Hee, hee! I was just coming back to read the replies and talk about the LOVE of reading that Reading Made Easy develops and I see that has already been covered! :D So far all 3 of my older children that can read LOVE to read. I did not do any other phonics with them after RME and they can read just about anything you put in front of them. My 4yodd is dong the lessons now and everyday she asks for it. ;)

I do not have time to read all the replies right now, but my favorite phonics curriculum is Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt. It is a wonderful book, scripted, hands on, short easy lessons, etc.. Even has early grammar and copywork built in! ;) LOVE IT! :D

From what I understand, it is a guide. It helps you explain the concepts (several different ways if needed) and make sure everything is covered -it will tell you after you learn "this" concept it is ok to drop review on "that one" because they reinforce each other. There is a guide in the back of the book to help you with what concepts should be taught when, but Carlita (the author) thinks of it like SWB thinks of the schedules in her book. :) Some parents wanted something to know which order they could go in. If you join the yahoo group for them there is alot of information available there. The link is on the Homepage. As far as if you can use it with all your children together- most of it yes, you will just keep your olders with you as you delve more deeply into the topic and just introduce it to your little ones. Check out the samples and you will will see the where she says if you want to go deeper go "here". HTH! :D

Have you seen Math on the level? http://www.mathonthelevel.com It could be used for all your children, and is non consumable. It is new, but is getting great reviews!

Yes I have used it for 8 years now! LOVE it for the early years! Yes FIAR is a curriculum, but B4FIAR is not. All you have to add is phonics and math. The cookbook is just an add on, not required. We sometimes do a recipe on Friday as a fun end to the week. Yes FIAR you do daily, b4 is not necessarily meant to be daily. You can get a taste for it by visiting http://www.homeschoolshare.com and trying some of the free unit studies that other FIAR moms have written. Level A would be best for your age group. I would not trade my FIAR- it has definitely stood the test of time around here. It really ignites a love of books and learning in my children. :D

I just pick and choose. There is no way we would do all the lessons, but then again we use it more as a supplement for my 9yodd than anything else. She is still doing Elementary Apologia and MOH with us.

Yes. this is what we do as well. The Bluedorns ( http://www.triviumpursuit.com ) used this method with their children and it has worked well.

I am just posting because I think it is funny that you have a 4 way tie at the moment! :lol::lol: Of course if anything I would add Singapore using the chart at http://www.singmath.com .

Have you thought about MFW as a better way to blend in the ages? Honestly though at 13 I would think he would be more independent. Is it bothering him too or is it mommy guilt? ;)

bump- anyone else now that I have a theme? :D

:lol: I had JUST decided that that was what I was going to do based on Matthew 28:18-20 I will try a google for VBS- where is the duh smiley?

Nope- I am on my own! :eek:

I will have the preschoolers at our Church's summer camp. Could you please share some ideas on how to keep 2-6 year olds creatively entertained for 3 12 hour days? :w00t:

:iagree: Also, "don't make me Count to three" By Ginger Plowman.

For us- Five in a row- I have used this for all 4 of my children and still using it for my little one! Teaching the Trivium Reading made easy- actually only lasts 1 year per child, but used it with the last 3 children.

This one is SO YUMMY! 8c chopped,peeled potatoes 1 small onion- chopped 1/2lb bacon cooked and crumbled 1 8oz pack cream cheese 5c water 3 boullion cubes 1 can crm chicken soup In crockpot dump potatoes, onion, soup mixed with water, bouillion cubes, and pepper to taste. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-5. During the last hour add the cubed up cream cheese and stir. I add garlic powder to this recipe and we love it! When serving add shredded cheddar cheese and some bacon on top. Yum!

:iagree: Yep what she said! MFW is enough, but Sonlight is deeper!

I have a friend who bought it this past fall and used it this year. She really liked it. Yes, it is written to the student with a meeting on friday to go over the weeks work. She has been very impressed. I will email her your questions (if no one else replies) but it will be later this week before she can get back to you. :001_smile:

Yes, I mowed the grass all the time while I pregnant. Besides a few strange looks from neighbors then, I had no problems right up till delivery.:001_smile:

OH that is cute! Thanks for sharing!

http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/patriotic-apparel.asp#2 Step by Step: (1) Choose fabric and a T-shirt in a coordinating color. Crafty Chic Note: you'll want to wash the fabric and the T-shirt before using and iron them smooth. (2) Have your child try on the T-shirt and mark where it hits the belly button. Remove the shirt and cut the T-shirt straight across. (3) Fold the yard of fabric in half so that the selvage edges are together. The selvage is the clean edge, opposed to the cut edge. (4) Cut the yard into two pieces at the fold. (5) Place the fabric with right sides together and sew up each short side to form the skirt. (6) Find the center back and center front of the shirt and the skirt and mark with pins. Sew a basting/gathering stitch at top of the skirt, the waist. (7) With the right side of the fabric facing the right side of the shirt, match the front, back and sides together and pin. (8) Gather and pin as you go to make the waist of the dress. Baste the fabric to the shirt. (9) After removing the pins, sew a regular straight stitch over the baste stitch to connect the shirt and skirt. (10) Try the dress on your little girl to decide where you want the hem to fall. Pin and sew. The dress will have a more finished look if the hem is folded under twice to cover the selvage edge. (11) Now you have the finished project -- a cute, summery favorite that's easy to make as it is to wear. Other Ideas To make the dress even more unique, try appliquéing a figure cut from the fabric or other shapes to the front of the T-shirt. This is a great dress to make for a theme or holiday. Some ideas are cat dresses, cow dresses, fish dresses, 4th of July dresses, tea party dresses and even shoe dresses. With the wide variety of fabrics out there you can have lots of fun being creative with your little girl‚s summer wardrobe. To make a T-shirt dress for bigger girls you will need about 1 yard and 1/2 or 2 yards. To get the correct length, you will need to fold the fabric in half with the cut edges together instead of the selvges. Sew up the long sides to make the skirt. This also a great summer dress for adults as well. Perfect for a lightwieght maternity dress too. You will need 3 to 4 yards depending on how full you will want the skirt

My favorite is anything by the Pearls if you know how to take them. I realize not everyone does. http://www.nogreaterjoy.org Ginger Plowman has a great book called "Don't make me count to three" and there is a book and website I love called "Raising Godly Tomatoes" http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ I love all 3 of these resources. :D

:iagree: I lost my dad to cancer at 14. I know God was in control the whole time, but I wish my kids and hubby could have met him and he met them. :sad: It sounds VERY aggravating. It is esay for me to say I am not dealing with it- but I would happily deal with it for one more day with him. :001_smile:

I hope so because that is what I plan on doing! :D After that we will build on what we have learned and use it, but at this point I do not see us doing another program!

My 11yods is usually practicing his tomahawk throwing or lassoing. Yesterday he cut a slit in a long stick and tied a throwing knife in there of a throwing spear. He is my little Daniel Boone. :D My 9 and 7yog are usually making things with sticks and rocks or in a tree, or building "houses" in the woods. We had baby goats recently as well as baby chicks so they are loving on the babies. They like the trampoline when mommy asks them to stay clean. :tongue_smilie: The 4yo- looking for frogs and toads to catch! :hurray: No doubt about it she is always looking for toads, frogs, caterpillars, doodlebugs, etc....