Stick blender. My tool in dealing with my picky eater (picky about texture not types of foods). Easy and all you have to wash is one end of the stick blender.

We typically go near the library once per week. On the day before that, I renew everything online. Anything that doesn't renew gets (found and) taken back the next day (to an outside drop box). I have tried to limit how often we go to the library, also. I think we have a good library system but the small branch nearest to us doesn't have a good selection. Fortunately, I request books from the entire county. Unfortunately, we all go inside when I pick up the good books when they arrive. So the kids take off to their section and pick out mostly junk. I say "pick one each" and they come back with sad puppy-dog eyes and six books. I cave. Then our house is filled with garbage books mostly unread. It gets old. So, I completely understand wanting to take a break from the library.

I never took my first husband's last name. When I was single again, I bought a house. In all that paperwork was some form I had to sign all these different names as names I once used. My ex-husband's last name with my first name was one of them. I said I was never that name and refused to sign. The lawyer or closing agent or whoever he was got a little snippy with me but eventually let it go. I guess somehow some credit agency assigned that name to me. It really ticked me off at the time. Probably rarely comes up but I was a little peeved when it did.

I'm judgmental and don't think it's a problem at all. I'm not obnoxious and vocal about it (outside family). I have an opinion and I'm not afraid of disagreeing with someone, although I usually keep my opinions to myself in public. How else will I raise my children to have the character I want for them if I don't express to them what I judge to be wrong/inappropriate/etc? I think internet anonymity allows people to be rude and obnoxious about their opinions, and that's a problem. However, I also think too many people sit silently while the character of society degrades. I'm ok being judgmental, and I'm ok if someone else judges me. I won't be steamrolled by society. I wonder when being judgmental became perceived as such a negative.

I loved my maiden name and do not like my husband's name. I still took his name so I'd have the same name as my kids. That's the only reason, I'm not traditional or Christian and it's my second marriage (I didn't take my first husband's name, but warn her it may come up in legal documents {such as mortgage paperwork} where she has to sign as that name since it's an "alias"). My new name is just a name and most of the time I don't care, although I do wish we all had my maiden name. I'd still formally address someone as Mrs. husband's name even if she didn't take that name because she is actually his wife so the name fits. I don't do that with my sister (meaning written address or any time I'd refer to her as her full name) who kept her name, but that is because she's family and I know the situation. Strangers don't need to be aware of your dd's name situation. She's still a Mrs. Husband's name.

My first graders are in AAR 3 and have only done a bit of ETC. I started Apples and Pears this year for their spelling. It's too early to pronounce it wonderful but they like it so far. I think I recall sample pages you can view (or maybe the whole thing??) on their website. Worth a look. As much as we love AAR I was turned off by AAS for some reason. Plus, I know at least my son with Apraxia struggles with auditory processing. That's why I picked Apples and Pears because of the mention that it is good for dyslexics (and I made the leap to include my kid with Apraxia). But both kids are enjoying it (and they enjoy ETC which I only recently added to the mix much to their delight).

YES! It is one of the biggest irritants about cars. We have had two blow outs on our camper with only two year old tires - and not cheap ones. And my Tahoe's tires are about to need it again. And I swear we JUST replaced them all! In this day, they should make better quality tires. I think they make them cheap on purpose - make more money.

My husband did the EXACT same thing, as that is my son's name. Fortunately, it wasn't on the birth certificate, it was just a form for the NICU, so his little name tag on his incubator said Nicolas until I pitched a fit!

I think the prices are reasonable for the quality. Some of our favorites: frozen organic corn, frozen leeks, chicken nuggets, cheeses - lots of assortment, frozen chicken, tortellini, pizza dough, pizza sauce, marinara. It's easy to get "treats" there because some of the snacks are so good. I have to watch out for that. Some of their staples are good such as olive oil, peanut butter, jelly, vinegars, oats, and frozen fruit. They have a tri tip steak called Santa Maria that is so good made as fajitas. SO GOOD. I get their TJ brand hot dogs sometimes. There is a trail mix that has chocolate covered pomegranate. I haven't seen it in the store but a friend shared some. I must overlook it every time. I really like trader joe's. I'd go at least every other week if it were closer to me. I think fresh produce is hit or miss. Not my favorites. Their freezer section is my favorite. ETA - I keep remembering more! Taco shells are organic and good, but sadly not stand 'n' stuff. Chocolate! They have a low carb tortilla that is very good. And as a special treat to myself I sometimes get a chicken salad from the ready made section that has cranberries. I don't know the name. Sonoma valley maybe??? I do run across some things I don't like but they are few and far between.

