I taught myself to crochet first, well before learning how to knit. Crochet generally makes a thicker, firmer fabric than knitting does (assuming a similar weight of yarn) which is great for afghans and hats, etc, but not so good for things like sweaters, and it's ungainly for things like gloves. I agree with a PP that knitting is more versatile. It can look more intimidating since it uses two needles instead of one hook, but they both have just a few skills to learn before you're up and running. And Ravelry and knittinghelp are your friends. Check out patterns on Ravelry for both crochet and knitting and see which ones look like what *you* want to make. Decide from there. Have fun!

We LOVE the Leonard Bernstein young people's concerts, and a good number of them are available on youtube at ArtfulLearning's channel. More concerts were just released on DVD this fall, too, but they're pricey. After we're done with the young people's concerts I have Opera for Everyone queued up. We haven't used it yet, so no review on that one. Also worth checking out are Classics for Kids, the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (my kids love this game!) and for a no-cost piano lesson to dip your toes in, Hoffman Academy. (which used to be freepianolessons4kids) Hope something will work for you!

:lol: All of mine will be finding tape in their stockings, too. A couple of years ago I bought one of these thingies for cutting gift wrap. Works a treat, and doesn't get purloined by the kiddos.

It's just a matter of time here.

Thanks for posting. I needed that (oh, and I need #5 and #10, too.)

I convinced the two oldest to double up on math, grammar, and writing yesterday so we could take today "off." They were happy to do it. Spending this morning gathering science fair project materials was a stealth way of doing some school, though.

Emeraude perfume and Yardley's English Lavender.

This one uses powdered milk.

Mad Libs have been a big hit, too.

mp3 players for audiobooks, maybe Etch a Sketch? We have small whiteboards to use as lap desks (but I would never in a million years give the kids whiteboard markers in the car!) Between books, coloring and drawing, we've kept the kids pretty well entertained. On our last trip we packed the kids' scooters in an accessible place for when we stopped (at a grocery store for lunch fixings, etc.) One parent would shop, the other would supervise the kids in a remote corner of the parking lot. It was great for getting some of the jitters out. Enjoy both the planning and the trip!

Another vote for charity knitting. I learned to knit from the videos on knittinghelp, and use Ravelry for lots of free patterns. When my kids no longer ask me for knitted stuff (I got two requests for teddy bears last night) then I'll do lots more charity knitting. And yeah, hand knit socks are awesome.

Shortbread can use powdered sugar (like this one) but doesn't usually include egg. Brown sugar is indeed supposed to be sugar with molasses, but I don't think it has as much flavor as using added molasses. Maybe dark brown sugar would be better.

I found this. It looks pretty good.

You might look into Save the Children (that's a link to the Charity Navigator site).

If the shipping costs weren't ridiculous to the other side of the world, I'd send you our Drawing with Children. Nothing new to start here in Jan, just trucking along with what we have.

Can you do something like a wide headband for when you're visiting family?

:grouphug: For meals, how about something like freezer crock pot meals? (this is the first example from Google--there are many others) Piggybacking off of what Jean said, could the kids earn a token for each chore done? My kids are younger than yours, so take that into consideration :) Mine earn a bean (just a dry pinto bean) when they do a chore, which is then worth x amount of screen time or, at the end of the week, y amount of money. I could definitely understand if you don't want to use money, but could you come up with some sort of currency that works for each kid? Could you get a load of laundry started in the morning, and have one of them switch it to the dryer, so the only thing left to do is fold? (Each of mine, yes, even the 3yo, folds and puts away their own laundry.) I hope you can find some way to make this manageable for you. :grouphug: again.

I've made a couple of ornaments, and because I apparently have too much time on my hands, pulled out my drop spindle to try it again. I'm also eyeballing the table loom that's been resting in an armoire for a couple of years.

I still love my Mikasa Antique White after five or so years. Heftier than Corelle, no problems with gray marks or anything.

You might want to browse a little on Ravelry to see what types of projects you'd be most interested in making. Then you could decide which of the two crafts you'd rather take up. If it's knitting, I found the videos at knittinghelp.com to be just what I needed.

These things made me laugh because they're so ABSURD. You simply can't take someone seriously when these are their typical interactions. I agree with albeto. Delete without opening. :grouphug:

My great-grandmother's stuffing, which is very specific. Fresh bread, no crust, torn not cut Onions cooked down but not browned (I use butter, my mom and grandmom never did) breakfast sausage (Habersett's preferred, but we can't get it anymore, so I'm "allowed" to use anything but Bob Evans) A little broth or water if it needs to be moistened. It isn't Thanksgiving without this stuffing.

If it helps, here's a link to our local homeschool science fair's website. I thought it was well done last year (the first we participated.) The big 2 kids are really looking forward to it again. Good luck!

I've tried very hard to avoid pride and vanity.

:grouphug: