Boulder Family Events: April 19 to April 25, 2013

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Friday, April 19

  • Kids 4 Kids Charity Event. Kids 4 Kids is a committee of middle school students dedicated to supporting organizations who help kids. This is the 2nd year the group has organized a music event featuring middle and high school musicians. The group’s purpose is to empower kids! This event raises money for the Children’s Hospital Colorado. eTown Hall, Boulder. Doors open at 5:30pm.
  • Friday Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Saturday, April 20

Sunday, April 21

  • Marsh Songs Earth Day Celebration. Visit a local marsh with naturalist Dave Sutherland to listen for our local birds, and get a sneak preview of the orchestral work. Meet at Sawhill Ponds, on 75th Street about 0.6 miles north of Valmont Road, for this easy hike. Beginning bird watchers strongly encouraged! Bring binoculars if you have them. Please do not bring dogs. Free. 8am to 10:30am.
  • Magicians of the Mountain Parks – a magic show for the whole family. In celebration of Earth Day, come meet some of the astonishing magicians who live in our wild backyard – the rabbit, the skunk, the weasel and more. Magician Paul Norton and Naturalist Lynne Sullivan will reveal the amazing survival strategies of our wild neighbors. Meet at the Bluebell Shelter for this stationary nature magic show. In the case of very cold or snowy weather, it will be held in the Ranger Cottage at Chautauqua. Call 720 564-2058 the day of the program for the location. Click on this link for a map to the Shelter; there is a 0.8 mile walk from the Ranger Cottage at Chautauqua to the shelter along a dirt road, so give yourself and your family plenty of time to get there and enjoy the stroll along the way. 11am to 11:45am [arrive by 10:30 to walk to the shelter]
  • Comic Book Release Party Concert! A live performance by Paige and Jeff and the usual frivolity. Be the first on your block to get the NEW Coyote Bob & Ranger Paula Comic Book- Return to the Flatirons. In this issue, Coyote Bob moves away from his Boulder home. Plus- games, and tips on having nature fun. Meet at Settlers’ Park trailhead in Boulder. Free. 3:00 to 5:00pm.
  • Giddyup Kitty Bluegrass Band. This is a four-piece, high-energy, all-female bluegrass band. The Denver Post says they are “the finest bluegrass you’ll find anywhere.” Weaving fine melodies with rich harmony, these award winning musicians create a show that leaves an audience joyful, and asking for more! Classy, sweet, and smooth, you’ll be a believer, once you catch Giddyup Kitty fever! Free. All ages. 3:00pm at the Meadows Branch Library.
  • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

Monday, April 22

Tuesday, April 23

Wednesday, April 24

Thursday, April 25

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.

#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #April

Boulder Public Library Renovations: Have a Say!

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BPL Reading ImageThe Main Boulder Public Library is slated for some renovations. This is really exciting because it has been over 20 years since they last renovated the space. Have your voice heard! If you want to have a say in how this renovation looks this is the right time to get involved!

The reason I bring it up on Boulder Families is that we are SO lucky to live in a community where our public library system offers incredible programming for families and the entire community. They are an insanely valuable resource for kids and I want to make sure they understand how important they are to Boulder Families.

What can you do?

  • Atttend a meeting: April 18th is the next meeting. They are offering childcare. See their Facebook Page for more details.
  • Fill out a feedback form on their website.
  • Take part in their events and let them know how important they are to your family! Boulder Public Library events

If you value the Boulder Public Library and want to have your voice heard make sure to get involved! I am looking forward to the renovation–it could offer space expansion, additional resources, fun new programming opportunities, etc…

A big shout out to the staff at the Boulder Public Library for being such an integral resources in our community for Boulder Families!

Giveaway: Win a Pair of Tickets to the Boulder Opera’s Production of Cinderella La Cenerentola

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We love give aways! Read on to see how you can win a pair of tickets to this production of Cinderella La Cenerentola. The giveaway is over 4/21, so get your chance to win–see details below.

The Boulder Opera Company is bringing Boulder their first installment in their Children’s Series: Cinderella–La Cenerentola. This is a humorous take on the classic tale, set to upbeat melodies and modern twists.

The Boulder Opera says: Cinderella goes to the ball, bracelets are exchanged instead of glass slippers, mistaken identities make for hilarious escapades, and the quick paced action will make this hour-long show fly by in seconds!

  • Showtimes: Thurs, 4/25 at 10:30am; Saturday, 4/27 at 11:00am & 2:00pm; & Sunday 4/28 at 12:00pm and 3:00pm.
  • Location: Nomad Theater, Boulder
  • Detailed Info: boulderoperacompany.com

Here is your chance to win a pair of tickets to one of these shows! How do you win?

Giveaway Rules: 

1. Leave a comment HERE [Why you want to go. What you may have heard about the production. Really anything you are thinking about taking your child to see this show.]

2. Head to Facebook and “Like” Boulder Families [if you haven’t already].

We will draw a name on Sunday April 21, 2013. Good luck, these shows look super fun!

Boulder Family Events: April 12 to April 18, 2013

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The Dinosaur Lady will be at the Boulder Public Library!

Friday, April 12

Saturday, April 13

  • Awesome Arctic Family Day at the CU Museum of Natural History. The Arctic is a cold and wondrous place! Learn about the peoples and animals that call this snow and ice world home. Explore how YOU are connected to the animals, cultures, and environment of the Arctic. Try on the blubber mitt; look up close at furred and feathered creatures. Build a totem pole, make finger masks to enliven the long, dark winter and make snow goggles to protect from the bright arctic sun. Free event. All ages. 10:00am to 4:00pm.
  • FREE Day at the Longmont Museum.
  • The Dinosaur Lady Presentation. Connie Burton Burkhart, aka The Dinosaur Lady, has created a unique blend of entertainment and education as she shares information and stories about dinosaurs, fossils, rocks, and digging in a dinosaur quarry. Weaving together facts and stories using fossils, puppets and props, the Dinosaur Lady has captured the interest of various museums, the Geologic Society of America, as well as many school and outdoor adventure groups throughout the southwestern United States. 2 Times: 11:00am George Reynolds Branch. 3:00pm Meadows Branch. Free. All ages.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. 10:15am.
  • BMoCA [Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts] FREE Day. This is a surprisingly kid friendly space! We loved the one where you threw cups against the wall. See what’s happening at this local Boulder museum.
  • Be Well Mama event at BMoCA. Join health and wellness practitioners to learn about local Boulder resources for new and expectant mamas. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm.

Sunday, April 14

Monday, April 15

Tuesday, April 16

Wednesday, April 17

Thursday, April 18

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.

#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #April

The Intersection of Yoga and Parenting

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DownwardDog-300I love yoga. I don’t do it enough, but I still love it! Yesterday I was at a delicious yoga class at The Little Yoga Studio deeply immersed in sweat and downward dogs, when my mind started to wander. I cherish the time when I give myself the space for my mind to wander -it doesn’t happen a lot these days. All at once the words that yoga instructors have said over the years started to accumulate in my head. They came flooding in. It started with the yoga instructor telling us about her decision to bring Joy back into her life. Joy. Joy? Joy’s honorable. We all want to feel joy, right?

I was joyful, in between praying with all my being that this was not a class that was over 1 hour and wondering how I was going to ask my friend Wendy this question since she seemed to in the moment and engaged any time I glanced over to see if there was an iota of an opening to ask my very important question. It was hot in there, I was seriously sweating, I hadn’t been to yoga in a few weeks, and I know my body sort of turns off after an hour of yoga. I guess I was panicking a bit. I forgot at first how much more than exercise I get every time I am on my mat. But here were all these thoughts about ways of being that were floating around my head.

Back to the intersection of yoga and parenting. The words of past yoga teachers flooded in and it occurred to me how yoga informs parenting. And vice versa. But at this point with a pre-teen boy and a pre-pre-teen boy in my house I was really appreciating how yoga could support me.  I need some support. Some of the words of wisdom that were ringing though my head about how the essence of yoga cold support parenting include:

  • Be kind to yourself. If you need to take a break just take child’s pose or let your family know you need a break [even for a moment just go outside] and accept that it is okay to not be perfect.
  • If you wobble, it’s okay. Think tree pose and life. We will all wobble. It’s okay. Be accepting.
  • Look for joy. We are given many opportunities to find joy in our lives we just need to let them in. Don’t take life too seriously. 
  • Find ease [smile] even when it is tough. It’s not where we stand in times of comfort and convenience, but rather in times of difficulty and hardship that matter! [paraphrase of the MLK quote] Think of how this could transform the act of getting out the door in the morning.
  • Be thankful. Appreciate that you are here on your yoga mat. It’s okay to do something good for yourself. 

There are so many more wise words I have heard and wish to live by, but these are a few of the ways that yoga and parenting intersect.

Add to the conversation. What are the ways you see yoga and parenting intersecting and informing each other? I would love to hear from this amazing, yoga loving community!

Kid’s Movie Review: From Up On Poppy Hill

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The newest installation of brilliant anime from the Miyazaki family is finally here. From Up On Poppy Hill is written by Hayao Miyazaki, but directed by his son, Goro Miyazaki. I trust this collaboration will lead to the same quality movie as my family has grown to love. Time to rejoice because here is a great movie for your kids that and you will enjoy too! Rated PG and appropriate for age 9 and up [based on a review by Common Sense Media]. And it is playing in at Century Theaters in Boulder. Show times and tickets here.

My kids love Miyazaki movies and have seen all of them [I think]. If you are not familiar with Miyazaki movies you are missing out. They are stunning, positive, creative, magical, and beautifully done animated [anime] movies. Some our family’s favorite Miyazaki movies:

These movies appeal to kids based on the anime, content and themes. They appeal to parents because they are really positive in nature and capture the imagination of children without resorting to violence. Consider renting the older movies which I think can be shown to much younger kids [6 and up for some of them].

The review of From Up On Poppy Hill from Common Sense Media:

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Does your family love Miyazaki movies? If you saw From Up On Poppy Hill, did you like it? Did your kids like it? Would you recommend it to other Boulder Families?

Boulder Family Events: April 5 to April 11, 2013

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Life size LEGO car!

Life size LEGO car!

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Friday, April 5

Saturday, April 6

Sunday, April 7

Monday, April 8

Tuesday, April 9

Wednesday, April 10

Thursday, April 11

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #April

And the winner of the Boba G3 is…

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Boba G3Congratulations Dillon Kenyon, you are the winner of a Boba G3! Dillon, choose a fabric style by heading to the Boba Family website. Then email me your fabric choice and contact information @ Boulder4Families@gmail.com. Get me the details and I will ask the great folks at Boba to send one out to you ASAP!

And don’t forget to sign up for Boba’s upcoming Healthy Babywearing Class. It’s FREE and will give you a lot of support if you already love to wear your babies or if you just want to learn more about it!

Happy Babywearing To All!

Cheers, Amanda

 

Parenting Resources: The Huffington Post Rocks!

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I visit lots of parenting sites looking for good content for Boulder Families and my life. There are lots of them out there. I set them all up to feed to my Google Page so I can check in on them daily and see what is happening in the parenting world. Blogs, newspapers, websites, etc… They are all important to me. I want to give a shout out to the Huffington Post. They curate the best information and offer amazing resources!

The latest resource offered by the Huffington Post is their Stress-less Parenting Site and Online Workshop. They offer information on some of the most important issues in parenting:

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I love these articles. I head here when I need inspiration or words of wisdom. Give them a try and see what you think. You can request to receive information to your email about topic areas that interest you. Simply go to the Stress-Less Parenting site. In the upper right hand corner you can enter your email address and click “get alerts”. You will then be directed to a page where you can decide which areas of the Huffington Post interest you.

It’s simple. Enjoy!

Boulder Family Events: March 29 to April 4, 2013

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Friday, March 29

Saturday, March 30

Sunday, March 31

Monday, April 1

Tuesday, April 2

Wednesday, April 3

Thursday, April 4

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #March #April