KC Parent Magazine November 2016

MAKE THANKSGIVING MORE MEANINGFUL IN YOUR HOME FREE | November 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

THE SCIENCE OF SIBLINGS is teasing the same thing as

how they shape and define you

BULLYING? A LOOK INSIDE

FOSTER CARE IN KC

physicians

lee’s

summit

group

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

trust.

healthcare you can 2

kcparent.com november 2016

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

When your little elf tries to climb the shelf, accidents can happen.

A trip to the emergency room may not be on your holiday wishlist, but every year many kids spend time in the ER due to holidayrelated accidents. The good news is, our kidfriendly ERs are ready for all emergencies, big or small. Plus, with 10 locations throughout the Kansas City area, care for Santa’s little helpers is never far away.

Visit hcamidwest.com/elf to view our current average ER wait times, and to learn about the most common child injuries during the holidays — and how to avoid them.

ER CARE FOR KIDS & ADULTS Belton Belton Regional Medical Center I-49 (Hwy 71) & Hwy 58

Kansas City Research Medical Center Hwy 71 & Meyer Blvd.

ER of Brookside Independence Rockhill Rd. & Holmes Rd. Centerpoint Medical Center 39th St. & Little Blue Pkwy

Lee’s Summit Lee’s Summit Medical Center Northeast of Hwy 50 & Todd George Rd. Lexington Lafayette Regional Health Center 15th St. & State St.

Olathe ER of Olathe East of Black Bob Rd. on 135th St. Overland Park Menorah Medical Center 119th St. & Nall Ave.

Overland Park Regional OverlandCenter Park Regional Medical Medical CenterRd. I-435 & Quivira I-435 & Quivira NOW OPEN – Rd. Now with a dedicated Dedicated Pediatric ER Pediatric ER Shawnee ER of Shawnee West of I-35 on Shawnee Mission Pkwy 2866 A

* Message and data rates may apply. For more information visit texterhelp.com. ER wait times are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

LEARN MORE

WE GET HARD-TO-SHOP-FOR. Finding a gift for hard-to-shop-for family and friends – like your nitpicky nephew – can be a challenge. But with more than 100 name-brand stores, restaurants and entertainment options, you might actually get a thank-you out of him this year.

ifft?

Still can’t find the right g be sure d an s d r a c t f Pick up Legends gi ant. w they get exactly what they

AMC Legends 14 Movie Theatre | Bath & Body Works | Buckle | Coach | Eddie Bauer Outlet | F21 RED | Jockey Outlet Justice | Books-A-Million (BAM!) | Levi’s Outlet Store | Nike Factory Store | T-REX Café | Sunglass Hut Ann Taylor Factory Store | Victoria’s Secret | Dave & Buster’s | Wilsons Leather Outlet Located on West I-70 at I-435 in Kansas City, KS

legendsshopping.com

NOV

2016

DEPARTMENTS

FOSTER CARE IN KANSAS CITY, PG. 32

Optimistic Families Are they born or made?

Craft Corner

12

Media Mix

13

Healthy Kids

41

Faith & Family

48

Word from Dad

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

22

10

28

18

Party Guide

40

Thanksgiving Guide

50

Calendar of Events

40

Give Back

Thanksgiving

Fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child

Prepare for the holiday with our 10-page guide

Our cover features Jackson, Payton and Eddie from Overland Park.

Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com.

MAKE THANKSGIVING MORE MEANINGFUL IN YOUR HOME FREE | November 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

THE ScIENcE OF SIbLINGS

ON THE COVER

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kcparent.com november 2016

The Science of Siblings

14

Teasing or Bullying?

26

Foster Care in KC

32

Meaningful Thanksgiving

46

is teasing the same thing as

how they shape and define you

bULLYING? A LOOK INSIDE

FOSTER cARE IN Kc

EDITOR’SLETTER NOVEMBER 2016

A

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY BALL

and a weekend trip to

ST. LOUIS

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 Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com

LOCAL CONTENT

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Karah Chapman (Kansas City), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Jessica Heine (Olathe), Christa Hines (Olathe), Rebecca Ishum (Kansas City), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Overland Park), Laura Miller McEachen (Overland Park), Julie McKinley (Lee’s Summit), Jena Meyerpeter (Lenexa)

Mailing Address 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS MAKE THANKSGIVING MORE MEANINGFUL IN YOUR HOME

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FREE | November 2016 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

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THE ScIENcE OF SIbLINGS is teasing the same thing as

how they shape and define you

What Makes

500+ WaYS

IssUe

tO eXPerIeNce It

Streetcar

A LOOK INSIDE

FOSTER cARE IN Kc

the

NICU

Kc cOOL?

bULLYING?

NICU know-how for parents

Scavenger Hunt MeGa-FUN

Kc BucKet LISt

+

life lessons :

FaVOrIte FeStS UNIQUe SOUVeNIrS

surviving

baby’s first year

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to nurture the nesting instinct

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for lIttle oNes

.com

Enter to win tickets to the

h, siblings. There really is nothing like them. I have five: three brothers and two sisters. I am the oldest of this crazy crew, and what a ride it’s been up to this point. Oh, the stories we can tell when we are all together! Some of the craziest and funniest times I’ve spent have been with them. And some of the saddest and hardest also have been spent with this group. We’ve seen each other through growing up, marriages, births, surgeries, deaths and all the little day-today living that happens in between.

While we’ve known for a while that siblings play a part in shaping who we become, new scientific research has been published that looks into the role siblings play in our development and the effect they have on the person we become. Lauren Greenlee takes a look at the “Science of Siblings” on pg. 14—and she discovers that scientific research has proven having siblings can affect your weight and make you thinner. I need to call out my brothers and sisters and let them know they are failing me in this respect!

I absolutely cannot believe it is November! Where did 2016 go?!? As we do each November, we pause on the fourth Thursday and turn our minds to giving thanks for our many blessings. Oftentimes, the busyness of the holiday overshadows its true meaning. Sarah Lyons shares ideas on how to cut down on distractions and make the holiday more meaningful in your home this year. Check out her terrific ideas on pg. 46. In the Sarver home we’re going to try her “take a break” idea. Have other ways to celebrate the holiday with more intention? Share them with me—I’d love to hear how you make the holiday less crazy and more meaningful in your home!

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

Member of:

Circulation verified by:

Happy Thanksgiving, Kansas City!

Details on pg. 9

#KCParentContest Margaret Sarver, Editor

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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KCPARENTONLINE

KCParent.com

Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR OUR TOP 10 LISTS OF FUN IDEAS: 1. Thanksgiving Traditions 2. Money-Saving Coupons 3. Best of November 4. Fall Fun 5. Hometown Holidays 6. Best Pie in KC 7. Turkey Fun

SPOTLIGHT

8. Leaf Peeping

LIGHTING CEREMONIES It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! For a complete list of lighting ceremonies all over Kansas City, visit KCParent.com.

9. Giveaways 10. Complete KC Calendar of Events

KCPARENT.COM IS THE PLACE FOR FREE STUFF!

Enter to win a Family of Four Getaway to Union Station in St. Louis!

Sugar plum fairy ball

Giveaway!

KC Parent is giving away 2 sets of tickets to the

• Two nights at St. Louis Union Station Hotel • Four round-trip Santa Express train ride tickets • Four passes for Glacier Park activities at the North Pole including ice skating and skate rental and snow tubing down the ice slide • Dinner for four at the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Dinner Feast and Show • Breakfast for four at the Reindeer Rise-‘n-Shine character breakfast

a $900+ vaLUE!

Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball

on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Muehlebach Tower, followed by the 2:00 performance of Kansas City Ballet’s

The Nutcracker

at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. Each set includes 2 tickets, a $275 value!

Visit KCParent.com and click “Giveaways” #KCParentContest

Head to KCParent.com and click “Giveaways” to enter Hurry! Contest Ends Nov 22! | #KCParentContest kcparent.com november 2016

9

Popsicle stick bracelets

CRAFTCORNER

t

Step One: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and place the Popsicle sticks in the boiling water for about 20 minutes.

Turn ordinary Popsicle sticks into bracelets that you can customize!

urn ordinary Popsicle sticks into bracelets that you can customize!

This fun craft requires a little bit of adult supervision but is well worth the effort. Gather some craft paper and embellishments to

personalize these simple bracelets.

Step Two: Using tongs, take each Popsicle stick out of the water and carefully bend each to form a bracelet shape. Use jars and cups as a guide for the bracelet shape.

Place Popsicle sticks in inner edge of jars or use rubber bands to secure around the outside. Leave the formed Popsicle sticks on the jars overnight to dry.

Materials Needed:

• Mod Podge • Popsicle sticks • Foam brush • Craft paper

Step Three: Use a flat Popsicle stick

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

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kcparent.com november 2016

as a pattern to cut out craft paper.

Brush on a layer of Mod Podge to the dried bracelet, adhere the craft paper and cover with more Mod Podge. Add jewels, glitter or any other embellishments and enjoy!

EXPERT MEDICAL CARE FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES - AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY

At Shawnee Mission Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, each of our physicians is Board-certified in both pediatrics and internal medicine. That means they not only provide professional, reliable care for babies and children, but also for teens and adults - so you can get friendly, convenient care for the whole family all in one place.

5420 W. 151st Street

Leawood, KS 66224

Michael Greenfield, MD Katie Lorentz, MD

Paul Moore, MD

Our physicians welcome informational interviews with expectant parents in search of a caring, qualified pediatrician in south Johnson County.

To make an appointment or to schedule a pediatrician interview, call 913-632-9675.

To request an appointment online, visit ShawneeMission.org/PrimaryCare.

kcparent.com november 2016

11

MEDIAMIX

in a different light new titles help us look at the world in different ways

By McGeath Freeman

The Lost House

By B. B. Cronin Best for: Ages 3-8 Seek and find books are not difficult to find—ironic, isn’t it?

However, I recently read what I can describe only as a diamond among the cubic zirconia. The Lost House is much more than a seek and find book. It’s an illustrative tour de force. Grandad has promised to take his two grandchildren (all anthropomorphic bulldogs) to the park. Before they can leave, Grandad needs to find a few things: socks, glasses, pocket watch, umbrella and even his teeth. Do you think they’ll ever find everything? Maybe you can help. Be aware, each room and everything in it appears in one bold color. The rooms are packed full of whimsy, eccentricity and household items. The Lost House is beautifully crafted and so visually engaging even older children will want to help find the lost items.

What’s good: Incredibly detailed illustrations that appeal to both young and old.

What’s bad: The palette of room colors can be a little jarring at times.

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kcparent.com november 2016

The Alphabet from the Sky

Serafina and the Twisted Staff

By Benedikt Groß & Joey Lee

By Robert Beatty

Best for: Ages 5-8

Ever look out the window of a plane to see the landscape below? Ever play the alphabet game? Now you can do both in this single book. Using satellite imagery, the geographer and designer duo of Benedikt Groß and Joey Lee find “accidental letters” in the landscapes across the United States.

From holding ponds to highways, from suburbs to fields, the locations and formations will fascinate children.

Each image spread includes an inset with the town’s location pinpointed on a map and map coordinates.

This book began as an MIT project and Kickstarter campaign. Now it’s a picture book that is perfect for the classroom.

What’s good: It encourages children to look at things from new angles.

What’s bad: Probably more intriguing to adults.

Best for: Ages 9-14 Set a few weeks after Serafina’s encounter with the black cloak, this new adventure takes place on the grounds of Biltmore Estate, as the Vanderbilt family prepares to host guests from around the world for the coming holidays. Don’t worry if you didn’t read the first adventure. This tales stands on its own. In the first installment, Beatty begins blending the history of Biltmore with the magic and lore of the surrounding Smoky Mountains. He deepens the connection in this tale and furthers Serafina’s and Braeden Vanderbilt’s character development while introducing several new, intriguing and sometimes frightening individuals. The action is fast-paced and eerie.

The new villain is more powerful than the last.

Will our scrappy heroine, Serafina, be able to fight him? Fans of the first book will not be disappointed by this follow-up. As a matter of fact, fans will be eager for a third installation.

What’s good: Magic, history, mountain lore and edge-of-your-seat mystery.

What’s bad: Some imagery and characters may be too dark and frightening for younger readers.

HEALTHYKIDS

FAMILY TALK A B O U T D R I N KI N G

good posture:

looking after your back

S

Brand: Bud Item #:PCA20151142

PO:

Job/Order #: 290009 QC: cs

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL

itting, standing, climbing, jumping, running and the other activities kids love all require use of the back. Healthy backs are important for every aspect of your life, and having good posture can affect your health today and in the future.

Posture is the position in which you hold your body and limbs when standing, sitting or lying down (CYH.com). If you and your kids have good posture, you will hold your body in a way that puts the least amount of strain on your back. Good posture also means that muscles don’t get tired as easily, you don’t get pain in your back or other muscles and you look far better than someone who is hunched over in a poor position.

The struggle to quit slouching and stand up straight is common.

Poor posture often results from weak abdominal and back muscles.

Of 9- to 10-year-olds, 10 percent are suffering from back pain (ChiroClinic.co.za), and poor posture is one of the main causes. The periods of greatest growth, birth to age 4 and ages 7-10, when adult postural reflex growth happens, is when the greatest muscle changes and weakness can occur.

Lack of physical activity and spending more time in front of a computer or television often are the culprits in negative changes in posture and core muscle weakness. School doesn’t help either, because it requires spending more time sitting, reading, writing and filling in test bubbles and less time moving around and being active.

This hunched over position causes rounding of the shoulders, tight chest muscles and weak upper back muscles.

Helping your child achieve better posture may take many daily reminders, as well as exercises to strengthen the core muscles. The child can watch TV or play computer games while sitting on a stability ball. Making sure your child’s desk and chair are aligned appropriately is beneficial, and backpacks should be no more than 10 percent of a child’s body weight. The effects can last long term if not corrected at an early age and can lead to neck or back strain or carpal tunnel (LiveStrong.com). Teach your child to stand and take breaks frequently if he sits for long periods of time. If that is not possible, leaning back and stretching out the chest and neck is helpful as well.

Occasionally, poor posture is caused by something more serious, such as scoliosis. If you believe your child may be suffering from something serious or have questions, contact your health care provider for follow-up instructions.

PM:

Closing Date: 8/10/16

AM:

Pub: KC Parent

AD: CW:

“

CD:

Trim: 3.65" x9.875 " Bleed: none

“STAY CONNECTED.

TALK WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT

UNDERAGE DRINKING.

QC:

Live: 3.35" x 9.625"

-MJ CORCORAN CORC PARENT COACH COA O CH OA

Parents are the number one influence on teens’ decisions about drinking alcohol.* Learn how to be a positive influence in your child’s life.

Olathe mom Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse.

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

© 2015 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, ST. LOUIS, MO *SOURCE: 2015 GFK ROPER YOUTH POLL, CONDUCTED USING GFK’S WEEKLY OMNIWEB STUDY.

kcparent.com november 2016

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the science of

S

Siblings

iblings. It’s been said if you can get along with them, you can get along with just about anyone. It’s true that relationships with brothers and sisters are the precursor to relationships outside the family unit, but groundbreaking research is confirming that sibling relationships indelibly shape our whole person. In his article “How Your Siblings Affect Your Success According to

Science,” Dr. Jonathan Caspi notes this profound influence. “It is an odd thought that our sibling relationships may be at the center of what makes us who we become. We may prefer to say that our success is due to parental support, social connections and particularly our personal attributes, including our own hard work and intelligence. However, it is our siblings that may be the most influential in this regard. They shape

our sense of selves, our identities, our skill sets, and ultimately our life choices.

Simply put, if you had a different sibling you would be a different person.”

For years now, researchers have tried to peg what the primary influence is in shaping a person. First noted were parents (particularly mothers), then genes and, last but not least, peers, who arrive late on the scene but have lasting impact. All of these were a good start,

but the scientific community had more questions than answers after all data had been excavated from theories. The missing link, it turns out, is siblings.

From birth, a sibling becomes a coconspirator in crime, best friend, arch nemesis, protector and playmate (sometimes all of the above within a few minutes’ time). We learn to fight and make up, build friendships or sever ties and even navigate the murky waters of relationships with the opposite sex, all thanks to lessons learned from a sibling. A spouse will enter the picture later in life; parents will, at some point, pass on. Siblings, then, may be the only ones to qualify as true partners in life, permanent travel companions that navigate life’s waters for the entire journey.

Perhaps one of the most critical components to this impact is time.

According to a regarded Penn State University study, a child will spend more than 33 percent of his free time with his siblings—more time than will be spent with his parents, friends, teachers or even alone.

The study later found that adolescents, while striving for an identity outside of the family, still devote more than 10 hours a week to time with their brother or sister (and the numbers go up, closer to 17 hours, in larger families).

It should come as no surprise, then, that familiarity breeds some contempt.

Laura Kramer, professor of applied family studies at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampagne, discovered that for siblings between 3 and 7 years old, typically 3.5 squabbles ensue within an hour’s time.

While a Canadian study found that children

within the 2-4 age range are known to clash a terrifying 6.3 times an hour.

When children learn conflict resolution skills within the permanence of a sibling relationship, they garner life skills for the classroom, workforce and beyond.

While most arguments develop over territory, parental favoritism can have its effect as well. As many as 65 percent of mothers and 70 percent of fathers exhibit a preference for one of their children. (For mothers, it is typically a firstborn son, while fathers tend to display a soft spot for the youngest daughter.) Whether a parent denies showing preferential treatment or not, studies show otherwise. Brothers and sisters pick up on this and develop a process known as de-identification, a phenomenon where siblings differentiate themselves instead of emulating one another, to avoid the risk of comparison. Parents can further complicate the dynamic by only affirming certain kinds of accomplishments, such as esteeming sports over fine arts or vice versa.

Comparisons among siblings always will exist, whether within the home or outside it. But birth order plays a large part too. Firstborns are more likely to be senators, astronauts and CEOs, many thanks to the exclusive time and resources they had with their parents before siblings came along, along with the unique mentoring relationship they have with younger brothers or sisters (an average three-point higher IQ than siblings doesn’t hurt either). Last-borns are notorious for becoming intuitive and charming. Is it any wonder that some of the world’s greatest satirists and comedians are babies in their

families? Middle-borns are often thought to be neglected or perhaps struggling for attention, but research has shown that may be to their advantage by making them more independent and creative thinkers.

Hallmark middle-born traits include empathy, out-of-the box thinking and sharp negotiation skills, making them leaders in their own right.

Regardless of where you fall in line in your family tree, know that you have forever been shaped by your siblings and they have forever been shaped by you. And that relationship—for better or worse—is one of the most valuable ones shared in a lifetime.

As Time Magazine senior editor and author of the book The Sibling Effect Jeffrey Kluger so wisely affirms, “Having siblings and not making the most of those bonds is folly of the first order. If relationships are broken and are fixable, fix them. If they work, make them even better. Failing to do so is a little like having 1,000 acres of fertile farmland and never planting it. Think what you’re allowing to lie fallow. Life is short and it’s finite and it plays for keeps. Siblings may be among the richest harvests of the time we have here.”

Lauren Greenlee is the firstborn of four children and the mom to three sons. She writes from her Olathe home.

In addition to siblings, birth order has an effect on the person your kids become. Check out “Birth Order: Where Do You Stand?” at KCParent.com.

From birth, a sibling becomes a coconspirator in crime, best friend, arch nemesis, protector and playmate (sometimes all of the above within a few minutes’ time).

Scientific research has proven that siblings can….

A) Make you thinner B) Reduce your risk of allergies

Quick Quiz

C) Decrease your odds of divorce D) All of the above

Answer: D, all of the above kcparent.com november 2016

15

family movie night

Done

n

ovember is one of the busiest months of the year. Families are bustling around preparing for the holidays, flu season has started and homework and extracurricular responsibilities are in full swing. If you feel disconnected from your family during this hectic time, how about a family movie night?

Family movie nights are the perfect way to bond with your kids and do something that everyone (even kids of various ages) can get on board with. Here are 10 ideas to help make your movie night memorable.

1. Choose fair. If this is a weekly or even monthly tradition, start a rotation so that each person gets a chance to choose the movie. Or put everyone’s choices on strips of paper, throw them into a hat and choose one blindly.

2. Get comfy! Have everyone change into their pajamas first, bring their favorite blanket and pillow and set up camp in the most comfortable TV room of the house. (This is also helpful for young kids who might fall asleep during the movie.)

3. Make fun snacks. The kids might enjoy creating a trail mix of their favorites, such as mini-marshmallows, M&Ms, raisins and Cheerios. Pop old-fashioned popcorn on the stove or splurge for big boxes of candy in true movie theater style.

4. Create a theme. Want to take movie night to the next level?

How about theme-related snacks? Watching Jungle Book? How about banana splits? Grease? Milkshakes it is! Winnie the Pooh? Try chicken nuggets dipped in honey!

5. Build up the anticipation! Get your kids connected to the idea earlier in the day, or even the week. How about a craft related to the movie? Make lanterns before watching Tangled. Invent your own spells before watching Harry Potter.

6. Create a reward system. Design actual “movie theater tickets” and have your kids earn them by helping around the house or working hard on homework. They also can earn points for choosing the snack or movie through their good behavior.

7. Read the book first! The very best way to get your kids zoned in on theme, character development and moral lessons is to help

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Right! them relate to the story beforehand—by reading the book! So many powerful books have been made into movies suitable for kids, such as Harry Potter, Hugo, Chronicles of Narnia and James and the Giant Peach. (See an extensive list of suggestions at KCEdventures.com/ blog/25-best-kids-books-that-were-made-into-movies.)

8. Choose a good one. With so many choices out there, I’ve listed a few of my personal favorites: The Jungle Book—For kids who crave adventure, this is a story of courage, perseverance and loyalty. (Also a good book to read first.)

Zootopia—Full of hilarity, Zootopia is a story about never giving up on yourself and what you believe in.

Wall-E—A story of true love and friendship, this movie also stresses the importance of taking care of our Earth and ourselves.

The Sandlot—A great story for a child who may be the odd man out, not a sports star or have trouble making friends.

9. Make it a commitment. Put it on the calendar, in ink. Turn off cell phones. Turn off the lights. Snuggle up together, without interruption, and soak in this quality family time.

10. Talk about it. The greatest stories teach us a lesson. Ask your kids what they learned after viewing the movie. Which character did they most admire? Why? What were each character’s strengths and weaknesses? What did your kids like and dislike?

So there you have it! Ten steps to a successful family movie night!

Now go grab some popcorn and hit PLAY! Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.

Outdoor Cinema • Special Events

Are you planning a PTA function or a church event?

Movies2U is your solution to a movie night, done right for a large group! Check them out at Movies2U.com.

simple steps to

(Family Features)

smarter snacking

When hunger strikes, reaching for the closest treat is tempting, even if it’s laden with fat and empty calories. Make it easier to enjoy better-for-you snacks with these three simple steps that appeal to your taste and your waist.

1 2 3

Know that choosing more healthy snacks still can be quick and convenient. Learn to recognize your hunger patterns and keep foods on hand to fit your cravings. For example, if you tend to need a mid-afternoon pickme-up at work, prepare snack-size portions of finger foods that feel hearty without weighing you down.

Make flavor count in every bite. Watching what you eat doesn’t have to be bland. In fact, an eating plan that cuts back on your calorie intake is the perfect reason to pay more attention to what you eat and thoroughly enjoy it, rather than wasting a portion of your daily consumption on foods that don’t taste great.

When your sweet tooth is screaming, answer it with the refreshing indulgence of a fruity dessert. Fruit-based desserts are naturally sweet and deliver some of the key nutrients your body needs, so you can feel extra good about bypassing other options laden with unhealthy ingredients.

A Healthy, Frozen Treat

Healthy Hummus for a Happy Snack

Maintaining a healthy diet is key to staying fit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a sweet treat every now and then. Make smart snack choices that taste delicious, such as Dole jarred fruit, which contains five servings of high quality, ready-to-eat fruit packed in 100 percent fruit juice in every jar. The convenient, resealable lid lets you just scoop out what you need to top your favorite dish with fruit or make quick and easy good-for-you treats, such as these Peach Crisp Pops.

When snack time rolls around, a quick, convenient bite to eat is often the way to go. With easy-to-make Hummus Pinwheels, your light, healthy snack can be a breeze. Because any of the 14 varieties of Sabra hummus work for this simple recipe, your taste buds have the final call on flavor. Plus, because hummus can boost fiber intake and helps keep your calorie count low, you can count on it as a healthy alternative to common snacks.

Peach Crisp Pops

Hummus Pinwheels

Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes Servings: 6 1 jar sliced peaches, divided 4 t. maple syrup 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 2/3 c. granola 1 c. vanilla flavored Greek yogurt

Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 1 c. hummus, any flavor 2 large soft tortillas 1/2 c. thinly sliced red pepper 1/2 c. thinly sliced cucumber 1/2 c. thinly sliced cantaloupe 4 leaves lettuce

Measure 1-1/2 cups drained fruit and 6 tablespoons juice. In medium bowl, combine juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, granola and yogurt. Stir to blend well.

Place two peach slices in each frozen pop mold. Pour yogurt mixture into molds or small paper cups. Place on tray and freeze about one hour or until partially set.

Spread thin layer of hummus on both tortillas.

Divide red pepper, cucumber, cantaloupe and lettuce between tortillas. Roll tightly and secure with toothpicks.

Slice into pinwheels and serve.

Insert frozen pop stick into center of each mold; freeze two hours longer or until firm.

For more tips and quick and healthy snack and dessert options, visit DoleSunshine.com and Sabra.com. kcparent.com november 2016

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party guide

how to give gifts that kids AND parents will appreciate Gifts that are generally well-received by parents: Anything that is small, doesn’t make a mess or a lot of noise and doesn’t require the parent to do the activity FOR the child (e.g., a Rainbow Loom for a 4-year old).

Outings. Clear a date in advance with the parent and go to a playground, movie, sporting event, play or attraction (depending on your budget). Wrap a folder containing a brochure, advertisement or picture of the activity. For a playground date, include a small toy and the promise of a picnic. Or, sign up your child and the recipient for a one-day cooking or art class for kids.

Books. For non-avid readers, picture books about favorite passions or junior novelizations of a favorite movie or cartoon are good options, or ask what author/series the child likes and what volumes he or she doesn’t have.

Music CDs. Choose tunes you know the child likes (soundtracks of a kid’s favorite show/movie are usually a good bet). Burn a mix of current favorites and label it “[Child’s name’s] Greatest Hits.” Include an inexpensive portable CD player (with headphones if you really want to make the parents happy!).

