I've seen rates re: naturally occurring ADEM(8 per 1,000,000), but not vaccine-related. if you have a source for those numbers, I'd like to see it. Every family has to assess their own risk:benefit ratio and decide for themselves what's right for their family. Unfortunately, most people don't have a full, accurate picture of those risks & benefits. In my experience as a nurse & childbirth educator, true informed consent is sorely lacking in our healthcare system.

I'll share a scary, but none the less true, story about the flu shot. My cousin's husband is active duty Air Force & is required to get a flu shot every year. This year, about 48 hrs after receiving the flu mist version of the vaccine, he was in a coma. ALL, and I mean ALL, testing was done. The results were that it was the flu vaccine that caused his Adult Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. The Surgeon General is involved with his case. I haven't had a flu shot in over 10 yrs. I've had the flu once in that 10 yr period. For me, 5 days of feeling crappy are better than a lifetime of disability.

I'll take you up on this offer. My kids HATE XtraMath because of they are too frustrated trying to find the number on the key pad & my iPad is a bit slow. I looked through the sites FAQs, but didn't see instructions for changing the timer. Thanks!

Bump

I'm weary of dealing with my cyctocele. I've been kegeling & squatting daily since I was pregnant with my first baby 11yrs ago. The exercises are great for everything except the cyctocele! I'm now considering a surgical repair. Consultation is in March. I'd love to hear your experiences--good & bad--with surgical & non-surgical solutions. Thanks!

Check out this site. http://onceamonthmeals.com/menus/paleo/ You can browse meal plans & print recipes without purchasing her program.

This thread is great! Sad that I'm a Johnny-come-lately, but here you go: Chicago is an old, dirty, icky city. I visit only because my sister & her family live there. In Living Color was the funniest show ever! I laughed 'til I cried every Sunday night during my senior year of high school. Massive book collections in a person's home are just collectors of dust. Put those books in a public library! Six Flags is awesome! Most Americans are ridiculously excessive in the amount of pharmaceuticals they consume.

On Wednesday, our Girl Scout troop took a tour of a local shelter for homeless women & their children. While many girls grimaced or clammed up, my 8 yr old daughter jumped in with great questions & eagerly played with the children(a toddler with Down's syndrome, preschoolers who were grubby, etc.) . It truly warmed my heart to see her embrace this experience without an ounce of reluctance. This Catholic mama is seeing bits of Blessed Mother Teresa & Pope Francis in an often self-absorbed dd. :)

I've used ETC with my kids. The primer is usually for preschool age. The 1/2 books are for kids who have finished a level, but need a little more practice with the concepts in that level. I never used a guide. I' not sure there is one. I just read the directions to the children & away they go. You might look through the 1 1/2 book to see if its a good fit for your dd. What a lucky find!

My 3rd grader prefers to have AG books as read-alouds. We read one chapter per day, so that easily is one book/week.

We go on a a nature walk/hiking every Tues after music lessons. This fall we've picked a different location each week & another homeschool family usually joins us. Nothing formal, just enjoying the diverse terrain that Rhode Island has to offer.

All remember of my Girl Scouts experience in the early '80's was that the troop leader smoked like a chimney & one girl got picked on a lot. I was a Brownie for one year and didn't go back. I'm now troop leader for my daughter's brownie troop. We're having fun! There's no smoking & no teasing. Already the "new" Girl Scouts is better than the "old." :)

DS age 10 5th Grade Week 6 Day 4 WWS-Titanic First Draft: The lifeboats were reddy gest after midnight on the Titanic. Women and childrn got on the lifeboats at 12:25 am. They lanched the first lifeboat at 1:10 am. The first boats were only 1/4 of the whay full. Later, lifeboats were cramed with people. Captain Smith said, "You have done your duty, boys. Now every man for him self." He did not leave his ship. Electricity stoped at 2:18 am. The Titanic split in half. Later, only one lifeboat surched for people in the water. Final draft: Captain Smith told the crew to get the lifeboats ready because he knew the Titanic was sinking. The lifeboats were ready just after midnight. Women and children got on the lifeboats at 12:25 am. They launched the first lifeboat at 1:10am. The first boats were only a quarter of the way full. Later, lifeboats were crammed with people. Captain Smith told the crew, "You have done your duty, boys. Now every man for himself." He did not leave his ship. Electricity stopped at 2:18 am. The Titanic split in half. Later, only one lifeboat searched for people in the water. I honestly don't know what to expect from a 5th grader. He's a reluctant writer, and it was tough to get this much out of him. It feels very disconnected to me, but He did follow the chronological order of the 3 main topics he chose. I hesitate to correct *everything* for fear of making the process more painful...Suggestions welcome!

