KC Parent Magazine March 2013 by KC Parent Magazine

FREE March 2013 KCParent.com Since 1985 Where you find family, you will find us.

KC’S #1 CAMP GUIDE! SPRING YOUR FASHION FORWARD ARE RULES THE SAME FOR BOYS & GIRLS? PROS & CONS OF TABLETS FOR TOTS hey! you just picked up our biggest issue in 27years! kcparent.com march 2013

physicians

lee’s summit

group

Lee’s Summit Physicians 1425 N.W. Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.524.5600 LSPhysicians.com Raintree Pediatrics 995 SW 34th St. Lee’s Summit, Missouri 816.525.4700 Raintree-Pediatrics.com Sallie L. Veenstra, MD

Blue Springs Pediatrics 1600 NW South Outer Road Blue Springs, Missouri 816.554.6520 BlueSpringsPediatric.com

Barbara S. Trites, MD Lisa B. Fletcher, MD Deann E. DeWitt, MD Allison C. Henschel, MD Sarah J. Gladstone, MD Bryan L. Phillips, MD

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

Daniel E. Gershon, DO Veronica Manka, MD Jeffrey P. Yannette, MD Jennifer M. Sauer, MD Cynthia M. Dean, DO Ashley Campbell, DO Danielle Leivian, MD

Urgent Care (Pediatrics Only) No appointment necessary! 8:00-11:00 am Mon-Friday 4:00-7:00 pm Mon-Thursday

Lauren Lee, PNP Kelly R. Fritz, C-PNP Julie Kirkpatrick, C-PNP Camille Lucitto, C-PNP

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Cindy Fieser, C-PNP Sarah Dedrick, C-PNP

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healthcare you can

THE

CARE for KIDS. Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the

top hospitals in the country in specialties such as nephrology, neonatology and cancer. For the second year in a row, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics is the only hospital in Kansas City to be ranked in 100% of all specialties measured. It’s a reflection of our world-class pediatric expertise, research and clinical care. And it’s more evidence that Children’s Mercy is working wonders every day.

kcparent.com march 2013

MARCH 2013

DEPARTMENTS 10

Blog Bits

Women’s Health

Word from Dad

Media Mix

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ARE TABLETS FOR TOTS? PG. 16

Party Guide

Camp Guide

Calendar of Events

FEATURES

Gender Rules

Egg Hunts

St. Pat’s in KC

Tips for parenting boys vs. girls

Creative ideas to liven up your Easter egg hunt

Great ideas to celebrate the green in KC

Our cover features Johnny from Overland Park. Cover and select interior photos by KiaBondurant.com FREE March 2013 KCParent.com Since 1985 Where you find family, you will find us.

KC’S #1 CAMP GUIDE!

ON THE COVER Tablets for Tots

Same Rules for Girls & Boys?

Spring Your Fashion Forward

KC’s #1 Camp Guide

SPRING YOUR FASHION FORWARD ARE RULES THE SAME FOR BOYS & GIRLS? PROS & CONS OF TABLETS FOR TOTS hey! you just picked up our biggest issue in 27years! kcparent.com march 2013

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new ad coming

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editor’s letter MARCH 2013 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

Enter to win KC Parent’s NASCAR Giveaway! One lucky reader will win a NASCAR prize package valued at over $1,000! See details on pg. 55 and enter today!

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Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com Art Director Lauren Goldman Lauren@KCParent.com Advertising Sales Darrell Dean Lynn Hawkins Advertising@KCParent.com Electronic Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Marisa Frymire Calendar@KCParent.com Proofreader Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com

100% LOCAL

Local Contributing Writers Bill Bartlett (Belton), Maria Dean (Shawnee), Jennifer Duxbury (Olathe), Tisha Foley (Belton), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Sylvia C. Hall (Roeland Park) Jennifer Higgins (Kearney), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Emily McIntyre (Kansas City), Jena Meyerpeter (Lenexa), Karah Thornton (Kansas City), James Wilcox (Kansas City), Melanie Yunger (Shawnee) Business Office 11936 W. 119th #335, Overland Park, KS 66213 913.782.3238 phone • 913.681.5139 fax OUR PRODUCTS the ultimate guide to family fun in KC FREE March 2013 KCParent.com Since 1985

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ARE RULES THE SAME FOR BOYS & GIRLS? PROS & CONS OF TABLETS FOR TOTS

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PLAY! 500+ FAMILY OUTINGS IN KC

FUN FAMILY DINING DISCOVER BURIED TREASURE SLEDDING, SKIING & SKATING!

the scoop on odd food

cravings

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t’s funny. I don’t think of our family as a travel family, but when I look back over the last year, we seem to have been on the move fairly often. Not only do we make our almost-monthly jaunt to St. Louis to visit family, but we’ve also taken road trips to both Cleveland and Keystone. While I can’t say long trips in the car are my favorite way to while away the hours, I’ve found that I really enjoy the luxury of having a car when we reach our destination. And, both of my girls would tell you they think I am unreasonable when it comes to car seats and car trips. I make them ride in a car seat when we go on a car trip way past the cut-off age for not needing a car seat. It just gives me an added layer of security. Are you up-to-date on all of the latest car seat rules? Take Jennifer Duxbury’s quiz on pg. 34 and visit KCParent.com to see how you score. We’ve been fortunate to visit theme parks as a family, as well as try our hand at skiing. One trip we’ve not taken yet, but that I’ve always wanted to, is a cruise. After reading Maria Dean’s article on pg. 18 on her family’s cruise experience, I am ready to plan a Sarver cruise! Not only is it a great vacation that appeals to all ages, but it’s easier than you think to get there to board the boat! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I get really excited when March rolls around, because the end of the long, cold, dreary winter days are in sight. While I know we could still have snow and really cold days, I know that they will soon be coming to an end. Longer days and warmer temps turn my thoughts to summer and summer camps! In your hands you are holding the biggest issue of KC Parent in our 27-year history! It’s chock full of great info on TONS of local summer camps to keep your kids busy all summer long.

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.

kcparent.com march 2013

blog bits

finding the right

Denis Kuvaev / Shutterstock.com

Are energy drinks safe for kids? Visit KCParent.com to find out.

sport

hen my youngest son announced that he doesn’t want to play soccer this coming spring, I wasn’t all that surprised. Although he enjoys soccer and has played in the spring and fall for the past five years, he has always struggled with the game. It was easy for him when he first started playing in the 3-on-3 “bitty ball” league when he was 5, but now that he is 10 and playing on larger fields with more players, keeping up with the game is hard for him. It isn’t that he is lazy or doesn’t know what to do; he just has trouble seeing the ball because he is visually impaired. My wife and I made the decision early on, though, that we were going to let him try any sport he wants (we did have to draw the line at baseball and, luckily, he has no interest in playing football). We weren’t going to deprive him of the opportunity to play, but ultimately the decision was his. We were thrilled when he wanted to play soccer, supportive when he decided to take a season off and thrilled again when he decided to pick the sport up again. We have been at every

practice and every game since, cheering him on, content that he was doing his best. After my son announced that he doesn’t want to play soccer this spring, my wife and I talked with him about some of the other sports he could try this spring. As a fourth-grader, he is now old enough to play on his school’s volleyball and track teams. We explained the pros and cons of each sport and had an honest discussion about how “ball sports” are always going to be difficult because of his low vision. We tried to be honest, but encouraging, and we tried to nudge him to at least try one of these sports. He hasn’t made his decision yet, but I think he is leaning toward joining the track team. I think this might be the perfect fit, but only if it is the right sport for him. James Wilcox (and other parents and teens) blog daily at KCParent.com.You’ll also find blogs for pregnant moms and for foodies! Join the conversation today!

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I am ... … a Baker University Alum (Master’s Degree). … an Account Manager at a media company. … a University of Kansas Alum. … a fashion lover. … compassionate. ... a blood donor. … an Army brat. … an art lover. … a mother. … funny.

Andi is a busy and active woman on the go; she juggles home life with a professional career that keeps her running all week. She is also a loyal and dedicated blood donor who takes 60 minutes of her time every 56 days to save a life in her community. communit

Who are you?

savealifenow.org kcparent.com march 2013

women’s health

VACCINES…. NOT JUST FOR KIDS ANYMORE

know, I know….I am sure you thought that by the time you turned 20, getting your shots would be a thing of the past. Well, think again. Adults need vaccinations, too. The purpose of vaccines is to save lives by preventing life-threatening illness or to provide protection against a serious illness that may have long-term effects. Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews the recommended vaccine schedule and revises the schedule as necessary to provide the public with a new and improved list of recommended vaccines. The following is a list of vaccines recommended for adults by the Centers for Disease Control: Influenza (flu) The flu is a viral infection affecting the respiratory system and may lead to serious or life-threatening complications. The vaccine is recommended for all adults, ideally every year around the month of September.

Pneumococcal Disease A potentially serious infection, this is caused by a type of bacteria taking various forms such as pneumonia or meningitis. The vaccine is recommended for ages 65 and older or if you have a chronic illness, weak immune system or your spleen has been removed. It can be administered any time— just ask your doctor. Shingles (herpes zoster) Anyone who has recovered from the chicken pox might develop shingles. Obtain this vaccine if over age 60. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genital HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that may lead to cervical cancer. Obtain this vaccine if you are female age 26 or younger or male age 21 or younger and did not get this vaccine as an adolescent. The following is a list of vaccines

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We are excited and privileged to provide comprehensive dental and orthodontic care for children and teens including those with special needs.

kcparent.com march 2013

• Served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Kansas Dental Association. • Recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Kansas Fifth District Dental Society. • Pediatric Dental Coordinator for the Kansas Mission of Mercy since 2002. • Appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Kansas Dental Board

that are recommended by the CDC. Most people received these vaccines during childhood, but if you are unsure or haven’t received them, please contact your healthcare provider: Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis: Childhood, but need a booster every 10 years

Hepatitis A

TIME TO CELEBRATE YOU

Hepatitis B

Room Rentals and Party Packages

Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) For answers, visit KCParent.com! For more information aboutnow vaccinaGo online tions for adults and children, visit well to see how CDC.gov, AdultVaccination.org, you did! MayoClinic.com. As always, for any health concerns, check with your medical provider.

Celebrate your child’s next birthday at your neighborhood Y. You’ll have an opportunity to be active and have fun in a safe environment. Parties include room time as well as pool time. Let us help make this a birthday they will always remember.

Melanie Yunger is a local wife, mom and nurse practitioner who received a flu shot this year.

Visit KansasCityYMCA.org to find your local Y.

Varicella: Need proof of illness or vaccination Measles, mumps, rubella Meningitis: Usually prior to college, but might need if traveling out of the country

kcparent.com march 2013

MATH MATTERS

Is your child math smart? Reading smart? Visit KCParent.com to discover your child’s innate intelligence.

