My sister (no prior health issues) sailed through days 10-11, which (pre-Delta) were what we understood was worse. THEN, on day 14, she was in the ER, couldn’t breathe, etc. She wasn’t hospitalized—just treated with inhaler steroids (again, before mono-clonal antibodies were highly available—but were most definitely available for like—leaders of the free world types, etc. ). She ended up with long COVID. I hope your relative can get treatment and has a better outcome than what you fear. I’m sure it’s hard to wait. I called me sister every day to check on her.

My DD was 6.5 when COVID struck, and had also just learned to read. I also did AAR level 1; then I switched to LOE level A(she had to repeat a lot, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that, but *I* was dying of boredom with AAR and was switching for my son anyway, so switched DD also). With LOE, they do spelling and I noticed her abilities really progressed once we started spelling, so I would suggest adding AAS level 1 for your DD when you start AAR 2. Also, per SWB’s reading recommendations in TWTM, I made her read a SUPER easy book EVERY day, along with the scheduled AAR stories. We started with Level 1 BOB books, and that really increased her confidence and enjoyment in reading. I felt like the AAR books were really challenging and having to work so hard every time she read was discouraging to my DD, and she frankly disliked reading, which made me so sad. I continued making her read every day—easier than AAR, but progressing in difficulty. Now she LOVES reading, particularly independently.

Thank you so much!!!

Ah…but the rest of the world is extremely jealous and just WISHES where they live would have had the sense to go into lockdown over “just one case.” Hubby and I have quite decided NZ is the place to retire to.

We did MP posters(the 11x17size not the post cards) last year (kinder) and this year we ordered our prints from SCM, mostly bc they give a decent background on the artist and they print some info about the painting (like the pomegranate was symbolic in the Middle Ages, etc.). The quality of the posters is better from MP, but they run about $35 for 33 posters. The SCM posters sort of look like they’re printed on shiny card stock, and cost $18 for 6 (? Maybe 8?). Which, after having the MP posters was rather disappointing; but I was also looking for the added info from SCM so I’m fine with it.

I think it’s B. It’s confusing bc I was going back and forth between Sonlight (they labeled theirs level A) and Bookshark, which I think is level B.

I have gotten shingles outbreaks 4 times (I’m 47 now—got my 1st bout at 43)—ALL after an extremely stressful event. So, have you been under stress lately? The first episode was the worst—broke out in what I thought were hives. Next day, they started hurting and that night were so painful I couldn’t sleep. Thankfully I got the antiviral within the 72 hour period and it took care of the REALLY distasteful parts (the pain and itching). The blisters were unsightly (I looked like I had severe acne on one side of my face). I would say, take the antivirals, just in case. Would it hurt anything if you took them and DIDNT have shingles?

Sadly no. Oh well.

@ktgrok That looks so fun! I actually put in my order for Bookshark yesterday. We’ll see when it gets here… thanks for all the pictures and excellent info!

Poor baby! Will be praying for him.

@ktgrok, Thanks for your thorough answer! And the photo that included the directions. Was everything to make the catapult included in the kit? Or did you have to have to get your own popsicle stick and cup?

Thanks for that note about Bookshark and NOEO. They’re both just about the same price—an arm and a leg! 😞 What did you like about Mystery Science over Bookshark? Also, is there a big difference in the book selection/methodology between Sonlight and Bookshark? I get that the Sonlight teacher guide is filled with references of God, but is that the biggest difference? I thought there was an extra book or two in the Sonlight one also.

Mystery Science is all online, correct? That’s what I get when I google it. It’s a bunch of videos. I can’t find a link to any curriculum guide, list of books or anything. We are a low-tech family of homeschoolers (aka, unless it’s an occasional BBC-excellent-quality documentary, I’ll pass). I prefer books.

Sorry, what is BFSU?

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Firstly, to have a way to answer some of their questions (such as "What makes the Northern lights?" I have no idea). Nor am I one to drop everything I'm doing to look it up. Also, I don't feel comfortable with having a science curriculum driven strictly by their curiosities. Secondly, they love doing "experiments." We have an Usborne book of science experiments, which I hate, because 1) they never get the underlying scientific principle...they're just too young; 2) I'm the one doing all the work, because again they were too young...scrounging around finding an empty plastic bottle, getting the googly eyes for the monster, cutting out the monster's tail and arms and legs, taping them to the bottle, getting the vinegar, and the soap and the baking soda and the kleenex to do the exploding/vomiting volcano/monster...and I just get tired and cross. Science is not my thing. I don't know the answers to half my 6 year old son's questions. I never took physics, and don't remember much about chemistry, and all the sorts of things he's interested in.

First, a caveat: I love the general Charlotte Mason approach in younger grades but I expect to veer more classical as my kids get older. I am looking for a new science curriculum—after 2 days of Jay Wiles Science in the Beginning, my kids and I are dreading Science. It doesn’t help that Wiles’ textbook is juxtaposed with Beautiful Feet geography and history, which we all simply adore. So, I’m looking for more of a “living books” approach to science. Last year, we did Blossom and Root’s Kindergarten science, which initially introduced me to Charlotte Mason and by Christmas, I’d traded in our very first homeschool curriculum (Memoria Press) for Ambleside and Wildwood. We’re doing Nature Walks this year and still doing Burgess’ Bird Book; but my kids (especially my son) is so curious about scientific things which I don’t know the answer to, that I’m looking for a more structured approach than Ambleside suggests (though not quite Jay Wiles level yet). I’m not looking for “just get a bunch of read and find out books from the library.” I’d like something more planned out and structured for me. The price isn’t an issue, neither is secular vs religious (yes I’m a believer but I don’t need someone to say read x Bible verse along with y chapter—I can help my children glory in God’s creation even if it’s written from a secular viewpoint). So I’m contemplating Noeo Biology 1 or Blossom and Root’s first grade. I would welcome any feedback (and open to any other curriculum that is similar to our BF geography and history we’re loving!).

I am 47; at 43, I began having the most horrendous anxiety ever! I keep it at bay now with a “cocktail” of Prozac (for pre-peri menopausal mental health issues), Buspar (for the anxiety attacks), bioactive forms of B12, B6, and Folate, and the mini-pill (progesterone only, since I’m at risk of strokes with estrogen). They all work quite well together, but if I forget or run out of one of them, my anxiety skyrockets again. The mini-pill helps with sleep issues and night sweats for me. Hope you find what works for you.

My grandfather was a postman during the Spanish flu. He told his sons (my uncle and dad) about all the people who died along his route. Sometimes, their mail would pile up, and he would take it up to their house; he would find either a house full of sick people or a house full of dead people.

How would that happen? In our county, the county health department gave us our shots but our medical records are kept on the USAF servers (?) and I’m not sure they “talk” to each other, for lack of a better word. Or do they?

They probably a) learned their lesson and everyone is MASKING THE HELL UP or b)a large percentage have reached herd immunity bc of either getting the vaccine or getting sick in April.

I second Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain!

I’m wondering this too.

Following because wondering the same thing!

Does anyone care to enlighten me? I’ve only now discovered Craft; and only now discovered DS is probably ADHD and/or dyslexic. Craft seems cheaper at first glance and seems to address both issues.