I dabbled in pastels a little bit ago, and found this quick youtube video from Lindsey Weirich ("the frugal crafter") pretty helpful. She recommends not using acrylic or plexi because of a static charge that can pull the loose dust onto the back of the surface. So if you can, always go with glass. She also has a couple of tips on matting.

My SPD kid began working with an OT as a five year old, and we saw great improvements. Hygiene was still a challenge though. We just reconnected a few months ago for a check in, and teeth brushing was on the list of things to work on for us. He is also overwhelmed by an electric toothbrush and will only use a normal one (poorly) under much nagging. They are currently working on a protocol for this, but she recommended the Nuk brushes for use at home in the meantime. Like this: https://funandfunction.com/nuk-massage-brush.html The Nuks are surprisingly effective. After a comfort level has built up using those, she recommended starting with a very stiff brush bristle, because of the heavy pressure the kids use when brushing (A softer toothbrush would just collapse) and as the pressure starts to regulate, work your way down to a softer brush. Our dentist also recommended a gentle mouthwash, if your child can tolerate that, in place of toothpaste.

So glad to see other Tana French fans in this thread: I rarely buy fiction, just utilize the library, but I have all of her books. In hardcover, no less! Her style and the way she combines words are simply beautiful and stay with you a long time. They aren't quick reads but you can't put them down regardless. Lovely. I never read dystopian fiction. Its almost a rule, but I made an exception for Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. It was actually wonderful, and I read it yesterday, picking it up during breaks and reading it while cooking trying to finish it. I thought it struck the perfect balance between realism and hope and beauty even under unimaginable circumstances. I also loved the structure of it, and the writing was absolutely spot on. I don't think I will be breaking my rule on a regular basis but I am so glad I didn't miss this one.

I spent two years following the doctors recommendations on dosage, and my number never got above 20, even when taking 10,000 iu a day. They were recommending 800, then 2000. Very very conservative and obviously not enough. I felt so rotten my doctor finally caved and prescribed the 50,000 dosage twice a week (I have some weight to lose, which isn't helping my absorption. I would start with only 50,000 weekly unless told otherwise). A tip: Instead of filling the prescription at the pharmacy, where it was $1.00 per pill, I ordered a bottle of 100 off Amazon for about $16.00. Vitamin D3 requires no prescription, so even the high dose are available over the counter. I just got my number back today after taking it for 4-5 months, and it is 63! Personally, I would try to get that number up a little higher. If you have access to a doc who will order a blood test, try 10.000 iu for a few months and then check. The difference in functionality is huge, and like a previous poster said, who knows what damage was done that I could't feel all that time.

I am way past stroller days with two teens, but I did push my niece in her Bob jogging stroller today, and it was really awesome. My sister only has the one stroller, and takes it everywhere. It turns on a dime, has great tires and shocks so the ride isn't bumpy, and has lots of storage built in. They love it and don't find it too big to take to shops etc. and love that they don't have to switch out the stroller if they want to stop at the park, etc. on the way home. If it were mine, I would need to find some way to hang a cup holder off but there are tons of aftermarket products for that. They are pricy (looks like $350 on Amazon right now, ouch) but if you are looking used, don't discount a jogging stroller as your only. Just make sure the front wheel swivels and you can take it anywhere.

Another vote for the Garmin Vivofit here as well. Mine seems super accurate in step counting, which is really all I wanted it for too, although the app does have other options like sleep tracking. I never use it. Battery has lasted for a least one year, it is showerproof (probably wouldn't swim with it though) and it resets itself automatically at midnight, so make sure you are writing down your step total if you aren't using the app. Shop around, it is easy to find one for $30-40 dollars. My only small quibble is the screen is not backlit so I can't see it in the dark - the Vivofit 2 apparently has this feature, if that is important to you.

A second vote for MoM at our house. We use it straight out of the bottle typically, but it is easier to apply if you let it thicken up a little, so I leave some in a small dish exposed to air. So effective, better than any store bought natural deodorant (and some not so natural) I have tried. It doesn't sting freshly shaven skin. It won't go completely clear when dried, if that is important to you, but never stained any clothing that I am aware of.

One more recommendation, that we have personally used. DH especially noted an immediate change for the better when he started using it: the phillips GoLite http://www.amazon.com/Philips-GoLITE-BLU-Energy-Light/dp/B00M3SGCUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1446167951&sr=1-2&keywords=phillips+blue+light His office has no windows at all, and he was really feeling terrible. This light is helping him feel better, so he will take the risk. Also, make sure your vitamin D levels are where they need to be - some need to increase supplementation during winter months. Good luck!

I was ready to recommend Springfield, MO as well until I saw your land requirement. A quick MLS search of the surrounding communities (1 hour or less commute time) yielded only a handful of homes with 3/4 bedrooms on an acreage of that size under $100,000. In every other aspect though, it fits the bill. Homeschooling in MO is quite simple, there are lots of meet ups and co-op opportunities as well. The classical music scene here is thriving, should be no issue with lessons. We have a great kids science museum, an art museum and a soon to be opened aquarium. Ozarks Technical College (OTC) is one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation, is very affordable and has a great job placement rate. Pretty trees :) Great hiking and camping within a short drive as well. I don't know what level you are looking for (high school level or above) but this is a dense area for universitys and is the biggest incorporated public school district in the state so covered either way. And as a fellow snake avoider, the ones to watch out for in this region are the water snakes (cottonmouths can be aggressive). Copperheads are common, but they are more reclusive. I have never seen a rattlesnake, though they claim they are in MO. Fracking is not common here, but seems to be increasing on the MO/KN line as well as all over OK, so that is a definite factor to look into. Good luck with your search!