This Kansas City Mama's Guide to Summer Family Fun

 Can we all admit that last summer was just plain awful? It was for us! We took social distancing to the enth degree and truly followed the stay at home orders as much as possible. Like, it felt like we never left! And when we did, we did everything outdoors. Sure we made it fun, but we tried to continue to explore our city that we love so much, and hopefully made memories for years to come! But man, I missed doing our normal summer fun in the city stuff, so I thought I would bring you some highlights of years past so you can plan your Summer Family Fun.

1) Plaza Fountain Tour

This is by far one of my favorite summer traditions! This all began the summer of 2014. I had been laid off that spring and was looking for inexpensive things to keep us busy that summer. One morning I told McKinley that we were going on a fountain tour. We strolled the Plaza, took photos in front of all the fountains we found, held hands, and had a packed lunch while on the go. McKinley was only three at the time, and still in a stroller, so it helped to eat while we explored. This is still possible with bigger kids as well. There are plenty of benches along the sidewalks or you can find a sunny or shady spot at around the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. 

2) Kauffman Gardens

While you're at the Plaza, take the short drive over to the Kauffman Memorial Gardens. This space is lovely! Fountains, a gorgeous array of flowers, benches for sitting and taking in the beauty, and another free admission spot for those looking for budget friendly ideas. Right now, they have a super fun "Sprinkles" exhibit taking place for the spring. There are 1000 tassels, hand-tied from acrylic yarn, hanging from picture wire to create a dynamic canopy of color as you enter the Garden. I'm not sure how long it's intended to last, so get there soon! You don't want to miss it! Check out their website for all information related to safety measures they have in place for the garden. 

 3) Deanna Rose Farmstead

I will die a little on the inside when McKinley finally outgrows the farmstead! This is my happy place! His too! As soon as it was announced that they were opening for the 2021 season, he immediately smiled and asked when we were going. Fingers crossed it's this weekend! This space is one of the most peaceful spots in Overland Park for us and we just leave in a better mood! McKinley is one with the goats, but the pens won't be open to the public this season. You can still bottle feed through the fence. It's the little things. Admission to the Farmstead is required for all visitors. It is $3 per person, ages two and older. Admission is free for children under age two. Admission is free for all guests after 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, except on holidays. The Farmstead hosts two free admission weekends each season. In 2021, Free Admission Weekends will be June 5-6 and August 7-8. Head here to get all the information regarding the safety measures they have put in place and what to expect for your visit. 

4) A Day at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Arts

Take an afternoon and spend it on the lawn of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. There is so much to do in this outdoor space. Pack a picnic lunch and take advantage of the gorgeous lawn and sculptures all around you. The shuttle cocks are impressive! There is shade to be found, but bring along hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen in case it's all being utilized by others. Also bring frisbees or other smallish lawn games to play because the lawn is pretty expansive. While there, take the picnic back to the car and make sure to reserve a time to play mini golf along the Art Course. This mini nine hole course highlights art work that you find inside the Nelson. Some holes are easy, but some are a challenge. And if you feel like spending tons of time at the Nelson, head on inside to see the pieces in person! Admission to the Nelson is free. Parking is not! Head here for all the details for the Art Course and Nelson guidelines. 

5) KC Mural Tour

Last summer we took an unofficial tour of some amazing murals around Kansas City! Man, we have some incredibly talented people in our town! This tour is a driving tour, so make sure you are loaded with snacks, drinks, a camera, and a devise to help navigate you around the city. We relied heavily on our maps app!! We visited the Kansas City Public Library murals, the Jazz Murals, KC Loves, I'm So In Love Kansas City, Love You Like a Summer Night, and so many others. Here is a great site to get you started! 

6) Crown Center

We could honestly spend an entire day at Crown Center! Between the places to lunch and play, this center allows for hours of family fun! On our personal bucket list for the summer, McKinley wants to spend time at Sea Life. Located just across the street from Crown Center, you can visit both Sea Life and Lego Land. After you've explored all the sea creatures at Sea Life, head over to Crown Center's Showplace. They are back and this year's play space is Under the Sea Adventure. "Plunge into a fun, creative environment in this free exhibit that will delight kids who love to explore the deep blue sea. Discover buried treasure in a sunken pirate ship, ride a dolphin and seahorses, paddle your way to the mermaid's house, explore in the submarine, and many more aquatic adventures. It's fathoms of fun, and it's totally free!" We love exploring this creative space and playing with all the interactive displays so creatively created! 

