We skipped something like the first 30 lessons when we went from 6/5 to 7/6. That was midyear though, with no break to need review from. My dd did fine.

I've purchased live lobsters, but I read it was more humane to kill them before steaming, so I did it that way.

To the OP--it might be worth asking for a sleep study since you said she has fatigue. Sleep apnea can interfere with weight loss and cause excessive fatigue, and it's more common in those who are overweight.

I made a pot roast, which somehow I miscalculated cooking time on and it wasn't done after being in the oven for almost 2 hours. So we are having the mashed potatoes and roasted carrots I intended to go with the roast...and Trader Joe's Bavarian Bratwursts and sauerkraut instead. Such a bummer because we don't eat meat on Fridays, so we will have to save the roast for Saturday now.

Here's the thread you're referring to. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/586819-saxon-math-does-it-matter-which-edition/ I personally have the newer, softcover texts and a couple older (third edition) hardbound that were given to me. I use the softcover books currently. They've so far made it through two kids okay. They're definitely flimsier, but I preferred the ease of buying the tests and worksheets booklets new and without hassle. I haven't compared the content closely to know where they might differ there.

I guess I should clarify--I don't mean their forums, I meant their actual published articles and apologists who work there. Yeah, their internet forums are like anywhere else--anyone can, and does, comment as an expert, regardless of qualifications! I do personally know a few of their staff apologists, and I would trust them to be both faithful to the magisterium and full of charity in their responses.

We have septic and a disposal. We don't intentionally put food down the drain ever, but invariably, either in cooking or cleaning, little bits are going to go down the drain/through the dishwasher. Without a disposal, I'd imagine you might be more prone to sink "smells" since larger particles could just get stuck and decay in the p-trap portion of the pipe?

Great recommendation. I'd also recommend Catholic Answers (Catholic.com) as a resource. They have a ton of rock-solid information on their website, and you can also contact them with questions about the Catholic faith.

I have a great book recommendation for you! I saw some other recommending Scott Hahn, and his book "The Lamb's Supper" really drives home the biblical roots of the Mass, as well as explaining the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist. He originally studied theology as a Protestant, so he really understands the common objections or misunderstandings relating to Catholicism. Really, he is very accessible, but also thorough and brilliant, and has helped me, a cradle Catholic, understand my own faith more deeply.

Absolutely. I don't always believe that I am the very best teacher of every academic subject that my kids could have (in fact, I'm sure I'm not), but the time I have with them and the relationships we are building are why I do this. I will never get these days and years back.

I agree--it's very tasty! My husband and kids made me Eggs Benedict in bed last year as an early Christmas gift, using the Trader Joe's hollandaise. It was delicious! They've used the Knorr mix in the past and this was *much* better.

I I would make a point to serve some other special type of drink--a nice sparkling water with lime or lemon, a non-alcoholic cider or sparkling juice, or soda--but I think it would be awkward to approach either the couple in question or the other guests about not bringing alcohol. I'm sure the "dry" couple would say something if it were really necessary, and I would be afraid it might come across as condescending, parental, or meddling if you made assumptions for them. It's nice of you to be so caring about your guests though!

I'm Catholic, and we say Jesus "descended into hell" in the Apostle's Creed. However, by "hell" we don't mean the place of eternal damnation inhabited by Satan and his demons, we mean the place where the just went before the time of Christ, awaiting their redemption and entrance into heaven. There's a short and helpful explanation here at Catholic Answers, which cites the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I personally don't think it makes any logical sense for Christ to enter Hell, as in Satan's abode, since my understanding of Hell is isolation from God.

I bought this X-Acto one in 2011: http://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Teacher-Electric-Sharpener-SmartStop/dp/B001PMG98O/ref=pd_sim_229_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=41kTk9qDeJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1T1GR9ZNPADX3WT3MH6Q About a month ago it broke. We, too, have colored pencils and a toddler, etc., so I thought it was just shot. Went to buy a new one and saw it actually had a 10-year warranty, so I emailed their customer service and heard back WITHIN THE HOUR. All I had to do was send a copy of my Amazon receipt (the electronic one Amazon stores in your account), and they sent me a replacement. No shipping cost, no mailing my old one back, no hassle. My replacement arrived in about a week. I would absolutely recommend it, and especially X-Acto for their superior customer service!

Agreed--and I worked as an editor before I had kids. It's more important to be able to write and speak well than to be able to label parts of speech or diagram a sentence. The only time I ever needed to do that professionally was when a sentence needed rewriting and the writer *really* needed to be persuaded. As long as your child is at the point where he or she can tell if something doesn't sound write and fix it, I wouldn't sweat it.

Driver's responsibility. This is just one of those life lessons, unfortunately! It would be classy if the friend chipped in, but I certainly would not expect it.

I feel deep sympathy for him. He had so much of what so many of us want and think will make us happy--talent, money, fame, influence--and yet he was desperately lonely and out of control. I don't watch the show, but it seems pretty obvious that someone abusing drugs, sex, and alcohol to that degree is battling some heavy demons. I wish him a full recovery and a second chance at a meaningful and love-filled life.

I'd definitely see a doctor. It could be hormonal, or as others suggested, an epidural migraine. In any case, I think a headache that persists that long really should be checked out. Do you think you could call or email your OB/GYN and get some direction from him or her, since it seems related to giving birth? I'm praying you get relief soon--that's a long time to suffer bad headaches!

We all do things to avoid negative consequences. I don't clean the stove because I like to, I do it because it looks gross if I don't and I'd be embarrassed if my friends came over and saw me living like a piglet. I don't pay my taxes because I like giving money away, I do it because it's legally required and I'll go to jail or incur crazy fines if I don't. Of course there are some things we are intrinsically motivated to do, but there are plenty of things on a daily basis that we do because we know the alternative is worse. It's an important life lesson that there are always consequences to our choices. Of course, I do think kids (especially young kids) relate best to related, immediate consequences. For example, you didn't put away your toys in the living room, so because I have to do it, they go in a box in the garage until you show me you can clean up next time. If you are unwilling to help clean up after dinner, you don't get the "goodie" of a family movie afterward. Teaching your kids that their actions have consequences isn't the same as forcing or punishing. It's their freely made choice that determines how their day is going to go!

Thank you! My kids and dh have Keens, so we'll definitely bring those. I don't have a pair, so I might need to do some shopping this weekend!

I have eggs for breakfast almost every day. Also, coffee throughout the day pretty much daily.

Thanks for the reminder! This month has been crazy and I totally forgot!

We started doing math together on a white board when my oldest ds was having a hard time getting through lessons, time wise. I think looking at an entire page was just overwhelming, and getting to stand and use colorful markers on the board made it more fun for him. I sometimes sit with him and read off the problems, other times I have him work them out and record the answer on a piece of paper for me to check. It's helped a LOT.

So we are headed to the Oregon coast soon for a week's stay this fall. We will be staying at a beach house with some friends, and the weather is supposed to be highs in the lower 60s and in the 40s at night. Being a San Diego girl, my usual footwear consists of sandals and ballet flats. I have no idea what kind of shoes I should have on this trip--I'd prefer not to wear my running shoes everywhere, and besides that, I have leather boots that I'm not sure I'd want getting wet and cruddy. What type of shoe am I looking for? Help! Thanks so much in advance!

It's probably a bit premature to give a wholehearted endorsement here, but my son (age 9) just started Phonetic Zoo this week and he loves it. We were doing plain old Seton Spelling, which has worked well for my daughter, but he found it pretty boring and wasn't retaining a lot. He likes PZ because he gets to wear headphones and he knows the lesson will only take a few minutes a day. (He could spend 20 or 30 minutes when it was filling in a workbook page.) He mastered the first list in 3 days and told me that spelling is now his favorite subject. My only con so far, which doesn't seem to bother my ds but would potentially be distracting for me, is the voice of one of the narrators. He has a slightly unusual "back of the mouth" sound to his voice. It's hard for me to describe well, but I'm a little noise sensitive and I had a hard time getting past it. I only mention it because I almost had buyers remorse when I listened to the introductory track. Again, it doesn't seem to bother my son at all, so maybe I'm just being too sensitive!