We have had this happen twice. One time it was a dead/dying battery in the garage wall buttons. The second time it was a loose contact in the other garage wall button.

What about the boxcar kids series or bobbsey twins or happy hollisters? I tried to focus on books that had some main character kids in them that were the same age as my kids. For that reason, I waited on american girl until they were closer in age to the character. And I still do that even now that they are nine. It really has nothing to do with reading ability. Also, non fiction is great too or lots of easy biographies.

I never heard about it until I started homeschooling (have been Christian all my life with mostly Christian friends). And I never met anyone in person who believed in YE until I moved down south a couple years ago. So my take is it's a vocal minority.

I'd leave the cabinets pretty much as is, unless maybe new hardware, and see about painting the walls and getting new countertops. I think you can create a modern updated feel with the right color scheme. The curvy thing over the sink though has a dated look if that can be removed. And possibly even the little railing. We had basic oak cabinets, fairly white looking walls (though it was some color, just very pale), no hardware, laminate countertops and a basic sink when we planned to move. It worked fine for me and I thought it all very nice. But when our stager had us put in granite, a new sink, painted the kitchen (a much bolder color), and added hardware, it really had the wow factor. It was fairly inexpensive compared to messing with cabinets. And I would never paint wood cabinets. So hard to undo.

We just bought an all in one. I guess a cross between a laptop and desktop. The monitor is huge, 23", and touch screen as well, though I haven't found a reason to use that yet. I was planning on a desktop, but by the time I added the monitor, speakers, webcam etc, I felt on cord overload and the price was adding up. The all in one was not much more. Love the cleanness of it!

Truly depends on the kid. Ds9 has reread the hobbit too many times to count, and a popular science year by year book we have. Dd9 has done the same with the Misty books and Animal ark books. Other ds9 rereads math and puzzle books and those yearly almanacs. Basically they reread books all the time, but they do have preferences for favorites.

We've done it, multiple times. But my kids were kind of used to traveling. It's unlimited DVD viewing on trips, the more the better. I'm not a fan of talking, that turns to whining, complaining. Just keep putting in another movie! I take a huge selection! Lots of short ones too. They also bring a couple stuffed animals and a bunch of books in the car as well. I almost think they were better at those ages though. They are 9yo now and we have a FL to Cape Cod and reverse trip planned! Oh my! That could really test us. Make up coolers and food, pre bagged and labelled. Water bottles filled. Early early start, breakfast in the car, lunch in the car, quick pit stops only if desperately needed. No one is usually very hungry since they've only been sitting all day in the car. You can get through 8 hours and it's still just early afternoon. Somehow the hours don't seem as bad that way. And then it's only two left!

Congratulations! Triplets here. They are 9yo now, but I remember well that first ultrasound and the three heartbeats. Two identical and one fraternal. I laughed for a week straight. Slightly hysterical I guess :) I was able to work up until the week before, office work, no bed rest. Kids were born at 33w2d and all went home a few days after me, even though my littlest was only 2lbs 13oz at birth. Both my identicals were small; their fraternal sister was almost 5lbs. Sounds like you are doing well so far, already at 17 weeks. Keep eating :). And drinking your water. My dear dh had one meal he was capable of making, so I lived on steak dinners, with mashed potatoes, green beans and a chocolate milk shake. Good thing I loved it! Wishing you the best! Any questions, please ask.

I was looking at the brother 2280 which is a laser printer/copier/scanner and similar to the 2270 that everyone here loves, but you can only copy one sheet at a time. No document feeder. I copy a lot of stuff for school, making multiple copies of workbooks I've book or something. In the future, I'll go pdf when I can, but for now, still need a copier as well. Other than that, it looked perfect! Can someone point me in a direction? Thanks.

Which model do you have?

Returned it. Thanks! Now to figure out the whole drum and toner thing..

So maybe 'need' is too strong, but do I really, really, want auto duplexing? I just bought a color laser printer to replace my 12yo inkjet. After I unpacked it, I realized it did not say auto duplexing. I'm stting here wondering if I should run back and return it and get one that does auto duplex Chances are I will have this printer many years! I know I will pay more, but will I be irritated daily if I keep it and be annoyed that I didn't bump up for the auto duplex. I'm okay with the splurge. Just need to get dh to put it back in the box if I trade it back in; it's heavy! Details on why I do or do not want it would be good. For reference I just bought the brother mfc 9130cw. thanks.

I'd pack the full size suitcase, but leave it half empty. Otherwise they'll never find the stuff in there. Two pair of shorts for the week. Two swimsuits. A few pair of underwear (they're good the first day or two and then they can't find anything.). Sneaks and closed toed sandals. Clean tshirts. A bar of soap and toothbrush (just to make you feel good). Two towels. One swimming, one bath. Flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, book, stuffed animal, sase. Mine don't wear long pants or jackets even on cold days here in the winter (40-50 degrees), so I figure they won't during camp either. I didn't pack them. They did use the aloe I sent. And the allergy meds. I like the idea of a bag per day. I might try that next year and see.

The kids loved SWI a this year. Definitely right for us. We'd do the video and kwo the first day; they'd be all motivated from Pudewa to get started. Day 2 for rough draft. And then a day to edit and rewrite. The spacing made it seem very doable for the kids.

I'd send a bigger suitcase and much less stuff. My three just got home today. Only one brushed teeth all week, and for one time only. The shampoos looked untouched as well. One towel left behind. Sent clean clothes for each day. The stuff I washed today was either super filthy, or stuff that looked unworn (which it probably was). One came home saying he lost his disposable camera. Couldn't find it since Tuesday. It was in his suitcase. As was the pen he said he couldn't find as well. And the plastic bags I sent for dirty or wet clothes, empty. Everything was just all shoved in together. So my conclusion is: too much stuff means they can't find things. So keep it simple. Even though it goes against my nature to be prepared for anything! :). I did send extra tote bags though because I figured they would not be able to repack it all in their suitcase again. Two did use that. The third was carrying loose stuff in his arms coming off the bus!

I'd replace the car, but maybe with something other than an odyssey since that sounds expensive.

I haven't, but my friend has had one from the time her boys were born. (Also in DC) She was a stay at home mom whose kids went to school from age 2.5yo. She only had the two kids. The girl would come after school, sometimes on the weekends, and sometimes for a week or weekend if she went out of town. She'd help with meals, baths, sorting through photos, whatever needed to be done. We couldn't afford one, but I know it would have been nice. She always got college students. I think they'd paid a decent rate though; it wasn't cheap. Marymount?

Aw, so sorry. Will keep you in our prayers as you go through this next chapter.

Let them rest. Mine had the usual sneezes etc and I it off. It may have run them down though. Two ended up at the doctors this week for bad sore throats, mild temps ( no strep, just viral), and the third had a 103.5 fever tonight ( after taking him to swim team and then his brother to baseball). He had been sleeping later in the morning, so I should have heeded the warnings and just laid low for a day or two. It could be something else going around.

For my triplets when they were that age, we had the kangaroo climber indoors. That was where they could do their climbing, and they never went for anything else. They also had a play kitchen, with food and plates etc. a table and chair set. A train table with lots of little people stuff. And baskets of books for them. Wooden puzzles. Strollers for their stuffed animals or dolls. And other various toys. They stayed plenty busy! Can you make some of the open floor plan into a playroom area of their own? Mine would hang out pretty contentedly in their playroom.

I had two third grade boys this year and teaching cursive was easy compared to teaching printing. They grasped it quickly and enjoyed the 'fast' writing. Even though they were slower with it! They had been looking forward to it. I write in cursive usually, their grandparents and arts on their bday cards write in cursive... We used hwot for printing and then the same for cursive. I bought some other styles to use as practice workbooks for cursive next year. I don't think they need another year of formal cursive since it was such an easy transition for them this year. I don't care what style they use. If they want to experiment with the prettier stuff, great. If they stick with hwot, that's fine too.

Loving GSWL! As for lively latin, who all sells that? I tried to find a sample to look at in person at our convention.

Thanks! Ordered AAS and threw in an IEW packet for the shipping.

We are heading to the FPEA one this weekend. I have my list of curriculum to buy, and some to look at, but wondering if I'm missing some other cool stuff that could be there since I'm focused on just certain things. What else have you considered good purchases or interesting items at the exhibit halls? Thanks!

Has anyone used FFL after GSWL? Is it a good fit? Does it repeat same stuff or add to to it? New stuff? Workload similar or greatly different? Format? Anything you can say about it would be appreciated. GSWL has been working well here, but we are almost done. Thanks!