I definitely feel not done. I have vivid dreams where there is another child, but I never see the kid's face. I regularly will be out and about with my kids and suddenly have a panic moment that I've lost one--at a park, crossing a parking lot, at the beach, even sometimes when I am calling the kids for dinner or something--but they are all four there. My dh is also baby hungry, but he doesn't want me to be pregnant again. During my last pregnancy, when they were talking about trying to get me to 37 weeks before induction, but why they might need to induce earlier, he asked what exactly they were worried about happening. When the doctor said the word stroke, in that instant he was absolutely done with pregnancy. We would love to adopt, but adoption is so stinking expensive.

My dd6 is older-1st age (7 in November). She's somewhat asynchronous and learns differently from her siblings. I am finally beginning to figure out how she needs things to be able to learn well. Phonics--AAR 2 (After years of OPG, we switched to AAR. Phonics are finally starting to click!) Spelling--I am going to give R&S Spelling by Sound and Structure that we already have a try for a month, but then switch to AAS if it's not working. I expect she will need the AAS approach, but want to give the simpler, more affordable option a chance. Penmanship--Pictures in Cursive C, D, & E Writing--copy work, narration and dictation Grammar--only if the charter insists, as I think it should wait until she is reading well. I don't know what. Math--Singapore Primary Mathematics 2b/3a and Beast Academy 2 History--SOTW 3 Science--finish up BFSU 1, begin 2, maybe also include Mystery science, may do a big science fair project unit Art--Child-size masterpieces and lots of supplies for free use Music-Violin Suzuki Lessons; maybe introduce reading music? Interest--she has asked to learn German. I am putting together my own curriculum based on German preschool songs with lots of movement involved for her learning style.

Thanks

They actually decided at the last minute to fund my husband's position for another year. Also, my kids were accepted to one of the very few charters in Oregon that runs similarly to those in CA that give funds for homeschooling. So dh is still taking the test to be able to work in CA (we already spent our savings on the fees for it), but we will be able to stay here until the results come in November, and he will start looking for work down there after that. It is a huge relief, and I am now dealing with the relatively minor stresses of trying to figure out how to make my plans for next year and have a productive beginning to the school year when I don't speak with the educational specialist or order curriculum until mid September???

Not locked in, but inclined towards it because dd has used their book already. I will look up and compare the others you mentioned, though, thank you.

We deal with this all the time when we visit relatives in San Diego. Any public, touristy place we go, we will have Asian tourists getting excited about our kids, pointing them out to friends, taking pictures--one even following us for a ways snapping lots and lots of pictures. I guess four young kids close together in age, some blondes/blue-eyed, are just remarkable in their experience. On the one hand, I don't believe there's ever any ill intent, but it does make me somewhat uncomfortable. When our transmission went out last year and we were figuring out how to afford a new one so we could get home, dh joked that we should just go to the tourist spots and charge the Asian tourists for their photos of/with the kids.

Has anyone used this? What do you think of it? Would you consider it for a younger student? It says it is aimed at students around 5th to 9th grades with no background in Latin. Dd8 would be going into 3rd by age. By content she is generally a grade or two ahead. She has done SSL 1 and the first half of Big Book 1 in Latin, though she needs a refresher, since she hasn't done any Latin for half a year. (We dropped all extras when I was going through a meltdown this winter.) It would be her first online course.

Not really fantasize, but I have been giving it a lot of thought as I have watched my mom struggle these last couple years since my youngest brother graduated. I always wanted a big family (around 8 or 9 kids), but my problems with my pregnancies have interrupted that plan. We are interested in adopting, but can't afford it now, and I don't know if my husband will still want to by the time we can afford it--his siblings are very close in age and he doesn't like the idea of having a very big gap between kids so that some of them don't really grow up together. Motherhood has always been my "career", and I've never really wanted any other. When my youngest graduates, I will be 46--way too early to retire. I really don't know what I'll do with myself.

I have two littles of my own, plus two extra littles that come twice a week to do preschool with us. Having them scheduled to come keeps me from letting the preschooly stuff slide completely. Even so, we're pretty relaxed with lots of unstructured play. I plan for my older girls to have lighter loads of their more teacher-intensive subjects on those days, and they mostly do independent work during the ~1.5 hour time I am working with the littles. I do a mini violin lesson for each of them, pulling out one of my independent school-time activities for those who are waiting their turns (like pattern blocks, c-rods, magnet dolls, watercolors, play dough, etc.), and then I do preschool math or phonics with those who want to, one at a time with the little cuddled in my lap. After that, they all go jump on the trampoline or play Legos or color for a while and I do some work with my older girls. Then during lunch, they join in as we work on memorization, listen to read-alouds, or work on Spanish. They seem to be doing well with their little doses of individual attention and lots of independent play. The other days of the week, I still do violin with my boys, but usually no other individual subjects.

-shower, dress, hair -dressed, breakfast, cleanup -My extra preschoolers are coming today, but I've already told dad we're not actually doing preschool. They can just jump on the trampoline and color. -violin practice for dd6 on songs for tonight -phonics for dd6 -grammar, piano & handwriting for dd8 -math facts practice for dd6 & dd8 -pin up costume for our unreliable actress; I haven't altered that one to fit the kid because I'm worried she won't show, and I'll have to stand in for her. But supposedly she's coming, so I'm going to employ a couple dozen safety pins. -print out extra scripts for the prompters -find replacement for "jewel" prop that went missing -make the stage "blood" -prepare my little intro blurb -practice waves scene with ds4 and preschooler4 -practice hair scene with dd8 -practice song with dd8 -feed them lunch, cleanup -charge ipad and download movie for littles to watch when they're waiting -pick up snacks for the kids in the waiting room -check mail -maybe find an excuse to drive around for a while until ds4 falls asleep so he will nap, so he doesn't fall asleep in the costume room tonight -do dd6' hair for play -load up everything in car -feed kids early dinner -go open up stage, get my kids all ready and costumed first -go over waves scene one more time as soon as those kids arrive -do hair for girls who come without it done, get everyone costumed -make sure cross garters are on right so they don't fall off mid-scene -Twelfth Night performance! -sleep :)

Oi, this week! -shower -everyone up, dressed, fed, hair done -clean up from breakfast -pack lunches -go through packing list for boys' clothes -instruments practiced for all 4 -phonics for dd6 -handwriting and L.A. for dd8 -math facts practice for dd6 & dd8 -drive to town to the south -get tires rotated on car -purchase grocery items, final odds and ends for the play, items for ds' birthday, anniversary?, items for trip, clothing items for family picture -piano lesson -talk to piano teacher about becoming a vendor for charter -violin lessons -contact my violin student -ask around if someone has a video camera and can record the play -call charter to ask questions -drive back -dinner at friends' -haircuts for dh and ds3 -shear rabbit -make copies (if I can squeeze it in)

Thank you for the suggestions!

-everyone up, fed, hair done, breakfast cleaned up -search again for missing phone -instruments practiced -direct play practice -lunch -get kids signed up for summer reading program -call charter school -phonics for dd6 -math and handwriting for dd8 -math facts practice and spelling for both -buy laundry detergent, paper plates, birthday cake ingredients, photo album -wash all laundry in house -get kids' clothes packed for trip except for swim things -finish last bit of work cleaning out little bedroom -shear rabbit -go over dd8's math lesson plans -make dinner -make copies (if I can squeeze it in)

My kids have been accepted to a charter that provides funds for curricula and educational activities-$2500 total for three kids. I am used to reusing everything for my younger kids and hunting for deals on used curriculum in advance, so I actually already have quite a bit of what I need for next year. After making a list of everything my kids might possibly get to by the end of the school year (including two levels of Beast Academy, Caesar's English, AAR and a number of fun things I had looked at and decided against because of cost) and also the cost for my kids' music lessons for ten months (assuming piano teacher is willing to become a vendor; violin teacher is much more flexible), there is still $700 more to spend. I get the impression from the wording on their website that they will not cover instruments or field trips. I am trying to get a hold of them to ask for sure, but apparently they are super busy this time of year. Keeping in mind that we live in the middle of nowhere with very little in the way of activities or classes for kids available, no museums or anything like that, what would you spend the money on? Here are some ideas I was considering: -soccer in the fall -mystery science -audible membership -language convo foreign language tutoring -nice art supplies If they will pay for it (but I doubt they will): -nice next size violin for dd6 -visit to wild animal safari park that is the closest thing to a zoo in less than 6 hours of driving (they have no family memberships) -go to see a Shakespeare play--this would mean a 4 hour drive each way, but we could work it out for one day. I really wanted to take my girls to one this year to go along with our history study, but there was no way we could afford it and the curriculum we needed, too.

-get everyone up, dressed, and fed -cut dd6's hair (unless someone knows how to get silly putty out of hair?) :( -trim ds4's bangs -take kids to go see their friends' ballet performance of the Velveteen Rabbit -do violin practice with my three youngers -make sure dd8 does her piano practice -math facts practice for dd6 and dd8 -phonics with dd6 -handwriting and spelling for both girls -math and L.A. for dd8 -chores -2 loads of laundry -dishes -move cubbies out of little bedroom, move dresser and bookshelf -fix veil for Olivia's costume -fix cross garters for Andrew's costume -plan and prep dinner Okay, so actually I picked up some frozen pizzas from the grocery store. -put up fliers for play

We make the 18 hour trip to my folks' every year. It's tough, but manageable. My husband can fall asleep any time, anywhere, so we pack the car and then he goes to bed super early the night before. Then around 3 a.m., we carry the sleepy kids out to the car and get started, and they drop back off to sleep. After a while I will fall back asleep while dh drives. When the kids and I wake up around normal time, I pass back yogurts and bagels to all the kids for breakfast. When we make our first stop for the bathroom and gas and to switch drivers, we have about five hours behind us and the kids are still fresh. I have a box of travel toys, games, finger puppets, etc. that I only bring out for these trips, and I always have a ton of snacks--including some junky things I never normally buy, so the kids are super excited about them. Those things keep them happy for a couple of hours, and then we do more interactive things. We play the alphabet game or 20 questions or 'what if?', listen to audiobooks, sing disney and broadway songs together. When I'm driving, dh might tell them one of his musical stories with his tin whistle. Around the time they are getting crabby despite those things, we stop for lunch, stretch our legs, hop around, etc. They each get a special treat or drink to have in the car when we get going again, and another dose of Dramamine. After a while, they generally all nap for a couple of hours (even though they never nap at home). When they wake up, another round of snacks and stories/music will keep them happy for a while longer. Around 4 to 4:30 things start to get hairy, especially with the middle two. We do our best to distract them, and may or may not succeed in keeping everyone calm until we can stop for a longer dinner break. By six we are ready to get going again, and everyone is very tired, but we talk up all the fun things we will be doing and how excited their cousins will be to see them, and how big do you think cousins' puppy is now?, and wow, look how far we've come on the map, and how small the rest of the way looks compared to how far we have traveled today!, and hey, do you recognize that building, I remember seeing that one last year. If we're lucky, the littler ones will drop back off to sleep for the last hour or two before we get in around 9.

My theory used to be that I would just make meals that included something that each of them would eat, and then ask them to have a tiny serving of each item (like, maybe two bites) before eating all they wanted of their favorites. But that theory assumed I would be able to predict what they would want to eat. My oldest constantly changes what she is willing to eat without warning. It drives me crazy. She will randomly decide that a food she has always loved is now inedible, and that I must be nuts to expect her to eat the meal I just made specifically because it was one of her favorites. When she started refusing mozzarella cheese (hello, PIZZA? this child would have happily lived off of pizza before!), I gave up. Now I just make food, and they can eat it or not. Letting them feed themselves instead was a no go. In one sitting at dinner time one of my picky eaters would devour enough dry cereal to feed all of my kids breakfast for two days, or enough bread to make sandwiches for lunch for two days, or an entire stack of plain flour tortillas. They would promise to clean up after themselves, make a huge mess, and then throw a fit when actually required to clean it up. (HOW does one make that kind of mess with tortillas???) As mean as it sounds, I now just make what I feel like making (generally things they have enjoyed at some point in the past), and that's what there is until breakfast. My picky eaters have gotten to the point where, if they are hungry enough, they will usually eat a little of the offered dinner to tide themselves over until the next breakfast.

Yay! Is he going to be doing Language Arts there, too, or just math?

DH and I have a great marriage. I always love and like him; being irritated by a behavior in the moment does not = disliking the person, who is always the sum total of his parts, not just what he is doing at that instant. We do disagree sometimes, but we never fight; when there's a problem, we discuss it calmly and considerately. It's not from a lack of stress in our life. We have experienced difficult times, health problems, unemployment, financial troubles, a very sick baby, depression, etc. We both made a conscious decision to establish healthy communication patterns and speak to one another the way that we would like to be spoken to. I grew up with the model of parents in an excellent, considerate relationship. Dh had both parents who fought constantly and a prior failed marriage, and he was determined to build a relationship with healthy, strong, kind communication. He has yelled once in eleven years of marriage. This is making me reflect on my communication patterns with my kids. I hate it when I yell at them. As someone said upthread, it is way easier to get along well with someone who is generally reasonable and considerate of you, but. . . If I can make a conscious decision of what kind of communication I will have with my husband, and stick to it in the moment, can't I do the same thing with my kids? I can't control their responses, but I should be able to control myself.

