My kids like soups, stews and chilis - we are getting to that season, yum! Plus for a group setting they are easy to serve and make sure you have enought for everyone. But I do find when entertaining kids outside of my family - it becomes difficult. I've even run across kids who will not eat pizza! Go figure.

For our original loan on the house we are in (bought about 10 years ago) and the 2 refinancings since, we have gone with the same mortgage broker. But we do check with our local bank - their rates have never been better than the broker's - but we always check. The only difference we came across was an option we were considering - rolling what was left of our mortgage into the new mortgage when we purchase a new home. Our local bank would do this - the broker would not.

We had an IEW writing group last year, ages 10-13 - so the oldest 2 were in 8th grade. We did Level B from October through May. Then this year we are using the Continuation Course, Level B. After this (whether we are still doing the group or not) we will then do the Continuation Course Level C, Elegant Essay, etc.

We've used Prismacolors for a while and only used the manual sharpners. I do agree with another poster - the lead does seem brittle if the pencils are dropped. So when you go to sharpen them, they break off as you sharpen.

This is rather timely, I'm taking my 2 ds for their physical. I do like to go in.

with my sister-in-law (a former teacher). It bothers her tremendously how her daughter-in-law uses words since they have 2 small kids. But she refrains from pointing it out - part of it she attributes to where they live and word usage. I know for me, there are words I misuse due to where I grew up. I have had people correct me - it seems odd - but I take it in stride.

no reason not to I guess.

This year I am reusing Core W - One year World History with my younger 3. The other cores we have used in the past: B+C D E F - (will use again) 200 - literature only (will use again)

I need to actually do this soon! I really like them and they seem to do a better than the affordable ones you could purchase that I've borrowed from friends. When you go to empty the tank, there seems to be an enormous amount of dirt.

Yes, I have now been asked twice if I get the senior citizen discount. I turned 44 on Friday. Yes, I have grey hair, but.... In the cashier's defense - at one store she said instead of asking she just gives it to everyone, unless they are a kid. In the other store, she had been reprimanded for not asking enough.

A pasta dish or pot pie sound like a good idea. It has turned chilly where we are - so I immediately thought of chicken soup with the vegetables and the pasta or rice. Then have biscuits or some quick bread to go with it for "filler".

My oldest loves milk - younger one not so much, but she drinks it daily. I have supplemented at time with a chewy or liquid supplement. We also eat a fairly balances diet. For Vit. D - our doctor said sunshine is not enough - supplement. But that probably is dependent on where you are located. We are in New England - so it is more of an issue. When I was tested just 2 months ago, I was low on Vit. D. My doctor said the only patients he has that are at a normal range are farmers or those who have an outdoor occupation.

I've used levels B & C for my kids with great success. This past year my 3 younger ones did IEW-Level B in a group with 3 other kids and it worked great. We had them read their papers each week and worked on public speaking/presentation skills. This year we are using the Continuation Course-Level B with the same group, which can be stretched to a 2-year program.