This gift is best for young children. Older kids just want iTunes gift cards! Our kids loved playing with an “old-fashioned” tape recorder. They would record themselves talking and singing and would play it back repeatedly. It is fun to have the tapes now to hear their cute baby voices again.

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

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Clothing or practical items. Kids rarely enjoy receiving clothing items UNLESS they are emblazoned with their favorite character. Be sure to get the parent’s permission first if there is any question about a character’s suitability. Some examples: Disney character pajamas, a LEGO water bottle or storage bin, a character T-shirt, sleeping bag, blanket or beach towel. HINT: Pair a practical item with a small toy.

Some of the best gifts we have received (in my opinion, not necessarily my children’s) are cute storage accessories.

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

Visit KCParent.com for great ideas on fun party favors, creating a gift reserve, saving $$$ on birthday gifts and more!

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

Noise. Please reconsider gifts that make a huge amount of noise and don’t have volume control or off switches (unless you are trying

to get revenge against the parents). HINT: If you do receive such a gift, and your child loves it, put duct tape over the speaker. This can help control the volume.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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optimistic families:

are they born or made?

A

quintessential component of life is variability, moments that are full of joy, excitement, ease and pleasure and moments that are tiring, sad and trying. Being able to manage the latter optimistically can lead to healthy

life outcomes across social, career and family experiences.

Molly Ticknor, Kanas City area licensed professional counselor (LPC) and registered art therapist (ATR), works throughout Kansas City to promote efforts of resiliency development, and encourages modeling behaviors of optimism and resilience by parents/caretakers. “As humans, we are hardwired to focus on the negative as a survival skill and need to retrain our minds to hardwire happiness and optimism,” she says. “Optimism is a learned behavior, a skill that is learned through modeling from those we look up to. And by being surrounded by those who instill optimism and resilience (protective factors) to our lives, we will train our brains to think more positively about situations.” She also notes that families who are able to provide these factors are those that are attentive, loving, compassionate, nurturing and who celebrate small successes.

Danon, Geneviève, Cory and Rita, co-parenting family to Kansas City area youngster Atticus, 6, agree that optimism is a process and find it imperative to their co-parenting choice and Atticus’ development. “Optimism promotes success, growth and confidence. When you think about the family dynamic we share, it wouldn’t work if either household had only negative things to say. I won’t say it’s not difficult—it most certainly is. But it’s made easier when you know everyone is pulling for good of the whole, and part of that is admitting when things are tough and finding a positive solution to the end,” Rita says. “Being positive with ourselves and to each other teaches Atti to fully trust both households—a key component to our success and his own!”

While teaching and modeling the optimistic behaviors is important, all parents/ caretakers are also human and susceptible

22

kcparent.com november 2016

to breaking down, having moments of pessimism or feeling defeated by all of the pressures that come with managing work, family, social time and personal needs. These moments can be good teaching moments for those watchful, impressionable young ones.

“First of all, own up to your mistakes. When we own up to a mistake, we are teaching our children responsibility and building safety and trust in our relationships. We are modeling respect and responsibility,” Ticknor says. “By apologizing about being negative or taking our stress out on the kids, we help coach the child how to respond appropriately and let them know that everyone makes mistakes—not shaming for it.”

Atticus’ parents find that owning up to their own faults and having open and honest conversations have been beneficial to the positive development of their coparenting relations and Atticus’ optimism when faced with personal stressors. “We find it extremely important that Atticus see us being human. All of it: sad, mad, tired, excited, happy, no matter what emotion it is that day. It doesn’t have to be dramatic but it is critical that we share with him that life is not perfect. No day will be full of only perfect moments. There is realness to life, and some days are positive and some days are negative,” Rita says. “Overreacting can happen as a parent. Maybe he didn’t clean his room or maybe he wanted your attention more than he wanted to do what you asked of him. Calling attention and apologizing when you do mess up is important. It helps teach that it is okay to make a mistake.”

At the end of the day, optimism is built, and families can engage in and practice behaviors to develop that character.

“Optimism is a skill that is learned through modeling from those we look up to (caregivers, educators, coaches, etc.),

experiences we have, our own internal hope, motivation, self-confidence and external resources, including supportive family/ friends, safe neighborhoods and community,” says Ticknor. She also notes that connections in your brain literally change with a positive attitude, so resiliency in youth can be developed simply by modeling healthy positive attitudes.

recommended resources Book: Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson Book & Workbook: The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel Explore: “Conscious Discipline” Local Website: KCChamber.com/Resilient-KC/NewsResources.aspx

Karah Chapman is a school psychologist in the Kansas City area. She believes a smile can change the outlook of any moment.

.com

kcparent.com november 2016

23

raising eager learners

By Jennifer Higgins

T

he way learning is approached at home (or not) will carry forward with kids into the classroom.

Regardless of whether your child is in elementary school or high school, there are things you can do at home to foster eagerness in your learner.

Reading at home is an important part of creating eager learners.

“Not only should you read to them, but you should read yourself. They will do what you do. If they see you modeling this practice, they will want to do it, too. If you can’t get them away from the TV, have them read the books that go with the TV shows,” Ronna SparksWoodward, teacher and Kansas City mother of two, says.

A local elementary guidance counselor agrees that reading is central to building creative learners.

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“Read. Read to your kids. Read with your kids. Listen to your kids read. Talk about what you’re reading. Ask about their books,” Beth Dusin, guidance counselor and Liberty mother of two, says.

“Read. Read to your kids. Read with your with their kids,” Ann Bertoldie, teacher and kids. Listen to your kids read. Talk about Liberty mother of two, says. what you’re reading. Ask about their books,” Dusin also says that trying new things is Beth Dusin, guidance counselor and Liberty another way to build curious learners. mother of two, says.

“Encourage effort. Research shows that Not just reading, but making an effort grit—passion plus persistence over time—is to be involved in your child’s life is a key key to success,” Dusin says. “Emphasize hard element, as well. Your children’s feeling like work and effort. Encourage your kids to try you care about them and their school can new things, even things that aren’t easy for translate to their feeling more involved in them to do.” school.

Working onH skills at home that are taught STUDY SKILLS M AT H S AT / AC T P R E P WRITING READING OMEWORK HELP “Prioritize school,” Dusin says. “Make at school can help, as well. time to attend school events. Volunteer in “Check with the teacher to see what you the classroom or complete volunteer jobs at can do at home to support the classroom home.” experience, or pay attention to the daily Parent involvement goes beyond just note of what they did that day,” Sparksgoing to school events and volunteering, Woodward says. “Maybe a small thing at though. dinnertime will enhance the learning at “Parents to communicate with their school. Something simple like watching A G Eneed 13 Now I sitparents in the front of theknow class. what kids. So many don’t leaves might enhance the lesson the teacher Thanks Sylvan! their kids are doing, who their friends are. taught that day.”

Or they are so concerned with their own Above all, the best thing you can do is lives that they don’t want to be involved just encourage learning.

Nate G.

vering

“Value learning. Talk about learning as a process. Pay more attention to what they learn than their grades,” Dusin says. “Talk about what you are learning. Emphasize life-long learning.”

Feed Their Passions Got a child who’s crazy about something—rocks, dinosaurs, seashells?

Encourage him to collect and learn about it! Connect books with his passion, try to take him to a place where he can observe more about his interest and you learn along with him.

To read the entire article, head to KCParent.com.

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is teasing bullying?

The ability to recognize and respond appropriately to lighthearted teasing is a valuable social skill.

“O

h honey, I’m only teasing,” I say, smiling as I ruffle my 6-year-old’s thick thatch of blonde hair. He’s annoyed that I’d gently ribbed him about the adorable cowlick on his head and his need for a haircut. “Teasing isn’t allowed at school.

It’s bullying,” he says with a grave look in his blue eyes.

This stops me in my tracks. Is playful teasing really the same as bullying? I’d mostly thought of teasing as a form of affection, especially within the family and with close friends.

Prosocial teasing. Because the line between teasing and bullying can be blurry, many schools adopt zero-tolerance policies for both behaviors. Nonetheless, the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to lighthearted teasing is a valuable social skill.

Communication researcher Carol Bishop Mills, Ph.D., finds that the lighter side of teasing benefits our social lives by building and strengthening relationships and helping us navigate conflict. But teaching youngsters to recognize the differences between kidding and tormenting isn’t easy.

In general, kids grasp the concept of affectionate teasing around age 10, Mills says. Although, she adds, a child who is accustomed to good-natured kidding by parents may understand it earlier.

Context and the nature of the relationship is key to understanding the meaning behind words.

26

kcparent.com november 2016

“When kids get teased, they tend to focus on the negative or challenging content,” Mills says. “Try to get them to take the perspective of others by asking, ‘What do you think Reece was doing?’ and talk through that.”

Discuss nonverbal cues that the other child exhibited. Was he laughing? Was he trying to play? Did he look mean when he said it?

Then, discuss teasing from your child’s point of view. “When you teased Leila, did you want her to cry? …Oh you were playing—maybe Reece was playing too!”

Mills says, “It’ll take several attempts. It’s not an overnight process.”

When teasing morphs into bullying. Of course, youngsters also need to recognize when teasing isn’t playful.

“If it hurts emotionally, socially or physically, it’s not funny,” says Deb Woodard, associate teaching professor and school counseling coordinator, University of Missouri-Kansas City. “If persistent, it can become what is formally identified as bullying.”

Point out body language and verbal signals that indicate the target of the tease isn’t happy. Role-model, role-play and discuss situations as they arise. And respect your child’s personal boundaries if he doesn’t want to be teased about something— even if it starts out playfully.

“Even children who are too young to identify and express hurt feelings verbally may cry or physically push away those who think they mean well,” Woodard says.

Build resilience. Arm your child with skills to manage put-downs assertively.

Author and educational psychologist Michele Borba suggests firm statements like “I want you to stop teasing me” or “Why would you say that?” For more ideas, check out MicheleBorba.com.

If teasing continues, raise the possibility with your youngster that the remarks may not really be about him, but about the teaser.

“Kids tease because they’re playing with words (rhyming), exploring new ideas (boyfriend/girlfriend), pointing out differences (height, hair color, glasses, etc.) or to exert peer pressure,” Mills says.

While teaching kids to stand up for themselves and confidently express their feelings builds resilience, youngsters also need to know they immediately should seek a trusted, safe adult if they ever feel scared or threatened.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband love to joke with their two school-aged sons, who are happy to tease them right back. Christa is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

Teasing is okay when: • Both parties are laughing, smiling and joking with each other.

• Both individuals sense that the teasing is playful and not meant to be hurtful.

• The person being teased responds in a playful way, which increases his or her likeability in the group.

• There’s a balance of power in the relationship.

Teasing should stop immediately when:

Additional resources Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

by John Gottman Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of the Boy World

by Rosalind Wiseman

• Facial expressions convey that the other person is feeling hurt by the comments.

• Taunting or cruel name-calling is used. (Epithets related to race, weight, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and disability are unacceptable.)

• Comments are derogatory in nature, insulting and mean-spirited.

• The teaser shows disdain and dislike for the other person.

• There’s a power difference between the individuals.

For example, one is the “popular” kid and the other is struggling in the social setting.

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Source: Carol Bishop Mills, PhD, University of Alabama

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Operation Christmas Child Changing lives since 1993

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ince 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 150 nations and territories. Elena Hagemeier is one of those children who received a shoebox.

Born into poverty in Russia, she and her sister were left on their own each day to fend for themselves. As the older of the two, Elena took on the role of caregiver for her younger sister. The two spent their days searching for food and playing with rocks and sticks to pass the time.

When she was 8, she and her sister were placed in an orphanage. While not an ideal situation, the institution provided the girls with shelter and three meals a day. She and her sister also attended school for the first time. Elena started first grade at the age of 8. After two years, the girls were moved to a different orphanage. Even though life in the orphanage was more stable, Elena often felt unloved and worthless. Her future looked bleak.

At 12, she felt her time and options were limited.

At her lowest, Elena was given a gift of a shoe box through Operation Christmas Child. It was the very first gift she had ever received. The box was wrapped so nicely she didn’t even want to open it for fear that what was inside would be a disappointment.

Elena Hagemeier

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After watching her sister open hers, she lifted the lid off of the box and was amazed by all of the pink it contained. Pink toothpaste caught her eye, along with a pink pen, adorned with feathers and a heart on top. When she tested the pen to make sure it worked, she was ecstatic to see the heart on top light up!

Even more than the gifts, Elena was intrigued by the book she received in her box—The Greatest Gift—telling her the story of Jesus. To her, the story was just another fairy tale, but there was something she read that made her think perhaps this story was true. Because of the book, she began to pray to be adopted. She prayed not only that she be adopted, but that she and her sister be adopted into the same family. In 2004 her prayers were answered when a family in the United States adopted her and her sister.

Since being adopted, Elena has graduated college and now plans to be a missionary. The gift of one small box had a huge impact on Elena’s life. By packing a box this fall, you can have an impact on someone’s life. What a great way for you and your family to give back during the holidays.

Information on packing:

1. Choose a Box

EAS INTRODUCTOR

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. Boy or Girl?

COURS

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork at SamaritansPurse.org. Mark the correct age category on the label and tape the label to the top of your box.

3 Lessons

29

3. Fill with Gifts

$

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Ideas include small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, ball caps, hair clips, etc. You can even include a personal note to the child receiving the box.

