Summer Bucket List Ideas

Here is the list of ideas for our Summer Bucket List craft from the last meeting.

• Paint with colored ice cubes
• Go to the zoo
• Take a hike with the kids
• Get out all things bubbles
• Paint a picture
• Watch a favorite movie from when you were a kid
• Sprinkler fun
• Shaving cream painting
• Find a Pinterest project
• Have a dance party
• Grab some books and read outside on a blanket
• Picnic lunch in the backyard
• Plant a flower
• Make ice cream
• Get ice cream
• Freeze toys in ice
• Explore ice and water
• Put washable paint in squirt bottles and spray a picture outside
• Play "Red Light, Green Light"
• Make your own "Get Up and Move" Dice game (make a cube with activities on each side and have kids throw)
• Setup an obstacle course outside
• Make a sand castle
• Go on a scavenger hunt for nature items
• Catch a bug
• Feed the ducks
• Have your child make a story with pictures and then tell you what to write
• Read a book and find a matching craft
• Water balloon fight
• Play Bingo
• Star gaze
• Start a collection
• Setup HotWheels races in the driveway
• Have a game day/night
• Put-Put Golf
• Make your own pizzas
• "Minute to Win it" Games
• Pick berries
• Have kids create a "My Favorites" scrapbook page and frame it with pics from that day
• Make Playdough
• Plant a garden
• Camp in the backyard
• Make s'mores
• Jump on a trampoline
• Go to a farmers market
• Go fishing

For more ideas, Pinterest has a lot of inspiration! 

April - Upcoming Events Around Town

Here are a few of the free (or cheap) upcoming events in the Denver area.

Rocky Mountain National Park - FREE days

Date: Saturday, April 16th through Sunday, April 24th
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, west of Estes Park, CO
When: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Hours are for Fall River Visitors Center. Park is open 24 hours)
Who: Family Event
Cost: FREE!

Denver Museum of Nature and Science - FREE day

Date: Sunday, April 17
Where: 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver
When: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Who: Family Event. Just need to show your Colorado ID.
Cost: FREE for Colorado Residents!
Note: A fee still applies to IMAX films or Planetarium shows, but the exhibits are all free.

Denver Botanic Gardens - FREE Day

Date: Friday, April 22
Where: 1005 York Street, Denver
When: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Who: Family Event
Cost: FREE for Colorado Residents!
More Information: Denver Botanic Gardens

 

Denver Art Museum - Día del Niño/Day of the Children - FREE Day

Date: Sunday, April 24
Where: 100 W 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver
When: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Who: Family Event.
Cost: FREE
More Information: Denver Art Museum

 

Baskin-Robbins - 31¢ Scoop Night

Date: Wednesday, April 27
Where: Baskin-Robbins (Participating locations)
When: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Who: All Ice Cream Lovers
Cost: 31¢ a scoop
More Information: 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins® helps honor America's firefighters. Baskin-Robbins is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation™ (NFFF). Participating stores will reduce prices of ice cream scoops to 31 cents*. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to your local fire charities.

April All MOPS Event - Paint Your Own Pottery

Come out for an evening at Into the Fire, where you can paint your own pottery! The studio fee of $4 will be collected at the next meeting (4/12/11) to reserve your spot, so please RSVP by then.

• When: Tuesday, April 19 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM


• Where: Into the Fire - 7409 Grandview Ave Arvada, CO 80002

The cost of the pottery at the studio ranges from about $4 (for coasters) and up. This is separate from the studio fee and can be paid at the event.

They have idea books you can look through, stencils you can use and lots of pretty examples if you need extra inspiration like I (Amber) often do. I made some coasters last year and they turned out quite well. :)

March All MOPS Event -- Mom's Swap Meet

• When: Wednesday, March 09 from 07:00 PM to 8:30 PM


• Where: Red Theatre - 8270 W 80th Ave Arvada, CO 80005

Gather any clothes, maternity clothes, jewelry, books, purses, shoes etc. that you don't wear or want to wear anymore and come swap them at the March All MOPS event.  It's sure to be a great time.  Even if you have nothing you want to swap come and meet some other moms and enjoy a night of fellowship and snacks.

Requested items: maternity clothing

We ask that you not bring any household items or items that could spill (perfume, shampoo). Thank you.

Birthday Calendar pdf's

Ladies,

Here are the pdf's of the calendar pages for today's clipboard craft. If you would like other ideas for your clipboard below are also some links.

