:iagree: I was going to say, yes, it gets better with time. At one point, encouraged here several years ago, I told someone that my kids went to a small, private school, and they had the day off. I only had to say that once, but for some reason, it was hugely freeing to me. It never crosses my mind anymore. The only time I think about it is if ds and I are playing Mario Cart wi-fi online with others. I wonder, WHY isn't that other U.S. kid in school? lol

Now it's apparently an environmental hazard. Forty years ago, it was not a big deal. If you have a changeable vacuum cleaner bag, I'd change it. I wouldn't freak out about it.

Jenny, you totally inspired me. After reading your post, I went to Michael's and found the heavy Christmas paper I was looking for in my "where to find this paper" thread. All scrapping things were ~50% off, so I even bought a circle cutter. (Not typical of me at all!) I went to the grocery store, and along with our potato skins for dinner, we'll have a mexican/bean dip, and taquitos. I also bought Constant Comment Tea and peppermint ice cream. We'll wait until evening, snack and decorate then. My kids BETTER have a good time, lol! :D

I just find it difficult to follow and difficult to teach. We gave up on it last year. This year, dd used IEW's High School Essay Intensive, and I have the essay writing program from Analytical Grammar. High School Essay Intensive was easy to follow; it helped dd with essays required to apply to a particular program. The AG program seems next in difficulty, so we'll move on to that. We'll try EE later in the school year; I'm thinking it will be easier to understand at that point. Can you tell it's one of those skills that I'm worried about? lol However, my fears were confirmed today when my cousin shared a mess of an essay he wrote for his jr. year in college. The prof hated it, and my cousin could not understand why. He said he took it to someone who will be teaching in the writing lab and that they said it was good. It wasn't. I would expect more from my 8th grader, and I sometimes feel that I'm on the low end of expectations on this board. Enough rambling . . . !

Thank you. I've been wondering about this for a few days. I post here and have answers in minutes! Maybe I'll have time to run to Michael's before Christmas tree decorating today, and this will help with my plea for festivity suggestions (another thread). :001_smile::001_smile:

We are decorating our tree today. My kids continue to say "it doesn't seem like Christmas." My kids are teens, not particularly helpful in the "I have a great idea!" department. I don't believe they are complaining; rather, I think they are expressing an honest wish for something more, which I'd like to realize. I'm making baked potato skins because I thought they sounded good. We will have hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music. I can easily run to the store. No one wants photos taken. I have no plans for dinner, but I need to keep dh's idea of a dinner meal in mind. (Meaning he will not be satisfied with just baked potato appetizers;).) Ideas? Suggestions?

We've been hsing for ten years, and finding that balance is the never-ending challenge. It's always changing; it's great practice for you to be aware of it now and to find what works best for your family. :001_smile: I think your Mondays sound fabulous. What a great way to transition back into your school week!

I want to make with my kids. It looks like she's using heavy paper. Where would I find such a thing, quickly, that won't cost a fortune? Wrapping paper is too flimsy. What she's using in the video looks similar to wallpaper.

I am agreeing with the other two who said SWI-C first. I still don't really "get" Elegant Essay. For as much as I've been a fan of IEW products, this one did not come close to meeting my expectations.

Yes, for my own selfish reasons (as opposed to someone else's privacy). I just want to take the bag out, tie it up and throw it out.:tongue_smilie: In your situation, at your mil's, depending on my trash, I might even stuff it in my purse and throw it out at my own house!

Remudamom, how old are your kids? If they are 9 or 10, they probably won't need much help from you. Take it from one who still needs help turning on the tv (seriously). I don't know what the Mac Pro things are either, but they sound great, and yes, I know that they will be readers instead of buying a separate Kindle. :D

But it doesn't happen to American girls, in European countries, while visiting with choir groups. Does it even happen once a year? I'm more concerned about the day to day risks that actually endanger teens: driving or other accidents; suicide; violence. And it's also far more likely that my dc could be a victim of sexual assault by someone in their known circle. I'm not challenging anyone's opinion on whether or not they'd allow this, but the possibility that "it happens every single day" in this situation is just not accurate. :confused:

We pulled my oldest dc from ps in first grade, so it was an easy transition (at least in the "you have to work" sense) to put aside a few hours each morning for school work. I was set on at least doing the basics each day (for us, math, spelling, reading aloud), and generally hoping to get through one SOTW each year. Sometimes we'd go out later, sometimes they would just play, and sometimes we'd continue on with school for the day. As I'm typing, I'm wondering if this extra free time was part of what helped my kids bond so closely. They still spend a couple of hours a day hanging out. Their close relationshihp has been the most rewarding fruit of our hsing.

It's important to look at flooring material that will allow your concrete to "breathe" or properly seal your concrete. You'll have to google for more details. I have an odd affection for any talk radio, and this is one thing I remember from years of listening to home improvement shows.;)

I wouldn't say no "just" because she's 15. I'm a pretty protective parent, considered overprotective by most. My 16yodd went to South America last summer on a missions trip. We knew virtually none of the other 40 team members; we knew one dad and daughter, and vaguely knew the church youth group leader. (We were attending this church that was quite a distance, and we never had much opportunity to plug in.) We were very comfortable with our decision, as it was clear from the beginning that God's hands were all over it. If I were in this position again, I'd be praying. You have plenty of time to get a clear answer. And if it doesn't work out, then your dd can appreciate the time she spent helping some of those in her group raise funds for their trip.

:grouphug::grouphug:

So you're the only one who can make it. I used to ask my mil for recipes, until I realized she ALWAYS left out key steps that prevented the recipe from turning out well. It happened so consistently that I finally realized it was intentional.:confused::glare: Now I'm a little older, so I can :lol:. Thank goodness for the internet!

Oops. I have to change my answer. Yes to Christmas Vacation; my "no" vote was for the original Vacation. (Now I'm wondering if we watched Christmas Vacation on TV or DVD.)

My dd wore double socks and sometimes skating tights under her riding pants. (For her, I think leggings were too bulky.) She wore a heavier cloth coat instead of something with a poly shell, as the noise might be distracting. We chose specifically riding gloves--perhaps not necessary, but ability to handle the reins while wearing gloves was paramount. I'd encourage my dd to wear a knit hat, but she refused.

Well, I'm just the third one in this boat. IF I can find it on tv, maybe it will be okay. I just remember the "real" movie--and I love it, but it's not appropriate for my 13yo.

They clearly do not want you to pay for this dinner, and to continue to insist on repaying them will be rude. Just as you wanted to pay, so did they. It's okay to let them "win" this. I would also follow up the meal with a written thank you, especially because of the circumstances (but don't mention the circumstances!). The other option is terrific: Make a donation to their account through the mission.

I gave my Thanksgiving leftovers a few extra days but threw everything out on Friday. I wouldn't eat 10 day old dressing. :ack2:

Oh, another good worst. I didn't finish it either.

My aunt died last year of pancreatic cancer. Ds and I were able to visit her less than two weeks before she passed. I'm praying for your adopted mom here. Such a precious gift to leave behind--the knowledge that she's been waiting for this day for so long, that she will be with her beloved Savior. What will be a sad day for you will be the best day of her life. :grouphug::grouphug:

I'm wholly resistant to anything that would potentially be in Oprah's Book Club. I finally broke and read both Water for Elephants and The Help a few months ago. Water for Elephants was okay. Nothing great, no likable character. It fell somewhere in the middle of what I've read this year. I liked The Help more than I expected. I did not like the very last page; I wanted a happy ending, and to me, that wasn't it.