KC Parent Magazine July 2015

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PARENT M A YE A R S

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For 30 years, bringing together families in Kansas City

–2 0

15

summer fun CLASSIC

push back against peer

in Kansas City

pressure is there an upside to

TIPS to simplify

social media for kids?

your life

PROS & CONS

when parenting styles clash tips on how to handle it

of sharing bedrooms

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DEPARTMENTS THE UPSIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PG. 34

FEATURES

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Women’s Health

12

Media Mix

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Word from Dad

22

Faith & Family

45

Healthy Kids

51

Craft Corner

SPECIAL SECTIONS

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16

37

Party Guide

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Calendar of Events

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Little Things

Sharing Rooms

Saying Sorry

Slow down and appreciate the small things

Pros and cons of kids sharing a room

Teach kids how to say and mean “I’m sorry”

Our cover features Ainsley from Louisburg. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

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Simplify Your Life

10

Peer Pressure

14

Sharing Rooms

16

Parenting Styles

26

Upside of Social Media

34

Classic Summer Fun

38

push back against PeeR

85

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For 30 years, bringing together families in Kansas City

–2 0

15

CLASSIC summer fun in Kansas City

PReSSuRe is there an

TIPS to SImPlIfy

upside to social media

for kids?

your life

PROS & CONS

when parenting styles clash tips on how to handle it

of sharing bedrooms

EDITOR’SLETTER

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GLASS SLIPPERS ARE SO BACK.

BEST FAMILY VER PENNED” Tribune

JULY 2015 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Ted Massing 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 Contributing Writers

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when parenting styles clash

Presented by

LOCAL CONTENT

William Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Jamie Bosse (Overland Park), Jennifer Bosse (Kansas City), Karah Chapman (Kansas City),Tisha Foley (Belton), Susan Gimotty (Overland Park), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Christa Hines (Olathe), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Sara Keenan (Kansas City), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Laura McEachen (Overland Park), Jena Meyerpeter (Kansas City), Jim Strahle (Kansas City), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee)

your life

19-21

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am not what one would call athletic. The only sports I participated in as a child were basketball for a couple of years in middle school and the swim team for one year of high school. The only basket I ever scored was for the other team. And swim team wouldn’t have happened if not for my mom’s making me do it because “everyone needs to have the team experience during high school.” And, since tryouts were not necessary, it was my sport by default. Mom learned her lesson after my one-year stint of swimming. No one else in the family was made to join a team.

And so for many years I didn’t have any type of regular exercise in my everyday life.

But, time has a way of catching up with you, and when I hit 40, it was brought to my attention that exercise was really something I should be taking part in on a daily basis. It was hard for me to get in a regular routine and to find something I enjoyed, but after a few years of regular exercise, I can say it has been worth the time and effort. My cholesterol levels are down, and medication is not needed—yay, me! In addition to taking classes, I recently got a FitBit, and that has helped me tremendously in making sure I’m active every day. The other thing that helps me make sure I get some daily exercise is to schedule it into my week. By placing it on my weekly planner, it becomes something I have to do and not an option.

Jennifer Bosse has some great info on how busy moms can work exercise into their daily routine on pg. 32.

5/12/15 3:33 PM

See page 59 for details

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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kcparent.com july 2015

Know what questions to ask.

Make a confident decision.

1

What exactly is advanced care?

Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry combines art, science and experience to provide your family with extraordinary orthodontic care. Get to know us and learn how our expertise can work for you. For a complimentary consultation and digital x-rays with one of our orthodontic specialists, go to burlesonortho.com/secondopinion or call (816) 912-0199 for free, friendly phone advice.

simplify your life Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

a

re you feeling a bit scrambled these days? Are you hurried everywhere you go? Multitasking with every step to keep up? You’re not alone. In today’s world, finding a moment of peace can be tough, because we’re busy running our kids to multiple activities and, thanks to smart phones and devices, we can’t just leave our work at work anymore. It follows us everywhere. Household chores are always staring us in the face too. What’s a busy parent to do? Take time to relax. Enjoy the simple things; they really do matter.

While you may feel more accomplished when you multitask, research indicates it actually increases stress and lowers productivity. The lost art of single-tasking is much more beneficial, as is finding joy in the small stuff. Here are some great ways for you (and your family) to lie low a little more often and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Organize your schedule. Keeping

reminders in your phone or in a notebook can drastically reduce stress and organize your thoughts. Don’t forget to set reminders so you have ample time to get ready and out the door!

Take a snooze more often. A short

nap is great for restoring your energy and mood! An earlier bedtime a few nights a week also can do wonders.

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kcparent.com july 2015

Hug a tree. The great outdoors is waiting

for you! Not only is nature healing, but being outside has a way of brightening moods and bringing families closer. So go for a walk, bike ride or run. Play kickball or hopscotch with the kids. Work in the garden or play in the rain. You can do so much outside! (Don’t forget to take off your shoes and go barefoot in the grass.)

Play more games. Put the technology

away and pull out the board games! Playing games the old-fashioned way is much more fun and relaxing. Plus, you can have real conversation and bonding time.

Read a good book. Find a cozy place to sit and enjoy a favorite author. Dive into the story and let your imagination run free!

Sip your coffee or tea slowly. Savor the flavor, aroma and the moment.

Watch the sunrise. If you’re an early

riser, take a few moments to watch the sun as it comes up over the horizon and pay attention to its changing hues in the sky.

Do yoga or meditate. These are great activities any time of day! If you’re a morning person, do gentle yoga stretches upon waking or find a quiet space to meditate. Both are great stress relievers and mood enhancers.

Pamper yourself. Visit a spa and get a massage, a pedicure or manicure. Have your hair cut or colored at your favorite salon or simply take a hot bubble bath.

You deserve it!

Spend time with animals. Whether

they’re pets of your own, in an animal shelter or zoo, take them for a walk and give them lots of love by petting them. Being around animals is very meditative. Animals are not only furry and cute, but they’re incredibly healing.

Call a friend and talk for an hour (or more) just like you did in high school. A text or an email just isn’t

the same as hearing each other’s voices, reminiscing and laughing yourselves silly.

Laughing is very therapeutic!

The feeling of joy doesn’t have to be extravagant. Look for it in the simple things around you each day. No matter how small, savor these moments. They’ll reduce your stress and improve your overall well-being.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein loves to awaken each day before everyone else in the house so she can do a little yoga and enjoy a hot mug of tea in the silence.

WOMENSHEALTH

I

f you’re not sleeping well, you are not alone.

More than a million Americans suffer from insomnia, which can be a persistent problem with serious consequences. It costs our nation more than $100 billion annually in lost productivity and medical expenses.

Insomnia is also a contributor to around 100 thousand car accidents per year. Insomnia is defined as difficulty with sleep, whether it is a difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early or feeling tired upon waking. It is a sign and symptom that can be associated with several sleep, medical or psychiatric disorders and therefore should be a reason to seek medical attention. Some causes may be: • Emotional or physical discomfort • Life stress or illness • Medications • Depression • Anxiety/chronic stress • Interference with normal sleep schedule Insomnia varies in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It may be short term, long term or intermittent. Symptoms of insomnia may be sleepiness during the day, tiredness, irritability and problems

• Don’t eat a heavy meal late in the day,

Got Sleep? with concentration or memory. If you are experiencing mild insomnia, you may want to try adding the following sleep habits to your routine: • Try to go to bed around the same time every night, get up the same time every morning and avoid naps.

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the day. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants, and alcohol can cause waking in the night.

• Get regular exercise, but not too close to bedtime.

but a light snack before bed may help with sleep.

• Make your room comfortable.

• Follow a routine to help you relax right before sleep.

• Avoid using your bed for anything but sleep.

• If you can’t fall asleep and don’t feel drowsy, get up and read or do something that is not over-stimulating until you feel sleepy.

• If you find yourself worrying, then get up and make a list before you go to bed.

Visit with your health care provider if your symptoms persist beyond the above recommendations or if they seem to be severe. There are many medications and herbal supplements available, but it’s not wise to try them until you have discussed your situation with a professional first to decide what plan is right for you.

Melanie Yunger is a local wife, mom and nurse practitioner.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

kcparent.com july 2015

11

MEDIAMIX

read aloud. read often.

consider these new books for your next story time

By McGeath Freeman There’s No Such Thing as Little

Use Your Words, Sophie!

By Rosemary Wells

Disney Lands (Kingdom Keepers: The Return Series #1)

By LeUyen Pham

Best for: Ages 3-7

By Ridley Pearson

Best for: Ages 4-8 Best-selling illustrator of Freckleface Strawberry, LeUyen Pham sets an optimistic tone from the first page of her book There’s No Such thing as Little.

Using the simple die-cut circle technique in every other set of illustrations, Pham is able to show one perception then reveal the truth in the next illustration.

I particularly like the reading/writing pages that read “A little letter? No, an important letter.” I also like the trip to the museum with “A little line? No, an inspiring line.” Pham’s positive message is enhanced by the contingent of smiling children smattered throughout the pages.

This book is familiar Rosemary Wells material. It is her third that features Sophie. Use Your Words, Sophie! follows Sophie as she tries to cope with a new baby in the family. She draws attention to herself by making up her own language. Using made-up words causes her parents more consternation than necessary— especially when the new baby begins crying. Granny helps Sophie become the family hero by showing her how the made-up words are just the remedy for crying fits. Sophie calms the baby and decides on her name before the story ends. Young readers will enjoy the humor and the comfortable illustrations.

What’s good: Nice message that

focuses on finding joy in the simple pleasures in life.

What’s good: Humor and emotions that are easy for young readers to understand.

What’s bad: Very little. This book would

What’s bad: This is tried-and-true subject

be great for kindergarten story time.

matter, and Wells doesn’t add much beyond what is already out there.

Best for: Ages 10-14 While I loved the original Kingdom Keepers series, I was not fond of the ending. It left too many questions unanswered. Evidently, Finn, the leader of the Keepers felt the same way. In this first book of a new sequel series, the Keepers are moving beyond high school—looking at colleges, careers and Imagineering school. But Finn was correct: Things are unfinished and unanswered. The Overtakers may or may not be back, but whatever the problem is, the Keepers have to go back in time to the opening of Disneyland to save the parks and possibly their lives.

Like the original series, this one combines enough Disney reality with fiction to leave you guessing what is real and what is make believe. Disney Lands is a worthy successor to the original series, and I look forward to the next installment.

What’s good: Fast-paced adventure, magic and a balance of reality and fiction.

What’s bad: Time travel can get very tricky for continuity. Be prepared to suspend all disbelief.

12

kcparent.com july 2015

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21400 West 153rd Street Olathe, KS 66061 913.390.7802 OUR MISSION The YMCA of Greater Kansas City, founded on Christian principles, is a charitable organization with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being.

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13

Parents can intervene early and often to be sure that kids develop a strong sense of self.

push back against peer pressure:

O

an age-by-age guide to positive peer interactions

nce considered a hallmark of high school, peer pressure is showing up earlier and earlier. Case in point: Recent research from the University of Maryland found that children can recognize group dynamics and feel pressured by peers as early as age 9. Widespread smartphone and social media use by children at earlier ages (the average age for a first smartphone is 11) means that social pressure moves at a faster pace and can be harder for parents to detect. In the face of this new peer pressure, parents can intervene early and often to be sure that kids develop a strong sense of self. Here’s how to foster that healthy sense of self that keeps peer influence at bay.

Preschool Years (3-5) Esteem Team

Elementary Years (6-12) Speak Up

Teen Years (13-18) Above the Influence

Want to give your young child a leg up to help him resist peer pressure in later years?

Build self-esteem now. “High self-esteem can serve as a protective factor when dealing with negative peer pressure,” says certified parenting and family educator and North Carolina Parenting Education Network board member Virginia Rodillas, M.S., of Raleigh, NC. But self-esteem doesn’t stem from empty praise or hollow ego boosts. Instead, help your child learn to like who he is.

Allowing a young child to self-select clothing, accessories and bedroom décor from a young age helps him learn to enjoy expressing his own personality, says Vicki Hoefle, mom of five and author of Duct Tape Parenting. Of course, offering these kinds of choices to a preschooler may be inconvenient at first, especially for parents who are used to holding the reins. And yes, allowing a tot to don selfselected clothes admittedly takes longer than just picking out his duds yourself. But the payoff is a child who knows who he is—and will be more able to stay true to himself in the face of peer pressure.

Peers—and peer influences—take on a bigger role during elementary school.

Establishing open lines of communication with your grade-schooler provides an outlet for questions, worries and concerns that spring up and lays the foundation for a strong bond in years to come. “Children should feel comfortable approaching their parents and talking about any difficulties they face, says Rodillas. “Through this open and safe communication, children can develop a sense of assertiveness and ability to speak their own minds.” An ice cream date, a shopping trip, even a car ride can be a springboard for meaningful conversation. Steer clear of “yes” or “no” questions; instead, dig deeper with inquiries like “Who’s your best friend right now?”

When you notice a peer’s influence taking hold, take note. Querying your child in a friendly, casual way about the friend’s appeal, her choices and her values gives you valuable insights and prompts your child to think more critically about whether her peers are worthy of imitation.

Sure, negative peer pressure may peak in high school: Some 90 percent of teens admit to being influenced by friends and classmates.

“We know from research that the likelihood of succumbing to peer pressure peaks around ninth grade,” says Wendy Grolnick, Ph.D., psychology professor at Clark University in Worchester, MA. But peer pressure isn’t all bad. So-called “positive” peer pressure can motivate teens to exercise, volunteer and work harder at school.

This type of peer pressure also can deter a teen from trying drugs, engaging in risky behaviors or making other poor decisions, says Rodillas. “Positive peer pressure motivates us to make good decisions, healthy changes and can help us reach our goals.”

And it’s clear to see that teammates or study partners can motivate a teen in ways a parent can’t. Help your teen harness the power of positive peer pressure by encouraging participation in athletics, community service organizations and study groups.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks or Tirades.

14

kcparent.com july 2015

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d

the pros and cons of room-sharing Many parents feel that rooming kids together strengthens relationships and makes sharing less of a hassle.

Whether kids share rooms or not, keeping them organized can be a challenge. Head to KCParent.com for tips on organizing kids’ rooms.

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kcparent.com july 2015

id you share a room growing up?

Are you still angry with your younger sister for stealing your clothes? Or did you love the bonding experience it created? Do your kids share rooms? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of this major decision parents often have to make as they raise their children.

On the positive side, parents often say that their children are comforted when they have a sibling in the same room. They sleep better through thunderstorms and calm down more easily after bad dreams. They also may become better sleepers, as they will learn to sleep through noise. Alyson Collins, mother of three, says that one of her daughters used to be a poor sleeper but now, with her sister in the room, she sleeps much more soundly.

Many parents feel that rooming kids together strengthens relationships and makes sharing less of a hassle. Chelsea Hibbard, mother of four, says that her kids (who share a room) will often stay up a little bit later giggling and bonding. April Mick, also a mother of four, says her kids have a hard time remembering what belongs to each child, so they end up sharing almost everything.

Another benefit is that sharing rooms prepares kids for when they’ll share space at camp or in college.

Having kids share a room also can make life easier for Mom! “All three kids clean one room together rather than making messes in three different rooms,” says Hibbard. Mick explains that having her children share a room keeps them from accumulating too much clutter (like knick-knacks) because of limited shelf space and storage. Organization is a must! Another pro for Mom and Dad is that sharing rooms requires fewer bedrooms.

A smaller house works fine for a family with more than one child. Or, if there is an extra bedroom, it can be used as an office, guest room or exercise room.

Unfortunately, there are downsides to bunking up. For example, not all kids become better sleepers when sharing rooms. Children may have different sleep schedules and may keep each other up late at night or may wake each other up too early. This can become a greater issue if a younger child wakes up a school-aged sibling. The younger child may nap later on, but the school-aged child has a long day ahead of him without a nap and may become overly tired. Naptime also can be challenging if one child no longer naps but

tips to promote success in room sharing: • Establish boundaries. Assign each child her own dresser, drawer or section of the closet.

