4th of July

The Independence Day Celebration is something you won't want to miss!  It will start at 8:00am with the 5k run/walk.  The family bike and pet parade starts at 8:45am.  The community parade is 9:00am - 10:30am!  This all day celebration will be from 9am - 7pm in both town centers (north & south), and will include vendors, music, rides for the kids, hot dog eating contest, and even a pet adoption fair.  For more information and a schedule of events check out the HRCA website.  The fireworks display will be around 9:00pm ~ a great place to watch from is Civic Green Park!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

This year is going by way too fast.  I can't believe Father's Day is less than a week away!  Every year, I try to do a homemade gift, they're super cute, and the kids love getting involved.  

Pinterest has so many Father's Day gift ideas, here are my Favorites!  

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This is adorable, but hand prints can sometimes be hard with babies.  Buy more than one ball, so it doesn't matter if the hand print doesn't work the first time.  If you are super lucky and it does, you have a gift for Grandpa too!

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If you click on the source above, you can get a free printable!  

I love websites that give free printables :)

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This idea is so much fun!  

The frame can be purchased at IKEA.

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I LOVE kid questionnaires!  Jack's teacher did these at school for Mother's Day and his answers were hilarious.  It would be fun to do these every year and see how the answers change :)  

If you click on the source above, you can print off a copy.

And something for Grandpa!

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I hope you enjoyed the pinspiration :)

For more Father's Day gift ideas, check out the Highlands Ranch Mom Pinterest page!

Do you have any Father's Day Favorites? 

If you are looking for something fun to do with your Dad this weekend, take him to the Highlands Ranch Car Show!

Highlands Ranch Easter Egg Hunt 2014

The Highlands Ranch Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 19th at Northridge Park.  It will start promptly at 10:00am.  Be sure to arrive early as the eggs are usually gone within minutes seconds.  This event is free for members; to register call 303-791-2500.  Limit of six eggs per child.  Bring your Easter basket and get ready to meet the Easter Bunny!

The Polar Express - Kidstage Performance

All Aboard!  Kidstage - (where kids perform for kids) will be performing The Polar Express!  This free event will take place at Southridge rec center on Sunday, December 15th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.  Go to the HRCA website to print off the free tickets, or stop by one of the rec centers.

Breakfast with Santa

What could be better than Pancakes and Santa?  If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, bring your children to have breakfast with Santa!  Saturday, December 14th is the annual event at Eastridge from 9am - 10:30am.  Pricing is $9 for kids and $11 for adults in advance, and $11 for everyone the day of (if not sold out).  Your child can do crafts, write a letter to Santa, and then hand deliver it.  Santa will be giving away a small gift to all children attending.  Be sure to bring your camera for some memorable pictures.

Teddy Bear Tea

The Holiday Teddy Bear Tea is Saturday, December 7th at Southridge.  Tea time will be 10:30am - 11:15am, and the showtime is 11:15am - 12:00pm.  Tickets are $11 in advance and $15 the day of the event.  You can register at any of the Rec Centers or by calling 303-471-8859.  Children (2 and older) must be accompanied by an adult.  Be sure to bring your favorite teddy bear!

Holiday Celebration

On Saturday, December 7th the annual Holiday Celebration will be held at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.  This event is from 10am - 3pm.  Santa will be there to visit with the children.  Entertainment will include performances inside of the mansion by local elementary school choirs, a puppet show, horse drawn hay rides, and more!  This is a free event, however vendors will be there selling holiday crafts as well as refreshments.  There is NO parking at the mansion - buses will provide free shuttles from Mountain Vista High School from 9:45am - 3:30pm.  Parents - don't forget your camera!

Hometown Holiday

 

Friday, December 6th is the Highlands Ranch Hometown Holiday Celebration!  This free event will be at Town Center South.  Some of the festivities will include: caroling, live entertainment, food, and Reindeer.  The tree lighting will be at 5:00pm.  Your children will even have a chance to meet Santa!

Give Thanks!

Nutcracker Highlights

The International Youth Ballet is coming to Southridge rec center to perform the Nutcracker Highlights.  This family-friendly event will take place on Friday, November 29th from 7pm - 8pm and on Saturday, November 30th from 3pm - 4pm, and 7pm - 8pm.  Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 the day of - if not sold out.  For more information, check out the HRCA website.  I can't wait to take Ella when she's older :)

Turkey Day 5K!

