We didn't allow our daughters to go to co-ed parties until they were in high school. Just another point of view. Have a great homeschooling day.

My dh and I just put $2300 into a 96 Toyota Camary with 230,000 miles on it and then spent another $800 shipping it across country. It was the car our daughter was driving and we knew she would need a car for work and school once we moved. We bought it from a dealer with only 17,000 miles on it. It was used by their sales people. Anyway, we always did the maintance and knew what we had. I had a frank discussion with the head service person and asked their opinion. He felt it could get another 40-50 thousand miles. So far, we haven't had any problems with it. We probably could have bought something for the money we put into it but I wasn't willing to buy someone else's problem. I would put the money into it if you feel comfortable with your service center and it would get another 50-75 thousand miles on it. You know what you have, its paid off and its cheaper then buying a new car. We also have had two Hondas and the first had 185,00 miles on it when we sold it (received $2000) and 160,000 miles on the other when we sold that one (received $2500). I probably would have driven both a while longer but my husband gets worried about me getting stranded. I currently drive a Honda Accord with 115,000 miles on it. I will drive this one until it dies.

My dd was homeschooled grades 4-9. My dh and I planned to send her to a small christian high school for her high school years. After she said she didn't want to attend the small christian high school her sister graduated from (long commute),didn't want to attend the other small christian high school closer to home and didn't want to attend the christian boarding school my husband graduated from, we homeschooled for 9th grade. During that year, her only homeschooling friend moved and we were scheduled for a summer move to the DC area. She asked if she could attend high school after our move to DC. We found two small christian schools that were within our budget and gave her the final pick. My dh and I liked them both but did agree that she could choose the one she preferred. So, she started in 10th grade. The school was great with making her feel welcomed. They had get togethers before school started, kids called her etc. Well, then school actually started. I don't know who was more stressed, our dd or us. If given the option, she would have bailed. The amount of homework, (lots of it) block scheduling (yuke for geometry). Fast forward to now, she justed recevied her first interim report and nothing was under 92 percent. It was a real confidence booster. What will happen next year? I don't know. She has great teachers and has enjoyed the social aspect. She is quite reserved and not real worldly but she is being included in actvities with others. We will discuss homeschooling in the spring if she brings it up. My dh and I are willing to homeschool again but we have told her if she comes home, she will finish high school at home.

The best advice a homeschooling friend gave me was to keep a complete list of all materials used for each grade level. She also said to photocopy the cover page of any textbooks used along with the table of contents. In addition to this, I also kept chapter tests or quizzes. I also tested each year using the Iowa. Along with this, I kept a list of books read. When we went to apply for the Christian high school she now is attending, they asked for a complete list of materials used along with all her Iowa test scores. They also administered their own test and had a personal interview with her and we met with the headmaster. I am so grateful that she told me that. I always kept a list of books used but I never would of thought of photocopying the title and contents page. Hope this info helps. Have a great homeschooling day.

The cost of the metro depends on where you get on. You can do day passes which you might consider. We always take the metro in. Driving can be a nightmare and parking quite expensive. They do have bag checks everywhere you go. You can bring food and drinks into the museums and eat it in the cafeterias. Seeing 3 museums can be done but I would suggest 1 or 2 and have more time to enjoy them. Seeing the memorials alone will take 1 day. There is a new vistor center at the Capitol. You can get into there (closed on Sun) but there is no food or drinks allowed so make it your last stop. I don't know if you can take the tour. We haven't tried that since we have moved back here. Don't know anything about the tour buses. Our guests haven't ever done it and neither have we. DC is a great city to visit. Hope this helps.

I have homeschooled in CA the past five years. When my dd started high school, I made the decision to go with a private umbrella school. The reason being was they offered accredited transcripts and were flexible regarding curriculum choices. I'm very much a type A person so meeting their requirements wasn't a problem. The reason I decided to go with the accredited transcripts was that I knew our family would be moving and didn't want not having accredited transcripts affect school choices in the future. I haven't regretted my decision.

My dd has taken lessons for 9+ years. She has been fortunate to have had two excellent teachers. My concern would be how would you know if they are playing in tune, if a note is a little sharp or flat? Both of my dd's teacher stressed tone quality. I would think this would be hard to correct in DVD lessons. Just my thoughts.:)

She raised my husband to be a man of God, she loved our girls and would always remember birthdays and holidays. She died a few years back and I still miss her early morning calls.

