Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Polarpalooza!

by Aimee Giese

October 05, 2009

Organizations funded through the public's SCFD (Science & Cultural Facilities District) tax are hosting a variety of low cost and free events during the month of October to thank the citizens of the seven county district for their support. Events being offered are listed below.

October 7 - Denver Zoo Free Day
Over 60 SCFD funded organizations will be offering free performances, crafts, face paiting. Click for printable schedule.
Main Gate Performance Schedule:                                                    
9:00 - 9:30          Media/SCFD/Denver Zoo                                          
9:30 - 10:00        Denver March Pow Wow                                           
4:00 - 4:20          South Jeffco Youth Orchestra                                  
5:00 - 5:30          Aurora Symphony Orchestra                                             
5:30 - 6:00          Aurora Symphony Orchestra            
All Day                Aurora Fox

Conoco Zoo Gardens Performance Schedule:                                               
9:40 - 10:00         Tango Colorado                                                         
10:40 - 11:00       Belliston Ballet   
11:40 - 12:00       Aurora Dance Arts                                                
12:40 - 1:00         CM Dance                                                                   
2:20 - 2:40           Colorado Chamber Players
2:40 - 3:00           Hannah Kahn Dance Company                              
3:40 - 4:20           Aurora Fox                                                                            
4:00 - 4:20           Rocky Mountain Arts Assoc.                                              
4:40 - 5:00           Kim Robards Dance    
5:00 - 5:20           Rocky Mountain Children's Choir
5:40 - 6:00           Longmont Chorale
Wild Encounters Theater Performance Schedule:
9:20 - 9:40           Children's Museum of Denver
10:20 - 10:40       Think 360
11:20 - 11:40        Parker Arts Council
1:20 - 1:40            Parker Arts Council
2:20 - 2:40           Denver Zoo

Wildlife Theater Performance Schedule:
10:00 - 10:20      Augustana Arts
11:00 - 11:20      Su Teatro    
1:00 - 1:20          Christian Youth Theater
2:00 - 2:20          A Child's Song
3:00 - 3:20          Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
5:00 - 5:20          Colorado Hebrew Chorale

Primate Panorama Performance Schedule:
11:30                Arvada Center for Arts & Humanities
2:00 - 2:30        Denver Urban Gardens
4:00 - 4:30       Colorado Children's Chorale

PLUS many organizations will be located throughout the Zoo providing interactive activities for the whole family.

Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County will be holding an Art Show at the Bemis Library.  The Library is located at 6014 S. Datura Street, Littleton. The juried show starts Sept 29th and runs to October 27th and is free and open to the public. The opening reception is Thurday October 1st from 6:30 to 8pm. Otherwise the lower gallery is open during all library hours. Come and experience all kinds of painting from watercolor and oil to acrylic and pastels.

October 1 -The Alliance Française will have a free happy hour French conversation night on Thursday. French Conversation Happy Hour. Practice your French and meet other Francophiles in the Denver area. 571 Galapago Street - 5-7pm - FREE, hors d'oeuvres and wine provided - RSVP:  303-831-0304, afd@afdenver.org

October 3 - Edelweiss Preservation Foundation - German Day - 11am - 10pm, 14197 E. Exposition Ave, Aurora, CO 80012 Join us for German Music, Food and Drinks, German Entertainment, Military Tribute, Vendor Booths, German Reunifcation Day.

October 4 - Boulder History Museum offers the first Sunday of every month as a free day, Sundae Sundays. Guests will receive free admission to the Museum and free ice cream at the conclusion of their visit. We are located at: 12th an Euclid Ave. on ‘the Hill', Boulder - Free parking

October 4 - The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys will be beginning our collaboration with Buntport Theater's tRUNks with free day activities at the Museum. Visitors to the Museum on Oct. 4 from 1-4 can make a mask and draw an entry for the Super Hero Drawing contest.

October 4 - The Boulder History Museum offers the first Sunday of every month as a free day. Guests will receive free admission to the Museum and free ice cream at the conclusion of their visit. 12th an Euclid Ave. on ‘the Hill', Boulder www.boulderhistory.org 303-449-3464 Free parking.

October 7 - 12:00 to 1:00 - Brown Bag Lecture - A panel of artist's from the Paint, Sculpt, Shoot exhibit will discuss the show and many of the events that lead up to the exhibit. The lectures are held at the Art Center on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00pm and are free to the public. The Arts Evergreen is located at next to the Buchanan Rec. Ctr. on Hwy 74 and Squaw Pass Road). For more information call 303.674.0056 or visit www.evergreenarts.org.

October 7 - Broomfield Cultural Affairs is offering a FREE CU Jazz concert in the Broomfield Auditorium. This is a tribute to the great American songwriters and the music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and more. This event is sponsored in part by SCFD funds.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be offering free viewings of the Mobile Art Gallery to the public throughout the week of October 7th in celebration of Polarpalooza.  The Mobile Art Gallery will be on tour in Lakewood at Carmody Middle School which is located at 2050 S. Kipling Street.

October 8 - "Evening of Hebrew Round-Singing in the Sukkah" What: Annual Evening of Hebrew Round-Singing in the Sukkah, includes food, fun, and instant music-making! Where: 2 Ash Street, Denver When: 7:30 p.m. Who: For Singers and Listeners of All Ages Cost: Free and Open to the Public Sponsored by: the Colorado Hebrew Chorale Info: (303)355-0232 or visit www.coloradohebrewchorale.org

October 14 -NMAA presents - Marvels of Motion- Children will got on a journey thorugh the world of Newton's 3 laws of motion.  This interactive event is all about the fun-damentals of moving science.(Designed especially for young children) 10:00 am at the Perl Mack Community Center, 7125 Mariposa Street, Denver.

