DD(now 5) was 7lbs 4 oz, and DS(now2) was 10lbs 2oz. His labor was way shorter than hers, but delivery/pushing/recovery was no more difficult. A little scary as it went really fast (she was 40 hours, he was pretty much 4 hours), but recovery was fine.

Does anyone have a list of all the Magic School Bus books, organized by topic/theme? I'll do it myself, but I'd hate to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to... Thanks!

*Hmm, maybe it is all there...seems some of it is buried in the workbooks. I will keep looking and see what I see. OKay...I got all the stuff (so I thought) that I need for Saxon math One. I was told the workbooks/fact cards/masters kit was complete, but didn't double check. As I am planning today, it appears that I am missing quite a bit. 1. The workbooks sound more like ps supplies (mentions homework, note to parents, etc...is this the right book?) 2. I can't find numbers that line up for the fact cards (ie, asks for A 1.2 and I see nothing wit that notation)...it should have that number/notation somewhere on the sheet, right? 3. A bunch of Masters are definitely missing. My question: If I buy this set: http://www.christianbook.com/saxon-math-student-work-fact-cards/9780939798810/pd/81612?item_code=WW&netp_id=155067&event=EBRN&view=details It should have what I need, right? Or would I be better off buying form the publisher, even thought they are more expensive? Thanks!

What a relief to have it over with I bet! I am glad it went as well as could be expected.

I am working on a few different books this week, but I have 2 sick kids and 4 goats due to kid any day now, so we'll see how much i get done. Here is my completed list: 14. Yankee Doodle Dixie- Lisa Patton 13. The Boy in the Suitcase- Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis 12. The Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood 11. Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter- Lisa Patton 10. Relentless- Dean Koontz 9. Demon Seed- Dean Koontz (newer version) 8. Demon Seed- Dean Koontz (1973) 7. Protecting the Gift- Gavin de Becker 6. Beastchild-Dean Koontz 5. We Bought a Zoo-Benjamin Mee 4. The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins 3. Ahab's Wife -Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News -Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street -Dean Koontz

Thanks! I knew I could count on you all to guide me! I will have to look into those more, and see what we come up with. Thanks!

Ds is turning two and we are thinking about doing trains for his bday. he loves his woooo wooooooooos very much, and since DD got her kitchen at 2, we are thinking we will build him a table, and get trains for him for his 2. Now...I was never into trains, DH wasn't a train guy, my brother wasn't either...In other words, I need suggestions. We'd rather good quality over "characters," but are not ruling out TtT, either. We like wood and things that last. We are not, however, made of money... So, who has great train suggestions? Thanks!

I do still love his books. Some of the ones I have read this go around, I actually hadn't read before (the old sci-fi ones mainly (Beast Child and Demon Seed)); I bought them because I collect his books, but they weren't interesting to me at the time. I was glad to hear the same "voice" and similar messages in even his oldest novels as come through in the newer ones that I love. The Taking is my favorite ever book, and the only book I've read more than 3 times. I love it! I really liked The handmaid's Tale, and I think it will stick with me. Reminds me a lot of The Giver and the other two in that trio. I really liked Protecting the Gift, and I am so glad I read it. I will look into The Safe Zone as well. What age of kid is it geared towards?

I will catch up on the thread later, but here is my completed list so far! 12. The Handmaid's Tale- Margaret Atwood 11. Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter- Lisa Patton 10. Relentless- Dean Koontz 9. Demon Seed- Dean Koontz (newer version; similar to the fisrt, but quite different in many ways; all around interesting to read the same story done two different ways) 8. Demon Seed- Dean Koontz (1973) 7. Protecting the Gift- Gavin de Becker 6. Beastchild-Dean Koontz 5. We Bought a Zoo-Benjamin Mee 4. The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins 3. Ahab's Wife -Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News -Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street -Dean Koontz

Honestly, I wouldn't allow her to see the baby. Tell her it's doctors orders.

What did you think of The Taking? I like hearing what other people think about this one.

I finished Beastchild by Dean Koontz. It is a very early work of his, and I really liked it. Still felt like Koontz, but is was a bit different (more sci-fi). It actually reminded me a bit of The Host by Stephanie Meyer, which I also enjoyed. Similar topic, and themes. Now, I am still working on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which is already quite a bit different than the movie, and I am only a couple chapters in. It is also a bit of a challenge to follow. If you have seen the movie, the book is written much like the boy talks...very stream of consciousness-type feel. I have seen Protecting the Gift mentioned over and over on the boards, and it finally came in at the library, so I am tackling that too. So far, it is really interesting. Here is my completed list: Here is my completed list: 6. Beastchild-Dean Koontz 5. We Bought a Zoo-Benjamin Mee 4. The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins 3. Ahab's Wife -Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News -Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street -Dean Koontz

We got our first one yesterday, and ours will go out this weekend! DD is very excited!

