I Won't Disappear, In This City*

For Mother’s Day, Trent and I decided to abandon our original plans of going to the giant, suburban movie theater out by our house and head downtown to the newly renovated AMC Mainstreet Theater. When we upgraded our original tickets (to Star Trek, squeeee!) from the regular theater to the high tech Cinema Suites, and we were definitely not disappointed. Recliners, a waitress at our disposal, chocolate covered raisins, wine and chairs that vibrate with the noise during the high action scenes, it was probably my favorite movie watching experience to date. Unfortunately, due to our ticket change, we had two hours to kill between dinner and the start of our movie. We were both totally wiped from a long weekend, so we spent part of that time, ahem, sleeping in our car. Like crazy people. We sure do know how to have fun on a night out.

But the other part of the night was spent enjoying our city and wondering why we moved to the suburbs in the first place. We don’t miss the crime, lack of space and bad schools, but we sure do miss the pulse and activity you find in the urban part of Kansas City. Knowing us, we may even move back someday when we have infinite income and less small children. Until then though, we decided to make a real effort to enjoy what our city has to offer, even though we’re living out in suburbia now.

A few things we try to do on a weekly or monthly basis:

Attend First Friday’s in the Crossroads District – All the art galleries open for free viewing and most serve drinks and appetizers as well. There are street performers, slushie machines on street corners and amazing pieces of art. The bands playing in the streets are pretty nice as well. (First Friday of Every Month, Crossroads Art District, next one is on June 5)

City Market – The biggest farmers’ market in town with amazing food, fresh and local. Also a great place to find plants for your garden or random handmade knick knacks you can’t live without. (Saturday and Sunday mornings, Downtown Rivermarket)

And here are some activites we really want to try this year. Some are repeats of years past, but we kept them on this list because they are definitely things we want to try again:

Royals Game (family outing) – The recently renovated Royals stadium is ah-may-zing! More family friendly, more technology and the local fans couldn’t be more excited. Now the Royals just need to learn how not to suck!

T-Bones Game (to get drunk) – Trent added the “to get drunk” part. The T-Bones are a local baseball team that plays out in Johnson County. Their games are cheaper, and more laid back then the Royals, plus, the T-Bones are actually a pretty good team in their league.

Nelson Atkins Family Day – We used to live right next to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, and, of course, as people tend to do when they live so close to cool landmarks, we hardly ever went there. We want to plan a fun day with Lulu to spend entirely at the museum. Maybe on a hot July day when we all need a break from the sun.

Johnson County Community College Art Museum – My company designed this facility, and I’ve still never spent much time there. May be a quick and cheaper option then the Nelson Atkins and it’s right down the street from our house.

Berry Picking / Shatto Milk Farm / Dianna Rose Farmstead – We’ve actually been to Dianna Rose a few times, but I’d love to spend a whole day and have Trent come with us. The berry picking place was sent to me by Nicole, who’s moving here this summer, and it sounds like a great time. Shatto Milk is a great local company, and I try to buy their milk as often as possible (it comes in glass bottles, so fun!). I would love to take a tour and help milk a cow or two! And Lu would just like some of their pink (strawberry) milk.

Chiefs Game Post Renovation – The renovation of the stadium is almost complete, and hopefully as nice as what they did for the Royals. We may have lost our coach and our most likeable player, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be screaming “CHHEEEIIIFFFSS!” from the new seats come Fall.

NCAA / Negro League Museums – The Negro League Museum was the lovechild of our hometown hero Buck O’Neill, one of the great negro league baseball players who gave so much back to KC before his death two years ago. The NCAA Museum was built along with the Sprint Center last year, and I’ve toured it once (right before it opened), but would love to see it completely finished.

Amtrack Trip – Maybe just a short train ride up north, or even to St. Louis if we’re getting ballsy.

Cinema Suites at Mainstreet Theater – We put this on the list just so we could cross something off. This renovated tech-heavy facility is so much fun, I think everyone should try it once (preferably with a very loud action movie so you can feel the seats vibrating).

Plaza Lighting / Carriage Ride – Trent and I lived on the Plaza for over five years, and still never saw the famous lighting of Christmas lights on Thanksgiving Eve. The only time we were ever in town for the event, I was working and Trent was with his family. Bummer. We’re going to stay close to home this holiday season, and hopefully we can make it down and get our carriage ride as well.

KC Jazz – I have never seen real jazz in KC. Please don’t shoot me. I know, I’m awful. But I’m making the resolution to fix this atrocity. This year, baby, I swear.

Downtown Stay-Cation – Since we’ll never get a chance to go on a honeymoon (I’ve officially given up hope), we’d love to do some sort of stay-cation in KC this year. Maybe stay at the President’s Hotel, go to dinner at the Sky Restaurant, hang out downtown….

Concerts – We are officially making an effort to see more shows in KC. Not sure where we’re going to start….but it’s happening, damnit.

Sports at Sprint Center – I’ve been to a few concerts at the Sprint Center, but never to a sports event. Someday we’ll get a hockey team here (fingers crossed), but until then, a NCAA sports tournament will do.

NASCAR Race – This is Trent’s idea. He wants to wear fake mullets and drink Pabst. I suppose I can do that. Anything for marriage, you know?

Greatwolf Lodge – This is an indoor waterpark / hotel out in the suburbs that my sister takes her kids to on a regular basis in the wintertime. Once Lu can keep her head above water, I think this would be a great weekend treat in the middle of a bleak, grey winter.

New Tattoo – Really doesn’t have anything to do with Kansas City, but both Trent and I are jonesing for new tats. I have a full idea drawn out for mine, now I just need money, time and a good artist recommendation. Anyone?

Hot Air Balloon Ride – This actually replaced another idea, skydiving, because Trent thought the original idea was too dangerous. Whatever, floating through the sky will work just as well. I hope someone packs parachutes though.