My husband just got two kindles, for two older kiddos. Besides the fact that I have no clue how to operate the darn things, there's also all the stuff (good and junky) that can be downloaded onto it. So...what are your favorite books and educational apps for the Kindle? (I've got a 8 year old daughter who reads at about 6th grade level, and a 6 year old son who's reading at a very basic level)

...child most likely to get a tattoo? Seriously though - thanks to his sister, he got ahold of a permanent black Sharpie marker and scribbled all over his forearms and legs. Not the first time he's attempted to "decorate" himself either. All markers are out of reach of ALL the children now too. Does anyone know how to get this off of the child? I'm just glad it's winter, and that pants and shirts will cover up the deed for awhile! Have already tried mild soap and baking soda gently rubbed on skin.

Medical lab technician here - especially with three infections in three months, it really is a GOOD idea for them to culture the urine sample. Not only will the microbiology department at the lab be growing out the yucky germs that are causing the UTI, they will also be testing those yucky germs to see what antibiotics they are susceptible to. It does help the doctor know what antibiotic to use so that hopefully the infection gets knocked out. A genuine pain to wait, but worth the wait.

I'm in the same boat with you this week with my 8 year old daughter. She was having a hard time understanding the difference between adverbs and adjectives too. I think she started to get it when I told her that adverbs describe action (verbs) and adjectives describe stuff (nouns). Not exactly the best definition, but it clicked a little better for her. I also did a few silly simple sentences with her to show the difference; she got to pick the adjective or adverb. For example: The cat ran. The purple cat ran. (adjective). The cat ran quickly. (adverb) OR My bottom hurt. My huge bottom hurt. (adjective). My bottom hurt enormously. (adverb). Short and silly sometimes works better if it gives them something to remember. I didn't really understand grammar much when I was around that age. Adverbs and adjectives are both descriptive, so it's easy to understand why the difference would be confusing to a child. A lot of adverbs end in -ly so that might make it simpler for now.

From preggie mama who is also as big as a whale to another...make anyone in the house who is younger and more flexible than you grab all the stuff and put it in a big box. If you have to, bribe them with a nickel or candy or something per item but set a timer and make them see how much they can find in 15 minutes or less. The more they find, the more they get. Then make them put the stuff away. Set yourself somewhere central and encourage/holler at them while they get the job done. I've done this plenty of times, even when not pregnant. You didn't drop all that stuff on the floor, so they get to clean it up. :)

My mom using the phrase "itchy bottom" when she means "vaginal yeast infection".

Ground flax seed is good for fiber, and has healthy omega 3, if I remember correctly. I like it mixed in yogurt, or put it in batter when I make pancakes. Oatmeal, beans, berries all have fiber too and are a lot more fun to eat! ;) Spend a little extra $ on a higher quality probiotic than what you find in the pharmacy section of any store. If you really want nutritional advice, find a reputable herbalist or nutritionist. Chiros are great, but unless they are trained/educated in nutrition, I wouldn't pay attention to their nutritional advice.

EXPLORE! and bring my family along too! ;) The state park system and the museums here have educational resources and printable lesson plans online, coloring and/or activity books at the centers, jr. naturalist programs, etc. That might be a good place to get the hard copy "stuff" that you could use to document your school activities, besides journaling, blogging, and scrapbooking. Because of my husband's weekend schedule (and with younger children) we tend to do our exploring days during the week. Less crowded, and also more time to interact with the staff at the museum/park. Also, depending on the hours of operation, and with less daylight during the winter, you might want to have school days and exploring days, so that you have plenty of time wherever you want to go.

