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

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

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?

Time for Table Manners!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 26, 2008

Even though things are very casual here in Denver, we still like to raise polite kids, right? So it's never too early to start working on those table manners. Sure, your 2 year old is not going to comprehend all the social graces most people expect of adults, but we do what we can. Here are some things we can ask of our kids at the table, even at a young age. And, um, ask... and ask... and  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Atomic Cowboy

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 25, 2008

Yeah, I know it's kind of surprising to review a place that seems more like a bar to go do your best karaoke along Colfax Ave as kid-friendly, but go earlier in the evening, and I promise you - they are. Atomic Cowboy is a fun mix of bar food, rough brick walls, interesting lighting and funky decor. As you walk in the door, there is a stack of board games that are certainly inviting for both  Read more...

Healthy Snacks for The Little Ones!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 18, 2008

Nothing takes a load off like coming up with interesting (and nutritious!) snacks that your kids love, right? Here are some ideas for ya. A.L.T. Sandwich - Skip the bacon and go straight for avocado, lettuce and tomato. Either mush up the avocado, or lay it out in strips. Apple Open Face Sandwich - Slice an apple in half and get rid of that infernal core. Put a dollop of peanut butter in the  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Soleil Mediterranean Grille & Wine Bar

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 17, 2008

This little gem in nestled in the Cherry Creek area, right between Detroit and Fillmore Streets on 3rd Avenue. It's tucked in a bit, but if you pass by in the evening, you will notice the tiki torches lit and the lovely covered patio that peeks out from the front of the building. Inside is filled with atmosphere as well, with wonderful lighting and a split level seating area. But what you are  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Steve's Snappin' Dogs

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 20, 2008

Steve's Snappin' Dogs on East Colfax isn't going to be the height of gourmet cuisine, but it sure is a crowd pleaser with the young ones. It's almost like a little shack situated right there in the middle of East Denver. With their outside patio, you feel like you are right on the beach hangin' with Moondoggie taking in your meal. OK, except for the hum of traffic on Colfax and everything. But  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Buca di Beppo

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 31, 2008

Yes, I know, when I started these , I promised to avoid chains, but at least Buca di Beppo is a small chain! And I just couldn't resist, because the place is just so FUN! The quirky decorations are sure to tanatilize the eyes of everyone in your party - and add the possibility of sitting in the kitchen? So fun! The only problem for those of us that live very close to downtown? The Buca on Market  Read more...

Cooking With Tots

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 24, 2008

It's really frustrating getting kids involved with the cooking process isn't it? Especially when you are not the best cook to beginning. Not pointing fingers, but that would be ME. Especially when you are not the most patient person in the world. (Yeah, that's totally me again.) But I have found that Declan is so much more interested in the food that is prepared if he had a hand in making it.  Read more...

Check out the ethnic in Denver!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 22, 2008

Because there actually *are* a lot of ethnic places in Denver, I promise! Not just steak! Something for everyone! Something for those with kids! Here is a list to get you started. Mataam Fez This Moroccan staple on East Colfax can be a little pricey and also take a long time to get through dinner, so be sure to plan for that. But they have nightly belly dancers and tea pourers that your kids  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Lime XS

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 16, 2008

Lime XS is an offshoot of the downtown Lime on Larimer Square. And both have similar menus and similar good service, but Lime XS is a bit out of the downtown hub bub, a bit cozier and frankly, a bit easier to park. Being centered on 6th and Clarkson, you certainly have to walk from neighborhood parking sometimes - but maybe that is what is so appealing about Lime XS, the neighborhood feel. It's  Read more...

Friday Night Treat Night

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 07, 2008

Seeing as I found out I was diabetic at age 32, I was determined to figure out a way to help my son find moderation with sweet things, while still balancing the fun of childhood. Certainly my poor eating habits were not the sole reason for my diabetes, but my sweet tooth has always played a factor in my life! And let's not go there with the continual begging that happens when kids see things  Read more...

Restaurant Review: BD's Mongolian Barbeque

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 03, 2008

OK, when I started down this path of restaurant reviewership , I swore I would stay away from chain restaurants. But I kinda broke the rule right away with the Cherry Creek Grill and I am at it again with BD's Mongolian Barbeque . But at least they are *small* chains! And *unique* chains! Right!?!? And in the case of BD's another thing in it's favor is cost. They are reasonably priced, centrally  Read more...

Restaurant Review: The Mediterranean Restaurant

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 26, 2008

Lately I have been driving up to Boulder a lot to see friends, but other than friends, usually our main purpose in heading up to the Great NW is to have dinner at the Med. I am a big fan of tapas (small plates) style food, but the Med has both tapas and heartier meals, including some of the yummiest paella this side of Spain. Generally we will get a bunch of tapas (reasonably priced too, woot!)  Read more...

Restaurant Review: Cherry Creek Grill

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 18, 2008

Are you ready to get started with Restaurant Reviews out and around Denver? I am! And I need to start with one of my most favorite restaurants ever, The Cherry Creek Grill, in, well, Cherry Creek. Owned by the same company that owns Houston's (but old-timers will remember when it was Bandera Grill), "CCG" - as we like to call it in our house - tends to lean towards steak, fish and chicken...  Read more...

Denver Restaurant Reviews for Kids *and* Parents!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

June 13, 2008

Bryan and I have a really bad habit. We go out to eat a lot. A LOT a lot. But what is a negative for our checkbook is turning into a boon for you. I plan to use our penchant for going out to eat and turn it into a regular feature for this blog. Because, I don't know about you, but I am sick of sticking to places that are massive chains, have no personality and only serve mac and cheese for their  Read more...