Check out West Virginia. We took our three teenage boys there and they had a blast...white water rafting, zip-lining (which I had to admit was awesome!), cliff jumping, etc. I can't remember the name of the place, but they had SOOOO many activities. Our boys went to bed very tired each night! We didn't stay on the property, but rented a cute little cabin. Very pretty. New River Gorge...or something like that!

I usually only watch college football and college lacrosse! Go Gators! (I have been watching Gator basketball since they are doing so well!)

Good luck! I got my MBA from UT. They have really grown and the facilities are great.

Congratulations! Well done!

I would look at the specific foreign language requirements for colleges your kids may be interested in attending. I found out two years ago that they vary! Some require SAT subject tests, some don't!

Thanks for the suggestions and "insider" scoop! I live in Florida and am looking forward to "dry" heat vs. the humidity! I will pack extra lotion and lip balm.

Hi, I am going with my DH to a conference in Las Vegas. He will be attending, I will be "spousing" it! Any good ideas of things to do/see while we are there? Things that I could do during the day while he is in the conference? Thanks for any ideas!

We do the fill in the blanks orally and don't write in the book. :)

Ha! I can totally relate! I had to give up my office/classroom/reading nook/exercise room last Thursday when my ds came home. I am SO glad to have him home...I didn't really mind cleaning it up! (Although I cringed when I went in there today to get something...his clothes were everywhere, suitcase half unpacked, empty glasses...maybe I should have waited to clean AFTER he leaves!) It's good to have all my boys in their rooms at night! Merry Christmas everyone!

Hire a guide to drive/ride in your car! We did this and it was FANTASTIC! He was very informative and we let him drive our car...didn't have to worry about navigating! You can make reservations through the park system. He wove a story through the sites...and would end with a "cliff hanger" that would carry us to the next stop. Learned SO much! Have fun!

Hi Barb, It's ok to miss them! I left mine Monday at the University of Florida. It was an emotional week leading up to his departure...and then when I drove my van out of the driveway...and when I was driving on the interstate..._______fill in the blank. Once we got there and started working...I was too busy. I was totally expecting to cry when I actually hugged him good-bye and left him at his apartment...but I didn't! I think I was too exhausted and my tear ducts were dry from the morning! I came home yesterday and cleaned out his room without shedding a tear. I love texting and hearing about what he's doing...but I do miss him. I still have two teenage boys at home...so the toilet will still not be FLUSHED! (Although my oldest was the only one that actually DID it! He was so excited about finally having his own bathroom!!!), there will still be messy rooms, violin/piano playing, noise...but I won't have my oldest here. The other boys say it's "depressing" to go into his old room. The hardest part of launching them into life is grieving the loss of childhood.... On the positive side...I now have an office/guest room! I won't have to clean my middle son's room when company comes...this room will be clean! Hugs to you...you're not alone :)

I read In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin a couple of weeks ago and found it really fascinating. Written about the Ambassador to Germany pre-WWII. Very enlightening. I learned a great deal of the posturing of the nations before WWII. I wasn't sure I would like it...even though I love history...but I did!

We are taking our son to the University of Florida today. I feel your pain/pride/etc! He is moving into an apartment with my niece and nephew (the nephew is in grad school at UF, the niece will be a junior at Santa Fe...but it's her first time away from home). They have it made! The apartment is huge and very safe and close to campus. It helps knowing that he will be near family. My sister and parents live 30 minutes away and we are only 2 1/2 hours. I have had a teary-eyed week and a good cry last night...hopefully I will be able to hold it together today ;) I am happy and excited for this new stage of life, yet sad to see the end of his childhood stage. Every stage is good...I have to keep reminding myself of that! I'll be thinking of you...and others....who are launching their kids into life in the next few days/weeks!

Jumping in with both feet on August 22nd. We like to start really strong...so we can finish lighter! Happy homeschooling everyone!

Thanks for posting this! I just got back with my deals! My Staples associate was really nice about the 25 deals. The associate saw me counting and then went and opened the box and gave me the items in bundles...she did that for everything that was $.01...said it helped not only me, the cashier, but the people re-stocking, as well. Looking forward to next week's deals!

I'll answer you later...haha. Yes.

Yes, thanks to Dave Ramsey (and the recommendation of someone from this board about 4 years ago!)

