Wow... I can't imagine shopping in that time! Definitely takes me well longer than that even when I really rush it and be efficient!

If you schedule your time weekly how long would you allow for library and grocery shopping? I actually timed it today and it took much longer than I had allowed. I have a half hour one way drive. I'm trying to work out if I'm slow or my schedule was overly optimistic. Edited to add - specifically for a once a week shop with kids in tow.

I think you already know what you should do. If you have any doubt imagine it's one of your dds asking the question. If you have any further doubts ask yourself whether you want this guy in any remote way in their proximity. Hugs. It sucks that bad people can still mess with is so many years afterwards.

Prek has some super easy and some slightly more challenging books. My 8 year old got out one of the Prek books last night because she still likes it.

How is your baby with nursing? I found sonlight has with a new baby worked best if I had a pile of books near the feeding corner so feeding time was also read aloud time. Honestly p4/5 is very light - it takes us an hour a day absolute max although I don't always do everything as my current p4/5er gets to tag along with all the stuff the older ones are doing too.

Story of the world. We have the activity book and of we have time we do the fun stuff but if we're rushed we just read the chapter.

I love navy but I wouldn't consider it neutral.

I wouldn't recommend this but when I was a kid and got told staring at the sun would wreck my eyes I tried it out to see if it was true. I have no idea why because I generally was a pretty sensible kid. Anyway my eyes are fine. I'm sure you will be ok if it was just a quick look.

Those little tiny cocktail potatoes in half normally take about half an hour sometimes 35 minutes in a hot oven for me. They do roast pretty quick but I'd allow a bit more than 25 minutes especially if you are putting anything else in the oven at the same time.

I had a little tiny galley kitchen in a rental and it was my best kitchen ever! It couldn't get messy because there was nowhere to pile dishes, all the cupboards were within two steps and no one came in and leaned on the cupboards I need stuff out of.

It's free after the initial registration here.

I haven't been around for a while between trips away and crazy homeschool stuff. Currently reading Dampiers Monkey though I don't think I'll finish it for now. I had an Agatha Christe binge because I picked them up on the library discard pile, finished off some stuff I got free on iBooks (Ross Poldark) and also read Morgan's Run as I had it from the op shop. I've already done some slightly sort of eclipse themed reading earlier this year with Chasing Venus - about the history of the missions to measure the transit of Venus and so calculate the distance from earth to sun. My library hold list is empty so I'll be looking for suggestions.

Gymboree? They used to be good for us before the Aussie $ went backwards...

I think there's a fine line between being supportive and hassling someone about their weight and it's very hard to maintain. I think making sure most of the options on the table at home are healthy and there are fun ways to exercise will work out best.

If you haven't read it it might be helpful to read the book "why diets make us fat" http://www.npr.org/books/titles/481099343/why-diets-make-us-fat-the-unintended-consequences-of-our-obsession-with-weight-l It is written by a neuroscientist about the lose and gain cycle with diets. It doesn't have all the answers but you may actually do more harm than good by obsessing over your stepsons weight.

Yes and no. Because school would involve around 2 hours travel per day for me probably I am not willing to do both. If all three of my kids want school then I'll do it. As with others if there was very significant resistance I'd take that into account.

They are ok and you can even buy hard bodies ones but I keep mine as clean indoor shoes because our outdoors is muddy.

I really hope there is a miracle and the little boy is found alive thought it's hard to imagine where he could be. I can't even imagine how his father might be feeling 😢

I just remembered the occasional heron and plovers. And I don't know if it counts because they never land but We've had a lot of Pelicans go over this year.

Ug boots... If you get proper wool ones they shouldn't be stinky and they are easy to take on and off. May not be a good option if you have to leave your house but great for the rest of the time.

We started First language lessons 3 without previous grammar work and its fine. We've switched to something else for now but that's for other reasons (wanted something a bit more fun and engaging for a while but will get back to proper grammar lessons soon.

Could you organise some kind of Minecraft hour get together? I've seen it done in schools, I don't know how hard it would be to set up at home.

I have a blank art book for history. As I read story of the world the kids draw or right in it. It keeps their hands busy while we're reading and hopefully helps to make things more solid. By leaving it fairly open ended I feel like it's more there's and a reflection of what they are getting out of the lessons. We haven't got any more technical than that yet.

Yes the fishing gear! Mine starts tying fishing rigs like a month before we go away! And then takes five minutes to pack clothes and forgets to put water in the caravan tank... Admittedly it does make it less stressful when the kids tangle or bust off though.

You may want to cross post on Learning Challenges if you haven't already.