October 15 - Boulder International Film Festival is offering a free viewing of The Human Experience - 7PM, AT THE BOULDER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM - 1000 Canyon Boulevard

Spotlight on the Boulder International Film Festival - Directed by Charles Kinnane (USA - 2008) Drawing sellout audiences and a winner at dozens of film festivals around the world, this remarkable film is the story of a band of brothers who travel the world in search of answers to the questions: Who am I? Who is Man? Why do we search for meaning? Their journey brings them into the lives of the homeless on the streets of New York City, the orphans and disabled children of Peru, and the abandoned lepers in the forests of Ghana, Africa. What the young men discover changes them forever. Through one-on-one interviews and real-life encounters, the brothers are awakened to the beauty of the human person and the resilience of the human spirit. In English. (90 minutes)

October 20 - Edelweiss Preservation Foundation - GERMAN LANGUAGE FILM NIGHT "Monster's Inc." - 6:00 P.M. Front Range Community College - Room C1517 Great for kids or adults learning German as well a fun night for those who are fluent! FREE ADMISSION

October 20 - 21 - WOW Museum presents: Planet Earth - Curious about how to approach science with your kids?  Join us throughout the fall months for family science fun!  We will explore a different science topic each month!  Drop-in science is an informal interactive science program that is available for exploration from 10:00am-12:00pm and again from 2:00pm-4:00pm.   Included with Museum admission for the general public; free for Museum members!

October 21 - 12:00 to 1:00 - Brown Bag Lecture - Reno Carollo, sculptor, will be speaking about public sculpture and how people interact (and react) to various pieces of art found around Denver and our mountain community. The lectures are held at the Art Center on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00pm and are free to the public. The Arts Evergreen is located at next to the Buchanan Rec. Ctr. on Hwy 74 and Squaw Pass Road). For more information call 303.674.0056 or visit www.evergreenarts.org.

October 29 - 30 - 9am - 8pm and Saturday, October 31st 10a - 8p - Trick or Treat Street at The Children's Museum Denver - Get your little goblins, superheroes and fairies ready for the sweetest fall festival in town! Travel through the pumpkin patch down Cider Lane and onto a trick-or-treating adventure full of yummy treats, exciting entertainment and fun surprises. Try your luck at the monster carnival, hear stories about creatures and critters, make arts and crafts projects to take home, see theater, music and dance performances, and meet roaming costumed characters! For a full schedule of events, visit www.mychildsmuseum.org.

October 29 - Boulder International Film Festival if offering a free viewing of Sita Sings the Blue
7PM, AT THE BOULDER PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM - 1000 Canyon Boulevard
Spotlight on the Boulder International Film Festival - Directed by Nina Paley (USA - 2007)Nina is an animator whose husband dumps her by email. Sita is a goddess dumped by her husband Rama. Why couldn't these two women, 3,000 years apart, make their marriages work? This award-winning, beautifully animated interpretation of parts of the Indian epic, Ramayana, was rendered on a laptop by a single animator mostly using Flash. Nina Paley lays down wildly imaginative musical interludes that use authentic 1920s blues recordings to link the narratives of these two unfortunate ladies. Why did Rama reject Sita? Why did the animator's husband reject the animator? Find out in this groundbreaking triumph of personal motion picture art. Winner of Best Animated Film at the Boulder International Film Festival and many awards from around the world.  (82 minutes)

October 30 - Friday - 5:00pm to 8:00pm - Evergreen Artists Association Fall Member Show - Members of the Evergreen Artists Association will exhibit their Fall Member Show from October 30 through November 20. The opening reception is Friday, October 30 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Center for the Arts Evergreen. The Art Center is located at 32003B Ellingwood Trail (Hwy. 74 & Squaw Pass Road - next to the Buchanan Rec. Center). www.evergreenarts.org

October 31 - The Littleton Symphony offers a free Children's Concert on Halloween, featuring the Colorado premiere of ‘The Composer is Dead' and various other spooky music. Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 South Datura, Littleton. Doors open at 2pm - Performance begins at 2:30pm

CYT Denver presents the musical comedy "THOROUGLY MODERN MILLIE". Performance dates are November 6, 7, 13 & 14th @ 7pm. Matinee performances on November 7 & 14th @ 2pm. Tickets are $12 if purchased online at www.cytdenver.org and $15 at the door. Shows are performed at the beautiful Pinnacle Dinner theatre in Littleton. 9136 w. Bowles ave. Littleton, Co. 80123

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoic Adventure Opens September 18 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

by Aimee Giese

September 07, 2009

National Geographic Dives into Lost World of Marine Reptiles with New IMAX Show
www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters

National Geographic's giant-screen film Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure premieres at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Friday, September 18. Click here for ticket and showtime information.

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure brings to life the extraordinary marine reptiles of the dinosaur age. From the giraffe-necked Styxosaurus and 20-foot "bulldog" fish Xiphactinus to the T. rex of the ocean-the 40-foot super-predator Tylosaurus-these wondrous beasts defy imagination.

The film, narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber and with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes, and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the relatively unexplored world of the "other dinosaurs," the reptiles that lived beneath the water. Funded in part through a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film delivers to the giant screen the fascinating science behind what we know, and a vision of history's grandest ocean creatures.

Kenneth Carpenter, PhD, curator of paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, was one of three expert scientists who ensured accuracy of the film. A world-renowned expert on plesiosaurs, Early Cretaceous dinosaurs, armored dinosaurs, and dinosaur reproduction, Carpenter heads the fossil preparation laboratory at the Museum. As part of his PhD studies, Carpenter researched predator-prey relations among the fish and marine reptiles of the Cretaceous, as well as factors that may have influenced the fossil record of the seaway. He has published 11 books and authored more than 200 popular and scientific articles on topics including fossil preparation techniques, mounting of fossil skeletons, and dinosaur taxonomy, behavior, and diseases.

"It was exciting to be involved with the first giant-screen film about what lived in the water during the dinosaur age," said Carpenter. "Much of my studies are reflected in the flipper motion of the creatures seen in this immersive film, when these prehistoric giants practically swim off the screen and into the audience."

The Cretaceous world in Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure was very different from Earth as we know today. Eighty million years ago, places such as Colorado and Kansas were at the bottom of a great inland sea that divided North America in two. A warmer climate meant more of the globe was submerged. On this sodden sphere, cold-blooded seagoing reptiles flourished, and as these ocean giants died, their skeletons were left in locations that are now high and dry.

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure weaves together spectacular photorealistic animation with standout finds from paleontological digs around the world-treasures that shed light on the film's incredible cast of characters.

