My kids started on violin but quickly disliked it. We didn't do Suzuki, however, so I can't compare the two. We moved on to piano and have stuck with that for three years now. My vote is piano. We use the Faber and Faber series, which I love- the explanations are clear and easy, and the kids enjoy playing the songs. There are four books for each level, but they are only $6 or $7 each. Typically, kids move through a level a year.

I have used Reading Reflex before, but not from the start. (My older two already knew how to read when I used it with them, so I didn't need to start with letter sounds.) The layout of the book reminds me of a choose-your-own-adventure book as I was constantly flipping back and forth between pages to find the next step in the lesson. Does anyone have the order of the lessons mapped out? I have part of the program already mapped out, and I was wondering if someone else had done something similar for the entire program? TIA Lydia

:iagree: Rosie's videos use Cuisinaire rods to teach counting, addition, subtraction, fractions, multiplication, division, problem solving, etc. I think Rosie used Miquon and enlarged upon the books. I know a lot of people want to love Miquon but feel a little lost or overwhelmed using it. These videos are the perfect supplement and will help you see the beauty of Miquon and empower you to experiment with the rods.

I just started reading this book and have loved it so far. This morning, I started with grammar then moved to math, like Rafe does. I pulled out Mad Libs and started asking the kids for nouns and verbs. After we finished, I pointed out the funniest Mad Libs lines were the ones with outrageous words, not the boring words they typically supply. So, I gave the older boys a sheet of paper and we came up with 20 new nouns- 5 of each: person, place, thing, and idea. They loved this. Then, I tried to do the mental math game that Rafe uses to segue from grammar to math. This didn't work out so well because my 8 year old hasn't learned multiplication yet. So, we stuck to addition and subtraction, but ds8 was so flustered by the multiplication and getting the wrong answer on the first problem that he pouted the rest of the game. I stopped there and told them to start on their workboxes. Like I said, I am loving this book. However, I am also grateful that most people realize one person can't do everything he does. And we don't have to! He only gets his kids for 1 year so he has to teach like his hair is on fire to make an impact, but we get them longer, so we can teach like our hair is only smoldering. :) I am curious what other ideas anyone is incorporating, especially how you juggle multiple ages.

I love my name. I remember wanting to change it to "Mary" when I was 4 or 5, but that was the only time I didn't like it. Although "Lydia" is not particularly common, most people can sound it out and usually pronounce it correctly. The most common mispronunciation I get is "Linda". Also, "Lydia" is a name used in many other cultures, so I have had more foreign friends be familiar with it (they knew someone with the name) than Americans.

I missed the $1 sale, and now the guides are almost $6 each. How often do these go on sale?

This has been interesting to read. I think I will return Rosetta Stone. (There's one airplane ticket....) My MIL suggested we look into a full-immersion school locally. I think there is one in town, actually, so I might try that in the fall. I still would like to go abroad with my kids, but it might have to wait. DH balks at me taking the kids to another country, especially me going without him. We'll see.

My name is Lydia, and I have very rarely met another Lydia. Here are my two biblically-named sisters' and my first and middle names: Lydia Grace Miriam Rebecca Rachel Elizabeth Popularity seems almost regional. For example, when my oldest son was born, I found four other kids with his name within a year in the same city (and his name hasn't ever made the top 100 list) that were under two years old. But, when I moved, I didn't meet anyone with that name.

Thanks for the suggestions! My husband is not a native speaker, so speaking Spanish at home does not come naturally to him. (He learned Spanish while serving a mission.) I have asked him to speak only Spanish to the kids (I think the oldest was 5 when I asked this), but they all just gave him blank stares and asked him to speak English. My kids are not motivated to learn Spanish, but that might be because they don't like Rosetta Stone. If we moved to another country, we would want to stay at least three months, probably longer, and enroll the kids in school there. Homeschooling in a foreign country would ruin the full-immersion experience. I, too, have heard about the beautiful Colombian accent and the sing-songy Argentinian accent. I have a college friend who grew up in Cartagena, Colombia; maybe he still has connections there....

I am frustrated with my kids progress in learning Spanish, and I am thinking about packing them and the dog up for an extended trip to a Spanish-speaking country in order for them to get the full-immersion experience. But, dh has said no to pretty much every South and Central American country. When I started eyeing Spain, he mentioned that unemployment was 50% there (implying that he wouldn't be able to find a job), even if we could afford the airfare. Since we live in Florida, he joked about just moving to Miami for full immersion. Ha ha. I'm beginning to research Puerto Rico. So, if you had to pick a Spanish-speaking country (or city) in which to live for a year, where would you go? Why? Would you bring your spouse with you? (My husband speaks Spanish, so it would help me if he came... not to mention that he's my best friend and I would really enjoy being with him.) How long would you stay?

I am currently searching for a geography program. I would like to see simple things like learn where the country is, the capital, the landscape, any famous features like mountains. I have seen several programs tht say it will teach your child to draw the entire world freehand. I don't really understand the point of this (anyone want to illuminate me?), but it sounds like a neat thing to be able to do. I think, however, the deal breaker is cost. I have looked at some neat programs, but they cost over $100. For geography?! I just can't justify that much moola.

I am interested in Challenge Math for my kids so I checked it out from my library. I am excited to use it, but I think it might be a little too difficult for my kids, who are 7 and 8. Has anyone used the "Primary Grade Challenge Math"? Would that be a better fit for my kids?

