I've never seen your posts about Nathan, but my dd is sooo emotional & sensitive about things like that too. When she found out that Laura & Mary Ingalls were not alive right now and that she could not ever meet them, she didn't get over it for a long time!:( And different nights, she'll come out an hour after she's supposed to have been asleep, and be crying because she couldn't stop thinking about some movie we had watched or book we had read. It's usually about animals. And with many things she'll say "Did this happen real?" Now, she's only 6 1/2, so I have to say, with many of the things I'll say "I think so" or "Maybe", or "What do you think?" even if it didn't really happen.:blushing: DH doesn't think I should, but I feel like she should hold onto her illusions for a while longer and still have her little fairyland. Am I wrong?

A while back, I was moaning about my kids (dd in particular) and asked for advice. I got a lot (thanks!) and someone recommended the book "The No-Cry Discipline Solution". THANK YOU-whoever you were!:001_smile::001_smile: One thing that really struck a note was this "Think about something that you do or don't do-but that you know you should do differently. Perhaps it's exercising or eating healthily (YES) Maybe it's keeping your desk organized or your closet clean (YES,YES). In all of these examples it's likely that you struggle to always do the right thing, even when you know what the right thing is. So, if you, the mature adult, still don't do everything the right way, how can you possibly expect such a feat from your young child????" It made me feel like a total drill sergant, but was a wake-up call. Yes, I want them to learn, but I can ease up a little too. Great book. I got it from the library, but am ordering it from Amazon, because I want to hightlight a bunch of stuff. Hark! I hear dd-who is supposed to be in bed! REMEMBER THE BOOK...:D

We live on 3 acres, and our backyard is fenced in. I let them go out in the back by themselves a lot because of the fence, but I still check them every 10 minutes or so, and make sure the windows are open so I can hear them. The front I only let them go in if they in they stay in the yard in front of the window; never in the driveway. They have been going in the back by themselves for 2 years (since dd was 4 1/2) and the front only this year. Even though we are in the country, I still picture someone driving by, seeing them in the driveway, and taking them before I can get there-better safe than sorry is my motto.

Thanks guys, I knew I would get some good answers here! :001_smile: I'm checking out lighthouse academy blog next.

When I first started reading this I thought "Oh no, what board rule did I violate now?!" :001_huh: Just get the Nestle's Chocolate Chips (I got the large bag) and the recipe should be on the back. Also, their fudge recipe is the best too. It's on the small package of chips.

The other day, I was going to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and was using the recipe on the back of the Nestles Choc. Chip package. I then discovered I was out of oatmeal (:tongue_smilie:) so I thought, I'll just continue with this and make it into a pan cookie. The recipe for the regular choc chip cookies & pan cookie was on the back of the package also, but the oatmeal choc chip was SO MUCH BETTER. The measurements for the flour & sugars were different, and it was so good we made them again tonight. Okay, I'm obviously not a big baker like some of you guys, but thought I would pass my little revelation along for anyone who is interested.:001_smile:

Okay, maybe I'm just dumb, but I'm looking at the link for the dishes that were tested and trying to figure out which to go buy. I have some Martha Stewart brand-white VERY cheap but got a ton of them from Kmart. Martha Stewart was tested, but not white. So are mine okay? Also, someone else said they went and bought Fiestaware, but it looks like on the list 2 Fiesta's were tested, one was good and one wasn't. Also, I would get Corelle, but all they showed that were tested didn't have any descriptions. Am I safe in assuming ALL Corelle is safe? Last but not least, is anyone but me really sad because they're afraid to put out their Christmas dishes this year?:(:( Mine are Tracy Porter from Target and are soooo cute. I got a ton on sale and have serving pieces, coffee mugs, everything.:crying: Do I just assume it's not okay?

I know there have been juicing topics on here before, but I'm too lazy to search & I want my answer right now!:D We have a juicer, and while I love it and think it's great for all of us, we have stopped because it seems so expensive. It seems to take so much fruit to get just a few small glasses. :sad: We aren't set on any specific type of juice, just healthy (and good tasting, especially for the kids). Any recommendations? Right now, I'm just doing smoothies with frozen fruit and adding spinach and flax seed, yogurt and soy milk. Any thoughts/help would be great.

Howie Mandel!!:lol: I didn't even like him, but was visiting a friend in CA who got us tickets. We sat in the front row, and I was a nervous wreck. I kept saying "What if he makes eye contact with me?':tongue_smilie: Then, we both got on camera during a segment, and Jason Alexander was talking about when his wife travels she always carries the portable toilet paper covers because of sanitary reasons, and there's this big close up of me, nodding vigorously!!!:lol::lol: The best part was that when I got home, I was talking to a client of mine on the phone (I was a travel agent) and she had seen me! Ah, the good old days. (10 years ago, before kids) Not really.

Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I'm excited about everything to do with the dc right now. I know you're not supposed to have everything be all about them, get a life, etc... But I'm excited to watch them develop and learn and turn into little people.:001_smile: Yes, of course they drive me crazy and I need a break, but I really wouldn't want to be doing anything else at this point. I went through the "too much" phase previously-in another marriage, and I was searching. Now, for the most part, I think I'm where I'm supposed to be. Doing something for just you is important though. I am going back to school on-line, and it's been great having something that's all mine.

:iagree::iagree: I loved the idea of Sonlight for 3 years, and have bought and sold it twice!! I totally agree about the flipping and the amount of time it takes, and personally it was not for me. It seems good in theory, but was actually overwhelming for me, because if I didn't "get it all done" I felt like a failure, that we were behind, etc.. I do really love their books though, so I have been able to get a ton of them cheap on here and at several thrift stores and even Goodwill! If you can do that and get a cheap used IG that might help you. But honestly, the comprehension questions weren't that lengthy or what I felt we needed, so if you do want the books with the questions, I would try FIAR again if I were you. And if you're doing headsprout for phonics, that will be a great start for her. We do/did click n kids phonics on line for both my dd & ds and it's just what they needed. Also, we buy age appropriate workbooks whenever we see them, and they are good for busywork if she needs it. Take it from someone who spent A LOT of money on the "perfect" curriculum- Don't keep looking anymore!!! I agree with all the previous posters. Even though she enjoys learning, let her have her play time, and don't rush it. Read, read, read and spend time with her. Good luck!

Hey everyone! DD has a cough only, no other symptoms, and it's getting worse. Don't know if you have any other advice than what I'm already doing, but I don't want to give her medication. Here's what I'm doing now: Lots of fluids, juice, water, herbal tea w/ honey Zicam (homeopathic zinc type remedy) Vitamin C chewables Vit c throat lozenges Humidifier at night Chicken soup Vics rub on chest at night Can't think of anything else, but am always looking for a new "cure". Thanks!

WE LOVE CHICAGO!:hurray: I used to live there, and try to get there as often as I can (which, unfortunately is only about 2 times a year now because of kids:sad:) But we are going in 2 weeks, so here are my ideas: There is a restaurant that is very family friendly-but great food in the Lincoln Park area (actually 3 locations) that is called Wishbone. Check out the website and menu. Also, we are going to a play "Hansel & Gretel" which should be great. There are quite a few geared towards kids, if you want something different. I think I just googled "childrens theater productions in Chicago" and that's how I found it. Another thing is taking them up to the top of the John Hancock building. They have a new observation area, I think and that should be great. Check out the John Hancock website also, because on it are ads for the Chicago Pass, and another thing like it which gives you discounts on multiple attractions. Did anyone else mention Navy Pier? Have a great time!:party:

Fly Lady didn't work for me either! I felt like it was too complicated. :D I like the looks of this, with the daily/weekly list that you can put up and check off. Has anyone else done this?

I joined and am actually thinking of de-activating (or whatever they call it!) my page. I felt like "everyone's doing it", plus I was thinking a lot of people I don't live near might be on it-but they aren't! And so I have maybe 5 friends and feel like a total loser.:tongue_smilie: But also, I am getting much more out of these boards then facebook, and it's just one more thing to spend time I shouldn't on. For what?:confused: So my advice is: Don't do it.:D

I had a very similar situation. We had been friends for almost 10 years, then I moved and we still were really close. Then, same thing, she got divorced and started doing a lot of things I didn't agree with, but I was there for her. She had a lot of struggles and bad things happen to her, so I really felt for her. At one point, she lost her job of 8 years and went through a really bad depression. The "stay in bed all day & get up just before the kids get home" kind. I called her EVERY DAY to make sure she was okay. I went to see her, even though I had 2 small kids by then and she lived almost 2 hours away. I also finally discovered something that she had hidden from me-she had a drinking problem. I was really concerned for her and especially for her kids, and I tried to "make" her get help, acknowledge she had a problem, etc... You can imagine how that went.:sad: Anyway, what finally happened was that we made plans for her to come up & spend the weekend here (we hadn't gotten together in a long time) and she changed plans to spend part of the time with a guy, whatever... We sort of got in a minor tiff over it. She never called me again!!!!:huh::huh: I called her, nothing. I came to the realization that she was probably ashamed of the things she was doing, thought I was judging her-whatever. But she must have felt it was easier to manufacture a fight/reason to end the friendship and blame me instead of facing how she was living her life. It really hurt me, and still does, because we went through a lot together, I love her kids, and it was 16 years of friendship down the drain. But... when I thought about it, I figured out that probably at least 6 or 7 of the last years were totally drama filled, on her end and I was always there to listen, help pick up the pieces, etc... I really wasn't getting much out of the friendship. So, even though I will always love her and care about her, I don't have that kind of energy to give. I do really miss the close friendships I used to have though. Ever since we moved (almost 10 years ago) I have made some good friends, but they will never be the kind that I used to have. I think it gets a lot harder the older you get and once you have kids. Okay, I know this was sooooo long, but you asked for it!!!:D

Diana: The waiting is the worst. But, the election is a very good distraction, good idea. I will be praying for you. Tammi

I'm praying, and overwhelmed with sadness also.

1) What's for breakfast at your house? Me-always oatmeal or granola, dc-today multigrain chex and a bananna and soy milk. 2) What kind of car do you drive? Jeep Cherokee-it's way too big, but it was free, so... 3) What's your weather today? 50's & sunny. 4) Are your toenails painted? If so, what color? No way-summer is over now I don't shave my legs or paint my toenails. 5) Read any good books lately? What was it? The Hiding Place. 6) Is your bed made? Yes. 7) What's for dinner? Chicken florentine with farfalle pasta (Bertolli in pkg), french green beans, french bread & pineapple. 8) Name something your dc have done today that made you smile. Played "jewelry store" with all her stuff and made an elaborate display, priced everything and rang everything up and made change. When ds tried to buy a snowglobe, dd said "Oh no, that's not for sale-it's display only!" 9) What color is your bathroom rug? Sad to say, the rugs were ruined & never replaced. But dc have a blue & green dragonfly rug in their bathroom. 10) Who's your favorite artist? Probably Renoir or Monet or Cassat. Impressionist fan. 11) What's your favorite morning beverage? Coffee first-a must, then tea the rest of the morning & day. 12) Do you have any toys from when you were a child? My barbies-I have the "Cher" barbie, and Charlies Angels! 13) Do you collect anything? Books, books & books. (and homeschool curriculum) 14) Are you looking forward to the holidays? (whichever days you celebrate) Yes. 15) What are you wearing today? Embarrassed to say, the same worn, grey fleece sweatpant type things I wear everyday, with a t-shirt and the same denim shirt I wear everyday. :eek:

I can never do it when they're not arround or in bed, so what I do is tell them they can't bother me when I'm doing it, if they do then they don't get a chance! That way, I can usually go on the treadmill for a short time too, and use the wii or wii fit as leverage. And I call it our "gym" time.:D I don't do it everyday though, because I know they would be addicted.

I have used it for Grade 1. It is a perfect curriculum if you like the Charlotte Mason style. They obviously use living books, and they incorporate a lot of nature study, art appreciation, music, art, in addition to history and science. They also do have craft type things that usually go along with the nature study or science stuff. What I liked was that they use a weekly schedule, as opposed to daily, so you have a guide, but can do it your own way. Then every 8th day (I believe) is like a review day where they go over everthing they've learned. There are message boards, an email newsletter, and the office staff is very helpful & friendly. The books are quality, and the website is very user friendly. What I also really like is that they show the booklist on the website, so if you only want to buy certain ones through them you can & get others used. Or, you can buy it all as a package, and the price isn't too bad. The only thing they don't have is math included, or phonics, per say. In 1st, they do have the Ruth Beecheck book, and an early reading guide. Then as the years go on, they do have grammer included. It's a great curriculum, and the read alouds go along with a lot of the Ambleside type books. Hope this helps! Tammi

Joann: I had two miscarriages and was petrified through my other pregnancies. It's sad, because I feel I missed out on enjoying them at all, and now I will never be pregnant again-I wish I could do them over without the fear. I am praying for you to not have the fear next time, and that you will get the help and answers you need now so that you can move on.:grouphug::grouphug: Tammi

I've done a lot of research, and my kids like to use manipulatives, so in your opinion, which is easier to teach? I know they are both good programs, but math is my worst subject (dare I say hate?). So I need something that I can understand.:tongue_smilie: Sorry if this has been discussed before.

:hurray::hurray:This is awesome-I can't believe it's free!!

:iagree::iagree::iagree: I was just thinking today how I always do feel good after coming here. Yes, it can get heated, but I don't get into that either. I might read some of it, but I have enough heated in "real" life.;)