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Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

[ - ] People are knocking the poster who wants to prep their entering-K child, but I think it's a really good idea for those with children now in school to refresh the skills they learned this past year over the summer. 32 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 06.08.08, 08:34 PM Flag
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ITA. Refresh and learn new.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:56 PM Flag
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ITA. DC will enter 2nd grade next year. The teachers specifically tell us what we should be reviewing over the summer and give us work to be completed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 10:16 PM Flag
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our teachers all told us prepping over the summer is crucial as when they are young and not using skills- they tend to forget things they spent so much time working on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 03:35 AM Flag
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This is true for my DS. DS has been out of pre-K only a week (although week before school was out was probably light on academic work), and yesterday he wrote a "9" backwards. During school, he had no trouble with that number. Probably would make sense to practice writing over the summer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 07:52 AM Flag
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i am getting lots of workbooks for my dc to do this summer before K - he loves them so it's fun for him and i agree that they forget during the summer - but lots of new stuff for them to learn too out side of the classroom when they are out of school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 07:55 AM Flag
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Who cares? They are five years old. So they go back a letter in reading. It is not the end of the world. LET children relax and have a fun filled summer. Is that so hard to imagine? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 10:50 AM Flag
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What grade? We are talking about kindergarten here. I'm really not that worried that my 4 year old will forget the days of the week or the seasons. What did they "spend so much time working on" in pre-k? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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my dd learned alot in Prek- [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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Like what? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:51 AM Flag
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so many things- math such as how to graph and interpret the information gathered; writing, reading, animals and their habitats but very detailed [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:54 AM Flag
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What pre-k teaches reading? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:54 AM Flag
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it is not formal reading lessons but reading it taught through such a print rich learning environment that the children can now read. They learned letters and sounds and created lists of words that begin the letter they are learning [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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What pre-k? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:57 AM Flag
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Not in Manhattan, it is in Brooklyn [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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You can still say the name. Brooklyn parents UB too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:00 PM Flag
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yes I know but it is a small prek well known in our neighborhood and do not want to out myself [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:01 PM Flag
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Seems intense for a bunch of 3-4 year olds. Do you think if your dd forgot the habitats of the North American Blue Footed Booby it really matters for her success in K? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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no not at all and I don't plan on drilling her over the summer or reviewing things but I was just pointing out that some PreKs do teach alot [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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what did they learn that is necessary for Kindergarten? Do you really think that if your kid already know the alphabet or knows how to do simple math he will just forget it? If that is so he acquired that knowledge involuntarily in the first place. Poor child. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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Dh and I have agreed to a plan for the summer - 15 min of math or something similar before camp, and she has to read us 1 book at night. That's it, unless she wants to do more. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:13 PM Flag
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She "has to read" a book a night. That's a great way to kill a love of reading. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:20 PM Flag
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nonsense.....you've never met a child who loves reading more than mine and we've had a bedtime routine that included her reading to us (first a letter sound, then a word, then easy to read books, then paragraphs out of better books,etc.) since she was 3.5. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:27 PM Flag
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np, btw [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:28 PM Flag
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Why would you do that to such a small child? Poor thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:33 PM Flag
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That "small" child loves to read, enjoyed the process and excitement and pride of learning to read. She is nine now. Recently received a 99 on her reading comprehension tests. I'm following a similar pattern with her younger sister who also loves books and stories and reading. The better question is: why *wouldn't* you do that for a small child? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:42 PM Flag
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How old? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:23 PM Flag
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2 1/2 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 12:24 PM Flag
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You guys are kidding me, right? Prepping over the summer for Kindergarten? Kindergarten????? What great academic skills did your little one learn in preschool that he will forget over the summer? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 01:30 PM Flag
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DD might forget how to mold play-dough, or finger paint, or *gasp* how to sit in a circle! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 01:34 PM Flag
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I agree, these people are nuts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 01:35 PM Flag
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Seems nuts to me, but then again, I can't imagine sending dc to a preschool as academic as what graph lady describes, either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 01:52 PM Flag
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"a good idea for those with children now in school" is what OP wrote--kids who are finishing K and higher [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 02:20 PM Flag
[ - ] My 3.5yo dd is having a very difficult time dealing w/ her new baby sister. Yesterday she hit her in the face w/ a box (6wks old). HOw do I help her cope? I'm afraid I'm not dealing w/ this well and just making 3.5yo angry. She hates it when I hold the baby. Some days I want to lock her up in a closet and other days I want to just hug her and go back to the way it was pre-baby. help! 5 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:21 PM Flag
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I used to do 'alone time'--I'd nurse little one, leave him/her with someone even for one hour, and play with the older sib alone. I made sure to make it a regular time so we could count on it. They still fight but it did help a bit in the early days. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:23 PM Flag
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op: I'm home alone w/ them usually, so newborn is always around. HOw do I help her realize that she's still my #1 and it's all going to be ok? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:29 PM Flag
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Tell her a million times. No joke. And they still never get over it. But even when little one is sleeping you can say something like, 'whew, it's nice to have a little time together, just you and me.' And let her know how much you like her and spending time with her, and how you'll always find ways to keep doing that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:31 PM Flag
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It's hard in the beginning but will get easier. It took about 6 months for my ds to fully adjust. Now they are best friends/mortal enemies 18 months later. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:35 PM Flag
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as much as you can- get someone in (family or friends to watch newborn) and do a lot of one on one big girl things. Also- if it is a choice between baby crying and big one needing something, let baby cry she won't remember whereas big girl will [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 03:36 AM Flag
[ - ] 13-y-o DS is very bright, gets excellent grades in advanced classes, plays piano, but spends every spare minute on a screen of some kind (computer, Wii, tv, DS, etc.) He is lucky b/c he can get by with minimal practice on piano, same with school, and is very thin so no one (but me ) comments that he doesn't exercise much. But every spare minute at home is in front of a screen. I feel torn b/c it doesn't seem right to spend so much time gaming (with friends and alone), but at the same time, he's doing everything else he's supposed to, so I have little demonstrable reason to say it's wrong. Any ideas? 5 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:15 PM Flag
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13 is a tough age and this is how he's dealing with it. I would let him be. He's clearly more than fine. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:17 PM Flag
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one thing that comes to mind is that weight isn't nec. the primary reason to get exercise and fresh air. also i wouldn't make it about right or wrong. have you chatted with him openly about his choices to be on a screen all the time? what does he say? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:17 PM Flag
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Totally agree re: weight but unfortunately it's the sort of thing peds and others note--i.e., if the kid is heavy, they're more likely to say, 'lay off the games' than if the kid doesn't stand out in that way. As for his response, it's 'what else do you want me to do?' but not in a kind, cooperative way--more in an outraged, leave-me-alone way. Do other kids do this with all their time? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:20 PM Flag
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NP: Sounds like he's lonely and doesn't have friends to hang out with (from his response). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:40 PM Flag
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He has friends. If it's up to him, they come over and game. Luckily, the friends pull him outside (yesterday they made him go to the pool), but I worry that they'll get tired of the game obsession and he will end up lonely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:42 PM Flag
[ - ] Anyone watch the HBO series Carnivale? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:12 PM Flag
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I did...and I liked it a lot! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:15 PM Flag
[ - ] If I love authors Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth George who else should I read? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:08 PM Flag
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Denise Mina, Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:16 PM Flag
[ - ] I have the day off tomorrow and want to go to a really good movie (without my kids). What should I see? 11 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:03 PM Flag
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The Indiana Jones movie was good, if you're into that. My kids saw it with me [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:05 PM Flag
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Didn't work for me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 05:36 AM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:06 PM Flag
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Definitely the one about the guy who's dumped. Forget what it was called. In hawaii. Anyone? It was cute. Funny and cheesy but no too much of either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:09 PM Flag
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Forgetting Sarah Marshall? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:25 PM Flag
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It was HORRIBLE [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 10:16 PM Flag
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It was good. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 10:30 PM Flag
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i just saw that the other day when I was able to sneak off to the movies. Fun. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 09:01 PM Flag
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I didn't want to see that because I really hated knocked up. But dd and I went on Saturday because there was nothing else we wanted to see, and we thought it was hilarious. I was really surprised [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 05:45 AM Flag
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the visitor is fantastic, but very un-hollywood [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 02:52 AM Flag
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I second The Visitor. It was great. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 05:44 AM Flag
[ - ] What do you think of the name Antonia? 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:02 PM Flag
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luv it - but hate the nn Toni [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:07 PM Flag
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her friends will call her toni [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:07 PM Flag
[ - ] Went to my 20th reunion this weekend at Harvard. I had fun hanging with friends, but also spoke with many people who are just unbelievably rich ($100M +). Many are also retired. I can't imagine what I would do with that much money. Can you? 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:02 PM Flag
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Probably start some kind of charitable foundation [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:04 PM Flag
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First - VBA ("...my 20th at HARVARD") Second - how do you know how much people make? So tacky to talk about this. Aren't you over being competitive with your classmates by now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:38 PM Flag
[ - ] DS with very high 99. Have strong feelings he will get anderson. almost like a premonition. its crazy, but I believe it 11 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:01 PM Flag
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^^^oh, and i will return here to let you know if I am right [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:02 PM Flag
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THANKS I'M ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:03 PM Flag
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How will I last until you report back? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:08 PM Flag
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Good for you. Hope your premonition becomes reality.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:03 PM Flag
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The scandal is it's fxcking June 9th? and you still don't know. You should know by April. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:04 PM Flag
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Ditto (except dd), and although I had a vivid dream 2 nights ago that she got in, I don't see it happening. Odds are we'll end up in district G&T, which will be just fine. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 03:01 AM Flag
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I know - I have felt that way the entire time but for my DD. Now - in the last final days - doubting it! Whatever happens, I just want to know! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 04:02 AM Flag
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I hope we all see each other there! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 05:23 AM Flag
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I thought high didn't matter any more. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 06:49 AM Flag
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"very high 99" where do you get that kind of knowledge from? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 07:20 AM Flag
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I had that feeling for DS for Hunter and was honestly surprised he was not selected - even for WL. Beforehand, didn't know he'd actually score above 97 on SB, but once he did, I thought his great personality would get him selected. Guess I don't have any special premonition powers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.09.08, 07:56 AM Flag
[ - ] Anyone have a peaceful newborn for the first few days (great sleeper, no crying) then they wake up and become very fussy? Sorry if this is repeat, can't find my orig. post. 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:59 PM Flag
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Almost all nb babies are peaceful for the 1st few days. Gives you a false sense of security. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:00 PM Flag
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Its called newborn coma. Happens to all babies. They are exhausted from being born - then they rest up and torment you for the next 5 months. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:03 PM Flag
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or 5 years (and counting) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:05 PM Flag
[ - ] Anyone's kid get into Ps 8 in Brooklyn Heights Pre-K? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:59 PM Flag
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Not ours. Got the reject letter. We weren't expecting to, though. Heard it was going to be full of mostly sibs. There is a meeting with the principal tomorrow night at Powerhouse in Dumbo I think at 7-8pm if you have questions you'd like answered. Should be lively. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.10.08, 12:40 PM Flag
[ - ] what would you do if you had $3,000? 7 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:54 PM Flag
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i'm assuming you mean $3000 that was for frivolous spending?? (assuming my bills are paid, kids taken care of, etc.) - I would buy a gorgeous bag ($500-1000 range - i couldn't bring myself to spend more) and use the rest for a personal trainer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:56 PM Flag
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3,000 extra dollars? Either replace some of our threadbare furniture or take a real vacation for the 1st time in 6 years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:56 PM Flag
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save it to pay for ds's school next year [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:00 PM Flag
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ME TOO [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:02 PM Flag
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I took it as meaning money beyond necessities, and school is a necessity.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:06 PM Flag
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give it to a worthy organization that helps hungry people [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:45 PM Flag
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Are you Spitzer's girlfriend? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 10:37 PM Flag
[ - ] Kids (6yos) having a hard time with the heat, and our apartment naturally has the air conditioning on the fritz. I gave them ziploc bags of ice to put on their tummys to go to bed. I hope our super can fix the air conditioning by tomorrow night. It's oppressive in here and there is just no breeze. How did people deal with this before the age of air conditioning? 14 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:52 PM Flag
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We don't have air conditioning. We do have ceiling and regular fans. I am going to get an air conditioner for ds's room if I can find one that will fit in his windows, but usually there are only about 5 to 10 summer days that are really uncomfortable. It's only when a heat wave lasts longer than 10 days (w/o cooling off at night) that it becomes really bad. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:54 PM Flag
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^^^oh, and people survived by being hot, sleeping outside, sweating, not moving more than they had to. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:55 PM Flag
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I was really hoping for a storm that would bring a breeze. There was a storm but no breeze and now it's just more humid. It's reminding me of my junior year of college, in the summer, in Washington DC with no air conditioner. We all just went out to happy hour at the air conditioned bar until we couldn't talk any more. I can't very well do that now [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:56 PM Flag
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there was a breeze right before the last storm blew in, then it died down. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:58 PM Flag
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I was just having this conversation with a friend. She said it's all about how you were raised. She never had AC as a child and has a high tolerance for heat now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:56 PM Flag
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My kids used to live in a luxury high rise rental that had air conditioning, but now after the divorce we live in a walk up and my air conditioning unit died, so I had to buy another one. Super has to replace it tomorrow. But the kids are real troopers. They are sleeping fine [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 07:59 PM Flag
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kids do better than we do with heat [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:01 PM Flag
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so true [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:03 PM Flag
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they hung out on porches and fire escapes. houses were built differently? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:04 PM Flag
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not so sure about houses being built differently. My building was built before 1900, and it was not built to be cool in the summer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:07 PM Flag
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I think they used to have awnings on most windows in the pre-AC days. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:17 PM Flag
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yes - and sleeping porches. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:44 PM Flag
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This wont cheer you up but imagine being in an oppressively hot house AND being fat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:10 PM Flag
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this is me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.08.08, 08:11 PM Flag
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