Congrats to everyone! My first ds graduated with his AA (and hs) on May 7th and will be heading off to the University of Florida and the Fisher School of Accounting. He is entering their 3/2 program and will graduate in 3 years with his BA and Masters in Accounting. Thank you all for sharing your successful stories! You are an encouragement to me!!!

nd4judge - DS#1 Furman University (attending), Sewanee - University of the South (accepted), Univerity of Alabama (accepted), University of Alabama in Birmingham (accepted), Birmingham- Southern College (accepted) Basketmaker Amy - ds will attend the University of Florida in fall 2011; accepted at Hillsdale, University of Central Florida Blue Hen - ds - University of Delaware, Case Western Reserve, CO School of Mines, Drexel (PA), Lehigh(PA), Rose-Hulman, Tulane, RPI (NY), Stony Brook University --- all acceptances. Brigid in NC - ds - accepted @ Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State (attending) CherylG's ds-UCLA, graduated, UCSB, UCSD, Westmont, all accepted. UMD-attending for master's in engineering. CherylG's dd-SBCC school of nursing-graduated. Chris in VA ds--attending VCU. Got into the Cinema program sophmore year. CindyMarsch's dd#1 - Grove City College - attending CindyMarsch's ds - Grove City College - attending CindyMarsch's dd#2 - Grove City College, Gordon College, Union University - all accepted, she's choosing UU CO Mom -dd- George Fox (will attend in fall of 2010); Taylor University, Northwest Nazarene University accepted. Creekland's ds - Covenant College - attending fall 2010, Union University, Calvin College - acceptances Deb in NZ's dd - Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (begin Feb 2010) dkholland- ds - Covenant College (will attend in fall), Patrick Henry College (accepted) Grove City College (accepted) FloridaLisa -- ds1: accepted to: University of Florida, Florida State University (attending) Gwen in VA -- Washington & Lee (attending); acceptances from U Chicago, U Pitt, U Dallas, U Delaware, Hillsddale, UVA, William & Mary, College of Wooster, Case Western HeatherH -- Belhaven University (accepted w/scholarship; won't attend); University of Montevallo (same); University of Alabama at Birmingham; Samford. Still deciding between UAB & Samford based on $$ award. Kate in FL-ds-Cornell University (accepted Early Decision so all other apps had to be withdrawn) Kathy in Richmond - ds - MIT (attending), also accepted at Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, U Michigan, and UVA. Kathy in Richmond - dd - accepted at Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, U Chicago, William & Mary, and wait-listed at Swarthmore Katia - ds- Ellsworth Community College (AA Computer Science) , Anderson University-attended , University of Northern Iowa (BA Computer Science), Kansai Gaidai University, Kyoto, Japan-attended Katia - dd#1- Hilldale College-attending , accepted at: Luther College, Ball State University, University of Northern Iowa, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music Katia- dd#2 - applying to: Hillsdale College , Warner University (accepted) Lady Lorna - dd accepted at Fordham University, Hillsdale College, The King's College, Middlebury College, St John's College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Thomas Aquinas College, Trinity College. Waitlisted The University of Chicago. Still waiting to hear from Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University LaJuana - dd#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale. LaJuana - ds#1 University of Dallas - graduated Summa cum Laude. Also accepted to Hillsdale. Attending Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv). LaJuana dd#2 Attending Oklahoma City University Bass School of Music (Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance). Also accepted at Samford University (AL), Whitworth University (WA), George Fox University (OR), Covenant College (GA), Houghton College (NY), Oklahoma Christian University. LaJuana ds#2 Attending Whitworth University. Also accepted at University of Dallas. (Except for dd majoring in MT and VP, my dc knew where they wanted to go, applied to two schools only, and were accepted at both.) Laughing Lioness - DS -Boyce College (KY) attending. Accepted to Augustana College (SD) and St. Mary's School of Nursing (SD). Lisa in TN's dd - Vanderbilt University - attending. Also accepted to Hillsdale College, Belmont University, University of Memphis. Lisa in TN's ds - Washington University in St. Louis - attending. Also accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee. Liza Q's dd - Saint Francis College - attending. Kings College, St. John's University, Brooklyn College - accepted Luann in ID ds1 and ds2 - LeTourneau University - attending (They both knew they wanted to go there, so this is the only place they applied.) Mandy in TN-- ds Berea College (attending beginning in Aug) Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to Hillsdale College, graduated, accepted to CU Boulder School of Music, finishing Master's Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit, accepted to USNA, attending finishing Firstie Year, accepted to flight school, acceptances: Hillsdale College, USAFA, USCGA, ERAU (on NROTC), School of Mines Margaret in CO--dd accepted to Western State College for dual credit I'm going to stick my should-have-been-son-in-law (killed last spring), accepted to Hillsdale College, transferred to WVU, graduated, accepted to Toledo Medical College. Mary in GA ds: Clayton State University (attended & transferred) Georgia Tech (attending) Michelle in GA ds- University of Georgia (accepted); Berry College (accepted); Georgia Tech (currently attending) Moira in MA dd -- Acceptances at Dalhousie U (Nova Scotia), McGill U (Montreal) Mommyfaithe's dd #1 (accepted College of St. Rose (NY) attended Sage College Albany, NY Graduated Summa Cum Laude Mommyfaithe's dd#2 Attending Russell Sage College. Accepted SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Albany, waiting to hear from Simmons College in Boston Mass. MSPolly's dd- Acceptances at Covenant(TN), Union U(TN), U of MS, Belhaven U(MS) - ATTENDING Collaborative Piano/Pedagogy major WAHOO! Ms. Riding Hood ds1- MIT (attending), Texas A&M, Rose-Hulman, Purdue Musicmom –ds- accepted at Carnegie Mellon (attending fall 2010), Cornell, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Honors Program Newbie -dd- Accepted Chatham University(PA), Carlow University(PA), Mills College nrg - ds#1: attending BYU, accepted at Cal Tech, Stanford ds#2: attending UC Santa Cruz, accepted BYU ds#3: junior in hs Osmosis Mom Dd 1, Wellesley College (attending), accepted to Merrimack College, BU, Simmons, Emmanuel College Quiver0f10-dd#1-attending NWACC Quiver0f10-ds#1 attending University of Arkansas Quiver0f10-ds#2-attending NWACC Quiver0f10-ds#3 accepted to: Missouri University of Science and Tech, University of Arkansas, Embry Riddle, Oklahoma State University Honors College, Texas A&M Ruth in NC ds accepted St John in NM, Oberlin w/scholarship, Colorado College, Boston U, will attend UNC Chapel Hill, offered waitlist at Vanderbilt and Emory Ruth in NC dd accepted NC State, UNC Asheville, Appalachian State and Earlham w/scholarship, on Oberlin waitlist. Still deciding. Sepuld - DD 21 attending Bryn Mawr, acceptances U of Chicago, Haverford, Boston College, Bowdoin, Lehigh, Lawrence, ST Olaf, Catholic U, Villanova, Sewanee, William and Mary DD 20 attending Swarthmore, acceptances Wheaton (Ill), Lawrence, St. Olaf, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley DS 19 attending St. Olaf, acceptances Lawrence, Wheaton (Ill), Concordia (Mn), Hope College, Gustavus Adolphus, Susquehanna Sharon in MD's ds-Drexel University -attending; UMBC-Meyerhoff program, UMD-College Park-College of Engineering, Messiah College- acceptances Spock - ds – accepted at Liberty University (plans to transfer after attending CC for a year) Susann-dd-Rose-Hulman, Purdue, University of Evansville, Trine, Taylor, Cedarville-acceptances Susie-Knits ds1 - Valparaiso (attending), Rose-Hulman, U of Evansville, TN Tech - acceptances Sylvia in CA - dd - attending Biola Torrey Honors, accepted at UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Westmont, Azusa Pacific Sylvia in CA - ds - accepted at University of Pacific, Biola TransientChris's DS- George Mason U,attending; Hillsdale College- attended, Abilene Christian, Hampden-Sydney, St. Olaf- accepted Valerie(TX) - ds UT Arlington attended Valerie(TX) - dd accepted Biola (CA), Messiah (PA), Belhaven (MS), Mary Baldwin College (VA), UTA (TX), Hardin-Simmons (TX), Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX), and Ouachita (AR). ATTENDING--Hardin-Simmons ZooRho- ds#1 attending Bryan College (TN), accepted Pfeiffer University(NC), Eastern Mennonite College (VA) Outtamyshell - BYU Provo Maverick's ds #1 - accepted to West Point, will attend starting summer 2011 Martha in NM-- ds --Central New Mexico Community College; he's already planning his transfer to a four-year institution __________________

My oldest will be attending the University of Florida (Go Gators!) in the fall. He applied to three schools (UF, Hillsdale, and University of Central Florida) and got accepted at all three. He is graduating high school and will also be graduating with his associate of arts degree from St. Petersburg College. He will enter UF's School of Accounting as a junior in the fall. We're all very excited! I started homeschooling my younger two 5 years ago, and the oldest 4 years ago (high school). Homeschooling does work! Don't listen to people when they say, "well, what about college...transcripts...etc.!" I wish I had started earlier, but they went to a private Christian school and did well. Enjoy your time with your children...it goes by WAY too fast!!!

My oldest ds is going to the University of Florida!!! He is graduating from high school and from the local college with his AA degree in May. He will be entering UF as a junior. We are so excited!!! The best part is that we won't be going into debt to send him to college (with scholarships and what we've saved...he should be set through his Masters degree in Accounting!!!) He also got accepted into Hillsdale and the University of Central Florida. Homeschooling works!!! One down, two more to go!!!

May 8th...is the Hallmark holiday...every day should be Mother's Day!

I just checked on mine in the hallway...5 years and holding.... I remember adding more spices than recommended to help with the smell... Have fun!

Math - Chalkdust's Geometry Language Arts - Analytical Grammar, IEW American History, VFCR Science - Apologia's Biology History - Notgrass American History with Teaching Company DVDs, Blackline USA Maps Logic - Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox Geography - mix of sources Miscellaneous - Teaching Company Superstar Student DVDs, SAT/ACT Prep Music - continue violin lessons Boy Scouts - will be Life, begin working on Eagle project P.E. - lacrosse (his passion!) He will be finished with two years of high school Latin (Florida Virtual School) this year...yippee! I am looking forward to next year...it should be fun!

We have a six year old goldendoodle...she's the best! She doesn't shed. We take her to get groomed every 3-4 months. Sweet, sweet dog...and soft and cuddly, too! (She's 48 pounds, but thinks she's a lap dog!)