I saved all my college textbooks and kept the Russian ones on the bookshelf for 10 years. Then one day I decided since I hadn't ever opened them in 10 years, that i could put them away. I have no idea where they are! I didn't think they were all that awesome books anyway- very textbooky. Are there any books out there that teach Russian in a practical way for conversation? I just want to talk to my new Russian friend. He wants me to teach my kids Russian and I had always wanted to anyway, but you don't learn words like "diapers" and "pick up your laundry" at the university. I homeschool my kids, so teaching/learning Russian together would fit with our educational style.