I like to get away from my kids! (Don't tell them I said that...) The idea of an hour to myself motivates me to leave the house and run at a park.

I like Elemental Science, but I haven't used Logic Stage materials yet. I've used the Earth and Space for Grammar stage, and it was very fun.

Ok, I read your post on your blog. Here are my suggestions. First of all, put a basket of some sort on the desk to catch all of the stuff you said that lands there and isn't school related. Second, it looks like you have 3 shelves above the desk. Give each child a shelf. Oldest can have top shelf. Give kinder child the bottom one and include any manipulatives or puzzles they use. Third, I have no idea what a monolith is, but it's super cool looking. :-) I would store all Art and Science stuff in there. Put the kits you are getting at the bottom. Can you angle it in a corner, so that it is easier to get to? I like to angle big things like that instead of having them flat against a wall. Fourth, I love your built-in shelves! What is in the bottom cabinets? Move all of the adult books and albums to that last shelf that you said would be inconvenient for homeschool stuff. Use the rest of the shelves to store whatever books are going to be used for the current year. Make a shelf for any additional puzzles, etc. Keep the books the kids are currently using above the desk. Use the built-ins for books to be used throughout the year. Hth.

I once adopted a dog who was referred to me by a third person. Apparently, the people who gave up the dog were thoroughly convinced that I had adopted the dog in order to give him to a company that performed cosmetic testing on animals. (I am not making this up.) They started calling and leaving messages. I assumed they were insane and didn't respond. They actually called the police who then called me to set up an appointment to check on the dog. I complied and the police just said to ignore the calls after that. The dog was 5 years old at the time. I kept him until he died 12 years later. Yes, the dog lived to be 17 years old. And, no, he was never used for cosmetic testing. :-) All of this to say that it is possible the woman is normal and just thinks you're crazy for trying to get the cat back. Also, if you are concerned, try googling as someone else mentioned. If something concerning comes up, you could probably get the police to check into it.

I don't know how to make an adorable hugging emoticon on my phone - plus I'm not really a hugging type of person. So... Way to go JFSinIL!!!

It really depends on geography and your particular lot. We had a pool, and it was such a pain that we finally filled it in. Best decision ever. But, we live in a climate that only allowed us to swim about 3 months of the year. And our lot is heavily wooded. So, I would skim leaves in the morning, and the pool would be full of leaves by the afternoon - even in the middle of summer. Every year that we opened the pool, there would be a new thing to fix - liner needed replacing, pump needed replacing, pool cleaner needed replacing. It was ridiculous. After about 7 years, we gave in a filled it in. Now we have a space for kids to play and a garden. :-)

Why is it so hard to get services for mental health issues??? I'm depressed. I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to navigate the ridiculousness of the mental healthcare system. :-(

I'm pretty conservative compared to others on this board, and I think it would be fine to leave them - especially with the dog in the car. They are old enough to know how to roll down windows, get out of the car, go in and get you, etc. They are in the open if someone tried to bother them. No one in their right mind is gonna try to get into the car with the dog. :-) I wouldn't care about the elderly lady. She sounds like a one-off busy body. Most people wouldn't look twice at kids that age sitting in a car.

I usually do it myself right on the Disney site, but you can also call a Disney travel agent. I think there's one on this board. :-) Something tells me she would be a lot more helpful. The only time I called was this most recent trip. I have a Disney credit card and the Free Dining was released to cardholders a little while back, but I had to call. I book the flight separate and call Disney back with the info. I have only flown once. We did the Magical Express and everything. My kids were 5, 2, and 3 months. :-)

Sorry to disagree, but it's not a good price. For what you are saying, it should be about $3,050. Unless what you are saying above is not the whole story. :-) We are going at the same time and staying in the same resort. We are also paying for 2 adults and 3 kids. We are staying one night longer and have 2 extra days on our tickets and have upgraded our dining to the regular plan. Our trip is about $100 more than what you quoted. The problem is that they don't usually give you a price breakdown when they quote you on a package, so you have to know what price is appropriate before you even call. I also discovered when I called that they had added the park hopper option, even though I specifically told them I didn't want it. So, I had to call back and have it removed. I suggest you look up, for yourself, the rack rate on the hotel and the ticket prices to get a number and see where it might be different. The rate does change in middle September. The rate is also higher on the weekend. Also, I would upgrade to the regular dining plan. It is about $18 for adults, and only like $5 for kids. (That is per day.) But, you would be able to do character meals with your kids or some other fun sit down options. The tired, cranky parents and kids at Disney are the ones who don't plan ahead. :-) Also, staying on property makes it easier to take little ones back to the hotel for a nap. Older ones can nap too or go to the pool with Dad. I have taken my kids to Disney 8 times. We typically go once a year. So, I have been with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, etc. It's always fun. My kids don't remember their first steps or their first words, but it's still a magical memory for me. ;-) Disney is the same thing to me. I enjoy seeing the little ones enjoy themselves.

