I have a DS6 who started Spelling Workout this year. My DD8 has always done well with this program (we're starting D right now) but it's just not going to work for my son. My daughter spells pretty well and memorizes things very easily. Doing Spelling Workout with my son has made me realize that their approach doesn't really make much sense. I'd like something that is more phonics based in its approach. DS has a Montessori background so something with a multisensory approach might be good. From the research I've done, it looks like one of these might fit the bill: Avko Sequential Spelling CLP Building Spelling Skills How To Teach Spelling/How to Spell All About Spelling I'm looking for input on those who have used any of these programs, specifically the time required per lesson, how easy it is to teach, how teacher intensive it is and how your kids like it. TIA for any help you can provide!

I do general transcription (versus medical and legal) which is mostly interviews, focus groups, etc. I work with one company out in LA and I also have one local client. I do it part time, mostly at night while the kids are sleeping and on weekends, since that's really the only time I have. I probably average about 10 hours a week. I make about $200 a week working for the company out in LA, but make a lot more when I'm working without the middleman. It's about $1 a minute through the company and about $3 a minute on my own. It's very flexible and fairly mindless as you're just typing what people say. The faster you type the more you make as you are paid per minute by how long a file is. When I first started, about 2 years ago, you didn't necessarily need experience, but you had to pass a "test file". I recently sent a friend to the website and they are now asking for experienced people only. There are lots of other transcription companies though so I don't know if everyone requires experience. You can google business transcription and once you find some companies they should have a link on their website for employment opportunities.

This is fun! Let's see how good the memory is: (not in order) babysitter house cleaner waitress bartender sous chef/short order cook liquor promotions admin asst proofreader copy editor account manager-ad agency traffic manager-ad agency sales promotions manager-retail store transcriptionist

salad - caesar main - grilled lamb chops w/basil mustard marinade sides - roasted cauliflower, red cabbage bread - hubby's cinnamon bread dessert - molten lava cake, peanut butter pie, rhubarb/strawberry slump

All of the Dr. Oz "You" books are great. Easy adn interesting to read adn really informative. My favs: You: on a diet; You: the owner's manual and You: staying young. They sound like just what you're looking for.

We have both and both are used about the same amount. Actually, my son tends to make things out of the instruction book for the Knex, but uses Legos to build more things out of his imagination. So maybe the Knex will go by the wayside at some point. The Knex can be used in conjunction with Legos (at last the set we have can). The only negative thing about Knex is that there are some really tiny pieces which make them harder to pick up in my opinion. But this wouldn't stop me from purchasing more. Oh dear, I don't think I helped you very much!!

Since our kitchen is currently gutted and I only have a grill, one side burner and a crockpot to cook with, I'm somewhat limited in my choices. Here's what's on the plate for us: Monday-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots Tuesday-black bean soup Wednesday-Mu Shu chicken wraps Thursday-Veggie fajitas Friday-African peanut & veggie soup

We are really enjoying FLL3...much more than FLL1/2.

DS8 couldn't decide between spelling and history. Definitely history for me as well.

We have completed two Hands of a Child lapbooks and really enjoyed one (about bees). The other one we didn't like as much (about space). They offer a quarterly freebie lapbook on their website, so you can check it out and see what you think before purchasing. HTH.

We happen to be having this one tomorrow for dinner! My kids both love it too. Chunky Veggie Chili 1 tbs veg oil 2 cups chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped yellow pepper 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbs brown sugar 1 1/2 tbs chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 2 cans stewed tomatoes, undrained (I used diced) 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 can pinto bean, rinsed and drained Heat oil in dutch oven over med high heat. Add onion, peppers and garlic, saute for 5 minutes or til tender. Add sugar and remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

We used the "a little b can fit inside a big B" to differentiate the two. HTH.

We love our Netflix subscription. For one, the selection is just mind boggling. Much wider variety than Redbox. We just have basic cable, so we use Netflix heavily. I find a really good selection of educational movies and cable TV programs. I think I pay around $12 for an unlimited two at a time membership and that gets us about 15 movies a month. Probably about 5 are for the kids for school and the rest are entertainment for mom and dad.

Rainbow Resource has several map skills book series. I haven't personally used any, but I have friends who enjoy the Maps, Charts & Graphs books.

Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey is one of our favorites on this topic.

Jessica...please be aware that you might want to preview the Globetrekker DVDs. I didn't because I was under the impression they were originally on PBS?? Anyway, we did Brazil and Oh My Gosh...when they covered Carnivale I couldn't believe what they were showing! Let's just say lots of nudity and graphic acts. I'm sure my feet were off the floor as I raced to the TV. I'm not sure if they're all like that or not, but just wanted you to be aware.

Not sure exactly what years you're looking for. HTH. Ben & Me Drums Along the Mohawk Follow the River Johnny Tremaine The Alamo Buffalo Bill Davy Crockett

I will be watching this too, as my kids don't like sandwiches anymore. Here are a few things that they do like: --soup --cottage cheese and crackers or veggies --smorgasboard, a litte bit of everygthing, cheese cubes, veggies, fruit, etc. --leftovers from evening before (I'm starting to cook extra dinner these days) --hummus and pita --salad (loaded w/veggies & sometimes leftover chicken) --pasta --quesdillas (cheese or bean & cheese) --hotdogs

David Sederis (especially Me Talk Pretty One Day), Bill Bryson (especially Neither Here Nor There), most anything by James Herriott and most by Augusten Burroughs (odd sense of humor, but very fun if you share it).

We are fans of Ultimate Flora brand.

We are in the group of "didn't like it at all". I purchased Writing Tales for my dd8 for this year and love, love, love it so far!!

We are around lesson 29. It takes us about 10-15 minutes to do a lesson. The teaching is done in conjunction with the child's work...you explain a little and then they do an exercise. So once you're done teaching, they're done with their work.

Our home was built in 1741. My husband and I both grew up in old homes and just love them. Yes, there are negatives to living in an old house (drafts, critters, work) but the nice thing about ours is that much of it is original like the floors, wood paneling on the walls, built in cupboards, etc. So you really feel like you've gone back in time when you're here. We do authentic Thanksgiving dinners where we cook all the food in the fireplaces and use no electricity, only candles. It was an old tavern and supposedly George Washington and Rochambeau ate here way back when. The revolutionary campsite is across the street from us. The house didn't have electricity or modern plumbing until 1980! Thankfully we didn't have to do that work :) One of our neighbors grew up in this house...she's in her 80s now and her family owned it from 1900-1980. Our other neighbor purchased it from her and did a lot of work to it, then took some land from this house and re-built a 1600s home there. So it's nice that the three families that have lived in it since 1900 are all still right here! Thanks for this thread...we haven't had a kitchen or downstairs bath since Labor Day (we gutted and are remodeling) and it's been difficult. The plumbers have been holding everything up and we're way behind schedule. So it's been a nice few minutes focusing on all the positives.

Here's the website my friend said has all the info: http://www.at-homeprofessions.com She said to please let me know if you end up doing anything as she apparently gets a referral fee. She checked this out well and went to an informational seminar near her home so I feel pretty confident this is legit. Apparently there are 5 courses, you go at your own pace. I think they say it takes about 18 months, but she is in the 4th course and it's been about 5-6 months since she started I think. Best of luck to you!

I bought a lot on eBay and in consignment stores when my dd was little. You just have to know the brands to look for. Some of my favs were Orient Expressed, Jacadi, Petit Ami, Hartstrings, Catamini, Vive la Fete, Sweet Potatoes, KC Parker. Nordstrom CWD Kids and Talbot Kids have some nice things as well.