I purchased my daughter's clarinet on ebay two years ago and have been very pleased. I talked to the band teacher about what to look for (brand names) and questions to ask. I looked for places that had a return guarantee and had the instrument checked out as soon as I received it. I've probably spent more money on reeds now than I did on the clarinet!

I've been using Phonics Pathways and really like it. The book is easy to follow. The pages are kid friendly and quick. We make a game of it and move to the next letter when my daughter says she's ready for a new sound. She's excited because she can already make words and she's telling everyone that she's learning to read.

We have an 02 Chevy Venture that I adore. It seats 8, has given us no mechanical problems and has worn beautifully. It has all the "latest" bells and whistles from when it was new and everything still works. About the automatic doors, when the kids were tiny, those were a lifesaver! So nice to have the doors open and waiting when you have a babe in arms and a two year old by the hand. Our doors have a trumpeting chime that warns you they are closing and they do stop and reverse when something solid is in the way. Chevy may not be everyone's first choice (it wasn't mine) however, I can't say enough good things about this van.