:lol: I know. I've gotten so many annoying comments from strangers that sometimes I just want to be snarky. I never do, but sometimes people make being nice very hard.

I would say, "Shut up, moron!" J/K...That's what I'd want to say. I think a lot of people that have this opinion won't be swayed by words. You could try to explain that homeschooled children aren't sheltered and that they have tons of interaction with many other children. I think that the problem is that most people who have this opinion have only been exposed homeschoolers in a negative way....like by watching the news. It's not very often you hear good things about homeschoolers on the news. In my experience, people who know me and my children, whether pro-homeschool or not, have good opinions of homeschooling by knowing us. So maybe the good is just be a good example.

The main concern with high bp in pregnancy is the risk of developing eclampsia or restricted blood supply to the placenta. I had eclampsia with my 1st pregnancy and pre-eclampsia with my 3rd, 4th, & 5th which required early induction every time. It can be serious, but as long as you don't develop a headache, blurred vision or sudden excessive swelling in your legs, face, or hands (all symptoms of eclampsia) you should be fine (when I say swelling, I mean more than what you get from just standing.....like you no longer have ankles swelling). If you do call your OB immediately. I ended up in the ER having seizures with my first because I didn't know what to look for. Don't let this scare you though, since this isn't your first pregnancy and I'm assuming you haven't had eclampisa before, you should be just fine because it usually happens in young mothers in their first pregnancy. Try to keep those feet up and rest as much as you can. You're almost there!

Carmen, This is totally off topic, but I really love what you've done so far with Ancient Explorations. I'll be in line to purchase it when it is ready.

I used to agree with this until I actually did it. Female soldiers in Iraq do and see the same crap males do...everywhere is a forward area. I've been home for 3 years and still have issues with things done/seen over there. The main thing is there are Iraqi children there acting as soldiers. It's a really hard thing to deal with especially being a mother.

Well I'm ex-military and so is my husband. My most recent deployment to Iraq involved leaving my five children with my DH after I was involuntarily recalled from the IRR. He ended up losing his job because of my deployment because someone had to be available to take care of our little ones. Which also meant our income was cut in half. It was a very hard time, and our children were all under 7. I hate to say this, but I find not fulfilling your obligation unexcusable. I was a single mother in the Army before I met my DH. There are options for those that don't have anyone to care for their children. A friend of mine was actually chaptered out for this exact reason. So while I understand the hardship that comes with being a single parent, missing movement is ridiculous. Whatever the reason, it should have never happened. People are counting on you to be there.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I have stretch marks clean up to my bOOks from having twins. I delivered those jokers at 33 weeks weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 6 lbs. 12 oz. I would LOVE a tummy tuck, but can't because the kids are still at ages that they need their mommy. Maybe someday.

I'm allergic to sulfa antibiotics and Cipro is one of the few I can take and it always makes me sick. I would second the probiotics. It does help.

Me, too. Nights in Rodante just rips my heart out, too. It's soooo sad.

Bless your heart. I could have written that post verbatim. Just remember that sometimes Daddy's don't think about the small details like putting away the leftover soup or washing the dishes. I have the best DH. He is sweet, a great father, and great provider, but when I'm sick it's the same thing you described. After I'm done being sick there is a disaster to clean up...no laundry done....dishes to the ceiling. He tries, but some how just can't manage to do all the things I usually do. Then I'm resentful because I just got over being sick and now house looks like a tornado hit it. I know how you feel. Take a deep breath and remember all the wonderful things about him and that he is trying. It sounds like he has good intentions. Hope you have a good night.

I thought this too, but I honestly can't remember. The online information I found on the web was that prisoners are separated by how much supervision they require. Either way, I would hate that his rank would benefit him in any way. I think killing your fellow soldiers definitely deserves having your rank completely stripped. This is so disturbing. My husband and I both are combat veterans. The thought that someone would do this to his/her fellow soldiers is reprehensible. I just have no words.

The military will try him and he will end up in Leavenworth. I personally would rather he serve a life sentence in Leavenworth. Granted those in Leavenworth are criminals, but they were soldiers first. Soldiers wouldn't be too kind to someone who took the lives of their own. I think being there would be a start to getting what he deserves.

I do teach the facts as they are introduced in our math program. (We are using Saxon Math 1.) I like to teach the how's and the why's and then will work on memorization. Typically I'm not one for rote learning, but when it comes to basic math facts like single digit addition and subtraction and multiplication facts, I do have the kids work on memorizing them. If they can't pull the answers out quickly, it makes upper level math VERY tedious.

Paula Deen's Restaurant. I love Lady and Sons. I haven't lived there in several years, but I love to go when I visit. The beach is lovely, but it can get pretty cold and windy this time of year so be prepared for that. There are tons of tours in the historic district as well. I hope you guys have a great time.

Hi, everyone. I posted a couple months back about issues I was having with my son. He is 7 1/2 and was still not reading and I was just grasping at straws to help him. So after some advice from the board, I took a step back and reevaluated where we were at. I tested his phonological awareness abilities and found them lacking in both rhyming and segmentation. He knows most of the phonograms and can hear and separate syllables with ease. (Which is weird because I never really worked on syllables that one much. He was nice that he was able to just "get it".) So we worked on those two skills everyday for the past few weeks and he is FINALLY understanding and able to complete these tasks. I pulled out Phonics Pathways today and went through the blending exercises and he read 10 words to me without my help. This is the first time he has read anything to me that he hadn't memorized. He was able to segment the words and read them. I am on cloud nine right now. I also want to give a shout out to "that teacher" that told me a year ago that my son would never learn to read and that I should just teach him to read by sight. Well thanks for ticking me off lady because I'm just stubborn enough to find a way to do anything I'm told will never happen. Anyway, this is a small victory, but it totally made my day. Thanks!

Here is a list of the MathStart Level 1 Books. They cover numerous beginning math topics to include sorting and matching. Check your library. Mine carries all of these books. Sort It Out Living Math List by Topic Another List of Literature by Math Topic HTH!

I think it's like $10 for the meeting book (I think it is expensive for what you get.). You could very easily make your own using this site. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will find the calendar printables. HTH,

I was just looking at this. I would love opinions as well.

My DS 7 took an entire year to be able to identify his letters. I would just keep working on it. Working on phonemic awareness also helped him to understand the correlation between letters and sounds. You could also try sandpaper letters. They are very helpful for tactile learners. Sometimes it just takes longer to stick.

watch two mothers get into a fist fight at soccer practice. Absolutely the most ridiculous mess I've ever seen. Two grown women in a fist fight because Woman #1's husband checked out Woman #2. Some how instead of being ill with her husband she decides to start a fist fight in front of a bunch of kids that are 6 and 7 (to include their own children). This all happened as we were getting ready to leave. My DS 6 asked me "Mommy, why are those ladies hitting each other." To which I replied, "because their mommy's didn't teach them any manners." I was overheard and Woman #1 then threatens to "kick my a#@". To which I reply, "Wow, thanks for proving my point." I am floored at this behavior. I just can't imagine acting that way in front of anyone much less my children. Not to mention getting angry at a woman because she is attractive. I don't understand how she would be angry when HER husband was in the wrong. Absolute insanity.

All six of my children have flat feet. I only have one with atrocious handwriting. The rest write very nicely.

Hehe! Too funny.

My son who is now 7 didn't speak until he was almost four. He communicated, and "talked" like another poster stated, but his speech was unintelligible until he was 6 1/2. I would highly recommend speech therapy. The earlier the better. It takes a lot of hard work and my 7 yo is still having issues learning to read. It also took him an entire year to learn the alphabet and it's sounds. Early intervention is key in these issues or at least that's my opinion. HTH

How thoughtful. I love when children take initiative to show kindness to others. It's so innocent and sweet.

That is so cute. Thanks for sharing!