Month: June 2020

Colorado’s Hottest Family Vacation Trends: Bikerafting, Tiny Homes and More!

In this installment of epic Colorado offerings, we have rounded up what we believe to be the hottest in vacation trends for during the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of family vacationing. Sure, we’ve given you llama trekking with Paragon Guides in Minturn, each year since inception we have gloated about the yurt village at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch and the safari tents at Piney Lake Reservoir should always be a bucket-list item. So what’s on tap and trend for 2020? Here we go, mamas! As always, happy, healthy and safe travels. BIKERAFTING, MANCOS Everyone wants to hit the waterways and escape the heat of the city and summer! Raft, SUP, kayak, innertube—you’ve seen it all. But, there is something brand new to Colorado, the multisport raft and bike package. Throw in some overnight glam...

Here’s What Your Kids Would Rather Do This Summer: Music Lessons!

Music Lessons at Littleton School of Music are the Perfect Antidote To “Gadget Fatigue” Ask your kids what they want to do “today,” and they might look up from their tablet or phone long enough to say “Uh, I dunno.” After all, kids say that a lot. Left to their own “devices,” kids might spend all day and night on their electronic devices! But they will likely be more bored with that than they’ll realize… and more fatigued with it than they’d ever tell you.  And when they look back on this summer, well… … They might not remember a thing about it. So since “I dunno” is likely to be the standard answer you get from your kids, you might want to come up with your own answer for what they’ll likely look back on most fondly. Maybe this is the summer your kid starts on the road to vocal stard...

30+ Tasty Independence Day Recipes!

There’s nothing quite like celebrating the Fourth of July as we honor this beautiful country. Don’t miss these delicious and easy recipes for your festivities.  Also, don’t miss Colorado’s top events for 4th of July weekend! Berry Trifle at skinnytaste.com   Patriotic Funffetti Angel Food Cake at Life With The Crust Cut Off Fourth of July Bark at Life With The Crust Cut Off Blue Moon Ice Cream at Your Homebased Mom Red, White and Blue Strawberry Cupcakes by Bird On A Cake    Sandwich Pops at  Living Locurto.   Red, White and Blue Blondie by Your Homebased Mom Patriotic Ice Cream cones at Noble Pig    Here are 20 other fabulous finds! 1. Wave the flag cupcakes by the Blueberry Council 2. Candy bar ...

Elitch Gardens COVID-19 Update

So, when is Elitch Gardens finally opening? Spoiler alert: nobody knows. Here is a letter that was recently released by Elitch Gardens’ General Manager. Dear Valued Elitch Guest, We can’t thank you enough for your patience as our team at Elitch Gardens continues to work hard toward an opening this season.   Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, we have worked with theme and water park industry experts across the country to develop an elevated operational plan that would allow us to open safely for guests and team members in this new environment.  Our plan, a comprehensive and detailed 56-page COVID-19 operating strategy, includes guest and employee health screenings, greatly enhanced cleaning protocols, regular sanitization of all high touch surfaces, free and readily a...

“The Art of the Brick” Clicks with LEGO Lovers at the DMNS

The next time you howl into the night because you stepped on a LEGO brick in your child’s bedroom, consider this: That small plastic cube that tried to murder your foot is like a sculptor’s clay or a painter’s oils, in the right hands.  Nathan Sawaya is one of the world’s best-known artists employing the medium of LEGO. Mile High Mamas met Mr. Sawaya at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Their newest exhibit exclusively features dozens of Sawaya’s pieces. “The Art of the Brick” is a colorfully compelling and broadly appealing collection of artistry and yes, science. Since age five, when many of our own kids discover the joy of clicking those colorful pieces together, Sawaya was obsessed. Who needs marble when you have an artist who once built a full-sized dog as a child because ...

Spending Too Much Time Online? Scheduled Summer Screen Time Helps

If your family is anything like mine, there is one thing you have done exceedingly well during quarantine: defaulted to your screens whenever you’re bored.  I’ve tried not to stress too much about it…after all, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and so many of us are just trying to get by. But on a beautiful summer day when we were all choosing our screens instead of spending time outside,  I realized I needed some help with keeping us all more accountable (and I’m sure I’m not alone!?) Since we’re not doing a great job self-monitoring our screentime, I was excited to learn about Comcast’s Xfinity Internet and xFi parental control features. Xfinity xFi lets you manage your home WiFi network, know who’s online, troubleshoot issues and [drumroll] manage family mem...

