KC Parent Magazine December 2019

FREE | December 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

HAS YOUR CHILD

OUTGROWN THE PEDIATRICIAN?

Merry & Bright! christmas

traditions unique

memorable

museum outings

gift ideas crafts, recipes

and more!

Work it!

easy ways to fit exercise into a busy schedule

TIPS TO KEEP

KIDS SAFE IN CROWDED PLACES

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HOLIDAY PLAYDATE Thursday, December 19 | 11 am - 12 pm Lower Level Dillard’s Court

SANTA PHOTOS at the

FREE! Crafts, games & storytime to celebrate the Holidays!

November 9 - December 24 during Holiday Center Hours Dick’s Sporting Goods Court

HOLIDAY HI-JINX PHOTOS

FIND ALL THE HOLIDAY FUN

at the

at the

Take photos with characters from your favorite Holiday movies!

Dec. 7 - Friendly NYC Elf Dec. 14 - Clumsy Christmas Crooks Dec. 21 - Green Grouch

FREE with Donation to Independence School District Holiday Helpers ShopIndependenceCenter.com

ShopIndependenceCenter.com

@IndependenceCenter @ShopIndependenceCenter

Every year, Santa and Mrs. Claus make scheduled appearances at each of our stores and invites parents to take pictures of their children with him, in front of beautifully designed backdrops. We hope you’ll join us for this FREE family friendly event!

SATURDAY, DEC. 7TH OVERLAND PARK STORE 10AM - 2PM

8424 Farley St., Overland Park, KS 66212 913.642.6503

SUNDAY, DEC. 8TH SHAWNEE STORE 10AM - 2PM

7036 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS 66203 913.631.6121

SUNDAY, DEC 15TH LIBERTY STORE 10AM - 2PM

830 W. Liberty Dr., Liberty, MO 64068 816.781.0001

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YOUR LOVE WILL CREATE MORE MOMENTS LIKE THIS.

Your donations fuel the advancements available at Children’s Mercy.

Like the laser surgery that gave Johnny and Sammy a second chance, and made these moments swinging at the park possible.

Learn how your LOVE WILL help more kids by giving today at childrensmercy.org/lovewill.

DECEMBER 2019

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Date Night 33 Craft Corner 36 Mojo for Moms 37 Tasty Treats

HOLIDAY GUIDE, PGS. 32-50

38 Five Things We Love 39 Word from Dad

SPECIAL SECTIONS

FEATURES

20 Party Guide 32 Holiday Guide 52 Calendar of Events

14

22

36

Museum Outings

New Doctor

Christmas Traditions

Ideas and tips for taking kids to visit a museum.

Has your child outgrown the pediatrician?

Learn to buid stong family bonds through traditions.

Our cover features Gibson from Tonganoxie, KS. Photo by Melissa Rieke Photography MelissaRiekePhotography.com FREE | December 2019 | KCParent.com | Since 1985

ON THE COVER Tips to Fit in Exercise Memorable Museum Outings Keep Kids Safe in Crowded Places Outgrown Pediatrician Stained Glass Ornament Christmas Traditions Holiday Recipes Local Gift Ideas

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12 14 16 22 33 36 37 48

HAS YOUR CHILD

OUTGROWN THE PEDIATRICIAN?

Merry & Bright! christmas

traditions unique

memorable

museum outings

gift ideas crafts, recipes

and more!

Work it!

easy ways to fit exercise into a busy schedule

TIPS TO KEEP

KIDS SAFE

IN CROWDED PLACES

EDITOR’SLETTER DECEMBER 2019 Publisher Michael Gimotty Michael@KCParent.com

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year”

Associate Publisher Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Editor Margaret Sarver Margaret@KCParent.com

– “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams

Art Director Kim Tappan Tappan Design Kim@KCParent.com

I

GREAT GIVEAWAYS! Head to KCParent.com to win big throughout December!

Merry Christmas, Kansas City!

Margaret Sarver, Editor

Advertising Sales Debbie Clark Debbie@KCParent.com Darrell Dean Darrell@KCParent.com Digital Media Manager Kristina Light Kristina@KCParent.com Event Calendar Susan Lynn Calendar@KCParent.com Copy Editor Susan Crainshaw Susan@KCParent.com Distribution To be added to our distribution list, e-mail Distribution@KCParent.com Local Contributing Writers

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), Lauren Greenlee (Olathe), Judy Goppert (Lee’s Summit), Christa Melnyk Hines (Olathe), Amy Hundley (Olathe), Gina Klein (Kansas City), Kristina Light (Kansas City), Regan Lyons (St. Joseph), Sarah Lyons (Olathe), Kerrie McLoughlin (Peculiar), Jessica Samuel (Kansas City)

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have a distinct memory of my older sitting in the back of the car and listening along with this song. As she croons along to the tune, she says to me, “It really IS the most wonderful time of the year.”

And to a child, it is. A parent, on the other hand, might replace wonderful with busiest for a more accurate picture of December. So. Many. Commitments. From the purchasing of gifts to the baking of cookies to the hosting and attending of gatherings—it’s just about all anyone can do to make it through the season.

In all the hustle and bustle, we often lose sight of the true meaning and enjoyment of the season. Our Holiday Guide, starting on pg. 32, has some terrific ideas for keeping the jolly in your holidays this year. I love the suggestion to take a day off. We did that last year with the girls, right before Christmas. And while they referred to it as “forced family fun day,” we all enjoyed the nice reprieve from all the holiday busyness. May you find moments of peace and quiet to settle your mind and heart this December.

Once the holidays are over and the new year settles in, people start thinking about resolutions and new starts. If one of your goals for 2020 includes organization of kids’ rooms, then you are in luck! Local mom of two teen girls Gina Klein has put together some terrific tips on helping teens get (and keep) their rooms organized on pg. 26.

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Kansas City Parent Magazine is published 12 times a year by Family Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Kansas City area. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect KC Parent’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Kansas City Parent Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

All photography and letters sent to KC Parent will be treated unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. KC Parent often includes websites that may be helpful to our readers. We verify each site prior to publication. However, content changes frequently. We encourage you to use caution and discretion when visiting a website.

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KCPARENTWEBSITE

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

SEARCH KCPARENT.COM FOR MORE AFFORDABLE FUN IDEAS: 1. KC Christmas Guide 2. Winter Break Camps 3. Great Giveaways

4. Best of December 5. KC Going Places Guide 6. Christmas Shows

SPOTLIGHT

SANTA SIGHTINGS Jolly Old Saint Nicholas is BUSY during December, but he’s found time to visit with boys and girls in Kansas City to hear their Christmas wishes! For an extensive list of where to find Santa in KC, head to KCParent.com!

7. Free & Cheap Indoor Fun 8. Holiday Lights

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

9. New Year’s Eve Fun 10. Money-Saving Coupons

4 MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

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9

DATES WITH LETTER C

DATENIGHT

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kcparent.com december 2019

Thinking of a date for this month? Let’s “C” if one of these ideas appeals to you…

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS In the spirit of the season, why not grab some hot chocolate and snacks and go on a Christmas light scavenger hunt? For this date, we hop in the car and drive to where the best Christmas light viewing is in the city. And that—we believe—is in the neighborhoods off Ward Parkway, south of the Plaza. On many streets, nearly every house is decked out in Christmas lights and has an abundance of Christmas decor. On several streets, lights are strung across the streets and from rooftops down to the grass. It’s definitely a sight to behold! To make it fun, we put together a list of items to look for as we are touring the neighborhoods, like candy canes, the Grinch and a Nativity scene. We have seen many interesting things not on the list too, from Christmas Yodas, dinosaurs and dragons to a reggae tree.

CAFÉ EUROPA Located in historic Brookside is a charming and cozy restaurant called Café Europa. Just like the neighborhood, Café Europa is easy going and a perfect place for a leisurely Sunday brunch. Though their food is a bit on the pricey side, it’s tasty, comforting and of good quality. The atmosphere is relaxed; the decor a bit rustic. An old fireplace occupies the main dining area, which I’m sure would be lovely on a cold day. When my husband and I visited, we were given complimentary mini biscuits with honey butter, which were quite tasty. We also tried the bodega egg sandwich, huckleberry pancakes, and French toast made with house-baked cinnamon swirl bread. Yum! The hubs washed his food down with some coffee from Oddly Correct. All in all, it was a nice brunch in a fun part of town.

COVER BANDS If you and your sweetie are music lovers, then check out one of Kansas City’s great cover bands. There are some that focus on a specific genre, like Switch, Cherry Bomb, Retroactive and Fast Times, who all play stuff from the ’80s.

Other bands focus on a specific group or artist, such as Lyin’ Eyes (an Eagles tribute band), High Voltage (an AC/DC tribute band) and Petty Theft (a tribute band for Tom Petty). You can catch cover bands at eating and drinking establishments in the area all throughout the year, as well as outdoors at parks, festivals, malls, amphitheaters and wineries in the summer and fall. Many of these bands are also available for private events. Check out their websites or Facebook for upcoming shows. One that we recently enjoyed was a show

by Switch, which has been performing in the Midwest since 2006.

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 THE LETTERS A & B, HEAD TO KCPARENT.COM!

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Work It! S

neakers? Check. Sweatpants? Check.

Beat-up t-shirt and hair tie? Check, check. We all have that checklist that makes us say “Ugh!” For some people, it’s for the grocery store. For others the hardware store. For most parents, anything related to the first day of school hits hard. I personally dislike the list for the gym.

Now don’t get me wrong—I don’t hate gyms or the idea of fitness. No, I just hate that I never have time for it. Let’s get real: By the time we leave work or finish with the kids or even manage to make it through rush hour traffic unscathed, we’re either exhausted or planning dinner and off to bed.

Time management for most people is pretty tricky, but gym management for all of us is ridiculous. So how can we manage to stay active, keep our figures and maintain our busy day-to-day lives? Simple! Keep reading and I’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.

Early Bird Gets the Worm.

Most of us plan to hit the gym right after work or after we run a few errands on the weekend, but the reality is if we wait, we allow more opportunity for other things to pop up that get in the way of our getting to the gym. Always remember, the early bird gets the worm—or, in this case, the early bird gets the workout. Think of your workout like

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an airplane flight. Morning takeoffs have a slimmer chance of delay. Try setting an alarm one hour before your normally wake and use this time for a good, solid workout.

Nothing too intensive—keep it light.

Once you build a routine, you’ll be able to determine what works best for you. Not only will you get your workout, you’ll also get a jump start on the day. Did I mention you’ll also feel a lot more refreshed?

Partner up!

Workouts can seem like a chore already, but having a friend to exercise with makes the task less daunting. Here’s a tip: Find a partner who will hold you accountable and whom you also can hold accountable.

Adding this aspect to your relationship will not only keep your waist trimmed, but also give friendship bonding time.

Take advantage of breaks.

Most jobs offer employees safe spaces to comfortably eat lunch, make personal phone calls or even lactate. Use those safe spaces and break times to get active. You’ll be surprised how great you feel after a 10-minute meditation (mental workout) or even a few quick sets of jumping jacks.

Or opt to use the stairs versus the elevator.

Minor shortcuts like this can really get your blood pumping and pull in the waist.

Check out the kids corner.

Finding a good place to work out is key when it comes to losing those inches, but finding a place that can keep an eye on the kiddos while you get that workout is essential. Find a good gym with a kiddy corner. Their staff will watch the children while you get your well-needed workout.

If your kids are old enough, you can even add a twist to their day by working out with them at home. If your kids like soccer, for example, kick the ball around with them before or even after practice. Winner picks dinner, loser washes the dishes.

Make your home your gym.

Not everyone wants to or can afford fancy gym equipment, so improvise. Using things like candles as weights can really shape those arms. Squats during your favorite episode of the Bachelor will ensure you keep it tight and that you can know who was sent home.

Take it from me, losing those inches while keeping your schedule doesn’t have to be scary. Just take these tips and run with them.

Jessica Samuel is a Kansas City writer who will make time to visit the gym this month.

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Memorable Museum Outings

A

s the weather turns colder, parents start looking at various indoor activities for their children, especially fun ones that won’t break the bank. Museums can be a great option but may seem daunting when you imagine taking your children. However, with a little appropriate planning and prep work on your end, a trip to the museum can go from a nightmare to an adventure.

Do your homework Find out what museums are in your area and visit their websites ahead of time. Be sure to check out the FAQs page to make sure things like strollers and food (snacks are crucial!) are allowed. Don’t be afraid to ask around as well. Other families that have been might have inside intel for you!

Go cheap Find out what discounts the museum offers, keeping in mind discount days may mean bigger crowds. Sometimes, purchasing online tickets ahead of time can be cheaper too. Consider buying a pass if it is a museum you think you may frequent several times. Although the up-front cost can seem expensive, often you only need to visit a handful of times to get your money’s worth.

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The National WW1 Museum and Memorial

A scavenger hunt is a great way to keep kids engaged at museums. Visit KCParent.com to download a fun museum scavenger hunt before you head out.

Think outside the box A trip to a museum doesn’t have to be an indoor, you-can’t-touch-anything art museum. Consider hands-on children’s museums, history or science museums or even something outdoors.

Prep your children “Let them know the expectations before going in. If it’s a museum that isn’t handson, go over the importance of looking with their eyes and not with their hands,” says

Angela, Olathe mom of three. Depending on the ages of your children, you can even go as far as sharing background or historical information about the exhibits you are visiting.

Sasha, Overland Park mom of one, says, “I think already knowing something about the exhibit contents makes it more engaging.”

Start small Set aside your own ideas and expectations and realize the museum does not have to be completed in one trip. Perhaps your children can choose their favorite area from the museum map to visit.

Bring reinforcements (I mean snacks) If you have checked with the website or even called ahead of time and discovered that snacks are okay … bring them! Slowly doling out a few snacks here and there and having your child sip some water while looking can, at the very least, buy you some time.

Utilize the docents Museum docents usually have the scoop and can give you insider info such as when family days or special events are, or which exhibits tend to be the most popular among young children and families. Plus, I am sure they love the opportunity to share their knowledge with interested visitors!

gift shop to give your children a welcome touch-and-play break!

So many great books are perfect to read prior to, or just after,

Read cues

visiting a museum. These can be

If your snacks have lost their luster and your children are in the whiney, “we want to go home stage,” cut your losses. Try not to force the issue, as this may impact their view of museums for future visits.

a great way to pique your child’s interest before going or follow up a visit days or even weeks later.

You Can’t Take a Balloon Into the

Play Sometimes museums have the reputation for being conservative, or even a bit stuffy. But that doesn’t mean you have to be. Now, don’t get me wrong … you certainly don’t want to play a game of tag or allow your children to take away from someone else’s enjoyment.

But, have a little fun with your children.

Make a scavenger hunt for them, play I Spy, find every color of the rainbow, or bring along a few simple art supplies and let them do a bit of creating themselves.

Visit the gift shop If you have been perusing more of a “look but don’t touch” museum, pop into the

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although I can freely hand out this advice, I am not always great about taking it! The idea of taking my own four children (ages 8, 6, 4 and 2) to a museum is stressful to me. But children see things so differently than we do, and it’s refreshing to have their lens for a while. Won’t you join me in making a vow to yourself, and your children, to take them to ONE museum this winter?

by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman Museum ABC

by Metropolitan Museum of Art From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg Luke’s Way of Looking

by Nadia Wheatley

Julie Collett writes from her Overland Park home. She’s looking forward to trying some of these ideas with her four children this winter!

The Night at the Museum

by Milan Trenc

Memorable Museums Right Here in KC! Kansas City is lucky to be home to so many terrific museums for families, including:

• Johnson County Museum

• National Frontier Trails Museum

• The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

• The National WW1 Museum and Memorial

• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

• Science City

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15

keeping kids SAFE in crowded places

T

aking young children to crowded public places can be an exercise in stress management, especially if you are outnumbered or have kids who tend to wander off. I will never forget the feeling of realizing my child was gone while we were on a fun family outing. She was standing next to me one moment. I looked away, looked back, and she was gone. I was torn between staying with my remaining children and running off to search for her. Luckily, my older son spotted her and was able to quickly bring her back to our group. She was safe, but I will never forget that feeling of my heart dropping. After that experience, I knew we needed to come up with a plan to keep the kids safe when we venture out to public places.

Prepare The best way to prevent your child’s getting lost in a public place is to prepare for the possibility as if it will definitely happen in the future. In an age-appropriate way, begin by talking to your kids about the dangers of strangers and getting lost. You don’t want to scare your children, but you do want them to have a healthy fear of getting separated from those they trust. And you need to give them the tools to help themselves if it does happen.

Role play After you have discussed the dangers of getting separated, role play some of the possible scenarios. What would they do if they were lost? Who would they ask for help? What would they do if a stranger asked them to come with them? Acting out these scenarios will help your children respond more quickly and confidently if the need arises.

Memorize contact info If your child is 4 or older, you can teach important contact information, such as parent names and phone numbers. If your children are too young to memorize this information, consider writing it on their wrist or using a bracelet or necklace that has your contact information so you can be contacted in an emergency.

Know safe people Let your children know that if they are lost, they can find a “safe person” to ask for help. This could be anyone in a uniform (police officer, firefighter, security guard or store employee), or it could be another mom with kids. Let your little ones know they can identify a mom because she has a stroller, many kids with her, or is carrying a baby.

Take precautions that day When you set out for the day, take a picture of your child. Not only will this make a nice memory, it will give you a photo of what your child is wearing that day. If your child does get lost, you will not need to remember what he is wearing or look for a current photo. You will already have one ready. You also are wise to talk to your kids about where you will meet if you are separated. Pick a spot that is easy to find, centralized and unique, such as a statue, fountain, tower or flagpole.

Keep them contained The easiest way to keep kids from wandering off is to have them ride in a stroller, cart or wagon. This may not work for every child—some resist strollers and will do almost anything to escape. For those who are resistant to riding or are too old, have them hold your hand or the side of the cart. Some parents may also find a backpack harness works best for keeping their children close without relying on hand-holding. When I had a lot of small children I used a walking rope that had several handles my kids could hold and walk along with me. You can also have older children hold hands with younger children. Any tool that keeps your children safe and close to you in a crowded place is worth trying.

Taking your kids to crowded public places can be stressful, especially if you are outnumbered, but don’t let it stop you from enjoying fun outings together. With a little preparation and some conversations with your kids, you should be able to enjoy outings and be safe too.

Sarah Lyons is a part-time writer and full-time mom of six. She lives in Olathe.

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ways to deal with an

Early Bird

A

re you an exhausted parent whose child rises every morning before the sun? It can be rough living with a lark when you’re more of a night owl, but it doesn’t have to be.

Try these tips to deal with your little early riser and get that much-needed sleep.

Adjust Bedtime If your child wakes up bright and early but seems happy and rested every morning, try adjusting her bedtime gradually by 10 minutes later each night. If normal bedtime is 7:00, but she’s waking up at 5:00 every morning, maybe a later bedtime would result in her sleeping later into the morning.

Unfortunately, this trick doesn’t work for every child. Both kids and adults have a circadian rhythm that regulates when we are tired and when we are more alert, which means your child might just have the biological clock of a morning person.

Adjust Nap Times Is your child still taking a nap every day? It’s possible his naps are fulfilling a big chunk of his sleep requirements during the day instead of at night. Shortening or completely eliminating daytime naps could help kids extend their sleep at night. Just make sure your child isn’t overly tired when you change his nap routine.

Prepare the Sleep Environment Having a sleep environment conducive for sleeping is extremely important. If sunlight awakens your child, make the room as dark as possible. Blackout shades can help block the rising sun each morning, causing your child to think it’s earlier than it actually is.

Some children are sensitive to noise while sleeping. Keeping the windows closed can block outside noises like birds chirping or garbage trucks driving by. A white noise machine can camouflage household sounds, such as family members who rise early, noisy appliances and other common household commotion.

Buy a Wake-Up Alarm Wake-up alarms are a great way to teach your child when it’s an appropriate time to wake up. Our family has had great success using the Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light, available at Target and Amazon.

At bedtime, the clock acts as a soothing nightlight. In the morning, it glows green with a smiley face when it’s okay for kids to get out

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of bed. If the green light isn’t on when they wake up, they know they need to try to go back to sleep. As your child grows, he can use it as a regular alarm clock.

Play Quietly in Bed If you’ve tried everything and your child still prefers to rise early, let her entertain herself in her bed until it’s time to wake. Leave a few toys at the bottom of the bed and tell her she can play quietly in bed until it’s time to wake up. Just make sure the toys you choose are free of electronic noises. Otherwise, your entire family might awaken to the blaring of the rowdy toys. Stuffed animals and books are great choices. If your kids are old enough, you can allow them to watch a television show until the rest of the family wakes up.

Prepare Breakfast Does your child wake up hungry every morning? First of all, make sure he is getting enough to eat during the day. If he is chowing down plenty during daylight hours, try prepping his breakfast the night before. My daughter has a habit of insisting on a glass of milk every morning as soon as she wakes up.

I used to walk into the kitchen in a zombielike state, pour the milk, hand it to her and try to fall back asleep while she watched cartoons in our room. Now that she’s older, I do my best to prep the night before. You can leave an already-poured glass of milk in the fridge along with a bowl of dry cereal. We also keep yogurt and other quick and easy breakfast foods on her level, so she can grab them if necessary. She knows she has to wait until the rest of the family wakes up for a cooked breakfast.

Want More in Life?

Here’s a way to experience the joy of parenthood and help children

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Whether you are single or married, own or rent your home, have children already or don’t, work full-time or stay home, you may qualify.

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Let our family take care of your family!

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

2019 WINNER

Does the early bird really get the worm? According to Christopher Randler, a biology professor at the University of Education in Heidelberg, Germany, the answer is yes. “They tend to get better grades in school, which gets them into better colleges, which then lead to better job opportunities. Morning people also anticipate problems and try to minimize them.”

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Should You STAY or Should You GO? How to know whether your child has outgrown the pediatrician Are you on the other end and just now looking for a pediatrician? Head to KCParent.com for great tips on helping you find the right doctor for your child.

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kcparent.com december 2019

A

s kids get older, they may begin to resist going to their pediatrician’s office where they are surrounded by screaming babies and toddlers and nurses dressed in teddy bear scrubs.

Adolescent worries like puberty, sex, substance abuse, peer pressure, anxiety or depression may be on their minds. They may feel nervous talking about genderrelated issues with a physician of the opposite sex, even though they’ve known their doctor since they were squalling newborns themselves.

Should you find a new physician? It depends. According to

Amanda Styers, APRN-BC, Teen Primary Clinic/Adolescent Specialty Clinic, Children’s Mercy Hospital, parents should talk to their kids about their level of comfort with their current physician and their preferences.

“Some children will be fine seeing their beloved pediatrician throughout their childhood and adolescence, while others may feel out of place as they develop more ‘grown-up’ concerns and issues,” Styers says.

When to stay. Pediatricians are specially trained to address health issues ranging from birth to age 21, and over the years, establish a relationship with patients and their families.

“We know their history. If they’ve come in for well visits regularly, by the time they’re 15 we‘ve seen them something like 25 times. So, there’s that personal knowledge of the patients and what their issues are,” says Dr. Steve Lauer, associate chair of pediatrics, the University of Kansas Health System. “Our goal is to continue to see those patients and help them get ready for adult life and adult medical care. That’s a fair amount of our training and ongoing training as to how to do that well.”

Also, consider your child’s overall health before switching away from your pediatrician. If your child has a chronic health issue like cystic fibrosis, pediatricspecific GI illnesses or Down’s Syndrome, it might be a good idea to stick with your pediatric specialist.

Specializing in both pediatrics and internal medicine, Dr. Paul Moore, Advent Health, sees patients from newborn through adulthood.

“When to transition from a pediatric practice to an adult practice depends on the health of the patient,” Moore says.

“Typically, the pediatric specialist will work with children who have chronic illnesses through their early twenties and even later.

And some of the diseases that we deal with in children, the adult specialists are not as familiar with.”

providers from that standpoint,” Moore says.

“When they hit 10, 11, 12, I bring up the idea of ‘do you want your parent in for your exam? Do you want your parents out for the exam? Are you comfortable with that?’”

Pediatric communication strategies. As children reach adolescence,

Trust is essential. “Finding a medical provider your child is personally comfortable with is key to developing their ability to advocate for their personal health as they grow into adulthood,” Styers says.

Moore agrees. “The teenage years are so hard between the hormonal changes, the social changes and the peer pressure.

We see a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, suicide at that age. Accidents are also increased at that age. Having someone they feel comfortable talking with so we can have interventions before it’s too late is very important,” he says.

As your child gets older, your pediatrician may begin talking to you about leaving the room. This gives your adolescent a confidential space to address health concerns or ask questions of a professional (as opposed to a peer) that might be embarrassing to discuss in front of you.

“Encouraging your child to be open and honest about difficult topics often comes with assurances to your child that their conversations will be private,” Styers says.

“This may be difficult for parents to adjust to, but effective treatment often relies on honest communication that is just not possible with parents present.”

The physician will likely encourage your teen to talk to you too. But, unless your child expresses a desire to harm herself or another, the conversation will remain private.

patient confidentiality and privacy become growing issues. Teaching kids to communicate directly with their doctor usually begins by the time your child is school age.

“When I see a pediatric patient, age 4 or 5 years of age, I’m looking at them and talking with them instead of the parent to try to get them used to engaging with

When to go. If your child is uncomfortable or self-conscious about seeing a pediatrician of the opposite sex, it’s time to find a new doctor.

“Going to a doctor where your child might not be open and honest is not useful,” Styers says.

Although your teen won’t be ready for a physician specializing in adult care, look for a family care physician, who is trained to treat patients of all ages and comfortable addressing common teen issues ranging from sports injuries to anxiety, depression and ADHD. Or, seek a pediatrician who is focused on adolescent medicine, like the providers at Children’s Mercy’s Teen Primary Care Clinic and Adolescent Specialty Clinic, who see patients between the ages of 12 and 22. Some pediatric practices also try to set aside rooms designed with older patients in mind.

Teach them to advocate for themselves. “I think it’s incumbent on

parents to really start thinking of how their soon-to-be young adult is going to manage their own health care and giving them an opportunity to do that,” Lauer says.

Encourage your child to think about questions they want to ask their physician.

These concerns might range from mental health concerns, like depression and anxiety, to sexual health and social stressors like vaping or bullying.

“There’s a lot of stuff out there that every adolescent has always had questions about,” Lauer says. “If they come prepared for it and thought about it—even for a few minutes— it makes for a much more informative and productive conversation on both sides.

We’re ready to talk about it. If our patients aren’t, it’s frankly kind of a letdown and not nearly as useful a visit.”

Christa Melnyk Hines is an internationally published freelance writer. She and her husband reside in Olathe with their two adolescent boys who are still perfectly content with their pediatrician.

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

kcparent.com december 2019

23

simple ways to build

Self-Esteem

K

ids who feel good about themselves or have high self-esteem tend to be successful in a wide variety of areas, from school to relationships. On the other hand, kids who have lower self-esteem may not be as willing to try new things, may not stand up for themselves in difficult situations or may get their feelings hurt easily. What are some simple ways to build your child’s self-esteem and confidence?

Find their niche We all have different interests and talents that bring us joy. If you can find the activity that most excites your child and encourage him to pursue it, you are providing opportunities that can build up his confidence and self-esteem. When considering which activities to try, think about the things your child seems to like doing. If your child enjoys drawing, enroll him in art classes or make art supplies available in your home. If kids enjoy sports, dance or martial arts, find a place where they can work at improving their skills. Doing things we are good at is fun and boosts our confidence as well.

Let them make mistakes Although this may seem counterintuitive, allowing your child to make mistakes, solve problems and even fail can help build her confidence. Working through their blunders teaches kids they can handle problems that may arise, and the experience takes away the fear of failure.

Teach them to choose One of the easiest ways to build self-esteem is to allow your child to make his own choices. Allow tm him to choose the clothing he will wear, order his own food at a restaurant and decide when he will complete his schoolwork. As kids grow older, allowing this freedom becomes harder for parents, as the decisions will be more important and have larger stakes. But mastering decision-making only prepares them for the future and gives them confidence that they can make good decisions on their own.

Let them know you love them, no matter what Everyone needs to know she has someone in her corner rooting for her through anything. Let your child know you love her, no matter what. Showing empathy and understanding as your child works through missteps that she makes demonstrates that you support her—even when she’s made a mistake. Show your child you love him, not just because of how he looks or what he does, but for who he is.

Praise when deserved Building children’s self-esteem is more than just telling them how wonderful they are.

If they do something great, let them know; however, constant or too-often-repeated praise loses its meaning. Dianne Grande, PhD, author of In It Together, suggests praising kids for their attributes rather than what they do: “This act has a very positive impact on self-esteem particularly when the praise is about general attributes, rather than specific accomplishments.” Grande suggests saying “I love your creativity” or “You are so responsible” because it reinforces that a child is whole and valued.

Confidence builds over time, and we can show our children each day that we trust them, love them and believe in them. This will build their self-esteem now and prepare them for future success.

Sarah Lyons is a part-time writer and full-time mom. She lives in Olathe with her family.

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kcparent.com december 2019

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L

et’s face it. Very few people are born with keen organizational skills. So, as a parent, you can’t expect children—at any age—to shift into full-force HGTV mode when you ask them to clean and organize their bedrooms. In fact, when it comes to tweens and teens, you’ll have to be involved more than you probably expect. Sure, organizing things yourself is faster, but your kids won’t learn a thing unless they’re put to work. This is the age where you need to give them more responsibility over their possessions and the choices they make over the organization of them. This gives them a chance to decide what’s important to them to keep and what they’d rather let go of. Taking the first step is always hardest, so here are some helpful tips for you to give your tweens and teens to get them started: Look around. Have them take a good look around their room from the doorway so they get a sense of where to start, what they want to do with their stuff and where they want things to go (and how to store them).

Turn on the tunes! This will almost always brighten the mood and get one ready to power through a day of organizing. It also makes time go by much faster!

Gift them a hamper! Kids at this age are old enough to not only put their dirty clothes where they belong, but also begin doing their own laundry, from start to finish. Bring them shopping and let them pick out their own clothes hamper. If they have a say in what goes in their room, they’ll almost always use it proudly.

Put it away. Have your youths walk around their bedroom and first put all clothing away-dirty clothes in a hamper and clean clothes on a hanger in the closet or folded neatly in a drawer.

Pick up all trash and any odds and ends lying around and put them where they belong. This is merely the process of tidying.

inspiring tweens and teens to

ORGANIZE THEIR ROOMS

Declutter. Multiple boxes and trash bags are needed for this job. As your kids sort through items they can place their discards in separate bags for trash (items no longer needed or wanted), donation (unwanted items in good condition to pass on to someone else) and storage (items taking up valuable space that can be stored elsewhere). To begin the decluttering process, choose one area on which to focus and dive in.

As your tweens and teens work through their bedrooms, keep in mind that the room itself should be an area where kids can sleep, play and work. So, address and think through adequate study and play space. Here are some suggestions: Closet. If you need to, don’t be afraid to take the door off the closet to open the space and provide incentive to place items on hangers instead of throwing them on the floor.

Shelving. Provide a bookcase or install wall-mounted adjustable shelves that will grow as the needs of your teenager change. Also, you may want to put up some hooks in the closet or around the room to store purses, bags, belts or jewelry.

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Stuffed-Animal Hammock. If your tweens or teens have more than just a few stuffed animals they’re not ready to part with, purchase a hammock that can hang in their room to store the fluffy friends they don’t want cluttering their bed or floor.

Desk. A desk will be a great place for doing homework, but be sure it has adequate drawer space. The enclosed storage will lessen clutter that can easily creep in and take over. Show your teen how use accordion files for storing things, binder clips or folders for keeping stacks of paper together, and pencil boxes for housing all pens, pencils and markers.

Containers. Everyone has odds and ends they keep in their bedroom but don’t want lying around. Plastic storage containers work great for holding your teens’ beloved belongings or seasonal items. But be sure to label the containers, because if they get moved around, kids might forget what’s inside!

Peg or memo boards. These are a must in a tween’s or teen’s bedroom. These can hold important notes, photos or phone numbers right there on the wall!

Planner. The older your children get, the busier their schedules will become. Teens often juggle homework, extracurricular activities, social activities, volunteering and after-school jobs. A planner is a way to help them stay organized. A good one will usually have a weekly view with columns for each day. You can help your teens write down activities and make a habit of checking it daily and weekly to stay on top of their schedules.

As your teens journey to adulthood, they need to learn how things get done. Your guidance in helping them clean and organize their bedroom into their own sanctuary to treasure teaches them to respect their space. Although there isn’t a magical recipe for keeping your teens engaged in keeping things neat and tidy, your gentle intervention in helping them create spaces they love—without all the clutter—likely will provoke them to keep it much cleaner than before.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein is currently going through these steps with her youngest teen daughter, who doesn’t want to get rid of anything cluttering her bedroom.

Questions for your tweens and teens to ask themselves along the way:

• Have I outgrown this item?

• Do I really like or need this in my life?

• Is this something I actually use, or is it just

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? h hu t

tips to improve a child’s listening skills

alking to your children can be one of the most rewarding parts of your day as a parent.

But when there are struggles with listening, it also can be frustrating. “I felt like our son would lose interest in our conversations. He would get distracted and jump from topic to topic. I know kids have shorter attention spans, but it can make it hard to connect,” says Tracy Carmichael, Kansas City, MO, mom.

Strong listening skills can help your child succeed in all aspects of life. In social interaction, academics, sports, activities and beyond, learning to actively listen is an important life lesson. “It has always been important to us to raise our kids to be good listeners. To really engage with another person when they are speaking, rather than waiting for a turn to talk. And to listen fully to directions before acting,” Kacy Golden, Olathe mom, says. “These things can give kids such an advantage.”

There are two types of listening: active and passive. When your child is listening passively, he or she hears your words but does not outwardly engage with what you are saying. When your child is listening actively, he or she thinks about what you have said and reacts or interacts. Here are a few tips to help your child learn the valuable skill of active listening:

Model good listening. The best way

for children to learn behavior is to watch the behavior. “I know that when I say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ my toddler is more likely to use those words,” Monica Ross, Shawnee mom, says. “It takes more time and patience, but it works the same way with listening. I have to show him how to listen in order for him to learn.”

To model active listening, demonstrate to your child that you are paying attention. Look the child in the eye while he talks and use your body language to show you are following along. Provide feedback while your child speaks, and ask questions. Keep distractions to a minimum and do not try to multitask while having an important conversation.

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Follow directions. Teaching children to follow directions can help your child’s listening skills improve. There are many things you can do around the house to help make following directions fun! Try cooking together and reading the recipe step-by-step. Ask your child to repeat the steps back to you and discuss what comes next. Play games where there are multiple steps to follow or set up obstacle courses with many steps.

Actively engage. The more often you dedicate time to talking to your child, the more your child will exercise his or her listening skills. If making a connection is difficult, try getting on your child’s level when you talk and look the child in the eye. Pay attention to your child’s interests and allow those interests to be topics of conversation. If you want your child’s full attention, try to begin conversations when the child is not distracted. Do not begin the conversation until you have the child’s attention or you likely will struggle to gain his attention during the conversation.

Talk, talk, talk. The more words your child hears, the more his vocabulary will grow. A larger vocabulary helps your child understand more in conversation and communicate better with others.

Experts recommend that children hear 30,000 words per day! Many of these words will come in daily communication and interaction with friends and family members. However, you can increase the word count by listening to music, reading books and telling stories.

The benefits of active listening stretch way beyond childhood. People who are good listeners are more productive, lead less stressful lives, make fewer mistakes at work and build more harmonious relationships.

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

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29

co-parenting best practices

“I

may not like my ex sometimes, but we are responsible for raising the best person possible,” Chris Schauer, father of one, says.

You may not be husband and wife anymore, but you are still father and mother to your children, and those are lifelong roles. Check out these five co-parenting best practices to help raise emotionally healthy children.

Communication. Deal directly with the other parent through the phone, text or email and don’t use the kids as a gobetween. Consider an online sync-able calendar like Google Calendar so both parents know what’s going on as far as birthday parties, sports events, sleepovers, health appointments, etc. This is also a great place to park school project deadlines.

Celebrations. Shawne Pennington, mom of two sons, shares an idea that has worked for her family. “For the birthdays, whichever parent has the boy on his birth date, that is who my ex celebrates it with, and that side of the family. The other parent celebrates either the week before or the week after.

Major holidays we alternate so whoever has

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kcparent.com december 2019

the actual holiday, the other has the kids the night before.”

Consideration. Allow your kids to build a relationship with the other parent while also staying involved. Pennington says, “Every night whoever doesn’t have the boys calls around 9 pm to see how their day was and tell them goodnight.” Don’t try to be the cool parent by letting them get away with more, buying them stuff or letting them eat lots of junk, as this is disrespectful to the other parent. Don’t let your child say negative things about the other parent either.

Consistency. Everyone has a different parenting style, so you’ll need to really work on this one with each other while also learning to let some things go. Some may tend to be more laid-back with rules, schedules, chores, sports practice, schoolwork, bedtime and things like screen time, while others might prefer to dole out more discipline. Find a way to meet in the middle and share a basic set of rules. Kids get confused (and tired/cranky!) if they are allowed to stay up until midnight at one home while being in bed by 9:00 at the other.

Above all, be kind. Put your differences aside and work together with the goal of healthy, well-adjusted kids who see marriage in a positive light. Aim for a professional, businesslike relationship.

Christina Thero, mom of two boys, says, “I’d rather sit next to my ex to cheer my boys on in their sports than have more money and an inability to be in the same room together due to resentments. When my boys ask why we got divorced, I tell them that it’s mine and Daddy’s story, and when they are adults, we can sit down and talk about it over coffee when they have a better understanding about how relationships work.”

Always think about your shared parenting goals for the future. Every event you can attend together is laying the groundwork for future happy relations. Think ahead to your children getting married, the birth of grandchildren, and about the kind of relationship you want your kids to see you having. Co-parenting is far from easy, but observing some best practices will make the transition easier on your children and yourselves.

Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned mom of five. Check her out at TheKerrieShow.com.

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Holiday Guide table of contents

33 stained glass ornaments

34 tips to stay jolly

36 christmas traditions

37 tasty treats

38 five things we love

39 word from dad

40 holidays around the world

42 what not to give your kids

44 wreck the halls

46 christmas reading

48 gifts for now and then

50 living nativities

CRAFTCORNER

These make wonderful gifts for teachers, friends and family!

stained glass ornaments A fun spin on traditional ornaments, these stain glassed decorations are beautiful as sun catchers in the window or on your tree illuminated with lights. They also make wonderful gifts for teachers, friends and family!

Materials Needed: • String or fishing line • Cookie cutters

Step one: Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Step two: Arrange beads in whatever pattern you choose inside

• Plastic beads

the cookie cutter on the baking sheet in a single layer. You can do as many as will fit on the sheet!

• Drill and small bit

• Cookie sheet (I used 1/8th)

Step three: Bake for 8-12 minutes.

Step four: Let cool and admire! To speed this process, put baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Step five: Gently pull the edges of the cookie cutter away from the plastic and push out each shape.

Step six: Drill a hole at the top of the ornament and tie with your string to hang.

Step seven: Optional: use Sharpie to have your child write his or her name and the year (or whatever you’d like) on the ornament.

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.

Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Tree

Pom-Pom Gift Wrap

Paint Chip Tree Gift Tags

For TONS more great craft projects, log onto KCParent.com! kcparent.com december 2019

33

tips for staying

J OLLY during the holidays

B

etween the long shopping lists, piles of gifts to wrap and family gatherings to attend, the holidays can be the busiest and most stressful time of the year—but they should still be fun! Take advantage of these tips for staying jolly throughout the holiday season.

volunteer Giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer.

Volunteering allows you to spend quality time with your family and make a difference at the same time. During the holidays you’ll find several opportunities to volunteer in your community. Take the family to work at the food kitchen on a Saturday, volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bells, or adopt a family. Volunteering teaches your children that giving is more important than receiving. Your family will also gain a sense of gratitude and happiness by helping others.

spread cheer Nothing will make you feel jollier this holiday season than spreading Christmas cheer like the big man in red himself. “Jingling” your neighbors is a fun way to spread the holiday spirit throughout your neighborhood. Simply

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leave a small gift such as homemade candy or baked goods at your neighbor’s door with a note saying, “You’ve been jingled.” They’ll be encouraged to spread the joy themselves to other neighbors. Before you know it, the entire neighborhood will be just as jolly as you are. This also works great in the office with your coworkers.

go christmas caroling Gather a group of friends together to Christmas carol through neighborhoods and nursing homes. This is an old tradition that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside and a bit nostalgic while brightening someone else’s day.

recruit help When you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Do you have company coming over and you just can’t find the time to clean the house? Do yourself a favor and hire someone to help with your cleaning or make a chore list for the kids to complete while they’re on holiday break. Do you have a ton of baking to do? Ask your friends to come over for a baking party to help out! Does the idea of cooking the entire holiday meal on your own stress you out?

Ask your family members to bring a dish!

Holiday Guide A Healthline survery reports people find these the most stressful parts of the holidays: 56% Gift shopping 54% Crowds and lines 45% Cleaning 38% Knowing what to get people 36% Cooking

matter where you are is especially helpful. This would also be a great time to organize all of your gift wrapping supplies for easy accessibility when it’s time to wrap gifts.

don’t overcommit When it comes to accepting invitations, don’t overcommit and spread yourself thin this holiday. Before the season begins, make a list of traditions and events that are most important to your family. Maybe Christmas Eve dinner is a must, but finding and cutting down your own Christmas tree really isn’t as important to your family. Make sure your timehonored traditions take priority over other invitations, and never feel obligated to attend events you don’t want to.

shop online

donate

Online shopping helps relieve one of the biggest triggers of stress during the holidays: shopping. Why travel from store to store waiting in long lines checking items off your nice list when you can shop online from the comfort of your own home? Add items to your online carts at your favorite retailers the day before major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. When deals go live, you’ll be able to see the sale price, then purchase without having to search for items again. Online shopping also simplifies comparing prices at different stores before making a large purchase. And my favorite part is the gifts you purchase come straight to your door.

Donating is a great way to help others in need while making room for the new toys Santa is sure to deliver.

Keep your kids involved and explain that their toys will be going to children who might not have as many. Have your kids accompany you when you drop off the toys—they will feel a sense of accomplishment and thankfulness for what they have.

grocery pickup Grocery pickup is another great way to save hours of time and de-stress during the holidays. Most grocery stores offer pickup and even delivery. Store websites make the experience simple and user-friendly by saving your favorite items, so they’re just a click away when it’s time to go shopping again.

My favorite part is steering clear of those long grocery store checkout lines!

begin prepping early Spend the month before the holidays getting organized.

First, create calendars for the upcoming month complete with school functions, family gatherings, holiday parties and other deadlines. Then do your best to create a holiday list of everything you will need to accomplish in the next month.

This includes cleaning, cooking, baking and gift wrapping.

Next, make your gift list and budget. Write down any possible gift ideas you have for your family members, so you don’t forget them later when you’re out shopping. Keeping all of your lists on your phone so you have access to them no

take a day off Take a day off to prep for the holidays without the kids.

Create a huge to-do list and do your best to knock it all out before lunch. Then, enjoy the afternoon wrapping presents while drinking hot cocoa and listening to your favorite holiday tunes or watching a Christmas movie. You will feel much jollier when you have time to complete your tasks without distractions and with a little holiday fun mixed in.

have realistic expectations Parents tend to want everything perfect for their kids, and the holidays are no exception. Sometimes the pressure to make every moment memorable does nothing but cause tension. Have realistic expectations. It’s almost guaranteed something won’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Your holiday cookies will burn, someone won’t like a gift, and you will definitely forget to move that darn Elf on the Shelf, but more than likely, those little things will end up making your holiday season even more memorable. Remember, the holidays are about spending time with friends and family, and those are the two things that will make you the jolliest of all.

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

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

Christmas Traditions Build Family Culture Traditions nurture the culture of our homes and create a strong family identity, which research suggests plays a large role in children’s mental health and resilience. Many of us inherent traditions from our family of origin—a quirky birthday song, a favorite cookie recipe, the family reunion Olympic games. Sometimes we look to friends, social media and Pinterest (blast that Elf on the Shelf!), or form traditions on our own. One of our family’s favorite resources is the KC Parent calendar, listing local merrymaking rituals, from Nutcracker teas to lighting displays, by date.

Because many of us crave the comfort of tradition more in the midwinter months than in any other season, I’m dedicating this month’s column to sharing some of our own family’s beloved traditions which, like white elephant gifts, have mostly been repurposed and pilfered from others. Please feel free to bring these traditions home and add your own unique twists, meaningful touches and shiny packaging—traditions are even better when passed along, repackaged and shared.

Unwrapping Books by the Tree: Over the years, we’ve added new children’s books to the basket full of good reads we keep beside the tree. Even though my kids are now in middle school, they still love to unwrap these stories, snuggle up and read by the Christmas tree lights. Some of our favorites: Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry, The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola, and ’Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist.

Gingerbread Witch Houses: Loaded with extra frosting and heaps of candy, we use the gingerbread house kits from Trader Joe’s, complete with Hansel, Gretel and a gingerbread

witch, to decorate fairytale cottages.

And of course, we read Jan Brett’s Gingerbread Baby while indulging on broken candy canes.

Luminary Walk: The Arboretum Luminary Walk is a beloved holiday tradition with our neighbors. When our kids were smaller, my husband wore a train conductor’s hat, handed each child a jingle bell (only kids could hear its magical ring), and loaded the kids in the minivan turned Polar Express. All aboard!

En route, the caravan packed with pajama-clad kids in downy coats would detour for some hot chocolate before we arrived at the arboretum (a.k.a. the North Pole).

Bethlehem Supper: To remember the true meaning of Christmas, our family has a “Bethlehem Supper” full of Middle Eastern fare on Christmas Eve. Dates, figs, hummus, flatbread, grapes, goat cheese, falafel and olives are among our favorite treats.

Kids Caroling on the Stairs: On Christmas morning, our kids cannot go downstairs until the empty manger on our landing—from the Nativity scene in our front yard—holds baby Jesus. To hasten his presence, the kids sit atop the stairs outside our bedroom door, ringing bells and singing Christmas carols to wake their snoozing parents.

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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Holiday Guide

TASTYTREATS

Christmas Spice and Everything Nice Ho, ho, ho—Merry Christmas! Yes, the winter holidays are here, giving KC parents festive opportunities to share spice-filled, health-building treats with their kids. Make room to celebrate these spices that are full of good tidings to you and your family.

GINGER

FENNEL

Benefits – Throughout history ginger has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the common cold.

Benefits – Fennel provides a dose of vitamin C, aiding immunity, and contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.

How to use – Add it smoothies, top to lentils and soups, or mix

How to use – Add fennel to any sautéed veggies, like onions

in with oatmeal. Ginger adds tasty flavor to any baked breads, cookies or muffins. “I make a ginger smoothie with mango and bananas for an afternoon snack to serve to my son,” says Rebecca, a mom from Lee’s Summit.

Ginger Spiced Cornbread Muffins Ingredients 2 1/4 c. yellow cornmeal 1 c. all-purpose flour 1 T. baking powder 1 1/2 t. salt 1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. ground ginger 1 3/4 c. low-fat buttermilk 1 c. mashed, roasted sweet potato 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 c. butter, melted

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 2. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and ginger in a large bowl, whisking to combine.

3. In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk, sweet potato and eggs; whisk until smooth.

4. Add sweet potato mixture to cornmeal mixture and stir just until moistened. Then, stir in melted butter.

5. Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin pans, filling about three-fourths full.

6. Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.

and carrots, or top to any stew, stock or soup dish. Fennel is also ideal topping salmon. Or just take Dan’s advice. This Lenexa father of two says, “Fennel and seafood go together like peas in a pod.

I incorporate it when I’m making shrimp linguini, both my teenagers’ favorite dinner dish.”

Spiced Fruit Soup Ingredients 1/2 c. finely-chopped dried apples 1/2c. finely-chopped dried apricots 1/2 c. dried cranberries or cherries 1/2 c. pitted finely-chopped prunes (dried plums) 1/2 c. raisins 1 med. orange, grated and juiced

2 T. tapioca pudding 1 T. ginger 1 T. cinnamon 1/2 t. fennel 5 c. water 1 c. apple or pomegranate juice Unflavored yogurt for garnish

Directions 1. Combine the dried apples, dried apricots, dried cranberries, prunes and raisins in a large saucepan. Mix in grated orange and orange juice, tapioca pudding, ginger root, cinnamon and fennel.

2. Add the water and bring to a boil; lower heat to medium low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until the fruit is tender.

3. Stir in the pomegranate juice; heat for 5 minutes.

4. Serve warm or cold, topped with a dollop of yogurt.

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: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health.com kcparent.com december 2019

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FIVETHINGS

Christmas Cookies For our family, one Christmastime tradition is making Christmas cookies, and more specifically, Swedish spritz. I love this cookie press from Oxo! High quality press and metal forms mean it holds up great and cleans up easily! We can crank out batch after batch when we get in the groove. Maria Dean, wife of associate publisher

Advent Calendar Our family loves the Advent season, and when the kids were really little, we bought a wooden Advent calendar with magnetic pieces. Each day, one of our kids would open a box and decorate the Nativity scene. Even now, our teenagers join in on the fun. Susan Gimotty, wife of owner

5

THINGS WE

LOVE RIGHT NOW

Compiled by Margaret Sarver

Topsy’s Popcorn I love popcorn! It is my all-time favorite snack!

For me, growing up in KC, Christmastime always meant Topsy’s popcorn. I especially love the cinnamon, buttered, and cheese, but my kids love the caramel too. The Topsy’s Popcorn refillable Plaza tin is a favorite gift to give and receive in our family. Kristina Light, digital media manager

Scents of the Season We have an artificial tree because I’ve found it to be easier and less messy. Growing up I had a real tree, and the one thing I miss about a live Christmas tree is the smell.

To get that Christmas smell in our home, I get the Glade Enchanted Evergreen candles and burn them to get the house smelling like the holidays. In addition to the evergreen, the apple cinnamon gives off a nice holiday scent!

Margaret Sarver, editor

Wood Chargers These gorgeous wood chargers will steal the show at any holiday table! Handmade to order in Griffin, GA, these three-quarterinch-thick rustic slices are cut level with professional equipment, then dried in a special process guaranteed to prevent splitting.

Each round measures between 12 and 13 inches including bark. Available in sets of 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 15 in a natural finish or sealed with a food-safe polyurethane to protect the wood from food, water, humidity and sunlight for years. On Etsy at RusticWoodSlices.com. Kim Tappan, art director

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WORDFROMDAD

An Aluminum Christmas Tree “But, how will Santa know where to find us?” In second grade, my world turned upside down with the dissolution of my parents’ marriage, and in my first Christmas since the divorce, I struggled to cope.

My life was in turmoil after I’d moved to a different home in a different city with a different mother and two different siblings.

But the Christmas season was the same, or nearly so. We took drives to see the Christmas lights, decorated our classrooms, and I studied the catalogs in every spare moment, looking for the perfect toy.

One evening at the dinner table, Dad said, “It’s time to decorate the tree.”

We ran into the living room, but I stopped short. Instead of a natural tree, I gazed at a gleaming, silver monstrosity.

Dad broke the silence. “Okay, hang the ornaments.”

“Where are the lights?”

“Can’t. They’re a fire hazard on aluminum trees.”

“But, this isn’t right. No lights? No real tree?

No shiny ornaments? This is NOT Christmas.”

“Look, Bill. We’ll have to make do with what we have.” Dad’s voice carried none of the frustration he must have felt. “Now, settle down or go to bed.”

I hung ornaments on this garish tree, keeping to myself my conviction that this was going to be the worst holiday ever.

Except, it wasn’t. We got presents from both households, and I received what I wanted the most: an archery set.

I pondered this over the ensuing years before I understood. Of course, I wanted gifts from family and presents from Santa, but the delights didn’t come from the tree. Natural or manufactured, it made no difference.

Whether my mom and dad were together or apart, the source of everything I received on Christmas morning was their enduring love for their children.

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.

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Holidays Around the World

D

ecember is beginning to look

a lot like more than Christmas. The month is also the start of many other holiday celebrations that conjure warm, fuzzy feelings for families around the globe. Here are seven reasons to get festive and make merry this wintry month.

Hanukkah This eight-day Jewish festival of lights falls in November or December depending on the year (in 2019, Hanukkah takes place between Dec. 22 and 30) and is honored each celebratory evening with a menorah lighting, prayers of blessing and fried foods. Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) means “dedication.”

In the second century B.C., Judah of Maccabee led a small yet determined Jewish army, driving Syrian-Greeks out of their land and reclaiming the holy temple of Jerusalem. It’s said that during this time a single cruse of olive oil miraculously remained lit for over eight days in the temple’s menorah. The Jewish people take time annually to celebrate this moment by lighting one candle each night for eight days total. Menorahs are placed

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prominently in a doorway or window for all to see. Special blessings, prayers and songs accompany the candle lighting. And because oil is a significant component of the celebration, it is a primary ingredient in most of the holiday’s traditional foods, as well. Potato latkes, an Eastern-European pancake, are typically garnished with sour cream or apple sauce, while sufganya, a jellyfilled doughnut (and Israeli favorite), also make an appearance on the table. No Hanukkah is complete without playing a game of dreidel, a four-sided top with Hebrew letters inscribed on it to spell an acronym, reminding its players that “a great miracle happened here.” The winner of the game typically cashes in on a pot of candy, nuts or coins.

Holiday Guide

Winter Solstice

St. Lucia Day

In the northern hemisphere, Dec. 21 marks both the shortest day of the entire year and the first day of winter. People all across the globe participate in various celebrations and festivals. In times past, winter solstice was traditionally celebrated by building a large bonfire and lighting candles to create light in an effort to try to lure the sun into sticking around longer in the evenings. Because shorter days and longer nights are in store throughout the winter season, winter solstice is as good an excuse as any to start enjoying the magic found in Christmas lights gleaming, candles glowing and fireplaces blazing.

In Scandinavian nations, a festival of lights known as St. Lucia Day is celebrated on Dec. 13, as a way both to mark the advent of the Christmas season as well as pay tribute to St. Lucia, one of the earliest Christian martyrs. Each Scandinavian town elects its own St. Lucia who leads the start of the festival (behind her follows a procession of young girls in white costumes and lighted wreaths on their heads). The procession includes the singing of traditional songs, said to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. Scandinavian families like to celebrate St. Lucia Day within their own homes, as well. The oldest daughter of the home gets the honor of wearing a white dress and serving the family an array of holiday treats, such as coffee, ginger biscuits and saffron bread.

