What Are Your Summertime Travels?

March 31, 2010 By

The kids and I are currently in Utah for Spring Break. Jamie will join us at a later time. After all, one of us needs to stay home to work while the rest of us play.

I’m just glad it’s him.

After that, our whirlwind travels will be officially over until summertime.

Mostly because pumpkin season will take over our lives in April.

I’ll admit it: I’m always thinking about the next trip. Now that my kids are bit older and intrepid travelers, this is going to be a banner summer. Some things in the works:

  • A visit to the grandparents in Utah. Salt Lake City, that is. Sweltering Southern Utah is the last place you’ll find this heat-hating Canuck.
  • Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Shockingly, we have never spent time at Glenwood Springs’ famous hot springs. We’re excited to do that and more by checking out the Glenwood Cavern Adventure Park, replete with a Tram, Laser Tag, Cave Tours, 4D Ride Theatre, Thrill Rides and what I’m sure will be my personal favorite: Demon the Bull.
  • Crested Butte, Colorado. During my family’s Tour de Colorado last summer, Crested Butte was our favorite stop. The Crested Butte Music Festival + The Wildflower Festival + the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory’s Nature Camp + the best views in Colorado = an unparalleled Colorado vacation. A repeat performance is definitely in order.
  • Another attempt at camping. The last couple of experiences have not exactly been memorable (read about my nervous breakdown here).

As for the trip I’m most excited about?

My generous mom rented out a beach house for a week in the Outer Banks. My entire family will be coming from all corners of North America for seven glorious days at the beach. Our house has great amenities such as a private swimming pool, game room, basketball, volleyball and much more.

But 18 people (with seven of them under age 6) living under the same roof for seven days?

During hurricane season.

Except for some great blog fodder.

Do you have any fun plans for summer?!

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

Parenting 101: The Art of Lovingly Bribing Your Children

March 29, 2010 By

Parents have very strong opinions about what they refer to as bribing their children.

I prefer to look at it as an early lesson in action and consequence. If you do something, there will either be a reward or a punishment.

If that is bribery, sign me up.

Potty training my daughter was a nightmare because there was nothing in this world she wanted enough to make her do it (to see that long, sordid journey summarized in one painful post, go here). Treats? Forget it. New toy? Whatever. Revoke beloved cat privileges? “Just make sure to feed him during my absence.”

Parenting the most spirited and stubborn child in the world is a battle of the wills. Since starting kindergarten, she has regressed and we have gone through a new set of challenges. We have also been potty training my son, both of which have caused me to wave a white flag in frustration.

Until we met Super Mario Bros Wii.

There is something about that creepy little mustached man that is like crack cocaine for my children. From Day 1, their reaction has been the extremes: Euphoric when they win, meltdowns when they lose.

But most importantly: I finally found the one thing that would motivate my children to action. Neither are allowed to play Mr. Super Mario unless they are both accident-free.

In the bathroom, that is. There are plenty of near-accidents in the perilous Mushroom Kingdom.

Positive sibling pressure has been a good thing as they encourage the other to go. I.e. “Do you realize because of you, we can’t play Super Mario?”

OK, so maybe it’s not always positive but it is the only thing that has actually worked. And if the Wii can train my kids to go pee?

I’m all about bribery, especially if it results in a catchy marketing slogan for Nintendo.

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

Spring Snow Day in Colorado!

March 24, 2010 By

Gotta admit it: Even though Denver’s dump of snow put a crimp in my road-biking plans, we’ve been loving it Chez Canuck. When school was canceled, we invited over some of our neighborhood besties and made cinnamon rolls.


Had a rousing tournament of Super Mario Bros.


Evidently, personal space is not an issue when crowding around the Wii.

And then we played to our heart’s content outside. We built a killer snow fort and obstacle course.


I had my 1,204th attempt at making a snowman. Little known fact about me: even thought I grew up in the Great, White North, I absolutely suck at making giant balls of snow. I often blame it on Denver’s non-pliable powder but when I saw a neighbor’s perfectly rubenesque snowman, my competitive fuel was fired.

And yes, I realize I am pretty pathetic if a mere snowman ignites my competitive drive.

In my defense, my husband’s obsession started with just wanting to grow the biggest pumpkin in the neighborhood.

I started out strong as the snow cooperated. After that, I really have no excuse because in the end, my snowman resembled a cross between the Leaning Tower of Pisa and E.T.

In a desperate, last-ditch attempt to save face I decided props were the answer. Any guesses on who is my celebrity snowman?


Hint #1: He recently got accosted with a golf club.

Hint #2: I christened him with an extra-long Pinocchio nose made out of “wood.”

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

The tale of the incompetant housewife

March 23, 2010 By

A few months back, I begged, pleaded and practically prostituted myself with Mom Central to be part of their Frigidaire campaign. Select moms would receive various appliances to review and I was thrilled to be named a part of Team Dishwasher.

My new dishwasher arrived the day before I left for the Olympics and I knew it would be put to the extreme test: my husband (who loathes doing the dishes) would be left in charge of doing that which he hates most in the world.

He survived…thrived, even. I was delighted to come home to a sink NOT full of dirty dishes.

I took over dish duty and put it to the test. I LOVED the open layout of the dishwasher and that it uses 41 % less energy and 40 % less water than was used just 10 years ago.

Because, believe it or not, I was doing dishes way back then.

But in the middle of my euphoria, it stopped cleaning the tough dishes. I hemmed and hawed and finally contacted Mom Central.

“Send us a photograph or your fully-loaded dishwasher,” they advised. I did so and they forwarded it to Frigidaire’s product team to assess the issue.

Turns out, the issue was me.

This should not be a shock to any of you.

From loading the dishes in the wrong direction to inadvertently blocking key spray areas, it was revealed that I do not know how to load a dishwasher.

After following the team’s instructions, my dishwasher is fully functional and glorious again. For any future problems, I now know the root of the problem:

“User Error.”

So, let’s hear it. Whether it’s TVs, computers or new appliances, have you ever messed up and tried to blame someone else?

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Dishwasher to facilitate my review.

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

Canadian Moose At Its Best

March 21, 2010 By

I’m not sure what is most disturbing about this picture Jamie sent me when he was in Niagara.

1) That he entitled it “Even Moose Pee.”
2) Or that he covertly photographed Said Moose at the urinal.

Can a moose sue for invasion of privacy?

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

Biking Denver and Why I’ll Stick with Grandpa

March 18, 2010 By

We have a new member of our family: a Specialized Dolce road bike.

The cost of Said New Member of the Family was equivalent to the hospital bill after giving birth. The main difference? This baby doesn’t cry and was able to ride from birth. To say I am thrilled is an understatement. I have wanted a road bike for two years but minor things like unemployment and starting a new business made this an impossibility.

When I won the Microsoft Office Winter Games Contest, I received the cash equivalent of a trip to Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. Hence the new road bike and dental appointments for the entire family.

Mama’s gotta be practical as well.

I first fell in love with cycling in high school when an ankle injury forced me to forsake my dreams of playing college soccer. I spent hundreds of hours biking on Calgary’s extensive network of bike paths, which my dear dad introduced to me when I was 13 years old.

I bought a mountain bike 10 years ago, thinking it would ignite a flame by combining two of my great loves: cycling and mountains.

It never really did.

Sure, I enjoy mountain biking but doing so is an impossibility with two small children. It’s heavy, clunky and slower than a stream-lined road bike. Add a bike trailer that hauls 80 lbs of kids and you get your butt kicked by Grandpa on the bike paths.

I only wish I was kidding about this.

What finally moved me to action: a small chunk of cash to play with and a persisting knee problem that has temporarily forced me to abandon running and high-impact sports.

Basically, this just means that I am old and my body is starting to fall apart.

I bought my bike from Wheat Ridge Cyclery, a local leader in bikes, clinics and services. I was so excited about connecting with such a great business that I even signed up for their Women’s Only Bike Maintenance Clinic.

Me. The woman who can barely figure out how to pump my tires.

I opted to ride my bike home from the shop and followed the Clear Creek Trail for the duration of my ride. It was there I vowed to kick some serious trail rat butt with my ultra-fast bike.

And then I spotted my first victim. It was all too perfect. Not only was he male but he was also on a mountain bike.

You know. The slow kind.

I kicked my bike into high gear and started pedaling, my prey within reach.

Until he saw a girl trying to pass him and kicked it into even faster gear.

We dualed it out until in the end, I waved the white flag and he left me in his dust.

In my defense, he was probably an Olympic mountain biker or something.

Next time, I’ll just go after Grandpa to save my ego.

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

Frigidaire Receives 2010 Energy Star Award!

March 17, 2010 By

If there is anything a mom needs, it’s the ability to save and conserve energy.

I just never thought it would happen with my dishwasher.

As you know, I’ve been a part of Frigidaire’s Team Dishwasher. I had the opportunity to replace my non-functioning one with a glimmering stainless steal dishwasher that actually works.

When you know how to properly load it.

And yes, I failed Dishwasher Loading 101. More on that in my next post.

Good thing I’m not being graded.

Here is some exciting news on behalf of Fridaire and a link that will help you save money: their new line just received the EPA’s prestigious 2010 Energy Star award for their “Swap and Save” Energy Star Promotion. The award recognizes Frigidaire’s commitment to smart energy management and its efforts to share the importance of energy efficiency with a wide audience.

We hear about energy savings all the time but honestly, it seems like a lot of trouble and cost to replace current appliances with more efficient ones.

Frigidaire has made it easy with www.Frigidare.com/ecosavings. You can calculate potential cash and energy savings by swapping out old appliances. I’ve calculated it with several of my other appliances and I promise you’ll be surprised with the results!

=================

 As a reminder, Jennifer Garner’s campaign to support Save the Children, called Spin & Win. Log on to www.maketimeforchange.com to play Spin & Win for a chance to win prizes including a new time-saving Frigidaire Affinity washer/dryer. Plus every day you take a spin, Frigidaire donates $1 to Save the Children as part of their $250,000 commitment to this worthy cause.

It’s a win-win for everyone!

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Dishwasher to facilitate my review.

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

The Scoreboard of Marriage

March 16, 2010 By

It’s official: I survived five days as a single parent.

I’d even say I thrived as the children and I played at my happy place (R.E.I.), threw rocks into the Platte River, indulged in Little Man Ice Cream, played at the playground, went on daily bike rides, rolled down the hill at Confluence Park, went to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, saw Planet 51, attended church, made a cake in our Easy-Bake Oven, roller-bladed and picnicked in Washington Park, ate at Cafe Rio, frolicked at drop-in gymnastics and shopped. A lot.

Evidently, I have an aversion to being home when my husband is gone.

Oh wait. I’m always like that.

And where was the Lord of the Gourds? He was in Niagara at a giant pumpkin-growing convention.

Yes, you heard correctly. His people meet annually to discuss, welp growing giant pumpkins.

And evidently other exciting things such as “watching the youngest grower to ever receive an Orange Jacket take her place in history with her NEW WORLD RECORD Pumpkin.”

This is exciting stuff, people.

I encouraged Jamie to go. Mostly because I knew he’d have a blast and partly because I felt guilty about how much I’ve been traveling. We now have a 12-day break before we head back to Utah to visit family and ski Park City Mountain Resort for Spring Break.

That’s a lot of travel, even for a family travel writer.

This is the first time Jamie and I have had back-to-back trips without each other and it’s been tough. While we generally don’t keep score in our marriage, we kind of did this time around.

“Jamie, I think you owe me after leaving me alone for five days with the kids.”
“Are you kidding me? What about the 10 days you were gone for the Olympics?”"
“Your mom was here for eight of those days. On the others, I arranged play dates.”
“And your trip to Park City last week? You were gone for 3.5 days.”
“The kids were in school for part of it, I coordinated two play dates and your sister Lisa took the kids for most of Saturday.”
“That still leaves a lot of hours. You were gone a total of 13.5 days and I was only out of town for five.”

Bottom line is he is probably right but who’s counting?

Oh wait. Evidently, we are.

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

The Art of Growing…and Murdering Butterflies

March 15, 2010 By

My daughter Hadley’s butterfly obsession began last summer when my parents bought her a butterfly net and book.

She was not quick enough to capture even one.

That’s why I wasn’t too surprised when she announced she wanted a butterfly kit for Christmas. It seemed like a brilliant strategy: if you can’t catch ‘em, why not grow your own?

My younger brother used to capture butterflies and watch them die, sending my sensitive heart into a tailspin at the thought of God’s beautiful creatures succumbing to my brother’s demonic Collection of Doom.

It is a long process to grow your own butterflies. The day after Christmas, we sent out our request for caterpillars and were promised they would be delivered in 2-6 weeks.

Then we waited…and waited…and waited.

When our larvae finally arrived in a plastic case it took them another 10 days to evolve into chrysalides. Add two weeks more to that formula as we waited for them to emerge.

Hadley was wonderfully patient. Every day, she would report on their progress. We read books, watched YouTube videos and she prophesied what colors they would be.

The night before we were supposed to leave for a trip to Snowmass, It happened: the first butterfly started its metamorphosis.

You know. Because they couldn’t have had worse timing.

We called in reinforcements: our 8-year-old neighbor Sadie became our cat-turned-butterfly-sitter. When we arrived home three days later, nine more butterflies had emerged. Hadley was ecstatic and became a fantastic caregiver.

Until she announced 48 hours later when that she wanted to release them.

Outside.

I patiently explained it was still winter and they would not survive the chilly temperatures. Our mother-daughter game of begging and refusing lasted all day. Exasperated, she finally blurted out,

“Mommy, you don’t understand!”
“What?”

And in that moment, something changed in her countenance.

“I’ve had my butterflies long enough. THEY MUST DIE TODAY.”

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

Snowmamas Getaway in Park City!

March 11, 2010 By

I’ve had a lot of fun on the slopes with my family this winter but sometimes a girl just needs to have fun. Park City Mountain Resort Marketing Director Krista Parry recruited five moms from various walks of life to contribute to Snowmamas.com and one of our rewards was a getaway weekend.

In style.


And with adrenaline.

(Hanging with The Vacation Gals Jennifer Beth and Kara at Utah Olympic Park. See my previous post about braving that crazy bobsled run).

We went tubing at steep, fast and thrilling Gorgoza Park.


(Picture: Krista, Me, Sugar and Linda as we teetered on the ledge of doom.)

And the snow. Did I mention the snow? On Friday, Park City Mountain Resort received 17 glorious inches of it. That, coupled with my Nordica Hot Rod demo skis made for the best ski day in The History of Amber.

Long and sordid as it is.

(Picture: Me, Krista, Linda and Katja)

There were only two exceptions:

I got separated from the group and encountered expert terrain with thigh-deep snow. Do you know those skiers in the Warren Miller films who effortlessly swoosh down the slopes leaving a spray of sparkling powder in their wake?

I was the very antithesis of that.

And then there was Sugar. I learned very quickly not to stop 10 feet from her because it will result in a roller-derbyesque take-down wherein she called me an unmentionable name.

Hint: it was not at all sweet.

Lest you think the Snowmamas are all work with no play, allow me to dispel these notions. I spent an afternoon brainstorming with some of the greatest minds in social media and family travel including syndicated columnist Eileen Ogintz.

Of course, maybe it’s not considered work if you’re holed up in a gorgeous cabin with food, new friends and fun.

Even if some of them do call you unmentionable names.

Let’s talk Girl Getaways. I’ve already named Park City as mine. Where would yours be?

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