Thanks! I was hoping for something a little more specific. Like a place you stayed at Grand Canyon or tent cabins you loved at Yosemite. That kind of thing. Thanks again, Alicia

:iagree: Good point. Two years later? You know what else I would do? I mean after I cried my eyes out? I'd put on the Ritz for this lady: I'd roll out the red carpet. I believe in the power of reverse psychology. The more you treat her like a visiting princess, the more brain room your son will have for noticing her flaws. If his brain is working over time to get mom and dad on board then he might not be noticing problems with this "relationship." I'd fight fire w/ fire. Kill the friendship w/ kindness if she doesn't meet up to your expectations. And, yes, I happen to think something is a little off about a 22 yr. old wanting to be w/ an 18 yr. old. Again, I was 24 when I started dating my then 20 yr. old dh and, to be honest, I had some real immaturity issues. Cry and then get tough. Alicia

Hi Everyone, Is there a recommendation you can give for a neat vacation in any state in the West: OR, Wash, Utah, CA, AZ etc. We've done Legoland and Disneyland. I'm hoping to find a really cool idea. But it doesn't have to be pricey -- just neat. TIA! Alicia

I'm sure he already is involved, but I would make it a man to man thing and have your husband handle this as much as he can. Personally, I know I sound like a nut, but if you have enough info. on the girl, I'd have a thorough background check run on her. Then if anything comes of it, your husband can talk to your son about it. (Maybe she's already had a child and hasn't told your son etc. etc.) Last, I have to be honest: I met my husband when he was 20 and I was 24. His mom wasn't happy in the least. (Course I had a college degree and came from a "good" home, but even so, his mom didn't like me.) 19 years later we're still here. We have our up's and down's but I'm betting we'll be together into the rocking chair years. If I were in your shoes, I'd also start seeing a family therapist. That kind of support may help you see things from a different perspective so that you can make wise choices that will ultimately benefit your son. And your family. I'm so sorry. Take care. You've given me a lot to think about. Alicia

I agree with SwellMomma that often it's not stranger abduction, but people close to the family who know habits and routines. But, I'll tell you, I cannot seem to go in a store with my two boys and not remember Adam Walsh -- John Walsh's little boy who was stolen while playing in a toy aisle away from his mom for a few minutes. It's just frightening to know that the psychopaths live among us and look just like you and me. And they're thinking. They're planning. That's what freaks me out. We're managing our own lives, not bothering anyone and these idiots are out hunting adults/kids down. We all have to make our own decisions about how protective or not we're going to be. Just because another mom is less rabid than I am, doesn't mean I'm going to judge her parenting abilities. It's a complicated issue. Alicia

This series is new to me. When I go to order at the library there seems to be zillions of them. Help! Which ones should I order first? Are there five books in all? Twelve? I can't really tell. TIA!! Alicia

It's my sister's bday and I want to send her snickerdoodles, so I'm hoping a good way to mail them will also be pretty! Thanks! Alicia

I've heard only AWESOME things about Paradise Point. Do you know about Legoland in Carlsbad? If you want to do a quick trip, I think it's about 20 mins. or so from SD, there is a cheapy/cheapy, but very clean motel very close by with free breakfast (so-so), but a Denny's right next door. I would say stay away from the hotel that practically connects to Legoland. It looks good on the website and was really yucky for a bunch of reasons. PM me if you need more info. I gathered a load of info. for a friend who was writing an article on SD, I'd be happy to share some ideas. Also, if you have any interest in splurging big time there's an amazing resort called La Costa that I'd recommend a million times. The water play area for the kids make it worth it. I mean, if you want to splurge. Two real water slides -- the giant kind -- and one really nice "toddler" waterslide. Pools everywhere. Awesome family pool etc. Deepok Chopra has is meditation/healing thing there. I didn't look into it though. It's so nice that you wouldn't be surprised at all to see Paris Hilton on one of the chaise lounges, but it's oddly -- oddly -- friendly and casual. I can't explain why it could be fancy and friendly at the same time. Alicia

So, everyone, not to be dumb: do you literally just say, "I'm a teacher" or "I homeschool"??? What do you say to get the discount?? Thanks Alicia

That feeling you had of "being slapped?" I've heard these snotty comments as being called "drive bys" where someone says something so rude and inappropriate that they might as well have socked you. I'm so sorry. I agree with everyone here: make sure she understands that you're legal. Her "people" skills are in the toilet. As if you didn't know. Nobody should be that rude to you. It's ridiculous. Alicia

This argument I've heard before burns me up: To take these (I’m assuming) high achieving students out of our schools is a disservice to our less fortunate public school kids. Everybody knows that the system has millions of rigged traps in place to stop anything as silly as. . . change. . . from happening. That we choose to take our kids out of the mess that they call "school", doesn't mean we're bad. And as for her degrees -- please. I'm far more educated than the average teacher out there as are many of the moms on these forums are. More importantly, I know a lot of people without a degree in the world who are full blown experts in their fields. Degrees are fine (I want my son's eye surgeon to have degrees, yes), but they're not everything and I think our culture is catching onto that. Besides, as a teacher she has a vested interest -- hello lady?! If the hs route became super popular your job would be at stake. So stop with the "better for society" thing. It's better for you. Ahhh! I'm getting too worked up. Alicia

I haven't seen the movie, but I'm becoming really tired and suspicious of the newspaper movie reviewers. They do such a bad job, I often wonder who they're really working for. Alicia

I Googled it, but I don't trust the responses that came up like I trust you guys. Any tips for getting the smell out? It just happened yesterday and it was a small dog so a small area to treat, but just as stinky! Thanks, Alicia

I have NEVER gotten used to the jealousy thing. I mean, life is hard, we all agree, why can't we just be happy for each other when something goes well?? I just don't get it. Hang in there. Alicia

Seriously, without sounding totally cheesy: thank you so, so much. I was feeling like a loser. I do need to make new friends. It's apparently too much of a shift to do hs with the ps crowd. Isn't that a bummer? I wish hs could be just another option on the menu like Waldorf or Montessori or open school. Really good news: I seriously did a double-take tonight to see that our parks and rec is offering. . . no, I'm not kidding. . . a chess/soccer class for homeschoolers. The teacher loves both chess and soccer so spends the first hour on chess and the second hour on. . . you get the idea. By the description it looks like he and his wife homeschool!! So again, thank you for shoring me up. I seriously needed it. Alicia

Thanks everyone, your support really helps. I'm not an introvert. I've been hitting the pavement looking for hs friends. But as you know many are already busy with their own lives (karate, 4H etc. etc. etc.) and I hadn't gone that route yet so it's been harder to find a) people I like and b) people who have time! :) But in Aug. we're starting karate (a/c'd and indoors!!), 4H, and a homeschool fencing class. So I think structured activity might help. I'd love more comments. I feel better already -- I was getting concerned that I'm raising wimps. But 104 degrees at 6?? Just sounds like too much to me. Isn't the goal that they like the sport? Alicia

Hi Everyone, Having a down day. I took my boys to a birthday party today and I think word is getting around that I hs. My friends tend to be very mainstream do-as-the-crowd-does moms. For the most part. Anyway, I was asking -- really asking, not being critical at all -- about how a couple of the moms' kids did in soccer w/ the practices being at 5 in the afternoon in August. Where I live that means it's about 102 to 104 degrees. I didn't bad mouth it to my son, but I did prep him that it would be hot, but we'd bring water, cold towels etc. My son, who is six, said, "maybe next year." So I was wondering how these moms' kids handled it and they said it was fine and one of them said, "I think we'll need to buy you a couple of bubbles." Meaning I'm so overprotective that my twins will need to be bubbled like the "boy in the plastic bubble." A movie from the 70's. Hurt my feelings. Quick background: I was given the Most Valuable Player award in softball in sixth grade. I know how to play sports and what's involved. At the same time, I wasn't running around in the heat of the day at the age of 6. I didn't even start playing until 11 and I was good from the start. (Plus my dad worked with me -- one of the keys.) So I'm not ignorant about sports. I just wonder if our culture isn't pushing kids into these sports a little too early. But honestly, if the moms had said, "oh, I was concerned about the heat too but my boy begs for more soccer!" I would have taken notice!! Thanks for listening. I still haven't made a lot of friends in the hs community and I think I'm getting a little lonely. Alicia

