McCoys, Mac n Cheese and Math

This past Friday we grabbed the boys and headed downtown for First Friday.  With only one food truck to be found (and a mile-long line) we decided to try McCoys' world-famous Mac N Cheese for dinner.

Somehow, taking my sons to a popular bar in Westport on a Friday night felt a little but like wearing a ball-gown to wash the dishes.  I'm pretty sure my sons were the only people under the age of 18 within several blocks......

We had a thirty minute wait for a table, so I did what I'd like to think any mother would do - I ordered kids' drinks straight from the bar.  The guy who I squeezed in next to wouldn't stop staring at me - he was either hitting on me or thought I was the craziest person ever - and let's face it: who hits a woman ordering three kids' drinks, complete with plastic-cup-lidded-funky-straw, from a bar??  Haha!

While the jury is still out on whether McCoys has the best mac n cheese (my sons ate every last bite!) I will say that it's pretty darn good stuff.  If you ever find yourself in the area, I'd be interested to get your opinion on it.

I will admit - while newborn babies are amazing and tiny (not mine - my oldest was nearly 9 lbs and completely skipped the newborn diapers and clothing,) I much prefer the stages they are in now.  If for no other reason than their ability to communicate their needs with something other than a cry or a temper tantrum (though there are still plenty of tantrums to go around.)  I love answering the math equations my sons shoot at me randomly throughout the day.  I love hearing them talk (sometimes endlessly) about what they've learned or think is cool.  I love wandering the streets of Kansas City, taking in the culture, learning new things and eating unhealthy food (haha.)

I took the opportunity to discuss our next week's schedule with The Mr while we drove.  I mentioned the upcoming STEMfest* at Union Station this Saturday (it's free!)  As I rattled off what the acronym stood for (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,) my oldest son turned to me and said, "Science and Math?  You know I like science and math right?"  (Fellow math nerds, unite.)  What exactly is the STEMfest you ask?

What:       

           

Exhibitors will provide fun, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities to help encourage STEM careers, and all those attending will receive FREE admission to Science City for the day.

There will be many exciting activities and visuals, including robots, hands-on science projects and more!

When & Where:            

   

Union Station/Science City

30 W. Pershing Road, Suite 400, Kansas City, Mo.

Saturday, Nov. 10

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

*Time Warner Cable STEMfest was created as part of the company’s Connect a Million Minds initiative (www.connectamillionminds.com), which aims to engage youth in hands-on learning opportunities in the areas of STEM. For Time Warner Cable STEMfest, TWC has joined forces with the Girls Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri and Science City to engage STEM partners from the local community to be a part of the event and showcase ways that their organization engages kids in STEM learning opportunities. Children of all ages will be able to participate in hands-on, discovery learning activities with each of Time Warner Cable’s STEM partners. 

Are you a math nerd like me?

Social KC: KCFW + First Friday

KCFW held it’s first-First Friday promotional event.  Their purpose was to invite the community in to see the behind-the-scenes working of a photo shoot, a glimpse of what backstage will look like this fall.  There was.......

Clothing (it was nice to meet many of the designers in a casual atmosphere without the crazy rush, excitement and anxiety of a pending runway show):

Christian Micheal from 2012, Brittany of BMDesigns with Michelle of Little Shell Designs and Kris Hanke - photographer, Justin Callaghan - hair stylist

Hair: 

Makeup: 

Palettes and instruments of Jennifer Sullivan Cassidy

Model (from start to finish): 

Model Angela Faith in BMDesigns, Hair Stylist Evyn Fulkerson, Layne - photographer

And of course, Photographers:

Ike, photographer

I was lucky enough to snag the President of KCFW, Phil Willoughby for an interview  If you want a well-written PR statement, you can read his bio here.  Reading a bio is never the same as meeting someone in person:

As he is listing off his many *accomplishments, including local political positions, I can’t help but wonder if he’s ever stopped, or if he ever sleeps.  It appears that he has a love of knowledge and life that drive him to keep going, to keep making things better – whether it’s a client’s way-of-life or a city’s commerce. 

He’s intelligent and likable, and I can’t help but wonder if he has ever not succeeded in winning a person over.  He was, after all, the captain of the baseball team.

I begin to understand why Teisha (pronounced Tee-sha) was the first person he thought of to lead KCFW.  Teisha is personable and down-to-earth.  At one of the model castings months ago, I asked her to give us an example of how a model should walk.  She didn’t hesitate, and she did it without haughtiness or arrogance.  She also never hesitates to answer my numerous questions (which I appreciate.)  Kris is the same way – oh, he will fool you with his little swagger walk and the way he carries himself – but he’s also smart, funny and down-to-earth (and has the cutest curly-haired daughter!) 

After spending time with Phil, Teisha, Kris, Layne and the rest of the team, I am positive that KCFW will continue to be more and more successful as it grows.  Good luck and congratulations!

*“But can he sing?”  The one question I failed to ask......

For more information or to buy tickets for KCFW, please visit KCFashionWeek.com.

These photographs and more can be found here.