I'll pray for you as you struggle through your stuff, I certainly know how that goes. I'm thinking of making up a kids' book out of all the weird random stuff we say to Hosea. It'd go something like there's a parent teaching their child some normal phrases like "snug as a bug in a rug" and the kid says, "I think it would be better as snug as a slug in a jug," and there'd be a picture of a slug in a jug. Basically just illustrations of all the weird things we say to Hosea.
We've been thinking a lot about China this week, too. Mainly thinking about Hosea's toys but it's led to thinking about all the things we use everyday from China and if they were made in a just manner or not.
We have a good friend over here who was homeschooled through high school and we talk about it with her sometimes. She says it seems in her experience just as possible to be an aloof and disinterested homeschooling parent as it is to be an active and engaged public school parent. Interesting stuff and really worth thinking about.
Being home alone sucks. Good luck this weekend.
That movie looks so cute!
Re: kid's books, we love the "Piggies" book you all saw when you were here.
I've been thinking about you a lot. Had a crazy dream with you in it last night. Weird!
i love to talk about homeschooling, pedagogical theory, and how kids learn... if you ever want to chat about any of these things, let me know! (i won't hijack your blog with my ramblings.) also, i have unlimited long distance, so if you ever want to talk IRL, i can call ya. (though i'm admittedly usually not a phone person.)
as for books, i think you'd really like "stone soup" and "old turtle." i'll look at our shelves and see what other gems we enjoy. 
p.s. i know what you mean about feeling so lost when justin's gone. i hatehatehate matt's biz trips, and can't even begin to tell you how much.
btw, i like to listen to other people's thoughts on those topics as much as sharing my own, for the record.
other books that get love here: harold and the purple crayon, the sneetches (dr. seuss), chicka chicka boom boom... they like the classics like "go dog go" "a fish out of water" and "ten apples up on top" and most of those dr. seuss-sized books (does that make sense? they are usually shelved all together). admittedly, our boys like stories like mike mulligan and his steam shovel, which may not be adelaide's speed, as well as big anthologies. yeah, my kids love to just sit and listen to you read a chapter from a big honkin' book. it's pretty cool. but we love the funky concept picture books, too!
Hey- I love waldorf stuff too- and it is my plan to implement all the things from that style of education that we love, into my homeschooling. We could never really afford it, either, and the waldorf school near us is EXTREMELY new agey- to put a label on it- it definitely pushes a naturalist religious view and berates theistic religion. We have talked with and know A LOT of graduates from there- very, very cool people- but definitely opposed to Christianity. We talked about what was taught at the school about religion and stuff. It is so bogus that where you send your kid to school does NOT effect his spiritual life or religious choices. But like Matt said- a really involved public-school parent makes for a good combo, too! Anyway- I realize that opposition to theism is NOT present at all waldorf schools- I am just saying the one we were interested in is like that. Bonus random fact: We have a painting hanging in our living room that was painted by one of the students at that waldorf school. It's a really cool watercolor of some trees,
Kay- I LOVE you and have so many children's book recommendations- it's a little annoying. I would say that one of my faves is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein- everyone likes that book- but for Adelaide- perhaps some Eric Carle board books would be great and more age appropriate! He has several about animals and wonderful illustrations- and there is my favorite, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. So- some Eric Carle books would be my suggestion for Adelaide's age. Um- when she gets older- I'll send you a list of my faves! I am obsessed with children's books- have been collecting them since high school!
i heart heather
love you guys.
thanks for the book suggestions.
Thanks mle 
and one more thing, there are different versions of "stone soup"-- check them out to see which one you like best, cause the different tellings have varied messages. all in all, a great story, though.
We have some super fave books right now. Some are for a little older adelaide but soon soon. Here we go: Flotsam (all pics, no words, caldecott award winner), Bad Kitty ( Luke cracks up at this book), What Color is your underwear (great during potty training especially), How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, Oh and Going on a Bear Hunt... (it brings me back to my girl scout days. That's it for now - Love you lots,
Susan
Also Sandra Boynton books, The Going to Bed Book, Pajama Time etc... They all rhyme and tend to be pretty good bedtime stories.
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