DD 11 - Butterfinger DS 8 - Hershey's Chocolate Bar My DD9 voted Hershey's (included in poll)

I'm planning on doing some notebooking next year, and I found this article very helpful. Maybe you will too!:001_smile: http://www.notebookingpages.com/index.php?page=Notebooking-Getting-Started

I had to read it twice, but I think I did understand what you mean! And although I don't know of a program that does that particular task--maybe you could check into something like HS Tracker or Homeschool Easy Records? I'm a planner, and that's what I use (HER).

I googled vertex42 and came up with the second site. All I can say is WOW! There's so much good stuff, I thought I should bump this up. Thanks OP!

I forgot to mention the Holling C. Holling books--these are on my list of must-haves for next year. BTW, I thought it was very sweet of your dh to surprise you with a homeschool shopping spree! :thumbup: There's nothin' better than a good homeschooling dad to accompany you on the journey!

I love Hilda van Stockum's "The Winged Watchman." I HIGHLY recommend the Beautiful Feet books by D'Aulaire and the Genevieve Foster books. Are you looking for historical fiction, or will any good-to-have homeschooling books interest you? Books that I own and love include the "Let's Read and Find Out" science series and the "MathStart" series. These would be geared more toward your 3rd grader, but my 5th grader likes them too.

Is there room for two on that swing? I get tired of reading "important", school-related nonfiction.

At age 4 my kids had what I consider to be "Disney" voices--like something you'd hear on "The Fox and the Hound." My favorite was "yeyo" for "yellow." Without hearing your son speak, I couldn't say if it sounds like he has a real problem. Have you consulted your pediatrician? He or she sees tons of 4yo boys, and should recognize if there's an issue.

My SIL - 42 Me - 38 I never made the connection before...:D

I've been trying off and on all day--I love the fact that it's free stuff, but sheesh.:confused: My time is worth something, too. I hope they get it together so we can all partake in the goodies. :glare:

Who doesn't love free? :hurray: Thanks!

I bought a hard sided cloth magazine rack that had cut out handles (I think it's Rubbermade) at Walmart. It's cute, and it keeps me organized. I carry it all over the house. You could also check out LLBean, Pottery Barn and Lands End--they have cute totes with flat bottoms. Happy hunting! :001_smile:

:iagree: For the first year we lived here, someone's cat (don't know whose) would "spray" our sliding glass door--every night. We tried the nice way (using various cat-away things from the pet store) for months, and when that didn't work we went to the animal shelter and got a cat trap. Problem solved.

Thanks! I was about to look for a code myself, when I saw this post. :001_smile:

Update: Well, mystery solved. The pediatrician took a look and said "Wow, I have no idea what that is." He then asked a colleague to come in and check it over (I love a doctor who doesn't think he knows everything, don't you?). She said she didn't know either, but said it looked like some sort of abrasion, almost like a....rug burn! As soon as she said it, I knew that's what it was, and so did our doctor. I have to admit, I was relieved. The culprit (our 6yods), has admitted to dragging the baby while playing with him last night. Another aaaaak! Can't turn my back for a second! But he feels really bad, and I didn't have the heart to be upset with him. My poor little man, 11mo, woke up this morning with a large (1/2 dollar size), red, raw, weeping sore at the base of his hair line, right where he has a stork bite birth mark. Aaaaak! He went to bed last night with no sign of any problem or blemish, so I am slightly freaked out. I've never seen anything like this with my other four kids--I don't know what to think. We're taking him into the pediatrician this afternoon, but I'm wondering if any one else has ever seen this?:confused:

My 8yods has recently started up with this (?!!!). Like the previous poster, my dh and I are moving fast to nip it in the bud. Yesterday, within a minute, my ds received the following consequenses: no computer time, no playing with his tamagotchi, no desert, and he had to do an extra math assignment. Since he doesn't get much computer or tamagatchi time anyway, and I guess desert isn't a priority, it wasn't until we got to extra math that he realized he'd better hush up or he'd have a miserable day. I can't remember what he said, but he made a snotty remark during breakfast, I corrected him and gave him a consequence, then asked him how he liked them apples, he said "I like it fine," and we continued from there. Maybe I shouldn't have engaged him by being sarcastic myself, but I really feel like he's testing the boundaries right now, and I want him to be absolutely clear that there will be swift action taken for a smart mouth (his-not mine :D). My dh and I agree that although ds seems to be "naturally sarcastic," it will be our fault if he turns into a brat because we allowed his sarcasm free reign.

I'll get back to you on Friday--hopefully sooner. We are expecting $2700, which is 5 kids and married filing jointly. Fingers crossed!

I am so glad you asked this! I was going to do a new post about a very successful birthday gift that I just got for my 8yo son, but since you asked... Have you ever heard of Snap Circuits? This is from Amazon (where I bought mine): Elenco's new Snap Circuits makes learning electronics easy and fun! Just follow the colorful pictures in our manual and build exciting projects such as FM radios, digital voice recorders, AM radios, burglar alarms, doorbells and much more! You can even play electronic games with your friends. All parts are mounted on plastic modules and snap together with ease. Enjoy hours of educational fun while learning about electronics. No tools required. Uses 4 "AA" batteries. Not included. Product Features AWARDS: The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, Dr Toy Best Educational Products Contains over 60 Snap-Together parts. Build over 300 exciting projects. Clear and concise Illustrated Manual Included and Available Online. Build a Radio, Doorbell, burglar alarm and more. http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-SC-300-Snap-Circuits/dp/B0000683A4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1210107425&sr=8-1 My son is a bit on the "nerdy" side, I guess. We call him our little "engineer", because that is how he thinks. So if you have a boy with this personality type, he would probably love Snap Circuits. My ds plays with his ALL the time.

You are our source for so many good web sites--please keep "overwhelming" us, because we're all tremendously grateful!:001_smile:

Give her a call--that's what she's there for, and if it does turn out to be "something" you'll be so glad you did call.

I am totally an audio book lover too--great for car rides, when doing dishes, folding laundry... Some of my favorites: Jane Austen--to me they sound so beautiful when narrated with a posh British accent. Lord of the Rings--If you like the books, you'll LOVE the books on tape. Any of the Harry Potter books Some other kids books: Because of Winn Dixie, the Boy in the Striped Pajamas, the Winnie the Pooh books (I love Eyeore's sarcasm), the Little House books (Cherry Jones is an awesome narrator!). I also enjoy any of the Focus on the Family Radio Theater presentations: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, the Narnia books, and especially The Hiding Place. Almost every author that I enjoy reading I will try to get some of their books on cd from the library. I load it on my Zune, and just delete it when I'm finished listening.

I guess I'll be the lone futon-hater here. I don't know why, but I don't like futons. Anytime I've sat on one, it's been uncomfortable. Anytime I've seen one, it's been ugly. Am I living a sheltered life, and there are nice, comfortable, and attractive futons out there? :001_smile: I'm willing to change my position if I'm wrong, but in the meantime I suggest a comfy apartment-size sofa, with a slipcover if the original fabric is ugly. One of those stretchy slipcovers that doesn't come untucked.

I like to put fajita-style stuff on my tacos--carmalized onions and roasted red peppers (either from the jar or cooked with the onions). Also, fresh cilantro chopped and placed in a bowl so you can sprinkle it on top. It really gives that "authentic" flavor, IMO. Sounds like the food will be delicious! We are going to a "spring fling" at someone's house on the 10th--I hope they're serving the same thing you are. :tongue_smilie:

Yes, bacterial pink eye is DEFINITELY contagious--we also were dealing with this a month or so ago. If you suspect pink eye, you might try just calling into your pediatrician's office. I know that my children's doctor will prescribe antibiotics for pink eye if there are certain symptoms present, and he is usually over-the-top conservative about requiring an office visit.

Well, I took Accutane myself--for about 7 months--but that was 16 years ago. It worked well, I don't remember any side effects, but when I stopped using it, I had to use something else. My hope had been for a "cure." The dermatologist said that was a possibility. I think I would start with something less extreme--like tetracycline. Honestly, I wouldn't make him just live with it if he has severe acne. It's so hard to be a teenager anyway, and speaking from experience acne can make you feel very self-conscious. I spent about 7 or 8 years on medication, until I grew out of my acne. And except for the third eye in the middle of my forehead, there have been absolutely no side effects. (Kidding, of course!:D Actually, there were no side effects).