We are finished up Apologia General Science (7th) this year and will be starting the Physical Science right afterward. I'm doing my two girls together for science, one is in 6th and one is in 7th. They both have enjoyed Apologia this year. They didn't like the Apologia Elementary Science a few years ago so it was a gamble to use Apologia this year. As it turned out, the upper level science is more challenging and they love the experiments. I bought the experiment kit (extravagant I know) but it has saved me so much running around trying to collect stuff that it was well worth it because all of the experiments (50+) are getting done! Sooooo-my vote is for upper level Apologia.

I have had experiences of sleep paralysis which sounds a lot like what you are describing. Very realistic auditory and visual experiences commonly accompany this sleep disorder. I have seen shapes and have heard odd music and whispering. That seems to be attributed to the semi-sleep/dream state. If by some chance there is reason to suspect paranormal, it is best not to be fearful. We've had some strange things happen in our home too. Things curiously go missing and then show up in very odd places and we have toys going on by themselves-sometimes without batteries. Some things just defy explanation. We view these things as more interesting and amusing than scary. :)

Audible.com! :)

For pool water you can mix blue food color with piping gel (Hobby stores have this in the cake supply section). It makes the BEST water! Totally realistic! Edible too. I used this for the water in a penguin theme cake I made.

If you buy, be sure to check out the deal on http://www.homeschoolbuyerscoop.com Their deal is great! Our fave videos are: the Spanish language program, Bill Nye, Math Mansion. When the kids were younger the liked the Animated Classics. Now we like to coordinate supporting videos with our science and history. We are also still supplementing our FLVS Spanish with Videos too. We love Unitedstreaming! One of the best things we buy every year!

I'm right there with you on Moby Dick. I read this aloud with my son many years ago. It was with this book that I found my hidden ability to read while half asleep. Several times my son would tell me I would be reading and then start babbling and spewing nonsense. I was sleep reading. Somehow we got through it but not very well.

My best advice, bring along one of those wheelie cart things. Get something narrow because the curriculum floor is crowded. Your arms will thank you! My first time, I bought so much I couldn't hardly carry it. I had to stop looking and run up to the hotel room to unload because I couldn't move. :D If at all possible, stay at the FPEA hotel. It is so nice not to have to drive and try to find parking (and probably have to pay hotel parking). The FPEA park n ride is a good alternative if you stay off property. But being right there on site is really nice and you can relax poolside when you aren't doing convention stuff. Also, make sure you check the speaker schedule and have all the seminars you want to see highlighted so you won't miss anything. If you have to miss one, you can sign up to buy a video. They have a special kiosk for that. Have fun! I used to go every year! I haven't been in awhile. Maybe next year! It is awesome to see thousands of homeschoolers in one place and a whole convention floor FULL of curriculum. It is absolutely delightful!!!

I remember my son going through these addled phases. More sleep and maybe even some diet changes (they start eating more) will help. Those are the years that a lot of physical and emotional changes are taking place.

My daughters are just completing MS Spanish I and they have learned so much! The class is great and they are reading passages and doing oral telephone calls with their instructor who has them speaking Spanish. I completely recommend FLVS Spanish. :)

I started seeing the value of supplementing when we started LOF as a fun addition. I found being able to present some of the different ways/approaches to solving a mathematical problem help children understand the concepts better. It gives a more rounded math education IMO.

Go with your gut. You don't need excuses, just say 'no'.

We have choices for annual eval. We have used SAT since K not because we had to but because it gives us some insight to areas to work on and we like that the children and very comfortable with standardized test taking.

We never used the drill set. We had our own flash cards for that. The Chart book was invaluable though. Always was able to use that!

I'm pretty lucky. We live in FL so I can use the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) languages. My son did 2 years of High School Latin with FLVS. My daughters are taking Spanish with FLVS too. The girls will have 2 years of Middle School Spanish and 2 or 3 years of High School Spanish with them. I like the FLVS classes because they are very structured and emphasize using the correct grammar (conjugations), reading and speaking. The course uses a mic and the instructor has them answering and conversing in Spanish. It is so much more than I (personally speaking) am able to do with them at home. I am hoping that between FLVS and the additional work I will do with them at home that we will have them speaking the language naturally and conversationally. I took two years of Spanish in HS and it was largely wasted. I only did it to satisfy a grad requirement. I want my children to see more value in their language study. My son benefitted greatly from his Latin exposure. The girls like Spanish so we're planning on making that just as valuable.

Who here really plans their year? I do this. Do you plan the whole year or in chunks? Whole year and more depending on some curriculums we stagger for latter in the year. Do you make all the copies of stuff you'll need at one time? Yes, before I begin using it. Do you buy any supplies you'll need before your year? Most of the curriculum I purchase the spring/summer before the year begins. How do you decide what you will cover? I spend a lot of time on WTM and other boards researching and making decisions. Do you do a goal type thing? Only that we complete what we start and continue to make good progress and get good results. Do you use a planner, paper, online? I have a spreadsheet program that I designed for our school.

Well, I have to tell you that the Montessori class I had my son in before we hs'd was nothing like what you are describing. It was complete and utter chaos and there were a good share of unhappy kiddos AND parents. That school was the main reason we started homeschooling. I'm sure you are doing just fine. Deep breaths. :grouphug:

Scoop the litterbox and feed the cats. They are very demanding and schedule oriented and will follow me around meowing and acting up if I don't do this stuff right away at the same time EVERY single morning. I haven't slept in since I've had a cat as a pet! If I try to sleep in, they will get up on the bed and tap me with their paws. Need ZZZZZZ's :sleep:

I use luster dust with Everclear (vodka), just a few drops. You can paint with this. I recently did a JAWS cake and used silver luster dust and the vodka and it turned out perfect. Shiny and metallic.

Cuuuuute!!!!!

We used it for awhile when our library had it for free. We didn't relate to it so I was glad we didn't buy it. We are doing FLVS Spanish and it is a more traditional approach and we like that better than the immersion thing Rosetta has going on. I'd try to look at it first before buying since it is pricey.

Mine will eat anything. :) I've had other parents compliment my children because they are easy to feed.

If my child was a personal friend, I might consider giving a gift. If it is just a general announcement and the children/parents don't remember your children's birthdays with a gift, then I'd just send an email 'Happy Bday' or internet card and call it good.

I've been researching herbs and gardens lately! A friend and I are doing a unit on herbs this summer. Check out the Aerogarden. It is very cool. Amazon has a nice selection of herb gardens too. I'm pretty sure Amazon has the Aerogarden too.

When the children were very young we only did school 4 days a week and reserved one day for co-op or other outside classes. But now that they're in middle school I've found that I am assigning a few lessons on a weekend day lessens the load during the week. We also school year round and that helps us to get everything in without having to stress or miss out on outside classes or events that the children enjoy.

Family that is difficult, eccentric, etc. is one thing but toxic is different. I've been there and once I made the distinction between tuning little issues out and being a punching bag for toxic abuse, I went no contact. That is not giving up, it is making choices for the benefit of your health. :grouphug: