Taking a toothless bite out of The Big Apple!

July 31, 2010 By

I am currently in New York City and will be appearing on Fox and Friends this morning.

The night prior to flying out, I dreamed that the family-travel products I’m promoting didn’t arrive in time.

Oh, and that my front tooth fell out.

I’m totally gonna nail this.

Here is what I’ll be talking about:

1). Sport-Brella
At the park, beach, pool or campsite, the SKLZ Sport-Brella gives you instant protection from the sun, rain, and wind with its domed shape, side flaps and 125 SPF. Its umbrella action open mechanism allows it to be set up in just three seconds and fits the whole family. Includes top wind vents, side zippered windows for efficient airflow and additional visibility, internal pockets for gear and valuables, convenient carry bag and tethers/ground stakes for use when necessary for additional stability. $69.99.

2). Safety Turtle

The Safety Turtle Wireless Wristband Alarm, is an ingenious combination of wireless signal-outfitted wristbands and a wireless base station receiver that sounds an alarm the instant a child or pet falls or ventures into water. Ideal for vacations to places with pools and/or lakes or for residential and public pool environments. The base station can be positioned anywhere between poolside and 200 feet away from the pool (depending on model desired). Safety Turtle retails for $235.

3). Infant Cruizer
The Infant Cruizer makes going anywhere with baby a breeze, whether around town or traveling. The Infant Cruizer transforms any infant carseat into a comfortable stroller. Attaching easily to any infant carseat, it safely holds it in place with a secure click and lock system and features sturdy, all-terrain tires, one-handed maneuvering and telescoping handle height. Simple to attach and detach, functioning just like the infant seat’s base. The Infant Cruizer eliminates the strain and inconvenience of trying to not wake baby during transfer from carseat to stroller, lugging around a heavy carseat by hand, trying to fit a bulky stroller into a car, or settling on bringing a less comfortable stroller to save space. Retails for $149.99.

4). My Royal Heinie Daypack
The My Royal Heinie Daypack is the best combination of affordability, functionality and style in a diaper bag. It is also the only diaper bag fully equipped with a built-in Smart Wipes Dispenser on the market. Just load a stack of wet wipes right into the heat-sealed pocket in the front of the bag and quickly access wipes with one hand when diaper duty calls! My Royal Heinie Daypacks can be personalized with a name or monogram. Additionally, it has great features like a stroller attachment, included changing pad and well-designed pockets for bottle/sippy cup, cell phone, personal items and more. $34.99.

5). Treasure Chest Pets
Treasure Chest Pets are the first and only organizers that make putting things away fun and a great way for kids to keep their special things safe. Designed to look like cuddly stuffed animals, each TC Pet has a magnetic, detachable, pillowy stuffed animal head and stuffed animal bodies that contain external and internal compartments for organizing and storing children’s (and grownups!) treasures. Treasure Chest Pets are a great way for kids to keep their special things safe. Six different stuffed animal designs to choose from in 3 three different styles – Accessory Chest Dog and Accessory Chest Pig have a hidden drawer and two secret pockets on the outside, along with secret pockets in both ears. Treasure Chest Monkey and Treasure Chest Cow have one gigantic pocket inside that opens like a treasure chest. Media Chest Bear and Media Chest Horse have a secret pocket inside the head and 3 compartments in the body to store CDs, DVDs, speakers/cables, MP3 player and more. $19.99.

6). SillyBibs
SillyBibs are 100% silicone bibs, a non-toxic alternative to the various plastic and vinyl bibs on the market. 11 different animal shaped styles, including Hippo, Elephant, Frog, Tiger, Cow, Shark and more, make SillyBibs the cutest and most fun bibs on the market. Each SillyBib has an adjustable neck and nifty crumb-catching pocket . Can be safely washed in the dishwasher or easily wiped clean. Rolls up for easy storage. 100% silicone lets parents rest assured their child is not being exposed to lead, BPA, phthalates, latex or PVC, as with other products on the market. For children from 6 months and up. $8.99.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, travel

When a Mom is The Great Pumpkin world record holder

July 29, 2010 By

We interrupt our regularly-scheduled travelogues of our glorious trip to the San Juan Marriott in the Puerto Rico to bring you The Great Pumpkin updates.

