I live in Overland Park, which is right next to Olathe. I second The National World War 1 Museum; it’s amazing. We go at least once a year; my 19 yo son goes more often and chats with the staff, who are incredibly knowledgeable. There is a fee for this museum, but it’s so worth it. The Nelson Atkins art museum is free, parking is not. There is a nice cafe inside. There is a nice Botanical Gardens just south of me off Hwy 69...I’m not sure what it’s called..maybe the Overland Park Botanical Gardens? Also, there is a nice feline conservatory called Cedar Cove in Louisburg..maybe 30 minutes from Olathe. We went several years ago, and it was small, but well run. They have a website with their hours. They had a wolf pack when we were there. We are 10 minutes from a shopping center called Town Center, on 119th in Leawood KS, if you map it, and right behind it is Park Place. There are some restaurants as well, and in the spring and summer evenings my husband and I like to sit on “the green†eating gelato from Pacuigo and people watch. Just nice and relaxing. And as mentioned, BBQ is a must, KC does burnt ends especially well. We love Q 39, Jack Stack, Joe’s, etc. Try them all!

War Eagle! Auburn is my hometown; we moved there from Birmingham when I was 10, and I grew up there and met my husband when both of us were in college there. My parents live there still. We have moved all over since then, but I love watching games played at Jordan-Hare! Although, this game really took it out of me.... So happy the Tigers beat Bama!

I’m sitting here, torturing myself by reading this delicious thread. We haven’t eaten our Thanksgiving meal yet and I’m so hungry for pie but I just couldn’t stop reading, when my daughter called with the best news: she and her fiancé are bringing three pies! Glory! I think I’ll survive now...

We lived in Marin County(in San Anselmo) for 2 years, from 2006-2008. It was our last two years in the Air Force, before my husband retired. We loved it there, and of course, explored the surrounding counties on the weekends. It's all so beautiful. We are praying for you all. Just so sad.

We drove an hour to be in 100% totality. Drove through torrential rain and lightening, but the storm moved east in time and we we able to see the whole thing. When it slipped into complete totality...oh wow. It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. And it really did get dark, the streetlights came on. The temperature dropped a bit. But the light around the moon was just beautiful. Then the sun appreared again, and the clouds showed up. I'm thankful they held off as long as they did.

My daughter transferred to the University of Kansas last year, and is a CS major. She is slightly older, 24, having taken a gap year, then worked during her first 2 years of college. The CS major is in the School of Engineering, so she is required to take 4 Calc classes. She's loving it. Her fiance(soon to be husband in 5 months) is a Mechanical Engineer, and minored in math, so he's been a fantastic and free tutor, when she gets stuck. She doesn't want to program, but would like to go into web or app design. She says she gets stared at when she goes into the Engineering bldg...just aren't very many women in there...really hope that changes.

Tomorrow, May 16. It will be our 30th. We are taking a week touring New England...just hitting a few spots. We are in Kennebunkport, Maine tonight. It's been a rough year for several reasons so it's so nice to get away together!

What a great article! Congrats to your daughter, and yes, you are an amazing couple and family. Such a joy to read this!

I live in the KC area now, used to live in San Antonio, TX, and I prefer the KC BBQ. I just like the sweeter taste. But I love South Carolina BBQ as well. However, I will eat ANY BBQ that is set before me! We love the Nelson Atkins! And the World War 1 museum is fantastic; my 18 yo son is heading down there today...he loves to pop in a couple of times a year.

Pleas add me too! Both my children are in college. Thank you!

I live in Overland Park, KS, in the Greater KC metro area. I've lived all over thanks to the Air Force, and have sampled BBQ in every state we've lived in...yes, even in Fairbanks, Alaska! My faves: We had some really good BBQ in Clemson, SC, in a place called The Esso... An old gas station turned into a bbq joint. Also had some pretty good stuff in San Antonio, TX, too. But I have to admit that personally, I prefer what we have here in Kansas City. I love Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stacks. I pass by Jack Stacks taking my son to tennis twice a week and the smell drives me insane... Gosh, I'm so hungry right now! And I'd love to meet y'all! I rarely post but I've lurked for years so come to KC and lets eat BBQ together!

Does anyone have suggestions for some good spiritual growth/teen issues/critical thinking books for my husband to read and discuss with our 17 yo son? They have a good relationship, but it's just easier for my husband to broach topics with our son when they come from a book they are reading, or a podcast they are listening to. We are Christians, if that helps with book suggestions! We talk about everything! We were Air Force for 21 years and moved all over. Our son has had a part time job since he was 15; he now works at the mall, and makes friends with everybody from all walks of life, which I love about him! He is not sheltered. We just want to help him think critically. Thank you!! Susan

Auburn is my hometown! I grew up there; my dad is a pastor and we moved from Birmingham, AL down to Auburn when I was little. I went to Auburn University there and met my husband; he was in the Air Force ROTC program, and then we spent 21 years in the AF moving all over the place. We're in Kansas City now, as civilians, but my parents are still in the Auburn/Opelika area and it's wonderful. Auburn is a smallish town, but the university gives it a great atmosphere. My mom got her degree in French while I was in high school, and she was always bringing home international students to have dinner with us, so we kids always felt in touch with interesting people from other cultures. I'm 48 now, so Auburn has grown a ton since I was little, meaning it has some of the stores that you used to have to drive to Atlanta, GA to get to. And I have to warn you: football is almost a religion there, so beware! I adore SEC football: it produces all sorts of strong emotions in me, but it's worse in the folks still living there. However, it's a friendly place, and I really miss the South!

I think I lost my post so here I go again...I rarely post but I've been lurking for around 4 years. My husband was active duty AF for 21 years, and I've been missing some aspects of military life recently! Not PCS-ing every 2-3 years, that was rough. We got it down to a very efficient system, but gosh. Always a pain. Bringing lunch and cookies to the packers and movers helped, though! I just miss being part of something big, I miss seeing uniforms everywhere, hearing jets overhead, and hearing the Nation Anthem on the loudspeakers every afternoon at 5 pm. Military spouses learn how to make friends quickly, and are good at welcoming new ones. Our kids always had friends to play with. We've been retired for 6 years, and we're not near any base. My husband frequently goes TDY to AF/Army bases and posts for his work, but I never really get a "fix" anymore. Watching Army Wives on Netflix this week has made me even more nostalgic for the more pleasant aspects of military life. There are some negatives, of course. But I did learn how to PCS. And it kept us from collecting too much stuff, which I'm thankful for...I still love to purge and de-clutter! Wishing all of you moving(or about to) a safe relocation! SusanP

Thanks for all your suggestions; I do better when the choices are narrowed down a bit. Thank you for taking the time to help me out!! susan

Hey everyone. I've been a lurker but need some help! My son will be 13 this friday. He's always been good at math; he's finishing up pre-algebra this month. But reading has been a struggle for years. He just really took off with reading this past fall and is doing very well. I have no idea what "grade level" his reading is... here are the titles of a few of the books he's read for school just so you have an idea where he is: Foster's Augustus Caesar's World, H.A. Guerber's Story of the Greeks and Story of the Romans. They were easy for him, thankfully! I'm glad his reading is going well, but now we need help with spelling, grammar, and writing. We went through Jr. Analytical Grammar and he did fairly well, but I think he needs more grammar. I see all these programs out there but I just don't know where to start with him since he's older. His vocabulary and comprehension are fantastic(he's been listening to wonderful literature for years). His spelling skills are very basic. We've worked on spelling for years but I think it just didn't click because the reading wasn't working. I'm at the point where I would prefer a program that tells me what to do; I've been trying to do some things on my own this year and it's not working! I like the look of FLL but wonder if it it too young for my son? He He's a bit touchy about books that look like they are for younger children. And WWE looks really good(we've done copywork and some dictation for years) but where would I place him? I've also been looking at the MCT materials which look wonderful. Obviously spelling, grammar, and writing will be our next big focus this summer. He is highly auditory, if that helps anyone! I appreciate any help you may have. Our oldest dd is graduating from our homeschool high school in May(math was her challenge!) Thank you!! Susan