Kerrie McLoughlin's Blog

 

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One of the beautiful things about life is that we get to do things in our own way. As much as it may feel like we have to fit in with society and do what’s expected of us, the pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing is slowly dying out. Thankfully, we live in a society where we get to do and be anything we want. Our own individual tastes, wants, and needs are now celebrated. So, if you ever find that you’re on the wrong path or you’re not happy with where you are in life, and you want to be able to change it, you can.

Maybe at some point, you thought you were building the right career and life for what you want. But something changed along the line. And that’s okay! This might be why you’ve found yourself in a situation where you’re thinking of going back to school to study as an adult. Regardless of what age you are, if this is something you can’t stop thinking about, it might be time for you to take it seriously and follow the steps to make it happen. So, in this blog post, we’re going to take a look at how you can go back to school as an adult and make it work for you.

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Okay, so my visions of snuggling up by a fire and homeschooling every day last winter were blown to bits by the fact that my kids are getting older and bounce off the walls when stuck inside on freezing days. So here are some indoor ideas I have come up with so far ... some are free and some are so expensive they should not even be on the list. Enjoy!
Please use this list and enjoy it and have fun NOT sitting around the house with your kids when it is 10 degrees outside this winter. Maybe I'll see you out there and please, I beg of you, don't judge me when you see me out with my 5 kids and I am feeding them Kit Kats for lunch with a Capri Sun chaser. Assume we got all our homeschooling done that morning and that they'd had apples and broccoli. Definitely let's chat and share in this parenting thing.
Also, I do mention homeschool programs quite a bit in this post. If your kids are not yet going-to-school age, these are great events to take your own kids to even if you don't plan to homeschool. Getting the kids some activity and social time while sometimes you also get some social time in is the name of the game!

Feel free to leave me more ideas in the comments section. Thanks, and see you around!
*This post is being updated as of April 4, 2025.*

You could take your kid on the $5 Roasterie tour and get to wear a nifty cap like this one! Reminds me of Laverne and Shirley a little bit!Aaron's Family Fun Center in Belton (my new neighborhood, close to Peculiar). Aron and the kids went bowling there one night and had a blast. Check out this post about Kids Bowl Free all Summer ! If you homeschool or have little ones, go during the day in the winter, and for just a few bucks you get a game, shoes, and a soda!

Bass Pro Olathe or Bass Pro in Independence just to mess around, especially at Christmastime.

Blue Valley Recreation Center and Activity Center. Indoor pool. Massage chairs. Enough said.



Centerfire shooting range if your kids are a little bit older and you are cool with teaching your kids how to safely handle a gun.

Christian Youth Theatre. $5 shows on Fridays during certain times of the year. They also have classes and plays that your child can audition for!

The Coterie at Crown Center, where you can go with a group to get the $5 tickets. 

Great Wolf Lodge for indoor water fun!

Ibis Bakery in Lenexa field trip.

IKEA in Merriam ... If you sign up for the family card we are talking about free kid meals on Tuesdays, free coffee for you and lots of roaming space.  Here is my post about that .

Indigo Wild factory, where they make amazing soaps (ZUM bar!) and other great-smelling things.

Jump City indoor bouncy houses.

Kaleidoscope and Hallmark Visitors Center (both free!).

Kaw Prairie Church and play area.

Kidscape in Shawnee moved to the Heritage and Arts Center 87th and Metcalf!

Lakeside Nature Center near the Kansas City Zoo. Look for the Nolan Connors brick near the front door. He's my friend Jill's son who died in his sleep on December 31, 2012 at age of 13; he used to volunteer here.

Matt Ross gym and pool For $170 for 3 months you can get a family pass to  ... definitely worth it for big families if you can scrape the funds together. Check out the game room and explorer room for playing.

McDonald's Playlands! 87th Street in Overland Park by the Central Resource Library; 95th Street in Overland Park by Oak Park Mall; Belton by the Cass County Library; Lenexa near 435.

Let's Go Putt Indoor Mini Golf (Prehistoric Putt) in Independence, Mo replaces Paradise Park.

The Roasterie field trip (*updated* $5 for the tour)

Science City at Union Station and buy the planetarium tickets! Boom -- homeschool science for the week for the win!

Scheel's is a fun place to hang out and they have a Ferris wheel!

SkyZone  (kinda expensive for my crew for only an hour of play even with the homeschool discount ... you have to buy their sky socks and good luck washing them and finding them ever again, hence the buying of the sky socks again and again). Get the monthly pass with friend option (a sibling counts as a friend) and go often!

Steamboat Arabia Museum in the City Market area takes care of history for the day.

The completely new and updated Wonderscope Children's Museum in the Red Bridge Area.

Go Kart place in Lee's Summit.

Library events reading time and craft times.

Paint, Glaze and Fire or some other ceramics painting spot (you can take the older kids).

The ballet and KC Symphony.

Check out Stone Lion Puppets' free shows.



Impact Gymnastics has a homeschool open play on Mondays and Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. ages 4 and up ... only $5 for an hour of open play (half the price of SkyZone and no Sock Police and a great staff!).

The Foundry Coffeehouse at Foundry Church in Lenexa. Friday afternoons you'll find bunches of homeschoolers there, and other times they have the gym open for open play (call for times), as well as a fantastic toddler play room that's open all the time (glass walls so you can have some coffee and watch your kids at the same time).I've got a massive list of field trip ideas come soon!
When you get home from having a ton of fun with your kids, make one of these tater tot casserole recipes for dinner !

 

What: Groundhog Run 5K, 10K, and Tunnel-to-Tunnel

When: Sunday, February 2, 2025

Where: The Hunt Midwest SubTropolis in KCMO (8300 NE Underground Drive, Kansas City, MO 64161)

From the KC Running Company Event Calendar: We are thrilled for the return of the Groundhog Run this winter! Please join us February 2, 2025, for the 43rd annual Groundhog Run, benefiting the children with disabilities receiving services at Ability KC. This unique event gives athletes the opportunity to participate in the 5K, 10K, and Tunnel- to-Tunnel experiences. With a consistent temperature of 65 to 68 degrees and paved underground streets. The Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, a USATF Certified 5K and 10K Course, is the ideal venue for runners from all over the country to compete in this annual winter event.

Register, Volunteer, Sponsor! Become one of the thousands of individuals who have become part of Ability KC’s legacy and helped support this event to build brighter futures for children with disabilities. No matter how you choose to support the Groundhog Run, this year will be packed with excitement and celebration.

More details can be found here!

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day, which is always the first Wednesday in April.
When you're all done exercising, I bet you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of comfort and recovery food for dinner!

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.Read more »

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.

The holiday season isoften a time for family and celebrations, but it also presents a uniqueopportunity 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’shustle and bustle, it can offer distinct advantages if approachedstrategically. 

1. Using Time Off to TourHomes

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

Homeschooling families orthose with children on a break can involve everyone in the decision-makingprocess. This allows for a better understanding of how well a home might suitthe needs of the entire family. 

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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 CommonsWork out what you needIt’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.Read more »

Key TakeawaysFind out why using a seasoned moving company is a good idea.Understand critical considerations before making your decision.Discover helpful tips for choosing the right moving company.Why Hiring a Moving Company Is Beneficial

Moving to a new house or place of business can be stressful. Hiring a reputable moving company is one of the best strategies to reduce stress. A Denver Moving Company can elevate the moving experience by handling the heavy lifting and logistics for you. Research highlights the increased efficiency and reduced physical strain that professional movers provide.

Expert moving firms provide a variety of services catered to specific requirements. From packing and unpacking to safely transporting fragile items, these companies employ skilled professionals who ensure everything runs smoothly. Moreover, a dedicated team of movers means you won't have to worry about physically demanding tasks like lifting heavy furniture or navigating stairs and tight corners. The time savings alone can make hiring movers well worth the investment, allowing you to focus on other essential aspects of the move.

Important Considerations

While enlisting a moving company's services can be beneficial, several vital factors need consideration to ensure a smooth experience. Taking the time to study and understand these factors might help you make an informed decision. Being informed reduces the risk of last-minute hiccups and ensures that all your bases are covered before the moving day.

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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.Read more »

Key Takeaways:Learn practical tips to transform your garage into a functional, aesthetically pleasing space.Discover the importance of proper flooring and storage solutions for a well-organized garage.Understand how to maintain and care for your garage to prolong its lifespan and utility.Table of Contents:IntroductionImportance of Garage RenovationChoosing the Right FlooringEffective Storage SolutionsMaintaining a GarageConclusionIntroduction

Garages are evolving from their traditional role as mere vehicle storage spaces to multifunctional areas that serve various needs, from workshops to home gyms. A well-organized and aesthetically pleasing garage adds value to your home and enhances your daily life with improved functionality. Whether you're considering garage epoxy in Nashville or looking for clever storage ideas, every aspect of your garage can be tailored to meet your needs. Exciting, right? Let's dive into some transformative tips to help you turn your garage into a well-ordered oasis.

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