:grouphug:

Congrats!

Great! Thank you!

Rivka, I'd be curious to know more about these differences. I've been thinking of buying some of the units on HSBC.

No clue, but my DS would love that too. :D

I just ran to check which book we brought home from the library today. Luckily a different easy origami. Hopefully actually easy. I was getting stuck on the directions that came with some paper this weekend. I love origami, but it appears I've forgotten too much.

Wild Kratts is our favorite. We got to see them live last summer at the zoo. We also like Curious George and Arthur. I don't let them watch Barney or Electric Company. I wish netflix would show Sagwa the Cat. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I have fond memories of it from about 4 years ago on Sprout.

No problem. Here are a few of the free books: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elephants-child-rudyard-kipling/1100017413?ean=2940000920596 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/huff-and-puff-tish-rabe/1109723157?ean=9780062111067 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fun-facts-about-pets-seymour-simon/1103400238?ean=2940000920572 There have been some others that are now full price. But every so often they put out a new free book. I've found several early readers for free. And if you check the website, there is a "daily find" every day, one adult and one family/kids. I've found a few great books heavily discounted there.

Well, if you browse the apps by age, for example, you will find the book apps. If you do a search for, say, Little Critter, you will see that the apps are a particular rounded square and stand out from the regular books. Also, it should say in the description. ETA: sorry. I was cut off by a little person. Anyway, I think you will start to see the difference pretty quickly. We love our nook! Feel free to ask me any questions, and I'll do my best to help out. I will try to get back and link some of the free picture books tomorrow if you'd like.

How old are your kids? Mine are 5 and 2, so my ideas might not be useful. We like Caillou's World, Alphabet Tracer (although a couple of letters are not the way we do them), Shape Builder and Preschool Connect-the-Dots by Murtha Designs. We have tried 2 or 3 of the apps by Intellijoy and do not like them at all. Counting with the Very Hungry Caterpillar is charming to look at, and DS2 enjoys it once in a while, but it doesn't seem to be very useful. We also like the books that are apps, such as Little Critter and Dr. Seuss.

What a great story! Very fun. :)

We just received our summer park district program guide, and new this year they're offering pre-engineering with Lego. For instructor, it lists Play-Well TEKnologies Instructor. Has anyone ever done this? It sounds like something DS5 would love! But it's a fair chunk of change, so I'd like to hear some reviews first. Thanks!

If anything, I was more likely to try to hurt my brother. He was very good to me, and I think he realized he could stop me without hurting me. He is three years and four months older. He teased me and made me angry, and I'm sure he hurt me sometimes but I can't remember any occasion now.

They can go go go go, like most hounds, but then come inside to be a couch potato. They do rate high on the excitability chart, though. I haven't heard about them being particularly destructive, but maybe they are. I agree with a pp about their voice. Even if you find one that doesn't bark much, when it does, it will be loud and carry. Not good for apartments. We had a miniature schnauzer when I was young. Great dog! He was a perfect pal for my little brother. I do think looking for an adult mix is a great idea.

:iagree: too! Good news! :grouphug:

Isn't it great? I love their clearance section. I don't know if there's any method to the madness. Get yourself a homeschooler discount card though. They're very nice about it, and it works on clearance books too.

For 5+ hrs, parking is $35. It's crazy, isn't it? I've had luck finding street parking when I've been there or Notebaert, but once I gave up and paid $25 or so for a few hours.

Agreeing with pp - if you're going to be in Tinley, Brookfield Zoo will be easier to get to. We love Brookfield. I think the Shedd membership is worth the cost, but if you aren't sure it's your thing, I vote Science & Industry. ETA: I hadn't heard about Science & Industry being free to homeschoolers, but I know the Art Institute offers free entry to homeschoolers. Also unsure about summer though.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've read you can freeze avocados. You can cut in half, remove pit, wrap in plastic wrap, and seal in freezer ziploc bags. And you can mash/blend them with a little lemon or lime juice, and seal and freeze. Apparently thawing in the fridge makes browning less likely. eta: cross posted with mom2samlibby :)

We did! One of the comics the lady gave my 5yo is very age inappropriate, so we just put it away for the future. But they kindly gave the 2yo three comics as well. And each boy got a little Avengers figure/game thingy. Thor and Green Lantern. The boys thought it was great. The store near us didn't do anything special like Storm Troopers. That would be fun!

Another lazy and innappropriate for a birthday idea. :tongue_smilie: But we signed up for the Cornell U urban bird count project and received a great little poster. DS was 4 then, and he could use it to distinguish our frequent visitor birds. Also, there are some great links to beautiful nature posters floating around pinterest, if you're on there. They'd look lovely on a wall. Not as thorough as the Peterson guides, I don't think, but very nice for kids, are the Take Along Guides. We like the ones we have. They offer a wildflower guide.

I did. My first is 2yrs 9mo older than my second. When I was pregnant, I'd already been carrying him mostly on my back. I found that tying the waist straps of a mei tai under my belly when I was getting big was nicely supportive. ;) I also liked using a woven wrap for a ruck tied in back, so nothing around my torso. I agree with others that your DD may want to get a different carrier. I didn't find the moby supportive enough past around 15-18lbs.

nm. Had a chat with my mother & feel better.

I've had a variety of mei tais with the pockets, toy rings, detachable hoods, solarveil hoods, etc, etc. I never really used any of the bells and whistles. What I do find necessary are shoulder straps long enough to twist over little one's back and back around my waist (lexi twist). Sewing the x boxes where the straps attach is a must.

Hooray! :hurray: