KCKidsFun

UPDATE AUG 14, 2010:  TICKET WINNER!!!!

***Congratulations to Lori Smith– our lucky winner!  (Lori will be contacted via private email with all of the details!)***

Lori will receive a 4-pack of tickets to Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark in Kansas City, KS– thanks to our friends at KC Pumpkin Patch. With fall right around the corner, it’s a great time to check out and “like” their Facebook page so you can be in-the-know on anything and everything pumpkin!!!

Many thanks to all who entered.  Enjoy these last precious days of summer with your families and friends!  ~K&K

The Reading Reptile is celebrating the Grand Opening of a bakery!  And it sounds amazing!  Head over to Le Petit Rouge (“Little Red” for you non-Francophiles!) at Reading Reptile on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 11am-4pm and join in the fun.  If you place an order for a birthday cake or dozen cupcakes, you’ll receive a coupon for 20% OFF your next book purchase at the Reading Reptile!  I absolutely LOVE the names of the treats to be had at the Fairytale Bakery; I can’t wait to try the “Robin Hood”– insanely intriguing and I’m sure equally delicious.  If you’re not familiar with Reading Reptile, it’s a fabulous, locally-owned bookseller located in Kansas City’s Brookside neighborhood at 328 W. 63rd St.  Enjoy!

My big kids didn’t have school on Tuesday (because, well, I have no earthly clue why…). They had a doctor’s appointment at 11. So, we dropped the little ones off at Mother’s Day Out and I took my first- and second-graders to brunch at First Watch in Prairie Village. It was a special treat to go out with my big kids without the chatty presence of their three-year-old brothers.

We popped in and out of the pediatrician’s office after a pile of chocolate chip pancakes. And we headed to Brookside.

We live in south Johnson County so Brookside is a fun outing – for me and for the kids. I didn’t live in Brookside as a kid but I did spend a lot of time there, “back in the day”. My cousins were Brookside kids – we roamed the neighborhood on foot and on bikes for hours at a time. Bruce Smith Drugs on the corner, the Dime Store, Brookside Toy & Science and more.

Fast forward thirty years and we rode down 63rd Street not on Schwinns but in a Suburban. First stop, Brookside Toy & Science. We explored from front to back – spending a lot of time looking at insects, skeletons, microscopes, Legos, board games, Madame Alexander dolls and more. My son carefully selected a small Star Wars Lego set and purchased with his birthday money.

We then ventured down a few doors to the Reading Reptile, truly the most welcoming and wonderful children’s bookstore I’ve ever encountered. Each visit is just as fun as the last. My kids enjoy visiting with the store cats, wandering from shelf to shelf and then picking a chair to settle in and read for a while. If you’ve never been, you really should take an hour and explore Reading Reptile – the books are carefully selected by store owners who love children and children’s literature.

And, finally, the New Dime Store. A treasure. The original wooden floors and an always fun and wide variety of merchandise. Party plates and napkins, candles, toys, ribbon, crafting supplies, holiday decor, kitchen gadgets, stationery, cleaning supplies, office goods – all the stuff you didn’t know you needed until you saw it on the shelf at the New Dime Store. My kids love it as much as I did. My daughter chose a Barbie from the toy aisle and borrowed $8 from me to pay for it.

Then, we headed south to pick up the little guys and our day out was done. But our little 20 minute drive was just what we needed to reconnect and enjoy each other. I had to promise both of them that we’d do it again soon!

Next time, we’ll add lunch at Sharp’s followed by Baskin-Robbins or Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard to the mix for the quintessential Brookside afternoon…

It’s that time of year–when thoughts turn to getting outside and eating fresh, homegrown produce!  Starting this week, the metro’s many farmers markets will open for the season.  Farmers markets offer a great opportunity to meet and support local growers.  It also makes for a great “teaching moment” when you take the kids, let them pick out some fruits and vegetables, and chat with the farmer who actually puts the food on the table.  Back to basics!  Farmers market “season” is typically late-April through October.  Markets aren’t limited to just produce…many offer up baked goods and handmade crafts, too!  Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!

Kansas City, MO City Market

This market, the “granddaddy” of them all, is located in KC’s River Market area, on 5th Street in downtown KC.  There are close to 150 vendors represented here!  If you want it, you’re sure to find it here…fresh baked goods, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and even local plants, herbs and fresh-cut flowers.  This market is open year-round, but is especially vibrant during the spring and summer growing seasons.  Hours are 7am to 330 pm on Saturdays, 8am until 330pm on Sundays.

Brookside’s Community Market at Border Star Montessori School

Located in Brookside at 63rd and Wornall, this market features organic produce, free-range eggs, hormone-free meats and even some prepared foods.  Saturdays only, from 8am until 1pm, or sellout.

Overland Park, KS Farmers Market

Located in Downtown Overland Park near the Clock Tower Plaza (just west of Metcalf around 80th Street).  Saturdays from 630am until sellout, and Wednesdays from 730am until sellout.

Shawnee, KS Farmers Market

Located in the City Hall’s parking lot at 11100 Johnson Drive.  Begins this Saturday!  Saturdays, 8am-4pm.  Check out the fresh-baked goods!

Olathe, KS

Join fellow “locavores” in eating foods grown within a 100-mile radius of where you live…this market features only produce and flowers grown in or around KC.  Located west of I-35 in Olathe at 200 W. Santa Fe.  Hours are 7am until sellout on Saturdays (starts this weekend) and 3pm until sellout on Wednesdays, June through September.

KC Organics and Naturals Organic-Only Market

Only Organic, Fair Trade and Recycled here!  Located at Minor Park in south KCMO, which is at about 112th Street, just east of Holmes.  8am to noon on Saturdays.

Parkville, MO Market

Local farmers sell produce and plants in Parkville’s downtown at English Landing Park.  3-6pm on Wednesdays, and 6am until sellout on Saturdays.

Zona Rosa Farmers Market

Tuesdays from 4-8pm are when you’ll find this Northland gem.  Located at Zona Rosa shopping district (I-29N and Barry Road), you’ll find fresh-made baked goods, produce, crafts and honey.

Liberty, MO

(Also known as the “Crowley’s Furniture Farmers Market”–because it’s located in the Crowley’s parking lot!  Shop 7am until noon on Wednesdays.  Located at M-291 and M-152 in Liberty.

Independence, MO

Located between Liberty and Main streets at Truman Road.  Open Saturdays May-October, with Wednesdays starting in June.  7am until 1pm on both days.

Blue Springs, MO

Located at 11th and Main in Blue Springs, this market is on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7am-noon.

Lee’s Summit, MO

I think that this one wins the prize for closing out the farmers market season…you can shop here through NOVEMBER!!! In downtown Lee’s Summit at Douglas and 2nd streets.  Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am til sellout.

So, there you have it!  Did I leave your favorite out??  If so–shoot me an email!  ENJOY!