We had the same issue!! I was so embarrassed when my 10 yr old didn't know our address or my cell phone number :D

I used Rainbow last year and we didn't do lab reports (would have been a good idea, tho). Donna Young has free samples - might get you started :D http://donnayoung.org/science/labsheets.htm HTH

:grouphug: about your dh Now to science - if you want no brainer for you and fun for your son I would go with Rainbow Science. My oldest used it for 7th last year and loved it. He did all the experiments by himself (he is independent like your son sounds) - everything he needed was in the box - he did all the reading on his own. I didn't have to do anything - except grade the quizzes. It was very secular and had no bias. IHTH you make a decision :)

:grouphug: I am not much help because I am just as bad as you are. BUT I totally FEEL your pain! :lol: A friend of mine used to do unplugged Wednesdays - that one day a week no one watched tv, played electronics, computers (unless school related), etc. She said it went really well and the kids got used to it quickly. That's all I got but I look forward to hearing other suggestions. :bigear:

:bigear: anyone else? I am considering this as well...

This is AWESOME!! I have a full house of reluctant readers!!! :D

Anyone else?

What a fun thread - I would love to hear more ideas :bigear:

I'd love to hear what else you come with! I am always opening the pantry door saying "there has to be SOMETHING in here I can whip up for dinner" ;)

Mac & Cheese with Chili or black beans (makes like a chili mac) cheesy chips, canned refried beans and salsa (just tortilla chips with melted cheddar cheese) soup made from all kinds of canned veggies, chicken or beef stock & beans - just throw it all in - liquid & all rice & beans (flavored with spices you have on hand) ramen noodles cooked with a raw egg added to the water while boiling (a kids favorite) we live in Texas so we always have refried beans, salsa & tortilla chips at our house ;) HTH

:bigear:

Saying hi Cin (this is Lelly's sister ;) ) I bought these online last year for $99 and they are fab on the nook. Love them!!

posting to remember :D

Thanks for the input! This is really helpful. :D

Just curious - is this only geared toward younger kids or could you stretch it?

Every. Single. Year. Without fail...a mother's curse - we never feel like we are doing enough :D :grouphug: :grouphug:

I have a cute little silver dangling thingy that says "mom's taxi" - got it at Kirklands :)

I dont block schedule but since no one responded you might want to try the elementary board - I've seen a lot of discussions about this over there HTH :D

SO glad everything came through ok. It is UBER stressful!! :grouphug: We currently own 2 houses - one in Georgia (that we bought and then the market fell out on - so we rent it) and another one in San Antonio. I told dh - NO MORE BUYING for us. We still have 14 years to go and at this rate we'll own 6 houses before we are out ;) BTW - we've never had trouble renting our properties so you have that to look forward to.

:bigear: bump if there isnt such a site there should be :)

I love love love my pressure cooker too! My favorite thing to do is throw frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts in it with a little water. Cook for 50 minutes, stick em in my kitchen aid with the paddle attachment and in 5 seconds have very juicy and perfectly pulled chicken. I use it throughout the week to make tacos, bbq, casseroles, etc. My very fav food is artichokes and they are PERFECT cooked in a pressure cooker :)

:iagree: this works great for my boys in HOT HOT Texas! Never knew about the alcohol thing tho - gonna try that :)

:bigear:

I am totally done with 4 boys and I "feel" done. I have NO desire to hold a baby anymore and I don't get the "awww - I want another one of these" feelings when I see a friends baby or their small children. I have the opposite - a "praise the Lord I am done" feeling. BUT if you are not having those feelings then you may not be finished...;)

I live in San Antonio now and I get a very neutral vibe here. Austin, while wonderful, is more liberal but if you want to visit it is only an hour away. We are enjoying the cultural diversity in San Antonio and it has a very strong home school population. Cost of living is very good, homeschool laws are pretty much non-existent, and the city has wonderful arts & entertainment to offer. The state, overall, is considered conservative. Seriously, I am not a TX commercial :D - I've only been there 2 years and will only be there 2 more years at the max. Lived in GA before this - love Atlanta but the cost of living and the traffic there is terrible. Savannah is gorgeous...that would be a lovely place to live. I am from Cincinnati, OH - my favorite place in the world and very conservative but not a hugely diverse population... HTH PS - isn't it AWESOME that we live in a country with such diversity in ALL areas (including climate) and we have choices. USA rocks!!