Yes, We started using it this year for DS8 and DS6. So far it seems to really be working for us. Anything specific you want to know?

I got this too. I was able to get on and download it. Very nice notebooking pages.

There is no way I could plan trips around our bathroom needs unless we just never went out. I have an DS8 who has to go when he has to go and it comes out of nowhere. I was the same way. I'm talking 5 mins and he could pee his pants so not finding the nearest bathroom is not an option. And he's not special needs. That said, most places I will let DS8 and DS6-3/4 (LOL) go into the men's room alone. I stand right outside the door, they know they have 5 minutes, and I'm not afraid to go in. I like the family restrooms or the one-stall places, but not everywhere has them and like I said, not going can't always be avoided. DH has taken DD4-3/4 into the men's room before and while it creeps me out, I try not to think about it if it can't be avoided. But I also know he's very discreet, takes her into a stall, wouldn't let her sit and stare at a urinal, etc. He's as overprotective in this area as I am. My problem also comes up when I have to go. I'm nearly 28 weeks pregnant and have to go basically all the time. LOL If I have to go, they all go in with me. I try to use the handicapped stall so we all 4 go in together, the boys stand in the corner with their eyes closed and I go. If there's not, then they stand out by the sinks and usually play around while I go. I've never gotten dirty looks or comments and I would rather be safe than worry about what someone else has to say. Most of the time we're out is during the day and we don't run into a lot of older girls in the bathroom. Usually it's women and nobody has ever seemed to care enough to even make me think about it. Honestly, I would rather forgo any uncomfortableness on my part regarding a public restroom if it is what makes another mother feel like her children are safe. Like others have said, I've seen and read too many stories to think that public restrooms are safe places.

I design websites and do all my coding in Notepad - meaning I write it all from scratch. Depending on what you want, you could learn to do it yourself, but it may not be an easy task. You also have to think about graphics, etc. and how to design those. PM if you have any questions. I'd be happy to try and help.

If you want to set up a website completely on your own from scratch, you're either going to have to use a software program or learn HTML and CSS yourself. I think there are some free software programs out there that will build a website, but I'm not familiar with any of them. I write all my coding myself using Notepad. The Sams Teach Yourself books are pretty good. I have the one for CSS that I use for reference. I'm sure they put one out on HTML too. If you'd like any more help or information, feel free to PM me.

she looks far from plus-size to me....

This is our first year using it. I'm enjoying it.

My 8yo has been making breakfast for probably close to a year and half to two years now. He uses the microwave to make oatmeal or they have cereal. He always comes in and asks me first if he can make it and what they should eat. LOL I'm another that sleeps in. My kids don't get up incredibly early though. DD4 has been known to sleep until 9 or 10, like me, if her brothers don't wake her. I rarely hear any of them before 8:30. I get up anywhere between 8:30 and 10 depending on how I'm feeling, how I slept, etc. BUT I am typically half-awake once the kids start really stirring around. Like I said above, my oldest will come in and ask about breakfast and they feel free to come in and talk to me about other things if they need something. But typically, they're good kids in the morning, they play nicely, eat breakfast and I'm able to wake up nice and slow which is important if I'm going to be in a good mood for the day. :D

I'm Bipolar Type II with Generalized Anxiety Disorder so I can definitely relate. Due to being pregnant, I'm also off all of my medications so the last 6 months have been rough at times. We haven't really talked to the kids at all yet since they are still so young. They see me cry and ask why and I answer mommy's sad, which is the truth. My oldest thinks I like to sleep a lot. :001_unsure: When the time comes, we'll be honest and up front with them and explain it like my psych doc explained it to me. My brain doesn't process things correctly, much like a diabetes patient whose body doesn't process sugar correctly, and I see a dr and take medication to correct it. My symptoms come out either in extreme depression or anger and rage. Thankfully, the anger is typically never towards them, usually it comes out towards dh and he can handle it. I try very, very hard to limit how much this affects them. But all in all, they are growing up with things different than they would be if I weren't bipolar. There is nothing I can do about that other than help them deal with it when they need it.

Reusable grocery bag. The limit is 21 items per card.

Yes, I am enjoying it. All three kids do science together and it's easy enough for me to make it work for their ages. And it's very simple so I am able to add to it and not feel like we are running out of time.

I'm using it for DS8 because it goes with Simply Charlotte Mason 106 Days of Creation.

we weren't going to, but then I agreed to watch my sister's two kids since they are out of school and she is working. So, with the cousins here, I know I won't get anything done with mine.

I did 5 weeks of bedrest with my first ds and had a short, easy labor. 3 hours, non-medicated, and he was born.

We're doing this unit study http://www.homeschoolshare.com/cranberry_valentine.php

We've been getting Bill Nye from the library and my kids seem to enjoy them.

We are. I googled and found a few different free things that I printed out and am going to put together on my own. We're also going to read the Magic Tree House book and Research Guide about the Olympics to work history into it.

THIS is my ds6.5! I have the rolling the pencil on the table, dropping the pencil on the floor, falling out of his chair, scraping books/pencils/anything across the table. You name it, he does it. This happens while he's writing, reading, doing math, again anything. I've started a chart for each day and use frown faces, so it's negative instead of positive. Today he got too many and lost his computer for the day, which resulted in wailing and crying. It has been working well, we've had more good days this week than bad.

thanks, I needed that laugh!!!

I have asked dh to stay home or called him to come home when I'm sick, but it rarely works. When I get sick, like vomiting, I get ill to the point of dehydration. If I'm not puking, I'm dead asleep and the kids run a muck around the house. I do get resentful sometimes because dh gets 40 hrs FAMILY sick time in addition to the 40 hrs sick time that is to cover himself if he gets sick. He doesn't like to use either even though it's designed for him to be able to help out with the family. There's no reason for him not to use it, other than he's a workaholic to some degree.

Yes, I have friends who don't parent the same as me, IRL and online. I treat it similar to how I handle my friends, again IRL and online, who don't have the same Christian beliefs as I do. Overall, there is a mutual respect that everyone does things different, believes different things, and not everything works for every family. I certainly am not an expert on parenting or motherhood. There are a lot of things I do that other people wouldn't and I expect respect and an understanding that I am doing what I believe is best for MY kids based on my knowledge and my beliefs. I try to extend the same thing to others.

I am planning on getting SOTW 1 to start with my ds8, ds6, and dd4. I wasn't planning on using anything else, but just doing it as a read aloud. This is in addition to the Simply Charlotte Mason history guide that we are doing. Would that be enough? Would it be easy enough for me to find activities on my own to fill in where I wanted to? I can't take on another thing like the AG because we don't have the time.

:lurk5:

We'll be doing one in another week or so. The guide we're using suggested a pizza box so that's what we have.

I'm due 6/1 and am nervous about this also! My mom is making a sling and I plan to wear baby a lot. I also have a bouncy seat for baby to sit in.