4. Include Your Donation

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using the “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box.

TAKE STEP 1

For locations and hours of collection, visit SamaritansPurse. org. There you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP code or you can call 1.800.353.5949.

Locally, both Lenexa Baptist Church and Colonial Presbyterian

5. Drop Off

Church are drop off locations.

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the collection center nearest you during our collection week, Nov. 14-21.

Lenexa mom Margaret Sarver enjoys packing shoe boxes with her daughters each November.

Call to set up a tour & your 1st lesso

EASY INTRODUCTORY

M A R T I A L

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COURSE

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29

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29

when dad

Travels… you can make it work!

I

t’s definitely hard on family life when a father travels for his job.

Not only does he miss birthdays,

holidays and special events like Scout ceremonies or dance recitals, but his being away disrupts any household routine that may have been in place. And don’t think it’s any picnic for him either. Chances are he hates being gone and coming home to feel like he’s missed out on the life he’s building with you and the kids.

Don’t fret, husbands and travel widows!

I’ve been in this game for a long time and I’ve got some ideas to make the days and nights easier on your family—and to stay bonded and have a little fun in the process.

Whether Dad is gone on a weekly basis or only leaves for the occasional business trip, you still can make your parenting—and your marriage—work!

routine

Mom: Try to keep routines you have in place, such as dinnertime, bedtime, etc. Of course, if you want to let the kids watch a little more TV than usual while you snuggle up to them and read a good book, you have my blessing. It’s hard being the equivalent of a single parent, and you need to have a break now and then.

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Dad: If you know the kids go to bed promptly at 8:30 and you’re stuck in an evening meeting, try to sneak out for a brief phone call home to make contact before bedtime. Your wife will love you for it!

fun

Mom: Have a slumber party in the living room, go to a restaurant where you can eat and play or head to the park. We used to sleep over at Grandma’s for a week at a time to make it seem like our own little vacation.

Dad: Try to send postcards or a special note every time you travel. Find coloring sheets and crafts of your kids’ favorite characters online and email them to your children.

r-e-s-p-e-c-t

Mom: Don’t let the kids get away with things just because Dad’s gone. Sometimes my kids gripe about their dad’s job or the fact that he’s gone, and I remind them that without his job they could not take gymnastics lessons, enjoy living in a nice home and so many other things they take for granted.

Dad: Respect your wife and kids by respecting the routine! See above.

communication

Mom: Try to talk every day to keep him in the loop, because we all know things change rapidly when you’re a parent! Take advantage of technology like Skype and email.

Dad: Tell them the “boring” details of your day. My kids always want to know things like what Daddy had for breakfast and what kind of car he rented.

information, please

Mom: Put a calendar in the kids’ room so they know when Dad leaves and returns.

Small kids will have fun with a paper chain countdown like they make at Christmastime.

Older kids can keep a journal and take digital photos and videos.

Dad: Leave flight and hotel information with your wife, as well as any phone numbers of traveling mates so she always can get in contact with you.

clean-ish

Mom: Some moms choose to let the house go all week then do a freakishly fast pick-up job the day Dad’s due to return (guilty!). Some prefer to keep it picked up daily. Go easy on yourself while he’s gone and hit the paper plates and easy foods.

Dad: Go easy as Clean House Inspector when you get home or you’ll start off on the

wrong foot with your family. Don’t forget they’ve been busy adjusting to your being gone, and being Martha Stewart-like probably was not your wife’s number one priority.

relief

Mom: Depending on what makes you happy, either get out of the house or have someone over who can give you some help and a listening ear. Checking in with other moms can help your sanity.

Dad: Tell her it’s okay to hire a sitter and get out of the house for an hour! Contact family and friends nearby to have them check in on your wife via email or phone.

more ideas

Mom: If you are able, try to travel with him sometimes. One summer the kids and I drove to Phoenix with my husband. I loved not having to cook, plus keeping a tiny hotel room picked up was a snap. We grabbed a local map and hit the zoo, libraries, parks, pools and more.

Dad: When you get home, try to give your wife some time alone while you spend time catching up with the kids. They’ve missed you!

Mom: I know it’s hard, but try to give up a little control when your guy comes home.

You’ve been in charge, and now it’s time to ease back into working together again.

Kerrie McLoughlin, mom of five, (TheKerrieShow.com) has been a travel widow off and on for 15 years and loves to hear from other travel widows!

Book Suggestions The Business Traveling Parent by Dan Verdick and Scott Pollack When Daddy Travels

by Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam When Mommy Travels

by Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam

Dentistry That Will Make Kids

Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

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

kcparent.com november 2016

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The need is great.

Within the five counties that comprise the Kansas side of the KC metro alone, more than 1,500 children and youth are within foster care because of abuse, neglect or other family challenges.

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kcparent.com november 2016

Foster Care in Kansas City

E

ven before Jonathan and Rachel Boese tied the knot, they knew their future included being foster parents. The Olathe couple met working in a foster care agency, and conversations centered on building a home

on love and commitment to one another and their own future children, as well as children within the foster care system that needed a safe and stable place to land. Realizing the “perfect time� was an illusion, they dove head first into the training and certification process a few years into their marriage.

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 The young family, which then had grown to include a 3-year-old and a 1-yearold, received big news the day their first placement arrived: Rachel was pregnant with their third child. The Boese family continued to grow in more ways than one in the years to come. Within their foster care career, they have welcomed sibling sets and a teenager aging out of the foster care system. The Boese family currently has four young biological children of their own. Many may wonder how a family in the midst of so much life change themselves could take on the challenge of caring for additional children. Rachel’s response is simple.

“Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time someone told me they thought about doing it when ‘life settled down,’ I’d be rich,” she says. Acknowledging that life never lends a dull moment, Rachel concludes, “You can

research it and think about it—but neither will prepare you for actually doing it.”

The Boese family has discovered firsthand the hard work of foster care not only changes the lives of their placements but also deeply enriches their own lives as well. “People worry a lot about the impact foster parenting will have on their own children,” Rachel says, adding that her children are learning compassion and empathy in ways they otherwise would not have. “For us, we felt it was the very best way for our children to see the importance of loving and serving others.

Our children have shared toys, bedrooms and clothes. For us, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Perhaps one of the most richly rewarding experiences for Rachel and her husband, Jonathan, has been working firsthand in helping foster children reintegrate back into their own homes.

While rehabilitation is the ultimate goal, saying good-bye to a child is one of the biggest inhibitors for families initially considering foster care. Jenny Kutz, director of communications at KVC Health Systems in Olathe, says this is the most common reservation she encounters. “If not you, then who?” she challenges those contemplating foster care to ask themselves. “Hurting children need loving families to provide them safety and stability. It is worth it for the foster parent to experience a little heartache at the end of foster care so that the child can experience safety and love during a difficult time.”

And the need is great. Within the five counties that comprise the Kansas side of the KC metro alone, more than 1,500 children and youth are within foster care due to abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The greatest need is for foster

kcparent.com november 2016

33

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 parents, like Jonathan and Rachel Boese, who have a heart to care for sibling groups, teenagers and children with special medical and behavioral needs. Kutz says the Boese family’s experience is not an isolated one.

“Foster care not only changes a child’s life, it also changes your own. It gives you the opportunity to show a child the love and care they deserve while growing emotionally, mentally and spiritually as you teach life skills and give support.”

Many children in foster care will be safely reunited with their birth families once their

parents overcome challenges and learn new skills. However, there are some children for whom it will never be safe to go home.

Lee’s Summit parents Andy and Kylie Ewing knew their family was not complete and pursued foster-to-adopt as a means to grow their family yet again. The family, which includes an adopted 4-year-old daughter, has grown three-fold this year as they welcomed a group of sisters into their home. The Ewings have learned nothing good comes easy. “It’s all hard and it’s all beautiful. Parenting through trauma is the

For more information on how you can become a foster parent, contact: Midwest FosterAdopt Connect 18600 E. 37th Ter. S. Independence, MO 64057 816.350.0215 FosterAdopt.org

KVC Behavioral HealthCare, Inc. 21350 W. 153rd St. Olathe, KS 66101 913.322.4900 KVC.org

Foster parents needed!

Help children who have experienced abuse, neglect or other family challenges Do I qualify to be a foster parent?

All kinds of people can qualify to foster a child. Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may be eligible.

How will I handle saying goodbye to the child if and when it’s safe for them to go home?

This is no doubt difficult, but any sadness is outweighed by the safety and love you will give to a child during a time of crisis. Plus, you’re encouraged to maintain life-long connections with the child and family. Thousands of children in the Kansas City area are in need of caring foster families. If not you, then who?

Contact us to learn more. We offer FREE training classes and support you every step of the way.

(888) 655-5500 | www.kvckansas.org

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kcparent.com november 2016

hardest thing I’ve ever done,” admits Kylie.

“It’s also the most rewarding thing we have ever done. To watch your children win battles they have struggled with— when they overcome fears they’ve had previously—are huge wins in our life.

Little things like getting cleared from a particular therapy or support service are things we celebrate.”

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writer and mom of three boys. She lives in Olathe.

Foster Adopt Respite Night Nov. 12 at Colonial Presbyterian. Foster/adoptive families in KC, drop off kids for a free evening of fun.

Must pre-reg at ColonialKC.org/foster-adopt.

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first aid tips to teach kids Training kids in basic first aid at an early age is both wise and empowering for them! Kids not only love being able to help, but also like feeling they have some control in a situation if it goes crazy. Don’t underestimate what a child can learn to do! Consider teaching these simple basic skills to help youngsters get started:

1

How to call 911. Probably the best first

aid skill to teach a child is how to call for help if there is an emergency. All kids can remember the numbers! Teach your children how to turn on your cell phone, find the keypad and dial the number. Help them practice identifying themselves, who their parents are and what their home address is. Practicing will make it second nature if they ever need to make the call.

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kcparent.com november 2016

2

How to stanch bleeding.

This is a simple skill that involves putting pressure on a wound.

Whether they get a cut outside, a nosebleed or something a bit more dramatic, children easily can pick up on and practice this.

Teach kids how to find a towel, rag or other cloth and then apply pressure to an area to help stop the flow of blood.

3

How to stop, drop and roll.

Turn learning this skill into a game!

Have a contest to see how fast your kids can stop, drop and roll in case there is a fire. By the time they are done learning this, they will be all giggles with no fears about the future! Also use this opportunity to teach them to avoid flammable substances and to crawl down the hallway if there is smoke.

4

How to handle family/friend specific emergencies. Every

family or group of friends will have its own set of needs. If you have a family member who carries an Epi Pen, teach your child how to use it in case that person is unable to. If your kids have a friend they

frequently hang out with who deals with something like low blood sugar, teach them the signs to look for and which snack to offer to stabilize blood sugar again.

5

How to identify a safe stranger. Even the very best parent

will sometimes have a wandering child. Teach kids how to identify who the safe strangers are. In a public place, possible safe strangers are employees with name tags, police officers and moms with young kids. Help your kids practice identifying potential safe strangers the next time you are out in public.

If they get separated from you, they will know how to start looking for someone to help them.

6

How to comfort. Sometimes the

very best thing a child can do is help someone remain calm. Help your youngsters learn a few simple breathing techniques and comforting phrases they can pass on if someone gets anxious, needs to remain in a sitting position or wait for help to arrive. The double benefit is they also will have those techniques down if they need to utilize them for themselves!

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2016

Holiday Gift Guide Big Red Rooster Animal Alarm Clocks (ages 3+) If your child thrives on routine, he may love a brand new alarm clock featuring a favorite animal—not only as the clock itself but in a projection on the ceiling above his head for him to watch as he falls asleep! Available in a dog, a cat and a dinosaur, one of these options is sure to appeal to your little one! $29, BigRedRoosterProducts.com

Irish Fairy Door Company (ages 4+) Give the gift of imagination as you transform a human home, classroom or garden into a magical fairy world. While no actual fairies will appear, the magic provided by the Irish Fairy Door Company via the creative team at FairyHQ provides direct access to Fairy Valley and ensures that kids will believe in them all the same. Fairy Valley boasts ongoing magical messages, play ideas and stories delivered to children and parents who register their fairy’s name on the website, via email or at the brand’s immersive app. $19.99, TheIrishFairyDoorCompany.com App Dudes (ages 8+) Kids are always excited about the latest technology. Help them bring their favorite Marvel superheroes to life with this unique smartphone stand! Just download the app and place their phone in the stand to see it in action! The app is loaded with phrases and animations that match the superheroes’ individual personas. $19.99, Amazon.com

“Rule Your Room” Kit (ages 10+) The “Rule Your Room” Kit allows kids to create the ultimate room makeover—whether they’re making posters that jump off walls or a burglar buzzer to protect diaries from nosy brothers. How’s it accomplished? Everything is created with seven “bits” that connect via magnets to create these real life inventions, teaching kids about inventing, electronics and robotics in the process. $99.99, LittleBits.cc

Turbo Runner (ages 8+) A flying RC vehicle? Yes, please! This one is sure to please the daredevils on your holiday gift list. Capable of going just about anywhere, the Turbo Runner climbs walls and ceilings with ease. It transitions easily from flight to running mode, darts across walls, then dashes across ceilings—it even runs down staircases. Just watch out—you never know where you’ll find it soaring! $49.95, OdysseyToys.com

Bears for Humanity (all ages) Bears for Humanity is a leading social commerce company committed to helping its community and the earth. From farm to fulfillment, the products are made using only certified organic materials and Fair Trade practices, while employing at-risk women from welfare-work programs right in the United States. The “buy one, give one” program provides a bear to a child in need for every bear purchased. There are 14 different creatures to choose from—and gift-givers can feel good about the socially conscious purchase every time. $25, BearsForHumanity.com

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kcparent.com november 2016

Enter to win some of these toys at KCParent.com!

Heartstand Kitchen Intro to Baking Kit (ages 3+) The new fall collection from Heartstand Kitchen lets chefs as young as preschoolers measure, toss, stir and bake with amazing results, from chicken lettuce wraps to ice cream cone cupcakes. Add the pint-size chef’s hat, apron and junior-sized utensils to make this gift delicious fun that lasts long after the last Christmas gift has been unwrapped. $25, HeartstandKitchen.com

For Peter & Eva. There’s no place like home. - A.K. For Henry and Evan, who wish this book was about robots. - J.H.

Your purchase of this book helps Kansas City children.

Ten percent of the proceeds of “This is Kansas City” will be donated to the I Love Children’s Mercy Fund at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri, one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. The 354-bed, not-for-profit hospital provides care for children from birth to the age of 21 and has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.” The I Love Children’s Mercy Fund supports the mission of the hospital and goes right to the areas where the need is most immediate, and sometimes urgent.

Copyright © 2015 by Possum Trot Productions LLC Published by Possum Trot Productions LLC P.O. Box 15341 Kansas City, MO 64106 All Rights Reserved Printed in China First Edition 6/2015 ISBN: 978-0-9962289-4-7

For information regarding permissions, bulk orders, author/illustrator visits, or any other questions, please contact us at info@possumtrotproductions.com.

Visit our website at: PossumTrotKC.com

$11.99 ISBN 978-0-9962289-4-7

9 780996 228947

thisIsKansasCity_Cover_Final.indd 1

51199>

THIS IS KANSAS CITY

Kmeck Hare

A lovely board book designed to instill KC pride in young children, this title will be a unique addition to the gifts under your tree. Both the author and the illustrator, John Hare is local to Kansas City. Plus, Children’s Mercy Hospital receives a portion of the proceeds of all book sales. $12.99, PossumTrotKC.com

THIS IS KANSAS CITY

This Is Kansas City by Angela Kmeck (all ages)

By Angela Kmeck

Art by John Hare 4/15/15 11:02:39 PM

Pulse Performance Reverb Electric Scooter (ages 8+) The Reverb electric scooter is the perfect choice for boy and girl riders across all skill levels. Great for cruising the street solo or riding with a pack of friends, you get 100 watts of power, up to 40 minutes of continuous ride time. Additional features include a 24-volt rechargeable battery system, contoured stem and handle bars for comfort, moto style twist-grip throttle, and two-piece Composite Deck Traction (CDT) surface for a controlled ride. Target.com

Lionel Mega Tracks (ages 8+) Good news, train enthusiasts of all ages—Lionel is expanding beyond model trains!

Mega Tracks is a revolutionary rail system where kids can use their imaginations to design and build their own race courses! This unique building system will challenge kids as they control the action. They can start with easier builds and work their way up to more extreme layouts. Part of the fun is using imagination to build over and over again! $99, Lionel.com

Endless Games (all ages) Games that are fun for the whole family! For ages 3 to 103, Endless Games offers card, dice, party, word, strategy, trivia, survey and pop culture games for everyone! Brand new is Camera Roll—a game where you race to find photos on your phone. By using your phone, older kids will enjoy joining in on the fun! Other great travel games and board games can be found at EndlessGames.com.

Bob the Builder (ages 3+) Bob the Builder was recently re-launched on PBS, and to celebrate, Mattel debuted a new line of toys that allows kids to play out their own construction projects at home, including an R/C Super Scoop, a Mash & Mold Construction Site with play sand and corresponding Sand Vehicles to help lift, mold and craft play sand creations. Amazon.com

Julie McKinley is a single mom of a 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. Keeping up with her kids is a full-time job, but in the hours between snuggling, book reading marathons and fort-building, she teaches children’s drama and blogs at DirectorJewels.com. kcparent.com november 2016

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41 gratitude in uncertainty 42 the art of appreciation 44 no stress november 46 meaningful thanksgiving 48 home for thanksgiving

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FAITH&FAMILY

I

Gratitude in Uncertainty

f parenting came with a manual, Section 2 would be titled “Say Thank You.” It’s one of the first things we teach our toddlers to communicate. We teach our kids to do it in their bedtime prayers to God. When my concrete thinking, young daughters get on a roll, their prayers can resemble a Target shopping list: “God, thank you for Beanie Boos, toast, spoons, bananas, pillows…”

It’s always fun to hear their little hearts on gratitude overdrive. I wish their gratefulness could always come so easy, but life happens and fear-inducing unknowns trip us up. How do we teach our kids to be thankful even when life doesn’t go their way and takes unexpected turns? Learning the tools of gratitude in the face of the unknown is something we can model as parents, and is a gift to our children with lifetime benefits.

First, practice the language of gratitude like Mary. God didn’t hand Mary detailed

Ephesians 5:20: “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” outlines of her life when he passed along the news she was giving birth to the Son of God. Fear must’ve pressed hard at her faith, but we can learn a lot by looking at her reaction in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Mary’s words show a surrendered heart toward God. She was ready to be used by God because she trusted Him over her fears. In our home we often use statements like, “God made us and loves us. We trust and follow Him even when we don’t understand what is happening.” Words like these of surrender and willingness breed hearts and minds of gratitude before God.

A second practical tool comes from Ephesians 5:18-20: “...Be filled with the Holy Spirit singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reading those verses side-by-side shows how thankfulness is a cycle that begins and ends with God’s presence in our lives, His Spirit in us and His Son sent here for us.

We practice giving thanks in every situation by doing just that, speaking and thinking words of thanks. I’m no singer but I can read through texts like Psalm 138 with my kids, and we’re all reminded that gratitude is a choice and act and a tool we all have at our disposal in every circumstance.

You can follow more of Faith & Family columnist Jena Meyerpeter’s writings at UnravelGrace.com.

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41

The Art of Appreciation

s

42

Letting your spouse know he or she is appreciated is often something that gets lost in the daily hustle and bustle of life with kids.

kcparent.com november 2016

T

he daily operation of managing life as a parent is not for the faint of heart. While many parents have established parenting hacks and goto methods for maintaining their sanity, most agree having someone to lean on is key. “I am so glad my husband and I are in this together. We are a team, and that makes parenting easier and so much fun,” Samantha Clark, Kansas City, KS, mom says.

However, letting your spouse know he or she is appreciated is often something that gets lost in the daily hustle and bustle of life with kids. “I know I don’t tell my husband thank you often enough.

When we get home from work, there are a million things to do: homework, dinner, soccer practice. I know how much it means that we handle it together, but I also know that I rarely say that to him,” Robin Kerr, Overland Park mom says.

So how do we maintain the laser focus needed to survive our crazy lives without taking our most precious resource for granted? Moms and dads from around the metro weigh in on the best ways to say thank you, plus share some easy ways to show appreciation.

For great date night ideas, log onto KCParent.com!

Mind your manners. Saying please when you ask for help and thank you when your partner follows through are great way to show appreciation and respect.

Using those words can change the tone of a request, and it demonstrates to your partner you recognize you are asking something of him and that you appreciate his taking the time to help. Using good manners with your partner has the added benefit of setting a great example for your kids! When they see their parents saying please and thank you, they are more likely to mirror the behavior and practice good manners themselves.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. If you and your partner have divided up the chores, and you notice that he or she is not doing a task the way you would, just back off. “When my wife asks me to put away laundry, but then corrects the way I fold everything, it makes the job so much harder.

And it doesn’t save any time because then we are both focused on the laundry. If I can just do it my way, it will get done and we can move on,” says Chris Hendrix, Olathe dad.

Ask for input. Asking for advice or for an opinion communicates that you care about what the other person thinks. “I ask my

husband for his input on dinner choices all the time. I like to fix things he likes and I know he appreciates that I want his feedback,” says Olivia Meyer, Kansas City, MO, mom.

Respect your differences. Just because you may not understand all of your partner’s interests doesn’t mean those interests aren’t important. “I don’t understand golf at all. My husband wants to play; I hate giving up that family time on the weekend for him to go golfing.

But I know it is good for him to do what he enjoys and have that down time,” Gretchen Miller, Kansas City, KS, mom says. “It makes him a better husband and father in the long run.”

Make time. Taking time for yourself and time for you two as a couple can help keep both of you engaged in your relationship and in life in general. “We make sure to give each other one night per month as an ‘off night’ where we can each go out with friends or do

whatever,” Paul Douglas, Shawnee, dad says. “And we plan at least one date night each month. Those nights are great for recharging our batteries.”

Overall, when partners feel appreciated, they will approach life with a happier attitude. People who feel the work they do is appreciated have more confidence and are more likely to take on new challenges than people who feel that what they do is overlooked. “I know when I make an effort to thank my husband, bring home a special dessert, do something nice, it makes all the difference,” Carly Johnson, Overland Park mom says. “And I feel the same way. When he compliments me, I put in way more effort than when I feel like he doesn’t notice.” Be genuine in your expression of gratitude and watch and see what a positive difference it makes!

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

Keeping a Connection One of the best ways to stay in sync with your partner is to keep the connection between the two of you as strong as possible.

Here are a few everyday tips and tricks to keep the home fire burning: Show physical affection. A pat on the back, holding hands or a quick kiss throughout the day are great ways to keep a connection.

Use inside jokes. Help each other smile through the stress of daily parenting.

Talk about things other than the kids. Starting an adult conversation about something other than tomorrow’s schedule can help take you out of your parenting mindset and let you focus on being a couple.

Plan a date night. Even just a night alone at home with a movie can help recharge your batteries.

Share the details. Talk about your day and share your thoughts and feelings; keeping the lines of communication open is key to staying connected.

Even family trees need to be watered from time to time.

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kcparent.com november 2016

43

no stress

n

november

ovember is the beginning of the holiday season and, for many moms, it can be a season of stress. Early on in motherhood, I spent a lot of time thinking about the holidays and what I wanted them to mean for our family. Pinterest, stores and magazine covers showcase perfectly decorated homes with delicious foods. These images are really fun to look at for ideas

and inspiration, and as a person who loves holidays and traditions, I enjoy implementing ideas. Still, I have to be wise and selective, or those creative ideas quickly can become very long to-do lists that shift my priorities and distract my focus.

When my girls were young, I attended MOPS. One of our speakers shared some of the best advice I ever received as a mother.

She said, “Make sure your priorities are accurately represented in how you spend your time. There are many things vying for your attention in this world. Choose the things that line up with your priorities. If spending time with your children means a neglected garden, that’s okay, because your priority is making memories with your children.�

I learned the value of choosing when to say yes and when to say no and where to allow myself the grace for shortcuts.

I’ll never forget one of the first opportunities I had to put her advice into practice. I love to bake and I love to bake with my children. All of my girls have grown up helping me in the kitchen from the time they could sit up. I have had toddlers help tear lettuce for salad, preschoolers slice bananas and my older girls are adept at the stove.

However, one Christmas season I had to loosen the standards. My third daughter was born 12 days past her due date, arriving on Dec. 14. My husband never had paternity leave from work, so I was home alone with a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old and a newborn just weeks before Christmas. The girls and I were watching a Christmas special, and they saw a family baking cookies. Right away they implored that we bake Christmas cookies that day. I was exhausted but I wanted to fulfill their holiday wish. During that same special, a commercial came on for the Pillsbury cookies you buy in the freezer section—the sugar cookies with cute snowman faces. I am a bake-from-scratch mom, but that day—newly home from the hospital with a newborn and caring for two little ones—baking was not on my to do list.

(I was still hoping to find time for a shower.)

I called my husband and asked him to pick up the Pillsbury cookies from the store on the way home from work. That night, we popped the cookies in the oven, and my girls were thrilled! They weren’t the delicious sugar cookies we enjoy (and did bake in January when things slowed down), but we did have a great time, and I was not stressed. Now, every year they request the snowman cookies as part of our holiday tradition. I learned the value of choosing when to say yes and when to say no and where to allow myself the grace for shortcuts.

Applying that lesson, a few years ago, it became very important to me to reclaim Thanksgiving in our family. Thanksgiving had become my least favorite holiday. It

was very stressful, and I dreaded it every year. It made me sad that Thanksgiving had lost what it really should be about, and so our family found new traditions and learned to cut down the stress—introducing a “no stress” (or at least a lot “less stress”) November. These are my favorite No Stress November traditions that help our family enter the holiday season with a focus on love, making happy memories and sharing time together—and learning to laugh if the turkey burns!

six tips for no stress november • Celebrate Thanksgiving Eve: Almost every year, Disney rolls out a new family movie over Thanksgiving.

My husband’s boss sends everyone home around lunchtime, and we meet as a family for a matinee at the theater, or the girls and I meet friends. Then, we head home where we have friends over for a Thanksgiving Eve dinner. We enjoy soup and sandwiches or pizza with some good friends who are happy to dine on paper plates. Then our families head to Longview Lake for the annual Christmas in the Sky. We drive through the Christmas lights and enjoy the fireworks and hot cocoa. This simple tradition kicks off the holidays for our family with great memories with friends and lots of fun!

