We are planning to visit the Twin Cities in a few weeks after spring break and I wondered if anyone has any great places to stay for families. Our kids would love to have a fun pool, not necessarily a watermark, but maybe. Any ideas? Thanks KT

My ds will be done with SOTW in 7th grade. Are there any ideas for a social studies--history, civics, government, geography for a middle schooler? I don't mind another history program for 1-2 years, but I would also like to look into something else? Ideas? Thank you, Katty

I am moving overseas and really want to do MFW for 9th grade. The books are VERY heavy and will be expensive to ship. There are a few things on the AHL list that look like they are non-negotiable i.e. reading books, lesson plans, history book. But, How necessary is the cool, but huge book about the pharaohs? or the Encyclopedia of the Ancient World? Are these used as resources or actual reading assignments? I will probably get as many of the reading books on ebook as possible (most of them have a free version) and would like to find ebook alternatives to those 2 resources if possible. Thanks for the input, KT

OK, I started watching DA on netflix and continued it on pbs online. I must see the rest of season 2! is there another place online to watch it. I couldn't possible wait for this weekend to see #6. Thank you for your help. KT

I am going to get LL7, but was wondering if it is really necessary to buy both a student workbook and student text book. My ds will not be writing in the workbook so we can use the book again with other siblings. Thanks KT

I have fat calves! there I said it. Thank you to my mother from whom I inherited them. But I really want a pair of trendy boots. Does anyone know any brands or stores that carry bigger on the top boots? I really want to spend some Christmas money--and no I don't want to spend it on a gym membership :tongue_smilie: just boots. Thanks KT

He is not very good at grammar, unfortunately. I really wanted him to like RS but it is too dry for him. I will definitely check out Winston, very interesting and I didn't think about CLE. Thanks for the tips, KT

OK I am killing an already dead, very bored, and not very grammar smart, horse. ds really isn't doing well with R&S. We have been doing it since 3rd grade, (took one year off in ps last year) He just doesn't get it. RS 7 is way above him, and toooo complicated. I would like a grammar book that is a little more fun. Pictures, activities, interesting examples. He need something else. I have looked at AG and it is a possibility, but it is pretty expensive. If there are other suggestions, I would love to hear them. I am --typing this is difficult-- even able to consider the possibility of another program for my younger kids as well (I love grammar and RS is right up my alley--sigh) Suggestions for elementary -mid are appreciated --sigh again thanks

My 3rd grade ds went to ps last year and apparently lost ALL handwriting skills. He starts letters at the bottom, does weird things to his e's, makes his d the opposite way of normal. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a handwriting program that might solve this? Beside Mom watching every stroke and correcting.

I remember a while ago this was talked about. Does any one know if it is still free in Iowa? and how you go about getting it? thanks Kt

There was an author of funny travel books mentioned in a post a while ago. I have been searching the old posts and can't find it. I am desperate for a book to read and that just sounds like something I could handle right now. Thanks KT

does anyone know if there are libraries that give cards to non-residents (for a fee I'm sure) to use their ebook library? Our library has a great ebook set up, but as soon as we leave -well my card is good for 2 years, so after that- is there a way to get access to on online lending library? Thanks, KT

Iowa has pretty easy homeschool laws. You can have a supervising teacher to monitor your kid's learning, or take the ITBS test, or there is a portfolio option for reporting. You just fill out a form and take it to the public school to register your kid as a homeschooler. There are many homeschoolers in Iowa. Depending on where you are headed in Iowa, there are usually plenty of organizations you can get involved in. There is a website for the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (they put on a good conference in Des Moines each summer) that is very helpful for regulations and contacts, even if you are not Christian. https://www.homeschooliowa.org/ I hope this helps a little, Have a great day Katty

I am researching high school history options. Could you please give me ALL your great ideas? I am planning to use some LL guides for literature, so a history program that would go with that might be good, or anything else you have used. Thank you so much Katty

sorry I forgot to mention that part:tongue_smilie: I am looking for grades 2-7. I have 4 kids thanks katty

We will be moving out of the country next year and I am looking to see if there are any currics that the hive might know of that would be easier to use overseas. I hate to send all my heavy homeschool materials. I saw that Apologia has some upper level stuff on cdrom How about Literature, Geography, Spelling? I am stuck on my Rod and Staff English. I am pretty sure they are not on e-anything :) and I really like Math-U-See, so I will lug that with us. Any ideas? Thanks Katty

My fifth grader really enjoyed the Tale of Despereaux. (my 5th grader with an aversion to reading) I would like to find another book for him that is like that. I am so excited that he actually found a book he liked, so I want to keep it going. Any ideas? thanks Katty

Halloween's over and there is a HUGE tupperware cakekeeper in my panty filled with candy. 1 per kid each day will take them til they are 42, 40, 38,and 36 sooo, does anyone have any ideas for using that candy in recipes? Thanks, and my dentist says thanks too :) Katty

My dc are in ps for the first time this year. I have already dealt with our second cold, 1 flu, 1 earinfection, and 1 croup. and this is only week 3. Does the HIVE have any great ideas for vitamins etc that would help with this. Please help! thanks Katty

Check out joshuaproject.net It's a great resource for any country. Good luck Katty

I think u rilly ment : enuf alreddy LOL :) Katty

I am in a reading rut. I need something good. What are your favorite books, the ones you always recommend? Thanks for the help, Katty

My dc are going to ps next year and they are horrible spellers. I need a painless spelling program to help get their skills above horrible. My 5th grader is great at memorizing, but can't remember anything after the test. My 3rd grader just needs more practice. Any ideas? thanks Katty

What do you fix for lunch? I am tired of the usual and need some new "usual". Also, my dh will be coming home for lunch occasionally and I will need something besides pb&j for him. There are 6 of us, so I don't always have leftovers enough for lunch. I need easy and good-for-you ideas, please. Thank you Katy

Ooooh cool! My dh and I are also in the same "boat" (or canoe :)). I have been researching homeschool options especially options that are not electronic or library intensive. There are some, but not that many. My kids are older than yours, so I am looking at high school and junior hi mostly. For my youngers I plan: Spelling Power (1 book for all no computer needed) R&S English(each need their own, but I already have 3-6 grade) MUS (not completely convinced on this because we always use the dvd, I am not sure I can teach without it) BJU reading (this isn't classical, but it works with my kids. It is 1 book and a workbook for all their reading, so easy to transport. I will suppliment some other classical reading in small paperbacks as well) IEW (this is what we have been using for a while,so I will not need the dvd) Story of the World (without the extras) Apologia Science (or ABEKA if I can borrow a friend's) Art and Music ? My older will be using SMARR publishing for Humanities and upper level Apologia for science and I am still working on this one. That's my plan. I will have friends send me things as needed. Almost everything requires no electricity or internet access, as we may not have easy access to either. I will be plugged into WTM whenever I can get on to the internet, so, my kids won't have time to use it;). Which organization are you going with? We are New Tribes Missions folk. Have a great day, Katty