Calendar Pages:

January/February

March/April

May/June

July/August

September/October

November/December

Links:

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-clipboard-chalkboard-tutorial.html

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/altered_clipboard/

http://scrappinbeckyb.blogspot.com/2010/10/altered-clipboard-message-center.html

http://www.thehybridchick.com/2009/07/its-school-time-altered-clipboards/

http://simplifychristmas.blogspot.com/2008/07/altered-clipboards.html

Please let us know how you use your clipboard or if you have a link to share.

Glowing Jack O'Lanterns

I have started collecting my glass jars after they are emptied and had piled up quite the collection, but I didn't really know what I wanted to use them or some of them for until I saw this tutorial.  It is a quick, easy, and inexpensive craft to add a little festive spirit to your home this halloween.I made these jack o'lantern jars with my 22 month old and my husband so this was a great family craft.. The only thing that I did differently is that I used green, black, and orange tissue paper. You can find the tutorial here and some other creative modifications of the same idea here.

October All MOPS Event

The October All MOPS Event will be October 30, 2010 at 10am. The event will be held at Cottonwood Farms. Admission is free. There are $3 wagon rides, if interested. Cottonwood Farms, http://cottonwoodfarms.com.

 

Picture Fun!

Yesterday at MOPS, I told you about a site that I use to edit my pictures called Picnik. Below is an example of a picture that I have edited to put on MaKenna's blog. On this picture I edited the exposure, the temperature, and applied the orton-ish effect along with some text.

Picnik is a free photo editing site. You can purchase additional editing features and creative elements for a small yearly fee. To try picnik you do not need a username and password but if you do choose to register, picnik will keep a few of your most recent edited pictures for you to access at a later time. I heard about picnik from reading i am momma hear me roar and homemade by jill. Both of these blogs have wonderful videos and tutorials on how to use picnik not only for your pictures but also for gifts and craft ideas. I have provided some links below to get you started just like I did.

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/06/photography-tips-part-1.html

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/06/photography-tips-part-2.html

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/06/photography-tips-part-3.html

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/07/photography-tips-part-4.html

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/06/bridal-shower-gift.html

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-printables-without-photos.html

Apple Nachos

This recipe was recommended at Pickle's Pickles by Megan K. It looks like a very simple snack that our kiddos (and us too) will love.

50% off Anderson Farms Fall Festival 2010

I was looking at http://www.milehighonthecheap.com/ and saw an abstract of http://www.savvysource.com/psn/web/localSavings/index/cityId/61849. Here you can purchase a Family 4-Pack to Anderson Farms for $24. To learn more about Anderson Farms Fall Festival click on the link http://www.andersonfarms.com/FallFestival/index.php

Belleview Adventure Park, Train, and Zoo!

Join us this Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at

Belleview Adventure Park, Train and Petting Zoo!
5062 S. Inca Dr.
Englewood, CO 80110 US

We will be meeting on the East side of the park by the airplane. The best way to find the parking lot is to head east on Belleview and then turn left onto S. Inca Dr.  The parking lot will be there on the lefthand side of the street.  Again, this is a big place, so let's try to meet-up at the airplane.

WHAT TO BRING: I have heard that the creek is going to be your kids' favorite part so bring/wear swim stuff or at least a change of clothes. You will also want $1 bills for the petting zoo and the train (each a dollar per person). Bring a lunch so that you can stay as long as possible and enjoy all the fun this park has to offer! Feel free to offer other suggestions in your RSVPs.

First FUN and FREE MOPS event of the Summer

Where:

Littleton Historical Museum
6028 Gallup Street
Littleton, CO 80120 US
View Map

When:

May 18, 2010 from 10:30 am until 12:30 ish

Details:

Littleton Historical Museum is part indoors and part outdoors and includes a working farm and blacksmith shop for kids to see.  Meet outside  entrance the museum (unless it's cold or wet, then we'll meet up just inside) at 10:30.  We will explore the FREE museum and then walk across the parking lot to Ketring park to eat sack lunches around noon. I'm not sure what the park conists of other than grass, so you may want to have a picnic blanket in your car in case there are no picnic tables. Contact Brynn Wennen for more information or questions.

Colonial Living History Day- Free Event

Announcements from 4-13-10

• Food Thank you –Planet Meltdown, Planet Laundry, Planet Clean-up


• Food Next Meeting – Planet Feed Me, Planet Hugs and Kisses, Sleepy Planet


• Next meeting – April 27^th Joel and Julie Thomas


• Last meeting May 11^th


• ^{Picture Sign Ups are still available - please contact Brittany at 303-484-8517 Photo fundraiser details… April 23-25, beginning at 9:00a. 30 minute time slots, Carol Butts Park, 94th and Sheridan. www.briankraft.com}


• ^{Final All MOPS Event for the Year- April 20th 10:00am at Hammond’s Candies (I-25 and 58th) with a picnic at Robbie Ferrufino (74th and Carr) following.  RSVP with Rachel Lopez-Paxson at 720-480-3527 at Planet Hugs and Kisses}


• ^{Registration is open for next year. Pick up a registration form at the check in table. An email will also follow.}


• ^{Ralston House Wish List located on back of announcement page.  If you’d like to donate, bring to next two meetings and we will deliver to Ralston House}


• ^{FWN is compiling a cookbook. Recipes can be submitted at www.typensave.com}

Contributor name: your name

Login: foothills2010

Password: a28da

• New Mom Event – If you are new to MOPS this year and would like to meet some other new moms, join us on Tuesday April 20^th, 7 pm at Panera at 77^th and Wadsworth.

Counselor info:

Michelle Willix: 303-579-0860 Healthy Pathways Counseling Services

Jolleen Miller 720-352-7608

Don’t forget to check our blog for updated MOPS information, speaker podcasts, meeting notes, fun parenting ideas and more:

www.fccmops.wordpress.com

April Free Days/Events

Information courtesy of Colorado Parent

Spring Break: Embrace!
Embrace! inspired fun at the Denver Art Museum begins March 27 and continues through April 4. Free general admission for youth 17 and under throughout the week. Crawl through Tobias Rehberger’s interactive bungee maze, add your favorite expression to Rupprecht Matthies’s word soup, explore your creativity with special art projects, and more! Spring Break: Embrace! begins March 27 and continues through April 4. Find more information by visiting us at denverartmuseum.org or calling 720-913-0048.

Easter at Heritage Square
Come and spend Saturday April 3rd at Heritage Square and celebrate Easter. There will be fun events for families and children of all ages. Every venue at Heritage Square will be handing out Easter eggs with candy (Kids - Bring your Easter baskets!!). We will also have a live Easter bunny to greet the children and also for photo ops. There will be 1 large Easter Egg hunt all around Heritage Square with eggs hidden in and out of all the buildings and amusement rides! April 3rd is also the annual grand opening of The Amusement Park at Heritage Square.

8th Annual Arvada Kite Festival
Beautiful kites, special events, jumping castles, face painting, balloon animals, prize drawings and more! April 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Robby Ferrufino Park, 74th Ave. & Carr Drive. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 720-898-7400. www.arvadafestivals.com

2010 Mountain Area Earth Day Fair
Celebrate Earth Day 2010 at Evergreen Lake During this year’s Earth Day Fair, the Evergreen Alliance for Sustainability, or “E.A.S.-Y”, will help our Mountain community understand sustainability in its full definition of the “triple bottom line” which includes: the environment, social networking, and economic stability. Join us at Annual Earth Day Fair from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, April 18 at the Evergreen Lake House, 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road. Shuttle Parking is available at the Wolf Creek Recreation Center. Admission is free and open to all ages.

If you know of any additional events, please post a comment.

April All MOPS event

Mark your calendars for April's All MOPS event hosted by Planet Hugs and Kisses.

What: Free field trip to Hammond's Candy plus picnic at Robby Ferrufino park

When: April 20th

Time: Hammond's Candy 10:00-11:30.  Tour starts at 10:30

Picnic at Robby Ferrufino park Noon-1:30.  BYOL (Bring your own lunch)

Questions: Contact Rachel

All MOPS event this Wednesday!!

Mark your calendar for a night of sweets and fellowship at Cheesecake Therapy. This all MOPS event will be hosted by Noisy planet.  Please RSVP to Megan K. ASAP

When: March 24th (This Wednesday)

Time: 7pm

Where: Cheesecake Therapy in Olde Town Arvada (7401 Ralston Road Arvada, CO 80002 - (303) 940-2530)

At your local library...

at least if you have a Jeffco library account. Did you know that you can visit some of Denver's museums for free? It is called a culture pass. The Jefferson County Public Library has a select number of passes available each day for its patrons to use. To see your choices of museums click here. It will also tell you how many passes are available and the days they are available. I have taken advantage of The Wildlife Experience and the Butterfly Pavilion and I was able to invite up to three friends to accompany me for free.

Sugar Scrub

Many of you have requested the recipe for the sugar scrub that we made at our Christmas meeting. After talking to Angie (our creative steering member), here it is...

~2 parts sugar to 1 part sunflower oil

~Color drops (your preference)

~Scented oil drops (your preference)

All materials except the Sunflower oil can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Sunflower oil can be purchased at your local grocery store.

January All MOPS Event

The all MOPS event hosted by Planet Laundry will be a craft night!  Come to the Fitness Center on January 23rd from 6:30pm-11:30pm.  We will provide drinks and snacks. Work on a project (beading, cropping, card making, etc.) or just come for fellowship and fun!