Amber | Life Elevated Mom

Here I go ruffling feathers again (your opinion needed)

June 21, 2010 by Amber

Last week, I received an email about local moms staging a “Nurse In” as a protest to the Colorado Rockies’ response to a nursing mom.

And I have to admit I almost hit the “delete” button.

It’s not that I don’t believe in breastfeeding in public because I do. Nor am I one to usher women’s rights under the table, which is what the woman promoting this Nurse In claimed it was all about.

It just seemed like such an extreme response to something I thought had already been smoothed over.

A bit of background: Colorado Springs mom Sandra Snow was seated in the nosebleed section at a Rockies game. Her baby needed to eat so she moved back to a closed-off section to nurse her. Sandra was allegedly being discreet by covering up when a Rockies usher told her she was not allowed to nurse her baby there.

A manager later came over and told Sandra because of the many cameras and “perverts taking pictures” it would have been more appropriate to feed the baby in the family restroom, which, it turns out, is nothing more than a toilet.

If I was Sandra, would I have been ticked? You betcha.

But do I think this has been blown way out of proportion? You betcha.

First, Sandra was somewhere where she READ ON

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Happy Father’s Day to the Men in My Life!

June 20, 2010 by Amber

I was raised by an amazingly tolerant, patient and loving dad whose entire life has been an example of quiet service. He taught me to love the outdoors and gave me wings to fly.

I inherited a fun father-in-law who raised his son in righteousness, puts up with my wisecracks and wisely predicted Jamie would someday marry a Canadian.

I married a hilarious, kind, wise, doting man who is a great dad, hard-working provider and is beloved by everyone he encounters.

I am numbered among the blessed today.

Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere!

Filed Under: Jamie Tagged With: Dad

The Kindergarten Dilemma–To Enroll or to Hold Back?

June 16, 2010 by Amber

(Originally published at Mile High Mamas).

With summer break on the horizon next week, I can almost say I survived my daughter’s first year of kindergarten.

And am fretting about my son’s entrance into it.

Why would I do such a thing when he is only 3? The reason is simple: I already feel pressured to make major decisions on his behalf. When he was born in July of 2006, I figured he was well within the range for the mid-September cut-off for when he could attend school. I enrolled him in our local preschool last September and he has loved it. He has learned all the sounds of the alphabet and is at the top of his class of 3 to 5-year-olds in math.

It’s a good thing, too because I am counting on him doing our taxes in a few years.

He still has one year left of preschool and then I planned to enroll him in kindergarten the following year. Until the peer pressure began.

“Do you really want him to be the youngest in his class?”
“He will be at a huge disadvantage if you don’t hold him back.”
“I held my child back and have never regretted it for an instant.”

At first, I was puzzled. Why would I hold him back when he is progressing nicely? At a recent parent-teacher conference, his teachers told me his fine motor skills still need developing (normal for a 3-year-old boy) but intellectually, socially and athletically, he is thriving. I shared my worries with them and they said it should be a personal decision based on each child.

“So, if I did hold him back to do three years of preschool, what would I do with him that third year?” I queried.

They didn’t have an answer and acknowledged that he would probably have intellectually outgrown most preschools by that time.

So, call me crazy but isn’t that what the next stage a.k.a. kindergarten is for?

We all want our children to be well-adjusted and ready to enter kindergarten. Of course, I’d love my child to be among the smartest in class but at what cost? Holding him back and running the risk that I am delaying his development? Is making the wrong decision going to cause angst, failure and ammunition for future therapy sessions?

I volunteered in my daughter’s kindergarten this past year. Those who were 6 years old often outperformed their younger peers. The smartest girl in my daughter’s class is also the oldest–and is bored most of the time. The teacher spends much of her day scrambling to find more challenging materials for her. Would this girl be better served in a classroom that engages and challenges her?

Conversely, a friend informed me that a teacher told her that out of the three kindergarten classes at my daughter’s school, only 66 percent of the students are moving on to first grade. If this is true, that means 34 percent of the kids were not prepared for kindergarten and will be repeating it next year. Our school’s assessment test scores are higher than most surrounding schools and we are not considered a high-risk area. But am I alone in finding this a staggering statistic?

I miss Mrs. Garcellano’s kindergarten class. I played house. I had snacks. I kissed my first boy at recess. I plugged the toilet. Those are my kindergarten memories, and what fond ones they are.

Well, most of them. 🙂

Filed Under: Bode, issues

Proof that the good Lord (or devil) is working against me

June 16, 2010 by Amber

Last week, yet another gargantuan hail storm hit our house (go here to see last year’s massacre). I had numerous phone calls and emails from friends who were concerned to see if The Great Pumpkin survived.

This is evidence that he is making everyone as obsessed as he is.

We have two different patches because really, doesn’t everyone?

Jamie is growing his pumpkins on our neighbor’s lot behind our house. The kids’ pumpkin is located adjacent to our fence. Jamie spent umpteen hours protecting his pumpkins from potentially fatal storms by installing poles to hold the hail netting. Here is how they fared during the storm:

After the storm.

The hail netting held up and for the most part, his pumpkins were unscathed.

But the children’s pumpkin that he did not protect with hail netting?

Think drowned rat.

The vines will eventually bounce back but for now, there is mourning at the Johnson house.

Jamie continues to toil relentlessly in the patch and I continue to relentlessly mock him. Lest you think I am not supportive, welp, you would be only partially correct. I am supportive within reason. An hour in the patch a day is not a big deal. Sometimes he even spends two and I’m OK with that.

But entire weekends where you spend more time with the pumpkin than your family? A big deal.

Last week, Jamie was in the pumpkin patch with our neighbor and bishop. Jamie mentioned to him how I was giving him a hard time about the many hours he had just spent installing his hail netting.

As they were chatting, an airplane with a sky ad trailing behind circled overhead. They strained to read the message and Jamie joked, “Does it say anything about growing big pumpkins? That could be my sign.”

As the plane turned, the message (which was likely from the pothead mari*juana dispensaries that have taken over Denver) was revealed:

“Grow it up.”

Now, the argument is regarding from whom “The Sign” was given.

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, pumpkins

Colorado family travel and a mommy blogger’s proudest moment

June 14, 2010 by Amber

Like many of you, summer is gloriously busy with activities and vacations so posting will be more sporadic. What have we been doing?

We went to Learning How to Train Your Dragon with about 15 of our closest friends and then to Elitch Gardens with our Besties.

We did a staycation in nearby Golden, which ranks right up there as one of our favorite trips.

Contributing factors? Hadley’s new ambition to become a “Chick Mom,” barreling down the Alpine Slide with Uncle Chris at Heritage Square, fighting over trains at the Colorado Railroad Museum, riding the free horse-drawn carriage at the First Friday Street Fair, devouring the Golden Farmer’s Market’s mini-doughnuts, playing Frogger on the Clear Creek bike path and so much more in the post that follows.

Clarification: My children are making those faces because the sun was in their eyes. Or maybe I really do smell that badly.

Parties, parties, parties. Every year, our neighbors hold an amazing birthday bash for their three boys (all born in May). From their flown-in-from-California rib-eye hamburgers and steaks to the veritable waterpark in their backyard, this is the not-to-be-missed event of the season.

At one point, two 7-year-old boys with water guns and play swords approached me.

“Is that your daughter over there?” they accusingly queried, gesturing to Hadley.

“That depends. What has she done now?”

“She called us a bad name.”

Now, I don’t know about you but I was interested to hear what that might be. Hadley has a pretty limited vocabulary as it pertains to insults and going up against two heavily-armed older boys takes guts.

“That’s terrible, boys. What did she call you?”

“She called us babies.”

It was one of the proudest moments in my life.

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor

Golden: The Ultimate Family Staycation Right in Your Backyard

June 14, 2010 by Amber

Golden is where every eccentric person who doesn’t reside in Boulder chooses to live.

-Jane, the Clear Creek History Park’s “Chicken Mom”

I am all about impromptu living and Golden is chock full of it. Visit the Golden Kayak Park on a Wednesday evening in the summer and you will be delighted to witness an unofficial freestyle kayak competition with free schwag and spontaneous tailgate parties.

Drop by Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month and you’ll see an onslaught of bicyclists congregated for the “Golden Cruise” (all ages are invited).

