Looking for a great way to spend a winter day with your kids? Parker, Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock, Colorado Youth! I have found that in this world of hectic schedules and constant bad news spending time with my kids outside the norm is very uplifting and totally takes your mind out of the day to day struggle of life. My Grandfather's words still ring in my ear. When I asked him his regrets he said I just regret not spending more time with my kids. Pretty powerful in my opinion. In his 73 years just before he died all he really regretted was not spending more time with his kids.

If you have a fun idea for kids let me know and I will post it here!

A special thanks to Jack and Reno from The Timbers for making our trips extra special!

We entered our 3 year old son in weekly ski lessons at Winter Park Ski Area. I was lucky enough to find out that one of his buddies from Parker Montessori was interested in skiing so we were able to get both boys in the same class. Please don't think this class is only for boys. There are just as many if not more girls entered into the weekly classes.

Our main goal was to make the entire process a fun experience for the kids. We started out by planning a ski rental play date one evening. We met at our house and headed to Lenny's in Aurora. (Lenny's Golf and Ski - 2601 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014-1617, Phone: (303) 369-5900 has the best all season deal around for kids at $70 for the year. Plus if they grow out of the boots or skis just take them up there and they will make the necessary changes.) The ski techs at Lenny's teach them how the boots and skis are supposed to fit and how to get the skis on and off. Patience was required by all but the kids enjoyed it completely. We also chose to get the helmet for the ski year as well and that cost and extra $20. Besides the safety benefits it also keeps their heads nice and warm. Better to start good habits now anyway. Total cost for the skis and helmet for the ski year rental was $97.00.

Ski lessons run several different days of the week so you can easily choose a day that works for your schedule. We decided for a Friday class since it would allow the kids to have a relatively uncrowded ski slope to learn on plus we didn't want to fight the weekend traffic on I-70. One great aspect of the class is that they have the same teachers each week and the same fellow students. The teachers evaluate their skills and make sure they are all about the same as far as their abilities so none of the kids are stuck in classes learning skills they have already acquired. So far we have two classes under our belt and all he talks about during the week is when are we going skiing again. During the day the parents will usually ski over several times for photos and to check out how their child is coming along. If you haven't stopped over and watched ski school in a few years it's worth the time. It's quite comical at times. I guarantee you at least one belly laugh and several chuckles.

The lesson starts at 8:45 and ends at 2:45 which is plenty of time for adults to get in their own skiing. They provide lunch plus they give the kids plenty of hot chocolate during and after the class. 

My advice is keep it light and don't demand too much from the younger kids. Let them progress at their pace and you will be surprised how quickly they pick it up and how much they retain. We usually end the day by getting out of the ski gear into our comfy shoes and having a snowball fight on the way back to the car. Go have fun with your kids!

Steven Beam is a real estate broker living in Parker, Colorado.

Looking for a way to keep your kids active during the winter? Me too! How about great community sponsored indoor and outdoor activities? We just signed out three year old little boy up for indoor winter soccer at the new Parker Fieldhouse. It meets every Saturday morning and the kids practice for 30 minutes and play games for 30 minutes. I'm sure it's different for bigger kids but the point is that our three year old will be active and having fun every Saturday from January 10, 2009 to February 28th. Not to mention it gets my wife and I out of the house and meeting new faces in our community. Sounds like fun to me.

Important: if you or someone you know is looking to have some real fun how about volunteering to be a coach? You will get the satisfaction of helping children learn and being a great asset to the community. Get involved!

Parker Filedhouse - Phone 303-805-6300

Address: 18700 East Plaza Drive, Parker, Colorado

Q. How do I sign up?

A. If you are interested check out their online sign-up system. It was pretty easy and took only about 10 minutes. We actually walked into the Filedhouse and used their PC and their onsite help hince it was out first time. You need to setup an online profile with all of your family members and then you can choose activities.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Not much. Our class/sport was $60 for residents and $65 for non-residents. Most of the sports I saw were thet same price. Not bad for over one month of fun.

Oh, and you don't need to be a kid to enjoy our local Recreation centers. Parker has done a great job of adding programs, classes and sports for all ages. Take a look below.

• Fitness and Wellness Programs which include Skiing, womens total body fitness, YOGA, men's power, and yep Buggy Fitness for moms with kids.
• Golf
• Core Power
• Behavior classes
• Basketball
• Roller hockey
• Soccer
  
• Baseball
• Football
• Child care is available!
• Day camps for kids!
• Life Guard Training
• CPR classes

OK you get the idea. They have it all so go get involved. Volunteer to be a coach if you have some extra time.

Steven Beam is a sponsor of the Parker Fieldhouse and a Parker Colorado real estate broker.

Rental Property, Rental Home, Homes for rent in Parker, Colorado.

$1700 / 3br - Plus Large Den/Office - Prestigious Pinery Neighborhood

Available Now- Other homes for rent in Parker Colorado.

Call to view, available now 303-841-4128 Jack or April

FULL PHOTO TOUR HERE.

Beautiful Pinery Ranch home. 3 large bedrooms and a den/office that can also be used as a 4th bedroom if you choose, 2.5 baths, family room, formal dining, large kitchen with granite counter tops, new cabinets and breakfast area. Great for entertaining with vaulted ceilings, designer paint, lighting and window treatments. New, large stamped concrete rear patio for entertaining. Move in condition. Large 1500 square feet in the basement area with plenty of storage right off of the 2 car oversize garage.

Master bedroom has a large walk in closet, shower and large soaking tub.

Enjoy living in Parker's most distinctive community. The park, walking trails and fish stocked Bingham Lake are a 2 minute walk from this quiet home that fronts open space. Sit out on your front deck and enjoy the views of a treed street with wonderful Ponderosa Pines and constant viewing of wildlife. Close to Parker Road, Cherry Creek Trail and great schools, Douglas County acclaimed district, great community close to Pinery Country Club and surrounded by million dollar homes. Small pets preferred.

Property Information Square footage: 2,158 on main level Finished Style: Ranch Bedrooms: 3 Den/Office: Yes Formal Dine: Yes Breakfast Area: Yes Basement: Huge unfinished Year built: 1995 Baths: 2.5 Garage: 2 car Air Conditioning: Yes Heating: Forced Air Lot: .20 acres You may view more photos from here.

http://accesscorp.net/5931_Irish_Pat_Murphy/

Irish Pat Murphy Drive at Lightning View

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Looking for a quick and easy day trip from Parker? When we need a place to go or things to do away from Parker we head to Westcliffe, Colorado. It's a little over two hours but well worth it. In the summer warmer months they have great shops, festivals, a rodeo and parades. Kids actually like walking around the town since there are plenty of kid shops, bakeries and ice cream stores to keep them busy. We love it and enjoy visiting there anytime of year. The valley is beautiful and the mountains are often compared to the Alps. No kidding!

There's plenty of hiking, biking, horseback riding, 4 wheeling and 4wheeler trails and whatever else you can hope to find in a small Colorado town.

Directions. Head south on I-25 to the Springs then west on 151 to Florence. Follow the signs from Florence to Westcliffe. There is only one small pass to cross and I've crossed it year round and never had a problem.

Photo: Sunset Westcliffe Colorado November 29, 2008.

Steven Beam is a Full Time real estate broker in Parker, Colorado.