Magaroni

We're 13 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child. We decided to wait a bit to tell family. My MIL got angry that we didn't tell her sooner, and vented about it to other family members at my daughter's 2nd bday party today. Then she asked my husband if he was happy about the baby, asked me if this new child meant he would have to give up his den for a nursery (horror!) and made a comment about my weight. All at my daughter's 2nd bday party. Is she being nice, is oblivious to social niceties, or she is deliberately rude?

My neighbor's daughter is turning 5. They are a Christian family, and she's a girly-girl. Also she's not yet in kindergarten. Any gift ideas/suggestions? Thanks!

There was a mix up at the paint store I guess. There was existing exterior paint on the trim, I painted it today with interior paint - can I just put exterior paint over it or do I have to strip it off?

We've contacted First Steps to begin her with speech therapy. She has a big sister who is 5 and in kindergarten, and I've been home with her since birth, so she hasn't been exposed to any daycares or mom's day out programs yet. Ideas, experiences, and/or suggestions would be great.

We live in a CP Morgan track home. Two story, traditional home with white vinyl siding and maroon/wine shutters and door. I want to paint the wood trim a different color than the current white. Suggestions?

I live in the midwest and am going to an early evening (starts at 5 pm) wedding mid-May. What do I wear and where do I buy it?

Any advice on being a stay at home mom and taking in another child for additional income? How did this work for you?

Is it worth it to pay for a phlebotomy or pharmacy tech certification for a part time job? I would only be working nights and/or weekends, but thought it may benefit in the long run since pay is better than the average retail/hospitality job ($10-$12/hr vs $6-$8). Anyone have any experience?

I've already checked my filters and made sure the people are in my address book, but I'm still not getting their emails. Why? I get some email every day, but am constantly being told by friends and family that an email was returned. Yahoo's help section has no way to actually contact them.

I'm looking for girls' jeans (size 6) that are just elastic waist with no button or snap. Does anyone know where I can find some? So far I've tried Target, Kohls, Children's Place and Gymboree.

My MIL wasn't much of a mother to my husband until he became an adult, and then she decided she loved him more than life itself (about 5 times a year, that is. The rest of the time she's too wrapped up in herself to call or come around). She's very disrespectful and unapproving of me, though. After 5 years, I decided I'd had enough and told her if she couldn't treat the ENTIRE family with respect, she wasn't welcome in our home. She hung up on me and we haven't heard from her since, and then last night she shows up uninvited, unannounced, and past the girls' bedtime because she's ready to celebrate Halloween with them. I considered having a showdown, but didn't want to ruin an otherwise happy evening for my family.

Using gmail (google's free email service).

I've been a stay at home mom for about a year and a half now - for the first three years of my daughter's life our finances couldn't be settled on only one income. Anyway, since I've been home, I've had a hard time meeting other moms who are mentally stable. They seem to be a little nuts. Anyone else have this experience? I love my children and I love spending time with them - what's with all the "I refuse to clean or put on make up" attitudes and the gossipy/catty stuff? Where can I meet moms who are just nice, normal people?

I'm making my daughter's Snow White costume - I have braided nylon ribbon to attach to the bodice and waist - how do I do that? Sew it on or hot glue? Also fabric netting to go over satin skirt - how to attach?

See link #1 regarding ribbon. Dress bodice currently has no ribbon trim down middle or neckline - will be adding per question. http://store.costumecity.com/snowwhiteadult.html

Link 2 is what finished skirt will look like. Currently yellow satin layer only. http://www.blushfashions.com/index.php?main_page=p...

Thanks!

Searched all over for my 4 yr old's Snow White costume - everywhere was sold out. My husband picked one up from a Halloween shop - no returns or refunds - and brought it home to find that it's a generic Snow White knockoff, not quite the real Disney look. How do I improve it? The skirt is the right color, but the belt and sleeves are wrong (red and white striped.. wha?)

My 4 yr old daughter is being rejected and bullied by my friend's daughter, who is in her preschool class. We both found out yesterday in an email from the teacher. My daughter has been acting strangely for the past week and half or so, dissolving into tears over little things, which really isn't like her. I think this is the cause. The mom called me, and seemed to be open to working through it together, but then seemed to get defensive and even pissed off by the end of the conversation. I think she wants to write it off as typical preschool behavior. Is it? How do I handle this? I don't want a rift between us, but my daughter's feelings have to come first.

..my daughter, who is normally like teflon, started crumbling at the tiniest thing about a week and a half ago. I got an email from her preschool teacher today telling me that her friend has been rejecting my daughter (won't let her sit next to her, etc) for the past week and a half or so. I'm friends with the other girl's mom, but I think this is really affecting my daughter, and obviously she comes first. I'm going to limit the girls' contact until both can be kind - should I tell the mom this? Should I talk to her about the situation? What would you do?

She's aware of the situation - the teacher sent her a similar email.

I got so many great reponses to my earlier question about a friend's child who is bullying my 4 yr old daughter in preschool. Almost everyone suggested that I talk to the friend (bully's mom) about it. How do I do that? What do I say? I've never been in this type of situation before, and I'm trying to think of what my reaction would be if the shoe were on the other foot, but I'm having a hard time being objective. Advice?

I became friends with the mom of one of my daughter's classmates, and as a result our girls started spending more time together outside of school so the moms could chat, too. I thought the girls were really good friends, but I got an email from the teacher basically saying that the other girl isn't being very nice to my daughter in class. This explains my daughter's recent crying spells that seemed to have been coming from nowhere. I want to encourage my daughter to give the other girl a "break" and start playing more with her other classmates, but I don't want the mom to think I'm rejecting her kid. What would you do?

My 4 yr old started preschool a few months ago, and she goes three days a week for a few hours each day. I made friends with another mom (whose daughter my girl is friends with), both us have babies, and we don't live too far from one another. I'm thinking a carpool where one takes both girls and the other brings both home would save us time and keep the babies from being drug out into the cold so much. I'm afraid it will somehow go awry and we'll end up getting miffed at each other, ruining our friendship. What do you think?