What happens in Stapleton

i-DOH! The iPhone Doc to the rescue

2012-05-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

by contributor Maria Lucas

Hi, I'm an iPhone addict. I love those darn things. The accessibility of e-mails, weather at my fingertips, pinterest, being able to send pics of all our quirky adventures, maps!, those apps that are just so handy and, of course, texting. This addiction comes at a cost though...

Like the fact that when my kids draw pictures of me now, I am always holding my iPhone.

Or the fact that I'm on my third, yes, THIRD iPhone in under a year. Here's how my iPhones usually look...

...ouch right? And I wish I could pass the blame on to my two little iPhone monsters, but, no, it's me. Me and concrete. Every time. Concrete.

And every time, I have to pay my insurance company like $120 to send me a new one. It's a total hassle. I have to remember my Verizon password, know what my iPhone purchase date is (and do they mean my first one or the last one they just sent me?), what kind of iPhone it is, what my phone's serial number is... remember where I left the paperwork for who even handles my insurance... oh the agony. Then, one day, I opened my Front Porch and there he was...

Stapleton Dad and fellow East Bridger, Ben. God love you Mr. iRepairDoc Ben.

It's brilliant. Not only can they fix my iPhone but they come to my house to do it. There is no waiting for one in the mail. No transferring phone information via iTunes. No calling Verizon to activate and having to remember my password again! Presto - a perfect iPhone done in less than hour and for less than my insurance was charging.

Where have you been, Ben? What took you so long? Anyway, I'm just glad you're here.

[your can read all about how Ben thought this up in April's Front Porch - but this is about me, not them.]

I called and made my appointment. And looked what showed up....

...cute right? And one of Ben's colleagues, Kyle hooked me UP. The only scary part was seeing my phone in pieces....

Kyle was courteous, sweet, understanding. I told him I thought this whole idea was amazing and Kyle agreed saying, "It's always the little things." Kyle told me he looked at cracked iPhones all day while working in an Apple store and never thought of it.

So, I got a few tips out of Kyle.

1) Forget the insurance. Stop paying it. It's a rip-off.

Find out why on their blog: http://www.irepairdoc.com/blog/1.

2) You don't want your iPhone to crack? Get an OtterBox, LifeProof or Ballistic to protect your phone.

But, as Kyle points out... these cases make the iPhone a little less accessible which is why we love them in the first place... and it's still not a 100% guarantee.

3) And, he said this nicely, "Try to be deliberate about minimizing the risk of breaking them." Or, "Lady, stop handling your iPhone when walking down the street on CONCRETE.... FIND A POCKET!" My words, not his.

And here is the result. Ahhhhhh...

If your iPhone is on crack. Call them. Support them. I know I will (I just hope not soon).

iRepairDoc

720-308-2145

Or check them out on-line at:

http://www.irepairdoc.com/

Summer movie fun at Harkins GIVEAWAY

2012-05-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Summer Movie Fun at Harkins Theater is back! And we've got tickets to give away!

Here's how it works: You get 10 movies, for 10 weeks. Pick your day - Monday through Friday (Wednesday and Friday is sold out!), show up at 9:45 every week for 10 weeks, and catch a fun movie!

Just enter to win a 2-pack of tickets on Facebook!

How do you find summer fun everyone can agree on?

2012-05-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Summer officially begins bright and early Tuesday. After six years as a stay-at-home mom, I can tell you this: I am afraid.

Afraid my kids will be bored. Afraid that they'll watch too much TV and fight all summer. Afraid they're going to drive me nuts.

Afraid I just don't have the creative juice to create adventures for them that we can all agree on.

When my boy was a toddler, and it was just the two of us, it was easy: we went to the zoo, museums, and the pool. Wednesday was Music Together and cherry scones at Adagio Bakery. Friday was library day. We did mini-hikes at Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder.

Then Kid #2 came along.

Now it's me trying to wrangle two stubborn, headstrong boys - 3 and 6 - and each with very different ideas of what's fun and where to go next. The pool is fun - but exhausting because the 3 year old doesn't quite know how to swim, but he thinks he does. Parks are OK as long as they both want to do the same thing (Riiiiiight. Like that ever happens. I'm now convinced that whoever designed the Purple Mountain Park never had to spend time with two children at the same time.) Libraries? Forget it. One wants Curious George, the other wants superheroes. It just turns into a fight. Music class? Once the older one said it was "stupid," it was over for the younger one. Heartbreaking. Hikes go something like this.

How do you keep two (or more) kids entertained and happy over the summer?

I suspect the answer is to keep it simple. Lucky for us, a few of these simple things never get old:

Dinosaurs, mummies, Native Americans, rock crystals, stars... my boys love everything at the Museum of Nature & Science.
The Zoo never gets old - and with Elephant Passage and the kid play area in Northern Shores, they're always happy there.
REI. My boys love that funny kid play area. They love getting chocolate milk at Starbucks. They could throw rocks in the Platte for hours.
City Park. I don't know why, but this park seems magical to my boys. Maybe it's the sheer size. Or the box canyon (just south of the Museum of Nature & Science), or the castle playground, or the fountain in Ferril Lake.
Denver Botanic Gardens. Another place that fascinates my boys - from the kid section to the pool that turns your hands blue.

What are your suggestions for a sane, fun summer? How do you keep two or more kids happy?

Stapleton artist makes custom art for your home

2012-05-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

Who wouldn't love to have a big amazing piece of art hanging over their mantle or living room or entry walls?

We visited Stapleton artist Eric Sandefur, who has a unique approach to making art accessible to everyone. He is creating modern, custom art for your home. I love his style and the amazing colors. Most of all, I love that he makes fine art available to everyone! Art like this becomes the centerpiece of your home.

Just browse through the galleries on his site!

Don't know much about art? You don't need to. Eric's style is abstract, vibrant and colorful - and customizable. He'll bring a truck full of paintings right to your house and let you try different styles out! Prices range from $100 to $3,500. He'll do a custom piece of art for you, too.

If you want to see more, give Eric a shout at 303-521-7658

or email him at ericsandefur@gmail.com.

Or head to the Downtown Denver Arts Festival this Memorial Day Weekend - Sunday 11-5 or Monday 11-4 - to check him out live!

People already lined up for the pools' noon opening

2012-05-26T11:08:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by StapletonLiz

Don't forget to go to stapletoncommunity.com to renew your pool pass! (And if you're like me, you forget your password and reset it to an email account that no longer exists)

Deal Alert: Pirate's Cove Family 4-pack just $19!

2012-05-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

Summer's almost here! Get a family 4-pack of tickets to Pirate's Cove waterpark for just $19!

Swigert Touch-a-Truck

2012-05-21T20:14:00.001-07:00

Swigert Touch-a-Truck, a set on Flickr.

Play: The Clash Indoor Soccer is having an Open House Sunday

2012-05-18T03:17:00.000-07:00

Have you been hearing good things about Clash Indoor Soccer?

It's a Stapleton-owned business (Hugh Evans was one of the original Stapleton residents 10 years ago. He started the league in 2007 out of a desire to help African and Hispanic youth play the game they love, without the high fees of traditional soccer leagues) and their kids are GREAT players - PLAY being the key word. Hugh believes in an environment where the kids play: less formal coaching, more playing; less structure, more creativity.

Now the league is thriving - and partnering with the Colorado Rush - and open to Stapleton teams!

We took some boys from the neighborhood to visit, and my boy, who has lollygagged around the field but never played with enthusiasm or passion, transformed into a soccer player when Hugh rounded up a few boys, gave them a ball and they started playing.

These boys were good. Really good. My boy got right in there - he ran (fast!), he kicked, he passed the ball, he was aggressive, he scored and cheered - he had a blast!

We parents watched, kind of amazed, and Hugh pointed out that kids just want to play - unrestricted, uncriticized (there were no parents yelling "Kick the ball!") and un-self conscious. They were just having fun.

