Are you around your family more than the inlaws? Do the inlaws act strange/loud? My DS3 still does this at the most uncomfortable moments, and I tell the person that sometimes he just needs time to get to know a person.

No, antibacterial soap has antibiotics in it. I always avoid antibacterial soaps for that reason. Normal soap works just as well for wherever my hands have been.

I'd go and see what they're offering! It might be possible to get a shift right during the school day, or an after school shift. Would it be possible to have someone else just drop off or just pick up your DD?

If the candy guy was mom's choice candidate, it makes me feel icky. If she avoided discussing politics around the kids, then educated them on the candidates/let them watch the "debates" and let the kids choose which guy was the candy guy and who was the hug guy on their own, then I have no issue with it. Well, actually, since I don't know them, and since it's not my family I wouldn't have any issue with it anyways! ;) ETA: It would make me feel icky if it was a teacher rooting for her candidate with any combination of unequally desired prizes. But when it's mom, I figure that maybe the candy aspect(or even the hugs) are what kept the kid(s) interested in following the election results.

I've also never heard of garage voting(but I'm in the midwest). We vote in schools, churches, or masjids around here. The public(and many private) schools had the day off today for voting. I remember growing up that we would go to school on election day, but miss out on gym class if we had it scheduled that day (voting was in the gym).

I want to get plastic baskets or clear plastic boxes to organize all of the pencils/paints/glue/erasers/crayons/etc, a paper tray to organize different kinds of paper for immediate use, and more plastic boxes to sort manipulatives. In my perfect little world, I'd stick all of this (in addition to books) on an Ikea Billy Bookshelf, or, if I had the space, in an Expedit. If I found that I had a ton of these things, I might get either a floor or wall mounted Trofast. Currently, I keep all of the paints and paintbrushes together in a cardboard box next to a much larger cardboard box of all of the glue-able/crafty items (foam stickers, sequins, glitter, feathers, toilet paper tubes), next to a cardboard box of paper, next to a recycled scrapbook bag that has some origami paper along with rotary cutters and scissors, next to yet another box that holds all of the pencils, pens, erasers, colored pencils, crayons, and markers - all in separate ziplock baggies within the box. This takes up the top shelf of DS's (somewhat small) closet. His dresser fills the remainder of the space. In the hall closet, we have "a few" board games/pieces taking up one shelf. I've placed many of the pieces in empty spaghetti jars (things like scrabble letters, rummikub tiles, dice, memory game cards, dominos, etc.) and when I ran out of jars, I used ziplock baggies to group things like monopoly pieces. I stuck all of the boards in one or two boxes. I buy most of our games at thrift stores, so the boxes are usually in pretty poor condition, though the games are usually just fine. The rest of our toys, games, manipulatives are somewhat "neatly" placed in a corner between DS's IKEA easel and 3 shelf bookshelf(at capacity). We have a couple of plastic bins, but I'd really LOVE to be a bit more organized than I am currently. Alas, wouldn't we all just love to be a bit more organized :D

I recently barricaded my bedroom door, turned on a documentary (for noise reduction) and finished the rest of a cheesecake :P

I don't know specific names of apps, but anything that involves popping bubbles/bubble wrap, playing with fish/other animals, fireworks, phones, or coloring has been a hit. I would search for baby apps or toddler apps in the app store. Educational-ish apps can be fun/attention holding too. Starfall has an app that is cool, and there are some abc apps, shape apps, puzzle apps. When DS was around that age, I would just give him the itouch and let him have at it. He figured it out and around age 2 or something, he was interested in games like angry birds, and some racing games, even though he can't win at them. A lot of the simpler games are fun for toddlers even though they aren't made for toddlers, if that makes sense.

:iagree: Unless the 15 year old locked himself out.

I have long tangly hair and use coconut oil. I prefer it to olive oil. I just put globs of oil on the super tangled areas. If my hair ends up TOO oily, I can usually wet it/towel dry to get most of the oilyness out. Like others said, work bottom to top, holding the hair above where you're combing so you don't pull at the scalp. I have caucasian hair, should it matter :)

http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/09/space-saving-kids-triple-bunk-beds.html

As a doula, my suggestion is to interview doulas in your area to find one who can help you with what you want. IMO, the most important thing when choosing a doula is whether you "click" with her personality-wise, and secondly, that her skill set is reputable. Both are key to wether she will be able to help you during labor. Try doulamatch.net to find someone near you.