My ds (turned 6 in October) butted heads with me on reading, until I found a program he was willing to do. I'm of the mindset that yes, you have to learn, but let's find a way that works for you. But you still have to do it! I've even told my kids that even adults have to do things that they don't like to do or don't want to do. But just because I don't want to clean the bathroom doesn't mean that I can't have a little fun with it by playing some music I like or trying to beat the clock to get it done. Some flexibility has saved my sanity and prevented some butting heads with my children. Make a deal with her - you HAVE to do 10 minutes of math/reading/whatever, but then you can go and do something you like to do. Sounds like she would like free time more than praise. Seems like it might be easier and just as effective to do math games instead of a workbook, something where she can move or manipulate. I put green painters tape down on the floor one time, big horizontal line with little vertical lines that I wrote numbers on. Math was standing on a number, and then jumping forward (addition) or backwards (subtraction) and telling me what number they landed on. Or my two older children would each have a dice to roll, and then they would count the number of dots on their dice and see who had more dots. Children that age are still in a manipulative stage for math - they need concrete objects to count, something to see and not just numbers on a page. Let her help with chores more, especially if she really loves to do that - a willing helper is a wonderful thing to have at home! Even that could translate gently into math - unload the dishwasher, how many plates did you take out, how many bowls, how many dishes altogether? Kids here practiced counting and cleaning up by doing a "ten item tidy" (or larger/smaller number depending on how big of a mess). You're not doing anything wrong - she's being a typical child! And you're probably a pregnant exhausted mama who needs a break! :)

OP, you have 6 kids - even if all of them were in school, you'd still have a lot of work to do just as a mama! Sounds like you're banging your head against the wall and needing a break. My dd7 has told me that she wants to go to school, even though it seems to me that she doesn't mind doing education at home. She's a more social creature, and I think the idea of being around a lot of other kids her age all day is appealing. Throw in two little brothers, and she would probably like to be around more girls too. I can even remember as a child and teenager in private schools that there were kids who loved being at school and those who hated it, no matter what grade or how awesome/awful the teacher was. Now - go make a list of all the successes you have had as a mother, ways you've seen your children excel or what their talents are, things that they have actually enjoyed when you were teaching them (even if it seems small), what they are capable of doing that you've taught them to do. Take a couple of days to do this. It might not be as dreadful as you think. If it is as dreadful as you think, then you can move ahead with whatever changes you need to make. Go do something that you know you're good at doing - that will help too!

I seem to keep saying/mentioning this to other people, but if you go to www.behindthename.com, you can actually pick out masculine names, Ancient Greek names, English names, mythology names...you "name" it, they have it! (Sorry, bad pun!) Personally I like Charles as a first name, shortened to Charlie if it fits him. I'd use Atticus as the middle name. Even sounds good when you're yelling loudly down the hall when he's in big trouble: "CHARLES ATTICUS XXXX, GET BACK HERE AND WIPE THAT JELLO OUT OF YOUR SISTER'S UNDERWEAR DRAWER!" ;)

I like to cook with wine - sometimes I even put it in the food! :leaving:

This would be a great idea - we have a couple of cheap photo albums that my MIL put pictures in and gave to my DD when she was about 1 ear old. All the munchkins here love looking at them from time to time, including the youngest. She even clipped animal pictures from magazines and put them in; DD liked looking at them just as much as people pictures. Maybe this might be a project you older daughter could do for her brother?

I've been trying to put a variety of colors in our house as we remodel in the different rooms. I spent a lot of time having those paint color cards up on walls before I picked the one I liked. The colors don't have to exactly match, but they can't really clash either. Boys' room is blue, daughter's room is lavender, our bedroom is olive green (looks nicer than it sounds!), and hallway is pale yellow with light wood wainscoting. Trying to figure out color for entryway right now - might get daring and paint the ceiling dark, or paint the trim instead of having wood. Just have to match it to the new carpet we already put in.

How about audio books that everyone can listen to while doing chores or while you're trying to focus on someone or something else? Science videos might be good too - again, something that all the children might enjoy while you catch a little downtime. Sounds like everyone manages to get something done and some free time, and know what to expect when. Maybe you don't have to change anything? There was a homeschooling book I read that suggested (sorry, can't remember the title) having a "rut to run in", a routine where everyone knows what to expect, but if there's an interruption you deal with it and then move on to the next thing you would normally do.