So Clash Indoor Soccer is having a FREE Open House on Sunday, May 20 and you should check it out! Details follow:

OPEN HOUSE - Thursday, May 24th. - 7:00PM. - Offices and indoor fields @ 5200 Smith Rd. Denver. (Holly and Smith Rd.)

Colorado Rush ( www.ColoradoRush.com ) and the Clash (www.ColoradoClash.org) have partnered to bring first class soccer to the Stapleton, Lowry, Park Hill and Denver Metro communities.

Excellent value and year round indoor and outdoor soccer programs for youth through adults.

Starting June: Weekly 1/2 day summer soccer camps (720) 435-6054 (Sibling half price).

Free indoor soccer for youth through June 1st - meet and greet and see what we are all about.

Leagues nightly (Men, Ladies, Co Ed, Youth).

Recreation, Competitive and USClub programs to accommodate all player levels and program price points. (303) 513-1429

Deal Alert! Rolling Video Game Birthday Party half off!

2012-05-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Did you see them roll up to Movie Night on the Green last summer?

Did you see how the kids MOBBED them?

Yeah, you'd be the coolest mom EVER if you scored this birthday party from Rolling Video Games Denver at HALF OFF!

Mamooh! Two Mom's have their creative juices flowing with Art by Day and Light By Night!

2012-05-15T07:37:00.001-07:00

Liz and I had the pleasure of meeting Courtney and Rachel from Mamooh! These two Mom's have their creative juices flowing with these amazing pieces that are Art by Day and Light By Night!

The story behind the lights.

It all began with a baby. When Courtney was pregnant with her daughter Emme, she wanted something special and different for her nursery. Working with her crafty father, Courtney’s vision became a reality and the first Mamooh! light was created which still hangs in Emme’s room today!

In comes Rachel, her best-friend and savvy business partner. Seeing the beauty of the product, Rachel was convinced that everyone deserved to have a special light like Emme’s in their home. And, of course, in her daughter Daisy’s room as well!

Alas, Mamooh! Illuminate and Decorate was born! Working hard to perfect the design and select a wide range of fabric options for you, Courtney and Rachel hand-make each light based on your decorating needs.

Mamooh! Illuminate & Decorate provides custom fabric lighting features that enhance the atmosphere of any space. Built by hand in Denver, Colorado, Mamooh! offers over 100 designer fabric choices and eight standard frame sizes as well as special order options. Designed as an artistic nightlight, Mamooh! will turn simple fabric, whether from our collection or your own selection, into a stylish and eye-catching illuminated art piece. Shop now at http://www.mamooh.com/.

They also do logos for commercial projects!

They are super easy to order ... and the sky's the limit on ideas, they even do custom fabric!

Special 20% off Offer just for StapletonMoms.com *
*To place an order email rachel@mamooh.com or courtney@mamooh.com and mention this blog post on StapletonMoms.com!

Sneak Peek at the Toyota Elephant Passage at the Denver Zoo

2012-05-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

Bodhi

We got a sneak peek of the remarkable Toyota Elephant Passage at the Denver Zoo last week!

It lives up to the hype. It is a very special place, a unique home for elephants. Specifically, elephant families.

We were greeted by one of the new elephants, Bodhi, walking across a wooden bridge over the pathway - right over our heads! A fitting introduction to the Toyota Elephant Passage. Bodhi is the "baby" of the group - an 8 year old male - and all 6,000 pounds walked quite confidently over the bridge, took a snack from the trainer, turned around and came back.

The Elephant Passage is 10 acres for the elephants to roam - with different areas that can be connected or shut off. It mimics their habitat in the wild, and lets them socialize with each other, or be alone (and it looks a bit like Jurassic Park, with the fences and gates). Right now, 4 elephants live there: longtime zoo favorites Mimi and Dolly (good to see you ladies again!) and two newcomers- the males: Groucho and Bodhi.

Bodhi

It turns out, male elephants are rare in zoos. They're big, they're strong, they can be stubborn, and when they go into musk season (something like going into heat), they can be unpredictable and mean. In fact, the Asian Village exhibit explains why Asian elephants are in danger: the male elephants rampage through homes, over cars, even wait in ambush for trucks carrying grain. They are destructive and dangerous, so the villagers kill them.

The Alpha Male, Groucho

Groucho getting snacks

Groucho's tusks

But zoos need males to propagate the species. You know, make more elephant babies.

Did you know the gestation period for an elephant is 22 months? Two years! Single births. It's no wonder they are in trouble.

The Denver Zoo is hoping that in ten years, they'll have an elephant family roaming the grounds. And they're hoping the exhibit will help educate people on the work they're doing in Asia to help the people there live with wild elephants.

You can buy tickets for the Sneak Peek starting May 19 here - and I highly encourage you to go and be amazed!

Stapleton Summer Camps with Altogether Outdoors

2012-05-13T15:44:00.003-07:00

Summer is just around the corner and sending your kids to a nature based camp is a great way to give them a wonderful summer experience. Altogether Outdoors {AO Camps}, offers the most engaging summer experience around for your children!

Altogether Outdoors specializes in traditional summer day camps in Denver and Boulder, and sleep away camp in the mountains. They believe a great camp experience should not only be fun, but also build meaningful connections with nature and friends. With an experienced staff committed to the development of each child, and the creation of innovative, high-quality programs, all AO camps feature small groups, no-cost transportation, discounts and scholarships, and great memories for campers and parents year after year!

Stapleton Camp Options

Overnight Camp in Colorado {1 or 2 week sessions} with AO Camp is an amazing experience for your 7 to 16 year old. Nestled in the Collegiate Peaks of the Rockies, AO Silver Cliff Ranch offers campers opportunities for adventure, friendship and fun in an environment with spectacular views and natural features. Campers choose from many activities and work with their cabin group to build skills and teamwork. Campers can explore their interests through exciting activities, including horseback riding, rafting, rock climbing, hiking and backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, fine arts, filmmaking and performing arts. What an opportunity for the child, tween or teen in your life to spend a wonderful week in the mountains of Colorado!

AO Junior: 5 and 6 year olds {1 week sessions}
In each 1-week Denver Junior session, campers have fun making friends and connecting with their counselors and nature. The highlights of this intentionally planned program include: hiking, games, teambuilding, crafts, stories and camp songs.

AO Explorers: 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 year old {2 week sessions}
Spend 2-weeks making friends and trying new things. With amazing natural spaces to explore – the National Wildlife Refuge, Eldorado Canyon, Morrison Nature Center and more-it will be the adventure of the summer! Small groups and great staff mean close connections, friendships and learning in our 2-week sessions.

Denver Junior Leaders 12, 13, and 14 years old {2 week training; 1 week experience sessions} This 2-week leadership training is followed by leadership opportunities alongside counselors with our 5 to 6 year-old Junior campers. It bridges the gap between being a camper and a young adult. Junior Leaders share their love of camp with Junior Campers and help them develop an appreciation of nature. Junior leaders gain new skills, such as First Aid and CPR, that help them in working with children & babysitting.

Check out our Camp Dates and Rates here!

Sign up now, spaces are limited! Mention StapletonMoms.com when you sign up now to receive the referral discount of $20 off!

Follow Altogether Outdoors on facebook or twitter!

Top reasons to go to a Denver Outlaws game - and a ticket giveaway!

2012-05-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

How's this for a fun family night out: a Denver Outlaws professional lacrosse game at Mile High Stadium!

We took the boys Saturday to the home opener against the Hamilton Nationals. (Yes, Canadian.) Here are the top reasons you should go:

10. Lacrosse is the hottest kid sport around. To all you east coast parents wondering what the fuss is about, lacrosse was basically unheard of in these parts until now. It's the new soccer, it's hockey with attitude.

9. The games are super affordable*. General admission tickets are as low as $10 and you can sit just about anywhere you want. Taking your kid to a professional sports game at Mile High Stadium, $10? Priceless! (*Just try to avoid the $9 24 oz jumbo-sodas - if you want a lid, it's $9. With free refills. Cause you want your kid to drink 48 oz of soda.)

8. The game is FUN! Action packed, always moving, a lot of hitting, a lot of scoring.

7. Your kids will get on the Jumbotron at least once.

6. The dancers. I want to know who their hairdresser is.

5. My boy kept track of the score the entire game. We won 15-6!

4. It's the kind of game where the family of one of the team stars is sitting behind you, cheering for their boy.

3. The fans bring their lacrosse sticks to the game.

2. Not only will you kids be totally engaged the entire game, they will fall asleep on the way home! SCORE!

1. You can win a family 4-pack of tickets to the game on Saturday, May 19, against the Boston Cannons! Just like this post on Facebook! Or leave a comment here - just make sure I can reach you if you win!

Touch a Truck is Saturday

2012-05-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 12 -tomorrow!! - is the Swigert fundraiser, "Touch-a-Truck." And you should definitely go. And take your kids!

The organizers of this event do an amazing job of providing dozens of huge trucks, tractors, bulldozers, fire engines, police vehicles and just about any cool truck your kids can think of, for kids to climb on, get in, honk the horn, and be curious about!

Kids can climb on and explore dozens of trucks and vehicles during this fun family event that supports Swigert International School. From Ice Cream Trucks to Front Loaders, this event has it all. 10am-1pm. $10/person, 2 and under free. Look for coupon in the May Front Porch. Sam's Club Parking Lot- Quebec Square, Tickets and more information:touchatruck.swigertpta.com

Colfax Marathon needs volunteers - and lots of ‘em!

2012-05-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

There's a perfect job waiting for you at the Colfax Marathon! Like to be on the course? Volunteer to help a relay exchange zone. Want to be part of the action in City Park? Work the finish line! Rather be INSIDE? We need you for Race Check-in & Packet pick-up at Sports Authority Field at Mile High - in the Club Suites! There’s a perfect fit for you! Get 2 goody bags, a great race crew t-shirt and a great time! Check it out Volunteers sponsored by OrthoColorado Hospital

A few of my favorite things... for Mother's Day

2012-05-08T23:00:00.004-07:00

Source: blog.plumdistrict.com via Liz on Pinterest

Mother's Day is just around the corner! So what does Mom really want? Between the massage and bike ride, I'd say the real answer is: an hour just to myself. And not worrying that the house is being destroyed in my absence!

For other gift ideas, here are a few of my favorite things.

Source: annefranklindesigns.com via Liz on Pinterest

This necklace from anne franklin designs makes me happy every time I wear it. They're handmade, collage style artwork. Look for her fun jewelry at Naturally Loved in the Stapleton Town Center, or online!

Source: downeastbasics.com via Liz on Pinterest

Down East Basics is a cross between Anthropologie and Forever 17. It's a store that just opened in Southwest Plaza Mall in Littleton - or shop online. Fun dresses, fun skirts, fun blog - and tres affordable! Little girl clothes too!

Source: cycleton.com via Liz on Pinterest

Back to biking. I had a bike fitting with Ronie at Cycleton and it was amazing! She took every imaginable measurement of my body - angles, flexibility, natural curve of the back - and then fit my bike to fit me. It is a HUGE difference. She recommended new parts that make a world of difference (like replacing scary clip-ons with some double-duty pedals, so I can have the option to clip in - or not; or the new, narrower, cushioned handlebars that somehow make it easier to steer). I love my bike again!

Source: lucy.com via Liz on Pinterest

And a just-right pair of biking shorts. Thank you, Lucy.

Source: plumdistrict.com via Liz on Pinterest

And that massage at Blue Creek.

Source: amorefiori.wordpress.com via Liz on Pinterest

Last but definitely not least, Amore Fiori provided flowers for each kid in Stapleton All Sports to give their moms after practice. Thanks, guys! My boy was so happy to give it to me!

Deal of the week: spa day for Mom at Blue Creek urban health retreat 50% off

2012-05-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Source: plumdistrict.com via Liz on Pinterest

Blue Creek Urban Health Retreat - Mini Spa Escape Package - get a facial + massage for just $40 or $29 for $60 worth of any service at Blue Creek.

Perfect Mother's Day gift! I love Blue Creek urban health retreat, and I know you will too. I love the staff, and the services, but most of all, I love the sense that when you walk through the doors, you're part of a community. It's not unusual to pass a neighbor in the waiting room.

PLUS use promo code VISA10 for another 10% off!

Put a Rainbow on your Plate!

2012-05-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

It's summertime and that means yummy veggies straight from the garden! What could be more fun than to harvest fresh produce and make delicious summer snacks that kids will enjoy? This summer at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, the Chatfield CSA (community-supported agriculture) is offering a class to teach kids that veggies are their favorite food and will be for a lifetime! The CSA will provide a fun and educational opportunity to families who want to cook and appreciate nutritious foods together as a family.

Together we will explore how to make the most common vegetables tasty and exciting for the whole family while learning to cook together. On the menu we have a sweet and savory vegetable stir-fry, a satisfying smoothie and delicious snacks. During our time together, we'll visit an active demonstration beehive and see honey in the making. We'll then learn ways to add the honey to some of our favorite dishes and snacks. As the class comes to an end, we'll plant something tasty from our greenhouse so each child has something special to take home! We invite you to bring your children and share the experience of learning how to cook healthy and how to enjoy colorful produce fresh from the Chatfield garden. We can't wait to put a rainbow on your child's plate!

Date: June 9^th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield
(in the CSA Kitchen)
8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road
Littleton, CO 80128
Map and directions to Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.

Cost: $17 Members, $19 Non-Members

Registration: Visit the Botanic Gardens website (www.botanicgardens) or call 720-865-3580

Deal Alert: trees & shrubs 50% off at CreekSide Nursery

2012-05-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

Springtime is planting time! Time to replace trees that have a hard time surviving our Stapleton clay soil; plant lovely flowering bushes (hello, lilacs!) and make your yard stand out.

Just in time, our friends at CreekSide Tree Nursery in east Boulder are running a great deal on trees & shrubs - 50% off! These are the same folks we got THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE we've ever had from.

It was a beauty: thick, lush, green, smelled divine.

But I digress.

It's a great time to plant - so make an afternoon of it, enjoy the lovely grounds, and find the perfect tree at CreekSide!

Giveaway: Mother's Day gift ideas from anne franklin designs

2012-05-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

I love these necklaces. Especially the owl. Necklaces with a story.

They're made my local mompreneurs Anne Franklin of {anne franklin designs} and Lexis Krieg of Lexisworks - check out the limited edition collection of necklaces at annefranklindesigns.com!

We love fun jewelry like this! You might have seen it at Sugar Plum Bazaar, or at Naturally Loved or Tallulah Jones.

They make great gifts!

Look what I found for runners!

And then this lovely little bluebird, to remind us to live the life we imagined. We like it so much, we're giving one of these away on our Facebook page to a lucky mom! Happy Mother's Day! Thanks, Anne Franklin!

Help give a Boppy pillow to moms in need

2012-04-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

When I was nursing my boys, I don't think I could have survived without my Boppy. So here's a chance to help out a good cause!

Mother's Day is just 2 weeks away, and The Boppy Company is partnering with Nurse-Family Partnership to provide Boppy Pillows to at-risk moms and their babies.

Nurse-Family Partnership is a Denver-based organization that provides maternal and early childhoodhealth programs to moms and babies in need. In Denver alone, they have helped close to 13,000 families! This Mother’s Day, you can help support at-risk, local moms by simply visiting www.Boppy.com/mothersdaysupport.

