From symmetry to science, KC’s own Bongo Barry explores the world of insects in his newest CD. Along with a “Bee Hive” full of musical instruments he shares songs such as Ants in Your Pants, Shoo-Fly, Buzzin Bee and Lady Bug. Ask your kids, they may have already enjoyed one of his school assembly shows! www.HealthySounds.com $15.00
Book Review: Multiple Blessings
Multiple Blessings
By Jon & Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson. This book chronicles the amazing story and faith of an incredible family of ten. The memoir takes readers on the Gosselin rollercoaster, from their struggles with infertility to the miraculous birth of the sextuplets, to the dizzying complications of raising eight children in the media spotlight. (Zondervan) $19.99
Snow Days DVD Review
Pour the hot chocolate and bundle up for some wintery fun with HIT Favorites: Snow Days, a collection of winter-themed offerings for the preschool set. Join Barney, Thomas & friends, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and Pingu as they romp in the snow and celebrate the season with good friends in six festive episodes. $14.98
4 Great Parks You Don’t Want to Miss
Take time this fall to investigate a park you’ve not visited before. Pack a picnic, plan to rent a paddleboat or canoe, enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and enjoy the chance to discover a park that is just down the road but feels like it’s a world away from home. Don’t forget your camera since the changing leaves make the perfect backdrop for a family photo!
Ironwoods Park
Leawood
913.681.0902
Beautiful new Ironwoods Park is located at 14701 Mission Road. Included in the 70-acre park are the Prairie Oak Nature Center, The Lodge at Ironwoods, a Challenge Course, the Oxford School House, four cabins available for rental, amphitheater, picnic shelter, playground and a beautiful walking trail. Open climb events are held monthly at their Carolina climbing wall from April through October.
English Landing
Parkville
816.741.7676.
Beautiful English Landing Park, along the banks of the Missouri River, provides hikers, strollers and picnickers from both Missouri and Kansas with groomed trails, shelters, and playground equipment. Enter at the City Market and enjoy amenities such as: picnic shelters, restrooms, boat ramp, playgrounds, grills, walking/jogging trail, softball and soccer fields, gazebo, volleyball and the historic Waddell A-Frame Bridge.
Fleming Park
Blue Springs
816.503.4860
Fleming Park (2-miles East of I-470/291 on Woods Chapel Rd) covers over 7,800 acres of recreational parkland. Originally named Lake Jacomo, the park was renamed Fleming Park in honor of Judge Harry M. Fleming. This park encompasses Blue Springs Lake and Lake Jacomo and is the largest of the Jackson County Parks. The park contains a large number of recreational features including two full-service marinas, public campgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing dock, Blue Springs beach, hiking and nature trails, Kemper Outdoor Education Center, Missouri Town 1855, soccer fields and a radio controlled model airplane field.
Kill Creek Park
Olathe
913.492.2157
Kill Creek Park (11670 Homestead Ln) is the newest and third regional park in the Johnson County system and has four picnic shelters, a swimming beach and marina for boat rental, a playground and 1.5 miles of asphalt trail for walking, hiking and bicycling. Shelters include such amenities as drinking fountains, tables, grills, clean restrooms, and paved paths. The fall colors will create a breathtaking view around the lake! LH
Cheesecake Factory
Something for Everyone!”
Cheesecake Factory Locations
Country Club Plaza 4701 Wyandotte St. 816.960.1919 Overland Park 6675 W 119th St. 913.451.6272
Their menu says “Something for Everyone!” and with 19 pages of choices, I’d have to whole-heartedly agree! Those who have trouble making decisions may want to enlist the help of a more commanding dinner partner. Choose from appetizers that can enjoyed as an entrée, Asian influenced dishes, pasta, steaks & chops, pizza, seafood, burgers, breakfast items available all day and sandwiches.
If you’re dining with young tots your server will bring a “Baby Plate” before your order is taken. Your toddler will enjoy a little snack of cut up fruit and bread while you enjoy a little more time to look at the menu!
Their breakfast page includes a “kid’s order of French toast” for $6.95 but this was the only pint-sized portion I found. Your best bet is to have your kids share an entrée or appetizer. My two agreed to share the cheese pizza ($9.95) which came with six slices. They enjoyed two slices each as they wanted to save room for dessert. The other two slices made a great sack lunch the next day at school. There is no charge to split an entrée.
Since I’ve never met an avocado I didn’t like I finally decided on the grilled chicken avocado club ($11.95) which was served with fries. I too enjoyed just half and saved the yummy leftovers the next day.
For smaller appetites there are nine salads offered in a half size portion. I appreciate this because salads are rarely as tasty the next day. They offer a Sunday brunch served until 2:00 though it is not a buffet style brunch. I also noticed that they have joined the popular curbside/carryout service trend. If you don’t want to dine out but you don’t have time to cook, this is an ideal option! The Overland Park location has a happy hour special featuring half- price appetizers for bar area diners.
Nowhere else on the planet are you more determined save room for dessert… and again, plan to share! While you’re waiting for a table you can plan your dessert strategy as the front lobby has a large display case filled with these famous treasures. Our foursome ordered a slice of Chris’ Outrageous Chocolate Cake ($6.95) and the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake ($7.50). (Leave it to my boys to choose the priciest cheesecake on the menu. Clearly they have champagne taste!) Apparently my love of chocolate was passed down to the next generation. We each had our fill and there were still bits leftover, and yes, we took them home. They were the perfect accompaniment to my coffee the next morning!
Easy Labor: Every Woman’s Guide to Choosing Less Pain & More Joy During Childbirth
Easy Labor: Every Woman’s Guide to Choosing Less Pain & More Joy During Childbirth
By William Camann, MD and Kathryn J. Alexander, MA (Ballantine Books)
Far too many expectant mothers find themselves unprepared when labor begins and natural techniques don’t effectively manage the pain. This guide provides reassuring, proven approaches to combining medical and natural techniques to ensure the most comfortable pain-free labor possible. EasyLabor.net $13.95