We are always working on one poem for memorization during our morning meeting, but during our weekly poetry and tea times, we just read for enjoyment. Sometimes I'll chime in if there is a line or literary device that I find particularly moving, and occasionally the kids will ask questions about something, but that time is really just for pleasure. I've found that since we started doing poetry for pleasure each week, the kids are much more enthusiastic about poetry memorization when it comes up in their writing/grammar curricula. They love coming to poetry tea with something memorized to surprise the rest of the family.

This. My third one is in FLL2 right now and the material is repeated each year, at a deeper level each time. They will get it by year 4! All that repetition and practice does pay off eventually.

My kids loved GSWL last year. Really wish they had a second year program. We aren't enjoying first form latin quite as much.

My (just turned 10) son has enjoyed the following series: Percy Jackson Heroes of Olympus Chronicles of Prydain Gregor Overlander Sea of Trolls Fablehaven Warrior cats Mysterious Benedict society Hobbit & Lord of the Rings Harry Potter Little Britches

Trainspotting. I vaguely recall a scene with a guy and a revolting toilet and I just got up and left. Boyfriend at the time was disappointed, but I couldn't stomach it.

We have 2 ektorp sofas in leather. I bought both used on Craigslist (2 for the price of one!) and have had them for not quite 2 years - they'd been used 1 year before we got them. We've been very happy with them. We have a small living room and we're small people, so the scale of the ektorp is perfect for us. With 5 kids, they're holding up much better than the oversized white upholstered set I bought for my first apartment.

We listed things we wanted to pray for regularly: family, soldiers, leaders, church, neighbors, friends, babies, homeless, healing, etc. as well as things like praise, thanksgiving, and forgiveness prompts. I wrote them on Popsicle sticks and we keep them in a jar on the table. The kids each grab a stick at meal time and use that to pray. It's been great for getting them out of prayer ruts. And since we kept the prompts general enough, they can still make them specific to people in their hearts.

My husband is an extremely introverted homebody. One super-charged extroverted friend from church is always inviting him to Bible studies, men's group outings and the like, and DH just smiles and says, "Sorry, I'm not taking applications for new friends right now." He's pretty content just to see the people he likes at work, Scouts, and church and not leave the house once he's home from work. I assume you're not an impediment since you're expressing concern, and your husband a big boy; he can seek an outlet for meeting his own needs if he really feels his social-scene is lacking.

I save veggie scraps (carrot, onion, celery and garlic) in a ziplock bag to throw in with the bones when it's time, then add salt and a few peppercorns. I also freeze mine in mason jars.

I save veggie scraps (carrot, onion, celery and garlic) in a ziplock bag to throw in with the bones when it's time, then add salt and a few peppercorns. I also freeze mine in mason jars.

He is exactly 8.5 years older than I am.

I picked up Sea of Trolls at the library and read it before handing it to my son. He complained quite a bit as he'd wanted to start another Sherlock Holmes, but I asked him to just give me 5 chapters. One afternoon and 30 chapters later, he's hooked. I just finished the 2nd and have placed a request for the 3rd. I've enjoyed them more than Percy Jackson (only read the 1st), which I thought very dark and gritty. I think Farmer's books are a great adventure series for boys. Reading D'Aulaire's Norse Myths beforehand or alongside would be very helpful if you're not already familiar with the stories.

We have the versions illustrated by Alan Lee. http://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0395873460/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372036004&sr=1-6&keywords=Lord+of+the+rings+alan+lee And http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Hobbit-J-Tolkien/dp/0007105029/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372036004&sr=1-8&keywords=Lord+of+the+rings+alan+lee We love them.

This is why we just decided to bite the bullet and do TOG at the grammar stage. I also shuddered at the thought of doing different history programs/cycles as kids got older which tipped me over to TOG vs. Veritas Press, which I first considered; I really wanted us all on the same page. My kids are similar ages to yours, and we are heading in to our 3rd year with TOG. I use SOTW along with the library for the bulk of our books, subbing whatever the library does have available if they don't have the TOG recommended title. This has been fine at the grammar stage. As we move into dialectic and rhetoric, the discussion questions are tied to the recommended readings, so it will be more important to get the exact titles to make the most of the guide. I only buy (used!) books that are scheduled for several weeks, or that I'm sure we'll love and reread, so I don't think our expenditures have been excessive, especially knowing that I'll go through this stuff a few more times with 5 kids. I set aside a day and spend a few hours each quarter mapping out a plan to tackle that unit/quarter and make my library reserve lists. And my kids have enjoyed the majority of the books; I wouldn't label them dry. We love TOG!

This. Had an HE top loader, cabrio I think, and in the less than 5 years I had it, it just had problems and I don't feel like it got clothes clean very well. I had to run diapers through 3 times - where's the efficiency in that? I've got a speed queen top loader now. Bare bones, no expensive digital computer parts to malfunction. Clothes come out clean and it's fast.