Could you do something more fun? My kids really liked All About Reading. There were movable tiles and great little games with coloring and the readers were outstanding. They tried OPGTR and didn't love the stiff lessons (which is what I equate with 100 EL. sounds boring to me.) AAR was much more fun for them and it worked well. Is she interested when you read to her? Or you could try Explode the Code workbooks. I added those to AAR this year as a fun extra almost making reading "spiral" and they really like the books (mine are 6 year olds, too). ETC helped my kids when they were just taking off in AAR with long vowels and vowel blends. They were forgetting their short vowel sounds somewhere along the way. Anecdotally, I have heard many cases where some kids just take longer to be ready to learn to read. When mine were 4-ish, I'd hear other parents of similar aged kids talk about how their 4 year olds were pointing out words in their environment and seeing letters when out and about. My two were never like that. At 4 - 5, just before kindergarten, I started the pre-reading for AAR and then just dragged them along. They are finally really taking off now at 6 (and in AAR 3). But at 6, my nephew read Harry Potter to himself. Everyone's going to be different. But, if I were you, I'd try something more fun.

Um...not much. My first grade teacher taught me to draw a dog. I think we played the recorder in there somewhere. I learned I'm a lousy speller when it was my turn to write "snack" on the board and I wrote "snake". I threw up a lot in elementary school. A LOT. I learned that sometimes in 2nd grade you throw up on a boy and then that boy later becomes the quarterback of the football team and he won't like you. I learned TX history in 6th grade. I learned that a 6th grader can take band for a full year and never once hit a proper note on a french horn. I learned algebra in 7th or 8th. That's about it. Oh, and when it is time to dissect animals in science, if a girl is paired with a boy, the boy will take over and the science-loving girl will get shafted, possibly scarring her for life.

How about some fun science kits or supplies from Home Science Tools? Microscope, chemistry set, rock collection (or a rock tumbler would be neat), that sort of thing. I could blow at least $1,000 on that site fairly quickly. Can you raise tadpoles? Carolina Biology's website has good sets like that. Are you allowed to use the funds for extras like that as opposed to a full science curriculum? Look on the RSO website if you don't already have the curriculum. On the try before you buy, I think you can see the supplies lists in the curriculum.

My kids really like Home Art Studio for art lessons (the "grades" on the DVDs don't mean a lot. We're working through K right now but the kids are 1st). I have REAL Science Life but I'm embarrassed to say we almost never get around to it. We all love science but it's the first to fall through the cracks. The program is pretty good. I also found NOEO used so we have that, too, for chemistry and physics. We haven't used it yet, but it doesn't look as good as REAL Science. You're so lucky to have those funds! We use a lot of the same things that you do.

:iagree: I love the recipe/meal idea threads! :hurray:

I'll be listening in for more ideas. I have kid activities four nights per week over dinnertime. Here are a few ideas that I've used. But I do agree with the PPs - enlist those teens to cook or at least reheat something made over the weekend. Often, I cook the dinner in the afternoon and then just warm it up when we get home. Can you make several options on the weekend and just warm it up each evening? Make a batch of soup or stew ahead of time. It can sit for awhile and reheat when you come in. Stretches well; good lunches as leftover. - Leek soup - saute leeks and onions, add chicken stock, add potatoes. S&P and garlic. Puree when cooked. Splash of cream makes it better. Serve w chives. - Broccoli Cheese soup - doesn't take too much cheese for a whole pot. Good way to get my kids to eat broccoli and cauliflower. - Italian Tortellini soup - look on pinterest for recipes but mostly broth, tortellini, spinach, tomatoes, parmesan cheese (just a touch for flavor). - Chicken pot pie soup or just chicken pot pie (use rotisserie chicken) - tomato soup - so much better homemade but it's easy. I buy a rotisserie chicken often. I use it in many dishes. How about sandwich night? Tomato soup and grilled cheese or a fresh mozzarella sandwich with tomato and basil, grilled like a panini. Cut up a rotisserie chicken and make chicken salad sandwiches. I've done BBQ chicken in a crockpot. My family loves this on a bun. Throw chicken (can be frozen, even) in a crockpot with BBQ sauce. Cook a few hours over the afternoon and shred (??? 3-4 hrs on low maybe? I usually do 1 hr on high since my chicken is almost always frozen, then turn it to low for several hours). I make black bean salad/salsa often. This base can be eaten plain or it can be thrown into a tortilla as a taco or grill with a tiny bit of cheese for those that can have cheese as a quesadilla. Or, the aforementioned rotisserie chicken can be made into tacos/fajitas - open a can of refried beans, add chicken and/or beans into tortillas. Ravioli/spaghetti is an easy dinner, add frozen veggies as sides. I've seen one pot wonder meals on pinterest but I've never made them. They look easy.

I started with my twins late in Kindergarten, and we are still going now in First. We do it maybe once per week when they ask for it. My kids enjoy it, and my son seems to have developed a love for history. We don't do the projects. I do read several of the optional books. The state work is not a hit. I am not sure it would be enough for my kids as second graders. But it is an overall good little program.

We only briefly tried B for a short amount of time (it wasn't a fit for us but for the games and the abacus), so I can't help with your questions. But I will say that I think there is a difference between the 1st and 2nd editions for Level C. If I recall, those that disliked C so much might have been using the 1st edition. And I think I read that the 2nd edition addressed many of those complaints. But I'm just relaying what I sort of remember from looking at RS. Just keep that in mind when reading about mass exodus from C halfway through. Hope that helps a bit.

I went through a drought where the kids hated the last three books I selected, and they insisted we stop without finishing. I don't like groans when I say let's read! Now, I'm reading Harry Potter and they like it (my son, especially). After this first one, I don't know what we'll read. I need to make a master list but I never know what kind of mood my kids will be in. Plus, they listen to audiobooks (repeating the ones they like such as Ramona and Henry Huggins and Boxcar Children) most days, also.

I think many young kids go through this. I did for many years including through college. I think talking to her doctor just to reassure yourself is a good idea. How about checking out or buying some good vegetarian cookbooks? You two could page through them for great ideas. I know that helped me as a young adult/teen coming from a meat and potatoes family. Little things like what to substitute for chicken stock (veggie broth!) in soups. Don't forget nuts have some good protein, too. A lot of veggies have good protein. I am almost 40 and still don't like much meat, although a few times per year I crave a good steak. I managed as a mostly vegetarian without ever eating tofu or soy.

How frustrating! That home study sounds ridiculous! Our legos are confined to my son's room, a room our old dog and any new dog would not be allowed in anyway. It sounds like the rescue workers are hoping to weed out all families with kids? I hope this isn't the norm around here. It's been two years since our dog died and we are ready (finally) to have another dog. We were just about to start the process with a breed specific rescue. Going through some online listings locally has been depressing because none look like a fit with my small children.

My kids hated MM. My math-y kid is thriving with Singapore. My not-so-math-y kid finished Singapore 1A and asked to go back to MUS (we did MUS primer in Kindergarten for her, along with Singapore Essentials, then moved to SIngapore 1A). I do admit to floundering with math choices. Hence the reason we've tried them all (my poor kids).

We used HWOT but I wouldn't call it a good choice It's ok but I don't love it. I'm not really pushing anything right now. Just waiting until cursive feels more appropriate for them. They get a decent amount of writing practice with other subjects.

I love to cook but the drudgery of cooking day in and day out for the kids has quashed that love. I'd like to make two meals per week. I'd make them with flourish, and they'd be wonderful. But then I wouldn't cook or prepare at all the rest of the week.

My husband officially gets around 3 weeks off for vacation, not including sick time or comp time earned. He never uses them because they roll over to sick time, which ultimately will allow him to retire a bit earlier (I think they can go out up to two years early, but he burned a ton of his accrued time when our kids were in the NICU for so long). He usually just uses comp time for vacations. Since he almost never gets paid for overtime, it is very easy for him to build up a lot of comp time hours. We've never wanted to go somewhere and not had vacation time. He takes about three weeks every year.

I have two kids and love going camping in our camper. For a week. By the end of that week I'm sick of the tiny bathroom and fiddling with my kids in those cramped quarters. I'd have to agree with the other suggestions that you and the kids stay put.