Stranded http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283015/ I posted a link, because apparently there are multiple movies with that title. It has pretty poor acting, but my husband and I loved it. :):)

:bigear:

I really wouldn't, but if it concerns you I'd try something like having him pick a poem to read aloud, or something else short of his own choosing.:) Just an idea

My oldest is 7. . .I love them, but we're waiting. If your 7 year old had older siblings I'd say go for it, but being that he doesn't. . .I'd wait. I really think they're suited for children atleast 8 or 9 and up. Have you considered something like this? http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/106-days-creation-studies/ forgot to mention: They author does mention starting with the astronomy or botany books if that makes a difference

We got one of the "best for the ages" starter sets last year. I think they're definitely worth it. They are high quality literature with great vocabulary! I have learned several new words (they put definition for some of the "antiquated" words at the bottom of the page. And obviously, they're great because they really teach character and values. Our favorite so far has been Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince.:)

Thanks for all the ideas. Seriously, I have so many new tabs opened that I can't even see them all.:D Some of the things mentioned, the rollercoaster bilbo, and the trampoline. . .she's not develpmentally ready for. . . she pretty small 18lbs ish and on the slow end of normal (my last two kids took steps at 15 and 18months), but I think my 2 year old would have a blast with those.:tongue_smilie: We had a sandbox with lid when we moved here, but it became home to many spiders and crickets:scared: We do have a magnadoodle, but its been colored on. . .so it may be time for a new one:) I really like the melissa and doug and the wooden items mentioned, and I'm really intrigued by the play silks. They're not something I'm familiar with. . .so I'll be having a hay day looking through these links guys.

Okay everybody, My baby girl has her first b-day in a couple of weeks. I'm at a complete loss on what to get her!!! :001_huh:I feel like the whole thing has just kind of snuck up on me and I need to hurry up and get myself together Any ideas on great gift ideas. . .she's the youngest of 4, so we do have quite a few toys running around here. I'd like to get 3 or 4 nice things and spend $80-100 or so. Any great ideas??? What are some must haves, or things you wish you would have had?:bigear: many thanks!

The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye

Definitely. . .I NEED the TE. . .Thanks for the reminder about the placement test

:iagree: That's exactly why I was considering R&S, BUT I'm thinking ds will learn better if he ENJOYS it. . .that's why I almost completely positive I'll go with CLE. . .workbooks are his friends;)

2 hours give or take of actual scheduled work. . . not including an hour or 2 of free reading, playing outside, chores, devotions in the evening etc. . . That would make it WAY over 5 hours:001_smile:

Ya'll have been so helpful. I really REALLY want to use Rod and Staff. I love that it's not consumable; I like the coverage. Not to mention I would love to sit and do lessons orally with my ds. That being said. . .I really think he'll do better with CLE. We do history, Bible, and science readings together, but he has a no nonsense attitude about his other subjects. He wants a list of his assignments and independant readings to cross off. . . .so he can finish and go dig in the dirt or play legos.:001_smile: I think he will get frustrated with having to wait while I chase the other 3 around. . .and I KNOW he'd prefer a workbook. Ahh. . .I've made a decision and it feels so good:D

I would use RS 3 or somewhere in CLE 2. . .

We're currently using Abeka language, and I don't plan on continuing with it. I have my options lowered down to either CLE or Rod and Staff, and quite frankly, I JUST CAN'T DECIDE! I like the presentation of both, although I like RS a little better. CLE is a workbook format and I think my ds would prefer that though. I'm happy with all of my other subjects, but I just can't decide on this:blush:. So help me out ya'll. What made you choose and stick with one of these programs over the other? I'm all ears.:bigear: Brynn

yup. . .i go though this. . . ALL the time! My kids are 7, 5, 2, and 9 months newly crawling. I swear heat makes the situation worse. . .I'm grumpy when I'm hot!

Between those 3, I would use MUS. Singapore is very conceptual. . .we tried it and ds didn't get his facts down, so he struggled. Your best bet would be to look through as many samples as possible to get a feel for whether it's right for you. Even if you don't know EXACTLY what you are looking for, seeing the options may help you figure out what you're NOT looking for. For us that was: whole pages of math problems in small print. oy

Since no one has mentioned it. . .Science excurions www.Scienceexcursion.com I haven't used it but really like the looks of it

nope don't need it

Is there a particular "slant" or "perspective" in the series?

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" Prov 4:23

We love CLE math. . .its actually the one subject I'm not even tempted to switch. That doesn't mean its the perfect answer for you. You might try BJU and love it for 30 days, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll still love it in 6 months if you KWIM? The honeymoon period for a curriculum is usually longer than a month. Just something to think about. If it ain't broke. . .;)

OY. We tried Singapore for a few months. It. did. not. go. well. Then we tried Math Mammoth, and we didn't do well with that one either. CLE is the one that has STUCK for us, but I wouldn't call it fun. For more hands on, Right Start and Math u see come to mind. . .with Math u See being the less teacher intensive of the two.

Any particular reason that you have it lowered down to those 3? Do you know if you want a spiral or a mastery program? Abeka and Saxon spiral while MUS is mastery. I would actually recommend CLE if you want a spiral math program and MUS is you want mastery. And history-My vote for a 1rst grader would be story of the world hands down.:D

My son is on light unit 208, and we don't cross of any problems. For awhile, his math was taking FOREVER, so we went through the flashcards more and that really seemed to help. Now that he has his facts down pat, it takes about half an hour.

I have been toying around with the idea of switching from Abeka language to R&S English. When I showed my son, I thought he would cry. He said his language is his favorite thing to do. ..go figure, so I'm not sure we will switch, even though I like the looks of R&S better. As far as ETC vs. Abeka phonics, I think it depends with how you want to use it. ETC can be used relatively independantly, whereas Abeka is more teacher intensive. I have used and like both, but Abeka really got my children reading better in less time. I used the handbook for reading with the leveled readers. (no TE)