Thanks everybody. I actually just got back from our local teacher store where I went little crazy buying a bunch of different grips. I hold my pencil incorrectly--but it has never affected my writing. That's why I wasn't as worried about DS, but lately he's been saying it's painful to write more than a word or two. He also prefers to write in pen or with a mechanical pencil....not sure if that says anything about the problem or not.

How scary. One thought is that he might be bipolar or have other issues going on. I'm really sorry you had to go through this. In our old neighborhood, I had one neighbor stop his car, block my drive way, and start yelling at me. (I wear hijab.) It was really scary. I was just out there bringing in my trash cans. Every time after that I saw his Saab, I got a little nervous. Luckily, we moved about a year later. (And this guy lived in the neighborhood, not next door!)

Has anybody used the CLAW pencil grips? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AGN4N2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2EJPM0U9O7KKY DS1 has horrific handwriting and has always held the pencil wrong. We've tried more mainstream grips (bought at Staples), but they don't seem to help.

Does he have any other symptoms? Any issues with his heart? Honestly, they might just seem more prominent because he's so thin, but I would still bring it up with my pediatrician. If the "it's OK" answer doesn't sit well with you, then probe a little... ask what it could be, or what signs you should look for that might imply it's something more serious. Are you on any micropreemie support groups? Perhaps somebody there might know something.

So, DH is Egyptian--but doesn't speak to the kids in Arabic. :angry: Of course, he thinks the kids should be fluent by osmosis or via eating hummus or something. The eldest can read Qur'an sort-of...from weekend school. The next eldest is learning to read. DD knows the alphabet some days. :) We do a program I like for Egyptian Arabic called Michel Thomas, but I'd like to step up the formal Qur'anic Arabic a bit. Have any of you used any of the online Qur'an academies? What has been your experience? Does anybody know of online Egyptian Arabic classes/tutors for kids? I am not a fan of Arab Academy.

I had very low vitamin D and my endocrinologist was going to put me on prescription D, but then another physician (I'm in a family of doctors--can't escape it) said the Rx version was of a less absorbable kind (D-2, I think), so I went on D-3. It's been about 3 years though, so what they prescribe might be different. I was on mega doses 50,000 IU 2x/week. It took about 6-8 weeks to see a difference. Was low even though I lived in sunny Florida. These days, I maintain on 5,000 IU/day. On a side note, D is fat-soluble, so take it with food (preferably something with some fat)....at least that's what I was told. :) Honestly, I never ever would have known I was low. I had no symptoms. I can't tell when I'm low again either--but as I tend towards that (and other vitamin deficiencies), I go for yearly bloodwork. I also had elevated PTH (parathyroid hormone), which can lead to osteoporosis. Fixing the D fixed that. Now, my thyroid...that I do notice when things are low. :) (I have Hashimoto's syndrome.)

Oh my, how very heartbreaking :grouphug: Prayers for the families and friends affected.

This. I have kids on both ends of the spectrum. One child has been in the 95th percentile since born....and two kids have been under the 10th percentile since they were 2. They all eat the same things, BTW. They're all healthy--just different builds. If you look at the ingredients on Pediasure, etc.--I'm not sure I'd be giving that on a regular basis. I'd be far more likely to add Haagen-Dazs or some high quality high cream rather than "Water, Sugar, Corn Maltodextrin, Milk Protein Concentrate, High Oleic Safflower Oil, Canola Oil, Whey Protein Concentrate. Less than 0.5% of the Following: Soy Protein Isolate, Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides, Cellulose Gel, Magnesium Phosphate, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Phosphate, Tuna Oil, Salt, Cellulose Gum, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Soy Lecithin, Monoglycerides, Potassium Hydroxide, m-Inositol, Carrageenan, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacinamide, FD&C Red #3, Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Lutein, Cupric Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Chromium Chloride, Biotin, Sodium Selenate, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Phylloquinone, Vitamin D3, and Cyanocobalamin.". Make shakes/smoothies with nut butters, bananas, other fruits, and whole milk. Add in silken tofu or Greek yogurt. On a side note, there are products designed for cancer patients that are far more caloric than Pediasure, etc. Benecalorie is one. There's also Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC (Very High Calorie). Check Amazon for them. :)

There's always Howard Zinn's, "A People's History of the United States." :)

She should not leave her American born kids with her abusive spouse. He might take it out on them. She could also contact the Japanese Embassy for advice. They might be able to help. She could travel with her kids on Japanese passports as they are dual citizens--but she would probably not be able to return here. Japan would be unlikely to return the kids to her husband--at least they haven't in the past....but honestly, I'd still want to document the DV and try and do things as legal as possible. http://travel.state.gov/abduction/country/country_501.html

This page might help as well. :) http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?statelaw_name=Immigration&state_code=US

The DV shelters that are used to dealing with minorities will probably know of somebody. It's not a unique situation. Abusers often take advantage of somebody's immigration status to keep them from getting help. They know the judges and they know the people to go to in these situations.

Hi Mom2Moon2: She should call at minimum the National Domestic Abuse Hotline and speak with somebody for advice. Have her call from your house or an outside line. Do not use her home phone or cell phone. She can try blocking her home number, but it's safer from outside. 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) She's can also call the Asian Women's Domestic Violence line in NY. They speak a multitude of languages and will help. Even though she's in FL, they're a good place to start. 1-888-888-7702 Here's a place in South Florida which might be able to help as well. http://www.saharafl.org/ She does not have to give up her American born children for help. There are many lawyers who work pro bono with shelters who will help her. Tell her there is hope. :) There are a bunch of organizations out there who help minorities with their unique DV situations. Here's a good list. If she wants to go online to research things, advise her to use a free computer at the library as abusers often track their victim's computer habits. http://www.nyawc.org/info/resources.html I will be praying for her safety. Thank you for being such a good friend.

We had one and switched to Ooma about 3 years ago. I love Ooma. We haven't had a phone bill in three years. :) With the newer ones, you have to pay a yearly tax--but I think it's like under $20.00-$30.00.

As you mentioned that your son is 10, one thing that really helps with my boys is having a 50 minute (or less) work time followed by 10-15 minutes of physical activity. For me, that's the carrot that works the best and makes it easiest for them to do things. If it's a less favorite subject, then the work period might be less...but I'll say something like, "OK, I need 20 minutes of real focus on Arabic, and then we're going to go for a bike ride." Sometimes I throw in a Leslie Sansone DVD and walk a mile or two and the kids walk with me (they think it's hilarious to do "Mom's exercise.") Sometimes I use Wii as the carrot. Some days you just have to realize it's not going to be a good day and decide to scrap it or move on. That's one advantage of a four day work schedule--you have three days to play with. So, if Tuesday is just down right horrible, you can decide to turn it into an off day and make up the work later in the week. (But be sure that your kids know that.) I

Sadly, I've never once seen reduced/free shipping deal from them. Sometimes it's cheaper to contract with a local moving company to ship stuff from your nearest IKEA.

Muslims do. They believe he is a Prophet as well as that he'll return in the end times. Believe the virgin birth as well....but believe that God made it appear that he was crucified, but it was really someone else (many say Judas). However, Muslims believe that there is only one God, a monotheistic view akin to the Jewish view. So, the concept of the Trinity is unknown in Islam.

Assalamu Alaikum. :) Why not plan on sending your DD to school next year? You might enjoy the break, and she might as well. Thing is...it doesn't have to be forever. It can be for a semester, a year, or forever. That's what I tell people who are interested in homeschooling. Give it a try. It's not like any decision you make has to be kept until your kids is 18. You might go and in and out of homeschooling depending on your circumstances. You're not a failure. You're trying to do the best for your family under major trying circumstances. Even asking for help shows what a great Mom you are. Remember....intention is key. :) Cut yourself some slack. Maybe even taking a break right now with your daughter would be a good idea too. Tell her she has to do 20 minutes of reading per day (or whatever) and that's it. Or, have your daughter make her own plan. Tell her this is what I want you to work on during the week, now you figure out how you're going to do it. Even go back and re-do the math. Giving her autonomy and she might surprise you. In FL, schools are ending right about now. Not sure about WA....but my guess is even if you don't do one more thing, she'll still be fine and at grade-level come fall. :)

I really loved doing pregnancy yoga. This DVD was my favorite. You can follow the lady in your third trimester for a super gentle workout (regardless of what trimester you're in.) :) It might even be on Netflix, so check. Swimming and water aerobics might work well at this point too. Check your local Y for a schedule. Sometimes they list them as senior classes, but go anyways. There are even teens in my class. Walking is great...just be sure to bring water and stay hydrated. And although it sounds hokey, try affirmations. Telling yourself that you're out-of-shape, etc. won't help. Try, "I'm healthy and fit and have tons of energy."

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Try junior suits. Also, google modest swim suits. There are LDS, Muslim, and Jewish sites which cater towards more modest swim wear. LimeRicki.com has a good reputation. I've heard good things about Hapari.com They even have x-small--and suits seem reasonable to me. ($50 for some.)

We faced this with our family of six in NY. It was a total pain. They would tell us that three bedroom apartments were only approved by the fire department to hold 4 people, etc. Might be true...might not...but we heard it a lot. Finally did find a place, though. :) And three/four kids shared the master bedroom, we had another bedroom with the baby, and the third bedroom was an office. Plenty of room!

Thanks. Just realized I put it on the wrong board anyways. :) This is what happens when you try to post while nursing. :)

Let me know if I'm being a bit over-ambitious in my curriculum choices. I usually end up discarding what I don't like--but I'd like to try and avoid over-buying (my big big problem.) I'll have 3rd and 2nd graders, as well as a Kindy student next year. (And an overactive toddler.) My Kindy will be continuing with Reading Eggs and doing Oak Meadow's Kindy with a bit of math thrown in. (Probably Right Start A as we have it already). There's a chance we might go to Egypt for a few months, depending on how stable things are there after the elections...so I'd like to do SOTW 1 (both kids.) For Math, we'll probably move to Singapore, although it's possible that the 2nd grader will do Saxon 2 just because he's really loved Saxon so far. We'll also continue with a bunch of Right Start math games to reinforce basics as well as Sum Swamp, etc. For language arts, I thought I'd add in one level of Shurley English--not sure which grade. People I known who've done it have said they never ever forget the songs, etc. For science etc., I'm thinking Oak Meadow Grade 3, supplemented with a few unit studies based on whatever interests the boys. We'll continue with using various Sonlight reading lists and Michel Thomas's Egyptian Arabic (especially with the potential trip on the horizon.) I realize that doing all the other stuff with Oak Meadow is a bit of over kill, but I really love a lot of aspects of Oak Meadow--but just don't find it rigorous enough in certain areas. I could leave off Shurley or substitute CLE. Not sure on that regard. I also love how easy it would be to transport CLE to Egypt for a few months.

For those of you who like Reading Eggs, there's a great deal on Mamapedia right now. It's $37 for a one year subscription, which is far less than even on Homeschool Buyers Co-Op. Deal is good for 4 more days. :) http://deals.mamapedia.com/deals/reading-eggs