And now they are gone at that price LOL

Um.. do I need this recipe.. NO Do I want this recipe... YES! And I live in the SW and high today may get into the low 50s (don't shoot me), but I may try it anyway... Hmmmm.. all I have is Amaretto cherry ice cream........

try here: http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=0&keyword=chart%20tablet&scategoryid=0 or here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=chart+tablet

Well when I posted this there were 12 left, now there are 5... :lol: So I guess there are now about 7 other WTM families with this on the way :seeya:

Thanks for the ideas! I do "activity bags" for the twins (lacing, decorate felt cupcakes, etc) I could take those up a notch. I like the idea of the measuring box... how many pom-poms can fit in 1 cup, how many pom poms weigh 200gms...hummmm. need to find a scale..... I have tons of file folder games (I was a Kg teacher pre-kids :laugh: ), but when Hsing, the thing is once they do it 2-3 times, it gets old... not like when you have 25 kids... I am really trying to make them mom independent with these and also quiet time (relatively speaking, ie no running around the house) so I can cook, pick up etc. I ordered this for the butterfly box: http://www.amazon.co...ils_o00_s00_i00 And some of those little dover stained glass coloring books... I already have tons of books about butterflies. I found this cute game for the frog box: http://www.amazon.co...ils_o01_s01_i01 DS wants dragons and DD wants Italy... I may do ancient rome... DS likes that topic...

When shopping for our nephew (who is super tall, but super thin due to a medical condition) I discovered that Sears of all places has the skinniest and longest clothes (at least for boys). DH's bro actually lives in Germany and had a hard time finding clothes to fit and was THRILLED with the clothes we sent... Might be different for teen girls, but worth a check...

Well, for example in the ocean box I have: non-fiction books about various fish, sea animals. Several different levels of fiction from picture books to chapter books that are "ocean" themed. (Like "Commotion in the ocean", MSB Ocean book, MSB chapter book about oceans...etc, basically anything I could find) I got printables from here: http://www.learningpage.com/main/home.html (it's free to join and I don't get spam from them) for mazes, etc. A fish/octopus tic tac toe game I got from target $ section A book of jigsaw puzzles (each page is a small puzzle): http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Creatures-Jigsaw-Book-Krutop/dp/1865039233/ref=sr_1_28?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357924416&sr=1-28&keywords=ocean+activity+book Some puzzle books: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580176240/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885593716/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00 Plus I got pre cut fish/dolphin/orca shapes from Micheal's and googly eyes and craft sticks for them to make puppets. Outer space, I would love to add a felt set or felt "planets" or....???

Thanks Cera! That was kinda what I thought..it needed more to really "build" a lot.

This one from Germany: or this one: OK, sorry 1st pic is so big.... both are wood. I think the German one looks more "real" and the 2nd is more for "play"... what do you think?? I am getting the "year in a castle" book to go with it.

LOL You don't want to know how much I've spent on Amazon in the past week.. :ohmy:

So I started gathering books/activity books/ puzzles that were all about 1 theme and putting them into those medium storage boxes. I pull one out in the pm while I make dinner (or after dinner) and let the kids "explore" on their own. All 4 love them. I include fiction/non-fiction/puzzles/game/crafts....etc So I have these: Ocean Sharks/Dolphins/Whales Dinosaurs Horses (could use some more for this one) Outer Space (could use more for this one) Planning: Butterflies Frogs Dragons Would love some ideas for : History (I was thinking to make one for castles, colonial america, native american tribes, Colonial america,???) Geography (I would like to do 1 for each continent) Math (maybe themes: shapes, counting, patterns, not sure how to do this one?) I love puzzles, stickers, dress up dolls, easy crafts I could print instructions for and include the supplies in a baggie (no paint, etc), games. So any ideas???

Yep, you can do it here, but it usually requires walking into the other person's bank ( or a branch of it). I have used it many times in a business I used to be involved in. I can also send money directly from my account to another person like I pay my bills (but not sure how long it takes to clear) for no fees.

I grabbed this at this price : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GNLGW2/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i06 :drool:

Yes like the remove baby from stroller before closing, or caution coffee may be hot lol

When you start up your computer, what does the screen say before it loads? 5-6 years might mean windows xp... I think you can click on start and right click on coumputer, then click on properties and it will tell you what you are running I would go with jumpstart. I wasn't impressed with sammy and arthur titles. If you check here: http://www.kidssoftw...com/default.asp You can check by operating system once you know what is on your computer.. If you see a title you are interested in, you can check on that site if it will run on your computer. ETA: the chrome free apps/games did not run great on my older XP computer, some need faster processor/ more memory to run right

Several times I have been asked this and it just blows my mind... The 1st time I was asked that, I just kinda looked at them with my head cocked to one side and said, "well, one is a boy and one is a girl"... She still didn't get it... I was told the same thing, can't tell from placenta, so I would do it just to know for sure....

