KC Parent magazine November 2023 by KC Parent Magazine

FREE | November 2023 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

CELEBRATING BELOVED LOCAL AUTHORS

BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

A Season of Thanks F NOTES OF APPRECIATION F TURKEY CRAFTS F RECOUNTING GRATITUDE

OVER 150 Towering LEGO® Brick Models! a giant LEGO® mosaic models on the earthquake simulator a spaceship to Mars

Presented by:

SCAN FOR

NOW OPEN at Union Station

TICKETS Supported by:

ROBOTS HAVE ARRIVED

NOW OPEN at Science City!

New Million Dollar Exhibit Includes: • Robothespian (aka Jarvis) • Build-A-Bot – Cubelets Robot Blocks • Get a Grip – Gripper Wall • i-Sight - Lidar Sensor • Mission: Code – Navigate a Mars Rover • Race A Robot – Compete in Two Challenging Games

and so much more!

More Details at ScienceCity.com

KANSAS CITY’S HOLIDAY TRADITION

• 100 FT-TALL MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE • OUTDOOR SKATING AT CROWN CENTER ICE TERRACE • LOCAL & UNIQUE SHOPPING • DINING OPTIONS FOR EVERY TASTE • SANTA’S GINGERBREAD STATION • LEGOLAND® DISCOVERY CENTER AND SEA LIFE AQUARIUM • HOLIDAY MUSIC & LIVE THEATER • TUBACHRISTMAS

CROWNCENTERCHRISTMAS.COM @CROWNCENTER | 2450 GRAND BOULEVARD | KANSAS CITY, MO 64108

e to th n i t ep

a M t s o M

gical Sights, Sounds & Sel

fes of the S

e as o

at Union Station Kansas Ci ty

Nov. 20th through Jan. 1st • • • •

Featuring Holiday VR Ride

Presented by

Exclusive to Union Station – Separate Ticket

Dozens of New Scenic Elements Endless Photo Ops Fill Nearly 40,000 SQF Reserved Timed Tickets Now Available

New Dazzling Liquid Fireworks Indoor Water Show

Mini Ride-On Holiday Train

Supported by

Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride: Exciting 4D Experience

UnionStation.org/Holidays for Complete Details, Tickets and Schedule

NOVEMBER 2023

IN EVERY ISSUE

A THANKSGIVING THANK YOU BITE, PG. 42

Tasty Treats

Dear Teacher

5 Things

Craft Corner

Date Night

Healthy Kids

Word from Dad

Women’s Health

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

Struggling Learner

Too Sick?

Local Authors

Tips to help you be the

Guidelines for staying

Bring these local classics

most helpful.

home and going back.

to life.

Party Guide

Calendar of Events

Our cover features Landon from Shawnee. Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography. MelissaRiekePhotography.com FREE | November 2023 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER Turkey Craft 18 8 Birthday Traditions 26 Notes of Appreciation 36 Recounting Gratitude 46 Celebrating Local Authors 48

kcparent.com november 2023

CELEBRATING BELOVED LOCAL AUTHORS

BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

A Season of Thanks F NOTES OF APPRECIATION F TURKEY CRAFTS F RECOUNTING GRATITUDE

EDITOR’SLETTER NOVEMBER 2023

Tickets Make Great Father’s Day Gifts JUNE 18

KC PARENT IS GIVING AWAY 22253597

GEHA AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM

MONSTER JAM (A $2,000 VALUE)

Have a wonderful November and a happy Thanksgiving, Kansas City!

FOR DETAILS AND TO ENTER, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM Lauri Clapper, Editor

Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Lauri Clapper Lauri@FamilyMediaGroup.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design TappanDesign@Gmail.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Intern Iris Enna Distribution To be added to our distribution list, email Distribution@KCParent.com

LOCAL CONTENT

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Kansas City), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Janelle Cumro-Sultzer (Manhattan), Nancy Dollar (Prairie Village), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar), Kailyn Rhinehart (Warrensburg), Joleen Sams (Shawnee), Hailey Saunders (Kansas City) Mailing Address 11937 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS FREE | November 2023 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

kansas city’s #1 travel guide since 2010

baby&

2023

SINCE 2002

kcgoingplaces.com

CELEBRATING BELOVED LOCAL AUTHORS

BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

A Season of Thanks

maternity

OCTOBER- DECEMBER 2023 | KCPARENT.COM

637

hope & help for

AMAZING ATTRACTIONS

F NOTES OF APPRECIATION

IDEAS TO

BLESS

F TURKEY CRAFTS

NICU parents

NEW MOMS

F RECOUNTING GRATITUDE MUST-SEE KC JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER

MAKE

autumn MEMORIES

ADRENALINE RUSH THRILLING ADVENTURES

FOUR SEASONS YEAR-ROUND MEMORIES

symptoms YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE

.com

hat’s not to love about an entire month that invites you to celebrate being thankful, culminates in a savory meal shared with friends and family, and springboards into the Christmas season? It sounds so idyllic— and it is. Mostly. Along the way, we all too often have to navigate less-than-grateful attitudes, a never-ending to-do list and unrealistic expectations of yourself as well as others. I hope KC Parent can help you focus on the sweet blessings of family life during this busy month. I do enjoy all the cooking and baking. My mom is a terrific cook, as are many in my extended family, but there came a time when we were navigating food allergies that I chose to learn to make all the dishes that were otherwise ruled out by our family’s gluten intolerance. I started making pies and gravy, something that sounds so simple to those unintimidated by such feats. It took a while, though, to find my confidence, and now I look forward to it. Together we craft many delicious options, and this year we’re working on our lattice game. I dare say one of our favorite parts of Thanksgiving is pie and ice cream for breakfast the days following. It is simply bread, fruit and dairy—yes? If making pie isn’t in your holiday plans, see p. 21 for some terrific local options. Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “There is good in everything, if only we look for it.” See p. 48 for ideas celebrating this favorite regional author. And for a creative idea to document your thankfulness and invite your family to do the same, consider an A-to-Z list you can find on p. 46. Be encouraged, too, by my dear friend Nancy’s adoption story on p. 34. As the pace picks up, as the prices tick up and as the expectations unfold, may you pause to savor the tangible and intangible blessings that truly abound!

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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, 11937 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213

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KCPARENTWEBSITE

KCPARENT.COM Even More Local Parenting Information, Articles, Events and Surprises

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS: 1. No-Stress November 2. After-School Guide 3. KC Thanksgiving: History and Traditions

4. Autumn Bucket List 5. Christmas Lighting Ceremonies

SPOTLIGHT

KC’S BEST LIGHTING CEREMONIES Kansas City sparkles in holiday splendor with magnificent displays across the metro! Head to KCParent.com for our top picks and lighting cermonies. 6. Coupons 7. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Giveaway 8. Kids Eat Free

LABOR & DELIVERY GUIDE Choosing the best hospital for the arrival of your baby is an important decision. Use the KCParent.com Labor & Delivery Hospital Guide to find the perfect location for you and your child.

kansas city’s kids eat

FREE

(or cheap) guide

9. Best of November 10. Going Places Directory

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED Like us on Facebook facebook.com/KansasCityParent Repin us on Pinterest // Follow us on X @KCParent // Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter at KCParent.com

kcparent.com november 2023

NOVEMBER KC TRIVIA 1

World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918. Two Assyrian sphinxes guard the south entrance of the Liberty Memorial, which commemorates the conflict. One faces east toward the battlefields of France, shielding its eyes from the horrors of war. The other faces west, shielding its eyes from an unknown future. What are their names?

Autumn sky watchers can enjoy a meteor shower that typically peaks around Nov. 17 or 18. The shower is named for the point in the sky from which the meteors seem to emerge, which is found in which constellation? A) Leo B) Draco C) Ursa Major D) Cassiopeia

A) Wilson and Pershing B) Memory and Future C) War and Peace D) Axis and Ally

Wild turkeys are known for their bare, red and blue heads with red wattles on the throat and neck, and their iridescent feathers. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the average female lays how many eggs in one season?

This holiday season, the Coterie brings Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical to stage. What year was the book originally published? A) 1923 B) 1900 C) 1939 D) 1965

A) 1-3 B) 4-6 C) 7-9 D) 10-13

Lit annually on Thanksgiving night, the Plaza Lights have shined every holiday season since 1925 except one. The U.S. president asked Americans not to use Christmas lights in order to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports. What year was this? A) 1973 B) 1980 C) 1950 D) 1964

The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center after a journey from Oregon. The mayor’s Christmas tree is then lit during an annual ceremony featuring live music and fireworks on the day after Thanksgiving. How tall is the tree?

A) 75 feet B) 60 feet C) 125 feet D) 100 feet

1 B) Memory and Future

2 D) 10-13

3 D) 100 feet

4 A) Leo

5 C) 1939

6 A) 1973

ANSWER KEY:

10 november 2023 kcparent.com

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TASTYTREATS

Boost Your Afternoon with Energy Bites

hen you need a quick pick-me-up, a protein-powered burst of energy may just do the trick. A perfect on-the-go snack solution with no baking required, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites only take 15 minutes to prepare a batch that can last the whole week. Packed with protein and easily made from ingredients you may already have on hand, these quick and easy bites are perfect for storing in the fridge for when you need a delicious, healthy snack. You can also easily substitute ingredients based on what you have in the pantry or to fit your dietary preferences. Find more healthy snack ideas at Culinary.net.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE ENERGY BITES Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 8 (3 bites each) Ingredients: 1 c. rolled oats 1/2 c. ground flaxseed 1/2 c. nut butter of choice 1/3 c. maple syrup 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips or raw cacao nibs

ENDLESS ENERGY BITES MIX-IN OPTIONS Oats Nuts, seeds, nut or seed butter Maple syrup, honey, molasses Chia seeds Flaxseeds or flax meal

Directions:

Protein powder

In large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, flaxseed, nut butter, syrup and chocolate chips; mix well using spoon or mixer.

Dried fruits

Using hands, roll mixture into balls, approximately 1 inch each. Place balls on cookie sheet and chill in refrigerator until firm. Note: Balls can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator up to one week.

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Spices M&M’s, mini chocolate chips The options truly are vast! Personalize to your preference or dietary guidelines then enjoy!

Q&A DEARTEACHERS

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

HOW TO HELP A STRUGGLING LEARNER AT HOME

PARENTS: Almost all children will run into a time when they struggle academically in school. Unfortunately, the longer it goes on, the more students feel discouraged and don’t see how they can catch up. If your child is in this situation, it is a time for empathy—not anger. Your children may not talk with you about the fact that they are struggling in school. However, here are some signs that indicate school struggles: drop in grades, teacher’s input, change in attitude toward school and lack of sleep or eating.

Why children struggle with learning and may be falling behind One of the main reasons children struggle in school, whether it is briefly in one subject or in almost every subject, is that there are holes in their learning. For example, in the early grades beginning readers may not have learned how to blend sounds, or in math they may not be able to easily recall basic facts. Here are some other reasons children may be struggling in school: • Too many outside activities may be limiting time for homework or sleep. • Poor study habits. • Boredom with a subject like math, science or social studies. • Not doing their homework. • Not paying attention in class. • Weak organizational skills. • Learning disability.

What to do when your children struggle academically The very first step is to talk with your children’s teacher or teachers. These are the individuals who should have a good understanding of why a child is struggling. They see what the child is doing every day in the classroom. And,

14 november 2023 kcparent.com

hopefully, they know how things can be turned around for the child. On the serious side, teachers can also communicate whether they see the struggling child as one with a learning disability that will require testing and possibly an individual education program (IEP) to help the child’s learning struggles. Once you and the teacher or teachers have identified what a struggling child’s problem or problems are, it is time to work together on solutions. Will classroom modifications such as a new seat away from distractions help? Does the school have before- or after-school programs to improve academic skills? Is a tutor or learning center the answer? Is extra practice the answer? Be sure to discuss what the role of the teacher(s), school and parents will be in this turnaround.

The areas where parents can help struggling learners Parents can play a big role in helping their struggling children.

Homework help may be all that is needed • Begin by supervising homework until you are confident that your child is capable of handling it solo. • Make sure kids are doing all their homework. Check their homework each night. (Assignments might be online for you to see.) Are the assignments complete? See that assignments are done carefully—not haphazardly. • Have them do their homework in an area where you can watch them work. Make sure kids have limited distractions in this area.

• Give them brain breaks, so they are refreshed and ready to move onto another assignment. • Check that your children know how to organize their homework. If not, sit with them and teach them how to organize the order in which they do assignments. This includes putting it in folders to return to school, as well as placing it in their backpacks that should be in a spot where they can easily be grabbed each day. • If necessary, help children with their homework. If you can’t work together smoothly or don’t have the time, consider having another family member provide this help or an older neighborhood child or relative.

Preparing for quizzes and tests is important for struggling students • You need to know when quizzes and tests are scheduled, so preparation can begin before the night before an exam. • Use study guides and end-of-the-chapter questions to hold a study session with your struggling learner until the child learns how to do this. Go over this material several days in a row, having the child state the answers out loud—or write it if that is the way the child learns best. Again, if you don’t have the time, seek outside help as you did for homework.

Filling in learning gaps may be necessary and is very important • Some struggling students need tutoring. Do consider yourself the first choice for this job. If this isn’t possible, the alternative could be hiring a tutor or using a learning center. Because tutoring can be expensive, look into other choices, including family members and even high school students. In addition, there are some great websites online that will teach children almost every topic under the sun. • For some students, the secret to mastering a particular skill is simply practice and more practice. There are an infinite number of sites online that help children accomplish this task. And the neat thing about them is that many do this by using games. Also, another way to get more practice is simply to do more problems or exercises in books and online than are assigned.

The time to get more help Helping struggling children is not just a few days’ exercise. It takes time and persistence. Most times when teachers and parents work together, their help is effective. Nevertheless, if it appears that more problems are in play, and children continue to struggle, it is time to investigate the possibility of a learning disability.

