We have the book and the cards. I think your ds will love them. As for us, I can't wait to use them this yr. as we study Chemistry. I went a little bonkers and ordered fun stuff like this in addition to our basics. Denise

When we moved here to FL from VA, we took the auto-train. We did get a sleeper room though. The train is great. The boys kept coming back to our room with cookies and snacks that were in the bar for free. The 2 meals were really, really good too. The staff are very nice and don't mind the kids walking around. Unlike an airplane, children can stretch out and walk around a bit. I was afraid the kids wouldn't sleep but they slept soundly all night. The jerky movements and noise of the train kept me awake but put my dc, even the baby, into a sound sleep. Your kids will probably sleep fine in the chairs. The only drawback was the wait time to load and then unload the cars. The rest of the experience was excellent. Denise

That's funny. All that work you are doing homeschooling is paying off. :001_smile: Denise

Yes, I would like this too. I learned so much from people who are no longer here on a regular basis. I would love to hear from them and hear what they are doing now. The days you chose sound good. Mid-fall and mid-spring will give everyone a boost in their school year. Thanks for thinking of this! Denise

:bigear: I'm interested in this too. We've avoided yoga for a long time but I keep hearing how the health benefits are so good for kids, as well as adults. I hope someone who knows will answer your question. Denise

If you are ok with pictures and symbols, can you put some of those around the house? Sometimes, if I'm frustrated or feeling discouraged, a glimpse of the cross or Christ reminds me what this life is all about. Also, a saying in Catholic culture is that "God is in the pots and pans." Meaning, God is everywhere and everything you do is for Him, even washing and cooking. It helps me to remember this quote when I'm deep in dishes or meal prep. and the kids are whining. Keep praying. Prayer really does work. Denise

I'm not sure about Holland vs. The Netherlands but I was taught that a lot of the names for countries derive from the groups that settled the area. For instance, in Spanish and French, the name for Germany is very different from what we call this same territory/country. Their name derives from a group that settled the area. I think Hungary is another example. By the way, Germans call their country Deutschland (I hope I spelled that right!). Denise

:hurray::hurray: Congratulations! That is a great accomplishment. Denise

No. I do all of it. Once in a while, dh will have a critique of something or, if I ask him, he will give his opinion. Otherwise, I just keep him informed of how much $$ I need. :D Denise

:grouphug: and prayers. Denise

We've used many alternative meds/treatments in the last 12 yrs. We started down this road due to our oldest ds's medical problems. Here is the list: - dietary changes and supplements - Tomatis auditory training - sublingual drops for allergies and food intolerances - vision therapy - cranial sacial treatments(I can never spell that one correctly) - CES (cranial electrical stimulation) - SOMONAS - mild chelation - herbal and homeopathic medicines (using a homeopathic dr.) - chiropractor (I love chiropractors!) We are saving up for neurofeedback next summer. Some of the treatments we did were alternative at the time we did them and now they are more mainstream. I'm glad people no longer have to fight as hard as we did to find and receive this type of medical care. Denise

Video games are only on the weekends - 2 hrs. each on Friday & Sat. TV is no more than 1 hr. in the afternoon or evening, after school is done. Many days, there is no TV because we are busy. It's tough because boys love media, especially the games. Stick w/your strict schedule. As boys get older, they become less focused on media. Denise

He's beautiful! Congratulations! Denise

Yes, I think you are still at risk. The medication should keep your bp under control while your body recovers. Keep us posted. More :grouphug: Denise

Herbie the Love Bug is a favorite at our house. There is also one with a cat from outer space? I don't remember the name. Is The Flight of the Navigator a Disney movie? Denise

First, congratulations on your daughters! That's wonderful news. I am sorry that the preeclampsia has not resolved itself yet. What did your doctor say about it? Is he/she concerned? I did have preeclampsia near the end of my first pregnancy. It took a full 2 weeks after my ds was born for the swelling to go down. When it did, I lost 30 lbs. in a few days. :) I do think my blood pressure was down a bit before they released me from the hospital. It was still higher than normal but not as high as prior to the c-section and I was not put on meds. The medication is temporary, right? I hope your blood pressure comes down soon and you can go off the meds. It is my understanding that preeclampsia is temporary, though it can take a few weeks to fully recover. Unless there is something different about postpartum preeclampsia? You are in my thoughts and prayers. :grouphug: Denise

Yes, I forgot that the call out is determined by peers. Our troop is so small, the leaders determine who is nominated and the boys vote in whoever was nominated. Still, the troop leaders would not nominate a boy with poor behavior. And, if a boy had been nominated the year before but not selected, they would "suggest" to the boys that they vote him in this year. What your ds is going through doesn't seem right. :grouphug: Denise

I don't blame you for being angry and frustrated. I would be too. A boy who behaves like the one you describe has no business being in the OA. He would never get nominated in our troop. Can you change troops? It sounds like there is a problem with the leaders. Denise

It sounds like your friend has her hands full. She might look at Teaching Textbooks for Alg. I, Geometry and Alg. II. The program can be done independently and seems to work for kids who are not math inclined, as well as some who are more "mathy." Your friend also might consider having her ds work through Basic College Math (Lial). This is the best way to plug holes, in my opinion. It is also a book that he can do on his own, if she needs that. He can test through it and stop on those areas where he needs more work. Once he's finished it, he will be ready for whatever Alg. I book he chooses. The Lial's book would be my preference but, TT is a good option too. Denise

No tomatoes. What Rosie said about the scout leaders knowing more about your kid at camp is true. The leaders are trained and usually have a very good understanding of the cycle of homesickness. They are trying to encourage the boy to gain independence which increases his self-confidence. If you feel that your son's scout leader is overly harsh, unkind or unfair, thus causing your child to be miserable, take him home and find a new troop. Not all scout leaders are created equal. Otherwise, be positive and encourage you son. If you portray confidence in your ds, he will feel more confident. Especially if it's from you, Mom. Denise

This is not happening at our library. We don't have enough books, especially children's books, for all the patrons that want to check them out. I hope what you are seeing is not a new trend that just hasn't made it here yet. Denise

Thank-you for posting this link. Denise

It sounds like they are trying to encourage the parents to be upbeat and excited to support the boys. It also sounds like they are doing a poor job of it. Of course you can take your son home if he's really homesick. We have boys go home sometimes. We also have parents who coddle their kids to the point that they ruin the experience for the boys. If you aren't doing that and your son wants to come home, let him. He can go again next year when he's older and knows what to expect. Denise

While I don't have any problems w/little girls (or boys) pretending to breastfeed, I wouldn't buy a special doll for it. I think breastfeeding is natural and beautiful. I am also a proponent of being able to breastfeed in public. So, those are my views and I will bow out of this conversation now. Denise

You're right, Rosie! :lol: No one wants to rule America. We're too troublesome! :D Oh, that should make me sad but, it's just so true. Denise