• Save some traditions for January: Baking every cute cookie, trying every new recipe or making each Pinterest craft is impossible. Save some ideas for January, February and March when life slows down. Our family loves baking cookies throughout the winter, so we purposely save some recipes for slower months and choose absolute favorites (for flavor and simplicity) during the holidays.

• Make time for fun: The calendar is already full with school programs, work parties and more. Put some downtime

ON the calendar. I found that simply putting “Movie Night” on the calendar and holding to it as a priority (just as I would a meeting) made it happen.

Schedule at least one night a week for relaxation and use the paper plates.

• Get outside: Nothing helps me relax more than spending time outdoors walking and enjoying nature. Take the family for a stroll through the Overland Park Arboretum or Powell Gardens. Or search “Hiking Kansas City” on KCParent.com for our favorite local trails.

• Laugh: Laughter is the best medicine to reduce stress. Take in an improv comedy show at Comedy City or watch a favorite funny film. Check out some joke books from the library and share them with the kids.

• Cut corners: Just as I incorporated Pillsbury cookies into our Christmas traditions, I have a few shortcuts I love at Thanksgiving too. We splurge on a Honey Baked Ham (I prefer it over turkey), but I make the mashed potatoes from scratch.

Choose the foods that matter most to you and find shortcuts for the rest or nix them from the menu entirely.

Whatever you do this month, remember to prioritize and only do the things that really matter. If it isn’t important, take it off the calendar, because spending time hugging your kids, laughing as a family and making memories with friends is always more important than baking the perfect pie or setting the prettiest table.

Kristina Light is grateful to be looking forward to a less stress Thanksgiving and wishes that for every KC family this year!

For fun ways to get out and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, visit the KCParent.com calendar.

kcparent.com november 2016

45

make this thanksgiving

W

hen we think of Thanksgiving Day, delicious food, football and getting together with family and friends come to mind. The original purpose of Thanksgiving was to show gratitude and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Now as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we easily can get caught up in distractions like football games, Black Friday shopping and the quest for the perfect meal and table settings. We tend to forget all about stopping to give thanks for all of our blessings. Make this Thanksgiving

Meaningful

meaningful by starting some traditions that help all the family members stop and count their blessings.

Make a list One way to remember your blessings is to acknowledge them. Go around the dinner table and have each person name something he is thankful for.

This could be done each night at dinner during the month of November or for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, have all your guests do

the same. Giving thanks for the blessings we have is heartwarming. Looking for a more concrete idea? Have all write down or draw a picture of what they are thankful for. After everyone shares his paper, place them all in a three-ring binder. Each year add to the binder and reflect on all the blessings of the past.

“We do a Thankful Tree throughout November,” says Stephanie Loux, mom of three. “I draw a tree to tape on our pantry door, and the kids cut out leaves from construction paper. Each night we

all write one thing we are thankful for on a leaf and tape it to the tree. Kids can be grateful for a variety of things, from butterflies to Elsa. We look forward to this tradition every year.”

Donate to charity Christmas is right around the corner, and many kids will receive new items as gifts. In anticipation, have the kids help clean their closets and toy boxes and set aside items they no longer need. Donate gently used toys and clothing to a local charity or family in need. This process not only will reduce clutter around the house, but will teach the kids to be generous to those that are less fortunate than they. In the same spirit, talk with your kids about how some people may not have coats, hats and gloves to keep them warm during the cold winter months. As a family, collect hats, coats, scarves, gloves and blankets to donate to a homeless shelter. Gather items you are no longer using in your home and ask friends and family to do the same. Go to the store and have the kids pick out items they would like to give to another child their age.

Take a break Have each family member take a break from an enjoyed luxury. Ideas may include dessert, manicures, coffee, soda or a favorite video game or TV show.

This exercise reminds us to be grateful for the luxuries we otherwise take for granted.

Service together Set aside time to do a service project as a family. Ideas may include cleaning up trash in a local park, raking a neighbor’s leaves, working at a food pantry, purchasing items for a Thanksgiving meal and delivering them to a family in need, organizing a book drive for a local children’s hospital or adopting a family for the holidays.

When you volunteer as a family, kids see you helping others and are more likely to continue serving as adults. Serving in an

area in which your children are already interested helps create excitement for the project. If your child loves singing, go caroling at a senior center. If your child loves to play at the park, plant flowers or pick up litter to help maintain its beauty. If they love crafts, make blankets for a homeless shelter. Children of any age and skill level can engage in many possibilities.

Gather together Encourage the kids to think of friends and neighbors who may not have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving and invite them to come over for dinner.

Discuss the importance of hospitality and welcoming others into your home.

If you are not hosting Thanksgiving, consider hosting a brunch the following day and opening your home to friends and family.

Recruit little helpers Thanksgiving dinner preparation is a lot of work. Having the kids help prepare dinner and clean up for company will teach them how much work really goes into preparing a large meal like Thanksgiving dinner. Lending a hand will teach them appreciation for the work that goes into a holiday meal, as well as encourage a good work ethic at a young age.

This Thanksgiving, take time to remember what Thanksgiving really means. It’s not about Black Friday deals or endless football. It’s about giving thanks for what we have, sharing with and serving others and celebrating with those we love.

Sarah Lyons, Olathe mom of six, tries to teach her kids to be grateful for their blessings by doing service projects as a family.

For a great project families can do together, check out Operation Christmas Child on pgs. 28-29.

Opportunities to serve with your kids • Organize a collection drive.

Ideas include coats, hats and gloves, blankets, toys or clothing to donate to those in need.

• Fill the food pantry. Take the kids shopping for favorite nonperishable food items and/or go door to door in your neighborhood to collect items to donate to a local food pantry.

• Offer to rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbor or friend.

• Fill shoe boxes. Operation Christmas Child provides gifts for needy children overseas.

Check SamaritansPurse. org for more information and collection dates and locations.

• Bake cookies for friends and neighbors, or take them to the local police or fire station.

• Send care packages, cards and letters to soldiers overseas.

• Draw pictures for seniors and deliver them to an assisted living center.

• Volunteer at an animal shelter.

• Plant flowers or trees.

• Clean up the school grounds or a local park.

• Have a lemonade stand or garage sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.

kcparent.com november 2016

47

WORDFROMDAD

Home for Thanksgiving

M

om gave me a warm smile.

“Bill, would you like some more dressing?”

Earlier, I’d told her how much I liked her dressing. I hadn’t been able to eat it the year before, the only time in my childhood that I didn’t share Thanksgiving dinner with Mom. When my parents’ marriage collapsed, I, along with my brother and two sisters, were part of the debris. Eventually, my father gained custody. We moved in with him, his new wife and a new brother and sister. But, we adapted.

My most difficult challenge was at mealtime. Tastes and textures alien to my young palate assaulted my tongue, and I complained. Food, however, was expensive, and I was expected to eat my share, like it or not.

Still, I looked forward to Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, along with my favorite. Dressing.

When the day finally arrived, we sat around the table and said a simple grace, then took serving after serving, but I knew what I wanted. When the dressing arrived I didn’t hesitate. A big dollop in a corner of my plate and the bowl still held enough for seconds. I took a big bite, but my mouth refused to chew. I’d expected something similar to my mom’s dressing, but this was strange, radically different and my palate rebelled.

Fortunately, I’d learned my lesson about food complaints and I didn’t say a word. I

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kcparent.com november 2016

even forced myself to eat all I’d taken. But I didn’t take seconds of this unusual dish.

Cornbread dressing, I learned years later, and I never acquired a taste for it.

The next Thanksgiving found us back with my mother, her new husband and another new brother.

I held out my plate. “Thanks, Mom.” Even my mouth knew. I was home for Thanksgiving.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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The Official Blues Brothers Revue

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

50

kcparent.com november 2016

shop

watch

create

see

click!

Check out all of the wonderful gift and decorating ideas on Nov. 4-6 at the Holiday Open House in Downtown Lee’s Summit.

DowntownLS.org

Jake and Elwood Blues come to life in the Official Blues Brothers Revue on Nov. 9 at Yardley Hall.

Watch as the performers don the official hat and sunglasses.

JCCC.edu/theseries

Head to the National World War I Museum and Memorial Nov. 19 for a family-friendly craft session and hear the story Flo of the Somme.

Free with RSVP! TheWorldWar.org

On stage for the first time, The Toymaker & Me is a moving story of love, purpose and value.

Take the family to see it Nov. 17, 18, 22 and 23 at Vineyard Church.

ENArts.org

On Nov. 25, spend the day at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Have a snapshot taken with a favorite toy and turned into a faux daguerreotype.

816.235.8000

1 Tuesday Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse.

Hop, skip, jump, build with blocks, bounce balls, run and have a blast! 913.826.3024 Toddler Tumbling 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring toddlers for fun exercise while allowing them to build motor skills. $5. 816.784.6100 Story Time 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Library). A fun time for all ages to talk, sing, read, write and play. Free. 816.701.3407 iFLY Kids Club 6:00, iFly. On Tuesdays, receive coaching and a 5-minute block. Must have previously flown. $69.95. For details and to prereg, call 913.305.4359.

2 Wednesday Visit Science City 10:00, Science City (Union Station). New exhibits, hands-on activities for the entire family, workshops, demonstrations and more! UnionStation.org Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type 10:00, Extreme Screen Theater. The hilarious story of disgruntled farm animals who want to improve their accommodations. TYA.org

Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. Today’s theme: Furry Mammals. $2. 913.764.7759 What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

3 Thursday Arrival of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree 9:00, Crown Center Square. Capture the first signs of the holiday as the 100-foot-tall tree arrives!

CrownCenter.com Storytelling Celebration 10:00, MCPL (North Oak). Sit on the edge of your seat as you are led into new worlds through words and stories.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Family Science Night: Awesome Astronomy 5:30, Kansas City Zoo. Hands-on science night for families to enjoy. Free. KansasCityZoo.org Pie Baking 101 6:00, K-State University (Olathe). Learn the time-honored skills of pie baking and show them off at the holidays! Ages 15+. $20. Pre-reg at 913.715.7000.

Open House Dream Taste 6:30, Dream Dinners.

New to Dream Dinners? Try us with a 3 or 6 meal taste menu. Reg at DreamDinners.com Shrek the Musical Thru Saturday, St Thomas Aquinas. The sidesplitting tale brings all of your favorite characters from the film to life on stage. $10. STASaints.net

4 Friday Opening Day 6:00-9:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. KC’s only public outdoor rink opens for its 43rd season. Enjoy free skating, coffee and hot chocolate. 816.247.8411 Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline. $10/ child; parents free. 800.960.4778 Caffeine Crawl Thru Sunday, Various locations.

Explore some new shops you’ve heard about and enjoy a sample at each stop. $25-$35.

CaffeineCrawl.com Holiday Open House Thru Sunday, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Check out all of the wonderful gift and decorating ideas. DowntownLS.org

Rock

Upcoming Events: Adult Night: Star Wars November 10, 6-8pm

Armed Forces Days November 7-11

Star Wars Weekend

November 12-13

Annual Pass Sale December 5-24

Holiday Bricktacular!

Armed Forces Days November 7-11

Annual Pass Sale December 5-24

Sharky Santa at SEA LIFE December 10-11 & December 17-18

December 10-11 & December 17-18

LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/kansascity

visitsealife.com/kansas-city kcparent.com november 2016

51

Great Pumpkin Smash Nov. 5 & 6, Kansas City Zoo. Watch as the zoo’s animals crush, play, kick and bounce those big orange pumpkins! KansasCityZoo.org

First Fridays 5:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org Parents Night Out 6:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Parents enjoy an evening out while the children have fun! 816.784.6100 Tween Night 6:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. A night of pizza, painting and pottery with friends!

Enjoy pizza, drink, pottery and supplies for $25.

PaintGlazeAndFire.net Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). An explosive two-hour program featuring an all female mariachi group.

JCCC.edu/theseries

5 Saturday Wilderness Run 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. A challenging cross-country run through the village, around the fields and more. $25-$50. 816.5137624

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kcparent.com november 2016

Nature Nuts Story Time 10:00, 11:00 or 1:00, Anita Gorman Discovery Center.

Join naturalists for a journey through magical places. 816.759.7300 Holiday Dress Up Event 10:00, Children’s Orchard (Olathe). Get the perfect look for winter at the perfect price.

ChildrensOrchard.com American Girl Fashion Show 10:00, Deer Creek Country Club. A fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends and favorite dolls!

JLWJC.org Great Pumpkin Smash Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Watch as the zoo’s animals crush, play, kick and bounce those big orange pumpkins! KansasCityZoo.org British Faire & Tea 10:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Join the Daughters of the British Empire for the British Faire & Tea. Tea served at 11:00, 12:15, 1:30 and 2:45. DBEKansas.org

Open Gym 12:30, Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics.

Run, jump and play in the foam pit, rope swings and more. EliteGymSwim.com Looking for American Indians on the Trails 1:00, Nat’l Frontier Trails Museum. Using written clues and artifacts, learn about American Indians. 816.325.7575 Home Sweet Home 2:00, Midwest Genealogy Center. Join Jo Ho as she celebrates family with tales of sensational siblings, rousing relatives and more. Pre-reg at 816.252.7228.

Glow Zone 8:00, Sky Zone (Lee’s Summit). Jump on a sea of trampolines under black lights and lasers and enjoy a live DJ. $19.99/two hours.

