MACR-MO9-10

www.MotherAndChildReunion.comStories, Tips, Activities, & Coupons

Monthly • Volume 14 • Issue 5No. 162 • Fall 2010

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MissouriMissouri

A Parenting, Educational, and Health Resource

Visit MotherAndChildReunion.com for a chance to win a passes to the Renaissance Festival!

onto the underside of the leaf where the veins are moreapparent. Carefully place the leaf on the card stock andcover with a layer of paper towel. Gently press and hold

for a few seconds. Remove the papertowel and lift the leaf. Add your child’sname and date to the notecard withblack marker. Presto! Your children

have created beautiful notecardsthat will be trea-sured.

• Leaf-Person.You’ll need: anautumn leaf;paper; crayonsor markers;

glue. To make: Glue a leaf ontothe center of the paper. This leafwill be the body. Draw a head,arms, legs, hat, shoes, etc. to fin-ish your person.

• Shrunken Applehead. You’llneed: 1 cup lemon juice; 1 tbsp.salt; large unblemished apple;whole cloves; a large woodencraft stick or pencil; paring knife, vegetable peeler. Note: Adultsupervision and participation isrequired for this activity. To make:Peel the apple and shave awayany bruised spots. Add salt to thelemon juice and soak the apple inthe mixture for 10 minutes tokeep from turning brown.Remove from the liquid and patdry. Insert a wooden stick or pen-cil firmly into the core for a “han-dle.” Using tip of paring knifeoutline the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Using tip of vegetable peeler,scoop out two shallow hol-lows for eyes. Press wholecloves into the eye sockets.

Carve out wedged shaped pieces from each side of nose.Slice out a smile for the mouth. The apple will shrink toless than 1/2 its original size, so the features should be abit exaggerated when carving. Hang applehead from its“handle” by a string in a dry place where it is fairly freefrom drafts (not in the sun or near a heat register) mak-ing sure it does not touch anything. Air dry about 3 to 4weeks.

8 Happy Parenting!

Autumn is a fabulous time of year—the weather iscooler, the colors are brighter, and the fall crops areready to be harvested. It’s the perfect season to ventureoutdoors with your children to enjoy allthat autumn has to offer.

Celebrate this season with a visit to alocal pumpkin patch. Manyoffer much morethan just a gardenfull of pumpkins—you can enjoybouncing aroundon a hayride,warming yourselfat a bonfire, finding your waythrough a maze, and variousother forms of family-friendlyentertainment! Visit an appleorchard and pick a bushel ortwo of this tasty fruit. Use therecipe on page 4 in this issueto make your own homemadeapple sauce. Or don your jack-ets, and head out on a naturewalk. Give each child a paperbag and let them pick up col-orful leaves, acorns, prettyrocks, and whatever elsecatches their eye. Talk withyour kids about the various colors, shapes, and textures ofthe items. When you gethome, serve up a cup of hotchocolate or warm apple ciderand use your imagination, orthe ideas listed below, to makeuse of the items gathered.

• Rubbings. You’ll need:items gathered on nature walk;a piece of white paper; crayonswithout their paper wrappers. Tomake: Let your child choose an item gathered from out-side, and then place a piece of white paper over it. Laythe crayon on its side and rub back and forth over theitem. The impression of the item will quickly appear onthe paper. Kids love doing this!

• Leaf Prints Notecards. You’ll need: leaves; yellow,red, and orange paint; card stock cut into notecard size;newspaper; paper towel. To make: Cover work area withnewspaper. Brush a small amount of fall-colored paint

Illustration by Rhajae Battles, Age 10, Kansas City, KS

8Mother & Child Reunion®

www.MotherAndChildReunion.com

2Missouri Fall [email protected]



3Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350

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Get Started: Choose a player to be the fox and oneto be the hen. The other players will be colored eggs.How to Play:1) The fox must stand far enough away from the henand her eggs that he can’t hear them, and the henassigns a color to each egg by whispering the colorin their ear. The eggs line up facing the hen.2) The fox comes up between the hen and her eggsand acts like he is knocking on a door. The hen asks,“What do you want, fox?” The fox says, “Coloredeggs.” The hen says, “What color do you want?”3) The fox guesses a color. When he guesses a colorthat is assigned to an egg, the egg begins to run. Ifthe fox catches the egg a new fox and a new hen arepicked. If the fox doesn’t catch the egg before it getsback to the hen, he must guess another color and tryto catch the next egg, but first the conversationbetween the fox and the hen must be repeated.

listening skillsWork on listening skills and following directionsby playing a game of Verbal Hide & Seek. Hide astuffed animal or small toy in a room. Then giveyour child three verbal clues to help them find it(make the clues easy for young children and harderfor older kids). Congratulate them for being able tofollow directions when they find it.

