Spend a day at the park with your favorite four-legged friend!
Alpaca brunch
My daughter and I have long had an affinity for llamas. I am her mama llama, and she is my baby llama (true even as she ages). This affinity began long before llamas became ubiquitous chums, showing up on everything from bed sheets to greeting cards-both of which we have enjoyed, I dare add.
We have embraced alpacas as well, as they are basically a cousin to the llama. In case you’re curious, llamas are nearly double the size of alpacas in weight and roughly 10 inches taller. Alpacas have smaller faces with short ears, while llamas have elongated faces with banana-sized ears. In personality, alpacas prove to be gentle and shy, while llamas are brave and confident. That’s a brief overview. Given the opportunity to interact with an alpaca or a llama, we’d choose either and both.
When my baby llama stumbled upon the opportunity to breakfast with alpacas locally, it clearly had to happen. The folks at Colonial Gardens in Blue Springs were exceptional to work with from start to finish.
Our day included a locally sourced and truly delicious brunch. From there, we were taken to the alpaca enclosure to interact directly with the animals. The Colonial Gardens staff were explicit about behavior expectations from the alpacas as well as from us humans, their thorough knowledge enlightening and delighting us. They were also exceedingly helpful in taking photos.
We could not have asked for a better time! From the food to the farm experience to the opportunity to snuggle with alpacas, it was winsome in every way!
Lauri Clapper has a couple longstanding nicknames, among them Mama Llama. She enjoys embracing nature yet prefers to snuggle her own baby llamas.
Date Night: Classic Restaurants
Back in January, I suggested some “oldies but goodies” for a restaurant date. Here are some more great choices that have been around for a while.
Walking up to Stroud’s at Oak Ridge Manor in Kansas City, Missouri, you would never know it’s a restaurant. It’s in an 1829 log cabin with farmhouse add-on. When you stroll through the doors, you see all the original logs and floors plus numerous antiques, and it takes you back in time. It’s the perfect setting for a menu like this. Open since 1933, Stroud’s brings you the best in down-home cooking, featuring pan-fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. It’s not health food by any means, but it is very tasty. The finale of the meal is the delicious cinnamon rolls. These are not your traditional cinnamon rolls though. They are more like dinner rolls coated in cinnamon and sugar and served warm. Hubby and I are both suckers for something sweet, and they always hit the spot! If you visit this location (they also have one in Overland Park), be sure to check out the original land grant, which was signed by President John Quincy Adams in 1826. Pretty cool!
Sometimes when eat out, we just want a good juicy, artery-clogging burger. And one of the best places for that is Town Topic. Open since 1937, they know how to cook up some delicious burgers, fries, hot dogs, chili and onion rings-plus breakfast, milkshakes and more! It’s not uncommon to see their burgers being carried out by the bagful. If you’ve never been there, do yourself a favor and stop by one of their original, iconic diners. The Broadway location is open 24/7. The Baltimore location is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. As they say, “It’s a Kansas City tradition!”
Rosedale Bar-B-Q, open since 1934, is one of the most iconic barbecue places in KC. Originally a hot dog and beer stand called The Bucket Shop, Rosedale still serves hot dogs and beer alongside all the popular barbecue items, like baked beans, ribs and burnt ends. They also offer some unique things on their menu like bread pudding (which is amazing), fried jalapeno bottle caps and fried green tomatoes.
The slider sandwich basket is fantastic. I like their pulled pork, but the pulled chicken is some of the best chicken or meat I’ve had anywhere. And their fries are really tasty. My husband likes the pig pen sandwich with beef topped with fajita peppers, pepper jack cheese, fried onion straws and jalapenos.
Besides their food, I love that they still have the old retro-style counter and bar stools.
Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives in the Northland with her husband. They love to explore Kansas City and try new restaurants and activities. Check out her Facebook page, Out & About in KC.
10 Free and Cheap Ways to Explore Downtown KC
- Walk the Country Club Plaza and admire the art and fountains of the city’s original landmark.
- Sip a Skyscraper, a giant ice cream soda meant for sharing, at Winstead’s, Kansas City’s original burger joint.
- Stroll through the free Kauffman Memorial Gardens where something is always in bloom.
- Explore the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Admission is free; there is a fee for parking. The world-class museum is open until 9:00 on Thursdays and Fridays with many special events throughout the year.
- Discover a masterpiece and take a photo with the giant spider at the free Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Enjoy wildflowers and play among the trees at the Anita Gorman Discovery Center, a free nature center with an imaginative outdoor playground and hands-on exhibits.
- Get free (shredded) money at the Money Museum.
- Ride the KC Streetcar and visit the free KC Rail Experience at Union Station, then ride to the Power & Light District where you’ll find a variety of dining and entertainment options, or go on to River Market with shops and restaurants.
- Visit the National Archives of Kansas City and explore the free exhibits.
- Tour the free Hallmark Visitors Center. Then, enjoy a bit of shopping and dining at Crown Center. The district is also home to live theater and attractions.
Discover more ideas with the geo-based search in our Going Places Guide on KCParent.com.
Summer Vacation
“Good night, Mom. G’night, Grandma.” I opened the door and climbed the attic stairs.
While many Americans drove the length and breadth of our country to historic sites and natural wonders, our vacations were limited to our means, and we spent a week with Mom’s mother and stepfather in the Missouri Ozarks. My grandparents lived between Warsaw and Lincoln, on a major, but two-lane, highway. Traffic lacked the constant rush hour roar of the city, and we could have up to 30 minutes of peace before another car or big truck passed.
Grandma and Grandpa owned a small parcel of rural land that held their two bedroom home and a separate building that housed a package store where they also sold food, clothing, live bait and other fishing items. The lack of space in their house made bedtimes a little cozy. Mom and Dad took one bedroom, while my two younger sisters shared a couch in the living room.
My two brothers and I slept on cots in the attic, and despite the two open windows at each end, when we hit the sack, the temperature was stifling. After an uncomfortable beginning, the early morning cold that always shocked me by its contrast from the heat of the night before settled us to sleep.
The trucks fascinated me with their sound through the open windows, a peculiar mix between a whine and a whistle. I was told the sound was due to the tires they had to use to handle the weight of their loads. Technology must have changed in the decades since, because, while the whine of these tires remains, the peculiar whistle that once accompanied them has vanished. Until sleep claimed me, I tossed and turned in the heat while the occasional truck passed, whistling in the Missouri night.
Cooling Kids Down
Everyone has to deal with feelings of anger and frustration. While these feelings are normal, it is important to teach kids how to deal with them appropriately. Parents and kids can work as a team to come up with strategies for these situations. “Unfortunately, many kids have never been given the opportunity to think of those other ways to calm down. They keep getting into trouble because the only behaviors they know are inappropriate ways to express their anger,” says Parents.com. Working together to prepare a plan before it’s needed will help children learn how to calm down and discuss why the feelings occurred. The Parents.com article continues, “Once the child chooses his calm down’ technique, encourage him to use the same strategy each time he starts to get angry.” Here are some examples of this technique for each age group.
The Toddler Years (ages 0-2)
Prepare: Observe what calms your child. Is it snuggling up with a parent? What toys does he play with quietly? Make note of what is calming for your child and use these activities later when he’s upset.
Act: Children of this age do not understand their feelings. When your child becomes frustrated and angry, use one calming technique you observed. Sing a song, snuggle up with a book, get out a new toy or start a new activity. Remain calm yourself and use a soothing voice while speaking to your child.
Discuss: Think about what caused the child’s anger and discuss with other caregivers what may be common frustrations for your child. If a toy is causing the child to become angry, simply remove it. If the child is overtired or hungry, adjust meals and bedtime. During the toddler years, tantrums are normal and may happen frequently. Try to remember that this is one of the ways that toddlers are able to communicate their feelings. Be patient and know that this stage will pass as the child matures and his vocabulary develops.
The Preschool Years (ages 3-5)
Prepare: On a calm day, talk with your preschooler about different types of feelings, giving names to them. Some find a chart or photos helpful when explaining. Discuss appropriate behavior for when she is angry and talk about actions to help her calm down. Calming suggestions for preschoolers may include drawing a picture, playing with cars, doing a simple puzzle, singing and dancing to music, running, jumping or sharing hugs. Sherrie Hoffman, Hiawatha, Kansas, says, “With my 5-year-old, slow deep breaths help. Then, when he can talk, we discuss what has upset him.”
Act: When feelings of anger begin, in a calm voice ask your child to try one of the techniques you two discussed earlier. Remind her you will talk about it when she is calm. Do not feed into her actions unless she is working on becoming calm.
Discuss: Later, ask the child to share why she became angry and come up with ideas of how to prevent the situation in the future. Remind her it’s normal to feel angry at times and let her know you are proud of the way she used the techniques to calm down.
The School Years (ages 6-11)
Prepare: Discuss common triggers for your child and come up with a plan for how to handle them.Talk about the difference between appropriate and inappropriate anger. As during the preschool age, together come up with a technique that helps calm the child and plan to use it when needed. Ideas for kids in this age group include going to their bedroom and listening to their favorite music, kicking a soccer ball, swinging on the swing set or screaming into a pillow.
Act: When your child becomes angry, calmly let him know that you see he is upset and would like to talk about it when he is calm. “We don’t talk about a problem until they are calm, and if they get worked up while explaining what is wrong, then we take deep breaths until they are calm again,” says Rachael Kennedy, Overland Park mother of five.
Discuss: When the child has calmed down, listen to his frustrations. Let him know it is OK to feel angry and praise him for handling it well. Ask him what could have been different and come up with solutions as a team.
The Teen Years (ages 12 years and up)
Prepare: At this age, kids may be aware of what sets them off-and so may parents. Try to problem solve how to avoid situations that make them angry. Come up with ways your teens can calm down on their own. Ideas for this age include taking a walk, tidying up their room, listening to music, journaling, taking a shower or bath or calling a friend to vent.
Act: Calmly mention that you see she is angry and ask her to please take a break from the situation until she can calm down. Give her space-unless she wants to talk-and be patient. If appropriate, leave her alone in the house to calm down.
Discuss: Later, after everyone is ready, discuss what happened. Problem solve what a solution could be now or in the future. Come to a compromise about what could be different and ask her for as much input as possible.
The goal of these techniques is to teach kids that all feelings are normal, even anger. Teaching these techniques gives kids the tools they need to deal with anger in an appropriate way and teaches them how to use problem solving to work through a frustrating situation.
It’s no secret that our behavior as parents affects our kids. How a parent deals with feelings of anger can have a huge impact on how our children will react when they feel angry. Here are some tips to model appropriate behavior when those feelings occur:
Tips to Help Parents Cool Down
- Walk away.
- Take some deep breaths.
- Keep a calm voice.
- Use calm body language (no slamming doors or stomping around).
- Diffuse anger by doing a calming activity (tidy up, take a walk, splash water on your face).
- Fake it until you make it.
- Make a commitment in advance to keep your cool.
- Think about how your actions affect your kids.
- Acknowledge that it is normal for children to push your buttons.
- Try to see the humor in the situation.
Sarah Lyons is a wife and mother of six children living in Olathe.