My wife and I have 3 kids…8, 5 and 2. We’re “that family” at the airport that you switch lines from when you realize you’re behind us. Its pretty much a traveling circus. I used to get really self conscious about it…but now, if you do end up behind us in line at the airport, you should know that I don’t care anymore…I’ve given up all perceptions of control – I never had it anyway, so why get worked up? I just let stuff happens that naturally happens when you take 3 miniature people who think they know everything out into public – and believe me, it can get quite comical.
Oh, and we live in a house that was built in 1886 – yeah, back when everything was also miniature. Like dwarf miniature. But the good news is that Denver offers families an incredible amount to explore and discover. So instead of hanging out in our gingerbread house all day, we find ourselves out and about quite often….and we love it.
Here’s a quick example…
This Saturday I woke up around 6am (because that’s the way the universe likes to punish me these days) with my 2 year old. Bennett and I ran some errands including Starbucks (I refer to it as my “ritual” but if I’m honest, its just a straight-up addiction…admit it, you struggle with it too…). It was actually really fun just hanging out with my son…my buddy…for a couple hours. Just the two of us dudes rockin’ Home Depot errands, trip to the bank (suckers for both of us…believe it), etc. Around lunch time we were back with the fam and we all remembered that Java & Scoops was opening – yay! Another reason to go exploring…only this time it was 2 blocks away…even better!
As a side note, if you haven’t checked out the Baker Historic Neighborhood in awhile, or ever, you should! Its home to an eclectic group of folks, ranging from young to old, kids and no kids. But the people who live here LOVE it and have a deep allegiance to it. We’ve lived here for about a decade and have seen ridiculously awesome (and recently fast!) changes. One of which is Java ‘n Scoops…but there are many more on South Broadway!
They really did a fantastic job with the grand opening. My kiddos especially enjoyed the face painting and balloons, and checkout the stylized interior – what a fun place to hangout!
After gorging ourselves on awesome ice cream, and having our kids faces painted from scalp to throat, we went back home (which took 127 seconds on foot) for the kids rest time. I was able to sneak away to do a final walk-thru with a repeat client (thanks again Justin & Annie!!) who is saying goodbye to the home they’re selling and closing on a new home this week while my wife enjoyed some “me time”.
The kids woke up around 3:30 and we started to think about dinner. Saturday, gorgeous weather, spring in the air, hhmmmmm….my mind will only drift towards one thing in these circumstances….COCKTAILS. But wait, what about the kids, you may ask. What about em? Lets put it this way…my daughter, 8, knows how to make Daddy a Gin & Tonic – and she knows that Step 1 is….wait for it….wash your hands! My son, 5, is about 6-7 reps away from nailing a fantastic Old Fashion. Bennett, 2, well, give him another year 🙂 So, no harm in my kids going to a bar. What about the other people at the bar? Great question…
I actually love watching people look at my kids and then look at me like, “Uummmm, were you aware that this is a bar?” And being the proud city-dwelling parent I am, I have no inhibitions about them being there. Important contextual note…I have very few inhibitions at all actually. So, after 2 quick minutes of family deliberation, we ended up deciding on Historians Ale House – fantastic choice with a rooftop deck to watch the sun drop behind the mountains. And the best part, it doesn’t take a car to get there…nor to get home (which is most important…eh hem). Brilliant.
So if you’re considering living in the downtown Denver area, or one of the surrounding urban neighborhoods and wondering if its possible to do with kids….here’s the answer….No, its not. But do it anyway. And the next time you’re at the airport with your 37 bags of luggage, stroller, stuffed animals and dog carrier…use it as a time to master the thought of “I love this” as everyone is staring at you with that condescending glare of “control your kids man”. Its the same mastery it takes to walk into Historians Ale House, proud and tall…being followed by 3 munchkins with painted faces. But once you’ve mastered it, the downtown Denver world (or any downtown area) becomes amazingly fun and engaging, and there’s no place you can’t explore, even with kiddos!
Here comes the shameless self promotion…if you ever want to chat about specifics of neighborhoods, areas, market trends, houses, stuff to do, schools, etc…or if you want to be accompanied by other parents and 3 raging lunatics on your next night out (there’s strength in numbers!) feel free to reach out to us anytime – every Advisor (ie. agent, but better) at Thrive has kids, and we all LOVE the Denver life. You can catch us at 303-946-1840 or dave@ThriveDenver.com. Cheers!