Thanks, that is the thing I am trying to avoid, the "school district" part of it, as they are not pro homeschooling and we are a minority so they tend to look on me differently to begin with... long story. So I rather go the private route. I just checked and we can self refer for specialists for sure if they are in our group, so gonna call them and see if they have any pediatrics neuropsychologists in group. If they don't then we have to get a referral out of the group... Would a regular child psychologist be able to evaluate? (without the neuro part attached ...) We had a Speech eval done a while back and I am just waiting for transportation then I will have to work that into our schedule.

So, I need to make an appt for DS3 with his ped. Something is not right, but I'm not sure how to put it into words (or at least condense it enough for a 15 min dr appt lol). I suspect OCD based on what I've read. I would LOVE some therapy for him and techniques to use at home. MIL has OCD (pretty sure) and 1 of DH's bros also. DH has OCPD (again not official diag, but he scores off the charts). I know this can run in families they say. Anyway, DS3 is making it difficult to HS the others...he has little fixations that turn into HUGE fits. Time out does NOT work with him. Instead I hug him and remove him from the situation and rock him and "shh" him (like white noise) till he relaxes. He has a speech delay which we know about and are working with him at home and once I get a car, I will seek out weekly therapy for him as I know that not being able to express himself is not helping. We are working on using some signs. But that is not my main concern right now. The main issue is these fixations. Everything has to stop while I deal with it. Like having something "complete" is one of them... if an ice cube tray is missing a couple of cubes, he will break down until I refill those empty ones. I buy juice concentrate and mix in a clear rubbermaid pitcher that holds 64oz, you are only suppose to fill to 48oz...NOPE not gonna happen if he sees it, he throws a fit wanting me to fill it ALL the way. Tons more examples like this, puzzles if a piece gets lost, etc. This is his main one, but there are other smaller ones also. (by the way he is AWESOME at puzzles) I don't think it's Autism as he communicates fine despite his speech delay and jokes and smiles and when he is happy... he is super fun to be around and loving. So, how would you approach this with a ped??? Just walk in and say I want him evaluated by...... whom?? a child therapist??? I need to check with ins, because I think we can self refer for mental health things.... Would they see a child who is essentially non to low verbal?? (he speaks 12-15 words regularly and uses a couple other signs) Sorry so long and rambling, I just have no one irl to ask this...So if anyone can suggest something, I would appreciate it...

OK, I spent ~$40.... ugh...lol, but I printed right away and DS loved the comic book math :)

Thanks...DH went to a meeting... so these are saved for tomorrow's dinner :)

So I have red snapper in the freezer, I don't like fish, so no recipe sounds appealing. This is for DH and the kids (who like fish). They don't like cream sauces though and prefer non-fried (can u fry snapper??? lol, I am fish ignorant). I have rice, couscous, potatotes for sides along with salad. Oh and I have brussel sprouts. I have the usual in the frig (onion, tomato, etc) and pantry (WW flour, tomato paste, etc). I would love something NOT chinese (I cook that a lot) or italian flavored (DH's not big on italian). So what you got??? :lurk5:

Can someone recommend an upper elementary dictionary that could last through middle school (up to 8th). DS is interested in word roots, so would love one that has some of that included.. I found these: http://www.amazon.com/Merriam-Websters-School-Dictionary-Merriam-Webster/dp/0877795800/ref=pd_sim_b_11 http://www.amazon.com/Merriam-Websters-Intermediate-Dictionary-Merriam-Webster/dp/0877796793/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=38QLS4YW1S0A8&coliid=I2HIMZCUVE9BFB Thanks for any help.. :seeya:

I have both (but for lower grades) and I think WW is more of a cumulative curriculum from what I can see. Vocab from classical roots would, I think, help more for the SATs.. But keep in mind, I didn't see all of the upper level grade books for WW.

This reminds me of that book "how to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk"?? not sure on the title... but lot's of examples there of how to deal with those situations where emotions build on each other. Oldest DS can be UBER cranky about school work, he doesn't yell or the like, just lot's of complaining... :toetap05: On my GOOD days (lol), I smile and calmly explain what needs to happen now in as few words as possible and walk away. I am specific on my praise when something is done right and as I asked. I also noticed that when it is not me giving directions, its easier for him to follow. Works for chore lists, I'm working towards more independent work for oldest. Although he tends towards anxiety over perfectionism, so when something is new or a bit hard, he needs my help, but doesn't want to admit it... :glare: Any way you can slightly remove yourself from the equation, while still making sure the work is done and done correctly? Teaching textbooks, etc...some online courses for other topics? Hugs

Thanks! off to order :)