Thankful Thoughts from A-Z

As we head into the holidays, let’s take a moment to gather some thankful thoughts. KC parents just might be able to relate to a few of them.

A. Autumn Sure, it’s coming to an end, but I am thankful for the beautiful colors, fun festivals and tasty treats that autumn in KC provides.

B. BBQ Seems like everyone has an opinion on what is the “best” BBQ. Whether you like yours sweet, tangy, spicy or fiery hot, our city is world-renowned for its array of BBQ to suit every enthusiast’s taste buds.

C. Coffee Cars need gasoline to run; I need coffee to function. After a cup of joe in the morning, I’m infinitely more likable and ready to tackle the day.

D. Day Trips It’s fun to drop your daily duties and explore another world that you didn’t know existed. Cities such as St. Joseph, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Weston and more offer plenty of excitement for a family day trip. Read our guide to Day Trips from Kansas City for inspiration!

E. Educators I am thankful for the men and women who dedicate their lives to teaching others. My children have been blessed with superb, caring teachers.

F. Free Kids’ Meals As a family on a tight budget (who isn’t these days?), we’re always on the lookout for affordable meals on the rare occasion we eat out. Did you know many area restaurants offer free or nearly free kids’ meals? Read our KC Kids Eat Free Guide for up-to-date listings.

G. Game Night Occasionally, it’s time to unplug and have a low-tech game night with your family. Fun games + yummy snacks + family bonding time = one fantastic evening!

H. Healthy Kids We are fortunate to have two children with no major health issues, and every day I am grateful for this. Likewise, I am thankful for their caring, knowledgeable pediatrician.

I. Indoor Playgrounds Monkey Bizness, Jumping Jax, Leaping Lizards, Paradise Park and play areas at malls are a few places where kids can release energy during the cooler months. My sofa and beds are thankful when the kids practice their kangaroo moves elsewhere. Read the Indoor Play Guide in KC Going Places to find an indoor play place near you!

J. Jeans I could never have made it as a pioneer woman. Dresses everyday? No thanks. Give me jeans and a sweatshirt on chilly fall days, and I’m comfy and happy.

K. KC Parent Calendar Wondering what to do on arctic days when your family is cooped up inside? KC Parent to the rescue! Read our KC Calendar for fun happenings around town.

L. Libraries KC is home to some fantastic libraries. My kiddos love story time at our local branch, and I love that I can browse the shelves for hidden treasures to curl up with. Most libraries also offer classes, book clubs, author book signings and other community events.

M. Messy House Yep, that’s right. I’m thankful for the Lincoln Logs on the floor and overflowing hamper, because it means I have a healthy, active family (emphasis on active).

N. Naptime Does your little one still take naps? If so, consider yourself lucky. I cherish the occasional days my youngest takes a snooze. Mama needs time to unwind too.

O. Outdoor Play I am thankful that we live in a city with numerous parks and playgrounds that provide safe places for families to have fun and to exercise their bodies and their minds. Read our guide to outdoor fun in KC Going Places.

P. Plaza Lights For me, the official kickoff to the Christmas season begins when a local celebrity flips the switch on Thanksgiving night, and the Plaza lights up in a spectacular display. Even if you aren’t there in person, watching it on TV is enjoyable, without the crowds and chilliness.

Q. Quiet Days at Home I’m not sure there’s anything “quiet” when you have kids, but I’m talking about days that don’t involve zipping from school to work to practice to doctors’ appointments. Days with no schedule, when the family can lounge around in pjs and watch a movie together, are sweet.

R. Reading Time My family treasures our evening unwind time. The kids read their library books, my husband flips through his fishing magazines and I settle in with a novel.

S. Siblings Sometimes you love them. Sometimes you don’t. But there’s no denying that the relationship between siblings is an important one. And there’s no one who understands you quite like a sibling can.

T. Trader Joe’s For years, we’ve been longing for this grocery chain to come to KC, and this year we got our wish with not one, but two locations. If you haven’t been, their peppermint hot chocolate is yummy and a perfect treat on a cold November day. Discover our Top Picks for Tasty Treats at Trader Joe's.

U. Unseasonably Warm Days This is Kansas City; if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. Just when we think we’ll never escape from the deep freeze of a KC winter, a warm day appears from seemingly nowhere.

V. Volunteer Opportunities From helping out at our kids’ schools to collecting items for a food drive, my family tries to give back to our community as much as possible. Still, there is always room for improvement, and I am thankful that opportunities abound.

W. Water Parks Fortunately we don’t have to wait until summer to get our fill of swimming fun. KC is home to two terrific indoor water parks, Coco Key and Great Wolf Lodge. Ahhh…close your eyes and pretend you’re on vacation! Read our guide to Indoor Pools in KC in KC Going Places.

X. eXercise I’m not one to hit the gym for an hour-long sweat session; I like my exercise unstructured. A long bike ride with leaves crunching under the tires is my idea of a perfect fall morning. So is a walk through the neighborhood with the kiddos to pick up interesting leaves and rocks.

Y. Youth Sports I like that sports engage our children’s bodies and minds and help them learn how to work with others. Whether it’s an organized league or a friendly neighborhood game of kickball, sports offer many advantages among kids.

Z. Zoo I am thankful for fun visits to the Kansas City Zoo. From the Tiger Trail to the Tropics, Nikita the polar bear to the African Sky Safari, the zoo offers a memorable adventure for the whole family. The best part? It’s open year-round!

Tisha Foley lives in Belton. She is thankful for her husband and two kids who bring her joy and laughter.