Next week, we are moving from NE to CA, long drive! I have printed a bunch of travel games, I found free online. We have audiobooks, and regular books (though no reading for my carsick kiddo). I have little toys wrapped and I'll give some out each day (we are taking 3 days to drive). A huge bag of pipe cleaners (kids will sit and make things out of it for hours). A small bag of legos each for my older kids with a lego flat board (the flat green ones). Magnetic games. Magnadoodle. We have an old phone that isn't connected, but can take pictures, so the kids can document their trip. A printed map to track our journey.

For the grab bags, could you do themes like Movies: either movie theater tickets or a DVD, then bag of popcorn, drink, candy. Or Gardening: simple to grow seeds, gloves, small yard tool? Stocking stuffers: old-fashioned candies, small bottle of hot sauce (for BIL, DH), to-go mugs, small calendar, chapstick

We have this one, though I think it had a different name when we bought it. It's been through 3 years and 5 kids, and still works great!

I recently read the book, Jackaby by William Ritter. It's listed as a YA book, set in the 1890's. The main character is a girl, though there are two male main characters. It is sort of like a fantasy Sherlock Holmes with a werewolf. Not sure it's exactly what you are looking for, but it was interesting.

Those are some of the parts of the article I really think hold true for a lot of people in that generation. Obviously, not everyone, but I know many people, who have expressed the idea that they are shocked and unhappy that being an adult means working really hard. They genuinely thought, because of what schools and their parents had told them all growing up that they were going to just step in to this magical easy life.

Really? I didn't read it as snarky. To me, it just seemed like the author was trying to be cutesy. I'm in my 30s, but still part of the Gen Y, and from conversations with peers, I think the article made some good points. I know people who thought they would have their parents lives right out of college, not realizing theirs parents worked their way up to where they are. And I know people who are unhappy that their life isn't what they thought it was going to be.

I came across this article on my facebook feed tonight, and thought it was worthy of being shared here on the Chat boards. "Why 20-somethings are miserable?"

Cross and the Switchblade? Amazing Grace End of the Spear

Good to know, thanks!

I've looked around at those a little. I couldn't see any for the County I'll be in, San Luis Obispo. Are there extra steps for using a virtual school? Do you have to use a set curriculum (I'm pretty set on what I use)? Do I have to meet with someone to review my kids? Take tests? The charter my friends use provides funds, but only for select uses, they have to do state testing, and they attend in class twice a week.

Sounds easier than I thought. Thank you! I will be in SLO county. It looks like you are in San Francisco area? I did manage to get free passes to the Homeschool Day to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I have been there a few times, but my kids haven't, so they are all really excited about that.

Thank you!

And if I'm moving there in December, do I wait until next October to do the affidavit?

We are moving to CA in 2 weeks, and while I grew up there, i have never homeschooled there. All my friends who homeschool there, actually use a public school charter program, we do not want to do that. Can someone please explain the laws to me?

We have a Radio Flyer and a Kettler. All of my kids preferred the Kettler to the RF.

Mine weren't blurry, it was like looking through a weird goggly lens. Like a fish eye lens. It was really strong and I couldn't see properly at all.

Maybe that's why my Zenni glasses didn't work. I probably needed the "you are blind" option. Actually, I'm hoping in the next year to have Lasik, it'd be so much easier than contacts and glasses.

Thrift stores! We live in a small town, and all of our thrift stores carry formal dresses for well under $10.

Yes, sorry! Warby.

I was told if I wanted to return them, I would only get 50% back and I had to pay "shipping and handling". And that the fish eye was a result of my wrong measurements. I just didn't even bother, since the glasses were cheap. I have friends who like Warby Parker, I just haven't wanted to deal with it again, so I'm wearing my old taped-up glasses :) I only wear glasses at night, when I take my contacts out. Edited: spelled company wrong.

I'll be a dissenter and say that I had an awful experience with Zenni. The glasses are like looking through a fish lens. And returning them wasn't going to be worth the hassle. But, they are completely unusable.

She might. Do you have a place you like to buy them from?

I'm pretty sure she already has one, but great idea!

It's a good idea, but I don't think she'd really use it.

Some great ideas, thank you!