7) Union Station

If you're at Crown Center, you should take the Sky Walk over to Union Station. We could spend hours there as well. McKinley's favorite thing to do there is the Model Train Layout exhibit. It's so cool! Several different layouts with at least five different model train scales. McKinley loves to tell me which scale is which, the scales Granddaddy owns, and simply sitting on his knees in front of the layouts just watching the trains go by. After that, we walk out onto the bridge that overlooks the train tracks that run through downtown in hopes of catching a glimpse of one pass by. We also love to head to Science City for a day of fun learning. They offer so much in the way of hands on exploring. Science fun without realizing all the ways they are learning! Who doesn't love that? Like summer school without the tests! You can also visit their Planetarium, Laser Light Show, and tons of other exhibits taking place throughout the station. Check out their website for current attractions, ticket prices, and much more. 

8) Overland Park Arboretum

Another gorgeous garden to visit in Kansas City. McKinley loves to go for the train layout. I love going for the walk along the beautiful landscape. We pack our lunch for a bench picnic in Byrd's Grove in front of the pond and bring along scrapes of bread to feed the koi. They have a children's garden that offers kids a space to climb to the top of a spiraling walkway, visit the frog pond, explore a shrinking tunnel, and study fossil and animal footprints. Or, enjoy the story tree and nature play area. Admission is free under age 6, $1 ages 6-12, and $3 ages 13+. They do offer free days through the year so head to their website for additional information.

9) U-Pick Orchards 

There are so many u-pick orchards around town so head to your favorite ones! We are big fans of Gieringers Family Orchard where we pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches. Right now is optimum strawberry picking time, but finding a weekend where rain isn't in the forecast has been the hardest so far! Fingers crossed we can head there Friday! Some other favorites are Wohletz Farm and Meulebeke Market. This is really a fest or famine kind of sport, as you have to be on Facebook at just the right time, in order to find a farm that has their signups available and not sold out! 

10) Your Own Backyard

Let's be honest, some days you just don't even want to leave the house, and that's okay! Remember what Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz? "If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard..." Last year, we turned our backyard into an epic waterpark per McKinley's request. He played on his Slip-n-Slide, ran under an inflatable shark sprinkler, swam in our patio inflatable pool, played water games with water balloons and homemade sponge balls, and we had a luau complete with decorations and watched Moana on our patio movie setup! We had S'Mores nights. Dinner on the patio nights. Honestly, we did just about everything on our patio and loved it! Turn your backyard into anything imaginable! This summer, McKinley wants to camp out in the backyard. I'm game. It's all about making memories. 

And there it is, a Top Ten Guide to summer fun in KC! You can spend as little or as much as you want on your summer of fun. But go find it! That's the point of all of this. There is so much fun to be found around our city. And share with us the things you do! Like the song says, "Kansas City, here I come!"

XO,

Andrea

DIY Springtime Pom-Pom Tree

 I have the cutest DIY for your Easter table that can be used as a centerpiece throughout the rest of spring. I’ve seen them all over internet and the price is crazy! One was listed for $58!! Want to know how much I spent on mine? $9! How did I only spend $9, you ask? All I needed were the pom-poms. I found this extra large bag on Amazon, but you can get smaller versions at your local craft store. It’s a super fast project, it took me less than two hours from start to finish, and it was on my kitchen table upon completion. 

To create the Pom-Pom tree, you just need a few materials and they are easy to get your hands on. You’ll need small twigs, pom-poms, hot glue/gun, and a container to place the twigs in. I found all of my twigs in my front yard, thanks to the high winds we’ve been experiencing lately, and sprayed them with disinfectant in case there were bugs. I also used white rice as a way to keep the twigs stable inside my vase. I loved using a smaller Shatto milk jug as a my vase. Get creative. This is a whimsical project after all.

Let’s get started! I started by placing the rice inside the container and then arranging my twigs inside the vase. You can use full twigs if they create a nice base or several smaller ones to create a fuller look. I did both. From there, you start gluing the pom-poms onto the branches. Place them where you feel it looks best and in any color order that makes you feel happy. It’s all about esthetic. Whatever you feel looks best, works best! So easy, right?

And once you are done, it’s ready for the table! Make it centerpiece for your kitchen or dining room table. Add it as a decoration on a side table to add a little spring to any room. And the best thing about it, you can use it year after year! Just wrap it in bubble wrap to protect the branches from breaking while in storage. I love a craft that can be used year after year!

And there you have it! A springtime Pom-Pom tree fit for your Easter tablescape! And you can make it late as Saturday for use on Sunday! What do you think? Is this something you think you can create this weekend? 

Happy Spring!

XO,

Andrea

                                                        

McKinley’s New Room

 It has been ages since I’ve blogged and I’ve missed it. I’ve missed sharing all the things we’re doing, which hasn’t been tons, but we’ve been active all the same. Mini golf now that the weather is warmer. Walking the neighborhood. Weekly tennis and drums lessons for McKinley, one in person the other virtual. We’ve been to Top Golf, Union Station for the dinosaur exhibit and model train layout. And ice skating several times during the winter months. We aren’t going out often, just trying to add some things to the mix from time to time, getting out of the house and going on a few adventures when we can. We love adventures!

When we aren’t getting out of the house, I’m making slight changes to the interior of it! When you’ve been home for over year now, okay one year and a few weeks, you see all the things that need improving or updating. With the help of my dad, we made some repairs to major cracks in our hallway and we will be doing some major improvements to our living/dining room. But the biggest transformation this past month was updating McKinley’s bedroom. He will be 10 next month! Double digits, as he likes to call it, and it was time to take his bedroom from the little boy room he was occupying to a room that will grow with him into his teenage years. His room isn’t big. None of our rooms are. So playing with the space he has, and giving him more, was key. I hit up Pinterest for some inspiration and found the perfect set up! Flanking his bed with bookcases and adding a shelf across the top to frame out the entire look was the winning inspo!

Getting his room to this point was no small task! It required cleaning out all of the stuff. All! The! Stuff! My son likes to “collect” things, and when I say collect, I mean hoard! So it was up to me to edit the choices he has made. Like throwing them in the trash! Now, I do my fair share of “keeping” things, so I edited myself as well. Art work that wasn’t that great, school work that seemed important from Kindergarten, and other less necessary artifacts where trashed. Not sure if he will ever know they are missing. We weeded out books that didn’t seem needed or liked anymore. Those will go to donation. And clothes! Oh my word, the clothes! He has outgrown everything! So we have a selling pile, a donation pile, and a pile that will go to friends far and wide! It felt really good to purge! 

McKinley made the difficult decision to sell his vintage wooden kitchen. He loved that kitchen, but he got it from Santa when he was two, and now at almost 10, he towered over it! We kept some of the food and pots and pans to take to Meme’s. He loves to cook in her kitchen when she’s cooking major meals. I told him that maybe it was time to start using the real kitchen with me and cooking up something together. We also sold his changing table that was in his closet. We used it for storage of clothes, but it needed to go. So did the armoire that was sitting on top of his dresser. The dresser is now in the closet, full of new clothes that will fit for maybe a year, and it freed up a lot of space that we needed within the room. I found a chest of drawers at a local antique store that I gave a facelift with white chalk paint and lined it with new drawer paper. It’s a great piece for the new room. 

The bookcases I found on Amazon. The shelf is a pre-painted board from Home Depot that we cut to size and bolted to the top of the bookcases. The cases themselves are also bolted to the wall. Don’t need anything falling in the middle of the night! And why is it always in the middle of the night? We filled the bookcases with all the important things in McKinley’s life. His favorite reading books, bird and insect books that he loves to search when he finds a new creature, a globe that he asked Santa for for Christmas this past year and we added some items from places we’ve visited. Signed bowling pins from two different birthday parties are finally getting showcased, the new amethyst crystal he got in Lawrence, and some very special gifts from Granddaddy. These antique toys were in his office and McKinley has played with them for years. Dad said that the wanted to give them to now and the special meaning wasn’t lost on McKinley. Lastly, we added his two pairs of Mickey ears, dad’s old tennis racket, since McKinley now plays, and several other trinkets. It’s McKinley in every since of the word! 

And when you create a space for a kid who’s turning 10, you get rid of the construction bedding and get something super cool! We scoured the Pottery Barn Teen website and he picked out this Mid Century Modern design. Kid after my own heart. We brought back the MCM chair from his nursery, it was hanging out at my parents, and changed out his old bookcase to display all of his beloved Nutcrackers. Remember, he’s a collector of things. I moved some of the smaller things around and this space couldn’t be any more McKinley. 

