KC Fun: Food Truck Festival

Happy Monday! Sorry I've been MIA lately, but this KC Mama has been crazy busy! So busy, I found myself in bed around 8:30 on most nights and not apologizing for it. But, I'm back and I'm sharing with you some fun things that have been going on around here!

We had an awesome weekend and Sunday was the ultimate Sunday Funday or Family Funday, whichever you prefer. We spent the morning just lazing around, but the afternoon found us out and about. We started at the Farmstead where we spent a couple of hours exploring and listening to McKinley has he provided us a nice guided tour. I was so afraid that he had outgrown the farmstead, but after yesterday, my fear has been put to rest. After that, it was time to head to the Food Truck Festival. 

McKinley is a huge fan of trucks. It doesn't matter what truck, he loves them all. But right now, he's obsessed with food trucks. And, he has waited patiently all summer so he can watch the Great Food Truck Race on Food Network. So when the reminder popped up on Facebook yesterday morning, Joel and I decided this was a must attend event. 

There were roughly seven different trucks offering a large variety of eats. They had Italian, pub food, an ice cream truck, a creme brulee truck (so good), and Mexican. We settled on the pub food, The Moose Truck from the Blue Moose, because they had chicken tenders. Actually, it was the only place that had kid food. Or at least kid food that our picky eater would eat. Joel had their turkey pesto panini and I had a good ole fashion cheeseburger. All of it was so good. In addition to the trucks, there was live entertainment, which McKinley rocked out to while waiting in line, tons of kids activities like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, giant Frisbees, and more. And of course, there was a playground. McKinley played so hard that he was the sweatiest little mess I've ever seen. He was in heaven.

After we finally got him off the playground, we headed to the dessert trucks. McKinley wanted ice cream, but mama went all out decadence with creme brulee. I mean, if they have a truck there, you need to indulge. It was the cutest little cup of dessert I've ever seen and incredibly delicious. If you ever see Torched Goodness-Creme Brulee out in the city, stop and get some! You will not be disappointed. 

Here are few pics from our time at the festival.

 

 

This is an annual event and we definitely plan to head back next year. Such a fun little event in the heart of South Overland Park!

Happy Monday!

XO,

Andrea

Back to School - What to Wear

My favorite thing about going back to school was definitely all the back to school shopping! I loved getting my school supply list and picking out the Trapper Keeper that would last me all year. It usually involved one with a kitten or something super girly. And then there was the clothes shopping. Probably my favorite thing ever! I remember for middle school my aunt splurged and got me a personal shopper who I used for three years. Talk about being best dressed!

I really haven't lost my knack for shopping. I love to shop and now I love to shop for my son more than I love shopping for myself. Even at the park or zoo, he's the best dressed five year old I know! So why should school be any different. And, with starting Kindergarten, he has to have the perfect wardrobe to last all school year long. 

My go-to brands are Mini Boden, Carters, Janie and Jack, Polo, and Crazy 8. They offer the best selections of laid back cool and prepster kid. And with these pieces I've chosen, I think I've created a great blend of both. Check out some of my picks below!

I am big into layers. For summer through winter, I think it's essential to have something for every weather scenario. Button downs can be paired under t-shirts and sweater or they can be worn over short sleeves as a form of jacket. Shorts with sweatshirts and button downs are the perfect early fall look and both look great with jeans and colored chinos for cooler days. I also love a down vest, not pictured, when it's not quite coat weather. 

And yes, this is what I dress my child in daily. He is always in a chino type short with a cute printed tee. Yes, he wears Ralph Lauren sweaters, button downs, and colored pants. How is it any different than little girls in their ruffles, lace, and bows? It's not. And instead of bows, he wears hats. The cutest caps in plaid and other boyish designs. In a word, stylish!

What do you have your kids wearing for back to school? Any specific place you love to shop? When do you stop guiding your child on their clothing choices? I'm hoping that it never comes to that in this house. I think I might cry! Speaking of cry, I'm still in tears daily just thinking about his first day of Kindergarten. The only thing that's helping is thinking about that first day look!

XO,

Andrea

KC Fun - Science City

We are big fans of Union Station. We make a monthly trip to visit the train exhibit, and during the holidays, we make a point to head down to the Grand Hall to ride the Holiday Train. And this summer, we introduced McKinley to Theater for Young America, a theater specifically for children. His first show was one based on the Junie B. Jones series, books that he discovered earlier in the spring. He loved it so much that we attended the two remaining shows before the season concluded. I have big plans for him to attend more shows in the fall.

But what we hadn't experienced before now was Science City. My husband and I went years ago, probably around 2001, and had a wonderful time as adults. And I've been wanting to take McKinley but wasn't sure if he was ready. Turns out, based on the feedback my husband received from several of his friends, he was more the ready. I reached out to Union Station to see if we could collaborate and was thrilled when they accepted. We loaded up last Sunday, with my parents in tow, and headed down for a thrilling journey through Science City.

I was overwhelmed and amazed. And McKinley, well he was in heaven. So many things to explore, touch, feel, move, and play. He loved playing in the black sand which was really composed of magnets. It was so cool to watch him gather the sand and then throw it against metal and watch the shapes it would make. So cool! The motion wall was awesome! McKinley loved walking, running, skipping, and twirling across the big screen and seeing all the "little McKinley's" that shadowed him. I would say we spent a good 10 minutes there. Joel and my mom got in on the action as well. Fun for everyone!

Ever watched a ball float on air? This air table was awesome! Simply placing a ball over the airway, and watching how high or low it hovered based on it's shape, was so cool. And, if you angled two small balls just right, they bounced together over the air. Obviously, larger balls don't float as high, but what I love is that McKinley has no idea that he's learning how density and size creates cause and effect. 

Check out this cool tunnel! It's made of wood and is the coolest design I've ever seen. McKinley loved trying to slide through. A really neat structure for play.

Ever pumped air into a bottle that's housed in a wooden car to see what happens when you hit release? Well, if you fill the bottle full of air, the car shoots off the valve and races down the track! McKinley loved this experiment. He turned and turned the wheel to fill that bottle with as much air as he possibly could and loved watching it shoot off it's mark. Same with the bottle air rocket experiment. Anything that was super hands-on was his kind of thing!

 

 I would have to say that the musical space was on of my favorites, especially the piano pit. Okay, it's not really a piano, but it has little censors that pick up movement and play certain notes from piano keys. You simply wave your hands over the little rectangles and create music based on your own movement. How cool is that?? There was metal fencing that clanged loudly with every tap and a xylophone inspired rope piece that played subtle music when you drummed. And don't miss the floor piano that looks like a slip resistant rug. If you step on the black keys, you play piano with your feet!

 Greetings, Earthlings. Oh wait, those aren't aliens. That's just me and McKinley aboard the rocket ship slide. A metal sculpture, with a lookout point, this slippery slide takes you for a ride.

So there was this other cool air experiment with paper. There was a diagram on the wall of how to make this paper cup object using a paper cup, scraps of paper, and tape. And, once you made said object, you placed it inside a wind tunnel. Guess what? My paper cup creation looked nothing like the one on the wall and failed the air tunnel experiment. But as Joel and McKinley discovered, you can just ball up scraps of paper, place them in the tunnel, watch them bounce around until they make their exit at the top. I don't think I'm cut out for science..... 

Speaking of wind, you can create your own wind in the Science of Energy exhibit. Turning small wheels, and other devices, you can generate wind which activates small turbines. This made such an impact on McKinley that he has started creating his own turbines when he plays farm at home. Again, I love when he's learning but hasn't a clue he is! Learning is fun, kiddo. Remember that!!

We had a pretty turbulent landing in this helicopter, but we made it safely on land. Thank goodness McKinley had the controls in the back because I was unable to do anything from my vantage point in the front. I swear he's going to be a pilot when he grows up. Or a farmer. Either one works. This massive helicopter was a major hit with McKinley. He's still talking about it and said it was by far his most favorite thing we saw all day.

For this dinosaur loving five year old, this animitron dinosaur was the coolest. He was mesmerized by how big it was and watched it move with awe. We didn't get to spend any time in the dino dig, just due to the fact of it's popularity, so we will definitely head there first on our next trip. From what I could tell, kids were digging up bones from several different species and I know McKinley would be in heaven with that kind of archeological dig!

