Thrift stores? I have found many new coloring books for my kids and a few for myself as well. I almost donated a dozen today but put them aside for a travel bag instead.

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I used to wear lululemon workout leggings under my suits and sometimes long sleeve seamless active tops. Any well fitting active layers would work though! Even in winter the office was kept cold so I always had a stash of layers in my drawer, a portable heater, and an electric kettle in my office year round. I always told myself it was one less step to changing for a quick work out after work, but that never ended up happening. :)

Sorry now I see at the top of your original post. I'm in AZ. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing!

This is so exciting to hear as I just learned my sisters moving her family there this summer! They go next week for a week to check it out and make sure they wanna live there so I hope they didn't pay much more than this. What site did you use to find cheap rates?

I remember trying flylady back in 2007 as a new mom and I was SO committed to it. I printed off her whole system at work and told myself I was going to be the most clean and organized mom. I did good for a while but every time I try and go back to it I really get annoyed. I am really liking the clean slob recommendation, it's even kid friendly. Realizing I have to do dishes everyday is big because before I'd get grumpy that I just unloaded dishes only to load and unload and like it never ends. That's probably why I hate cleaning, it never ends! I guess the same goes for eating well and daily exercise. Some things we don't want to do but learn that really it's just easier if we start and find ways to make it work for your lifestyle goals.

95% used. I don't have an exact break down of profit but since it's all paid for it's all money in my eyes. I could have donated like Marie Kondo preaches but I was not after instant gratification and have some space to store things. After fees and shipping as of now I' have a little over $8800 in my own account.I did buy a few things here and there at gw to resell that were too great to pass up as well. Last 2 months I picked up a few things like uggs, boxers and jackets and they all sold. It's more of a hobby so I don't really keep up on book keeping like I should. I did this sort of thing back in hs and college but never at this level. My kids are in elementary full time now :/ and I did NOT want to go look for work! I am truly so thankful for the money I am able to make while still being available to my family.

Take the job, you can always quit if it doesn't end up working. Have you thought of selling on ebay? You'd be shocked how much you can make off stuff laying around the house. I grossed a little over 14k from selling nothing but clothing on ebay. It's pretty basic and fun in a way. I'm happier knowing I am making some money now even if it's not much.

Rick Riordan is my 10yo sons absolute favorite author and last year his teacher read one of his books to his 4th grade class. I don't imagine she would do that if there was very graphic mature content. Also my son goes "eww blah blah" if anyone starts kissing in a movie and would not read the books if it was overly like that so I think your good. My sons also is a fan of Brandon Mull and enjoyed the Fablehaven series, you son may enjoy that as well. We too found the series while thrifting and I am so thankful! He's read all the books and is currently reading Battle of the Labrynth. Check out the Percy Jackson series too, I know my son and many of his friends also enjoy that series. On top of reading the books he's listened to all the audio books as well and I never noticed anything alarming.

He had an iep from prek that carried over to the new school. They did their own evaluation too but did not revise the plan much at all. I happened to come in to volunteer and was able to sit in on the speech therapy once. I was not impressed when I saw it was basically playing bingo and looking at a chart and saying the sound. In prek he worked with the speech therapist on ipads and did much more language based games. I asked in second quarter if we'd meet to go over the iep and was told sure you can come in whenever, which was never the case in the other school. It was always these are the 2 days you can meet with us and then we'd meet every quarter. I will fail my son if I keep him at this school. My older son was just tested and as I suspected, he's gifted. I pushed that school to have him tested and it never happened. The moment I enrolled into the public, he was tested. Now with them both qualifying for services on different ends, this public school is already going above and beyond what the charter did for us. The school they were at was a for profit charter which now I realize is not such a good thing. Parents were asked almost weekly to contribute supplies for this and that. I'm ready to move on. My oldest son had been at the school since K so this coming school year will be his first time at a new school, whereas for my 6yo this will be his 3rd. I already feel like I failed the older one since he was bored all these years and made up for it by coming up with my own enrichment plans when the school did nothing for him. If he my 6yo needs to repeat 1st after this school year we will absolutely switch schools again. I know in the long run it's not the best fit for him, but for now I think it's the better option for now. However I did choose this new school thinking we'd keep him back in . His teacher really did not think he needed to be held back despite his struggles with writing. She swore she's held kids back and if she really felt he needed to be she would advocate for that. I think she may have said that though because they were introducing a "transitional first grade" for the coming school year and he would be placed in that class with kids who need extra help. Sounded good but I'm not willing to risk it, especially with it being "new". I will check into all these links and get the books requested.

His gross motor skills are great. He loves to mountain bike, rock climb, swim, and is always running it seems. Incorporating some movement is something we haven't tried so thank you for that tip!

He turned 6 in Jan so he's basically in the middle age wise for his grade. I will contact the school district and find out what the process is to submit a letter to request further testing. They know we are coming from a charter and when I told them I never met with anyone in person to go over the iep last school year they were shocked. The speech pathologist told me at the end of the year, that we'll meet in OCT to update the iep. I really wanted to hold him back but the more we discussed it the more we came to realize that if anything, it would be better to hold back in 1st. Kindergarten would bore him,but he'd have more time to develop his fine motor skills without as much pressure. I have cousins who were held back for other reasons (sports) in Kindergarten and my aunt said it was the best decision she ever made. We're not doing that though but if the next school year tanks we will. He did good in K, don't get me wrong, but the lack of being able to get letters formed on paper was a hinder. I'm still learning how to navigate this whole iep thing and I just want to make sure he gets the support he needs.

The school is known for being very good and is ranked in the top 20 for test scores. When I enrolled them they gave us some spalding cards and recommended the spalding app. I feel this method will be so much better for him. We have neighbors who go there and the turnover is low, unlike where we just were so I think that speaks volumes. We got a stack of the Mercy Meyer books today at the library and he liked the first one but refused to try and read, just wanted to listen. He can't read any books on his own yet. His kinder teacher said to keep using those sam books I linked above but they are so dry. I think he's annoyed because they don't even really make sense. I have explode the code but sadly it's not the level I need, it's for 2nd grade. I will see what I can find at the thrift shops though, sometimes I find great stuff but it would be helpful to at least know what I am looking for and what has been a success for others. Thanks for all the advice so far, I really appreciate it.

I did not realize there was a gifted area. I will poke around in there. To clarify, what I meant was my son tested gifted in the non-verbal (visual spatial) area. He is very verbal and not on the spectrum, just a normal kid who is a whiz at things like puzzles. Thanks for the suggestions! Beast academy looks good but what is aops?

This last school year my 6yo was in Kindergarten and although he grew tremendously, his writing if anything seems to have gotten worse. We bought the pencil grips, did hand strength activities and worked with him after school but nothing helped. I worry that next year he will struggle because he can't write 1 legible sentence. For reading they did "sam books" http://www.marriottmd.com/sam/index.html and he didn't enjoy them. His teacher said they are the best though so I found them online free after she suggested we buy a set on ebay for summer study. He made it to 7 during the school year, it was really frustrating for him so I did not push him as hard as I maybe could have. I feel like I need to push him even more now. We have books galore and go to the library many times a week and he loves to hear stories, but not read them. Meanwhile my older son was reading chapter books at 5, and though I don't compare, I do notice the vast difference. I need so much help because next school year he will be transferring to a different school, it's traditional based and very heavy on writing. They teach spalding and saxon math. He really enjoys busy work and doesn't mind practicing writing but despite that it's not improving. His teacher last school year chalked it up to the fact that he has a speech issue (iep for it) and that is what is making it difficult for him. If anyone has any advice, please share!

