Have you thought of using Wordsmith Apprentice? It is by Write Shop as well, and a really good just for fun writing curriculum. http://www.writeshop.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=0020

We didn't start off when our kids were this little, but I like the look of the rod and staff curriculum...not too much fluff. I will have to keep this in mind if we have more.

We are using Gods' Design for chemistry and purchasing God's Design for Life for next year. It has 105 lessons for the year, but we are just stretching it out a bit through the summer because we rarely make it through science as much as I plan to. http://www.christianbook.com/gods-design-life-the-world-animals/richard-lawrence/9781600921605/pd/921605?event=CF#curr Funny we tried apologia last year and my people found it a bit dry and were rarely engaged. Not the case this year :001_smile:

Oh my dear...that sounds rough. We were having tears and words every day over math. Honestly it is not an area in which I am able to teach strongly :confused: We just switched to Teaching Textbooks. The first level is 3, which we are doing even though it is a bit easy for both my 8 and 9 yo. We are just doubling up on lessons to start level 4 asap. Love the lecture-review-problem set up. I really recommend trying a sample lesson on their site. I never thought I would be for computer curr. but they are loving it. An added blessing...the level 3 background is orange:p

Good for you! My kids did PS for K-2 and K-1...while I dug in my heels also! We are half way through our second year and just finding our stride. I know that isn't super encouraging, but this is new for all of you...even the little ones. Give everyone time to establish new routines. Curriculum wise we love God's Design too! We are doing Chemistry this year and I am constantly surprised how much they are learning and loving it. Next year is Bio and I can't wait :) to see what we'll learn. Let her read read read! I found a simple plot diagramming printable online and get my kids to do it after they finish each novel. We do it mostly for portfolio submissions that we do thrice yearly, but it gives me confidence in what they are reading, and retaining. You sound like you already have a good idea of what she needs to do and when. If my kids get up, chores and eat and don't then head straight into their work we never get back on track. I give them a list of all things they need to cover in a day, they pick the order and check in with me for the things I cover or we do together(science, spelling). You didn't say how much you are spending one on one with her, but she may be more capable of independent work than you think. I think my biggest misconception in the beginning was that I needed to hold their hand through everything. As they get bigger I have realized I want to produce independent learners which I hoping will come from giving them some freedom in the way things work and the things we cover. Hope that was a bit encouraging!

My daughter and I are going through Personal Help For Girls by Pearables. In our family is really important that we are raising a woman of God...I like the focus on inner beauty, purity and doing all things for Him. Not the flashiest book, but my 9 year old loves it! http://www.christianbook.com/personal-volume-1-nurturing-virtuous-spirit/9780979244650/pd/244650?item_code=WW&netp_id=606123&event=ESRCN&view=details#curr

My husband was diagnosed as celiac positive by biopsy at age 2. At around age 18 or so he decided to stop following his gluten free diet. At one point my husband was 145 lbs on his 6'2" frame...not healthy at all. He continued this course for several years, sure that everything was fine because his blood work always came back as good. His vitamin levels were never deficient, and his tTG was fine. Upon going back onto a gluten free diet he gained about 30 lbs in 6 months. No more dark eye circles, exhaustion, stomach aches. Now we have two kids...8 year old and 9 year old that are both miserable on gluten. Both of their blood works came back neg. I know that my then 6 year old being angry all the time, throwing himself on the ground, and being sent to the principals office 3 times in 2 weeks(pre-hs'ing), stopped all of these negative behaviors inside of a month off of gluten. My daughter's symptoms were more GI, and and arguing/attitude. Not perfect but not throwing things any more! And honestly, I didn't change my parenting at all! Anyways...not sure if that was much help. Just our experiences. I would have preferred to have a biopsy done after the neg results to know for sure. I have a family Dr that thinks "why should we bother if we know Daddy has it for sure and kids feel better? Just eliminate it."

For discount-y sort of stuff I try and hit liquidation sort of places. Good prices on brands I recognize. Food is usually close to out dated, but I have never had anything off. My local Deals Only has things like 4 Kraft dressings for $1, or cereal for 79 cents. Tonnes of shampoo, deodorant etc. for a fraction of the reg prices.

We were sure we wanted 2. We had them 11 months apart...thought "Wow, that was fast. Great! Vasectomy here we come." Then we met God, gave him our lives and realized that we had taken that area of our lives away from Him. We have had to grieve that, and are so excited to start adoption classes at the end of this month! I feel pretty sure we will end up with four. Our kids are now 8 and 9, and I am sure feel lead to adopt two littles that will be similar in age difference.

We just started Teaching Textbooks 3 for my 8 and 9 year old. Both are loving it. We switched more for me than them actually. I am not so great at explaining mathematical concepts. My daughter also tends to come at most concepts a little side ways which I am able to handle from a LA point of view. They have never wanted to do math first thing!

Oops...hit send too soon. Another fave is Hamburger Soup. 1lb lean browned hamburger(drain) lg can of diced tomatoes and juice 1 cup diced celery 2 cups diced carrots lg onion diced salt and pepper to taste tonnes of shredded cabbage beef broth to cover ingredients Simmer till veggies are all tender I know the last two ingredients are not specific but they are pretty variable. My kids love the cabbage the most so I put as much as I can get in my big soup pot. Delicious with warm buttered bread...I think I am making soup tomorrow!

My kids love Borscht! This recipe looks similar to what I throw in a pot. I just use better-than-bouillon and water for the stock. http://www.canadianliving.com/food/better_next_day_borscht.php

I love people coming in to my home! Cooking, kids making noise, cups of tea for friends... All while I get to stay in my warm slippers :)

Sure have! I am mostly just buying the next year of whatever we are happy with and looking for great options for things we are starting. Never done Latin so we are trying Prima Latina. Math is Teaching Textbooks 4. Answers in Genesis for science and history. Art is Feed My Sheep. Devotions by Pearables. Really feeling like I am happy with most of our curriculum for the first time in 2 years since we started.

We like the God's Design Series by answers in genesis. It is obviously Christian based, great creation curriculum for grades 1-8 with two options for discussion/written work. Lots of experiments too. Might be ok older child to do independently, but I have a 9 year old and still need to simplify and expand upon some concepts. This year we are doing chemistry and they are super excited about biology/life sciences next year!