I have this one and recommend it. I love it! It fits my water bottles and has just enough room to fit what I need.

My friend just bought a house this way. From a complete stranger. She just walked around neighborhoods she liked and talked to people outside watering lawns, etc.

I have similar- these ones http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-431-4-Piece-Silicone-Maker/dp/B0036B9KHO/ref=pd_sim_k_6 and they are great. WE put them upright in a cup when putting them to freeze and haven't had a problem with anything spilling

We just went on a field trip to learn about this. First-AMAZING! Almost life changing. It was fascinating to learn about the architecture involved and cost comparison vs traditional construction. It was also incredible to see some of the structures and view an earthbag home with modern features. I would not recommend just winging it! In theory-it is an inexpensive way to build-however it will cost more than just the earth you put into it. If you live somewhere you can participate in a workshop and learn how to do it properly-it would be pretty cool and an incredible experience to have your children help build their own playhouse.

I took some to a jeweler and a coin/gold kind of place but ultimately ended up selling it on ebay, along with some silver coins. Even with the fees, that was by far the most profitable way for me at the time. (this was probably about 5 months ago)

I cut off part of stem and trim the ends of the leaves, then boil for about 30 minutes. I usually 'test' for doneness by plucking off a leaf from the middle. THe meat of the leaf should be soft and easy to scrape off-if not- then I know they need to cook a little longer. I grew up dipping in butter- but we just eat them plain when we cook them and they are delicious. And YES they are good for you!!! :)

I taught a Hunger Games class at our co-op and one thing the kids really enjoyed was making bow and arrows. similar to this http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/07/24/diy-pvc-bow-and-arrow/ WE used pencil erasers on the end and they each had their own tiny cup of paint. The target was a huge tarp with two body outlines taped on and a pig with an apple in its mouth. They would dip their arrows into the paint first so we knew who was actually hitting the targets and where. THe kids liked this so much that we did this activity twice. They also really liked doing this "panem to panem" game- totally worth the $5 to have a fun, themed game to play http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hunger-Games-Panem-to-Panem-game-similar-to-Apples-to-Apples

I have a large bag full of play food I'd be willing to send to someone. I just cleaned out my daughter's food and took out doubles or triples of things. Easily enough play food to constitute a "full" set.

My kids and husband love it. My 10 year old goes on and on and on and on about it. Him telling me another thing about minecraft is like nails on a chalkboard. I don't know how much longer I can smile and nod my head and pretend I care anything about it. But I guess it was worth the $20 in birthday money he paid, I don't think he's touched any other video game in months.

An ERgo or other good carrier (not a Bjorn) Stroller-in love with my Baby Jogger City Mini. After going through 5 strollers with my youngest-this is the one that stuck around the longest. Folds very compactly while it pushes like a full sized stroller diaper bags- I was quite happy with my Skip Hop diaper bag from Target. That was another thing I went through several on and finally decided on that. If you are going with a bucket carseat- I LOVED our Chicco Keyfit also. Easy to adjust, install, etc. I am not one for all the baby gadgets. There isn't a ton you NEED, but I think the above things are almost necessities.

I did similar as a teenager. for the same reason, hockey. I don't know the specifics of what exactly you are thinking of, but in my situation, I was a west coast girl who went to a New England prep school for hockey. It was a fantastic opportunity for me. Academically, it was FAR superior to the three other high schools I went to. (my parents were going through a bankruptcy and we shuffled around a bit) I was noticed and recruited by several of the "big" hockey schools in that area. I would look into prep schools over the situation with your FIL. Dorm parents really do become part of our lives and like extended family. It was a culture shock and lonely at first, but I wouldn't trade the experience. I don't know that I would send my child to live with someone who had vastly different beliefs just for the hockey. Where with the prep school, there are lots of benefits to it. Even though it is technically not supposed to be a hockey scholarship, I got almost a full ride to school, and my academics at that point, were middle of the road. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I bought two on ebay before. It was something crazy low, like 10-15% of what the dealership charged. They sent directions to reprogram-I did it myself, it wasn't that hard, just like reading a recipe and following the instructions!

I don't get people, why get a dog if you aren't going to care for it? That is cruel. Not to take over your thread, but I feel your pain. Our neighbor (this is an apartment building too-so they have no yard) just got a pitbull puppy for Christmas. I don't understand-they have a 3 year old who is in this dogs face and they are doing nothing about teaching the kid and/or dog respect. the parents are aggressive with the kids, the 4 kids are aggressive with each other-this puppy is going to end up aggressive too. They keep it in the GARAGE at night and I am not sure what they do during the day, but nobody is home on the week days. It isn't fair to the dog and it isn't fair to me or my kids. Their side of the apartment has seperate owners than my side- I don't even know where to begin about finding the owner of the builidng. I can't imagine them being okay with having a pitbull in a place like this. It is frustrating to no end.

My son started reading these in K, and now in 4th grade- he still rereads them constantly. He loves them. I haven't found anything questionable in them, just a fun, simple read.

Nope. I thought the note was nicer than I would have been feeling about it if I were the neighbor. :) It sounds like they were just trying to avoid confronting you, which I can totally understand.

We broke my 12 year old's heart by telling her last year. Tears and sadness. I felt awful. I think a lot of the tears were from having to grow up though, she feels like she wasn't allowed to be a kid anymore. (Hmm. Society doesn't help there, neither do my inlaws who think 9 and 12 year olds are no longer important in the land of toddlers) We told her it was a fun game mommies and daddies like to play with the kids because even though it is fun getting gifts from parents, it is way cooler to imagine them being flown in from the north pole. I told her she got to be my helper now (my husband almost always works Christmas Eve and gets home around 7 in the morning) and she wasn't thrilled with that, but it was something. We just told her because we didn't want her to get embarrassed in a conversation with friends or something by her insisting that Santa is real.

when my daughter was 10, she pulled some preppy clothes out of her closet and was Nancy Drew. (she made a Nancy Drew notebook to carry with her)

Last year, my daughter and I made her a holy cow costume. She painted black spots on white leggings and shirt, made a halo out of pipecleaners and a headband, then we made wings ourselves, but you could get some angel wings and throw on a few black feathers as well.

My 12 year old asks me this every single day. It drives me nuts too.

I felt the same way after reading this book. Totally changed my parenting in some ways and allowed me to give my older kids some more freedom without stressing.

We used to, not anymore. Two years ago, my mom had her flu shot and contracted Guillain Barre from it, after watching her go through that, be hospitalized for 6 months and still not be recovered, I've decided against it...

My son is also in 4th grade, using Teaching Textbooks and didn't have the facts memorized. Times Tales was amazing, we have finished with the multiplication part, but are still working through getting the facts out FAST, but it's been only about 5 times sitting down and doing the lessons. I thought it cheesy and thought he would too, but he has even told me how much it helped him. So it isn't independent, but it isnt too time consuming either.

My son used TT4 last year and loved it. (well for school work anyways!) He thought it was much, much better than using Saxon. His math scores on the state testing were well into the advanced range. (although he did TT4 and he was in third grade)

Great! I was just about to purchase science online and I came on here to look for something else and saw this post. THANK YOU!

I vote for Jumanji or Zathura, my 9 year old son LOVED those. (they both have the same kind of theme too)