Simple Ways to Spread Love

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28 WAYS FOR PARENTS TO SHOW KIDS THE LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY SEASON

Valentine’s Day gifts are nice, and maybe gifts are your love language. But remember, to celebrate this holiday you don’t have to buy your kids’ or your spouse’s love. You can show your affection for them in other ways. Think presence, not presents— and why not do that for the entire month of February? We’ve come up with 28 ways to show your family the love this season—in all love languages.

1Make heart-shaped pancakes one morning before school and deliver them to your kiddos while they’re still in bed. Add whipped cream and top them with red and pink sprinkles. Or make them together on a lazy Saturday while listening to some upbeat tunes in the kitchen.

2Decorate your kids’ (and your spouse’s) paper lunch bag with hearts and doodles or include a special message inside. Lately, I’ve been drawing cheesy pictures on my son’s lunch bags.

3If you own an Amazon Alexa or Echo Dot, you might try this idea (if not, just skip to the next day’s suggestion). Set your children’s alarm to play “I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck” or “Skidamarink (I love you)” when they wake up in the morning.

4Write your kiddos a note on the bathroom mirror. You can do this for your spouse, too. Say something as simple as, “I love you. Have a great day today!” You even can go so far as to list 10 things you love about each one of them (depending on how old they are and whether they can read yet, of course). For your preschooler or kindergartener, draw a picture of the two of you with hearts and smiley faces. 5 Plan to make a special stop after school pickup. Run through the Starbucks drive-through for a cake pop. Stop by the park to spend some quality one-on-one time with your kiddo. Whatever you do, make it something out of the ordinary to make your youngster feel extra loved.

6Eat dessert before dinner. If this is out of the ordinary for your family, your kids will probably love this idea and feel like it’s a special occasion. Let them choose ice cream, cake, pie, cookies, whatever their favorite is.

7Tune in and listen attentively. This seems simple, but to kids it means a lot. Some days it’s hard to truly sit and engage with your children, giving them your absolute undivided attention. Carve out a chunk of time to listen to everything your children want to tell you—listen to all of their stories. No phone, no distractions. Make eye contact. Maybe include snacks. Answer every question they have, and when they get excited about a particular thought, tell them, “Wow, that’s really cool!”

8Play a game of their choice. Board games, hide-and-seek, I Spy—or even have a tea party.

9Let kids stay up late. Make hot chocolate or popcorn and chat at the kitchen counter.

10 Tell them an extra bedtime story. We all have a tendency to rush through bedtime routines, but use this time to pause for once and be in the moment.

11Cook their favorite meal, even if it’s mini corn dogs and french fries.

12 Let kids co-sleep with you for a night. Your kiddo may enjoy the extra quality time snuggled up in your bed watching movies, reading a book or listening to Mom and Dad tell a fun story.

13Complete a puzzle together.

14 Give them extra hugs—not just before bed or before dropping them off, but during random times of the day.

15 Create a scavenger hunt with a fun prize at the end, like a box of chocolates or cookies and a thoughtful card listing all the ways you admire each of them.

16 Write poems for them to tuck into their lunch boxes or serve with breakfast in bed in the morning. They can be sweet, silly, serious or somewhere in between.

17 Plan a surprise picnic with heartshaped sandwiches, cheese, cookies, strawberries, apples, cherries and any other red or pink foods you can think of. Sit in the backyard or at the park.

18 Take something off their plates. Maybe you have a child whose love language is “acts of service.” Think of a chore or two he hates doing, and just do it for him. If he hasn’t gotten around to cleaning his messy room, go ahead and tidy up before he gets home from school, for example.

19Frame their drawings or special crafts from school. Hang the item on the wall or place it somewhere the artist will immediately notice it and feel proud and validated. 20 Stock up on all of their favorite snacks. Stop by the store one day and just grab all the things your kids love. Let them open the pantry and find their favorite treats.

21 Make them laugh. Parents can’t always be in a good mood, but be extra intentional this day about your interactions with each other. Try to maintain an extra cheerful demeanor, cracking more jokes than usual or finding silly topics to chat about.