Totto Chan. We are a houseful of boys (even our dog is a boy), and they all gagged when the dusk jacket fell off to reveal a Pepto-Bismal Pink cover. Once we started reading it, though, we all loved the story, which is about a young Japanese girl (Totto Chan) and her adventures through her first few years of school. We laughed, cried, cheered. Truly a wonderful book.

My 2nd grader is finishing level C and my 3rd grader is finishing level D. Sometimes, when I am running short on time, I ask them to call out the words to each other since they know the procedure. Maybe you could do something like this?

We just read "Rats of NIMH" for a book club. I would never have picked this book for my kids to read because I saw the movie when I was their age, and it scared me. But, I loved the book and the kids loved the book. Our book club discussion lasted over 90 minutes, which has never happened before. It was not at all scary like I remember the movie. We are currently reading EB White's "The Trumpet of the Swan". Another book that we loved (again, as a read aloud) was "Flawed Dogs". There is a brief part about lab animal experiments, but I skipped it. Overall, it was a great, great book. I appreciate this list- my 8 year old son is currently reading the Percy Jackson series for thee second time, and I need to wean him off those.

It's crazy hot here as well. Hopefully when the weather gets cooler in October, outside play will be fun. Right now, they rarely venture onto the back porch, much less into the yard and sweltering humidity of south Florida. One person mentioned that they might need more attention. That caught me offguard (I mean, we home school and they get a ton of attention during school work), but I think that might be the problem. I'm tired after thet finish with their assignments, and I just want them to leave me alone. Maybe if I promise (and follow through) some fun mom time after our naps, they would be satisfied. Thanks for all the replies!

Thanks for the ideas! I am excited to try some.

I thought I had already posted this, but I can't find ut. My 7 yo and 8 yo finish schoolwork by noon and complain about being bored for the next 3 hours until neighborhood friends come home. So, I need some non-tv suggestions for them to do at home (while babies sleep) and not at home (when babies wake up). They already have soccer, swimmng, piano, and cub scouts commitments, and I don't want to commit to anything long-term right now. Any ideas are appreciated!

At my gym, a semi-personal trainer walks around the equipment in case anyone needs help. He walked me through the machines, showing me how to adjust the seat height and leg or arm distances. Even if your gym don't have someone who walks around, you can ask the people at the front desk for help on a particular machine. One tip that helps me organize my workout is to work opposing muscles (biceps and triceps or hamstrings and quads or chest and back) the same exercise session. Try to get each muscle two or three times a week. There are books and websites to help you. Plan what you are going to do before you go to the gym so you don't get overwhelmed or forget something. Don't give up! Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself!

We have been home schooling for only a few months. My kids finish their school work usually around noon. They have a short nap/quiet time. Then ... they wait until the neighborhood kids get home so they can go play with them. And they are so bored. I don't want to give them more school work, or even threaten to give them more if they keep fighting. We go to the library more than once a week. We go to the park weekly, as the weather permits. They have swimming lessons and soccer practice twice a week each and Cub scouts once a week, so I don't want to add another activity (or incur more fees) or commit to another long-term activity. I need ideas for things to do at home (while babies are sleeping) and for things to do away from home (when babies wake up). I would rather they not watch tv, play video games, or use the computer, although this is what they are doing to fill in their time right now. Ideas for 7- and 8-year-old boys are appreciated!

You might be interested in Montessori-type activities, which take an everyday task and break into smaller steps so that a child can master each step before (much later) attempting the entire task. I own only two Montessori books ("Montessori at Home" and "Basic Montessori") and I like them both. You can check out other Montessori books from your library. You can also peruse blogs, some of which are amazing. 1+1+1=1 has already been mentioned. Countingcoconuts.blogspot.com is another favorite. You can also try chasingcheerios.blogspot.com, activitymom.blogspot.com, and montessorimom.com. Some things that you do everyday, such as pouring a cup of water or closing a door, need to be taught to a child. Like everyone has said, most things are taught in the course of the day. However, much can be said for arranging an activity specifically to teach a child the correct way to do everyday activities. I use BFIAR because we love the books. You could probably get away with not buying the BFIAR book, checking out the children's books from the library, discussing them on your own, and searching homeschoolshare.com or delightfullearning.blogspot.com for activity ideas. I have now forgotten the original post, and I hope that I haven't rambled too much. :)

I read a post from the MM sale in March that said that needed 40 people to buy the program to get the 50% price. Why is it so much higher this time?

I have actually been to the Not So Big Showhouse in Orlando FL. It was amazing, but it appraised/cost $1.8M, although the builder was selling it for only $999,000. I live in FL, and basements aren't an option here because of the high water table. Building in coastal FL has some unique challenges. For example, instead of wood floors, bamboo would prove a better choice in the face of water damage from hurricanes, which ruins typical wood floors. Plus, bamboo is a sustainable resource. I love the idea of a separate apartment for a disabled relative to live in. Thanks for all the ideas!

My husband and I are starting to talk to an architect about building a house in the next few years. I am curious what home school features others would like in a new home: what do you wish you had and what do you currently have that you find essential? A dedicated room for HS? How much room do you need for your book shelves? A desk for each child or do you prefer to work at a big table? What about natural light? Lydia

Please please please take him in! And do it right away! One of the symptoms of meningitis is a piercing headache, and the earlier it is treated the better. I am not a doctor, but they will most likely stick him on some serious antibiotics, via IV. And demand some pain meds for him.