I'm excited to see if you receive any replies;-) I have a 5th grader, too, and am thinking of the Omnibus or Challenge (Classical Conversations). I'm really excited to see how others prepare for the Omnibus. If we do it, we'll do it in a group setting. (hopefully!)

Can you recommend Love and Logic? It's not totally "positive discipline", but it's natural consequences. "Children who are kind to each other are able to watch a movie, children who aren't have to be by themselves." And, if your child hits, the movie goes back over to the friend's house to watch....or your child goes to their room....or whatever makes it so the "hitting child" isn't able to finish the activity. (watching the movie). Anyway, I spank too, sometimes...but sometimes you can just let a natural consequence correct your child.... I like Supernanny, but I find that it's a little more than real life.....

Hi There, I have looked at the Urban Homemaker. I liked them since I first saw the site, bit supporting them now is especially important with her husband's early death. My mom has had a Magic Mill and a Bosch. (I'd get the biggest one!) She bought it about 25 years ago, and it's just now starting to die. She makes bread at least once a week. When you crack a wheat berry(kernel) the oils in it start to turn rancid, so bread from a store is always rancid..... So, it's actually kindan bad for you! Also, with fresh bread you can control the ingredients. I believe my mom uses "Safety Yeast" It's got a little bakers man on the front and is vacuumed packed, it doesn't have to be proofed. My mom makes bread for us, and it's wonderful! You can easily go through a whole loaf with some butter and honey! Carrie:-)

My children used Latina Christiana I and II. I would suggest that you as the parent invest the time and energy to watch and learn Latin with them and then move into Henle after the LC is finished. My mom has done the series with my children and her friend and her friend's daughter. She is now teaching Henle to them all. (They watched Latina Christina I and II with the DVDs) They are now doing Henle and progressing at a slow but steady pace.

I'm thinking ahead to next year and wanting to figure out some ideas for Ancient World thru Middle Ages. We're also doing all the other things included in Cycle 1 of Classical Conversations. I just want to get a little prepared, as it's hard when you're going through everything the first year of each cycle.....We're just getting it down for Cycle 3 and now...I'm already looking at what we can do for Cycle 1..so I can prepare better:-) Carrie PS, I'm specifically looking for ways to present to the 4's and 5's but I welcome all comments:-)

If I did it, I'd look into having my kids buddy up with another family. You could offer to pay for the "service" and keep them learning the material that you've already chosen. Or, do some type of learning program...like a homeschool once a week program? Your children are at the age that I find it the MOST important to homeschool:-) Good Luck...it's nice to have job opportunities!

I don't know how much money you spend a day, but after I figured that out, I realized that I could feed raw food. I got some from families who butcher their own meat, maybe I can get some from hunters next year. And, then I get the rest from the butcher and some from the store(mostly chicken here). I am REALLY excited about how easy it is. The first week was a pain. I had to train him to stay in the bath tub and not drag it through the house. Now, he just stays in the tub like a good dog:-) I put an old towel in the tub, if it's time for him to chew on a bone... It literally takes no more time than to scoop of dog food. Ok, so...if you don't do this...I recommend Taste of the Wild. Great dog food...as far as kibble goes:-)

So is Shurley Grammar as good as Essentials? Or just different. How do you all find Essentials' Grammar different and better than Shurley Grammar would be...if used in a group situation. And, lastly, how long have you had it on your campus? :-)

Terriers can be really bad with cats...even cats they live with for year...can turn into ...well...dead. It's part of their "breed." I don't know how old your kids are, but that's something to think about with the size of your dog. Our kids are nice, but a small dog would probably be a problem. From the fact that they nip more and our dog gets tripped over.... BUT, we just love him!

Looks like you took the info off of some site that you're looking at for kitties:-) My friend had the "purrfect" kitty that she wanted that was like more of a dog. As long as you don't support pet stores, I say....look until you find the one you love....And remember....they can live to be quite old...so take your time looking:-) Good Luck!

Maybe have an interesting fact or small poem or song and teach them to say it and then say, "I learned that for YOU!" :-) Very sweetly! My mom says that got me an A. or something like that:-) And then maybe ask the person what they learned last week to share! Or, ask for your child to give a short presentation on something....:-) Take the lead and they won't get you mad...cuz you'll be in charge! We do presentations at our homeschool group and it's great. They would just have to whisper..."How sweet." We've had songs with sign language...Books of the Bible....karate lessens...etc. I understand that they're trying to be snoopy...but take charge...and try to enjoy:-) It might be the turning point. And of course, you could always ask their children, like it's normal, "So what did YOU learn last week?" You'll probably get that, "Nothing" answer that kids are famous for....:-)

Leapfrog pad? Is that what it's called? It's hand held and has great games. We have the one for books, too, but honestly my son could spend hours on the little game thing. It has phonics and other "educational" games. You can also hook up ear buds or whatever so you don't have to hear it. For our first really long trip, we got a dvd player for the car. My little one was 18 months, and Sponge Bob got turned on (I hate it!) but over that ride...I learned to love him. It's much easier to hear an annoying Sponge Bob than a screaming baby!

Crazy thought, but could you do a combination of tutoring? doing state testing? support for nursing moms? Selling slings and things? (like homemade "waldorfy" items) selling other products online? Dog walking? I've been thinking about you:-) Cat sitting? (just feeding and such at the cat's house) Working at a YMCA for after school care? Working at a Classical School? :-)

Ok, so I listened to someone's history memory song that they made up, and can't find it again! I'm also wondering if anyone has a great song that we may want to listen to...I'm all ears! I have a list of dates, that I'd like to add a tune to...and I'm wondering what secrets are out there. Carrie:-)

You only need one of the grammar programs. If you want to do well with EEl, you're suppose to do it 3-4 times for 45 minutes and then you do writing (IEW), too. You also are to be doing Latin to prepare for Challenge A. That will take time each day! If you want to start early, I recommend you talk to the tutor about Essentials and what you should start to go over. I would not buy another program, if I was going to do Essentials, next year.

It doesn't smell, you just hang it up to soak, and let it dry...and use another one. I love wool soakers! Of course, my youngest is 5 now...so don't use them anymore. I have many soakers, felted...(pendleton shirts) and I learned to crochet and knit so I could make soaker pants (long and short) bought some and made some out of sweaters. I always lanolized them. And, you can put an extra strip of lanolized wool down the middle for extra absorbency and like someone else said...make sure it's like a diaper service quality diaper....or it won't work. (But those are the kind of diapers you normally get unless you use just "burp diapers")

For sweet, I love marshmallow creme and cream cheese whipped together, great with all fruit! For "spread" I love cut up bits of cucumbers, sliced green onions, and bits of radishes. I don't care for fresh onions of any kind or radishes at all....except for this recipe. It's great. You make it early and allow the flavors to mingle. You spread it on crispy bagel rounds from the bagel store...or those New York bagel chips...or something similar. It's yummy.....

I'm wondering the advantages of going with this online, versus an Omnibus Program...in person. We're talking about what kind of group to have for next year, and so I'm curious as to what you're loving about it:-) I'm wondering if we can replicate the same or better in person and...also...How much it costs...and how many hours your son gets in instruction...and...How many hours does he study each week?? Carrie:-)

I got to do foundation and concealer type make-up at 12 (now they have moisturizer and concealer in one) and blush (think "bronzer") Just enough to make it look like a was sun kissed. I then was able to add one other "make-up" item each birthday. Next came eye shadow and then mascara and some where in there was lip gloss. I always was suppose to look "fresh" and not like a made up woman. Some of this would depend on your daughter and if she has acne. I say, when you start make-up, you have to be even more careful about cleaning, learn skin care, etc....It's part of growing up...but slowly:-) My 16 yr old could care less about make-up, my 13 yr old wears what I've allowed, and my 10 yr old tries to sneak it:-) Carrie:-)

I'd suggest looking at leerburg.com/ for some info. I would like 2, but from two separate litters. I would also crate (yay crates!) and keep them on a leash with you for the first few weeks...or in the crate...or supervised outside if you want them to run a bit freer. And of course, now you get to read about puppy vaccinations and also what to feed. I'd feed something with no grain (grain is for animals like cows...grow fast...and protein for puppies and other such animals)...we like feeding our dog raw food.... Have a blast! And remember, it's easier to train puppies from the start, rather than untrain/retrain them later...

Sorry you have to deal with this, I don't know how I would deal with whatever is already done, but I would pick up my children from now on. Sorry:-( Carrie

I'm glad that you're asking. I tried asking twice...and am looking forward to the answers. We are thinking of using this in a group of 4th-6th graders....

Were you there for a specific problem, and there is a real reason for this? I guess I don't know since I don't do well child visits. We're at the doctor's office enough for them to be "listened to" (heart etc.) and I haven't really had a well dr visit for my son in the last few years. I guess I'm not educated enough to understand why a 6 yr old needs to be looked at, although perhaps with this thread, I'll become more informed. :-)

My daughter ate everything and my son eats nothing. He'll eat some desserts....but as far as food, although it's getting better at 5.5...he will eat chicken nuggets, my mom's homemade whole wheat bread(he survived on that for a couple of years it seems) and some fruit. He'll eat some veggies, but sit at a meal and eat a regular meal? NO....I convinced myself that he had some sensory problem. I did not want to be like my brother's, best friends house. You eat 5 peas and daddy will eat 5 peas. You do this or I'll do this.....On and on his whole life! SO, I just decided that for us dinner is family time and has more to do than what he can eat. I put separate food down almost every night. But it's simple. We have spaghetti, he gets plain noodles (he'll finally eat them) Any night he won't eat any of our dinner, he gets homemade bread with butter and maybe a fruit. I don't make an elaborate meal for him. No child will die with bread, butter and Milk for dinner. And, it saves the peace without him being what I considered "spoiled."