I know I'm not the OP, but thanks, Crystal, this is helpful.

I have "planned" to use those very materials with Jill Pike's syllabus for them over the next 2 years - I figure with the English already figured in with MFW that it might be too much to cover in 1 year, and it might take us that long to get through it anyway - ha! This is our first year with MFW highschool so I have NO idea if this is a grandiose idea or not. I'll keep you posted! We just finished our first week with AHL and it wasn't too bad so I'm hoping it is doable. My son likes having control of his schedule so that is a huge motivator. I just wanted him to have the literary analysis instruction on the front end of highschool even though some of the books used do fit better in WHL. I figure I can tweak and replace assignments in MFW if there is overload. We plan to just add it in a week or so, take it slowly, and see how it goes. If we get any of it done it is icing on the cake as MFW has a full English credit as is.

An Ecoquest air purifier - we have one for our whole house. It really works on any odor and it kills bacteria and viruses on surfaces as well as mold, etc. They aren't cheap but they work. Around $600 for one that will clean 3000 sq. ft. Our house would smell like a nursing home without it. I know from someone in my family who has one that it will take smoke smell out of wood furniture even. People with asthma and allergies really benefit from them.

I agree - you are going to do just fine. You know your kids better than anyone. I use MFW and do not use all of their recommendations. Not sure if that makes me a rebel or just a typical homeschool mom. I have used Christian Liberty Press spelling program for 23 years and found it does a great job and is very inexpensive. I don't know if this approach would work for a child with spelling concerns (you didn't mention any issues), but my kids were all very average and all have turned out to be good spellers. The word lists follow phonics rules. You can see examples on Christian Liberty Press website and probably Rainbow Resource. I would say it is a very traditional approach and similar to Spelling Workout which WTM recommends, but it has Christian content. ETA: CLP spelling is called Building Spelling Skills (not to be confused with Evan-Moore's BSS) HTH Blessings, Penny

We use binders pretty much the same way most folks are saying. I use a different color for each child as well as the same color magazine file to keep smaller books/extra paper, etc. Makes it easy to grab and go. I use avery.com to make my binding inserts for the spines out of cardstock (they could care less - but I like the look of it all being color coded and "cute"!)

Aw, thanks, Crystal! :blush: And since I've met you in real life, I think folks should know that you are dynamite - meaning that big things come in small packages! I never would have guessed that you were so petite! I mean, you just seem this powerful force for MFW, a natural go-getter, and not afraid to jump in there to help someone....I was picturing Amazon Woman. :lol:

I know 3 now! Woo-hoo!

Same here - and Julie in MN too. We are planning on AHL for 9th - are you?

THAT would be SO cool - not probable for me, but a fun thought! And I'll tell Crystal that folks are looking for her over here! ;)

The MFW "go to" person - cbollin! Yep, decided to pm her and see if she wanted to meet in real life since we live close-by, and she took the chance that I wasn't some internet stalker. Crystal is as nice and down-to-earth in real life as she is in cyberworld, and obviously loves the Lord. It was nice to meet someone locally who uses MFW. She has been such a huge support online to me over the years from reading her posts about MFW. Hopefully I can reciprocate somehow for her in the future. Just had to share about my fun experience! :D Penny

I feel like mine started after my 4th child at 38, AND while I was still breastfeeding - my doctor put me on premarin and it worked for a little bit and then got way worse. I took myself off of it, and I bought the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause. It was a lifesaver. I found a doctor who does not treat with synthetic hormones and started me on a natural progesterone cream. Huge difference. Then I got pregnant again at 41 and was shocked to say the least. I did fairly well without the progesterone cream until this past year and she started me back on it again. I highly recommend the book. HTH, Penny

Thank you for sharing! Tears are flowing. What an amazing story, an amazing boy, and our amazing God. So thankful that your son is alive! :grouphug: God does have a special plan for our special boys.

Chattanooga just recently got an Amazon distribution center so this will apply to Tennesseeans now as well. Got my notice from Amazon a few weeks ago. We buy a TON from Amazon every year. Yuck. ETA: Double yuck.

:grouphug: I can do that - praying right now.

Now Jean, you're forgetting that the operative word was "planning". And I may still be doing just that come Aug. 16....;) Oh, and I forgot to add that I am starting a book study on the 12th with some homeschooling moms from church using "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe". Looking forward to that! (My July was looking pretty boring, frankly.) BTW, loved the smores - they were delicious and NO calories. You may have started a new diet fad - "virtual" desserts!