Due to some last minute issues, I need to book a hotel room for next Wednesday night, yikes! Anyhoo, anyone have any recommendations for hotels that won't break the bank??

Thank you so much. This makes perfect sense!

We used Prima Latina and are currently working through Latina Christiana I. I am looking into buying part of next year's materials and am confused about Latin. Memoria Press puts out Latina Christiana II -- which seems to me to be the logical next Latin book for us, but Memoria Press says that once we've finished Latina Christiana I we can move on to First Form Latin. If that's the case, who the heck would use LCII??

Keeps his room clean (once a month really good clean; the rest of the time I have to remind him and remind him), loads and unloads the dishwasher, cleans up dog doo in the backyard, cleans cat litter box, takes out trash, recycling, and compost, straightens up his stuff, helps dust, vacuum, etc. when asked, mows lawn or shovels snow. We pay him $5/week and an extra $10 when he mows and $5 when he shovels. We also pay him some extra cash for extra stuff like cleaning garbage cans or washing/vacuuming cars.

I would give your latin program one more chance because my ds wasn't too thrilled with Prima Latina either since it was pretty much all vocab, but Latina Christiana moves much quicker (and with Prima as a basis, your kids will have a great foundation). Seriously, Latin is a favorite subject for my kid and he uses some of the phrases in everyday speach. I think that program is great and am learning at the same time he is.

Like most of my curriculum decisions, I have opted to follow WTM's suggestions. We started with Prima Latina and are now on to Latina Christiana from Memoria Press. I never really doubted that this would be good since it was suggested by Susan and Jesse. It's not boring. Prima Latina is basically vocabulary and learning prayers. Latina Christiana uses some of the Prima Latina vocab but gets into verb conjugation and noun declension. I had no Latin experience and am learning along with my DS9. It's not too hard and it's not boring, and some weeks he says Latin is his favorite subject. There's lots of repitition and he's learning lots of derivatives (like pugnacious), which is very cool! I tell you, though, at Church when we say the Sanctus (we're Episcopalian), I sometimes say it in Latin on accident. :) I feel very confident this program is giving him (us) a firm foundation in Latin fundamentals and will make learning Spanish easier when that time comes.

We followed WTM's suggestion for Chemistry and found it dull. I'm looking for a physics program and don't want another dull one, so I'm hoping to get some enthusiastic responses. Thanks!

Has anyone downloaded SOTW 2, 3, or 4 in PDF format to their Kindle and if so, how's it working out? I don't want to spend the $14.00 to get the PDF version only to find out that it's frustrating. Also, as far as PDFs go, would it be true that you can't use the TOC feature? I find that quite frustrating with the free books I've downloaded (but you can't very well look a gift horse in the mouth, now can you?).

I feel the same way you do and have started my own classical training (in addition to part-time homeschooling my fourth grader since second grade -- which, by the way, is a really fun way of getting a classical education!). Anyway, I read SWB's book Well-Educated Mind and started following it, but felt it wasn't what I was looking for. So I bought the Adler book and started following that, but again it wasn't a perfect fit. Finally I found the series published in the mid-50s called Great Books of the Western World, which seems to fit my bill. I'm following the series' 10-year plan and got a Kindle so I can download most of the books for free, thus saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The editorial board's suggested reading cycle is outstanding in my opinion. As I'm reading through the books and writing about what I've read (a la SWB's suggestion), I'm finding such connections and clarity of understanding, I can hardly wait to sit down and read every day. I also borrow books on tape from my library (may from the teaching company). I also read other books that interest me (like Jane Austen novels, which I adore and CS Lewis whom I also love). Finally, I also try to keep abreast of contemporary problems by reading magazines and newspapers (another fine suggestion of SWB's). At this early point in my re-education I'm quite satisfied with this curriculum.

I would buy one at a yard sale or Goodwill and wouldn't pay more than $12 to $15. I bought one about 3 years ago at a yard sale for 5 dollars and love it (it's an Oster). I use it at least twice a week. Recently, though, I've switched to using it for the dough cycle only and baking it in the oven. Much better but I understand that's true for all bread makers.

adjective -- they're wrong

My 4th grade ds isn't doing very well (grade wise) in ps (he goes pt) at writing (he got a B- on his report card); I'm wondering how to deal with this. Having read WTM's section on writing, I'm convinced that the way kids are being taught to write in our schools is wrong. Let me explain what the school does and tell me if you think I'm off base. He reads a specific portion of a grade-appropriate book each day and he then has to write down vocabulary words he may not understand and think about ways that he can connect with the characters or plot, questions like "have you ever felt that way" or "what do you expect will happen next". I think in class they meet in small groups to go over some or all of these questions. He's expected to write in complete sentences and include detail. Later he defines the vocab words from a dictionary then writes a detailed sentence using the word. For his most recent book project, he has to write a book jacket for the book. I think this reading/writing assignment looks fine until one compares it to the classical model. First, I think that breaking up the kid's reading to respond to questions and find vocabulary words makes the reading proccess disjointed. Mind you, they are not reading anything like Captains Courageous or even Tom Sawyer, they are reading a book that's not advanced for a fourth grader, so I don't quite get why there's a "break" every 20 pages or so to answer comprehension questions. Also, seriously who cares if he ever experienced anything similar and what it may be? I've also noticed that he's stretching to find vocab words that he doesn't "get." By that I mean these are not words that stump him or that prevent him from understanding the story. He has to go back over the material sometimes to find a word that he's not quite familiar with (though he gets the sentence it's found in). Finally, the final assignment is crazy. Others have been to write an ad for the book, a newspaper article, etc. He has never, ever been assigned the task of narrating the story back in 3 paragraphs. He's been given assignments where he has to understand who is audience is and how to persuade -- beginning at age 8. I just don't understand why they are focusing on this stuff and not focusing on writing a narration. Here's my real dilemma. I don't care about training him to write the way they want him to write. I mean it's fine if he learns it, I guess, but my focus is on correct grammar, spelling, and capturing main ideas and explaining them in a succinct matter in his own words. What would you do?