FIVETHINGS

Lynn & Liana Board I love entertaining, and things that bring ease and beauty to the process win me over. I have embraced and am appreciating the charcuterie trend of late. While I am certain my kids could care less how the food is set out, I do relish reaching for my round cheese paddle acacia board from Lynn & Liana Designs. It beautifies my spread with a fun, artistic flair. Pssst: For a special treat, boards can be engraved! LynnLiana.com

Cookie Making Tools from Ann Clark

’Tis the season for all the baking! We make and decorate sugar cookies every year at Christmas, and I cannot speak highly enough of the things I have used from Ann Clark. The Perfect Cookie Rolling Pin is the best tool to ensure my dough is all the same thickness. Try the food coloring gel and you’ll never go back to counting drops, and the nonchemical, precut parchment paper is simply the best. I haven’t even raved yet about the darling shapes of cookie cutters—from cocoa mugs to llamas. We love using their things in the kitchen. The company is family-owned and products are made in the USA, which I value! AnnClarkCookieCutters.com

THINGS WE

LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Lauri Clapper

Lord of the Rings Game Our family loves board games. We also love Tolkien’s writings. Excited to play, my 10-year-old opened the game, read the instructions and prepared the pieces. This is unlike any game I can recall playing—we all worked together to win the game. Our family reaches for it often because we’re competing together as we navigate Frodo to Mount Doom. If your family loves games, I highly recommend this! ThamesAndKosmos.com

Watch This watch intrigued me. An incredible gift crafted from recycled ocean plastics, the Wave Collection is something I had to try out. I’m all for repurposing and love that something I look to daily could actually help clean up the great outdoors. It is made from ocean-bound plastic that’s been reclaimed and recycled. The watch is timeless, durable and water resistant. Mine is a simple black, which I personally love as I experience decision fatigue in plenty of other areas. Armitron.com

Pajamas Matching jammies? Yes, please! Once a year is all I ask. The options at Lazy One are extensive and terrific. We all love this moose plaid—even Willoughby, our dog. The pajamas are festive, snuggle-ready and incredibly comfy. The fabric is soft and washes well. The kids are happy, and I am thrilled! You will find me snuggled under the softest matching plaid/ sherpa reversible blanket ever, embracing the season. LazyOne.com

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IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS IN

NOVEMBER!

November means forests of decorated trees, lights, fresh-cut greens, wreaths, garlands, ornaments, holiday picks, and more at Family Tree Nursery. Visit any of our three convenient locations.

OVERLAND PARK, KS | SHAWNEE, KS | LIBERTY, MO

CRAFTCORNER

Fork Stamp Turkey Nameplates

et into the Thanksgiving spirit with these super cute and super easy Thanksgiving Day nameplates that are multiuse. Your dinner plates in disguise will really brighten up your table!

SUPPLIES: • Large one-time use dinner plates • Paints—we used brown, white, black, yellow, red and orange. • Paintbrush • Fork(s) • Paint plate DIRECTIONS: Step one: Freehand paint a turkey body and head onto the center of your plate.

Step two: Dipping your fork into the red, yellow and orange paints, stamp the feathers around the turkey’s body.

Step three: Paint on eyes, nose, gobbler and feet. Step four: Paint on each person’s name. Step five: Repeat for each of your guests. Step six: Allow to completely air-dry. Step seven: Set the table and watch how surprised your guests are on Thanksgiving Day!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with her husband, three children, two dogs, eight fish and a frog. Janelle is the owner of Flint Hills Mediation LLC and loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.

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BUILT ON PURPOSE 800 pediatric specialists + YOU Our 800 pediatric specialists and you, our community champions, work together to help kids get back to building their dreams.

BUILT FOR KIDS. BUILDING FOR

THEIR FUTURE.

Join us today. Visit childrensmercy.org/give or call 1 (833) KC-GIVES

DATES GOING LOCAL

DATENIGHT

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Fun, indoor activities are a must when the weather gets cooler. Check out one of these great options! BRKTHROUGH Brkthrough in Overland Park is one of the newest additions to KC’s entertainment scene. It is a self-described “social gaming experience” with 35-plus high-tech game rooms. Each one is a little bit like a mini escape room and challenges you in one or more of the following areas: mental, physical or skill. They recommend two to four people per room. After having gone recently, my husband and I would definitely recommend four people. There were some rooms we didn’t attempt (or at least not for long) because we could tell it would be too difficult with just the two of us, but there were plenty of other rooms that were just fine for two. I was surprised at how physically challenging some of the rooms were. I’m in pretty good shape, but I was worn out after two hours! If you go, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and be ready to sweat a little.

CRAFT PUTT Craft Putt is KC’s newest mini golf taphouse. This 9,000-square-foot restaurant and bar has a 10-hole golf course that can be enjoyed by the casual mini golfer—as well as the more serious one. My husband and I double-dated here with another couple and had a great time. With our craft beers in tow, we conquered all 10 holes and then enjoyed Craft Putt’s version of table shuffleboard, complete with turf (instead of hardwood) and modified clubs for shoving the golf balls down the green. We actually thought the shuffleboard was just as entertaining as the golf. They also have tic-tac-toe with golf balls and other similar amusements. We did not eat while we were there, but they have a full menu of traditional pub-style food.

LUDO’S In late 2022, Kansas City became home to its first shuffleboard bar, thanks to the minds behind Made in KC. Located in Martini Corner near Union Hill, Ludo’s features three shuffleboard lanes available to rent by the hour. For just $10/hour, you can shuffle your weighted discs—or biscuits as Ludo’s calls them—to a high score. Just keep them out of the “kitchen.” Ludo’s also has vintage arcade games, board games and card games available for play. They are open 4:00-10:00 Thursday and Friday and noon-11:00 on Saturday. They are closed Sunday through Wednesday for private events—and I think the spot would be a great place for a team building activity. Ludo’s has a full bar, but they do not serve food (except for a few packaged snacks). You are more than welcome to take in your own food though. We double-dated there with another couple and had a blast! Pro tip: No walking allowed on the blue part of the lane. Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities. Check out her Facebook page, Out & About in KC.

FOR MORE GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS, GO TO KCPARENT.COM!

THE BEST PIE IN KANSAS CITY

Buttery, flaky pie crust and delicious filling—mmmm! The cold winter months are our favorite time to savor classic American pies! Be they chocolate, pecan, cherry or something a little more exotic, delicious pies just like Mom used to make (or maybe even better) are served up by masterful local bakeries. The Upper Crust Pie Bakery (7943 Santa Fe, Overland Park, 913.642.2999, UpperCrustPieBakery.com) is owned and operated by sisters who know the art of a delicious made-from-scratch pie. Their shop specializes in buttery, flaky crusts and delicious flavors. Try Grandma’s apple pie with a hint of nutmeg, blackberry apple, pumpkin pie or French apple with a streusel crumb topping. Ranking as a favorite in the City Market, Bloom Baking Co. (15 E. Third St., Kansas City, Mo., 816.283.8437, BloomBakingCo.com) uses only the finest ingredients for their made-fromscratch baked goods, and you can taste the quality! They bake delicious pies, cakes and breads perfect for special occasions or a delicious treat on a weekday.

Tippin’s, a Kansas City tradition for more than 35 years, began as Pippin’s restaurants in 1980. The name changed to Tippin’s in 1985 and won the hearts of pie lovers across the metro. The restaurant chain closed in 2004, but Balls Foods purchased the company and sells pies using the original recipes at grocery stores across the metro. Kansas Citians still can enjoy their favorite Tippin’s pies by ordering online at TippinsPies.com or when clicking “Pie Finder” on the site to find a grocery store retailer near you. Traditional holiday flavors, including pumpkin and pecan, are always popular, but we are partial to the French silk and key lime pies. On a cold winter’s day, nothing is quite as satisfying as a delicious homemade potpie. Living up to the name, Potpie in Westport (904 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo., 816.561.2702, KCPotpie.com) was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and sells the tastiest potpie in town. Choose beef, chicken or mushroom varieties.

kcparent.com november 2023

HEALTHYKIDS

Too Sick for School? A Parent’s Guide

hat do you do when your child wakes up with a headache, sore throat or stomachache? Should you send him to school or keep him home? It’s challenging, especially when a child’s symptoms are just generalized. Trust your parenting instincts and some general knowledge to make the best choice for your child.

Illness guidelines Your child can typically attend classes with a mild sore throat, runny nose, cough or congestion. The symptoms should be mild enough that they won’t interfere with learning. A persistent cough or constant sneezing might disrupt the ability of everyone in the classroom to learn. You should think about keeping your child home in those cases. Here are general guidelines for when to keep your child home:

• Temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Severe sore throat or pain with swallowing • Severe headache • Severe cough • Undiagnosed rash or skin lesions or sores that are weeping or draining

• Any suspected or confirmed contagious

disease

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Returning to school Children need time and rest to recover from illnesses, just as adults do. Students can usually return to school once they are feverfree (without medication) and have had no episodes of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. Two notable illness exceptions include COVID-19 and influenza. If your child tests positive for either, expect him to be home for at least five days. Kids can return after five days if they meet the fever, diarrhea and vomiting guidelines already mentioned. Depending on your child’s symptoms, your school may require a doctor’s note to return. Kids experience a lot of viral illnesses that often resolve without any formal treatment. If children are diagnosed with a bacterial infection, such as strep throat or impetigo, they can usually return 24 hours after the start of antibiotics. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Work with your school nurse and child’s health care provider when you have specific questions.

However, don’t let staying home become their preferred coping mechanism. Kids need to learn healthy coping techniques to deal with the stressors of everyday life. Connect with your child’s teacher and counselors to investigate potential contributing factors and identify resources within the school district. Contact your pediatrician or mental health professional to see what other treatment options may be available. Deciding when to keep your kid home sick from school can be challenging. Trust your gut and make sure you know the school’s policies regarding specific illnesses and symptoms. If you still need clarification, you can always contact your school nurse or pediatrician’s office for personalized guidance.

Joleen Sams lives with her family in Shawnee. She’s a family nurse practitioner who has always loved taking care of kids and their families.

Mental and emotional sick days Sometimes kids need a mental health day, just like adults do. Children are experiencing anxiety, depression and other emotional challenges at unprecedented rates. If your children struggle with mental health concerns, it’s OK to let them stay home once in a blue moon.

References KidsHealth.org, “Is my child too sick to go to school?” Johnson County Health Department, “Disease and Symptom Exclusion Recommendations/Regulations 2022”

WORDFROMDAD

BEFORE THE FEAST

piano lessons

Learn to play piano and have FUN doing it! AGES 7+ | ALL SKILL LEVELS | AFFORDABLE | FLEXIBLE

“OK, James, listen up.” On the week before the holiday, we got some wonderful news, and I needed to share it. “Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jeff are coming for Thanksgiving. That means we have some work to do.” James straightened and stared at me, eyes wide. Grown now, he still surveyed the world through his lens of autism spectrum disorder. “I’m going to be cooking, so you’ll be in charge of the floors and dining room. Pick up all the pet toys and sweep the tile floor onto the carpet where you’ll vacuum. Ian and Mom work, so it’s up to you and me. Since I have to go to bed early, I’m depending on you to do your job without me looking over your shoulder. You’re an adult now, and I should be able to count on you to do your work alone. If you have any questions, ask me before Wednesday. Are we a team?” He nodded and returned to his pursuits. When “Thanksgiving Eve” arrived, I turned to my older son. “I’m going to bed now. Don’t forget what you have to do.” “Right, Father.” The next morning, I didn’t want to rise because of what I knew I’d face. Cleaning the house while cooking wasn’t how I wanted to spend Thanksgiving, but I set my jaw and rose while everyone, even the pets, slept, then went on a quick inspection tour. And my jaw fell open. The living room? Spotless. The coffee and end tables? Clean and polished. The floors? Sparkling and looking like new. I started a pot of coffee and sat at the table. All the time I’d spent worrying about extra work? Wasted! He’d done what I’d asked and more. I poured a mug and cupped my hands around it. Yeah, it was nice when he was little. Now that he’s grown, things could be even nicer. William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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kcparent.com november 2023

ake your family on a global adventure this month as you explore KC’s landmarks. Our art galleries feature masterpieces from every corner of the globe, our zoo offers one-of-a-kind animal adventures from every continent, and local museums, shows and restaurants celebrate many cultures. Broaden your horizons this winter with an around-the-world adventure … all without leaving Kansas City!

Europe

A Global Adventure in KC

Australia

Bricktionary: The ultimate Lego A-Z is the newest exhibit at Union Station. Designed by Ryan “the Brickman” McNaught, an Australian artist and Lego aficionado, this fun-filled journey for families includes everything from overhead leaping orcas to Saturn V rockets stretching floor to ceiling and models of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.

Asia

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (FREE admission) has been curating and exhibiting Chinese art since it opened in 1933, becoming the first major gallery in the United States devoted to Chinese art. The collection features more than 7,000 Chinese works from Neolithic times to the 20th century.

Antarctica

Featuring a dozen Humboldt penguins and nearly 40 cold water penguins, the Helzberg Penguin Plaza at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium offers a state-of-the-art exhibit with a 100,000-gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000-gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. Fantastic views accessible to all feed our curiosity about the Antarctic animals. In addition, visitors enjoy seeing a variety of animals from around the world in the new Sobela Aquarium, the African and Australian exhibits and Tiger Trail. And this year, explore GloWild: Around the World, an evening lantern festival showcasing famous world landmarks on display through Dec. 30.

South America

Experience authentic Brazilian churrascaria where patrons enjoy skewered fire-roasted meat served by gaucho chefs throughout the meal at Em Chamas Brazilian Grill in the Northland and Fogo de Chao on the Plaza.

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Celebrate Sweden at IKEA where members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees free when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant on Wednesdays. During the Christmas season, come to IKEA for Julbord, a smorgasbord of specialties enjoyed throughout Sweden each Christmas.

The Strawberry Hill Museum houses permanent exhibits for Croatia, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia. Visitors see household items from these cultures, including clothing, books and toys, jewelry, linens and more. During the holidays, the museum will offer “Olde World Christmas” tours. The Country Club Plaza, with beautiful towers, sculptures, paintings and mosaics inspired by Seville, Spain, is one of the prettiest places in Kansas City and home to many of the city’s most beautiful fountains. Complete you holiday season with a visit to the Plaza to enjoy more than 80 miles of illuminated strings of bulbs.

