Month: November 2019

The 2019 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books

Christmas is right around the corner and there’s no better gift than a beautiful children’s book! Since 1952, the New York Times convened a rotating annual panel of three expert judges, who consider every illustrated children’s book published that year in the United States. In 2017, they began partnering with the New York Public Library to administer the honor now called The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award. The judges select the winners purely on the basis of artistic merit. On the 2019 panel were Bruce Handy, a journalist and critic and the author of “Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult”; Jessica Cline, supervising librarian in the Picture Collection of the New York Public Library; and Jillian Tamaki,...

Colorado’s Top Holiday Markets

All the delights of the winter season can be experienced at Colorado’s specialty markets, where Santa makes regular appearances, handcrafted gifts overshadow items bought at the mall and sweet treats abound. We have several versions of the holiday bazaar, including ones modeled after old-fashioned markets in Europe and others that offer modern twists on the tradition.  EUROPEAN-STYLE MARKETS Enter a wonderland where vendors sell gifts in rustic wooden stalls, choirs croon joyful tunes and be-scarfed patrons sip mulled cider. Denver Christkindl Market, Nov. 22–Dec. 23, 2019 Skyline Park is transformed into a miniature German village during this favorite Denver event, where Bavarian musicians play classic carols and dance-worthy melodies, and vendors dish up specialties served...

A Thanksgiving Wish

Can you see holiness in those things you take for granted– A paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on what is good in every situation, You will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, A feeling that nurtures the soul. -Harold S. Kushner Happy Thanksgiving!  Love, The Mamas

How to ruin Thanksgiving in four words

On Facebook, we asked the question “Ruin Thanksgiving in four words” and you answered. Oh, did you answer!  According to Denver moms, here’s how to ruin Thanksgiving: The potatoes are instant.  Nathan is coming over! I’m on a diet We weren’t expecting you! My mother-in-law is coming. I licked it all. Mom, my flights canceled Strep, Coronavirus, Norovirus, Flu We’re getting a divorce No Turkey or Mac-&-Cheese The turkey is frozen I am not cooking The oven won’t heat. I’m probably not contagious Taken out too soon Hand Foot Mouth Disease That is not gravy Where’s my pet turkey? No booze this Thanksgiving Dog tastes great, eh? And the #1 way to ruin Thanksgiving: Any thoughts on impeachment? How to make Thanksgiving a Win Games. Keep things lig...

55 family-friendly events in Denver this week

The holidays are in full swing with Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, the Grand Illumination, Zoo Lights and more. See our event calendar for more information. Don’t miss our Denver Guide to the Holidays and 40+ Holiday Vacation Ideas in Colorado.  Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers at the Pepsi Center  Nov 27, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers live at the Pepsi Center! Arvada Fair for the Band at the Arvada High School  Nov 29 – 30  Join us for the 3rd Annual Arvada Fair for the Band, handmade arts and craft fair at Arvada High School. Fine art, quality crafts, seasonal gifts, food, student musical performances, children’s’ craft area, and much more. Jefferson Park Farm & Flea at Jefferson Park N...

Denver Black Friday Deals!

The Big Mama of shopping days is upon us, Black Friday! Many of your favorite stores will have amazing doorbuster deals (meaning you can only get those items/prices if you show up in person) and many will have deals online. It is not just a Cyber Monday thing anymore. Most of your favorite stores (Target, Walmart, Best Buy, etc) have posted their Black Friday sales online. And before we dig-in to some of the best deals, I caution you to remember your budget. Plan what you are going to spend for the season and for each person on your list.   Not a shopper? Opt outside for Fresh Air Friday. All of Colorado’s state parks are free on Black Friday.    It appears that Disney has another hit on their hands already with Frozen II movie. Nearly every store has featured the...

