My sympathy! I have the same problem w/the trashcan thing. I always put an extra plastic bag in the bottom and that helps (sometimes). And then there's the unloading the dishwasher-if I'm not the one to do it, the dishes get put who-knows-where in the cupboards!

Well, sort of. My parents fully paid for my college and part of grad school. Dh was totally on his own after high school-he worked and paid his way through college and grad school. My career is much better paying than dh's, and I enjoy my work more than he enjoys his. I think it has more to do with family values and attitudes than what kids are given or not given.

Our newspaper had a small article and didn't mention homeschooling either.

Sue, that's wonderful!!!

I love my Specialized Stumpjumper. I love riding on the trails.

My sympathy! Years ago we bought new appliances and custom countertops from a Lowes. The countertops were a small disaster. And even worse, I only got results from the store when dh took over the dealing w/them.

My ds8 just enjoyed Shark Beneath the Reef, by Jean Craighead George. And Robinson Crusoe.

Sue, I felt like this last year. I finally decided that by not taking care of myself, I really wasn't being the best parent I could be. I was just physically and mentally drained from some specific dc problems that I couldn't easily 'fix'. I was feeling grouchy and angry. I had a big talk with dh. I told him he needed to watch the kids a few times a week so I can go for a walk/bike ride/take a peaceful shower. And that on the weekend we were all going to spend an hour or so on the housework. Because I was feeling like a maid. Then I gave myself permission to let stuff go for a few days and have FUN with my kids..enjoy each other again. It was great. Those are just the things I needed...you might need something else. You need to give yourself the ok to take care of your needs too. The other thing I had to do was to have the kids clean up before bed (once a day). With a 3 yr old it was pointless to pick up toys etc. during the day. Hugs. Just want you to know you CAN make things better.

For us it would depend on the job. Wonderful job, higher salary=willing to have a longer commute.

We bought our last (new) car almost entirely off the internet. Dh just went in at the end to do all the paperwork. Most dealers have an internet sales person. Do all your research before you start dealing w/them. (Of course, you have to decide what vehicle you'd like first). Then call the dealers in your area and ask them their best price on the vehicle w/the features you may want. Get your best deal on the phone, and then make them stick to the deal when you actually buy it. Good luck. Congratulations, and don't forget to save some money too!

My ds8 has read the original on his own twice and he loved it.

Good luck, Laura!

We go to the library once a week, but we don't take all the books back each week. So even though we have 40-50 books checked out at a time, we return about half the items every week. Everyone has their own bag, even ds3.

Here a few links I have bookmarked for using w/Lively Latin My kids really enjoy the history portion. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/ http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/RomeUnit.html

That's happened in our fridge twice. Under the bottom tray of the freezer there was a sheet of ice, and going down into the fridge where it would drip into puddles. We had to remove/melt all of the ice. (I guess I'm trying to say what Tina said). It tends to happen when our fridge and freezer are really full.

You could call the ped. and ask them to call it in to the pharmacy. Otherwise your backup plan sounds good.

Have you tried letting him read some books that may not be the 'best' reading material? Like Captain Underpants. Maybe that would spark his interest in reading other books. My dss enjoyed The Big Book of Boy Stuff, by Bart King, I think. Does your son like to read magazines?

Well, we're fairly new to hs'ing. I purposefully haven't joined any groups yet because I didn't want to jump from set of rules,expectations, whatever (public school) to another. Guess I don't have any advice except you should do what works best for your family. That's the reason I always give to people about why we're hs'ing.

I'd do it geographically.

Sounds like the hole in the wall was a wake-up call! My ds3 has a serious health problem, so I know it's hard to not spoil them sometimes. I plan on ds living a long, healthy life, and part of that is teaching him the same life skills as his big brothers (like manners, dealing with anger appropriately, patience, etc). Hugs.

I'd start planning weekly trips to your local libraries! Inter-library loans are great too.

All of my kids are intense-but one is less intense than the other two. I remind myself that just because he isn't demanding my attention so much doesn't mean he doesn't need me. I take some time out a few times a week to sit down and talk w/him alone-he does like to talk! I want him to know I'm always here if he needs to talk. Maybe he doesn't 'need' to that often now, but as he gets older I want him to know I'm here for him. I think you're on the right track with your daughter.

Both my ds did this when they learned to write, for about a year. At the time they were in ps and I asked the teacher about it. She said it's normal. They did it on and off for about a year.

I'm a statistician.

Once my dss learned to read they were so self-empowered, they wanted to read on their own most of the time. However, there were some books they really wanted to read, but didn't have a high enough reading level for yet, and they liked to sit and listen to me read those. Another idea-does your dh read to him? When their younger brother was likely to distract us from our book, they were less likely to want to read w/me too-it's frustrating to have to stop a book when it's getting good!