KC Parent Magazine February 2020

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HAPPY aDAY! date night crafts & treats valentine fun

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FEB. 26

MAR. 7

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical Starring an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. Great for ages pre-K to 2nd grade.

MAR. 20–21

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DRUM TAO 2020

Go on a musical journey to Ireland in this moving and memorable concert experience with one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

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Every Weekend at 11am

February 1 & 2 Butterfly Bonanza February 8 & 9 Will Zoo Be Mine

Open Year Round

February 15 Teddy Bear Clinic

Check online for more Zoomazing experiences!

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

LOVE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO KEEP HER HEART BEATING.

Ziah was born with half a heart. Thanks to an at-home heart monitoring app invented by Children’s Mercy, her parents enjoy these smiles every day.

It’s another way that love drives lifesaving innovations to give families more moments just like this. See Ziah’s story at childrensmercy.org/lovewill.

FEBRUARY

2020

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Mojo for Moms 14 Date Night 16 Tasty Treats DISCOVER ACTIVITIES AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY, PG. 48

17 Word from Dad 18 Five Things We Love 50 Craft Corner

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

24 Party Guide 38 Camp Guide 54 Calendar of Events

28

32

38

Leap Day

Time for Play

Camp Guide

Fun ways to celebrate February’s bonus day

Simple ways to add play into a child’s day

Time to start planning for summer camp

Our cover features Finley from Tonganoxie.

Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography.

MelissaRiekePhotography.com FREE | February 2020 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER Date Night Sweet Eats Choosing a Preschool Summer Camp Guide Heart Name Puzzle

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14 16 26 36 50

HAPPY aDAY! date night

crafts & treats

valentine fun

TIPS

for choosing a preschool

mmer suCAMP plan ahead with our

GUIDE

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Learn more at olathehealth.org/connect.

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EDITOR’SLETTER FEBRUARY 2020

KC Parent is giving away

$1000

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DISNEY ON ICE! Details at KCParent.com

Happy Valentine’s Day, Kansas City!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

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LOCAL CONTENT

Kim Antisdel (Liberty), Bill Bartlett (Belton), Melissa Bellach (Overland Park), Hannah Berry (Kansas City), Megan Coffey (Overland Park), Julie Collett (Overland Park), Wendy Connelly (Overland Park), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

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I

’m a reader, but it goes in spurts.

Sometimes I’ll read book after book, and then sometimes a month or two will pass and I won’t have read anything.

How much I read typically depends on how busy I am. But, to me, a book is a great way to relax, so I try to make time to fit it in. The best way I’ve found to sneak in at least a few minutes of reading each day is to bring my book with me when I’m driving carpool or chauffeuring kids from one place to another. I find I can usually get a solid 10-15 minutes of reading this way (and it keeps me off my phone!). Most of my books come from the library—I love that I can go online and place a book on hold and then stop by to pick it up. Bonus, my local library recently opened a drivethru and it’s honestly the best thing ever.

In this issue, you’ll find some great tips on ways to fit reading into your busy schedule, along with a great piece on libraries and all they have to offer!

Although high school graduation for my older is in the very near future, it feels like I was looking at preschools not so long ago! My girls each attended one year of preschool before kindergarten, and I spent a lot of time researching options. Looking for the best preschool for your child can feel a bit overwhelming. KC has many great choices out there, and we’re here to help!

Local mom Regan Lyons has put together some great tips on what to look for when choosing a preschool on pg. 26.

This is a leap year, so you have an extra day this February! To make the most of leap day, check out pg. 28 and our calendar, both here and online at KCParent.com, for fun ways to spend your bonus day!

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

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SPOTLIGHT

VALENTINE FUN Looking for fun ways to spend Valentine’s Day? Head to KCParent.com for our Valentine’s Fun Guide that has ideas for everyone in the family to share the love.

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I

f your child has blond hair, dark hair or red hair, you don’t say he’s different. A variety of hair, eye and skin colors is certainly not unusual. Raise your lefty with the same mindset! Just because he predominantly uses his left hand does not change anything, if you handle the trait in an upbeat, positive way.

Eleven percent of the population is born left-handed. Is this inherited?

In 2007, scientist Clyde Francks announced the isolation of a gene called LRRTM1 that contributes to lefthandedness. Francks’ research suggests the gene is inherited on the father’s side.

Parents can monitor their child’s handedness by keeping tabs on which hand reaches for toys and food or by noting which direction a child stirs with a spoon.

Righties tend to stir clockwise, while lefties stir counterclockwise.

Babies usually start showing a hand preference between 7 and 9 months old but may not make a final distinction until they start school and learn to write.

Lefties do think differently. This is because the left side of the brain, which controls the right hand, directs speech, language, writing, logic, math and science. The right side, which controls the left hand, is responsible for music, art, perception and emotion. The right side handles abstract, big picture ideas; the left side thinks in straight lines.

How about getting your lefty speaking lessons? Many recent presidents have been lefties, including Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.

It is hard to believe it was common practice for schoolteachers to force children to switch to their right hand until the late 20th century.

This created ambidextrous people.

Some of the greatest artists in history have been lefties, including M.C. Escher, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Painting isn’t the only profession that favors lefties. Studies have identified large numbers of left-handed students and professors in schools of architecture, music and math.

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kcparent.com february 2020

RAISING A

lefty

IN A RIGHTHANDED WORLD However, this doesn’t mean that all creative subjects are easy for left-handed children. Using equipment designed for right-handers can end in frustration.

Prevent the problems by investing in good left-handed scissors. Right-handed scissors have the sharper part of the blade on the left side, so if a child tries to use them with his left hand (which he will), the dull part of the blade won’t cut the piece of paper or string.

You can find these easily online—as well as smudge-free pencils and pens. Parents also can switch the settings on computers to make a mouse or cursor more lefty-friendly.

Another realm where lefties shine is sports. Left-handed fencers are more successful, as are left-handed boxers. Playing tennis left-handed didn’t stop John McEnroe or Martina Navratilova.

In baseball, left-handed pitchers have been highly sought after since the sport’s earliest days. Because most pitchers are righthanded, batters tend to have trouble clearly seeing a ball thrown by a lefty. The advantage

for left-handed pitchers is even more pronounced against left-handed batters.

In the 1980s, baseball managers began capitalizing on that dominance by relying on the left-handed specialist, a left-handed pitcher who came into the game to face just one lefthanded batter in late innings.

Make sure you celebrate your lefty! Lefties are uncommon in this right-handed world. Many a kitchen pot and coffee mug are made with handles for right-handed people—which right-handers don’t give a second thought about. Right hands are presented for handshakes, not the left hands. And there’s the whole elbow thing at a crowded table. A lefty will probably be sitting next to a righthanded person, which means they’ll be knocking elbows as they try to eat. I know about this one personally, as my hubby is left-handed. He always sits on my left side!

Luckily, to make up for these injustices, nifty items like notebooks with the wire spiral on the right side make life easier. When you’re raising left-handed kids, treat them to some fun birthday gifts in addition to those scissors.

That reminds those lefties how special they are.

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

Guess Who’s a Lefty?

This list will amaze you!

Tom Cruise Paul McCartney Justin Bieber Jennifer Lawrence Angelina Jolie

Whoopi Goldberg Oprah Winfrey Celine Dion Brad Pitt

More celebrities include the late: Marilyn Monroe

Kurt Cobain

Jimi Hendrix

Sources: Oprah.com, BrainJet.com, KinderCare.com

MOJOFORMOMS mōjō: 1. influence, especially magic power 2. mom joy

THREE WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU Within our human hearts is a deep longing to be seen, heard, appreciated and loved. The foundation for this love is first formed within the parent-child bond: Infants and toddlers who feel loved have healthy attachments and begin to thrive, whereas children without this foundational love struggle, even on a physical level, to survive. But a child’s need for love doesn’t end in these younger years. The way we parents demonstrate our love as our kids grow may shift and change forms, along with our child’s response to our affection, but the need will forever remain. Here are three simple ways to remind our growing children every day how very much we adore them.

1

GREET KIDS EXUBERANTLY Toni Morrison knew the importance of an exuberant greeting. She famously asked, “Does your face light up” when your child enters the room? In relationship psychology, experts have long understood the power of nonverbal messages.

Researchers can accurately predict the success or demise of relationships based upon unspoken cues—the warmth of a hand squeeze, the disdain of an eye roll, whether bodies lean toward or away from one another—but it doesn’t take an expert to pick up on these subtleties. The way we look at our children from across a room betrays the way we feel about them.

When you greet your child, notice: Does your face light up with joy?

2

3

HOLD THE SPACE

SEVEN-SECOND HUGS

Everyone wants to feel heard, especially children, who are often admonished, overlooked and ignored. The practice of holding space is to be fully present with another person without judgment, interference or giving unsolicited advice. It’s a silent but soulful way of simply being in the presence of others and acknowledging them, especially when they need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. Holding the space looks like sitting with your child and acknowledging you are there for him, no matter what. To hold the space is a gentle way of demonstrating the powerful force of unconditional love.

Not every kid wants to be hugged, and it’s important to respect your children’s physical boundaries to teach them their body belongs to them. But if your kids still crave physical affection, here’s a tip: Hug them for seven seconds. Why? Studies show that hugging for seven seconds releases the bonding hormone, oxytocin, and also bolsters the immune system. A sustained hug is a healing elixir for body and soul. And if you can’t squeeze a hug out of your selfconscious teens, go in for a fist bump or pat on the shoulder. If all else fails, circle back to tip #1: Greet them exuberantly with a wink and a smile that beams, “I love you!”

Wendy Connelly, M.Div., is a podcaster (MoJo For Moms podcast), life coach and mother of two from Overland Park.

You can find Wendy’s latest podcasts, TV appearances, retreats and more at MoJoForMoms.com.

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kcparent.com february 2020

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13

DATES WITH LETTER E

DATENIGHT

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kcparent.com february 2020

Looking for a great valentine date night? Here are some “e”xtremely fun date night ideas!

EAT PIZZA According to legend, pizza was first created in Naples, Italy, in 1889 for Queen Margherita of Savoy. 1889 Pizza Napoletana is a local pizza joint that prides itself on making true Neapolitan pizza, as they did back in the 1800s. They use wood-fired ovens, San Marzano tomatoes and “00” Caputo flour (made from the finest European winter wheat). The result is a whole lot of deliciousness, especially the crust. I also really like their funky, modern farmhouse decor, including velvet bench seating, throw pillows, a mix of modern and velvet chairs, one long farmhouse-style table and crystal chandeliers. The atmosphere is comfy and casual. It’s a great place for a chill date night. They also have happy hour specials and a very nice outdoor patio with lights, heaters and tiki torches. We will return here often!

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a 2011 movie adapted from a 2005 novel of the same name. It was also a Best Picture nominee at the 2012 Academy Awards. It tells the story of Oskar Schell, an 11-year-old kid with presumed Asperger’s who lost his dad in the World Trade Center on 9/11. A year after his dad dies, Oskar discovers a key among his dad’s belongings, which sets off an obsessive search to find the lock that it opens. Along the way, he meets a slew of interesting characters and, in the process, conquers some of his own fears. The entire story is poignant and moving with some humor mixed in, and the actor who plays Oskar does a superb job. It was truthfully one of the best movies I have ever seen. My husband and I were glad we set aside a Sunday afternoon to watch it together.

ESCAPE ROOM In mid-2015, the first escape room opened in Kansas City. Since then, numerous others have followed. After doing my first room back in 2015, I was pretty well hooked. I have done more than 25 escape rooms to date—with more to come—and my husband has done more than 20. The most recent one we visited (and escaped from!) was Escape This Place in Raytown. It was our first time there, and we were pleasantly surprised.

Our room, Rockcreek Mercantile, was different from any we had done before, which is always refreshing. And after experiencing so many, we are always looking for something unique. Escape rooms make for great date nights—especially double dates—because they require teamwork and communication. The two largest escape businesses in the city are Breakout KC and Escape Room, each with two locations. Their rooms have consistently been some of the best we have done.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.

FOR GREAT DATE NIGHT IDEAS STARTING WITH A-D, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

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kcparent.com february 2020

15

TASTYTREATS

sweet eats Are you ready for the dessert avalanche February and Valentine’s Day bring your way?

If your family’s mouths are watering at the thought of something sweet, feast on some of these rich, wholesome, less-sugary eats.

graham crackers & nut butter

sweet & salty popcorn

berry dips

sweet stuffed apples

Why: Whether strawberries,

Why: Choose whole-grain

Why: All-natural popcorn

Why: A medium apple adds

raspberries or blackberries,

graham crackers as they

is another whole food that

a full serving of fruit to your

these gems all contain an

provide a dose of fiber and

helps meet your daily grain

kid’s day and is a good

abundance of vitamin C,

a good source of energy to

needs. Popcorn also offers

source of potassium, which

good for skin health. The

help meet your daily grain

a punch of magnesium

protects heart health.

yogurt offers a hefty punch

needs. Nut butter (peanut,

needed for nerve control.

soy, sunflower, almond, etc.)

