A SuperDo insert by Knickernappies has become my nighttime go-to! http://jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/insertsdoublers/inserts/superdo2ginsert I use mine under the stray-dry insert in a Motherease, but you could easily use a pocket dipe. A Dancing Bears fleece soaker over it all, and we're golden!

Mine just got here!! :hurray: It's part of my husband's birthday gift, but I think we'll watch it early! We didn't get to see the theatrical release since I couldn't leave the baby.

Here's a nice chart that shows the effectiveness of LAM vs. other methods of child spacing: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility.html It was very easy for me to tell when my body was trying to start ovulating while I was still nursing before my period returned. I think body awareness is a good thing, no matter your family planning methods and beliefs!

My boys like JASON toothpaste in strawberry or orange: http://www.vitacost.com/Jason-Kids-Only-Toothpaste-Strawberry

Yes, yes, yes! Our Y also offers parent/child gym for young kids. 45 minutes of free play with bikes, balls, balance beams, slides, bounce houses, games, singing, etc. It was fantastic last year for my older two. Anyway, not much else to add. We have similar "equipment" and strategies in place as PPs. Rody Ponies are my best friends during winter months! :lol: I'm also considering one of these this year: http://www.etsy.com/listing/54982098/curvy-board-wooden-balancing-board

Not necessarily! I order frequently and always have my order in 2-3 weeks, sometimes sooner. I've heard some customer service complaints, but I've always had a good experience. Twice they sent me the wrong item and once forgot something, and each time I've received a generous credit and/or refund. That said, anytime something like these kits show up on Zulily, check Amazon. Often, their price is still better.

:iagree: I should have clarified. If the Kindle is linked to the main account, though, you should be able to take advantage of those benefits, right?

Yes, you can! I share my Prime with my husband, parents, and sister. It's under "Manage Prime Membership" or something like that. You need the person's email, birthday, and their relationship to you.

I did manage to do a little downsizing of my collection this fall! :D Had to make way for more children's books. You will NEVER regret a Prime membership! Plus, you could share with it famility members. My sister and parents are on mine. I would give up so much before I'd relinquish Prime. :tongue_smilie:

Seriously, this all makes my head spin! I was going to add that one of the things that pushed me toward Nook originally was the option for additional storage. You've seen my physical book collection, so a reasonable assumption, lol, but so far I haven't needed it digitally.

Well, I have a Nook 3G. I chose it about 18 months ago because I wanted access to library books and ePub. If I was choosing, today, though, I'd probably get a Kindle. It still doesn't read ePub, but it does do library books now and the selection is just a touch better than the Nook. Three books I wanted lately weren't available for Nook, but are for Kindle. :glare: I also have an iPad, and I've been reading on that more even though it is backlit. I'm not sure about notetaking or listmaking on the newer Nooks or Kindles, but my Nook doesn't offer that. The Nook Color has apps and whatnot and of course, the Kindle Fire will too. ETA: I had preordered a Fire and canceled it, but I'm rethinking that decision. :confused:

All of the above for ideas, as well as Learning Resources, Discount School Supply, and Lakeshore Learning. Before I buy from any of those, though, I look to see if Amazon carries what I want. :blushing: I'd rather take advantage for Prime before I pay for shipping. I also got a catalog from Toys to Grow On this week that had some good toys.

I'm butting in to say we got our Magnatiles from Discount School Supply (both 32 and 100 piece sets). They had free shipping and were a smidge cheaper than Amazon. :) And yes, worth every penny. Our boys are 5, 3, and 11 months and they all use them! ETA: A lot cheaper than Amazon right now for the colored ones! http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=25168&keyword=Magnatiles&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=

You did it! If it says "follow all," you aren't following the person. If it says "following," then you are. :)

After trying a dresser, a china cabinet, and searching unsuccessfully for a used entertainment unit to fit the bill, I bought this: http://www.ecmdstore.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=18481 I love it! I use it for arts and craft supplies, puzzles, teacher "goodies" (like my ProClick and laminator), and one shelf has our current work ready to use each day.

I discovered Emma's Christmas a few years ago. It's a hysterical retelling of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Also excellent for a seasonal math lesson. ;) I have so many favorite Christmas books!

My boys like it too... 5 and 3. :) Most of my ideas have already been mentioned, but one thing you might like to try is wordless picture books. The stories are often pretty complex and open to lots of interpretation and exploration. I mention it since we've been reading through our Caldecott books this weekend, and have gotten caught up in re-reading David Wiesner and Barbara Lehman. :D

Would Elemental Science fit the bill? I confess I've never seen it other than the Intro level, but I know it's supposed to fit well with the classical model.

I'm wondering too, as my DS5 doesn't have much interest in imaginative play with toys. He enjoys building with legos (we actually still have duplos), but the sets never have interested him much after the initial "newness." We have a gorgeous Kinderkram castle that gets very little play. I actually sold our Playmobil Pyramid since it just sat. Now, he's still young and it might develop, but I think he's the type of kid that enjoys outside play and building his own things. He and his brother act out scenes from books and create their own elaborate games. I scrapped my Christmas toy plan and he's getting tools instead and some Build and Grow kits from Lowe's.

Oh, I agree. I was just framing it in terms of iTunes for the PP. :D

I think the Amazon service is more like iTunes than Netflix. They have limited free streaming for Prime members, but it seems most of their content is rent or own (digitally). I was movie shopping this week and had the option to buy the DVD, the digital copy, or rent the titles I wanted.

No, but a possible intruder might perceive you to be. I'm not really a poor-me or woman-who-needs-a-man type, but I'm aware of general cultural biases. The fact is, especially in my particular situation, that if someone wanted to target a woman alone with young children, it would be very obvious when "the man" wasn't around. I really wouldn't expect that much from my DH in a true emergency. He's proven before that if the kids or I are "attacked," I'm on my own. He's stood by and watched while I've fended off physical and verbal abuse from a grown man while holding my baby in my arms. I'm far more ferocious than he is. :D All that said, however, it's not something I'm especially worried about. I follow general safety guidelines (like locking my doors, lol), and don't think much about it. Until of course I'm drawn into a forum discussion when worse case scenarios start playing in my head. ;)

My dad is a P.I. and my mom and I are librarians. Must be in the blood. :lol: I wasn't thinking so much about abductions, but I guess general home invasion. My husband's red truck is very well known in our neighborhood (neighbors have commented before that he's gone a lot), and the first time he traveled overnight after we moved, I admit I realized it would be VERY obvious that he wasn't home. I already have to leave the front door unbolted when he works late a few nights a week, so it's on my radar, albeit slightly. This week, I have been checking on them at night once or twice, even though I KNOW we're safe and chances are they're in my bed anyway! :tongue_smilie: I still let my 5 and 3 yo boys play outside in our (fenced) yard alone, though I do keep a closer eye on them around school dismissal time.

I have no ideas, as my boys are very little, but I'm going to be :lurk5: for future ideas. I'm depressed reading this, however! My 3 yo wanted to a read a Christmas book for bed tonight because, "It's almost Christmas!" I don't want to think about the day they're blasé about the holidays! :(

An article I read after the last time I posted said that was the the first time the father worked overnight: http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=14688581&sid=81&p=2 If it was the first time my husband was gone overnight, I'd have triple checked every door and window. :confused: