May celebrates moms of all ages, stages and forms. Enjoy these light-hearted interviews with six KC moms and their children. It’s always fun to get a sneak peek into another mom’s world to know that you’re not alone, pick up new tips/tricks and appreciate the perspective from a child. Happy Mother’s Day to all and a special shout-out to my own mom, Susan Wilkins.
All About Angie:
Angie is mom to Ella, 9, and Blake, 6. She is a pharmaceutical rep and lives in Lee’s Summit, MO, with her high school sweetheart husband of 13 years, Chad.
- Favorite indulgence: A massage or long walk (which I don’t get to do very often!)
- Can’t-miss TV show: Downton Abbey
- Favorite family activity: Slumber parties in the family room together. Also, I love watching them play sports and have fun with their friends.
- Favorite KC restaurant: Drunken Fish Sushi
- “ME” time activity: Spa pedicures
- Dream vacation: I love Disney cruises and I would love to go to Antarctica and see where my twin sister studied for her Ph.D.
- 5 things in your purse: Wallet, ChapStick, bouncy balls, gum, Band-Aids
- Best stress reliever: At night, hugging my kids and hearing about their day makes me feel so wonderful. Stress reliever on my own after having surgery is talking to myself about how blessed I am and praying.
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Pride, presence (I mean your children need your presence, not presents—spend time with your children), unconditional
And now an interview with Angie’s kids, Ella and Blake…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Ella: Sewing Blake: Play with her 2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to __________? Ella: Watch Fringe, Downton Abbey, and clean the house. Blake: Play with my sister. 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Ella: Be strong and never give up. Blake: I love you. 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Ella: She gives me hugs and kisses and says nice things to me and always has time for me. Blake: Because she says it. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Ella: Any place with us. Blake: To work.
All About Kimberly:
Kimberly is wife to Reggie and mother of two—US Airman Courtney (age 25) and Phoebe (age 13). She is also the Executive Director for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Kansas City, a nonprofit that provides a nurturing home and private college preparatory education to help academically capable boys in need reach their full potential.
- Favorite indulgences: Lemon cake from Café Europa and Christopher Elbow Chocolates
- Can’t-miss TV show: I don’t watch much television…no time! I don’t have “can’t miss” shows, but I like HGTV all year and 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family during the holiday season.
- Favorite family activity: Going to church together.
- Favorite KC restaurant: Paulo and Bill
- “ME” time activity: Organizing and labeling
- Dream vacation: Israel
- 5 things in your purse: Wallet, lipstick, mints, chocolate and business cards
- Best stress reliever: Quiet time in prayer
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Most important role
An interview with Kimberly’s kids, Phoebe and Courtney…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom?
Phoebe: Post pictures of our new puppy with captions on Instagram. We also make cupcakes and cookies together.
Courtney: Talk and laugh
2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to ______? Phoebe: Relax Courtney: Renovate 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Phoebe: Live pure, work hard and God will do the rest. Courtney: I’m praying for you. 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Phoebe: She does little things to show me, and she tells me all the time. Courtney: She always has my best interest at heart. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Phoebe: She likes to go and talk to God. Courtney: World Market or visiting family
All About Brittney:
Brittney is mom to Stella, 5, and a new bundle of joy set to arrive this June! She is in pharmaceutical sales and lives in Leawood with her husband, David.
- Favorite indulgence: Cheesecake Factory cheesecake
- Can’t-miss TV show: I’m a sucker for The Real Housewives.
- Favorite family activity: Summer in Colorado
- Favorite KC restaurant: Houston’s (chain), Port Fonda (local)
- “ME” time activity: Mani/pedi
- Dream vacation: Italy with my husband
- 5 things in your purse: Laura Mercier lip gloss, brush, gum, snacks for Stella, wipes
- Best stress reliever: Working out
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Rewarding, entertaining and unconditional
And now an interview with Brittney’s daughter, Stella…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Stella: Go to the movies, get nails done, go to the grocery store and dance. 2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to __________? Stella: Work and clean house. 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Stella: Be brave. Find out how good you can be. 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Stella: She says it all the time and gives me hugs. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Stella: The mall
All About Kasey:
Kasey works part time for the Association for Corporate Growth and is mom of Cooper, 9, and Cameron, 6. She resides in Overland Park with Lance, her husband of 13 years.
- Favorite indulgence: Cookies and cream ice cream and Dove dark chocolate
- Can’t-miss TV show: Nashville
- Favorite family activity: Going to sporting events and weekends at the lake.
- Favorite KC restaurant: Oklahoma Joe’s
- “ME” time activity: Dinner and movies with girlfriends
- Dream vacation: Any beach in the Caribbean
- 5 things in your purse: ChapStick, gum, receipts, cell phone and EpiPen
- Best stress reliever: Yoga
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Challenging, exhausting, happiness
And now an interview with Kasey’s kids, Cooper and Cameron…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Cooper: Going to eat ice cream. Cameron: Going on roller coasters and reading before bed. 2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to __________? Cooper: Work. Cameron: Eat chocolate. 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Cooper: “Wake-up, sleepy head.” Cameron: “Go to bed.” 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Cooper: Helps me with my homework. Cameron: Because she says she loves me and gives me hugs. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Cooper: Vacations Cameron: Jose Pepper’s
All About Margaret:
Margaret is the editor of Margaret is the editor of KC Parent magazine. She and Ty, her husband of 17 years, live in Lenexa with their two daughters, Tori, 12, and Ally, 9.
- Favorite indulgence: An Oreo shake
- Can’t-miss TV show: People’s Court (It’s my little secret—I LOVE this show!)
- Favorite family activity: Love our traditions (Super Bowl party each year, secret valentine, co-op camp each summer)
- Favorite KC restaurant: Fronteras
- “ME” time activity: Reading and word games
- Dream vacation: Hawaii!!!
- 5 things in your purse: Wallet, EpiPen, sunglasses, pens, gum
- Best stress reliever: A good margarita and a night out with my sisters
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Challenging, rewarding, a blessing
And now, an interview with Margaret’s daughters, Tori and Ally…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Tori: Just talk to her. Ally: Go outside and play volleyball. 2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to _________? Tori: Read (outside if it’s nice). Ally: I’m not sure. I’m not home. 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Tori: C’est la vie. Ally: Life’s not fair. 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Tori: We hang out all the time. Ally: She gives me good-night kisses. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Tori: Starbucks Ally: St. Louis or Starbucks
All About Suzanne:
Suzanne is mom to Katie, 15, Eric, 12, Philip, 10, and Gabe, 5. She is married to Clint, her husband of 23 years. They reside in Lenexa, where Suzanne homeschools her four children.
- Favorite indulgence: A long soak in my tub, with a glass of wine.
- Can’t-miss TV show: New and classic Dr. Who episodes on Netflix.
- Favorite family activity: At home we like to play games; but we really enjoy going places on “family field trips.” Royals games are a favorite.
- Favorite KC restaurant: I’ll have to go with Oklahoma Joe’s.
- “ME” time activity: Knitting, I love to knit. Knitting with friends is even better.
- Dream Vacation: I would like to go to Italy with Clint to see places important to our faith and some of the beautiful works of Western Civilization.
- 5 things in your purse: My new key-shaped pocket knife (a present from Eric), measuring tape, yarn, my rosary and at least one lipstick.
- Best stress reliever: Laughter. I need humor in my life, even if it’s just my own.
- 3 words to describe motherhood: Learning, teaching, growing
And now an interview with Suzanne’s kids, Katie, Eric, Philip and Gabe…
1. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Katie: Shop; read and discuss books Eric: Watch Dr. Who Philip: Just being with her Gabe: Playing the Wii with her; eat candy; watching TV 2. When I’m not home, my mom loves to __________? Katie: Sew or craft or read. Eric: Enjoy the silence. Philip: Knit. Gabe: Enjoy the peace and craft. 3. What is something your mom always says to you? Katie: If we can’t laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at? Eric: Use the sense that God gave you. Philip: Do your best at school. Gabe: Give Mommy a hug. 4. How do you know your mom loves you? Katie: She’ll take me to a dance competition even on her birthday. Eric: Homeschools us. Philip: She supports our activities. Gabe: She reads to me at night…whatever book I want. 5. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go? Katie: Small local yarn shops; out to eat with her friends Eric: Home Philip: Movies with my Dad Gabe: The shopping store
Amanda Doll is looking forward to sleeping in and taking a nap this Mother’s Day. She resides in Lenexa with her 1- and 3-year-old sons and husband, Ben.