We use them too. Easy peasy. You can even request a sample test to let your kids (and you) know what to expect.

I am the early bird in our house. I get up around 5:30, head to the gym for 1-1/2 hrs, and then go home, shower, and get on with my day. Going to the gym is the only time that I have that is just for me. If I don't have it, I am no fun to be around. Knowing that the rest of the day will not go well if I don't get up and go is enough inspiration for me.

I am so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace, and may you find comfort in family, friends, and the memories that you shared.

There are also short term care facilities that specialize in rehabilitation. Some times they are referred to as "swing bed" facilities or inpatient rehab centers. Typically the patients have intensive therapies (i.e. physical, occupational, speech) for several hours/day and the goal is to discharge the patient straight to home without requiring any further in-home services (although PT, OT and speech may continue on an outpatient basis).

The orthodontist we went to first was recommended both by DH and my dentist as well as by the kids' dentist. I plan to check into a few more around town before committing. Thanks!

I'm just curious as to the average cost for orthodontic work? DS11 has an overjet and an overbite with some flaring of the front teeth and mild crowding. The overbite/overjet is so bad that his lower front teeth impact the palate, so it's not only cosmetic but a functional issue. The plan is for full braces with a Herpst (sp?) appliance for about 3 yrs followed by a retainer and follow-up visits. The total cost estimate is $5800. DD7 has an overjet and needs to have her arch length expanded to make room for her teeth.... or we need to opt to pull several baby and adult teeth with the knowledge that it will result in a less full smile and a less desirable profile. The cost for phase 1 (upper expander with lower lip band thing----I forget the name) as well as some braces to help influence the positioning of the permanent teeth as they are coming in for about 18 mos and then retainersf is $2800.... And then she may still require Phase 2 braces in middle school for about 18 mos. Does this sound average?

I have no predictions as I have watched very few of the movies that are up for awards in ANY category. As a matter of fact, the only ones I have seen are Brave, Wreck It Ralph, Paperman, The Avengers, Prometheus, and Les Mis. That said, my friend has an Oscar party every year. We vote online and there awards for those who get the most (and the least) right. We eat, drink, and are merry. Traditionally it has been a red carpet affair complete with fancy dress and delicious food courtesy of her chef husband. However, this year it is a girls only PJ/comfy clothes party with low key fair because she and her husband are separated. Either way, it's a fun way to watch the awards.

OK, thanks. I had hoped that was the case. The price is a bit hard to swallow either way, but if it is a great as everyone says it will be worth it.

My real question to the matter regards the data gathering of the CDC. I assume that the CDC only knows/recognizes the cases of flu that were confirmed by a doctor who ran a test to confirm them. That would mean that the only data that they have in deciding the effectiveness is from people who actually went to the physician after falling ill. Therefore the data is skewed. Is that correct?

I found this on the site: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/start/level-a It looks like I could start with the SWI and teaching overview, which would be much more within our budget than the whole program. Would this be adequate?

Yes, the NBC article I linked to said 9% for those over 65.

My assumption when I asked my friends was that it would come out about even, vax'd vs. non-vax'd. I just wondered how they decide how effective the vaccine is given that almost no one I know actually goes to the doctor for flu-like symptoms. Out of the 268 people who chimed in on my FB poll, only 6 of the 40 that got sick actually went to the doctor and were tested.

This is the link to the news story: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/50897691#50897691 I took a very non-scientific poll of my Facebook friends. I asked who had the flu vax and who has been sick. Most of those who got sick did not go to the doctor so there is no way to know whether they had the actual flu or not. However, what I saw was that 22 out of 127 of those who were vax'd had flu-like illness while 18 of the 139 who were not vax'd had a similar illness. That means 17.3223% of those who were vax'd got sick while only 12.950% of the non vax'd got sick. So... I am assuming that for the CDC's numbers they are only taking into account those who actually go to the doctor and get tested. Do they just assume that everyone who got a flu vax stayed healthy unless they seek medical attention?

