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Welcome to KCMommies!
As part of The Mommies Network, KCMommies.com is a free community for moms in Kansas City and surrounding areas. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? KCMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families. Register today to access our discussion forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private.

School's Out, Summer's In, Now What?
by Andrew Serrano

The end of the school year and the official start of
summer both happen in June. What better time is there
for a kid. Three months away from the daily rigors of
tests and quizzes, school lunches, waking up early,
and a structured schedule. Three months of sleeping
in, playing whenever they want, and reading, watching
TV and snacking on their own schedule.

However, during these three summer months of
inactivity their brain is not doing much of anything.
This makes it all that much harder to transition back
into school each September. And we've all been there,
either ourselves or through watching a child
transition into school. The first month back at
school is when many children struggle to get their
brains accustomed to learning and retaining new
information.

The summer months are a perfect opportunity for
parents to help keep their children's brains active.
Learning over the summer does not have to be boring by
any means. Nor is it meant to be a chore, or a form
of punishment.

Parents, it's time to make learning fun! Take reading
for example. The summer months are a perfect time for
families to get together to read and discuss the same
book. There are many things you can do if your child
is not showing interest in picking up a book.

You could try turning it into a game to see who can
read the most pages (or the entire book) the quickest.
If the child does not seem interested in beating you
to the end of the book you could try finding a book
that has been turned into a movie. If your child has
already seen the movie, try telling them how the movie
didn't everything that has happened in the book.
Also, if there is a movie your child wants to see, and
it was based on a book, try to get them to read the
book first. After having both read the book and seen
the movie there can be a family discussion on which
one you liked better.

click here to continue reading...



Top News Headlines from CNN

Gaping hole in Qantas jet forces emergency landing
A large hole in the fuselage of a jet forced a Qantas flight to make a rapid descent and emergency landing, the airline said. "There was an almighty crack," said one passenger on the Hong Kong-Melbourne flight that landed in Manila, Philippines, instead. Another passenger said there was "a big bang." "I knew there was a hole somewhere, but I didn't know what was going on."
Friday Jul 25th, 3:30 AM

FARC turns over 8 hostages to Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross announced Thursday that it arranged for the release Wednesday of eight civilians held for a week by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Friday Jul 25th, 2:45 AM

Foreclosure filings soar 120 percent
Foreclosures continue to soar, with 220,000 homes lost to bank repossessions in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest statistics from RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed homes. That's nearly triple the number from the same period in 2007.
Friday Jul 25th, 1:10 AM

What it means to be black in America
For Anthony Williams, being black in America means being a suspect. The 39-year-old former Marine said he's never had any major trouble with the law, but the Atlanta, Georgia, native said he still gets nervous around cops. "You never know what to expect when you get pulled over by police, and that's how it is when you're black," he said.
Thursday Jul 24th, 9:00 PM

Politics end Iraq's quest for Olympic glory
Sprinter Dana Hussain was devastated after learning she and six other Iraqi athletes would not be able to participate in next month's Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The International Olympic Committee banned Iraq from competing because of what it says is the government's political interference in sports.
Thursday Jul 24th, 5:53 PM


Food from NPR

'Save Our Starbucks!': Caffeine-Addicted Fight Back
Loyal Starbucks customers may be forced to walk an extra block or two to satisfy their frappuccino cravings; the chain has announced that it will be closing 600 stores around the country. Coffee drinkers aren't taking the news lying down — at SaveOurStarbucks.com, dedicated customers are fighting to keep their neighborhood stores open.
Wednesday Jul 23rd, 10:18 AM

Summer Squash Gets Some Respect
Zucchini and its kin are the sleeper hits among garden blockbusters such as tomatoes and berries. They may not be greeted with raves when you grill the first harvest of yellow crooknecks, but summer squash have the versatility and easy-going nature to sustain a long, successful run in your kitchen.
Tuesday Jul 22nd, 8:44 PM

Jalapenos The Latest Culprit In Salmonella Search
On Monday, government inspectors had a big break in their search for the elusive cause of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. They discovered a strain of bacteria on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper in a distribution facility in south Texas.
Tuesday Jul 22nd, 10:47 AM

An Expert Tastes New Changes In Wine
Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over, joins Host Liane Hansen to discuss how global warming, competition in the wine industry, and organic standards are changing the wine we drink. MacLean also reveals her favorite wine, after more than a decade as a sommelier.
Sunday Jul 20th, 5:36 AM

Tiny Texas Cafe Fills Up After Barbecue Award
Every five years, Texas Monthly chooses the best barbecue in a state that reveres smoked meat. Snow's BBQ in Lexington was unprepared for the onslaught of customers following its first-place win.
Friday Jul 18th, 9:42 AM

 
Today's Latest from Entertainment Weekly

Stephenie Meyer on 'Twilight'
''Breaking Dawn'' author chats with us at Comic-Con about the movie, Team Edward vs. Team Jacob, more

'X-Files': What you can expect
What's next for Mulder and Scully? Whitney Pastorek sums up her yearlong search for answers

Heath Ledger tops Must List!
The Joker in ''The Dark Knight'' leads 15 pop gems you and EW staff are loving this week

25 Most Romantic Gestures in Film
All you need is love: We list the most swoon-worthy overtures from movies since 1983

24 mind-blowing conspiracy flicks
As ''The X-Files: I Want to Believe'' searches for the truth, we recall great movies about secrets and lies


Most Popular Headlines from BusinessWeek

Hasbro Threatens Facebook's Scrabulous
If the traffic-generating Scrabble knockoff is removed due to copyright issues, the social networking site may lose many frequent visitors.
Friday Jul 25th, 1:07 AM

Microsoft: What Web Strategy?
The software giant left some analysts wanting more detail on plans to turn around its limping online operations after failing to acquire Yahoo.
Friday Jul 25th, 1:07 AM

Nobody Loves a Three-Year-Old SUV
Thousands of leased gas-guzzlers are back on the lot, and their resale value will batter bottom lines.
Thursday Jul 24th, 5:07 PM

Sales of Foreclosed Homes Are Up Nationwide
As housing continues to slump, in many states foreclosed properties make up the largest share of existing-home sales.
Thursday Jul 24th, 7:07 PM

The Real Question: Should Oil Be Cheap?
Expensive oil hurts, but there's a business case to be made for a floor under the price of crude.
Thursday Jul 24th, 9:07 PM


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