My son uses 2 different types of nasal spray products. The first is nasal saline spray. He uses the brand Ayr Saline Nasal Mist. Our allergist recommends this one for kids because it comes out as a mist. You can also buy it as a generic ( like a Walgreens brand), but it's more of a squirt. Either way, it's costs less than $5. The second type of nasal spray Ds uses are prescription nasal steroids like Nasonex, Rhinocort, Astelin, etc. These help the nasal passages from swelling/blocking. I use the Neti pot myself and find it has been very helpful in reducing the duration/frequency of sinus issues. I use it when I've been working outside or start to feel that sinus pressure. There is a bit of a learning curve with it, so I don't know if I would try it at age 6. Hope your dd feels better soon!

We like the Bobbie Kalman books ( ie A Desert Habitat, Life Cycle of a Butterfly, What is Hibernation) and the DK Eye Wonder series. The Eye Wonder series is easier than the Eyewitness set and inlcudes topics like Ocean, Reptile, Weather, Invention.

The ones I am for sure interested in are Sue Patrick's workbox and Amanda Bennett unit studies.

I agree with the previous poster. Both of my boys have allergies. The youngest is allergic to dust mites which means he takes Zyrtec year round plus two different prescrption nasal sprays. My older son has seasonal allergies spring/summer and takes claritin daily. His asthma is aggravated by allergies so we have to be strict with this. Our allergist recommends you start taking allergy meds at the start of the season and continue daily. The meds work best when used proactively. It can take a few days to get the symptoms under control after a flare up. One other thing our allergist recommends is using nasal saline spray multiple times a day. I know it can take kids a while to get use to a nasal spray ( ds was 3 when his allergies were diagnosed and it was a struggle for the first few weeks). However the saline has made a difference. Use it when you come in from outside to wash out any pollen before it has a chance to affect you.

For lapbooks I have used http://www.lapbooksforcatholics.com/

First year with FIAR and we've enjoyed it!

I don't think 8 and 11 are too young. You could use the notebooking pages to sketch and write about what you observe in certain seasons--like a garter snake or a robin. But if you already do a lot of nature study and walks, you might want something more curriculum-like as the previous poster suggested. It reminds me of what to have my kids look for on nature walks. We also like to do things with the poems, art, and music suggestions as well. We read the poem Daffodils when we saw these come up in the yard. It also references FIAR books related to that season like Albert and it's bird theme. If your're not using FIAR or have already rowed the book, you can just read it as a go along after observing birds during your nature walk. Marie

I have spring and fall. They follow the same format. The spring gives tips on doing nature study( each season includes this). There are pages of ideas for mammals, birds, nests, eggs, reptiles, insects--what to look for this season and some links. There are pages about spring weather with a few photos, links, poems. There are sections on plants with links, rocks, poetry, artists, music. There are pages related to the above themes that you can use for notebooking, or checklists/scavenger hunts for younger kids. I like them and am always inspired for nature study after reading one! Marie

Hi! My ds likes the Boardmaker software by Mayer Johnson since he used it for years. We use the PECS method with the Boardmaker pictures. I've not actually seen the Pics for PECS software, so I don't know how it compares. I have compared Boardmaker with Dynasyms, however and preferred Boardmaker. I think it's a personal preference and what your child responds to. Boardmaker has lots of add ons that I've used to make activities too. Marie