Loverboy's vasectomy was less than 2 years ago. My physician's assistant friend told me to make sure that he had at least TWO clear samples in a row before he assumed that the vasectomy was successful. Apparently she has provided prenatal care for a number of families that had skipped that second check. Loverboy's doctor had him checked 6 weeks after the surgery, but told him to come back to be checked once EVERY year.

I am not raw foodist, or even a vegetarian, but I feel as if I am moving that direction because of how my eating habits have changed since the beginning of the year. In fact, a week ago, I started reading/researching raw foodism online because of my food changes. I have been tracking my food via CalorieCount.com, and I have been participating in their "Calorie Camp" program since around Christmas. This is all free. Since beginning this program, I have lost 17.5 pounds. :party: Don't get too excited. I have more than 80 pounds to go. But for me, I have had trouble before getting the scale to move, too. In 3 more pounds, I will be thinner than Loverboy has ever seen me for the 6.5 years he has known me. On a daily basis, I try to consume 400g of fruit and 400g vegetables. The vegetables are mostly raw, but some are cooked. I aim for 25+ grams of fiber, and a nutritional grade of A- or higher for my food that day. (This is averaged out). I do still eat meat (cooked, of course!), but I try to eat only local meat; and I feed my family vegetarian as often as I can. I still don't exercise much, so all of my weight loss has been from food modification. Although I feel like I am moving in the direction of being a raw foodist, I doubt I will ever be that way fully. I still eat a traditional dinner with my family. We had tostadas for supper tonight. Last night we had homemade vegetable soup with fruit, salad, crackers, and cheese on the side. And it was good! If you feel that a 28 day challenge to eat more raw foods will help you, then you should do it. Any increase in fruits and vegetables can only be good.:) You know your family situation better than anyone else, but I would consider these things: 1) How will you plan all meals when you eat food different than your family members? It is a challenge to make separate food for yourself for every single meal of the day. This is one reason that I eat with my family for supper, but often eat bowls of fruit or vegies for breakfast or lunch. Don't think that I am a purist for breakfast and lunch. I will also have cereal, PB toast, hummus and pretzels, or crackers and cheese for these meals sometimes. 2) How will you get enough calories to function throughout the day? If I do not get enough calories throughout the day, I am cranky, tired, snitching food one fingerful at a time, or all of the above. Have a plan to get carbs when you need them. 3) Look around for an online calorie count plan. There are several that are free. You don't have to use CalorieCount.com. I just use it because it lists most of the foods I eat, and they have an easy interface for me to enter and save my personal recipes. A study done a couple years ago tracked people who used an online (non-specified) calorie counter vs. those who did not. Those who used online help were more successful at losing weight than those who did not. You don't need to reply to answer any of these questions. Just have a plan so you can be as successful as we want you to be!!!

I read it several times in 5th grade. We read some scenes from it in 6th or 7th grade (the year the movie came out), but for me, it was juvenile to me, and I was past it in my needs for education.

Spelling Power When my old boss presented this for me to use with her older daughter (I was the nanny). I was really hesitant. Once I read the teacher-instructonal portion of the book, I became very excited about it's potential. I was disappointed when my boss discontinued the system at the end of the year. In truth, I'm pretty sure that I enforced it more than she did, so I saw better results than she did. I already have a copy on my shelf for when my 5yo is old enough for Spelling Power.

We really enjoyed Saxon for our 4yo for this reason, too; although, if I remember correctly, there were some worksheets (less than 1/day) in the last part of the K curriculum. Mostly counting and writing numbers, I think. Our book is in storage in the garage; can someone check this for the OP? We also used a book from Teacher Created Resources. I THINK this one posted below is the one, but, again, it is in storage in the garage. We did not do all pages in this book. I only copied a couple of dozen for use at the end of the year to intersperse with the pages from Saxon. http://www.teachercreated.com/products/math-practice-for-beginners-3115?lt=browse.24.178.1.50

This is what works for us: Dd gets 30 minutes of free tv time each day. If she wants more, she needs to earn it. We have a goal of 10 lessons/day. After 4 lessons, dd earns 30 minutes of tv. Then, after 3 lessons, dd earns 30 minutes of tv. Then, after 2 lessons, dd earns 30 minutes of tv. Then, after 1 lesson, dd earns 30 minutes of tv. Details: --Dd just turned 5. --The goal is 10 lessons/day. She can do it if she is motivated. This is not impossible, and she is often successful. --We don't do lessons every day. MWF she goes to coop preschool in the a.m., and that eats a lot of time. Plus, dd is 5. There is no hurry. --One lesson may be several things, like reading sentences AND coloring a page AND playing a vocabulary game AND reading little books for Sight Words lesson....or just doing 1 page for Explode the Code. --We start out with the labor intensive and important subjects of Math and Phonics. As our day continues, we move on to easier subjects with fewer required parts. --If dd uses her time during the day, she must watch educational tv or videos. If she saves her time for when daddy comes home, she can watch whatever she wants (Scooby Doo, or Disney's Aladdin, etc). When she chooses this option, she practices delayed gratification/emotional intelligence, and it frees us up to keep working and get done during the day. --With a 13mo in the house, I encourage dd to keep working when the toddler is sleeping, and watch tv when the toddler awakes. --I find that if dd gets to the 7 lesson point, she usually finishes for the day. The rewards are too great! --Recently, I created long rectangles on a sheet of paper with squares of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 in them. Plus, unattached, but at each end, a square with P for practice piano and 3 attached squares that are R20 each for Read 20 minutes. Dd colors in the numbered squares as she completes her lessons, so she knows how close she is to her next tv time. --Unfortunately, this often goes out the window on the weekend. Daddy lets her watch a lot of Scooby Doo. :) --We have a TIVO in the house. (Note: Cable and HBO are not required for TIVO). This allows me to tape several PBS shows for dd to watch so she can 1) choose what she wants to watch, 2) start it when she is ready, and 3) I am not the bad guy when the show/tv automatically turns off after the 30 minute show ends. I hope you find what works for you.

Just make sure that she knows that she can always come to you if she needs you; and you will always love her and try to help her. Keep repeating this, every day if you have to. I had parents that did NOT say this to me when I was 12. In the meantime, I dealt with former friends teasing me mercilessly to the point of tears every single lunch period at school in middle school, and I was unable to escape it because we had assigned tables (of 8 students) in lunch. I also dealt with a year of being sexually harassed by the jerk who sat next to me in 7th grade math. I thought I deserved it, and this was before Anita Hill. In retrospect, I was a good Christian girl who had never worn a miniskirt, didn't listen to rock music of any sort (especially with suggestive lyrics), and buttoned her oxford and polo shirts to the top. But I thought I had to handle this on my own because my parents couldn't step up. This was the time I grew apart from my parents. I am 41yo, and they still do not know of these things. We still cannot discuss them. We have never recovered.

