:lol::lol::lol:

I agree, there is some sort of festival/re-enactment that happens in the fall at the Daniel Boone house and it is really, really neat. :001_smile:

Wow, Bethany. :grouphug:

I'm familliar with Blackburn, also. I didn't go there, but grew up nearby and knew lots of people that DID go there. I never heard anything negative about it! :001_smile: I LOVE Carlinville, IL -- sweet, community-oriented, but big enough to have a Wal-Mart. ;) Also, not far from Springfield, IL! PM me if you have any other questions. I'm never on this board. :001_smile:

So? Did it "pass inspection?" I've got a picky hubby, too, so I totally understand. :tongue_smilie:

Praying here also. You sound like you are staying so strong! :001_smile:

Ugh. He still hasn't had his MRI yet. I hate waiting. I'm off to the bathtub to boil for a while while the kids perform for me. You know, so I'm not *lonely* in there. :tongue_smilie:

Here's an update: We ended up calling an ambulance because DH couldn't move to get out of bed. One we got to the hospital, they gave him some good pain meds and he dozed in and out for a few hours. He ended up being admitted and is waiting for his MRI right now. Thank you so much for your prayers. The kiddos did great even though they were shuffled around a bit, and everything seems to be going routinely at the hospital. I am exhausted. Beat. Seriously. :tongue_smilie:

I'm leaving in a few minutes to take DH to the ER because of his back pain. (He won't leave till he finishes some work emails. :banghead:) He will probably have surgery again within the next few days. Please pray that his pain is controlled, his back is healed, the kids are happy and safe while in others' care, and that I am able to keep all the plates in the air during all of this. Please pray that this all happens quickly. I was wearing thin before this, but the last few days have been rough. Prayers about the financial ranifications of all of this are welcome, too. Thanks, hive.

AW! :001_smile: How adorable! Congrats!

LOVE the pizza stone and the tiny pancake flipper. I don't really know what that last one is called, but to ME, it is a tiny pancake flipper. :D

Thank you! :001_smile:

I hope this is kind of on topic....could someone please point me where I need to go to learn about the abacus? I mean, how to use it and what not? I kind of "get it" myself, but I don't have even the foggiest idea how to put that into words for my kids. (I AM NOT a math person. I developed an ulcer in high school due to Algebra II. Seriously.) Thanks!!!!

:iagree:

Thank you for the warning. :crying:

Thanks!!! These are great! :001_smile:

Wow. Brilliant! :D I would have never ever thought of that!!! Thank you!

The book Accountable Kids has some GREAT ideas in it. My library had this book and it was great for our family. I didn't use thier expensive system either, I just made my own. :001_smile: HTH!

Soooo...I have a small cake/cupcake business that just kind of "happened." I love it, the kids love helping, and the DH is 110% supportive. I do specialty cakes/cupcakes (read: NOT traditional wedding cakes), and I try to be really affordable. What are some ideas for marketing such a thing? Orders have been flooding in (!) for fall, but I don't have too much going before that. September and October are PACKED. (I'm amazed, bewildered, and excited!) I'm bartering with some people to make wedding cupcakes in exchange for a great new website. I'm handing out cupakes on a stick with my business card attached at a huge, upcoming bridal fair. Do you have any other thoughts? Thanks so much! I'm anxiously :lurk5:!

Thanks so much! It is so helpful to hear what others think! :001_smile: My library has Phonics Pathways and OPGTTR, and I just requested both of them. Woohoo! :001_smile:

I was going to suggest Scripture Sleuth! :001_smile: Also check out the Moody Family series. LOVE THEM. The CLE readers are also great!

I'm wondering if it is "better" than OPRTR? I haven't used either, and I'd like a little guidance in teaching this time around...

Anyone use it? Love it? Hate it? Enlighten me. :001_smile: TIA!

How fun!:) A few years ago, I took my children here and it was amazing! We went for a special children's day they were having and I couldn't have been more impressed. On that website, click "events" and a myriad of activities will show up. I know there are quite a few sites in the area, but that's the only one I've visited. I'm embarrassed to say that even though I've lived in IL/MO all my life, I've never been to Cahokia Mounds! :tongue_smilie: I've just recently become a history nerd...before that I was just...a regular nerd. ;) I've been no help at all, but feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

That's really beautiful. What a great way to think of it! :001_smile: