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Petrichor

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Posts posted by Petrichor

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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?

  6. 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)

  7. What about bamboo? The utensils that I use in our non-stick pans are bamboo, rather than wood. I'm not 100% certain, but I think bamboo is gluten free.

     

    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.

  8. Can someone help me come up with an alternative?

     

    Because of my health and weight, I'm consciously avoiding sugar. And sugar substitutes. I'm doing pretty well from breakfast through lunch, but the afternoon munchies are tough.

     

    I'm not imposing my restrictions on my kiddos because, even though I think it would be best, dh isn't on board.

     

    He's a dear, but it isn't on his radar.

     

    He will go shopping for something and come back with a carton of ice cream. "Isn't this your favorite?" :tongue_smilie: It's the thought that counts, right?

     

    Sometimes he'll have a stressed day at work and call from the car, "Hey, let's take the family for ice cream!" or "Want me to pick up a dozen doughnuts?"

     

    These are occasional things and it's never been an issue before. I guess it's our family habit -- to jump in the car and pick up a treat to eat at the park and blow off steam.

     

    The thing is, I can't think of an alternative to take the place of this kind of activity in our family's life. Somehow, "Let's go pick up some carrot sticks and broccoli" isn't appealing . . .

     

    Not even to me. :tongue_smilie:

     

    If your family eats clean, what is an impromptu treat?

     

    P.S. I have had this discussion with him. He understands. He isn't attempting to undermine my efforts. It's just habit. I don't want to embarrass or disappoint him with my wet blanket -- just to have something else to suggest when that urge strikes.

     

    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.

  9. Nope, not yet.

     

    It's going to be in the most obvious place when i do find it. It'll be found this week since i have to finish my cleaning projects by Friday.

     

    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.

  10. 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.

  11. Return it. Most grocery stores are good about taking returns, even of something perishable-but-not-spoiled like that, if you felt the packaging and placement were misleading. Just go in calmly, explain the mistake, and ask to exchange for the real thing.

     

    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.

  12. 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.

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