The film follows a family of Dolichorhynchops, also known informally as "dollies," as they traverse ancient waters populated with saber-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks, and giant squid. On their journey the dollies encounter other extraordinary sea creatures: lizard-like reptiles called Platecarpus that swallowed their prey whole like snakes; Styxosaurus with necks nearly 20 feet long and paddle-like fins as large as an adult human; and at the top of the food chain, the monstrous Tylosaurus, a predator with no enemies.

Dolichorhynchops

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure is a remarkable visual journey that also educates audiences on the "how do we know that?" side of paleontology. Do scientists need full skeletons to learn about these creatures? Not always, as we learn from shark teeth found throughout the central United States, proof that these modern-day hunters were thriving during the Age of Dinosaurs when Kansas was at the bottom of the sea. How do we know what these creatures ate, and what pursued them? The shapes of jaws and teeth provide dietary clues, and occasionally paleontologists are lucky enough to discover bones of one species inside the remains of another. In fact, one fossilized Xiphactinus, a 17-foot-long predatory fish, was found with an entire six-foot fish inside-swallowed whole.

From fossil digs to larger-than-life visions of predatory chases in shallow seas, the film immerses audiences in a rarely explored environment during the dinosaur age. Merging ultra high-resolution graphics with National Geographic's trademark authenticity, compelling imagery, and powerful storytelling, the film is a perfect combination of subject and medium: ancient leviathans of the deep brought to life in the world's biggest film format.

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PLEASE NOTE: this film merits a PG rating for some intense wildlife images, including scenes of simulated predation.

Win a $100 dinner at Strings Restaurant & support your community with tuggl.com

by Aimee Giese

September 03, 2009

There's a new way to find good local businesses in Colorado while supporting important causes in our community at the same time. Tuggl.com, based right in Denver at 30th & Larimer, helps you determine what mechanic, contractor, restaurant, or any other local business you should use based not only on the service they've provided our friends and neighbors, but also on what they're doing to give back to the community.

Tuggl has been hard at work for the last year creating a local business search site that helps people find trustworthy local businesses in an instant. For any business on Tuggl, you can see how they rate in terms of service, price, and quality compared to others in the same industry, and additionally, how they rate in giving - volunteering, donating, providing pro-bono support - to important community organizations, also compared to others in their industry.

Since launching to community organizations back in March of this year, Tuggl has brought in over 100 important causes including community foundations, homeless shelters, food banks, and schools, and found more than 1,000 local businesses in every category who are doing something to give back. You can find your favorite local cause to search for businesses they recommend, connect with Facebook to find out who your friends use, or just go with the best business by their "Tuggl rating," Tuggl's index of a business's service and giving rank compared to their industry.

WIN A $100 GIFT CARD TO STRINGS!
Tuggl.com ultimately hopes to prove that becoming a "Tugglr" (Don't use an "e" there!) will make your life easier and better while helping improve our community at the same time. They're officially launching the service, and as part of that are running a "tuggl tastr" contest - an opportunity for you to try Tuggl and perhaps one of Denver's best restaurants at the same time! From now through Friday, September 4, 2009 at midnight, every Tuggl business review that's tweeted on Twitter including "#tuggl" is an entry for you to win a $100 gift card to Strings Restaurant. Additionally, tuggl and local web design firm HotPress Web have agreed to donate $1 combined for each of the first 500 reviews done to the Rocky Mountain Institute of International Education, Twitter or not. Either way, a great reason to try Tuggl!

Josh Clauss, Tuggl's communications & communities guy, invites you to friend him on Facebook to see how tuggl works with your Facebook friends. He's big on cafes, so look that up to get a good idea of what's possible!

Tuggl invites you to follow them on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook as well. 

End of Summer Fun in Denver!

by Aimee Giese

July 31, 2009

Here are some fun upcoming things to think about doing in Denver as the summer starts to wind down. {I can't believe I just typed that! Summer can't be over yet!]

Movies in Skyline Park: Willy Wonka (G)
August 1, 2009 at dusk
Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.
Denver Parks and Recreation presents free showing of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (G). Guests should bring along lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic goodies. Concessions are available.

India Association of Colorado Annual Picnic
August 1, 2009
India Association of Colorado
Picnic activities include: Cricket, volleyball, musical chairs, tug of war, lemon spoon race, sack race, card games, pinata games and lots of BBQ food and soft drinks.

Colorado Renaissance Festival
June 13, 2009 - August 2, 2009
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Hundreds of authentically costumed merrymakers live and work throughout the village, performing, continuously, on the festival's seven stages. Our tips: Get there early; bring plenty of sunscreen, hats, water, and comfortable walking shoes; bring only strollers designed for "off-road" travel as the festival grounds are very bumpy and dusty; dicount tickkets are available at all King Soopers. Cost: Adults $17.95; Children (5-12) $8, (under 5) free.

(Other) Mile High Movies
June 13, 2009 - August 8, 2009
Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc.
So you've snagged a few friends for happy hour and dinner, and now you're looking for a place to stretch out under the stars? Perhaps you're taking the kids to see the sights downtown and want to cap the evening off with one final treat? Check out Mile High Movies in Skyline Park! All movies begin at dusk behind the historic D and F Clocktower on 16th and Arapahoe.

Boulder County Fair
July 31, 2009 - August 8, 2009
Boulder County Fair
The Boulder County Fair showcases local 4-H and FFA clubs and features animal and agricultural exhibits, free car shows, weaving and spinning demonstrations, dance performances, interactive entertainment and concerts by local artists, a daily carnival, ticketed grandstand events, and special activities for the kiddies.

Mighty Machines
August 8, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
Monstrous construction equipment is taking over the plaza! Climb up into the driver's seat and explore these huge machines!

Let's Make History: Colorado Inventions
August 8, 2009
Colorado Historical Society
Who makes history? You do! Join the Colorado History Museum for Let's Make History, a Saturday program just for families. Did you know the cheeseburger was invented in Colorado? Learn about local innovations and then create your own invention from everyday items.

The Good Old Days at CCHP
June 2, 2009 - August 9, 2009
Golden History Museums
Join Pat Hughes at the Clear Creek History Park every Tuesday starting for some fun activities, including ice cream making, gardening and pioneer games, to name a few. She'll be ready to share her knowledge of the Clear Creek History Park and her pioneer expertise with anyone passing by. On Sundays starting scheduled tours of the historic cabins and school-house start at 10:00, 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm.

