Library cards stay in my wallet. Everyone can check out their own books but have to give the cards back to me immediately. I prefer though to have everyone check as many books out on my card that we can because it is easier to look online at one account for due dates. Keeping track of the books is a bit harder. We do have a big crate but they often don't always get put back in there. We do have a rule that all library books stay downstairs so at least if they go missing there is a smaller area to search.

There was a character on "Dynasty" named Fallon and, according to Wikipedia, also a p*rn actress...so, with that knowledge in mind, not something I would name my child.

We do this most of the time. Hubby is German and it is quite common over there. I usually start cooking after breakfast while the older kids do their independent work. This works better for me because I have more energy in the early part of the day. Later in the day I am more tired and my 2 yr old is usually cranky then too.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Verity! :001_smile:

I found a Music Maker harp at Goodwill a few months ago. I believe it is made by the same company as the Melody Harp. Mine was also out of tune. If you don't have a tuning key there are several places online to get one (I recommend the heavy duty one) and also replacement wires. If you can tell which string is out of tune just use the tuning key to tighten it very very slightly. Alternatively I believe they sell tuning sheets. HTH! :001_smile:

Has anyone put together a list of supplemental reading for History Odyssey 2 Middle Ages? I know there is a list of books in the back of the manual but I guess I am looking for something that matches up the books to the lessons more like in SOTW.

Forgot to add the remake of "Emil und die Detektive" too.

A few scenes from Das Wunder von Bern were filmed on our street in Cologne:thumbup:. My kids have enjoyed some of the already mentioned films "Windstärke 8" and "Abenteuer 1900". There is also an "Abenteuer 1927" but I haven't seen that yet. I think your son would enjoy those. "Lola rennt", "Good-bye Lenin" "Sonnenallee" "Kleine Haie"- are all good but don't know if they fit your definition of "healthy". Some other ideas (not all of these are German productions but they are all dubbed in German and available from amazon.de). These would be more for your dd: "Katja und der Falke" "Kim und die Wölfe" "Das geheimnisvolle Minusch"

My husband travels. A lot. He's had over 220 days of travel this year. When he is home he leaves for work around 4a.m. to beat rush hour and comes home at variable times, rarely before 7 p.m. though.

Der Sonntagsmann by Thomas Kanger- I'm a huge Scandinavian crime fiction fan. Don't know if this is available in English though. Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson- a really beautiful and somewhat sad book about the friendship between two women- one in her 30s and one who is 80- and what they learn from one another.

It is usually quite easy to get around without a car but it really depends on where you live. In a large city it can be easier without a car because parking can be a huge hassle. Gas is also much more expensive than in the States. On the other hand if you have a larger family and travel around alot a car could be more convenient and cost effective: Train tickets for several people are usually more expensive than the amount of gas it would take to get to your destination.

I lived in Germany on and off after I graduated from high school. When I married dh I lived there permanently for 10 years. Since dh is a German citizen I had a much different experience than most other ex-pats who are there with the military or because of their husband's job. I enjoyed our time there a lot. The negatives for me were that i missed my family in the States and we did/do not have a great relationship with dh's family. Also because our kids are German nationals we were not allowed to homeschool them. We moved back to the US when my oldest would have had to start school there. I loved being able to travel to nearby countries and being immersed in a different culture.

Is there anything specifically that you'd like to know? Are you using it as a primary heat source or in addition to something else. That will help me give you the pros and cons better. We used a pellet stove to heat our previous home (under 1000 sq. ft.). Make sure you get one that is self igniting. The first one we had that came with the house we had to light each morning. Also if you are using it as a main heat source get one with a large hopper capacity.

PM me and I can probably help. :001_smile:

I used this last year for my two boys: http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Children-Lessons-Really-Learn/dp/0679422978/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283229631&sr=8-1

Hey!

Looks like fun! Thanks for posting this.

I could have written this and my two boys are the same ages as yours! I too have thought about some reward system but I haven't implemented anything because it does seem like it could get complicated. Also there is a part of me that thinks you shouldn't get rewarded for doing what you're supposed to be doing, kwim? I'm at a loss though. We started school this week and already the boys are pushing my buttons by dawdling and not focusing. I've found when I am really on them then they will stay focused but I have a 2 year old too so I can't always do that. I hope someone else will have some really great ideas.

It hasn't been released yet. There's a description and a video promo on Amazon though. It looks really good....a bit dark, but good.

I know what you are going through and it is so hard. My dh is like this too. He wanted to have kids, in fact #3 was his idea, but he isn't really a dad. When the boys were younger he always said that he would enjoy them more when they weren't babies/ toddlers. Well, they are 12 and 9 years old and I am still waiting for him to step up to the plate. My dh works long hours and often has to travel for weeks at a time on business so that is a problem too in that he isn't forced to spend a lot of time with them to really get to know them and build a relationship. However, when he is home he doesn't really inititate anything. It makes me really sad.

I see/ talk to my parents almost every day. They live right across the street from us. :001_smile:

Thanks Rosy, that was really helpful.

Have you tried the Extra Practice workbooks for Singapore Math? We use those along with the workbook and answering the questions in the textbook and it seems like enough.

LOL! Yeah, it sort of depends on where you order from and what you order (backorders) and what time of year it is (beginning of school year is always busy). Most of the time though I have never had to wait more than two weeks and usually it is a week or less.

We like both. IMO the Usborne is more appealing than Kingfisher to younger kids.