Explore MO {Kansas City}
Every couple of months Chris travels to Kansas City for work meetings. The kids and I usually stay home – he is busy the whole time anyway. Well, a couple weeks ago I figured, “Why not?” So, we loaded everyone up and I decided the kids and I could explore a new city together.
It needs to be noted that exploring a new city with 5 kids by myself not only sounded manageable, but sounded fun too! This has not always been the case. The mere thought of going out to Target with all of them by myself once caused me to break into a sweat. Seasons change!
We only had 2 days and Kansas City is FULL of incredible places to visit and things to do. Being the saver in the family, I opted for things that were free.
Chris had a little bit of time when we first arrived, so he joined us at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Money Museum. The museum is small and you can fit it in about 30 minutes – longer if you linger and discuss everything you see. It is also near so many other landmarks and places to visit. AND everyone leaves with a bag of shredded cash, which was a big hit with my crew.
Attempting to lift a gold bar worth around $500,000!
The first day of our trip landed on my third son’s 10th birthday. When the birthday kid asks for frozen custard, no one argues. Our youngest daughter chose to eat her’s in the car with Chris because she was too cold. 
PHOTO TIP: I asked Hudson to snap a picture of me with the birthday boy. I got the settings where I wanted, but didn’t give him any instructions. This is the shot he got…
After looking at his photo, I showed it to him and explained how much of our bodies I wanted in the photo. He took a second shot and it was just perfect. Sometimes just giving a little explanation and explaining both what you do and don’t want in a photo will help others capture what you have in mind. Don’t give up after the first shot (unless it is a stranger and you feel bad asking for them to try again!)
When Chris was in meetings, I mainly used my phone to snap pictures of our adventures around the city. They were the best sports posing for a selfie with me. We spent an hour being artsy and creative at Hallmark Kaleidoscope. I didn’t get any pictures – too busy with art supplies! I would say the primary ages are 10 and under, but my older boys had fun helping their siblings. I made my son a birthday crown as a joke, but he humored me for this picture 😉
The next day we ventured to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Naturally, we were drawn to explore outside first!
The glass maze has warnings to go slow, but even if your steps aren’t quick you might slam right into a glass wall. Ask my youngest daughter, she has a bruised cheek for a week! That being said, it was incredibly beautiful and fun to watch people inside.
I could have spent hours wandering slowly through the exhibits, but my crew wasn’t so much into the slow meandering. As we entered the Greek and Roman art exhibit (not pictured!), with a loud voice my youngest proclaimed, “Well, the Greeks sure like naked people! No one has clothes on here!” Cue the giggles and smirks from other museum patrons. Kids, no doubt, make art museums far more interesting!
If we are in Kansas City again, we will definitely go back with art journals or something to make it more interactive for the kids.
Day one was the federal reserve, where massive amounts of money are saved. Day two included IKEA, where massive amounts of money are spent!
As we strolled though the store, I kept thinking about how much fun I was having with them on this trip. This season of motherhood is so different than the first one. No more big diaper bags or strollers or timing things before an inevitable meltdown. The years of babies and toddlers was beautiful and sweet in its own unique way, but it is a gift to see the goodness of this season too. In the hustle of daily life and exhausting conversations (that is a big change with kids getting older!), I’m doing my best to slow down enough to recognize the goodness around me.
And Kansas City – I’m excited to go back and explore more!
________________
