Was the band aid a circle one? It may just be a reaction to the sticky stuff on the bandaid???

Our kids (gr. 3 and 5) read a story from the Bible, talk about what they read, do a game/activity, and a little craft about the story/theme. They don't learn any creeds or verses at Sunday school. The younger kids hear a story, sing a few songs, do a craft and have play time. We go to a Presbyterian church.

Try to hire someone to meet them and watch them for an hour. I did this for my neighbour when I was 12. I would meet her two kids at the bus, walk them home and hang out for a little while. I would get $25 a week.

We are only one day two with Rod and Staff, but we love it so far. My five year old loves the math pages, I love the teacher guides, and my ten year old is enjoying the Spelling and English books. So far it seems solid and enjoyable.

Sorry, I misread what you were looking for!

I think that is a fine idea. For our first year of home schooling, we simply kept a Science binder with narrations, worksheets we did, printed info sheets, pictures... They turned out beautifully and the kids loved it. I have tried lapbooking and it was way too "crafty" for my three boys. I found the time it took was not worth it. Putting papers in a binder is much quicker and easier to store and look back at. Last year, we did ES chemistry without any extras. I do think it would have been great to add to our binders. This year, we are back to just doing binders and a nature study. I like it when the kids are excited about putting their own work in a binder and being able to share it with each other.

To honour your mother in law, you could try Lindsey as a second name. I really like Catherine, btw.

Thanks for all the replies. They are all so helpful. I think we will try to go and play with some kittens to see about allergies (my kids have no known allergies, so that may be a good sign!) and I think two is the way to go.

Our family has been discussing getting a pet. I am a cat person, and have finally convinced my husband that a kitten would be best! One day, when we were looking at kittens, my husband said that perhaps we should get two! Cat people, is getting two a good idea? We have four children, who are quite good around animals, and we have a pretty big house. I am wondering if two are double the work, though. Any advice would be great... Oh, and one last thing, what is the best way to check for allergies, or do you just hope no one is allergic?!? Thanks!

We aren't changing too many things, but I am excited about: Elemental Science -- Earth Science/Astronomy (Logic Level) -- The topics look interesting and the boys are going to love it! Singapore 5 -- I just love math and am excited to teach the next year to my oldest. MP Kindergarten Program -- I am nervous and excited about having a "pre-planned" curriculum for the first time. Only five more weeks until we start!:tongue_smilie:

Just wondering if I could substitute Explode the Code for SRA phonics if I am using the Memoria Press K Curriculum. I would love to save some money and shipping costs.

For fifth grade: R&S English 5 R&S Spelling 6 Lit. picked from Early Modern Time period Novel studies from Co-op Perhaps WWE4 or IEW???? We are trying to keep our studies simple for the upcoming year, so I am not sure if we will just use R&S for writing too. I hope to use WWS for Grade 6.

Only nursing babies! Here's the info I received: ETCH (Etobicoke Homeschool Group) is holding their first new & used curriculum fair. Where: Toronto International Celebration Church Address: 190 Railside Rd (just east of DVP and Lawrence) Date of Event: June 2, 2012 Event Start / End Time: 8am-1pm Admission: $1/person (nursing babies only) EXTRA INFORMATION: There is lots of parking, however there is an event at the church at 9am, so come early to get good parking. There is parking on the street, should you come later. Participating Vendors to Date: A+ Books, Accelerated Christian Education Canada, Blossoming Minds, Christian Light, Maple Tree Publications, Answers in Genesis and The Learning House

:grouphug: I am so sorry. Please take it easy and have someone stay with you. Miscarrying naturally can be really tough physically and emotionally for many women. Some people say it's just like a heavy period, but my natural miscarriage was very difficult with lots of blood, terrible cramps (like labour pains), and was quite emotional. I hope your husband can be there and perhaps your kids could visit a friend for the day. :grouphug:

We listened to it last summer, and we all LOVED it. It's got some mature themes (we had to explain divorce), and some parts are scary and a bit gruesome. However, for my three boys (ages 4, 7, and 9 at the time), it was a great book. The other Paulsen books are good too, but Hatchet was one of the top ones in my mind.

We like Studying God's Word. It's thorough and my son enjoys the questions and activities.

:party: Congrats!

Soaring with Spelling was okay. We found mistakes in the Grade Five book. But the most disappointing aspect was the activities... too many word searches, alphabetizing, fill in the blank .... without any real work with the spelling patterns. My son is a natural speller, and we chose a level ahead. Yet, the words were still too easy. We are going to try Rod and Staff next year.

Thanks for posting this! I got the Oceans book too. I think it's going to work well for a 5 week co-op for kindergarten kids I am helping with. It sure was hard to choose though; the Critical Thinking book looked great as did the astronomy unit study.

Thanks! This is very helpful!

We love SOTW... my kids beg for it every day! We also love SM; it works for my mathy son and my not-so-mathy son! And then there is AAS and WWE, which are some of my favourites. For Bible, we have had great success with Studying God's Word and Training Hearts, Teaching Minds. For French, my son is doing very well with L'art de Lire.

I plan to start Building Critical Thinking Skills2 with my 9 yo son in August. I was wondering how people schedule it. Do you work through the book in order, or jump around? I plan to take two years to complete it. Thanks in advance!

I agree with the PP. You can easily go into FLL4 ( we did it this year without doing FLL3, and had no trouble). WWE is much more challenging, especially if you are new to the program. WWE3 would most likely be best.

It is scheduled for 16 weeks, doing writing four times a week. Some days are longer, but it usually takes 25 to 45 minutes. If a day is taking longer, you can just finish it up the next day. I would think that a struggling writer would take longer than 16 weeks to finish it.

Congrats! I had four in 6 and a half years... yes it was hard, but you can definitely do it! :party: