For those of you that don't peel the apples before cooking, don't you have pieces of peel in the sauce if you mash with a potato masher? Does that have weird mouth feel, since it's a different texture? If you put in the blender, can you tell that there is peel at all?

My very favorite audiobook for younger girls is the first one we ever checked out of the library--Betsy Tacy. It is a lovely and innocent story of the growing friendship of two girls, and the little adventures they have.

In my last home, I had a Moen, relatively inexpensive, but it had a hose on the faucet, so I could detach it and use it as a sprayer, or to fill a pot that didn't fit under the faucet. I liked that flexibility a lot.

Hope it's a great day!

Tuesdays at the Castle Series (not as mature as HP and Percy Jackson, I don't think, but still good for 9yo) Mysterious Benedict Society

We self insure, and I had them a couple years ago, and chose them at the time b/c of good review by Consumer Reports. Once I got over the initial problem of being charged the wrong rate (they had typo in the acceptance letter--but how was I to know that when I accepted?) I spent hours on the phone going in circles with this person and that before finally getting address to complain to. Wrote letter and problem was rectified in a way considerably better than I asked, to their credit. But getting there caused tears and frustration! After that, I'd say I had an average experience. In the last 7 years with 4 different companies I've had to be on the phone with each one at least once trying to get them to pay, or get the MD to code differently or something or whatever. CoventryOne didn't stand out as better or worse. I left them because their rates for me the next year were significantly higher than a competitor.

Your prayers are much appreciated.

We went this summer with history minded 6 and 9 year olds. We basically followed this itinerary--http://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g60795-i15801-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html-- (basically all the historical stuff as a walking tour), but we substituted the Mint instead of the Constitution Museum. We can never just spend an hour at a museum, so we knew we'd run out of time if we spent time there on that trip. Also, we just walked thru Elsphreth's Alley with no tour and I it wasn't worth the walk over there--would rather have spent more time around the Ben Franklin Museum/printing press which was our last stop. The National Park sites have Jr Ranger program for historic Philadelphia, and had some additional card collecting game going on. The kids needed to approach the ranger at various sites and ask for collector cards, and would need to answer a question, or check something in the exhibit out and report back, and would then get to choose a card. We might have just run into awesome rangers though :).

Card/note would be number one, IMO. If she has a really good support system already, is there a point person who you could ask about other needs--meals, take out gift card, yard work, laundry, carpooling duty? Even taking care of children of relatives/closer friends so THEY can be there for her. These experiences do give us perspective, don't they? Just prayed for her and her family.

I'm pretty new on having to make home ownership decisions regarding major projects, and have questions so I don't insult the contractor. I'm having a plumbing project done, which had some fairly complicated options to choose from to solve the problem. I really liked Plumber #1, who probably spent 1 1/2 - 2 hours explaining things (between phone and coming out to measure/estimate project). His estimate was 20% more ($500) than the quote I just got from Plumber #2. Plumber #2 spent about 15 minutes, as I no longer had 10,000 questions. Can I go back to expensive guy (Plumber #1) and ask if he would take a lower amount or split the difference? Both plumbers have excellent reviews, same warranty, etc. I sort of feel like I "owe" Plumber #1 for all his time, but not at an hourly rate of $250!! :) Or do I just take the lower bid, and not get back to Plumber #1. Thank you!!

Well, as I had no one to leave my daughter with, I quit running when she got too heavy, around 4yo... I hadn't been a really dedicated runner since I'd had her, anyways. When she got to be about 6, I started running early, leaving her home alone, but sleeping, and would be back before she knew I was gone. I would leave a note, and I ran the same route, back and forth on our 1/2 mile long street. Now I leave her home alone, and just go whenever. I've tried to get her to go along (she's 10 now) but she hates it.

Chiming in with my appreciation!