SkyZone.com

6 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271

45th & Oak nelson-atkins.org

Day of the Dead Family Festival 10:00, Nelson-Atkins. This lively festival celebrates Mexican art and culture. Fun for the entire family! Nelson-Atkins.org Veterans Day Salute Noon, Harry S Truman Library and Museum. A spectacular salute to America’s veterans. Free. TrumanLibrary.org Hayrides 2:30, Oak Ridge Parklands at Shawnee Mission Park. Enjoy the crisp autumn air from a tractor-drawn hay wagon. $7/person. Pre-reg at 913.831.3355.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue 7:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Watch performers don the official hat and sunglasses. JCCC.edu/theseries Owl Prowl 7:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

An informative talk featuring live owls and an evening hike through the park. $8-$9.

913.764.7759

7 Monday 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 Happy Birthday, Marty! 10:00, MCPL (Liberty Branch). Join Dino O’Dell and Marty for singing, dancing and birthday fun! Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org/marty.

ANNUAL

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The Mystery Train A Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com Out-of-Library Story Time 10:15, Mill Creek Activity Center. Storytellers offer books, stories, songs, puppets and more. Free. 913.826.2950 Military Appreciation Days Thru Nov 11, Legoland Discovery Center. As a thank you to the Armed Forces, military personnel receive free admission. LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com Pay to Play 10:00, Rainbow Play Systems. Open playtime on the play sets. Only $5 for two hours of play! SwingSetsKansas.com

Friday & Saturdays at 6:30 pm Crowne Plaza Hotel Downtown KC

NOV 11- DEC 31 A Christmas Stalking In the middle of the blizzard in 1918, three women reunite on the train to reminisce about the Christmas that almost never was. However, someone doesn’t want them stirring up memories and may cause history to repeat itself...before their stockings are filled, a murder is afoot!

Tickets $69

Reservations needed.

816.813.9694 Visit KCMysteryTrain.com for a complete schedule. kcparent.com november 2016

53

Ben Franklin and His Kite Nov. 16, 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. This entertaining and educational play brings history and science to life! FollyTheater.org

8 Tuesday Story Time 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Library). A fun time for all ages to talk, sing, read, write and play. Free. 816.701.3407

Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com

Vote for Washington 4:00, Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum. Celebrate election night with kids crafts and games, hot apple cider and more. AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com

Girls Night Out 5:30, Marriott Hotel (Overland Park). Hoffman International dining etiquette class for females 13+. 913.642.1060

9 Wednesday

10 Thursday

Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Kids 9 months through 5 years enjoy playing on the large assortment of toys. $2.

BonnerSprings.org

Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center.

Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2. 913.895.6350

Veterans Day Breakfast Celebration 8:30, Matt Ross Community Center. This year’s entertainment by KC Lyric Opera’s Veterans Chorus. Pre-reg at 913.642.6410.

Holiday Season Opener 5:00, Brookside Shopping District. Enjoy open houses, outdoor music, pop up events, giveaways and more.

816.523.5553

¡Hola! 10:00, Mesner Puppet Theater. Performed mostly through puppet pantomime, this show features music and songs in Spanish.

MesnerPuppets.org

Open Gym 9:00, Indian Creek Community Church. Kids will have a blast with ride-on toys, a bounce house, balls, games and more!

913.829.0712

Screenland at the Symphony 7:00, Kauffman Center. Watch Raiders of the Lost Ark as the symphony performs the score live.

KCSymphony.org

When the weather outside turns frightful... take the fun indoors!

Perfect for indoor settings...no blower needed to inflate the screens!

SCHOOLS • CHURCHES • EVENTS • CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

Movies2U is great for: • A family movie night in the school gym • Video game play at the community center • Bundling up and watching the big game LOCALLY OWNED

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Outdoor Cinema • Special Events 12120 State Line Rd., Suite 195, Leawood, KS 66209

913.424.9444

•

Movies2U.com

Scrooge Thru Sunday, Bell Cultural Events Center. CYT presents a musical everyone in the family will enjoy as part of a holiday celebration. CYTKC.org

Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park.

For only $15 get a bumper car ride, $10 fun card and a personal pizza. DJ, ping pong tables and more. Paradise-Park.com

Holly Festival 10:00, Bernard Campbell Middle School. A fundraising craft show that supports the Lee’s Summit DARE program.

LSCares.org

11 Friday

Mary Poppins 7:00, Lee’s Summit West HS. Based on the Disney film, Mary Poppins promises to delight the young and young at heart! 816.986.4000

Exploring Energy with Snap Circuits, Hexbots and Stixplosion 10:00, Various Branches, Jo Co Library. STEAM on it to spend time in hands-on discovery. JoCoLibrary.org

The Wizard of Oz 7:30, Folly Theater. Join the Heart of America Youth Ballet on a trip down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and friends.

FollyTheater.org

City School Fair 10:00, Central Library. See 50 district, charter, private and parochial schools in the KCPS boundaries. Free family entertainment and food! ShowMeKCSchools.org

Veterans Day Thank a veteran for his or her service to our nation!

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Veterans Day 11:45, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain. Observance and the 30th anniversary observance at the memorial.

KCParks.org Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences encourage students to examine objects and ideas. KemperArt.org Ladies Night 4:00, Family Tree Nursery. Stop by any of our three locations for tasty snacks, drinks, music and 20 percent off your entire purchase! FamilyTreeNursery.com

12 Saturday Youth Art Class 10:00, Nerman Museum (JCCC). Learn about graphic design and create a stylized self-portrait. JCCC.edu/youth Lego Star Wars Days Today & tomorrow, Legoland Discovery Center. Participate in Star Wars themed activities throughout the weekend. LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com World Science Day 10:00, Science City. Visit today for hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations to celebrate all things science!

ScienceCity.com

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

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766 Holiday Bazaar 3:45, Colonial Church (Prairie Village). Artisan chocolates, baby gifts, toys, hats, fashion accessories and more!

ColonialUCC.org Foster Adopt Respite Night 4:00, Colonial Presbyterian. Foster/adoptive families in KC, drop off kids for a free evening of fun. Must pre-reg at ColonialKC.org/foster-adopt.

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Holiday Open House 5:30, Downtown Weston. Holiday parade with Father Christmas, followed by tree lighting. Shops open late. WestonMo.com

Fresh Made Fair 10:00, Powell Gardens.

Vendors selling toys, art, jewelry, home and kitchen goods and farm-fresh food await you.

PowellGardens.org

The Mystery Train 6:30. Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Join in A Christmas Stalking; an interactive dinner theater event. KCMysteryTrain.com

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

816.751.1278

Major League Improv 7:30, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9$13. 816.842.2744 Buck’s Bash 8:00, Gem Theater. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum honors Buck O’Neill with a cocktail party and concert.

NLBM.com

14 Monday Baby Story Time 9:30, Jo Co Library (Blue Valley Branch). A lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and movement for the very young. Free.

JoCoLibrary.org

13 Sunday

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

Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271

Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com

Sunday Funday 9:00, Topgolf. Don’t give up on the weekend just yet! Enjoy brunch and games at Topgolf. Topgolf.com

Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com

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15 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park.

A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child; parents are free.

800.960.4778 Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550 Marty’s Party 10:30, MCPL (Dearborn Branch).

It’s Marty’s birthday! Come meet Marty and enjoy stories, songs and refreshments! Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org/marty.

Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222 Pie Baking 101 6:00, K-State University (Olathe). Learn the time-honored skills of pie baking and show them off at the holidays! Ages 15+. $20. Pre-reg at 913.715.7000.

1920s Ornament Making 6:30, Shawnee Town 1929.Get an early start on decorating for the season by making glass ornaments. Pre-reg at 913.248.2360.

16 Wednesday Ben Franklin and His Kite 9:45 & 11:30, Folly Theater. This entertaining and educational play brings history and science to life! FollyTheater.org Storyteller Jo Ho 10:00, Mill Creek Activity Center. Join Jo Ho for stories of pilgrims, turkeys and fun facts about the First Thanksgiving. $2.

Pre-reg at 913.715.2575.

Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

A 30-minute program that includes stories, songs and a visit from an animal friend. Today’s theme: Furry Mammals. $2. 913.764.7759 Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $6 plus tax!

913.631.7000

17 Thursday Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com

Sugar plum fairy ball

Giveaway!

KC Parent is giving away 2 sets of tickets to the

Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball

on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Muehlebach Tower, followed by the 2:00 performance of Kansas City Ballet’s

The Nutcracker

at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. Each set includes 2 tickets, a $275 value!

Visit KCParent.com and click “Giveaways” #KCParentContest

Nov. 16

Apr. 3

BEN FRANKLIN & HIS KITE

SOLVE IT CYRUS!

Jan. 31 I HAVE A DREAM

Mar. 7

Apr. 17

THE RAINBOW FISH

www.follytheater.org

TEACHER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON & OTHER STORIES

816.474.4444

The Folly Kids’ Series is made possible through generous support from the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, Theater ROcKs, Theater League’s educational outreach program, R.A.Long Foundation, McDonnell Foundation, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, Sullivan Family Foundation, All Sponsors and Donors to the Folly Frolic Benefit Concert.

kcparent.com november 2016

57

Win a Trip to St. Louis Enter to win a family of 4 trip to Union Station St. Louis. See details on pg. 9 and enter at KCParent.com.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Martin City Business District. Musical entertainment, decorated storefronts and a surprise guest to flip the switch! MartinCity.org Holiday Open House 5:00, Downtown Blue Springs. Merchants open their doors to community members for a unique shopping experience. BlueSpringsGov.com Third Thursday 6:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Date night! Live music, free programs, art activities and more that showcase local talent.

Nelson-Atkins.org The Toymaker & Me Today & tomorrow and Nov 22 & 23, Vineyard Church. A moving story of love, purpose and value. ENArts.org The Happy Elf! 7:00, MCPL (Blue Springs South). Enjoy a story and a song from the musical comedy about Eubie the Elf. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

18 Friday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park. A special time for those 5 and under to enjoy access to the playground and trampoline attractions. $10/child; parents are free. 800.960.4778 Pompeii: The Exhibition Thru April, Union Station. Exhibit examines lives of the residents of Pompeii before and after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. UnionStation.org Baby Sale Today & tomorrow, Children’s Orchard (Olathe). All regularly priced resale baby clothing newborn to 18 months is 50 percent off. ChildrensOrchard.com Best Little Arts and Crafts Show in Independence Today & tomorrow, Roger T Sermon Center. Fine arts, crafts and homegrown products. 816.325.7370

Holiday Bazaar 1:00, Lake Quivira Clubhouse.

Local vendors offering a variety of boutique home decor, jewelry, clothing accessories and more. 913.248.8458 Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station Arts District. Tour the art galleries, view live performances and meet artists in front of shops.

EnglewoodStation.com 39th Street Art Walk 6:00, 39th Street District.

Every third Friday the merchants of 39th Street open their doors to local painters, musicians and more! 39thStreetWest.com

GYMNASTICS

Where Kids Can Be Kids! Recreational gymnastics for all ages!

NOVEMBER 25: Drop & Shop – 8:00-11:00am, $12/Child, Ages 5+ Open Gym – 12:00 -4:00pm, $5/Child

TUMBLING CLINIC: December 26 & December 28 10:00 am-12:00pm, $12/Child, Ages 6+

DECEMBER 23: Drop & Shop – 9:00am-12:00pm, $12/Child, Ages 5+ Open Gym – 12:00 -4:00pm, $5/Child

AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR CAMP: December 27 & December 29 10:00 am-12:00pm, $12/Child, Ages 6+

DECEMBER 26-30: Open Gym – 12:00-4:00pm, $5/Child

DODGEBALL CAMP: December 30, 10:00 am-12:00pm, $12/Child, Ages 8+

431 N Lindenwood Dr • Olathe, KS 66062 • (913) 782-3300 • www.kc360gym.com

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Mayor’s Tree Lighting Downtown Lee’s Summit. Free hot drinks and cookies, choir performances, a visit from Santa and much more! DowntownLS.org Christmas on the River 6:00, Downtown Parkville. Live entertainment, delicious dining and treats, plus our famous holiday fireworks.

ParkvilleMO.org Holiday Lighting 6:00, Independence Square. Enjoy an evening of holiday performances with the lighting of the holiday decorations. TheIndependenceSquare.com Friday Night Family Fun 6:30, KCPL (Plaza Branch). Coterie Theatre presents The Presidents! a perfect complement to this election year. KCLibrary.org Foreigner–The Hits Unplugged 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). A laid-back, acoustic showcase of the band and their hits. JCCC.edu/theseries A Vivid Autumn: Beethoven and Brahms 8:00, Kauffman Center. This Kansas City Symphony program combines intense soundscapes with timeless appeal.

KCSymphony.org

TRAIN RIDES Kids under three FREE

Santa Train Departures are 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm Saturday Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 Check website for price Reservations required for this event

Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad Co. 502 Walnut • Belton, Missouri 816-331-0630 • www.beltonrailroad.org Tickets go on sale one hour before train departure time kcparent.com november 2016

59

november by the numbers

14

On this date, the month’s full moon will be the brightest in a lifetime. This super moon will be nearer to Earth than it’s been since Jan. 26, 1948.

3,669 The weight in pounds of the world’s largest pumpkin pie, measuring 20 feet and baked in New Bremen, OH, in 2010.

1925 The first year the Country Club Plaza is decorated with Christmas lights, now an annual Thanksgiving night tradition.

