I remember that when Michelle Obama put her arm around the Queen, it was a big deal. Evidently, touching is usually a no-no. Do let us know how it goes.

:DI'm off to the bookstore to spend the evening perusing the new TWTM. I'lm taking my oldest for a date night. We'll read--take a break for supper--and read some more until we asked to leave at 11. And I'm sure I'll go ahead and buy the book after deciding all the notes I took are just not enough! :D

yes, I notice a huge difference in my oldest son when he eats diary. He complains of being tired all the time and needs to come home and nap in the middle of the day. He's also a lot more grouchy--which I imagine has to do with being tired. I'm glad to hear that things are looking brighter for you!

I've wondered that also. Good to know its so easy!

I like sausage, cranberries, and chopped walnuts in mine.

Something to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing!

Dressed and ready for the day is our rule. Of course, having said that---I do want to throw on some sweats and lay on the couch under a blanket for school today.:001_smile:

Our favorites are: A Bill, Barter, and Telegraph Line. This list is off the top of my kids' heads--so not sure if they are the correct titles. We have the complete set and listen to them quite often!

aahhh, very cute baby!

Over this past summer, my dd worked on Science Roots. She didn't complete the whole course, but I think knowing the vocabulary of biology will give her a leg up. http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/latinlifesci.htm Perhaps, this might help your son.

Agreeing with Abeyej, HO level 1 was a bust for us. I ordered both levels 1 and 2 this year and felt level 1 was a waste of time. Just use the SOTW guide. I went ahead and planned the SOTW chapters that went with level 2 readings. Level 1 follows the order of SOTW, and level 2 covers history geographically.

Would it work to tuck a sheet of paper in to cover up the opposite page? Can't answer the rationale. I order the book a few years ago and kept it for only a short amount of time.

Everyday: Scripture time--20 minutes Memory time--10 minutes Math--1 hour Grammar/Vocab--45 minutes Spelling--10 minutes 3 times a week: French--45 minutes Writing--45 minutes Science--1 hour History--1 hour Typing--15 minutes Handwriting/Journal Writing--15 minutes Figurative Language/Critical Thinking Workbooks--15 minutes Once a Week: Acting class--2-4 hours--he also works on memorizing lines every day Lit--1 hour--we discuss what he has read and he is currently working on making a bulleten board about the book he is reading. He reads on his own each day and works on the bb for about 10 minutes each day. Art---2 hours Once or twice a week we work on a history project together in the evenings as a family.

just sent it to my dh!:lol:

My dd started attending high school this year. She is taking a biology course this year(earning an A so far). The only science knowledge that the school really wanted her to have was an understanding of the scientific method. Even then, she spent the first four weeks reviewing that and learning about the metric system. At home she had used Noeo science for two years. Before that science was very loosey goosey. We started out following the method in TWTM for elementary, but very quickly transitioned to doing what ever grabbed our interest. I never tested or worried about retention. My point is: Do you really know what the school is expecting him to have learned? Perhaps you could find out what text will be used in school next year and take a look and see what you might need to cover to give him a fair shake going into next year. Also, wanted to add that my oldest ds had a similiar experience going into high school, but the science at his school was so pitiful I can't even think about it without getting angry.

The first thing that stood out to me was the run-on sentences. Does he understand what makes up a sentence? That would be where I would start. Go through the work helping him to pick out each subject/verb combo and also look for complete thoughts. Hope this helps.

I got a big fat box today!!!!! And two things were not included in the box--they are expected later in the week--so my one order will bring me TWO days of excitement!!!!!:lol:

All the Small Poems and Fourteen More is a great one for kids. As it states it is full of small poems--not all funny, but many are.

What makes a math rigorous? For me, making math rigorous is more than the book one chooses. I haven't used exactly the same sequence for any of my five kids. I believe one has to include math in everyday life just as one incorporates reading into everyday life. Teach math so that it can be used. Teach it all different ways. Take the time to think and talk about it throughout your day. Talk about all the different ways one can work out the same problem. Along with reading together as a family, work out logic and math problems together as a family.

We have bought quite a few homes and we have always looked at lots and lots of homes. Even when traveling out of town to look at homes, we manage to fit in 20-30 homes. I look at the work that needs to be done, the neighborhood, layout, size, ect. Price per square foot is not the be-all, end-all. Something we have done with realitors is offer a different percentage according to how much the home sold for. If you want the house to go for more than 150,000 perhaps the percentage is 7%, but if it sells for between 135,00-149,000 the percentage drops to 5 1/2%. Of course it all depends what is customary where you live. We have found the adjusting percentage to be quite a motivater for realitors that want to keep dropping the price. After saying all of this, I have to add that we have a home that has been on the market for about 1 1/2 years. It is in move-in condition, beautifuly staged, at a good price point for the street it is on, ect. It is just a bad time to sell a home right now.

Yes, all of the above. Though I don't think most would think neglect, but I feel that an adult who doesn't stop abuse that is going on is guilty of neglect.

Cheryl, First of all, welcome. Second of all, take a deep breath. I think its great that you are trying to fit it all in, but I would suggest you give yourself and your family a break. Everyone coming home is a big adjustment. If I were you, I would cut back on what you are doing with everyone in the next two months. Maybe pick one or two subjects to concentrate on. In addition, take time to read books together. Do some crafts together. Get ready for the holidays. Spend time outside together. After the holidays, slowly start adding in subjects. The first week back work on math and reading. The next week--math, reading, and spelling. The next week---ect. This way you can slowly work towards a routine and schedule that works for everyone. I know that two months off seems like a long time, but in the over all scheme of things its not really that long and hopefully you can spend that time on strengthing your family bonds.

Not a disservice at all. I have kept my three youngest together(ages 10,10, and 11) together until about the middle of last school year. My 11 yo let me know that he ready for more of a challenge and so now he is working at a high level than his sisters. But up until then I just needed them to be together. We had dealt with several moves at that point and I had two older children--one not dealing with changes in life very well. Hope all works out well for you--and I really enjoyed WP's AW with my children.

Is it rude to not hand out candy? Nope. Is it rude to come begging to someone's door. Yes. Seriously, my kids love Halloween and I have found it to be a bonding time for neighbors in most places I've lived. I have never even thought that the neighbors not handing out candy were rude. Perhaps, they don't celebrate Halloween. Perhaps, they didn't buy candy for what ever reason. Perhaps, they are busy doing something else. Perhaps, they are feeling grumpy tonight and don't want to bother with a bunch of kids. Who knows---what does it matter. My kids always get more than enough candy. We always get to visit with neighbors. My kids get to dress up and have fun. The evening is always enjoyed even if some neighbors don't participate this year. What ever you decide to do--don't feel bad about it.

:) like it