KC Parent Magazine September 2014

Where you find family, you will find us.

FREE Sept 2014 KCParent.com Since 1985

hey, mom! tips for eating better when eating out

have we taken

bullying too far?

weekend getaways

best. party. ever.

25

fresh, fun (and easy!) party ideas

celebrating grandparents all month long

up and down I-70

kcparent.com september 2014

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physicians

lee’s

summit

group

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Help us gather TOYS

for a new sculpture at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Drop off your toys that are • plastic or metal, and • small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Visit toyandminiaturemuseum.org/calendar to see a video simulation of the sculpture.

Toys can be dropped off at • Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch • Johnson County Central Resource Library • Student Union Welcome Desk University of Missouri-Kansas City • School of Medicine University of Missouri-Kansas City

5235 OAK STREET KANSAS CITY, MO 64112 / 816.235.8000 / TOYANDMINIATUREMUSEUM.ORG

kcparent.com september 2014

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kcparent.com september 2014

Discover Your Child’s Full Potential.

Notre Dame de Sion Co-ed Grade School Campus is now accepting applications for our 2015 – 2016 school year for Pre-K Montessori through 8th grades.

The Sion grade school campus provides a unique sanctuary where your child will thrive in small classes of 15 to 18 students taught by skilled teachers able to recognize, affirm and celebrate individual talents. Our school’s heritage of embracing diversity has fostered an academic environment recognized as one of the best in Kansas City.

Experience the Sion difference. A limited number of openings are currently available across all grade levels. Visit ndsion.edu for details on these upcoming events:

Welcome Wednesday Events, starting October 1, 2014 Kindergarten Round Up on October 29, 2014

Kansas City’s premier Catholic academic institution features two campuses: Co-ed Grade School (Preschool-8) | 3823 Locust | Kansas City, MO | 816.753.3810 All-Girls’ High School | 10631 Wornall | Kansas City, MO | 816.942.3282

kcparent.com september 2014

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SEPT 2014

DEPARTMENTS IMPORTANCE OF ARTS EDUCATION, PG. 14

FEATURES

18

22

42

Grandparents

Bushels of Fun

Weekend Trips

Celebrating these special family members

Activities with America’s fave fall fruit

Great getaways for the entire family

16

Craft Corner

34

Media Mix

35

Women’s Health

36

Word from Dad

37

Faith & Family

45

Healthy Kids

SPECIAL SECTIONS 26

Party Guide

48

Calendar of Events

Our cover girl is Parker.

Cover and select interior photos

by KiaBondurant.com Where you find family, you will find us.

FREE Sept 2014 KCParent.com Since 1985

ON THE COVER Celebrating Grandparents

18

Party Guide with 25 Party Ideas

26

Have We Taken Bullying Too Far?

32

Tips for Eating Better When Eating Out

35

Weekend Getaways Up and Down I-70

42

hey, mom! tips for eating better when eating out

have we taken

bullying too far?

weekend getaways

best. party. ever.

25

fresh, fun (and easy!) party ideas

celebrating grandparents all month long

up and down I-70

kcparent.com september 2014

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kcparent.com september 2014

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kcparent.com september 2014

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EDITOR’SLETTER SEPT 2014 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

M

Enter to win KC Parent’s NASCAR giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a NASCAR prize package valued at over $1,040!

See details on pg. 52.

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kcparent.com september 2014

Enjoy the start of fall in your home, KC!

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Lynn Hawkins Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Hawke Calendar@KCParent.com Proofreader Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers Kim Antisdel (Kansas City), William Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Jennifer Bosse (Kansas City), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Tisha Foley (Kansas City), Jennifer Higgins (Kearney), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Karen Johnson (Olathe), Megan Kapple (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Stephanie Loux (Olathe) Laura McEachen (Overland Park), Kate Meadows (Louisburg), Mari Rydings (Platte City), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee)

Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS Where you find family, you will find us.

kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

spring/summer 2014

FREE Sept 2014 KCParent.com Since 1985

kcgoingplaces.com

hey, mom! tips for eating better when eating out

have we taken

bullying too far?

weekend getaways

best. party. ever.

baby&

Where you find family, you will find us.

25

the issue

fresh, fun (and easy!) party ideas

grandparents all month long

up and down I-70

NICU NICU nuggets

1

the best NICU apps

50 WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH KC watch it made DIY destinations magical waterfalls city nights for grown-ups

kcparent.com september 2014

FREE Oct-Dec 2014 KCParent.com Since 2002

maternity

500+

mega-fun attractions

celebrating +

must see KC wet & wild summer fabulous and free fun go green in kansas city KCGOINGPLACES.COM

1

pregnancy

perks

surviving newborn isolation

postpartum doula ...what is it? is it worth it? kcparent.com oct-dec 2014

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

Member of:

Margaret Sarver, Editor

100% LOCAL

.com

y 9-year old came home from school recently and was in a sour mood. I asked her what was wrong and she replied, “I was bullied today at school.” Naturally my mama bear instincts went into overdrive, but before reacting, I asked her to explain exactly what had happened. She recounted a story of a kickball game at recess in which she was last to be picked, and someone made the comment that boys were better kickers than girls and she shouldn’t be playing. I listened and empathized with her and then explained that she hadn’t been bullied.

Were her feelings hurt? Yes. Did someone say something unkind to her? Yes. But just because her feelings were hurt and she had been the recipient of some unkind words, she had not been bullied.

This incident got me to thinking. Have we taken it too far? Have we become so fearful of our children’s being bullied that we have diluted the issue down to where kids don’t know the difference between being picked on and being bullied? There’s no doubt that bullying is real and happens on a daily basis. One of the best books I’ve read on the topic is Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco. It’s a powerful read of her account of being bullied as a child. And there are so many out there that are dealing with what Jodee dealt with. I couldn’t stop thinking about the issue and so asked KC Parent contributor Kim Antisdel to write an article on the topic. It’s a great piece that provides much food for thought on pg. 32.

On a lighter note, this issue brings you our birthday party guide. It has lots of great ideas on terrific venues to host your child’s party, plus great tips on party favors and more. Check it out beginning on pg. 26.

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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.

Moms, Life Coaching May be the Answer You’re Looking For

By Patty Kohn, Certified Life Coach & Service Leader Between diapers and dance recitals, laundry and little league, moms sure do know how to keep it all together. But what happens when life starts feeling less manageable or you’re simply feeling stuck or unfulfilled? Where do you turn for help? Friends, family, clergy? These are all certainly appropriate and useful options, but there’s one you may not have considered: life coaching.

We partner with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires change and provides direction.

Whether you’re facing challenges at home or at work, or you simply want to invest in self-discovery, a life coach at Mosaic Life Care can help you define your strengths, clarify your values, and discover insight and perspective.

Mosaic Life Care offers lifecoaching services to clients looking for a little direction and clarity. With six certified life coaches who can work with you either virtually or at several Northland locations, Mosaic Life Care is leading the way in providing patients with much more than health care.

The Mosaic Life Care Life Coaching vision statement reads: Partnering with you to imagine, invent and design your best life.

Life coaches use this vision to “Working with a coach has helped me to get guide a process a handle on all aspects of my life. I can now in which you evaluate things clearly and have a solid game plan to more forward.” create an individual life plan - Mosaic Life Care Life Coaching Client for yourself that consists of goals Each life coach at and aspirations for every Mosaic Life Care has in-depth area of your life: myHealth, training in transformational myLifestyle, myCareer, coaching and is certified by the myFinances, myRelationships, International Coaching Federation. myInnerPeace and myCreativity.

“We help our clients better understand their core values and provide them with tools and assessments to discover and leverage their strengths. It’s about helping our clients find out who they really are and who they want to become.

Our coaching model provides clients with the ability to create a powerful new paradigm for their life.”

- Patty Kohn

If, like most moms, you’re looking for a little help juggling it all, consider taking advantage of a complimentary one-hour consultation with a certified life coach.

Set up your consultation via email: mylife@myMosaicLifeCare.org, or by phone: 816.437.8122. Learn more at myMosaicLifeCare.org

more than health care … life care kcparent.com september 2014

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ur family had a garage sale this past summer. The goal was to unload as much stuff as possible, and we accomplished just that, making a few bucks in the process.

It had been a few years since we had had a sale. In fact, our son was in diapers the last time, and he is 7 now. As I gathered up items in the weeks prior to the sale, I was amazed at how quickly things accumulate, especially when you have kids.

Our house is rather small, and my husband’s parents let us use a corner of their basement for storage purposes. There we have tubs of baby clothes, books and toys, most of which we intend to pass on to our children’s children.

As I sifted through the contents of the tubs in preparation for the sale, I realized that we could open our own retail store with the amount of stuff I once deemed too sentimental to part with. Some of the t-shirts and onesies I barely remembered; those went into the sale pile. The rest were consolidated and labeled … ahh, organization!

GARAGE SALE MEMORIES We also could have opened our own dealership—of the bike and trike variety.

There was an entire wall of neatly parked two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles. Two kids rode all these? They should be adept enough to drive a car by now.

I reminisced about the blue, red and yellow scooter that a friend gave to our daughter when she was 1. It was the kind

Hosting a garage sale?

Visit KCParent.com for tips and tricks to make your sale a sucess! toddlers sit on and push with their feet. Our daughter, now 10, used to travel around the house on that thing, holding her beloved Clifford the Big Red Dog. I have pictures in her scrapbooks of a pajama-clad, sleepyeyed girl on that scooter.

After spending a few minutes fondly recalling the kids’ wheeled adventures, I decided there was really no point in hanging on to all those vehicles. Our kids had outgrown them, and they were taking

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up too much room; other kids would get some enjoyment out of them.

One thing I cannot yet part with is the kids’ crib bedding and nursery décor. Our daughter had jungle animal sheets, with wall hangings to match. Our son had farm animal bedding, also with wall hangings and other décor.

Every piece is stored in tubs, and I sorted through them, fingering the worn sheets and smiling at the cute fabric animals that used to decorate their nurseries.

Maybe someday I’ll pass them on to someone who needs them, or maybe I will save them for our future grandkids. For now, though, they remain in storage.

After several hours—spread over a few days—of digging, sorting and reminiscing, I felt content with the items we kept and the things we parted with. After the sale, we donated the leftovers.

Purging feels good once in a while, but so does hanging on to special memories.

Tisha Foley lives with her family in Belton.

She is thankful for the memories and for now having a clean and organized home.

I am ... … a father of four. … a Senior Pastor. … a Chiefs fan. … a BBQ fanatic. … an author. … a blood donor. … a leader. leade … a listener. … creative. … strong.

Eric is the Sr. Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Stanley (PCOS) and he loves his community. When he is not leading and guiding members at PCOS, you can find him enjoying time with his family, writing or cheering on the Chiefs! Eric is also a loyal and dedicated blood donor who takes 60 minutes of his time every 56 days to help save a life in his community.

Who are you?

savealifenow.org kcparent.com september 2014

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PITFALLS of the picky eater Ensure that you are eating your fruits and vegetables and drinking your milk so that your child sees good habits.

T

here’s a popular parenting saying of “more is caught than taught.” Teaching and eating a well-balanced diet is no exception. Lisa Bartels, RD, LD, an Olathe Hy-Vee dietitian, says, “An important aspect of feeding a picky eater is to be a good role model. Ensure that you are eating your fruits and vegetables and drinking your milk so that your child sees good habits.”

I remember this shift when our firstborn moved on to table food, and I realized that we should probably eat as well as I fed her.

If parent role modeling isn’t working, try having one of your child’s friends over who will model healthy eating for your child.

Bartels also says, “One of the best ways to encourage a child who is a picky eater is to bring the child to the grocery store with you.

Have the child select a fruit or vegetable that he would like to try.

When a child feels invested in the food choice, he or she is more likely to eat it.” There are also many local farmers markets that make for a fun family outing to introduce healthy foods to your child.

Gardening is another way to have children become involved in their food choices.

“Smoothies! Spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, avocado can all easily be hidden with the right combo of fruit or peanut butter!” says Nicole Pontillo, Olathe mother of two. You can honestly put most anything in a fruit smoothie and have it come out a nutritional and tasty success. We add fresh spinach almost every time with our fruit and yogurt. Give kids a straw, and they are happy! Have them help prep and put the ingredients into the blender to get them more involved.

Bartels encourages parents to look beyond old stand-bys.

“Parents may not always think of having their children try hummus,” she says. “Giving the child a dip for raw veggies makes it more fun, and hummus is a source of healthy unsaturated fats, fiber and protein. Chia seeds are another healthy food parents may not think of. They can be eaten milled or whole and are easy to add to many foods. Chia seeds can be stirred into yogurt, added to sauces such as marinara, mixed with ground lean meat for meatballs…the list goes on!”

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If there is a particular food that your child refuses to eat or even test, try preparing it in a new way or simply giving her a new utensil to eat with. Toothpick lunches are always fun. Or have him test out his skills with a “big kid” fork or spoon. The fine motor activity can be all the distraction needed to have him eat without realizing it.

“Giving the foods funny names, such as “bugs on a log” or “tiedye apples,” may help children try new foods. Kids often like finger foods, too, so offer raw vegetables and fruits that are easy to handle,” suggests Bartels.

Sarah Lyons, Olathe mother of soon-to-be six, suggests, “Offer both a new or disliked food and a ‘safe food’ (something they like and will eat). Also, sneak veggies in their food, like lentils into ground beef or turkey and zucchini shredded into tacos or meatballs. Carrots can go in mac and cheese.”

Finally, I have found that it’s best to set a time limit for snack time to end to ensure bellies are hungry and ready to eat what’s for dinner. Or you can make one of your child’s fruit or veggie servings be a snack before dinner—then you’re down one possible battle!

Stephanie Loux is the mother of two and writes in Olathe. She attempts to keep the balance between a healthy lifestyle and treats that make childhood memorable.

PB&Jsmoothie recipe (10 oz.) from Olathe mom Nicole Pontillo

1/2 banana 5-6 frozen strawberries Small handful of spinach 2-3 T. of puréed sweet potatoes 1/4 c. sunflower/almond/peanut butter 3-4 oz. of breast milk or milk 1 t. honey/agave (optional)

We walk because we are

a strong community.

Learn more about Walk to School day and the joys of walking to school at WalktoSchoolKC.com.

#WalktoberKC

THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING DANCERS ENHANCE POISE, FOCUS AND RHYTHM IN YOUR CHILD WITH EXCELLENT STARTER CLASSES IN: • Creative Movement ages 3-5 • Fundamentals ages 5-6 • Pre-Ballet ages 6-7

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importance of The debate over Common Core state standards in education is one of the hottest topics facing educators and lawmakers in recent years.

“The feedback amongst parents is mixed,” says Christine Ricci, Overland Park mom. “Even the feedback amongst teachers is mixed. The feedback amongst families in different states is mixed. The one thing everyone has in common is the passion about the change that occurred, and it seems to be a love/hate perspective. Very few are in the middle.”

What exactly are Common Core state standards? They are a set of clear collegeand career-ready standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts/literacy and mathematics developed by state education chiefs and governors from

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48 states. Today, 44 states have voluntarily adopted and are working to implement the standards. These Common Core standards are designed with the goal of ensuring that students graduating from high school are prepared to take introductory courses in two- or four-year college programs or enter the workforce.

“The purpose of Common Core is to establish common education standards across the country. This is helpful for an increasingly mobile population to make sure if kids moves from one district, city or state to another that they aren’t behind in the ‘core’ subjects—or too far ahead that they are bored and thus creating classroom management issues. At least that’s how I see it,” says Jeremy LaFaver, Missouri state representative (D-Kansas City).

Because programs such as Common Core encourage schools to focus their curricula on subjects like reading and math, many parents and experts are debating the value of art education.

“Because it addresses the ‘core’ subjects, it leaves art, music, etc., alone,” says LaFaver. “Schools and school districts will still be able to teach subjects outside of the core as they are able. Could schools move money away from non-core academic areas to re-focus them on core subjects? Yes, but not any more than they could already.

I think art already takes a backseat to reading, math and science. But that’s a good thing, in my view. Just as long as it still has a seat.”

Jessica Whalen, Olathe teacher, says, “I do believe art education is fundamental.

Experts agree that simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development.

It encourages the students to use different parts of their brain, and it helps them greatly with learning to convey their ideas through different forms of expression.

While I do think core subjects like math, English and science are important also, I think there’s a strong argument for continuing art education in primary, elementary, middle and high schools.”

While there are many arguments over where art education falls in the total picture of education, experts agree that simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Here are some of the many benefits to children’s development:

Motions like holding a paintbrush or writing with a crayon actually help improve fine motor skills in young children.

According to the National Institutes of Health, developmental milestones around age 3 should include drawing a circle and beginning to use safety scissors. Around age 4, children may be able to draw a square and begin cutting straight lines with scissors.

According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem solving and critical thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art, like choosing colors for a drawing or a deciding what to draw, carries over into other parts of life.

Participating in art activities is an opportunity for young children to learn the words for colors, shapes and actions. From games where you pick out the correct

color of crayon, to cutting out shapes or identifying how many balls are pictured on the page, children can learn to use descriptive words to describe what they see and experience.

Many parents are amazed their 2-year-old can operate their phone or tablet with the skill of an expert. This demonstrates that even before the child can read, he can learn and process visual information. Activities such as drawing, cutting and placing objects in a line can aid in the development of visual-spatial skills.

When children are encouraged to express themselves through art, they are able to tap into their feelings in new ways. The opportunity to show their view of the world can help them in developing innovative ways of thinking and self-expression that can follow them into their adult lives.

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

Get creative at the

Nerman Museum!

Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11) and Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) combine engaging, interactive tours with hands-on studio projects, and students explore different topics each week.

Pre-registration is required.

Saturdays, Oct. 4-Dec.13 10 a.m. – noon or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. $15 / $10 for Museum Members Register through JCCC Continuing Education.

913-469-2323 • www.jccc.edu/youth

panatone yellow 123 Gray 425

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College kcparent.com september 2014

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CRAFTCORNER

it u r f l l fa

ie

g g e v and

ce of e i p Each eates r c e c produ shape e u q i rned a un u t e an b o that c f art t o s k r o into w hang d n a r frame hen o c t i k o in the p ont m a t s even per. a p g pin wrap

stamps

t

he arrival of fall brings yummy autumn produce to our gardens, farmers markets and grocery stores. Use up any leftover fruits and veggies to make stamps with your kids. Each piece of produce creates a unique shape that can be turned into works of art to frame and hang in the kitchen or even stamp onto wrapping paper.

Cut your fruits and veggies in half to make a surface to paint for your stamp. Brush a thin layer of acrylic paint onto your produce. Press the fruit, paint side down, onto a piece of card stock. Repeat with different colors and fruits to create patterns.

materials needed: • Fruits and vegetables (pears, apples, bell peppers, lemons and zucchini all work well) • Acrylic paint • Paintbrush • Card stock

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

I am ... … a future Olympian (hopefully). … a soccer player. … hardworking. … competitive. … a gymnast. … an artist. … a blood recipient. … a K-State fan. … a best friend. … a hula-hooper. … a little sister. … a Christian. … brave.

Amelia is an active girl on the go! She loves soccer, gymnastics, spending time with her friends and hula-hooping. Amelia is also a blood recipient who has Diamond Blackfan Anemia; she needs monthly blood transfusions to continue her battle with this disease. She is very thankful for blood donors who took just 60 minutes of their time to help save her life.

Who are you?

savealifenow.org kcparent.com september 2014

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celebrating grandparents all month long

a day to honor grandparents heritage celebration

Celebrate your heritage with the grandparents! If your family lineage is Swedish, make a Swedish meal, learn Swedish words, make Swedish costumes and learn and perform a Swedish dance. You can either create and plan the festivities and surprise the grandparents or organize the activities together. If you choose the latter, the grandparents get the opportunity to teach your children about their culture throughout all of the preparations.

play bingo

d

id you know that there is a nationally recognized holiday the first Sunday after Labor Day every year? Since 1970, and thanks to the tireless efforts of a woman named Marian McQuade, that day is known as National Grandparents Day. McQuade, a mother of 15 from West Virginia, campaigned to politicians across the nation to enact a special day for honoring, visiting and spending quality time with elderly relatives.

As a culture, we do not revere our elderly nearly as much as we should, especially in comparison to other nations around the world. This is a great day to talk to your kids about how special and important their grandparents are. Chances are they have some amazing stories to tell—stories of courage, adventure, perseverance, all qualities we hope our children develop over their lifetimes. Also, although they may be reluctant to admit it, many elderly are quite lonely. Often widowed, confined to their homes and unable to do the physical activities they once enjoyed, they would probably revel in spending a day (in their honor!) with their grandchildren.

Below are some ideas on how to make this year’s Grandparents Day memorable for your children, as well as for their grandparents.

questionnaire

Have your children create a questionnaire prior to the visit. What would they like to know about their grandfather or grandmother?

A few suggestions: What was your childhood like? What was your first job? What was your favorite subject in school? What was your favorite game to play? A great addition to this activity is to find and look through old photographs. Bring them to the visit and ask who all the people are in the pictures.

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Who doesn’t love bingo? If the grandparents live in a senior center, chances are your kids can accompany them to bingo at their residence. If not, you and your children can take them to a community bingo hall or create bingo to do with them at home.

• A list of bingo halls throughout Kansas: KansasBingo.com •A list of Bingo halls throughout Missouri: StatewideBingoHallDirectory.com

•W ebsite with printable bingo sheets for at-home bingo: MyFreeBingoCards.com

a handwritten letter

Do your children’s grandparents live far away? Have them send a handwritten letter and ask to be pen pals. Grandma and Grandpa will love receiving a real letter from your kids in the mail. (They also can do the questionnaire via snail mail.)

a day out with grandma or grandpa

Have your children take a grandparent out for the afternoon.

They could take a walk through the arboretum, Powell Gardens, the zoo or even a local park, and have a picnic lunch. This may require advance planning and transportation if a grandparent is wheelchair bound. But do not let that deter you! Knowing you and your children put forth extra effort to get Grandma or Grandpa out into the fresh air will mean a great deal to them.

Happy Grandparents Day! Karen Johnson is a former high school English teacher turned stay-athome mom. She lives in Olathe with her three children, ages 5, 3 and 1. Follow her adventures at www.21stCenturySAHM.blogspot.com.

y

ou may have experienced this. The same grandchild who was all wide-eyed and in love with you just a few years ago is now aloof, gangly and seemingly disinterested in his or her relationship with you. Don’t believe it for a minute!

The teens of today’s fast-paced world have all the same stressors we had as young people, but multiplied by tens. They need strong family ties more than ever, but we have to work a little bit to earn their trust. Here are some tips to keep the lines of communication open all through those stormy teen years.

1. become familiar with their world .

You don’t have to like all the music they play, but find a group or a genre that you can find interesting and become conversant about it. Your teens want to know that you understand at least a little bit about the things they enjoy.

2. and speaking of knowing about their world . . .

let them teach you the inner workings of blogs and tweets and ipods and more. You’ll learn the technology you need to understand, and they’ll be pleased to be able to be the expert. (Allow a few smirks when you ask questions that reveal your nerdiness.)

3. show an interest in their classes, grades, extracurricular activities and

hobbies. While some teens are wired to machines a good part of each day, they still do participate in sports, clubs and other activities. Find something, whether it be chess, art, science projects—anything—to give you an entry into conversations about their life.

4. be present for special events,

such as birthdays, graduations, games, plays or other life events. Teens may not be able to express their love and appreciation as well as they did at age 5 when they promised to “love you forever,” but they still feel the same way inside.

Your presence matters.

5. feed them.

Kids love to eat, and they’ll make your kitchen their second

tips for successfully grandparenting teens along assorted friends and in the midst of meals and snacks, they’ll share some of the important issues currently on their minds.

6. teens often want a listening ear

to process their world view. They want to explore social issues, religion, politics and the meaning of life in a setting where there is safety and respect and room to grow.

7. teens are curious about life in your generation .

They’ll listen to your stories about your growing-up years,

especially if a few of them show your humanity. While teens often feel judged, they will welcome stories that reveal the mistakes and learning experiences of older family members.

8. whatever you do, don’t dwell on outward appearance issues, such as dress,

hairstyles, tattoos and the like. You don’t have to approve of these things, but don’t allow them to become barriers between you.

9. keep a sense of humor about life and share it with your teen grandchildren.

They often feel overwhelmed by all the pressures and expectations placed on them. It’s good to let down and just laugh together some of the time.

1 0. provide a listening ear, be willing to share an opinion or two and while you may

provide a buffer zone between teens and their parents, don’t get in the middle of discipline issues in the teen’s home.

In short, you get to do some of the fun interactions with your teen grandchildren without the ultimate responsibility of parenting them. It’s a good thing. And while it’s a bit difficult to get into the heads of teenagers at times, your efforts will pay off in gold. There will be a time when those teens become young adults with careers and families of their own, and they will be patterning their lives after their heroes—You. Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer.

home if they know they’re welcome. They’ll even bring

kcparent.com september 2014

19

create a homework station

A child also needs to know there will be consequences for not finishing their homework, which vary from family to family.

“Having consequences for not getting it done is huge.

But parents need to be responsible and follow through with punishment and not back down, even if it is an inconvenience to us,” Frazier says.

For some, the pressure for good grades doesn’t bother the parents. “We have never made ‘good grades’ a priority in our home. The grades he gets are his,” Kelly Pope, Kearney mother of two, says. “But on the flip side, we know his potential, so if things are slipping, there are consequences. It takes the stress out of bugging him every day.”

Establishing a routine, creating a place (see sidebar) and enforcing consequences will set the foundation for homework’s becoming an expectation instead of an argument.

Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, mother and teacher from Kearney.

homework:

kids dread it, and if the parents are honest, they do as well. From a kid’s saying at bedtime “Oh yeah, I have homework due tomorrow” to the crying that comes with difficult assignments, it is no wonder homework can be considered a dirty word.

To help ease the difficulty, parents can help children take responsibility for and train them to complete the homework on their own.

First, if you have the option in your schedule, talk with your child about when they would like to do their homework.

“I think the key from the parent side is discussing with your child whether they feel more productive right after school or after dinner. Then parents need to block off that time as best they can with activity schedules,” Lauren Hickey, Liberty mother of two, says.

From a young age, teach them no electronics—telephone, TV, texting, Kindle, etc.—until their homework is done.

Some children would prefer to get their homework done right away, while others need to relax a little, and waiting until later is better for them. Finding out what your child prefers is helpful in homework’s not becoming a strain.

By setting aside the same time every day, homework becomes the routine.

Next, training children to put distractors aside will help. “From a young age, teach them no electronics— telephone, TV, texting, Kindle, etc.—until their homework is done. Limiting the distractions can go a long way to keeping them on track,” Shelly Frazier, Kearney mother of two, says.

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Log onto KCParent.com for an ageby-age guide to homework.

create a homework station!

One of the best ways to help a child stay motivated and get his homework done is to provide a place for him. Maybe in the kitchen, a playroom or his bedroom—it all depends on the space you have. Here’s what you need to create a homework station:

•A desk/work area (key for keeping kids

focused) •A homework crate/box for supplies •A “special” chair • S upplies to keep on hand: Pencils, erasers and sharpeners Pens Scissors Sharpies Glue Paper clips Markers Crayons Colored pencils Calculator Ruler

Search Pinterest for “homework station” for tons of creative ideas on how to put one together!

ADHD? Learning Disability?

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• ADHD • Social issues

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At Brain Balance Achievement tackle your issues • Learning disabilities Centers, we • Behavioral At Brain Balance Achievement Centers, we tackle your child’s ADHD at the most fundamental level — with a • Aspergers • Processing disorder child’s ADHD at the most fundamental level — with a unique, drug-free, whole-child approach that goes unique, drug-free, whole-child approach that goes beyond symptoms to address root “The Brain Balance Program hascauses. helped my son William tremendously. beyond symptoms to address root causes. has deserves made huge in reach his core and is becoming more EveryHe child theimprovements opportunity to their coordinated daily. These successes are all creating a new William. He is Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest social and academic potential. Stop in or call fullest social and academic potential. Stop in or call becoming more and more confident and proud of himself and his to learn moreand about thelooking Brain Balance abilities is now forward Program® to reaching his full potential!” to learn more about the Brain Balance Program® and how we can help your child succeed.

-Tracy, Overland Park Mom and how we can help your child succeed.

“We are beginning our third month at Brain Balance, and what a mind-blowing journey it has been! My son is more alert, more energetic, more confident. My husband and I now have a child who wants to swim, bike and have play dates--all activities he shied away from in the past. We can’t wait to see what this school year holds!”

-Annette, Olathe Mom

Call 913.627.9400 ©2012 Brain Balance Centers

Brain Balance of Overland Park

Call lEaRN MORE Visit Visit 913.627.9400 6406 College Boulevard brainbalanceoverlandpark.com 6406 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS 66211 youtube.com/BrainBalanceOP Overland Park, KS 66211 Balance Centers (between lamar & metcalf)©2012 Brainfacebook.com/brainbalanceofoverlandpark Brain Balance of Overland Park

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kcparent.com september 2014

21

a bushel of fun f

rom the orchard to the kitchen, there are all kinds of ways to explore America’s favorite fruit with the apple of your eye this fall!

harvest time Did you know that most apple picking in the United States is still done by hand? Pick your own apples at an area family-owned orchard, like Alldredge Orchards, Cider Hill Family Orchard, Happy Valley Farm and Schweizer Orchards. Although apple picking season goes until the end of October, call ahead to make sure apples are available to pick. For a complete list of orchards, visit www.KCParent.com.

apples, apples everywhere!

Head out to Louisburg Cider Mill’s 37th Annual Cider Fest on Sept. 27 and 28 and Oct. 4 and 5. The festival features familyfriendly activities, arts and crafts booths, live music and a pumpkin patch. While you are there, taste Louisburg’s famous cider and nosh on delicious apple cider donuts, caramel apples and kettle corn!

Visit www.LouisburgCiderMill.com for more information.

an apple a day...

Got more apples than you know what to do with? Invite your kids to help you make a simple, wholesome applesauce they’ll love.

See recipe in the sidebar.

crunch and compare Taste test different varieties of apples. Have your kids write down the type of apple, the color, the taste (sour, sweet, tart) and the texture (crisp, juicy, soft). Which one is their favorite?

apple chemistry 101 When an apple is cut, oxygen turns it brown. Experiment with ways to slow the browning process. Cut an apple into quarters. Have

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kcparent.com september 2014

your children sprinkle lemon juice on one slice; leave another slice in water; put a slice in the freezer with nothing on it; and rub salt on another. Which substance do they think will preserve the apple the longest? Write down the date you begin the experiment. Your kids can record their observations each day.

meet the apple man Read about American folk hero Johnny Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman. Check out the beautifully illustrated Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys who love all things apple. She and her family reside in Olathe.

7 fun facts about apples ( ( ( ( ( (

omology is the science of growing P apples.

The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.

Apples are grown in every state in the continental United States.

An apple floats because 25 percent of its volume is air.

The apple tree originated in central Asia.

An estimated 2,500 known varieties of apples exist in the United States. More than 7,500 are grown worldwide.

Sources: U.S. Apple Association, Louisburg Cider Mill

best caramel apples in kansas city

j

uicy, gooey, sticky, sweet, classic... is there anything quite as decadent as a delicious caramel apple in the fall? We’ve rounded up the best of the best hand-dipped, gourmet, coated, candied apples in Kansas City!

Russell Stover: (various locations at

most decadent shops in the metro, you’ll savor the sweet scent of many goodies, but the fall specialty is the candied apple! With large delicious apples, Sweet Caroline’s serves up many flavors and combinations of coatings for apples that are almost too pretty to eat!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: (various locations at

www.RussellStover.com). They may be known for delicious chocolates, but Russell Stover also knows the secret to your caramel apple cravings!

Hand-dipped in their shops all across the metro, Granny Smith apples are swirled in melted caramel. Other flavors include cinnamon candied apple or a caramel apple rolled in chopped peanuts and drizzled with dark chocolate! Find a Russell Stover location near you.

RockyMountain-ChocolateFactory.com) is famous for its amazing selection of old-fashioned caramel apples.

Granny Smith apples are hand dipped in caramel, then topped with a variety of coatings, including English toffee, Snickers, apple pie, cheesecake coating, M&Ms, pecan bars, rocky road and classic peanuts.

Sweet Caroline’s: 7723 W. 151st St.,

Laura Little’s Candies: 2100 W. 75th St.,

Overland Park, KS, 913.495.9993.

From your first step inside one of the

Prairie Village, KS, 913.722.2226. At Laura Little’s Candies, they make

candy the old-fashioned way, starting with the freshest ingredients and cooking them to perfection using traditional copper kettles and wooden paddles. Their homemade caramel apples are offered with and without nuts.

Chip’s Chocolate Factory: In Crown Center, 2450 Grand Ave., Suite 239, Kansas City, MO, 816.421.0012. Known for their live fudge demonstrations and “Chocology” tours, they are masters of everything sweet! It is a Chip’s tradition to welcome fall with a variety of flavors and coatings for delicious, juicy, classic caramel apples.

Want to take the kids apple picking? Head to KCParent.com for a list of orchards.

National Family Day

is September 22, a day set aside to celebrate having dinner as a family.

Let Dream Dinners help make every day Family Day in your home.

LET DREAM DINNERS HELP! INTRODUCTORY OFFER 6 MEALS FOR ONLY $74.95!

www.dreamdinners.com 119METCALFKS@DREAMDINNERS.COM 913.491.6733

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kcparent.com september 2014

23

dealing with

disappointment: an age-by-age guide to helping kids bounce back How can parents help kids navigate a world that isn’t always fun or fair?

C

hildren’s lives are chock-full of disappointments large and small.

Your toddler’s long-lashed eyes are brimming with tears, her hopes of playing at the park dashed by the swirling snowstorm outside. Your 8-year-old animallover begs for a dog, only to learn that he’s allergic. Your teenager wasn’t selected for the basketball team despite logging hours of grueling practice.

These situations are nearly as hard on parents as they are on children—nobody wants to see their child suffer. How can parents help kids navigate a world that isn’t always fun or fair? Read on for age-by-age guidelines on helping kids bounce back from disappointment and failure.

24

kcparent.com september 2014

TODDLER/PRESCHOOL AGE (2-6): Protective Measures Though it’s instinctive to want to protect young children from the sadness that accompanies disappointment, this tactic can backfire. “Many well-intentioned parents structure their child’s environment to try to avoid allowing the child to feel any disappointment,” says parenting coach Stephanie T. Jones, M.S., chair of the North Carolina Parenting Education Network. While parents’ motivations are positive—they generally want to help a child avoid negative emotions and be more successful—shielding kids from uncomfortable feelings can prevent them from the developing emotional resilience required for success in preschool and beyond.

Protecting kids from all disappointment or failure can be crippling to preschoolers, says George S. Everly, Jr. Ph.D., affiliate professor of psychology at Loyola University Maryland and author of The Resilient Child: Seven Essential Lessons for Your Child’s Happiness and Success. Instead of giving in to a

child’s unreasonable demand simply to keep the peace, acknowledge and name his emotion—“I know you’re angry that you can’t have that cookie before dinner, but you’ll have to wait”—to validate his feelings without stifling emotional growth.

SCHOOL AGE (7-12): Future Focus Notoriously emotional, tweens tend to exaggerate even small setbacks. But parents shouldn’t dismiss seemingly insignificant emotional upsets; a minor issue like a poor grade can seem like a mountainous problem to a schoolage child. Resist the temptation to use a disappointing situation to prove a point, says Jones. At the height of a child’s emotional distress, voicing that he might have avoided the bad grade by studying harder makes the problem immediately worse. Instead, listen without replying or swooping in to solve the problem, advises Jones.

Sometimes, all your child wants is your ear.

“When failures occur, it’s important to keep a future orientation,” notes Everly. “Ask the child what he or she learned from the failure that will help promote success in the future.” Encourage positive, future-focused thinking about what your child might do differently next time. To help build confidence to try again, adopt the mantra “Anything worth having is worth failing for!”

TEEN YEARS (13-18): Confidence in Crisis With jobs, college admissions, sports success and romantic relationships all on the line, disappointments loom large for teens. After a setback, help your disappointed teen cope by focusing on her disappointment, instead of on your own feelings. “It’s critical for parents to pause and reflect on their own emotional response to their teen’s disappointments and failures,” says Jones. Some parents are over-involved in their teen’s success and take a child’s failures personally—which can lead to regrettable reactions instead of constructive help.

Teens who cope with disappointment well are those with “an inner confidence,” says Everly. Parents should play a supporting role, allowing teens to solve problems independently and stepping in as a coach or cheerleader only when needed. Teens with strong self-efficacy—belief in their own ability to handle life’s problems—are better equipped to deal with the emotional roller coaster ride of the teenage years. And resilient kids of all ages are wellprepped for the future, whatever it holds.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published parenting journalist. Her most recent book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

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25

Backyard Specialists

Looking for a great place to have your next child’s next birthday party? Backyard Specialists has twenty play sets, three trampolines and a basketball court you can reserve. Two different price options, both are very affordable. Option one is only $125, and option 2 is $225. Please give us a call at 913.307.6023 or e-mail us at KC@backyard-specialists.com for more information. See display ad on pg. 27.

party

KC Parent’s bi-annual

guide

• fresh ideas • terrific themes • great venues

Ceramic Café

Celebrate your child’s birthday at Ceramic Café. All parties are scheduled for oneand-a-half hours, giving you time to open presents and serve cake and ice cream.

We have three different packages for kids parties, and another for mixed-age group celebrations. Call 913.383.0222 or visit www.CeramicCafeKC.com for more details.

See display ad on pg. 28.

Fun Services

Look like a party planning superstar to your guests! Let Fun Services help you put together a once-in-a-lifetime events that everyone will remember for years to

THIS IS WHAT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOOKS LIKE

Make your next party awESOME! There’s no easier way to throw your kids the best party ever.

Just show up and Sky Zone does the rest.

JUMP aROUND PaCKaGE

SUPER JUMP PaCKaGE

SUPREME aIR PaCKaGE

1 hour of jump + 10 jumpers (min) + 2 large pizzas + 3 pitchers of soda + party room $199

1 hour of jump + 16 jumpers (max) + 3 large pizzas + bottomless soda + ice cream + party room $349

1 hour of jump + 24 jumpers (max) + 5 large pizzas + bottomless soda + ice cream + party room $499

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SKY ZONE Kansas City 6495 Quivira Rd STE A Shawnee, KS 66216 913-213-5900

Reserve your jump time now at http://www.skyzone.com/KansasCity The Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park playing courts are protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,624,112. This Sky Zone location is an independently owned and operated franchise.

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kcparent.com september 2014

come. From inflatables to carnival games to concessions to entertainers, we’ve got everything you need to have a successful party. Call us today to help you plan your party. 913.441.9200. See display ad on pg. 28. wwwFunServicesMidwest.com

Gymboree

Choose your child’s favorite theme and we’ll create a private, personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! We specialize in 1st birthday parties all the way to 5th birthday parties. Gymboree Play & Music parties are available to members and non-members. Call to find out more details. 913.393.0203 (Prairie Village), 816.505.3344 (Zona Rosa) or 816.525.7529 (Lee’s Summit). See display ad on pg. 30. www.GymboreeClasses.com

KU Athletics

Celebrate your child’s special day with the Jayhawks by hosting his or her birthday party at a Kansas Athletics home event!

Receive Jayhawk Birthday invitations, food, drinks, cake and more! For questions or to book your party call 785.864.7953 or log onto KUAthletics.com and select Birthday

Program under the Fan Central tab. See display ad on pg. 28.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

At LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, it’s like you’ve stepped into the world’s largest box of LEGO® bricks! Celebrate the special day of your little LEGO fan with one of our birthday packages. A standard party includes a personalized birthday cake, an hour in the party room, and unlimited time in the attraction. The premium package includes the addition of pizza and a private model building workshop.

Party guests can keep the custom model they build! See display ad on pg. 31. www.

LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com/KansasCity

Monkey Bizness & Little Monkey Bizness

Monkey Bizness & Little Monkey Bizness takes the hassle out of party planning for parents. We provides the personalized invitations, balloons, party favors, plates, cups, forks, napkins and an optional pizza and soda package. Private play and party rooms. We do all the cleaning! All that’s left to do is show up and have fun! Little continued on page 30

Party Central

with peace of mind for mom!

All parties include

Celebration PieCe for birthday child!

Visit our website for list of party packages!

paintglazeandfire.net 127th & Metcalf • Overland Park, KS

913-661-CLAY

100

FREE game room CREDITS with a CEdC or FEC

HALF-PRICE INSTALLATION ON ALL REDWOOD PLAYSETS

backyard

birthday party Parties must book before 10/31/2014.

Coupon Code 100BDAY Coupon code must be entered at the time of booking.

TM

www.Paradise-Park.com

specialists Pay to Play!

Every Thursday 10 AM- 5 PM $2 per child 11 and under

NEW! Birthday Parties All times available!

Call for more info.

2227 E. KANSAS CITY RD. OLATHE, KS 66061 913.307.6023 BACKYARD-SPECIALISTS.COM kcparent.com september 2014

27

making memories

ENCLOSED ARE ENOUGH QUIZZES FOR TWELVE YEARS.

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The Birthday Quiz, created by local cartoonist and photographer Jim Strahle, is composed of 20 questions that are posed to the birthday child. The answers are written down on the quiz sheet, then stored in safekeeping until after the quiz on the next birthday. Both kids and parents alike will enjoy reading the previous year’s quiz answers and will look forward to the next year. A terrific way to create lasting memories. www.JimStrahle.com !

NEW author of from the

A few more ideas to help make memories on your child’s birthday:

• Decorate the birthday • Use window markers

• If your child is in school girl’s room with to decorate the car for his birthday, wrap Quiz theballoons Birthday Child with the 20 questions enclosed, and then storeall in alunch safe place. streamers and windows with, “Honk! items. Throw each year on their birthday and quiz them again. while she sleeps. Bring it back outHe’s 5 today!” in a balloon for a party The Birthday Quiz will become a cherished possession the child will carry forward into their own lunch. family someday. Questions like; What is your favorite movie? What are your favorite foods? Who are your Best Friends?

Make this birthday, and every birthday special with the Birthday Quiz!

MOONWALK RENTAL SUGGESTED FOR BIRTHDAYS: 4 THRU 16

great birthday parties and so much more...

create school auction projects made with either glass or pottery after school September special 1/2 studio fees from 3-6 monday thru thursday 95TH & MISSION ROAD

913.383.0222 ceramiccafekc.com

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kcparent.com september 2014

Kansas City’s Entertainment Rental Leader for over 40 years!

Call for reservations: 913-441-9200

PARTYGUIDE

party

play a game

FAVORS sure to please

m

Card games or puzzles are the perfect cost and size for a favor and can easily be added to your existing stash. Often you can find games or puzzles to match your theme at the dollar store.

plant a memory

By Margaret Sarver

oms and dads don’t need any more stuff to clutter their homes. With that in mind, here are some party favors that kids will love and parents will love as well!

get crafty

As one of the party activities, have the kids create a craft. The completed craft goes home as the party favor. Voila! A party two-for-one!

Send kids home with a pack of seeds and a small shovel. They will love planting and watching the seeds grow and will think of the party when the flowers bloom.

color and create

We go through sidewalk chalk rather quickly in our home.

Purchase each child a pack of sidewalk chalk to let him color and create at home.

drink up

have a Coke

For a fall or winter birthday, send each child home with a packet of hot cocoa or apple cider mix.

A yummy treat kids are sure to enjoy!

Know those Coke cans with names on them that are so popular?

Find a can with each guests’ name for a party favor. A personalized, fun way to remember the party!

whip up a treat

My daughter had a cooking party. For a favor, we sent the kids home with her favorite cookie recipe, along with an ingredient to make the cookies.

movie night

One year we hosted an outdoor movie party. For favors we sent each child home with a bag of microwave popcorn and a box of candy for their own at-home movie night.

SIN

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STORES TS L E A RN ING MEE

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Your one-stop BIRTHDAY PARTY SHOP!

TOYS, PARTY DECOR, BALLOONS & GOODIE BAG ITEMS ...

We have it all!

*For in-store use at U.S. Toy Stores only with free Preferred Customer Card. Cannot be combined with other offer or discount. Can't be used on sale or clearance items. Can't be used with a Teacher Rewards Card. Reduction taken at register. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Excludes Lego, Playmobil, Thomas the Train & Stuffies product. Not valid for purchase of gift cards. Other restrictions may apply. EXPIRES 12/24/14.

103RD STREET 103RD TERRACE GATES BBQ

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI STATE LINE ROAD

2008 W. 103rd Terr.

Leawood, KS 66206 913-642-8247 ustoy.com

LEAWOOD, KANSAS

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$10 OFF $50 OR MORE

*

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29

PARTYGUIDE Monkey Bizness has full gourmet coffee bar and free Wi-Fi. Open 7 days a week for all your birthday and open play needs.

See display ad on pg. 30 for money saving coupons. 913.780.2500. 913.631.7000.

MonkeyBizness.com

experienced adults. Visit us for birthday parties, Scout outings, corporate team building, girls’ night out, bridal showers or “just because.” Only at 127th and Metcalf, 913.661.CLAY (2529). See display ad on pg. 27. www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House

Paradise Park

Paint, Glaze & Fire is PARTY CENTRAL & KC’s only paint-your-own pottery studio with a full service coffee bar. Creating beautiful ceramics is fun & easy for everyone from young children to

We asked KCParent.com readers, When it comes to your child’s birthday party, where do you like to have the party?

At home.

Love to plan and host the event!

33%

Away from home. No mess or cleanup!

KCPARENT.COM!

67%

Find the perfect entertainer, arcade, party supplies, inflatable, live animals, face painter and MUCH MORE.

VISIT THE NEW KCPARENT.COM TODAY!

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kcparent.com september 2014

Kansas City’s premier party destination offers an incredible experience for the birthday child and easy, hassle-free party for mom and dad. We take care of it all!

Choose from 5 different awesome party packages, starting at $199. Visit www.Paradise-Park.com for online booking. 816.246.5224. See display ad on pg. 27 for 100 free credits with birthday party.

Princess at My Party

Have your child’s favorite princess come to her birthday party! Choose from Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.

Then watch the magic unfold as the birthday girl and guests go on an adventure that includes a story, games, music, a makeover or face-painting and a treasure hunt.

913.558.3110. www.PrincessAtMyParty.com.

See display ad on pg. 27.

SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium will transport you into the amazing underwater world. With over 5,000 creatures in 30

different displays, it’s the perfect location to celebrate the birthday of any young ocean enthusiast! A standard party includes and hour in the party room with a fin-facts presentation, a personalized birthday cake and aquarium admission. Premium package includes the addition of pizza and a guided tour led by and educational specialist! See display ad on pg. 31. www.VisitSeaLife.com/Kansas-City

Sky Zone Kansas City

Hosting a great party can get complicated, but Sky Zone Kansas City makes it easy.

Just bring the kids and we do the rest.

Your special guest and their friends will experience the WOW of jumping, flying and flipping on our wall-to-wall trampoline courts. Give your child the best gift of all— pure happiness! Reserve today and see why Sky Zone was voted “Best Party Ever!” See display ad on pg. 26. www.SkyZone.com

U.S. Toy Company

You will find everything you need for your next birthday party at US Toy. From toys and gifts to party décor and balloons to goodie bag items, the party will be one your little princess or pirate will never forget!

Plus, our store offers novelty products, teaching and classroom materials, and seasonal/party supplies, décor and attire.

U.S. Toy is your one stop toy, learning and party shop! 913.642.8247. See display ad on pg. 29. www.USToy.com

Growing young minds around the world.

