I live in VA, and so I am blessed by visiting things more frequently In DC, the Air and Space Museum and Natural History museums are the most frequented. Mount Vernon and National Zoo are cool. Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are all two hours from Fredericksburg. Just remember that right now it is very hot out, and wandering Colonial Williamsburg outside in 98 degree weather (plus humidity) may not be too fun! There is also a lot in Richmond, especially for Civil War buffs. Let me know if you want more Richmond info.

I have quite a pooch after several kids and c-sections. I've been reading about exercises to help. Do a search on "transverse abdominal exercises" and see what comes up. Women who were PG and had twins and/or c-sections are at higher risk for abs not going back to normal, and typical crunches may not help. I've been doing the transverse ab exercises from the link below for a few weeks now. They are DIFFERENT and not easy -- which tells me these muscles need to get going. http://www.pregnancy-info.net/topic_other_topics.html HTH!

I'd like to know more about the Book Samaritan. We've only been hsing a few years, and some kind people have given us materials that are useful, but just not our thing.

What I love about HOD is that you can substitute a program of your choice for a particular "box" like handwriting or reading. Yes, the point of the guide is to have everything laid out, but honestly, something like handwriting or math is not usually something I plan meticulously -- we just do a lesson and when we are done, we move on to the next. So while we are doing Bigger, I am substituting HWT and Math U See for the handwriting and math blocks. I don't do DITHOR because I enjoy just reading books and encouraging my kids to read without anything else, and because with a busy 2-year-old around, we are lucky to get school done each day! I do things like pause and ask questions, anticipate, etc. But I don't think an 8 year old necessarily needs to fill out a story chart or a character chart. There will be PLENTY of time for such things in later grades. (This is no offense to those who use such things....just as a former high school English teacher, I know what lies ahead!)

Song School Latin is cute and fun but still has the info you need to learn the basics. Not sure if it has any religious element. Not expensive and you don't need the Teacher's Manual, just the student text and CD. The PP recommendation is good, too. I bought this for MYSELF to learn Latin, and my oldest (7, almost 8) is starting Song School Latin.

No advice, just encouragement. You are blessed, and you will get through this season and your kids will learn something! http://www.schoolofabraham.com/babylesson.htm

I love Embassy Suites. Indoor Pool, manager's reception every night (snacks and drinks...could be a light dinner) and breakfast every morning. Both included with your stay. If you want more sustenance, its a quick walk to a BBQ place, TGI Fridays, Olive Garden, or Waffle House. There is an Embassy Suites off West Broad Street on 64 in the West End of Richmond. I believe it is called the Commerce Center location. If you prefer to be in downtown Richmond or closer to Petersburg, let me know. I live just north of Richmond now but used to travel to the area frequently when I lived in another part of Virginia.

Praying, too. This was a very tough issue for me with my middle DD. For her, it was a reflux issue, and she needed meds and needed to be kept upright (sling or held) for 30 mins after feeding. Not saying this is your issue...just trying to relate to the toughness. HUGS

I think this is an awesome idea! Thoughts on wording: Come on by, we'd love to have you visit! Just drop in for some snacks and let's catch up! Whatever feels comfortable for you. I'm sure others have good ideas, but just a thought -- stipulate what you do or don't want, like "No gifts, please" or BYOB. People appreciate gentle direction, I think, especially given that in your area such events don't happen too much.

I went to William and Mary and now live an hour from Williamsburg. When I go visit with my family, my favorite restaurants in Williamsburg are the Cheese Shop and Food for Thought. -- Cheese Shop is a sandwich place -- order, then eat outside if you can find a spot. Tips: bathrooms are downstairs. Order extra house dressing on your sandwich, or grab a bag of "bread ends" and then go to the cheese shop for a pint of house dressing. Wonderful. -- Food for Thought is out Route 60 on your way to the outlets, across from some chains (I think Chilis or Applebees). It will be on your right if you are leaving the Burg, past the Goodyear place. Very nice restaurant with reasonable prices (range from wraps/burgers to entrees, plus a kids menu).

Very cool!

My DD (almost 8) is allergic to cats. It is our responsibility, and hers, to keep from petting the cat, etc. She sometimes needs Benadryl after a visit to a house, but it is usually up to her to not pet the cat or face a night of itchy eye. At her age, I remind her, and then she is having to learn to be responsible to avoid the cat, with my guidance.

Yes, there are! They are typically called chewy tubes. Check out http://www.talktools.com or http://chewytubes.com/

Sorry! IEW is Institute for Execellence in Writing. TWSS is one of their programs, Teaching Writing with Structure and Style.

I'm interested as well, especially since DD 5 is now gluten free. Does anyone know how it compares to Saving Dinner? Thanks!

I would love this, too. Has anyone checked this on the HOD Yahoo group?

Thank you! This is helpful to me. Oldest DD will start Shurley 3 this fall (switching from a more textbook approach). But I love IEW for writing. So I'm hoping to do lessons 1-4 in Shurley and then work through TWSS for writing.

I think a cart would work well. We use a rolling cart that has ten drawers (pm me and I will send a pic). Another though would be utilizing the back of a door for pocket folders, or perhaps a shoe holder type thing in which to store supplies?

Shurley Grammar and All About Spelling involve a lot of oral work (and some kinesthetic/visual for AAS), not just writing. Maybe that will help? For my DD going into grade 3, we are doing the following for language arts: -- Shurley Grammar 3 -- IEW All Things Fun and Fascinating (a spinoff of the TWSS but with source texts provided) -- All About Spelling -- Helping younger sister with IEW PAL games, most of which are phonics based and a good review -- Copywork (we do Bible verses, catechism, and poetry)

I'm going to do AFF with my 3rd grade DD this year. She and I did some of the TWSS last year, mostly Units 1 & 2. I love how AFF is laid out and has a variety of writing topics. Since I already teach an IEW writing class for upper elementary, I'm comfortable with the theme-based materials. But good to read the reviews about SWI A!

We used PODS and it was awesome. We were worried about bugs, too, but when we realized how hot it gets in that metal box, our worries were done.

Yes, yes! I need a kick in the pants (and so do my kids). And I LOVE notebooks. :)

Awesome ideas. Again, thank you! We hit Whole Foods today (very thankful that we live within 30 minutes of a store). I bought some snack and party food to keep and freeze (love the idea of keeping cupcakes stashed). I also bought some flours to mix and start doing my own thing. My daughter was SOOO happy this afternoon. We set up her own area in the pantry, and I said I would try to eat g-free with her to be her buddy, which she was glad about. (This is somewhat selfish on my part, as my mom is celiac, and my testing has been negative, but I have some symptoms.) Dinner tonight was grilled chicken, quinoa, and a raw veggie and fruit tray with hummus dip. DD didn't eat a lot, because some of it was new, but she tried everything. We talked at dinner about how we all need to eat more healthy. Thank you all for your support!

Thank you all for your advice! This is pretty new territory for us. I have two adult relatives with celiac, but teaching a 5 year old not to eat goldfish is a process! Thanks.

Hello! I wrote a few weeks back about my 5 yo daughter having a positive blood test for gluten intolerance. Though her intestinal biopsy was normal, her doctor saw a lot of inflammation during the procedure. So DH and I have decided to have her go gluten-free for several months and see if that relieves her stomach pain, cramping, and other complaints. But I'm not sure how to handle letting folks know about her diet needs. She has some birthday parties coming up, plus the usual notice for snacks at church, play dates. I've drafted a letter. Would anyone like to chime in on what I need to add or change? I want to be informative but not offensive. Thank you! Hello! Thank you for inviting E to C's birthday party. E is really looking forward to it! E recently went on a gluten-free diet. She is aware of her food allergy and knows that it is very important that she not eat wheat or any gluten containing foods. I don't, however, expect you to make anything special for her. Instead, would you let me know what will be served at the party, such as pizza, cake, etc? We have plenty of gluten-free snacks, pizza slices, and cupcakes that will be safe for her to eat, and I will bring them with us to the party. Thanks for your support. See you on Saturday!