I was thinking more along the lines of the person's individual fears/comfort level. I am not ashamed of liking superheroes but I might not choose a superhero theme for an event where I am going for a sophisticated atmosphere (which may or may not be the case here at this graduation event). That may be a bad example, but I was just trying to think of the guest of honor's wishes as it was unclear to me if the guest wanted their work displayed at all. If there were people attending that might be professional networking acquaintances I might not want everyone in full cosplay garb, YKWIM? As for the OP, if you really want to display them, maybe you can find some clear plastic boxes to put over them. I'd say that sends a message "do not touch" but someone could still potentially pick them up.

I think this is the recipe dh uses: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/15004/award-winning-soft-chocolate-chip-cookies I don't always like soft cookies, but I liked these.

Have you asked your son? Is he proud of them or will he be embarrassed? Just because, you know, maybe there's a girl he likes attending or people he wants to look more adult around and would worry how it would reflect. I'm sorry, I don't really know what a graduation open house is... is this for a whole group and not for a particular graduate? And the theme is just going to have something to do with Legos? If it's for a whole group then I would just think about what I think would be a good theme to appeal to the majority I guess... or whatever is easiest? lol

Apply if you're interested. You might be more reliable than the younger ones (who want to request Friday night off, etc.). I have worked a handful of times in our local textbook store and not all the employees are young. Some were college students and some were not.

I hear you. I called ds' school to check on the time frame of the awards ceremony they are having. They couldn't tell me how long it would last but that it apparently starts an hour earlier than the email said. What??

I want to balance out some of my other comments. I was not suggesting that people can't die of any age. I was not saying people are better off not born because they didn't get to grow up with grandparents or maybe parents, but just that it's something to consider. Some of us that did grow up with grandparents can't imagine giving that up if given a choice. But obviously there are no guarantees that the families will live close together or that they will die later in life. My parents came to see me this weekend and we're going to my grandma's funeral in a couple of days. She was my last living grandparent and I'm blessed she lived as long as she did. I never met her husband, he died before I was born. I want to mention some of the positives of being young and having older parents. There are times dh and I can help my parents and we are happy to do so. And since my older siblings never had children, we were able to give them grandchildren and even though my mom couldn't really interact with the kids I know she was very excited to become a grandma (Dad was probably happy to become a grandpa, too).

We can't put this all on the shoulders of parents requiring bonding time, either. I think a lot of it is personality. I don't know if I'm reading into this too much but it seems like you're saying that you're happy you had your daughter despite the fact that her dad might not get to be with her after college. Well, of course most parents would say that they are happy they have their child. I'm not sure how that reflects how it affects the child, though. Will it be tough on a child if they don't have a father to walk them down the aisle or if their kids never meet their grandparents? I mean these are all the things that run through my mind. I admit there are times I've regretted being born, thinking I'm just a burden to my parents in their older age as they have bailed me out financially in tough times and when I come over with the grandkids it's stressful to them maybe more so than enjoyable. I usually just stay at my in-law's home in their town and only swing the kids by for brief visits. I don't know how old dd would have to be in order for me to drop the kids off there. It's like Christmas is a chore to them and we're going through the motions for the kids. I feel kind of bitter sometimes.

Does she get food benefits? WIC or SNAP? Depending on where you live, SNAP may or may not charge you tax when you use a coupon. If it doesn't charge you that would make couponing more useful. If it does, she could still coupon but would need to be prepared to pay tax on those items. Overall it would help stretch the money. If you have a group like St. Vincent de Paul they may be able to help with utilities. You could look into that. I don't know who else does but I saw upthread you have other choices (depending on where you live I guess). Agree about finding out about the school meals. Might even apply to summer or something?? Useless advice/comments? Well anything of the nature that assumes I have money to get to X to do Y (because we need a sitter and/or gas money) or that my food benefits cover my entire grocery bill. They didn't. And people still need to buy other essentials like toothpaste, diapers, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, etc. Mostly the annoying thing was people acting like it was easy to get a job (either for dh or a better one for myself) when we had to juggle the childcare. Or having people say, "it's not that expensive" and disregard my worry about swiping my card to buy items because they have no idea how worried I am about spending money on that snack at work when I forgot to bring food from home. Or not understanding why I didn't want to buy food a X instead of Y. It's because X takes my EBT card and Y doesn't. What is the condition of her vehicle? That could be another concern of hers. When we were on really hard times we had a car that had issues which added to problems like making me late for work.

I remember screaming and crying over my mom doing my hair when I was younger. I avoid brushes as they make my hair frizzy. I do like the detangling combs like these: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/6874/products/BEAUTY-91_grande.gif?v=1437421435 I would also suggest making sure she is using a conditioner (stand alone conditioner rather than a 2 in 1 product. My hair always feels like it still needs conditioner if I use a 2 in 1). Maybe even a leave in conditioner. Have you ever asked her to brush/comb it herself? Maybe she can show you the "right" amount of pressure she likes or do it herself if you make her. I like the headband idea or easy haircut where it stays out of her face. Does she have a favorite interest/character so you could get an accessory for her hair with that?? If it was a fun accessory she might be more willing to keep it in her hair.

