Re: voice change I didn't really notice it, but we listened to a video of my son from just a few months ago, and his voice is different. It doesn't sound so "stuffy nose" sounding. He's also enunciating more, so he doesn't sound like such a little kid any longer.

I forgot about the smell! Yikes. I thought for sure something was dying in there. Our recovery was tough. It gets better, then worse, then OK again. Hydration, pain management are paramount. Find what works for your kid - offer choices - and go with it. Ours only liked warm liquids. I made a tea with manuka honey, ginger, sea salt, coconut water. That helped with hydration (all the salts and electrolytes), plus he liked it and would drink it. I probably would have let him drink gallons of soda if it were the only thing that he wanted. For us, the surgery was a complete health game-changer. He's a different (happier, healthier) person. Good luck!

My solution to this problem was to do a biweekly or monthly theme. It was very gentle and laid-back, but it would include the little ones and help organize art projects, read alouds, fun activities, etc. We still do it, actually. I try to not let it stress me out, but really, once I got my little one's needs to be included met, the rest of our school day went well. I personally find the FIAR set-up repetitive in an unrewarding way. I'm happy to dig up some great books about insects, makes ants on a log, do thumbprint ants, read fables, look for bugs in the backyard, talk about pollination, etc.

We had a nasty virus break out at our co-op this winter. The one family that didn't go down was the one who had recently started learning about essential oils, and had been experimenting with Thieves Oil. I know it's n=1, but their experience made me a believer.

What's her reason for wanting to homeschool? That would direct my book recommendation. For us, Alfie Kohn and John Holt were influential.

I try to avoid playdate lunches. I love the 1 p.m. start time. I'm happy to bring out lots of healthy snacks, but the pressure of lunch is too much - both on the hosting and hosted side. But, if pressed, I'd probably set out a bunch of safe foods, so lunch would look more like cocktail hour - hummus, cheese, nuts, vegetables, fruits, something crunchy. Lots of protein and fat, since the kids probably would be too excited and distracted by playing to eat very much.

I'd assume she was asking because it would be rude NOT to ask. And while I think 2 is too young, some people just want the little kids in the wedding, no matter how they behave. My son was a "ringbearer" in my BIL's wedding when he was 18 months old. It wasn't the best experience, but the family was clear they hoped he would participate since he was a godson. If it were my family, I'd just say "XXX doesn't feel comfortable being in the wedding; could he do XXXX instead?" As for the little one, I'd express my honest concerns about crying, behavior, etc, and the potential to be a distraction from the ceremony. Weddings are awfully upsetting to little one's schedules (and they seem to happen at naptime!).

With the first, pregnancy was a breeze and the adjustment period was more difficult - but not too bad, really. I was able to really take care of myself with the first pregnancy and was in awesome shape, which I think made all the difference. With the other three, pregnancy was much more difficult. I find it really hard to be a good parent if I'm physically uncomfortable in my skin, especially when I'm really not able to do my own self-care. I'm not in shape any more. At all.

I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs (PA side) for a few years. I'd much rather stay in PA than NJ. If you're up for commuting to the site, I'd recommend checking for rentals on the SEPTA lines. You'd, at a minimum, save in parking fees and bridge toll.

Taking suggestions, please! I'm teaching a lesson about forests and am drawing a blank brainstorming good picture books. Thanks!

I've started using a "men's" razor, because it seems silly that we'd buy two different kinds of replacement heads for our razors. When I first started using it, I felt that it was more effective than the "women's" razors had been. Then, on vacation, I used one of those very cheap, entirely disposable, one blade razors. I cut my legs very badly. I'd really recommend getting one of the more substantial disposable razors, with the replacement heads. Amazon Subscribe and Save has great prices and then you never need to remember to reorder them :)

I clicked on this topic to recommend "All Around the Kitchen"! It's a favorite. Mandatory kitchen dancing always follows. We also like "The Car Song" by Woody Guthrie.

time (1/2 of a hour) I used to do the time cards for my high school job at a dry cleaners. It was the first time I realized what math illiteracy was. I was tasked with training another employee to do the job when I left for college. I couldn't make her believe me that 30 minutes did not equal 0.30 hours.

it sounds Sneetch-ish on this thread :)

Our family loves the Owly series, which follow a sweet owl and his animal friends. It's a graphic novel without words - the animals speak in thought bubble pictures. It's great for early readers or for little ones who want their own graphic novels. Anyway, one books is on sale for Kindle for $0.97. I've never read it on an e-reader, so I can't say how annoying it might be, but the book does come highly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Owly-Volume-Home-Bittersweet-Summer-ebook/dp/B009NLKKNE/ref=sr_1_26?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390836727&sr=1-26

Can you ask your store to order them for you? A ship-to-store scenario?

