DS6: Roman and Egyptian Playmobil stuff DD2: dollhouse

My 6 yo loves them all. He studies them over and over

I'm in. Can't wait!

My kids like the animated Disney one. And I second Robin Hood, Men in Tights.

Awesome! Thanks for the tip! Just got all 3.

I use the Reminders on my iPad.

I like the shirts at Threadless.

"Don't Be A Jerk This Christmas" by Spongebob and friends. My kids sing it over and over and over...

Another Sheldon fan! Although being his mother would be exhausting...

My son won't touch chapter books, but eats up anything that resembles a comic book. Recently he has enjoyed a couple of the Geronimo Stilton graphic novels, several You Wouldn't Want To Be... books, and the David Macaulay books (Castle, Pyramid, etc).

I have always sent Christmas cards to friends and family. For the past few years, I have noticed that I receive fewer and fewer in return. This year I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. Have Christmas cards gone the way of the dodo bird? Will you be sending cards this year?

I'm taking 2 Coursera classes and working slowly through Getting Started With Latin. I'm also going to try to just read more next year. I feel like I learn so much that way.

I can't go below 70. I prefer 72 or 73.

All the Percy Jackson books!

I loved Across Five Aprils! I remember rereading it several times as a preteen.

I think I had to read it in 6th grade. Maybe I was too young to appreciate it :).

Don't read it yourself! I had to read it in junior high and it is still number one on my worst books ever list. Hate hate hate that book.

My son is in PS 1st grade and they have the same writing expectation. Surprisingly, my formerly writing averse son loooooves the creative writing, and I am told he does it without complaint. He adores his teacher, so I think that helps. His kindergarten teacher was not so great, and it's amazing what a difference a great teacher makes.

I love all the challenge ideas. I just bought a Moleskine Book Journal, and I'm looking forward to putting it to good use for the 2013 challenge!

Not a new show, but I've been amusing myself with old episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs. The original, not the new one.

What is this free time of which you speak?

I wish someone would send me a basket from Southern Season. Sometimes I go to that store just to browse all the goodies.

We are a gaming family, and have a PS3 and Wii. DS is getting a 3DS XL for Christmas, and he loves playing games on the iPad and Minecraft on the PC. Personally, I think games have had a positive impact on him. I can see an increase in his problem-solving skills, as well as his ability to work through frustration and meet a goal. We don't limit time, and he gets plenty of exercise and reading time along with the games. DH and I would play more ourselves if it weren't for our jobs, kids, chores, etc. :).

Our Elf on the Shelf, Jack, showed up on Friday. We also dug out the Christmas DVDs and books, and created a Christmas station on Pandora. Oh, and we did lots of Black Friday Week shopping on Amazon.

I'm interested! My youngest is 2.5 and I'm tired of carrying the extra weight around my middle. I could definitely use the support!