Africa

Founded in 1995 by Daniel and Selam Fikru, Blue Nile is a beloved KC staple. At its current City Market location, you can dine on watt, a thick Ethiopian stew, in a variety of vegetable and meat combinations. You’ll also find a variety of tibs on the menu, a cross between stir-fry and stew. The clear menu makes it easy to choose the combination you’ll enjoy from selections of lamb, beef, chicken, potatoes, lentils, greens and a variety of vegetables.

North America

Enjoy an iconically American experience at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Nov. 10-12 at T-Mobile Center. Originating in Wisconsin in 1884, the family of performers brings a reimagined show featuring superhuman performances, daring feats and iconic entertainment that has established this as the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

This is where miracles happen every day. The Birthing Center at Liberty Hospital provides the premier experience you and your growing family deserve. With family-friendly birthing suites and advanced medical care, it’s no wonder more moms across the Northland choose Liberty Hospital for a comfortable, safe and nurturing place to welcome their new babies into the world. Together, our teams of obstetric and neonatal nurses, lactation experts, and others care for you and your baby in a state-of-the-art medical facility, including a NICU for newborns who need highly specialized care. We provide many welcoming amenities for the whole family and a complete range of classes to support a healthy start for mom and baby. We can’t wait to meet you. Learn more libertyhospital.org/birthingcenter.

This is where health happens.

PARTYGUIDE

8 Birthday Traditions You’ll Want to Try

very year when I was a kid, my parents let me choose where I wanted to eat dinner out for my birthday. Another birthday tradition they kept going was to have a small party for me with family and friends, including a cookout, since I have a June birthday. Kids love to feel special, and it can be a challenge to find the time to come up with ways to make a birthday celebration a knockout. Never fear! Below are eight ideas for birthday traditions to start with your own kids. Pick and choose a few of them each year—and stick with the ones you and your birthday kid love!

Rise and shine. I like to wake my kids up on their birthday not with “Get up! It’s time for school!” but with an extra-long snuggle and the condensed version of the day they were born. Who doesn’t like to hear their birth story?! Adopted and foster children can be told how they were meant to be brought into the family and how special they are.

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Birthday letter. Every year I type up a birthday letter for each of my children, telling them what great things they did and said and learned during the past year. I give the birthday child a copy, then save a copy in a binder and on my computer for myself, because we all know kids can’t keep track of stuff. The plan is to give my children a copy of all their letters when they move out, which means they’ll have somewhere between 18 and 30 letters to enjoy—hope I’m just kidding on the 30!

Birthday slideshow. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can create a special slideshow using Canva, PowerPoint or a similar computer program. Just pop in photos, size them and add cute captions. You even can add some music if you like. After your child watches it about a zillion times, save it to a thumb drive or DVD and pop it in a safe place (e.g., fireproof box), so your child will always have it.

Photos. I try to take as many pictures as I can on birthdays and even make sure I’m included in some of them—I’m the mom, after all! Later, we like to get out old photo albums and browse the birthday kid’s baby pictures.

Special meal. One of my kids loves the neighborhood restaurant where the staff sing “Happy Birthday” and give a balloon to take home. Another child is content heading to the local fast food indoor play area and grabbing bites of food in between trips down the slide. Make at least one meal of the birthday child’s day something out of the ordinary.

Party (doesn’t have to be on the actual birthday). If you get a few gray hairs every time you think

of planning a birthday party, don’t fret. Options include a simple party at your place with just a few people, a bash at a park gazebo or a celebration where a local party place does all the work.

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PARTYGUIDE

Special treat. We like to hit the cupcake restaurant or grab

huge, frosted cookies from a local baker and share with our friends and neighbors to spread the celebration around. A cheap—and just as special—route would be to make your child’s favorite dessert at home. Cookies, cake, banana splits, shakes or ice cream sundaes are always a good bet. Depending on which fruit is in season (or in the freezer), a decadent fruit smoothie made with frozen yogurt could be nice.

Birthday weekend sleepover with a few close friends (for kids over age 7). Warning: This one is not

for the faint of heart! I suggest allowing a maximum of three friends to stay the night at your house on a Friday night. Order pizza to make life easy on yourself, grab some movies from the library and have the kids set up their sleeping bags as far away from your bedroom as possible. Kerrie McLoughlin is the proud and kooky mom of five. Check out their adventures at TheKerrieShow.com.

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Adventures in Aviation in Kansas City NOVEMBER IS AVIATION HISTORY MONTH. EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF FLIGHT LOCALLY AT THESE ATTRACTIONS.

The “first lady of flight,” Amelia Earhart, was born in Atchison, Kansas. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace (223 N. Terrace St., Atchison, Kan., 913.367.4217, AmeliaEarhartMuseum. org) tells the story of the legendary lady and her childhood adventures. Earhart was born in the home on July 24, 1897, to Edwin Stanton Earhart and Amy Otis Earhart. On a tour of the home, visitors learn about the pilot’s early love of flight and her daredevil adventures as a little girl.

the plane Earhart flew on her final flight. The plane is named after Amelia’s younger sister, Grace Muriel Earhart Morrissey. The museum features 14 interactive, immersive STEM exhibits teaching visitors about Earhart from her childhood to the height of her worldwide fame as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

TWA, a pioneer in commercial flight, began in Kansas City, and the story and importance of the company is told Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum at the TWA Museum (10 Richards Rd., After visiting her birthplace, take time to visit the new Amelia Kansas City, Mo., 816.234.1011, TWAMuseum.org). Airmail, Earhart Hangar Museum (16701 286th Rd., Atchison, Kan., passenger flight and the expansion of post-WWII global 913.372.002, AmeliaEarhartHangarMuseum.org). The museum travel is explored through exhibits and artifacts at the tells even more of Earhart’s story and inspires visitors to pursue museum. Visitors will see a 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A Junior flight. The crown jewel of the museum is Muriel—the world’s and cockpit trainers including the Constellation, DC-9, last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E—an aircraft identical to Boeing 707 and more.

Explore Oakhill, an independent private school in Northland Kansas City, where students thrive and potential unfolds. From Pretoddler (18-months) through Grade 12, our community empowers growth, values uniqueness, and inspires excellence in every student.

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Now enrolling students in Grades Pretoddler (age 18-months) - 12th Grade Tour one or both of our campuses located in the heart of Gladstone, Missouri. Learn more at oakhilldayschool.org/admissions | 816.436.6228

Oakhill Day School will seek diversity in its student body and welcome enrollment by students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, and any other characteristic protected under applicable law. It prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of any protected category under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), specifically, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation, gender or sex, race or ethnicity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, nationality, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, age, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in Oakhill Day School’s educational programs or activities.

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/oakhilldayschool

kcparent.com november 2023

RISKY PLAY AND ITS BENEFITS FOR KIDS

ou see your toddler across the playground. He’s balancing on the short wooden ledge that borders the mulch. He steadies himself. One foot. Then the other. You watch as he shifts his weight two steps forward. He turns his body toward the mulch and makes the 6-inch leap off. He stumbles but softly lands on his feet. His friend nearby claps, and your tot flashes a big smile at you— incredibly proud of himself. Your child just took part in risky play.

What is risky play? Risky or adventurous play is a type of play that involves some sort of risk to a child. These risks are usually ‌physical. It can be a type of play that is exciting or challenging for kids. Risky play is essential for children’s development— social, emotional, mental and physical development. As parents, we feel stress and anxiety rise when we see our children take part in risky play. It doesn’t always go as smoothly as the experience described above. Your child may not always be successful. But this is part of why risky play is so important. We must determine how to keep our kids safe while also allowing—and encouraging—them to try new things. This includes risky play. If risky or adventurous play among children promotes creativity, leadership and group skills, who are we to stifle it?

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Examples of risky play As mentioned, risky play usually involves some sort of risk or challenge to children. This type of play can be anything from swinging to climbing to hopping over a creek. Risky play does not always involve scaling enormous walls or leaping sizeable gaps. For some children, smaller scale risky play can feel like a great feat. Examples of risky play include:

• Climbing, depending on the age of

the child and the height of the climb.

• Jumping or hopping over something, around something, etc.

• Exploring nature—think getting dirty without hesitation.

• Playing with something for not just its intended purpose. Examples are walking up a slide, standing on a swing, balancing on a structure, climbing trees.

• Learning how to do a skill that

could potentially hurt children until they figure out how to do it right: cartwheels, riding a bike or scooter, playground monkey bars, to name a few.

Why risky play is important for kids Allowing your child to take part in risky play offers some great benefits. It boosts selfesteem and encourages growth. It enhances social interactions and builds confidence. Risky play also promotes leadership, group skills and creativity. Risky play gives children a chance to fail. After all, trying something and failing is a primary part of learning. Trying and failing can encourage a child to develop critical thinking skills. Not only is risky play important for building confidence and social skills, but also for developing fine and gross motor skills. Really, so many life skills have their foundation in risky play. For example, a child wants to learn how to do a cartwheel. She runs, dives toward

the ground with her hands and flops bellydown on the dirt. She tries these actions again and again to build her skills. Not only is she showing signs of mental toughness, but she is gaining physical muscle strength. She’s improving her coordination and core strength.

Risky play is essential for children’s development— social, emotional, mental and physical development. Trying and failing develops persistence. This often allows a child to keep trying until he succeeds—an important skill that transfers well into school-aged children, young adults and later on, adulthood. Risky play encourages creativity and leadership. Some might excel at this type of play, while other children have more challenges. Benefits of risky play include:

• Increased self-esteem. • The chance to fail. • Physical benefits, including fine and gross motor skills.

• Conflict resolution skills. • Social benefits, such as getting a child out of his comfort zone, meeting new friends, getting encouragement from friends and bonding.

Discouraging risky play can be harmful to a child’s development We parents naturally want to protect our children from danger. But by limiting experiences, we disable their free thinking. When we encourage free thinking in our children, we set them up to be successful adults. If we discourage risky play in our children, we downplay their judgment and intuition. And although younger children do not develop critical thinking skills until

later on, we want them to follow and trust their intuition. Following their intuition allows children to be aware of dangerous situations and people. It helps them solve problems and figure out solutions much faster when they’re accustomed to listening to their intuition. Discouraging risky play can shield a child from new experiences. Taking part in risky play can allow children to experience things they may not necessarily be involved in. For example, a child comes across a creek on a hike. She may be scared not just to cross the creek, but to go near it at all. By starting small—allowing her to get close to the creek or even putting her hands or feet in it—we may help her develop the courage to explore it more thoroughly. That can lead to learning about all kinds of things, from ecosystems and animals to nature and much more. This type of play (or really learning) carries risks of injury and the dangers of water, but when they are monitored and supported, children reap the benefits. Here, your child is learning about nature, developing sensory skills and more.

How to navigate risky play carefully Learning to evaluate and manage risks is a critical aspect of risky play. Of course, you’re not going to just let your children jump into every body of water or climb everything they see! Navigating risks with your children will help them navigate risks independently later on. It will also help them deal with any repercussions, dangers or consequences after the fact. Discuss hypothetical situations for your children before they try out risky types of play. Regularly helping children navigate some “what-ifs” beforehand gives them a pattern to follow when they approach risky play as they grow more independent.

Kailyn Rhinehart writes from Warrensburg, Missouri, where she lives with her two small children and her husband.

kcparent.com november 2023

WOMEN’SHEALTH

Melatonin

ave you or your children ever taken melatonin to help with sleeping problems? Many readers likely answer yes to this question, as melatonin supplements have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. Many people value melatonin as a natural sleep aid, while others may be skeptical of the product’s safety. In fact, a simple internet search on the topic provides a confusing array of positive and negative information. Below are basic facts about melatonin that can help you make an informed decision on the matter. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates several bodily functions. The main role is regulating circadian rhythm, which is our internal clock that tells us when to be awake and when to sleep. Melatonin levels are correlated with lack of light. During daylight hours, very little melatonin is produced. As evening approaches and light from the sun decreases, melatonin levels gradually increase. The melatonin hormone readies the body for its primary nighttime activity of sleep. It does this by promoting calmness of body and mind, so that we feel tired and restful sleep can occur. Over-thecounter melatonin supplements are a synthetic version of the hormone made by the body. In the United States, melatonin is considered a dietary supplement. Like all supplements, it is not FDA approved

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and has not gone through the same rigorous testing that prescription drugs must go through. Studies of melatonin’s safety and effectiveness do exist but are limited. What kind of sleeping issues can be improved with a melatonin supplement? In general, the most common kinds of sleep issues involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or poor quality of sleep. Typical causes of sleep problems are stress, anxiety, depression, blue light from screens, pain, medical diagnoses and numerous others. Pinpointing and addressing the cause of a sleep disturbance should always be the first step when trying to improve sleep. Nevertheless, sometimes more help is needed to get the quality sleep the body needs to stay healthy. Many people prefer melatonin over prescription sleep medications because it is considered to be more natural, has fewer side effects and is not habit forming.

Melatonin is most effective for sleep issues that require a reset of the circadian rhythm, such as jet lag or irregular sleep patterns from shift work. Melatonin in these cases can work to help restore the normal sleep-wake cycle. For children and adolescents with ADHD, autism or other related diagnoses, several studies have found melatonin to be beneficial for improving sleep issues. For most children experiencing a sleep disturbance, the first step should be to identify and address the cause of the sleep disturbance before turning to medications or supplements. Studies have found behavioral interventions most effective at treating sleep issues for children. This may include establishing a bedtime routine, decreasing screen time before bed, restricting fluids in the evening, doing relaxation exercises or even eliminating daytime naps. Most important is to evaluate

whether underlying factors could be negatively impacting a child’s sleep. Sleep disturbances can be a symptom of a bigger issue like stress, major life changes, medical problems, anxiety or depression. Discussing these problems with a medical provider will allow for appropriate treatment of the issue and likely improved sleep. We can find plenty of success stories from those who have had positive experiences using melatonin. But when it comes to scientific evidence, melatonin shows only small benefits. Several studies have found melatonin can aid in falling asleep faster by approximately seven minutes, and it may extend the time asleep by about eight minutes. Although most people who use melatonin tolerate it with little to no trouble, there are potential side effects to consider before using it for the first time. The possible side effects include next-day

drowsiness, abdominal pain, headaches, nightmares and dizziness. It is best to use the lowest dose of melatonin for the shortest amount of time. Of concern is a recent increase in accidental melatonin overdoses. Following safe medication practices can prevent most of these accidents. Like all medications, melatonin should be kept out of reach of children. This is especially important since melatonin is often chewable with a pleasant taste, and many brands do not come in child-proof containers. Lastly, never refer to any medication or supplement as a treat or candy. Overall, melatonin seems to be mostly safe with few mild side effects. A melatonin supplement for sleep should always be combined with healthy sleep practices for the best results. Remember, supplements may interact with other prescription or over-the-counter medications. Deciding whether a supplement or medication

is right for your family is an individual choice. Consider the available data and, as always, discuss questions or concerns with your trusted health care provider.