The other sibling is not allowed to enter this personal space. This gives each child some privacy and a sense of ownership.

• Establish times and guidelines does go to her room for quiet time while a younger sibling does need to sleep. Hibbard puts her younger son in a guest room to nap while her older daughter plays in the bedroom quietly.

Also, conflicts are more likely to occur when kids share rooms. Some kids like a room very dark to sleep, while others like a nightlight. One child may like more alone time, while her sibling may be very social and have a hard time giving her space. Alyson Collins, mother of three, explains that she does not allow her daughters to ban each other from the room or kick the other one out. So if one of them needs some quiet time

to decompress or be alone, she has to find an alternative space elsewhere in the house to do so. Also, sleepovers and play dates can get crowded and cause conflict when one child wants the room to herself with her friends, yet her siblings are in there as well.

There is no one-fits-all solution for the question of whether or not your children should share a room. With both options, kids will benefit and also face challenges. But isn’t that all a part of growing up anyway?

Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.

for who gets the room to himself/ herself and when. If one son is allowed the room to himself on Monday evenings, then the other gets it on Tuesdays.

• Try to stay neutral regarding sibling squabbles. Once you’ve set up parameters, if the kids are still bickering, chances are they will figure out a fair way to cohabitate on their own and have a stronger relationship as a result.

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as the first county courthouse for Jackson County. Built for $150, the structure served as courthouse for decades. History tells us that Harry S. Truman even held court there in the 1930s. Visitors may tour the courthouse and learn local history from tour guides.

1827 Log Courthouse

Exploring Log Cabins in Kansas City

W

ant to learn about the past? These local historic sites preserve the history of the area’s first pioneers.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum: 7000 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.792.2665. Visit more than 20 historic buildings on 80 acres of rolling hills in northern Kansas City. One of the buildings is a log cabin that shows how early settlers lived in this area. Other buildings include a church, shop, doctor’s office and home, blacksmith shop, jail and mill. Shoal Creek brings the 1800s to life through special events and programs throughout the year.

Missouri Town 1855: 8010 SE Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.524.8770. This 1855 historic village features many historic buildings, including a log cabin. In addition, there are historic businesses represented (blacksmith, law office), community buildings (church, school) and homes. Throughout the year, Missouri Town 1855 hosts living history events for the community, and this is a favorite destination to learn hands-on history.

1827 Log Courthouse: 107 W. Kansas, Independence, MO. Originally located at Lexington & Lynn, this building served

Pioneer Spring Cabin: 201 N. Dodgion, Independence, MO. This 1870 log cabin represents life for early pioneers in Independence. Located on the property of the Roger T. Sermon Center, it is part of an Independence walking tour, and visitors may look inside through windows and read about the site on historical markers.

Johnson County Museum: 6305 Lackman Rd., Shawnee, KS, 913.715.2550.

The Johnson County Museum is a favorite free destination with historic exhibits and a hands-on area for kids known as KidScape, but another popular attraction is the log cabin. Inside the museum there is a replica one-room cabin where children may play and imagine as pioneers. They enjoy gathering eggs from the chicken coop, preparing meals and churning imaginary butter.

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coyote aria “Good night, James. G’night, Ian.” “Night, Dad.” On Boy Scout campouts, the boys have to be reminded to go to sleep on Friday nights.

Saturdays are a different story. The day had brought fishing, physical fitness testing and hiking, in addition to cooking and meal cleanup chores. Add an early morning start and even I was tired. The boys slept on the ground and dropped off as quickly as the rocks they threw into the lake.

It’s been nearly 50 years since I found the ground soft enough for a good sleep. I eased my aged body onto a low cot and zipped up my sleeping bag for an unusually cool night, but my slumber didn’t last long enough. I woke to the sound of coyotes—and not just a smooth wail. Their calls dipped and rose as if they were singing. I rolled over and savored this canine equivalent of a Verdi opera.

Should I wake the boys? I’d have as much luck waking stones. I drifted back to sleep.

The next sound that woke me wasn’t so musical. A crack of thunder raised me halfway off my bed. I settled back down, but the driving rain was relentless. The single square inch of seam that hadn’t been sealed on the rain fly sent a steady drip of water onto my sleeping bag, but that was just the beginning. Morning cooking and breaking camp left us and our gear entirely soaked, but the boys were excited when we got home.

Sandi gave each of us a towel and a hug.

“Did you have a good time?”

Ian’s words tumbled out of his mouth.

“It was awesome, Mom. We heard a coyote while we were sleeping last night.”

“Two, I think. Maybe more,” James said.

“They were singing. Most unusual.”

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emergency cash flow strategies There are only two ways that I know of to help your financial situation: bring in more money or pay out less money.

I

f you or a family member has experienced a major financial setback such as a layoff or a divorce, there are a number of things you can do quickly to help your cash flow situation and avoid going into debt. Some of these tactics also might be useful to help with your household budget if you are a stay-at-home mom or are taking some unpaid maternity leave.

There are only two ways that I know of to help your financial situation: Bring in more money OR pay out less money. If you are a busy parent, paying out less money is usually the easier option.

1

CANCEL everything you can. Cut back to basic cable or cut

the cord entirely. With video streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, you will still have plenty to watch. You always can expand your cable service in the future if you find you miss it. Even just calling your cable company to ask about specials can sometimes get you a better deal. Get DVDs from the library or Red Box. Still receiving actual paper newspapers or magazines?

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kcparent.com july 2015

For ideas on how to trim $100 off of your grocery bill, head to KCParent.com.

Stop the subscription and ask that you be refunded any balance. Reduce your Internet speed, phone data plan, home security service level, cleaning service, lawn service or any other monthly subscriber services that you can. Still tied to a land line phone?

Try a month without it and see if you really need it. Call your utility companies to see about a level payment plan. This can help you budget so you aren’t hit with huge heating/cooling bills some months.

FEWER LESSONS. Take a break from any lessons or extracurricular activities that are not essential to your

2

children’s happiness. With most lessons ranging in cost from $50 to $100 per month, even a one- or two-month break can give you a little financial cushion (plus you will save on gas!). Even if you have a contract, explain the situation to the provider and see whether they will work with you. Sometimes you can pay per lesson. While this is not the most economical, it allows your child to stay involved in the activity, even if it is less frequently, while still saving some cash.

Take advantage of free trials offered by many children’s activities. The same goes for gym memberships. If you are not using it enough to make the per visit cost a good deal, cancel

it if you can, then purchase punch cards or day passes. Use this break from your gym to check out others. Many will give you a week free to try them out—just be sure you can resist the hard sell. Don’t let the kids’ unstructured time fill up with video games or the “I’m bored” chorus. Seek out free or discounted community events, museums, etc. Many grocery stores, home improvement stores and libraries offer free or low-cost events for kids.

3

LIMIT OR BAN EATING OUT.

Not forever, just for a set period.

Even buying prepared meals from the grocery store or picking up pizza or take-out is less expensive than dining at a restaurant. You can supply the beverages and supplement the side dishes with less expensive options—plus, no tip! If you do eat out, look for kids-eat-free deals or Groupons to make the cost more affordable. If a family of four eats out at a casual dining restaurant once a week for a month at a cost of $30 to $40 per trip, you can save up to $160, less the cost of preparing those meals at home. Then for $160 you can buy 10 to 12 main courses that serve three to four people at meal prep stores, such as Social Suppers or Dream Dinners and have money left over for side dishes and dessert. And just because you prepare the food at home doesn’t mean you have to eat it at home. Meet friends for a bring-your-own picnic party at a park. Raid your pantry and freezer, too.

Basing just one meal a week on main ingredients you already have will trim your grocery bill.

DEBT MANAGEMENT. If you are paying on credit cards, car loans or other debts, make sure the way you are paying is the most economical.

Look at the interest rates on credit cards on which you carry a balance. These can vary significantly and may have changed since you opened the account. Transfer the balances to the lowest interest rate card. It may make sense to take out a home

4

equity loan to pay off high interest credit card debt. Likewise, take a look at your mortgage. If you have not refinanced in a while, current interest rates may make it a good time to do so.

5

CASH IT IN OR RETURN IT.

6

DON’T ATTEND EVERY EVENT. Don’t feel obligated to

Most households have a gift card or two that are sitting in a drawer collecting dust. If the card is not something you will use, sell, exchange or re-gift it. You can sell most merchandise credits and gift cards on Ebay, and numerous websites are devoted to exchanging gift cards. Have you recently purchased any big ticket items you have not used that could still be returned or sold?

Selling items you have already purchased, like season tickets or sporting event passes, can net you a good percentage return on the original purchase price. Look for inventory in your own house. Take those unused clothes (kids’ or adults’) to a consignment or resale shop. Play It Again Sports will give you cash for used sports equipment. List unused furniture, tools, etc., on Craigslist.

attend every single one of your child’s classmates’ birthday parties, every baby or wedding shower or every happy hour you are invited to. If it is not a close friend or family member or an important work contact, maybe you can skip it this time if it would be a financial burden. Another way to save money is to reduce the need for babysitters. Trade babysitting with other parents. Host a parents night out at your house for your friends’ children. The kids will have a great (free) time, and hopefully the other parents will return the favor.

While these strategies are not intended to be long-term, they can help in a financial crisis until you get back on your feet.

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

kcparent.com july 2015

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FAITH&FAMILY

the truth about lies

Philippians 4:8-9: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

i

caught one of my daughters in a lie recently. It wasn’t anything life altering, but nonetheless it wasn’t truthful and we both knew it. It came from a petty avoidance of responsibility. I don’t think any parents desire to find out their kid can be willfully deceitful. For me it was a

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I humbly recalled that we’ve all been guilty of lying and making mistakes on a daily basis.

If I want her to forgive others, she needs to experience it for herself. wake up call from a lull in my intentional parenting. What in the world am I, the mother, supposed to do about it? Brush it under the rug and forget about it?

Make her follow through on her task and not mention the lie? Remove every sliver of freedom from her grasp until she understands the reality that a paper cut can infect the whole body? Ignoring it didn’t seem wise, and blowing it out of proportion sounded reactive and ineffective. What is a mom to do?

First, I thought big picture and long term. What harm is there in a little lie?

Lying is denying that who God is and who He’s made us to be aren’t enough.

That’s not something I want my daughters believing in, whether in small or big ways. I’ve lived long enough to know that

small things tend to grow, including lies, including false identities. Not believing the time, energy and resources God has given us are enough leads to all kinds of unhealthy and unwelcome behaviors over the long run.

Second, I humbly recalled that we’ve all been guilty of lying and making mistakes on a daily basis. If I want her to forgive others, she needs to experience it for herself. I want all my daughters to feel the freedom that follows admitting we’re wrong and accepting grace from others.

These are often too uncommon, but highly important, skills in this world. Our home and in our family are places of new beginnings and fresh starts, but that’s only going to happen if we expect honesty and accept grace hand-in-hand.

Philippians 4:8-9 is our family’s summer theme verse: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” This verse helps us to remember it’s all about the “practicing” and not about perfection.

Jesus did the perfection part for us, so we get the joy of living in faith that His grace is sufficient, and that is the truth about lies.

Faith & Family writer Jena Meyerpeter is from Lenexa.

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teaching kids to say

! y r r so

a

Practice skills. Rather than lecturing

t first blush, teaching kids to apologize seems simple. You instruct them to say they’re sorry to whomever they wronged and then move on. But does your child only apologize to appease you? Does she really understand what she did wrong?

Teaching kids to apologize with sincerity helps them learn lessons in empathy, nurturing and forgiveness. And given the messiness of life, moments requiring apologies tend to be plentiful for practice.

your tyke about what he did wrong, role play when you get home by asking him questions like “I know you really wanted to play with that new toy that Bobby had, but what could you have done differently that wouldn’t have made him cry?”

“By doing that you are teaching him positive tactics and skills,” Mihalas says.

Show remorse for your mistakes. When you apologize to your

Establish house rules. From an early age, clarify behaviors that are okay and those that are not to help youngsters hone their sense of right and wrong and develop strong social skills.

“It’s really important to praise the behavior you want to see more of, like ‘thank you for asking before taking that toy from your brother,’” says Dr. Jane Sosland, child psychologist, University of Kansas Medical Center. “Then enforce consequences if they break the rules.”

Often that means an apology is necessary.

Role model. Consider this common scenario: Junior grabs a toy from the hands of another tot at a play date. Embarrassed in front of other parents, your first inclination might be to jump in, demand he give the toy back and apologize.

“By immediately scolding him in front of other people, that embarrasses and shames the child without giving him time to reflect about the situation,” says Dr. Stephanie Mihalas, child psychologist, the Center for Well Being, Los Angeles.

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kcparent.com july 2015

Are there times when moms should STOP saying “I’m sorry”? Find out at KCParent.com.

Instead model an empathetic apology.

Mihalas suggests the following formula:

1. Apology statement: “Johnny, I’m really sorry that got taken out of your hand.”

2. Feeling statement: “You must feel really bad because you were playing with it.”

3. Corrective response: “I’m going to give it back to you because I know that it shouldn’t have been taken away from you.”

“What you hope eventually happens is your child picks up the routine implicitly, based on how you behave with other people,” Mihalas says.

children for mistakes you make (and who isn’t guilty of the occasional bad parenting moment?), you show them that no one is above culpability. In turn, they have the opportunity to express forgiveness.

Then work to correct your behavior.

“The whole point about teaching kids to say sorry is that they can learn from their mistakes,” Sosland says. “If we are repeatedly saying sorry (for the same thing), we demonstrate that we are not learning.”

But only apologize if you are truly at fault. Instead of saying “I’m sorry” for a disappointment you had no control over, show understanding by saying something like: “I know. I’m sad that happened too.”

Cool off first. A hasty “I’m sorry” in the heat of anger is rarely meaningful. Give your child time to calm down in her room and set a time limit for an apology, says parent coach Laura Murphy, president of Real Families, Inc. For instance: “You are welcome to rejoin us once you apologize.”

Then, give her age-appropriate choices for how she would like to apologize.

“Would you like to apologize with a hug

or with your words?” or “Would you like to draw a picture or write a letter saying you are sorry?”

Reinforce words with nurturing, corrective action. As part of the apology, help your child find actionable ways to make amends.

Murphy offers an example: “If you are going to call your sister names, I want you to say three nice things to her.” Or “You hurt your brother. Let’s get him an ice pack to help him feel better.”

“But I’m NOT sorry!” As every parent knows, there are two sides to every story, and understanding what happened isn’t always obvious. Once emotions have simmered down, talk to your child and find out why she doesn’t feel like she should apologize.

“We really don’t want to insist they say sorry when they aren’t sorry,” Sosland says.

“Maybe they are right not to feel sorry.

Maybe they reacted in a situation where the other child was badgering them and making fun of them, and finally they couldn’t stand

“Apologizing is humbling, and part of what builds character is being able to humble yourself when you’ve been wrong.”

– Laura Murphy it any longer. It’s important to validate their feelings and not to try to convince them to feel differently. There are no right or wrong feelings.”

Problem solve ways to handle the situation better in the future. And discuss if there is any part of the incident for which your child should be held accountable. For example, even if her anger was justified, hitting her playmate wasn’t the right way to handle it.

In this case, she could say “I’m sorry that I hit you.”

“It would solve most of the world’s problems if we took care of what we are responsible for instead of rubbing each other’s noses in what we think the other person should be responsible for,” Murphy says.

Teaching forgiveness. As kids learn to say sorry, they also learn forgiveness.

“Apologizing is humbling, and part of what builds character is being able to humble yourself when you’ve been wrong,” Murphy says. “On the flip side of that is humbling yourself to forgive somebody when you’ve been wronged.”

The famous English poet Alexander Pope once wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” We all make mistakes.

By learning to give and accept apologies with empathy and grace, we develop integrity in ourselves and trust in each other. In return, we are rewarded with friendships that last a lifetime.

Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. Christa’s latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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when parenting styles

H S A CL Kids tend to be pretty good detectives. Even if they do not do it on a conscious level, they tend to know how to divide and conquer when it comes to their parents.

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kcparent.com july 2015

b

eing a parent is difficult. It requires a lot of diverse abilities to raise children to become successful members of society, and there is no prescribed way to take it on, making partnering in parenting a challenge.

“Parents who have different parenting styles are very common,” says Carmen McHenry, MA, LPC, child and family therapist at Water Street Family Counseling.

She goes on to explain the most common parenting styles are Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive and Uninvolved/ Unengaged.

Amy Dedrick, LCSW, RPT, CAS child therapist, says these varying styles often overlap depending on the situation and person. “Most parents are a bit eclectic in their parenting approaches, often having a mixture of styles,” she says.

Understanding the differences between your parenting style and your partner’s is important for learning to balance them.

“When identifying an individual parenting style, parents need to consider first how they usually respond to disobedience, boundary-setting situations and emotional responsiveness,” McHenry says. “Basically, how they balance structure and nurture in their parenting overall.”

Melissa Graybill, Kansas City area mother of three, identifies with the reality of differing parenting styles. “I am not overly domineering but I have clear and high expectations and work to be as consistent as possible with my expectations, rules and discipline. I don’t want to step in to solve all of my kids’ perceived or real problems but try to be available for support,” she says. “My husband, while warm and loving

to our children, tends to be a bit more authoritarian in his approach.”

Additionally, it’s important for parents to recognize their differences as children have likely already determined them and utilize them to their own advantage. “Children are very perceptive from an early age in noticing parenting style differences” says McHenry.

Dedrick agrees. “Kids tend to be pretty good detectives. Even if they do not do it on a conscious level, they tend to know how to divide and conquer when it comes to their parents,” she says.

Graybill has seen this happen in her home. “My children will seek out the parent that suits the situation. If they want a listening and empathetic ear regarding school and friend related issues, they come to me,” she says. “If it has anything to do with their sports activities, they go straight to my husband.”

That you and your co-parent will approach situations differently is inevitable, but how you manage these differences is the important part. “If time and the situation allow, parents can communicate to each other that they need to speak alone to come

to a decision. Parents also can say openly, ‘Sometimes Mom and Dad think differently on this, but we both want you to be safe, happy and healthy,’ and one parent may have to defer in the moment to prevent an escalation and discuss it later,” recommends McHenry.

Graybill and her husband try to work through their differences in this manner.

“We try to discuss situations and consider differences before deciding upon a course of action. That doesn’t always happen and can be frustrating, but if we aren’t able to communicate before a decision is made, we talk later and then bring our children in on the conversation so they know that we are on the same page and they cannot just divide and conquer us.”

Differences like those Graybill and her family face happen regularly and can serve as good teaching moments. “Agreeing to disagree and still show support for one another is an important concept to role model,” says Dedrick.

Differing opinions in parenting will occur, and a simple conversation may not manage all differences. “Most couples end

up finding a happy medium. However, some parents differ to a greater extent in their styles and oftentimes will end up having tension in other areas of their relationship as well,” McHenry says. “This is best addressed in couples therapy, to ensure that children do not become anxious and confused due to chronic conflict.”

Dedrick recommends the same: “If there seems to be a pervasive pattern in which you or your partner are unable to compromise, then it’s best to seek outside help from a counselor. Arguing in front of the kids or asking them to pick a side can be detrimental to the children and the parenting partnership.”

All parenting styles have their strengths and limitations, according to Dedrick.

“Achieving a balance will be the biggest predictor of sustainability,” she says, “and in parenting, that is equal to sanity.”

Karah Chapman is a school psychologist in the Kansas City area who, as a child, mastered the art of “divide and conquer” with her parents.

what’s your style? the authoritarian parent:

the authoritative parent:

the permissive parent:

the uninvolved parent:

• Do you have strict rules

• Does your child’s day

• Do you not believe in

• Do you only address

that you believe should be followed no matter what?

Do you often find yourself offering no explanations other than “Because I said so”?

• Do you give your child few choices/decisions about his life?

• Do you utilize punishment as a means of getting your child to do what you ask?

• Are you reserved in the amount of warmth and nurturing you show your child?

have structure to it, such as a planned bedtime and understood household rules?

• Are there consequences for breaking the rules or interrupting the structure?

• Does your child understand the expectations that you have for his behavior, and are those reasonable?

• Do you have a healthy and open line of communication with your child? (Your child can talk to you without fear of negative consequence or judgment.)

setting limits or rules for your child or compromise those rules to accommodate for your child’s mood?

• Do you avoid conflict with your child?

• Do you have a willingness to be your child’s best friend over his parent?

• Do you often bribe your child to do things with large rewards?

your child’s physical needs (food, shelter, clothing)?

• Do you provide little or no supervision or support emotionally?

• Do you lack involvement in your child’s school or social activities?

Are you over-parenting your child? Log onto KCParent.com for signs that you might be over-parenting. kcparent.com july 2015

27

6 ways to stay sane as a working mom

E

ven if you have a fantastic husband or partner, for biological, anatomical and emotional reasons, a mother tends to have more of the childcare responsibilities fall her way. So, if you also are working outside of the home, getting overwhelmed and feeling like you are working “double shifts” is easy. Here are a few ways to maintain your sanity while working outside the home by day and inside the home by night:

Learn to laugh.

You WILL go to work with boogers on your shoulder, slobber in your hair and marshmallow cereal stuck to the back of your blazer. You will be dressed and heading out the door, ready to load your baby in the car seat when you start to feel some wetness leaking out of his diaper onto your freshly dry cleaned

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pants. My personal favorite is the painfully awkward moments with your co-workers when you are cleaning the parts to your breast pump in the company lunchroom or have to explain that you need a couple of 17-minute “breaks” to attend to your motherly duties. It may not be funny to you now, but eventually you will look back at this time in your life and laugh. Just roll with it, smile and try to keep a long-term perspective!

Remember Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong will go wrong).

When you are a parent, Murphy is basically a member of the family. You will go to work with mismatched earrings (if you remember to wear any jewelry at all), forget to put on deodorant or a belt, or

realize you only put mascara on one eye.

You will double check that all household members brush their teeth, but then forget to brush your own. Your child will only vomit at inopportune times: in the car, on an airplane or in crowded shopping centers.

Your youngster will get an unexplained rash or contract a severe stomach bug and need to be quarantined on the day of your big presentation, meeting, etc.

I find it best to be on the defense at all times. Make sure that your coworkers can access the things you are working on, make sure you know how to contact your office manager after (or before) hours if necessary and ALWAYS have a spare. At work I keep a spare toothbrush, perfume, deodorant, stain stick, lipstick and plenty of snacks. Also, keep some form of a napkin/wipe within arm’s reach at all times.

Be mindful of your finances.

Money and financial matters are always in the top three topics that couples fight about. Adding an extra person (or people) to the family can drastically change your financial picture and introduce some new challenges to the budget. It is easy to get caught up in the daily routine of work, kids, email, dinner, dishes, bedtime—lather, rinse, repeat—and lose track of our financial lives.

Do a simple check-in every six months to stay on track. Take stock of where you are—make a list of all of your assets (bank accounts, investments, retirement plans, property) and all of your debts (mortgage, student loans, car loans, etc.). Hopefully, the net value of the assets minus the liabilities equals a positive number that gets larger every time you do this exercise. If not, you may have a problem on your hands. Set some goals and make a plan to reach those goals. Maybe it’s getting that pesky car loan paid off, buying bedroom furniture or being able to take that European anniversary trip next summer. Whatever it is, figure out the

total cost and break it down into a monthly payment (or payoff) plan.

Exercise.

I am a firm believer that exercise makes you a better person. When you exercise, you have more patience, capacity and focus and are in an all-around better mood. When I don’t exercise, it shows—I can become irritable and downright hostile. Squeeze in some exercise whenever you can. Even if it is just a walk around the block, a sprint up the stairs or some push-ups under your desk, it will help. Several DVDs now offer 30-, 20- and even 10-minute workout sessions you can follow along with. Get a pedometer and challenge yourself to reach 10,000 steps a day. Remember the saying “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”? This is absolutely true. Do yourself and your family a favor on this one!

Give yourself a break.

When you are a working mom, you tend to feel like you are mediocre at everything.

You are always trying to keep multiple balls in the air and plates spinning, so you feel like nothing you do gets 100 percent of your focus. There will always be something to feel guilty about—not spending enough time with your family, not spending enough time with your clients or not doing enough networking. Just do the best you can. No one can do it all (at once).

Embrace dry shampoo.

It is just not reasonable, feasible or necessary to wash your hair every morning.

Save yourself the extra 15 minutes and sleep in, get some more snuggles or playtime before you leave for work, read the newspaper or whatever floats your boat.

Trust me on this one.

Jamie Bosse, CFP®, RFC is a financial planner at KHC Wealth Management. Jamie loves to write, travel, barbecue, watch the K-State Wildcats win football games and spend time with her husband, son and pet Corgi.

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from greedy to

W

hen my 5-year-old firstborn was placed on Santa’s lap and asked what he wanted for Christmas, he looked deep into Santa’s eyes and uttered those words that every parent yearns to hear: “I have all that I need, Santa. I just enjoy seeing you!” I was reassured that my husband and I must be doing something right. The next year, however, something changed. Instead of a similar response, my 6-year-old came equipped with a long wish list to present to St. Nick, all organized in sequence of priority. It wasn’t long after Christmas presents were opened that I found Post-it’s throughout the house with reminders of what he would like for his birthday—which was a full six months away!

As my son’s lists grew, so did my concern. What had changed in a year’s time? According to Tim Kasser, Ph.D., psychology professor and author of The High Price of Materialism, my son is not alone. “When 5- and 6-year-olds start kindergarten, they’re typically spending more time with friends, so they’re becoming increasingly exposed to all the merchandise out there,” he says. Kasser also says culture bombards our kids with the idea that materialism is the path to happiness while, at the same time, youngsters are

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kcparent.com july 2015

grateful developing a social awareness that inclines them to constantly compare themselves to others. It’s no wonder a child’s list can grow as he does! No one wants to raise an ungrateful child, though. Here are some ways to combat the gimmes in your home!

Tune It Out. TV advertising is a formidable force to be reckoned with, and children are particularly vulnerable.

That multiple studies have concluded the more television a child watches the more stuff he wants isn’t surprising. Take precautionary measures by encouraging your children to adopt a healthy skepticism toward consumer advertising and limiting their exposure by turning to media alternatives such as Netflix and DVDs, where they can watch their favorite shows without commercials.

Presence over Presents. Many a grandparent adopts the mantra: “Spoil the grandkids and send them home!”

Unfortunately, this well-intentioned philosophy can incline your children to look at Grandma and Grandpa as present generators. If this is the case with your parents or in-laws, have a heart-to-heart talk to let them know how much you appreciate their generosity

but are concerned with your child’s behavior. Brainstorm together ways to limit gifts coming in and instead encourage outings together where memories are placed over things.

Choose Joy. One of the most effective things we can do to combat greediness is to instead train our kids to adopt a spirit of thanksgiving. According to Christine Carter, Ph.D., grateful children grow into happier adults. And, fortunately, thankfulness is not a fixed trait! In her book Raising Happiness, Carter says “Pioneering social scientists think that 40 percent of our happiness comes from intentional, chosen activities throughout the day….a skill that can be cultivated, like kicking a ball or speaking French.”

Have your children write thank you’s when they receive gifts, compliment good traits you see in them and encourage them to do the same with others around them.

Lauren Greenlee tries to instill an attitude of gratitude in her three young boys. She writes from her Olathe home.

For more ideas on how to combat the “gimmes” in your home, visit KCParent.com.

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31

your goal may not be a six-pack, but physical fitness should be.

make working out work for you

Y

ou may have heard of “No Excuse” mom Maria Kang who went viral last year with a photo of her three kids alongside her six-pack abs. Some may have found the caption “What’s your excuse?” offensive, but many found it motivational. It’s no secret that we moms put most of our time and energy into our families while de-prioritizing ourselves.

What if we redirected some of that focus back onto ourselves? What if we stopped making excuses and started re-prioritizing? Your goal may not be a six-pack, but physical fitness should be. Here are seven tips to make working out work for you:

1. Make time.

Pencil your workout into your daily schedule. Whether it’s a quick 10-minute high intensity workout at home or a 45-minute gym session, give it priority. Make scheduling your workout as important as scheduling appointments for the kids or shuttling them to soccer practice.

You’ll be more likely to follow through if it’s already in your planner.

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2. Find your golden hour.

Tonganoxie mom Alicia Wylie says she works out in the early morning hours before her son wakes up. “I work out at 5:15 so that I’m home before my husband has to leave for work,” she says. “Working out in the morning allows my evenings to be free for family activities.” Mom of three Ashley Gepner says she typically works out at naptime. In the summer, I go for evening runs while my husband puts the kids to sleep. Perhaps you’re cranky in the morning, but ready to give it your all in the evening. Maybe midday lunch hour at work is when you feel most energized. Finding your golden hour is about finding a time that works best for you so that you can stick with it.

3. Join a gym. I used to log onto

BodyRock.tv every morning for my workout. I’d sit the boys down with art supplies or a cartoon to keep them occupied while I exercised. Inevitably, after the first five minutes every single time, somebody would need something. One of them was thirsty; the other was hungry. They didn’t like the cartoon I had put on or they became bored with coloring. My workout would sometimes take half the morning because of the number of times I’d get interrupted.

Last year, I finally decided to join a gym.

The childcare watch has been so valuable to me and allows the kids time to socialize and play.

4. Take it outdoors with the kids. Desiree Kenney, mom of one, says,

“While the kids are playing, I do lunges across the backyard or stretch. I have a mat in the outdoor toy box that I take out as well to do floor exercises.” Basehor mom

W

Jana Deters says, “I put my little ones in the jogging stroller and go for a run. They love looking at the animals and tractors nearby, and I get in a great workout. Pushing an extra 70 pounds is great for the arms!”

5. Pop in a DVD. Olathe mom of three Karen Johnson says, “I tried so many things over the years, but finally found luck with Jillian Michaels’ DVDs, because they’re 20-minute, high intensity workouts. I would get interrupted 12 times during a typical 60-minute workout, but 20 is much easier to fit in.”

6. Go tech. Tonganoxie mom Erin

Wiruth-Pavlovich says, “I downloaded the 7 Minute Workout app on my iPad. It’s pretty intense! Even better, it’s free!” According to PCMag.com, other top workout apps include Runtastic and GAIN Fitness. They can be downloaded onto a tablet or phone, allowing ease of workouts wherever you might be.

7. Develop a support system.

According to AceFitness.org, “Surrounding yourself with people who encourage and support your fitness goals is crucial to your adherence. Grab a friend and go for a walk or meet up a few times every week for a gym date. Aside from friends and family, there are online support systems to keep you on track as well. Look up local Facebook fitness groups for accountability partners.”

Above all, be realistic. I’m not a fitness guru. I don’t work out every single day. I do, however, understand the importance of staying fit. Not only is it a confidence booster, but it’s also a stress reliever. Taking time to prioritize myself has made all the difference in how I approach the other aspects of my life. No more excuses—it’s time to get moving!

Jennifer Bosse is an active mom of two, living in Kansas City.

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33

The Upside of SocialMedia Connected Kids Positive examples are everywhere, more so than the negative aspects of social media.

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a

s parents we often hear stories about the shadowy side of social media. While problems can crop up, the networking tool can be instrumental in helping kids learn, connect, raise awareness and grow into more mindful communicators.

Invite creative expression.

Kids who have a passion for photography, art, video production, music or writing can use applications like blogs, YouTube and Instagram to express themselves.

Maggie Pike, a Missouri native and college freshman, says she uses her Instagram page to post photos of world events and people of different cultures.

“Social media can be a great source of creativity,” she says. “There are poems being posted, interesting questions, funny or cool videos...Positive examples are everywhere, more so than the negative aspects of social media.”

