DS10 has always been between 40-50 percentile for his weight. He has been more active than normal, in that he's skating 6 nights a week, and most of those nights are pretty rigorous. When he's not doing school, he's outside running around and shooting pucks. He went from 72lbs. to 61.5lbs over the past 8 weeks. I took him to the doctor and had a few tests run to make sure there wasn't a health issue (my aunt had Type 1 diabetes, and my dad has Type 2 and is rail-thin as well). We got a clean bill of health. But I'm curious...how much does your 10 y/o weigh? The doctor didn't seem all that concerned, but I'm feeling a bit panicky about it. Does 61lbs for a 10 y/o sound about right? Should I take him to a nutritionist or get a second opinion?

I don't disagree with the bolded. And to some extent, I agree with the point you are making. However, *I* think that the reason this was blown WAY out of proportion was due to the timing, and had nothing to do with her race. If memory serves, it took place right around the Boston bombings. Emotions were running high, the powers that be overreacted. I'm glad to see the case was dismissed. That was the right outcome.

This is my boys as well. They prefer to watch the video instructor using the manipulatives as well. Here is the sample video for first grade (we LOVED Mrs. Lawson!). Here is the sample video for second grade (Matt and Paddy were a blast - AND we learned all about National Parks that year too!). I have often pondered using other curricula for several subjects, but BJU Math definitely isn't one of them. If you have a kid who needs a mastery program, with a twist of review added in, then BJU is the math program for you. If you go the video route, the TE is available in pdf format for the online classes. In addition to the TE, they have ALL of the material from the CDs too. You could literally spend all day doing just math with what BJU provides with their subjects.

My boys are a year apart as well. We use BJU for most of our subjects. I do not combine them in Math or English. Every year I think I will combine them in English, and every year I don't because a year does make a difference. BJU's English program is a solid program, and it will ramp up as Paradox5 stated. From what I remember of English 1, it was a lot of fun for both of my boys. Might be worth the money to just have them do two separate English levels and know that they are working at their level and learning the material without you having to tweak the program to fit. Everything else with BJU can be combined, assuming your child is a strong reader, IMO. We combine Science, Heritage Studies, Reading, Spelling, and Handwriting. All of those are at DS10's grade except for Handwriting. Handwriting we work on at DS9's level (never hurts to improve your penmanship!).

:iagree: :grouphug: to you Mama...it stinks when your kids are at the mercy of someone like this. :grouphug: to your DDs. I hope their dance went well at least?

"Jackass" Coach restricts the time for the travel Squirt games. He's not a coach for House league (thank God). My boys play both travel and house. Unfortunately, so does coach's kid. Dh just told me that the director is out of town again this week, which means Jackass Coach is in charge of our practices. I'm bringing my video camera to the practice and I'm going to make sure the coach sees it. He has messed with the wrong hockey mom. I will make it my mission in life to make HIS life miserable at that rink if he continues to try and sabotage my kid. All I'm asking is that he play fair. No special treatment. Just fair. Personally, I think USAH should make a rule that states coaches are prohibited from having their kids on their team. They obviously only care about the development of their own kids and don't care what happens to the confidence of everyone else. USAH wants to know why kids quit hockey after Pee Wee? It's because if your kid isn't given the chance to fail, make corrections, and develop by the time they are Pee Wees, then their 'hockey career' is pretty much over. You don't become a better player if you're never allowed to play.

Update #2: Was at the rink for our House League game tonight, and was expecting to talk to the coach after the game while the boys did 'free skate'. Coach wouldn't make eye contact, so I chose to not confront him. He knows I'm upset, and I know that the director has reamed him out for what he's been doing. I'm going to bide my time and wait to see how this plays out. So what happened? It's a long story, but here it is: My boys tried out for the Squirt Travel team. Both of my boys were invited to join the team. At the first game, the coach gave my boys a grand total of 2 minutes in the first game, and a minute and a half in the second game. I was furious. My older son was in tears because he kept begging to play and the coach told him, "I really want to beat this team...you're going to sit this one out." My younger son wanted to quit playing altogether. My older son wanted to know why his coach wouldn't let him play. I sent the hockey director an email and we set up a meeting. The bottom line was the coach is new, and he would make an effort to play my older son. My younger son qualified for Travel Mites, so we put him on that team to free up space on the Squirt team. Fine. Everyone felt good. Then hockey director had to go out of town for two weeks, and coach kept putting DS10 with Mite kids at practice. I was livid. Coach kept ALL of the travel kids practicing together EXCEPT for MY kid. The following weekend, DS10 got a fair amount of ice time. No problems at all, and I made it a point to thank the coach for letting DS10 play. Then this weekend. First game, DS10 got a fair amount of time. Second game, he got 43 seconds. I got upset, I pulled DS10 off the bench, took him into the locker room and told him we were done. Hockey director came into the locker and convinced me to let DS10 finish the game. I agreed to it, but I was fuming. The hockey director walked DS10 back to the bench and told the coach to put him in the game. The crux of the issue is the Coach and his son. His son is a vile little brat. His son skates fast, but is the cause of every turnover on the ice, and when he shoots the puck, he shoots it two feet above the net every time. Not a big deal, BUT, his father (the coach) acts like his kid is the next Wayne Gretzky, and gives his kid massive ice time. His kid is a bully in the locker room, dictating to the other players whether they are "allowed" to play with my kids off ice. He screams at my kids on the ice at practice, and the coach says nothing. The other parents are used to their kids being treated this way, and don't make waves. But we're new here. I have NEVER seen a coach so obviously favor his kid during games. I'm not going to sit by quietly while he treats my kid like he's some fourth-line scrub that can barely skate. Because of my outburst yesterday (pulling my kid off the bench in the middle of the game), two more sets of parents came forward with the same complaints. So I suppose that's a good thing. Tonight, at the House game, DS9 was a beast on the ice and really stood out among the crowd. He assisted on two goals, and had a shoot-out goal himself. Whenever the kids score, the whole line skates over to the bench and gives each other high-fives. Every time DS9 skated by coach's kid, the kid pulled his hand away. Only to my son. Not to the other kids. And when DS9 scored in the shoot-out, coach's kid berated the goalie in the locker room. At the end of the game, both teams line up to shake hands. When coach's kid skated passed DS10 (who was playing on the other team), he punched my DS10 in the face. Adults at this rink seem to worship this kid because he is the fastest skater, but MY DS10 who played opposite of this kid during the game tonight, shut down coach's kid every single time. Coach's kid isn't used to other kids shutting him down. Especially not kids on his travel team. Coach's kid is a cancer in that locker room and is enlisting the other players to treat my kid like dirt. The only positive about all of this so far, is that both of my boys had an amazing game tonight. Hockey director, parents, other coaches...they were ALL talking about how well my boys were in the game tonight. Everyone, except the coach (who ignored them the entire night), and the coach's kid who treated them like crap. There will be no way the coach can justify not playing my kid now. Everyone saw tonight that my kids play the game well. And before anyone thinks I'm elevating my kids to an unrealistic level, I assure you I am not. I am very realistic about the strengths and weaknesses my boys have. But coming in from another rink, where I have been approached by other coaches for YEARS about my DS10's level of play, it's been a shock to me to have another coach bench my kid like he has no use for his talent on the ice. And if that's how he feels, he needs to suck it up because I paid the money, and I did NOT agree to put my kid on a short-bench team. He is single-handedly crushing my DS10's confidence. I won't stand for it. And neither will the hockey director. If you read my novel, thank you. Thank you for your support, and thanks for letting me vent.

Thank you for the prayers, well wishes, and positive vibes. Keep 'em coming because the conversation with the coach hasn't taken place yet. Update #1: Had to take my boys to their private this morning, and talked a bit more with the hockey director. He assures me that the problem is valid, that while my reaction to the situation was a bit over the top, it was completely justified. Apparently, I wasn't the only parent who was highly upset with what took place yesterday (two other sets of parents complained too). So I take comfort in that. Once I speak with the coach, I will be more specific in what happened. I told the hockey director that my son WANTS to play ONLY for this rink. I begged DS to consider another rink, but he really wants to stay at this rink. I also told him that I am not normally a squeaky wheel, but I will be happy to play that role on a consistent basis if this coach doesn't get his act together - if I have to be 'the bad guy' once month for the next 8 years it will not be pleasant for the coach. The hockey director agrees with my opinion and he's going to 'coach the coach' to make improvements. One conversation down...one more to go.

I did a heat-of-the-moment stupid thing today. It's not life or death, but I am horrified that I lost my cool (it honestly takes a LOT to make me lose my temper), and I am so incredibly upset by it all. I have to meet with my son's coach tomorrow to 'clear the air'. This is the second time in a month that we've had to do this. Last time, cooler heads prevailed and my Dh took the lead. This time, because I'm the one who caused a scene, I feel it's my responsibility to handle it. I am a non-confrontational person. It is not my nature to create drama. I keep replaying in my mind how I plan to discuss the situation with the coach, and none of my plans include an apology, or compromise. If you think of it, can you say a little prayer that I will not start crying or become too emotional during this meeting tomorrow? Can you pray that this will be the final time we have to confront this coach over the same issue? Thanks in advance for any support.

:iagree: I ordered the "2-Day Mother's Day Celebration" for my stepmom and MIL. They both received the flowers today ('cause flowers don't count unless you can show them off to your co-workers! ;)), and they will receive their berries tomorrow. I hope they love their berries as much as OP did! :)

Go to the doctor right away. If it's an actual infection, you are past home remedies and will need an antibiotic to prevent the spread of infection to your kidneys. :grouphug: Feel better soon.

Omg....tears....Dh thinks I've lost my mind. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I only have to wake ONE of the kids up...and even then, he's usually up before me. DS9 is the early bird. Up no later than 6am every morning. DS10 wakes up around 8am (same time I wake up). Whenever I have to wake him up, I usually rub his back and speak soothingly to him. He's like me...he has to wake up "quietly". If I try to be demanding or loud it will put him in a foul mood all day (same as me!).