I hs my 4th grade ds pt (am he goes to ps, pm he comes home with me). He just got his report card today and I have mixed feelings. I of course don't grade him, but understandably the school does. I see grades as a tool for a teacher who has to track the progress of her many students rather than an accurate representation of a student's understanding or ability. He did fine, but not great according to the grades. From my point of view, though, I want to use these grades as a way to focus on some of the things with which the teacher finds he's having difficulty. Do you guys think this is the right way to approach his grades or should I be more concerned that he didn't "ace" his school tasks? Does anyone else share my philosophy about grades. I don't see them as being particularly helpful for students but rather a way for the teacher to determine how much of the lessons are understood to what extent by which students.

I haven't read the responses, but I highly recommend Flylady.com. My life has changed for the better since I started about 2 1/2 months ago.

Edith Wharton's books. I think Sister Carrie starts in Chicago (my town) and ends in New York. But do you want fluffy books?

I used to use my canister vacuum (we actually found it in an alley and it works great) but recently I started following the FlyLady.com program. I bought her weird rubber broom and I tell you it's the bee's knees! I have only been using that now because it's lighter (obviously), but also less bulky (I have a canister, remember) and it really does pick up even more than my vacuum. I have a couple of area rugs and I use it on that. It takes me less time overall to sweep now than to vacuum.

I was recently told that if I sprayed Listerine around outside where I'll be sitting, bugs won't come around. I'm dying to try it. P.S. I always use ammonia afterwards and it really does stop the sting.

Hmmm, this is fun. 1. I was a vapid cheerleader in HS and a hairy, vegan, radical feminist in college. 2. I love to read too and can't wait 'til I'm good enough to read Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, et al. 3. My dog has been skunked 4 times in 2 months and when it happens I shun her for a day. 4. I wish I had been a ballerina. 5. I never want to go to LA or Las Vegas. 6. I wish I had a voice like Kathleen Turner or Demi Moore. 7. I have a skewed view of my body ... I actually think I'm a lot cuter and thinner than I really am! 8. I can't spend over $100 on a purse ... I've tried but can't bring myself to do it. 9. I bite my cuticles and tear at my toenails. (I know, gross.) 10. I love going to the dentist.

Little House on the Prairie -- not streaming, but your library should have all the DVDs.

My DS (9) is going to be vacationing in Well Fleet on Cape Cod this coming week. While he'll mostly be playing in the surf and sand with his cousins, my mom has agreed to take them to one history related outing. Anyone know what's close, easy, and interesting for young kids????

I went with Virgin Mobile. Bought a $50 phone that allows me to check my email (I work part-time) and chose the $30/month plan for 1500 min., 1500 texts, and 30 mg data (or something like that). My old cell phone number transferred as well, so I'm happy! This will save me $50/month. DH is trying to get a cell phone through work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks so much for everyone's input. Very, very helpful board!!!

We're trying to cut down on costs and I know there are some very smart and frugal people on this board. Anyone use pay as you go cell phone plans? If so, can you tell me about them? My dh and I are paying a little over $150/month for our two cell phones and I'd like to drastically cut that if possible. Thanks!

Last semester my ds went to ps in the a.m. and I homeschooled him in the afternoon. It was fantastic. He got spelling, math, and specials (library, art, music, gym) and I schooled him in history, latin, science, grammar, reading, and writing. I'm hopeful we'll do it again this coming school year.

I've been watching The Duggars lately (someone on this board mentioned them and so I started watching and got hooked) and was wondering what folks who share their view about "modesty" think about ballet. Ballet is my absolute favorite form of art. I could watch those exquisite bodies moving so sublimely and gracefully all day. But as I was watching a documentary on a Paris company I began wondering what folks who stress modesty think about this dance form (not necessarily just Christians). Obviously the costumes (particularly for the men) leave little to the imagination, but the choreography is oftentimes very sensual. To me ballet is like an exquisite sculpture or rich painting or masterful music, all of which, I think, can be very "immodest" -- sensual, even sexual. I'm not trying to start anything offensive or nasty here, I'm just curious.

First of all, WOW, China?! What an amazing opportunity for your family. How fun. Most of us will never, ever have that sort of exposure to another culture. Congratulations and kudos on taking the plunge. That seriously takes a lot of guts in my book. Second, I've just got to know what your sis thinks is so nuts. Is is that your kids will have one-on-one tuturing, or that they'll be learning grammar and history and science? Is she shocked that they'll be exposed to art and language. Is she offended that they'll be reading great literature instead of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (my son and I LOVE those books, BTW)? How horrifying!!!