read to a dog

our local library hosts several fun activities for the kids each season. this weekend we went to read to a dog. they loved snuggling up with max, zoe and maddie to read to them. click on this link if you are from the kc area for listings of activities at a library close to you: www.jocolibrary.org

we lost our dog over a year and a half ago and have been thinking about a new one. the family vote is 4 to 1 to get a puppy but dad is holding out. we have done some dog-sitting for a sweet beagle, india. lucy is head over heels for her!

happy birthday mom!

70 years of oz

a trip downtown to crown center to visit the 70 years of oz exhibit. these free exhibits change every few months and the kids enjoy it every time we we go. this one lasts through april 26. the kids follow the yellow brick road past dorothy, glenda, the scarecrow, lion and tin man, through the witches castle and a ride on a hot air balloon.

of course we had to eat at fritz's where a train delivers the meal and look at that huge brownie sundae!

then outside to watch the fountains and enjoy a semi warm day in february.

valentine's

here are our valentine's this year. we wrapped a chenille stem around a pencil and added our message and a sticker at the top.

friday family fun nights

march's theme for tastebud magazine is family favorites, so i documented one of our friday family fun nights at home. it was fun to include the kids on this one!

Friday Family Fun Night
In our house Fridays are reserved for family fun night. This can include anything from going to the Nelson-Atkins art gallery to trying a new family friendly restaurant or the kid’s favorite, game night at home. Since this night is all about fun and family time together start with setting an interactive and brightly colored table. Roll out a large sheet of white butcher block paper and provide lots of markers, crayons and colored pencils for creating bold drawings. To hold our supplies we made ‘junk drawer’ robots out of recycled cans, old hardware, paper clips and any odds and ends we discovered in the garage. Have the kids design the robots out of these old parts and an adult can attach the junk with a hot glue gun. My kids were so excited to add their works of art to create our centerpiece. Next, bring on the games! For our last game night we played bingo. The cage served as the centerpiece, we placed the bingo cards at each place setting and spread the colorful markers all over the table. Another alternative would be to place a board game and pieces in the middle and get ready to play!
The menu is simple: make your own pizza and chocolate milk. Stop by Whole foods to buy their pre-made pizza dough in the deli area and get plenty of toppings (pepperoni, black olives, broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers, etc.), sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Everyone is happy because they choose their own pizza toppings and they have fun making it. While the pizza is in the oven enjoy coloring and talking about the week. When the pizza is gone it’s on to dessert. What could be more fun than chocolate fondue? Kids love dipping marshmallows, pretzels, bananas and strawberries into the yummy melted chocolate.
Spend the rest of the evening playing games and laughing, dancing and enjoying this time together. We end our night with everyone piling into our king sized bed for a family slumber party.

Family Fun Night Tunes

House Party Time: Dan Zanes
Pizza and Chocolate Milk: The Terrible Twos
Victor Vito: Laurie Berkner
I Chalk: Justin Roberts
Heist: Ben Folds
William Tell Overture: Rossini
Catch the Moon: Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell