KCKidsFun

We’ve already been receiving emails asking where the 2011 Kansas City-area Father-Daughter Dance list is going up on the site! (We’ve included a few mother/son events as well.) Many of these will sell-out – so call the Parks & Rec and get registered soon!

As in years past, most of the events seem to be scheduled in the few weekends just before and just after Valentine’s Day. All of them include dancing, many include dinner. It’s a great excuse to gather some friends, dress up and pay extra attention to the littlest lady in your life! (And all of these events welcome “other-than-dad” dates like grandpas, uncles and family friends!)

Here’s our list of Kansas City-area father/daughter dances for 2011:

Friday, February 4, 2011

• Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance, sponsored by Blue Springs Parks & Rec – girls ages 4 & up; registration req’d
• Father/Daughter Winter Promenade, ages 3 to 12, sponsored by Lee’s Summit Parks & Rec – registration req’d
• Daddy Daughter Ball sponsored by Olathe Parks & Recreation – ages 5 to 12, registration req’d
• Daddy/Daughter Date Night at Cinderella’s Ball, sponsored by the city of Shawnee – ages 5 to 13

Saturday, February 5, 2011

• Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance, sponsored by Blue Springs Parks & Rec – girls ages 4 & up; registration req’d
• Father/Daughter Winter Promenade, sponsored by Lee’s Summit Parks & Rec, ages 3 to 12 – registration req’d
• Daddy/Daughter Date Night at Cinderella’s Ball, sponsored by the city of Shawnee – ages 5 to 13
• Daddy & Daughter Dance – Providence Community Church, Lenexa – registration req’d

Thursday, February 10, 2011

• Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Valentine’s Dance – Brush Creek Community Center, KCMO
• Daddy-Daughter Valentine’s Dance – Hillcrest Community Center, KCMO

Friday, February 11, 2011

• Mother/Son Valentine’s Dance, Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park, KS – registration req’d. Call 913/895-6390 to register
• Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance – Grandview, MO – registration recommended

Saturday, February 12, 2011

• Leawood Daddy/Daughter Date Night, Lodge at Ironwoods Park – registration req’d
• Daddy Daughter Dance, Merriam KS – registration req’d

Friday, February 18, 2011

• Daddy/Daughter Date Night sponsored by Blue Valley Recreation Commission, south OPKS, registration req’d, K-5 only
• Daddy/Daughter Dance sponsored by Gladstone Parks & Rec – girls from 3 to 15, registration req’d

Saturday, February 19, 2011

• Daddy/Daughter Dance sponsored by Gladstone Parks & Rec – girls from 3 to 15, registration req’d

Saturday, March 26, 2011

• Dad and Daughter Date Night sponsored by Spring Hill Recreation Commission – registration req’d

Friday, April 29, 2011

• Mom/Son Night Out, Blue Valley Recreation Commission – K-5 only
• Mother/Son Spring Soiree sponored by Lee’s Summit Parks & Rec – registration req’d

Did we miss your favorite “night out”? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to add it to the list!

Next month marks the release of a new children’s book, Wallie Exercises.  I read the book to my children (ages 8 and 3) and they really liked it.  My timing couldn’t have better (for me, that is)– especially since I’ve single-handedly eaten the equivalent of 96 Christmas cookies in the last week alone.  Every time I think we’ve gotten to the bottom of the plate…a neighbor stops by with a lovely plate of cutouts and thumbprints!!

The book follows Wallie, the lovable, lazy dog who prefers to stay indoors and sleep over romping, running and playing outdoors. One day, Wallie’s shirt won’t go DOWN and his pants won’t go UP.  (Sound familiar, Christmas cookie addicts?!?!)  He happens upon Edwin the Exercise Elephant, who introduces Wallie to warm-ups, hydration, working out, working hard and sweating.

The book ends with several suggestions for fun exercises your little kiddos can do, to be just like the exercising Wallie!  It’s a darling, visually engaging book and is a great way to introduce or reinforce a fit, healthy lifestyle– even at a young age.

Wallie Exercises will be released in Jan. 2011, but it’s currently available for pre-order on www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.activespudpress.com.  The hardcover lists for $15.95 and especially appeals to 4-8 year olds.

One of the unique things about this children’s book (further upping the credibility in this reader’s mind) is the fact that the book is authored by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and personal trainer.  Steve Ettinger, C.S.C.S. runs a private training company in New York City.  He’s always enjoyed staying active–and his commitment to children really shows in his book. Prior to dedicating himself to fitness full time, Steve earned a psychology degree from Boston University and even worked as a children’s behavior therapist.  Bottom line:  he gets fitness.  And he gets kids!

But wait!  There’s more.  There exists a Kansas City connection to this whole story!  Wallie Exercises was illustrated by Pete Proctor, who graduated from Baldwin City’s Baker University with a degree in Elementary Education.  The KC native (who still lives here with his wife and 2 children) enjoys painting, music, fishing and travel.  You can learn more about this former middle school science teacher at www.peteproctor.com.

As you may know, one of our advertising partners is Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates.  I asked the physicians to guest-author several posts that would be of particular interest to our readers with young families.  Asthma (and allergies) happens to be something I think about daily at my house.  My son is a severe asthmatic, and I am constantly aware of the weather, the health of other kids at school and his activities (amongst other things!)  This first post addresses seasonal flu.  Flu shots are widely available now, and 2010’s dose has combined the seasonal vaccine with the H1N1 vaccine.  Only one shot this year!  Be well!

PREVENTING THE FLU: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent res-piratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Here are some helpful tips from the CDC:

1.  Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2.  Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3.  Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4.  Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

6.  Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Content source: From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, www.cdc.gov.

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KCAA now has regular seasonal flu vaccines available as of Oct. 1, 2010.

Current patients who have seen their physician in the last year may get their regular seasonal Flu Vaccine on a walk-in basis at any of our allergy injection clinics (except Saturdays), or at their next scheduled fall visit.

Other Helpful websites: (Links also at: www.kcallergy.com)

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu –  www.kdheks.gov/H1N1 –  www.kcmo.org/health

KCAA Physicians: Gerald L. Goldstein, M.D.; Scott J. Frankel, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Wald, M.D.; Mark R. Neustrom, D.O.; and Derrick R. Ward, M.D.

KCAA Physician Assistants and Nurse Practioner: Monica Apollo, P.A.-C; Loretta Heinen, M.S., P.A.-C; Kristy Mohn, M.S., ARNP