I think it's lovely that many people here live in a world where crime statistics have become lower, but not everyone does. The person who had a child lost in the woods and stop at a nearby farm to call her... That is so foreign to me that it's like something out of Little House on the Prairie. Ha ha! I've never lived anywhere like that, so I just don't get it. The city I currently live near did experience declining crime since the 1970's, although crime has been rising again since the economic downturn around 2008. The 3 major cities I have lived near in my lifetime are all at the bottom of the list in terms of safety in our country. So, yes, that colors my experiences. No, where I live, I would not let a 10 year old go to a movie alone or with a friend. But, I don't know what it's like where you live. Seems like much of this conversation has to do with geography and culture. Regarding "street smarts"... I agree that kids need them, but I believe they are best learned while in the presence of an adult. I think my kid should learn how to deal with the creepy guy, scammer, con artist, etc. while he's with me to see how I handle the situation.

Just wondering if anyone else has never been away from their children over night? I read longingly about the posts of people going away on trips without their kids. I did spend one night in the hospital away from my kids for births 2-4. I'm not sure if that counts. It sure didn't feel like a vacation. :-)

Papa Ram is cracking me up!

My dd also needed deodorant at 8. I think it's pretty common. We use the brand "Good for you girls." http://www.amazon.com/Good-For-You-Girls-Deodorant/dp/B00533GH60

I basically read none of the classics in children's lit until I started homeschooling my dd and reading here. So far I've homeschooled through the 4th grade, so that is the extent of my knowledge of History and Children's Literature. :-)

Try Alpharetta, Roswell, or Woodstock. :-)

My dd plays tennis. My dd also does ballet, but she didn't perform in a recital until she was 7. She just wasn't ready before that. What about some other forms of dance? When you are on stage with a group, you aren't in the spot light. Same with Art... There are many forms of Art. My dd is particularly fond of creating with the Potter's Wheel. Rhythmic Gymnastics looks super fun. I don't have anyone that does it though. :-( Other active sports: softball/baseball, flag football, lacrosse, basketball

Is it possible that you are trying to sync something that one person owns on their iTunes account to a device on a different iTunes account? I agree with pp. Go through the App Store on the iPod and either buy the app or download it again if it was previously purchased.

Cut out sugar and/or grains for a few weeks. Do some Pilates or Yoga to tighten up your core. Work in some exercise that you can do with kids, such as walking, so you don't have to work so hard to schedule it in. :-)

That's awesome.

Guest Hollow Lady Classical House of Learning Literature Lady Elemental Science Lady Lively Latin Lady SWB I'm pretty sure those are not their full names, though. ;-)

Um, I hate to be painfully obvious, but... Legos?

Another one here who feels your pain. I see a lot on this board about how teaching reading should be a cinch. It certainly wasn't the case for my first two. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. Teaching people to read and potty training people are my two least favorite activities in life... I have 2 more to teach to read and 1 more to potty train. Yay!

Love this! I have paid my older son to watch my younger son, but I love the idea of paying per book he reads to the toddler. :-) Tell the 3 yo that you are so sorry, but she must give up her education in order to take care of her little brother. That's what they used to do, right? ;-) You've gotten some great ideas, I'll just second the notion that this too shall pass. I remember when my oldest was in 1st, the next was 3, and the 3rd was a toddler. It was a difficult time wrt getting school work done. And here I am again... This time it is 4th grade, 1st grade, pre-k, and a toddler. Toddlers aren't all the homeschool-friendly. :-) Can you invest in a few toddler friendly toys? I think the age you are describing can be difficult, because they aren't babies that are content to sit still, but they aren't able to follow a lot of direction and really play or create quite yet. Perhaps you could hit a local consignment store or goodwill to look for things like wooden puzzles, figurines, any Melissa and Doug toddler toys, etc. Also look into Busy Bags. They have lots of ideas for toddlers. Can you move the schooling area occasionally to somewhere better suited to him? (i.e. Outside or another room) Can you school when dad/partner is home? (In the evenings or on the weekend) Can you put together some sensory bins for him? (We created bins based on color for my little guy. Everything in the bin might be blue, for example. Everything was toddler safe. I would just sit him at my feet and let him explore the bin.) Sorry this is so disjointed! Hopefully I have said something helpful. If not, carry on with your day. Ha ha!

Precious.