I think it would help to be as familiar as possible with the stories, so read adaptations, like Penelope Lively, Padraic Colum, etc. Also, he might want to listen to audio versions of the Homers and Vergil. . . those are fun.

I just did my first one last weekend, at age 50. It was a mini-sprint, 500 m swim, 10 mile ride and 3K run. It was fun. It sounds like your training is right on target. Besides, the goal is to enjoy yourself and get through it the first time! My swimming still needs a lot of work, though. Is it an open water swim or in a pool?

We asked our doctor and she certainly wasn't going to do it. . . she said "go to the mall!" We went to a small local shop, rather than the mall.

Something to also keep in mind as the kids get older. . . it seems better to ramp up to some homework in the middle school years so they don't get slammed when they hit high school, when it's somewhat inevitable that there's homework, whether they're still home schooling or not. Speaking from experience here! Some of it involves teaching them the responsibility of keeping track of what needs to be done, and when. Time management, etc. Better not to wait until 9th grade.

We've done basically what you've listed: Latin, Greek, math, history, lit/english and science. Because they need some fine arts credits by the end of high school, what I've done is made Greek just 3/4 of a year, with 1/4 devoted to fine arts (music and art) each year. Thus, by the end of four years, there's a full year for fine arts. What that means in practical terms is we spend a bit less time on Greek and periodically do an intensive week of fine arts (usually the week after vacations when it's hard to get back up to speed.)

Another vote for Apples to Apples. Make sure not to get the kid version, though.

I'll tell you when my dh really got it: when I got called for jury duty in the first few weeks of school and ended up having to stay for the whole week. He took time off work and ran school for a week!

We've also followed WTM's recs with Spielvogel Western Civilation, Tindall's American History, Rhodes History of Asia and lots of outside reading. We're planning on using HOAW for Ancients next year.

Can't help you with the TOG schedule, but we read a lot of it and everyone really enjoyed it. The chapters are very clearly titled so it wouldn't be too hard to match it up with a curriculum. . . we were correlating to Spielvogel's Western Civilization and our own made up curriculum, btw.

Eat, Pray, Love Catch-22 The Alchemist

I'd be interested in a similar discussion on ski helmets.

I think the idea of covering the Algebra I text book of whatever series he's going to use for Algebra II is a good idea. And it's math; old textbooks are available for practically nothing. And supplement with Khan Academy and you'll be in great shape.

I totally agree. So much of the ensuing literature refers to works covered in Ancients.

I did notice you said this was your first year homeschooling. I don't know where your children were in school previously, but mine were in the public school and our first year homeschooling we used Saxon 5/4. What I discovered was my dd's math skills were very weak as a result of the public school, so we spent about 2 hours/day on math all year. I would say it paid off in the long run (she's now strong in math as a junior in highschool) but there were a lot of holes in her knowledge and weak spots to review that first year. Hang in there! And do all the problems!

Another thing to consider. . . how far ahead of time are you inviting her? I know our schedule is very busy and if it's less than a week's notice, it's likely something else has already been planned. I can plan around things that are on the calendar the earliest.

I would suggest you watch the play you're going to read first, if he's only read/seen adaptations. I think it's better to read it once you're fairly familiar with it. We've also had good success with some audiobooks that have a full cast of characters. . . we read along with the audiobook. Have fun! I think a comedy is a good place to start, too. Of course, everyone loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and there are some very entertaining older versions to watch, which we got a big kick out of.

Another vote for a French Press. Be sure to get your coffee ground on the coarsest setting at the store.

I would just plan on giving her the gift at a different time.

We've had the Cuisinart for years, and use it a few times a week. You can also cook pancakes on it - it comes with two different sets of plates. We also just ordered the waffle plates for Christmas. Easy to clean because the plates come off.

We take a two hour lunch break. The first hour we walk the dog in the woods, then we have a nice lunch. My kids are older now, (13 and 16) and this is one routine no one wants to change.

Lauren Bush-Lauren, seriously? Maybe he should just go by David Bush!

It really is a book for middle grades. It's also a history of science, rather than an applied science book.

How about changing to a "glutton-free" diet?

I think I would choose based on which one I could see a live performance of. I usually scope out local Shakespeare shows before I decide. Then it's fun to compare to a movie version as well.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/reg/homeschool/state-codes.html