I'm in western Ct. It's 16 with a windchill of 8. Brr. I'm waiting for the woodstoves to get the house warmed up.

Actually, I'm waiting on something for ds, which was supposed to be sent first class, estimated delivery December 29. I'm not surprised it's taking longer. I would think when you buy something media mail, you don't expect it in a week and a half. or even 3. sigh....

Hmmmm....I don't want her to think I keep putting her off, but I think it would be reasonable for her to wait a bit longer. However, I've said this several times since December 21 when she already felt it had been too long. I'm almost inclined to just give her the refund now anyway.

I sent a package by media mail on Dec. 12. I was told it still hasn't arrived. Meanwhile, there has been Christmas, New Year's, snowstorms, etc in between. The buyer has asked for a refund, which I am willing to give. She started telling me it was late 10 days after it was sent. I'm wondering if this is taking an unreasonably long time or not. I did not get insurance or tracking, as it was a fairly cheap item. So, it may be lost or still on the way. Just wondering what any of you say. Thanks.

Hmmm......not sure what to say on this. I have a 12 yo son. He was slow in learning to read (close to 10 1/2 when it really started to get easier/more fun for him). I wanted to let him just read what he wanted because it was such a hard won skill for him. Now he reads a lot and goes to the library on his own occasionally. I can't screen everything and I don't want to let him pick out a book at the library only to have me tell him he can't read it. I do know there's a lot in books that I would rather he didn't read yet. He is quite innocent as well. So, no advice, just listening in here and thinking this over....

Sorry. I couldn't find a division symbol on my keyboard. It is 6 division symbol 2 (1+2). I solved the parenthesis first. Then do division and/or multiplication working from from left to right. Therefor, I get this: 6 division symbol 2 (1+2) 6 division symbol 2 (3) Then working from left to right: 6 div. 2 = 3 Then you have: 3 (3) which equals 3 times 3 = 9

This was shared on my facebook. Apparently a lot of people get the answer wrong. I'm almost sure the answer is 9. Can anyone confirm this or tell me otherwise? tia.

Of course, since it still feels a bit kerfluffley here I think this is helpful too. Which leads to questions like is that a banana in your kilt or.....????

:grouphug: and prayers.

got a new one

I can't copy and paste this, but please check out this link. This thread really needs it. http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss78/stephentubridy/PedraichPrivatesmiley.jpg

There's a playground near us that still has one of those things. I can't believe it hasn't been taken away. And as a mom, yup, I see all the potential injuries, but I've never actually seen anyone get hurt on one. A few kids crying when they fell off, but not hurt. Ah, the good old days of a little risk.......

Of course if we look at all violent episodes by young people probably a far larger percentage have always been in public school. It just is never good when there is something bad that happens and it turns out there is any homeschooling connection. Sad to say there was a murder a couple of years ago also here in Ct. and one of the perpetrators was hsed. Just not good for the rest of us, even if we can have a realistic perspective on it. Hsers are so far off other people's radars, that it is an easy thing to blame off the radar behavior on, even when there really is no connection.

I'm just wondering....when was it decided that slides were for going down? I mean maybe, just maybe, they were invented with the idea of going up and all you slide downers got it wrong. And somewhere along the way going down slides just caught on. ;) I say Up with slides! Go up the slide barefoot eating a cupcake and wearing a kilt.

I'm in Danbury and I belong to one group which is just social.

I've been hugging my boys a lot today. Still waiting on more news, as I hear the second gunman is currently in my town, maybe already caught.....

Okay, I just went to hslaunch and searched. I did better with just using "states" as my search word. here is the file I was thinking about and have been using. it may be more than what you are looking for though. I can't link it, but it is called "plans for a 2 year US" .

If you search "state study" at www.hslaunch.com you will find a few options. I think Pata has a good one.

I wanted to add that we are busy, but I know that won't lighten up. We are out of the house 4 nights a week and will soon probably be going to 5 nights M-F. Weekends are taken up by tournaments, sometimes just one day, sometimes two. These activities are important to the kids. So, basically our weekdays are free (except for the occasional play date, chores, etc.) I have been a bit loose, letting us take Mondays off or some such, because we are often wiped out on Mondays. Truth is, though, if I were more organized, we could still do some work on Mondays even if we're really tired. The hard part has been being tired and disorganized and therefore, not able to pull it together sometimes. There is the key to what I am working on right now----organization. So, in a few minutes I need to get off the computer and get to work. :)

I don't think we've really had a crappy year so far, just not enough and not particularly consistent. We have lots of changes already in the works. I have been reading more and have been somewhat influenced by The Latin Centered Curriculum among other things. I am adding quite a bit to older ds' schedule. He also wants tests (more than just the math tests we were doing). So, we have added in: ~Memoria Press' Famous Men of Rome w/ study guide (I think I will try to use the student guide as tests, rather than as a workbook ~Regular mythology readings (including using D'Aulaire's book w/ study guide from MP) ~Geography from MP ~Philosophy following the model from Great Books Academy ~Literature study from Great Books Academy For younger ds: ~Phonics from MP (Classical Phonics) ~Literature study from MP (starting with More Storytime Treasures as it fits with his current reading level) For both of them: Life of Fred Bravewriter Arrow Project Based Learning (we've done this intermittently, but I want to commit to it more consistently in our week) Also, we have a new format to our "together time": Monday: Myths, Maths (living math), and Music Tuesday: Open (may use this for science, general read alouds) and tea time Wednesday: Wilderness (nature) and the World (geography, cultures) Thursday: Open Friday: Fairytales, Fine Arts, Freewriting I am working on a simpler checklist for older ds that I can keep on top of better and reinstituting workboxes for younger ds. Also,going to get started earlier each day. These last few items are key.

Here's a totally weird sounding idea, but I think maybe it helped me. I read this somewhere....don't know where. Cut a chunk or slice of raw onion. Get a pair of cotton socks. Run hot water over the socks till they're soaked through and feel warm or even hot to the touch.Wring them out very well. Insert onions into socks so they lay flat across the bottom of sock (like where your feet would step on them if you were wearing them. Then, get into bed and put socks on. Go to sleep. I swear, if the socks are hot enough, it is so relaxing. And I think the onion maybe does something. :tongue_smilie:

Thank you all. Your responses were very helpful. I will check out the samples at RR. Based on what I've read here, though, I think I would just consider it for a supplement, maybe trying out a lit. unit.

I would love to hear some feedback on MBTP. I don't have any specific questions. It looks very interesting to me, but a bit overwhelming. Particularly since I was considering using it as a supplement. I don't know where to even start. Oh, wait. I did think of one question. For my younger ds, who is 10 yo, but is not a strong reader, it says he would fall into the 6-8 yo skills wise, but I am wondering if the content would be below his level. Does it make sense to wait until his reading skills are stronger and then can maybe match up to his age? Basically, I would just like to hear a bit more about this program from anyone who has used it.

Seriously, LoriD, I might just have to change my plans for this year and add in a Hobbit study. What great info.

Do you mean that you have your older ds read on his own or you do it as a read aloud with each of them separately?