We have a few Gator Skin balls that sound similar to what you're talking about, although they have a foam core instead of bean=bag style. They're lighter, I think, than Nerf would be. http://www.ssww.com/search/?browse_cat=SPFBALGTR

Yosemite and Yellowstone don't compare. I like Yosemite a lot, but only the back country. The valley gets so crowded that it makes me twitchy. I think if you like Yellowstone, you'll be happier with the other suggestions you've gotten: Canadian Rockies, Glacier, Banff.

I personally hate the birthday gift cycle, swapping stuff for stuff as we make the annual rounds. I'm thankful we have friends where we have a mutual expectation of no/inexpensive/unique/personal gifts. I'd be glad to have my kids shop for dog food or towels for an animal shelter instead of more toys, or books, or whatever is making the rounds. We don't have a huge disposable income, so it always pains me to spend $$ for if I think they won't be used or appreciated. (There is a huge subtext here about my terrible gift-giving ability and general pickiness about "stuff" in general.) But, I know that we're coming as a bigger family who will enjoy its share of cake, so I feel some pressure to pay a good "entrance fee" with our gift.

I like to make the lazy no-knead crust from the 5 minutes a day bread book. It's fine. We're not that discerning. 1 1/3 c water 3/4 T yeast 3/4 T salt 1/8 c olive oil 3 1/4 c flour Mix it all together, let it sit all day (minimum 3 hours, I believe) then roll out. You'll find that with the right tools homemade pizza is pretty forgiving. A pizza stone makes a lot of difference. A hot oven does too. I always cook mine on 500, even if it does sometimes char the parchment paper :)

My ILs too are kissers. I didn't realize what was happening at first, and in the confusion of meeting everyone for the first time I ended up kissing his uncle on the LIPS. (Shudder. Ew. I still cringe, 15 years later.) I'd stress about this, too. My solution would be to separate from husband at greetings/goodbyes, so that his hug wouldn't pressure me to hug. Or I'd hold something (babies come in handy like this!). Or, depending on how comfortable I feel with the huggees in question I'd simply offer the goodbye I would have if my husband weren't there to make me question myself.

Ask is published by Cricket, and is science-based, but not really for the preschool set. http://www.askmagkids.com/

Most laundry detergents have optical brighteners in them. I've found our whites to get dingy when we use the homemade stuff BUT we are terrible about sorting laundry (lights and darks mixed together because I live on the edge!!) and we use mostly cold/recycled water. You'll find the best results with your laundry detergent if you know how hard your water is. I've found that homemade laundry detergent is unforgiving if you use too much. The detergent build-up leads to funky smelling clothes. Our dish cloths/towels and thicker fleece-type clothes don't always smell "fresh." We use powdered detergent because it seems simpler than cooking up a big batch of liquid detergent. I have a blade on our food processor that's just for shredding the soap. Before laundry, I do add the tablespoon of soap to a mug of hot water so it can start dissolving, but, as I mentioned, it's because we do our wash in cold water.

As background, by my husband and I are college professors. (I'm on probably permanent leave with our four kids at home.) I absolutely value college education. I don't value loading young adults with thousands of dollars of debt as they begin their careers. I don't value expecting young adults to know what they'd like to do with their lives (via college major) at such a young age. At many major institutions around our country, students apply to a college (engineering, arts and science, business) or, worse yet, a specific major. Transferring between departments and schools within a college can be difficult. I absolutely disagree with the current culture of college, in which young adults (or, truthfully, old children) are left to have "experiences" and "make mistakes," where there is an expectation and a value placed on partying, irresponsibility, slothfulness, and minimal effort. This isn't every college student. There are many who work hard, hold many jobs, are driven, etc. It is my firm belief that if we want to make college an experience worth the expense - a worthy investment - then we must normalize a later start date, so that it's a standard that freshmen enter college at 25 rather than 18.

So glad so many people are able to benefit! We go through enough paper (and paper is so expensive!) that I'm always on the lookout for deals. I'm happy to front the $40 knowing that I'll end up saving it in the end. Now to be sure I spend it on groceries, and not, say, dinner out for me and the husband...