-shower -everyone up, dressed, hair done -breakfast and cleanup -chores -try again to contact play lady -violin practice with my three youngers and my two extra preschoolers -make sure dd8 practices piano -math facts practice for dd6 and dd8 -preschool time:math/phonics for ds4, ds3, and preschooler4 if they want to -phonics with dd6 -L.A. with dd8; handwriting, math, &spelling with dd6 & dd8 -history and spanish -make and feed everyone lunch, and cleanup -run the trash and recycling to the dump -fold and put away two loads of laundry -plan and prep dinner -direct Twelfth Night play practice -cook dinner and direct cleanup -measure; if it will fit, clear room and move new dresser into little bedroom -print up flyers about the play

-purchase and print TC for dd8 -everyone dressed, chores, dd6's hair -pack lunches -text to see if my violin student is available for a lesson this afternoon -tune violins -do violin practice with my 3 youngers -phonics with dd6 -math facts practice for dd6 and dd8 -make sure dd8 practices piano -prep dinner -pack up music books, math, spelling, dd8's L.A. -drive to town to the south -get oil changed and tires rotated on car I ran out of time. I'll have to do the tires next week when we drive down again. -work on math with dd6 and L.A. with dd8 during car work -feed them lunch -dd8's piano lesson, finish dd6's math while we wait and littles play -violin lessons: ddb does math -quick stop by grocery store -drive back to home town (girls do spelling in car) -violin lesson, if student is available She wasn't. -talk to ballet teacher about becoming a vendor for charter next year -fold at least two loads of laundry -cook dinner, feed everyone -dishes, teach/have dd6 help I decided to clean the fridge instead.

-order school books I need for summer -dishes -get kids to do their chores -math facts practice for dd8 & dd6 -do violin practice with each of my three youngers and my two extra preschoolers -make dd8 practice piano -phonics with dd6 -math, handwriting, & spelling for dd8 and dd6 didn't finish math -make time to do math with ds4 and preschooler4 if they want to -feed them all lunch -talk to my preschoolers' dad about changing the schedule for the Fall -call theater lady about play practice -call luthier about instrument repair -talk to landlord -plan/prep dinner -fold at least 2 loads of laundry -stop by bank -return library books -load up props and costumes -direct Twelfth Night play practice -feed everyone dinner

I don't think Singapore 1a will be too much serious math too soon if you continue to use it at his pace. At a normal first grade pace would, but with my kids in a similar situation, I have tried to use curriculum that is appropriate to their academic level in doses appropriate to their age level. If you want to do cursive, my girls love Pictures in Cursive because of the beautiful artwork included. I wish there were something similar for my son who needs a slower more incremental approach to handwriting. I am leaning towards Handwriting Without Tears for him, but am concerned that he will be very disappointed that it is missing the artwork.

I never realized that many churches do weddings as a sort of side business. It had actually never occurred to me that a church would charge money for one of its own members to be married there. In my church culture, couples are married in the temple with a very small group of family members and closest friends present, then do family pictures outside and have a reception with many more relatives and guests later in the day, usually at the church meetinghouse or the backyard of a friend or family member. They may wear tuxes or suits, and they may dress in coordinated bridesmaids' dresses or not (for the photos only, there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen in the ceremony). The locations don't cost anything. There is never any alcohol. There is usually a meal, which might be catered, or might be pulled together by the ladies at church offering to help out, and a cake. No live music, unless maybe they have a musical family member who wants to share. So even one of the most expensive wedding receptions I have been to would still only have a cost for catering, flowers (for the wedding party, not huge decorations), pictures, and clothes.

It is ridiculously difficult to get a jury to convict in cases of pedophilia with an adult woman and a boy around puberty or older. When a girl is molested, people see a victim, even if she stands up and says that it is true love. When it's a boy, they say, "Lucky him." The prosecutor winds up having to argue the case, not only for the facts, evidence, and law, but also to convince the jurors of the permanent damage this type of relationship does to the victims. Otherwise, they are very likely to wind up with what my dh calls a 'jury pardon'--when the facts of the case and the law are completely undeniable, but they find not guilty because they personally don't think the crime merits the legal punishment. (This is really common in, for example, marijuana drug cases.)