Month: January 2020

Send a message a love from Loveland, the love capital of the world!

Send a message of love from the love capital of the world!  Loveland receives more than 120,000 valentines from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world through its Valentine Re-mailing Program, the largest program of its kind. A group of 50 volunteers handstamps the collector’s stamp and postmark onto each individual valentine that comes through the city.  2020 collector’s envelope artwork, remailing program deadlines announced The 2020 collector’s envelope artwork was designed by Corry McDowell. It includes the following verse written by Teresa Boynton: “Dan Cupid continues to play his part. Though he doesn’t text or tweet, he knows a Loveland Valentine is a sweeter treat.” To get this special collector’s envelope artwork and the special 2020 postmark, send your pre-add...

Mountaineering Weekend at YMCA of the Rockies Brings Families Together for Fun, Educational Activities over President’s Day Weekend

Shortly after I moved to Colorado 17 years ago, I attended a family reunion at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park where we delved into all the awesome things they had to offer–from mountain biking to fly fishing & ziplining to roller skating, mini-golf,  swimming and hiking. I have since become one of the biggest advocates for YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park and their Snow Mountain Ranch location for being Colorado’s most affordable and fun family vacations. And it’s not just during the summer! YMCA of the Rockies will hold the 4th Annual Mountaineering Weekend from February 14-17, 2020. Whether it’s your first time out, or your family has camped in national parks many times, this special event has activities and excursions for every level. Locate...

25 family fun events in Denver this week

Welcome to February! Enjoy Hansel and Gretel, a free day at the Denver Zoo and Denver Art Museum, Boulder Opera Storytime and more. See our event calendar for additional information.  Lunar New Year at Outlets at Castle Rock at Outlets at Castle Rock  Jan 25  –  8  This January, Outlets at Castle Rock is proud to celebrate Lunar New Year with two weeks of Chinese themed traditions and activities all throughout the center. From Jan. 25th – Feb. 8th, the center will be honoring the ancient Chinese “Red Envelope” gifting tradition by giving away red envelopes filled with gift cards and center promotions at customer service. The red envelope tradition – symbolizing good luck and well wishes for the New Year – is a gift from Outlets at Castle Rock to express apprec...

Confessions of a non-skier in Colorado

I have a confession to make: I hate skiing.  There. I said it. I’ve lived in Colorado for over 13 years, and I am not a skier. *gasp* Do people like me actually exist? Yes. Yes, we do. Don’t get me wrong.  I love the ski resorts!  There is so much to do at our wonderful ski resorts that doesn’t involve skiing. I’m just not a big fan of pain, and I never have been. Even though I hate skiing, I love skiers! A lot of my friends ski. My husband is a skier. My daughter is a skier. I, on the other hand, am not a skier. In all fairness, what I do cannot be called skiing. There is not that much screaming in skiing. Every time I ski, things go downhill. Literally. It all started when we moved here in January 1999.

Deals: Free days, free Disney+ and Chinese New Year!

I thought it was just me – thinking that January has felt like a really long month. But, I’ve seen a couple memes out there. So maybe I’m not the only one.  Free Museum Day for Merrill Lynch and Bank of America Customers. On February 1 & 2, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America customers can visit over 225 cultural institutions (in Colorado the Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum and Denver Botanic Gardens). They get free admission when they show their ID and their card. While this sounds like a great deal – keep in mind that ANYONE (with our without a certain credit card) can go to the Colorado Art Museum for free on the first Saturday of the month.   Free Days. Saturday, February 1, Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab and Denver Ar...

Five takeaways from Colorado’s 2019-20 student census

Colorado’s public school enrollment nudged up this year — propelled by changes in full-day kindergarten, according to official numbers released Thursday. Statewide enrollment this year grew by less than 0.2%, with 913,223 students enrolled this year — 1,687 more than in 2018-19. It’s a slightly bigger increase than last year. Much of that is due to more students enrolled in full-day kindergarten, an expected development with the state making it free this year for all students. Thursday’s data also show that 11.6% of public school students, or 106,238 students, were identified as students with special needs. That’s an increase of 4,157 students compared with the previous school year. Across districts, that change was mixed. Slightly more students have been identified as homeless, and f...

Making Lunch (Out of Nothing at All)

Dear kids, I thought I had groceries and it turns out I didn’t. I am sorry for this sad excuse of a lunch. Love, Every parent (at least once). We’re halfway through the year and the lunch struggle is real. That’s why we love the Holderness family new parody of the popular song from Air Supply. 

Coming Soon: Denver Summer Camp Guide

Mile High Mamas will soon be launching our 2020 Denver Summer Camp Guide. Now through February 10th, you may post your listing for free: milehighmamas.com/places/camps What sets us apart is we not only offer an easily-searchable directory but we also offer blog post features for your summer camp at affordable rates. Be sure to email us at [email protected] for additional details. Bring on summer!

Nature vs. nurture: Is parenting overrated?

Yes or no: Is parenting overrated?  A new video debates this question, bringing new research to one of the oldest questions in child-rearing: nature vs. nurture. In this Oxford-style debate held by Intelligence Squared U.S., twin researcher Nancy Segal and behavioral geneticist Robert Plomin argue that parenting is indeed overrated and that the latest studies show that genetics play an even greater role than we ever realized in how a person turns out. But their opponents, former Parents Magazine editor-in-chief Ann Pleshette Murphy and psychology professor Paige Harden, counter that upbringing and environment are the ultimate deciding factors.  Warning: It’s a long debate but pretty darn fascinating if you tune in for just a few minutes.   In a neck-and-neck vote ...

23 family fun events in Denver this week

It’s the final weekend of the National Western Stock Show! Also, don’t miss Matilda, Chinese New Year and more. See our event calendar for additional information.  National Western Stock Show & Rodeo at National Western Complex Jan 11  – Jan 26 Bulls and broncs, cowboys and cowgirls – rodeo’s biggest superstars perform amazing feats of athleticism during each performance of this professional rodeo. Showcasing the elegance and athleticism of the world’s top reining horses, the hard-hitting competition of Denver Professional Bull Riders Chute-Out and the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, this event has something for everyone. Boulder Magic Show with Ben Young! at the Dairy Arts Center  Jan 24  – 25  Ben Young has thrilled audiences worldwide with his fresh ...

4 Important Parenting Tips for Moms in Recovery

“Behind every great child is a mom who’s pretty sure she’s screwing it all up.” – Unknown  Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. There is no perfect guidebook for you to refer to, a parental encyclopedia to look up that unknown little fact you need the answer to, no map that charts a child’s life to give you a sense of direction, and certainly, no magic wand to ensure everything turns out just as it should.  Recovery from substance addiction is a little like that too.  With both of these huge challenges that life has delivered to your doorstep, to a certain degree, you just have to wing it, and rely on your mind’s intuition and wisdom to simply do its best. Yes, no all-knowing manual to guide you, but always remember, help is always close by. You just have to reac...

When kids swear online

It turns out swearing is on the rise according to this study. Even without a study, we know that through all the media and social media youth are exposed to these days, they are seeing swear words like never before. That’s where our work as loving adults is required. It is crucial that we take the time to have short, calm conversations about key topics, like this one. This study found that fewer than half of U.S. parents regularly discuss social media content with their pre-teens or teens. Let’s be among those parents that do address it. I remember so clearly when my son had a flip phone—which was only eight years ago when he was 11—and I let him text me for rides as well as to communicate with his friends. We discussed that since online communication was new to him, I would...