Awesome!!!!! One of the reasons I love living in Florida!!

I'm a natural redhead going lighter as I age. I get that identity thing. :) Have you tried a temporary keratin treatment? I prefer the temporary treatments to the "permanent" keratin treatments because they seem to work better. The permanent keratin treatment makes my hair feel like straw the first week. I guess the treatment bonds to the hair follicles, and creates a barrier of some sort? Regardless, I don't like the permanent treatment. Others might feel differently. The temporary treatment washes out over 6-8 weeks. AND, if you get the treatment after you apply color, it seals the color in better. I also use the following: Shampoo: Coppola Keratin Complex Color Care (you can find this at Target too) Conditioner: Coppola Keratin Deep Conditioner Hair Lotion: Coppola Keratin Complex "Infusion" Wash hair no more than every other day if you can help it. I've had two different stylists, from two different cities rave on and on about the health of my hair since I started using that product. I wear mine in long layers, but as of two days ago, I had BANGS put in. Not sure how I feel about those yet. LOL

I've heard of some women who are up and on their feet within 24 hours of a c/s. I was not one of those women. It was excruciating pain for me, and I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I was on a morphine drip the first 24 hours, then oral demoral (sp) for 5 days after that. 14 months later, when DS9 was extracted via c/s, it was just as awful the second time around. I really hope you get to hear some more positive stories. ETA: I agree w/Manah...two weeks + a lot of outside help. Don't try to be supermom....it will only set your healing back. BTDT.

:iagree: That's what did it for my youngest DS. Also, be sure you pick reading books that will highlight your child's interest. DS10 will sit down and read any NON-fiction book about NASA/space, and human anatomy. DS9 likes adventure books and cook books. If given his choice, he would read cook books for hours on end. :lol:

:iagree: Which is why I believe an attorney should be involved for the bullying. In MY experience with both public and private Christians schools, the private school was FAR worse with taking our bullying complaints seriously. Why? Because the bullies pay tuition too. And they don't want to lose those dollars. Perhaps the threat of an attorney will make them see a little more clearly. ETA: Not to mention the medical costs involved as a result of their failure to provide a safe environment for your child. The school should have to pay for it.

1. The nurse was probably following protocol. 2. The school has completely mishandled the bullying. Did you sign medical release/consent forms when you enrolled? I know most schools require it. They will be covered against legal action if you did. I would contact an attorney to deal with the bullying. The school obviously isn't willing to work on it, so force them to! :grouphug: for your DD. :grouphug: for you.

We just moved to a new (temporary) house in January, but you can see what our classroom looked like for the first few months of this year: http://arkofcovington.com/wp/?p=1227 I'm hoping and praying we get word on the house we've put an offer on soon!

Cape Coral was devastated by the housing crisis. If you're looking to buy a home, I'm sure you could find some really good deals. Cape Coral has two bridges that lead into Fort Myers, and both bridges can get you to the airport within about half an hour. One other "pro" of living in Southwest Florida is the Gulf of Mexico. There's just nothing like seeing manatees and wild dolphins up close and in their natural habitat. If you and/or your Dh like to fish, I can point you to some really good fishing holes where you'll catch reds, snook, and spotted trout all day long. ;)

I just moved from the Fort Myers area. I lived there for over two decades. :) We're in Central Florida now, but we have a business and family still in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area. Pros: Beaches (if you like beaches), specifically Sanibel and Captiva. Relaxed homeschool laws. The one thing I will truly miss from Ft. Myers is our evaluator. She was/is fantastic. There is one really big homeschool group (CHESF). We were members for a year. I suppose it's one of those, "the more you put in, the more you get out of it" types of groups. I just didn't have time to volunteer or head-up any of the committees, so we never renewed with them. Fort Myers/Naples has: ice skating rink, Children's Science Center (Imaginarium) - be sure to sign up for the Homeschool classes! Miss Sara is great with the kids! Naples Zoo, Naples' Science Museum, Ding-Darling Nature's Preserve (Sanibel), Edison/Ford Winter Estates & Museum No snow! Cons: If you are used to a lot of diversity, you will not get that in Southwest Florida. It's "small" in terms of size (this is my opinion - I prefer going to Tampa or Miami for fun stuff) The heat can get stifling if you're not used to it. It's Florida...a sub-tropical environment. While beautiful, it also contains bugs, reptiles, and critters that you should educate yourself and your children about. This could be a pro or con: The area is generally a very red, conservative pocket of Florida (Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties). I hope that helps with regards to the Fort Myers area! :)

I didn't play well with others at that age, thus the reason I never joined a sorority in college. I had a few friends that did, and yeah...sounds about right. ;) Did you all read the comments? LOL Christopher Walken reading it would be hysterical.

You could hide the post. I won't allow my kids anywhere near me when I'm checking facebook for that reason. You can't control what others put on their pages.

It's the same way for pretty much any sport/competitive league. Don't give those parents the satisfaction of knowing it bothers you. :grouphug: ETA: It's not just the 'dance moms' who are petty like that. It's dads too.