jenc
Jen was born and raised in Overland Park. After going to Indiana University for college, then living in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, she grew exhausted of circling for a parking spot and headed back home to be near family. She and her husband Matt are parents to a 10 year-old boy and a 8 year-old girl. Jen teaches kindergarten and her husband teaches high school, so they wonder how they’ll relate to their kids during the middle school years. She spends her free time cheering on the Chiefs, Royals, and Hoosiers, hanging out with family, laughing with her teacher friends, and fostering a love/hate relationship with boxing. She also loves traveling, Target, coffee, wine, sunflowers and all things pop culture.
A Love for the Girl Scouts
This post is sponsored by the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri. To join, visit them online.
When I was growing up in the 1980s, youth sports wasn’t nearly as huge and time-consuming as...
A Midlife Job Change
At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, I did a thing. I left my teaching job.
Now, I didn’t up and leave the profession altogether, even though last year was quite possibly the most...
See the World Kick Up Its Heels at Grand Carnivale
Are you looking to explore a few more countries before the lazy days of summer end? Look no further than Grand Carnivale at Worlds of Fun! This celebration of the world includes a parade,...
Birth Story: 5 Weeks Early
This birth story series is sponsored by HCA Midwest Health.
I became pregnant with my first child at 35. While I liked to think that being in my mid-thirties was still young, I was considered...
One Year Later
During my plan time at school today, my co-teachers and I worked on our lesson plans for next week. We were trying to remember how we taught a certain reading concept, and my partner...
Dear 2020: Now That You’re Leaving, I Feel…
Dear 2020,Now that you are leaving, I feel EXHAUSTED. I mean, what a roller coaster you had us on this year. Highs, lows, dips, twists and turns, and some nausea-inducing loops. And COVID-19 was...
Ringing in the New Year at Home
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with New Year’s Eve. As a kid, I loved it! We could stay up until midnight at age 8? Fantastic! When I was in college and after, NYE...
Planning for 2020 Holidays During COVID-19
Mid-October brought the arrival of Amazon Prime Days, along with Black Friday-like deals at a number of other retailers. Naturally, I started thinking about Christmas shopping and asked the kids to compile their wish...
Vacationing During COVID-19
For the past three summers, my husband and I have enjoyed an adults-only vacation to Tucson, Arizona. We go for a week with fellow teachers, usually soon after school is done for the year....
Summer Reading Programs in Kansas City
In these turbulent times of quarantines and lockdowns, the partial reopening of local libraries are giving us the distractions we need, both as adults and kids. The Kansas City area libraries are partnering with...
Athletic Trainers Minimize Risk to Athletes
This post is sponsored by National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, my daughter and I had the opportunity to attend the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Prepare to Play Sports Safety and Wellness...
COVID School
Okay, friends. Time to check in on everyone and their foray into the world of homeschooling. We are on day #3498 of distance learning, and boy, do I have some revelations. What is working?...
Top Five Lists to Beat Kids’ Boredom
I’ve compiled some Top Five lists that can hopefully help you in times of panic, like when your child says “I’m booooored,” for the umpteenth time.
Top Five Podcasts for Kids
• Wow in the World...
The Lesson of Legos
Recently, my husband and I found ourselves in the Lego Store, alone, without kids. We both have an affinity for these colorful bricks, and we love perusing the sets without a child begging us...
Acing the School Valentine’s Day Party
Alright moms, raise your hand if you’ve gotten the email, looking for volunteers to help with your child’s Valentine’s Day party at school. Now, raise your hand if you’ve been scouring Pinterest, searching for...
