fendor

We have a young corn snake (probably around 10 months old) We got him when he was quite small in August. He has eaten well from the start, has grown nicely....is about 21 inches long. Has gotten thicker, too. But we've been noticing he has slight wrinkles here and there....when he curves around. Almost like a little bit of looser skin. Also, at his neck, he seems to dent in a slight bit at times when he bends his head around. Is this normal? With the exception of one shed many months ago that came off in a few pieces, his sheds are one piece, sometimes with a tiny bit of tail left. We always help remove that, so it's never left on. He eats one pinkie every 3-4 days and is always enthusiastic about it. We keep humidity between 40-50. Temp is good. We see him drink. He's in a 20-gal tank. Could looser skin be a problem? Thanks!

My son turned 8 right before Christmas. He's always complaining that we don't get to have a big outdoor party for him like we can for his sister (sept). We've done the deal about having it at an "everything done for you" party place with him, but it's so expensive and so impersonal and assembly-line-ish. So this year, we went out to dinner, just the family, and told him we will have a half-year kid party in June in the backyard. Possibly have a reptile guy come....he's really into that. Has anyone done the half-year celebration deal? Was it successful? Any clever ideas for a half-year party? Did people think you were freaky for doing it? Thanks!

I'm trying to plan out my time preparing for a party (luau) next week. I have found several yummy tasting coconut shrimp recipes to use for an appetizer. I would love to be able to dip and fry them the night before. Then, pop them into the oven for a few minutes before serving the next day. Is this a good idea? Everything I read says "serve immediately." Thanks!

I'm looking for creative ideas for christmas food/dessert treats that can be made with the kids or for the kids, or something the whole family will enjoy. I'm researching an article on the topic and, after trying to consult professional pastry chefs, realized my best opportunity for realistic creative ideas would come from the average family. I'm not looking specifically for recipes. Just add touches, twists on standards, etc. (i.e.: baking candy cane pieces into cookies)

If I want to use one of your answers, I will contact you first. The article is for the family section of a Canadian Christian newspaper.

So Pluto has been officially demoted. If it's no longer a planet.....what is it?

I am on Protonix (a PPI) and have been for over 2 months) Had an endoscopy before taking it and had some damage, but nothing major. So supposedly the PPI is healing this. I am not get hearburn while on the meds. BUT, I still get reflux of non-acidic stuff. I went back to the doctor telling her how I cut out the "no-no" foods, but still get this. She told me I have to have small meals 6 times a day and that I might have to stay on the PPI indefinitely.

I'm convinced that stuff will kill me before the reflux. Has anybody here had good results from digestive enzymes or holistic detox?

I'm a bit skeptical, but am convinced at this point that conventional medicine has no real answer for me. I'm only 36.....something has to stop the stuff from coming up. The mini-meals aren't helping 100%. And there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what I eat being a culprit.

We but a big emphasis on trust in my house. My daughter used to be so good about shots and so I would warn her ahead of time. The last time she had a shot...and the last time she had to be checked for strep (long Q-tips down her throat) she went nuts....hysterical. I know she will not handle tomorrow's shots well. But she has to have them before kindergarten. So my dilemma is: Do I tell her ahead of time or spring it on her? If I tell her ahead of time she will freak out and anticipate the shots and it will be 10 times worse because she's had time to think about it. If I don't,. I'm afraid she'll lose faith in me when I nicely walk her into the office and then....wham! ....no preparation.

With all the workbooks, educational websites, etc. out there, do you really take advantage of some of it....especially in the summer? Do you (or parents you know) actually take the time to help explore topics kids are into? I ask this because 95% of the parents I meet seem to think I'm nuts when I mention the stuff I have my kids doing. I mean, aren't we all supposed to be doing this? Fun learning games? Projects? Getting them to write a poem or story?I try so hard on significant time restraints, then start wondering if I'm stressing myself out over nothing? The kids have fun with it, and I feel like I'm doing a good job as a parent in that department. So, I'll keep doing it....but I can't help but wonder, how much of a minority am I?