Fragile Nature
April 25, 2009 - August 9, 2009
The Wildlife Experience
Ever wonder what it's like to go "On Assignment" for National Geographic? Wonder no more. In his new photo show, photographer Joel Sartore takes the viewer on assignment with the world's greatest magazine. It's a journey into the natural world across much of North and South America, from jaguars and macaws to gray wolves and grizzly bears.

Movie and a Milkshake - Bee Movie
August 26, 2009
The Wildlife Experience
Attention all parents! Go out for the night while your kids are at The Wildlife Experience enjoying themselves as well. During Movie and a Milkshake events, the museum staff will entertain kids of all ages with museum tours, a yummy dinner and other amazing adventures themed around the movie. Tonight's movie will be Bee Movie. This event is for children ages 5-10.               

The Little Star That Could
May 29, 2009 - August 28, 2009
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
It's hard to be a little star in a big universe! Follow one star's journey to find a name and family of its own in the new animated space program, The Little Star That Could. Young sky watchers, from toddlers to second graders, will learn that the sun is a star, what stars are made of, why stars are different colors, how some stars are just the right size and temperature to support life on their orbiting planets, and how stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Runtime: 22 minutes

Chile Harvest Festival
August 29, 2009 - August 30, 2009
Chicano Humanities and Arts Council
The Chile Harvest Festival will celebrate contemporary Chicano art, traditional Spanish Colonial art, music, food and of course chiles, with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain foothills as a backdrop. The festival is an outreach effort to educate, enlighten and entertain the community with the many different facets of Chicano and Latino culture. Its goal is to give people a well-rounded cultural experience. The festival will feature up to 65 artists, showcasing both contemporary and traditional art forms. There will also be music, dancing and storytelling as well as many other cultural and art activities for the kids.

Junior Jobsite
June 1, 2009 - September 7, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
Learn the nuts of bolts of construction in this kid-sized jobsite! Hard hats, blueprints and safety vests will help you paint walls, feed bricks up the conveyor belt, discover the pathways of plumbing with airplay, and explore the basics of electricity. The youngest crew members to the oldest can construct, configure, build, form, and assemble! 

Hop Skip and a Jump Start
September 12, 2009
Children's Museum of Denver
The 3rd annual Hop, Skip and a Jump Start 5K is the perfect fitness event for the whole family to enjoy! The stroller-friendly 5K follows the Platte River and is filled with surprises around every turn. Children of all ages can participate in mini-meets in the Kid Course, Toddler Trot, and Infant Crawl. After the races, enjoy a fun-filled day of activities! All proceeds support the Children's Museum of Denver. 

Top 5 Ways to Pack Your Child's Lunch with Extra Love

by Aimee Giese

April 21, 2009

Both my husband and I are graphic designers-turned web developers. Which means we love to draw, paints and do things artistically. Well, really I should say that my husband just LIVES artistically and he is the real inspiration for this post.

Packing lunch for school, whether it is preschool or all day school can be tedious and cumbersome. But here are some things I have watched Bryan do to lighten the load, and make things more enjoyable for Declan along the way.

1. Draw funny cartoons on the brown bag.
Granted, this is my hubby's specialty and you might get intimidated by it - but does your little one REALLY care about the quality of the drawing? All they will see is the quick strokes you dashed off with love, think of you when they see them and have a quick giggle. My husband usually picks a new animal from the farm or the zoo to capture each day.

2. Drop a sticker inside as their "surprise."
Declan goes digging for that sticker just like we did when we opened that Cracker Jack box as kids.

3. Make the food fun.
Slice a PBJ into long strips. Crumble up a Nutrigrain bar into a baggie, add a little honey, and tell them it's monsterooze. Whatever it takes to make it fun and enjoyable will make it more likely to be eaten - AND enjoyed.

4. Leave them a note.
Maybe just a quick "I love you," or maybe a treasure map for where you have hidden one of their toys at home for after school. Either way they will be thinking of you and having fun.

5. Let them pick the menu.
Kids who help choose and much more likely to like what they are eating and feel empowered by their parents. So maybe they pick some weird stuff sometimes? As long as you are OK with the nutrional aspects, who cares???

What other fun ways do you spruces up your kids' lunch?

Fun Things To Do This Week In Denver!

by Aimee Giese

March 05, 2009

It always amazes me how many cool things there are to do in Denver with the kids! Here is a huge long list for this weekend and the week beyond! Get out there and have some fun!

Just So
Set in a once-upon-a-time land of trunkless elephants, thin-skinned rhinos, and spotless leopards, everything is "just so" until a great adventure transforms them all. Three of Rudyard Kipling's famous tales including How the Elephant Got His Trunk and How the the Leopard Got His Spots, come to life and take the audience on a fun-filled ride of fantasy, humor, and song as they discover the answers. Tickets are available in advance.
720.898.7200 http://www.arvadacenter.org Ongoing Each Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 2/24/09 - 3/13/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4-19
Time: 10am & 12n
Cost: $8-$10

Art Of Henry: 25 Yrs Of Scenery & Costume Design
The Denver Public Library hosts The Art Of Henry: 25 Years Of Scenery And Costume Design, an exhibition of more than 50 design renderings from one of Denver's cultural pioneers, Henry Lowenstein. 720.865.1111 http://denverlibrary.org Ongoing Daily 1/21/09 - 3/29/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: All Ages
Time: During regular library hours
Cost: Free

Brain Teasers 2
Kids can gain new appreciation for their brain and what it can do when Brain Teasers 2, a nationally traveling exhibit, opens at WOW! Challenge your brain with 20 table top puzzles created by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
303.604.2424 http://www.wowmuseum.com Ongoing Daily 1/13/09 - 5/31/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 3-8
Time: During regular museum hours
Cost: Free with paid admission

Animal Grossology
Oozing with disgusting science and interactive learning games, the Animal Grossology exhibit provides a unique perspective on the animal kingdom. Kids can experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest, and downright yuckiest creatures on earth.
720.488.3300 http://www.thewildlifeexperience.org
Ongoing Daily 9/24/08 - 4/26/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4-19
Time: During regular museum hours
Cost: Free with paid admission

The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather
Based on the popular PBS animated children's series, The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather stars stalwart Captain Bula, brainiac Professor Multo, feisty pilot Zeeter, space pet Gorga, and the twin flying companions Wizzy & Wigg - all of whom take youngsters old on a roller coaster fun ride across the universe and and teach them critical facts about science and astronomy. Running time is 24 minutes; shown inside the Gates Planetarium. Ongoing Daily 2/13/09 - 5/29/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 3-8
Time: Varies, check website
Cost: $6-$8

Astronaut
Astronaut, a digitally animated show, reveals what it's like for humans to travel in space and showcases the "Vomit Comet" dive, floating through the International Space Station, and the adventures of Chad, a test astronaut, who is subjected to everything that space has to throw at him. Shown at the Gates Planetarium; running time is 22 minutes. http://www.dmns.org Ongoing Daily 2/13/09 - 5/29/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 5-12
Time: Daily 11am
Cost: $6-$8

A Cosmic Journey
In A Cosmic Journey, viewers can travel through our solar system at many times the speed of light, taking in the wonders of the planets and their moons. As they fly along, spheres appear in the distance, zooming closer until they're giant orbs. From 9am to 2:30pm tickets to Gates Planetarium must be purchased at the special combination price (Museum + Planetarium) that includes the cost of general Museum admission. Planetarium-only tickets are available for the 3pm show or any shows thereafter (must be purchased on-site). 303.322.7009 http://www.dmns.org Ongoing Daily 2/13/09 - 5/29/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 6-19
Time: Shows daily; visit the website for current schedule
Cost: $6-$8 + museum admission

Book Babies
A special storytime for infants ages six to 23 months, with their parent or caregiver. Enjoy books, songs, and fingerplays. 303.733.7585 http://www.denverlibrary.org Ongoing Each Thu 12/4/08 - 5/28/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 0-2
Time: 10:30am
Cost: Free

Jack and the Beanstalk
Silly Jack trades the cow for a pile of beans. The beans turn out to be quite magical and Jack, after many trials and tribulations finds his fortune. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets available at the door. 303.459.6446 http://www.denverpupettheater.com
Ongoing Each Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 2/5/09 - 3/15/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 3-19
Time: Thu-Fri 10am & 1pm; Sat-Sun 1pm
Cost: $5

Family Night at the Burger Recreation Pool
Families are invited to enjoy the pool facilities at the rec center. 303.665.0469 http://www.cityoflafayette.com Ongoing Each Tue, Thu 1/6/09 - 5/28/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: All Ages
Time: 7pm-8:30pm
Cost: $10/family

Storytime at Real Baby in Boulder
Real Baby Boulder hosts a storytime for little ones and their grown-ups featuring favorite books, that are sure to make children smile, laugh, and think. 303.545.2229 http://www.realbabyinc.com Ongoing Each Thu 2/12/09 - 5/21/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 0-6
Time: 11am
Cost: Free

Storytime at My Art Workshop in Littleton
Enjoy a story, snack, and story-related craft, then stick around and play in the preschool workshop for an unlimited time. 303.948.3598 http://www.myartworkshop.com Ongoing Each Thu 8/7/08 - 5/21/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 2-5
Time: 10:30am
Cost: $8

Zoo Tales Family Book Club
The Denver Zoo's Family Book Club features a reading of If You're Happy and You Know It - Jungle Edition, special animal visitors, and simple crafts to make and take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required. 303.376.4800 http://www.denverzoo.org Ongoing Daily 3/3/09 - 3/7/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 0-5
Time: 10am-10:45am
Cost: Adult/Child pair $11-$14; Add'l child $4; Add'l adult $8

Homeroom The Musical
The Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids presents Homeroom The Musical. The musical revue touches on matters of importance to contemporary high school kids, from dress codes to personal and academic crises, school discipline, cafeteria food and school lockers. Showtime is approximately 75 minutes. Tickets are available in advance online. 303.245.8150 http://www.theaterforkids.net Ongoing Daily 3/6/09 - 3/7/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 6-19
Time: Fri 7pm; Sat 2pm & 7pm
Cost: Adults $10; Children (12 & under) $8

Aurora Singers - Modern Broadway Hits
The Aurora Singers presents Modern Broadway Hits featuring music from shows including Hairspray, Les Miserables, and Little Mermaid among others. Tickets are available in advance. 303.343.3377 http://www.aurorasingers.org Ongoing Daily 3/7/09 - 3/8/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 6-19
Time: Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm
Cost: $8

The Crown of Tara
The Heritage Irish Stepdancers perform The Crown of Tara, a dance that brings to life little-known Irish legends and tells the tale of the mythical creation of Ireland. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. 720.887.2371 http://www.heritageirish.com Ongoing Daily 3/7/09 - 3/8/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 5-18
Time: Sat 7pm; Sun 3pm
Cost: $10-$15

Winter Fun at the Audubon Center at Chatfield
Hands-on nature activities, guided walks to discover the wild side of Chatfield, and access to miles of trails to explore on foot, bike, snowshoe, or cross-country skis (depending on the weather). Hot chocolate, treats, and a place to warm up on cold days provided. 303.973.9530 info@denveraudubon.org http://www.denveraudubon.org 3/7/09
Ages: All Ages
Time: 9am-2pm
Cost: Free

Space Storm
Explore the Sun-Earth connection with Fiske Planetariums's newest original production funded by NASA/TIMED and CU's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. Learn how sunspot cycles and solar flares affect you. Tickets are available at the door. Fiske Planetarium, Regent Drive University of Colorado Boulder Campus, Boulder, CO 3/7/09
Ages: All Ages
Time: 2pm
Cost: Adults $5; Children & Seniors $3.50

Hansel and Gretel
Kids can enjoy a new twist on the classic tale from The Brothers Grimm that will delight young and old alike. Advance reservations are available by calling the theater. 303.279.7800 http://www.heritagesquare.info Ongoing Each Sat 2/7/09 - 3/28/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 2-12
Time: 1:30pm
Cost: $5-$6

Penny Saturday
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver invites one an all to visit and pay only one penny admission. 303.298.7554 http://www.mcadenver.org 3/7/09
Ages: All Ages
Time: During regular museum hours
Cost: $.01

Baby Loves Disco Boulder
The family-friendly dance party features real disco tunes from the 70s and 80s (no Barney allowed), spun and mixed by a real DJ, giving tots a taste of the club scene. Think banquettes and bouncers, then add bubble machines, diaper changing stations, an array of healthy snacks, and a chill-out area with tents, books, and puzzles for when kids need a break from all that gettin' down and funky. Charge tickets in advance by phone, or risk being turned away at the door. Cash only accepted at the door. 303.786.7030 http://www.babylovesdisco.com 3/7/09
Ages: 0-7
Time: 11pm-2pm
Cost: $15 in advance, $18 at the door; Crawling babies free

artEXPOsed Student Showcase
The students of the artEXPOsed program showcase their work over the past several weeks in the fields of culinary, visual, dance, and performance arts. The public is invited to attend and enjoy interactive activities and food prepared by the culinary students. 720.977.5817 http://www.cityofthornton.net 3/7/09
Ages: 5-19
Time: 2pm
Cost: Free

Free Day at the Denver Art Museum
Colorado residents are invited to visit the Denver Art Museum and skip the admission charge today. 720.865.5000 http://www.denverartmuseum.org 3/7/09
Ages: All Ages
Time: Regular museum hours
Cost: Free

Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning
Kids of all ages are invited to bring their imaginations for free weekly entertaining and creative activities at Lakeshore Learning Materials every Saturday. Activities and themes change every week. Lakeshore provides all materials and instructions. 303.768.8484 http://www.lakeshorelearning.com Ongoing Each Sat 10/4/08 - 3/28/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 3-18
Time: 11am-3pm
Cost: Free

KinderQuest: Predator - Snakes!
During KinderQuest programs, children delve into the amazing world of animals through animal encounters, zoo tours, obsrvations, interactive activities, and sensory experiences. Kids can get an up close look at some slithery friends. Advance registration is required. 303.376.4800 http://www.denverzoo.org
Ongoing Daily 3/6/09 - 3/7/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4-5
Time: Fri 10am-12n; Sat 1pm-3pm
Cost: $20-$22

Littleton Tattered Cover Storytime
Young children are invited for a half hour of stories and fun at Tattered Cover. 303.470.7050 http://www.tatteredcover.com Ongoing Each Tue, Sat 1/6/09 - 5/26/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 0-4
Time: 10:30am
Cost: Free

I Love Lava
Kids can learn about volcanoes and Earth's forces that create them by examining a lava bomb, Mount St. Helen's ash, obsidian, pumice, and other volcanic rocks. Making our own volcanos is part of the fun. The second part of this workshop takes place on April 26. Please register in advance. 303.322.7009 http://www.dmns.org 3/7/09
Ages: 6-7
Time: 1pm-3pm
Cost: Members $25; Non-members $35

Mud, Glorious Mud
What one item in nature is a home, skin softener, antiperspirant, and insect repellent? Why, mud, of course. Swallows, elephants, and hippos are only a few of the many animals that find uses for mud. Discover the versatility of mud and even try your hand at building a mud nest. It's more than just wet dirt! Advance registration is required. 303.322.7009; 800.925.2250 http://www.dmns.org 3/7/09
Ages: 4-5
Time: 1pm-3pm
Cost: $25-$30

Secrets of the Dioramas
Take advantage of an informative - and free - 45-minute overview of the "tricks of the trade" that the Museum uses to create award-winning dioramas. Meet about five minutes before tour time by the escalator on the first floor near the ticket-takers. Call to reserve. 303.322.7009 Ongoing Each Sat 2/9/02 - 11/9/10; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 6-18
Time: 12:30pm & 2pm
Cost: Free with museum admission.

Photography Classes for Kids - Imaginary Friend
Kids are invited to use photography as a way to tell a story about something they conjure up. Imagination is key here as kids have to make images that describe a creature no one else can see. Bring your own digital camera or let WWA loan one to you for the morning. Advance registration is required. 303.837.1341 info@workingwithartists.org http://www.workingwithartists.org
3/7/09
Ages: 5-11
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: $35

Parent-Child Workshop: Arctic Mitten-Making
Winter is not over yet! Kids and their grown-ups are invited to make a pair of felt mittens patterned after those the Inuit wear. Advance registration is required. 303.492.1666 http://www.cumuseum.colorado.edu 3/7/09
Ages: 5-10
Time: 10am-12n
Cost: $5-$8

Let's Make History: Home Sweet Western Home
The museum's weekend program for families features hands-on exploration of artifacts and objects, crafts, and demonstrations. This week: Participants learn how people have lived in Colorado throughout time by exploring a cliff dwelling, Comanche tipi, and sod house and then making miniature replicas of of the museum's 1859 planked house. 303.866.3682 http://www.coloradohistory.org 3/7/09
Ages: 6-12
Time: 11am-3pm
Cost: Free for children 12 & under

Interview With Emme About Weight Bias & Our Children

by Aimee Giese

February 23, 2009

Editors from Savvy Source recently had the great pleasure of participating in an interview with Emme, the supermodel and nationally recognized body image and self esteem advocate. Emme has twice been selected as People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful Women.

Emme is working with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity to educate our country about weight bias, weight discrimination and wants to share with you helpful ways to teach your children about the harmful effects of weightbias and how to support a child in your life who is the victim of such a horrible experience.

We are bringing you this interview as the week of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins. Please take a moment after reading this post to visit the site!  

With me on the call were several Savvy Source City Editors ... read on for the interview :

SS Pittsburgh - Tell us how you became involved with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food and Obesity? 

Emme - I met Kelly Brownell a few years ago.  I was very much influenced and made aware of his impact in food policy and his efforts over the years. I have always viewed Kelly as a professional and the voice of reason.  Whenever I had to speak on this subject, I would get his perspective. In the past two years, the Rudd Center was developed to be able to really take a stand in the prejudice and discrimination with obesity. We're very lucky in this country to have Leslie Rudd, Kelly Brownell and the Rudd Center. 

SS Silicon Valley - What exactly is weight bias? Why is it such a growing problem in the US? 

Emme - The issue with childhood obesity is that it has doubled in the past 20 years. 30% of adults are obese. 1 in 5 children are overweight. The obesity rate in teenagers has tripled in the last 20 years. If you read the studies that are being done, you realize that children who are obese have the same type of feeling as a child going through cancer treatments. 

They get mobbed, they get verbally assaulted by their parents, other friends, coaches, teachers. To think that these kids are walking around, having to deal with this? It is vitally important that government take it past just talking about. Nothing is really being done behind the scenes.

SS San Antonio - How can we help reduce weight bias at home and at school? 

Emme - Exactly what we're doing right now. We're talking to different avenues in the media. Openly communicating about the issue. It is definitely not about keeping silent. It is definitely about encouraging the conversation around the kitchen table. It is about talking to kids who are not obese and talking to kids who are obese. As a society, we need to treat each other better. If families were better aware of these issues, when children see that teasing going on in the classroom, on the playground, in bathroom stalls, it would be easier to deal with the situation.

When they see an obese child, encourage your child to stand up for that child. We need to have more peer to peer efforts  working in our favor. Open communication. I use the sunflower idea often.  Imagine a field of sunflowers that all look the same... that wouldn't be very creative. We need every flower to be different, otherwise every flower would look the same... we need the world to look different. When obesity is kept a secret, it really does lead a child down a really really bad road.

Be aware - as parents - how YOU speak to children about obese people in the movies, in a restaurant, in an image. As a mother myself, I am aware that 80% of women aren't satisfied with their bodies. A lot of negative talk is going on just inside the home... telling children that our self-esteem is surrounded just by our body image and shape. 

SS Newark - How do you talk to your children about the negative advertising by diet companies and negative media?

Emme - First let them know that they are trying to sell us a product for us to buy and make us believe that it will fix you... not everyone can look like the models in those commercials! They are trying to influence you. When you buy that product, it probably wont do what its supposed to do. Once again, are we ALL supposed to look the same? 

Tell your child: "Look at mommy. Look at mommy's friend so and so. Do all mommies look the same?"  Bring up real life examples of how everyone looks differently. 

Use your voice when you see negative ads. Write to companies and news stations about the advertising and tell them to stop.

SS Tampa - What do you hope to accomplish with www.emmestyle.com?

Emme - Emmestyle.com is about to take a very large leap and create a revolution. I can't tell you everything, but it's going to be more than anything has ever been. It will become a site for women that has been neglected. It will be THE plus-size destination. There will be a plethora of women there who love themselves. We are in the midst of getting into the down and dirty of creating this revolution.  Join as a member and we'll keep you posted about all of the changes.

SS Cincinnati - Your motto, Shattering the Myth is a great one - how can we personalize that in our own small towns and with our immediate families.

Emme - You can instill change by doing a call to action... ask every friend to write a letter concerning a specific offensive ad.  Big companies get away with things because they are not being held accountable. Don't be a couch coach... take that finger and instead of pointing it at the company, point it towards yourself.  What are YOU going to do about the situation?

Use your voices ... it will make such a change, especially with the internet.  Women and mothers can come together and make a change with the internet.

Specifically concerning your children:  Regularly ask your child how was your day... keep your ear attuned - if you hear anything about teasing or anything about body size, listen. Try so hard to not react to it or make excuses for it. Simply listen neutrally because then they will be able to tell you what's going on and you'll then have a bit of time to give words of advice. Children that are just below being obese, that aren't thin-thin, they are affected too. 

When talking to overweight children and beign supportive, point out their strengths... tell them, you are a creative soul, you are a great chef,  you are an awesome swimmer, etc.   Get away from the physicality and focus on their strengths.

Talk to teachers and communicate with the them to let them know its going on.  The more people you talk to, the louder the issue is heard.  If you can come together and not cause blame, the issue can be closed down quicker.

It is important that we have more positive role models ... this is a challenge.  Find people -not just celebrities - but role models in the child's life that happen to have curves on their bodies. 

SS Cleveland - Yale University's Rudd Center has recently produced two videos.  What do you hope the videos will accomplish in the fight against weight bias?

Emme - To increase public awareness of its consequences.  One video is geared towards teachers/parents and one is geared towards the medical community.  Surprisingly enough, there is quite a weight discrimination between doctor and patient!

The other goal is to try and change the negative attitudes about obese individuals and replace it with tolerance and respect.  It's awfully hard in this culture right now when there is such loathing and fear around food. It's hard to ask any of us overnight, to just be nice and be kind. There needs to be so much more education and exposure, so many more conversations and so much more knowledge.

SS Denver - Where can we find out more information about weight bias?

Emme - The Rudd Center's website. When you visit the website, please sign up for their newsletter! I constantly throw stuff over to my Facebook page on the things I learn about there. There are incredible studies and a discussion of all the horrible things happening relating to obesity discrimination.

Our culture is not yet at a place where there is tolerance, so we really need to sit down at our own tables and talk about this. 

SS Denver - What if your child is suffering from being isolated because of his or her weight?  How can you support them while getting any help they may need? 

Emme - Parents should provide open communication, good and bad.  Listen and be neutral.  Let them download.  When you're driving them home from school and you hear chitter-chatter or the kids are having snacks, alot of information is going on then.  Check with your school to make sure that the anti-bullying policy at your school also covers obesity and weight related teasing. 

SS Oakland - How can we set a good example to our children in terms of weight bias?

Emme - You want to be able to find positive role models for your children... people with diversified figures that still do amazing things... just because they have curves doesn't mean they are not role models.  Find those role models and bring them up to your children over and over.  

SS Oakland - When did you first begin struggling with weight?

Emme - I always joke that I was born a size 12.  I was never an extremely thin model, I was a size 12 walking in to my jobs. 

I was extremely athletic. That was my gift, but my gift covered an eating disorder ... at a very young age, I knew what diets were all about.  I purged through altheticism ... if eating was a bar, that bar kept getting higher and higher. I was very confident on camera and in the role i had taken on.  When I was alone, I was beating myself up that I wasn't doing enough.  I finally said that I needed to get off of that train.  I had a meal, and immediately needed to go workout.

SS Toronto - What did you learn, culturally, about being a mother from your experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia?

