Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Kansas City, KS

Well now, Kansas City went from "sitting on the deck with a cold drink" to "hotter than Hades" almost overnight, didn't it? I don't know about you, but these are definitely the days that I start paying a little more attention to how fast the Ozone layer is depleting.  It's also the time I start stocking up on deoderant, Gatorade and dinner options that don't require turning on the oven.

Speaking of dinner. What do you make for dinner when it's so stinkin' hot outside nobody has an appetite? Here's a few that work around my house.

Tortilla wrap spirals

Lay out a large tortilla, my kids like the sun-dried tomato flavored ones. (Ahem, we don't call them sun-dried tomato tortillas though, because in my house that would totally kill the deal. We just call them Orange Ones.) Spread on a layer of Laughing Cow light swiss cheese, then layer thin sliced ham, lettuce, and/or any other thin and flat deli combo your kids like. Roll 'em up, and slice into one inch thick spirals. Serve with chips, pickles, fresh fruit and Lemonade (I like Crystal Lite for the no sugar aspect.)

Turkey Apple Salad

Pick up a small, cooked and smoked turkey breast from your grocery store deli. Cut half of it into small cubes depending on how old your kids are (toddlers need really small bites, of course), save the other half to slice for sandwiches later. Also dice 1 large Granny Smith apple, and 2 sticks of celery.  Add craisins (or raisins), and mix it together with either mayonnaise or plain yogurt, depending on your kids palates. You can also add a couple spoonfuls of brown sugar for good measure, or chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts if you don't have any allergy issues. Mix all together and serve, either over torn lettuce or in a tortilla wrap.

Another thing to keep in mind. If you're a Slacker Mom like me, you probably by those Rotisserie chickens from the store and bring home to serve for dinner THAT NIGHT. (Like I'm gonna rotisserie roast a chicken. Right.) My family love these, but there's always leftover chicken. These leftovers are great for all kinds of things, sandwiches, wraps, easy chicken enchiladas or tacos, it's practically endless.  

Fresh Fruit Salad served in a bowl of carved out canteloupe

That doesn't really need details, does it? Fruit as dishes with no silverware needed means you can skip the dishwasher, too, and there's one more little energy saver that makes a difference in the long run. 

Well now, Kansas City went from "sitting on the deck with a cold drink" to "hotter than Hades" almost overnight, didn't it? I don't know about you, but these are definitely the days that I start paying a little more attention to how fast the Ozone layer is depleting.  It's also the time I start stocking up on deoderant, Gatorade and dinner options that don't require turning on the oven.

Speaking of dinner. What do you make for dinner when it's so stinkin' hot outside nobody has an appetite? Here's a few that work around my house.

Tortilla wrap spirals

Lay out a large tortilla, my kids like the sun-dried tomato flavored ones. (Ahem, we don't call them sun-dried tomato tortillas though, because in my house that would totally kill the deal. We just call them Orange Ones.) Spread on a layer of Laughing Cow light swiss cheese, then layer thin sliced ham, lettuce, and/or any other thin and flat deli combo your kids like. Roll 'em up, and slice into one inch thick spirals. Serve with chips, pickles, fresh fruit and Lemonade (I like Crystal Lite for the no sugar aspect.)

Turkey Apple Salad

Pick up a small, cooked and smoked turkey breast from your grocery store deli. Cut half of it into small cubes depending on how old your kids are (toddlers need really small bites, of course), save the other half to slice for sandwiches later. Also dice 1 large Granny Smith apple, and 2 sticks of celery.  Add craisins (or raisins), and mix it together with either mayonnaise or plain yogurt, depending on your kids palates. You can also add a couple spoonfuls of brown sugar for good measure, or chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts if you don't have any allergy issues. Mix all together and serve, either over torn lettuce or in a tortilla wrap.

Another thing to keep in mind. If you're a Slacker Mom like me, you probably by those Rotisserie chickens from the store and bring home to serve for dinner THAT NIGHT. (Like I'm gonna rotisserie roast a chicken. Right.) My family love these, but there's always leftover chicken. These leftovers are great for all kinds of things, sandwiches, wraps, easy chicken enchiladas or tacos, it's practically endless.  

Fresh Fruit Salad served in a bowl of carved out canteloupe

That doesn't really need details, does it? Fruit as dishes with no silverware needed means you can skip the dishwasher, too, and there's one more little energy saver that makes a difference in the long run.