My big kids are in an all day co-op next year and I have to stay there with my two little girls. I recently found The Purple Alphabet on YouTube and she has be excited to put together some fun activities for the girls. Anyone else making busy bags this summer??

Long, long story very short--a dance studio owner has taken several hundred thousand dollars that was paid for costumes and no costumes have arrived yet (recital is in 3 weeks). Would you press charges? How would you go about doing that? Update--Three moms, who danced at the studio as children and now have children that dance there, went to the owner and basically told her that everyone knew the money was gone and that she was going to be taken to small claims court by every parent and forced to close her business or sell the business to them and they would take care of the costume money. So, it is now owned by these three women (one of them is an attorney) and they are paying big bucks to get the costumes to us in less than a week. It will be messy but it looks like it will happen. I hope this turns out to be a good business decision for these ladies!

We've never been on a real vacation. We travel lots but it is always to see family (NOT A VACATION!). My oldest is going into high school so our time is running out. Boo hoo. The budget is 5k for 7 people. We live in the Midwest and don't want to spend days driving. It has to be fun for mom too! No camping!!! The kids want to go to Universal but I imagine it is out of our price range and I am not in love with crowds. Thoughts??

I need a dessert/treat/cookie for a thing tomorrow. It needs to be gluten free-ish (person avoids eating gluten but isn't allergic). Are Rice Krispie treats g free?

My little girls can't close the screen door and flies give me the creeps. Has anyone tried those doors from the infomercial that snap together with magnets in the middle?? Do they work?

I'm about to pull the trigger and get a Bosch 800 series dishwasher. Speak now or forever hold your peace!!!

My cousin is getting ready to have surgery for a tubal. Her DH was going to get snipped but her procedure is free because of the ACA; they would have to pay a couple thousand for him. Wth?!? That feels so sexist to me. Am I crazy?

I need to feed some teens who are doing some volunteer work. One of the teens is gluten free (to what extent, I have no idea so I'm assuming the worst). I know nothing about gluten free. Since I'm pressed for time, my plan was to pick up Subway or pizza. I guess that is out. Help!!

Decluttering. Perfection and Operation are each missing one piece. Can I send them to goodwill or do I need to garbage them? Grrrr.

I haven't seen any updates in awhile.

I know, it is a silly thing to get excited about. Mostly, I just have a girl crush on Kate Middelton and I'm insanely jealous of her post-baby abs!

I need suggestions. DS has some fine motor issues and his handwriting is terrible. How can I help him?

Is Sandra Bullock. I love that!! You don't have to be under 25 and wear teeny bikinis to be beautiful!

Is it stand-alone or a supplement? We currently use MUS but I can see how BA would be the perfect fit for my difficult rising 4th grader next year.

We live on the side of a hill and, during a hard rain, we get a river running through our backyard. It makes our backyard unusable. I would like to get some kind of professional advice to see if we can divert it or drain it somehow. I have no idea where to even start. Who do I call?

I watch a woman on YouTube today she said she got rid if her microwave because it can turn the vitamins and minerals in our diets into free radicals that cause cancer. A quick google didn't confirm her ideas. What says the Hive?

Is there any software that I can use to type text I want my son to use for cursive practice? I know I could write it myself but just looking at options. My son has fine motor issues and hates copywork but really needs it. Someone at a homeschool convention last year (I think it was the Spelling U See people?) told me to try things that he would want to write such as "Her feet really stink!" or "That was a really big fart!". We're so klassy!!

I got a new iphone 6 about 6 weeks ago. I haven't backed up my photos (I know, I know) on my computer and I don't have any kind of cloud storage that I know of (I know, I know, so stupid). Today, three times, it would get these blinky lines in it and then restart. I needed to run the software update so I did (without backing up photos first, SO DUMB!!). Now it won't do anything at all because it needs to connect to iTunes? When I connected it to my computer, it gave me a scary message about restoring to factory settings. I quickly unplugged it and walked away. I'm really kicking myself for being so stupid. Lost photos is my biggest fear. Any help??

After MONTHS of trying to find some kind of help for my sensory kid (so many phone calls and rejections for various reasons) I finally got a call from the therapist 4 hours away. He can't schedule my son because his calendar is full (for forever??). His brilliant suggestion..... wait for it... make sure he gets an IEP. When I reminded them that he is homeschooled, I was met with total silence. This is why I find it so amusing when the Hive jumps in to suggest professional help. Not that easy.

Oy vey. 95% of American women should not wear 95% of the suits they sell. I legit have undergarments that are more outdoor appropriate. Apparently, lace is the thing this year; I'm sure it makes for lovely tan lines but not so great for walking, sitting, bending or chasing little people. Who designs this stuff and decides that that is ALL they should sell?? Off to Sears to hope Lands End has some suits for us regular gals who need to actually function in a swimsuit. Boo hiss Target.

Sigh. There's always something. My 14yo (who is probably on the spectrum and plans on being a Priest) was told to pick a song to learn for the upcoming guitar recital. Off the top of his head, he picked Take Me to Church by Hozier (I thought it was an odd choice but I know a bit about Hozier and I assumed the teacher assigned it). In the car on the way home, he flipped out and nearly hyperventilated after reading the lyrics. He is very concerned that playing the song is a sin (we're working on that), that people will think he is a bad kid and that people will be offended. My first instinct is to let him pick a new song but that might not be the right thing to do. He will be playing with a group of kids. I'm wondering if I should gently push him to work through his discomfort over something that isn't a big deal? Curious, if you are Christian, are you offended by that song?

I just received a flyer from the local college. They are hosting classes taught by the Institute for Reading Development. They have a class that looks really interesting for my upcoming 9th grader that is supposed to increase reading speed, comprehension and study skills (all areas he needs to work on). The class in in the $300 range so I want to research it before signing him up. Any reviews? They travel around teaching these classes.

I'm only two episodes in but it is really good!!

I asked this question before but I worded it wrong so I'll try again. If I were God, I would want to regularly address the people. As in, a loud voice from the sky "Good morning, just checking in. I'm still here, watching you/judging you/protecting you/whatever". It seems like that would cut down on a lot of problems such as confusion, fighting, war, etc. People would be happier knowing with 100% certainty that He is real, I think? So, why is God silent? Is it a free will thing?

I'm hoping to tackle the front yard this spring and I'd like to put in a hosta garden. Anybody have one? Any suggestions before I start? Here is the other issue--neighborhood dogs. We've talked to the neighbors, they refuse to believe that their precious baby is pooping in my yard. Idiots. Anyway, Dh wants to use rocks instead of mulch to keep the dogs out. Pros and cons?