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31

l u l y B ” “ n g i ry

C

Crying “bully” is a serious allegation, and children may use the term loosely without understanding its true meaning.

l

ittle Suzie comes home from school, tears streaming down her face. Mom is concerned and asks what’s wrong. Suzie replies, “I didn’t get asked to go to my friend Sarah’s birthday party next weekend and almost everyone else did. I’m being bullied!”

Over the last few years, there has been a vast metamorphosis in the word “bully.”

A term that used to explain a relatively rare situation has seemingly been downgraded to describe any type of emotional discomfort a child may experience from his peers. Tune into any reality TV program and it won’t take long to hear the phrase “bully” crop up between a few catty housewives or disgruntled teenagers. So if the word for this type of activity has lost its gravitas, who do we believe when it’s used?

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kcparent.com september 2014

First and foremost, we must understand what bullying is. According to StopBullying.org, bullying is defined as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among schoolaged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.”

As definitions go, this one may seem vague. After all, who in their life won’t at some point experience some sort of aggressive intimidation from a peer?

Isn’t that part of growing up? To clear the murkiness, the definition also includes two key qualifiers that help to differentiate between bullying and a simple argument.

repetition

In our example earlier, Sarah’s failure to include Suzie in a birthday caused hurt

feelings for Suzie. But hurt feelings do not equal bullying. Sarah hasn’t consistently harmed Suzie in an attempt to intimidate her. Had Suzie been left out of the invitation, then ridiculed for it by Sarah over and over again, then bullying would have occurred.

imbalance of power

Bullying is a forced way to exert control.

Imbalance of power is generally found in size, social status (popularity) and physical or psychological strength.

Though these two qualifiers can help in identifying a bully, there is always room for interpretation. To complicate things further, bullying is no longer limited to a big kid on the playground stealing a smaller kid’s

lunch money. The danger today is in the smaller, sneakier types of attacks that have taken bullying to a brand new level

cyber bullying vs. name calling Unlike the playground variety, cyber/ text bullying occurs via cell phones or computers. Because bullies don’t have to say the words to their victim face-toface, the bullies become more audacious, hiding behind the anonymity. In addition, it’s easier for the bully to find “helpers” to participate, because those helpers can also stay anonymous. So what’s the difference between cyber bullying and name calling, and how can parents spot the difference?

Let’s go back to Suzie and Sarah. Sarah is now in middle school and finds out Suzie flirted with a boy she likes. They have an argument, and Sarah texts Suzie that she is a dork and a loser. The fight lasts several days, with Sarah and Suzie each texting mean comments back and forth to one another. Is this bullying? Probably not. There is no imbalance of power, as Sarah and Suzie are in the same level of popularity and neither girl is attempting

to gain control of the other by exerting her strength. This is a prime example of name calling and arguing, and though it isn’t pleasant, it hasn’t crossed over into bullying.

Now let’s say Suzie and Sarah’s fight doesn’t end, but instead grows worse.

Eventually Sarah and another girl get together to create a Facebook page called “Suzie Is a Dork” and invite friends to join in. On the page, they make up rumors about Suzie, call her names and threaten to hurt her. This is cyber bullying. Sarah now has other friends involved, creating an imbalance of power over Suzie. The Facebook page demeans Suzie’s character publicly. It is suspected that these types of intense cyber bully attacks are a contributing factor to suicides among young people. According to BullyStatistics.org, bully victims are between two and nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims.

And those aren’t numbers to ignore.

by the numbers According to the Stop Bullying Now Foundation, 160,000 students miss school each day as a result of being bullied, and one out of five students admit to being

a bully or participating in some form of bullying. With statistics like that, it is vitally important to stay involved in your child’s life. If your child is the victim of bullying, it is very likely he or she will try to hide it, for fear of further backlash from the aggressor.

use your head

Though bullying is more common than we would like, it is still key for parents to keep a level head where bullying is concerned. Is what your child is experiencing really bullying, or have her feelings just been hurt? Crying “bully” is a serious allegation, and children may use the term loosely without understanding its true meaning. Analyze and use good judgment to decipher what’s really going on. On the flip side of the coin, be on the lookout for signs that your child may be the one doing the bullying. The only way to prevent and stop bullying is to stop it as soon as it starts.

Information, communication and common sense go a lot farther than silence.

Kim Antisdel is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch with her two rescue cats and two rescue dachshunds fighting for a spot on her lap.

Look for these signs that your child might be the victim of bullying. that you may periodically monitor his messages.

• Unexplained injuries

• Feeling sick/faking illness • Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares • Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

• Declining grades, loss of interest in

schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

• Unexplained weight loss • Resistance to activities they used to enjoy

• Create strict rules about sending mean or

cruel messages. One mean message and the phone/internet will be taken away.

• Encourage kids to speak up if they witness cyber bullying. They will see it first.

• Require that you become “friends” with

your children on social media. If they post it, you see it.

(dance, basketball, etc.)

Prevent Cyber Bullying:

• Keep open communication about using

StopBullyingNowFoundation.com

• Know your child’s passwords and explain

StopBullying.org

internet/texting properly.

Sources: BullyingStatistics.org

kcparent.com september 2014

33

MEDIAMIX

get unplugged Children’s Books Highlight the Joys of Low-Tech Learning

By McGeath Freeman

My Pet Book

By Bob Staake Best for: Ages 3-7

The next time your child wants a pet, read My Pet Book to them. It might just save you from pet food, litter boxes, pet baths and more. When the lead boy in this tale wants a pet, he ends up with a book—albeit one that is leash-trained and has a “frisky red cover.” He takes it for walks, and the book takes him on adventures from under the sea to outer space. Then one day the maid makes

a mistake. She gives the book to charity.

So the boy rushes down to the thrift shop. But you’ll have to read it yourself to discover what happens next.

The silly rhyming text combines with the whimsical illustrations and the ridiculous plot to make for one fun story time that will give you an entirely new view of books.

What’s good: Staake’s digital illustrations add fun and diversity to every page.

What’s bad: A few of the stanzas are merely taking up space rather than progressing the story.

Doug Unplugs on the Farm

By Dan Yaccarino Best for: Ages 5-9

Doug is a robot boy. In this, his second adventure, he and his family are headed to visit the grandbots. Everyone plugs in as they begin the journey. Doug downloads information about farm animals until the car breaks down and he has a chance to learn about the animals on a real farm. He milks cows, gathers eggs and gets their car back

on the road—with a little help from a horse.

Yaccarino brings his vibrant illustrative style to the pages with a retro pizazz that kids will find very pleasing. Although subtle, Yaccarino’s comment about the need to play outside and limit screen time for kids comes through loud, clear and without any preachiness.

What’s good: Yaccarino’s illustrations add personality and energy.

What’s bad: It is a little too simple for the older readers.

Switched at Birthday

By Natalie Standiford Best for: Ages 8-12

Body switching is not a new idea.

It’s been used many times, probably most famously in Freaky Friday. But Standiford puts the switch to good use in this quick-paced tale about two very different girls. Lavender and Scarlet are as different as two girls can be, except that they share the same birthday. One

rules the school, while the other sees herself as a loser. When they wake up in each other’s bodies, the story takes off. Shock, confusion, humor and a lot of opportunity to learn and grow all happen with authenticity and make this book worth reading.

What’s good: Alternating first-person narrative helps the reader connect with both girls.

What’s bad: Body switching—been there and done that.

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kcparent.com september 2014

WOMENSHEALTH

Effects of Adult Speech on Grammar Development An Intervention Study

eating out and staying healthy

Does your child have a language delay?

PURPOSE To study the effects of adult speech on grammatical development of preschoolers with language delays.

BENEFITS

Effects of Adult Speech on Grammar Development in Preschoolers with Specific Language Delay PURPOSE

S

To study the effects of adult speech on grammatical development of preschoolers with language delay.

BENEFITS

Caregivers receive a summary of all testing for their child, whether or not the child qualifies for the study.

ociety is moving faster and WHO QUALIFIES? CAREGIVER faster every day, a situation that, Children 4 and 5 years old with RESPONSIBILITIES developmental delays that appear to Bring your child to KUMC for up to unfortunately, has made eating out be specific to language.

4 preliminary evaluations of your commonplace. So we come to the question, child’s communication skills.

Attend 10 study sessions can we stay healthy and eat out? In short, at KUMC or at home. my answer is yes—but it takes work, planning and willpower! Below you will Effects of Adult Speech on Grammar Development Contact: Dr. Marc E. Fey find tips for eating heathy when eating out: Contact: Dr. Marc E. Fey Hearing & Speech Dept. • KU Medical Center Hearing & Speech Dept. • KU Medical Center (913) 588-0574 • mfey@kumc.edu beverage. or visit our website alliedhealth.kumc.edu/school/research/fey (913) 588-0574 • mfey@kumc.edu

• Choose water only for your • Ask for whole wheat bread.

• Start your meal with a salad packed with veggies, with salad dressing on the side.

• Chose main dishes loaded with fruits and veggies, lighter on meats.

• Choose red sauces over white sauces.

• Order steamed or grilled dishes.

• Once you get your order, immediately put half in a box to take home.

• Share a main dish.

• If there is something you would like • •

to order, but it’s not on the menu, request it anyway. Most restaurants will accommodate.

Order from the “sides” section only.

Share an appetizer and order a salad.

Years ago it was a treat to eat out. Eating out has become commonplace now. Choose an item that you might make at home. Eat a portion that you would eat at home.

If traveling, pack fresh fruit, fresh veggies, nuts or string cheese to help avoid stopping for sweet or fatty snacks.

Along with eating healthily, it is important to get adequate sleep (at least eight hours nightly) and plenty of exercise (10,000 steps per day). Before starting any diet or exercise program, please consult with your health care provider for questions.

Melanie Yunger is a nurse practitioner, wife and mother of two.

Children receive 24 intervention sessions either in their home or at KUMC. Children receive a gift card good for new books.

Caregivers receive a summary of all testing for their child, whether or not the child qualifies for the study.

WHO QUALIFIES? 3 and 4 year old children with developmental delays that appear to be specific to language.

CAREGIVER RESPONSIBILITIES Bring your child to KUMC for up to 4 preliminary evaluations of your child’s communication skills.

Allow your child to participate in 24 intervention sessions, twice a week for 12 weeks. Bring your child to KUMC for testing sessions half way through and at the end of the study. Families are reimbursed for travel to KUMC.

THIS SCHOOL REALLY FITS ME

Personalized education for all Visit us online to learn more about K12 options available for Kansas students.

Request a free info kit today.

K12.COM/KSOPTIONS | 855.677.2444 kcparent.com september 2014

35

WORDFROMDAD

“d

o you want water or

milk?” The boys needed socialization, and I began manners practice every day at breakfast.

Ian remained silent and stared at the floor.

“I’m sorry, but was that water or milk?”

He gave a surly grunt. “Milk.”

“May I have milk, please?” He wasn’t getting off that easy.

He sighed, but recognized the brick wall. “May I have milk, please?”

I flashed my warmest smile. “Of course. Why didn’t you ask?”

They finished their breakfast as if I’d said nothing, but I continued. Day after day, meal after meal, request after request. I worked with the patience of a water drip that drills a hole through granite.

One day, their test came, unannounced like a pop quiz. Sandi stayed home to sleep after she’d

Teaching children and adults the love of dance for 43 years.

please & thank you worked overnight, and I alone took the boys to church. After the service, we were in the church basement for coffee and snacks, and I had to leave them for a moment.

“Be good.” I looked both in the eye. “And mind your manners. I’ll be right back.”

When I returned, I stopped at the door to listen for a moment.

“Holly?” I recognized the clear alto as James. “May I have some more cinnamon roll, please?”

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My eyebrows rose and a smile grew on my face.

“May I have some peanut butter and jelly, please?” These halting words came from Ian, each one crafted and inspected on his palate before they left his lips.

My smile spread to a grin. They’d been listening after all.

The next morning at breakfast, I continued the ritual, sure of the outcome. “Ian, do you want water or milk?”

“Milk.”

What? He’d said it so perfectly the day before! My shoulders slumped, but I kept the weariness from my voice. “May I have milk, please?”

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FAITH&FAMILY

embrace the red dots

m

Wendy Connelly, faith columnist, is a graduate student at Saint Paul School of Theology, Leawood, and co-founder of the “Live and Let Think” faith dialogues at her church in downtown Kansas City.

“And I was with you in weakness.”

— 1 Corinthians 2:3

facebook.com/ABFamilyTalk © 2012 Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO

kcparent.com september 2014

37

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y 8-year-old once had a violent rash dotting her legs and arms. People stared, kids made fun, and my daughter became horribly self-conscious. She wanted to hide and cover up. To help her avoid questions about the rash that plagued her, Grandma took her on a shopping spree for pants, a rare and impressive find in midsummer. After weeks of hiding, and days before we could finally get in to see the dermatologist, the red dots mysteriously disappeared.

I’m happy that irksome rash is gone, truly I am. But part of me is also grateful my daughter had to struggle through what it felt like to look and feel different. You see, that rash gave her a new depth of compassion and character, and a capacity to share in another person’s affliction one day, in whatever form it may take. When a kid gets teased on the playground or harassed about the pimples erupting on her cheeks, I’m pretty sure my daughter’s going to stand beside her and help her friend through it. Those blemishes left her better off.

Whether we’re 8 or 38, it’s scary to wear our imperfections.

And as parents, our “red dots” aren’t always so obvious. Sometimes they’re physical: the ways our bodies have changed after having children, or how we never measure up to the Photoshopped images bombarding us in the media. But red dots are often psychological stigmas: postpartum depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors we’d rather avoid, anxiety that fills our every waking moment, loneliness. They’re also matters of identity: of being a working parent, an at-home parent, a non-traditional parent or the single parent juggling it all. Whatever your struggle, this I know: We all have insecurities, weaknesses and quirks. Yes, all of us. Only some have done a better job hiding them and, tragically, concealing in shadow the wonderful gifts they are.

Embrace your red dots, Moms and Dads. Wear them openly.

Let others around you know that you’re not a perfect parent and that your less-than-honor student is still the apple of your eye.

Blessed are the poor, the meek and, if you’ll allow me to embellish, the courageously imperfect. The world has enough phonies. What it needs are a few more marvelous misfits facing the sun.

f l e i e m s: i t

tips for saving a few minutes

W

illiam Penn famously said, “Time is what we want most but what we use worst.” Every time I run across this quote, I find myself nodding like a bobble head.

Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

“It’s easy to keep taking on things and taking on things,” says Cynthia Kyriazis, a time management expert with Productivity Partners in Kansas City. But rarely do we pause to ask ourselves, “What is my goal?”

Read on for time-saving tips that will save a few precious minutes each day.

all clear.

Ask kids to bring their own dishes to the kitchen after each meal. Younger kids can set dirty dishes on the counter; older kids can rinse their dishes and put them in the

38

kcparent.com september 2014

dishwasher. With some kid help, your kitchen table will be clear in no time.

TIME SAVED: 2 minutes.

double up.

When making a hearty dish, such as a casserole, make a double portion and freeze one.

Doubling up means two meals with only one cleanup.

TIME SAVED: 20 minutes.

read ‘em and eat.

Read important documents, sign field trip permission slips or engage in a daily devotional while you eat breakfast in the morning. “I love my time in the morning,” says Donica, a mother of two. “I’m not rushing, either. Doing both at the same time means I don’t have to hurry.”

TIME SAVED: 10 minutes.

dust buster.

Ask kids to dust all surfaces in their rooms. Older kids can handle this chore themselves.

Help younger kids by clearing off surfaces and handing them a rag.

TIME SAVED: 5 minutes.

dishwasher dash.

Unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Starting the day with an empty dishwasher means you can put dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher throughout the day, cutting out the step of tossing dirty dishes in the sink.

TIME SAVED: 3 minutes.

sweet sweeper.

Sweep floor dirt into piles. Encourage your kids to assume dustpan duty, following behind you to sweep up the piles.

TIME SAVED: 5 minutes.

If you don’t value your own priorities, everything else gets in the way.

let go. Decide to let go of one

thing each day. Maybe it’s one minute of Facebook time, or a trip to Target that can wait. Letting go of things that don’t matter help you stay focused on both small and big picture goals, Kyriazis says.

TIME SAVED: 10 minutes.

call laundry fairy.

Racheal, a mother of one, made a cardboard t-shirt folder and washcloth folder. Her daughter is in charge of folding each. “She loves doing it, and my clothes are folded neatly,” she says.

TIME SAVED: 5 minutes.

trade time.

Allow yourself to regroup around the week’s goals by trading kid time with another parent.

Not only do you free up time for yourself, but you give the gift of time to another parent. Bonus: Your kids still get to play.

TIME SAVED: 1 hour.

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cleanup patrol.

Spend 10 minutes before bed each night picking up around your home and putting toys and articles where they belong. Starting a new day with a clutter-free house means there is one less thing occupying your space.

TIME SAVED: 10 minutes.

“If you don’t value your own priorities, everything else gets in the way,” Kyriazis says.

Cherish the gift of time. It’s called “present” for a reason.

Kate Meadows loves deep breaths in quiet moments, strong coffee and time with her two little boys.

Her favorite time-saving trick is stretching while brushing her teeth. www.KateMeadows.com

kcparent.com september 2014

39

Respecting

Dad’s space

• Encourage him to ask for what he needs.

• Teach children the value of self and the importance of spending time alone.

• Set boundaries and explain what areas or items are off limits.

• Honor Dad’s requests to

respect his spaces, objects and expectations.

• Make sure he has time to engage in his interests.

Beyond the Man Cave: Men Need

Space, Too

T

here’s no getting around it: Kids come with a lot of stuff. Even for organized moms, containing the clutter isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s just plain intrusive. Because my husband never said much about stepping over stuffed animals or finding Legos in his lounge chair, I assumed the chaos didn’t bother him.

Early one morning, we were both a little growly. One thing led to another, and soon we were bickering over the items on his nightstand. “It’s my nightstand, and I’ll do whatever I want to with it!” he said. His statement left me startled and confused.

When I asked him about it later, he said, “Sometimes I just want a space untouched by the kids.”

As it turns out, his request isn’t uncommon. And while the growing

40

kcparent.com september 2014

popularity of man caves indicates men are getting the space they crave, sometimes it’s more about respect.

“A man’s world is based on performance and approval,” explains Dr. Scott Brown, a licensed psychologist with Priority Care Pediatrics and a Liberty father of three.

“At home, the number one way a man feels loved as a father and a husband is to have his feelings validated. He is one of two masters of the castle, and there are certain rules and expectations that are important to him, even if they aren’t to anyone else. It means something to him when his family respects those expectations.”

At Dr. Brown’s house, this means respecting Dad’s chair. “When I come home in the evening, I want to sit in my chair,” says Brown. “There is a table next to it, and it might have some books, half a can of Diet

Coke and my fingerboard banjo. Sometimes my kids set stuff on the table or sit in the chair. I don’t get upset, but it’s my area.”

The concept of a safe place is an important one for men, according to Grant Wood, a Brookside father of two and a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist at Overland Park-based Resonate Relationship Clinic, which he owns with his wife, Emma. “Men need a place to go where they can feel safe. When people get married and have a family, they don’t automatically lose that feeling of ‘mine.’ Men need a place where they can feel safe and where they can be themselves.”

How can families make sure Dad feels valued and respected? Wood encourages men to ask for what they need. This is not always easy, considering expressing emotion is not men’s default setting. He also recommends teaching children the value of self and the importance of spending time alone. Setting boundaries and explaining what areas or items in the house are offlimits is also important.

“Men will go to elaborate lengths to get their time and space without even realizing it,” adds Dr. Brown. “In order for the family to flow smoothly, it needs to recognize and respect these needs.”

Mari Rydings is a freelance writer, editor and blogger from Platte Woods. She lives with her husband, twin girls and neurotic dog, Nixon.

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41

weekend adventures along I-70‌ just an hour away!

l

ooking for something new to discover with the family this autumn? Take a trip along

I-70, the interstate coursing across Missouri and Kansas, where you’ll find great family destinations for a day or a weekend in just about an hour of driving.

42

kcparent.com september 2014

East-bound I-70: Boonville & Columbia, Missouri Home to the University of Missouri, Columbia is a nice small town with an offbeat personality of its own.

From eclectic shops and restaurants in the District (www.DiscoverTheDistrict.com), to Missouri State Parks (www.MoStateParks.com), there is much to enjoy for a day or a weekend.

one-of-a-kind attraction:

Warm Springs Ranch (www.WarmSpringsRanch.com) in Boonville is a state-of-the-art Clydesdale breeding facility.

This home to the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales offers 90-minute tours to the public, where visitors learn about the majestic and iconic horses, their Scottish heritage and how they came to be an Anheuser-Busch trademark.

August A. Bush presented his father with a six-horse hitch pulling a Studebaker wagon in celebration of the sale of the very first post-prohibition beer. Since that time, the Budweiser Clydesdales have marched in countless parades, traveled the country for public appearances and have

even delivered beer to the White House. At the ranch, visitors see mares, foals (if your timing is right) and may even watch as one of the horses is bathed from head to gigantic toe. Handlers pass around a horseshoe, about 20 inches from end to end and weighing 5 pounds (twice that of a typical horseshoe). The finale includes a chance to pet a Clydesdale and take photos, as well as enjoy beer samples (for visitors ages 21 and over). Tip: Search “Warm Springs Ranch” on KCParent.com for our full tour review and tips to make the most of your experience.

outdoor adventure:

Rockbridge State Park (MoStateParks.com) is one of the prettiest state parks in the Midwest. Bring hiking shoes or bicycles to enjoy miles of scenic terrain, including the opportunity to explore a large cave system, Connor’s Cave, a natural rock bridge and the Devil’s Icebox.

good eats nearby:

One of the most popular restaurants in Columbia, Shakespeare’s Pizza (www.Shakespeares.com) serves famously delicious pizza in a super hip environment appealing to local college students, visiting families and Mizzou fans. Kids may request pizza dough to play with while they wait, and it will be thrown through a shoot at the front door for their enjoyment!

iconic stop:

West-bound I-70: Topeka, Kansas The State Capital of Kansas, Topeka is proud of its history.

A visit to Old Prairie Town (Parks.snco.us/Facilities/ Facility/Details/28) or some time exploring the businesses around the capitol give you a lot to learn and enjoy in Topeka.

one-of-a-kind attraction:

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center (www.KansasDiscovery. com), in Topeka, is a world of imagination just waiting to be State capitol, Topeka, Kansas explored! Enjoying outstanding hands-on exhibits, children love playing, exploring and learning at this terrific children’s museum. Walking into the museum is like stepping into a rainbow, as one entire side of the facility is a giant multicolored window. Exhibits encourage creativity: Children may build projects in the woodworking shop, paint on windows in the art center, learn about science with the human body exhibits and explore careers as a vet, mechanic, cashier and more.

A favorite is the Grain Gallery, where children measure, pour, shovel, lift, hoist and transport grain on conveyor belts, pulleys, augers and levers. Outside, the adventure continues with treehouses, wooden bridges, trike paths and an educational pond. Along the way, exhibits teach about health, science, money management and critical thinking.

This is one of the best children’s museums in the Midwest.

did you know?

Photo courtesy of MU PUblications

On the Mizzou campus, stop for a photo with the bronze sculpture of Beetle Bailey (the comic book character), a tribute to Mort Walker, artist and MU alum (MUArchives.missouri.edu/beetle-two.html).

tip:

Warm Springs Ranch is between Kansas City and St. Louis, making it a great on-your-way stop if you’re planning a trip to see the Gateway Arch!

The sections of I-70 in Missouri and Kansas, built as part of the Eisenhower Interstate System, are claimed to be the first interstate in the United States. Three states claim to be first, and two of those three are Missouri and Kansas. On Aug. 2, 1956, Missouri awarded a contract for work on U.S. 40—now I-70. On Aug. 13, this project became the first interstate project to be awarded and to start construction after the signing of the 1956 act. On Aug. 31, the Kansas State Highway Commission awarded a contract for concrete paving of a two-lane section of U.S. 40 (I-70) a few miles west of Topeka. The construction was under way before the enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, but paving under the new contract began on Sept. 26.

No matter who was first, many memories have been made along I-70.

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Will you be my s uperhero?

Are you interested in changing a child’s life by welcoming a boy or girl with intellectual/developmental disabilities into your home and becoming their “real-life superhero”?

More Superheros Needed.

For more information on how you can become a therapeutic foster family for a child with special needs, please contact Lakemary’s Supported Family Living Coordinator at (913) 671-1800 ext. 207 today.

outdoor adventure:

The Topeka Zoo (www.

TopekaZoo.org) is relatively small and can easily be enjoyed in a few hours. However small, the zoo offers lots of fun, including lions, tigers and bears! Black Bear Woods is one of the most beloved parts of the Topeka Zoo, where guests can observe the beautiful bears at home in the wooded exhibit. Feeding giraffes, exploring the rainforest and seeing animals up close and personal make this a family favorite. Tip: Kansas City Zoo FOTZ members receive discounted admission! The Topeka Zoo is located in Gage Park, where you may also enjoy Animal Land, an animal-themed playground, the mini train and carousel rides.

good eats nearby: www.lakemaryctr.org

Once featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Bobo’s (785.234.4511) serves delicious homemade burgers, fries and shakes! This throwback restaurant may be tiny, but it’s a must-stop for a tasty lunch.

iconic stop:

Schedule a history tour of the Kansas State Capitol by calling 785.296.3966.

tip:

Plan ahead! You’ll have to pay the toll on the Kansas Turnpike.

For even more great fall day trips, visit KCParent.com.

While writing this story, Kristina Light could not resist the urge to reminisce about the excitement of cheering the Royals’ victory in 1985 when they played the I-70 World Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

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HEALTHYKIDS

tick bites

i

t was the Saturday after nature camp.

Landon and I had spent the week walking trails, identifying birds, scouting bugs and making crafts. There had been a few warnings issued about the possibility of ticks, and each time, I looked him over from head to toe. He was fine on Friday morning, the last day at camp. He was fine at home later that evening.

Saturday morning rolled around however, and suddenly, Landon wasn’t fine.

He developed a very high fever and became lethargic. He wanted nothing more than to lie around and occasionally sip some milk.

Since he wasn’t feeling well, we skipped his bath that evening. The next day, he still wasn’t any better. We decided to give him a cold bath to help with the fever, and that’s when we noticed a tick in the fleshy pad of his groin area.

After ascertaining that it was, in fact, a tick, we laid him down and got to work.

According to www.KidsHealth.org, if the tick is still firmly attached, you must remove it carefully with tweezers. Tonganoxie mom Patricia Duvall says, “We just pull them out at an upward angle to remove the head and then apply rubbing alcohol to the site.”

According to the article, that is the perfect way to handle it. It also says that once the tick is loose, you should place it into a Ziploc bag in case it needs to be evaluated later on. This part seems to be a difference of opinion however, because my sons’ pediatrician says that they recommend simply burning the tick with a lighter or match, rather than bringing it in.

We removed the tick per instruction and decided to dispose of it. We checked him

Signs of potential tick-borne illness would be flu-like symptoms, swelling, rash or a bull’s-eye target surrounding the bite area.

over again and didn’t see any other ticks, so we put him to bed. The flu-like symptoms were still a concern, so I decided to bring him into the pediatrician’s office. He was checked out and presumed to be in good health. I was told to watch for changes for the next several weeks, just in case.

Carlos Morales, ARNP, says, “Signs of a potential tick-borne illness would be flulike symptoms, swelling, rash or a bull’s-eye target surrounding the bite area. These can present even weeks after the initial bite, so any changes need to be noted and assessed.”

Today, Landon’s doing just fine. As for the mystery of the high fever and lethargy timed with the tick bite, it turned out to be a coincidence. Later the next day, his little brother picked up the same high fever and, eventually, even I got it. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Ticks are especially prevalent in the fall season and can be found in wooded areas, tall grass and even your lawn. They can be carried on animals, including dogs or even cats, that are allowed outside. Though most tick bites are harmless and pose no risk of disease, www.CDC.gov offers precautions you can take to prevent possible exposure:

• Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

• Walk in the center of the trail.

• Use repellants that contain 20 to 30

percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

• Wear light colored clothing to make ticks more visible.

• Inspect children from head to toe after

outdoor fun. Focus on areas such as the backs of knees, armpits, belly button, between the legs, groin area, around the waist and in the hair.

• Examine pets when they come indoors.

Keep in mind that there are few tick bites that result in serious complications or illness. Kansas is actually very low in reported incidents. Taking proper precautions will ensure that you’re prepared without giving up all the fun. Don’t be afraid to get out and explore nature!

Jennifer Bosse lives in Kansas City with her husband and two boys. They love to explore nature.

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

tips to prevent lawn infestation • Applying an outdoor pesticide seasonally.

• Clearing tall grass and bushes around homes and at the edge of lawns.

• Clearing leaf litter.

• Mowing the lawn frequently.

• Stacking wood neatly in a dry area.

• Keeping playground equipment away from trees and yard edges.

• Discouraging unwelcome animals, like

deer, raccoons and stray dogs, from entering your yard by constructing a fence.

• Removing old furniture, mattresses or trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.

Source www.CDC.gov

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changing over kids’ closets for fall what to keep and what to toss

3

n

ow that school is back in session, perhaps one of the items on your to-do list is going through the kids’ closets in order to prepare for the upcoming colder weather and those seemingly never ending growth spurts. Just because an item is in the closet doesn’t mean it fits. Here are some steps to make the seasonal closet transition easier for all involved:

1

Before you get started, measure your child with a measuring tape (waist, sleeve length and inseam) or measure something they wear regularly. This makes it much easier to do an initial purge without needing your child to try on numerous items. Then send all children out of the room or, preferably, out of the house.

Otherwise you will hear pleas to keep things that should go.

2

Bring in your supplies: several plastic bins or large paper bags for sorting, a trash bag, safety pins and hangers. Categories for sorting: DONATE, SELL, SAVE FOR POSTERITY, MEND/ REPAIR, SPRING/SUMMER AND HANDME-DOWNS.

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Begin with shoes. Determining which pairs are too small or, for whatever reason, not in your child’s regular rotation is usually pretty easy. If in doubt, find the shoes they wear most often and hold one up for comparison. Put any flip-flops, sandals, water shoes, Crocs or summer sport shoes that you think might still fit by next spring into the spring/ summer bin. Now is the time to dig out and assess any old rain or snow boots to see whether they can be used for the coming season. I don’t usually buy new snow boots until November so I can get closer to the correct size, plus they are usually marked down by then.

4

If you have any items that fall into the “to grow into” category, set aside a small portion of the closet (the back or far side) for these items. Make sure the items are realistic for the season/anticipated growth rate of your child.

5

Pull all the remaining clothes that are too small or the wrong season and sort them into the appropriate bins.

Keep one or two favorite warm weather outfits in the closet in case there is a stray hot day.

6

If there are items that still fit but for some reason go unworn, you can set them aside to discuss with your child. However, I recommend saving your time by putting them straight into the donate, hand-me-down or sell bin.

7

Don’t forget swimming suits, socks, underwear, mittens, scarves, hats and accessories. For girls especially, the accessory pile can get unruly. Sort through all the hair bows/elastics/headbands, etc., and get rid of those that are broken, unmatched or no longer useful. If they go with summer items you are keeping for next year or handing down, pin them to the shirt or dress. Do the same for socks, tights, sunglasses and costume jewelry.

8

Sort the items remaining in the closet/dresser in the way that makes the most sense to you. Hang each shirt type together (short-sleeved, longsleeved, turtlenecks, cardigans, etc.) Hang coordinating tops and bottoms together.

As you sort, make a list of any new items needed in order to complete partial outfits.

9

Take your sorted bins out of the room and put them away.

Throw out the trash. Put the donate bin in your car immediately. Mark your calendar for any upcoming consignment sales and designate time to prepare the items for sale.

