The Playground Series Launch: Garrett Park, Shawnee, KS

Welcome to the launch of my Playground Series!  I can thank Parenting.  Illustrated with Crappy Pictures. for the light bulb over my head switching on.  If you don't read Amber Dusick's blog, you have to start.  Now.  Her sense of humor and stick figure drawings bring the "did that really happen?" moments of parenting to life. 

Back in November 2011, she wrote a post about taking her kids to the park.  Unlike Amber, I don't hate parks but I find solidarity when she says, "I'm still searching for the perfect one. I can pretty much always point out all the things wrong with a park. I have a whole mental checklist of safety, fun, visibility, ratio of nice to mean kids, unattentive parents or nannies and cleanliness. I'm like an undercover park inspector. I guess this means I'm a little, tiny bit critical of parks."    And I'm figuratively nodding my head and internally shouting, "I know, right!?" as she questions the thought process of park designers and labels the playground with such kid-unfriendly features as the "idiot wall" and the "cliff of death."

In the comments, I discovered a blog, Play St. Louis, that seeks to visit and review as many parks in her area so that fellow parents know where to take the kids to play.  I read several of her spotlighted parks and playgrounds and decided that I wanted to do the same thing for my area.  Months later, now I am.

I think parks are an asset and an essential part of a thriving town or city.  Several essays provide information on how parks can revitalize and engage communities, foster economic development, create safer neighborhoods, help children learn, improve public health, and promote tourism, amongst other potential benefits.  In a transcribed interview about why parks are important, many answers are given, but they all come back to a primary theme: kids need to play and explore nature - parks facilitate both.

I am fortunate to live in the Kansas City area, in Johnson County, KS.  We have lived many places and I seldom have found such a dedication to outdoor spaces, be they an expansive trail system, parks geared towards a wide age range with multiple uses, and an abundance of playgrounds.  As an example of this, please check out the parks information on Overland Park's website.  "Overland Park has 83 parks and open spaces and four small lakes where visitors can run, walk, bike/hike, play and fish."

Photo Credit: http://www.landplan-pa.com/garrett-park.html

Yesterday, April 9, the boys and I enjoyed a picnic and some playtime with friends at Garrett Park in Shawnee, KS.   

Park elements include:

• A multi-use recreational trail, with footbridges and trailheads, that meanders along a natural creek bank.
• Shelters and a small play structure is located on the east end of the park.
• A multi-purpose practice field is located along the south side of 47th Street. This field provides a green space buffer between the street and the Garrett House. A softball practice field is also provided.
• A restroom facility is located at the central portion of the park to provide good access to all activities within the park.
• Two parking lots are provided in the park.

The building on the left is the historic Garrett House



Garrett House, Shelter, Play Structure


As you walk into the park from the 47th & Aminda entrance, there is sufficient green and trail space separating impulsive littles from running into the parking lot.  Some teenagers or young adults were playing frisbee in the multi-purpose practice field, which was a perfect buffer, as stated above, between the park and the road. 

The shelter, as seen facing the parking lot

There were other people occupying the picnic shelter when we arrived, but it didn't feel crowded thanks to multiple large tables.  One of my friend's daughters found it a bit chilly in the shade, but that would be needed on a Summer's day.

Perhaps agreeing that the shaded shelter wasn't just right, some people decided to lay out a blanket and soak up the sunshine instead.

We didn't check out the entire park, but Slim and Curly and their friends really loved what and where they did play.

Curly has a shaved head, so not so curly.  He's in red.

The playground equipment had different climbing, sliding, balancing, and hanging components and entertained the two-six year olds in our party.  With all the mentioned bits, plus a zip line, I'm glad there's a soft landing surface.

Slim and Curly follow their friend up the stone stairs, past the bathroom and to a "secret hideout"

There were two baby swings and two regular swings.  The swingset portion has wood chip mulch.

A cursory Google search doesn't reveal why the Garrett House is historic, but the stone facade is rather pretty.

Slim and Curly demonstrating "The Purloined Letter" method of hiding as they hang out in their friend's secret hideout.

Their sweet friend cheering on Curly as he climbs his first tree.

The secret hideout opens at one point and what you see is a perfect introductory climbing tree.

The kids found a lizard in the brush by the creek bed.

There are short a few short dirt paths off of the paved path that lead to the creek.  We didn't explore them because there were some concerns about "leaves of three" and wanting to encourage our children to "let it be."

Not one of we six had need of the bathroom, but it is a well-placed facility. 

Overall, the park is boffo (sorry, we watched Muppets Take Manhattan recently and Kermit exclaiming, "Boffo Lenny!  Socko Lenny!" is stuck in my head.  And now yours too.  Maniacal laugh.  That's more Muppets.  From The Muppets.) 

Do you live in Johnson County or the Kansas City area?  What parks and free play places should be on our list to review before we move?

Heart



Too true. Since I posted this, I discovered the source of the picture.  Buy here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/74193152/left-my-heart-print

I love those moments when children surprise you.  In a positive way, not when they flour bomb the floor like it's Kim Kardashian.  I'm talking about the times when their inherent wisdom, humor, and awesomeness shine through and you realize, nay remember, the capacity for kids to be so stinking wise, funny, and awesome is deep and wide.  Slim reminded me of this recently.

With preparing for an impending move and running a household of two wild and crazy guys and five animals by myself, I've been understandably stressed.  One day I wasn't being the kindest mom.  I am a big believer that parents are not exempt from making mistakes.  This is a short article that articulates my beliefs about why and how to make peace with your child.  I told the kids that I was sorry I was being mean and that I felt overwhelmed about the move and leaving Kansas and our friends here.  I explained that I needed to find a better way to express my frustrations without yelling.

Slim told me, "Mom, you just need to pretend your friends are your family.  Then they will always be in your heart and you won't miss them."

Woah.

A few days later as we were recounting the story to a friend, he went on "And they'll be in your brain and you won't ever forget them."

Damn! Kid, you are my Yoda.

Playing surgeon at KidScape

Within about the same time period, we made a visit to KidScape, a permanent "hands-on suburban streetscape for kids to explore community" at Johnson County Museum.  There is a hospital setup within the exhibit, complete with OR.  Open the doors on the patient's chest that you see above and you discover an organ puzzle.  Drs. Slim and Curly gleefully removed the organs.  When Slim took out the heart he declared, "The man has no heart.  He can't love anymore."

I have no heart related Curly anecdotes, but I wanted to share a few cute things he's done or said lately:

• I use my regular vocabulary around the boys, which consists of occasional big words.  I also use I feel _____ when _____ statements.  Curly has picked up on both the words and the statements.  He has taken to saying, "I feel irrited (meaning irritated) because (I can't play, I want a lollipop, you are taking me on a boring errand ...)
• I think, thanks to the nursing relationship with each boy, I have been my sons' "lovey".  It is less apparent now that Slim is getting older, although he still is such a sweet cuddlebug.  But Curly, in the last few months, has taken to gently rubbing my ear lobes when I hold him or as we lay next to each other as I'm getting him down to sleep.  It feels nice and I find it as relaxing as he does. 
• He hero worships Slim.  "I love you my brudder."
• In less than two weeks, my baby boy will truly no longer be a baby - he is turning three!  But if you ask him how old he'll be?  "Four, then six, then eight, nine, ten ..." and on and on.  Curly just wants to bypass this year for some reason.

Hiatus Over ... Now What?

It's been months since I last blogged because I've struggled with what I want to do with this tiny piece of internet I've carved out for myself.   Mostly I'm questioning just how much I should put out there. I have drafts of posts on current events, but I'd prefer to not get too political.  Plus, those events are long past current.

Something I want to dedicate time to is an idea stolen from Play St. Louis - posts reviewing parks, pools, and indoor play places.  Johnson County, Kansas and the metro Kansas City area offers an abundance of free fun.  I especially want to do this as it will serve as an active fond farewell.  Sadly, we are moving in about two months.  Fortunately, it is to the area where R and I grew up - an equally wonderful place.  As I shared on Facebook, this is the epitome of bittersweet.  But in the meantime, I will be out enjoying all this area has to enjoy.  I hate when I miss out on visiting the cool places in and around the towns I've called home.  I still kick myself for not going to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum when we lived near Cleveland.  And if this series proves popular, I will continue it in Pennsylvania. 

