We just rec'd a foster daughter and would like to wear her in a sling for several reasons. She is mobile and is always on the go. She is a little peanut at 15 mo weighing about 19lbs. can you send links, why you like it and does it leave your hands free? Please, I am not looking for a new born baby sling, but one that'll work well for a toddler. Thanks

We are fostering and need to put together a lifebook/ photo album. I am not creative nor do I have the time or interest in actually making a scrapbook. But I'd like something more than just a photo album. So does this exist: * A photo album that allows you to insert various shaped pics and add captions so it looks cute w/o effort? Thanks

My 11 yo ds just informed me a couple days ago that he's been having "mini-pukes" for like the past couple months. About 5-8 times/day. About a mouthful. Doesn't seem to be associated w/ any specific foods. Says it's worse when he exercises. Is this reflux? Other ideas? No reflux in either parents. No other helath issues for him. Anything natural to try or diet changes to make?

Over $2000/month I assume? This person's plan is to have no job and live just on the SSI and other gov't prgms. We're in OH.

How absolutely sad!!!! Yeah, that's what I was thinking plus I think some states have almost similar amount they add. So I was thinking about $1400/mo, which to me is not enough, but if you're currently making your living at a fast food place.... you might be coming out ahead....

Can you PM me on this, please if you have experience and know the answer. We know someone that has an infant daughter w/ heart condition. On Medicaid, WIC and probably other gov't assistance. Mom wants to apply for SSI so she can stay home w/ kids and not work. Any ideas of about how much SSI is? No personal opinions, please, I have mine. :) Just wondering about how much SSI is, ballpark. Thanks

Any specific brand? Anyone else?

We've never had a good thermometer that actually seems to work. Now we're likely bringing a special needs 1 yo into our home and need to be able to take an accurate temp. Any suggestions of what has and has not worked?

Here is the answer I was looking for: http://www.autotempest.com/advice/get-the-best-price-on-a-new-car/

Sent out emails to about 5 local dealers for quotes on 2014 Odyssey. Kelley Blue Book says Invoice is $28k and fair price is $27k. Dealer prices are $24-26k. Been nice, easy and hassel free. So now... Do I: 1) Go w/ the lowest (although farthest) 2) Ask each if they could do better 3) Ask them if they would accept x which would be like $300 lower than lowest offer? Any help?

Are folks doing way more than the book calls for? Like Pinterest pages always have lots of worksheets, more experiments and other things.

If you tried or use Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding can you send me any info you have. I know lots of work has already been done in addt'l books (that aren't in the book) and great websites, schedules and more. And we're thinking about trying it. What are your pros/ cons and words of wisdom - 8 & 11yo boys. Thanks much!

Our outdoor furniture is a 30+ year old wooden picnic table. We're considering upgrading. Was thinking of checking out craigslist first. Anyways... * I like the look of wrought iron, but how do you take care of it and how often do you have to repaint it? If you have it are you happy w/ it or regret it? * If you have chairs w/ fabric (like sling back) does the fabric hold up? Anything special you do w/ it? * Do you leave cushions out all summer or do you need to bring these in? * What special things do you do to care for your furniture? Like do you go out on eat on it come dinner or do you have to wipe if off everytime before you sit down? * Anyone have a set they love or other recs? (Looking for dinning and causal seating) Thanks

We are trying to be more healthy and/ but oys are 11 & 8 & are always hungry, especially the 11 year old. I'm always hungry too. :) Would love some snack ideas that will fill you up for a while. We've tried peanut butter, cheese, apples, (one doesn't eat cream cheese) and more. We're a long ways from getting there but are trying to eat lots more veggies. How do you get full (and have full teenagers) on lots of veggies or other healthy food? Are there any child appealing (they are tired of me always feeding them apples and carrots for snack), healthy, low cholesterol (for me), non-processed (meaning I hate Tofu), maybe gluten free foods that will fill you up? Do I just need to be feeding them more often? Should I be OK if one basically wants to eat a whole bar of cheese? I'm rambling w/ no true question. Just HELP! :)

Do you sign a statement of faith/ member agreement or do the teachers sign a statement of faith? Can you PM me or respond via posting what the "christian part" of that statement of faith says? For example, our currently has teachers saying they will teach "according to a Christian Worldview." We might try to define that better w/o getting into a long theology document. Thanks!

I am NOT a writer. That s probably the greatest area I struggle w/ in homeschooling. And how do you balance a boy who is trying to be creative, learning writing skills, and me? So, some feedback, please. DS 11yo WWS1 13.4 - Write descriptively about a volcano. Put on your fire-proof suit, ‘cause we’re going inside a VOLCANO!!!!!!!!!!!! A volcano starts in the magma chamber. This is essentially a giant bathtub of molten rock, sometimes being thousands of feet underground. So, let’s take a “bath†and see what happens. Do I hear your stomach rumbling? Oh no. She’s gonna’ blow! When enough pressure builds up magma and ashes are released through the vent where they are shot thousands of feet or even miles into the air. Hey, we’re flying! If these ash clouds (or us) get high enough, winds can carry them all over the earth, blocking light, and changing the climate. Cough! This stuff smells nasty, like puke and rotten eggs. Ahh! Prepare for impact! Now that we’re back on the ground, let’s see what the volcano looks like. Volcanoes form themselves over the years, building up many sheets of hardened lava and ash. With every eruption that occurs, more layers are compressed on. You say it looks like a zebra? Hey, you’re right. As the layers build up volcanoes will take on many different shapes, most of which have a large crater in the center. Thanks for joining us, check out our next tour, an Earthship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, now you've all made us think we're insane. No issues w/ any of our other books. Just WWS1 teacher and student. :)

OK, you're probably thinking I'm going to say that WWS1 doesn't meet our educational needs. Contrary, it's actually working well for my 11yo DS. Instead, it stinks. Literally. We've been doing work for a couple weeks and wondering what the chemically (burning rubber) smell was. We've finally come to recognize it was the book, maybe the ink? Seems even worse when we sit on the floor, trying to bask in some of the sun during the cold winter days. Anyone else been sniffing their book and thinking the same thing? Any news on WWS2???

We were able to buy just about all the books from EBay and a curric sale. We finished PM6B and started NEM about a month ago. Not sure how it'll go or what the long term plan is.... but liking the little "taste" we've had so far.

When you book your own excursions aren't you concerned that you'll hit a hiccup and won't make it back to the ship on time? (Thinking when you book through the cruise part of what you're paying for is a sort of guarantee that they'll wait for you?)

Well said. Thanks. I wouldn't reach out to this woman w/o her siblings. A question of how much do I "encourage" them to reach out to her?

Can't or shouldn't? B/c of her passing or the date rape? Like if it weren't the date rape but she's passed away would you want to know or not even then?

If you are commenting to this, can you please specificy if you've been adopted. Sorry to all others, but your opinion as an adoptee counts more in this case. :) Thanks. My MIL passed away 11 year ago just before the birth of our first son. She has 4 children she raised. Her 5th and oldest, was conceived by date rape. Well, about 45+ years ago you were sent away for several months to then deliver, then your child was given up for adoption. In fact until about 15 years ago some of MIL family didn't even know why she was sent away. So, if you were adopted and you were seeking your family, would you want to know that: 1) Your birth mother has since passed away (she had quite a few medical complications that I think should be shared w/ her oldest daughter) 2) You were conceived via rape and then given up for adoption (is there anyway to avoid sharing this info?) 3) Or would you rather keep looking and not hear anything? I think I may have found this daughter while quickly looking at a website. Like the first website I've ever looked at. Hard to belive but almost all the info matches. Next.... my MIL never wanted to contact her oldest daughter. Would you honor this forever or think this is a different generation that no longer has to follow her wishes? What if the siblings aren't really interested? (I think mostly b/c of what their mom said.) Can you gently tell me why this isn't my business and instead by husband's and his sibling's? ( I know, I just need to hear it. I just keep thinking about how this woman never knew her birth mom and these 4 kids worshipped their mom. She should be given the oppty to get to know the mom through pics and stories and the kids too. At the very least be given medical info: Diabetes (90% of her 21 siblings (2 moms (oh, I see your wheels turning - 1 died in childbirth, not 2 simultaneous wives. Wheel turning off. :) - 1 dad - catholic farm family) have diabetes), heart disease (50% of siblings haven't made it past age of 70), died young of ovarian cancer)

I am contemplating making a 24" or larger version of this cross: http://cheapcraftymama.com/beaded-cross-ornamentwall-hanging/ for our entryway. Do you think it would work? Things I should think about? Any place I could get lot of beads for an afforable price or do I just need to keep using Michael's coupons? Maybe intermingle seed beads? I've never done any work w/ beads so help, please. :) Any advice on getting it fatter quicker so I don't have a huge and skinny cross?

My parents 50th anniversary is this year. They want all of us to do Alaska Cruise. Any advice on where to find deals, which cruise line to take (or avoid or are they all the same?), how to save money, must do excursions? (our kids are 8 & 11 and sisters kids are 17 & 20). Anything else we need to know? And I'm looking at all the great excursions - they're like $180/adult and about $80/child. Multiply this x 5 days on land? How does one afford this? Do you pay for meals - like I'm reading reviews where people are saying "the meal was worth the $25" (Hubby and I were in Alaska pre-kids, but we found a way to do it on a budget. Can you actually cruise on a budget?)