Emme - I think I found my voice from the experiences of living there - where women are required to be covered and shrouded.  There is a complete lack in self esteem for women in that culture.  When you are together with the women with no men around at the hammam - the bathing areas - where we were able to be together without the shroud, there was a lively bit of self esteem - there was no body bashing. Predominately, if the women were from a middle class family, you found that they had average body shape, if not more rounded. I think what I took from that culture is that my gosh, here we are in America - we have GOT to use our voices, where we are allowed to use them. 

We must continue to speak out about what we're passionate about.  What I found from my living there was that the acceptance of ones self needs to be how everyone feels... back off to anyone else who wants to tell me to look any differently.

Some final comments from Emme:

If we don't get this whole issue with obesity down pat and be able to get some exposure about the inequities in medical, school, we will fall deeper in trouble. We need to be able to be advocates for one another. This is not just about obesity, its about women, it's about men, it's about our children.  It's about all of us - standing up to support each other.

Its a call to action to all citizens... this discrimination kills people.

For more on this subject, visit the site of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and view this video, as well as this one. 

Thank you Emme for your dedication to this issue, and for taking the time to talk with us about this important subject!

Upcoming Events: Week of February 6th

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

February 06, 2009

Looking for fun things to do around the Denver metro area with the kids this weekend and into the next week? Here are some ideas for you! Also, be sure to get out there and take advantage of that amazing spring-like weather we are having right now! Brain Teasers 2 Kids can gain new appreciation for their brain and what it can do when Brain Teasers 2, a nationally traveling exhibit, opens at WOW!  Read more...

What Your Children Teach *YOU*

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 28, 2009

Oh boy. This post could go on for days, could it not??? But here are my top three things that Declan has taught me over the past six years. 1. I am not in control. Yes, I need to be the parent, be in control, but I can't control everything. I could probably make this the total sum of this entire post because it's the biggest thing my son has ever taught, from being born two months early to  Read more...

Teaching Kids About MLK Day

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 19, 2009

The celebration of Martin Luther King day is both a wonderful and surprisingly difficult thing to discuss with the younger set. Even in the age of Barack Obama, where our country has elected our first African-American president, it can be difficult to talk about our racial differences of the past - for several reasons. In our case, it was simply that our son did not understand them. He is color  Read more...

Parenting Books That Saved My You-Know-What

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 08, 2009

Honestly, before we had Declan - I have only babysat ONCE in my life. So, clearly I needed a lot of help when I became a parent. While I was pregnant, I did a lot of reading. A lot A LOT. Here are some books that I found to be really valuable and learned a ton from. Of course, I also learned that no book is the end-all be-all. We took pieces and parts of books that worked for us, and discarded  Read more...

My Top Ten for 2008

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

December 30, 2008

I can't believe this year is drawing to a close already. And it's been really fun talking about all the great things to do in Denver. And just like everyone does at the end of the year - let's take a look back! Here are my ten favorite posts from 2008. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did! Local Pride: 5 Awesome Reasons To raise Kids In Denver Top 99 Things We Must Do With Our Kids In  Read more...

Doing The Holidays From Afar

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

December 23, 2008

My husband and I moved to Denver 15 years ago. In fact, we trekked to Denver in a U-Haul leaving right after New Years Day 1994, driving all the way from Baltimore, Maryland to the Rocky Mountains. It's been a tremendous change in many ways - but one thing we've had to get used to is being away from our families - all still back in Maryland - during the holidays. Sure, there have been a few here  Read more...

Sharing Holidays

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

December 22, 2008

First and foremost, this post is about wishing our Jewish Savvy friends a very happy Hanukkah, which is joyously celebrated this week. Because, yes, I am sure you have gleaned by now that I grew up Christian and thus we celebrate Christmas. But, my sister's best friend when we were children is Jewish, and she was more than a best friend - she was part of our family. I am not even sure when the  Read more...

Rock Out With Your Tot (For The Holidays)

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

December 12, 2008

I am a huge music fan, so it's no surprise that I love holiday music just as much. I do have a strict rule that we can't start listening to it until Thanksgiving weekend, but after that - all bets are off! So, at 6, Declan is already used to and has many holiday music faves himself. Here are some of our family favorites to listen to this time of year, by our favorite artist's rendition of that  Read more...

Preschool Fun At Home

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

November 10, 2008

Declan started "preschool" when he was 2 years old. While technically "preschool" starts more like 4 years old, most schools today start prepping our kids that early for school settings. And the cool thing is many of the activities they engage in at school are centered around fun, play and exploration - a really easy thing to expand upon when they kids come home from "preschool." - Ask  Read more...

Talking Politics

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

October 27, 2008

If any of you have read my personal blog, you can tell we get fairly political in my house. I recently had a conversation in the comments of a particular post about whether or not children could grasp the complicated concepts of politics. Personally, I feel they can. As one of the commenters (who happens to be a family therapist) pointed out, children live with many harsh realities all the time  Read more...

On Your First Day of Preschool...

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 02, 2008

Every family does things their own way. I am a big believer in that. You find the mix that works for you, whether it is daycare from day one, or homeschooling, or waiting till Kindergarten to start school, or somewhere in between. For us, it was somewhere in between. My husband Bryan stayed home with our son for the first two years. It was wonderful for the two of them, and it was also hard.  Read more...

Top 5 Things To Do In Denver on A Sunny Day

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

May 20, 2008

So. There are more sunny days here in Denver than Miami or San Diego, right? So that's a lot of time for fun in the fun. What are the BEST things to do in Denver on a sunny day with your toddler? Here are my thoughts, but I would like to hear yours as well! 5. CONFLUENCE PARK My husband is a kayaker, so we love to go watch him (and others) paddle around at Confluence Park , near the downtown  Read more...

How To Be A Prince(ss) For A Day

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

May 19, 2008

What's the fun of being a little kid if you can't play dressup? And what's the best thing to dress up as? A Princess or Knight In Shining Armor, of course! And where is the best place for costumes in Denver? And other Merlin-ey type toys, for that matter? The Wizard's Chest in Cherry Creek, of course! I mean, the place is even shaped like a castle! It may get a bit overwhelming around Halloween,  Read more...