KC Parent Magazine January 2015

FREE | Jan 2015 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

PARENT M A YE A R S

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Where you find family, you will find us.

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Happy Birthday, KC Parent Celebrating 30 years!

A look back at KCP history Life in 1985 vs. 2015

PLUS...

Birthday Party Guide Cut the Clutter Dealing with Divorce

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com

We offer pediatric walk-in urgent care seven days a week, medical advice by phone, after-hours on-call physicians and online scheduling!

Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Sallie L. Veenstra, MD Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Ashley Campbell, DO

Urgent Care Blue Parkway office Mon-Thur 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat-Sun 8:00 -11:00 am Blue Springs & Raintree Mon-Fri 8:00 am -11:00 am

Danielle Leivian, MD Robin Dawson, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO Anne Parkin-Cohen, MD Lauren Lee, C-PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP

Scheduled appointments Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm Free Prenatal Consults Mon-Fri 10:00 -12:00 pm & 1:00 - 4:00 pm

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kcparent.com january 2015

Angela Stott, C-PNP Kimberly McNerney, C-PNP Tiffany Vitt, C-PNP

Parks Children’s dentistry

A family centered approach to children’s dentistry n

At Parks Children’s Dentistry we treat your child with the same kindness and compassion which we would treat our own children.

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Parents and children meet with Dr. Parks at every visit to discuss each child’s unique needs, focusing on education and preventive care.

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Conveniently located off I-435 at Roe Avenue in the Foxhill Medical Building.

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Welcoming infants, children, teens and those with special needs.

4601 W 109th St #217, Overland Park, KS 66211 (913) 491-5044

Meet Dr. Conrad Parks and his family

parkschildrensdentistry.com

kcparent.com january 2015

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Discover Your Child’s Full Potential.

Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus is now accepting applications for our 2015 – 2016 school year for Pre-K Montessori through 8th grades.

The Sion grade school campus provides a unique sanctuary where your child will thrive in small classes of 15 to 18 students taught by skilled teachers able to recognize, affirm and celebrate individual talents. Our school’s heritage of embracing diversity has fostered an academic environment recognized as one of the best in Kansas City.

Experience the Sion difference. A limited number of openings are currently available across all grade levels. Visit siondifference.com for details on these upcoming events:

Welcome Wednesday Events, starting January 14, 2015 Sion Showcase Thursday, January 29, 2015 Kindergarten Round Up on Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Kansas City’s premier Catholic academic institution features two campuses: Co-ed Grade School (Preschool-8) | 3823 Locust | Kansas City, MO | 816.753.3810 All-Girls’ High School | 10631 Wornall | Kansas City, MO | 816.942.3282

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ENROLLING NOW FOR

SPRING 2015

THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING DANCERS ENHANCE POISE, FOCUS AND RHYTHM IN YOUR CHILD WITH EXCELLENT STARTER CLASSES IN: • Creative Movement ages 3-5 • Fundamentals ages 5-6 Photographer Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

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kcparent.com 12/11/14 10:53 AM january 2015

JAN 2015

DEPARTMENTS HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY, KC PARENT! PG. 44

FEATURES

10

Faith & Family

16

Media Mix

17

Healthy Kids

18

Craft Corner

29

Word from Dad

33

Women’s Health

SPECIAL SECTIONS

14

32

22

Party Guide

54

Calendar of Events

48

Homeschooling

Quality Time

Winter Blahs

One local mom’s story of why she homeschools

Benefits of spending one-on-one time with kids

30 ways to recharge during cold winter months

Our cover features Maggie from Olathe and Shaheer from Merriam. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com FREE | Jan 2015 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

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Party Guide

22

Cut the Clutter

34

Dealing with Divorce

40

History of KC Parent

44

1985 vs. 2015

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85

19

Where you find family, you will find us.

–2 0

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Happy Birthday, KC Parent Celebrating 30 years!

A look back at KCP history Life in 1985 vs. 2015

PLUS...

Birthday Party Guide Cut the Clutter Dealing with Divorce

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EDITOR’SLETTER JAN 2015 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

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Money saving values for your home and family

Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Ted Massing Marla Westrup Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Hawke Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com

LOCAL CONTENT

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Jennifer Bosse (Kansas City), Carey Casey (Lee’s Summit), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Tisha Foley (Belton), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Jennifer Higgins (Kearney), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Colleen Kallas (Shawnee), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Liberty), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Stephanie Loux (Olathe), Laura McEachen (Overland Park), Nancy West (Lenexa), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee)

Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | Jan 2015 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

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913-327-1361 www.KcWholesaleCarpetStores.com

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com

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Where you find family, you will find us.

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Happy Birthday, KC Parent Celebrating 30 years!

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maternity

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everything

Ways to explore KaNsas CIty

is delivering by c-section cheating childbirth?

A look back at KCP history

one local mom’s story

Life in 1985 vs. 2015

pregnancy issue

do’s and don’ts for

expectant moms tips for choosing the

perfect name

hola, bebe!

PLUS...

Birthday Party Guide

spectacular views

Cut the Clutter

savoring local wines

Dealing with Divorce

the benefits of teaching your child a second language

prenatal vitamins:

you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

cool penguin adventures free fun for all ages tastiest BBQ in KC kcgoingplaces.com

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HOME SAVINGS

appy New Year! And, happy birthday to KC Parent! As you probably guessed by the cover, we are celebrating a big milestone over here: 30 years! For the past three decades, KC Parent Magazine has been the go-to source for parents in KC. Begun in 1985, the magazine has grown, evolved and changed through the years, and we are so excited to be celebrating our 30th birthday. In fact, we’ve decided to make it a year-long celebration.

Stay tuned throughout the entire year for fun articles, contests, giveaways and more.

To kick off our celebration, we decided to take a look back at KC Parent’s beginnings. Long-time KC Parent writer Tisha Foley interviewed Barb and Bob Unell, who started it all. She then talked with present owners Susan and Michael Gimotty. I know you’ll enjoy learning about our history! Tisha also took a look back at life in 1985 and compared it with life in 2015. Wow! How things have changed!

It is only fitting that we have our Birthday Party Guide in this, our birthday issue. Check it out on pg. 22 to find the perfect spot to host your child’s next party.

Don’t let cabin fever get the better of you during the long, cold days. Check out Karen Johnson’s article on pg. 20 for ideas on how to keep kids busy at home (for really cheap). And if you are in the mood for something outside of the home, check out Kristina Light’s article “Wild Winter Adventures” on pg. 50.

See page 7 for more details

Something new in 2015!

Every other month, beginning this month, you’ll find a Home Savings insert in the middle of KC Parent.

Check it out for great specials and deals for all things related to your home!

Stay warm, Kansas City, and let the party begin!

Facebook.com/KansasCityParent Pinterest.com/KCParent @KCParent

Member of:

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Circulation verified by:

Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

Postmaster, please send changes to KC Parent, 8691 W. 96th St, Ste 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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Get a second opinion

2

Find the right doctors

4

Make a confident decision

kcparent.com january 2015

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FAITH&FAMILY

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E

Eating donuts hanging from a string, faces crusted in powdered sugar and frosting, is our family’s unique New Year’s Day tradition. The kids think it’s hilariously fun as their teeth chomp at the spinning donut, peals of laughter echoing from the kitchen. What’s more, the tradition is also meaningful, accompanied by our New Year’s Day chant: “In the year 2015, let this be our goal: to focus on the donut, instead of on the hole.” This means being mindful of the good things in life, tuning in to those aspirations and inspirations that make us more fully alive to our potential, to one another and to God. To begin a new year is, in a sense, to be born anew. It’s to turn away from the past and toward fresh hopes and dreams. “The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

For several years now, friends and I have chosen thematic words to define our lives at this turn of the calendar year. Some of our words have been “YES” and “COMMIT.” My word for 2013 was “BOLD,” and almost had a prophetic effect as circumstances required not a small bit of gumption. Last year’s was “SYNERGY” and powerfully defined the relationships and opportunities yielded in that year of radical growth and change.

And as we turn the corner to 2015, I’m pondering a new word, spoken to me in that liminal state between sleep and waking early one morning. This new word is “BUILD.” Build relationships. Build skills. Build bridges. Build.

This year, I’m helping the kids choose thematic words, too. Experience tells me words have a way of becoming enfleshed and actualized. Incarnate. We began the school year with the words “SPEAK” and “JOY,” and I’ve watched as the kids embodied them. My third grade daughter

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I M M CO

JOY

Y G R E SYN

SPEAK

BUILD YES BOLD

“The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

speaks up more often and raises her hand in class. My first grade son has adjusted, after the initial jolt out of a lazy summer, to full-day school with a joy for learning.

Do you need a word to enliven and refresh you in 2015? Do you wish to bestow a word of blessing on your children? Words embraced become living and active, subtle and utterly profound. Game changers.

What words would you choose to define your new year?

I think of biblical figures and the words they might have heeded: Moses, impeded by his stutter, could have used reminders that he was EQUIPPED, EMPOWERED. Joseph, betrayed and accused, might have clung to OVERCOME, FAVOR, FORGIVE.

And Martha, the perpetually preoccupied (parents, who can’t relate to dear Martha?) might have learned something from meditating on the word, PRESENCE. I challenge you to pick a word-of-theyear. One word to be your North Star, helping you orient your life with deeper clarity and intention. Write it on your bathroom mirror. Make it the password on your mobile device. Chisel it into a necklace and wear it near your heart. Then, do the same for your children. Bestow the blessing of a word aptly spoken, and see what new blessings come of it.

Faith & Family writer Wendy Connelly, mother of two, is a graduate student at Saint Paul School of Theology, and the director of community outreach at a church in Leawood.

The Rise and Demise of the School Computer Lab

T

his is my 17th year of teaching, and the number of changes with technology has been extreme. Back in my early years of teaching, the high school had one computer lab, and you’d have to reserve it weeks in advance if you wanted a class to use it. It had 30 computers, nothing fancy, and it was primarily used for typing papers.

Gradually, more computer labs were added, and three were available for use in the library. Still nothing fancy, they were still used mostly for word processing skills.

Some classes had their own computer labs— mainly business, journalism and art; all the other departments had to use the ones in the library. As more and more classes wanted time, the school purchased a few carts with 30 laptops to stay in just one department.

Those were the days: 30 laptops that had to be turned off and plugged in at the back of the cart. The high school kids were notorious for not plugging them in properly,

and you’d end up with 22 charged laptops and eight that were useless that hour.

And that’s the way it stayed for close to 10 years of my teaching career—until 2013, when my school went one-to-one. Every student received a laptop to use at school and at home, and with that, most computer labs went away.

Our library media specialists have worked hard to make the old computer lab space into something useable, and most have been turned into collaborative learning areas. Another use for the old computer lab space is blended learning for certain classes.

In these classes, half of the class might stay in the room with the teacher for extra tutoring or enrichment, while the other half works independently in the old computer lab space.

Our one-to-one road hasn’t been smooth the entire time; there have been highs and lows. Teachers have been asked to change their teaching styles somewhat, and for

some, that means they have to step way out of their comfort zones. Students have had to adjust their learning, as well as learn new programs. But last year was an amazing year, and this year has started much smoother with more confident students and teachers.

I wouldn’t even recognize that teacher from 17 years ago, which is probably a good thing.

Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer and teacher from Kearney.

Dentistry That Will Make Kids

Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Smile • Prompt, friendly care • Professional dental cleanings • Fun, interactive environment • Specialized dentistry just for kids!

kcparent.com january 2015

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ready, set, ! e t i wr Reading to children and telling them stories is one of the most important activities that parents can do with their children to help them become writers.

p

Parenting constantly reminds me of how many things children do not automatically know how to do. Sure, babies have to learn how to eat, sleep, crawl and talk, but as children grow older, they continue to encounter many other things to learn.

Learning how to dress and undress themselves, put on and take off their own shoes, ride a bike, use scissors and write, just to name a few.

Learning how to write is just as crucial as learning the alphabet, numbers and how to read. Cara Burgener, Olathe mother of two and parent educator at Blue Valley School District, says the Parents as Teachers Program begins talking about writing at the 27-month visit with their families. “We often talk to parents about building fine motor skills to help with self-help and later with writing in school. Self-help skills, like buttoning, zipping a coat and pulling up pants, are great ways to work on building strength in children’s fingers and hands.

Other great activities that develop fine motor muscles are stringing beads, tweezers, play dough, squeezing sponges in the bath and finger plays like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle

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Little Star’ or ‘Where is Thumbkin?’” she says. “These fun activities will all help little hands when gripping pencils and give more strength and coordination when needing to write and form letters.”

In the Olathe Public School District’s “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” brochure, the district suggests parents allow their children to see them reading, writing and learning as it applies to daily life. “Share your own enthusiasm for learning,” the district advises. “Also, set aside a special place for learning and for learning materials (crayons, pencils, paper, scissors, etc.).”

Jennifer Farrell, Overland Park mother of two and former teacher, says, “When they start coloring, make sure they hold the crayon with the proper grip. A bad grip is so difficult to unlearn and can result in hand fatigue when they are at a stage that they are writing a lot (middle school).”

She also says, “Get the thick crayons and pencils because they are easier for the little ones to hold. When children enter kindergarten, they should be able to write their name. As everything with children, it is so developmental, and there is a wide range

of normal. Make it fun. Sidewalk chalk outside is fun; drawing in the snow with a stick is too. Lots of experiences tracing with a finger on different surfaces help the child internalize how to write letters. For example, tracing on something rough, on another person’s back, something smooth, etc. If they get frustrated, they aren’t ready. Put the instruction away and just let them color or do something different and try again in a week or so.”

Lisa Schonhoff, mother of three and former teacher from Olathe, has some great ideas to incorporate writing with different technology apps. Her favorite app for letter tracing is called ABC Tracing. “Reading to children and telling them stories is one of the most important activities that parents can do with their children to help them become writers. Once children begin imaginative play and telling stories on their own, parents can ask their children to write their stories together,” she says.

Schonhoff ’s 4-year-old daughter loves telling her baby sister stories, and whenever Schonhoff hears her telling a story, she asks whether she can write the story with her

daughter. This can be done on paper, the computer or the iPad. “The iPad is our favorite because we can use the Book Creator app for the iPad, and it allows us to create awesome books that can be downloaded to ibooks,” Schonhoff says.

“I write whatever she wants me to write while guiding her through the story writing process. This is a great opportunity to talk about very basic grammar and mechanics, such as periods and capital letters. She also helps me sound out words.

Her favorite part is choosing the pictures to go with the story. We read the stories over and over together until she can read them herself. She is very proud of herself as an author.”

You can find a plethora of pre-writing activities on Pinterest, and I personally have used various worksheets, dot markers, cutting practice, as well as practicing with the A to Z Uppercase and Lowercase Magnatabs educational toys and alphabet dry erase boards. I also incorporate practice writing with thank you cards or crafts to send to grandparents.

We deliver

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Overland Park 913.681.1141

Shawnee 913.543.6085

Lawrence 785.842.6284

Prairie Village 913.681.1141

Stephanie Loux is the mother of two preschoolers and writes from her home in Olathe.

Raising a lefty? Log onto KCParent.com for tips on how to raise a lefty in a right-handed world.

Fun writing ideas: • Q-tips in shaving cream

or Cool Whip

• finger paint or bathtub paint • sidewalk chalk • a stylus with a letter tracing

app on a tablet

• molding play dough

into letters

• tracing letters on

different textures

• playing with plush letters

Excellence in education. Christ-like in character.

No w Enrol ling!

Come in to tour the preschool today!

9333 West 159th Street Overland Park, Kansas 66221 913.681.7622 Visit us online at www.hcapreschool.org kcparent.com january 2015

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I

remember the first time I learned about homeschooling. It was just a few years ago, in fact, and my first impression was, “I don’t know about that.” What exactly didn’t I know? Well, pretty much everything!

It seemed strange to me for children to stay home to learn. I wondered how parents were able to not have to enroll their children into public school. Could anyone homeschool? Don’t the children get bored at home? I was also curious about the quality of a homeschool education versus going to a regular school. I had so many questions!

So, I did some research, both online and at the library, about homeschooling.

Admittedly, I was quite impressed with everything I learned, and I soon longed to educate my own children at home.

