This is not the fun kind of snow. It's not even sticking because the ground isn't frozen yet. This is the mixed with rain and possibly cause pneumonia variety. I'll let you know when the snow angel or snowball variety arrives. And I hate to tell you this, but I like sportsball. I just don't have time to watch very often.

It is snowing. That's all I've got.

Not really. My family has a lot of skin sensitivities and I want more control of the ingredients. No fancy fragrances or colors. That's what I'm trying to eliminate.

Shampoo bars. Crossing my fingers that I get the technique right on my first attempt.

Or the youth model that I think is only 3/4 the size of a standard guitar. I looked into the possibilty for Oldest a couple years ago, but he lost interest. I'm glad because it's already hard keeping his little brothers out of his room. Add a guitar and I'm doomed. Guitars are magnets for my little ones!

Morning. I'm sick. But I'm also looking at the bright side: I should be all better by the time my last package arrives next week and I can make my newest creation. FINALLY!

For composition assignments, the TM tells you what to discuss with the student about the verse or subject to be written about. Then it reminds you to refer the student to the last page in their workbook so they can see for themselves how they will be graded after completion.

Some really interesting ones, imo. A story about Helen Keller and a story about the history of the macintosh apple are recent ones we've read. If you look at the previews at milestonebooks, you can read a story from each grade. No fairy tales, fantasy, or sci-fi, but wholesome and interesting stories nonetheless. There is a story that will come later this year about an Anabaptist man martyred for being rebaptized, but it's done tastefully. I was so intrigued by the story when I was perusing it over the summer that I looked up the actually history and time period. Disclaimer: I do not plan on using the 9th grade Reading as the stories are much more Anabaptist-focused in content.

Yes. It's the answer key to the workbook questions and tests along with other helps and discussion tips. You could opt for the older version which is only the student reader and a softcover TM with answers to the comprehension questions that are at the end of each story in the student reader. I initially bought them thinking it was the way to go because it's not consumable like workbooks. Turns out that what I personally was looking for in a reading curriculum isn't covered in the older version but is covered (and covered well) in the newer version... things like story elements, literary techniques and devices, archaic words and more are all covered in the workbook format.

We are doing the grade 6 program in 6th, completing 2 stories a week. I spread out each story over 2 days. In the workbook, he completes the vocab skills sections on the first day and the reading skills sections on the second day. No stories/workbook assignments on a week with a composition and test. I allow 2-3 days per composition assignment to allow the process of brainstorm/first draft and edit/finalize. He typically gets to use the computer to type composition assignments because he's much more willing to elaborate if he isn't physically writing. I really like the program. It's definitely challenging, but it works well for us and really does show me where his English skills are being applied or are in need of more practice.

This. I have Oldest do the composition assignments, but I've learned to modify them. Sometimes I change the subject he is to write about, still using whatever skill is being taught. Other times, I have him type his composition which makes it easier for him to edit. I tend to reserve the worksheets for review of weak areas that need more practice. R&S also has composition assignments scheduled throughout their reading curriculum, which we are using for the first time this year. I really was surprised by how much I like it.

My chili is always from dry beans and that takes longer than I had to work with. Meatloaf is almost finished and fresh spinach salad is prepared and waiting. Leftover vegetables of multiple varieties will be warmed up because it's time to get em all eaten and out of the fridge! 1. Yes they do but they also take longer to form before putting in the oven which makes them overall take about the same amount of time for me to prepare from start to finish. 2. I have done this sooo many times!

I'm frantically wracking my brain for what to cook for dinner while simultaneously microthawing some ground burger. Hmmm maybe I've got enough time to make a meatloaf. Unless something better comes to mind in the next 3 minutes.

I only went with short "o" because long "a" didn't make sense to me and short "a" conjured up images of long haired 80s boy bands. At least the long "a" makes sense now.

Yes, but how do YOU pronounce it? And what made you pick this name? Too bad this isn't a booyah or it would be a Slachie's Origin Booyah which just sounds super cool.

I've been doing it all wrong for years, then! I've never even tried to pronounce it. I've just called her Slachie with a short "o" or "ah" like "sloshing through the rain" all this time.

I'm a day late but praying for you, Slachie. Hmm, it's just occurring to me that I may not be pronouncing Slache correctly. Is the "a" long or does it sound like a short "o" that says "aaaah" ?

Good morning! Caffeine and sugar are flowing pretty good and I'm being semi productive now. Phone calls that I've been putting off long enough will be made as soon as school is under way. Definitely not my favorite way to start the day, but responsible adulting must be done.

I've so done this! More than once! 🤣

I know this is just part of the withdrawal stage, but I miss all the yummy things. So many many yummy things I already miss. I comfort myself by remembering I haven't lost EVERYTHING. I can still have coffee. And sugar. Cue Aretha Franklin: I will survive I will survive Oh, as long as I have coffee In the morning I'll be fine I still have sugar that I'll use And some heavy whipping cream too I will survive I will survive Hey hey!

I haven't done THAT

Sadly, I've done this before. It gives the kids a good chuckle. In other news, I'm having to reestablish food boundaries for myself. Not a diet per se. Seems many of my food allergies that have been on hiatus these last couple years are back. With a vengence. So bye bye to all the yummy foods.

Have any of you watched The Riot and the Dance (Water and/or Earth)? I'm thinking about ordering them.

I've never really liked math. But I'm realizing the reason was because I didn't understand why I was doing things. I just memorized procedures and formulas until there was no more room in my brain to memorize without muddling it all up. I had very little understanding or application to real life. Now, I'm actually enjoying learning alongside Oldest because it's starting to make sense! I'm also sharpening my rusty math skills and applying them in real life because some of my new found hobbies require quite a bit of math and rather than using an online special calculator, I'm enjoying the challenge of doing all my calculations "old school."

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