My 12 year old loves gift cards. He loves shopping for his own gifts, and he especially loves restaurant giftcards like Subway. :)

This has helped me tremendously. Has also helped me to sleep without waking up 5+ times a night. http://goo.gl/LMEVJ

I think you look so cute! I really like it, although since it's not what I asked, I think I'd be a little taken back too...but...really, that length suits you. Oh, and I'm not really one to follow trends, but short hair is IN! :001_smile:

Thank you!

Very interesting...I looked over your list and it was VERY similiar to my son's list of foods at that age. The only differences are the chicken nuggets and cheese- he refused those, and add to the list honey bunches of oats cereal. I used to feel like crying at the end of my day because of how little he used to eat. We are a family who enjoys a varied healthy diet. The pediatrician had us supplement with formula until ds was a little over 2. (He would drink it in a sippy cup). It was a long exhausting road of getting him to try different things, but if I can be of any encouragement to you- my son is now 11 and he can't stop eating! He eats every veggie, every fruit...he still doesn't enjoy the texture of chicken, but will eat it if it's moist and "mexican style". He hates to have a meal without a nice big salad with all different toppings...so, it does get better. I believe for my son it was more of a texture issue than taste. My son had a complete meltdown the day I put a piece of sweet kettle corn in his mouth! Hang in there...continue to offer new foods. (I wasn't above bribery- although, I know many would freak out at that notion...but I was desperate. I'd offer match box cars in exchange for him trying a new food. One bite...that's all I'd ask. :)

We were originally referred to a VT specialist who made it obvious she wanted our child to have VT no matter what. Our second Optometrist who specialized in VT, who had an established practice and had been practicing since 1977, obviously wanted what was best for my child. After 2 months of the perfect RX, we were told that my daughter was NOT in need of VT! You have to understand, we went into this session wondering how long VT was going to be and how expensive...instead, we left with a solution that didn't involve anything but an RX. My advice is to do your research, and go with your gut. P.S. My daughter was diagnosed with Amblyopia and significant hyperopia. Best wishes to your child.

I can not say enough good things about Story of the World. I did NOT like history myself (terrible, I know) and was not looking forward to teaching it. I picked up SOTW ancients and I have to tell you not only has this series been my favorite subject to teach, but I, myself, LOVE it. You don't have to read all of the suggested books or even do all of the hands on recipes, projects, etc...but we did! (not every project, but most!) we spent two years on ancients. :)

Yes, our dog is allowed on our couches. We have leather so we can easily wipe away any dog fur. Our dog sleeps with us too. I love to read or watch a movie with my dog right next to me. Whatever you decide, your pup has a great new home! Very happy for the two of you. :)

This broke my heart. :grouphug:

I love stories like these! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

we JUST started this last week with a 2nd grader...So far, I'm not impressed and rather frustrated. I knew going in there wouldn't be any phonics rules, however out of no where after the word spin came spinned. No rule for double consonants. We will be covering this in Explode the Code, however...so I may just put this away for a few more months. Good luck in whatever you choose. With my oldest, we tried Spelling Workout. I thought it was the absolute worst, but it's looking better and better to me now. What I didn't like about spelling workout is that they would have to correct misspelled words. I don't like my children seeing those misspelled words and taking a picture of it in their minds. (just my opinion). I think I should have gone with my gut and gone with AAS.

My 11 year old ds is in his 6th year of orchestra...after 5 years of violin, he has switched over to the viola. My 7 year old dd is in her 2nd year of playing the violin. Both are in a youth orchestra.

Wow, i'm surprised to see that some would vomit by just looking at my baby girl's pierced ears at 4 months old. Babies are beautiful with or without pierced ears, to each their own. You can say it's a cultural thing for us since we are European...although, obviously, not all Euro families believe in piercing their little one's ears. We pierced my little girl's ears at 4 months, she didn't even cry...she just sat looking at her brother make silly faces. I was breastfeeding at that time, so anytime I would nurse her and change sides, I'd gently turn her earrings. Never had any complications. She has always worn dainty little earrings. For the past year she has been wearing the sweetest little pearls.

Besides Apologia's Astronomy last year, we have never used a science curriculum. We have always gone with my child's interests and Science WAS his favorite subject. My son is in 6th grade, and just turned 11. This year we decided to try our state's virtual school. My son is now taking a comprehensive science course and he despises science now. It's challenging but he is maintaining a 98% average. The fact that he truly hates it, and I hate all of the technical computer issues and busy work, I'm now looking for something else. Has anyone tried Apologia's General Science? I would love to hear any suggestions.

Wow! Congratulations! My brother in law was there showing his gorgeous Belgian Malinois. We really enjoyed watching the show for 2 nights. :001_smile:

We pierced my little girl's ears when she was about 4 months old. In my culture, it's considered late. I nursed my baby, so each time she nursed, I would gently turn her earrings. At the diaper changes, I just gently cleaned her earrings too. We didn't have any issues at all. We don't vaccinate, so I was sure to go to a place that used disposable piercers. For what it's worth- she cried for 3 seconds. My son handed her a pretty bracelet and she was very content.

How funny, I was going to recommend Nester's site, and someone did. She really helped me a lot. She taught me how to decorate inexpensively.

Just have to say that I like how your mid life moment is innocent and won't hurt anyone! :) Go for it and post pictures.

I just sent a message to your inbox. I hope to hear back from you and I'm curious to how the rest of the numbers match up to mine.

Wow. I haven't read all the responses, but for the first time, I'm wondering what my children will be classified as. Hmmm My husband is half Puerto Rican and half German. I am Caucasian. My son is olive skin, my daughter is dark. Will he be considered Caucasian and my daughter Hispanic? I'll have to give this some thought for sure.

Love GWG here too, and agreeing with what everyone has said, you have to add in a writing and spelling curriculum.

That's not common here. My parents were Baptized in the ocean along with my son and my pastors knew they belonged and loved their current church. Their church wasn't having a Baptism anytime soon, so they decided to be Baptized with my son. It was incredible, and many were not from my church. We all praised and thanked God that we could be there to witness it. I'm so happy to hear this about your friend. God Bless him!

I didn't know what to expect when you said hot pink, but you look absolutely, positively stunning! I was cracking up over the story of your children being distracted by the yellow! :D

I would start on book 1. They are so cute, I think your little boy will really enjoy them and that will be motivation enough. I gave my son two pages to do in book one when he was in Kindergarten. I asked him to finish the two pages on his own and then go play for a little bit while I made a dr.s appointment. By the time I got off the phone, he had completed 8 pages and was begging to do more! I could hear him cracking up at the pictures and sentences. :)

Whatever he likes likes the sound of more. The plus with the acoustic is that he can take it out with him and play at gatherings and not have to worry about everything that goes along with it. Pawn shops usually have TONS of guitars, don't forget to check there.