I have been making a double batch of this cookie (or some self-modified version of it) every single week for several years now. It is my kids' absolute favorite. http://madhungry.com/?recipes=oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookie My regular modifications: -replace 1/3 of the flour with whole wheat flour -add 1/4 cup ground flax seed with oats -replace the egg with half a ripe banana -use a small cookie scoop (makes 30 cookies)

For my 4th, I bought this book to read before bed: Nursies When the Sun Shines: A little book on nightweaning https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615756425/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qEDNAb58XCK6X I'm not sure if it helped during the night, as he was the *neediest* nighttime baby I've had, but he asked me to read it to him multiple times a day while he was night weaning.

This is what happened with us. The funeral home took care of everything, from getting the remains from the hospital, holding a small service, to getting us back the ashes. They even sent us a Christmas ornament with our baby's name on it. All for free. They really were wonderful and helpful.

Ha! Sadly, that won't fly here!

DS8 just finished reading The Prince and The Pauper and asked if there was a movie version. Which version should we watch (along with DS5 and DS3), the 1937 with Errol Flynn or the 1962 Disney version? FWIW, they were transfixed by Errol Flynn in Robin Hood a few months back.

I second this. Also, realize that the child doesn't need to have been sick recently - my son tested positive for strep even though he never had a fever or sore throat. Antibiotics helped immensely.

Our library gives us the option of replacing the book ourselves if we can get it at a cheaper cost than they can. I've replaced two books in the past two years by ordering off Amazon, though the book had to be the EXACT version being replaced. We routinely have +/-100 books checked out of the library. We keep them in a special box in the living room (I keep books for school on the school bookshelf), and DO NOT allow them into the kitchen. They can go into the dining room during school time only. No one is allowed to touch a book while eating/drinking of any kind. Has worked fairly well here so far.

I'm so sorry for your lost. FWIW, I went through the same thing at 18 weeks. The ultrasound showed that growth had likely stopped at 15 weeks. After discussing it with my midwife, I decided to be admitted and induced instead of the d&c. We had a service with a priest at a funeral home, followed by cremation. I needed to process the loss that way. I also think it helped my oldest grieve, who was 15 at the time. Be kind to yourself.

My best friend has a family recipe - let me ask her if I can post it here.

He's 9 this spring but he's already outgrowing size 12 shirts and pants. Oshkosh goes to 14, but at the rate he's growing in going to need another option soon.

Younger boys are almost 9, almost 6, almost 4, and 16 months. Almost all of their clothes (that weren't hand-me-downs from cousins) were bought at Carter's/Oshkosh. I've kept everything, mending rips & tears as needed, passing things down to the next boy. DS8 is now taller every time I look at him and outgrowing all of his clothes! Where do you buy sturdy, well-made boy clothes for boys, sized 12 or 14 and larger, that will hold up over multiple children? I used to get such great deals at Carter's/Oshkosh and the quality of clothes was excellent - I will miss that place.

Me, too! I'll be using mine this afternoon to make mujaddara (rice and onions). My stove-top beef stew last week was so good, I can't stop thinking about it.

35. We just finally became prime members, but I'm also trying not to order online as much.

Tin Can Knits has a collection of patterns for beginners, called The Simple Collection. They are all free patterns, including lots of links to tutorials and simple explanations. They are meant to be done in order, from scarf to hat to mittens to sweater, but I have no doubt that an ambitious beginner, with plenty of in-person and YouTube help, could make this sweater: http://tincanknits.com/pattern-SC-flax.html FWIW - I learned how to knit just last summer/fall by picking a (non-beginner) pattern that I really, really wanted,buying top-of-the-line wool and knitting needles, and watching lots of YouTube videos. Also, I keep notes in a small notebook to remind myself of the things I had learned. My advice is to buy decent yarn and tools - it really does make things easier!

I'm no help here but, seriously, you can never go wrong with s complete set of Calvin and Hobbes books. My oldest two have read them so many times that they are falling apart. I may need to replace them! The Complete Calvin and Hobbes https://www.amazon.com/dp/1449433251/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_B3ZHAbT2QPQVV

Yes. My anxiety levels go into overdrive when I'm pregnant but, overall, my baseline anxiety level has been rising as I get older. I'm going to have to consider medication soon.

As someone who's subsisted entirely on WIC while pregnant, and then later on both WIC and SNAP while I breastfed a child who ended up with multiple significant food allergies, I agree with all of this. Here is a good summary of the issue (Twitter thread): https://twitter.com/hugwins/status/963282840292032512 (sorry, can't link properly from my phone).

We actually flipped it around and now mainly use BA with the SM Extra Practice books as reinforcements for things I think he might need a bit more repetition with.

We have been having a very laid-back, easy K year with lots of Legos and trips to the library. He's learned to play chess and to knit. He's very good at memorizing poetry, but morning time has been hard to keep in the schedule and I'm hoping that I can make it work better next year, when everyone is a bit older. My ideas for first grade so far: phonics: Ordinary Parents Guide, and maybe a bit of Explode the Code handwriting: Zaner-Bloser grammar: FLL1 writing: WWE1, but probably not right away, maybe after Christmas math: SM 1A/1B and lots of logic and 'mathy' games tagging along with his brother for these: history: SOTW4 literature: read-alouds from the WTM recommendations (to go along with SOTW4), plenty of picture/chapter books, and audiobooks science: self-designed physics course (he's going to LOVE this!) He will start CCD through church and I would like to find an art or gymnastics class that will fit in our schedule/budget.

If he's got reliable access to WiFi (home, school, dorm, etc) then I can't imagine he would need 2G. I'm on the 1G plan, stare at my phone waaaaayyyy too much, and have only every run out of data once. I noticed the day before and just paid the extra $5 for another 1G for the rest of the month. (This was last month, I didn't realize that my home wifi was on the fritz.)

My oldest has epilepsy. This is my constant nightmare. My heart breaks for you, your family, and your daughter. I'm so sorry.

I'm going to be 44 in a few months, and am still cosleeping a nursing 15 month old. My last pregnancy was physically HARD, and I'm freaking exhausted. I've been pregnant/cosleeping/breastfeeding for nearly 10 years straight, and my oldest is 22. Yes, 22. I'm done. I don't have any more to give. I need to focus on the five boys I have.... I still have baby fever. *sigh* Don't Tell my husband - he's up for more!

If you are north of Boston I have one for you. ;-)

My kindergartener (nearly 6) spends most of the day playing with his brothers. We read books, do some art projects, and go to the library once a week. He spends two hours a day in quiet time designing/building with Legos while listening to audio books (Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, etc). He dictates stories to anyone who will scribe for him or he will sit and write himself as long as someone will spell the words for him. Occasionally, he will ask for a workbook but he would prefer to play a board game for math and spelling. He's starting to read but gets frustrated because the books he can read are much too simple than what he wants to read (he will spend hours pouring over science, engineering, or architecture books). He also likes to knit. ;-)

My oldest had an interview a while back and forgot he had his pocketknife with him until he saw the 'no weapons' sign. He tucked it in between the cushions of the couch he was waiting on and grabbed it again in his way out.