You said upthread that you keep tissues in your purse. What about her? Does she keep some on her person? I would have her keep them in her own pocket/purse. Ds keeps getting a runny nose in public. I try to keep tissues but sometimes I run out in my purse and we're inside a store when it happens. This literally happened yesterday. There was a whole box inside the car, but neither of us thought to take any inside. Suddenly his nose started running and he was kinda freaking out like oh no I need a tissue right.this.second. I had him rush to the bathroom (he was walking funny, tilting his head lol) and instructed him to get extra tissue to keep in his pocket. And that's not even a bloody nose, just runny. So I can totally imagine how a child might react. It happens almost every time we're in Mass!! lol. Right there in the church pew. It's like, "not again!!" haha.

I thought of that, too. But then I also thought, when someone gives birth they might not have any idea what their schooling plans will look like down the road. My kids have a six year gap and I worry about that sometimes. I wasn't ready for another one sooner, though.

This is going to vary I guess between family members. I was NOT close to my sisters growing up. We are all 4 years apart, with the oldest being 8 years older than me. We are closer now as adults, but it took some time to get there. I mean, she was off at college part of the time I was living at home with my parents. I don't think we ever attended the same school. By the time I started elem. she would have been in middle school/jr. high.

If you were talking about the IVF now, I would be scared to have multiples. But that doesn't sound like it would be an issue since this isn't IVF? I don't know if they just use one? Definitely a very individual answer. My parents had me later in life (mom was 41) and sometimes I do wish they were younger. Dad is in pretty good health (better than many men younger than him) but Mom is not (her Parkinson's has taken a toll on her). She can't even hold my daughter let alone do the things my MIL does with her grandchildren (babysit, take them out, even read books). If she didn't have Parkinson's I still feel like she'd have a harder time with some things at her age. Also, I don't know if they had trouble relating to other parents at school functions, etc. I do remember Mom being self conscious about her hair when my oldest sibling graduated and that's when she dyed it. I'm 34 and I can't even keep up with my toddler so I can't imagine how some people that are older or in worse health do it (but age is just a number to some extent, so ultimately it's probably more about your health, finances, etc.). My grandmother died this week and she lived to 101. You never really know how long people will be around.

My uncle has written my son's name wrong a number of times. I know I have spelled ds' name in emails. I was called the completely wrong name at one of my jobs by an elderly couple that worked there. I probably tried to correct it at some point but then let it go. They were super sweet so it was easier to let slide

I just started Lexapro, too. I began the end of March. I am not sure what to think. I am really bad about taking it the same time each night. I was told to take it before bed because it can make you sleepy. Well, I do take it in the evening but sometimes closer to 8:30, others closer to 9 or later. I'm trying to be more consistent. I don't know how much a little bit of time affects it. I was told by both the dr and the pharmacist it was best to take in the evening. Honestly, I don't know if I'm any more tired. I tend to be tired on a regular basis because my kids are a pain to get to bed at night and we have early mornings. I do think it has probably helped with depression and anxiety (I'm taking it for both). I said probably because some situational stuff overlapped with my beginning it (I was anxious when dh was out of town, but he's back). I don't know if they told you, but the pharmacist pulled me aside and told me if you decide to stop, you have to wean off it. Don't stop cold turkey or I could get really sad or something.

I don't even know. Like I never sat down and counted. I just know my water broke with dd and I went to the hospital shortly after that. I think I went to the hospital in the afternoon and gave birth that night. I probably mentally block out the hour countdown :laugh: We stared at the hospital booklet with ds and didn't know when to count me in active labor since I didn't fit the textbook definition. Came to find out later I was in fact in active labor (felt like it but just didn't match with intervals in book).

I'm sorry :grouphug:

I heard about these on the radio today. I thought, "ha the Hive always knows what's up!"

ew

Dh bought a giant bag of riced cauliflower at Sam's recently. Inside were individual bags. I think it's a new item. We had previously bought it at Walmart. I don't know how much he paid, though.

Wow, like going to the bathroom outdoors isn't bad enough... but to have to show a bag of contents at the end of the trip? Does the altitude make a lot of women menstruate? I think I might be more afraid of all this than the wild life lol

:laugh: :confused1:

I don't know what you can do but maybe we can brainstorm some ideas scheduled for the down time. Like audio books or independent work to take up a bit of the time you're working. Also sites like TeachYourMonstertoRead, ReadingBear, etc.?? I have always only taught one. Ds did a combination of seat work with me and time4learning.com when we did PreK-2nd. We'll be returning to homeschool for 4th and I might be able to find a few things to work on with dd but she's really too young for real school.

that's awful!!

When you do go car seat shopping, check the man. date immediately. Ugh I got burned by buying stuff that had sat on the shelf a long time. Didn't realize it til years later and did the math.