5 Things

At-a-Glance Calendar

I still use a paper calendar and, for the past 14 years, have relied on the At-a-Glance calendar to keep us on track and at the right place at the right time! My mom and sisters use it as well. Each September, Mom orders our calendars and hands them out. What I love most is not only are they the perfect calendar, but I’ve held onto them and they now serve as a snapshot of what our lives were like in years past. If you’re trying to get more organized in the new year, check out At-a-Glance! AtAGlance.com I don’t love to cook. I’m not terrible, but it’s just not my forte. Enter Dream Dinners. I used them years ago, but not on a regular basis. Last year brought some struggles, and I didn’t have the time or energy for meal planning, so I ordered Dream Dinners. What a lifesaver! It got me through a tough period and provided my family with warm, delicious meals. I’ve continued to order from them monthly throughout the past year and it’s been a huge help! If one of your resolutions is to eat better and at home more often, then look no further than Dream Dinners! DreamDinners.com

5THINGS WE LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Aquarium

Have you heard the news? The Kansas City Zoo, which just keeps getting better and better, is building an aquarium that’s set to open in 2023. The 600,000-gallon aquarium will be situated near Helzberg Penguin Plaza, giving visitors an up close and personal view of the ocean, right here in the Midwest! The ocean and its creatures fascinate me, so I always make it a point to seek out an aquarium when on a trip. I’m so excited we’ll have this world-class exhibit right here in Kansas City. To keep track of progress on the aquarium, visit KansasCityZoo.org/Aquarium.

White Noise

When I sleep, I like to have a fan running for the noise. My husband doesn’t like how it dries out his mouth, so he finally convinced me to look into a white noise machine. Seriously, why didn’t I do this sooner? Spoiler alert: because I’m stubborn! After much research, I settled on the Vanzon White Noise Machine, and it’s perfect. I found just the right sound out of the more than 30 to choose from. The machine is the smallest thing ever and will be so easy to take with me on my next trip. Amazon.com

Coffee Flight

I like drink flights; I think they are a great way to try out beverages that are new to you. I had read about a local coffee shop, Ollama, that offers coffee flights on Tuesdays and was anxious to try it out. The flight contains four drinks, two that are pre-set and two of your choice. My daughter and I ordered different coffees to maximize the number we tried. Each drink was so unique and delicious that we had trouble choosing a favorite! And, they offer drinks especially for kids, a bebeccino in iced (horchata with whip cream and a churro) or hot (steamed milk with cinnamon whipped cream). Facebook.com/Ollamakc

Mid-Continent Public Library is Your Place for New Year’s Resolutions for the Family

The New Year has finally arrived! If your family is drafting its resolutions for 2022, here are six goals that you can count on Mid-Continent Public Library for support!

Grow A Reader!

Grow your reader by building a daily habit of talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with MCPL’s new Grow A Reader app. Developed for parents and caregivers to engage in constructive, enriching, and fun literacy activities with children, the app offers stories, videos, songs, and daily tips, along with the ability to place books on hold or sign up for storytime at your local branch. Download the free Grow A Reader app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Access Wellness

Find family friendly resources for physical and emotional wellness through MCPL’s video streaming services, or search the MCPL catalog for books or DVDs like Yoga for Kids: Mind and Body. You can even create a family workout playlist with MCPL’s free music streaming service, Freegal. For healthy recipes that even the pickiest eaters will love, check out the latest cookbooks in the Library’s collection, and digital issues of culinary magazines from OverDrive Magazines. More health resources are available at mymcpl.org/wellness.

Find Your Roots!

Start the New Year by showing the kids where their ancestors came from and trace your family history with help from MCPL’s Midwest Genealogy Center. Start by downloading free, kid-friendly family tree forms at mymcpl.org/Genealogy and use the wide range of online and in-person resources to fill them in! Rock that Report Card

If your kiddos’ resolutions include improving their grades, the Library offers a variety of online resources that can help, including Live Homework Help from Tutor.com, which connects students to a live tutor who can help with nearly any subject. Visit mymcpl.org/ Homework for a full list of resources.

Money Management for the Family

Money management skills are an important part of life, and it’s never too early to start learning! Use the Library’s TumbleMath online resource to teach young children about “money math” or resources like Morningstar Investment Research Center for older kids (and even a refresher for yourself!). Visit mymcpl.org/PersonalFinance for a full list of resources. And don’t forget, a great way to save money is by using the free resources at your local Library!

Explore Different Cultures

Even if you’re unable to travel abroad, you can bring cultural experiences to your home with help from the Library! Find books and movies about different cultures in the Library’s collection and additional information through online resources like CultureGrams. Find recipe books or free online cooking classes through the Library to try making different foods and learn a new language with Mango Languages and Muzzy.

Resolve to make 2022 your family’s best year yet with help from Mid-Continent Public Library! Learn more about how the Library can support your resolutions at mymcpl.org/NewYears or visit one of its 30+ locations and ask a staff member for help.