Honey is loaded with

is packed with protein and

antioxidants and even has

healthy fats, all great for

antibacterial properties.

How: Simply core and slice

of muscle-building protein.

apples to about a half-inch

How: Combine a cup of

thick. In the oven, warm a

Greek yogurt with a quarter

baking pan drizzled with

cup powdered sugar

How: Pop a small bag of

oil or butter. Add apples,

and blend until smooth.

natural popcorn, drizzle

cinnamon and granola,

Have your kiddos dip and

How: Simply smear room

with two spoonfuls of honey

then bake. Once the

set the coated fruit on a

temperature or warm,

and top with sea salt. Shake

apples are tender, let

parchment-lined cookie

melty nut butter on graham

well and let your heart

your heart go wild with

sheet. Simply freeze until

cracker squares. “My kids

crunch on.

enjoyment. Relish this sweet

hard.

growth and maintenance needs.

and I top them with mini

treat further over yogurt,

chocolate chips and make

oatmeal or pancakes.

hearts,” says Christi, Overland Park mother of three.

This month, make your heart feel good and your KC family feel loved with these healthful, simple and creative treats.

Amy Hundley is a registered dietitian nutritionist, licensed in both Kansas and Missouri, and a published freelance nutrition writer.

She is currently practicing as a clinical RD and has been a resident of Olathe since early childhood.

Sources: EatRight.org, NationalAcademics.org

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kcparent.com february 2020

WORDFROMDAD

the need to talk “I know what I’m doing, I can do this myself.”

I recoiled at the uncharacteristic anger in Sandi’s tone. “That wasn’t what I was saying.”

“Fine.” She blew out her irritation in an impatient huff. “Okay, what is it?”

“Click on the ‘File’ button. It’ll bring up the options you need.” I kept the hurt from my words and tone.

Sandi’s mood changed as if she’d flicked a switch. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

I returned to my work and left her to finish hers. With minutes remaining before she needed to leave, she shut down her computer and stood.

“All done.” She spoke as if there had never been a cross word between us.

“Maybe, not.” I could have shrugged this off, but I knew better. No matter how unpleasant for me, I had to continue. “I wanted to help. I felt like nothing I did could make things better. Like I was kind of worthless.”

Sandi wrapped her arms around me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just that I had to get done and I had so little time.” She kissed me. “I’m sorry.”

I gave her a tight squeeze. “Apology accepted. Now, get to work and have a terrific evening.”

Normally, that would have been the end of the matter. Not this time. We’d been sniping at one another too many times lately and I knew what that meant. There was something deeper in our relationship that needed mending.

“Sandi,” I said when she entered the door later that night. “We need to talk.”

“I know. I’ve been thinking that all evening.”

“Why don’t you sit and relax while I get you some coffee. I just made a fresh pot.”

“Sounds heavenly. I can’t remember how long it’s been since we’ve had a good talk.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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17

FIVETHINGS Open Belly Book Give and Partake, the folks that brought you the Brunch Book (which I love), brings a new book perfect for food lovers in KC, the Open Belly edition. With this book you can dine all around the world without leaving Kansas City! The book contains 21 restaurants where you receive a BOGO entrée. With Valentine’s Day this month, this is the perfect gift. Purchase one and then make it a goal for you and your valentine to visit each location in the upcoming year. A fun and yummy way to spend time together! GiveAndPartake.com

Sweet Treat I’ve read about and driven past Laura Little’s Candies for many years but never stopped in. That changed a few months back when my younger daughter and the family member with the sweet tooth were out and about. When we drove by, the store caught her eye, and we stopped in. Oh. My. Goodness. It’s a good thing for my waistline that I waited so long to try it. We had many, many different flavors of fudge and it was all SO good! What’s better than a sweet treat for your sweetie this month?

I can’t think of anything.

LauraLittleCandy.com

5

THINGS WE

LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

White Noise When I sleep, I like to have a fan running for the noise. My husband doesn’t like how it dries out his mouth, so he finally convinced me to look into a white noise machine. Seriously, why didn’t I do this sooner? Spoiler alert: because I’m stubborn. After much research, I settled on the Vanzon White Noise Machine, and it’s perfect.

I found just the right sound out of the more than 30 to choose from. The machine is the smallest thing ever and will be so easy to take with me on my next trip. Now, we both sleep better!

Amazon.com

Fun Podcast I loved the show The Office and now enjoy watching it in reruns and on Netflix with my girls.

Two stars of the show, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, recently launched a podcast called Office Ladies where they re-watch each show and then talk about their memories and share behind-the-scenes info. They started with the pilot and are going through each season in order. It’s loads of fun and can be listened to with my teen girls. If you were a fan of the show, I highly recommend.

Or, if you’re new to the show, you can watch and listen in tandem. What fun!

After-School Snack When my girls were younger, I was good about having an afterschool snack ready each day when they got home. As they’ve grown and gotten busier, they are typically on their own for a snack, but every once in a while, when I know both will be home, I’ll get something made. We like granola bars, and I’ve tried several recipes, looking for the perfect bar. I think I’ve found it!

These chocolate chip oat bars are quick, easy and yummy! I don’t have room here for the recipe, but head to KCParent.com where I’ve shared it. Let me know how you like it!

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kcparent.com february 2020

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how to teach children a good

work ethic

doing chores!” said no “I love one ever.

Okay. Maybe someone out there has said this, but most of us probably would rather be doing other things. Chores, however, are a part of life, and they are a big part of what helps teach children a good work ethic, one that will help them succeed not only in their future careers, but in their daily lives as well.

Thinking children just naturally grow up demonstrating perseverance, self-discipline or good frustration tolerance is unrealistic.

These character traits are learned, and they’re learned from parents. Want to be sure your child will develop a good work ethic and the ability to tough it out when things get difficult? Here are some great tips on how to lead her into becoming a responsible, self-sufficient adult.

Start chores at a young age. It’s so much

easier to introduce a good habit with a preschooler than to break a bad habit with a tween. When teaching young children to work, you’ll find they typically need a lot of practice before they get it. Show them how to do a chore a few times and then work alongside them and help them do the chore.

Model hard work in front of them.

Remember: “More is caught than taught.”

You can’t expect your child to work hard if he doesn’t see you working hard. So, be a good role model. Show pride in your

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accomplishments. Children are always watching and listening.

Make work fun and routine. Kids love to work when you make it fun! Play upbeat music that motivates everyone and make work part of your regular routine. For example, if your child knows she must make her bed before breakfast every morning, it becomes much less of a fight to get her to do it. So instead of being a casual happening, work becomes an expectation rather than a chore.

Give them praise. Don’t focus on pointing out the things your child does wrong or needs to improve on. Instead, focus on praising what she did well. Encouragement goes a long way. Your words of praise will build your child up. She’ll be motivated and inspired to work hard and diligently.

Treat school like a job. That’s right.

Schoolwork and homework are a big part of the foundation for a good work ethic.

The teacher is the boss, and your child’s “job” is to keep up with schoolwork and do his best. School offers a huge opportunity to developing a work ethic. Maybe your son doesn’t enjoy his math homework, but he should do it without a fight, in a timely manner and with good effort.

Don’t use bribes. When your child

is lazing around rather than getting his chore done, hold back on your frustration

and desire to bribe him. Telling him, “If you finish within 30 minutes, we’ll go to the park,” will only make him work for the end result, not learn the value of hard work. Instead of bribing with food or other rewards, talk to him about why he’s doing the work. “We need to pick up the toys so no one trips over them and gets hurt.”

Encourage volunteering. Get your child(ren) out there to help in the community–reading to or playing games with the elderly in a nursing home, serving food at a local soup kitchen or spending time with the cats and dogs in an animal shelter.

Studies confirm this not only benefits others but develops a sense of pride in the volunteer.

Research shows that children who persist and excel recognize that success comes from hard work and practice. While some kids are naturally more hardworking than others, that doesn’t mean a strong work ethic can’t be taught. When you put value in teamwork, cooperation and finishing tasks at home, your kids eventually will grow to be hardworking teens and adults.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein always has made chores a daily routine for her two daughters, and she’s happy to report that the initial whining quickly turned into a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.

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Sion Grade School For Girls and Boys is one of the most diverse private Catholic schools in Kansas City and is part of a global network of 22 schools that share the history and charisma of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion. The Kansas City location is the only Sion school in the United States. As early as age 3, students collaborate and build relationships with students in Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, and France. Middle school and high school students participate in study tours, international conferences, and exchange programs each year.

“The Sisters of Sion have always understood the value of diversity in helping students to learn respect for and openness to ‘the other,’” says Annie Riggs, Sion’s mission director and director of international exchanges. “When students engage with students who are different from themselves, they learn the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving, they learn about themselves as unique individuals and, more importantly, they learn empathy. Our international connections help us to form to nurture students who are open-minded, inclusive communicators.”

Learning a foreign language is one key to being able to work with the global community. At Sion, students begin that formal language study at age 2. French is taught Pre-K through third grade. In fourth grade, students take a semester of French and a semester of Spanish and then choose which track they’d like to follow. For Pre-K through fifth-grade students, Mandarin and Russian also are offered after school.

Putting that language study to work, students at Notre Dame de Sion have multiple opportunities to interact with the global community.

In the elementary grades, children participate through pen pals, video chats and visits with exchange students. Amanda Loflin, Sion French teacher, and France exchange coordinator, says that even the younger set gets involved: “Our Pre-K students exchange drawings they create!”

As students get older, travel to build those connections becomes an option. This year, middle schoolers will participate in an exchange with the Sion school in Grenoble, France, from May 24 to June 6. In October, the students from France will come to Kansas City and engage directly with our school community. Sion students also can participate in the Global Youth Conference. Last April, six students attended the conference in Costa Rica. Notre Dame de Sion has petitioned the International Congregation of the Sisters of Sion to host the conference in 2022, hoping to welcome students from around the world to experience the Kansas City community.

In a rapidly changing global society, Notre Dame de Sion is equipping students to connect and flourish. For more information about Notre Dame de Sion Grade School for Boys and Girls, visit NDSion.edu.

finding the time

I

to read

have always been a reader, and some of my earliest reading memories include riding my bike up to our local library every day of summer break to devour The Baby-Sitters Club series, as well as purposefully reading one chapter of several books on my nightstand before falling asleep. As I’ve grown older, my reading life has ebbed and flowed with assigned reading in high school, course loads during college, heading into the workforce and maneuvering through motherhood. Through all of this, however, I have always needed a book to lull myself to sleep.

As we know, motherhood can be exhausting, so sometimes that wellintended reading time before bed lasts about 0.001 seconds before we nod off. Over the past nine years of motherhood, I have found different ways to sneak in reading as a form of the coveted “me time,” as well as modeling reading for enjoyment for my children.

When I became pregnant with my first baby, I requested the boxed set of The Chronicles of Narnia series so I could share them with my baby. After she was born, I remember being very determined with what I read to her, when and for how long. Perhaps it’s a strange character trait of mine, but reading has always been an integral part my days personally, as well as with my children.

With all of my children, I would read before any nap and bedtime. So when they were very little and just beginning to be on a routine, I would read before their morning nap, afternoon nap, and before bedtime. It became my favorite part of my days with my babies. During their afternoon naps, I would nurse them to sleep while reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud and maybe my own novel to myself while I rocked them and before I laid them down. That series will always hold a very special part of my heart because of that special time in my motherhood journey.

However, with no babies in the house anymore and kids that are all becoming bigger and bigger, our reading time looks a bit different these days. We still read before bedtime, listen to audiobooks during our time in the car, and frequent the library often for books they can read on their own, because I desperately want to raise readers. But with older kids comes different time management. Although I miss that pause in my days to sit

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Some other ideas on how to fit in more reading time in your life: • Wake up 20 minutes earlier.

• Set a timer for 20 minutes while your child plays or watches a show (sometimes I have to hit snooze on my alarm so I can finish up the chapter).

• Bring a book with you like you do your phone so it’s there when you have a moment instead of scrolling social media.

• Set a reading goal—maybe a book a month, so many books a year or 20 minutes a day.

• Join either an in-person or virtual book club.

• Try a buddy read where you read with a friend or child and chat/text about it as you read.

• Have Dad do bedtime routine or help with getting kids ready for bed while you take a moment to read on your own before reading to your kids.

• Turn off Netflix earlier to allow time for reading before bed.

• Listen to audiobooks while folding laundry or washing dishes.

• Perk your interest by listening to book podcasts such as What Should I Read Next?, Currently Reading and Sarah’s Bookshelves Live.

• Utilize library holds and always have a book on deck.

