big discounts on meat, deli, seafood and produce are 30% off; grocery and frozen foods are 30% off; bakery is 30% off; health, beauty aides, candy and general merchandise are 50% off; dairy and soft drinks are 20% off; and greeting cards are 80% off.

Film on the Rocks.  There’s no better backdrop than Film on the Rocks at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  The 2016 season includes 9 movies throughout the summer and each film is preceded by a concert by a local band. Here’s the schedule :May 12 – Purple Rain (sold out), May 23 – Grease (Sing-A-Long), May 30 – The Big Lebowski , June 15 – Citizen Kane, June 20 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, July 11 – The Sandlot, July 25 – Labyrinth, August 23 –Deadpool and September 6 – Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Gates open 6:30 p.m., bands play at 7 p.m. and the movies start at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.) General admission tickets are $12 each and parking is free.

88 Drive-in. Gone are the days when you sneak into the drive-in in your buddy’s trunk. At this old-fashioned drive-in, tickets are just $8 per person and kids 12 and under are free. They upgraded to a state-of-the-art digital projector and admission includes all movies, always a triple-feature. The line-up changes every few weeks so be sure to check back often. This weekend, the movies include Huntsman Winter’s War, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and The Boss. They’re also offering a “pizza special” Monday through Thursday — a large pizza and two 16-oz. drinks for only $11. 8780 Rosemary St., Commerce City.

Kids Eat Free. Now through May 31, kids eat free at all MAD Greens restaurants. During the promotion, kids are welcome to enjoy any item off of their Kids’ Menu, but we especially hope they’ll enjoy our recently-introduced Awesome Box and Super Box. Designed to please even the pickiest young eaters, each box meal features a choice of fresh ingredients such as Grilled Citrus Chicken, pasta, edamame, carrot sticks, apples, ranch dip and a kids’ drink. 

Advance Screening. Come see the star-studded, MOTHER’S DAY, at a free special advance screening on 4/26 in Denver. Visit www.gofobo.com/MileHighMom to download your admit-two pass. (Passes do not guarantee admission as theater is overbooked.  ARRIVE EARLY to line up for a chance to get in.) MOTHER’S DAY in theaters 4/29.

Tide Pods Just Got Safer. P&G believes the key to reducing the number of incidents involving children and laundry pacs is proactive prevention, which is why last week, Tide announced a redesign of its Tide Pods packaging to feature a new Child-Guard™ zipper. New bags with the Child-Guard™ zipper—P&G’s most secure design—will replace Tide’s current bag packaging starting in May. The Child-Guard™ zipper bags will also be available on Gain Flings® laundry packets, which are manufactured by P&G. The Child-Guard™ zipper bag is the next step in P&G’s ongoing efforts to make laundry pac containers safer for households with young children. Already, the company has given laundry pac containers more secure closures and made them opaque (so contents are not visible to children), added a bitter taste to the outer layer of its Tide, Gain and Ariel laundry pacs, and designed its laundry pacs to withstand the average squeezing pressure of a small child. 

Children’s Consignment Sale season is winding down!On April 29-30, you’ll find the final sale of the season for Haute Tots at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. 

Women’s Adventure Camp.  Grab your girlfriends or sisters! On August 19th – August 21st, women ages 18 and older are invited to attend this unique camp to hone their adventure skills and play in the beautiful Rocky Mountains at Camp Chief Ouray. Camp activities include archery, mountain biking, sunrise hikes, back country skills courses, canoeing, climbing wall, high ropes course, riflery, swimming and zip lining. Evening adventures will include campfires and s’mores (of course!) plus campfire cooking with overnight camping. Cost is $250 ($230 for YMCA Members) and guests who sign up with 3 friends will all receive $15 off their registration. Two nights lodging and meals from Friday night through Sunday lunch are all included.

Lookout Mountain Nature Center staff and volunteer naturalists inspire kids and adults to connect with the natural world. Interactive exhibits take visitors on a tour of the flora and fauna of the foothills ecosystem. Kids enjoy a hands-on play room and observation room. At each turn, visitors discover earth-friendly elements of the building’s sustainable design, including floors made from recycled train boxcars. Go here to take a look at the  FREE programs in April and beyond.

 =======
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.
If you’re on Twitter follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93).  If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.
Kids Eat Free Mile High Mamas has rounded up a huge listing of local restaurants where kids eat free or for a discount with a paying adult.

 

How a New Moms Group Can Save Your Sanity

It’s the middle of the night and your newborn is (finally) asleep. It feels like you haven’t slept in days, but you just can’t bring yourself to relax. Instead, you’re peering down at this wondrous little creature, who snoozes peacefully as if he hasn’t spent the past two hours screaming like the world was ending.

When you do make it to bed for a few blissful minutes of sleep, your thoughts are racing. Why was he crying for so long? What are you doing wrong? You go over the checklist of all the things you did (or didn’t) do: clean diaper, full tummy, etc. You sang sweet songs and made silly faces, but to no avail. Should you let him cry it out? Sleep in your bed? How can you possibly raise this incredible child to be an equally incredible adult?

At three in the morning when you’re going on three hours of sleep, you might feel like you’re the only person in the world who is having these thoughts. But you’re not! All over Denver, new mothers just like you are wondering, worrying, planning, and scouring the internet for the answers to those tough questions.

Connecting with other parents can be a lifeline for moms who feel inundated with questions that don’t always seem to have answers. Baby+Company, a newly opened birth center in Wheat Ridge, offers a six-week New Moms Group for mothers (with their newborns) to talk with experts and each other about their concerns. Topics range from the practical (like estate planning, guardianship, and ergonomics) to the family-oriented, including intimacy after baby, infant massage, and mindfulness for stress relief. Laura Patterson, who is currently taking part in a New Moms Group, said after just one class that she enjoyed “all the shared knowledge and exposure to new experts, like a homeopath. It’s helpful to have people at the center who can source resources for you.”

Parenting is confusing on its own, and when you’ve barely slept, those baby handbooks can seem like they’re written in another language. Every “expert” on the internet says something different; it’s hard to know who to believe. The New Moms Group at Baby+Company brings in reliable, relatable experts each week to discuss the issues that matter to you: how do you establish a routine? What can you do when your baby is fussy or gassy? What kinds of feeding and sleeping patterns should you expect? Over the course of two hours each week, you’ll chat with experts and women who have the same concerns you do.

These groups aren’t just informative. They’re full of laughter and friendship, both for you and your newborn. Abby Schissler, a new mother and participant, said, “I was surprised that I actually made friends that I connect with on a weekly basis now. I would tell [new moms] how important it is to get connected with groups like this…my confidence in knowing that I’m doing what’s right for my baby shifted.” The New Moms Group is for moms with babies who are between two and eight weeks old when the group starts, so you’ll see them progress together. Each week features new age-appropriate developmental play activities that you and your baby can practice at home.

We know: just getting yourself and your newborn dressed and out the door can seem like a Herculean task in itself. But you’re meeting with other moms who are going through very similar experiences. As mother Rebekah Zilkoski recounts, “One surprising thing I found is that I am not the only worrisome, panicky, ‘obsessed with their baby’ mother. It was so amazing because these women were facing the same difficulties and milestones I was facing at that same moment. It wasn’t a preaching session; it was a time to hear other moms with their comparative stories. I went home feeling awesome and screaming, ‘It is normal, my child is normal, I am normal!’ It was so comforting.”

So if you’re feeling alone, worried, or concerned (and what new mother isn’t?), join a New Moms Group at Baby+Company! Anyone can join, and this is a judgment-free zone. Skip the shower, throw on those yoga pants, and go. It’ll be worth it.