I have spent a lot of time in Golden but truly fell in love during my family’s recent 24-hour-long staycation. With the gorgeously-appointed Golden Hotel as our basecamp, we delved into many family-friendly activities in this charming enclave that is nestled between two volcanic mesas and against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Our whirlwind trip included:

First Friday Street Fair

Golden’s First Friday has been around for a while and consisted of merchants offering extended hours and special deals the first Friday of each month. But now through October 1st, First Fridays include a lively Street Fair from 5-8 p.m. on Washington Avenue.

My family toured downtown Golden in a free horse-drawn carriage ride pulled by Burt (allegedly the largest horse in Colorado). We bought juicy buffalo burgers from a vendor, danced in the streets to the live band, giggled at the entertaining magician, valued our life too much to attempt the free climbing wall and checked out Golden’s charming stores.

Hands down, the Windy Saddle Café’s cupcake walk was our favorite activity. I love to stumble upon family-friendly places and with their little “Buckaroo” lunches and toy-filled back room, this restaurant epitomizes kid-friendly. At 6:30 p.m., 26 kids participated in their cupcake walk where everyone was eventually a winner.

Unless you were the second-to-last kid like my daughter and casualties almost ensued (see last week’s post for the sordid details).

Clear Creek History Park

If you have elementary-school-aged children, you’ve probably heard of this park dedicated to showcasing how early settlers worked and played in the late 1800s. We were first-timers and my kids loved this recreated mountain ranch complete with gardens, a working blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and chicken coop.

Stroll around for free and peek through the windows of these beautiful old buildings located directly off Clear Creek Trail. Want a fantastic summer diversion for the kids? Take part in scheduled activities such as bee keeping, making old-fashioned toys, woodstove cooking and more. A $5 donation is requested. Check the Web site for the full schedule.

Hands down, visiting the chicken coop was the highlight for my daughter Hadley. The “Chicken Mom” Jane (a.k.a. the chicken’s caretaker) gave her a freshly-minted egg and told her if she kept it warm for 21 days, a little chick would hatch. Hadley had a new mission in life: to become a “Chick Mom.”

Luckily for us, her maternal instinct lasted only two hours when she accidentally cracked the egg.

Heritage Square

Storybook Victorian theme park Heritage Square may be getting old (over 30 years) but playing there never does. We zoomed down the Alpine Slide for the first time, drifted in our swan paddle boats, played miniature golf, browsed in the artisan shops, and rode the rides to our heart’s content.

Or rather our heart’s discontent, which was frequently the case.

Not to be forgotten is the Music Hall and Children’s Theater. The swashbuckling tale of Robin Hood will be playing Saturdays through July 10 and The Frog Prince will make its debut July 17 and run through November 13. Children and adults are $6.

Colorado Railroad Museum

Unlike 99 percent of little boys, I do not consider myself a train aficionado but even I was sufficiently entertained by the 12 acres of narrow and standard gauge locomotives, cars, and 50 thousand rare old photographs, papers and artifacts. The museum itself is a replica of an 1880-style masonry railroad depot and has become a popular venue for birthday parties. The gift shop has over a thousand railroad books, videotapes, posters, prints, jewelry, and other memorabilia. Adults are $8, kids ages 2-16 are $5 and children under 2 are free.

Tip: Plan extra time in the gift shop to play with the Thomas the Trainset or meltdowns may ensue.

Saturday Farmer’s Market

On Saturday morning, we leisurely rolled out of our cushy beds at the Golden Hotel to attend the farmer’s market at 1019 10th Street from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. We gorged on hearty crepes for breakfast, bought fresh focaccia bread for lunch, and strolled around shopping for farm fresh fruit, veggies, flowers, mini-doughnuts, gourmet pastas, salmon and unique hand-crafted gifts.

Burt the Biggest Horse in Colorado was back for free horse-drawn carriage rides. There was also a puppet show, master garden presentations and that climbing wall we still refused to attempt.

But possibly my favorite moments of the entire whirlwind trip were exploring the Clear Creek Trail. My children biked along the verdant greenbelt, often stopping to read interpretive signs and pose with the statues. They slid down the “secret slide” randomly located next to the Washington Avenue Bridge, threw rocks in the river and cheered on the kayakers at the Whitewater Park.

It was a magical morning as we relished each other’s company and ingested the scents and sounds wafting from the market. I marveled as my newbie bikes wove in and out of the heavily-congested bike path, like Frogger hyped up on caffeine. They were often successful.

Sometimes not.

But isn’t that what family vacations to eccentric destinations are all about?

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Humor, travel

It’s her party but I cried cuz I wanted to

June 10, 2010 by Amber

I survived Hadley’s sixth birthday party. Barely.

I decided to forgo a home-based bash and rented out the local sports center in an effort to reduce my stress level.

Oh, how delusional I was.

I am no stranger to event crisis management. I worked as a publicist for many years and was in charge of a huge celebration for Salt Lake City’s symphony hall. At the last minute, the symphony pulled out due to contract disputes. You know: the guests of honor. In a pinch, I got the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform.

A wee bit nerve-wracking?

Hosting a party and entertaining 25 kids at an alternative venue was exponentially more ulcer-inducing.

I had rented out the gymnastics hall for an hour and then planned to take the kids to the adjacent park outside to eat cake and play games. The first glitch came immediately upon arrival when the normally vacant lawn area was flooded with beer-drinking, boom-box-toting revelers.

That was freak-out No. 1.

For those who want to keep track, just know this is the last time I will attempt to enumerate them all.

I sent my husband on a mission to find an alternate venue and he ascertained the east playground was the next best alternative.

We turned our attentions to chaperoning the kids in the gym. I’ll admit I expected them to play tag, cautiously inch across the balance beam and sing Kumbaya. What I did not anticipate: kids launching off the high bar. Scaling the rope swing to the ceiling. Attempting back flips off the vault.

If that was not enough cause for concern, the outside partiers descended upon our space to use the bathroom. A drunken woman even offered to escort one of the kids. That was just prior to the strange boy who wandered in and started playing at the party.

I think he has a future as a “Wedding Crasher.”

I was relieved when we moved outside. Jamie and his sister Lisa had transitioned the presents to the pavilion. When Lisa went back inside to grab her purse a few minutes later, the staffer at the Garrison Street Center had already locked up for the evening.

As we dealt with that fiasco, a few helpful parents and I juggled the 25 kids. When it came time to sing “Happy Birthday,” I realized I was on the wrong side of the picnic table to photograph Hadley blowing out the candles. I raced around the pavilion and as I was passing the end of the picnic table, my purse strap got caught and yanked me back.

Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula’s headset caused her demise at the travel agency.

I barely made it in time to capture one quick photograph of Hadley with the cake. I chalked it up to just another day living my Murphy’s Law. Really, the worst thing that happened was when I thought I lost one of the children.

Though when you think of it, 1 out of 25 ain’t bad.

Filed Under: birthday, Hadley

It’s Her Party But I Cried Cuz I Wanted To

June 10, 2010 by Amber

I survived Hadley’s sixth birthday party. Barely.

I decided to forgo a home-based bash and rented out the local sports center in an effort to reduce my stress level.

Oh, how delusional I was.

A wee bit nerve-wracking?

Hosting a party and entertaining 25 kids at an alternative venue was exponentially more ulcer-inducing.

That was freak-out No. 1.

For those who want to keep track, just know this is the last time I will attempt to enumerate them all.

I sent my husband on a mission to find an alternate venue and he ascertained the east playground was the next best alternative.

I think he has a future as a “Wedding Crasher.”

Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula’s headset caused her demise at the travel agency.

Though when you think of it, 1 out of 25 ain’t bad.

Filed Under: birthday, Hadley

Summer Lovin’ as The Pumpkin Widow

June 8, 2010 by Amber

Our summer is off to a rip-roarin’ start!

On the first day of our vacation, we went to Lakecrest Park, a new-to-me wonderland where we climbed trees, explored trails, discovered 50 birds nests under a bridge, blew wishing flowers, had a picnic with good friends from church and fished for crawdads.

I just listed a whole bunch ‘o narratives. But this picture?

Defies description.

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

How much is a good night’s sleep worth to you? I decided NOT $120, which is how much my prescription for cough medicine would have cost me. The doctor said I have a virus that is lasting as long as six weeks for many of her patients. I am 2.5 weeks into it.

