Thanks for the idea! Wedding dress? Dang. I gotta find a simple, white sundress. That means I have to go shopping? Not a fan!

I actually mentioned Paris yesterday. Off to look at it more deeply. Did you stay in a hotel? Not sure whether to rent a place or not. Thank you!

So we always said we'd go to Spain. Not sure why. Europe, romantic, good food. Now that we are about to plan it, we wonder if there is not a more perfect place for us. We hate the beach. We prefer mountains and lakes, but that is not necessary for the honeymoon. For me, I imagine a romantic city or village, filled with GREAT food (total, absolute foodies here) and historic sites and galleries. I imagine food markets and people-watching. We honestly just like being together, talking and walking and discovering new corners in new towns. I have actually never been to Europe, so the idea intrigues me. Last year, we went to Japan. Best trip ever. Ideas?

DD13 is now using Jacob's Algebra, after completing AoPS Prealgebra. For me, the switch was based on the fact that she was spending more emotional energy on AoPS than she was on learning the concepts. And it is imperative, to me, that she has a solid grasp on algebra. Yes, she was learning to persist with AoPS. But you know what? She still is with Jacobs. She teaches herself using Jacobs. That isn't a skill most 13 year olds have. And sometimes she struggles with the puzzles. She continues to visit alcumus and RR videos. Recently, I questioned whether this was the best approach for her. I had her work through a chapter of DO and his videos. Her response? I don't like it. He tells me everything that I need to do. I like figuring that out for myself. Finding that sweet spot can take a while. Feeling confident that it IS the sweet spot can be elusive.

Farrar - there are so many factors when it comes to college. Fit is number one. That is academic fit, social fit and financial fit. With my two older boys, they ended up at their first choice college. But here's the thing. My kids - like 8's - knew the reality of our finances. They were also very invested in finding the right academic and social culture during the college search. I have shared this story before - during a visit to Swarthmore (the very first college visit we ever made), the admissions director told the kids that if the (college search/application) process doesn't change who you are, then you're not doing it right. At that time, I didn't know what she meant. But after going through the process with three kids, I now know. If your kid is engaged in finding that list of schools with the right academic and social personality, if he understands the financial reality, if he writes genuine and thoughtful essays that are reflective of who he truly is, your kid will evolve into someone who knows more about himself. It is a beautiful thing to watch as they navigate this process. You'll watch as he decides which things he is willing to compromise and which things he is not willing to compromise. If the search is done in this way, you should have a nice list of schools - schools that will want an out of the box, anxious BalletBoy or Mushroom because it will be clear that the school and student are the right fit. Sure - there are financial unknowns. That's just part of life and being an adult. Just avoid the whole "It's not fair" attitude from the beginning. It's a tough pill to swallow. Life isn't fair. Private schools are expensive, just like nice cars and designer clothes are. I can't afford those, so why should I think that I can afford a $70,000/year private school (unless there is a lot of merit and/or financial aid)? Also, avoid comparing your kids to anyone else's. If your kids can't muster a good SAT score, that is a-okay. Find the school where YOUR kids can thrive. My older boys go to their top choice colleges because the process was done right. We knew how to play the game. And when played right, everyone comes out a winner. It makes paying that bill so much easier when you know your kids have found the right place. Enjoy the ride. Don't worry. Your boys are going to be just fine!

Your frustration regarding the college process is very common, especially when preparing to send that first one off. But...don't be disheartened. Getting into college is a game that you can win. There are plenty of fabulous colleges, some of which are test optional. Remember, find the place that is right for your kid. I am sure there are many! On the other hand, the skills needed to study for the SAT and the skills needed to take a test and write a well crafted essay are skills needed to be successful in college. Practicing them will not be done in vain. Also - your boys have a lot of maturing and evolving to do in the next few years. You will be astounded!

We did too!

Schools want students who are genuine. That shines through in their courses, their ECs, their essays, their interviews. And, in my mind, that happens when the student is allowed a certain amount of freedom to explore what that means. People ask what I've done to get interesting kids. I just provide that freedom, find extra resources and opportunities to support those explorations and then I let them drag me, serving as their cheerleader along the way. But, the truth is, many kids don't find that passion in high school. I'm still trying to find mine. :) Julie mentioned that colleges want someone who has interests beyond academics. The way I've always explained it is this...colleges want to know that a student understands their place in the world - not just their school or community. I am not sure this can be taught. It comes with exposure and maturity. It may be based on personality. APs stink. DS17 hated the idea of them. He ended up taking five. I don't know what the typical amount is for kids applying to top tier schools is, but I think he is way below that. His path, unlike 8's senior, is math and science, though. He proved his capabilities through classes at University of PA. Similar to Julie's ds, other than an AP Lang class, he took self-made history and English courses. He just reads and writes. Nothing intensive at all. We haven't heard back from any schools, though. We'll see where it gets him! ;) So, the truth is, APs or not, the student must prove his depth of knowledge and abilities somehow. Farrar - I know BalletBoy has had some neat ballet opportunities. My SDD returned to PS yesterday, after realizing the ballet path wasn't going to work out. One thing I know is that you don't typically go to college for ballet. You ideally get chosen by a company around your junior/senior year. 8 - Seriously? You do it all AND still find time to go on the treadmill? Dang.

So happy for your ds, jjeepa!!!! Allegheny has a beautiful campus. :)

Yup!

I'm almost certain that Hampshire doesn't offer merit aid. That's another level of preparation - emotional preparation if merit aid is needed. Many don't qualify for financial aid, even though they think they should! So - heads up about merit aid - if needed. 1. Throw off the table all schools that don't offer it. Don't even let your kid get his hopes up! 2. Research schools that offer merit aid - a lot of it to a lot of students. Yes, some offer $5,000 to the top 5%. Not good enough! 3. Apply to schools where your kid's scores are in the top 25%. Chances are greater to get that aid. 4. Midwest schools tend to offer great merit aid. I am getting ahead of myself. But by 11th grade, these are the kinds of things I worry about!

My kids wove their passions within a traditional path. They took the APs and the subject tests, while exploring rabbit trails. But all of that was possible because they were very capable of that path. They knew (and I knew) by 8th/9th grade that they would be applying to selective schools. If I thought that top tier schools weren't in their future, I would slow down on the testing and just let them follow their interests within a traditional path. But - that assumes that kid has passions! Middle school is the time to actively find that passion in our household. DD13 took a lot longer than the boys. She is in 8th grade and found linguistics and languages. I cannot say for sure that she will be applying to selective schools. That will be up to her and how willing she is to make academics a priority. She is different than the boys in that way, but is just as capable. She loves Oberlin (where her oldest brother graduated :001_smile: ). She is just beginning to ask what will get her there with a scholarship. Other than having four years of each subject and three of a language, I don't stress at all about staying within the box. In fact, because liberal arts colleges tend to be a favorite here, showing how the student took advantage of homeschooling is key. Remember that colleges like that don't want well-rounded students. They want a well-rounded student body/community. All that said, next year dd will be in ninth. She is changing rapidly, so there is no way to plan that far in advance. I do think I will sign her up for Lukeion Latin. She will do conceptual physics. She will do algebra 2 next, instead of geometry. I follow that path in math and science. The one thing to remember about colleges - SATs are pretty much everything. Yes, you can balance it out with high AP scores etc, but your SAT score is a good indicator of the colleges that are a good fit. If your kid is reading challenging books and has a very solid grasp on math, he is golden. And he could gain a half decent amount with test prep. But, again, if your kid isn't shooting for the stars, there is no need to stress about this. HeWillSoar - as someone on the boards once said, "Being a guidance counselor is not for the faint of heart." THAT I stress about, having just gone through the application process with DS17. Just some of my thoughts and experiences!

So thrilled for 8's daughter and all others! :hurray:

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and your stories. I am so very grateful to all of you!

Ha. Funny thing is when I went to midwife last week for more bloodwork, she had trouble getting blood! Okay - I am totally going to find some liver-filled Mexican food. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. :) I'll check my gums when I get home; just finished subbing for the day. I'll be sure to give you an update! Thanks! Lisa

So done having kids!

I can't thank you enough. I wanted to cry after reading your post. Do you use Thorne Iron Bisglycinate or ferrasorb?

Wait. You mention gums. My gums have been bleeding every time I've brushed my teeth in recent months. Could anemia be the reason??? Funny- we have been eating more vegan than ever, but I thought I needed the meat. I do take Floradix with Vitamin C, but only half of the recommended amount. It messes with my digestive system. Are certain pills known to be better for emotions than others? I am so sick of all of this. I am 48, so my time is near.

Never heard of it. Off to check it out. Thanks!

Pros and Cons? My periods are super, super, super heavy and come every 20-22 days. I am anemic. Originally, I was thinking the ablation, but after yesterday's PMS explosion, I am thinking that the pill may be better. Seriously - where does that PMS rage come from? It is so unlike me. And it is so unfair to everyone. Advice, please. I hate both ideas, but I just want to be me again.

We used them last year. The quizzes were a mess, repeating the same few questions in a row (out of 5), asking ridiculous questions like what color sled (something like that) was in the video. DD was in 10th grade and had trouble comprehending the concepts from the text. She started out liking physics and ended up hating it. Sigh.

I have experienced Homeschool Spanish Academy and Live Lingua. Live Lingua wins - hands down. HSA has a variety of instructors and it's difficult to schedule the one you like. It feels like a factory - you see and hear the other tutors in the background. No one truly cares about you. With Live Lingua, you get assigned to one instructor. Because you get to know one another, there is a comfort that encourages learning. My tutor is incredible. She is not only fantastic at what she does, she is fantastic at who she is. Maybe I just got lucky, but the experience has been awesome.

Wee Free Men (Tiffany Aching series) Golden Compass Mandy by Julie Edwards Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

:lol: You made my day. Thank you!!!!

I am not sure what a neutral program means, but ds used Filippenko's Understanding the Universe through Great Courses in 8th grade. Because he was enamored, he added a lot of supplementary books and documentaries. ETA: Might have been 7th grade. Seems so long ago!