Pottery Barn Teen has some really cute things. Even if you don't buy anything from there it may give your daughters some ideas on how they could take plainer pieces and spice them up. You can usually find 10% off coupon codes online and they do have sales occasionally. Happy shopping :-) Marisa

I'm so sorry (((hugs)))! Marisa

Hi, Just another thought, could they stop your period until after your triathlon in August, then have a Laporoscopy during your off season? I believe there are different BCP that only give you a period every 3 months that may work? I would speak to your normal GYN and see what she thinks. It sounds very painful and a Lap sounds like it is in order. (((Hugs)))! OT: Why aren't we using the word "period"? I think we are all adults here and you did post that this was a female discussion? Not being snarky just curious :-) Marisa

Hi Pamela, I have a Sienna but have never tried putting 3 carseats in the back seat. I *think* you could fit 3 narrow carseats, but I would definitely try before purchasing a vehicle. I've also heard, as one of the previous posters said that the Radians are the narrowest 5 point harnesses out there. Is the oldest in a booster or carseat? Maybe you could put the 3 oldest in the back and the youngest rear facing kids in the middle. Sounds like it is going to be a tight fit, good luck! Marisa

Congratulations!!! Sending lots of sticky baby vibes your way :-) Marisa

I'm so glad you are doing better today! It is so hard dealing with chronic pain while pregnant and then throwing contractions on top of it :-( Have you talked to your OB about the contractions? Are they causing cervical changes? If it continues to be a problem there are meds they can give you to stop them. Do you have help around the house? Good luck and you and baby will be in my thoughts!!! Marisa

Hi, My kids are still young so I don't have experience as a parent of a gymnast or dancer but I was a very talented ballet dancer when I was younger. When I was about 7 I took gymnastics and it sparked my interest in dance. I did not have the build for gymnastics but had the perfect body type for ballet: very thin, long legged, long muscles and I was much too tall for gymnastics (I'm 5'7") :lol:. So body type is a consideration. Look around your family and see who your daughter is taking after, is she long and lean, or will she be shorter and more powerful? It is heartbreaking when kids get older that they aren't able to succeed in their chosen path because of their body type. I started ballet at age 8 and it was a natural fit. I loved it and by the age of 10 I was dancing at least 20 hours a week and by 13 I was dancing ~ 35 hours a week. Most ballet dancers have very Type A personalities and to be good, as in anything, you have to completely dedicate yourself if you want to excel. So she will have to LOVE what she is doing if she wants to succeed in dance or gymnastics. I do want to mention that many of the girls I danced with who started earlier burned out by the time we hit junior high and high school. If my daughter wants to do ballet the earliest I would start her is 6, but most likely 7. Just to warn you both gymnastics and dance can have some verbally abusive instructors as kids get older. Anorexia and bulimia are also things you will need to watch out for. One great thing about dance is that there are so many ways to be involved in it, even when you are an adult. There is tap, modern/contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, character, ballroom, ballet, etc, whereas gymnastics is more specialized. I would suggest giving her a few more years and let her experience a lot of different activities. She is only young once and dedicating her life to something at 4 seems a little early IMHO. Marisa PS If you would like any more info on ballet I can give you some pointers. I was accepted into all of the top schools in the country (SAB - NY, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy, Pacific NW Ballet, Joffrey Ballet - NY, Pittsburg Ballet, NC School of the Arts, Boston Ballet) and I also have a lot of friends still dancing in various companies. I unfortunately had to quit when I was 18 because of chronic health problems, and I still miss it to this day!

:lurk5: I hope someone will chime in :-) Marisa

:lurk5: Marisa

I am not going to argue the merit of the author's arguement but I am willing to follow the recomendations to insure my daughters health. It's not like he is asking us to do anything that goes against common sense; more vegetables, less animal fat, and more physical activity. With the skyrocketing cases of obesity and diabetes in kids, these suggestions will provide children with a lifestyle that will keep them healthy through adulthood. Marisa Recomendations from posters article: Children's diets should focus on whole plant foods rather than animal foods -- this will keep protein intake in a safe range and reduce their consumption of EDCs. Minimize dairy products in children's diets -- use almond and hemp milks instead of cows' milk Encourage children to exercise and exercise with them. Minimize processed foods -- these are calorie-dense and nutrient-poor, and they promote obesity and other diseases. Children's diets should include a wide variety of natural plant foods as possible including, green vegetables, squashes, corn, carrots, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, avocados, beans, fruits and whole grains. This means that healthy eating is a lifetime event. Buy organic produce when possible to avoid synthetic pesticides. Minimize children's exposure to BPA: Avoid using of rigid polycarbonate plastics (recycling label #7) whenever possible; Do not use plastic water bottles if they are old or scratched; Do not microwave in plastic containers; Minimize the use of canned foods and avoid canned infant formulas.32 Minimize children's exposure to phthalates:Avoid plastics marked with recycling label #3 (PVC) whenever possible; Check ingredient lists on personal care products for phthalates. Also be aware that "fragrance" listed as an ingredient often means that the products contains phthalates. For more information, visit the Environmental Working Group's guide to children's personal care products.

I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine how much that hurt and continues to hurt :grouphug:! I have a friend who's daughter was named Lydia, she lived 8 days and forever touched my heart. I will keep both Lydia's in my thoughts! Marisa

:grouphug::grouphug:, CFIDS is a miserable condition! I've been diagnosed since I was 16 with it but can't remember a time I didn't have it. I was homschooled from mid 1st grade until high school because of my severe fatigue. I've added a few more diagnosis over the years including Fibromyalgia at 21 and recently Rheumatoid Arthritis :thumbdown:. Of all my problems though the fatigue is the worst! I can deal with the chronic pain but nothing helps the fatigue. Over the years I have tried almost everything, from Western meds to Eastern and anything in between. The only two things that have helped me even a tiny bit is having a sleep study done (and using the results of that to find appropriate sleeping meds), and a stimulant medication. I hope you are able to find some relief! At least now days there is a lot more information out there about CFIDS, and it is more accepted by physicians then it used to be. Marisa

:iagree: Diversity is what makes this country so wonderful! Marisa

:lurk5:

I've been looking at it too and can't really get a good feel for it. I know quite a few people at http://www.secularhomeschool.com/forum.php use it so they may be able to offer some more ideas if you can't find what you are looking for here. It sounds like an interesting curriculum, I wish I could get my hands on it to see it in person. Marisa

I always thought I would have two, and that is what dh and I agreed upon. After having a high risk first pregnancy with our son, it was a big decision especially for dh for us to have another one. Then I got pregnant with twins and it was another high risk pregnancy. After spending nearly 9 months on bedrest between the two pregnancies we are done! The pregnancy triggered an autoimmune disease on top of my other health problems so I don't know if I could do it again even if we wanted to. With that being said I can't imagine just having two now :001_smile:. Marisa

Thanks everyone for your recommendations, I knew the hive would come through! I will give them to my husband and see what he thinks :) He is definitely math phobic so I see a lot of hand holding in my future LOL! Marisa

:lurk5: Marisa

Thank you for sharing this link! I've only gotten about half way through it but so far it is very interesting! I have three young kids and at this point they have such different personalities that I would guess they are going to have different learning styles :) Hopefully more people will comment and share how they incorporate multi-sensory teaching techniques into their homeschools. Marisa

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone can recommend an Aldfgnm gebra textbook for an adult to use? My husband needs to take an Algebra class (or hopefully test out of it) for his bachelors degree. I have taken up through 1st semester Calc but it has been quite a few years :blushing:. I think I could probably teach him myself but we would need a textbook of some sort with an answer key. Kind of a weird question but I figured if anyone could answer it it would be the hive :lol:. Thanks! Marisa

Hi Alicia, I am sorry this happened to you! I have never bought on the FS board because I've been worried this exact same thing would happen. When you say "personal" tab what does that mean? Is that through PayPal? Is there any way to protect yourself from this happening? Thanks and I hope you get this resolved! Marisa

Thanks for the link, looks like it has a lot of fun stuff :001_smile:! Marisa

Thanks for adding the correct link, I am an idiot :tongue_smilie:! Marisa

Hi everyone, www.montessorioutlet.com is having 10% off all products from April 1-30. Use code ESTRO411. Yay, perfect timing, there are a ton of language and geography items I have been putting off ordering. Sounds like this may be the perfect time! Marisa xpost from WTM social group "Exploring Montessori"

Hi AnnLaura, Thanks for asking this question, I've been wondering about it myself. I am thinking about getting Educational Fontware and teaching handwriting myself. That way I can choose which font I like the best and make my own worksheets. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis so my handwriting lately is not so cute, and there is NO way I can physically write practice sheets for my kids! Marisa