Going to try to friend you on Plan to Eat. Anyone who wants to friend me, feel free. I'm dzingirl911. I've had an account for over a year, but I'm just really getting started using it now.

This looks fun! Thanks!

I want to find a game that my nearly nine year old daughter and nearly 4.5 year old son can play together independently. Something that will be fun for both of them. Not too easy for the nine year old or too hard for the four year old. Suggestions, please?

I grew up in a family that made and shopped from Christmas lists. I married a man from a family where they did not make lists (except very young children making letters to Santa). I have come to find the whole exchanging of Christmas lists ridiculous. My sisters and I are all in our thirties now. They still want to exchange lists. Then everyone runs out to the mall or hops on the Internet and buys something off the list as quickly as possible, receives it and wraps it as quickly as possible, and checks that task off their to-do list. I don't find any Christmas cheer in this. We might as well exchange checks for $50. My new way of thinking is if you don't know someone well enough to buy them a gift without a list, you probably shouldn't be exchanging gifts. My sisters and I have grown distant. This year I said I didn't want to exchange gifts and I'm pretty sure they are mad at me or hurt or whatever. That being said, I have no idea what to get my parents, but don't feel that not getting them anything is an option.

For me, how far I would be willing to drive or expect others to drive depends on the closeness of the relationship. If I have a party for my kids I am expecting my family to drive between 1-2 hours. I would not drive more than 30-45 minutes for a kids' party. Where I live there aren't many party location possibilities, so I would expect that any non-home party would be that far away.

Which globe are you getting? I want one, but there aren't many reviews on the site and I'm not sure how to tell which would be best?

You could be describing me and my son. I'm not a first-time mom, but my daughter was not like this. Part of my problem is that while I know he needs consequences, I am not sure what those consequences should be. At home, I will send him to his room for a time out. In public, it's very tricky. Leaving where we are when he's out of line generally would seriously complicate my life or unfairly punish my daughter too. I'm sort of at a loss with him. I kept hoping he'd grow out of this behavior, but he's about to turn four and it's not improving much. So, pretend I'm your cousin and give me your advice. Anyone else who has advice feel free also. Sorry for the hijack.

These have been a big hit in my house: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/open-face-chicken-mozzarella-melts/

I am so very sorry for your loss.

A lunch bag or backpack? ETA - I read again and saw you said elementary. Maybe a pencil bag/box with cool pencils, erasers, ruler, etc. They may have some of that stuff though, but might not have a backpack or lunch bag if they've never been to b & m school. A planner to keep track of homework assignments?

I don't have customized ringtones. All calls make my phone play the beginning of "Back in Black" by AC/DC.

I have a 2010 Dodge Caravan that we bought new in 2010. Been driving it for 4 years, have about 38,000 miles on it at this point and no real problems so far. I really love it so far!

What I really don't get is I recently bid on some levels of AAS on eBay. They ended up selling for more than they cost new from Rainbow Resource!

Contemplating purchasing this today, although I don't think DD is actually ready for it yet, but I'm not sure what to get. I'm also not sure what I need for Song School Spanish. Do I want the whole kit or can just the teacher edition suffice? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have 2 and we are done and took surgical measures to be sure. Love my kids, but I am not cut out to be the mother of a large brood.

I had my first crush in First grade. Dd is 2nd grade age and I think she's been noticing boys for about a year too.

I have a Bissell Cleanview Helix with turbo brush and I love it!

Ham basil quiche, ham loaf, and split pea soup

Thank you OP for posting this. I thought of posing this exact question a few days ago, but was afraid people would be snarky with me. DS has DH, DD and me at the end of our ropes. I am totally not the screaming type, but I have been doing it a lot lately. We've also been spanking and I'm not happy about that either. Nothing is working or making things any better.

We live on acreage off of a highway, so no trick-or-treaters at our house. We both take the kids. If we lived where we got trick-or-treaters, I'd stay home probably and DH would take the kids out.

We have a Bissell Pro Heat and love it. DH has had it for a really long time, over 10 years and it still works pretty well. He is handy so has made repairs over time though.

I have a Bissell with turbo brush attachment. My ILs got it for us last Christmas and I love it!

Jif smooth sensations peanut butter, General Mills Cappucino Coolers

To obsess over vanity pounds and be miserable (my mother and sisters) To be morbidly obese and miserable if you can have weight loss surgery (me) To obsess over trying to make people be happy with you or like you To drive all over the place trying to save a few cents on groceries or gas

Thank you for this. I didn't know about the Lego Monster Fighters sets. They are right up DD's alley. Just ordered her the werewolf one. May order more later. I also ordered seasons 1-4 of Johnny Test and season 2 of Ben 10. I think this is probably the earliest I've ever purchased gifts for my kids. I will not wait till the last minute this year! I am going to be on top of things!