My Recent Favorites At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider gave me, a SAHM, a sense of wanderlust in the best possible way.

Have More Fun by Mandy Arioto, the CEO of MOPS International, is a fun look at motherhood.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green adds a sci-fi twist.

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reed is like reading a VH1 Behind the Music episode where you desperately want the band and music to be real.

Wolfpack by Abby Wambach is a quick inspiring read about girl power and cheering each other on.

Educated by Tara Westover tells a powerful story that is hard to read and hard to put down.

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner is another heartwrenching memoir.

The Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hildebrandt would make a lovely beach read.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes is a fun romcom read with more depth.

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan is an excellent book about being a mom as well as still being a daughter.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is such a fun read about 1940s New York and showgirls.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb gives an interesting look into therapy in a memoir form.

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum is a gripping story of another culture and great for empathy and empowerment.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is such a fun Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Becoming by Michelle Obama is amazing on audio and hearing the backstory of the Obama family and what they set out to accomplish is fascinating.

and read either aloud or in my head, I now have pockets of time to read when they are at piano practice, Ninja class or Boy Scouts. If a book proves hard to put down, I can usually find extra time while they play or while dinner is in the oven.

Sarah Lyons, mother of six, says, “I listen to audiobooks while doing housework and during my commute. I also listen at a higher speed so I can move through them quickly. If reading is important, you can find time. I always have a book with me so I can read while I am waiting in pickup line or at the doctor. I always read before bed every night. I also don’t watch TV and just choose to read instead. Also, I have gotten to the point where I am fine with giving up on a book if it isn’t for me.”

One incentives for reading a chapter book with your children is to have a family movie night once you’ve completed the book. Then you can discuss which telling you preferred and how they were different. Even though one of my children hasn’t been bitten by the reading bug quite yet, he still loves listening to a good chapter book. A good librarian can steer you in the right direction, as can awesome book podcasts such as Currently Reading and Read-Aloud Revival. Revisiting some of your favorite childhood books can be a great way to boost your reading life as well. Some suggestions include Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, James and the Giant Peach and Matilda by Roald Dahl, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling. Some recent favorites of ours have been Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald, The Legends of Greemulax by Kimmy Schmidt with Sarah Mlynowski, and The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (which was awesome on audio).

In the past couple of years, my reading life has become much more of a priority and source of entertainment for me. One reason for this is that my husband travels a lot, so I have more time to read and because I’m alone with my lovely kids so much, reading is an easy escape from the sometimes monotonous reality of caring for children 24/7. Also in the last couple of years, I have discovered and listened to many podcasts, including bookish ones where they discuss titles that sound amazing and make me look forward to reading more. In addition, the Goodreads app has helped me set yearly reading goals, 50 books last year and 52 for 2020. Our current library is also amazing, and I love being able to request a book I’ve heard about, stop in quickly to pick it up and always have a pile of books waiting for me.

Joining a book club (one that actually reads and discusses interesting books while drinking wine) is another great way to stay accountable and pick up books that may not be on your radar. I have discovered many great titles and authors through book clubs. Amanda Wetterson, mother of two, says she makes time to read by “inheriting a book club! Truly, reading with a group of friends helps me make the time to read. It’s also stretched me to try books I never would have, met new friends, and gives me an excuse to spend time with other women without kids. A book club can really be a win-win-win-win!”

Currently, I tend to read while my preschooler sits in story time at the library, sometimes for 20 minutes in the afternoon (preferably in the sun), while waiting for my kids during lessons, and before I go to bed for the night. I hope this article encourages you to pick up a book and rekindle your love of reading this year.

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 9, Mason, 7, and Slade, 4, and reading time is her favorite time of the day. Check out her current reads by following her @saloux on Instagram. kcparent.com february 2020

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C

hildren who attend preschool benefit from higher graduation rates and improved school readiness, research shows. Attending preschool provides a foundation for learning, no matter what preschool you choose. However, finding the preschool that’s right for your child can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider before enrolling your child in preschool.

What is the school’s philosophy?

Kimberly Cordonnier, children’s program director at UCP of Northwest Missouri and mother of two from St. Joseph, says parents should make sure the philosophy of the school aligns with what they value in their child’s early education. For example, some programs focus mainly on academics, while others incorporate social skills along with academics.

“Parents should consider what they want to get out of the preschool experience when making their decision on where to send their child for preschool,” she says.

What is the school’s learning structure?

Preschool settings feature two different types of learning structures, Cordonnier says. Teacher-led structure is more academic based. “The teacher is the one deciding what to teach young children and what experiences they should have,” she says. “Classroom time is devoted to learning letters and sounds, distinguishing shapes and colors, telling time and other skills. The teacher seems to follow a thematic curriculum that involves drills and practice. The focus seems to be more on memorization and not focused on developing the whole child.”

Child-led learning is more play-based. Teachers observe the children’s interests and choose topics that align with those interests. “Teachers are able to introduce social emotional skills along with academic

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choosing a

concepts that include hands-on experiences based on the children’s interests,” Cordonnier explains.

“Child-led activities are more meaningful to young children, and more learning is taking place. Childled activities allow children to be creative and work on their problem solving skills.”

Check out referrals.

Talk to your friends, family and neighbors about which preschools they chose for their children and why. Ask about their experiences and what the pros and cons were of the school. Referrals will give you an idea of what schools you might want to tour and learn more about.

What are the teacher qualifications?

It’s important to ask what qualifications the teachers have. Do they have a background in early childhood education? Are they up-to-date on trainings? How do they interact with children, and how do they handle discipline? Also examine the staff turnover rate. Constant staff changes can be distracting to your child’s learning environment.

Every school has minimums regarding child-to-adult ratio. Does the school meet the minimums?

Is a full-time or part-time program a better fit for your child?

A big factor in choosing a preschool is whether your child is ready for a full day of school or would do better in a part-time program. According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, children are better prepared for learning and social interaction in full-time preschool than in part-time programs. However, every child is different.

Not all children will be prepared to start a fulltime program. For example, a child who has never

preschool

been in childcare outside of home might not feel as comfortable spending an entire day at school away from his parents, and a child who takes a two-hour nap every day might be better suited for a half-day program, so she can get home in time to rest.

right, ask more questions and address any concerns you might have until you have a comfortable feeling about sending your child to school there. The most important thing is to find a place where your child loves to come learn every day.

Is there a wait list?

“Parents should do their research when choosing a preschool for their child,” says Cordonnier. “There are many programs to choose from, but you have to make the right choice for your family and child’s needs.”

Many schools have a wait list, and researching schools can be a lengthy process, so start your search months before your child is ready to enroll. Some communities offer early education fairs, and many preschools hold open houses. Take advantage of these events to help make your decision early. The earlier you decide on a school, the more likely you will be able to secure a spot for your child when she reaches the age for enrollment.

Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband and 5-year-old daughter.

Questions Parents Should Ask a Potential Preschool

Read the fine print.

1. What curriculum do you use?

Before you enroll your child, make sure you read the entire parent handbook. Verify the school’s hours, holiday schedule, tuition rates, vacation and other policies work for you and your family. Typically, schools have other fees that aren’t included in the tuition, often for such items as registration, supplies, technology, field trips and daily snacks. Calculate all costs involved before signing the agreement. Some schools require a certain amount of volunteer hours per family, so make sure the minimum hours are doable for you.

2. What is your program’s mission and philosophy?

Trust your intuition.

10. What is the teacher-to-child ratio?

A parent’s intuition is usually right, so trust your gut instincts. If the classroom looks fun and joyful while you’re taking a tour, and the children seem engaged and excited, those are good signs. If you and your child feel comfortable and have a good first impression of the school and its staff, you may have found the right preschool. If something doesn’t seem

11. Are there extended closures for holidays and breaks?

3. How do you incorporate learning?

4. How do you promote social skills?

5. How do you communicate with parents?

6. What is the vacation policy?

7. How do you monitor and evaluate student growth?

8. How does the school approach discipline and conflict resolution?

9. What safety precautions does the school take?

12. Is transportation provided?

13. Are meals served?

1 4. Are the teachers qualified to teach children with special needs?

15. What are the illness and absence policies?

kcparent.com february 2020

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FEBRUARY 29, 2020

E

p a e LINTO FONun LEAP DAY

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very four years, the short month of February gifts us with a special treat: an extra day! And for 2020, we are extra lucky because February 29 falls on a Saturday.

The concept of an extra day can be a bit tricky for kids to understand (or adults who are not familiar with the history of leap day).

“My nephew was born on leap day. It is so hard each year to explain why his birthday doesn’t happen! Obviously, we celebrate on the 28th, but he gets upset that the 29th just doesn’t happen,” says Laura Kwell, Overland Park mom.

To help with the confusion, here is a short and sweet summary of why Feb. 29 exists. It takes about 365 days and six hours for Earth to revolve around the sun. Every four years, we make up for that extra six hours by adding an additional day to the calendar. You can tell which year will be a leap year because the year is not divisible by 100. Can you and your family look back over the last 20 or 30 years and identify which years were leap years?

To help you mark this special occasion with your family, here are some suggestions for activities to make your leap day one to remember!

Let the Leaping Begin. There are so many ways to keep your kids moving and celebrate leap day. “We make leap day about frogs. Learn about frogs, play games with frog themes, jump like frogs. The kids have a blast, and it makes the day more memorable,” says April Baldwin, Olathe mom. Try teaching your kids about animals who leap and who can leap the farthest.

Then have a leaping contest of your own.

Try jumping like a frog and see how high you can get. Mark your leaping progress and compare it to your results on the next leap day.

Looking Back and Looking Forward. Because it only happens every four years, leap day is a great time to take stock of life. “We use leap day to make a 4-year plan for our family. We talk about places we want to go, things we want to do, what we want to accomplish,” says Mindy Alcorn, Kansas City, MO, mom.

This day is a chance to look back at all that has changed and all the memories made in the last four years. Celebrate the fun you have had together and look forward to the next four years. Talk about what you want to accomplish and what you want to be celebrating on the leap day four years from now.

Study Science. The science behind leap day is exciting and can lead to lots of discussions about space and time.

Visit a natural science museum, watch a documentary about time and space or make a diorama showing how leap day is created.

“We like to take this chance to go to the museums. It makes it relevant to talk about space and how the Earth travels around the sun. It is a fun family outing and it feels timely on leap day,” says Kevin Gwen, Shawnee dad.

For 2020, we are extra lucky because February 29 falls on a Saturday.

Celebrate Leap Day Babies. A small minority of people is born on leap day, a distinction that both makes them very special and gives them a host of headaches as they grow older. Do they celebrate their non-leap year birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1? Legally, do they only get a year older every four years? Most governments have processes in place to deal with these leap day complications.

If you know someone with a leap day birthday, make sure to celebrate on this special occasion! If he feels like the only one with this unique birthday, he can find other leap day babies by joining the Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies.

You might also remind him that several famous people have a leap day birthday, including Rapper Ja Rule, Law & Order: SVU actor Antonio Sabato, Jr., composer Gioacchino Rossini, jazz musician Jimmy Dorsey, Get Shorty actor Dennis Farina and Foster the People musician Mark Foster.

To learn more about leap day and its long history, try visiting History.com/ news/all-about-leap-day.

Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three living in Overland Park.

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kcparent.com february 2020

29

how to avoid the one title you don’t want

MARTYR

of the year

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kcparent.com february 2020

I

t happens when you aren’t looking. It creeps up slowly, quietly and without warning. One minute you’re doting on your beautiful babies, full of love and gratitude for their tiny hands and feet and heartbeats. Then you blink twice and, somehow, you’ve morphed into the one thing you swore you would never become: a martyr.

It’s easy to see how it can happen. After all, moms today are seemingly tasked with more than ever before. We carry the mental and physical load of our families’ well-being squarely on our shoulders. We meal plan, cook, clean, organize and budget ourselves into a shadow of the women we once were.

And why do we do this?

BECAUSE WE’RE MARTYRS. Okay, not really. A martyr is someone who suffers to the point of death for a religion or belief, and we’re not going quite that far. But if you boil the principle of martyrdom down to a very fine, parenting specific, tongue-in-cheek point, it nets out to this: We make ourselves victims. Victims to the grind of keeping the family trains running on time. Victims to our schedules.

To expectations. To unspoken rules. We say we want these responsibilities and, in many cases, even volunteer. And then? We whine and complain about the very things we begged to handle.

My friends, we must stop. Here’s how.

keeper of the calendar If your spouse wants to plan a guy’s golf weekend, does he have the power? If your daughter wants to stay the night at a friend’s house, does she have to come to you first?

If you want to schedule a ladies night, do you do so without consulting anyone else?

If the calendar buck stops with you, it might be time to loosen the reins and even dole out some new responsibilities. Make sure you and your partner both have access to the family calendar and allow one another to make impromptu shifts in the schedule.

It’s not easy, and if your spouse is used to you handling everything, new behaviors

will have to be learned. But this is a good thing! Now your kids can get mad at you and their father equally for saying no to an event request. Sharing the children’s rage is worth its weight in gold

use your voice I clearly recall one evening when I went to the grocery store on the way home from work, bought groceries, made the family meal, served it and then was astonished when everyone got up from the table and went to watch TV. Sure, it was unacceptable behavior on their part, but what did I do? I wallowed in misery as I cleaned the dishes and heaved heavy sighs. Not only did I make dinner, but I made myself a martyr. No one wanted to be around me in my wallowing, which of course made me sad. But this was a self-inflicted wound. By allowing this behavior once, I only set myself up to experience it the next night, and the next and the next after that. Use your voice. Tell your family when you feel taken advantage of. Demand that your family put in the same amount of time and effort you do. At the end of dinner, simply announce, “Time for everyone to clean up!” Set the precedent now and reap some much-needed time on the sofa later.

stop oversharing Listing out to your friends all the responsibilities you have at home and how exhausted they are making you is classic Mother Martyr behavior. If you have time to complain about it, you have time to do something about it. Did you tell your husband you’d pick up the kids from soccer even though you knew he had the time? Did you share how exhausted you are with the other soccer moms? Bing. Martyr.

Take a moment. Do you really have to execute all the tasks you’ve given yourself?

Could you relinquish a little control and delegate a few items to your spouse or your children or someone on the PTA? Do you hear yourself complaining more than you’re rejoicing? It’s a question worth asking.

you have a dream, and you aren’t it Everyone has a passion beyond parenting and work. Maybe it’s to write a novel or start an Etsy shop. By refusing to chase your dreams because you’re too busy helping everyone else achieve theirs, you are martyring the heck out of your life.

Seriously, knock it off. You only have so much energy, and willingly giving it all away to everyone so you have an excuse not to live your life is a cop-out. Have some pride in yourself and what you’re worth.

Sit down with your partner and share your passions. Spell out how you plan to start achieving them. Break out that now shared calendar and block off time for you.

Trust your spouse to handle things. It’s tempting to start making excuses. Will he remember basketball drop-off is early on Wednesday? Will he know what to do if your daughter chokes on a Skittle? The answer is yes, of course. And if he messes up, so what. You’ve messed up before too—you just didn’t shout it from the rooftops. Stop treating your partner like an additional child and stop putting yourself on a parenting pedestal. Parenting is a two-way street, so stop closing one of the lanes. Make yourself a priority and give your partner the chance to be a parent as amazing as, or even better than, you are.

Breaking the chain of martyrdom isn’t easy. In fact, it can be addictive. If you can start to make small changes and allow other people to help you, you will almost instantly see things more clearly. The world will keep turning if you miss a sporting event. Your children will still love you if you skip one class party to get a manicure. Your spouse will learn to cook a meal if you take a night off. Will it be frozen pizza? Maybe. But it might also be an amazing pork tenderloin drizzled with teriyaki glaze, because your husband is actually an amazing cook and has never had an opportunity to flex his skills in the kitchen.

Just sayin.

7 signs you’re running for martyr of the year: • You set unrealistic goals for your family and then feel intense guilt when you don’t achieve them.

• You consistently talk about how overwhelmed you are but won’t accept help when it’s offered.

• You put parameters on how someone is allowed to help you (e.g., you won’t let your mother take the kids for the day because she’ll give them too much sugar).

• You insist on making dinner because it’s cheaper than going out but won’t allow anyone to help in the kitchen. Then you get angry for cooking alone.

• You’re always the bad guy and won’t share the responsibility of delivering bad news to your children.

• You constantly put yourself last but won’t allow anyone the chance to help you put yourself first.

• You skip an event you want to attend because you don’t want to pay a babysitter.

Kim Antisdel is a freelance writer and interior design sales rep for KC. She lives in Liberty with her husband, stepdaughters and toddler son.

kcparent.com february 2020

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oh, go play!

i

“Mom, there’s nothing to do. I’m SO bored!!!” f you’re anything like me, you can easily think of a million fun things for your kids to do that don’t involve a screen. But when the endless plights of childhood boredom strike (compounded by cloudy days and cabin fever), all those Pinterest-worthy ideas go right out the window. I’ve found that arming myself with a list of screen-free activities and placing it in a common place in the house are just what I need to be prepared for the next time my kids need some redirection. Perhaps you need a few tricks up your sleeve, too. Consider this your jumpstart into free play suggestions. For further ideas, check out screen-free play books (there are many of them) from your local library.

15-Minute Increments

ages 4-6

Play-dough (for extra fun, consider making your own and scent it with essential oils like peppermint, lavender, or lemon) Color. Dollar Tree has a huge assortment of coloring books for just a buck, or you can opt to print off favorite themes online.

Crayola.com is a comprehensive online resource for coloring sheets (and speaking of Crayola, consider investing in their Twistable line of crayons and colored pencils, the only art supplies guaranteed to last until the very end).

Blow bubbles (or invest in a bubble machine!).

Sensory Bins: Place dried pasta or beans in an under-the-bed storage container (something large and shallow). Add miniature toy animals for extra fun.

30-Minute Increments Play hide-and-seek or I spy.

Make an alphabet book, one letter per setting, by cutting out pictures from old magazines and gluing them onto construction paper.

Break out the Halloween costumes for year-round imaginative fun.

String popcorn garland with a large plastic needle and craft string.

Make an indoor zoo with stuffed animals and laundry baskets (cages).

Draw pictures and mail them to a friend or grandparent.

Enjoy playing rounds of simple games together like Candyland, Go Fish or Chutes & Ladders.

1-Hour Increments

Tape a race course onto hard surface floors and let your little racer have at it with his Hot Wheels.

Go to the park.

Write in shaving cream or whipped cream.

Attend library story hour.

Make macaroni necklaces.

Bake cookies.

Crank up the Kids Bop or Disney playlist and have a spontaneous in-house dance party.

Jump on a mini trampoline.

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Schedule a playdate with a friend.

Make bird seed ornaments and place them on a tree or shepherd’s hook where they can be viewed well from indoors.

Get ice cream and play in a restaurant play place.

Listen to well-told audiobook versions of classic fairy tales, fables and myths like Rabbit Ears Productions.

ages 7-9

ages 10-12

15-Minute Increments

Read a chapter of a favorite book.

Make homemade hot chocolate out of melted chocolate chips and milk and dress it up with all the special extras, such as whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, and crushed up candy cane sprinkles.

Build an obstacle course and run through it.

15-Minute Increments Play quick games such as tic tac toe, hangman, Connect 4, Sushi Go or sleeping queens.

Make a masterpiece with a Spirograph.

Mad Libs.

Make homemade slime.

Cut out paper snowflakes and hang them from the ceiling.

Make a homemade glow globe.

Make a baking soda and vinegar volcano and watch it explode.

Make homemade snow ice cream.

Plant a potted herb garden.

30-Minute Increments Put on a fashion show (complete with streamers hanging from the doorway for the models to walk through).

Build a race car out of a cardboard box.

Make an epic blanket fort, complete with individual rooms.

Read comics such as Calvin & Hobbes, Garfield or Family Circus. (If kids feel so inspired, encourage them to draw their own comic book!)

Make homemade potpourri out of citrus rinds, cranberries, cloves, rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks and simmer it on the stove top.

30-Minute Increments Draw a self-portrait while looking in a mirror.

Build a snow fort or snowman.

Start Nerf gun wars.

Have an indoor snowball fight with felt balls or white socks.

Play PIG or basketball indoors with an over-the-door basketball hoop.

Write a letter to a friend or family member and mail it.

Make a pressed plant bookmark.

1-Hour Increments Create your own board game. Design the board (or cards), establish your rules and try a few rounds to work out the kinks.

Play a strategy game such as Risk, Settlers of Catan, or Carcassonne.

Work your way through an advanced puzzle (leave it out on a card table and return to it throughout the day).

Crochet a blanket (look into finger knitting or arm knitting with big chunky yarn) while listening to a favorite audiobook.

Bake brownies.

1-Hour Increments

Rearrange bedroom furniture for a fresh, new look.

Make an in-house grocery store and take turns being the cashier or shopper. Toy food works well but you can also use cereal boxes and canned goods from the kitchen.

Research magic tricks, practice them and put on a magic show.

Make a scrapbook or memory book with photos and journal entries.

Create an in-home spa, complete with manicures, pedicures, infused water and spa-themed music.

Choose a theme (such as knights and castles, superheroes or animals) and do a free build using Legos to create a structure.

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writer and Olathe boymom of three who finds read-alouds and handicrafts to be the best way to bond with her crew. kcparent.com february 2020

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T

his spring, the nation’s first Safety Demonstration Home will open right here in Kansas City. The house is a project of Charlie’s House, formed in 2007 in the memory of Charlie Horn who died in a tragic accident after he was found under a dresser that had tipped over in his Kansas City home. The Safety Demonstration Home will enable parents and caregivers to tour the home and receive educational lifesaving tips.

The 3,440-square-foot facility will be built to look like a home but will have interactive features to communicate the importance of childproofing a home. The Safety Demonstration Home will be designed with the normal rooms of a home to illustrate common hazards and how to ensure the safety of children from those hazards.

Additionally, the conference room will be a primary center of activity and education, where Charlie’s House will offer parenting classes, infant CPR instruction, babysitting courses, safety fairs and more.

“What’s most rewarding is that we will have a place to call home now and will be able to host our own events on the property,” says Jessica Earnshaw, Charlie’s House executive director. “We have a great deal of work to complete in the next year but we’re confident Kansas City is going to be very proud of Charlie’s House. It reinforces our commitment to parents, caregivers and children.”

Charlie’s House Safety Quick Fact n One child dies every two weeks from a television, furniture or appliance. Injuries occur: three per hour, 70 per day, more than 2,000 per month and more than 25,000 per year. These injuries and deaths happen when children under the age of 9 climb, hit, kick and play near televisions, furniture and appliances; victims are crushed, trapped, hit or struck. The bedroom is the most common location for these injuries and deaths to occur.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on average, tipped furniture or falling televisions send a child in the U.S. to the emergency room every 24 minutes. Each of these incidents could be prevented if parents and caregivers installed low-cost furniture anchors, which will be on view in the new Charlie’s House Safety Demonstration Home. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death, many of which are preventable, and include falls, furniture tip-overs, drowning and SIDS. n

n The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents were the leading cause of death for ages 5-9 years and drowning for ages 1-4 in 2016. Charlie’s House provides resources and education for these areas.

(Sources: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Neighborhood Safety Network and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

For more details, please visit CharliesHouse.org.

Like Charlie’s House on Facebook (Facebook.com/CharliesHouse) and follow them on Twitter (@CharliesHouseKC).

NATION’S FIRST

Safety Demonstration House

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sneaky ways to get kids to eat vegetables s a mom of three toddlers, I understand the challenge of getting your kids to eat vegetables on a daily basis.

Experts recommend kids eat three servings of vegetables per day. This may seem like quite a feat, especially if your child has declared crackers and chicken nuggets to be her main source of nutrition. Here are some simple ways to sneak veggies into your child’s diet. Who knows? Maybe you will end up eating more vegetables too.

Hide it

Blend it

Prepare it

With a little planning, you can easily hide veggies in almost all your child’s favorite foods. Zucchini can be finely grated into spaghetti sauce, taco meat or sloppy joes.

Pureed carrots can be disguised in macaroni and cheese, and cooked and mashed cauliflower can be easily hidden in mashed potatoes or potato soup.

Kids love smoothies because they are delicious and fun to eat. Vegetables like spinach and kale can be blended into smoothies or yogurt without changing the taste. Offer a fun cup from which to drink or buy your own refillable squeeze pouches or yogurt sleeves to encourage kids to drink their hidden veggie smoothies in ways that feel comfortably familiar.

Kids are much more likely to try new foods when they do the preparation themselves. Get kids involved in the kitchen and have them choose vegetables to add to their menu. You can also try planting a garden in your own backyard.

Growing and preparing their own food gives kids a sense of ownership in the undertaking, and eating becomes a reward for the work.

Offer it I received a covered vegetable tray as a gift and decided to fill it with the carrots, celery, bell peppers and cauliflower that were just sitting in my refrigerator. I began to set the veggie tray out at mealtime and during snacks, and to my pleasant surprise, my kids started to eat them! They ate so many I had to fill the tray again and again.

Add some hummus, ranch or dill dip or peanut butter, and they will be even more likely to dig in. This will help cut down on the “Can I have a snack?” questions, and you’ll know they are getting a nutritious option instead.

Bake it Kids rarely turn down a sweet treat, and sneaking veggies into them without the kids’ even noticing is easy. Zucchini and carrots can be baked into quick breads, muffins, cakes and cookies, and you will receive few to no complaints.

Model it Our actions speak louder than our words.

When kids see their parents eating veggies on a regular basis, they are more likely to follow suit. Modeling a healthy diet and exercise for your kids will help them learn to do the same.

Don’t give up It may seem like your kids will never break the routine of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and crackers, but don’t give up. Exposure makes them more likely to try new foods—even vegetables.

Sarah Lyons is a part-time freelance writer and full-time mom. She lives in Olathe with her family. kcparent.com february 2020

35

the best gifts we can give our kids

According to T. Rowe Price’s eighth annual Parents, Kids and Money Survey, 41 percent of parents spend more than $200 on birthday presents for their children each year. Trying to spend less on gifts this year? Cut back by purchasing just four items: Something they want.

Something they need.

Something to wear.

Something to read.

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s parents, we love to make our children happy. We purchase the expensive iPhones, hoverboards and Hatchimals to see that flicker of happiness on their faces when they open their presents, but soon the joy from those gifts fades. Perhaps the best gifts that truly matter can’t be wrapped at all, and perhaps the joy from these gifts creates memories that last a lifetime.

Boredom. It never fails. You’re at home on a Sunday afternoon, and your kids say, “I’m bored!” As parents we do our best to keep our children busy with activities.

However, unstructured downtime can result in kids’ following their passions and using their imaginations in ways that structured playtime does not allow. Their boredom might lead to a discovery of that long-lost toy they forgot about, the creation of a fun game with their siblings or even the development of a new hobby they love.

Your Undistracted Time. We’re all guilty of checking our work emails, Facebook and Instagram accounts while

we are with our kids. Being fully present with our children makes them feel loved, important and a priority. Make a daily goal to spend one-on-one time with your kids with absolutely no distractions. Turn off the TV, put down your cell phone, close your laptop and hang out with your child for a while. Those work emails can wait. Whether you play their favorite game, take a walk, let them cook with you or play Barbies, give them your full attention. Next time you’re in the car, try answering all of your 3-year-old’s 20 questions with thoughtful answers…yes, ALL of them! And don’t worry about taking snapshots of these moments to post on social media. The best moments will stick with us, even without the photos!

Chores. The gift of chores might not be one that your children would like to accept, but they’ll reap many benefits from helping around the house. The Center for Parenting Education says involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life. “Research indicates that those children who have a

set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school.” So don’t feel bad next time you ask your kids to do the dishes. It’s good for them! To add a little fun and motivation to the mix, create a chore chart and give rewards when your kids complete their weekly chores!

A Giving Heart. Teach your children to

be grateful and to help others. Take them to help at the food kitchen, have them donate their old toys to children in need, drop off canned goods at the local food bank, help them raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Use these experiences as teachable moments. By giving to those in need, they will learn how fortunate they really are and they will grow into kind, compassionate and giving adults.

Financial Advice. Teach your children the value of a dollar from a young age. Beth Kobliner, author of the New York Times bestseller Get a Financial Life, tells Forbes

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Magazine children as young as 3 years old can grasp financial concepts like saving and spending. Kids can learn how money works by simply starting to save spare change in their penny banks. Take them to the bank to deposit their change into their very own savings accounts. As they get older, involve them in your buying decisions by comparing prices at the grocery store. As they reach their teens, explain the dangers of credit cards before they learn by mistake on their own, and make them earn their weekly allowance. Most importantly, set a healthy financial example for your children to learn from. They will thank you many years from now.

Love of Reading. Reading to your children every day will quickly become a habit for them, and they’ll more likely be avid readers in adulthood. Children who read acquire knowledge, an expanded vocabulary, critical thinking skills and imagination. They also learn about different cultures and develop empathy for people who are different from themselves. Not

to mention, reading is a great way to keep them entertained when the dreaded “I’m bored” comment rolls around. A trip to the library for their very own library cards is a fun way to get your kids excited about reading!

Experiences. Help your children make their best memories with the gift of experiences. Enjoy family traditions during the holidays, organize a playdate with friends, take a trip to the Kansas City Zoo, let them be creative at Kaleidoscope, try to escape at Breakout KC, organize a scavenger hunt for them and their friends, camp out in the backyard, have pizza and game night every week. These experiences are what memories are made of, not the giant Paw Patrol Lookout Tower they just have to have for their next birthday.

Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph with her husband and 3-year-old daughter.

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CAMPGUIDE

Preparing Happy Campers

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hile it feels strange to be reading about summer camp with snow and cold temperatures still plaguing us, believe it or not, you are right on time! Camp registrations start soon (some probably already have), so let’s take a look at how to tackle this sometimes overwhelming process.

Whether you are looking into single day or weeklong camps, or even overnight ones, the best place to start is by figuring out what interests your children. Just because you want them to participate in something doesn’t mean they will want to … and why waste the money or haggle with your kids each time they must go? Meredith, mom of one, says, “My husband and I both enjoyed playing tennis when we were in elementary school, so we signed our 8-year-old up for a weeklong half-day camp. She didn’t enjoy it, and luckily we hadn’t made a long-term commitment of time and money to lessons.”

Once you’ve narrowed down interests, look at your family calendar and determine which

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days and weeks are available. While doing this in February can be difficult, at least plug in the things you know to be non-negotiable.

At this time, you’ll also want to consider just how busy you want the schedule to be, which can be different depending on how many children you have and what they are involved in. I thought scheduling several activities into June and basically nothing in July last summer would be great for our family. The reality was, having so much downtime in July was difficult for all four of our kids—and me—so we’ll definitely plan things differently this year!

Once you have determined interests and schedules, do the actual research to see what last piece of the puzzle will fit … the camps!

Angie, mom of two, says, “Start researching camp options early. Some camps offer a discount if you register early, plus this also guarantees a spot for your child in the camp that best fits with your schedule.” Meredith says, “We waited too long to enroll last year and missed out on a few opportunities we had hoped to participate in.”

Don’t let the many local and nearby options overwhelm you. Chat with other families to see what camps or places come recommended—and maybe even see whether a classmate wants to join your child in camp. This could be particularly helpful if considering an overnight camp.

Summer camp is a time-honored tradition that can create a lifetime of memories. “We are lucky to live in an area with so many great resources!” Meredith says. “City and county recreation centers, school districts, gyms and dance studios offer a wide variety of camps that last anywhere from an hour to a full day. You name an activity, and I bet there is a camp for it!” So, get out there, do your research and start registering!

Julie Collett writes from Overland Park and is hoping her children will want to try a new camp this summer.

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CAMPGUIDE certified educators and conduct instruction (typically) in a 3 to 1 learning environment.

We guarantee results for our core programming and our ACT/SAT courses.

We offer FREE ACT practice exams throughout the year, and overall instruction is designed to increase student abilities and improve confidence. We use a token system to encourage hard work, raise confidence, and increase attendance. See display ad on pg. 41. www.KansasCitySylvan.com

Theatre of the Imagination

Register by March 1 and get $15 in Camp Bucks!

Acting! Singing! Dancing! Movie Making!

Fun & flexible 1 & 2-week camps. We take partials, pick your schedule. Spring Break Camp, March 16-20. Summer Camps

day camps • overnight camps • grades 1-12 splash parks • ropes courses • faith-building activities

youthfront.com/summercamp

starting May 26. K-8th, no previous experience needed. No auditions, no leads and small class sizes. Free shows & free

At ASOP, we focus on being a compassionate school with a positive Growth Mindset approach to help students take ownership of their learning.

Summer programs will be held from June 8 through July 24, 2020. High School students in grades 9-12 can complete up to 1.5 credits in subjects including math, science, social studies, English, Spanish and art. All courses are accredited by the State of Kansas and North Central Association, a branch of Cognia. Middle school students, grades 4-8, can attend the Academic and Arts Camp, focusing on individualized academic tutoring as well as creative expression. All programs are from 9 am until 1 pm, Monday through Friday.

Hands-on, making memories.

ENROLL TODAY!

SUMMER ART CLASSES

The Accelerated Schools of Overland Park

Ages 3–Adult | nelson-atkins.org/summer2020 Nelson-Atkins_KCParent_Classes_Feb2020_FNL.indd february 2020 44

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12/23/19 4:23 PM

10713 Barkley St., Overland Park, KS Call or visit our website: 913-341-6666 www.AcceleratedSchoolsOP.org

costumes. Ask about our $192/week All Day special. Unicorns, Space Warriors, Unfrozen Princesses, Wizards, Ninjas and more!

Mention KC Parent & get $40 off, (some restrictions apply). See display ad pg. 47. www.DramaKC.com

June 1 - July 31 • Ages 2 -13 • Open to all

Youthfront

5 Premier + 8 Specialty Day Camps • Extended hours available

Youthfront Camp has provided a fun and faith-building camp experience to boys and girls for more than 75 years. We offer day camp for younger campers and overnight stays for elementary, middle and high school students. All camps feature splash parks, theme nights, zip-lines and more.

At Youthfront, kids can grow in their relationship with God and make friendships

Camp

that last a lifetime! Learn more and register at www.youthfront.com/summercamp. See display ad on pg. 44.

Enrollment begins February 14 TheJKC.org/Camp3

summer S

2020 KID CAMP

0TH – JULY 1 12 T S 1 E N JU • AGES 3 M P 3 M 9A EK OF P WE N O CA M 2 9 T H N JU E -FRIDAY O M NDAY

Daily Activities include

Creativity Start

s at a Young Ag

Summer Camps & Birthday Parties for All Ages 9510 Nall | Overland Park, KS 913.383.0222

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e

Professional Tennis Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Golf Lessons – 1 hour daily Professional Swim Lessons – 1 hour daily Nutritious Lunch Morning & Afternoon Snack

Other Creative & Fun Activities including...

Sand Volleyball, Archery, Art, Fort Building, Drama, Pickle Ball, Gardening, Hiking, Fishing, Cup Stacking and more!

To sign up, or to inquire about discounts, contact Mark Maroon, General Manager, by email at

mark@oakwoodcountryclub.org or call 816-761-5501, ext. 102 kcparent.com february 2020

45

CAMPGUIDE

Overnight Camp: Is Your Child Ready?

As winter trudges along, are visions of summertime dancing through your head? If so, you’re not alone. Soon we’ll be saying bye-bye to cabin fever and a welcoming hello to the warm sunshine, flip-flops, bomb pops, summer vacation … and for some of our children, overnight camp!

Before enrolling your child in any particular camp, look over the following ways to prepare yourself and your child for the overnight camp experience:

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Involve your child in the selection process. You don’t want her to feel as if you’re just sending her off to some strange place. Go through camp brochures and/ or websites together. Let your child know what to expect and review the checklist of things that will happen each day.

Ask questions. Ask everything and anything you can think of and don’t feel silly about it. What is the camper-tostaff ratio? What is a typical day like at camp? Are there background checks

on staffers? What happens if someone bullies your child? Asking questions will help ease your mind.

Prepare for camp together. Read through the packing list together, bring your child with you when shopping for camp supplies and pack together.

Make sure your child can take care of herself. Be sure she can bathe by herself, brush her own teeth, comb her hair, unpack her own bags, decide what

to wear and make healthy food choices.

It’s also important that she can verbally express her basic needs (i.e. if she needs help or doesn’t feel well).

Plan your correspondence. Email or snail mail? You and your child decide.

Make it easy for her by addressing and stamping envelopes which she can use to mail letters home. Camps typically have no-phone-call policies.

Stay positive about the camp experience! Let your child know you’re excited for her by telling her things like, “Can’t wait to hear all about the fun things you’ll do at camp!” What you don’t want to do is disrupt her enthusiasm with your own nerves. Don’t linger too long when you drop her off and avoid using the word homesickness or making deals with her by promising to pick her up if she’s sad. Homesickness is completely normal.

Gina Klein writes from her home in Kansas City, where she resides with her husband and two daughters.

H

Summer Drama Camps ACT! SING! DANCE! MOVIE MAKING!

1 & 2 WEEK CAMPS IN OP

Camps from May 29 - August 11 Camps for students 2 years old - Grade 8

Join us this summer for fun-themed, fast-paced activities like cooking, crafts, field trips, swimming, team games and more!

Visit us on the web!

oakhilldayschool.org/summer

Oakhill Day School | 7019 North Cherry Street | Gladstone, MO | 816.436.6228 Oakhill Day School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

camp guide { by the numbers }

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Imagination

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more than books

t

10 surprising library services your family will love The library can save you a tremendous amount of money.

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he library is more than just your go-to resource for free books, music, movies and periodicals.

Our city’s area libraries are buzzing hubs, featuring thousands of educational programs each year that appeal to a variety of interests and ages.

“We do over 10,000 programs a year across the system that incorporate everything from early literacy story times and parenting tips to helping seniors with taxes, exercise classes and classes on healthy living,” says Emily Brown, public relations coordinator, Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL), which has branch locations across the Kansas City, MO, region.

Area library systems also reciprocate with each other. If you’re a Johnson County resident, for example, you can access services at MCPL or Kansas City Public Libraries and vice versa. Contact your local library to find out how.

“The library can save you a tremendous amount of money. If you’re one of those people who has the ability to buy all of the books that your kids need or take them to tutoring sessions, that’s wonderful,” Brown says. “But for most families that’s a challenge and that’s what the library is here to help with. We’re here to help fill that gap.”

And fill that gap they do. Here are just a few of the offerings that may surprise you.

Free tutoring. Homework time can be a frustrating part of the day when kids struggle with the material.

Joycelyn Tucker Burgo is a mom of three, including twin 18-year-olds, who attend the Kansas City Art Institute, and a 15-year-old, who is a sophomore in high school. Burgo says that over the years her kids have taken advantage of the MCPL’s Live Homework Help from Tutor.com. The online tutoring is free and available seven days a week between the hours of noon and midnight. It features friendly, real-time tutors who help K through 12th-grade students (including Spanish-speaking students) problem-solve homework assignments.

“It didn’t surprise me that the library offered this service since the library is my usual go-to-solution for a variety of things, but I was genuinely surprised by the comprehensiveness and quality of the service,” Burgo says. “It literally helps turn a can’t into a can and has saved me a lot of gray hairs and gotten my children more restful sleep.”

Writing help. Along with homework help, the online tutors provide writing help and proofreading to students who are working on essays, papers and reports. Jobseeking adults can also access free writing support services for resumes, proposals and cover letters.

Test prep. For teens preparing for college admission exams, like the AP, ACT, SAT or GED, libraries offer free tutoring and resources, including full-length, diagnostic practice test opportunities. Check out your library’s event calendar for practice test dates and times.

Nurture a budding storyteller.

Johnson County Library offers teen creative writing workshops throughout the year and opportunities to write young adult book reviews. Adults and kids alike can also try submitting their work to one of the library’s essay writing contests.

At MCPL’s Story Center, writers and storytellers can hone their craft through free classes, story swaps and open mic events. Also, look for events at area libraries featuring visiting authors.

Publish your work. MCPL’s Story Center offers an Espresso Book Machine, which prints a glue-bound paperback book in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee. Self-publish a book of family recipes, poems, short stories, a children’s book or a novel to share with your friends and family.

To learn more about the pricing structure, visit the Story Center at MyMCPL.org.

The Story Center is also home to Woodneath Press, an award-winning submission-based publishing imprint featuring work in various genres written by local authors or focused on local content.

To learn how to submit your work for consideration, visit MyMCPL.org/storycenter/publishing/woodneath-press.

Growing readers. Featuring songs, Mother Goose classics and movement activities, today’s libraries promote early literacy with multiple story times to choose from geared toward babies, toddlers and preschoolers. The Johnson County Library also offers the Six by Six program, which features resources that help kids learn to read by age 6. Parents can check out “Six by Six Books to Go” bags to help them foster early literacy skills at home too.

Engaging adolescents. Thanks to Johnson County’s MakerSpace and the Kansas City Public Library’s Digital Media Lab, kids can creatively use technology to express themselves. The interactive learning labs feature digital media production, storytelling, 3D printers, building projects, robotics, crafts and sewing labs.

Across the metro, tweens and teens can also take advantage of adolescent book clubs, free babysitting classes, library volunteer opportunities, and teen meet-ups that include video gaming and movie/book chats.

Learn a new language. Whether you simply want to enhance your cognitive abilities or you’re planning a trip abroad, check out the free, self-paced language courses that you can complete online.

Through MCPL, children can also learn other languages using MUZZY Online.

Furthermore, many area libraries offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and bilingual story times for youngsters and their families.

Tap your roots. The library can help you research your genealogy through educational programs and events. But genealogy research isn’t just for adults and retirees. MCPL’s Midwest Genealogy Center also invites curious kids to learn about their ancestry.

“They have fun ideas about ways that families can work on those sorts of things together, like putting together a family tree,” Brown says. “They also have oral history recording pits in recording studios there, which is something fun that you can get your kids involved in as well.”

Feed that hunger. Just as a good book can feed the soul, food feeds the body and helps kids concentrate on learning. In partnership with the Community Services League (CSL), patrons at MCPL’s Farview Neighborhood Library have access to a food pantry, which is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 2:00. (To learn more about the food pantry, contact CSL at 816.254.4100 or email farview@cslcares.org.)

Throughout the school year and summers, libraries also partner with Harvesters to provide free meals to children 18 years and younger.

Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance writer and long-time Olathe Public Library patron. She and her husband are the parents of two adolescent sons and a quirky mutt.

Additional Library Services • Small business/entrepreneur resources • Meeting rooms • Books/resources for prisoners, prisoners’ children and other justice-involved patrons • Art exhibits • Books-by-mail for the homebound • Talking books for the visually impaired

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CRAFTCORNER

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or construction paper (cardstock will hold up better over time)

t

heart name puzzle his fun and simple Valentine’s craft doubles as an educational tool to work on letters and your child’s name recognition. You can easily make this your own with whatever craft materials you have in the house!

Step one: Cut a heart out of your paper (or draw it and let your child work on those scissor skills to cut it out).

Step two: Write your child’s name with a bit of space between each letter and then draw various types of lines to divide up each letter.

Step three: Cut on the lines to turn the heart into a puzzle.

Step four: Let your child have fun decorating however he or she chooses.

Step five: Put the puzzle back together!

Megan Coffey is a former kindergarten teacher and lives in Overland Park with her husband and two kids. She loves encouraging creativity with her children through art and play.

Eraser Stamped Hearts

String Heart Garland

No-Mess Heart Garland

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com!

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• Scissors • Markers • Any craft materials to decorate (glitter, pom-poms, stickers, sequins, etc.)

l

lots of love!

ove is in the air! The love bug is flitting around this month, reminding us to show love this time of year to the people closest to us. So how can you add a little love to the lives of your little and big sweethearts? Here are a few tricks.

Timing is everything, and small, consistent gestures can make a huge difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones. So first thing first...

a

Ask for help.

a

Time is not always friendly to us, and managing it is incredibly important. Remember, showing lots of love can also take lots of time, so plan, plan, plan and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Delegate a few tasks and even prioritize them. Parents, if you have more than one child, routine is key. Give kids one common thing to look forward to, that you can show them love and they can love on one another.

a a a a a a a a

Keep it cute.

a

Pinterest is your friend.

Find something simple that your loved one likes and take a few minutes out of your day to highlight it. For a child, it might be her favorite simple dinner that takes no time to make. Other options are a favorite dessert from the local bakery, maybe short conversation about his favorite sports team or a cute little “I love you note” written on a sticky note. My heart beats three times faster at the thought of a single red rose across my windshield on my way to work. Small, cute, simple gestures can earn you lots of brownie points and leave everlasting memories for both you and your loved ones.

a

Pinterest has tons of neat ideas that can sway any mood. Feeling sweets? Search key words like sweet snacks. Want to have a little girl time with your daughters? Search nails for polish party ideas.

Love gifts, care package ideas, snack ideas and romantic idea are all good search terms for quick inspiration to help you show your loved ones how much you love them.

v a a a a a a a v

Get creative!

v

No one knows your loves quite like you, so when in doubt, get creative. A little creative fun can mean dance breaks, board games, arts and crafts or even a classic foot race. After all, who can resist a good dare?

v a v

Be vocal.

Telling your loved ones how much they mean to you can also make a world of difference. An easy way you can do this is just by saying it! Say “I love you” often and remember to call, just to check in.

Saying things like, “I miss you an awful lot,” doesn’t make you corny, and asking questions like, “Are you happy?” are all great ways to be vocal.

v v a a

There you are. If you try at least one of these tricks, you’ll be sure to win hearts over.

a a v

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.

a a

Pay attention to their interests.

a

The first step toward understanding what people like and what is important to them is simply, to pay attention. Think about it, we all generally show what we are interested in. For example, if chocolate-covered turtles are your candy of choice, odds are you’ll have a box in hand every once in a while.

a a a a a a a

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e t a r b e l e C

an Iconic Kansas City-Style Valentine’s Day

a

Learn the history behind many Valentine’s Day traditions and

discover memorable ways to continue the same traditions with a local spin.

HEARTS Historians believe that rapid heartbeats when one is excited, upset or in love led people to believe that the heart was the seat of emotions. This belief took hold and carried on through poetry, books and art. Cupids shooting arrows through the heart shape became a symbol of Valentine’s Day as it still is today.

SNAP A PHOTO WITH A NEON HEART in Downtown Lee’s Summit at Third & Douglas. The vintage heart is one of the signatures of the quaint downtown district, standing in honor of Dale Hartley, the original owner of Hartley’s Furniture, and a founding member of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street. The beautiful red heart is a great place to snap a pic for Instagram when you visit the boutiques, restaurants and local businesses in the district.

WEAR A HEART. Charlie Hustle’s signature KC Heart t-shirt has seen many design iterations over the years, but it remains a signature of a tried-and-true loyal Kansas Citian. Show your love for your community and your neighbors with the KC Heart shirt.

FEAST ON HEART-SHAPED PIZZA. Minsky’s (multiple locations: Minskys.com) has been serving gourmet pizza to Kansas City since 1976. The pizzeria commemorates Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped pizzas, a tasty and memorable meal the family will love.

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LOVE Love is what Valentine’s Day is all about. Celebrate love at these local landmarks: SNAP A LOVING PIC IN FRONT OF A KC ART MURAL. Art walls decorate the city’s buildings all across the metro, and many make perfect valentine photo backdrops. Kansas City I’m So In Love is perhaps the most iconic of the city’s art walls, now at 200 E. 20th St., Kansas City, MO. We love the vintage Heart of America design featured in the Gallup Map Co. Wall (1733 Main St., Kansas City, MO). The Maker Mural (2601 Madison Ave., Kansas City, MO) is a collage celebrating KC-made goods, and it includes a Charlie Hustle heart. And of course, you have to visit the #KCLoves Mural on the top level of the Barkley Parking Garage (1720 Main St., Kansas City, MO).

GIFT ONE OF HELZBERG’S “I AM LOVED” PINS (available free at Helzberg jewelry store locations).

The pins have been a Helzberg Kansas City tradition since they were first announced in The Kansas City Star in a 1967 ad campaign.

VALENTINE CARDS In the early 18th century, Valentine’s Day cards were handmade, and pre-printed cards were first sold in Britain in the late 18th century. In 1913, Hallmark produced its first valentine card. Headquartered in Kansas City, Hallmark is America’s largest greeting card manufacturing company.

MAKE A GREETING CARD at Kaleidoscope (HallmarkKaleidoscope.com), the FREE hands-on art center for children. In this creative space, children can make their own masterpieces with a variety of supplies provided by Crayola and Hallmark. February’s materials offer plenty of beautiful valentine inspiration.

LEARN HOW GREETING CARDS ARE MADE. Visit the free Hallmark Visitor’s Center (2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.274.3613, HallmarkVisitorsCenter. com). On select days, you may watch artists at work designing cards and view the manufacturing process.

Don’t leave without pressing the button where you can watch a gift bow be made right before your eyes as a free souvenir to take home.

a CHOCOLATE Since the mid-1800s, chocolate has been a traditional valentine gift. Richard Cadbury, a British chocolate manufacturer, is attributed with selling chocolates in heart-shaped boxes in the 1860s. Milton Hershey launched “kisses” in Pennsylvania in 1907. But, the most successful commercial valentine chocolate company has a Kansas City history. In 1923, Clara and Russell Stover began making candy in the kitchen of their Denver bungalow home. By 1924, the Stovers were operating five stores, including a location in Kansas City. As the business grew, they opened their first factory in Kansas City in 1928, and all operations were based in KC by 1932. RUSSELL STOVER’S chocolates are still popular and available at stores across the country.

Other favorite local chocolatiers include CHRISTOPHER ELBOW, known for gourmet artisan creations, ANDRÉ’S CONFISERIE SUISSE, making decadent Swiss chocolates in KC since 1955, LAURA LITTLE’S, selling personalized valentine chocolates, and CHIP’S, located in Crown Center, where you can watch as fudge and chocolates are made right before your eyes.

COOK OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE when you participate in an 1860s winter challenge cooking over Mrs. Mahaffie’s wood-burning cookstove. Try 1860s recipes using unique ingredients and sample your decadent creations at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop’s Munchie Challenge on Feb. 8. Register at Mahaffie.org.

FLOWERS According to legend, it was Charles II of Sweden who introduced the Persian custom of flowers as a language in the 1700s. The rose is known as a symbol of passion and love, the favorite flower of Venus, the goddess of love.

BUY LIVING FLOWERS TO GIFT at Family Tree Nursery (three metro locations: FamilyTreeNursery.com).

This local family-owned business opened in 1964. They are known for their high quality gift plants. You’re sure to find the perfect beautiful flower or plant for your loved ones to enjoy.

VISIT A FLOWER GARDEN. Kauffman Memorial Gardens (4800 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO) is a free outdoor (and indoor) botanical oasis in the heart of the city. The gardens are open year-round, and something is always in bloom.

WALK FOR CHOCOLATE at the Independence Square Chocolate Walk on Feb. 8, 10:00 to 1:00. Buy tickets at TheIndependenceSquare.com. Stroll the historic square and stop into local shops that provide their own unique take on chocolate treats. Sample their FREE chocolate goodies and find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved ones.

DIP CHOCOLATE at the Melting Pot on the Country Club Plaza (450 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, MO). This fondue restaurant is known for indulgent chocolate fondue—the perfect complement to berries, bananas, pastries and marshmallows.

However you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, remember to spend it with the ones you love!

Kristina Light still wears her “I Am Loved” pins in memory of her grandmother who always presented one every time they shopped together at the old Bannister Mall. kcparent.com february 2020

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february

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

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

CALENDAR

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical at the Carlsen Center

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celebrate

listen

play

explore

watch

Experience a traditional 1904 Valentine’s Day at Lanesfield School’s Valentine’s Day celebration on select days in February.

913.893.6645

Visit the Johnson County Museum on Feb. 12 for Retro Story Time.

Enjoy a story from long ago read by a special guest!

Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

School is out on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day but Science City is open! Bring the kids for a day of learning and fun.

UnionStation.org

On Feb. 21 visit Overland Park Arboretum for Night at the Arboretum. Bring your flashlights and be ready to gaze at the night sky.

OPKansas.org

See Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical Feb. 26 at the Carlsen Center.

Watch this fun show based on the books.

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

1 Saturday Pre-Spring Flea Market 8:00, Riverfront Community Center (Leavenworth). Get ready for spring by shopping the flea market!

VisitLeavenworthKS.com Princess Breakfast 8:00, William Jewell College.

Join us for a royal celebration! Enjoy breakfast with the princesses, photos and crafts! Pre-reg at lnEaglePride.lps53.org.

Heart String Art 9:00, Home Depot. Work with your child to create a unique keepsake of the symbol of Valentine’s Day. HomeDepot.com Butterfly Bonanza Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Learn not only about butterflies but also other cool pollinators. KansasCityZoo.org Cupid’s Gems Jewelry Show 10:00, Thompson Barn (Lenexa). Enjoy a day with girlfriends or a mother-daughter outing. See handcrafted jewelry. Free. 913.477.7500 Birds: Owls Are a Hoot! 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Discover the mysteries of owls through live animal exhibits and hands-on activities. 816.759.7300

Princess Tea 10:30 or 2:00, Shawnee Civic Centre. Enjoy snacks, crafts, Olaf’s hot chocolate, photos with princesses and more!

Space limited! Pre-reg at 913.631.5200.

Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Chocolate Crawl for a Cause Noon, Downtown Lee’s Summit. Donate nonperishable items at Local Foundery and get a necklace for sweet treats and deals. DowntownLS.org Valentine’s Day 1:00, Lanesfield School. Use pen and ink as you make a valentine. Shop for your sweetheart in our gift shop! 913.893.6645 Ties & Tiaras 5:30, the View. Father figures and daughters enjoy an evening out with a live DJ and catered dinner. Every girl gets a rose and tiara. Pre-reg at 816.316.4888.

Wintery Tales for the Family 6:30 MCPL (Woodneath). Enjoy an evening of wintery tales performed by storytellers.

MyMCPL.org/story-center/events Father Daughter Dance 6:30, VIP Special Event Space (Parkville). Enjoy dancing with the snow princess, a dessert bar and pics with Dad! Prereg at 816.517.8834.

A Modern Night at the Folly 8:00, Folly Theater.

Showcase celebrates contemporary and modern dance in Kansas City. CityInMotion.org

2 Sunday Daddy & Me Sweetheart Tea 1:00, Riverfront Community Center (Leavenworth). Enjoy an afternoon of fun and refreshments. Pre-reg at 913.651.2132.

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Sunday Family Nature Series 2:00, Ernie Miller.

Enjoy family entertainment and educational experiences. Today’s theme: Buffalo Wild Things.

913.826.2800 The White Rose: We Defied Hitler 2:00, Coterie Theatre. True story of Sophie Scholl who led the only act of public resistance to the Nazis. Ages 12+. TheCoterie.org

3 Monday Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. $2. 913.477.7100

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Fairy Tale Village Feb. 8-May 3, Crown Center. Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner. CrownCenter.com

Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! $3. 913.826.2850

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12.

CeramicCafe.com

Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park.

Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission.

816.246.5224

Two-for-One Tuesdays 5:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. After 5:00, pay one full price admission and receive a second for free.

CrownCenter.com

Monday Night Madness 4:00, Main Event.

Choose from three super specials, each just $10.95.

Available Mondays 4:00-close. MainEvent.com

5 Wednesday

4 Tuesday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks 10:00 or 1:00, Carlsen Center. Show weaves together music and drama to tell the story of Rosa Parks.

JCCC.edu/theseries

Open House 9:00, the Barstow School. Tour the campus, learn about academic, artistic and athletic programs and more! Pre-reg at BarstowSchool.org/RSVP. Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766 Homework Help 4:00, Johnson County Library (Central Resource). Drop by the library and get help from a homework coach. JoCoLibrary.org

Family Lego Drop-In 4:00, Indian Creek Library. Brick builders of all ages are invited to drop in and build with our Lego collection!

OlatheLibrary.org

6 Thursday Genghis Khan: Bringing the Legend to Life Thru April 24, Union Station. World-class exhibition that explores the world’s greatest conqueror. UnionStation.org

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FEATURING:

SARA HAGERTY

In the midst of pain and perplexity, God met Sara when life came to a grinding halt. Author of three books, Sara lives with her husband and their children in Kansas City where she loves long runs on country roads, reading through her overly ambitious book stack, and an early morning mug of chai tea. SaraHagerty.net

SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH

10:00 - 3:00 McAlister’s Catered Lunch Provided Save $15. Register by Feb. 29 for early bird special: $25 Register at SovGraceKC.org and click EVENTS

PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY CHURCH

10113 Lenexa Drive, Lenexa, KS 66215 913.488.7776

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Moms Group 9:30, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. While kids play, moms enjoy coffee, support and friendship. Free.

913.649.9040

Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences in the galleries encourage students to examine art. Includes tour with docent. KemperArt.org

Artisans in the Garden 9:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Support local artists as they display and sell handmade products.

ArtsAndRec-OP.org

Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse.

Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. $2-$3.

BlueSpringsGov.com

Daddy Daughter Dance Today & tomorrow, Providence Community Church. Dinner and a night of dancing for dads and daughters. Must prepurchase tickets. 913.717.9863

Mahaffie Munchie Challenge 9:30, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Make 1860s recipes using unique ingredients on a wood-burning cookstove. Mahaffie.org

Toddle Time 10:00, Bonner Springs Community Center. Bring little ones 9 months through 5 years to play on the large assortment of toys. $2. BonnerSprings.org

Father/Daughter Dance 6:00, Blue Springs Elks Lodge. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, dancing and a full-course meal. Pre-reg at 816.228.0137.

Will Zoo Be Mine? 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Learn all about the amazing ways animals find love in the animal kingdom. KansasCityZoo.org

Snake Days 4:00, George Owens Nature Park. See the snakes fed, learn how to handle them and discover how snakes live.

GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

Valentine’s Ball 2020 7:00, Raymore Activity Center. Enjoy music, dancing, a chocolate fountain, games and a photo booth. Pre-reg at 816.322.2791.

Early Explorations 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about symbols and patterns and explore the printmaking processes. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

7 Friday

Anderson & Roe 8:00, Carlsen Center. Watch as Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe revolutionize the piano duo experience.

JCCC.edu/theseries

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation.

LakesideNatureCenter.org

8 Saturday

Harlem Globetrotters Noon (Silverstein Eye Centers Arena) & 7:00 (Sprint Center).

Enjoy the all-new Pushing the Limits Tour!

HarlemGlobetrotters.com

KCPT Kids Writers Contest Thru March 27.

Calling all young authors and illustrators!

Kindergarten through third graders are invited to submit their stories. KCPT.org Open Studio 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Get creative! A guided project is available, but you are the artist. Drop-in program. JCPRD.com

Preschool Roundup 9:00, the Barstow School.

One hour playdate visits. Parents are welcome to stay for coffee and a tour! Pre-reg at BarstowSchool.org/RSVP.

kcparent.com february 2020

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Judy Moody & Stink Feb. 11, Folly Theater. The dynamic sister and brother duo takes audiences on a hilarious adventure. FollyTheater.org

Valentine’s Day 1:00, Lanesfield School. Use pen and ink as you make a valentine. Shop for your sweetheart in our gift shop! 913.893.6645 Family Day: Valentine Fun 1:00, Indian Creek Library. DIY roses and photo booth, children’s valentine factory and more! OlatheLibrary.org Daddy Daughter Dance 1:00, Turner Recreation Commission. Dads and daughters enjoy goodies, dancing, games and more! Prereg at Turner Recreation Commission.

The White Rose: We Defied Hitler 2:00, Coterie Theatre. True story of Sophie Scholl who led the only act of public resistance to the Nazis. Ages 12+. TheCoterie.org

A Night in Arendelle 5:30, Irene B French Community Center. Dads and daughters enjoy appetizers and dessert and dance the night away. Pre-reg at 913.322.5550.

Sweetheart Dance 6:30, Lenexa Rec Center. Kid-friendly dinner, dancing, games and prizes, and a photo of you and your sweetheart(s). Lenexa.com/reccenter

9 Sunday Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays, 2:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed, weather permitting. $6-$8. 816.739.0363

Day in the Life: Trench Warfare 10:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial.

Learn how trench warfare influenced military strategies. TheWorldWar.org

Second Saturdays 4:00, Downtown Weston, MO. Stroll into unique gift shops and galleries for late-night shopping and in-store specials.

WestonMO.com

art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages! 816.751.1278

Bobby McFerrin and Gimme5 7:00, Carlsen Center. A show fueled by jazz, pop, R & B, classical and world music. JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

10 Monday Valentine’s Day Card Drive Thru Feb 29, American Stroke Federation. Create cards for others on Valentine’s Day. Kolleen@AmericanStroke.org Me and Mini Me Swim 9:00, Olathe Community Center. Parents and children ages 5 and under are invited to swim in the zero-depth area.

OlatheKS.org

MAKE LUNCH PLANS

with us

8 817 S t a t e L i n e R d , K a n s a s C i t y, M O 6 4114 february 2020 58 CHA 2020 KC Parent Magazine Ad.indd kcparent.com

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1/8/20 9:01 AM

Fairy Tale Village 10:00, Crown Center.

Classic children’s tales come to life. Discover a world of make-believe around every corner.

CrownCenter.com

11 Tuesday Tour Sion Grade School 8:30, Notre Dame de Sion. Schedule a tour time to learn about all Sion has to offer! NDSion.edu/admissions Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Judy Moody & Stink 9:45, Folly Theater. The dynamic sister and brother duo takes audiences on a hilarious adventure. FollyTheater.org Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic CafĂŠ. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Conservation Families: Incredible Owls 6:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Join us to discover the mysterious world of owls. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

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

Museum

8788 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, KS JCPRD.com/Museum jocoahc.com

head to

kcparent.com for the

WINTER READING CHALLENGE

kids eat

FREE

(or cheap) guide the BEST resource for finding places all over kc where kids eat for FREE (or really cheap)!

Adults 18+ who read any 5 books in 2 months will earn a limited editon mug and a chance to win a grand prize trip to Orlando, Florida!

Learn More:

mymcpl.org/WinterReading kcparent.com february 2020

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SIX-STOP TOUR

LOVING LENEXA IN THE WINTER 1. MAKE WAVES

2. SHOP LOCAL

Open year-round, the Lenexa Rec Center offers lap lanes for swimming, a warm water wellness pool and two tall water slides. The Gym for Me and Splash with Me drop-in activities for kids ages 5 and under are offered on various weekday mornings as excellent ways to get exercise and have fun in the winter. Lenexa.com

The Lenexa Public Market is home to a variety of local merchants selling fresh food and handcrafted artisan products.

Enjoy a meal, purchase goods or take a class while supporting local entrepreneurs.

Kids enjoy playing one of the many games around the Market—from Jenga and Uno to checkers.

LenexaPublic Market.com

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3. CUDDLE UP WITH A BOOK

4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

5. DISCOVER LOCAL HISTORY

6. DINE ON YUMMY FOOD

The Lenexa City Center Library offers a variety of excellent reading spaces including our favorite, a balcony outdoor area with comfortable seating, charging stations and Wi-Fi. The library also offers drive-thru service, a holds lobby and a charging counter making it accessible for everyone.

JoCoLibrary.org

One of the most scenic parks in the area, Black Hoof Park is beautiful year-round. The 231-acre park is home to the deep-water Lake Lenexa. The centerpiece of the park is the artistic dam and spillway, perfect for an Insta-worthy photo.

Children love the natural play areas and equipment.

Lenexa.com

Swiss immigrant Adam Legler built the Legler Barn in 1864 at 95th & Quivira where the Santa Fe Trail passed by. The barn was relocated to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in the 1980s and now serves as the home of the Lenexa Historical Society.

Visitors take guided tours where they view exhibits showcasing local history.

LenexaHistorical Society.org

Located near the train tracks by Old Town, The Junction serves up great food to warm up bellies on a cold winter day. From barbecue to tacos to sandwiches, the variety of menu items is sure to please everyone. Don’t miss the Mississippi Sin Dip, served with homemade tortilla chips.

TheJunctionKC.com

12 Wednesday Tour Sion Grade School 8:30, Notre Dame de Sion. Schedule a tour time to learn about all Sion has to offer! NDSion.edu/admissions Retro Story Time 10:00, Johnson County Museum. Enjoy a story from long ago read by a special guest, plus a craft activity is included!

Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Be My Valentine 10:30, Mill Creek Activity Center. Create a festive craft then take part in open playground! Pre-reg at 913.826.2950.

Kid STEAM: Hearts-A-Flutter 6:00, MCPL (Liberty). Explore sciences, technologies, engineering, arts and math. Bring it all to life!

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

13 Thursday

Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

Farmers Market 9:00, the City Market. The market is open year-round and offers a variety of fresh produce, meat, specialty groceries and more. TheCityMarket.org

Swan Lake Thru Feb 23, KC Ballet. Immortal love story where a wicked sorcerer captures the beautiful Princess Odette and turns her into a swan. KCBallet.org

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org

Merry Wives of Windsor 8:00, Olathe Civic Theatre. Date night! Double-meanings, disguises and dirty laundry abound.

OlatheTheatre.org

17 Monday

15 Saturday Teddy Bear Clinic 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Is your teddy bear in need of some TLC? Bring your injured bears, and we’ll fix them right up.

KansasCityZoo.org

PRESIDENTS DAY Day Camp Various dates and locations, Code Ninjas. Activities include coding, gamebuilding, robotics and creative thinking. Pre-reg at CodeNinjas.com.

Science City Open 10:00, Science City (Union Station). School is out, and Science City is open today! Bring the kids for a day of learning and fun. UnionStation.org

KCPT Kids Writers Contest Thru March 27.

Calling all young authors and illustrators!

Kindergarten through third graders are invited to submit their stories. KCPT.org

Contemporary Creations 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about contemporary American Indian art and then create a clay vessel. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s only outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com

Birds: Junkyard Owls 10:00, Anita B Gorman Discovery Center. Discover which owls might be your neighbors and make owl art. 816.759.7300

Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com

14 Friday Valentine’s Day

Olathe Rocks 10:00, Indian Creek Library.

Join us for a family-friendly rock painting and trading meetup. We’ll have rocks and supplies.

OlatheLibrary.org

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com

Cuter Than Cupid 10:00, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Make valentines for loved ones, play games and enjoy a few sweets. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

The Three Little Kittens 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Production lets you meet the fanciful characters of this folk rhyme favorite.

816.833.9777

Scribble Workshop 10:00, Kansas City North Community Center. A child/parent art event with a different theme each month. Dress for mess! 816.513.7741

Story Time 1:30, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Hear a naturalist read a tale about an animal and make a craft. Pre-reg at 816.781.8598.

Date Night 5:00, Paradise Park. Whether it’s your first date, or your 50th, you’ll enjoy a perfect lighthearted night of fun.

Paradise-Park.com

’50s Daddy Daughter Dance 6:00, Meadowlark Event Center (Spring Hill). A ’50s-themed dance party for dads and daughters. Pre-reg at SpringHillRec.org.

Queen Nefertari: Eternal Egypt Thru March 29, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Exhibition shows works that present the richness of life in ancient Egypt. Nelson-Atkins.org

Kids Night Out 6:00, KC Young Audiences. Drop kids off to have fun while you enjoy your very own Valentine’s night out! Pre-reg at KCYA.org.

An American in Paris Today & tomorrow, Carlsen Center. Musical recreates the streets of mid-century Paris against the backdrop of a Gershwin score. JCCC.edu/theseries

Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766

16 Sunday

Homework Help 4:00, Johnson County Library (Central Resource). Drop by the library and get help from a homework coach. JoCoLibrary.org

Sweetheart Dance 6:30, Gladstone Community Center. Enjoy a light dinner, dancing, parting gift for the young ladies and a memorable photograph. Pre-reg at Gladstone.mo.us.

Mrs Krishnan’s Party 7:30, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Family-friendly audience participation show filled with fun!

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

Little Leapers 9:00, Sky Zone. A time for little ones to bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from the big kids. SkyZone.com

18 Tuesday

Two-for-One Tuesdays 5:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. After 5:00, pay one full price admission and receive a second for free. CrownCenter.com Girls Who Code 4:00, MCPL (Boardwalk Programming Space). Learn coding basics and apply your knowledge to a project. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

19 Wednesday

Family Lego Drop-in 4:00, Indian Creek Library.

Brick builders of all ages are invited to drop in and build with our Lego collection! OlatheLibrary.org

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Penguin March Various Weekends in February, Kansas City Zoo. Get an up-close encounter with king and Gentoo penguins as they strut their stuff. KansasCityZoo.org

20 Thursday Valentine’s Day Card Drive Thru Feb 29, American Stroke Federation. Create cards for others on Valentine’s Day. Kolleen@AmericanStroke.org Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse.

Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more. $2-$3.

BlueSpringsGov.com Moms Group 9:30, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. While kids play, moms enjoy coffee, support and friendship. Free. 913.649.9040 Snake Days 4:00, George Owens Nature Park. See the snakes fed, learn how to handle them and discover how snakes live.

GeorgeOwensNaturePark.org

21 Friday National Single Parent Conference Today & tomorrow, Indian Creek Community Church.

Enjoy breakout sessions plus children’s program, lunch and more. TheSingleMomKC.org

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Night at the Arboretum 7:00, Overland Park Arboretum. Bring your flashlights and be ready to gaze at the night sky.

OPKnsas.org The Choir of Man 8:00, Carlsen Center.

Concert show where nine blokes sing everything from pub tunes to folk to Broadway to classic rock. JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter Swan Lake Thru Feb 23, KC Ballet. Immortal love story where a wicked sorcerer captures the beautiful Princess Odette and turns her into a swan. KCBallet.org

22 Saturday

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation.

LakesideNatureCenter.org

Early Explorations 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about textures in art and make a relief sculpture tile out of clay. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Penguin March 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. Get an up-close encounter with king and Gentoo penguins as they strut their stuff.

KansasCityZoo.org

Little Acorns 10:00 or 1:00, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Join volunteer naturalists as they read select books and make a craft. MDC.mo.gov

Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays, 2:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed, weather permitting. $6-$8. 816.739.0363 Daddy/Daughter Dance 5:00 or 7:30, Gardner Edgerton High School. Couples will enjoy an evening of music, dancing and snacks. Pre-reg at GardnerKansas.gov.

Winter Wonderland Dance 5:00, Greenwood Parks & Recreation. Parents, enjoy a night out with your child! Enjoy dancing and refreshments. 816.537.6969 Boots & Bows Dance 6:30, Belton Memorial Park. Saddle up in your finest Western wear and dance a do-si-do! Night includes food and dancing! BeltonParks.org

23 Sunday Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Spend the day skating with the family on Kansas City’s only outdoor rink. CrownCenter.com art + family = FUN 1:00, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for free activities for all ages!

816.751.1278

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

march Summer Camp Issue

Help Kids Conquer Fears Tips to Hack Your Home

Free Afternoon Program 1:30, Prairie Park Nature Center. Free program for the family may include video, slideshow and going outside to enjoy nature. LawrenceKS.org Sunday Family Nature Series 2:00, Ernie Miller. Enjoy family entertainment and educational experiences. Today’s theme: Wildlife Webs. 913.826.2800 Winterlude 7:00, Carlsen Center. Enjoy Sax and Violins, eight instruments joining together to create a divine sound experience.

JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter

24 Monday Splash with Me 10:00, Lenexa Rec Center. Kids can swim, play and become more confident in the water at the kiddie pool. 913.477.7100 Indoor Play Park 9:00, New Century Fieldhouse. Hop, skip and jump through obstacles, bounce and kick balls, build with blocks and more! 913.826.2850 Parents Free Monday 9:30, Paradise Park. Parents are free at the Children’s EduTainment Center with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

25 Tuesday Preschool Indoor Playground 9:30, Irene B French Community Center. So many choices and so much fun! Parents supervise children.

Merriam.org/park Petite Picassos 10:00, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Read a book, look at artwork and create a thematic work of art! Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Buffalo Soldiers: From Slave to Soldier 6:00, Battle of Lexington. Learn about a former slave who was destined to change the course of history. 660.259.4654

26 Wednesday Tour Sion Grade School 8:30, Notre Dame de Sion. Schedule a tour time to learn about all Sion has to offer! NDSion.edu/admissions Puffs! 10:00, the Coterie. For seven years, a boy wizard went to a certain school of magic. In this story, the sorting hat assigns us to the house of Puffs. TheCoterie.org

piano lessons

Learn to play piano and have FUN doing it!

AGES 7+ | ALL SKILL LEVELS | AFFORDABLE | FLEXIBLE VOICE LESSONS | EXPERIENCED TEACHER (10 YRS)

WINTER SPECIAL: SIGN UP FOR THE FIRST MONTH AND RECEIVE ONE

FREE LESSON!

Both daytime and evening lessons available!

Call Spring Terburgh at 913-636-4472 LOCATED RIGHT OFF I-35 AND 119TH ST IN OLATHE AND IN SOUTH KCMO kcparent.com february 2020

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Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as you watch the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy a feast.

816.228.3766 Homework Help 4:00, Johnson County Library (Central Resource). Drop by the library and get help from a homework coach. JoCoLibrary.org

27 Thursday KCPT Kids Writers Contest Thru March 27.

Calling all young authors and illustrators!

Kindergarten through third graders are invited to submit their stories. KCPT.org Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical 10:00 & 1:00, Carlsen Center. Actors and puppets present this show based on the books. JCCC.edu/CarlsenCenter Mother Goose Rhyme Time 10:30, Oak Park Library. An active program of songs, classic rhymes and fingerplays for ages 12-24 months.

JoCoLibrary.org Stuart Little Thru Saturday, Blue Springs City Theatre. See the endearing classic about a mouse named Stuart Little.

BlueSpringsCityTheatre.com

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28 Friday Jumperoo 9:00, Urban Air. A special time when entire park is open for children 5 and under with a parent. Jump, bounce and crawl!

UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com Tummy Time 9:30, Indian Creek Library. Try different tummy time stations for baby with this much-needed developmental activity.

OlatheLibrary.org Queen Nefertari: Eternal Egypt Thru March 29, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Exhibition shows works that present the richness of life in ancient Egypt. Nelson-Atkins.org Fine Art Friday 1:00, Kemper Museum.

Interactive experiences in the galleries encourage students to examine art. Includes tour with docent. KemperArt.org

29 Saturday Leap D ay

Kids Garage Sale 8:00 Mill Creek Activity Center. Bring your slightly used clothing and items and sell to others. Pre-reg for space at 913.826.2950.

Contemporary Creations 10:00 or 2:00, Nerman Museum. Learn about shapes and then create a collage with geometric patterns. Pre-reg at NermanMuseum.org.

Mother Nature Reads 10:00, Lakeside Nature Center. Children hear a story, make a craft and often see a wildlife interpretation.

LakesideNatureCenter.org Penguin March 11:00, Kansas City Zoo. Get an upclose encounter with king and Gentoo penguins as they strut their stuff. KansasCityZoo.org Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale 11:00 & 2:00, Mesner Puppet Theater.

Puppet show of updated telling of classic tale.

MesnerPuppets.org Saturday Night Feeder Saturdays, 2:00, Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary. Watch the cats being fed, weather permitting. $6-$8. 816.739.0363 Major League Improv 7:00, Comedy City. A comedy sporting event where everything is based on suggestions from the audience. $9-$13. 816.842.2744

Our interactive virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide has

HAVING A BABY SOON?

images, complete

Check out KC Parent’s Interactive Virtual Hospital Labor & Delivery Guide at KCParent.com

social media links

descriptions, video, and much more.

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SCHOOLS • CHURCHES • EVENTS • CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

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

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Outdoor Cinema • Special Events

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