Chech out this blog. This couple does amazing projects both small scale and larger scale projects with DIY instructions and videos. See how they did some cosmetic work on their new kitchen including concreting thier laminate counters. http://www.younghouselove.com/2014/03/trying-our-hand-at-ardex-concrete-counters/

I have a general idea of what we will do next year but nothing concrete. We are not finished with school. We've had extended family activites almost every weekend a funeral, confirmation, bridal shower. Oldest dd has Sr Banquet next week, and is graduating two weeks later. I have a party to plan, invitations to send out.. etc. ,another bridal shower, and a wedding. Ok I'm tired. Plans for next year will wait! Lol!

I feel your pain. I spent many years homeschooling with toddlers that didn't want to cooperate. Things that works for me were, games that toddler could play in the highchair (example Cheerios, shaving cream, finger painting with pudding). I put together special activities toddle could do at table with us or on the floor. I think I had a book called Preschooler Activities in A Bag with lots of ideas. I would team older children up with toddler and rotate. That way toddler always had a playmate and I could do some one on one with each child. I also picked things like audiobooks that we could all participate in it together. Toddlers always had a safe area to play - gated. I made sure that toddlers got my attention first each day. Some days chaos ruled and I just tried to deal with each crisis as it came up. Experienced moms told me to remember that homeschooling is a marathon not a sprint. Just keep swimming! One day at a time. Take a break, go to the park, play, sometimes we would "mop the floor" (everyone in socks with a bit of water on the kitchen floor). Find the joy in each day. Don't give up!

Read your update. Under those circumstances, yes, I would bring work, games, and projects. I would also bring toys and videos. You will be setting up a home-like environment in someone else's home. Whatever I could bring to help keep the kiddos busy while I helped with baby would be beneficial. I would just lower expectations. The change in environment would make for lots of distractions.

I often bring fun educational things to do. When we drove to Michigan I printed maps and fun geography things related to our trip. It was fun when things got monotonous in the car. That was before GPS. Lol! Audiobooks are our favorite car activity.

Ewwwwwww! Can you imagine smelling like KFC all night?

Where do your children get their blue/hazel eyes from? Where do your girls get their curly hair? Is your hair naturally straight? (One day i'll say-Um. No.... Is that your real hair color?)

Susan, Last year I thought you did a talk on Preparing for College. It may have been at your mini- conference at Peace Hill. Will you be offering that talk for purchase as well? Thanks, Monique

I am so glad you had the chance to hear his voice and let him know he's loved. Hugs to you

Congratulations!! When we had #5 I shared the news with those I didn't want to talk to with an email. There was no fb back then or I might have posted there instead. Mom wasn't thrilled, but she got the message and i recieved a nicer, happier phone call than I would have announced it in person.

Abeka Math Latina Christiana Rosetta Stone

We play Ruzzle. Eta: But it's spelling not vocab.

Typical of how things are done here in Nj. When asked if you want to have your walk/ driveway shoveled you would ask "how much?" Then you could decline the offer or haggle. If you don't wish to pay then you tell them no thanks. If they're doing it for free, typically they just do it. Rude would be shoveling and then knocking and asking for payment. But I'm from New Jersey, it has been said we can be a bit ride.

So sad to hear this. I thought I was the only Amelia fan around here. Has anyone read any of her other series?

Mamajudy, you are right about the trend. I have to say that most of my circle are at the end of their hsing journey. They are moms of large families hsing their youngest children. I wonder what it will be like when my youngest are high schoolers. Things are changing, as hsing becomes more and more mainstream it seems to have the potential become less recognizable.

We still have many traditional hs high schoolers here. Most of the coops I know including ours are also parent run and taught. There are some hs that have dual enrolled for a few classes, but most of my circle are doing it the old fashioned way.

Insist on a refund, or rally the other parents to insist on a full hour of instruction even if it means her second class starts late.

If I want to use Whispersync do I need an Audible account ? Do I need a prime account as well? What are the advantages of having Prime. I appreciate all the help!

My father is giving Kindle Fires to my three younger children. I really have no idea what to do once they get here. Please help... Do they need cases? Do I need to link them to their own account and do we need prime. Will I be able to really use these for school? Is is hard to use the whisper sync ? I can do something with PDF files? Have I forgotten anything? Thanks!!

I love my kettle and it's so pretty! We use it all day long! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009X3X5A2

Ribbon garland here as well

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Pantry moths! Check your cabinets and all your spices and boxed items in your cabinet. They lay eggs in the flaps of cardboard boxes. They eat through plastic and they love chocolate. Check everything. We had a terrible infestation that spread to our basement when we were on vacation. It was a nightmare!

If he likes humor, Visual Latin is a great choice. My ds only does Latin because the teacher Dwane is so engaging. Each lesson is broken up into 3 sections so it doesn't require long attention spans. I have lively Latin for dd11 and she hasn't found it to be engaging. I have tried countless Latin programs and VL is the only one that has been successful in our home.

We drive a 9 seater Suburban. I love it ! Lately it seems we're always picking up some extra kids.