One thing I learned during my research process is that every homeschool family chooses home education for their own reason. The following list, from a 1999 survey conducted by the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), includes the top reasons parents gave for homeschooling:

• Concern about the school’s environment • Dissatisfaction with the school’s

academic instruction

• Religious or moral reasons • Child has a physical or mental

health problem

Why

I Homeschool, and

How

I Make it Work 14

kcparent.com january 2015

• Child has other special needs • To develop character/morality My reasons for wanting to homeschool varied. I really wanted to teach my children and spend more time with them. I wanted a safe environment, and I wanted my children to learn at their own pace.

Making the final decision to homeschool wasn’t easy. Although I had the desire to teach my daughters, my husband wasn’t as enthusiastic at first. He had his worries, so we took time out to discuss them thoroughly. I explained why I wanted to do it and shared the research with him.

The more he learned from me and all of

the information available on the subject, the more he agreed with the whole idea.

However, he made sure I understood what I was getting myself into.

“You realize this will be a full-time job,” he told me. “You will be their teacher every day. You’ll have to dedicate yourself to their education.”

I wasn’t scared. Before I had my first daughter, I had become a certified elementary school teacher. However, I never had the opportunity to work beyond student teaching and subbing. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, and she was born at the tail end of July. Since then, I’ve been home with my children. The desire to teach, though, has always been inside of me. I was ready to start; and before long, so was my husband.

The first thing I did after our agreement to homeschool was check out the rules on homeschooling in the state of Missouri. I then visited several websites that offered advice on how to get started (School.

FamilyEducation.com and Home-School. com). It seemed easy enough, so curriculum was the first thing I tackled. I researched all of the different curricula out there; there are

hundreds! I was a bit overwhelmed, but I found a lot of help on the Internet. I learned that curriculum is completely individual.

Some may like a certain program, while others don’t like it at all. Plus, not every child learns the same way.

Many families out there rely on the Internet to help teach their children.

Online-based curricula (like K-12.com and KhanAcademy.com) are equally popular, and the Internet is also a great place to find free stuff. That’s right—free curriculum, free worksheets and free tips and advice.

I tend to use both free stuff and also the curriculum that I purchase. I like to mix it up. (See sites such as EasyPeasy.com and Education.com) Next up was figuring out where in our house we would do our schoolwork. For the first couple of months, we made use of the dining room and kitchen tables for our schoolwork. My husband and I then found two little school desks at a garage sale and set up a schoolroom in our finished basement. It’s worked out beautifully for us, though sometimes we meander upstairs to the dining and living rooms to do a few subjects. We’ve even done schoolwork

outside on nice days and in our RV on a recent family trip. This is the beauty of homeschooling; it can be done anywhere.

Is homeschooling accepted amongst our peers? From our experience so far, yes. We’ve had more people than not give us two thumbs up—even my daughters’ past schoolteachers. A few people have questioned us on how our children socialize with others since they are no longer in a public school. Honestly, our children are equally, if not more, socialized now. We’ve joined a wonderful local homeschool group that keeps us busy with co-op classes, fun activities, field trips and many new friends.

If you’ve ever thought about educating your children at home, do your research.

Don’t be afraid to find people who homeschool and ask questions. Give it a try over summer break and see whether it works for your family. Remember, though, homeschooling is not for everyone…and that’s okay!

Liberty mom and author Gina Klein loves teaching her two daughters at home and has noticed a drastic change in their desire to learn.

Thinking About Homeschooling?

Four Key Questions:

1. What are my legal rights and limitations? Laws on homeschooling vary from state to state.

2. How will I teach my child? What will I teach my child? Who will teach my child?

3. Will I find support from my local school or district? Many school districts support homeschooling and will provide parents with curriculum, textbooks and even a space to meet with other homeschooled students. Some schools will also allow homeschooled students to enroll part time.

4. Are there homeschool networks in my community? Almost every state has homeschool support groups or state centers where parents can go for ideas and resources; some even structure field trips and activities. Check with local libraries, too.

kcparent.com january 2015

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MEDIAMIX

kids will be kids

new stories highlight the trials and triumphs of being a kid

By McGeath Freeman

While You Were Napping

By Sam McBratney Best for: Ages 0-5

Do you have children who just don’t want to go to sleep for fear of missing something? This tale takes a very funny look at one little boy’s story. His mother tells him he won’t miss a thing while he naps. But if his big sister is to be believed, he misses a “giant party” with construction crews, fireworks and pirates. She reminds him several times that he “was the only kid napping.” His snarky sister weaves a thrilling tale, and all children will be

eager to see what else her little brother missed while he was napping.

Blitt’s watercolor illustrations are packed full of visual jokes and interesting tidbits. Take your time looking at the pages. You never know what you’ll see—sword-fighting spacemen, walking dinosaur skeletons and much more. This tale is sure to bring a smile to your children’s faces—and confirm their biggest fear about napping.

What’s good: Sibling rivalry with hidden humor and adventure.

What’s bad: More real-world context would be helpful early in the story.

Uni the Unicorn

By Deborah Underwood Best for: Ages 4-8

This story has the throwback feel of a 1960s Golden Book. The illustrations are bright and lively, and the message is simple. Hang onto the beliefs that make you childlike for as long as you can.

Uni lives in a world where little girls are fantasy. But Uni believes even though her friends do not. The story flips to our world about two-thirds in and focuses on

a little girl who believes in unicorns even though her friends do not.

These two never actually meet, although it’s easy to continue the story yourself—making up the adventures Uni and the little girl have together in their tale says it’s okay to cling to your beliefs in the face of laughter and disbelief. It’s okay to be a kid.

What’s good: Bright illustrations that bring a smile to your face.

What’s bad: Lack of a resolution.

Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by Brigette Barrager Best for: Girls, ages 3-7

Marlene wants to be in charge. She wants to be important. Unfortunately, she’s a bully to all of her grade school peers. She pushes and shoves. She ties shoelaces together and is generally cruel. Everyone in her class is afraid.

Then Big Freddy, a fellow student, takes a stand. He sees through the bullying.

With his help, the other students stop

being afraid. When that happens, Marlene has to make a change to remain important.

The rhymes don’t flow like they should.

That simple issue can take the reader out of the story, which would be a shame.

This tale’s message is one worth reading.

It takes a look at bullying and how to handle it so that kids can relate.

What’s good: Illustrations with energy and movement to engage your readers.

What’s bad: Poor rhyming text structure will make readers stumble.

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HEALTHYKIDS

Raid the Fridge

Using what you have on hand to create a nutritous lunch

F

eeding my family healthy dinners comes fairly easily to me.

Breakfast also doesn’t require much preplanning. But lunch? Lunch is completely different. I don’t know what it is, but I often find myself in a rut. We eat the same couple of things day after day, and when I have to pack a school lunch, forget about it. PB&J every time.

W

WEE

Of course corn dogs, chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese are options that my children enjoy, but those tend to be a little lacking on the nutrition side and full of artificial ingredients and fat. So, while these foods do make an occasional appearance in our lunch, I spent my summers branching out and keeping our lunches easy, delicious and nutritious. Many of our favorites have been items I have thrown together from our fridge. I have been inspired by 100DaysOfRealFood.com and their posts on school lunches.

Different lunches we’ve tried have included: • Muffin (zucchini or blueberry are favorites), organic yogurt, hardboiled egg and apple slices • Cheese stick, lunchmeat slices, crackers, grapes and baby carrots • Yogurt, berries, granola, apple slices and muffin • Scrambled eggs (I hide shredded zucchini and mushrooms in the eggs), blueberries and cinnamon sugar toast • Toast topped with peanut butter and banana, watermelon and frozen peas • Cucumber, pepper and carrot sticks dipped in hummus, yogurt and berries • Build-your-own pizza: spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, pepperoni on English

muffin with vegetables of their choice, served with fruit salad • Shredded chicken, shredded cheese melted on a whole wheat tortilla dipped in mashed avocado and served with any fruit available Lunch still stresses me out occasionally, but I have found the ease in using what we have. There are no rules that state every meal needs to balance out and contain every food group, nor does it need to “make sense.” Finding random items in the freezer, fridge or pantry can often create a healthy and delicious meal. My main goal is that each lunch contains a protein, a carbohydrate, a fruit or vegetable or both and, ideally, a dairy. I also don’t stress out if I happen to be short on something. If my children don’t get a dairy at lunch or are limited on protein or carbohydrate, then snack time will consist of filling in holes.

Using what we have on hand not only keeps us from wasting as much food, but takes no time at all. It doesn’t have to be wildly creative or complex for your kids to like it either. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go.

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse.

She lives with her family in Olathe.

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17

CRAFTCORNER

MARBLED DISH TOWELS

N

No one would ever guess that you could create beautiful marbled dish towels using shaving cream. This is such a fun project for both kids and adults to do together, and the end results are always a beautiful surprise. Make some to give as gifts or to keep for yourself.

Your kids will love creating this unique project on a cold winter day.

materials needed Flour sack towels Shaving cream Fabric paint

Toothpicks Trash bags Metal ruler or knife

step one: Squirt out enough shaving cream to cover the bottom of a large pan or a trash bag. Smooth out the shaving cream with your hands.

step two: Dot different colors of fabric paint onto the shaving cream.

step three: Using a toothpick, swirl the shaving cream and paint together to create a marbled look.

step four: Lay your dish towel directly onto the shaving cream and press lightly. Lift up and you will see that some of the shaving cream and paint have adhered to the fabric. step five: Working on a trash bag, lay the towel down and use the back of a knife or a metal ruler to scrape the shaving cream off.

step six: Allow the dish towel to dry completely. To set the paint, iron the fabric by placing another piece of fabric in between your painted towel and the iron. Wash as normal and then enjoy!

Megan Kapple is a blogger from Kansas City, MO, where she lives with her husband and three young daughters. She loves anything DIY and crafty and blogs about her adventures at HomemadeGinger.com.

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6

Crafty Shortcuts for Busy Parents KCParent.com has TONS of easy and fun crafts for kids.

Check it out today!

3. Play-Doh – Ahhh, Play–Doh, the craft material that keeps on giving. Turn your kids loose with a few colors and a hard surface and see what kind of sculptures emerge. While Play-Doh is reusable, it’s also relatively inexpensive. That means if your child can’t bear to part with his multi-building model of downtown Chicago, it’s not that big of a deal to let it sit around to be admired for a few days.

4. Community Crafting Events – Enjoy a fun, free morning

T

he weather outside may be frightful, but creating art with your little ones is so delightful! While it can be fun to admire elaborate craft ideas posted online, keep in mind that family art projects don’t need to be complicated or expensive. If you find yourself lacking the time, money or artistic ability to prepare and assemble Pinterest-worthy crafts with your kids, stock up on these easy and affordable alternatives instead.

1. “Plussed” Coloring Books – When your kids get tired of their basic coloring books, try one of the enhanced versions currently on the market. Some books now come with stickers, allowing your little artist to add a special touch to her finished works. Paint-with-water books combine paper, paint and often even a brush, all in one convenient package. For older kids (or adults!) looking for a unique coloring experience, check out Dover Publications’ line of gorgeous stained glass coloring books (Store.DoverPublications.com).

2. Preassembled Craft Kits – Purchasing the materials

needed for a complicated craft project can be both costly and timeconsuming. Alex Toys (AlexToys.com) takes the prep work out of crafting with its extensive line of craft kits for a wide range of ages.

Each kit contains all the necessary components to make the crafts pictured on the box. For preschoolers, choose from themes like “My Sticker Art,” “My First Mosaic,” “Clothespin Farm” and more. Older kids can create jewelry, origami and room décor.

or afternoon of crafting with absolutely no preparation or cleanup!

Sound too good to be true? Many libraries offer occasional or regular crafting events geared toward families, often in conjunction with a story time. You also can check with your local parks department, community center or public garden for similar offerings. Even some home improvement stores offer kids an opportunity to create in a safe environment. Learn about Lowe’s Kids Clinics at LowesBuildAndGrow.com and Home Depot’s Kids Workshops at Workshops.HomeDepot.com/workshops/kidsworkshops.

5. Kiwi Crate – These days, there are delivery services for

everything from food to movies to fashion, and crafts are no exception. Signing up for a Kiwi Crate (KiwiCrate.com) subscription brings a themed box of supplies to your door each month. Past themes have included “Dig Into Dinosaurs,” “Colorful Inspiration” and “Growing Gardens.” Kiwi Crates are designed for children ages 4-8 and provide enough materials for two or three different activities, many of which involve art. Single child subscriptions cost between $16.95 and $19.95 per month, with shipping included in the price.

6. Collages – In search of a completely free way to create? Let the kids turn old magazines and catalogs into a work of art. Little ones can practice their cutting and gluing skills, while older ones can make scenes and themed collages. All you need is a glue stick.

As you can see, many resources are available to help families create together with ease. Take advantage of these artsy alternatives to complicated crafting and use the precious moments you save to make some fabulous memories with your kids!

Michelle Shirk is an attorney, freelance writer and proud mother of one. She writes about family, travel and seasonal events for parenting publications across the United States. kcparent.com january 2015

19

entertaining kids

at home for free (or really cheap!)

I

t’s that time of year. The sun goes down at dinnertime and temperatures drop, trapping the kids indoors in a fight with boredom. Here are 12 free or (or relatively cheap) activities to fight the “b” word this winter!

1. Decorate your windows.

You will need sticky contact paper, painter’s tape, colored tissue paper, colored puff balls, cotton balls and any other craft supplies you can find around the house. How it works: Let your kids’ imaginations go wild! All you need to do is tape a large square of contact paper onto your window (sticky side out) with the painter’s tape. Then your child can stick whatever she wants to it: make snowmen with cotton balls, create a mosaic design with tissue paper squares, or even create a Christmas tree with green tissue paper and red puff balls.

2. Indoor snowball fight!

Material needed: yarn! That is IT! Roll the yarn into soft “snowballs” and let the kids go. Duck behind the couches, make forts, take it to the next level!

3. Get sticky! Make homemade goop.

Ingredients: 1 cup of cornstarch, 1 cup of baking soda and water.

Then mix and play! For a “goop-ier” texture, omit baking soda. For extra fun, add paint or food coloring.

20

kcparent.com january 2015

4. Make homemade ice cream with snow.

How to do it: Combine 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and any extra flavors your kids enjoy (chocolate sauce, cherries, etc.). Mix with half a gallon of fresh snow and enjoy!

5. Have a cookie decorating party.

Whip up some plain sugar cookies and put out different colors of frosting, sprinkles, small candies and any other toppings your children prefer. Let them go crazy—and hopefully not eat ALL of the toppings before they make it onto the cookies! You can make up a few cookie platters and have the kids deliver their unique and tasty creations to neighbors, grandparents or teachers.

6. Make some authentic jewelry.

Materials needed: wooden or plastic beads and string. Let your children’s design skills take over! Also, you can make this activity educational by suggesting patterns or letting your child create her own pattern. Bonus: these make great birthday and holiday gifts.

Grandma would love a homemade matching necklace and bracelet set!

7. Play bull’s-eye bowling.

All you need is tape (masking or painter’s) and a ball. How to play: Create three circles on the floor with the tape (each one inside another) and aim to roll the ball into the center circle. For extra competition, let each child play with his own ball and try to knock his sibling’s ball out of the circle. Scoring: one point for outer circle, two points for middle circle and three points for inner circle.

the flashlight and must keep it on (making it more challenging to hide).

Zg 8Vi e j H 11. Create a huge dot-to-dot puzzle.

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Using the biggest sheet of paper or cardboard you can find (or tape a few together), make an enormous dot-to-dot puzzle. Use as many numbers as you can fit (depending on your child’s age and knowledge level). Try to stretch the numbers as far apart as you can!

The idea is to get your kids moving while they count and connect, using their muscles and brains!

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Who needs plastic bowling pins? We all have Tupperware (or any hen my daughter started kindergarKaelyn chooses the Set markers for me, and I must other objects that stand up and are relatively easy to knock over). ten, she wanted to take her lunch 12. ategorize with magazine come up with a picture that will C fit in with the objects a triangle, grab a ballI and roll! onup theinsecond day of school. those particular colors. I always label the picpictures. packed a sandwich, yogurt and fruit ture to help with her growing reading skills.

9.

Bathtub snow party Cut out (or let your kids cut out) pictures of all sizes and themes in her new lunch bag and then decided to add I have drawn balloons, ice cream cones, a special touch to let her know I was thinking and newspaper ads. Then have your kids make cats, outside? butterflies, trees and from smileymagazines faces. On the Do your kids love snow, but it is too cold to play Bring I guess artistryconcepts. is not really the point ofthe her.snow I drew a flower on a small piece pa-climb day thetub Belton Pirates homecoming game, I practicingBut “category collages� their grouping Younger into the bathtub!

