I post very few publicly-available pictures on the Internet, especially of my children, for this very reason. Some people don't care if fet*shists download their pictures, but I do.

A computerized telescope is not going to be worth the money unless you get a "good" telescope, probably around $500 minimum (which gets you a telescope where the computer just helps you aim, it isn't motorized). The motorized scopes in the $100 range will give you more frustration than pleasure. Dobsonian telescopes will give you the most bang for your buck. If you can afford it, an 8-inch scope (about $350) could last you a lifetime. For a child, you might want to go with a 4-inch or 6-inch so it would be lighter. Before buying anything, I would recommend you find your nearest astronomy group and go to one of their public nights. That way, you can check out the different types of telescopes to see what you like the best. You also need to consider how much light pollution in your area, and whether the interest is deep enough to justify buying a telescope. Go to http://www.skymaps.com and download this month's map. Start learning the sky. If you have a pair of binoculars, you can use those to enhance the view. Some objects, like the Andromeda Galaxy, even look better in binoculars than a telescope. Orion is considered one of the best "entry-level" brands, with Celestron a close competitor. NightWatch by Terence Dickinson is the best book for beginners (adult) I've ever seen.

My favorite is frozen white grape juice concentrate and ginger ale.

It was a little too much paranormal and not enough scifi for me (if that even makes sense). I only made it through the first 15 minutes before falling asleep last night, but I was intrigued enough to want to see the rest of the episode. I doubt that I will be watching it much more.

I went from using shampoo/conditioner to doing a modified Curly Girl routine where you apply handfuls of cheap conditioner (like V05), let it soak for 30-45 minutes like a deep treatment, and rinse out (also doing apple cider vinegar rinses and using another heavier conditioner). Once your scalp adjusts to it (usually 2 weeks to a month), your scalp will be remarkably less oily and your hair very moisturized. I moved on to using herbs and coconut oil pre-wash treatments (and a non-sulphated shampoo when I'm lazy), but the conditioner routine made a great difference in the frizz.

I was under the impression that you couldn't add sweetener before the yogurt was done "cooking" or something would get out of balance?

In first grade, we worked on word families and high frequency words. We weren't very formal about it. For second grade, we've switched over to words grouped together by sound/spelling rules. We follow some of the methods I read about in a teacher's language arts text (I can't remember the name at the moment). Monday - pre-test of about six words. If words are correct on the pre-test, then she does not have them again during the week. I write them on flashcards regardless of if she spelled them correctly. We discuss the spelling rule or phonics concept. I have her look in the mirror while she says each word. We sort the words by syllables. Tuesday - Practice - She says the word then spells it. Second, she has to spell the word while covering up the letters and check to see if she is correct. She then writes the word while it is covered and checks the spelling, two times through. Wednesday - Another test. If she gets all the words correct, she is done for the week. If she misses any words, the test is repeated on Friday. Thursday - a repeat of Tuesday on words missed. Usually, I will throw in an oral spelling test to prepare for Friday. Friday - final test. If a word is still giving her a problem on Friday, it gets recycled to the next week. I've only had to do this once. Many times, she has learned the words by Wednesday. Although, she has gotten all the words right on the pre-test for the last two weeks. I may have to choose harder words!

We live in a town about 30 minutes north of Chattanooga, and all our stations but one went dry yesterday. This is after we have had plenty of regular unleaded gas for a couple of weeks. I haven't heard what things are like today. If you don't have a pressing reason to go immediately, I would hold off for a week or two to see if this can get turned around. You could probably find gas *somewhere* but you probably don't want that kind of hassle during your vacation. Even if they tell you they have gas today, that doesn't mean they will have it tomorrow. I've heard the stations along the Interstate are particularly troublesome, but I don't know from firsthand experience.

I'm in TN, and most stations (if not all) in my small city are carrying regular grade only. The lowest price available is $3.83. It was well over $4 last week.

We had a group of officers train at an abandoned school that borders our property. It was all fine and good until they decided to start rolling around and hiding behind the bushes on OUR property, in full camo gear, where the kids could see them. After the girls wanted to know why we had "soldiers" in our yard, I called the sheriff's office to complain. About 30 minutes later, the detective in charge of the activities actually came to my door to apologize.

We spread out our work all throughout the day. Ideally, we get about 2 hours done in the morning and 2 hours in the evening after naps/quiet time.

If it is fixing to spin its cocoon, it will be really still on day 1, on day 2 it will be in a little hook shape with a string around its back, and day 3 it will be in a cocoon. I've never noticed them getting smaller in the process, though. You will probably have it all winter as late as it is in the season. I have one that cocooned at the end of July and didn't hatch out. I'm not concerned because I had one do the same thing last year, and it came out when spring arrived (which amazed me to no end since it had been in a temperature-controlled house all winter).

You'll love the book! I would suggest you start out with a 4-foot by 4-foot garden the first year to get your feet wet and not get overwhelmed. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and onions are probably the easiest things on your list to grow. Cantaloupe, squash and potatoes need a little more horizontal space than other crops, although they are still doable. I've actually heard of growing potatoes in barrels and large planters. BTW, vermiculite is much, much cheaper from pool supply stores.

Does anyone have any reports from being out this morning?

Sharon, it sounds like it is more serious where you are at than it is here. It also seems these are isolated instances instead of widespread occurrences for now.

Oops, sorry about that. I thought it was in my profile. I'm in TN.

This afternoon, gas prices have been going up, gas stations have started rationing how much you can buy and the lines have been long. Is this going on anywhere else?

FLL worked fine for "1st grade" with my 5yo. We mostly did it orally and skipped the written activities when they were too difficult (my DD's fine motor skills were age appropriate).

They have Belgium chocolate bars ridiculously cheap!

I was 5-months-pregnant with my first child and working as a journalist. Once we heard about it, we watched most of the coverage off-and-on TV the entire day. I saw the 2nd plane go through the tower on live TV. I heard about the Pentagon crash on the radio while I was in the car. I watched a lot of the original coverage on Youtube about a month ago and just cried :(

Ours is closed Sunday, Monday and Friday. We live about 30 minutes away, and Mondays and Fridays are typically the days we want to venture that far :(

My 6yo just wrote her and her sister's name on their plastic play table with crayon. She had misspelled one of the names, scribbled it out and rewritten it correctly. When I asked her why she did it, she said she didn't. Seeing as her sister is 3yo and there are no other children in the house, I was much more angry about the lying than the table at that point.

I'll have to give this a try. Great idea!

I'm not sure if we can figure out your colors with certainty, but I'll give it a whirl. If you are naturally and truly red-headed (not brown with red highlights, etc.), then that usually places you to being a Autumn or Spring by default. I've got the "Color Me Beautiful" book, and it says to ask yourself if you look better in muted colors (like earth tones) for Autumns or clear colors like light, clear golds and peaches for Springs? It is important not to go with which colors you prefer, but which colors look better on you (make black circles go away, etc.). Going with a nice medium-toned green would probably suit you either way.

I didn't care for the looks of Bob Books at all, but they worked wonderfully for my daughter. They are very simple, and give kids the confidence they need to tackle bigger books.