Hailey Saunders, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner and Kansas City native who is passionate about evidencebased health education.

References: National Sleep Foundation ScienceDirect.com/science/article/pii/ S2590142720300112 Publications.AAP.org/aapnews/ news/16325/Thinking-aboutmelatonin-to-help-kids-sleepAsk?autologincheck=redirected Answers.ChildrensHospital.org/melatoninfor-children

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adoption

’ve always had a heart for adoption. One of my cousins is adopted, and I was intrigued. My siblings were blonde, and I was a brunette—so I’d been teased that I was left on the doorstep. Perhaps these experiences gave me a sensitive heart early on for those babies who need a family. Thoughts of adoption remained with me in my twenties, when my physician told me I might struggle with infertility as a result of having endometriosis and subsequent surgeries. Time would tell. I met my future husband in my early twenties when we both were volunteering with a youth ministry called KLIFE. We didn’t date then—we were just friends who shared a mutual love for helping kids. Fast forward many years: After he was divorced, we were set up on a date. He was a wonderful man and father to his three kids, and that was a huge attraction to me. He was also open to more children. We married, and I became a stepmom to three children. Then we tried for a baby. Our fertility journey was difficult, and adoption always remained an option in our minds during that struggle. I was older, and when our procedure failed, the infertility doctor basically told

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me my age was skewing his data pool. Adoption was also a statistic on his pie chart, but we had faith that there was a plan for us to add to our family. Adoption is both beautiful and messy. It is a gift and a loss—a monumental gift for the adoptive family and a loss to the birth parents and their families. It encompasses hours of planning, heartwrenching decisions and the selflessness of a birth mom and birth dad. We realized we could never truly and fully comprehend some of these things on our side of the gift of a beautiful baby girl in 2009. As older parents, we chose a private adoption counselor who works with a smaller group of parents wanting to adopt. Our age was not an obstacle going this route. Our adoption felt very personal. We had daily phone calls with our adoption counselor. We knew when the birth mom was seeing the doctor, and we were given a video of her sonogram, but we did not speak to or meet our birth mom until after our baby was born. A birth plan was prepared between our birth mom and our adoption counselor, so we knew what to expect. We were placed with our birth mom only a month before our daughter’s birth. This short time frame was allowable as we had all our paperwork in place. We’d made a photo album of our family for our profile. We then waited and prayed. I loved that my 8-year-old bonus son would pray at night for his future sibling. This was a season of growth and perseverance as he had prayed from the beginning with our first attempt to adopt, which did not come to fruition. The cutest was when he said in frustration, “When is that baby going to get here?” implying that UPS had not delivered his package yet. Our daughter, Elizabeth, was wailing as she was deposited into my arms about five minutes post birth. She immediately quieted and looked up into my eyes when I began singing a beloved song to her. The skies opened up, and I felt light and joy envelop the room. It was a miraculous “God moment” feeling I will always treasure. When it comes to adoption, my husband and I sum up our feelings with a saying coined by Bob Constantine that captures the love we are capable of giving: “We have four children. Three are biological, and one is adopted, but I forget which one.”. In our Elizabeth, we have received the gift that keeps on giving. She has more joy in her pinkie finger than most people. When she

was young, I told her she grew in my heart and not my tummy. The story of adoption is a lifelong conversation, one that we weave into our daily life. We also talk about and pray for and support our birth mom and birth dad. We will always love them and honor their beautiful gift of our daughter while holding them in our hearts and our prayers all our days. I imagine I will always have a mother’s heart for adoption as I watch our precious daughter Elizabeth grow into a young lady. My heart is also full of love and gratitude to her birth parents and the friends and family that supported us along the way, as well as

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those involved in our failed adoption. They walked with us through difficult times. Not every adoption has a happy ending—sometimes birth parents change their minds and keep the baby. The journey included pain, but the joy outshines all of it. As we welcomed our miraculous, sweet Elizabeth into our family, we knew the words the Apostle Paul penned hold true: “Love never fails.” Nancy Dollar lives in Prairie Village. She enjoys volunteering and has a heart for youth. She loves to dabble in the arts and hopes to paint by the Gulf of Mexico in the future.

Want More in Life? Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children

4,000 Kansas City area children are in crisis due to child abuse, neglect or other family challenges. The need for new foster and adoptive parents is greater than ever. 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 qualify. We provide free training, 24/7 support, and monthly reimbursement to meet the child’s needs.

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THE

O ART

ES T O N

n today’s texting, Instagramming and Facetiming world, there is something special to actually making a card, buying one or printing one off the computer, then thoughtfully writing a thank you for a specific item received or time spent together. That is not to say that a Facetime call to Grandma is not appreciated! Send the card to her then talk to her for a double dose of love! In today’s world of expectation and overconsumption, children often become overwhelmed with so much— especially around this time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Children may receive gifts that are not exactly what they want and actually display disappointment or disgust after opening them. This is when we parents need to help them practice self-control techniques. Ahead of time, explain that Aunt Jean is just trying to please your children and that they need to remember love is involved. In her Southern Living article “A Gracious Response: Teach Your Kids to Write a Thoughtful Thank You Note,”

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Betsy Cribb Watson writes, “Your little one will be able to ‘see’ the act of kindness when you explain this person loves you enough to spend their own money. They got in their car to go to a store and thought about what you’d like then spent time wrapping the present. You want to show that you’re grateful for all the things that went into giving the gift.” In comes the thank you note opportunity! Thank you notes, a lost art in this emoji world, are as original as the Easter bunnies that appear on the Plaza every spring. Uniqueness and the personal touch make personally crafted thank you notes such a pleasure to receive. Author and speaker Tricia Lott Williford, a remarried widow and mom of two, expands on this idea in her Parent Cue article “How to Teach Kids the Art of Writing Thank You Notes.” She says, “A written note is proof on the page. The root of happiness is gratitude, but the tricky thing about thankfulness is that it only exists in the act; nobody knows you’re thankful unless you say so. When you write

This treasured tradition is still a timely show of appreciation. it down, everybody knows how you feel. In addition, a handwritten note says you unplugged from technology, set aside time and returned to the most basic tools of written communication: pen and paper. There’s something beautifully intentional in a written note.” When you consider the happiness a message like that can bring, you’ll find the fuel to guide your children in the process. “Think about it,” Williford writes, “in a giant pile of window envelopes with bills and junk, your name on a colorful envelope catches your eye. How fun it is to receive a pocketful of sunshine in your very own mailbox. It’s so easy to give that gift to someone else.” To drive home this point, send your child a thank you note. Perhaps for making his bed, being nice to his little sister or getting a good grade. He’ll be happy to spread some thankful sunshine then himself! Williford says, “Handwriting is an extension of a person. Have you ever happened onto a letter written long ago? The handwriting nearly breathes on the page.” Think of those recipes stuck in a cookbook, written in your grandmother’s cursive! I have a beloved pizza recipe from my mother stained with tomato sauce! The messy, tomato-y sample of her handwriting is a treasure to me. Another example is how my son’s high school football coach had each young man write a thank you note to his parents. My son is 28 now, and I still have that handwritten note from his senior year! Truly, a handwritten thank you note deposits a tangible reminder of you into a dear one’s hands. Here are some specific ways to encourage your youngsters to write their own thank you notes. First, Williford recommends to “keep a list of people to thank: teachers, hosts of playdates, cafeteria ladies, grandparents, even authors whose books you’ve enjoyed.” Don’t forget your letter carrier this holiday season! Start this and watch how aware your children become of people who do nice things. Add names as they come to your family’s mind. Next, schedule a time together to write your notes. Let your kids know something special will happen at that time, just to add a little ceremony to the occasion. Perhaps you order pizza or make cookies together. Create a box of thank you note supplies, including notecards, markers, stickers and pens. And do it together! Ask Alexa to play a favorite song to get everybody motivated. Mom or Dad can offer to be the scribe for smaller children. Let them dictate to you, and the reading will be colorful and fun for the recipient. Imagine: “Thank you, Grandpa, for putting that icky worm on the hook and helping me with that slimy fish!”

Williford recommends using prompts and offering your kids sentence-starters. “‘I am thankful for … your gift is so important to me because … I will always remember when we…’” she offers. “These prompts get their ideas going, and they’re able to write with a true sincerity.” Not much tops a handwritten note, but Williford says what we all know: “Done is better than perfect, and there is a lot to be said for the ease and availability of a thank you text, photo, or video via smartphone.” So even if you opt to send digital thanks, talk together ahead of sending the message or making the call to cultivate sincerity and joy in your children’s expressions of gratitude. “When we teach our kids to embrace the lost art of the thank you note, we model for them a practical way to show thoughtfulness for the feelings of others and to appreciate someone’s sacrifice of time and effort,” Williford writes. “We help them begin to practice and show their gratitude, which is the recipe for a joyful life. And maybe, with enough seeds planted, your child will someday write a thank you note to you!”

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life. Sources: TheParentCue.org/how-to-teach-kids-the-art-of-writingthank-you-notes SouthernLiving.com/culture/teaching-kids-to-write-thankyou-notes

kcparent.com november 2023

Navigating Special Needs

f your child was recently diagnosed with special needs, or if you suspect he may have special needs, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. A new diagnosis is overwhelming, and parents often feel alone and stressed about their child’s success in school. The good news is children can live a happy, successful life, even if they learn differently or need extra help. Here are some tips for parents who are starting their journey.

Seek support from a professional

If your child is showing signs of possible special needs, the first step is to talk to your pediatrician, who can help you identify any potential issues and refer you for additional testing, evaluation and support if needed. You should also stay in close contact with your child’s teachers and school staff. They spend a large amount of time with your child and will have insights and observations parents may not be aware of.

Talk with your child

Many parents may be worried about talking to their child about a diagnosis; however, some kids find it a relief to understand why they learn differently or

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need resources and assistance to catch up to peers. Help your child understand her learning needs and let her know she can thrive with the right support and resources. It can be helpful to talk with your child about what specific things are hard for her and what resources are helpful. When it comes time to create an individualized education plan (IEP), you should plan to work with your child, her teacher and any therapists to make sure your child has the right tools to be successful at school. It’s important to involve your child in any decisions made about her education or care. Ask her what kinds of things she wants to do and learn. Listen to her ideas and concerns, and work with her to create an IEP that meets her needs.

Seek resources for yourself

Connecting with other parents in similar situations can be invaluable to any parent of a child with special needs. There are many support groups, websites, books and social media groups with helpful information and advice from parents who have been in your shoes. It’s important for parents to stay informed about any new developments or treatments available too. Talking to other parents in similar situations can be

beneficial, as they may have information and resources that could help you and your child in your own journey. Reach out to other parents and accept help from family and friends. You don’t have to do this alone.

Each child is unique

It’s important for parents to understand that each child with special needs is unique. It’s essential to create an IEP tailored specifically to your child’s needs. Consider different types of interventions that can help your child reach his goals and objectives. For example, physical therapy may help kids build strength and motor skills, while speech therapy can help them with communication and language development. Special education programs may also be a good resource to provide your child with the best experience possible and meet his unique needs. Though learning from other parents’ experiences can be helpful, each individual case is unique. Seek out the personalized approach that best accommodates your child. Keep an open mind and explore all options available.

You are your child’s cheerleader It’s essential to remember that all kids can learn and thrive with the right

support from their parents. Ultimately, the most important thing is to provide encouragement and unconditional love for your child. As she grows, celebrate each milestone as it comes, no matter how small. Make time in your day-to-day life to have fun with your child as well. Having a child

with special needs doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy her childhood just like any other kid does. Take advantage of any recreational activities available, from swimming to art class. These activities can help your child develop her skills in a fun environment. The most important thing is that your child feels loved and accepted for who he is. With the right guidance and support, he can reach his full potential. Above all else, never forget that you and your child are both on this journey together. With the ever-increasing resources available, it’s becoming easier every day for families to find the help they need. Take time to research, speak to other parents and explore the range of options available so you can find the best fit for your child.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including 9-year-old triplets. She lives in Olathe with her family.

How to Support a Family with a Special Needs Child

• Listen to the parent without judgment or pity.

• Treat their child like you would any other kid.

• Offer to babysit. • Offer to meet up for a playdate. • Include their child in parties, recreational sports and activities, and playdates.

• Ask whether they need help—

whether physical (lift a wheelchair or help carry items) or emotional (be a good friend and listener, be supportive).

kcparent.com november 2023

ADVERTORIAL

Our dog, Jax, is a terrier mix, probably

We have a 14-year-old Aussie that lost

which means they learn in patterns.

27 pounds. He’s small, but can jump

her friend last year. We’re torn between

However, you must create a new pattern

our five-foot fence and does so when

getting her a new friend and letting her

with each word and make those words

he sees another dog. Currently, we take

be the one who gets all the attention.

mean something. If you don’t have

him out on leash into the backyard, but

She doesn’t seem to mourn the loss of

consistency in the home, you may find

I am curious if you have any advice on

her friend so how do we know what to

it difficult to do. I recommend having

how we can get him to stop jumping the

do? - Terry

a family meeting with everyone in the

fence. - Raja

home to discuss the expectations for the I am so sorry for the loss of your pet

pet and if everyone can abide by them,

There are rollers and piping you can

for you and your Aussie. This is difficult

you are on your way to success.

put on top of your fence to cause him to

for me to answer since I don’t know

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

fall back into the fenced yard if you’re

your dog, but I would assess how she

interested in a quick, non-training

responds to other pets. If she seems

method. As for training, you can teach

to light up and wants to play, consider

Jax the “come” command and practice

getting another pet. If she seems

recall. Use this command whenever

uninterested in being around other pets,

he goes near the fence. If he does not

then I think you may have your answer.

pay attention to you when using the

I recommend trying her with other pets

command, put him on a long lead/leash

and letting her tell you what she thinks.

and train him to come when called by

- Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Featured Pet

Baby Girl

using the lead to bring him back to you. Most dogs jump fences because

I am wondering how to re-establish

they’re bored, so limiting his time

the meaning of words. My mother has

outside or making sure his time outside

completely diminished the meaning of

is meaningful and fun may help. Staying

“No,” “Yes,” and “Good girl” with our two

in the yard with him to redirect him from

dogs—one is four years and the other is

jumping the fence until he is trained is

six months. I started training the puppy,

a must for his safety. I also recommend

but my mother and I used different

Hey there, my name is Baby Girl! I’m the

training the “leave it” command and

methods and now the puppy is not potty

life of the party at Great Plains SPCA, and

using it when he sees other dogs

trained and doesn’t listen. There are

outside the fence. Once you’re able to

many areas of concern, but I think re-

redirect him from the dogs outside the

establishing the meaning of those words

fence and to come to you, you’re well on

will help to create a good foundation.

your way to getting him to stop jumping

- Hailey

I’m ready to share all the fun with a forever family. There will never be a dull moment with a pup like me. I love to play, zooming around the yard and chasing after toys. Are you ready to have some fun? Let’s party! - Baby Girl

the fence. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA You can re-establish words with dogs because dogs are associative learners

If you are interested in adopting Baby Girl, please contact our Adotions Team at adoptions@greatplainsspca.org.

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered in KC Parent magazine. Animal expert, Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA, is the Senior Director of Animal Behavior and Training at Great Plains SPCA. Ashley has more than 16 years of experience in animal training and behavior.

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5424 Antioch Drive Merriam, KS 66202 (913) 831-7722 | www.greatplainsspca.org

kcparent.com november 2023

Thanksgiving Without a Thank You Bite

t is that time of year! Pumpkin spice everything surrounds us, autumn leaves have changed, the weather is finally cooler, and Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. Folks look forward to Thanksgiving … a time to savor good food and family togetherness. However, throwing a picky eater or two into the mix can make this holiday a little less than you bargained for. Traditions may abound, but perhaps this year calls for a little creativity and patience so everyone can enjoy the feast! There are many ways picky eaters can be included in—and enjoy—the Thanksgiving festivities. First and foremost, realize you only have so much control over the food—and pretty much none over your picky eater. If you are hosting and preparing the food, you have control in your hands over what you are serving, so you can be more accommodating. However, if you are doing dinner potluck-style or someone else is hosting, you may have to just do the best you can. Follow along for a few tips to help things go as smoothly as possible and keep everyone feeling thankful.

n Include your picky eater in the planning of the

Thanksgiving meal. Maybe he doesn’t really love the cream-style corn, but peas are his jam. Have both this year! Perhaps your finicky eater really loves rolls. Why not let her choose which kind you are serving? And almost all kids love dessert, so let your child decide what dessert options to serve! n Have your picky eater get in on the cooking action.

Sometimes kids are more apt to eat something if they have had a hand in preparing and cooking the food. Kids are able to take pride in managing tasks where they can have responsibility. Hilary Bair, Overland Park mom of three, shares, “I have picky eaters, and I do encourage them to help me cook the foods for Thanksgiving, as this will sometimes get them more excited to try what they have helped prepare.”

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n Consider serving a buffet. This way everyone, not

just the picky eaters, can be in charge of his plate, what is on it and how much is taken. If attending a potluck-style feast, make sure you are in charge of bringing at least one dish your picky eater enjoys and will be sure to eat. For our family, that is jellied cranberries, rolls and fruit salad! n Try something new. Bair says, “I always tell my kids

it is a great time of year to try the foods that make up some of our family traditions. And you might be surprised that you like certain foods too!” n Include alternative meat options. Our kids are not

huge fans of turkey but enjoy ham in limited bits, sausage and tenderloin. Oftentimes, we serve turkey and tenderloin, so they can have a protein option they enjoy more and will actually eat. n The simpler the better sometimes. Strip down all

the fancy, saucy, complicated food and include plain mashed potatoes, raw sliced veggies with dip or plain pasta (or even some good ol’ Kraft macaroni and cheese if that is what your kid is into). n If you go this route, consider a mashed potato bar

where guests can doctor their mashed potatoes with toppings on their own: cheese, butter, sour cream, bacon, gravy, whatever appeals. This way you still have the plain option, but also a food that people can customize to their own liking. n Try to let go of cultural and societal expectations.

Do what works for you and your family, even if it might be a little bit different then the norm. As difficult as it is, ignore disapproving glances and comments.

n Eat outside the box! Instead of traditional

n Be respectful of choices people make, even your

Thanksgiving meal options, be bold and cook up something totally different this year. We know families that have lasagna, taco or potato bars, or a soup potluck for their Thanksgiving meal. There are no written rules about what you can and can’t have!

picky eater, and refrain from chiding or shaming.

n “Holiday meals can be stressful, so I try to keep

things simple. I always place a small amount of foods they don’t typically eat (three bites to be polite!) and load up the things they love. It’s a fine balance between keeping Mom happy and kids happy,” says Overland Park mom of three Tara Lowery. “As long as they get some protein and veggies in—win-win! The real enjoyment is just being able to be together!” n Place the focus on something other than the

food. Though food is an important aspect, let the togetherness and gratitude be more at the center this year. The real magic is celebrating together, sharing stories and making memories as a family. The food can just be an added bonus!

n Encourage your picky eater to try new foods but

don’t push it or stoke a battle over the issue. Anna Knight, Overland Park mom of two, says, “Encourage them to try new things and foods they don’t think they like, and if it doesn’t work out, don’t sweat it if they fill up on the stuff they do like.” Be sure to celebrate the positive if your picky eater does try something new though! Even though picky eaters can be frustrating, don’t let it steal your attitude of gratitude during Thanksgiving. After all, Thanksgiving is about being together, celebrating the many blessings in our lives and creating a welcoming environment for all. It may take a little more creativity and patience this year, but celebrate the diversity of tastes and preferences—even if that means adding Goldfish crackers to your Thanksgiving meal this year!

Julie Collett is an Overland Park mom with four kids who all like different things … and can’t understand why she can’t keep a mentally updated list of everyone’s preferences!

I always tell my kids it is a great time of year to try the foods that make up some of our family traditions.

kcparent.com november 2023

’

To Grandmother s House We Go A

h, the holidays. What a special time, filled with cozy nights reading by the fireplace, wearing snuggly socks while watching Hallmark movies and sipping loaded hot cocoas, and spending quality time with family. Now maybe you’re in a lucky group of people whose reality during the holiday season aligns with this sentimental summary. Perhaps, though, this sentimentality made you spit out your coffee that’s been nuked past its prime as you’re debating what events you can avoid this holiday season. The holiday season can have its magical moments, but because family and distant relatives are

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humans, things can get a bit messy. We’re going to graciously look for some tips for how to navigate being present at holiday gatherings where relationships may be strained or tensions may be high.

EXPECTATIONS

Mapping out what a family gathering is going to look like ahead of time can be helpful. Have a game plan for traveling, when you’re going to arrive, as well as when you plan to head home. It’s also helpful to lower your expectations—and then possibly lower them a few more times—to be realistic about how the time together is going to go. Perhaps you know

there’s a limited time window in which everyone can get along—past those so many hours just crosses a threshold of too much quality time. Especially if the weather isn’t ideal, a whole day or a whole week is a lot of time for a lot of people to be cooped up inside together. Depending on family dynamics, having set times for activities could be helpful, so there’s not a lot of downtime leading to people’s feeling bored or uncomfortable. For example, maybe you schedule dinner at 2:00, followed by some rest time, and then a family game or movie to begin at 4:00. Some structure could help with everyone’s expectations.

“The holiday season can have its magical moments, but because family and distant relatives are humans, things can get a bit messy.”

BOUNDARIES

As we enter into adulthood, we should become aware of what our boundaries are with other people, even if they are family members. (We can help our kids learn this.) Having some polite, go-to phrases is helpful. It may also be helpful to share your plan with an ally in the family who can help you stick to your plan and steer you out of prickly situations. If you’re hosting, you can also let others attending know whether you would rather have sensitive topics discussed elsewhere. Things such as politics, religion or any other pop culture topic may ruffle feathers. Being

respectful of other people’s boundaries is key too, so don’t take it personally if any family members need a minute to step outside by themselves.

like this can be a relief when you’re overwhelmed by too many people being inside together.

TRAVEL

Sometimes, temperamental relatives can put on a friendlier persona when someone from outside the family comes along to the gathering. Karen Hepp, mother of four, suggests, “Invite a friend over on Thanksgiving Day along with your family. They help keep conversations about sensitive family topics to a minimum.” It might be helpful to give said friends a heads-up on what to expect and which topics they should try to avoid. This could be a rotating family assignment or an opportunity to welcome neighbors with nowhere to go during the holidays and a real “reason for the season” opportunity.

Nowadays, relatives live all over the place, maybe from all over the same state but often across the country, or even outside the country. As an adult, you get to choose whether to travel during the holidays or not. It’s difficult, weather can be a pain, it’s expensive, and logistics once you’ve arrived can be challenging. Those who have never traveled during this already stressful time can find it hard to relate to the challenges because they can’t fathom the situation. Once you add children and pets to the mix, you may find it difficult to see the value in the hassle, especially if it’s a tense time once you’ve arrived. You can make a family rule of being home for the holidays, alternating which family to see, visiting every other year or only visiting during warmer months. After all, you’re beginning your own family traditions now too. It’s always helpful to be respectful and honest when changing a family tradition and giving grace to others who may have different priorities than you have.

ESCAPE PLAN

If you feel your anxiety start to rise, or you’re just becoming overwhelmed and need a break, blame your dog or kids for the need to make an escape for a walk or an outing to a park. Even if it’s cold out, the change of scenery and break from the gathering can help you re-center before you need to head back. Another option is to offer to run errands or pick up forgotten ingredients from the grocery store. Perhaps you also grab a coffee or browse a magazine while you’re there. Moments of escape

INVITE OTHERS

REWARDS

Plan something fun to look forward to after the event to reward yourself for making it through another year. Maybe it becomes a new tradition, like heading to Topgolf, partaking in axe throwing, making a funny inside joke 5K to release some stress, going to a favorite cozy coffee shop alone, buying yourself a new book or gift, or even going to the local dive bar to commiserate with others in your shoes. I hope this list of ideas helps you as you plan for the upcoming holiday season and gives you some new ideas to implement to have the most enjoyable holiday available to you. Or maybe you casually leave a copy of this article out at your family get-together to share some ideas with those around you. Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 13, Mason, 11, and Slade, 8, and tries to keep holiday gatherings as joy-filled as possible. kcparent.com november 2023

Thankful A to Z There’s so much for parents to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on those things and show our gratitude. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I made a list of things my family is most thankful for. For a fun family activity, get your kids thinking about gratitude by helping them make a list of things your family is thankful for.

IS FOR ICE CREAM Ice cream is almost its own food group in our household. We enjoy sweet treats, but ice cream is by far our favorite. Whether it’s from Betty Rae’s or Sheridan’s, we are grateful every time we get this special treat.

IS FOR JOKES Whether it’s a knock-knock joke, dad joke or a good old pun, we love to crack a good joke. Jokes lighten the mood and bring out those big smiles and belly laughs in our kids.

A IS FOR ART

We enjoy painting, coloring, drawing and making crafts together. We appreciate having a creative outlet and letting our artistic sides show.

IS FOR BOOKS Books keep our family entertained, educated and help inspire us. We love making trips to the library, reading bedtime stories and reading away a rainy day.

C IS FOR COFFEE

Thank you to our favorite caffeinated drink, coffee! It helps wake me up and keeps me energized, so I can take on the day. Not to mention, it’s delicious!

IS FOR DATE NIGHTS Date nights are some of our favorite nights. Even if it’s just dinner, date night allows us to catch up and enjoy each other’s company uninterrupted. And our kids love date nights, because they get to spend quality time with their grandparents.

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E IS FOR EXPERIENCES

We are always looking for new experiences for our children. We are thankful for the opportunity to introduce them to new experiences like traveling to new places, trying new foods, exploring new parks and going on small adventures together.

IS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS We are most thankful for our loving family and friends. We love our aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents and friends who are like family. We love them unconditionally and appreciate them every day.

IS FOR GRANDPARENTS Grandmas and grandpas are the foundation of our family. We enjoy spending as much time as we can with them and gaining some wisdom from their generation.

IS FOR HOME SWEET HOME They say home is where the heart is, and that rings true to us. We are thankful to come home to a nice, cozy home that brings us comfort and warmth.

IS FOR KIDS They keep us on our toes, fill our hearts with love and leave us laughing out loud. They are our kids, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the joy they bring us.

L IS FOR LEARNING

We are thankful for the opportunity to always be learning. Our children learn in the classroom, as well as during play and extracurricular activities. We are also constantly learning new skills and taking in new information, which is something to be thankful for.

IS FOR MUSIC Music can change our mood in an instant, relax us, excite us, help us express ourselves and entertain us. Music is all around us every day. We listen to the radio in the car, sing nursery rhymes and lullabies to our children, and our kids play musical instruments for us.

IS FOR NAP TIME When it’s been a long day, there’s nothing better than a nice, long nap time. We’re thankful for naps and how they help us rest, relax and recharge from the busy parenting life.

