Now that's dedication!:001_smile:

Wow. It's no wonder all my PS kids were tired all the time!! Thank goodness for homeschooling!

Well, ok then! Thanks so much for the replies. I guess I should just be glad my kids don't have to catch that 7AM bus! We had a better time and place, but the coaches (all four of them?!) couldn't make it.

Hmm...doesn't a 6-7pm practice seem a little late for ten year olds, considering the practice location is about 20 min away from the home school (where the whole team, minus my dd, attends)??? This is just plain old rec soccer. It's going to be dark at that time by October and practice goes through the middle of November. There are no lights on the field. The coaches are college students. Should I say something or just see how it goes? Do your kids practice outdoors that late in the fall? We won't be home until 7:30, which feels super late to me since my kids still go to bed at 8.

Another TSA... I can carry on my metal knitting needles, but not my water bottle. Wasn't it someone on here that said some guy walked on the plane with a golf club??

Don't run me off the board, but...Is small pox still around?

Also, at a minimum, I'd keep a very detailed record with pictures. I'd consider filing a grievance, depending on how that works in your district.

Do NOT go to another IEP meeting without an advocate!!! Call the district and ask how to get one. In my former state there was a non-profit that would provide one for you. These are people (sometimes other SN parents) that usually go through some extra IEP training. Basically, they can walk you through your rights and make sure the school handles things appropriately.

Haha. I had quite the fascination when we moved to Utah, too. We just drove through and it was like stepping back in time. This was before Warren Jeffs was prosecuted. They do some shady stuff down there to avoid paying taxes and they hate having outsiders poking around. Well duh, if you were forcing 13 year olds to marry old men, you definitely wouldn't want outsiders around! There is another community just down the road, Centennial Park, which is supposedly more mild. Still fundamentalists, but apparently not law-breakers. I worry about anyone growing up in complete isolation and being taught to fear the outside world.

Ex Utah Mormon family here.... When I was a teacher, we had several children of two different polygamous families in our school. One was very stereotypical down to the hairstyle and one...you would never know (until they went on Oprah). Guess what? Great families. Sweet kids. No more issues than you or I. The moms were three of the nicest parents I ever worked with. My daughter was best friends with one of the kids. Colorado City? Been there. BAD! Many mainstream polygamous families? Sweet, loving, and committed. To each his own.

We have great neighbors and use a wonderful management company (the owner is also a neighbor). We have fantastic renters and it's been a good experience so far! I think the thing that was initially hard for us was when the tenants put in a work order, we were "notified" (not asked) that the management company was going to have it fixed, then it was docked out of our check. The first little thing was a toilet that was running (that wasn't running a month prior when we lived there). $200. $200! It was probably a $2 piece that my husband could have fixed in ten minutes! So that was hard to swallow. Thankfully it's only been a few things here and there and I am GLAD we have picky renters because our house is only 6 years old, so I really want them to let us know when things aren't working properly. I'd rather have them report every little thing than let things fall to pieces. Our renters also KNOW that we have good neighbors and that we are close to them. That adds a layer of accountability that is priceless. Knock on wood, it has been a good experience. It was hard to give up control of the house we built :( but I'm so glad that someone else takes care of the headaches and we just get a check. :) It sounds like you have things figured out! Just make sure the management company is good and knows that your neighbors are watching. Make sure your neighbors have the management company's phone number!

We have very similar children. Mirilax made her ADHD and sensory issues worse. I started doing my research and was shocked at what I found. We are usually pro-medication and don't have any issues with medical interventions, but I'd encourage you to read up on Mirilax given to chidlren. When my dd was in kindergarten, I caught her doing something unbelievable with the poop. I won't immortalize it here. We talked about how to use the bathroom and made a chart that she could follow step by step, down to how many pieces of toilet paper. I thought it was a stupid suggestion since it had nothing to do with what I had caught her doing, but it worked. It worked really well. Have you given her an anema? That should help get her started. We also have assigned potty times during the day. She takes her book and just sits on the toilet with her feet on a stool. She never "has to" go, but low and behold she always does. Good luck. It's an awful problem.

Nope. They always ask my kids questions though. When we were foster parents and for the first year after we adopted, I carried a whole file of info with me. Now I don't bother. I'm more afraid of losing it than needing it.

Oh my, yes! More so with certain friends and definitely after a week at camp!

I could have written your post and I'm glad to hearths voices of reason in this thread! You're the mama. She'll resent you for lots of things. Just add this to the list. ;)

Chris, are you able to take the Metro from right near your house? We'd have to drive from Charlottesville to Vienna and I'm thinking it might not be so smart.

I decided to give the kids a day off today, but now I'm realizing we can't do anything else because of the traffic! I thought we could go to DC, then remembered it's Labor Day. Now I'm too afraid to drive too far. What are you all doing today? I'm thinking we should have just done school...

$75 for 30 min. Although, that's what they charged the insurance. I think it would have been $65 out of pocket.

Also, here are some links to other reviews: http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/curriculum/reviews.aspx?id=135 http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?t=302208

I haven't used Laurel Springs, but I can give you some thoughts anyway. I was a teacher and now I homeschool my girls, one of whom has some learning delays (developmental delays, dyspraxia, ADHD). She struggles with language and math. I've spent a lot of time looking at online options for both of my girls because they have such different needs. If we continue to homeschool, sometimes I think it would be easier having one in a program that I just helped with and didn't have to create. Laurel Springs is the most appealing for a variety of reasons. They offer all grades, which means they see their students through the entire spectrum and hopefully have a more holistic approach to education. They offer three different options and having a school that offers a project approach is very progressive. They are extremely affordable compared to other programs. They also seem to really have their stuff together. There is a lot of info on their website and I was able to get all my questions answered. This gives me confidence that their schooling would be organized and efficient. They also have a proven track record and I appreciated seeing the list of colleges their students have attended. With that said, I still have a child with special needs. She can access content several years higher than her ability, but would be unable to complete typical writing assignments without significant help. So, that would be my first question for someone at LS. If my child were in a PS, she would be on an IEP and receiving accommodations for assignments. I would want to know how they manage that and what their expectations are. Can students work behind grade level in certain subjects? I do notice that they have an add-on writing/spelling class. I wonder if that is there for students who struggle, as extra help. That would be a plus in my eyes. One drawback to using any type of umbrella school is that you become bound to their schedule. Maybe this isn't a big deal to you, but it would be huge to us because one of the benefits of homeschooling is that it allows us to travel a lot when other schools are in session. LS also requires students to be available for live sessions, again tying you to a very strict schedule. This wouldn't work for us right now, nor do I think it would be necessary. However, for middle school and high school, when the work load significantly increases, this may be something you look at as a benefit. Another thing to think about is the fact that you would be less engaged in your child's learning than if you were doing the teaching. This isn't to say you can't be right there with him, actively involved, you would just have to make that extra effort. One of the things I love about homeschooling is that I get excited planning lessons and looking for resources. Our whole family is learning together, especially in history, and we can plan family outings and vacations around specific things we've studied. This has been a HUGE benefit to homeschooling and it is why my kids are learning so much more than they would in PS. We weave content into our lives and I know exactly what my kids are learning and what they are struggling with. I can pinpoint areas of weakness and focus on them, rather than spending a lot of time doing assignments that don't necessarily provide a huge benefit. I'm not sure what schools are like where you are, but you might consider keeping your child in school and just being a bigger advocate and having a stronger presence in the school, if he can be successful in a regular classroom. I just am not confident you are going to get the benefit you are looking for with a SN child from an online school. Just really weigh your options and make sure you aren't trading one set of problems for a new set. I'd also hook up with a local homeschooling group ASAP and have your husband tag along. Sometimes husbands take a little prodding to get on the homeschool bandwagon. :) We've all BTDT. Good luck and good for you for wanting to do right by your kids!

Hmmm... in any other situation, I'd agree about the fact that she already invited you even though you didn't receive an invitation, BUT this was an overnight trip. There couldn't have been many kids invited and with a trip that big, I would be calling each parent individually, getting firm responses, making firm plans, etc. No, a host shouldn't have to reach out for RSVPs, but in this case, I would. I would at least be calling to double check that they weren't coming, just in case a guest had neglected to call. I can't imagine not calling your guests for a party like this. Invitations DO get lost and I am the type of person who would feel very awkward calling to say, "Where's my invitation?"

OK. Maybe not. http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/meatinrefrig.html

I would think it would be more than fine. If it smells and looks fine, I'd eat it. That really isn't very far past the sell by date.

My husband says even though you bought the card, you still have to sign up for an account so that you have the code. Clear as mud?

I know where I'd go! But it's based on where I've been and haven't been,so I guess it's personal preference. Anyhow, I'd start in Maine and watch the sunrise at Cadillac Mtn. I'd spend a week in Boston. I'd skip everything south of that because we've been living here and traveling a lot. I'd go to Chicago because I've never been there. Then I'd head west, see Mt. Rushmore and northern Idaho, then spend time traveling down the Washington and Oregon coasts. I'd spend time in San Fransisco and take my time traveling down the CA coast, visiting my family. I'd spend a week in San Diego, then head up to Utah to visit the rest of my family. I'd spend at Least a week in Zion NP. Then I'd go through Colorado, spending time in the mountains. I'd head south from there and go through Texas to New Orleans. Then I'd love to spend at least a month traveling through the south all the way to Savannah, GA. Then I'd head north, spending time in Raleigh just because I love it, and I'd finish with a week in the Outer Banks. Along the way we'd see all the historical sites possible and a few museums. I'd also try to schedule a break every few weeks where we pick a beautiful destination and just stay and rest at the hotel or campsite. I know from experience and I need breaks during our travels. I'd also download some aps on the iPad for my girls to practice math, and I'd have them keep a journal. Other than that, I'd do NO school. Oooooh. Now I want to do this!