I have a friend who is an adult. He is 34 years old. As a child and teenager he had ADHD but was never taken to the doctor for it. He struggled greatly in school. He has never once read a book from front to back. One thing on his bucket list is to read a book. I think this is very endearing. He likes history, native american stuff, war themes etc. and I know he likes true stories. Do you have any idea of a good book that I could recommend he read. One that is not a kids book but that would not be too challengin in terms of vocabulary either. Something that might be along the lines of his interest. Thank you so much, I am just wanting to help him out and help him cross one thing off his bucket list Sheryl

I have enjoyed reading most of the replies to this thread. I do wear a two piece, I feel I look my best in it. Interestingly, my two piece has a skirt on the bottom and therefore I show less leg than a woman wearing a one piece. My stomach shows ( I got lucky that two kids didn't do too much damage there) but my upper legs (the area I don't like) is covered. so I go for the two piece with skirt over the one piece. Also , I have found that trashy-ness is more in the personality and how one holds themselves. I have seen women and teenage girls that look very trashy in a one piece and others that look less trashy in a two piece. Does that make sense? Just my thoughts on the issue. I do hope that whatever we wear, we act modestly and feel good about ourselves, just the way we are.

I am in need of around the world flag stickers to use in my kids passports for our geography unit. I found them on amazon but it feels crazy to pay a big shipping fee. Anyone seen these in a teacher/supply store? Sheryl

I have recently ordered singapore for my dd7 who will be going into Second grade. i ordered the textbook, workbook and home guide for 1b and 2a. I have heard that eh CWP are must but gong out of print. I can't buy them all right now even if I would find them. What is the IP you mentioned. My daughter loves puzzle type problems and so what you said interested me. Any insight as to what extras I need to purchase. Thank you Sheryl

Does anyone have experience with how long it takes to get a backordered item? The whole singapore math curr. I ordered is backordered. Are we talking a week, a month, or months? Thanks, Sheryl

I am very! close to ordering Singapore for my dd7 who will be going into 2nd grade (homeschooL). She is sharp and catches on easily but I am switching from Saxon and think that starting with the 1b level might ease her into Singapore more easily. My biggest question....US edition or Standard Edition. What in the world? I don't know which to order. I feel like I do when I go to buy shaving creme/gel at the market, or hotdogs etc. so many options staring me in face and that makes it harder for me. Any suggestions for a singapore wanna be? Thanks Sheryl

I have a 7 year old dd who will be going into 2nd grade. We have used saxon the last two years. She completed saxon 2 this past year in first grade. I am considering switching to singapore..I think it will challenge her more and that she might not be as bored as she has been with saxon. She is a sharp child and catches on easily to new concepts. Would I need to order the 1b and 2a or the 2a and 2b? I was thinking that because of the switch in programs it might be good to go back and start at the end of the previous level. Any wisdom concerning how to order Singapore? Also , why is there a textbook and a workbook? Thank you Sheryl

I am looking into singapore math for my dd7 who will be going into 2nd grade. She is a sharp child and catches on easily and I think has been bored with Saxon. I think she would like the emphasis on more abstract thinking and problem solving of singapore. Since this would be a new program for her, would it be best to purchase the 1b and 2a instead of 2a-2b? Also, why is there a textbook and a workbook? I am not understanding how a day's math lesson would look. Any help in knowing what to order? Thank you Sheryl sorry wrong thread.

Ok.. I thought I had ordered Saxon 3 but now I can't find it. I am starting to think that I dreamed that I ordered it. Now that I don't have it I'm open to thinking about other curriculums. Saxon has served us well in a couple of ways.. I like that it is somewhat scripted and my dd seems to be learning math but not liking it. I also don't like the math meeting. Any suggestions for other great programs...I do think I like the spiral approach but I've never looked at other math programs before. Thanks, Sheryl

A wordless wednesday is something that takes place each Wed. People that want to participate post a picture they have taken on their blogs. I guess they are supposed to be "wordless" but its hard not to give title a or brief description. I love seeing the photos everyone post! Join in the fun. Sheryl

ya'll fogive me for starting the post so early. I'm sick as a dog and about to go to bed and I haven't played in weeks, so here it is. I can't wait to see the others when I check in tomorrow afternoon. Barefoot in Winter www.hazelnutacademy.blogspot.com

I found that if I let my kids stay up later, even a little later such as an extra hour, I pay for it the next couple of days. Something about getting out of a routine. So now bedtime and getting up time stay the same on weekends and that is helping with the I'm tired syndrome. I happen to love Mondays. We get the most school work done on this day. Isn't that weird? And then Thursdays and Fridays the kids don't want to do anything. Go figure! Sheryl

My dd7 is wanting to take piano lessons. We do not have a piano and could probably only afford one of the digital pianos with the touch sensitivity. Could she learn on such an instrument? I really hate to tell her no to piano just because we can't purchase a real piano right now. Any insights would be appreciated. Sheryl

I think GTG was way too thin. Most of the ideas inside are kinda obvious..such as color a map of the country, or color the flag..all of which can be found on the internet. Also, many of the literature suggestions are Five in A Row which I can check out from my library. I also found many suggestions for books on website book lists etc. For me to purchase GTG would have been a waste of money. I will be doing a geography study with my 2nd grader and PreKer and I have found it better to piece it together myself. I have started some plans on my website if you are interested. I think there is a link on the right hand side of the page. www.hazelnutacademy.blogspot.com Sheryl

We are soon starting a unit study on the human body and its systems. This will be for a PreK and first grader. Any one know of a link that would be good for printing out pictures of lungs, heart, liver, brain etc. that we could cut and paste or color and paste into the lapbook. Thanks, Sheryl

I totally ! get why some moms say no. I do understand. But mydd6 got a doll house for Christmas one year and the Barbie dolls fit perfectly intot the house and on the funiture. It is not a Barbie doll house but the size of that doll was a perfect fit. She spends endless time make believing with them. I know its not art or educational or an outside toy but it isn't the tv. She isn't a 7 year old that is into Hannah Montana or High school musical.Most girls we know her age have these teen idols plastered all over there walls. My dd is considered weird that she doesn't know all those songs etc. I'm glad she is playing with dolls instead. You have to do what you feel is best obviously. I was just chiming in with our experience. You are her mom and you know best for her. Sheryl

I just finished Jane Eyre. Oh my...I miss it already. Now I don't know what to read. Its been so long since I was a reader. Any suggestions of great classic lit that is enjoyable. I do like happy endings, thats just me. Any ideas from all the readers that lurk here. Sheryl

I just finished reading Jany Eyre for the first time. I wrote about it on my blog. www.hazelnutacademy.blogspot.com I'm not sure what to read next? Sheryl

Calling all cooks, I need as in capital NEED a couple of really great entertaining recipes, for when we have another family or couple over for dinner. I am not a cook, I do what I need to do and I can follow a recipe but thats about it. My husband and I are wanting to entertain more but I hold back due to my '"failure" in the kitchen. I pick recipes out of books or magazines but its hit or miss if they are any good. Can any cook out there pass along some of their greatness? Thanks, Sheryl

Jennefer, I have been on a quest myself to find the exact school I want us to have and I am seeing more and more CM added to our days. You schedule looks great, I lke the rhythm of classical music with lunch and then poetry and then classical etc. I was wondering about breaks though. I don't see those in there. If you are like me your breaks happen as needed and aren't planned and that may be why you haven't listed any. I am so excited to hear how your new year will go...where it will lead ya'll. Isn't it exciting to have an "awakening" of sorts? Shery

I wrote about Galloping the Globe on my website. I also have some rough draft plans for our Geography/culture studies that I am piecing together based on recommendations etc. www.hazelnutacademy.blogspot.com hope it helps. Sheryl

www.hazelnutacademy.blogspot.com Sheryl

During the holidays they are taped to our doorway for us to enjoy. After Christmas, meaning the day after (yes I'm one of those people), they come down. If they are a friend of my kids, I give them to my kids, all others, even some family ones, get tossed out with the wrapping paper. So sad I know but clutter is becoming my enemy and I must win the battle at all costs!! Sheryl

I keep hearing and reading alot about the wonderful world of Photoshop and all that it can do to enhance your pictures. Is this software really 700 dollars. I couldn't believe it but thats what it said on the website. I have always liked taking pictures and I want to start exploring this "passion" more. Any ideas of a good place to start? Any opinions on photoshop? Sheryl

I just checked this out from the library and I'm excited to read through it. I know this is not an open and go type of book. Thats ok with me. I thought I"d go through it solo (I need the help oh so very much) and then I might use what I learn to teach the kids. Are there any suggestions you might have in using this book with myself and for the kids? also an artist friend of mine has warned me of someone being taught to draw something a particular way. He says it can take years to break them of the habit. Is this book one that will do that? Thanks for the help. If it goes well I may buy the book. Sheryl