 

The 10th Annual Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5K is this Thanksgiving Day, November 28th.  Early bird registration closes on November 19th.  Right now it's only $25 to register (for an adult), pre-registration is $35 if you register before November 26th, and race day registration is $45.  A portion of the race proceeds will go towards The Colorado National Guard Foundation.  For race day information including a course map and registration, click here. 

4th of July!

The Independence Day Celebration is something you won't want to miss!  It will start at 8:00am with the 5k run/walk.  The family bike and pet parade starts at 8:45am.  The community parade is 9:00am - 10:30am!  This all day celebration will be from 9am - 7pm in both town centers (north & south), and will include vendors, music, rides for the kids, hot dog eating contest, and even a pet adoption fair.  For more information and a schedule of events check out the HRCA website.  The fireworks display has been cancelled ~ tentatively rescheduled for Oktoberfest on September 21st.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Highlands Ranch Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 30th at Northridge Park.  It will start promptly at 10:00am.  Be sure to arrive early as the eggs are usually gone within minutes.  This event is free for members; to register call 303-791-2500.  Limit of six eggs per child.  Bring your Easter basket and get ready to meet the Easter Bunny!

House Decorating Contest

Each year we love driving around looking at the Christmas Lights.  The house decorating contest has been really fun because so many people go all out!  This year the HRCA has opened the voting to the public.  You can vote on their website.  Voting ends December 16th.  There is also a map on the HRCA website with the finalists, so if you want to see some of the most festive houses in town, check out the map.  Enjoy :)

Breakfast with Santa

What could be better than Pancakes and Santa?  If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, bring your children to have breakfast with Santa!  Saturday, December 15th is the annual event at Eastridge from 9am - 10:30am.  Pricing is $9 for kids and $11 for adults in advance, and $11 for everyone the day of (if not sold out).  Your child can do crafts, write a letter to Santa, and then hand deliver it.  Santa will be giving away a small gift to all children attending.  Be sure to bring your camera for some memorable pictures.

Hometown Holiday

Friday, December 7th is the Highlands Ranch Hometown Holiday Celebration!  This free event will be at Town Center South.  Some of the festivities will include: caroling, live entertainment, food, and Reindeer.  The tree lighting will be at 5:00pm.  Your children will even have a chance to meet Santa!

Holiday Celebration

On Saturday, December 1st the Holiday Celebration will be held at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.  This event is from 10am - 3pm.  Santa will arrive on a Fire Truck at 10:10am!  He will be there for the remainder of the event to meet with the children.  Entertainment will include performances inside of the mansion by local elementary school choirs, a toy soldier, and a puppet show!  Horse drawn hay rides will also be available.  There is NO parking at the mansion - buses will provide free shuttles from Mountain Vista High School from 9:45am - 3:30pm.  Parents - don't forget your camera!

Halloween Candy Buy Back

We LOVE Halloween!  I feel like holidays are so much more fun when you have a child :)  However, Jack doesn't need a bucket full of candy and I don't want it sitting around my house (because I will end up eating it).  We probably won't do too much trick or treating, but I think this is the first year that Jack really gets it, so I know he will have fun going door to door.  Jack's dentist, Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry is taking part in the Halloween Candy Buy Back.  They will pay your child $1 per pound of candy, and then send the candy to the military troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  All you have to do is put the candy in a zip-lock bag, along with a picture of your child in their Halloween costume, and a note to our brave soldiers. 

Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry is located in the Highlands Ranch town center.  Check out their website for more information along with the schedule of when to drop off the candy.

By the way if you are looking for a dentist for your child, I highly recommend Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry!  Jack's first visit to the dentist went amazingly well (for both of us).  The entire staff was so kind, and they do an awesome job of making it a fun experience!

Trick or Treat OFF the Street

This weekend, October 27th & 28th, The Wildlife Experience will have their annual Trick or Treat OFF the Street from 9am - 5pm.  They will have Halloween crafts, a bounce house, and candy booths in the museum's hallway.  Considering the fact that it's snowing right now, this will be a great way to get in the Halloween spirit and stay warm :)  The event is included in the price of admission and members are free.  For more information, check out their website.

Haunted Hayrides

Stockton's Plum Creek Stables are offering Haunted Hayrides on October 26th (from 6pm - 8:30pm) and 27th from 6pm until 9pm on Saturday.  Rides run every 30 minutes.  Admission is $11 per adult and $8 per child, (children must be accompanied by adult).  Register in advance at any HRCA rec center or by calling 303-791-2500.  This event is a fundraiser for 4-H.  For more information, check out Stockton's Plum Creek Stables website.