Simple Craft Idea:Milk Jug Bird Feeders

Kids love fun crafts! Parents love easy crafts! Here’sone that will please both!

Rinse out an empty plastic gallon milkjug. Cut out a window in the front of the jug.Poke two small holes just below the window,and insert pencils for perches. Fill the bot-tom of the jug with bird seed, and wait tosee who shows up for dinner.

Cheap peace of mindWhen the economy is down, crime is usuallyup. Display window decals and yard signs froman alarm company. That alone can cut yourchances of being robbed by 75 percent!



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Front Cover: Kid’s Art ContestWin a gift certificate to Cool Crest!

Create a picture for our next front cover! Picturesshould be full-color. If your child’s picture is chosenfor the front cover, they will win a gift certificate toCool Crest!

November/December Winter Part 1:Wonderful Winter BargainsEntries must be received by 10/15.

Mail to: Mother & Child Reunion, PO Box 93, Holden, MO 64040.Include child’s name, age, address, and phone number on the backof the picture. Simple, large pictures work best.

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

GREAT GIFT IDEA!

✸ I’ll never forget the first time I had to drive my 4-year-old nephew Josh to my apartment. In order toget there, we had to take a very long road that wasjust next to a cemetery. Driving along I thought,“What if he asks me what all the head stones are?”I wasn’t sure how my brother and his wife wouldwant me to answer him.

I held my breath as he stared out the window andsaid a very long,“Wooooowwwww...” and then,“Lookat all those TVs!” ~ Submitted by Donna McKenna

If you like our column, you’ll love this book!A great gift for any parent

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Order your copy now!

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Dave’s Gymnastics Factory11808 S. Milton Thompson Rd.

816-525-5650

Toddlers, Boys & Girls Gymnastics, Tumbling & Trampoline, Play Days,

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Mom & Me Bumper Bowling$3 per person, includes 1 game,

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BorrowingTeach children that it is good manners to askbefore taking another’s possessions. (Borrowingwithout asking could be called stealing, even if youplan to return the item.) The borrowed item must bereturned in the same condition. If it is not, the borrowershould buy it or recompense the owner for repair orreplacement. It helps to keep a list on the bulletin board ofthings borrowed within the family and by friends andneighbors. That way you’ll know where they are whenyou need them.

The Parenting Encyclopedia. Copyright, Caryl Krueger, 28455 MeadowMesa Lane, Escondido, CA 92026.

Simple HomemadeApplesauce

Ingredients: 8 apples, cored • 2 tablespoons lemonjuice • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Tastes better than store-boughtand is surprisingly easy to make.

Combine all ingredients insaucepan and cook over mediumheat until apples get soft, stirringoccasionally. Cool before serving.Serves 8.

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5Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350


Finding happiness couldbe key to better health

There is no doubt that happiness is linked to goodhealth. Health experts worldwide have been keepingan eye on the connection for years. Now comes yetanother finding: watching an hourlong humorousvideo can actually release stress for as much as awhole day. Even anticipating watching a funnymovie will help you lower stress levels. But if you’reof the ilk that prefers to steer away from the boobtube, here are a few other tips on how to be happy—and healthy. Don’t be afraid to take a chance.♦ Adopt a pet.♦ Keep a full schedule with a number of

activities and interests.♦ When somebody asks you how you

are, say “Terrific!” then stand backand watch the reaction.

♦ Don’t ever be afraid to sound corny orhokey. Express yourself. Don’t feelinhibited.

♦ You do not need to search for happiness; you canfind it in the simple things that surround you.

In short, doing these things could replace the adage,“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

—adapted from Knight Ridder Newspapers

Toddler & Preschooler Activity:

Edible PatternThis exercise helps your child practice sorting andcounting.✗ Colorful cereal like Fruit Loops✗ String or yarn✗ Tape measure (optional)

Pour some colorfulcereal on a table or otherwork surface. Have yourchild group the cereal bycolor. Select two or moregroups and arrange them ina pattern. You may want tosimply alternate two colorsor arrange a more complex pattern.

Tie the first piece of cereal to the piece of string oryarn, then help your child add the rest of the cerealaccording to the pattern you’ve arranged. Repeat thepattern until the necklace is as long as you want it, thentie the ends together.

If you like, count how many pieces of cereal are onthe string. Use a tape measure to measure the length ofthe necklace.

Taken from The Arts and Crafts Busy Book: 365 art and craftactivities to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy by Trish Kuffner.Published by Meadowbrook Press. www.meadowbrookpress.com



6Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350


All in a single day!‘Highs & Lows’: Sparkplugs for communication

by Calvin & Carolyn Richert

“OK, kids. It’s time for ‘Hi’s and Lo’s’!” you remind

your family as you sit down for supper and some

family time.

In a world of soccer games, music lessons, home-

work, Cub Scouts and sleepovers, family time is often

shoved aside to accommodate the next deadline.

Funny, isn’t it, how we allow

less important things rule the

more important? Still, there are

huge benefits to actually taking

the time – at the expense of other

important things – to do the

more important.

Among those ‘more impor-

tant’ things is an exercise we call ‘Hi’s and Lo’s’.

The idea is that each person in the family – chil-

dren and adults – is asked two

basic questions about their day. (Or, if your family

time is in the morning,

you can review yesterday.) The questions?

• “What was your low point today?”

• “What was your high point today?

Questions like that can go a long way toward

nudging children beyond irritating, empty answers to

how their day went, like, “Nothing.” or “You wouldn’t

Calvin & Carolyn RichertAuthors of The Think Space

understand.”, or, worse yet, “Aw, Mom, bug off!”

The idea is to help children to think through their

day and to give you, their parent or care provider,

additional insight about what’s going on inside that

child. After all, more and more research points out

how important emotional well being is in the overall

success of one’s time on earth.

Then, moving beyond those two basic questions

is another question that may be even more impor-

tant than the first ones. After each of the ‘hi’ and

‘lo’ questions, ask, “What did you learn from that?”

In so doing, you gently help a child consciously

extract meaning from his life experiences. Can you

imagine the long-term outcomes of such a daily

exercise?

• The kids open up about their lives.

• They learn basic communication skills.

• They get in touch with their feelings.

• They experience the beginning of critical think-

ing skills.

• The rest of the family learns to better know and

appreciate one another.

If you will take just a few minutes each day to fol-

low this plan, you will be forever grateful. You will

lay the foundations of ongoing relationships that

will bless you and each member of your family for

the rest of your and their lives. Now, just do it!

—Discipline Without Damage is a 6-session, 12-hour seminar series that gives par-ents and professionals dozens of practical tools to improve communication and reduceconflict with children. Call for seminar start dates. 913-341-9053 KC area; 1-888-448-4465 toll free. More info: www.dwd.com

WE ALL ARE “FACES” OF INFLUENZA.In fact, annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.1,2

Influenza is a serious respiratory disease that is easily spread and can lead to severe complications, even death, for you or someone with whom you come in contact.1,3 Vaccination is safe and effective, and the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications.1

To learn more about the American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza program, visit www.facesofinfluenza.org.

Olympic Gold Medalist and mother of two young children, Kristi Yamaguchi wants to do everything she can to protect her children, but as a wife and daughter, she also knows that influenza immunization is a must for everyone in her family.

WE ALL ARE “FACES” OF INFLUENZA

Everyone 6 months of age and older should be immunized against influenza this and every year.

References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the AdvisoryCommittee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009. MMWR. 2009;58(RR-8):1-52. 2. CDC. ACIP provisional recommendations for the use of influenza vaccines (2010-2011 influenza season). http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/provisional/downloads/flu-vac-mar-2010-508.pdf. Accessed March 19, 2010. 3. CDC. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2008. MMWR. 2008;57(RR-7):1-64.

This advertisement is distributed as part of the American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza educational initiative. For more information, please visit www.facesofinfluenza.org.MKT19925 6/10 Printed in USA




INFLUENZA VACCINATION:the healthy choice for your family

Decisions, decisions – whether it is what’s fordinner, how many after-school activities to sign yourkids up for or where to go on your next family vaca-tion, as the household decision makers, mothershave plenty of tough choices to make. But decidingwhat is best for your family’s health is one decisionthat should be easy.

To help protect your entire family, make surethey get vaccinated against influenza this and everyyear!

A flu shot offers the best protection possibleagainst this potentially life-threatening disease,which results in an estimated 226,000 hospitaliza-tions and thousands of deaths annually. In fact, chil-dren typically experience the highest rates ofinfluenza infection each year. From April 2009through mid-May 2010, 341 children died frominfluenza-related complications.

To help prevent influenza from spreading and toencourage annual vaccination, the American LungAssociation of the Plains-Gulf region has broughtFaces of Influenza, a national educational cam-paign, to the Kansas City area. This multiyear pub-lic awareness initiative helps Americans recognizeannual influenza immunization as an important pre-ventative measure to help protect themselves, theirloved ones and their community every year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionnow recommends vaccination for everyone 6months of age and older. Influenza is easily spread,so getting vaccinated will help protect yourself, yourfamily and those you come in contact with on adaily basis.