O IS FOR OUTDOORS

We live in a beautiful world and are so thankful to be able to enjoy the glorious outdoors. We love taking long nature walks as a family, checking out the moon with a telescope and visiting the mountains and beach. Any time spent outdoors is time well spent.

IS FOR TEACHERS Teachers are influential role models for our children. They teach children about reading, writing and math, but they also inspire and encourage them to be people of good character, and for that, we will be forever thankful.

IS FOR VACATION Vacation allows us time to take a break from the ordinary and go somewhere new and exciting. Whether we’re traveling thousands of miles away or enjoying a staycation in the Kansas City area, we love the time to escape and make memories together.

IS FOR PETS Pets hold such a special place in our hearts. We’re thankful for their love, loyalty and companionship.

IS FOR WEEKENDS Weekends give us time to sleep in a bit to re-energize ourselves, time to hand out with family and friends and time to be productive around the house. It’s just two days a week, but they are oh so sweet!

Q IS FOR QUALITY TIME

X IS FOR X-RAYS

If you have a daredevil child like I do, you are thankful for x-rays—and especially x-rays that come back showing no broken bones!

My husband is often gone for work, so our family thrives when we have quality time together. Since we don’t get as much as we would like, we cherish the time we do have. We enjoy watching movies, baking, taking walks and playing games together.

IS FOR YUMMY FOOD The reason why Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays: the yummy food! We love the spread at Thanksgiving, but our family is thankful for food every day. We enjoy trying new restaurants and recipes, cooking our favorite meals and baking sweet treats for our friends and family.

IS FOR ROUTINES As a family constantly on the go, we are thankful for our routines. They play a vital role in keeping our family on track, organized and productive.

S IS FOR SPORTS

We are a sports-loving family. Much of our spare time is spent on the football field, at volleyball practice or in the baseball dugout. We love watching sports, playing team sports, practicing sports and cheering on our favorite Kansas City sports teams. Go Chiefs and Royals!

U IS FOR UMBRELLAS

A walk in the rain with your umbrella and rain boots can brighten up a gloomy day. And if you’re anything like my kids, a walk in the rain with your umbrella is the perfect time for jumping in puddles and making some fun memories.

IS FOR THE ZOO We are grateful to have such a wonderful zoo so close. Our family loves spending the day visiting the penguins, orangutans and stingrays at the Kansas City Zoo. Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 9, and Ensley, 3, in St. Joseph. kcparent.com november 2023

A Celebration of Local Authors Through Family Adventure

ansas will be forever immortalized through the beloved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Missouri is often associated with the writings of Mark Twain, especially The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Bring these local classics to life with a family read-aloud and a bit of adventure too. And, Little House author Laura Ingalls Wilder writes about her family’s adventures living across the Midwest, including both Missouri and Kansas.

There’s No Place Like Home: Kansas and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Since 1900, children have delighted in the tales of the Emerald City, Munchkinland, Toto and the friends—and villains—Miss Gale meets in the land of Oz. L. Frank Baum wrote a series comprising more than a dozen books. The story came to life on the big screen in 1939, and generations of fans have enjoyed the tale with their entire family ever since. Since the original, Baum’s family members and fans have been inspired to add to the tales with even more Oz books, now available on shelves. Read: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is still a great family classic. You may fall in love with the tale and then try a few more titles from the collection as well. Then, embark on your own Oz-inspired adventure with these outings. Watch: The Wizard of Oz, the original 1939 film starring Judy Garland, is available to borrow at local libraries. Discover Oz in Kansas City: Did you know you can follow the Yellow Brick Road at Legends Outlets? In the center of the outdoor shopping center, children love traipsing along the path while parents shop. Go: Make a family day trip to Wamego, Kansas, approximately 90 minutes from Kansas City, for a visit to the Oz Museum (511 Lincoln, Wamego, Kan., OzMuseum.com). The museum is a veritable treasure trove of all things Oz, from costumes and props from the film, to collectible items straight from the books. The magic of the museum is enthralling for every Oz fan, young and old.

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The Big River: Missouri and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Pioneer Living: Missouri and Kansas and The Little House Series

Kansas Citian Ernest Hemingway has been quoted as saying, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The adventurous tale of a young boy who experiences life on the river and discovers his conscience along the way was published in 1884. Finn also appears in many of the Tom Sawyer tomes as Sawyer’s pal.

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. In our mad rush for progress and modern improvements, let’s be sure we take along with us all the oldfashioned things worthwhile,” Laura Ingalls Wilder penned. As modern parents strive to navigate a modern world full of technology, it is delightful to read a series that fosters a love of family, outdoors and adventure.

Read: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is full of adventure, as well as many themes that make it a worthy read-aloud. Highlighting many topics prevalent to the time period and setting, the book provides parents a prime opportunity to discuss all kinds of relevant issues with their children. Watch: Tom and Huck, the 1995 film starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, is available to borrow at local libraries and streams on Disney+.

Arabia by Gary Lucy at the Arabia Steamboat Museum Discover Twain in Kansas City: Did you know you can take your picture with Mark Twain—or at least his statue? You’ll find his likeness seated on a bench on the corner of 10th & Central in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The statue is a few blocks away from the Central Library and its parking garage, which is adorned with classic book titles—including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Spend an afternoon at the library discovering Twain’s works on the shelves inside. Then, take a free ride aboard the KC Streetcar to the River Market District where you can visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum and learn about life on a steamboat and discover real treasure. The museum is one of the best interpretations of steamboating and an educational and engaging tie-in to better understand the setting for the book. Go: Hannibal, Missouri (VisitHannibal.com), keeps the spirit of Twain alive with numerous attractions devoted to the author. You may tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and visit a variety of buildings and sites depicting early Hannibal and scenes from Twain’s books, including the infamous white picket fence that children today may “paint” for a fun photo op. Then, take a ride on the Mighty Mississippi aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, tour the Mark Twain Cave where you’ll hear tales of Tom and Huck, and enjoy other local family-friendly attractions.

Read: The Little House Series has been one of the first chapter book series enjoyed by children for generations. The books are full of adventure and heartwarming family connections. Watch: Little House on the Prairie, the 1970s television series, is available to borrow at local libraries. This historical fiction series features many storylines that are great conversation starters, dealing with topics such as bullies at school, sibling rivalry, love and grief, and family dynamics. Discover Little House in Kansas City: Laura Ingalls Wilder depicts the life of pioneers vividly in The Little House Series. As you read about churning butter, trundle beds, covered wagons, ox yokes and log cabins, take an outing to a local landmark. Some of our favorites include Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (1200 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, 913.971.5111, Mahaffie. org), Missouri Town Living History Museum (8010 E. Park Rd., Lee’s Summit, 816.524.8770, MakeYourDayHere.com) and Shoal Creek Living History Museum (7000 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, Mo., 816.792.2665, ShoalCreekLivingHistoryMuseum.com). These are historic homes and villages. At Mahaffie, you can experience living history year-round, including cooking, farming experiences and stagecoach and sled rides (seasonal). Missouri Town Living History Museum and Shoal Creek Living History Museum both feature many buildings, including homes, schools, churches, general stores, blacksmith shops and more. Go: The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum (3060 State Hwy. A, Mansfield, Mo., LauraIngallsWilderHome.com) is a historic house museum known as Rocky Ridge Farm. The house Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop was the home of author Laura and Farm Ingalls Wilder from 1896 until her death in 1957, and it is where she began writing her books. Visitors get a glimpse of her life on a tour of the home.

Kristina Light’s family enjoyed visits to all these sites as these beloved books were shared together. kcparent.com november 2023

Kansas City’s Best Christmas Lights

ansas City sparkles in holiday splendor with magnificent displays across the metro! These are our top picks for the best Christmas lights in KC! Visit KCParent.com for our comprehensive guide, including even more light displays!

Winter Magic Nov. 2-Dec. 31, Kansas City, Missouri. Enjoy your favorite dancing holiday light show as you vibe away to the most modern versions of holiday classics. Bring your whole family to enjoy the city’s premier drive-thru winter event for just $25 per car. Reserve tickets at WinterMagicKC.com.

Holiday Light and Magic Nov.16-Dec. 31, Bonner Springs. This drive-thru experience provides more than 60 large scenes including Santa, nutcrackers, elves—and nontraditional holiday surprises! Squeeze as many elves …er, humans … into the car as you want because Holiday Light and Magic is only $25 per car. Tickets at HolidayLightandMagic.com.

GloWild: Around the World Thru Dec. 30, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. The GloWild lantern festival showcases stunning handcrafted steel and silk lanterns representing global landmarks, as well as animals and botanicals from all seven continents. This evening event requires a timed ticket separate from daily zoo admission. KansasCityZoo.org

Festival of Lights Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 16-Dec. 30, Powell Gardens. Explore more than 20 miles of lights that turn Kansas City’s botanical garden into a winter wonderland. Stroll a lighted outdoor path to experience the natural joy of the most festive season. PowellGardens.org Holiday Reflections Nov. 20-Jan. 1, Union Station. Breathtaking scenic elements and endless photo ops as this Kansas City icon comes to light for the holidays. Details, tickets and schedule at UnionStation.org/Holidays Luminary Walk Select Nights Nov. 24 – Dec. 20, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Kick off your holiday season with a festive walk through the lights. Choose from three unique experiences this year. OPKansas.org Christmas in the Park Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Longview Lake Park. With more than 500,000 lights, 175 animated figures and splashes of Christmas color, this enchanting drive-thru winter wonderland’s magic will delight the entire family. JacksonGov.org/Events-Directory

Country Club Plaza Holiday Lights Nov. 23-Jan. 14, Kansas City, Missouri. Enjoy more than 80 miles of illuminated strings of bulbs. CountryClubPlaza.com

Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. This 38-minute show is synchronized with music you can tune in on your radio. OPKansas.org/Events Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 24, Kansas City, Missouri. Tree arrives from Oregon on Nov. 2 and is put in its stand on Nov. 3. The 100-foot-tall tree is adorned with 7,200 lights. CrownCenter.com Sar-Ko-Aglow Dec. 1-Jan. 15, Lenexa. Take a nighttime stroll around Rose’s Pond to view the beautiful light display in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park throughout the holiday season. Lenexa.com

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november

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

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

CALENDAR

In Their Footsteps: A Lantern Walking Tour at Shawnee Town 1929

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watch

shop

walk

make

celebrate

Get ready for the Greatest Show on Earth! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey invites you to a spectacle of superhuman feats and thrills Nov. 10-12 at T-Mobile Center. Ringling.com

Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping at Lake Quivira’s Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 10-11. Shop more than 50 local boutique vendors. Facebook.com/ lakequivira holidaybazaar

Honor veterans of the past and learn their stories as you encounter In Their Footsteps: A Lantern Walking Tour at Shawnee Town 1929 on Nov. 11. ShawneeTown.org

Create your own holiday container during a workshop Nov. 16-19 at all three Family Tree Nursery locations. They supply beautiful elements for a festive decoration. FamilyTreeNursery.com

Welcome the holiday season with a magnificent drive-thru light extravaganza at Winter Magic or Holiday Light and Magic. WinterMagicKC.com HolidayLightAnd Magic.com

1 Wednesday Playtime 8:30, Inspired Play Cafe. Enjoy an educational environment for children and a fullservice cafe with nutritious food and beverages for adults and caregivers. InspiredPlayCafe.com Gym for Me 9:00, Lenexa Community Center. This activity provides kids a place to run, ride and play while making new friends. Lenexa.com Riveting Robots 10:00, Science City. Designed by students from Raytown as part of the Battle of the Brains competition. Experience how robotics impact our daily lives. ScienceCity.com Chicken Little 10:00, Theatre for Young America. A wild, musical version of the fable about an excitable chicken who thinks the sky is falling. TYA.org

Kids Eat FREE at IKEA 11:00, IKEA. Members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees FREE when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant. IKEA.com

Winter Magic 6:00, 1800 Cliff Dr. (Kansas City, Mo.). KC’s drive-thru holiday party featuring one mile of synchronized holiday lights. WinterMagicKC.com

GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org

Electric Poe 6:30, Union Cemetery Park. Electric Poe returns to Union Cemetery to highlight three newly adapted Poe works. TheCoterie.org

2 Thursday Arrival of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree 9:00, Crown Center. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives and is put into its stand at approximately 10:00 on Friday. CrownCenter.com Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com

Giggle Time Children’s Program 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, A FREE fun-filled time with StoneLion Puppet Theatre. OPKansas.org

Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe 10:00, Ceramic Cafe. Toddlers (5 and under) paint one of our selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com

Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. More than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org

Escape 5:00, Tick Tock Escape Rooms. Challenge your friends and family to one of the best escape rooms in the city with terrific special effects. TickTockEscapeRooms.com

Mayor’s Tree Lighting: Gardner 7:00, Cornerstone Park. The 33rd annual Christmas in the Park holiday event kicks off with music and a lighting ceremony. GardnerKansas.gov.

3 Friday Opening Day at the Ice Terrace—FREE Skate 6:00 am., Crown Center Ice Terrace. Enjoy FREE skating, coffee and hot chocolate from 6:00 to 9:00 on opening morning, CrownCenter.com Life on the Farm 9:00, Colonial Gardens. Get up close to goats, chickens, alpacas and more. Learn about the different breeds and take photos. ColonialGardensKC.com Splash With Me: Lenexa Rec Center 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Let your little ones splash, play and build confidence in the water. Lenexa.com

kcparent.com november 2023

Operation Christmas Child Now thru Nov. 16, Lenexa Baptist Church. Fill a shoebox and share the Gospel around the world. LenexaBaptist.com/Event/Shoebox

Vintage Market Days: A Christmas Collection 10:00, HomeField. Shop more than 100 local, regional and national vendors just in time for the holidays. VintageMarketDays.com Holiday Fine Art & Craft Show 10:00, John Knox Pavilion. Enjoy the talents of more than 90 artists of handmade art and craft items. Admission is FREE. 816.463.3319 Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Cafe. Read a book, then kids paint a ceramic item that goes along with the story and finish with a snack. CeramicCafeKC.com Family Fun Night 5:00, Powell Community Center. Indoor playground, craft room, movie and swimming. 913.722.8200 Disney Pixar’s Coco in Concert 7:00, Folly Theater. The Harriman-Jewell Series presents the beloved film in concert performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México. HJSeries.org

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First Fridays in the Crossroads 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Art galleries, retailers and other participating art venues showcase art for FREE. KCCrossroads.org The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 7:00, Sermon Center. The audience will be treated to a sidesplitting good time, satire and wit. CityTheatreOfIndependence.org

4 Saturday Veteran Appreciation Celebration 8:00, Colonial Presbyterian Church. A FREE event honoring veterans and their families who have served in war, peacetime or reserves. ColonialKC.org Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air Trampoline Park (Overland Park). Children 5 and under with their parent/guardian are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely.UrbanAirOP.com

Kids Projects and Activities 9:00, Home Depot. Come on the first Saturday of each month for the FREE in-person kids workshops. HomeDepot.com Green Works in Kansas City 9:30, Gorman Discovery Center. Program includes hikes, bird watching, nature art projects and music. GreenWorksKC.org

Chicken Little 10:00, Theatre for Young America. A wild, musical version of the fable about an excitable chicken who thinks the sky is falling. TYA.org

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Day of the Dead Workshop 10:00, Truman Presidential Library. Create a Day of the Dead nicho honoring a person or pet that has died. TrumanLibrary.gov

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org Hands-On History Noon, National WWI Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life in this program in which guests are invited to handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org S’mores Fest Noon, Stone Pillar Winery. Christmas vendors, s’mores and fire pits to enjoy around the winery. Meet Santa and enjoy live music. StonePillarVineyard.com

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Taco & Margarita Festival 11:00, Hy-Vee Arena. Enjoy tacos, margaritas, a live DJ and local music, local shopping and much, much more. Bit.ly/47sPvMt

Nov. 1 - 10 Nov. 23 - 27 Dec. 3 Dec. 8 - 10 Wednesdays

In-store Last Chance offers Thanksgiving holiday offers Free pictures with Santa* Swedish Christmas events* Kids Eat Free*

Join our IKEA Family club for FREE

*Some restrctions apply. See store for details or visit www.ikea.com/us/en/stores/merriam/

kcparent.com november 2023

Luminary Walk Luminary Walk Select Nights Nov. 24 – Dec. 20, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Walk through the lights for a unique holiday experience. OPKansas.org

FREE Weekend Fun: Discover & Decorate 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stop by the Fun Spot in the Bloch Lobby to pick up a DIY art kit related to art in the galleries. Nelson-Atkins.org

Stories by the Campfire 1:30, George Owens Nature Park. Bring your lawn chair and sit by a roaring fire to hear delightful stories. Ci.Independence.MO.US

Tree Lighting 3:00, The Village at Burlington Creek. FREE, fun and festive holiday celebration with Santa, games, crafts, live music and more. BurlingtonCreek.com

Electric Poe 6:30, Union Cemetery Park. Electric Poe returns to Union Cemetery to highlight three newly adapted Poe works. TheCoterie.org

5 Sunday

6 Monday

Dia de los Muertos Festival 10:00, NelsonAtkins Museum of Art. Enjoy an international collaboration between artists, as well as live entertainment celebrating Mexican tradition. Nelson-Atkins.org

Playtime 8:30, Inspired Play Cafe. Enjoy an educational environment for children and a fullservice cafe with nutritious food and beverages for adults and caregivers. InspiredPlayCafe.com

Brunch and Bingo 10:00, Chicken N Pickle (Overland Park). Hang out with us every Sunday for FREE bingo! ChickenNPickle.com

Sensory-Friendly Days 9:00, Johnson County Museum. This limited-occupancy session is designed for children with sensory processing differences. JCPRD.com

Olde World Christmas Noon, Strawberry Hill Museum. Seasonal activities and tours of the Victorian mansion adorned with its beautiful decorations. StrawberryHillMuseum.org

Muddy Mondays 10:30, Ceramic Cafe. A clay expert will show you how to get started and guide you through the process of making a clay creation on the wheel. CeramicCafeKC.com

Jazz at the Garrison 6:00, Corbin Theatre. Enjoy a night of relaxing jazz performed by local musicians on the first Monday of every month. CorbinTheatre.org

7 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Ride and slide, drive, pull or push your favorite Little Tikes vehicles. Merriam.org

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS ALL MONTH LONG! Delivery and Set-up by Specialist Install Team

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56 november 2023 kcparent.com

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Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos play! KawPrairie.info

Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Preschoolers love stories and crafts from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House. JCPRD.com

Watkins Tiny Tours! 10:30, Watkins Museum. Tours include story time, videos, time in the galleries, handling artifacts, arts, crafts and games. WatkinsMuseum.org

Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. More than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org

Mad Science Presents Color Lab 10:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Roy G. Biv is ready to meet young scientists in this workshop exploring colors. MyMCPL.org

Veterans Celebration 4:00, Centerview (Raymore). Special guest speaker, music and refreshments at this annual event. Raymore.com

Babes in the Woods: Fall Scavenger Hunt Hike 10:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Bring your little one to a fun scavenger hike in the colorful fall forest. MDC.MO.gov

Toddler Town 10:00, Sermon Community Center. Children ages 5 and under enjoy a special indoor playground. 816.325.7370

Kids Eat FREE at IKEA 11:00, IKEA. Members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees FREE when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant. IKEA.com

Mission Conservation 1:00, Wonders of Wildlife. November’s Hands-On Agent Briefing theme is Project Un-Endangered. Learn about conservation success stories. WondersOfWildlife.org

8 Wednesday All School Open House 9:00, The Barstow School. Preschool – Grade 12; Visit and apply for 2024-2025. BarstowSchool.org Play 9:00, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter. This vibrant, safe indoor center offers play areas for young children designed to help them learn through play. KangasPlaycenter.com

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole gang for FREE activities like a balloon artist and classic board games. LenexaPublicMarket.com

9 Thursday Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 10:00, Coterie Theatre. Back by popular demand, the beloved Christmas classic is a must-see show of the season. TheCoterie.org

Escape 5:00, Tick Tock Escape Rooms. Challenge your friends and family to one of the best escape rooms in the city with terrific special effects. TickTockEscapeRooms.com The Hunchback of Notre Dame 7:00, Avila College Goppert Theater. The Culture House presents this musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. CultureHouse.com

10 Friday Life on the Farm 9:00, Colonial Gardens. Get up close to goats, chickens, alpacas and more. Learn about the different breeds and take photos. ColonialGardensKC.com Riveting Robots 10:00, Science City. Designed by students from Raytown as part of the Battle of the Brains competition. Experience how robotics impact our daily lives. ScienceCity.com

Oh, what fun! Kid Makers Market Nov. 19 • 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Lenexa City Hall Shop a variety of goods made by youth

Sar-Ko Aglow Lighting ceremony Dec. 1 • 6 p.m. Nightly viewing until Jan. 15 Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. FREE. All ages.

Candy Cane Hunt Dec. 15 • 9 a.m. Lenexa Community Center FREE. Ages 6 and under.

L E N E X A . C O M / H O L I D AY S kcparent.com november 2023

Light the World Machines Starts Nov. 16, Union Station. Brighten the holidays by giving to others in this novel, tangible way. GivingMachine.org

Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar 1:00, Lake Quivira Country Club. Shop FREE with more than 50 art, decor, clothing and holiday vendors. Facebook.com/lakequiviraholidaybazaar Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Present the Greatest Show on Earth 7:00, T-Mobile Center. Experience a spectacle of superhuman feats and thrills. Ringling.com The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 7:00, Sermon Center. The audience will be treated to a sidesplitting good time, satire and wit. CityTheatreOfIndependence.org The Hunchback of Notre Dame 7:00, Avila College Goppert Theater. The Culture House presents this musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. CultureHouse.com

11 Saturday VETERANS DAY Thank a veteran for his or her service.

Youthfront Fall Family Packing Party 9:00, Snack Shack KC. Spend a funfilled hour packing shelf-stable meals for those facing food insecurity in our communities. Youthfront.com Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar 9:00, Lake Quivira Country Club. Shop FREE with more than 50 art, decor, clothing and holiday vendors. Facebook.com/lakequiviraholidaybazaar Safe Sitter Program 9:00, Powell Community Center. Class for students in grades 6-9 to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. MissionKS.com Kids in the Kitchen: Gingerbread Art 10:00, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. This class will cover food safety, basic cooking skills and nutrition. Bit.ly/KITK2023 Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through forests, streams and books. MDC.MO.GOV

36th Annual British Faire and Tea 10:00, Abdallah Shriners (Overland Park). Join the Daughters of the British Empire for their annual British Faire and Tea. EventBrite.com Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Present the Greatest Show on Earth 11:00, T-Mobile Center. Experience a spectacle of superhuman feats and thrills. Ringling.com Lee’s Summit Chilifest 11:00, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Whether you are a chili connoisseur, a spice enthusiast or someone looking for a day of fun, this is the event for you. DowntownLS.org

Upon a Dream Princess Parties, LLC Presents:

Ring In the Season 2nd Annual Holiday Ball

This holiday season, give the gift of memories that your child will keep for a lifetime. Join Elsa and her princess friends for meet-and-greets, royalty lessons, photo opportunities, beverages, live performances and more!

Sunday, December 10th, 2023 10 am, 12 pm & 2:30 pm The Venue at Willow Creek Kansas City, KS

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Scan Me

Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Legends Outlets. Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with live performances, Santa, giveaways and more! LegendsShopping.com

Puzzle Palooza 2:00, Ironwoods Park. Gather your team of two to four people to show off your skills at Puzzle Palooza! Teams race to earn a prize. Leawood.org

Weston Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting 5:30, Weston. Annual tree lighting and kick-off of the holiday season. WestonMo.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents the Greatest Show on Earth 3:00, T-Mobile Center. Experience a spectacle of superhuman feats and thrills. Ringling.com

In Their Footsteps: A Lantern Walking Tour 6:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Celebrate Veterans Day as you step back in time to 1927 and learn about Shawnee’s veterans. ShawneeTown.org

13 Monday

14 Tuesday Sensory Sensitive Story Time 10:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Expect low lighting, softer music and fewer stories with more interactive elements. MyMCPL.org Shark Feeding 1:00, Wonders of Wildlife. Stop by our Out to Sea exhibit to watch our team feed the sharks. This experience is complimentary. WondersOfWildlife.org

Playtime 8:30, Inspired Play Cafe. Enjoy an educational environment for children and a fullservice cafe with nutritious food and beverages for adults and caregivers. InspiredPlayCafe.com

Escape 5:00, Tick Tock Escape Rooms. Challenge your friends and family to one of the best escape rooms in the city with terrific special effects. TickTockEscapeRooms.com

Play 9:00, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter. This vibrant, safe indoor center offers play areas for young children designed to help them learn through play. KangasPlaycenter.com

When Harry Met Pablo 6:00, Truman Presidential Library. Truman author Matthew Algeo retraces the Trumans’ 1958 visit with Picasso. TrumanLibrary.org

FREE Weekend Fun: Discover & Decorate 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stop by the Fun Spot in the Bloch Lobby to pick up a DIY art kit related to art in the galleries. Nelson-Atkins.org

Open Gym 9:30, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Grab a coffee from the coffee shop and hang out with friends while your kiddos play! KawPrairie.info

15 Wednesday

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 2:00, Coterie Theatre. Back by popular demand, the beloved Christmas classic is a must-see show of the season. TheCoterie.org

Muddy Mondays 10:30, Ceramic Cafe. A clay expert will show you how to get started and guide you through the process of making a clay creation on the wheel. CeramicCafeKC.com

Dream Again: A Night with Jen Hatmaker and Tyler Merritt 7:00, Church of the Resurrection: Leawood. Enjoy storytelling, hope, humor and more. Get 50% off with code RUMC50. CoR.org

12 Sunday

Mom & Me Bumper Bowling 9:30, Summit Lanes. For just $3 per person you get a game, shoe rental and drink. 816.524.3322 Kids Eat FREE at IKEA 11:00, IKEA. Members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees FREE when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant. IKEA.com

kcparent.com november 2023

SIX-STOP TOUR: PLATTE COUNTY, MO Inspire your inner creativity with a visit to the Northland where you can hone your culinary skills, paint a masterpiece, play at one of our city’s most whimsical playgrounds or explore history. 1. CULINARY DELIGHTS

2. HOLIDAY SHOPPING

3. PLAY WITH PENGUINS

4. GET YOUR GAME ON

5. CREATE ALOHA! ART

6. PLAY PICKLEBALL

Green Hills Library Center is home to the MCPL Culinary Center, which just opened in 2023. The Culinary Center—the first of its kind in the region—will help people learn about food preparation, nutrition and food culture. It also provides culinarybased programming to teach reading, math, science and other subjects in a commercial kitchen with classroom seating.

Zona Rosa is the Northland’s premier retail, dining and entertainment destination—where shopping is fun, memories are made, and Kansas City traditions are celebrated. The layout is reminiscent of downtowns of the past, with individual storefronts evoking a sort of village feel. Zona Rosa is more than just a mall, it’s an open-air town center where the local community can gather.

Penguin Park is one of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular parks. Gigantic friendly animals are the centerpiece of the green space, where you can climb up through a kangaroo’s pocket, slide down the namesake penguin, explore an elephant playground and more. This creative park is consistently named one of the best in Kansas City.

With arcades, laser tag, bowling, billiards and an incredible indoor ropes course, Main Event is the ultimate kid-friendly attraction perfect on a cold winter’s day! Throughout the week they offer great specials, so you can stretch your dollar while having fun. The spot offers a terrific menu, so your family can enjoy dinner and fun together at this family-friendly attraction.

A visit to Hawaii Fluid Art is a colorful, fun way to express your creativity. This DIY shop offers art classes daily where patrons paint their own one-of-a-kind masterpieces using fluid art techniques. In addition to their trademark canvas classes, they also offer silk scarf marbling, resin classes, wood burning, jewelry making and more to inspire the inner artist in you.

Pickleball seems to be taking the world by storm. This trendy game became a fast fave thanks to its simplicity, familiarity and fun. Head to Chicken N Pickle in North KC where you can enjoy casual dining, pickleball courts, yard games and a super chill environment for a night out. During the holidays, they create a winter wonderland grown-up cocktail lounge (reservations required).

60 november 2023 kcparent.com

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole gang for FREE activities like a balloon artist and classic board games. LenexaPublicMarket.com

16 Thursday Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. More than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org Holiday Container Workshop 10:00, Family Tree Nursery locations. They will supply you with all the materials needed to make a stunning container that will add living festivity to your front porch, patio or balcony. FamilyTreeNursery.com Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe 10:00, Ceramic Cafe. Toddlers 5 and under paint one of the selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com Christkindl at Moonlight Market and Mayor’s Tree Lighting 4:00, Shawnee City Hall. Shop local vendors, grab a bite to eat, meet Santa and more. CityOfShawnee.org FREE Family Fun Night 5:00, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Come explore a special place where children can create, discover and learn through play. KansasDiscovery.org Riveting Robots 10:00, Science City. Designed by students from Raytown as part of the Battle of the Brains competition. Experience how robotics impact our daily lives. ScienceCity.com Festival of Lights 5:00, Powell Gardens. Explore more than 20 miles of lights within Kansas City’s botanical garden that turn the place into a winter wonderland. PowellGardens.org Holiday Light and Magic 6:00, 600 N. 126th St. (Bonner Springs). Drive-thru holiday lights with huge displays and playful scenes including Santa and more. HolidayLightAndMagic.com GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org

17 Friday Mistletoe Madness 9:00 Gamber Community Center. FREE two-day shopping event featuring a variety of local vendors. Facebook.com/events/948257402932342/ Life on the Farm 9:00, Colonial Gardens. Get up close to goats, chickens, alpacas and more. Learn about the different breeds and take photos. ColonialGardensKC.com

Friends of the Library Book Sale 9:00, Olathe Public Library (Indian Creek Branch). Support the friends and get some great deals! OlatheLibrary.org

Little Acorns 10:00, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. Kids ages 3-8 join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through forests, streams and nature. Registration required. MDC-MO.gov

Miracle on Main Street 4:00, Main Street Grandview. Enjoy the beautifully lit and decorated trees as you sip and shop local vendors. Facebook.com/events/652644926972129/

Hands-On History Noon, National WWI Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life in this program in which guests are invited to handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Creative Hand 4:00, Old Shawnee Town Hall. Shop a variety of artfully crafted, artist created wearable fashions, jewelry, home decor and more. CreativeHandKC.org

The Nutcracker Ballet 7:00, Liberty Performing Arts Theater. Enjoy the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky, igniting the spirit of the holiday season. BlueSpringsBallet.com

Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Festival 5:00, Thompson Park. Listen to live music, get your picture with Santa, do holiday shopping and so much more! VisitOverlandPark.com Local Life: Overland Park 6:00, Downtown Overland Park. Shop and dine at locally owned businesses and enjoy local activities. DowntownOP.org Mayor’s Tree Lighting 6:30, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Choir performances, a visit from Santa and much more will get you in the holiday spirit. DowntownLS.org

18 Saturday Jumperoo 8:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids 5 and under and their guardian are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com Holiday Craft Show 9:00, High Blue Wellness Center. Shop more than 40 local vendors offering a variety of products handcrafted by local artisans! Facebook.com/events/295843056359913/ Low Sensory Morning 9:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. A quiet and low-stimulation environment where you can enjoy hands-on art-making activities and art. Nelson-Atkins.org Holiday Container Workshop 10:00, Family Tree Nursery locations. They will supply you with all the materials needed to make a stunning container that will add living festivity to your front porch, patio or balcony. FamilyTreeNursery.com Holiday Craft Fair: Raymore 10:00, Raymore Activity Center. Shop more than 40 booths to find holiday gifts or treat yourself. Raymore.com Story Time in the Barn 10:00, Alexander Majors Home. Read a story and then complete themed history activities. WornallMajors.org

19 Sunday Kids Maker Market 10:00, Lenexa City Hall. Shop a variety of products made by youth; support a budding entrepreneur. Lenexa.com/Holidays Friends of the Library Book Sale 1:00, Olathe Public Library (Indian Creek Branch). Support the Friends and get great deals! OlatheLibrary.org Holiday Container Workshop 1:00, Family Tree Nursery locations. They will supply you with all the materials needed to make a stunning container that will add living festivity to your front porch, patio or balcony. FamilyTreeNursery.com Festival of Lights 5:00, Powell Gardens. Explore more than 20 miles of lights within Kansas City’s botanical garden that transform the place into a winter wonderland. PowellGardens.org Winter Magic 6:00, 1800 Cliff Dr. (Kansas City, Mo.). KC’s drive-thru holiday party featuring one mile of synchronized holiday lights. WinterMagicKC.com Eighth Annual Trip the Light Fantastic 6:00, Frank White Complex. Magical 4.5-mile bike ride up to and through hundreds of lighted displays at Christmas in the Park. MakeYourDayHere.com

20 Monday Holiday Reflections Thru Jan. 1, Union Station. Breathtaking scenic elements and endless photo ops as this Kansas City icon comes to light for the holidays. Details, tickets and schedule at UnionStation.org/Holidays Playtime 8:30, Inspired Play Cafe. Enjoy an educational environment for children and a fullservice cafe with nutritious food and beverages for adults and caregivers. InspiredPlayCafe.com Light the World Giving Machines 9:00, Union Station. Giving to charity is easy with these vending machines. Toys, work boots, sheep and more may be purchased. GivingMachine.org kcparent.com november 2023

A Christmas Carol Nov. 21-Dec. 24, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present and Future at this KC tradition. KCRep.org

21 Tuesday

22 Wednesday

Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Merriam Community Center. Ride and slide, drive, pull or push your favorite Little Tikes vehicles. Merriam.org

Lee’s Summit Magic Tree 1401 NW River Road, Lee’s Summit. Celebrating 10 years, this magical tree is lit with every color of the rainbow. LSMagicTree.com

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists. Plan a playdate for your children and their friends at the amazing showroom! BackyardSpecialists.com

FREE Admission 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy the museum’s exhibits and KidScape without any cost. JCPRD.com

Time for Tots 10:30, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Sing songs, read books, explore art and make your own art. KemperArt.org

Bricktionary: The Ultimate Lego A-Z 10:00, Union Station. More than 150 custom-built Lego models, Bricktionary is inspired by simple letters and boundless imagination. UnionStation.org

Kids Media Mix-Up 4:30, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Put your imagination to work by using different mediums to create unique artwork. Albrecht-Kemper.org A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present and Future at this KC tradition. KCRep.org

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Kids Eat FREE at IKEA 11:00, IKEA. Members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees FREE when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant. IKEA.com Christmas in the Sky 5:00, Longview Recreation Center. Enjoy a holiday stage show, lighting ceremony and fireworks. MakeYourDayHere.com

Festival of Lights 5:00, Powell Gardens. Explore more than 20 miles of lights within Kansas City’s botanical garden that transform the place into a winter wonderland. PowellGardens.org

23 Thursday Happy Thanksgiving KC Parent Readers! We are thankful for your 38 years of readership and support!

Liberty Giving Thanks 5K 9:00, Liberty Community Center. The race offers a fun atmosphere, great finisher medals and a low entry fee. HillcrestHope.org Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony 5:00, Country Club Plaza. Celebrate 94 years with Kansas City’s lighting ceremony and live music. CountryClubPlaza.com

24 Friday Play 9:00, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter. This vibrant, safe indoor center offers play areas for young children designed to help them learn through play. KangasPlaycenter.com Santa’s Arrival at Crown Center 10:00, Crown Center. Welcome Santa Claus as he arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to greet children all season. CrownCenter.com 1860s Living History Noon, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Explore 1860s living history activities with your family the day after Thanksgiving. Stagecoach rides, games and more. Mahaffie.org Scuba Clause 6:00, Wonders of Wildlife Museum (Springfield, MO). Splashy lights, hot cocoa and a reading of Twas the Night Before Fishmas. Tickets at WondersOfWildlife.org

MUSEUM HOURS Monday - Saturday 9am - 4:30pm

Museum

8788 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, KS JCPRD.com/Museum kcparent.com november 2023

A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present and Future at this KC tradition. KCRep.org

Cedar Cove: Public Tours 11:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. See these epic animals and learn about their characteristics and behaviors! SaveOurSiberians.org

Sunday Afternoon FREE Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. A 30-minute FREE program on nature topics will be presented each day. LawrenceKS.org

25 Saturday

Olde World Christmas Noon, Strawberry Hill Museum. Enjoy seasonal activities and tours of the Victorian mansion adorned with its beautiful decorations. StrawberryHillMuseum.org

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 2:00, Coterie Theatre. Back by popular demand, the beloved Christmas classic is a must-see show of the season. TheCoterie.org

Jumperoo 8:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids 5 and under and their guardian are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com Holiday Open House 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Shop our Country Store for unique gift items, gift baskets and delicious specialty food and drink products. LouisburgCiderMill.com Santa’s Gingerbread Station 10:00, Crown Center. Santa Claus will welcome the public throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. CrownCenter.com Royal Victorian Christmas Tours 10:00, Vaile Mansion. For a jolly period Christmas, tour Vaile Mansion decorated in Victorian holiday splendor! VaileMansion.org Puppet Land Christmas! 11:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. A variety of festive characters, tunes and jolly fun! PuppetryArtsInstitute.org

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FREE Weekend Fun: Discover & Decorate 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stop by the Fun Spot in the Bloch Lobby to pick up a DIY art kit related to art in the galleries. Nelson-Atkins.org Holiday Light and Magic 6:00, 600 N. 126th St. (Bonner Springs). Drive-thru holiday lights with huge displays and playful scenes including Santa and more. HolidayLightAndMagic.com GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org

26 Sunday A Christmas Carol 1:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present and Future at this KC tradition. KCRep.org

Festival of Lights 5:00, Powell Gardens. Explore more than 20 miles of lights within Kansas City’s botanical garden that transform the place into a winter wonderland. PowellGardens.org

27 Monday Play 9:00, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter. This vibrant, safe indoor center offers play areas for young children designed to help them learn through play. KangasPlaycenter.com Santa’s Gingerbread Station 10:00, Crown Center. Santa Claus will welcome the public throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. CrownCenter.com Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Let your little ones splash, play and build confidence in the water. Lenexa.com

28 Tuesday Three Wisecats on Broadway 10:00, Theatre for Young America. Light, hope and holiday cheer come to a dark alley in NYC when three alley cats stage a musical extravaganza. TYA.org Silly, Dilly Willy, Squilly! 10:00, MCPL (Red Bridge Branch). Listeners will get to play with word sounds and nonsense words in these hilarious stories. MyMCPL.org

Family Night 5:00, Lenexa Public Market. Bring the whole gang for FREE activities like a balloon artist and classic board games. LenexaPublicMarket.com

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air (Lenexa). Kids 5 and under and their guardian are invited to jump, bounce and crawl around safely. UrbanAirLenexa.com

A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his redemptive journey with Christmas Past, Present and Future at this KC tradition. KCRep.org

Royal Victorian Christmas Tours 10:00, Vaile Mansion. For a jolly period Christmas, tour Vaile Mansion decorated in Victorian holiday splendor! VaileMansion.org

30 Thursday

PALS: Elephants 10:00, Wonders of Wildlife. Learn all about elephants! Where do they live? How do they use their trunks? What are tusks? Ages 3-5. WondersOfWildlife.org

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 10:00, Coterie Theatre. Back by popular demand, the beloved Christmas classic is a must-see show of the season. TheCoterie.org

Cookies with Santa 3:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Visit Santa, pose for a portrait and enjoy some treats! Mahaffie.org

Riveting Robots 10:00, Science City. Designed by students from Raytown as part of the Battle of the Brains competition. Experience how robotics impact our daily lives. ScienceCity.com

29 Wednesday Kids Eat FREE at IKEA 11:00, IKEA. Members of IKEA Family get up to two kids entrees FREE when they buy any adult entree at the Swedish restaurant. IKEA.com

Three Wisecats on Broadway 10:00, Theatre for Young America. Light, hope and holiday cheer come to a dark alley in NYC when three alley cats stage a musical extravaganza. TYA.org

Escape 5:00, Tick Tock Escape Rooms. Challenge your friends and family to one of the best escape rooms in the city with terrific special effects. TickTockEscapeRooms.com

Santa’s Gingerbread Station 10:00, Crown Center. Santa Claus will welcome the public throughout the holiday season for visits, wish lists and photos. CrownCenter.com

Thursday Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe 10:00, Ceramic Cafe. Toddlers 5 and under paint one of our selected items for just $12. CeramicCafeKC.com Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting: Prairie Village 6:00, Corinth Square. Enjoy live music, hot cocoa, a lighting ceremony and Santa. PVKansas.com GloWild Lantern Festival 6:00, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. GloWild features global landmarks as well as animals of the seven continents. KansasCityZoo.org Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting: Grandview 6:30, The View Community Center. Participate in crafts and enjoy a special visit from Santa while listening to carols. Grandview.org

jccc.edu/MTCArtsEd Box Office: 913–469–4445 Mon. – Fri. / 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

@MidwestTrustCenterJCCC @MidwestTrustCenterJCCC @MTC_JCCC

ANIMAL AMIGOS Inspiring play and cultivating connections through puppetry. Gather ‘round the Tree of Life for a bilingual retelling of two delightful Mexican folktales, “The Adventures of Tio Conejo” and “Medio Pollito.”

This Parents’ Choice Award winner wows young audiences with their interactive, roots music from around the world.

SAT. DEC. 2 | 11 AM Polsky Theatre FREE

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED THANKS to the Adams Family Arts Education Endowment, Francis Family Foundation, Hall Family Foundation, JCCC Foundation, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, Brooks and Carol Sherman, Speak Up! and Yellow Freight System Inc. kcparent.com november 2023

T-MOBILE CENTER NOV 10 – 12

now Dec. 30

scan for info and tickets

kansascityzoo.org/glowild