Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Mom, it probably wasn't too long ago that you were driving down the road listening to Cyndi Lauper belt out the lyrics, "When the working day is done, Oh, girls, they wanna have fu-un." Time has, nonetheless, marched on since then. You've probably replaced your side ponytail with a classic bob, and those fingerless lace gloves went the way of a garage sale many moons ago.

But, some things don't change. After a day of diapers, carpools and homework, an evening of fun is a welcome treat to many mothers. We may no longer be "girls" by the true definition of the word, but the girl in each of us still enjoys a break and a night of fun with her chick friends.

Perhaps you've never made a moms' night out a priority. Or maybe a trip through Target without the kids is as exciting as it gets these days. A fun night out with the girls can be as simple as grabbing dinner and a movie together or as elaborate as a slumber party weekend. The cost can range from pennies to "the sky's the limit." So, check out the ideas below for inspiration, gather a couple of girlfriends and enjoy some good times together.

Watch a Chick Flick

Enjoy a night free of both Barney and blood and guts. If there's something "girlie" playing at your local cinema, by all means, hit the theatre. Don't forget to buy some Junior Mints and popcorn at the snack bar- and remember, tonight, you don't have to share.

But, if nothing looks good on the silver screen, don't hesitate to make it a movie night at home. Sequester your hubby and kids elsewhere, or better yet, head to an empty nest. Lillian, an Olathe grandmother, has hosted movie nights in her basement media room. Since she no longer has children living at home, it's a perfect oasis for moms currently in the trenches, and she definitely remembers the days of a full house.

Whatever locale you choose, call up the girls, collect a stash of chocolate, bubbly drinks and boxes of tissue, and cozy up on the couch for a tear-jerker. Obviously, Jane Austen films rank at the top of the list. But, will you choose the two-hour version of Pride and Prejudice or the marathon six-hour rendition with Colin Firth? Tough call. Other movies to consider include Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, A Letter to Three Wives, Steel Magnolias, The Women, or When Harry Met Sally.

Get Crafty

A night of exercising your artistic talents can be a relaxing outlet and a great way to hang out with the girls. There are a number of ceramics studios in the KC area, such as Pottery Playland and Pottery Art in Kansas City and Ceramics Coffeehouse at Paint Glaze and Fire in Overland Park. Each studio offers group rates and/or special features for ladies' nights.

Mosaic shops are also gaining in popularity. Using bits of glass, tile, mirrors, and stone, you can create a unique piece of art to display at home. In Kansas City you can visit The Mosaic Shop, while Johnson County residents might find Mad About Mosaics a little closer to home. Both encourage parties as well as refreshments that you provide. They'll take care of the mess!

Or you might choose to get together for an evening of scrapbooks, snacks and socializing. While the at-home version of this is great, you might also want to visit The Scrapbook Page in Shawnee. Named "one of the top ten stores in the country," this scrapbook shop boasts a huge selection of supplies as well as a free workroom to use anytime there is not a scheduled event. If you want to book your ladies' seats ahead of time, just give them a call. You and your friends can also join in on their Friday night and all-day Saturday crops. For a fee, you can enjoy unlimited time and space to chat and work on your books.

Enjoy Dinner in a Real Restaurant

Oh, to enjoy something besides chicken nuggets and hamburgers when dining out! Spend an evening at a nice "frou-frou" restaurant with the girls. Be adventurous! Consider trying someplace your hubby or kids might be hesitant to visit. Briana Almengor celebrated her sister-in-law's birthday by visiting a Tapas restaurant. "I had never done tapas, so this was really a treat," tells Briana. "We went with all her girlfriends.... all dressed up, ate a lot of good food....really good food that I had never tried before and probably never would have picked for myself."

Jennifer Lopez belongs to a birthday club with her mother, her mom's friends, and their grown-up daughters. As Jen explains, "We meet [about once a month] to celebrate whomever's birthday it is. We may even celebrate two birthdays in one month! The birthday girl gets a free dinner. Then, everyone pitches in $5, and the birthday girl gets a $50 gift card to the store of her choice. We talk, laugh, and visit. If you are ever at a restaurant on a Monday night and hear a loud group of women, it is probably us." What a clever idea, and a great excuse to get out on the town!

Get Cookin'

Another mom recollects that one of her funniest evenings away from home was helping a friend prepare for a wine party. She states, "I distinctly remember being able to chop vegetables and prepare platters without having to put my knife down, wash my hands 100 times in order to get something for a little one barking at my heels, or break up a fight. It was a peaceful prep rather than a frantic one as I am used to. This was enjoyable." Spend an evening preparing good food with girlfriends. If not at someone's home, try visiting one of the growing number of meal prep kitchens. In the KC area, there are a number of different kitchens to try. Check the sidebar for the location nearest you.

Have a Slumber Party

One of Sheila Howe's best memories with the girls was an overnight reunion. As she relates, "Three other girlfriends and myself have been friends for many years. When the oldest of us was about to turn 40, we planned a surprise birthday party for her. One friend flew in from Florida. We met up at a hotel suite and stayed overnight, went out to eat, got our nails done and ate again. We had a great time of talking and laughing and enjoying one another." Beth Lehner of Olathe makes this an annual tradition with some good childhood friends. They rotate locations and make a weekend trip to a hotel for two nights. The time includes dinners out, time at a day spa and lots of chick chat. So, what are you waiting for? Grab the girls, choose a destination, secure the hubby for kid duty and have a little slumber party.

If hotels aren't in the budget, arrange a time when the kids and your husband can go to Gramma's or on a camping trip and plan a sleepover at home. Stay up all night, eat "chick food," and have a blast.

Make it a Priority

Getting out and about with the girls is such good fun for moms. It's important to work that into your schedule. Amee Messer of Olathe, sums it up well in saying, "I really think it helps to get out at least once a month, especially if you are a stay-at-home mom. I think the interaction between other adults with no interruption of the kids' screaming is really good." According to Beth Lehner, the best part of it all is "a chance to renew myself as the ‘person inside,' not as a wife or mother. [It gives me] time to process things, slow down and just ‘be.'"

So check out your calendar, call a few friends, and make Moms' Night a definite "to do" on your list. Girls, go have fun!

Jessica Fisher is a wife, mother of five, and freelance writer making her home in Olathe.

Hot Spots In & Around KC

KC Area Meal Prep Kitchens

Dream Dinners  913.491.6733, http://www.dreamdinners.com/

Entrée Vous  913.642.2500, http://www.entreevous.com/

Mealsmith  913.851.4700, http://www.mealsmith.com/

Meal Makers  816.444.6325, http://www.mealmakers.net/

Social Suppers  http://www.socialsuppers.com/

Super Suppers  816.415.2415, http://www.sskansascitynorthmo.com/

Your Other Kitchen  913.768.6325, http://www.yourotherkitchen.com/

Check websites for nearest location

Art & Craft Studios

The Scrapbook Page 913.383.1552, http://www.thescrapbookpageonline.com/

Ceramics Coffeehouse at Paint Glaze & Fire 913.661.CLAY (2529), http://www.paintglazeandfire.com/

Pottery Art  816.350.3055, http://www.letspaintpottery.com/

Pottery Playland  816.942.4567, http://www.potteryplayland.com/

Mad About Mosaics  913.339.6680, http://www.madaboutmosaics.com/

The Mosaic Shop  816.943.9100, http://www.themosaicshop.com/

Local Theater

Starlight Theater http://www.kcstarlight.com/

The New Theater http://www.newtheatre.com/

American Heartland  http://www.ahtkc.com/

Starlight has a terrific line-up of shows for your next girl's night out including The Drowsy Chaperone, High School Musical, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables.

Girlfriend Getaways: You Go Girl! And I'll Go Too by Pam Grout (Insiders' Guide 2005) Filled with practical advice, inspirational ideas, and true-life tales of girlfriends who've been there and back together, Girlfriend Getaways will make you shout, "Let's go, girlfriend!" $12.95

Mothers Need Time-Outs by Susan Callahan, Anne Nolen, Katrin Schumann. (McGraw Hill 2008) These three women want to help busy moms understand that it's time for an attitude shift. Moms need to stop trying to be perfect and remember to take a time out for themselves every once in a while. $16.95

Kansas City-tini Martini Glass

Martini maven extraordinaire, Lolita started creating her whimsical, hand-painted martini glasses (each with a recipe on the bottom) in 2000. This year she will sell almost two million pieces, including wine, champagne, margarita, mojito and pilsner glasses. She's recently honored our great city with a signature glass-The Kansas City-tini, featuring the downtown and Plaza skylines. Available at many local Hallmark and gift stores. $21.95