Keep yourself and your family healthy this yearby getting vaccinated as soon as vaccine is avail-able in your area.

For more information about influenza and immu-nization, visit www.facesofinfluenza.org.

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Once again we are asking you to let ouradvertisers know that their advertising dol-lars are working with us.

Please use coupons when they are offered.If you forgot your coupon, or if they didn’toffer one, just mention you saw their ad inMother & Child Reunion.

Thank you for your help!




3 gallon MUMS

just $8.99 each!MUMS

Farm Fun begins Friday, Sept. 24!

$2 off admissionPhotocopies of coupon not accepted.

Not good with any other discount. Coupon expires 10/31/10.

Ages 3 and over: Mon–Thurs $5 per person / Fri–Sun $7 per person

2 and under FREE

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Fun Snack:Rainbow S'mores

by Tenderrlee Hughes of Parkville, Missouri

You’ll need:graham crackers • bag of large marshmallows • abowl of M&M’s • a campfire (or gas stove) • sticks touse when roasting marshmallows

For each S’more, you Toast, Blow, Pop, Roll, and Squish!

1) Toast the marshmallow.2) Blow on it to cool a bit.3) Pop off the toasty (or burnt!) outer layer.4) Roll marshmallow in the bowl of M&M’s.5) Squish it off the stick between two graham cracker

halves.The result is colorful, yummy,and fun!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Do you have a great snack or meal recipe thatyou think other families would enjoy? Pleaseshare your favorite kid-friendly recipe with us!Submit your recipes by email to [email protected].

m&m

m&mm&m

m&m

m&m

m&m

m&m

Building CharacterTeach your children to ask, “What is the right thing todo?” when they encounter choices in life. Help themto understand that if any part of a choice is wrong,then the whole act is wrong. Role play situations theymight encounter to help them learn to make wisedecisions beforehand.

HalloweenHalloween has taken a goulish turn, so try to

downplay death in favor of the fun of dressing upin happier costumes. Rather than begging forcandy door-to-door, have a party that celebratesautumn and features bobbing for apples, squaredancing, making small scarecrows of straw, carv-ing pumpkins, and stringing popcorn. For aninteresting costume party, ask everyone to come asa pumpkin. You’ll be amazed at the inventiveness!

Taken from The Parenting Encyclopedia. Copyright, CarylKrueger, 28455 Meadow Mesa Lane, Escondido, CA 92026.

• •• • • •• • •• • •• •••• • •

Study TipWhen studying at home, teach yourchild to tackle their most difficult subjectfirst, and then they can move on to easierassignments.




Mother & Child Reunion makes no endorsement of—and is not responsible for—the advertisers or contributors herein. Mother & Child Reunion currently publishesthree editions. The Missouri edition is distributed throughout Jackson County southof the Missouri River. The Johnson County edition is distributed throughoutJohnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas. The Northland & St. Joseph edition isdistributed in most communities north of the Missouri River in the KC metro areaand St. Joseph. Mother & Child Reunion is published by Babcock Publishing L.L.C.Send subscription changes of address, comments, or correspondence to the emailaddress of [email protected] or by mail to Mother & Child Reunion, PO Box93, Holden, MO 64040. © Copyright 2010 Babcock Publishing L.L.C. All rightsreserved. “Mother & Child Reunion” is a registered trademark of BabcockPublishing L.L.C. and its monthly newspapers.

EVERY MONDAY IS KIDS-EAT-FREE DAY. TWO KIDS EAT FREE WITHTHE PURCHASE OF ANY LARGE PIZZA. DINE IN WITH US AND YOURKIDS GET TO MAKE THEIR OWN PIZZA.

3385 SW FASCINATION DRIVE, LEE’S SUMMIT, MO 64081816-763-1200

WWW.NEXTDOORPIZZA.COM

Wellness Tip:Trade White Rice for Brown

Trading in your white rice for whole-grain brown ricenot only will increase your fiber intake, but it may helpyou fight cancer, too. Brown rice contains phenols thatare not as present in milled white rice,and these brown rice phenols exhibitcancer-fighting characteristics. Bothbrown rice and rice bran contain theanti-carcinogenic compounds.

Source: www.waukeshamemorial.org

Did You Know?Red peppers have twice as much vitamin Cand nine times more beta-carotene than green peppers.

Is That A Fact?• The name pumpkin originated from the Greekword for “large melon” which is pepon. Peponwas modified by the French into pompon. TheEnglish then changed pompon to pumpion. Andfinally, the American colonists made the changefrom pumpion to what we usetoday–pumpkin.• Pumpkins range in size fromless than a pound to over 1,000pounds.• Pumpkin flowers are edible.





A Waiting ChildChildren in need

of an adoptive home

MMeeeett TTyylleerr. A young man looking for his forever home.Tyler is an active 18 year old young man. He is always eager to

learn new things. Tyler loves to tell stories and is often quitehumorous. He enjoys watching movies, playing video games, andspending time with his grandmother.

Tyler is diagnosed with mental retardation, and responds bestto a concrete system of rewards.

Tyler requires a structured environment and individualizedinstruction at his academic level to be successful. Tyler has contin-ued to demonstrate growth in skills that allow him to becomemore independent. Tyler participates in life skills and job skillsprograms through his school.

Tyler is in need of a stable and nurturing home that would bewilling to adopt him. Tyler would benefit from a home that is verystructured to assist him with staying on task. Tyler would like tolive in a home where there are children. Tyler enjoys playing andinteracting with his peers. Tyler wants to be safe in his home andto know that the adults are going to care for him unconditionally.

For more information about Tyler, please contact: JessicaSprague, BSW, CSWII, Adoption Specialist, Jackson County Chil-dren’s Division, 6801 B Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO 64134,816-325-1193, [email protected]

Another chance

to

To find out how to enter to win tickets to the

2010 Kansas CityRenaissance

Festival,visit:



1 1Missouri Fall 2010

(816) 524-1350


Events & Activities (All events and dates are subject to change. Call ahead to verify events you wish to attend. Please tell them you saw it in Mother & Child Reunion!)

Visit MotherAndChildReunion.com for fun family Events & Activities. Visit MotherAndChildReunion.com for fun family Events & Activities.

NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ARTSEPT. 25–26OCT. 23–24New for Families! - 1–4 p.m. Informallooking and hands-on activities in thegalleries. No need to sign up! Just ask fordetails at the Info Desk. Each month willfeature a different kind of fun! Admissionis free. September 25-26, Look West:American Art; October 23-24, To Honorand Celebrate: American Indian Art;November 27-28, Discover Patterns:African Art

BURR OAK WOODS CON-SERVATION NATURE CENTERPROGRAMS FOR OCT. 20101401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, Mo.816-228-3766All programs are Free.BUCK AND DOE HIKESAT., OCT. 2 10–11:30 a.m.By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Familieswith children 5 & up) Shorter days withcooler air settling in cause changes inthe natural world. Deer undergo physicaland behavioral changes in the fall thatincrease their winter survival rate. Joinnaturalist Kathleen Savaiano as youexplore the trails and discuss Missouri’swhite-tailed deer.WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPSSAT., OCT. 9 10–11:30 a.m.By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Familieswith children 5 & up) Who’s been walkingthrough your backyard? The tracks ani-mals leave behind can tell you manythings. Find out how to tell who has beenin your neighborhood and where theymight be going.BABES IN THE WOODS: FALL HIKETUES., OCT. 12 10–11 a.m.By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Ages 0 –36 months) Stroll through an autumn for-est dressed in stunning color as you hikealong the beautiful Bethany Falls Trail.Bring your little one to explore the forestas it begins to change into its winterwardrobe!HOME SCHOOL: PREDATORSWED., OCT. 13 10–11:30 a.m.or 1:00–2:30 p.m. for ages 6–8By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Ages 6 –8; 9 – 11; 12 – 18) Predators are theimmune system of nature. Catch somefun and learn some of the awesomeadaptations predators have developed tofulfill their role in the web of life!

CONSERVATION KID’S CLUB:TAKEYOUR PARENT CAMPING NIGHTFRI., OCT, 22–23 5:30 p.m.–8 a.m.By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Ages7–13) Kids! Taking your parent campingis the perfect way to introduce them tonature. Don’t miss out on this specialevening under the stars.DISCOVER NATURE FAMILIES:NIGHT IN THE WOODSTHURS., OCT., 28 7–8:30 p.m.By Registration. 816-228-3766 (Familieswith children 4 & up) Discover NatureFamilies programs are designed to helpadults and children explore nature andmaster outdoor skills together. Thewoods become a magical place after thesun sets. Elusive creatures seldom seenduring the day come out to rule the night.Conquer your fears of this shadowyworld as you and your family explore theforest together.ROCKIN’ & READIN’ NATURE TALESSAT., OCT., 30 11–12 noonWalk-in (Ages 2 & up) Join them for astory hour as they lead you on fantasticnature adventures! You will meet butter-flies, birds, mammals, and all sorts ofmagnificent creatures! You will crossrivers, discover mysteries within the for-est, and fly across the prairies.Yourimagination is the only limit.

