Spoken like a true Canadian! I especially like the fact that ice hockey was NOT on the list!! My list: - Canadian sense of humour and fairly easy-goingness = the willingness of Canadians to genuinely enjoy having a good laugh, often at themselves. - Multicultural diversity is not forced into a "melting pot culture" - Beautiful nature and parks

We were there in mid-August and the crowds were only big at the obvious places, like the paint pots and Old Faithful. There were people on the trails to Yellowstone canyon, and other geysers, but it was just part of the experience which is different than home. Having to walk on the asphalt or boardwalk paths already changes the feel when you're used to hiking right on the ground.

It's ironic that the push is to get kids into daycare and use one's talents in the workforce, but if one chooses to use one's talents at home educating one's own children then suddenly one is talentless?

Wow! You really did the park justice with all those amazing activities. We spent two days there a couple years ago, and also found it so much more exciting that we were expecting. The Junior Ranger program was a huge hit for our gang. We did get to swim in Boiling River, which was an amazing experience. Too bad you missed it, though you had a full trip. We also hiked to Yellowstone Canyon, which is spectacular! It is really colourful, has some beautiful waterfalls, and is easier to take in than the Grand Canyon, being that much smaller.

Oh, this is so me, too! I actually prefer taking the priest out for coffee and just talking as my "confession."

:iagree: Fixing mistakes that have been practiced for a week is a lot harder than the initial learning. It's also tricky to track both treble and bass clefs at the same time with the eyes. I find it much easier to "master" each hand separately, then play together, so that I have a better idea of where the piece is going. For sight reading, learning to play both hands together from the start would be important. This is a different set of skills though, and usually done at a higher level.

Tip for not eating it all in one sitting: have some chocolate that is good, but not AMAZING. Then you can just have a little, and be able to stop. Lindt or Godiva chocolate are both NOT good for a secret chocolate stash lasting more than 5 minutes (ask me how I know!!!). ;) Chocolate chips are good for a stash, as they are already in little pieces.

I've always heard and said tee-vahs.

Yes, very crude. It's on youtube, too. Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. I'll have to watch it.

I've heard that there is a great Junior Ranger program at the Grand Canyon. You may want to check if it is running at that time of year.

For the ages of your dc, I'd probably go the "junior" game route still, like Monopoly Jr. and Clue Jr., as they are quick and easy to play. You can probably find them at yard sales, too. It sounds like you already have a good bunch of games to start with, and can probably slowly build your game collection. I made the mistake of getting too many games, and they require a lot of room to store, and don't get played with much because there are just too many to choose from.

Maybe your body needs more movement, like walking, running, biking, swimming, playing tennis, canoeing? (Not all at the same time, though) :001_smile:

I've never seen this. Did you get to eat it? How does it compare with regular rice?

Just re-read it. Excellent. "The Man from the South" is also memorable, especially the TV version with the final scene as a visual.

I just tried to read this book. The short story "The Swan" is definitely NOT going to be read to or by my dc until they are adults. Very well written, but also disturbing. I think it's more disturbing because he wrote it for youth.

I just found some episodes on youtube. Royal Jelly is one of them!

I'll have to see if I have this one. Do you remember what book it's published in?

Flying Solo - that is very good. Man did those pilots have nerves of steel!

"Tales of the Unexpected," "Kiss Kiss," "Oh, Sweet Mystery of Life" (I LOVE this one!). Don't start with "Skin" unless you're "thickish skinned." :D It's an excellent story, but a bit ...ummm... unexpected.

Yes we do, though mostly because either we or they moved within the area, so we see them on the bus, grocery store, etc. One former neighbour of dh and I were also neighbours to dh growing up, and both sets of parents are still neighbours. It feels like a small town, but it's not.

I first discovered Roald Dahl's adult books when I happened to see a TV show called "Tales of the Unexpected" based on Dahl's short stories for adults. In fact, Dahl himself introduced some of the stories on the TV show. It was so good, so spine tingling, and I just had to go out and read the books. A couple of my favorite short stories are "Royal Jelly" and "Skin." On the TV show, Royal Jelly was SO well done. I have to try and find that TV series on netflix or something. I personally find many of Dahl's children's book a little bizarre, but looking at the adult short stories, I can see where his writing interests certainly are, and "bizarre" is definitely on his radar.

Yay! Riders fans rock! :thumbup: I'm still sad there are no Rough Riders left in Ottawa, though. :001_unsure:

Wow! Great job. I would have been still on the couch watching TV and eating blueberries. :001_smile: I need to clean my boys' room sometime in this decade. Perhaps you've inspired others, when you simply wanted a nudge for yourself! :D

Yikes! I remember now. So sorry you have an aunt like this. :tongue_smilie: Don't you love that Montgomery can write so believable characters, though. They come to life - though clearly you already had experience with this type of person. :glare:

I'd be curious about her education, both formal and informal, from her early 20s on up. As we all know, learning doesn't stop at age 20, and it doesn't have to be taught by someone else. If someone looked at my educational background, they would miss the incredible amount of history I've been learning just within the last few years as a home educator. Without this, it would look like I never learned a thing beyond basic Canadian history.