St. Nicholas Day The tradition of Father Christmas and Santa Claus has the very real St. Nicholas of Myra to thank, a benevolent man who made it his life’s work to give to those in need, particularly showing compassion upon children. Stories regarding Nicholas’ good deeds abound, but one in particular resonates. It’s said that an impoverished father had three daughters with no dowries and a bleak future that would most likely involve being sold into prostitution. When St. Nicholas heard of this poor family, he was compelled to action, throwing a bag of gold into each of the daughter’s windows at night (each bag miraculously landed in the girls’ socks or shoes left to dry by the fireplace). In honor of this man’s legacy, many people around the globe celebrate St. Nicholas on Dec. 6, the anniversary of his death in 343 A.D. Children lay shoes outside their doorsteps with the hopes that treats find their way inside. In some cultures, children are told that St. Nicholas begins his festive journey of gift giving as early as November. According to tradition, his journey is a long and arduous one as he rides the back of a donkey, determining whether or not children have been truly good. Still others celebrate St. Nicholas’ legacy by using Dec. 6 as a day of community service.

Three Kings Day The Twelve Days of Christmas comes to a close on Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day (a time that celebrates the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus). In France, king’s cake is baked with a special prize inside, while in Puerto Rico, children awake to find mangers of hay beside their beds decked with small presents. Children in Spain wait patiently until this day to open their Christmas presents.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits” in Swahili, is a week-long celebration that begins on Dec. 26 and commemorates African heritage. It is based on ancient African harvest festivals and was begun in 1966 by African studies professor Mualana Kareng.

Participants take time to celebrate by dressing in special clothing, decorating with fruits and vegetables, and lighting black, red and green candles in a holder known as a kinara. Each of the seven candles symbolizes African-American core cultural values: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Boxing Day Much of this holiday is lost on residents of the United States, but for its Canadian neighbors (along with the residents of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand), this holiday of obscure origins has one common theme. It’s a day of rest for the common man. In times past, servants traditionally worked on Christmas day, so their employers often gifted the following day off to thank them for their efforts. The tradition stuck and grew to include all service industries, from the postman to tradesmen. Nowadays, Boxing Day is considered the premiere time to get great deals post-Christmas (think Black Friday, only a month later).

Lauren Greenlee is a mom of three who enjoys celebrating Advent in preparation for Christmas. She writes from her Olathe home.

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F

orgotten gifts fill our children’s toy boxes. Many of the gifts we give our children are played with on Christmas Day, then set aside to be remembered no more. Granted, some gifts stand the test of time—that Sesame Street Elmo your little son wants, then sleeps with every night, or the tiara and princess outfit your angel daughter wears every day. These are gifts they will remember for a lifetime.

The media sends the message that happiness means having certain toys with so many pieces that they get lost, or toys that require so much assembly parents force themselves to stay up all night Christmas Eve putting them together. Parents may even discover that with so many presents under the tree, their child opens the first gift, then plays with it alone, uninterested in the others still wrapped. Or, each child will go under the tree, count the presents, section his or hers on a spot on the floor, then get upset if someone in the family has more. I saw this when my children were small. It made me rethink all the money I spent on them and wonder whether I should have been more selective and not simply followed the ads and bought the most popular items. I camped out one time to get my son the latest electronic gadget, which I can’t even remember anymore, and he ended up selling it online later.

There has to be a better way.

One want, one need, one to wear, one to read—this concept rings with promise. As you know your child better than anyone does, a little of your creativity and insight can make this approach to gift-giving a successful one.

Another option is giving experiences.

For example, package a day trip to the zoo or local escape room in a creative way, such as tickets to the zoo inside an animal-shaped backpack, or an escape room date recorded in a neat journal.

Or, for the entire family, a tent is a great gift to place under the tree. Your children will wonder what the large package is, and you can all open it. Inside, place items such as flashlights, thermoses, raincoats, fishing rods and Jiffy Pop popcorn, then announce you are all going camping together on a certain day.

Buying everything on your children’s Christmas wish list is impossible, plus your kiddos often don’t really want all those things. You don’t have to buy them every single item they want.

Guilt and depression make a lot of appearances this time of year. Marketing and media have fed our kids the lie they can have and deserve everything they ask for, and when we can’t or won’t give it, we feel guilty. There should be no room for guilt—especially this time of year. Giving your best and doing your best have nothing to do with “stuff.”

One mom I know says she simply doesn’t look at Pinterest this time of year because sometimes all that perfection makes her feel pathetic. Children don’t need perfect presents under perfect trees. They don’t seek perfect cookies—they just want to roll out the dough and cook with you! Don’t try to give them a holiday like everyone else’s. They want you and what happens in your home. That is what you should give them.

They may not remember what is wrapped under the tree, but they will remember the sausage balls, the Advent calendar and the special ornaments they hang on the tree with you.

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

Sources: WellnessMama.com, ForEveryMom.com

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T

WRECK THE HALLS keeping toddler holiday tantrums at bay

he holidays are here, and the children are anything but nestled all snug in their beds. Instead, they’re chowing down on fudge, watching commercials for toys they don’t need and generally being overstimulated from every angle.

It’s the perfect cocktail for a tantrum of epic proportions. Thankfully, I have some solutions to help you prepare for what’s coming—and maybe make those meltdowns a ghost of holidays past.

Keep the structure: When children know what’s coming, their little minds feel comforted and calm. Throw in a long weekend at Aunt Janet’s house with 15 people they’ve only met once, and their calmness turns to chaos. The result of that disruption in structure manifests as a tantrum. Screaming, whining and general unpleasantness for everyone!

Skipping Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with the family may not be an option, so try to keep as much structure as possible. If your child is used to a nap from 1:00 to 3:00, set the expectation with your family that you will be maintaining that schedule. Bring your child’s favorite blanket and white noise machine, find an empty room, and put him down for his nap.

Understand that he may want you or Dad to lie down with him. Do it! After all, being tucked into a strange bed and left alone is hardly setting the stage for relaxation.

Having you in the bed next to him will instantly put him at ease. And don’t worry about it creating a precedent for future naps. This is a onetime thing, and your child will go back to his regularly scheduled nap program when you get home. (The nap will do wonders for you, too. It’s a win-win.)

Communicate: In addition to the aforementioned structure, kids need and crave information. Give them information to hear and time to process what’s coming.

Long car ride? Start talking about travel or extended outings early on. Share with your child where you’re going, why you’re going and who will be there. Go through photos of family members your kids are unsure of or share stories from the last time you saw them. The more familiar you can make the experience, the better!

If family is visiting your home, explain to your children who will be there. Create excitement and anticipation. Children love to be useful, so ask for help from your big kids! Give them small tasks like answering the door with a big smile and a “Happy holidays!” greeting, or have them help take coats to the closet. When children feel like part of the experience, they will embrace it.

Be ready: You’re already a pro at being prepared. For the holidays, you’ll have to double your efforts. For every cereal bar you think you could need, pack two. For every pair of extra underwear you’d normally bring to the mall, bring two. Actually, bring three. Poop is sneaky. Remember that traffic will be slower than you expected, and Santa won’t be ready for his photo when you thought he would be. Kids will get impatient and they will get bored. Boredom leads to wanting attention. Wanting attention leads to lying on the floor screaming, “Mommy, I don’t want to be here!” If you can anticipate these moments and be prepared with a distraction, you might just buy yourself a few more minutes of peace at the Container Store.

Food fights: Your mother-in-law worked hard to make a nutritious, beautiful, holiday-worthy meal for you and your family. Only problem? Holiday-worthy usually means not so toddler friendly. And so, it begins. Your child slumps in his chair and begins to whine about what is being served. She may even start to cry or, worse, throw the food. Eyebrows from family members rise, and you’re stuck between parenting and etiquette.

Understand in advance that this is going to happen. No one escapes it. This meal is a deviation from every norm, and as we’ve learned, a departure from familiarity is a tantrum lying in wait. You have two choices here. First is to force the square peg in the round hole and make your child eat what’s on his plate. Get ready for screams and stares … and maybe gagging.

The second approach is to make or pick up ahead of time something your child is more accustomed to in hopes it will mitigate the severity of a dining disaster. Spoiler alert: You might end up with a tantrum either

Holiday Guide way. Do what is best for you. Bringing a child’s meal separate from everyone else’s might result in a few judgmental stares, but that’s okay. Keep it lighthearted by saying, “Trust me, the alternative is so much worse!” If you do choose to make your child eat the meal, that’s fine, too. If you find a way to do it without a hitch, please share, because I have no idea on that one.

Stranger danger: The holidays bring a lot of love and laughter, but the season can be a scary time for children. They’re exposed to family they don’t typically see, music they don’t typically hear and people in strange costumes at stores. Though it sounds fun and whimsical, a stranger dressed as Santa might freak out a toddler and make him want to leave. Hashtag oh well. It’s not the end of the world. You can come back next year. The critical point is that your children know they don’t have to interact with anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

This same mentality should be applied to relatives or family friends, too. Yes, it’s great

for you to see family and exchange embraces hello and goodbye. But for children, it’s not so easy. Maybe they don’t like Great-Grandma’s perfume. Maybe Papa’s teeth freak them out. Perhaps too many strangers are just standing around, and it’s overwhelming. No matter the reason, consider letting your children choose whom they hug. Encourage a fist bump or waving goodbye instead and leave it at that. You don’t have to make excuses for your child.

Getting through the holidays with a small child is a marathon, not a sprint. Get your partner involved to tackle outings together. Even better, plan for one of you to go and the other to stay home with the kids.

When you must go out, keep trips as short as possible. Then hang on tight and enjoy the sleigh ride ….

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

Fast Holiday Fixes • Encourage your child to give back: Take some toys to a local shelter or charity with your children. Start early showing your child the holidays are about giving, not receiving.

• 86 the commercials: Use the beauty of DVR to record favorite shows, then fast forward past commercials. They can’t want it if they don’t see it!

• Let love in: If your children are overwhelmed in public or with family, take them outside or away from the hullabaloo. Give them a big hug and remind them that you’re there. Sometimes that’s all it takes to bring them back to earth.

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Christmas Reading for the whole famly

f

rom the classics such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to more recent favorites such as Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, thousands of Christmas book choices offer your family reading pleasure.

In fact, so many choices abound that you don’t have to settle for mediocrity in Christmas reading material for your family.

When considering good Christmas stories for every age, remember that a high quality children’s book will not only hold the child’s attention, it will also offer appropriate, timeless themes. When it comes to Christmas literature, themes run the gamut from unselfish giving to happy family life to love in all forms. The illustrations should support the text with visual beauty, humor and nostalgia, and each book should offer a reading experience satisfying to both adult and child.

Children’s literature choices must be age appropriate. Begin with board and picture books for babies and toddlers.

Preschool and early elementary ages have more detailed choices, and primary and

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upper elementary have their own category of reads, as do middle schoolers and teens.

All ages of kids will enjoy books just right for them. Often, when adults are reading aloud to them, children enjoy books at higher reading levels than they can read on their own, but remember to keep the themes and supporting pictures at youngsters’ enjoyment level.

Here are some great Christmas books for each age group. Be sure to check out the more extensive reading lists at the end of the article.

babies and toddlers Babies and very young children enjoy simple stories with just a few words on a page. They like to see clear, uncluttered illustrations and hear repetitions and rhymes.

Christmas in the Manger, a Christmas Pat-and-Peek Book, by Nola Buck.

Touch a fuzzy donkey or peek at a wise man’s jewels.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. Written in rhyme, this tale tells how Bear enjoys Christmas with the help of good friends.

The Mitten by Jan Brett. A snowy tale that stretches the imagination.

Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? By Karen Katz. Babies will love lifting flaps to find pretty Christmas images.

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson. Mortimer the mouse finds a new home … in a manger!

Mouse’s First Christmas by Lauren Thompson. Mouse experiences the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas.

ages 3-6 Preschoolers and first-graders enjoy simple picture books, often with animal depictions. Their favorite stories have strong characters and are often sprinkled with humor.

Holiday Guide Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett.

Breathtaking illustrations—as usual! Treva teaches two mischievous trolls the meaning of Christmas.

Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day. The faithful dog Carl and his baby share an adventure-filled Christmas Eve. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

by Martin Waddell. A sweet Nativity rhyme.

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Little Cub learns all about the first Christmas.

The First Christmas Tree by David and Helen Haidle. This is a legend of the first Christmas tree.

Christmas Stories for Bedtime by Renee Brumbaugh. This volume features 31 stories gathered from the Old and New Testaments, all about the Christmas Story.

The Story of Baby Jesus by Alice Joyce Davidson. Part of the Alice in Bibleland series, this story lets readers walk with Alice into the world of Bible times.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco. Trisha’s family celebrates Hanukkuh but discovers their neighbors, who celebrate Christmas, are all sick with scarlet fever. A story of love.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Cynthia Houston. Barbara Cooney’s illustrations enrich this simple tale of Christmas in the mountains.

Both teens and adults enjoy entering a new world and experiencing a story along with the characters. They are able to analyze the themes presented and make personal decisions about lessons to be learned.

ages 9-12 Upper elementary and middle school readers are able to grapple with complex themes and less visual support. This age group may enjoy historical settings.

The Christmas Story by Gennady Spirin.

A beautiful gift book filled with original illustrations of the story of the birth of Christ.

The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson.

The people of Christmas Valley are used to their traditional Christmas, but this year things are different.

Christmas Jars by Jason Wright. A story to renew the true meaning of Christmas.

Books for this age group have more text but still add visual support. Themes often introduce some conflict and then add a satisfying conclusion.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. That naughty Grinch wants to ruin Christmas.

teens and adults

Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant. Cynthia Rylant remembers her Christmas times in the country with her grandparents.

ages 6-9

The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg. Written in rhyme, this book tells the tale of the Jolly Postman who returns with all manner of Christmas letters and packages.

The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton. Set in Ohio in 1890, this story tells how an African American family celebrates Christmas.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Everyone knows the story, its’ a classic and well worth another read.

Angel Pig and the Hidden Christmas by Jan Waldron. It’s a piggy Christmas for sure.

The piggies can’t imagine Christmas without lots of money for presents.

Silent Night: The Story of the WWI Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub.

The true story of one night’s truce during Christmastime in WW1. Compelling read.

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck.

Grandma Dowdel has new neighbors.

What is she up to now?

The Box of Delights by John Masefield.

Strange things happen to a young boy on his train ride home for Christmas.

The Christmas Spurs by Bill Wallace. This little cowboy wants something special for Christmas. He wants his brother to get well.

The Angel Doll by Jerry Bledsoe. Two young boys struggle to earn money for a special present for their ailing sister. Set in the 1950s.

Jan Pierce, M. Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read, available online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Find her at JanPierce.net.

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Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving This holiday season, consider a creative approach to gift giving. Treat your family to a special memory and a gift they can enjoy all year long. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Crown Center

Fat Brain Toys

Go Now:

Go Now:

Crown Center is Kansas City’s penultimate holiday tradition!

From the 100-foot mayor’s Christmas Tree, to a special visit with Santa at the Gingerbread Village, to ice skating at the city’s original outdoor ice rink, activities and attractions abound for everyone. Complete your day with a visit to Legoland Discovery Center or Sea Life where Santa dives with the fish on select dates. Or, treat the family to A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Coterie.

Fat Brain Toys, located in Overland Park, is special because they sell only creative, open-ended toys and games that are educational and fun. Many of the toys emphasize STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts and mathematics). You’ll find many wonderful toys that your children will enjoy for years. For the holidays, treat your child to a special gift from Fat Brain and include a $25 gift card for a return shopping trip to add to the collection.

Visit Later:

Visit Later:

Surprise your family with a special gift to enjoy after the holidays by purchasing a membership to Legoland or Sea Life, or season tickets to the Coterie so you can enjoy the fun next year too.

In January take your child on a special date to spend the gift card on an add-on to a building, science or art kit.

Kansas City Zoo Union Station Go Now: Union Station is decorated in holiday splendor all season long and is the place to celebrate with the family! A beloved holiday tradition is the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express (Dec. 18-22). Stroll through the decorated train and visit Santa Claus and his elves. Throughout the month, enjoy a ride on the Jones Store Train or treat the family to a classic holiday film on the Extreme Screen.

Visit Later: Purchase a membership to Science City as the family holiday gift, then enjoy the museum all year long. The membership is even reciprocal with other museums across the nation.

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Go Now: The Kansas City Zoo is one of our favorite year-round attractions.

Over the holidays, the zoo is extra magical as Santa himself dives with the zoo’s penguins every weekend at 2:00. Capture the memory with a one-of-a-kind photo of Santa as penguins torpedo around him. Watch the penguin bubbles trail the man in the red suit and hear the children giggle.

Visit Later: FOTZ memberships make a great holiday gift!

Spend a day at the zoo celebrating the new gift, then visit all year long. NEW this year: Memberships are good 12 months from date of purchase.

Worlds of Fun Go Now:

Overland Park Arboretum

Worlds of Fun’s newest festival is celebrating its third year in 2019.

WinterFest is a magical celebration! The park is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights and decorations. The whole family will have a blast with fabulous familyfriendly holiday shows, ice skating, cookie decorating, carriage rides and park rides.

Kids love the meet-and-greets with holiday characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Scrooge, Gingerbread Men and more.

Go Now:

Visit Later:

Purchase a membership to the arboretum as a holiday gift for the entire family to enjoy. The arboretum hosts educational programs and special events all year long.

A season pass is the perfect family holiday gift!

You can enjoy WinterFest now and revisit the park throughout the 2020 season.

Dinner and a Show Go Now: Kansas City offers many magical holiday shows to enjoy, including Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, Kansas City Symphony’s Christmas Festival, KC Ballet’s Nutcracker, the Culture House’s Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Holly and The Ivy, and Carlsen Center’s Winterlude, Bandstand and other live shows. Dine at a local restaurant and enjoy a show. One of our favorite places to dine out is Charleston’s on Ward Parkway, where they serve excellent prime rib, grilled pork chops and salads.

Visit Later: Consider season tickets to the theater as a holiday gift for the family or for your spouse to set an ongoing date night.

The first two weekends in December, the Overland Park Arboretum hosts its 20th annual Luminary Walk. Thousands of candles light the mile-long walkways, music plays and decorations create a magical holiday ambiance. Family favorites include the train garden and the gnome and fairy village.

Visits with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides and hot cider around the campfire make warm holiday memories.

Visit Later:

Independence Center Go Now: Independence Center is the perfect place to do your holiday shopping.

Spend a day shopping with each child one and one and let each select gifts to give. For a gift to enjoy yearround, take your children to Build-A-Bear, where they can create their own cuddly pal.

In addition to shopping, bring the kids to visit Santa through thru Dec. 24. For more fun with a hilarious twist, make plans to attend Holiday Hi-Jinx Photos on select dates.

Visit Later: Consider a gift certificate with the promise of a one-on-one shopping and dining outing, or head back to Build-A-Bear to choose a new outfit for a Christmas gift.

Kristina Light is a longtime fan of memberships as gifts. Her family gets a lot of mileage out of their season passes both locally and on trips. kcparent.com kcparent.com december december 2019 2019

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Living Nativities in KC 2019

A

s you celebrate this holiday season, set aside time to remember the birth of Christ at a local living Nativity or pageant.

Journey to Judea

Walk Through Bethlehem

Morning at the Manger

Christmas in the Barn

FREE Nov. 22-24, Dec. 6-8,

FREE Dec. 6-8, 5:00-10:00, Church of the Open Door.

OpenDoorInfo.org/wtb

FREE Dec 14, 10:00, Lenexa Baptist Church.

LenexaBaptist.com

FREE Dec. 24,

Countryside Baptist Church.

Reserve your free ticket at JourneytoJudea.com.

Come listen to Moses, David, Isaiah and others foretell the coming of the King. Witness the empty cross and the open tomb and hear the next chapter of the story.

This Christmas, join us as we step back in history for a FREE live, interactive event, set in the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Nativity

One Starry Night

Dec. 6-8, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. Admission charged. MesnerPuppets.org

Dec. 14, 6:00-8:30, Raytown Chapel Church.

RaytownChapelChurch.org

A cast of more than 40 puppets, including beautiful 7-foot puppets, live music and a choral accompaniment grace the stage for this biblical enactment.

Step back in time to the little town of Bethlehem. Families will have a chance to hear the Christmas story while enjoying activities, crafts and food!

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Families can visit a variety of activity stations including: a live petting zoo, making an ornament, decorating a cookie, an obstacle course and more! Event concludes with an interactive, kid-friendly Christmas worship time.

Walk to the Manger FREE Dec. 15, Colonial Presbyterian Church (Overland Park Campus).

ColonialKC.org This is an interactive Nativity experience for children and their families.

4:30, Johnson Farms.

JohnsonFarms.net. Freewill donation accepted.

Come to Christmas in the Barn and experience a full sensory celebration of the Savior’s birth with live animals and music.

Homemade sweets and hot beverages will be served, and live music will set the mood.

For even more living Nativity and Christmas pageants all over KC, log onto KCParent.com.

JAN. 18

FEB. 9

Bomsori Kim, Violin One of today’s most vibrant instrumentalists brings her talents and her 1774 violin by Joannes Baptista Guadagnini to the Polsky Theatre. Pianist Amy Yang is her accompanist.

Bobby McFerrin and Gimme5: circlesongs Art music meets pop, jazz meets classical, lyrics meet pure sound, the avant-garde meets the traditional with this 10-time GRAMMY® winner’s sweeping, soulful vocal language.

FEB. 21

The Choir of Man Ninety minutes of indisputable joy! The multitalented cast of nine handsome blokes sings everything—pub tunes, folk, Broadway, classic rock—all to roof-raising heights.

E N D L E S S V A R I E T Y , M AT C H L E S S T A L E N T !

Tickets start at $25! Build a season package of 5 SHOWS (or more) and save 10%.

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

december

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

CALENDAR

WinterFest at Worlds of Fun

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

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kcparent.com december 2019

enjoy

listen

smile

visit

celebrate

Take the family to WinterFest at Worlds of Fun select nights through Dec. 31. Enjoy live shows, holiday activities, rides, ice skating and more!

WorldsOfFun.com

On Dec. 7 and 8, enjoy a Kansas City Christmas at Lenexa Baptist Church. Hear beautiful Christmas music followed by dessert buffet.

LenexaBaptist.com

Select Saturdays visit Independence Center for Holiday HiJinx Photos.

Take photos with characters from holiday movies!

ShopIndependence Center.com

Visit the Dreaming of a Retro Xmas exhibit at the Johnson County Museum to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the aluminum tree!

JCPRD.com

Ring in 2020 at Noon Year’s Eve Dec. 31 at Science City. Welcome the new year with family activities in a safe, kid-friendly environment.

UnionStation.org

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

CrownCenter.com A Christmas Carol 1:00 & 5:00, Spencer Theatre.

The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 39th season. A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org Santa Dives 2:00, Kansas City Zoo. What’s red and swimming with the penguins? Santa! Get a photo as penguins torpedo around him.

KansasCityZoo.org

Tuba Christmas Noon, Kauffman Center. Lunch hour concert to listen to the sounds of the season, tuba style! Free, but tickets required.

KCSymphony.org Jazz on the Square 5:30, Corbin Theatre.

The Corbin Theatre presents Jazz on the Square once a month on a Monday. Free.

CorbinTheatre.org Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 5:30, Belton Memorial Park. Start the holiday season with the mayor’s tree lighting. Can goods collected.

Belton.org

Creative Story Time 10:30, Ceramic Café. Hear a story, create a pottery piece and enjoy a simple snack. $12. CeramicCafe.com Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro Shop. Make crafts, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Bass Pass required to see Santa. BassPro.com Kenya’s Kids Thru Jan 4, Kansas Discovery Center (Topeka). Discover what life is like for children in Kenya through an immersive exhibit.

KansasDiscovery.org Kids Eat Free Main Event (various locations).

Receive a free kids meal with the purchase of any entrée ($8.99). MainEvent.com

Jurassic World Live 11:00 & 3:00, Sprint Center.

Jurassic World comes to life for the first time in a touring arena show. JurassicWorldLiveTour.com

Mini Nutcracker 6:00, Turner Community Library. Get your very own mini nutcracker to decorate and take home. Supplies limited.

KCKPL.org

Twilight Tour 4:00, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Stroll at your leisure, enjoying light, complimentary refreshments and live music.

BWEstate.net/events

Tree Lighting Ceremony 7:00, Cornerstone Park (Gardner, KS). A Christmas message from the mayor, seasonal music and the arrival of Santa! GardnerKansas.gov

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

2 Monday

3 Tuesday

Photos with Santa 10:00, Independence Center. Have your picture taken with Santa!

Find him in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Court.

ShopIndependenceCenter.com

Dreaming of a Retro Xmas 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Come celebrate the 60th anniversary of the aluminum Christmas tree!

JCPRD.com/330/Museum

Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Take a spin on the ice at Kansas City’s only public outdoor skating rink. 816.274.8411

Christmas A

K A N S A S

4 Wednesday

C I T Y

WITH LENEXA BAPTIST CHURCH

D E C E M B E R 7 AT 1 PM & 5 PM

DECEMBER 14 10:00 - 11:30 AM

D E C E M B E R 8 AT 5 PM

• Free to the public • • Dessert Buffet included • • Childcare provided – ages 3 & under •

For more information on all of our Christmas services visit us at lenexabaptist.com.

Preschoolers and their families are invited to join us for this special event! Visit lenexabaptist.com for more information.

kcparent.com december 2019

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Santa Dives Weekends thru Dec. 22, Kansas City Zoo. What’s red and swimming with the penguins? Santa! Get a photo as penguins torpedo around him. KansasCityZoo.org

Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Mrs Claus.

913.826.2800

A Charlie Brown Christmas 10:00 & 2:00, the Coterie. The animated classic will come to life on stage with a live jazz trio.

TheCoterie.org

Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

A Visit with Santa Claus 10:30, MCPL (North Oak). Get in the Christmas spirit with a story from Santa, then make a simple craft.

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Christmas in the Park 5:30, Frank White Softball Complex. With more than 500,000 lights, the entire family will enjoy this drive-thru winter wonderland! 816.503.4800

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

913.649.9040 Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse. Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more.

BlueSpringsGov.com

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Festival of Lights 4:00, Powell Gardens.

Botanically-themed lighting displays that stretch along a mile-long walking path.

PowellGardens.org Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 6:00, the View. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, carol performances and lighting of the tree!

Grandview.org The Nutcracker 7:30, Kauffman Center. The classic story set to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score and wrapped with sparking costumes.

KCBallet.org

6 Friday Shadow Day/Campus Visit 7:30 & 1:00, Summit Christian Academy. Register to shadow (grades 2-11) or visit (grades K-12) to learn more about SCA! 816.525.1480 Winterfest 5:00, Worlds of Fun. Sparkling lights transform the park that features live shows, holiday characters and activities, cookie decorating and more! WorldsOfFun.com

Best Christmas Pageant Ever Thru Sunday, Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). Follow the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings. CultureHouse.com

Elf The Broadway Musical Thru Sunday, Music Theatre Kansas City. Based on the beloved film, MTKC presents this fun holiday show! MTKC.org

Holiday Luminary Walk Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. The arboretum transforms into a wonderland of candles, music and holiday fun. OPKansas.org

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:30, Irene B French Community Center. Food, live music, games, Santa and more. Pre-reg by calling 913.322.5550.

The Nativity Thru Sunday, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. More than 40 puppets grace the stage for this biblical enactment.

MesnerPuppets.org

A Christmas Tea & Tour 6:30, Anna Marie’s Teas. Enjoy a full tea party and explore the decorations of a historic downtown Liberty home. 816.792.8777

Holiday Lights & Festive Sights 5:00, Sylvester Powell Community Center. A night of fun for all ages. Santa, balloon artists, hot chocolate and more! 913.722.8200

7 Saturday

Sar-Ko Aglow 6:00, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Kick off your holiday festivities this year with the lighting of Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Lenexa.com Liberty Light Show Dec 6-8 and 13-15, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Christmas light display synchronized with live musicians.

LibertyLightShow.com Christmas on the River 6:00, Downtown Parkville.

Holiday entertainment, family fun, dining, treats and holiday fireworks. ParkvilleMo.org

OLATHE, KANSAS Est. 1858

Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Bring a parent and have breakfast followed by a visit with Santa. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

A Christmas Celebration 9:00, Missouri Town 1855. Enjoy warm hearth fires, delicious food, period music, piping hot cider and more.

816.229.8980 Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Indian Heights United Methodist Church. Enjoy breakfast, pictures, crafts, food and lots of fun.

IndianHeightsUMC.org Small Mall 9:00, CW Parker Carousel Museum.

Elves help kids shop for gifts, then enjoy a free carousel ride. Craft sale for adults. 913.683.2434

Holiday Open House 8:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Enjoy tasty samples, festive music and the wonderful smells of the holidays as you shop.

LouisburgCiderMill.com

Christmas Celebration 9:00, Knox Church.

Featuring a special Santa’s workshop, snacks, games, Mr Stinky Feet and more! Pre-reg at TheSingleMomKC.org.

Pancakes with Santa 8:00, Platte County Community Center South. Enjoy a craft, pancakes and a visit from Santa at this free event. KansasCityYMCA.org/pcccs

Christmas Open House 10:00, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy the Heritage Center decorations, make an ornament, visit Santa and more! Mahaffie.org

Breakfast with Santa 8:00, Grinter Place. Enjoy breakfast with Santa and receive a goodie bag.

Arts and crafts and tours of the house offered.

KSHS.org

Coleman Open House 10:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. See the museum’s 9-foot-tall dollhouse decked out for the holiday season. 816.235.8000

Start your holiday season with a visit to our free

Christmas Open House Saturday, December 7 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 14 8:30-10:00

Registration Required—Visit Mahaffie.org

1200 Kansas City Road Olathe, KS

mahaffie.org 913-971-5111 kcparent.com december 2019

55

1919 Holiday Celebrations 10:00, 1859 Marshal’s Home and Jail Museum. Explore the house and jail to learn what Christmas looked like in 1919. JCHS.org Winter Wreath Workshop 10:00, Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Bring decorations or use ours to create the perfect holiday wreath.

NatureSanctuary.com Brunch with Santa 10:00, Vesper Hall. Enjoy a festive holiday brunch with family, friends and Santa! Pre-reg at BlueSpringsGov.com.

Hometown Holidays 10:00, Downtown Liberty. Crafts for kids, photos with Santa and the annual mayor’s lighting ceremony.

LibertyMissouri.gov A Visit from St Nicholas 10:00, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Take a break from the present and experience a 19th-century Christmas. 816.792.2655 Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball 10:30, Muehlebach Tower. Dine on a delicious three-course lunch and enjoy KC Ballet’s The Nutcracker. KCBallet.org Santa Visits 10:30, Family Tree Nursery (Overland Park). Every year, Santa makes a visit and invites parents to take pictures.

FamilyTreeNursery.com

Exhibition opens

NOV. 12!

DREAMING of a

RETRO

XMAS

Tour a collection of aluminum trees celebrating the 60th anniversary of these retro wonders!

Holiday Wonderland Celebration 11:00, NKC Parks & Recreation Center. Games, crafts, cookie decorating, a Santa’s Helpers show, and more!

Pre-reg at NKC.org.

Coming Up Christmas 11:00 & 2:00, Puppetry Arts Institute. Puppet pals share talent in a festive holiday revue. PuppetryArtsInstitute.org Holiday Homes Tour Noon, Historic Downtown Excelsior Springs. Visit five local homes and view the beauty of Christmas. VisitExcelsior.com An Olde World Christmas Noon, Strawberry Hill Museum. Tour the museum decorated with beautiful lights and decorations. 913.371.3264 Lanesfield School Country Christmas 1:00, Lanesfield Historic Site. Write a letter to Santa with pen and ink and create your very own ornament. JCPRD.com A Kansas City Christmas Today & tomorrow, Lenexa Baptist Church. Enjoy Christmas music followed by dessert buffet. LenexaBaptist.com

8788 Metcalf Ave  Overland Park, KS 66212 www.jocomuseum.org  (913) 826-2787

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Santa Dives Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. What’s red and swimming with the penguins? Santa! Get a photo as penguins torpedo around him. KansasCityZoo.org

Selfies with Santa 2:00, Lee’s Summit History Museum. Get a photo taken with Santa while he visits Downtown Lee’s Summit. DowntownLS.org Christkindlmarkt 2:00, Downtown Shawnee.

Live entertainment, kids crafts, Santa, shopping, food and more! CityOfShawnee.org Christmas on the Farm 2:00, Watkins Woolen Mill. Enjoy caroling, samples of treats, plum pudding flaming demonstrations and more.

816. 580.3387 Candlelight Homes Tour 2:00, Weston, MO. Tour includes five treasured homes and three churches dressed up for the holidays.

WestonMO.com The Great Candy Cane Hunt 5:30, Olathe Community Center. Bring flashlights to find candy canes Santa dropped in Stagecoach Park.

Pre-reg at 913.971.8563.

Santa’s Wonderland 5:30, Penguin Park.

Experience the wonder of the season at Kansas City’s holiday tradition, Santa’s Wonderland!

Free. 816.513.7500

8 Sunday Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Ceramic Café. Enjoy breakfast and a morning of pottery painting and photos with Santa! Pre-reg at 913 383-0222.

Santa Visits 10:30, Family Tree Nursery (Shawnee). Every year, Santa makes a visit and invites parents to take pictures.

FamilyTreeNursery.com Holiday Open House Noon, Battle of Lexington Historic Site. Enjoy holiday music and explore the house decorated for the holidays.

MOStateParks.com Festivals of Christmas 3:30, MidAmerica Nazarene University Bell Center. Enjoy beautiful carols and favorite movements from Handel’s Messiah. MNU.edu Winterlude 7:00, Carlsen Center. Enjoy a celebration of flamenco music performed by Kansas City musicians. JCCC.edu/theseries

9 Monday Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224 Santa’s Gingerbread Station 10:00, Crown Center Shops. Explore interactive exhibit and have photo taken with Santa Claus.

CrownCenter.com kcparent.com december 2019

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KCS Holiday Express Thru Dec 22, Union Station. Visit with Santa and his elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive train. UnionStation.org

Victorian Season Greetings 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Vaile Mansion is decorated in holiday splendor! Tour to see the Christmas decorations.

816.325.7430

Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace. Take a spin on the ice at Kansas City’s only public outdoor skating rink.

816.274.8411

Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro Shop. Make crafts, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Bass Pass required to see Santa.

BassPro.com

A Charlie Brown Christmas 10:00, the Coterie. The animated classic will come to life on stage with a live jazz trio.

TheCoterie.org

Polar Express Pajama Party 12:30, 3:00, 5:30 & 8:00, Union Station. Come dressed in your pajamas and enjoy the movie on the big screen!

UnionStation.org/holidays

11 Wednesday

10 Tuesday

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.

Dreaming of a Retro Xmas 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Come celebrate the 60th anniversary of the aluminum Christmas tree!

JCPRD.com/330/Museum

Fairy Princess Thru Sunday, Kansas City Museum. Share holiday wishes with the Fairy Princess. Advance ticket purchase required.

KansasCityMuseum.org

Kenya’s Kids Thru Jan 4, Kansas Discovery Center (Topeka). Discover what life is like for children in Kenya through an immersive exhibit.

KansasDiscovery.org

Winter Solstice Hike 5:00, George Owens Nature Park. Enjoy the beginning of winter with a walk along a torch-lit path, and then warm up at the outdoor fire. 816.325.7115

Christmas in the Park 5:30, Frank White Softball Complex. With more than 500,000 lights, the entire family will enjoy this drivethru winter wonderland! 816.503.4800

12 Thursday Festival of Lights 4:00, Powell Gardens.

Botanically-themed lighting displays that stretch along a mile-long walking path.

PowellGardens.org

psst...

User-centered and inclusive design

Open FREE

we’re busy whipping up a juicy new issue for

january Embrace a Fresh Start Birthday Party Guide Dealing with Sibling Rivalry

45th & Oak | nelson-atkins.org/kcp | Access+Ability was organized by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. | Design: Nouveau shown in Charcoal + White. Model: Emery Vanderburgh. Photo: ALLELES Design Studio. december 2019 58 Nelson-Atkins_A+A_KC Parent_Dec2019_FNL.indd kcparent.com

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8/20/19 11:31 AM

Grinch Candy Cane Hunt 6:00, Sylvester Powell Community Center. The Grinch is planning to steal candy canes, help us find them before it’s too late! 913.722.8200

Liberty Light Show Thru Sunday, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Christmas light display synchronized with live musicians.

LibertyLightShow.com

Families Xplor Winter Night Hike 6:30, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. A cold winter’s night is a great time to get out and explore. Pre-reg at 816.228.3766.

Santa’s Polar Express 5:00, Historic Downtown Excelsior Springs. Get your pictures with Santa and take a ride through Downtown Excelsior Springs! VisitExcelsior.com

A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 39th season.

A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org

Elf The Broadway Musical Thru Sunday, Music Theatre Kansas City. Based on the beloved film, MTKC presents this fun holiday show! MTKC.org

13 Friday 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 Candy Cane Hunt #1 10:30, Mill Creek Activity Center. Create a festive craft then go on the hunt for candy canes hidden around the facility.

Pre-reg at 913.826.2950.

Winterfest 5:00, Worlds of Fun. Sparkling lights transform the park that features live shows, holiday characters and activities, cookie decorating and more! WorldsOfFun.com

Holiday Luminary Walk Today & tomorrow, Overland Park Arboretum. The arboretum transforms into a wonderland of candles, music and holiday fun. OPKansas.org Best Christmas Pageant Ever Thru Sunday, Stage & Studio (Oak Park Mall). Follow the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings. CultureHouse.com The Nutcracker 7:30, Kauffman Center. The classic story set to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score and wrapped with sparking costumes.

KCBallet.org

14 Saturday Breakfast with Santa 8:00, the View. Grab breakfast with Santa in your pjs! Enjoy pancakes, holiday crafts and photos! Pre-reg at TeamSideline.com/Grandview.

Breakfast with Santa 8:30, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. Enjoy the holiday decorations of the Heritage Center while you eat pancakes with Santa. Pre-reg at Mahaffie.org.

Pajama Party Breakfast Bingo 9:00, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Enjoy a morning of pancakes and bingo in your pajamas! Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Breakfast with Santa 9:00, Providence YMCA/ Ball Family. Enjoy a visit with Santa, crafts and games at this free event.

KansasCityYMCA.org/providence Merry Science 10:00, Science City. Join in for a day jam-packed full of holiday-themed science and maker fun in Science City! UnionStation.org Morning at the Manger 10:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Visit activity stations including live petting zoo, making an ornament, obstacle course and more! LenexaBaptist.com

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Celebrate December KC Style

Dec. 6: Mitten Tree Day Read The Mitten Tree as a family and participate in a local mitten tree or start one of your own. Simply choose a public tree in your community that you can decorate with mittens, gloves and scarves for those in need of warmth in our city.

Dec. 9: Christmas Card Day Take a tour of the FREE Hallmark Visitors Center to learn the history of Hallmark and discover how Christmas cards are manufactured. Then, pop over next door to Kaleidoscope where you can attend a FREE family session and design your own cards with supplies from Crayola and Hallmark.

Dec. 14: International Monkey Day Visit the Kansas City Zoo and watch monkeys play in their indoor exhibits in the Tropics and Discovery Barn. Blue monkeys, Mona monkeys, Saki monkeys, squirrel monkeys and their pals, the golden lion tamarin and whitecheeked gibbon, are playfully entertaining year-round.

Dec. 24: Egg Nog Day You can enjoy egg nog all season long at Sheridan’s and Sheridan’s Unforked (multiple locations), where they serve a decadent egg nog shake throughout the holidays.

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Celebrate with the kids before midnight at Science City’s annual Noon Year’s Eve event. This is a safe, fun and educational destination to ring in the new year with your whole family! The favorite is the 6:00 balloon drop featuring more than 2,500 balloons!

Holiday HiJinx Photos 10:00, Independence Center. Take photos with characters from your favorite holiday movies!

ShopIndependenceCenter.com 1919 Holiday Celebrations 10:00, 1859 Marshal’s Home and Jail Museum. Explore the house and jail to learn what Christmas looked like in 1919. JCHS.org Santa’s Express and Country Christmas 10:00, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame.

Ride the Union Pacific train and see Santa.

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

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org Cookies and Photos with Santa & Mrs Claus Noon, Atkins-Johnson Farm & Museum.

Enjoy cider, cookies and photos with Santa.

816.423.4107 Elves Workshop 1:00, Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Face painting, treats, crafts, small mall, Santa and more! 816.781.8598 Santa’s Wonderland 2:00, the Bay. Spend the afternoon celebrating with festive music, hot chocolate, goodies, sleigh rides and Santa.

816.965.9218

15 Sunday Santa Visits 10:30, Family Tree Nursery (Liberty). Every year, Santa makes a visit and invites parents to take pictures.

FamilyTreeNursery.com Olde World Christmas Noon, Strawberry Hill Museum. The museum presents ethnic traditions and customs from around the world.

913.371.3264 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 Tour with Father Christmas 1:00, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Take a guided tour and hear Christmas stories from around the world. 816.235.8000 Journey to Bethlehem 3:00, Community Covenant Church. Join us as we travel along with Joseph and Mary on their journey. Register for a time at 913.631.0215.

Candy Land Christmas 5:00, Downtown Smithville. Enjoy family-friendly fun, visits from Mr and Mrs Claus, and local shops.

VisitClayMO.com

Kids Eat Free Main Event (various locations).

Receive a free kids meal with the purchase of any entrée ($8.99). MainEvent.com Holiday Concert 5:00, Bridge Space (Lee’s Summit). The Lee’s Summit Jazz Orchestra is back for their holiday concert. 816.585.7027 Bandstand 7:30, Carlsen Center. See a new musical that explodes with infectious music and high-octane, heart-stopping dancing.

JCCC.edu/theseries

18 Wednesday Victorian Season Greetings 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Vaile Mansion is decorated in holiday splendor! Tour to see the Christmas decorations.

816.325.7430 Animal Tales Story Time 10:30, Ernie Miller Nature Center. Listen to a story and meet a special animal friend. Today’s theme: Visit from Santa. 913.826.2800 Candy Cane Hunt 10:30, Mill Creek Activity Center. Create a festive craft and then hunt for candy canes hidden around the facility. Pre-reg at 913.826.2950.

16 Monday

Polar Express Pajama Party 12:30, 3:00, 5:30 & 8:00, Union Station. Come dressed in your pajamas and enjoy the movie on the big screen!

UnionStation.org/holidays

Dreaming of a Retro Xmas 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Come celebrate the 60th anniversary of the aluminum Christmas tree!

JCPRD.com/330/Museum

KCS Holiday Express Thru Dec 22, Union Station. Visit with Santa and his elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive train.

UnionStation.org

Free Adult Admission 9:30, Paradise Park. Free adult admission in Discovery Play with a paid child’s admission. 816.246.5224

Critter Feeding 3:00, Burr Oak Woods. Discover what’s for dinner as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast. 816.228.3766

Candlelight Tour 4:30, Fort Osage, MO. Appreciate the celebration of a frontier Christmas with this unique nighttime adventure. FortOsageNHS.com

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

CrownCenter.com

Story Time with Santa 6:00, MCPL (Liberty).

Santa is making a special trip to the Library!

After the story, tell him what you want for Christmas. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting 5:00, Greenwood Parks & Recreation. Santa, live entertainment, cookies, coffee and more!

GreenwoodMO.com

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

19 Thursday

Selfies with Santa 3:00, Lee’s Summit History Museum. Get a photo taken with Santa while he visits Downtown Lee’s Summit. DowntownLS.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

Magical Night 5:00, Kearney Firehouse Community Center. Trolley tours, tree lighting, enchanted princess forest, Santa and more!

816.903.3535 One Starry Night 6:00, Raytown Chapel Church. Interactive adventure for the entire family! Go back in time to the little town of Bethlehem. 816.492.5469

17 Tuesday Toddle Time 9:00, Matt Ross Community Center. Open playtime with an array of toys, including blocks, balls and puzzles. $1-$2.

913.895.6350 Genghis Khan: Bringing the Legend to Life Thru April 24, Union Station. World-class exhibition that explores the world’s greatest conqueror. UnionStation.org

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

913.649.9040 Toddler Time 2.0 9:30, Blue Springs Fieldhouse. Play inside the fieldhouse on mats, scooters, slides, a bounce house and more.

BlueSpringsGov.com Playdate Thursdays 11:00, Independence Center. Each playdate includes a craft and reading from Mid-Continent Public Library. Free.

816.795.8602 kcparent.com december 2019

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Kenya’s Kids Thru Jan 4, Kansas Discovery Center (Topeka). Discover what life is like for children in Kenya through an immersive exhibit. KansasDiscovery.org

Winterfest 5:00, Worlds of Fun. Sparkling lights transform the park that features live shows, holiday characters and activities, cookie decorating and more! WorldsOfFun.com

Junior Jaunts 10:15, Nelson-Atkins. Bring your baby in a stroller or carrier for an adult-focused yet infant-friendly tour.

Nelson-Atkins.org

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt 5:30, Cornerstone Park (Gardner). Grab a flashlight and search for hidden candy canes. Pre-reg at GardnerKansas.gov.

Graham Cracker House Workshop 12:30, Roeland Park Community Center. Stop in to create a sweet holiday treat with your family!

Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

Christmas Morning Window Sun Catchers 6:00, Turner Community Library. Get ready for Christmas morning by making your own ornament. KCKPL.org A Christmas Carol 7:00, Spencer Theatre. The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 39th season.

A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org

20 Friday Santa’s Wonderland Thru Dec 24, Bass Pro Shop. Make crafts, write letters to the North Pole and visit Santa. Bass Pass required to see Santa. BassPro.com

The Holly and the Ivy Thru Sunday, Culture House Stage and Studio (Oak Park). An evening of Christmas music performed by some of KC’s best musicians. CultureHouse.com The Nutcracker 2:00 & 7:30, Kauffman Center.

The classic story set to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score and wrapped with sparking costumes.

KCBallet.org

21 Saturday Kids Day Out With Santa 9:00, Olathe YMCA. Get your holiday prep done while the kids have fun with a craft, games, snack and more!

KansasCityYMCA.org

Holiday HiJinx Photos 10:00, Independence Center. Take photos with characters from your favorite holiday movies!

ShopIndependenceCenter.com Santa House 10:00, Commercial Street Mall.

Santa arrives in spectacular fashion to his quaint Atchison home. Santa visits individually with children. VisitAtchison.com Santa Day 11:00, Louisburg Cider Mill. Santa Claus visits. Come visit to tell Jolly Ole St Nick all the last-minute wishes! LouisburgCiderMill.com

School’s Out! What to Do? Winter break is upon us! What should the kids do when school’s out? Have no fear, KCParent.com is here.

Our online Winter Break Guide is used by more than 6,000 families annually. You’ll find day camps for kids with interests in technology, arts, dance, sports and more. You’ll also find great family outings, as many local attractions offer special events throughout the season. Our map-based guide features more than 135 ideas for both kids and entire families to enjoy when school’s out for winter break. Simply visit

KCParent.com and find the best winter break camps, classes, programs and events for your family.

And don’t forget to sign up for our eNewsletter so you’ll be the first in the know for family-friendly fun on New Year’s Eve. Our eNews readers will be the first to see our upcoming New Year’s fun guide and guide to winter outings and sports.

Winter doesn’t have to be boring. We have loads of ideas to make memories with your family all season long!

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The Snow Globes 1:00, Union Station. Show features holiday favorites along with some of The Snow Globes’ own material. UnionStation.org Santa Dives Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. What’s red and swimming with the penguins? Santa! Get a photo as penguins torpedo around him. KansasCityZoo.org Clara’s Dream Today & tomorrow, Olathe South Performing Arts Center. A beautiful adaptation of the classical Nutcracker ballet.

MillerMarley.org Holiday Spectacular 3:00, John Knox Pavilion (Lee’s Summit). Enjoy a festive holiday performance by the Lee’s Summit Symphony.

LSSymphony.org

22 Sunday

The Dickens Carolers 2:00, MCPL (Blue Springs South). Get in the Christmas spirit with these festive singers dressed in Victorian attire. Prereg at MyMCPL.org.

Christmas in the Park 5:30, Frank White Softball Complex. With more than 500,000 lights, the entire family will enjoy this drive-thru winter wonderland! 816.503.4800

23 Monday Kids Day Out 7:30, Johnson County Museum.

School’s out! Enjoy Kidscape, hands-on activities, games, snacks and more. Pre-reg at 913.831.3359.

Day Camp Various dates and locations, Code Ninjas. Activities including coding, gamebuilding, robotics, and creative thinking. Prereg at CodeNinjas.com.

Santa & Mrs Claus Brunch 10:30, Rye Plaza.

Enjoy brunch and have the kids bring their list to tell Santa their wishes! Pre-reg at 816.541.3382.

Winter Break Camp Various dates, Lenexa Rec Center. Spend break being active, creating, splashing in the pool and more. Pre-reg at Lenexa.com.

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

24 Tuesday Ice Skating 10:00, Crown Center Ice Terrace.

Take a spin on the ice at Kansas City’s only public outdoor skating rink. 816.274.8411

A Christmas Carol 1:00 & 5:00, Spencer Theatre.

The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 39th season. A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org Christmas in the Barn 4:30, Johnson Farms.

Experience a full sensory celebration of our savior’s birth with live animals and music.

JohnsonFarms.net Christmas Eve Services 3:00, 5:00 & 11:00, Lenexa Baptist Church. Start your Christmas celebration with a candlelight service.

LenexaBaptist.com

25 Wednesday Christmas Day Merry Christmas from KC Parent! Thanks to the Kansas City community for 34 years of readership and support!

26 Thursday Victorian Season Greetings 10:00, Vaile Mansion. Vaile Mansion is decorated in holiday splendor! Tour to see the Christmas decorations.

816.325.7430

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

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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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Movies2U.com kcparent.com december 2019

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Winterfest 5:00, Worlds of Fun. Sparkling lights transform the park that features live shows, holiday characters and activities, cookie decorating and more! WorldsOfFun.com

27 Friday Kenya’s Kids Thru Jan 4, Kansas Discovery Center (Topeka). Discover what life is like for children in Kenya through an immersive exhibit.

KansasDiscovery.org Festival of Lights 4:00, Powell Gardens.

Botanically-themed lighting displays that stretch along a mile-long walking path.

PowellGardens.org A Christmas Carol 8:00, Spencer Theatre. The KC Rep’s performance returns for its 39th season. A favorite holiday tradition! KCRep.org

28 Saturday Dreaming of a Retro Xmas 9:00, Johnson County Museum. Come celebrate the 60th anniversary of the aluminum Christmas tree!

JCPRD.com/330/Museum Hands-On History 11:00, National World War I Museum and Memorial. History is brought to life.

Handle Great War artifacts. TheWorldWar.org

Penguin March Today & tomorrow, Kansas City Zoo. Stop by Helzberg Penguin Plaza at 11:00 to see the birds march. KansasCityZoo.org

Comedy Magic Show 10:00, MCPL (Blue Ridge).

Join magician Eric Vaughn for a can’t-believeyour-eyes entertaining good time. Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Lanesfield School Country Christmas 1:00, Lanesfield Historic Site. Write a letter to Santa with pen and ink and create your very own ornament. JCPRD.com

Tween Book Club Noon, Johnson County Library (Blue Valley). Make friends, talk about a new book and enjoy snacks. JoCoLibrary.org

29 Sunday

31 Tuesday

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

New Year’s Eve

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

816.751.127 A Charlie Brown Christmas 2:00 & 4:00, the Coterie. The animated classic will come to life on stage with a live jazz trio. TheCoterie.org

30 Monday New Year’s Celebration 9:30, Paradise Park.

During the last week of 2019 celebrate the new year with fun activities. Paradise-Park.com

We invite you

Zoo Year’s Eve 10:00, Kansas City Zoo. Ring in the new year at the zoo! See animals with enrichment items, dance to tunes from DJ and more. KansasCityZoo.org Kids’ Holiday Countdown 10:30, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Celebrate as we ring in the New Year with games and activities at noon. Pre-reg at JCPRD.com.

New Year’s Eve Midday Countdown 11:00 Boardwalk Library. Ring in the new year at the library! Crafts, photos, and balloon drop!

Pre-reg at MyMCPL.org.

Noon Year’s Eve Noon, Science City. Welcome 2020 with family activities in a safe, kid-friendly environment. UnionStation.org

to the 11th Annual

Daddy Daughter Dance Treasure Your Daughter

Friday February

7th

6-9 pm

&

Saturday February

8th

5-8 pm

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Cinderella & Belle

Providence Community Church in Lenexa EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT TILL 1/10/20 IS $65 PER COUPLE. AFTER JAN. 10TH, $75 PER COUPLE.

PRICE INCLUDES NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPION BBQ AND CHICK-FIL-A DINNER PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT LOCAL AND GLOBAL MISSIONS

EVENT ALWAYS SELLS OUT! BUY TICKETS AT WWW.SOVGRACEKC.ORG/DANCE

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See Rudy & Santa

Give the Gift

of Union Station Membership!

at Union Station Dec 18-22!

ALL ABOARD the heated Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train (Free) through Rudy’s Winter Wonderland • See Santa and his elves (Free) • KC’s largest holiday model rail exhibit (Free) • Treat the kids to mini-train rides

• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Begins Dec. 19 – Tickets start at $5!

(12:30 pm showing only)

UnionStation.org

Presented by

12.31.19 Noon-7 pm • Science Demonstrations • Science Stage Show • Maker Activities • 3 HUGE Balloon Drops & MORE!

S CIENCE C ITY.COM

Avoid the line Preorder your tickets today!

Regular admission rates apply. FREE for Union Station Members.

Presented by

Tickets On Sale Now! SPRINT CENTER JAN 17 – 19 Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2019 Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Explore

Kansas City Zoo December 7 & 8 FREE Photos with Santa December 15 & 16 Santa Delivers Presents to Animals December 31 Zoo Year’s Eve

2PM 11AM

PENGUIN MARCHES AND SANTA DIVES Every Weekend through December 22

Open Year Round 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.