Every one of my UPS drivers or FedEx drivers have been kind and courteous and professional. My regular UPS guy has twins, too. His are younger than mine, so he constantly asks me if it gets easier. (It does!) My mail lady is anything but professional. I'm sure there are good ones - in fact a couple at the counters have been very cordial. But the one who delivers for me is a lazy woman who would rather drive on my grass than walk a few feet or reverse her car (I've NEVER had a UPS truck get so much as an inch on my grass but she routinely turns around in my grass). They mess up my mail every time we have it held. I think my mail lady has it in for us because, prior to our remodel, she could drive up to our carport and toss a package onto the porch. Now, she has to get out of her car once per month or so to throw a package at my porch. I do, however, like the substitute. He does his job without a grimace and without throwing my packages - that's all I ask. Like others have said, in every profession there will be good ones and bad ones. Luck of the draw.

I don't know about the resources you mentioned, except the If You Lived series. However, my kindergarteners are really enjoying Native American stories. Here are some that we enjoyed (I suspect I learned more than my kids). Pocahontas by d'Aulaire Jamestown by James Knight Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Bulla (this story made me sad, just proves I had a lousy education because I'd never heard of his story) Pocahontas and the Strangers by Bulla Readers from the library - including one about Sacajawea when she was a girl How We crossed the West The Adventures of Lewis and Clark, by Rosalyn Schanzer North American Indians by Gorsline (I had this from my childhood) The First Americans (Prehistory-1600) by Hakim If you were at...The First Thanksgiving - Kamma ...If you Lived with the Cherokee (Roop) (my kids are part Cherokee from their dad's side, so they LOVED this one) ...If you Lived with the Sioux Indians (McGovern) (I'm sure there are more in this series) I suspect you'd fill a lot of time just checking books from the library! Or garden like the indians - plant Cherokee Trail of Tears beans or the three sisters method of squash, beans and corn. The cookbook sounds like a good idea! Hope this helps.

I don't need to ask - He would ABSOLUTELY remarry in a heartbeat. I'm fine with the concept because I'd want my kids to have a mom. But, his choice would be lousy. If I could choose, great. He wouldn't pick a good one - I was his one shiny exception of a good choice.

I'd never say never. However, I would likely not remarry, particularly while my kids are young. I'd just be too worried about how it would impact my kids. They are so attached to their dad. I think if my father were still alive, he'd continue to be a male role model for them. Plus, I'd likely move from our area to be near family right away. That's a lot of upheaval in a kid's life. After they were off to college, I'd be more open to a relationship but can't say I'd ever sign on for marriage again. I agree with a PP, I'd keep assets separate and never have another marriage like I have now - true joined family with assets as one.

oh dear. Another timeline to drool over. I was expecting even more expensive because the one I want is so very expensive. Yikes. Some day I'm going to just pick a timeline and buy it, forget the budget!

Good, old-fashioned paper planner. I can't use a calendar on my phone or computer; it just doesn't work for me. Plus, I keep tons of notes in my planner. My current one is too big to easily take with me, but next year I'll get a small one that will fit in my purse.

5 year old daughter. Much attitude. Very comical yet infuriating.

Have you received the steroid shot for the baby's lungs? My twins were born at 28 weeks (six years ago this week!). I had the steroid shot at 27 weeks, so they had exactly one week for it to work. They needed the NICU for 3 months. My son inhaled amniotic fluid so he had a harder road. But today they are healthy and happy. Except for my daughter's petite-ness, you would never know they were premature. Lots of hugs. I know it is scary. I hope you have as good a hospital as I had! The staff was fantastic. Two different neonatologists came to talk to me to tell me what it will be like to give birth so early (they were awaiting my decision and giving me all the info they could without a crystal ball; we had a tough decision to make which ended w their birth at 28wks). It was very comforting. Ask to speak to a neonatologist if you'd like to. And I can say that most NICU nurses are angels.

I put this grass-fed whey protein powder in smoothies for my kids and me. http://amzn.com/B00HURXVF2 I also add ground flax seed - my bag came from Costco. That has a little bit of protein. I can taste them in there but it is not offensive. The fruit I use is sweet enough to offset the taste. My kids never noticed when I added them. But, they don't drink smoothies every day. They would gladly drink them daily, though.

Can I sleep in? Yes! Am I ever allowed to sleep in? Never. I like to stay up until about 2am but never get to sleep past 8. I'm raising an early-bird - somehow. If the sun is up, my boy is awake and raring to go! And he's not quiet!

I can't offer much advice, but I have two k-ers, turning 6 next week. DS has a speech disorder, and DD doesn't. They both spell terribly. If I ask them what the word is that they've written, they pronounce it normally, even though the spelling is off. My daughter, with typical speech, more so than my son, just because she's the artisty type who loves to write little stories and notes. Very shortly we'll start AAS. If you are concerned, ask your pediatrician for a referral for a speech pathology evaluation. Sounds like she's developing just fine. I can't remember exactly but there are certain sounds they don't have to have until age 6 - at least according to insurance and presumably some group of therapists in the know). Therefore, my son's therapist can't even start working on a sound yet (I think it is "r", but we're doing it now and he's not 6, so I could be wrong).

My method wouldn't look like yours because my kids are both almost 6 year olds. I second the above recommendation on the read aloud revival podcasts from Amongst Lovely Things. Very informative. Here is how I do read alouds. At bedtime, I read to both kids (again, both 6 next week) for anywhere to half an hour to an hour most nights. They each can choose a picture book or I even let my son pick a Star Wars Lego reader from the library. I read those first. Then, I read from whatever chapter book we're working on. Lately, we've been busier in the evenings, so reading has been just half an hour of chapter books. After they are both in bed, they can stay up for a few minutes reading their own books in their rooms. By read, I mostly mean flip through books. They aren't reading well enough to do it on their own yet. For books related to our school work - like history or science books - I read those after lunch to both together. Every once in awhile, if one of these books really sparks interest, it will carryover to our bedtime reading, too. This doesn't happen every day. Most weekday afternoons, the kids have quiet time for about an hour. This used to be to give them space from each other. Also, it allows me an hour of alone time in peace and quiet. Lately, they've conned me into letting them have their quiet time together many days. I agreed because I still get my alone time. During this quiet time, they listen to one part of an audiobook on a kindle. These are usually from the library and are sometimes repeats of books already read/heard. So most days, they get a lot of books! We love it. It works for us because I only have two little ones. I'm sure it would take more work to fit it all in with many more ages. I think audiobooks count as read alouds! Just pick good books and include some in-person read alouds, too. ETA - I usually pick the bedtime chapter book but they always select their own audiobooks. If they absolutely do not like a chapter book I'm reading (and they both agree), I will not finish it. That's happened maybe 4 times.

Way to go! You really stood up for your daughter and did what you believe is best for her. I'm sure it's normal to feel a little apprehensive about the unknown ahead. No K'er should have that much school. I have two Kindergarteners at home right now. They'd be miserable bears all day if I ever made them get up at 6am. In fact, my daughter still took afternoon naps up until age 5.5. Little guys need their rest. My son wakes up around 7 and plays Legos for an hour and a half on his own. Because that is his one true joy in life. My daughter and I roll out of bed whenever we want to - 8am, later. We read a lot, play a lot, laugh a lot, and still get in plenty of school. I suspect 1st grade will be more of the same in our house - with the addition of more science experiments and more gymnastics. Their only "homework" in the evening is reading to us. Your Dd will thrive. Now go get some rest and relax!

Yes. Very much enjoyed. There is also a horse version. My daughter misplaced the book when she got if for Christmas, so we haven't read it yet.

My kindergarteners loved (some were probably before Kindergarten; I'm sure Charlotte's Web and a few others happened over a year ago): *Little House on the Prairie - all of them *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory *My Side of the Mountain Magic Treehouse series - I only read a few because they can read them alone soon Fantastic Mr Fox Anything Beverly Cleary - Ramona and Henry Huggins in particular (Two times the Fun (you have above) was good but a little young - more for 3-4 age? Yes, my twins were 4 when they enjoyed it because the twins in the book are also 4) *Charlotte's Web *Boxcar Children Wizard of Oz The Penderwicks *The Wheel on the School (good story. LONG chapters!) James and the Giant Peach Dr Dolittle - jury is still out on this one Anything about Pocahontas or Squanto * Favorites. I know the books are a hit when they act out scenes when playing together - Little House and My Side of the Mountain. Usually outside in the fort/sandbox. Lots of Little House play around here. My kids didn't care for: My Father's Dragon the Borrowers Stuart Little the Hundred Dresses Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop - one said it was ok on audio book, one refused to listen to any more after the first part That has been our year. It's hard to please two kindergarteners at the same time. Most were read by me. Some were on audiobooks. They have quiet time a few days per week. They tend to want to re-listen to their favorites - Charlotte's Web, Beverly Cleary books, etc. If I had Little House books on audio, they'd listen over and over! Read aloud up next: Billy and Blaze ETA - they also didn't like Mr. Popper's Penguins or Mrs. Pigglewiggle.

Usually: Amazon Rainbow Resources - often best prices and free shipping (sometimes with the free shipping, is cheaper than publisher's website) Local Homeschool store - used side has great deals, I spend way too much there Publisher's Website - Pandia Press, etc Occasionally: Ebay

Just replaced ours last month. The old one and the new one are Trane. The old one was ancient. It was costly but necessary. Our washer went out this month. Yikes. I'm hoping everything works as it should for awhile...I'm lookin' at you CAR.

We pay for the really nice library system one county over. We go by a branch several times per week. I keep a bag near the back door where we put all the books we're ready to return. Usually on Sunday, I log into the account. I immediately renew everything - very easy 1 click. Then, I gather all the books that couldn't renew because someone has requested it or we've renewed too many times. I put those books in the bag. Then, we are set to go whenever we make it that week. My kids are just now into the reader stage, so they grab a lot every time. We store the books in one big basket in the living room (library books aren't allowed in bedrooms because - ick - and they'd get lost). It's worked so far, but my kids are little.

If my husband and I both die, my kids would go across the country to live with my sister. My honest wish is that our life insurance money could be used by them so she could stay home and homeschool her kids and mine. Her son, in particular, is so very bright that I wish she were able to homeschool him. But, she can't right now. But, perhaps she could homeschool them all if something happened to us. My mom would move there in a heartbeat if that happened, so she'd have help. If not, I trust that she'll make the best school decision for them. Even if they go to public school, she has much better ones near her than I have. So, they'll be alright as far as school goes. But my sister and her family and my parents are really all the family we have. And none of them live in our state.

My son has Apraxia. We have a wonderful therapist. He's been in therapy for nearly 4 years now (and he loves it - he counts it as one of his extra activities). It's hard. But worth it. Most of the early years felt like one step forward two steps back. But they get there. And they really need the professional help. Over the years, we had various insurances. Mostly, they "allowed" the visits but due to my deductible I ended up paying the full amount most of the year (or really high co-pays). Make sure you do your homework every week, it makes a big difference. Oh and there is no way you failed him! If he has Childhood Apraxia of Speech, which is what my son has and is more common in boys, it's a small malfunction of the brain telling the mouth what to say (basically). And I can vouch for the fact that my son is sharp as a tack, he just has more trouble telling us all about it than most kids. And, I will add, sometimes I have to smile now because four years later, there are days when I just can't get that boy to stop talking! He's seriously making up for lost times. He's loud and happy.

Not at all. I don't like calls on my cell. And, I rarely give out my home number, so I'd consider you special.

As others have suggested, mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil, balsamic, etc. Add roasted red pepper if you like. Same flavors as a caprese salad.

We used, and liked, Essentials. One of my kids needed more, so I added MUS Primer. We still love Singapore. We're nearly finished with 1A now. My kids really liked the workbooks for Essentials. Also, they were thrilled when we started PM 1A. Between Essentials and 1A, I tried several (expensive) alternatives. After all my trials, I wish I had used RightStart A. However, it is pricey. I think they got a lot out of MUS Primer. I don't care for MUS going forward, but Primer was a nice little intro.

We did SM essentials. After that, I couldn't decide what to go with so we took a few different styles out for test-drive. My kids didn't like MM at all. In fact, when we went back to SM, they were thrilled to see the SM books. Later, I was just shuffling some things in a drawer, my son saw MM, and he said NO!!!! We're only on SM 1A, so we don't have a long track record. But I know at their ages, MM doesn't fit at all.

We're beach-y, scuba folks. As a family, we go to Myrtle Beach twice per summer. We have a camper and stay in a great place with so many amenities. Without little kids, it wouldn't hold much allure for me. It's close to us and affordable. Before kids (or if my kids were older), we love to go to the FL Keys. Diving is wonderful in Key Largo and the snorkeling is great in Key West (Diving is great too but if not a diver, snorkeling in KW is great). I despised the one cruise I went on. But, the Bahamas were lovely. Hawaii was beautiful and so interesting. I went when I was in college. My dream is to go to the Cayman Islands. My husband's dream is to go to Hawaii. We're at a bit of a stand-off. I guess it's good we can't afford either.