Seriously, with a child that age... I would look at year round schooling... and letting her be at her mom's for vacations... but remember anything legally you need to think about... Setting precedent might be a problem. I mean... what if she decides she doesn't like being there??

I would suggest that yes, if you're doing America History as Cycle 3 is... that you do that... I think that cycle 1 is a great year to have a Geography year..... on one of the times through Cycles... and Cycle 2 for Medieval.... :) and another time through Cycle one could be Ancient.. :)

Also.. do you have the Story of the World cds? I'd be getting those... makes listening to them a breeze!! Everything you can do to make your life a bit easier :)

Also, "Drawing with Children" is a great book... and there's one for older kids, too. It might give you some nice ideas :) We've enjoyed working with real watercolors... and I would encourage people to use some coupons at spots like Michaels, since you can get a decent set of watercolors... and other supplies... for not as much.... :)

I'd eat it all.... Eggs are suppose to be in the fridge after the blossom or whatever is washed off, right? But a few hrs at room temp wouldn't be a problem... :)

Just a thought... when you have three in carseats..... (or two in boosters... and add a third seat...).... it's much safer to have all three in carseats rather than any boosters in the set up. I'm not sure if you've ever tried to latch up boosters with a carseat in the middle... but it's a pain...no room for your hands in there... And, if it's a pain to do... it's more likely not to happen well every time. Once I watched the video about the little boy who was in a booster... in a wreck... (where he died, because he was thrown from it)... my son went into a carseat full time again.... Yes it's expensive.... but.... sometimes "almost good enough" is false confidence.... Just a thought... not trying to be mean :(

Good Idea! :)

Yay! :)

How many of you have been having a hard time visiting their other parent? My daughter is having a hard time visiting... Also, she's 12 and while she can't legally "decide" she's at the age where she has more of a "say".... I don't know how I'd actually "make" her go. I mean... she's bigger than I am... and are they gonna take a screaming kicking kid on board, anyway? (she flies) He doesn't like her viewpoints, says we're brainwashing her, and says he's gonna start "re-educating" her..... He basically told her that he's gonna give her "what for" about her brainwashed view... Funny thing is she is crazier strong about her beliefs than I am! No one could change her... right now... But give her some time to mature :) I wish that he could just be nice to her... :(

I might be curious to ask them what philosophy of education the adhere to... and how they obtain that for their children. Then, as soon as they answer... or perhaps stumble... I'd ask them about something else.... People usually love to either try to make you feel stupid... or talk about themselves :)

I really enjoyed: TWTM, Teaching the Trivium & Latin Centered Learning. :)

I plan on taking a "retirement party" in somewhere nice... I'm thinking Tonga right now... or perhaps Italy.. or France... for like... I don't know... a couple of months?? Then... I'll come back... hire someone to help me organize my house... find a part time job... and hire a housekeeper. I'll also coordinate something so tha I can pull dinner out of the freezer each night... and throw a salad together. I'll think about whether I want to continue having dogs soon... as if I get another one... it will be here longer than my children. (Always pray they stay happy and healthy... but my youngest is 7...) I also want to have a yard guy come and help me with a good lawn!! :)

Yup, You're right.... No more shouting out from me! ;)

That WAS funny!! I even shared it on my fb... :)

So, guess what! I was driving with one of my hs friends tonight. I had a couple of what I thought were teen-age kids... flip me off... more than once... SOOOOO.... I shouted out to them as soon as I was equal to their window... "Nice Christian Sticker".... (They had a sticker from one of the Christian Schools here.) Well, They decided to throw a water bottle hard enough at my van that it freaked me out... and I called 911. Seems like they probably bought the car used.... They had other problems with the police, I guess. Police officer emailed me a pic of the passenger that threw it at me. I said that even if nothing else happened, they'd hopefully be scared that they were reported and not do something like that again. Poor guy (police) explained that they weren't really scared of the police. (They were just mad to be bothered!!) *Oh, and though their engine was warm, and they had the right sticker... they hadn't even gone anywhere!! Anyway, I told him thanks just the same, and that I'm sorry he has to deal with people like that..... (Coming from me, who's driven 25 years without a speeding ticket... and scared to ever even get pulled over..) Our Police are the bestest... I've had to call them several times for various things.... and they have always been the best!! :)

:) Very happy for everyone... especially the daddy "to be" :)

Oh.... Praying for a strong healthy little body.... :)

So sorry!! I feel for you!! :(

I would put him on his, straight away, unless it's not affordable to do so... It's worse to be responsible for his actions, rather than be out a bit. Of course, you could pay how much it's costing you now.... and have him pay the rest... :)

When you learn info by songs, it's stored in a different "part" of the brain. I tried... for a while.. to teach it by just orally going over it... and then singing the songs... :)

:) Just a decent job is more than some, right? I had to remember this when my husband was looking.. I'm happy for you!! :)

I'd do the Mac-n-Cheese from Pioneer Woman.. Chicken Divan... :) ours is tons of broccoli and a bit of chicken... with cheese then bread crumbs on top Mexi stuff.... Chips and good salsa... with Tostadas, beans and rice... guacamole, and sour cream.. Pasta with sauce and mushrooms w/Fresh bread, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, I could eat this forever!! Rice with peanut sauce and chicken satay?? At least today that's what sounds good ;)

Ok, well, vegetarian .... Carrot Potato Cheddar Soup. I could ask my mom for the recipe... but basically... sometimes she uses a vegetable broth for me... instead of chx broth.... then grated carrots and grated potatoes... It has cream in it too... (yum!) and then at the last minute you put in grated cheddar cheese..... :) :)

Are you doing it will all your children? It will simplify and complicate your life :) Are you planning on the writing and english part... which is the "Essentials" program? Memory work for my son... I can do in the car... or let him watch the computer component a couple/few times a week.... (This is for the morning/foundations part) As far as doing things with the Foundations Program... there are line ups... different ways you can do that... kinda like you can do a Sonlight schedule... Essentials is 1hr for English Grammar and 1hr for the writing.... It is a good program... good at dialectic beginnings... BUT, you have to be there with them... you would need to have your children in their afternoon activities... have them rest in the room... (or whatever... you just have to know that you have to be with the student in Essentials...) Pretty much you are both enrolled in the class :) You should learn a ton :)

Very sad! I'm sorry that it wasn't obvious to you... since it seems like you would have kept it away! It feels "not fair" to have something so sad happen when you're just trying to be nice. I got rid of a beautiful Philodendron when my son was little because of his wanting to munch on things! I'm VERY sorry for you and your family!! :(