22 Pick a cute outfit and shoes (if you don’t do this already) and have it lying out when your child wakes up in the morning.

23 Sing all of your kids’ favorite songs with them in the car on the way to school.

24 Let them help you cook dinner, even if the kitchen gets extra messy.

25 If you’re super vigilant about a clean house, let kids play with the messiest toys you don’t usually allow—slime, kinetic sand, Play-Doh, anything they tend to immediately make messes with. Your house might not look spotless for a bit and it might require major cleanup, but your kids’ happiness will be worth it for that moment.

26 Tell them something you’re really proud of them for on the way to school.

27 Stop by the park and feed the ducks instead of running your typical errands (like going to the grocery store, if that can wait for another day).

28 Fill their rooms with balloons after they fall asleep and write one thing you love about them on each (or every other) one.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic that lives in Independence with her husband, 5-year old son and dog.

10 FAMILY-FRIENDLY FILMS WITH IRRESISTIBLE LOVE STORIES Snuggle Up with a Love-Themed Family Film This Winter

Lady and the Tramp Disney’s 1955 classic has been winning the hearts for generations. Dish up some spaghetti and delight in the Victorian-era tale about two charming dogs. Cinderella We’re partial to Disney’s original animated masterpiece. The transformation of the dress is one of the prettiest pieces of animation ever created, and Jaq and Gus are delightful.

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Charles Schulz’ Peanuts films are holiday staples. This lesser-known classic is sure to tug at your heartstrings this February. The Princess Bride This epic comic adventure you remember from your childhood is a perfect film to share with your own kids. Remember to recount the tale of your “mawwage” as you do.

Enchanted This Disney musical isn’t afraid to laugh at the most iconic heroines from beloved classic fairy tales. Amy Adams’ portrayal of Giselle, the loveable fairy-tale princess who magically lands in New York City, is charming.

Beauty and the Beast Whether you choose Disney’s animated ’90s classic or the new live action version, this “tale as old as time” is perfect for a family movie night. Serve some gray stuff (it’s delicious) and enjoy this favorite film. Tip: You’ll find the recipe at Family.Disney.com/recipe/ beauty-and-the-beast-food-grey-stuff.

Winnie the Pooh, a Valentine for You Winnie holds a special place in our family memories. The delightful bear and his pals from the Hundred Acre Wood learn what love really is all about. Disney Nature’s Bears: The story of the Alaskan brown bear Sky and her unwavering love for her cubs is a beautiful depiction of parental love that is truly perfect for the whole family.

The Sound of Music Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical is a tale of family love, courage and strength that inspires us still today.

Parent Trap We enjoy both the Hayley Mills and the Lindsay Lohan versions of this comedic story of identical twins helping their parents rekindle a love that is lost. In the process, the two sisters who started as enemies become best friends.

Conversation starters

Looking to get more than a shrug or “not much” from your child? Rather than asking, “how was your day?” or “what did you do today?” try one of the questions below to get the conversation started.

1. What was the best part of your day?

The worst?

2. If you could have a meal with anyone, who would it be and why?

3. What are your favorite things we do as a family? What’s a new tradition you think we should try?

4. Who is your best friend and why?

5. What is your earliest memory?

Funniest? Saddest?

6. What does your perfect day look like?

7. If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?

8. What do you think are the most interesting things about you?

9. What traits do you see in other people that you admire?

10. If we could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be?

11. What are you most afraid of?

12. What is your most embarrassing moment?

13. What do you want to be doing in 10 years?

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WINTERFUNGUIDE

SOUP

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Once Mother said, “My little pet, you ought to learn your alphabet.” So in my soup I used to get all the letters of the alphabet. Then I learned them all, from A to Z, and now my mother’s giving me animal crackers in my soup. Okay, so maybe your kids already know the alphabet, but they still can benefit from an alphabet of vitamins and nutrients. Defy the chill air and let your kids go out to play all February long. After that, welcome them in and warm their growing bodies with these delicious, nutrient-rich, cozy-warm soups.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

1 t. olive oil 1 clove garlic (minced) 1/2 c. onion (chopped finely) 3 c. chicken broth 1 1/2 c. butternut squash (cubed) 2 t. salt 2 t. pepper 1 t. sage 1 t. thyme leaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Sauté 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 minced clove of garlic and 1/2 cup chopped onion in large stockpot over medium heat for a few minutes. • Add a pinch of salt, pepper and sage to 3 cups of chicken broth. • Add in 1 1/2 c. of cubed butternut squash and bring to a boil. • Cover, reduce heat and simmer until squash has a tender consistency (about 20 minutes). • Garnish with black pepper and thyme.