I'm still in the early stages myself, but the best thing I've spent time on so far is figuring out how each child learns and taking that into consideration in what sorts of stuff/curriculum I get. I've never regretted any of the purchases I've made, especially when I can find something that works and isn't expensive. $5 or $500 in curriculum is going to be a waste if the munchkins aren't learning and I end up scrapping it. But don't be afraid to take the time to figure out what works for you as well, since you're going to be the one teaching/presenting the material.

Estella Amelia, call her Stella or Ella, whatever seems to match, and you still are using family names.

Rose Amelia sounds lovely to me! You could always call her Rosie, which has that y-sounding end that you like. Caroline Amelia, call her Carrie? Elizabeth Amelia, call her Lizzie or Beth? Ella Amelia?

I honestly haven't done a lot of curriculum research here. I did find out about Reading Bears for phonics here, which I'm very grateful for, since my middle munchkin and I banged heads through Alpha Phonics, Ordinary Parent's Guide, and Teach Your Child to Read 100 Easy Lessons. Personally I rely on the descriptions from Rainbow Resource and the local homeschool bookstore and reviews. Even better for me is to get my grubby little paws on the material and look it over before I make my decision. It has to fit my children's learning style and my own teaching style for it to work for us.

No, but thanks for listing this! Have been wondering what to do when we get to the end of SOTW1, and how to review and test what info my children have retained.

Homemade tortillas Window cleaner and all purpose cleaner Dried apple slices Jam Canned beans (green and other) Applesauce Window valences Salad dressing (balsamic, creamy herby, just tried to make French) Wine (concord grape, am trying to make plum right now) Lip/body balm, anti-jock itch ointment for husband Mind you, I don't make these on a weekly basis, more on as-needed basis, or when I have the ingredients that need to be processed (like apples or grapes or plums). Some things, even if it was cheaper for me to make, I'd rather leave to the "experts" to do it for me! Especially if someone can make it better than I can myself (like bread). Does making babies count? :leaving:

I use coconut oil when I make tortillas - tastes just fine.

Posting here, hoping that a lot of people will be able to see and respond. Daughter has been diagnosed with all three of these. She's been to ophthalmologist many times, and has had one series of vision therapy. At her last eye doctor appointment it was suggested that she might need surgery to correct the strabismus. Her eye was apparently turning in during the exam. Glasses will not help. No problems with her ability to learn or read. She was somewhat clutzy before vision therapy but that improve afterwards. She has a tendency to hold everything close to her face when she reads or writes. Will post more later - we have another appointment with ophthalmologist today, will get more details. Thanks to everyone in advance! :)

Periomenopause = reverse puberty. Hormones always suck! I'm pretty sure I was starting periomenopause last year (night sweats, overly irritable, etc). Now I'm pregnant with surprise number 4 at the lovely age of 43! And the lovely medical term in my chart is no longer "advanced maternal age"; it actually uses the term "elderly"! Wonder if I get my senior discount card now? All my kids are young though, since we got a late start at marriage and making babies. There's probably a Murphy's Law about getting rid of baby stuff that practically guarantees pregnancy.

Skippy Natural peanut butter Daisy brand sour cream (no extra fillers/preservatives) Kerrygold cheese (yum!) or Cabot cheese Hain brand mayonnaise (avoiding soy, only brand so far without) Annie's for ketchup (no corn syrup) and mac and cheese (organic, but only bought on sale) Haagen Daz ice cream (again, only when on sale) Jelly Belly jelly beans (everything else tastes gross and a rare treat when on sale) Mostly if I buy something name brand, it's usually food and it's usually because a) everything else doesn't taste right so the other brands are a waste if they doesn't get eaten, b) there's something we're trying to avoid that the other brands have.