Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Glad to hear this update.

I have a nook color & love it. If I were getting an eink ereader, I'd get a nook. You can't use the kindle for library ebooks. All of the feaatures I love on the nook color are available on an ipad, if you are considering that. Nook color doesn't do much video, although b&n may add better video soon. But if you think you'll use it for movies much, the larger size of the ipad would be nice. The nook color fits easily in my purse though.

Sorry, no ideas for seed companies. I actually just take DS to Menards, and we browse the little packets together. I used to order seed catalogs to dream with, but I think handling the packets is part of the fun for littles. One day I suppose I will fulfill my seed catalog dreams. ;)

Also, I have some tall white daisies, and some middling. My favorite thing to do with them is to cut all the stem off, then float them in a cool bath. My boys love it too. :)

Oooh, I forgot about dahlias. DS4 chose some last summer, and they were wonderful. Helena, I had some violas in planters last year. We started them from seed indoors. They were amazing! They lasted forever and bloomed like crazy. I've never had violas that I bought as plants last so long. I've always wanted to get some of the black ones! The lime green zinnias are tdf! We had one huge planter of all green, and some mixed in the bed. Super fantabulous!

I've had great luck with zinnias. I love the green ones. Shasta daisies are fantastic too. I love my irises, roses, and peonies. This year I want to add more of each. And I adore violas and pansies. I used to have tulips and daffodils, and would like to again.

Thanks! Hope the pricing gets fixed soon. Also curious if anyone has any favorites.

I try not to, but occasionally find myself slipping. For me it about doubting myself, not my sons - should I be working on xyz more/harder? But if I take a deep breath, I can step back and remember why I am not. I have a dear friend whose daughter goes to daycare. She has gotten caught up in this a bit, and I think it partly stems from guilt over sending her DD to daycare. One day she told me how great daycare was because the girl was counting to 20. The next day she forgetfully told me the same story, but it was to 25. The next day was my DS's birthday party, and I overheard my friend tell that her daughter was counting to 50. DH & I had a little chuckle later, but at the same time I feel sad my friend feels a need to make sure her DD compares favorably to the point of such, um, embroidery. I don't want to be like that.

Magna tiles look so great! My older DS started playing with regular legos a little after he turned 3. We took him to the lego store and let him fill a small bin with the pieces he wanted. We've added 3 guys. He plays with this little selection frequently and happily. So your little guy might not be far from being lego-ready. I like our tree blocks too since he has to be very careful with the balance of the pieces, although they are also fun for wee ones.

We've been thinking about doing butterflies, but I didn't realize you could do ladybugs! How fun!

Huge bat lovers here! DS4 has requested more bat books for our next library visit too. Kalphs - did your bat house get many bats?

If you like the wooden block runs, it seems a number a of sites have basically, if not exactly, the same 50 block set. The cheapest price I've seen is http://www.backtobasicstoys.com. DS4 has been wanting one, but I'm waiting for the baby to get a little bigger before having marbles in the house. I also like the idea of building one on the wall with paper tubes, etc.

So glad we went! Even DS18mo had a blast until just at the end when he was ready for a nap. Thanks!

Thank you! I'll check both of those out.

Hehe! Good to hear. ;)

Thanks! It turns out I can take the baby without a ticket, so we are going.

A friend called and asked if DS4 & I would like to go to Toy Story on Ice tomorrow morning. The other child they were going with is sick, so tix available. DH could stay with DS18mo, but he's been going through a super clingy phase so I'm worried he'll cry the whole time. Or until he cries himself to sleep. And my friend is still at the tail end of an illness. So I'm hesitant. Would DS4 enjoy it so much that it's worth going?

Glad you're spirits are so high! Keep getting better. :grouphug:

I am in need of books to teach DS4 about the 10 Commandments. Read-alouds, activities, discussions, whatever has worked for you. Thanks!

I don't know if this is common for TJs or not, but my favorite aspect is the little kid shopping carts. They really just tickle me. DS4 loves them, of course. And I've just recently made him his own shopping list of index cards with little photos that I write quantities on. Then he does the shopping himself. :) He is so proud of himself. We really like the fruit or vanilla & cream yogurt, lime sparkling water, and the fish. DS4 loves fish,, so I let him pick. We've always been pleased with the quality. I don't do all our shopping there by any means, but we are going more regularly now for the experience for DS4. BTW, I haven't looked lately, but I've bought sunflower seed butter at Target more than once.

Well, we started making soap as demonstrators for an historical reenactment, about 38 years ago. So our ingredients are fat and lye. We've experimennted with a variety of additions, but found we prefer it to be pure. We do frequently add toasted oats, which I like as well as plain for my face and babies. We also add dried lavender or poppy seeds once in a great while, but these are for hands. Nothing else.

Wow, that's a shame.

My family makes our own. In the summer, I don't need moisturizer necessarily, but in winter I do. But then, that's probably true with any cleanser for me.

The bread I've been making lately has been great for sandwiche, and I can slice it super thin for DS4. It makes a big batch of dough that will keep in the fridge for a week or two, and can make any kind of loaf shape or rolls or pizza crust. The sourdough bread I used to make didn't hold up well for sandwiches unless it was toasted.