He said the dorm where they were staying overnight was extremely hot with poor ventilation, and after driving three hours to the airport in the middle of the night, flying to MN with a nasty flight attendant, spending five hours waiting at the airport for the camp bus, and then heading to the interim overnight facility, he was tired and a bit out-of-sorts. Oh, my. DD didn't mention difficulties although this experience is new enough to her that the difficulties would have to be pretty bad to overcome her excitement. She's been studying Japanese over a year now, and is so excited about this. BTW, my twins are 12 years old. My daughter first attended CLV at age 11, and she loved it. I have no doubt my 12 yo dd would love it. I however, don't know if I could take the stress of her flying alone. Although at her age, I guess she would fly as an unaccompanied minor which would decrease my stress level.

Thank you all. My dd is at camp and last I talked with her making fast friends. The flight went smoothly and Concordia met her at the gate, as well called us to confirm she got there safely. (We had already talked with her via phone but it was nice to know the staff was thinking about our concerns as well) Kimberleigh, My dd is also in Sandstone now (Japanese) . Sounds like they are in the same camp together. Pam, we've already decided that we might travel as a family next year and vacation. My 12 yo has already decided she wants to further her French this way, and I'm almost absolutely certain my 15 yo will want to return. . I am not brave enough to send my 12 yo by herself. She is---I'm not! Feeling much more assured now--- nandell

I guess I'm really looking for reassurances as decision is already made and DD 15 is on way to 2 wk Japanese Immersion camp on Sunday. She's excited. I'm excited for her but also nervous. Flying from Texas to Minn by self for first time (with plane change) . 2 week camp with no contact except letters. Anyone else sent their kid/s to the village?

and she's perfect for us! My dd researched the breed carefully. Our bichon is a therapy dog with dd. They're a great team. "And a good family dog. She would meet all your requirements except maybe one of the most important. She is small, and very easily could look tasty to a large bird. And her coat is white which I know from living in the country is bad. (makes them stand our; white kittens never lived on our farm because of birds) So if you consider a Bichon, I'd encourage you to evaluate how real the predator threat might be. Good luck choosing your new family member.

My fill was in this situation. He takes a $4000/month chemo infusion for multiple cancers. Yes, 4000 dollars! A month! His insurance stopped paying the 80 percent they were paying. My dh and fil's nurse were talking about it in the hospital cafeteria. Happens the person at the next table was the drug rep for that company. Fil is now on a pharmaceutical company program that pays 85 percent of that life saving infusion. That's a class act! Our family say thank you to all drug reps like that!

Hi Betty, I'm not sure if I'm the best one to answer your questions but I'll try since you haven't got a response yet. We stayed at the Marriott Garden Suites near Times Square when we went. I don't know how that compares price-wise but it was within walking distance of AG. And I personally agree with your husband--safe trumps bargain! There were quite a few places that might have been very safe but would have made this Texan nervous. We have been to both AG in Chicago and in NY. How old is your daughter? They have a lovely tea for dolls/doll's parents/girl's parents. My advice is to skip meals there, though. Just go for desert or tea. Their musical is very well done--be prepared for $30 tickets. When we went to Chicago when my dds were much younger, my mom made matching outfits for girls and dolls. They received so much attention and loved it! My kids loved seeing the shows. Lion King, Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins are all showing on Broadway now. Wicked is another great one. Central Park was cool; my youngest loved finding the sled dog statue featured in Balta.(movie) My dds also liked the M&M factory/store and my dh and I liked the Metropolitan Art Museum. And Lady Liberty was awesome. I hope this helps some. If I think of any other suggestions. I will repost. Nandell

Thanks--we have been using Keystone classes for 9th and the school did say they would accept these as it's an accredited school. I would like her to get a distinguished diploma, Which in Texas means college bound. I'm just a little mixed up about the order to take her science classes. She is not going to be a science major-her strengths and interests are in languages , linguistics, and writing. But , if I'm interpreting this correctly, she has to take AP Biology to get the dist. diploma What I really need is to talk with an admissions counselor, I guess. She is considering Rice University but has in noways made up her mind about what college she wants. More research for me to do I guess.

My dd has decided to return to HS next year (not this fall but the next fall) instead of the CC we had planned on. I'm fine with that but--I'm confused. To receive a distinguished diploma (college bound) , she must have 4 sciences and it looks like one of them must be AP Biology. She just finished freshman Biology. Does this mean she has to have credits for 2 Biologies? Or--heaven forbid--that her first class doesn't count? The high school she wishes to attend is not open this summer for questions. And I'm assuming that when they reopen in the fall, they will be more focused (understandably) on students enrolled at that point, not students planning for the next year. However, I need to help my dd choose her classes now. And the classes we choose need to fall in line with the requirements of the school she want to attend her Junior year. I'm sure (hoping?) there's a simple solution/explanation for this. Can anyone help me out? Thankful for these boards and the helpful advice found there, Nandell

My dd , age 12, is entering a nature art contest. She wants to model her entry after a nature scene she has found in a Learn to Draw type book. She will be drawing the scene herself herself ,and making modifications to both the environment and the animals' poses. Is this allowable? I think it prob is as she is not tracing or making the pictures identical, but I'm curious about the general consensus at the hive Does original mean she must totally come up with the concept on her own, or does it mean only that she must draw it on her own? This contest doesn't clarify any more than it must be the artist's work. I'm wanting to help her but also want to make sure we don't cross any boundaries in terms of copyright, etc Thanks Nandell

I know what you mean. I've also been going thru this. Some of my most favorite relatives are getting notably older and frail. It makes me sad, and it's difficult to accept. One of the characters in a M Binchley's book expressed what I felt well. "... always thought that growing up meant 'catching up' to the grownups..." (paraphrased) I just always thought I'd be joining the grownup party, and they would still be the same as always. Silly, I know but it's hard to comprehend my very active GS leader in a w/c because of multiple strokes. I always see her energetically starting projects and activities sigh--Next I'll be talking about the good ol' days of yesteryear. nandell

I haven't seen Wallie yet, but we loved Panda .Yes- it was silly and had a little more body joke humor than I would have liked but dh and kids chortled at all of those jokes. There is some fighting (it IS about martial arts. after all. LOL) No one actually dies. The villain is just kinda gone at the end.There is clearly a 'good' and 'bad'. The film even shows a little empathy towards the bad guy and why he acted that way. I don't think it would have frightened my children at 3 , but every child is different. It stimulated some interesting talks with my 12 and 15 yo about self-confidence and accepting yourself as yourself. Nandell Not to mention my 12 yo now says There is no charge for awesomeness every time she turns in a school paper to me.

as s chronic cold sore person, I have recently found the BEST OTC numbing ointment. It's called Hurricane and it is awesome. Try googling it. I have never found it at standard pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens but more specialized pharmicies. Good luck with the shots!

My 15 yo dd want to go to high school next year. I'm ok with her trying it out.We have a charter school near us that is very homeschool student receptive and within 20 minutes drive. She knows several friends there. DD is not what you would call studious but is bright and willing to work. She is very methodical about her work. [OK, you could insert slow there] 9th grade has been through Keystone, and has involved me as much as her in the learning process. She has done Alg 1, Geography, Biology, English 1 , Japanese plus music and drama. All tests have been open book. I've never really done much in preparation of "traditional " schooling because I really didn't see it in her future. She'll adjust to the different teaching techniques, right? I didn't really mess up her possibilities for traditional high school by not insisting on traditional methods at home, did I? nandell

This is one. I know there are many, many more that I have seen-------- Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? Gloria ***** Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, nandell

Hi My daughter is participating in Alex's Lemonade Stand next weekend and would like to invite some local merchants to be a sponsor of her lemonade stand. We are going to some businesses in person, but there are others that would be more convenient to send an informational email . Other than calling the businesses ourself, any suggestions on how to locate business emails? Thanks Nandell

Wow, no one would ever believe you used to be so fat! What really made this so funny is she is the type of person that NEVER makes a social gaffe. And because she was trying to compliment me, I took it in the spirit she meant it. (But that doesn't stop me from ribbing her about it, even to this day):D I wouldn't be nearly as good-natured about the intentionally rude and hurtful comments some of you have received. What could those people have been thinking? :confused: nandell

Going to check it out now----nandell

bumping this up hopefully to get advice---this board moves so fast

Our neighbors gave my kids a sturdy, good for kids couch sectional for our game room. It would be great for them to hang out on in there. But it has a musty--not dirty-- type smell to it. I've had it airing outside for several days. I've vacuumed it and sprayed them with water and cleaner and scrubbed. Should I rent a steam cleaner? What else can I do ? I think our neighbors would be hurt if we don't use it but I can't stand that smell. Thanks for any suggestions-----nandell

As a family we've taken up the sport of aikedo and have been doing it about 3 months now. Love the philosophy, love the people, love the energy and self-confidence my older dd is gaining, love sharing interests as a family. Hate falling down, my clumsiness (I truly am klutzy), and my difficulty in remembering all the steps and moves my dh and dds are picking up nearly effortlessly. Plus, I just feel old with all these aches, joint creaking and pains. There are people in the class as old as I am, maybe older, ( I'm 47) but they started years ago so their body is used to it. Aikedo--even if I get better at it and used to throwing my body to a mat repeatedly in a 2 hour span--prob will not be a passion of mine. Or for my younger DD, although she is enjoying the class. Whatever I decide, my older dd and prob my dh will continue with aikedo. Here's the question---I'd like your opinions/suggestions. Should I just chuck it, telling family that it's just not my thing? Or stick it out? We signed up as a family because we enjoy spending time together. But it's not the only thing we do together. so my quality leisure time (is that a oxymoron?) with dds and dh is not dependent on this time Thoughts? Nandell