Running Wild by Morpurgo (w/ 12yo) Currently reading (w/ 12yo) The Real Revolution: The Global Story of American Independence by Aronson 15yo likes to read aloud to us in the evening :) He's reading the latest Ranger's Apprentice book: The Battle of Hackham Heath by Flanagan

:hurray:

:grouphug: I was the mean mom that said, "You're all swimming and that's that. Don't even ask about other sports." I knew I didn't have the fortitude that you do. So we swam because even if I was at the pool for 4 hours every evening and all weekend, at least I was only at one pool. :tongue_smilie: We ate a lot of burritos and one pot meals during those years. Again, hugs. Remember that it's just a season. You can do it!

Some other things we did so that I could stay semi-sane during those years: I tried to run my errands after dh was home for the evening, just so that I had time away from the kids. Dh did the bedtime routine with most of the children, not me. If a child, other than the baby, needed help in the middle of the night, dh was that guy. That way, usually, neither of us was getting up multiple times a night. A good nights sleep make a world of difference. For awhile I cooked in bulk, and made liberal use of my freezer. Dh always took at least one child with him when he ran his own errands on the weekend. I did not keep an immaculate house. I taught my olders how to get breakfast for the youngers, and we ate very simply or left-overs for lunch everyday. And I strictly enforced what came to be known as "lay-down" every afternoon. We pretty much only did together/ mom-intensive school in the morning. Oldest used "lay down time" to do his reading.

I agree! This was the only way I managed to stay sane when I had five with about the same age spread as yours.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. It was my favourite book this year.

I use this conditioner as a leave-in about twice a week. http://herbalessences.com/en-us/discover-products/collections/totally-twisted/totally-twisted-curls-and-waves-conditioner It works well and is cheap.

If it makes you feel any better, our council lost the registration for our WHOLE TROOP, TWICE!!!! How does that even happen? :huh: :cursing:

The first one is fiction and makes a good read-aloud. Would be especially good to study to study tsunamis and orangutans while you read it. Might be upsetting to your 6yo, but my 12yo loved it. Running Wild – Morpurgo Cycle of Rice: Cycle of Life – Reynolds Little People and a Lost World: An Anthropological Mystery - Goldenberg

I agree. Unfortunately, using the local rec center usually costs money :( Walking around a mall in the winter is free.

Not here. It's supposed to be in the high 30's/low 40's all week. Super excited since two weeks ago it was in the negative 20's. I know this is just a blip before we get more low temps. and snow, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts :)

Another vote for ABF. We've done the cross country move thing four times. ABF was very affordable and by far the least stressful.

I was just about to say the same thing, though in my case the women are in their early thirties. I have moved into more of a mentoring role, rather than peer related. One of these younger women had a little last year, and now I have a goddaughter :)

I know I'm jumping in here late, and I haven't read the discussion that follows, but this makes my heart hurt :(

Yes, I keep telling my kids that I'm not attached to dates, and I mean it. I want them to feel free to pursue their own traditions, and not be burdened by my expectations for what a holiday should be.

My 12yo really enjoys the science units from Moving Beyod the Page http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/purchase/unitlist.aspx?subject=Science

Fluxx for sure!

We used to keep a stack of wooden pallets and straw bales, some long PVC pipes and a couple of smaller tarps in the back yard. I also had clothespins and twine available to them. My yard was always a mess, but my kids were happy :) ETA: Oh, yup, bungees as well.

My ds once asked me, in a very concerned voice, if it was OK if he "watched movies in his head." Yes, son. Yes it is :)

I see lots of kids wearing Boggs here, gets down to -40 occasionally, so "real" winters temps., though I can't imagine that they're wearing them when it's so cold out. Actually, I wouldn't know because I stay inside when it's that cold ;) For sure they're out and about in them at -10 to -20.

I, too, thought teen boys were harder than girls, but my 17yo dd is currently putting that theory to a test ;) Gently, I think you need to back off, let him fail, and own his own mistakes. He's old enough to come to you for help when/if he needs it. I would only make sure that he's getting his homework done and remind him to study. Do keep track of when his tests are and the grades he receives, so that your study reminders are pertinent. Be available when he wants you as a study buddy. Does he have a sibling that will do flash cards etc. with him? Sometimes that works better than Mom or Dad. Signed, The mom of 2 adults and 3 teens.

After toys had been passed down through all the children, if they were still intact, I put them in storage for the grandchildren. Legos and nerf are still in use (youngest is 12). I have 5 children, so in theory I should have many grandchildren. I remember being soooo bored when I would visit my own grandparents and I didn't want my own house to be like that. I also didn't want to have to go out and re-buy expensive toys. When they were little I tried to only buy sturdy toys that would last, and threw away broken/incomplete things all the time. They also all had stuffed animals that lived on their beds. I do remember at one point instituting a rule that one stuffy in meant 1-2 out ;) And we always had a purge in October/November. Sometimes I also passed still being used toys that were almost, but not quite outgrown, on to friends and cousins that were younger than mine. What I ended up keeping & storing for the grand kids that have started arriving :) 1. Duplos + Playmobil 1.2.3 train tracks (stored together) 2. a box of wooden puzzles 3. older kid Playmobil 4. dress-up clothes 5. a trunk of American Girl stuff 6. Madeleine (barbie type dolls) bin 7. large erector set 8. toddler friendly "marble" run 9. real marble run 10. Lauri pegs & puzzles, plus lacing activities 11. a large bucket of matchbox cars

I'm so sorry. Febreeze is of the devil.

It's not just perfume either. Hand lotion can be just as bad!!! And they put it on while you're sitting right there. grrrrr.

You have my sympathies. I've also left services before because of perfume. I asked my fellow choir members to please not wear anything. They usually remember. There's just no way to sing when you can't breathe.