Sleeplessness does have one advantage: I have been getting up before the crack of dawn to work out. On Thursday, I took my new road bike for a spin along some great river trails. At one point, I was led on a detour past a busy intersection and I blithely noted the Gunther Tooty “Diner” sign that only read “Die.”

Not even 30 seconds later as I was barreling down a hill, I hit a squirrel.

A sign?

No pun intended.

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

On Monday, I went for an early-morning hike to Matthews Winters, cleaned my car, did laundry, mowed the lawn, hit the bank, post office, Target and Costco.

This whole summer “break” thing may just kill me.

Though I’ve stayed on top of messes piling up, I hadn’t deep-cleaned my car in months. I spent 1.5 hours just on the interior and after it was done, Hadley made the following observation:

“Wow, Mommy. It looks so nice in here! I think you should clean it like this every week!”

“I’ve got a better idea, Hadley. Why don’t you just stop throwing things on the floor so it will stay clean?”

“I like my idea better!”

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

Jamie is heading to Scout camp tomorrow and between that, work and Bishopric responsibilities, I have been a single mom lately.

But his biggest time-sucker of all?

Hail netting.

I was initially supportive when he told me he was getting some specialty hail netting from Italy because I did not want to deal with last year’s hail massacre of the pumpkin patch. What I did not anticipate: that it would take ENTIRE weekends and evenings to get in place. And no, I am not exaggerating.

Jamie was in charge of FHE (Family Home Evening) on Monday and the lesson was on the 10 Commandments. He was stumped trying to explain to the kids, “Thou shalt have none other gods before me” so I helped him out with a little analogy.

Here’s a hint: It started with “P” and ended with “kin.”

It did not go over well.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor, Jamie, pumpkins

Don’t (Cake)Walk This Way: The Sordid Details of Golden’s New First Friday

June 7, 2010 by Amber

I had a complicated relationship with cakewalks as a kid.

Meaning: I always wanted to win and yet never did.

My family had a glorious staycation in Golden, Colorado last weekend. My trip report and oodles of great giveaways are forthcoming but what cannot wait is my daughter Hurricane Hadley’s introduction to The (Cake)Walk of Doom.

Which is only moderately less death-defying than walking the plank.

I have spent a lot of time in this idyllic town that is nestled between two volcanic mesas and against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We stayed at the Golden Hotel overlooking the main drag and gurgling Clear Creek.

On Friday night, we attended the city’s “First Friday,” a newly-minted street fair that occurs on the first Friday of each month. We dined on delicious buffalo burgers from a vendor, watched a magic show, danced in the streets to a live band, indulged in Golden Sweets Ice Cream & Chocolate, rode in a free horse-drawn carriage and topped off our evening at Windy Saddle Cafe where they held a Cupcake Walk for the children.

Twenty-six kids crammed into a circle and each child was given a number to tape to the ground. Like most cakewalks, when the music stops and your number is called out, you’re a winner. But unlike most cakewalks, they had enough cupcakes for everyone; the child just needed to be patient enough to stick around to the end.

Hurricane Hadley lacks patience.

And yes, she gets it Trying to get a group of small children to walk around in a circle is like trying to herd a gaggle of geese. Though they were uncooperative at best, one by one they dropped off as their numbers were called. Halfway through, a vacant number next to Bode was announced. I swiftly plopped him on it and he jubilantly went to claim his reward.

All that remained was Hadley…and about 15 other kids. With each number, her frustration grew. She tried many different methods.

1) The Only Moving When You Were Assured a Number to Step On Method

2) The Take The Number With You Method, which is most effective by subtly dragging it with your foot.

3) The Screaming “GO!” Method

4) And finally, The Dejected “I’m Never Going to Win” Method.

It came down to the very end. There was one number left and she was up against just one boy who was half her size.

“She’s gonna take your son down,” I warned his parents.

I was only halfway joking.

The previous rounds were out of her control but a race to the finish? The Hurricane did not disappoint. When that number was called, come ~~hell or highwater~~ chocolate cupcake with swirly frosting, she was not going to lose this competition. She jubilantly plopped down on that number, did an I am the Champion-esque dance and went to claim her chocolate prize.

All was right in the world until she learned that the little boy who came in very last got to do a special dance and then get his cupcake.

Chocolate and performing in front of adoring throngs of people?

Taking second-to-last place is the new Biggest Loser.

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor