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Expectant Prayers ®

Jennifer Jo Weiss

Something FREE for the Kids

If you are looking for something fun and educational to take your kids to this summer, why not check out a local Nature Center?  No matter where you live, chances are there will be a conservation center nearby! We have three favorites, two of which are within 15 minutes of our house.  You may not be so lucky, but with a little investigative work, you'll probably find one closer than you think!

The three we have been to and enjoy in the KC metro area are Squaw Creek, Burr Oak, and Swope Park.  Most are for free , but usually have a donation bucket sitting by the door.  You are not obligated to pay anything, but you may wish to have a few dollars in your pocket to donate!  If you sign up (on the guest register) at one in Missouri, they will send you a Conservationist Magazine in the mail for free!  Talk about benefits!  If you are home educator, a nature center is a must for your classroom.  There, you will find out about wildlife, vegetation, migratory patterns, bugs and insects...all native to your state.  Most nature centers host live as well as preserved displays of animals, observation areas to view wild animals in their natural habitat and offer a plethora of activities for the children to enjoy.   There are also gift shops in most of the centers that boast cool and unusual products from T-shirts to bug sets.   Squaw Creek gives free coloring books to all the children who visit the center! 

So whether you may be a parent looking for an adventure for your kids or an educator looking for a field trip to take your classroom on... a Conservation Nature Center is a sure winner!


We had scads of fun yesterday during our hike, picnic, and tennis time!  Those three events alone took up most of our day. Yes, even I enjoyed tennis, but I didn't run.  I mostly volleyed the ball back and forth with my husband and kids or went to the racquetball wall and hit it to myself!  Then it was off for shakes and cheesy fries at the local Steak -n-Shake!  We couldn't have asked for a better day. 

Today, we are working in the yard again this morning (trying to beat a storm headed our way this afternoon.)  Then we are planning a quick trip to Ottawa with our doggy, Winston, who seems to be suffering from allergies again.  He needs a cortisone shot and some heart worm pills.  Then we'll stop in and say hello to Grandma before heading back to KC.  If it doesn't rain too much, my husband has a double header softball game to play with the church league this evening.  It will be a busy day here again, so I'd better get to it.

Blessings and we'll see you again tomorrow!

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