I end with a quote that brings me a measure of comfort right now, "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." - Winston Churchill

I remain hopeful that every step in my life ultimately leads me in the right direction.

Gifts

Gift giving.  Not my picture.  Wanna know how you can tell?  Those gifts are wrapped.  I don't do that.  But I want to try my hand at making that cake for the next birthday in the house

Save New Year's, the holidays are over.  The gift giving ones anyway.  Aside from the nasty tradition we've unwillingly adopted of getting sick as often and awfully as an Oregon Trail family (you have died of dysentery) whenever R's home for a period of longer than two days, they were enjoyable.   I'm particularly proud of how little I spent!  I didn't track it exactly, but the present tally for Slim and Curly was right around $200.00.  Next year I hope to spend less.  I accomplished this by purchasing most of their gifts at the Here We Grow Again consignment sale.  I also perused Craigs List for months, trying to find specific items.  Santa found a fantastic grab bag deal for $9ish at the Kansas City Zoo and the animal/zoo themed calculator stocking stuffers were the second favorite toy!  I didn't get as much on Etsy as I had originally intended, but am already arranging a little something with an Ohio friend's SewAppealingShop.  Yup, I'm getting a jump start before 2012 has even hit!  And honestly, the main reason I am able to keep spending down is because they don't get much.  Each boys gets one present each for seven of the nights of Hanukkah and Santa typically brings two big toys intended for sharing.

Here's a few of my personal favorites from this year:

Slim, in his red and blue cape

Curly wouldn't model for me.  His cape is blue and cranberry

The coolest Hanukkah present were these spectacular capes.  Please check out DiscoveryDenim on Etsy.  The price for her Blank Little Hero Capes went up since I made my purchase, but they are so worth it, even at the new price.  Definitely quality made - I love the material and the snap closure is a thoughtful touch.

All the Craigs List scouring paid off, because Christmas meant a used, wooden kitchen that didn't scream, "No Boys Allowed" and came complete with a lot of wooden food, tin pots and pans and play cleaning supplies.  Plus a grocery cart thrown in for good measure.  I've already experienced several gourmet meals the kiddos whipped together.

The best gift wasn't one, not in the traditional sense anyway.  Have you ever been overcome by God's presence, or, for the non-religious, complete calm and serenity with existence?  On Christmas Eve, the fifth night of Hanukkah, while watching the candles burn down, I was overwhelmed by such a sense of peace. I felt thankful and filled with love. I said out loud to R, “I love the world. I love you. I love the boys. I love God. I am just so in love right now.”  It was a temporary feeling, but while it lasted, I was glad to think all was right with life.  I seem to have two modes - sickeningly sweet and overly PC as R describes it, though I prefer to jokingly call it acting Canadian or psycho hose beast from PMS hell.  So I'll take the divine moments when I can get them and recognize them for the gift they are.

On that note, I'll just leave this quote here.
Each day provides its own gifts.
- Marcus Aurelius

Raising Ethical Children

I hope you're not reading this hoping for answers on how to raise ethical children because I have absolutely no clue. I'm just stumbling my way through parenthood.  But I have goals that I strive for as a mother.  And my biggest intention as a parent?  To raise intelligent, happy, well adjusted, and contributing members of society.

Thanks to my Mom and Gran, I have a soft spot for the British Royals.  As an American, I know little to nothing about how they are truly perceived and imagine a fair bit of press about them is propaganda.  However, I've admired how Princes William and Harry opted for military careers and continue involvement in charities like their mother.  The above photo is from a visit to a London homeless center.  I can't think of any American celebrity who has served in the military since WWII off the top of my head, can you?  And while some Hollywood stars are active in charity work, I don't know enough of their past to say whether that was a quality bestowed from their parents.  Princess Diana did well as a mother in this regard - her boys make a difference through their efforts. 

Frankly, I don't think I'll know if I'll have done as well until my boys are adults themselves.  The ways I try to instill this behavior is through living by example, taking advantage of teachable moments, and encouraging respect of the world and empathy for fellow people.  Which is great and all written out in mission statement-like form, but how?

I think kids (mine anyway) learn best through hands on involvement.  Hanukkah ends tonight, but it is a perfect example of how I utilize holidays to facilitate a volunteer attitude.  We incorporate tzedakah, a concept I talked about in my last post, in every holiday and try to too in everyday life.  Whenever gifts are received, as they are this time of year, we donate existing ones and talk about how some kids don't have any toys and it's great to give and make them smile.  And one of the eight nights is dedicated to giving back.  This year we are getting some items from Heartland SPCA's wishlist.  They want to give the animals who have yet to find a forever home toys to play with while they await their new owners. We've planned out a mini shopping spree at PetSmart tomorrow.  This is especially meaningful to Slim and Curly because they know we adopted Emmett from this very shelter. 

Which leads me to the next way I have managed some success - make a connection.  I know that I want to give money to organizations that mean something to me.  BzzAgent was generous and sent me a handwritten holiday card with a gift card to make a donation to a charity of my choice via JustGive.org.  What an amazing thank you idea, very pay it forward!  I searched the charities in the database (which seems limitless) and selected one that means a great deal to me: La Leche League, in honor of my former nurslings. Likewise, I see my guys more excited about volunteering when it means something to them.  They like to help when it has to do with other children, or animals, and for a while there, Slim was quite the Captain Planet - all eager to recycle and plant flowers and veggies, thanks to the school garden at his JCC Preschool in Florida. 

They genuinely do seem to care about other people.  I hope that the foundation I'm attempting to lay will also help them care about making the world a better place one kind action at a time.

What ways do you encourage responsible stewardship of the Earth and charitable actions towards people, animals, and places in your children?  I'd love to hear your success stories!

From the outside looking in - my perspective on Hanukkah

As of now, this is my favorite Hanukkah memory.  Slim was so proud of the menorah he made.

Happy Hanukkah!  I am not Jewish.  But R is.  And Slim and Curly are. 

I don't know what I am now. Aside from an amalgamation of beliefs.  I do know that I love God. Who R likes to envision as Mr. Wizard. And I know I love learning about and celebrating Jewish holidays and that doing so has enhanced my life. I'm thankful we are raising the boys Jewish, but I will respect their choices if they decide not to be. R and I joke that they can be anything - just dont let them be punks with their jeans belted around their upper thighs and their damn underwear showing. Excuse me, I think my #getoffmylawn! is showing.

I gotta admit, this picture helps me see R's point.  Mr. Wizard does look rather God-like here.

I grew up as a Presbyterian.  We still celebrate Christmas in our household.  In a secular way and as a way to teach them about my side of the family.  They know that they have Jewish grandparents and Christian grandparents and aunt, uncles, and cousin.  The best way I ever heard how we do things was described as follows: kids are smart enough to know that when they go to a friend's birthday party, it is not their birthday.  But it's still fun to attend.  Likewise, kids are able to recognize that Christmas may not be their holiday, but it is important to people in their life, and therefore nice to share in the festivities.

I'm doing a lot of reflecting on the holiday thanks to Hanukkah Hoopla, a collection of 16 Jewish bloggers' reflections and ideas.  "Each ... agreed to write something Hanukkah-ishy.
Taken together, you will see [they] represent a broad range of Jewish experience. Some ... are Reform. Others are Conservative. Some are Orthodox. Some ... have converted to Judaism.  Two ... are rabbis!  Some ... keep kosher; others, not so much."  Whether you are Jewish or not, please be sure to read each day.  I've found their experiences helpful, funny and touching in turn.  Plus, there are 16 chances to win a #HanukkahHoopla gift pack. 

On Twitter, @SmartBitches shared how the shamas, or "helper" candle used to light the menorah (the tall one in the middle and why there are nine candle spots when there are only eight nights of Hanukkah) has an extra purpose - reminding us that we can and should help one another every day.  It is messages like this that have caused me, an outsider, at times truly on the periphery, at others actively participating, to embrace Judaism.  Strangely and funnily enough, I think my religious beliefs, what I believe God has commanded of us, can be summed up in a quote from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, "Be excellent to each other."

And so, we try to incorporate tzedakah into each holiday and our lives in general.  One night of every Hanukkah in our household is dedicated to giving back.  This year, Emmett, our second dog and newest shelter pet, inspired our charity recipient: Heartland SPCA. 

There is so much beauty in the world, if only we could see it.  I've been married to R for nearly nine years, with him for nearly 14.  Without him, my eyes would never have been opened to the beauty inherent in Judaism and the opportunity to have a dynamic and growing faith in God.  It is the greatest gift he has ever given me.

MommyParties Hosted by Oral-B Stages

All of the great items before getting packed in goodie bags!

Recently, I held a Pajama Party and a Morning Movie at my home through my mothers' group.  It was all thanks to Mommy Parties and hosted by Oral-B Stages.  Mommy Parties are a mashup of social media and playdate.  Companies utilize Mommy Parties for the power of reaching moms and spreading word of mouth in a natural and engaging way. 

Attendance was lower than we'd hoped; December sure is a bustling month, plus illnesses and a sudden visit from out of town family dwindled the expected numbers.  We ended up having five children ranging in age from 9 months to five years and three moms.  Interestingly enough, all the kids were boys!  I don't recall the last time having a get-together without it being mixed gender. 

A closer look at our guests' gifts

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and child body wash

My Oral B Stages party kit included:

• 11 Oral-B Stage I Brushes
• 11 Oral-B Stage II Brushes
• 11 Oral-B Stages Pastes
• 11 Bottles of Disney Lavender Wash
• Disney's Winnie the Pooh Movie DVD
• Recipe & Activity Ideas (that would be the flash cards featuring the happy kid and toothpaste with Pooh Bear above)
• Balloons
• Popcorn for guests
• Guest Gift Bags

Slim and Curly were super eager to have friends over - from the time they woke on the morning of the event, they were jumping up and down asking if it was pajama party time!  Because I'm weird, I changed them out of their actual pjs after breakfast and into a fresh pair.  Then, it was time to set up.

The boys wanted to decorate with the bears they made at the previous week's bear themed storytime & craft we hosted.

Our menu directly tied in to the film we'd be viewing, 2011's Winnie the Pooh.  We served:

•  Winnie the Pooh popcorn
• Rabbit gummies
• Kanga cookies
• Hundred Acre Wood trail mix
• Backson (a key part and character of the movie) box juice
• And for the moms, coffee or tea with hunny

Table set up to welcome our friends

Goodie bags were stocked, balloons were blown up, and my personal favorite,

the giant toothbrush and plastic dental teeth model were displayed so that everyone could practice their toothbrushing skills.

Curly making a comfy, cozy spot for himself

Our guests arrived, and given everyone's mood, we started off by playing the movie.  However, the lure of toys not theirs called the other guys and we soon headed downstairs to the playroom.  I will say, as the photos below attest, that what was watched was greatly enjoyed!

While the kids played, the moms socialized.  We talked about our child(ren)'s sleep patterns, how differently we handle a second or later kid, and past and upcoming events of the mothers' group.  Of course, we also discussed Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Oral-B Stages and taking care of our sons' dental health.  I have often argued that I don't understand why movies geared towards kids have to have such incredibly scary and dramatic moments or such evil bad guys.  Frankly, Slim does not care for movies that scare him.  So, even though he is five and likely aging out of the Winnie the Pooh targeted age group, their innocence and mild scares are much more up his alley.  My mother-in-law took him to see Winnie the Pooh in the theaters this Summer and the Zooey Deschanel song, "So Long" has been an oft requested one ever since.

 

One of the other moms said that Winnie the Pooh was her two year old's first going to the movies experience and he loved it!  She was amazed at how easily it captured his attention for the entire film.  At this point, we started talking about how things like character toothbrushes help our children get more into wanting to brush their teeth.  We agreed that anything that could aid the process along (some of our kids have or still do fight brushing teeth) was a plus.

Taking the playroom from immaculate to well-played in and many rounds of jousting in which, surprisingly, no one was hurt, the boys worked up a big appetite.

Despite the varied menu, the Rabbit gummies (from Annie's) were the runaway hit snack.

Before our friends went on their way, we gave each child a goodie bag and I allowed the moms to select a toothbrush appropriate for their son's age.  Even though Slim and Curly knew what was in each bag, they took items out with great anticipation.  Just goes to show, that dental hygiene can equal fun!