This looks really useful. Cindy

Good luck on the project. Cindy

The kit looks helpful. Cindy H. in NC

my dd ( 11 yrs) and would love to hear the answer to these questions as well. Cindy

violence also. My youngest ( 8 yr old ) and I cannot handle graphic attacks/violence. My oldest and dh are ok either way. This is a great deal and thanks to the op for posting this. Cindy

I hope my 2 dd's are that confident and that close to me when they reach college age. Good for you for taking time to share this with her. It sounds like you raised a terrific girl. Just reading your post made me smile. Have fun, Cindy

The board moves so fast. My dds and I ( and dh ) enjoyed checking in on the eagles several times yesterday. We are currently studing birds for science and this is great for us. Thanks for posting it. Cindy H. in NC

Hope everything is just fine. Take care.:grouphug: Cindy H. in NC

I too have an 11 year old dd and can only hope to handle that situation with as much grace and patience as you did. I do think that sometimes people perceive things differently esp. children ie. you see her playing with the baby and enjoying it and maybe to her it seems fun but also like a duty ( I don't know if that's case or not, just an example.) And know that I struggle with accepting/dealing with change myself and see that in my youngest dd especially. Knowing and understanding that sometimes change is temporary is not something I dealt well with until adulthood, so I think you are right to tell her that she may not completely understand these things until she is a wife/mother. I think that a little time out of the house together with your dd might be a good way to continue the conversation. It was sometimes easier for me to discuss something in the car with my mom where you are not having to look directly at each other. So maybe a nice talk in the car and a stop for ice cream or something to continue the conversation would help her understand that you take her concerns seriously. And you can explain how disrespected you felt when she questioned your mothering. Again I think you handled it beautifully last night. I too would be glad to know my dd could come to me with these concerns, but I am not sure I would have been as patient as you at 10:00. Good job mom! I hope something here might help, Cindy H. in NC

A couple of years ago we decided to "get" Daddy because dh is usually silly and full of pranks and teasing in the morning. ( Sadly I really am married to a morning person;).) Anyway, April Fool's was a day to get our revenge. We loosened the shower head and dried it out well. Then we filled it will a package of powdered Kool-Aid. We waited for Daddy to get up and take a shower and then we sat out side the bathroom door and waited for the fun. All we had at the time was an old package of red Kool-Aid, and if we ever do it over we would use a different color. My dh confessed later that it looked like blood but the cherry smell quickly made him realize he was safe. It was sort of a mess to clean out of our white tub, but it was worth it. My 2 dds still talk about it. Cindy H. in NC

My dd ( 11 yrs. old in 5th grade ) has always been homeschooled and is a good reader. She has always been very distractable and has always had much more trouble following directions ( esp. multi-step ) than her younger sister. Her handwriting is horrible as well Just recently when trying to explain for the millionth time, how to visualize her spelling words in order to spell better ( spelling is by far her worst subject - a few years behind where as she is at level or above in everything else ) she just looked at me and said she couldn't see pictures or words in her head. I quizzed her further and she said that even when reading( she reads quite a bit ) she rarely pictures what she reads in her mind. In researching visualization online, I have found that several of these things may be interelated with mental imaging problems. The programs listed in the title are two that I found refered too. I would love to hear anyone's experiences using these - whether positive or negative. The Visualizing/Verbalizing program would have to be done at home as we don't have a facility nearby nor could we afford it if we did. My younger dd is currently in vision therapy twice a week and we are seeing improvements with her issues. I plan to ask her therapist about whether or not vt could help big sister with visualizing problems, but honestly I don't know whether or not we can afford another child in therapy at the same time or even soon after dd 8 finishes. If you have made it through this crazy ramble thanks a lot. Any advice on these programs or others is greatly appreciated. Cindy H. in NC

Your dd has a great voice. Cindy H. in NC

The Saturdays and it's sequels, Hank the Cowdog (the author reads these and is hilarious ), and the Little House books on Cd. I am ordering the Gone Away Lake and it's sequel for my girls. It's by Elizabeth Enright, the author of the Saturdays, and both books are available on sale this month at http://www.Listenandlive.com. I will post the sale info from the email I received if you are interested. This company has several series of audio books on sale this month ( Including the Saturdays and All of a Kind Family ), but I cannot find the info on their site. Hope this helps, Cindy H.

Her brothers look so adorable holding her. Thanks for sharing. Cindy H. in NC:001_smile:

Your dd is so cute. Cindy H. in NC

It sounds as though the book might be Mousekin's Christmas Eve. The author's last name starts with an "M" I believe. Maybe Miller? Hope this helps. Cindy H. in NC

This is a book we have checked out from our library for the past couple of years. It is a fun picture book about Tad Lincoln becoming attached to the turkey who is supposed to be Thanksgiving dinner. My girls always request this one. Cindy H. in NC

There is such a variety here. Cindy H. in NC

That was so sweet and touching. A random act of kindness like that truly shows character. Cindy H. in NC

we love Old Salem. You can see details at oldsalem.org. It is very much a living history museum. I haven't visited Sciworks for quite a while but in the past we have found things are not always in good repair in some of the exhibits. I do think they have an electronic dinosaur exhibit going on right now that looks nice. Hope you enjoy your trip through NC. The Biltmore is very interesting and should be lovely surrounded with the fall colors. Hope this helps, Cindy H. in NC Mom to 2 dds ( 10 and 7 )

I have been using them for about 5 months now and have been very pleased with the speed of shipping and the variety of products. I have ordered vitamins, organic shampoo, face cleanser, etc. and have found the prices to be much cheaper than my local Rite Aid for the same things and I don't have to drive to the store saving me from picking little odds and ends that we don't really need. Especially candy and sweets which I find hard to avoid. :) Hope this helps, Cindy Halstead

Your children are soooo adorable. Cupcake's eyes are gorgeous. Cindy H. in NC

I would probably stay with her, but I don't know if that is the best or a knee-jerk reaction. In reality, my first thought was to keep her home, but in reading through your message I think you are right about not making her feel like a victim. Your plan is very well thought through, and I would demand something be done about this young pervert. Camp should be a fun, safe place for your kids and letting this continue is unacceptable. They ( the counselers, zoo staff, etc. ) need to step up and preferably put this boy out of the camp, or at the very least assign a staff member to stick to the boy. I think your dd should be able to enjoy the time at camp without having to stay beside an adult at all times because SHE has done nothing wrong. I wish strength for you today but you are a great mother and I know you will do what is best. I hope this is coherent. It makes my blood boil and I can only imagine what you are feeling. Cindy H. in NC Mom to two dd's ( age 7 and 10 )

I am pretty sure that I asked about tumblers on the old board, and the answers were just what you mentioned - buy a cheap one that will break or buy an expensive one. :) We purchased the Thumbler's Tumbler Model T for approx. $100 and we have been very pleased. The "bowl" part that you put the rocks in is a thick rubber material and even though it is noisy it is not as noisy as I expected it to be. Also it has been very easy to find the replacement grit and polish for this at our local craft stores. It does take approximately a month to run a load of rocks through the whole cycle. I read through reviews of the various tumblers on Amazon ( I think it was Amazon ) and was able to determine the brands I was interested in. Hope this helps, Cindy

girls this weekend, and while I have read reviews it really helps to hear someone say they enjoyed it. My 10 yr old dd can't wait. She loved the book. Glad you enjoyed it, Cindy H. in NC