DS age 10 5th Grade Week 6 Day 4 Titanic First Draft: The lifeboats were reddy gest after midnight on the Titanic. Women and childrn got on the lifeboats at 12:25 am. They lanched the first lifeboat at 1:10 am. The first boats were only 1/4 of the whay full. Later, lifeboats were cramed with people. Captain Smith said, "You have done your duty, boys. Now every man for him self." He did not leave his ship. Electricity stoped at 2:18 am. The Titanic split in half. Later, only one lifeboat surched for people in the water. Final draft: Captain Smith told the crew to get the lifeboats ready because he knew the Titanic was sinking. The lifeboats were ready just after midnight. Women and children got on the lifeboats at 12:25 am. they launched the first lifeboat at 1:10am. The first boats were on a quarter of the way full. Later, lifeboats were crammed with people. Captain Smith told the crew, "You have done your duty, boys. Now every man for himself." He did not leave his ship. Electricity stopped at 2:18 am. The Titanic split in half. Later, only one lifeboat searched for people in the water. I honestly don't know what to expect from a 5th grader. He's a reluctant writer, and it was tough to get this much out of him. It feels very disconnected to me, but He did follow the chronological order of the 3 main topics he chose. I hesitate to correct *everything* for fear of making the process more painful...Suggestions welcome!

We completed WWE 2-4 & FLL 1/2-4 and moved to Hake Grammar 5 this year. Ds(5th grade) is completely independent with this subject(which is essential for me to homeschool all my dc). He's on lesson 10, and its easy for him. I don't mind because I feel he needs a couple of easy subjects-WWS & Latin are challenging for him & working independently is new. Hake 5 is giving him straightforward review/practice & confidence in his ability to work independently.

I'll preface by saying we eat mostly Paleo. I've eliminated all grains from my diet & dh's. I'm slowly weaning the kids off grains. They're carb-addicts, so it's been tough. ;) Anyway, here's one idea I haven't seen mentioned yet. Buy eggs that are sized small or medium. We can get a 2 1/2 doz for less than $3. They are local, not grass-fed, but I find them better than standard grain-fed. Cheap, complete protein. Keeps their bellies full far longer than boxed cereals did!

Yes, I have threatened, and yes, I followed through. I sent my then 2nd grader to school in Jan & had her finish out the year there. Her behavior was disruptive, I was unable to manage appropriate ways to discipline her & the negative emotions were high throughout the family. The experience was good for her. She now understands what "school" means(this was her first school experience). She understands routine, expectations & I think she has a better appreciation for the freedom homeschooling provides. She's homeschooling now and though we have only one full week under our belts, it's MUCH better than last year!

No, he uses photocopies of Form B & C for Mental Math, Lesson Practice & Mixed Practice. Text is saved for the younger kids.

Find a way to talk to an astronomical engineer(or look at the academic background on a bio). What type of education did he/she have? I'm certain it didn't involve programs like the one you described. Excellent careers can be made without astronomical price tags! ;)

We did both a couple yrs ago. I only vaguely remember narations in FLL3. I'm a "check the box" kinda girl, so I'm sure we did them. Plus, my ds son benefits from practice in narration.

We LOVE the CDs!! My oldest is definitely an auditory learner. He remembers so many details of the stories. I also like the various character voices that Weiss uses throughout the CDs. Far more entertaining than mom who tends to get drowsy while reading aloud. Plus, we listen to the CDs again & again while in the car running errands, etc. Effortless reinforcement. ;)

We loved the Boston Tea Party Museum. My kids are substantially younger than yours, but I take adults there, too & they enjoy it. Very interactive & really fun if you allow yourself to get involved in the theater portion of it. And if you're fans of '80's TV, remember to stop at the Bull & Finch Pub (aka The Cheers Bar)!

Island of the Blue Dolphin(we're naming our next dog Rontu) Johnny Tremain Elijah of Buxton (listening to audiobook & it is hilarious!! We are loving it. Glad I got the cd as I'm certain I would have fumbled over the dialog if I tried to read it aloud.)

That's the one! Guess my memory was off on all aspects of this game hunt! Thanks!

We played it the year we did SOTW 3(Early Modern). I remember using pennies & one dime. The dime tries not to get cornered. The pennies try to "capture" the dime. I've poured over my copy of the activity guide, but can't find it...student pages are gone. Can anyone tell me the name of this game?!?