“I Practical ways to emphasize math skills: Flash card races for those competitive kids. The repetition will help, and you can use their competitive nature to increase speed. Farkle dice games to count the dots on the dice. Recipes to work on fractions. Make Saturday morning breakfasts together and work through the fractions on a recipe. Counting change back at a restaurant— if you can count it correctly, you get to keep it. Baseball or football statistics for those sports lovers—use their love for sports to work on math facts. Keeping score at a volleyball game will keep a younger child entertained practicing addition and subtraction skills. Websites and math apps are plentiful and easy to use.

kcparent.com march 2013

don’t understand math.” “I’m just not good at math.” “My mom hated math, and so do I.” Sound familiar? Many kids struggle with math and offer excuses for why they aren’t doing well. However, not all kids have difficulties. Parent involvement and encouragement can go a long way to helping those who struggle become more confident in their abilities. As for why students struggle, confidence may be the key. “I see that students are lacking in confidence. They don’t want to try a challenging problem (unless I will tell them what to do), and I don’t think it’s a lazy issue. I really think they just don’t want to make a mistake,” says Kara Yarc, mother of four and math teacher at Kearney Middle School. Parent encouragement is a key element to helping a student do better in math. According to Stephanie Taylor, mother of one and math teacher at Liberty North High School, keeping a positive attitude is important. “Unfortunately, kids hear their parents and teachers say things like ‘I always hated math too.’” Yarc agrees that parent encouragement is important. “Encourage kids in math!” she says. “Tell them they CAN do it. Don’t say, ‘Well, I wasn’t good at math either.’” Parents can’t just leave it all for the teachers. For a student to be successful, parents have to be involved. “We do math every single day of our lives. You have to

figure out what motivates your kids and do that,” Krisha Klug, Liberty mother of three, shares. “Sitting down at the table and drilling numbers in their heads might not work for your child. You need to figure out what works and go with that.” There are some simple things parents can do to help their child. “Check tests, review them and correct them together. Making sure kids can find and fix their mistakes will help so much,” Yarc advises. “Give them a hug every time they use a math vocabulary word! Know what they are studying in math and ask them about it.” Students have a role in becoming better at math as well. “Students need to learn good study skills, not give up, communicate with the teacher and keep practicing,” Taylor says. “People think you either get math or you don’t, but it’s like anything else...you have to practice to get better.” While reading skills sometimes are seen as most important, math skills rank right up there. “We wouldn’t be satisfied if our kids were bad at reading!” Yarc says. “While I want my kids to be great, confident readers, I want them to be problem solvers, too!” Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, mother and teacher from Kearney who admits she wasn’t very good at math, but will try not to say that to her children.

word from dad

Communications Gap

pulled into my driveway and heard a loud clunk from under the hood. I tried shifting, but none of the gears worked. The car just rolled toward the street. I applied the parking brake, but it didn’t hold. School was out, so I leaned on the horn for Patrick, then almost 10. Patrick finally stuck his head out the door. “Get out here right now!” I hollered. “OK, just a minute.” He disappeared inside the house and I began to fume. Finally, he came out to the car. “Get a big stone from the ditch and put it behind the wheel.” He tried it twice with a stone and once with a brick, but the car still rolled. By now the car was almost out of the driveway and I was out of patience. “Get in here. I want you to stand on the brake with both feet as hard as you can.” I got out of the car and stood beside it with one foot on the brake until he could bring both of his feet to bear. Satisfied the car wouldn’t move with him in it, I walked to the front wheel and looked down. Patrick had put the brick and the stone uphill from the wheel. No wonder it still rolled. I shook my head and repositioned the brick, securing the car. “OK, son, you can get out of the car, now. Patrick, what were you doing?” “I don’t know.” I knew and it was my fault. From where I sat, behind the wheel was downhill. From where he stood in front of the car, behind the wheel meant uphill. He had followed my instructions to the letter. I gave him a warm smile. “Thanks for your help, son. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

At Y DAY CAMp, thE poSSibilitiES ArE EnDlESS. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. And, of course, it’s fun too.

Enrollment begins March 2013 at YMCASummerFun.org or call 913.345.9622.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family. kcparent.com march 2013

tablets for tots? I

The market is saturated with devices, so which one is right for your family? • Is the device only for your child or for the whole family? a. devices for younger children (Leapfrog/NABI) are built more sturdily for dropping and tough play risks. b. children’s devices are built for easier use. • Mac or PC family? a.This will help you decide between an Ipad or Android type device if buying a family device.

kcparent.com march 2013

t’s 5 o’clock, you just got home after a long day’s work and picking up your 1- and 3-year-olds from daycare. There are dishes to be done, dinner to be made and your children are pulling at your legs and screaming. Then it lights up like a beacon of hope: The tablet computer bursting with fun-filled learning apps practically speaks out to you as the answer to all the madness. You hand it over to the screaming children and, with a small window of time, you can load up the dishwasher and get the chicken in the oven… ahh, success. The use of technology to entertain, teach and socialize is now a norm in society; it impacts all ages from babies to the elderly. And like anything else that integrates into society so deeply, it comes with new terms and research. One term mentioned often in the discussion of technology use and children is screen time, popping up with the increased usage of computers, televisions, internet phones, tablets and other technological devices. Screen time describes the total amount of time a child is exposed to any device with a screen. And in the research, screen time allowance and its implications are debated. The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity and the American Academy of Pediatrics report that screen time should be limited to 2 hours maximum for children ages 2-5 and none for children under the age of 2. A January 2012 statement from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College (NAEYC. org) highlights the importance of screen time limits. The statement outlines screen time’s negative impacts, including irregular sleep patterns, behavior issues, difficulty with focus and attention, decreased academic performance, and negative influence on socialization and language development. It also emphasizes that balance is important, and the devices themselves are not harmful. Rather, they can be helpful with learning and development when used intentionally. Meredith Bushatz, Kansas City-area mother of two preschoolers, is a fan of learning apps for her 3-year-old, but at the same time respects their limitations. “My girls like using the apps on our tablet

Devices are great for when I need to get something done and all the kids want to do is hang on me, but I don’t consider them a replacement for cuddling up together to read a book.

and phones, and the devices are nice for entertaining and helping to educate them with numbers, colors and the alphabet,” she says. “But I don’t see them as a substitute for our time with them, and I do worry that their ability to switch on their own so quickly from one app to another can impact their ability to sustain attention on one task for an extended period of time.” As in almost anything, finding balance and monitoring use well can allow the devices to be powerful tools for learning. And balance is important, especially with young children. “Children under the age of 6 are primarily sensory learners. They learn best in three dimensions,” says Aimee Alderman-Oler, Center School District Parents as Teachers director. “A young child needs to hold a cube and turn it in his hands to understand it’s a cube. In addition, vision skills develop in the first two years of life making it essential for children to be exposed to many 3D objects to increase their visual understanding of the world.” While it is important for children to be exposed to the 3D world, devices with apps can be useful in exciting kids to learn numbers, colors and the alphabet while giving parents time to take care of important tasks around the house or with business. “Devices are great for when I need to get something done and all the kids want to do is hang on me, but I don’t consider them a replacement for cuddling up together to read a book,” says Bushatz. Alderman-Oler agrees. “Early literacy skills set the foundations for lifelong reading skills, communication skills and success, and the loving lap of a primary caretaker is important for establishing these early literacy skills.” Technology is not going away, and the future of our society is imbedded in technological devices. Children need to know their way around these tools. However, in early learning and development, these tools should be used with balance and under the supervision of educators and parents.

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Karah Thornton is a school psychologist in the Kansas City area. She encourages a healthy balance in the iWorld. kcparent.com march 2013

all ab ard for family fun O

travel tip: For games to play in the car along the way, turn to pg. 20!

kcparent.com march 2013

ur cruise experience began with the happy dance in our kitchen when the itinerary arrived at our blustery Kansas City front door two weeks before departure. As I took in the agenda for our 6-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Magic, it hit me that we were really doing it! Our Disney cruise departed from Galveston, TX. We opted to drive to the north side of Houston, spend the night and make the final 1-hour drive to Galveston the morning of the cruise. For Kansas City cruisers, the drive is doable (about 11 hours to Houston), and we enjoyed the convenience of setting our own schedule and the opportunity to cut expenses. Air travel into Houston is also a convenient option.

Once at the Galveston terminal, boarding the boat was a breeze despite the 2,600 other passengers. Somehow, Disney makes it work—and as we stepped aboard, we began to discover that a Disney ship is a beautiful thing. The lobby’s grand staircase with a bronzed Mickey Mouse at the helm is just the beginning. Each of us felt giddy that the Disney Magic was to be “our ship” for a week! As we crossed the atrium, we were ushered toward the kids’ Mickey pool area, the very place our preschooler had been pining for as she had repeatedly visited the cruise website. She was off to the water without delay. We camped at a nearby table and enjoyed the warm sun and the lunch buffet. (We quickly got over the strange sensation of eating meals without paying for them!) Soon came the departure celebration where our kids spotted two dolphins off the back of the ship, and I felt a surge of excitement as the ship eased out of the harbor. As we watched land slip out of

I am ... … a soccer player. … a kindergartener. … a little brother. … a future professional soccer player. … a Comets and Sporting KC fan. … a Wayne Rooney fan. … a blood recipient. … an example. … thankful. … a fighter. … strong. … brave. Trevor is a brave and determined six-year old. He has hopes and dreams to play on the pitch (aka soccer field) one day for a professional team. He is also a blood recipient who battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and continues to win that battle. He is thankful for blood donors who took just 60 minutes of their time to help save his life.

Who are you?

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We asked KCParent.com readers, what’s the best way to travel with kids? Car: 40%

view, my husband commented that we’d already had a lot of fun, and the Disney Magic was just leaving port! Our spacious stateroom was a lovely retreat where we enjoyed spending time. The view outside our sliding glass door always proved to be an “I can’t believe we’re doing this!” experience. It was made all the more special by the over-the-top Disney service that included a magical evening transformation of our room by our staff, complete with chocolates and a different towel animal every night.

Our six nights aboard the Disney Magic included two dinner rotations at three different restaurants, a unique Disney cruising concept. Our servers, Kapoor, Raphael and Bawa, accompanied us to each restaurant and quickly learned our preferences and personalities. They aimed to please! We got to experience different dining styles and cuisines nightly, and even my plain-foods kiddo ventured to try shrimp cheesecake and Asian potstickers with the assurance that there were always chicken strips and pizza as backups later on. Putting cloth napkins in our laps and ordering multiple courses was quite out of the ordinary for our family! As the cruise experience unfolded, we discovered one concept that describes the difference between a Disney cruise and other types of vacations: balance. We made memories as a family, while also carving out time for some relaxation and individual interests. Every-

one was refreshed. And when we went our separate ways, our kids had a blast. Included in a Disney cruise are topnotch age-appropriate kids’ spaces and programming for ages 3-17. (A nursery is also available for little ones for an additional fee, and reservations are required.) Our older kids also enjoyed swimming and relaxing on deck, playing basketball and Ping-Pong, running on the ship’s track, taking in movies at the Disney theatre and the spectacular nighttime openair entertainment. Our preschooler got to meet Captain Hook and Mickey during the many character opportunities aboard the Magic. Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Goofy, Pluto and, of course, Donald and Minnie, were also among the many characters on hand for photos and hugs. Our preschooler also hopped right into the Oceaneer club, the kids’ program designed for her age group. We checked her in one evening so that my husband and I could dine at Palo, Disney’s adultsonly, fine dining restaurant located at the top of the ship. When we had finished with Palo’s famous chocolate soufflé, we returned to pick up our little girl, only to have her inform us that she wasn’t planning to leave just yet. “I’ll call you when I’m ready,” she informed us as she continued coloring her pillowcase (now a favorite souvenir). She finally did send for us after four hours of fun. Our older kids also checked out Vibe, a special space in a spectacular top-of-ship location created just for teens.

travel tip: car games The Alphabet Game: This basic game is great for all ages and benefits children learning to recognize letters. Opponents each take a side of the car and are restricted to looking for letters on billboards, license plates and road signs on their side of the road. The first player to find all the letters of the alphabet, A to Z, is the winner. Stop at a Dairy Queen and everyone can get a tricky letter Q and a treat.

kcparent.com march 2013

Highway Bingo: Before you hit the road, make your own bingo boards on construction paper. Instead of filling the boxes with letters and numbers, write a common highway site in each one. Airport, rest area and barn are great examples. Make each board different and stock up for multiple plays. To win, a player must cross off five sites in a row on the board, across, up and down or diagonally.

Airplane: 40%

Stay home: 20%

When it comes to activities and entertainment, the Disney cruise experience can be summed up like this: Something for everyone. The variety is wonderful, as is the uniform familyfriendliness. One evening Disney staged a rocking outdoor Pirates of the Caribbean party that ended with fireworks (a Disney exclusive)! We were told other cruise ships were hovering nearby to take in the show! Nightly shows in the Walt Disney Theatre rivaled Broadway productions. Our cruise included two stops: Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico. Disney offered planned excursions available for an additional fee, including stingray and dolphin experiences, tours of the town or historical features of the island, submarine tours and beach activities. Passengers also had the option of exploring the area on their own. We opted to head to the beach on our own in Grand Cayman, and in Cozumel, we chose a Disney beach excursion where we tried kayaking and other water activities. Getting on and off the ship proved easy, and Disney staff were waiting at the end of our treks with cool towels and drinks. No chronicle of our cruise experience would be complete without a nod to our Disney Magic crew. Hailing from more than 50 different nations, they were cheerful, friendly and efficient. The senior Disney officers aboard the Magic identified their crew members as their most important asset, and that rings true. Our servers, room host and all the other crew members we met at their various stations onboard made a huge impact on our cruise experience. Now back in our Kansas City-area home, the memories of our cruise aboard the Disney Magic are a sweet souvenir. What’s more, we’re intrigued by the knowledge that there are three other Disney ships and many Disney itineraries that might beckon to us in the future. All aboard! Back on land, Maria Dean lives with her husband and four kids in Shawnee, where she can generally be found navigating the family minivan.

State Seeker: Prep for this game with a pack of index cards and an encyclopedia. Write the name of each of the 50 states on the front of a card and some facts about the states, such as important historical points and capital city, on the backs. Players have to look for license plates. Each time a new state is spotted, the card of facts is read, and the player who saw the plate keeps the card. The player who collects the most cards wins, and everyone learns something new. Name that tune: Make a CD or iPod playlist of some of your family’s favorite songs. Press play and wait to see who can accurately guess the song the fastest. Players get a point for each round they win, and a sing-a-long can ensue. kcparent.com march 2013

When children learn to serve alongside their siblings and parents toward a greater goal, even with something as routine as doing the dishes, they gain a sense of belonging and self-confidence.

from pampered to productive “M

Quick Quiz: Responsible vs. Entitled Kids When asked to help out around the house, does your child whine or procrastinate her way out of a task? Does your child move from one activity to another expecting Mom or Dad to clean up behind him? Does your child view privileges as rights? Do you find yourself doing for your child what she can do for herself because it’s just not worth asking her to do it? If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, you might want to reconsider the long-term effects of raising an entitled versus responsible person. Children will learn what they experience, and our homes are their first classrooms of life. Let’s begin with the end in mind and start raising up kids who know the value of responsible living—one made bed at a time.

kcparent.com march 2013

om, I’m ready for you to go clean my room,” stated my 4-year-old princess. Clearly, her Barbie dressing-, block buildingpacked schedule did not allow time for such menial labor. Whipping my head around expecting to see her smirking at me in a humorous challenge, I was prepared to laugh along with her. Instead, I was met with the indifferent innocence of an entitled and somewhat pampered child. In that moment, for her and my future sanity, I knew it was time to add her name to the refrigerator chore chart and start teaching her the art of responsibility. In today’s society where we hear about the long-term dangers of a prevailing attitude of entitlement, it seems more important than ever that our children know how to accept responsibility and carry out a task to completion simply because it is their job. Managing a home provides countless opportunities for teaching our children lifelong lessons in personal and community responsibilities. Young children have a natural tendency to want to “help” Mom or Dad. Take advantage of their willingness and use those teaching moments to help establish expectations early on. Lenexa mom Tammy Lind hopes that by involving her three daughters in the daily tasks of running a home they’ll be more selfless, helpful, kind and responsible. That list of desired character traits may seem exaggerated in comparison to matching socks and dusting shelves, but it’s in the experience of the process where character strengthens. The designated task is simply the means to that end. Lind says, “The motivation is they can’t have a privilege (iPod, play with friends, etc.) until the chores are finished.” When children learn to serve alongside their siblings and parents to a greater goal, even with something as routine as doing the dishes, they gain a sense of belonging and self-confidence. Angela Horton of Overland Park

uses the team mentality to encourage her twin 11-year-olds toward a more positive attitude in accepting responsibilities at home. “We work together as a team to take care of our home and family members,” she says. “Over the years, we’ve established the expectation that our girls are responsible for their own messes. It’s taken a lot of training and communicating for them to really get it, but even when they complain, I remind them they are important parts of our family in all areas—including care and maintenance of our home.” It’s rarely too early and it’s never too late to start instilling a sense of responsibility in your kids. Start by taking a close look at your family dynamics, ages, personalities and capabilities, available chores, your personal management style and family’s basic routine. All of these play into the organization and eventual success of your plan. There are as many styles of chore systems as there are families these days. The key ingredient to any plan is that it must work for your family. If the Smith family posts their monthly color-coded, laminated, magnetic, alphabetical chore chart on their refrigerator and it works for them, fabulous. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for your family. Debbie Bowen’s book From Pampered to Productive: Raising Kids Who Know How to Work offers insights and tips on how she and her husband are raising their 10 children to value hard work. Take the time to do a little research with books like Bowen’s to learn from other’s experiences. Children’s books can be effective tools in opening up conversations with your kids about the importance of helping others and accepting responsibility. Visit your library to check out titles like The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey, Max Cleans Up by Rosemary Wells or How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms? by Jane Yolen. Jena Meyerpeter writes from Lenexa where folding laundry is a family affair.

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kcparent.com march 2013

GENDER RULES: SHOULD RULES BE THE SAME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS?

Rules like discouraging

Is your child a tomboy?

our little girls from playing

Visit KCParent.com

in mud and our little boys

for tips on raising a

from crying can be

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developmentally damaging...

Did you know? Around WWI, Earnshaw’s Infant Department, a trade publication, designated blue for girls and pink for boys. The editors felt pink was a more masculine, stronger color and delicate blue was more appropriate for girls. Parents, however, preferred blue for boys and pink for girls. Gender-specific pinks and blues didn’t take off until the advent of sonograms in the mid-1980s. Source: Smithsonian.com

kcparent.com march 2013

ver the past 50 years, our society’s gender rules have undergone a major shift. More women than ever are in leadership positions and in careers once reserved for men. Modern fathers are more involved in child-rearing and caretaking roles. But, do we still inherently treat our sons and daughters differently based on their gender? “An unequivocal yes,” says Deborah Smith, Ph.D., a University of Missouri-Kansas City sociologist who studies gender issues. “Within 24 hours, parents are handling male and female babies differently. If boys are crying, they’re angry. If girls are crying, they’re fussy.” Gender and age. For children under the age of 6, gender should play little role, if any, in how we parent our kids. Rules like discouraging our little girls from playing in mud and our little boys from crying can be developmentally damaging, Smith says. During these formative years when children are curious about exploring a variety of interests, toys and activities, avoid pushing your child in more stereotypical directions. “You might be stopping the best chemist because she’s a girl and ‘girls aren’t into chemistry’ or stifling the best nurse for a boy because ‘boys aren’t nurses,’” Smith says.

Gender differences. Many parents feel gender differences become more important as children enter adolescence. Chrissy Stewart, a Lenexa mom of two sons and a daughter, says she parents her children with the same general set of rules of behavior, but feels differences in the sexes demand awareness of different issues. “General rules are the same, and most expectations for behavior—like kindness and no bad language—but there are just things that parents are more worried about with a boy or a girl that are more gender-specific,” she says. For example, a parent is more likely to talk to her daughter about self-defense and her son about dating etiquette. Laura Murphy, a Kansas City-area parent coach, is the mother of three grown children—two sons, 18 and 22, and a daughter, 20. She says parents should work toward the common goal of raising good people, but also celebrate the differences between the sexes. “We do want men to model for their sons how to be a strong, good-hearted man in this world. Women need to model for their daughters how to be a loving, caring, good woman in this world,” Murphy says. And regardless of whether you have

What’s Virtual School? Going to extremes? A Canadian couple made headlines in 2011 for refusing to reveal the gender of their baby, desiring to raise a “genderless” child. The parents’ decision caused widespread outrage. Critics argued that hiding the child’s gender could damage his (or her) sense of identity.

vir·tu·al school noun An online learning

environment that gives students and families the ability to structure an educational experience that is both flexible and challenging

Wishing to celebrate the gender reveal of their baby with family and friends, some expectant parents throw caution––and cash––to the wind, hosting ultrasound parties in their homes through a mobile ultrasound service. At age 6, old enough to begin helping his father with chores, a boy officially left babyhood behind upon receiving his first set of breeches. Parents didn’t begin dressing their babies in genderspecific clothing until the 1940s.

boys or girls, chances are you enforce different rules according to differences in behavior and personality. Division of labor. Parents may unwittingly set gender rules when it comes to chores, requiring their girls to complete indoor chores and their boys to take care of outdoor chores. “I encourage parents to teach children to do both,” Murphy says. “I want my daughter to be able to take care of her own household inside and out someday, and I want my son to take care of his own household inside and out.” Teaching children to care for themselves and their homes should be a universal goal as they grow into adulthood. Model respect. Consider the messages you send your children when you and your spouse divide household responsibilities, make child-rearing decisions and treat one another with love and respect. “How the parents view their roles has a lot to do with how the children will view their roles,” Murphy says. A mother who handles everything in the household, refusing to share any responsibilities with her husband, sends the message that he can’t doing anything right, and he’s left searching for a role, Murphy says. Children may also assume that women manage everything in the home. “I don’t think men need to be the dominating force in the family, but they certainly need to be a leader in the family,” Murphy says. “Work as a team. Sometimes a woman has to defer to the man and the man has to defer to the woman.” Honor, appreciate and respect each other’s roles in the household. Your children will learn that gender has little to do with the healthy functioning of a home. “The bottom line is everybody needs to be respected regardless of gender,” Smith says. “Thinking about ourselves as humans first and what are good ideas to create a healthy human––particularly not making a big distinction for 6 and under––would go a long way in helping children develop the full range of emotions and interests and competencies that you just need as a successful human being.” Raised with less focus on rigid male and female rules and proactive guidance from you rather than from provocative media or cultural influences, your children can freely pursue their interests without feeling restricted by their gender. Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines lives in Olathe. She and her husband have two sons, who are learning that it takes the whole family to run a home.

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media mix

Problems & Solutions Miss Fox’s Class Gets It Wrong By Eileen Spinelli Illustrated by Anne Kennedy Best for: Ages 4-7

Authors help readers through school situations in new releases By McGeath Freeman

In this, the fifth book of the “Miss Fox’s Class” series, Officer Blue Fox speaks to the class about safety. But when Bear observes Blue Fox escorting Miss Fox into the police station on Saturday, the students begin making assumptions. The rumors start to fly. Before long, Miss Fox’s class believes she is in trouble with the law and planning an escape to Hawaii. Surely adults will pick up on the not-so-

subtle plot twists by page 5 and realize what is really going on—Miss Fox and Officer Blue Fox are getting married. This successful series does a good job of engaging young readers and classrooms with illustrations and humor. Young readers will giggle at the wild suspicions.

What’s good: Good conversation starter about rumors for young children. What’s bad: The text is a little long.

Katie Woo: Rules the School

By Fran Manushkin Best for: Ages 5-8

This is one of the many “Katie Woo” books on store shelves, and they’re all good for young girls moving on from picture books. In this installment, we follow Katie Woo through four different tales: Katie and the Class Pet, No More Teasing, The Big Lie and Star of the Show. Each tale is short and sweet with a lesson that is good for everyone.

Katie learns about responsibility with pets, bullies, lying and stealing, and helping friends. There are a lot of problem/solution books out there for young readers. Katie is a normal, average girl with authentic emotions and reactions. That makes her very relatable. The problems she faces are the same problems your child might face.

What’s good: Young girls find it easy to relate to Katie. What’s bad: Glut of problem/solution books on the market.

Vampire School: Stage Fright By Peter Bently Illustrated by Chris Harrison Best for: Ages 6-8

Boys who are new to chapter books have something besides “Captain Underpants” to read. This, the third book in the “Vampire School” series, finds St. Orlock’s Elementary School getting ready to perform Snow Fright and the Seven Dwarfs. The only problem is that Bella, the lead in the play, loses her voice the morning before opening night. Lee, Billy and Bella

come up with a plan that just might work – lip synching. It works so well, they get asked to be in a real play. The “Vampire School” books highlight problems that every kid, vampire or not, may actually face, which is why your beginning reader will like them.

What’s good: Humor and very likable characters. What’s bad: The plot is thin and doesn’t give young chapter book readers much challenge.

Perception: A Clarity Novel By Kim Harrington Best for: Girls, ages 14-17

And one for older readers… Take the teen mystery novel, throw in psychic powers and a love triangle and you’ll have a “Clarity Novel.” In Perception, everyone in school knows about Clare Fern and her abilities. Some think it’s cool. Others just thing she is a freak. She just thinks she has to do something

good with her powers. So wrapped into and around the teen relationship dramas that follow Clare wherever she goes is also an intriguing missing girl mystery to be solved. The characters are well-developed and soon you’ll be taking sides. Are you on team Gabriel or team Justin?

What’s good: Good character development and smart plot twists. What’s bad: A little too much relationship drama and stalking.

kcparent.com march 2013

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CREATIVE EASTER EGG HUNTS Bored with the same old Easter egg hunts at your house each year? Shake things up with a twist on the traditional hunt. Use some of these creative ideas, or think up some of your own!

ABCs Hide 26 eggs per child, each with a letter of the alphabet written on it. Instruct each child to find all the letters of the alphabet.

Color Coordinated Assign each child a specific color and instruct him to collect only eggs of that color. This is great for younger children who are learning their colors.

Visit KCParent.com for Easter basket gift ideas from A-Z!

Puzzle Hunt Buy a blank puzzle (available at craft stores), assemble it and write a message telling kids where a special treat is hidden. For example, you could write, “To find a chocolaty treat, look in the room where we eat.” Then break up the puzzle and hide a piece inside of each egg. When the hunt is over, kids can put together the puzzle to find their clue.

Nighttime Hunt Who says egg hunts have to happen during the day? Grab some flashlights and have a nighttime hunt in the backyard, or color eggs with glowin-the-dark paint.

Bunny Money Hide play money inside of the eggs and invite kids to use the money to “buy” trinkets and candy from a pretend store. This is a good one for school-age children who are learning about money.

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Scavenger Hunt Provide note card clues for where eggs are hidden. For instance, one clue can read, “Rub-a-dub-dub, look in the room with the tub.” When kids find that egg, there will be another clue leading them to the next one. Golden Egg Hide several eggs containing smaller prizes, such as trinkets or coins. Then hide a few golden eggs that contain bigger prizes, such as dollar bills or movie tickets. Make sure each child gets the same number of golden eggs.

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Odd or Even On each egg, write a number and assign kids either odd or even numbers. They must gather only those eggs.

Math Eggs Write numbers on each egg, and at the end of the hunt have each participant add up the total for their eggs. The one with the highest total wins a special prize.

Throw Them for a Loop My mom and sister had an egg hunt for our kiddos last year. Some of the eggs contained coins, some had candy…and some had coupons that said, “Good for one bowl of squishy worm soup” and “Good for one order of French-fried spider legs.” The surprised looks on the kids’ faces were classic, and after they realized it was a joke, they had a great laugh about it.

Coupons Get creative with the contents of your eggs. Include coupons to get out of chores, hear an extra bedtime story or have a special breakfast—whatever your kiddos would love!

Checklist This one works well for larger egg hunts: Each participant is given a checklist of items to find, such as 2 purple eggs, 3 multicolored eggs and so on. You could offer a prize to the person who completes their checklist first.

Parents’ Turn! At our house, the kids enjoy taking turns hiding eggs for the parents. They love trying to fool us with challenging hiding spots!

Pet Playtime You don’t have to limit egg hunts to humans! Cindy Lockhart of Belton says, “We have one for our dogs every year, from the time our girls got too old for them.” Hide doggie treats inside the eggs and let your furry friends have fun.

Tisha Foley and her husband, Chris, hide eggs for their two children at their home in Belton.

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Tired of giving (and receiving) the same type of birthday gifts? Read on for some fresh gift ideas.

creative birthday gift ideas

Gift Certificate for a Night Out Think of an activity your child enjoys doing with the birthday child. Have your child create a personalized gift certificate for a frozen yogurt date or a picnic in the park. The time spent together will last longer and will provide more memories than a Barbie doll or Beyblade (and takes up a lot less space!).

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kcparent.com march 2013

Book and a Movie So many movies are based on books. Find one that your family enjoys and give the book and the movie as a gift. Bonus: After the birthday child reads and watches, set up a time to get together to discuss the differences and similarities between the book and movie and talk about which one they enjoyed more. There’s an App for That For older children with tablets, consider making a list of “kid tested, parent approved” apps that are popular in your home. Give the list with a gift card to purchase some of the apps. A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words Find a recent snapshot of your child with the birthday child (if you don’t have one, snap one while at the party). Decorate a picture frame and give the gift of smiles!

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A WEE BIT OF IRISH FUN

Lee’s Summit Emerald Isle Parade

CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY KANSAS CITY STYLE A WEE BIT Of LEPRECHAUN MAGIC With a bit of creativity, you can create the magic of leprechauns at home. Follow the Rainbow: Create a trail of shamrocks or rainbows for the children to follow from their bedrooms to the breakfast table. Lead them to a breakfast of green scrambled eggs, green pancakes and green milk. A touch of food coloring

kcparent.com march 2013

will do the trick for each of these delicacies. A favorite in our family is toast with a “green message” (written with a food coloring marker available in the bakery aisle at the grocery store). At each place setting, leave a St. Patrick’s Day treat or small gift. Leprechaun Loot: Using gold chocolate coins, Chuck E. Cheese tokens or gold dollar coins, host a hunt at your house to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Top off the fun with a visit to Chuck E. Cheese or the Dollar Store where the kids can redeem their loot!

You’ve Been Pinched: Perhaps you’ve played “Ding Dong Ditch;” this game is similar. Prepare a treat for a neighbor (chocolate coins, cupcakes, baked goodies) and deliver them with a note: “You’ve Been Pinched! Whether you are wearing green or not, I’m here to tell you that you are liked a lot! Enjoy this treat, and here’s hoping you may, Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Your Secret Leprechaun.” Leave the treat on the doorstep, ring the bell, then disappear, hiding where you can watch your friend claim the prize. Visit KCParent.com for a doorhanger template to print with the poem.

KC-STYLE ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATION Kansas City is proud of its rich Irish heritage and is home to a museum celebrating the culture and host to many parades and festivals in March. Kansas City Irish Center at Union Station (Lower West Wing of Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.3848, IrishCenterKC.org. Hours: Wed.-Sat., 10:00-4:00; Sun., Noon-4:00). Tucked inside Union Station, you’ll find this small museum housing artifacts, photos and the tale of Irish immigration from old Ireland to Kansas City’s Irish community today. Hands-on exhibits are part of the educational process. A favorite is the children’s touch table, where kids are invited to explore artifacts including Padraic, the Irish-speaking teddy, tin whistle, bodhran and turf. The center also offers classes in Gaelic, Irish music and crafts. Snake Saturday Festival: March 16, 10:00-3:00 (SnakeSaturday.com). This annual Northland festival starts with the Snake Saturday parade and includes carnival rides, food, a car show featuring more than 50 race cars, a children’s square with free pony rides, petting zoo, live entertainment and much more! Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Special Activities: March 16 (DowntownLS.org/Parade). Downtown Lee’s Summit celebrates all things Irish with an Irish breakfast, Bits O’ Gold Coin Hunt for kids, Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Noon and more. Downtown businesses also will have their doors open as they celebrate and showcase spring decor. Brookside 33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade: March 16, 2:00 (BrooksideKC.org). This annual event is a family-friendly celebration of Irish heritage right in the heart of Brookside. Irishpalooza Celebration & Parade: March 10; events begin at 11:00, parade at 2:00 in the Martin City downtown district (Irishpalooza.com). Carnival games, vendors, food and fun for the entire family. 41st Annual Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 17, 11:00 (Midtown KC: Broadway, from Linwood to 43rd St.; KCIrishParade.com). The parade has become Kansas City’s largest single-day

More Events & Parades: Visit the Holiday page on KCParent.com for more events and holiday ideas!

civic event, as well as one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the nation. Tens of thousands of onlookers line the streets to see the hundreds of Irish floats, bands, families, organizations, business entries and others celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick and our Irish heritage. This year’s theme is “Gathering of the Clans–An Irish Homecoming.”

FEAST ON IRISH FOOD True to our Irish heritage, the Kansas City area is home to many wonderful Irish restaurants with authentic food, music and décor for a truly festive feast. O’Malley’s 1842 Irish Pub: 500 Welt St., Weston, MO, 816.640.5235, WestonIrish.com. O’Malley’s serves authentic Irish fare in an authentic IrishAmerican pub, complete with Irish music. You can choose indoor or patio dining (where you see the famous world’s largest ball of string). The menu includes salads, sandwiches, steaks, soups and, of course, fish and chips. Also, read our Weston Day Trip Diary on KCParent.com for more fun in Weston! Browne’s Irish Market: 3300 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO, 816.561.0030, BrownesMarket.com. The Irish Market opened in Kansas City in 1887, and now the family’s fifth generation carries on the tradition of serving a wide variety of Irish delicacies. Enjoy handmade sandwiches, Irish potato soup, Irish stew, Dublin potato salad and more, as well as Irish souvenirs. On St. Patrick’s Day, Browne’s serves a traditional Irish breakfast starting at 7:00 and lunch specials in the afternoon. O’Dowd’s Little Dublin: Country Club Plaza at 4742 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO, 816.561.2700, ODowdsLittleDublin.com. O’Dowd’s Little Dublin is known for “the BEST American pub eats and Irish treats in Kansas City!” Enjoy fish and chips, Irish stew, corned beef, Reubens and shepherd’s pie. O’Dowd’s Little Dublin on the Plaza boasts an authentic Irish interior with imported woodwork, creating a pharmacy, library and cigar shop steeped in amazing Irish atmosphere. Riley’s Irish Pub & Grill: 913 Main, Lexington, MO, 660.259.4770, RileysPub.net.

Riley’s dishes up traditional Irish fare from a classic Reuben to fish and chips, and they have a delightfully-themed menu for “the wee ones!” Children choose from leprechaun toes (mini corn dogs), charmin’ fingers (chicken strips), grilled Dublin cheese sandwich or classic fish ‘n chips. Riley’s Irish Pub is located on Lexington’s famous Block 42, so named because it boasted 42 saloons and only one church... women and children were not permitted to walk on the “saloon side” of the road. Today, Riley’s is a family-friendly Irish restaurant with a charming historic ambiance. Built in the 1890s, the pub has original stained glass windows, tile floor, tin ceiling and back bar. Also, read our Lexington Day Trip Diary on KCParent.com for more fun in Lexington! O’Quigley’s: Multiple locations across the Metro! OQuigleys.com. From Irish stew to fish ‘n chips, you’ll find all your favorite Irish dishes at O’Quigley’s. Prices range from $8 to $20. Kristina Light makes it an annual tradition to attend a parade (or two) with her family and enjoy favorite Irish eateries in March. kcparent.com march 2013

QUIZ: IS YOUR CHILD SAFE IN THE CAR?

THINK YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF? Visit KCParent.com and search “car seat quiz” for the answers and to see how well you did!

So you passed your driver’s test at 16, but can you pass our car seat test to ensure the safety of your child? Put your car seat knowledge to the test; what you don’t know or thought you knew might surprise you.

1) The percentage of car seat misuses... a) 30% b) 65% c) 45-50% d) 80-95% 2) How far should my rear-facing car seat recline? a) 45 degrees b) 60 degrees c) 90 degrees d) 30 degrees 3) If I have concerns about my car seat, whom should I consult? a) Consumer Reports b) Internet blogs/reviews c) A car seat technician d) Sales clerk at Babies R Us

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Recall Information http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/childseat.cfm

Or call NHTSA at1.800.424.9393 or 1.888.DASH.2.DOT Car Seat Inspection Stations NHTSA.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm

4) How can you tell when the straps are properly tightened? a) You can fit two fingers in between your child and the chest clip b) You can’t pull the straps any tighter c) You can place your hand under the chest clip d) There isn’t any slack to pinch at your child’s collarbone 5) Where should the chest clip be positioned? a) Around your child’s belly button b) At your child’s neck c) Between your child’s nipples and armpits d) None of the above

6) When are most kids ready for a regular seat belt? a) 5 years old b) 6 years old c) 7 years old d) None of the above 7) Your 20-month-old’s feet are touching the back of the seat in a rear-facing car seat. You should: a) Move her to a booster seat b) Move her to a forward facing seat c) Move her to the front seat d) Continue using your seat to its weight and age limits 8) How much should a car seat move once it is installed? a) ½ inch b) 1 inch c) ¾ inch d) 2 inches 9) It’s okay to buy a car seat from… a) Thrift store b) Craigslist/eBay c) Garage sale d) Retail store 10) After a minor car accident, I am still able to use my car seat. True or False? 11) What will also affect your child’s safety while in the car seat? a) Wearing a winter coat b) Twisted harnesses c) Carrying/handle bar is in upright position d) All of the above

Jennifer Duxbury is a SAHM from Olathe who didn’t know as much as she thought she did about car seat safety until she wrote this article!

kcparent.com march 2013

great tips to turn kids into

regular readers

With all the gizmos, gadgets and electronic media available these days, it can be tough for parents to get kids to sit down with good old-fashioned books. But regular reading, done for fun, is linked to better school performance and can expose kids to a world of knowledge. Here are some ways you can encourage your child to drop the remote and pick up a book instead:

start early

Good habits start young. So set aside time daily to read together until he or she can do so alone. Visit the library regularly to attend story time and other children’s literacy events, and to check out books.

Leigh’s School of Dance an unforgettable adventure with horses

now enrolling

established in 1970 recreation & competitive levels

Misty River Equestrian Center Stables offers group as well as private Horsemanship Lessons at four different levels. Lessons are taught from Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), program. (www.cha-ahse.org) Horse shows are held periodically and are low-stress for the student & present accumulated horsemanship skills. Lessons for students 8 and up for beginners, Western Pleasure & Halter, Trail Riding, Barrels, English Pleasure, Jumping & Dressage. 1/2 hour Pony Pal lessons for students ages 4 - 7.

135th St. & South Arapaho Dr. www.leighsschoolofdance.com

913.764.4146

Phone: 816-220-2332 E-mail: cindystrahm@hotmail.com Misty River Equestrian Center 21400 Eureka Road Independence, MO 64057

set an example

Children learn by watching. If you aren’t already a regular reader, become one today.

stock up

The more types of reading materials in a home, the better students perform in reading proficiency, according to the Educational Testing Service. So stock your home with newspapers, mysteries, biographies, poetry, historical fiction and every genre of interest to your family.

make it easy

Give your child the right tools he or she needs to read comfortably. An armchair pillow and a bedside reading lamp will make reading a comfortable experience. You can find a children’s reading list of recommended books from the American Library Association at ALA.org. After school, homework and extracurricular activities, reading may not be a child’s top priority. But by taking a few key steps, you can instill a lifelong love of reading. (StatePoint) kcparent.com march 2013

SPRING STYLE UPDATE IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN— THAT WONDERFUL, BELOVED, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TIME OF THE YEAR. WE’VE TENDED TO MORE RUNNY NOSES THAN WE CARE TO RECALL, AND WE’RE READY FOR THIS SEASONAL CHANGE.

SPRING! OH HOW WE’VE MISSED YOU. But what good is gorgeous weather with a dowdy wardrobe? And what good is a great wardrobe if you’ve had to break the bank to get it? Don’t fret... I’m here to help you with my best, easiest and thriftiest spring style updates. Pick one tip you love or embrace them all. Cheers to a new season, and cheers to a new you!

THE COLOR

Emerald has been dubbed *the* color for spring. If you don’t have much green in your wardrobe already, a green statement necklace or lightweight green scarf is a smart way to add it in. If green isn’t the best color near your face (perhaps you’re a blonde, and feel like it doesn’t meld well with your hair), then go for a green shoe, handbag, or bold bangle.

FROCK IT

The next tip for a seamless transition into spring is to pair your boots with your dresses and skirts. No matter your favorite boot style—ankle, mid-calf or even riding boots—they’ll look springtime fresh paired with a fun frock or flouncy skirt. Nothing says spring-ready like showing a little leg!

kcparent.com march 2013

CUFF IT

Cuffing your pants is a great way to look on trend this spring.You can go right after it by trying a skinnier cuff, but if the tight rolling mania of the 80’s is still too traumatic for you, go for a wider one-cuff statement. The great thing about cuffing your pants is that you can make any length work. If you once thought that one particular pair of your skinny jeans were too short to be worn outside of boots, think again! Just cuff that denim and make the look intentional. I always tell my clients, as long as you wear it like you meant to do it, it will look great! If you want another update without adding any cost, you can try cuffing your sleeves, instead. I would recommend against simultaneous cuffing (pants and sleeves), as it might look too staged.

SWAP IT

Make your spring statement with textures: trade out your knit cardigans for some cotton button ups. Cotton feels fresher than knits. Chambray tops are still all the rave and look great when layered. Or, go for a blousy shirt and belt it to showcase your waist. Even though our winter was fairly mild, saying sayonara to cold weather feels good.

KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR CLOSET

Seasonal transitions are the perfect time to go through your wardrobe. Try on anything within question. Refold camisoles and tees. Reevaluate your shoe wardrobe. Knowing what’s in your closet is the best way to make the most of your clothes. It sounds simple, but it’s very true.You should have a solid understanding of what pieces make up your wardrobe. That means revisiting your clothes more often than just when you’re ripping through, trying to find something to wear.

LOVE YOUR JACKET

Your jacket will rarely be far from reach, especially at the beginning of spring. Why not choose something amazing? A great jacket should be slimming and a flattering color. There are so many great choices: leather or faux, denim, a blazer with lining, a belted trench, and oh so many more. Be intentional when you choose a jacket.

Want to get your closet organized? Visit KCParent.com to see how editor Margaret Sarver overhauled her closet.

STILL NEED MORE?

It’s my job to know what’s stylish and on trend. It takes sheer dedication to piles of gorgeous fashion magazines, but it’s an obligation I’m willing to endure. These trends are spot-on for spring, and could already be in your closet: • Global prints • Lace and cut-outs • Leather • Fringe

NEW BEGINNINGS

Why not make this your most stylish spring yet? Devote an afternoon to rediscovering your closet and make a comprehensive list of what you could really use in your closet so you will spend smarter. Also, write a powerful positive statement for yourself to follow: I am stylish or I love my style are great ways to start. It’s destined to be a fabulous spring in Kansas City when oodles of moms decide to look and FEEL stylish! Sylvia C. Hall is a mom of two young children living in Kansas City. She is a creative life stylist who empowers women to become their most confident and stylish selves.Visit SylviaCStyling.com to learn more.

EMERALD HAS BEEN DUBBED *THE* COLOR FOR SPRING. IF YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH GREEN IN YOUR WARDROBE ALREADY, A GREEN STATEMENT NECKLACE OR LIGHTWEIGHT GREEN SCARF IS A SMART WAY TO ADD IT IN.

kcparent.com march 2013

Special Advertising Section

Camp Shakespeare Camp Shakespeare is a unique summer arts experience that your kids will never forget! Students will improve their understanding of literature and renaissance times while creating their own version of a Shakespearean classic. Drama, visual art, dance, and stage combat all come together in this delightful camp, taught by professional actors in a neighborhood near you! Available for ages 5 -18. Camp dates vary per location. One, two and three week camps available, June 10-August 2. Costs between $125 - $415. Locations: Brookside, Overland Park, KC North, Lee’s Summit, Leawood, Kansas City, Kansas, Independence. See display ad on pg.44. www.KCShakes.org.

Interactive Education Guide available at KCParent.com

Camp Special Beginnings

KC Parent’s

Camp Guide

Arch Youth-Arch Diocese of KCK Camp Tekakwitha offers horseback riding, high rope challenges, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, basketball, soccer, swimming, mountain boarding, archery, volleyball, mountain biking, outdoor camping, Bible studies, numerous Catholic prayer experi-

ences and other outdoor camp activities. Camp Tekakwitha is a powerful spiritual experience that leaves the campers excited to return year after year. Camp Tekakwitha is operated by the Archdiocese of KC in Kansas. Full information is available at our website under youth. 785.746.5693. See display ad on pg. 44. www.ArchKCK.org

CLO’s Midnight Farm Camps CLO’s Midnight Farm will host 2 different types of day camps in 2013:

Spring classes enrolling now!

Crown Center Lee’s Summit Parkville Overland Park

Summer enrollment begins March 13 Registration and complete class information at www.coterietheatre.org. Call 816-474-4241 to register now!

kcparent.com march 2013

Make wonderful memories with great friends and caring teachers at Camp Special Beginnings! Your child will have a SUPER FUN summer being a part of a high-quality program in a positive, Christian environment. Enjoy fieldtrips including Science City, Power Play, and KC Zoo, as well as participate in top notch educational activities including Spanish and Book Club. Camps available to 1st-6th graders for both FT and PT. 913.492.4659. See display ad on pg. 44 for free registration (new families only). www.SpecialBeginningsOnline.com

Get creative at the Nerman Museum! Classes (ages 5-11) combine engaging, interactive tours with unique studio projects.

Horsin’ Around at Midnight Farm: A horse camp for children with or without special needs to enjoy horseback riding, horse-related crafts and activities and a Horse Show on the last day. Horsin’ Around has 3 options: Junior: (June 17-21) Half day camp for ages 6-8, no experience necessary. Beginner: (July 8-12) Full day camp for ages 8-16, no experience necessary. Advanced: (July 15-19) Full day camp for 8-16, prior riding experience required. Call: 785.979.1889 Day Camp for Youth with Developmental Disabilities: A full day camp for youth with Developmental Disabilities to enjoy crafts, water play, pony parades, wagon rides and petting animals. Training offered for parents of children with Autism. June 24-28 Ages 6-14 July 23-27 Ages 15 and up Call: 785.218.9358 To learn more visit: www.Midnight-Farm.org or call 785-979-1889

Tuesdays-Fridays, June 4-July 26 10 a.m. – noon or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Pre-registration is required. 913-469-2323 • www.jccc.edu/youth

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art Johnson County Community College

PLan aheaD wITh our Summer ProgramS for ageS 3 - 13! Summer ProgramS 2013

Photographer Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios

Classes are designed to provide your child with excellent ballet training and superior attention from our top teachers, all while having fun. Classes begin June 3. Programs Include: Creative Movement ages 3-5 Fairy Tale Dance and Story Book Ballet Workshops ages 3-8 2-4 Week Ballet Camps ages 7-13

Johnson County 5359 W. 94th Terr. Prairie Village, KS (95th & Nall)

W. Pershing Rd.

W. 95th St.

W. 97th St.

Nall Ave.

I-35

W. Pennway

Downtown Bolender Center 500 W. Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO

Broadway

Two Convenient Locations!

enroLL ToDaY to secure your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spot!

Call 816-931-2299 or visit www.kcballet.org/school for a complete list of summer courses.

Summer OppOrtunitieS

Missouri Military Academy offers structured, success-oriented programs during the summer, too!

Leadership Camp July 7-19 Leadership-oriented camp for boys and girls ages 13-17 Activities include rappelling, orienteering, physical training and much more.

Summer

ACADEMY June 23- July 20, 2013 For-credit boarding and day summer program for boys and girls entering grades 7-12 Combines academics and outdoor activities

www.missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer kcparent.com march 2013

camp guide Ceramic Cafe

SPRING BREAK & SUMMER CAMP! C•A•M•P ARTRAGEOUS

Space Limited!

Attend 1, Attend ALL

Mix & Mat Class Sessi ch o to fit YOURns schedule!!

AGES 6-12 Register Today!

paintglazeandfire.net Metcalf 127 Shopping Center

913-661-CLAY

kcparent.com march 2013

Ceramic Cafe’s summer program provides instruction in a variety of ceramic art techniques including hand building with clay, ceramic painting and glazing techniques and also glass fusing. The theme is “My Creative Self” and projects encourage individual creative expression. Camp sessions are divided by age groups. Creative Kids is for ages 5-7, Aspiring Artists is for ages 8 and up. One day Workshops are also offered through out the summer. Visit our website at www.CeramicCafeKC.com for add’l info and registration form. See display ad on pg. 44.

CLO’s Midnight Farm CLO’s Midnight Farm offers 2 different types of day camps. Horsin’ Around at Midnight Farm is a horse camp for children with or without special needs. Enjoy horseback riding, crafts and a Horse Show. Junior (June 17-21), Beginner (July 8-12) and Advanced (July 15-19). Call: 785.979.1889. Day Camp for Youth with Developmental Disabilities: A full day camp to enjoy crafts, water play, wagon rides and more. June 24-28 for ages 6-14, July 23-27 for ages 15+. 785.218.9358 See display ad on pg. 38. www.Midnight-Farm.org.

The Coterie Theatre School

Christian Youth Theater

The Coterie offers camps for kids entering grades K -12 at six sites: South Kansas City (United Dance), Liberty (Liberty CC), Lee’s Summit (MCC Longview), Overland Park (Miller-Marley), The Plaza (Pembroke Hill), and Parkville (Park University). Half-day and fullday camps include creative drama, acting and audition skills. Special offerings: “Scenes from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and Comedy on Your Feet. Performance camps: Sweeney Todd, a Melodrama,Your Guide to Survival (and Werewolves), and Annie Jr. Visit www.CoterieTheatre.org. See display ad on pg. 38.

Act, Sing, and Dance this summer with Christian Youth Theater! Camps: “Backyardigans” (ages 4-5), “Rock ‘n Country” (ages 5-12), “Selections from Mary Poppins” (ages 5-12), Xtreme Dance (ages 4-11), “The Hobbit” (ages 10-15), “Avengers” (ages 10-15), “Star Wars” (ages 10-15), “Camp Willy” Shakespeare (ages 12-18), Middle School Overnight “Selections from Hairspray” (ages 12-14), and High School Overnight “The Drowsy Chaperone” (ages 14-19) with 2 full productions on July 27/28 at the Bell Center, MNU. See display ad on pg. 45. 913.681.3318. www.CYTKC.org

Culture House

Why dancers choose The Dramatic Truth Summer Dance Intensive: it’s the experience and challenge! Dancers ages 12 through adult who are serious about dancing & God’s purpose within it! You will be spending a week or two 9-5 soaking in the instruction of the finest in Christian dance, both technically and spiritually. Offering Bible Study, Ballet & Modern Technique. Plus Hip Hop, Jazz, Pointe & Variations, Pas de Deux to name a few. Affordable meals and housing avaialble. See display ad on pg. 40. www.DramaticTruth.org

Spend your summer at The Culture House! Our new 2013 summer programs include dance, theater, music and art ... all taught by professionally trained adults. 2-Week Musical Intensives, Aida and Disney’s Camp Rock, Broadway Starz, Creative Kingdom Art, Space Pirates Stage Combat, Pretty Princess Ballet, Hip Hop, Annie Camp, Leadership, and much more. PLUS our summer production of Les Miserables (ages 6 to adult)! Openings limited, call today. See display ad on pg. 7. (14808 W 117th St, Olathe) 913.393.3141. Enroll online: www.CultureHouse.com

Dramatic Truth

Faulkner’s Pony Camp Want your kids to learn what it’s like to take care of a pony? Have them join us for pony

camp to find out. Faulkner’s Pony Camp is a great way for kids to get close to the Faulkner’s herd with a wrangler at their side. Kids will learn important equine skills and how to groom, feed and ride ponies during this fun week at the ranch. 816.761.1234. See display ad on pg. 43. www.faulknersranch.com/pony-camp.php

Ibsen Dance Theatre Ibsen Dance Theatre School of Performing Arts is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Summer Dance Camps will be offered to ages 3 to 16 and Summer Musical Theatre Camps will be offered for ages 5 to 16. The School offers the highest quality of dance, drama and voice instruction at the most affordable prices. All Camps provide a positive learning environment with age specific learning programs and curriculum. All camps are taught by professional, adult instructors. See display ad on pg. 44. www.IbsenDance.net

Johnson County Park & Recreation District From Outdoor Discovery to Just for Fun, we offer over 50 professionally programmed and supervised camps conveniently located throughout Johnson County. Specializing in healthy and active options for kids of all ages, our summer fun choices include preschool enrichment, arts continued on pg. 44

kcparent.com march 2013

the benefits of summer camp

camp guide

t’s been years, but I still remember the excitement I felt on the first day of piano camp. Homeschooled, I was certain that by spending an entire week living and breathing with my peers, I would discover the mystery of how other people acted. Cafeteria was a crazy adventure. Late night games in the hallways? Brilliant. Piano lessons with master teachers? Scary, awesome. I soaked it all in, every moment of it, and the microcosm of fellow piano students was an entirely new experience to me. That’s when I learned of Dostoyevsky, and when the world of Russian literature opened up to me. That’s when, believe it or not, I first heard the word “fart.” That’s when I formed friendships that widened my narrow mindset, challenged me mentally and emotionally and puzzled me with others’ differences from me. That summer camp is still one of the brightest memories of my teen years. Are you pondering sending your children to summer camp? While there are always drawbacks, I’ll be focusing on the advantages of summer camps for kids in this article. My daughter is far too young to go to one now, but I look forward to someday matching her with the perfect program to let her grow, experience and prosper.

meeting new people

Now, if your children aren’t homeschooled, they’re probably not as isolated as I was growing up. But they still see the same kids day in and day out at school. Going to summer camps gives your children the chance to meet people of the same age who might be similar or vastly different from them. We all can use more practice in open-mindedness, and meeting other children from outside their social circle can help your kids appreciate diversity. Schools are busy universes, with stars, planets and outer space all of their own, but summer camps are a unique kind of microcosm that intensify every experience due to the short span and in-depth nature of each activity. It’s a great place for your children to learn and practice social skills such as communication, project sharing, appreciation of others and sharing.

adventure

Summers can be desperately boring. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with enough activities for your kids to stay engaged. Summer camps have the advantage of offering concentrated, pointed activities for your children in their areas of interest. They can break up the sunny

Visit KCParent.com for the NEW Geo-based, searchable Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos, videos and more — your complete one-stop shop for camps!

kcparent.com march 2013

monotony quite well. Whether you find a music, games, church, math, science or nature camp—or any other kind of camp—if you can match your child’s interests to the offerings, the excellent people at the camp will offer unique opportunities for your child to explore his or her own gifting and interests.

learning

It was at piano camp that I learned the essentials of stage presence (act like you’re confident, act like you’re having fun), which have seen me through countless performances, speaking engagements and school presentations with poise. I still remember the wry, pointed, funny lecture by my slight, black-haired instructor. Less than 5 feet tall, she filled the auditorium with power as she spoke about performing and then ordered us all up on stage in an ambling, embarrassed line to practice bowing. There are many other things to learn! Summer camps are an excellent way to keep your children’s minds engaged through the school-less summer. It’s a great way to let them learn the basics or refine their knowledge of any subject, a perfect place to begin equipping them and helping them find out what it is they want to do with life. In conclusion, summer camps can be extremely advantageous to children. While yours might not be as secluded as I was, they can still benefit from making new friends, having wild adventures and learning new skills. Emily McIntyre is making up for her sheltered upbringing by travelling, talking, and tasting her way through life.When not writing, she works as a barista and spends time with her husband and toddler.

I formed friendships that widened my narrow mind set, challenged me mentally and emotionally and puzzled me with others’ differences from me. Concerned about staying connected with your child when he is at summer camp? He probably is too. Try these ideas to help him feel surrounded by your love when he’s away from home: Write little notes and slip them into his clothes when helping him pack his bag. Ideas include writing a joke or a puzzle (possibly including the answer on a different note or in a letter later in the week), a quick “I love you” or one thing you appreciate about him. Get the address of the camp and have a letter waiting for your child when he arrives to help with the initial homesickness. See if visits are allowed and surprise your child by showing up unexpectedly, saying hi and giving him a small treat, and then getting out of his hair so he can get on with enjoying camp

Oakhill Summer Days 2013

Summer fun for Toddler (Age 2) - Eighth Grade Academic, Enrichment, and Sports camps offered all summer long! Flexible extended care programming Full Summer Fee Discounts

June 3 - August 2

Extended Summer Fun May 28-31 and August 5 - Start of School Choose Your Adventure!

Enroll Online!

816-436-6228 www.oakhilldayschool.org kcparent.com march 2013

camp guide and crafts, sports training, computers, nature and science, leadership development, and music, theatre and dance. The choices include indoor and outdoor programs, and full and partial day schedules. For details call 913.831.3359 or visit www.JCPRD.com/activities/camps.cfm. See display ad on pg. 43.

Kansas City Art Institute Walt Disney studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute and your child can too! We offer a look at Art Around the World, Fantastic Fashions, Claymation Movies and more.Youth and highschoolers ages 6-18 can explore art and design at one of the nation’s top schools of art and design located right in their own backyard.

Camp Tekakwitha A Catholic Adventure Camp The camps offer horseback riding, high rope challenges, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, repelling, basketball, soccer, swimming, ultimate frisbee, group party games, mountain boarding, archery, volleyball, mountain biking, outdoor camping, softball, bible studies, numerous catholic prayer experiences and other outdoor camp activities. Camp is a powerful spiritual experience that leaves the campers excited to return year after year.

Supervised noon time and an extended hour available. We offer a main and a north campus. For more information go to www.KCAI.edu/artforeveryone or call 816.802.3333. See display ad on pg. 44.

Kansas City Ballet School Kansas City Ballet School Summer Programs include once-a-week Creative Movement classes (ages 3-5) to special four-day Fairy Tale (ages 3-5) and Story Book Ballet Workshops (ages 6-8) to 2- to 4-week Ballet classes (ages 7-13). Your child will enjoy excellent training and superior attention while having fun. Classes begin June 3rd. Enroll today to guarantee your child’s spot. Two convenient locations: Downtown and Johnson County 816.931.2299. See display ad on pg. 39. www.KCBallet.org

IBSEN DANCE THEATRE SUMMER DANCE & THEATRE CAMPS

The KCYA Community School of the Arts The KCYA Community School of the Arts (CSA) offers children performing and visual arts classes, camps and private instruction on the campus of St. Teresa’s Academy. Spring classes now forming. Our fabulous performance based Spring Break Camps will be held March 18-22. Summer Camps begin in June. Scholarships are available. 816.531.4022. See display ad on pg. 40. www.KCYA.org

Missouri Military Academy Missouri Military Academy offers two fun, meaningful summer programs that build self-confidence and develop new skills. The Summer Academy at Missouri Military Academy (June 23-July 20) is a for-credit boarding program for students grades 7-12. Students 816.531.7728 kcshakes.org

E DRAMA P P S M KE Dance A C HA & S T A G E S JUNE C O M B AT

Musical Theatre Camps at 7221 N. Oak location

*Snow White - June 3-14 (Ages 8 to 11) *Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? June 3-14 (Ages 5-7) *Godspell July 8-19 (Ages 12-16)

CAMP TEKAKWITHA Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Road Williamsburg, KS 66095 (785) 746-5693

archkck.org

Three Day Dance Camps at 9550 N. McGee location *Under the Sea (ballet camp) June 17-19 (Ages 3-8) *Supercalifragilistic (dance camp) July 8-10 (Ages 3-8) (dancers are divided into groups according to age)

& JULY AGES 5 - 18

Pottery painting Glass fusing Birthday parties “Family Day” every Sunday Special pricing for families

*The Summer Dance Project June 24-28 (Ages 12-18) *Dance Excel Workshop June 24-28 (Ages 9-11)

816.436.7277

816.436.8885

7221 NORTH OAK TRFWY 9550 N. MAGEE GLADSTONE, MO 64118 KANSAS CITY, MO 64155

kcparent.com march 2013

2/14/13 12:34 PM

Now enrolling “My Creative Self” Summer Camp Ages 5 to 7 8 and up

9425 Mission Rd • 913-383-0222 www.ceramiccafekc.com

All come together in a summer experience your kids won’t forget

Dance Intensives at 7221 N. Oak Location

AD1.indd 1

A great place to create!

E R A

$50 tuition credit if you enroll by July 1

GO CAMPING THIS SUMMER AT THE NELSON! This summer The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is offering a new, week-long, full-day camp experience for ages 6-12. Three separate oneweek Art in Action camps will be held July 8-26. Summer Art Week classes, Thursday evening workshops and Saturday workshops also will be available. The museum’s summer exhibition Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Masterpieces of Modern Mexico will provide inspiration for several of our class offerings. Information on summer classes can be found at nelson-atkins.org. See display ad on pg. 46.

Nerman Museum Early Explorations classes (ages 5-7) and Contemporary Creations classes (ages 8-11) are interactive art learning experiences. Students learn directly from JCCC’s diverse permanent collection and temporary exhibitions in the Nerman Museum. After exploring selected works of art, students create original works of art in the studio classroom. Classes are offered Tues.-Fri., June 4-July 26, with individual sessions from 10AM-noon or 2PM-4PM. Register at www.JCCC.edu/youth or call 913.469.2323. See display ad on pg. 38.

EN SCI

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Y CAMP CIT 2 E

recover lost credits or earn enrichment. Summer Leadership Camp (July 7-19) teaches leadership in an environment that emphasizes self-esteem and teamwork. Boys and girls ages 13-17 participate in rappelling, leadership reaction course, physical training and first aid. ACA accredited. See display ad on pg. 39. www.missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer

JUNE 10 - AUG 9

9 AM TO 4 PM (EARLY & LATE CARE AVAILABLE)

ignite your child’s natural curiosity! • • • • • • • •

SPACE EXPLORATION CHEMISTRY AROUND YOU MAKER CAMP ANIMALS ANCIENT & MODERN SOLAR SYSTEM & BEYOND MATTER MATTERS DESIGN & BUILD IT EVERY LIVING THING

June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-August 2 August 5-9

$185/WEEK OR $165/WEEK FOR UNION STATION MEMBERS

ENROLL TODAY! SPACE IS LIMITED! UNION STATION KANSAS CITY | 30 WEST PERSHING ROAD 816.460.2226 | SCIENCECITY.COM/SUMMERCAMP

Oakhill Day School Oakhill Day School is ready for another wild and exciting summer of fun for children ages toddler (Age 2) through Eighth grade. At Oakhill Summer Days you can explore everything from academics, art, cooking, music, science, sports and much more. Summer fun begins June 3 and is offered through August 2. Morning and evening extended care is available to add flexibility to your busy summer schedule. Start planning your dream Summer Days online today! See display ad on pg. 43. www.OakhillDaySchool.org

Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House Camp ARTRAGEOUS! Paint Glaze & Fire Ceramics & Coffee House is offering summer camp for its 15th season! Your child will learn new techniques and have fun creating art in our multi-medium camps (ceramics, clay, canvas & glass fusion). Class size is limited - sign up early! Check it out online and find more information as well as a registration form at www.PaintGlazeAndFire.net. For more information on these and many other fun and creative kcparent.com march 2013

camp guide programs, visit the website. See display ad on pg. 40. 913.661.CLAY (2529).

Pembroke Hill Embark on an adventure that will allow you to travel to the great outdoors, across the world, into the ocean and all the way to the moon. Our 12-week comprehensive summer camp is open to all students ages 2-18. So whether you choose to create your own story, solve a story problem, or prepare to conquer the PSAT, Summer at Pembroke Hill has an adventure awaiting every student. What adventure will you choose? See display ad on pg. 40. PembrokeHill.org

Science City This summer, kids will ignite scientific curiosities with fun, activity-based learning at Science City Summer Camp! From robots to chemistry, space to dinosaurs, life science to inventions, children ages 6-12 will experience the amazing and inspiring world of science. Space is

limited! June 10-August 9 (no session July 1-5), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m-4 p.m., FREE early/late care 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., $165/week for Union Station members or $185/week for non-members. For more info, visit ScienceCity.com/SummerCamp, email Summer@UnionStation.org or call 816.460.2226. See display ad on pg. 45.

Theatre of the Imagination Performing arts. One and two week camps run Mon-Fri, May 28-Aug. 9 at 6100 W. 127th, OP, KS. Open Pre-K -9th grades. Half-day or full, (7:30am-6 p.m.). Shows spoof Clones, Divas, Vampires, Princesses, VideoGames and more. No auditions and no experience required. Free costumes, shows & snacks. Multiple child discount 10%. Make your own schedule, we take partials & we pro-rate. Specials: $54 half day, $99 full. $89.10/week for multiple kids. 816.561.2787 or tiarts@hotmail.com. See KC Parent ad on pg. 46 for $30 coupon. www.dramakc.com

Trilogy Trilogy Performing Arts Camps Learn to Sing, Dance, Act, Stage Fight and Stunt Work! Be part of great performances! New 4 week program

featuring Disney’s Tarzan! Week camps with showcases include, Mary Poppins-Step in Time, Red Hot Vocal Camp, Lone Ranger, Jedi Stunts, Never Never Land, Princesses! Experience a state of the art GREAT LOCATION!; Day Camps at 12480 S Black Bob, Olathe KS. Half Day ages (3-5)$115, Full Day ages (6-18)$160. NEW! Imaginative overnight camps with Narnia inspired facility (ages 8-18)$350. 913.254.4444 See display ad on pg. 41. www.TrilogyCulturalArts.org

YMCA Summer Program The Y’s summer day camps offer fun and adventure for kids. Camps are Monday-Friday, and hours accommodate working parents. Camps for ages 5-12 are offered in Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Bonner Springs, Raymore- Peculiar and Center school districts, and in Parkville. Choose traditional camps with different themes weekly or specialty camps including sports, outdoor and fine arts. In addition, Summer of Service is for ages 1215, and Junior Summer of Service is for ages 9-12. Visit www.KansasCityYMCA.org or call 913.345.9622. See display ad on pg. 13.

Visit KCParent.com for the NEW Geo-based Camp Guide with maps, descriptions, photos, videos and more — your complete one-stop shop for camps!

NEW Art CAmp!

AGES 6–12     

ART IN ACTION New full-day, week-long art classes. Time Travelers

Monday–Friday, July 8–12

enroll TodaY

Pack Your suiTcase

Online: nelson-atkins.org Phone: 816.751.1arT

off The Wall: sculPTure

    

  

Monday–Friday, July 15–19 Monday–Friday, July 22–26

  

Details on all summer art classes at nelson-atkins.org.

kcparent.com

KCParentAd Mar13.indd march 2013 46NelsonAtkins

2/13/13 2:39 PM

THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW Face it, there are A LOT of things we are expected to know as parents, and as you have learned, children don’t come with a manual—but they do come with a steep learning curve! Through my first 11 years of parenting, I’ve learned some things that all parents should know. While you won’t find a lot of these in parenting books, I’ve found them to be helpful.

Name and Number of Go-To Pal No parent should ever be without this oh-so-important partner in your parenting journey. You know the person to which I’m referring: the one you call at 3:00 on a school day and scream into the phone “I’vecutmyhandandneedtogotoemergencyroomwatchmykids!” Or the one who comes over at 10:00 to sit with your sleeping kids while you head to the Target parking lot to bring keys to your husband who has locked his in the car.

A Good Cookie Recipe If this hasn’t happened to you yet, I promise it will. Picture the following scenario with me: 8:00 on a school night. Homework is completed, bags packed and showers taken. You settle down to read for a few minutes when a child remembers, “I told the class we were celebrating my half-birthday tomorrow.” Pull out that recipe and whip up “your” cookies. My cookies are Gooey Butter Cookies. Visit KCParent.com for the recipe—quick and easy to make at the last minute!

Emergency Kit

Lyrics to a Popular Song

Answer to THAT Question

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

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

It always seems to come at an inopportune time, and I’ve found it’s just best to be prepared and learn from my mistakes. In these situations, remember two important things. First, less is more. Seriously, I have to say to myself as I babble through an awkward explanation, “Be quiet, Margaret!” Second, ask a question to find out exactly what your child wants to know. Chances are good the information he is seeking is a lot tamer than what is flying through your mind. Margaret Sarver writes from her home in Lenexa. While she doesn’t suffer from One Direction infection, she does think some of their tunes are catchy. kcparent.com march 2013

march

The KCParent.com calendar features over 1,000 events each month!

CALENDAR

Toy & Miniature Museum No part of this calendar may be reproduced in print or web format.

kcparent.com march 2013

watch

see

celebrate

learn

See Skippy Jon Jones at the Folly on March 5 at 10:00 & 11:30. Enjoy a Children’s Theater production of the beloved stories of Skippy Jon Jones. 816.474.4444

The bunnies return on March 8 and transform the Plaza into an Easter wonderland. On display through April 1. Bring your family to see this springtime tradition. 816.753.0100

Registration opens March 11 for JCCC’s Free College Day on April 20. From classes on beer brewing to bookmaking, there’s something for everyone! Hurry, classes fill quickly! JCCC.edu

Enjoy the wearing of the green at the KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Head to Midtown at 11:00 on March 17 and join thousands of onlookers viewing hundreds of Irish floats and bands!

Pick up a new game over spring break with marble lessons at the Toy and Miniature Museum, March 20-24 and March 27-31 from 1:00 to 4:00. See ad on pg. 51 for FREE shooter marble. 816.235.8000

KCIrishParade.com

1 FRIDAY

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast 7:30, Intercontinental Hotel. Attend our benefit breakfast for Reach Out and Read KC. ReachOutAndReadKC.org

presented by

Wiley and the Hairy Man Puppet Show 10:00 & Noon, Paul Mesner Puppet Studio. A folk tale that recounts the story of the strong bond between a son, Wiley, and his mother. 816.756.3500 Jazz Storytelling 10:00, American Jazz Museum. Children are introduced to new music and cultures at our storytelling time. 816.474.8463 Footloose Thru March 3, YouthFront Auditorium. CYT presents this family-friendly production of the beloved musical. 913.681.3318 Tell-Tale Electric Poe Thru Mar 10, 10:00, Noon & 7:00, Coterie Theatre (Crown Center). One actor and one musician perform Poe stories and poems. 816.474.6552 Seussical Today (1:00) & tomorrow (7:30), Calvary Bible College. See all your favorite Dr Seuss characters at this production! 816.322.5152 x1360

A Musical Celebration of Easter

Gymboree Play & Music Open House 4:30, Gymboree Play & Music (Lee’s Summit). Bring your child for a mini school skills session. 816.525.7529 Goodnight Zoo 6:00, Kansas City Zoo. Kids ages 3-5 can enjoy a night of exploration stations, activities, themed lessons and more! 816.513.5800 On Golden Pond Thru Mar 31, 6:00, New Theatre Restaurant. A thoughtful comedy about the seasons of life and the bond between the young and old. 913.649.7469 First Fridays 7:00, Crossroads Art District. Galleries and shops remain open late on the first Friday of each month. KCCrossroads.org The Miracle Worker Thru Sun, Avila’s Goppert Theatre. The story of Anne Sullivan’s struggle to teach the blind and deaf Helen Keller how to communicate. 816.501.3699

March 29-31

The Doo-Wop Sounds of the 1950s Thru March 24, 7:30, Quality Hill Playhouse. Enjoy this uniquely American vocal style performance. 816.421.1700

2 SATURDAY: READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Buy A 4-Pack

SAVE $20! use code: FAMILY

Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss! Take time to read some of your favorite Dr Seuss stories today. Search for Seuss on KCParent.com for Seussian inspiration! Kids’ Workshop 9:00, Home Depot stores. Bring in the kids for a free workshop and build something together. HomeDepot.com Nature Nuts Story Time 10:00 & 1:00, Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Hear nature stories and enjoy hands-on activities. 816.759.7300 Bird Banding 10:00, Burroughs Audubon Nature Center. See our resident songbirds up close and personal! 816.795.8177 Family Workshop 11:00 & 2:00, Union Station. Science City’s educators will guide your family through a one-of-a-kind experience. $16-$30. UnionStation.org Cat in the Hat 12:30, Paradise Park. The Cat in the Hat greets guests in the Edutainment Center. 816.246.5224 Maple Sugaring 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Savor this wonder of nature and learn about making syrup from native trees. Pre-reg. 816.228.3766

kcstarlight.com 816.363.STAR sponsored by

*Excludes VIP and balcony. Not valid with any other offer or previous purchase.

