![Meteorologists are predicting the winter of 2016 to be a warm one! Take advantage of it with plenty of ways to play this fall and winter. #CLIFkids [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/5JW4cLI.jpg)
Just a few days ago, meteorologists in Kansas City started releasing their weather reports for winter 2016. Most of them agreed– winter would be mild, and at times unseasonably warm, with little snow. While that may be a bummer for snow-lovers, it’s a great thing for everyone who loves to play outside! This fall and winter is going to be a great one for PLAY, and today, I’m sharing my 5 favorite ways to play in fall and winter (with a few tips on where to play in Kansas City, too)!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias
![Summer may be almost over, but there's still plenty of time to sneak in a little last-minute road trip. If you're from the Kansas City area, there are a ton of nearby options for places to travel, so you can sneak in that family bonding time before back to school hits. #RoadTripOil [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/ijVes4Y.jpg)
I cannot even handle the fact that we’re over halfway through summer. I mean, I looked at the calendar, and we have like… 3 weeks left of the pool being open for the year. As much as I’m looking forward to my fall favorites returning in just a few short weeks, I also know that I want to squeeze out every last drop of summer I can. It’s about this time of year every year that I itch to take a little road trip, a short end-of-summer vacation, a last hurrah before the fall returns and we remember that school is just around the corner… and when you’re from the Kansas City area, you’re incredibly blessed with tons of nearby places that are really awesome to visit, without having to go too horribly far for a last-minute road trip. That means it’s not too late to visit them now… just hop in the car and enjoy!
This weekend, I took some time away. And by time away, I don’t mean I went to a spa and relaxed. I mean I went to a conference and learned a lot. Hours and hours of information was packed into one day, leaving me with a long to-do list of things to work on over the next couple of weeks.
You wouldn’t think this would be refreshing. But honestly? It was.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #DataAndAMovie #CollectiveBias
![Going on a spring break trip or family vacation? If you're taking a road trip, you definitely want to check out these travel hacks and special uses for your smartphone that will bring your family together on your next road trip... when you've been in a car together for WAY too long, you'll wish you had checked this post out! #DataAndAMovie [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/zqSJGMJ.jpg)
Spring break season is almost upon us… I can’t believe I’m saying that, but now that January’s over, it’s officially time to start planning those spring break trips. And while you’re planning, you definitely need to make sure your smartphone has a great data plan, because I’ve got eight smartphone travel tips for your next road trip that will bring your family together on the road, and make your life a whole lot easier.
It all started with a turkey. Just a simple, wild turkey who loved to hang out by the side of the highway just north of my hometown. He was there for about a year before someone made that first post in a community group for ladies in my town… “Hey, has anyone else seen that turkey on the highway?”
I partnered with the Roasterie Kansas City Air Roasted Coffee for this post. All opinions are my own.
Fall is upon us, and it’s seriously starting to get chilly… temperatures are dipping lower and lower and I’m pretty much ready to turn my heat on. The only thing saving my heating bill right now is a nice steaming hot cup of coffee. And what’s better with coffee than a really delicious piece of biscotti? Nothing. Except maybe a delicious piece of pumpkin spice biscotti, especially if you’re dipping it into incredible Roasterie Kansas City Air Roasted Coffee. Plus, it’s so easy to make, which means it’s the perfect gift for your Thanksgiving hostess, your friends, and, well, yourself. And since biscotti is a treat that ships really well, it’s also great for those friends who live halfway across the country. Here’s how to make this sweet pumpkin spice treat.
It is no secret that I absolutely love Kansas City. Everything about living here is so great– it seems like the best of all worlds with it’s small town feel and big city thrill, the fantastic weather (we are so lucky to experience all four seasons, including this beautiful fall weather that we’ve already gotten a taste of this year)… just everything. So whether you’re from here, or you’re just visiting this fall, there is plenty to do if you have a family– from animals to pumpkins and everything in between, this list has you covered with all of the coolest things to do in KC this fall– both on specific weekends and all autumn long. It’s your ultimate Kansas City Fall Bucket List!
This winter, I had what many of my friends referred to as my “grinch year.” I was up to my eyeballs in too many toys, and I put a ban on the entire family– NO. TOYS. PERIOD. I was not going to let another toy come into my house when we were overloaded even after getting rid of a bunch. Instead, I encouraged my family to consider ideas that might be more long-lasting and educational, but still fun (like subscription boxes or annual memberships). I also put my money where my mouth was and got my son an annual pass to SeaLife Aquarium, the Legoland Discovery Center, and to Union Station, 3 places we visited last fall and loved.
And this summer? I’m so thankful for my grinch year, because the memberships we have now are perfect for our summer fun, and we’ve been getting tons of use out of each. So, now that my son and I are well-versed in what memberships are worth it in the KC area (and which you might want to skip).
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ChangingPrepaid #CollectiveBias
Mom life can be hectic sometimes, and it feels like between gymnastics, soccer camp, visiting our favorite museums, and just hanging out at the park, we are always on the go. Even though I’ve never been much of a purse girl, our on-the-go lifestyle has made it so I pretty much have to have a bag on me at all times. And that’s where our “go-bag” comes in– our essentials are all in one spot, and that definitely helps. There are some things I always have on hand.
MamaPlusOne is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post is not sponsored in any way by Union Station, Science City, or its’ affiliates. All opinions are my own.
After our trip to Science City last fall, I knew that it was important for us to keep going back. Zach had such a good time, and continued talking about our trip so much, that buying an annual membership was the only option for us– we just knew it was something we’d use. The bright side is that the membership also gets discounted admission to special exhibits, including one very, very exciting exhibit– XTreme Bugs!
