:iagree: The problem is most don't try hard enough to find common ground. Life is certainly different in bigger cities vs rural areas, but one is not necessarily better than the other. It's different and I'm glad it's different, that's the beauty of America. Not everything and everyone have to be the same, think the same, believe the same. To me that is what equals freedom, and that's our common ground.

HomeCOO- thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure it must have all been so hard for you and your family. My ds would probably react just as yours has and that saddens me so much. I've left my boys in the car before, only when I can get a parking space right in front of our small neighborhood gas station/market. When I can see the car clearly (only about 10 feet away), my back is never turned away from the car. If its hot or cold out, I leave the car running with a remote starter from my keyring, so the ac/heat is on without any keys in the car and the doors are locked and the alarm would go off if it was opened and the car would shut down if by chance the kids jumped into the drivers seat and started to push the accelerator, brake or gearshift. I run in and run out (literally). I can see how this may not be adequate justification for most, just sharing my experience. In this situation, I do not feel there is any harm being done. I would never, however, leave them and go all the way into the far end of the same gas station that would require me turning my back to them, and never into any other store. If I were in the situation of finding another person's child in a car, I would most likely wait nearby (not right by the car because I wouldn't want to freak the child out) until a parent came out. If it were longer than 5 min, I would start to get worried. If ten min. past, then I would call the store (411) and have them make an announcement. I'd call because I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the child out of my sight.

Well there are stainless steel drinking cups. I wouldn't use them for anything other than water though. They don't break and they're dishwasher safe. We used to have these when I was kid.

I agree with the others and just use glass. The Ikea ones are cheap and sturdy. I find my kids are much more careful with glass now that they've had a couple of them break early on. And we haven't had a break in well over a year now.

Before we moved we had Noggin and I loved Yo Gabba Gabba! Ds1 is a difficult eater and we would sing " Try it, you'll like it!" and " There's a party in my tummy" and he would gobble his food right up. I was so sad when we moved and didn't have Noggin anymore. Now he'll watch: Sid the Science Kid Between the Lions Super Why Curious George Cyberchase Occasionally we'll do Playhouse Disney shows, like Imagination Movers or Handy Mandy. Both kids love Little Einsteins but I can never figure out when it comes on anymore.

Thanks! I've finished copying the lessons and student pages, hole punched them and got them into a binder:001_smile: Ds1 helped with the hole punching and it's gotten him all excited about doing math now too!

I'm in the process of printing out all the things for the first 30 lessons and am wondering if it's necessary to print out the posters. I see in the teacher guides that the pics are used, but are they really a vital part of the program? If they are, is it better to just print them at home, at a shop or just use the pic on the computer? I'm partial to having hard copies of everything, but it seems like a lot of pics to print. How do you all do it? Thanks!

You guys did an amazing job, it looks wonderful!

I saw her speak too, I have a couple of her books and I plan on trying to do the writing 8 on paper this fall. We've done the air version a few times but haven't been consistent since we've been in and out all summer. I'm going to try to get my act together do the recommendations. Sorry, I guess I'm not much help!

Thanks! I'll try and find some local print shops. And also thanks for mentioning Kinkos/Fedex, I completely forgot about them.:001_smile:

I'm having a hard time finding the prices online. Staples Office Max Office Depot or some other place? Which is the best place for teacher discounts or rewards? Thanks! (don't know how to use the poll function...)

In this day in age, I think it would be safer for the male teacher to simply let the administration know that the girl in question is wearing clothing that is inappropriate and let them take care of it. Honestly, if her stuff is hanging out accidently then it's unfortunate for her and hopefully one of her friends will let her know, but if she's letting it all hang out on purpose than she's just embarrassing herself and the administration should handle it.

I've had various times in my life where I get this "I'm going to exercise and get healthy" kick and then I do it, I feel great about myself for doing it and then the next day or so I get sick. Every. single. time. Sick and in bed for a week.

I'd suggest getting your baby's frenulum clipped asap, the younger the better because that's when it will heal the fastest. Ds1 had tongue tie and I've always had a mild tongue tie as well. I never even realized ds1 had tongue tie until this past year, we didn't have any nursing issues (other then my painful 4 month oversupply), and he's never had any speech issues. But then I finally woke up and realized that he couldn't stick his tongue out at all. We both got frenulectomies in June, we went to a dentist that did it with a laser. So no need for general anesthesia, just a little local. The process itself was not painful at all, but once the local wore off it did hurt. But the hurt lessened each day. Ds1 felt fine much faster than I! If you can find someone in your area that does laser, that would probably be better for your olders just so they wouldn't have to go under general. With babies, the ped. should be able to do it in office with just a little holding from mama. Hope this helps!

I would love some old already well seasoned cast iron pans! The only times I'd say not to use them is when cooking things that are acidic, ex.- tomato sauce. Cast iron does increase the iron content in foods which is usually a good thing. Just make your dh has normal iron levels, because while women and kids are generally deficient and need more, too much iron is not good for grown men. I just wipe mine down with a paper towel, if it's really dirty I'll wipe it with a wet paper towel and then let it heat up on the stove for about 5 minutes to dry the water. Season with lard if you have it or I use coconut oil.

Wow, that really does look great! Too bad my boys are too young. I'm tempted just to get and and try it out for myself!

i just haven't decided yet..

We're going to go see it this Sunday.

Hmm, I'm thinking it's not that customary, but I found some links for sending flowers and here. Hope this helps and I hope he/she feels better soon.

While I don't really care for fast food, I voted Wendy's b/c it's the only fast food place that my ds1 can eat at with his multiple food allergies.

Thanks all! Yes, this is how I suspect my guy to be, so do you have him do the Singapore worksheets or as a break from the RS lesson? Thanks for sharing your schedule, it helps me organize my thoughts! How long does it usually take each day? Do they all three focus on relatively the same skills at the same time? This makes sense, I'm just afraid I won't be able to decide!

I have some Singapore materials and some Rightstart materials and really want to try out both with ds1, but don't quite know how to schedule them. Do you alternate days, or go through blocks, or do both on the same day? Would it be overkill to throw in some MEP? From what I've been reading in past threads RS is good with getting down the basics, and Singapore and MEP for mental math and critical thinking. I'd like to cover all these bases! (Without turning ds1 off to math of course:001_unsure:)

I love the look of high heels, even though I very rarely ever wear them. (Weddings and other special occasions only) I'm more of a sandals or sneakers kind of gal. I'm just not fast enough chasing my two boys around in anything else.

Ds1 has super sensitive skin and we use Charlie's soap with no problems.

We've been drinking it for almost 3 years now and haven't had any problems. You just have to be sure you visit the farm if you can or speak with the farmer over the phone and ask about their dairy farming practices.