If you drive you can park at your hotel's designated parking lot. Driving in midtown on a weekday can be pretty intimidating though, the weekends are much easier. If flying the easiest (though not the cheapest) route is really to take a cab to your hotel.

I've done both and even though eggplant is one of my favorite foods it comes out better with zucchini. The zucchini is sturdier (for lack of a btter term) and holds up better as a pasta substitute.The eggplant does work better if you bread it and fry it first.

Hibachi can be fun!

I think the note is helpful but I would have the teacher clarify what she means by "not using time wisely." Is the child staring out the window? Doodling on their math? Chatting with other students? Is his desk unorganized and it takes him longer to find his book or a pencil? There is a huge range of issues that could be happening to prevent him from completing his assignments. Once you have a better idea of what exactly is going on you can address those behaviors.

My dd is in public middle school (which started in 6th grade) and loves it. It is a very good school (I compare it to the education I received which I know was excellent). She is an athlete and straight A student. She is in the gifted program and has never been bullied for being smart. It is quite the opposite, there is quite a bit of academic competition though. There are a handful of kids who are inappropriate using bad language and raunchy subject matter, but I could have told you in kindergarten who those kids were going to be. My dd and her friends stay away from them and so far the experience has been great. There is no lunch table drama because tables are set the first week of school and you can't deviate.

I'd make sure the school knows so that they stop using this company.

My kids have encountered kids like this when they were younger. "Sit next to me or I won't be your friend anymore." "Let's play this game or I won't be your friend anymore." Usually they figure out that it's not not the best tactic for keeping friends and they grow out of it.

Same here except we don't have county governments or county library systems. My library card to my local library can be used at any public library in the state. I can take out books at those libraries and then return them to my local library. My town library also doesn't have any fees, late or otherwise. That being said I would definitely pay a fee if it wasn't available to me for free.

There are three Ryan Reynolds in my dd's school. They all have to use their middle initial to distinguish themselves. Too bad none are "the" Ryan Reynolds. I know a Tom Riddle who has never read the Harry Potter books!

I have a 12 yo and she wouldn't be caught dead in Justice - Probably since she was about 7yo. It is waaaay too immature. Old Navy would be fine my DD likes Aero, Holister, H&M, Forever 21 and A&F. The outfit you picked sounds perfect - My dd loves leggings, sweaters hoodies and scarves. You really can never go wrong with a hoodie.

Uh - How did I miss this. That is pretty offensive. That's like saying Christmas celebrated by people other than Catholics is just Santa and presents.

First of all I agree that if the invitation includes your family on the address then your family should be invited. It's bizarre that it wasn't the case. When I RSVP to any evening affair, whether it is a wedding or Bar Mitzvah, I assume it is semi-formal or formal. Formal usually implies long dresses and tuxes but with cocktail attire you can get away with a suit for your husband and a dress or any dressy outfit including pants. Your velvet skirt and/or top would be perfect.

I saw John Lennon at the Pharmacy. I love watching people do double takes.

I agree but for most teams that we've been involved with if you don't show up for practices for any reason other than illness or a really good excuse, the coach will have you sit on the bench the entire next game.

Just play dumb - "Johnathan?" "Who's Johnathan?" "Oh you mean JOHN"

Green shirt - Plastic flowers - Mother Nature

Ahh you are right - Those are still the state standards.

I really like this post except for a few points. My kids are in a public school that has transitioned to the common core standards. It really has not been a major change. The standards are lower than our previous state standards, but like those, CC is just a baseline - The lowest level to achieve. There still exists differentiated learning levels at every grade starting with Kindergarten. There are enrichment programs and gifted programs as well for students that are further advanced. There is a standardized test once a year to examine these levels starting in 3rd grade. It just transitioned to being from being a test to measure against the state standards to a test measuring against cc. The hard part is that the new test is administered via computer and it's been a learning curve for many students. I do hear parents complaining about CC but usually it is because of the math curric used in the early elementary grades. The same complaints were there before cc was implemented as it was the same curriculum (just an earlier version). The majority of the complaints though stem from those crazy posts that circulate on Facebook. The only issues I've seen so far are actually in Middle School where the science standards come into play. There are so many concepts included that most teachers have already covered in elementary that it is hard to avoid duplication. I understand though that this is just our school system. I still see students that have moved from other states that have different experiences and were never offered the differentiated education that would have better served them leaving them "behind" their peers in the new school.

My dd has picture day today and my ds had it yesterday. They are used for the yearbook. Some people (actually most people) buy them and some don't so it's not really a big deal. I don't think it is used as a fundraiser, at least I've never seen or heard anything that would imply that.

I was going to suggest this but you beat me to it. We usually anchor one end with detergent and the other end has a tag that reads "pull me" I don't do all white but I don't think that really matters.

Saying "red dot or feathers" definitely rude.

People have told me I look like Sarah Mclachlan though I take no responsibility for the depressing SPCA commercials that play 24/7.

My experience is with a Reform congregation. Usually friends of the Bar Mitzvah are dropped off and all sit together. I've never seen the parents of a child invited stay for the service but there is no reason you couldn't. It is probably over by 11:00 or 11:30 and then would need a ride to the reception at 1:00 (unless it's at the synagogue as well). It's similar to going to a wedding where you have the ceremony and then later the reception.

Treat Box??!! My daughter started playing soccer in 3rd grade now plays U14 travel and on her middle school team. The only snacks she's ever had were from tailgating at tournaments (which is really fun!). Same for basketball - I can't imaging having to bring snacks for the entire team just for a practice!

This. There is a world of difference between having an aide and having a one-on-one aide. If a student cannot go places by himself then he needs a one-on-one aide.