Have you tried roasted veggies? I roast everything---carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, cabbage.... When we made a transition to a healthier diet, I did it slowly. At first, I always included something from the old diet that the kids liked. After a while I reduced that portion and maybe served it less often. For example, I would fix grilled chicken tenders, roasted zucchini, steamed green beans, and mac and cheese. I always fix their plates at the counter and take the plates to the table. Now I rarely serve mac and cheese, but I still do occasionally (maybe once a month). I also MADE my kids eat the veggies. At first, I might serve them a meal (like the one above) and only give them a few spoonfuls of mac and cheese. I would give them a few spoonfuls of the veggies as well, and they could not get more mac and cheese until they ate their veggies. No exceptions. It was only like a few bites, so I knew I wasn't overfeeding them. As time went on, I increased the amount of veggies to a more appropriate serving. I never made them clean their plates, but to get the other half of your roll, you had to eat veggies first. If they weren't very hungry, I would say, "You don't have to eat your rice but you must eat your (very small serving) of veggies. That kept them from just eating the "yummy stuff". As months went by, they started complaining less and actually liking most veggies. They still don't love beans, but they tolerate them. I only make them eat a few spoonfuls of beans anyway. If I were you, I would just explore healthy foods to find what I liked. Then I would just fix dh the very simple food he wanted. After a while I bet he will start to eat what you are eating. Make the kids eat either what you eat or what your dh eats. Serve one thing you know they like at every meal.

This is the first song I thought of! I made so much fun of that song that I completely ruined it for my kids---mission accomplished. So c-come on,You got it wrong,To prove I'm right,I put it in a song, WHAT? He's going to prove he's right by putting it in a song?

We had this spiced chicken last night and it was delicious! http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/grumpy-sullie-and-spiced-chicken-recipe/

Several years ago we stayed at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg. It looks like they are not on the bed bug registry.

My dd is in 8th grade. Many people in our area take Algebra 1 in 8th grade. We started out with Derek Owens Algebra, but it was too hard for me to help her using his curriculum,(his curriculum is great, but it just didn't work for her) so we switched to MUS Algebra 1 and she is doing the work, but it is slow and she needs lots of help. I have wondered if I should consider this pre-algebra and then do Algebra 1 in 9th grade, using a more rigorous curriculum. Meanwhile, we switched to a new umbrella school this year and I am regretting it. They are so pretentious and condescending. I've been frustrated with them all year. It is difficult to get questions answered and they frequently say things like, "DO NOT call our office and ask.....(fill in the blank)....we do not have time to answer those questions right now." or "DO NOT ask questions that are in the newsletters, we will not answer them." ANYWAY... After I turned in my grades for 1st semester, I got an email from the office saying that they wanted to make sure I was aware that Algebra 1 in 8th grade would only count as an elective and she would still have to take 4 years of math in high school. Well, I did know that, but I thought that halfway through the year was a terrible time to finally get around to letting me know. What if I did NOT know that? Some of the laws for TN have changed recently concerning high school requirements, and it would not be unusual for someone to NOT know about the changes. Well, I have already been regretting having my dd in Algebra 1, she is doing good work but she needs so much time to finish that I doubt she will be ready for geometry in the fall. She is a perfectionist and that slows her down. Put those things together, and I decided to let the school know that I'd like to change the course to Pre-Algebra. I told my dh, "I will probably just get a snarky email from them about this." Today I received this: "... we will leave this decision as a matter of conscience on your part as to what math to submit for (your daughter) for this year. If you would like to change it, we will need an updated grade report form reflecting this. .." What do you think this means? I have always homeschooled, we have worked faithfully and dilligently, I know my children and what they need, the stupid math doesn't count anyway, and I feel like the path we are heading toward will hurt her in the future. But I am at a loss as to what they mean by "matter of conscience" Do they mean that I shouldn't consider it Alg 1 if she will need to do more Algebra 1 next year? or that I should have done pre-algebra from the start? or that I am doing something less than honorable? If they weren't so (witchy with a B) all the time, I wouldn't think they meant that I was trying to do something shady. But I think they might have been taking a jab at my scruples. What say the hive? I am feeling upset about it.

What vocabulary curriculum would you suggest for an 8th grader that has not done a formal vocabulary program? We did several years of Rod and Staff spelling and are using Abeka spelling this year, but we have only worked on vocabulary in context, and I am worried that I should have been having her work through a series of workbooks. We tried working with Vocabulary Cartoons last year but it was a flop. Any ideas on where to start? Thanks so much!

That was beautiful, and I really needed to hear it.

Wow, that was interesting. At first I was wondering why others were saying they had to turn it off, but I got to a point that I couldn't take the song anymore. Then I had to go and listen to the real song. My dd does this sort of thing on the piano. She will learn her songs for her piano lessons, then she will play them in different keys, tempos, styles, etc. It is fun to hear her play.

Considering the ages of your children, I would relish the time at home. When my girls were young, we were definitely homebodies. They played and played and played and played. And yet I would feel guilty about not getting them out. Nothing like mommy guilt, is there? Looking back, it is clearer. My girls enjoyed field trips and outings, but I am so glad they had so much time to be home, play, and not be bothered with the busy-ness of the world. There is plenty of time to do that. I think back on the hours of playing fairy land, house, explorer, and so on outside, and playing restaurant, dolls, barbies, blocks, trains, dress-up, legos, playmobil, tea party, etc inside. I loved the rainy days of making homemade playdough and other crazy concoctions to keep them busy. Instead of spending so much time on field trips, I preferred to do something like load the kitchen table with shaving cream (and tablecloth, of course), give them a handful of toys and scoops, and just watch them have a blast. We read so many books together. We ate outside on pretty days. And I would hit the Children's Museum about once every 18 months and then wonder why on earth I didn't remember that I never wanted to go there again. Honestly, I don't think one way is better, I just think you do what is best for your family and try not to feel guilty about it. I am one of those people that is wiped out after a field trip day, and I try to limit them. I know people that go on every field trip, are in multiple co-ops or tutorials, and function just fine. It is just not for me, Maybe you could make a list of the places you feel would be the most important or the most interesting to your family, and make time to do those things. For instance, my girls love the local Children's Theater, but this year there really wasn't anything that caught our eye. So we didn't sign up for any of the plays this year. No big deal. But they are really wanting to go to the art museum, so I will focus on going there instead. Oh, and one more thing. I know that many will disagree with me on this one, but I still feel compelled to say it. Many of those places your friend goes will actually be more enjoyable for everyone when the kids are a bit older. For example, I took my girls to the zoo when they were little (because that is what you DO, right? Doesn't every good mother take her kids to the zoo?) and it was great for about 30 minutes and then the visit just went downhill from there. I didn't go back for years. I took them again when they were around 9 and 12 (just guessing at the ages) and we had a wonderful time. They were reading every sign, taking pictures with their own camera, watching their favorite animals, sitting in the front seat for the animal show, and just enjoying every minute of the time there. And I had a blast. Now, I am not suggesting that you never take your littles anywhere, I guess I am just saying.......if I knew then what I know now.....I wouldn't have stressed over the zoo visit the first time. I would have gone for an hour or so, and left, and not tried to make it so important. Does that make sense? :)

I am so, so sorry. I have serious dental phobia. I have nightmares about my teeth cracking, falling out, etc. I hate going to the dentist and I have to hold back the tears when they tell me that I have a cavity or some other issue that will cause me to have to come back.

Have you ever listened to "Gramma's Garden" podcast that is available on blogtalkradio? I found her through searching for Flylady. She has ADD and addresses many topics and how she deals with everyday issues. I have listened to a few of them and already gleaned some helpful information from her.