September Editor's Letter

Confession time. I am a video game junkie. I’m hooked not on the current, cool and hi-tech video games, but the classic video games. In fact, I am the proud owner of an arcade size Frogger machine. It’s currently in the unfinished part of the basement, but now that the girls are older, I need to bring it out and reclaim my bragging rights as the family high score holder!

When I was a child, we had several of the cocktail-style game systems in our basement. I spent many hours playing video games (while listening to my 45s and LPs on our Fisher Price record player). To this day I have trouble walking by a classic machine without stopping to play at least one game. Not only does it bring back memories, but it provides a truly enjoyable and relaxing break for me.

When people think of video games and kids, they often envision kids who are lying around, wasting time and brain cells. Today’s video games offer so much more and don’t necessarily have to be all bad. When I found a kindred spirit in fellow gamer and KC Parent contributor Kerry Chafin, I was thrilled for her to shine a positive light on video games. Check out “Are Video Games Really So Bad?”

Birthdays are a big deal! That’s why twice a year we run our birthday party guide, which includes terrific venues all over the Metro to host your child’s next party. If you are in the mood for a party at home, check out the great ideas submitted to us by KC Parent readers. We ran a contest earlier this summer looking for your creative party ideas, and I have to say, there are some talented parents in Kansas City!

Enjoy the start of fall, Kansas City!