I remember going over to the houses of friends who got those WWF magazines, so they had posters of the WWF wrestlers peppering their walls. Funny how 8-year-old girls were 'swooning' over 30-year-old wrestler dudes who wore leotards, but as grown women we find them absurd:)

Ah--a son is revealed! Staggering it out like that has its benefits, like not getting hit with the bills of three kids in college at same time. Plus now you have a (presumably, relatively) mature companion in your son yet still have the joys of young children in your life simultaneously. What's he going to study in grad school?

It's so cool to me that you're very aware of the languages of your children and know the ins and outs of their natures. So I'm hearing you say you're not a fan of participation medals?:) I like the idea of being stingy with praise so it really counts when you give it. I tend to be an over-praiser in teaching, just because I think my students get beat down so much in the education system, being told with every quiz and every professor that they're not good enough...I like to make sure they know that many of the things they're doing--asking good questions, showing up on a Friday before a holiday starts, volunteering to help a classmate get caught up--are as much (maybe even more so?) an indicator of their value as a grade on an exam.

You can create a package for the kid-rental business: I'd pay to be able to sip on a stout while someone reads to me. How fortunate for you to have these services for free! (Well, sort of free. Well, not actually free at all. But at least readily accessible:))

Ummm...I think I'm going to have to fill out your entry form for that international pun competition--hahahahah! :):):)