Bone bruises heal very slowly. The clinical efficacy of micro current for speeding up healing time has not been proven but a physical therapist would be the one who would administer it (at least in my state) since we are the ones who have the practice rights to electrical stimulation.

I work 20 hrs/wk outside the home as a sports medicine physical therapist. DH and I also own a small IT company (DH, myself, a tech and a web designer) so on the days I'm home doing school with kids I also handle phone calls, troubleshoot, schedule, and take care of the books. Thankfully DH is usually able to schedule his time with clients on the 3 days I am home which allows him to do the homeschooling, answer the company phone, and do the billing on Tuesdays and Fridays while I am at work. Occasionally a work emergency will arise and he packs the kids in the truck and heads to the clients' offices with the kids in tow. More recently, the company has been busier and we have made arrangements for DSS20 to come over and watch the kids (only self-guided school work occurs on those days). Ideally I would be the one homeschooling the kids Mon-Fri. We would get much more accomplished and school would be more fun. The house would be clean. All meals would be from scratch. Little birds would follow me around singing while I danced through the house sweeping.... Realistically, what we are doing may not be pretty but it works. The kids are educated, well-fed, and happy. The house is cluttered but a work in progress. We have dinner together every night and most nights either DH or I manage to cook something healthy. The family spends a lot of time together in one form or another. We have time and money for activities, trips, and friends. And the bills are paid.

First, a little background. All of my kids' friends are in PS or private school. All. Of. Them. DS11 was in PS from kindergarten until midway through 2nd grade. He occasionally expresses an interest in returning to PS for social reasons. DD6 has never been in PS but regularly asks when she gets to go to "real school." Re: DD, I will not let her go to the same elementary school that DS attended for academic reasons. The one elementary school I would let her go to always has a waiting list of kids wanting to transfer in from other local schools. I would be willing to look into this more seriously if DS was also expressing an interest in attending PS or if she were a little older (4-5th grade). Likewise, if DS decides he wants to go to PS, I need to research the local middle schools that feed the high school that we are not zoned to attend because he won't be attending the middle school and high school that DSS attended for social and safety reasons. Of course, this means neither child would be attending school with friends from the neighborhood. I really hope to homeschool both at least up to high school.

Thanks! I'll look into those!

I want to supplement DS's LA program (LLATL) with a writing curriculum. He hates writing and struggles with spelling (although grammar and reading are a breeze). I want a curriculum that can be done in small "bites" (say 15 min/day) that will help him formulate good, descriptive sentences, proper paragraphs, and ultimately 5-6 paragraph "essays." Will Winning with Writing work for this? Or is there something else (that won't break the bank) that would be better? For example, I've heard great things about IEW but it is way too expensive for our budget. Thanks.

Thank you for all of the suggestions! TIme to do some research and see what might work for DS.

I like the LA program for DD... With DS, it caused excessive frustration and tears. I might try Reading 1 too and then determine what to do next year. I just didn't know if it was necessary (i.e. if Reading covered things LA does not).

OK. Thanks. I was trying to decide whether I needed to order Reading 1 or if the LA program alone would be enough.

I have a 5th grader who needs to expand his vocabulary. Any suggestions for a workbook or curriculum that would be beneficial? We currently use the Story of Western Civilization worktexts in combination with our Story of the World history and this seems to be helping but he needs more.

DD6 is nearing the end of CLE's Learning to Read program. I assume that Reading 1 picks up where LTR leaves off and is to be used in conjunction with the LA program, Is that correct? And is it necessary? Thank you.

Trader Joes: My kids love their frozen polenta with spinach and carrots. DD loves their kimchi rice. DH prefers their Trader O's to Cheerios. They have 10 minute barley and farro which have become a pantry staple for times when I want to make a quick soup. The Tri-colored quinoa is good as is their Couscous blend. Pasta is inexpensive and their sauces delicious.

DD6 is nearing the end of CLE's Learning to Read program. I assume that Reading 1 picks up where LTR leaves off and is to be used in conjunction with the LA program, Is that correct? And is it necessary? Thank you.