If you are not set on Hawaii, in Guatemala you can hike Pacaya which has been continuously erupting since 1965 and trust me, no agency is going to prevent you from going there.

Reflexmath was DS's favorite. Timez attack was too scary for him.

DS had cavities when he was two. We did have them taken care but also started using xylitol. That was the only thing we did differently (he continued to night nurse) and he has had no problems since.

Dynamic is the brand you will find in most professional kitchens. They can take a beating.

DS and I call my brother, whose best friend died in Tower 2.

I was reading some old Harold McGee articles and came across this. I thought it might come in handy for the next "WYET?" thread. :) http://www.curiouscook.com/site/2011/08/bending-the-rules-on-bacteria-new-york-times.html

Yep, this is from the same authors as Culinary Artistry, so it is bound to be good. :)

La Varenne Pratique by Anne Willan and La Technique by Jacques Pepin would be good for your preferred style of learning. Both are excellent books. http://www.amazon.com/La-Varenne-Pratique-Anne-Willan/dp/0517573830 This seems to be an updated version of La Technique (along with La Methode, his other great book) and may be more accessible: http://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Pépin-New-Complete-Techniques/dp/1579129110/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410094489&sr=1-6&keywords=La+methode+and+la+technique For learning to think about flavor combinations so that you can become less dependent on recipes once you have your technique down I recommend Culinary Artistry. I often have DS refer to this. It's a good "cheat sheet" and shortcut for someone who hasn't spent years cooking. http://www.amazon.com/Culinary-Artistry-Andrew-Dornenburg/dp/0471287857/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410094847&sr=1-1&keywords=Culinary+artistry

LOL. Wha...?

"When in doubt, throw it out." If you weren't in doubt, you wouldn't be asking. ;)

I have to say that this is probably the most deeply offensive thing I have every read on this board. I truly hope no one close to you ever suffers from depression as your pronouncement demonstrates a stunning lack of knowledge and a profound lack of compassion.

And Avery binders are 50% off with Staples coupon right now. Guess who was at Staples yesterday. ;)

The Better Binder one inch binder will hold 275 sheets. There should be a 30% off coupon on the Staples site and they are on sale right now.

DS has the same and loves it. He started cursive at six and the pen really helped. Make sure to get some eraser/over-writer pens to go with it - they make it even more fun. :)

Do you think she is really into it or maybe just pretending to be that into it for your kids? I mean, I listened to my mom talk to DS for hours about Magic the Gathering and Pokemon and I thought wow! How bizarre! She seems to really get all this, but in reality she was just playing along because she knew he was really into it. So maybe it is the same.... (fingers crossed)?

Aw, that's nothing. Did you ever see the definition of "The Well-Trained Mind Forum" on Urban Dictionary?!!! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Well-Trained+Mind+Forum

I have a Miele canister vacuum that I love. It was relatively expensive, but it has a HEPA filter, is under warranty for several years, and is quiet. To me it made more sense to invest in one good vacuum than to buy several inferior vacuums that would just end up breaking.

I would do nasal lavage with a saline/baking soda/xylitol solution.

I agree with your other examples but really, contacting your child's college professor is never appropriate!

They get whipped, too, those naughty naughties!

Not at all. When I was a child I had lots of friends who had different beliefs but we didn't spend our time trying to convert each other. We were friends, we played, we had fun, some people went to synagogue, some people went to church, some people didn't go anywhere and it was what it was - we didn't care and we didn't judge. I see the same thing with DS and his friends (although more like: they play, they have fun, some of them like Magic the Gathering, some of them like Pokemon, some of them don't like either - they don't care and they don't judge. ;) ).

I disagree. Your friends are supposed to accept you for who you are, not for who they want you to be. I mean, are they your friends or are you just meat to them - a potential convert...? And these kids would not be out proselytizing if they hadn't been brainwashed into doing it, it's not what kids do. ETA Queen Goddess of the Deep beat me to it. Exactly what she said!!

I am firmly in the NEVER camp. Of course, I am firmly in the never camp when it comes to evangelizing to adults as well. Would you like a heroin addict or a pornographer talking to your kids about what they do? Me neither. And I don't feel much differently about having an evangelist talk to my child. OP: I am really sorry your family had to go through that.

Not a book, but a site that you might find useful: http://www.tableau-noir.net/sommaire_histoire.html ETA and there is this, too: http://www.academie-en-ligne.fr/Ecole/Ressources.aspx?PREFIXE=AL5HG03

My family does not have many traditional cake lovers either. My brother and nephew always have pie, DS always has clafoutis and/or a charlotte.