I am going to use Elemental Science biology. We haven't started yet, but I love the layout of the program (I already have the manual) and the books/spines it uses. It also follows the WTM way for 1st grade science. Check it out http://www.elementalscience.com/ .

So DH and I want a special treat this weekend and want to cook our own lobster tails. We'ver never done it before though so any advice on the best way to cook them? We can boil, steam, broil or grill them -- just not sure how :-). Thanks much!

I sent my boys to a mom's morning out program at age 3 (2 days a week) and preschool (3 days a week) for age 4. At the time, I wasn't sure if I would be homeschooling or if they would go to private school. I did not send them to preschool for academic reasons, as they were ahead of most K and 1st graders, but I did want to see how they were socially with other kids and with instruction from someone other than me. They LOVED it and I'm so glad I sent them. They are graduating from preschool today, but they have friendships from school (with nice kids) that will continue to blossom I think. Now I'm looking forward to beginning our homeschool journey :-). Good luck in whatever you decide.

Hi all! I'm heading to my first homeschool convention in 2 weeks. I know I want to check out the vendor tables (and purchase a few things I have already decided I'm using), I want to go the used curriculum sale, and I just went through the list of workshops I want to attend. How does one do it all? I know I'm attending the newbie sessions on Thursday. I guess I can hit the vendor tables after the workshops (WHEN EVERYONE ELSE DOES?!?!?). I want to get to the used curriculum sale when it first opens. What does one do?!?!? Also, I'm pretty set on using Rightstart Math. Has anyone been to their workshop on Abacus-Based Mathematics? Is it worth going to 'cause there are 3 other sessions I want to attend in that time slot :blink:! How does one decide? Oh the decisions... Thanks much!!!

My boys will be 5 in a month and are currently taking American Red Cross swim lessons. They were not kids that spent a lot of time at the pool and weren't comfortable at all so my dad and I went in with them for the 1st 8 lessons (started in late March I think). I'm glad we did (they became more comfortable with both the pool and their instructors) and they are now on their 2nd session in the pool by themselves.

I heard about the WTM and this forum on a twin site I belong too. Dh and I decided this past winter that I will homeschool my twins for K starting in August. I started coming to this board to figure out my game plan and now I'm hooked :001_smile:. You all are such a wealth of information and I love coming here.

I would go to an ENT. I went to an ENT for ringing in my ears and they did a hearing test as part of my exam. Good luck! Mendy

Melissa, thanks so much. I will check back!

I just checked this thread again today! Thanks so much. We will definitely put this on our list of things to do.

One of my boys (almost 5) is reading at a 4th-5th grade level. His twin's reading just took off and he tests at 1st-2nd grade level. I've been picking up the books listed in the SL catalog for the various reading levels. My son that is reading at a higher level could read these books and can read chapter books like the A-Z Mystery series and Magic Tree House series. However, I've been reading through some of the Sonlight recommended books and I'm going to hold off for awhile because I don't think they are emotionally ready to read some of the sensitive "stuff" in some of them. Mainly, I'm really trying to remember that he/they are so young and they can still benefit and love all the wonderful picture books out there. So I will have them read some of the content appropriate reading material in the Sonlight curriculm, but am planning to read tons of pictures books too.

Just found these at the library and love them!

One of my sons (almost 5) is like this. He doesn't try to be mean, but he isn't usually gentle. HE DOES EVERYTHING BIG! He has a very sweet little soul though. He does have some mild sensory issues and I do some of the things mentioned here-- recommended by his OT. It is amazing how he instantly calms down when he gets a firm massage!!! Just amazing. He loves to be played with "hard" and tickled so I try to do that a little each day. Now he is trying to tickle me back though and he hurts when he does it :-). He also needs to burn a lot of energy. His twin isn't anything like him -- very gentle. He was not formally diagnosed with sensory processing disorder as his sensory issues were pretty mild. You might want to get him evaluted by and OT though and they may be able to offer you some other advice.

:lurk5: as we are going in September. Any idea how far the Roanoke Aquarium is from Duck, NC? Thanks!

Thanks ladies! You convinced me to start with Rightstart A and I'm going to get the starter kit and the appendices. We are getting ready to move so it will be nice to have the appendices already printed for me :-).

