Also, I have trouble respecting a family that named a child Mercede.

Gud, it's...er...good that you're checking into the gifted program, but really, it's pretty much guaranteed that there will be a kid or kids just as smart or smarter than Leif, and that's an excellent antidote for the geego.

Also, gifted programs saved my sanity. It's prolly better now, but it was a life-saver to me, to be in a place that actually challanged me and made me feel like less of a social pariah for being..eww....SMART.

On the practical side, G&T programs do offer more outlets for creativity, advanced work, individial emphasis on areas of interest and opportunities for, you know, really cool field trips.

I remember I took the test at my 5th grade teacher's behest and didn't get in. I was crushed, ego-bruised...all my young life, I'd had "Well, at least I'm SMART" as a panacea for some truly awful socialization attempts.

A month went by before my teacher noticed I wasn't leaving class on Tuesdays, and then -- godd bless her -- she flipped out like a mammal, demanded to see the testing results and found out my testing results were mixed up with some other girl Erin.

Next week I was in the program and it was a revalation. I mean, they had Apple IIe's and we learned to program COMPUTERS! (Hee. It WAS 1981.)

There needs to be a reality show with Palin's extended family and Octo-mom's.

There needs to be a reality show with Palin's extended family and Octo-mom's.

Preferably with death cage matches.

Jessica - I had the same thought when I read about Cat Cora and her wife. I mean - the babies are going to be only 3 months apart in age AND they've got two other sons.

the constant repetition of "advanced maternal age"

One of the things I loved about my OB was that I never heard this phrase. Sure some things were recommended because of my age, but it was never phrased as if my age was a problem. In fact, after Isaac was born he asked me if was thinking about having a third. When I answered, "I'm 40," his response was, "plenty of women have children in their 40s."

We are going to ask about what they actually do in the gifted program. If he ends up in the gifted program his little ego is going to go from giant to epic.

If he's getting enough challenge from his regular classes it shouldn't hurt to put off the gifted program for a while. By high school (and possibly middle school) that one day a week helps emotionally as much as intellectually.

Discovery launch was scrubbed for today.

Damnit, I need to get some work done today. My head is not here.

Yes another episode in 'As the Palin Turns'.

And yet she's the hero of the "family values" crowd.

Still nervous.

It's good to be nervous! It's a very big deal! But it's also good to trust your instincts. But, remember, you don't have to rush.

Those are my advices to you!

I don't know that neighborhood at all! I'll have to do some research.