You are right, sometimes just a few miles here in the city can mean the difference in hardiness. Oh, goodness, sometimes it's just which direction your house faces!! My property is zone 8 the last several years in the front yard due to so much rock, cement, reflection off of the pavement, stone holding in heat, and the raised beds made out of bottles which hold in a LOT of heat. I plant my tender things carefully, and keep winter wet out from their crowns, not to wet around roots during winter. You can gain a lot more hardiness this way, you just have to play around with things and see what works for you. If you plant coral vine it needs to go in very early in the season so the tuber can grow very deep and anchor it'self deep in the ground by fall. GGG

I believe it is piper auritum- the rootbeer plant. Anna

Yes, he started in kindergarten too. He knew his alphabet, sounds, and numbers before starting preschool. I think he picked it all up from Sesame Street and mommy.

Thanks for the replies! Tina - DH vetoed Myrtle Beach since it is a âÂÂspring breakâ destination. Leery of the party scene with the kids. Charleston is interesting. IâÂÂll add that to my list of places to check out. Mtn, ded, gscience - Our boys love the indoor water parks. We actually go a few times a year for a day trip. Wherever we decide to go for this trip IâÂÂm sure an indoor water park will be visited for a day. Ded - IâÂÂll sound like a fuddy-duddy, but I have ZERO interest in flying at this point. I always say that we will take a flying vacation when all of the kids are big enough to carry their own suitcases! ï Joanie - WeâÂÂve done longer road trips when our older kids were little. Yes, it does take longer but we survived. I think as long as we are expecting extra pit stops it is more acceptable. Outside, rnmom - IâÂÂve been to the shores of Alabama and Destin, years ago. Destin may be out because of âÂÂspring breakâ but IâÂÂll check into it. Msmagoo - WeâÂÂll save the Outer Banks for another year, when we can get away in the summer. Thanks. Anyone been to Branson, MO? It looks like there is A LOT to do there. I may have to give up on the outdoor swimming, but if there are lots of other activities IâÂÂm sure our kids will be happy with inside swimming too!