One of my children is a beekeeper. From our experience, it is more expensive than I realized. Keeping the bees alive through winter has been challenging. You can ask 10 beekeepers for advice and get 11 different opinions. ;) Harvesting the honey is W.O.R.K., especially if you filter it. However, it is, in my opinion, an absolutely fascinating hobby and I'm thankful my ds is doing it, despite the expense, time & energy. Read up on it as much as possible. There is an online course through Penn State that came recommended to us and was worth it. Good luck!

:grouphug: Praying :grouphug:

Yes because the camp we rent has a homemade sign, "No jumping on the davenport!!". :) :)

If your child loved Winston Grammar what did you do for grammar after that? Thanks!

Voted :)

That is incredibly exciting!! I love to watch ice skating, any chance his routine will be televised? Definitely sending good thoughts! Keep us posted.

I'm interested in all online options for science for 7th grade. We've never done anything online so I'm ignorant of what is even available. Any help you can give will be appreciated. My ds would be involved in a coop one day/week during school hours and I'm not sure if that makes online science difficult to do?

Praying! (hugs)

Tis that time of year when I start planning fun activities for the kids on New Years Eve. :hat: I have the clock printouts & bags ready to go but I need new ideas. Thus far we'll spend some time making dinner together, playing board games, eating snacks, watching a movie, answering a silly questionnaire about the past year, and breaking out sparkling grape juice & noise makers at midnight. Any other ideas? My kids range from 9 to 12.

Teared up reading this. Your coworkers & firefighters are such a blessing to your son!! Awesome response by your son too!

Another vote for Dutch Blitz. Fast, fun, and a family favorite here!

This. Our dog never barked until we went on vacation and she was at the kennel.

I believe my response would violate board rules.

We googled & my dh spoke to several. I believe there were three he spoke to, if my memory is correct. Growing up that is what my parents had through our church denomination way back when. It worked and was always much cheaper than any other health insurance. We had reasons we chose the one we did verses the other two that dh looked at. At this point they are legal but it wouldn't shock me to know they get shut down. The three that my dh investigated were all faith based. Everyone we have spoken to have had positive experiences with them and the price for us is much, much, much cheaper with FAR better coverage!

My dh is self employed and needless to say, we couldn't afford ACA. We had much better insurance prior. We have switched to Liberty Share (health share organization) and so far are happy.

Ours are pushing 5 years old and holding up well. I agree to make them thicker than 1/4 inch. Good memories & smells. :)

Thank you!! Checking some items off the Christmas list.

I had a similar child, just different gender. Here are some ideas for active games, "Hullabaloo" & "I Can Do That". Thinking putty may be an option for times she needs to be still but her hands can be moving (church, doctor appointments, etc.) Thinking putty comes in all types. Good luck! :)

Voted :)

Another vote for an Amish made one. I have one (my bil made it from an Amish pattern) and it has withstood years & years of wet clothes!

I'm in a similar boat. What is on the idea list so far is Perplexus Warp since he has all the other Perplexus mazes, a card game, Skip Bo, and an adult size sleeping bag. I'm sure I'll find another game or two since my tween is into games. I'm also looking for a very soft hoodie or sweatshirt. Stocking stuffer ideas: Silly string, magnetic thinking putty, nail clippers (they keep getting lost so each child is getting one!), deodorant, tic tacs, and favorite gum.

Great thread! :) I love Christmas! Our traditions: Baking Making a homemade ornament every year Jesse Tree Reading one of the books from the trilogy "Jotham's Journey" Christmas Eve candlelight service Giving a plate of baked goodies to our wonderful library Decorating the house What God Wants for Christmas Pulling out the basket full of Christmas books & reading them Watching Christmas movies Opening a present (new jammies made by Grandma) Christmas Eve Listening to Christmas music cranked high & dancing Looking at Christmas lights in our travels Attending a Live Nativity Eating a wonderful Christmas meal on Christmas day Decorating the Christmas tree together and leaving it as is, even if all the ornaments are on one side. :D Staying in jammies as long as I want on Christmas Dad (a rare treat!!) Reading the Christmas Story before opening presents Choosing a charity as a family to donate to I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I can think of. Growing up, my treasured memories were; caroling for shut ins, making Christmas baskets (fruit, soup, baked goods) for folks that needed a blessing, putting on a play for our parents Christmas Eve, and decorating a Charlie Brown Christmas tree every year. :)

I'm curious about this also. My thought is that your cycle is really wacky and what used to work for bc doesn't, unless it was permanent bc??

I don't have wisdom to offer but if it's any consolation, my dh has similar dreams. He attributes it to the years spend in college getting his doctorate. His dreams occur less frequently than they used to.

Yup, perimenopause. Welcome to the club. :) (I'm not finding it to be much fun!)