The book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell has such an interesting discussion of the canadian birthdate system and how it affects kids choices there. I believe his examples are related to hockey. I have 2 summer birthday boys that we "red shirted" although I don't tend to use that phrase as I believe it has judgmental / negative connotations. I primarily hear it used by people that disapprove of the practice. :) I'm glad to have the option of deciding what school year my kiddos are.

The only thing that stand out in my mind is that their 2nd child (a son) dies as an infant.

I have never heard the idea of protestants wearing orange on St. Patrick's Day.

I soak mine overnight, then rinse and put them in the crockpot with fresh water and seasonings (salt,pepper, a lot of cumin, coriander, a little cayenne pepper plus either fresh onion and garlic or onion and garlic powder if I'm rushed ). We eat them in wraps as burritos essentially - add cheese and onion, diced tomatoes and avocado (if we have it). A couple of the kids douse theirs in Red Hot sauce. This is kind of a basic meal at our house, the kids love it and will eat it for lunch or whenever. Sometimes as a snack. Oh - and I'm referring to pinto beans.

I would ask human resources. Say something like, I know many tech companies are casual, what's typical to be worn for interviews? Do your candidates usually wear a suit? I know the tech companies that my dh has worked for would find a suit way over the top, but they do let candidates know that before they come.

I'm curious about this as well. I see young people that use facebook and twitter to post every thought or emotion they have - which is NOT a good idea - and I see young people that use it appropriately in the same manner that I use it. Obviously the former group is not ok with me as a parent, but I do think facebook (and twitter and texting) can be just fine for teenagers. I see kids from our youth group keeping in touch with friends that are off to college or FBing or texting to meet up for stuff - even our youth ministers are very active on there. How do we know that college admissions officers do this? I'm not being argumentative, just curious. Is this established fact?

I would have said something like, "Wow, that was really rude....and weird that you notice what I wear", and then walked away.

In my state it is allowable and I know several people that have had another mom homeschool their child (for compensation). We are considered private schools in Illinois, so it's just one more student in that family's (tiny) private school. I would think it would differ depending on state laws.

We have ice cream to celebrate when we finish a book. It doesn't just happen at the end of the year for us and I like to acknowledge the accomplishment. I wouldn't buy a toy or anything but ice cream makes it special. When my kids finish a book mid-year, we move on to the next book - we don't wait until the start of the next school year to move on.

It's Robb Wolf. I'd checkout the blog everydaypaleo.com - she has a lot of great recipes.

Rose - if the subject you are grading is clear cut (like math) you can simply assign grade letters based on the percentage of correct answers. A common grading plan would be: 90% and above = A 80% - 89% = B 70% - 79% = C 60% - 69% = D In some classes that I took in high school or college, the teacher would grader on a harder scale. Something like this: 94% and above = A 86% - 93% = B 78% - 84% = C 70% - 77% = D Personally, I'm more comfortable with the latter scale, but I think the former is more common. HTH

I have digital copies. I use the teacher's manual straight from the ipad. So far I am printing the assignments for my son, but I'm contemplating having him work from the ipad as well and just writing his work on notebook paper.

:grouphug: I have no advice but I offer my prayers and good thoughts - I have always enjoyed your posts and am sorry to hear of such a stressful situation. Take care!

I would pay the $5 and just roll my eyes as I was doing it. $5 is not worth 15 minutes of fretting or emotional attention. ETA: your sister sounds like a case, the whole history with her must be tough to take. My sympathies.

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