00:32 It's Getting Cold in Here: Two out of three of us are shivering through this podcast. The transplanted Canadian just wishes she were.

04:55 Teaching the Art of Conversation: Is there a way to help kids and young adults learn how to gracefully merge onto the conversation highway?

24:00 Monday Speed Round: School Board Meetings: It's the teacher among us who has most successfully avoided attending these exciting events.

31:08 Interview of the Week: Catherine talks to Meghan Corridan, a pediatric occupational therapist, about some of the suggestions from her annual holiday gift guide. Mentioned: Meghan's blog, MAC&Toys (check it out for many more ideas); Plus-Plus Tubes; Peg Friends; After the Fall; Burger Mania; Arts and Crafts Library; The OffBits; Jump! Leap! Crazy Feet! Carpet.

44:35 Shameless Self-Promotion: Think Twice Before Starting a Sentence with These 10 Phrases; websites to help reinforce Common Core skills (coming soon to Friendship Circle); rate and review us on iTunes, and/or suggest a speed round question in the comments below or on social media.

Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music. If you're reading this somewhere without hyperlinks, come to http://parentingroundabout.com for the full recap experience.