My parents have one of these, and it drives me nuts when I visit. I understand that feature on something like an oven where it’s still cooking. But the microwave stopped. Nothing’s going to burn. So stop rushing me!

As far as increasing strength in the muscles supporting the spine: these exercises and these exercises

As long as they don’t cause you pain. I’ve had a broken vertebra in my low back for over a decade and these exercises help me manage the pain.

laughing kookaburras as background “monkey” sounds in the Amazon jungle also get me

using a red-tailed hawk call whenever a bald eagle is shown

also I like to try and figure out where they filmed based on the birds I hear in the background

If you’re going to be in national forest land, the Forest Service has maps you can use in Avenza Maps that are geotagged - probably the wrong term but they work in areas of the forest with no cell service and it still shows where we are and even when we’re moving.

Other federal agencies (BLM, FWS, etc) may have them too. You could even see if the area’s counties have some? I only have direct experience with USFS maps that do this but I doubt they’re the only ones.

Eta: After looking at some iGo screenshots, Avenza probably won’t be a good fit. It doesn’t offer turn by turn directions nor does it automatically center on you. If you drive out of frame you do have to manually move the map.

I didn’t notice the dog until I read your comment and went back to check. So thanks!

Sleeping beauty’s castle. I love the tree accents!

Our favorites are broccoli, green beans and brussels sprouts. Take out of freezer, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, spread out on a cookie sheet, and bake at 425F (~220C) for 20-30 minutes turning once. For broccoli I usually bake 20 min, flip, then bake another 10 min.

Sometimes when there’s 5 minutes left I sprinkle some cheese on the veggies (usually parmesan or cheddar) and let it finish baking so the cheese melts and gets crispy.

Once I discovered I could roast them in the oven, I switched to mostly buying frozen

Looking very distinguished

My kid was a very colicky baby. Parenting is rough. The fact that you feel like a bad parent means you are most definitely not a bad parent.

It’s a tough age. I remember the struggle all too well, and many nights I fell asleep before my kid did. I’m not sure if it’s their chance to control something when so much of their life is out of their control at this age. Hopefully you can find something that works better for all of you

Since it sounds like he’s used to you or your wife being there, you can try slowly removing yourself. What we did with our kid is start with a parent sitting or laying next to the bed, then every few days moving a little closer to the bedroom door. We’d still stay until they fell asleep.

Our kid got most anxious when we got to the part where moving put us out of their room, so we did that step a little more slowly where we stayed at the entrance of the bedroom but would have to leave the room for increasingly longer periods of time (go get a book to read, go to the bathroom, etc). They struggle with anxiety in general though, so your kid may not have this hurdle.

We too keep books next to their bed which they can read or look at until they get sleepy. We also have a volcano lamp we turn on at night they can watch.

This sounds amazing!

I do feel like especially in school smart phones have become more “essential,” both for the kids and the parents. We live in a rural area where some areas have no cell service and not everywhere has affordable internet access. Yet at least monthly I’ve had to fill something out or sign something in an app or online. Plus most of the middle and high school teachers use Google Classroom for assignments and providing materials.

The good thing is my kid’s school does make sure to have a chromebook for every kid, but they typically stay at school unless it’s a virtual learning day. Also the kids have to turn their cell phone in when they get to school and pick it up at the end of the day.

For younger kids, Sesame Street and PBS Kids have great learning game apps that don’t collect much data. My kid also enjoyed the Lego Duplo games.

For drawing Sketchbook is good.

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition

‘es pining for the fjords

Congrats, that’s a big step! My kid loved (well still loves even as an almost teenager) things you stick to the side of the tub and pour water through.

Similar to this, if you don’t have anything like it yet for bath time. Great to do together and something he can do on his own too.

I agree, toll roads charge based on the license plate or scannable toll pass. Did you have a toll pass in your old car? Even if you did, they should be able to see the license plate doesn’t match your account. Also when you called them did you call the number listed in the letter you got from them?

I would try looking up the company’s number online and calling that. Then if it is a legitimate toll charge, doing what dan1101 said should suffice. I definitely wouldn’t send them a bill of sale or other paperwork. If they’re still stubborn about it, a letter from the dealership that you traded/sold that vehicle on (date) might work.