We're very selective of what our kids watch, too. A few years ago my dd10 (8 at the time) was at a friend's house when they started to watch SpongeBob. She piped up that she wasn't allowed to watch it. The mom told me later how impressed she was that dd would stick to the rules, but mostly surprised that we had any rules about the TV. She seriously had never considered that one might limit what shows their kids would watch. She even asked, how do you do that? :001_huh: Umm...tell them no? I will say that it has gotten trickier the older the kids get. And we have relaxed quite a bit...which means the younger ones are watching things that I never would have considered when the olders were little. Not sure what that says about me, but in some ways it is less stressful to just give a little sometimes.

Bingo. That's exactly my issue with it. For those who DO stick with the guidelines/recommendations...suddenly because so many people are 'redshirting' for any old reason, it just changes the entire 'playing field.'

Yes, but my question to this would be, What five-year-old is mature?!? What is it we are expecting in kindergarten?

This is one thing that drives me crazy. I think it has gotten out of hand--because many people hold their kids back so they will be better at sports. Seriously...that's the kind that bother me. I have had several friends who do this with sports being their only consideration. And I can see how difficult it would be to have such a span of ages within a class...especially in our ps system where they are placed together only by grade level. Both of my ds have been 'young' but we haven't held them back because they were ready academically & emotionally for school. But we are now seeing huge issues with this as oldest ds plays sports...he is competing with kids who are a year older than him in age, but in the same grade. It's not such an issue until you're playing football with the guys who have already hit the 'sprout' and you feel like the runt. Hmm, maybe sports should be grouped by ages rather than grade. To each his own, of course, but it really bugs me. From our experience kindergarten was pretty much free preschool, so I can't imagine many instances where a child is 'not ready.' I'm sure there are some, but not as many as are 'held' back.

One new thing in the baby world is the Carseat Tent...here is a link for a tutorial on how to make one, if you can sew. (I barely sew and I made one within a few hours for a friend last month...it's pretty easy)...and my friend was so excited about it! It's helpful for hot & cold weather. I wish I had had one a few years ago... http://thethriftychick.blogspot.com/2009/07/simple-car-seat-tent-tutorial.html

The Quilter's Apprentice...there are about 8-10 additional books in the series. I'm trying to remember the author--Jennifer Chiaverini or something similar. I love them! http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Apprentice-Novel-Quilts-Novels/dp/1416556990/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262314419&sr=8-1

I want a huge mudroom/laundry room but would also make it my craft room/scrapbook/sewing room...I could craft away & switch the laundry right when the dryer buzzed. My kids would always know right where to find me...especially if there was a comfy chair near a window that I could curl up in with a book. Ah...sounds perfect. I also have always wanted a bathroom with a built-in baby tub (you know, like the kitchen sink height, but not in the kitchen)...and a little kid toilet would be pretty sweet, too. Hmm...yeah, the kids would outgrow it, but the grandkids would love it, too. This thread is making me a little less pleased with my current set-up! Kinda like what happens to me when I watch House Hunters on HGTV...now I want to move! ;)

I do not have a blog...simply because I can't see that many people would be that interested in what I'd have to say. But it's interesting...I *love* to read blogs, even of people I don't know. :001_smile: What does interest me, however, is the ability to print out the blog into a book as a record of the year. I think that is cool.

I just ordered it, too! Thanks for the heads up!

I'm an emotional mess with you when it comes to getting rid of baby things. It is so hard for me. What does help for me is to find someone I know & care about who needs things...for some reason I have an easier time getting rid of things when I view it as 'sharing' with someone or helping someone who really needs it. Especially when that person is so appreciative--it makes you feel so good. (A few weeks before Christmas, I went through the toys and pulled out a few boxes of things we needed to get rid of...talked to a lady at church and asked if she'd be interested...when I delivered the items, she said that they had just had an unexpected medical bill and then she choked up, had tears in her eyes and said our toys were their Christmas miracle so their kids would have some presents. That made it a whole lot easier to pass along--knowing this family had a need and knowing that they were so thankful!)

For the past few years, we have gone to a movie theater on New Year's Day...we don't go often, so the kids are pretty excited about that as our 'tradition.'

It sounds to me like there is probably a financial need with the family; and my first inclination would be to provide a few surprises for the kids regardless of whether the mom has bought gifts. We love to do this every year--we find a family within our church who is struggling (not that we know for sure they aren't getting anything, but who has had some troubles that year perhaps)...and we go shopping. We like having the kids choose things to give to someone else. This year we chose a young family with two little ones who are living with the husband's parents. Now, I assume the grandparents would have made sure these little grandchildren were getting something for Christmas...but in our case, we saw a few different reasons for doing this than just that. We knew it would mean a lot to this young couple to know that someone was reaching out in love, we wanted our children to have the experience, etc. So I guess, my two cents here is that if you have the money, I think it would be awfully nice to do. I don't think it needs to be too extravagant, but even if it was one wrapped surprise per person, it would be a delightful surprise to open the door to. When I was a teenager, my youth group did the 12 Days of Christmas for a family who was struggling financially (6 kids, single mom). We collected toys & money donations...fixed things up. Each night we delivered little treats, rang the doorbell & left. On Christmas Eve we took a bunch of gifts--socks, coats, toys, even bikes for the kids, boxes of food, etc. We all hid to watch and see their surprised faces. Well...we were the ones in for a surprise! It was the wrong door! The wrong person opened the door. But then we watched in amazement as this family came out, picked up all of the packages and moved them to a different door...they rang the bell and ran inside. Then the kids came running out and were so excited. I'll never forget that experience...the feelings I had have stayed with me and every year I want to re-create that by finding someone else to surprise.

I have a list of a bunch of creative ideas/cute little sayings you could attach to things: Popcorn: "We just popped by" to say Merry Christmas or Hope your Holidays are Poppin' with fun! Mug with Hot chocolate Mix: "Just sending a chocolate hug in a mug" Hershey's Kisses in a wire wisk: "We whisk" you a merry "kiss"mas. Candle: "Hope your Christmas is full of the light of Christ" Or May the light of Christ be with you always. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath: "May your holidays "bubble" over with fun!" Sprite: "May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!" Cookie Dough- "Here's a little extra "dough" for Christmas" Jar of Jam: "Hoping your Christmas is "jam" packed with cheer" Pasta: Have a "pasta-tively" happy holiday!" Muffins or Muffin Mix "your gettin' "muffin" for Christmas!" Seasoning Mix: "Seasoned with love-Happy Holidays" Any Sweet Treat: "Wishing you a season full of sweetness!" Or "Wishing you a day full of sweetness" Oven Mitt filled w/treats: "We have to ad-"mitt" you're a great neighbor!" Apple Cider w/wassail mix: "Spice up Your Christmas!" Or "Spice up a cold winter day" Bag/Box of Whoppers: "Hope you have a "whopper" of a Christmas" M&M's: Have a Merry and Most Wonderful Holiday Season! Frozen or Ready-to-eat pizza: "Warm up to a wonderful holiday season "topped" with Christmas cheer. Or Your the Topps! Or You have Pizza-z! Jolly Ranchers: "Have a Holly "Jolly" Christmas Or Have a "Jolly" day! Chex Party Mix: Remember Santa "chex" his list twice to see who's been nighty or nice...so be good for goodness sake! Star ornament: "Remember the reason for the season!" Cinnamon Sugar for toast: "May your Christmas be sprinkeled with laughter and love!" Salsa: "Add a little spice to your life" Christmas stocking or Filled jar: "Have a fun filled Christmas this year" or "May your days be filled with joy" Candle: "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright! Calendar: "Keep Christ in your heart the whole year through!" Sugar Cookies: "Rolling out a batch of cheer, for someone we think is very dear!" Sparkling Cider: "Wishing you a sparkling holiday season!" Warm casserole or bread: "Bundled up with warm wishes" Box of Light Bulbs: "Have a bright and radiant Cchristmas" Or "May the light of Christ be with you always" Anything Santa: "HO-HO-Hoping your Christmas is heavenly!" Anything Angel: "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!" Mugs with hot Chocolate Mix: "To our special friends who are so Dear; We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" Cocoa Mix: "Just something to keep you warm on thses cold winter day's"

Maybe "A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler..." and then go through your schedule and share what you do. You could add the funny things that occasionally pop up to mess up the schedule, too.

Muddy Buddies...or it's also known by different names...Chex cereal with melted peanut butter, melted chocolate chips & tossed in powdered sugar. Okay, maybe it's a sweet...but it's got that crunch to it and it's yummy.

Well, we don't have Tivo, but we have a DVR through our comcast service. I think it's the same thing--you just record whatever shows you want/can set series recordings...and then watch them at your convenience. That right there is the biggest pro--being able to have something to watch when you have the time rather than being on someone else's schedule. And when you set up a series recording, you don't even have to think about what night it is or time it is...you just know that it will be recorded for you. I'd also say that our favorite part about it is that we can fast forward through all of the commercials. It drives us crazy to watch things 'live' now simply because we have to sit there and watch the dumb commercials. We love our DVR...and recognize it is an expensive luxury we have gotten very used to. We also love Comcast on Demand...which has television series on it that you can watch any time. I've gotten extremely spoiled with this. In other words, there are tons of shows that you don't have to record, you just go to the on demand screen & click a button and you can watch them whenever you want to. Kids shows, football games, tv series, etc.

This is perfect. I wish I could think of things like this in the heat of the battle. If I were the betting type, I'd wager that if you tell her you've made other arrangements/or are about to, that mil will change her tune very quickly and be all willing again. I love the last remark--if I hear you say it again, I will call someone else...that is awesome. My mil is very similar...only that it is when something wasn't her idea she suddenly 'can't handle it'...but if she is the one who came up with the idea, she's all ready to do it. I don't get it. But I have learned to NEVER count on the inlaws for a babysitting situation. Never again if it is important to me. A few years back for our 10-year anniversary we were going to go camping for a few days and they were going to watch our kids. Yep...the day before, she suddenly 'couldn't handle it.' I was just thankful we hadn't made any plane or hotel reservations...because we had nobody else to call on last minute. Good luck! At least you have a few months notice and you can make other arrangements...although I understand that is much more stressful.

I think the first step is to write out all of the different items you have to store in the closet. It helps me to see just how much I need to plan for. Then look at what storage containers/possibilities you already have. Plastic storage boxes w/lids, mason jars (pens, paintbrushes, etc), even diaper wipe boxes--gather anything that is available to use to organize. Or if you have money to spare and can just purchase them, have pictures of what is available or what you think you'd like to get. Then look at your list of items and start pairing them up with the containers. I like to do it on paper first. Then I draw a picture of the closet and start penciling in the containers in a diagram. You've inspired me...I need to organize something. :D

Wow...that is amazing for you to find out! My mom is very into geneology and she often calls me after she has discovered something exciting like that. She loves it...and it is such a thrill to make a connection. I don't have any stories to share, but just wanted to share in your excitement. :D

Hmm...my mother in law has never outgrown it. It drives me INSANE. A few years ago she opened up all of the gifts (hers and her husband's) late Christmas Eve night (while he was sleeping) because she couldn't stand waiting. I couldn't believe it. She also reads the END of a book first because she has to know what happens. A few weeks ago she was over our house watching a football game--we had dvr-ed it so it was delayed--she made her dh go outside to the truck to check the score so she would know what happens. It bugs. me. to. pieces. I just don't understand it at all.

First of all, :grouphug:. I'm a little unclear if you've said here that your dd passed away this year or your dd's fiance. Either way, I can't even imagine the heartache you've been through...and I'm sure this time of year is especially hard for you right now. If you have friends who may not have heard this news, I'm sure they would want to know. I'd suggest sharing a small amount of your lows and sharing how the Lord has seen you through. Then perhaps focusing on the rest of the family's news...or sharing a bit of how you've adjusted to this and how things are going now. I received a card this past week informing me of the passing of a sweet grandpa type of friend of mine this past June. I was so saddened to hear of this--but his wife shared a little bit about his illness and focused on her faith in the Lord and how she knows she will see him again. She then talked about how she has been adjusting to life without him. I had worked with them doing missionary work about fifteen years ago--we have shared Christmas cards since then with an occasional visit/phone call...but there was no other way I would have heard of his passing. So yes, it was a little shocking to read...and of course, I cried when I read the letter...but I'm so glad she sent something out rather than not doing anything at all. So it might be a difficult letter for you to write...and difficult for your friends to read...but I'd kindly suggest they'd like to know of your loss and have the chance to offer support/love to you. Best wishes...

I also love getting letters. I am so disappointed when I open a Christmas card just to find a signature...what a waste of a stamp! But when there is a photo and/or a letter...I love it. Yes, we have a few friends whose letters always make us laugh...or groan a little...or something. It's just that they act as though we are all a part of this huge competition for having the best kid...and theirs is the winner. You know, like little "Julie is in the gifted program again, working up two grade levels, is first chair violin, won the state track meet, serves in the soup kitchen each week, is the top student in her Chinese class", etc. What I love is to hear a bit about the kids: "Julie works hard in school and loves learning new things. She is still playing the violin and running track, and decided to add in Chinese this year. She is such a sweet girl and loves to make new friends with everyone she meets. We love her sense of humor and appreciate her happy attitude." Maybe it's just me...but those kind of letters are fun to read & I love them. I also enjoy the kind that tell about funny things that happened over the year or funny things the kids say.

I wish I knew...we don't have easy-going, generally happy, 'normal' kids either. :grouphug:

I've gotten some great resources from www.spellingbee.com before... Good luck on the next phase!