Interesting topic! World Vision and Samaritan's Purse--addressing poverty/malnutrition/clean water/healthcare in less developed countries, and relief after disasters Medical Missions--have friends who are training national doctors in a central African country Bible Translation and literacy Evangelical Environmental Network - caring for (God's) creation Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy

Why did the neuro order both to be done? I have no idea what your symptoms are, but the tests are probably being done to rule in/out different diagnoses. A genetic neuromuscular disease runs in our family and some have gotten EMGs for diagnosis, and others not (they just presume they have it, based on symptoms and knowing it's in the family). Everyone does the same physical therapy stuff, or is supposed to, whether they are presumed or diagnosed. I would not want an EMG either (ouch!). But I wouldn't NOT get one if it would help guide treatment options. Re the chiropractor--another opinion usually doesn't hurt. And maybe the MRI will be definitive for you, and it will be unnecessary! Best wishes.

We were in Williamsburg/DC over spring break for 6 days. Admittedly we like history. Spent 2 days strolling the town, going to activities (courthouse, manners class, dance class, code breaking class, etc. Half a day doing the kid's as revolultionary spies activity (called RevQuest-- watched movie, needed smart phone), and a half day in Jamestown. We would have needed another entire day if we included water park activities! Spent 1/2 day at Mt. Vernon--did not leave enough time for the museum, which looked fantastic. Didn't have time to see much of what DC had to offer but did several smithsonians and got tix online for the Capitol tour. We were there on a weekend, and many other govt buildings weren't open. Last week we were in Philly--did the 1 day historic walking tour we found on TripAdvisor. We could NOT fit it all in, and skipped the Constitution museum, which sounded neat--but we only had an hour left. Kids are 6 and 10. Have a great time planning and travelling!

Baby Joey experienced his family's love. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My favorite audiobook for that age is Betsy Tacy-- hmm, can't get the link to copy. We've also enjoyed the Goonie Bird Greene, Misty of Chincoteague.

That was cool. What a neat thing to do. What are the red flowers near the sidewalk?

Thanks for all the additional information--especially pointing out the scholarship opportunities! If dd goes to Concordia this year, it may have to be the day camp, based on our schedule. Possibly the Family Camp might work, which would be a pretty neat thing to experience with my dd, though I myself know next to no French! And MadTeaParty--glad you asked your questions too!

Back from work now--thanks so much for the replies! It's good to know that there might be "pick-up" from an airport. I've been toying with the "day camp" option, in which case I'd be up there at a campground somewhere. But if she does the overnight, I'm not camping all by myself for an entire week. So if I don't have to drive back and forth twice, that would be GREAT! Did your children know Swedish at all prior to attending the camp? Did you get a feel for how much English was actually spoken? Do they actually do any formal language study? Are children ever grouped according to ability level? In my dd's French class, the kids still all speak English to each other (grrr!) though the teachers are supposed to speak French only. And the kids range from never having spoken/heard a word, to having a French mom and being verbally fluent. Often the teaching seems geared to the lowest level, and my middle-level daughter (for that class) is not challenged. Just trying to figure out if this might be worth the expense and travel time! Thanks again for your input.

I would love to hear of anyone's experiences with this foreign language summer camp. My 10 year old daughter has been taking a weekly French class since she was 3. She enjoys it, but once-a-week exposure doesn't get one very far in fluency! She's expressed some interest in going to French camp, but we know no one who has actually gone there. It's expensive and 11 hours away. Wondering if anyone here has been there, and pros/cons versus other camps. If your child attended, did he/she take a friend, or make all new friends when there? And perhaps did you stay nearby so as not to have to make two LONG trips to drop off and pick up? www.concordialanguagevillages.org Thank you for any insight you might have!

Loved our Alaska cruise. One thing we did to save a bit on shore excursions is book at least one independently-not thru the ship . This was 7 years ago, so I don't remember details, but we booked ahead a helicopter tour (landing on a glacier) and saved a worthwhile amount. They came and picked us up/returned us to the ship with no problem.

I live in a north/northwest suburb, and recommend this area too. The Metra commute from here is not too long. I don't know what you consider affordable housing, but some of Glenview and Morton Grove home prices are decent. .I can't link the Metra website, but look at the map and timetables to get an idea of commute time.

Love the photos--are you taking them yourself?? My now 9yo dd had the same darling HA dress when she was two--makes me nostalgic!

CPtoys.com has Playmobil 20% off weekends in November per "News and Events" on their website. I didn't delve into if they have the RC piece you are looking for.