10

Celebrate a job well done and know that you are helping the planet and other families by reusing and recycling your children’s clothing.

Once the closet is organized, you’ll be better able to assess items your children still need. If you have a boy and a girl, can you still hand down clothes? I’ve found that you can. Here are some ideas that have worked for my son, 7, and daughter, 5:

• Plain white athletic socks, boys plain

dress socks in beige, white, navy, brown and black.

• Plain T-shirts, long- and short-sleeved

and turtlenecks. Purchase these items from the boys department rather than the girls, as shirts made for girls are more apt to have pleats, lace, frills or bows.

Look for plain shirts without a front pocket. Good colors are white, beige, brown, navy, red, black, orange and green. While your daughter might not wear a boys shirt alone, it can be great for layering either over or under “girly” tops.

• Jeans and pants. Straight or skinny

boys styles work best for both genders.

Avoid cargo or carpenter styles if you have a younger girl sibling. Boys pants are often larger in the waist. Look for styles with adjustable elastic and buttons in the interior of the waistband. Plain sweatpants and jackets (gray, brown, black, navy) easily can be used by both girls and boys. Choose straight-leg or

the traditionally cut sweatpants (such as Hanes) with an elastic leg, versus the flared/ yoga cut that is popular for girls. Pair a gray sweatpants and jacket set with a pink, purple or sparkly shirt for a girl and you have extended the life of the sweatsuit.

• Fleece sweatshirts and vests in red, navy,

green, black or white. Fabric stores have a variety of sew- and glue-on patches if your child wants something more gender-specific. The same goes for jeans.

Put butterfly or heart patches on the back of straight cut boys jeans, and your daughter can wear them anew.

like hair bows rather than purchasing a pink baseball bat, soccer ball or soccer shorts.

• Outerwear. We have not had great luck in

finding gender-neutral winter coats. Even if your daughter loves the color navy, the cut of children’s coats is fairly genderspecific. Windbreakers and raincoats in primary colors have proven easier to hand down successfully, as have snow boots (black, red or brown boys boots) and snow pants (the kind that are pants only, not the bib overall style).

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

• Pajamas. We have gotten multi-gender

use out of the fleece shirt and pants pajama sets (such as Carter’s), as well as the shorts and T-shirt sets (such as Gap Kids). Choose these with genderneutrality in mind. Snowmen, penguins, sea creatures, etc. have worked for both my son and daughter.

• Sportswear and shoes. White tennis shoes with limited accent colors can be handed down. Boys tennis shoes with laces (once your kids can tie shoes) seem to look more unisex than those with Velcro closures.

Plain black and white soccer cleats, socks and shin guards can easily be passed down if you have more than one soccer player in your household. Same with black soccer shorts. If you want a longer life from these items, save the pink for accessories

hot tips Does your daughter have dresses or skirts that still fit in the waist but have gotten too short? Now they can be worn as tunic tops paired with jeans or leggings.

If you plan to hand down within your family, label clothing items with your last name only.

Add a long-sleeved shirt and tights under summer dresses to transition them into autumn. Put thermal shirts or turtlenecks under favorite short-sleeved T-shirts to give them a longer life.

Rubber shoes are usually easily cleaned with some soap and water or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

kcparent.com september 2014

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september

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

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

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kcparent.com september 2014

Help build a new sculpture to be displayed at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

Donate your little toys thru Sept 30 at various drop off sites. Details at ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org

create

sleep

Stop by Crown Center on Sept 6 and 7 when the grounds are transformed into pieces of art at the Chalk & Walk Festival. Chalk available for kids to create their own masterpieces!

816.274.8444

Spend the night with a polar bear at the Kansas City Zoo’s Polar Bear PJ Party on Sept 20 at 7:00. Enjoy activities, a night hike, exclusive tours and more at a zoo sleepover!

Pre-reg.

816.513.5800

watch

party

Join Kansas City for the American Royal Parade on Sept 27 at 9:45 on Grand Boulevard— a KC tradition since 1926. Close to 4,000 march in the parade!

816.221.9800

Celebrate the KC Rep at the 50th Anniversary Block Party on Aug 28 at 10:00 at UMKC parking area. Join the fun with a street party featuring food vendors, activities, performances and more!

KCRep.org

1 Monday LABOR DAY Moms FREE Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

FINAL DAYS THE TOMB CLOSES SEPTEMBER 14

Santa-Cali-Gon Days 10:00, Independence Square. Features more than 400 crafters and vendors, country western music, food and more.

SantaCaliGon.com Messy Mayhem Monday 11:00 & 2:00, Wonderscope. Messy Monday in the Artworks exhibit. Tempra painting on easels. 913.287.8888 Last Beach Day 11:00, Longview Lake Beach. Today is the last day to enjoy the beach for the 2014 season. $3-$5. JacksonGov.org Pops in the Park 7:00, Theatre in the Park. The Kansas City Symphony’s free Labor Day concert celebrates the holiday with familiar classics.

913.831.3355

2 Tuesday Concordia Fall Festival Thru Sept 6, Concordia, MO. A great getaway with dancing, food, crafts, contests, parades and much more!

ConcordiaFallFestival.com Toddler Time 9:30, Sky Zone. If you can walk, then you can jump! Toddler Time is for the little ones to have their own jump time. $7. 913.213.5900 Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Gardens Gone Wild Thru Oct 5, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens to see a 12-foot elephant, a pair of wrestling bears and a 5-foot-tall hen.

816.697.2600

HIS TOMB HIS TREASURES THE BREATHTAKING RECREATION

unionstation.org/tut

NOW OPEN!

Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222 Pooch Pool Party 6:00, Wollman Aquatic Center (Leavenworth). A swim party for your pooch! Small dogs and large dogs have separate swim times. 913.651.2203

3 Wednesday Discovery of King Tut Thru Sept 14, 10:00, Union Station. Let your footsteps retrace the paths of the breathtaking ancient Egyptian archeological site. $12.50-$19.95. UnionStation.org Play Ball 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Learn about Jo Co baseball player Luther Taylor. Activities especially for 3- to 6-year-olds. Free.

913.715.2550 Super Kid Saves the World 10:00, Crown Center. Hands-on exhibit for kids to explore. The big message is reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. Free.

CrownCenter.com

STAY TUNED!

More New Exhibits Open Fall 2014!

www.ScienceCity.com Spark!Lab at Science City is made possible through the support of the kcparent.com september 2014

49

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. $2/person. 913.764.7759 Youth Arts and Crafts 4:00, Garrison Community Center. Kids can sharpen creativity by creating a piece of art to take home. Free.

KCParks.org

4 Thursday Toy Donation Thru Sept 30, Various locations.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures needs your little toys for a new sculpture. See ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org for details.

Quarter Horse Show Thru Sun, Hale Arena (American Royal). See the nation’s best quarter horses up close in their stalls, then watch them compete! 816.221.9800 Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486 Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists (Olathe). Play on the equipment for a couple of hours. The hardest part will be leaving the fun! $2. 913.307.6023

All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com

Penguin Pole-looza 7:00, Kansas City Zoo. Enjoy a sleepover with the zoo’s newest feathered friends! Aes 6+. Pre-reg at 816.595.1765.

Donner Party Goes West 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Learn about the most infamous of all western wagon train parties.

816.325.7575

Movie Night in the Park 7:15, Memorial Park (Raymore). Bring a blanket and enjoy Ghostbusters under the stars. Raymore.com

Music in the Gardens 6:30, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy live entertainment during a stroll through the gardens. 913.685.3604

5 Friday Paint Me a Story 10:30, Paint, Glaze & Fire.

Paint a piece of pottery that goes along with a book. Snack included. Pre-reg at 913.661.2529

First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District.

Galleries and shops remain open the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org

Lenexa Spinach Festival 9:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Join us at the festival for entertainment, food, music, kids activities and so much more!

Lenexa.com

Regular trains run Sat./Sun. at 2 P.M. all of Sept. and first weekend of Oct.

Pumpkin Express Train

Rides in October weekends of the 11th, 18th & 25th.

Trains depart at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30.

Prices of Regular and Pumpkin Express are $9.50 for anyone 3 and older.

Santa Train

Departures are 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm., Sat., Nov. 29 and Sat., Dec. 6, 2013.

Check website for price.

Reservation required for this event.

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6 Saturday Farmers Market 7:00, Parkville. Support local Missouri farmers and take home healthy assorted fruits and vegetables, meats, farm fresh eggs and more. 816.330.3279

Kids under three FREE

FREE with a paid child’s admission.

Opening Night Liberty Corn Maze. Twist and turn your way through this year’s Sporting KC maze. LibertyCornMaze.wix.com

KC Celebrates at the Station 5:00, Union Station. Free event with live entertainment, Chiefs Red Friday and fireworks. Food and drink for sale. UnionStation.org

TRAIN RIDES

Grandparent’s Day Sept. 7, one grandparent rides

Moths in the Moonlight 7:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Learn about life cycle and differences between butterflies and moths. $3.50/ages 7 and up. ErnieMiller.com

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

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

First Saturdays 9:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Re-enactors will bring the village to life while you enjoy activities, food and crafts. 816.792.2655 Kids Workshop 9:00, Home Depot stores. Bring in the kids for a free hands-on workshop and build a Wizard of Oz birdhouse. HomeDepot.com Kids and Clay 9:30, Ceramic Café. Kids learn basic skills such as hand building, slab work, pinch pots, etc., and create a fun masterpiece. $16. 913.383.0222 Fall Family Festival 10:00, Beanstalk Children’s Garden. Garden crafts, face painting, horseback riding and much more. KCParks.org Big Shoal Country Fair 10:00, Atkins-Johnson Farm. Free event includes period craft demonstrations, live music, games and more!

Gladstone.Mo.Us T.A.K.E. Foundation Self Defense Class 10:00, Kauffman Stadium. Free self defense class on the field. Pre-reg. 913.826.2950 Amateur Radio Today & Tomorrow, World War I Museum. Kids can come and possibly contact a station operator halfway around the world!

Free. TheWorldWar.org

North America’s Leading Children’s & Maternity Consignment Sales Event.™ • Shop and get unbelievable deals on brand-name favorites!

Overland Park • Sept 11-14 • Sell your items and earn up to 70%! Sign-up online!

Overland Park International Trade Center • Save and earn even more by being part of our JBF Team!

Thur & Fri • 9am-8pm Sat & Sun • 9am-5pm • Smart! Savvy shoppers and sellers know there’s no better budget helper around! Find all the details online!

Do you Tweet? We do! Follow us on Twitter: @JBFKC

Sunday 50% off SALE* Questions? tmetzger@jbfsale.com

Join us on Facebook & Instagram @JBFOverlandPark

Shawnee/KCK • Oct 17-19 Overland Park International Trade Center

Fri • 9am-8pm | Sat & Sun • 9am-5pm Sunday 50% off SALE* Questions? tmetzger@jbfsale.com

Join us on Facebook & Instagram @JBFOverlandPark * Many items reduced, items with a star on their tag remain full price.

jbfsale.com

shop. sell. save. smart!™

Helping our neighbors in need, these sales benefit, in part, KVC Health Systems

not valid for Prime Time Pre-Sale Shopping

Admission $2 first day, all other days free!

Shoppers - we prefer cash but also accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Debit Cards

Owl Pencil Holder 11:00, Lakeshore Learning.

Create this cute owl to help keep pencils in one place. Free. 913.432.3998 Chalk & Walk Festival 11:00, Crown Center.

Empty squares of asphalt are transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. Free admission.

816.274.8444 Dippin’ Dogs Swim Party Noon, the Bay Water Park. Bring your family and your dog for a special dip in the pool! $10/pooch.

816.965.9218 African Art Family Time 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Enjoy art activities, storytelling and performances. Nelson-Atkins.org Prairie Village Jazz Festival 2:00, Harmon Park.

Enjoy a free day of music, artistry, delectable food and drink and fun! PrairieVillageJazz.org What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Watch as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast.

816.228.3766

kcparent.com september 2014

51

Blue Man Group

Sept. 9-14, Starlight Theatre. Experience the wildly popular show that combines comedy and music. KCStarlight.com

Saturday Night Worship 5:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. New weekly service on Saturday nights.

Check it out! LenexaBaptist.com Kansas Football 6:00, Memorial Stadium.

Watch the Jayhawks take on Southeast Missouri State. Multiple ticket options available.

785.864.7953 Buddy Guy with Quinn Sullivan 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Guy performs.

JCCC.edu/performing-arts-series

7 Sunday

Grandparent and Grandpal Social 1:30, Roeland Park Community Center.

Grandparents Day ice cream social and fun-filled afternoon. $9/person. Pre-reg at 913.826.3160.

Grandparents Ride Free 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. One grandparent rides free with a paid child’s admission.

816.331.0630 Tri-Percussion: Music Around the World 2:00, Kemper Museum. Musical styles and instruments from across the world.

KemperArt.org

Art of the Machine Car Series 10:00, City Market. Car enthusiasts can view custom, restored and vintage vehicles. Free. 816.842.1271

Jazz in the Roses 4:30, Rose Garden in Loose Park. Enjoy Dixieland jazz. Bring a picnic, blanket and enjoy! KansasCityRoseSociety.org

Sunday in the Park with StoneLion 1:30, Westport-Roanoke Community Center. Enjoy a puppet show. Concessions available. Free.

StoneLionPuppets.org

Grandparents Day Concert 4:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bring the whole family for this entertaining outdoor concert. 913.685.3604

FALL FUN $5 OFF

Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per customer.

EXPIRES 10/31/14

TM

1021 NE Colbern Rd. • Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 816.246.5224 • www.Paradise-Park.com

52

kcparent.com september 2014

Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010

TM

Buy 3, Get 1 FREE Enter to win Enter winKC KCParent’s Parent’s

MAX PAK Zombie Attack and Hayride add-ons are available at a discount with all Outdoor Max Pak purchases.

Max Pak attractions include unlimited mini golf, go karts, laser tag, bumper cars, foam factory, rock wall, and Children’s Edutainment Center. Max Paks do not include gem mining, game room, food, or batting cages.

8 Monday

ay!! eaWwAY NNAasSCcaARr GIGivVEA

Laser Tag Hayrides

October 3-31, Fri/Sat 7pm-10pm Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per customer.

EXPIRES 10/31/14

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1021 NE Colbern Rd. • Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 816.246.5224 • www.Paradise-Park.com

One lucky KC Parent reader will win a One lucky4-pack KC Parent reader will win a family to the NASCAR Race family 4-pack to the NASCAR Race Weekend on October 4 & 5 at Kansas Weekend(winner on April 20 & 21 at Kansas Speedway receives tickets to BOTH Speedway (winner receives to BOTH RACES), Track Passes fortickets Saturday only, RACES), FanWalkparking passes, parking 4 preferred foraboth racespass and vouchers foreach scanner (1 pass race).rentals.

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Winston Churchill: the Artist 10:00, Hallmark Visitors Center. Enjoy a rare opportunity to view the art of Churchill. Learn about his connection with Hallmark. 816.274.3613 Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax!

913.631.7000

9 Tuesday Purchase Tickets KC Ballet. Don’t be late for this important date! Buy your tickets to see the KC Ballet’s performance of Alice. 816.931.2232 Story Time for Preschoolers 9:30, MCPL (Liberty Branch). A fun story time geared toward preschoolers ages 3-5 with caregiver. MyMCPL.org Discovery of King Tut 10:00, Union Station.

Let your footsteps retrace the paths of the breathtaking ancient Egyptian archeological site. $12.50-$19.95. UnionStation.org Thomas Hart Benton Display 10:00, National World War I Museum. View a display describing the impact of Benton’s US Naval experience on his art. 816.888.8100 Blue Man Group Thru Sept 14, Starlight Theatre. Experience the wildly popular show that combines comedy and music.

KCStarlight.com

10 Wednesday Farmers Market 7:00, Feldman’s Parking Lot (Liberty). All products grown locally in Northland. Many organic fruits and veggies to choose from. LibertyFarmersMarket.com Pop ‘n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

A drop-in program with age-appropriate activities for children 9 months to 3 years old.

913.715.2550 Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486 Pixie Skate 9:30, Skate City (OP). A program for ages 6 and under to learn how to skate safely and have fun. $5 includes skate rental and snack. 913.888.6668 Farmers Market 2:00, Hy-Vee Parking Lot (Gladstone). Grab fresh vegetables, fruit and more for dinner tonight. Gladstone.MO.US

Fun Farm is Kansas City’s newest fall family attraction!

• 26 Acre Corn Maze • Rubber Duck Races • 120 Acres of • Hay Pyramid Pumpkins • Playground/Park/ • Barnyard Animals Picnic Area • Rabbit Ranch • Pony Rides* • Jump Pillow • Mini Pumpkin/ Apple Launcher* • Extreme Corn Pit • Camp Fire Sites* • Barrel Train • Concessions* • Tricycle Track Items with * are additional cost • Pumpkin Cannon 650 N. Jefferson Street Kearney, MO 64060 • 816.935.7151

FunFarmPumpkinPatch.com kcparent.com september 2014

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11 Thursday

12 Friday

JBF Consignment Sale Thru Sept 14, Overland Park International Trade Center. Save big on clothes, gear, toys and more. JBFSale.com

Visit LEGOLAND 10:00, LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Spend the day creating with Legos. Be sure to visit the newly remodeled Lego Friends area. 816.471.4386

Toy Donation Thru Sept 30, Various locations.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures needs your little toys for a new sculpture. See ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org for details.

Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323

Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010

Belton Fall Festival Today (5:00) & tomorrow (9:00), Main Street Belton. Entertainment, food and craft vendors, Chris Cakes pancake breakfast and more. Belton.org

Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists (Olathe). Play on the equipment for a couple of hours. The hardest part will be leaving the fun! $2. 913.307.6023

Brush Creek Art Walk Brush Creek walkways and trails. Enjoy art along Brush Creek while classical musicians play. www.BrushCreekArtWalk.org

Donner Party Goes West 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Learn about the most infamous of all western wagon train parties.

816.325.7575

Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival and Parade Thru Sun, Downtown Blue Springs. Come for the food and stay for the fun. 816.229.8558

Hard Hat Tour 2:00, Kansas City Museum.

Take a hard hat tour of Corinthian Hall and see how it looks mid-renovation.

KansasCityMuseum.org

Second Fridays 5:00, Downtown Excelsior Springs. Enjoy feature artists, music, dining and shopping. EXSPGSchamber.com

12

Top 10 Reasons KC Parents Prefer Faulkner’s Ranch Pumpkin Season Many More New Reasons to Visit!

12.

11.

10. Hand-picked staff that are friendly, courteous, and well informed 9. Superior amenities like sidewalks, clean indoor restrooms, changing stations 8. Top quality pumpkins, gourds, squash, and fall decor

To view the complete list visit www.faulknerspumpkinfarm.com

$5.00 off family of 4 enter code: familycouponKCP

family discount coupon

(816) 761-5055 | 10600 Raytown Road

In Kansas City, just 1/4 mile south of 470 on Raytown Rd.

54

kcparent.com september 2014

Middle School Teen Night 7:00, Paradise Park. A roundup of harvest-themed fun for tonight’s event. Enjoy kickoff of fall hayrides!

Paradise-Park.com Linden Square Concert Series 7:00, Linden Square (Gladstone). RiverRock performs rock hits from the ’60s and ’70s. 816.436.2200 Blue Man Group Thru Sept 14, Starlight Theatre.

Experience the wildly popular show that combines comedy and music. KCStarlight.com

13 Saturday Spirit of Freedom Walk and Family Fest 7:45, Bruce R Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.

Walk for freedom and to support education of the arts and culture.

Organic Farmers Market 8:00, Minor Park.

Organic farmers offer fresh picked, locally grown produce, natural meat, edible flowers and more. KCOrganics.com Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival 9:00, English Landing Park. Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter presents the ninth annual event. $25.00 816.587.0918

Super Safety Saturday 10:00, Wonderscope.

Free health and safety fair for families. Learn about bike, water, car seat, fire safety and more!

913.287.8888 Zootastik Learning Fest 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. A butterfly bonanza! Activities, crafts and demonstrations in the main lobby.

KansasCityZoo.org

Do you love music and children? ®

teach Music together classes in Kansas city!

Teacher Training Workshop October 10–12, Lawrence KS over the past two decades, millions of parents, children, and teachers have come to love Music together’s innovative, award-winning early childhood music curriculum.

Scavenger Saturdays 10:00, Kemper Museum of Art. Follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure! 816.753.5784 Monarchs and Wildflowers 10:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Celebrate monarch migration.

Capture, tag and release them to continue on their journey. $5/ages 8 and up. ErnieMiller.com

at the training, you’ll learn our research-based approach to teaching early childhood music and how you can earn an income doing something you love as a Music together teacher.

Wonderpalooza 10:00, Wonderscope.

Enjoy a special performance by Heidi Swedburg. Different performers each month. 913.287.8888

it’s easy and inexpensive to get started, and our comprehensive educational and business programs will support you every step along the way.

Living the Great War Today & tomorrow, World War I Museum. Living historians in a camp setting engage with the public on human aspects of the war. Free. TheWorldWar.org

musictogether.com/discovermt • (800) 728-2692

45th & Oak, Kansas City, Missouri | nelson-atkins.org | 816.751.1ART

An amazing adventure filled with twists and turns!

Open Sept 5 – Nov 1 Located between Liberty and Independence, MO off Highway 210

www.LibertyCornMaze.com Admission Prices:

Adult (13 and up) Single Day: $10 Child (4-12) Single Day: $8 Child (3-under): Free

Opening CelebratiOn An Afternoon of Native American Art, Dance and Song

FREE Family Festival | Sept. 21 | Noon–4 p.m.

The exhibition is organized by the musée du quai Branly, Paris, in partnership with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, and in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. | Joseph No Two Horns (He Nupa Wanica), 1852–1942, Hunkpapa Lakota (Teton Sioux) artist, Standing Rock Reservation, North or South Dakota. Horse Effigy, ca. 1880. Wood (possibly cottonwood), pigment, commercial and native tanned leather, rawhide, horsehair, brass, iron, bird quill, Length: 38 1/2 inches. Courtesy of the South Dakota State Historical Society, 1974.002.122.

NelsonAtkins_PlainsIndians_KC Parent_Sept.indd 1

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kcparent.com 8/4/14 1:32 PM september 2014

Gardens Gone Wild

Thru Oct 5, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens to see a 12-foot elephant, a pair of wrestling bears and a 5-foot-tall hen. 816.697.2600

Build Your Name Apple 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Color a fall apple and place the letters of your name on the seeds. Free. 913.432.3998

Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston. Stroll into unique shops and galleries for late night shopping. Live entertainment. WestonMO.com

Sprint Family Fun Days 11:00, Power & Light District. Today’s theme is animal circus. Puppet show, petting zoo, face painting and more! Free admission. 816.842.1045

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays thru Oct, 4:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary.

Watch the cats being fed. $5. 816.739.0363

Old Homes Tour Today & tomorrow, Lexington.

Stroll through time and learn the history of Lexington. Tour five unique homes. $13-$15.

660.259.4711

Upstairs Tearoom Dinner Theater 7:00, Upstairs Tearoom. Date night! Enjoy dinner and the play, Mazzie Mae Gets Married. $25.50/ person. 816.640.2825

Winefest: Independence Uncorked 1:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Date event! Wineries from all over Missouri sampling wines. $20-$25.

IndependenceUncorked.com

Mars 7:30, Powell Observatory. A talk on astronomy, a tour and (if skies are clear) viewing of the moon, stars and planets through various telescopes. $4-$6. ASKC.org

Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturdays through October. 816.331.0630

14 Sunday Community Yard Sale 8:00, City Market. Bring antiques, collectibles or gently used items to sell in this city-wide event. 816.842.1271

SIN

Bark 4 Our Park Stocksdale Park. Proceeds benefit the off-leash dog park at Stockdale Park. $25 for 5K; pet expo is free. CI.Liberty.Mo.US Kansas Soccer 1:00, Rock Chalk Park. Cheer on the Jayhawks as they take on UMKC. Multiple ticket options available. 785.864.7953 art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278

CE 1953

It’s our

SIDEWALK

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SALE

2008 W. 103rd Terr.

Leawood, KS 66206 913-642-8247 ustoy.com

56

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kcparent.com september 2014

STORES TS L E A RN ING MEE

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SEPTEMBER 19TH – 21ST

$5 OFF $30 OR MORE

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*For in-store use at U.S. Toy Stores only with free Preferred Customer Card. Cannot be combined with other offer or discount. Can't be used on sale or clearance items. Can't be used with a Teacher Rewards Card. Reduction taken at register. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Excludes Lego, Playmobil, Thomas the Train & Stuffies product. Not valid for purchase of gift cards. Other restrictions may apply. EXPIRES 9/30/14.

LEAWOOD, KANSAS 103RD STREET 103RD TERRACE GATES BBQ

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI STATE LINE ROAD

ANNUAL

W

14DM13

Save the Date

435

M-F 9-8 • SAT 9-6 • SUN 11-5

15 Monday

16 Tuesday

17 Wednesday

Gardens Gone Wild Thru Oct 5, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens to see a 12-foot elephant, a pair of wrestling bears and a 5-foottall hen. 816.697.2600

Toddler Time 9:30, Sky Zone. If you can walk, then you can jump! Toddler Time is for the little ones to have their own jump time. $7.

913.213.5900

Farmers Market 7:00, Feldman’s Parking Lot (Liberty). All products grown locally in northland. Many organic fruits and veggies to choose from. LibertyFarmersMarket.com

Toy Donation Thru Sept 30, Various locations.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures needs your little toys for a new sculpture. See ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org for details.

Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000

Farmers Market 7:30, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222

Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com

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

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium (Crown Center). Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for close views of everything from starfish and seahorses to rays. VisitSeaLife.com Toddler Takeover 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. Bring your little ones under 4 to run and play in the gym. $1. 816.784.6100 All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com

Tots on Tuesday 11:00, Kemper Museum. Bring in your preschooler for a fun and fashionable get-together every third Tuesday. 816.753.5784 Creative Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222 Story Time for Families 6:30, MCPL (Liberty Branch). Share the early literacy experience with the entire family. Free.

MyMCPL.org

Open Sept. 20-Oct. 31 10:00am-7:00pm 7 days a week

Spark Lab 11:00, Science City (Union Station).

Visit Science City and the newest exhibit, Spark Lab. Hands-on activity center to learn invention process. UnionStation.org What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Watch as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast.

816.228.3766 Montessori at Home 5:00, Clay-Platte Montessori School. Learn the developmental stages of your child and how to nurture your child’s interests at home. Free.

Fabulous Fun on the Farm!!

Bring in this ad & receive $1 off single admission.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

kcparent.com september 2014

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Plaza Art Fair

Sept. 19-21, Country Club Plaza. Stroll the streets of the Plaza as artists display their work. CountryClubPlaza.com

18 Thursday Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486 Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2. 913.422.7010 Story Time 11:00, Amazing Play Fun Center. Hear a story and then stay to play.

AmazingPlayFunCenter.com Festival in the Park Thru Saturday, Memorial Park (Raymore). Baking contest, parade, kids activities, car show, barbecue contest and more.

RaymoreFestival.com Arabian Horse Show Hale Arena. This show features horses and riders from all over the nation showcasing this proud breed.

816.221.9800

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kcparent.com september 2014

Jesse James Festival Today-Sun, Kearney, MO. Family friendly event with a craft fair, food, rodeo, barbecue, carnival and more!

JesseJamesFestival.com Third Thursdays 5:00, Martin City Business District. Dine and shop in Martin City. Many stores will offer specials. MartinCity.WordPress.com

19 Friday Sidewalk Sale Thru Sept 21, US Toy. Shop and receive up to 90 percent off suggested retail price. USToy.com Spark Lab 11:00, Science City (Union Station).

Visit Science City and the newest exhibit, Spark Lab. Hands-on activity center to learn invention process. UnionStation.org Story Time 11:00, Reader’s World Lee’s Summit.

Every Friday enjoy story time with a story, crafts and a snack. Free. 816.246.7323

Mission Arts & Eats Festival Today & tomorrow, Mission. Enjoy a wide variety of activities and entertainment for the whole family. 913.722.8206 The 83rd Annual Plaza Art Fair Thru Sun, 5:00, Country Club Plaza. Stroll the streets of the Plaza as artists display their work.

CountryClubPlaza.com

Third Friday Art Walk 5:30, Englewood Station. The galleries open their doors to art lovers every third Friday of the month.

EnglewoodStation.com

Junk Extravaganza Today & tomorrow, English Landing Center (Parkville). An emporium of vintage treasures, antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces. 816.918.0057

Punch & Judy 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Puppet show performed by Peter Allen of Parasol Puppets. Grand opening of Punch & Judy exhibit. $5. 816.833.9777

Wonders of Wildlife School Thru tomorrow, Swope Park. Dinner and s’mores tonight.

Camp under the stars and enjoy breakfast on Saturday. $30/family.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival Thru Oct 13, Bonner Springs. Join the fun for a one-of-a-kind experience and relive history the fun way! $10-$30. 913.721.2110

Touch a Truck 1:00, Pool Overflow Parking Lot (Gardner). Get up close and personal with the city’s cars, trucks and big rigs. GardnerKansas.gov

20 Saturday Opening Day Carolyn’s Country Cousins. Bring the family out to the pumpkin patch! First day of fun for the season. CarolynsCountryCousins.com Opening Day Johnson Farms. Today is the first day of pumpkin season! Fun for the whole family! See KC Parent ad for buy-1-get-1-free admission. 816.331.1067 Craft Fair 9:00, Shawnee Town 1929. Browse through nearly 100 craft booths and satisfy your cravings with our variety of food vendors.

913.248.2360 Waldo Fall Festival 10:00, 75th Street & Wornall Road. Crafts, food and lots of fun for the entire family! WaldoKC.org

Saturday Night Worship 5:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. New weekly service on Saturday nights.

Check it out! LenexaBaptist.com

Scouts: Wildlife Adventure 10:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Discover wildlife, bird or bug hunt and make a bird feeder. $5. Pre-reg at 913.764.7759.

Backyard Bash 6:00, Paradise Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a musical evening under the stars. Free concert. 816.246.5224

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

Summer Dusk Concert 7:00, the Colonnade (Kessler Park). Enjoy the sounds of the Sam Wiseman Jazz Trio. KCParks.org

Cheetah Run 10:30, Kansas City Zoo. Witness the fastest mammals on Earth race around a track at top speed. KansasCityZoo.org

Polar Bear PJ Party 7:00, Kansas City Zoo. Participate in themed activities, a night hike, exclusive tours and more at a zoo sleepover! $30. 816.513.5800

Den Den Drum 11:00, Lakeshore Learning. Kids will keep the beat with this fun drum they’ll create. Free. 913.432.3998

Funky Nebulas 7:30, Powell Observatory. A talk on astronomy, a tour and (if skies are clear) viewing of the moon, stars and planets through various telescopes. 4-$6. ASKC.org

second annual

Great Pumpkin Run A trail run.

A corn maze.

Apple cider.

Pumpkins.

Food.

Whether you choose the 5K run or add the Tough Pumpkin option, one thing will remain the same: this will be your favorite day of the fall this year!

2 MAZES IN

CLUDED IN

14,000 Garden

17701 Holmes Road, Belton MO Mon.- Fri. 12 to 6 PM • Sat.-Sun. 9am to 6pm www.johnsonfarms.net • 816.331.1067

Admission:

ing Openy! a D ay d Satur 20 t p e S

2 and under FREE

Mon-Thur Fri-Sun

$10

$12

Adults 13-59 $8 Seniors 60+ $6

$10 $8

Kids 3-12

(includes jumping pillow)

ALL PRICING INCLUDES TAx

ADMISSION

Mums in 90 Co

lors

Small & Large Gr oup

Discounts

Birthday Party Pack

ages

U-Pick Pumpkin

s, Flowers and Ve

Popular Season

ggies

Available for Ad Pass ults

Our farm is “stroller friendly” having pavement throughout to every amenity.

Saturday Oct. 4th at 9am Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins 17701 Holmes Rd., Belton, MO 64012

Details at thregreatpumpkinrun.com

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on admission in September No photocopies accepted. One coupon per customer per day. No other discounts may be applied. Exp. 9/30/14

kcparent.com september 2014

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take note: september ’14 Sept. 3: Skyscraper Day: Kansas City may not be home to the tallest skyscraper, but we are home to the tastiest. Treat the kids to a skyscraper (giant ice cream soda or shake meant for sharing) at Winstead’s (WinsteadsSteakBurger.com for locations).

Sept. 5: Cheese Pizza Day: Treat the family to some of

Sept. 22: Elephant Appreciation Day: Spend a day enjoying our beloved local pachyderms at the Kansas City Zoo (KansasCityZoo.org).

the best pizza in town. When we poll our readers for their favorite pizza places, these five always make the cut: Minsky’s (Minskys.com), d’Bronx (dBronxKC.com), Waldo Pizza (WaldoPizza.net), Avelluto’s Italian Delight (ItalianDelightMission.com) and Next Door Pizza (wp.NextDoorPizza.com).

Sept. 9: Teddy Bear Day: It’s a fun day to head to Build-ABear (BuildABear.com), where children can make their own stuffed teddy bear and dress it in style.

Sept. 12: National Video Game Day: Go for some classic family fun and play the arcades at Cool Crest (CoolCrest. com) or Paradise Park (Paradise-Park.com)!

Sept. 28: National Good Neighbor Day: This is a great day to show extra kindness to your neighbor. Rake some leaves, bake and deliver fresh cookies or lend a helping hand.

Sept. 13: Uncle Sam Day: The original Uncle Sam “I Want You for U.S. Army” was first used in World War I. Learn more about the war and wartime propaganda at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial (TheWorldWar.org).

kcparent.com september 2014

Enjoy the American classic at one of Kansas City’s best burger joints. For your old-fashioned diner experience, head to Town Topic (TownTopic.com) for something truly local made from fresh local ingredients. For one of the best burgers in town, head to Blanc Burgers (BlancBurgers.com), or for something grown-up and gourmet, head to BRGR Kitchen (BRGRKitchen.com), where they take burgers seriously.

Sept. 15: Make a Hat Day: Head to KidScape at the Johnson County Museum (JoCoMuseum.org), where children can create and explore fun fashion with the kid-sized theater costumes and fashion crafts in the boutique.

Sept. 19: National Talk Like a Pirate Day: A perfect excuse to head to one of the area’s pirate parks with play structures designed to look like pirate ships: Frontier Park (15501 W. Indian Creek Pkwy., Olathe), Listowel Park (71st & Quivira, Shawnee) and Williams-Gates Park (401 Howard, Lee’s Summit).

NEED COPY

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Sept. 18: National Cheeseburger Day:

Sept. 1: Labor Day: This holiday traditionally marks the end of summer, and that means closing day/weekend for area pools and waterparks. Treat the family to one more swim!

Nelson-Atkins

Opening Sept. 19. Masterpieces from the Plains Indians will be displayed through an array of forms and media: painting and drawing. Nelson-Atkins.org

21 Sunday Sidewalk Sale Thru Sept 21, U.S. Toy. Shop and receive up to 90% off suggested retail price.

Last day to save! USToy.com Whisper Walk 7:30, Zona Rosa. 5K to walk in memory of those touched by ovarian cancer.

Supports research and education efforts.

KC Northern Railroad Saturdays (10:00) & Sundays (Noon), Frank Vaydik Line Creek Park.

Ride on our trains for only 50 cents per person!

KCNRR.com The 83rd Annual Plaza Art Fair 11:00, Country Club Plaza. Stroll the streets of the Plaza as artists display their fabulous work.

CountryClubPlaza.com Opening Celebration Noon, Nelson-Atkins. A free family festival with Native American art, dance and song to celebrate the Plains Indians exhibition. 816.751.1ART Football Fundays Noon, Paradise Park. With 15 TVs, Paradise Park is the best place for football fans to watch the big game each week!

816.246.5224 Fall Concert 3:00, Polsky Theatre (JCCC).

Mr Stinky Feet performs with the Overland Park Orchestra. Free fun for kids of all ages!

816.591.5245

22 Monday National Family Day Let Dream Dinners help get your family around the table not only today, but every day. DreamDinners. com Toy Donation Thru Sept 30, Various locations.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures needs your little toys for a new sculpture. See ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org for details.

Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010

Visit LEGOLAND 10:00, LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Spend the day creating with Legos. Be sure to visit the newly remodeled Lego Friends area.

816.471.4386 Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

23 Tuesday Invitational Youth Rodeo Thru Friday, Hale Arena. Contestants of all ages compete for scholarship money, prize money and receive a gold buckle. 816.569.4013 Toddler Time 9:30, Sky Zone. If you can walk, then you can jump! Toddler Time is for the little ones to have their own jump time. $7.

913.213.5900 Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott 9:45, Coterie Theatre. The story of Rosa Parks.. Suggested fourth grade and up.

TheCoterie.org Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Gardens Gone Wild Thru Oct 5, Powell Gardens. Visit the gardens to see a 12-foot elephant, a pair of wrestling bears and a 5-foot-tall hen. 816.697.2600 Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys!

OverlandParkMOPS.com Walker Time 10:00, West Wyandotte Library.

Ages 12-23 months will enjoy stories along with interactive rhymes, songs and short books.

913.596.5800 Farmers Market 4:00, Behind First Baptist Church (Raymore). Area growers and artisans offer locally produced foods, crafts and plants.

Raymore.com

24 Wednesday Pop ‘n Play 9:00, Johnson County Museum.

A drop-in program with age-appropriate activities for children 9 months to 3 years old.

913.715.2550 Baby Bounce Story Time 9:30, Plaza Branch.

A special story time for babies (newborn to 18 months) with parent or caregiver. 816.701.3481 Thomas Hart Benton Display 10:00, National World War I Museum. View a display describing the impact of Benton’s US Naval experience on his art. 816.888.8100 Spark Lab 11:00, Science City (Union Station).

Visit Science City and the newest exhibit, Spark Lab. Hands-on activity center to learn invention process. UnionStation.org Free Play Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Daily free play for young children while parents enjoy a coffee drink. 913.393.3000 Farmers Market 5:00, Independence Square.

Check out the farmers market to pick up fresh produce for your family. 816.325.7000

25 Thursday Stories for Ones 9:30, Waldo Library. Bring your 1-year-old to a story time geared toward this age group. 816.701.3486 Pay for Play 10:00, Backyard Specialists (Olathe). Play on the equipment for a couple of hours. The hardest part will be leaving the fun! $2. 913.307.6023

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Nature Story Time 10:00 & 11:00, George Owens Nature Park. Children are invited to a nature focused story time and craft.

816.325.7115 Donner Party Goes West 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Learn about the most infamous of all western wagon train parties.

816.325.7575 What’s for Dinner? 3:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Watch as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast.

816.228.3766 Music in the Gardens 6:30, Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy live entertainment during a stroll through the gardens. 913.685.3604

26 Friday Citywide Garage Sale Today & tomorrow, City of Lansing. Map available at City Hall. Shop for tons of great deals.

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. 913.383.0222

Register Today Music Together. Love music and children? Register for upcoming teacher training workshop Oct 10-12. 800.728.2692 Fall Festival Thru Sunday, Downtown Liberty.

Entertainment, parade, carnival, music, dancing and more in this three-day festival.

LibertyFallFest.com New Dance Partners 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC).

The world premiere of three original works created for local dance companies. JCCC.edu Family Fun Night 4:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Admission is only $6 for kids to bounce the evening away. Pizza available for purchase.

913.631.7000

27 Saturday Farmers Market 7:30, Downtown Overland Park. Shop for fresh produce, flowers and more.

Free. 913.642.2222 Cars in the Park 9:00, Shawnee Mission Park Marina. All ages event with DJ, concessions, door prizes and lots of cars. JCPRD.com

Grand Festival of Chez Les Canses 9:00, Fort Osage. Reenactors help visitors explore how French settlers lived. Artisans display custommade wares. $3-$7. 816.503.4860 American Royal Parade 9:45, Grand Boulevard.

Celebrating 115 years of tradition, the parade pays tribute to men and women of the military.

816.569.4023 Wild West Days Today & tomorrow, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Hands-on activities and fun for the entire family. 913.971.5111 Museum Day Live Various museums. 10th annual Smithsonian Magazine museum day.

Free admission to certain museums. Visit SmithsonianMag.com/MuseumDay for a list.

Parade of Homes Thru Oct 12. Fall parade of homes features 309 homes by 84 builders across the KC metro. Open daily 11:00-6:00.

KCParadeOfHomes.com Street Organ Muster ll 10:00, Main Street (Weston). Organ grinders line the streets and play music. Fun, food and music. Free.

816.640.2909

ALICE (IN WONDERLAND)

OCTOBER 10-19, 2014

Dancer: Laura Hunt. Photography: Kenny Johnson.

DON’T MISS THIS MAGICAL FANTASY!

S P O N S O R E D I N PA R T BY:

Estelle and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation

Connect with us

Follow our blog for behind-the-scenes information.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM $25 WWW.KCBALLET.ORG OR CALL 816-931-2232

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kcparent.com september 2014

Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo 10:00, Abdallah Shrine Center. Reptile event featuring vendors, reptile pets, supplies and more. Family friendly fun. 863.268.4273 Anniversary Event 11:00, Lakeshore Learning.

Celebrating 60 years of learning! Stop by for free crafts, free party favors and more!

913.432.3998 Arts and Music Festival 11:00, Kenagy Park (Raytown). Enjoy artists’ displaying work, art activities for kids and a face painter and balloon artists. RaytownParks.com

Oct. 20 Curious George Nov. 20 Stella

Nature Tales 11:00, Burr Oak Woods. Story time and fantastic nature adventure. Walk-in event.

MDC.Mo.gov

Jan. 26 Four Score & Seven Years Ago

Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott 2:00, Coterie Theatre. The story of Rosa Parks. Question and answer with cast after show. Suggested fourth grade and up.

TheCoterie.org

Feb. 9 Teacher from the Black Lagoon & Other Stories

May 7 Spot

Train Rides 2:00, Belton, Grandview & KC RR. Enjoy an old-fashioned train ride Saturdays through October. 816.331.0630

September 27 & 28

www.follytheater.org

816.474.4444

Friends of Overland Park Arts Invite You to

featuring Legacy School of the Arts Saturday, December 6, 2014 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. Sunday, December 7, 2014 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Purchase tickets at www.nutcrackerteaparty.org

Presented by

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28 Sunday 50th Anniversary Block Party 10:00, UMKC parking area (Spencer Theatre). The KC Rep transforms the lot into a street party with food vendors, activities, performances and more!

KCRep.org Fall Harvest Days Noon, Paradise Park. Take a daytime hayride and come nose to nose with an assortment of family friendly farm pals.

Hayrides $9.99. 816.246.5224 Nature Crafts Noon, Overland Park Arboretum.

Visit the arboretum for crafts for kids to create and more. 913.685.3604 art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278 Hayrides 2:30, Oak Ridge at Shawnee Mission Park. Enjoy the crisp autumn air from a tractordrawn hay wagon. Pre-reg at 913.831.3355. $6.50/person.

29 Monday Moms FREE Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Moms are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

Toddler Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring your kids to play on the large assortment of toys in the gym. $2.

913.422.7010 All-You-Can-Play Day 10:00, Cool Crest. On Mondays and Thursdays get unlimited mini golf, two go-kart rides and 10 arcade tokens for only $10.99. CoolCrest.com Winston Churchill: The Artist 10:00, Hallmark Visitors Center. Enjoy a rare opportunity to view the art of Churchill. Learn about his connection with Hallmark. 816.274.3613 Power Hour 1:00, Little Monkey Bizness.

Arrive between 1:00 and 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and admission is just $5 plus tax! 913.631.7000

Visit Sea Life 10:00, Sea Life Aquarium (Crown Center). Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for close views of everything from starfish and seahorses to rays. VisitSeaLife.com Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Free play in the gym for kids 5 and under. Inflatables, scooters, balls and other toys! OverlandParkMOPS.com

Walker Time 10:00, West Wyandotte Library.

Ages 12-23 months will enjoy stories along with interactive rhymes, songs and short books.

913.596.5800

30 Tuesday Visit Warm Springs Ranch Thru Oct 31, Warm Springs Ranch (Boonville). Take a day trip to the state-of-the-art Budweiser Clydesdale breeding farm. Pre-reg at WarmSpringsRanch.com.

Look for KC Parent’s BIG pumpkin patch guide in the October issue.

Buy Tickets Purchase tickets to the family economics conference on Oct 2-4.

FamilyEconomics.com

October 4 9 am – 4 pm | Hale Arena What’s it like to live, work and play in the wild, wild west? Find out at the American Royal Kids’ Korral.

• Free activities with grounds admission

• Free parking West Bottoms garage at State Line and American Royal Drive

• • • • • •

Mutton bustin’ Pig races Inflatables Face painting Petting zoo Pony rides

Get tickets now at Ticketmaster.com www.AmericanRoyal.com 2014 American Royal is Presented by

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2014 American Royal BBQ is Presented by

Kids’ Korral is Presented by

FAMILY ECONOMICS & MENTORSHIP CONFERENCE Kansas City | October 2-4

For schedule, registration, and lodging discounts, visit FamilyEconomics.com

Only $199

$149

per family

We Welcome your children to our Warm, fun environment, Where every child is treated With personalized care.

Dentistry for infants, children, teens and all those with special needs

• Comprehensive pediatric dental care including orthodontics • Low radiation digital x-rays • Individualized oral health education

Dr. John T. Fales, Jr.

13496 S. Arapaho Drive • Olathe, KS 66062 913.782.2207 • 913.489.0028 Fax

www.KIDZDENTIST.com

find us on facebook kcparent.com september 2014

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A UNIQUE, PARENT-TESTED GUIDE TO

BRACES OR INVISALIGN WITHOUT MISSING WORK OR SCHOOL...

GUARANTEED.

There are advanced clear and invisible braces treatment options available today to help you take even better care of your kids, without missing work or school.

Dr. Dustin Burleson, founder of Burleson Orthodontics, one of the fastest-growing orthodontic practices in North America offers more after-school and after-work appointments than any other orthodontic specialty practice in Kansas City.

Discover the difference before choosing your family’s orthodontist and claim your free copy of the Amazon best-selling book Stop Hiding Your Smile! A Parent’s Guide to Confidently Choosing an Orthodontist, plus receive a complimentary exam, consultation and digital x-rays ($249 value) when you mention this magazine advertisement.

Claim Your FREE Book: www.FreeBracesBook.com

For the First 197 Kansas City Families

4135 N. Mulberry Drive Kansas City, MO 64116

816-533-7566 66

kcparent.com september 2014

Four Area Metro Locations: Kansas City • Liberty • Excelsior Springs • Raymore

Fall Into Fun at the Kansas City Zoo! Hoots and Howls

Oct. 4 & 5

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

11th Annual Zoo Run Oct. 5 Hoots and Howls Oct. 11 & 12, Oct. 18 & 19 Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too

Oct. 18

(21 and Over)

Boo at the Zoo

Oct. 25 & 26

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company

Great Pumpkin Smash Nov. 1 Nikita’s Birthday Party Nov. 15 Holiday Wild Dec. 6

kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. kcparent.com

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FAN

TAS Fast family fun.

TIC

See the fourth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup this October 5. Find out what makes NASCAR such a great experience with family-friendly pricing and fan-friendly fun.

Tickets for $99 or less are available now. Youth Tickets are $29.

Parking is free. Coolers are welcome.

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

kcparent.com september 2014

8 6 6 .4 6 0 .RACE (7 2 2 3 ) • kans as s pee d wa y. c o m