Mortimer's Christmas Manger (cute for young children) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Gift of the Magi The Other Wise Man (couldn't get through it without bawling)

Fortunately my brother's St. Augustine rental was on the second floor but the restaurant where he works was flooded. I'm not sure what his next move will be if he doesn't have a job.

I have had two new trees snap in half due to high winds. I'd wait.

My son likes that we can get more done in less time. He isn't just sitting around bored anymore. The other son likes that he can sleep later.

My brother lives in St. Augustine, right by the beach. He will be heading to our mom's house in Orlando tomorrow with his pets.

I'm really sorry you and your daughter are going through this right now. I hope you get some answers soon. This has been going on for too long.

Chemistry 101 has been great. We switched to that in the 1st week, and I love it. I like the way it's planned out. We watch the DVD on the first day and then I assign a report. The next day we go over notes. Another day we do the labs, and the last day we watch the DVD again while the kids take notes and we take the test. My 7th grader loves labs and these have been pretty fun for him. It won't be enough for a whole year but that will give us a chance to switch gears and do something else. Jump In has been pretty good too. We skipped to the expository writing section, and it is transferring over to the science reports. Caesar's English is another favorite. Well, for me it is. One kid thinks he will never need to know all these words. We have one more lesson to go in book one and then on to book two! I'm not 100% on AOPS Prealgebra for DS but so far he wants to stick with it. Chalkdust prealgebra is going fine for the other DS.

Thanks to this post, I just watched the first episode, and I think I'm really going to like it! I loved Parenthood.

:grouphug:

Mussels, shrimp, spinach and pasta--all together.

My motto is "when in doubt, throw it out."

Prayers said for your brother.

Last year was the first year my I didn't take the kids trick or treating because the youngest decided he was done. We did have some good costumes though, many homemade. One year I made Star Wars capes and a yoda costume for the youngest. We got a lot of compliments on the astronaut costume where we made a helmet out of paper mache. Sharknado was store bought but everyone loved it.

There have been a lot of great comments so I will just say that I'm with you. School, babysitting and raising two kids is more than a full time job.

I'm making fried rice today with leftover rice from last night's dinner. I made extra. Another idea is salad with chicken tenders, like a restaurant salad.

I saw that! I bet there will be a lot of selfies on that toilet. :laugh:

That is great news! I'm the mom of an autistic child, and I know what a big deal this is.

My son got like around that age. I didn't say a word, just started buy more healthy snacks (apples instead of chips) and made sure to add PE to our homeschool day. He is going through his growth spurt and has thinned out.

This is me. I don't care that I can't sing. I still love to. I always say there is a song for any occasion. One of my kids has sensory issues and has always hated me singing, even singing along with a song in the car, which I find really stifling but I try to keep quiet around him.

In our "homeroom" time, I am reading aloud in this book https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Bible-Handbook-Spectacular-High-Tech/dp/0310575303/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473352106&sr=8-2&keywords=bible+adventure+handbook (the sections are very brief) and then the kids find and read aloud the Bible passages that are listed in the book. It might be better for elementary aged kids but for us it's working well. When we are done with this, we can do something more in depth. We get the story in simple terms and then read the actual Bible passages that tell that story. It would be better if there were questions that went with it.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers. I'm so sorry.

I enjoy picking up my son from work because that is when he is most talkative. I think on the way to work, he is not looking forward to going, perhaps a little stressed and so he just doesn't say much. But after work, it's really nice because he opens up so much more. He actually tells me things!

That does sound hard but the bright side is that at least your son wants to work and go to school. My DH had to really push my son to get a job this summer. I'm finding this stage to be kind of challenging!

Borax added to the wash load takes smells out for me.

Roller skating/ice skating Vienna sausages Trying to surf during a tropical storm Speeding Trying to get a tan Some things I will never admit....