Field Trip: Kemper Outdoor Education Museum and Poppy/Nana's

So this is what it looks like when I bring all my little charges to my dad and stepmom's on any given day during the summer. They are fed wonderful things like hot dogs and sodie pop.

Today we were celebrating my dad's birthday, and I think he peed his pants when he got his Sonic gift card from us. He loves to hit the Sonic like it's a crack pipe.

After those festivities, we headed to Fleming Park (?) in Blue Springs to feed the elk. Nana bought them each their own full bag of carrots on the way.

This is Nana and Poppy outside our next stop, the Kemper Outdoor Education Center.

Look at the top of this photo to see my dad's creation called the Samburger, just for Mr. Sam, for dinner. We had a great day with the grandparents and look forward to many more to come.

QuikTrip Squart and Squat ... Bring Them Back!

Do you remember the QuikTrip Squart? And it's baby counterpart (I do so love a baby counterpart), the Squat? Yes, the Squart and Squat were what SOME kids brought their Jack-n-Coke to high school in. Not me, of course. Oh, no. Never. Anyway (picture me whistling and looking up), oh, how I loved those things in high school, back in 1988. I lost track of my own over the years, but have always pined for them.

So I'm in my dad's garage last week and what do I see just ROTTING in a box on a shelf? Oh, the horror. I see THIS (I had to take a picture of it because I could not find an image of one anywhere on the internet):

So of course I had to mention how much I miss my own Squart, and later my dad surprised me by bestowing his 1988 vintage, classic, antique Squart upon me. I love it well and drink from it daily.

Okay, so ONE TIME did I bring a naughty beverage to school in my Squat. One time.

My Name is Kerrie, and I am a Mascara Addict

This begins the first meeting of MLA ... Mascara Lovers Anonymous. While it is true we just want to be beautiful and bat our long eyelashes at our men (well, I only have ONE man, for the record), we have come to know that our mascara stash has become unmanageable. This is a photo of my stash.

If you love learning about beauty products, you're going to love my Kerrie's Favorite Beauty Products post here!

Now, please let me explain and give you the brands so you know what to rush out and buy, fellow mascara addicts. 

Callie's First Dance Recital

Can it be true that my first-born girl is already in her first dance recital? She's been asking to take dance lessons since she could speak, and we finally signed her up in January. She loves it and never gripes about going. Her first recital was in June, and it was really cool. The class younger than her gave us a good laugh: a bunch of 4-and 5-year-olds trying to get dance steps right while watching EACH OTHER for the right moves (blond leading the blond, anyone?). The bottom picture is of Eva and Callie together. I got them both roses. While I'm no stage mom and was a little freaked out by all the estrogen in the changing room that night, I will do anything for my kids. When we can get the cash together, I'm signing up Eva because she's been begging to go also. Four kids in activities gets costly and time-consuming, no? Thankfully we get lots of kicking-around time during the day. What activities do your kids love?

"The Dad Life" Video

You have to see this video. Whether it's you, your husband, your dad, your uncle, your neighbor or whatever, we all know a guy like this who lives The Dad Life. For me it's my husband, and he loves this video and sings it to me all the time, especially the part about "dozens of dollars ... it goes straight to my daughters and my wife." Turn it up and enjoy!