Tip: Discuss how your child will respond to any negativity that might come her way, from Internet trolls to cyberbullies. Remove

geo-locator tags from photographs and overly specific profile information. Establish privacy settings and remind your kids to make positive choices online.

Foster purposeful mindfulness.

“You start developing your personal brand identity as soon as you go online,” says Linda Buchner, president and co-founder of MindDrive, a nonprofit workforce development organization that recruits students from urban Kansas City schools. The students, ages 13 to 19, choose to enroll in contemporary communications or automotive design.

The communications team works in tandem with the automotive team, sharing the MindDrive brand through video production, marketing materials and social media.

In 2013, the students earned national attention when they programmed their futuristic-looking electric car to recognize social media connections. Fueled by social media likes, shares and hashtags, they successfully drove the car from Kansas City to Washington, D.C.

This year, the students will attend a car race in Wisconsin, where they will show their car and interact with race teams and pit crews. The communications team created a video inviting the public to follow along through social media as they go on the trip.

To learn more, visit MindDrive.org.

Tip: Encourage your child to practice his public speaking and presentation skills by creating video interviews, podcasts and SlideShare presentations on topics that interest him.

Channel the entrepreneurial spirit. Sandra Perez, 18, created her

own YouTube channel featuring fashion and makeup demos. Perez, who plans to pursue a degree in communication at the University of Missouri, now has more than 1,000 followers and has been approached by corporate sponsors.

“It’s something she wanted to do anyway to practice public speaking skills, and now she has a professional site,” says Buchner, who hired Perez to work as her marketing intern.

Tip: Whether your children like to watch Minecraft videos or pin craft ideas on Pinterest, monitor what they watch and post. Even if they delete their viewing history, you can see the types of videos they’ve been watching by reviewing YouTube’s recommendations.

Connect with friends. Social media

can give kids the opportunity to meet peers who share their interests, and Buchner believes it can boost their confidence in face-to-face interactions.

“Sometimes really shy kids or kids who don’t have a lot of friends are more

comfortable finding friends through social media,” Buchner says. “It’s an opportunity to tread lightly and put yourself out there a little bit.”

Tip: Balance out your child’s tech use with “in-real-life” playdates and activities.

Also role model responsible device use, set consistent boundaries and establish digital citizenship rules.

Promote awareness. “Students will

constantly post different things that are going on that they are involved in. Maybe they got an award, won a sporting event or are volunteering at Ronald McDonald House,” says Kim Urenda, a school counselor at Blue Valley West High School and an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Social media allows for a deeper understanding of various cultures and world issues.

“Positive uses of social media by our young people support social justice and advocacy for humanity, and it gives them an understanding of world issues in a very relevant way,” says Deb Woodard, UMKC school counseling coordinator.

Tip: Show your kids sites that other young people have started, like FairED, that are healthy examples of positive social media use. Altruistic kids can complement tweets and posts about their campaign with video interviews and short informational clips to educate and share with their audiences.

Raise critical thinkers. More

educators are integrating social media into the classroom, beginning in elementary school.

“Our biggest push is media literacy, educating students to question the motive behind what’s being posted,” Urenda says.

Teachers also role model how to use platforms like YouTube, Skype and Twitter to connect with experts and bring textbook materials to life.

“If you can see an ice castle in Siberia, then it makes it really interesting when you are reading about it,” says Sarah Pike, principal at Frances Willard Elementary School in Kansas City, KS. “And the kids thought it was exciting when we did some Skyping with a National Geographic tornado chaser.”

Pike finds that interactive technology motivates students and makes learning relevant. Schools, she says, must stay current.

“We are training kids for jobs that we can’t even foresee because information is changing so fast. They have got to be able to use these tools to communicate and collaborate.”

Tip: After your next family vacation, invite your kids to make an iMovie with their favorite photos and videos, create a digital photo album, post a review of their vacation on a family blog and/or post pictures on Instagram.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. She is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

Some interactive sites and apps that promote creativity, learning and sharing: • Create comic strips at MakeBeliefsComix.com.

• I nterview and collect family stories with the

• E xplore history in the collaborative community HistoryPin.org.

StoryCorps.me app.

• Check out YouTubeKids, a free app offered by

YouTube featuring videos, channels and playlists for younger children.

Unsure whether an app, game, movie or website is a good fit for your child? Check out CommonSenseMedia.org.

kcparent.com july 2015

35

5 things every parent should know

F

ace it, there are A LOT of things we are expected to know as parents, and as you have learned, children don’t come with a manual—but they do come with a steep learning curve!

Through my first 13 years of parenting, I’ve learned some things that all parents should know.

While you won’t find a lot of these in parenting books, I’ve found them to be helpful.

Name and Number of Go-To Pal. No parent should ever be without this oh-so-important partner in your parenting journey.

You know the person to which I’m referring: the one you call and scream into the phone “I’vecutmyhandandneedtogotoemergencyr oomwatchmykids!” Or the one who comes over at 10:00 to sit with your sleeping kids while you head to the Target parking lot to bring keys to your husband who has locked his in the car.

A Good Cookie Recipe. If this hasn’t happened to you yet, I promise it will. Picture the following scenario with me: 8:00 and you’ve packed it in for the day. You settle down to read for a few minutes when a child remembers, “I volunteered to bring snack tomorrow.” Pull out that recipe and whip up “your” cookies.

My cookies are Gooey Butter Cookies. You’ll find the recipe at KCParent.com—quick and easy to make at the last minute!

Emergency Kit. Yes, it’s important to have band-aids, wipes, etc. on hand, but that’s not the emergency kit I mean. I’m referring to the one you’ll need when you get to the doctor’s office to see a full waiting room and at least a 30-minute queue in front of you. Or when you show up to dinner at a local joint on a Tuesday at 5:00 (because really, who eats out that early?) only to discover there’s a 45-minute wait. I keep a stash of small items in my purse to help pass the time in these situations. My all-time favorites are Wikki

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kcparent.com july 2015

Stix and small containers of Play-Doh. I also keep Mad Libs, word searches and joke books on hand, just in case.

Lyrics to a Popular Song. While I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night, I have an uncanny recollection of ’80s song lyrics—I can sing every word to U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name.” While that makes me cool in some crowds, it doesn’t with my fifth-grade daughter. Truth be told, I can’t stand the “music that kids listen to today.” But making the effort to find one I can stomach and becoming familiar with it really helps earn some “cool” points in a special tween’s eyes.

Answer to THAT Question. It always seems to come at an inopportune time, and I’ve found it’s just best to be prepared and learn from my mistakes. In these situations, remember two important things. First, less is more. Seriously, I have to say to myself as I babble through an awkward explanation, “Be quiet, Margaret!” Second, ask a question to find out exactly what your child wants to know. Chances are good the information he is seeking is a lot tamer than what is flying through your mind.

Margaret Sarver writes from her home in Lenexa. She would not shed a tear if she didn’t have to listen to today’s pop music ever again.

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table of contents 39 adventure 40 a look back 42 classic summer fun 44 avoid brain drain 45 healthy kids 46 DC vacation 48 festive feast 50 family reunion 51 craft corner

kcparent.com 38 july2015 2015 38 july kcparent.com

summer F

Nguide

have you ever? an invitation to

ADVENTURE

D

uring a short vacation, my children and I stopped for a candy factory tour. The girls weren’t impressed by the video and tram drive through the warehouse. They had expected to see the real thing. The following day we paid a visit to a bakery owned by friends. After we ogled the cakes and cookies in the display cases, our owner friend asked, “Have you ever seen how a bakery works?” My three girls’ enthusiastic “No!” set them off on a tour through the behind-the-scenes workings of a real bakery—no videos and boxes, but honest-to-goodness mega-sized mixers, walk-in refrigerators and racks of cooling cakes.

While it may not come around often, that magical phrase (in the right context) can be a cue that opportunity awaits. “Have you ever…” is frequently a call to adventure. Here are the ways it can open up new experiences for your family, and why you as a parent should be ready to drop any other plans and embrace that call when you hear it:

experience a “first” A “Have you ever…” invitation worth accepting is often expressed in settings where the person asking can safely assume a “no” answer. While you may not have planned to explore that activity or setting, an invitation from an insider can yield pleasant surprises. And what better way to experience something new than alongside an individual familiar with it?

go behind the scenes When they sense a receptive audience, professionals, business owners, coaches and others may open up spaces normally off-limits to the public. We all like to share our lives, and these folks are no different. So when you are asked whether you have ever

seen the inner workings of an establishment (as with our baker friend), or sat in a reserved section of a venue or ridden in a special vehicle—followed by an invitation to do so—jump at the opportunity.

Ask your host if you can pause for a moment to prepare. Then take your children aside and review basic ground rules regarding touching, respecting the space and other applicable etiquette. No matter how well-mannered your children are, it’s helpful not to assume they will know how to behave in this new situation. Keep your instructions brief and upbeat. Encourage them to ask questions and be prepared to accept further invitations, such as if they’re invited to sample a product or test out a piece of equipment.

learn from a master When you are watching a professional at his trade or sport, you may find him responsive to interested youngsters. If your children are invited to join in, help them step forward. They will be receiving tips from an expert. They can ask questions about techniques or skills. And it can help to hear how long this person has been working at what he does and what it took to build up to the level he has achieved.

After a magic show at her local library, Robyn Whitlock’s sons approached the performer. He asked them to show him some of their tricks and expressed his amazement at their skill. Then he offered a few tips. He spent at least a half hour oneon-one with the boys.

“Any time you’re with someone who is a professional like that, it inspires you to go further with it and to learn more,” Whitlock says. “After that, [the boys] did tons of magic to try to get better.”

encounter (and practice) generosity Whenever someone asks the question “Have you ever…” she’s about to give you something—whether it be her time, expertise or access. Point out to your children this generosity as you discuss the experience afterward. When possible, help your kids write and send a note of thanks to the people who made the experience possible.

You can train your kids to be generous in the same way by finding something you do that others may not have experienced.

For instance, each year we make homemade applesauce using a special food mill. And every fall we invite one or more of our girls’ friends to join us in cranking applesauce.

We ask, “Have you ever made applesauce?”

Inviting others to join you increases the enjoyment of what could otherwise be an ordinary activity for your family. And it allows you to share what you have. In our house, everyone samples hot applesauce when it’s ready. And often we send home a container with our helpers.

Take an adventure-seeking mindset with you and you’ll be ready to answer “Have you ever...” with a “No, but I’d love to!” You never know what you’ll experience because of it.

Lara Krupicka is a parenting journalist and author of Bucket List Living for Moms and Family Bucket Lists: Bring More Fun, Adventure & Camaraderie into Every Day. She’s also mom to three girls who are learning to seize invitations to try new things. kcparent.com july 2015

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summer F

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a look back at

SUMMER FUN

in Kansas City PARENT M A YE A R S

GA

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hat are your family’s favorite summertime activities? A Sunday afternoon at the K, cheering on our boys in blue?

A night under the stars, enjoying a musical at Starlight Theatre? Perhaps a picnic at a local park or a road trip to another city?

Whatever your family’s top summertime picks are, those same activities were likely enjoyed by families 30 years ago, when KC Parent was in its infancy. As part of the publication’s anniversary celebration, we took a look back at summer issues of KC Parent from 1986, the first full year the magazine was in print.

Some things haven’t changed much over the years: Concerts, plays, pools, parks and ballgames were popular family hotspots back then, although details such as who and where have changed over the years. Beating summer boredom and “brain drain” were popular topics, along with how to keep children entertained during long car trips and free/cheap outings for families.

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15

Other things found in those early issues are strictly ’80s-bound and cannot be carried over to 2015, such as certain popular entertainers of the day and an article on wearing seatbelts, a rather new concept at the time.

Take a step back in time and enjoy these highlights from the early days of KC Parent:

SUMMER 1986 Many parents are constantly on the lookout for free or cheap activities. Taking a family of three or four (or more!) on an outing doesn’t have to mean digging deep into your pockets, and an article from June 1986 highlighted some of the free destinations found around Kansas City: Children’s Day at Missouri Town 1855, Ernie Miller Nature Center, farmers market at City Market and Deanna Rose Farmstead.

Sound familiar? The children who enjoyed these fun sites in 1986 might take their own kids to the same spots in 2015.

All the places are still open, still free or inexpensive and still host thousands of families each year.

An article about “Learning on the Road” featured ideas on how to slip in educational activities during family road trips.

Workbooks, math games, I Spy contests, state license plate checklists and word games were all mentioned.

One idea made me smile: The author suggested giving each child 20 dimes at the beginning of the road trip. If they followed the car rules, they could spend that money at their destination. However, for each rule they broke, they had to pay a dime back to the adults. It’s a great idea, but would have to be converted to today’s money. After all, $2 won’t buy much these days.

Another article focused on buckling up for safety—and because it helps children behave better. The author wrote how her kids used to ride without seatbelts because the dog had chewed through the straps. When she saw how well-behaved her sister-in-law’s kids were when they were strapped in and not as mobile, she turned into a believer.

Those of us of a certain age remember cruising down the road in the family station wagon, hanging out the window, draped over the front seat or sprawled in the backseat.

Somehow we lived through it, yet we make sure our own kids are buckled in tight.

Another story featured ways to beat summer boredom, and the writer suggested local libraries, sports, parks and rec programs, the zoo and picnics at city parks.

These suggestions are certainly applicable to today’s kids, and our family has utilized all of these ideas in summers past.

An article that focused on keeping teens occupied during the summer had some terrific suggestions: learn life skills such as cooking and cleaning, get a job, take up a new hobby and organize a garage sale.

One idea caught my eye: “Initiate activities to help teens in later careers, such as computer skills.” Computers were in many schools but very few homes in 1986.

The future was obviously pointing to their rapid expansion, so learning computer skills was good advice for teens at the time.

In the summer of 1986, the Royals were the reigning World Series champs, vying for the crown again. Events at Royals Stadium (renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1993) included a Dairy Council George Brett nutrition growth poster giveaway and a McDonald’s and Coca-Cola baseball glove day. No bobblehead giveaways were on the agenda in 1986.

KC Parent printed a calendar in its early days, full of local events for the whole family, just like it does today. There were a lot of plays around town in the summer of 1986, including Snoopy at Theatre for Young America, Charlotte’s Web at the Coterie, West Side Story at Starlight and Annie Get Your Gun at Bell Road Barn Playhouse.

Local concerts in the summer of 1986 included Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Dionne Warwick, Tom Petty, Air Supply, Beach Boys, Juice Newton, Lee Greenwood, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Glenn Miller Orchestra, John Anderson, the Temptations and the Four Tops.

Several locations were mentioned that were popular in the day but no longer exist, or exist in a different form: Metro North Mall, Bannister Mall, Tiffany’s Attic, Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base and Benjamin Ranch, to name a few.

Frugal family fun, entertaining outings and tips on child-rearing have long been the focus for Kansas City families, and the heart of KC Parent.

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Tisha Foley enjoyed looking through past issues of KC Parent for this article. She and her family live in Belton.

kcparent.com july 2015

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Nguide

CLASSIC SUMMER FUN Kansas City Style

S

ummer…the season of fresh lemonade, fun in the sprinkler and blowing bubbles. This summer, upgrade the fun with special twists on the

family classics and super cool ways to enjoy these traditions around Kansas City.

bubble fun

n at home: Mix your own bubble solution and wands to make GIANT bubbles! This is our favorite bubble solution recipe: 5 c. water, 1 c. corn syrup, 1 c. dishwashing liquid soap. Microwave water and corn syrup for three minutes. Stir, then carefully add dishwashing soap. Enjoy with your own homemade giant bubble wands.

For instructions to make wands, visit PBS Kids (PBS.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/reallybig-bubble-maker/). n out & about: For the young and the young-at-heart, bubble soccer is the newest trendy summer fun sport. Bubble Soccer KC plays every Saturday at Theis Park (weather permitting), and the athletic and daring ages 10 and up are invited to join the game!

Players wear giant plastic bubbles while playing traditional soccer at local venues. It’s fun to play, but perhaps even more fun to watch. Visit BubSoc.com for information.

sand art. Kits feature bottles in many great shapes—including castles—and kids love filling them with colored sand to make cool designs.

n out & about: Build a sand castle at a local swim beach. These local lakes offer great swim beaches for the whole family to enjoy: Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County, MO, 816.503.4870, JacksonGov. org); Longview Lake (Jackson County, MO, 816.503.4870, JacksonGov.org); Shawnee Mission Park Beach (Johnson County, KS, 913.312.8847, JCPRD.com); Kill Creek Park Beach (Johnson County, KS, 913.312.8847, JCPRD.com); Smithville Lake Beach (Clay County, MO, 816.407.3400, SmithvilleMO. org); and Watkins Woolen Mill State Park Lake (Clay County, MO, 816.580.3387, MOStateParks.com).

drive-in movies

n at home: For young children, cardboard boxes open up a world of imagination. Take a giant cardboard box and convert it into a one-person toy car

build a sand castle

n at home: Head to U.S. Toy (2008 W. 103rd Ter., Leawood, KS, 913.642.8247) (Tip: use our coupon on pg. 4) or other local craft supply shops where you’ll find lots of great summer craft kits, including

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Boulevard Drive-In, Merriam, KS.

(instructions at Parenting.com/gallery/howmake-box-car). Let your child color and decorate the car, then use it as his personal seat to watch a favorite film together as a family.

n out & about: This summer load up the old station wagon—make that SUV— and head to Boulevard Drive-In (1051 Merriam Ln., Kansas City, KS, 913.262.0392, BoulevardDriveIn.com). Showing films all summer long, this is a family favorite where adult admission is $10 and kids 11 and under are FREE. You’re welcome to bring your own concessions or buy some from the snack bar.

sidewalk chalk

n at home: Make your own sidewalk chalk with this recipe from PBS Kids (PBS. org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemadesidewalk-chalk/). n out & about: Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew chalk as an essential school supply. Learn more about life in the 1800s at the Shoal Creek Living History Museum (7000 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.792.2655), where you can visit a one-room school (and write with chalk on a slate), a blacksmith shop, a grist mill and several pioneer homes. Our favorite time to visit is during First Saturdays (offered monthly through September, 9:004:00). This free event brings the village to life as reenactors demonstrate life in the 1800s throughout the village with familyfriendly activities and hands-on learning.

• Zona Rosa: I-29 & Barry Road, Kansas City, MO • McCoy Park: 24 Highway & N. Delaware, Independence, MO • Rotary Park: 24th & Hardy, Independence, MO • J ohn Anderson Park: 4701 E. 135th St., Grandview, MO • City Park: 970 S. Hwy. 29, Liberty, MO

Anderson Sprayground in Grandview

• Ruth Moore Park: 401 N. Morse, Liberty, MO

sprinkler play:

• Eisenhower Park: 2901 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, KS

n at home: Hook up the sprinkler and have some fun. Add a twist by setting up an outdoor car wash for your toy cars (or real car for that matter) or wash favorite play toys. Play classic games around the sprinkler like tag or duck, duck, goose, and this summer, parents join in the fun! The family that plays together stays together. n out & about: Kansas City offers many great spraygrounds (free splash parks where children can play in the water and families can enjoy a picnic). We think of them as GIANT sprinklers!

• Harmony Park: E. 10th Street & Agnes Avenue, Kansas City, MO • Jacob L. Loose Park: W. 52nd Terrace & Summit Avenue, Kansas City, MO (closed Wednesdays) • Sunnyside Park: W. 83rd Street & Summit Avenue, Kansas City, MO • Longview Tract: 7107 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO • Golden Oaks Park: NE 46th Street & N. Antioch Road, Kansas City, MO • Garrison Square: E. 4th Street & Forest Avenue, Kansas City, MO • Central Park: Linwood Boulevard & Bales Avenue, Kansas City, MO • Nelson C. Crews Park: E. 27th Street & Michigan Avenue, Kansas City, MO • Douglass Playground at Grace Williams Nicholl Park: 2632 Jarboe St., Kansas City, MO

• Heathwood Park: 10th & Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS

lemonade, slushies & ice cream…the flavors of summer! n at home: Buy basic Popsicle molds and have fun creating your own flavors! Fill with juice and some fresh berries or fruit, or make pudding pops with instant pudding and add bananas for fun. Let the kids create their own tasty concoctions all summer long.

Tip: Fresh berries and peaches are a favorite addition to all summer treats. Search “fruit picking” on KCParent.com for our guide to u-pick farms. Or, buy directly from the grower at a local farmers market—search KCParent.com n out & about: There are more tasty places to enjoy frozen treats in Kansas City than we can count, but these are five of our favorites to get you started!

• Little Freshie (811 W. 17th St., Kansas City, MO): Serving homemade slushes, sodas and floats in an eclectic and colorful storefront.

•U nforked (7337 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.661.9887): Known for their use of locally grown fresh food, Unforked is a favorite for tacos and burgers. The eatery also serves summer favorites, including delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade and frozen custard concretes and sundaes.

•G lace (Two locations: 4960 Main St., Kansas City, MO & 4535 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS). Locally owned and operated, this Christopher Elbow ice cream shop frequently invents new flavors just begging to be tried.

•K ona Ice (KC.Kona-Ice.com.) The traveling snow cone truck can be found at local events and attractions all summer long.

What makes this special is that you get to create your own one-of-a-kind shaved ice treat selecting flavors from the flavor wave.

Kona Ice traveling snow cone truck

•M urray’s Homemade Ice Cream (4120 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO, 816.931.5646). The old-fashioned ice cream parlor style of this restaurant and homemade ice cream with frequently changing flavors have made this shop a Kansas City favorite since 1984.

Kristina Light looks forward to building sand castles at the beach every summer with her girls.

For more ideas, see 50 Sensational Ways to Savor Summer in Kansas City at KCParent.com.

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creative activities to avoid summer brain drain

W

hen daily course work gives way to summer fun, keeping kids’ brains sharp can be a struggle. While summer bridge workbooks or packets are important and helpful, there are other ways to keep your kids thinking while having fun at the same time. Check out these ideas to get you started!

1. Be a kitchen scientist. Grow rock candy, make a volcano, make your own play dough or grow bacteria. Kids love experimenting, and there are many science projects that you can do with household items. These types of experiments are fun and sometimes messy, but they can teach kids science and math skills. Check Pinterest for ideas and instructions.

2. Write a journal or a blog. Have kids keep a journal about their activities during the summer, either on paper or online, to keep language arts and technology skills sharp.

3. Play board games. Games like Monopoly can teach math and money skills, Trivial Pursuit encourages reading and general knowledge and card games like Uno are great for younger kids who are perfecting colors and numbers. These games also can help develop social skills like taking turns and playing fair. Let your kids keep score to polish their addition skills!

4. Write your own nonfiction book. Have your children research a different animal each day on websites like NationalGeographic.com. Then ask them to write a couple of sentences about their chosen animal and draw a picture of it.

Compile these throughout the summer and you’ll have your own “All About Animals” book. Not into animals? Pick any topic the kids are interested in!

5. Get growing. Work with your kids to plant a garden. Not only will they learn about the growing process, but you’ll get some delicious, healthy food when it’s harvesttime!

6. Learn code. Dr. Mandi Sonnenberg of Rockhurst University suggests visiting Code.org with your children to help them learn the art of coding. There they can create their own computer games or websites in an easy and fun way while developing life-long technology skills.

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7. Go outside. Go for a nature walk at one of our great nature centers like Lakeside Nature Center or Ernie Miller Nature Center. Talk about the different plants and animals you see on your walk and enjoy the educational resources provided inside.

Take it one step further and ask kids to write about what they see!

8. Make change. Collect loose change throughout the summer in a jar. At the end of the summer have your kids count the money and use it for a special treat. This is a great math and economics lesson.

9. Write to a pen pal. Enlist a grandparent, cousin or far-away friend to be a pen pal for the summer. Kids can write letters each week to keep their writing skills sharp and learn the joy of receiving REAL mail.

10. Read, read, read! Make time for reading every day with your children.

Participate in reading programs (at local libraries or bookstores) to give kids a sense of accomplishment and possibly real rewards upon meeting their reading goals.

Schedule a weekly trip to the library and let them pick their own reading material—what matters is that they are reading! Be sure to let them see you reading, too. They will learn that it’s worthwhile and enjoyable when they see you choosing to read.

Sara Keenan enjoys spending summers with her two kids in Brookside. Her family’s favorite summer learning activity is planting and cultivating their small garden.

HEALTHYKIDS

sun safety

keeping kids safe in the sun through the hot summer months

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wimming, playground, sports, barbecues and endless hours spent outdoors—so much fun can be had and there is no time to let sickness slow us down! Keeping kids safe in the sun and heat is essential to making the most of summer.

Undeniably, the easiest way to stay cool and safe is to stay hydrated. Drinking water and sports drinks helps replenish fluids the body loses through sweating. Children participating in sports or vigorous activity ideally should drink in 20-minute intervals, as well as when the activity has ended. By the time the child feels thirst, dehydration already may have set in (KidsHealth.org).

Dress your children in lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing. Keep as much skin covered as possible while dressing for the temperature (srh.NOAA.gov). Wear a hat to keep the head and face shaded and out of the sun.

When scheduling activities outdoors, avoid the hottest part of the day and plan to spend the bulk of the time in the morning and evening hours. The sun is usually the strongest between 10:00 and 4:00 (KidsHealth.org).

Apply a minimum of SPF 15 every time you and your child go outdoors whether it is sunny, windy or overcast. Receiving too much sun and becoming sunburned on a cloudy day is still possible. Often children do not realize how hot their skin is becoming because of a cool breeze (KidsHealth.org). For best results apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply every two hours.

Find shade whenever possible. While playing outdoors, take a break under the shade of a tree or umbrella.

Never leave a child or pet in a car. No amount of time is considered safe when

the heat index is pushing triple digits, even if the windows are rolled down some.

Temperature inside a car can reach 140 degrees in 30 minutes on a hot, sunny day (srh.NOAA.gov).

Finally, cool off before bedtime with a shower or bath. Use this time to check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks like to embed themselves in dark places if at all possible and are not always obvious at a quick glance. They like to hide in skin creases and joints and on the head, camouflaged by hair. While some ticks are harmless, others may carry diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus (CDC.gov).

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse who lives in Olathe with her husband and three young children. She plans to spend many hours outdoors at the baseball field and swimming pool.

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913.383.0222 CERAMICCAFEKC.COM

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touring our nation’s capital family style

The best-kept secret for touring DC is that your senator will plan MOST of your trip, all for FREE! The best-kept secret for touring DC is that your senator will plan MOST of your trip! Between four to six months before your vacation, do an online search of your senator’s name and “tour DC.” This will lead you to the online DC tour request form that your senator’s office provides. Complete this form, and the office will schedule several free tours for your family. Currently you can select any or all of these venues:

The Gimotty family in Washington, DC

D

o you ever associate the words cheap and vacation? Sound like a fantasy? The fact is our family has discovered that touring Washington, DC, makes for a fantastic and affordable getaway. Our nation’s capital boasts tons of free museums and monuments to explore, and we can share some tips to simplify planning a vacation to this national treasure. So here are my top picks, as well as insider insights for a family who wants to see our nation’s capital.

In the past three years, we actually have visited DC twice. I’d suggest a minimum of four days for the trip—a full week is more ideal. Because public transportation is readily available to most venues, and many hotels charge a premium to park a vehicle, skipping a car rental will save you a significant amount of cash.

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• Capitol • White House • Bureau of Engraving and Printing • Library of Congress • Supreme Court • Holocaust Museum A week or two before your trip, the senator’s office will contact you with a detailed itinerary of your trip, including exact days and times of your scheduled tours, what you can and cannot bring, meeting location within the building (these places are huge) and nearest subway stops.

It really is as good as it sounds, and it’s all absolutely free—your tax dollars at good use! Plus, for the Capitol tour, you will meet at your senator’s office, and a staff member will give your group a personal tour of the Capitol building, escorting you to the iconic landmark via the special subway connecting it to the senators’ office buildings. In both of our trips to DC, these special tours our senator has scheduled for us have certainly been the focal point! Most of the senatorarranged tours last between one-and-a-half and three hours, and they will book two or

three tours per day from the list of venues you selected.

Next on your pre-planning itinerary is to schedule a Pentagon tour. Log onto PentagonTours.ods.mil 90 days before your trip and request a tour. The Pentagon’s tours fill up quickly, so it is essential to mark your calendar 90 days prior. Your kids will be amazed at how our nation’s finest tour guides, uniformed military personnel, walk backwards the entire Pentagon tour, even boarding escalators backwards. They also impeccably communicate a 26-page memorized script sharing significant moments in military history during your 60-minute tour! Visitors can view the Sept. 11 crash site and memorial; the Hall of Heroes, which lists all recipients of the Medal of Honor; and a display on the role of Native Americans in the U.S. military.

No trip to DC is complete without touring our nation’s celebrated monuments and memorials—and, again, they are all free! I suggest taking at least one day to view the monuments, or you can sprinkle them throughout the tours your senator arranges for you. The Washington Monument and the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials are mustsee attractions, and all three can be seen, in addition to others, on a two-mile walk, making it doable in a half day. Another free attraction to consider weaving into your itinerary is a tour of the National Cathedral.

Check out USA.Cathedral.org to find a schedule for their public tours.

Unlike our first foray into DC, this trip we did pay for two attractions: the

International Spy Museum and Mount Vernon. The International Spy Museum (SpyMuseum.org) is the only public museum in the nation dedicated solely to espionage. It features the largest collection of international spy artifacts, helping bring alive the strategies and techniques behind some of the most secretive missions in world history. Teens and tweens love this completely interactive museum as they get to adopt the identity of a spy and learn about a spy’s life of lies.

Getting to Mount Vernon, generally about a 30-minute drive from DC, was our only transportation challenge the whole rental-car-free week. We found a six-passenger taxi (actually Uber) that was rather affordable. Seeing the home, gardens, views and farms that George and Martha Washington loved so much was memorable.

The high point of our day there was the $5 National Treasure tour that takes guests behind the scenes of the filming of the National Treasure: Book of Secrets movie.

Many of these add-on tours at Mount

Vernon sell out, so purchase tickets prior to your trip at MountVernon.org.

If you can, find a hotel that serves a complimentary breakfast and is close to a subway stop. You will be walking miles every day, so using DC’s Metro system to get to your first stop or between attractions will be a coveted respite for those weary legs. Unlike New York City, where our family struggled to decipher the web of subway maps, DC’s Metro system is definitely manageable and certainly less expensive than taxis. I’d suggest getting a feel for the subway maps before your trip at DCTransitGuide.com.

With a complimentary breakfast to start the day, all you really need to feed the troops is a hearty late afternoon meal—and those lunch prices are cheaper too! Three family-friendly restaurants have become our favorites: Founding Farmers (farmto-table American inspired food), We the Pizza (serious pizza plus a homemade soda bar right near the Capitol) and Good Stuff Eatery (best burgers in town,

multiple locations). And for a treat, stop

by Georgetown Cupcakes from the hit TLC show DC Cupcakes—lines can be long on the weekends so consider going on a weekday.

Feel tired already? This itinerary is just the beginning! What about the 19 Smithsonian museums (all are free—and don’t miss the National Air and Space Museum), Arlington National Ceremony (watch the hourly changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) and our National Zoo (also free—remember to see the adorable pandas first, as lines get long).

Whether you spend a few days or a week or more, dive into DC with your family.

Digging into our nation’s history and experiencing the grandeur of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” will enrich each of you.

Susan Gimotty, mother of four in Overland Park, enjoys planning trips for her family and making memories with them.

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a festive July 4th

FEAST (Family Features)

C

elebrate warm weather, abundant outdoor activities and all the fun of July Fourth with a flavorful and festive gathering. Independence Day only comes once a year, so make it count and invite your favorite guests over for a memorable event. You’ll go out with a bang when you serve up these palate-pleasing dishes at your patriotic party.

Dip the back (curved) side of each slice in yogurt and then almonds, re-assembling pieces on serving platter as each piece is completed.

When finished, it will look like piecrust of almonds around watermelon slices. Frost top of reassembled watermelon with remaining yogurt and decorate top with berries. Serve cold.

Fresh Off the Grill “For a red-white-and-blue burger that tastes as good as it looks, I use ground bison on a brioche bun, topped with Castello Burger Blue Cheese,” says celebrity chef Michael Symon. For more recipes, visit CastelloCheeseUSA.com.

Bison Burger with Blue Cheese Servings: 4

Patriotic and Perfectly Sweet This July Fourth, serve watermelon. This yummy fruit boasts sweetness and nutrition at a great value. Loaded with vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as antioxidants and heart-healthy amino acids, it’s a welcome addition to your summer spread. For more recipes, visit Watermelon.org.

Red, White and Blue Watermelon Cake Servings: 6–8 1 seedless watermelon 1 c. low- or no-fat natural vanilla flavored yogurt 1 c. sliced almonds 1 c. blueberries 1 c. sliced strawberries Place watermelon on side on cutting board.

Cut 3-5 inches off each end to create large center slice between 3 and 5 inches in depth. Trim off outer rind.

Cut watermelon slice into 6–8 pie-shaped wedges. Blot edges with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

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Freshly ground black pepper 2 T. olive oil 1 lb. ground bison, loosely packed into burger patties 4 slices Castello Burger Blue cheese 4 brioche-style soft hamburger buns, toasted 1 sm. red onion, very thinly sliced into rings 1 c. arugula Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper

Heat your grill to medium-high heat.

Season burgers with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Drizzle with olive oil, then place on grill.

Cook three minutes, then flip.

Add slices of blue cheese (one slice per burger), and let cook another one to two minutes.

Remove burgers from grill and place patties on toasted buns.

Top each burger with slice of red onion and 1/4 of arugula.

Star-Spangled Dessert Add color and crunch to your cones with a dip in red, white or blue melted Candy Melts candy and a variety of patriotic sprinkles. The Cone Cakes baking rack holds the cones for drying and serving. For more recipes, visit Wilton.com.

Dipped Ice Cream Cones Yield: 12 ice cream cones

1 bag (12 oz.) bright white Candy Melts candy Sugar ice cream cones Jimmies 6-Mix sprinkle assortment Rainbow jimmies Melt candy in microwave safe bowl. Dip cones about 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Cut small hole in tip of bag and drizzle melted candy 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Tap cone lightly to smooth, and sprinkle with jimmies. Position cone in cone rack. Let chill, about 10-15 minutes.

Add ice cream scoops at party and serve in cone rack.

Fun is our middle name.

Actually it’s Wolf, but you get the idea.

At Great Wolf Lodge®, the memories are just waiting to be made. Families can zip down water slides, play MagiQuest ®, our interactive adventure game, and even sleep in a log cabin inside your hotel room. You get two days’ play with one night’s stay.

And water park passes are always included. It’s fun on top of fun on top of fun.

Everybody in.

TM

greatwolf.com/kansascity Amenities and attractions vary by location.

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bridging the gap: tips for planning a family reunion

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ummer is a great time for bringing the family together. With barbecues, neighborhood picnics and campouts, many of us spend a lot of quality time with loved ones and friends between May and September. For thousands of Americans, these family gatherings might be a much larger event this year. According to a 2014 survey by HomeAway, 63 percent of respondents reported having attended a family reunion, including 29 percent saying they have attended one in the past two years. With the tradition of family reunions alive and well, we talked to metro parents to gather their best tips on how to plan a fun family event that will build memories for multiple generations. Here are five easy steps to ensure your reunion planning success!

STEP 1. Set a guest list. You may think the guest list is pretty obvious: Invite the family to the family reunion. But, like most things, reunions come in all shapes and sizes. Decisions need to be made on the reach and size of the event. Are you inviting all immediate family? First and second cousins? Or do you want to invite all descendants of Great-Grandma Jane?

Decide which part of the family tree will be included and put together your list.

Depending on how far you want to reach, it may take some time to gather names and contact information.

family reunion, it really helps to have the dates set way in advance. That way, we can budget and plan around things like school breaks,” says dad Kevin Thomas, Kansas City, KS. It is also important to decide on the timeframe for your event. If your family meets annually, a weekend event should meet your needs. However, if this reunion is 10 years in the making, you may want to set aside an entire week.

STEP 3. Select a style. Planning the style of the reunion is a crucial step. “You need to set the stage for the event, and that is what everything else builds from,” says Tamara Keller, Shawnee mom. “I have planned three reunions and I know what works for my family. If you don’t know, think about what your family’s idea of fun is.” A few of the most common reunion styles are: •H ome sweet home. If your family lives in the same geographic region, you may want to pick a family member to host a party at his or her home.

•A ll-inclusive. If your family doesn’t like to worry about budgets and are all coming from different areas, you may want to consider an all-inclusive package with a resort or hotel.

•D ream vacation. For families who enjoy travel, choosing a vacation destination could be a winning idea.

STEP 4. Communicate. After the basic decisions are made, the timeline is set and the style is selected, be sure to communicate the details to the invitees! Set up a website, a blog, or create an email chain where people can post questions or offer updates. “It is really helpful to have all the information online,” says Cindy Woods, Overland Park mom. “When I was planning my reunion, there were a million questions, and the website helped so much.”

STEP 2. Set a date and a timeframe. Set the date as early as

STEP 5. Party planning. To ensure your

possible. “When it is a big event, like a

event is one to remember, be sure to focus

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on the details. Plan events for the family that offer fun for multiple age groups, create t-shirts or hats for the entire family to mark the occasion and plan a way for the family to capture the memories. Creating an online photo album to share pictures is a great way to keep the fun going long after the reunion has ended!

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

Thinking of planning a reunion?

Here are a few more tips from the HomeAway survey!

• The most cherished reunion memories are simply made of “spending time together,” according to 81 percent of families.

• Group meals were the favorite memory of 60 percent of families.

• More than half of respondents said “cooking great food” is the best way to impress your guests.

• The top way to offend your family members is by drinking too much, according to 28 percent of families.

• Stay off your cell phone or tablet and engage with your guests if you don’t want your family to feel offended, advised 26 percent of respondents.

• And 15 percent said that when other family members were “being cheapskates,” it was their biggest annoyance at their reunion.

Games are a great way to get the generations together at a reunion.

For a list of great outdoor games, visit KCParent.com.

CRAFTCORNER

diy

fourth of july garland Jazz up your Fourth of July barbecue or pool party with a festive tissue paper garland. Kids will have a blast putting together this festive dĂŠcor that can be hung almost anywhere. These garlands can be made in any color and would be a great addition to a summer birthday party as well!

materials needed: Tissue paper Glue Scissors String or twine

step one:

Fold a large piece of tissue paper lengthwise and cut into smaller rectangles.

step two:

Cut straight lines in the rectangles to create fringe.

step three: Unfold the tissue paper and apply a bead of glue on the inside of the fold.

Lay a piece of string along the glue and fold the tissue paper back over. Once it is dry, hang and 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. kcparent.com july 2015

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july

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

CALENDAR

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

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National World War I Museum and Memorial

celebrate

learn

watch

relive

enjoy

The Kansas City skies will soon be aglow with fireworks! For a complete list of firework displays and 4th of July celebrations all over the city, visit KCParent.com

On July 18, from 11:00 to 7:00 head to Penn Valley Park for the Cultivate Kansas City Festival, hosted

by Chipotle. Food, live entertainment, kids’ zone and more!

Free admission.

ChipotleCultivate.com

The kids will enjoy seeing frog and toad come to life in A Year with Frog and Toad thru Aug. 2 at the Coterie. It’s a fun musical that follows the adventures of two great friends.

TheCoterie.org

On July 12, the National World War I Museum presents A Day in the Life at 10:00. Living history volunteers will be on hand to share stories and make history come to life.

TheWorldWar.org

Take the family to the Nelson-Atkins on July 19 for Kansas City’s BIG Picnic at 4:00. A funfilled evening with food trucks, live music, art activities, lawn games, giant puppets and more.

Nelson-Atkins.org

1 Wednesday Day Out with Frank and Ella 9:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy a different living history theme each week while touring the historic farm. $5. Mahaffie.org Flags 4 Freedom Thru July 6, Merriam Marketplace. More than 3,000 flags fly to honor our veterans and active military. Free.

913.384.5340

Kids and Clay 4:30, Ceramic Café. Kids learn basic skills such as hand building, slab work, pinch pots, etc., and create a fun masterpiece. $16. 913.383.0222 4th of July Celebration Thru Saturday, Downtown Parkville. Carnival rides, lots of food, fun, games, shopping, music and, of course, a fabulous fireworks finale. ParkvilleMO.org Pippin Thru July 5, Starlight Theatre. Broadway’s high-flying, death-defying hit musical is full of acrobatics, wondrous feats and songs.

KCStarlight.com

Gridiron Glory Thru Sept 6, Union Station. Come experience the best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only at Union Station. UnionStation.org

2 Thursday

Story Time in the Park 10:00, Cooley Park. Join MCPL for playtime songs and games, stories and crafts. Open to any age child and his/her caregiver. KCParks.org

Free Summer Movies Every Tue-Thu, Phoenix Theatre (Legends). Cool off from the summer heat with a free movie. Different movies each week. Doors open at 9:00. PhoenixTheatres.com

Summer Movie Series 10:00, Blue Springs 8.

Free movies and $6 kid combos (soda, popcorn and candy). Titles this week Kung Fu Panda and Karate Kid. 816.224.0551

Sensory Time 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

Kidscape can be loud; this special time is for kids with sensory integration and processing needs. 913.715.2575

Rockin’ Ramblin’ Readers 10:30, Trails West Library. Bring your little ones for a story time with music and great books, followed by a fun activity for all to enjoy. 816.701.3483

Kiddie Pool Playtime 9:30, Mission Family Aquatic Center. Time for young kids and families to use spray pad and leisure pool before entire facility opens. 913.722.8200

ALL-YOU-CAN-PLAY DAYS! Every Monday & Thursday from Open-6pm Unlimited Mini Golf, 2 Go-Kart Rides & 10 Arcade Tokens Only $10.99 Per Person!

Visit website for details!

10735 E. US Hwy 40 • Independence, MO 64055 816-358-0088

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$

10

Limit one coupon per person.

No cash value. Not valid with any other discounts.

SKU#265. Expires 9/30/15.

Art in the Park 10:00, Jaycee Park (Shawnee).

Dress to get messy as you can choose from a variety of fun craft projects. We’ll bring the supplies, and you bring your imagination!

913.631.5200 Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this family oriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org Preschool Bowling 10:00, Mission Bowl (Olathe).

Receive one game of bowling, shoes, ball and a soft drink for only $3. MissionBowl.com Life on the Trail 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Explore daily routines for members of a wagon train in this 30-minute gallery walk.

816.325.7575 Moonlight Movies 9:00, Pharaoh Theater Parking Lot. Free outdoor movie shown every Thursday. Fun outdoor family time together! Concession stand is available onsite.

FreeMoonlightMovies.com

3 Friday Liberty 4th Fest Today & tomorrow, Historic Liberty Square. Celebrate America with food, music, a parade, fireworks and more!

Liberty4thFest.com

FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHTS! Every Friday Night from 6-9pm Unlimited KidsGym (up to 4 guests), 100 Arcade Tokens, Large Pizza & 4 Drinks - Only $21.99! Plus Tax

SPECIALIZING IN BIRTHDAY PARTIES & GROUP OUTINGS!

FREE Go-Kart Ride! with purchase of one ride

Limit one coupon per person. Single seaters only.

No cash value. Not valid with any other discounts.

SKU#387. Expires 9/30/15.

www.CoolCrest.com

Play two courses for the price of one!

MINI GOLF

Limit one coupon per person. Same player only.

No cash value. Not valid with any other discounts.

SKU#184. Expires 9/30/15.

$

10 OFF

Any Birthday Party Package!

Check website for details Limit one coupon per party.

No cash value. Not valid with any other discounts.

SKU#318. Expires 9/30/15.

kcparent.com july 2015

53

Booms & Blooms Festival 9:00, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens, enjoy children’s activities and, in the evening, music and fireworks. $5-$12. PowellGardens.org Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope. Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission. Wonderscope.org First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org King Lear Gates open at 6:00, show at 8:00, Southmoreland Park. The 2015 production will be performed Tuesday-Sunday evenings thru July 5. Free. KCShakes.org Family Night 6:00, Cool Crest. For only $21.99 enjoy unlimited soft play, 100 arcade tokens, one large pizza and four drinks. CoolCrest.com Concert and Book Release Party 6:30, Plaza Library. Dino O’Dell sings of space aliens, meteorites and the solar system. Book signing following performance. Free. 816.701.3481 Popsicles in the Park 7:00, Herman Laird Park. Enjoy a cool treat while visiting with your friends, family and neighbors.

Free. 913.631.5200.

4 Saturday Independence Day Independence Day 9:00, Missouri Town 1855.

Experience Independence Day in the 1850s at this historic antebellum village. $3-$5.

816.503.4860 First Saturdays 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Reenactors bring the 19thcentury village to life with skits, skirmishes and demonstrations. KCParks.org Independence Day 9:00, Ft Osage. Enjoy interpretive demonstrations, musket and cannon demonstrations and patriotic speeches. $3-$7. 816.503.4860

Freedom Fling 1:00, Splash Cove and Soetaert Aquatic Center. Fun games and activities every hour with prizes. Admission to both facilities half price. 913.631.5200 Wings of Glory 1:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Celebrate our patriotic symbol, the bald eagle, and its raptor relatives!

816.228.3766 Fireworks and Salute to the Union 3:00, Merritt Lake (Fort Leavenworth). The celebration begins at 3:00, with fireworks at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Free and open to public. 913.684.1702 4th of July Fireworks 4:00, Celebration Park (Gardner). This year’s celebration includes live music, bounce houses and food vendors.

GardnerKansas.gov

Science City Open 10:00, Science City (Union Station). Bring the family to celebrate the holiday at Science City! UnionStation.org

Celebrate Freedom 4:00, Webb Park (Oak Grove). A family fun event with inflatables, face painting, backyard games, concessions, fireworks and more! CityOfOakGrove.com

Lenexa Community Days Parade 10:00, Old Town Lenexa. Gather along the parade route and watch floats, bands, antique cars and more.

Free. 913.477.7100

4th of July Celebration 5:00, Longview Lake Shelter #13. Celebrate the 4th of July Jackson County style with live musical entertainment, sky divers, food and fireworks. 816.503.4800

cheese making facility last year, and visitors now can watch the cheese making process firsthand!

Homestead Creamery (2059 LIV 506,

dairy days

Shatto Milk Company

July 15 is Cow Appreciation Day—celebrate with a dairy-themed tour. Kansas City kids can learn about dairy cows, farming, milk, cheese making, eggs and delicious dairy products at these local attractions.

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (13800 Switzer, Overland Park, KS, 913.897.2360). Mon.-Thu., FREE admission; Fri.-Sun., $2/person, 1 & under free. The 5,000-square-foot dairy barn is home to calves of the major dairy breeds and Holstein and Jersey/Holstein cows. The dairy barn is also home to Rosie, the life-size milking cow model children can milk by hand. Other interactive exhibits help children learn more about dairy.

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Shatto Milk Company (9406 N. Hwy. 33, Osborn, MO, 816.930.3862, ShattoMilk. com). Explore a working dairy farm and milk bottling company offering tours to groups of any size. From start to finish, you’ll witness where milk comes from on a Shatto tour.

Children delight in petting calves, milking cows and meeting the famously happy herd.

Watch through a window as milk is processed and bottled, and end your tour sampling delightful flavors! Shatto opened a brand new

Jamesport, MO, 660.684.6970). The Florys, a Brethren family, operate this Jamesport dairy and creamery. When our family toured the creamery, the Flory girls gave my children a tour of the farm and helped teach them to bottle-feed Jersey calves. On Tuesdays they conduct cheese making tours with samples of the products offered daily. BONUS TIP: Jamesport is a great family day trip! Search for “Jamesport” on KCParent.com for more details.

BONUS–Sheep’s Milk Too! Green Dirt Farm (In Weston, MO, 816.386.2156, GreenDirtFarm.com). The farm is open for tours. Guests learn why grass is the best food for the 150 ewes on the farm, how important healthy soil is to the environment and what makes the cheese so good. Visitors also learn about pasture rotation while watching the dairy sheep graze on the hills. The highlights of the tour, though, are the final steps: watching as the sheep are milked and the cheese is made in the kitchen, and tasting samples!

Red, White & Blue Springs 6:30, Blue Springs High School. Enjoy country music and then stay for a fireworks display. BlueSpringsGov.com

5 Sunday Flags 4 Freedom Thru July 6, Merriam Marketplace. More than 3,000 flags fly to honor our veterans and active military. Free.

913.384.5340 Nature Connects Thru Sept 7, Powell Gardens.

Built from more than 300,000 Lego bricks, this special exhibit features 25 amazing sculptures.

PowellGardens.org 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 Music in the Park 7:00, Santa Fe Commons Park. Enjoy music under the stars by the Overland Park Civic Band. Free. 913.344.8656

6 Monday Story Time for Toddlers 9:30, MCPL (North Oak). Enjoy a fun and interactive story time just for toddlers and their caregivers. Free.

816.436.4385 The True Story of the Three Little Pigs 10:00, Paul Mesner Puppets. In this revealing nosquealing adaptation of the book, A. Wolf tells his side of the story. $9-$12. MesnerPuppets.org

TRAIN RIDES

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 Free Family Movie 1:30, Olathe Downtown Library. Bring the entire family and see Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Space limited. 913.971.6874 Archery 5:30, Pflumm/Bichelmeyer Park.

Certified archery instructors will be on hand to help you learn and practice archery safety.

All equipment will be provided. Free.

913.631.5200 Vacation Bible School 6:00, Center of Grace (Olathe). Sciency-fun team-building games, cool Bible songs and tasty treats help faith flow into real life. GraceUMC.church

7 Tuesday Toddler Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including building blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2. 913.895.6350

TrainDayRides Ice Cream Train Rides Ice Cream Train Family Food Pumpkin ExpressTrain Train Train Grandparents $8.50

$9.50 $9.50 $10.50 $10.00 ofSaturday the 8th, 15th 22nd September 11,Depart one grandparent Regular Trains Regular Trains Depart EveryRides Every Friday,in October weekends 2ndFriday of theand month Sat & Sun, 2 pm (May Oct) June Aug Sat & Sun, 2 pm [May Oct] 3:30 rides FREE with a paid child’s admission! June - Aug, Trains depart at 12:30, 2:00 Juneand- Aug 7 pm Sat., 11 am [June -Closed Aug Sundays only] in July and Aug 7 pm 7 pm Sat, 11 am (June - Aug only)

Kids under three FREE

Charters •• Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Field Trips or Birthday Parties, plan by appointment.

Charters

Tickets sale one one hour hourbefore beforetrain traindeparture departuretime. time.

Tickets go go on on sale

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co.

502 Walnut •Belton, Missouri • 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org kcparent.com july 2015

55

Pay-for-Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Kids explore 17 play sets and munch on snacks at the picnic tables. $2. 913.307.6023 A Year with Frog and Toad 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. Well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in this musical following two great friends. TheCoterie.org Family Feast Pizza Shoppe. Every Tuesday enjoy a kind size single topping pizza, 2 house salads and garlic cheese bread for only $18.99.

PizzaShoppe.com Cinderella Thru July 12, Starlight Theatre.

The new tour delights audiences with its surprisingly contemporary take on the beloved tale. KCStarlight.com

8 Wednesday Pop ’n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

Activities designed especially for 9-monthto 3-year-olds. $1/child, members free.

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

Cool & Creative on hot summer days FREE STUDIO FEE

Wagons HO! 10:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Tour the exhibit galleries with a guide, pack a prairie schooner and take a covered wagon tour. Pre-reg at 816.325.7575.

Family Fun Night 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach.

Enjoy free admission and different activities based on a theme Thursdays in July.

913.971.8563

Community Carnival First Baptist Church of Olathe. Enjoy lots of fun activities with your family at the carnival! FBCOlathe.org

Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey 7:30, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary come together to celebrate their longevity. JCCC.edu/theseries

Out of Africa 7:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Date night! Cool off on a hot night with a free movie at Yardley Hall. JCCC.edu

10 Friday

Narnia 7:00, West Platte High School. Weston Community Theatre kicks off its 13th year with a production of Narnia. WCTShows.org

Hot Summer Days 10:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Water games for the entire family— prepare to get wet! Make ice cream and enjoy icy treats. $3. 913.685.3604

9 Thursday GoWILD! Creek Exploring 9:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Experience a watery world surrounded by a forest that is off the beaten track. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this family oriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org Preschool Bowling 10:00, Mission Bowl (Olathe).

Receive one game of bowling, shoes, ball and a soft drink for only $3. MissionBowl.com

Noah’s Ark Preschool NOW ENrOlliNg! 2-5 year olds

Near Mur-Len on 151st in Olathe

(up to $8 value)

and

1/2 pRICE DRInk

ENgagE Community Carnival

august 8th

see church website for more info

Offer expires 7/31/15. One coupon per customer per visit. No reproductions accepted. May not be combined with any other offers. No cash value.

KCP 0715

paintglazeandfire.net

mandyking.fbc@gmail.com 913-764-7088 x312

127th & Metcalf • Overland Park, KS

www.fbcolathe.org

913-661-CLAY

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kcparent.com july 2015

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg.

913.661.2529 National Teddy Bear Picnic Day 11:00, the Kansas City Museum. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and grab your favorite teddy bear(s) for an afternoon of fun. 816.513.7527 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

WeekEnder 5:00, Crown Center Square. Cap off your week with live music, food trucks and a flick under the stars. Tonight’s movie is Goonies.

816.274.8444 Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park.

Summer is in the air, and tonight’s shindig is packed with plenty of summer fun. DJ, ping pong, rock wall and more! Paradise-Park.com Predators on the Prowl 7:00, Ernie Miller.

Discover predators large and small that call Kansas home. Meet two live predators. $3/ person. 913.764.7759 Sand Cinema 9:00, Longview Lake Beach.

Family fun at its best! Load the kids in the car and head to the movies on the big screen.

Concessions available. $5/car. 816.503.4800

11 Saturday Artisan Day 9:00, Alexander Majors House Museum. Enjoy local vendors, classes on arts and crafts, a crafting corner for children, blacksmithing demonstrations and more.

816.444.1858 Zootastik Learning Fest: Turtles 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Activities, demonstrations and crafts will take place in the main lobby.

KansasCityZoo.org

Antique & Craft Fair 10:00, BinghamWaggoner Estate. The 28th annual fair offers unique arts and crafts. 816.461.3491

My Aquarium 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Kids craft one-of-a-kind ocean scenes in a decorative, 3-D fishbowl! Free. LakeshoreLearning.com

Family Fun Day 10:00, Nat’l Frontier Trails Museum. A fun day of learning about the life in a day of the pioneers, with historical reenactors, period music and crafts. 816.325.7575

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs 11:00 & 2:00, Paul Mesner Puppets. In this revealing nosquealing adaptation of the book, A. Wolf tells his side of the story. $9-$12. MesnerPuppets.org

Legoland Jumps In! 10:00, Nelson-Atkins.

Observe Lego master builder Jeremiah Boehr creating masterpieces based on concepts from Jump In! Architecture Workshop.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Waterbabies 1:30, Emler Swim School. A free class to introduce parents and babies to the joys of a typical Emler Waterbabies swim class.

913.451.7946

Cool Cats: The Rock ‘n Roll Accordion Band 10:00, MCPL (Smithville). Rock ‘n Roll on an accordion? Amazing! Jam to the oldies played accordion style! Free, but pre-reg at 816.532.0116.

Tractor Daze & Touch-a-Truck National Agricultural Hall of Fame. Visit the Ag Hall of Fame to climb and explore trucks of all shapes and sizes. AGHallOfFame.com Sprint Family Fun Days 11:00, KC Power & Light District. Bring your family out to Sprint Family Fun Days. Today’s theme is Around the World. PowerAndLightDistrict.com

Kids Team Up for Art 1:30, KCPL (Bluford Branch). Children K-8th grades are encouraged to tap their creative energies and create masterpieces. WCAKC.org Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturday afternoons. 816.331.0630 Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston.

Stroll into unique gift shops and galleries for late night shopping and in-store specials.

WestonMO.com Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

Love at first bite!

IntroducIng

TUESDAY

$5 PASTA DAY ZAGAT RATED TOP 1000 ITALIAN RESTAURANTS

n

Choose from one of our fresh pastas with one of our three sauces made fresh that day

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816.753.7662

1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, Kansas 913.971.5111

www.cupinis.com

WE CATER OFFICE PARTIES & WEDDINGS

Activities vary by season Wild West Days September 26 & 27 Visit www.mahaffie.org kcparent.com july 2015

57

Time Travelers Thursdays & Saturdays, Shawnee Town 1929. Living history comes to life in this family oriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org

Live at the Legends Summer Concerts 5:00, Legends Outlets. Live music featuring local talent. Tonight enjoy the sounds of Red Guitar. Free.

Music in the Park 7:00, Santa Fe Commons Park. Enjoy music under the stars by the Overland Park Civic Band.

Free. 913.344.8656

Family Fun Night 5:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum. Food for sale, craft room for kids and fun carnival games. The evening ends with the breaking of a piñata. 913.682.4514

Cinderella 8:00, Starlight Theatre. The new tour delights audiences with its surprisingly contemporary take on the beloved tale.

KCStarlight.com

12 Sunday

13 Monday

Day in the Life 10:00, World War I Museum.

Living history volunteers will be on hand to share stories of the Great War and make history come to life. TheWorldWar.org

Nature Connects Thru Sept 7, Powell Gardens.

Built from more than 300,000 Lego bricks, this special exhibit features 25 amazing sculptures.

PowellGardens.org

Gridiron Glory Thru Sept 6, Union Station. Come experience the best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only at Union Station. UnionStation.org

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites Thru Sept 7, Crown Center. An exhibit that transforms children’s books into play and learning environments. Free. CrownCenter.com

Story Time for Preschoolers 1:30, NelsonAtkins Museum of Art. Join us the second Sunday of each month for a special story time geared toward preschoolers. 816.751.1278

Summer Movie Series 10:00, Blue Springs 8.

Free movies and $6 kid combos (soda, popcorn and candy). 816.224.0551

!

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n

MAY 2 Sept. 7

Powell Gardens

CONNECTS

BUILT WITH

LEGO® BRICKS

Kiddie Pool Playtime 9:30, Mission Family Aquatic Center. Time for young kids and families to use spray pad and leisure pool before entire facility opens. 913.722.8200

Preschool Bowling At Mission Bowl

For only $3!

Children 5 and under

Insta

kcparent.com july 2015

$5 Pasta Day Cupini’s. Choose a fresh pasta with one of three sauces made fresh daily. Dine in or carry out. Cupinis.com

Receive One game Shoes Bumpers Light-weight bowling balls One soft drink

SCULPTURES

58

14 Tuesday

thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm

NATURE NATURE CONNECTS

816.697.2600 www.powellgardens.org

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

Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden 30 miles east of KC on Highway 50

TM

Mission Bowl-olAthe 1020 S Weaver Olathe, KS 66061 913.782.0279 www.missionbowl.com

ARE SO BACK.

–Chicago Tribune

Pay-for-Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Kids explore 17 play sets and munch on snacks at the picnic tables. $2. 913.307.6023 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222 Cass County Fair Thru July 19, Pleasant Hill.

Lots of fair fun for the entire family, including music, motocross, demolition derby and more.

PleasantHill.com Popsicles in the Park 6:30, Country Club Park. Bring the entire family out for live music, puppet shows, art stations, raffled prizes and frozen treats. Free. 816.325.7843

Presented by

Enter to win one of

June 19-21

816.363.STAR July 7-12 KC Parent is giving away Presented by

15 Wednesday

kcstarlight.com

Tickets start at just $12

3 sets of tickets to Cinderella, July 7-12 and We Thank Our Sponsors!

Service fee may apply. Available Sun-Wed.

GoWILD! Creekin’ 9:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature * Center. Follow the stream along its course and 3 sets * feePre-reg may apply. find out just who lives in theService creek. atAvailable Sun-Wed. 816.228.3766.

Tickets start at just $12

kcstarlight.com

816.363.STAR

Free Summer Movies Every Tue-Thu, Phoenix Theatre (Legends). Cool off from the summer heat with a free movie. Different movies each week. Doors open at 9:00. PhoenixTheatres.com 15-STAR-0776_AnnCinCmbo_RUN.indd 1

July 24-Aug 2 6 family 4-packs to Starlight!

We Thank Our Sponsors!

15-STAR-0950_KcParent_Poppins_8375x10875_RUN.indd 1

6/16/15 8:53 AM

of tickets to Mary Poppins, July 24-Aug. 2 at StArlight theAtre

For full details of the contest and to enter, visit KCParent.com and click on “giveaways” 5/12/15 3:33 PM

Amelia Earhart Festival Thru July 18, Atchison, KS. A downtown music, food and crafts fair, carnival and more. AtchisonKansas.net Hunt for Red October 7:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

Date night! Cool off on a hot night with a free movie at Yardley Hall. JCCC.edu

Food, music, art & outdoor fun for all ages!

45th & Oak, 3 blocks east of the Plaza | nelson-atkins.org | info & parking details

16 Thursday Sensory Time 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

Kidscape can be loud; this special time is for kids with sensory integration and processing needs. 913.715.2575 A Year with Frog and Toad 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. Well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in this musical following two great friends. TheCoterie.org Third Thursdays 5:00, Martin City. Shop and dine in Martin City while supporting local community organizations. MartinCity.org Music at the Farmstead 6:30, Deanna Rose Farmstead. Bring the whole family out for an evening show with Mr Stinky Feet at the Deanna Rose Farmstead! OPKansas.org 1920s Game Night 6:30, Shawnee Town 1929.

Play familiar games like gunny sack races and unusual ones like poison penny—all popular in the 1920s. FREE ice cream cones. 913.631.5200

kcparent.com july 2015

59

take note: july ’15

July 1, International Joke Day: Comedy City (3600 Broadway Blvd. #107, Kansas City, MO, 816.842.2744) is a live family-friendly improv comedy show where every show is clean (bad language isn’t allowed), funny and one-of-kind. Make reservations to enjoy a show with the family this month.

July 4, Independence Day: Visit KCParent.com for our complete 4th of July fun guide with information on fireworks, festivals and celebrations across the metro.

National Blueberry Month: It’s blueberry picking season. Search “Berry Picking” on KCParent.com for our complete guide to local u-pick patches.

July 6, National Fried Chicken Day: “Choking their own chickens” since 1933, when the original chicken dinner was just 35 cents, Stroud’s is a Kansas City landmark. Visit one of three locations for famously tasty fried chicken. StroudsRestaurant.com.

July 20, National Lollipop Day: Chip’s Candy Factory (Crown Center Level 1, ChipsCandyFactory.com) sells lollipops in every flavor, color and shape imaginable.

From giant classic rainbow twists to small suckers–there’s something for every lollipop lover.

July 14, Bastille Day: Vive la France!

We think the best way to start a day celebrating all things French is with crepes for breakfast at Chez Elle Creperie (1713 Summit St., Kansas City, MO, 816.471.2616, ChezElleKC.com).

July 24, Amelia Earhart Day: Tour the Amelia Earhart Birthplace (223 N. Terrace St., Atchison, KS, 913.367.4217).

The museum displays many Amelia artifacts and model planes, and guides share the story of her life.

July 25, Thread the Needle Day: Did you know that Kansas City is home to the world’s largest needle?

The 22-foot Needle and Thread is at home in Kansas City’s garment district. Visit the Historic Garment District Museum (801 Broadway, Kansas City, MO, 816.474.2112) and across the street at 404 8th St., you’ll find a statue of a gigantic needle and thread commemorating the area.

NEED COPY

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National Hot Dog Month: Treat yourself to an authentic New York delicatessen style hot dog at New York Dawg Pound (7702 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Overland Park, KS, 913.432.6937 NewYorkDawgPound.com).

National Ice Cream Month: Celebrate with a visit to a local old-fashioned ice cream shoppe. Two of our favorites are Georgetown Pharmacy & Soda Fountain (5605 Merriam Dr., Merriam, KS, 913.362.0313, GHCCUSA.com) and Clinton’s Soda Fountain (100 W. Maple Ave., Independence, MO, 816.833.2046, ClintonsSodaFountain.com).

Oklahoma! 7:30, Blue Springs City Theatre.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative.

BlueSpringsCityTheater.com

Time Travelers 10:00, Shawnee Town 1929.

Living history comes to life in this familyoriented program. Farm activities, crafts, gardening and more. ShawneeTown.org

Moonlight Movies 9:00, Pharaoh Theater Parking Lot. Free outdoor movie shown every Thursday. Fun outdoor family time together! Concession stand is available onsite.

FreeMoonlightMovies.com

Miami County Fair Thru July 26, Paola. Youth rodeo, carnival, races, parade, bike derby, horse show, pancake breakfast, concerts and more. MiamiCountyKansasFair.com

19 Sunday Farmers Market 6:00, the City Market. The market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries, flowers and gift items from nearby farms. TheCityMarket.org Kansas City’s BIG Picnic 4:00, Nelson-Atkins (South Lawn). A fun-filled evening with food trucks, live music, art activities, lawn games, giant puppets and more. Nelson-Atkins.org

17 Friday

Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure! 816.753.5784

Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused, yet infant friendly, mini museum tour.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Jumpin’ Jellfish Mobile 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Swim right into summer with a friendly squid mobile! Free. LakeshoreLearning.com

Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope. Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission. Wonderscope.org

Children’s Garden Day 11:00, Atkins-Johnson Farm. Learn about gardening and the importance of growing your own food. Free kids crafts, activities and more. 816.453.3276

Englewood Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Shopping District. See artists in action, enjoy demonstrations and relish live music and refreshments. 816.252.3372

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com

Gridiron Glory Thru Sept 6, Union Station. Come experience the best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only at Union Station. UnionStation.org

Bats 7:00, Ernie Miller. Explore the dark and mysterious world of Kansas bats. Discover how we benefit from them and how we can help protect them. $3/person. 913.764.7759

Turtle Trek 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. We often think of turtles as water creatures, but all turtles must lay their eggs on land. Optional hike. 816.228.3766

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

Jamaican Jam 7:00, Lee’s Summit City Hall Plaza. Free, live concerts featuring bands from the Kansas City metro playing the island sounds of reggae. SummerOfFun.net

Great American Family Campout 2:00, Shawnee Mission Park. Experienced and novice campers come spend time with family and friends under the stars. 913.826.3023

Free Family Movie 1:30, Indian Creek Library (Olathe). Bring the entire family and see Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. 913.971.6874

Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening! 816.331.6630

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

18 Saturday

Kids Night Out at the Y 5:00, North Kansas City YMCA. Children ages 2-11 will enjoy a fun night at the Y while parents get a night out. $15-$25.

816.300.0531

Chipotle Cultivate Festival 11:00, Penn Valley Park. A family-friendly, free-admission festival celebrating food, music and ideas with a kid zone and fun activities. ChipotleCultivate.com Firefest 9:00, Independence Events Center Parking Lot. Enjoy classic cars, tractor show, fire truck rides, water display, kids games and more. ci.Independence.mo.us Wildy Fun Event 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy special keeper chats and participate in our very own Animal Olympics. KansasCityZoo.org Living History Farm Program 10:00, Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. Costumed interpretive staff present life in rural Missouri.

816.580.3387

Luau Family Fun Night 5:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum. Hula on over to the Carousel Museum where you can ride the carousel and play games! 913.682.1331 Astronomy: Triple Conjunction 8:30, Powell Gardens. Three solar system bodies are gathered close together this evening for you to view. Pre-reg at 816.697.2600, x209.

Dive-In Movie 8:30, Roeland Park Aquatic Center. Spend some time with the family in the water watching Disney’s Big Hero 6!

Concessions available. $3-$4. 913.432.1377

Music in the Park 6:00, Rotary Park (Blue Springs). Bring a blanket and enjoy live music in a park setting. Free. 816.228.0137 Everest VBS Thru July 23, 6:15, Crossroads Christian Church. Kids, learn how you can conquer challenges in your life with God’s mighty power. Crossroads-Christian.org

20 Monday

Family Fun Night 8:30, Summit Waves Pool (Lee’s Summit). A totally fun night of games, giveaways, a DJ and concessions. $4-$5.

816.969.1545

21 Tuesday Nature Connects Thru Sept 7, Powell Gardens.

Built from more than 300,000 Lego bricks, this special exhibit features 25 amazing sculptures.

PowellGardens.org Pay-for-Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Kids can explore 17 play sets and munch on snacks at the picnic tables. $2. 913.307.6023 Token Tuesdays 10:00, Cool Crest. Buy $20 worth of tokens and receive $20 worth for free!

CoolCrest.com Wyandotte County Fair Thru July 25, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. Old-fashioned county fair: games, rides, carnival, demolition derby and more! WyCoFair.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 kcparent.com july 2015

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Waterbabies Saturdays at 1:30, Emler Swim School. A free class to introduce parents and babies to the joys of a typical Emler swim class.

Family Feast Pizza Shoppe. Every Tuesday enjoy a kind size single topping pizza, 2 house salads and garlic cheese bread for only $18.99. PizzaShoppe.com

22 Wednesday Day Out with Frank and Ella 9:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy a different living history theme each week while touring the historic farm. $5. Mahaffie.org Wagons HO! 10:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Tour the exhibit galleries with a guide, pack a prairie schooner and take a covered wagon tour. Pre-reg at 816.325.7575.

Sunflower Craft Social 10:30, Matt Ross Community Center. Celebrate the state flower of Kansas. Create a sunflower craft keepsake while enjoying refreshments. $5$6. 913.831.3359

Platte County Fair Thru July 25, Platte County Fairgrounds. The oldest fair west of the Mississippi! Games, carnival rides, food, music and more.

PlatteCountyFair.com Popsicles in the Park 6:30, George Owens Nature Park. Bring the entire family out for live music, puppet shows, art stations, raffled prizes and frozen treats. Free.

816.325.7843

23 Thursday Preschool Bowling 10:00, Mission Bowl (Olathe). Receive one game of bowling, shoes, ball and a soft drink for only $3.

MissionBowl.com Jammin’ & Dancin’ on the Green 7:00, Shawnee Town. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs and relax to the sounds of Victor and Penny on their fiery ukulele. Free.

913.742.6423

Heroes and Sheroes of 19th-Century America 7:00, MCPL (Smithville). Oral historian Jim “Two Crows” Wallen will keep you spellbound with stories. 816.532.0116.

Movie in the Park 8:45, Gardner Aquatic Center. Bring the family and enjoy the movie Soul Surfer. One free bag of popcorn per guest. $3. GardnerKansas.gov

Kansas City’s favorite french fries July 13 is National French Fry Day, so pull up a stool and enjoy America’s favorite side dish at one of these local eateries!

Best diner-style fries: Town Topic (three locations: TownTopic.com). Town Topic is celebrating 75 years as Kansas City’s original diner. The classic greasy spoon diner serves old-fashioned burgers and fries the way our grandparents enjoyed them.

Best sweet potato fries: BRGR (two locations: Power & Light District, 11 E. 14th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.221.BRGR; Corinth Square Shopping Center, 4038 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village, KS, 913.825.BRGR; BRGRKitchen.com). Their sweet potato fries are an addictive side dish to some of juiciest and freshest hamburgers in the metro.

Best waffle fries: Tomfooleries (Country Club Plaza, 612 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.753.0555, Tomfooleries.com). The perfect combination of crisp and soft, these fresh fries go perfectly with a sandwich or burger.

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Best-identified fries: Five Guys (across the metro: FiveGuys.com). Five Guys fries are so fresh you see the next potatoes in line as you order your food.

The menu board announces the farm where the potatoes that day were grown, and they are fried in pure peanut oil! Served in traditional and Cajun style, enjoy these delish fries along with our favorite fast-food burger.

Best fries with barbecue: LC’s (5800 Blue Pkwy., Kansas City, MO, 816.923.4484). The local barbecue joint serves old-fashioned barbecue and fries so good you can see through the bag! They may not be so great for your cholesterol but they taste so very good. It’s one temptation hard to resist.

Most fun fries: Unforked (7337 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.661.9887, Unforked.com).

Unforked serves locally grown fresh food, and their fries are no exception. The hand-cut fries can be ordered “Fundido style,” loaded with queso and bacon crumbles. With a juicy Angus burger, this is a great lunch!

24 Friday

25 Saturday

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze and Fire.

Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg.

913.661.2529

Georgia’s Chicken Run 7:30, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Lace up those shoes, because it’s time for Georgia’s Annual Chicken Fun Run/Walk. OPKansas.org

WeekEnder 5:00, Crown Center Square. Cap off your week with live music, food trucks and a flick under the stars. Tonight’s movie is The Blind Side. 816.274.8444

Annual Butterfly Count 9:00, Powell Gardens.

Get paired with a leader to help count butterflies. Hike available in the afternoon.

Pre-reg at PowellGardens.org.

Mid-Summer’s Night Cache 6:00, Shawnee Mission Park. A modern day scavenger hunt.

GPS device, an introduction and goodie bag at the end of hunt provided. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Show n’ Shine Truck & Car Show National Agricultural Hall of Fame. Top 60, best of show, living history demonstrations and train rides.

Fun for all ages! AgHallOfFame.com

Ice Cream Train 7:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy a train ride and an ice cream treat. A great summer evening! 816.331.6630

Christian Family Day 10:00, Smithville Square.

Listen to 12 of the Nehemiah Fest Christian bands in a day of music, fun and fellowship.

816.645.1982

Mary Poppins Thru Aug 1, Starlight Theatre.

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time captures hearts in a whole new way on stage. KCStarlight.com

Kids in the Kitchen 10:00, Jo Co K-State Research and Extension. Join us to learn the basics of cooking authentic Chinese foods. $10. 913.715.7000

Movies in the Park 8:00, Mapleview Park (Grandview). Bring blankets and lawn chairs to see Tangled under the stars.

GrandviewParks.org

Stay Cool! Sun Visor 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Kids can soak up the summer sun with a stylish hand-made visor! Free.

LakeshoreLearning.com

Country Mouse/City Mouse 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Bohemian marionettes and rod puppets explore urban and rural lifestyles. Hazelle.org Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com Waterbabies 1:30, Emler Swim School. A free class to introduce parents and babies to the joys of a typical Emler Waterbabies swim class.

913.451.7946 Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturday afternoons. 816.331.0630

26 Sunday Elephant Baths 1:30, Kansas City Zoo. It’s hard to bathe when you weigh five tons!

See our six elephants cool off in the water.

KansasCityZoo.org Music in the Park 7:00, Santa Fe Commons Park. Enjoy music under the stars by the Overland Park Civic Band. Free. 913.344.8656

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Sand Cinema 9:00, Longview Lake Beach.

Family fun at its best! Load the kids in the car and head to the movies on the big screen.

Concessions available. $5/car. 816.503.4800

A Year with Frog and Toad 11:00 & 1:00, the Coterie. Well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in this musical following two great friends. TheCoterie.org

Evening Wagon Ride and Swales Walk 6:00, Nat’l Frontier Trails Museum. Hour- long program that includes a wagon tour to the swales (ruts). Pre-reg at 816.325.7575.

27 Monday

Mary Poppins Thru Aug 1, Starlight Theatre.

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time captures hearts in a whole new way on stage. KCStarlight.com

31 Friday

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 Johnson County Fair Thru Aug 5, Jo Co Fairgrounds (Gardner). Enjoy a wide variety of fun family entertainment. JoCoKansasFair.com Story Time for Toddlers 9:30, MCPL (North Oak). A fun and interactive story time for toddlers as they explore the world of books.

Free. 816.436.4385 Summer Movie Series 10:00, Blue Springs 8.

Free movies and $6 kid combos (soda, popcorn and candy). Titles this week: Rio and Little Rascals. 816.224.0551

28 Tuesday $5 Pasta Day Cupini’s. Choose a fresh pasta with one of three sauces made fresh daily. Dine in or carry out. Cupinis.com

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29 Wednesday

Tax Free Weekend Thru Sun, Children’s Orchard (Olathe, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, KCMO). Shop and save your state’s sales tax.

Includes Olathe store. ChildOrch.com

Free Summer Movies Every Tue-Thu, Phoenix Theatre (Legends). Cool off from the summer heat with a free movie. Different movies each week. Doors open at 9:00. PhoenixTheatres.com

Story Time 10:30 & 11:15, Wonderscope.

Join us in our ArtWorks Exhibit for story time. This is free with museum admission.

Wonderscope.org

Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486

Festival of Butterflies Thru Sun and Aug 7-9, Powell Gardens. See hundreds of butterflies and much more.

816.697.2600

30 Thursday Preschool Bowling 10:00, Mission Bowl (Olathe).

Receive one game of bowling, shoes, ball and a soft drink for only $3. MissionBowl.com

WeekEnder 5:00, Crown Center Square.

Cap off your week with live music, food trucks and a flick under the stars.

816.274.8444

Family Fun Night 6:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach.

Enjoy free admission and different activities based on a theme Thursdays in July.

913.971.8563

Family Night 6:00, Cool Crest. For only $21.99 enjoy unlimited soft play, 100 arcade tokens, one large pizza and four drinks.

CoolCrest.com

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Did you know for every pair of glasses purchased at The EyeDoctors a pair of glasses is donated to someone in need?

Local- We partner with one non-profit organization in each community where The EyeDoctors are located to offer free eyecare and glasses for persons experiencing financial hardship.

NOW OPEN

SOUTH OLATHE 401 S Clairborne, Olathe, KS 66062 913-782-1213

LOUISBURG 8 S Broadway Louisburg KS, 66053 913-837-4611

OLATHE 15311 W. 119th St Olathe, KS 66062 913-780-3200

PAOLA 705 Baptiste Suite 200 Paola KS, 66071 913-294-4342

Find additional locations and information at

www.TheEyeDoctors.net

TheEyeDoctors @TheEyeDoctors

Regional- We distribute free glasses to homeless groups, veteran groups, and non-profit work force training centers.

International- We donate glasses to mission trips to Nicaragua, Haiti, Peru, Trinidad, and more to be given out free. The glasses are distributed through VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) Southeast chapter, a 501 (c)(3) charity.

For more information on how you can help share the gift of glasses, visit www.theeyedoctors.net and click on: The Gift of Glasses

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KANSAS CITY ZOO New

Orangutan Canopy NOW OPEN!

2015 FOTZ Memberships NOW AVAILABLE!

July 3–5 July 8 & 9

Enrichment Extravaganza

July 10 July 11

Polar Bear PJ Party

July 12 July 15 & 16

Elephant Baths

July 17 July 18 July 18 July 19 July 24 July 25

Yoga Zoo

July 26

Science Adventure Club – Rainforest Habitat Zootastik Learning Fest – Turtles Science Adventure Club – Forest Habitat Wildly Fun Event FOTZ Family Breakfast Elephant Baths Species Spotlight – Apes Nocturnal Overnight

Elephant Baths

SUMMER CAMPS at the Zoo! It’s not too late to sign up!

SAVE 1C0amps Go to www.kansascityzoo.org r and sign up today! on Summe AMP10 %

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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.