I chose Other, because *I* wouldn't want to. Yes to the Basilica for Christmas (if we were Catholic). No to the Botanic Gardens. I can do that 365 days of the year, and I wouldn't choose to spend my Christmas there. We often spend holidays at home with just the four of us. We've lived near family in the past, and both ways have advantages. Christmas morning is special, and I wouldn't want to miss it.

I think you are right about not correcting your younger dd. If it drives your 14yodd batty, too bad for her. I would be focusing any correction on the behavior of the 14 yo, who's actions are without a doubt inappropriate. The 10 yo may be feeling superior, may want to help you, may be unsettled at seeing her 14yo sister once again acting like a giant brat, or something else In any event, working with the 14yo come to learn to control her frustrations will bring harmony back into your home and take that extra pressure off of your 10yo (and probably everyone else too).

I think the Hive is only saying that because you don't have the earrings! :lol::lol: (Yes, yes, I'm being a bit silly, and I might be wrong, but you'll never really convince me. :D) Bethany's idea was perfect, to wrap a picture of the earrings in a small earring box, so it's almost like having the real thing. That does make it seem more "real" than printing out an 8x11 web page and folding it into an envelope--what I'd probably do in desperation if I didn't think to ask for advice. With the gift certificate, it really is another gift for your son to enjoy also and would be better if it had both of their names on it. (((Denise))), I'm sorry you don't have the warm relationship with her that I know you'd like to enjoy. :grouphug:

I think some of the answers may vary, depending on your state. We considered this option a few years ago. The cons, for us: My kids had to go without insurance for three months before they would be eligible for state insurance. Our monthly income was so very close to the cut off that I knew any variation might drop us instantly from the program, and then we'd be stuck. In the end, my dh kept COBRA for himself only. He has an extenuating medical condition that made sense to continue his coverage, for both dr. appts and prescriptions (well over $1500/mo.). My kids and I dropped from the existing insurance under COBRA and chose a higher deductible, lower premium plan from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. We've been on that for five years, and have been blessed with no major medical expenses.

:iagree:, and this is a lovely, thoughtful way to give the earrings that won't be here on time. While the restaurant certificate is nice, it's not personal enough. Denise, I'm curious. Is this the same gf you posted about, oh, almost two years ago who initially seemed so standoffish? If so, has she seemed to warm up, or has your perception of her changed? I remember specifically because she reminded me much of my own dd . . . Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!!!

ME TOO!!!! How can someone not open a post that says "ignore this post"? Great cartoon though, and I really am glad it was something light and not TMI.

We first made a spinach dish a few years ago for the holidays that instantly became "tradition." Ours is frozen spinach mixed with a white sauce and pepper jack cheese. My family are not particularly vegetable fans, but they love this. Other ideas: "Caesar" salad -- chopped romaine, croutons, shaved parmesan cheese, bottled creamy Caesar dressing Mandarin salad -- romaine and iceberg, sugared almonds, can of drained mandarin oranges, sliced celery, sweet dressing Salad with romaine, mozzarella balls, tomato, croutons, and (bottled) balsamic vinaigrette. roasted asparagus or squash squash (or other vegetable) soup marinated mushrooms Reading through the responses, though, I'm casting my vote for Kristina's Asparagus with Balsamic Brown Butter recipe that she linked.:drool5: And if you do a browned butter trial run ahead of time, you can serve it over hot pasta with grated parmesan cheese for dinner. (The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant has my favorite Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese.)

I'm curious in general what others have, and I'm also looking for brilliant or cute ideas for my phone. :lurk5:

Or Santa hats! :lol: You seem to be more sensitive about certain photos than most of the other people here. I wouldn't automatically assume my friends are showing off, but maybe I just have a different circle of friends. Your original post said that you didn't have a seasonal photo done of your kids, so you opted for a regular card instead. I bet people would love to see just a shot of your kids together, or a collage, from sometime in the year (perhaps not in bikinis!). Even when I was a kid, I enjoyed getting photo cards from other families to see how people had changed, cousins had grown, etc. The photo cards are much more interesting to me, although I also appreciate a few lines of what people have been up to, if I don't keep in touch regularly. I don't send cards anymore though. I have a lot of pics on my blog and FB, and I also send them via email. I'd like to send cards, but my time has become tighter, and so has my money. That one "Ugly" blog post that someone linked was HILARIOUS!!!! What a sweet husband and kids to go along with that one!

Okay, "here's the perfect program for you!" This is totally different from MOH, but have you looked at Christian Light Publications? After years of lit-based history, my dd chose this two years ago. I was crushed, but it's been a great fit for her. I appreciate that the spine is there, and I can add anything I want to it. (True confession: I didn't add anything to it, but I could have if I wanted to.) It fits every criteria you listed above, with the exception of much literature--which is easy enough to add in. The writing assignments/research topics are very vague, so you can tailor them to each child. Lessons are short, followed by short response or multiple choice answers. This is when I would review the topics with dd. There are reviews and tests (two each per book, I think). Cheap, cheap, cheap. If you contact CLP, they will send you the first book in the subject you'd like for free.

Pled guilty. Front page headline, followed by article. :(

Thank you, thank you. I will go ahead and send her a note. I really wanted to, but I wasn't sure if I should, so I greatly appreciate the encouragement.

A dear friend's daughter was arrested on a felony charge a few months ago. We work together. She told several people in our circle about it; she did not tell me. I believe she told them because they all live in her same small town, her husband held a prominent county gov't position, and we see deal with a large amount of the public on a daily basis. In other words, people know her family there. I live a few counties away. I don't have quite the same "need to know." She knows how we all talk among ourselves, she has to figure that I would find out. I saw her yesterday, chatted for a few minutes. I just found out that her dd was found guilty a few days ago and is facing a prison term (we're not talking even county jail here). Can I send her a note offering my love and support? I know her heart is breaking. The only thing holding me back is that she never told me about it personally. Am I supposed to pretend I don't know, or perhaps she thought she told me. WWYD?

Well, in a perfect world, yes, it would be great to get a call confirming receipt. However, I'm really horrible at that, and I appreciate when my parents call or email to ask if it's been received. At that point, I can ask everyone else in my house, because I'm usually the last to know.:D

I posted yesterday and while I was reading the new posts today, I remembered how much we loved this book. I know I heard about here or on another hs list I was part of at the time. Yes, nothing like the Disney version! The sequel was enjoyable too, although unexpectedly odd.

:lol::lol: Jane, the one thing that I would suggest is to refrain from calling Biblical events or parables "stories." When I look back on how my kids were raised, I know this sounds silly, and even though it had no lasting implications (possibly making it sound sillier), it's one of a few things I wish I'd done differently. (I know, this sounds so silly that I'm tempted to erase it.) "Stories" implies fiction to most people, although we might not always use the word that way (thinking of family "stories"). My sensitivity comes from a book I read a few years ago that had what I think was a life changing impact on us at the time. I'm not sure about alternatives. Bible "histories"?

Yes, based on the warning, I'd guess it was the Jim Carrey version.

My 13yods continues to let me read to him. He knows how happy it makes me. :001_wub: We are currently reading an unpublished ~200 paged biography penned by my g-grandmother's sisters. The book begins in the 1890s when my gg-grandparents left their Ukrainian farm for the promise of free land in Canada. It details the lives of their 11 children, their travels between the two countries, and how folks lived in those times. It ends during WWI with one of the sisters surviving a forced exit from the village to escape Russian troops. It's my family's own version of Little House on the Prairie. I'd never met this side of my family or even knew my family came to the US from Canada. An uncle passed on a copy of the book to me several years ago. I've been reading longer chapter books to my kids for over a decade. Some of the standout favorites include: God King by Williamson Trumpeter of Krakow by Kelly Owls in the Family by Mowat Master Puppeteer by Paterson We read through the Jotham books twice during past Christmases; I still miss them at this time of year.

We tried this last year and ran out of time. We successfully did it this year. Our criteria was cheap and easy to create and use. We ended up with a $30 clearanced frame from Target. Even at this low price, I am sure the interval was adjustable. You'll likely need either a jump drive or SD card to put the photos on the frame. That was just one more thing that threw me for a loop last year. I didn't realize it until I had the pics chosen, and then I had to go out and find one, etc. Last year = frazzled. This year = piece of cake.

On the plus side, if you wait a few more days to return the LOF books, the PO lines should be non-existent . . . .

I am so tired of making elaborate traditional ham or turkey or prime rib Christmas dinners that no one is really hungry enough to eat. We usually have just the four of us for Christmas (not a bad thing, we had years of family, and it was a nice change when everyone moved). We nibble and eat junk all day, and by dinner, I was scrambling to take things off the menu. Ds and I would have preferred just an hors doerves dinner, but dh and dd wanted real food. We ended up with: corned beef carrots small red potatoes AND cheesy mashed potatoes--because it's Christmas, I'll make two people happy! raspberry jello pretzel salad spinach madeline (spinach and jack cheese/white sauce casserole) So far we have three desserts planned, but we'll move one to New Year's and just have two. I'm looking sooo forward to this!

Have you looked at both of them at Charity Navigator? It might help you decide (no, I didn't look!).

Wonderful news!! :grouphug:

I think when most people say "screen time," it's not literal. I want to limit the mind-numbing fast-paced, brain-altering video gaming screen time, followed by worthless tv. I tend to be more lenient when he's watching something educational or playing a game with me. One of my dc has a Kindle. I wish I were interested in one.

:lol: I repeated this to my ds. Ds: Seriously? Me: :glare: No. Few minutes later. Ds: You were kidding, right? Me: Uh :001_huh: yes.