MID-CONTINENT PUBLIC LIBRARY --Raytown Branch6131 Raytown Rd.816-353-2052www.mymcpl.orgPreschool Storytime- Day Cares (byappointment) Traditional story time forages 3–5 years offering book relatedexperiences including picture book read-ing, storytelling, music, puppets, fingerplays, short videos and simple crafts. Notall branches do all things. Attending chil-dren need to be mature enough to sit bythemselves.Toddler Storytime- Tuesdays at 11 a.m..Sequential series, shorter than preschoolstory time to acquaint young children(18–36 months) with the library, stories,and group participation. May requireparental participation, a more stringentage limit and registration.Basic Internet Instruction- EveryThursday from 9am to 12pm is availableby appointment. Sign-up for one hour ofhands-on basic instruction. Learn how touse a mouse and keyboard. Also, learnabout various browser tools you can usein searching the internet.

KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVALSEPT. 4 THROUGH OCT. 17The Festival puts their 180,000 guestsand participants center stage this seasonwith, Once Upon a Time there was You. AKansas City fall tradition for over threedecades, opens for the 34th season.Tickets can be purchased at the Festivalgates just north of I -70 and K-7 High-ways in Bonner Springs, Kansas onweekends and holidays Sept. 4 throughOct. 17 at $18.95 for adults, $9.95 forkids. There are weekend specials andguests can call 913-721-2110 for groupticket prices for parties and weddings atthe Festival. Discount tickets can be pur-chased at Kansas City Hy Vee’s and Wal-green’s, regional Dillon’s, Baker’s andGerbe’s and online at www.kcrenfest.com.

CAVE SPRING HISTORICSITE AND NATURE CENTER9 a.m. to dark every day- The CaveSpring Historic Site and Nature Centerhas over 36 sprawling acres of wildlifeand native plants coupled with walkingtrails, wildlife habitat pond and a smallcave for kids of all ages to explore. CaveSpring offers a wide variety of programsthat include hikes, camping, service pro-jects and badge clinics, school & daycarefield trips, Girl Scout, Brownie, CubScout and Webelos badges. 8701 E.Gregory Blvd. The Nature Center is open10am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. The Cen-ter is free, but small donations areexcepted.

CHILDREN’S PEACE PAVILIONThe Children’s Peace Pavilion- Locatedin Independence teaches children aboutpeace through understanding, learning,and fun. This free spot has everythingfrom art stations, mazes and puzzles tohands on activities, underwater castleand a giant kaleidoscope. Kids will havea blast and learn all about peacemakingfirst hand. Tue.–Fri. 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.1001 W. Walnut, Independence, MO64059, (816) 521-3033

THE CITY MARKETOCT. 2Farm to Table Festival- 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.Fun contests, themed games & activities,arts & crafts projects, storytelling, Grow-ing tips from Master Gardeners & More!20 E 5th St., Ste. 201 Kansas City, MO64106, 816-842-1271, free admission.



12Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350


Parent Support GroupsSend your information to [email protected] later than the 10th of the month prior.

Include the words “Support Group—Missouri” in the sub-ject line.

MOMS CLUB OF INDEPENDENCE4TH TUESDAYSLooking for a great way to meet other stay-at-homemoms and have fun with your children? This supportgroup offers a monthly meeting, playgroups, field trips,craft days, park days, walking group, Mom’s Night Out,service projects, friendship, and much more! Please visitthe website at www.momsclubindependence.webs.com,e-mail [email protected] or contact Casey at816-719-9377 or Camille at 816-863-0702 for more infor-mation on various dates and locations of activities.

HOLY SPIRIT MOPS1ST & 3RD THURSDAYMOPS is designed to nurture every mother with childrenfrom infancy through kindergarten. Members come fromall walks of life, but share one desire—to be great moms!Join us 1st & 3rd Thursday from 9:15am–11:15am atHoly Spirit Church (1800 SW 150 Hwy Lee’s Summit,MO) www.holyspiritmops.wordpress.com

PARENTS AS TEACHERSThis fun, free, early learning-program is provided byschool districts for soon-to-be-parents and parents ofchildren up to 3 yrs. to help parents be their child’s firstand best teachers. PAT programs provide home visits,playgroups, screenings, and resource networks. Visitwww.parentsasteachers.org

LA LECHE LEAGUECONTACT FOR DATESBreastfeeding support and information for pregnantwomen and nursing mothers. Various locations. Call forinformation 816-361-0909.Visit www.LLLofGreaterKC. org.