LIVE ON STAGE!

kcparent.com march 2013

The Hallelujah Girls 2:00, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. This comedy will make you laugh out loud and shout Hallelujah! Call for times. 913.764.2121 Narek Arutyunian in Concert 2:00, Lied Center Pavilion. Hear a very talented young concert artist play his clarinet. 785.864.2787

4 MONDAY

Kidscape 10:00, Johnson County Museum. A hands-on exhibit for kids designed to look like a suburban streetscape! 913.715.2550 In Living Color Thru Mar 10, Powell Gardens. The vibrant cool-season blooms have created quite a spectacular exhibit to see! 816.697.2600 Ice Skating Thru Mar 10, Noon (Mon-Fri) & 10:00 (Sat & Sun), Crown Center Ice Terrace. Enjoy our outdoor ice skating rink for just a few more days! 816.274.8411

Geo Kids | Overland Park Arboretum | March 12 Children’s Formal Tea and Etiquette Party 2:30, Anna Marie’s Tea Shop. Learn social graces and manners at a real tea party! Pre-reg. 816.792.8777 Liberty Symphony Concert 7:30, Liberty Performing Arts Center. William Jewell College artist winners perform. LibertySymphony.org

3 SUNDAY

First Sunday Family Fun Day Noon, KC Museum.

Learn about Kansas City during World War II through activities and demonstrations. 816.483.8300 art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Come every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278 Dino O’Dell Family Concert 2:00, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Go on an adventure around the world with Dino O’Dell! 816.753.5784

H FR

E TO NT W ER IN A

Pre-K Thru High School

Discover MARANATHA

OPEN HOUSE &

Kindergarten Orientation March 5, 2013 | 6PM - 8:30PM 15000 W. 63rd Street, Shawnee, KS 66216 Activities for Students & Preschoolers! To schedule a Shadow Day or Education Success Consultation call 913-631-0637 Visitor’s Day is every Wednesday!

*Details visit

kcparent.com march 2013

www.mca-eagles.org/openhouse

5 TUESDAY

Coffee Playground 10:00, OP First Assembly of God. Inflatables, scooters, balls and more for kids 5 and under. Free. OverlandParkMops.blogspot.com Chicken Little: The Musical Thru April 13, various times, City Stage (Union Station). Theatre for Young America performs this musical comedy. 816.460.2083

great indoor activity for only $3!

Preschool Bowling! every thursday at mission bowl & mission bowl ‘n olathe

bumpers • light balls • non-smoking facility 10 am to 1 pm children 5 and under $3 for 1 game, shoes and small drink $3 for 1 game & shoes for parents, too! (drink not included)

Olathe Mission 1020 S. Weaver 5399 Martway 913-782-0279 913-432-7000 www.missionbowl.com

Skippy Jon Jones 10:00 & 11:30, Folly Theater. Children’s Theater production of the beloved stories of Skippy Jon Jones. 816.474.4444 Maranatha Open House 6:00, Maranatha Academy. Discover what Maranatha has to offer. Enter to win a FREE scholarship! 913.631.0637

6 WEDNESDAY

Open Play 9:00, Stanley Presbyterian Church. On the first Wednesday of each month, bring the kids, toys and your to-go cup of coffee! 913.681.8180 Annual Passes on Sale Paradise Park. Our annual passes start at just $14.95/month for a family of 4. Call Paradise Park today! 816.246.5224 Wiley and the Hairy Man Puppet Show 10:00 & Noon, Paul Mesner Puppet Studio. A folk tale that recounts the story of the strong bond between a son, Wiley, and his mother. 816.756.3500 Janie Next Door Concert 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Join the fun with a local musician and an upbeat, enthusiastic show! 913.715.2575 Dino O’Dell Concert 10:00, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center. Dance and sing with a well-known local children’s musician. 913.344.8656 Animal Tales 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Visit the nature center for stories, songs and surprises

geared to preschool children. 913.764.7759 Free Open Gym Noon-1:00, 360 Gymnastics. Kids can play in our 20,000-square-foot gymnastics area for free! 913.707.3756 Greater KC Auto Show Thru Sun, 5:00, Bartle Hall. More than 500 new cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans and crossovers for you to see! KansasCityAutoShow.com

7 THURSDAY

Pinocchio Time 10:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. A long-running special exhibit celebrating this classic Italian children’s story. 816.833.9777 Frontier Fables and Teepee Tales 10:00, Shawnee Indian Mission. Each Thursday, hear a story relevant to the history of the mission. 913.262.0350

Coco Salutes Scouts 4:00, CoCo Key Water Resort. Show your Girl Scout badge and get a $5 day pass today! 816.737.0200 Heartsaver CPR 6:00, Lee’s Summit Medical Center. 2-hour course covers skills needed for the adult, child or infant victim. $25. Pre-reg. 816.282.5060

8 FRIDAY

Plaza Bunnies & Wonderland Animals Thru April 1, Country Club Plaza. The Plaza makes its annual transformation into an Easter wonderland. 816.753.0100 Story Time 10:30, Shawnee Books & Toys. Bring in the kids to participate in our weekly story time. 913.962.1428

Children’s Story Time 10:30, North-East Library. Bring your young child to the library for stories and a craft. 816.701.3485

YMCA Kids’ Night Out 5:30 (Miami County) and 6:00 (Atchison, Blue Springs & Independence). Enjoy a night out while the kids have fun! KansasCityYMCA.org

The Music Man Thru Mar. 10, Goppert Theatre (Avila). Professor Hill inspires an entire town of young musicians in this classic presented by CYT. 913.681.3318

The Doo Dads 6:00, the Record Bar. Bring the whole family and don’t forget your dancing shoes! Kids free, $5/adults. TheDooDads.com

Manifest Destiny 2:00, National Frontier Trails Museum. Every Thursday in March, explore the trails museum exhibit gallery. 816.325.7575

Escape from Planet Earth Earth’s greatest secrets are about to break out in this new film! Treat the family to this fun movie! EscapeEarthMovie.com Carousel Thru Mar 31, KC Rep. Carousel tells a

Boy oh boy, what a mibster!

Marble Lessons! This spring break, knuckle down and master a classic game of marbles! March 20-24 & 27-31, 1-4 pm

Included with the cost of admission. Members are FREE.

Redeem this coupon for a

FREE SHOOTER MARBLE! 5235 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64112 816-235-8000 Find us on Facebook! toyandminiaturemuseum.org

Must present this coupon at admissions window. One time use. Expires 4-1-13. Cannot be combined with any other offer. KCPARENT

kcparent.com march 2013

camps

spring break

Igor Bulgarin / Shutterstock.com

universal story of love, longing and doing our utmost for those we care about. 816.421.1700 MUMMENSCHANZ 7:30, Lied Center (Lawrence). Entertainment for the entire family with unique characters created out of everyday objects. $12-$28. 785.864.2787

Zootastik Learning Fest 10:00, KC Zoo. Program highlights the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds. 816.513.5800

Seussical Thru Sun, 7:30 (Fri & Sat) & 2:00 (Sun), Calvary Bible College. See all your favorite Dr Seuss characters at this production! 816.322.5152 x1360

Greater KC Auto Show 10:00, Bartle Hall. More than 500 new cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans and crossovers for you to see! KansasCityAutoShow.com

Broadway’s Next Hit Musical! 8:00, Yardley Hall (JCCC). A spontaneous evening of music, humor and laughter! 913.469.4445

Puppet Show 11:00, Shawnee Indian Mission. Audience will explore the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery through puppets. 913.262.0350

9 SATURDAY

KCYA Community School of the Arts

March 18-22 Join the fun of our performancebased camp.

Paint Glaze & Fire

March 14, 19, 20 & 21 Attend all 4 days or create your own schedule.

Theater of the Imagination

March 14-15 and 18-22 Come for the morning, afternoon or both.

Monster Jam 10:00, Lowe’s stores across the Metro. Be sure to register your child to build the Monster Jam kit! LowesBuildAndGrow.com

Westport St Patrick’s Day 4-Mile Run 9:55, Westport. Costume and festive attire encouraged! StPatricksDay4MileRun.com

Puppets for the Planet Festival 11:00, Tony Aguirre Community Center. Live puppet show from StoneLion Puppets teaches kids to take care of the planet. 816.221.5351

Second Saturdays by the Grinter Stove 10:00, Grinter Place. Explore traditional recipes through cooking demonstrations. 913.299.0373

St Pat’s Party Noon, Shawnee Books & Toys. Irish crafts and games. Fun for the entire family! Free. 913.962.1428

Blue Springs Art Show Today & tomorrow, 10:00, Vesper Hall. More than 100 entries, including opaques, photography, drawing, pastels and more. 816.228.0137

Second Saturdays 4:00, Historic Downtown Weston. Stroll into unique shops & galleries for late night shopping and in-store specials. WestonMO.com

Make It Take It 10:00, US Toy. Every Saturday enjoy this event. Give a gift from the heart! 913.642.8247

Battle of the Bands 6:00, Maranatha. Loud fun for those 12 and over, Must be accompanied by adult. $10-$15. MCA-Eagles.org

join the

crowd.i

EE R F Exhibit

F e b 2 – M ay 5

At FUNVILLE, kids can try all sorts of grown-up professions in a hands-on exhibit where the most important job is to have fun. For exhibit hours and more, visit crowncenter.com

kcparent.com march 2013

One in three first-year college freshmen who stay in Kansas attend JCCC.

www.jccc.edu

10 SUNDAY: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Don’t miss this event! (Our editor’s pick: a Downton Abbey class)

Irishpalooza Celebration & Parade 11:00, Martin City. Carnivals, games, vendors and food. Parade at 2:00! Irishpalooza.com Shawnee Shamrock Stampede 1:00, Shawnee. The whole family will enjoy activities before and after the parade. Duck race follows at 4:30. 913.631.5200 Story Time for Preschoolers 1:30, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Every second Sunday of the month come for a free story time. 816.751.1278 Tell-Tale Electric Poe Thru Mar 10, 2:00, Coterie Theatre (Crown Center). One actor and one musician perform Poe stories and poems. 816.474.6552 The Flying Dutchman 2:00, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A haunting tale of true love that is sure to command your attention.

11 MONDAY

Spring Break Specials Thru March 24, Paradise Park. Visit our calendar for daily specials. Today, buy one, get one free go-kart admission. 816.246.5224 $5 Fun Days 10:00, Cool Crest. Enjoy a mini golf game, go-kart ride and 30 arcade tokens all months for only $5 with online coupon! CoolCrest.com Purchase Tickets! Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre performs Pudge Ate a Prophet April 4-7. Reserve your tickets today! 913.254.4444 Totsercise 11:20, Vivion Road YMCA. A fun, upbeat aerobics class for kids ages 2-8 that includes dancing, games and basic fitness skills. 816.453.6600

12 TUESDAY

Story Time for Twos 9:30, Westport Library. Seasonal stories, songs, videos and other learning activities for children 2 and younger. 816.701.3488 Geo Kids 10:00, OP Arboretum. GPS treasure hunt for kids! 913.685.3604

Registration Opens JCCC Free College Day. Today is the first day to register for the April 20 event. Hurry! Classes fill quickly! jccc.edu/freecollegeday

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

Café and Playland 9:00, Kaw Prairie Community Church. Kids can enjoy the playland while parents enjoy conversation and coffee. 913.764.5722

Preschool Story Time 11:00, Ceramic Café. Kids will hear a book read, paint a piece of pottery and enjoy a snack! 913.383.0222

all aboard!

Egg Hunt Trains March 23 & 30th Trains depart at 9 & 11 am, 2 & 4 pm each day. Adults, $15 (12 & up) Child, $8 (Ages 1-11) Under 1, Free (In arms)