Kansas City – the b. list

Today, happiness is … KC!

October 28, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in kansas city

Not Kansas City silly! Today was the release of Kenny Chesney’s live album. It may be 30 degrees in KC tonight but I had the windows down and the Kenny turned up! The songs, the storytelling, the energy …. I don’t know how I can possibly wait until next summer!

Pumpkins!

October 14, 2017October 27, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in family, parenting

Just a few more weeks until Halloween and the question remains … when do I go get my pumpkins? And where do I go get my pumpkins? I’m so tempted to hit the easy button and just go to Sam’s Club and get those big pumpkins that they have the big bins for $4.98. Stock up kids! But what fun is that! There’s no hay bales. There’s no corn maze. There’s no large pumpkin bouncy pillow. It’s just a big ‘ole warehouse that has big ‘ole pumpkins.

Today would’ve been a perfect day to venture out to the pumpkin patch. But guess what … it’s raining. And who likes to go to the pumpkin patch when it’s raining. Walking through the fields and fields of pumpkins in the mud. Dragging the pumpkins back to the car and loading them up. Getting mud and dirt all over my nice, clean car. Why, why do we do this? Because it’s tradition and it’s fun and the kids faces light up when we do it. They really enjoy finding the biggest pumpkin out in the field. And the joy they get when they load up that pumpkin into the wheelbarrow and lug it out to the car … it’s priceless! Then they let it sit on the front porch for days and days knowing that they searched long and hard for that one wonderful pumpkin

So, while the easy button sounds nice, traditions will always win! Even though my boys are getting older, there is still the thrill of the pumpkin hunt. And until that thrill is gone (and maybe afterwards) … this tradition will always remain!!!

PUMPKINS!

September 14, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in family, kansas city

I know everything is popping up pumpkin flavored right now. But that is not exactly what I am talking about here! I am talking about the actual pumpkin. The official symbol of fall. (OK, so I’m not sure if it is the “official” symbol of fall, but to me it is!)

Sure, you can go grab a pumpkin out of the big box in Walmart. OR you can take a day trip to go visit a pumpkin patch, have some kettle corn, have some apple cider donuts, have a cup of hot chocolate and come home all worn out and dusty.

Even though our kids are a little older now, we still love going out the pumpkin patch! My youngest son (age 10) has to find the biggest possible pumpkin. His life motto (so far) is “go big, or go home”! My oldest son (age 13) – finds the first one that isn’t rotten and decides that’s the one. Can we go home now? But he is a good sport, waiting for little brother to find the perfect match. All in all, it’s a great family day that we get to sneek in to our busy fall schedule.

In case you were needing some pumpkin patch ideas, here you go …

Our go-to pumpkin patch each year is Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch. It’s free to get in. It’s has free hayrides. The pumpkins are reasonably priced. It’s just a great, local pumpkin patch. It’s not huge, it doesn’t have giant trampoline, there are no zip lines – it’s just a pumpkin patch. But it’s also great family fun. Opens September 24th!

Louisburg Cider Mill & Pumpkin Patch. Apple Cider Donuts. That’s all I have to say! OK, there is a lot of fun here also for kids of all ages – corn maze, slides, giant jump pillow, the list goes on! Pumpkin Patch opens September 15th!

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch. Old fashioned wagon rides into the pumpkin patch, jump on Little Bud’s Railroad, watch live pig races, mine for minerals – are just a few of the activities at this pumpkin patch! Open 7 days a week from 10am – 7pm starting September 16th through October 31st.

What is your favorite pumpkin patch or do you prefer the big box at Walmart? I promise, I won’t judge!

Fall is almost here!

September 14, 2017October 27, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in events, family, kansas city

Pumpkin spice everything. Leaves are changing colors. Festivals are lining up all over the place. This only means one thing … fall is right around the corner.

Fall is my favorite season. Early sunsets. Blankets out all over the place. Fireplace ready to go for that first cool evening. Don’t forget the cozy sweaters! Oh and the warm, hearty meals that have been put on the back burner because it’s 105 degrees outside and who wants to think about soups! So many things to look forward to.

Here is a list of my favorite fall festivals around the KC area.

Louisburg Cider Mill Ciderfest and Craft Fair

9/24-9/25 and 10/1-10/2
Check out more information here

Wild West Days

9/24-9/25
Click here for more information.

Weston Applefest

10/1-10/2
More information on the Weston Applefest can be found here.

The Renaissance Festival (aka the KC Ren Fest)

Every weekend (Sat. & Sun.) from 9/16-10/15
Details here.

What is your favorite Fall Festival in Kansas City?

What to do in KC today (6/24/2017)

June 24, 2017June 24, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in events, family, kansas city, kids

Looking for something to do today with the family in Kansas City? Here are some ideas!

Did you see the weather forecast for this weekend? I would suggest you pack up your family and head to a park, the zoo, Worlds of Fun, Deanna Rose. Something outside because it’s only supposed to be in the 70’s today! This stuff doesn’t happen in KC very often! PS: I would skip the pool. We went yesterday and it was a little breezy for me. But it didn’t seem to bother the kids. Of course!
Big Slick is everywhere! Has anyone had a Paul Rudd sighting? Rob Riggle? Jason Sudeikis? Eric Stonestreet? It is so awesome that these celebrities come home and bring a few of their friends with them to raise money for Children’s Mercy. Today is the Big Slick Block Party and bowling tournament at Pinstripes. The Block Party is free but everything is not. It’s a fundraiser! Want more info? Check out their website: Big Slick KC
Maker Faire KC @ Union Station. Want to see where creativity + invention + resourcefulness collide? Then you have to go check out the Maker Faire. This is the place where passion comes to life for all ages! Be inspired! Maker Faire KC

Have a great day! 🙂

Swope Park Rangers

June 16, 2017June 16, 2017 by shawnee30, posted in events, family, kansas city

OK, so if you haven’t gone to a Swope Park Rangers game with your family yet – you need to! The Swope Park Rangers are the USL (D2) soccer team in KC. They play all of their home games at Swope Park Soccer Village. Tickets are relatively inexpensive and the atmosphere is pretty family oriented – as long as you don’t mind a few hecklers! And if you are going with small children, you might want to stay away from the Zoo. These supporters are fun and keep the energy going, but a little rowdy at times!

Here is what you need to know if you are planning to attend a game:

The schedule
All home games are at Swope Park Soccer Village
Parking is free and close to the field.
The price of tickets range from $7 – $15 per person.
Their mascot is Hat Trick Harry. This video explains where he came from!
The seats are bleacher seats. You might want to bring a cushion to sit on!
The bathroom. Let me tell you about the bathroom. It’s a porta potty. BUT it’s not just any porta potty. It’s a luxury porta potty. You walk into a trailer and it’s a fully decorated “bathroom”. (At least for the ladies. Sorry guys – not sure what your side looks like!)
Keep your eye out for current SKC players wondering the stadium. We went to a game last year and Peter Vermes was there with a handful of players. My son was ultra excited when his favorite, Nuno Coelho, was there and gave him a high five!
After game autographs! Enjoy watching the kids line up against the rope as the players walk off the field and sign autographs. Even after running for the last 90 minutes, they are all very personable and awesome to the kids (and parents too if you want to step in there!)

So there you have it. Now, go get your tickets!

Fall in Kansas City kick off!

September 2, 2014 by shawnee30, posted in kansas city

Yesterday marked the end of summer. Not technically – we still have a couple more weeks until the actual start of fall {September 23rd}. But with Labor Day, the pools closed and, to me, that says – goodbye summer!

Don’t get me wrong – we had a great summer! But I love fall! The weather! The scents! The sounds!

So, to get you ready for FALL – here are a few KC Fall Favorites!

Pumpkin Patches

American Royal

Chiefs

Sporting KC and the Royals still going strong!

Renaissance Festival

Scarecrow’s at Powell Gardens

Plaza Art Fair

What is your KC Fall Favorite?

Kansas City’s Family Fun Activities for June 13th-June15th!

June 13, 2014June 13, 2014 by shawnee30, posted in events, family, kansas city, kids

Here is a list of some of the fun activities going on around Kansas City this weekend!

Friday, June 13th – Saturday, June 14th

20th Annual Parkville River Jam

Festival on the Trails in Gardner

Friday, June 13th

CALF (Children’s Agriculture Learning Fest) Days at American Royal Complex

Hyde Park Children’s Film Festival

Light Up The Lawn Concert at Johnson County Community College {front lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art}

Sand Cinema at Longview Lake Beach ~ Tonight’s movie: FROZEN!!!

Saturday, June 14th

Get Outdoors Lenexa {at Black Hoof Park ~ my FAVORITE park!!!}

Dragon Boat Festival

National Marina Day at Lake Jacoma

Family Day At National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence

Farmstead Dairy Days at Deanna Rose Farmstead

GeoKids at Overland Park Arboretum

Brandon Draper’s Drum Safari at Wonderscope

Saturday Night Feeder at Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary

Sprint Family Fun Days ~ the ULTIMATE FIELD DAY!!!

Sunday, June 15th

Pops in the Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Dad’s get in free at the Kansas City Zoo

Art of the Machine Car Series at City Market

What are your plans?

Kansas City’s Union Station ~ Family fun activities and events for Saturday, May 10, 2014!

May 10, 2014 by shawnee30, posted in events, family, kansas city, kids

Kansas City’s Union Station ~ Family fun activities and events for Saturday, May 10, 2014!

Celebrate Train Day! 10am – 3pm

Activities included:

· A rare look at historic and unique rail train equipment will be presented by Amtrak Vacations.

· Kansas City Southern Locomotive Display.

· Chuggington, the hit preschool television series on Disney Junior, will provide free train-themed kids’ activities including arts & crafts, photo opportunities, and train play tables.

· Free admission to the KC Rail Experience.

· Union Station’s family-favorite Model Railroad Experience.

· Rocky Mountain Express showing in the Extreme Screen (paid admission).

· Dovetail Games will be offering a free download of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner version of the hit game “Train Simulator 2014.

· Operation Lifesaver, whose mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and on rail property, will be handing out free giveaways and providing interactive opportunities to learn more about rail safety and promoting its new “See Tracks? Think Train” campaign.

· Amtrak Sweepstakes give away (must be present to win).