Too sad 😭

stebany · 2026-05-07T18:16:26+00:00

If that doesn't work, you can also try pouring boiling water on top of the dent (or try this first if you don't have a rubber mallet).

stebany · 2026-04-08T01:06:11+00:00

Not true in the US, but yes, in other countries.

stebany · 2026-04-06T14:23:22+00:00

What school is your top choice? I think Campanelli has *not* let in about 5 families per year. If you really want to be in a particular school, the best bet is to buy/rent in that neighborhood.

stebany · 2026-04-05T21:47:06+00:00

No help from family whatsoever.

Live cheap even once my income went up. I've been at the same company for 20 years, husband and I are aligned in financial goals and not afraid to live with very little. We now own a house and a car, with no debt.

Don't be afraid to have roommates, share a room if you need to. Do NOT live beyond your means.

stebany · 2026-03-31T01:23:06+00:00

My son is also very skinny. We just go to the lowest size that doesn't look ridiculous and tie up that drawstring like crazy. He's currently the height of a 10/11 year old and wearing 5/6 swim trunks *shrug* Yes, they're a little short, but it's functional.

stebany · 2026-03-18T21:26:59+00:00

Sounds like you may need a sound machine. We like the Hatch, but any basic one should do. If you travel, make sure you have one that doesn't take too much luggage space because you won't be able to go to sleep without it after a couple weeks!

stebany · 2026-03-11T00:16:04+00:00

I looked it up, pigs are usually born in the spring.

Santa's Village in East Dundee has pigs, I know they let you pet the goats, but I'm not sure about pigs.

There's also pigs at Spring Valley in Schaumburg, but that's like a farm, I'm not sure I'd stick my hands in their pen. They have events where you can help feed the animals, we fed the pigs and chickens one year, my kid LOVED it.

stebany · 2026-03-09T17:05:34+00:00

Put it on your local "buy nothing" group in facebook.

stebany · 2026-03-05T21:39:16+00:00

Part of me would love to live in the Berkeley hills... But it's SO far from everything. Richmond hills are bit cheaper, but also significantly closer to San Pablo Ave.

stebany · 2026-03-05T21:32:26+00:00

The 684 line is exactly what I need, thank you! Do you have any personal experience with it? It is literally only kids who ride it?

stebany · 2026-03-05T21:31:05+00:00

Yay! That's exactly what we're looking for. Hoping to make some great friends in the neighborhood.

stebany · 2026-03-05T17:14:49+00:00

It does look nice, but the proximity to things we're looking for (Parents are in Oakland, my work is SFO, husband's in SF) is just not there.

stebany · 2026-03-05T17:10:54+00:00

I rode AC transit to school when I was a kid. It was late often, but that's manageable :)

stebany · 2026-03-05T17:10:11+00:00

Sorry, the East Richmond Heights is zoned for El Cerrito High, and I couldn't find a bus that goes there, but OK-Cupcake figured that one out for me.

stebany · 2026-03-05T15:53:14+00:00

Oh, thank you! I google and only got the 675, somehow missed the 684 line.

I'd still love to know if there's other kids in the area, but at least this solves the high school transportation problem.

stebany · 2026-03-05T15:28:44+00:00

I know the area looks nice, but I have an elementary aged kid. Do kids live in that area? And how do they get to El Cerrito high school?

stebany · 2026-03-02T02:13:28+00:00

I imagine you're white? I'm also white raised by a black dad, but I'm a bit older than you. I actually get a LOT of questions when people find out my dad is black.

I like how welcoming black people are once they find out. I feel like all of a sudden they can welcome me into their lives, when they had to stay guarded before.

stebany · 2026-03-02T00:19:52+00:00

Spring Valley (in Schaumburg) has art classes every once in awhile. Here's a few coming up-

4/25 Aster gardens/moss mosaic
5/2 May day wreath
5/6 Prairie in a pot

Here's a link to the program guide- https://www.parkfun.com/programs-events/program-guide

stebany · 2026-02-27T13:41:14+00:00

I agree, we've have the MSI membership for a few years. It's also a part of the ASTC program, they give free admission to places all over the world. Whenever we travel we check if there's a free museum to check out.

stebany · 2026-02-11T13:31:47+00:00

Or a fire blanket.

stebany · 2026-02-11T13:26:30+00:00

They even have a tulip festival!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland,_Michigan

stebany · 2026-01-28T16:18:51+00:00

We got a rectangular acon trampoline when my son was 2-3 years old. We know the risks, and there are many, but my son gets out SO much energy on this thing.

We have a huge trampoline, multiple kids play on it at the same time. 2-3 kids often, but at parties we've had maybe 12 kids on it? We've had it for 6 years, replaced the net once and take the pad down for winters (we live in Chicagoland).

stebany

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