In fact, many homeschoolers are quite willing to complain about others of us being "whiners", or imply that the issue was wanting to "win that equipment", even though those who did respond have repeatedly said that wasn't the issue. There are lots of "types" of people I might find annoying, and many people I find annoying on this board... but I hope that in general I have the maturity to refrain from calling names or posting threads just to sling an insult. See how diverse we are? Score one for you--you hurt some feelings! :hurray:

:willy_nilly:<-- Me doing the happy dance. Really. That's what I look like doing the happy dance. Except I have legs. Can't wait!

Most of my college classes were smaller than my high school classes... I did have a couple of intro requirements that had 200 students or so in the lecture, but for the most part I took seminar type classes that were under 30 students--many in the 10-12 student range. I was so much more happy in college, socially speaking--it was like finding my tribe after a lifetime of wandering. Like Mrs. Mungo, I hung out with geeks, so partying wasn't too much of an issue. I think I did go to parties (and drank underage) for the first few weeks, and quickly discovered it wasn't my scene. I still think of college as a wonderful fun time, and I'm still in close contact with most of our friends from college. My greatest regret is that I didn't follow my heart after freshman year and change my major to Ancient Near Eastern studies. I allowed my mom to talk me into keeping my more "practical" major (International Studies, National Security Issues focus). ANE would have been so much better prep for seminary, you know? But of course none of us knew at the time that I was headed for ministry (cc--except God, obviously). I'm going to encourage my kids to follow thier interests and thier hearts, regardless of what looks "practical" on paper.

Oooh... that's tonight! Can't wait! Now if I can just get the kids to STAY in bed tonight.... sigh.

I had a major crush on Johnny Depp in his "21 Jump Street" days. But I'm pretty sure that was before your time, Abbey.... :)

My family dress code is: You must be wearing something that covers your bottom. I can't tell you how many times in a day I have to send my boys in search of their underwear and shorts/pants. They both seem to take off all their clothes when they use the bathroom, or lie down, or color, or.... Anyhow, I'm happy when everyone is wearing pants. Part of me likes the idea of my kids nicely dressed in khakis and polos. I mentioned it once, and my dh looked at me like I was insane. We do all have matching tie-dye shirts that I made, but not enough to wear every day!

I can see going with something like this: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/eep/ for a very young student (I believe they start students as young as 11). But there are also lots of great schools close enough that our child could commute--UCLA, Cal-Tech, Harvey Mudd, to name just a few. I wish your daughter all the best!

Check out the Gifted Development Center's website. They think that for most gifted children, the old SB-LM test is the way to go. That was our experience as well... the new tests have a much lower ceiling. They also offer a range of tests and services to discern ways in which your child might be "twice exceptional"--like gifted with a LD as well.

We did REAL Science life this year. Ds liked it fine, but it is less than challenging, and he wants to do "more" science. We have a supplementary McGraw-Hill book that has been well received, but the experiments etc. are all classroom oriented. I've already got REAL Earth and Space for next year... but it seems even farther behind his developmental level now. What I want is something more "logic stage"... but still put together. I love the REAL Science format, I just think it's a bit young after all. I've thought about doing RS4K Chem in 3rd grade, but that only covers 10 weeks or so. What about after that? And ds LOVES the periodic table, memorizing elements, figuring out numbers of neutrons, etc, and we've never had any formal Chemistry work thus far. He has a few books he's read on his own. So what do you recommend for a logic-stage type thinker, not writing heavy, pre-planned, good experiments but some more mental type work as well. My dh does most of the teaching, and I know he will want something that is planned out for him. Not just "exposure" to science.

This was one of the reasons we moved to EPGY--the online format was so much easier for my ds when we started last year. No copying, no answers I couldn't read. And it is done mostly independently as well. I know I keep talking about it, but EPGY really has been great for us!

Well... if it has strange "results" then it would be effects, if it has strange demeanor or appearance, it could be affects. I have a cheerful affect. My affect affects all that I do, but may also effect change around me.

Well... I went to school 20 years ago but I was in a co-ed dorm, co-ed floor. Most of the accelerated students were boys, actually. I've never heard of co-ed dorm suites, however. I moved into an apartment my sophomore year at 18--shared with a girl, and at 19 moved to another apartment--we had three girls and two boys (and two cats--they ate the mice) in a 5 bedroom apartment, though the next year one of the girls moved out and another boy moved in. We did all share one bathroom, but it really wasn't a problem. I loved that apartment.

