The book was written as a type of memorial for a baby they lost. The author wrote it so that the baby not be forgotten. I always cried when I read it. Now as a mother that lost a child who's name is rarely if ever mentioned outside my house I love it more.

I love Rightstart as well.... but my 8 year old is not thrilled with it. So we have been doing Singapore. I feel it is alot like Rightstart but with pictures, and I think those help him when I can't explain it to him the way he needs. It doesn't usually take us 45 minutes for the lesson. The work sheets can take a while... but thats just because he gets EASILY distracted. I can walk away and work with his brother or do housework while he works on the sheets. I wish I could make RS work... I just can't maybe with my younger one.

I'll Love you forever The Giving Tree and Charlotte's Web.... I never read it as a kid and while reading my husband kept asking if I was going to read the end to our then 6 year old son. I said why?? I read it and balled... my son says mom don't get upset its just a story. Yet reading in McGuffey reader about the man that killed the dog because the he thought the dog killed the baby (not the snake) my son was hysterical!

We used the HOP k-2 program along with Alpha Phonics. They overlapped in many areas and reinforced where HOP might have been weak. We are now doing McGuffey Readers and Explode the Code. It may be overkill but the ETC is fast and fun and the McGuffey Readers take less than ten minutes. I liked the HOP because it was pretty painless... we could do it in the car and it was a break for him from being with me. I will be using it with my 4 year old next year as well.

I make a breakfast casserole for breakfast; for the parents. The kids requested biscuits cut out using xmas cookie cutters. Lunch/dinner is a snap.. husband cooks prime rib on the grill (no pans); sweet potato casserole (in the crockpot its a make ahead recipe ), green beans, and a homemade cheesecake.... if I get to it, homemade tamales. I haven't thought ahead for Christmas eve... its only four of us so most likely something hubby will grill.

I agree with farrar. I am thankful I have a 7 yo that LOVES to read... he likes to ride his bike, beat up his brother, and wants to go hunting. But speaking with others they have a hard time getting their boys to read; so Captain Underpants is a blessing if they read it willingly. My guy will read Minn of the Mississippi, books on trains, submarines, music, he LOVES Calvin and Hobbes and Garfield. Yes I like to read the classics with him because the vocabulary and grammar are superior (most of the time). What is wrong with light reading from time to time... I love historical romances to "shut down" with from time to time. There are still words I can learn.. my mind is working. I hope her books are good and engaging for the boys... we read all of the Little House series over the summer.. then 6 yo and 4 yo boys. I do wonder if she can reach them like a man could. There are a lot of things I don't get; because I am a woman! The info they used was what is out in the world... many of our kids aren't going to fit that mold...that's why they are home. Some might be worse...may be another reason they are home. I think if they can impart even a little history into the books then more power to them and kudos for trying.

Depends are the area you are looking. My last three jobs before leaving the workforce were through recruiters. It is much easier for the companies not to have to sort through 100-500 resumes (since the economy is so bad there are a lot of people looking). Craigslist as well, as walk ins. I would also be calling the HR departments back if you have applied. The people who really want the job will follow up. Beth

Both of my ds's were 3 y 8 m's. Honestly I didn't do anything! I just wasn't into carrying extra clothes because of accidents everywhere. There were a lot of people in our playgroup that pushed it at 2+ because they wanted the kids in preschool. My mother and MIL said leave them be and I followed their advice. When they are ready its painless! As a side note... I think each only had 1 accident each... just wet in the first week after that no accidents. No pull ups at night.. my older had issues from time to time bed wetting. My husband is an early riser so he would get him up to use the bathroom and then put back to bed... he is a very deep sleeper. Our second in 6 months has wet the bed 2x.... the laundry is a lot cheaper than pull ups! I do have to carry extra clothes now because they both get car sick on occasion though!!

I really can't give you any advice with MUS but I can tell you that using Rightstart Math he would be on the right track. With the little ones you teach them 10; one - ten, 12 is one ten two, 15 one ten five; 20 is two ten, 25 two ten five. This helps them understand place value better. Sounds like he might have a better understanding because he is trying to say it the way it looks to him! I believe but don't quote me that Singapore may do something similar as well.

If you are handy you may be able to fix it for a fraction of the cost. The main thing I have learned from the FL is that you CAN'T slam the doors. We recently had a power surge and both washer and dryer boards got fried. I love them and was able to repair both for $200. The Frigidaire had tests to check to find where the issue is. I had issues last year and had to have Sears out to look at it. He said the drain pump was going to need to be replaced... $365 for part and service. I took apart the pump and found a screw holding the drain fan it place. Removed screw and abracadabra it worked! Not $365!! I would spend the $65 fee to have him out again if needed to tell me what was wrong and then see if it repairable. Beth

I keep watching to see if it will have a deeper discount. We use Rightstart and love it... I may use MM as a supplement. FYI currclick has this on their site too and they have a good discount. For example a bundle of the blue books for grade 1-3 sells for $75 is selling for $38; a 46% discount.