and the Scores are in…Sports Camp 101

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Skyhawks Sports Camp was a week-long success with a grand finale game day this morning. I was able to capture some excellent action shots – smile – and big brother came out to lend his own kind of moral support (yes, mostly mandatory). Everyone had a great time. Noelle made new friends, learned new skills and received rave reviews from her coaches. At the end of the day, she wasn’t afraid to relax, step out of the world of #futureOlympiansinthemaking and act like a kid again, haha.

My Fav Highlights:
student to coach ratio (check out my fab stills)
excellent organization, instruction and safety precaution
consistency in management
a welcoming atmosphere for parents and families
the fact that she was excited to return each morning!

Would I recommend Skyhawks to friends and family? …affirmatively so.

The Radical Art of Corn Starch

We’ve talked MuD RuN, TrI AtHAlON, 5K, HeALtHy TRadITioNs and TrYiNG SoMEthiNg NeW…so, I think it’s only fitting that we take a closer look at one of the newest, craziest, most colorful races available in our state ~ COLOR ME RAD!!! Um, can you say #PhotoOp?

This 5K incorporates an array of vibrant explosions of blue, green, pink, purple and yellow along the course (so don’t think you’re going to take that short cut and not be found out!). As you come to the finish line, coated in rainbows of 3.1 miles of pure success and adrenaline, prepare yourself to finish out that last bit of unbridled, passionate aggression – as you pummel your friends and family with handfuls of beautifully crafted, colorful cornstarch (kids, this is your chance at letting your parents know how you really feel about limited game time and the crackdown on sugary snacks.)

As if finishing this 5K wasn’t enough, just think about your new, wayyy seriously cool image as your co-workers view your epic profile photo – dripping in the evidence of a seriously awesome race – come Monday morning. Oh ya.

“This is the royal rumble of color. Every 15 – 20 minutes everyone will grab handfuls of color and pummel each other until you’re black and blue (from corn starch – no real bruising will occur). There will be music, food, and sponsors welcoming you across the finish line with open arms. Hugs are free and just like any good AA meeting, spectators are welcome.”

I know…you’re still wondering one thing: how did they make the vintage term “Rad” hip again?

“Unlike Communism and my late Uncle Steven, “Rad” has survived the fall of the Soviet Empire, the scrutiny of the SEC and Webster’s Dictionary, heart disease, and the disdain of high school students everywhere. Like an old vinyl record, it was lost in common practice and parlance and has now reemerged as the vanguard for everyday nomenclature amongst babies, toddlers, teens, and business execs.”

Ok, so you’re preety much convinced, right!? BUT, you did just drain your FSA account on those fancy new frames and top-shelf contact lenses…and it could get dangerous out there. Precautionary concerns ARE legitimate, and guess what…they thought of that too!

“Using the same tactics you use protect your “special parts” from the sun and wanton eyes. Clothing, for starters, works wonders for keeping your skin as soft, supple, and as unseen as a baby’s backside. Goggles, glasses, shirts, shorts, shoes, cooking aprons, hospital gowns, or radiation suits can be worn to protect you from the frequent blasts of color from Color Me Rad, and any stray UV rays from holes in the ozone overhead.”

No doubt you have several other questions and concerns – check out the Color Me Rad round up of FAQs and gain a true appreciation for the seriousness and professionalism of this event.

*This race is NOT timed (aka: shame-free), children 7 and under run FREE (but won’t receive a shirt), all ages welcome*

Color Me Rad will take place Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield on September 29th and benefits the YMCA of Denver. Expect to be coated in color every 5 minutes following the 9 a.m. start time.

[Coming soon via Mile High Mamas: ENTER TO WIN … FREE Color Me Rad registration for two!]

Live the Life…Virginia Beach

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Reach for the Sky(hawks) at this Sports Academy

The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.

Ok, so that may *not* be the essence of children’s sports camp…but it does make for a good pep talk, right!?

This summer Noelle will be participating in her first sports camp sampler – a week-long Mini-Hawk program including lessons in soccer, baseball AND basketball – this being her preference to camp options (that her mom might have tried to promote with gentle persuasion – to no avail) including volleyball, tennis and cheerleading (maybe it’s my misguided pep talk, eah?). Hey, at least the girl knows what she wants, lol!

Skyhawks Sports Academy is not only reasonably priced, they have over 10 different types of sports camps in over 250 Cities across the US for ages 3 – 12. I was excited to see that “our” camp option of choice was offered at a park within biking distance from our home…which means I’ll be waking that other sweetheart of mine up early and politely requesting that he try to smile as we ride alongside our little sister to her first-ever summer camp experience – he’s going to love this too, wink!

So, why enroll your child in a Skyhawk sports camp this summer? Hmmm…

10. Parental Down-Time
9. Good Reason to Turn the TV Off
8. Fresh Air and Sunshine
7. Adorable Photo Op
6. Skill Building Teamwork
5. Exposure to New Ideas
4. Healthy Social Interaction
3. Physical Fitness – Prevent Childhood Obesity
2. Something to Fall Back On #failedacademics
1. For Future Success in Mid-Life Adult Alternative Sports
*Did I mention PaREnTaL DoWNtImE!?!?*

Prepare your child for a future career as a professional athlete…or just provide them with the skills to become a killa mid-life adult sports hobbyist!!!

Skyhawks Sports Academy website includes a full listing of programs offered, safety information and detailed information on the premise of the company. Check out this VIDEO for a glimpse of what this summer camp looks like.

Skyhawks Sports Academy offers week-long sports camps for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Since 1979, over 1.5 million children have attended a Skyhawks Sports Camp. For over 30 years, Skyhawks has been committed to providing a safe, fun and skill-based experience for kids.

 

Qualistar Colorado

Quality child care is of the utmost importance in raising a well-adjusted, sufficiently educated and properly nurtured youngster. When we, as parents, must trust our children to the supervision of others, it is our responsibility to assure that the trusted facility is one held in the highest regard. Until now there have been few formal methods for choosing a child care program based upon a uniform code, but with the new Qualistar Rating™ system in Colorado, parents can compare their options on a 1-4 star scale.

The Qualistar Rating™ system measures performance based upon:

Quality of learning environment
Program’s family partnerships
Training and education of program staff
Adult-to-child ration and classroom group size
National accreditation

Qualistar Colorado, along with network resources, provide FREE child care referrals to parents in two simple ways:

1. Call a trained child care referral specialist: 1.877.338.2273

“Child care referral specialists are available Monday – Friday to take your call and help you find child care options in your community. Our referral specialists can also help you;

• Discover why quality child care matters and what it looks like

• Find child care centers and homes to meet your needs

• Learn about financial assistance and family resources

2. Search online: http://www.qualistar.org

Simply enter your zip code in the search field on the homepage. You will then be redirected to a database where you can create an account and begin your search for child care programs in your community.”

QUALISTAR COLORADO

“Qualistar Colorado is a nonprofit organization working to advance quality early childhood education across Colorado. Qualistar partners with parents through our website and a statewide network of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies to help them find quality care that best meets their child’s needs.”

3607 Martin Luther King Blvd. • Denver, CO 80205
303.339.6800 • 1.877.338.2273
http://www.qualistar.org

Learn more @ Child Care Maze

 

The Art of Laughter…and Courage to Try Again

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. ~Pablo Picasso

If I fail to instill all else in my children, I hope to leave a legacy of insatiable passion and eagerness for life. With that, the courage, determination and faith to follow the unique and wonderful will intended specifically for my children’s lives. Through example, I hope to demonstrate that if we believe, we can achieve.

You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. ~Wayne Gretzky

It can be difficult to take a chance at something new, particularly because the likelihood that it will not go as planned is, well, quite likely. With that, I say – throw caution to the wind (in that level-headed, commonsense kinda way…aka: wear a helmet) – if you succeed, you will be forever grateful; if you fail, you might actually learn a little something along the way! “Of all the people I have ever known, those who have pursued their dreams and failed have lived a much more fulfilling life than those who have put their dreams on a shelf for fear of failure.” ~Author Unknown

A fellow blogger and good friend of mine recently posted a catalog of her main achievements over the past several months. As I pondered this, I realized how much of what we do as parents directly affects our children’s actions and choices. It’s one thing to encourage our children to feel confident and follow their dreams, but it’s a whole different kind of parenting to push our own limits to exemplify this type of behavior.

I was pleasantly surprised, as I looked back at this past year, to discover several laughable but achieved risks…and a couple that didn’t go quite as planned ~ surely I (and hopefully my children) learned a good lesson in those endeavors as well. In all of my attempts, I hope to have provided a positive example of determination.

An entertaining glimpse at some of what I found…

Dabbling in Home Improvement:

After reading an inspiring DIY success story, I was sure I could revamp a couple of mundane walls in our home. The bedroom stenciling went rather well and I learned a thing or two about measurement and patience too.

So, when a family member convincingly suggested a DIY exterior paint job, I was in. This one took wayyyy longer than anticipated, but in the end, we had serious bragging rights – and the insight to never, ever take on this level of DIY again, lol.

My kitchen decor got a bit more creative, much to the demise of the entire project. The white was a bit too light, so I added shadow brushes here and there – which was artsy and attractive in the daylight – and made the wall look dirty as the sun went down. Oh well, just a good reason to close the kitchen at dusk, right?

Endeavors In Ocean Sports:

During a recent trip to Virginia Beach, I was able to try three water sports I have always wanted to try…and with the expert instruction of professionals.

Ocean kayaking *with the dolphins* was nothing short of amazing…a fabulous way to tour the coastline and view the glorious Virginia Beach sunset. Favorite challenge: surfing the waves back to shore. Favorite benefit: chiseled upper body (ok, so I might need more than one outing for that!).

Paddleboarding is one of my new favorite sports – and one I can pursue in Colorado! The sea nettle (a type of jellyfish) lurking below the water’s surface at this Virginia Beach location made the whole experience that much more daring! Earned my bravery badge.

 

I learned to surf. Yep, it’s official…not professional, but well on my way, wink. I can’t say I actually know how to catch a wave without the guidance of my knowledgeable instructor, BUT I did get up on that board and land gracefully (a few times) without guzzling salt water. My one inquiry: what does all that ocean water do to one’s sodium intake levels!?

Along my personal journey of trying new things, I’ve found it of utmost importance to be able to laugh at myself. Allowing grace in failure provides me the confidence I need to pursue unknown adventures. Sometimes I surprise myself in what I can achieve…and other times I just get a really good giggle! In all of it, my children have a role model to look to as they come to the point of their lives when they ask themselves, “Shall I try something new?”…and knowing that they have a choice…find the confidence to step out, risk it all and take the opportunity.

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. ~Author Unknown