So I do have some leads on a used microscope; I really do want to have one if at all possible. Thanks for responding!

I've read so many threads here today my head is spinning. I know where I can order lab materials, I just wonder how much I need (limited budget)? If we use all their digital tools (which is what the local public charters use - no hands on lab work at all), plus the home "kitchen labs" plus a dissection kit and lab manual, but don't order a microscope/supplies to go with it, is that enough for basic 9th grade biology? I know there are many online microscope/lab options, and I'm assuming that Holt's online tools must include some of that ... just trying to fit my head around what exactly to order. So many of the lab kits include microscope work, but I've seen a dissection only kit at Sonlight. Other suggestions for me? (I have an 8th and 9th grader who are not particularly sciencey thus far, but solid A-B students, and I'm trying to keep the "go to college" door open without breaking the bank.) If I just absolutely need to get a microscope, I need to hear that, too, just wondering if anyone has awarded lab credit based on the digital labs and dissection alone, and how that went. Thanks for any help! ETA, I see Ebay has used Amscope (40x-1000x Biological Science Student Compound Microscope) for $50. If that would be adequate for most labs, with a kit like the ones from Quality Science Labs, I might be able to swing that. Realistic or no?

A mini-trampoline

I don't but am surrounded by people IRL who do ... and I would definitely recommend the pink truth site as you consider.

You have a lot else going on, but whenever a child who doesn't normally wet the bed starts, you may also want to have blood sugar checked to rule out type 1 diabetes.

40 to get to our required 180

So sorry - we were diagnosed with strep and flu types A and B today. It's a bad year for sickness! Get better soon (hug)

Stir fry with kale and garlic! http://blog.sigsiv.com/2009/02/chickpeas-and-kale-stir-fry.html

LOL! We usually start mid-July because it's SO hot here, and school 4 days a week until we hit our required 180 days. Enjoy!

I sometimes use AWANA verses as copywork (a phrase at a time), but not on the same day as WWE.

Ah, what a helpful thing to know! :D Many times I get a similar word, I wonder if it's worth the battle to correct to 'perfect' so I appreciate you sharing this.

Yes, or some similar kind of community group. Our church youth group inherited a free pool table - the price tag was that they had to figure out how to get it from the home to the church, and they did! :D

Going gluten-free helped mine as well; I can always tell when I've gotten glutenized, because among other symptoms, I break out again.

I'm not super-girly or high maintenance. I only really style my hair on Sundays. I wear t-shirts and jeans. But I can count on one hand the number of times I've left the house without makeup since about 13 years old. I'm pasty white with big bags under my eyes, so people always ask if I'm sick:tongue_smilie:

:iagree:

This year, my 3rd grader did WWW and really enjoyed it. She needs programs that break down steps very incrementally, so it worked well for her, and she's really learned to put together paragraphs well. That said, we aren't doing just WWW. She's in WWE2 and R&S English3. It hasn't been too much writing since we do most of R&S orally (except the diagramming). Sometimes if it feels like too much, if there has been a lot of writing in WWW, we'll skip the writing part of R&S until the next day, or do it orally as in WWE2. Next year, we'll continue this pattern unless it stops working for us.

We've seen pediatricians in multiple states and countries - and have never been asked to submit to a 'privates' check past diaper stage. If mine refused, I might explain why the doctor wants to check, but if they were adamant, I'd support their decision.

We love MM - have used Light Blue levels 1-3 so far. Level 1 was no problem in black and white, but there have been some pages in 2 and 3 where color was necessary; if you can do a little printing at a time, you can save by printing mostly in b/w, only color where needed. If you're getting it printed/bound, I might go ahead with color, just in case.

Yes, after a few snarky "Well, you're not IN China anymore" comments, I got that hint. It's lonely being 'home.' Forever changed, forever missing someone/something no matter which side of the ocean you live in. But I wouldn't trade the years overseas for anything. :grouphug:

Oh, I hear you! I wear my leather winter coat to Sunday School, and still shiver ... I'm threatening to carry a blanket next week!

Mine are not allowed to watch tv or go outside (until I'm up) but can play Wii or play quietly somewhere inside. This morning, DS played Wii while DD completed all her seatwork!

I hadn't heard this, thanks! :D

Conyers also has the GA International Horse Park, with an arboretum, nature center, bike and horse trails, and horse shows, if that's of interest to you. I'd definitely go to Stone Mountain and possibly the Coke and Discovery museums.

OMG, yes I can hear it and it makes me want to smash the computer! Yikes! (I'm 37)

thanks for sharing!