BOUNTIFUL BODY BENEFITS:

Beta-Carotene & Vitamin A. The butternut squash in this recipe meets close to half the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for beta-carotene, which ultimately gets converted into vitamin A. This is great for your kiddo’s skin and hair health because the nutrient plays a vital role in the growth of bodily tissues. It also is needed for sebum production, which aides in moisture production. Can you say hallelujah, dry skin? Fiber. Offering about 6 grams of filling fiber, just one cup of this soup meets about 25 percent of the RDA. Fiber helps your child stay full and satisfied during this chilly month.

CHUNKY TOMATO BEEF SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. ground sirloin 1 T. canola oil 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 c. reduced-sodium beef broth 2 cans (14 oz. each) diced tomatoes, undrained 2 T. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 t. dried thyme 1 c. elbow macaroni 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. ground black pepper 2 T. grated Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sirloin and cook for 3 minutes or until no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. • Add the oil, onion and carrot to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. • Add the broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef and thyme. Raise heat to high and bring soup to a boil. Add the pasta. • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Add the salt and pepper. • Serve with Parmesan cheese.

This soup dish is a tried-and-true staple during the cold winter months in the Leawood household of Rebecca, a mother of five active and growing kids. “This dish is ideal for snow days when schools get canceled,” she says.

BOUNTIFUL BODY BENEFITS:

Protein. With the sirloin beef being a complete protein, it helps keep aches and breaks away from your kid’s growing bones, muscles and tendons. Energy. The elbow macaroni is a rich and nutritious complex carbohydrate that enhances your kiddos’ energy supply to keep them learning, exploring and playing.

SOUP

Overall, you and your kids can’t go wrong feasting on these tasty, simple and satisfying soups all February long!

Sources: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, KidsHealth.org, National Institutes of Health

Amy Hundley is a registered dietitian nutritionist, licensed in both Kansas and Missouri, and a published freelance nutrition writer. She is currently practicing as a clinical RD and has been a resident of Olathe since early childhood.

Winter in the Woods

For many families, outdoor fun comes to a screeching halt in the winter months … with a few exceptions for sledding when flurries hit the metro. Science shows that fresh air, exercise and time spent in nature are always good for us—any time of year. This winter challenge your family to enjoy the great outdoors even when it’s a bit chilly. We enjoy nature walks any time of year, and these are a few of our favorite ways to experience nature in the winter.

BEFORE YOUR WINTER NATURE WALK

Your time outdoors will be more fun if you’re prepared. Consider the amount of time you expect to spend outdoors and prepare accordingly. If you’re taking a 15- to 30-minute walk in the neighborhood, a water bottle and basic winter layers will do. If you’re planning a longer nature walk or hike, you might want to bring snacks and really layer up. Some of our preparation tips: Make Trail Mix: My girls love a trail mix bag. I set out favorite ingredients and they make their own bag of goodies. Granola, mini pretzels, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, sesame seeds and even some sweet treats (limited) make a tasty snack to take along. Design Your Own Scavenger Hunt: Let each member of the family contribute to a hunt list suggesting three to five things you should try to find on your walk. These can include animal prints, squirrels, birds, particular trees, pinecones, feathers, rocks, a creek, pond, nest and shapes in clouds. Let your kids brainstorm for other ideas. Bundle Up: I purchase inexpensive packs of hand warmers at the local box store and keep them in my van for our winter adventures. For longer walks, I have my kids wear layers, including cuddle duds (think modern long underwear under jeans) and their coats, hats and gloves. We always bring water bottles— remember sunglasses, too. Pack a First Aid Kit: I keep a complete kit in my van and a small kit to take in a backpack with basic bandages and such. For tips on building a family first aid kit, visit RedCross. org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/ anatomy-of-a-first-aid-kit.html.

WHERE TO GO

I am partial to trails near lakes, ponds and streams. I especially like wooded trails, and my youngest daughter loves trails covered in fallen leaves … the “sound is so satisfying,” she says. Some of our favorites include: Shawnee Mission Park (7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, JCPRD.com/facilities/facility/details/ Shawnee-Mission-Park-14). The park features a 120-acre lake, mountain bike trails, hiking trails and paved nature trails. It is ideal for short walks or long hikes. Blue Springs Lake (1500 NE Bowlin Rd., Blue Springs). This park is home to a 720-acre lake. Their most scenic trails are the Lake Vista Trails (MakeYourDayHere.com/DocumentCenter/ View/946/Lake-Vista-Trail?), a 5-mile scenic loop around the lake with bridges, hills and woods. Watkins Mill State Park (26600 Park Rd. N., Lawson, MO, MoStateParks.com/park/watkinsmill-state-park). The trail around the 100-acre lake is paved and ideal for walking or biking. The park is also home to an antebellum historic home and woolen mill you may tour. Ernie Miller Nature Center (909 North, KS-7, Olathe, JCPRD.com/328/Ernie-Miller-ParkNature-Center). Visits to the nature center are always fun for children who enjoy seeing the animals and exploring the hands-on exhibits. There are numerous trails to enjoy around the nature center, through the woods and near the creek. You can easily choose shorter or longer routes according to your time. Cave Spring Nature Center (8701 E. Gregory Blvd., Raytown, CaveSpring.org). The trails around the 39-acre park are known for the

cave, the old hedge trees and the ruins of old pioneer shelters where you’ll find multiple chimneys, the only surviving landmarks of former homes.

ON THE HIKE

Turn your outing into a memorable experience by adding a little fun. Participate in the scavenger hunt you planned ahead of time.

Take photographs along the way. n Bring nature journals and record your findings. The Nature Journal for Little Explorers by the Monkey & Bean Book Company, Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find? by Storey Publishing, and Interactive Hiking Journal for Kids: Hiking Games, Scavenger Hunts, Sketch Spots and More for Nature Exploration by Stacey Bressler are three of my favorites. You may also bring blank notebooks and pencils. n Letterbox. Letterboxing, not to be confused with geocaching (though undeniably similar), is a super-fun, free hobby for all ages. You can find letterboxing hobbyists online offering simple tutorials and tips. Visit a website like AtlasQuest.com to find clues to the nearest letterbox in your neighborhood or out on your adventures. Once you find the location, search for the actual letterbox (often a small tin containing a stamp and a log book). You will use the stamp to mark your own personal logbook, and then you stamp the book in the box (you may use a homemade stamp, a purchased stamp or a thumbprint). When you start exploring the hobby, you’ll find fun in the creation or selection of your own signature stamp and logbook and the adventure of discovering new places. Metro area adventurist Alexis Webb Bechtold has localized letterboxing for Kansas Citians with a hometown hunt. Her series, the Curiosity Passport KC, is all about inspiration and discovery, leading explorers to 24 artistic, off-the-beaten-path sites in the area where you’ll discover many hidden gems. Visit CuriosityPassport.com for all the information you need to begin your adventure.

AFTER YOUR TRIP

Good hikers know you should leave only footprints and take only photographs. These are some fun nature-friendly ways to capture the memories of your time in the great outdoors:

n Make a scrapbook with memories of your hikes. n Create a story of your adventures. When my girls were little, we loved glamping at a campground with cabooses every autumn; now we visit a favorite state park every fall. The caboose campground was home to a scarecrow in a fake jail setting. The girls concocted stories that he was the “Marshmallow Man” known for stealing marshmallows from campers. At Echo Bluff, our new annual tradition, there is a herd of wild mustangs. The girls tell stories of the horses, giving them names and legends. We do the same on many of our local hikes. When you discover the ruins of an old cabin, or footprints, or other clues in the woods of what may have happened before, use these discoveries to create stories together.