Upon its completion, McKinley has spent all of his free time in here. He’s watching YouTube videos on his bed, reading in his chair, and showing off his room during video chats with friends. If he had a TV and Alexa in there, I’m not sure we would ever see him again. We are considering the TV, but we haven’t taken that final leap. Maybe summer.

Is this not the perfect room for a boy turning 10? A room that he can grow into as he turns into a teenager? Sure, some of the things will change. Collectibles will probably be replaced. It won’t stay as clean, even a week from now. But in this moment, McKinley is settling in nicely, and he’s found a space in the house he can call his own. Happy Early Birthday, sweet boy! Enjoy the new digs!

XO,

Mama 

aka Andrea

Apple Nachos with Pazazz Apples: The Cancer Fighting Superfood

 Superfoods. We hear this buzz word often, but do we really know what a superfood is? A superfood is a food that has a very high nutritional density. Apples just happen to be a superfood! Did you know that February is National Cancer Awareness Month? HoneyBear Apples wants you to take the Cancer Cruncher Challenge. Keep reading to find out more!!

Did you know that if you eat a cancer protective diet of superfoods, like Pazazz Apples, you can lower your risk of getting cancer? Apple peel is a prebiotic necessary food for probiotics that maintain a healthy gut. Check out this diagram of all the ways an apple a day my just keep that doctor away!

Obviously, we all want to try and be as healthy as possible, but sometimes that pesky sweet tooth just gets in the way! I know I’m guilty of reaching for a non-healthy treat here and there! Pazazz Apples are the Jolly Rancher of apples! They are perfectly sweet and tart, and the Ruby red color helps them stand out in a crowd! And what’s great about Pazazz Apples is that they are at their ripest between December and June! They are in their best season now! Run, don’t walk, to your local Hy-Vee and pick up a few!

So, we’ve discussed that Pazazz Apples are a superfood. They have cancer protective benefits. And they help stave off your sweet tooth! So in an effort to combine all of these pros, I’m bringing you a recipe that helps continue those healthy steps we’re all taking during the month of February! Who doesn’t love a healthy afternoon snack for the kids? A dessert that helps stay you on track. A treat for this weekend’s Big Game tailgate table! If you said yes to all of the above, keep on reading! 

Pazaza Apple Nachos: 

Pazazz Apples 

Peanut Butter (or any nut butter of your choice)

Chocolate Melts (or chocolate chips or chocolate syrup)

Granola

Raisins 

Mini Chocolate Candies

Mini Chocolate Chips

Core and slice your Pazazz apples into thin slices. Arrange your apples around your platter as you would with nacho chips. Pile them high!

In a small bowl melt the peanut butter for 30 second increments until slightly pourable. Do the same thing for the chocolate melts or chips. Place both the peanut butter and chocolate in separate piping bags or snack size ziplock bags. (I used ziplock bags.) Seal tight and snip a tiny corner of the plastic bags. Drizzle each of the peanut butter and chocolate over your apples in a zig-zag pattern. I turned the plate slightly to drizzle my chocolate in an alternate direction of the peanut butter to create a fun pattern! 

Once the apples are covered in both coatings, it’s time to pile on the toppings! I started with the granola, then added the raisins, the mini chocolate chips, and finally the mini chocolate candies. You can also add sliced strawberries and bananas for a fruit salad apple nacho! The granola will add that crunch we all love! The options are endless!

I served these to my family and the boys devoured them! And when I say devoured them, they were gone in under 10 minutes! They loved all the toppings, the chocolate drizzle the most, and I loved that this was a healthier alternative to the cookies and candy I find my son reaching for more often than not. And this was all from ingredients I had on hand. I know that it’s harder to get to the store these days, or not at all if you are limiting your exposure to large groups. And I love that the base is apples and all the add ons are truly what your family loves the most! A must make, in my opinion!

Now, let’s circle back to the Cancer Cruncher Challenge. Want to help contribute to the cause? Launch the Cancer Cruncher Challenge here: https://bit.ly/2I0wR7U. Follow the directions. It’s easy and fun!  And when you participate, Pazazz will donate $1 to The American Institute for Cancer Research to further the fight against this disease! I did it! Check out my photo below!

What are some of the ways you like to eat your apple? Are you a purist and eat it as is? Do you like to add something to it like peanut butter for added protein? Or do you like to bake with them? I do all of the above. Apples! The superfood! 

*This is a sponsored post, but all reviews and recipe are my own.