It might not have originally been intended as a 'curriculum', but my girls and I use this: http://www.naxos.com/naxosbooks/mfcmb/index.html We read a one or two page spread, listen to the music and talk about it and then dance (improvisational prancing around) to it. They *LOVE* it. We're almost done and I thought we'd move to "The story of the Orchestra" http://www.amazon.com/Story-Orchestra-Listen-Instruments-Composers/dp/1579121489/ref=sr_1_4?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285614324&sr=8-4#_ which looks similar.

I had trouble with Rs and gave up speech therapy after a few years. I think I do okay with them now. Or maybe people just assume I'm from Boston? 'R' is particularly hard because in American English, the actual articulatory movement that your tongue has to do is not consistent among speakers. I don't remember the details of the study, but I remember reading that (based on x-ray or MRI) there are at least 8 different tongue placements for the 'r' sound in English. Personally, if your son isn't bothered by his speech, I wouldn't worry.

We've just been going to the local Y, which has two types of gymnastics classes. The regular one has kids at 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 6+ (where a child begins level 1). The second one is streamlined towards team, starting at ages 4-6, then a program for ages 6-8 which graduates directly into team at around 8. Most kids on the team went through the streamlined classes and very few came up through the regular school aged (level 1, level 2, etc...) program.

I had pneumonia one time and I have to say that it *really* knocked me out. I think I was out of work for 3 weeks, but it was actually months before I wasn't achy and out of breath. The chest pain after pneumonia is probably pleurisy and lasted for about a month. I lost 15lb from pneumonia.

My 6 yr old does 1 page/day (unless there aren't many problems...). My 8 yr old is taking a break from MM. I think we used to do one lesson/day and she burnt out after a year. Now I have trouble getting her to do even a page. I'm thinking about other non-workbook options (TT).

This will give you a good idea of toilets around the world... http://www.cromwell-intl.com/toilet/

We love our 6 hens (we're in a town and that's all we're allowed). We'll eventually eat them when they're about 2 - 2 1/2 yrs old. We get between 4-6 eggs/day. Plus, they're fun to watch. Our hens are probably spoiled, but they're awesome. The construction of our coop cost a lot more than I expected, so it would probably take a while to actually make it worthwhile financially.

I had the same concerns between ETC 3 and 4, but I've found that my daughter has been able to figure out the multisyllabic words just fine. I'd just continue on... also continue having him read to you from easy readers and point out different vowel combinations as you come across them. Or supplement!

I think it depends on the child. Unless I were to see some kind of reading problem (either decoding words or comprehension of texts), I'd drop it as soon as the child was reading fluently anything that they come across. For my oldest, this was after kindergarten, but I would guess my younger will be in probably third grade before we drop reading instruction. I think when reading instruction becomes busywork with no appreciable knowledge or skill gained, then I'd drop it.

Depending on what you think about legalization about marijuana... this book will probably strike many of you as *truly horrible*. It was given to us by a family member, though I haven't read it to my girls. http://www.justaplant.com/ Anyway, we joke about when "It's just a drink" and "It's just a pill" and "It's just a needle" will come out.

In "about" and "above" you say the 'a' as 'ay' (/ei/)? In a standard American English pronunciation, I'm pretty sure it's just a schwa -- which makes sense because the stress is on the second syllable. Unstressed syllables change to a schwa.

Galore Park Latin Prep would be a good option for those ages...

How about Kilgallon's Sentence Composing for Elementary School? I like that the example sentences are authentic, good-quality children's literature. I've used his college materials in teaching remedial English students at community college with good success... and I just got the elementary book for my own daughter.

My daughter just read the Books of Elsewhere and said it was good and spooky. I think she also liked Aunt Maria by Diana Wynne Jones. She loves Eva Ibbotson. She liked The Graveyard book and Coraline, though I find them sort of... dark-spooky, not playful-spooky.

Interesting poll! I'd like to try raw milk, but can't find a source... except raw goat milk, which I used to buy until the family finally rebelled and told me they couldn't stand the goatiness.

LOSE LOSE LOSE weight, not LOOSE weight.

Murderous Maths "Awesome Arithmetricks" is something that my LOF-loving daughter also loves. But it's probably aimed at the same upper-elementary age.

By 8, I'd definitely recommend getting a real camera, not one which is aimed at kids particularly. We have some 'kids' cameras and they're fine for my younger, but the quality is pretty poor and my older daughter notices.

We love brainpop! I think some school districts and perhaps even libraries do have subscriptions, but we had to buy it. I actually went ahead and bought the 5 year subscription (after renewing for two years in a row).

My girls do go part-time to a pretty laid back school where they take classes in knitting and 'garden fairies' and yoga... but there is structure to it... and there are more academic classes too, though not enough for my taste (which is why we also do work at home). Anyway, I think if you have classical leanings, you (as a parent) might have a hard time at a Waldorf or Sudbury/free/democratic school. But who knows? And if you approach it purely as daycare, it might not be a big deal...

Can you call a native speaker to find out? I did a quick google and it is Crow... which doesn't have an /r/ at all. According to wikipedia it's Apsáalooke; IPA: [əpsaːloːke] So something more like: uh psah loe keh. The stress placement rules look complicated. Really, I'd call someone. Good luck!

I'd choose whichever one she wants to do. She could always change her mind later. I usually offer my girls a few possibilities for lessons and let them choose. I think they make pretty good choices! My younger gravitates towards gymnastics -- she's a compact muscular little girl who is fearless. She isn't very good at standing still and following directions - so ballet is out. My older gravitates towards ballet -- she's a lean, graceful girl who likes classical music. She's afraid of heights and afraid of hurting herself -- so gymnastics is out. Realistically though, I wouldn't be in favor of either of them becoming professional gymnasts or ballet dancers. It's not a life I would choose for them.

We'll be taking a trip this weekend to pick our new puppy from a breeder outside of Portland. I went to college in Portland, but haven't spent much time there in 15 years... Any sites I need to see? I figured I'd take the girls to OMSI and Powells. Since we've moved to a small town, it'll be a treat to go to a city with big shops like Ikea. I heard there was a homeschooling bookstore outside of Portland? Thanks!

I've only ever used london broil as stew meat, but I think of stewed dishes as more appropriate for winter. I think the marinade, rare, stir-fry concept sounds delicious. Good luck!

The answer key is in the back of the texts (at least in the back of mine...) from Lulu and on the PDF.