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yucabird

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Everything posted by yucabird

  1. fancy chicken salad (posh deli) whatever sort of meaty item that looks tasty (posh deli) whatever sort of pasta item that looks tasty (posh deli) assortment of nice cheeses, sliced, and a block or two as well (posh deli) cream cheese butter (not marg.) tomatoes (give instructions for toasties: French bread, butter, tomatoes, cheese in toaster oven until melted) smoked salmon in small packages hearty soups (posh deli) French bread fancy crackers bagels tortillas (give him instructions on quesadillas and roll-ups) small packs of refried beans (give instructions for molletes (a little butter on French bread, spread with beans, top with cheese and put in toaster oven until melted); small children often love these) small jars of tomato sauce An assortment of slices from a "pizza to go" restaurant (freeze them and heat in toaster oven) continue buying fruits, veggies, yogurt, eggs
  2. My 7yo and 9yo have been using RB for a week, so take the following with a grain of salt. I subscribed to the program because I want a back-up that isn’t “mommy taught.†I am using RB along with Singapore. (We are going the non-tutor route. With a discount through HSBC, plus a small discount through the company, I am happy with the cost.) I like the program for my older; she is a solid reader, and she is someone who enjoys taking responsibility for her learning. She has found it challenging but not too tough. She is making very good progress. It is not “clicking†with my younger. She is a beginning reader, and though the text isn’t difficult, she must use the “read-to-me†buttons. This isn’t her style, so I have been reading the problems to her. This defeats the purpose of flying-without-mum. I am having difficulty adjusting RB to an appropriate level (There is a statement from Stanford saying that levels may need to be adjusted at the beginning, so things could change.). (She is my kiddo who didn’t have a great experience at school; self-esteem issues have improved, but her confidence-level is important to me.) I will give it a little while longer, but at the moment it is not a good fit for her. Logging-in as a parent one can see the progress a child is making. One can see what topics are covered (so review, outside the program, would be easy to implement).
  3. Lanny, thank you so much for writing that! I'm in Mexico, so I don't think CoordinadoraUSA will work, but it is clear the service you receive is far better than mine. I will check out TCC. You have prompted me into a change I probably should have made some while ago -- thanks again!
  4. Life is way too short to spend it with repulsive people.
  5. Sorry to hijack....Lanny, may I ask what mail service you are using? Mine is also in Miami. They do a okay job, but I am not wild about their "volumetric" pricing rates.
  6. If you are definitely going the HSing route, and if you want your kids to learn Spanish, I would strongly encourage you to get your children involved in activities where they are forced to speak the language. The cultural institutes are good places to start looking for low cost, interesting activities for all ages. Are you planning to stay in Mexico indefinitely? If so, then speak to Mexican homeschoolers and ask what is required. (Then go to the correct office, and get materials, register for tests, etc.) My Mexican and South American HS friends handle education differently than my HSing friends from the US, Canada, and Europe. XYZ certificates will not dictate the future for my girls, but XYZ certificates may be imperative for others. You should try to locate a HS group. I am in QRoo, if this is your area.
  7. I homeschool in Mexico. Are you expat? Are you Mexican? Are you planning to stay in Mexico or are you here temporarily? Why do you want to homeschool?
  8. Have you been eating food which might be questionable (e.g., street carts or restaurants)? Or have you been drinking bottled water which has been sitting for a bit (e.g., you went out of town for two weeks, and drank the bottled water on the bubbler)? Could parasites be a possibility?
  9. I don’t know if this will help or not…. There are often free events sponsored by the Kennedy Center: http://www.kennedy-center.org Check at the Holocaust Museum. It offers educational programs. The Washingtonian Magazine has events listed: http://www.washingtonian.com The Washington Post always lists upcoming events (Just be aware that one can only read something like 10 articles a month before having to purchase a subscription.). Here’s something about a Mexican corrido seminar, etc: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2015/08/24/some-things-can-only-be-said-in-a-tragic-mexican-corrido-and-heres-your-chance/ Here’s a list of cooking courses: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dre/food/cooking-classes/2014 The embassies will offer events and classes. DC is an easy place to find things to do – have fun!
  10. Is she particularly girly? If not, then you might try the boys' department. My older daugher loves "painter-style" khakis and shorts, and that is where I find them. My younger has a few pair of (girl) OshKosh jeans, which are not low-rise. They are kind of a bootleg-style cut and look quite cute on her.
  11. We live in a small community. Provided I know where they are headed, my seven and nine year olds are allowed to bike by themselves to the ice cream shop or the 7-Eleven (knockoff); it would be about a five-minute O/W journey. They might also stop in for a chat at our local vet or other usual haunts. I will not allow them to cross the highway. At our local supermarket (across the highway), I often give each a shopping list and basket with instructions to meet me at the front of the shop as soon as all items are located. This really speeds up the shopping, and helps the younger with reading and confidence.
  12. Darn it, now I can’t decide if I’m going to try this or the soup first! ;)
  13. It would make sense to buy a smaller container, but I’m not in the States – or in Thailand—so I have to either buy a big container of paste I like or a tiny container of paste I don’t…. BTW, the brand is Mae Ploy and the company makes a very nice sweet chile sauce. It is lovely on little pork meatballs. :drool5:
  14. This is so different than what I usually make, but it sounds wonderful!
  15. Despite the fact that I keep many of my spices there, it never occurred to me to put the paste in the freezer. (I also had no idea that yeast could be stored this way either.) Thanks for the tips and for the recipe ideas!
  16. Every summer I purchase a big container (roughly, 2.5 lb) of (Thai) red curry paste and use it for a simple curry once-a-month. The expiry date tends to be a year out, so every summer I throw about half the container away. It is not possible to purchase the paste in a smaller size. I'm about to buy the new container, and I endeavor to be less wasteful this year. Does anyone have any recipes that incorporate red curry paste?
  17. I am sorry for your dd; eczema is miserable. My dermatologist suggested leaving a bottle of simple, Jergens lotion (the kind without fragrance) at hand-washing sinks. It should be mixed in with soap sometimes or used as a follow up to hand-washing (Make sure to rinse the lotion off and dry hands.). She also said to eliminate antibacterial soaps. Her advice helped me a lot.
  18. I used to bike a nice trail which ran from the Crystal City area to Old Town, Alexandria, skirting along the river. Surely, it is still there.... Things may have changed, but when I lived in Crystal City years ago there wasn't really anything to do; however, Old Town is terrific for kids. The trail is/was VERY long, and it ends/ended at the Torpedo Factory, so I would start there (at the TF), and walk until you are tired then turn back (toward Old Town/TF). Hopefully, someone will chime in about the trail.
  19. Zero. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't attend. It sounds like your husband might appreciate their antics or is accustomed to their style of fun, etc. I'd expect him to go (for you and your children). I'd also send a fun -- perhaps even risque -- gift. I think there are some dreaded family events we have to go to for the sake of family. This doesn't sound like one.
  20. Absolutely not. I had a bad experience when I was very young (I took a lesson, and the instructor encouraged my mother to throw me in the pool.). I didn't learn how to swim until I was almost 30. My boyfriend (now husband) taught me. Later, I took a few private lessons with a professional coach. I am very glad I learned!
  21. I purchased small bags of medium-holed, cotton mesh with simple handles (similar to plastic bags for limes or limons, but in cotton with handles). They go through the wash fine, but I mostly use them for heavy produce. For the rest of veggies I like to use a heavy plastic, woven (flattish-bottomed) "market" bag, and I place my purchases on the counter. If I wanted to contain lots of produce items, but felt the need to keep like kinds together, I would consider buying small, mesh laundry bags (with zips and decent-sized holes). I don't like the mosquito-style/sized netting (just a personal pref.).
  22. snack ideas: GF (and otherwise appropriate) crackers with hummus, egg salad, or guac (sans tomato); "ants on a log" breakfast ideas: GF oatmeal with milk sub., brown sugar, and raisins; eggs and bacon or eggs scrambled with spinach, and fried potatoes or hashbrowns lunch or supper ideas: chicken salad with mango, served with avocado; bi-bim-bop; grilled burgers without bread but served with sliced, grilled potatoes and coleslaw; fancy salads (add meats, eggs, nuts, etc.) with balsamic vinaigrette; roast chicken with mashed potatoes and simple salad
  23. My bold. I am sometimes asked to pet-sit for friends. Everyone knows that my girls come along to help...and as a result, the last couple times THEY have been asked to pet-sit. (I am asked if it is okay, and I make it clear I will do some light monitoring.) It has been a great learning experience for my girls. They are seven and nine, and their last gig was a week of cat sitting (and lawn watering). I can understand your frustration.
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