I am not sure what to say. There are many health complications that can occur so if they are clear of those they need to find some hope in that. My friend's little boy was born with Down's and he has few complications and the health dept has been working with him from 3 weeks on many areas! His progress has been amazing. Just cherish and love her like any other child and give her lots of hugs:)

I was going to say lay of the margaritas...:D

That's what I heard as well. It makes no sense to keep them open considering the costs to the school system.

My friend went through this in a slightly different way b/c her mom passed away years ago. She seriously mourned her dad's marriage and this woman is a real jerk. I just told her it is what it is and her dad has the right not to be alone for the rest of his years. Be glad you are so far away and just enjoy the time you get with your dad when you can.

I ordered the CAT for DS to take sometime in May. He only needs to do the math/language section and it looks like it will be a short one. I don't know anyone who can give him the Stanford.

Did you get to this site? http://www.classicalconversations.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=88 our group meets once per week and they cover all academic subjects in that day. Heavy memory work in the early years-very classical approach to learning. They consider themselves tutors to your teaching. My girls will both do foundations next year and the older will also do Essentials in the afternoon. Very rigorous when you get to middle/high school with writing and reading. They use all the WTM suggested things like IEW.

Like PP we also have to do a standardized test but they do not have to include history and science. As long as they continue with math and language skills they will do fine I am sure. VA gives the SOL tests which beat the kids over the head with VA history for 2 years straight and then you never hear about it again really after 5th grade! WHat a waste of time@

Okay so after reading through parts of WTM AGAIN I think I will go with their recs on most of it except maybe spelling? It seems that Spelling Workout has gotten many bad reviews here. For English I will do R&S for the diagramming aspect. DD will be in 5th next year but I am backing her up to most of the 4th grade recommendations since PS has left her somewhat behind in basic skills it seems.

I agree. There is nothing wrong with you laying down the law in your own home. I have no trouble telling a visiting child that "that isn't the way we do things here"

I am so bogged down with piecing together this and that to get the "perfect curriculum" that I just have to wonder if there is any 1 company that has a whole package that can stand alone and be really good in all areas?

I have to agree with this person b/c what is the difference if they are on their laptop or iphone, blackberry..whatever? If they aren't going to pay attention they will find a way to do something else. Let them fail.

DS has to do a "report" on a book and he chose to do a new book jacket design. He needs to include literary criticism which I assume means like a critics review?

How awful for that family! Prayers going that way!:grouphug:

Left b/c the disposal is on the right side.

I am so sick of cooking but here is what I am thinking for the week so far: tonight will be leftovers since the fridge is full of a variety of stuff and our schedules are crazy tonight. Tues:chicken parm Wed: steak depending on the weather Thurs: Pasta bar Friday: fish sticks/fries/salad

That is what I was thinking.

I wish we could move in that direction. I hate mylifestyle right now and am trying to get more....basic? I really want to simplify which is hard with 6 kids. I have tried to scale down clothing purchases and just keep basics for the kids so that I can stop stressing stains for resale. I really long to move to the country where I can have a huge garden and time to do the simple things like lay under a tree on a blanket with the kids and read! We have so little free time after the bus comes and it drives me nuts!

Okay here is my rant... they can do that and it's okay to get married, have sex for 5 years, then decide it didn't work and get an annulment for $150 fee? My FIL did. Yeah that makes sense.

Wow that's a long day for a 1st grader!!

Mine all got teeth early-like 6 months but I don't remember lumps just that they showed up all of a sudden like someone slit the bottom gum open. Ick

About a year ago I disappeared and then created an alias! After the year had passed I reopened my acct and made sure to be selective.

No but I will get it! I think I will try 3 this summer and then move her up. I keep feeling anxious about not starting all of this sooner with her and feel like I need to go to the beginning and RUN her through it all to make up!!

:confused: that is so totally wrong!!!

I am thinking that too but DH is a bit unsettled by the " sensory" stuff for lack of a better word.

who has never done WWE? I have 1 & 2 and didn't know if she should maybe do some 2 over the summer?