No...wait...already?!

TWO DAYS of school left?? That's it? Where did the last 9 months go? I'd love to hear what fun, exciting, local plans you have for your kids this summer. Will you spend lazy afternoons at the pool, frolic in the park, keep up on that summer reading at the library, or send the kids off to a summer camp? Whatever you do I hope you come here to find out the latest local kid-friendly events! Post a comment or send me an email if you have any suggestions! :)

By the way, I've really been struggling with "advertising" on this site. Several people have emailed asking for me to post about them (with and without offers of trying their services first) and I don't know what to do! On the one hand, I frequently post about events that I have never attended before and know I'm not going to attend but posting about a public event feels different than posting basically an endorsement of a local business. Know what I mean? I'd love to hear your feedback. Would you like to know about these small, usually mom-owned businesses here in Longmont? Any suggestions on criteria I should use to decide which businesses to post about? What do YOU want when you come here?

Edited to add: Yes, I have that silly Google ad banner in the right hand column but I think I've made a whopping $1.43 off it (and they don't mail you a check until you reach $100 - haha!) so I'm not exactly doing this for the money or looking to get free stuff for myself (for you, yes! Always on the lookout for that!) :) Just wanted to clarify...

2008 Sunrise Stampede

The 23rd annual Sunrise Stampede will be held on June 7th. There are 2 mile and 10K courses available and proceeds go toward the St. Vrain Valley School District's substance abuse and drug awareness program! The races start at Longmont High School, wind their way through the streets of Longmont and both end with a lap on the LHS track. This is a great event for runners, walkers and everything in between! For more information on the races and how to register see their website at http://www.sunrisestampede.com/.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day everyone! I hope you're able to spend some quality time with your mom and/or kids today :) Want some free stuff, too?

Join Moxie Moms before 5/20 and get 2 for 1 - you'll receive a gift certificate for a free year's membership that you can use to either extend your own membership or give to someone else!

Also check out these deals (thanks to Money Saving Mom)...

TCBY - free cup or cone for Mom today! There's a TCBY in Twin Peaks mall and also at the northwest corner of 17th and Hover.

Boston Market - If you sign up for their Mom's Party you get a coupon for free dessert (with meal purchase) that can be used all month!

I know it's just a Hallmark holiday but it is kinda nice to have a day to feel extra appreciated :) There have been whispers in my house for the last few days and a kitchen cabinet I'm not allowed to open so apparently our 4 year old is really getting into Mother's Day this year! It makes me look forward to Father's Day so I can be the one whispering and making secret plans!

FREE movies this summer!

The movie theater at Twin Peaks is offering FREE family movies again this summer! Movies are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am and each day a G and PG movie are shown. Seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis! Here's the schedule...

June 3rd and 4th - Rugrats the Movie (G) and Nancy Drew (PG)
June 10th and 11th - Rugrats in Paris (G) and Shrek the Third (PG)
June 17th and 18th - Charlotte's Web (G) and Flushed Away (PG)
June 24th and 25th - Jimmy Neutron (G) and The Jungle Book (PG)
July 1st and 2nd - Wallace & Gromit (G) and Hook (PG)
July 8th and 9th - The Muppets Take Manhattan (G) and Stuart Little (PG)
July 15th and 16th - Everyone's Hero (G) and Bratz (PG)
July 22nd and 23rd - Pippy Longstocking (G) and Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG)
July 29th and 30th - Doogal (G) and Are We There Yet? (PG)
August 5th and 6th - Mr. Bean's Holiday (G) and Flicka (PG)

Crackpots preschool storytimes

Crackpots offers preschool storytimes over the summer where kids ages two to five can listen to a fun story and then paint a ceramic piece related to the story. These storytimes are offered on most Mondays and Thursdays over the summer from 11 am to about noon (or when you're done painting). Each one costs $12 plus tax per child and reservations are encouraged. The full summer schedule of books and accompanying ceramic pieces can be seen here. Call Crackpots at 303-776-2211 to reserve your child's spot today!

Mayor's Book Club Kickoff Event

Three and four year old kids can join Mayor Roger Lange at the Longmont Public Library on Saturday, May 17th, from 10 am to noon for the kickoff of the 2008 Mayor's Book Club! 500 kids will receive free books each month as well as a book club backpack and t-shirt! For more information contact Shelley Sullivan at 303-774-3762 or see this website (scroll down for book club info).

First ArtWalk of 2008

The first ArtWalk of 2008 will be held on Friday, May 16th, from 6 to 9 pm! This is a great downtown event featuring many artists' work as well as opportunities to create your own art. There will be great food, live music, dance and gymnastics performances, face painting, musical petting zoo, art scavenger hunt and much more! ArtWalk activities take place mostly on Main Street between 3rd and 6th Avenues - see a map of all the activities and locations here. We went to all three ArtWalks last year and had a great time. It's a fun family event!

From ArtWalk's website: ArtWalk is a free evening of art exhibitions, music, live theatre, dance and children’s activities. A collaborative effort between businesses and arts organizations, ArtWalk transforms downtown Longmont businesses into galleries and promotes cultural arts for three fabulous evenings each year.

Fishing and Scouting event

As seen in Eagle Crest's weekly newsletter...

Get Hooked on Scouting!
Saturday, May 17th
9:00 a.m. —12:00 p.m.
Izaak Walton Pond
18 S. Sunset Street, Longmont
Free fishing instruction for kids 15 and under.
Bring your own fishing gear or borrow from the instructors.
Learn about Scouting and Join a Cub Scout Pack!
Thank you to the following community partners: Bennett’s Bait and Tackle, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Chick Clark volunteer fishing hosts, Eagle Claw, and the Longmont Parks and Open Space Division.

Reminder about Cinco de Mayo celebration

I posted before about the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Roosevelt Park tomorrow, Saturday May 3rd from noon to 6 pm but I just found out they have a website if you want to learn more! Go to http://www.longmontcincodemayo.org/ to read about the event which includes music, dance, kids area, health screenings, an opportunity to talk with city council members and even a Chihuahua dog "beauty" contest! :) It looks like the weather will be decent for it too!