$115/mo. Weekly lesson is 30 minutes (guitar or piano). I thought that amount was pricey when DD first started taking lessons, but our music teacher is worth more than her weight in gold!

If you have someone hosting a baby shower for you, the hostess could suggest guests bring a freezer meal or casserole that could be freezed. I really appreciated the meals I received from our church when my kids were born, but I really like having ready-made meals on hand that I can just pop in the oven or microwave. The crock pot is my next favorite cooking method.

Yep, that's what I do too.

Thanks, Rosy. I checked WINGS and there is nothing "due" for my kiddos yet, so maybe it is because my AT has not yet been assigned. I sent our AT from last year an email and hope to hear from her next week. BTW, we are with CVA Orient. I also checked out the EALRs site last week and did some cut and pasting for grade level expectations for our SLPs, but holy smokes, there was a lot listed for individual grades. I plan on combining history and science for my 2nd and 6th grader this year, and hope it isn't a nightmare for me to get the SLPs to jive with the EALRs for both grades.

Rosy, I have looked high and low on CVA's web site and WINGS for SLP info, but I find nothing at all. I also wanted to check my curriculum choices for this year with their "funded/non-funded list", but the link is no longer there. I wanted to get started on the SLPs for my kids, but I would like to do it right the first time and not have to spend a lot of time editing in order to please CVA. I haven't had any problems in the past with our SLPs, but it sounds like they may be some new rules. Do you know where I would find this information, or did you get it from your AT? Thanks much.

DD did Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing in 4th grade. We also tried out digital scrapbooking using Renee Pearson's book but didn't get very far. The instructions were great and she did a few pages, but then the PC started acting up and it got put on the back burner. She did regular scrapbooking in K-3 grades and enjoyed it very much. It worked well to encourage writing, and I really love being able to look through her scrapbooks and read her journaling. LegoRobotics was also a big hit for DD in K2, but we did that at a homeschool group so I didn't have to buy the kits, which are quite pricey.

Aug 23 is our official start date, but DD has decided to get a head start on her favorite subjects. I wish I could say the same about my 7yo DS.

I like your thoughts on this--very good advice. :001_smile:

I think every age has its challenges. Maybe the reason the younger ages (2-3) get labeled terrible is because we, as parents, just need a break. The first year we are excited over everything they accomplish. By age 2 their accomplishments (getting into everything) get a bit tiring. My just turned 7 DS tires me out when it comes to getting him to do anything. I am NOT looking forward to this school year. He doesn't like anything that involves writing, so I will be spending this school year trying to find new ways to motivate him.

We use the kitchen table mostly, but DD has had to resort to other locations because her younger brother can sometimes be a nuisance. The first year I homeschooled I bought a small bookshelf, which kept everything nice and tidy, but since then I have added another bookshelf, cubicles, Rubbermaid containers. I really need to go through and organize what we have because we have run out of space. An extra room would be wonderful. I'm looking at a toy (utility) cabinet in our family room right now that I am considering emptying out, but that's a job I need to do when the kids aren't around as they don't like to get rid of anything.

DD 11: Singapore, Life of Fred, and Apologia Astronomy & Botany DS 7: Singapore, Apologia Astronomy & Botany

DD is taking placement tests for Singapore math, and DS is watching Clifford. Both are enjoying some brownies that just cooled.

After reading the book "Say Goodbye to Whining..." written by Turansky and Miller and having good success with their parenting approach, I gladly attended one of their parenting seminars when it was offered at a local church a few years later. I bought the "Parenting is Heart Work" book and CD series at the seminar, which I highly recommend. They teach a biblical approach to parenting that focuses on changing the heart, which in turn changes the behavior. The link to their site is below. They have free email tips for dealing with behavior/attitude problems that are very useful, and you might find the first book I mentioned at the library, both of which would give you a better understanding of their parenting approach. http://www.biblicalparenting.org/tips.asp Dr. Kevin Leman is someone else who offers some very common sense methods for behavior problems, and he has a great sense of humor. He has been interviewed on FamilyLifeToday so you could look through their archive for past interviews. Good luck!

I was unaware of Extra Practice books, that may be all we need. Thanks.

What a nice surprise to find some CVA folks. :001_smile: I just signed up for WTM today and came across this thread while searching for math ideas for DS (grade 2). I still have to put SLPs together for my kids. I received an email from CVA recently but didn't catch anything about SLP changes--so maybe I missed it? I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by. It sounds like you all are ready to start a new school year. I wish I could join the crowd, but I still have a few things to sort out with curriculum, particularly math for my 7yo DS who doesn't like writing and gets very bored with repetition. He did Singapore math last year and did well, but there doesn't seem to be enough practice pages. I am looking for something to go along with Singapore's Primary 2A workbook. If anyone has suggestions, please share.