Thanks for all you have contributed. We'll miss you. Pop back in for some updates sometime, OK?

:lol:I'd rep you, girl, if I could, I'm laughing so hard!

We use EPGY for math and it has been so great for our ds! We're taking off a couple of weeks to focus on "times tables boot camp" because he's gotten to the point where he would go soooo much faster if he knew them instantly. I say that because he's really missing that daily math time... loves it! My dh and his sister both did CTY summer residential programs as kids, and it is one of their best memories. Dh actually went back and worked as a counsellor at CTY for two years in college. So we'll probably send our kids there! I've been trying to decide whether it's worth it at this time to take their test. I wish there was some way to see what sort of test it is... can't find any info online.

An "affectation" is what some might call "putting on airs". In other words, I might decide I want to look like a poet and wear a beret and carry a copy of Proust and sit at Starbucks and look poetic. That would be an "affectation". It's used as in 2 below: (from the OED... the only really authoritative dictionary, imho) 1. An ostentatious fondness for something; a studied display. With of. Now somewhat rare. 2. a. The artificial or studied assumption of behaviour; artificiality (of manner); putting on of airs; (also) an instance of this. b. The pretended or counterfeit assumption of some characteristic, idea, etc.; hollow or false display; simulation, pretence; (also) an instance of this.

I think you should listen to your dh. Depression may be the "common cold" of mental health, but even a cold can lay you low and make you miserable. Use the resources you have (supportive dh and kid) and get yourself healthy. Find the easiest thing possible (K-12?) and plug them in. In my experience, anti-depressants can make a world of difference. ((Rhonda)) Take care.

No. I tend to vote for measure that I think will to the most good for the most people. I am more than willing to support public schools and other public services.

That's the apology from Scholastic... but I don't see how that counts as an apology from Subway???

I went to college at 17, so that's my "norm". My dh had just turned 18, but he's only 3 months older than me. I never felt younger or out of place. I also went to a school that accepts quite a few accelerated students (JHU)--so in my freshman dorm we had an 18 year old senior and 14 year old sophomore. All of the younger students were grouped in one dorm, which just happened to be the one I lived in. Even at the time I thought it was kind of cool. I don't remember anyone thinking they were weird or strange. OK, it's a geek school anyhow. Looking at the future, early admission is a very real possibility for my older ds. He is socially awkward--genetics run true. He's going to be socially awkward at 12... and 14, 16, 20, and probably at 25, if I could hazard a guess. If he matriculated at a very young age I would envisage having him live at home and take college classes. But even if he just ends up in regular college a "little bit" young... say 16 ... why is that so horrible? I know we all have very different experiences and expectations. I guess I find it sort of strange that so many people are so vehement that thier children will remain at home until 18 or 19 no matter what!

I "skipped" one grade and started college at 17, but so did many (if not most) of my peers with fall and winter birthdays who didn't ever skip. In many places, 17 is the norm for college freshmen. I also attended school in Norway for 2 years (8th and 9th grade) where they start school two years later than we do in the US. I was 12 and most of my classmates were 15. It was wonderful, I was so much happier with older peers--a true relief after 7th grade hell. I long regretted that my parents hadn't allowed me to skip more grades when my school offered (I skipped 1st and went to 2nd, the school had recommended moving me to at least 3rd). I do have to admit that size wasn't an issue--at 12 I could easily pass for 17 (D cup since 7th grade, IYKWIM). Both of my dss are December birthdays, and the cutoff here is December--but before their birthdays. We've opted to "call" them the grade that they just missed. In other words, my older ds would be finishing K this year instead of 1. We always let them move at their own pace with no regard to grade level, but calling my 6 year old a kindergartner seemed to be the height of absurdity. Just to say that there are many children for whom being a little bit younger than their peers isn't a bad thing.

Chrononauts is awesome! We have both the world history and the American history editions.

We just bought some eggs at the store, and when we got home discovered (upon going to crack one) that they were frozen almost solid. Will they still be good to eat plain? Use in baking? Or should I return them? They aren't frozen anymore, they have thawed on my counter and are now in the fridge.

Kitchen--we have a large country kitchen in an otherwise small house. We do have a dedicated "school table", but often times work at the dinner table, which is slightly larger. Also a desk, computer, and 4 full bookshelves with books... so it's pretty schooly.

Hmmm... we haven't even tried it. Time to get out the Catan board!