Please tell me what 'affordable' is for that area. :)

Not directly on Caltrain... He would have to take a bus or bike to the office from the closest station. He would love to be able to bike...

DH would be working in Cupertino. Would love public transit for him and, yes, somewhat affordable housing. Thanks.

Looking to a possible relocation to Cupertino. We are used to a 4BR, 3 bath house :). Looks like we will be majorly downsizing after looking online. Any recommendations for best areas to live without too much of a headache for DH to commute? Also, oldest 2 are currently in public school programs here and youngest 2 are still at home, so school systems are an important piece of the equation. Also, any opinions of the area are helpful. We have not committed to the move at this point. I appreciate it!!

I have a cart from Office Depot. It makes the library trip so much easier than trying to wrangle 4 kiddos and all of their books in addition to mine. When my youngest son was 1-2, he would ride in the cart. He still asks, but is almost 4 and a bit too big!

I guess I probably just need to share this, but wonder if I'm doing all that I can do. Yesterday evening, my *new* camera and 2 lenses and GPS were stolen out of my camera bag that I left in the hotel lobby behind the chair I was sitting in. (Yes, definitely feeling dumb about this.) We have filed a police report for insurance purposes - though that will only cover $500 of the $1500 of equipment. I can actually part with the camera stuff - though it took 2 years to save up for the body and a friend's father gave us the lenses - but it's the pictures!!! This was a dream trip for dh and I - he had a last minute trip here for work, so we turned it into a 15th anniversary trip (6 mo. early). I also had dd 7th birthday party pics on the camera. The hotel lobby has 2 cameras and I was told that the manager would view the footage today. I was out of the hotel until 3pm trying to (forcing myself) enjoy Paris despite the disappointment. When I returned, I was told the footage was too narrow and could not see where my bag was. The thing is, is that the only way out was the front door which is practically impossible to go through without walking in front of the front camera. I asked if I could view the footage, but the manager won't return until tomorrow and we leave early in the am for Brussels. Should I try to pursue this any further? If I even recognized the person, I doubt I would know where he/ she is. I just can't leave any stone unturned and am miserable about this loss. I am trying to move on, but having a hard time doing it. Thoughts??? TIA

This is a fun one for large gatherings. Make a crock pot or two of chili (you can vary if needed - one veggie, one beef) and a big pot of rice. Then you have lots of toppings: grated cheese, diced toms, salsa, sour cream, romaine, olives, pineapple, peanuts, coconut, raisins (yes, really) and frito chips. You layer the rice, then frito chips, then beans/ chili, then toppings. Very filling, good for you overall and fun! We do this often and always have fun with it. Let me know if you need chili recipes. Then bake a plate of white brownies for dessert. HTH

Pink is the only color not part of the color wheel - red is primary, orange, green, purple are secondary colors. Pink is just a hue of red. HTH

Qwirkle Rat a tat Cat Pit Dominion Mr. Wiggly The Secret Door Dominos Puzzles with assorted size pieces Sleeping Queens Blink Enjoy! We love games!

We are finishing a unit on birds and I've had each child (10, 9, 6, 3) choose a bird. Any creative ideas on how to 'report' on what they've learned? I'm thinking lapbooks for younger 2, but want something outside of the box for the older 2. Thanks for any ideas!

Just thought I would ask the hive for thoughts. We have 6 kiddos and 4 adults. Any fun places to go? Thanks.

Do you use manipulatives? with younger grades I use Rightstart math which includes lots of manipulatives Do you use the Teacher's Manual, aside from making checking answers quicker? not much Do you skip workbook pages or problems? Yes! There are way too many problems. Do you supplement with other math materials or program, if so what? Rightstart for my hands on, Singapore with all kiddos How many years have you used Horizons math? 3 Looking back, would you have done anything differently? (with Horizons math) Would have always used it, but would have crossed out more prob. and moved through it quicker for my math kids. Would have used it as a secondary like last poster. Singapore is a fab program, just needs extra drill. Best wishes.

She is in 4th doing the 4th book. Yes, I should just go back. I'm just not sure if she would get the concepts even with simpler words. It seems that the gap is in the application of the definitions. It seems like she lacks focus, but it's not intentional. KWIM? I see this in other areas of her study, including her copywork and dictations. She will spell the 'th' or skip words entirely. She is reading above grade level and understands math concepts but something is missing.

My dd9 is struggling with Wordly Wise. Anyone else out there in the same boat? Reading the definitions and putting them into context is just super difficult for her. She makes it through a lesson with lots of hand holding, but I'm concerned that she is not learning, but memorizing for the week. I hope I've worded that correctly..... it just seems like there is a gap that I'm not filling. Any advice is SO appreciated. TIA

I second Bible Study Guide for All Ages. This will be year 2 using it. Love it!

Check out Managers of their Homes and Managers of their Chores. These resources have been super helpful in running and keeping order in my home. http://www.titus2.com/

:iagree: I am like you (and so many others) thinking I should and therefore would help everyone to the extent of sacrificing myself. I am learning to take a step back. It's not wrong or selfish to care for you! My wise MIL once told me that everyone has their own backpack to carry.

My favorite time to shop is Saturday early - around 5ish. NO ONE is in the store, I can get my shopping done more quickly, everything is still pretty well stocked and my fam is still sleeping so I'm not missing time with them. This does mean I need to get to bed at a reasonable time on Friday night, though!

Wishing you the best. You are to be *applauded* in taking the steps to take care of you and your family. I hope that you continue to feel better every day! Blessings

I have really enjoyed Artistic Pursuits, but have only used the younger grades. I'm starting the 1st book of 4-6 this fall.

The Indianapolis Convention hosts an Art Competition/ Show in the spring that I participate in and I also host an Art Gala in my home each Spring. At the convention, they used peg boards on wheels and large clips to hang the art. Each piece was matted with an 8x10 opening and had an index card with name, age and info about the piece - this was done by the parent. In my home, I hang the art from the class I teach during the year around my home. I have the students write one page about their experience - favorite mediums, projects, what they learned, etc. I hand out achievement certificates and we have a potluck dinner with a "Congratulations Young Artists" cake. Will love hearing about what you do! I would love to expand what I do at home. Blessings

We have an 'Achievement Night' where kids receive an achievement certificate and carnation from Mom and Dad and can have a small table with projects from the year. We have light refreshments and call it a year! It's simple, but a nice recognition and fellowship time.

I should say that I am off ALL medications and have been for 4 full days.

I posted awhile ago about a side effect I thought might be from the prednisone I was on due to a rxn to sulfa. I still can not taste anything except for salty and really spicy foods and think it must be a continued response to the systemic rxn. Has anyone experienced this loss of taste? Did it return? It is very discouraging and my doc did not have an answer for me. She thinks it could be due to allergies?!? My list of symptoms over the last 3 months is bizarre and the blood work she scripted today was quite wide. Right now, I'm just wondering if anyone out there regained taste? Thanks.

I am finally learning to give myself some grace! As women, we are powerhouses and think we can do it all. I made the mistake of not listening to the breaks I needed when my children were little and I regret it. I felt guilty taking the time for me and found lots of reasons that I *should* pull it all together. Looking back, it would have been ok to take better care of myself. There are so many seasons as a women. Take care of you as you are taking care of so many others! Blessings.