:grouphug: I would welcome him into my home, provided I didn't believe him to be any danger to my kids. If he uses inappropriate language around them, perhaps pull him aside and politely ask him to watch the cursing around the littles. I do not it would be worth the hurt it might cause with his mother to leave him out of Thanksgiving. Good luck.

5:00. After football and the parade.

Carrot Soup Turkey- one fried, one baked Gravy Mashed Potatoes- LOADED Sweet Potato Ravioli Butternut Squash Risotto with mushrooms- stuffed Pumpkin Bread Whole Wheat Rolls Sausage and Walnut Stuffing Green Beans- with dijon mustard and almonds Pecan, Chocolate, Pumpkin, Apple, and Minced Meat Pies Pumpkin Cookies with Cheesecake Frosting Copious amounts of wine

Sorry. Posted in haste. Poor wording. I'm not an expert on the Catholic Church but was under the impression that Canon law has become much more lax lately and the Church was beginning to look less authoritarian in their stances on certain issues. I know, at least, in my church, different priests have, over the years, come out with very different views on, say, abortion and evolution among other things. Of course, this could just be a reflection of my area and not the Church.

OK, I know I'm new here, but I need some baby name help and thought I'd enlist all of you. We are expecting DC4, unsure of the sex. I can't ask friends IRL because I almost *always* get intense negative reactions. People feel pretty passionately, I guess, and it was tough hearing snarky comments after my dc were already named. We have an eclectic style of names. Really open to anything. Our first three are: John St. James aka Jack. Both family names. Rex Henry Knox. Rex is family name; Henry Knox after the General-swoon, I've read 1776 too many times. Katerina Frances aka Nina. Just loved Katerina and its versatility, ability to fit in in most languages, many nns, etc. Some names we have been tossing around: Caroline nn CeCe- family name Madeleine Susannah Arden- As You Like It Helena nn Nell- Midsummer Nights' Dream Amelia Ramona- family name Eloise nn Lola- family name Miriam Adrienne Bellamy- family name Holland- important town to DH and myself. Blythe Matilda Henrietta nn Hattie- family name Baker- family name Montgomery Robert nn Rip- family name Matteo Maximus nn Max- too close to Jack and Rex? Woods Berend nn Bear- family name Malcolm Parish Theodore nn Theo Leo Conrad Harry Wolfgang nn Wolfie- family name TIA!

:iagree: My husband is Catholic and the Church has moved much further away from the authoritarian views they once took on many issues. I've also found it varies tremendously from church to church. We go to Catholic mass and Christian services (I'm evangelical), and I've always loved the mystic sense of community I feel at Catholic mass, like I'm a part of something outside time and space. DH says the Church is "everywhere and everywhen". I like that, and I like the idea of the Communion of Saints. Best of luck in your search.

Ziva Collette Ziva Margaret Ziva Mary Ziva June

Reading through my post I forgot to add: Be adventurous and take the Subway! It's a true New York experience and so much cheaper than a cab. And if you're here near Christmastime, the windows at 34th Street will be up. Walk along the street, if you don't mind the crowds, for million dollar window decorations. Many of the stores' decorations cater to kids.

:seeya: Sorry for a long post. I haven't quite figured out how to quote multiple people in my posts, so I'll try to give credit where credit is due!! Per your original post: Met: The Met is FABULOUS! (And "free"--suggested donations ~$5-10 per person) However, my kids around your youngers' age cannot keep themselves entertained for longer than two hours or so there. If $$ is not an issue and you want to stop by, I suggest the Classic Fantastic and Ancient Egyptian exhibits. There is an excellent playground, The Ancient, right outside the Temple of Dendur. This is also within walking distance to The Great Lawn, which is perfect for a picnic or some games, and the Bethesda Fountain, the Boathouse, etc. The Met also has one of the cheapest lunches on the Upper East Side (in their cafeteria) with fantastic people watching. If you are looking to spend a little more afterwards, Alice's Tea Cup is in the neighborhood and incredibly fun for little girls. Top of the Empire State Building: BLEH. It is, IMHO, one of the most overrated tourist attractions in NYC. If you are looking for the best views of the city, go to The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza. You'll be in season to ice skate there as well. :) Ellis Island: I really enjoy Ellis Island, but it is a cold ferry trip and a long wait this season. I should also tell you my nieces and nephews around your dcs age did not seem to enjoy it very much, and it would take a chunk of your day. I would recommend it if you're taking a longer trip. Tenements: Allie is right, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is great with kids if this is what you're looking to see. I wouldn't put it on my "must see" list, but it really is a well run place. Broadway Show: Yes. Definitely. Everyone who suggested Lion King. :iagree: Just whatever you do, don't make reservations for dinner in the "theater district"! There is much better food in nearby neighborhoods that won't be ghastly overpriced for a prix fixe. Bus Tour: I wouldn't, but I'm a native. Most the "highlights" are clustered in certain areas that you could cover by: walking Times Square-Herald Square, walking Grand Army Plaza to Columbus Circle (Central Park South--FAO Swchartz-Splinter's suggestion-is right there, High Tea at the Plaza or brunch at Sarabeth's are quintessential NY experiences), exploring the Park, and walking the Financial District. Really, the best way to explore the city is to walk, walk, walk. The best things the city has to offer is not its tourist attractions, but it's many microneighborhoods, each with their own energy, that can only be experienced by immersing them. If anyone in your family has trouble walking, I can send you links to help better experience and navigate the city. One thing my kids think is terribly fun and is a definite New York Experience is riding a rickshaw around the city. If that sounds too daring for you, there are many places to rent bikes (as Splinter suggested)-- just please don't take a horse and carriage ride; they treat the horses terribly. 9/11 Site: I wouldn't. Unless you're dead set on seeing Wall Street, City Hall, the Financial District, etc. I never recommend going to see Ground Zero. It really is a crowded construction site. If you want to see the area, I'd recommend Federal Hall, where Washington was sworn in. It's a neat little museum to spend less than an hour in. If you call ahead or know someone, you can sometimes get a tour of The Federal Reserve Building or the Stock Exchange as well. Kalamanak was right on the money with suggesting Central Park and Chinatown. Chinatown is one of the best place to get cheap food. You can get world class dim sum for $5 per person. Just check out Zagat beforehand to make sure it's good! Chinatown also has fun (though smelly) outdoor fish markets, great textile and art shops, and is near SoHo for fun, upscale shopping and antiquing and great architecture, Canal Street (with the infamous knock-off vendors), and Little Italy. In this season, I actually would suggest, if you're in the area, taking a few minutes to explore the three or four blocks that have become of Little Italy. Grab a bite at O'Nieal's (not Italian food, but best food in the area IMO). Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is the real Little Italy, but Little Italy in Manhattan is so beautiful around Christmastime. You can get fantastic pastries and hot chocolates, and I'd highly recommend it at night. It's lit up in such a way that is just magical to me. If you do leave the outer boroughs, Grimaldi's in Brooklyn is the best slice. Otherwise grab Lombardi's in Little Italy! Everyone who suggested Museum of Natural History, definitely. I'd suggest it far and away over The Met for someone with kids. The planetarium is incredible and they do captivating shows that I've never had to wait longer than twenty minutes for. The Upper West Side has much cheaper eats, too, and amazing architecture along Central Park West. I have to put a little plug in for my nabe: The Meatpacking District/West Village. Along 10th Avenue a few blocks up are world famous art galleries that, IMO, are much more cutting edge and exciting than visiting MoMA. They're also free! The West Village is one of the best neighborhoods to walk in: windy, off-the-grid cobblestone streets dotted with beautiful historic townhouses. Far and away the best food in the city, and there is the new High Line park, a walking park that runs along the Hudson River through downtown. The architecture is phenomenal and my kids love it. (There are moving lounge chairs!) Straddling the park is the Standard Hotel, a very kitschy European boutique hotel. It has the funkiest, neatest decor. Really. Every room, even the elevator, is a surprise. Walk in with confidence and ride the elevator to the top floor. There is a bar "for guests' only", but they won't check for a key, that opens to some of the best views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Hudson County NJ. Sorry to make it so long. Let me know if you have more questions. Hope this helps!

Mine also sounds like a snooze-fest, but is my all-time favorite: The Catalog by Jasper Tomkins (I have younger dc). DH gave it to me as a good-luck gift during our dating days in college, and my sons always ask me to read the note he included inside. :001_smile: The book has a sweet message.

Thank you! We love our space, and it certainly feels huge after our 600 sq. ft walkup in the East Village when we were first married, but we are out growing this apartment fast! We love our neighborhood, especially with the new High Line Park, but want to move further into the West Village--where there aren't quite as many night clubs.:001_smile: I'm just glad we get to stay downtown, which I don't think we'd be doing if we hadn't chosen homeschooling. When did you live in the city? Did you have kids? Desperately looking for advice on homeschooling in the city!

Baloo from the Jungle Book. I'm reminded daily. Hope it's not a physical comparison.... -Francey

I voted other. Butter or lard, depending what I'm using it for.

Hello all! I'm new to the boards and thought I'd drop in and introduce myself.:seeya: My name is Francey. I'm new to the homeschool scene. Married six years now to my college sweetheart. I'm 15 wks pg and I've a five year-old son, Jack, doing K at home with mostly Five in a Row, Singapore Early Bird, and fun games, a three year-old, Rex, learning the alphabet and numbers, a waddling one-year old, Katerina, and our two lovely mutts Olive and Agnes. We all live in a cozy 2 bedroom loft in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan (life time New Yorker--saving for a bigger space). We decided to homeschool after doing the completely out of control New York City preschool scene with Jack. I'm a Sagittarius, worshipper of 80's dance music, avid thrift store shopper, crunchy, mostly-paleo-but-Nutella-bingeing-when-not, marathon running, pacifist Christian. I signed up to learn more about curriculum, find inspiration, and get support from some kindred, and not-so-kindred spirits. Hope to learn more about all of you as I navigate the boards and I look forward to getting to know you! Have a great day. -Francey