I had a civil relationship with my MIL(she died a few years back). If she didn't like me, she never told or showed me. If she talked about me to her other kids, they never let on. I guess the only thing I would want to ask is, how many of you who complain about your MIL knew she never liked you before you were married to her son? I have told my dds if your future in-laws don't like you before you marriage, expect more of the same afterwards. I would hope my dds would consider this a deal breaker.

I have only homeschooled in 2 states (Washington DC and CA) but never registered in DC and only when dd started hs did I get the private school affidavit for CA. Usually, I'm a follow the rules person but this is one area where I refused to comply for elementary school. The CA schools we are zoned for would have a hard time coming up with legal documents for all the students enrolled. I only know that DC and CA are easy states to homeschool in because people talked about it. I nevered inquired. But let me also say, that if my dd would go back to school, it would be to a private one and they are less concerned about that sort of thing.

My husband and I faced this with our 9th grade dd. She asked to transition into a traditional high school when we move. The reasons she gave were valid and yes, did include social reasons. My husband and I visited with the headmaster and our dd had the opportunity to visit the school for the day. She was positive about the experience and said she would like to attend. We did tell her she would have to commit for the year but if after that time, she wanted to come home, she could. I do believe highschoolers should have some say in there education. I do respect the choices other families make. If she had asked to go to a public school, we would have said no. But again, I respect the choices that families make in the education of the children. Blessings on making this decision.

Sorry your depressed about the results Colleen. But I'm glad the bad guys aren't the only ones with guns. Have a great homeschooling day.:)

My family heard Aretha sing at the Capitol July 4th event in DC a few years back. It was awful. She forget the words to the song and was off key. She is past her prime but doesn't seem to realize it. I don't think the weather has anything to do with it.

Thanks Heather for replying. Do you have any contact information on these? I would appreciate any help.

After reading some of the political threads this past week, I wonder if anything you read actually changed your mind on who you would vote for? I can honestly say the things I read were things I already had heard about and had investigated. So, the answer for me is No, I will still vote for the same person as before. How about you?

My dd completed Algebra 1 in Chalkdust without the use of one.

Our family will be relocating to Northern VA in June of 09. My husband will be working near the Pentagon and we would like to live in Fairfax county. We are flexible about the area depending on what is available for our dd, who will be entering 10th grade. I'm looking for co-ops that teach some academic subjects. I would appreciate any leads that you could send my way. Have a great homeschooling day.

Can someone please tell be the difference between Sonlight's biology schedule and the one from MODG. I have used Sonlight's for the general and physical science books and find them helpful. Thanks for the help. Have a great homeschooling day.

I will continue to homeschool no matter what the courts decide. I haven't filed a R-4 for the past five years and not sure I will do it next year either. CA has enough problems in their schools. They will not tell me how to educate my dd. Have a great homeschooling day.

We did CD pre-algebra in 7th grade. My dd did quite well with it. We are now doing CD algebra and she does well with some of the chapters and others are less than mastery. Math is not her strong suit so I'm not stressed about it. I may have her do algebra I again next year. Anyway, we love the program. I bought the DVDs for the pre-algebra and bought the VHS (used) for algebra I. It is quite expensive new and hard to find used. There is a web site so you can check it out. Have a great homeschooling day.

We have just made the decision to continue to homeschool our dd who is in 8th grade. To be honest, I'm scared. I will be attending a conference in March about homeschooling the high school years. I'm hoping this will help my jitters. Thanks to all the wonderful posts on this board (I've been lurking for about 2 years) I know this is the best decision for her. I also realize I won't be ruining her for life. Thank you Nan for taking the time to post such a positive message. I know where to come when I need that handholding.

My dd scored 63% on the chapter test after struggling with much of the chapter. We did all the problems and corrected all the ones she missed. We watch the chapter video two times but that didn't seem to help. I finally pulled Book 8 of Key to Algebra and she worked through all of that. She did better but I still think it will be a chapter I will revisit when we are done with the book. I do have another Algebra I book on hand and noticed it covered the same chapter much later. She is an older 8th grader (didn't start school until 6) but I'm seriously considering doing Algebra I again next year. I don't know if that would be an option with you. I have been told that a firm grasp of Algebra I is essential for success in later courses. Have a great homeschooling day.