Hi Susan...welcome to the fun! :D

Well, since everything is becoming outrageously priced - I guess veggies can't be exempt.

Everything is working out, your dd will have a great day and you have a great story to tell her in a few years that will make you both laugh. I bet she has NO idea that you even forgot. My oldest dd starts talking about her b'day months in advance, so I have no opportunity to forget! :tongue_smilie:

That's really tough. Has she always been like this with you? How does she relate to your dc's? Do you see anything similar going on between your mom and them? She's your mom...take her aside as say "Mom, I'm not sure if your aware of this but you are being [fill in blank] and it's becoming very stressful for me. Can we just talk like two adults instead?" And be prepared for nothing to change. But at least you let her know how you are feeling. I grew up without my paternal grandparents because of a falling out between them & my parents. It, of course was nothing serious, just two sets of people who refused to bend. My siblings and I missed out on a lot not growing up and knowing them. I regret not knowing them to this day. I said this to say that if at all possible, try to suck it up, smile, be patient and let your kids get to know your parents. Even if it's hard for you - your children will reap the benefits. (this is only if she is not as nitpicking w/them as she is with you...since they are having a blast, it doesn't sound as if she is.) I hope it gets better from here! :grouphug:

Sheesh! What was the big deal anyway. You take the kid to school - that's what your paid to do. The bus driver stopped for him, let him on and then changed his mind??? No common sense at all.

I would second Journey to the Center of the Earth. We had a choice between Wall-E and Journey as well and chose Journey. Most definitely not disappointed. Great family flick. We will wait to see Wall-E when it comes out on dvd. I've heard that approximately the first 45 min. of the movie has no dialogue in it. My 8 yo might have gotten a bit bored after a while...not sure though, he may have surprised me.

Thanks for the heads up...that's a great idea to stock up on xmas gifts now.

Oh.my.goodness. This whole thread has me rolling. That is so funny!

I've been called for jury duty about 4 or 5 times. The first time I had no children and was selected to sit on a jury, but after the first witness, they declared a mistrial and I was free to go. The rest came after children & homeschooling. I just send them my confirmation letter from the school district along w/a copy of their birth certificates and they leave me alone for a year or two. I would love to bring the kids down w/me and let it serve as an educational field trip but I don't think they'll go for it! :D

Fruit salads are easy, healthy and are easy to adjust for lots of people.

Would this work with a 5th and 7th grader? Would it be way over the 5th graders head (which is my concern). I would definitely require more from the 7th grader but don't want to overwhelm the 5th grader. Anyone BTDT? Any advice?

Did anyone happen to see the names they blocked? Fish and Chips for twins??? Sex Fruit??? Fat Boy??? Names like these are child abuse imo.

I also read that milk helps. Hope you feel better!

The only thing I've made so far has been the yogurt cream...and it was really, really good!

I would go for the shooting range class. There they will be taught how to handle firearms safely. Archery, as Tara pointed out, would be a fantastic substitution if you had instructors to teach your boys.

Well, I live on the East Coast - I guess I'm a northern dweller being in NY. We are friendly w/our immediate neighbors but not overly so. We talk over the fence, my kids pet sit for them etc. but we don't do bbq's together or things like that. Sometimes New Yorkers have the reputation of being rude & insensitive, but I've lived here all my life and have not found that to be true.

I don't know anything about adoption laws. Is it mandatory that the 5 yo be in court? Will they be asking the little boy any questions? If the judge will be speaking directly to the child and asking him questions, then I think they should be honest with him and tell him just the bare facts and then answer any questions he may have. Otherwise just go to court and tell the child that you have some business to take care of and leave it at that for now, but at some point they will have to tell him the truth.

I don't have a dehydrator but one of the things a friend of mine dehydrates are eggplant slices. She seasons them a bit, dehydrates and her kids eat them as snacks.

Sheesh, I think I would have to gag myself in order to not give any reminders! :) Good for you for taking a stand though. Your son will benefit greatly from learning responsibility for himself.

Same here - all unwanted items go to the curb. But then again, we live in the suburbs where everyone has a driveway so the dynamics are a little bit different.

Yummy! Do you ever grill it? Spray it w/a little cooking spray and season w/a little garlic powder and salt. It's really, really tasty. The grill seems to bring out the flavor of the corn more.

Ahh, it's best to just humor him.

Zeppoles w/lots of powdered sugar.

Sort of. A lot of times I'll start typing a response but then figure out I really don't have anything to say and just forget it altogether.

I don't generally correct anyone unless it's a matter of doctrine or something that really matters. Otherwise I just let it go. Just make sure your corrections are not done in front of others because that is very embarrassing for the person being corrected. :tongue_smilie: