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

Hello ladies! Just wanted to drop a quick line to say it is all looking much better with dd's school situation. Partly, I think dd is settling in so things don't feel so alien/worrying (amazing how a little time passing can make such a difference). I've also had conversations with dd's teacher and the head of the lower school who have been very supportive/responsive. Thanks again to all of you for 'talking me down', and sharing your experiences and insights regarding the differences in the two systems.

But - now for the important stuff - I pick up my car tomorrow, and I'm very excited. I haven't owned a car in years.....no, decades! It was 103 here today, so I hope the air conditioning is working!

Also - I got dd's Halloween outfit today. They've got very sweet costumes at Gymboree, but you've got to be fast as I'm told they sell out as soon as they're put on the racks. If you feel like taking out a second mortgage, there are very cute costumes at Pottery Barn for Kids.....

Great news ali on crossing those important legal thresholds. A momentous time indeed.

How's everyone else?

Oooooo, Halloween My absolute favorite holiday! We have, and I am totally serious, about 100 trick or treaters every year. Our town is still rather Norman Rockwell and very safe. Dh and ds1 always dress alike. Last year they were young and old versions of Marlon Brando (dh from Godfather, ds1 - On the Waterfront); the year before they were both Hunter Thompson I stay to open the door and I'm always a witch. But, to the discerning trick or treater who returns every year, I am always a different witch. No plain old witch hat and wart costume will do

EArlybird, so exciting about the car! I am sure the A/C will work. We are very serious about that kind of thing down here even when it's not in the middle of a record breaking heat wave.

Lol jabberwocky! Has this year's father/son costume decision been made? Do they get some blank stares when they explain who they are dressed as?

I'm sure the car will be fine, and A/C will work. Can tires melt in this sort of heat?

Thanks for your email, btw. Will write back soon.

yep, the Hunter Thompson year was especially tricky for some people (pun) He's considering Blues Brothers this year. It's going to break dh's heart the year ds1 decides he wants to be a ninja or whatever.

lol at melting tires! The only thing I.ve heard of is possible windshield cracking. Some people leave their windows down just a little to prevent this but I never have.

Hope I didn't just jinx myself

Dear EB, I am so glad you have got your Halloween costume too! I have had the P&*% taken out of me by my family for buying mine for my 6 month dd - exactly because as you say I felt sure the nice ones would sell out. Yes, took a second mortgage and got the Pottery Barn flower (add another 20% on the quoted price for shipping and tax).

Has anyone had photos done at JC Penny? I got mine yesterday - the first lot I've had done - very disappointing. Now realise I should have said something at the time. Think I am the only person in the local mother's gp who hasn't had at least three sets done by now, they are crazy about 'portraits' round here.

Yes, I had to sell some stock (I am not kidding) to pay for the maternity and children's photos we had made. It was, technically 4 photo shoots done in two sessions - maternity, ds1, ds2 at 3 months, family. But still....I thought dh was going to have a stroke and I was rather taken aback as well at the price when all was said and done. They are beautiful but I'm going to have to go somewhere else for the next set.

Awww, so sorry SB (but lol at the Friday night - it's sooo true).

Let me know if the smell doesn't come out of the lamb. I've got some great stuff that's all natural I can send to you.

It's been posted before, but mumsnet secret to get smell of vomit out of things that you can't put in the washing machine....make paste of powdered washing machine detergent (or probably liquid one works too, if you use it straight) and sponge on to areas that have been vomited on. Ds used to throw up everywhere on a regular basis and this always worked for me.

Re pix...why not get a local photography student (you can probably find one on craigslist) who needs to beef up their portofolio, to do free family photos for you....and then get them developed at costco or longs drugs.

SittingBull - that sounds rough. Are things better now?

SanJose - you made me LOL. Glad it went so well. Give that woman a job, and she'll get it done - versatility is your middle name!

As for me......oh no...........the upstairs air con isn't working, and it's Sunday so no one can come until tomorrow at least (and that's assuming they have a service slot available). Thank goodness it's cooled down here, and supposed to 'only' be 94 today...

eeek! No A/C

Where are you going to sleep tonight?

SittingBull - I have been lucky to have a mainly healthy dd (knock wood). Hope yours recovers soon, as that sounds worrying. Has she eaten (and kept anything down) since Friday?

jabberwocky - eek is right. Luckily it isn't so hot today, and the cloud cover means the sun isn't beating down on the roof. Also, thank goodness the A/C unit for downstairs is working. Guess we'll sleep downstairs tonight.

You can probably find an A/C man today, you know. But it would definitey cost more.

Any more throwing up, SB?

Goodness Earlybird - hope you are surviving. I had no a/c for 2 years when we first moved here so you have my sympathy.

SB, how is DD hgope she's feelong better.

And a big yay to Sanjose - Well done you!

Hate to contradict Sofia but you want bicarb, not detergent, for sponging down eg carpets and lambs (otherwise as she said, make paste, rub in, hoove out).

Poor DD, SB, hope she stops throwing up soon, yuck for all of you. Have you tried flat Coke (for her to drink, to replace sugars, salts etc?)

Hope DD is doing better, SB. Poor her.

Sorry to hear about your a/c earlybird. It is about 20 degrees cooler here. We're going to get up into the 90's this week, and usually that signals the end of the really hot temps, unless September decides to get weird. We really only have less than a month until fall temps start showing up. I love having 4 seasons again instead of 2.

Caitlin's birthday is tomorrow. I can't believe she's 2. She seems a much older 2 than Colin was. Actually I don't really remember Colin being 2, because Caitlin didn't sleep her first year of life.

Oh, and big congratulations, Califrau. You're ever so much more multitalented than snacks and banners.

OMG, I can't believe she's two either. I remember when you were collinsmommy and taht seems like a very short time ago.

Congrats about the coaching from me, too. I keep meaning to post that, then my mind wanders....

I have got to get more sleep one of these nights

Oh, and ds2 just reached over in the middle of bfing adn tore the shift key off of my laptop