We planted sugar snap peas, carrots. radishes and lettuce last week. Will plant a small watermelon plant and sunflowers in April for transplant in May. I will also plant some tomatoes--I went overboard on the tomatoes last year and watered them too much but I'll try again this year. The cherry tomatoes were our best producers so I'll definitely plant those. Maybe 2 regular sized heirlooms--depends if I can build another raised bed. I'm also considering an eggplant, bell peppers and beans. Maybe some cukes--the deer ate all my cukes last year so I'll have to get better netting. Its 70 out today but we had a hard freeze 2 nights ago.

Costco. I let my membership expire but they routinely carry really good quality yoga pants and jackets. I've heard good things about their workout tops but I don't own any.

Not to make you hate me but it will be pushing into the 80s here today. The kids will probably be pushing for me to get out the kiddie pool soon; they already want to go swimming at our gym pool (outdoors but heated). So in some places this thread is relevant.

I do miss LA. Here in the Bay Area, a day at the beach means rash guards and board shorts even in the height of summer. The beach and water are COLD. I have no philosophical problems with bikinis and my girls each own at least 2 pairs. Lots of moms wear cute tankinis to the pool but I don't ever see anyone between the ages of 12 and 29 in a tankini.

Corned beef (Trader Joes precooked is in a small enough package that we aren't eating it for days after and the kids will actually eat it) with colcannon and Irish soda bread.

I'm so sorry

Same here. In our small East Bay (SF) community, we would not be able to afford the home we bought 2 years ago. Just this past month, three homes within a half mile of our house sold for more than 1 mil in the first week they were listed--the homes were larger than 1400 sq ft but not more than 2000 sq ft. We know several families who are renting but cannot afford to buy.

Congratulations!

How long has your house been on the market? The market here is robust if a home is in good shape and priced appropriately (a friend had 12 offers after her first open house). However, after the first few weeks homes tend to sit and sit until the sellers accept a lowball offer. I think it also depends on how much you want the other house. If you found the perfect spot, I would accept the counter offer. There is no guarantee that it would be around when you get another offer.

We have a five week old and so far I've loved our cradle swing with a/c adapter (no more batteries!) and mei tei carrier (Baby Hawk). When's he's bigger, I can't wait to try out the Ergo. I also love the oversized cotton muslin swaddle blankets.

Maybe its just her family culture? (I take it that she's married to your husband's brother). My family shares many more details than DH's--our emails trying to schedule events share even more than your SIL. Her plans don't seem that glamorous--its not like she's e-mailing that she has reservations at French Laundry or that they're spending the weekend at their condo in Tahoe. It doesn't sound like she's bragging. Just being chatty. Maybe she specified Colorado plans so that you wouldn't offer another date that weekend? Christine

It depends on the area. Where we live, the scenario posted is exactly what we saw two years ago when we were buying. Our Realtor friends tell us that its even worse now--there are lots of frustrated buyers b/c housing stock is low and listings are going well above asking price due to multiple offers. If a house hasn't sold withing two weeks on the market, its either significantly overpriced or has something seriously wrong with it.

Hmm. In response to CC, our local 1st grade classrooms have Just Right Reading which is definitely ability grouping (students switch classrooms just for reading based on their reading level).

The kidlets are all artificial food coloring free--they love that they can get almost all their favorite former treats (jelly beans, cheetos, mac & cheese, ice cream, yogurt) at TJs. Cereal is cheap--1.99 for Frosted Flakes and Rice Crispies. I buy milk and eggs (organic) there too. The kids have started eating the agave sweetened black & white rice rolls--mmmm

It's already an issue in at least 1 Eagle Board of Review. http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2013/01/review-board-endorses-gay-teen-ryan-andresen-s-eagle-scout-bid http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/ryan-andresen-gay-eagle-scout_n_2432564.html I don't know Mr. Andresen personally (even though we are local), but I am glad he is challenging the status quo. If his brave stand and our local council's recent actions have done anything to lead to the end of discrimination against gay scouts then I'm proud to have my son be a member (even if he is only a 1st grade Tiger). We know several families who have been working on this issue and who will be celebrating next week if the Scouts act. --Christine

DD1 can't have ginger, mint or lemon. She used to react to peas but hasn't for years; we're becoming suspicious of tomatoes and will have her tested at her 6 year well check. DD2 is allergic to strawberries We avoid artificial food coloring for all of our children The new baby has horrible reflux--DD2 had severe MSPI ( bad enough that two doctors thought she had pyloric stenosis and scheduled surgery before they observed her fully belly during a 2nd ultrasound) so I'm milk and soy free again. I get severe migraines from artificial sweeteners.

Absolutely a maximizer. But it is lessening as I age--it also requires too much attention with a newborn around. Now I'm probably about 70-30 while 10 years ago I would have been 95-5%. Christine

Both cases that I know in real life, the spouse and cheating partner married and are still married years later.

For the earliest reading, DS used Bob books, then we went to the library and found the easiest readers--Green Light readers are good. We've also enjoyed the I like to Read series. Fly Guy, Mo Willems, Jan Thomas, and the Lego readers were all big hits, Christine W

Right now the baby is waking every 2-3 hours so Dh has temporarily moved to the living room, but he should move back in a week or so when our 10 day old has a regular sleep pattern. Christine

Is it possible for an 8 day old baby to be showing signs of milk protein intolerance? For the past two days, my newborn has been especially fussy, arching his back while eating, spitting up a ton, and wanting to nurse nonstop. I have this vague memory of DD2 (who is now almost 4) having similar issues before the projectile vomiting that eventually led to a diagnosis of Milk Soy Protein Intolerance. She outgrew the milk intolerance at 18 months, but still has sensitivity to soy. At our lactation consultation, the RN noted that I had hyperlactation and that often these kids get more lactose than they can digest and that correlates with a higher incidence of MPI. She advised me to limit dairy. I've tried block feeding and while I still have too much milk, its much better. However, the stomach issues are getting worse. Should I cut out dairy entirely? Anyone else have a baby/child with MSPI? Any favorite resources or recipes? I know that there is much more available now than even 4 years ago. I live less than a mile away from Whole Foods and Trader Joes so if it exists I probably have access. Thanks, Christine

We're going to a 90th birthday party for DH's grandma in Quebec City. Hopefully, we will also be going to Jekyll Island, GA with my mom. Christine W

FAFSA is a federal program run by the US Department of Education.The information contained in the FAFSA is cofidential and protected under federal law. I don't worry about anyone in the IRS stealing my identity based on my tax forms; I can't see much difference in filling out the FAFSA (it even has a cool new feature where you can access your federal income tax return and autofill the tax related info). I'm not keen on schools using the FAFSA to determine merit aid, but I've seen many discussions on this board about how a poor student with a high GPA and SAT score might be more deserving of admission or a scholarship than an affluent kid with an almost perfect SAT and above 4.0 GPA. I don't see how schools can figure that out without some independent confirmation of the socio-economic status of the student. Christine W

When is registration? I'd remind your son again why he didn't play last year and then give him a limited window to show his willingness to practice. If your son isn't willing to play catch or practice fielding balls at home, then he shouldn't be on the team. It's bad for him, and its bad for his teammates.

My sons will both have the same name as cousins that I see once a year at most (to be honest its been at least three years). However, I would not name my child after a sibling of mine or a siblings child. If we lived close enough to see the relative more than for a few hours every couple years I'd also reconsider the name.