Glad I'm not the only one annoyed by the behavior during the debate.

If she likes it, I would suggest picking up where you left off with the audio book from the library, or letting her finish reading it on her own. But ask her "Are you enjoying this book? Because, you know, if you don't like this book we don't have to read it" Is it something she could read aloud to you?

I used to have a plain metal one. It might have been aluminum and from overseas though. Could never figure it out, I much prefer cooking rice in a regular pot. Add whatever amount of rice you desire, add enough water so that it just above the level of the rice (stick your pinkey finger in to measure the water. When the tip of your finger touches the top of the rice, the water should reach the first joint in your pinkey, so about an inch?) boil just until the water is boiling, cover the pot, turn off the heat, let sit in its steam about 25min(don't open the lid)

I also thought real earworm. My face still looks like this: :ack2:

:iagree: I didn't think he would make it! That was awesome!

I'm watching the live feed on the site the OP gave. It's quite interesting!

If I were the friend in the hospital, I would want my friend to play and talk with me, while pretending that nothing happened. If I wanted to talk about it, I would say something to friend (in this case, your DD).

I think it's more about the wood absorbing the gluten. I doubt that normal wood would have gluten in it anyhow. If you don't want to go with silicone, you could do 2 sets of wood spoons. Mark one set GF in permanent marker near the handle.

Could you all go out for warm pretzels or nachos? I know, still not healthy :P We don't shop at whole foods on a regular basis, but for a treat, we'll go, get some of their ice cream or bulk snacks (nuts, dried fruit, chips, or anything else) and eat it in a park or wherever. That way, DH and DS can have their sugarfest while I eat something healthier. I also limit my mentioning of how unhealthy their treat is. I use my best judgement on whether to mention it or not, and also try my best to not feel left out. I would go with them on their ice cream/treat adventure, but maybe only have one bite of DH's ice cream, if that. I'd make sure that they know that I'm having fun just being with them and that it's ok if they eat all of that sugar in front of me, I like to see them have fun.

If I had one, it would be on the fridge, in the cupboard we keep the drinking glasses, DS might have stuck it in the broiler (one time I baked a pair of leather shoes like that "What smells like burning skin?") OR, it would be stuck under the couch or theoretical TV table so far that you'd have to tile the couch to properly see underneath it. I love cleaning under the couch, just to find all of the forgotten books and toys that end up under there.

I teach 4 levels at the same time, by myself, but in a school setting totaling between 10-15 students. It somewhat helps that they know that they can't run off and play because it is "school time." Don't know if that would work for you, to tell your kids that from "9am to 12pm is school time" or whatever times you have. The other thing that has helped me is to have a list of tasks. Whether you choose to do actual workboxes, or just a checklist - something so the kids know what to do next. Tell them, "if you get stuck, or need help, just move on to the next assignment. I'll help you when I get to you." Then go from child to child, working with them, instructing them, and helping them with their questions as YOU have the time to help them. Remind the others that it is rude to interrupt big sister's lesson while you are working with her. I'll also sometimes have the older one tutor the younger one if I really need to spend some one on one time with, say the middle one on a tough lesson. ETA: It might help to do the same curriculum with as many as possible when possible. Have them work in pairs to figure stuff out. Especially with LA - the K and PK children can critique the other's letter form. Maybe make this "U" a little less "O"-like, etc. 3rd and 4th could probably do the same grammar/reading/writing lessons and they can compare their answers. Social Studies and Science and everything else except math, really, can be done as a family.

My grocery store (a large multi-state chain) will even accept returns of moldy strawberries (even without the receipt). If I were in your situation, I wouldn't bat an eye at being able to return it.

I(and DH) use homemade deodorant. Equal parts coconut oil/baking soda/cornstarch + a couple of drops of whatever essential oil I want (I use lavender and tee tree because it's what I have on hand and it kills germs) It works really well IMO, but if it's warm enough for coconut oil to melt, it can get messy. I keep mine in a ziplock bag in my bathroom and it is messy. If I felt the need I would get a deodorant stick container for it, and keep it in the fridge. I used to keep mine in a jar in the fridge, but then we went on a trip and it melted and separated.