I'm not a fan of cats but that many mice may put me over the edge and cause me to get one. We have problems with mice in our garage, we find the traps with fake cheese work best. We set 3-4 at a time with just a bit of peanut butter until we quit catching them, then leave one set for the next round. They always come in through the same route, it seems to work well if we leave the traps near the place where they enter the garage. Our neighbors have a good mouser that keeps the mice under control until it gets cold, then they start coming inside. Fortunately they have stayed out of the actual house so far. Good luck!

Touching story.

Listening in, I enjoy listening to her on the Circe podcast but hadn't decided on reading the book yet.

I'd be tempted to invite a neighbor over just the break up the boredom. Are you able to go to your husband's work to use the Internet? Does he have coworkers who may be able to lend you movies or games? I'm sure with living around the world like you have that you will quickly settle into a new routine.

Well shoot, I'm not quite close enough to participate but it sounds like a great time.

Learn to solve a Rubik's Cube? Is this a temporary issue?

You may want to find the kindergarten thread on the pre-k/k board. It was very helpful for me when I was starting out. The WTM very helpful in determining what I want to teach my kids from year to year. I've done K with two kids so far. We focus on learning to read, handwriting, and basic math skills along with tons of reading aloud.

My nephew and nieces show pigs and calves at their county and state fair without being in 4-h. I'm not sure if they go on their own or what. Only my nephew is old enough for 4-h, but he hasn't started yet. My little niece showed her first pig last week and she won't be 3 until September. It was pretty cute.

A young man I met in Mexico who spoke great English said he learned watching American tv.

Anyone?

Wow! So frustrating.

Has anyone been to a Simply Charlotte Mason conference? One will be in my area this fall and I'm curious if it would be beneficial for me. My teaching style is kind of mix of WTM and CM with slightly more WTM leanings. I don't use any SCM materials although I do plan to use Laying Down the Rails. Any input?

I wish! Seriously, my kids were all great nappers until they hit 3, then they suddenly became incapable of napping except on rare occasions.

You could do banana bread or something similar with fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Salads could work if you found individual servings of dressing so you don't have to worry as much about refrigeration. PBJ is kind of my go to for those types of meals, but I would want more variety.

If your kids aren't used to quiet time, start with 15-20 minutes and gradually make it longer.

Listen to audiobooks, play trains, Legos, hot wheels, read or look at books. Our rest time is from 1-3 and the rule is you can't make a mess you are unable to take care of yourself and I shouldn't be able to hear you.

I have my kids listen to the current week's show and answer the questions. There is often a write up about the composer of the month. I sometimes check out books about the composer too, but not always. I'm not sure when the season begins, but I find listening to the current show easier than searching the archives. Each lesson is short, but they will hear about the same composer for a month. I think of it as an introduction, my kids have begun to point out different pieces of music in movies or commercials from what they have learned.

Adding to my earlier comment, I'm not sure that waiting until we were older before we were married would prevented any struggles. We struggled financially at first, but I think many (maybe most) young couples do. It wasn't a horrible struggle but we had no wiggle room. I guess I don't really think 23 is that young, it seems young by today's standards.

Met at 17, married at 23. We could have married earlier, but I don't regret that we didn't. We waited 6 years before having kids, I wish we had started sooner.

I'm thinking of my husband, the message never would have been relayed to me. I usually text my babysitters before they are at our house to make sure there is something here they like. I don't think it's being overly fussy to have something on hand that a person likes, especially if she lives with your son. You don't need every single favorite food, but having her beverage of choice on hand is thoughtful. Anyway, enjoy your visit.

Do you have her number? Just text and tell her you are heading to the store and want to make sure you have her favorite coffee (or whatever)

I've returned produce to both Kroger and Walmart. I felt weird but these were Honeycrisp apples which got soft spots within two days of buying them, those things are too pricy to just toss and I knew they were fine when I got them.

Did they have a shower registry?

What about the car seat for post infant seat? They are so expensive.

For what it's with you can do a google search for camping lists. It won't be the same as yours but it may have that oddball item you wouldn't otherwise remember.