After many attempts to have my son tested at his charter school for being gifted I decided to explore my options and see what the other schools had to say about testing. In that process I was told my 10yo could be tested for free if we enroll in the public system, so that's what I did. I explained to him that he didn't have to take the test or switch schools if he didn't want to be he was so pumped and excited. We got the scores yesterday and he scored a 99 in the non verbal / visual spatial area qualifying him for services. I have no idea what the scores mean yet or how they will differentiate but I am so glad I listened to my gut and didn't back down. I had asked countless times about testing, to be placed in the next grade level for math, extra homework anything to help challenge him. He was always saying he was bored and that it was easy. I knew they sent kids to the next grade for math but for whatever reason they wouldn't allow my son. Finally I was told that was an old program so only the kids who were currently in it could be in it. The state board of education said they were legally required to test, the school however said they don't. It was a big back and forth and I also learned it was a for profit school in the process, and that changes everything. I feel like so much of my time and energy was wasted advocating for him but it's a relief to know I wasn't doing it for no reason. When they did nothing I did everything to give him an environment where he could explore and challenge himself with activities like mindstorm and building kits. I am curious if anyone has any advice or suggestions on things to help him over summer break that builds upon this strength? I always thought he was gifted in this area but now that we know for sure I want to do more to help him. Any advice appreciated!

Thank you for posting! Goals are very heavy on my mind at the moment and I feel very much like you. My man is the same way! I admire him for it but I think for him it is easier because he lives that way 7-7 5 days a week. His job is very much goal driven and he has no choice but to stay organized and on top of his team or his boss literally shreds him and his subordinates to pieces. I can say though that little small goals are what allow him to reach larger goals and I really didn't catch onto that until this weekend. For me, I over-analyze and think too much, make complicated steps when one or two steps, or just getting started in general would be more effective. I have not worked outside the home since basically becoming a mom and so I think lifestyle simply made me not need to be "goal oriented" in a traditional sense. My goals now revolved around each of my two kids needs and survival really. Wellness overall is a goal of mine. I am not naive and know that physical activity impacts mental health and well being. Eating better, from scratch preferably and taking the right supplements plays into that. I abandoned my workouts at the beginning of this year when much of the world was starting theirs. I needed to do that though to work on other goals, and I have reached them but now it's time for me to get back that and incorporate more. What is it that you are looking to accomplish? What are your goals? My biggest goal is to simply embrace life for what it is, shitty at times. Constant tidying, laundry and cleaning toilets because my 6yo peed in and around everywhere for the second time today is exhausting. However, my 84 yo grandma is experiencing the same challenges in her life and with my grandpa, so she reminds myself that extra laundry gives us comfortable, clean things to wear and cleaning is simply part of life. Sorry to not be of more help, but I hear you and you are not alone. Best thing I can suggest is some pen and paper and chunk out your goals by the month / week / day. A huge goal of mine right now has to do with making money by selling our extras online, and each month I simply compete with myself. I need to sell what I can rather than just donate everything because I want to move. I've only saved up 6k since November but hey thats real money and that number rises monthly. It is so easy to try and compete with others, or even look to others for inspiration, but if you can get low, stay focused and work on doing better than the week before you are well on your way to reaching whatever it is your goals are.

He's able to shove things down easier than me. He cares, he just doesn't wallow in it in the same way that I do. I wish it never happened as well but as the mother this affects on a different level no amount of wishing makes it just slip out of my mind. I've already made a scene and screamed and broken down and all that. Things will be changing though and he will be brought in on this with a therapist so I don't have to feel so alone on how to move through life with this part of our sons story. Until then, I just want to get through the rest of this year and focus on creating happy memories without this clouding my mind.

Okay drama queen moment is over. I just ended up opening up the presents that said "his name & gma" on it. I was right, stuff just to open, 90% candy like nerd robes, gobstoppers and lifesafer gummies they can't have. It literally filled up a trader joes bag! It was what she always gave her son so now I guess we have to pass on that tradition? Nah. They will get organic candy I approve because yes I am that mom and toss the 2 matchbox cars in their stocking. The other presents left with just a tag were wripped off, I put a sticker over it and wrote grandma. Still not happy with that solution but that narrowed the opening of gifts down to 2 items each and 1 is a beanie so whatever. I feel better at least getting this out and now I don't have this huge box of crap weighing over me now. ha.

Yes it's been confirmed and no we won't press charges although maybe we will I don't know, that's to be determined. My son will be 10 next year, my youngest is about the same age when it occured. I feel I've already lost so much through this and I can't go through hell for more years and potentially screw up my life and my sons life. I have a lot of work to do next year. Theyll get at least one item. He's not about to lie to his mom and say yes the boys got the presents, thank you blah blah. She's in denial. This isn't about her though. I literally have a 56 t rubbermaid full of wrapped gifts in my office right now.

So true. It is what it is. This whole holiday season has gotten to best of me. I will do the straws, give them a family picture and donate food to single mothers group in their name as a good gesture. I can feel good knowing that we're doing something nice for families who truly need it. I feel okay about this now. We can't change other people, and we can't allow others to drag us down, that is a choice as well. Thank you all so much!

She rarely speaks to them honestly and lives in another state. It's her only son, this makes things complicated. I'm lucky to have my own mother to vent this crap to as well and she said to put it in my office and shell rewrap. I'm sure alot of it's going to just be fluff and just crap to open for the sake of opening. And for the record she's never been alone with them and won't have alone access ever, but I hope that next year I'll have more tools on how to deal with this situation.

Thanks for the replies. I suppose I could just put a big sticker over the names! And make sure we are too busy to skype. He understands and takes it seriously but it's just affects him in a different way of course. He will always protect our son and we are just thankful we have not seen him since then. Only his mother now visits and it will remain that way forever. Next year though they want us to travel to great grandmas farm in Iowa and I already said hell no because he would be there. I will not put myself and our kids in that situation to appease his mom, great grandma and extended family who we have not seen in years.

I finally got the balls to open up a huge box that came from my fiances mom. All gifts are wrapped but I was curious to see how she addressed the presents I wanted to get them "seperated" as to not overshadow our simple holiday. I stopped counting at 20, so there's alot of gifts to open. Quick background. Her husband touched our son over the pants when he was like 5 or 6. It really only got brought to her attention this year (he's 9 now) and I still have not fully dealt with the "situation". I prefer to not go into it because I already have. At the end of the day we don't feel it's affecting our son and the more it gets brought up the more it just becomes a bigger problem. It's up to me though to protect him and I don't feel he should have to see him ever again or hear about him. She came here to visit a few months back and she kept mentioning his name which I can't blame her, it's her love and she wanted to share memories. I told fiance to please talk to her about not saying his name because it upsets me, she didn't seem to get the message, or he didn't delivered it very well. So, molesters name is on the gifts, just seeing and hearing his name triggers me and sends me on an emotional roller coaster. I spoke with future mil about all of this and she never did confront him so it's been basically swept back under the rug. Fiance was ready to confront him while he was in town but they never saw face to face so it didn't happen and I know he just wants to forget it happened and not let it ruin our life. It's basically ruined my life though honestly and is a big reason as to why I don't care to get married anymore. I know kids are resilient blah blah but I did sexual things with my peers as a kid as many kids likely do. I'm only really just now coming to see that hyper sexuality before age 9 is not super normal and a sign of abuse, yet I can't recall ever being touched by an adult as a child so I don't know what to think about that. As a result I've been cautious with where and who my kids play with. I don't want to give any gifts with his name on it, my fiance thinks I am over reacting. I know she is going to want to skype too so that's a can I don't want opened either. This is her only child but at the end of the day, this is my child and I need a voice, but yet I can't find mine. Next month I'll be seeing a therapist again because this year has been very hard and I realize that I can't go on feeling depressed. In the meantime, I am on my own with this, and could really use some advice!

I suppose that would be an option but we gave movie tickets before as like a family date thing and it was a flop. We did the same experience type thing for my mom and she used each and everyone of those vouchers. The difference being that she wanted to spend time with them. At the time we gave that gift to them, his dad was still in denial that he was even old enough to be a grandpa lol. And being it was the stepmom, I can only imagine, and I'd probably care less about spending time with a "step kid and his kids".