Flat Stanley's Adventures in Kansas City

Flat Stanley came to me in Peculiar, Missouri, in the mail from Maineville, Ohio. 

I took him about half an hour away (everything fun is at least half an hour away from Peculiar) to Crown Center, where the headquarters for Hallmark Cards is located (you know, like the Hallmark Channel!). He wanted a couple of photos in the main entryway, and also a couple at the restaurant where I went to work while my son was ice skating. 

The restaurant is called Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, and you order your food by using a telephone at your table. Then the food is delivered by a train that goes around the entire restaurant!

It was too late to go to SeaLife Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center, though.

And on January 9, 2025, Flat Stanley went to Brookside, which is in Kansas City, MO.

Kerrie's Favorite Affordable Beauty Products

These are products I swear by, and I hope you give some of them a try and fall in love with them too! 

Also, I'd love it if you'd follow me on my Facebook fan page for more updates! I'm also on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram! And if you're a writer, blogger, proofreader, or just love words, follow me over at The Published Parent! Here we go with 13 of my most favorite beauty products:

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Face Moisturizer, Normal/Combo, 1.7 oz. was only $6.43 at WalMart (doing the grocery pickup*, of course). It's lightweight and perfect for summer or when you just want something NOT thick. My 15-year-old daughter loves it too and kept using mine so much I got her one for herself. We've probably bought this about 5 times so far. It's great for a quick moisture touch-up when your skin feels dry, during travel, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, etc.

Update as of 12/13/24, my youngest child, my son, just stole this from me! Teens love it because it isn't too thick and definitely isn't greasy. It doesn't contribute to the pimple problem, is what I'm saying! The price has gone up quite a bit from when we were first buying it but it's still worth it.

Making the Most of Christmas Break While House Hunting

The holiday season is often a time for family and celebrations, but it also presents a unique opportunity for those looking to make progress on their real estate purchasing goals. Zillow is one really great tool. While house hunting during Christmas break can seem difficult due to the season’s hustle and bustle, it can offer distinct advantages if approached strategically. 

1. Using Time Off to Tour Homes

One of the key benefits of Christmas break is the extra time off from work and school. Families can take advantage of this time to tour multiple properties and explore different neighborhoods. Since many people slow down during the holidays, scheduling showings can be more flexible. This gives buyers the opportunity to visit homes more efficiently, seeing more properties in a shorter period. 

Homeschooling families or those with children on a break can involve everyone in the decision-making process. This allows for a better understanding of how well a home might suit the needs of the entire family. 

Budgeting for Christmas — Start Now!

There are just over two months left until Christmas. While that might seem like a long way away, that usually means there are just a few paydays left. Many people leave thinking about their Christmas budget until the last minute, but consider this your warning to get your finances into shape. 

Want to get ahead of Christmas this year? Here’s how you can start budgeting for Christmas and save some extra money too!

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Work out what you need

It’s easy to go crazy over the holidays, losing track of what you’ve bought and how much you’ve spent. But if you’ve got a plan in place, you should be able to stick to it. Think of all the things you need for Christmas, from gifts and decorations to food and drink. Once you’ve got it all written out in front of you, you can see how much money you need to save and maybe make some tough decisions about your priorities. Check out this post on Ramsey Solutions on How to Set up Your Christmas Budget.

Christmas Baking: Heavenly Coconut Chocolate Bars

It's never too early to make your Christmas Baking Plan! These little gems go fast in my house when I make them, and they are so easy that now the kids can make them too. They are the perfect dessert for someone who has just had a baby, and they are certainly always on my list for a food gift to give during any holiday!

Here's the recipe for these sinful bars I like to bake and gift as Christmas goodies. Then I bake a batch just for me and snack on them out of the fridge because they are better cold. They rock.