 Lastly, we visited the maze park. This large floor maze was a little tricky, and for a kid that's never worked a maze, it didn't even phase him. He stepped onto the maze and made his way into the center without a single assist from us. This child amazes....see what I did there....but seriously, he amazes me on a daily basis.

We spent roughly two and a half hours at Science City and barely scratched the surface. Things I want to do on our next visit, and there will be multiple visits in our future, are the nature center, Spark! Lab, the Kinderlab, and I personally want to spend some time in the Mr. E. Hotel. The best thing about this space is that there is truly something for everyone of any age. The learning process of being able to do things on your own is invaluable. I appreciate it as a mother who's constantly trying to teach her child through hands on experiences without making it feel like learning. If you make learning fun, then a child is actually going to want to do the work. Why? Because it doesn't feel like work. And that's what Science City did in those two amazing plus hours. 

I highly recommend Science City to everyone! So much to do and see. So many exhibits to experience and learn from. And there is truly something for all ages. My 43 year old husband was like a kid at play, but he said he would love to go back just so he could read what each exhibit had to offer. I just loved watching McKinley. He jumped up and down, ran to each attraction with wonder, worked his little muscles in all of the interactive exhibits, and slept like a log that night. Science City is a work out for the mind and body!

XO,

Andrea

Photos courtesy of Richard Lawson Photography.

Raising a Well Rounded Kid

I just told my husband last night that this parenting thing is hard! I don't know if I'm doing it right half of the time and he said, "I'm know I'm not doing it right." So how do you know? I guess you have to wait until their adults, or teens, to know if it's really working. In between all the discipline, the playing, and the adventures, there's also the raising them to be well rounded. 

I'm an old school parent when it comes to activities. Find one or two that work and stick to them. You don't need five activities outside of school. If that were the case, I'm not sure a child would be any good at any of them. There would be no time to give each one the attention and discipline they need. But, how to you find the one or two they're actually good at? I'm also very picky about the activities he can participate in. I like the classic sports like baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis. Football is out of the question and neither my husband or I like soccer. So, the four listed above will be our test sports for now.

When McKinley turned one, he started swimming lessons. Swimming, in my opinion, is a life skill and a sport. There is always going to be some form of water around you and you HAVE to know how to swim. He's not always in love with swimming, but I keep telling him it's non-negotiable. He's not afraid of water, he just doesn't love putting that sweet face in the water. After witnessing Great Britain swimmer Adam Peaty break his own world record during the Rio Olympics, a gold medalist who was once afraid of the water, I'm even more convinced that McKinley will be a swimming master! I would personally love to raise a swim team athlete. Being a swimmer myself, a lifeguard who loves the water but never competed, I always feel at peace near water. I'm hoping the same will eventually ring true for my own child. Summer Olympics 2028, here we come!

Last summer McKinley was part of a Blast Ball team, one step below T-Ball, and played on his first T-Ball team this summer. He likes it, but I think he enjoys fielding (running after every ball in play) more than anything else. But, he's focused. He's always in his "ready position", as Joel calls it, when playing outfield and really thinks through the motions of stepping and throwing the ball to first base. Batting is a struggle from time to time, but we are working with a heavier aluminum bat and those little muscles are working as hard as they can. It frustrates him, but he doesn't give up. I've always said he have a hard worker on our hands and it shows in instances like this. Hard work pays off, right? Keep up the good work, bud! 

And then there's dancing. Our child loves to dance. He calls it "wild dancing" when have a dance party in the living room and he goes full out to the music. He requests "Cake by the Ocean", "Can't Stop the Feeling", "Satisfaction", and we provide 80s hits here and there. He tests out new moves, spins, falls to the floor, and simply enjoys moving. And because of that, I signed him up for Creative Movement at school last year. The teacher is a instructor at a local dance school, Miller Marley, and came to Brookridge Day School once a week to teach ballet, tap, and creative movement. And he liked it. So much so that he asked if he could continue to take dance. So this summer, in addition to T-Ball, he took Kindergarten Combo. It's a 45 minute class that consists of tap and ballet. He is one of two boys in a class of five and he likes it. And he's good at it. His teacher, Miss Missy, encouraged him all summer when he struggled with steps. Constantly re-iterated to him he was a good dancer and to not give up. And as a result, McKinley has decided he would like to continue taking class, so we've signed him for the fall. Am I worried? A little. At five, it's not much of an issue with friends. But when he's 12, and if he's still taking, it could be a teasing issue. A bridge I'm willing to help him cross if he's following his heart and passion. Like any "sporting" athlete, dance is a sport. And again, as a dancer myself, I've defended this unsupported theory for years. And if you don't believe me, google male dancers and look at their physique. Not a sport.....
 

Between swimming and dance, it sounds like I'm asking my child to follow in my own footsteps. And that's simply not the case. Again, swimming is life skill, and he doesn't have to become a lifeguard to fulfill his swimming grade card. He just has to learn to swim. As for dancing, it can only help with his athletics later on. Think about the NFL players who have taken a ballet class to help with coordination and flexibility. It only strengthens his abilities. Again, I've asked him if he wants to dance. I didn't sign him up without his consent. And when he's had enough, I'll be okay with that. But, he will have to have something team oriented in his life. I truly feel every child should be a part of a team environment. It teaches accountability, something I think a lot of kids these days don't have enough of, but that's a different post for a different time.

Come winter, I'm thinking of signing McKinley up for basketball, another sport he's expressed interest in. He plays "hoops" with Joel in my parents basement, on a plastic goal he got for Christmas several years ago, and makes baskets most of the time. Joel is going to chat with our neighbor, who has an adjustable goal in her driveway, to see if we can use hers for early practice. Based on that, we will determine if we pursue the basketball camp. After that, the skies the limit for this dude. Tennis camp, golf lessons, and swimming are on the docket for summer. And of course T-Ball. A well rounded kid can do it all, right?

What activities do you have planned for your kiddos? Do you have aspirations of glory or just to have some follow through? How much is too much in your opinion? Is there ever too much? I realize that McKinley is only five and there's so many other things he could be interested in or able to excel at, and I'm ready to help him pursue those dreams and goals. But he has to learn to swim. Life skill, my friend, life skill!

XO,
Andrea

KC Fun - Overland Park Arboretum

My son loves trains. There was a time when he played constantly at his Thomas the Train table at my parents house for hours. And just like anything else, it feel by the wayside for things like garbage trucks and excavators. But lately, he plays with that table every time we go over there. 

He had a sleep over with them Sunday night, and when I went over to pick him up yesterday morning, he was playing trains. We talked about what we wanted to do that day, and McKinley mentioned driving around and looking for railroad crossings and possible old train cars that would be abandoned on the tracks. I recommended the Arboretum. They have a wonderful Train Garden with working model trains and a really old caboose in the background. The suggestion was positively received, so I packed up lunch and we left for the garden.

If you haven't been to the OP Arboretum, you really need to plan a trip. It's beautiful. And so incredibly peaceful. A little sanctuary in the middle of a chaotic city. The gardens are gorgeous and the walking trails are challenging for those who would like to take scenic strolls while getting in a little extra exercise. This mama was huffing at times, and with a cooler start to the morning, I found I wishing I had worn shorts! 

You are greeted with a large pond surrounded by gorgeous landscape. As we crossed a little bridge into the Arboretum, with mounds of lily pads in bloom, we spent several minutes looking for frogs in their midst. We didn't find one.

We continued our walk and found my favorite spot, a babbling waterfall that feeds into a small pool at the bottom. McKinley explained how the waterfall worked and how the tiny river ran along the rocks. He stuck his hand into the cool water, asking me to do the same. And then we were off again. This time to a tiny path where we played follow the leader, McKinley always leading, and then raced to the finish line when taking alternate routes. It was like the Olympics, Arboretum style.

 

 

 

Then it was time to find the train. We spent at least 45 minutes in that section alone, taking time to play in the little gravel play area before heading back to watch the trains. He was memorized. The trains travel over bridges, under the sidewalk, under the caboose platform, and around small model towns in the center for the exhibit. He jumped up and down with excitement, rolled from one end of the sidewalk to the other to watch the trains enter and exit the tunnels, and sat perfectly still at times just taking it all in. As my mom said, it was almost a Zen like state. And the caboose was open yesterday so we were able to watch the model trains from the platform and tour inside the tiny car. That was a first time experience and pretty cool. 

 

We spent a small amount of time wandering the wooded area of the Arboretum, but McKinley got a little nervous inside the "forest" so we made our way back to the pond. I would love to take time to find the Enchanted Forest and to walk among all the cute fairy like doors carved into the trees. It looks, well, enchanting! 

At the Koi pond, McKinley decided he was ready to go home. I guess the trains were enough for this guy. So instead of a fun picnic around the pond, we ate our lunch in the car on the way home. He talked about the trains all the way so I'm pretty sure he had a great time. He even showed all the photos to Dada and told him all about the trip. We're planning another outing with Dada soon.

If you're looking for a fun afternoon outing, check out the Arboretum. So many things to see for when you need a little nature lesson. Beautiful places to take rest or eat lunch. And they have a sweet little cafe and small gift shop. A treasure in the south portion of Overland Park.

 XO,

Andrea 

Mama DIY - Foam Ornaments

I am a girl who loves her holidays. I used to decorate my whole house for every holiday, especially Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I have a few odds and ends for Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day as well. I've paired back over the years, really only decorating with specifics pieces, but McKinley's room has an ongoing theme. His Holiday Tree.

It all started in 2013. I started a Christmas tree in McKinley's room the previous Christmas and he didn't want to take it down. And I obliged. I turned it into his Holiday Tree and we made ornaments for all the various holidays throughout the year. It started with Valentine's Day and continued through Christmas. And Michael's was my to-go craft store for assistance. I purchased all of their foam kits until a cousin mentioned that I would more than capable of making my own. And she was right. I gave up my craft kits and purchased my first pack of colorful foam.

It started with Fourth of July and was followed by Halloween and then Christmas. It was glitter town at this house and I vacuumed it up for weeks. I was hooked. In 2014, McKinley started Pre-School and I wanted to document this momentous occasion with a Back to School tree. I created ABC and 123 foam ornaments in primary colors. And we've used them over the past two years, but this year we added something a little different. With him heading off to Kindergarten next Tuesday, queue the waterworks again, I made him school mascot ornaments. They are the Thunderbirds and over the weekend, T-Birds was born. 

Here's how I made them. Their colors are black and yellow so I stuck with yellow. You need a sheet of foam, block letters (I use Wilton cookie cutters for all my ornaments), scissors, glitter glue, and glitter. We will get to the other pieces later.

I use the cookie cutters as my template. I simply place the cutter on the foam, press down, and remove. It leaves a nice imprint in the foam and allows for an easy guide.

When cutting out the tiny holes in the middle of letters, bend the letter in half and make a tiny slit with your scissors. Then cut.

I couldn't find my B cookie cutter anywhere so I used the B from the ornament set. I need to be a more organized crafter. However, it's real life, right?

After all the letters have been cut out, use your hole punch to make a hole at the top of each letter. Don't put it too close to the edge like I did with letter D.... 

 

Now, let's glitter!!! I know you think "Why do I need glitter glue?" You could use regular glue, but this glue is a little thicker to help the glue stick and dries clear. Apply the glue all over the ornament and sprinkle glitter all over the ornament. Let it dry before you shack off the access.

You will have extra glitter that will gather on the surface you're using and don't let it go to waste! Use a spoon to scoop it up and apply to the rest of the ornaments.

And here is the "finished" product!

Now it's time to make your ornaments go from this to this.

I love this school ribbon from Michael's. It's perfect for this project. Measure each piece to your desired length and cut the number needed. I normally tie the ribbon in a knot at the top, but this time around I decided to staple it. It makes it a little cleaner and you can turn the staple to the back so you don't see it on the tree.

 

And now it's time to decorate the tree!! We took down the Fourth of July ornaments, which were also super cute for the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics, to prep the tree for Back to School. I let McKinley decorate the whole thing, cringing at the same time as I see tons of blank spaces. I gently "direct" him on placement, for the most part he does it all himself. 

 And I love how the colorful lights play up the colors in the ornaments!

 

And here are the T BIRD ornaments!

He even "tied" the bow on the top of the tree. How cute is this chalkboard ribbon!! I! Die!

I take a photo at the end of every tree completion. He looks so proud of his accomplishment and he should be! He did such a good job!

And let's take a trip down memory lane. Here is last year's tree photo....

What do you think of the Holiday Tree idea? Is it something you would add to your child's room? Want to start making your own ornaments? Let's discuss!!

XO,

Andrea