For every click received between now and May 14, The Boppy Company will donate $1 toward a Boppy Pillow to new, Denver moms who need it most. And if you help, you could win a free Boppy Pillow for yourself or a new mom-to-be! Just like this post on Facebook for your chance to win!

And a huge THANKS to The Boppy Company for donating a Boppy pillow to the new residents of Mercy Housing's Bluff Lake Apartments - opening in June!

Deal of the Week: 5 amazing classes at Qi Lowry or Qi Edgewater for just $30

2012-04-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of spinning classes.

It's no secret that I love the RPM classes at Bladium, and recently discovered Qi Cycle classes too!

Qi Fitness Centers are a 5280 Top new workout. They're new in Lowry! And they're in Edgwater in the Highlands! And they want moms to check them out, so they're offering an amazing deal through Plum District: $30 for 5 classes - that's a $70 value!

And because Plum District loves moms - you can still use the promo code MOM25 to get an EXTRA 25% off! That's an insane deal!

Here's my top reasons you should check them out.

1. Cycling is one of the most efficient workouts you can do. For busy moms, that means you will burn the maximum amount of calories in a 45 minute class. We're talking 500+ calories.

2. Endorphins. Getting your heart rate up that high releases a flood of feel-good endorphins. I had never experienced "runner's high" until I tried a spin class.

3. The Ryder bikes are crazy cool. They move, lean, sway - you have to steer and balance. It takes a couple of classes to get used to them, but they're fun. They work your core.

4. Spin PLUS yoga. Get your heart pumping, the sweat flowing, your muscles screaming - and then take it to the mat for some balance, strength and stretching. Yin/Yang.

5. Or keep it fierce with the Mountain Warrior class: spin plus a boot camp style workout that changes all the time. My first class was cycling intermixed with lunges and pushups and sit-ups. The next one was cycling followed by kettle bells. Whoah.

6. Hello, Lowry location. Less than 10 minutes away next to Wings Over the Rockies. And they offer great yoga classes, barre classes (all the rage!), kettle bell and more.

7. TIP: Sign up for the class online ahead of time - if you're not signed up, you might not get a bike!

Get this deal now! And as a BONUS: The first person to use Promo Code FMLTRKQ2 gets another $10 off!!!

Are you going to LEGO KidsFest?

2012-04-27T22:09:00.001-07:00

Get out your Lemonade Stands for Lemonade Day, June 3

2012-04-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

What is Lemonade Day?

Lemonade Day is a FREE, community-wide, educational initiative

designed to teach children how to start, operate and own their own

business – a lemonade stand.

When is Lemonade Day?

Lemonade Day will be on June 3, 2012

Who can participate?

Youth of all ages, from pre-K through high school, can register for

an official Lemonade Day stand. Adults are needed to participate

as mentors and volunteers. In addition, community support

from schools, churches, businesses, and youth organizations is

essential to the success of Lemonade Day.

How does it work?

Each child that registers for Lemonade Day receives a bright,

yellow backpack with informational workbooks. One for the child,

and another for a responsible adult. The workbooks outline the

steps needed to start a business, from setting a goal, creating

a business plan, forming a budget and finding an investor, to

saving money and donating a portion back to their community.

How do we get started?

Registration will be available starting May 1 at King Soopers /Dependable Cleaners & Young Americans Bank. If you register online, you need to take your form into one of the pickup locations and get your backpack! These contain workbooks for both child and caring adult that take them through the "business planning" process for their stand.

Your child can then have a stand anywhere they want - your front yard, the park...

Want to be a volunteer?

Email Briar Sangiuliano and get backpacks for your class, school, church group, sports team, Brownie troop...

Deal Alert: Little Me's in Cherry Creek

2012-04-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Little Me's?

Little Me's is Denver's hottest Children's Clothing Boutique, located in the heart of Cherry Creek North Shopping District.

Use "MOM25" to get an additional 25% Off.

This offer is $15 for $30 worth of ADORABLE Children's Clothing at Little Me's. 10% of the proceeds go back to Dolls For Daughters, a local charity that supports underprivilaged children in Colorado.