I'm 20 kilo's lighter than when I got married nearly 9 years ago (that's about 40lbs). I just lost the last 10kg this year.

I primarily handle it - no problems. DH is not oblivious though, he keeps up with how we're doing, but he leaves it to me to organise and do.

We've been a single car family for around 6 years now, since my first child was born. It's pretty easy for us... gives me a great excuse to stay home during the day! There's a small shop and park within walking distance if I'm desperate. DH takes the car to work, there are no other options at this stage for him. I take the car one day a week - on that day we do violin lessons, library, visiting, park, doctors appointments etc. To take the car we all have to wake up early (5.30am) to drop DH off at work - this is the worst part for me, I'm not a morning person! If we have anything on in the evening (rare) then DH can be home by 4pm if I need the car. We do our grocery shopping on saturday morning, DH comes with us. Other excursions are usually saved for either the weekend or when DH has a day off. :)

I vote bored. We use and have success with singapore too. However I was starting to despair when DD 6y/o was turning to tears over math. She was literally bored to tears. We ended up skipping the last few exercises in the topic, did the review (with flying colours) and moved on. Then she proceeded to cover about 3 weeks worth of maths work in an evening, with a smile, because it was new and interesting again. I agree with the others, mixing it up with fun hands on math. I use miquon.

My mum is 62, I'm the oldest at 27. My dad is 66 (I think, or 67)... but I'm not his oldest.

Hello, my name is LMD, and I'm addicted to buying books... I love to buy books, and my library isn't that great, so I buy probably 3/4 of the books we use.

We school Jan-Dec, 2nd starts in 2012 for DD. Here's my plan: English: LLATL Yellow CW Primers A Reason for Handwriting Reading list ideas from Ambelside Online Maths: Singapore finish up 2B, 3A/3B. Miquon History/Geography: continue SOTW1 Geography is pieced together, some with SOTW and some student led. Possibly adding in some Charlotte mason geography. Science: BFSU Music: Continue Violin Lessons Classical Kids CD's + books from library - when we find time Language: Russian step-by-step (I think - this is new for 2012!) Art: I don't know yet, probably just fun! Whatever I see/think of/can be bothered with... I know there's picture studies included in the CW. I haven't found a set curriculum I like. PE: meh... :D Snorkeling at the beach, going for bike rides, digging in the garden, playing at the park...

Thanks for everyone's responses, I've taken a few days to mull it over. I've decided to go ahead with it for a few reasons. I worked out the pricing. To buy all the books new comes to $218 plus postage. So it's less than 1/4 of the price. It is a program that I keep reading people need time to look through it, think about and let it sink in. I'm looking to use it in about 2-3 years, depending on how we go. But that could be bumped to be a bit earlier rather than later. So I'm pretty happy all round. :)

I feel much better now everyone, thanks! :)

If you're pretty set on a particular sequence, how far ahead would you buy - if you saw a great deal? I found a great deal on one component of my proposed LA sequence for DD, but is a couple of years away. I do not think this deal will be repeated, nor do I think I'll change my mind on the sequence (but you never know...) It's only $30+ postage - so not out a lot of money... Am I crazy? :D

Gold! Go Mom!

I don't know if this will help, but my older two are masters at making mess then whining about how unfair it is to clean it all up by themselves *dramatic pose*. DH and I were talking, and he remembers a scene from his childhood: His mother told him he had x amount of time to clean his room (in her eyes, totally do-able), DH as an 8 - or so - year old was so completely overwhelmed looking at all the mess, he felt he'd never get it done and be stuck with the consequence no matter how hard he tried. He used the x time to get as far across their acerage as he could... :lol: I try to remember that they are having fun when they're playing - not thinking about consequences (having to put it all away again). I use a few strategies, I make sure they confine mess - our house is floorboards + rugs, they must confine mess to 1 designated rug, so it can't get out of control. I put some things simply out of reach. I break up storage of toys between a few rooms so they can't empty simply everything. When it's time to clean up I break up the job into smaller tasks and assign them one at a time (eating the elephant, as it were). But I'm finding at their ages (6 & nearly 4) they still really need the supervision. Still - lego is the bane of my existance. And my older DS will easily take hours of putting one piece at a time away... :banghead: I threaten that the vacuum cleaner will clean up the rest ;)

We're in 2A atm, and the HIG clearly says many times 'allow use of manipulatives'. We use base 10 blocks mostly...

I'm slowly reading Anna Karenina. It's winter here so drink of choice is coffee or tea. Usually snuggled on the couch, heater on, under a blanket...

I use singapore and supplement with Miquon. I don't really schedule Miquon, but I try to have a lesson & worksheet that compliments our singapore lesson ready. For example DD got on a math roll last week and wizzed through the entire multiplication section while I was cooking dinner. That's about 2 weeks worth of work. So instead of scooting ahead I want to play around with multiplication for a bit longer to make sure she's got it properly, so this week - and possibly next week - we'll focus on that with Miquon + C rods, and also get ready for division with some Miquon play. I would like to schedule 3 X singapore lessons and 1 X Miquon lesson a week - but it doesn't always work that way! With Miquon you'll need the Annotated notes (the workbooks are weird without it!), the first grade diary gives lots of good ideas too.

This looks like a great program, but ouch - international shipping rates! :(

Are you my long lost sister? You articulated that very well, lightbulbs going off here! :001_smile:

That's wonderful! I'm taking my older two with me on monday - I'm really hoping to get similar news...

I really agree with this. Once we cut out the sugar and refined carbs (mostly) food tasted amazing! I never liked mushrooms before - now I eat them everyday.

Well, our school year runs Jan-Dec... So next year - 2012 - DD with be 1st grade and here's my plan (atm) LLATL Yellow CW Primers A reason for handwriting Singapore 3A/3B & supp. with Miquon continue with BFSU SOTW1 - finishing up, we started this year but taking our time Suzuki Violin and Piano lessons Logic Safari Storybook Art Classical Kids

Just wondering if LuLu has sales often? I've got an email for 20% off at the moment, and I recall a similar sale fairly recently. I'm planning a purchase from them in a few months, just wondering if this sort of sale is something I should take advantage of now, or if there's likely to be another of the sort over the next 6-ish months?

:lol: Love it! Levi Joseph is lovely OP, so is Peter Jeremiah/Samuel. Look at it this way - you can't go wrong with any of those! Samuel was on our list for DD had she been a boy, and Peter is one of my son's middle names (after DH's paternal g-father). We changed our mind between DD and DS1 though, Samuel was out and Ezekiel was in! :001_wub:

My DH liked this one at that age (I have it put away for my boys) http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/With-My-Knife-Andrew-Lansdown/9781862916746 The author is a Christian and it has some minimal Christian content. Basically a fantasy story, lots of dragons. :)

Thanks for posting that chart, tjlcc!

Thanks a lot! Off to check them out...