We have dealt with fleas twice, and both times resorted to getting the house bombed. There is a trick that I used though: set out a metal pie pan at night near a light. Fill the pan with water and a drop or two of dish soap (not citrus scented). The fleas are attracted to the light reflecting in the pan, and jump in to their death. Oh, and also, apple cider vinegar is supposed to be a miracle worker. If you put a Tablespoon or two into your pet's water each day, they will supposedly be flea 'resistant'. (It's supposed to work for people too if you are getting bitten a lot). Good luck.. I hate fleas!

It is possible - I've done it with 3 kids in tow! Just make sure she knows that as soon as she lands her #1 priority needs to be finding the gate. She should get off the plane, find her flight on the nearest arrival/departure display, and immediately head to her gate. We always find the gate first, make sure it is correct, and only then if we have extra time do we stop for bathroom breaks or snacks.

How much do you get done in a day? What time do you get started, and what time do you finish? Is school 'done' when a certain amount of work is completed, or when the clock strikes a certain time? I just wonder if I am expecting too much. TIA

I started having this smelly problem this summer with my hubby's t-shirts. Someone told me to put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray down the armpits (with the shirt inside out) until they are saturated before washing the shirt. It works!! The difference is amazing.

and I woke up sick, and my printer stopped working yesterday!! oh boy!! :tongue_smilie: (and I have to admit, it feels a little weird to me that all of the other 'moms' on my facebook are like: "Yippee... I'm sending my kids off to school today - Party time!!" and I'm just not. :glare: )

:iagree:

I don't have experience with special needs/ issue kids, but my son is 7 and I've found that I really have to use his 'currency' (which for him looks like: video game privilege, TV shows/videos, & favorite toys). Last year we struggled a lot with attitude, and on our worst days I made a chart that said "Noah - TV". I drew three boxes on it, and told him that if he got 3 x's for his attitude then all TV privileges would be lost. This was very effective for him!

Love the big smiles, and I color code my children too! (blue, purple, & pink) Great job!

Do you need to go back to the basics of phonics? For the word 'wide', I would ask whether you hear a long or short 'i', and then talk about how the i is getting it's long sound..

while we were out of town last week on a camping trip. Now, they all sit in a stack - still in their boxes and wrappings. Since we got home (two entire days ago) I have been taking my son to and from the ER for a terrible staph infection on his leg. But every once in a while I glance at the pile of boxes, and I don't know whether I'm excited or intimidated. The new planner I ordered is in there somewhere too... maybe I'm reluctant to approach the stack b/c that means I will have to start actually planning. :leaving:

We used the Native Americans History Pockets this past year (for 1st grade), and we really enjoyed it. It was our 'fun' thing that we didn't do often enough (we still have 3 groups/pockets to finish). My son really enjoyed learning more about Native Americans, and we thought that a lot of the activities were fun!!

That is funny! It has always been a Spring book to me!

thanks!

I was wondering if anyone has a list of great books to read during the different seasons of the year?? I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but certain books seem so 'seasonal' to me. (ex: Charlotte's Web - Spring, Farmer Boy - Winter)

We used "all Abeka" (with added literature) for two years. I used their K phonics program to teach my son how to read. It was really hard for him, but it was also really solid. He went from not knowing all of the letter sounds, to being a solidly good reader at the end of the year. This is the only program I've used so far for teaching reading, so I don't have anything to compare it to. And, last year (first grade) I grew so thoroughly annoyed with Abeka phonics (and everything else) that we have totally ditched it for this coming year.

Your blog is just beautiful! I wish I felt your excitement for starting the year again! :blink:

I love this!

We just recently got "the Jesus Storybook Bible" and we love it! Before that, we would read just a few verses and then discuss (we went through Philippians). Also this Summer we started going through The Small Children's Catechism http://www.grace.org.uk/faith/childcat.html which has led to some great teaching and discussion. We will be going through this for a long time. We also review the books of the Bible. The only thing I would like to add during the school year is Scripture memorization ( 1 verse per week). I still need to figure out which verses I would like to use though.

I LOVE the Leapfrog videos. I think the first one is called Letter Factory. It has a catchy song 'the a says aah'. I wish I had these videos for my oldest - they taught my girls (at 2 & 3) all their letter sounds. http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Frog-Letter-Factory/dp/B0000INU6S

We loved this book too! I just finished previewing Dr. Doolittle, and I love that it has the same adventurous feel. I think we'll be starting off the school year with Dr. Doolittle.

Last year we did Abeka, and the readers were less than interesting. This year I am piecing together our curriculum - using MOH, Galloping the Globe... but I feel lost as to what to plan for reading. I'm half tempted to hijack Sonlight's list of Readers... Suggestions?

:iagree:This is me - nothing in our life ever goes the way we plan it. If I ever actually decide on curriculum, maybe I will try to plan goals for the week.. that seems more reasonable.

I have decided upon Singapore Math (for 2nd grade). Should I order the US Edition, or the Standard Edition? Way too many choices!! :tongue_smilie:

love this!! I am nearly to this point too!

thanks for the input!