KCKidsFun

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA) is one of our local partner organizations. We are proud of this partnership and wanted to share one of the great things that AAFA is doing for kids and families dealing with asthma and allergies. AAFA hosts an annual, fun-filled Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day; it takes place on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Shawnee Mission West high school in Shawnee Mission, KS.  It is an interactive opportunity for families and individuals to learn about asthma and how to control it’s affects on their lives. Each adult will choose from a variety of classes to attend. Separate classes will be held for preschool and grades 1-6 which teach children the fundamentals of asthma and allergy treatment, while having fun. All classes are led by area healthcare professionals and physicians.

For additional information on the 15th Annual Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day, or to register, please contact the AAFAKC office.  Space is limited, so don’t delay!  Scholarships are available.

You might even want to contact AAFA to learn about some of the other great services available for your kids and other family members with asthma and allergies!

Around here, we’ve always operated under the assumption that there are 100 days in summer.  We know each and every word to Phineas and Ferb’s theme song, which waxes on about the “104 Days of Summer Vacation.”  Imagine my son’s horror when we decided to open the calendar and actually count the days–weekends included–and discovered that there were only 86 days of summer vacation!!  GASP! School pictures are to be taken on August 10.

A while back, I posted a sweet “to-do” list of summer activites in the McKinney household.  I don’t know how they are faring over there, but the Rosses haven’t done so well.  We’ve logged a few days at the pool, but it seems like we’ve had a wetter summer than usual.  We were fortunate enough to send our son to Outdoor Eduation Laboratory’s day camp for a week.  That was a real highlight.  And baseball.  Lots of baseball!

That being said, the Rosses have a busy few weeks ahead of them!!  Here are a few of our “summer wishes”–straight from the refrigerator door.

• Catch a T-Bones game at Community America Ballpark.  We try to see one game each summer and always love it.  We love how you can park your car (for free) and be in your seat in under 5 minutes.  It’s awesome!  Throw in a healthy dose of fun promotions and you’ve got a fun family night.
• Kansas City Zoo- I can’t even believe we haven’t made it to the zoo yet.  I know that my daughter has never seen anything like that–didn’t recall seeing a zoo in close proximity to her orphanage in India–so she’d really enjoy it.  Gotta get there next week.  Kate beat me to it–check out her blog post from earlier!
• Worlds of Fun–I really like Worlds of Fun but I’m seeing that this will morph into a boys-only outing this summer to check out the new Prowler.  I have no interest in carting a 2-year-old around the park in the heat.  Does this make me mean or insensitive?  Only smart, if you ask me!
• Moon Marble in Bonner Springs, KS–I really like Moon Marble.  I think my son has been twice and it’s one of those places you can keep going back to.  In fact, I think “the Moon” was one of the very first places I blogged about. The marble-making demonstrations are very cool and hold the kids’ attention because there is FIRE involved!! We have to go back this summer.
• Farmers Markets–I regularly shop the markets myself and have been visiting several different ones throughout the metro.  But I haven’t taken the kids yet this summer.  I read in all the “foodie mags” what a neat experience it is to take the kids, introduce them to the farmers, allow them to choose vegetables and then prepare a veggie-centered dinner as a family.  Am I completely delusional for thinking that this could happen?!?  It sounds slightly too Beaver-Cleaver to actually be pulled off.  I don’t know who would be most turned-off by the vegetable-heavy dinner:  my husband or my kids.  Stay tuned.
• Miniature Golf–there are so many places around town to play and we haven’t visited one yet.  Kind of embarrassing.  I’d like to head over to Lee’s Summit’s Paradise Park one evening and do two or three activities, including mini golf and bumper cars!
• My mom picked up a flier on the new Adventure Oasis water park in Independence, MO.  It looks really cool!  And it’s not expensive.  Daily admission is $22/family of four for Independence residents and $25 for non-residents.  There are water slides, a lazy river, climbing wall, lap pool, sun deck…you  name it!  Call 816-325-SWIM for info.

Until we get it together and start crossing things off the list…we may just have to resort to sleeping (camping) in the tent (see above picture).  Now THAT says summer!

With only 23 days left until Christmas…if you don’t have your tree up yet, now is the time! December did seem to take us by surprise after the later-than-usual Thanksgiving. We thought we’d make the tree-searching easier for you if a real tree is what you’re after. I have to give thanks to my two main sources…Amber at www.kansascitymommies.com had a wonderful list going and was kind enough to share with us. Thanks, Amber! I also stumbled onto a great site belonging to The National Christmas Tree Association. Yes, there really is such a thing! The site is very useful–simply enter your ZIP code in the green “Find My Tree Now” box on the left to see a listing of tree farms/lots and how far they are from your home.

Please be sure to call ahead to check hours of operation, especially to the listings without websites. It seems like we lose a few more tree farms to development every year – we don’t want you to venture out just to find that the old Christmas tree farm is now a subdivision!

KANSAS TREE FARMS

Bishop’s Pine Crest Tree Farms – hay rides, Santa visits. FREE: Tiny-Tot train ride; hot chocolate; cookies; coffee.
13259 166th Street, Linwood, KS, 66052 (THIS IS IN WYANDOTTE COUNTY, JUST A BIT WEST OF K-7 BETWEEN K-10 AND I-70)
Phone: 913-441-8811 or 913-441-3605
Email: mrbishop@sky.net

Boresow’s Country Pines

5695 Clare Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: 913-441-1111

D & G Christmas Tree Farm – Cut your own and precut Christmas trees
Hwy 69 & 247th Street, Louisburg, KS, 66053 (just south of Johnson County)
Phone: 913-837-2387
Email: tree1@micoks.net

Long Branch Christmas Tree Ranch

25990 W. 77th Street Shawnee, KS 913-441-5990

Midland Holiday Pines -winter hay rides, winter wagon rides
18541 Midland Drive, Shawnee, KS 66218 (one mile west of 435 at Midland)
Phone: 913-631-5095
Email: jwegs1@aol.com

Tomahawk Pines Christmas Tree Farm
6575 West 183rd Street, Stilwell, KS, 66085
Phone: 913-681-2312
Email: thebeilers@aol.com

Bierman’s Christmas Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch – Santa appearances, sleigh rides
2825 S 63rd Street, Kansas City, KS 66106 (just north of Merriam)
Phone: 913-375-1317

Evening Star Pines – Christmas trees
9820 Evening Star Road, Eudora, KS, 66025 (off of K-10, just west of Johnson County)
Phone: 785-542-1634
Email: criscc_esp@msn.com

Green Forest Tree Farm- Free Coffee & Hayrides, Free Gifts for Kids, Santa’s sleigh and 14′ chain saw sculptured deer sculpture by local artist
292 North 2100 Road, Lecompton, KS, 66050 (between Lawrence and Topeka)
Phone: 785-887-6645
Email: tryan@faic2.com

Strawberry Hill Christmas Tree Farm – hay rides, free hot spiced cider, cookies and hay rides.
794 US 40, Lawrence, KS, 66049
Phone: 785-841-0916 or Fax: 785-841-2266
Email: info@strawberryhillchristmas.com

Baker Christmas Tree Farm – Christmas trees- you choose and you cut
17277 Springdale Road, Leavenworth, KS, 66048
Phone: 913-651-3829
Email: acb1040@hotmail.com

Wilderson Tree Farm – We offer FREE coffee, hot chocolate and candy canes, as well as hay rides.
14820 Parallel Road, Basehor, KS, 66007 (not too far west of the Legends and the Kansas Speedway)
Phone: 913-724-1057 or 913-724-3788

MISSOURI TREE FARMS

Fort Osage Christmas -
3022 N. Twyman Road, Independence, MO 64058

Mrs. Claus appears beginning Thanksgiving weekend, she reads holiday stories to the kiddies at the top of the hour on Saturday and Sunday. Bonfire to warm your soul; Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes and Coloring books; all complimentary.
Phone: 816-650-3516
Email: kimjluke@embarqmail.com

Santa’s Tree Farm
1051 NE Todd George Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64086
Phone: 816-524-2190

Reindeer Lane -
19401 Fightmaster, Trimble, MO, 64492 (up near Smithville Lake)
Phone: 816-628-3253
Email: xmas@reindeerlane.biz

Christmas Ranch Tree Farm – U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees
24818 N.E. 148th, Excelsior Springs, MO, 64024
Phone: 816-630-5086
Email: roy.freeman2@GTE.net or chafeman@cmh.edu

Schmitt Tree Farms – Living rooted trees, U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees
1018 N. Morse, Liberty, MO, 64068
Phone: 816-781-5790

Schmitt Tree Farms/Santa’s Forest – many varieties and large trees available plus SANTA!
2806 SE 209th St, Holt, MO (north of Liberty)
Phone: 816-320-2248

Fulk Farms - U-Choose and Cut your own Christmas trees, Wagon rides and gift shop available.
26905 Hwy 92, Platte City, MO, 64079 (just north of the airport)
Phone: 816-858-2467

Pine Grove Tree Farm – choose and cut your own white pine Christmas tree
27102 East Herring Rd., Greenwood, MO 64034 (just southeast of Lee’s Summit)
Phone: 816-524-5797
Email: cbkeith57@netzero.com

Pumpkins & Pines – hayrides, choose your own Scotch or White pine to cut, Christmas store and hot chocolate!
20606 South SR 7, Pleasant Hill, MO (between Lee’s Summit and Harrisonville)
Phone: (816) 540-3887