My 6th grader learns 20 spelling words a week.

:smilielol5:

It's dear to me too. :001_smile:

Simple Gifts is a Shaker hymn. Here is a link to a Wikipedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Gifts There is another, newer version, called "Lord of the Dance", which is a hymn we sing at my church (Presbyterian).

They said that they played "Simple Gifts", not "Lord of the Dance". Same tune but different lyrics. "Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free..." not "Dance, dance where ever you should be". Does that make you feel better?

Really impressive!

I do accept that his fear is real. But there are times when it is keeping him from doing things he would really like to do (like play with my friend's children). So that is why I want to help him overcome it. But maybe he just needs to keep missing out on the fun, in order to finally decide he wants to separate from me? I don't want to make him more fearful. Thanks for your advice about leaving him for very short amounts of time and building up to a longer separation. I appreciate it. :001_smile:

Nope - going for a mammogram.

:iagree:I would scan them.

I don't think there has been an incident in the last six months that is causing this. He has always been clingy, but has been getting worse instead of out-growing it. When I ask him what he thinks will happen if I am not there, he can't articulate a specific fear or worry, just that he doesn't want me to leave him. So, I don't know if I should keep waiting for him to get over this on his own, or force the issue.

I would say travel or jewelry.

Anybody have any experience with this? Ds7 has become more clingy in the last six months, instead of outgrowing a need to have me with him all the time. He will separate from me if his father, or grandparents will be with him, but I can't leave him with anyone else. A dear friend is perfectly willing to watch him this week when I go to the doctor. Ds7 knows her, loves to play with her children, has been to their house many times, will have his older brother with him, but is panic-stricken at the thought of being left there for an hour while I go to my appointment. I will only be about 7 minutes away from him by car - literally just down the road. Part of me says to just leave him with my friend to help him overcome his fear. The other part of me is worried about making his separation anxiety worse by leaving him with my friend. Any advice for me? :confused:

:smilielol5:I know just how you feel.

I think happiness is more transient and temporary than contentment. I am content with my life overall. Some days I'm joyful,:smilielol5: some days I'm happy,:thumbup: and, every once and awhile, I am sad or angry.:banghead: But overall, I am content with my life. I don't think it is realistic to be happy all the time.

In that case, I change my vote. Buy the pop-up. :D

I'm not the OP, but really appreciate everyone's answers too. We want to head that way in 2010 for vacation. A question though - if we went to NC in September, would we have warm ocean water, and the benefit of off-season rates?

Isn't it "awarded"? That is what is coming to mind. Not entirely sure though.

I vote to drive to Disney World. I don't know where you are in the Midwest, but we drove there from Ohio several years ago and saved on plane fare. My boys, who at the time were just-turned-8 and almost 4 years old, loved Disney. But, we aren't a camping family so I would never buy a pop-up. I think there is something really special about a Disney vacation with young kids. There is definitely a window of time, in my mind, after which they have outgrown all the Magic Kingdom characters and such. It was important to me to go to Disney when my kids would still be excited about meeting Mickey Mouse, kwim? We plan to take them again when they are older, but it won't be as special as going when they were young.

Also look at Sonlight cores 6 & 7 for lit ideas to beef up SOTW.

Yes. If your daughter is college bound, she will need a diagnosis and paper trail to qualify for accommodations. This is why we are currently pursuing a diagnosis for my ds11. I am starting with his pediatrician.

:iagree:

His handwriting will absolutely improve as he gets older. I saw a big improvement in ds7 this year in second grade. Ds11 still has horrible handwriting (print and cursive) because of underlying issues. So absent a learning disability or other condition, your son should improve with time and practice. We also used maze and dot-to-dot books like another poster mentioned. :001_smile:

Have you looked at Teaching Textbooks? I believe it would meet all your requirements. :001_smile:

:iagree: Jeannie Fulbright's science curriculum would be a good option for a few years. http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/home.html