For those who used or are using Rightstart Math, what kit did you buy to get started? I will be teaching twins -- one who should probably start at Level A and one who could start at Level B. I think I'm going to start both at Level A (I don't want to miss anything) and just progress them as they are ready -- even if it means letting one move forward faster than the other. I'm thinking I should start with one of the kits (starter or deluxe) for level B and purchase the level A books. I know I need a second abacus. The Deluxe kit also includes the Math Card Games book. I think I might want that. I'm also wondering if I need to buy the appendices (the pre-printed ones) for Levels A and B or are they included in the workbooks already? I'm heading to a homeschool convention in June and will be able to see the everything in person. I just want a good idea of what I want to buy before I go. Thanks so much!

and what ended up working best for me was cooking oil on an old rag and rubbing it off. I have taken price tags off books I bought at a used book store this way. I didn't want to use Goo Gone (love this stuff) on books my kids would be handling and they dislike the smell. I can't remember if I tried the nail polish remover -- may try that next time around.

Hi all! I'm planning to use SOTW Vol. 1 next year for my 1st graders. I know the last revision was 2006. I'm curious if anyone knows of any upcoming revisions to Vol. 1 in the next year? I'm going to be attending a hsing convention in June and might go ahead and pick it up if I find it at the used curriculm sale in great condition. Thanks much!

:bigear: since I'm starting K in August :-).

Yes, a hot bath and epsom salts. Also, always drink lots of water after a massage to flush the toxins that are released away. I have felt sick (flu like) the day after a massage before -- especially if my muscles were a mess before the massage. Hope you are feeling better soon!

My mom passed away very unexpectedly 9 years ago and never did anything with our pictures. They are in envelopes in boxes with no details on them. I'm getting ready to go through them with my dad to see what he remembers before it's too late. That is why I'm scrapbooking my twins' lives. I want them to know when they first walked, what their first words were, when they scored their first goal in soccer, etc. I want them to see the words that tell the story of their lives in my hand writing so they have it for always. I would LOVE to have something like that from my mom to look through. I love looking at the old cards she gave me to see her beautiful handwriting. Anyway, I am very behind in doing mine, but am hoping to start working on them again a little when they nap and when they go to bed. I'm 5 years behind at this point :-). I also have done a video montage (digital pictures and video clips set to music) for each year so far and they LOVE watching them. Those don't take very long to make so I've kept up with those. We are moving soon and I'm getting a whole room (a small bedroom) to be my craft/scrapbooking room so I can leave my stuff out and close the door to keep the little ones from getting into the tools and stuff. They can be in there when I'm in there though. I also love to read and cross-stitch but haven't had much time since the boys were born. I think it's great to have an outlet of some kind. A lot of people spend tons of time on the computer these days and that's their outlet. Too each their own.

Hi all! In looking at the reading list for FIAR (without buying the program), I'm not able to see what ages are for Volumes 1-4. Can anyone help me with this :-)? Thanks much!

I bought mine as PDF, but I'm going to be using it for 2 children and thought it would be easier to get 2 copies of the pages. I'm also adding some additional animals the boys want to learn about so I'm putting mine in a notebook where I can add more pages. Hope this helps!

Thanks Paige! I will be doing some Mudpies to Magnets experiements this summer and probably next (already planned), but the boys are excited to do the animals and I want the structure of the program. I love the Biology program BTW (already purchase :001_smile:). I also have BFSU and will be doing some of that over the next 2 years as well.

Thanks so much for your responses. I think I'm going to wait until 1st and stick with what I'm doing and maybe throw in some units surrounding the holidays and a little American history or geography.

Thanks ladies for all the list recommendations. I was already looking at lists from: WTM Sonlight VP FIAR The Read-Aloud Handbook 1000 Good Books I'm now also looking at the other book lists that have been recommended :tongue_smilie:! I guess I'm overwhelmed by all the books I want them to read and was trying to narrow down to a few lists to make sure we made it through. My boys are AVID readers -- one can read independently and both love to be read aloud too. How does one get through all the books that I want them to read? I've been collecting at the used book stores and thrift shops. The rest I will try and get from the library, but do they only read them once or a couple of times and then move on? Thanks!