MOTHERS & MORE-INDEPENDENCE/BLUE SPRINGS 2ND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH This group supports mothers that have altered theircareer paths in order to spend more time with their children. It offers meetings,scrapbooking, playgroups,Moms’ Night Out and much more. Meetings are held at7 p.m. at Steamin Bean Coffee Shop in Blue Springs(intersection of Duncan Rd and North 7 Hwy). For moreinformation call Membership at: 816-795-6731 or email:[email protected]

BROOKSIDE MOTHERS’ ASSOCIATION VARIOUS DATESThe Brookside Mothers Association is a group of parentsfrom throughout the KC area that connects parents andchildren through playgroups, activities, events, and publications. Email [email protected] visit www.brooksidemothers.org.

Visit www.MotherAndChildReunion.comfor even more Parenting Support Groups!

Save $. Advertise in8Mother and Child Reunionand watch your business grow!

10% off our regular advertising rates!

Plus half-price color!Prices good off the regular rate of your ad

for the entire length of the initial agreement. You could save hundreds!

Call Cherie at 816-524-1350.New Customers only.

Just For Kids!PRESCHOOL PIANO CLASSES

Give your child something fun, different, and stimulating to enjoy.Preschool Piano Classes are designed to introduce your child to musicat an early age, when they want and need music the most! Watch yourchild develop their natural musical talent and abilities thru:

Ages 5, 6, & 7Sign up Now!

Private lessons also offered for adults & children.

LORI’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC 816-478-4838

Singing and learning Bible, Nursery Rhyme,and Silly SongsPlaying rhythm instruments and musical gamesEar training and keyboard playingMusic theory and much more!

GIVE YOUR CHILD A HEAD START IN MUSIC!Piano or Electronic Keyboard in your home is required.

Early Ed Center7260 N. AntiochGladstone436-1869

Early Ed Center5755 N. NorthwoodKansas City741-5056

Early Ed Center6218 N. Chatham

Kansas City505-2560

Early Ed Center120 S.W. Garden

Grain Valley443-2176

Ages 6 weeks

to 5 years



13Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350


� Blue Valley Soccer Club. Overland Park, Ks. They area 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providingsoccer programming for youth players in and around theKansas City Metro area. Offering recreational and com-petitive team programming, summer camps, FutureSTARS and academy programming. Contact 913-685-2872 or www.bvsoccer.org. See ad on page 16.� Creative World Elementary School. Blue Springs,Mo. Private elementary school. Their mission is to createa world of wonder where families and children feel athome. They refine and innovate the curriculum and pro-grams to fit each child uniquely by age. They educate chil-dren in creative ways and inspire their curiosity. CreativeWorld allows children of all ages the opportunity toexplore, play and learn in an environment filled with won-der with monthly themes. Call and set up and appointmentto visit a school close to you today. Contact www.cre-ativeworldschool.com or 816-795-8706. See ad on page 3.� Dave’s Gymnastics Factory. Lee’s Summit, Mo. DGFSummer Day Camp is for children ages 5–11. Each dayallows the children 2 swim times in a heated pool, playtime in the gym, arts & crafts, outdoor and indoor play.Swim class instruction, gymnastics, and tumbling classesare available. Children are always supervised. Space islimited, so call early. Contact 816-525-5650. See ad onpage 4.� Kindermusik with Denise Revo. Lees Summit, MO.Learn songs, lullabies, and ways to say “I love you” inPeek A Boo, I Love You! for newborns to 20 months.Splash will delight 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 year olds with sounds,movements, and music of all things wet and bubbly. JazzKitchen for 3 1/2 to 6 year olds will take jazz music,sounds and instruments into the kitchen. Blast Off withPiano is a fabulously fun introduction to piano for 6 to 9year olds. Contact www.revomusic.com or 816-554-2363. � Montessori Day School of Blue Springs. BlueSprings, Mo. Offering a different theme each week suchas: Gardening, Sports, Cooking, Independence Day,Insects, Water Fun, and Artists and Composers. Eachweek will include the Montessori curriculum along withmany projects to go along with each individual theme.Call for tuition rates and availability. Limited spaces avail-able. Ages 6 weeks through Kindergarten. Contactwww.montessoridayschool.info or 816-224-2525. See adon page 13.� Storybook Stables. Kansas City, Mo. This farm is nes-tled on rolling hills in Kansas City North, just five minuteswest of I-29 and Barry Road. Two hour parties includeone hour of pony rides on two ponies and one hour in theStables’ party room or picnic grounds. Add a campfire,painting a live pony, a hay ride, games, add more poniesand/or lengthen your party time. They can travel to yourlocation - trip fees apply. Call for optional activities pric-ing. Contact 816-716-4714. See ad on page 4.

Now Open at 6:30 AM!Montessori Day School of Blue SpringsYour child deserves more than

daycare, they deserve a Montessori education!

