We also jumped into MCT at the Town level this year. Last year we used Shurley and my son finished the year knowing the parts of speech and prepositional phrases. I agree that the section on phrases seemed a bit overwhelming but we went over it again and again as we finished Grammar Town. Now we are up to #18 in Practice Town and I believe the only phrases he has had to know so far are prepositional phrases. It does seem like they take it much slower as you move through practice town. I think once I let go of the idea that he had to know all the rest of the phrases completely I felt better. If he comes to a gerund or an infinitive and gets it wrong we just review the GT section. I don't know if I've helped or not but I do totally relate to your experience.

My oldest DS goes to a classical christian school that I absolutely love. I homeschool my younger two. The commute is 45mins in the morning and 30 mins each way in the afternoon. We have been blessed to work out carpools with a couple other parents so we only drive 3 mornings and 3 afternoons. My DH drives most mornings and I do the pickups so it doesn't get too much in the way of our school time. If you can work out carpools and have help from your DH it might work for you. The time my DS has spent at this school has been life changing or him so I would do it again and even a little further if I had to. I guess you need to evaluate your situation and check on carpool options. I just wanted to give you a positive experience to consider. I hope it helps.

I have a 1998 too! It has 141,000 + miles on it and also still going strong. I don't think that motor will ever give out! :auto: The one problem we have had is with the door handles/doors. We have had to replace almost all the handles and that isn't very cheap.

:iagree: I have to run out and wanted to write something but you saved me the time. Thanks :D ITA

Cricket Magazine is offering a free app today. It's a story for younger children. Enjoy http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-wonderful-birthday-gift/id472840054?ls=1&mt=8

Here are two recipes that we really like. I freeze the first one for a ready to go meal: http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/make-ahead-meals-cheesy-beef-and-rice http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/a-kid-friendly-meal-sloppy-cornbread

Wow that is amazing! :thumbup1::hurray:

I think it's amazing to see all the different poems people are memorizing! I find it so hard to pick because there are so many wonderful choices but many of the good ones do take time. Anyone else care to share? :bigear:

I started a thread in October and got so many great ideas that I thought I would try again. So what poetry are you memorizing this month? :bigear:

:grouphug: I am praying for you also.

:iagree::iagree:

I also learned from my nutritionist that if you take lecithin with Motrin (or any pain killer) it protects the stomach from harm and increases the efficacy as well. All you need is a teaspoon or so taken right along with the Motrin. Bromelain works amazingly well on an empty stomach. It's from the extract of pineapple. Some people use it as a digestive aid with food but taken on an empty stomach it works so well. I just healed a painful injury called frozen shoulder with bromelain. It worked really well. You have lots of good advice here to pick from!

:iagree: Also books by Mercer Mayer like There is an Alligator Under My Bed.

I can't let a post on home workout DVDs go by without mentioning Cathe! Not only does she have the most awesome workouts of every sort but she is also the nicest person. She has a wonderful forum on her site where she will answer questions etc. Her workouts range from intermediate level up to the most advanced you can get. Here is her site: http://cathe.com/

Tanya, My heart is breaking for you as I read your post and visited your page. I prayed for you and Hannah and will continue to lift both Hannahs and their families up in prayer. I am praying for God's peace which passes all understanding to cover you. :grouphug:

I started using it this year with my 4th grade DS. We LOVE it! It's so different, so rich and so flexible. My DS is really enjoying it and loves that we can sit on the couch to do most of the work. He is really developing a love of language which is the goal of MCT. I wasn't sure how we would like it but I am so happy I gave it a try. We are using the Grammar Town level this year. HTH :001_smile:

I just visited your Caring Bridge page and saw the picture of your beautiful daughter. I prayed for her and all of you as I saw her sweet smile. I will also join in to pray for Hannah and your family. May God heal Hannah completely and give you strength endurance and peace as you go through this difficult time. :grouphug:

Oh my this thread has totally given me the willies! :eek: I am so sorry for those of you who have to deal with this problem. I am not going to complain about my fruit fly invasion any more! :001_smile:

I am praying for him to be found today and that he is ok. His family must be so distraught.

:iagree::iagree:toooo!

Thanks these are great! We have been enjoying the Horrible Histories on YouTube lately. They have so many funny videos to see as well.

I am praying also. :grouphug:

We would like to give it a try too. Thanksgiving sounds like the perfect time to start. Thanks for posting this!

To add my 2 cents....I have used The Crystal for years and love it. I think it works amazingly well and I can go well over a year before I have to replace it. :)

:iagree: