Both of my daughters always got car sick on long trips. My younger one would even occasionally get sick just driving to the next town over. I didn't want to give her medication that would make her drowsy all the time, so I found these pressure point wrist bands at the drug store and they always worked. Always. Even on a whale watching trip. http://www.sea-band.com/

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Apologia Physical Science just about killed my daughter's interest in science all together. I'm not able to help other than to say I understand your plight.

I've only been to Birmingham, AL. Your kids might enjoy going to Vulcan Park and Museum. It's all about the steel industry in Birmingham, but there is a giant statue of Vulcan that you can walk up inside (like the Statue of Liberty) and see all around. They are a little bit young for the Civil Rights museum, I think. But maybe not. http://visitvulcan.com/

These are a few of my daughter's favorites: pizza bagels leftover taco meat + cheddar cheese rolled up in Pillsbury crescent rolls and baked goat cheese+tomato+basil on French bread or ciabatta any kind of soup I've made the night before served with a side of fruit grilled cheese sandwich I know there is more, but I can't remember them. I hope I do before school starts next Monday!

I don't know the answer to your question, but I own books 6-10 and I don't plan to ever use them. I can sell them to you for $35 postage paid if you want them. Let me know.

My daughter is a vet tech (RVT in 3 states, which means she's passed board certification in CA, AL, and NC. Her husband is a US Marine, so if she wants to work in a new state she has to be re-certified.) She graduated with her BS in Animal Health Sciences from Cal Poly Pomona in 2008. I think if you are looking to make good money, you should go for being a nurse. Vet techs, despite the amount of schooling, really don't make a lot of money. I wouldn't say it's easier to learn, either, because you have to learn the anatomy and dosing of anesthesia and medicines for many different kinds of animals. And there's always the chance you get bitten, scratched or kicked, all of which have happened to her. She even got head-butted by a rhino once. All that said, she's had a passion for working with animals since she was a small kid and she wouldn't trade it for the world. Besides working as a vet tech, she also teaches a front-office/vet assistant course at the community college which is a 6 month certification program. That's an option, too.

This is our church's policy. If there was not a second helper that night the entire pre-school room would have been cancelled.

Legos?

Zucchini frittata. This is the same recipe I use.I always add bacon bits, but you can leave them out. http://www.yumsugar.com/Fast-Easy-Dinner-Zucchini-Frittata-506593

We do not have satellite, digital or cable tv so we only see network tv shows. The only show I can say I "despise" is Two and a Half Men, and that's just from watching commercials and clicking by occasionally, and watching Charlie's Sheen's antics played out on Los Angeles' "what-passes-for-news" reports. Anything else we might not like we just don't bother watching.

"They also have roller derby there now, Lilac City Rollergirls. That is fun and cheap." My step-daughter skates for Lilac City Rollergirls. ;-D I hope I get to see her skate for them one day soon.

My gall bladder symptoms came on suddenly, as in one acute, excruciating attack such that I thought I was having a heart attack. I called the paramedics and my husband and was taken to the ER where I found that my gall bladder was completely filled with stones. I had not had any previous attacks like that, but after doing some research and looking back over the years, I had had digestive issues that were probably gall bladder problems all along. I had one other acute attack after going home from the ER which was managed with pain pills. I had it removed about a month later. During that month I had my daughter's college graduation, relatives and friends coming from all over the country, coordinating hotels and airports, and a rather large celebration dinner party. Because I didn't want to be on narcotics during all this and I was afraid of having an attack which would put me in the hospital, I basically ate applesauce for an entire month. I didn't even get to eat the catered dinner. ;-{ In your circumstance, I would suggest lots of water, and maybe a laxative and see what happens. If you still have symptoms I would definitely see a doctor.

This is my favorite foot care product. I have terrible callouses and cracked heels during the summer and this file keeps them under control without inflicting pain on myself. It works on dry skin, but it also works great after your feet have soaked a while in the tub or shower. Just dry them off a bit first. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod2100541

We buy mostly produce, a few canned things, bread, cheese, lunch meat, eggs, ground turkey, Coach's Oats oatmeal, and some spices. Oh, and their pizza is outstanding and only $10 for a giant sized pizza. We're only a family of 3 living at home now, and we don't eat a lot of pre-made foods. I have found that the women's capris and pants there are a great price and for some reason, they fit me perfectly so I always buy those there in season. No one has mentioned that their gas prices are usually several cents cheaper per gallon than anywhere else and since my Costco is often within my normal travel route I usually buy gas there.

You just described my daughter when she was younger. We got a mini trampoline for the living room that she could jump on when she needed to work out her wigglies or when I couldn't take her wigglies any more. She will be 15 next month and has largely grown out of it. She's still active, mind you, but she's matured greatly. Now she keeps busy with fencing 6+ hours per week. I never bothered with any kind of "testing." I knew she was active, that's why we brought her out of public schooling after 1st grade. We thought that if it ever got to a point where she couldn't learn then we'd try something different. She's extremely bright and never had any learning problems so we just kept learning time to short periods with periods of movement (trampoline, pogo stick were favorites, walk around the block or go to the park) in between times. And lots of re-direction and patience on my part. ETA: We decided early on that our daughter was made by God for a purpose and that her active personality was a part of that. We have tried very hard not to squash her natural enthusiasm and joy for everything, but have tried to give her opportunities to use that energy in positive ways. It is who she is and I didn't want to make her feel bad or different by trying to change it or by comparing her to others in ways that would make her feel "less."

We just spent the day with a bunch of homeschool families at Corona Del Mar, near Newport Beach. A lot of the parents prefer that beach because is it a little calmer and more protected from the larger waves than other beaches. Though there were some great boogie board waves that day; the kids had a ball in the water and barely came out long enough to eat, drink water and reapply the sunscreen. We were set up just in front of the lifeguard tower. The water was warm enough that day that I even went in the water up to the tops of my legs while several of us moms were talking. I, too, still get nervous about my daughter, a pretty good swimmer who is 14 and 5'9" tall, going too far out. Just set some boundaries, keep an eye on them, and remind them to keep eye contact with you. The day we were there we were told there were lots of sting rays in the cove and to be careful, shuffling feet in the water rather than stepping. There was also a pod of dolphins playing just off shore, so that was an amazing sight for all of us. I hope you enjoy your time here in so.Cal.

Based on the ages of your kids, I would go to the San Diego Zoo. Once kids are over about 8-9 year old, Legoland is quite childish, in my opinion. I'm a San Diego native and the zoo there is world class. It is stunningly beautiful and located in Balboa Park, which is filled with museums, music and street performers, and gardens. I think it would be a shame to miss out on the zoo and if you have time, Balboa Park. I used to live close enough to ride my bike with my oldest daughter down to the park or zoo for the afternoon and have many special memories. We've been to Legoland a couple of times and I personally don't think it's worth the expense. But that's just me. Whatever you choose, enjoy the time with your family!

How about Mobius Strip? ;-D

There's a street in San Diego called Haveteur Way. (have-it-your)

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children compiled by Caroline Kennedy. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-family-of-poems-caroline-kennedy/1012533544?ean=9780786851119 When my daughter was younger we would read from this book almost every morning. The poems are wonderful and the illustrations by Jon Muth are charming and beautiful. She still remembers many of the poems by heart.

Given my daughter's love for (obsession with) the Beatles, maybe Penny Lane. I like our street name well enough though.

Our Kohl's has never taken expired cash. :-{

I volunteered at VBS in various capacities for many years. I finally just stopped. My husband will still help if his work schedule allows, which it didn't this year. My daughter is now old enough to volunteer and she loves it. For me, it just seems like loud, chaotic activity that has very little to do with actual learning about Jesus. i just couldn't take the noise and hyped-up enthusiasm. So I don't volunteer any more. I help in other areas that fit me better.

Do you have the Spell to Write and Read instructor's guide? It lays out the entire program step-by-step. I don't think you'll be able to get the full benefits of the program without it. http://www.amazon.com/Spell-Write-Read-Foundational-Language/dp/1880045249