100

The height in feet of the KCMO mayor’s Christmas tree, which arrives at Crown Center Square on Nov. 3 and is lit the Friday after Thanksgiving.

1

Just after midnight on the morning of this date in 1914, the first train to use Union Station, the Missouri-KansasTexas Flyer, arrives at the grand landmark.

5

Game 5, held Nov. 1, 2015, results in the Kansas City Royals’ World Series victory over the New York Mets.

46

How many millions of turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving in the United States.

1926 On Nov. 11 in this year, the Liberty Memorial, home to the National World War I Museum and Memorial, is dedicated by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge in front of more than 150,000 people.

19

This date is Have a Bad Day Day.

19 Saturday Kids in the Kitchen 8:30, Jo Co K-State Research and Extension. Join us to learn how to make yummy fall foods! Ages 7-12. Pre-reg at 913.715.7000.

Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-tastic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Nature Nuts Story Time 10:00, 11:00 or 1:00, Anita Gorman Discovery Center. Join naturalists for a journey through magical places.

816.759.7300 Space Out Saturday 10:00, Cosmosphere.

Family day at the Cosmosphere with lots of great free programming for kids. Cosmo.org Cheetah Run 10:30, Kansas City Zoo. Witness the fastest mammal on earth race around a track at top speed. KansasCityZoo.org Tellebration 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center.

Hear nature stories with live animals that will delight audiences of all ages. Pre-reg at 913.764.7759.

Story Time: Flo of the Somme 1:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. A familyfriendly craft session and story. Free with RSVP! TheWorldWar.org Turkey Bowling on Ice 2:00, Line Creek Community Center. Knock down as many pins as possible with a frozen turkey. 816.505.2423 Holiday Lighting Ceremony Union Station.

The Grand Hall of Union Station is beautifully lit for the holidays. UnionStation.org Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:00, Legends Outlets. Live music, prizes, giveaways and a jolly guest of honor!

LegendsShopping.com Glow Zone 8:00, Sky Zone (Lee’s Summit).

Jump on a sea of trampolines under black lights and lasers and enjoy a live DJ. $19.99/ two hours. SkyZone.com

20 Sunday Farmers Market 8:00, City Market. The market features a mix of dining, shopping and entertainment in an open air setting.

816.842.1271 Sunday Funday 9:00, Topgolf. Don’t give up on the weekend just yet! Enjoy brunch and games at Topgolf. Topgolf.com

¡Hola! 2:00, Mesner Puppet Theater. Performed mostly through puppet pantomime, this show features music and songs in Spanish.

MesnerPuppets.org

Trip the Light Fantastic! 5:00, Longview Lake Campground. Enjoy a 4.5-mile magical bike ride through the hundreds of lighted, animated displays. Pre-reg at 816.503.4800.

Journey to Judea 5:00, Countryside Baptist Church. Experience the sights and sounds of God’s story up close and personal. Free, but must have tickets. JourneyToJudea.com

23 Wednesday

A Christmas Carol Thru Dec 24, Spencer Theatre.

The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 36th season. A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org

21 Monday Baby Story Time 9:30, Jo Co Library (Blue Valley Branch). A lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and movement for the very young. Free.

JoCoLibrary.org

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Toddler Tumbling 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring toddlers for fun exercise while allowing them to build motor skills. $5. 816.784.6100 Splash and Bubbles 10:00 & 2:00, KCPT. Join fish Splash and Bubbles in a new show that takes a look at life under the sea. KCPT.org

Science City Open 10:00, Science City. Open Monday during Thanksgiving week. Come enjoy fun with the family! ScienceCity.com

Ice Age Collision Course Thru Sunday, Kansas City Zoo. Scrat and the rest of the Ice Age herd are up to their antics. Free showing, limited seating. KansasCityZoo.org

Vintage Santa Photos Kia Bondurant.

Celebrate Christmas with a photo session of your child sharing his wish list with Santa.

KiaBondurant.com

Christmas in the Sky 5:00, Longview Lake Park.

Fireworks set to music kick off the season and are the opening to Christmas in the Park. Free.

816.503.4860

Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Kids 9 months through 5 years enjoy playing on the large assortment of toys. $2.

BonnerSprings.org

24 Thursday

Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com Open Gym Noon, 360 Gymnastics. A great opportunity for kids to run, play, explore and burn off energy! $3-$5. KC360Gym.com

Thanksgiving Day Happy Thanksgiving, KC Parent readers! We are thankful for your 31 years of readership and support!

Pilgrim Run 5K 9:00, Hyde Park, Jump start your Thanksgiving morning with a fun 5K walk or run through historic Hyde Park. PilgrimRun.org

22 Tuesday

87th Annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Country Club Plaza. Enjoy a holiday tradition like no other. CountryClubPlaza.com

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550

25 Friday

A Christmas Carol with Gerald Dickens 10:00, MCPL (Colbern). The great-great grandson of Charles Dickens brings the classic to life. Must pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

The Three Wise Cats: A Christmas Musical 10:00, Union Station. The cats launch the first annual Christmas Cat Carnival in an alley. TYA.org Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

Holiday Savings 6:00, the Legends. Save big on all of your favorite brands. Great Black Friday deals! LegendsShopping.com Drop and Shop 360 Gymnastics. Drop off kids ages 5+ and shop Black Friday sales! $12.child.

KC360Gym.com Santa Dives with Penguins Thru Sunday, Kansas City Zoo. What’s red and swimming with the penguins? Santa! Get a photo as penguins torpedo around him. KansasCityZoo.org

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Thru Dec. 31, Coterie Theatre. Get into the Christmas spirit with a play based on the television special. TheCoterie.org Darling Daguerreotypes 10:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Have a snapshot taken with a favorite toy and turned into a faux daguerreotype. 816.235.8000

The Singing Turtle 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. A boy and his family find happiness with the help of a talented turtle. Hazelle.org

Pack Friday 10:00, The Culture House. Take a break from Black Friday and package meals that will feed the hungry in Kansas City.

SomethingToEat.org/packfriday

Holiday Classic Movie: Elf Union Station.

See the classic story of Buddy the Elf on the big screen. UnionStation.org

Three-Day Thanksgiving Sale Thru Sunday, Children’s Orchard (Olathe). Save 25 percent off all resale clothing, toys and equipment.

ChildrensOrchard.com Meet President Truman 10:30, Harry S Truman Library and Museum. Mr Truman, as portrayed by reenactor Niel Johnson, will greet visitors.

TrumanLibrary.org Bright Light Friday 10:30, KCPL (Plaza Branch). Sing, dance and celebrate the start of the Christmas season with Mr Stinky Feet.

KCLibrary.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30, Crown Center. The 100-foot mayor’s Christmas tree is lit up to kick off the holiday season. CrownCenter.com Holiday Luminary Walk Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. The arboretum transforms into a wonderland of candles and lights, music and holiday fun. $8. OPKansas.org

26 Saturday Breakfast with Santa 8:30, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop. Enjoy the decorations of the Heritage Center, breakfast and a visit with Santa, plus make a craft. Mahaffie.org

Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of the Coterie Theatre

Breakfast with Santa 8:45 or 9:30, Ceramic Café. Enjoy a continental breakfast, a craft and sit on Santa’s lap. CeramicCafeKC.com A One-Room Schoolhouse Christmas 1:00, Lanesfield Historic Site. Write a letter to Santa with pen and ink and create your very own ornament. JoCoGov.org

DARLING DAGUERREOTYPE / Friday, November 25 / 10AM - 4PM Bring your favorite toy or choose one from the museum’s education collection to get your snapshot taken and turned into a faux daguerreotype. Then, decorate a case for your new portrait just like those in the temporary exhibit, Forever Young: Victorian Photographs of Children and Their Toys.

Included with museum admission.

A collection that speaks for itself.

OPEN DAILY: 10 AM – 4PM, CLOSED TUESDAYS

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5235 OAK STREET K ANSAS CIT Y, MO 64112

816.235.8000

TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG

Snowland Thru Jan 1, Great Wolf Lodge. The lodge is transformed into a winter wonderland with decorations, life-size gingerbread house, Santa and more! GreatWolf.com Looking for American Indians on the Trails 1:00, Nat’l Frontier Trails Museum. Using written clues and artifacts, learn about American Indians. 816.325.7575 What’s for Dinner? 3:30, Burr Oak Woods.

Watch on Wednesdays and Saturdays as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

December 3 & 4,2016

Christmas Candlelight Tour 6:00, HarrisKearney House. See festive decorations, enjoy Christmas Eve scenarios and tasty refreshments. $6-$10. 816.561.1821

A festive tea ... a magical ballet ... an amazing time!

For information and tickets, visit

www.nutcrackerteaparty.org

The Mystery Train 6:30. Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Join in A Christmas Stalking, an interactive dinner theater event. KCMysteryTrain.com Major League Improv 7:30, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

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

december • could my child have autism?

• tips to tame the holiday circus • co-parenting success

KCP-Print.indd 1

9/12/16 12:41 PM

T ES & Tiaras WINTER BALL

DADDY & DAUGHTER DANCE with special guest Olaf fri., feb. 10 & sat., feb. 11, 2017 6-9 pm providence community church 10113 lenexa drive lenexa, ks

register at www.sovgracekc.org/dance price includes jack stack & chick-fil-a dinner plus a professional photo and more.

Proceeds will benefit Forest Avenue Family Shelter.

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

Registration after Jan. 10th is $75 per couple/ $20 each additional.

event will sell out. tickets must be purchased in advance. kcparent.com november 2016

63

27 Sunday Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro Shop. Enjoy an interactive play area, make crafts, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. BassPro.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 2:00 & 4:00, Coterie Theatre. Get into the Christmas spirit with a play based on the television special. TheCoterie.org

28 Monday Santa’s Gingerbread Station 10:00, Crown Center Shops. Explore interactive exhibit and have photo taken with Santa Claus.

CrownCenter.com Token Mondays 10:00, Cool Crest. For only $15 you can enjoy 100 tokens—no coupon required. CoolCrest.com Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Kids 9 months through 5 years enjoy playing on the large assortment of toys. $2.

BonnerSprings.org

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Open Gym Noon, Integrity Gymnastics. A great time to practice, get familiar with the gym and for kids to release energy. $6. IntegrityOP.com Night Before Christmas Carol 7:00, MCPL (Woodneath). Join Charles Dickens in his study for a very special night. Must pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Christmas in the Park 7:00, Cornerstone Park (Gardner). A Christmas message from the mayor, seasonal music and the arrival of Santa!

GardnerKansas.gov

29 Tuesday Pompeii: The Exhibition Thru April, Union Station. Exhibit examines lives of the residents of Pompeii before and after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. UnionStation.org Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. Kids, drive your favorite vehicle, jump in the bounce house or pretend in the kitchen. $2. 913.322.5550 Story Time 10:00, Kansas City Public Library (Central Library). A fun time for all ages to talk, sing, read, write and play. Free. 816.701.3407

iFLY Kids Club 6:00, iFly. On Tuesdays, receive coaching and a 5-minute block. Must have previously flown. $69.95. For details and to pre-reg, call 913.305.4359.

30 Wednesday Open Play 10:00, Jump City. Bring the kids to Jump City—where excitement and laughs are found daily! $8/child; parents are free.

JumpCityKC.com Janie Next Door 10:00, Mill Creek Activity Center.

An upbeat, entertaining, interactive, live musical program for children. $3. Pre-reg at 913.715.2575.

Toddler Time 10:00, Sky Zone Lee’s Summit.

The main court, Foam Zone and Sky Slam are open just for the younger set 5 and under.

SkyZone.com/leessummit Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire. Paint a pottery piece that goes along with a favorite story. Snack included. $13-$15. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529.

For TONS more holiday events, including lightings and Santa sightings, visit the calendar at KCParent.com!

MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES México y su Mujer 8 P.M., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

A concert extravaganza celebrating women in mariachi

JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Featuring Aida Cuevas The Queen of Ranchera Music

2016 – 2017 PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

7 P.M., SUNDAY, NOV. 6 sanctioned by Dan Aykroyd, Judith Belushi and music director Paul Shaffer

Tickets on sale now!

jccc.edu/TheSeries | 913-469-4445 NO ONLINE FEES | FREE PARKING | WINE & BEER AVAILABLE

Explore

Kansas City Zoo November 3 Family Science Night — Awesome Astronomy November 5 & 6 Great Pumpkin Smash

Koala Flats OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER!

November 12 & 13 Zootastik Learning Fest — Red Panda Day November 25, 26 & 27 Santa Dives Penguin Marches FOTZ Members Bring a Friend for FREE November 26 & 27 Species Spotlight — Tigers and Cheetahs

Always a New Adventure!

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 | Open Daily 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.

The new Birth Place featuring a Level II NICU.

This changes everything.

Change is coming. It happens when you’re expecting a new member of your family. It happens when you choose to bring that little one into the world at Olathe Medical Center’s new Birth Place. Soon, you’ll relax in a suite built for families, with the added security of a new Level II NICU on standby.

Your new baby. Our new Birth Place. Change is good.

Arriving Spring 2017 - Secure webcam-enabled nurseries - Advanced, Level II NICU where you can stay overnight with your baby in the same room - 4-story obstetrics wing featuring luxury suites with queen beds, big enough to share Meet the Doctors Who Deliver at Olathe Medical Center.

Visit olathehealth.org/birthplace.

olathehealth.org/birthplace

The Birth Place