I finished We Bought a Zoo Benjamin Mee, this week. I am still working on Beastchildby Koontz, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I wanted to see the EL&IC movie after reading the book, but Mom wanted me to go with her to see it, so I did. Interesting movie, definitely interested to read the book and see what was left out/changed. So that will be this week and into next's project is to get those two done. Here is my completed list: 5. We Bought a Zoo-Benjamin Mee 4. The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins 3. Ahab's Wife -Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News -Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street -Dean Koontz

Oh man...I had to read that book as an incoming junior is hs...over the summer. Totally not a summer read. For that alone, I think you'd have to pay me to read it again, lol.

We are here too, Snohomish County, and man we were hit hard. We made it through okay, as we were able to get out and get my grandma's generator (lugging/shoving it up our insane hill of a driveway was way less than fun) and a kerosene heater. Here's what I put on Facebook when we finally got power on Friday: THis week, by the numbers.... 2: number of trees across our driveway 2: number of holes in our chicken coop 3: number of times the power went out 3: number of times Cody won at Settlers 4: gallons of kerosene we went through 4: number of trees down/dead on our property 16+:inches of snow 24: times we played settlers of cattan/cities and knights 51: temp in the house when we woke up yesterday 53: number of hours the power was out this last time 605: pages I read in Ahab's Wife

I just finished The Hunger Games and now can't wait to read the other two! It took me about a day and half. Very easy read, quite disturbing, reminded me in some ways of The Giver. Thanks again secret friend! I will start something else probably later today, but not sure what yet. Here's my completed list so far: 4. The Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins 3. Ahab's Wife -Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News -Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street -Dean Koontz

I've never read them either!

Well, we here in the Northwest have had a wild weather week...I posted this on FB earlier this afternoon: This week, by the numbers.... 2: number of trees across our driveway 2: number of holes in our chicken coop 3: number of times the power went out 3: number of times Cody won at Settlers 4: gallons of kerosene we went through 4: number of trees down/dead on our property 16+:inches of snow 24: times we played settlers of cattan/cities and knights 51: temp in the house when we woke up yesterday 53: number of hours the power was out this last time 605: pages I read in Ahab's Wife However, since then, I finished Ahab's Wife. I loved the book...maybe not some of the things that happened, of course, but what a great book! I fell in sometime last Sunday and emerged today. Next, I will be reading The Hunger Games since someone so generously sent it to me (thank you!)! Looks good! 3. Ahab's Wife Sena Jeter Naslund 2. When Will There Be Good News Kate Atkinson 1. 77 Shadow Street Dean Koontz

I LOVED My Name is Asher Lev and all the others by Chaim Potok. I read them in high school (Senior year I think). One of the few authors that I kept all the books from. thanks for reminding me, they may go on my re-read list this year!

Ooo! I'll join too, but I will have to plant a bit later...up here in the Northwest, we still have 3-4 months of winter left! I'll pm you.

Weims would fit all of your criteria (well, might bark at other critters, but really that's going to vary from dog to dog, no matter the breed). They are great with kids when raised with them. They definitely are lap dogs, and inside dogs, and in-the-car dogs, and probably watch-you-while-you-pee dogs. They aren't called shadow dogs because they are grey! I love them dearly, and plan to always have one. We have a puppy right now, and he is great!

This week I am reading When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson. I hope it's good, we shall see. Last week I finished 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz and loved it! It went back to his horror roots a bit, but still had a Koontz feel to it. There was also the overarching moral in it that he has been including in different ways in his novels the last few years. I think this one will actually get added to the "read aloud with dh" pile. The last few have been excellent, but just too disturbing to read aloud. I will also be working through Beastchild by Koontz over the next couple of weeks. It is one of his oldest novels. This year, I am hoping to reread as many of his as I can. I want to see the progression of his craft. 1. 77 Shadow Street Dean Koontz

That sounds yummy! We do bacon wrapped artichoke hearts, and those are soooooooo good!

We took ds (first time at 1 or 2 weeks old), for severe reflux. It really didn't help, but didn't make anything worse either. I am still glad we tried that before medication. As it happened, his was bad enough that adjustment didn't fix it; he needed major diet changes (on my part), medications and lots of time.