Ticks Are Out of Control

So this year I have noticed (since we live out in the country) that the ticks are out of control this year. Even if we just go out in the yard to play we end up with at least 3 between the kids and I. Plus there is this really tiny one this year that I have not seen before. Little bugger is sneaky I tell ya. This has put me on high alert when the kids are outside because the last thing anyone needs is someone with lime disease. Also the mosquito's come out before it is even dark out this year. Hopefully next summer it is not as bad but we just have to make it through this summer.

City VS Country Living

I can now say that I have lived in both a city and a country setting. At the current moment I am living in the country. I really thought I would miss the city so much if we moved to the middle of nowhere. The odd thing is yes I do have little things I miss but 95% of the time I love it in the country. With such a big yard for my kids to run and play in I did not know how awesome that would be. Yes the upkeep is a lot but well worth it. The part I miss about the city though is being able to run to the store whenever I need to. I actually have to plan my trips to town now. I do miss having all the activities inside the city though and the parks right there. But having our own yard is like having our own park. Plus if my kids start to have melt downs from cabin fever I can just let them outside to play and they can yell and scream and run around crazy till their heart is content and they are not bothering anyone since we don't have neighbors. Which do you like better, living in the city or the country?

Back to School Things!

I remember when I went to school and got a list of things that I would need for that coming year. They would ask for things that I would need. Well now my daughter is going into 3rd grade and I feel like I am buying for the whole class. I understand that yes as a student she is going to need things but seriously some of the things are crazy. Half of the things are not even for her and are for the teacher. I guess my question would be do you feel the school should supply the teacher with the materials they need to teach or should us as parents be the ones to buy the extras?