Congrats!

O my word! I remember what happened with Monkey! I am sorry that this is happening again. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Happy Birthday!

For me, I think the impact of prayer is more than we know or can see. I believe there is a spiritual world with a battle going on that we can't see. When we pray, we impact that. Just like Abraham pleaded to God to save Sodom and Gomorrah if there was a certain amount of righteous people to save them and God listened, I think our prayers impact what is going on in a realm that isn't seen. Maybe instead of 9 people being killed, praying for peace made an impact so 20 people weren't killed. I know this sounds simplistic. I am not trying to be that way.

Ok! Thanks, I will move to firefox....

This link isn't working for me. I just keep getting redirected to the Real Life Ken Doll dies...... I am wondering if it is just my computer or if they took this article down.

In the neighborhood I am in, I learned quickly NOT to invite the kids in.... and NOT to give them food.... so I followed the lead of what the dynamics were in the neighborhood. The reason I say NOT (in all caps) is this is not what the other neighbors do. Therefore, when I was doing it, it created problems. Without a relationship with the parents, you never know what they will think or do regarding their children being in your house or getting snacks. ( I had a parent confront me on the fact that they had food and didn't need mine) Uncomfortable! I am not against having the kids in my home occasionaly but I think it isn't unwise to think about the fact that something could happen or could be said that could create a bad situation for all involved. I actually can appreciate and model not having children in my home or giving snacks, since this is something that could happen a lot. It gives me some space to breathe. I bought some crafts at garage sales and have gone out and chatted with the children and have done crafts with them. Before I recongnized that other parents weren't having my children in my home, I had children in mine. Things were broken or things happened between the kids that were awkward. It really was a relief to realize the norm in my neighborhood is not to invite children in. I empathize Quill, because it is a constant tension between how much time to I want the neighborhood kids to be here versus I have things I would like to do without feeling like I have to be congnizant of what is happening with the children that are over and how long are they going to stay? I can say that most parents do not come and check in on their children, so they could be at my house for long periods of time. I have learned to set in my mind about an hour and then I tell the kids we have other things going on. I have learned not to feel guilty about this. The other kids could hang out all day and no one would check on them. It seems like an hour of play works well but too much more that that, it all goes downhill. Don't be afraid to set limits. It is your home and you are not obligated to entertain :)

Can you text the guests the day of the party to confirm they are or aren't bringing their children? This way you would know whether the extra table would be needed or not. I think your response was very diplomatic. :) Are you having assigned seating? I would put the family on the side or near the back. That way if they need to leave quickly with one of the kids they can and it won't be disruptive to your son's plan.

:lol:

Oh wow. This is not a light reading thread. So, now that we have seen the pictures, we need solutions of how to get rid of them....Anyone....anyone...Totally gross...... :blink: ETA: I can't wait to hear what customer service says after they see the pictures...

Do the grandparents live with the BIL on a regular basis and do the disciplining? I may have missed this. Sounds like a tough situation.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I think you have your answer about contact. Her true colors were revealed again with making a different FB account.

I think it might depend on the group of people you were with. I know the one group of friends we socialize with we would just take our stuff home. However, with another group, certain people expect that the leftovers our theirs.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that something will work out in your favor. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask about an exception. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Aww... that's crazy!

Thanks all!

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I am trying to create a chart for Latin. In one of the declensions it has an "i" with the sound it makes in kiss. How do you phonetically spell the short i sound? Thanks!

Didn't realize that the white elephant was just for adults. So sorry things are so rough with your family. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I just saw your update. I'm so sorry :grouphug: :grouphug:

I used this all the time. Now that I have Windows 8, it isn't compatible. :( Any ideas?

Congrats!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Any thoughts anyone?