I'm joining up! We have some non-negociable expenses this month, and dh's take home pay went down a chunk as taxes and health insurance went up. So self-control on my part will be good! I told kids about this and DS12 said "So we will celebrate my birthday on February 1?" I told him we would still celebrate his birthday this month. :D 1/1 $0 1/2 Books for two of dd18's college classes, with more to buy still... 1/3

:iagree: And the scariest part is, there is a whole YEAR of tasks!

I printed the calendar! All 12 months! I hung it on the fridge with two strong magnetic clips. I am ready to declutter! And what does Jan 3 say? "Create a template for daily to do list that works." :blink: Erm...anyone have a good one??

Thanks for the reminder(s) about WWOOF -- I will check them out! Kirsten, I hope the new year is truly one of good growth in all areas for your family!

I've really been enjoying listening to the talks! I haven't even gotten to looking at the PDFs. Thank you!

I'm not good at reflecting. And neither are my children...they must reflect me in that! :laugh: I downloaded the workbook you linked...I can never do that sort of thing, although I like the concept! For our family, I plan to revive our 3x5 daily calendar. I started last year, got to about March and since I was out of pre-written cards, stopped. I still don't have more cards, but have until March to buy some. I think tomorrow we will read through all the days we did record last year! Here is the originial link for it: http://www.designspo...ar-journal.html

You all are an inspiration! Hope the chiropractor visit is a success, Jean! DONE! Walk Dog Clean under bathroom sink Shower Mail cards Library Grocery Shop TO DO! Put away library books Sweep Dining Room, Front Room, Family Room & Kitchen Scrub grout in Kitchen Laundry Walk Dog Clean counter area around coffee maker Make dinner HOPEFULLY... Start lesson planning for next Friday's co-op Start cleaning/organizing school stuff in front room Finish thank you notes

Will you need an intern this summer?? :D Not helpful advice, but my oldest would like to do something along the lines of what you're doing as a career. She started in the local CC's Horticulture program (an associates in science) in the fall and is really enjoying the actual plant-parts of the classes.

I could use a homeschool preschool plan myself as my youngest has just turned three! Does your library have either book? I remember Slow & Steady when my oldest was a baby! I used B4FIAR when my teen girls were about 4 & 2, and still use the playdough recipe in the back regularly! The book doesn't have the structure that some are looking for but we made a folder for each book and it worked well for us. Sorry I'm not more help. I have two Pinterest boards that might inspire you: http://pinterest.com/5wolfcubs/toddler-ideas/ and http://pinterest.com/5wolfcubs/primary-track/

With six kids making Thank You notes, we need some new cute and clever card ideas. Trying to remember which grandma got the "top down view of a snowman" last year from which kid makes me grouchy. <_< I started a Pinterest board to collect ideas -- please share your favorites to inspire my children! Thank you!

Not done. I have bought a few things...including a LotR Monopoly! If get around to nothing else we will enjoy playing together. No gifts from relatives this year (no one can afford) so if I don't shop, there won't be anything.

We've done this in the past with gift bags! Lots of fun seeing who can come up with oddest item and the most gracious thank you! Perhaps we will play today!

I've been wondering about this... Who does the clean up? Mom, since no one is supposed to touch the elf? :001_rolleyes: I'd really like to do this in some fashion. We've never done Santa, and the naughty one would have to be a gnome...an Elf around here is a completely different entity. But I've been thinking about it a lot. Since I have zero desire to do anything else for the holidays...this at least would be new and exciting. :ph34r:

I'm not a good one to ask about that part, unfortunately. Last year, when our (first, only) dog was a puppy, she only whined/scratched in her crate at night when she had to go potty. It was always diarrhea when she did. I did crate her during the day if I needed a break from the constant vigilance of watching her interact with my toddler. I always gave her a treat when she went in the crate, and she had plenty of chew toys in there. She usually took a nap. It sounds easy now but it was a rough 6 months for us... I hope some of the doggy experts on the forum chime in soon!

He is ADORABLE! I think you did the right thing by crating him at night...DO NOT STOP. However, if he needs to go out and potty, by all means take him out! You don't want him to potty in the crate! Take him out to potty and bring him back to crate (no play time), repeat until he goes and then you can sleep until 6. He will learn...as long as you teach him and don't change the rules because he is SO cute. Easier said than done, I'm sure!

I voted Charlotte Jane, but what about Charlotte Jean? Same letters, different sound. And if you like Joanne, use it. After all, how many times has someone tried to pronounce your other girls' middle names?

I can offer 3: Lee Leigh Lea :D

Sending you a :grouphug: and a prayer!

M-F up with alarm at 4:30am. S&S naturally wake up at around 9am. Urgh. :glare:

That is awesome! NaNo is really a wonderful event...very encouraging & inspirational. 5/8 of my family are writing this year.

Cheesed? :lol: No. My guess is that most of the science/scientists covered at lower levels are men...because it is basic stuff that was discovered when most scientist were men. The library usually has books in every section on women who were particularly influential. Maybe you can sell your unit on CurrClick. :D