Me either! I just might choose to be a dog mom only in my next life, though. Kids are hard, lol.

I can understand for home protection, where you may not have full time police protection, but yes— the stars would have to align for this to actually play out. Sometimes it’s hard to fathom what humans can do to other humans in real life, even if they are hearing voices.

Oh yeah. I meant nobody cares to implement what is necessary to heed the warnings. Kinda just throwing my hands up in the air and accepting this is the way it’s going to be. 😞

“Plant parent.” Now that’s just hilarious!

I think these types of mass shootings have occurred near most of our homes at this point in time. Yes, people die from gunfire daily, but these types of shootings tend to shock us more. We think we are "safer" by living in certain areas over others, though life is no more precious in one place than it is in another. Well, there are always warning signs, but nobody heeds the warnings, so that's that. We will just have to live with it. There was no good guy with a gun. Just a bad guy. With some excellent training in how to use one.

Active shooter has military background and has taught firearms safety classes. Recent reports of mental health issues. Yikes.

We keep people locked up for far more petty reasons.

I’m so sick of being frightened to leave home. Won’t be the last time, sadly. I’m shaking and I’m states away.

Active shooter is a registered sex offender, domestic violence charges, etc Should’ve been locked away with key thrown out. He’s been destroying lives for a long time.

FTR, I would’ve decided Carol but love them both.

I will observe— but I can tell you she is naturally turned in and her ballet teacher has been working with her to become more square. But I will click this link because that’s interesting about it affecting back flexibility. She has lay backs and back bends in her metal stick routines (I just do not want people finding this lol.) Thank you so much for your help!

Thank you so much! Yes, that is the trouble she seems to be having. She is pretty flexible and can get both of her splits flat on both sides. She has started slowly working on oversplits. She has a great split leap, does needles, illusions, etc. I wondered if this could be solved by working with an octagon or roller. But if it is a flexibility issue or a strength issue, she could work on that. She does about 20 or 25 minutes of stretching each day before she works on various leg holds, back bends, etc.

Adam Labert is a musical genius! Okay, new contest: Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett

@AmandaVT I haven't seen her back walkover in a very long time. Here is a video of her best attempt in our yard. *I may later delete the video* Thank you for your observations and thoughts! (if anyone has been curious about her sport, the evidence is in the grass...lol) IMG_3651.mov

I just decided to hack a pattern I had. 🙂 I am still working on it. I am no Ma Ingalls. lol I thought if I made this, it would be worn again, too! 🙂

I vote for Adam Lambert. But I think Kelly is going to win, lol.

Thank you! So if a dance teacher is requesting one, would you be concerned? Same with those air barrels? She can do back bends and is pretty flexible. I don’t want to undermine her—but I could spend the money on the other mats instead. I almost wonder if it’s strength and body awareness causing the delay in her learning this.

Thank you so much! I do not want to undermine the dance teacher, but on the gymnastics forum, they are questioning her ability to work with my daughter. This woman has danced all over the world, inclusive of acro/tumbling in her performances. The air barrel knock offs are a lot cheaper on Amazon than the Octagons. She said she still preferred we got the octagon over the barrel, maybe for stability? I honestly feel like we need a wedge, foldable mat, and the octagon. But my daughter isn't a gymnast. lol And that would be quite pricey! I haven't found much used...

My daughter's ballet teacher told us of all the mats to buy, get an octagon mat so that she can assist my daughter with learning front walkovers. My daughter has taken privates, classes, and clinics for over a year to learn this skill. She has made progress but still struggles with the right landing. I believe she is closer to having this skill. I do not have any additional time (as you know) for any more extracurricular classes, so I love the idea of incorporating it into my daughter's private dance lesson. Her teacher has a small studio, which is why she doesn't have matting, but she is knowledgeable on acro skills. A few gymnastics people on a forum said DON"T get an octagon. Nobody uses them to train front walkovers. But sellers say they are a training aid. Of course, I do trust our dance teacher. Originally, I thought a wedge mat that folds into a cube and regular mat might be good for at home drills. A Facebook forum won't even let me post the question. Do any of you own an octagon mat? What about an air barrel? It does seem feet and hands would be too far apart. Everything is expensive, and I hate wasting money.

Children’s dance costumes. I’ve paid less for new customs than what some sell used. Once I bought used, and it was gross and way overpriced for the condition. It felt like a scam. I sold one last year, and the lady is selling it for $50 more!

Thank you both! Ahh, the dish towel idea, genius! I read it took a day to make a prairie dress back in that time. I have modern sewing machines and equipment, and I am still not done, lol.

That is true, since it is being played on all the stations! The original was popular while I was growing up, so I think that is why I am partial to it. 🙂 My 8 year old daughter does not like the new song at all, though. I always have to turn it off when it comes on, lol.

I prefer the original.

My daughter just finished reading a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and we're just about done with the entire television series. She wanted to be Laura for Halloween. Rather than buying a cheap (but expensively priced) costume, I decided to make one. Now I have cut the fabric for the main dress, but I still have the overdress and bonnet fabric to cut. I haven't even sewn it. It is exhausting. I really wish I enjoyed sewing more! Hoping it turns out ok.

Yes! I think compared to the cost of the America Girl Dolls, these are well-made. My daughter is 8, though, and she still prefers baby dolls. I have purchased three of those from Paradise Galleries now. (Someone here recommended the company.) Target used to have some great sales on Our Generation. So watch out for those deals. Hopefully they still do them!