Summer Break

Hey Everyone. I will be taking a 3 week summer break, due to some summer vacations we've planned and a couple dr. tests/surgeries coming up that I am sure will take up my time and mind. I will be back to blogging soon and I hope everyone has a great summer!

THIS WEEKEND

This weekend, (July 16-18), here is what is going on:

Make a FREE Sandy Beach Scene at Lakeshore Learning Centers, (July 17, 11 am - 3 pm) click HERE to see more

Join the Highlands Ranch Sunflower Farmer's Market to get a $2 Fish Taco, (July 17, 11:30 - 1:30) Click HERE to see more

Highlands Ranch Carnival, this is the last weekend, (July 17-18, 4 pm - 11 pm), click HERE to read more

KidSpree in Aurora, FREE, you don't want to miss this. (July 17-18, 10 am - 5 pm) "Walk through a giant maze or life-size board game. Paint a tiny town every color under the rainbow. Experience jugglers, magicians and all kinds of other entertainment." Click HERE to read more

Centennial Night at the Movies, (July 16, 7 pm) Click HERE to read more

THIS WEEKEND

This weekend, July 9-11, here is what is going on:

Earth Balloon at the Grange - (July 9, 1 pm - 4 pm), $2 per person, click HERE for details

Make a FREE Summer Memory Keeper at Lakeshore Learning Centers,

(July 10, 11 am - 3 pm)

Starlight Summer Movie #2 in Downtown Castle Rock,

(July 10, 6:30 - 10 pm), click HERE for details

FREE Malley Movietime in Englewood, (July 9, 1:30 pm), "See the latest FREE movies shown on a large screen! Popcorn sold for 25 cents", Click HERE for details

FREE 24th Annual Colorado Black Arts Festival, (July 9-11) "three day festival of music, dance and visual arts.", click HERE for details

Highlands Ranch Carnival, (July 9-17), click HERE for details

Highlands Ranch Rodeo (July 10-11), "Experience Colorado's western heritage at its best at the Annual HRCA Rodeo. Witness Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, visit exhibitors, and much more right here in the Ranch! Kids can get into the spirit with two fun and hilarious events: Mutton Busting and Chicken Scramble.", click HERE for details

Centennial Night at the Movies,(July 9, 7 pm) click HERE for details

FREE Olde Town Market in Historic Downtown Littleton (July 10, 10 am - 4 pm), "A whimsical artisans emporium," click HERE for details

Smore's Stuffed Brownies

This recipe is from Picky Palate, which is an amazing recipe blog! I made these twice in a week, they are very good. I would recommend making them with plenty of time to have the chocolate set up. I made them in the morning for the after dinner dessert, and they turned out perfect! Here is the recipe:

Batch Prepared in 8×8 inch baking pan

1 box of your favorite brownie mix

4 1/2 full Graham Crackers

3 1/2 Full size Hershey’s Bars

16 large marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Line foil into an 8×8 inch baking pan and spray generously with cooking spray. Pour half the brownie batter into lined pan. Layer graham crackers over brownies following Hershey Bars and marshmallows. Pour remaining brownie batter over marshmallows. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes mostly clean from center. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Carefully remove foil and brownies from pan. Peel any foil from away from edges and cut into squares.

12 brownies

Click HERE to see the recipe with additional pictures on Picky Palate.

*picture from Picky Palate

Oopsey Daisy

I'm featuring "Oopsey Daisy" today. She describes herself as "happy mommy, looking for spicy ideas to beautify, multipurpose, simplify, and refunction." She has lots of cute ideas, including:

A Pantry Door Organizer

A Cozy Car Caddy

A Simple Rag Blanket

(when I saw this I had to put it because I was just talking to my friend the other day about how much we LOVE these blankets, but don't know how to make them)

She also has some great recipes, like Snickerdoodle Muffins ,

and Golden Graham S'mores.

You should check out her blog.

THIS WEEKEND

Gear up because this weekend is the 4th of July weekend and there is A LOT going on:

First, the FREE crafts and events:

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, (July 2, 7 pm - 10 pm), click HERE for details

Make a FREE Patriotic drum at Lakeshore Learning centers

(July 3, 11 am - 3 pm) click HERE to see more

Make a FREE periscope at Home Depot Kids Workshop

(July 3, 9 am - 12 pm) click HERE to see more

Don't miss Paris Street Market at the Aspen Grove shopping center in Littleton,

(July 3, 8 am - 3 pm), click HERE for details

FREE day at the Denver Art Museum (July 3)

FREE day at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, (July 4)

Now for the festivities, JULY 3RD:

4th of July Celebration at the Meadows (July 3rd, Bison Park, 11 am - 2 pm) "this fun event kicks off with the Bike Parade and continues with music, food, games, crafts and much more. Bison Park will provide shade for attendees and a turf field for activities." click HERE to see more

FREE: Let Freedom Sing, Independence Day Event in Parker (July 3rd, Salisbury Park, 6 pm - 10 pm)"including live music, children's activities, food and beverage vendors and of course, fireworks; plenty of family fun throughout the evening including bounce houses, slides, face painters, balloon artists, games and family-friendly music.",Click HERE to see more

Highlands Ranch 4th of July Parade, Run, and Celebration (July 3rd, 9 am - 9 pm) There is so much going on including the parade, 5K run, Huge celebration in Town Center, hot dog eating contest, pet adoption fair, click HERE to see everything in detail

JULY 4th:

Light up the Night, 4th of July Spectacular in Aurora (July 4th) "Fourth of July Spectacular, Aurora’s ninth annual Independence Day Celebration, features the largest fireworks display in the metro area and a performance by the U.S. Army Band from Ft. Carson. Fourth of July Spectacular takes place at the great lawn on the west side of the Aurora Municipal Center." Click HERE to see more

Independence Day Celebration in Lone Tree (July 4th, Sweetwater Park), includes a children's bike parade, fireworks, activities for kids, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, 5K, climbing wall, petting zoo, clowns, face painting, balloon artists, and more, click HERE To see

Family Festival and Fireworks in Englewood (July 4th, 3 pm - 9 pm, Belleview, Cornerstone, & Progress Parks) "featuring field games, activities, and live entertainment from 3 - 9 pm, with a professional fireworks display at 9:30 pm" Click HERE to read more

*And Don't Forget: This Tuesday (July 6) is FREE day at Denver's Children's Museum