I don't have any recommendations in the sense that you asked. However, if you want a White House tour put your request in now. If you want to up the Washington Monument you can get your "free" tickets on line. It will cost you $2.50 (I think) a ticket for processing, but I've seen the morning line and it isn't pretty. Also, if your kids are into Junior Ranger type programs there is one for the National Mall you can print ahead of time. Mount Vernon has something similar.

I don't even try to cover all of history. Unless my kid is on Jeopardy or becomes a history professor he doesn't need in depth on every topic. We cover things more thoroughly using SOTW as our backbone. I think it really depends on your kid how much you can do. Without the extras history would be a fight, but letting kiddo pick the topic and dive into it makes history better. And I love history field trips so as a military family I also like to study based on the history around us instead of the order of the book. And I have discovered that history out of order has its own built in review system.

I have a close friend going through the same type of thing. She is sending her youngest to college next month. She enjoys a weekly Bible study's inch helps her. She is also looking at volunteer opportunities.

I was always a night owl until I had to get up early for the oldest. I set the alarm for 6am, which I realize is not early for some but for me was, every single day of the week until I woke up before the alarm on my own for several weeks. After that I just kept getting up at 6ish every day. I haven't needed to set the alarm to get up on time since. It has slipped from time to time - new baby, moving, and such - but I can always get back to the early routine easily. Now, I hate sleeping in. I love mornings! I can get so much in those morning hours.

A dear friend from college has just sent me a baby announcement for her second. I would like to get her a great gift for the baby and the older brother. Anyone have any great gift ideas for the second baby?

This looks perfect! Thank you.

Can someone recommend a good source to study art history for the younger crowd? I think I'm looking for some kind of easy spine to use through our time in Europe.

At the moment I'm looking for casual.

I would go the elimination route and take it out of the house. If that's really what it takes to know, then do it. Even after we did the testing there was uncertainty that only elimination could answer.

Where does one get these, good ones with good support, after Stride Rite?

I always ask guests before they arrive if there is anything they can't eat or don't like to eat. I also ask if there is any food stuff they would like to have available during their stay. I follow what they say. Here, you know they drink coffee and they know you at least did at one time so I would ask the same questions (Is there anything you can't eat? Is there anything you really don't like to eat? Do you have any food allergies? Is there anything you would like available to eat or drink that I could pick up ahead of time? By the way, we have given up coffee, so if you would like some, please let us know.) mentioning that you have given up coffee. See what their answer is and follow it. I wouldn't read anything into it. Though I would only get enough of whatever it is for the time they are staying with me because I wouldn't want leftovers.

My uncle is getting married. We were not invited to the wedding, no one out of town was. I would still like to get a gift, something sentimental, but I can't get my mind working. The one idea I had isn't practical considering what would be involved. So I am looking for a few ideas to at least get my gears working. He is in his 50s. This is his first marriage, her second.

I would expect the price to drop at least by the amount of known work that has to be done. I would shoot for more though because an estimate is just that, an estimate, not a bill. Also, the sellers now have to disclose all that information to any potential buyer so they should know they either have to do the fixing or assume the costs by lowering the price. If you want a number I would probably go with something like the estimate plus 20 percent to limit my additional costs.

This is us too. Although we aren't full time travelers. I look for topics that have field trips tied in around us and study those topics. My oldest used to hate history, and while it still isn't a favorite there is interest and some excitement.

Interesting. How long do these things last? We love salads, but as you mentioned, things go bad so fast.

Forgive me for being out of the loop here, but what is this mason jar salad thing all about? I really want to know.

I didn't worry about spelling unless I knew he should be able to spell something based on his spelling lessons.

I know this is all (or at least mostly) part of my current moving season. But it is still dragging me down.

OK, it's that time...time to get the new swim suit. Anyone have any good suggestions for suit that will make me feel ok with the mommy tummy?

I would really like for my littles to make me something. I doubt DH is up for that.

I never had luck with them, but my lactation consultant had me make a mix of creams that worked wonders. If you want I can get you the ingredients. She became my best friend, so it'd be super easy.

It is getting harder every day. Lately I've encountered...the people who like to tell me what they were told in training, but can't be bothered to actually look up the rule/regulation/etc...the people who want me to go away and don't like it when their word is not good enough to stop my questions...the people who give the same answer to everyone who calls (at least that seems like what's going on since the answer makes no sense given our situation)...the people who want everything now, but then want me to wait for weeks on end...the people who like to pass the buck - we sent them an email, now it's up to them...the people who want me to give them the benefit of the doubt, but do nothing to gain my confidence other than drag their feet...the people who give me their hours then tell me I have to call first to make sure they are actually in their office...the people who say they want to buy something, show up and want a lower price, or are still "debating" even though they said they were coming to hand over cash...the people who think not being able to order what they want the second they want it is the biggest problem in life...the people who think my door is down the road attached to a mailbox, not the big thing that opens up to the house... I'm probably just venting, but I feel myself becoming more negative as the days pass and I would really like to beat it.

Well no wonder people get impatient with me when I sign my name. Really, I was just curious because I have heard so many people say it isn't being taught.

Where did you get the revolutionary war and medieval soldier sets?

If cursive isn't being taught anymore, how are children learning to sign their names? My oldest just has to sign a recital form for piano, which made me wonder. We haven't done cursive yet, as I intentionally saved it as something to work on during the move in the hotel, but what about other kids who aren't learning it at all?