Have the of kids intoofthe (dressed of our tradition. My simple drawings are meanper, added some Xs and Os, put it in a baggie drew a football and a jersey. children can group by color, size or shape. Older children can of messy course) and bringitthe some soinitsnowsuits, wouldn’t get and slipped intosnow her to them.I Provide must say that I am not an artist, not even ingful to my daughter and are a way for us to categorize using more specific detail, common physical cups or containers so they can make snow castles or get out the bond. Each daysuch she as hangs the latest drawing on lunch bag when she wasn’t looking. close. Stick figures are about as artistic as I get, characteristics, evidence of similar climates or comparable moods her bulletin board, and makes a point of showwashable paintsthe tonote decorate snow.

I forgotbath all about until the Kaelyn and I am afraid that one of these days I will run ing them to family members and friends. marched out of school that afternoon. She wore out of things I can semi-draw. and emotions.

One day Kaelyn will be at that age when a 10. big smile and gave me a hug. “Thank you One day I drew a rainbow, and when P lay flashlight freeze tag or Mom’s fun lunch this bag drawings are no longer cool, for the flower!� she said. The moment we got Kaelyn got home I admitted that thehave colors some Let’s winter! flashlight so I am cherishing these moments now. home she pinned it to thehide-and-seek. bulletin board in her were in the wrong order. She looked at me like room.

When her dad arrived homeFlashlight from work,tag rules: I’d sprouted a third eye. “IKaren thought it was is thea former high school English teacher turned Johnson Material needed: Flashlight!

Once flashlight Foleywith lives her in Belton her husband, one of the sheFlashlight told him was that rainbow said emphatically. stay-at-home mom. She lives Tisha in Olathe threewith children, ages shines onfirst you,things freeze! must shine on prettiest you again to un- ever!� she daughter and son. She loves that her kids think she Mommy put a note in her lunch.

That was the last time I criticized my drawings 5, 3 and 1.

Follow her adventures at 2stCenturySAHM.blogspot.com. freeze you.I Flashlight hiding holds can draw. “Well,� thought, “ahide-and-seek 10-second noterules: sure The person in front of her. made her day.� And so our tradition began.

The next day I drew stick figures of our family, including the cat and Kaelyn’s beloved stuffed Clifford the Big Red Dog, and slipped it into her lunch bag. I wrote our names under each figure, to help her learn to spell. She loved it.

KaelynEARLY takes LEARNING her lunch atCENTER least three or four days a Quality week, Christian and eachearly daycare I put a little and drawing in there for her.

It is20fun for both of education for over years!

You can NOT do supper us. If she’s in the kitchen while I’m making her lunch, she makes it a point to hide her eyes for your family for less • PT or FT schedule while I’m drawing the picture. Peeking would • M-F, 6 am to 6 pm spoil her day.

NEW! • NAC Accredited SCHOOL Sometimes I use a ballpoint pen; other • Infants to 12 years AGE SPACE I use markersProof or crayons.

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21

Ceramic Café

Celebrate your child’s birthday at Ceramic Café. All parties are scheduled for oneand-a-half hours, giving you time to open presents and serve cake and ice cream.

We have three different packages for kids parties, and another for mixed-age group celebrations. Call 913.383.0222 or visit www.CeramicCafeKC.com for more details.

See display ad on pg. 27.

Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics

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Let us help you plan a party to remember!

We have something for everyone. Choose from a tree house gym party, inflatable and zip-line or indoor pool party. Our parties will keep guests laughing, playing and wanting more. The party leaders will make sure your party is a hit. Parties start at $185 for 10 children. Bring in your own food and decorations and let us handle the rest. See display ad on pg. 28. EliteGymSwim.com

KC Parent’s bi-annual

guide

• fresh ideas • terrific themes • great venues

Faulkner’s Ranch

Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Parties are easy to plan and fun to enjoy! Indoor pony parties take place year round in our climate controlled adorably decorated pony party facility. 90 minute parties

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2014 The LEGO Group.

22

kcparent.com january 2015

include a professional cowpoke hostess to facilitate the 1st hour of activities. Your little buckaroos will enjoy rocking ropers, cow milking contest, pin the tail on the donkey, a miniature petting farm and of course, PONY RIDES! Visit www.FaulknersRanch. com/birthdays.php for more information.

See display ad on pg. 27.

Gymboree

Choose your child’s favorite theme and we’ll create a private, personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! We specialize in 1st birthday parties all the way to 5th birthday parties. Gymboree Play & Music parties are available to members and non-members. Call to find out more details. 913.393.0203 (Prairie Village), 816.505.3344 (Zona Rosa). See display ad on pg. 26. www.GymboreeClasses.com

LEGOLAND Discovery Center At LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, it’s like you’ve stepped into the world’s largest box of LEGO® bricks! Celebrate the special day of your little LEGO fan with one of our birthday packages. A standard party includes a personalized birthday cake, an

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hour in the party room, and unlimited time in the attraction. The premium package includes the addition of pizza and a private model building workshop.

Party guests can keep the custom model they build! See display ad on pg. 22. www.

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com/KansasCity

for mom and dad. We take care of it all!

Choose from 5 different awesome party packages, starting at $199. Visit www.

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816.246.5224. See display ad on pg. 23.

Monkey Bizness & Little Monkey Bizness

Paint, Glaze & Fire is PARTY CENTRAL & KC’s only paint-your-own pottery studio with a full service coffee bar.

Creating beautiful ceramics is fun & easy for everyone from young children to experienced adults. Visit us for birthday parties, Scout outings, corporate team building, girls’ night out, bridal showers or “just because.” Only at 127th and Metcalf, 913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 23. www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net

Monkey Bizness & Little Monkey Bizness takes the hassle out of party planning for parents. We provides the personalized invitations, balloons, party favors, plates, cups, forks, napkins and an optional pizza and soda package. Private play and party rooms. We do all the cleaning! All that’s left to do is show up and have fun! Little Monkey Bizness has full gourmet coffee bar and free Wi-Fi. Open 7 days a week for all your birthday and open play needs.

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Princess at My Party

Have your child’s favorite princess come to her birthday party! Choose from Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Then watch the magic unfold as the birthday girl and guests go on an adventure that includes a story, games, continued on page 28

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paintglazeandfire.net 127th & Metcalf • Overland Park, KS 913-661-CLAY kcparent.com january 2015

23

PARTYGUIDE

How to Give Gifts that KIDS

AND PARENTS

Will Appreciate gifts that are generally well-received by parents: Anything that is small, doesn’t make a mess or a lot of noise and doesn’t require the parent to do the activity FOR the child (e.g., a Rainbow Loom for a 4-year old). outings Clear a date in advance with the parent and go to a playground, movie, sporting event, play or attraction (depending on your budget). Wrap a folder containing a brochure, advertisement or picture of the activity. For a playground date, include a small toy and the promise of a picnic. Or, sign up your child and the recipient for a one-day cooking or art class for kids.

Books For non-avid readers, picture books about favorite passions or junior novelizations of a favorite movie or cartoon are

good options, or ask what author/series the child likes and what volumes he or she doesn’t have. musiC CDs Choose tunes you know the child likes (soundtracks of a kid’s favorite show/movie are usually a good bet). Burn a mix of current favorites and label it “[Child’s name’s] Greatest Hits.” Include an inexpensive portable CD player (with headphones if you really want to make the parents happy!). This gift is best for young children. Older kids just want iTunes gift cards!

Our kids loved playing with an “old-fashioned” tape recorder. They would record themselves talking and singing and would play it back repeatedly. It is fun to have the tapes now to hear their cute baby voices again.

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103RD STREET

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kcparent.com january 2015

Your one-stop toy, learning & party shop!

DVDs If a child is a fan of a movie that is not yet out on DVD, pre-order it online to be delivered to the child. This provides a gift to anticipate after the main occasion (and gift overload) has passed.

Clothing or practical items Kids rarely enjoy receiving clothing items UNLESS they are emblazoned with their favorite character. Be sure to get the parent’s permission first if there is any question about a character’s suitability. Some examples: Disney character pajamas, a LEGO water bottle or storage bin, a character T-shirt, sleeping bag, blanket or beach towel. HINT: Pair a practical item with a small toy. Some of the best gifts we have received (in my opinion, not necessarily my children’s) are cute storage accessories.

Sports equipment Sports accessories beyond the basics a child already has make nice gifts. For example, a gymnastic/dance bag, cool goggles or a mask, licensed apparel for a favorite team (Sporting Kansas City has a great new apparel line out). Offer to come to a practice or event and take photos of the athlete in action with a good camera. Frame the best shots or put the photos in a book or on a mock sports magazine cover.

Gifts to carefully consider before giving: Yo-yo Don’t give a child under age 6 a yo-yo. For younger children, a yo-yo is pretty much a rock tied to a string, and it makes a great choking hazard.

Noise Please reconsider gifts that make a huge amount of noise and don’t have volume control or off switches (unless you are trying to get revenge against the parents). HINT: If you do receive such a gift, and your child loves it, put duct tape over the speaker. This can help control the volume.

Stuffed animals According to most parents I know, unless the child has specifically asked for them, these fluffy toys tend to multiply and, aside from a few special ones, do not get played with very often.

Toy weapons Only give these if you have cleared it with the parents first.

Bubbles While many kids love bubbles, they might already have a cabinet full at home. This is another item that can multiply, so resist unless they do something special, or the child has specifically asked for them. (Same goes for sidewalk chalk and Play-Doh.)

When in doubt, ask the parents for suggestions!

Coloring/activity books Typically, the activities in these are too difficult for the target age range. For example, superhero activity books that appeal to a preschooler have complicated word searches, code breaking and activities more appropriate for older children who, by the time they could do the activities, wouldn’t want a “babyish” coloring book. A longer-lasting gift might be a DIY plastic bin with a lid or zippered pencil case with crayons or colored pencils, sketch pad or construction paper, stencils, stickers, etc. Avoid glitter and glue and definitely glitter glue!

Most importantly, when in doubt, ask the parents for suggestions!

Laura Miller McEachen is a part-time attorney and full-time mommy.

She lives in Overland Park.

kcparent.com january 2015

25

PARTYGUIDE

Birthday parties that

GIVE BACK

I

t’s been said, “It’s better to give than receive.” Meet a two local families who took this to heart by throwing a birthday party where the gifts collected didn’t go to the birthday child, but instead went to those in need. Read on to learn how it went from both the mom’s and the child’s perspective.

Colleen and katherine kallas

Mom’s Take

Every year, I struggle with the gift-giving that accompanies my girls’ birthday parties.

Naturally, my girls glory in this bounty, but I’ve grown uncomfortable with the excess, especially when you factor in all of the gifts they receive from us, grandparents, etc.

It turns out my kids weren’t so eager to give up their gifts. All the parenting advice I’ve read on this topic suggests that the children need to be on board with the idea to make it work. While this theory makes sense to me, we bucked the expert advice this year. We gave our girls a choice: (1) they could limit the guest list to 5 and receive gifts, or (2) invite as many as they wanted and seek donations of school supplies for the Green Bag Project, which provides the supplies to foster children in need. Try as they might, they couldn’t abide by the 5-guest limit, so we did Green Bag for both parties.

I don’t know whether I’ll mandate that my girls do this every year, but our experiences with “giving back” birthdays

have served as wonderful reminders of the needs around us, how much we have been given and the joy that comes from helping others.

Katherine’s Take It was about three weeks until my birthday. I was super happy! My mom called a family meeting that night. She said, “How would it feel if you didn’t have presents this year?”

“What???” my little sister and I said. “No gifts?” “Ok,” said Mom, “let me rephrase that. Instead of gifts from friends, how about collecting things for people in need?

So who’s in?”

“Me,” we both said.

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Monkey Bizness 20080 W. 151st St. Olathe, KS 66061

913-780-2500

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Both locations open 7 days a week

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So, we collected school supplies for Green Bag Project. We went to deliver the gifts after the party. I felt so good doing it. And that is my happy birthday story. So, go make a difference.

nancy and ashley west

Mom’s Take

I began telling my girls early on that their birthday parties would be changing after they turned 8. From their first birthday until their seventh birthday, all would stay the same— birthday parties at our house with all their friends. We would pick a theme, have food, crafts and games. For their eighth birthdays, we would go all out. Take a trip where the birthday girl wants to go and celebrate as a family. For birthday parties 9 and above, the girls pick a charity to be the recipient of their gifts. These parties can still have all the games, crafts, food, fun and friends that the girls want to include. And I even will look at destination parties as a fun and different option, because all the previous parties will have occurred at our house. The only change is the girls have to pick a charity to receive the gifts.

Need a Different Birthday Party Idea?

When my older daughter turned 9 she chose Harvesters for her charity. Because this was a charity she had been to before, we planned to have the party right at Harvesters. The girls sorted and packed food and then received a tour of the facility.

After the tour, including going into the deep freeze, we had cake and gave out party favors. The girls seemed to have a good time hanging out, and our group donated 170 pounds of food to the food bank. On all fronts, I consider the party a great success and am excited thinking about what charity my daughter will choose next year.

Ashley’s Take

For my ninth birthday, Mom said, “No more presents.” I got to pick the place, so I said, “Harvesters,” and she said, “Yes.” So we sent out birthday party email invitations inviting my friends to Harvesters. Twelve girls showed up. At Harvesters, we packaged food, had cupcakes and watched a video.

Instead of gifts for me, all the kids brought food for Harvesters, and we had 170 pounds of food that we donated to the food bank.

I chose Harvesters because it is fun and I know I am helping someone.

great birthday parties and so much more...

Reserve an Indoor Pony Party!

For more details, visit faulknersranch.com/birthdays.php

For more details, visit faulknersranch.com/birthdays.php 10600 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO 64134

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• create birthday treasures with glass or paint pottery • party room seats 30 guests • 3 different party packages to choose from 95TH & MISSION ROAD

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kcparent.com january 2015

27

PARTYGUIDE continued from page 23

music, a makeover or face-painting and a treasure hunt. 913.558.3110. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com. See display ad on pg. 26.

SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium will transport you into the amazing underwater world. With over 5,000 creatures in 30 different displays, it’s the perfect location to celebrate the birthday of any young ocean enthusiast! A standard party includes an hour in the party room with a finfacts presentation, a personalized birthday cake and aquarium admission. Premium package includes the addition of pizza and a guided tour led by an educational specialist! See display ad on pg. 25. www.VisitSeaLife.com/Kansas-City

U.S. Toy Company

You will find everything you need for your next birthday party at US Toy. From

toys and gifts to party décor and balloons to goodie bag items, the party will be one your little princess or pirate will never forget! Plus, our store offers novelty products, teaching and classroom materials, and seasonal/party supplies, décor and attire. U.S. Toy is your one stop toy, learning and party shop!

913.642.8247. See display ad on pg. 24. www.USToy.com

Zonkers

Zonkers is an indoor theme park for children of all ages. Attractions are arcade games and amusement rides including Roller Coaster, Himalaya, Carousel, Train, Airplane and Sky Maze. Zonkers offers birthday party packages to suite every need and budget starting at $9.99 per kid.

Unlimited play time and re-entry to the park makes our parties different from everyone else. 913.393.3535. See display ad on pg. 23 for money saving coupons. www.Zonkers.com

We asked KCParent.com readers, When it comes to your child’s birthday party, where do you like to have the party?

At home.

Love to plan and host the event!

33%

Away from home. No mess or cleanup!

67%

Party at Elite!

Gymnastics & Aquatics Treehouse & Rope Swings Inflatable & Zip-line!

4 different party packages to choose from.

Fun for kids and parents can relax while we do the work.

$25 OFF One PaRTy exp. 3/1/15

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kcparent.com january 2015

Parties sta rt at $18 5 for 10 kid s!

13600 W 108th St Lenexa, KS 66215 www.elitegymswim.com 913.469.5554

WORDFROMDAD

Slid off the road

J

ames and I took the road less traveled. Ice covered? No problem.

I’ve driven on ice for nearly five decades. Keep your head, and it’ll be beautiful, like that snow-covered, January afternoon. Just fine.

Except it wasn’t.

We followed our normal Sunday after-church routine and drove to the library, but the ice held a treacherous glaze. Impossible to detect before we encountered it. We sailed down the road.

Sideways. I tried every technique I knew as the seconds ticked by in slow motion.

Nothing worked and we slammed into a road sign, then slid off the road into a shallow ravine.

“James, are you all right?” We didn’t roll, the air bag didn’t deploy and we’d stopped less than inches from a large tree.

“Yes.” He’d answered in his usual, formal style of speech and I relaxed.

“Dad? What happened?”

“We hit some ice and slid off the road.

Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Of course, I’m sure.”

I breathed another sigh of relief. Not even bumps or bruises.

Four hours and two wreckers later, our small and battered SUV was back on the road. Body damage totaled the car, but everything else worked, clear down to the electric windows. I was able to drive it and

followed a longer route home, clean and dry.

But the impact was greater than dented metal.

The next Sunday, we gathered with our congregants for some coffee and pastries after the service. James approached the group of men where I sat and interrupted the conversation.

“Last Sunday, my dad hit some ice on the way to the library.” The men fell silent and turned to James. “Our car turned sideways and we slid off the road, down into the Gorge of Death.”

I wonder if he’ll grow up to be a writer.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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weekend planner for family fun in KC! Join the 23,000+ people who already enjoy our weekly e-news

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Best Picture Books of 2014 Horton & the Kwuggerbug and Other Lost Stories by Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss fans, rejoice! Beloved characters such as the ever faithful Horton the Elephant, the miserly Mr. Grinch and Marco of Mulberry Street make a comeback in a compilation of four stories, dusted off from days gone by and published for the first time together, all thanks to the valiant effort of Seuss scholar Charles Cohen. New readers will delight in stories that showcase the imaginatively absurd artwork and zany sing-song text of America’s most revered children’s author. An instant classic!

The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems. Everybody’s favorite persnickety pigeon is back, and this time he has a bone to pick with bath time. Don’t try to tell him he needs one. After all, he had one just last month!

Pigeon reasons the water might be too hot, too cold…or, heaven forbid, too wet! And those flies swarming around him? Why, they’re completely coincidental. In due time, Pigeon takes the plunge and—wonder of wonders—discovers baths aren’t half bad! This comical bath time convert will have parents and their reluctant little bathers alike in stitches. A welcome addition to any home library.

The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak. Some may wonder how a book without pictures can make it as a world class picture book. Great question! BJ Novak, whose name might ring a bell with some for his role in the sitcom The Office, answers just that in his hilarious first book. Children delight when they discover that the reader is required to read the print on the page— no matter how ridiculous it might be. An excellent read-aloud for story time, it allows children to discover that the only limit to this book’s charm is their own imaginations. A modern classic!

Ball by Mary Sullivan. If a picture paints a thousand words, it’s no

wonder only one is necessary in this sweet title. Beautiful illustrations invite readers to observe a dog’s quest to play fetch with someone—anyone!— which proves easier said than done when his human goes to school. When Mom, Baby and an angry cat prove to be less than stellar companions, our main character goes on a mission to make “fetch” a one-man (make that dog) sport. Comical and endearing, it’s only fitting this tale is a 2014 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book!

Maple by Lori Nichols. Maple’s parents decide to plant a sapling when their firstborn is still “but a whisper,” and with each page, readers observe how Maple and her honorary tree grow alongside one another. Maple loves her constant friend, despite its limitations, and is intrigued to find that her parents have planted a willow tree nearby in honor of what’s to come. Lori Nichols’ debut book depicts seasons of change and love through whimsical illustrations. A perfect gift for an older sibling on the advent of Baby’s arrival!

Lauren Greenlee considers story time to be one of her favorite marks of motherhood. She writes from her home in Olathe.

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kcparent.com january 2015

Go online.

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Parenting can be hard.

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image Š 1999-2014. Š 2014 GEICO. kcparent.com january 2015

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I

f you have more than one child, sometimes you still need to go one-on-one.

I often challenge dads to commit to that “alone” time with each of their children.

Here are three powerful reasons:

1. One-on-one time lets kids know they are very important. Your kids know

your calendar is jammed, and they also know how you choose to spend your free time. If you carve out regular time with them—just the two of you—that makes a big statement, and tells them they are a priority to you.

Benefits of One-On-One Time

3. Things happen when you’re doing something together. Maybe the car breaks down, or you get pulled over for speeding. Maybe someone you see needs help. Or maybe you see friends and have a short conversation. In all those situations, you are modeling for your child how to respond with maturity and grace.

Or maybe you’ll run into some I encourage you to be creative and plan cool outings. kids from their school while you’re out, and you can ask, But it almost doesn’t matter what you do; “So you know them pretty your gift of time makes your child feel well?” “Where do you see valued, needed, secure, even empowered. them at school?” And so on.

And like I said, he’s probably more willing to open up. All kinds of interesting things can happen I encourage you to be creative and plan cool outings. But it almost when you and your child are together somewhere. doesn’t matter what you do; your gift of time makes your child feel valued, needed, secure, even empowered.

Dad, take full advantage of frequent one-on-one adventures. Just go get a frozen yogurt, take a long walk, visit a bookstore or do any 2. Kids open up during that time. Derek is a dad I know who activity your child enjoys. But it’s up to you to make sure it happens. has teenagers, and he confesses things can get a little bit tense from Schedule it; be intentional. Don’t let the busy-ness of life crowd out time to time. Usually it’s just minor stuff around the house and special time with your son or daughter. personality clashes.

But Derek says it quickly changes when he’s out on one of their runs for ice cream or iced coffee. They get in the car and almost right away his child will start talking about something going on in his life.

He knows that it’s dad time, and it’s like he’s been saving up topics or questions. He opens up in unexpected ways. Dad, don’t miss those priceless opportunities.

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Carey Casey is CEO of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering—Fathers.com—and author of the book Championship Fathering (2009). Carey and his wife, Melanie, live in Lee’s Summit.

WOMENSHEALTH

W

omen of all ages should include a yearly physical with their doctor, daily activity and good nutrition; however, there are a few things that individuals should consider during each decade. Here is a quick list to ponder.

Your 20s

• Bone health: Get plenty of calcium every day. One thousand milligrams of calcium and 200-400 IU of vitamin D daily is needed to keep your bones healthy and strong. It is best to get these from the foods you eat. Also be sure to engage in high impact aerobic activity.

• Skin: Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death among people in their 20s.

Be smart about sun exposure and wear sunscreen daily.

• Sexually transmitted diseases: An amazing 11 million STD infections occur each year in people under the age of 24. Some STDs may not have any symptoms, which is dangerous as that can lead to infertility later.

Be safe and use common sense.

20s. You can blame the lifestyle for that.

Add strength training and exercise to your routine. Your body will thank you when you are 40 and beyond.

Your 40s

Healthy Living in Your 20s, 30s and 40s Your 30s

• Depression and stress: The mean age for the onset of depression is 32. Lifestyle is the major contributor. Marriage, children and a career all add up to stress and responsibility.

Get plenty of rest. Find ways to relax. Exercise.

• Premenstrual syndrome: This peaks in your 30s. Decrease alcohol and caffeine and get plenty of rest. Discuss with your doctor any reproductive questions that you have, whether they involve pregnancy or no pregnancy in the future.

• Overweight: Generally women in their 30s are heavier than they were in their

• Perimenopause: This spans about 6 to 14 years leading to menopause. Changes often show up in metabolism, memory, irritability and sleep problems. Watch refined sugars and caffeine.

• Heart disease and type 2 diabetes: Prevention of these two diseases is key.

Drink less, move your body more. Gaining weight around your waistline is a marker for type 2 diabetes.

• Breast cancer: Begin mammograms and continue self-breast exams. Your risk will greatly increase during your fifth decade.

As always, check with your doctor about any health concerns.

Melanie Yunger is a local mom and nurse practitioner trying to stay healthy in her fourth decade of life.

kcparent.com january 2015

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I

f you feel like your home is bursting at the seams with stuff, you are not alone.

The average U.S. household has more than 300,000 items, from ironing boards to paper clips, according to statistics cited by professional organizer Regina Lark. Living within a high stress, consumer-driven culture means people work harder than ever before, have more to show for it but have less time to enjoy it all. Not surprisingly, the second most popular resolution made by Americans at the beginning of a new year is to get organized.

Taking charge of your home and all that rests within its walls ensures that you reclaim your time and energy for the things that matter most in your life. One of the best ways to safeguard healthy priorities is by cutting out the clutter. Here are some tips to ensure that stuff takes its rightful place in your life.

Who Owns Whom?

cut the

clutter Head to KCParent.com to read how editor Margaret Sarver organized her closet.

Her favorite tip? Using shower curtain hooks to hang and display purses!

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Material goods are, no doubt, a modern day slave master. People buy things they think will save them time, make life easier or more convenient. But the reality is, the more stuff you own, the more time, money and energy you must expend to maintain what you possess. So do you own your stuff, or is your stuff owning you? Responsible families seek to be intentional about what they allow into their homes so that their lifestyle syncs up with their values. Who really wants to do extra chores when they can spend time enjoying their favorite activities?

Organization vs. Decluttering.

A.A. Milne so humorously described organization as “what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” It’s funny because it’s true—but it’s only true if you need what you keep. For that reason, consider home organization a separate entity from decluttering. If you have items in your home that serve a purpose and add beauty to your life, then they’ve proven their worth. Maintaining these items is essential.

On the other hand, clutter, according to its definition, is “a disorderly heap or assemblage.”

Another popular description? Junk.

Anything within your home that adds stress to your life because it doesn’t have a place or use is clutter. Is there a way to truly organize junk? No. Organizing clutter is simply a temporary solution to a long-term problem. Bigger boxes and more elaborate organizational systems don’t somehow add worth to items that have no place in your day to day life to begin with. As author and blogger Joshua Becker says, “Owning less is far more beneficial than organizing more.”

Sentimental Journey.

One of the main reasons so many American parents are inclined to hold onto items is because they have sentimental value. This is particularly true when it comes to children’s artwork and schoolwork.

There’s nothing sweeter than a child’s first dabbles with finger paints or his first writing assignment, but it’s only a matter of time before heaping piles of custom art and handwritten notes require some sort of storage solution. What’s a parent to do?

Olathe mom and professional organizer Courtnie Larson recommends establishing a showcase wall within your home for your child’s best accomplishments. Matted frames provide a custom look, or a clothesline provides a rustic and inexpensive fix.

Display a handful of your child’s best work for all to see and change out the art by season. Encourage your child to use his artwork as a gift to others, as well.

Take artwork lying around the house and repurpose it by making it into homemade cards or gift tags for family and friends, recipients sure to appreciate the thought of a custom-made card.

Lastly, if the thought of tossing away your child’s artwork or school papers is too

much, consider going digital. Scan those precious papers onto your computer and save them onto an external hard drive, build a digital scrapbook compiled with your kid’s favorite works throughout the years, or simply take an annual picture of your child alongside all of his schoolwork and art projects from the year to document what he has accomplished.

Legos and Tinkertoys and Barbies, Oh My!

Kids’ stuff tends to multiply at a more rapid pace within the home than any other item. From birthdays to Christmas to kids meal treats, the average U.S. child receives an estimated 70 new toys a year. That means, while U.S. children account for only 3.7 percent of the planet’s children, they own more than 47 percent of all the children’s books and toys in the world!

Keep the clutter at bay by processing through your family toy inventory multiple times a year. Donate gently used items to charity and involve your children in the process. This gives toys a second life while providing kids an opportunity to see how they can bless others with what they don’t use. Rotate your current toy collection to keep items more exciting and keep messes to a minimum. Swimming in a sea of stuffed animals? Store favorites inside a zippered bean bag pillowcase, turning what once took up space into a functional kids’ seat. Extra stuffed animals can be donated to fire stations or animal shelters to be used as dog toys.

Writer Lauren Greenlee aspires to live simply and give generously. She and her young family reside in Olathe.

Did you know?

According to National Public Radio, the average American home nearly doubled in size from 1950 to 2004. Interestingly enough, the average family size dwindled. In 1950, the average family consisted of 3.67 members, while in 2002 that number dropped to 2.62. Today’s modern homes provide nearly the same amount of square footage per person that the average home would provide for an entire family 60 years ago. This growing trend leads one to believe that families “need” bigger homes and, by virtue, need more stuff to fill them.

We asked KC Parent’s 17,500+ Facebook fans for their best clutter busting tips. Here are some of their top tips and tricks: I keep a large Rubbermaid tub in the bottom of the closet. As I find clothes my child has outgrown I move them to the tub and get them out of the clothing rotation.

When the tub is full it goes in to storage and I get a new tub. This way her old clothes are already sorted by size and ready to be passed down to the next child in the family.

Shannon If something new comes in, something old has to go out.

Karen The dreaded Lego sets; we have tried it all! We find that putting the instructions in a three ring binder with dividers by series helps. Using a salon cart for separating Legos by color works best for us. Our son can pull out only the drawers he wants and the vertical storage works well in his room.

Korrine For mail (or email) clutter, I use the acronym OHIO: only handle it once. Instead of tossing it on the counter, I recycle the junk, tuck bills into a wall pocket organizer for my husband to see and then open and immediately determine the fate of the rest (recycle, file, etc.).

Miranda I only clean one room at a time. I set a timer for 10 minutes and don’t leave the room. If I have things that belong in another room, I leave those at the threshold and transfer when I go to that room. The key is spending just a few minutes in one room and not enter another room because I just become distracted.

Marena

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10 things you should do for yourself in 2015

If

I could focus on one thing for this new year, it’d be the art of learning to take care of myself. Parents, but especially mothers, tend to deprioritize themselves. Picture a totem pole and try to visualize where you’d rank yourself on it. I bet you’d be somewhere closer to the bottom, right?

With kids, spouse, extended family and friends higher up? Even the family pet might rank higher, and that’s an indicator something clearly has gone awry.

You’re devoted to your family, and it shows. But I think 2015 should be the year of “YOU,” and there are very important reasons to make it happen.

“In order to maintain and strengthen your mental and emotional health, it’s important to pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Don’t let stress and negative emotions build up,” says HelpGuide.org. “Try to maintain a balance between your daily responsibilities and the things you enjoy. If you take care of yourself, you’ll be better prepared to deal with challenges if and when they arise.”

There are many ways that you can reprioritize yourself, but here are 10 great ways to do just that in 2015:

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kcparent.com january 2015

1. Learn Something New

Have you always wanted to speak French? Does the sound of cooking gourmet meals appeal to you, but you don’t know where to begin? It’s never too late to get started! Hire a language tutor or sign up for that cooking class. Kansas City mom of three Claudia England says, “I am always trying to be more creative. My goal is to do one ‘creative’ project a month. Maybe I’ll take an online drawing or photography class.”

2. Exercise Regularly

According to Nutrition Source, a Harvard School of Public Health publication, the benefits of physical activity range from lowering your chances of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers such as colon or breast, diabetes and osteoporosis to improving cognitive function, relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety, preventing weight gain and improving sleep. This can all be achieved in as little as 30 minutes a day of regular physical activity. Take a walk or sign up for that fitness class you’ve been thinking about trying. It will do your mind and body good.

“If you take care of yourself, you’ll be better prepared to deal with challenges if and when they arise.”

3. Get More Sleep

We all know that a good night’s sleep can do wonders for our overall mood throughout the day, but sometimes work conflicts, and little ones can interfere with that. Kansas City mom Heather Birdwell says, “My goal this year is to have a regular schedule. I have spent more than 10 years working mainly overnight. I want to be able to be in bed by midnight and up by 6:30.” Getting quality sleep should be a priority, as it can affect both mental and physical health. Try asking your boss for a new schedule, finding a job that better suits your lifestyle goals or simply asking your partner to divide sleep shifts with you. Even simple changes can provide positive impact.

4. Pamper Yourself

It doesn’t have to be a full day at an expensive spa.

Mom of two Mary Carver Walters says, “My goal is to get my hair cut every six to eight weeks. I am the worst about letting it go way too long, and honestly, even 20 minutes at a Great Clips can feel like pampering some weeks. So why not do it?”

5. Get a Check-Up

Now is the time to schedule your annual physical, visit the dentist and make your eye appointment. Don’t let these things fall to the back burner—your health should be a top priority. After all, you can’t properly care for anyone else if you’re not taking good care of yourself.

6. Drop a Bad Habit

Eighty to 90 percent of all lung cancers, 30 percent of heart disease deaths and 30 percent of cancer deaths are caused by smoking, according to RD.com If you’ve been thinking of quitting, there is no time like the present. Other bad habits to consider dropping may include cutting back on processed and sugar-filled foods, drinking less alcohol, limiting television time, not skipping breakfast and eliminating overspending.

7. Reconnect with Friends

Last year on my birthday, I flew out to California for a girls’ weekend with my best friend—three and a half days of playing tourist, laughing and memory making. It was my first weekend away from the kids, and while I was initially nervous about it, it really was exactly what I needed. We’ve even decided to make it an annual thing. It can be difficult to maintain close friendships with the time demands of children, but it’s an integral part of keeping ourselves balanced. Scheduling a dinner date or meeting up for a cup of coffee sans kids is a great way to do that.

8. Date

Carve out time at least once a month to go on a date with your spouse. According to Forbes.com, couples who spent “couple time” at least once a week were 3.5 times more likely to report being very happy in their marriages. Satisfaction with your relationship will filter into all aspects of your life, which will make you happier overall.

9. Take a Vacation

Money and time allowed, I’d be on the first plane to Italy if I could, but it’s not realistic at the moment. That doesn’t mean that vacation plans should be ditched altogether, however. A night or two in a hotel, a long weekend in a neighboring city or state or even a little staycation can be fun! Create a budget, commit to saving and mark your calendar. Your adventure awaits!

10. Follow Your Passion

Do you have a small business that you’ve dreamed of expanding? Is that unfinished manuscript for a book or play still sitting on your desktop? Rekindle the spark! It’s a great way to set a positive example for your children of what can be achieved if you commit yourself.

Jennifer Bosse lives in Kansas City with her husband and two children. She is looking forward to a new year filled with new adventures.

Short on time? Visit KCParent.com to find 33 refreshers for Mom that take 15 minutes or less. kcparent.com january 2015

37

those mom moments

I was talking to myself while getting dressed, and my 3-year-old heard me. All morning, he told everyone that my pants were too tight.

i

n the world of parenthood, many things unite us. Our love for our children, our passion for building their futures and our desire to go to the bathroom without interruption are just a few. Many parents also enjoy talking to other moms and dads about those funny moments our children bring into our lives.

As they navigate through the world, learning and growing, they have a way of making their mark on each and every day.

Some days those marks are funny, some days they are trying, and other days they are downright embarrassing. After a survey of metro moms, here is our top 10 list of parenthood’s most cringe-worthy moments:

1. The Diaper Dilemma. We have

all been there. You are just about to get to the front of a long checkout line, and your baby fills her diaper in epic fashion. Those around you are noticing the smell, and you have to decide whether you get out of line to, hopefully, find a change of clothes in the diaper bag or just wait it out to finish your purchase.

2. Toddler Talk Trouble. Your little

one is learning to talk and there are, of course, some challenges along the way.

Often toddlers leave out letters or sounds when learning new words, and that can lead

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to real embarrassment. The most popular mispronunciation was “clock,” with the ‘L’ left out.

3. I Swear He Didn’t Swear. And

then there are the occasions when your little one really does say those words. They repeat those four-letter words at the best times—usually in front of your boss or your mother-in-law.

4. Playground Panic. You just

finished telling another parent how wellbehaved your little one is when you look over and see your angel hitting another child over the head with a toy. You try to settle the situation, which leads to a fullblown meltdown. Your little darling never acts like this!

5. Not-So-Private Parts. Little kids

want to be physically close to Mom and Dad. As our metro moms tell us, that often means pants, shirts and undergarments become casualties in the tug-of-war.

6. Show and Tell. With little ones attached to your hip, it is hard to get a moment alone. Whether it is recounting something they saw while joining you in the bathroom or sharing parts of an overheard conversation, little ones love to air your dirty laundry. “I was talking to myself while

getting dressed, and my 3-year-old heard me. All morning, he told everyone that my pants were too tight,” says Laura Kerr, Blue Springs mom.

7. Quirky Questions. Learning manners takes time, and our metro moms say their little ones make many a faux pas along the way. Moms say their children do everything from openly staring and pointing to outright asking strangers questions about their appearance. “On the night of Halloween, we went over to our neighbor’s house. With everyone being dressed up, our 3-year-old just figured everyone was in a costume. So, he pointed to an older man with a white beard and a belly and said ‘Look, Mom, that guy is dressed as Santa!’ Unfortunately, it wasn’t a costume,” says Stephanie Green, North Kansas City mom.

8. Breaking the Silence. As soon

as you are somewhere that requires quiet, your little one is sure to have a lot to say.

Nothing draws more attention than being the only one in the room making noise.

And sometimes it isn’t the talking that really makes an impression. “My baby ripped a fart at a wedding, right as the bride was about to walk down the aisle,” Tess Cameron, Kansas City, KS, mom, says. “It was quiet because the music was changing.

Everyone heard.”

9. Wear It with Pride. No matter how hard we try to be fashionable, keeping it all together is difficult with young children around. Metro moms say it is embarrassing how often they leave the house with spitup, handprints or that morning’s breakfast somewhere on their clothing.

10. Uniquely Yours. Many parents

shared similar stories that didn’t make it into our top 10. We had lots of unique tales of embarrassment that ranged from toddlers’ throwing fits in public to little ones’ giving a play-by-play while you are in a public bathroom stall. Your children’s personalities are bound to come out in the little ways they face each day. And even for the days it leaves us red in the face and ready to run and hide, we will all look back and laugh.

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, journalist and mom of two who lives in Overland Park.

piano

lessons

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Daytime lessons available for homeschoolers!

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LESSONS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED RIGHT OFF I-35 AND 119th ST IN OLATHE

SPECIAL OFFER 3 CLASSES FOR $29 (INCLUDES UNIFORM)

14024 W. 119TH ST. OLATHE, KS 913-829-8818 KCTIGERROCK.COM kcparent.com january 2015

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divorcing parents: become bitter or become better 40

kcparent.com january 2015

have worked as a family law attorney for almost 20 years. I have learned that children are resilient, and divorce per se does not harm them. What does harm children is continued parental fighting, whether the marriage is intact, in the process of divorce or long-divorced.

If you and/or your spouse are contemplating divorce, ask yourselves, “What kind of divorce do I want?”

There is a choice. A divorce does not have to mean a lengthy, expensive court battle where no one wins. My motto throughout my varied practice has come to be “Friendly divorce IS possible.”

This does not mean you have to like your soon-to-be-ex or be friends with each other following the divorce. It does mean that you treat one another respectfully during the divorce process so that you can parent your children together going forward. Do you want your children to dread all future family occasions (sporting events, graduations, weddings, grandchildren) because you and your spouse can’t be in the same room together? Ask anyone whose parents had a “messy” divorce about the problems it still causes them as adults.

What many couples fail to consider is that a divorce is not just a legal procedure. A divorce affects each member of the family emotionally and financially, as well. Would you ask your doctor for help on your taxes? No? Then why are you asking your lawyer for complicated financial advice or help with issues that are much better suited for a psychologist?

I tell my clients, “I am a very expensive therapist and I have no formal education or training in therapy or psychology.” Many clients call their attorneys in order to have the following conversation: “My ex is being a jerk.

Please listen while I describe all the various ways.” These are not legal problems. Attorneys and the courts cannot solve these problems. Spend your money on a good psychologist, family therapist, child specialist, etc., that can

give you practical advice to address these problems and help you move forward.

Clients say, “But my ex doesn’t believe in/ won’t go to a counselor.” Go on your own.

You can’t force people to seek help, but the assistance you get on your own can help how you handle the other person’s behavior.

There are counselors who specialize in “divorce transition.” You can go with your spouse to learn how to deal with each other in your new roles as co-parents. This is not counseling to work on reconciliation, but to survive the divorce process in the best way possible for your family.

before you move forward with any legal paperwork. Let them know what is going on at home so they can alert you if your child is struggling in any way.

3. Don’t engage in a battle. Call a truce with your ex, even if your ex may not reciprocate. You can’t have a tug-of-war if one person drops the rope. Recognize that you both want to be good parents to your children, even if actions have shown otherwise in the past. Do not badmouth your ex to your children or within their hearing.

If you and/or your spouse are contemplating divorce, ask yourselves,

“What kind of divorce do I want?” There is a choice. A divorce does not have to mean a lengthy, expensive court battle where no one wins. My motto throughout my varied practice has come to be “Friendly divorce IS possible.”

The same idea holds true for financial issues. I am sure there are attorneys out there specializing in family law who also have education and training in tax and finance. If your attorney does not have this background, you may find it more cost-efficient to work with a CPA trained in divorce finances. Structuring your divorce settlement a certain way can have significant long-term financial effects.

Here is what I would advise any parent thinking about divorce:

1. Weigh your options before responding to a spouse’s request for a divorce. You can go to marriage (or divorce) counseling, find a mediator or hire a collaborative divorce practitioner. One of these alternatives may suit your situation better than the conventional divorce litigation process.

2. Once you are sure of your decision, reach out to your children’s school counselor, pediatrician or teacher(s)

4. Communication with an ex can be extremely difficult. Choose the method that offers the least opportunity for conflict (in person, telephone, text, email, etc.). If you are upset, wait until you cool down, or have a friend read and edit correspondence before it is sent.

Speak/write as you would to a boss or co-worker. Anything you leave on voice mail or put in writing could later be shown to a judge. Limit the communication to information concerning the children; do not go into marital issues.

5. Keep the kids out of it. Children of all ages will find the news of a divorce to be painful and confusing.

Do not put them in the middle, express your frustration to them or share your marital problems with them. They will come out of it better if you do not share the details with them.

6. Wait until a definite decision has been made by both parents before you tell your children. Let them know that they are not alone. Many families go through divorce. Maintain the child’s routine as much as possible. Reassure your child of your love and that the divorce is not your child’s fault. Do not blame either parent. Allow your child to love both parents freely.

7. Learn as much as you can about the divorce process and its effect on children. Most courts in and around Kansas City require parents (and sometimes children) to take coparenting classes when a divorce is filed. Take advantage of these classes; some will let you attend before a court action has begun.

Above all, do your best to be a loving, stable parent to your children.

Laura Miller McEachen is a part-time attorney and full-time mommy. She lives in Overland Park.

RESOURCES Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Kansas City: CollabLawMo.com Collaborative Divorce

by Pauline H. Tesler, M.A., J.D., and Peggy Thompson, Ph.D. (2006) The Good Divorce

by Constance Ahrons (1998) Mom’s House, Dad’s House

by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D. Putting Children First

by JoAnne Pedro-Carroll (2010) Kansas Children’s Service League Parent Helpline 1.800.332.6738 Parents Helping Parents Support Group 1.877.530.5275

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Classic comfort foods (Family Features)

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h, comfort food. Simple, hearty dishes full of flavor and good memories. There’s nothing quite like sitting down to one of these family favorites after a long day. Somehow, it just makes everything seem better.

These recipes take some classic comfort foods and make them a little easier to prepare—which means you get to enjoy them even more.

No-Fuss Italian: Everybody’s favorite pasta dish gets an easy makeover with this slow cooker lasagna. No fussing with cooked noodles, no layering, no worries. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and sit down to a delicious Italian dinner once everybody’s home.

Wake-Up Call: Biscuits with sausage and gravy is a classic weekend breakfast or brunch. Using flavorful Bob Evans sausage, you can have a hearty breakfast ready in just minutes.

Lip-Smacking Lunch: Forget about a plain sandwich— warm things up with tasty barbecue quesadillas.

Simple Supper: The humble shepherd’s pie gets even easier to make with this shepherd’s pie skillet recipe. One

quick-fix secret? Using Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes means no peeling, no boiling and no mashing.

Weeknight Special: When the kids are craving something warm and cheesy, this cheesy chili mac really hits the spot.

For additional simple comfort food recipes, visit BobEvans.com.

Slow Cooker Tips To cook food safely, manufacturers and the USDA recommend that the slow cooker be filled between half and two-thirds full.

Ground meats, poultry and sausage must be completely cooked before you place them in the slow cooker. Brown in a skillet over medium heat.

Don’t open the lid during the cooking process—each peek adds an additional 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time.

Dairy products tend to break down in a slow cooker, so only add them during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

For high altitude cooking, add an additional 30 minutes for each hour of time specified in the recipe.

Slow Cooker Lasagna Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4 to 6 hours Makes 6 servings 1 lb. Italian Sausage Roll 1 pkg. no-boil lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces (9 oz.)

12 oz. ricotta cheese 3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (12 oz.)

2 jars pasta sauce (26 oz. each) 1 T. dried parsley

Sausage Gravy

Sausage Gravy

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Makes 4 servings 1 lb. Sausage Roll 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. milk Salt and black pepper to taste 8 prepared biscuits

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Crumble and cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in flour until dissolved. Gradually stir in milk.

Cook gravy until thick and bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve hot over biscuits. Refrigerate leftovers.

Spray interior of slow cooker with non-stick vegetable spray. In medium skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage until brown. Place in slow cooker. Add noodles, ricotta, 2 c. mozzarella, pasta sauce and parsley.

Stir gently to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

Five minutes before serving, top with remaining 1 c. mozzarella cheese.

Cover to melt cheese.

Cheesy Chili Mac

Cheesy Chili Mac

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Makes 4 to 6 servings 1 lb. Sausage Roll 1 small onion, diced 1/2 c. green pepper, diced 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz.)

1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz.)

1 1/2 c. water 2 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 T. chili powder 1 t. Italian seasoning 1 c. elbow macaroni 1 c. grated cheddar cheese 1 bunch green onions chopped (optional)

In large saucepan, over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage, onion and green peppers until sausage is browned. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, water, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add elbow macaroni and stir well.

Recover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

Serve topped with cheddar cheese.

Shepherd’s Pie Skillet Shepherd’s Pie Skillet Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Makes 4 servings 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 c. frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) 1 c. beef gravy 1 pkg. Mashed Potatoes (24 oz.)

1/4 lb. Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (4 oz.)

Heat oven to 375°F. Brown meat in heavy medium ovenproof skillet; drain. Return meat to skillet; stir in frozen vegetables and gravy. Combine potatoes and cheese; spread over meat mixture.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

Serving suggestion: Serve with a mixed green salad and your favorite fresh fruit. You may substitute 1 lb. Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage for the ground beef.

Barbecue Quesadilla Barbecue Quesadilla Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Makes 4 to 6 servings 1 lb. Zesty Hot Sausage 1/2 c. thinly sliced red onion 1/2 c. barbecue sauce 4 10-inch flour tortillas 1 c. (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese Sour cream Salsa

In skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage and onions until brown. Stir in barbecue sauce. Lay 2 tortillas on a flat surface. Top each with 1/4 c. cheese. Divide sausage mixture between the two. Sprinkle each with 1/4 c. cheese. Top with remaining tortillas.

Heat large skillet over medium heat.

Add a small amount of oil to coat bottom of skillet. Cook one quesadilla at a time until golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

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PARENT M A YE A R S

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THE HISTORY OF KC PARENT For 30 years, KC Parent has been the go-to source for local parents seeking information on raising children.

So how did it all begin?

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Then:

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he idea for a parenting magazine began with local couple Bob and Barbara Unell. The publishing business wasn’t new territory for them. Bob has a background in advertising and marketing and Barbara was already the author of numerous parenting articles and books, including The Kansas City Kids Catalog and Discipline Without Shouting or Spanking.

In 1984, they launched a national magazine for parents of multiples called Twins. At the time, “magazines were going through a kind of renaissance, with lots of segmented titles coming out to serve very segmented audiences,” Bob explains. They were raising twins and found there was no magazine on the market specializing in multiple births.

Between Twins and Barbara’s books, the Unells were doing a lot of media; they did interviews and held lectures and workshops around the country. Multiple births were on the rise, and they became the go-to media contact for multiple births, along with other parenting topics.

“We worked with editors and publishers of what we noticed were these new city parenting magazines. We started talking to these people and thought, ‘If Boston can have their own parenting magazine, and Los Angeles and Chicago, too, Kansas City deserves its own parenting magazine.’”

Thus the seed was planted, and in 1985 the first issue of KC Parent was published. It began as a monthly tabloid-sized newsprint publication of between 36 and 40 pages, with Barbara serving as editor. Writers were not difficult to find, nor were parenting experts; the Unells tapped into their resources from Twins, as well as science and medical contacts.

“We were driven by the mission to help families raise responsible, caring young people to become self-sufficient adults,” Barbara says. “On the business side, there was an entrepreneurial spirit we both had.”

Early editorial content revolved around hot topics of the time: families with two working parents, women’s roles and childcare issues. With no Internet, finding information on raising children was not as easy as it is today.

“The audience was Baby Boomers,” Bob says. “They were real information-seekers. Laptops and desktops were a few years away. It was an exciting time for parenting.”

The Unells owned the magazine for nearly a year before they sold it to another married couple so they could focus on other projects and publications on a national level.

Today the Unells stay busy with a nonprofit organization they started 14 years ago, Back in the Swing USA (BackInTheSwing.org), which is dedicated to helping breast cancer survivors actualize their care plans and to help them protect and improve their health 365 days a year.

Barbara still writes parenting books. One book, Uncle Dan’s Report Card (UncleDansReportCard.org), details the discovery of the 1914 report card of Barbara’s uncle, which included not only a “school report” but a “home report,” as well. She also helped start the “Kindness Is Contagious: Catch It” character education program.

The Unells pick up copies of KC Parent when they are out and about. “We still feel a connection, a sense of pride for launching it,” Bob says.

KC Pare nt Novemb premier issue, er 1985

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Now:

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n December 2005, three years after successfully starting KC Baby magazine from scratch, Michael and Susan Gimotty bought KC Parent. They were looking for ways to expand their reach, and the purchase made perfect sense.

“My prior job had me on the road a good amount, and I knew this wasn’t something I wanted longterm once we started a family,” Michael says. “After Susan and I had four kids in six years, I was eager to put myself in a position where I could be around for my kids seven days a week. I have always been an entrepreneur by nature and enjoy taking on new challenges.”

The Gimottys jumped right in with making their own imprint on the publication, launching numerous modifications right off the bat and in the succeeding years. One of the first things they did was change the publication from a tabloid-sized newsprint to a magazinesized glossy product, making it easy for on-the-go moms to grab and stick in their purse for later. hased they purc n e h w 5 Michael also made some changes to the way the in 200 tty family magazine was distributed. “I think the most daunting task The Gimo t. initially was completely revamping the distribution model,” KC Paren he reflects. “In order to be successful, the magazine needs to be highly visible to readers. After the acquisition, we instantly purchased retail distribution through the grocery stores and individually set up 600 distribution locations.”

In addition, they converted the editorial to a local slant, with nearly all the stories coming from local writers.

With constantly-evolving technology part of everyday life, KC Parent has launched a strong digital presence that has been a huge part of its success in recent years.

KCParent.com gets more than 2 million page views annually, the weekly eNewsletter goes to nearly 24,000 people, and the Facebook page has more than 17,500 fans.

One thing that has not changed over the years is the timely, useful information the magazine provides. “The reason why Kansas City parents turn to our magazine for advice and tips is because the content has stayed relevant and local. Our calendar, both in print and online, has remained incredibly popular with our readers,” Michael says. “It is a real joy to know that we play some role in connecting families together in Kansas City.”

So what does the future hold for KC Parent? More timely content, relevant stories and a commitment to The Gimo tty family stay ahead of the curve. today.

Michael sums it up: “Our staff is all about looking to the future and how to best continue to serve our readers with information that they want and need on their parenting journey. Here’s to the next 30!”

Tisha Foley has been writing for KC Parent for about seven years. She enjoyed penning this piece and gathering information from the Unells and Gimottys.

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1985 & 2015

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What a difference 30 years makes! In honor of KC Parent’s milestone birthday, here is a “then and now” look at life in 1985 and 2015.

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Median Income for 4-person Families in the U.S. THEN NOW $32,777 $75,343

Average Cost of a Gallon of Milk THEN NOW $1.98 $3.73

Most Popular Baby Name THEN NOW Michael (Boy) Jessica (Girl) Noah (Boy) Sophia (Girl)

Median Sale Price of a New Home in the U.S. THEN NOW $82,500 $259,000

Popular Toys THEN NOW G.I. Joe, Care Bears, Cabbage Patch Kids Frozen dolls, Zoomer, Lego sets

Average Price of Movie Ticket THEN NOW $3.55 $8.45

Kansas City Metro Area Population THEN NOW 1.43 million 2.34 million U.S. Population THEN NOW 238 million

319 million

Homes with Computers THEN NOW 8% 80%

Cost of Raising a Child to 18 THEN NOW $80,926 $245,340

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FOR FAMILIES TO BEAT THE WINTER BLAHS

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s your family already tired of being cooped up this winter? Do the kids have cabin fever?

Are you counting the days until spring? In honor of KC Parent’s 30th birthday, here are 30 ideas to revitalize, recharge and reenergize during the long, cold days of winter.

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Go ice skating. Crown Center Ice Terrace in Kansas City, MO, and The Ice at Park Place in Leawood offer affordable skating fun—and exercise!—for the whole family.

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Visit a nursing home.

Some residents don’t have many visitors; offer up a friendly conversation, play a game of cards or have the kids read a book to them.

Think beyond snowmen.

Build a snow monster, a snow dinosaur or an entire snow zoo.

Have a game night. Turn off the electronics, get out some board games, make some snacks and have fun!

Have a movie night at home. No sad movies allowed!

Visit your local library.

Most have programs, fun events, story times and reading clubs.

De-clutter. Clean out closets and donate items to a charity.

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Visit the zoo. The Kansas City Zoo is open yearround and hosts family nights and other events throughout winter.

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Reminisce about summertime fun. Organize summer photos in an album and have the kids write captions.

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Perform random acts of kindness. Bake cookies and deliver them to teachers or do household chores for an elderly neighbor.

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“Count up” to spring. Cut out spring shapes, such as flowers, butterflies and raindrops. Punch a hole at the top and add one each day to yarn strung across a room.

Make a “must-do” list for spring/summer. The list might include Deanna Rose Farmstead, a Royals game, planting a garden and trying a new bike trail.

Volunteer at a food bank. Teach kids the importance of giving back.

Go on a weekend getaway. It doesn’t have to be far away or expensive; booking a room at a local hotel (with an indoor pool!) will refresh your family.

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Get crafty. Go online to get fun ideas or get creative on your own.

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Bake. Nothing beats the scent—and taste—of freshly-baked cookies. Plus the oven will help warm your house!

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Make snow ice cream. Mix eight cups of fresh snow, a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and one teaspoon vanilla. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Go for a walk.

It’s tempting to stay inside on cold winter days, but a brisk walk in the crisp air is invigorating!

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Visit an indoor water park.

Great Wolf Lodge and Coco Key will help you pretend it’s summer.

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Explore! Visit a new museum or a part of Kansas City you haven’t been to before.

KCParent.com has reviews and tips.

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Try a new restaurant. Never been to a Japanese steakhouse or tried Thai food? Make a point to try a new menu.

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Redecorate. Have the family pitch in to rearrange furniture, paint a room or hang up new wall décor.

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Trace your family tree. Interview grandparents and other relatives to hear stories about past generations. Help the kids make a family tree.

Start a gratitude journal. Have all family members write one thing a day they are thankful for.

Create a hot chocolate bar. Addin ideas: marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed peppermints, flavored creamers. Invite friends over for the fun.

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Have an indoor picnic.

Spread out a blanket and pack some yummy food. Bonus: no pesky ants or flies!

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Join a community center. Some places offer short-term commitments. Get the family off their bottoms and doing something active!

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Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Things to look for: snow shovel, icicle, snowman, smoke from a chimney.

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Feed the birds. Spread peanut butter on a bagel, then roll in bird seed. Attach yarn to it and hang from a tree. Your feathered friends will thank you!

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Write “just because” cards.

Choose a few people, such as neighbors, teachers or friends, and write a note telling them how much they mean to your family.

Tisha Foley lives in Belton with her family. Her kids love to play in the snow while she counts the days until spring.

For TONS more ways to beat the winter blues, head to KCParent.com.

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wild winter: do you dare?

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his winter we dare you to get off the couch and trade the movies and popcorn for a bona fide family adventure making memories, experiencing new thrills and trying new things— making this January the best yet.

must be at least 10 years old and raise $75 by event day. Register for the Polar Plunge online. Missouri: SOMo.org/PolarPlunge; Kansas: PlungeKS.org.

a polar experience we dare ya: Often considered a summer outing, the Kansas

City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org) is, in fact, open year round and can be especially fun in the winter. Enjoy indoor exhibits visiting our favorite chill-loving friends: the polar bears and penguins. Featuring a dozen Humboldt penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins, the new Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo is a state-of-theart exhibit with a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins.

double dog dare ya: Spend the night at the zoo, where they

offer one-of-a-kind adventures during Polar Bear PJ Parties and Penguin Pole-ooza Overnights ($40/person. 10 percent off FOTZ discount). Make reservations for an overnight the kids will never forget! Guests bring their own air mattresses and slumber bags and spend the night at the zoo, sleeping in the penguin facility. Don’t worry, the penguins are in their own climate-controlled exhibit, and human guests get to enjoy a comfortable temperature in the main atrium. Or choose the polar bear exhibit sleepover. Zookeepers lead the overnight with science experiments, animal encounters (with many animals from the zoo), a behind-the-scenes night hike and tour of the facilities and a continental breakfast in the morning.

wet & wild we dare ya: Spend the day at CoCo Key Kansas City at

Holiday Inn Kansas City - SE (9103 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO, 877.425.2746). Experience an indoor beach vacation for thrill seekers at CoCo Key, known for fantastic 40-foot thrill slides. The Shark Slam, Barracuda Blast and Pelican Plunge are three 40-foot thrilling body and raft water slides both kids and adults enjoy. The youngest visitors play at Parrot’s Perch, a multi-level interactive play island with four slides, water cannons and a huge bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons of water every few minutes.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop

snow & ice we dare ya: Brave the cold and enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride (offered only on snowy weekends) at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop (1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS, Mahaffie.org). Mahaffie is one of our favorite historic sites in the metro, with wonderful interpretive programs throughout the year. But we hold an extra special fondness for the beloved centuries-old winter tradition of horsedrawn sleigh rides. On snowy winter weekends, you may ride in an authentic 19th-century horse-drawn sleigh. Be certain to call ahead at 913.971.5111 to verify (this is a weather dependent activity). double dog dare ya: Snow Creek Ski Resort in Weston, MO, (816.640.2200, SkiSnowCreek.com) is the closest attraction to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. They offer lessons for beginners and trails of varying difficulties. Perhaps the most

super double dog dare ya: Are you ready for the challenge of a lifetime? Take the Polar Plunge, a dive into one of Kansas City’s lakes on a freezing cold winter day! Both Missouri and Kansas host Polar Plunge events throughout the winter to benefit the Special Olympics. Show your bravery and support local Special Olympics athletes by walking, running or crawling into frigid winter waters.

All proceeds support local Special Olympics athletes. Participants

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Snow Creek Ski Resort in Weston

daring experience at Snow Creek is tubing at Tornado Alley. Slide down a 700-foot-long slope and then jump onto a special conveyor carpet “Twister” for a ride back up! They provide the tubes, and no experience or special equipment is needed.

the need for speed we dare ya: For the youngest thrill seekers, Zonkers Indoor Amusement Park at the Great Mall (913.393.3535) features a snake roller coaster, carousel, train, kiddie rides and arcades. This is a great place to burn off energy and whet kids’ appetites for thrill rides. double dog dare ya: There are several great places to ride go-karts in Kansas City, but our top pick for racing enthusiasts is Sadler’s Indoor Racing in Olathe (SadlersIndoorRacing.com), with European inspired tracks. The high performance go-karts are imported from Germany and reach speeds up to 45 mph. See KCParent.com/Going-Places to discover additional venues for go-kart racing.

who’s afraid of heights we dare ya: Head to Science City (UnionStation.org/

ScienceCity), where this winter you can get up close and personal with Xtreme Bugs. Then explore a variety of hands-on exhibits, including the most daring of all: the Sky Bike. The bicycle is suspended 30 feet above ground on a high wire, and visitors are challenged to ride across.

Cave Bouldering Gym

we double dog dare ya: Climb to new heights at The

Cave Bouldering Gym (TheCaveBouldering.com), an indoor rock climbing gym located 10 stories underground with 3,800 square feet of terrain set with more than 80 boulder problems for experienced climbers and beginners alike. Or visit Ibex Climbing Gym (ClimbIbex.com), with more than 8,000 square feet of overhanging, vertical and slab terrain for new and advanced climbers.

Kristina Light loves snowy adventures and looks forward to winter fun with her four girls every year.

Kansas City’s Best Sled Hills

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s there anything more fun in the winter than sledding with the children, then returning home to hot cocoa and popcorn? Enjoy winter fun at one of Kansas City’s best sled hills. Our loyal readers shared their favorite KC-area sledding locations with us, so bundle up and head out for a winter adventure your family won’t soon forget!

Select a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for you to glide to a stop. Also, avoid hillsides that end near streets, parking lots, ponds, trees, fences or other hazards. Remember, it is best to sled when it is snowy rather than icy for the safest landings, and always wear a helmet for added protection.

Blue Springs Ward Park (SW 22nd, off 40 Hwy. Grandview Behind High Grove Elementary School (2500 High Grove Rd.) Meadowmere Park (13610 Byars Rd.) Belvidere Park (6509 E. 147th St.)

Independence Glendale Elementary School (2611 Lee’s Summit Rd.) McCoy Park (Off of 24 Hwy.) Kansas City, KS Wyandotte County Lake Park (91st & Leavenworth Rd.) Kansas City, MO Suicide Hill, Brookside Park (56th & Brookside) Avila University (119th & Wornall) Loose Park (55th & Wornall) Kansas City Museum Hill (Gladstone Blvd.)

Blue Valley Park (E. 23rd St. & Topping Ave.) Swope Memorial Golf Course (6900 Swope Memorial Dr.) Swope Park Frisbee Golf Course (Elmwood St. & Gregory Blvd.)

Arleta Park (77th St. & Prospect Ave.) White Oak Park (89th St. & Crescent) Gillham Park (Gillham Rd., 39th to Brush Creek) Sheffield Park (E. 12th St. & Winchester) Leawood Leawood Pioneer Library (117th & Roe) 133rd & Mission Rd. (NE corner) Lee’s Summit Across Douglas Rd. from Lea McKeighan Park (120 NE Chipman Rd.)

Liberty William Jewell College (hill on campus) North Kansas City Waterworks Park (NE 32nd St. & N. Oak Trfwy.

Olathe Next to Lowe’s (13750 S. Blackbob Rd.) 119th & Kansas City Rd. Overland Park Jewish Community Center (115th & Nall) In Corporate Woods complex (off of I-435) Grace Church (159th & Antioch) Behind the apartment complexes (110th & Antioch) Shawnee Stump Park (47th & Woodland) And don’t forget Tubing at Snow Creek (Weston, MO) Rate your favorite hill!

Go to SledRiding.com/Missouri or SledRiding. com/Kansas to read specific details about a few of these locations, such as parking accessibility and size of the hills. While you’re there, you can spread the word about your favorite hill!

Asking for permission before sledding on private property is always advisable.

Try to sled during the daytime, when visibility is better. If you go sledding at night, make sure the hillside is well lit and all potential hazards are visible. kcparent.com january 2015

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parenting a perfectionist

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lothes having to match. Toys arranged in neat rows. Outbursts over not being able to get a task right the first time. These behaviors can indicate to parents that they may have a perfectionist on their hands, for better or worse.

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Perfectionists have high standards. Perfectionists can be driven to achieve. But they also can get tied up in knots over their expectations of themselves. And as psychologist Madeline Levine suggests in her book Teach Your Children Well, performance-oriented children “are so afraid of failing that they challenge themselves far less, take fewer risks, and therefore limit opportunities for growth.”

How can parents recognize a perfectionist tendency in their child? And what actions can they take to help their child do his best without getting hung up on “best” never being good enough? A few experts and parents offer their advice:

Model Making Mistakes The truth is as adults we also can struggle with setting our standards too high for ourselves. We may not handle our own failure well, unwittingly communicating a negative attitude toward mistakes. Instead, we can help our children by admitting our own behavior needs an adjustment.

“You don’t want to stress that children shouldn’t make mistakes in the first place,” says Dr. Wendy Grolnick, psychologist and author of Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids.

“You want to have the attitude that mistakes are our friends. We learn from them.”

Kelly Arabie, a mom of two, works to pass this attitude along to her kids. “The faith journey I’ve been on has taught me that life is very much a process and that I’m not going to be perfect as long as I’m living. It’s a gift I can give my children to be able to share that with them.”

Be willing to point out mistakes you’ve made. Talk about the outcome—how it didn’t derail life and that it doesn’t reflect poorly on you. Explain what you’ll do to correct the mistake or what you plan to do differently the next time. Let your child see you learn from your mistakes.

Focus on the Process Not the Outcome Perfectionists tend to be most concerned about the end product. Oftentimes a perfectionist will redo work over and over in an attempt to achieve a flawless result. But they miss the enjoyment of learning along the way. Unfortunately, these children don’t always gain much for their efforts: A York University study of elementary and middle school students found that perfectionists didn’t score any better than their peers.

But don’t tell a perfectionist that. His competitive nature will only push him harder toward the goal of doing better than others. Of course, as Dr. Grolnick points out, our outcomebased academic culture isn’t helping these kids any either.

“There’s more competition than ever before. There’s more stress on grades and standardized test scores,” she says. “It is a setup for kids focusing on outcomes.”

Parents can help by encouraging their child to recognize his growth and what he has learned from an assignment or task.

Instead of asking “What grade did you get?”, ask “What did you learn about today?” or “What stood out from the unit you just completed?”

It’s important for parents to talk about what they’re learning, too. “I would like to see learning as a lifetime process and help my children to see that as well,” says Arabie. Children appreciate seeing that Mom and Dad are still acquiring knowledge and skills. And they’re still enjoying the act of learning itself.

A focus on outcomes also can foster an aversion to challenges. Perfectionists will stick with tasks they’re sure to complete well, instead of delving into new territory. Dr. Levine says, “The best way we can help our children welcome challenges is to encourage them to work just outside their comfort zone, stand by to lend a hand when needed and model enthusiasm for challenging tasks.”

Live with Limits Parents also may find their child letting natural deadlines speed up her work—procrastination is common among perfectionists. For a procrastinator, break up projects into smaller pieces and set mini-deadlines for achieving each of those chunks.

Perfectionists also need to learn to live with their own limits.

This means acknowledging that the ideal in their head may not be possible in the real world.

Validate the Child for Who He Is Parents can inadvertently communicate that they value accomplishment and results, what Grolnick calls “contingent parental regard,” by giving more attention when a child performs well and less when he doesn’t. It’s easy to slip into when parents want to praise a child for work well done, but it can work against parents when the child associates the praise with being valued for what he does.

Let your child know your love is unconditional. Be vocal about it. Arabie echoes this in how she talks with her children.

She’ll tell them, “I love you for who you are and not what you do.”

As you implement any or all of these strategies, remember parenting any child, perfectionist or not, is an imperfect job done by imperfect people. Which makes each of us practically perfect for doing it.

Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer, mom to three girls and sometimes a perfectionist herself.

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january CALENDAR

hear Get out of the cold and visit Wonderscope for story time on Fridays at 11:00 & 2:00 in the Art Works exhibit.

After the story stay and create a masterpiece! Free with admission.

913.287.8888

THE KCPARENT.COM CALENDAR FEATURES OVER 1,000 EVENTS EACH MONTH!

No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format.

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Science City at Union Station

save

explore

Stock up and save at Children’s Orchard’s Baby Buck Sale on Jan. 10 (Olathe, Independence, KCMO, Lee’s Summit & Blue Springs). All regularly priced infant clothing is $1 for items $3.99 or less.

ChildOrch.com

On Jan. 19, school is out for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and Science City is open! Bring the kids and enjoy two new big exhibits, “Every Last Drop” and “Genetics.”

UnionStation.org

eat

listen

Enjoy KC Restaurant Week from Jan. 21 thru Jan. 26 at various restaurants.

Visit an old favorite or explore a newly opened restaurant.

Specially priced lunch and dinner menus.

KCRestaurantWeek.com

On Jan. 25 head to the Sprint Center for Winter Jam. The Christian music spectacular begins at 7:00 and features Skillet, Jeremy Camp, NewSong and more. $10 at door.

JamTour.com

1 Thursday New Year’s Day New Year’s Freezer Sale Today & tomorrow, Dream Dinners. Stock up on meals at this annual sale. No appointment necessary and no order minimums. DreamDinners.com Ice Skating 11:00, The Ice at Park Place.

Ring in the New Year with the family at Johnson County’s only outdoor skating rink.

913.663.2070

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 2:00, 4:00 & 7:00, the Coterie. The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. TheCoterie.org First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Friday Night Family Fun 6:30, Plaza Library.

Join us every Friday night for fun activities the whole family can enjoy! 816.701.3481

3 Saturday

First Day Hike 1:00, Battle of Lexington Historic Site. Take a 0.25-mile walk on Battlefield Trail to learn about what happened. 660.259.4654

Visit the Zoo 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. Bundle up and visit with the animals! KansasCityZoo.org

Attic Treasures Thru January, Kia Bondurant.

Bring your antique toys, homecoming crowns and vintage wedding gowns for playful and timeless portraits. KiaBondurant.com

Beary Warm Earmuffs 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Children create cuddly earmuffs that help keep the cold out! Free. 913.432.3998

2 Friday

art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278

Daddy Daughter Dance Feb 6 & 7. Purchase your tickets now for this fun evening. Saturday is sold out! SovGraceKC.org/Dance

4 Sunday Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium (Crown Center). Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for close views of everything from starfish and sea horses to rays. VisitSeaLife.com Owls 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Sanctuary. Learn about the great horned, barred and screech owls that make Ernie Miller their home. $3.

913.764.7759 Sunday in the Park 2:00, Westport-Roanoke Community Center. Join StoneLion puppets for a fun show free for the family. Concessions available. 816.516.7500 Plaza Lights Thru Jan 18, 5:00, Country Club Plaza. The lights on the Plaza shine for just a few more weeks. Bring the family to experience the magic. CountryClubPlaza.com

5 Monday Mommy and Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. Bumper bowling for moms and tots. $3/ea includes game, shoe rental and drink.

816.524.3322

Get creative at the

Nerman Museum!

Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11) and Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) combine engaging, interactive tours with hands-on studio projects, and students explore different topics each week.

Pre-registration is required.

Saturdays, January 31-April 25 10 a.m. – noon or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. $15 / $10 for Museum Members Register through JCCC Continuing Education.

913-469-2323 • www.jccc.edu/youth

panatone yellow 123 Gray 425

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College kcparent.com january 2015

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Free Crafts Saturdays, 11:00, Lakeshore Learning Store. Every Saturday kids can create a masterpiece of their very own for free! 913.432.3998

Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic CafĂŠ. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack.

913.383.0222

Story Time for Toddlers 10:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Fun and interactive story time for toddlers and their caregivers. Free.

816.436.4385

Unlimited Rides Deal 4:00, Zonkers.

Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:00, receive $3 off unlimited ride wristband OR buy one, get another one half off. 913.393.3535

6 Tuesday

2-for-1 Tuesday 5:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

After 5:00, pay for one full price admission and receive a second for free. 816.274.8444

Xtreme Bugs 10:00, Union Station. Get up close and personal with massive, moving insects to discover their unique behaviors.

UnionStation.org Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under.

Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com

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7 Wednesday

Family Series: Art with Justin 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Join museum educator Justin Border on an art-tastic adventure. $3.

913.725.2550

Baby Bounce Story Time 9:30, Plaza Branch.

A special story time for babies (newborn to 18 months) with parent or caregiver. 816.701.3481

Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100

Pixie Skate 9:30, Skate City (Overland Park).

A program for ages 6 and under to learn how to skate safely and have fun. $5 includes skate rental and snack. 913.888.6668

Animal Tales Story Time: Itsy Bitsy Spiders 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/ person. 913.764.7759

Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax!

913.631.7000

Gold in California 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. To commemorate the month in which gold was discovered in California, investigate this discovery. 816.325.7575

What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch every Wednesday and Sunday as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Kids Create: LEGO Palooza 4:00, MCPL (Liberty Branch). Spark your imagination through art and craft activities. Must pre-reg at 816.781.9240.

Kansas Women’s Basketball 7:00, Allen Fieldhouse. Visit historic Allen Fieldhouse and watch KU take on Oklahoma Visit the Fun Zone before the game. $5-$12. KUAthletics.com

9 Friday

8 Thursday

Story Time 11:00 & 2:00, Wonderscope. Listen to The Snowy Day in the Artworks exhibit and then create Popsicle stick snowflakes. Free with admission. 913.287.8888

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000

Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323

Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church. Open gym time for kids through age 7. Ride on toys and play with balls, blocks and more. Free. IndianCreek.org

Second Friday Art Crawl 5:00, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Enjoy feature artists, music, dining and shopping. 816.630.6161

Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Children are invited to participate in a nature focused story time and craft. 816.325.7115

1.7

vs. Oklahoma

@ 7 PM

1.14

vs. TCU

@ 7 PM

1.17

vs. Baylor

@ 2 PM

1.24

vs. West Virginia @ 1 PM

10 Saturday Daddy Daughter Dance Feb 6 & 7. Last day to receive early bird discount registration!

Saturday is sold out! SovGraceKC.org/Dance Baby

Buck Sale 10:00, Children’s Orchard (Olathe, Independence, KCMO, Lee’s Summit & Blue Springs). All regularly priced infant clothing is $1 for items $3.99 or less.

ChildOrch.com Zootastik Learning Fest 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Learn about amazing animals through crafts, activities and demonstrations in main lobby. KansasCityZoo.org Bird Banding 10:00, Burroughs Audubon Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary. See our resident winter songbirds up close and personal. 816.795.8177 Sweet Dream Catcher 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Children catch sweet dreams every night with this special bedroom decoration!

Free. 913.432.3998 Nature Story Time 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Hear a story, explore outside and make crafts. Today’s theme is “What walked through your yard?” Free. 816.325.7115 Second Saturdays 11:00, Grinter Place State Historic Site. Learn about Kansas City-area history and stay for lunch prepared on the wood stove. 913.299.0373

Promo Code: “Health” for $3 ticket

Promo Code: “Safety” for $3 ticket

Superhero Day

YOUTH CAPE GIVEAWAY AND KIDS IN COSTUME ARE ADMITTED FOR FREE

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Moms FREE Monday Mondays, 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more! EliteGymSwim.com Major League Improv 7:30, ComedyCity.

A comedy sporting event with everything decided upon by the audience. $9-$13.

816.842.2744

Plaza Lights Thru Jan 18, 5:00, Country Club Plaza. The lights on the Plaza shine for one more week. Bring the family to experience the magic.

CountryClubPlaza.com

12 Monday

11 Sunday

Daddy Daughter Dance Feb 6 & 7. Purchase your tickets now for this fun evening. Saturday is sold out! SovGraceKC.org/Dance

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Spend the day creating with Legos.

A fun way to keep busy on cold winter days!

816.471.4386

Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center.

A place for children to run, ride and play while exercising and making new friends. $1. Lenexa.com

Football Fundays Noon, Paradise Park. With 15 TVs, Paradise Park is the best place to watch the big game each week. 816.246.5224

Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100

Snakes alive 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Sanctuary. See Kansas snakes and explore facts and fallacies about these legless wonders. $3. 913.764.7759

13 Tuesday Visit the Zoo 9:30, Kansas City Zoo. The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. Bundle up and visit with the animals! KansasCityZoo.org

WalkerTime 10:00, Wyandotte Library.

Walkers (12-23 months) will enjoy movement activities along with interactive rhymes, songs and short books followed by play time. 913.596.5800 Half-Price Studio Fees 10:00, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint your own pottery and enjoy half-price studio fees Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. PaintGlazeAndFire.net

A Celebration of OATMEAL in Kansas City OaTMeaL. A nice hot bowl for breakfast. A fresh-from-theoven cookie. Or a delicious addition to a favorite baked good or desert. An American staple, oatmeal is a winter favorite.

These restaurants serve up tasty oatmeal in signature dishes you’re sure to enjoy.

and a One-of-a-Kind Oatmeal Pie

The Upper Crust Pie Bakery (7943 Santa Fe, Overland Park, KS, 913.642.2999 and lower level of Pryde’s Old Westport, 115 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO) is owned and operated by sisters who know the art of a delicious made-fromscratch pie. Their shop specializes in buttery, flaky crusts and enjoy a Hot Bowl of Oatmeal & Homemade delicious flavors. One of the more unique, but truly tasty, Oatmeal Cake You Say Tomato (2801 Holmes, Kansas City, MO, 816.756.5097) pies they serve is their one-of-a-kind oatmeal pie. Imagine the deliciousness of oatmeal cookies baked into a pie. lives up to its motto of “homegrown goodness served daily.”

The eclectic neighborhood restaurant offers a seasonal menu Did You Know? supporting the local and organic farmer. This eatery serves the • Oats have been cultivated since 1000 B.C. Ancient Greeks best bowl of homemade oatmeal in Kansas City, or if you’re and Romans fed oats to animals. more in the mood for dessert, try the moist oatmeal cake.

• In 1602, Captain Bartholomew Gosnold planted oats off the coast of Massachusetts and was considered to be Kansas City’s Best Oatmeal Cookies among the first to bring oats to North America.

Oatmeal Scotchie at The Classic Cookie (409 W. Gregory • Scottish and Dutch immigrants introduced the use of Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.444.1933). Hospitality is the oats in porridges, puddings and baked goods. name of the game at this quaint bakery where every • In 1786, George Washington sowed 580 acres to oats at cookie is scrumptious. The oatmeal scotchies have just the Mount Vernon. right touch of butterscotch flavor to enjoy with each bite.

• Vermont has the highest per capita oatmeal TheClassicCookie.com consumption in the United States. Pair it with delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip at Potbelly (Locations: maple syrup and you have a hearty winter breakfast.

Potbelly.com). The shop famous for putting cookies on the straws of each shake and serving delicious toasted sandwiches • One cup of oatmeal contains about 150 calories, 4 grams of fiber (about half soluble and half insoluble) and 6 makes a mean oatmeal chocolate chip cookie worth the visit. grams of protein.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie at Baked in Kansas City (706 Sources: Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.561.BAKE). A patisserie • HealthyEating.org/ known for delicious French pastries and hand-made breads, • Agron.IaState.edu/ Baked in Kansas City crafts a terrific oatmeal cranberry cookie.

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Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com

NLY LIMITED TIME O

“A great exhibit for kids & parents alike!”

14 Wednesday Pop ‘n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum. A drop-in program with age-appropriate activities for children 9 months to 3 years old.

913.715.2550 Beginning archery 9:00, Lake City Range. Learn about the fundamentals of archery shooting. For ages 12-17. Must pre-reg at 816.249.3194

Step into the world of

larger-than-life

Xtreme Bugs 10:00, Union Station. Get up close and personal with massive, moving insects to discover their unique behaviors.

UnionStation.org

animatronic insects!

Presented by

Welcome Wednesday Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus. See why children thrive in small class settings taught by skilled teachers. Pre-reg at NDSion.edu.

What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods. Watch every Wednesday and Sunday as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast.

816.228.3766 Kansas Women’s Basketball 7:00, Allen Fieldhouse. Visit historic Allen Fieldhouse and watch KU take on TCU. Visit the Fun Zone before the game. $5-$12. KUAthletics.com

15 Thursday Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church. Open gym time for kids through age 7. Ride on toys and play with balls, blocks and more.

Free. IndianCreek.org

UnionStation.org

Prices as low as $7 .5 0

NOW OPEN

KidScape 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Hands-on exhibit immerses young children in a colorful, exciting environment. 913.715.2552 Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Children are invited to participate in a nature focused story time and craft.

816.325.7115 Unlimited Rides Deal 4:00, Zonkers. Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:00, receive $3 off unlimited ride wristband OR buy one, get another one half off. 913.393.3535

And don’t miss the NEW interactive Science City destinations!

Third Thursdays in Martin City 5:00, Martin City. Participating retailers donate a portion of tonight’s sales to a different organization each month. MartinCity.org

Included with Science City admission.

Members see it all FREE!

16 Friday

YES! We are open Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Spend the day creating with Legos. A fun way to keep busy on cold winter days!

816.471.4386 Story Time 11:00 & 2:00, Wonderscope. Listen to I’m Not Too Cute! in the Artworks exhibit and then make a hooty owl. Free with admission.

913.287.8888

ScienceCity.com kcparent.com january 2015

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Animal Clues

Jan. 18, 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Sanctuary. Discover how to look for clues left by animals in the park. Meet an animal that leaves tracks in the snow. $3. 913.764.7759 Ice Skating 11:00, The Ice at Park Place.

Take a spin on the ice with the family at Johnson County’s only outdoor skating rink.

913.663.2070 Family Fun Night 4:00, Little Monkey Bizness. Admission is only $6 for kids to climb and bounce the evening away.

913.631.7000 Friday Night Family Fun 6:30, Plaza Library.

Join us every Friday night for fun activities the whole family can enjoy! 816.701.3481 Footloose Thru Jan 25, the Barn Players (Mission). Barn Jr presents this story of Ren and his adjustment to moving to a new town where dancing is prohibited.

BarnPlayers.org earl Klulgh Trio 8:00, Folly Theater. The Folly Jazz Series presents guitar virtuoso Earl Klulgh with his trio. FollyTheater.org

Jo Ho ller storyte January

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17 Saturday Tropical Day 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy the warmth of the Tropics exhibit and beat the winter blues.

KansasCityZoo.org Superhero Party 10:00, Paradise Park. Calling all superheroes: Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy a day of fun! 816.246.5224 Family Series: art with Justin 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Join museum educator Justin Border on an art-tastic adventure. $3.

913.725.2550 Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Hear a story, learn cool facts about animals and make a craft. 816.513.8960 Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure! 816.753.5784

FREE

Hands-on Exhibit for Kids!

Crafty Catapult 11:00, Lakeshore Learning.

Explore the fascinating science behind force of motion with a creative, craft-inspired catapult! Free. 913.432.3998 Kansas Women’s Basketball 2:00, Allen Fieldhouse. Visit historic Allen Fieldhouse and watch KU take on Baylor. Visit the Fun Zone before the game. $5-$12.

KUAthletics.com

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more! EliteGymSwim.com What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Wednesday and Sunday. 816.228.3766 Wassailing the apple Trees and Dinner 5:00, Powell Gardens. Date night! Learn about the tradition of wassailing and feast on a country dinner. $45/person. 816.697.2600 x209

18 Sunday Visit Legoland 10:00, Legoland Discovery Center. Spend the day creating with Legos. A fun way to keep busy on cold winter days!

816.471.4386 KC Restaurant Week Thru Jan 26, various restaurants. Enjoy an old favorite or explore a newly opened restaurant. Specially priced lunch and dinner menus.

KCRestaurantWeek.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278

psst... we’re busy whipping up a juicy new issue for

february • travel around the world without leaving KC • little ways to show lots of love • busy moms guide to making dinner

animal Clues 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Sanctuary. Discover how to look for clues left by animals in the park. Meet an animal that leaves tracks in the snow. $3.

913.764.7759

The Toughest Kid in the World 10:00, Theatre for Young America (Union Station). A play that follows TK, a child dealing with issues of anger, conflict and violence. 816.460.2083 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café.

Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

19 Monday MaRTIN LUTHeR KING JR DaY Moms FRee Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission.

816.246.5224 Science City Open 10:00, Science City (Union Station). School is out, and Science City is open today! Bring the kids and enjoy two new big exhibits, “Every Last Drop” and “Genetics.” UnionStation.org

20 Tuesday Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys! OverlandParkMOPS.com

Tots on Tuesday 11:00, Kemper Museum.

Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday.

816.753.5784 2-for-1 Tuesday 5:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. After 5:00, pay for one full price admission and receive a second for free.

816.274.8444 Hot Chilis and Stews 6:30, Jo Co K-State Research and Extension. It’s cold outside, so enjoy samples of hot chilis and stews. $25.

913.715.7000

21 Wednesday Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center.

A place for children to run, ride and play while exercising and making new friends. $1.

Lenexa.com

Dance

daddy & daughter

with special guests

Queen Elsa & Olaf

fri., feb. 6 & sat., feb. 7, 2015 6-9 pm providence community church 10113 lenexa drive 913.307.0710 www.sovgracekc.org/dance

all inclusive: price includes jack stack dinner for dads and chick-fil-a for the girls, and photo with queen elsa & olaf.

Register by Jan. 10th and take advantage of the early bird discount: $65 per couple ($15 for each additional child).

Registration after Jan. 10th is $75 per couple.

SATURDAY IS SOLD OUT! ONLY A FEW SEATS STILL AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY NIGHT. kcparent.com january 2015

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take note: january ’15 Jan. 3: National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day. For a truly decadent gourmet treat, head to Garza’s (322 W. 85th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.569.0278), where you can purchase the best chocolate-covered cherries on town.

Jan. 5: National Bird Day. The Kansas City Zoo is home to hundreds of birds from around the world, including penguins, flamingos, tropical birds and many more. Also enjoy Wings of Wonder, a live bird show weekdays at 12:30 and on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 and 2:30. Fly into the auditorium located in the lobby at the zoo’s front entrance to enjoy the show. Free with admission. KansasCityZoo.org National Soup Month: Enjoy a delicious bowl of made-from-scratch soup at Best Regards Bakery & Café (6759 W. 119th St., Overland Park, 913.782.1505). In addition to great soups, the grilled cheese is something that has everyone talking. The café is loved across the metro for fresh-fromthe-oven cookies and delicious soups.

Two favorites include San Marzano tomato basil soup and ovenroasted potato soup.

MakeThemSmile.com

Jan. 6: Shortbread Day. McLain’s Bakery (7422 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO) has been serving delicious baked goods, including cookies, to local customers since 1945.

Shortbread cookies are just one of their many specialties.

McLainsBakeryInWaldo.com

Jan. 11: Milk Day. Head to the grocery store, where you’ll find milk from Shatto Dairy Farm (9406 N. Hwy. 33, Osborn, MO, 816.930.3862), a working dairy farm and milk bottling company selling the best milk in the metro.

Jan. 16: Appreciate a Dragon Day. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses many beautiful dragons depicted in art. Their exhibit “Rising Dragons: Ancient Treasures from China” celebrates many of these pieces. Nelson-Atkins.org

Jan. 19: National Popcorn Day. For more than 50 years, Topsy’s has been serving delicious popcorn to Kansas Citians! The Plaza Christmas popcorn tin is a holiday tradition in many homes, challenging families to choose a favorite: cheese, butter, caramel, pecan crisp, popcorn peanut, kettle corn or cinnamon.

See TopsysPopcorn.com for locations.

Jan. 24: Peanut Butter Day. Anyone can make and NEED COPY enjoy a pb&j or classic peanut butter cookie, but what about peanut butter pie? Enjoy one of these tasty confections at the Upper Crust Bakery. See UpperCrustPieBakery.com for locations.

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National Blood Donor Month: Contact the Community Blood Center to find a nearby location or event where you can donate blood to help save lives.

SaveALifeNow.org

Jan. 28: Blueberry Pancake Day. The Big Biscuit offers one of the biggest home-style breakfast menus in town, with an entire section devoted just to pancakes. The Big Biscuit has four locations: BigBiscuitRestaurant.com.

Jan. 29: National Puzzle Day. Head over to Kaleidoscope, Kansas City’s favorite FREE destination for children to create, imagine and design their very own jigsaw puzzles.

HallmarkKaleidoscope.com

SnowZoo

Jan. 25, Noon, Kansas City Zoo. Some animals are big fans of the fluffy white stuff.

See them in action and learn how to make fake snow. KansasCityZoo.org

Story Teller Jo Ho 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Jo Ho guides children to use their five senses to detect the wonders of nature in winter. $2. 913.715.2550

Story Time 11:00 & 2:00, Wonderscope.

Listen to Water in the Park in the Artworks exhibit and then create a nature collage.

Free with admission. 913.287.8888

Half-Price Studio Fees 10:00, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint your own pottery and enjoy halfprice studio fees Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. PaintGlazeAndFire.net

An Illiad Thru Feb 15, Spencer Theatre (KC Repertory on UMKC Campus). Retelling of Homer’s epic poem that takes a look at the cost of war. Ages 9+. 913.722.6810

Animal Tales Story Time: Winter Owl 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person.

913.764.7759

24 Saturday

KC Restaurant Week Thru Jan 26, various restaurants. Enjoy an old favorite or explore a newly opened restaurant. Specially priced lunch and dinner menus. KCRestaurantWeek.com What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch every Wednesday and Sunday as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

22 Thursday Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church. Open gym time for kids through age 7. Ride on toys and play with balls, blocks and more. Free. IndianCreek.org Gold in California 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. To commemorate the month in which gold was discovered in California, investigate this discovery. 816.325.7575 Kids Read: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 4:00, MCPL (Liberty). Did you read it? Did you love it? Experience your favorite characters in new ways. Must pre-reg at 816.781.9240.

23 Friday Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100 The Toughest Kid in the World 10:00 & Noon, Theatre for Young America (Union Station). A play that follows TK, a child dealing with issues of anger, conflict and violence. 816.460.2083

Princess Party 11:00, Paradise Park. Come for make believe fun as the enchanted magic unfolds. Paradise-Park.com My Friends Photo Board 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Children create a colorful board to pin up their favorite family memories! Free.

913.432.3998 Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more! EliteGymSwim.com Kansas Women’s Basketball 1:00, Allen Fieldhouse. Visit historic Allen Fieldhouse and watch KU take on West Virginia. Visit the Fun Zone before the game. $5-$12. KUAthletics.com Chili Dog’s Night Out 5:30, Vesper Hall (Blue Springs). Chili dinner and silent auction fundraiser for Blue Springs dog park. BlueSpringsGov.com Party Arty 8:00, Nelson-Atkins. Date night! Premier fundraiser for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Celebrate Kansas City then and now. $100. 816.751.1ART

25 Sunday Daddy Daughter Dance Feb 6 & 7. Purchase your tickets now for this fun evening. Saturday is sold out! SovGraceKC.org/Dance Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Take a spin on Kansas City’s only outdoor rink.

Great fun for the entire family! 816.274.8411 SnowZoo Noon, Kansas City Zoo. Some animals are big fans of the fluffy white stuff. See them in action and learn how to make fake snow with a few ingredients. KansasCityZoo.org

Archeology Dig 2:00, Ernie Miller Nature Sanctuary. Excavate real artifacts during a simulated dig. Explore how archeologists reconstruct the past. $3. 913.764.7759 Winter Jam 7:00, Sprint Center. Christian music spectacular features Skillet, Jeremy Camp, NewSong and more. $10 at door. JamTour.com

26 Monday Mommy and Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. Bumper bowling for moms and tots. $3/ea includes game, shoe rental and drink. 816.524.3322 Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100 Four Score and Seven Years Ago 10:00, Folly Theater. A young man escapes slavery and befriends a Confederate soldier. An exciting and suspenseful musical. FollyTheater.org

27 Tuesday WalkerTime 10:00, Wyandotte Library. Walkers (12-23 months) will enjoy movement activities along with interactive rhymes, songs and short books followed by play time. 913.596.5800 Half-Price Studio Fees 10:00, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint your own pottery and enjoy halfprice studio fees Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. PaintGlazeAndFire.net Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com

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28 Wednesday

29 Thursday

Pixie Skate 9:30, Skate City (Overland Park).

A program for ages 6 and under to learn how to skate safely and have fun. $5 includes skate rental and snack. 913.888.6668

Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Children are invited to participate in a nature focused story time and craft. 816.325.7115

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium (Crown Center). Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for close views of everything from starfish and sea horses to rays. VisitSeaLife.com

Unlimited Rides Deal 4:00, Zonkers.

Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:00, receive $3 off unlimited ride wristband OR buy one, get another one half off. 913.393.3535

Xtreme Bugs 10:00, Union Station. Get up close and personal with massive, moving insects to discover their unique behaviors.

UnionStation.org Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax! 913.631.7000 What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch every Wednesday and Sunday as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Sion Showcase 6:00, Notre Dame de Sion.

Learn what Sion is all about. For families with children preschool-8th grade. NDSion.edu Tango Buenos Aires 7:30, Yardley Hall (JCCC). This troupe has become one of Argentina’s greatest cultural exports for its authentic representation of the tango.

JCCC.edu

30 Friday The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 9:45, 11:45 & 7:00, Coterie Theatre.

Edward the china rabbit discovers that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love. TheCoterie.org

T

Story Time 11:00 & 2:00, Wonderscope. Listen to Stone Soup in the Artworks exhibit and then create a vegetable medley. Free with admission.

913.287.8888 Doo-Dads Rock Concert 6:00, Record Bar. Join the fun and enjoy great food, great music and dancing! Kids free, $5/adults. 913.558.1428 Friday Night Family Fun 6:30, Plaza Library.

Join us every Friday night for fun activities the whole family can enjoy! 816.701.3481

31 Saturday Homeschool Moms Women’s Encouragement Day 9:30, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Fellowship with other homeschooling moms and listen to speakers. Pre-reg. MidwestHomeschoolers.org Art Class: Stories in Art 10:00, Nerman Museum (JCCC). Learn about stories in contemporary American Indian art and create a scratch art drawing. $10-$15. 913.469.8500 Kids in the Kitchen 10:00, Jo Co K-State Research and Extension. Learn the basics of making delicious soups to keep warm during the winter. $10. 913.715.7000

hese attractions are open a little later than you might expect and are especially fun to visit in the evenings when they are less crowded and your family can enjoy more time with each exhibit or asking the expert staff members questions!

enjoy the FUN Spot, located in Bloch Lobby, where visitors with children learn what activities are available for them that day to maximize their fun. Tip: Use our “Nelson Scavenger Hunt” to add to your fun on KCParent.com.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Kansas City Kids love building, creating and

Burn off energy at an indoor trampoline park! I don’t know about you,

playing in the indoor Lego-themed play land. With two rides, a 4D cinema, a mini Lego replica of Kansas City and a variety of play areas where children can create their own Lego models, this is a favorite family destination.

but my girls are bouncing off the walls after too many days inside. Get some exercise at one of Kansas City’s indoor trampoline attractions. The hours of operation vary for each location, but they are open many evenings through the week. Check out Sky Zone or Cosmic Jump.

Sea Life Aquarium Every time we visit, LEOGLAND® Discovery Center Kansas City we learn something we didn’t know before!

Catch a movie. I remember growing up The touch pool is a fave for our family, in an era when most movie theaters were where we enjoy exploring sea creatures “alike”—the differences from one theater with our fingers and learning all about to the next were so subtle it really didn’t them. The stingrays, sharks, turtles, fish, sea warrant going to the other side of the horses, octopi and other sea creatures are city—so we all frequented the local theater. fascinating to observe, and the staff at Sea Now, movie theaters are competitive.

Life are passionate about what they do and In-theater dining, gigantic leather seats, sharing that passion with visitors.

100+ soda selections, bigger, better, bolder The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art The museum is open late screens and sound systems.... the competition is on! Read our list of on Thursday and Friday. Kansas City’s art gallery is one destination “5 Coolest Theaters in Kansas City” on KCParent.com to discover our where you will discover something new with each visit. Families favorite movie theaters in Kansas City.

5 Ideas for a Fun Family Night in Kansas City

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo 8 p.m., Saturday, February 21 Yardley Hall

2014-2015

For over fifty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has left its audiences in awe of the power and variety of the human voice. Enjoy undulating, rhythmic harmonizing at its best.

“It isn’t merely the grace and power of their dancing or the beauty of their singing that rivets the attention, but the sheer joy and love that emanates from their being.”

– Paul Simon

Performing

Arts

Series

jccc.edu/TheSeries | 913-469-4445 Performing Arts Series | Johnson County Community College NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | BEER AND WINE AVAILABLE

We Welcome your children to our Warm, fun environment, Where every child is treated With personalized care.

Dentistry for infants, children, teens and all those with special needs

• Comprehensive pediatric dental care including orthodontics • Low radiation digital x-rays • Individualized oral health education

Dr. John T. Fales, Jr.

13496 S. Arapaho Drive • Olathe, KS 66062 913.782.2207 • 913.489.0028 Fax

www.KIDZDENTIST.com

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EXPLORE KANSAS Jan 10

Zootastik Learning Fest— Camouflage

Jan 17 Jan 19 Jan 21 & 22 Jan 25 Jan 28 & 29 Feb 5

Tropical Day

Feb 14 Feb 16

Teddy Bear Clinic

CITY ZOO

Safari Day Camp* Science Adventure Club** SnowZoo Science Adventure Club** Family Science Night— Attractive Science Safari Day Camp*

Register Online!

kansascityzoo.org

* registration required ** every Wed/Thurs starting January 21

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It’s affordable family fun for animal lovers of all ages!

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OPEN DAILY kansascityzoo.org 816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.