1) Fully funded optional pre-K programs for all children starting at age 3. --------------------------------- 2) Vouchers available for every child. However, a) The voucher can only be redeemed at an accredited school. If my tax dollars are paying for a child's education, I want to make sure that we get our money's worth. And b) I would hire people smarter than me to create a formula to make sure that local public schools are still funded appropriately. Why? The Charter school can say, "We have openings for 20 students on September 1. If you want to apply, you must submit your paperwork before the deadline May 1. If 20 unregistered students showed up on September 1 to the public school, the public school must find a classroom, teacher, desk, textbooks, and other supplies today and right now, with no planning and no notice and no prior funding. --------------------------------------------------- 3) I would get rid of sports teams. If you want to coach sports, do it after hours, in a private setting, or be a gym teacher. I don't want you to be my teacher's history teacher as a vehicle for what you really want to do. ------------------------------------------------------- 4) I would let teachers choose their own curriculum. (At least in Iowa), it is a cruel trick to send Ed majors to student teach and become excited about teaching their subject...then to tie their hands by having someone else run their classroom. Curriculum must of course encompass state or national standards. a) Example #1: One of the best math teachers I had was 7th grade Mr. Craun. We had a standard boring math textbook with the standard required 25-30 problems/concept. Every Friday, he took the first 10 minutes of class to give us timed tests of the basic +,-, *, / operations, with less time each week. By the end of the year, I had a good and confident grasp of 7th grade math, and could whip out a page of math facts in less than 3 minutes. A decade later, my cousin Robin had the same teacher and was hating and failing math. I looked at her book and talked to the teacher. The new style was "constructivism" (~1992) with a focus on word problems. A standard assignment had a maximum of 3-5 problems. I don't know about you, but if I am learning a new concept, I'd like to practice it more than 3 times. The teacher had been forbidden to do the timed tests because of the new emphasis on constructionism. Mr. Craun lamented that he was not able to teach in the style that he knew was effective. b) Example #2: Our local middle school is in crisis, and at risk for being closed and re-vamped. A discussion with one of the math teachers revealed that she was not able to choose a curriculum which focused on basics. Instead, someone else chose the textbook and style. She and the other experienced teachers had made a recommendation for new textbooks at buying time, but no one listened to the teachers.:confused: Imagine being asked to put out a fire, but being forbidden to use hoses or buckets. How effective could you be? Side rant: This is one of many reasons why I homeschool. I want to choose effective curriculum for my children. ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5) State or National standards. Hopefully a bigger plan or vision, beyond one class or one year, too. a) Example: When I was in community college, one of my friends from China ran rings around the rest of us in Chemistry class. For us, one year (or maybe one semester?) of Chemistry was optional in high school. (And I went to a pretty good high school education-wise.) Wentao shared that in China (in the 80s), their national standards required 3 years of chemistry in high school. b) These standards would hopefully be set by people with a background in education; not politicians; not those with potential financial gain. Input from teachers (the people actually doing the teaching work) would be a part of the process. c) These standards would provide a guideline for what textbooks a teacher could request. d) Example: I choose the classical method for my children for Science and History. No explanation necessary. e) In Iowa, we do not currently have this standardization. (Other states, I understand, do). The problem is that student may live in one community in 6th grade, and move to a different community in 7th grade, and a third community in 8th grade. Consider that this student may learn about the French Revolution in every grade...but not learn about the American Revolution at all. This is because some schools teach topic X in 6th, some in 7th, some in 8th. Our poor example student learned about topic Y in 6th, 7th, and 8th...but kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time to learn about the American Revolution. ------------------------------------------ 6) Full day (8-5), year round school. Teachers will be paid appropriately for an increased work day and work year. Optional enrichment opportunities would be available for students in the weeks of vacation. This would work well for students whose families still need childcare at that time. ----------------------------------------------- 7) Teacher testing -- Every 5 years, I would test teachers in their fields to prove their competence in what they are teaching. If the teacher fails the test, they would not lose employment, but they would need to remedy the situation within 2 years by re-taking college classes or retaking the test. Teachers would also be evaluated annually by other teachers/parents/administrators who have sat in on their class. ----------------------------------------------- 8) Student testing -- Yes, I would require the dreaded student testing; ITBS or ITEDs or whatever. I wouldn't close schools or fire teachers over it, but I would use is as a tool to evaluate where we need to improve. If students are not performing well on tests, we would take a closer look at the student's classroom experience. I would also pay students who do well on the test. Over a decade ago, I read about a school that improved their test scores simply by offering a financial incentive to students concerning the test. I can't remember if the reward was $20 or $50, but it eliminated a lot of students screwing around on the test. Also, a couple years ago, a study of money and students found money as a motivator. Especially in minority (low-income) schools, the students could claim, "I'm not trying to be white....I'm saving for an XBOX!!!"

dd5yo is getting dd1yo a play piano for Christmas. I wrap our gifts in fabric bags made out of Christmas fabric, tied with ribbon. dd5yo started playing with the piano through the fabric today. She showed little sister how to make noise through the bag. It entertained her for 20 minutes while I finished sewing/wrapping/cooking. :lol: Christmas memories!

YES! I highly recommend it! I grew up opening the majority of Christmas presents (from Mom & Dad) after supper on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day we were up early to drive the 45 minutes to Grandma & Grandpa's house; then possibly to other set of Grandparents' house. Christmas Day was less about presents than about seeing Grandparents, eating a big meal, possibly playing with cousins, and perhaps 1-2 gifts from Grandparents. By opening our gifts on Christmas Eve, we kids had some time to play with our toys rather than getting to open them Christmas morning...then leaving the swag to go to our Grandparent's house until after dark. Mom and Dad didn't have to drag everything to the Grandparent's house to open, and there was no risk of losing a toy or part of a toy at another house. There was no competition between what we received for Christmas vs. what our cousins received. As adults, my parents could spend Christmas morning prepping to leave town in wintery December, rather than rushing we kids through presents, then off to eat breakfast and dress for the day. Usually Mom had food to prepare to take to my Grandparent's home, too. Now that I have my own family, Loverboy and I have continued to open presents on Christmas Eve. It gives the kids an extra day to play with their toys with Mom and Dad before we return to our busy lives. We do stockings on Christmas morning.

1) Let the kids take turns picking books. If you are concerned of their choices, then limit them to books that have won the Newberry Award, books on the Battle of the Books website, or another pre-approved list. 2) Let the kids take turns reading. They are all old enough to read aloud. Everyone reads a page or two (according to their abilities), then passes it along to the next kid. 3) At the end of each chapter and/or reading period, have the kids write down (possibly in a little book or notebook) details about the characters and plot. This can be reviewed (by the kids reading) before each reading session to provide continuity and memory of the story.

miscellaneous magnets and a magnet kit leotard for gymnastics piano books for the next level LegoEducation kits (allegedly for dad, but we know who will really be playing with them!)

Dd is young. She will be 5 next week. We have been doing a lot of Christmas dot-to-dots and color-by-numbers. (Just do a search online for either). I also have a "Simple Graph Art" book that does easy graphing for that age. We have been doing seasonal pictures since October. http://www.teachercreated.com/products/simple-graph-art-0095?lt=search.1.1.1.20 Also, no schoolwork on your birthday!!!!:party:

Would it help for your daughter to see where she is in her accomplishments for the day vs. what is expected? Workboxes have been good for some families. In our family, I aim for 10 lessons/day for dd. I know this sounds like a lot. It could be as much as a Saxon Math 1 lesson (meeting book + lesson + 3 pages in WB + +/- flashcards) or as little as 1 page of Explode the Code. I put rows of 10 squares (a little smaller than one-inch-square) on a piece of paper. The squares are numbered 1-10. Also in the same row, but unattached are a square with a P for Piano; and three squares with R20 for Read 20 Minutes. As dd finishes lessons, I hand the paper to her to color another square. She always knows where she is for accomplishments, and she knows when she will be done. Some other details: --We don't always complete all 10 lessons. FTR, at dd's age (she will be 5 next week), we are not in much hurry about stuff. --We always do the hardest/longest stuff first. Math or Phonics is first in line. ETC is at the end of the day. --Dd has built in rewards of tv and $ in our household. If she doesn't have tv or $, she knows what she needs to do to remedy that situation. With the coloring squares, she knows when she can ask for more tv.

I have not used Spelling Workout. I have used Spelling Power with a homeschooling family for which I nannied. I REALLY liked it, and I already have a copy in a bin in the garage for when dd is older. However, I would not use it for children that are just learning the rules for spelling unless I had better faith in my own teaching abilities. I plan to use Spelling Power with dd when she is in 4th grade or so. At this point, I am planning to start dd on Sequential Spelling within a year or so. I have not used Sequential Spelling with a child, but a friend let me preview her set. It seems very similar to Spelling Power in many ways, but is a better beginner program IMO. My friend uses the computer version of it for the sake of having her son be independent for one subject/day. I think either the computer version or the non-computer version would fit for our family. You can judge what will work for your family. HTH

Three suggestions: 1) Use a number line. or 2) When we do flashcards and a +2 appears, dd knows to put up her 2 fingers (in a "peace sign"). She used the two fingers to TOUCH the other addend and say its name. Then she removes her fingers and wiggles one, then the other as she counts up. For example, 10 + 2 = ? Dd puts up her two fingers. Dd touches the 10 with these 2 fingers and says, "10." Then she removes her hand from the 10 and wiggles one finger "11" and then the other "12". Sooner or later dd will have them memorized. She has some memorize already. or 3) Give your child TWO manipulatives. This could be two colored squares or two counting bears or two linking cubes. Use the system listed in #2, but have your child touch the other addend, then touch each manipulative as they count up. I hope you find what works for your child.:grouphug:

Our town does "Shop with a Cop." You could try that phrase with your local town or county listed. I would also contact or visit your local food bank or WIC office or DHS office. Our WIC office has a printed list of local (non-governmental) charities and resources. The county food bank does, too. Maybe yours does, also. In our town, the discount stores (Target, Kmart, etc) and the mall sometimes have trees in the front of the store with requests for children for Christmas. For example, there will be paper ornaments that say, "Girl, 14yo" or "Boy, 2yo." A good samaritan will take the ornament, purchase a gift for that anonymous child, and leave it at the Customer Service desk. You might need to run to each store and ask if they do anything like that. Many hugs to you for the best holiday season you can have, under the circumstances. I wish I could do more for you. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

We leave the butter out all day and all night. We have not had any butter go rancid, but we have had butter become contaminated with mold on two or three occasions over the past five years. This is probably because of the knife being reused for butter after being used to spread jelly...and then the butter sitting out for a week after that. If your family goes through butter quickly, it may not be an issue for you.

Oh, don't be intimidated! You can do it!!! If you think you may use more dried beans in the future, consider a pressure cooker. After beans are soaked over night (or for several hours during the day), the time to cook red beans in our pressure cooker: 3-6 minutes! We've found dried beans to be the cheapest to purchase and the easiest to store. They take up less space, and they keep forever!

I'm thankful that the printer is working. A friend's printer is not, so I'm printing a few things for her. ------------------------------------ I'm thankful for Halloween Candy. :tongue_smilie: ________________________ I'm thankful for healthy, beautiful children that are growing and doing all the things they are supposed to be doing!

What a great night! We just got home from Trick-or-Treating, too. Also, a beautiful, crisp night; just right for a light jacket. For the first time in 4 years, we saw more than one other trick-or-treater. Also, more houses than usual were lit up and welcoming. (Usually only a handful in our whole neighborhood host; there are a lot of busy grad students here). We also had our first Trick-or-Treater come to our house for the first time in 4 years. I love Halloween when it is like this! We can connect with neighbors we haven't seen for awhile, and meet new ones as we go door-to-door. Happy Halloween!!!

Christmas is coming. Maybe everyone will get cameras for Christmas. I'm sorry about your pictures. That is really lousy.

BTDT as an 18yo nanny when the household ran out of dishwasher soap. (I didn't grow up with a dishwasher). And, yes, I filled up the ENTIRE cup with regular dishsoap.

Finding the right subject in the Rainbow Resource Catalog. :D Looking up ANYTHING in old records. (Will your dd do any sort of historical research? Old scientific research? Old Lit research?) Some things you can only find in old texts. Finding which section of the college bookstore has your textbook that you need in the next hour for your college classes. ETA: Finding the pizza section in the phone book.

Dead keyboards are also fun to take apart. :D We all learned a lot when we dismantled my old keyboard.