You've got to do the Museum of Natural History. It's my favorite thing there: http://naturalhistory.si.edu/ Also, cupcakes: https://www.georgetowncupcake.com/

No, I don't break it down. I do say some, on occasion.

My 12yo dd likes: - baking, she bakes something about every other day - making videos on the ipad - writing stories - drawing - printing off pictures to color - playdates with friends, we have a couple favorites that we schedule with - going to the library - reading

Absolutely. I've noticed that the offices in our area don't follow up if we miss an appointment. So you could just stop going without them bothering you.

" I directly teach math, grammar, composition, spelling, foreign language and history to each of my kids separately. " As a large family, we purposely do history, science, and some foreign language together. Math and language arts the kids do on their own, with some oversight from me. I try to buy curricula that I can hand them and have them do themselves (once they're literate).

We just paid $87 to register our kids for the local homeschool co-op. That's a semester session for 3 kids at 3 classes/kid. It includes the registration fee and my background check.

No, I don't think the church is taking on any more liability than they are by having the rest of the kids in the building.

We're up to seven children at our house and life has been very busy, between work, foster kid appointments, and regularly scheduled kid stuff. What are you doing for dinner that doesn't take a lot of time, does feed a lot of people, and is reasonably healthy?

I think it's important for the church to provide accountability in some way, perhaps in the form of a chaperone.

Here are a couple of Coursera options: https://www.coursera.org/course/psychfirstaid https://www.coursera.org/specialization/socialscience/25 https://www.coursera.org/course/soc101

I am in a similar situation, where we need to work on oldest ds' writing.

I think the motives of those who charge and those who don't charge are the same.

I wouldn't think it was necessary unless they weren't making their payments.

The free summer bowling at our bowling alley includes the bowling and the shoes. It's pretty awesome.

Another vote for Scouts. Also, jobs! Jobs take up the kids' time and are extremely cost effective. My oldest (14) works for our church for a couple hours a week doing setup and take down for Weight Watchers, dog sits, does yard work, and is working at a blueberry farm this summer.