At 12, for science class, I would prefer for them to be doing experiments. I am a medium crafty Mom, we are doing big notebooking/lapbooking projects for History this year into which I intend to incorporate their writing assignments. The boys really like this, but it is time consuming and about the limit of mess I can tolerate. However, there is a family in our co-op whose Mom is super crafty and creative. She propelled us all into a massive Ellis Island recreation for 50+ children last year. It was marvelous! That is why we work in tandem with others, to share our gifts. The same crafty Mom hates to do the philosophical discussions that I love. Bottom line - if your child loves doing the plays and songs, be grateful that someone else is spearheading the initiative and do what YOU are good at to bless someone else.

An his opinion is the one that counts! Enjoy your new outfit, congrats on the weight!

Your daughter's question sounds like she is essentially asking - "why didn't God give Eve a do-over?" This perspective is slightly different from the others I've read here. The reason is the same reason that God can't lie. When Adam/Eve chose to introduce sin into God's perfect creation, His holiness and justice could not just overlook it. However, His mercy, grace and loving-kindness made a path to reconciliation and forgivness, redemption and return to right standing through Jesus Christ.

Maybe I'm not too good at visualizing, but how is this going to work with the sink right in the front of the counter? ETA: OK, got it. I vote raised bar. I would want the higher backsplash and privacy feel to the sink area for the person working in the kitchen.

Putting off thinking about it until 3 days beforehand and then scrabbling for costumes - just like every year!

Also, I pack a wet washcloth (or two) in a ziplock bag - because sunscreen gets in eyes, fresh hands are nice when eating (pack grapes, citrus) Take a plastic tote for the seashells you will collect as you walk. The plastic sand toys you buy are a joke and won't move the sand for those big castles! Buy an inexpensive set of plastic gardening tools; they work much better. We use an old LEGO bucket for towers and such.

The reason I think fleas is because they are only on the lower leg. Bed bugs would bite all over. Also, something that crawls and then disapears - sounds like fleas. Chris, the drugstore frontline treatment was pretty worthless for us too. - we got a $5.00 pill from the vet called Capstar that kills all the live ones in 1 day. Vet said some people are having to do both frontline and oral meds. We have never treated for fleas before this summer. For the first time we will put her on monthly preventative also until the first hard freeze. Such a pain!

It could easily be fleas. They have been terrible this year; we are constantly battling them off our dog. Much easier to erradicate than budbugs.

Although I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, we camped for the FIRST time in the UP on the shore of Lake Superior this summer. Then we spent a week in Petosky. I begged my DH to buy a farm and move us there! Unfortunately, we aren't farmers. :D

Maybe try giving him a pseudo cure, like deep breathing. Teach him to be still for 2-3 minutes and breathe deeply and slowly while concentrating on raising and lowering his diaphram. That will lead to relaxation and perhaps lessen his symptoms. More importantly, it will communicate that you care, that he has control and can do something about how he is feeling - without adding meds.

Next you should stage a sit-in! (with your favorite TV program/book and snuggle hubby).

It doesn't feel the same. Sometimes I feel like I have given away so much of myself. Then I feel guilty for feeling selfish - because I asked for this life, and I do value it. Just sharing a big SIGH, in a place where I won't be judged.

I don't think the child needs to understand the purpose or concept of "school". How well do they listen and mind you in general? If you say, "go make your bed;" do they do it? No different, when you say "sit down here next to me and let's practice your letters." Also, at age six, I wouldn't be doing much more than two to three 30 minute sessions on the basics. Everything else, read-aloud, activites, nature walk.....

Well, as you can see, I'm a confirmed TOG lover now. However, when my guys were littles - KONOS was great for us. I prefered their already planned out units on obedience, attentiveness. You can buy those books seperately from the "in a box." set.

I think we just discovered/read these too late. I did love the can-do attitude of the Hollisters. Also the sibling relationships are very sweet in these books.

Freddie the Pig by Walter Brooks; there is a whole series!

Ohhh, I loved Trixie Belden. Happy Hollisters are fun, however; the dialouge is stunted/stilted. My boys tired of them after only a few books. Also Ruth Fielding series is quite nice, similar to Cherry Ames but set in an all-girls school.

Well, the hive has done a fabulous job of castigating this ridiculous woman -so I will simply add that I hope you are able to protect your heart and keep this ugly untruth from worming its way into your self-image. It may be a mighty, mental battle, but keep the truth at the forefront of your mind; she is the damaged one, not you. :grouphug:

I pay $3.00/dozen.

This is what my old pastor would have called "using people to get the job done instead of using the job to get people done." It's why we have an 20/80 distribution of work in most volunteer areas, because the job becomes more important than the people. So I think in the end, I would have felt used - and I would probably say "no thank you" to being used some more.

Our family chose to become one of the founding members, and we love it! The order typically takes about 5-6 days to arrive. The longer ship time is because currently they only have one distribution facility in the western half of the states. Later this year, they will open produce and distribution in the east; I expect ship times to drop to 3 days. You will most likely receive things more quickly than I. Everything is packed beautifully. Pros Better prices than I can find at any local stores, even with couponing Family-based business with amazing customer service and lots of integrity Ability to order produce as well as dry goods. Cons Somewhat limited offerings as it is a fairly new company

American Gothic at the Art Museum

Knowing when to quit How to relate to culture without being influenced by it The importance of rest That "why" is so much more important than "how" - but most of us just long for the formula of another's success. Which leads to individual giftings, talents and callings - the reason your formula won't work for me. Your perspective on the unique opporunities and challenges of each developmental stage and how they relate to a classical approach. or your best cupcake recipe

Those mentioned and Proverbs 3, Matthew 5-7 for a longer challenge

Congratulations! P.S. IME, the days of the first few weeks are always longer because everything needs explaining about how and why. I typically hold back a few things to roll out a week at a time as they get used to new subjects and schedules. It's going to be a great year!