For those new to this blog, my husband Jamie is O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with growing The Great Pumpkin. Just the other night, I was reprimanded for running out of bleach. Now, if the dear man was waxing ambitious and helping with the laundry that would be one thing.

But the bleach is to help kill bacteria on The Great Pumpkin’s vines.

Don’t be shocked. I’ve become acclimated to compost tea, fish, seaweed and blood meal concoctions gurgling on my front porch.

And the latest measurements of the beast? Approximately 358 pounds with a 111″ circumference and it is gaining approximately 25 pounds per day.

The sport of giant pumpkin-growing (yes, they consider it a sport) is dominated by men but last year, Ohioan Christy Harp came out of left field to clinch the world record with a pumpkin that weighed 1,725 pounds.


She is doing amazing things for women’s libbers.

Soon thereafter, she announced she was pregnant and would not be defending her title. However, she has still continued to grow just for fun. Jamie sent me this little gem yesterday. Remember Anne Geddes’ famous baby pictures?


This is a giant pumpkin-grower’s version.


Pray for that child.

Comments temporarily closed due to lame Asian spammers.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, pumpkins

Puerto Rico: Food, Moms and Fun (Did I Mention Food?)

July 28, 2010 By

I expected to have a great mother-daughter weekend at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino with Hadley. I did not anticipate falling in love with Puerto Rico’s culture, scenery and food.

Believe me, I have the extra pounds to prove that latter point.


(At least two of those pounds can be attributed to Puerto Rico’s signature dish Mofongo, a mashed mound of plantains into which a combination of seafood, meat, or vegetables is added.)

The great thing about Puerto Rico (besides the food–did I mention the food?) is it feels like an exotic international adventure with all the conveniences of home that make traveling with kids a cinch.

As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico uses U.S. currency, locals speak English and Spanish, there are no roaming charges for most cell phone providers and Americans don’t need a passport.

They’re pretty swell to Canucks, too.

Puerto Rico is also resplendent with local culture. Latin music fills Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets, culinary delights ooze with flavor and the white-sand beaches host families and sun worshipers from all over the world.

Rio Camuy Cave Park

Puerto Rico’s rainy season is in October, May and evidently whenever I visit because it was downpouring when we arrived.

The excursion I most looked forward to was a trip to Rio Camuy Cave Park. This is the only place in the world you will find an extensive cave system with a tropical underground river thundering through it. With three crater-like sink holes, two caves and a trolley that descends into a sinkhole, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Or in my case, an ain’t-gonna-happen one.

Much to my dismay, the caves had to be closed due to copious amounts of rain.

Museo de la Bilia’s Indoor Playground

Kara (the publicist who arranged the trip) scrambled to switch our itinerary and arranged a visit to Museo de la Biblia. As one whose Spanish proficiency is limited to Dora the Explorer tutorials, I thought this was some kind of Biblical museum. I could not have been more wrong.

Though there was a whole lot of kid-worship going on.

My fellow travel bloggers (Corinne of Have Baby Will Travel, Debbie of Delicious Baby and Colleen of Travel Mamas) and I trailed our little ones as they euphorically tackled the aquarium, dinosaur exhibit, miniature golf, small amusement rides, video games and and lunched at the affordable pizza parlor. There was even an ice-skating rink in the tropics. The price was reasonable, too: $20 for an all-inclusive pass.

While I certainly would not consider the Museo de la Bilia a destination unto itself, it was a fantastic rainy-day activity.

Unless you walk outside and discover it had been sunny the entire time you were indoors and it then proceeds to rain when you were scheduled to go to the beach that afternoon.

Evidently, Puerto Rico’s weather did not take our itinerary into consideration.

