My FIL got this for my kids. It is pretty cheaply made with stuffing coming out where the soft part of the turtle meets the shell. It also stays on for a long amount of time and sucks the batteries down. We had luck at that age with a glo-worm.

I live within about 10 minutes of the college. The faculty and students have a great reputation in the community, and the graduates I know haven't had any trouble getting jobs. The area is a beautiful and friendly place to live. If you are looking for "big city," you will disappointed. You can get to a decent-sized city within 30 minutes, while Atlanta and Nashville are about 3 hours away.

My grandfather died a few months ago. I am certain my 4yo would have been more confused than comforted, since it was hard to explain he was "gone" to her. I gave my 7yo a choice about going after telling her what it would be like, and she opted out.

I bought the Kindle version of the WTM, which says it is the 3rd edition of the book. However, it does not have the new recommendations in it. I went to the logic stage history section, and it has Kingfisher recommended for the history spine. I think the science recommendations are wrong as well, because it still has the How ____ Works books listed. :001_huh: I'm really not sure if this is an Amazon issue, a publisher issue or what? I tried sending an email through welltrainedmind.com, but I hope SWB might actually find out if I post it here. I also sent amazon.com a message through customer service telling them about the discrepancy. *sigh*

Our insurance doesn't cover well checks after age 7, which we unfortunately discovered after taking our 7-year-old for her annual visit. They also don't cover vaccinations after age 7. I was pretty upset considering we got the chicken pox booster at that visit as well, which we could have gotten for much cheaper at the health department.

Get one of those humane mouse traps (sometimes called mouse cubes) and bait it with peanut butter and a peppermint. You'll probably catch him within 24 hours.

If you have no previous experience with this method, I wouldn't rely on it as birth control until after your period returns. I think it would be hard for you to be able to tell what your baseline is. TCOYF has a learning curve to it, and the hormone fluctuation associated with breastfeeding will make that more difficult, especially if you have nothing to compare it to. You could start "practicing" now, though :)

I have just now joined the world of digital books. I had been using a PDA, but my husband got me an iPod touch a few days ago. I wanted one because you can get Kindle books on it, but you can also download free classic books from Project Gutenberg. I didn't want a Kindle because I wanted something backlit. You have to use a light to use a Kindle at night. I'm using Stanza on the Kindle, which works with several formats. From what I've researched, it is difficult to read PDF files on anything smaller than a regular computer screen (if they are picture and not text-based).

We've already warned the kids we may forego trunk or treat at church this year for a scavenger hunt at home. We usually just go to the church function and to the grandparents/relatives houses anyway. I'm waiting to see if our area is out of its "peak" yet to make a final decision.

We bought a CR-V in Feb. 2008. I upgraded to it from an old Honda Civic. Love Hondas, love the CR-V! The only thing I don't like about it is there is a small blind spot when changing lanes. It hasn't caused any problems or near accidents, but it was something to get used to compared to the Civic. It also requires special tires, which we haven't had to worry about yet.

Spaghetti is my go-to for a quick meal to feed more than usual.

I'll be watching this thread with interest. I plan to do Homer using my own materials, but I won't be starting for at least a year and maybe even two.

Walking track or open field? Yes. Playground? Probably not. Sick kids at the playground is another one of my pet peeves. We avoid fast food playgrounds at all costs. We quit going to a nearby children's museum because my oldest daughter would get a stomach virus every time we went. It just wasn't worth it anymore. We plan on going camping this week. If I don't see any kids at the playground (the location isn't a place popular with kids this time of year), I'll let them play. I may even let them play as long as I don't see any sick kids there. Like I mentioned, I'd be shocked if more than a handful of kids are at the campground on any given day.

My youngest daughter is an RSV baby, but it doesn't seem to have any lasting effects. My oldest daughter catches viruses/etc. easily, and it takes her a long time to recover. If I keep her out of the grocery store (about the only place we go besides church), I've noticed she gets sick less often. Don't get me started on people bringing their sick kids to church... My area is heavily hit with the swine flu right now. I'm keeping my kids out of *any* indoor public places until the major wave passes. I'll be the odd duck :)

I had the same thing happen to me last year (late period, negative pregnancy test, thickened lining on ultrasound), and I ended up being pregnant (and later miscarrying). Did they do a qualitative or a quantitative pregnancy test? Depending on the lab standards, a qualitative one (yes/no) test may not be any more accurate than a HPT. BTW, anxiety can't keep you from getting your period. Anxiety can delay ovulation, but once you've ovulated, it won't delay the amount of time it takes your period to start.

We spend around $25-50 at birthdays and around $50 at Christmas. However, we take care of needs as they arise during the year.

Can you give some more detailed information about what your schedule looks like, your subjects and how much time spent on each? Maybe we can find somewhere to cut corners? ;)

We use MEP as our main math curriculum. I print out the worksheets and occasionally the copymasters. I just read the teacher's manual on the computer.

My grandmother says a child's breath smells like ether when they have a fever.

We've had the same symptoms - starting with sore throat and developing into congestion and low fevers. There is no way I would believe this is anything but a cold. There is swine flu around here, but most people are having high fevers and sudden, severe symptoms.

Thank you all for your insightful replies! I think they will help steer me in the right direction in making progress in this area of my life.

I'm usually not critical to people verbally, but I feel this way internally. Any suggestions that have helped people overcome this?

If most of the class failed, then they *don't* know the material. Being able to regurgitate information on a test isn't knowing the material, either. If your goal is to teach them how to self-educate and pass a test on the material (a.k.a. college), then make the grade stick and continue as planned. However, if your goal is for you to teach them the material, you may need to reevaluate your method and/or curriculum. Something isn't working.

When I was a freshman in college, I took a non-academic test that said it was unlikely I would graduate from college (basically because I didn't value the education/degree). Based on the criteria above, I came from a middle-class family, went to a rural high school and was "undermatched" at my college. I graduated with high honors in four years. Don't let an article like that scare you.

I love Oxyclean for whites and most stains, including blood. It doesn't seem to do great with grass stain, though. ETA: I soak the clothes in the detergent/oxyclean solution for about an hour before washing.