Thanks everyone. You have answered my question in a way I never asked! My dd is bright, but her confidence is easily shaken and she is not very intuitive when it comes to math. And, she'd definitely need the review. I think I'll keep looking, at least for now...

Awesome. Thanks everyone.

Is this only for advanced or gifted math students?

I keep asking my social twin how she is feeling about school next year. Earlier this year she had mentioned wanting to go to school next year (5th grade) but lately she's changed her mind. Some days I want her to go to school, other days I don't. She'd do just fine at school, and we even have a very good, close private school option, BUT selfishly, I don't want to be a slave to a school calendar and I don't want my other twin to be left without her playmate. I also know that she is getting a FAR better education at home. Yes, she would learn at school and be just fine, but she is definitely learning more at home. We have lots of activities, groups, and trips as well. So, if my dd is not stressing about it and is perfectly happy being homeschooled next year, WHY am I still stressing over it?!! I think I secretly miss the community and the pomp and circumstance of school. I'm going to start a book club next year, so maybe I could focus on a few of those types of activities and create/participate in some community building things ourselves. Slap some sense into me!

My girls are avid readers, so I'm not worried about the amount of time they are reading. However, I would like to be able to choose certain books for them to read that correlate to something we are learning. Sometimes they choose these on their own, sometimes they don't. I'd also like them to work on their own narrations. They are in 4th grade. Do you have your kids do a narration page each day (on their own) about what they have read? If we are doing WWE 3 as well, is this too much? We also do written narrations for history. I don't want them to kill their love of reading, but I do want them to know how to read something they aren't necessarily interested in and respond appropriately. Does that make sense? I know it's a school skill, but I think it's an important one. What do you do?

Wonderful! Thanks so much for your ideas everyone!

My twins will be in 5th grade next year. I'd like for them to tackle some good literature, but I feel like they get sick of me asking all the questions and doing all of the "conversing" with them about the books. I was thinking about starting a book club for kids (maybe just girls?) their age. We could send home some questions about the book ahead of time for them to think about, meet and discuss, and possibly do some sort of activity or craft. I was thinking of holding it at the library. Has anyone had success with a group like this? What are your tips? My girls LOVED their Liberty Girls (American Girl) book club, but I'm not sure if I'm that ambitious! They met twice a month for three hours at a time.

I think you should start walking around naked. Then, you can call the police and let them know that she has been videotaping you naked!! :) What a nut case! I seriously would have some fun with it though. Then maybe she'd realize how crazy she is being.

This is NOT FAIR to this child. I really hope she doesn't expect this. He needs intense, one-on-one help!

As long as he can read, write and spell, I wouldn't worry about English, History, or Science. I would hate to see him be in remedial math for the next 5 years though. There was an article going around a while ago about an unschooling school (Sudsbury, maybe?) having a guy come in and teach ALL of elementary math in 6 weeks. I can't remember where I saw it. Anyhow, if he is a bright kid, there is NO reason he shouldn't be able to learn long multiplication, division, fractions, and some basic pre-algebra before the fall. Really, he's what, 12 or 13? He should have a decent grasp of numbers just by living life. Someone just needs to show him "school math." Barring any disability or severe lack of motivation, he should do very well with a motivated and prepared parent, or a very structured tutor. But she needs a plan! I also wouldn't use any curriculum. I'd go through concept by concept, spending time as needed.

My daughter just had one on her tummy and it was red for a few days, mostly because she kept touching it. I think it's normal for it to be red if it's in a sensitive area or if the child touches it. You usually take some skin out with the tick, so it's like getting a small cut, I suppose. It's the red bulls eye rash or flu-like symptoms you want to watch for. It sounds like you caught it pretty early though. I'm sure he's fine. :) My friend's little boy had seed ticks all over his...sensitive area, and she had to pluck them all out. Poor thing!

:iagree::iagree::lol::lol::lol:

Hmmm...I would think a few minutes in front of a microwave would be no more harmful than 1 hour in front of a TV! ;) I think you are fine. We don't have a microwave, but only because we don't want to eat what comes out of it, not because we are afraid of standing in front of it.

double post

Regional Sales Manager for a hot tub company

Your dss sounds a LOT like my step siblings. My mom has finally figured out that there is nothing she can do to change them all as adults, so she can either be supportive or be the evil stepmother. She does what she can emotionally handle and steps away from the rest. Do what you can. If your dss stepped up by being there for the birth, then perhaps your presence can show your support for that decision.

Wow. I guess I should be very grateful for the reminder emails I get from our library two days before anything is due.

I've read most of the responses and, while I understand where your husband is coming from (who doesn't want all that done by dinner???), I have a hard time relating because of the above statement. For us, the scheduled part of homeschooling is actually a very small part of our day. The real magic is what happens when we are free to explore deeper, change plans at the last minute, and throw in the towel and go climb trees for the afternoon. Dinner plans change, we decide to eat out, etc. and that's just part of life. I think that if that is his expectation, he should provide you with a weekly housekeeper so that you aren't spending a huge amount of time doing deep cleaning. We don't do anything after dinner, so it's family time, but we certainly don't always have a spotless house before dinner. If having all of those things done when he walks in the door makes HIM feel better, which is very valid, he should be part of the problem solving (i.e. maid) to get it done. Or, suggest that the kids go back to school so you have 7 hours to cook and clean like the other moms. :)

Is it only downloadable stuff?

Oooh, I love Naartjie. I'll have to start ordering online, as we don't have one here. Great ideas everyone. Thanks! It looks like I'll just have to focus my efforts online rather than my current clearance rack mall shopping. :)

I like Lands End, so maybe I'll just have to be better about watching their online sales.

I'm so sad that my girls are growing out of the Gymboree stage. It seems like all the clothes aimed for their age group want to make them look ten years older. I hate that!!! We are not super conservative, but I would like to instill the values of keeping your underwear covered now, rather than having to fight it later. Where do I buy cute, affordable clothes for this age that won't make my girls look like mini-whores?!?!

Great advice everyone, thanks! 3 days a week is totally doable, so that makes my decision much easier. I actually have one dd who loathes competition of any kind and was refusing to do regular swim team until I found this developmental team. So, for us, no meets will work, at least for this first season. The meets for the comp team are every Wed night until 10PM. That just doesn't work for my kids. They are asleep before 8. We'll try next year.

Looooove my shelves from IKEA. I used to use the magazine boxes in my classroom. I have a lot of their kitchen stuff. My favorite is the cheese grater. The grater fits like a lid over a tupperware bowl. You grate your cheese, use what you want, and then put the real lid on when you are done. It's the best grater I've owned. It's easier to grate going back and forth than up and down. I cannot say enough about this cheese grater! Ha! I love their cheap kid's toys, too. And you must eat the meatballs.

One is a very strong swimmer, the other struggles with some motor control, but swims well. Neither of them have done swim team before, but they've both completed all of the swim lesson levels. It didn't occur to me that they wouldn't have to go all five days a week. That's something to consider. That would give us a little more flexibility with our summer schedule, as well. Hmm. Thanks for your responses!