Yummiest Pumpkin Muffins!

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Photo credit: Elana’s Pantry

 

A quick shout out for the yummiest pumpkin muffins ever! My kids cannot get enough of these easy to make muffins from local author and foodie, Elana’s Pantry. These are slated to be gluten free, but I make them with regular flour and they are delicious! I guess you could say these are super versatile muffins suited for everyone.

For a simple and incredibly delicious pumpkin muffin head to Elana’s Pantry! Enjoy!!!!

Fun Halloween Ideas for Families

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Halloween can be so much fun with kids! I will never forget my son’s first Halloween. He went up to the doors in the neighborhood and was in total disbelief that everyone would give him candy. How could this possibly be? How lucky was he? Just walk up and you get pockets full of candy. The look on his face the entire evening [maybe an hour] was pure exhilaration!

Here are some fun kid-friendly Halloween ideas:

What ideas do you want to share with Boulder Families?

Family Friendly Halloween Happenings Around Boulder

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Halloween is right around the corner. Here is a list of family-friendly Halloween events going on around town. Please feel free to email me if you have additions to make to this list. I hope everyone has a safe, fun, fantastic Halloween!!!!

This post replaces the usual Boulder Families Weekly Events Listing.

2013 Family Friendly Halloween Events

Event  Date[s] Location Notes
South Boulder Pumpkin Patch 10/19 3845 Sanford Ave, Boulder, CO 80303 Pumpkin decorating, activities, etc.

11:00am to 2:00pm

Event Website

Ghost Walk, Ghost Talk 10/26 & 10/27 Call 303.444.5192 or click here to purchase tickets A tour of distinctive, ghostly homes with spooky tales to tell. Family friendly, so you can bring the kids.

5:30 to 9:00pm

Event Website

8th Annual Kappa Halloween House 10/27 1134 University Ave, Boulder, CO 80302

 

Great event for Kids under 10

More details here

Noon to 4pm

Boulder High School Kid Friendly Haunted House 10/26 Boulder High School
Boulder, CO

 

 

The lights will be on, the actors will tone down their scare factor. There will be a chance to meet the actors & the kids can chat with them, & opportunities for trick or treating. 7:00 to 10:00pm
Munchkin Masquerade 10/31 Pearl Street Mall

Downtown Boulder

Pearl Street Mall transforms into a kid-friendly mecca with candy for all the kiddos.

3:00 to 6:00pm

Event Website

Halloween at the Y 10/28 Arapahoe Y

Lafayette, CO

Join the Lafayette Y for Halloween Hullabaloo. Venture into the haunted house (not for the timid), enjoy carnival games, explore the cookie forest and light up the night in our new glow-in-the-dark room. Oh, and don’t forget the bone-chilling fun on the ice rink! Free for members and non-members.

5:30 to 7:30pm

YMCA Website

WOW! Museum Family Halloween Party 10/27 WOW! Museum

Lafayette, CO

Pumpkin painting, Halloween crafts, face painting, an ooey gooey science demonstration and giveaways.

10 to Noon

WOW! Website

Bug-a-Boo at the Butterfly Pavillion 10/19 & 10/20 Westminster, CO Costumes, Candy, Crawlies!

9:00am to 5:00pm both days

Event Website

Boulder Parks and Recreation’s Halloween Carnival 10/25 South Boulder Recreation Center Kids ages 3 to 8

3:00 to 5:00pm

Event Website

 

Boulder Family Events: October 11 to October 17, 2013

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Wondering what to do this week? Check out this list of fun family-friendly events and happenings around town!

Friday, October 11

Saturday, October 12

Sunday, October 13

  • Nature for Kids & Parents: Looking at Leaves. Take a hike in the woods with Naturalist Debora Martin and enjoy the beauty of Autumn. We’ll use our senses, record on our observation sheets, and go on a scavenger hunt!  Meet at the Lehigh Street entrance to Shanahan Ridge (map search 1903 Lehigh Street in Boulder, where Lehigh and Lafayette Streets intersect) for a hike on Shanahan Ridge Trail. 1:00pm. Ages 6 and up.
  • Go Club for Kids & Teens. Learn to play the ancient and mysterious board game known as Go. Developed 4000 years ago in China, the rules are so simple they can be taught in a few minutes–but it can take a lifetime to master the game. Go boards are provided and take-home sets made of cardboard are available for free. Ages 5 and up.
  • Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde presented by Theater Hikes Colorado at ChautauquaThis is a unique opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors, hiking and theater. It is appropriate for children 8 and up. Buy tickets ahead of time here. Starts at 3pm.

Monday, October 14

Tuesday, October 15

  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies (birth-12 months) and their caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to babies up to 12 months of age; no older children please.

Wednesday, October 16

Thursday, October 17

  • Musical Storytime with Alice and Melanie. Join these creative performers for stories, music, and more. 10:15am at the Main Boulder Library.
  • Toddler Time at the Main Boulder LIbrary. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. 10:15am

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado

Want To Find A Great Book For Your Child? Here Are Some Resources!

Screen Shot 2013-10-08 at 10.18.18 AMThere are so many great books. At times it can feel like there are too many options. Where are the really great ones? Other times it is easy to feel stuck in a reading rut. When you have already read all the books you have in the house–a dozen times–it’s time to find more resources.

