Funny and perhaps true. Yet also, from what I understand, Queen Elizabeth learned at a young age the importance of not ever abdicating. Her uncle did so, thrusting her father into the limelight (and throne), and therefore said abdication made her the future queen as well. Also, she comes from a long line of long-living women, as has been noted.

Can't wait to go! This will be my fourth year. I will try to stop by Notgrass and RightStart. Not sure if I will be there Thursday. Things I found helpful in the past: - If you don't have a rolling cart or suitcase, buy a cart at the Rainbow Resource booth - If you are going to workshops or the keynote, a light sweater can help. - Pack snacks and a bottle of water. - Parking is cheaper a few blocks away. If you look at the link to the Convention center posted previously, it shows a map with lots. I like lots 2, 3, or 4 (3 is more expensive). Bring dollar bills. - Pack a lunch if you are saving pennies. - If you want to go out, look on P. 13 of the program. http://heav.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/05/FullProgram2012Small.pdf FYI - The Marriot restaurant is usually mobbed. Ettamae's cafe went out of business. - For restaurants, as a somewhat local, I have enjoyed the following places: Chez Foushee is a walk but very nice, any of the grills are decent (if you are OK with the bar aspect of the restaurant), Perly's (sandwiches, salads), Positive Vibe Express in the Library of VA (you can grab and go and also help people with disabilities!). I've heard Pasture is good but haven't been. Tarrant's Cafe isn't listed, but it is awesome. Corner of Foushee and Broad, about four blocks from the convention center. That's where I will be if I'm not in line at the UCS :D - Be prepared for long lines for the cashier at the Used Curriculum Sale. Use the bathroom before shopping. Last year there was a computer glitch and I was in line for an hour. This is when the snack/water/sandwich you pack may be a necessity. - Enjoy the vibe. As someone who has homeschooled only a few years, going to convention is a great time for me to be encouraged and enlightened. Hope it is the same for everyone else! Maybe I'll see you there! Off to find a bee sticker....

Little Hands to Heaven from Heart of Dakota is simple, open and go, and y can incorporate the littles. Of, as a previous poster said, enjoy this time! Congratulations.

Embarrassed to say .... I live in VA and wondering...is it the annual homeschooling time in the burg? wish they advertised more in their home state if so!! :)

My DH is a contractor, and he have been bounced around to many different coverages. BCBS or Anthem was always the best. Glad to be back with BCBS As of this month!

Guesthollow also has an Ancients schedule that incorporates MOH and SOTW. http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/curriculum.html

If you have used the TWSS syllabus in the past and/or viewed the DVDs, you most likely could do well with the theme-based material. The student guide and Student Resource Notebook (free download with purchase) are detailed about each dress-up or sentence opener.

We are using PAL and enjoy it very much. I second the recommendation to plan the games in advance -- I didn't do this, and it is a pain to play catch-up later. I will admit that I have supplemented with OPGTR some. PAL is focused on sight words as well as phonetic sounds in the first segment, whereas my middle DD does very well with sounding out versus straight sight words. She loves the farm stickers, and the writing portion has been perfect for her. I also love that I can print things out, so that with my next child, all I will need to purchase is another farm sticker set.

Also curious!

North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia are both awesome for history near the end of this cycle (and certainly leading into the year 3). Roanoke Island, Jamestown, Williamsburg. Maybe take a vacation next spring or summer to the Outer Banks of NC and make a day trip or two north? Or there's a Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg.

My middle DD had pertussis three years ago (and was vax). She coughed for months, poor thing. I took her to the doctor several times. Finally, she was coughing so hard she was throwing up. A neighbor who works as a public health nurse heard our situation and brought over a whooping cough test kit to bring with us to the ped appt the next morning. The ped brushed me off and didn't want to test and thought my neighbor was just scaring me. I finally threatened to go to the ER with the kit if she didn't test. Two days later, ped called and said, yes, it was pertussis. Not only that, she said, my persistence possibly saved my youngest child's life, as he was nine weeks old at the time and had not been vaccinated but was exposed. By the way, the dr never apologized for not believing me. :)

In my experience with the 4-5 year old group (my youngest DD just turned six and started CC at 4), the parents and tutor in the room help a lot during geography. We just hope that they color somewhere near the point on the map sometimes. Typical day: Tutor says location. Parents and tutor gently lead kids to spot on map. Ask child to color/circle spot, depending on tutor direction/ Then parent may help other kids nearby who need help or whose parent is in another room or distracted/nursing/whatever. And then we go back to our own kid. And then we watch as the kids begin doodling all over because they got the green marker today and green is their favorite color and look what I just drew. Then the tutor draws us back in, and we keep going through the lesson. Though this may seem disjointed, remember these are LITTLE kids. Yet they pick up on more than we know. My daughter LOVES maps and has them in her room and can tell you where places and states are and knows more than kids (and adults) beyond her years. So they do absorb it. Hope this helps.

This site has a suggested schedule: http://corefoundations.wordpress.com/scheds-english-and-history/ That said, we do it mostly orally, usually four pages a day, three days a week.

Pregnancy and my body did not agree with each other. :D As in, all-PG "morning" sickness, hospitalized for multiple times for dehydration from all the vomiting, and carrying ziploc bags with me wherever I went up until delivery. Sorry if TMI! So...I did what I could, but honestly, parenting my other kids and staying upright became priorities.

I agree that the guide and the audio CD are very helpful (we just finished our 2nd year in CC -- started when younger DD was 4). I agree that the history cards and other written items would not be necessary. Also -- the guide is brand new this year. You may find someone selling a used one for cheap. The old guide wouldn't have the timeline right, and a few math items are different, but if you are really trying to go frugal, this might help.

I'm hoping some NoVa or MD folks chime in. I would recommend checking into hotels on the Metro that are not in DC. Try in the Arlington or Alexandria area (sorry, MD folks, I know next to nothing about that side of the Potomac). Metro stops include Ballston, Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse, and Rosslyn. I know there is a Comfort Inn around Ballston and an Econo Lodge near there as well. Places like Crystal City and those near National Airport will likely be more expensive. Good luck!

We are on week three and enjoy it! There is a suggested schedule on the site. We do it for four days and skip the quiz on day five, as it is a repeat of the worksheets. I bought the timeline but haven't posted it yet as our schoolroom is being painted today:001_smile:

I really love CC for my family, in that it provides structure, science experiments, public speaking, memory work, social networking, and a host of other things. That said, I'm a tutor, and so the expense is offset a lot. So I know that's a big disclaimer. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck with your decisions!

I love Callanetics Evolution. It is somewhat ballet based, with a lot of stretching. Low impact (no jumping, etc) but deep muscle work. Three different levels are shown. You will definitely get toned. No spiritual stuff...just movement.

Wish I knew more varieties, given that I live in Hanover, home of (semi-) famous Hanover tomatoes. Bumping for the tomato cause!!! :D

First off, hugs. I am not in yur situation, but I can relate to the frustration that comes through in your post. I am thinking of doing GAPS, or at least removing dairy from the diet for a while (we are already gluten free). This would be for me and my middle DD and possibly all the kids as well.

Thank you! I'll check it out.

I've heard of the Tupler technique but not the splint. Do you mind elaborating? Thx.

I know some people who do it, though I don't have personal experience. My CC Director uses VP for history (she has a 4th grader and one in Challenge B). Given that CC is moving somewhat away from the VP cards and making their own, it might be worth looking into other history. But mostly, I'm just bumping and because I'm curious, too! :D

We are finishing our second year with CC. My middle DD is five, almost six, and started at four. You definitely need the guide and the tin whistle (though I ordered one at a local music shop for cheaper - just make sure it is in the key of D). We also enjoy the audio CD. The cards are certainly something you can choose to wait on until your daughter is more proficient at reading. Right now they are more like pictures to my middle child (though we have them and it helps my older DD for sure). Have fun!