Was it a Kingfisher book? I can't remember the title and wanted to check it out of the library to use with ds. Does anyone know? Thanks!

I can't remember. Was it a Kingfisher or DK book? Thanks.

After reading the first chapter of Stuart Little, did you assume that Mrs. Little delivered Stuart and that a human having a rodent child is part of the fantasy element, or did you assume that Stuart was adopted? I haven't seen the movie, but I have read that in the movie he is adopted. I figured this was just a divergence from the book that is common with movies loosely based on books. I'm wondering if another adult who said that Stuart had mouse parents and was adopted into the Little family had only seen the movie. What do you think? Thanks! Btw, it wouldn't really matter, but dd is doing a big project on this book for school (she is in public school) and I don't want to get it wrong! Thanks!

Any more ideas? Thanks!

I'm going to have some extra time over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks to read, and I need some ideas. I love classics, but I also like to read contemporary novels. Any ideas? Thanks.

Here are some things that I have really enjoyed getting: comfy throw blankets (These are probably the gifts we have used most often.) $10 gift card to Starbucks mini scented candles from Bath & Body works gift card to the movies warm and pretty socks Godiva truffles restaurant gift cards homemade baked goods (chocolate chunk pecan pie bars, layered cookie bars, fudge, brownies, etc.)

The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment are two of my all-time favorite books. I think I would vote for The Brothers Karamazov for you. Have you read Anna Karenina? It is also one of my very favorites, and is a very enjoyable read, imo.

Does it have to be nightgowns? I have bought 100% cotton, non-treated pajamas for my kids at several different stores over the years, for reasonable prices. Gap, Old Navy, Elder Beerman, JcPenney, and even Walmart usually carry these. But nightgowns are harder to find.

I would really consider getting a dishwasher. When we first moved to this house we had a dishwasher, but it really wasn't that great. I sometimes had to rewash items because they didn't get clean. Then it broke, and we went a year without a dishwasher. When I finally decided to spend the money to replace it, it was such a huge, wonderful difference. I didn't spend an exorbitant amount for the most luxurious one I could find, but I researched, decided which features were most important to me, and found one with those features in the mid-range. It works so well. I never have to rewash, and I'm so happy we have a dishwasher. We use ours at least once a day, sometimes two or three times. I say go for it and get a new one that works.

My kids want some for Christmas. I don't want one that will be leaking little styrofoam balls all over my house. Any recommendations?

I was just looking at both online, and it looks to me like they both have the same capabilities for real-time video interfacing, they both can store music, videos and photos. They both have cameras. They can both send e-mails. So, is the only difference that the iphone is also a phone? Thanks for any help you can give me.

My 7yo son likes Mario Kart Mario and Sonic at The Olympic Games Mario and Sonic at The Winter Olympic Games Battle The Giants: Dinosaurs Fossil Hunters But his absolute favorites are the Pokemon games. He figured out how to play them before he could read, but it's easier if you can read. The Pokemon games were what caused him to really use his ds more than occasionally.

You might try Gap. I buy my 7yo ds's socks there and they are very durable and comfortable. The six or seven pairs we purchased last fall are still intact, with no holes, ravels, etc. I used to buy dd socks and tights there when she was a baby/toddler/preschooler and they were always high quality, comfortable and durable. I just checked their website and they have some cute ones for girls.

Getty-Dubay Italic for dd because she already had taught herself to write (at age 3) and we were just looking to beautify her handwriting a bit. It worked. She is 9 now, in fourth grade, and had really neat, pretty handwriting. Handwriting Without Tears for ds who was a reluctant writer. It was the easiest, most straightforward and painless approach I could find. He used the Pre-K and Kindergarten books and is just finishing up the first grade book. He also has very neat handwriting.

Can someone link to the original thread? I can't find it. Thanks

I think the second and third levels are more fun than the first level. For a really good workout I recommend doing two or all three workouts consecutively. I just didn't think 20 minutes was enough. I didn't see any significant weight loss, although I was very sore. I recently procured a treadmill and started walking/jogging on it five to seven days a week, training to run a 5k. I also do 30 minutes of Pilates (Denise Austin's is my favorite) three to five days a week. This combination is working well for me. When I get closer to my goal weight I think 30 day shred would be great for helping tone and shape, but for burning calories to lose fat I find running more effective. If you can do all three workouts on the same day, however, I think it would be a good calorie-burner. I think it really comes down to whatever exercise you will do on a regular basis. For me, having a treadmill at my house was the key to success. Also, I think personality affects whether you will like a certain trainer or not. I bought several of Jillian Michael's dvds, and I might use them when I get closer to my goal weight, but they always left me feeling guilty and discouraged. Some people are really motivated by a tough trainer who takes a no-nonsense approach, but I find Denise Austin's gentle, encouraging, positive approach much more motivating for my personality.

It is actually one of my favorite books. I think I read it for the first time when I was in junior high and the second time when I was in high school. Both times I read it for pleasure, not because I was assigned to read it.

The Reading Lesson.

I just discovered some of his books at the public library a few weeks ago. So far I have read The Art of Travel and The Architecture of Happiness. I am almost finished with How Proust Can Change Your Life. He is one of those authors who is constantly saying things that I feel I have thought before, but with much more clarity, elegance, and lucidity. And he elaborates on them and gives them substance and depth that I have never before achieved, but instantly recognize and own as truth. He combines philosophy, art, and literature in pleasing ways. His books are quite companionable.

Has anyone ever subscribed directly from the website and received one or two kits per month? Did it work out well? I'm trying to decide whether to do that or purchase the boxed ones available on Amazon and other science websites.

Ds6.5 loved the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, Kenny and The Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi, and Dinosaur Trouble by Dick King-Smith. I'm looking for others that might pique his interest. Thanks for any ideas.

I would place a large order to Boden. I might also look at New York & Company. I haven't been in one for a few years, so maybe they have changed, but when I used to shop there about five years ago, I found some classic pieces, such as a perfectly-tailored denim blazer that I have looked fashionable in through all of the style changes of the past five years, wearing it with everything from casual khakis pants, to dressy gauchos, and a cute black skirt. When I shopped there they had nice classic staple pieces as well as pieces with just enough of a flair in the details to make them fun and trend-setting to wear, but not trendy in that they would be out of style the next season. I found an adorable black blouse, for example, with a large decorative silver buckle on the shoulder. I (regrettably) gave it away when I lost a lot of weight and it was hanging on me. If I had it now, I would still be wearing it. You might also check around for local shops and boutiques. There was one local shop in our old hometown where I found really great pieces that I have worn for years and still look stylish.

I concur. I think the Montessori school sounds like an ideal opportunity. I found the blog post referenced in this thread condescending and irrelevant.

I really have no idea which island we would want to go to, or exactly what we would want to see. My consideration of this as even a possibility is nascent. I think my dh would probably be interested in seeing Pearl Harbor, since he loves history, but my ds would probably love to see a volcano and would be interested in ocean life, and dd would like swimming and sightseeing. I would love to relax on the beach. How's that for a little bit of everything? Are there any huts or condos or something similar that one can rent that might have a kitchen where we could cook most of our meals? I've heard that even groceries are exorbitant there, though, so I don't know how much that would help. How much would you expect a 7-day vacation for a family of four to cost?

We have never been there, and I would love to go. We are looking forward to getting to take a vacation this winter, for the first time in five years. We were thinking of going somewhere in the Caribbean, but I would really love to go to Hawaii. Is it possible to have an affordable family vacation in Hawaii? I've heard that everything is really expensive there. A lot of places in the Caribbean offer all-inclusive packages, which I know doesn't happen in Hawaii. Also, where is the best place to go? We love to just relax on vacation and not have to be scheduled. We sometimes like to go do activities, but not the entire time. The kids love to swim and explore nature. Any ideas or information are welcome! Thanks.