All those in the US, sign here...

[mamama]

I see all these threads for Aussie people and thought we should have our own thread too. Not sure why, I just felt the need to make us feel special too!

So, who's stateside and where are you?

I'll start:

Mamama - in Chicago

ali - good suggestion. Her school offers some fun 'after school' activities with music, french, dance, chess, etc on offer. It's supposed to be very relaxed and fun - not a continuation of schoolwork. I'm told it's a good time to meet children from other classes/years too. Guess I need to decide if it's better for her to have other social outlets that aren't school related. Of, if she simply needs some downtime at home.

I've been given the names of a few parents/children in dd's class. Think I might ask them if school food is good, or if packed lunch is the way to go. I think we don't have to decide upfront, as we can do pay-as-you-go sort of thing. It is nice to have the option.

Hi Everyone, welcome Earlybird, glad you made it ok. My little-one starts pre-school in the fall and I was wondering the same thing re after school activities - we have been given a list of 10 classes on offer! I might opt for 1 so she can socialise a bit with her class friends and then add extra ones after christmas if she wants to. She already does a few things with friends so I don't want to exhaust the poor child!
Now, do any of you shop for children's clothes online? Can I have some websites please, nothing that will break the bank, just everyday clothes to wear to pre-school. I'm missing the UK shops, particularly Next. Is there an equivalent out here???

Twirl have you got a Target (Super Target) near you!!!! If so get there, brilliant clothes, fantastic price (very very cheap ) wash and wear really well. My two live in their shorts/jeans/tees. They also sell great shoes too. Target is a great shop for all sorts of things. Failing that try Ross.

Just checked - yes we do have a target nearby. Guess where I am headed this weekend then? I love a bargain!

. Enjoy it - I always do. Go Saturday for that's when the bargain buys stop normally. Loads of crayola things in the sale at the moment and shoes 50% off.

Old Navy and Carters have nice kids' clothes too and there are lots of discount shops like Kohls and Syms. Enjoy your shopping!

Hello all - been busy recently so haven't been on MN.

Hope you are all ok & surviving the heat

Hi all. I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted on the thread.

Glad to see Earlybird made it safely.

I've been sick to my stomach all day, and DH has the kids outside right now. It has been really reasonable weatherwise here.

Hi everyone, just back from vacation.

Earlybird, glad to see you made it safely. I think Bullfrog is deet free.

Ok, here's my story for the day:

I still feel really sick today, and nothing is helping. I HAD to go to Costco, so whole family goes. They put some things in a box, which used to be a box of Altoids. I'm feeling really bad when I get home, and sit down next to the box. I smell the box, and it makes me feel better. I get on the internet, and it says that the smell of peppermint may help with nausea. So I go around for an hour or so carrying the box with me, still smelling it (it is a really strong smell). I realize I have some peppermint oil, and put that under my nose, and it helps too, and I don't have to go around with my head in a box anymore.

Hope you are feeling better CCM. Lol @ Califrau @ her stash of Altoids

Oh, poor you Califrau!

While we're discussing nausea, is this a good time to ask if anyone can get hold of British bacon or sausages? I miss them sooo much! I found this site and am very tempted!

Okay Califrau (or any other crafty types), I need youe help with the denim quilt...

I've looked at the instructions on the web page you linked to but I don't understand the quilting part of it.

It says ".... Place your bottom and top squares with right sides together. Then sew a variety of "patterns" onto the top of each square. Eg: an X, squares, swirls, 3 or 4 straight lines, figure 8, stars or all over stippling."

WHy do I not understand that? If I'm going to put top and bottom bits right side together then sew an X on then, I'm not going to be able to turn them the right way round, am I? Am I missing something?

If you have an international grocery near you, you may be able to get Piccadilly brand frozen bacon and sausages. They are fairly rubbish in quality and a good cure for homesickness. I agree that Bob Evans type sausages are a bit of a disappointment, but you can see that there are lots of different American recipes, so you are not stuck with the ultra herby ones.

Italian sausages are quite easy to get. Maple sausages can be quite nice - still too meaty, but not as herby.

As for bacon, you can try the various country hams that are available. These are reasonably bacon-like, especially the ones that are only cured and need to be cooked. They can be very salty, though, and need a good soaking. It can take a bit of trial and error to fill the homesickness hole, but you should be able to find something that does the trick without resorting to extortionately-priced, poor quality imports.

Sigh. Pancetta. I loooooovvvvveeee pancetta. I must be feeling better.

I felt badly about posting my story, partly because it was probably TMI, but mostly because I remembered your emetophobia, Califrau. I was just really happy be feeling slightly better, and got carried away.

DH had 5 people go home ill the past few days from his work. I blame them. There'd better not be any colinandcaitlinsiblings around. I'd be pretty mad. DH got "fixed" less than 2 years ago. Besides, I never got sick with either one of them.

I'm glad to be feeling better, as DH had to leave until Friday for work stuff, and I'm alone with my 2 until then.