Stay tuned for details of the San Juan Marriott’s glorious pool and why a rainy day at the beach is better than, well, pretty much anything. Be sure to also read my first post, Almost reaching perfection at the San Juan Marriott Resort.

Note: I participated in a travel blogger press trip sponsored by the San Juan Marriott. The views are entirely my own and I was not compensated in any way.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Little Kickers, Big Parent Dreams: The Art of Surviving Summer Camp

July 26, 2010 By

I am a soccer mom.

Or at least I really want to be. After a failed attempt at introducing my daughter Hadley to soccer a couple of years ago, the dream was dead. I vowed I would only enroll her again if she asked.

That blessed day came a couple of months ago. Within an hour of her proclamation, I had her enrolled in a clinic to hone her skills, was counting down the days until I could register her on a team in the fall and had already plotted out her college team.

Evidently, I don’t do “casual” well.

The Little Kickers clinic consisted of an adorable yet eclectic crew of 4-6-yr-olds. Some wanted to be there, others looked around like they’d landed on another planet and a few deserters simply hit the playground. Coach Robin instituted some rules including “No carrying the ball and no sitting down in soccer.”

Talk about a hard-core boot camp.

The coach was overwhelmed by all the kids so I offered to help, which allowed 3-year-old Bode to join in the action. For seven classes, they did fun drills, learned to dribble and bonded during rain storms.

Well, most of them. The playground deserters and alien planet kids had long since dropped out.

The final day was the ultimate showdown: kids vs. parents. There were about nine kids vs. six grown-ups. One of the dads even showed up decked out in his cleats.

I didn’t have the heart to break it to him that we were playing a bunch of preschoolers.

It was the kids’ first “real” game and they traveled in swarms. With no less than five kids attacking the ball at a time, they were their own worst enemies and the parents barely needed to play defense.

I volunteered to be goalie and vowed to let one of the kids score. As luck would have it, Hadley got a breakaway. When she was a few feet away from me, she wound up. And then wound up again. I knew I had to make it look convincing with this much of a build-up,

And convincing I was. When she finally got around to kicking the ball into the goal, I hesitated just long enough before diving in a move so credible you would have sworn I was in the World Cup.

Hadley went on to score two goals and her brother melted down because “da kids aren’t sharing.” In the end, the parents let the kids win. I was thrilled for their victory until Hadley started smack-talking on the drive home.

“Hmmm. I guess the grown-ups aren’t so good, after all.”

I grimaced and took it but rest assured, she’s going down in Little Kickers II.

And I may even wear my cleats for the occasion.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor

Almost reaching perfection at the San Juan Marriott Resort

July 23, 2010 By

Ever had the perfect day?

Me neither (this is me we’re talking about). But my first day in Puerto Rico was pretty darn close.

Perfect

I woke up Hadley at 4:30 a.m. for our flight and did not arrive in San Juan until 7 p.m. She had every reason to be exhausted and moody, especially given her recent premature descent into the irascible teenage years. But I was proud of my intrepid traveler who was accommodating and delightful the entire time.

Not perfect

The torrential downpour that greeted us in San Juan. Sure, we’re in the rainforest but is all that rain really necessary?

Perfect

*The fully modern and efficient San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport and the gloriously easy 10-minute shuttle to the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

*Checking into our gorgeous room and discovering a treasure-trove of candy awaiting us, which prompted Hadley to squeal, “I’m gonna like it here!”

*Meeting the other travel bloggers and their children while previewing the menu at Marriott’s soon-to-be renovated La Vista Latin Grill. Favorites included the black eye bean fritters with spicy mango salsa, shrimp with coconut, grilled sirloin steak with yucca fries and the Brazilian Moqueca, a traditional seafood stew with vegetables, coconut milk and rice.

Not perfect

The chef refused to come home with me.

Perfect

*Exploring the Marriott and watching Hadley and her new friend Megan boogie on the Lobby Lounge’s dance floor.

*Tasting Hadley’s thrill of anticipation as we checked out the pool and waterside and played in the surf on Condono Beach.

*Listening to the plaintive chorus of the tree frogs piercing the darkness.

NOT PERFECT

Taking umpteen perfect photos on the moonlit beach…and having Hadley accidentally knock the camera into the ocean.

Stay tuned for my picture-less perfection as we take on San Juan tomorrow!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Hadley, Humor, travel Tagged With:

A veritable cut of promontory paradise

July 22, 2010 By

Haddie and I are en route to Puerto Rico for a press trip at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino so my next post will be from our oceanfront Shangri-la.

But first things first: an update about my cut of heaven in the mountains.

If there is a must-visit destination in Colorado, it is Crested Butte in July. I finally wrote about our paradisaical vacation that included the Crested Butte Music Festival, nature camp at one of the most renowned high-altitude field stations in the United States, a gravity-defying Adventure Park and my own backcountry explorations wherein I did not get lost.

You can get up off the floor now.

And fear not because I got lost on a different adventure. I have wanted to hike Snodgrass Mountain since I drove by the trailhead last summer and finally got my chance. One morning, I hit the trail at dawn and was delighted to find myself completely alone.

This would later prove to be a wee bit problematic because I kinda needed to ask directions.

The 5-mile hike started out on an old service road that climbed to a plateau. At one point, I stopped to catch my breath but it never happened. The reason? The breathtaking scene that unfolded was taken from the exact place as a professional photograph that was sent to me last summer by Crested Butte’s publicist.



Here is the picture I took.



My attempt does not even come close to capturing the mountain’s majesty. It is not difficult to figure out why Crested Butte was christened the official Wildflower Capital of Colorado and holds an annual Wildflower Festival.

I felt like I was in a dream as I ascended until I encountered a fork in the trail. I could continue on the service road or follow the Snodgrass Trail singletrack through an aspen grove and Monet canvas of wildflowers.

I chose the latter.

Several minutes later, I ran into another intersection. One trail dipped down and indicated it led to Washington Gulch. Another was unmarked and headed straight up the mountain. I was at a crossroads. Should I follow the marked trail to an unknown destination or follow the unmarked path?



In a decidedly Robert Browning moment, I chose the road less traveled. But here’s the thing the dude never says in his poem:

He never made it to the summit.

But on that day, with the fuchsia pinks, sunny yellows and majestic purples of the lupines, Aspen sunflowers and mule’s ears, not caring made all the difference.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, hiking, Humor, outdoors Tagged With:

The Great Pumpkin Update

July 21, 2010 By

It’s the update you’ve all been waiting for: The Great Pumpkin’s growth.

Women have their monthly cycle to determine their mood swings. Jamie’s is the condition of his giant vegetable. A fungus is wreaking havoc on his beloved patch and the result has not been pretty.

For both the leaves and Jamie.

That said, the pumpkin still continues to put on about 25 pounds a day and it is taping out to weigh about 165 pounds.

I went to Jamie’s pumpkin blog with the intention to include a recent picture but he has not posted one for a while.

“So, what’s the deal? You’ve been tracking the growth on a spreadsheet but have not been publishing regular pictures,” I queried.

“I need to keep them (referring to his fellow growers and competition) worrying and guessing.”

“Guessing what? That a fungus has attacked your plant and you’re likely out of the running to get the state record?”

“Yes, but they don’t know that.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Jamie, pumpkins

Birthday Wrap

July 20, 2010 By

One of the great things about having your birthday party on a different day than your actual birthday is you get multiple opportunities to party. That was definitely the case with Bode.

Friday was his actual birthday party and on Saturday, we went to see Toy Story 3.

And yes, I wept like a baby at the end.

Anyone who doesn’t does not have a soul.

That night, we joined many of our church friends at our favorite picnic and hiking areas, Lair ‘o the Bear. The temperature was 102 degrees that day so the kids cooled down by playing the creek and we roasted hot dogs and s’mores as the weather cooled to a brisk 85 degrees.

And yes, I did just say that 85 degrees was “brisk.” The relentless summer heat is making this Canuck soft.

Bode’s actual birthday was on Sunday and we played games, watched movies and had a fun family dinner. That night as we were saying our prayers, I suggested we each say something we love about him.

Now, here is a bit of background. Hadley isn’t exactly the sentimental type and we’re currently enduring a bad-attitude phase that is making me prep my sack cloth and ashes mourning gear for when her hormones really kick in during The Teenage Years.

Just last night she threw such a fit on a family bike ride that Jamie turned around and took her home. Bode and I continued to the playground where he gleefully pranced around and belted out, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!”

I could not have had two more different kids if I tried.

Anyway, back to our professions of love on Bode’s birthday.

Jamie loves that Bode is kind.

I love that he is sweet and thoughtful.

We all held our breath when it came to Hadley’s turn.

“What do I love about Bode?” she contemplated. And then her face lit up. “I love that he got Mario Galaxy 2 and Mario Kart for his birthday!”

At least the girl is never out of character.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor

Why Bode’s 4th Birthday Party Was the Bestestest Ever

July 19, 2010 By

Parents over-think birthday parties. I understand putting more thought, effort and money into birthday parties when kids get older but when they’re young? A complete waste.

Little kids want four simple things: food, friends, fun and presents. Parents who go over-the-top for baby/toddler birthdays are doing it to impress their peers more than the child.

Not chez moi. My friends are used to being unimpressed with me.

Bode was undecided about how he wanted to spend his fourth birthday so I made the decision for him. Last year’s PJ & Pancake Party was such an easy, fun idea that I proclaimed we make it an “annual” event.

This is just a nice way of saying you’re too lazy to think of something different.

All the kids had a blast and our family each had our favorite moments.

Me:

I loved 1) hanging out with my friends as the kids ran wild and 2) actually getting a semi-presentable group picture.


Well, with the exception of Noah picking his nose behind Bode.

Hadley:

Loved the “Best Bed Head Contest.”


Hangin’ with the girls
..and covertly hooking up the new Buzz Lightyear Rock Blast Sprinkler while the moms were ignoring them engaged in pressing matters.

Bode:

He loved his presents that included Transformers, Toy Story 3 EVERYTHING a movie and games.


Another big hit was having full liberty to decorate his pancakes however he wanted. Choices included gummy bears and worms, chocolate chips, whipped cream, fruit and every kind of syrup on the market.


Hangin’ with his boys wasn’t too bad either.
After livin’ it up in the bouncy castle, my little party animal turned his PJ & Pancake Party into a wet T-shirt PJ contest with good ol’ Buzz Lightyear Rock Blast Sprinkler.

I didn’t have the heart to break it to him I used the same thing in France. It was called a bidet.

Jamie:

Did not love staying up working until 3:30 a.m. the night prior.

Did love that after I spent an afternoon baking oatmeal chocolate chip cream cheese cookies for the goody bags, I forgot to distribute them.

Everybody was a winner.

Comments still closed thanks to crazy Asian spammers. So sorry–I’m working on the problem!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor

Crested Butte Family Travel Report: Musical Mayhem in the Mountains

July 18, 2010 By

(Originally published at Mile High Mamas).

We all have our happy places and Crested Butte is mine. With this week’s staggering triple-digit-temperatures, Crested Butte’s crisp mountain air has never sounded so good.

A world-class music festival and a bounteous recreational playground don’t sound too bad, either.

A few highlights of my family’s recent trip to this gorgeous mountain hamlet included:

Crested Butte Music Festival

My kids are not musical aficionados but the CMMF’s Divine Family Young People’s Concerts may just make a convert out of them. Designed for kids ages 4-12, these free concerts are held every Saturday at 11 a.m. during the festival. My kids raced around the lawn at the base of Mt. Crested Butte dancing and singing to the Barefoot Bluegrass Band’s foot-stomping tunes. But it didn’t stop there. The new Trailhead Children’s Museum (a definite must-visit) also offered free face painting, art projects, bubbles and more.

The Crested Butte Music Festival’s impressive line-up of world-class musicians will be performing in paradise until August 5, 2010.

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

I am in love with one of the nation’s most renowned high-altitude field stations in Gothic, just 4 miles from Crested Butte. My kids spent a morning in RMBL’s sold-out Nature Camp and are still raving about the fox, deer, marmot and bird sightings. The counselors are real professionals and the curriculum’s activities delve deeply into the surrounding ecosystems. That day, my children made their own microbes out of recycled materials.

Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out what the heck a microbe is.

Gothic Valley

While the kids were in Nature Camp, I explored Gothic Valley’s backcountry. Mountain bikers populated Gothic Road in their pilgrimage to their famous Mecca: Trail 401. The main drag connects to Aspen via Schofield Pass, a precarious four-wheel drive road.

I followed the dirt road for several miles but when it began a fractured ascent, I ditched my car and started hiking. Stubborn snowfields produced a cascade of waterfalls, a breeze stroked the velvet greenery and I played on a snow cap that blocked the road. My reward was a true jewel: Emerald Lake.

Spending a few hours sans kids in tow wasn’t too bad, either. :-)

Adventure Park

Located at the base of Mt. Crested Butte, the Adventure Park is a must-visit. We soared up the Red Lady Express Lift and hiked around the summit with sweeping views of the West Elk mountain range. My 3-year-old son dominated the 18-hole miniature golf course by averaging 10 strokes (per hole), my daughter conquered the 28-foot Climbing Pinnacle and I made a failed attempt at a double-back flip on the turbo-charged, gravity-defying bungee trampoline.

OK, admittedly the single-back didn’t go too well, either.

Area Recreation

You could spend a lifetime exploring Crested Butte’s backcountry splendors. One morning, I arose at dawn to hike the famed Snodgrass Mountain (5 miles round-trip), which offers some of the most epic views of the area. If you have small children, be sure to do the Lower Loop Trail to cobalt-blue Peanut Lake, which has the glorious Paradise Divide mountain range as the backdrop.

One day, I biked 5.4 miles on the paved path from Mt. Crested Butte down into town. And yes, that which goes down must go back up. Very slowly.

Shopping

If the outer-world beauty of the surrounding peaks doesn’t make you feel like you’re on another planet, a stroll through Crested Butte will. This quirky, multi-hued town is a National Historic District and boasts anomalies such as a two-story outhouse. The local’s mode of transportation is funky cruiser bikes. There are so many hanging baskets of burgeoning flowers that you’ll swear it must be a city ordinance.

LAVISH is a hip accessory shop for moms and daughters will love LAVISH PETITE in the back of the store. Toy store Pooh’s Corner delighted my kids for over an hour.

Eating

For breakfast, be sure to try Izzy’s breakfast burrito with Indian spices. Dine creek-side but expect a long wait on the weekends. The Secret Stash pizzeria redefines eclectic with decor showcasing the owner’s world travels. Service is friendly, the kitchen is slow but Asher’s Pie (with a BBQ sauce and chipotle base, Canadian bacon, and grilled chicken) made it worth it.

One night must be dedicated to indulging at django’s, a restaurant and wine bar I discovered last summer. Admittedly, this Brussells-sprout-despising gal spent an entire year craving this dish with apples, crème fraîche, apple cider reduction and pistachios. A new fan favorite: seared rocky mountain elk tenderloin with blackberry sauce and a dash of heaven.

Lodge at Mountaineer Square

There are many great lodging deals in Crested Butte and the surrounding areas. Our personal favorite is the Lodge at Mountaineer Square. Conveniently located a stone’s throw away from the Adventure Park and a bevvy of restaurants and shops, their luxurious rooms vary in size from the King Room to four-bedroom suites. After a morning of adventure, my family spent every afternoon playing in the indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and soaking in the hot tub. The Lodge offers 15% off lodging during festivals and you can save 25% on lodging this fall.

For additional information, go to crestedbuttemusicfestival.com and gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:
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