Infants through Private Kindergarten

Security Entrance • State LicensedHalf, Full and Extended Days

6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

1505 NW Mock Ave., Blue Springs816-224-2525

www.montessoridayschool.info

Reasons todrink more water

Water seems to taste the greatest when you’re incrediblythirsty, but here are 10 reasons why you should drinkmore water, even if you’re not extremely thirsty. Thehealth benefits, as you will see, are outstanding.

■ It prevents bad breath. It washes away odor-causingparticles and bacteria, and keeps saliva flowing.

■ It prevents or reduces symptoms of heartburn.■ It prevents urinary tract infections by diluting urine

and lowers the bacterial count. It may also reduce therisk of bladder cancer.

■ It prevents constipation. It flushes out toxins anddecreases your risk of colon cancer.

■ It prevents headaches. Dehydration isthe cause of many headaches.

■ It helps you to lose weight.■ Water aids digestion.■ It could reduce heart attacks, some

studies show. ■ It boosts your immune system and

helps fight off colds.■ It wards off daytime fatigue.■ It prevents back and joint pain.

—adapted from Hope Heart Institute, Seattle

Great informationfrom some of our advertisers



14Missouri Fall 2010(816) 524-1350


Just Five More Minutesby Linda Cobb, The Queen of Clean

The school bus leaves in ten minutes and all acrossthe country kids are screaming, “I can’t find it!”

Don’t let this happen to you. Help each child select adesignated spot for books, homework, and sports equip-ment—plus anything else they need to take to school inthe morning. Baskets are great, as are bright plasticbuckets. Canvas bags hanging on coat racks are good, too.

Designate another safe place for reportcards (did I just shiver?), notes fromteachers, and permission slips that need tobe signed. And let your children know,firmly, that the morning of is not the timefor signatures.

An over-the-door shoe rack in see-through plastic canbe great for holding small items that kids never seem tobe without—and never seem willing to leave the housewithout. Label a few pockets for each child and tell themit’s their own little holding bay. Give top pockets toolder kids and save the easy-to-reach pouches at the bot-tom for the little ones.

If kids want to agonize over what goes with what (notto mention who’s wearing what), that’s fine. Just remindthem that 8:00 in the morning is not the time to be doingit. Save yourself a headache and let the kids select whatthey want to wear to school, but get them in the habit ofsetting out their clothes the night before.

Linda Cobb is the author of several New York Times best-sellingbooks from Pocket Books including Talking Dirty With the Queenof Clean® and A Queen for All Seasons. Visit the Queen’s web site atqueenofclean.com

Just Five More Minutes

Television is a huge distraction. Keep the TVoff in the morning, and you’ll save time.

Create A First-Aid KitActually, make two. Keep one in thehouse, and put one in the car. Be sureeveryone knows where to find them.Put in these items:� bandages and tape� tweezers and scissors� calamine lotion and

hydrogen peroxide� cotton balls and

gauze pads� ice pack & thermometer� flashlight and emergency

phone numbers

Don’t stop with the kits. Sign up for first aid and CPRclasses. What a wonderful gift to give your children!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Family Tradition:Autumn leaves

One family puts the final leaf raking of the year on thefamily calendar for a Saturday in early November. It’s thecustom for each person to ask a friend to help with rakingand then stay for lunch. They rake the leaves into piles(with jumping allowed). Then, since fires are permitted,

they carefully burn them, enjoyingthe sweet smell of the leaves.

Finally, they sit on the frontsteps and eat hot dogs and

caramel apples as they watchthe fires burn out.

Taken from Family Traditions;289 Things to Do Again andAgain. Copyright, Caryl Krueger,28455 Meadow Mesa Lane, Escondi-do, CA 92026

❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊❋❊

Words of Wisdom“One of the most difficult things to give away iskindness, for it is usually returned.”

—Anonymous

Lookin’ and Smellin’ GoodAfter carving your jack-o-lantern, sprinkle some

nutmeg and cinnamon on the inside of the lid.Then when you light it, the spices

will let off a pleasant aroma.

Dad’s Favorite Pumpkin PieDad’s Favorite Pumpkin Pie• 2 cups canned pumpkin• 1 can evaporated milk + 1/3 cup regular milk to = 2 cups• 1 cup granulated sugar• 2 eggs, well beaten• 1/2 teaspoon ginger• 1 teaspoon cinnamon• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1 deep 8- or 9-inch pie shell

Using a mixer, combine all ingredients thoroughly.Pour into pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes at 425

degrees, then turn down temperature to 350 degrees, andbake until a knife pushed into the center of the pie fillingcomes out clean, approximately 30 minutes. Serve withwhipped cream or nondairy topping.

Linda Cobb is the author of several New York Times best-sellingbooks. Visit the Queen’s web site at queenofclean.com




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