  1. Ask a friend with a child your child’s age or above
  2. Ask a teacher/childcare provider
  3. Head to the library and browse some books. Let your child take a look at lots of books, read a bit of each of them, etc.
  4. Go to some story times at your local library to be inspired by the great picks from your librarian
  5. Check out the lists created by the Boulder Public Library

The Boulder Public Library has created lists of interests to children. Some examples of list topics:

  1. Strong females
  2. Fairies
  3. Dragons
  4. Fire Trucks
  5. Early readers
  6. Pirates
  7. Chapter books for boys
  8. And many, many more!

FInd some great lists from the Boulder Public Library here.

Boulder Family Events: October 4 to October 10, 2013

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Wondering what to do this week? Check out this list of fun family-friendly events and happenings around town!

Friday, October 4

Saturday, October 5

Sunday, October 6

Monday, October 7

Tuesday, October 8

  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies (birth-12 months) and their caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to babies up to 12 months of age; no older children please.
  • Read to the Dog at the Meadows Branch Library. Whether your child needs to practice reading or not they all love reading to the sweet dogs at the library! Practice your reading by reading aloud to one of our calm and certified therapy dogs. They love to be read to and they never criticize! Parents must sign up ahead of time. Call Pam at 303-441-4390 to reserve space.

Wednesday, October 9

  • Wednesday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Children enjoy stories, songs and more in the Children’s Area.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, October 10

  • Toddler Time at the Main Boulder LIbrary. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. 10:15am

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado

Boulder Family Events: September 27 to October 3, 2013

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Friday, September 27

Saturday, September 28

Sunday, September 29

  • Nature For Kids & Parents: Coyote Tales.  A chorus of yaps, whines, barks and howls: these musical sounds can be heard at any time of the day or year.  Hike in coyote country with Debora Martin, Early Childhood Educator/Volunteer Naturalist to hunt, howl and learn why coyotes can adapt to just about any region of North America!  Meet at the Lehigh street entrance to Shanahan Ridge (map search1903 Lehigh Street in Boulder, where Lehigh and Lafayette Streets Intersect) for a hike on Shanahan Ridge Trail. Ages 5 and up. 1:00 to 2:30pm.
  • Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde presented by Theater Hikes Colorado at Chautauqua. This is a unique opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors, hiking and theater! It is appropriate for children 8 and up. Buy tickets ahead of time here. Starts at Noon.
  • Go Club for Kids & Teens. Learn to play the ancient and mysterious board game known as Go. Developed 4000 years ago in China, the rules are so simple they can be taught in a few minutes–but it can take a lifetime to master the game. Go boards are provided and take-home sets made of cardboard are available for free. Ages 5 and up.

Monday, September 30

Tuesday, October 1

Wednesday, October 2

  • Wednesday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Children enjoy stories, songs and more in the Children’s Area.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, October 3

  • Toddler Time at the Main Boulder LIbrary. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. 10:15am

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado

Get Ready! Upcoming Sample Sale [Including Smartwool and Lots More!]

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is may be the best sale in Boulder! There are plenty of goodies here for the whole family! In the past Smartwool has had lots of kids socks, hats, some long underwear. I have picked up great buys for everyone in the family.

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Boulder Family Events: September 20 to September 26, 2013

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My heart goes out to all families as we all do what we can to “mop up” after the flooding. Be safe. Be well. Keep supporting each other. 

Friday, September 20

Saturday, September 21

Sunday, September 22

  • Mapleton Hill PorchFest has some kid friendly musical acts! Check out Basho & Friends. They will be playing a free children’s music show this Sunday, September 22nd at the Mapleton Hill PorchFest from 2:30-4pm near the corner of 5th and Mapleton St. Their music is ridiculously fun and he’ll probably sing some classic kid’s songs as well as originals in English and Spanish.
  • Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde presented by Theater Hikes Colorado at Chautauqua. This is on! It is appropriate for children 8 and up. Buy tickets ahead of time here. Starts at Noon.
  • Go Club for Kids & Teens. Learn to play the ancient and mysterious board game known as Go. Developed 4000 years ago in China, the rules are so simple they can be taught in a few minutes–but it can take a lifetime to master the game. Go boards are provided and take-home sets made of cardboard are available for free. Ages 5 and up.

Monday, September 23

Tuesday, September 24

Wednesday, September 25

  • Wednesday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Children enjoy stories, songs and more in the Children’s Area.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, buy some veggies, get some dinner, listen to live music and even have a beer. There is always so much going on at the market and it’s not as crowded as Saturdays, so it’s great for families! 4:00 to 8:00pm.
  • FREE Night at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits. 4 to 8pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE tonight at Wahoo’s!

Thursday, September 26

  •  Toddler Time at the Main Boulder LIbrary. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. 10:15am

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado

Parenting Pathways To Success–An Amazing, Free Lecture Series For Parents!

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The Boulder Psychological Services offers a FREE lecture series on topics parents need to know! Here are some examples of topics:

  • Parenting Essentials: 7 Steps to Becoming a Sane and Happy Parent
  • The Power of Parenting-Child Attachment
  • Parent Alert: Don’t Make These Temper Tantrum Mistakes
  • Loss: Tips for Coping
  • Oh No! Teenage Brain Has Taken Over My Child

This lecture series take place in Boulder at the Meadows Library [open after the floods], in Broomfield at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library, in Lyons at Walt Self-Center [not sure the status after the floods]. For more details on the dates, times and focus of this awesome lecture series click here.