I hope your family enjoys making memories together in the great outdoors this winter! Visit KCParent.com for more ideas and chat with us on Facebook at facebook.com/ KansasCityParent. We’d love to see your family hiking photos and your ideas for fun in the outdoors this winter!

Kristina Light loves taking her girls on long walks to see beautiful sites… and they like it too (even if some might claim they wish some of the walks were shorter).

birthday party life lessons

abirthday party may look like just a birthday party to you now, but what I see is a breeding ground for life lessons kids can learn that will carry them through their lives to help make them successful, happy and kind. Read on to check out a few teaching opportunities for your child’s next birthday party!

Graciousness and Disappointment

I’m lumping these two together because they seem to go hand in hand. The birthday child gets disappointed by not getting something she really wanted or sometimes not getting anything she really wanted at all during the entire party. That’s when it’s time to step in and talk about how disappointment is okay, but that we should be gracious about it. It’s kind of like being a sore loser versus being a happy loser. Even though there is disappointment going on, you want your child to learn how to say thank you and show appreciation for the gift giver’s time and money or skills that went into the gift.

Consideration

Yes, it’s your child’s party, but consider where everyone would have a good time when planning your party venue. If it’s at your house, think up some fun games everyone might enjoy and build in plenty of time for just playing around. Have a friend with food allergies, such as gluten or dairy? Make sure to pick up something special for that friend—cookies or his own piece of cake--it’s easier than ever these days.

Sharing

Your kid may get some pretty good stash at his birthday party, and other kids are certainly going to want to play with the new goods. Explain to your child before the party that she is going to be getting some cool new stuff and that she can put some of her favorite things up right away but that she should share some of the things and play with them with her friends and not hide them all away.

Giving Back and Donating

This year, consider having your child ask for gifts for someone else. In my town, our local food bank supplies a birthday cake and all the fixings as long as the guests bring canned goods, take the tour and help out for a bit. Also, if your child has a particular love for, say, animals … how about hosting a birthday party for or at a local animal shelter? Instead of presents ask guests to bring donations like pet food and other supplies.

Instead of lecturing, which we all know gets tuned out anyway, get your party on with some cool hidden lessons that will take your kids beyond their kid years and into a fun and full life!

Kerrie McLoughlin lives in Peculiar, MO, and puts on five chaotic birthday parties per year for her kids and lives to tell about it at TheKerrieShow.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

Children’s Mercy makes it easy to host a party that gives back! Check it out at Give.ChildrensMercy.org.

Mid-Continent Public Libraries Whether your goal this year is to find your zen, get your resume updated or save money on ebooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines, Mid-Continent Public Library has what you need. Learn how to take control of your finances, trace your family history, join in on family-friendly virtual programs, or get online tutoring for the kids - it’s all free with your Library card. Make a resolution to visit MyMCPL.org today! See display ad on pg. 62.

Princess at My Party Have your child’s favorite character come to the birthday party! Choose from Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Moana, Elena, Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Also, inquire about our new Super Girl, Wonder Woman, Batman and SpiderMan parties! Watch the magic unfold as the children go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face painting and a treasure hunt. See display ad on pg. 59. 816.830.4841. PrincessAtMyParty.com

Sea Life Aquarium Voyage into jaw-dropping underwater worlds at SEA LIFE, Kansas City’s only aquarium! Escape into a 180-degree ocean tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles, touch a sticky anemone, and explore over 12 breathtaking exhibits. Starting January 25th, PJ Masks are diving into SEA LIFE every Monday, Thursday & Friday to help ‘Stop the Marine Mayhem’ around every corner. Open 7-days a week! See display ad on pg. 4. VisitSeaLife.com/kansas-city

Urban Air Looking for the best year-round fun? With new adventures behind every corner, Urban Air Adventure Park is the ultimate indoor playground. Take birthdays to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family and you’ll see why we’re more than just a trampoline park. Let the kids fly through the park on our sky rider, take on our climbing walls, or reach new heights on our trampolines. Urban Air. Let ‘em fly. See display ad on pg. 49. UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

visit the virtual party guide at KCParent.com

for your guide to throwing an unforgettable party in kc!

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