My MIL gave us a parakeet about 6 years ago because it was viciously attacking her other parakeets. She needed to be an only bird. My son would love to be able to interact with her, but her years of no handling, and general attitude, are hands-off. The last of my MIL's parakeets died last week and she's giving us their large cage. I would love to get my son a hand raised bird that he could bond with and train. What are your thoughts on parakeets and cockatiels? My husband had both growing up and he said he found cockatiels to be too demanding for attention at times, and while it was cute at first, the screaming for neck scratches became very annoying! On the other hand, they had an English budgie that had a ton of personality and was more laid back. Of course he's basing his opinion on his experience. What are your overall thoughts on these birds in your experience?

Together, I'd let them go around the neighborhood, no problem. My dh is also the one that had some reservations about the kids riding their bikes. He had the unfortunate experience of losing a classmate, at age 13, to a random kidnapping and murder when the boy was biking to the store. This was in a nice, suburban neighborhood in the mid-eighties. So despite knowing the odds are basically nil, dh knows it *can* happen and it makes him a bit more cautious.

:bigear: My 13 yo is slightly outdoorsy, but other than that, they sound the same :) .

Atonement. I had no idea Once Were Warriors was a book! It was such a powerful movie.

I have a 13 yo son that doesn't seem interested in forming romantic relationships any time soon, so I tend to forget how quickly this sort of thing can escalate...especially when teens think someone on the outside is trying to keep them apart. Our region watched that sort of desperation to be together unfold last month when a 13 and 14 yo ran away and were missing for nearly 2 weeks! Missing Michigan Teen Runaways Found Safe in Chicago You're doing the right thing staying up in his business :) .

:lol: I didn't see The Cook, The Thief, etc. but I did see plenty of other "artsy" films in my college days. The number of David Lynch films I suffered through :tongue_smilie: . I loved Twin Peaks, but his movies? Blech. I should have walked out of Wild at Heart.

:iagree: Yeah, I wouldn't be above bribery. I was also older, but my parents had the gears in motion to send me to a cousin in Alaska to get me away from a loser. Luckily, I met my husband ;) .

We're really lame about going to see movies. It's too expensive to chance not liking it. Unbelievably, we made it through Titanic, but spent hours afterward griping about it. Horrible movie. Our measuring sticks for bad movies are What Dreams May Come and Kids. I'm happy to see we're in good company hating What Dreams May Come. We had friends recommend it and we just sat there thinking, we *must* be missing something, so we kept it on watching :tongue_smilie: . Kids was, by far, the most depressing movie we've ever seen and it affected us for DAYS after. We just rented Silver Linings Playbook last week and loved it!

I think 3 of the 5 times I've been to a Ren Fest, it has rained! It is definitely muddy, but doable, if you're prepared.

Wait and let her choose the doll she wants. Hint: it's never the one WE want ;) . In just a little while, she'll be ready for a Bitty Baby, which will make the graduation to the "real" AG dolls all the more special.

We got Cecile through this deal last year (this year's deal is even better!) and she is an absolutely stunning doll.

That makes sense. I can understand. I worked in a cat exclusive veterinary practice for years. One of my co-workers had a cat chomp her during a grooming and within a half hour, her hand looked like a baseball mitt. Cat bites can be quite bad.

:iagree: and will even add that it wouldn't cross my mind to go to the doctor for such a thing.

Congratulations to your whole family! You have every reason to be proud! My daughter is working on her Silver Award :) .

I've had ringworm a few times because of my work with animals. Lamisil cream, actually whatever store/generic brand, has always worked to to clear mine quickly.

Lots of really good suggestions here. As he gets older, gulp, let him do seemingly dangerous things. When my son was 12, his dad took him to pick out an ax. As they were walking out the door, I was all, "You're going to do WHAT?" And off they went. That single tool produced maturity, responsibility, and physical activity. He was always a level headed and easy-going kid. We (well, his dad initially ;) ) trusted him and, more importantly, respected him enough to allow him to do an adult job. It has deepened our relationship with him as he's maturing. Yes, at 9, mine was still quite a hugger. Get 'em while you can! I still get hugs but not as many as I used to. He does stand too close to me all the time....he's trying to see if he has passed me in height!

:grouphug:

Yes, please post updates, as others have mentioned. It sounds like it will be quite a learning experience for everyone

We used that same book and the characters were so funny with it. We'd have it opened to their character's page, but several of them would flip through it and find a nemesis, or a love, to make a big deal over. It was fun :) .

I watched Bully last week with my daughter's Girl Scout troop. The girls were moved by it enough to take on bullying awareness for their 2-year long Silver Award project. They want to send out hand written invitations to local school administrators for a viewing and discussion panel with the community. I'm proud of them and will let you all know how the project goes. We had to stop the DVD to talk during the principal scene because all of the parents in the room were freaking out. My daughter is the only homeschooled child in her GS troop of middle schoolers. All of the girls talked about the bullying policies at their schools (public and charter). The school my dd would attend has the policy that children that *stand up* for another child being bullied are punished, as well as the bully. I can't even get my brain wrapped around that and I thought the girls misunderstood, but the other parents told me it was policy :huh: .

No, I really don't think you can ever truly know someone. I feel like I'm an open book, though I don't over share, I am very honest. I have found out that many people that have known me for years, even my whole life, are surprised at things I say and do all the time. Not necessarily in a negative way, but I guess they feel I've revealed an additional part of me. I had a recent run in with a martian and we're no longer friends. I get it :grouphug: .

Soooooo cute :001_wub: . Getting a second dog improved the quality of life for our, at the time, 8 yo dog. She's 11 now and shows no signs of slowing down.

:blink: Is that a mullet?!

What? What? You're talking about spooky movies and there's no mention of Vincent Price? If you happen to have cable, and your cable coverage includes Turner Classics, you can choose from 35 Vincent Price movies this month: http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/650759|0/Vincent-Price-Thursdays-in-October.html I have always loved Vincent Price...he was my first introduction to "scary" movies as a kid.

:grouphug: I'm just seeing this now. I'm so sorry, but so glad you got a chance to see her.