Colorado Family Ski Guide 2019/20

See our updated 2022/23 Colorado Family Ski Guide.  Mile High Mamas is a top resource for planning Colorado family ski/ride vacations. A few years ago, we launched the Colorado Family Ski Guide that focuses exclusively on families–from daily lift ticket prices to the cost of childcare to where to get the best deals. But we’ve taken it one step further! Click the hyperlink for each resort name below for more in-depth details including additional deals, at what ages kids ski free, lessons, family-friendly activities, area attractions for playtime off the slopes and more. This is just the basic information you’ll need to get started. To give you a true taste of Colorado’s winter, follow our adventures as we visit area resorts thi...

Kids Ski Free + What’s New at Colorado’s Ski Resorts for the 2019/20 Winter Season

 Colorado’s ski areas were busy last spring, summer and early fall working across the state on significant capital infrastructure improvements, new lodging options, dining experiences and more. In addition to improvements that seasoned skiers and riders will enjoy, they are offering a wide variety of guest enhancements and learning options that brand-new skiers and riders or those returning the sport after some time away will be excited about this winter. Don’t miss our guide to what’s new this season + find out at what ages kids ski free at most of Colorado’s ski resorts. Also, compare prices of childcare, ski and ride school and where to find the best deals at our Colorado Family Ski Guide 2019/20.  Passport Programs Epic SchoolKids For the bes...

Christmas Tree Cutting Experience + Free Trees for Fourth Graders

As you may have heard, there’s a shortage of Christmas trees in the metro area. Here are two memorable ways to cut down your Christmas tree this winter. Christmas Tree Cutting Experience Over the river and through the woods, to Snow Mountain Ranch we go! This year, make new holiday memories with us as they debut their Christmas Tree Cutting Experience. Why wait to celebrate the holidays when you can spread Christmas cheer all December long? Help them sustainably manage our forests while also making lasting memories! Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby will be hosting holiday-themed events throughout the month of December, starting with the Christmas Tree Cutting Experience on Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, then the following weekends of Dec. 7 – 8, and Dec. 14 – 15. Tree Cutti...

​​​Celebrate Fresh Air Friday on Black Friday with FREE Colorado State Parks Pass

Colorado Parks & Wildlife encourages you to take some time this Thanksgiving weekend to explore the outdoors and make new memories with the people you love. Turn Black Friday into a blue skies Friday, a green trees Friday, a white snow Friday… a Fresh Air Friday! Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to partner again this year with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to offer free access to all 41 Colorado state parks on Fresh Air Friday. Throughout the year, CPW offers family-friendly activities, fun-filled adventures and opportunities to learn and try new things at all of our state parks.   Every outdoor activity is the right way to celebrate Fresh Air Friday, whether exploring a state park, skiing in the high country, or playing a game of freeze tag in the backyard. Studies sh...

Movie Review: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Movie Theater

The most striking thing about It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is how it seamlessly bridges childlike wonder with gritty adult realities, all guided by an extraordinary man, Mr. Fred Rogers. Yet he isn’t the main character in this new film. Rather, the focus of the story is a world-weary, bitter, troubled magazine writer named Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys). It’s based on a true story and magazine article called “Can You Say…Hero?” by Tom Junod. Vogel is assigned to write a short blurb on Mr. Rogers for Esquire magazine’s “Heroes” edition. It was to be a simple, straightforward assignment. However, while Mr. Rogers (Tom Hanks) appears to be a simple, soft-spoken man, he is gifted with mighty powers of observation and a heart for hurting people, big and small. Mr. Rogers knows tha...

Colorado has spent hundreds of millions to help kids read. Now, it will spend up to $5.2 million to find out why it’s not working.

Colorado’s education department will spend up to $5.2 million over six years on a consultant charged with determining why the state’s 2012 landmark reading law failed to produce significant gains for struggling readers. The unusual external audit, to be conducted by the nonprofit WestEd, will dig into how the state’s schools are using about $40 million a year meant to boost third-grade reading proficiency. The review could last up to six and a half years. A state law passed last spring mandated the external evaluation and other steps intended to improve the 2012 law, known as the READ Act. The recent legislation came in the wake of ongoing criticism from lawmakers, parents and literacy advocates about the law’s effectiveness.     Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat Colorado; Ph...