Thanks so much, everyone. Lots of great resources! I see the benefit in getting a dog that is a bit older and already house trained, but DH is pretty adamant that he wants a puppy so we can train and socialize it properly from the start. Professional trainers and socialization classes won't be an option for us here in Chiang Mai, which is why I'm really glad to see YouTube links and kindle books! The book we have borrowed from a friend (who has the most well behaved dog I have ever seen) is called Perfect Puppy, by Gwen Something (can't remember and it's downstairs). When I say we haven't had pets, I meant as a family. DH and I both grew up with animals, but it is very different being the parent than being the child. :) Thanks again for all the help! If we go ahead with this, I'll be sure to post an update with a picture.

We have almost 100% decided to adopt a puppy. We are going to the adoption fair at the shelter on Saturday. We are aiming for a medium-sized dog, bigger than a cocker spaniel, but not as big as a German shepherd. We are hoping to get it between 8-10 weeks old. Can you tell me what to look for in puppy behavior that might indicate good personality? Intelligence/trainability? Red flags for aggression or possessiveness? They will all be mixed breed (sometimes a recognizable breed mixed with generic thai street dog, other times just plain mutt), so I can't rely on breed characteristics for any real clues. We have never had a dog (or any pet except koi), and it took us a long time to decide to get one as we had to be mentally ready for all the work of the first several months of training and socialization, but we feel like now is the time. Our kids are 9, 7, and 5 and super excited. I'd also love any advice on good web sites to help us and the kids learn more about training and care of puppies. We have a good book that talks about training and socialization, but would love tips on the more physical side of care and keeping. Thanks! Beth

I'm skeptical about the "feeds 4" bit. The recipe for marinated grilled chicken only calls for two chicken breasts. Is a half a breast really considered a serving for an adult?

Do you have a source for this?

We have used the ones from www.positivelysplendid.com for two years now. I print two pages to a page so the picture is on the left side and the interview on the right. I think it will be fun to see how their writing and interests change through the years.

This doesn't make sense to me. Do you only spot clean where you see fingerprints? I would think that especially at a doctor's office, you would need to clean both sides of all the windows anyway. What if someone sneezed on it but there is nothing visible?

I wouldn't do it. It was her responsibility to research the cost to buy new before she bought them. Not your problem.

Thanks, ladies! You are all awesome. DS (it is just me and DS6 at home this year) chose Coffee and Cuddles since we snuggle on the couch during this time.

First thing in the morning, I plan to have a "morning meeting" where we do devotions, calendar time, talk about the day, and read some poetry and stories together. I was calling it morning meeting, but I have a very rigid thinker, and they had a morning meeting, circle time, and calendar time when he was in K at the local school. So if our time wasn't exactly the same as theirs, we would have a meltdown. We are both going to have "coffee" although his will be milk or hot cocoa, which he is really excited about. So I think something like a coffee hour (but it's a half hour) might work. But I need some alliteration or beauty or cuteness or cleverness in the name of this time! So what should I call it?

Make brownies in a regular pan, cut them into tiny squares (bite-sized), and serve them in the liners. :)

Yes I would go. Could be appendicitis even without fever. Could also be a kidney stone which they could give you a decent painkiller to get some relief.

I think the fear here is that money intended to feed a family would be spent on drugs, alcohol, etc. and children would stay hungry.There are many families (not the majority in assistance by any means, but still a significant number) where the only reason the kids eat is because food money is on the card and can't be spent on other things. I am thinking specifically of a friend whose husband would drink away any cash she managed to get but couldn't spend the food stamps on beer. Do you have problems with that sort of thing with your system, or are there other safeguards that prevent it?

We have never had any problem bringing whatever food we wanted, but a friend recently had 4 loaves of shortbread confiscated. She was bringing them to her adult son, and the agent said homemade food is not allowed because they can't know what you put in it - only prepackaged foods. So maybe it depends on the airport/agent?

What about re-upping for two more years but opting out of the free trip home so there is nothing to repay if you leave early?

In our village in Papua New Guinea women would carry their babies (and other people's babies) on their backs. If baby need to eat, they would flip a boob up over their shoulder and let baby latch on. I never heard any comments from other villagers about the lack of discretion. I did, however, have to keep a close eye on my 8-month-old son to make sure no one else breasted him while I wasn't looking.

I think one big contributor to the feel of the thread is that reading your posts, I don't get the feeling that you even actually LIKE children. They seem to be just interesting science experiments to you. Do you enjoy being with children, teaching them, interacting with them?

I think carrot sticks and celery sticks do much better in water instead of dry. Keep them in a Tupperware full of water in the fridge and they will stay crisp and fresh all week.

Why would he have to be quarantined? You warned them, and they chose to risk illness. The results are on them. Let your DS participate in the holiday as much as he wants to.

Well ideally they would not have accepted reservations while doing extensive renovations. Or at least tell people in advance and give them the choice. However, I agree that a 30% discount sounds reasonable since you did end up staying there.

Have you looked at notgrass? They have two middle school programs that look amazing (I have not used either but hope to when dd is in 6th). One is a one year us history, and the other is civics.

This is all stuff that fits and she likes. We get a lot of hand me downs from a couple of neighbors who grow faster. :) I was thinking of keeping all the pants that will still fit and might do that. Then again, even in cool season, it's only long pants weather all day for a couple weeks. We are in Thailand. I agree with you about 35 shirts; I was shocked when I counted them!

Thanks everyone for the input! We have a house helper who does laundry 3 times a week, so it stays caught up. However, we don't have a dryer, so during rainy season (just starting) it can sometimes take a couple days to get things dry. I think I have decided on 7 dresses and 10 other outfits (she loves wearing dresses all the time). Now to just get down to business and sort through it all! I'll have to get rid of her while I sort or she will claim that every single item is her "flavorite" and not want to get rid of anything!

I am trying to get rid of some of DD4's clothes as she has way too many, but I'm not sure how much to keep. Currently she has: 18 dresses 3 matching short/shirt sets 3 jeans (never worn because it is way too stinking hot) 5 non-jean long pants (see above) 10 shorts/skorts 35 short sleeved/sleeveless shirts 4 nightgowns 2 pajamas I am thinking about keeping 5-6 dresses, about 15 short/shirt outfits, two pair of pants for cool season, and 3 sets of nightclothes. We will give the rest to a friend who likes hand-me-downs. Is this reasonable?

How horrible all around! I don't understand what the purpose is of even having a juvenile justice system if we are going to try 12-year-old kids as adults. They are not adults.