Solve Summer Boredom at Epic Escape Game

As Colorado opens more businesses, you might find yourself longing to escape your home in search of entertainment that doesn’t include streaming things or bringing in the packages of your online orders. You’ve done one hundred puzzles over the past three months. How about one more? This time, it’s not going to be of kittens and balls of yarn. It’s going to be a race against time to escape a curated, clean room in under sixty minutes as you solve themed puzzles.  Epic Escape Games Denver and Greenwood Village are open for in-person adventures. Your family can band together in a new way that includes choosing one of eleven different escape experiences. Six themed rooms are located near downtown Denver and five are in Greenwood Village. Once you choose your room, based on interest in the...

Fourth of July Events Still Happening in Denver

With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on nearly every summer tradition so far, Fourth of July fireworks are proving to be no exception. But there is hope! For Independence Day 2020, many cities and suburbs in the Denver metro area already have canceled their annual fireworks displays, encouraging residents to celebrate from home, and some are trying to offer events at a distance. But some are moving forward with their plans. Be sure to double-check schedules and at the bottom, we have listed all the canceled events for your reference. Beaver Creek – Beaver Creek recently announced they are no longer shooting fireworks but the resort is planning a 4th of July celebration including Stars, Stripes And Slides at the base of Chair 6, a Kids’ Zone at Village Plaza and concerts at Centennial Park.  B...

Family Travel: Best Activities in Colorado’s Mountain towns this summer!

ASPEN / SNOWMASS MOUNTAIN RESORT Aspen Snowmass reopened summer operations on June 12 on Aspen Mountain and June 21 at Snowmass. The resort will modify its offerings and operational procedures to address all guidelines and health protocols as directed by state and local health authorities. Activities currently planned to be offered include scenic gondola/chairlift rides, downhill mountain biking, hiking access, the alpine coaster, the challenge course, climbing wall, and Camp Aspen Snowmass programming. There are plans to offer on-mountain dining and other activities within any existing limitations and upon county approval. Make sure to check out the IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center. Snowmass really is at the heart of the Gold ride due to the various options for every single type, and level of ...

Deals: Independence Day events, summer activities and more

Fourth of July. Believe it or not, several cities are still holding Independence Day Celebrations and fireworks. Check out our guide to 4th of July in Colorado that also details all of the city events that were canceled.  Denver Summer Activity Guide. Amber published our annual 2020 Denver Summer Activity Guide with 150+ activities! Many indoor facilities will be opening in the coming weeks so be sure to bookmark this awesome resource. And, of course, she also listed lots of free, outdoor fun for the whole family. Be sure to also check out the Ultimate Family Vacation Guide in Colorado, all COVID-approved!   Five Below Opens in Denver. When my daughter and I went to New York, we liked shopping at Five Below (think Dollar Store with everything being $...

Happy Father’s Day!

We love our Mile High Fathers.  Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers and singers of song. -Pam Brown A good father is one of the most underpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. -Billy Graham My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.- Jim Valvano I’ve said it before, but it’s absolutely true: My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future.- Liza Minnelli It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping.- John Sinor An almost perfect relationship with his father was the earthly root of all his wisdom. –...

History Colorado Center will soon be opening to a “Rocky Mountain High”

Expect a “Rocky Mountain High” when you visit the History Colorado Center which reopens on June 22, 2020. The History Colorado Center, closed to the public since March 12 because of the coronavirus, is reopening June 22 with an exhibit on John Denver that includes a soundtrack, as well as concert footage, artifacts such as an all-denim ski suit and handwritten lyric sheets, and photo ops with life-size Denver cutouts. Prior to visitation, visitors must buy tickets and members reserve slots in advance for specific times. Among other precautions aimed at keeping COVID-19 in check, visitors older than 3 must wear a face covering. Areas where touching items had been encouraged, such as the Keota Barn, will remain closed for now. Drinking fountains also are off-limits, so bring...