I'm sorry to keep bugging you all! But we're in a very hot climate until end of October. One thing I LOVE about homeschooling is that our summer goes into October and doesn't end mid-August like it does for ps kids. To save money, I was thinking of buying a pool end of season in July or August. We'd still get to use it until October and save some money. Does this sound logical? Or are all the pools gone by July? Saving money is a big deal. Our one income is stretched so this would be a big purchase for us. Thanks again, Alicia

You guys are great. Okay, Darla, one more question: no, we are not on a flat property. Now I'm feeling dumb. We're on a slight incline -- fairly slight. Totally annoying. Does this let us out for one of these pools? Thanks again! Alicia

Thanks! Both my boys (again they're six) have had three years of swim lessons and can swim to the bottom of the pool (in 5 feet) to pull something off the bottom. I'd never leave them alone in the yard w/ the pool. Even so, we'd need to get a fence?? Even if I kept the water level at their shoulders? Yikes, we couldn't afford to fence the thing. When they were small, there's no way I would have gotten something like this. Or a treadmill. Or a hottub. I'm a paranoid. I thought at six with many lessons under their belt, that we'd be okay. No? Alicia

Hi Everyone, Pro's and con's of buying my six year old boys a blow up pool. I'm looking at the one linked at Big Lots. 16' X 42" Quick Set Pool With Pump & Ladder $199 I could swear my friend told me it cost her $150, but it's listed for $200. Any ideas too on getting coupons at Big Lots? But I really new pool advice! What you like, don't like etc. Thanks! Alicia

I agree: throw the cake away and mash it into the garbage. I've kept 50 lbs. off for five years now and I learned that when you do "stupid" things like that you actually gain strength. I'm not kidding. It's almost like your fat cells say, "gee, she seems to be serious." My mother in law brought over a beautiful bakery bought carrot cake for my birthday about five years ago and I took it to the neighbors. I'll never forget doing that. A friend once gave me a ton of Christmas cookies (re-gifted) and I demanded that dh take them to work. You do a few of those dramatic things and you gain pride in yourself. ALSO -- and this is a big ALSO -- I did not lose weight by primly and properly eating veggies. I still had a piece of cake here and there and a donut etc. Don't do the "all or nothing" thing to yourself. It's the surest way to do your weight loss plan in!! Good Luck! Alicia

With our new economy, I did a pretty decent cost breakdown and found that if you are into bulk cooking and buy giant sizes of flour (25 lbs. is $6.39), sugars, beans, oils etc. etc. etc. then it IS a deal over regular stores. Same with eggs, butter milk. Oh, and I love the giant cans of tomato paste, tomato sauce (giant can is $2.19) and ketchup. Ketchup is a killer deal! I forget but a giant can is in the neighborhood of $3. My son drinks it. But I live ten minutes away from three Costcos so I try to make it about twice a month. Also, the quality of what you buy is very good. Ex: dh won't drink the cheapy frozen OJ from our discount grocery, but loves the frozen OJ from Costco. And it's cheaper. Without doing the math, it's hard to know if the $60 fee plus the hour drive would be worth it for you, but you might do the math to see. You might find out it is. I just could never go back to buying tiny quantities of flour, sugar etc. Seems like a rip off now to me. A lot of times when moms say Costco isn't worth it, they're not actually doing the math. That's what it comes down to. And if you're not into cooking and baking from scratch then, no, it isn't worth it. The "attractive" aisles that are easy to reach are full of convenient food that is beautiful but pricey. The only way Costco really works is if you're willing to troll the "boring" aisles and get giant boring bags and cans of stuff. Alicia

Yes, I totally think grandma's behavior is creepy because it totally takes the final word about a situation away from you. My parents have absolutely no authority to spank my kids. To add fuel to the fire. . . sorry. . . but I think grandparents get more easily tired out than parents and can lose sight of their better judgment and spank when, if well rested, they might not. I think you have every reason to be seriously concerned about this situation. Also I think the whole "nobody has ever defied me" garbage is scary. Excuse me?! What kind of power trip is that?? Nobody has ever defied her? Welcome to the world, lady, now take a chill pill and figure out a better way of teaching than hitting. Gosh I teach my six year olds that. Alicia

Hi Everyone, We're big on read alouds. We're doing SOTW in car and I'm reading the extra suggested reading books. To be honest, we're getting a little tired of mummies. I'd like a focus for June, July and August. But I can't decide what it should be. We'll continue practice writing and math. We've already read the Little House series which they loved. Any ideas appreciated. Alicia