I don't know anything about BJU or Horizons, but my kids really liked McRuffy Phonics. The readers are cute and natural, and my DD really liked the workbook. She generally hates workbooks. ETC drove us batty; I wasn't too unhappy when the baby scribbled all over ETC and pretty much ruined it. I grew up with A Beka and my niece also used it. That's always another option. I probably could have taught my daughter to read using only the Handbook for Reading from A Beka. Christine

Doctor called me back. He thinks that the uterine ligaments are just weak after three kids. If I feel any contractions or unusual back pain then I'm to call him directly; otherwise, just stay off my feet until Monday. Christine

:grouphug::grouphug:Hopefully this latest episode will get him moved up on the transplant list. Glad your son is there to support you.

Thanks. I've left a message with his office. I'm probably just being paranoid, but I've had a strong nesting urge lately and a feeling that something is off. I was put on bedrest with DD3 around 20 weeks for different symptoms related to preterm labor and was able to carry her full term so I just want to be extra careful and safe. And avoid getting to the bed rest stage if at all possible. Christine

What would happen if James stopped referring clients to you? What if the previously referred clients chose someone else James recommended for their next job? Would your business suffer any or do you have a sufficient client base of your own? James request seems unfair to me, but on the other hand, he has no obligation to promote your business. If he's giving you 10 referrals and only getting 1 from you, he might well feel that he's being used. He isn't handling it right, but I'd think about what would happen if his referral stream dried up before I told him to jump in a lake. Referrals are dicey. Dh works in a referral based industry. He keeps his referral sources happy with providing them work too but its never explicit. More like "X helped me with a similar problem and did fantastic work; I'm sure if you mention my name, he'll take great care of you." In some cases, its "this is the guy we usually use in this situation. Do you want me to set up a meeting?" Mutual benefit but no direct exchange of $$$. Christine

I'm 24 1/2 weeks and the past three or four days, I've been feeling intense pressure on my pelvis and cervix. I've had three kids and don't remember the pressure being this intense until well into my third trimester. It really hurts to walk. No shooting pains just like the baby is really pushing down there all the time. At the 20 week u/s my cervix measured 4 cm which is normal but short for me (I usually measure between 6 1/2-7). WWYD? If its just the baby lying low--how do I get him to move? ___________________________________________________________ Dr suspects weak uterine ligaments. I'm to stay off my feet until our next appointment on Monday. If I have contractions (even BH) or unusual back pain, I'm to call his pager, but he thinks that I just need rest. He may prescribe me some kind of belt or a sling at our next appointment. I'm starting to vaguely remember this with my last one--I was on bedrest for two months right around 20 weeks so it never had a chance to get painful until I was safely in my third trimester. --C

Photographer and flowers. We took forever interviewing photographers b/c we wanted someone who excelled at capturing the candid/ unscripted moments. We didn't get the florist we wanted b/c the good but affordable florist filled up early. Christine

B unless you have the cash on hand to pay for the remodel. When we bought last year, our bank wouldn't give us a penny over the appraisal (which happened to be exactly the sale price). This house hasn't been remodeled since the early 80s but at least everything was in good shape. I'd love to replace the carpets and windows and put in a/c but we're trying to get the $ together for a better refi. So it will be at least a couple years before we get the goodies I want, if ever. If you have the money on your own to pay for the improvements, go with A but don't count on rolling it into the mortgage. Christine

:iagree: I'm tearing up even thinking about my baby William (miscarried at 17 weeks) being wrapped up in a blanket. Its been more than 9 years but I still have a sleeper and stuffed animal that I had bought for him. I ache thinking of the empty blanket. I've heard about angel necklaces or bracelets. If you want to give something homemade--maybe a tiny crocheted bear or rabbit with the babies initials (I do still hug the stuffed shark I bought for him) but its personal for each mom. Christine

We attend public school but $1 day is definitely tame for our school district.

Nine months is plenty of time. DH and I were engaged in September, married in May and planned the wedding from 1900 miles away. If you have a date then it sounds like you at least have the location of the wedding set--that was our hardest part. Just relax. Christine

bee keeper pediatrician dentist carpenter Christine

I'd wait a month or two on swim lessons. My 1st grader is adjusting to a full school day and he's tired when he comes home. Our first scout meeting isn't until October to give the littlest ones a chance to adjust. After that, I think you'd be fine.

Absolutely. I'd be talking to your provider and Aetna because you should only be paying the allowed amount not the balance if you are going to a preferred provider. If you are going out of network, you'd be responsible for the difference regardless of whether your plan was high deductible or not, and I could see why they wouldn't count the extra toward your deductible. Hope this resolves soon. We were considering going with a high deductible plan next year but I'm due at the end of December. Our current PPO plan has awesome maternity coverage and I'm not willing to change doctors when I might be 41 weeks pregnant and overdue. Christine

Generally no. See this thread http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=210774&page=2 MN, LA, IL, and IN do allow some deductions on state income taxes but you'd need to check their rules. Christine

DS was born in November (we used to have a Dec 2 cutoff; its progressively going back to 9/1). We held him back b/c his motor skills weren't ready--he could hardly draw a square much less write his name. Right about his 5th birthday the motor skills clicked and he started to be able to make somewhat legible letters. Our kindergarten is very writing intensive; kids start journaling the second day. We were also working on sensory issues and attention issues (he's one of those kids who does better if he can move around and sits on a sensory cushion). Between the fine motor and sensory issues starting him at 4 3/4 would have been a disaster. Academically he was ready but his body wasn't. He's now a happy first grader who struggles with penmanship but excels at reading and is bored with math (The hardest part for him is not writing the 3s backwards). We did what was best for our own kid. I expect everyone else to do the same. Christine

:grouphug: Thinking of you.:grouphug: Christine

Wouldn't it be great if there was a program that improved graduation rates, led to better academic performance, reduced teen pregnancy and depression, and lowered the lifetime risk of obesity? Wait a minute there is...its called sports participation. Sports and physical education are a legitimate part of a school's mission. We are more than our brains; our bodies need training too. I've never lived in a place where the track and tennis courts aren't available to the public when not in use by the school team. Land is at a premium so the club and adult leagues use the school facilities. The beautiful high school aquatic center is open to everyone for lap swim and many kids take swim lessons there on weekends and during the summer. A majority of the funding for the sports facilities comes through private donors and not taxpayer dollars. in fact, the local education foundation pays the salaries of the elementary level PE teachers, not the school district. My kids are little. I don't know about access; until middle school everything is through little league, pop warner or the community sports association.

I hope the movie sparks more interest. I've been watching the cases in S.Cal very closely as well as two recent forced charter conversions (Locke High School in LA and Clayton Valley near SF). Public schools should belong to the public and if they aren't meeting the needs of the community, the community should have the right to demand change. Christine (a geeky policy wingnut)

Unfortunately, California doesn't come close to properly supporting its schools with tax dollars. Our PTA spends a ton of time fundraising, but the fundraising pays for supplies in the classroom, technology, library books, drinking fountain repair, etc. If its something physical in the classroom, the PTA paid for it. We also have a district foundation which pays for things that the PTA isn't legally allowed to support--it pays the salaries of all aides, the librarian, art teacher, and science labs. Both work together to support the annual art fair and science fair. The PTA runs carnival, the Dr Suess breakfast, and International Night. They also organize the small army of parent volunteers. Core curriculum choices are made by the school board and the school site representatives. So much of the life of our school runs on volunteerism and parent fundraising, I can't imagine what life must be like in those schools where the parents don't have the resources to make up for what the state doesn't provide. We don't do the stupid wrapping paper fundraiser but we participate in and work hard on everything else. Christine

thank you. It is so good to know we are not alone. The first grade teacher has reported that my normally happy-go-lucky boy has been grouchy at school. He's not an angel by any means at home but he's always had a game face on in public. This transition is hard. Christine

Good luck! That sounds much more manageable for you guys. Christine

Lucky you. Tourists are gone and the weather is usually warm(ish) in September. Exploratorium, Cal Academy (expensive but worth it), bike across the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Pier 39 for boat tours and the sea lions. Try to catch a ball game--AT&T Park is amazing. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and bring a jacket. Christine

Congratulations!

Our kindergarten doesn't; K only meets for 3 hours and 20 minutes so it would be hard. I still love it though--DD has started reading and writing centers already and is happy. I've been told that 1st grade does but we're only six days in and so its hard to tell. DS is already complaining that he's bored so I hope they start soon. Christine