I would just like to add this. Your sister was wrong to talk to your son about this and it's your sister who should be the one to go to your son and apologize for talking to him about this without checking with you first. You shouldn't have to be the bad guy in this. And I Love, Love, Love this quote by Pam: You have a way with words, girl!

My ds was the toughest. By age 3 1/2 he was peeing on the potty but would not poop on the potty. At all. He would just do it in his pants. This went on for weeks and I was about at my wits end. Then I read a suggestion that suggested making the cleanup as unpleasant as possible for the child. Their suggestion...hose 'em down! So the very next time he pooped in his pants, I calmly took him out in the back yard, took off his dirty pants & underpants and explained that he was much to big to clean up in the house now because it's just too messy and I would have to clean him outside from now on. Then I took the hose and gently hosed his bottom down (thank goodness the weather was still warm enough). I only had to do that once! For my ds, that worked like a charm and from that time on he pooped in the potty! Needless to say I was very happy. :001_smile:

You can get them at Amazon and maybe a local art supply store. Personally, I just use a regular #2 pencil.

I've had crayons get stuck in the electric sharpeners. The last time I had to take the whole thing apart to get it out. Just pick up a few of those cheap hand held plastic pencil sharpeners and keep them in w/your crayons. They do an adequate job, are easy to clean and if crayons get stuck inside and you can't clean it out...you haven't lost much. Staples usually has them on sale around this time.

WOW! $800 worth of goodies? Can I come over and play too?

That's good news. I would be heaving a huge sigh of relief too!

Ohio, this just proves that you are HUMAN. I most certainly strive to be more patient, kind and loving to my kids. But I'm not the perfect mom and I never will be because I'll never be perfect. My advice? Stop reading perfect mom's blog! Anyone can be anything in cyberspace. Maybe she's not being truthful in her blog. Maybe she is. The point is it doesn't matter. I think it's a good thing for you to strive to be a better, more gracious mom. Reading other peoples blogs can be inspiring and convicting and show us areas where we need to change and that's all good. But don't compare yourself to anyone else 'k? And don't let someone else's "perfect" life bring you down.

Tacos. Buy the shells, ground beef and whatever toppings you want. Quick and easy! :001_smile:

You don't want to be too pushy. I say go with the realtor's advice and call on Sat. You might just chase her away if you seem too eager.

<<What does one do with Home Depot AND Lowes store credit?>> Send them to ME!! ;)

Try not to second guess yourself. You did what you thought was appropriate at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?

It looks wonderful. And kudos to you for finding Ashurbanipal. I'm sure he will (she will?) make a lovely addition to your family! ;)

Well, as long as your not giving the beer to the little darlings while they watch Harry Potter...I think you'll be ok. ;)

Hot Pepper Jelly. There are tons of recipes online. My SIL makes this and it is fabulous. You can use it on meats, sandwiches, cheese & crackers...it's really versatile.

I also vote for the captains bed. It would be cheaper in the long run to buy just one bed he can grow with then buying two. You can also get one of those bed rails to put on the bed so he doesn't fall out.

Hey, it's funny you should ask this. I was just reading an article in the newspaper about kids and triathlons. They said it was becoming popular with kids. Anyway, they had a 6 week training schedule that didn't look overwhelming at all. Here it is: S=Swimming, B=Biking, R=Running (so S10 would be swim for 10 min) Week 1 Mon: S10 Tues: Rest Wed: B15 Thurs Rest Frie R10 Sat. Rest Sun. Rest Week 2 M=S10 T=S5, B5 W=Rest Th=R15 S=Rest Su=Rest Week 3 M=S15 T=Rest W=B10, R10 Th=Rest Fri=Rest S=B15 Su=Rest Week 4 M=S10, B5 T=Rest W=B20 Th=Rest F=Rest S=R15 Su=Rest Week 5 M=S10, B5 T=Rest W=Rest Th=B10, R5 F=Rest S=R5 Su=Rest Week 6 M=S5 T=Rest W=S5, B5, R5 T=Rest F=R10 S=Rest Su=Rest If you don't want to do the biking and swimming, maybe you can adjust it for just running. Kids as young as 10 were doing the triathlons. I haven't used this site but you may find it helpful: http://www.kidsrunning.com/ Also, runners world has a kids running guide with links to all sorts of info. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--11828-0,00.html

My ds got a mohawk last summer - we had been joking about him getting one because it seemed everyone had one. But I was only joking. Well, Dh took him for a haircut and he left as my sweet little boy and came back as a punk! I was so upset...I had no idea dh was going to do this. But, after a while I got used to it. I never really liked it though.

Great pics!

This may save her life (or someone else's!)

:lol::lol::lol: Those were very funny! I especially liked the one about the elephant vs. the moon. Classic!

In your profile, you have the option to put in your birthday. If you do, your name will show up in the appropriate box on the calendar. People check it and sometimes do a Happy Birthday thread to wish that person a Happy Birthday. Welcome to the boards! :D Edited to add: At least I think that's what it's for. It may have another function that I don't know of.

We did this in our bedroom. DH hated the carpet and although the floor underneath was hardwood, it is old, discolored, and stained in places. It still is an improvement over the old dirty rug. I say go for it and maybe use some of the suggestions above and then put a throw rug down. You'll be much happier.

I'm guessing that the "hostess" is not the woman who the shower is being thrown for. I didn't find it tacky...she sounds like she's just trying to be helpful and throw a successful party. Since she is not the one receiving the gifts, I didn't see it as begging for gifts. I don't think this would have bothered me although I probably wouldn't have used her "service." I prefer to do my own shopping.

I just put my ds's desk in his room last week. I'm planning on working with him in his room at his desk. He will also do his independent work there. The oldest will work in the living room and the middle will probably work in our finished basement and then probably wander upstairs at some point. We all tried to work downstairs last year but it didn't work very well. :tongue_smilie:

Oh my that's classic!