Glad it worked out!

I enjoyed Ester Maria's posts. Despite my low post count I have been around here for quite a while. It helps to read about kids moving on. I take a bit of flak for what looks like holding my kids back. The part that seems to be hard to convey is that aside from the fact that I like having my kids around, I see my greatest contribution in the memories I give them. Yes, I want them well educated and to face the world able to think critically. But I want them to walk through life with strong experiential memories most of all. I respect the way you have raised your kids, 8. From what I have read it sounds like you have given them both. So your life and relationship will change and you have something beautiful to miss and grieve over as well as excitement and anxiety about the future. Silly as it is for someone like me to comment on, as I am quite a few years from where you are, I think it's a blessing to have the struggles of loss and change that let us know how much we have.

Best of luck! Please do update on how things work out. I've had some interesting discussions lately about high school AP vs CC options. Pace is a big factor there.

I didn't read the other responses yet, so this may be redundant. I chalk what you're describing up to 'kids are weird.' Really, they are. In a case like that I'd just jog the memory and a few days later ask to have it explained back. We all have brain farts. I mean, yes it could mean more, but just as likely not.

Thank you for the suggestions. The MIT class notes look very good and I may draw on some sections no matter what program we choose. I haven't looked at the lectures yet. Kinetic physics, the mid level Principles class looks very much like what I'm looking for. The virtual lab component is fabulous. We can get the sm with a PO if we report on it and the school gets the FTE, though we'd do it at home. Our state allows for cool options like that. Hewitt and the Udacity courses do not sound math heavy. In our case this is to stretch the math out, so exercises are an important part of what program we choose. Conceptual manipulation much more desirable that straight up calculations. This will be a first formal physics course for both older kids. I expect that in a few more years they will take another. Oddly, neither child is interested in a STEM career at this point. They are not into Legos or robotics. If more details help: kids are math strong, do not like crafty (RSO chem was an immense flop), one isn't interested in video lectures and likes dry text, other loves science documentaries, little formal science education so far (but both parents science backgrounds so they probably get more education than I realize from our household culture), both really like to think. Any other opinions? If your kid loved what they did, can you tell me what was appealing? Thank you!

I am such a strong fan of read alouds. My kids are not so much. At this point I make it happen by serving breakfast or lunch and reading to them while they eat. I can also get away with reading history. Snuggling on the couch or in bed doesn't work anymore. I also have the problem that if my oldest likes the book I start, he will finish reading it once I set it down. I had to snap at him to put the book down yesterday so that I can resume today with us all on the same page. I'm certain he snuck and read it already. It sounds like you have good ideas for making it more appealing. I'm definitely of the mindset that it is worthwhile even for older kids. I think it has to do with the very strong visual memories I have of books that were read to us in 3-4th grade (in school).

Yes, I would be angry and feel misled. But my dh would be asking what I had in writing exchanges, whether I had followed up with phone calls to the college to check dates and the coordinator to confirm that they were on it. He doesn't rely on the idea that folks will do their jobs. So in your scenerio I would end up more mad at myself for a lack of follow up in a new setting where I hadn't confirmed the competency or intentions of folks making decisions. Don't bite me for saying this please. But maybe you can use your anger and frustration to be more proactive. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sounds incredibly frustrating.

If you are interested in New England, I second coastal Maine as a stunningly beautiful camping option. One of my other favorite camp outs was the boston harbor islands. You may be able to find a reasonable ticket to boston. There's a boat that goes out to the islands. As long as you can carry your gear I don't think you would need to rent a car. We explored the bunkers and old forts, hiked the island and then you still have the city amenities only a boat ride away. If you are thinking of traveling farther away, one of the most visually striking places I have camped is Escalante canyon by Zion NP. I haven't been to the Grand Canyon, but escalante was all ours. We never saw another person for a whole week.

There are books by Hayes School Publishing. Famous Composers and Their Music gives composer histories along with questions, word searches, crosswords. Also good are the CDs An Introduction to the Classics. CDs are about a specific composer's life with the music interspersed. Both of those would be easy to use once/week.

But keep in mind the saying "twice as long and three times the cost" or maybe it's the other way around. The person I know who took out a loan made sure to plan for this. It was wise.

I debated where to put this, so may cross post in the AL or HS forums. I'm looking into physics programs for next year. Algebra based if extremely rigorous, calc based ok too. The goal is to use physics to broaden math usage, have solid concepts taught, not so much experimental since one kid has sensory issues and doesn't like messes. I've looked at thinkwell, Derek Owens, conceptual physics, and am going to go look over the thread about 'living physics' again next. We don't have to do this next year, but I like the idea of a rotation that goes physics-chem-bio/bio chem. If you used and loved a solid program... Please tell me why!

I am very happy with Singapore for this level. My k1 kid does a rotation of textbook+workbook, cwp and IP. He needs direct teaching. I find that the books get to the math while being in a format that allows for coloring and doodling.

Hi Mrs. Mom, We're not any further along so no voice of experience here, but I'll offer another pathway. We are choosing to have the public school district keep high school transcripts. Our area will pay for two years of dual enrollment for high school/college, not something we want to miss out on. Mostly folks use CCs, but there are participating Us. So after a couple of years of considering, we opted to have the kids do the required seat time that allows them to get grades and the hs transcript. The plan is to have the requirements spaced out to show growth. This year my older kids are bored in a district algebra class, but it means that for the next two years they will do whatever they want in math. Next year I will probably have them do seat time in an English or Science hs class. Basically it is stepping in and out of the system to have an end result of all subjects, spaced out but showing that despite the early start the pace is a normal one for them. If all goes well there will be four years of math that may look like: Alg 1, clac, (Hs seat time) diff eq, topology (dual enroll seat time). Whatever. The hope is that with thoughtful spacing we will have records consolidated, the growth curve evident and still get two years of dual enrollment out of it. All of this backed by standardized testing of course. This is not necessary to still do dual enrollment and I could keep my own records, but for us it is much easier and for local friends who we have watched go through the process it has been much easier. The part that we're still figuring out is how to access the appropriate courses above hs level and have them accepted on the hs tx. That's where taking advantage of dual enrollment comes in, but so far I don't think I can access it for kids this young, hence the spacing and accumulation of various subjects over time. I find it uncomfortable to talk about my kids even with the many amazing youngsters here. For reference, my 9 yo is self teaching calc, just aced his first test, has rep to audition for conservatory and is tested PG, among other capabilities, my 11 yo was approved to take hs biology with lab over a year ago after a trial class, currently is in a hs writing class as well as the Alg, and we're too cheap to test without a good reason though he's probably around that higher log mark too. I guess I just wanted to offer a hug and admission that it often does feel like bush whacking. This is our chosen path, though we reserve the right to completely change direction tomorrow. I really, really appreciate this forum and the willingness of folks to share, so there's our way.

I nursed throughout my second pregnancy with no issues. I think if you listen to your body it's fine.

Definitely a worthy brag. You've raised a good man.

This is very helpful mom2bee. We have not done any foreign languages. There are abundant resources, but I had no idea where or how to start. This is my driven kid. He's a quick study and unstoppable once he decides to do something. I'm hoping to help him find a way of learning that is satisfying, but paced out. The old Russian YouTube cartoons are beautiful. Watching cartoons is a great way to do the day's homework. He already made a mango acct through our library and did the first two lessons. Gah. I was hoping to plan this for next year, but too late. Our library has some formal programs. I'll check out what they offer. Thank you for outlining ideas. It would be great to get into a stride of videos 3x/wk, mixed with a couple of sentences each day. I think, since he's already decided to start, I will find and print out some Cyrillic writing worksheets to do. It would be nice to make this a family effort. Maybe by fall we can start with more formal work. Thanks so much for your detailed reply! If anyone has specific program or website suggestions, I am all ears.

I'm thinking about filling out the DYS application. Can anyone who has done it fairly recently tell me how much more there is to the application? Is there much beyond what is mentioned on the website? Once in, are there more hoops to jump through before getting consulting help? TIA! Any input on usefulness is also appreciated.

My 9 yo would like to learn Russian. I have not heard great things about Rosetta Stone. Any suggestions for online classes, video courses? I prefer something with a slow pace or self-paced because he has an awful lot of interests and activities already. Thanks.

http://store.veggietales.com/veggietales-personalized-cd-vol-2-silly-songs.html The tango always made me laugh.

You can buy personalized music CDs. I'll have to look up the website. Veggietales silly songs are kind of awesome (ok, to me anyway).

Both. We use soap and water before eating or food prep, especially through winter. On the other hand, if at a beach, lake or river, we just rinse off dirt in available water. In a pinch, a wipe down on pants has to do. That tends to be summertime though. It seems we are sick less than those we know, but we get sick sometimes. My 5 yo is the worst. He doesn't like to wash. I sort of blame him for bringing the illnesses in.

Happy New Year! Dh is working, the kids are playing, I have a few minutes of quiet. Our crazy pyro neighbors will put on a show tonight that rivals the town's. We have the best view! As long as neighbors don't catch anything on fire (so far, so good), 2014 should be a good year.

You probably won't like my suggestion, but you did say jdawm. I'd let Dec go. It's a tough time to crack down and I don't think a 6 yo will be damaged by some excessive junk food. MIL was totally in the wrong, but sneaking candy/promising junk isn't terribly uncommon for grandparents. Fwiw I have fond memories of my grandfather sneaking me junk food, lots of candy, and he had a full mouth of false teeth. I'm sure it drove my 'no sugary cereal' parents bonkers. But it was special and is one of the more vivid memories I have to make me smile now that he's gone.

Her goal is a good one (I'm a little biased as one of mine is TAG/dyslexic). It seems like she will gain useful experience and exposure to other options in the process of pursuing her goal. You can help her map out the steps in a way that gives her broader fall backs. I have one that has a long shot career in mind. I support his pursuit, though it is more of an invitation field. I have a friend who wanted to work with deaf kids. She ended up very happy with a career at a special school for the deaf. So it does happen. And thank goodness for wonderful people like my friend and your daughter who have the desire and dedication to serve in such a way.

Barron's Merlin series? Brotherband? Asimov short stories or Robot books? R.L. Green's Robin Hood, Greek Heroes, King Arthur?